28 April 2015 by The Octagon

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Sacramento Country Day School

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VOL. XXXVIII, NO. 7

High school adds new online STEM courses

April 28, 2015

Blast from the Past In celebration of Country Day’s 50th anniversary, a past editor-in-chief of The Octagon is being featured in each issue.

By Madison Judd Page Editor Next year, an online AP Computer Science class will be added to the high-school curriculum. The addition of an online math class is being deliberated. Both will be offered through Amplify Education, an online program. The idea for an online math class was suggested by sophomores who are taking AP Calculus AB, as well as two freshmen in Pre-Calculus Honors. “(The students and I) wondered if they will be well served as seniors by taking AP Econ, or would it be better if we opened up an online differential calculus or statistics class for them,” said Brooke Wells, head of the high school. Freshman Atsuo Chiu, who is in Pre-Calculus Honors, said that he was very excited when he heard that another level of math might be added. “Having the chance to take another AP math class without going to an actual college campus will be so convenient for the sophomores and us (freshmen),” Chiu said. “It’s really nice that the school listened to our requests.” However, the decision to add another math class will be officially determined by the math department, Wells said. “There is talk now that Country Day already has AP economics as the additional math class,” he said. “The problem might be that there are too many divergent needs to offer one specific class.” Wells expects that the new math class will be popular, but it won’t start until the 2016-17 school year because it is being created specifically for the class of 2017. AP Computer Science, however, is expected to begin in September. The addition of AP Computer Science was just an obvious decision, Wells said. “If you look at (Country Day’s) program, computer science is pretty glaringly absent, so we can’t exactly credit anyone with the idea. It’s kind of like, ‘Let’s teach English!’” Wells said. However, he did admit that the Octagon first brought up the idea in its Oct. 28 editorial. The editorial stated that 52 of 114 students said that they would be interested in taking computer science. Junior Jacob Durante agrees. Durante and fellow junior Keaton Ochoa are currently teaching themselves computer science during one of their free elective periods. They have been using an online textbook written by professors at Princeton University. Durante has always been fascinated with computers, he said. Ever since he was little, Durante has been working on computers, including building his own, with a little help from his father. He also wants to be an electrical engineer, because his father is one and his sister is studying to be one. And an electrical-engineering career requires a background in computer science. “It is awesome that they’re planSee New Classes, page 10

The top three sophomore presentations were announced at morning meeting on April 15. Kevin Huang (smiling, fourth boy from left) received first place. (Photo by Jacob Sands )

Sophomore presentations:

International student takes top prize for first time

By Zoë Bowlus

have anything to compare it to,” Wolkov said. To give a point of comparison, Wolkov presented the Ames case as a story, which Nellis said gave real ophomore Kevin Huang couldn’t find any pic- strength to her project. “I was inspired (to do that) because I always entures online to show how much mielie-meal Nelson Mandela received a day while he was joyed the way that Mr. (Daniel) Neukom did his lectures like a story,” Wolkov said. in prison for 27 years. Technology director Tom Wroten, who judged the But that didn’t stop Huang, who did his sophomore presentation, “Nelson Mandela’s 27-year Prison first round of presentations, said his best piece of advice for next year’s sophomores was to practice. Life,” on April 14. “It can be nerve-racking to stand in front of a large “I thought it would be very interesting if I could audience of your peers and faculty, and the only thing cook it myself,” he said. So he did. A picture of homemade mielie-meal was one of to calm those nerves is to have absolute confidence in many pictures Huang used to give his audience of what you are presenting,” he said. “Practice in front of the mirror and friends, and, students, teachers and administrators an idea of what when applicable, ask for constructive criticism.” Mandela’s prison years were like. The presentations began with 5-7 minute speeches Huang said he worried that when he announced to by all sophomores, which the audience that Mandela had spent roughly a third of “Practice in front of the mirror and Wroten and English teacher Patricia Fels narrowed his life in prison, it might not friends. And, when applicable, ask for down to 10. be that impressive. Over the summer, the So to illustrate, he showed constructive criticism.” pictures of a sapling and the —Tom Wroten, technology director sophomores read a biography of a non-American of tree it turned into in 27 years their choice. and a boy and the man he The presentation could be focused on any aspect grew into 27 years later. “Personalizing the information to make it more of the book. Judge Jane Bauman said she thought this was an real to the students was a really effective tool,” judge Sue Nellis said. (Nellis added that she was speaking as effective strategy and yielded good results. Wroten said each of the top 10 presenters was an observer and not on behalf of the judges.) Huang’s presentation took first place, Isabelle strong. “They provided good support and clarity in their topics, created visually interesting multimedia Leavy’s took second and Nicole Wolkov’s third. Leavy discussed what she considers the “most presentations and delivered it all with strength and reasonable explanation for Vincent Van Gogh’s cra- confidence,” he said. Bauman, Nellis and teacher Glenn Mangold judged ziness” in her presentation, “Vincent Van Gogh: Arthe top 10 presentations. tistic Effects of Lead Poisoning.” “We look at how well (the students) do in several Leavy’s mother is an art historian, so Leavy has been around art since she was young. Additional- different categories,” Mangold said. “No one student ly, she recently became interested in mental health is the best in every category. You have to weigh and balance how well they did in the different categories.” awareness, so her topic was a natural fit. The judges evaluate how integral the slides are to Leavy said she was proud of getting to know her the presentation. material really well. Additionally, the judges listen for a natural speak“After my presentation, people were coming up to ing style that is still standard English, Mangold said. me and asking specific questions,” she said. It’s important not to sound too rehearsed. Leavy’s slides featured Van Gogh’s artwork and “The presenters should know the subject matter were marked to show characteristics of the paintings well enough to speak extemporaneously,” Bauman that point to Van Gogh’s having lead poisoning. “The slides of her paintings and her explanation of said. They also look for a presentation with no obvious them had a great visual effect,” Nellis said. In “The Spy Game,” Wolkov contrasted espionage factual errors, Mangold said, and no errors of judgin the movies and espionage in reality through her ment or logic. Mangold said he thought the top 10 presenters discussion of Aldrich Ames’s career as a double agent. “(Many people) think that real spying probably isn’t like (James Bond movies), but they don’t actually See Presentations, page 10

Sports Editor

Kelsey Blodget, ’04, was co-editor-in-chief of The Octagon in her senior year along with four other seniors: Amy Endicott, Francie Neukom, Kelly Neukom and Katie O’Banion. Blodget attended Dartmouth College. She is the executive editor at Oyster.com, a hotel review website that is also a TripAdvisor company. Q: What were some big issues on campus when you were a student? A : Th e r e w e r e s o m e controversial senior pranks, but they weren’t in my class. Someone parked a car on the roof of a building. Another year the seniors stole street signs from around Sacramento and spelled out “Juniors Suck.” Q: Do you have to travel a lot for your current job? A : I w e n t t o N o r w ay, Ireland and Costa Rica. Unfortunately, the trips were very packed and left little time for vacation. I really loved Costa Rica. I am going back this summer for a vacation this time. I loved the wildlife and views that I got to preview during my work trips. Q: Who were your favorite teachers? A: I loved my teachers at Country Day. I am very grateful to (Octagon adviser Patricia) Fels for teaching me a love of journalism. I loved my AP United States History class with (history teacher Sue) Nellis, my AP European History class and Ancient History with (history teacher Daniel) Neukom, my AP Art History class with (art teacher Kay) Schweizer and my Latin class with Ms. B (Jane Batarseh). It’s no surprise that I majored in both classical studies and English at Dartmouth, as my interests in history and English were definitely fostered at Country Day. —Adam Dean For more of the interview, visit scdsoctagon.com.

2 Feature Dog oon l l a “B e)” (Blu

The Octagon

Pop artist under fire

Was Koons’s $8 million Piglet sculpture the right choice for Kings’ new arena? Koons also holds the record for the most nal. expensive work sold by a living artist at “He’s going to rub our face in how he’s Social Media Editor auction, making the arena piece seem like blurring the line between pop culture and chump change. serious art like he did with his gaudy statarling, timid, tiny Piglet has His “Balloon Dog (Orange)” sold for ue of Michael Jackson, or never been a subject of hot de$58.4 million in 2013. when he did an exhibit bate - well, until now. So even art history teacher Ron Bell, of him and his porn-star Internationally recognized who dislikes Koons’s art, understands why wife having sex.” artist Jeff Koons has put his multicolored the sensational artist was chosen. Bell is referring to interpretation of A.A. Milne’s character “(The city) is trying to boost the arts “Michael Jackson from “Winnie-the-Pooh” at the center of profile of Sacramento by buying this work and Bubbles” an art controversy in Sacramento. of an iconically famous international figand his “Made in On March 10, Sacramento’s City Counure,” he said. Heaven” series, cil unanimously approved “(Sacramento) wants to respectively. Koons’s 18-and-a-halflook classy in the eyes of “Bubbles,” foot, stainless-steel, the world like, ‘We know “(Sacramento) wants to look a golden, lifePiglet-based sculpabout art, so we got this classy in the eyes of the world.” sized, porceture to be placed in very expensive piece by lain sculpture —Ron Bell, art history teacher front of the new Kings’ this edgy, much-discussed of the singer arena. guy.’” and his pet And at $7.5 million Julie Didion, ceramics and sculpture monkey, was displayed in Koons’s retro(plus $500,000 teacher, said that the decision should be spective exhibit in Paris. for maintebased more on the art, And Koons’s more explicit work, his nance and independent of where “Made in Heaven” series, includes images shipping), the artist is from. of him and his first wife, pornstar Ilona K o o n s ’ s “California was edited out, and (the Only art teacher Andy Staller, having sex. piece isn’t search) went from local to global Cunningham agrees with Some of the series’ titles include “Dirty cheap. The when it should have been focused the critics - up to a point. Ejaculation” and “Ilona’s Ass----.” owners of While he doesn’t think Bell maintains that Koons’s themes, the Kings on California.” the artist should have which are rooted in post-modern art, have are covering —Andy Cunningham, art teacher necessarily been from been done before. most of the Sacramento, he does “He’s just taking arguments that have cost, conthink the artist should have been a already been made and doing it over and tributing $5.5 million, while the city is payCalifornian. over again, and I just think Koons is ing the remaining $2.5 million. “California was edited out, laughing all the way to the bank The sculpture was first approved and and (the search) went from because he’s getting ridiculous chosen by the Art in Public Places panel local to global when it amounts of money for this (part of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts should have been fostuff,” Bell said. Commision), comprised of local artists, cused on California,” Cunningham agrees historians and the stadium architect. he said. that Koons’s work isn’t Marcy Friedman, a Sacramento art col“There are a lot novel. lector and philanthropist, is donating $1 of strong large“If art is a language million, and the Kings and the city are doscale sculptors in that an artist uses to nating a combined $500,000 to be used to California.” communicate, I feel purchase local art for the arena. But more his has continued The choice of Koons, despite the $1.5 s p e c i f i c a l l y, to say the same bamillion, has provoked outcries from the Cu n n i n g h a m sic thing over the local art community, with prominent artist says that “Colyears,” he said. David Garibaldi and many more speaking oring Book’s” “Here is this against the piece. ( S a c r a m e n to ’s thing one normally The main criticism is that Koons and his piece is fifth in the sewouldn’t call art. “Play-Doh” piece have nothing to do with Sacramento ries) meaning is overdone. “Watch me make it big and or the Kings. “The inside joke is about coloring out- glossy, force it into the field of the art game Surprisingly, most members of the side the lines, but you don’t need five of and get paid an exorbitant amount of monhigh-school art department aren’t upset by them to get it,” Cunningham said. ey for it because paying people don’t get Koons’s lack of local connection. bored with shallow art.” “It’s also a joke because it’s $8 million “While I sympathize with the local artNonetheless, everyone in the art and glossy.” ists who are struggling to make ends meet, department is glad that art has beDidion also takes issue with the piece’s I don’t have any feelings one way or the come part of the local conother,” said Patricia Kelly, fine arts depart- lack of meaning. versation. “I appreciate the gutsiness of his work, ment chair. but it seems to be less about self-expresBecause of Koons’s international signifSee Koons, page 11 icance, people will come to see the piece, sion and more about thumbing his nose at the establishment with these sort of ironic Kelly said. pop statements,” she Koons is known said. for his large-scale, “If I were sitting on factor y-produced “If art is a language that an artist art. According to uses to communicate, I feel his the panel choosing the I would have the New York Rehas continued to say the same artwork, chosen something upview of Books, his lifting and inspiring studio employs 128 basic thing over the years.” people and “looks —Cunningham - something that would as antiseptic as an help operating room.” And Koons’s “Piglet” pales in compari- the world to understand son to one of Koons’s larger pieces, “Pup- the incredible richness of California.” py.” The piece - a multicolored, 43-foot-tall Bell said that the topiary puppy - stands in front of the Gug- problem with Koons’s genheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. work is that it’s unorigi-

By Maxwell Shukuya

“M ic ha el Ja ck so n

an dB ub bl es ”

April 28, 2015

My Angle By Isabelle Leavy

Abstract public art lacks local connection On March 10, the Sacramento City Council made an $8 million decision that is angering artists across the region - the city will sign a contract with artist Jeff Koons to have a sculpture put up outside the new Kings’ arena. The piece is a large investment and many locals think it is just not worth the money. It is a highly reflective piece that is part of Koons’s “Coloring Book” project and is based loosely on the abstract figure of the “Winniethe-Pooh” character Piglet. (The piece is a flat, mirrored surface adorned with large, bright masses of color.) In my opinion, a public art piece must be three things in order to be worth buying. The first is that the public must be able to interact with it in one way or another. Next, especially in the case of “Piglet,” it must be a worthy representation of the city and what it is all about. Lastly, public art should be visually appealing and thought-provoking, since people will look at it for extended periods of time while waiting for friends or events.

“No matter how good the piece looks originally, over time, the outdoor installment will deteriorate due to these issues.” Koons’s piece fills none of these requirements well enough to be worth $8 million. The piece itself is large and reflective in order to allow the public to see themselves in it, which allows a certain amount of interaction. However, any touching of the piece or exposure to the elements would ruin the luster, reducing it to a large blob of color. No matter how good the piece looks originally, over time, the outdoor installment will deteriorate due to these issues. What is the point of public art that can’t be touched? On one hand, I do appreciate the idea of reflectivity, like that of the famous shiny silver “Bean” sculpture in Chicago, but it is logistically inferior. In addition, the piece seems to be a single flat surface, which, unlike the “Bean,” doesn’t take advantage of the angles and reflections possible in such a shiny piece. This piece will most likely be one of the most visited attractions in Sacramento. It demonstrates that we care as much about art as we do our other endeavors, sports and government. It is important that the piece reflect what is important about our culture and way of life in the capital. What does an abstract image of Piglet have to do with Sacramento? Just about nothing. Piglet himself is known as being timid and weak, and although he is also a sweet and loving character, his spirit is entirely irrelevant to our city. In addition, although it is drastically visually distorted, the use of Piglet’s image could create a breeding ground for copyright lawsuits. Koons has previously been involved in four copyright disputes, three of which he has lost. In one such lawsuit, he produced a sculpture of a dog and young boy, the dog being figurally reminiscent of Jim Davis’s character, Odie, from the original Garfield comic strip. See My Angle, page 11

April 28, 2015

The Octagon

News

The school held a series of celebrations for its 25th anniversary in 1990. Top left, Maura Ryan, ’02, enjoys a hamburger during the 25th Anniversary celebration grill on May 25. Ryan now teaches first grade at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School in Saratoga. Top right, Stan Lake, father of Elizabeth Lake, ‘92, works on the grill at the event. Middle right, Francie Tidey, former head of high school; Barbara Ore, former lower-school head; and Dan White, former headmaster, enjoy themselves at the celebratory coffee and flag raising on Sept. 14, 1989. Bottom, White makes a speech at the flag raising. (Photos used by permission of Julie Nelson)

School prepares for 50th anniversary By Sonja Hansen

According to Mancina, the alumni who have responded to their invitations are enthusiastic about the event. “People who have been out of touch for a he 50th Anniversary events are fast approaching and new details on while kind of light up when they hear about the activities from Richard Manci- it,” Mancina said. Tr a v e l i n g na, ‘73, and furthest for Amy Johnson, ‘95, give a more concrete picture of “People who have been out of touch the events are the festivities ahead. for a while kind of light up when they Quincey Tidey Grieve, ’86, On May 22, the Friday hear about it.” (daughter of fornight “Together We Are —Richard Mancina, ’73 mer headmaster Golden” event will be Clayton J. Tidey geared toward alumni, and Francie Tidcurrent students, parents and staff. It will feature an art gallery, an ey, former head of high school) from Washington, D.C., and teacher Greg Nobles from SCDS-themed movie and a trailer museum. The following day, the “Solid Gold Gala” Atlanta. The committee has sent several announcewill be an “insta-prom” for adults. Mancina, the first student body president ments and programs and created since1964. in 1972, said he has spent four hours a week org, which shows pictures of the campus and working on the 50th anniversary events since former faculty and alumni, gives information Anita Marmaduke, former Board of Trustees about who has agreed to come and instructs president, asked him to be chair of the 50th how to register and buy souvenirs. Formal invitations were sent in mid-April. Anniversary Committee four years ago. Mancina estimates that $16,000 has been “I’m most looking forward to seeing old friends from the ’70s and seeing folks from raised from the commemorative tile sales all eras of Country Day meet,” Mancina said. since the beginning of the school year. A group of alumni decided that half of Mancina asked Johnson, a Lifer and alumni these funds will support the Capital Fund, director from ’00-’04 and Medallion advisor for several more years, to help him plan the which finances campus improvements, and the other half will go to the Faculty Salary celebration. “It’s been a priceless experience to be Endowment Fund. The committee is beginning to meet with back on campus and to work with (director of institutional advancement) Wendy Ross, student and parent volunteers. According to (Mancina) and other members of the SCDS Johnson, the committee would like to involve class representatives. Volunteers can sign up family,” Johnson said. Johnson expects more than 500 people to with Ross to lead campus tours, run booths attend on Friday and more than 200 on Sat- and man the historical scavenger hunt. urday night. According to Mancina, it is hard “Together We Are Golden” to be certain. The committee received about On Friday, May 22, the celebration will 600 RSVPs for the birthday party in Septembegin, along with the Rulindo Play-a-thon, ber, but over 600 attended. “Teachers from all decades are coming Megaband and Spirit Day. Some alumni back,” Mancina said. “This is probably the might join the Megaband, which Johnson is only event where you’ll see all of them to- most looking forward to. “I can’t wait to see who brings their instrugether again.” Former teachers - such as Jim McEntee, ments,” Johnson said. The Friday event, 4-8 p.m., will be free, but Helen Bishop, Roy Bishop, Dave Hechler, Corrine Cleary (and her husband Kim Wood) food and drinks from food trucks will be sold. Hagen’s Original Orange Freeze, Drewski’s and Paul Ford - will attend both events.

Reporter

and Mama Kim’s will arrive between 4 and 5 “I jump at any opportunity to visit Sacrap.m. and serve for the entire event. mento and bug my former teachers.” EytchesArtifacts from the school’s history will be on said. on display in a trailer museum because most Mancina said that he thinks students will of the original buildings on campus were por- most enjoy the scavenger hunt and visiting tables. Many artifacts were donated by fami- with alumni. lies. Mancina donated some editions of The “Students might be interested to hear Tasteful Turkey, the first publication and un- what (alumni) have to say about old teachers derground newspaper. Mancina was co-pub- like Mr. (history teacher Daniel) Neukom,” lisher of the Turkey and said that it was “the Mancina said. “They might like to think precursor to the Octagon.” about how they will celebrate in 25 years.” A time capsule filled in 1989 at the 25th anJohnson said that she hopes that students niversary will be opened on Friday and on dis- take away SCDS’s rich history. play for both days. Amy Nelson Wells, alumni director and development coordinator, is preSolid Gold Gala paring the capsule for display. All alumni who On Saturday, 6-11 p.m., there will be a gala sealed the capsule will attend the opening. for adults for $50, which includes food, cock“If you’re into Country Day history, this is tails, music from when the alumni attended a must-see,” Mancina said. and dancing. Present and former faculty are Several booths will be designated for cur- guests of the school. rent and former members of co-curriculars to The gala will start with a cocktail hour, mingle. For example, there will be a booth for and the SCDS trailer history museum will be the current and foropen again. Then mer Octagon staffprofessional come“I jump at any opportunity to visit Sacers and booths for dian Grant Lyon, ramento and bug my former teachers.” ‘02, will perform. sports teams. “A lot of alum“The people at —Ryan Eytcheson, ’03 ni want to talk to Country Day are students to find always so warm and out how things have changed and stayed the friendly,” Lyon said. same,” Mancina said. “Most (alumni) don’t “The people and relationships are what know that they (students) have laptops and makes (the school) special in my opinion, so iPads.” the remainder of the event will allow for remA scavenger hunt based on SCDS history iniscing and catching up with old and new will lead guests on a tour around the school. friends,” Johnson said. The hunt will end with prizes, but Mancina At the gala, there will be two food stations said that the biggest prize of all will be the catered by Jackson Catering. One,“Frank Pigbragging rights. According to Mancina, the nata Hot Dogs,” will serve gourmet hot dogs scavenger hunt is meant to show the alum- as a throwback to the first food program, ni the changed campus and how many more which served hot dogs on Fridays, and will be clubs and sports teams have been added. dedicated to Pignata, a former math teacher Former art teacher Maya (“Kay”) Schweiz- and assistant headmaster. The other station is er’s artwork will be displayed in the art room. called “Bake Sale.” Schweizer will present some new works and The “insta-prom,” which was requested several pieces donated by SCDS friends. by many alumni who didn’t have high-school A film made by Ryan Eytcheson, ’03, and proms, will include photo booths and a tradihis mother Linda, will be shown on a loop. tional prom photo set-up. Guests are encourEytcheson’s film describes the school’s begin- aged to come in “creative or classic” prom atning, the founders’ vision and SCDS living tire or wear the provided costumes for their up to its original expectations. Ross asked pictures. Johnson expects this to be a “lively Eytcheson if he would create the film in 2014. and highly entertaining” part of the gala.

4 Sports

The Octagon

April 28, 2015

Claire Pinson to swim for Harvard

First Ivy League athlete in 31 years makes big splash By Manson Tung

mainly attracted athletes from New England. Not surprisingly, their programs, specifically the women’s programs, were a bit provincial.” By the end of Pinson’s junior year (after she received her or the second time, Harvard has landed a Country Day swimmer, senior Claire Pinson. The last time sixth-semester and standardized testing scores), the conversawas over 30 years ago when Kelley Taber, ’84, chose tion became personal. “This is when the coaches tell you whether or not they Harvard - and the admissions process has changed a need your stroke specialty (middle and long freestyle events lot since then. The long road for swimmers nowadays begins early. So early, are Pinson’s specialty) or if your swim times just aren’t fast in fact, that students initiate telephone contact with coaches enough to be on their team,” Pinson said. Although times factor heavily into the admissions process as early as freshman year in high school. Coaches meanwhile must wait until July 1 between a student’s junior and senior for student-athletes, they are not the be-all and end-all. Pinson said coaches have to show the undergraduate adyear to reach out and can call students only once a week. While less prestigious schools initiate contact with stu- missions office that the student can still succeed academically. For Pinson, especially, academics played a large part. dents, Ivy League schools require student-led action, accord“I’m by no means the fastest incoming freshman,” Pinson ing to Pinson. “It’s pretty bad (of us), but the emails that we send are basi- said. “But they saw some potential, and my academics and GPA were high enough to fit in their range.” cally the same ones,” Pinson said. Taber had similar qualifications, she said. Like Pinson, she “It goes a bit like, ‘I want a perfect balance between academics and athletics, and I think (insert school name) is per- was not the fastest freshman. Although her times were strong, she became sick with mononucleosis the summer between fect for that.’” Taber, now president of the Board of Trustees and an alum- her junior and senior years, leading to a break in training and ni interviewer for Harvard, said the admissions process used ultimately slower times when she joined the Harvard team. “I was a Prep School All American in the butterfly and into have fewer restrictions. “We obviously didn’t have email, but there was no set date dividual medley my freshman and sophomore years in high school, so that probably carried a significant amount of or number of times you could call the coaches,” Taber said. “Some of the less academically competitive schools at the weight,” Taber said. Taber concluded, though, that it was more her complete time recruited and actively headhunted, but the Ivy League profile (National Merit Semifinalist, GPA and other extracurriculars - Taber was editor-in-chief of the Octagon) that pushed her over the top. Once the colleges were confident Pinson could do the work, they invited her on recruitment trips in early fall. Pinson was courted by Princeton University, Rice University, Brown University and Georgia Institute of Technology. Recruitment trips are all-expenses-paid visits so the athletes can get a better feeling for the schools. Coaches can invite around 10 swimmers, and trips happen on only two or three weekends. Swimmers are allowed five official trips. Taber was also invited on Kelley Taber, ’84, was co-captain of the 1987-88 Harvard women’s swim team. (Photo recruitment trips. However, Taber was interested in used by permission of Taber)

Page Editor

At left, senior Claire Pinson begins a 400-meter individual medley. Above, Pinson visits the Harvard swimming and diving facility while on her junior year Spring Break trip. (Photos used by permission of Pinson)

Princeton and Harvard, and at the time neither school offered official trips. Although Pinson didn’t get a recruitment trip offer from Harvard, she visited the school on her own. After Pinson’s Princeton trip, the coach said she was a top candidate. Pinson, however, wasn’t as sure about Princeton. “I felt that I couldn’t make the decision until I had seen another school,” Pinson said. At the same time, Princeton was pressing Pinson for an answer within the week. Short on time, Pinson told Harvard’s coach that Harvard was her top choice, at which point the coach invited her for a traditional recruitment trip. Pinson left Sacramento for Boston the next day. It was on this trip that Pinson had her “Harvard moment.” “I was swimming in their pool when it just hit me that this was the place I needed to be at,” Pinson said. “I ended up walking into the coach’s office still dripping wet saying, ‘I had the moment.’” Two days later, Pinson got the dream call. “The coach started out saying, ‘We’ve been doing a lot of thinking,’ which made me incredibly worried,” Pinson said. “But she continued, ‘We have faster swimmers who are undecided, and they are looking at other colleges, but we know that you want to be at Harvard. Welcome to the team. If you want it, you can have it.’” While Pinson fell in love with Harvard almost immediately, it took longer for Taber to warm up to the college. “My trip to Harvard actually decreased my interest!” Taber said. “The coach was uninspiring, and the swimmers I met seemed to have low energy and a lack of enthusiasm.” On the other hand, Princeton impressed her with a beautiful campus and handsome swimmers. It wasn’t until Taber had dinner with close friends who went to Harvard as swimming student-athletes that her interest was piqued again. “The entire family worked hard to convince me that I should go to Harvard. They even sang the Harvard fight song for me over the dinner table,” Taber said. After she made her choice, Pinson had one last duty - to tell other schools she had picked Harvard. “I remember bawling on the phone when I was talking to the coach for Rice,” Pinson said. “It is one of the cruelest things in the world, but also incredibly exciting.” Although Pinson had a verbal agreement with the Harvard coach, she still had to submit an early action application. Taber also applied early action and received the news on her

Sports Boosters’ Athletes of the Month Melissa Vazquez for her dedication and leadership on the soccer field.

Ethan Ham for his outstanding pitching and hitting for the baseball team.

Athletes of the Month are chosen by the athletic department on behalf of the Sports Boosters.

See Swim, page 10

April 28, 2015

Sports

The Octagon

Baseball —Record: 9-1 —The baseball team has the best record of any spring sport. —Sophomore David Boley has a batting average of .541 in 37 at bats. —Freshman Miles Edwards leads the team with seven doubles.

Sophomore David Boley catches a ball at practice. (Photo used by permission of America Lopez)

Golf —The team is fourth in the league. —Junior Ben Felix is the top player with an average score of 44.

—“It’s been pretty much a story of highs and lows,” sophomore Zane Jakobs said. “We’ve had some great games, and some where we got through by the skin of our teeth.”

Lacrosse —Record: 2*-3 *Forfeits by Casa Roble High School —Lost to Bella Vista High School, 4-5 (April 9) —Lost to Lincoln High School, 5-17 (March 20) —Lost to San Marin High School, 6-18 (April 22) —Senior Skovran Cunningham leads the team with nine goals. —“The team is scrappy and keeps fighting even when they’re down,” coach Aaron Couchot said.

Senior Maxwell Shukuya passes a ball to senior Michael Wong. (Photo used by permission of America Lopez)

Soccer —Record: 3-6 —Goals: 29 —Sophomore Natalie Brown leads the team with 16 goals. —Second-highest scorer: freshman Evann Rudek with five goals

Junior Ben Felix sinks a putt at the April 20 match at Rancho Solano Golf Course against Faith Christian. (Photo by Jacob Sands)

Sophomore Natalie Brown fights for the ball. (Photo used by permission of America Lopez)

Tennis

—“I’m pretty positive that next year, we will have two or three talented girls coming up in the eighth-grade class,” coach George Champayne said. “We only had two seniors this year, so I had a very young team, which is great for next year.”

Swimming —“The swim team is just beginning to gain momentum, and I hope

it will continue to build and grow,” senior Claire Pinson said. “The juniors can step up into some leadership roles, and the freshmen can use this year’s opportunity to bond with some older students. I hope the lowerclassmen swim again next year.”

Juniors Nathan Chan and Johann Dias practice doubles. (Photo by Adam Ketchum)

—Record: 1-7 —“The highlight for me was several players joining the team mid-season, especially freshman Lily Brown, who played number-two singles right after starting,” coach Patricia Jacobsen said. “I was really proud of her and her courage to play one of the other school’s top players.”

Junior Sydney Michel warms up her freestyle before the April 23 meet at Rio Americano High School. (Photo by Adam Ketchum)

Centerpoint

The$Octagon$

April$28,$2015

30 years apart

Student deaths shake school F

By Emma Williams

“The( whole( concept( of( death( and( mortality( is( not( one( that( middle( schoolers( are( used( to( thinking(about.” —Lauren(LaMay,(teacher

“For( me,( there( was( always( an( empty(chair(at(the(Class(of(’92( events.” —Hannah(Clayson(Smith,(’91

“Connor’s( unexpected( passing( was( a( devastating( tragedy( for( our( community,( and( it( remains( so.” —Stephen(Repsher,(headmaster

Middle-school students tie up paper airplanes in the quad three days after seventh-grader Connor Burns died. The middle-school student council organized the construction of the airplanes, many of which had drawings and messages for Burns on them. (Photo by Marigot Fackenthal)

Connor Burns

David Clayson

At left, Hannah Clayson Smith, ’91, Jane Clayson, David’s mother, and Natalie Wolf, ’92, hold roses in front of the Colorado blue spruce a year after it was planted in David’s honor. (Photo used by permission of Smith) The spruce (above), located between the lower and middle schools, is now 30 years old. (Photo by Adam Ketchum)

Centerpoint

The$Octagon$

April$28,$2015

30 years apart

Student deaths shake school F

By Emma Williams

“The( whole( concept( of( death( and( mortality( is( not( one( that( middle( schoolers( are( used( to( thinking(about.” —Lauren(LaMay,(teacher

“For( me,( there( was( always( an( empty(chair(at(the(Class(of(’92( events.” —Hannah(Clayson(Smith,(’91

“Connor’s( unexpected( passing( was( a( devastating( tragedy( for( our( community,( and( it( remains( so.” —Stephen(Repsher,(headmaster

Connor Burns

David Clayson

8 Editorial

The Octagon

April 28, 2015

“Ten for two” by Jacob Sands

My Angle By Grant Miner

It’s okay; I really do like making mochas

EDITORIAL: By listening to us, the faculty is providing the 21st-century tools we need The reason that so many of us are attracted to Country Day is that, unlike many public schools, it listens to the needs and wants of its students. Sure, a student council can convince the administration of a large public school to make Taco Tuesday happen two times a month, but when it comes to major changes, students are relatively powerless. And the addition of classes is a major change indeed. Even if no new teachers are hired, a new class can put a strain on an already difficult-to-balance budget as well as becoming another hurdle to jump when it comes time to make the new class schedules in the fall. Yet despite these problems, the faculty has decided to add two new classes: AP Computer Science and a yet-undecided math class that will extend beyond AP Calculus BC. The computer science course has been a long time coming, especially considering that it’s offered by a majority of public high schools and is an unofficial requirement for most engineering majors. Upon visiting her future college, one of our staffers asked her peers whether it was a problem that she had no computer science knowledge or experience. The response? “I just took AP Computer Science and I’m okay.” If taking the class itself is considered the bottom line at these programs, then including it in our curriculum

the

is a great idea. After all, if you’re going to call yourself a college-preparatory school, it’s important that your students are indeed prepped. However, while the computer science course is a veritable utility belt for future STEM majors, the yet-undecided math class is significantly more niche. The former is certainly a more necessary change to the curriculum, while the latter is indicative of what Country Day is all about: the students. Let’s be real here. A tertiary AP math class is not something our students need, but it’s certainly something the students want. It’s great that the administration considers our preferences, especially when many other schools have administrations that don’t pay much attention to their students. Our only fear is that some day there won’t be enough students to fill the class. But with the current trends in education, we don’t see that being a problem any time soon. However, even if that day comes (and frankly, we don’t see it coming), it won’t be a sad one, as the removal of the class would be just a continuation of the dynamism and flexibility that are characteristics of Country Day. After all, since we started out in a trailer it would be a shame if after 50 years the faculty quit listening.

Octagon

Editor-in-Chief Emma Williams Online Editor-in-Chief Aishwarya Nadgauda Business Manager Zoë Bowlus Feature Editor Aishwarya Nadgauda Opinion Editor Grant Miner Sports Editor Zoë Bowlus Copy Editor Amelia Fineberg Social Media Editor Maxwell Shukuya Page Editors Grant Miner Aishwarya Nadgauda Maxwell Shukuya

Emma Williams Madison Judd Manson Tung Reporters Adam Dean Marigot Fackenthal Ulises Barajas Annya Dahmani Katia Dahmani Sonja Hansen Graphic Artists Anna Wiley Jacob Sands Photographers Erin Reddy Adam Ketchum Jacob Sands Kevin Huang Adviser Patricia Fels

The Octagon is published eight times a year by high-school journalism students of Sacramento Country Day School, 2636 Latham Drive, Sacramento, California 95864. Phone: (916) 4818811, ext. 347. The online Octagon (www.scdsoctagon.com) is updated daily.

Orchids

Onions

I don’t know if I would choose “geek” as a good identifier of who I am. Nonetheless, I find myself deeply entrenched within that particular group’s characteristics. Stuff like videogames, bad sci-fi, superhero flicks and even that most base and cliched of nerd activities, anime, are all in my wheelhouse. It goes without saying that when you surround yourself in the culture of a specific demographic, you will be exposed to the opinions of your fellow consumers. I agree with most of them. For example, I and the rest of my people are of one mind that Hawkeye is the worst avenger, and we, if given a time machine, would defy the established rule that you have to use it to kill Hitler and would instead stop the Prequel Trilogy from ever being made. However, the Great Collective Intelligence and I differ in our views on academia. When it comes to what majors are and are not complete wastes of money, the popular wisdom is that all those who pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professions are bound for success, while those who do not are bound to serve the former coffee. This is, I assume, a result of people who major in hard sciences and people who major in more “fluffy” subjects getting along like Hatfields and McCoys. That is, if their animosity came from one family’s sexual frustration and an inability to be fun at parties. I kid, of course. After all, if you allowed yourself to be angered by the comments of a few asocial narcissists on Reddit, you would rarely find yourself not in a fit of rage. However, like many stupid beliefs, there is a kernel of truth wrapped in the over-buttered, unfulfilling popcorn bag of elitist rhetoric. The fact of the matter is that companies that would traditionally employ all those humanities majors are disappearing rapidly. Not just the specific positions, but the professions as a whole. Editors are becoming an endangered species as publishing companies are giving their books a quick once-over because, let’s face it, if you have a book that’s not good enough to publish with little to no work, there are so many writers that another one will come along before too long. Reporters, too, are speedily devolving into automatic writers that trawl social media for story info and publish endlessly recycled news on pop-culture events. I have made my peace with the fact that I am not good at math and, while I may love bio and science in general, they certainly don’t love me back. So what’s a boy with a math disability (or am I differently abled at math now? I can’t remember) to do? Well, I don’t know. It’s not as if I have a target profession to fear for, but I am very aware that the jobs I might be good at are rapidly disappearing. Oh, well. Even if Reddit is right, I can always find a job. So, do you need room for cream?

rchids to. . . the Parents’ Association for providing the high school with a free pizza lunch. It was a special treat for the students on Grands’ Day.

nions to. . . students, especially seniors, who selectively skip classes. Come on, we know your appointments don’t always have to be during the same class.

rchids to. . . the Student Council for organizing Jamba Juice days on five Fridays. It’s a nice way for students to cool down as the weather warms up!

nions to. . . the scheduling of all spring sports matches. Students on several teams miss the last classes almost every day, and they can’t go to other sports games.

April 28, 2015

Opinion

The Octagon

Downtown’s Newest Pie-ence Project Pizzeria features fast service, unlimited toppings

By Amelia Fineberg

ified Hawaiian - red sauce, mozzarella, pineapple and ham, but also pesto, grape tomatoes and basil. The result was simultaneously familiar-tasting and new. I have a soft spot for have to admit, I don’t really like pizza. It’s often so baked tomatoes, so in conjunction with the sweet pineapple, the pizza was heavenly. greasy that it makes me a little sick. All the pizzas from Pieology feature thin, crispy crusts So when I agreed to go to Pieology (1020 16th St.), a new pizza shop that was described to me as “Chipo- if Chicago deep-dish is your thing, then this place may distle, but with pizza,” I hoped it would be good enough that I, appoint. The thin crusts allow the pies to cook much more quickly than thick-crusted pizzas, though, so we had to wait picky as I am, could enjoy it. Luckily, Pieology lived up to my expectations. As Chipotle only about five minutes after paying to get our hot, fresh pizzas. is known for its build-yourAnd here’s where Pieology one-ups own burritos, so Pieology “And here’s where Pieology one-ups Chipotle: the food is actually hot when specializes in build-your-own Chipotle: the food is actually hot when it it arrives, and not just because it’s spicy. pizzas. Pieology is a chain, with arrives, and not just because it’s spicy.” Don’t get me wrong, Chipotle is great, but often by the time I add cheese, guac, numerous locations all over lettuce, corn and other cold toppings, the California and a few locations dish as a whole is cold. in other states. The Sacramento location opened fairly recentPieology doesn’t have the same problem because the entire ly, and there are several other California locations listed on pizza is cooked before it is delivered to you for consumption. the website (Pieology.com) as “coming soon.” Their stated mission is to provide unique pizzas with a va- Sure, the grape tomatoes are cold when they’re put on the pizza, but soon they’re cooked to tongue-scorching perfection. riety of fresh toppings for an affordable price. Some of the people ordering pizzas ate in-house as I did, There were lots of toppings to choose from when I visited on April 12, and a few suggested combinations, such as Alfre- but I also saw people carrying their pizzas out in branded boxdo’s Alfredo (olive oil, three-cheese alfredo sauce, parmesan, es. It’s certainly faster than waiting half an hour or more to get mozzarella, garlic, mushrooms, artichokes, basil, grape toma- a pizza delivered. And with toes and black pepper), which was one of the pies I sampled. The Alfredo’s Alfredo could be described as a little bland, despite the long list of toppings. However, it was delicious nonetheless, saved by the tanginess of the artichokes and tomatoes. I also ordered a sort of mod-

Copy Editor

the mint-green subway tiles and meaningful-quote wallpaper (“I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” -Winston Churchill) lining the walls, the atmosphere is laid-back and fun. Black-and-white photos on the walls - Pieology pizza boxes arranged in a pattern verging on abstraction, disembodied hands arranging toppings on a circle of dough, a line of pizzas heaped high with toppings - only add to the effect.

i e P C m h o o t i c s e e se s a n d M u e h C ea s ts C

Junior Madison Judd and eighth-grader Daniel Fineberg take bites out of their slices. Judd ate a personalized pizza with three-cheese Alfredo sauce, parmesan, jalapeños, green peppers, banana peppers, tomatoes, sausage, bacon and pepperoni. (Photo by Adam Ketchum)

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10 Remainder

The Octagon

April 28, 2015

Swim: Harvard’s athletes share dorms, cafeteria with regular students

New classes: Online AP Computer Science will be added to high-school curriculum

(Continued from page 4)

ning on doing this next year because I will actually have a place to go sit down and do the class, instead of just sitting in (history teacher Bruce) Baird’s room, and I won’t have to take the AP class by myself at a community college,” he said. For this reason, Wells predicts that the class will be successful. “Other independent schools who have used (Amplify Education), like the Bentley School in the Bay Area, found that their classes have been more successful if there is a time and place for the classes,” Wells said. Since the class will be provided by the school, students won’t pay any additional fees.

birthday. Even though Pinson and Taber got into Harvard as student-athletes, both say the college benefits wouldn’t have been enough to keep them swimming. Taber enjoyed the camaraderie of being on a college swimming team, as well as the chance to travel. “The closeness of the team made it worth putting in all those long hours,” Taber said. At Harvard Taber practiced about 22 hours weekly, in addition to teaching students to swim for two hours a week as a team fundraiser, she said. Away meets usually happened on weekends, but as they were at other Ivy League schools, the bus ride could take up to nine hours. While swimming demands a lot of time, it also creates memorable moments for student-athletes. Taber particularly remembers swimming in the winter. “When we would go to Cornell for the annual meet, we had to dry our hair especially well,” Taber said. “Otherwise it would freeze.” While Harvard has many resources available to student-athletes (including physical therapists and tutors), it tries to maintain an even playing field. Pinson said student-athletes share residence halls and cafeteria space with other students. And that egalitarian nature was a major draw for Pinson. “Will I be a swimmer after my four years at Harvard?” Pinson said. “Probably not. It is the degree that you graduate with that matters.” After graduating from Harvard, Taber traveled around the world for a year before landing a job as an environmental consultant. She then went to law school and now works as an environmental lawyer. “Perhaps not coincidentally, given my background as a swimmer, my practice focuses largely on water law,” Taber said with a laugh.

(Continued from page 1)

However, the class does need faculty advisers, Wells said. Advisers won’t teach the subject but will instead supervise during the time of the classes. The advisers will also make sure that the students are on their modules and will check in to see if they have completed lessons, as well as send out progress reports if needed. Both Baird and Wells are considering advising. “In fact, I’m planning on taking the course myself while I supervise. I’m thinking that once you learn how to code, it’s like witchcraft. There’s got to be something cool you can do with that information!” Wells said with a laugh. Since the number of students isn’t

definite, there is some degree of flexibility on when the class will meet. “There could potentially be two classes during totally different times of the day,” Wells said. Although the times are uncertain, the grading policy has been confirmed. “The class will go on the left side of our transcript, and just like any other AP class provided by Country Day, it will have a full weight,” Wells said. However, he is still waiting to see if the UC’s will give credit for the class. “(The AP Computer Science class) is a College Board class, and UC’s automatically approve College Board classes, so it would be very odd if the class wasn’t accepted,” Wells said.

Presentations: Sophomores study non-American figures (Continued from page 1) had strong judgment in terms of knowing what they could and couldn’t assert. Finally, the message the presenters are conveying is another category. The presentations are not graded by robots, Mangold said. “We’re all human beings,” he said. “A powerful message that is also delivered well will have more impact.” After presenting, Huang said he was most proud of the reaction he got from the audience. However, he said wasn’t expecting much from the results. At morning meeting on April 15, the judges first announced the seven finalists who did not place in the top three in alpha-

betical order. As the judges kept reading names, Huang said he was thinking about which student presented what and why they could get the prize. “I wasn’t thinking ‘I’m the only one left,’” he said. In fact, he didn’t realize it until someone yelled his name. The crowd erupted into cheers when Huang was announced as the first-place winner. Huang said he was very excited. “I just could not believe it for a couple of days,” he said. And his mother couldn’t either. “No, you are kidding me. That’s not true,” Huang said his mother told him that night on Skype. “Yeah, you gotta believe it,” he told his mom.

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The Octagon

Jeff Koons’s “Puppy” sits in front of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The piece’s stainless-steel skeleton is 43 feet tall, and was designed in a computer program. The piece also has its own internal irrigation system to water the over 70,000 flowers that live on it. (Photo used by permission of Creative Commons)

My Angle: Piglet ‘Coloring Book’ piece could bring on lawsuits (Continued from page 2) Koons attempted to use the parody act in his defense, saying that Odie’s image was only used to represent the meaningless and cynical nature of society. However, courts ruled in favor of the plaintiff because the use of parody does not apply when the subject, Odie, is not

itself being parodied. “Piglet” definitely doesn’t resemble the beloved children’s book character as much as Odie’s sculpture did, but still it raises questions about Koons’s intentions as an artist so frequently inspired by the works of others. The primary use of the “Coloring Book” is to serve as something for people to look

Thank you to our sponsors for keeping us in the black The Barajas Family The Tung Family The Williams Family The Bowlus Family Docendo Discimus The Judd Family The Dahmani Family The Nadgauda Family The Fineberg-Chiu Family

at while they wait for the basketball game. Is it thought-provoking enough? There is very little mystery or excitement surrounding it, save the controversy which we are discussing now. Maybe the controversy itself does have potential to turn it into a conversation piece years from now, when we can all look back and laugh at this. Until then, there are no eye-catching or thought-provoking elements to the piece, making it nothing more than a blip on the horizon to those in the plaza. Don’t get me wrong. There are reasons to have it built as well. Koons is a world-renowned artist, and his association with the

rt ”

H ea

In fact, Kelly contributed to the discussion by assigning her studio art students an opinion-based assignment on the issue. “It creates co n v e r s a t i o n “It creates conversation and and a sense that people are will- a sense that people are willing to be edgy ing to be edgy in Sacramento. in SacramenBut if everyone is doing edgy, to,” Bell said. “But if ev- where’s the edge?” eryone is doing —Ron Bell, art history teacher edgy, where’s the edge? “It would almost be more edgy to do something traditional.” And while Kelly says she can’t make any judgments before seeing the piece in person, she’s a bit more positive. “I do like the idea of coloring outside the lines, and I think the colors and reflected images will add another dimension to the piece with the buildings around it,” she said.

re d

(Continued from page 2)

Former Country Day parent and local artist, Robin Giustina (mother of Giancarlo, ‘00), agrees. “The arena needs something that’s big, bright, bold and memorable,” she said. “Most of our artists in Sacramento aren’t status artists - not that they aren’t good, but (the committee) wanted to go international,” Giustina said. “It’s about flash and it’s a status item. “They needed something zappy, wowie zowie!” she said. Giustina has seen a large-scale Koons piece in person. On a trip to Spain, she saw Koons’s large “Puppy” sculpture. “I found it very whimsical and fun - it made me want to chuckle,” she said. Kelly acknowledges that the piece will draw people to Sacramento because of how popular Koons is. “It will be a landmark in Sacramento, just like (Lawrence Argent’s) red rabbit.” (The piece, “Leap,” is in Terminal B of the Sacramento Airport). But Bell, like many local artists, isn’t keen on the idea of a Piglet sculpture - status symbol or not. “When you hit the limit on abstraction, instead of doing a painting of Zeus seducing Danae, you do yourself having sex with your wife,” Bell said. “(Koons’s art) is a gag for money.” ac

Koons: Art faculty unimpressed with artist’s sculptures

“S

April 28, 2015

city may serve to popularize it as a vacation spot. As local artists complain that they were overlooked for the project, council members believe this mentality to be rooted in short-sightedness. It is, to them, extremely irresponsible to limit the region to take only Sacramento artists into consideration. However, the reasons to install the piece pale in comparison to those that dictate not to. The fundamentally unattractive piece of artwork does not fit the Sacramento legacy, but it has done one thing well - it has sparked a conversation.

12 Feature

The Octagon

April 28, 2015

Graphic by Anna Wiley and Grant Miner

Making dough by baking dough

rust me,” junior Jacob Sands says as he peeks into the oven. “That’s not what Mom told me,” his sister Nicole says, leaning over him with her hand on her hips. “I’m the one doing this every week,” Sands responds as he stands up and closes the oven.

It’s noon, and Sands and Nicole have been at work since 8 says. a.m. “Not if you’re like me and wake up at 7 in the morning,” Now that the loaves are ready to bake, they’re bickering Nicole says. about how many to put in each row so that all bake evenly. “That’s like school!” Sands responds. When Nicole moved to Truckee about two years ago, Sands “Jake likes to sleep,” Nicole says, rolling her eyes. took over the job, although his sister drives down to help him As Nicole pulls waxed-paper covered bread out of the pan, on weeks when he has a lot of homework. Sands pours the batter in. With a set of 12 loaves in the oven, they have about 30 minNearly all of the counter is lined with loaves of bread, and utes of free time before preparing for the next batch. they aren’t close to being finished. Sands takes the opportunity to sit down “We really need more counter space,” for a few minutes since he has been on his “I’m his father, but I’m also a Sands says, as he pushes the loaves togethThe sweet smell of 12 loaves of banana nut bread baking feet all day. er trying to create more room. spreads throughout the house. He grabs his phone and scrolls through business person. When he’s “We have to wrap as we go,” Sands exSands and his sister are working to finish the order they his text messages, leaning back in his chair. baking bread, he’s my em- plains as he places a newly plastic-wrapped Although banana bread is the only type ployee, not my son.” have to make this weekend to be sold in nine coffee shops, loaf in one of the dozens of paper bags seven of which, called Java Detour, are owned by their father. made year round, Sands also bakes pumpthe kitchen. “Or else we have to —Ron Sands littering kin bread for his father when it is in seaSands has been providing the bread for four years now. start putting (the loaves) on the chairs.” When Sands was in seventh grade, the banana bread pro- son. “I once got yelled at when I did that,” They recently added lemon bread as vider for his dad’s coffee shops went out of business. Nicole says with a smile. To teach his kids responsibility and as a way for them to well. Since bread baking is a family business, the family has made For Sands, the convenient part of his job is that he gets paid adjustments to the kitchen. make money, Sands’s father decided to have his children bake as much as someone who works all week. the bread he needed every Sunday. As the number of orders increased, they invested in bigger His father buys the bread for $9 per loaf, so Sands earns bowls. Once, they had bigger bowls, the Sandses put in a new “I’m his father, but I’m also a business person,” Ron, Sands’s about $350 every weekend. father, said. “When he’s baking bread, he’s sink without a divider to accommodate them. “Jake has really taken ownership of this my employee, not my son.” And with baking comes smoke. Because they’re spending 12 “People (see all the bananas) as a business,” Ron said. “We get com- hours in the kitchen, the family invested in an oven with a fan Now it’s become a home-run business. Over the past four years the business and ask if we have pet mon- ments from customers and managers on and removed their smoke detectors. how good the banana bread is.” has grown a lot. Initially they made four keys.’” But the most exciting improvement for Jake and Nicole Glancing up at the clock on the mi- was what they call the electric “banana masher.” loaves of bread a week. This week’s order —Nicole Sands crowave, Sands realizes it’s time to start is 111 loaves of banana nut bread and lemNicole recalls that when they started she was the one who again. on bread. had to mash the bananas by hand. He dons his long black apron and slips For an order of this size, Sands said he “I had some serious muscles though,” Nicole jokes. needs about 200 bananas, 270 eggs, 50 pounds of sugar and 50 into clear plastic gloves. Now that the next batch of loaves is in the oven, they start Stepping out of the pantry, he pours canola oil from a washing the pans. pounds of flour. Considering the quantities, it would be impractical to get 35-gallon container into the bowl. Both say that cleaning up is the worst part. their supplies from a regular store. After all these years of baking, he says he can pretty much The crumbs from the edge of the pan are scattered all over eyeball how much of each ingredient he needs. “So we have an egg guy and a banana guy,” Sands said. the floor. Nicole starts pulling the loaves out of the oven as Sands They have a deal with Raley’s for the bananas; the store sets “And by the night of, it has to look like we never did it,” out two 40-pound boxes of bananas for them. But about once adds walnuts and flour to the bowl and begins mixing. Sands adds. a month their “banana guy” fails to do his job. Since they’ve been a team for so many years, they work like “That’s why the maids come on Tuesday,” Nicole says. When this happens, Sands wipes out the shelves of bananas a well-oiled machine. “But we don’t give them much to clean,” Sands responds. at the grocery store. When they were younger, spending all day Sunday baking And while Sands and Nicole are baking, the rest of the “People (see all the bananas) and ask if we have pet mon- together led to a fair amount of arguing. household goes on with its routine. keys,” Nicole says. “Everyone’s usually here on Sundays,” Sands said. “Dad’s But since Nicole moved away, arguments have been reHis father picks up non-perishables, like flour and sugar, placed with good-natured banter. working in his study. Mom is making dinner. The dogs are from Restaurant Depot. “The worst part is that you have to stand for so long,” Sands outside. The day still continues.”

By Aishwarya Nadgauda