Octagon 2018-19 Issue 5

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OCTAGON

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sacramento, CA Permit No. 1668

@scdsoctagon

VOL.42 NO.5 • Sacramento Country Day School • 2636 Latham Drive, Sacramento • February 12, 2019

Large windows, lack of cameras to remain

BY MOHINI RYE

QUI EST-CE? French teacher Richard Day helps freshman and French I student Daisy Zhou review the continents and countries in her textbook, “C’est à Toi!: Level One.” Day’s blue identifcation badge was not a part of his couture in the past. PHOTO BY JACQUELINE CHAO

Teacher identification badges, updated gate protocol part of new regulations to improve campus security

BY MOHINI RYE

the school’s administrative team (comprised of faculty from departicture today’s Country Day ments across the lower, middle and campus: mostly walled and high school) has been using KSL’s gated through the lower and recommendations to revamp school middle school but unfenced security policy.

Heeding KSL’s advice, the adminin the high school — nothing sepaistrative team implemented several rating the inside from the outside. new safety regulaAn open area. tions, which were Now imagine the sent out via the Jan. 18 school fully enclosed.

A nice That will likely thing about Friday email.

From now on, the one day be reality — this campus is kindergarten playalthough it could be ground gate will reyears before any con- that it’s open, but main closed unless struction happens. it can also invite used as an emergency According to head of some problems.” school Lee Thomsen, —Sue Nellis exit; only the lower school gates will be enclosing the campus used during lower is part of the school’s school drop-off; doors long-term Campus Master Plan, but full enclosure is to the lower school building outside just one big change at the end of a the gate will remain locked when list of interim steps to improve cam- the reception desk is unstaffed; and identification badges will be worn pus security.

Since a visit last fall by Knowl- by employees at all times.

A Jan. 29 poll of 114 high school edge Saves Lives (KSL), a group specializing in campus safety training, students showed 89 supported the

P

changes, while 25 opposed at least one of them.

The change garnering the most disapproval was the identification badges, which employees are supposed to wear on campus.

Several students, such as sophomore Erin Wilson, called them “pointless.”

“We all know who the teachers are,” Wilson said. “I don’t have a major thing against (the change), but I just don’t see the need.”

Some students, however, had deeper objections to the rule. “(The ID cards) add a degree of separation,” sophomore Nate Leavy said. “Especially as a lifer, I feel like I know these teachers on a personal level — it’s such a small school that teachers like (first-grade teacher Sue) Goodwin still remember my name when we bump into each other, even after nine years.

“Name tags just seem impersonal to me.”

But both history teacher Sue Nellis and Latin teacher Jane Batarseh

said they considered the badges useful, especially given Country Day’s physically open campus.

According to Nellis, teacher identification had already been discussed before KSL’s visit for that very reason.

“A nice thing about this campus is that it’s open, but it can also invite some problems,” Nellis said.

Batarseh agreed, adding that the badges are a “sad necessity” due to the rise in school shootings. “(The need for badges) is a sign of our hypervigilant and fearful society,” she said.

Batarseh added that identification is useful in dangerous situations because students or visitors needing help could find a lanyard-wearing teacher easily.

“The downside, though, is someone coming on campus — a shooter — and seeing a person of authority and saying, ‘I’ll kill it,’” she said.

Meanwhile, Nellis said her only issue with the ID is that it’s easy to

SECURITY page 3 >>

School administration scraps Cav Club; PA adopts ‘friendraising’

BY CHARDONNAY NEEDLER A sophomore comes up to Student Council adviser Valerie Velo, confused about a $25 fee for Winter Ball on Feb. 2.

“Do I have to pay?” she asks. “I’m part of Cav Club.”

Valerie says she has to, but the change comes as a surprise to many others.

That’s new this year.

Former Parents’ Association (PA) head Lindsey Sackheim created Cavalier Club (Cav Club) as a membership program for students and parents willing to pay a yearly $150 fee in exchange for free entrance to almost every on-campus activity.

A Cav Club membership waived $25 dance fees, paid for access to the Fall Family Festival and got students free spirit gear at the beginning of the year.

But at the end of the 2017-18 school year, PA co-presidents Lainie Josephson and Michelle Kessel-Harbart approached the administration with a

plan to dissolve Cav Club.

Josephson said. “There are two types of ‘raising’: The PA co-presidents convinced head of school fundraising — raising money — or ‘friendraising’ Lee Thomsen, he said.

— building a tighter community.

“Cav Club felt like one more ask of parents,” “We loved ‘friendraising.’ It felt a lot more Thomsen said. “Schools suggest that if you charge comfortable for us, as it helps get more people intuition and have an annual fund and the auction, volved in our kids’ school.” you don’t need another paid program.

Eliminating Cav Club encouraged more par“You don’t want to ask people for $20 here and ents to volunteer at school events, she continued. $100 there.”

“Cav Club But according was slightly teCav Club was slightly tedious to Josephson, savdious because ing parents from it’d be hard to because it’d be hard to get longpaying extraneous term volunteers to be in charge of it.” get long-term prices wasn’t her —Lainie Josephson volunteers to be original goal. in charge of it,” Josephson said Josephson said. eliminating Cav “We didn’t want Club happened “organically” after the co-pres- to nickel-and-dime parents. There were 400-ish idents read articles from the National Associa- families who signed up and needed paperwork tion of Independent Schools about “guidelines to that volunteers had to go through, 400 T-shirts to ‘friendraising.’”

“So many schools were going that direction,” CAV CLUB page 4 >>

A Jan. 29 poll of 114 high schoolers asked students if there should be more changes to school security than those instituted Jan. 18.

While many wrote “none,” two common answers appeared: remedying the large windows in the high school and placing security cameras on campus.

“For security, all-window classroom aren’t great,” senior Chloe Collinwood wrote.

Sophomore Nate Leavy agreed.

“They’re practically entire walls,” he said. “During a lockdown drill when I was in (Latin teacher Jane Batarseh’s) class, we realized how difficult it was to find a position in the room without a direct line of sight to the windows.”

Head of school Lee Thomsen, however, said the large windows are likely to stay.

“One of the attractions of the high school space is how open those rooms feel,” he said. “Otherwise, the feeling inside the rooms would be negatively impacted.”

And Thomsen said installing cameras is unlikely.

“Getting good cameras everywhere you need is expensive, and monitoring takes time and energy,” he said.

Thomsen also mentioned how much ground cameras would need to cover.

“I can’t even begin to think how many cameras we’d need,” he said.

Meanwhile, history teacher Sue Nellis suggested identification badges for students.

“I wonder if the next step (for security) will be students needing something to identify them,” she said.

Thomsen said he didn’t see the need for student identification but that it’s an “open question.”

“I don’t think you need first graders wearing IDs, but one could make an argument that maybe high schoolers could,” he said.

Ultimately, picking safety projects is a matter of priority, according to Thomsen.

“Each year we look at the different needs on campus and prioritize how the school will allocate money for those projects,” he said. “There are literally dozens of things we wish we could do, but we simply don’t have unlimited funds to do all those projects.”

INSIDE News.............................1-4 Sports...............................5 Centerpoint..................6-7 Editorial.............................8 Feature...........................9-11 Backpage......................12

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News • Feb ruary 12, 2019

The Octagon

TRAILBLAZER Freshman Nihal Gulati works on a test for AP Computer Science Principles. This is the first year freshmen have been allowed in AP computer science classes. PHOTO BY EMMA BOERSMA

Despite recommendations, students’ loaded AP schedules continue

BY JACKSON CRAWFORD

ified,” Wells said. “Success in classes is more important than the number inishing all the work of APs taken.” in one night will be Similarly to Thomas, freshman beneficial for college,” Sanjana Anand is taking six acajunior Charles Thom- demic classes, including AP Comas said. puter Science A, a class formerly Joining mock trial, playing sports, reserved for upperclassmen. learning to cook, playing an instru“I heard that I could take (Comment, learning a new language, puter Science A), so it’s one less AP reading, tutoring and working can I have to take later on,” Anand said. all be “beneficial for college.”

Senior Jacqueline Chao also menBut, more than that, they can tioned this mentality of “getting teach valuable life skills, even if it ahead” as underclassmen — alturns out students aren’t musically though options were more limited inclined or can’t make a free throw. four years ago.

Advanced Placement (AP) classes “Everyone was taking regular don’t necessarily provide the same classes besides language and math,” benefits, especially in excess.

Chao said. “(However), I definitely Notice that taking an extra AP would have taken computer science class is not on the list of potential my freshman year if I could’ve.” new hobbies or valuable experiencBauman affirmed Chao’s statees; it may even take away from learn- ment. ing that new language or exploring “In math and foreign language, interesting job opporwe place students tunities. where they belong,” Nonetheless, Bauman said. “We I wouldn’t Thomas is taking six don’t try to hold take six academic classes, inthem back.” cluding three APs, classes in general, On the other this year because “col- and I would never hand, Bauman illeges look for rigor in want to take more lustrated the “race” schedule.” that’s created by takBut finishing all the than four APs total. ing additional AP work in one night can I don’t want to classes. be tough when each spread myself too “Students and AP class requires an parents are feeling thin.” hour of homework. pressure to take —Sarina Rye more and more APs, As stated in the 2018-19 Country Day and it’s not entirely College Admissions appropriate,” she Profile: “Juniors are strongly advised said. to take five academic classes, includ“Colleges are looking for rigor in ing no more than three APs; seniors the context of your school. with four academic APs are advised “(Colleges) are looking for not to take a fifth academic class.” well-rounded students who have However, many students tack on taken a rigorous course load while additional APs in an effort to create showing leadership potential and more attractive college applications. taking advantage of extracurricular “Historically, there’s been a shift,” opportunities.”

Jane Bauman, English teacher and In fact, she explicitly stated that director of college counseling, said. Country Day doesn’t report class “When my kids (Jeff, ’06, and Claire, rank, wanting to debunk the impor’09) were at Country Day, the limit tance of GPA. was two APs as a junior and four as “In reality, GPA doesn’t tell you a senior.” anything,” Bauman said. “Some Head of high school Brooke Wells schools don’t even bother looking.” attributed the shift to the growing Like Bauman, Wells emphasized flexibility of the school. a balanced schedule.

“For about 10 years, the school’s “Providing opportunities is imbeen more willing to let students portant, but we have to communitake four or five APs if they are qual- cate to make sure (students and par-

“F

ents) recognize the situation,” Wells Biology) that are pretty connected, it Rye reached AP French Language said. “We will look at the course load makes the workload easier.” and Culture and AP Calculus AB as Junior Darius Shahbazi, one of a sophomore — not unusual for adas a whole and sometimes have to ask: Do you really want to take on many students who utilize the of- vanced students. a heavy-content load in courses you fered summer courses in math and However, when the opportuniscience, took Pre-Calculus Honors ty arose for sophomores to take AP aren’t interested in?”

Yet it depends on the student and for five weeks last June.

U.S. History because of teacher Sue “I did it not because it was re- Nellis’ impending retirement, Rye the class, according to Wells.

Bauman agreed, addressing the quired, but because it gives me seized it. So far, she feels she found more options with a background of the right fit. importance of the individual.

“Choose AP classes like your col- high-level math classes,” Shahbazi “I’ve been totally fine,” Rye said. “I lege: the right fit or the most chal- said. would do it again.

Taking the summer course allows lenging classes that work for you,” “I’ve liked having Nellis two years Shahbazi to take AP Calculus AB in a row. (But) I wouldn’t take the Bauman said. this year and AP Calculus BC his “For example, if you AP if Nellis wasn’t reare interested in STEM, tiring. I don’t think it’s then you should be taking Choose AP classes like your college: worth it to take an AP math, science and coma year early just to take the right fit or the most challenging puter science at the highit.” est levels. This tests your classes that work for you.”

Moreover, Rye —Jane Bauman has clear scheduling interest and prepares you better for college by exguidelines for the next posing you to more depth two years. and difficulty.”

“I wouldn’t take six classes in gensenior year. However, he thought it Chao’s schedule has been the eral, and I would never want to take was “pointless” for younger students epitome of this. After taking a sixmore than four APs total,” Rye said. to accelerate their schedules when class load — including three APs — “I don’t want to spread myself too they could take Calc BC senior year her junior year, she can “finally take thin.” anyway. all the classes she wants” this year: Bauman’s final advice for building Sophomore Sarina Rye is one of five courses, including four APs and those students. Furthermore, she a truly attractive resume is simple. three sciences.

“Be yourself,” she said. “Consider takes a course load advised for ju“(My schedule) has a heavy STEM niors: five academic classes, includ- all the factors that come with being focus,” Chao said. “With classes like ing three AP courses. a student; find the right balance for (Anatomy and Physiology) and (AP you.”

The Octagon

February 12, 2019 • News

3

Security: Thomsen says enclosure in store for Country Day (continued from page 1)

“The truth is that no matter if the walls are 5 feet high or 8 feet high, if someone really wants to go over the wall, they’ll do it,” he said.

The other change that’s in progress is providing identification for all visitors, much like identification for teachers.

“With parents and visitors, we are trying to both create and enforce a visitor policy so that visitors on campus come to an office to get a

Although Thomsen said the school will “enclose the campus forget, as she did on the day of hismore than it is now” in the next five tory finals. to 10 years, he couldn’t give a specif“It didn’t even occur to me to wear ic timeline due to concentrating on it,” she said. “(But) it’s something other projects. new, and all of us have been around “This year, we chose to do some for a while, so it’s something that we significant upgrades to the network just have to get used to.” to provide better internet access and Nellis also referenced the number speed across the campus,” he said. of schools with higher security com“When it comes to enclosing the pared to Country Day. campus, that’s a project that has to “It’s not a surprise be selected nearly eight that we’re changing (to to 10 months in advance match them),” she said. in order to go through We have worked with architects to In fact, the administhe permitting process draw up plans to enclose the high trative team is discussand all the red tape with ing even more changes school, but we haven’t seen designs we are the city. to improve security; the satisfied with.”

“It will be at least ancurrent focus is on fixing other summer before we —Lee Thomsen gates and issuing visitor would build (walls or badges. fences).”

Country Day’s woodWhile most students en gates have gaps, allowing hands sticker or visitor badge,” Thomsen supported the recent security changto slip through and open the gate. said. “The challenge is that we have es, approval for enclosing the camConsequently, making gates in the a longstanding culture of not having pus was slightly lower. middle and lower school less pene- that happen, and also, parts of the In the Jan. 29 poll, 68 students said trable is likely this summer’s project, campus are open, so the practicali- they wanted an enclosed campus, 34 ty of enforcing (the policy) is hard at were opposed, and 12 were noncomaccording to Thomsen.

“We have a 5-foot high wall with this point.” mittal.

Other plans include creating gates that are aesthetically pleasing A concern of those against encloand create some sense of separation, clearer signage to steer traffic to the sure was that the campus would be but they’ve always been the way main office — so that visitors check less open and welcoming. they are,” he said. “We’re exploring in at one location — and creating a “Country Day (now) seems like ways to modify the gates so you can’t more “visually obvious” central en- part of the neighborhood around it,” just open it over or through the gaps trance to the school, according to Leavy said. “Without a firm divider, Thomsen. from the outside.” it’s just part of the community.”

Beyond these goals, there’s the Thomsen said the team has disA wall or fence, however, would cussed filling the gaps with plexi- long-term plan to enclose the cam- change that feeling. glass or more wood, but a decision pus with a wall or fence.

Freshman Nihal Gulati, who pre“We have worked with architects viously went to Winston Churchill hasn’t been reached.

As for improving walls — found to draw up plans to enclose the high Middle School, said he chose Counin both the lower and middle school school, but we haven’t yet seen de- try Day because it felt like a “friend— next to the gates, Thomsen said signs that we are satisfied with,” ly sort of school.” he doesn’t plan on adding height.

Winston Churchill is mostly enThomsen said.

closed, according to Gulati, and in sign, moving forward with an enclohis poll, he wrote that Country Day’s sure plan has been difficult. campus wouldn’t seem as “open and “A lot of this is a culture you have nice” if walled off. established over time, and then Furthermore, he said, most high there’s the culture you wish to esschools he’s seen are open, so Coun- tablish,” he said. “With open versus try Day shouldn’t change. enclosed, a good thing about this Gulati also mentioned the size campus is that it’s airy and open. of Country Day compared to other Would you lose this feeling by havschools. ing walls?”

“Most high schools are pretty big, Another factor, he added, is cost. and so having a fence around such “To simply throw up a fence a small campus would be weird,” he could cost between $150,000 and said. $200,000,” Thomsen said.

Still, a sizeable chunk of high “However, if the school wants to schoolers want an enclosed campus, do it right, that means a thorough with many citing safety concerns in redesign of the area between the the poll. administration building and the Senior Josh Friedman said he Matthews Library to build a more supported enclosure not only due attractive and visually obvious main to safety but also because he thinks entrance.” the school needs to Thomsen said the become fully open or latter project’s price closed. could reach $500,000.

A good “The campus is “This raises the thing about question, do we want pretty open physically, but the school isn’t this campus is to spend half a miltechnically an open that it’s airy and lion dollars on the excampus (regarding open. Would you terior, or could we use its policies for stulose this feeling by those dollars to make dents),” he said. “It’s changes or additions two conflicting views having walls?” to existing spaces on —Thomsen campus?” he said. that should be fixed.”

Ultimately, having According to or not having a fence Thomsen, the biggest is a choice between safety and free- challenge lies in creating physical dom, Friedman added. safety while avoiding the feel — or “But if the administration wants look — of a prison. to really push ahead with making “(Ultimately), with any change, the campus safe, fully enclosing the the aim is to take appropriate steps campus and officially saying wheth- to create an environment where we er the campus is closed or open is a can better know who is on campus step in the right direction,” he said. and who isn’t, who people are, withThomsen admitted that because out making it feel like a fortress,” he of the school’s traditionally open de- said.

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News • Feb ruary 12, 2019

The Octagon

Cav Club: Cessation of program leads to more volunteers (continued from page 1) give out — we just couldn’t find a volunteer to take it on.

“It was also important to us to make volunteering fun.”

But now, she said, with a greater focus on “friendraising” instead of fundraising, more parents across the lower, middle and high school divisions are volunteering. “‘Friendraising’ is a great way to start building our community and get to know families all throughout the divisions,” she said.

“Cross-divisionally it’s so nice to see lower school, middle school and high school parents work together for the common good. For lower school Back-to-School night, we had high school and middle school parents coming to help out.”

However, benefits of Cav Club’s elimination don’t end with greater “friendraising” opportunities. According to director of annual fund Amy Nelson Wells, ’98, it smoothed things out.

“It was a nightmare at the door, with everyone trying to figure out who was in Cav Club and who wasn’t,” Wells said.

Now, parents don’t pay an additional fee for an events pass. All middle school and high school events are paid for by the school via the school-funded PA budget; off-campus high school dances and league games are paid for individually.

And according to Thomsen, the school is paying a bit as well.

“We wanted to take the number that the PA gave us for their budget the last three or four years — around $30,000 annually — and look at it within the context of our $10 million budget,” Thomsen said. “It isn’t a lot of money in comparison.”

Disbanding Cav Club led to other unexpected positive benefits, according to director of advancement Rachelle Doyle.

“In most schools, their PA is part of the same 501(c)(3),” Doyle said of the tax-exempt status granted by the Internal Revenue Service to nonprofit organizations. “Our PA used to be

DANCING QUEENS Juniors Kaitlyn Canepa and Emma Boersma buy $25 Winter Ball tickets from Valerie Velo, Student Council adviser.

Tickets for the dance at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria (828 I St.) were $20 if purchased in advance and $25 at the door. PHOTO BY ELISE SOMMERHAUG

their own 501(c)(3) — their own nonprofit that filed their own taxes and had a separate accounting form.

“They didn’t want to do as much independent fundraising, and being separate made it more difficult in terms of leadership.”

With Cav Club’s elimination, the PA is now under the same 501(c)(3) as the rest of the school.

“Now we don’t have to file our own tax returns, pay for our own tax accountants or carry and pay for our own liability insurance when putting on events,” Josephson said.

But being under the same 501(c)(3) nonprofit doesn’t mean the school controls the PA. “We are very autonomous,” Josephson said.

“When we make decisions, we make them on behalf of the parents. The school isn’t telling us what things to do or how to run things or what events to plan.”

And according to Thomsen, the PA’s process for paying for events hasn’t changed.

For example, he said, events such as Fall Family Festival and Holiday Gift-Making were

already partially funded by the school, and the get. excess was covered by the event coordinator Velo said she gives the PA a list of the monout-of-pocket as a donation to the school. ey spent, and it determines how much to fund The funding for high school dances hasn’t based on how much is needed. changed much either, Velo and former StuRegardless of whether Cav Club exists, dent Council adviser Patricia Jacobsen said. prom is never included, as the cost varies too In each case, the PA would partially refund much — from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on Student Council. location — according to Jacobsen.

“Every attendee who was on Cav Club And removing Cav Club has been beneficial would be on a list,” Jacobsen explained. “I’d for students as well. tell the PA we had 82 Cav Club members go Head of high school Brooke Wells said that to the dance, and then the PA since Student Council is now deposited funds for those many directly funded by the school It’s a lot kids into the Student Council instead of having to go through account.” a third-party fund supported by easier for And sometimes, the PA me as a parent to the PA — Cav Club — dances would donate additional funds have everyone be are cheaper. via this system.

This year’s Winter Ball cost on Cav Club. ... It “The PA was always very gen$20 in advance or $25 at the was like one-stop erous,” Jacobsen said. door; 2016’s Winter Ball was free For instance, all dance tickets shopping.” for Cav Club members but $40 have a regular price for those —Patricia in advance or $50 at the door. who pay at school and an “atHowever, it hasn’t proven Jacobsen the-door price” — typically $5 beneficial for all this school more. year.

According to Jacobsen, the “It’s a lot easier for me as a PA would always refund Student Council with parent to have everyone be on Cav Club,” Jathe “at-the-door price.” cobsen said. “At the beginning of the year, I’d “In the last year or two, we got a couple sign my daughter up, she got a T-shirt, and I hundred extra bucks,” Jacobsen said. “They didn’t have to buy spirit gear. stopped asking me to count how many people “It was like one-stop shopping instead of went to the dance and would pay for however having to remember my checkbook. I know many kids were on Cav Club.” how things work behind the scenes.

Now, Velo said, the PA donates “a good “I knew that even if I paid $150, it’d be going chunk of money” to the Student Council bud- to a good cause for the students.”

The Octoblock Welcome to the first-ever Octagon crossword: The Octoblock! Write in the white spaces corresponding with either the column or row of the riddle. The final product should have full words when read up-to-down and left-to-right.

Down 1. Someone might keep these on you 2. A notion 3. A young trainee in armed services 4. God of war 5. Dark, viscous liquid from organic materials Across 1. Only domesticated species in Felidae family 2. Crown 3. Common European viper 4. Honey producers 5. A very important test

Go to www.scdsoctagon.com for answers. Crossword by Arjin Claire, Arijit Trivedi and Dylan Margolis.

The Octagon

February 12, 2019 • Sports

5

Girls basketball team stayed positive amid repeated defeats

T

BY SANJANA ANAND

he girls basketball team ended its season on Feb. 6 with records of 3-14 overall and 2-12 in the Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League.

YOU BETTER NEVER LET IT GO Sophomore Joanne Tsai looks to pass during the Cavs’ 56-18 loss to Buckingham Charter on Jan. 25 at Country Day. PHOTO BY JACQUELINE CHAO

Comment by coach Latonia Pitts: “We did the best we could have done. We made improvements, but weaving those improvements as a team into game situations was hard.

“However, individually, we made many advancements! Many players started shooting balls correctly, and they read the floor better.

“Team improvement only can come with experience and observing the game often. We need to learn when to make the best pass, take the better shot and position ourselves on defense.

“This team is so positive with each other; (the players) constantly lift each other up. Though we didn’t get the wins we wanted, every player

always works hard on the court.”

Player’s perspective (per senior point guard Heidi Johnson): “It was a tough season with a lot of losses, but we were an extremely new team. We didn’t have a lot of practice time, so I’m proud of all the players for coming to games and working hard. We were good at defense and picking up things in practice — like swinging the ball — but we just need to implement them in games. “(This year) we gained many new players who don’t know much about basketball or have never played it before, so a lot of the team was just trying to learn how offense or defense strategies work. We need to work on rebounding, ball movement and smart passes.

“There were glimpses of good play in each game, but our game against Encina (a 54-38 win on Dec. 14) was one of our best ones. We moved the ball around the court, and we started to get cohesion, which had been lacking from other games.”

Player’s perspective (per sophomore small forward Lindsay Burback): “During our first game, we learned our weaknesses and strengths, and we kept building on them every practice. Our team improved so much from the beginning of the season, especially our defense!

“However, our offense needs serious improvement because we never had a plan for handling the ball.

We’ll be able to get more baskets and open shots if we really focus on this.

“Our best game was against El Dorado Adventist (a 34-26 loss on Jan. 15). Even though we were missing our star player (Johnson), everyone on the team participated and brought something valuable to the court that night. We lost against them by a few points, but despite that, it showed how much ability everyone has.”

Top scorer: Johnson, 20.1 points per game.

Boys basketball players changed roles on court following loss of last year’s seniors The boys basketball team ended its season on Feb. 6 with records of 5-15 overall and 2-12 in the Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League.

BY MING ZHU

ent than previous years.”

Player’s perspective (per Crawford): “My position didn’t change, but my role changed significantly. I’m still a shooting guard, but I had to handle the ball a lot more and move around the court more than last year.

“Last year we had an eight-man rotation, but this year I played the full game more than I didn’t. Out of the 32 minutes, I played at least 30.

“There was a streak of 10 straight games without (junior shooting guard) Ted (Zhou) where we had no subs. We had to play with only five players some games — tough stuff.”

Comment by coach David Ancrum: “The team improved on handling the pressure and rebounding. We especially improved on playing man-to-man. (Junior shooting guard) Jackson Crawford suggested that we play man-to-man, and once we did, everybody was accountable for their own guy, so that changed things a bit.

“We didn’t score a lot of points, and in the end, you’ve got to score to win. That’s what Player’s perspective (per sophomore we have to improve on still — to find different ways to score and get easy points, like power forward Martin Cao): “This was a rebuilding stealing the and learnball and ing season.

My position didn’t change, but my getting fastWe just break points role changed significantly ... I had played our instead of to handle the ball a lot more and move best and setting up hoped for plays every around the court more than last year.”

—Jackson Crawford the best. single time.

We can get “We all easy points got a lot off defense. It makes the game easier when of experience since we had a lot of playing you get those easy baskets. time; now we know what to do on the court, “It was a tough season because we have a and our skill improved too. lot of guys who didn’t have to produce last “We have to play smarter and better in season, and now they do. Now they see how general, so we will have to work during the hard it is when their name is on the mar- summer.” quee.

“The guys also realized that they have to Player’s perspective (per junior small work hard during the offseason in order to forward Chris Wilson): “We didn’t play as be productive in the league season. well as we could have. Our overall effort “This year’s team took (time) for guys to could have been better, like trying to attack figure out their roles because nobody was the basket and getting (more) defensive reput in that position with the exception of bounds.”

Crawford, and even his role was a lot differ-

mm

Player’s perspective (per sophomore point guard Max Wu): “We lost a huge number of players last year because they graduated. Those players were our starters.

“Players this year were so used to catching and shooting or making layups; we depended on (last year’s) seniors to handle the ball and dribble. However, since they were gone, we had to adapt and make the big plays. It was difficult because we lacked the experience.

“Our technique was there, but we weren’t used to the new positions. You can practice all day to perfect your shot, but if you don’t keep up with the game speed, you’ll never be able to get a shot off.”

Player’s perspective (per sophomore point guard Avinash Krishna): “Obviously, we could’ve done better. So far we only won two (league) games. But we didn’t do particularly bad since we had a lot of close games, and we didn’t have new players — most of us just came off the bench last season. It was more of a rebuilding season.

“At the beginning of the season, we were just learning zone defense; now we all have gotten good at it. Another thing we did well was finally learn to break the (pressure defense) at the end of the season.

“However, the team still has to improve as a whole. To pinpoint one thing to improve on, I would say we need to come out on the offensive at the end of the game, no matter the outcome.”

YOU ONLY GOT ONE SHOT Junior shooting guard Ted Zhou drives for a layup.

Zhou led the Cavs with 16.8 points per game. PHOTO BY JACQUELINE CHAO

Top scorer: Junior shooting guard Ted Zhou with 16.8 points per game.

Sports Boosters’ Athletes of the Month Lindsay Burback, basketball Lindsay has stepped out of her comfort zone to take on new responsibilities on the team. She has had to work as a trusted leader, yet also to trust herself. Lindsay has come a long way this season, and I am excited to see her continue to stretch her game.

Luca Procida, ski/snowboard Luca has continued to be a solid racer, teammate and captain. He has helped our new team members learn racing and understand the race courses. During our first three races, Luca has placed second, first and third. He continues to be a smooth, skilled and constant racer!

For information, please see SCDS homepage under the Quicklink “Parents.”

Paid for by our generous Sports Boosters. Comments by girls basketball coach Latonia Pitts and ski/snowboard coach Jason Kreps.

6

Centerpoint

The Oc

g n i h c Sear

?

I H S for SU

DONNAY S BY CHAR

STORIE

NEEDLER

KRU Nicole Wolkov, ’17, once told me, equal parts jeeringly and seriously, that I “live at Kru.” Likely confirming her hypothesis, we editors entered just as Nicole’s parents were leaving.

“We thought we’d see you here,” Lauren Wolkov told me with a hug and a grin.

Harvey Wolkov told us that unfortunately, the lamb ramen, which neither Mehdi nor Jack had tried but that I’ll never forget, had been discontinued.

Looking into the packed restaurant, I thought, “If they can cancel the lamb ramen, couldn’t they cancel some of these reservations?”

While getting free parking is doable, getting a table is difficult. We didn’t make reservations, so we were at the mercy of the bar area. Luckily, as it was a Wednesday at 7 p.m., we nabbed a small booth in the corner of the bar.

Instead of a table, we had two cylindrical concrete slabs and one piece of petrified wood on which we had to fit courses of food.

T

his is the first of a fivepart series, Eating with the EICs, in which Octagon editors-in-chief review local high-end restaurants. Next time, the editors-in-chief will head to local Middle Eastern restaurants.

Fully embracing second-semester-senior bliss, Mehdi Lacombe, Jack Christian and I went to Kru (3135 Folsom Blvd.) and Mikuni (1530 J St.) on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1, respectively.

To avoid comparing apples to oranges — or in this case, “agedashi tofu” to “onigiri” — we ordered similar dishes at both restaurants: a sampling of various sashimi, two or more rolls, Brussels sprouts (Jack’s request, an integral part of any authentic sushi feast) and “tonkotsu” ramen (ramen with a pork-bone broth).

RATINGS: I N U K I M

K RU

I got just a tip of yolk on my noodle, but I could definitely taste that powerful flavor.”

Mehdi Lacombe

n Rame

Ramen

Rolls

Rolls

Sashimi

imi

Sa s h

Brussels

Sprouts

s sel s u Br uts

Sp

Miso soup

ro

ER N

IN W

!

I guess that’s why the portions are so small.

Our waiter was charismatic but forgot Mehdi’s order of the “tontoro” ($17).

(Kru’s waiters typically don’t write orders down and don’t carry pens or notepads.)

However, that discrepancy didn’t leave a sour taste in our mouths since the order wasn’t put on the bill.

The first things to arrive at the table were our two sashimi plates: the more traditional 15-piece sashimi mix ($40) and the more unorthodox 10-piece sashimi tapas ($24), consisting of five different fish of the chef’s choice, which — in our case — was salmon, “o-toro” (fatty tuna), barbequed albacore, yellowtail and fried fish jaw with a ginger sauce.

The fried dark fish meat was tender, sliding right off the bone; its thick, tangy ginger sauce enlivened other non-fried morsels; the saltiness of one fish was calmed by a soy-based sauce.

The sashimi mix had three pieces each of “o-toro,” salmon, butterfish, yellowtail and mackerel set atop a raised bed of ice with a seaweed salad, sprouts and cherry tomatoes.

“Everything is so fresh,” Jack said with the first bite of the supple and savory yellowtail.

“Even the random cherry tomatoes are good,” Mehdi added.

Accompanying the fish was Kru’s pickled wasabi — not the fake, green-colored, horseradish-and-mustard-grain blend in most restaurants.

+

But while I thought the butterfish was light and airy, Jack said “the oddly textured fish” didn’t rock his world.

What did, though, were the “aesthetic Brussels” — $9 Brussels sprouts available periodically on the specials menu.

“Oh, yeah, that’s good,” Mehdi said with his first bite of the crisp buds.

The sauce — a refreshingly light aioli topped with savory, spicy, sesame-seed-y “shichimi togarashi” — was even better.

“The sauce gives a whole new dimension to it,” Jack said.

“The light, spicy-creamy sauce adds to the aftertaste,” Mehdi added. “It’s the last thing on your taste buds.”

Unbeatable sauces seemed to be Kru’s thing.

The boys’ rolls — the Kings roll ($18), a combo of lobster tempura, crab, citrus and avocado, and the Spicy B roll ($14), a mix of multiple tempura with spicy tuna, avocado and cucumbers — arrived next, and again, the sauce was boss.

“The eel sauce created a nice medley of flavors and pulled together the crab and lobster tempura,” Jack said about his Kings roll. “It was all very smooth; I just wish there were more crunch.”

While Jack wanted more crispiness, Mehdi said he enjoyed the well-done “crispy breading” of his Spicy B roll.

And even though crispiness isn’t part of the ramen equation, that’s not to say “tonkotsu” ramen can’t have a crunch.

Kru’s $18 take on the go-to ramen classic pairs tender, charred chunks of pork belly with seaweed, green onion, more “shichimi togarashi” (upon request) and a perfectly poached egg.

Seriously, the egg — particularly the delicate and slightly salty white — was so good it could act as another star sauce.

“I got just a tip of yolk on my noodle, but I could definitely taste that powerful flavor,” Mehdi said.

And more so than with his roll, Jack found varied textures with the pork.

“That pork is so tender — it just melts in your mouth,” Jack said with his eyes closed and chopsticks still in the air.

By the time we’d finished scooping out every morsel and lapping up each lick of sauce, we’d spent over an hour and a half at that little bar booth.

Service was a bit slow, but that was OK. “This is a place where people sit for two hours,” Jack said. “Slow service isn’t that much of a problem.”

Before the tip, the bill for the three of us came out to $133.15.

In retrospect, getting two sashimi was a bit overkill, as the same types of fish were served in both with slight variations; however, the menu is vague and doesn’t list what fish will be served since every day is different.

Kru does better with the unorthodox, so venture out and get the fish jaw instead of a roll — you’ll be glad you did.

I’m met row walk kuni Al ther ope fluor viron O per prom Th Frea dish the mitt

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“T muc “Y taste Bu dish “H aske bow two er s goo table split Th butt so M Ne en resta try i cera Sh but polit Un es to Pl are riety coo for a one O

February 12, 2019

ctagon

7

We put two of Sac’s most popular Japanese restaurants to the test.

MIKUNI

m vehemently opposed to parking ters, so although I didn’t get a frontspot like Jack and Mehdi, I had to k only a block and a half to get to Mii. lthough it was a Friday night, we were re at 5:30, so we arrived to plenty of en seats under Mikuni’s ultraviolet and rescent lights. As Mehdi said, the ennment was “fast-food-like.”

Our waiter — armed with pen, paand a Naruto-esque headband — mptly took our orders. he first to come was Jack’s “blessed” aky Brussels ($6.95). Although this h was what compelled him to order European vegetable at Kru, Jack adted it wasn’t as good as Kru’s.

The meat at Kru was more nder — melty, almost. This is ore on the chewy side. But it’s very flavorful.”

Jack Christian

The seasoning is a lot more intense, ch more garlicky,” he said.

Yeah, I prefer the sauce and lighter e at Kru,” Mehdi agreed. ut unlike Kru, where a waiter forgot a h, Mikuni gave us an extra two.

Hey, sorry about this, but when I ed the kitchen to have extra soup wls to split the ramen, they gave me extra bowls of miso soup,” our waitsaid, bringing two little bowls of salty odness (usually priced at $2) to the e. “You’ll have to fight over a way to t them.” hankfully, along with chocolate and terfish, Jack doesn’t like miso soup, Mehdi and I drank ours happily. ext came Mehdi’s sesame chick($9.95). To avoid unfairly weighing aurants against each other, I didn’t it. Mehdi didn’t rave about it or visally react to it, so you be the judge. hortly after, Mehdi spilled his water, the staff was quick to wipe it up in a te, professional manner. nlike at Kru, everything — from disho towels — came out fast. latter F was next. Mikuni’s platters $82 apiece and offer a curated vay of sashimi, nigiri, rolls and even oked dishes. They provide great value a wide variety of foods to please anyat the table.

Our Platter F had a Fair Oaks roll com-

prised of panko shrimp and avocado; one Bob’s roll made with cream cheese, crab, panko shrimp, avocado and salmon; a tempura lobster roll; four pieces each of tuna and albacore nigiri; edamame; and the chef’s choice of sashimi, which in our case was octopus, albacore tuna, salmon, mackerel and yellowtail.

The presentation wasn’t as fancy as Kru’s, but the fish was just as fresh.

Abhorred by the fluorescent green gunk masquerading as wasabi, I asked the waiter for some “real wasabi.” She replied that they had house-ground as well as pickled — but the pickled was $1 extra.

The house-ground “real wasabi” was as pungent and mellow as Kru’s was.

Jack, who’d never had “real wasabi” or octopus sashimi, said he appreciated the “good tang” of the lemon with which the octopus was served.

Mehdi thought the edamame needed more salt, but my taste buds had had their fair share after the Freaky Brussels.

And Jack and Mehdi said Mikuni’s tempura, unlike the rolls at Kru, was sufficiently crunchy.

“I could taste and feel the crunch of the shrimp tempura,” Jack said.

Then came the “tonkotsu” ramen — three thinly sliced sheets of pork belly, fish balls, marinated and soft-boiled egg, corn, black fungus and pink-and-white “menma” root.

Mikuni’s ramen was very traditional; the broth, which Jack and Mehdi preferred to Kru’s, was saltier, thicker and milkier. There was a fairly good balance of flavors, although a bit too much black fungus compared to other ingredients.

However, the meat paled in comparison to Kru’s.

“The meat at Kru was more tender — melty, almost,” Jack said. “This is more on the chewy side. But it’s still very flavorful.”

The noodles were much thinner than expected, almost string-like.

Furthermore, I’m not certain whether it was Mehdi’s or a restaurant worker’s, but there was a thin black piece of hair embedded among the otherwise scrumptious radish.

We left the neon-lit interior after paying $122.76.

Unlike at Kru, we left Mikuni incredibly full. Mehdi apparently had eaten a piece of pizza after going to Kru, but he was stuffed after his Mikuni feast.

However, the consensus was overwhelming adoration for Kru. Although the food was slightly more expensive and the boys preferred Mikuni’s ramen broth, we all agreed that Kru’s food was more flavorful and better textured.

GRAPHICS BY MOHINI RYE

PHOTO GALLERY:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 1 Kru’s “tonkotsu” ramen. The dish starred a “perfectly poached” egg, according to senior Chardonnay Needler. 2 An assortment of sashimi at Kru. 3 Senior Jack Christian laughs as he prepares to eat a Brussels sprout at Kru. 4 Needler and senior Mehdi Lacombe tackle entrees at Mikuni. 5 Kru’s Brussels sprouts. While not a typical sushi dish, the sprouts had a stellar

sauce with a lasting aftertaste, Lacombe said. 6 Mikuni’s “tonkotsu” ramen. Although Lacombe and Christian preferred its broth to Kru’s, Kru’s noodles and pork won the day. 7 Lacombe sips miso soup at Mikuni. The kitchen staff accidentally gave two bowls of soup to the waiter, who brought them to the group. PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN AND NEEDLER

8

Opinion • F ebruary 12, 2019

OCTAGON STAFF

The Octagon

My Angle

“Nickel-and-Dimed Again” by Emma Boersma

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

BY EMMA BOERSMA

Jack Christian Mehdi Lacombe Chardonnay Needler Mohini Rye Allison Zhang

Don’t eat beef, save the planet

NEWS EDITORS Jack Christian Allison Zhang

SPORTS EDITORS Jack Christian Allison Zhang

FEATURE EDITOR

Chardonnay Needler

A&E EDITOR

Mehdi Lacombe

OPINION EDITOR Mohini Rye

BUSINESS MANAGER Larkin Barnard-Bahn

PAGE EDITORS

Larkin Barnard-Bahn Jack Christian Anna Frankel Mehdi Lacombe Jackson Margolis Chardonnay Needler Mohini Rye Sarina Rye Héloïse Schep Allison Zhang

REPORTERS

Sanjana Anand Arjin Claire Jackson Crawford Dylan Margolis Ethan Monasa Miles Morrow Arijit Trivedi Arikta Trivedi

GRAPHIC ARTISTS Emma Boersma Jacqueline Chao Mohini Rye

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Mehdi Lacombe

PHOTO EDITOR

Jacqueline Chao

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jacqueline Chao Elise Sommerhaug Shimin Zhang

MULTIMEDIA STAFF

Harrison Moon, editor David Situ, assistant Ming Zhu, staffer

ADVISER

Paul Bauman The Octagon is Sacramento Country Day School’s student-run high school newspaper. Its purpose is to provide reliable information on events concerning the high school and to inform and entertain the entire school community. The staff strives for accuracy and objectivity.

The Octagon aims to always represent both sides of an issue. Errors in stories will be noted and corrected.

The Octagon shall publish material that the staff deems is in the best interest of the school community. The staff recognizes the importance of providing accurate and reliable information to readers. The Octagon does not represent the views of the administration nor does it act as publicity for the school as a whole.

The Octagon will publish timely and relevant news, subject to the following exceptions: obscenity; slanderous or libelous material; and material contrary to the best interests of the school community, as judged by guidelines between the newspaper staff, adviser and school administration. Editorials are approved by an editorial board.

Columns/commentaries shall be labeled as such and represent only the author’s opinion.

In the interest of representing all viewpoints, letters to the editor shall be published, unless otherwise requested. All letters must be signed and conform to above restrictions.

The staff may change grammar and punctuation or abridge letters for space. Comments may be made online to address all stories run.

EDITORIAL: Cav Club shouldn’t have been canned for high school

C

avalier Club (Cav Club) has been disbanded, and families throughout the school get free attendance to more events.

We’re glad the school is helping financially burdened families by reducing “nickel-and-diming” — as Parents’ Association (PA) co-president Lainie Josephson said. However, those benefits don’t seem to fully reach the high school.

Lower and middle school events (e.g. Fall Family Festival, After School Enrichment’s Parents Nights Out, Nerf Night and middle school dances) are free.

Not all high school events are.

High schoolers may not pay more money for dances, but they pay more frequently.

Whereas Cav Club members could attend multiple dances for free last year, now high schoolers have one free dance a year: Homecoming.

Furthermore, high schoolers still pay for sports events, something that Cav Club covered (except for playoff games).

Head of school Lee Thomsen said he doesn’t want parents to pay “$20 here and $100 there,” but for many high school parents and students, that semblance of being nickel-anddimed is still alive and well.

Likely, high school students and their parents agree with former Student Council adviser Patricia Jacobsen, who said she prefers “one-stop shopping” for events as opposed to buying

tickets for each one.

Also, if high schoolers pay a membership fee, the Student Council can better gauge the funds at its disposal. Knowing its budget ahead of time can help the Student Council know how much money to request, find out if certain venues are feasible sooner and entice more students to go. (After all, students who pay for all dances at the beginning of the year will be more likely to attend them.)

Yes, the cost of dances varies every year, but all dances (except prom), Jacobsen said, stay within a price range.

Furthermore, if the administration can plan entire school budgets half a year in advance, the Student Council certainly can plan ballpark estimates for events after receiving the bulk of its funds at the beginning of the year via a Cav Club-like system.

Head of high school Brooke Wells said lower grades have a “class party fund,” through which the PA pays for year-end class parties. The would-be party fund for the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grades goes to all-high school activities like class snack and the Ancil Hoffman picnic and capture-the-flag football game, according to Wells.

If the fund is available for high school activities, why can’t the students vote on where they want their money to go? Students pay for advisory snacks, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable if they paid for class snacks as

well.

In addition, since high school activities are more expensive than those in lower divisions, ninth- through 12th-grade students and parents will pay more no matter what. “Nickel-and-diming” is expected, so students should choose the activities they can’t go without.

Meanwhile, “friendraising,” although a noble goal for lower school parents, conflicts with high school ideals. High school parents naturally become less involved — and that’s OK. Fundraising may need more attention — especially because if we want to open up more free events for students outside of lower and middle school, we’ll need a larger budget.

Worst comes to worst, if the school can’t cover the funds, many would rather pay once.

Like Jacobsen, high school parents likely would prefer to cover their children’s dances and sports events via a Cav Club-like membership if the expenses will exist anyway.

Lastly, spirit gear has all but disappeared in high school, possibly due to Cav Club’s discontinuation. And a high school-only Cav Club would cover apparel, such as class sweatshirts, another expense currently paid out of parents’ pockets.

Kids will pay anyway for dances, other events and snacks.

But Cav Club made their lives easier.

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR KEEPING US IN THE BLACK! Anand family, anonymous, Bahn Management Company, Christian family, Frankel family, Impact Venture Capital, Lacombe family, Monasa family, Needler family, Schep-Smit family, Situ family, Zhang family

Global warming affects everyone, yet many do nothing about it — including myself.

Until last summer, that is.

Thinking that global warming isn’t a major threat baffles me, especially since the Camp Fire in Northern California proved to be the deadliest wildfire in state history.

Yes, that monstrosity was a product of global warming. How? I’ll keep it short: As the Earth heats, the atmosphere holds onto moisture longer, making dry areas drier and more flammable.

Wildfires aren’t the only consequence of global warming; floods, hurricanes, ocean acidity, air pollution, melting ice caps and animal extinction are also results.

To combat this, I am on a strict nobeef diet. Why? Because cows — particularly their burps and farts — are the leading methane producer, and while there may be less methane in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, it traps around 30 percent more heat.

At first glance, the burps and farts of these huge, friendly animals might not seem that potent, but remember that there are about 1.5 billion of them producing between 30 and 50 gallons of methane each a day.

The reason there are so many cows in the world is the huge demand for beef, dairy, leather and more. Humanity’s love of all things cow causes livestock companies to breed and produce more cows in order to cater to our growing demand.

Therefore, by not eating — or more accurately, not buying — beef, I hope to lower the demand for it and thus the number of methane producers in the world.

Since other types of meat such as pork and chicken contribute such little methane to the environment, I will continue to eat them.

When I explain this reasoning to people, they always respond with a comment like, “One person is not going to change an entire industry, so you might as well give it up.”

Or they’ll say, “Since you’re driving a gas car, you obviously don’t care that much about global warming.”

OK, sorry I don’t have thousands of dollars to spare so I can buy an electric car, but I’m doing what I can with the resources I have. So you can shut up now, thanks.

Because even though the chances of this one teenage girl defeating the inflated beef industry are essentially zero, and while I admit that I really should boycott dairy products as well, at least I’m trying. That’s more than I can say of others.

But that wasn’t always the case.

Twelve months ago, I was one of those cursed beef-lovers. It was my personality, and I never thought that would change.

Six months later, I realized the world’s well-being was more important than my own and decided not to eat beef. I started small by allowing myself two exceptions: In-N-Out and Korean food (I can’t say no to my halmoni).

Come New Year’s Eve, I resolved to stop eating beef — no exceptions.

Maybe in another few months, I’ll bite the bullet and add dairy to my list of banned foods.

Or, I’ll realize global warming doesn’t exist, eat beef three meals a day and throw a bag over my head until the world ends in 2030 — just like everyone else.

The Octagon

February 12, 2019 • Feature

r/TheOctagon

10.3k

Feature

Story by Mehdi Lacombe

Welcome to Reddit: ‘The front page of the internet’

Venture into the virtual land of memes, films and ... pirate-speak?

I

t’s often said that the answer to any students who use Reddit to do so for took their game way too seriously and ly,” Friedman said. question can be found on the in- academic purposes), there is also a lashed out at people.”

Still, the 14-year-old website continternet — and most of the time, said large concentration of movie and enBut most students polled use Reddit ues to grow in popularity. answers can be found on Reddit. tertainment subreddits.

Sophomore Brian Chow said seeing simply as a form of entertainment and/ But even with Reddit’s prominence Senior Harrison Moon views mainly or social media, not as moderators. his friends use Reddit was one of the on the first page of Google search re- those kinds of subs. He created his acSenior Josh Friedman is one of those reasons he recently got an account. sults, only 51 of 116 students polled on count four years ago.

“Before, I used Instagram for all my students. He started using Reddit over Jan. 29 said they had used the website, For his and his fellow users’ privacy, five years ago and created his account memes, but I realized they got most of and only 20 have an account.

Moon, a moderator (an unpaid volun- on his 13th birthday. them from Reddit,” Chow said. “Reddit So to address the question the other teer who maintains a subreddit), reReddit allows users to interact with gets their memes a lot earlier too, so I 65 students may have: What is Reddit? quested the subreddits he uses not be their communities in three main ways: don’t miss out on any new memes.”

Reddit is a platform that hosts a specified.

In fact, Barnard-Bahn’s picture even posting content to subreddits, comseries of separated discussion pages “(A TV subreddit) was one of the first menting on those posts or simply up- found itself on Instagram, according to known as subreddits — subs for short. I ever looked at,” Moon said. “Since I voting and downvoting those posts. sophomore Sarina Rye. A sub’s topics can be anything from was looking at their content a lot and “I saw that post multiple times on InUpvoting and downvoting are Redpictures of birds with arms (r/bird- saw an opening for a moderator posi- dit’s take on liking or disliking a post. stagram, and most of the accounts that switharms) to how to survive a zombie tion, I applied.” posted it have over a apocalypse (r/ZombieSurvivalTactics).

Moon said he had to fill million followers,” Rye But there are also lots of subs dis- out 10 questions in an applisaid. “I was really surBrian Chow cussing photography, gaming, enter- cation request to moderate; prised to find out it was “Before, I used Instagram for all my memes, but I tainment, news and college, plus lots after it was reviewed, he was (Barnard-Bahn).” realized they got most of their memes from Reddit.” of humorous content — especially added to the team.

College and photogmemes.

Most redditors use the site raphy/art were tied for Unlike other forms of social media, purely as a form of entertainbeing viewed the least, Reddit allows users to subscribe to spe- ment — as Moon once did. chosen 14 times each. cific topics rather than to only other But when Moon became one However, in recent users. Thus, a fan of a show can go to of the sub’s 10 people moderating over “I used to comment a lot, but now I years Reddit has made a push toward one place — the show’s subreddit — to a million subscribers, his time on Red- really just upvote,” Friedman said. “I mainstream social media. read fan theories and news releases, dit became more work-like.

Reddit added a chat feature that also spend a lot of time looking at a keep up with actors’ personal lives and “You have to police the entire com- specific subreddit and staying on that went live in August 2018. glance at memes referencing the show. munity and make sure they can talk subreddit for a while.”

Although this was supposed to be a Sometimes, if the demand is large about the show safely,” Moon said. “I Friedman said he mainly uses Red- groundbreaking new feature for Redenough, people will create subred- delete comments, make sure the posts I dit to look at video game, board game dit, it isn’t widely used among Country dits with niche foci, allowing a huge approve follow the rules and make sure and news subreddits.

Day redditors. amount of personalization for users. there’s no hate.”

“I didn’t even know Reddit had a soAnd Friedman’s not alone.

Junior Spencer Scott is one Reddit But, Moon said, it isn’t just work.

Of the 116 students polled, 15 said cial feature,” Friedman said. “I knew user — or redditor — who subscribes “I like it for the satisfaction of being they used Reddit for gaming, and 16 about friends but not what they did.” to smaller niche subreddits. a bigger part of the community,” Moon said they used it for news. Board games Moon said he knew about the fea“I’m subscribed to one sub called said. “I think I’ll keep doing it for the weren’t on the poll, showing how niche ture but rarely uses it. r/pirateirl (pirate in real life) where foreseeable future.”

“I have a couple friends I message and broad Reddit content is. about every two weeks or every month, Moon isn’t the only student who’s The most popular content type was on Reddit, but we just send each other someone writes in pirate-speak and had a moderator position. Sophomore general humor, e.g. memes or funny posts,” Moon said. “We mainly talk on a few people answer in pirate-speak,” Carter Joost became a moderator six stories; 30 students polled said they Discord, iMessage or Slack (third-party Scott said. “I also follow one called r/ months after he started using Reddit, used Reddit for this type of content. messaging services).” bearjokes, and though his apMessaging isn’t the only major Junior Larkin Barnard-Bahn even the only posts plication pro- posted to one of these subreddits. change Reddit made, however. It also Spencer Scott on it are weekly cess was far “I was at the airport, and I was really redesigned its online website, focusing bear jokes.” simpler than tired, and I tried to plug in my phone, more on the mobile app, according to “One of my favorite subreddits is r/askhistorians, which is modOther than Moon’s. but the outlet was actually a really con- Friedman. erated by a bunch of actual histhese highly Like Moon, vincing sticker, and I thought it was re“When I browse on my desktop, I torians.” specific subredJoost request- ally funny,” she said. use old Reddit and not the Reddit rededits, Scott ened the sub he Apparently, 10,000 other redditors sign,” Friedman said. “On my phone, I joys academic moderated not agreed — the post earned over 10,000 don’t use the main app; I use Narwhal content. be named. upvotes and 314 comments, a shock to (a third-party Reddit browsing app). It “One of my “For most Barnard-Bahn. Though she continued looks more like old Reddit and not like favorite subreddits is r/askhistorians, people, (the nine existing moderators) to post to Reddit occasionally, with your typical social media app.” which is moderated by a bunch of ac- had an application, but they let me in varying degrees of reception, she never Friedman said he prefers third-party tual historians,” Scott said. “I found without one since we had gotten to broke that number. apps since those developers can spend an entire thread of someone analyzing know each other,” Joost said. “It wasn’t But many students view this type all their time on the app, whereas the the book ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chi- much work since there were only about of humorous content, especially me- Reddit team has to split its resources nua Achebe, and there was a whole 30 or 40 active members on the sub, mes, without even realizing it. Many between design. detailed response about Nigeria in the maybe 100 subscribers in total.”

Meanwhile, Moon likes the redememes found on Instagram or other 19th century.”

However, unlike Moon, Joost said his mainstream social media originate on sign, though he doesn’t always use it.

Scott said he also subscribes to a moderating experience didn’t last long. Reddit, according to Friedman.

“The redesign is worse for moderatmapmaking sub, and he likes seeing “I discovered that some of the mods “Instagram and Facebook are noto- ing, but for viewing it’s a lot more conother redditors’ content. would go out and harass certain mem- rious for stealing memes from Reddit venient,” Moon said. “The old design While academic content is fairly bers that they didn’t like on other and not giving credit to either the was 10 to 15 years old, so it looks , dated. prominent on Reddit (14 of the 51 platforms,” Joost said. “They creator or who posted it originalIt wasn’t the easiest thing to use.”

r/fiftyfifty r/fiftyfifty is a “risky click” subreddit, according to its front page. Users post photos that are either something adorable or horrible, and viewers take the risk when they click on the image.

314 Comments

What do students subscribe to? even split with what people post.

You’d think people Leonardo Eisner de Eisenhof would always want to post awful, dis“I look at it because gusting stuff, but they I like probability and don’t. It’s kind of fun to statistics. It’s fun to test think, ‘Am I going to see your chances, and most a cute cat or a dog get hit of the time it’s a pretty by a car?’’’

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“I like it because it’s both educational and funny. It’s educational because you can learn so much by looking at faulty reasoning. And it’s also so hilarious when you understand it. In order

r/badlinguistics Chardonnay Needler

to understand the jokes, you have to understand pseudolinguistic theories about Sanskrit, Dravidian and PIE.”

r/badlinguistics is a subreddit where users post incorrect or misleading theories about linguistics for humourous and educational purposes in the form of screenshots, photos, text posts or links.

9

10

Feature • February 12, 2019

The Octagon

Life’s sweet for alumna baker F

BY LARKIN BARNARD-BAHN

tablished gross annual sales limits.”

A Class A Permit allows direct rom Hello Kitty skeletons to sales to customers, while a Class B delicate pastel flowers, Kim Permit, which is more costly and requires a yearly kitchen inspection, Wong, ’98, can ice it all.

Wong built Sugar Shots, a additionally authorizes sales to recustom sugar cookie business, from tail food facilities, such as bakeries.

About A Bite Bakery, which scratch in 2012 and has been enjoyclosed in 2017, wanted to resell ing sweet success ever since.

She grew up baking with her Wong’s products, so she acquired a mom, but it was always just a hobby. Class B Permit in 2016. However, af“I didn’t think it would ever be a ter a year, Wong decided she had too profession of mine because I grew much on her plate and returned to a up in a pretty traditional Asian fam- Class A Permit.

“I (had) more demand than I ily where baking (as a career) wasn’t (could) do myself because I’m a an option,” Wong said.

After graduating from Country one-person operation from start to Day, Wong majored in physiology finish,” Wong said.

In 2018, she shifted from selling at the University of California, Los Angeles. She then moved back to specialty cakes, cupcakes and sugar Sacramento, working as a substi- cookies to selling only cookies because with less room for mistakes, tute teacher for six producing cakes was months before earnmore stressful. ing a teaching creThe look “You have one shot dential and teaching on someat it,” Wong said. fourth and fifth grade “(Whereas) if someat Foulks Ranch Ele- one’s face when one orders two dozen mentary School (6211 they get their cookies, I always bake Laguna Park Drive). order and they’re three to four extra. If Ten years later, Wong so happy with it I mess up on one — transferred to Samnot a big deal. I have — that’s really uel Jackman Mida few extra to work rewarding.” dle School (7925 Kentwal Drive), — Kim Wong with.”

In 2017, because of where she works her love of teaching, as a part-time Wong began offering health teacher. cookie decorating classes, which she All the while, she continued to said is her favorite activity. Classes bake. Wong took cake decorating classes with a friend; soon, Wong cost $70 per person, and Wong ofstarted making cakes for friends and fers them eight to 10 times a year. family. Through watching videos With only eight people, classes are and practicing, she learned the art personal and hands-on.

And it’s caught on with other bakof icing cookies. ers, too.

Her baking friend, who did marOne of the owners from Freeport keting for Chipotle before Wong opened Sugar Shots, encouraged Bakery (2966 Freeport Blvd.) sent a Wong to start a business and offered cookie decorator to Wong’s class in December 2018. Wong, who grew to help promote it.

“I decided to make this a real up inspired by Freeport Bakery, said thing because my friends and fam- she nervously anticipated the visit.

“But once she was here, it was ily were asking, ‘Do you sell these?

Would you do it for us?’” Wong said. cool,” Wong said. “I asked her about Wong first obtained a Class A Cot- what she does at the bakery, and she tage Food Permit, which “allows in- learned from me.

“I didn’t go to pastry school; I dividuals to prepare and/or package certain non-potentially hazardous don’t have any formal training — it’s foods in private-home kitchens,” ac- weird that people look to me for incording to the California Depart- struction. I’m all self-taught. So realment of Public Health. Permit hold- ly, what do I know?”

Nevertheless, Sugar Shots has ers must complete a food processor grown into a successful business, training course, perform sanitary operations and operate “within es- with Wong regularly baking 100 to 200 cookies per week. Demand dips during the summer and skyrockets during the two-week holiday season, when Wong bakes around 1,000 cookies total.

To communicate their frosted fantasies, customers contact Wong via email. “(With) the internet, it makes it so easy for someone to say, ‘Well, I saw this online, but

TREAT YOURSELF Kim Wong, ’98, poses behind Sugar Shots’ table at the Farm to Fork Tower Bridge Dinner in September 2014. Wong, one of several dessert vendors at the event, made sugar cookies and mini cupcakes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WONG

I also want to incorporate my col- tomer at no charge.

It’s hard for Wong to see “perfect” ors or (the theme) of my invitation,” Country Day has ordered cus- desserts online, but she said she has Wong said. “Or some customers will tom cookies from Sugar Shots a few accepted that her cookies may not say, ‘I need birthday cookies. My son times, starting in 2015 for its 50th an- reach the Instagram ideal. likes superheroes. Have fun.’ niversary, according to alumni coor“Everyone has their own artistic “Those are some of my favorite dinator Amy Wells, ’98. style,” Wong said. “That takes time customers because they allow me a “Kim is super easy to work with to develop. My first cookies were lot more freedom.” and has always been very generous ugly. That was in 2009. It takes pracAfter receiving an outline from to the school in donating to the auc- tice, and it’s OK if something is a litthe customer, Wong quotes a price tion,” Wells said. “Her cookies aren’t tle amiss. In fact, my kids love when based on the complexity of the de- always cheap because they take a lot it’s a little bit quirky. sign and the time the order will take. of time. Her stuff is really neat-look“I do tend to take things personWhen the order is confirmed, she ing, and it also tastes better than a ally because it is something so pertakes a nonrefundable deposit of 50 lot of those frosted cookies (at oth- sonal to me. I pour my heart and percent of the cost, a practice put er bakeries). She does some more soul into the cookies, and I want the into place due to past experiences. unusual-looking cookie shapes that customer to be happy.”

“Before, I would just trust that if maybe you won’t find anywhere Even though the job is stressful they place an order, they’re going to else.” at times, Wong said baking is an come pick it up when they say they Since 2015, Wong has donated escape from her duties as a teacher will and pay me when they say they cookies every year to Country Day’s and mother. will,” Wong said. “That works when annual auction, and last year she do“What I love about baking is that you’re doing it for friends and fam- nated a cookie decorating class.

I’ll turn on the music (with) just me ily because they won’t in here,” she said. “No cheat you out of your one’s asking me any time and money.” questions. It’s a way I didn’t go to pastry school; I Thus, because Wong for me to be creative don’t have any formal training deals with strangers, and have some qui— it’s weird that people look to me they occasionally didn’t et personal time.” give her the same com- for instruction.”

Although she spends —Wong mitment. her personal time bakBut ever since Wong ing, Wong rarely indulgimplemented the nones in the treats herself. refundable deposit, no one has can“That’s one thing I love about “Most of the stuff I make, I don’t celed last-minute.

(Country Day): because it is so small, even eat,” she said. “(But) the look on And just as her policies have there’s such a sense of community,” someone’s face when they get their changed over time, so have her cook- Wong said. “Even though it’s been order and they’re so happy with it — so many years — it’s been 20 years that’s really rewarding.” ies.

“Who isn’t happy with something Over the years, Wong has con- since I graduated, which it doesn’t sweet? It just brings everyone so stantly tweaked an online cookie feel like — I love being a part of it.”

Pictures of her most recent much joy, which is fun.” recipe recommended by friends.

Since most sugar cookie recipes Country Day cookies — red, bancontain the same basic ingredients ner-shaped cookies with “SCDS” — butter, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla written on them for the All-School Go to www.scdsoctagon. extract, salt and a leavener such as Admissions Open House — can com to read about Wong baking powder — the ratio of the be found on Wong’s Instagram acgoing viral and more. elements is what changes the flavor. count, @sugarshots, which contains While Wong enjoys softer cookies, over 500 pictures and videos of her they also need to be firm enough for cookies and boasts 10,400 followers. rolling out and frosting.

“I didn’t grow up with social She partly attributes the de- media, so I’m not the best with it,” liciousness of the cookies to the Wong said. “But I know that (social high-quality ingredients she uses, media) is necessary to grow your including a European-style butter business, especially now.” (which has higher fat content) from However, social media can also Petaluma Creamery. be a challenge for perfectionists like After making the dough using Wong. her 20-quart stand mixer — able to make about 10 dozen cookies at once BACON SOME GOODIES Wong’s — she utilizes one or more of her ap- cookie repertoire includes treats proximately 1,000 cookie cutters on shaped like bacon and boba tea.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WONG the rolled-out dough.

Each cookie takes three to 10 minutes to ice, and a dozen regular-sized cookies usually cost $48 to $60.

Sugar Shots delivers to the Sacramento area; customers can pick up from Wong’s house in Pocket-Greenhaven or her husband’s workplace near Country Day or in Elk Grove, where her daughters take gymnastics lessons. If there’s a large order, Wong delivers directly to the cus-

The Octagon

February 12, 2019 • Feature

Along with fighting fire, crime, local siblings light up grills

11

Breakthrough director brings Burgess Brothers BBQ & Burgers to Country Day

BY ANNA FRANKEL

tial of a partnership between the company and Breakthrough. hese guys rock!” Faith “Every summer we invite peoGalati, executive ple to talk about their careers to director of Break- Breakthrough students,” Galati through Sacramento, said. “I like to bring people in from said about the Burgess brothers, all different professions to expose creators of Burgess Brothers BBQ the kids to opportunities for them& Burgers. selves.”

The twins recently formed a Galati said the brothers, as civil partnership with Country Day and servants and entrepreneurs, were Breakthrough. the perfect pair to introduce to the They closed their BBQ & Burger students. restaurant to move forward with “For our students to see their entheir brand, according to Burgess ergy and their progressive pursuit Brothers’ 2018 year-end newsletter. of entrepreneurism is fantastic,” However, they do have a ChurWaf- Galati said. “The kids loved them, fle (churro, cornbread, waffle) and and they are such great mentors.”

Chicken stand at Stockton Arena Jonathan Burgess said he felt and are opening more locations. equally excited about his compaJonathan Burgess, ny’s involvement a firefighter, and with Breakthrough.

Matthew Burgess, I just fell in “When we found a law enforcement out what Breaklove with officer, began their through was all Breakthrough’s company in 2012 about, we thought it after competing mission to provide fit perfectly within against each other opportunities for our goals and objecin a burger contest kids who wouldn’t tives,” Jonathan Buron Good Day Sacra- otherwise have gess said. “We spoke mento. to a group in the Jonathan said his them.” summer program, —Jonathan and I just fell in love and his brother’s love for cooking Burgess with Breakthrough’s came long before mission to provide then. opportunities for “We have always gravitated to- kids who wouldn’t otherwise have ward being in the kitchen,” Jon- them. athan Burgess said. “We started “The success rate is phenomcooking at 6 years old, and we enal, and it’s great to be a part of learned how to cook almost every- that.” thing from our mom. At 6 or 7, we Since the original collaboration, were making our own breakfasts.” the relationship between BreakJonathan Burgess said when the through and the Burgess brothers opportunity arose to try some- has continued to “grow trementhing new, the brothers seized it. dously,” according to Jonathan Since its opening, the business Burgess. has expanded.

Galati said the new relationship “We moved from restaurants to is mutually beneficial. packaged foods (including barbe“They love to do fundraising cue sauce, cornbread mix and sau- events,” Galati said. “So our first sage), supplying to school districts, objective was to have a fundraishotels, casinos and restaurant es- er here at Country Day during tablishments,” Jonathan Burgess the school year with the brothers’ said. “Now we do more hospitality meals.” food service and catering.

Traditionally, the high school “And the business side has hosts Breakthrough fundraisers moved us into consulting, men- twice a year, according to Galati. torship and creating relationships In the past, these have included a like the one we have with Break- taco eating contest and the high through and Country Day.” school’s World Cultures Day. Galati, who introduced the Galati said that, rather than sellbrothers to the school, said she met ing tacos for Breakthrough, the them via a former Country Day school could partner with the Burparent and mutual friend. gess Brothers, who would bring “As soon as I met with meals to benefit the program.

Jonathan Burgess “These gentlemen make and Matt, there was killer barbeque,” Galati an instant connecsaid. “And I suspected tion,” Galati said. that the kids would love She added that it.” she soon recogSo Galati set up a nized the potenmeeting between

“T

GETTING CORNY The Burgess brothers join Breakthrough director Faith Galati and Breakthrough students during the summer program. The brothers spoke to students about their entrepreneurship; they also offered free cornbread mix to students who asked questions during the visit. PHOTO COURTESY OF GALATI

the brothers and various members of the Country Day community, including high school class representatives, teachers and head of school Lee Thomsen.

“They brought food samples, and everybody was just crazy about them,” Galati said. “We agreed on fundraisers and also discussed the idea of having their food here regularly, possibly through the school lunch program.”

Since the initial meeting on Dec. 14, Galati said the brothers have been sending menus to the school and working on pricing.

They might join the lunch program later this year or next year, with a portion of the proceeds going toward Breakthrough.

They also catered this year’s high school end-of-finals meal on Jan. 22.

According to junior Garrett Shonkwiler, it was “the best catering the school has had.”

Besides this large-scale involvement with Country Day, Galati said she is already planning more fundraisers for Breakthrough of which the brothers could be a part — including an annual event called, “Are you smarter than a Breakthrough student?”

She said that along with the company’s message, its food was a huge factor in her enthusiasm about

DYNAMIC DUO Twins Matthew (law enforcement officer) and Jonathan (firefighter) Burgess opened a barbecue and burger restaurant after facing off in a televised burger competition. The brothers’ company has taken off since its opening. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN BURGESS

the brothers’ company.

“First we want to focus on “You can’t beat their barbeque,” Breakthrough and Country Day Galati said. “Once you taste it, you and make sure we knock this one want more. out of the park before we bring “And there’s someon any others,” Jonthing so rewarding athan Burgess said. about the meals “We are thoroughIt’s not a coming from two ly impressed with big corlocal entrepreneurs Country Day, and we who try to source porate conglomare really looking their food locally erate — it’s the forward to working and are committed company of two with the students to our community. and the faculty. fantastic entreIt’s not a big corpo“But I see it as rate conglomerate preneurs and civil something that, in — it’s the company servants.” the future, we would of two fantastic en—Faith Galati love to grow. Our trepreneurs and civil hope is to eventually servants.” use this partnership Jonathan Burgess as an example for said the partnership with Country other schools.

Day and Breakthrough is a first for “Good things happen when his company, and he would love to (people) come together working form similar ones. toward the same goal.”

12

Backpage • February 12, 2019

The Octagon

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? GRA

PHIC

S BY E

Are you celebrating with others (friends, significant other, etc.)?

M M A B O E RS M A

Netflix & alone

N

It’s not that sad: a tub of ice cream, your favorite show, and you’re set.

Y’all wanna eat?

Home-cooked meal

N

N

N

Y Are you on a budget?

Is originality important?

Y

Arts & crafts

Y

Do you want to do something active?

Y

Flex your wifey skills on your friends, family and S.O. (Don’t cave in and order takeout.)

Get some Bob Ross on, grab a brush, and bam!

Perfect date night.

Y

N N

Do you have an S.O.?

See the sunrise

Do you want to be romantic?

There’s no better way to say, “I love you,” than morning breath and a beautiful view.

Y

Netflix & chill

Ice skating

Spend some (PG) intimate time with your S.O.

Just the place to cuddle like penguins and fall in love. (Get it?)

Y

Go to Target

N

Indoor skydiving Very unromantic, yet very fun! ’Nuff said.

Nothing says romance like buying laundry detergent!