The Talon | Issue 1 | September 27, 2016

Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA ■ September 27, 2016 ■ Volume XXXII, Issue 1

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DISTRICT INTRODUCES OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MVLA Board to welcome new member ALEX WONG News Editor

NO NEW FRIENDS, SOME NEW TRENDS Check out this Entertainment spread covering new trends from legendary pop artists.

Entertainment, 15

Plans for new developments in downtown Los Altos

EMILY ARONOVITZ

While downtown Los Altos has maintained its’ classic and quiet charm, new changes might be in store for the town landscape.

News, 2

Construction teacher Tomas Ibarra demonstrates how to fix drywall at Alta Vista’s construction classroom.

Ibarra works with students from the Alta Vista Opportunity Program, a newly developed satellite of Alta Vista, on Monday and Friday afternoons.

Efficacy of the new homework policy

Despite schools’ best efforts, students who have difficulty fitting into traditional high schools can slip through the cracks. Even as their peers find success through the school support systems, a small population of students struggle to succeed at comprehensive high schools like Los Altos and even programs like Alta Vista.

Until this school year, students who dropped out or were expelled from Alta Vista had the option of attending the county-run Terra Bella Academy. But when the program became

Read up to find one writer’s in-depth analysis on the effectiveness of the new homework-policy.

Opinions, 6

Stressed out students of Silicon Valley Read Madeline Chu and Yolanda Spura’s opinion on how Silicon Valley pressures cause excessive stress for high school students.

Opinions, 7

AVI VARGHESE

Entertainment Editor

financially inefficient and was shut down, Associate Superintendent Brigitte Sarraf launched the Alta Vista Opportunity Program year to replace Terra Bella for students in the district.

Sarraf enlisted teachers already in the district to help her develop, teach and support the 11 students enrolled. The resulting program incorporates individualized services into an evolving curriculum with inclass discussions, field trips to local community groups, construction classes and physical education.

The limited resources at comprehensive schools often mean that students whose academic

skills fall behind are left playing catch-up with their peers — and many of the students at the program have felt discouraged about their own ability to learn.

“These students have… been treated like traditional students and put into traditional classes, and traditional classes don’t work for these students,” Sarraf said.

“We have to figure out how to reengage them in learning to make them think of themselves as being capable of learning… That’s not going to happen overnight.”

“Opportunity”

continues on page 4

At first glance, Sanjay Dave’s new role as a district board member may seem incongruent to his day job as a senior manager at software company Synopsys. Yet along with over 25 years dedicated to software engineering, Dave has also spent over a decade involved in the Mountain View Rotary Club and other community organizations such as the MVLA Foundation. His inauguration to the school board in December will mark another milestone in his list of local contributions.

Dave first felt drawn to the school board when Mountain View Rotary Club member Judy Hannemann retired from the board position in 2014 and recommended Dave for the job. The two grew close working together for the Rotary club, and Hannemann’s support pushed him to run for election.

“Judy and I became very good friends, and when she decided to resign, she kind of tapped me on the shoulder and said I could try to take her spot,” Dave said. “That’s when I decided I wanted to be involved and wanted to be on the school board.”

“Dave”

continues on page 2

Get to know the new clubs on campus Meet the creators of the Yoga, Teenz Talk, and Outdoor Exploration clubs, clubs aimed at promoting health and wellness.

Features, 9

Boys Water Polo

Opinion the “National Anthem” debate Writer Haley Ecker shares her insight on the controversy surrounding current athletes’ protest of the National Anthem at sporting events.

Sports, 18

UPCOMING EVENTS September 27

UC / CSU Application Night September 28

Camp Diversity October 2

CSF Applications Due October 5

District College Fair October 14

End of First Quarter October 17

Homecoming Week

News Editorial Opinions

2 5 6

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

Sports P.19

KUNAL PANDIT

Gordon Jack publishes debut novel RACHEL LU Senior Writer

The idea behind school librarian Gordon Jack’s debut novel, “The Boomerang Effect,” began when he noticed that while there was a wide range of humorous children’s literature, there were not as many humorous young-adult books.

“I think that’s a real shame [because] those are my favorite kinds of books,” Jack said. “I see a lot of students who love those books or loved them when they were reading ‘Captain Underpants’ or ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ and there’s no kind of equivalent of those books at a high school level. So a part of me thought since I love those kinds of books so much… I could write something that was maybe funny.”

Jack’s book, published by HarperCollins, is scheduled for release at Kepler’s Books on November 9th.

The book is a young-adult novel that

follows a troubled high school boy, Lawrence Barry, trying to avoid expulsion as he is framed for a series of attacks at his school that he never was a part of. Inspired by American movie “Arthur” Jack penned his first draft in just one year. “[‘Arthur’] basically follows this rich aristocratic drunk who gets in these trouble and his stoic butler who takes care of him and gets mad at all these problems,” said Jack. “I thought that would be a good model for me to go off of and make a young adult version of that for high school. In my version, rather than having the kid be an aristocratic drunk, he’s a rich kid who gets high all the time. Rather than having a butler, he has a kid he’s assigned to mentor who may or may not be on the spectrum and [is] logical and the polar opposite of who [the main character] is.”

“Jack”

continues on page 16

Machine Learning In-Depth

P.10

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The Talon September 27, 2016

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

Downtown sets course for future BRIAN HUEBNER JAVIN POMBRA DANNY VESURAI Staff Writers

Despite dramatic population growth and development in the Bay Area, Los Altos downtown has remained surprisingly unaffected. Most buildings are one or two stories tall, foot traffic is light and streets are narrow. Many residents savor this small-town feel.

new businesses, to make it easier for businesses to set up shop in the area.

“Being less restrictive on businesses makes [downtown] more attractive and makes it something that people want to actually visit,” Starr said. “If things are not updated then businesses are going to fail.”

Fighting Over Height

In 2010, City Council increased the height limit for buildings from 30 feet to 45 feet, which increased space for retail. Following the policy, multiple businesses such as Cetrella’s, Safeway and Enchanté But with increasing demand Boutique Hotel were established. and changing demographics, But the changes met backlash Los Altos’ City Council has defrom residents who desired to maintain Los Altos’ village atcided to undertake a visioning mosphere. Residents disliked process. As they commence this the canyon-like effect created by months-long procedure that taller buildings. will end in a roadmap for the “If you build out along two future of downtown, different corridors you’ll have a canyon,” opinions have arisen between another Los Altos resident said.

“Those of us who are regular residents and business owners. shoppers will feel that the village character has been lost.”

After surveying residents, the Differing Perspectives “There’s a dichotomy in our local Downtown Buildings Comdowntown where some people mittee (DBC), a liason between want to see it keep growing, and residents and City Council, consome want to keep it exactly how cluded residents felt dissatisfied it is today or even wind the clock with the taller buildings. The comback,” Economic Development mittee made recommendations to City Council, many of Manager Jennifer which have passed.

Quinn said.

Business owners Los Altos has alSome people disagree with resiways maintained a dents’ opposition. low-growth environ- want to see “Why would I care ment in the center of [downtown] if [buildings are] too downtown — State keep growtall?” Starr said. “[City and Main Street — to ing, and some Council] is being a bit satisfy the wishes of too restrictive. residents who have want to keep In May, the Downhistorically strayed it exactly how town Buildings Comaway from large devel- it is today or mittee recommendopment. Residents de- even wind the ed for City Council to sire to maintain downclock back. decrease the height town’s atmosphere. limit from 45 feet to — Economic “Let’s try to keep it Development Manager 35 feet. a family friendly, easyJennifer Quinn The height limit is access village,” a Los currently disputed by Altos resident said at a Planning and Transportation the PTC, who will approve, veto Commission (PTC) meeting on or amend the recommendation.

September 15. “You can maximize City Council directed the PTC to profits for developers, or you can decide by November. have a village that the residents acThe Visioning Process tually use and enjoy.”

This past month, City CounBusiness owners like iChakra shop owner Krystal Starr believe cil officially began the visioning that Los Altos must alter its cur- process, aiming to create a longrent financial regulations, such term master plan for downtown. as the permitting process for City Council hired RRM Design,

MICHAEL SIEFFERT

Safeway was constructed on First Street after City Council increased building height limits from 30 feet to 45 feet in 2010. Residents and business owners disagree on whether taller buildings have a positive effect. an architectural firm, and gave tail the exact path downtown the project a budget of $300,000. will take. Although scheduled “The visioning process is a for completion by next sumplanning effort to identify how mer, the visioning process change can occur in downtown,” could take up to 18 months because of City CounCommunity Develcil’s desire to get opment Director Jon residents involved.

Biggs said. “It’s our The overall “The challenge we goal to try to capture have is that we want what the community goal is to make a plan that to include all the wants to see.” residents,” Mayor The visioning pro- helps put the Jeanne Bruins said. cess will result in three future of down“I cannot imagine general “scenarios” anything happenthat specify develop- town in a posiing sooner than six ment in the next three tive direction. months. It could be decades. The three — Community Development a full year.” scenarios include Director Jon Biggs l ow- d e ve l o p m e n t , high- development Community and a mix between the two. Each Engagement & Economic scenario will also include economic Analysis analysis and 3D representations of The inclusion of residents’ development. opinions will be important as City Following the creation of these Council hopes that future develscenarios, City Council and RRM opment issues can be solved with Design will take input from resi- community backing. dents to determine which specific “We want a plan that’s going to scenario they will pursue. be a really good resource for future “We’ll take [the scenarios] out to decision makers,” Biggs said. “The the community and have them give overall goal is to make a plan that us some feedback,” Biggs said. “We helps put the future of downtown want to be confident it’s what the in a positive direction. One way of community is seeking.” doing that is making sure it has Once a scenario is picked, a community support.” roadmap will be created to deHowever, skeptics believe that

the visioning process may fail to satisfy residents. They cited past examples like City Council’s attempt to create a community center, which failed last year to pass as a ballot measure.

“We tried to develop a plan for the community center for years,” member of the DBC Anita Enander said. “We got multiple iterations of input from people. When that was put up for a vote last year, more than 60 percent of people voted against it.”

Others, like council member Jan Pepper, stress the importance of economic analysis to understand how development would affect businesses in downtown.

“We need to understand what factors allow businesses to survive in a downtown environment like ours,” Pepper said. “We also need to understand the economics of commercial buildings.”

Councilmembers like Pepper and city staff believe the economic analysis will allow the town to decide the feasibility of a proposed plan.

“Anybody can come up with a plan for wonderful buildings, big, wide public streets and big structures,” Biggs said. “But unless it’s really grounded in the economics of downtown, you don’t really get a plan that’s useful.”

MICHAEL SIEFFERT

The Talon September 27, 2016

3

Egan adopts new grading policy MICHAEL SIEFFERT MADDIE CHU SANA KHADER Senior Writer Staff Writers

This year, students at Egan Junior High School will no longer see the time-honored As through Fs on their report card. Los Altos School District has established a new standards-based grading system focusesd on more holistic evaluation. The system aims to evaluate students based on Common Core standards with numerical grades.

The district brought the change after a debate about the purpose of grading. Eventually, the dis-

trict agreed that grading should reflect a students’ learning of skills, as per Common Core ideals. Several district elementary schools implemented the new policy last school year.

“Is the purpose of school to get a letter grade at the end or is the purpose for learning?” Egan Principal Keith Rocha said. “If you got an F, it was because you didn’t do well on a test or turn in an assignment. That isn’t necessarily the best system because there are so many other variables that are weighing into your performance.”

Students now receive a grade of 4, 3, 2 or 1 depending on their performance on a standard. The four

numbers correlate to mastery, approaching mastery, developing mastery and beginning mastery.

All assessments will be evaluated, but only the last assessment for each subject counts toward the student’s final grade.

According to the district’s documentation, the standards are only meant to assess a student’s mastery at the time teachers release the report card.

This system seeks to reward improvement and assess mastery rather than short-term familiarity.

For eighth grade history teacher Jon Hayman, the lack of grading for a majority of homework decreased the turn-in rate as

ANNE SCHILL

students lost grade incentive to knowing how to read about it, because if you can read it, you complete assignments.

“Kids intuitively know home- can cite evidence and then you work is not being graded,” Hay- know who won the Civil War. I’m man said. “Consequently our first not so sure about that.”

However, eighth grader Amanda homework assignment [had] approximately a 50 percent turn- Le appreciates the emphasis on understanding material in rate. I think [a over memorization. few years ago] it was “[Standards-based about 90 percent.” grading] lets you know Instead, Hayman Is the purpose your mistakes without observes homework of school to get the pressure of getting has taken a new role a letter grade.” Amanin determining how a letter grade da said. “I feel like you students can im- at the end or is can actually learn from prove their work if the purpose for your mistakes without they do not reach a learning? being scared of makskill standard.

— Egan Principal ing them.”

“Homework grades Keith Rocha Amanda is conwon’t be reflected on cerned that she may the report card, but if a kid can’t reach mastery of the have a “bad day” when it comes to skill standard, then we can look a summative assessment, and that at it and we can see what work the rest of the work for the subject doesn’t affect her final grade. they didn’t do,” Hayman said.

“The one thing I don’t like The new standards-based grading system, Hayman feels, may about standards-based grading is that all your work from a just be a temporary trend.

“I hate to describe it as an edu- period of time that you’ve been cational fad and [say] that in 15 studying that certain topic years we’re going to do some- doesn’t really matter, except thing else, but I’ve lived a long for that last summative assesstime and I see these things come ment,” Amanda said.

Hayman also speculated that priand go,” Hayman said.

Hayman expressed concerns vate schools will evaluate grades via that the emphasis on under- direct translation to letter based standing over memorization will grading. Common Core discourdecrease students’ knowledge in ages this type of translation.

“St. Francis supposedly has subjects like history, in which memorization can seem like the a GPA standard, but there’s no more GPA, so what do you do only way to learn the material.

“Is a kid who graduates from now?” Hayman said. “I suspect high school going to know who the private schools are going to won the Civil War?” Hayman say a 4 is an A, 3 is a B and 2 is said. “The people who are put- a C, and they’re not supposed to ting this new system into effect do that, because we’re not supsay that’s not as important as posed to do that.”

AP Physics I test scores raise concerns SAVITA GOVIND ANISHA DESAI

Copy/Content Editor Staff Writer

After receiving this spring’s AP scores, the district board discussed LAHS’ AP Physics I test results in comparison to MVHS’ results at a meeting on September 6. LAHS’ pass rate hit a record low at 38 percent for students enrolled in AP Physics I, while MVHS’ pass rate was 92 percent.

The school board is analyzing differences between the schools’ physics programs and potential changes for LAHS. Last year, LAHS replaced regular physics with AP Physics I as teachers felt the material covered in AP Physics I was nearly identical to the regular class. MVHS chose to keep regular physics and add AP Physics I to its curriculum.

“The choices were to keep teaching the regular physics class that we’ve always taught or teach a slightly easier class that students get AP credit for,” physics teacher Adam Randall said. “At the same time, the school is always looking to engage more students in AP classes.”

Along with a low pass rate, LAHS students enrolled in AP Physics I achieved zero 5s, while MVHS achieved 15 5s. The district established classes at MVHS and LAHS to be completely aligned, but many differences remain.

“We are trying very hard to have a uniform curriculum in the dis-

trict, but our schools are unique,” Associate Superintendent Brigitte Sarraf said. “Sometimes one school has a certain pathway in mind and another school has a different pathway.”

The board debated the AP courses’ alignment with the AP test and the similarities and differences between the regular class and AP Physics I. “Either it’s the curriculum or it’s the alignment with the AP test,” Sarraf said. “If that is the case, then I think our teachers’ conclusion that the content of the regular physics class is almost identical to the AP Physics I class may have been wrong. But it is too early to say that with certainty.”

Some LAHS teachers feel the schools’ scores cannot be compared because of the differences in both schools’ physics programs. At MVHS, AP Physics I is the most advanced first-year physics course, meaning the students who take the course are similar to the students who take AP Physics II at LAHS. Because LAHS doesn’t offer a regular physics course, students who wish to fulfill the UC colleges’ science course recommendation must take the AP course. UC colleges recommend students to have taken 3 major sciences: biology, chemistry and physics.

“Students say if they don’t like to work as hard as an AP class requires them to do, they have nothing to drop back to,” Sarraf said.

The board and administration are uncertain what changes will be made next year because they do not want to move forward without more data. They will continue to discuss the issue in coming months.

“Normally we would take a lot more time to talk to all the constituents before we eliminate a

class, such as physics,” Sarraf said.

“On this one we rushed; why is not entirely clear... I suppose... we were led to believe that our regular physics curriculum covered virtually all the standards that the AP curriculum covers. We did not really think about the consequence of taking choice away from the students.”

The Talon is currently conducting further research on the topic for an editorial to be published online shortly.

ANNE SCHILL

LAHS’ AP Physics I test scores for students enrolled in the class were lower than those for MVHS. These test scores do not represent the complexities of the situation as the demographics of the students in the classes vary in skill and preparation levels.

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The Talon September 27, 2016

New Media Literacy explores digital stories PRIYA DIXIT ADRIENNE MITCHEL Staff Writers

English teacher Robert Barker created New Media Literacy as an alternate journalism elective to the school this year. The elective aims to teach students to analyze messages in news media and portray stories through photography, videography and podcasts.

The administration wished to add another journalism elective to let students pursue journalism while learning more media-centric lessons. Currently, the class is focusing on photojournalism.

“What Mr. Barker’s trying to do is to create a space for students to learn the skill set that they need if they decide to go into journalism, but also for the kids who have a passion about digital storytelling,” Principal Wynne Satterwhite said.

Barker expressed interest in teaching the elective after the administration voiced its intentions to create another journalism class with an emphasis on broadcasting.

“I have a personal interest in critical media literacy, so I thought it was a great opportunity for me to blend media literacy with broadcast journalism,” Barker said.

Opportunity CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE The program requires the staff to assess each student individually and determine how the needs of students can be addressed within the daily schedule.

“We can create whatever curriculum we want to in a vacuum, but it may not work with these kids,” Sarraf said. “So we need to get to know the students and we need to get a better sense of what their ability level is [and] what their interest level is.”

Lead Teacher Seth Donnelly, who divides his time between the Opportunity Program and teaching social studies at Los Altos, said the approach is one of the program’s strengths.

The class focuses on sifting through bias to analyze the motives behind media.

“We need to address media literacy because there’s so much information coming at us all the time,” Barker said. “Students aren’t always aware of how those messages get created, or if there’s a profit motive behind images they’re consuming.”

Former Editor-in-Chief of The Talon Sofia Guo ‘16 contributed to the class’ curriculum. After completing her senior project on media literacy, Sofia worked with Barker to compile resources for the elective last summer.

“This entire idea of teaching critical thinking skills to high schoolers was my dream in terms of being able to empower people with the ability to decipher messages that they would otherwise unconsciously accept,” Sofia said.

The class evaluates media through five pillars of media literacy: authorship, format, audience, content and purpose.

“Any time I’m looking at an image [I have to remember] somebody made it,” Barker said. “If I don’t think about why they made it, then I might be susceptible to being manipulated by that image.”

The class features interactive proj-

English teacher Robert Barker teaches the New Media Literacy class to students in room 401. New Media Literacy was established this year as a new journalism elective centered around digital media.

“This is not Terra Bella,” Donnelly said. “And that’s not just in name only. We wanted to create a new program that would engage students in learning about the real world, changing that world and not having students simply sitting at desks.”

To that end, Sarraf worked with the staff to create a schedule that differs from that of a comprehensive high school. On Mondays and Fridays, students receive counseling, individualized services and life skills training at the Adult Education Center before heading to Alta Vista’s campus to learn about construction.

On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, they go to a local YMCA, where they use the gym and play sports with their instructors.

The replacement for traditional academic courses comes in the form of Integrated Academics. The class runs Tuesdays through Thursdays and ties English, civics, economics

and field trips into larger themes.

“In the classroom you watch videos and read,” Sarraf said. “Then you find an experience in the community that allows you to see what you just learned in action. For example, there may be a civics lesson. Then you take the students to city hall and have them observe civics in action.”

The students’ first unit, immigration, provided students with an opportunity to learn about governmental structure, political conf lict and the economic impact of labor laws. Students then visited the Mountain View Day Workers’ Center to see the concepts in action.

According to Behavior Specialist Thienan Banh, such complex material can present challenges for students who have fallen years behind in their reading and comprehension skills. Banh works with students throughout the day to help fulfill specific needs outlined in their In-

ects that challenge students to piece together their own stories. Barker aims to provide students with skills to pursue independent projects through a chosen medium.

The elective shrank from 28 to 18 students in August, which Barker attributes to scheduling issues because New Media Literacy only occupies a seventh period slot.

“If students have full schedules,

or they’re trying to balance their schedule with their workload, it’s easy to say, ‘Maybe I like the class, but I want to take my seventh period back,’” Barker said.

However, the class size allows for a smaller student-to-equipment ratio. The convenience accentuates the hands-on aspect of the class.

“You go and do things for yourself,” sophomore Brooke Bet-

tinger said. “Instead of just hearing about it, you’re practicing the [concepts].”

The main appeal of the class for students is the opportunity to craft their own digital stories.

“The most fun thing we’ve done is just being able to go out and look for stories,” sophomore Noah Tesfaye said. “The class makes you question your own environment.”

KATIE KLEIN

EMILY ARONOVITZ

A partially constructed model house sits in the construction shed at Alta Vista. Students attend the construction class every Monday and Friday along with counseling, individualized services and life training.

meet his graduation requirements, dividualized Education Programs.

“You learn about the struggles of because otherwise the program is people who are economically [dis- not going to accept him.”

In the short term, however, advantaged] and who are undocumented,” Donnelly said. “You have Donnelly and Banh are focused on forming closer the students practice connections with stubeing mini-journaldents, a process which ists, interviewing both agreed was only people in the commu- We talk a lot possible through the nity and learning to about things program’s small classtell their stories. They room environment. also read literature… that bother stu“There’s the capacby people who’ve dents and how ity now after three been through it.” we can overweeks to relate as inIn the long term, come that. And dividuals and begin to that means helping the students know the goals, hopes students set goals to and aspirations of the resolve issues of self- open up. students,” Donnelly regulation. For some — Behavior Specialist Thienan Banh said. “I think we’re students, this could all more comfortable involve improving their attendance. To Banh, one of with each other and we’re starting the most pressing issues for stu- to build that community.”

The result is a tight-knit comdents is improving their relationmunity that no comprehensive ship with technology. “[If] every two minutes you’re high school can imitate.

Banh described a student who checking on your cell phone, you’re not really going to process acted shy from the start of the year.

“He never really said anything,” information doing that,” Banh said. “I figure out what’s generally Banh said. “He literally had his happening in their life, and from hood on and the straps pulled realthere I make suggestions on what ly tight over his head since day one.”

When his teachers asked him if they could do better.”

On a day-to-day basis, Banh he wanted to go to the YMCA, he works with students to build said no. But Banh felt that every skills that help break down the student should attend at least once.

“I knew that every kid should at curriculum and scaffold it into least attempt to go, so I dedicated manageable parts.

“Let’s say I’m working with Stu- a little more time with this child, dent A, [who] is reading at a third and when we got to the YMCA, he grade level,” Banh said. “I have to impressed me because he really make the lesson plan more easily likes basketball,” Banh said. “He digestible for that student to un- and I played a lot of basketball derstand… My role is to motivate together, and slowly he’s showing the child to stay on track and pro- other interests too.”

Since then, the student has cess the information given.”

Over time, the staff at the pro- stopped wearing his hood in class. gram will help students identify Banh attributes the student’s long-term life and career goals. change to the program’s ability for Their primary goal is to help stu- individualized support.

“He initially gave up, but with dents fulfill academic requirements and navigate the complexi- a constant supportive environment, he slowly started to open ties of the job market.

“I have one student who wants to up and show what he’s capable become an automechanic, so we’re of doing,” Banh said. “To me, it trying to help him get into the De was a good surprise to see a stuAnza automechanics program,” dent who was always denying help Sarraf said. “But he first has to gradually open up.”

The Talon September 27, 2016

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

New structure of Homecoming Court is a change for the better At The Talon, we’ve long believed that it’s time for Homecoming Court to change, and this year, it looks like it will get a much-needed makeover. Instead of picking 20 students paired into 10 male-female “couples,” ASB and the administration have made the welcome decision to pair students into groups of three, picking only 18 students in total. The decision will be beneficial on multiple fronts — it will improve the wellness of the Court members, increase inclusion and allow Homecoming to be less Court-centric.

Homecoming is a wonderful tradition at Los Altos. It provides entertainment and excitement throughout the week leading up to the Homecoming Dance and Game. But more importantly, the Homecoming Court serves as an opportunity for the school to showcase students who could serve as role models for other students, parnic, socioeconomic and aca- will no longer be subconsciously ing a time for school-wide celticularly underclassmen.

In prior years, Court mem- demic diversity, but prior to this reminded of the idea that any- ebration, not just for students on Court. bers struggled to balance videos, change, it left out a key aspect: thing besides hetdiversity in sexu- erosexuality is not Of course, skits and Homeal orientations. normal. there is more coming events Of course, there is The decision to On the same that can be alongside colmore that can be eliminate malestrand of inclusivdone.

There [In previous years], lege applications, female couples ity, this change will done... The concept have not been homework and hour-long assemblies works towards decrease the emof Homecoming Court any changes to other extracur- and daily reminders alleviating the phasis on Homethe crowning ricular activities. of who the candidates in itself is questionabsence of sexual coming Court of the winners, Although the rediversity, and that was an issue able, for it singles out who will still be duction in Court were made it seem because of this, in previous years. a handful of students titled Homesize is small, the like these select indiit should be emHour-long assemcoming King and puts the spotlight changes in struc- viduals were more imand Queen. braced wholeblies and daily reon them rather than ture will allow the portant than the rest The concept of heartedly.

The minders of who the activities to be alpromoting the celof the student body.

Homecoming m a l e f e m a l e candidates were tered in ways that ebration of the school Court in itself is couple system made it seem like will help solve the questionable, as infamous aspect of Court-centric perpetuated the idea that it is these select indi- comunity as a whole. it singles out a stress for elected members. Vid- the standard to be heterosexual, viduals were more select number of which unintentionally singled important than eos will now be made in groups students and puts the spotlight out students who are not and the rest of the student body.

Alof three, and there will only be therefore ostrathough the Court on them rather than promotthree performances at the assemcan be a valuable ing the celebration of the school bly (with six Court members per cized them.

While it’s easy opportunity to community as a whole. There group) instead of the traditional has been discussion on changing to understand the celebrate model With this change, five performances. With more the name or number of the winappeal of tradistudents, less students of all sexual people per group, the work can emphasis on the ners, and even on eradicating the be more widely distributed and tion and romance, orientations will no Court throughout Court as a whole — this discusvideos and skits will be less of a the change re- longer be subconmains a critical the assembly and sion must be continued. burden on each individual. The sciously reminded of For now, the change from step toward more week will take Court members will more acaway from the Homecoming Court couples to curately reflect their statuses as inclusivity, which the idea that anything idea that a certain groups is a beneficial one that well-balanced, successful, up- is an important besides heterosexualgoal for Homegroup of students furthers the overall goals of standing students when they’re ity is not normal. coming Week deserves more at- Homecoming and school incluno longer as stressed about skits and the school as tention than the sivity. It’s a step in the right dior videos. a whole.

With this change, sturest.

It will also contribute to the rection, and hopefully the first Furthermore, the Court aldents of all sexual orientations overall goal of Homecoming be- of many. ready seeks to represent eth-

THUMBS UP to the school for showing seniors a video on consent

201 Almond Ave., Los Altos, CA September 27, 2016 Volume XXXII, Issue 1 Editor-In-Chief Emily Aoki Managing Editors Hanna Khosravi (Print) Jessica King (Print) Spencer Dembner (Web) News Editor Alex Wong Opinions Editor Akhil Jakatdar Features Editor Tino Tugwete In-Depth Editor Miranda Li Entertainment Editor Avi Varghese Sports Editor Julia Santos Media Editor Andrew Young Copy/Content Editors Teddy Chmyz, Savita Govind Business Managers Cameron Avery, Dominick Lanni Senior Writers Anisha Desai, Rachel Lu, Booker Martin, Michael Sieffert Staff Writers Ross Avery, Maddie Chu, Priya Dixit, Haley Ecker, Nathan Godderis, Brian Huebner, Sana Khader, Yalda Khodadad, Emma Kwan, Avery Luke, Alex Luna, Emily Meza-Perez, Adrienne Mitchell, Javin Pombra, Jaclyn Saik, Yolanda Spura, Emma Van Guens, Daniel Vesurai, Madison Woo, Justin Yu Photographers Emily Aronovitz, Francesca Fallow, Katie Klein, Natalie Munguia, Kunal Pandit, Thara Salim, Kimia Shahidi, Yolanda Spura Graphic Artists Ashley Cai, Carissa Lee, Anne Schill Videographers Bobak Afshari, Danny Nguyen, Arjin Unlu, Britt de Visser Adviser Michael Moul

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

The Editorial Board sets the policies of The Talon and crafts its editorials and thumbs. Its members are Cameron Avery, Teddy Chmyz, Spencer Dembner, Sana Khader, Hanna Khosravi, Michael Sieffert and Andrew Young.

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

Talon Supporters Honorary Pulitzers

Thumbs up to the school administration for featuring a video on sexual assault and consent during tutorial on Tuesday, September 20. Because the seniors were gathered in the Eagle Theater to vote for Homecoming Court, the administration took advantage of the opportunity to show the now viral “Tea and Consent” YouTube video, showcasing an easy-to-understand metaphorical representation of sexual consent by comparing it to offering a guest a cup of tea. The video ended with the simple plug of “Consent is Everything,” and we appreciate the effort that Los Altos is making to ensure that the issue is clear to students, especially after the horrific Brock Turner case that happened so close by. Seniors may mourn the loss of their tutorials, but we admire the administration for taking their chance to shine light on a prevalent and important topic.

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

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

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The Talon September 27, 2016

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

Grading the homework policy PRIYA DIXIT Staff Writer

By now, we are resigned to the fact that homework is an intrinsic element of school, and by extension a student’s life. Its existence is ingrained into routine, yet the specifics are always subject to updates.

The homework policy put into effect last May was an attempt to bring the previously shadowy rules of assigning homework out of obscurity.

To determine how the new homework policy is succeeding in its classes at Los Altos, we can grade it.

After calculating all the points, we can ascertain that the homework policy’s implementation is effective in its regulation of homework time and its connection to stress.

However, the specifics tells another story about students and stress. The sheer amount of AP and honors classes students take is tied strongly to their stress levels. While the homework policy is effective in its intentions, it is only a preliminary step to reducing sources of student stress. We can be content with a solid “B.” AP classes are now mandated to assign four to five hours of homework a week. College preparatory classes are confined to two to three hours weekly. Weekend homework is clarified to not exceed the amount of material assigned on a normal weekday. Summer vacation is now designated as devoid of homework.

These changes in the policy are

all targeted toward stress reduction though it would boost its effecfor students. But has the regula- tiveness by a few points has had tion, involving much deliberation, the opposite effect. come to fruition?

Algebra II Honors teacher MatSophomore thew Chaffee asKarina Halevy has signed a review taken on the chalpacket of Algelenge of an denser If we take into acbra I material in workload of sever- count the detailed prior summers. al AP and honors The new homepoint breakdown, classes. Her schedwork policy ule is comprised of a significant poreliminated this World Literature tion of stress stems assignment from Honors, AP Eu- from an area outside the curriculum. ropean History, homework: the sheer “[The packet AP Physics II, AP was] just for Calculus BC and amount of AP and kids to make AP Computer Sci- honors classes stusure, when they ence, along with dents take. were entering Advanced Jazz. For [Algebra II Honher, the policy’s ors], that they regulation of weekly homework understood that their Algebra I time is the most effective aspect. had to be… pretty solid,” Chaffee “It’s made it a lot easier for me to said. “[This year’s] quiz scores break down my homework.” Karina were typically lower. [Students said. “I think last year, I just didn’t did not have] enough time to prohave as much of a concept of how cess a lot of that information or much time I was supposed to take, review it as it was meant to be.” and that was a little more difficult.

The blanket ban on summer So I think this year it’s been a little homework has posed setbacks for easier to manage.” student understanding and the Having a limit on how much year’s curriculum. Ironically, this homework to expect weekly enables could potentially lead to more stress students to be aware of the commit- if topics such as prerequisites or esment needed for a class, allowing for sential readings are not secured bebetter time management. Stress ties fore the start of the school year. into this facet of how well the policy Because of the summer homework works; knowing that certain classes ban, the homework policy’s grade will require a more or less concrete tips slightly lower. But the overall amount of work weekly reduces the score, the letter grade, is satisfactorily pressure of uncertainty. high in terms of reducing the impact However, another aspect of homework on student stress. of the policy that seemed as However, if we take into account

the specific details, a significant portion of stress stems from an area outside homework: the amount of AP and honors classes students take. Four to five hours of homework weekly is expected from one AP class, but multiplying this across an intensive schedule is another story.

“I don’t think the sole issue is overloading schedule[s],” Chaffee said. “I think that’s one of them, and I also don’t think that the sole solution to reducing stress is the homework regulation.”

With a “B” at the bottom of the report card, we can rest assured that the homework policy lives up to its basic goal of stress reduction. The desired “A” could be obtained by squinting closer at the rubric; a major root of most student stress is the actual volume of honors and AP classes students take. Both the homework policy and the student perception of stress must adapt to this fact, if not this school year, but in the years to come.

CARISSA LEE

Overcoming prejudice: I am not a stereotype

cans.” That boy automatically saw Americans as white and was unable to see past the lies society has EMILY MEZA-PEREZ Staff Writer labeled Hispanics and specifically Mexicans with. In his eyes, I was someone incapable of being intelligent. I was a criminal, an “ilEver since I was a little kid I legal alien,” when in reality he had picked up on the stereotypes that no idea who I was because he was societal prejudice has formed. I blinded by the stereotypes that society and most likely began to understand ignorant parents that some people did forced on him. not even have to know Despite situations me in order for them Although I like like these, in which to believe they knew to believe I am I have faced stereowho I was. Many peotypes that claim I am ple assumed things always strongnot capable of intelabout me based off of minded and ligence and a higher my appearance and always prevail education, I have my ethnicity, and as against the efbeen able to push a child that was hard fects of stereoforward and strive to wrap my head towards my goals of around because I saw types, this is going to college and nothing wrong with not the truth. graduating. being Mexican. In Five years later, I fact, I loved and continue to love my culture; it makes continue to fight for my goals, up a large part of my identity and however if I am completely honest with myself, I see myself being my values.

At 11 years old I experienced the influenced by stereotype threat. racism of stereotypes up close; Stereotype threat is a situational there was a boy, my classmate, predicament in which an indiwho would relentlessly remind vidual feels at risk of conforming me that social prejudice portrayed to stereotypes about their social Mexicans as second-class citizens, group, or in my case my ethnicity.

I am a junior this year, and it is people who, in his words, came illegally into the United States and my first year taking AP classes. stole opportunities from “Ameri- As a first generation student, that

can be quite intimidating. When it comes to the stressors involved in my path to attending and graduating from a university, I am alone to figure out what decisions to take, as my parents did not go through the American public school system nor did they attend a university in the United States.

First generation students are predisposed to facing even more hardship than students with parents who’ve attained college degrees, and I definitely see the differences between myself and students who are not associated with stereotypes that label them as uneducated and unintelligent.

The boy, from when I was 11

INTERESTED IN GUEST-WRITING FOR TALON?

years old, who unfortunately perceived the world through a lens of racism and prejudice, still remains in the back of my mind today. He is the voice of stereotypes which at times in my academic career have caused me self-doubt. Although I like to believe I am always strongminded and always prevail against the effects of stereotypes, this is not the truth. The pressure from social prejudice is a nasty labeling system, that a majority of first generation students, specifically those of Hispanic origin, face. Although I know I am not stupid and unmotivated, the power of stereotypes can become overwhelming, and I begin to hear the voice of the boy

CARISSA LEE

— the voice of racism and stereotypes, when I am in my AP classes or when I contemplate my chances of actually getting accepted into a good university.

The voice of social prejudice tries to convince me that I am incapable and less worthy of a higher education than my other peers; it is in these moments that I become uncertain of my own abilities and my stress levels rise because I am not sure if my struggles will ever be worth it, if I’ll ever be able to go to a university or if I’ll even be able to afford the heavy price of tuition, as I depend solely on scholarships and financial aid.

People who have had to deal with the labels of stereotypes and social stigmas, understand the effects they can have on how you view yourself, but also understand that these labels do not define us.

The standard conceptions that stereotypes chain us to do not make up who we are, and despite racism continuing to thrive in society, we should not let it discourage us from our goals.

Overcoming stereotypes and proving the prejudiced wrong is the most powerful action one can take to break free from the influence of society’s flawed views of Latinos and Hispanics, and as well to encourage the community of younger first generation students.

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

The Talon September 27, 2016

7

Brock Turner: time to take rape seriously ALEX LUNA Staff Writer

When someone says the word rape, it brings an uneasy feeling to all that hear it. It’s a topic that has become more controversial over time. So much so that nowadays it is a struggle to even discuss this topic. Despite this struggle, rape should be seen as a huge ethical issue, and because of this, should be seen as a crime.

Brock Turner was attending Stanford University as a student athlete before he became infamous for sexually assaulting an unconscious 22-year-old woman.

He was allowed an early release from prison on Friday, September 2. He was originally given a six month sentence, but has only served half of that due to “good behavior” in prison. Despite this “good behavior” Turner should be serving his full sentence.

The case gained much attention here in the Bay Area due to the debate on the lack of severity on Turner’s sentence. There had been talk of a possible 14 year sentence, as well as a six year sentence. Brock’s father Dan Turner weighed in on the issue, and had his own opinion on what his son’s sentence should be. In his opinion, even the six year sentence was a bit too much.

“That is a steep price to pay,”

Brock’s father Dan Turner “For 20 minutes of action”.

Turner’s dad might have born in an age when this of sexual assault had not

said.

been type been

seen for the horror that it really is. Ultimately, Dan Turner can’t comprehend that this so-called “20 minutes of action” is a crime.

His son should understand if you

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY THARA SALIM

A protester’s sign during a protest in San Jose, California calls for judge Aaron Persky to resign for his involvement in the Brock Turner rape case.

Many protesters across the nation are outraged at the early release of Brock Turner from prison this month.

commit a crime like this and get get an idea of what it could be, caught, you will be expected to just look towards recent news. serve the appropriate amount of Current events involving black time in prison. oppression by policemen lead The real issue here is that Turn- me to believe that if it had been er should have gotten a longer a black male comsentence but because mitting this crime, that can’t happen he he would have easshould fulfill the rest Times have ily been given the of his sentence. His 14 year sentence. so-called “good be- changed in Brock Turner being havior” shouldn’t be society. Rape a white male brings a factor of his early is now being his race into considrelease, because seen for what eration because he Turner needs to unreleased so easit truly is: a de- was derstand the severity ily, whereas the sysplorable crime. tem is much more of his crime.

In order to fully aggressive towards comprehend his acblacks based on prejtions, Turner needs to turn to- udiced views against them. wards other rape victims to see “Brock Turner is a free man,” how much it has affected them. California Representative Loretta Victims have had to go through Sanchez said. “But for a woman mental and physical help to be who has been sexually assaulted, able to move on. If he could just she’s a prisoner of fear until we have a simple conversation with a have laws and a system that stops former victim, he would begin to victimizing her and allows us to understand the torment one goes prosecute and put away for more through in order to move on from than 90 days those who would this type of event. hurt these women.”

If Turner comes out of prison Sanchez says it best here. as a changed man, then he will be There needs to be change in the forgiven eventually. But he cannot way these people get punished. come out a changed man unless Rapists can’t let go because of he fulfills his entire punishment. “good behavior.” Brock shouldn’t Some might argue that Turn- have gotten an early release, he er’s race played a factor in his should have gotten a longer senlight punishment. With all the tence. Giving him an early reissues regarding racism, if this lease shows people that rape isn’t crime was committed by a per- that big of a deal. Ultimately, this son of color would they have perception of rape being just “20 gotten a worse punishment? We minutes of action” will continue can’t know, but if you want to to be a common view.

Silicon Valley is stressed, depressed and striving for the best too easy to feel the stress and pressure that comes from such a debilitating condition.

Staff Writers Living in the Silicon Valley provides us with a great level of opportunity — we routinely interact with global markets and At 2:35 p.m. every day, I make companies like Google, Apple, the drive from Los Altos to Palo Facebook and Tesla. We have Alto to attend my internship significantly more access to at a political non-profit orga- technology than much of the nization. It typically takes 10 nation, and we attend schools to 15 minutes to get there, 30 that consistently rank as some if there’s traffic. As I drive into of the best in the country. HowTown & Country, directly across ever, this high degree of opporfrom Stanford, I see Palo Alto tunity brings about a pressure to achieve and High School stusucceed, and dents getting out opportunities, of school, leavwhich by nature ing campus in As teenagers, colRange Rovers and lege may be a priority, are positive, become increasBMWs. I walk into one that we might ingly viewed as my internship, sit sometimes sacrifice obstacles. down, open my The inherent computer and be- our well-being for, but the variety of need to seize gin working. and excel in the Typically re- opportunities and opportunities served for college quality of education we encounter students, internis derived from ships among high that the Silicon Valley a combination schoolers have provides us with will of our environbecome a norm allow us to become ment, familial within Silicon Val- more successful in expectations and ley. Competition life in the long run. the standards we for a coveted spot put on ourselves. at a Stanford lab or As we compete for a notable tech startup is fierce, but opportuni- for the “best” opportunities in an ties, relative to other parts of the attempt to rise above our peers and gain a competitive edge in college United States, are plentiful.

More than just a location, applications, we become more foSilicon Valley is also a culture cused on the competition revolving with a specific mindset. A meri- around these opportunities and tocracy, Silicon Valley provides less focused on their potential to be opportunities for those who are constructive and beneficial. Internable to fuse innovative ideas ships, jobs and volunteer opporwith hard work and dedication. tunities, all meant to help us find Yet in this fast-paced environ- our passions or our niches, become ment of cutting edge produc- viewed as another notch on our retion and competition, it is all sume, a few words that will help us

MADDIE CHU YOLANDA SPURA

CARISSA LEE

look more favorable in the eyes of college admission officers.

The result of the competition surrounding opportunities and the pressure to fully take advantage of them aids the development of neurotic perfectionism within ourselves. Neurotic perfectionism is when someone is constantly striving for extreme, nearly unrealistic levels of achievement, and rarely, if ever, feels satisfied with their own accomplishments.

The national average on the old SAT is 1500; the halls of Los Altos are filled with students who routinely complain about their 2100. Going to college is a privilege for many around the world, yet in the Valley, getting into a UC is often an expectation. Many students in this area simply do not seek to be average or even above average. They

want to be the best.

We must remind ourselves that although in the present moment, our lives may seem dependent upon getting into a good college, college is not the determining factor to leading an accomplished life. There is a difference between working hard to attend a good college versus working hard to have a successful future. The skills you acquire from the opportunities you have seized will serve you far better in your life than just attending an Ivy League.

There’s a much bigger picture that we often forget in light of current pressures and stressors.

Many of us will eventually leave the Silicon Valley at some point in time, and our migration away from this “bubble” will bring us a much broader perspective

on life. As teenagers, college may be a priority, one that we might sometimes sacrifice our well-being for, but the variety of opportunities and quality of education that the Silicon Valley provides us with will allow us to become more successful in life in the long run.

Ultimately, it is not important that we seize all the opportunities available to us; it is important that we make the best out of the ones we do choose to pursue and treat each opportunity like a learning experience, and not like another line to put on our resume. In the end, success will not be attending Harvard or getting a job at a Fortune 500 company, but rather finding topics we are passionate about and taking the time to explore these passions.

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The Talon September 27, 2016

When a hijab becomes a warning SANA KHADER Staff Writer

It’s not uncommon to see a Muslim woman wearing a burkini, a tunic outfit with loose pants made with swimsuit material. It’s an alternative to the revealing mainstream swimwear that contradicts their modest religious values. But last month on a beach in Nice, France, armed police accosted a Muslim woman wearing a burkini and ordered her to remove part of her clothing. Close to 30 French towns have tried to ban the burkini, to prevent citizens from showing apparent solidarity with extremists. Though the proposed “burkini bans” have been struck down by French courts for being “unconstitutional,” current French president Nicolas Sarkozy has responded with, “Then we’ll change the constitution.”

Sitting at home, reading Facebook posts about the burkini bans, you may have been surprised to see such hateful actions taking place in a country like France. But in reality, France and the United States are not all too different. They’re both first-world developed countries, targets of several extremist groups and also home to Muslim minority populations.

Both countries have been targeted horrifically often, to the point where it doesn’t come as a complete shock when we see the news headlines.

To some extent, the response has an excuse to treat their Musof the French has been under- lim citizens like bombs about to standable. It seems that behind go off. each of these tragThe anti-Muslim edies is a bearded, sentiments in the brown-skinned United States aren’t man. The natural [My grandparents] too different from human reaction use prayer beads those in France. is to stereotype, Hate crimes comand under such during long jourmitted against Musextreme circum- neys, and if an lims peaked in 2015, stances, we can’t ignorant, hyperexceeding any year be surprised that aware passenger before. The Repubthe French governlican nominee for hears any hint of ment has become President has spit wary of people who the word “Allah,” I out hateful rhetoric look similar to the don’t even want to about banning Musones that attacked think about what lims from entering their capital. But the U.S. How am I could happen. neither the United supposed to feel safe States nor France if a presidential can-

ANNE SCHILL

didate, along with politicians currently in office, are making these kinds of statements?

Everything that has happened in France in the past couple months makes me question whether my grandparents will ever be able to travel from India to visit us again, like they did this summer. India is home to 180 million Muslims; what’s stopping the United States from rejecting Visa applicants? If you’ve recently traveled to a Muslim country, will you be able to reenter the U.S.? The fear and fever of extremism catch on more quickly and more intensely than anyone could have imagined, and it’s not something that only affects French citizens across an ocean. It worries me, and maybe one of your classmates, and maybe one of your neighbors.

So next week, when my grandparents f ly from Chicago to Dubai, I will be worried about them. I will be running horrific scenarios through my mind because yes, my grandmother does wear hijab, and my grandfather is almost deaf, and they are both old. They use prayer beads during long journeys, and if an ignorant, hyper-aware passenger hears any hint of the word “Allah,” I don’t even want to think about what could happen.

The extent to which this fever has caught on is appalling. In Europe, police are telling women what they can and cannot wear. Right here in California, one of the most liberal states in the nation, I’m scared for my grandparents’ safety on an airplane. I can’t tell you which one is more bizarre.

Are drones violating our privacy? Or is there none left?

There are numerous amounts of ways we are losing our privacy every day, be it forgetting to unBOOKER MARTIN check the tickbox and sending Senior Writer data to a company when creating an account or unintentionally granting programs access to the hardware’s webcam.

Take the popular international I click on a Facebook article that catches my interest. Data messaging app WhatsApp, for spins into a digital world of my example. On August 25 2016, personal preferences and po- WhatsApp updated its privacy tential advertising weaknesses. policy for the first time in four A green light blinks on my web- years. The new changes ref lect Facebook’s inf lucam, indicating it ence on the properis capturing video ty, having purchased of my every move, the app back in 2014. but I’m oblivious It’s important WhatsApp now as the words I read to keep an eye sends user informaplay into my deepest on the ways tion to Facebook, fears. As I close the including the phone page, the website drones might numbers used to stores my house’s encroach on verify accounts.

IP address into its our privacy, WhatsApp’s webanalytics. Ironically, because it’s site posted an anthe web page I was nouncement saying browsing informed important to this data will be used me that drones are keep an eye in part for more acthreatening one of on all the ways curate ad targeting, my most important our privacy is though the company rights: privacy. assured users their Needless to say, being violated. phone numbers will the fear of drones is not be sold. ironic in the sense My grandma, who is tech-savvy that drones are not the only threat to our privacy. This fear is enough to download the app for incredibly justified,but applies her trip to the United Kingdom, to far more than just drones. will probably not browse the setModern day tech has stripped tings to opt-out of the partially-opaway personal privacy; those tional data sharing services. She is conscious of the threat drones one of the billion people who now pose to privacy should also be use WhatsApp. The concept of drones is scary aware of how the technology we use everyday keeps track of our because of their maneuverability and cameras ready to record. While personal information.

ASHLEY CAI

technology has enabled drones to be manufactured surprisingly compactly and inconspicuously, an object flying through the sky is likely more noticeable than the majority of cameras already recording part of our lives.

You’ve probably waved at a security camera in Target and watched yourself wave back from the screen that proves everyone is under live surveillance. Residential homes sometimes have security cameras monitoring both the outside and inside of someone’s personal living quarters. The devices we use every day have cameras, some-

times used without our knowledge and other times used with lack of good judgement. The reality is that we already live in a world in which a significant portion of our lives is captured digitally.

Although our privacy is considerably more limited than it was a decade or so ago, it is still a crucial aspect of our lives. It’s important to keep an eye on the ways drones might encroach on our privacy, because it’s important to keep an eye on all the ways our privacy is being violated. There are far more than just drones keeping an eye on you.

Keeping Handwriting Alive

By Ross Avery At our school, it’s hard to imagine an environment where computers aren’t used for nearly every purpose. It’s even harder to recall that once, students wrote everything with their hands, using nothing more than paper and pen. For nearly every purpose, computers are advantageous. But in all the rush to become more technologically advanced, we’ve neglected the pure, simple process of writing things out by hand. And I hold that this process contains some clear benefits: Computer screens are bright. They do things when you click on them. Thus, like moths to a flame, our eyes are drawn to them. We don’t have that kind of problem with paper, because paper is boring.

It can be grey or white, come in lined or unlined varieties and varies in size. That’s about as interesting as it gets.

This innate dullness makes us more focused on the task at hand, be it paying attention to a lecture or writing the first draft of your essay.

Paper is easier to scribble on. This is more helpful than you may think. Whenever I get stuck writing something, I usually just start drawing squiggly lines and circles with my pen until words come out.

To all those who have not yet tried this method: trust me, it works. But you can’t scribble with a computer, unless you type “asdfjkl;,” which just doesn’t have the same authenticity. There are other things you can’t do with a computer, as well. You can’t draw pictures in the margins when you get bored. And you can’t crumple your paper up or set it on fire when you become frustrated.

Writing by hand forces you to slow down. This, contrary to what many believe, is a good thing. What some regard as the biggest drawback of pen and paper is also its most useful feature. Allow me to explain: There’s no worse feeling in the world than typing away for a good half hour, then realizing what you have just produced is absolutely incoherent. At the very least, writing by hand allows you to consider the legitimacy of a word or phrase before it goes on the page.

Making the change is easier than you would think. The next time you find yourself taking out your laptop to make note of something, just take out a notebook instead.

After a while, it becomes easier, and you may find yourself writing by hand for longer periods. To present an example: I wrote the above piece with a pen, and I actually enjoyed it.

So give handwriting a chance.

You might enjoy it, too.

The Talon September 27, 2016

9

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

Breaking the mold: clubs on campus

Yoga ANISHA DESAI

TeenzTalk MICHAEL SIEFFERT

ANISHA DESAI

COURTESY TEENZTALK

COURTESY OUTDOOR EXPLORATION CLUB

ROSS AVERY

Senior Writer

Senior Writer

It’s no secret: yoga, an ancient discipline dating back to the 5th Century, is seeing a resurgence. Yoga studios are plentiful, with multiple in Los Altos alone. But to experience its myriad benefits, you’ll likely have to pay for the privilege. To give students access to yoga without the costs usually associated with it, seniors Mikala Marrin and Izzy Estrada chose to start the Yoga club last year.

“It’s a great way to reduce stress,” Mikayla said. “There’s obviously a lot of people who may need that. Having a yoga practice is a really great way to do that, even if it’s just one lunch every week.”

Yoga club meets on Mondays in the dance room. Last year, the two club presidents, Izzy and Mikayla, started out teaching. Now, Mikayla’s mom, a registered yoga instructor, teaches the weekly 30 minute class. In the past, class sizes were around five to ten people. Since the Dance Room is currently under construction, the club is waiting until the room reopens in October to begin meetings.

“I think it’s really great to expose Los Altos to yoga, because I know not everyone has access to a yoga class or it’s too expensive,” Mikayla said. “It’s a really great way to open people’s eyes.”

All levels of yoga-goers are welcome. This year members will start out with more basic poses and gradually work up to more advanced moves.

Outdoor Exploration Staff Writer

As one of Los Altos’ most diverse clubs, TeenzTalk works to connect teenagers from around the world with one goal in mind: “create a global teen community where we share our experiences, inspire each other to chase our unique ambitions, and embrace the valuable growth that comes from failures.”

Club president junior Nadia Ghaffari started the website www.TeenzTalk.org as a place for teens to post videos and write articles about topics such as passion, growth and stress relief.

She is the founder and chief editor and works with a team of people from many different countries. Each country’s representatives participate in their own outreach projects to spread the organization’s message in their area.

“I feel like if [there is] a team here, it will be even more effective,” Nadia said. “I have had a lot of people who have asked me about working on it from Los Altos, and instead of just adding them to the team I wanted to have a club so that we can all work together in that way.”

A typical club meeting would include brainstorming ideas for interviews or articles and introducing these ideas to the group. Then members would plan how to execute the idea in the best way possible.

The club will meet on Thursdays in room 312. Nadia stresses that the club will be flexible and member-driven.

“I’m really open to [project ideas],” Nadia said. “That is what the whole website [and club] is about…”

When seniors Angela Chen and Megana Bobba started the Outdoor Exploration Club, they had one main goal in mind: to provide a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere for its members.

“We want it to be a fun and kind of low-key club that just gave people the outlet and the opportunity to take that time out of their day and go outdoors and appreciate all that we have,” Angela said.

The club hopes to foster an appreciation of nature through group hikes and excursions, which will be planned by the members.

“We really wanted there to be something on campus that promoted the love of the outdoors,” Angela said.

This year, the club set a goal to plan a larger-scale backpacking trip in Yosemite that will last several days. In addition, an increased emphasis will be placed on environmental volunteer work in the community.

The club plans to meet on Mondays in room 701 and is advised by science teacher Trina Lee. Meetings will involve discussing potential excursion locations and organizing transportation methods. Those involved with the Outdoor Exploration Club hope the experience will have lifelong benefits.

“If people have the opportunity to go out and appreciate all that is around us... they’re going to be more conscious of the decisions they’re making as far as being… environmentally conscious.” Angela said.

Auto teacher Mark Childers steers students in right direction student to make it so I could drive it during the week, and I found out that I enjoyed doing that more than The first thing you notice when my major… It was more fun than you walk into Mark Childers’ class- farming,” Childers said. room are two cars — a late-‘90s NisHe kickstarted his career working san Maxima and a ‘70s Chevy Malibu the pumps at a gas station, eventu— sitting on lifts, their undersides ally working his way up to becomexposed. Today, Childers explains, ing a technician at J.C. Penney’s auto the class is working on comparing division in the early 70s. He went on specific components of each car. Es- to own his own Firestone tire dealersentially, Automotive Technology ship, before settling into a job with (Auto Tech) functions the Universal Techniin a way similar to any cal Institute (UTI). other class, yet instead “In the late 90s UTI Automobiles of desks, textbooks or wanted to grow their whiteboards you’re more are a part of business into Southlikely to see stacks of tires our culture, a ern California, and and cabinets full of tools. daily part of our they were looking for “We’re showing the society...you somebody to teach students the differences their Power & Perin the steering and sus- should at least formance courses,” pension, and how the leave being an Childers said. “I had underneath of the car informewd consome racing backhas progressed over the sumer. ground along with years,” Childers said. my technical experi— Auto teacher “That’s what we’re doing ence, so that was a Mark Childers this week, and they’re gogood fit for us, and I ing to have their perforworked with them for mance exam tomorrow.” several years.”

Childers combines decades of After teaching there for sevexperience as both an automo- eral years, Childers decided to tive technician and a teacher. His shift to high school education passion for cars ignited in college, and worked at Claremont High where he discovered a side of him- School starting in 2005 until the self that would lead to his career in end of last year before taking the automotive industry. the job at Los Altos. Part of the “When I was going to college, I had reason for the change, he says, a very cheap, poor-running automo- was an increased ability to conbile.” Childers said. ”I had to work on nect with others and work with it on the weekends as a poor college them on a personal level.

CAMERON AVERY Staff Writer

MICHAEL SIEFFERT

Mr. Childers demonstrates a tire change for students in his classroom. The new auto teacher looks to teach basic auto skills while keeping students up-to-date with the modern technology found in the cars of today.

“The plus with that is that with a lot of automotive programs in high school the departments are pretty small, so it’s really easy to communicate with your peers and get things done,” Childers said.

In addition to preparing students for potential careers in the automotive industry, Childers hopes to educate them in order to help them make good decisions when they buy a car of their own.

“Automobiles are a part of our culture, a daily part of our society,” Childers said. “I tell the students that I don’t expect everyone that comes into my classroom to want

to be an automobile technician, but you should at least leave being an informed consumer.”

“When I was interviewing with the school district, they wanted to make sure I could teach the students what was happening as far as the modern technology goes, with computer controls and such,” Childers said.

Though he acknowledges that skills such as familiarity with engine work are important, Childers wants to stress that the cars of today require a wider range of expertise.

“The focus is now on what we call ‘aid services,’ which are the quick maintenance items — consumables

— tires, brakes, belts and hoses,” Childers said. “Cars have gotten much more complicated, but they also do a lot more thinking for themselves — they tune themselves up.”

What’s Childers’ favorite part about cars? For him, it’s the culture: each niche interest, be it lifted off-road trucks or lowered, custom-painted cruisers, has its own appeal.

“The one thing that’s great about automotive is that there’s something for everybody,” Childers said. “It’s something where I truly think everybody can find a fit somewhere.”

10

The Talon September 27, 2016

Julia Santos, Sports Editor | Tino Tugwete, Features Editor | Avi Varghese, Entertainment Editor | Michael Sieffert, Senior Writer | Brian Huebner, Staff Writer | Yalda Khodadad, Staff Writer | Adrienne Mitchel, Staff Writer | Jaclyn Saik, Staff Writer

Intro

Four miles north of Los Altos is the Googleplex. Seven more miles brings you to Facebook’s headquarters, and eight miles south is the Apple Campus — welcome to the Silicon Valley.

Mall cop robots are commonplace, and we see self-driving cars everywhere. While the rest of the world views such cars as incredible feats of technology, many in the area see them as less of a feat and more of a nuisance to drive behind when in a rush. Self-driving cars are not only one of many sciencefiction-esque technologies that we take for granted but also perhaps the most widely known application of machine learning.

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI) that

GRAPHICS BY JACLYN SAIK

allows computers to make decisions without being explicitly programmed. It uses pattern recognition to learn from large sets of data and apply “knowledge” to new tasks based on previous situations. Machine learning is versatile and applicable to a variety of subjects and professions. It is the Silicon Valley’s newest tech craze, and it should not be dismissed as a mere nuisance.

Now Hiring

The world of machine learning is quickly developing, and with this expansion comes a growing demand for engineers. Those who answer this call will face a set of challenges that differ considerably from those of a typical software engineer.

“Machine learning engineering is a little bit different,” Apple Senior Director of Machine Learning Gaurav

Kapoor said. “First, you think about the problem you are trying to solve. The second step is asking, ‘What data do I need to collect to solve the problem?’ In determin-

istic programming you don’t have any data collection.”

Machine learning relies heavily upon a foundation of statistical analysis.

Entrance into the field

If we disregard the somewhat far-fetched nature of many science fiction movies, several contain legitimate, albeit far-reaching, goals for those who are looking to develop artificial intelligence. is thus facilitated by a strong foundation in math, and many machine learning engineers have backgrounds in statistics in addition to computer science.

Engineers must be able to understand and write algorithms that effectively deal with enormous amounts of data and input, which are expedited with mathematical experience.

David Andrzejek is the Vice President of the Vertical Solutions team for Apigee, a company that creates Application Program Interfaces (APIs) that allow large companies to safely and efficiently manage interactions between thousands of users and servers.

“Companies look to machine learning to understand large amounts of customer data,” Andrzejek said.

“So being able to find a way to transcribe that data into something that they can understand is something that employers really look for in a potential employee.”

Machine learning has revolu-

tionized data science because machines can now plow through enormous banks of information to identify patterns at a rate no human could possibly attempt.

For large corporations with millions of consumers, this ability to scale is essential.

This scalability can be applied in digital security. Apigee Chief Scientist Joy Thomas works to devise security algorithms using machine learning, specifically for Walgreens’ phone app.

“Between the backend [of Walgreens’ servers] and the app, there is a layer of software that Apigee makes that allows Walgreens to manage all the millions of apps that are running,” Thomas said. “There’s a lot of data that flows through [these systems,] and that data… can be used for insights in terms of improving the performance of the applications, and also… to recommend [Walgreens products] related to the customers’ [needs].”

However, the sensitive data that is carried through these systems is also useful to others: competitors, hackers and cybercriminals.

Automated machines send large numbers of messages to the servers to collect data on the company’s sales, guess users’ usernames and passwords and crash the website. As hackers develop ways to make these malicious bots act more human in order to trick the system, Thomas and his colleagues must devise ways to counter their tricks.

“Given a set of samples of data which are labeled as [good and bad], the computer goes through the data and finds out what patterns distinguish the good from the bad, and [builds] up a system that can, given new data, be able to classify it,” Thomas said. “Security is a problem that’s still very difficult because every time you discover something, people on the other side change their behavior to hide themselves from the system.”

Security APIs are pragmatic and highly dynamic, but they are not the only useful application of machine learning. As new machine learning techniques are developed and refined, potential uses for the technology are branching in a multitude of innovative directions. New avenues for data collection are improving the way machines identify patterns in statistical data, and this ability to discover significant trends bears great potential for both the companies that drive the economy as well as the economists who analyze it.

IBM is developing Watson, a machine that uses data analysis and language skills to answer complex questions. Google is working on machines that mimic the way human minds play games and make music, and countless other companies have adapted machine learning to various applications in healthcare, imaging and beyond.

“The future of machine learn-

The Talon September 27, 2016

ing is huge,” Andrzejek said. “You see teachers, scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, [who are] all leaving their fields to be in machine learning. Machine learning is constantly evolving with the advent of new technology and so are the careers along with it. While the future is certainly murky, it [is] a very progressive and promising field. The demand is high, the pay is good and the job is ever-evolving. Those with a strong affinity for mathematics and science should definitely look into machine learning as a career.”

What sci-fi gets right

Science fiction films are saturated with references to artificial intelligence (AI), often in the form of robots capable of developing their own thoughts, feelings and dreams. Cyborgs have staked their claim on the big screen, but how do Hollywood’s creations compare to the reality of machine learning?

“Metropolis,” a 1927 sciencefiction drama, has been acclaimed as the first movie to explore the relationship between

movies like to play with the idea that at any point, an AI is capable of becoming conscious of its own existence and making decisions of its own accord. However, machine learning is actually characterized by the process of developing incredibly complex, deliberate code that allows the program to mimic human decisions. Self-awareness is too abstract for any modern computer to attain.

Regardless of the inaccuracies in many Hollywood portrayals of artificial intelligence, certain film representations of AI are surprisingly reasonable.

In the Avengers Universe, genius and billionaire Tony Stark, or Iron Man, creates an artificial intelligence that is capable of managing his house, interpreting voice commands and manning his iron suits. Though J.A.R.V.I.S, or Just A Rather Very Intelligent System, is purely fictional, it is much more attainable than false Maria or HAL. J.A.R.V.I.S is a prime example of the sophistication that could be reached in the future. Right now, some commonly advertised AI technology already includes voice commands and home management.

Machine learning is constantly evolving with the advent of new technology, and so are the careers along with it. While the future is certainly murky, it [is] a very progressive and promising field. The demand is high, the pay is good, and the job is ever-evolving.

- David Andrzejek, Apigee

man a n d m a chine.

The German film portrays the discrepancy between the social classes of an urban city. The AI featured in it, named the “false Maria,” wreaks havoc throughout the city in order to further separate the working and upper classes.

This film portrays one of many examples of the power-hungry, emotionless robot trope that Hollywood has reused for years. Another depiction is HAL 9000 from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” a murderous AI who kills many of the crew members on his spaceship due to their plans to deactivate him.

In reality, the chances of AI “going rogue” and gaining sentience, as they do in many of these films, are very slim. Many science-fiction

A company called Nest has created a smart thermostat that is capable of collecting data through household supervision. It monitors daily household activity, such as a homeowner’s schedule and preferred temperatures. That information is used to develop a schedule for maintaining the temperature throughout a house.

J.A.R.V.I.S may have access to exclusive hardware (Iron Man’s suits), but it is not an entirely unrealistic portrayal of the potential future of machine learning.

If we disregard the somewhat far-fetched nature of many of

these movies, several contain legitimate, albeit far-reaching, goals for those who are looking to develop AI. Even though we may someday have computers capable of thinking autonomously, it will likely not be in the near future. So unfortunately, sci-fi fans will have to continue waiting for their robot companions — and overlords — for as long as it takes.

Future of Machine Learning

Machine learning is a versatile field with a bright future.

Engineers in the field are constantly innovating and creating new technologies that could one day be fully incorporated into people’s lives. Kitchens, labs and hospitals will soon be filled with machine learning technology.

June Intelligent Oven Just in time for the holidays, a major advancement in home technolog y will be available for shipping all over the United States. June Intelligent Oven is the first breakthrough in kitchen appliances since the invention of the microwave in the 1970s, and it uses machine learning through image recognition.

This smart oven can identify 15 common foods, including cookie dough and bacon, with builtin HD cameras that can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees and cutting edge image recognition technology. After its release, June will be continually updated to recognize a larger variety of foods.

After June identifies what food is about to be cooked, the food is weighed, and a cooking plan is recommended. Two core temperature probes ensure that foods like steak are cooked to the desired temperature.

Co-founder of June, Nikhil Bhogal, designed the camera software for the first five generations of iPhone, and members of the June team have previously worked on the Apple Watch, GoPro and FitBit. This qualified team utilized the same machine learning algorithms that Google Images uses.

Biotechnology and Cancer diagnosis As scientists uncover more layers of complexity in the natural world, machine learning may be the only technology strong

enough to comprehend the expanding field of biology. Cancer diagnosis and treatment, two of the most pertinent tasks in modern biology and medicine, will likely improve thanks to the abilities of artificial intelligence.

Sophia Genetics, a 5-year-old company paving the way for high-tech genomic research, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze thousands of different genomes to diagnose certain types of cancer.

The software is also able to advise medical treatment for the cancer based on the genetic mutation that causes it.

A c cording to Anna Domanska of “Industry Leaders Magazine,” this type of technology may soon be able to compare one individual’s cancer to that of a previous patient, give the survival rate of those with similar conditions and recommend the most effective treatment plan.

In as soon as two years, machine learning may remodel the way we diagnose cancer.

11

ing to “The Economist,” this t y p e of patient reaction could be useful for war veterans suffering from PTSD. Because many ex-soldiers are reluctant or opposed to seeking therapy for mental illness, Ellie may be a possible non-human emotional outlet that is capable of advising treatment plans.

Machine learning is a field that has inspired Hollywood producers, statisticians and engineers alike. From smart ovens to self-driving cars, the field has piqued public interest in recent times.

Ellie the Robot Therapist Machine learning isn’t just for the lab. At the Institute for Creative Technologies at USC, researchers have been developing a “robot psychologist” to surpass the duties of a human psychotherapist.

Named “Ellie,” this computer uses machine learning software to process information from the patient’s behavior and determine its own reaction. A webcam and microphone enable it to comprehend facial expressions and rate of speech, as well as the length of the pause the client takes before answering a question. This information is processed through a series of algorithms that tell it when to nod or ask a specific question.

As of now, Ellie is used only for research and not medical practice, but recent results prove it could be useful in the future because of its non-human makeup. According to a 2014 study by researcher Jonathan Gratch and his staff, patients who undergo “treatment” from Ellie are more likely to open up if they are aware that it is a computer — only a computer, with no human operator.

Patients who are told they are talking to a human-controlled robot will be more closed off and focus more on what they say, whereas the distance of a guaranteed robot encourages more truthful results.

A c cord-

Conclusion

Machine learning is a field that has inspired Hollywood producers, statisticians and engineers alike. From smart ovens to selfdriving cars, the field has piqued public interest in recent times.

Silicon Valley, arguably the forefront of technological progress, is often introduced to advancements earlier than other parts of the nation. As citizens of this incredible microcosm of innovation, we should be more appreciative of these changes that will affect what the world will look like years from now. We are granted a front row seat to witness the new, developing industry of machine learning blossom into a more mature field; not many other communities can say the same. It is important to recognize the accessibility of living in the Silicon Valley and to fully embrace the opportunities and culture of innovation around us.

Machine learning is one of many novel fields developing in the tech-savvy neighborhood we live in, and we should not take this for granted.

12

The Talon September 27, -2016

Leadership class promotes wellness

The Real World is Scary

MADDIE CHU Staff Writer

As one of the nation’s topperforming high schools, Los Altos is home to hundreds of talented, diverse individuals. As a result, the increasingly broad spectrum of students promotes an inherent sense of pressure and stress from environmental catalysts, such as parents and peers. Students often feel overworked from trying to balance sports, extracurriculars, school work and jobs, leading to a decline in overall wellbeing.

This long-standing issue of solving student stress has been a consistently debated topic among community leaders and educators. To advance the alleviation of stress among students, history teacher Sarah Alvarado developed a new leadership class this year, Student Community Leaders (SCL), a fifth period class open to all students, to target student wellness and reducing stress.

“The class is focused on helping students develop leadership skills and helping them be a larger part of their community,” Alvarado said. “Not only are you a member of this community, but how do you give back, how do you look out for each other, and empathize with your community so you can be an active participant and a leader.”

Backed by her extensive experience with student government and leadership during high school and college, Alvarado leads the fifth period class with a sense of community and empathy for others in terms of inclusivity and diversity. With

By Jaclyn Saik

Eating Lunch Alone

NATALIE MUNGUIA

SCL students interact and work together in class. SCL is a new class created to allevate stress among students, develope their leadership skills and encourge them to be more involved members of the community. the help of Assistant Principal Suzanne Woolfolk and Principal Wynne Satterwhite, the new class was developed in conjunction with the Associated Student Body (ASB). Despite their similarities in the leadership aspect, SCL focuses more on wellness and reducing student stress.

“I think ASB has done a really wonderful job having the diversity week that we have every year, but we’re trying to sort of expand on that especially because we have such an exponentially growing campus,” Alvarado said. “So many students that are coming here are freshmen from other countries so we want to celebrate the wonderfulness that is Los Altos as we’re growing and diversifying.”

In addition to the class, SCL recently created a club available

for all students to join.

“We’re inviting students to come and participate during lunches on every other Friday so that they can also start learning some of those practices and have a place where they can come and realize that you’re not alone,” Alvarado said. “There are people here who care about you and want to hear what you’re struggling with and help you in any way they can, even if it’s just listening.

On most days, the students of SCL engage in mindful practices, like breathing exercises or expressing gratitude and appreciation for life. The class then moves into their respective subcommittees: club, wellness, diversity and community service.

“It’s really helpful, we have Ms. Alvarado there to help us, for the most part she is guiding

us and letting us work individually or in a group on a certain task,” senior Nic Rodriguez said. “We all work together to help, but we each have a certain task that we have to do. We’re working with our groups until we have a class discussion where we put all the groups together for projects or community service events that we’re planning.”

The overall takeaway of the class is for students to hone their leadership skills and have a more positive outlook on life.

“I think for this year, the ultimate goal is for them to walk away from this class with some leadership skills under their belt and that they feel like they’re being appreciated in their community, but also expressing that same appreciation for that community,” Alvarado said.

Nicolas Betancur’s journey to pyschology SAVITA GOVIND JAVIN POMBRA

to be around all that excitement.”

After working as a school psycholCopy/Content Editor ogist at Egan Junior High School for Staff Writer one year, Betancur found an opening As mental health continues to for the same position at Los Altos, alpose a problem for millions of teen- lowing him to help students in two agers across the nation, school psy- different settings. chologist Nicolas Betancur hopes to Along with his interest in working help students at Los Altos during his with students, Betancur’s willingfirst year by reaching out to as many ness to help others and his desire to people as possible. learn more about people’s thoughts “I think my goal this year as some- influenced his interest in psychology one who is new to from a young age. the school is to get “I did a lot of work out there as much as when I was younger possible,” Betancur I was always inwith… mentoring and said. “My job is very terested in suptutoring people at our relational so I need to porting [others]. school,” Betancur said. be working with all of “I was always interested the teachers across all I was interested in supporting [others]. I the departments… to in people so it was interested in people be able to support the seemed natural so it seemed natural students in the best to want to unto want to understand way possible.” where their behavior is Motivated by a fas- derstand where coming from and why cination with Silicon their behavoir they do what they do.”

Valley and a desire for is coming from As part of his college better weather, Betan- and why they do education, Betancur incur decided to move terned in the psychiatric what they do. from Boston to the ward of a local hospital, — school psychologist Bay Area. opening his eyes to one Nicolas Betancur “I think there’s the field of psychology. This first [reason] which is experience ultimately California,” Betancur influenced his choice to said. “I just needed to get away from pursue psychology in a school setting. the winter. I had a winter where it took “[Hospital psychology is] very diftwo or three days just to shovel out of ferent [from] school psychology,” my apartment and so I said ‘This just Betancur said. “A school setting to has to end.’… I’m fascinated by tech me is full of possibilities. You’re seecompanies even though I have noth- ing young people right when they’re ing to do with tech so it seemed sort of sort of becoming interested in differnatural to want to be in the Bay Area ent things, while if you’re in a psych

KATIE KLEIN

New pyschologist Nicolas Betancur is ready to embrace the school year with positive energy. He hopes to form nrelationships with both students and parents as the year progresses. hospital, you’re seeing people in not particularly pleasant situations… It’s a less hopeful place to be.”

Betancur believes that his ability to build relationships with individual students and their parents as a school psychologist makes his job more enjoyable and effective in comparison to other fields of psychology.

“I would say I have the better of the jobs,” Betancur said. “I get to see students more often.

I get to work with parents more one on one. Someone outside of

the school setting just meets the students and writes a report and they’re out of their lives.”

Besides feeling grateful to find himself at a school instead of a psych ward, Betancur is looking forward to the coming year and working with faculty members.

“I’m super pleased to get to work with people that can give me such insights about the students that they have,” Betancur said. “[They] are just sort of the consummate professionals, so I couldn’t ask for a better place to work.”

I started seventh grade alone.

Moving from a sleepy-beachtown elementary school to the high-stakes, heartlessly GPAdriven academic environment of Egan Junior High was like being dropped out of a helicopter onto a freeway. I was your classic new-kid story: zero friends, crippling social anxiety, terrible fashion sense, lingering fourthgrade obsession with horses, etc.

It seemed like everyone around me was happily dominating the campus in stylish co-ed friend groups while I floated through as a buddy-less, boob-less ghost.

So by default, I ate lunch alone for the first couple weeks. And by alone, I mean no phone (not allowed), no computer (didn’t have one), no Harry Potter (didn’t want to get any of my copies dirty), chewing-quietly-on-my-PB&J-asI-stared-into-the-distance alone.

But that was seventh grade.

This is high school. Last year I would march off into the parking lot as an upperclassman with all my upperclassmen friends, eat off campus and come back happy and late. I would walk into my AP Bio midterm squeezing my friend’s hand to ease my anxiety, then spend the next period with her chewing over missed answers. I would latch onto people I knew in the hallways because walking alone between classes was awkward. I wouldn’t join a club if I didn’t know anyone. I wouldn’t stand in line without my phone to keep me company.

I wouldn’t dare get caught eating lunch alone.

I shouldn’t have used past tense. I’m still guilty of most of these things.

I know it’s almost a cliché to accuse Hollywood of inaccurately depicting an aspect of high school life, but I’m still making this argument: eating lunch alone isn’t for losers, at all. The kids who wat lunch alone are a lot braver than I am. By the time you’re in high school, eating alone is unarguably a choice. There are so many library bookshelves and friendly teacher’s classrooms and internet worlds to hide in for 45 minutes. No, these kids are braving the social stigmas and tolerating themselves, alone, for a period, and right now they are better prepared for the scary outside world.

Because the real world is not confined to a social bell-schedule. We need to know how to sit in the hallway outside a job interview, look the wall in front of us straight in the eye and be lonely. When we are flung into a new post-graduation life, we need to know how to pull ourselves away from our old friends’ glittery Snapchat stories and accept that for now, we are stuck here eating lunch alone.

I’m not writing this as a warning.

I’m writing because I’m scared.

The Talon September 27, 2015

13

New math teacher Stephan Stefanini: community in class HALEY ECKER

ing with people of all different backgrounds and skills to achieve a common goal,” Stefanini said.

“When on the soccer field, the rest of the world seems to fade away and nothing is more important than helping yourself and your teammates create something in real time. There are so many variables throughout the game, so many surprises, so much wonder, and on a great day, sometimes you get to be a part of magic.”

When not on the soccer field, Stefanini also enjoys hosting table-top game nights, also referred to as Eurogames, at his house with his friends. Eurogames are European-made board games and different from American board games. They involve

conflicts over items in the game instead of between players and rely little on randomness or luck.

“It’s a lot of high-end strategy, more group play… It’s me and five friends against the game as opposed to me versus you versus you versus you. It’s much more team oriented,” Stefanini said.

All games aside, Stefanini is looking forward to his first year at Los Altos and applying the same group-oriented nature he enjoys in Eurogames to his classroom.

The teamwork based goals of the Los Altos math department align well with the atmosphere Stefanini wanted to see between his students. It is this communityoriented mindset that Stefanini admires most about Los Altos.

“We have that community goal.

We’re working on trying to enact it — trying to make it happen. We’re trying to discuss how to organize [course alignment], which I think is going to create a lot more academic achievement and opportunities for students going forward. It’s pretty exciting,” Stefanini said.

Stefanini is enthusiastic about his goals for his students this year. Along with coaching soccer and helping foster a community in his classroom, he is looks forward to helping his students expand their math skill set and prepare them to succeed in their future math courses.

“I can see progress being made already in the month that we’ve had of school and I can definitely say that there’s more to come.”

Stefanini said.

for USB standardization and board responsibility.” other technology-based A l t h o u g h boards, Dave believes Dave’s familiarhis previous experiencity with the other es outside of the local Whenever you board members community will let him do a service is limited, both adapt to the new posi- project, your board President tion, with prior experi- heart just comPhil Faillace and ence in decision-makSweeley speak pletely swells... ing bodies. to his abili“You have to under- it’s something ties and trust stand what makes a that makes me Hannemann’s school board member feel good, and endorsement of have the right skill set Dave. in terms of being un- I’m glad our “I don’t know derstand complex is- community has him super well, sues,” Dave said. “I’ve it. [but] I’ve known been on [technology Judy forever and — board memberboards], so I have a lot have the highest elect Sanjay Dave of experience for what respect for her,” that position entails, Faillace said. “Evhow to carry myself on that ery dealing I’ve had with him

has been positive, and he has a real interest in improving students’ academic performance.”

Before Dave’s inauguration, the board will familiarize him with board protocols and responsibilities. According to Faillace, the role of a board member requires in-depth understanding of the district’s teachers, parents and students, he believes Dave will be able to adapt and learn the role. “[Board members] need to get a sense of what the needs of the districts are because there are an awful people to meet and different needs to understand,” Faillace said. “I think Dave understands that, and he gives every indication of being a good board member when he comes on.”

Staff Writer

Some people know what they want to do at an early age. But in the case of new math teacher Stephan Stefannini, his interests have led him down a slightly varied career path.

As one of the newest additions to the Los Altos math department, Stefanini is already helping improve his students’ abilities in Algebra I and Trigonometry Honors.

Stefanini majored in Electrical Engineering at Santa Clara University. After graduating, he started coaching soccer and began working as an engineer in the semiconductor industry. Five years into his job as an engineer, Stefanini decided to change career paths and switched from the engineering field to the education field.

“I realized that I didn’t like going back to my cubicle after soccer practice ended,” Stefanini said. “It took me two years but I went back to Santa Clara University… I’ve been teaching ever since.”

Stefanini returned to his alma mater after leaving his job in the semiconductor industry to earn his teaching credentials. In addition, he earned a master’s in education with an emphasis in STEM. Stefanini has always shown an interest in math and appreciates the type of feedback given in math.

“I liked getting the feedback like ‘oh it’s right’ or ‘oh it’s

Dave

NATALIE MUNGUIA

New math teacher, Stephan Stefanini welcomes the school year with a bright smile. Stefanini hopes to create an energetic classroom with a group-oriented nature and he continues to coach soccer with his time at Los Altos. wrong’ and changwith seventh grade ing it,” Stefanini math, he continued said. “With other to pursue his passion subjects, the feed- I love the dyfor soccer through back was longer. namics of workcoaching. He has When you write an coached for teams at ing with people essay, you have to both Independence read it and it takes from different High School and Leytime to get that backgrounds va Middle School and feedback, but in and skills to is also going to be the math it’s more like new coach for the achieve a com‘here’s my problem, Los Altos boys’ frosh/ is it right or wrong?’ mon goal. soph soccer team.

I really enjoy that.”

— math teacher Soccer is a key Stephen Stefaniini Before coming component of Steto Los Altos, Stefafanini’s life, and he nini taught mathematics in East started playing when he was San Jose at Leyva Middle School just five-years-old. Several of his and later at Independence High family members have played at School. As Stefanini began his the collegiate level. official teaching career, starting “I love the dynamics of work-

munity.

“After 30 years focusing on my career, about five or six years ago, I wanted to find other avenues to give CONTINUED FROM back to my community,” Dave said.

THE FRONT PAGE “A friend of mine suggested I join the Rotary, [and] I went out and I got inWhile Dave lost the 2014 election, volved. I enjoyed that and it brought he involved himself further in the me into [community] service.”

Since then, volunteer work has school board in the following years.

According to board member Susan become the most fruitful comSweeley, his previous involvement ponent of community service will allow him to adapt more easily to for Dave. The Rotary club introthe role with a better understanding duced Dave to Hope’s Corner, a soup kitchen that provides free of the district’s policies.

“Dave attended all of our board breakfast and lunch every Saturmeetings for the last two years, so day morning at Trinity Church I know he has a good idea needs in Mountain View.

“Whenever you do a service to be done,” Sweeley said. “I don’t think it’ll take too long for him to project, your heart just completely swells,” Dave said. “Evcome up to speed.”

His goals as a board mem- ery Saturday morning I go over ber ref lect the district’s current there to prepare the food. It’s something that challenges, primarily just makes me feel the achievement gap. good, and I’m glad “My main goal is to that our commumake strides towards After 30 years nity has that.” the achievement gap, focusing on my With these exto help students who career, about periences in local struggle,” Dave said. five or six years community, Dave’s “[The gap] will be a ability for outreach challenge. We don’t ago, I wanted has allowed him to know exactly how to to find other make connections solve it, there’s no sil- avenues to give with the residents ver bullet, there’s no back to my of Mountain View. quick fix.” community.

With a daughter Dave first partici— board membercurrently enrolled pated in school volelect Sanjay Dave in Mountain View unteering when his High School, Dave daughter entered the Mountain View-Whisman has especially connected with district, and he founded the parents around the district.

“I’ve been involved in local school’s chess club and worked community for over 15 years, so I as a math tutor.

His interest in the local com- understand how to do outreach munity piqued when a friend to the community,” Dave said. introduced him to the Rotary “The community has come to club, and has grown since; Dave me with their issues, especially is now part of the Los Altos when they’re concerned about Community Foundation and the the education their children are MVLA Foundation, and works getting.”

After working on the board on other programs for the com-

COURTESY SANJAY DAVE

Sanjay Dave and his family smile for a family potrait. Dave is an active member of the community and a new member of the schoolboard.

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The Talon September 27, 2016

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

Local folk musician drops debut DANNY VESURAI Staff Writer

On the red-walled, cozy second floor of Red Rock Cafe, local musician Jake Wichman is seeing the fruition of a months-long project and a life-long dream at his EP release show. Once he’s lulled his audience with a soft and swaying love song after a lively, energetic opener, Wichman transitions into an upbeat, buoyant number. He concludes with a melodious and reflective ballad, crooning his last words before a standing ovation.

Wichman delivered each of his songs in a calm and direct fashion, but raw emotion lay behind each of his words.

Born in Palo Alto, Wichman lived in Australia for five years working for a non-profit youth organization and performing at open mics as a musician. After returning to the Bay Area, he applied for a job as a barista at Red Rock, then became host of the weekly open mic there.

Once settled, he decided to pursue a musical career.

“What really made me want to make my own EP was hosting open

mic for awhile and interacting with so many talented musicians,” Wichman said. “I grew up in a musical family… and it has always played a big part in my life. I started learning how to do little things on the guitar when I was 9 and it progressed from there.”

The EP has a folkish, cheery vibrancy to it, with Wichman’s soft, friendly vocals accompanied by twangy guitar and steady percussion. Although he grew up listening to 60s bands like the Beatles, Wichman is uncertain about what influenced his sound.

FRANCESCA FALLOW

Jake Wichman cracks a joke at his weekly open mic before calling up the next performer. Wichman released his own EP, “Ode to Marie,” on August 26.

“I just played the chords I knew how to play and came up with lyrics,” Wichman said. “I don’t know if there were any particular bands I was trying to be like.”

Wichman came up with the theme of a relationship for the EP, titled “Ode to Marie,” after experiencing a rough breakup, which made the process more natural. “[For songwriting] I come up with topics of what I want to write about then [it goes] from there,” Wichman said. “A lot of the times, [songs] just come. It’s never like, pull out a dictionary, [find] what works here, what rhymes.”

For Wichman, the hardest part of writing songs and creating the EP wasn’t overcoming technical issues but emotionally reliving his experiences.

“A lot of people don’t really realize that when you’re a songwriter, or any sort of artist, your inspiration can sometimes come from really painful parts of your life,” Wichman said. “In my case I got my heart broken by somebody I really cared about. Having to replay all those memories in my head to get the emotion into the songs took a toll on me.”

Once he wrote the songs, he set out to recruit a team of people using connections he had gained from the local music scene.

“A guy named Willy Barry heard some of my stuff and told me, ‘I love recording people and I want to record you,’” Wichman said. “I recruited my friend Alex Stanley to help out with backtracks… and another guy named Marty Morillo to engineer and produce the EP.” Initially, Wichman felt reser-

vations about giving other team members free reign, but he came to realize they were as invested in the project as he was.

“An obstacle for me was being able to let things not completely be in my control and trust that the people working with me knew what they were doing,” Wichman said. “We all had a common goal… to make this record the best we could. So… throughout the entire process we did not have a single fight.”

After assembling his team, Wichman recorded his songs at Line B Productions in San Jose, then had Morillo mix them and add effects to make the EP more polished.

During the process, Wichman’s team influenced the sound of the record to the point that he has trouble recognizing the songs when he plays them solo.

“When I play the songs by myself now they’re completely different,” Wichman said. “With Alex doing his lead guitar and Will playing percussion, [the songs] were boosted… a lot catchier, more fun to listen to and… more full.”

Once completed, Wichman sent the finished audio files to a CD printing service and to a distributing service to get it released on iTunes, Spotify and other streaming platforms. When he received a CD in the mail back from the printing service, he was ecstatic.

“It was one of the coolest moments of my life,” Wichman said.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time and to see the final products there and to see a dream become a reality… there’s just nothing like it.”

Action films are growing stale. What’s needed?

AKHIL JAKATDAR Opinions Editor

Earlier this summer, Universal Pictures released the fifth “Bourne” movie in “Jason Bourne.” Featuring a star studded cast as usual with Matt Damon, Julia Stiles and Tommy Lee Jones, “Jason Bourne” was a movie I was very enthusiastic about watching. But my enthusiasm swiftly ended approximately 11 minutes into the movie, when Damon’s character Jason Bourne comes back from “retirement” and hacks into the CIA’s database.

Another action movie with the potential to be interesting was thrown back into the preexisting action movie formula moshpit and ignored the innovation that all movie-goers like me cherish.

Like the recent “Jason Bourne” film, many action films these days have lost that creative feel, that what-will-happen vibe that I used to treasure back in the good ol’ days of movies like the “Indiana Jones” franchise and “The Matrix” as well as recent outliers like “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The genre has grown dull using the generic plot of the main star coming from some early setback to vanquish the

evil foe. Movie-goers like me have simply gotten bored of this oh-so-repetitive plot, and now even the popcorn has started to taste bland.

But there is hope. First, we need to start with the main characters. Now, I know that casting the occasional A-list celebrity will bring money to the box office (which is definitely a bonus,) but “Jason Bourne” really overdid it and lost touch with individualizing the characters and separating them from the actors’ previous roles in film. I remember Tommy Lee Jones from his appearances in the “Men in Black” franchise, and I connect with his character Agent K much more than the villain he portrays in “Jason Bourne,” Robert Dewey. I believe that new actors with fresh faces should star in new high-budget action movies to really have a character for the audience to truly connect with.

Even the plot of the new “Bourne” movie could have been taken from any of its predecessors or any other action movie before, and nobody would have batted an eye. Bourne, with the help of a hacktivist group led

by Nicky Parsons, must evade the watchful eye of the CIA to take down the agency’s corrupt

director, Robert Dewey. It is the same old plot of the good guy working with the underdogs against a villain “too powerful to fall.” And in the end, we all know that Bourne will come out on top. There needs to be a twist, some part of the movie where the audience can’t predict the main character’s next decision.

A movie that comes to mind that really exhibited that nail-biting intensity and the occasional curveball in the plot was “The Usual Suspects.”

Although “Suspects” fits the thriller genre more than the action movie genre, the intensity and suspense that Kevin Spacey holds through his portrayal of Roger “Verbal” Kint is far greater than recent action movies. Kint is a mysterious character, similar to Jason Bourne, but he has all the characteristics of a real human being, the faults as well as the charm. He is not a simple character for the audience to root for, but someone stuck in a gray area of morality, relatable to the average audience member. On the other hand, Bourne is hardly portrayed as having the emotional range of a real human, and this disconnect makes his death-defying stunts more fiction than not. With every twist and turn in the “The Usual

Suspects”, I gradually shifted further and further off my seat, curiously waiting for the big finale. But “Bourne” was far too predictable, with every obstacle in Bourne’s way being a sure-fire stepover for our main character.

There was little to no true suspense and we all knew the main hero would win in the end.

Maybe consumer culture for movies needs to change, but I think it is the industry’s job to facilitate this revolution. Although many industry executives will argue that the way action movies are currently produced will lead to an easy money-making success, a new franchise with original plots and fresh faces will begin this evo-

lution to a much more diverse, creative, and successful movie industry. We need to truly appreciate creativity and ingenuity to encourage the movie industry to produce entertaining and novel content, to make your average bland action movie a truly thrilling film. Finally, I can enjoy my caramel popcorn while watching a movie, where every twist and turn will truly keep me anticipating our character’s next move, and action movies will be great again.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

The Talon September 27, 2016

as a natural progression from previous trends of adding visuals to music, rather than a completely new endeavor. Artists have been making music videos for decades and many of these videos incorporate storylines.

But previous artists have viewed videos as supplemental, a way to further promote music on websites such as YouTube that garner billions of views a month. Albums like “Lemonade” use music and visuals to tell fascinating stories without the restriction of keeping a narrative under four minutes.

In Beyoncé’s case, her album is made up of intimate moments from her life — questioning whether her husband is cheating on her, anger at his betrayal and her eventual forgiveness. The cinematography accentuates this; scenes from her film, release like “Hold Up,” show visuals of her all at underwater, accompanying spoken once. word in illustrating her confusion.

Financially, When she comes out and asks, surprise releases “Are you cheating on me?” the produce a huge change of visuals is equally drashort term profit, matic. Contrasting colors and though the long term is scenery allow for the viewer to exstill largely based upon the perience the album through sight originality and quality of the and sound, creating a multidimencontent itself. Album sales are sional experience. becoming less and less valuable as It may be obvious why Beyoncé’s full albums are ignored in favor of album is vastly different from cursingles, and surprise releases gen- rent music videos, but it becomes erally produce a spike confusing compared in sales near their reto past visual albums lease date. For exam— namely, ones from ple, Kendrick Lamar’s The way that popular artists like The “untitled unmastered” artists create, Beatles, Bon Iver and garnered 142,000 alMichael Jackson. market and bum sales in its first Critical differences week in March, with a sell their work between the visual al78 percent drop off to is changing bums of the past and 38,402 sales in its sec- to keep pace the visual albums of ond week. Thus, the with the Internow come down to a entertainment indusdifference in storylines try has garnered some net age. and keeping a cohesive faith in its novel, spontheme. While albums taneous business model. of the past have had success with However, some argue against their films, not all have found the the merits of the surprise release: balance between expressing ideas in though album sales spike, so do music lyrics and in film. piracy rates, particularly for singleBeyoncé allows her music and her platform releases. In addition, the film to express her thoughts, rather model is primarily advantageous than focusing on videos that are to larger artists, with detriment to complicated or incorporating lyrics the up-and-comers. A small, lesser- that are too detailed. The elements known artist dropping a surprise build upon each other without servalbum is akin to a tree falling in a ing as unnecessary distractions. forest — if no one is waiting to hear Furthermore, not all albums are it, it is utterly insignificant. suited for visuals, especially since Regardless of their benefit or det- most shy away from creating albums riment, surprise album releases are that rely on all of the songs to tell stoa product of the digital universe ry rather than having multiple stand we’ve become. Business models alones. That is what makes “Lemonwill continue to fluctuate as this ade” so compelling; Beyoncé draws technology further impacts the way the viewer into her life through a muwe communicate. The pop genre sical memoir, and visuals enhance seems to be shifting away from its her emotions. traditional ad and billboard promo, The unique opportunity to see her placing us in an exciting era of dy- body language and facial expresnamic modern marketing. sions throughout the film allows viewers to understand her story, one that embodies the struggle of Visual Albums infidelity and inequality that many women face. The combination of EMMA KWAN powerful and cryptic visuals and Staff Writer music allow her viewers to see and he explosive rise of the visual relate to her emotions.

Dynamic performances like Bealbum in the past few months has ushered us into a new era — one yoncé’s exhibit the ability of viewwhere it might be more common to ers to connect with each individual chapter of her overarching story. The “see” an album than listen to it.

Popular artists have brought vi- combination of spoken poetry and sual albums into the spotlight in music make albums like hers unique, recent months, and the new al- and some believe that Beyoncé has bums have been met with positive “perfected” the visual album.

But, given that the world of vireviews from both critics and consual albums has been relatively sumers alike.

Perhaps most notably, Beyoncé’s unexplored, music fans can expect new visual album, “Lemonade,” has changes in the way that multiditaken the world by storm. Beyoncé’s mensional art forms such as this lyrics are enhanced by compelling are viewed in the industry and by images, a continuous narrative that the public over the next few years. meshes with the music’s. “Lemonade” “Lemonade” has jump started the has a powerful message of infidelity trend towards visual albums, and its and frustration, and the album’s cin- popularity is only going to increase ematography enhances these themes. as more artists begin following in The visual album could be seen Beyoncé’s footsteps. bright and far, and will certainly reach listeners beyond the scope of the artist’s fandom alone. Social media, the newest revolution in human communication, has caught artists and labels alike in an arms race to optimize their use of such platforms. The business model of a surprise release is entirely a product of the digital era — logistically, physical albums would have been nearly impossible to mass-

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he ax has swung. The rug has been pulled out. The changing nature of the music industry is forcing artists bred by old philosophies to adapt to new realities. As the streaming model grows, the way in which artists create, market and sell their work is changing rapidly to keep pace with the Internet age. Despite artists’ and activists’ criticism of the cheap, consumer-oriented streaming model, which places financial pressure on the artist, audiences have readily embraced streaming. The only question that remains is who will survive the fallout.

Streaming Exclusives

C

EMMA VAN GEUNS Staff Writer

hanging business models force many major artists to make exclusive deals with streaming services to write and release music or accompanying visuals solely on their platform. These deals are an attempt to get ahead in the industry, using the neoteric influence of streaming as a way to feed their own hype, and to draw in more money than they could from basic streams. Exclusive deals are mutually beneficial, opening an opportunity for streaming platforms to create leverage, setting their services above those of competitors which might otherwise seem equally attractive to a nonchalant consumer.

In 2015, rapper Drake debuted the music video for his popular song, “Hotline Bling,” with Apple Music.

Immediately, people rushed to subscribe to Apple Music and see it, and Apple in turn sent Drake a neat paycheck for 19 million dollars.

To sign exclusive deals, artists require a certain amount of influence in the industry’s older form in order

to fluidly transition into this new one, because they rely heavily on the their fans’ reactions to be successful.

They choose to maximize on upfront pay, leveraging their hype through social media and advertisement. Many initial customers are people who subscribe to the service on a whim because of the music’s apparent rarity. They are drawn in by the notion that listening to less accessible songs is equivalent to being in an elite fan base.

But for many other fans, exclusive deals lead to frustration. By subscribing to one streaming service, you sacrifice the chance to listen to tracks which only competing companies offer. But if you switch, you lose access to some songs available on your old service. Many are not willing to change services for a single piece of music or media. Thus, artists lose their offended fans, as well as casual ones who only listen to their music when it is publicly available.

These fans instead turn to pirated internet sources to get the same content illegally.

In Drake’s case, an initial sales boom did occur. But the hype may not have been enough to compensate for their decreased accessibility.

The deal, in the end, cost Drake a #1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 charts.

Fans aren’t the only ones who have issues with single-platform releases; the record labels which artists are signed to do as well. Just recently, singer Frank Ocean debuted both a visual album titled “Endless” and a traditional album, “Blonde,” with Apple Music. Ocean did so partially with his label Universal Music Group (UMG), but also as part of his own label Boys Don’t Cry. Subsequently,

UMG head Lucian Grainge announced their label was placing a contractual ban on artists under their record working with streaming platforms on exclusive deals. UMG, which accounts for more than one-third of signed artists in the industry, will make a major dent in the forthcomings of streaming exclusives.

Financial entitlements are tearing the music industry apart, making everyone involved hyper-aware of their role in its administration. As a streaming user or company, are you costing your favorite artists more than they can afford? Or as a musician, are you actually harming your profits by choosing to make the big dollars upfront? The issue between consumer, company,and artist is one which has yet to be resolved.

Surprise Releases MIRANDA LI

In-Depth Editor

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he clock struck midnight one chilly December night in 2013; the children were peacefully asleep and the townspeople were all tucked in bed checking Facebook. Suddenly, a mass stirring of gasps and clicks, followed by a gravelly male voice: “Ms. Third Ward, your first question,” then Beyoncé’s familiar honeyed voice. In the depths of that watercolor night, Beyoncé, the queen of that great kingdom, had bestowed a self-titled album, unannounced, upon the mere mortals of her realm.

“Beyoncé” was just the start of Queen B’s surprise release streak.

More recently, her album “Lemonade” premiered with minimal adand-billboard promotion prior to its release. The Queen herself, though undisputably influential, is somewhat unoriginal in her newly acquired model of the surprise album release. Her predecessors include Radiohead, “with King of Limbs” in 2011, and Frank Ocean, with “Channel Orange” in 2012.

Surprise releases co-opt the idea of a “viral” trend, attempting to garner an extraordinary amount of popularity in a condensed time period. Though this flame is short-lived, it burns

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The Talon September 27, 2016

Slam poet expands his medium MADISON WOO Staff Writer

The room is filled with fragile silence. The stage is dim and bare while the audience waits in hushed anticipation. In an instant, the lights flash, shining on a single performer.

He shifts to center himself in front of the microphone, takes a deep breath and pierces the air with his words.

Shane Koyczan is an award winning Canadian spoken word artist who has been able to touch the lives of many with his poetry by covering topics that have been stigmatized by society. With a button-down shirt, semi-rimless glasses, and a bushy beard, Koyczan is a presence on stage even before he opens his mouth.

Koyczan’s style when performing is very minimal, limiting his physical movement to hand gestures. His expressive tone makes for his sparse movements; every pause he makes lets the audience absorb the meaning behind his words.

Many have praised the work of Koyczan; Scottish Crime Author Val McDermid has called him “electrifying” and “a writer who will break your heart, then heal it.” Koyczan mainly covers topics that relate to young adults in particular, such as body image, mental illness and bullying. By using his own personal experiences, he shows that he himself understands firsthand the emotions and experiences in his poems. One of Koyczan’s poems states “how do you stand your

Jack CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE Despite this being Jack’s first published novel, it is not the first story he has ever written.

Years prior to writing “The Boomerang Effect,” Jack worked on another story. Although he successfully queried an agent, he fell out of touch with it, shelving the book and working on “The Boomerang Effect” instead as an individual project that spun into a full-scale novel.

“Part of the reason I wrote ‘The Boomerang Effect’ was because I just wanted to have fun writing again,” Jack said. “I didn’t want to write anymore unless I wrote something that would be fun for

ground when everyone you know wants to bury you beneath it?,” highlighting the helplessness that the victims of bullies have felt. He preaches the need to address important teenage issues such as suicide, depression and anxiety and is incredibly candid about the topics as he is able to unite these adolescent experiences with a single poem.

Chills will run down your back when you watch or even listen to one of Koyczan’s poems. By maintaining direct eye contact during his live performances, it’s almost as if Koyczan is directly speaking to you. His goal when he performs is to let people feel comfortable in the environment that they are in so it can be a safe space for people to be who they really are. Koyczan’s passion radiates, the intimacy of his words and his delivery drawing the viewer towards him.

One of Koyczan’s most famous poems is called “To This Day”, a poem for those who have faced the mockery of others. Koyczan shows his credibility on his subject matter by using his own experiences. In “To This Day”, he combines an amusing anecdote from his childhood with the harsh reality of mockery and depression.

“To This Day” was also adapted into an animated video where Koyczan collaborated with 12 animators who were supported by 80 artists. Koyczan was able to stretch and broaden the boundaries of slam poetry with his video as his ability to show the same

type of zeal and dedication is a demonstration of his genius in poetry. The video itself mesmerizes you with the creative interpretations and different artistic directions that each individual artist took yet each part still maintains the same somber feeling you get from listening to Koyczan live. He retains the intensity of his performances, but it is accompanied by a patchwork of art that complements the poem.

Today, Koyczan performs slam poetry with a trio called “Tons of Fun University” and performs with his band, “The Short Story Long”, both of which are based in British Columbia,

me to write, so that’s what ‘The Boomerang Effect’ was. I think that’s why I wrote it so quickly and why it appealed to people.”

In Jack’s first unpublished book, he notes that he tried to keep switching genres, from adult to young adult, which was the root of his issues. However, the experience being a librarian and working amongst teenagers has allowed Jack understand the YA genre better, helping him write “The Boomerang Effect.”

“I have never read as much young adult literature when I was an English teacher [but] as soon as I became a librarian, I had to immerse myself into this genre that I knew very little about and loved it,” Jack said. “The librarian work gets me into the world I’m trying to write for. Also, just being around teens all day helps me be in that world and understand that world. My work as a librar-

ian informs my reading and everything that I read informs my writing in some way.”

While Jack integrated most of the revisions editors made in his story, he fought to keep a controversial subject in — the word “gay” being thrown around casually as a derogatory term. Although Jack does not advocate using the term in that manner, he believed it to be an essential part to understanding his main character’s pressures and motivations.

“The book in some ways deals with the pressure guys experience to be masculine and a lot of times that pressure comes out with guys calling anything that’s not traditionally masculine gay,” Jack said. “You hear that kind of word being thrown around a lot and it’s one of those words that people still feel okay to use amongst their friend. I wanted

Canada. He has also reached a large following of people on different social media platforms as he continues to go beyond the restraints of slam poetry.

Shane Koyczan’s fearless, boldness and honesty is what makes him such a great and empathetic performer.

“I guess initially I was amazed that somebody would see something within my work that they could relate to, but the more it’s happened, the more people have come forward,” Koyczan said in an interview with North Shore News. “I’ve really realized that we’re all kind of going through the same thing at the same time.”

BRENDA LEE

Slam poet Shane Koyczan performs with his band, “The Short Story Long.” Koyczan is notable for innovating upon the slam format.

RACHEL LU

School librarian Gordon Jack poses with his young adult novel, “The Boomerang Effect,” in his office. The launch for Jack’s novel, published by HarperCollins, will be held at Kepler’s Books on November 9.

to represent that because I think that’s how guys talk when they’re amongst each other.”

Jack’s editor expressed concern over keeping gay jokes and how that would affect the release of the book, but Jack believed that those jokes were important to the root of the story and understanding why certain events occur in his book.

“My character loves origami, and he also has a friend who’s a male cheerleader,” Jack said.

“Neither are traditionally masculine endeavors, so they get teased a lot. One of the characters says ‘I don’t care, I’m still going to [be a cheerleader], I love to do it’ [while]… the main character says ‘Okay, I’m not going to do this anymore, I’m going to start smoking pot instead,’ because that’s more socially acceptable. The book really talks about how guys respond to that kind of pressure, but in order to represent that I have to put in these gay jokes. I felt like it was important because the… main character’s problems start from being in a world where what he’s doing is not socially acceptable. To take [the gay jokes] out makes the pressure that he experiences not as important. I fought for that to be in.”

While writing the draft for “The Boomerang Effect” only took one year, the rest of the writing process took two years, including the process of querying an agent, and revising and editing the manuscript repetitively. However, Jack acknowledges that completing the first draft of the book was a quick process because of how much he enjoyed writing it.

“This one actually came pretty quickly I think because the… whole thing was just to be silly,” Jack said. “I wasn’t trying to do anything with a big message or theme, I was just having fun writing it. I was just trying to make myself laugh and it just ends up being very silly… I had fun.”

Emma’s Dilemma

By Emma Kwan

#AcademicAutopsy It’s been about two months since we started school — okay, more like one and a half months — and for some reason I decided that this would be the perfect time to do what I’ve decided to call a #TwoMonthAcademicAutopsy. Yes, that’s a very long hashtag that I just made up, but it’s fitting because this first part of my sophomore year has been quite the ride.

And it seems like it’s been a “ride” for a few other people too, judging by the number of Facebook posts that I’ve seen that have said something along the lines of “School. Stress. Help!”

Yes, I relate to that on so many levels.

All things considered, my workload actually hasn’t been terrible for these last two-ish months. I’ve rejoined the debate team, signed up for a few other clubs and successfully figured out how to get my Bunsen burner to work in chemistry without hurting myself.

I’ve also acquired a new appreciation for cat videos, which have turned out to be a delightful method of procrastination, procrastination that I am made painfully aware of every time I find myself wandering back into the land of YouTube.

I honestly don’t think that delaying homework for a few hours signifies the end of the world, but at the same time, the stress of waking up at six in the morning to do the rest of my homework while half asleep in my Elmo PJ pants — not the type of morning anyone would want to wake up to.

And yet, I think that every once in awhile it’s okay to not care for a couple hours, put your feet up, or even dare to watch a particularly interesting cat video. We all deserve a break, and I think that a lot of us have most definitely earned it.

It’s still important to be accountable though, because nobody wants an early morning Elmo-PJ situation. I mean, think about it. What’s the real problem here? Is procrastination really the bane of all productivity as people have painted it to be, or is the true problem humanity’s lack of self control?

I guess we’ll find out whether I ever get around to becoming more responsible, or whether I still meander on YouTube for an unfathomable amount of hours. For now, I think my academic autopsy has been a success, cat videos and all.

The Talon September 27, 2016

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FOLLOW THE FUN — OR THE MONEY

DISHONEST BOOKER MARTIN Senior Writer

eaching a worldwide revenue R of nearly $100 billion, the games market continues to rise; it’s

obvious why developers and publishers alike want a piece of the action.

This desire to dominate the industry motivates companies to make the most impressive product possible in an attempt to capture a larger audience. At least, it did.

A trend has emerged over the recent years that indicates companies are putting more effort into selling games than making them. More money is spent on advertising some games than on developing them — sometimes up to twice as much.

While this might reward companies with a boost in pre-orders, games that promise the most incredible experiences often set the bar too high for themselves, then suffer from negative reviews and a damaged reputation.

In 2014, Halo developer Bungie’s “Destiny” was hyped up until it was practically worshipped — all before its release. According to Bobby Kotick, CEO of the game’s publisher, Activision, “Destiny” had a total budget for development and marketing around $500 million, making it the most expensive game in history.

However, the contract between Activision and Bungie indicates the large majority of the funds were spent on advertising. Incredibly, the game was profitable on the day it released.

Yet, audiences were crushed when “Destiny” failed to live up to its galaxy-sized expectations. Ships seen flying in trailers were actually static loading screens. It took years for custom matches, a staple of the “Halo” series, to be patched into “Destiny.”

The best gear and cosmetics were locked behind a frustrating random number generator, leaving everything up to luck and making players’ efforts meaningless. Planets shown off in pre-alpha footage were cut before release, yet the game was oversaturated with expensive downloadable content. Destiny’s misleading marketing upset millions of players and shattered an entire fanbase.

The Ubisoft game “Watch Dogs” was a similar fiasco. Released on May 27 of 2014, the game is infamous for the graphical downgrades that took place before its release; Ubisoft enraptured gamers prior to release with beautiful gameplay footage, then delivered a game that looked far worse. Similar problems have arisen with other Ubisoft titles as well. Gamers feel betrayed when their purchase is nothing like what is shown in the trailers.

Many companies have not learned from these prior failures. The game “No Man’s Sky” caught everyone’s attention leading up to it’s release, yet now sits at a dismal Metacritic user score of 2.7 out of 10 on PC. Among other missing features, the lack of multiplayer may be the most shocking. Everything suggested “No Man’s Sky” would allow players to interact with one another across a procedurally-generated universe, from prerelease footage to the lead developer discussing the likelihood of players finding each other. After the game launched, a period of confusion was followed by the discovery that players could not see each other. It is hard to imagine why “No Man’s Sky” de-

veloper Hello Games failed to clarify the lack of multiplayer, a feature some imagined would be the core of the game.

To be fair, developers are probably not trying to lie or trick people into buying their game. They are proud of the technological advances they have created, and make claims based on what they hope to deliver.

They are excited for their creation to be played, and want others to be excited as well. The issue comes into play when devs have to sacrifice content to prepare for release day. However, the bare minimum should be clarifying any announced content that will be cut, and a more ideal solution would be delaying the game to fulfill past promises.

While overhyping games is clearly a problem, the solution is more complex than one might think. Companies should be careful what they say before release. If they are sure a feature will be included, they have a viable reason to discuss it. However, selling a vision of a game not yet realized leads to severe consequences.

Gamers should wait for reviews before buying games and should stop pre-ordering. If a future release is overhyped, developers’ hard work could still end in a “game over.”

GREEDY BRIAN HUEBNER Staff Writer

LC, or downloadable content, D has been around in video games for a while now. For a price,

gamers could get an extra part of the game that hadn’t been available prior to release, giving them more content for them to play, and increasing the overall enjoyment of the game. Similarly, Steam Early Access, a program that allows consumers to play and fund beta builds of video games, started out with good intentions.

However, developers have started using DLC and Early Access as an excuse to put out unfinished or incomplete games and run away with cash in their hands.

One egregious example of developers using DLC to make more money is Bioware’s 2012 game, “Mass

Effect 3.” While generally praised by players, fans of the series criticized the game for locking a plot-essential character behind a $10 paywall. To make matters worse, the DLC was released on the first day, clearly to increase profits. Gamers were outraged, and some even went as far as to boycott Bioware entirely. Even with this controversy, though, Bioware grossed over $200 million from “Mass Effect 3,” according to their Q4 profit reports of that year.

Another example of poor DLC practices is “Battlefield 4.” The game offers an “Ultimate Shortcut Bundle” for $50, which allows players to unlock every weapon in the game at once. This business model is similar to that of many mobile games — allow the game to be played for free, and offer premium service for those who do not want to wait to have access to certain items or features in the game. “Battlefield 4,” however, is a $60 game, making it seem like a money-grubbing move. To top it off, some feel as if the game is purposefully trying to get you to shell out those $50 by making progress feel slow and unrewarding.

Many early access games can be found littered across the Steam Store, which has been the central hub for such games since it introduced the concept in March of 2013. There are a variety of reasons a developer might use Early Access, but the most notable reasons are that they don’t have enough money to continue development without the help of Early Access, and they want feedback on their game. One successful example is “Kerbal Space Program,” developed

by Squad Games, whose frequent updates not only left the game feeling more and more polished as time went on, but also excited consumers, as content updates came regularly and served to keep gamers engaged and satisfied with the product.

Unfortunately, many other Early Access games don’t tell the same story. One such example is Doublefine’s “Spacebase DF-9,” which promised the opportunity to “Live amongst the stars”, and with the developer’s track record up to that point, consumers trusted that they would deliver on their promises. The game came out on Early Access on October 15, 2013, still marred with bugs and barely functional, without fulfilling the the aspects they promised. The developers attempted to update the game semi-regularly, but they were small

and did not improve the disappointing experience. Then, out of leftfield, Doublefine officially released the game on October 27, 2014, still plagued by the same issues it had before, and in May 2015, the publisher ceased all development of the game, leaving it broken and incomplete. Many gamers who bought the game were furious that Doublefine had seemingly deceived them, and the 78% disapproval rating on Steam only goes to show that.

Examples like these prove that it is imperative that consumers should stray away from games that use shady practices, and support developers like Squad Games, or CD-Projekt Red — makers of The Witcher 3, game which got lavish praise from critics and fans alike for its excellence in story and gameplay, and offered a $30 expansion pac which was praised for it’s excellence in quality in a scale comparable to the base game. While not all developers can compare to the DLC that the Witcher 3 has, the point is that it was a worthwhile experience for gamers. If we as consumers allow EA and other such companies to profit off incomplete games, it will slowly become the norm. We have the power to change the game industry with our own wallets. It’s just a matter of actually taking the steps necessary to accomplish that.

tion of the 30 year old demographic, many of whom are still sporting their vintage video game shirts from when they were kids.

This older gamer is both a blessing and a curse for the industry.

As consumers age, they become wealthier, which enables them to buy more games and consoles. But at the same time, companies aren’t attracting a younger audience because they’re only focusing on their older demographic.

Most Triple-A games feel the need to release a sequel game every year because they know the older gamer will purchase it, but this has alienated a large portion of younger, less cautious players, which could shrink the traditional videogame market in the future.

There are some game studios that continue to release games from their previous franchises that the older gamer will purchase, but also keep them fresh for the young gamer. Studios like Bethesda, CD Projekt RED and Fromsoftware release games every four to five years, sacrificing quantity for a consistently higher standard of quality and innovation.

Even without major studios diluting their content, this is not enough to save the industry. Developers still have a problem attracting the younger generation. They aren’t interested because the content doesn’t speak to them. Along with that, while mobile is the fastest growing segment of the industry, it is naturally simpler than console or PC gaming given the technological restraints on a cellphone. Either the games have to be oversimplified or they have to be stripped-down versions of console/PC games.

But the industry still wants to seize this market, diverting money and time that would be better spent advancing the core gaming market.

For example, Nintendo is releasing a new Mario game for iOS. Also, when Bethesda Game Studios, a major game developer, released its newest addition of its popular “Fallout” series, “Fallout 4,” they also released a Fallout mobile game. At a press release Todd Howard, director of Bethesda Gaming, said the mobile Fallout version was “inspired by games we love going back 30 years.”

Hopefully by the time E3 starts next year, game developers will release more original and creative games to connect to a younger audience, because if they don’t, their established industry will continue to age and come to an end.

DISHONEST GREEDY DATED

The effects of profit-chasing on the quality of the traditional games industry

OUTDATED DOMINICK LANNI Business Manager

s the younger generation conA tinue to lean towards mobile gaming, it appears that the estab-

lished video game consumers are almost exclusively in their 30s.

If this continues to happen, this subset of the video game industry might die out.

This really isn’t shocking, considering the fact that these 30-yearolds were the first ones to grow up with “Mario Kart” and “Call of Duty,” which have become the faces of traditional gaming. As they have gotten older, many continue to play, delving even deeper into their hobby through purchasing new consoles and computers.

If you care to see these older gamers in action, then search for videos from gaming convention Pax West, which was held earlier this month.

There you will see a large popula-

ASHLEY CAI AND CARISSA LEE

18

The Talon September 27, 2016

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

Debating the national anthem HALEY ECKER Staff Writer

I’m proud to be an American. I may not agree with some of our policies or voice undying support on a regular basis, but deep down inside I am glad to say that I’m an American. However, it’s situations like those of Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and Toni Smith-Thompson that make me frustrated with this country. Many condemned these athletes for “disrespecting the flag” even though

these athletes have every right to voice their opinions. Many fans, professional athletes and political figures have even criticized them for being “un-American.”

Athletes should not be considered “un-American” for protesting during the national anthem.

We all have a right to freedom of speech and expression, and these athletes are using their fame to begin conversations regarding important issues in America — they should not be shamed.

ANNE SCHILL

San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick may be the most recent athlete to protest during the national anthem in regards to police brutality, but this is not an uncommon platform through which athletes to spread awareness about controversial issues. In response to the poor treatment of AfricanAmericans in the 1960s, Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested in the 1968 Olympics. While many American viewers saw Carlos and Smith’s all-black apparel and raised fists during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as outrageous and unpatriotic, viewers from around the world were amazed to see how two high profile figures in American athletics countered the American belief that our nation is perfect.

“We were just human beings who saw a need to bring attention to the inequality in our country,” Smith said in a documentary on the 1968 Olympics.

“There was nothing but a raised fist in the air… acknowledging the American flag — not symbolizing a hatred for it.”

Carlos and Smith, like many other athletes who have protested during the national anthem, did not behave in a way that should be considered treason. As per the first amendment, these athletes have a right to freedom of speech and expression and are using this right in order to bring awareness to controversial issues in society.

These athletes mean no harm in their silent protests and therefore should not be considered threats to our nation or shamed for stand-

ing up for their beliefs. country? It’s understandable that After turning her back away people are not happy with the way from the American flag in protest these athletes choice to vocalize of the war in Iraq and the Ameri- their opinions. However, these can prison system in 2003, bas- athletes are not trying to disgrace ketball player Toni Smith-Thomp- our nation. They are trying to reson received much criticism. mind us of the reality that our naAlthough she was just a college tion is far from perfect and they student at a relatively unknown should not be shunned because college, she received an immense they are trying to bring awareamount of backlash from her ness to social issues. The fact that teammates, classso many people have mates and citizens been quick to acacross the country. cuse these athletes “I’ve received death Athletes should of being unpatriwishes and death not be considotic shows how we, threats and… report- ered “un-Amerias Americans, caners calling my dorm. can” for protestnot handle criticism Most of my team and about our country.

I are not on speak- ing during the The portrayal of ing terms,” Smith- national anthem. Kaepernick’s proThompson said in an test by the media has open letter addressed made his actions less to Kaepernick. about the issue of police brutality The tension surrounding this and more about how he is being situation is evident because so exiled by various members of the many people acted so negative- football community. These “unly towards their actions. Many American” actions have been unAmericans were so upset with successful in getting people to pay Smith-Thompson, Carlos, Smith more attention to important issues and Kaepernick that they felt because people seem to be more it was necessary to personally concerned with proper patriotic threaten these athletes. Whether etiquette than the issues presentit’s the angry Twitter user burn- ed. It is our responsibility, whether ing his or her Kaepernick jersey we’re athletes or spectators, to at or the unhappy fan yelling at least listen to what these profesSmith-Thompson on the bas- sionals are trying to bring awareketball court, people have been ness to and not be so blinded by our quick to brand these athletes as pride for the country. We are not a “un-American” simply because picture-perfect nation and these sithey deviated from the standard lent protests remind us to be more routine for the national anthem. grounded and continue discussing Are we Americans so prideful of important social issues. that we cannot even admit that I’m proud to be an American. there are actually flaws in our Most of the time.

First-year girls golf team in full swing JUSTIN YU Staff Writer

This fall, a group of five girls made Eagle history by forming the first-ever girls golf team. In the past, Los Altos only had a single coed team that competed in the spring. After talking to parents of incoming freshmen players, head coach Richard Fujii, who also manages the boys team, decided to add a girls team to the season roster.

“We had three girls in the coed golf team last year,” Fujii said.

“Two of those girls played in a majority of matches. We felt that there was a need to start a girls team, [so] Ms. Cave and Mrs. Satterwhite got the ball rolling.”

This year’s team is primarily made up of underclassmen, with one freshman, three sophomores and one junior. While many of the players are playing their first season and are unfamiliar with the sport, the team will play in the upper division, competing against schools like Gunn, Palo Alto and Los Gatos.

“We have one team goal, which is to improve every match, to get better from where we start in August to how we finish in [the] end of October,” Fujii said. “Our individual goals are for players to improve their stroke averages, [and] to get three of our girls

to league finals, hopefully into CCS [as well].”

The team is currently gearing up for upcoming matches. The girls practice Monday to Thursday at Los Altos’ home course, Shoreline Golf Links from 4:00 to 5:30 on most days. When the team plays practice rounds on the course, practice can last until 6:45.

Golf matches, are played offsite at either Shoreline or another team’s home course. Each team can have five to six players, so they tee off in three groups of four. Each group has two players from one team matched against two players from the other team.

When all three groups finish the round, the final score is calculated by summing the best five individual scores: the winner of the match is the team with the lower total score.

“You need to be very disciplined because you don’t all just play at once like in a lot of team sports,” sophomore Brynna Mitchner said. “You have to focus on your own game while [paying attention to] how it contributes to the entire team and the outcome. So you really have to [make] yourself a better player individually.”

Usually, a team with six players drops the highest score in every match. For Los Altos, all five scores count. Nevertheless,

FRANCESCA FALLOW

This year, Los Altos includes its first girls golf team after many expressed their interest in an all-girls team to replace the current co-ed team. Clockwise from top left: freshman Caris Kim, sophomore Maddie Jun, junior Samantha Kuo, sophomore Brynna Mitchner and sophomore Natsumi Hayashi.

Mitchner believes that the small size of the team is a good thing.

“I think it’s really unique that the team has just the minimum amount of players, so everyone plays a really important role,” Mitchner said. “Everyone has to support each other because we know how important it is for everyone to contribute… I think that

so far, everyone has been getting along really well and really supporting each other, even though some people are new to the sport completely and some people have been playing for a long time.”

Veteran players freshman Caris Kim, sophomore Maddie Jun and junior Samantha Kuo are all excited for the new season. They

look forward to playing against other schools with more experience and developing their individual and team skills.

Despite the pressure of competing against some of the top schools in the area, the coach maintains an optimistic outlook.

“It should be a fun season, and I’m really excited,” Mitchner said.

The Talon September 27, 2016

#9, what’s on your mind?

Girls tennis starts season off strong YOLANDA SPURA Staff Writer

By Julia Santos

Morning Practice Here’s a quick introduction to me: I’m a junior, the Sports Editor of The Talon and I play water polo. That’s practically all you need to know because that’s all I really do.

At 6:15 a.m. when the moon is still up and the sky is still dark, I line up at the edge of the pool, ready to dive in. The coach counts down from 10, expecting us to immediately jump in, ready or not. Sometimes, after the first dive, the pool is covered with steam and my toes tingle from the heat. Other times, I’m jolted by the freezing water, and I sprint the first eight laps of warm-ups, but eight laps allout are not enough to thaw my glacial corpse.

On top of morning practices, the locker rooms are currently under construction.

That means no bathrooms on deck and no showers in the morning. But there’s something about waking up much earlier than usual, the unpredictable temperature of the water in the morning and a small tent of 30 girls attempting to change from wet bathing suits into dry clothes that bring a team together and makes all of this worth it. And by “this,” I mean high school sports.

We still continue to play water polo, basketball or football despite all of these hardships and more. We dedicate so much of our time to train for the next game because there is nothing more rewarding than improving.

We sacrifice our sleep and beat up our bodies and occasionally put aside homework because to score a goal or block a shot or dive that perfect dive is, for a lack of better words, amazing.

Whether it’s our competitive drive or the rewarding feeling of being part of a team that draws us to make such a huge commitment, all athletes can agree that even though the majority of us will not pursue professional careers in the NFL or NBA, four years of high school without sports is unimaginable. So while our coaches push us so hard, don’t just go through the motions, enjoy the moment.

Sports are meant to be enjoyed. They are well-deserved privileges that don’t give us enough time in the day to dwell upon the losses or complain about our obligations.

Instead, look past the struggles of waking up early and having locker rooms that are underconstruction, because in the end, every bus ride and every trip to the athletic trainer is worth it.

Really, morning practices aren’t half as bad as they seem.

19

The girls tennis team started their season off strong on Tuesday, September 13 with a 5-2 win against rival Archbishop Mitty.

The girls also clinched a preseason victory at the California Tennis Classic in Fresno on Saturday, September 3, winning Division II of the tournament with a score of 4-1.

The team has big goals for this season, hoping to win leagues and continue on to CCS. “[Because of last year’s winloss record] we got moved down to the lower league, so that gives us a chance to actually win the league and make it to CCS playoffs,” Coach Hung Nguyen said.

The team dynamic has changed this year with the departure of

former seniors and the arrival many new players.

“Last year there were so many seniors and they all knew each other — it was very integrated,” junior Aline Wu said. “This year, we had to work a little harder to get to know everyone since there are more new players, but [spending time together at] Fresno definitely helped.”

The large number of incoming players affords the team more balance, which may work to their advantage. “[The team is] more balanced this year, [with a] good mixture of veteran and new players,” Nguyen said. “In high school tennis, you kind of need that balance to win as a team in terms of dynamics, that gives us a unique strength this year because we’re balanced in terms of level.”

YOLANDA SPURA

The varsity girls tennis team rallies during practice. On Saturday, September 10, the team won the Division II Fresno tournament.

Overall, the girls describe themselves as a fun, tight-knit and supportive group of individuals who are always cheering each other on.

“We’re all pretty crazy, but in a

unique way,” co-captain senior Tessa Hocquet said. “We care how everyone does. If someone loses, you feel for them, because it’s not just [about] you, it’s [about] the team.”

Boys water polo sets high bar for achievement ROSS AVERY Staff Writer

The boys varsity water polo team exceeded expectations last season. This year, they have no plans to slow down.

In 2015, the team finished with a final record of 8-7, garnering them second place overall in the De Anza league and a trip to the CCS tournament. The Eagles suffered a disappointing first-round defeat in the tournament, but coach Seth Tasman remains confident the team can improve on its success this season.

“We have a very competitive league, so finishing in the top four is our goal,” Tasman said.

“We definitely want to move past the first round of CCS this year.”

The team is a diverse bunch, with contributions coming from every level. This season, two freshmen are on the varsity team.

In addition to the wealth of young talent, returning seniors provide a strong veteran presence.

“I think as a leader, it’s all about making sure everyone is putting in what they can, but you [also] have to be able to communicate with everyone,” senior Nick Rodriguez said.

“You kind of have to push everyone past what they think they can do.”

KUNAL PANDIT

Senior Ryan Fisse looks to shoot the ball in a nonconference game against Willow Glen on Tuesday, August 30. Last year, the team placed second overall in their league and qualified for CCS, and they set their sights on going even further this year.

This season, the team is implementing a new captain system in which players are chosen on game days to lead the team, based on their effort and attitude in the days leading up to the game. Traditionally, the coach rewarded the title of team captain to one or two seniors that exemplified good leaders.

Now, the coaches hope that this change will keep the players motivated and willing to perform

consistently at a high level.

With an abundance of skill, the Eagles emphasize the concept of teamwork.

“There are a lot of teams who will rely on one or two players who are the best players on the team,” Nick said. “I think our coach really trained us well enough that we have a variety of players. So we’re not focusing on getting the ball to one player as much as everyone really has the opportunity

to make a move or score.”

Although the team made great progress last season, both the coaches and players see room for improvement.

“Our team chemistry and communication is something we’re really focusing on this year; getting all the kids to work together, and figure things out in the pool, on their own,” Tasman said. “And our defense, that’s a big thing for me. Our defense can always improve and get better. If you’re conditioned and you can play defense, you can hang with any team in this area.”

The team looks forward to games against Palo Alto, Gunn and Los Gatos, as they are considered some of the strongest teams in the league. Students and staff are encouraged to support the Eagles as they chase a potential league title and CCS berth.

“Whenever our Mountain View game is, [or] some of our rivalry games, we would love to get a lot of people on the pool deck to watch high school water polo,” Tasman said. “I think if they gave it a chance, everyone would really like it.”

Their next home game is against Mountain View on Tuesday, October 4, at 3:30 p.m.

SOARING EAGLE: KATE CARLSON NATHAN GODDERIS Staff Writer

For this year’s girls volleyball team, success comes from more than cooperation and the individual skill. It comes from passion and strong leadership — everything that senior Kate Carlson posses. For the past four years, Kate has been playing volleyball for Los Altos, moving up the ranks of the team and eventually cementing her spot as a setter and team captain in her senior year. After a strong season last year, the varsity girls volleyball team graduated many of their strongest players, which gave Kate the chance to step up as a leader within the new team.

“I’m pretty good at the administrative stuff,” Kate said. “Making sure people are where they are supposed to be and playing their role, that’s something I’ve just always been good at.”

Kate began her volleyball career

in 7th grade at Egan Junior High School. She decided to follow the footsteps of her older sister, who played as well, in hopes to further her competitive spirit.

“I wanted to prove I was a better athlete,” Kate said. “I tried out in 7th grade, I made it and I decided I loved it.”

With many roles on the team, Kate’s main job as setter is a position that comes with a lot of responsibility. From the beginning to the end of the game, setters are expected to keep the players in order and create scoring chances.

Because she’s leading a young team, Kate’s captain role is more focused on keeping the structure of the team, rather than motivating. For her, maintaining team chemistry is important, especially in a changing lineup.

“Teaching a young team is hard.

We’re still trying to teach them old varsity traditions, like warm up and pre-game things, so having older

players is important,” Kate said.

As a varsity athlete, Kate still works on improving her game. For her, it’s not being better than her opposition that motivates her, it’s competition within the team.

“I personally am more competitive with the people I play with than with the other team,” Kate said. “Which is not always ideal, but in situations like that it’s good because you always want to beat the best, we try to make ourselves better in that way.”

For Kate, it wasn’t game time that helped her improve — rather, it was patience that shaped her into the player she is today.

“I had to learn the importance of sitting on the bench for sure, watching other people,” Kate said. “I did that freshman year

and junior year, I was benched almost the entire time. Learning patience, paying your dues and being diligent is super important, and I had to get through that.”

KUNAL PANDIT

The Talon September 27, 2016

CHANGING THE GAME

Juniors Esmeralda Nuñez and Carmen Garcia redefine what it means to play football.

Alex Luna, Staff Writer | Emily Meza-Perez, Staff Writer | Natalie Munguia, Photographer

W

e don’t say “boys” football, before they could earn any respect or even but that’s still what every- be considered a teammate. one thinks. In a high-stakes “I feel like they definitely underestiFriday-night game against the rival Spar- mated us, and they thought we were gotans, the Cheer Team, Blue Crew and the ing to quit,” Carmen said. “A lot of the mass of blue-colored fans all cheer for guys thought ‘Oh they won’t be here,’ but our “boys” to bring home the gold. But as they saw that we kept going even if we of this year, two new teammates fought struggled so much.” their way onto the roster and changed the Head coach Trevor Pruitt had a similar makeup of the team: juniors Carmen Gar- outlook as their teammates when they cia and Esmeralda Nuñez. first began attending practices. Coach As the first varsity female football play- Pruitt had the same initial expectation ers in school history, Carmen and Esmer- of Carmen and Esmeralda that he did of alda are working hard to change the no- most newcomers. tion of the typical football player with the However Carmen and Esmeralda’s persupport of their teammates. severance proved they wanted spots on “I think it’s cool how they the team, and Coach Pruitt took it [into] their own matrecognized that when makters, to be like ‘Hey its 2016, ing the roster this fall.

You have to be you can’t be sexist anymore, “I knew they were super girls can do anything boys committed, you dedicated once they were can do,’” co-captain and ju- have to want it bad here, every weight-lifting nior Vincent Colodny said. enough for you to session, the off-season, all “They’ve tried their best and actually play. summer.” Pruitt said. “So they’re doing really well. first impression was a lit— junior Esmeralda Nuñez They’re very much a part of tle shocked. But you know the football team.” they’ve been here everyday After participating in last year’s annual and they’ve been dedicated, so we love Powder Puff tournament, Esmeralda was having them.” motivated to play the sport and recruited For the girls, they knew they were reother girls to tryout for the school team. garded as actual team members when “I talked to some girls [who partici- Coach Pruitt started treating them norpated in powder puff ] and asked ‘why mally, like their male teammates. aren’t you on the team?’” Esmeralda said.

“The first time the coach yelled at us, I “I thought maybe if I did it, I would en- felt part of the team,” Carmen said. “He courage more people to do it.” yells at everyone, so we felt part of the She then persuaded Carmen, who par- team because if he would’ve been all nice ticipated in flag football during middle then it’s like ‘Oh no, he just doesn’t care.’” school, to join the team. The two girls atThe other teammates also grew warmer totended pre-season conditioning during wards Carmen and Esmeralda after the two their sophomore year to prepare for the continued to attend the rigorous pre-season season. Initially, they faced conditioning as well as the fall difficulties in participating training. Since everyone is a in a male-dominant sport. it was easier [Carmen and Esmer- student-athlete, “We were the only girls,” for the team to realize gender Carmen said. “[Our team- alda] wear the same isn’t necessarily a factor in sucmates] would look at us pads, same helcess, especially when everyone and not say anything. It mets, same jerseys. has a common goal. was embarrassing because They come to prac“They’re just like any they were really strong of us,” Vincent and I was struggling with tice just like we do. said.

“They five pounds [on the bench wear the — co-captain and junior Vincent Colodny press in the weight room].” same pads, When Carmen and Essame helmeralda first showed up to practice, most mets, same jerseys. They of the players assumed the two girls would come to practice just like we eventually quit. Every year, a good portion do. They go to school just of the newcomers fail to fulfill the sport’s like we do.” physical demand, and the all-male, hard Carmen and Esmeralda, having hitting environment of the varsity team trained alongside them for the better seemed especially hostile to two girl players. part of the year, now have great rela“Last year we had a couple girls try out and tionships with the coaches and players. they showed up once before spring prac“[One] day I was pushing the sled, tice,” Vincent said. “They never came back. I had 15 yards left but my legs burned I’ve seen it happen so I kind of expected it to so bad. I couldn’t physically do it,” Eshappen but I was shocked it didn’t.” meralda said. “My legs would just give The majority of sports teams have an up and I would fall every two yards, but established sense of community, but the hearing [my teammates] clap and being team was divided over initial doubt of the like ‘You can do it,’ I just had to get there... girls’ abilities. The two girls realized they It’s that motivation, that I thought ‘This is needed to prove themselves to the team what I came for,’ ‘This is why I am here.’”

But even as hardworking official mem- that if we don’t feel comfortable playing bers of the the team, Carmen and Esmer- that we could still be part of the team alda have yet to make an appearance in even if we don’t play, but what’s the a league game. According to them, they point of being part of the team if I’m just have only played the role of substitutes. going to be the water-girl or something,” Most of their game participation boils Carmen said.

In spite of this, neither of the girls are down to supporting their team from the discouraged from participating and both sidelines, as of now.

“I’m just standing there,” Carmen said. continue to give it their all. Carmen and Es“That’s when I’m questioning, is it worth meralda have high hopes for game time in the near future, and that all their it? But we’ve been here since struggles and determination will February, why quit now?” pay off. Coach Pruitt has the “We’ve been here for seven same intention. months and there are some The first time “My goal is to get them in this guys who came the two last the coach year, and I think they want to days of tryouts and they’re in yelled at us, play.” Pruitt said. “And I think the and they are playing right now,” I felt part of best part is that they don’t ask for Esmeralda said. special treatment, they don’t want According to Coach Pruitt, the the team. the special attention, they just reason Carmen and Esmeralda — junior Carmen want to be a part of the team.” have not played yet is because Garcia Even having faced numerous they have not participated in the obstacles to officially be a part “team portion” during practice, a drill designed to prepare players for the of the team and still not having played in a game, Carmen and Esmeralda will continreality of game time.

“They need to rotate into the team por- ue to keep working hard while hoping to tion of practice,” Pruitt said. “They do all inspire other girls to try out for the team, the individual portions of practice but even if it seems impossible.

Nobody thought it was going to be easy, when we do [the team portion], they don’t rotate in. If someone is not rotating in but Carmen and Esmeralda have done whether it’s them or any other player on the what no one else has ever managed to do team, we can’t put [them] in a game. Also in the history of Los Altos football. As our games have been so close, there’s a lot they continue to work towards getting a of guys on the team that also haven’t played spot on the field, they stand as role models for other girls considering football. because our games have been so close.”

“You have to be committed to it, you have Despite this, Carmen and Esmeralda are determined to get some playing time to want it bad enough for you to actually this season. They both feel that playing is play,” Esmeralda said. “If you don’t want it bad enough, you’re going to give up halfway an essential part of being on the team. “[The coach] says there because it’s hard, it really is. It’s worth it. Don’t think twice, just go out there and we are going to be supporting you too. What matters is that you go out there and give it your best.

Carmen Garcia (left) and Esmeralda Nuñez (right)