The Talon | Issue 2 | October 18, 2016

Los Altos High School, Los Altos, CA ■ October 18, 2016 ■ Volume XXXII, Issue 2

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CITY COUNCIL ENACTS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Amy Goymerac: Aspiring Opera Singer SANA KHADER Staff Writer

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING AT LOS ALTOS The new engineering class, headed by Teresa Dunlap, has advanced the school’s STEM curriculum by creating a unique hands-on experience.

News, 2

The growing epidemic of fear-mongering Read junior Danny Vesurai’s opinion on how modern media has led to an unsettling culture of fear-mongering.

Opinions, 6

Meet the 2016 STEM speakers Learn all about this year’s STEM speakers before they arrive on campus during STEM week.

Features, 9

LAHS junior publishes poetry collection Meet Jia Seow, junior and author of “Return,” a selfpublished collection of 99 poems.

Arts & Culture, 14

YOLANDA SPURA

Senior Mikayla Marrin works at Tin Pot Creamery in Los Altos downtown for 15 to 20 hours a week. The new minimum wage increase will benefit her and other employees in Los Altos starting January 1, 2017. The increase will cause a shift in income from $11.00 per hour to $12.00 per hour.

CAMERON AVERY ROSS AVERY Business Manager Staff Writer

Starting next year, minimum wage workers in Los Altos will have a little more to bring home each day.

On September 27, the Los Altos City Council voted 4-1 to pass an ordinance that will result in a substantial, city-wide increase on the minimum wage from the current $11.00 per hour.

Starting on January 1, 2017, the minimum wage will increase to $12.00 per hour. That amount will be raised incrementally for the next several years, reaching $13.50 by 2018 and

$15.00 by 2019. Come 2020, the minimum wage will see a yearly increase based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI) not exceeding a 5 percent raise each year. The CPI is a statistic that is generated based on the changing prices of goods and services and reflects inflation.

A significant factor in the decision was the desire to further align the city with its counterparts in Santa Clara County, following a recommendation by the Cities Association of Santa Clara County.

“We discussed [the minimum wage] at the regional level and came to the conclusion that it made sense for all of the cities here to try to have

the same minimum wage so that we would all be working a level playing field,” City Council member Jeannie Bruins said at a public forum for prospective council members seeking election. “I’m proud that the City Council did make the decision [to implement the minimum wage increase].”

The ordinance discussed by the Cities Association, comprised of the 15 cities in the county, will raise the minimum wage at a faster rate than the April bill signed by Governor Jerry Brown that mandated a $15.00 per hour rate by 2022 for California.

“Minimum”

continues on page 4

In the already jovial atmosphere cultivated by College and Career Center coordinator Andrea Gorman, new assistant Amy Goymerac has come to make her mark. Most, however, do not know that Goymerac has been training in classical singing for the past six years and is currently auditioning for opera companies. The auditioning process can take months and even years, and Goymerac needed a job to support herself in the meantime.

Her familiarity with office jobs and appreciation of a school environment led her to her current position at Los Altos.

As a small child, Goymerac already showed signs of musical talent.

“Even before I was saying words, I would hum along and bounce along to songs when they would come on,” Goymerac said.

In high school, Goymerac joined choir and musical theatre. When it came time to plan for college, Goymerac, to the surprise of her teachers and parents, decided not to study music.

“Goymerac”

continues on page 9

Why foreign films matter Seniors Hanna Khosravi and Jaclyn Saik shed light on the personal growth and broader knowledge students can gain by becoming consumers of foreign films.

Arts & Culture, 15

Diving double-take

Juniors and twins Evan and Trevor Labuda have dedicated much of their adolescence to the advancement of their greatest passion: diving.

Sports, 19

Dafna’s Delights The Talon bakes school counselor Dafna Adler’s blog recipes

‘TRUMP’EDUP CLAIMS?

UPCOMING EVENTS October 19

PSAT Day Seniors - No School October 20-21

Parent Teacher Conferences October 21

Homecoming Parade October 22

Arts & Culture P.16

Stay updated on the football team’s progress

Homecoming Dance October 24

STEM Week Begins October 31

Winter Sports Begin

News Editorial Opinions

2 5 6

Features 9, 12 In-Depth 10 Arts & Culture 14 Sports 18

In-Depth P.10 Sports P.19

CROOKED LIES?

THE MEDIA’S PORTRAYAL OF THE ELECTION

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The Talon October 18, 2016

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

Aerospace Engineering takes flight TEDDY CHMYZ HALEY ECKER AVERY LUKE

Copy/Content Editor Staff Writers

It’s not rocket science — except it is. New this year, Los Altos’ Aerospace Engineering class is the third course in the three-year engineering program and focuses on the physics behind the flight of rockets, planes and more.

At the end of second semester last school year, engineering students voted on Aerospace Engineering from a variety of classes as the third-year engineering course they would like to see. Aerospace

Engineering is the next installment after Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering in the engineering curriculum developed by Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit organization that develops STEM curricula.

While the first two courses of the engineering curriculum explore separate concepts, Aerospace Engineering combines the material learned in both introductory engineering classes for new applications and provides a more hands-on experience.

“It’s really well tied together,” engineering teacher Teresa Dunlap said. “Everything students learn in the first and second year is now

merging into what they’re going to need for [Aerospace Engineering].”

Unlike traditional science classes, students perform “instant design challenges” instead of labs. A recent challenge had students create paper airplanes to find out how far planes could fly with different designs.

“We changed [the paper airplanes] and learned more about what does what on an aircraft,” senior Chris Carter said. “It’s kind of hard for a paper airplane to have all the different components of a plane, but you have to play around with what could work.”

So far, students have studied the principles of airfoils, which are the basic forms of wings and fins, and

FRANCESCA FALLOW

Junior Zosia Stafford works on a diagram of a wind tunnel with her classmates. The new Aerospace Engineering class focuses on aircraft and spacecraft and is the third installment in the engineering program.

designed airfoils using modelling “Ideally we could have Civil programs. Later in the year, they Engineering and Architecture will build their own wind tunnels as another option,” Dunlap said. and rockets.

“Hopefully [Aerospace EngineerFor Chris, the specific applica- ing] will hold students’ interest at tions of engineering introduced least for a little while until we grow in this course are unique to other the program a little more.”

STEM classes at Los Altos.

The Aerospace Engineering “In previous [engineering cours- class is much smaller than the es], all the stuff we’ve done has Introduction and Principles overlapped with the other science classes, mainly due to the fact classes,” Chris said. “The big differ- that students have found it diffience is that [Aerospace Engineer- cult to fit an engineering elective ing] is specifically in their schedule for focused on airplanes, three years in a row. airfoils and aviation.”

In the future, the deWhile the curricu- Everything partment hopes to lum requires expen- students learn reach more undersive machinery such classmen in order to as wind tunnels and in the first avoid this decrease 3D printers that cost two years of in enrollment. upwards of $5,000, engineering “It’s always tough students have im- merges into for people to fit provised to make do [Aerospace in their without all of the rec- what they’re schedules] because ommended materials. going to need it’s hard to fit an elec“We’re playing it for [Aerospace tive three years in a by ear depending on Engineering]. row,” Dunlap said. what items we get,” “I think we’ll have — engineering teacher Dunlap said. “Right to promote it a little Teresa Dunlap now… we’re having better at the fresh[students] do some man level so that we research on wind tunnels, and get more freshmen and sophothey’re [going to] actually try and mores signing up.” build their own wind tunnels.”

Students currently enrolled Other third-year courses Project in the class appreciate it for the Lead the Way offers include Digi- freedom they have to design their tal Electronics and Civil Engineer- own projects. ing and Architecture. While Los “[The class] gives a lot of freeAltos currently only offers Aero- dom, which allows us to be crespace Engineering, Dunlap would ative in approaching certain problike to add other options for engi- lems that deal with the physics of neering students to take. flight,” senior Scott Cairns said.

District assesses decline in SBAC performance weeks, administrators and teachers will analyze the scores of individual Staff Writers demographics in greater detail.

According to Instructional SupMuch to the district’s surprise, port Team (IST) coordinator Joy Los Altos’ overall performance Hellman, Sarraf and Educational declined on last year’s Smarter Services will compile data on the Balance Assessment Consortium results, while IST will interpret this (SBAC) test: the proportion of data and create a list of questions to students who met or passed state ask teachers and students in a meetstandards dropped ing on October 10. from 81 to 70 percent While neither the and 76 to 67 percent administration nor in English Language We were comdistrict have found a Arts (ELA) and math, pletely surprised clear answer as to why respectively. Teach- by the results. this year’s scores were ers and administra- We had anlower, potential factors are currently tors include technical ticipated an discussing the scores difficulties, language and potential causes improvement in barriers, unprepared for the decrease in every category. students, last year’s performance. new testing schedule — Associate “We were comand students not takSuperintendent Brigitte Sarraf pletely surprised by ing the test seriously. the results,” Associ“It’s all speculative ate Superintendent Brigitte Sar- at this point; what possibly could raf said. “We had anticipated an have caused these results?” Sarraf improvement in every category said. “My aim is to gather as much and every student group… Our information through conversations students continue to perform as with students, teachers, adminwell as they always have on all [ac- istrators and perhaps [to] some ademic success] indicators except extent even parents to see what the SBAC.” people think might be behind this.”

Historically, Los Altos has scored Another potential cause for the higher on standardized tests com- drop in scores may be the increase pared to statewide averages. While of participation rates this year — the SBAC is no exception, the dis- Los Altos administered the test to trict is trying to make sense of this 93 percent of students compared year’s lower scores. In the following to 87.5 percent last year. While

YOLANDA SPURA JUSTIN YU

neighboring schools like Gunn and Paly scored higher than Los Altos, these schools also had lower participation rates — 45.6 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

“It is not appropriate for us to compare data with schools with different participation rates because Los Altos had a larger pool of students tested,” Hellman said.

This year, the school administered the test to many of the AP students who opted out before, which made the decline in performance more confusing for Sarraf.

“A very large percentage of the students who opted out last year were our AP students,” Sarraf said.

“That fact alone led us to believe that if we get these kids to take this test and take it seriously, by that factor alone, our scores should have gone up.”

On October 24, the district will conduct a study session on further analysis of the scores and possibly begin to draft an action plan.

Over the course of the next two months, the district plans to have data discussions with departments, course teams and the Leadership team for more in-depth analysis.

“There’s a long, long list of possible reasons, and we don’t know which one is responsible,” Sarraf said. “Once we do know, we will put an action plan in place for next year. We have a lot of work to do between now and then.”

ASHLEY CAI

The Talon October 18, 2016

3

Trigonometry Honors curriculum accelerates ground,” AP Calculus teacher Carol Evans said.

Senior Writer Parametric functions, conics Staff Writer and matrix transformations will also be covered in more depth this As a stepping stone between Al- year, and students will be given gebra II and Calculus classes, Trig- challenge problems and weekly onometry/Math Analysis Honors homework quizzes. The course has been revamped to better pre- will also feature the addition of a pare students for calculus. Math project in the second semester, in teachers Eunice Lee and Stephen which students will pick a research Stefanini worked over the sum- topic related to the course matemer to craft a new curriculum that rial and present their findings.

These adjustments require a aims to emphasize students’ problem-solving and precalculus skills. faster pace, and while last year’s curriculum completWhen Lee taught ed the first chapter Trigonometry Honin three weeks, the ors for the first time new curriculum covlast year, she felt the I felt that the ered the first chapter class left students curriculum was in one week. underprepared be- missing certain “Last year a lot of cause it lacked necstudents who signed essary components pieces... We want students up for Trigonometry for calculus.

Honors came from “The changes stem to be more Algebra II,” Lee said. from my experience prepared for “The skills of Algebra teaching Trigonomcalculus.

II students coming in etry Honors last year — math teacher were really weak, so for the first time,” Eunice Lee we needed to spend Lee said. “I felt that more time to cater the curriculum was missing certain pieces so I brought to the students, whereas this year those changes [to the math de- [I feel] the students are coming partment]. We want [students] to slightly better prepared.”

According to Lee, the faster pace be more prepared for calculus.”

Instead of overlapping trigo- may have caused more students to nometry into the second semes- drop the course this year. The class ter of the course, the course’s new is now harder, especially for those calendar begins precalculus at the who do not have as much experience in an honors math class. start of the second semester.

“There were more drops this “They ran trigonometry into February in the past, and kids year,” Lee said. “It’s very normal for came [to calculus] without students to be dropping honors enough math analysis back- classes because when [students]

RACHEL LU MADISON WOO

sign up they want to challenge themselves, but once [the] first two weeks of school start, you rebalance what’s on your plate.”

Junior Jocelyn Maeyama believes the increased drops came from the unexpected difficulty of the course, as students had based expectations of the class’ pace on the experience of classmates who took the course in previous years.

“The experiences of past students are so different, [so] I feel like it’s added a lot of unexpected stress,” Jocelyn said. “The term ‘honors’ applies really varyingly,

so word-of-mouth is really important for students to figure out what course load they want.”

In line with the faster pace, the challenge problems will be similar to those given in Algebra II Honors, and Evans hopes they will foster students’ problemsolving skills.

“Algebra II Honors has always had a problem-solving day, and Lee is starting to do that in Trigonometry Honors,” Evans said. “I [told] Lee that they were not prepared in math analysis, [and] I showed her a website that she used

for outside-the-box problems.”

To illustrate this, Evans compared a student’s knowledge and problem-solving skillset to a toolbox. Previously in the course, she says, students were taught to solve familiar problems they had done before but were not taught to choose a problem-solving method given less familiar problems.

“When I gave students a toolbox, they didn’t know if they needed a hammer, a screwdriver or a peg,” Evans said. “They didn’t know how to [choose from] one or the other.”

CARISSA LEE

Mastering mindfulness: teachers learn to destress DANNY VESURAI Staff Writer

The smell of popcorn fills the air in room 406 as the lights dim and “Casablanca” loads on the projector. Before starting the classic, Film Analysis teacher Susana Herrera instructs her class to close their eyes. The students go quiet, already accustomed to this routine after two months of school. As kernels pop in the background, students take deep breaths and try to ignore their surroundings, and the atmosphere relaxes. After a minute of silence, the students open their eyes and the film starts.

Herrera introduced this practice of “mindful minutes” at the start of the school year to begin each class with a brief period of meditation. Hearing about companies around the Bay Area practicing similar routines inspired Herrera to introduce mindfulness into the classroom.

These practices represent the beginning of the school’s shift in focus toward mindfulness. This year, Los Altos began an optional eightweek course on mindfulness for teachers from all departments. The program intends to give teachers an understanding of the practice with the end goal of incorporating mindfulness practices like Herrera’s into their classrooms. Physician and mindfulness coach Dr. Amy Saltzman teaches the course after school on Wednesday to about 25 enrolled teachers.

Saltzman also teaches an advanced course on teaching mindfulness that Herrera currently takes. This course focuses on

providing teachers with experience in mindfulness the tools to teach others and will be offered in the winter.

Each session of the introductory course typically starts with a form of mindful meditation, and English teacher Elizabeth Tompkins appreciates that the meditation focuses on finding the stillness of a moment. “[Saltzman] always tells us to find… that moment of still before you breathe in a new breath or you let out a breath,” Tompkins said. “Even if you’re having a stressful day… you’re always breathing, so it’s nice to be able

to constantly find that moment of stillness.”

Learning more about mindfulness has also aided Spanish teacher Dayana Swank in destressing from daily life.

“We live in such a fast-paced world and don’t realize how we feel or how things affect us,” Swank said. “The class has been helping me personally take a small break in my day to see how things are going… and now I’m using [mindfulness] constantly.”

As Saltzman instructs teachers on how to be more mindful, teachers plan to start incorporating mindfulness into everyday

lessons. However, Saltzman advised teachers to develop their own personal practices before teaching students so that their lessons are more effective.

“You wouldn’t want someone teaching math, history or music who didn’t have a personal understanding of that topic,” Saltzman said. “That’s even more important with mindfulness because you’re teaching people how to be with their difficult thoughts and feelings.”

For English teacher Margaret Bennett, integrating mindfulness into her classes is critical.

Although she taught her students about mindfulness last year, she

MICHAEL SIEFFERT

Senior Chris Carter meditates in Film Analysis while students color in zen coloring books and medidate around him. Film Analysis teacher Susana Herrera began the “mindful minutes” practice this year in an attempt to help her students cope better with stress.

hopes to introduce it to her classes at the start of the second quarter this year in a more structured and regular manner.

“It’s our jobs as teachers to expose kids to new things and give them a toolbox of equipment that they can use in their lives,” Bennett said. “One way to manage stress is through practicing mindfulness.”

So far, Herrera’s students have enjoyed the daily dose of mindfulness.

For senior Cooper Cornell, mindfulness has been so helpful that he has used it outside of the class.

“I used it on the SAT in between sections, and it really helped calm me down,” Cooper said. “I’ve used it before games for football too, and I see myself practicing it and doing it more often [in the future].”

In addition to mindful meditation, Herrera has begun to experiment with other mindful practices such as zen coloring books in her class.

“I wanted to give people the option to do zen coloring books to get them to focus on their breathing and awareness in doing guided practice,” Herrera said. “The goal is to bring their awareness somewhere else [so they can] be with their thoughts and not have to think about sadness.”

While the course may be offered for teachers again in the near future depending on interest, in the long-term the program is intended to be self-sustaining as teachers become more familiar with mindfulness.

“I may provide support, but the idea is that over time, as teachers get more personal experience with mindfulness, they’ll be able to offer it without additional outside support,” Saltzman said.

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The Talon October 18, 2016

Revamped Multivariable Calculus offers college experience The class began on September 26, the start of Foothill’s fall quarter. Since Multivariable CalcuSince its inception three years lus is a second-year college math ago, Los Altos has offered Multi- course, Lublin teaches the class as variable Calculus in fluctuating if he were teaching college sophocircumstances. When last year’s mores. In fact, one member of the teacher Daniel Borklund left Los class is a college student enrolled Altos, it seemed to many prospec- at Foothill. Students learn about tive students that Multivariable comprehensive explanations of would not be offered this year. theories and proofs rather than “As far as I was concerned, I didn’t focusing on technique-based work think we would even found in many high have a teacher when school classes. we got our schedules,” “It’s definitely a step senior Richard Wang I didn’t think up from even AP Calsaid. “It’s just hard culus BC,” Richard said. to find a teacher who we would even “It’s a lot more in-depth teaches Multivariable have a teacher in terms of the material and who teaches Mul- when we got compared to just learntivariable well.” ing calculus.” our schedules.

Over the summer, Along with expo— senior Richard Wang however, Assistant sure to a course strucVice Principal Perla tured like a college Pasallo contacted the Foothill Col- math class, students will likely lege administration to see if any receive college credit, despite professor would be open to teach- the class not being part of Coling the class at Los Altos. Foothill lege Board’s AP program. This Professor Douglas Lublin offered year, students will receive a Footto serve as the teacher and accept- hill transcript that can be used as ed the position in August. transfer credit to public universi“The Dean sent out an an- ties and some private universities. nouncement just before [Los “It’s as if they went to one colAltos’ school year] started that lege as freshman or sophomore the school is trying to offer one and then transferred to another more section of Multivariable school,” Lublin said.

Calculus,” Lublin said. “I was exLublin’s experience teaching the cited about this, so I jumped at class at Foothill contrasts with last the opportunity.” year, when Borklund had never

JAVIN POMBRA Staff Writer

Minimum CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE Due to the higher cost of living in the county, the Cities Association felt the need to accelerate the state’s timeline to better match the area’s economic demands.

“The county decided that we needed to do something a little more aggressive than the state,” Bruins said at the same forum.

“Sacramento has to look across the entire state where there’s different socioeconomic diversity. What’s exacerbated in this county is that it is so expensive to live here.”

One point of concern involves the future of small businesses in Los Altos. Chamber of Commerce President Julie Rose worries about small businesses’ ability to pay the heightened wages while still remaining financially viable.

“It’s definitely going to have an impact on these small businesses,” Rose said. “The only way they can compensate for the added expense is to up their prices.”

Owner of Adventure Toys and

Teacher Supplies Leslie Chiaverini remains skeptical of accelerating the schedule of the wage changes, which she believes will exacerbate difficulties small business already face. In an open letter to the Los Altos City Council, she maintained that she was not in support of the deviation from California’s mandated minimum wage timeline.

“With sales declining and other costs increasing, I see small businesses experiencing challenges that put us on the ‘endangered species list,’” Chiaverini said in the letter.

Another point of contention between City Council and local business interests revolves around the “learner’s wage,” in which minors can be paid 85 percent of the minimum wage in the first 80 hours of their employment. While the state plan includes the learner’s wage, Los Altos’ ordinance left it out.

“We and Santa Clara County decided that a workforce is a workforce, and if somebody’s hiring you as a student, yes, they’re taking a risk,” Bruins said. “But they also can terminate you and say ‘Thank you for your service, but this really isn’t working out.’”

taught the subject.

“One of the issues [last year] was that we had a first year high school teacher coming from a middle school [teaching] background [who] was thrown into a multivariable calculus environment,” senior Joey Hejna said. “So the difference is that this professor always knows what he’s talking about.”

Despite the benefits of having a college professor, students have difficulty contacting Lublin, as he stays at the Los Altos campus for only one period.

“If you have a lot of trouble on

a certain concept, he isn’t a very accessible resource because you have to go to Foothill’s [campus],” junior Varun Sriram said.

The lack of schedule alignment between Foothill and Los Altos due to Foothill’s quarter system also limits the possibilities of the class.

While Multivariable at Los Altos has historically been taught in tandem with Linear Algebra, Lublin will not have enough time to teach Linear Algebra. Students in the class will return to having a free period in place of the class at the end of Foothill’s spring quarter in March.

Lublin hopes to find a solution to this problem in coming years, and has even offered to start teaching at Los Altos before Foothill starts to provide more time. Regardless, he wishes to continue teaching Multivariable at Los Altos beyond this school year and add some stability to a class that has fluctuated for the last three years.

“It’s been great, and I love it,” Lublin said. “[If ] Los Altos and Foothill after this year say it was a good experiment, then I think that it would be great to continue it and have it as an opportunity.”

ANDREW YOUNG

Multivariable Calculus teacher Douglas Lublin lectures students about vector operations. This year, Multivariable was revamped to look more like a college course that students would take in the future.

The Chamber of Commerce, however, favored keeping the learner’s wage.

“What we thought was important was that it included the same exemptions the state has, and the state has in their law that there’s a learner’s wage,” Rose said. “We heard from a lot of businesses that they thought the learner’s wage should be imposed, and our council did not do that.”

Naturally, current employees working at jobs paying around minimum wage supported the change.

“I think [the higher minimum wage] is good,” Tin Pot Creamery worker and senior Mikayla Marrin said. “It definitely adds up for me, because I’m working long hours, so the extra dollar or two helps.”

Senior Koa So’Oto works at Baskin-Robbins and currently makes $10.50 an hour as per learner’s wage. He notes that the increase will help those in lower socioeconomic brackets stay afloat.

“I feel like it’s very useful because some kids nowadays don’t have the resources that some other kids have,” Koa said.

“They have to pay or help pay bills for their family, and they have to help pay for food.”

ANNE SCHILL

EMILY ARONOVITZ

New locker rooms will be completed between October 24 and October 31. Since school started, students and athletes have used the portables behind the large gym.

Construction nears finish line EMMA VAN GEUNS Staff Writer

For more than two months now, P.E. students and athletes have used portables behind the large gym as locker rooms, awaiting the completion of the updated rooms currently under construction. Due to unforeseen delays, students are now set to have access to the updated locker rooms between October 24 and October 31. The new fitness center on the basketball courts behind the girls’ locker room is scheduled to be finished by January 3.

Administration originally scheduled locker room renovations to be completed by August 15, but a series of unforeseen challenges throughout the construction process created multiple setbacks. Construction crew found corroded piping during the demolition process, and unwanted sloping in the floors called for more of the locker rooms to be redone than planned for initially.

Each locker room will include new team rooms for both home and guest sports teams, new coaches’ offices and added storage spaces for equipment.

General improvements have been made to the actual locker spaces along with the dance and wrestling rooms; all furnishings have been replaced, new windows offer natural light, showers and bathrooms have been repiped and lighting is now motion sensitive.

Until the locker rooms are finished, P.E. students and athletes will continue to use the portable buildings by the basketball courts as changing rooms. The portables contain chairs to put clothes and backpacks on and temporary coaches’ offices.

In the coming years, the district would like to expand beyond new locker rooms to build classrooms to accommodate the growing student population, and ideas of expanding the cafeteria and library have also circulated around the boardroom table, although they are yet to be acted upon.

The Talon October 18, 2016

5

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

School should offer college-prep physics While it’s good to encourage students to take difficult classes, they should be given the freedom to choose which ones they want to invest their time and effort in.

201 Almond Ave., Los Altos, CA October 18, 2016 Volume XXXII, Issue 2 Editor-In-Chief Emily Aoki Managing Editors Hanna Khosravi (Print) Jessica King (Print) Spencer Dembner (Web) News Editor Alex Wong Opinions Editor Akhil Jakatdar Features Editor Tinomuda Tugwete In-Depth Editor Miranda Li Entertainment Editor Avi Varghese Sports Editor Julia Santos Media Editor Andrew Young Copy/Content Editors Teddy Chmyz, Savita Govind Business Manager Cameron Avery Dominick Lanni Senior Writers Anisha Desai, Rachel Lu, Booker Martin Staff Writers Cameron Avery, Ross Avery, Maddie Chu, Priya Dixit, Haley Ecker, Nathan Godderis, Brian Huebner, Sana Khader, Yalda Khodadad, Emma Kwan, Avery Luke, Alex Luna, Emily MezaPerez, Adrienne Mitchel, Javin Pombra, Jaclyn Saik, Yolanda Spura, Emma Van Geuns, Danny Vesurai, Madison Woo, Justin Yu Photographers Emily Aronovitz, Francesca Fallow, Katie Klein, Natalie Munguia, Kunal Pandit, Thara Salim, Kimia Shahidi, Michael Sieffert, Yolanda Spura Graphic Artists Ashley Cai, Carissa Lee, Anne Schill Videographers Arjin Unlu, Bobak Afshari, Britt deVisser, Danny Nguyen Adviser Michael Moul

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his year, the AP Phys- The school should implement a ics I scores for Los Altos college-prep physics class once decreased significantly again, but this time, the class compared to past performanc- should accurately ref lect coles on AP tests. There are mul- lege-prep level coursework. tiple explanations for the score In a survey of 70 current AP decrease, but Physics I stucontroversy surdents, 42 perrounding the cent indicated scores has raised If the school offered that they would another, more a college-prep level have taken colimportant issue. physics class, stulege-prep physIn order to proics instead of AP dents would not have mote access and Physics I, procourse choic- to give up other AP vided they had es, the school classes that they the opportunity. should once feel more passionate This alone is alagain offer a col- about in order to take most 30 students lege-prep level that wanted to physics. And by keepphysics class. take collegeLos Altos used ing the other three prep physics — to offer a col- classes, the school enough for an enlege-prep level will allow those who tire class period. physics class. But Among the other truly feel passionate when AP Physics 180-plus students B split into I and about physics to purthere are likely to II, the course was sue it at an AP level. be many others replaced by AP I interested in the because the curregular class. But ricula were so similar. The aim the greater problem is not in the in offering AP I as the lowest fact that an unserved populalevel physics course was to di- tion exists. The more important rect students into an AP class problem is that the school is enwho otherwise wouldn’t take couraging students to take AP one. But, if the original course classes in the wrong way. were truly college-prep level, AP classes are a valuable exit shouldn’t have matched up perience. Students who pass AP with AP curriculum — this just tests in high school are more means it was really an AP class likely to succeed in their fumasquerading as “college-prep.” ture college classes. However,

forcing students into an AP feel passionate about physics to class on a subject that might pursue it at an AP level. Stunot be a main priority for them dents will no longer be forced to is not the best way to prepare take AP physics instead of an AP these students to succeed in that they might enjoy more in college or improve their educa- order to keep their course load tion. Instead, the school should at a manageable level. focus on encouraging students Aside from that is the issue to take APs in subjects that they of limited non-AP level science are truly interested in, and al- classes for upperclassmen. Aflow them to devote their time ter chemistry and biology, the and effort to only collegethings that they prep level classes personally enjoy. available are FoOn the oth- The school should rensics, Biotech, er hand, there offer a college-prep and Intro to Enmay also be stu- option in the physgineering. Physdents who are ics department, as it ics could provide genuinely interanother collegedoes in every other ested in physics prep option for but cannot or do department, and allow upperclassmen, not want to take students to make their effectively aiding the AP class. Per- own choices about in at least parhaps they don’t where to invest their tially alleviating feel ready for an that issue.

AP, or they are al- time and priorities.

There’s nothready taking too ing wrong with many and cannot afford to take encouraging students to take another. Regardless, a student hard classes. For those who should not be restricted from want to take it, AP Physics can taking a physics class because be a highly valuable offering. of these reasons.

But that doesn’t mean it should If the school offered a college- be the only physics option. The prep level physics class, students school should offer a collegewould not have to give up other prep option in the physics deAP classes that they feel more partment, as it does in every passionate about in order to other department, and allow take physics. And by keeping the students to make their own other three physics classes, the choices about where to invest school will allow those who truly their time and priorities.

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 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

6

The Talon October 18, 2016

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

Terrible traffic and what to do about it EMMA VAN GEUNS Staff Writer

The intersection of Jardin Drive and Casita Way at 7:45 a.m. is peaceful. Cars are parked neatly along the curb behind the tennis courts, and the stark morning air is undisturbed, quiet. For now, all is well. But as the minutes crawl closer to the first bell at 8:05, that intersection turns into a living hell.

From all sides people rush to get to the school. Frantic mothers in minivans line up at the crosswalk honking and trying their utmost to keep from running over the pedestrians swarming on the street and filing into the chain-linked gates.

Down Casita Way, they walk on the unpaved road, filling up the sides of the street until all that is left is a narrow passage, pushing large biking squads into the center of the road. A bulldozer worries about picking up a student instead of a pile of dirt for construction, and an obnoxious cruiser blows exhaust on the old man trying to mow his lawn as they roar past.

Every morning and every afternoon, I bike down these roads and marvel at what a mess it all is. I see at least one close call a day between a driver and a pedestrian or biker because all three parties struggle to evenly share the road, and I’ve heard stories of those who have al-

ready been hit. I don’t know about There are simply not enough you, but I’d like to live to my gradu- roads to accommodate the problem ation day. And at the current state we currently face in regards to transin which traffic is controlled at the portation at our school. How can back of our school, pressing safety we as a community reduce traffic concerns are at a and congestion dangerous high. to save ourselves Something needs time and reduce to be done, but it’s If there were actusafety hazards? hard to identify ally sidewalks to For one thing, I a single source to would call upon accommodate the all these problems Los Altos to add other than the large number of some sidewalks to simple fact that Los walking students, the streets in close Altos has an absurd they wouldn’t feel so proximity to the amount of students inclined to take up school. A large part given the space and of the reason that resources available the road and, well, pedestrians walk so to cater to them. walk on the side. far into the center The total populaof the road is that tion count is curthere isn’t really rently over 2100, and many of these anywhere else for them to be. Curstudents enter and leave campus rently, streets taper off unevenly at through the backstreets. The flow the ends and leave nothing but tree of people getting to and from school roots to walk on. If there were actuhas grown to an unruly capacity, and ally sidewalks to accommodate the with everyone in a hurry to get to large number of walking students, class, many people prioritize speed they wouldn’t feel so inclined to over safety. take up the road and, well, walk on There are other things factoring the side. into traffic as well. Many homeI also think that a crossing guard owners around the campus area are with true elementary school vibes undergoing renovations, leaving at Jardin and Casita would actually trucks and other equipment to fill greatly improve congestion. A couup roadsides and make it harder to ple weeks ago, I caught Mr. Rosennavigate on them. Also, Los Altos berg trying out the idea for himhas recently been doing work on re- self, and riding down the road was piping Casita Way, requiring some so greatly improved that for once I sections or an entire street behind didn’t feel I had to be hyper aware of the school to be shut down. every movement around me. Unfor-

tunately, this was a one-day-only job for Rosenberg the Crossing Guard, and next day traffic was back in its usual state. But that one day was enough for me to hold onto hope that with someone controlling car flow, we may all be more likely to get home in one piece.

A perfect example of a well trafficked street is Almond Avenue in the front of the school. Although equally as busy as Jardin Drive, traffic on Almond runs much smoother and has caused fewer problems than in the back. A little secret to their success: Almond has both sidewalks and a crossing guard, proof that both will actually make a difference.

I am aware that all these solutions take money. And time. Both are things that the city or the school district may not be willing to give to a problem which, until an accident happens, may seem insignificant.

But I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, this is not an issue to be accepted and swept under the rug. It affects over a thousand lives daily and is a hazard that can be fixed with a couple adjustments. As a student, staff member or parent, the easiest way you can help is to carpool.

If the number of single passenger cars were halved by people sharing, we would already be in an infinitely better spot than we are now.

KIMIA SHAHIDI

A student crosses Jardin Drive behind the school. The constant traffic of cars and students exiting and entering the school has caused traffic congestion problems before and after school.

There’s nothing to fear except fear-mongering

terrorist attacks rose from 39 percent in 2014 to 51 percent in 2015.

Staff Writer According to the narrative presented by the media, ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations threaten our safety with their “Two Brussels police officers schemes. Journalists flock to enticstabbed in suspected terror at- ing headlines created by tragedies tack.” Major news organizations like Paris, Brussels and Nice, and in ran this headline recently. In doing doing so overreport them. so, they demonstrated a problem But widespread media coverage with today’s journalism. In a world of terrorist attacks may actively inoverrun with an abundance of in- crease future terrorism. Terrorist formation, the motto groups rely on media “if it bleeds, it leads” attention to inspire has grown to new fear in the public, extremes, and news Every time terreach potential reorganizations often rorists execute cruits and spread their overreport stories of an attack, the message. Every time violence, creating im- media is incenterrorists execute an ages about how the attack, the media is Islamic state will con- tivized to report incentivized to report quer the world. The about it, which about it, which pushes media deliberately pushes more atmore attacks for more arouses public fear tacks for more coverage. As long as through exaggerathe public buys into coverage. tion, the definition of the market of fear, fear-mongering. media will continue In reality, since 1991 violent crime to overcover foreign terrorism and in the U.S. has decreased by 51 per- ignore the much larger problem of cent. The FBI released a report this domestic terrorism.

June which found that the U.S. hoHowever, acts of domestic termicide rate is at a 51-year low, and rorism, acts that are intended to that homicide rates have steadily intimidate or coerce a civilian popudeclined over the past 25 years. But lation, are a much larger threat. The according to polls by research-based Washington Post finds that since consultancy company Gallup, Amer- 9/11, domestic terrorist groups have icans believe that crime is rising. This killed 48 Americans while individufear extends to terrorism, and anoth- als linked to foreign terrorist groups er Gallup poll conducted in 2015 con- have killed 26 people. Because the cludes that public concern for future media overcovers foreign terrorism,

DANNY VESURAI

the public views systemic problems like racism and white supremacy inspiring domestic terrorists as much less of a threat than foreign “extremists.” To the public, the typical terrorist is a radical Jihadist, not a radical American. This doesn’t mean foreign terrorism isn’t a threat nor that racism is completely ignored in the U.S., but that the looming threat of global terrorism overshadows less publicized issues and harms of white supremacy.

Another consequence of fearmongering is the U.S.’ thriving gun culture. The constant exposure to violence and perceived threats makes the public more likely to feel endangered and places them in constant paranoia. As a result,

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people are more likely to lash out and pull the trigger when confronted with potentially non-lethal situations. In an attempt to defend themselves from non-existent threats, people buy more guns, which explains why the number of guns manufactured in the U.S. doubled from 5.5 million in 2010 to around 10.9 million in 2013. In addition, there are around 357 million guns in the U.S., which is 38 million more than the nation’s population.

Even with a large number of guns in the nation, mass shootings like Columbine, Sandy Hook and Orlando are just as disproportionately represented in the media as large terrorist attacks. They compose less than 2 percent of annual gun deaths in the

ASHLEY CAI

U.S. Suicide accounts for a whopping two-thirds of gun deaths, but those cases, along with smaller-scale gun homicide, almost never receive the same amount of coverage that mass shootings do.

Because of the disproportionate coverage on mass killers, copycat killers are inspired to commit mass killings. Such copycat killers want the publicity that accompanies mass killings and rationalize the idea that they can go out with a bang so they might as well. The media covers these copycats, which in turn only leads to more tragedies. According to researchers at Arizona State University and Northeastern Illinois University, 20 to 30 percent of mass shootings and school attacks are inspired by previous ones.

The point of this is not to say that the media should stop reporting about crime, foreign terrorism or mass shootings, but rather that they should be careful about how they report on these issues. Journalists should continue to provide accessible information about these issues but refrain from capturing the public’s attention through fear in an attempt to gain more viewers. Media organizations should try to report in proportion to reality by having more oversight on their journalists and fact-checking their articles. There is no ethical justification for media fear-mongering the public just to sell more papers and stories, and it’s important for the media to remember that the world is a less violent place than it used to be.

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

The Talon October 18, 2016

7

Free the millennials from age-old beliefs MADISON WOO Staff Writer

Our world is comprised of about 75.4 million millennials and here in the United States, the numbers are increasing with the flood of immigrants. The millennial generation is comprised of those who are born between the years 1977 to 1994. It has now overtaken the baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1954, as the largest generation. Baby boomers may feel irrelevant as their archaic ways are shoved aside for new perspectives that are unfamiliar to them, causing them to put the

blame on the younger generation.

However, it must be understood that the differences that lie between the two generations are simply a product of inevitable and normal changes in our society over time.

I have been able to witness the clash of the two generations that have been separated by a mere time period. Millennials are tagged as “lazy” for incorporating technology into their daily life and “narcissistic” for embracing self-love. An infographic published by UXC Professional Solutions says that a “con” of millennials in the workforce is that they are “lazy, unproductive, and self obsessed.” Today’s society values different standards and different ideals, making it difficult to

directly compare the work ethic of two different generations who lived in separate time periods.

The majority of the older generation views technology and the subsequent rise of social networking as a hindrance, an excuse to neglect one’s duties and simply lay in bed, double tapping every Instagram photo. However, they aren’t seeing the complete picture. Technology was created to increase efficiency, allowing machines to accomplish tasks that humans could not. The goal is to use technology to make our lives more convenient by improving on past, inefficient ways. As the baby boomers poured through countless books and navigated the Dewey Decimal system in frantic

CARISSA LEE

search for their research topic, mil- pushed nation-wide acceptance lennials have access to a world of forward. A new culture based on information by simply typing in a awareness and equality has alfew keywords. Being efficient does lowed for a safer environment for not mean that we are being lazy. It LBGTQQ+ individuals who, thirty simply means we have access to op- years ago, would have faced a large portunities that those in the past amount of opposition. Recently the did not have. media has awarded the millennials It is true, however, that these to be the “gayest” generation based new technologies have reduced the on a report from the Public Religion amount of physical work for young- Research Institute that found that 7 er generations, percent of millenbut their effect on nials identify in the modern industry LGBTQQ+ comThe argument that has created a faster munity, opposed to paced working en- millennials are the 3.5 percent of vironment.

Both selfish and lazy in older adults. Due my grandparents comparison to baby to the influence of counted themselves media, millennials fortunate to have boomers is not justiare actively seeking been able to attend fied — those adjecequality and creatcollege, but today, tives do not accuing a safer and more the expectations rately describe them. supportive environare higher. A high ment for those who school diploma may are seen as different. have been enough to arm young Today, society is starting to baby boomers when they were en- bring issues to light that were once tering the workforce decades ago, deemed as taboo based off of sobut these days, a degree from a selec- cial norms. As a result, the baby tive college is often seen as a neces- boomers disagree with the ideas sity to a successful future. This has such as the Free the Nipple Camled to a more competitive job mar- paign and deem them as our genket as opportunities dwindle. While eration lacking morals. the older and “wiser” generation Millennials are not what baby claims that our fortune has made boomers paint them out to be. us too lax, working millennials end- The argument that millennials are lessly struggle to keep up with an selfish and lazy in comparison to overachieving mass-mindset. baby boomers is not justified — The rapid growth of media has those adjectives do not accurately heavily influenced the attitudes describe them. Millennials have of millennials. The exposure that built on the past failures that baby the LGBTQQ+ community has boomers endured to set the world garnered in the past decades has up for bigger accomplishments.

Even STEM students need humanities and liberal arts at the high school level. STEM subjects, on the other hand, teach skills that can be built on Senior Writers and applied to specific occupations. This is also why they are commonly viewed as classes It’s easy to feel like an outsider that are immediately practical if you are interested in humani- in terms of one’s major or career. ties while everything and evCurrently, at our school, stuerybody around is focused on dents are not allowed to take STEM — Science, Technology, more than one English class, Engineering and Math. In recent but they can enroll in multiple years, our nation has placed in- science or mathematics classes creasing pressure on STEM in at a time. When our curriculum order to encourage innovation is placing so much emphasis on and push America forward as a STEM, it raises the question: leader on the world Why do liberal arts stage. It doesn’t help matter at all? to live in the Silicon From arts and huValley either, where Liberal arts is manities, students there is a constant learn cognitive extremely impush and emphasis thinking, commuportant to many nication skills and on STEM. America has con- careers and the how to synthesize sistently been plac- sculpting of efand form opinions. ing a greater em- fective thinkers.

These skills are phasis on science used on a day-toand mathematical day basis and in the education because workplace as well. of our students’ lag Employers today are in the international rankings. looking for those skills, valuing In alignment with our country’s them highly. Given these benvision, STEM degrees have been efits, our school should place a on the rise, meaning the per- greater emphasis on the arts and centage of student earning lib- humanities than it is right now eral arts degrees is lower than by offering more course selecit has been in previous years. tion options.

Liberal arts colleges themselves Many turn away from the have also been decreasing. pursuit of liberal arts educaLiberal arts does not neces- tion because of their fears that sarily equate to purely art and a liberal arts degree will earn the humanities but rather, it is less post-graduation. This fear academic subjects distinct from is supported by the Wall Street professional and technical sub- Journal which surveyed differjects. Math and physics techni- ent universities in an article cally qualify as liberal arts be- and highlighted the disparity cause at more advanced levels, between liberal arts colleges they’re more theoretical than and research universities. practical, but this is not the case However, they fail to note the

ANISHA DESAI RACHEL LU

importance of these areas of focus to the way our world functions. Liberal arts is extremely important to many careers and the sculpting of effective thinkers. Communicating ideas and thinking critically are significant skills valued around the world, and humanities classes help foster those vital skills. Science teacher Danielle Paige has felt the impact of liberal arts in her everyday life, too. At UC San Diego, she majored in biotechnology with a focus in English.

“I think that when people think of the word liberal arts they tend to just think of English,” Paige said. “Liberal arts means more than just English; it means art.

And art plays an incredible role in really how we communicate visually as a society.”

Our school should be applauded for giving exposure to the humanities and arts through Writer’s Week and History Week in addition to STEM week, but there is more

that can be done. Currently in Los Altos, the STEM curriculum offers a wide variety of courses and electives including Forensics, Biotech and Advanced Science Investigation, but we are missing out on the opportunity to give liberal arts minded students classes in philosophy, anthropology, and creative writing. Schools like Gunn have taken the initiative to add Classical Mythology, Escape Literature and Writer’s Craft classes to their course selection options. Los Altos should follow suit.

Both liberal arts and STEM curriculum are crucial to student education because they provide us with different knowledge and skill sets that equip us for the real world. It is important not to replace one with the other, especially because they interplay with each other so much. However, that is not the case currently, as STEM has been emphasized more and given the

spotlight. Students should not focus solely on STEM, and to do that, our school should stress the humanities more. Although they may seem like opposite fields, humanities and STEM are compatible and should be studied in tandem.

Humanities can be the root of a great STEM education or career — providing the important knowledge of how to effectively communicate and synthesize facts learned — as one of the greatest STEM minds to have lived, Steve Jobs, talked about in his iPad 2 unveiling speech.

“It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough — it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing...”

Jobs said.

Our school should offer a wider variety of humanities classes, as a liberal arts education clearly brings benefits that STEM classes do not always offer.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANNE SCHILL AND RACHEL LU

Left: Robotics student works on his latest project. Right: AP Studio Art student works on a draft of her drawing. In this community, humanities courses are under-emphasized compared to STEM courses but are just as necessary.

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The Talon October 18, 2016

2016 presidential election: the right leans left EMMA KWAN Staff Writer

In the world of media, there is no such thing as an “unbiased” viewpoint. Bias shows up in videos, articles and even headlines, and often, it isn’t hard to distinguish a liberal article from a conservative one just by the news outlet that published it.

We can’t control what will show up when we type “2016 presidential election” into Google, but we can control which link we click on. And frankly, whether we click on FOX News or CNN will largely depends on what political party we are affiliated with.

The issue that develops from our dependency on the media

for political news is that media bias has a much more sizeable impact on voters in an election, especially in terms of how a candidate’s character and experience are evaluated. It becomes even more apparent when we look at this year’s election — Trump and Clinton are two candidates with diametrically opposed viewpoints, and both have received the bulk of media coverage from news outlets that lean to their respective parties on the political spectrum.

Many outlets that lean left or right have fully expressed their support or disdain for a particular candidate, whether the support has been seen through articles or even in a direct endorsement. The New York Times, for example, endorsed Clinton in September and their mostly liberal audience would

probably agree with the endorsement. But, the newspaper also has a significant moderate audience, with the Pew Research Center reporting that 29 percent of The New York Times readers are “mixed” between conservative and liberal, and they also trust the source as place to get information.

The power of the media is shown here, where an endorsement has the potential to shift the views of millions of voters that are relatively undecided when it comes to who to vote for. This kind of endorsement could shift previously mixed voters to a group called “mostly liberal,” which currently makes up 61 percent of the newspaper’s audience.

To some extent, we can assume that an endorsement of a liberal candidate from a liberal newspaper isn’t really that surprising,

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and its effect can be significant. The Dallas Morning News, enBut, it’s much less difficult to dorsed their first Democratic get moderate voters to lean one candidate in 75 years. way or the other than changing These endorsements are bad, the mind of a “mostly conserva- but not necessarily because they’re tive” voter. influencing voters to vote for a That’s what makes 2016’s elec- liberal candidate over a conservation so interesting — it has be- tive one. The main issue is that come somewhat of an anomaly, it doesn’t always work that way a time when one — dedicated Trump candidate is so outsupporters will conrageously controtinue believing that versial and “bad” A political party each endorsement enough that he has affiliation can of Clinton is a media spurred protests still be held by conspiracy against from members of voters without their beloved candihis own party. This date. having to bind has been seen in the At the same time, news as well, with themselves it’s good for voters traditionally conser- to a certain who might be able to vative outlets such candidate who approach the situaas the Cincinnati tion from a more rais unfit to be Enquirer, USA Totional point of view. day and The Dallas president.

A political party afMorning News exfiliation can still be pressing their supheld by voters withport for Clinton, or in USA To- out having to bind themselves day’s case, an endorsement for to a certain candidate who is un“not Trump.” fit to be president. At the same The Atlantic, which has nota- time, they don’t have to combly stated that they are an “or- pletely lose their conservative gan of no party or clique,” has views. The Atlantic, USA Today diverted from this position three and The Dallas Morning News times in the past. They’ve only have shown that. endorsed three candidates in It’s okay for dedicated Repubtheir 159 years. The first two were licans to be inf luenced by the Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. media and to vote for Clinton.

Johnson, both Republicans. The There is no reason to believe third time, in an article titled that the Republican party must “Against Donald Trump,” they stand by someone who is racist, endorsed Hillary Clinton. sexist and rude in order to mainThese outlets have taken hard tain a conservative viewpoint. stances, as shown by the phrasing At the end of the day, Americans of their various endorsements. should be looking to preserve The Atlantic called Trump a “a democracy, equality and respect demagogue, a xenophobe, a sex- the very ideals that this country ist, a know-nothing, and a liar.” was built on.

USA Today said that he was “in a If that means voting for a canleague of his own when it comes didate of the other party who to the quality and quantity of his has outperformed your own — misstatements.” Others, such as so be it.

Tired of today’s politics? Get involved decision on the part of multiple parties involved, if that is even TINO TUGWETE avoidable with politics. Being Features Editor civically engaged in the political system at both local and national levels is beneficial to youth, The 2016 election season has particularly because we simply been one for the record books, have more time to actually effect change. A young particularly due introduction to to the fact that the world of poliboth candidates tics and the varyface harsh op- Being civically ening ways one can position and gaged in the politibe involved will criticism. Hillary cal system at both allow individuals Clinton and Donto form full and ald Trump are local and national complete opinboth considered levels is beneficial ions that they are to be less than to youth, particularthen able to voice ideal options for ly because we simand act upon. the presidency ply have more time While many by many. Some young adults are now seem to be to actually effect involved in volunsiding with a change. teering and comcandidate for the munity projects, simple fact that the other would be worse of the the large number of youth volunteers is a large contrast to the only two poisons.

This election reflects the dis- 19.9 percent of people ages 18-29 engagement regarding politics who cast ballots in the 2014 elecamong the public, especially tions. This group seems to be conthe youth. All this falls under the sistently the lowest voter turnout umbrella of a lack of civic en- amongst generations, with only gagement, which includes vot- 46 percent of them voting in the ing, petitioning, protesting and last presidential election accordbeing a part of a group with a ing to National Public Radio. As the Baby Boomer generation, ages political interest.

It is imperative that youth pay 52-70, begins to fade, millennial attention to their civic duty if for voters, ages 18-35, are now around no other reason than to purely 31 percent of the electorate acavoid another election season cording to census data from the filled with such turmoil and in- Pew Research Center.

Surprisingly, one solution to voter apathy can be traced to our lack of involvement in local government. Participating in local government, whether that be through attending city hall meetings or talking to local officials, can provide youth with experience and foster confidence in individuals. It is conducive to more introspective individuals with a stronger sense of empathy for others along with more involved members of society that can fully understand the multifaceted issues of today. This way, not only will we be more encouraged to vote, but we will also have a better understanding of the issues facing our nation.

In this year’s election season, millennials are at the age where they can vote. With the state of everyday lives, but local engagecivic involvement also seems ment in their disconnected age group, howfrom the nationever, it is unclear By getting involved al government. whether they ac- in [politics] now, However, by gettually will vote, we’ll be more enting involved in especially since couraged to vote in it now, we’ll be many of them encouraged the future and make more don’t seem to to vote in the fusupport either sure that we don’t ture and make repeat the mistakes sure that we don’t candidate fully.

Being involved of the generation repeat the misnow, especially before us. takes of the genon the local leveration before us. el, seems like a It’s important waste of time because not only that we keep our civic duty in do the actions of local officials mind and are aware of politics seem to be unimportant to our even at a basic level so we have

ANNE SCHILL

more of a hand in the world of tomorrow. Sometimes, we forget that we will have to inherit, work in and exist in the world that is based off our civic involvement. The people who run our government will determine our available opportunities, the way feminism manifests in our world, immigration policy and even how nuclear war affects future generations. To change the state our world is in and to ensure equal opportunity, the youth, myself included, need to pick up the reins and that begins with educating ourselves and using the voices we have to stand for something.

The Talon October 18, 2016

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

STEM speaker Jill Tarter hunts aliens MIRANDA LI

radio telescopes in the search for radio signals that might be E.T. phoning home.

“Stuart Bowyer gave me [the Jill Tarter is, to be extremely colloquial, an alien hunter. She is also one Project Cyclops report] as kind of of Time Magazine’s Top 25 Most In- recruiting document, and I read it fluential People in Space, recipient from cover to cover,” Tarter said. “I of two public service medals from was so entranced by it. I got hooked.

NASA (among an impressive array I decided I couldn’t imagine spendof other honors) and a retired astro- ing my career doing anything biologist who has devoted her ca- more impactful... and I have stayed reer to the search for extraterrestrial hooked ever since.”

Today, SETI utilife, technological civilizes a large array lizations beyond Earth. of radio telescopes For Tarter, studying the [We should] not to look for optical decades-old enigma of flashes and other whether we are alone in think of ourunnatural radio this universe has led to selves as Ameriwaves that might a more profound philo- cans or Europesophical realization. ans or whatever have been emitted by technologically Tarter was the previelse; we need advanced life forms ous director of Search elsewhere in the for Extraterrestrial Intel- to think of galaxy. Much of it is ligence (SETI) and cur- ourselves as based upon Project rently holds the Bernard humans.

Cyclops, but much M. Oliver Chair for SETI —previous director of it is the product of Research. Her career and of SETI Jill Tarter cutting-edge techjourney to SETI began as nology and many a graduate student at UC Berkeley, when she had an intern- modern scientific minds. The ship in programming the predeces- scientific aspect of SETI blends sor to the modern day desktop com- chemistry, biology and physics puter, PDP-8. Tarter describes it as a into one multifaceted effort.

The significance of SETI lies on the “lucky accident” — the now-obsolete computer was given to astronomer border between scientific and philoStuart Bowyer, who recruited Tarter sophical. Technological civilizations, to work on SETI. The foundation for which are essentially civilizations adSETI was based upon an engineering vanced enough to build radio transreport called Project Cyclops, which mitters, are generally incredibly shortproposed the coordination of many lived relative to our 14-billion year old In-Depth Editor

universe; even Earth is merely a blink of an eye in this broad timeline. Thus, it is practically impossible that two technological civilizations will ever be in a close enough proximity in terms of both distance and time for one to detect the other’s existence.

“If we do succeed in detecting a signal… we are justified in inferring that, on average, technological civilizations last for a long time,” Tarter said. “Otherwise we would never have been successful in detecting the signal.

And if, on average, technological civilizations last a long time, that means that we can look forward to a long future. And that’s a very profound philosophical statement and a rather complex chain of argumentation.”

Throughout Tarter’s illustrious career as a scientist, she has discovered a more philosophical purpose to the science and nittygritty math that might compose SETI’s work and analysis. This purpose ventures far beyond the realm of scientific discovery — Tarter emphasizes the importance of a cosmic perspective that inspires altruism and interpersonal harmony worldwide.

“All humans on this planet are essentially the same when compared to other technological civilizations out there that evolved independently,” Tarter said.

“SETI has the ability to foster a perspective that takes in the

COURTESY JILL TARTER

Jill Tarter poses on a spacecraft. Tarter was the previous director of Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), and she has devoted her career to searching for potential life beyond Earth. whole planet and trivializes the differences among humans — differences that, frankly, we’re willing to kill one another over.

We are humans on one planet…

[We should] not think of ourselves as Americans or Europeans or whatever else; we need to think of ourselves as humans.”

This perspective, Tarter says, has changed the way she sees the world. Exploring the bounds of our universe and operating on the scale of hundreds of thou-

sands of lightyears renders inconsequential quibbles insignificant in the broad scope of things.

“The planetary environment has very much shaped life as we know it, and over time, life as we know it has hugely altered the planet,” Tarter said. “If you begin to think about... great space and the potential for life as we absolutely don’t know it, then the argument you’re having with your neighbor doesn’t seem so important.”

Goymerac

went off in my head,” Goymerac said. “I was just like, ‘That’s what I have to do. That’s the next level.’”

The students performed in the classical method, singing in a style CONTINUED FROM many would recognize as opera.

THE FRONT PAGE Classical singers are known for their impressive range and reso“I felt like everyone was tell- nating volume, performing priing me to [major in music],” marily Italian, French and German Goymerac said. “I just wanted to songs written before the rise of do what I wanted to do and not popular music. do what everyone was telling me Goymerac immediately started I should be doing. I taking voice lessons just wanted to figure in college, and in 2011 it out for myself.” she graduated with After talking with a Vocal classical a bachelor’s degree friend who was studyphilosophy and a music is almost in ing philosophy at double minor in relithe time, Goymerac the most ingious studies and muentered Cal Poly San tense, greatest sic. She decided she Luis Obispo (SLO)as expression of would further develop an intended philosohuman emotion her voice and seriously phy major. However, pursue a performance when sophomore year possible, and career. arrived, Goymerac opera really After moving back realized something captures that. to her hometown near needed to change.

Sacramento, Goymer— College and Career “I was lonely,” ac began working full Center administrative assistant Amy Goymerac Goymerac said. “I time for the Roseville didn’t know what I school district. Howwanted to do. I hadn’t ever, having a full time job while made a whole ton of friends, and I simultaneously training and taking just really, really missed singing… lessons proved to be exhausting, It was like I was missing a part of and Goymerac decided to go back to myself.” school.

After auditioning and being reShe applied to graduate programs jected by the choir, Goymerac was and was offered a spot at the San accepted into one of Cal Poly’s Francisco Conservatory of Music acappella groups, “Take It SLO.” immediately after her audition.

Her experiences in “Take It SLO” While at the Conservatory, Goymerand music classes led her to mi- ac took classes in French, German, nor in music. However, the idea to Italian, history, and vocal pedagogy train as a classical vocalist did not and anatomy, among others. emerge until she attended a re“It was one of the best experiquired student recital. ences ever,” Goymerac said. “[The “I had no idea they could sing faculty is] so talented and smart… like that, and it was like a lightbulb It was the kind of thing where you

COURTESY AMY GOYMERAC

College and Career Center administrative assistant Amy Goymerac performs “La Tragédie de Carmen” at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she played the role of Micaëla. She has been singing all her life and is currently auditioning for opera companies. learn about this whole world that you don’t know.”

When preparing to perform a piece, Goymerac spends hours researching all aspects of the piece.

For every half-hour of singing, Goymerac estimates there are about five hours of research to do.

“A lot of working on a piece or preparing for it is actually just bookwork,” Goymerac said. “You have to either translate it yourself or find a really good translation you can trust… There’s memorizing all of the words, there’s coming up with your subtext, which is what’s going on in the character’s mind…

That’s the whole acting part... doing your homework about the history of the piece of work.”

In December 2015, Goymerac graduated from the Conservatory with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance degree. Her current goal is to become an opera singer.

“I’m giving myself the next two or three years to just train my voice and audition everywhere I can,” Goymerac said. “In the meantime, I teach voice and I teach piano lessons… and then this job came along… I do this for half my life and then I do music for the other half of my life.”

Beyond her genuine enjoyment of singing, Goymerac feels a more meaningful connection to what she wants to do for the rest of her life.

“I do believe in the power of music,” Goymerac said. “I think that it speaks to people, even if they don’t know it.

Vocal classical music is almost the most intense, greatest expression of human emotion possible, and opera really, really captures that.”

To listen to Goymerac singing, tune into a podcast on the Talon website at lahstalon.org/goymerac

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The Talon October 18, 2016

‘Trump’ed up claims? ? s e i l d e k o Cro being history by Sece d a m y cratic part a woman, former the Demo te f the This year, r party to nomina n the other side o jo own O a . ir n m e t to the firs ry Clin elty of th ality v la o il n H a e te v n ha Sta T V perso retary of publicans ld, the Re ing billionaire and efied convene fi g in y pla riz ve d ken, pola idates ha in outspo mp. The two cand le angle. ab ru e most Donald T arly every conceiv mp are two of th e ulates n ru tion from ore, Clinton and T uffington Post calc n of H m ti r. The ercep o What’s idates eve e an unfavorable p d n a c r la unpopu oters hav hind at 54 percent. rcent of v g have e that 61 pe n not far b tes and campaignin bility to n li C h it ta Trump, w nventional candida explosive unpredic ce. n The unco ia to conform to the r to maintain releva ad e tr e d rd m e o e fi e in al sd forced th ming norm een different. It ha t is sure to o c e b st fa b a has y th that is such a wa s election This year’ ritten the rules in ome. rew to c ber 8, dition and elections for years e polls on Novem oose h th re c t tu y a e fu er th e up affect voters lin nging truth: howev cantly influn e h w t Bu gnifi ncha ains one u s will have been si In this spread, n there rem . n io o is ti c c e e ele at the eir d to vote, th edia coverage of th me of the ways th ts of m n so en enced by eks to shed light o nd affected the ev a se d n e rt lo a to T The d, dis illuminate press has . e c ra l entia the presid

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Upon realizing that the 2016 presidential election would be between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s unconventional attacks on pri- celebrity business mogul Donald Trump, the media began vate figures and journalists abandon the tradition- spinning headline after headline on the imminent unpopual norms of interaction between candidates and larity contest. “Trump vs. Clinton poised to be the battle of the media. This poses new challenges for journal- most disliked nominees in decades,” ABC News declared. ists who want to remain neutral while defending Though both candidates have received their fair share of their reputation when it comes under attack. negative coverage, Clinton’s gender has warranted a differTrump’s inflammatory behavior was on dis- ent brand of criticism. play in August 2015 when Fox News journalist The political favorability of Trump has consistently been Megyn Kelly moderated the first Republican more negative than positive, beginning in 1999 when he enprimary debate. In response to a question tered the presidential race as a Reform Party candidate and challenging his attitudes toward women, Gallup polled him at 40 percent favorable and 47 percent Trump began to denounce Kelly over social unfavorable. In his 2012 run, Trump’s ratings were similar at media, tweeting his contempt for the well- 43 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable. known journalist by referring to her as a However, Clinton’s political image has had a significantly “bimbo” and “unprofessional.” more dynamic history. In 2012, Nate Silver, a columnist for Tensions rose, and Kelly spoke disdain- the New York Times and founder of FiveThirtyEight, noted fully about the candidate’s tendency to avoid that when Clinton took an active role in public policy as tough questions. She also chided her col- first lady, voiced interest in running for Senate and ran for league, Sean Hannity, for treating Trump president in 2008, her favorability ratings declined rapidly. too lightly.

Once she withdrew from the presidential race and be“Donald Trump... will go on [Hannity‘s came President Barack Obama’s Secretary of State, Clinshow]... and will not venture out to the ton’s favorability ratings climbed to 50 percent and rose unsafe spaces these days,” Kelly said on her show, “The steadily; when she left her position with a 69 percent favorKelly File.” able rating, she was the second most popular secretary of As a journalist, Kelly is obligated to strive for state since 1948. impartiality, yet her relationship with Trump Dramatic fluctuations in approval ratings can be athas necessarily been anytributed to the natural criticism thing but. Kelly isn’t the and scrutiny that arise during only reporter that has a campaign, but the traditional struggled with how to gender roles and biases Clinton By defying the usual cover Trump — Trump faces as a woman in politics have bounds of acceptable has repeatedly alleged significant impact. interactions, Trump on Twitter and at rallies In a study from Harvard’s Kenhas challenged jourthat the media is biased nedy school, researchers found nalists to rethink how against him, which puts that power-seeking female politithey interact with cannews sources in a difficians were seen as unsupportive didates and remain uncult position by makand uncaring, tending to evoke biased while covering ing neutral coverage “emotional reactions of contempt their campaigns. difficult. and disgust” from voters. This is “If the disgusting an all too familiar narrative for and corrupt media Clinton, but there isn’t any such covered me honestly backlash towards men seeking and didn’t put false positions of power. meaning into the words I say, I would Clinton’s gender has warranted distracting criticism on be beating Hillary by 20%,” Trump said anything but her actual qualifications and political views. in a tweet.

In the presidential election of 2008, ABC’s Charles Gibson By making the media itself a target asked Clinton, “Would you be [a presidential candidate] for attack and thus defying the usual were it not for your husband?” MSNBC host Tucker Carlson bounds of acceptable interactions, asked, “Could you actually live in this country for eight years Trump has challenged journalists to having to listen to her voice?” rethink how they interact with candiIn the 2016 election, little has changed. Numerous pundates and remain unbiased while cover- dits targeted Clinton for how she celebrated her victory ing their campaigns. For the moment, Kelly in the Iowa Caucus, with Fox News reporter Sean Hannity has apparently chosen to ignore the feud and claiming her tone was “angry, bitter screaming.” Democover Trump like any other candidate. cratic primary candidate Bernie Sanders was considered Whether other journalists will fol- the epitome of passion and defiance when shouting, low suit remains to be seen. whereas Clinton was regarded as shrill.

Before the first presidential debate on September 26, news pundits gave Clinton (unsolicited) advice that it was absolutely necessary to smile and not be too loud or cough, all the while not being too perfect lest she be deemed “robotic.”

Clinton has been forced to accept constant criticism as a female presidential candidate. Gender bias within mainstream media has become an all too familiar presence in this election. Due to the media’s preeminent role in politics, we must be careful to not succumb to the excesses of coverage on Clinton, while not neglecting rational judgements and criticism.

Trump and the Press

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The Talon October 18, 2016

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Predictions

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The Expectations Game

Hillary Clinton won the Iowa Democratic caucus by a narrow margin. But because she entered the race as a “Bernie or Hillary? Be informed. Compare them on is- strong frontrunner and was expected to win decisively, sues that matter,” the graphic reads. The issue at hand CNN’s headline for the contest read, “Bernie Sanders’ imis “Starbucks Order” — Senator Bernie Sanders “make[s] probable revolution,” and multiple other sources hailed her opponent, Senator Bernie Sanders, as his own damn coffee,” while Hillary Clinthe victor. ton orders a “grande decaf with soy latte, Clinton’s ability to simultaneously seven pump vanilla, seven pump hazelwin and lose the caucus serves as one of nut, 180 degrees, no foam, add whip white The pull of the inmany examples of the inf luential “expecmocha, extra caramel drizzle.” ternet on political tations game,” in which candidates and One would hope that young people discourse isn’t campaigns seek to control media perceprecognize this as hyperbole. Either way, going away, and tions by modifying assumptions about young people are increasingly utilizing the only question their future performance. social media as a source of news and to remaining is how In an effort to manipulate the expectacommunicate their political opinions. Acthe media — and tions game to their own advantage, many cording to a survey conducted by the Pew the candidates candidates attempt to set low standards for Research Center, 35 percent of young votthemselves — will their performance in political events like ers use social media as their main source choose to adapt. debates in order to make what they actually of information on the election, while older do seem comparatively better. voters rely mainly on TV and news sites.

For example, prior to the first general The shift from traditional print and web debate of 2016, Donald Trump’s campaign media to more interactive news sources can create echo chambers as modern social media sites provide staff told sources that he would do little to no preparation. users with more opportunities to interact with each other As a result, political pundits had extremely low expectaand share content. The study “Echo Chambers on Face- tions — for instance, Matt Mackowiak predicted the debate book” by researchers Walter Quattrociocchi, Antonio Scala would be “an apocalyptic disaster for Trump.” In the actual and Cass Sunstein found that people belonging to differ- debate, although polls indicate Clinton won, coverage afterent “communities” on Facebook rarely interact. People only ward portrayed the outcome as a wash.

Trump framed the debate to his advantage so that, even share information they agree with, deliberately seeking out if his performance was worse than Clinton’s, he could still information that supports their views.

Not only do young people consume media differently, “win” as long as he avoided conspicuous blunders. Just they’re also becoming more liberal. According to sta- like students who lower their parents’ expectations betistics by Gallup, young voters tend to identify more as fore a test, candidates work to lower the expectation of Democrats, while voters over the age of 69 identify as the media and electorate so that a ‘B’ performance is mostly Republican. Thus, for Democratic politicians es- seemingly outstanding.

Over the course of a race, previous media aspecially, the question of how to connect with young peosumptions regarding political figures can imple has become paramount.

According to a Genforward poll, Clinton has garnered pact the final outcome. Often mass media scrutinizes candionly tepid support from young voters. dates who are perThis trend has been reflected in memes ceived as frontrunsuch as “Bernie or Hillary,” which porners significantly tray her as an out-of-touch drone juxOver the course of a more than those labeled as taposed with Sanders’ common-man race, previous media “comeback kids” or “longrelatability. In an effort to connect assumptions regarding shots.” Clinton’s frontwith younger generations, Clinton has political figures can imrunner status results in a sought to bolster her standing through pact the final outcome. greater emphasis on her increased social media presence and Often mass media faults regardless of who celebrity engagements. scrutinizes candidates her opponent is.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, who are perceived as According to mehas used social media to aggressively frontrunners signifidia software analytpromote his message from the start, cantly more than those ics company Crimeven going so far as to retweet memes labeled as “comeback son Hexagon, out of of himself that he finds amusing or kids” or “long-shots.” all candidates, Clinagrees with. His Twitter and Facebook ton has consistently pages have become critical platforms to received the most channel his supporters’ enthusiasm. negative coverage.

Although Trump’s antics garner sigOf course, other facnificant media attention, they often tors are involved in backfire on his campaign. His social media use has increasingly brought him under fire, leading the media’s critical analysis, but Clinton’s to a question in the second presidential debate about his position as a “favorite” has worsened the late-night tweeting. No topic is too controversial for Trump media’s coverage of her — as one US News — he tweets his unfiltered views on everything from global article puts it, while Clinton “may win delwarming to ISIS. He even periodically exposes himself to egates, she does not win headlines.”

More often than not, reader expectations criticism by passing on messages from white nationalists or mirror those of the press. While the media is an other fringe accounts.

While it’s hard to say whether social media has a signifi- unavoidable presence in America, it’s critical to be cant impact on the outcome of the election, it has become aware of the inf luence prior expectations can firmly entrenched in almost every discussion. It is no longer exert on the tone of election coverage. possible to talk about politics without mentioning what the By looking past the headline and candidates have posted on their various Twitter and Face- creating our own opinions book accounts, discussing the latest social media scandal from facts and quotes preor tracking which issues are trending. The pull of the in- sented in articles, we can ternet on political discourse isn’t going away, and the only make a well informed dequestion remaining is how the media — and the candidates cision when voting opens this November. themselves — will choose to adapt.

Politics in Social Media

Predicting the election has long been a key aspect of election season — statisticians and political scientists alike seem to pull out their calculators and computers in unison and begin madly punching numbers for the public to consume. This year’s candidates are fairly unique, but for one of the most common prediction models, the candidates’ personal characteristics do not matter at all.

For these so-called “fundamentals-based” models, the only factors in consideration are economic growth and the current president’s popularity and party. Given those conditions, the model assumes that which specific candidate is running for each party doesn’t matter. Some claim this makes it possible to predict the outcome of an election well in advance.

While this does sound nice in theory, different organizations have had mixed results when applying this model. For instance, the Los Angeles Times found that Donald Trump was slightly more likely to win based purely on the fundamentals. On the other hand, FiveThirtyEight calculated that the fundamentals are tied or favor Hillary Clinton.

There is something, however, that this model does not take into account: Trump and Clinton are far from your typical candidates.

Trump’s strong views on immigration, trade and refugees as well as his aggressive personal style have made him one of the most polarizing modern politicians. His distinct personality makes it difficult for political analysts to make solid predictions on how the election might play out.

Clinton is a far more conventional candidate and has had more success with traditional Democratic voter blocs, but her current low favorability ratings make it hard to tell how many voters will turn out on her behalf.

The fundamentals-based models are ambiguous for this election, but the current polls disagree with these findings. As of October 12, Clinton had an 86.9 percent chance of winning based on polls alone, according to FiveThirtyEight. While poll numbers are not a guaranteed way of predicting the outcome of the election, they do offer some insight as to the public opinion on the candidates.

Analysts utilizing a variety of prediction models agree that this is one of the most volatile and unpredictable elections in recent political history. Both candidates are dogged by uncertainty thanks to very high percentages of undecided and third-party voters who are expected to make a decision before Election Day. The United States is standing at a fork in the road, with two starkly different paths to choose between. On November 8, we will finally have to decide between the two, and the outcome might not be what anyone has predicted.

GRAPHICS BY JACLYN SAIK

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The Talon October 18, 2016

STEM speaker Roger Stoller molds his career JUSTIN YU Staff Writer

Roger Stoller has always been fascinated by the principles that shape the natural world. When Stoller was younger, he would often picks up crab shells on the beach, observing their physical qualities and how they were created. Starting out as an industrial designer in the early ’80s, Stoller is now a master sculptor based in Silicon Valley. To this day, he still loves to examine crab shells on the beach and draw artistic inspiration from the peculiarities of the natural world.

In his early twenties, Stoller traveled around the world with renowned inventor and architect Buckminster Fuller. Fuller was most known for novel architectural designs such as the geodesic dome, and his works continue to inf luence Stoller today.

Sculptor Isamu Noguchi also acted as a mentor, introducing him to the intersection between art and engineering, the combination of abstract ideas and concrete, physical geometry.

“I worked together with [Noguchi] since Bucky and him were friends,” Stoller said. “I got to hang around Noguchi’s sculptures, and that left an indelible mark on my soul. When I was young, I felt like I didn’t have anything to say… [But] it turns out I did have a vision, I just didn’t know I had it in that time I was doing [industrial] design.”

Throughout his fifteen-year

career as an industrial designer, attempts to mimic natural pheStoller realized the many limita- nomena through the physical tions of the corporate world and components of his creations. how much it differed in terms of His work combines traditional creative freedom from the work he concepts with modern technoldid with Fuller and Noguchi. ogy such as 3D printing and wa“I was in a place with my part- terjet cutting. ners in my industrial design “It blows my mind, what is going business where it just didn’t feel on around us in the physical unilike the right place for me any- verse and what seems to be permore,” Stoller said. “I was doing meating that physicality are these injection molded principles and codes, products that were like a seed will have the going to soon end code of a tree,” Stoller The changes up in landfills.” said. “If I could [create] Stoller did quite a I made were anything close to a tree, bit of soul-search- more based on I would be thrilled. ing, eventually There are these cerwhat was going tain ways that nature finding his internal clarity to become a on inside of me goes about things, so sculptor. Soon after, personally, than I’m fascinated in that he sold his company any kind of cogand directly applying shares and founded this to my art… [When nitive decision Stoller Studio.

I’m] working in this “Being an in- to try to make very physical domain dustrial designer money as an of 3,000 pound sculpturned out to be a artist. tures, I ask, ‘Well, how good background do I hold that up?’ You — sculptor Roger Stoller for that, which I achave got to back that tually didn’t know up with some serious at the time,” Stoller engineering and an said. “The changes understanding of how I made were more based on what technology works to build it.” was going on inside of me personSome of Stoller’s earlier works ally than any kind of cognitive de- were especially complex and abcision to try to make money as an stract: they were meant to satisfy artist, which would not have been himself. Over time, the essence of a very good idea.” his creations became more focused Stoller claims that when he on reaching out to the community. was in the corporate design in- The 15-foot giraffe sculpture that dustry, he was considered an will be revealed this month at the artist in the engineering world. El Paso Zoo is a testament to the Now, he claims to be an engi- evolution in Stoller’s artistic style neer in the art world. Stoller and medium.

COURTESY ROGER STOLLER

Sculptor Roger Stoller poses inside one of his sculptures. Stoller went from being an industrial designer to a sculptor when he realized that he disagreed with the limitations of the corporate world.

“I worked together [with the zoo and the public] without any idea of what exactly it would be,” Stoller said. “It ended up being a 15-foot-tall giraffe’s head on the wall in this kind of lacy work that I do with eight other animals from Africa sort of hidden inside the lacework. It gives a unique experience for the public who aren’t necessarily art lovers.”

Stoller hopes that through his STEM talk, students will learn from his experiences and open their minds toward all professions.

“I want [students] to know that this is possible, and that technology can be used in a way that’s fun and exciting,” Stoller said.

“And just to open the horizons for people that haven’t come across something like this before. I hope it’s inspiring to some people, [not necessarily] to do what I do. If you really believe that you can do something, then the sky’s the limit. But it really has to come from the inside: you really have to get in touch with what’s really important to you and follow that.”

STEM speaker Sara Knox explores biometeorology PRIYA DIXIT Staff Writer

Even when Sara Knox was in high school, she knew she was interested in several areas in science and that she was drawn to the world outdoors. Her career journey reflects both of these interests, dynamically combining several science fields into a profession that melds data collection and interpretation with a strong environmental influence. After completing her Ph.D. in biometeorology, the study of the impact of climate on ecosystems, last May, Knox now works at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Menlo Park.

Directly after Knox graduated high school, she wasn’t sure which fields of science she wanted to explore. Taking a diverse array of science classes like marine science, earth science and geography, led to her interest in climate change and the carbon cycle coming into focus.

“What really piqued my interest was environmental sciences… which combined my interest of the natural world, the outdoors [and] earth system science,” Knox said. “I didn’t know too much [about] what I was getting into, but it sounded really neat. So I started my undergrad in Earth System Science.”

Knox’s undergraduate experience involved exploring several research opportunities that brought

her from the sub-arctic, where she studied the peatlands (marshy regions that include bogs and wetlands) to Peru, where Knox studied the impacts of receding glaciers.

“I thought research was really cool so I decided to do a Masters, and then just kept going to do a Ph.D.,” Knox said. “But I didn’t know coming right out of high school what it [was] I wanted to do.”

Her Ph.D. studies explored the realm of biometeorology, which involves the confluence of the atmosphere and biosphere, along with climate change science. Her research entailed collecting and interpreting data about freshwater wetlands and the impacts of wetland restoration. The research that Knox

COURTESY SARA KNOX

Biometeorologist Sara Knox poses for a picture at the Canadian Geophysical Union Conference in Banff, Alberta, Canada. She finds joy in nature and appreciates that her career allows her to combine science and the environment in a way that impacts daily life.

conducted played a role in influenc- well, which involves frequent ing California’s wetland policy. data collection in the wetlands of “One of the things the Sacramento-San I like about environJoaquin Delta region mental science is and tidal areas. that you’re studying One of the “We’re out there something academic, every week, or every things I like but… it directly ties other week,” Knox into people’s lives and about environsaid. “There [are] a policy,” Knox said. mental science lot of challenges with “It’s a very applied is that you’re making sure your science… It’s great to studying somesites are functioning, just push science for fixing breaks, being the sake of science, thing academic, patient, being mebut I think being able but… it directly ticulous when lookto apply it is really in- ties into peoing at the data when teresting and really ple’s lives and it comes in and makrelevant, and I think ing sure the sensors policy. that guides my work.” are working prop— biometeorologist The work that erly. Being organized Sara Knox Knox does currently is really important.” with the USGS also As for her talk plays a definite role in reducing during STEM week, Knox plans the carbon dioxide emissions to focus on the importance of that companies produce. wetland restoration, with par“We’re trying to tie [the research] ticular attention to its impacts into climate policy,” Knox said. “We on climate change. For students [are] developing a protocol that interested in STEM, Knox sugpeople can actually use. So let’s say gests learning as much as posyou’re a company, and you have sible by taking several science certain emissions… but under Cali- classes. Learning these basics fornia’s Cap-and-Trade [Program], can open up new interests, just you have to try and reduce your as it did for Knox. emissions... You need people like “There’s such a vast array us and our work to try to actually of things to study in science,” quantify… the overall greenhouse Knox said. “I think one thing gas benefit of this restored wet- that I learned as an undergradland… We provide the science so uate was that there’s so much that policy makers can interface more than your traditional with the companies themselves.” chemistry, math and physKnox started her work at the ics… I didn’t even know what USGS only a few months after [biometeorology] was when I completing her Ph.D. She was was 18, but it’s something that drawn to the agency because of I learned through college and the opportunity to pursue her in- was really interesting because terest of working with tidal wet- it pulled together elementary lands. The emphasis on research physics, chemistry and math and fieldwork appeals to her as [with earth science]”.

The Talon October 18, 2016

The Real World is Scary

13

Deep Springs College: secluded and exemplary This is the first article in a new series of college features. Look out for the next issue to read about another great school you may not have heard of.

AKHIL JAKATDAR Opinions Editor

By Jaclyn Saik

Faking It I’m sitting in a coffee shop, pretending to be working. I am always pretending when I am here.

I have to use my earbuds, which irritates me because I like the soft jazz that plays in the background here, but I’m finally watching that now four-year-old viral TED talk

by Harvard professor Amy Cuddy, “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.” She claims that maintaining a nearly-comical confident “power-pose” for a couple minutes can affect your hormone balance and make you feel more powerful. In a touching ending, probably worthy of the 23 million views Cuddy amassed, she knocks the phrase “fake it ‘till you make it,” instead presenting, “fake it until you become it.” As in, if you convince every other part of you to play cool, your brain might just follow along.

I am faking it. Literally right now.

I just hiked to this trendy coffee shop a half-hour away, climbed into the carefully-decorated loft above and plugged in my laptop like I was rooting into the wall for good.

Being in high school is simultaneously wishing for the maturity and freedom of adulthood (or at least young-adulthood) and missing the responsibility-free days of prepubescence. But when I am here, I feel gloriously detached from the things that usually stamp “teenager” onto my forehead. I am posing as Parentless, and Independent, and Definitely Not a High School Student, and no one is calling me naive.

The barista calls my name from below, and I climb down to get the coffee I paid too much for. I try the drink, burn my tongue, and immediately notice that this is a soy latte, that they messed up my order.

The eight-ish other people around me look important. Professionals, with their office ID badges placed next to their keyboards and funny web developing stickers on their laptops, people who probably don’t calculate their net worth based on their GPA and extracurriculars, people who are adults.

They are here, with me, next to me, working on similar screens and drinking out of similar mugs. And I hope that if someone new was to walk up those artificially-distressed hardwood stairs and scan the loft for seats, they would glance over me as just another important and grown up person.

I hate correcting my order.

The barista looks especially busy, which means standing awkwardly by the counter and trying to catch her eye won’t work. If I go up there, I will have to actually say “Excuse me.”

I’m trying to power-pose into adulthood. I think I would pass too, if I could just stay sitting here forever, alone, plugged into the wall and watching Amy Cuddy tell me how to trick myself into being confident.

I suck down the rest of the soy latte. It’s pretty gross.

In the deep valleys surrounded by the vast White and Inyo Mountain ranges, a small and secluded institution, Deep Springs College, lies far away from the civilization of the bustling inner city of Bishop, California. However, the isolated location of the college is not the only unique part about Deep Springs. The school has one of the the lowest acceptance rates in the nation, and most of the graduates of this two-year college move on to complete graduate school at the most prestigious Ivy league schools in the nation.

Founded in 1917 by electricity tycoon LL Nunn, Deep Springs College was envisioned to be taught in an alternative style to most institutions at the time. Nunn believed that his independent college would prepare students for a “life of service to humanity.” In its early years, the main focus of the college was to promote liberal arts programs, student self-governance and labor. And due to the tradition of the school, women were not allowed to apply to the school until 2013.

Another benefit to Deep Springs is its free tuition, as the school believes that solely merit should warrant whether a person should attend the school. That is why each student that is accepted into the school is

given a scholarship that pays for housing, tuition and all other college fees. With over 250 applicants each year, the school has spots for only 14 students making the 5.6 percent acceptance rate rival only that of Stanford University.

As Nunn’s vision of an outdoor learning experience is the principle of this school, its isolated location in the California wilderness gives opportunity for around 30 students to experience the beauty of nature. All students are required to spend 20 hours a week performing manual labor, which includes a variety of activities on and off campus. The campus contains a cattle ranch and a 155-acre alfalfa farm which are both maintained by students. The cattle ranch is home to over 200 beef cattle who graze in the towering White Mountains that encircle the solemn Deeps Spring ranch. Students are also required to prepare food, clean the facilities and rely entirely on their own labor to keep the school running.

The student body is also responsible for reviewing student applications, hiring staff and reviewing student performances at the end of the semester. With an immense amount of focus on student governance and a relatively large scope of fields to study, much of the students’ time is spent keeping the college running.

In addition to the required labor

COURTESY TIMOTHY OLSEN

Three students fix a pipe on the campus of Deep Spring College.

Students like these must govern themselves and run their college year -round, one of the many unique aspects of this college. and self-governance, students must study a wide variety of subjects during the average school semester. Many of the college alumni have gone on to get bachelor’s and master’s degrees in politics, science, journalism, medicine and a variety of other fields.

And after the life-changing experience of two years at Deep Springs, many students achieve great success after college. Several opt to transfer into a more traditional 4-year college after their stay in Deep Springs, the most common choices being Yale, Brown, Stanford and UC

Berkeley, to name a few.

And while this relatively unknown college in the heart of the Californian wild is home to a few acclaimed students and teachers alike, the mantra that LL Nunn preached about in 1917 of a “life of service to humanity” is still the core principle even today.

The takeaways from this two-year experience are what guide the alumni of this small school toward success later on in life, years after their stay in the tucked-away college that resides in the small desert just 40 miles east of Bishop.

Manresa Bread: side project turned bakery ALEX LUNA Staff Writer

When you enter Manresa Bread, you will immediately smell the sweet aroma of pastries and coffee offered by this small town store while being greeted by the employees. Manresa Bread, located in Los Altos downtown, offers a variety of different pastries, breads and coffee. Before the small town store became an established bakery on June 1, it started off as a side project from Manresa Restaurant in Los Gatos.

“We were born out of [Manresa Restaurant], started baking breads in the kitchen and then started selling our breads at farmers markets locally,” barista Aevan Balan said. “Shortly after that we realized we had a market so we started the Manresa Bread project.”

From there, the first Manresa Bread officially opened in Los Gatos and eventually opened its second location here in Los Altos, operating separately from its parent restaurant. The owners hoped that Los Altos’ small town feel would draw customers to the bakery.

“There’s a lot of stuff that happens in the downtown area,” Balan said. “They found that Los Altos is one of the only other places that really captured the kind of spirit that they wanted.”

Manresa Bread and all its employers make sure to create all their products with care and style to ensure that every customer is pleased with the results. Their Levain bread is a great example of this attention to ingredients and taste, with its crunchy crust, chewy texture and tangy sour-

FRANCESCA FALLOW

Manresa Bread Bakery, located in downtown Los Altos, proudly displays its pastries. The bakery makes sure to feature simple ingredients and goes beyond to ensure the integrity of its recipes is maintained. dough flavor.

“We source from farms to get all of our different kinds of f lour,” Balan said. “A cool thing about our breads is that we do not use commercial yeast, so all of our breads are technically sour doughs. They go through a 30-60 hour fermentation process so they grow naturally.”

They aim to maintain the integrity of their foods by focusing on their roots, as they do with the Kouign-amann, a French bread.

Along with that, those at Manresa Bread like to implement their own styles into their products to make them stand out from other bakeries.

“We have our own twists on different kind[s] of pastries like the monkey bread and pepper jam

danish,” Balan said. “We like to stay true to our French rustic style.”

Nowadays employees are able to determine which items will sell more than others, seeing the pattern in what customers prefer. The Monkey Bread, one of the bakery’s most popular pastries, requires a wide variety of ingredients in order to achieve its sweet, complete flavor.

“The big sellers are probably the Kouign-amann [and] our Monkey Bread,” employee Ryan Watkins said. “If anything, the Kouign-amann is my favorite.”

These products are common recommendations by the employees. Believe it or not, there are no special ingredients to make these products. It’s simply the way the food is made natu-

rally that makes it unique.

“How we source it, we [want to] do everything organic and local,” Watkins said. “It’s honest and fresh ingredients.”

Along with fantastic pastries and breads, the bakery provides a welcoming atmosphere. “[The food] is great,” customer Ginger Manchester said. “[The employees] are wonderful, friendly and informative.”

Above all, Manresa Bread looks to continue to do well in the neighborhood while ensuring all its products are up to its standard of quality.

“We put a lot of work into the product that not a lot of people would do,” Balan said. “That’s what we take pride in: the quality and the time and effort we put into our products.”

14

The Talon October 18, 2016

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

Jia Seow’s year, written in verse RACHEL LU Senior Writer

When an old, familiar pop tune comes on the radio, the long-buried memories associated with it bubble to the surface instantly. Junior Jia Seow leveraged that effect in her new self-published poetry collection, “Return,” by diving back into playlists she created at certain points in her life to resurrect memories and channel them onto paper.

“The overarching themes of this book [include] nostalgia, love, unrequited love, returning back to places and people in the past,” Jia said. “[A lot of it is] thinking about how you can change the past and actually not being able to.”

Written over the course of an entire year, “Return” consists of 99 poems, organized by month from August to July. Jia used to write in a journal but ultimately decided on another creative approach to remembering each month so she could write poems of events that had occurred during that time. Jia would channel memories of each month into songs so she could easily revisit the playlist and write about the events that occurred that month.

“Specific things happened to me in those months, and I remember those months through songs,” Jia said. “Every month I create a monthly playlist [with] a specific set of songs... By the end of the

RACHEL LU

Junior Jia Seow poses for a photo with her poetry book, “Return.” The book, which was published on September 23, 2016, is based off her experiences and memories over the course of a year.

month, I would just listen to them one more time, think about what happened and then move onto another set of songs.”

Jia’s inspiration to write the collection stemmed from reading poems other people wrote on Instagram. “[There] was one point in my life where I was all about poems on Instagram everyday, and then I moved onto some poetry websites,” Jia said.

After looking through those poems, Jia decided to try her hand at writing as well. Through continual practice of poetry, she was able to discover her own writing style and also herself.

“I started writing based on sort of imitating what I read, but that didn’t really feel or sound like me,” Jia said.

“I took a break from other people’s stuff and just concentrated on how I really write, [and] what do I really feel about something? Sometimes I had to turn to how other people thought about some things, and that taught me how to empathize with others as well as recognize my feelings about certain things.”

Although she now has a better sense of her writer’s voice than she did before, Jia is still on the journey of finding her own style.

“My personal poetic style is more like I work through the poem logically so sometimes I make an outline on what the poem’s about and other times I write it and hopes it turns out fine,” Jia said. “But I mostly write very clear lines that make sense. I’m still

trying to [find my style].”

But Jia did not always have a passion for poetry. When she was introduced to poetry in middle school, she found the specific guidelines restricting. It was only during the freshman year poetry unit that Jia saw poetry in a different light.

“The eighth grade poetry unit for my school was: you write a poem about a color, the first line is the name of the color, the second line is where you would find the color,” Jia said. “I have a poem in [“Return”] called ‘Spitting Flames.’ It’s about… the transition between the eighth grade and ninth grade poetry units and how that really started my adventure in poetry. I didn’t like poetry at all [at first] because I thought it was a very constricted art form.”

Jia plans to donate 95 percent of the proceedings of her book to aid Syrian refugees by transferring the money to UNICEF through a specific program. The other 5 percent will go to her front-cover artist and friend, Vanessa Mark ‘16. Her decision to donate the majority of her earnings was partly influenced by her parents’ active donations to organizations and also by her genuine desire to help the Syrian refugees.

“My parents donated a lot of money to really good causes, and I felt that I should be a part of that too,” Jia said. “When you’re a refugee you don’t have a home, and you feel stateless. I know that I’m a very lucky person to have somewhere to go back to and people to

go to whenever I have problems… but these refugees don’t really have anywhere to go to.”

Publishing the book helped Jia realize her love for creative writing and her decision in planning to major in that as well.

“What inhibited me in the past was that I felt creative writing wasn’t going to be a very good outlet for me,” Jia said. “It wasn’t going to be a very good area of a career I could pursue so that’s why I didn’t consider it, but I started writing and it just turned into something that I could rely [on]. [Something] that I could just talk to every week, I could just write a poem every day or once a week or whenever I felt like it, you know? That would basically be like my therapist, so to speak.”

Although her school schedule and extracurriculars take up a lot of her time, Jia still finds time to write. Being in Silicon Valley has not made it easier either, as she has felt the pressure and focus of STEM overshadow the humanities.

“I feel like Silicon Valley appreciates STEM fields much more than it does… humanities in general,” Jia said. “I’m [not] against that, but sometimes I get the vibe that being… [an] artist in this society isn’t the right thing to do. I thought [this] before I started writing, but then I found a lot of people who felt the same way as I do right now and it’s really changed my view. If you really love something then you will do it, no matter what environment you grew up in.”

The community keeping vinyl alive MICHAEL SIEFFERT YALDA KHODADAD Senior Writer Staff Writer

For much of the 20th century, it was perfectly normal to spend a Sunday afternoon in a record store, wading through alleys of vinyls and trying out new albums.

Vinyls were hailed as one of the most popular means of listening to music at home, and the postwar boom of the 1950’s ensured that the format would continue dominating the market for a long time. Now, with music at its most attainable, the thought of leaving the house to find new music is laughable. Free music streaming companies such as Spotify, Pandora and their competitors have eliminated the need to buy music at all, and as far as most listeners are concerned, vinyl is a dead format.

However, sound quality, physical charm, and the experience in general is what is keeping vinyl alive today.

Some listeners prefer the unique sound of music on vinyl.

While records can’t hold as much information as a CD, the manner in which music is pressed into vinyl — grooves etched on the vinyl’s surface transfer the correct wavelengths to a record player’s needle — allows for distortions that create a unique quality often referred to as “warmth.” On vi-

nyl, bass sounds softer, the midrange is crisp and the scratches and pops that emerge with use add character to a record.

“I think people that grew up with CDs, and are hearing vinyl, are kind of amazed it can sound so good, because of the thought that CDs are superior, and [vinyls] just have a dull tone,” vinyl dealer Don Nourie said. “I thought records have always been superior.”

In some respects, vinyls do carry greater sound quality. While music is frequently refined to be as loud as possible for releases on CDs, vinyls, which cater to a more sound-specific consumer base, are mastered to retain more range between their sounds.

But for many listeners, MP3s have been the norm for as long as they’ve been alive.

“For our store, [Rasputin,] I’m going to have to say, unfortunately, [our clientele is] middleaged to older [people]… [Younger] people are listening to mp3 and they’re really just glued to the phone,” Nourie said.

However, it would be a stretch to say that interest in vinyl is restricted to the middle-aged. For the industry as a whole, it’s been shown that a majority of buyers average under 35.

This is partly due to the vibrant nature of the community as a whole, which has allowed it to attract younger members such as Los Altos

high school senior Alan Ryder, who is currently enrolled in Foothill’s middle college program. It is the unique experience that keeps vinyl enthusiasts coming back.

“There’s a culture,” Alan said. “[There are] other people that listen to different music, but you both have a common interest in preserving vinyl. It brings people together. My dad… he’d see people working at record stores that he’d never go up to… and be like, ‘Hey pal, what’s going on?’, but he’s learned that [people] have a passion for the same thing… you can learn about life through other people’s perspectives.”

Another factor that draws people to records is their physical charm. Having an album with unique artwork can be a major selling point. A collector can have hundreds of records and sit among their shelves as they listen to the album of their choice. The motions of selecting a vinyl, blowing the dust off of its familiar cover, carefully placing the needle where they want it and letting it play give many listeners a feeling of attachment to their records. Buying them is a commitment one does not have to make when streaming playlists on Spotify.

“You have to think about your artist, you have to put the time and money aside to think about…

‘I want to listen to this’,” Alan said. “‘And I want to listen to it again,

in the future’… it’s not cheap.”

For all of the patience and time vinyl requires, users are handsomely rewarded. “[There is an] experience of taking out what you’re going to listen to, and selecting it, and placing it. If you don’t want to just start at the beginning… you have to choose to move it to the other song,” Alan said. “You have to [put the needle] right on there… there’s a certain kind of pride.”

The problem is, small percentages of people fail to make an impact on the larger scale of things.

Recently, Rasputin closed their location in Mountain View, due

to bad sales. Like the closing of other large names in the record business, the closing could be seen as symbolic of the death of vinyl in general.

But is this really the end for our beloved plastic friend? Probably not. Although it has shrunk substantially, the vinyl community has not really gone away. There will always be people looking for their new “grail record” to spin at 33 ½ revolutions per minute.

We may never see vinyl return to its former dominance, but it isn’t impossible to imagine that they will be coveted for decades to come.

MICHAEL SIEFFERT

Vinyl records await customers at the Campbell branch of Rasputin, a chain known for selling records, CDs and DVDs. Since the takeover of the music market by CDs and streaming, sales of vinyl have died down, leaving a small cohort of music stores to maintain its legacy.

A R T S & C U LT U R E

Emma’s Dilemma

Print Managing Editor Staff Writer

#Grumpkin Halloween. The time of year where people dress up in costumes and have viable excuses to knock on their grumpy neighbors’ doors, no matter what night it falls on. Monday, Wednesday, 6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., you name it, and most of the time, someone is going to be there to hand you a candy bar. It’s that time again, considering October 31 is coming in a few weeks, and I have mixed feelings, as usual.

Our fixation with this holiday is kind of weird, considering that in any other circumstance, walking to all the houses on your street and practically demanding for them to give you food would be considered socially inappropriate. Besides that, it’s so dark that you can’t see anyone except for the kids that came dressed up as ghosts.

I used to get a lot more excited about Halloween when I was younger, probably due to the fact that it was celebrated so much in elementary school. Honestly, who wouldn’t be excited about parties with orange and black cupcakes, jack-o-lantern napkins and themed party games? I’ve probably played way too much pumpkin bowling for my own good.

The shift in the way people view Halloween is interesting as they grow older — it’s much less common to see high schoolers trick-or-treating, especially on weeknights, when they’re most likely doing homework. Or studying.

Or trying to figure out how to work a graphing calculator.

I know that’s what I’m going to be doing this year, considering Halloween falls on a Monday. I’m probably going to be relegated to the task of refilling the candy bowl while the rest of my family goes out and gets jumbosized candy bars from our generous neighbors.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not that much of a “Scrooge” at Halloween, but that might only be because I have a soft spot for themed desserts. I told myself last year that I wouldn’t do anything Halloween related, mostly due to homework and my lack of excitement about trick-ortreating. I ended up going to a family friend’s party anyway, although the sole purpose of that adventure was to eat their orange-black cupcakes. As for this year, who knows, I might actually end up dressing up if I really get into the spirit of things.

If you see a large (and probably grumpy) pumpkin walking around Los Altos in a couple of weeks, don’t forget to wave.

15

The value in foreign films HANNA KHOSRAVI JACLYN SAIK

By Emma Kwan

The Talon October 18, 2016

Denis Erguven’s 2015 film, “Mustang,” proved to be a little-enginethat-could at the Academy Awards last winter — it may not have won as the Best Foreign Film of the year, but its legacy seems to transcend one award given to one film on one night.

“Mustang,” a small Turkish movie comprised of crisp cinematography and courageous storytelling, has already garnered itself a trusty (albeit small) cult following.

The image Erguven produces of the Middle East is not that of the dusty, debris-ridden warzone that so commonly colors movie screens every award show season (think “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty”). It is a composition of dreamy music and sweeping views: glow-lit trees speckling country roads, the turquoise blue stream of the Mediterranean, five beautifully-cast sisters lying with one another in a bedroom amidst a tangled web of sandy-brown hair and sun-kissed limbs.

All dialogue is in Turkish, and while we can assume that the coastal village our characters live in is some hours outside Istanbul, the ambiguous locale soon becomes practically irrelevant. This is a story of sisterhood, female growth and burgeoning sexuality — authoritarian family members are quick in their iron-fisted attempt at stunting the slowly blossoming sexuality of Erguven’s heroines, the youngest of them barely at the wake of puberty, by locking them away and promis-

ing them to crude and misogynistic young bachelors.

What is most beautiful and horrifying about “Mustang” is that we don’t need any precise setting or time period to understand that the story of these girls is not just an artistic rendering, but a sharp reality. The main characters, endeavoring amongst tight-knit conservatism and sexual repression, could be living in 1950 or 2016. It doesn’t really matter when it’s happening. All we, as teenagers ourselves, really care about during our 130 minutes as audience members is that we understand that any of them could be one of us.

If films like “Boyhood” go down in history as emblematic of adolescent male maturation, then “Mustang” should play the corresponding role for female viewers. It’s not that all of us can relate to the characters’ subjugation to unethical virginity tests and virtual domestic imprisonment — it’s that the actresses cast in the film create an experience that feels as natural as it is potent. Their dialogue streams with ease and fluidity — they are teenagers in the same cumbersome period of self-discovery we’re all in, battling the same internal demons and aching to experience the same worldly adventures that we all are.

Just because “Mustang” isn’t in English doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be given a chance; like many other impeccably-written foreign films, it simply doesn’t receive the attention it merits. In order for a foreign film to even make it into our awards-season queue, it must be in the upper echelon of film-

making, often as good if not artistically superior to the classic Hollywood blockbuster.

According to IndieWire, “U.S. box office for the top five foreign-language films has declined by 61 percent in the last seven years.” As bigger film companies buy up smaller, independent ones and reduce their foreign film budgets, it’s becoming harder and harder for foreign films to garner even mild amounts of popularity when competing with Hollywood. “Mustang” was shown in only three theaters in the U.S.: there just isn’t a big enough market for these films to take off commercially.

To the mainstream public, foreign films are often seen as just pictures and subtitles. But take the Academy Award winners in the foreign language category in years past — Iran’s “A Separation” made waves as it delved into the bleak anxiety of di-

vorce and the observed unraveling of a family unit, while France’s “Amour” studied the ruinous effect of aging on a marriage. It’s not the ideas of these films that are foreign to us, it’s the ways in which these ideas are expressed. We still relate to the heroes, feel scorn for the villains and empathize with the human frailty that these movies shed light on.

In viewing these tales in another language, through another lens and with a focus on the cultural dynamics of countries we may be unfamiliar with, we are afforded the opportunity to become more compassionate human beings.

So next time you’re watching Netflix, scroll your cursor over to the foreign language category of films.

You’ll find “Mustang” there, but you’ll have also opened up a key into a new dimension of art that you may have never imagined before.

AD VITAM

Five sisters are locked inside their house and groomed for arranged marriages in Denis Erguven’s 2015 film “Mustang.” Foreign films like “Mustang,” which is set in Turkey, deserve recognition and appreciation from Western audiences, and viewers can gain new insights by exposing themselves to this alternative form of filmmaking.

Metal forges a new path BRIAN HUEBNER Staff Writer

The genre of metal has a long and storied history with roots dug deep in rock and blues music. It has evolved into a massive genre with new sounds, new styles and a ludicrous amount of variety.

Nowadays though, most outsiders of metal see the genre as past its prime and very different from older metal and most older fans seem to have abandoned modern metal entirely due to this stark difference and a perceived lower quality of music, but there’s more to metal than meets the ear.

Current and popular metal bands appeal more towards the

“teenage emo” demographic.

One reason is the popularity of genres like Nu-Metal and Metalcore. These genres appeal more towards the more scene and emo demographic. Many of these genres depict serious issues like peer pressure and physical abuse in immature ways that only angsty teens can relate to, while older metal bands focused on more traditionally “hardcore” and “adult” topics, like war, death and disaster.

However, this only applies to popular metal bands. Many of those who criticize modern metal never go beyond the surface. Today’s popular bands embody a new generation of metal, one that has the basic principles of metal in

FLICKR USER JAVIER

Metal band Dream Theater plays in Badalona, Spain, in 2007. The band’s 1999 album “Metropolis Part 2” tells a single, cohesive tale of a man named Nicholas and his paranormal visions; the creation of such a complex story is uncommon in the older albums which many metal die-hards consider superior.

their music, such as loud and aggressive sounds, but strays away from most of what makes up old metal’s identity — instrumentation that is interesting and unique, lyrics filled with ideas of war, love and current events. However, that’s not to say that newer metal bands cannot continue this legacy.

New, underground bands do innovate greatly from their older counterparts though. Take, for example, a band called Ghost, formed in 2008. Most metal fans have never heard of this band, but their music is critically acclaimed, with their first album, “Opus Eponymous,” receiving a 9/10 from the Washington Times. Their music is reminiscent of the “golden age of metal” with their instrumentation, lyrics, style and even clothing taking inspirations from bands like Kiss and Black Sabbath. They aren’t just carbon copies of these bands though, they innovate in their own way, with a more nuanced and complex song structure that stems from a shift in focus from blind aggression to a more held back but ever-present aggression.

Ghost isn’t the only band to do this. There are many, many other bands that take much inspiration from the old bands, and translate it into the new generation, with a more evolved and complex sound and structure.

For those who actually do enjoy the angsty lyrics of popular metal, bands like Agalloch and their album “The Mantle” do this well. The lyrics, in terms of the ideas they’re presenting, are very similar to those of more popular bands. However, “The Mantle” goes deeper than just

showing the idea through lyrics, the album seems to take on those ideas in their sound and instrumentation. The album feels gloomy and depressing, and listening to it gives you a sense of what the man the album is describing feels like only using their instruments.

Newer sounds and new styles have also emerged since the switch from popularity to the underground. While the older sound focuses solely on their heavyhitting and loud instrumentation throughout their songs and albums with little regard to other factors, newer bands have begun to incorporate tonal and instrumental switches in their albums and even songs. This gives the songs and albums a more interesting, dynamic, fluid, and story-like sound and feel to them. Bands like Dream Theater and their album “Metropolis Part 2” do this well, using creative song composition to make their album flow together like a novel, and creative lyrics to tie it together.

Metal is a genre with a history firmly planted in modern music, and like every genre, modern metal has evolved, and even merged with other genres My goal is not to trash mainstream metal, as every person has their own different tastes, and it’s not my nor anyone else’s place to judge. My main message is that there’s more to modern metal than what meets the eye, and that’s really true for any genre: Pop, EDM, Country.

If you judge genres at face value without digging deeper, you’ll miss out on all the beauty they have to offer.

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A R T S & C U LT U R E

The Talon October 18, 2016

Talon writers try recipes from counselor Dafna Adler’s baking blog, “Stellina Sweets” JESSICA KING

Print Managing Editor

SAVITA GOVIND

Copy-Content Editor

ADRIENNE MITCHEL Staff Writer

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ANNE SCHILL Graphic Artist

EMILY ARONOVITZ Photographer

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A R T S & C U LT U R E

The Talon October 18, 2016

17

of punk, which used DIY and handmade clothing to subvert the traditions of commercial society.

The true meaning of punk has been undermined by the sales of inauthentic clothing created without the purpose of challenging and defying societal norms. Brands that hijack punk imagery without respect for its values threaten the vitality of the culture, inviting consumers to partake in the aesthetic without the ideas behind it.

Punk originated as an “outsider” movement of rebellion, where a subjugated lower class was pitted against repressive JULIA SANTOS CAMERON AVERY JACLYN SAIK elites. In a way, these fastSports Editor Business Manager Graphic Artist fashion brands represent the very antithesis of punk, whose tion mounting in his na- wood and her contempo- into a store or hop online to anti-establishment original Cultural origins tive Britain. With his and raries. Instead, by taking cues purchase shirts with faux-in- intentions are at odds with The idea of punk first Westwood’s role in the cre- from it, it was condensed and sightful slogans, leather jack- the profit-driven, diluted form typified by the mall emerged in Great Britain ation of the Sex Pistols, the elevated to meaningful, last- ets. or distressed outlets that copy and ripped clothduring the 1970’s as a politi- first punk band to enter the ing art. them. And the agWithout the contributions ing — the options cal movement. It was a way scene — McLaren was their gressive, no-holdsfor people to rebel against manager and Westwood de- of Westwood and McLaren, are endless.

Brands that barred attitude of While clothing the upper class through ar- fined their visual style — it’s unlikely that punk, as the original punk tistic self-expression. These the symbiotic relationship both a cultural and artis- was essential to hijack punk “punks” appropriated tradi- between musicians and de- tic period, would have pre- the punk move- imagery without movement seems to be somewhat tional symbols of the Brit- signers was one that existed served the same timeless- ment, the move- respect for its missing. To note: ness and inf luence that it ment itself was values invite ish elites, such as the Union from punk’s birth. today’s consumers Westwood and McLaren currently has. Long after the aimed to support Jack and the tartan plaid of consumers to of punk fashion could be called the origina- movement itself had fizzled and promote anQueen Elizabeth II. aren’t exactly burntors of the “punk out, artists would continue ti- establishment partake in the As the moveing flags, shavuniform,” the sig- to draw inf luence from its and anti-con- aesthetic withment found its ing their heads or nature elements emotions and sentiments, ventional means out the ideas way across the smashing guitars.

Atlantic to the The deconstruc- — ripped jeans, spurred by the seeds planted of self expres- behind it.

“If you ever say for example — by McLaren and Westwood. sion.

Although U.S., the American tion of cloth‘I used to be punk’ that would define it may seem as if punks incorporat- ing — handpunk’s visual style. these clothing companies then you never really were,” ed these elements ripped jeans, Mainstream adoption Their clothes repare paying homage to a late John Patrick Logan said in an — the anti-estabresented the very movement, they are actu- article from The Guardian. lishment ideals of bleach-stained Today, multi-million dol- ally degrading the punk phi- “Punk is a mindset, a way you British punk — t-shirts, studded spirit of punk: disruptive, aggressive lar companies such as Urban losophy. By mass producing think and live, so you either are into a movement leather jackand authentic to Outfitters and Forever21 are “punk” clothing, companies a punk or you are not! It is not that could be char- ets — served as its aesthetic, they selling their version of “punk” fail to capture the true spirit just a ‘phase’ you go through.” acterized as decida microcosm payed homage to to a wide audience. Those who edly more artistic the movement in a seek the “punk aesthetin nature when of the goals of way that would ad- ic” can easily walk compared to their punk itself. vance it beyond its British counterroots, catapulting parts. While British punks wore bright col- it into the world of high art. ors, the American style was From the Sex Pistols, outfitdistinctly absent of color: it ted in Westwood’s clothes, was broader, more about self- the archetype for punk fashexpression and characterized ion was established.

One Westwood signature by a pervading darkness that clearly contrasted with the was the graphic t-shirt: printed with controversial, subsocietal norms of the time.

The deconstruction of versive designs they would clothing — hand-ripped serve to transform those who jeans, bleach-stained t- wore them into symbols of shirts, studded leather jack- rebellion. One particularly ets — served as a microcosm notorious shirt featured the of the goals of the move- word “Destroy” atop a promiment itself: by literally de- nent red Swastika (the costroying their clothing, the opting of traditional symbols punks were simultaneously of oppression featured heavbreaking down societal ily in her designs). Other stanorms and conventional ples included artfully shredded pants and shirts, safety mainstream thought. pin-studded jackets and lopsided, oversized sweaters.

Punk in high fashion Rather than resorting to From nearly the beginning derivative appropriation of of the movement itself, punk the culture, the designs were imbued with revculture would find erence for it — initself paired with spired by the style an unlikely ally: and ideals of orighigh fashion. In Without the inal punks, they particular, two contributions of looked to preserve creatives — Vivithe punk philosoenne Westwood fashion designphy through their and Malcolm ers, it’s unlikely McLaren — would that punk would own artistic interpretations of come to elevate it, have preserved their rebellious introducing aesthe same timespirit. This same thetics in a way spirit was literally that aimed to cap- lessness and ture the emotions influence that it woven into the fabric of Westof punk music. currently has. wood’s clothing: McLaren could like those who inbe considered among those who conceptu- spired her, her clothes were alized the punk movement, imbibed with a rawness that realizing that a new subcul- felt thoroughly “real.”

The ideals of punk weren’t ture could be birthed from the growing tide of frustra- merely appreciated by West-

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The Talon October 18, 2016

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

Student athletics: keeping nutrition in mind Priya Dixit, Staff Writer | Yalda Khodadad, Staff Writer | Adrienne Mitchel, Staff Writer | Jaclyn Saik, Staff Writer | Anne Schill, Graphic Artist

O

n any given day after school, we can see Eagle athletes toiling at their respective practices. It’s undeniable that sports require a significant amount of commitment and inevitably call for certain sacrifices. Of course, this is where the term “student athlete” emerges: a student grappling with academic responsibilities while still striving to maintain athletic excellence. Juggling the commitments of school, sports and other extracurriculars is not uncommon for many. However, have we truly mastered this intricate balance while keeping physical health in mind?

Take diet, for instance. College and professional athletes invest considerable time and effort in formulating their diets, calculating how to maximize their energy and maintaining their bodies. On the other hand, teenagers are known to eat whatever they wish or have on hand. Yet this method is not necessarily conducive to the student-athlete lifestyle, at least in terms of maintaining satisfactory performance and staying healthy. What needs to change in the routines of high school athletes in terms of diet? Are changes even necessary?

This spread explores the essentials of an athlete’s diet and how high school students may need to adjust the balancing act that many of them have been maintaining for so long.

I

f “you are what you eat,” then a disciplined diet yields a disciplined athlete. But what exactly should student athletes be eating?

It’s a little more complicated than following a fad diet. Factors such as the intensity of the training and the skill level one wishes to obtain will determine how necessary it is to track one’s diet. The types of sports students partake in can also have significant impacts on what their diets should consist of, but no matter what the sport is, having a solid foundation of nutritional knowledge is important.

Out of the four essential macromolecules, there are three main sources of calories in one’s diet that are vital to proper physiological functions — carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Vitamins and minerals, which are high in fiber, and carbohydrates, which are from produce and unrefined whole grains, are the body’s primary source of energy. Similar to carbohydrates, fats provide energy, but also

protect internal organs, make up the structure of cell membranes and participate in the synthesis of hormones. It’s recommended to consume foods low in saturated fats and to completely avoid trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils that are in highly processed foods.

Eating protein sources like lean meats, eggs and dairy products is essential for building muscles, skin, hair and other body tissues.

Food intake isn’t the only important aspect of good health, for staying well-hydrated is fundamental for a student athlete. Water is the logical choice for hydration. It regulates body temperature, transfers nutrients and oxygen to the bloodstream, eliminates toxins, and maintains proper f luid balance and muscle functioning.

However, that raises an important question: if water is the best fluid for hydration, then why is Gatorade provided during athletic events? Gatorade was created to prevent fatigue af-

C

ter hard exercise in the burning sun. Since this fatigue is caused by the body’s loss of electrolytes and fluid, the goal of Gatorade is to hydrate while replacing lost electrolytes and carbohydrates.

While Gatorade does fuel the body during a hard workout, it is laden with excess sugar that isn’t necessarily beneficial. In general, it is better to avoid consuming sports drinks on an everyday basis, but beverages like Gatorade are completely fine on game day.

In addition to Gatorade on game day, student athletes should eat a carbohydrate and protein-rich snack at least two hours before the game or event starts to ensure that they have enough time to digest without needing to perform on an empty stomach. Some ideas include a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread or a handful of nuts and a small piece of fruit.

After a game or a practice, it’s imperative to have a well-balanced meal so the body can rebuild muscle tissue. Foods high in potassium, such as bananas, yogurt or melons, replace electrolytes lost from perspiration.

While it is necessary to eat after working out in order to replenish the body, consistently eating

a well-balanced breakfast is essential to “break the fast” from overnight and kickstart metabolism. Include a carbohydrate, like whole-wheat bread or cereal, and a protein source, like eggs, yogurt or milk, in this meal.

Keeping in mind that different sports require different physical demands on the body, athletes should adjust accordingly. For example, runners should eat for endurance whereas football players should build muscle. A runn e r ’s main focus is to stabilize blood sugar with the integration of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

The more training that occurs, the more carbohydrates the runner should consume.

Athletes should not overlook fats, as they help runners feel full for a prolonged period of time and stabilize blood sugar. Also considering that not all fats are good for the body, athletes should eat foods low in saturated fats and completely avoid trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils that

are in highly processed foods. A football player is going to need to consume a larger quantity of food than a runner. To increase muscle mass, football players should eat carbohydrates and protein a half hour before lifting and within a half hour after lifting.

While it’s apparent that proper nutrition does affect body functioning, it’s important to remember that being a high school athlete does not require as strict of a regimen as does a full-time professional athlete.

For most high school athletes, sports are a way to have fun, hang out with friends and stay active. Since the majority of high school athletes aren’t training to become professional athletes, a healthy diet shouldn’t be a cause of stress and o c - casional treats should be allowed. However, for more serious athletes, a stricter diet should be expected.

But no matter how serious student athletes are about their sport of choice, making smart nutritional choices is guaranteed to be beneficial in the long run.

hoices for students are often based on convenience. So why should meals be any different? Often times, high schoolers participating in sports find themselves struggling to balance their eating habits and rigorous activities that they participate in. Compared to professional athletes with strict meal plans, teenagers might seem like a mess. But really, how important is a meal plan for those not involved in a professional sport?

We often deny the importance of this question. With grades, peers, parents and the looming question of college on our backs, it’s easy to just disregard many of the more important things, like athletes’ diet. Eating becomes something that needs to be completed efficiently and put off until required again. However, it is important to know the limits of our growing bodies and the best way to care for them, Olympic medals or not.

The Talon October 18, 2016

#9, what’s on your mind?

The diving duo: Evan and Trevor Labuda JAVIN POMBRA DANNY VESURAI Staff Writers

By Julia Santos and guest writer Adam Hollingworth

Do You Want to Win? Fall sports are coming to an end. The finish line is in view, getting closer with every passing day, but we’re not really sure if it’s something to celebrate quite yet. Records are on the line — the season is on the line — and our coaches constantly remind the seniors that the next game could potentially be their last. Each win becomes even more crucial in order to keep the season alive.

Many of us are in that part of the season where we play against the same team in our leagues for the second time, and it’s tough because what happened in the first encounter is still fresh in our minds.

The second game is a chance to prove the last game was a fluke or to further secure our dominance as the better team.

Yet the games we play become more than tests of strength, they are tests of our mental capabilities. Can we maintain a spotless record?

Will we ever win a game? Is this as good as we’re ever going to be? But the answers to our questions lie in our own hands. What do we want to make out of this season?

We have all witnessed and experienced the downfall of a spectacular season. It’s always during the latter half of the season that we see great teams ­­— championship quality teams — fall apart and crumble. It starts with a single loss, a bad game, injury or sickness and suddenly, every game becomes more difficult to play as the season begins to rapidly wind down.

We get it. We’re tired, breakdowns are inevitable and sometimes we’d much rather stay in bed than jump in the pool or run around a field.

But listen up, boys and girls.

We all have big games coming up. We can’t let ourselves go into the next game or match with any preconceived notions, whether we think we’re assured to wipe the floor or guaranteed a swift defeat.

In the end, there’s only one factor that decides which team wins: how much they want it.

The want to win isn’t just a fleeting desire or partial commitment; it’s something we feel through our whole body.

It’s what keeps us fighting, it’s what keeps our eyes on the goal and it doesn’t allow us to let up for even a second.

Because if the word “defeat” is in our vocabulary during a single moment of any game, we’ve already lost. The want to win prevails whether it inconveniences us or not; whether it leaves us sore and aching the whole of tomorrow. When we go against a team, we have to want to win.

19

Ten meters in the air, junior Trevor Labuda takes a breath before launching himself off the diving board and somersaulting three and a half times to land without a splash in the swimming pool below. Following suit but on a three-meter board, his twin Evan Labuda mirrors the same routine. Both receive thunderous applause and scores of 9 out of 10 from the judges, qualifying them for Nationals.

For the twins, getting to Nationals for junior diving required more than just hours of practice and commitment; it required the ability to overcome both physical injuries and mental barriers.

At age 5, Evan and Trevor started diving lessons. Originally participating in swim classes at a local country club, the diving team caught their eye. They joined the Stanford junior dive team when they were 9 years old and have steadily progressed from there.

Most of the major diving competitions, like States or Nation-

als, are during summer, but the two also attend invitationals during the winter. When they were 11 years old, they traveled to Canada for their first international meet to compete against divers from Mexico, Canada, China and Germany. At the tournament, Trevor and Evan competed against some of the most experienced junior divers in the world, a level of competition they had not experienced yet, and walked away with an important lesson.

“I got last twice for my first two boards out of three, [and] it was an eye-opener of how good people my age were,” Trevor said. “On my third board, I came back strong and got third to last, and that was a pretty big victory. I remember walking back to the locker room and seeing the kid that got last crying. I talked to him, and we kind of just figured that it’s okay to lose.”

Overcoming roadblocks has always been an important contributor to the success of the twins.

For instance, due to a torn ligament and strained back, Evan couldn’t compete for a year in 2014. When he returned to the dive team, he was discouraged

COURTESY ELLA MILLIKEN

NATALIE MUNGUIA

Above: Junior Trevor (left) and Evan (right) Labuda are equally proud to dive for the Stanford club, though Trevor prefers not to wear it on his shirt. Below: Evan dives at a meet at Los Gatos. In their sophomore year, they qualified for CCS and Trevor placed fourth while Evan placed fifth in one-meter diving. by how much everyone else had seemingly improved and by his own lack of success.

“When I came back I hadn’t improved, but everybody else had had six months to get better so I was disadvantaged,” Evan said. “I had to relearn everything because I hadn’t been working [for] in a long time… It took awhile to get my confidence back while diving.”

Along with physical injuries, the twins also face mental roadblocks when diving. If they execute one move incorrectly, it means that their scores are lowered. To cope with mental barriers, Trevor has learned to resist the all-too-human temptation to procrastinate on what’s stressful.

“I know I’m going to dive eventually,” Trevor said. “And if I’m going to do the dive I might as well just go now and not wait 10 minutes [on the board] because I’m scared.”

On the other hand, Evan deals with mental blocks by having faith in his coach and trusting that he himself can do it.

“I know my coach wouldn’t have me try [a new dive] if he didn’t think I was ready,” Evan said. “The first time I tried [a new dive] I completely belly-flopped, but my coach told me to go back up and try it again because he knew that I could do it. I trusted him and told myself that I could do it if he said I could, so I [tried again] and it went well.”

To Trevor and Evan, being a good diver is about more than skill and form — it’s about about the ability to overcome obstacles in their path. While diving requires sacrifices of time and puts Evan and Trevor at risk of injuries, the two hope to continue to dive in the near and far future.

To both, diving offers a space to clear their mind and focus on a sport they love. “[Diving] has become comfortable for me,” Trevor said. “It’s just a way for me to clear my mind and focus on one thing. There’s nothing like that feeling of going into the water.”

Varsity football’s turnaround to success NATHAN GODDERIS BRIAN HUEBNER Staff Writers

Last year, the varsity football team ended the season with a shaky 4-6 record, finishing in the middle of the El Camino League standings. However, this season the team is reaching heights no one ever expected — they currently have a 5-1 record with four games left to play. What did they do to become so dominant?

Surprisingly, Los Altos’ success hasn’t come from the addition of individual athletes with raw talent. In this case, it’s the team chemistry that makes the group stronger as a whole. “[At the beginning of the season], I had a feeling that this was going to be a good team,” co-captain senior Jordan Auerbach said.

“I felt like I knew the people next to me. I knew they would put as much on the line as I would, and I knew we were all going to go 110 percent all the time.”

Another reason for Los Altos’ achievements thus far is a large improvement to its defense from last year, which is helping to bring out the most from its talented team, thanks in large part to tackle senior Tonga Keti and the unity of the team.

“On defense I see that we’ve been swarming to the ball way more,” Jordan said. “You’ll see tackles this year with seven players on the running back or receiver, and we always force the run in, which is always a big factor for stopping the run on defense.”

One of the highlights of the season for the Eagles was their 12-9 win over rival Mountain

KUNAL PANDIT

KUNAL PANDIT

Above: Junior Erik Skov falls to the ground after being tripped by the Homestead defense. Below: Both Homestead and Los Altos varsity football teams line up after the game to shake hands. Homestead handed Los Altos its first loss of the season, changing the Eagles’ record to 5-1.

View High School. After losing against them twice in the last season, Los Altos managed to bounce back with a strong performance, beating Mountain View and bringing home the Pride Bowl.

“Our defense [in the Mountain View game] was on point. Our offense was on point,” Tonga said.

“Our tight ends [were] on point, we were all on the same page, and we were all communicating well.”

On October 8, the Eagles lost to Homestead 13-18. They were disappointed but won’t let the defeat hinder them in the games ahead. The team believes the loss was the result of their week off.

“We went one week without being able to play, and it allows guys to try to take it easy,” cocaptain senior Max Higareda said. “Our offense had trouble picking up where they started from since our last game.”

The season is only halfway over with plenty of games left to play, and the Los Altos varsity football team has proven itself a strong contender. They are convinced they have what it takes to be the champions of SCVAL and potentially qualify for CCS. “Every week we want to go 1-0,” Higareda said. “Our ultimate goal is CCS playoffs, [and] I think it’s realistic for us.”

The Talon October 18, 2016

Phenomenal Freshmen Michael Sieffert, Senior Writer | Sana Khader, Staff Writer | Emma Kwan, Staff Writer

Katie Kishton: Volleyball [Katie] definitely brings a lot of energy because she is one of the younger players. She’s really enthusiastic all the time. Whenever she comes on the court there’s a great boost of energy.

— senior Lauren Limbach

PLAYER STATISTICS Position: Right-side hitter and back-row passer As of October 11, 2016: Sets played: 33 Kills: 20 Digs: 30 Aces: 6

F

reshman Katie Kishton goes up for the swing and slams down another kill for the Lady Eagles. The nine girls in blue spandex on the bench go crazy. They chant, “She’s a freshman!” several times before settling down again.

And that makes her unique: Katie is the only freshman on this year’s varsity girls volleyball team. She currently plays as a right-side hitter and back-row passer.

Katie began playing in fifth grade and has played for Vision Volleyball Club for the past three years. Club season makes for a demanding schedule. With three two-anda-half hour practices and a couple of private lessons per week, Katie devotes more than eight hours to volleyball each week, not including weekend tournaments, which can be anywhere from one to three days long and often require driving for two or more hours.

Katie’s sister, Louisa Kishton, ‘16, is currently an outside hitter for Johns Hopkins’ womens volleyball team. Having a sister who excels at the same sport pushes Katie to work even harder, as many of Louisa’s coaches are now coaching Katie.

“I think they’re seeing me as Lulu’s little sister until I’ve made my own name,” Katie said. “And I think because we play different positions, I’ve started drifting apart from her

name and creating a new one for myself as a different position.”

Co-captain senior Lauren Limbach praises Katie for her skills on the court.

“She’s got a wicked swing,” Lauren said.

“She is really strong, and sometimes you don’t see it coming and then all of a sudden the ball’s on the ground. She’s also got a very good serve. We can always count on her to get it over the net, so if we’re in a tight situation, it’s really nice when she’s the one behind the line serving.”

Beyond her outstanding physical skills, Katie’s enthusiasm for the game is contagious on the court.

“She definitely brings a lot of energy because she is one of the younger players,” Lauren said. “She’s really enthusiastic all of the time. Whenever she comes on the court there’s a great boost of energy.”

With solid skills and the determination to improve, Katie is aiming high for the rest of the season.

“My main goal right now is to improve my hitting,” Katie said. “A couple days ago, I wasn’t playing all the way around. I think I need to keep improving on my skills, keep gaining more play time and trying my hardest to keep up my skills in the next couple years.”

NATALIE MUNGUIA

W

ith every race, the varsity cross country team shifts to the new fastest seven runners, and the need to improve makes it difficult to secure a spot for good. However, freshman Adam Sage has no fear of losing his varsity spot — he’s always placed between first and third in all of his high school races.

Adam started running in seventh grade at Egan Junior High School as a way to meet new people. Back then, cross country was simply a fun after school activity.

Unlike many runners on the Los Altos cross country team, Adam did not attend many of the summer practices that the team held. Instead, he was busy running for a club track team called Peninsula Flyers, which competes during the spring and the summer at US Track and Field sanctioned events.

Out of the first four meets of the season, Adam’s undeniable highlight was winning the Frosh/Soph Central Park meet by nearly 15 seconds. He ran the 2.3 mile race in 12:50 with 5:35 per mile. Adam, however, says he would have preferred a challenge.

“I didn’t like [the race] very much,” Adam said. “I actually prefer to be chasing someone.”

In the heat of a race, Adam sheds all

thoughts of his everyday life and focuses intensely on running. He locks into the race and determines what needs to happen for success.

“I like to be focused on the race,” Adam said.

“I try to picture how far I have to go, maybe be figuring out what [pace] I should be running.”

Recently at the varsity-exclusive Clovis Invitational, Adam ran the 5k in 16:51 which means 84th overall out of 237 of the best runners in the state. Despite Adam’s best performance in a high school race, he felt he could have gone faster.

“I tried a different start, going out a lot faster,” Adam said. “It didn’t work out as well as I hoped. I burned out on the second mile.”

Many runners celebrate when they find out the next race will be a mostly flat course, but not Adam. The extra effort needed on tough courses pushes Adam to excel past his competitors.

“The harder the course, the better I’ll do,” Adam said.

Adam’s coaches enjoy his presence on the team and respect his determination.

“Adam has a really positive attitude towards running,” Assistant Coach Steph MacKenzie said. “You tell him what the workout is and he just goes after it. He’s not scared by anything.”

Kylie Akiyama: Tennis Sometimes I feel like since I’m short and small, [opponents] don’t think I can hit with power or be able to cover the court. It makes me want to beat them even more.

— freshman Kylie Akiyama

PLAYER STATISTICS 4th singles 1st doubles Indiviudal Record: 14-2

EMILY ARONOVITZ

Adam Sage: Cross Country Adam has a really positive attitude towards running. You tell him what the workout is and he just goes after it.

He’s not scared by anything.

— Assistant Coach Steph MacKenzie

PLAYER STATISTICS Varsity #2 Best 5k time: 16:51 Average pace: 5:35 Fastest pace: 5:26 (for a 5k)

COURTESY MARTHA GIBSON

D

ay in and day out, Kylie Akiyama can be found on the tennis court. She has practice daily, tournaments twice a week and plays as either the first doubles pairing or fourth singles player on the varsity girls tennis team.

Kylie began playing tennis at the age of 5 and 10 years later, she’s emerged as an accomplished first-year athlete. Her success as a freshman is no surprise, considering she started the sport at a young age.

Due to her many responsibilities, it isn’t easy for Kylie to balance school and sports.

“With sports like tennis, you need to practice, otherwise you lose muscle memory,” Kylie said.

“You always have to be practicing, but when school starts piling up it gets really stressful.”

Because of her experience, she’s been able to do exceptionally well at the high school level due to her control over her nerves despite being a freshman.

“When I first started playing in tournaments, I would get really nervous before matches,” Kylie said. “Once I started playing, I was fine. After a while, it just feels like another tournament.”

Kylie’s transition to high school tennis came with its challenges, but she has been able to face them all with her dedication and constant

desire to improve her game. As a smaller player, she often faces opponents that underestimate her skill. But rather than serving as a deterrent to her success, Kylie uses this as more motivation to prove her opponents wrong.

“Sometimes I feel like since I’m short and small, [opponents] don’t think I can hit with power or be able to cover the court,” Kylie said. “It makes me want to beat them even more.”

This season, she is working on improving the consistency of her shots, which has helped her overcome previous obstacles and win more matches.

“I’ve had a lot of trouble working on my consistency because I like hard shots, so being able to have good rallies was a challenge,” Kylie said. “But there have been games where I was proud because I was down a set, won the second and the tiebreak, so I came back from behind [to win the match].”

Kylie’s success this season motivates her to keep setting new goals for herself in order to constantly improve her game, which have translated to ambitious, yet attainable goals.

“I want to get as far as possible in the CCS [playoffs],” Kylie said. “Hopefully we’ll go undefeated, so that we can move up to the higher league next year.”