Los Altos High School ■ 201 Almond Ave., Los Altos, CA ■ May 27, 2014 ■ Volume XXIX, Issue 8
see more online at
lahstalon.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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LAHS ALUMNUS LIKELY CONTENDER FOR 2016 OLYMPICS Alumna Diamara Planell hopes to compete for Puerto Rico in the Rio de Janeiro Summer Oympics in pole vaulting. Sports, 12
School Plans Summer Renovation Projects From the pool to the football field’s AstroTurf, LAHS is planning new construction projects. News, 3
Mandatory Physical Education Comes Up for Debate
TALON FILE PHOTO
R E A D M O R E A B O U T D AW S O N ’ S T I M E AT T H E S C H O O L A N D H E R L E G A C Y O N PA G E 8
Parents from the MVLA community spoke at a recent school board about whether P.E. should be required for all freshmen students. News, 3 a n d Editorial, 4
Students Should Be Aware of Banned Books Read one writer’s opinion as to why we must use more caution when choosing to censor or ban any book. Opinions, 5
Feature Artist: OutKast The Atlanta band that became famous for “Hey Ya!” 20 years ago is bringing their unique hip-hop vibe back to the stage. Entertainment, 9
The “Orange is the New Black” star expands the disussion concerning trans* rights and has served as an active spokesperson for the community. Entertainment, 9
UPCOMING EVENTS May 28 @ 8 p.m.
Senior Recognition May 29 @ 4 p.m.
Senior Dessert
May 30 @ 3:30 p.m.
Yearbook Distribution May 30 @ 7 p.m.
Senior Showcase June 2–3
Senior Finals June 4–6
Final Exams June 6
Last Day of School June 6 @ 6 p.m.
Graduation News Editorial Opinions
2 4 5
In-Depth Features Entertainment Sports
Suzanne Woolfolk The school’s new
assistant principal
KEVIN YEN Staff Writer
Incoming Assistant Principal Suzanne Woolfolk’s work in education has led her from becoming a teacher at Hillsdale High School to creating Family Literacy Nights at San Mateo High School, and now she’s headed to LAHS. Next year, she will become the new assistant principal after Assistant Principal Cristy Dawson’s retirement.
Woolfolk’s interest in education and literature began when she was young, having grown up around books as there was a second-hand bookstore set up in her grandfather’s auto shop. In high school, she participated in ASB, the newspaper and yearbook. Woolfolk notes that her greatest influence during high school was her journalism teacher. SEE ‘WOOLFOLK’ ON PAGE 8
SPORTS UPDATE
Softball clinches league title JOHNNY SCHER Staff Writer
Actress Laverne Cox Sheds Light on Trans* Issues
INDEX
Cristy Dawson, ASB adviser and one of the school’s assistant principals, has proudly called the school her home and its students her family since 2000. Although Dawson announced her retirement this year, her legacy will never end. After all, the last 14 years have been anything but forgettable. Dawson, according to many students and teachers, will surely be missed. To honor her outstanding service to the school, The Talon remembers Dawson’s years at the school, from her achievements to students’ memories.
6 8 9 11
The softball team took the De Anza Division by storm this season, going almost undefeated with a league record of 11-1, securing the league title and guaranteeing itself the number four seed in the first round of CCS playoffs. The Eagles went on to outclass 13th seed Lincoln High School 7-2 in the first round of CCS on Wednesday, May 21, advancing them to CCS quarterfinals against Wilcox. As of the press deadline, Los Altos’ quarterfinal game against Wilcox on Sunday, May 24, had not occured. Despite having an especially young team composed of only three seniors, the expectations going into the season were to continue the success of the softball team which in previous years had been dominant, including a run into CCS semifinals last year. Despite losing shortstop Tianna Vasquez ‘13, the team was determined to make up for their losses with their skilled younger players including sophomore Kaya Agustin and freshmen additions Audrey Jones and Krissy Ikeda. With high expectations, the team’s goals left no room for error. “We made it to the semi-finals of CCS last year so our goal this year going in was to take the De Anza league and hopefully take CCS,” se-
IAN MACKEY
Freshman Krissy Ikeda strikes the ball during a home game. The younger softball team has achieved a near-perfect season this year. nior Amanda Jones said. The team has not failed to impress, taking the De Anza Division for the second time in three years. The keys to the team’s success have been a strong pitching staff, reliable hitting and experienced coach, Tom Barrera. “In previous years we have been consistently strong, but a lot of that has come from the coaching,” Amanda said. “We got a new coach my sophomore year, Tom Barrera. He has really helped us play more as a team.” Whatever Barrera is doing, it has proven beneficial to the team. Since
his first year as the softball coach in the 2011-2012 season, the team has gone 31-5 in league over the past few years. Another factor towards their success is their pitching. With an accumulated ERA of 1.48, the Eagles’ pitching was able to shut down opposing batters this season. This can be largely attributed to the sophomore ace Lizzy Beutter, who dominated batters by going 17-4 with 114 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched. SEE ‘SOFTBALL’ ON PAGE 11
COURSES
New intro to engineering class offered ROBERT CHIN WILLIAM JOW Senior Writer Staff Writer
Next year, the school is introducing a new course, Introduction to Engineering Design, which aims to educate students in a wide scope of basic engineering concepts, centralized around virtual 3-D design. This future elective will be the starting course for a full three-year curriculum that serves as a preview of various engineering majors, such as computer-integrated manufacturing, digital electronics, aerospace, civil and architectural engineering. “We feel there’s a need and demand for this kind of course, to move [this field] forward,” math teacher Teresa Dunlap said. “For me it’s an exciting time, to be able to offer this.” Because the class is the first of its kind at the school, the school will only offer the first-year introductory course, titled Introduction to Engineering Design. In the next three years, however, the school plans to advance this program by adding subsequent levels as instructors Teresa Dunlap and Jeanne Yu receive training each summer. SEE ‘STEM CLASS’ ON PAGE 3
The Talon May 27, 2014
Get daily LAHS updates and read the news archives at lahstalon.org/news
Staffing change updates for next school year BY DAVID WU, SITARA SRIRAM, ALICE DAI AND SOFIA GUO Sports Editor, Business Manager, Staff Writers. PHOTOS BY BRANDON HONG AND IAN MACKEY, COURTESY LAHS AND JOHN HUMPHREY
Pearce retires from teaching History teacher DeeDee Pearce will be retiring at the end of this year. Pearce stated that family reasons have compelled her to go into retirement. “My children are asking to see more of me,” Pearce said. Though she still isn’t sure what she will do once she’s retired, Pearce did mention one undertaking: a 500-mile walk through Spain. “I walked 500 miles in Spain three years ago,” Pearce said. “I did a pilgrimage and I’ll do another one...It was probably the most incredible thing I’ve ever done in my life because it was very reflective. It seems like the perfect time for me to go back and reflect again.” Even in retirement, however, Pearce anticipates
Rosenberg leaves to teach at MVHS After her first year at LAHS, Contemporary World Issues and Psychology teacher Carson Rosenberg will be leaving to teach U.S. History and AP Psychology at Mountain View High School (MVHS) for the 2014-2015 school year. The decision to switch schools was made by the district based on a need to fill positions in the MVHS social studies department for the coming school year. MVHS’s social studies department chair is switching to the full-time Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment coach position, while another social studies teacher is becoming the department’s Common Core literacy coach. This rearrangement
of staff left three open teaching positions at MVHS. “I was brought to LAHS to replace Mr. Freeman, and he’s coming back [next year],” Rosenberg said. “It wasn’t my choice to move to MVHS, but I wanted to stay in the district and the district felt that they needed me more at MVHS. [The district’s] concern was that it’s difficult to have four new people in a department that are not familiar with the district—it’s a lot of training and reincorporating. It’s easier if you move some people around who are already familiar with the district, and I did my student teaching at MVHS so I know their department very well.” Rosenberg requested U.S. History as one of the courses she wanted to teach next year. In addition, she plans to prepare for teaching AP Psychology at MVHS by completing the AP Institute course at Stanford over the summer. Following her year at MVHS, Rosenberg would like to stay in the district. “I definitely want to stay in the district after next year,” Rosenberg said. “I’m interested in teaching at Alta Vista just to check out all three schools. I’d be happy to come back to LAHS, and I’m happy to do what the district needs as long as I can continue to work with students.”
that she will be around the school. “It’s not in my DNA to retire, so I know that I won’t retire well,” Pearce said. “I love education, so I’ll be dabbling in volunteering here, working with some students. I would like to work with AP students, minority students.” Over the course of her 29 years at the school, Pearce has been an instructional aide in the ESL Department and a teacher of numerous courses, including World Studies, AP European History, AP Psychology and Civics. “It’s been the most amazing journey,” Pearce said. ”I love what I do, I’ve always loved what I do. I’m very passionate about teaching and working with high schoolers and it’s very close to my heart. It’s an incredible environment….We have the greatest students, a great staff, we’re like a big family.”
Bjorklund leaves to pursue Ph.D. at Columbia University History teacher Pete Bjorklund will not be returning next year. Bjorklund plans to complete his masters and pursue a Ph.D. at Columbia in international comparative education. “I want to study education in postconflict society,” Bjorklund said. “[For instance], after a civil war, a conflict, genocide—how does education fit into the rebuilding processes of society and how can we use education as a tool for reconciliation to bring everybody back together again? I’ve always had an interest in conflict and genocide studies...I’ve [always] wanted to get a Ph.D.” Bjorklund chose to study at Columbia for a number of reasons. Due to Columbia’s stringent admissions process, he must first obtain a masters in his field of study before applying again to the Ph.D. program. “I got into other Ph.D. programs but I turned them down because Columbia is Columbia, and all the professors I know from other places all went through the [masters] process [prior to a Ph.D.],” Bjorklund said. “I think there are so many opportunities that New York offers for international work as well as starting in this program. At Columbia, they have a program specifically designed around post-conflict educa-
tion, so I’m willing to take one step back in order to move forward because there’s going to be a lot more opportunities for me available.” The Contemporary World Issues and World Studies teacher plans to finish his studies within four to five years and return to the Bay Area. “Eventually, I’d love to come back here,” Bjorklund said. “I love it here—I plan on growing old and dying here. I’d love to come back and work at LAHS in a few years, but right now I feel like I want to go out and spread my wings and do a little more. Getting a Ph.D. has always been a dream of mine for years, and now I’m actively pursuing it. This is something I want to do and have a go at before I settle down and stay in a place and stop, but [when I do], I’ll definitely be here.”
Humphrey to return for first semester After spending a year in Cleveland, Ohio, former history teacher John Humphrey will be returning for the first semester of the next school year. The half-year teaching plan is part of the state’s requirements for completing the retirement process, as Humphrey is required to leave teaching for a minimum of 182 days after he turns 60, which will be January 1 of next year. “I have always loved teaching,” Humphrey said. “Teaching...is such a positive experience that it’s hard to walk away...I’m doing whatever I can to come back.” Humphrey spent the past year recuperating in his hometown. “I have ongoing health problems and I want to try to get better so I could resume teaching,” Humphrey said. Humphrey plans to teach two periods when he returns. The administration has yet to decide what classes Humphrey will teach next year. “All the classes at LAHS are fun to teach, so it doesn’t really matter to me,” Humphrey said. Humphrey’s leave of absence has given him a fresh perspective and left him excited to return to day-to-day classroom teaching. “I miss working with students,” Humphrey said. “Being away has made me realize how important the work of teaching is. I’m really looking forward to working with LAHS students this fall.”
WiFi forces teachers to look for workaround JORDAN STOUT Senior Writer
Since mid-February, the school district has been upgrading the WiFi on campus. According to Eric Hunyh, the district’s Director of Information Services, the new WiFi system should be 10 times faster than the previous one. “[In February] we saw that the number of users on our system had gone from hundreds to thousands… so right away we started the upgrade process,” district Superintendent Dr. Barry Groves said. Groves attributed the rise in users to the increase in electronic devices on campus. Smart phones and personal laptops along with the already present school computers are almost always connected to the internet, stretching the capacity of the system.
According to history teacher Stephanie Downey, the timing of the upgrade has made the process inconvenient for a number of teachers. “I would say that my classes lose anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes a day because of the internet being down,” Downey said. Currently the job of upgrading the system has been left to district Information Technology employees, who have been unable to fix many of the problems with the new system. Social studies teacher Todd Wangsness has consistently had trouble connecting to the WiFi network in the 300 wing. Wangsness said that district IT employees have not been able to fix the problem despite weeks of work. Some teachers have resorted to providing their own WiFi. Computer
NOY ANISMAN
Science teacher Michael Richardson has set up his own network router under the name “DiagonAlley” in order to have a more reliable internet connection while the upgrades are underway. Richardson said that the process is especially ill-timed because his computer science class, as well as other computer-based classes, are incorporating more internet usage instruction. In response, the
district has tried to discourage the use of private WiFi networks. “Such ‘rogue networks’ are interfering with the school’s WiFi and need to be taken down in order for the system to fully work,” Groves said. Groves acknowledged that in the case of Richardson’s computer science class, such instantaneous internet access was necessary, though
Groves made it clear that Richardson would have to take down the network once the updates are finished. According to Hunyh, the date of completion has now been moved back to May 31, 2014 for the network and June 30, 2014 for the remaining infrastructure upgrades from August 2014. Groves said that the upgrades are planned to be completed by the time school resumes in the fall.
The Talon May 27, 2014
Mandatory P.E. contested at board meeting ALEX BARREIRA Staff Writer
During a board meeting on April 21, parents and educators spoke to the MVLA school board about the implications of Education Code 51242 (EC 51242), which would potentially exempt student-athletes from the mandatory physical education requirement during their freshman year sports seasons. EC 51242 allows the high school administration to exempt freshman students from enrolling in a P.E. course as long as he or she participates in a school-sponsored sport. Since 2009, the administrations at LAHS and MVHS have chosen not to exercise the education code. Recently parents have been more vocal at school board meetings about the mandatory freshman year P.E. class. The most recent board meeting on May 12 BRANDON HONG was moved from its normal site at Freshmen P.E. students practice their dexterity playing table tennis in the large gym. Parents at recent board meetings have urged the district the district office to the Alta Vista to allow students in extracurricular sports to be exempted from mandatory ninth grade physical education, arguing P.E. takes too much time. multi-purpose room to accommoopportunities to practice music, it an unappealing option. FurtherBoard member Phil Faillace in- Mitchner and Susan Sweeley seem date the larger attendance. A majority of parents at the meet- because many give up their playing more, some opponents also noted terpreted the code as applying in to support the status quo while ing were in favor of implementing without a structured setting. He be- that most athletes would not be limited circumstances. He thought Phil Faillace and Debbie Torok lieves P.E. would take able to take additional electives the P.E. exemption would only be seem open to allowing P.E. exempthe code, arguing that away from that valu- with the exempted P.E. time, as ath- given to students during their ac- tion in some cases. it was unnecessary for able time. letes would still have to participate tive sports seasons, and did not Before any formal action can be student athletes to P.E. offers However, oppo- in P.E. during their off-seasons. exempt them from written assign- taken, alignment concerns will need take P.E. and that time nents of the code, The costs and benefits of physi- ments or other requirements of the to be addressed between the two could be better used several benefits... among them the cal education, exercise and sleep class, such as passing fitness tests. schools. At Mountain View, sports for other electives. it teaches conSchool Board Presi- deprivation were also discussed Overall, however, he was in favor of hold practice after sixth period, Sam Cramer, who tent areas, covers dent Joe Mitchner, during the meeting. some changes to the way the dis- while at Los Altos practice starts will be a freshman in multiple sports suggested zero periSeveral P.E. teachers attended trict enforced the code. after seventh period. The difference high school next year, and has a co-ed od P.E. as a way to fit the meeting and argued the imFaillace argued a class may have in the athletics programs currently said that mandatory more electives into portance of P.E. for students. benefits for students, but this does would impact which P.E. classes stuP.E. would force him environment. students’ schedules. “P.E. offers several benefits that not mean all students need to be dent athletes could be missing. to choose between a — Athletic Director Kim Cave In response, some extracurricular sports do not, be- required to take it. Superintendent Barry Groves music class or a lanparents have said cause it teaches content areas, covAs of the press deadline, the said that the board’s decision guage class instead of both. Vincent Lewis, a music teacher that the energy required to play a ers multiple sports and has a co-ed board members seem to be 3-2 will not likely impact next year’s at Blach Intermediate School, argued sport and P.E. every day, and the environment,” Athletic Director in favor of keeping freshman P.E. freshmen, but possibly those the mandatory. Judy Hanneman, Joe year after. the importance of giving students early wake-up times required made Kim Cave said.
STEM class CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE These additional levels will include the second year’s Principles of Engineering where students explore a broad range of engineering topics to develop skills in problem solving research and design, as well as learn how to communicate and present their findings. This second year will have a significantly more handson approach than the first year, using heavy-duty equipment that will give students an authentic experience working with such tools. Experiments and tests will put student skills and knowledge to use in a physical environment. For the third year, students will have the opportunity to choose a specialized course for further immersion in a field of their choice. The third-year offerings will likely be determined by the interests of second-year students, due to the limited staff available. Many courses in different majors would complicate funding and resource distribution greatly, since each of these different fields would require their own specialized equipment, software and devices that are specific to the subject. A fourth year that is a capstone course may also be added, but as of the press deadline, the math and science departments are still ironing out the details. The Introduction to Engi-
neering class is the brainchild of a national nonprofit organization called “Project Lead the Way” (PLTW). The program aims to capture students’ interest in engineering, giving them the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects in which they identify problems and find their own unique solutions instead of learning in a theoretical rightor-wrong learning environment. The program is supported by multiple Fortune 500 business leaders, who recognize the importance of a program that will encourage students to get into STEM-related fields. Over 5,000 elementary, middle and high schools across all 50 states have implemented the program’s classes into their curriculum, including local high schools such as Gunn, Fremont, San Ramon and Saratoga. Other less-privileged schools are also targeted by PLTW, where enrollment in STEM AP classes, college entrance rates and standardized testing scores have risen as a result. Toppenish High School, where 100% of the student body qualifies to receive free or discounted school lunches, has seen enrollment in Pre-Calculus classes increase by 226 percent. The UC board has accredited the class with A-G elective credit, meaning that the class does not meet A-G science requirements. Students in the class will mainly work with Autodesk Inventor software to practice computer-aided design (CAD) disciplines. To read updates about the new classes, visit lahstalon.org/news
Construction planned for summer PERLA LUNA
Business Manager
The school will host several summer construction projects beginning on June 9. The school’s main priority is the pool, which should be renovated by the start of water polo season next year. After having the gutter and the drain redone last summer, the construction team this year plans to redo the exterior around the pool by repairing, replastering and replacing the decking within 10 feet of the pool. Along with the pool interior renovations, the boiler room servicing the boys locker room is also set to be replaced. Solar thermal panels are going to be installed on the rooftop of the boys locker room to assist in powering the boilers. “The pool is cracking and just getting old,” Head of Maintenance and Operation Mike Woodworth said. “With the boiler room, a lot of the equipment is over 20 years old and needs to be replaced. I can’t hold it together any more [because] I can’t get parts.” The football field’s synthetic turf is also set to be redone. The current press box will be remade into a bigger press box so there is more room for filming equipment and scoreboard controls. The entire turf area, which needs to be changed about every 15 years, will be switched out with a thicker, more padded turf that should act more like real sod. “[The football field] has to be replaced every 15 years because it loses its bounce,” Woodworth said. “It’ll still be synthetic turf but it’ll be safer [than what we currently have]. It’s just like a carpet in your house,
[which] needs to be replaced every so often because it wears out.” As a result of the construction projects, summer school has been moved from Los Altos to Mountain View High School. The con-
struction is set to be completed by the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, with the exception of the new press box in the football field, which does not yet have a start or end date.
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The Talon May 27, 2014
Please send letters to the editor to lahstalon.eic@gmail.com Los Altos High School
District must be open to not offering freshman P.E. exemption During the Monday, May 12 school board meeting, around 20 parents spoke in favor of offering a physical education (P.E.) exemption to freshman athletes. In response, district P.E. teachers argued that P.E. is more than just exercise and incorporates state content standards. Currently, from sophomore year on, students can be exempted from P.E. if they play at least two seasons of a sport during their final three years of high school. However, freshmen, regardless of whether they participate in a sport, must be enrolled in P.E. At the meeting, some parents argued that students who participate in a sport should be exempted. In the end, two of the five board members seemed to favor offering some kind of exemption, while the rest were generally in favor of the status quo. However, they directed district staff to try to find a creative solution to the problem. P.E. students play Ultimate Frisbee on the football field. The district is considering a system that would The district should realize that exempt student athletes from freshman P.E. the situation is logistically complex enough that the current system, son to reconsider the way practices number of issues. assign grades. while far from perfect, may well be are scheduled at MVHS. First, according to Assistant SuAlso, grading exempted students the best option. Additionally, the school board perintendent for Educational Ser- based on their performance in a The current system can certain- has interpreted the state educa- vices Brigitte Sarraf, teachers can- sport will lead to a disconnect bely be an inconvenience for fresh- tion codes surrounding this issue not legally be forced to teach zero tween athletes’ grades and those of man athletes. They are forced to to mean that athletes can only be period, which could affect the vi- regular P.E. students. take P.E. each day even though exempted during their season. Be- ability of a zero period exemption. If an exemption is offered, there they are already getting a signifi- cause seasons do not line up with Additionally, part of Faillace’s will also be the problem of detercant amount of physical activity semesters, being exempted solely proposal is that students would mining which students need to from their sport. However, offer- during the sports season does not have to make up work they miss attend P.E. classes at what time. ing an exemption open the period to while exempt from P.E. This is Inevitably, some students get cut isn’t the universal soanother class. likely impractical. While it would from teams or realize that they do lution many parents The situation Aside from the be simple for students to make up not want to participate in the sport. seemed to imagine. questionable ben- written tests and physical assess- Sarraf said that it would be “logisis logistically Though many made efits of exempting ments, other assignments, like tically very problematic” for P.E. complex enough the argument that students, creating participation grades, would be teachers and counselors to accomexempting students that the current a viable exemption more complex. modate these constant changes. from P.E. would al- system, while far is logistically probYet if students are not required to Not only is this a logistical nightlow them to take an- from perfect, may lematic. make up assignments, calculating mare, it also reduces the value of other elective, fresh- well be the best One proposal, their grades becomes a problem. the P.E. class. P.E. courses meet men have this issue from School Board When they are exempted from P.E. state content standards, which option. whether or not they Member Phil Fail- those missed assignments must students may miss if they are not are athletes. The only reason why lace, would only exempt students somehow be accounted for. One consistently attending class. this problem is worse for athletes if they already have first through option is for coaches to grade stuThe district should certainly is that at Mountain View High seventh period filled with academ- dents’ performance. However, by continue to look for ways to offer School (MVHS), sports practices ic classes. In this case, they would state law grading must be done by some kind of exemption. However, take place during seventh period. be assigned zero period P.E. and a credentialed teacher. This means the school board ought to be open However, this is not a reason to ex- would be exempted during their that coaches, many of whom aren’t to the idea that the current system empt freshmen; rather, it is a rea- sports season. This plan presents a credentialed, would not be able to may be the best option.
■ CORRECTION:
In a web article published April 18 titled, “Softball Continues to Dominate with Wins Over Saratoga, Mountain View,” softball player Jasmine Pedroza was misnamed as Jasmine Dickenson. The Talon regrets this error.
AVID is hugely beneficial for students
Dear Editor, Being an AVID student, I find that the program is extremely helpful and useful as it provides valuable information not only about high school courses, but also about college. As a junior, AVID has been a great help and last year when I was told that they would possibly stop funding the AVID program, I could not, for the life of me, understand why. We have recently had many additions to our school facilities, including
technology. So why do we not have enough money to continue AVID? It is important for the board to understand that AVID aids students who do not have prior knowledge, resources or money to grow as individuals in the college world. Also, Ms. Robertson deserves a shout-out as she is the best AVID teacher ever! Anonymous
ASB’s Friday brunch activities are appreciated
Dear Editor, The activities ASB puts on every Friday at brunch are awesome. It’s nice to come out of second period, at the end of the week when you’re tired and stuff, and see people doing random things like bowling,
playing musical chairs, or eating donuts off a string. Even though some are more exciting than others (that dodgeball game May 2 looked intense), their efforts are mucho appreciated! Elaine Zhao Senior
Admin must not strip students of tutorial
Dear Editor, I am sitting in my second period class on a Tuesday, asking myself, why do we not have tutorial? Do we live in the Cro Magnon era? Can we not keep time? Why is stripping away tutorial necessary? On AP testing week? That seems very wise. The fact is, many students who do not have the luxury of a free pe-
riod have planned to use tutorial for last minute study time before their respective AP test. It is an absolutely bizarre decision and one that should not be justified by a mere power outage. Why should the absence of light make us believe that it is “too difficult to maintain a Tuesday schedule?” I hope this mistake is not repeated if next year a very devastating power outage occurs. Alex Liua Senior The Talon welcomes letters to the editor. Email letters to lahstalon.eic@gmail.com, drop them off in room 409 or the box in the attendance office. In the case of spelling or grammatical errors, obscenities, libel or personal attacks, a letter may be edited or not run. Letters must be signed, but a name may be withheld upon request. Letters may be published online, in print or both.
201 Almond Ave., Los Altos, CA May 27, 2014 Volume XXIX, Issue 8 Editor-In-Chief Zoe Morgan Managing Editors Rebecca DeShetler (Print) Jared Eng (Print) Dhruv Madhok (Web) News Editor Tony Sun Opinions Editor Steven Cui Features Editor Casey Pao In-Depth Editor Carly Cohen Entertainment Editor Zach Cohen Sports Editor David Wu Media Editor Parmis Taidy Copy/Content Editors Maya Acharya, Steven Cui, Ariel Machell, Yuki Zaninovich Business Managers Perla Luna, Sitara Sriram Social Media Editor Emily Sims Senior Writers Robert Chin, Alex Cortinas, Cassidy Craford, Chase Eller, Sam Lisbonne, Joey Malgesini, John Naumovski, Jordan Stout Staff Writers Noy Anisman, Alex Barreira, Amelia Baum, Alice Dai, Salim Damerdji, Sofia Guo, Perla Luna, James Merrill, Danny Rosenbaum, Johnny Scher, Riley Soward, Sitara Sriram, James Sun, William Jow, Maya Varghese, Katherine Yen, Kevin Yen Photographers Brandon Hong, Ian Mackey Graphic Artists Noy Anisman, Michael Zhu Webmasters Yuki Zaninovich, Michael Zhu Adviser Michael Moul
POLICIES Los Altos High School’s Compositional Journalism class is solely responsible for The Talon, which is published eight times a year. The Talon also updates its website, www.lahstalon.org, with full-time coverage. The Editorial Board sets the policies of The Talon and crafts its editorials and thumbs. Its members are Cassidy Craford, Rebecca DeShetler, Sam Lisbonne, Dhruv Madhok, Jordan Stout and Tony Sun.
ADVERTISE & SUBSCRIBE Send advertisement and subscription inquiries to Perla Luna and Sitara Sriram at business.lahstalon@gmail.com.
Talon Supporters Honorary Pulitzers Ken and Debbie Munro, Emily Goto, David and Hadas Anisman, The Acharyas, Holly and Andy Cohen, Quyen Ngoc Nyguen and Chuyen Huu Do, Haiyan Gao, Mary E. MacLellan, Rongchun Sun, Afsaneh Golestany, Dan Shen, Su-Jane Hsieh, Yongmei Zhou, Susan and Ken Sims, Dusanka Rosenbaum, Steve and Thea Merrill, Lisa Gordon and Sean Mackey, Michael Zaninovich
Silver Supporters The Falos, Kris Moore, Elliott and Linda Dan, Corinne Arrouye, Kristian Family, Bruce Cohen, Srinivasan and Subadhra Sriram, Lewen Stempler, Randall Stempler, Maria Lippert, Qin Chen Shirley and Allan Soloman, The McDonalds
The Talon May 27, 2014
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Read more opinions articles at lahstalon.org/opinions
Editor’s Note: For this issue, The Talon has decided to focus an opinions article on an ethical dilemma that has an impact far beyond our student body.
Students should be more aware of book censorship PERLA LUNA
Business Manager
What do “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “The Scarlet Letter” have in common? All three have been either banned or challenged across American school libraries. Due to a lack of coverage, book censorship often gets swept under the rug and people outside of the immediate impact zone do not realize it is happening. However, events like Banned Book Week are bringing attention to the issue of book censorship. Book censorship is a broad issue with different sources of contention, from a publisher’s decision to censor possibly offensive aspects of a book to a library debating whether or not to carry a certain book to the attempt to remove a book already in the library or being taught in a classroom. The former two sources of book censorship are difficult for students to prevent but the latter source is one that students can and should take an active role in. The reasons that books are banned or challenged vary, with profanity, sexual explicitness or violence as the most cited reasons in cases involving schools. “The
Grapes of Wrath” or “Beloved” are examples of books challenged in libraries or class curriculums exactly for those reasons. Sometimes “self censorship” occurs and books are quietly removed before anyone is the wiser or the books are just not placed on school library shelves to begin with. “I don’t put out the annual Sport’s Illustrated Swimsuit issue, for example, because it objectifies women and perpetuates unhealthy stereotypes,” LAHS librarian Gordon Jack said. “That could be considered censorship, but I feel like I could defend that choice to a community if people objected. Of course, if enough people objected, then I would change my stance. What’s important is the dialogue a community has surrounding these issues.” The preemptive decision by librarians or teachers to choose not to put out or teach “Sports Illustrated” or “50 Shades of Grey” is reasonable because they hold no clear intellectual stimulation. There is a distinction between reading material like that and literature that has been proven over time to have educational merit and has been critically praised for it. “Beloved” and other novels like it may be explicit in language or action, but they offer something to learn from. If parents do make the choice
MICHAEL ZHU
to protect their own children from something they deem inappropriate or going against their values, that is their right as a parent. It is not, however, their right to prevent all other students from reading that same book. Book censorship becomes a problem when people attempt to force their ideas on everyone else. There’s a reason the United States government does not ban and has not banned any books— it’s a violation of the First Amendment and it has been proven so time and time again by the Supreme Court. One such case was the Board of Education v. Pico in which the Supreme Court ruled against the school board’s ban of
several books, among them Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five.” “Local school boards may not remove books from school library shelves simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books,” Justice William Brennan wrote in the conclusion of the case. Even if the school board does manage to pass a ban on a book, the results of banning books often proves to have the opposite effect anyway. There have been several instances when banning a book has only made students want to read the book more, thereby making book banning a self-defeating action as with “Catcher in the Rye” or the Harry Potter series. Book cen-
sorship also has negative effects on the curriculum of English classes because, more often than not, books taught in English classes are the ones coming under fire. “The immediate effect is that students aren’t able to read and benefit from some of the greatest works of literature we have, including works by Nobel Prize winning authors,” Jack said. “The long term effect is that our intellectual freedoms become slowly eroded to the point where it becomes easier and easier for a vocal minority to determine what we can read and what we can’t. That’s a very dangerous place for any free thinking society to be in.” Book censorship may not be that big of a deal to many students out there, but it should be something that they question, not something they mindlessly agree to. To prevent this, students should be taking a deeper interest in the books that parents or the school board may be challenging. “I think it is something students should care about,” Jack said. “We’re lucky that we live in an educated and progressive area where censorship and banning doesn’t occur often. I think we need to protect intellectual freedom whenever possible. What may be objectionable to one person, may be another’s life-changing book.”
Consumers have the right to be informed about GMOs KEVIN YEN Staff Writer
As a 2012 California initiative for the labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Proposition 37 was fundamentally flawed. The most troubling aspect of Prop 37 was its dubious wording, which allowed consumers and law firms on their behalves to file lawsuits against anyone in the GMO process: farmers, distributors and grocers. On the other hand, Prop 37 sent a wakeup call to companies associated
with GMOs. Despite its flaws, it argued that consumers have the right to know whether their food is natural or not. We do. Consumers should have this right because it is a pivotal part of making an informed decision. Knowledge, in a time when the truth seems ambiguous, is the most viable alternative to ignorance. Consumers have the right to be informed about GMOs, as this knowledge is an important part of making an informed decision. Right now, the right to know is gaining momentum with a renewed campaign by State Senator Noreen Evans to introduce Californian bill SB 1381 into the 2014 general election. Recently, SB 1381 was approved by Cali-
MICHAEL ZHU
fornia’s Senate Committee of Health. The bill is a cleaned up version of Proposition 37 that aims to hold food manufacturers responsible for the GMO labelling of their products while limiting possible lawsuits. As part of making an informed decision, consumers need to not only know whether a product is genetically modified or not but also what a GMO is. A GMO is any organism whose DNA has been altered. Most of the controversy surrounding GMOs centers on the unpredictable nature of changing an organism’s genetic material. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not linked any GMO crops to increased exposure to toxins or allergic reactions. While there are anti-GMO scientists who have concluded from mice studies about the potential cancerous side effects, many of their reports have been discredited by the scientific community. Furthermore, the United States has been consuming GMOs since the 1996 introduction of the Flavr Savr tomato. Today, the United States is by far the largest GMO producer in the world, cultivating two thirds of genetically modified crops such as corn, canola, soy, squash and papayas. These crops have been used in 70 percent of the products found in supermarkets, ranging from milk and ice cream to crackers and cereals.
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Despite the fact that there have been no proven hazards of GMOs, consumers still have the right to know what they are eating. The most significant reason why consumers should have this right is that information fosters a more informed decision, which is crucial to democracy. In a study testing the impact of informed general voters, researchers from the University of California San Diego and University of Southern California argue that informing voters is essential towards producing reasonable decisions, as it is extremely difficult to make a reasonable decision without context. Thus, agricultural biotechnology companies such as
Monsanto and Dupont should label GMOs in order to afford consumers the right to decide for themselves. Although Monsanto and Dupont argue that GMOs have a negative public perception, right now, the first step towards building trust with the consumer is to let them make their own informed decision. According to SB 1381, 90 percent of the American public support the labelling of GMO foods. SB 1381 is projected to pass California’s state legislature. Even with this guarantee, the future impact of GMO foods is unclear. More than ever, it is important to demand not only transparency, but the truth.
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The Talon May 27, 2014
By Amelia Baum, Robert Chin, Alex Cortinas, Rebecca DeShetler, James Merrill, Riley Soward, Sitara Sriram, and Maya Varghese
Please note that at soruces’ request, some names have been changed. Changed names are denoted with an asterisk.
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he issue of depression and anxiety is one that has garnered increased attention in recent years, particularly at a high school level. These two disorders, while very distinct in their symptoms, often overlap, and those who suffer from one often suffer from the other as well. With the number of students affected by such symptoms growing every day, it is important for every person in our community to understand challenges that such difficulties present. This knowledge is key, however depression and anxiety are both complex diseases and stem from a multitude of biochemical, genetic and environmental factors. With a greater number of teenagers suffering from depression or anxiety, it is important to understand that severity of these disorders ranges greatly from person to person. It is normal for many to feel sad or nervous at times; however, it is when these symptoms begin to impact day-to-day activities that one must seek help. The varying degrees of these disorders makes them difficult to define. This two page spread is meant to offer readers the basis of knowledge on the subject that affects so many. Its effects truly present a troubling reality.
WHY IS IT SPREADING?
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ver recent years, depression and anxiety have become more prevalent among high school teens. A recent study conducted by the Nuffield Foundation, a charitable trust that funds research in education, found that twice as many 15- and 16-year olds feel depressed or anxious compared to the same age group 30 years ago. Another study reports that five times as many teenagers experience depression or anxiety compared to teenagers 50 years ago. Large increases such as these have been reported across the board from recent studies that use consistent testing methods from year to year. One cause to which psychologists attribute this increase is a growing sense of lack of control that many teenagers feel today. “People who believe that they are in charge of their own fate are less likely to become anxious or depressed than are those who believe that they are victims of circumstances beyond their control,” Boston College research professor Peter Gray, Ph.D. wrote. “Data indicates that young people’s belief that they have control over their own destinies has declined sharply over the decades.” Some believe that this perception of lack of control is caused by society’s emphasis on making decisions based
only on what will lead to a successful future later in life. School district psychologist Shadi Allen believes this emphasis is especially common in Silicon Valley. “I think there’s a lot of pressure for kids to perform to a certain standard because we’re coming from mostly very-educated parents who set high standards and expectations for their kids,” Allen said. As a result of this culture, many students have become increasingly motivated by external factors such as pleasing their parents, fitting in at school and getting into a college that society respects rather than internal factors such as the desire to challenge themselves mentally, learn about subjects that interest them and be happy in the moment. “We have a whole lot of models about what you need to do to get into the college to be successful to get the job you want,” junior Victoria Santiago said. “And we have this whole idea of delayed gratification—that if I am miserable now, if I suffer in high school, then I can somehow find happiness in college or later in life...What about what you need to do to be happy right now?” Typical students in the 2000s are close to twice as motivated by external pressures compared to students in the 1960s, according to a study by San Diego State University. Gray has suggested that this larger focus on external factors could be
a cause of increased anxiety and depression in high school students. Psychologists believe that social media may also be the source of increased anxiety and depression. “The abundance of communication technology available to teens today creates an enabling environment for [worrying],” doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Stony Brook University Lisa R. Starr said. “Texting, instant messaging and social networking make it very easy for adolescents to become even more anxious which can lead to depression.” Ultimately, students don’t want to be the odd one out. “Most of it is...the fear of being left behind and being that one kid who’s not going to succeed,” junior Julia Morgans said. But while culture surrounding high school has largely changed over recent years, Gray believes that increases in anxiety and depression are primarily due to changes in perspective. “Rates of anxiety and depression among children and adolescents were far lower during the Great Depression, during World War II, during the Cold War and during the turbulent 1960s and early ‘70s than they are today,” Gray wrote. “The changes seem to have much more to do with the way young people view the world than with the way the world actually is.”
The Talon May 27, 2014
IN THE CLASSROOM
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nxiety and depression can have major effects on students’ performance in the classroom, and high expectations for students can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and stress. This feedback loop between school and mental illness can be difficult for students to manage. These mental illnesses often make it difficult for students to focus in class and make them hesitant to ask for help when they need it. “I felt like nothing made sense to me at all,” junior Elizabeth Kristian, who was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, said. “Other people would get concepts and it just wouldn’t go through for me. You feel like you’re lost but you shouldn’t be lost so you can’t ask anybody about this. It all spirals. I think, although I’ve been able to manage it better, it still affects how I perform.” It can become a continuous downward cycle. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, symptoms of depression can include difficulty concentrating, a loss of interest and a lack of energy. These symptoms often make it more difficult for students to complete school work and participate in class discussions.
“After [I had a breakdown] I stopped turning in some major assignments because I felt so overwhelmed,” junior Katie Gomez said. “I just couldn’t do schoolwork because I went to bed as soon as I got home. There were definitely some classes where I would be more talkative and in others I would be more reserved. I would close myself off as much as I could. It wasn’t a choice— it just kind of came because I didn’t [have the] energy to.” These students may choose to open up to their teachers, many of whom try to accommodate these issues. “It just changes how flexible I am with their assignments,” English teacher Carrie Abel said. “Meeting after school, any sort of support that that individual student might need in order to feel more comfortable about the completion of the assignment. Because for the most part, they can get the work done, it’s just needing to kind of know that it will be okay if it doesn’t get done, and then that alleviates the stress and it ends up getting done anyway.” Each case of mental illness among students differs greatly, but teachers are mandated reporters who are morally obli-
gated to send a report to the administration when they feel a student is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others. “There is a fine line between when it becomes something that needs to be reported, and something that the student is going through temporarily,” Abel said. “And that often starts with just a one-on-one conversation with the student. Like, ‘I read this, and it made me think of this, and I just want to check in.’ And from the student’s reaction, there are some things that are very clearcut and must be reported.” Treatment for anxiety and depression depends heavily on the situation at hand. However, it is clear that the stress of academics can create or exacerbate anxiety and depression amongst students, and teachers need to address each student individually with the goal of helping them feel safer. “I think that school isn’t responsible for making us happy, but it needs to be an environment… where it’s not a gateway for us to be sad,” junior Ya’el Weiner said. “I think there’s a difference between preventing sadness as opposed to combating it.”
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
FRIENDS & FAMILY
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nxiety and depression not only affect individuals who suffer from them, but their friends, families and peers as well. Close relationships can help students deal with stressful situations or respond to pre-existing conditions. However, maintaining those healthy relationships can be difficult for students dealing with depression and anxiety conditions, especially when so much of their lives revolves around dealing with these issues. According to Sami Hartley, a mental health coordinator at Stanford University, self-isolation is not uncommon for people with depression and anxiety conditions. “Many try to maintain a mask of normalcy when around people they know, so that it might appear that nothing is wrong or as bad as it actually feels,” Hartley said. “This can be incredibly tiring and people might withdraw from relationships simply because it seems easier and less exhausting, an option of lesser resistance.” Even if it is not intentional, this kind of social withdrawal can be hurtful. Junior Alicia’s* relationships with friends who suffer from depression are profoundly affected by her friends’ conditions. “They don’t realize that there are people around them who love them and care for them,” Alicia said. Students feel that it can be dif-
ficult to know how to best express feelings of concern for friends who are going through difficult periods. Even if it is motivated by genuine concern, pushing a friend too hard to get help can be detrimental to the relationship. Sophomore Laura* found that her chronic fatigue and isolation made it difficult for her to accept help from people around her. “I’d just take people’s advice and think like, ‘Oh you don’t know everything because I haven’t told you anything. You don’t really understand,’” Laura said. “I’d take their advice and throw it on the ground and stomp on it. But then my parents got really upset, they were like ‘(Laura,) just listen!’” From a friend’s perspective, Alicia recognizes that it is important for her depressed friends to get help, but she is careful not to let her concern for them overwhelm the relationship. “I’ve witnessed friends who have lost relationships with people by trying to help them to a point where they got too involved,” she said. “I try to make sure I never cross that line…I never want to lose a friendship with someone who I want to care for.” For the most part, Alicia focuses on helping her depressed friends enjoy themselves rather than insisting that they discuss their feeling or get help. “I try and distract them, make
them laugh or watch a movie,” she said. “A lot of times if they don’t want to talk about it I don’t bring it up. To be honest, I don’t always want to talk about it. If they want to talk about it they will.” Oftentimes, it is these simple actions that can be beneficial in helping a friend or loved one suffering from depression. “What’s not often realized is that you don’t have to be able to fix a problem in order to help someone with a problem,” Hartley said. “Being patient, continuing support and being there to listen is often more than enough”.
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CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
SCHOOL’S RESPONSE
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tudents under the pressures of anxiety and depression can be directed to many resources on campus. From academic counselors to the school’s psychologists, there are a multitude of resources available. Among the schools resources, Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) serves as the primary outlet for students at the school who are in need of help in dealing with anxiety and depression. CHAC began in 1973, led by a group of parents and community leaders who were concerned about the growing problem of adolescent alcohol and drug abuse in Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Over the years, CHAC has developed to offer programs that address drug and alcohol use, physical and psychological abuse, teen pregnancy, truancy, depression, academic underachievement, anxiety, domestic violence, economic stress and other problems that lead to unhappiness or destructive behavior. Counseling is offered free to all students at Los Altos High School and is scheduled after a school staff member’s recommendation, parent recommendation or on the accord of the students themselves. Though the counseling that takes place on campus is entirely confidential, the CHAC staff are still legally mandated to report crimes such as abuse, neglect or maltreatment. “Our main goal is to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the students here,” CHAC counselor Annie Goldstein said. “Any communication [with a school staff member] will only be done if the student is okay with it.”
Counseling sessions are offered among five counselors at all times during the school day, catering to the availability of the student. “For most students it’s much easier to get the help they need at school, a place they come every day, than to have to do that outside of school,” Goldstein said. A major issue with anxiety and depression in adolescents is their apprehension to seek help. One factor can be that students must get permission from their parents to seek counseling, though there are situations where CHAC counselors can work around that. Furthermore, the stigma of mental illness can act as a deterrent. “Thinking of yourself as a person who needs counseling is something that’s hard for a lot of kids,” Goldstein said. “Most kids will say ‘there’s nothing wrong with me, I have great parents, I have a great life, I’m just struggling in school and it’s bumming me out and I really shouldn’t feel bad about it because there’s nothing wrong with me’ and that’s a way of glossing over what could really be depression. The stigma of thinking of themselves as a person who needs counseling prevents students from coming in as well.” Despite CHAC acting as a major resource, there seems to be general lack of student knowledge of its existence. “I think as much as anybody knows that there are resources, it sheds light that there is a problem or that it’s an issue,” Goldstein said “It makes kids who are struggling feel like it’s not their fault, that other kids go through it. Obviously if there are resources to help them then it’s not hopeless.”
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, contact any LAHS counselor or a trusted adult. For additional support, call any of the following numbers.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
National Institute of Mental Health
Depression/Bipolar Support
California Youth Crisis Hotline
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The Talon May 27, 2014
Read more features articles at lahstalon.org/features
Goodbye and thank you for 14 years, Ms. Dawson ALICE DAI KATHERINE YEN Staff Writers
After 14 years, Assistant Principal Cristy Dawson is saying farewell to the school. She leaves behind a legacy evident in the events she pioneered at the school (student recognition lunches, Camp Diversity and dodgeball to name a few) and the impact she has left on staff and students. “There are certain people at Los Altos High School that I can’t imagine this campus without, and Cristy Dawson is one of those people,” AVID teacher Arantxa Arriada said. “Cristy Dawson is Los Altos…She is so full of joy and love and life and laughter, and it will be hard without her here.” In 2000, Dawson began working at the school as a counselor and jumped at the opportunity to interview for an open assistant principal position the next year. She landed the job—and so began Dawson’s legendary 13-year reign. With her multiple responsibilities, Dawson has dedicated every day for the last 14 years to improving the school. Through it all, she says that the most gratifying part of her job is the students. “I just love kids,” Dawson said. “Working with kids [is] so unbelievably challenging and also at the same level, exciting and absolutely rewarding…I just love it. I thrive on it.” And indeed, a typical day in the life of Dawson demands constant flexibility as she must assume a variety of roles. Dawson has transformed the meaning of being an assistant principal to not only organizing activities but also ensuring that all the students who come to her for help are supported and cared for. But
perhaps the most difficult part of her position is commanding the energy required to switch between so many different roles. “For me to do this job, I have to be very open,” Dawson said. “I’ve had so many times where a kid will say, ‘I don’t know if you remember me... you helped me get somewhere else [in life]’… [Caring for students is an] extra thing that I need to do, that I’m driven to do.” As a result of Dawson’s deep connection with the school and the students, her retirement decision was a difficult one. A year ago, the thought of leaving the school gave Dawson anxiety. However, Dawson says that she has reached spiritual peace with her retirement knowing that she will still work 25 days a year in the MVLA district for the next four years. “When I didn’t think I’d be connected with Passionate. — Senior Los Altos, I was crying… all the time,” Dawson Anica Nangia said. “But now that I know I’m connected, I’m not scared anymore. I feel like it’ll be good.” Commander-in-chief. However, Dawson is not ready to give up her — Senior Kavi Mehta passion for helping her community. “I don’t think I’m done giving,” Dawson said. “I don’t think I’m ready to just be, ‘It’s about me,’ Firecracker. — AVID ...I think there’ll be more.” teacher Arantza Arriada She is not certain what this “more” will be yet, because Dawson has yet to decide on her long-term retirement plan. In the meantime, she is looking forward She said she was DESCRIBE to her time off of working and is proud of me. [For excited to pursue new adventures, DAWSON IN ONE what,] I don’t whatever they may be. WORD remember. — Junior “I don’t have last words,” Dawson Allie Crum said. “I don’t even want to think of this as good bye, I would want to think of it as ‘see you later’... I’ll be around.” Carol Burnett. — math
Lightning bolt. — Counseling Aide Anne Battle I actually love listening to her on the announcements because you never know what’s going to come out of her mouth, like what she’s going to say and usually it’s just incredibly funny. — Finance Officer
— Assistant Principal Perla Pasallo
SOPHOMORE SONNET PHELPS
— Librarian Gordon Jack
Thank you for helping me discover myself. I really do think Dawson helped me develop as a person. In the way of carrying out your life, she really wants to make sure that you’re doing what you love. — Sophomore Olivia Jain
Karen McHugh
LAST WORDS: “It’s hard to synthesize the feeling that we have for Dawson into words. I don’t want to talk about it, it makes me too sad.”
She’s inspired me in countless ways, but mostly by helping me see my work through this lens of equity and diversity. Her focus on making sure that every student’s story is heard and every student’s story is honored has really affected me in the way that i apporach my job.
BEST MEMORY
teacher Carol Evans
She’s everything big. It’s big emotion, it’s big love, it’s big laugh, it’s big everything. And big heart, just a lot of heart. It’s like a rollercoaster. It’s fun, thrilling, a little scary, it’s just wonderful.
Dawson has taught me to never judge someone until you truly understand their story, and to respect everyone and to always be there, to have a person’s back, to always support each other, to enjoy life and to have fun. — Junior Jose Cruz
“Have fun in Pebble Beach.” SOPHOMORE ISABELLE PHAN
“You are a radiant beacon of sunlight, and I am so thankful you are in my life.” SOPHOMORE JULIA KHAN
“Don’t go. Please stay. I love you.” JUNIOR BRIAN MELO
Meet our new assistant principal: Suzanne Woolfolk CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE “My journalism teacher stood as a type of second father in my life throughout high school, giving me a place to be when I didn’t want to go home,” Woolfolk said. Post high school, Woolfolk opted to attend Stanford University after being offered a scholarship. At Stanford, Woolfolk participated in work-study jobs at their School of Education and became particularly interested in counseling and teaching. On the side, Woolfolk helped facilitate reading programs in East Palo Alto elementary schools, spending 20 to 30 hours every week there. When junior year came, Woolfolk signed up for Study at Sea, a 100-day study abroad program that hosted classes on a cruise
ship while circumnavigating the world. While at a stop in South Africa, Woolfolk explored classrooms there and became impressed by the way that teachers approached teaching reading skills. “Teachers were using our same reading materials.” Woolfolk said. “This impressed upon me that one, an organized lesson, and, most importantly, two, a passionate, loving teacher are universal keys to success in education. I wanted to create my own classroom, on my own terms.” Inspired by what she saw, Woolfolk grad-
uated from college with the intent of teaching her own class. Her first career-defining position was as a part teacher, part adminstrator at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo. While there, Woolfolk taught a number of courses, some of which, like yearbook, had played a part in her past; others, like English Language Development, began her decade long dedication to helping students read. Although Woolfolk loved teaching, there was a rare offer from Burlingame High School to become an assistant principal and
she accepted it. After a few years of being an administrator there, Woolfolk was asked by the superintendent of the district to apply for an open assistant principal position at SMHS. SMHS needed strong leadership immediately while having little time to prepare a new administrator. Woolfolk decided to pack her bags and move to SMHS. “My husband and I were expecting our first son at the time, and what I remember now is moving all of my boxes to school, with no heat on in the buildings, and I was six months pregnant.” Woolfolk said. “The move was not about me being comfortable, but it was about fitting me where I was needed most.” And so, Woolfolk’s transition to LAHS will be another step in her path in education and helping students, whether it be finding their passion for books and reading or more.
The Talon May 27, 2014
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Catch reviews of new movies, music and more, plus read the entertainment archives at lahstalon.org/entertainment
T
he two dope boys in a Cadillac are back. Since rumors swirled last fall surrounding Coachella’s 2014 lineup, the dream of music fans the world over has been realized: André 3000 and Big Boi of the Atlanta rap duo OutKast have launched a massive tour, reuniting one of hiphop’s most celebrated acts. The group behind worldwide hit singles “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move” took the stage twenty years after the release of their debut album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” which will change the hip-hop landscape for years to come. But before they were OutKast, they were teenage rivals, slinging rap verses at each other across the cafeteria of Atlanta’s Tri-Cities High School, fast friends after a chance encounter as 16-year-olds at the Lennox Square Mall. After school they’d make their way through Atlanta’s decrepit East Point district to the basement studio of Rico Wade. There they would hang out with other local hopefuls, two of which (Khujo & Big Gipp) went on to form hip-hop powerhouse Goodie Mob. Wade would eventually form a label, Organized Noize, which signed the likes of TLC, Eric Clapton and, eventually, Patton and Benjamin, as OutKast. Their success was almost immediate and (for a time) it would seem, unstoppable. Their first single, “Player’s Ball” spent weeks on the rap charts and began one of the most impressive runs in hip-hop history. Their debut album and successive releases “ATLiens” and “Aquemini” would go platinum to the tune of near-universal acclaim and introduce a new generation of hip-hop fans to a place few people had heard it flourish. They would declare on “Aquemini” to their skeptics and the West Coast and East Coast rap kingdoms, “The South got something to say.” Soon enough it was OutKast giving Khujo & Big Gipp spots on their own songs. Part of the reason for OutKast’s success and acclaim was that they never stopped running through genres or ideas. Whether gliding through classic hip-hop alleys or improvising their own, they rapped from the perspec-
Outkast
ALEX BARREIRA, Staff Writer PICTURE BY JOE GOLDBERG / FLICKR
tive of oppressors, oppressed, pimps and pranksters, lovable down-home guys and of course, outcasts. It’s impossible to deny André’s intensity as he burned “Aquemini”’s “Return of the ‘G’” or the 150 bpm “Bombs Over Baghdad.” Big Boi was always at hand to complement Andre’s craziness, killing it with his supremely cool flow on “So Fresh, So Clean” and his smackdown with J-Sweet and Killer
Mike on “Snappin & Trappin’.” No two OutKast albums are the same. “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” was especially noteworthy for sparse production and hard-hitting flows reminiscent of the Wu-Tang Clan. Interspersed with the “gangsta” vibes are classic moments of g-funk, soul and funny skits that showcase OutKast’s sense of humor and the pride they feel for the good and bad of Atlanta. Skits persisted in OutKast albums even once they became lessfashionable in the genre, but for OutKast it was inevitable they’d continue as an outlet or just a laugh.
“ATLiens” and “Aquemini” occupied hip-hop celebration “Sir Lucious Left a darker frame of mind lyrically and Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty,” features musically. Only two years into their one of the most joyous songs of the career, OutKast was already wary of decade in “Daddy Fat Sax.” 2012’s “Viwhat they represented: “off crooked cious Lies & Dangerous Rumors” was schemes, it’s just a dream/floating face an ambitious medley of collaborations down in the mainstream.” “Aquemini” with a guest list of indie darlings such received the coveted perfect “5 Mics” as Phantogram, Wavves and Jai Paul. score from “The Source” magazine (a Meanwhile André, after a brief hiatastemaker in hip-hop) on the backs tus, wandered around on guest spots of blistering cuts like “The Art of Sto- all over the music world, to T.I. and rytelling, Parts 1 & 2.” Jay Z and John Legend, then Kesha. After years of success and acclaim, He appeared on the “Great Gatsby” the skies weren’t always Soundtrack and Frank sunny over Atlanta. Ocean’s hugely successAndré and Big’s styles The group beful debut, and produced began to grow apart, Big hind the worldhis own animated show Boi preferring his own on Cartoon Network. He wide single style of party hip-hop even teamed up with Big and André experiment- “Hey Ya!” took Boi again for Raekwon’s ing with Prince-influ- the stage, single “Royal Flush.” Beenced pop and jazz. changing the fore reuniting for their “Stankonia,” in 2000, current tour at the end hip-hop landwas another platinum of last year, he starred as hit and their most high- scape forever. Jimi Hendrix in the biopprofile release, but critic “All Is By My Side,” nevics would later point to it as the begin- er getting around to that long hoped-for ning of the end to the 90’s OutKast solo album. the world had come to know and fall And then the impossible hapin love with. pened—in late 2013 Instagram pho“Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” tos surfaced of the two hanging out, came out three years later with two and the lineups for Coachella and the incredible tracks, “Hey Ya!” and “The Governor’s Ball and forty other venWay You Move” that survived as some ues released were released with the of the biggest singles of the 2000’s, but two again as OutKast. As Big Boi and the hip-hop duo did not. Released as André took the stage at Coachella (in a double solo-album with Big Boi denim suspenders, probably at Anon one side and André on the other, dré’s insistence), the magic was there, it ended OutKast in everything but as they cycled through over two-dozname. Ironically, it became OutKast’s en songs. On stage they literally recrebest-selling album to date. ated scenes from the past. Bringing a Perhaps the saddest aftermath of table and two chairs, they harkened their breakup was their final project, the back to the early days when they’d removie they had long dreamed of hav- cite lyrics in circles in Big Boi’s aunt’s ing the funds and name-recognition kitchen. There they were joined by to make. “Idlewild” was the story of a Janelle Monaé for a set that included Depression-era juke joint in Georgia some of Big Boi’s solo material, and and its patrons, but despite a few pow- the crowd rejoiced like it was 2003. erful moments it suffered from a lack Though there hasn’t been word on of direction and ultimately, energy. The a new studio album, one can hope the soundtrack Big Boi and Andre created two will find some time on the road to was technically the last OutKast release, rekindle some old relationships and new but along with the movie, is often for- sounds. A lot haschanged since “HeyYa!” gotten as the muddled, forgetful project overjoyed the airwaves, but great music of two artists ready to move apart. never will, because as “Speakerboxxx” Big Boi went on to multiple accom- explained, “you light me, and excite me, plished solo albums. His southern and you know you got me, baby.”
Actress Laverne Cox advocates for trans* rights MAYA ACHARYA
Copy/Content Editor
Ever since Netflix announced the release of the new season of “Orange is the New Black” this June, fans have been gathering blankets and snacks for what is likely to be a solid week of a Netflix marathon. “Orange is the New Black” (OITNB) is unique in its progressive and inclusive portrayal of LGBT experiences. From its representation of Piper as a woman whose experiences transcend orientation labels, to its criticism of her husband for trying to force her into a label, to the in-depth view of the struggles of a transgender woman in prison, OITNB brings topics that are typically hidden away into the mainstream. Enter Laverne Cox. Cox portrays Sophia Burset, a transgender woman in prison for credit fraud. Cox herself is a transgender woman. She gained recognition in the television industry with her work on the VH1 shows “I Want To Work For Diddy” and “TRANSform me.” She has since become a vocal feminist, LGBT activist and an especially influential trans* rights activist. Cox’s character does more than add to the diversity we love so much in OI-
TNB. Burset sheds light on trans* issues that plague the prison system. She finds herself unable to receive her hormone supplements from the prison’s health care system. The prison system in the show, following in the vein of many prisons in this country, consider hormone supplements to be an “optional” drug that trans* people choose to take for cosmetic reasons, and therefore believe they are not obligated to provide them. However, hormone supplements are an actual health need for many trans* people, both for physical and mental health reasons. In light of Chelsea Manning’s situation taking the national spotlight, Cox brings to the show a much needed conversation about trans* rights. Manning, an ex-soldier and trans woman, was convicted of espionage in 2013, resulting in a dishonorable discharge and a 25-year sentence in a military prison. The military prison does not provide the hormone treatments that Manning wants to start. According to a New York Times article by Helene Cooper, the Pentagon is currently considering moving Manning to a civilian prison where these medical resources would be available. OITNB constantly exposes horrifying problems in the
prison system that need reform, and the inclusion of incarcerated trans* rights is a step in the right direction. Cox has done so much for the trans* community already, but she’s not planning on stopping anytime soon. She is producing “Free CeCe,” a documentary about an African American transgender woman who was incarcerated for defending herself against a racist and transphobic hate crime. She is producing “Trans Teen: A Documentary,” a television documentary in partnership with MTV that will look into the lives of four trans* young adults. And of course, she is continuing her role in the beloved “Orange Is The New Black.” Unfortunately, the mainstream media is not always accepting of the trans* community. In April, Cox held the top spot in the Time 100 Reader Poll, pushing names like Justin Bieber and Katy Perry out of the way. But when Time published its final, editor-decided 100 Most Influential People list, Cox’s name was conspicuously missing. When names like Carrie Underwood and John Green make the list and Cox doesn’t, it’s clear that Time does not consider a person who is influential in the trans* community to deserve a spot. We desperately need characters like Sophia
TULANE PRODUCTIONS / FLICKR
Laverne Cox delivers a speech at Tulane University. Cox is an influential and well-known trans* rights activist. Burset and influential women like Cox. Currently, only 17 states and Washington, D.C. have laws offering protection to trans* people in employment practices. The unemployment rate for trans* people is double the national average, and trans* people are far more likely to be under the poverty line. Even worse, the 2011 National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs’ Hate Crime report showed that 45 percent of hate
murders are committed against trans women, while 87 percent of anti-LGBT murders victims were people of color. Hate crimes stem from ignorance and blind fear of what we don’t know. The mainstream definition of “people” seems to exclude the trans* community. We need characters like Burset to make the worlds we watch in TV shows mirror the diversity of the world we live in.
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The Talon May 27, 2014
Entertainment for your summer PERLA LUNA
Business Manager
Movies
With the worry of finals and AP exams a distant memory, why not treat yourself to a little escapism in front of the silver screen? If you are looking for an action-packed and hero-driven movie, look no further than “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (May 23) or “Transformers: Age of Extinction” (June 27). But if talking apes fighting humans for control of the earth is more your speed, then check out “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (July 11). Of course, if you are so over the whole male action hero thing, then watch “Lucy” (August 8) an action movie starring Scarlett Johansson. Summer blockbusters don’t have to be all about chase sequences and explosions though. “The Fault in
Our Stars” (June 6), a movie adaptation of John Green’s popular novel is making its way to a theater near you and with it the promise of tears. On the more experimental side is Richard Linklater’s latest film, “Boyhood,” (July 11) which was filmed over the course of 12 years, from 2002 to 2013, and follows the life of a young boy from ages 6 to 18. By Alex Barreira
Television
For the type of people who’d rather escape into a different world for longer than two hours, sometimes movies can’t quite cut it in terms of summer entertainment. Though most shows are on hiatus during this time, you can still find some hidden gems. “Teen Wolf” (June 23, MTV) is making its triumphant return after some major plot twists in the season three finale. Newcom-
NBC
A couple is stricken by supernatural horrors in the new NBC show “Rosemary’s Baby.” The show has already started and will run into the summer.
Spotlight: Janelle Monáe SHOWTIME
“Penny Dreadful” explores the supernatural and magical. “Penny Dreadful,” set to premiere on Showtime, is a new television show for the summer. ers “Penny Dreadful” (Showtime) and “Rosemary’s Baby” (NBC) are partaking in the supernatural too, with the former looking to be a racier version of “American Horror Story” and the latter rebooting the classic psychological horror flick of the same name. But if scares aren’t your thing, there’s always the returning “Under the Dome” (June 30, CBS) based on Stephen King’s novel about what happens to a small town riddled with secrets when a mysterious dome appears over them. For something grittier, try “The Leftovers” (June 29, HBO), a book adaptation on a novel of the same name by the co-creator of “Lost” set after a worldwide “rapture.” Of course, you could always sit back and bask in the glory that will
be “Sharknado 2: The Second One.”
Music
No school the next day, no homework tying you down and nice weather makes summer the perfect time for concerts. Beyonce and Jay-Z On the Run tour (August 5, AT&T Park) would be ideal for most, but if the high price tag is a concern then turn to One Republic (June 6, Shoreline Amphitheatre) with guest band, The Script. Meanwhile Lady Gaga is bringing the costumes and theatrics of her ARTPOP Ball to her little monsters (June 3, SAP Center). Justin Timberlake is also heading to town with his 20/20 Experience tour (August 11, SAP Center), followed shortly thereafter by Bruno Mars (August 15, SAP Center).
Fargo offers compelling, dark humor ARIEL MACHELL
Copy/Content Editor
“Fargo”
FX: Tuesday @ 10 PM ★★★★☆ “This is a true story,” Fargo begins, just as its 1996 movie counterpart began. “The events depicted took place in Minnesota...At the
Beats by Barreira
request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred.” There’s something about a true story that grabs at the attention, that somehow transforms an already interesting tale into something else entirely, something absorbing, thrilling. The Coen Brothers, the award-winning film-makers of the original Fargo movie, know this, which is why they chose
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to begin their film with this falsehood. Fargo is not a true story, though the on-screen message mentioned above has certainly fooled many, proving a successful stylistic choice on the Coens’ part, who are known for their playfulness and inclusion of certain “personal touches” to their films. Writer and showrunner of the new Fargo TV series, Noah Hawley—with the Coen brother’s acting as executive producers—takes the same steps towards producing the thrill of the “true story,” complete with all the dark humor and “Minnesota nice” of its predecessor. However, this is not Fargo 2.0; the characters and plot lines are different. The Coens’ film serves more as an inspiration for the 10-part show than as a blueprint; it is far from a remake, possessing its own uniqueness. That being said, there are, of course, similarities. The atmosphere—that strange, terrific feel—is the same, the dark hilarity still present. And though the characters are slightly altered, they remain familiar, troubled by the same themes of human nature, violence and fallibility (It helps, too, that they’re played by great actors). Martin Freeman (Sherlock and The Hobbit) and Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade), two very different but equally talented actors, star in the series. Freeman, whose Minnesota
accent is just a little too over the top, plays struggling insurance salesman Lester Nygaard, who’s very unhappily married to a demeaning wife and is still tormented, years later, by his high school bully, Sam Hess (Kevin O’Grady). Thornton, in turn, plays Lorne Malvo, a cool, soft-spoken, manipulative hitman with a taste for mischief. Malvo possesses a strange charisma that, after a chance meeting in a hospital, compels Nygaard to do something monstrous, setting in motion a dangerous chain of events. “Your problem,” he tells Nygaard, “is you spent your whole life thinking there are rules. There aren’t. We used to be gorillas. All we had was what we could take and defend.” Along with Freeman and Thornton is a full store of acting excellence, including Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad), Brian Markinson (Mad Men) and breakout star, Allison Tolman, who plays deputy sheriff Molly Solverson. Despite being a relative newcomer, Tolman is on par with her far more experienced co-stars. So if you’ve been thirsting to revisit the dark humor and satisfaction that you got from the Fargo film, or have simply been looking for a new crime drama since “Breaking Bad” and “True Detective” ended, then the new Fargo series is worth checking out.
FX
Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thorton star in “Fargo.” The show airs on Tuesdays on FX at 10.
Concept albums are difficult enough to pull off in their own right, but when an artist pledges to five of them before their debut, she’s either bluffing or has one helluvan ace up her sleeve. Janelle Monáe, however, is not bluffing. The up-and-coming R&B singer behind “The ArchAndroid” and “The Electric Lady” has made a name for herself, effortlessly ambling through a wide variety of musical styles. Through Suites I-IV of her “Metropolis” project, beginning with her EP “The Chase Suite,” she tells the story of Cindi Mayweather, an android alter-ego whose sci-fi aesthetic is complemented in her live shows and album art. “I love speaking about the android because they are the new ‘other’,” Monáe told MTV. “And I feel like all of us, whether in the majority or the minority, felt like the Other at some point.” Nearly every song of Monáe’s demonstrates a different side of her musical abilities. Her second album, “ArchAndroid” begins like her other Suites, with an orchestral flurry that seamlessly blends into tight and groove-heavy R&B. “Faster” and “Locked Inside” are danceable and infectious, while the soft and sweet “Sir Greendown” showcases the tender side of her voice. Regardless of how many hats Monáe tries on, she looks stunning in every one. On “Oh, Maker,” she pulls off an off-kilter, Mac Demarco-esque groove, while “Mushrooms & Roses” turns into a successful experiment with psychedelia. Both albums are characterized by joyous trumpets, instrumental divergences and a whole crew of musical veterans sounding like they’re having the time of their lives. “The Electric Lady,” her latest album, is similarly genrehopping and features irresistible dance tracks “Dance Apocalyptic” and “Q.U.E.E.N,” with guest appearances by Miguel, Solange Knowles and Prince (among others). She drew buzz with her electrifying performance of “Dance Apocalyptic” on Saturday Night Live that showed off her energy and killer dance moves. Her sense of style has also generated attention, as Monáe sported black and white suspenders and her characteristic pompadour hairdo. Some of that style has come at the hands of Sean Combs, the rap mogul who knew he saw potential in Monáe when he first heard about her through mutual friend Big Boi and looked to reinvent her image for stardom. Since he signed her to his label, Monáe has won a number of high-profile fans within the music industry, including pop legend Prince. Their support and Monáe’s material so far confirm what’s already apparent, that the multi-genre, versatile “Android” is a true rising star.
The Talon May 27, 2014
Get daily updates on Eagle athletics and read the sports archives at lahstalon.org/sports
Lacrosse takes second in El Camino Division DANIEL ROSENBAUM Staff Writer
The lacrosse season came to a close in CCS playoffs on Monday, May 12, after squaring off against lacrosse powerhouse Menlo-Atherton. The Bears delivered a 10-1 performance, forcing the Eagles to have a quick exit from the post-season. Senior Ben Hastings scored the team’s lone goal on a left handed quick stick shot. While a deeper CCS run remained out of reach for the Eagles this year, Los Altos claimed second place in the El Camino Division, the school’s third straight finish near or at the top of the league. The Eagles’ hopes of hitting a league championship three-peat evaporated following a 14-15 loss in a nailbiter against Woodside in overtime on Thursday, May 1. Los Altos had to take down Woodside in that game to secure the better league record. The Eagles’ first dethroning in two years is telling of an improving league.
“The league as a whole is becoming is losing senior captains Casey Hanni more and more skilled each year,” cap- and Dave Huffman, who are both detain senior Casey Hanni said. fenders, as well as goalkeeper senior Next year, the lacrosse team Steven Jenab, leaving defensive poshould remain solid sitions that need to be league title contendfilled for next year. ers, with its weakest Although the season This [season] part being its defense, may not have ended was different, according to Casey. perfectly, the lacrosse “I have high hopes having to take team nonetheless had for next year. Our of- more of a leaderits successes. This year fensive line will be solid was the inaugural seaship role...but it but our defense will son for the junior varneed people to step up was fun to see sity lacrosse team and to the holes left by the the younger playthe varsity team had graduating seniors,” ers step up too. many big wins, includCasey said. ing starting the season — Senior Jake Caddes The offensive line off with a four-game will be led by current undefeated streak. junior AJ Guralas who led the team “It was a fun season. We played well this year in goals (92), assists (44) against a lot of good teams and deand points (136). He will help the stroyed a lot of bad teams,” senior Jake offense remain strong with his goal Caddes said. “This [season] was difscoring prowess. His absence due to ferent, having to take more of a leadinjury in the Menlo-Atherton game ership role as a senior, but it was fun was a key factor of the loss. The team to see the younger players step up too.”
TALON FILE PHOTO
Junior AJ Guralas guards the ball. The Eagles took second place in league this year, finishing off the season with a near-perfect 11-2 league record.
Softball CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE
COURTESY ANDREW ZAESKE
Junior Brian Yeager runs the 110 meter hurdles race against Milpitas. Brian qualified for CCS in all four of his events at SCVALs on May 16.
Track and field gears up for CCS JAMES SUN Staff Writer
Throughout the spring season, the track and field team has consistently put up strong performances in league and invitational meets. Now, with depth in a breadth of events, Los Altos is gearing up for CCS, which, as of press time, had not been held. In the leadup to CCS, the Eagles most recently competed in SCVAL Championships, the qualifying meet for CCS, on May 16, respectively. The Eagles had a strong showing at SCVALs, with the varsity boys taking fourth at the event and the varsity girls taking ninth. Leading the way was junior Brian Yeager, who qualified for CCS in all four of his events. Brian took third in the 110-meter hurdles and then cruised to a second place high jump finish, clearing 6’0. He took second in both the long and triple jump.
Brian’s consistent high-placings at meets have been a huge source of points for the team, with him, at times, scoring more points as an individual athlete than some schools. Now, he returns to CCS as a heavy favorite to place in his events. “I think I can place in the triple jump again as well as the high jump [at CCS],” Brian said. Senior Kelly McConnell produced a 300-meter hurdle win, outracing second place by nearly a second. “[Things] are actually looking very good,” Kelly said. “Hopefully I can place at least 3rd in the 300 hurdles and qualify for the state meet.” Kelly, along with freshman Jacob Quevedo, sophomore Kevin Anawalt and senior Will Scheetz also raced to a fourth place finish in the 4x400 meter relay. Will took fifth in the individual 400. Senior Konrad Niemiec and sophomore Kevin Anawalt took
third and fourth in the 800. The girls also put up fast times on the track, with freshman Britt DeVisser finishing fifth in the girls 800. Sophomore Lauren Jacob put up a second place finish in the 3200 and went on to team up with Britt, junior Anneliese Gallagher and freshman Katie Klein to put up a winning 4x400 meter relay over three seconds faster than the competition. “I was so great that our girls were able to capture the 4x4 title for SCVALs,” Lauren said. “At the beginning of the season, we didn’t think our 4x4 would even have a chance at getting a chance to run at CCS finals, and here we are with the fifth fastest time in CCS. I am so proud of how well each member was able to step up…” CCS Finals are set for Friday, May 30.
SOARING EAGLE
ALBERT GWO
COURTESY JOSIE FURBERSHAW
Albert Gwo recently ccompeted at CCS on Friday and Saturday, May 16-17. After being the only Los Altos swimevent (the 50-free) at CCS last year mer to final in an eve Albert took second in both the 50 free as a freshman, Alber and 100 free with times tim of 20.99 seconds and 45.37 respectively. Last year, Albert took 8th and 27th seconds respectively respectively. place in the same events, ev
Sophomore Swimming: 50 and 100 Freestyle 12 years experience Club Team: PASA Meet-day Song: “Can’t Be Touched” by Roy Jones Jr.
She forced a very low BAA of 190 and only gave up one home run while facing 650 batters. The next key asset to the team’s success is its explosive hitting. One player who has stood out is senior Marialena Ahern, who has gone on a tear this season putting up video game-like numbers. She hosts a batting average of 0.487 with 27 RBIs and two home-runs. The team’s performances of late have marked an overhaul of its early-season rustiness. “The team chemistry is fabulous,” Amanda said. “Off the field it’s great, on the field we were all performing but we weren’t playing as a team, and we had to change the mentality of the team and pick up the intensity.”
Once the team’s intensity and motivation increased they were nearly unstoppable. An example of this is when they beat Wilcox, a highranked team, a couple of weeks ago. “[Since] we won that [game], we clutched league,” Amanda said. “Wilcox in previous years has been a number one team. You could just feel the mindset of the team… everyone was 100 percent in tune to the game and you could just see it in our hitting and in our defense.” The team, with its momentum from league play and first round CCS defeat of Lincoln looks to cap off the season by making a deep push into CCS. “I know we will go far in CCS if we keep supporting each other and stay aggressive and ready to take advantage of other teams’ weaknesses,” Lizzy said. “There are some good teams in our division, but if we keep playing like we have been, I think we can go all the way.”
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The Talon May 27, 2014
PHOTOS COURTESY DIAMARA PLANELL
COURTESY ANASTASIA STEPANKOWSKY, THE DAILY OF THE UW
LAHS alum soars into contention for 2016 Olympics NOY ANISMAN Staff Writer
By setting the new Puerto Rican national records for both the indoor and outdoor pole vaults, LAHS alum Diamara Planell ‘11, may have booked herself a ticket to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On January 18 at the University of Washington Preview, Diamara, a UW junior, broke the Puerto Rican national indoor pole vault record with a jump of 4.25 meters. Two months later, on March 22, she vaulted 4.27 meters at the USC Trojan Invitational, breaking the Puerto Rican national outdoor pole vault record. “When I first broke the record I just felt a sense of relief and shock because it was the first meet of the season and I went from having a personal best of 4.01 to 4.25 [meters],” Diamara said. “It was just an amazing feeling to have it all come together…To see the reward with not only a [personal record] but a record I had been chasing for
almost two years now was amazing.” These achievements mark new milestones in Diamara’s six-year pole vaulting career. Other highlights include competing for Puerto Rico at the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships in Barcelona and winning the 2013 California State Community College title. Though Diamara only began pole vaulting competitively during her junior year at LAHS, she had experience competing in other track and field events, including the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, 100-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles and the high and long jumps. Over the years of training, Diamara has been working to achieve her ultimate goal: participating in the Olympics. Breaking both the Puerto Rican pole vault records got her one step closer to that goal. “At the end of the day what makes that moment so special is everything you did, everything you went through to get there,” Diamara said. “So when I get my chance to be at something as big as the Olympics I believe that I will be as ready as I can possibly be…When the
COURTESY ANASTASIA STEPANKOWSKY, THE DAILY OF THE UW
Diamara celebrates after winning the pole vault at the UW Indoor Preview. Diamara recently broke both the Puerto Rican national indoor and outdoor pole vault records.
It’s one thing to have people tell you that you have what it takes and another to see that you can actually do it. — LAHS ALUM DIAMARA PLANELL
day does come I [will] be a competitor like every other athlete there.” To officially secure a spot and attend the games, Diamara must meet the top qualifying mark set. While Diamara currently has the necessary mark, it is possible that other athletes will join her in making that mark, in which case the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee decides which three athletes will attend the games. Because Diamara was born in Puerto Rico, she has chosen to represent the country should she qualify for the Olympics. In order to prepare for the Olympics’ high level of competition, Diamara has started an Olympic training cycle, similar to most other competitive athletes around the world. “It is now two years before the Olympics so everyone around the world is training to meet the standards set in order to attend the games,” Diamara said. “We do this by setting out goals to accomplish by a certain date, or marks we want to hit during a certain period that make sure we are on track…. Everything we do is aimed to not only succeed that year, but to build for the ultimate peak which would be the games.” While training, Diamara places a large emphasis on her mental state, as she knows the significant impact it has on her. In keeping perspective, Diamara is able to stay mentally stable in the face of stress. “It can get very frustrating when things don’t go as planned with marks you want to hit, or injuries...come up along the way, but you learn to take things as they come and manipulate them to benefit yourself as best you can,” Diamara said. “At the end of the day you can have all the talent in the world, the best coach, the best physical state, but if your mind isn’t up to par, if you can’t mentally keep it together and keep things in per-
spective, it will never add up.” Diamara’s mental strength carries through not only in her performances in competitions, but also in practices. By focusing on making minor improvements and fine-tuning her skills, Diamara and her coach, UW’s vault and jumps coach Pat Licari, have seen true improvements in her performance at meets. “Things will never go exactly as planned and therefore I learn to just step back and look at things, what can I do to make it better and then back to practice with my coach and teammates,” Diamara said. “Mentally, it’s just a matter of not getting frustrated and working…on just being patient and being consistent.” As a part of her learning and improving process, Diamara takes her training one step at a time, and one meet at a time. “In the near future my biggest focus it to do well at the level I am currently at as a Division 1 pole vaulter,” Diamara said. “Right now I am a University of Washington Husky first. We still have NCAA West Regionals and then NCAA Outdoor championships. So my focus is to prepare myself to compete at the best of my ability at those meets.” Once the collegiate competition season is over, however, Diamara will go back to competing at the international level for Puerto Rico and prepare for the Olympics. With her improvements in performance of late, Diamara is rapidly proving herself a likely contender for Rio. “[Setting the records] made me feel like this whole goal for 2016 was really not out of the question,” Diamara said. “It’s one thing to have people tell you that you have what it takes and another to see that you can actually do it.”
Badminton undefeated for first time in over 40 years CHASE ELLER Senior Writer
The badminton team has gone undefeated for the first time in over four decades. After going 12-0 in league play and taking the league title, the Eagles head into SCVALs and CCS playoffs. Badminton, to the knowledge of Head Coach Stefaan Lodge, current Athletic Director Kim Cave
and the school’s old Athletic Director, Monica Lodge, who worked at the school in the ‘70s, has not gone undefeated in their memories. “It’s great to see that after all the effort everyone had put into every game and every practice that the team was able to have an extremely successful season going 12-0,” captain senior Max Chi said. The 12-0 didn’t come easily, as the Eagles were forced to dig deep against their last two opponents, Wilcox and Fremont. The team overcame Wilcox 18-12 and Fremont 17-13 in relatively close matches. The Eagles then looked on to SCVALs, which they competed in from Thursday, May 22 to Saturday, May 24, which, as of press time, had not occurred. The team has two players, juniors Albert Li and Lous Hinnant, who are likely to qualify for CCS through SCVALs, which starts the week after SCVALs today, Tuesday, May 27. Having been inte-
gral parts of the team this season as the school’s varsity singles one and two players, respectively, both are ready to perform in the off-season. Albert is currently ranked 13th in the nation in the U19 division and has played for the school team on and off. “I feel exhilarated to know that we came up on top this year, and I have high expectations for myself at CCS,” Albert said, “I am at the top of my game, and I should be able to place within top three at SCVALs and CCS.” Meanwhile, if Louis qualifies for CCS, he will return with experience, after having taken third place in the tournament last year. “I want to replicate my success at CCS from last year,” Louis said. “The big thing is to keep my stamina up, most importantly at the end of the match. If I can keep my focus and stamina at 100 percent throughout the match, then I’ll do well.”
PHOTOS BY BRANDON HONG
Left: Captain senior Max Chi goes for a backcourt drop. Above: Junior Louis Hinnant works on his backhand. This season, the badminton team went undefeated, which it hadn’t done in over 40 years.