Octagon 2018-19 Issue 7

THE

OCTAGON

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

@scdsoctagon

VOL.42 NO.7 • Sacramento Country Day School • 2636 Latham Drive, Sacramento • April 23, 2019

PAINTING IN THE RAIN Senior Bella Mathisen puts the finishing touches on her mural, “One Line,” in the rain on April 15.

PHOTO BY JACQUELINE CHAO

Second school mural finished since removal of three in 2017 location — from the side of Room 9 to the wall next to the weight room.

“We’re just not ready to put a mural in that space,” Thomsen said.

“We like the clean look of the courtyard.”

When Thomsen emailed Cunningham to let all the students know which proposals had been approved, according to Naylor, Thomsen didn’t give many reasons why hers and her classth e d e mates’ were rejected. sig “He didn’t give n us a straight answer,” Naylor said. “During the meeting, he told us, ‘I’ll think about it. It seems like a lot of you have strong proposals.’ It seemed like he was on our side, and Mr. Wells too, so we had hope.”

Van Vleck agreed, adding that all the artists were careful with their designs and proposed locations.

“A lot of us tried to pick places that weren’t super visible or big and themes that weren’t at all controversial; pretty much all were somehow about education,” Van Vleck said.

er

efore the 2017-18 school year, three murals — located on the large wall next to the entrance to the gym, the wall next to the weight room and the wall on the back side of the gym — were painted over.

The decision was made by head of school Lee Thomsen, who said in the Octagon that the murals were “weatherworn” and “did not show the school in the best light” (“Community has mixed reactions to school’s painting over 21-year-old mural,” Aug. 28, 2017).

But just over a year ago, Lea Gorny, ’18, responded by designing a mural depicting two women of color, moons and galaxies for the gym wall behind the physical education office. After getting approval from Thomsen, Gorny and other students spent spring break painting.

That mural sparked many AP Art Studio students to start working on proposals for this year.

In February, Thomsen, art teacher Andy Cunningham, head of high school Brooke Wells and seniors Michaela Chen, Bella Mathisen, Grace Naify, Sophie Naylor, Mohini Rye and Tori Van Vleck met to discuss possible murals for this year.

In that meeting, according to Mathisen, the students received

“a lot of positive feedback” from Thomsen regarding painting new murals around campus.

Mathisen, who had been working on her design since the summer, gave a full presentation in the February meeting, during which she even showcased photoshopped images of her mural on the wall. The other students also explained their ideas and showed Thomsen sketches of their proposals. “(Thomsen) seemed isen, pretty receptive, alh t a though a little M a overwhelmed l with how much was given at one time,” Rye said. “But it seemed like a productive meeting and that it was going someplace.”

Around a month later, on March 12, Thomsen met with about a dozen administrators to decide which murals to approve.

“I take advice and feedback from them, but ultimately, I’m responsible (for decision making),” Thomsen said.

Mathisen, Naylor, Rye and Van Vleck each submitted one proposal.

Thomsen approved only Mathisen’s idea, though he changed the mural’s

Be l

B

BY ALLISON ZHANG

MURALS page 3 >>

One of four mural proposals approved by administration

BY ALLISON ZHANG Of four mural proposals given to head of school Lee Thomsen on March 4 by AP Studio Art students, only senior Bella Mathisen’s was approved.

After going through nearly 50 designs, Mathisen chose a background of strips of color that weave together. This, according to Mathisen, represents “people coming together.” The foreground of the mural showcases contour drawings in a single line of “different faces with different features and angles,” Mathisen said.

In her proposal, Mathisen wrote that “the colors combined with the varied faces and the symbolism of all being connected represent my view of Country Day. There are so many different people here, but this school brings us all together. This one line connects us all.”

Senior Mohini Rye’s mural design was “unorthodox,” she said.

Rather than use a traditional flat canvas, Rye planned to paint an underwater scene on the undersides of the two arches at each end of the Frank Science Center — to the right of the physics classroom and the left of the chemistry classroom — mimicking a tunnel.

In Rye’s proposal, she wrote that she wanted to “bring color to an area that’s lacked any for a long time, as well as start the trend of putting art in hidden places.”

Because of the nature of her proposal, Rye wouldn’t be able to transfer her design to a canvas, unlike the final two proposals: senior Sophie Naylor’s and senior

Tori Van Vleck’s.

Naylor’s design, she said, was an “abstract rendition that’s symbolic of Country Day’s education.”

“I designed it to focus on Country Day ideals and had incorporated traditional learning with other modern aspects,” Naylor said.

Her proposal consisted of a Michelangelo-inspired figure sitting on the edge of a pool of water, representing Classical learning. Next to the figure would have been a globe within a cage, showing the unity of humans and their hardships. In the background would have been stairs, which represented moving into adult life.

Lastly, Van Vleck proposed a design consisting of a face surrounded by shapes — representing growth, outreach and how people can shape their surroundings. She hoped to cover the wall in the alcove between Rooms 3 and 4. The mural was part of her plan to revamp that area as the senior gift, Van Vleck said.

INSIDE News...................1-3 Sports.................. 4-5 Centerpoint........6-7 Opinion...............8-9 Feature...........10-11 Backpage............12

2

News • April 23, 2019

The Octagon

Seniors pass leadership legacies on to passionate underclassmen

BY ANNA FRANKEL

cluding advertising in the Octagon and the school’s Friday email, creatrom starting clubs to head- ing posters and sending reminders ing volunteer projects, the to the student body. He must also senior class has certainly left ensure that the gym is available and its mark on Country Day. properly set up for the drive.

However, as their time at the school Finding a replacement, Eisner comes to an end, various senior said, was not something he had inileaders are preparing to pass their tially considered. projects on to underclassmen. “(In January) my adviser (with the Leonardo Eisner, organizer of the Red Cross) told me to give her the school’s blood drives, Brandy Riziki, email of the person who would be creator of the Youth Back to Jesus taking over next year,” Eisner said. club (UBTJ), and Luca Procida, cap- “And I was like, ‘Who is going to do tain of Country Day’s Run to Feed that?’ the Hungry team, are handing over “But I had heard some interest their roles. from a few people, so I decided to So far, Eisner and Riziki have send out a mass email to current jubeen successful in their searches. niors and sophomores.”

Procida, however, is still in the proEisner said only sophomores cess. responded to his email but called Eisner, who decided to bring them the perfect group to take a blood drive to the school on the task because they can during his junior year and continue for two years before has since hosted three passing on the role. drives, chose sophomore He then sent a Google Pragathi Vivaik to take over survey application to the five his role. students interested in Before Eisner’s first the opportunity, the blood drive in May results of which he 2018, the school used to choose Vivaik hadn’t hosted one in I think it because she had the 10 years. will be very strongest application.

“I came in as a new Because he selectstudent (my soph- important to have ed Vivaik just three omore year), and I consistency and days before his final wasn’t used to a high make that weekly blood drive on March school not having a sacrifice, espe13, Eisner said she regular blood donacially with everywas able to shadow tion schedule,” Eishim. thing else going ner said. “At my old “What she wasn’t on at school.” school (in Houston), able to see was everywe had a blood drive —Brandy Riziki thing leading up to once a year, which it,” Eisner said. “But was a big hit because at this point, I have it is relatively easy for saving so done so many blood drives that evmany lives.”

However, bringing a blood drive erything with the Red Cross is alto the school was a process, accord- ready set up and organized.”

He added that physical education ing to Eisner.

“First you have to fill out an appli- chair Michelle Myers, his faculty cation and send it to the American adviser for the program, can help Red Cross,” Eisner said. “Then they Vivaik.

According to Eisner, Myers took connect you to one of their representatives, who helps you select a on the role because she donates blood regularly and is interested in date.”

Besides this initial process, Eisner the field. Her role in the P.E. departsaid various tasks must be carried ment also serves as a helpful tool to out before each drive can occur, in- the blood drives.

F

Making Connections between people and homes for over 28 years

Nancy Reid & Richard Price DRE # 01095153, 0195152

“One of the biggest issues with the blood drive is that we need the gym for the entire day,” Eisner said. “(Our) gym is constantly being used, which makes trying to pick a date an issue.”

Vivaik, who applied for the position because of her interest in medicine, said she is excited about taking over the program.

“I thought this would be a good opportunity not only to have some hands-on experience but also to improve my leadership skills and responsibility,” Vivaik said.

She said she has learned the basics from Eisner and that shadowing him during his most recent drive was beneficial.

Although the process didn’t seem too difficult, she said, she is still learning how to run everything smoothly, which will take time and help.

“I will definitely be contacting (Eisner) to continually ask how he ran things,” Vivaik said.

Vivaik hopes to host two drives next year and said she will decide a future blood drive schedule after BLOOD BROTHERS Brian Chow gives blood while fellow sophomore Ashseeing how her first year goes. win Rohatgi keeps him company in the gym during the March 13 drive.

Riziki, founder of the school’s PHOTO BY SHIMIN ZHANG only religious club, has also found an underclassman to take over her religion,” Fesai said. involves organizing with the food role: freshman Hailey Fesai.

When Riziki asked Fesai to take bank and ensuring that the team is Riziki said she started the club over as the club’s leader, Fesai said in order. Procida has yet to find anythis winter because “it was time to she was more than willing. one who wants to fill his position. bring Jesus back.”

“I would do almost anything for “A lot of people have other comThe club has two members in her,” Fesai said. “So when she asked mitments,” Procida said. “But I’m addition to Riziki: Fesai and senior me, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. What hopeful that we’ll find someone who Michaela Chen. Other students visit Brandy is doing is amazing, and wants to get involved.”the club occasionally, which Riziki I would love to contribute to her Procida added that if the team is said doesn’t bother her. goodness in anyway I can.” unable to find someone to fill the “(Fesai) is a consistent member of Despite her enthusiasm, Fesai position for next year, sixth grader the club and is willing to commit to said she is nervous about taking Andrew Burr, an active member of keep it going,” Riziki said. over the club. the Run to Feed the Hungry team, The job should not be difficult for “I honestly haven’t re- may replace Procida when he reachFesai, according to Riziki, who does ally thought about what es high school. not plan to teach Fesai any particuI’m going to do with Although Procida said it’s importlar information or skills. the club when Brandy ant to have a student head the team, “She is already mature,” Riziki leaves,” Fesai said. “So various members of the faculty and said. “And even with me off to I’ll make things up administration, such as assistant college next year, I’ll still be as I go. The only head of school Tucker Foehl, the there for her if she needs thing I’ve realteam’s faculty adviser, advice or ideas. will keep the team run“I think it will be very ning.

At this point, I have done so many important to have con“Luca has been insistency and make that blood drives that everything with the strumental in leading weekly sacrifice, espe- Red Cross is already set up and organized.” the team and an incredcially with everything —Leonardo Eisner ible presence in providelse going on at school. ing service and dedicaStress can be so elevattion to the Sacramento ed that we lose sight of Food Bank,” Foehl said. ly planned is to give Brandy lots of what’s important — trusting God. Procida was successful, Foehl calls and ask her to help me spread “Gathering, praying and reading said, because he “genuinely cares the word (of God) together restores the word of God in the ways she so about the community.” graciously has done for us this year.” hope and faith to keep us going.”

“The challenge will be identifyProcida, meanwhile, has yet to Fesai said she joined the club being someone who cares in that way,” find a new captain for the school’s cause she was “curious to see what it Foehl added.

Run to Feed the Hungry team. was all about.”

He said losing Christy Procida, Procida has been on the school’s “Being a Christian my whole Luca Procida’s mother, will also life and seeing that (Riziki) was in team for the past five years and bepresent a challenge. came captain his sophomore year. charge of the club drew me to it im“Luca and Christy do so many He said the team’s previous capmediately,” Fesai said.

Fesai said her interest in the club tains, Manson Tung, ’16, and Akilan things behind the scenes,” Foehl stems from how it can help students Murugesan, ’16, trained him during said. “Myself and others will have to his freshman year to take over their step up and take on those roles.” conflicted about their faith.

The change will also provide an “It’s a place where people of the position, as they were both graduatopportunity for students to carry Christian faith or not can decide for ing that year.

According to Procida, the job on the tradition, Foehl said. He said themselves what they think of the students have already reached out about taking on bigger roles on the team.

“I don’t think one person can do everything (Luca and Christy Procida) did,” Foehl said. “But groups of students who want to get involved will be able to work toward filling their place.”

Most important going forward, Foehl said, is the community coming together as a team.

“I know the heart of this community,” Foehl said. “People step up.”

The Octagon

April 23, 2019 • News

Murals: Most senior artists unable to leave mark on campus (continued from page 1) “We tried to make it as hard as possible to say no.”

Cunningham was also surprised that only one of four proposals was approved.

“Last year (Thomsen) said he wanted more artwork around school and actually showed me pictures of another school that had multiple locations on campus with different murals, so I was under the impression that he wanted more,” Cunningham said. “So I figured I’d come with as many people (with proposals) as I could.”

Naify said she was “disappointed but not surprised” that Thomsen approved only one mural.

“I mean at this point, I didn’t expect anyone to get an approval simply because (Thomsen) seems to change his mind every time he goes to discuss the murals with the board,” Naify said.

Thomsen said he just wanted “time to think about it and create some sort of process.”

Mathisen said one of the reasons only her proposal was approved could have been that she had been working on it for so long.

Thomsen confirmed this, saying he approved Mathisen’s because she had been working on her proposal the longest.

For future mural proposals, Thomsen said he hopes to create a more clear-cut process.

“Right now, we’ve been waiting to see if kids come to us or don’t,” he said. “Last year we had one student, one proposal and one mural, but this year, we have four or five proposals and different locations, so we decid-

ed to approve one and to take a pause and say, ‘Let’s think forward in terms of having a system. Do we want, as a school, to say we’re going to have three places (for murals) or 10?’ We don’t really know yet, so part of the approval of the one (mural) was to give us some time to let us think forward.”

As an alternative to a mural, Thomsen suggested that students put their designs on large canvases to hang inside various buildings on campus.

“We have several indoor spaces where we would love to feature student art,” he said. “The admissions office has one really huge wall on the east side and a big space on the west side that would be perfect places for larger pieces of art, so I’m hoping that outside of simply murals, we’ll have future pieces of art.”

Mathisen also acknowledged some benefits of canvas paintings rather than murals.

“They stay up longer, and you can take them home,” she said. “(Thomsen) told me they’re going to paint over the murals every couple years, and I think that that’s a reason (against new murals).

“If four people paint this year, and four people want to paint next year, then there will be some problems with overlapping spaces.

“Once you fill up the walls, you fill up the walls.”

However, neither Van Vleck nor Naylor plans to paint her design on a canvas.

Naylor said a canvas painting “defeats the purpose of the whole design I created.”

“I was excited to paint my piece large scale and outdoors, but it wouldn’t have the same effect on a

smaller canvas,” she said.

“I wanted to keep my rough draft for inspiration in the future, rather than devote time to a piece that I put a lot of thought and effort into just for it to be another traditional canvas painting.”

Despite the difficulties that come with painting new murals, Cunningham explained their benefits.

“It’s a creative outlet for students who make the work and design the work,” he said.

“But it’s also good for students who aren’t artistic who get to walk by these creations while the students who made them are on campus. And being in the presence of (the murals) — that’s an integral part of the education process.”

While Naylor said she respects Thomsen’s decision, she’s “bummed” she won’t be able to do her mural.

“Especially as a senior, I don’t get to express my artistic influence one last time (at Country Day),” Naylor said.

“It’s just kind of a bummer that with such a malleable system where students are usually able to do what they want, I can’t do (my mural).”

Van Vleck agreed, adding that it’s “disappointing” to see a decline of the arts at Country Day. “That used to be a very strong aspect of our school,” she said.

“Murals would showcase the diversity of students’ skills, as opposed to being a school just focused on academics.”

Rye also noted how the interests of each graduating class differ.

“We have a huge group of seniors into visual arts, and it’s just unfortunate that there’s going to be only one mural by one artist and that’s the legacy this class leaves,” Rye said.

3

OUR IDENTITY Senior Bella Mathisen works on the final line of faces for her mural, “One Line,” over the weekend of April 13. PHOTO BY EMMA BOERSMA

4

Sports • April 23, 2019

The Octagon

After strong season, tennis team hopes for playoff berth her backhand.

“I used to play tennis with my family for fun, he tennis team finished the season with and I was always nervous when they would hit a league record of 6-4, giving it a “de- it to me and I would have to return using my cent chance of gaining a playoff spot,” backhand,” she said. “But the coaches have reaccording to coach Jamie Nelson as of ally helped me with my form and my returns.”

Nelson said the freshmen have been “eager April 19.

Nelson attributed this chance to the big size participants” at the 7 a.m. practices at Rio Del Oro with coach Dave Kuhn. of the team.

Nelson also commended Eisner.

“We opened the season with a sign-up of 19 “Leo continues to be a calm and enthusiastic (players), the largest ever,” he said.

Sophomore Keshav Anand agreed that the leader, and as team captain, he plays a key role in coach-to-team communication,” he said. team’s size helped immensely.

Eisner said being so involved “We haven’t had to forfeit “felt very weird.” many matches, so we’ve been “I had to convince people to able to win as a team,” he said.

Leo contincome out and (had to) coach The team has four boys and ues to be a some people on their tennis 12 girls this season. Nelson said calm and enthusi- games,” he said. it would be ideal to have more Eisner said he is confident astic leader ... he boys next season to add boys about making it to the Sac-Joaand mixed doubles, both of plays a key role quin Section Championships, which the team has often de- in coach-to-team May 2-3 at Oak Park in Stockfaulted. ton.

Senior Leonardo Eisner said communication.”

—Jamie Nelson “You only need to come in he was proud of the number of second (in the league champigirls who played this season. onships) in order to qualify for “A lot of the freshmen girls had never played (before), and I’m impressed Sections,” he said.

Nelson also pointed out freshman Sanjana with how much better they have become after Anand, sophomore Keshav Anand, senior Mijust one season,” he said.

One of those girls is freshman Vanessa Es- chaela Chen and the undefeated doubles team of Escobar and freshman Tina Huang as havcobar, who Nelson said anchors girls doubles.

However, Escobar said she looks forward to ing a good chance of qualifying for the section championships. playing more singles.

All except Chen, who returned after not “I’ve only played singles once, but it was really fun having the whole court to myself and playing her junior year, are new arrivals to the making quick decisions about which moves I team.

“Several players have been pleasant surprisshould make next,” she said.

Escobar said she is happy to have improved es from a coaching standpoint,” Nelson said.

T

HIT OR MISS Freshman Sicily Schroeder runs forward to volley in doubles against Linden High School on April 17 in Stockton. Schroeder and sophomore Shelly Zalezniak won 10-8, and Country Day triumphed 6-1. PHOTO BY SANJANA ANAND

BY SARINA RYE

Golf team perseveres amid injuries, bad weather, lost practices Muscle memory, work ethic help players as short season made even shorter by rain

BY HÉLOÏSE SCHEP

try Day player in the match, which, he said, was intimidating.

“I had to play against the three “It’s all about endurance,” senior best players in the league, when I’m captain Harrison Moon said about the golf team’s performance this more of an average player,” he said. season. The team has been plagued “Seeing how they shot compared to by injuries, lost practices and bad me was humbling.”

On the first hole, Situ hit after the weather, but according to Moon, persistence helped it make the most three other players, all of whom had hit nearly halfway to the hole in one of its matches.

The eight-member team has com- try, according to Situ.

“All I thought was, ‘Oh, my god, peted in three matches this season; its next will be the Sacramento Met- everybody is watching me,’” he said. ropolitan Athletic League Champi- “I choked up, but it was fine after onships on April 29 at the Haggin that hole.”

Furthermore, the course had Oaks Golf Course.

In the team’s season opener on many hills, which Situ said forced March 14 at Haggin Oaks, par 36 for him to lean back or forward on shots. nine holes, Harrison Because Situ was Moon shot a 42, juCountry Day’s only nior David Situ shot We worked player, the Cavaliers a 59, junior Yumi a lot harddid not have a team Moon and freshman score.

Nihal Gulati carded er in our limited Although the team 67s, and junior Anu practices, so we competed in each Krishnan shot a 71. did pretty well.”

Situ and Yumi —Harrison Moon match, multiple practices were canceled Moon, two of the because of rain. six players selected, During matches, were unable to play in the second match on April 8 at humidity and wind hurt the team’s Cypress Lakes Golf Course, par 36 performance, according to Harrifor nine holes. Situ injured his left son Moon. He added that absences leg over spring break, and Yumi forced Country Day to fill spots with less-experienced players, such as Moon had a conflict.

Harrison Moon shot a 44, Gulati a Boersma and Gulati, which “defi67, Krishnan a 71 and junior Emma nitely hurt a lot.”

But the other players have been Boersma a 72.

Since the tournament required on the team for at least two years, minimal participation of five play- so missing practices did not severeers and the team had only four top ly affect their performance because players present, there were no team many of their skills were still in their scores, and the match did not count muscle memory, according to Harrison Moon. in the league standings.

The team’s work ethic helped On April 11, Situ shot a 60 (24 over par) at Rancho Solano Golf Course overcome lost time too. in Fairfield. He was the only Coun“We worked a lot harder in our

limited practices, so we did pretty well,” Harrison Moon said.

Coach Matt Vargo added that Harrison Moon has “a good shot” at advancing to Sectionals, May 6 at Diablo Grande in Patterson, and

Situ is “on the bubble.”

If Harrison Moon advances past Sectionals, he will compete in the Masters tournament, May 13 at The Reserve in Stockton.

Only two Country Day players

have competed individually in the Masters: Miles Edwards, ’18, in 2017 and Mark Davidson, ’06.

However, advancing that far “looks unlikely at this point,” Harrison Moon said.

A New Home Puts a Spring in Your Step

Coming Soon!

Lovely Land Park cottage with original details on tree-lined street. Extra large lot, charming garden, and four bedrooms.

The Octagon

April 23, 2019 • Sports

5

JUST KEEP SWIMMING Junior Rebecca Waterson competes in the 100-meter butterfly on March 27. PHOTO BY MICHAELA CHEN

Despite graduation of top swimmer, coach remains optimistic

A

BY JACKSON MARGOLIS

lthough the swim team lost fourtime state champion Amalie Fackenthal, ’18, to Stanford University, coach Brian Nabeta said he still has high hopes for this season.

“Our team goal is to repeat as (Division III) section champions on the girls’ side and to have a male swimmer make states again,” Nabeta said.

And while the girls will have to work to become back-to-back champions, sophomore Athena Lin (200- and 100-meter varsity free-

style) said the team will remain a dominant force at sections on Thursday, May 2, in Lodi.

And it’s not just the returning female swimmers who have improved. Nabeta said senior Joe Zales (200 and 500 varsity freestyle) and sophomore Brian Chow (200 freshman/sophomore freestyle and 200 freshman/sophomore individual medley) have improved as well.

Despite the team losing its top swimmer, Lin said the group dynamic hasn’t changed much.

“We still talk to each other a lot,” Lin said.

“We even have a group chat.”

Nabeta agreed.

“It is very hard to replace someone who can

set the table for the other relay team members,” Nabeta said.

“But we do have four solid (girl) swimmers (freshman Hailey Fesai, Lin, sophomore Sydney Turner and junior Rebecca Waterson) who will vie for finals spots and try to repeat as Division III champions.”

Even so, Lin said the team’s small size (six) allows for constant support for each swimmer.

“We always say ‘good job’ after everyone swims — even if they didn’t swim their goal time,” Lin said.

And since some swimmers haven’t recorded their best times, Nabeta said he hopes the

team has yet to have its greatest accomplishment.

“We have three weeks until sections and four weeks until states,” Nabeta said. “Nothing really exciting has happened yet.”

But the team has had several victories.

At the Delta League Championships on April 11, Chow knocked 1.66 seconds off his time at the 200 freestyle varsity.

At the upcoming sections, the team will compete in the varsity girls 200 medley and free relays.

In addition, all of the swimmers have qualified for their events at sections.

New coach, practice facility assist track and field team in ‘making mark on competition’

BY ARJIN CLAIRE

practice in.”

Senior Heidi Johnson also hopes to improve in her field events.

The track and field team, which “Now I’m focused on long jump has 14 members, has competed in and triple jumps and improving only three meets this season. Howmy distances to make it to State, ever, it is still one of the “strongest which I’ve never done before,” she in the Sacramento Metropolitan said.

Athletic League,” according to new Johnson added that despite the coach Rick Fullum. shortage of practices due to rain, “Our team is making a considthe team has carried on. erable mark on the competition,” “Practicing at Cordova High he said.

(School) has helped a “We have top lot,” she said. times in the boys’ We’re doing really well this season, Johnson’s best acsprints and middle with a stronger and more committed complishment thus far distance, as well as was winning the girls top distances in the team than last year.” triple jump at 34 feet, 5 girls’ field events —Craig Bolman inches in an invitationsuch as long jump, al meet on March 9 at triple jump and pole Grant High School. vault.”

“I want to improve all of my Fullum said he’s optimistic Freshman Craig Bolman agreed.

“We’re doing really well this times, especially my 100-meter about the team.

“Everyone is surpassing my exseason, with a strong and more time, as I just had my best finish pectations, especially being a new committed team than last year,” he with an 11.8-second time,” he said.

“I also am really looking forward coach,” he said. said.

The Cavs’ latest race was on Junior Charles Thomas added to running the 4x100 if we can get a that coach Fullum has been a huge team together. Our next meet isn’t April 9 at Encina. The race scheduntil the end of the month, so we uled for April 16 was canceled behelp.

“With the help of coach (Ful- have lots of time to get some solid cause no school could host.

mm

lum), everyone has improved a ton since the beginning of the season,” he said.

Thomas said he wants to continue improving his 800-meter time and possibly take up the 400.

“I just recently started to run the 400, so I would really like to improve for the next meet,” he said.

Bolman added that he wanted to improve his times in the 100, 200 and 400.

THOMAS THE TRACK LEGEND Junior Charles Thomas competes in the 800 meters on March 16. PHOTO BY EMMA BOERSMA

Sports Boosters’ Athletes of the Month Harrison Moon Harrison is the team’s No. 1 golfer and captain and has placed in the top five in the first two league events. He is leading the team by example and working hard to improve.

Sanjana Anand It was a pleasant surprise to see a freshman step in as the girls’ No. 1 (on the tennis team). I look forward to her becoming a strong contender for league champion going forward.

Paid for by our generous Sports Boosters. Quotes by golf coach Matt Vargo and tennis coach Jamie Nelson.

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

6

Centerpoint

The Oc

THE HISTORY BEHIND

SOPHOMORE PROJECT Presentation, essay theme evolves from open-ended to Sac-centric

A

fter months of research (and likely some procrastination), students have completed their sophomore project presentations. Now, they might wonder: Who developed this evil scheme for students to do so much research?

The sophomore project has undergone many changes in its 11year history.

According to librarian and sophomore project co-founder Joanne Melinson, the assignment was created in the 2008-09 school year to familiarize students with writing research papers.

“Our kids did a lot of critical thinking and were very good at expressing their own opinions about things, but they didn’t have any big research projects in high school,” Melinson said, citing her daughter, Sarah Kelly, ’06.

“She did research in high school, but not as big (as) what she did in seventh grade, where she had to write a 15-page research paper, which is a little odd,” Melinson said.

“We’re a college-prep school, and doing research will definitely help in college.”

Head of high school Brooke Wells agreed.

“There were a couple of classes that (assigned) research papers, but not every student knew how to write one,” Wells said.

The project consists of a 10-minute oral presentation, in which students define their research question and explain their topic using visual aids, and an essay, in which students explain their findings in a research paper. The paper was originally limited to 10 to 15 pages but reduced to five or six after a student wrote 35 pages.

The first winning project explained the rise of Russia as a world power.

During the first six years of the sophomore project, students were allowed to research any topic. This led to some unusual subjects, such as living underwater in case of an apocalypse, the effects of climate change on the Maine lobster indus-

try and the community system of justice in Rwanda, according to Melinson.

This soon became an issue.

“The topics were too broad, and it was hard for everyone to pick anything they wanted,” Wells said. “We weren’t getting topic choices that were appropriate and useful.”

Thus, in the 2014-15 school year, former history teacher Bruce Baird gave students a list of American biographies from which they would pick a person to research.

The next year, students were once again allowed to research anything.

But in the following year, 2016-17, former English teacher Patricia Fels reined it in, changing the project to focus on religions and languages.

Fels said she chose the topics be-

We really like the Sacramento angle; it’s more interesting to read, and it’s probably more interesting to write too.”

—Joanne Melinson cause of a similar research project she had implemented earlier.

“Long before the sophomore project, I required the sophomores in my class to do a religion report,” Fels said. “They researched the history and customs of the religion, but they also had to do ‘hands-on’ research, including attending a service, interviewing a leader of the religion and interviewing a teenage member of the religion. The requirements included footnotes, a bibliography and a brief in-class presentation.”

Fels decided to use the same theme for the sophomore project, but she said to “avoid controversy,” she also gave students the option to research a language.

And unlike past projects that sent students to libraries and databases, this project was experiential in that it required students to visit local sites to interview practitioners, priests or people who spoke the target language.

“These additions made the papers instantly more readable,” Melinson said. “All of a sudden, they were based on (students’) own experiences, so their descriptions were so much better.”

Although the new requirements remained in later years, the research topic didn’t. According to Melinson, since the 2017-18 school year, the topic has been expanded to anything related to Sacramento.

“We really like the Sacramento angle; it adds so much to the paper,” Melinson said. “It’s more interesting to read, and it’s probably more interesting to write too, because you’re learning about the area around you.”

History teacher Bill Crabb added a service-learning project as a requirement for sophomore history this year. Because of this, Melinson said she contacted people in the community — including Zoey Jennings from the Sacramento History Museum; volunteer engagement specialist Mary Lynn Perry; and Robin Altman, a former Country Day chemistry teacher now at California State University, Sacramento — to open up volunteering opportunities, as the service learning project was required to be tied to students’ sophomore project topics.

Through the years of the sophomore project, students have improved their research skills — especially finding reliable sources, according to Melinson.

“The first year of the sophomore project, a bunch of students used Wikipedia as a source,” Melinson said. “It’s pretty rare for a student to do that now.”

Melinson added that students’ improvement in their research is related to the revamped middle school curriculum implemented in 2007.

“Starting in sixth grade, we start talking about evaluating sources,” Melinson said. ”In seventh grade, they talk about corroborating sources. Therefore, students are able to learn all the skills needed for the sophomore project ahead of time.”

Wells agreed. “(The projects have) gotten better

Sophomore project created by librarian Joanne Melinson, English teacher Brooke Wells and others.

TIMELINE

and better based on having more time and with the focus on Sacramento,” he said. “This year’s projects were the strongest I’ve seen.”

According to Wells, further changes to the sophomore project are possible.

Wells said the project may be tweaked so students can submit their reports to the National History Day competition.

“Some students do that already, and it would be nice if all the students can submit their projects without changing (them) too much,” Wells said.

Students who have completed the sophomore project expressed mixed opinions about it.

While junior Larkin Barnard-Bahn, who researched honeybee populations in Sacramento and won first place, liked the sophomore project, the required notecards — done online through Noodletools — weren’t ideal, she said.

“I did a lot of research on stuff that I never ended up using while trying to find the focus of my topic,” Barnard-Bahn said. “Also, with time constraints, there’s some stuff that I didn’t talk about.”

However, Barnard-Bahn said the unused notecards weren’t useless.

“When you are doing a project like this, you’ll take a lot of notes on stuff that you won’t use,” she said. “It sounds like a waste of time, but you don’t usually find what to focus on unless you take a bunch of notes.”

Junior Jackson Margolis, who won second place with his report on climate change, said he was a fan of the project because of the competitive aspect of the presentations.

“I had friends where we would be like, ‘I think I’ll beat you; I think I’m going to make top 10,’” Margolis said. “It wasn’t anything negative; it only made us work harder.

“What’s really great is the presentation, because it’s the perfect blend of skills. People who are artistic can make great slides, people who are great writers have amazing outlines, people like me — I consider myself a good public speaker — really sink

TAKING CENTER in the front row a choose a topic

their point in. kind of person room to be gre Last year’s junior Spence the rise of nat during prohibit the concept of ect but not the “For all the made us do thr only had to wr paper,” Scott s ten 10 to 15 pa rials I had to ga Scott found useful than Bar “When I star made a bunch said. “Out of turned in, I use per because m a different direc Annya Dahm ect on music c place, said sh choose any top “(SCDS) sho making the pro

Students picked American biographies to research; next year, the project went back to open-ended.

2008-09

2014-15 2010-11 Student wrote 35-page research paper, leading to creation of fiveto-six-page limit in later years.

2016-

Project switched to foc gions and languages.

April 23, 2019

ctagon

T

2019 Top 10 As with last year, 2018-19 topics for the sophomore project were related to Sacramento. The top 10 presenting sophomores — chosen by teachers Brooke Wells and Bill Crabb, both of whom ran the project this year — presented again April 15-16.

The judging panel, comprised of teachers and winning students from previous years, ranked the presentations and announced placings at morning meeting April 17:

BY MING ZHU

1

“I chose this topic because I happened to come upon a video about bacteriophages around the time I was searching for a topic.

I thought, ‘I’m very interested in the medical sciences — and because this affects people on a global scale, it’ll probably involve Sacramento in some way!’” —Azar

2

R STAGE Sophomore Sydney Turner presents “The Importance of Community in Sacramento” to judges seated and the audience of students, parents and teachers behind them. This was the second year students had to related to Sacramento. PHOTO BY JACQUELINE CHAO

Depending on what n you are, you have eat.” third-place winner, er Scott, researched tivism in Sacramento tion. He said he liked f the sophomore projway it was organized. e stuff the (teachers) roughout the year, we rite a five-to-six-page said. “I could’ve writages with all the mateather.” d the notecards less rnard-Bahn did. rted off the project, I h of notecards,” Scott the 50 notecards I ed very few on the pamy research took me in ction.” mani, ’18, whose projcopyright law won first he liked being able to pic. ould revert back to oject open-ended, (al-

-17

cus on reli-

Elijah Azar: Phage Therapy and the Superbug Crisis

lowing students to) choose whatever instead of having a prompt where (students are) constrained,” Dahmani said. “It’ll make kids actually find out what they’re interested in.”

(SCDS) should revert back to making the project open-ended. ... It’ll make kids actually find out what they’re interested in.”

—Annya Dahmani She said the project helped her discover her interest in music and its laws. Because of this, she is in the music industry club at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Furthermore, the class of 2018 did not have an essay as a requirement.

“I wish we’d done a research paper,” Dahmani said. “Then we would’ve had experience with writing a research paper before college.”

Senior Chardonnay Needler, whose project on the simplification and romanization of the Chinese

language won third place, disagreed with Dahmani on making the project open-ended.

“I think you can get a lot of appreciation for (Sacramento) if you are doing a project where you have to focus on that city,” Needler said.

“That way, you have to do a project that is going to directly affect us.”

For sophomore and first-place winner Elijah Azar, who researched phage therapy and the superbug crisis, the project “went well.”

“At first, I was against making a presentation before writing the research paper,” Azar said. “But I think what they are going for is having the presentation as the ‘skeleton’ of the essay and having the essay as a ‘fleshed out’ version of the presentation, which I think is a good idea.”

Azar said the moratorium lessons were helpful, though he wished it was a full work day.

“For students who had never done a year-long project, (the lessons) are incredibly helpful,” he said. “But for those who had (experience), it’s a different story.”

Ming Zhu: The Evolution of Jazz

“I play the clarinet, and I do a lot of classical music. I started getting interested in jazz once I started playing ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ by George Gershwin. After, I wanted to learn more about jazz, so I made it my project.

“I liked adding music (to my presentation best) because it made my topic much less boring than it could be.” —Zhu

3

Anna Fluetsch: LGBT Representation in Television and Film

“I chose my project because it was something important to me — I was inspired by a video I had seen previously on the concept of coding characters to be LGBT, and it made me think about the LGBT characters I knew of.

“Knowing personally how the lack of LGBT presence in TV had affected me, I wondered how it had affected other kids my age.” —Fluetsch

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Allie Bogetich: The Feral Cat Crisis Lili Brush: The Problems with Autism Diagnosis

Topic expanded to anything related to Sacramento.

Kenyatta Dumisani: Rancho Seco -

2017-18

Did It Cause Cancer?

Sarina Rye: Superfund Sites Joanne Tsai: Human Trafficking and its Solution

2018-19 Service-learning project added by history teacher Bill Crabb.

Sydney Turner: The Importance of Community in Sacramento Pragathi Vivaik: Cerebral Organoids

7

8

Opinion • April 23, 2019

OCTAGON STAFF

The Octagon

My Angle

“The Bare, Beige Truth” by Emma Boersma

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

BY JACKSON MARGOLIS

Jack Christian Mehdi Lacombe Chardonnay Needler Mohini Rye Allison Zhang

Extroverts — silence really is golden

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 Emma Boersma Jack Christian Jackson Crawford Anna Frankel Mehdi Lacombe Chardonnay Needler Mohini Rye Sarina Rye Héloïse Schep Allison Zhang

REPORTERS

Sanjana Anand Arjin Claire Dylan Margolis Jackson 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: Think in present, not future, about murals

W

hen a mural by Lea Gorny, ’18, filled a wall on campus last year, it seemingly set a precedent for future public art. Gorny even said she was “petitioning for next year’s seniors to each get to paint their own mural” in a previous Octagon article.

And that was accomplished — minus the “each.” Despite receiving four proposals this year from AP Art Studio students, head of school Lee Thomsen and the administration approved only one: senior Bella Mathisen’s.

One is better than none. But since multiple other artists had ideas for injecting color and creativity into our beige-ridden campus, we’re left wondering: Why were the other proposals rejected?

Thomsen didn’t give explanations for individual murals, although he did say he wanted to “take a pause.”

“Let’s think forward in terms of having a system (for approving murals),” he said.

Yet that same focus on the future is undermining the power of the present. The time for “thinking forward” has already passed — that was the time between Gorny’s mural and this year.

Thinking now should be the focus of the administration. Now there is a class of established senior artists at Country Day; their talent can bring back the school’s personality, which was lost when Thomsen had the three original murals painted over three years ago.

When visitors step onto our campus, they should know what we stand for. Country Day has

never been a Division I athletic school, although we do have skilled athletes. But we also have artists, musicians, actors, writers and countless other talents. Most students even belong to several of these groups — because Country Day helps students foster the creativity to be whoever they want.

However, this can’t be achieved with Country Day’s barren campus. Its walls are blank, and while that provides a clean look, it also looks empty.

Furthermore, research points to murals cultivating spirit and improving learning environments; a 2010 article in the American Journal of Public Health even correlated visual art with improving mental and physical health. Such feedback has prompted the revamping of cities across the U.S. — including Sacramento. In past years, public art has sprung up by the dozens on the sides of buildings in downtown Sac. Colleges have caught on to the phenomenon as well: The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) have murals throughout their campuses.

If California’s universities realize the benefits of murals, we should too. Our campus is well-maintained, but with only two murals, it will never reach the vibrant, creative environment that Country Day otherwise boasts.

So if the fear is that our walls will be filled too quickly by student art, let’s take a cue from Santa Barbara. Recently, UCSB’s Residence Halls Association started a tradition of using rotating mural panels outside.

On campus, there’s a wide wall with large murals mounted on it, side by side.

Similarly, mural panels could be mounted on the sprawling blank walls at Country Day, such as the ones leading to the back field and garden.

That idea was given to Thomsen, according to art teacher Andy Cunningham, and we hope it goes into effect in future years.

Regardless, immediate change is best, and there is one way that can be achieved: collaboration.

Although the administration should screen proposals, part of the decision should lie with the student body. Students are the majority milling around campus, so they deserve a say in what decorates it.

Also, given that few students have seen the proposed mural ideas by this year’s seniors, it’s possible that a popular idea has been passed up simply because Thomsen has the final vote.

Ultimately, we want our student body to be able to express itself, but the few explanations and conditions that have been given — saying that people still need time to think, or that murals should stay up only a few years — don’t fulfill that wish.

If there is a large group of artists about to graduate, we need to take advantage.

Country Day is unusual in that its graduating classes are small, and each brings unique talents to the table; traditionally, those talents are showcased in sports events, plays, concerts or other endeavors.

For aspiring muralists, however, that tradition is falling short.

And that’s the bare, beige truth.

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

Though I’m undoubtedly an extrovert, I recently discovered that while talking can get a person far in life, silence is underrated.

This realization came to me several months ago while I was at a reception after the last performance of my ballet’s spring showcase. The dress code was formal, and the desserts were fancy, which produced a room full of well-dressed teens and parents eating chocolate strawberries and coconut pie.

Though I attended all my freshman “skills” classes and went on countless nature trips, no group conversation or team challenge quite prepared me for the scene that happened at the party.

Being a nonconformist, instead of wearing a nice suit with a belt, I chose the suspender look.

A group of dancers, one of whom we’ll call Sharon, was in a circle discussing the performance.

Sharon and I are pretty close. If I don’t know the combination during class, I’ll look over, and she’ll do it with her hands. If I have a joke to tell her, she’ll pretend to laugh to boost my ego.

As we were talking, a shorter kid holding flowers tensely in his hands came up next to Sharon.

I had never seen him, but judging by his body language, I could tell he was there for Sharon.

And though Sharon had heels on, even without the extra inches, she had some height on him.

My outgoing personality forced me to include this kid in the conversation.

“What’s your name?” I said, leaning down slightly from my 6-foot stature.

“Mike,” he spat out, barely making eye contact with me.

Then it all clicked.

Mike was obviously Sharon’s younger brother. He was holding the flowers like that because his mom had probably made him, he was a lot shorter than Sharon, and they sort of looked alike.

“Are you guys siblings?” I prodded, confident in my hunch.

“No,” Mike said with an air of confusion.

“Oh, cousins?” I said.

“No,” Mike repeated. This time, however, his confusion was more disturbing.

“So, how do you guys know each other?” I said.

The next two words Mike said hit me like a Cadillac bolting past the crosswalk on Latham Drive.

“We’re dating,” Mike said.

“Dating?” I said, realizing that I had not only done poor detective work but also that I had just accused a happy couple of being brother and sister.

Desperately trying to cover my tracks, I pushed back with, “Well, I only said that because you guys look alike. It’s really no big deal.”

But it was, shown by Mike’s uncomfortable facial expression.

My brother, Dylan, turned to me and said, “You’re digging yourself into a deeper hole.”

And he was right — if I had just stopped talking and listened, I could have prevented an awkward situation while saving people’s feelings.

So here’s some advice from an extrovert: While talking is fun, waiting for someone else to take the lead is better.

The Octagon

April 23, 2019 • Opinion

9

Spring Scoops A

s the temperature climbs and the days get longer, there’s one question on every student’s mind: How do I stay cool?

In search of Sacramento’s superb springtime scoop, sophomore Sarina Rye and I stopped

by Milk House Shakes, The Parlor Ice Cream

Puffs, Leatherby’s Family Creamery and Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates for sundaes, shakes, sandwiches and more.

Go to www.scdsoctagon.com to read about Leatherby’s and Ginger Elizabeth!

STORIES AND RATINGS BY HÉLOÏSE SCHEP

ABRAHAM DRINKIN’ Sophomore Sarina Rye takes a sip of junior Héloïse Schep’s coffee-flavored “Theodore Roosevelt” shake at Milk House Shakes. PHOTO BY SCHEP

Milk House Shakes conceptually sound, but execution falls short As I walked on the dusty, creaking, mildew-scented wooden patios that cover much of Old Sacramento’s roads, I couldn’t help but wonder — would Milk House Shakes (1100 Front St., Suite 140) be as old-fashioned as its exterior?

The milkshake shop’s facade blended in so well with its Wild West-style surroundings that Sarina and I almost missed it. But once we stepped inside, we were amazed.

With its white walls, faux-marble countertop and prominent machinery, Milk House Shakes looked more like a hospital than a historic restaurant, save for the jars of peanuts and row of syrup dispensers. The lack of customers and seating area didn’t help the store’s cold vibe either.

The only splashes of color were deep-blueand-burgundy letters on the menus hanging over the milkshake equipment.

But what Milk House Shakes lacked in chromatic eccentricity, it made up in its unique theme: U.S. presidents.

As one of the two employees there ex-

plained to us, store owner Kelly Boyles has a passion for U.S. history and milkshakes. That theme shone through in every aspect — and it worked surprisingly well.

Each of the store’s six milkshakes is named after a U.S. president (or, as a flyer on the wall advertised, a first lady during International Women’s Day), and the build-your-own option is called the “Freedom Shake.”

The menu further explained the reasoning behind each president’s shake. While some weren’t entirely historical — the Abraham Lincoln shake is Oreo-flavored because Lincoln is Boyles’ favorite president and Oreo is her favorite shake flavor — the attention to detail was still astounding.

Instead of a small or large shake, customers choose between a Vice President ($6.50) or President ($8.00). The tip jar is labeled “Campaign Funds.”

An artist’s depiction of the signing of the U.S. Constitution graced the mostly bare walls.

The music, too, was distinctly American: Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” played softly as we an-

alyzed the menu.

The small shake selection (vanilla, mint chip, coffee, Reese’s, Oreo and chocolate) made it easy to choose. I settled on a Vice President “Theodore Roosevelt” (the coffee shake, as Roosevelt allegedly drank a gallon of coffee a day), and Sarina selected a Vice President “John F. Kennedy” (mint chip, as Kennedy was the first Irish Catholic president).

Our shakes were ready almost immediately. Both were heavily topped with whipped cream; a piece of mint chocolate garnished the JFK. We grabbed some straws and turned to leave. Though there was no seating inside the store, there was plenty on the patio.

We started with the mountain of whipped cream.

“It’s way too sweet,” Sarina contended, but I could already taste the bitter coffee flavor in mine. I continued eagerly, expecting a burst of caffeine in the shake below the whipped cream.

That, however, was not the case.

Even when the whipped cream wasn’t touching the shake, the milky flavor dominated. I could taste coffee, but it didn’t seem to be the star of the show.

Instead, the shake reminded me of foam on top of a latte.

Sarina agreed.

“It’s milky in taste and in texture,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

The tucked-away taste did mean that the shakes weren’t too heavy, though.

Still, Sarina and I couldn’t finish them, as they made us parched. (Milk House Shakes does offer beverages such as coffee and water for sale, but we forgot to get them.)

Overall, the concept seemed much more memorable than the shakes themselves.

For a restaurant that has been open only about two months, Milk House Shakes is running well and has found its niche in Old Sacramento. But what’s most important about a milkshake shop isn’t having a theme — it’s having good milkshakes, and Milk House Shakes’ just don’t stand out.

Chomp on churros, dine on doughnut sandwiches at The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs Elmo’s Revenge. Green Machine. Shorty Got Cakes. Forty Shades of Earl Grey.

They might be strong contenders for the strangest band name of all time, but they’re also three of 16 ice cream flavors at The Parlor Ice Cream Puffs (2620 Fair Oaks Blvd.).

If Milk House Shakes lacked vibrancy, The Parlor made up for it. Though the floors and walls were light neutrals, there were pops of color everywhere.

In contrast to Milk House Shakes’ vertical, open-kitchen layout that left little room for sitting or standing, The Parlor’s layout was horizontal, allowing room for a line, which quickly formed behind and in front of us.

“I can smell the baked goods,” Sarina said.

As Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” blared

in the background, we inspected the strange frozen concoctions we could choose from.

I tried the orchid-colored Hello Kalo (a taro coconut and condensed milk ice cream that tasted more like frozen marshmallows than tropical tubers), and Sarina tried the Cocoa Butter Kisses (a chocolate ice cream with cookie butter and graham crackers that she found “too rich and chocolatey”).

Even though their taste was debatable, the samples packed much more flavor than the Milk House milkshakes.

The Parlor offers ice cream in cups, cones and milkshakes, but it’s most famous for serving it between two halves of a glazed or unglazed doughnut or alongside a cinnamon, strawberry, Fruity Pebble or Oreo churro. If

POWDER-PUFF GIRL Junior Héloïse Schep digs into a “messy” green tea and vanilla ice cream doughnut sandwich with coconut and almonds. PHOTO BY SARINA RYE

those flavors aren’t eccentric enough, just add unlimited sauces, cereals or other toppings for 75 cents or a single item for 50 cents.

“I want a doughnut, but I’m afraid it’ll be overkill,” Sarina said.

I’ve had a glazed ice cream doughnut at The Parlor only once, and Sarina’s fears weren’t irrational — the doughnut glaze oozing over globs of sweet, syrupy ice cream was too much.

I just couldn’t finish it.

This time, I opted for the Green with Envy (green tea and vanilla ice cream) on an unglazed doughnut with coconut and almonds.

Sarina chose the Everything but the … (caramel ice cream with pretzels and fudge) topped with Fruity Pebbles and an Oreo churro.

Getting the ice cream took longer than at Milk House Shakes; the doughnut and churro are warmed before adding the ice cream. After a minute, my green tea sandwich was set down on the counter, but while Sarina’s ice cream was ready, her churro was nowhere to be found.

A few minutes of awkward waiting later, we decided to sit down and try the ice cream without the churro.

The music in our corner seat was very loud.

I could barely hear Sarina over the blaring of “Highway to Hell,” but we still chatted.

Opting for an unglazed doughnut was definitely the right choice; the cold, syrupy green tea contrasted nicely with the hot doughnut. I didn’t get many toppings in the first few bites, but the ratio between doughnut and ice cream was perfectly even. Unfortunately, it was one of the messiest dishes I’ve ever eaten. It was impossible to bite into the two doughnut halves without squeezing ice cream out the back of the sandwich.

We bought water, and remarkably, the doughnut wasn’t as thirst-inducing as the milkshake.

Sarina said she hesitated about combining sweet-and-salty ice cream with a fruity cereal,

but the fruity taste went very well with the ice cream, and the crunchy Pebbles didn’t get soggy. Rather, they provided a refreshing change in texture. The ice cream itself was not nearly as rich as the Cocoa Butter Kisses, she added.

Although the desserts were much denser than the milkshakes, they were easier to finish.

But the churro hadn’t come, so the bewildered employee gave us two new ones.

Despite a distinct Oreo flavor, the churro still had some cinnamon and spice in it, and it paired nicely with both ice creams.

Even though The Parlor doesn’t have a theme, there’s a reason people keep coming back. The ice cream is packed with flavor and — with 16 types, five styles and tons of toppings — offers something for everyone. The short distance from school certainly helps The Parlor’s popularity, but I would travel a hundred miles for one of its wacky creations.

Snack or wack?

MILK HOUSE SHAKES: Dessert: Ambiance: Service: Value: Overall: THE PARLOR ICE CREAM PUFFS: Dessert: Ambiance: Service: Value: Overall:

10

Feature • April 23, 2019

Body art body

The O ctagon

Teachers tell stories behind tattoos, piercings

JASON HINOJOSA

ideas, such as dark and light.”

“I actually got it coming right out of high school, so it doesn’t make the same amount of sense now as it used to, but it looks cool,” he said.

Hinojosa later got his nose pierced as a graduate student at the University of Iowa — this time for more than just aesthetic reasons.

While in graduate school, ent experiences people from various cultures had, especially those of his friends in the LGBTQ+ community.

English teacher Jason Hinojosa got his tattoo as a teenager.

“I have a tattoo of a sunmoon combo on my chest,” he said. I actually drew it myself, but I don’t remember the whole story behind it.”

According to Hinojosa, it sig-

“I realized that they had fewer privileges; it was harder for them to do something,” he said.

“Some people could just look at them and tell they were gay.

I wanted an outward symbol of my status as an ally with that community, just like a quick indicator, ‘Hey, I’m on your side.’

“It’s a bit problematic because someone who’s gay or of a whereas I can just take my nose ring out if I want.

“So that’s part of why I did it, just to show support to those I thought needed it — and because my wife liked it.”

CADE GRUNST Middle school science teacher Cade Grunst has one tattoo on his leg and two piercings that have since closed up.

ALEITHA BURNS

M

iddle school science teacher Aleitha Burns has several tattoos: She has a sun and moon on each foot and a yellow rose on her shoulder, as well as a roller skate on her calf.

“The sun and moon on each foot inspire me every day,” she said.

“They inspire me to shine brightly

and reach for the stars to reach my life goals.”

The yellow rose, Burns said, “is to honor my mother, who passed away in 2013.”

The roller skate on Burns’ calf reminds her not only of her time as a roller derby athlete but also of her ing.”

Assistant to head of high school Valerie Velo has four 18, second at 21, third at 22 and fourth in 2017. They are on her hip, ribs, wrist and back of her neck, respectively.

“My Christian faith is a big tattoo is of a dove with an olive branch, located on my hip,” she said. “The dove represents peace and relates back to the story of Noah’s Ark. It shows a promise that God will always love and care for his people.”

Velo said the one on her ribs is her favorite.

“It’s a tattoo of my favorite verse from the Bible,” she said.

“It’s all about God’s grace, and it also represents my daughter Grace.”

The wrist tattoo of a peacock feather is also about her faith. “For me, a peacock represents resurrection and eter-

“I have a tattoo of a DNA plasmid wrapped around my leg,” he said. “It’s been cut open with a restriction enzyme, and you can see sticky ends on the plasmid.

“I got my tattoo because I wanted to know why anyone would get a tattoo. I wanted to better understand what it felt like to have body art.”

Grunst said many of his concerns about getting a tattoo were misplaced.

“I always worried that if I didn’t like my tattoo a decade later, I’d constantly be reminded of a dumb choice I made,” he said. “But instead, I found that ignoring my tattoo is quite easy. It’s not as big of a deal as you expect.”

Grunst also got two helix piercings on his left ear “for the experience,” he added.

nal life,” Velo said. “During my young adult life, I went through personal problems that I was able to overcome by gles I went through made me the woman I am today.

“Much like the peacock molts its feathers, grows new ones and turns into a more beautiful creature — I did the same with my life. The placement of the tattoo on my wrist is important for me because I see it every day, multiple times a day, and it is a reminder that I can overcome anything and that my circumstance does not Velo’s fourth tattoo reads “You are my sunshine” in Italian because her daughter is half-Italian.

“When she was a baby, I would sing that song every night,” Velo said. “And now if anyone else sings it, she yells, ‘No! That’s mommy’s song!’”

VALERIE VELO

PATRICIA JACOBSEN Math teacher Patricia Jacobsen sports multiple tattoos: one on her foot and one on her back. which I got in Bali in 1996,” she said. “I was in college and living in Japan, and my friends and I went to Indonesia for a vacation.

“We were at an age (20) where we do crazy things, and I just wanted to get a tattoo. I got a sun-

BROOKE WELLS Head of high school Brooke Wells has a tattoo on his ankle.

He got it when he was 22 while in Mississippi as part of Teach for tion that serves under-resourced parts of the country.

“The job was getting more difmyself to quit,” Wells said. “But

one day on my way to work, I decided to get a tattoo I had drawn.

It was a delta (letter), because I was in the Mississippi Delta, and sissippi.”

The tattoo reminded Wells of his purpose there and “ultimately sealed his fate to education,” he said.

STORIES BY ARIKTA TRIVEDI

my dad, who died when I was 8.”

Jacobsen’s tattoo has an emotional tie to her early childhood.

“I remember we were out in the garden of our house, and I didn’t -

GRAPHICS BY ALLISON ZHANG AND EMMA BOERSMA

said. “I must’ve been 2 or 3 because he had to lift me up to show

PHOTOS BY SHIMIN ZHANG AND ELISE SOMMERHAUG

“I’ve always had an emotional

they remind me of my dad.”

Jacobsen got her second tattoo, a black tribal design, in 2005 with a fellow SCDS teacher.

“When I started working here, I became good friends with a woman in the lower school,” she said.

“I had a tattoo on my foot, and she had one on her lower back.

During winter break she decided she wanted one on her foot, and I wanted one on my back. So one day we just went to get tattoos.”

The Octagon

April 23, 2019 • Feature

EMR-certified senior will restart ‘dangerous’ EMT course in summer

S

BY MEHDI LACOMBE

enior Emily Hayes began training in August 2018 to become certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

She had already been certified as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), which Hayes completed in her junior year. However, she was told to stop her EMT training and is therefore certified only as an EMR. Hayes took her classes at Sierra College in Rocklin.

Q: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in medicine?

A: My dad got his EMT certification and worked as a lifeguard when he was in college, and my mom worked as a nurse caring for premature babies, so I grew up in a medical household.

My dad would always tell me stories of the trauma calls he got to run, and they fascinated me. When I was about 11, my dad pulled the car over and helped a bicyclist who’d just been hit by a car. It was amazing to watch my father know exactly how to treat the man’s injuries and calm him down until the ambulance got there.

I wanted to be the one who knew what to do in the future. When I was about 13, my aunt was hit by a truck while riding her bike and almost died. A bystander crawled underneath the truck and held her hand until the firefighters could get her free. I want to be there to comfort someone like that when they need it most. After I took my EMR course and realized I had a talent for diagnosing and treating people, I was sold.

Q: What did you do in your EMR

classes?

A: To get EMR certification, you have to do around 150 hours of lectures and skills training. Mondays we had a four-hour lecture and tests; Wednesdays were usually skills days where EMTs and paramedics would come and teach us actual hands-on skills.

There was no national exam at the end — you just go and take a test in your class, and then you’re certified.

Q: Were there any funny moments in class?

A: Our teacher’s main purpose was to teach us the things we needed to know that weren’t in the textbook, and he did that through telling us funny stories of calls he’s been on.

It really helped break up the monotony of four-hour PowerPoints!

My favorite moment in class was probably when he was teaching us how to open a patient’s airways without moving their neck, which is important with patients who have spinal trauma.

Normally the maneuver our teacher was teaching us wouldn’t work on a conscious patient because their jaw would be too tight, but (the teacher) had been knocked around so much that his jaw was loose enough for us to practice on him.

The first kid who practiced on him immediately opened the teacher’s jaw and just muttered, “Oh, s--!”, and we all started laughing really hard. Our teacher probably laughed the hardest.

Q: When did you start EMT training?

A: I started EMT training in August before my senior year. I went until

Summer 2019 - Interns Wanted DID YOU KNOW...

20% of Drinking Water is Lost Due to Leaking Pipes!

Leaking Sewer Pipes Contaminate Groundwater & Cause Flooding!

Not Enough Rain?

Sonja Hansen SCDS Class of 2018 Electro Scan Intern 2017 & 2018

Too Much Rain?

Jamie Johnson SCDS Class of 2010 Electro Scan Intern 2013-2015 Full-Time Employee 2016-Present

Open to SCDS Seniors & Recent Graduates Must be Looking For a Challenge, Hard Working, & Driven.

Interested in Business, Engineering, or the Environment.

Available for 30-40 Hrs/Wk During the Summer of 2019.

For An Application Contact Janine Mullinix janine@electroscan.com | 916.779.0660

www.electroscan.com | 1745 Markston Road, Sacramento, California 95825

11

CLASS IN SESSION Senior Emily Hayes gives a presentation to her Anatomy and Physiology class about the different types of shock before the class’ weekly Diagnosis Friday activity. PHOTO BY SHIMIN ZHANG

September, but then I had a pulmo- dents and give them tips on how to After the paramedics all do their nary embolism and had to go to the get to the bottom of what’s affecting thing and make sure that she’s all hospital, so I missed eight hours of their patient. I teach them proper good to go, the paramedic leading class. medical terminology and abbrevia- the team told me it was one of the Since your requirements are tions they will see in hospitals they best turnover reports she’d heard in hourly, you need to make up every work in, and they get to start prac- a long time. class you miss and make up your ticing their diagnostic skills in a lowIt was really validating to know work. You can actually get kicked key environment. that I could perform correctly under out if you miss class. I was really tied I also teach them a lot of tools stressful, real-life conditions, and up with things, so I said, “Whatever. EMTs use to diagit showed me how well my I’ll just do it next semester.” teacher had prepared me nose their I started again in January, which patients. to do my job correctly and would’ve had me finish in May, but interact with other professince EMT is considsionals in a way that helped ered a really danger- GRAPHIC BY LARKIN my patient. ous course, you’re not BARNARD-BAHN The second was acreally allowed to take it tually kind of funny. I I knew I’d chosen a profession that in high school. was working as a head But then the college lifeguard at a swim was needed and appreciated by administration found people, and that I would spend my life helpclub when one of my out and said I couldn’t guards ran up and told ing those who were having awful days.” continue because I me there was a wom—Emily Hayes an going into labor. would be a liability, so I got kicked out after Of course, I thought, seven weeks.

“Awesome,” and startQ: Will you continue EMT training ed sprinting up the hill and snapQ: What’s dangerous about EMT after graduating from high school? ping on some gloves.

A: I’ll definitely be taking the EMT training?

We both walked up to her, expectA: It’s an inherently dangerous job course this summer at Sierra so I ing to get ready to deliver a baby, and because we’re exposed to things that can be an EMT in college. (instead) had her tell us in a rather It (will) be 24 hours a week plus alarmed, oh-dear-I’ve-made-twohurt other people. When someone gets hurt, we go to the place where the time set apart for the other re- teenagers-incredibly-nervous way quirements. they got hurt. that she was completely fine and abThis is kind of a now-or-never solutely not going into labor.

And we’re also exposed to disease; we have to do 24 hours of hospital time to take this course — and to It was a bit of a letdown, but I retime and an ambulance ride-along, do it in an environment where the alized how passionate I was about so they’re afraid we could get diseas- teacher knows me — is nice. treating people and how exciting it es from being around those environcan be.

Q: Can you already use your EMR ments.

I also pulled up to a weird scene certification to start working? one time. It was dark and there was Q: Did your training in both pro- A: EMRs are not advanced enough a car stopped right next to the Arco grams help you with your school- to staff ambulances, but I have used at the intersection of Watt and Fair my training to do rescues and aid at Oaks with its hazard lights on and work?

A: EMT was incredibly helpful for vehicle crash sites just as a good Sa- people dragging someone out of my Country Day classes, especially maritan. it. So I circled around and parked Once I receive my EMT certifica- somewhere safe before I put on Anatomy and Physiology and AP tion, I’ll apply to work at an ambu- some gloves and walked up.

Bio. EMT really focuses on teaching lance company throughout college.

I’ll be honest — my heart was us anatomy, physiology and pathobeating out of my chest. Car acciphysiology (how diseases affect nor- Q: Did any of those dents are really danSamaritan mal body function). Having a really good gerous scenes that solid base in those subjects from acts stand out to we’re not really enIt’s an EMT made concepts a lot easier you? couraged to approach inherently A: For the first, I was when they came up in class. without actually being fresh out of my EMR dangerous job on the job, but I really Q: Is that why you started Diagno- class. I was sitting because we’re wanted to see if there sis Fridays in Anatomy and Physi- down with my fam- exposed to things was anything I could ily eating dinner, ology? do. that hurt other A: Originally it’s because I’m (high and all of a sudden I walked up to this school science teacher Kellie Whit- my grandma start- people.” group of people and —Hayes said as calmly as I ed’s teaching assistant), but I loved ed choking on her the labs so much that she let me take steak. could, “Hey, I’m an Long story short, them over.

EMT student; is there For the labs, students are given a I open her airway for her, get her anything I can do to help?” and imfake patient with a list of symptoms, breathing normally, and then go mediately heard, “Oh, thank God, and then the students have to solve meet the ambulance when I hear yes!” from the crowd. what disease the patient is suffering it pulling up outside to give what’s It was so validating to hear. I knew from and how to treat it using notes called a “turnover report” (explain- I’d chosen a profession that was ing a patient’s symptoms and medi- needed and appreciated, and that I and testing options.

My experience in real-world cal history when passing them onto would spend my life helping those healthcare helps me guide the stu- another medical professional). who were having awful days.

12

Backpage • April 23, 2019

The Octagon

STUDENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GRAPHICS BY MEHDI LACOMBE AND HÉLOÏSE SCHEP

Larkin Barnard-Bahn When junior Larkin Barnard-Bahn was 13, she was cast as Flora in Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw,” presented by Berkeley-based West Edge Opera.

“I was excited to perform because I’ve been seeing opera since I was little, and I love singing, classical music and performing,” she said.

Barnard-Bahn’s family is good friends with the director of West Edge Opera, which is how she learned about the production. But it was off stage that she got her 15 seconds of fame: The San Francisco Chronicle reviewed one of the nights Barnard-Bahn was performing.

“There was a sentence about me, which said that I was ‘a fluid and dexterous Flora,’” she said. “It was really cool to see my name in an established newspaper and have them review an opera we spent so much time preparing.”

Barnard-Bahn was also interviewed when she was 7 for participating in a live-action Candy Land game that took place on Lombard Street in San Francisco.

“Every square was decorated like the Candy Land game — there was a huge spinner, and kids were divided into teams,” she said.

Even though Barnard-Bahn’s team did not win, there was a large table of desserts at the end of the game for the kids to eat. Three local TV stations covered the event and interviewed Barnard-Bahn.

“I remember telling them how much fun it was and how I wasn’t sad to lose because it was a game of luck,” she said.

E

ver met someone famous? Of 130 high school students polled on March 26, 30 have been featured in the media and social media — including YouTube videos, TV news networks and The Sacramento Bee. Students were highlighted for modeling, competitions and reviews. STORIES BY SANJANA ANAND

Yanele Ledesma

Tina Huang Freshman Tina Huang was featured on a Chinese YouTube channel at age 12. She was shopping at a mall in China, where she lived until 2015, when someone from a channel asked for her opinion on four dating questions.

“One of the questions was what I would do if my boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend,” Huang said.

Huang was shocked and nervous when she found out that she was on a YouTube channel because she didn’t expect to be filmed. She was on screen for three minutes.

In that summer, Huang also modeled shirts, jackets and swimsuits for an athletic brand during a boat camp she attended in China.

One of the instructors at the camp asked Huang to participate in the photo shoot.

“My favorite part about the photo shoot was at the end when we got to jump in the water,” Huang said. “Using a GoPro, they filmed underwater, which was cool to see.”

The photo shoot lasted about five hours.

Maddie Woo Emily Hayes Senior Emily Hayes was featured on a nightly television news show for winning a rodeo competition when she was 7.

“My family had always thought that going to the rodeo was fun, so we went every year,” she said. “I decided to join the competition for fun, but I didn’t think I would actually win.

Plus, I only held on for 30 seconds.”

Hayes said she enjoyed watching the bull riding the most, but she rode a sheep because of her age.

Anna Fluetsch

Mehdi Lacombe In Belgium, when senior Mehdi Lacombe was 8, he read two lines for a “Doctor Who” Christmas episode on television in French. In his lines, Lacombe was asked about the time of year by the doctor.

Lacombe was able to do this because his mother owns a movie distribution company in France. Lacombe said he went to a recording studio and said the lines about four times, which took him about 30 minutes.

Lacombe said he wanted to do this because his sister had started acting in a theater, and he wanted to try something similar.

“I didn’t know I was going to be paid $80 to read the lines,” he said. “Because I was young and this was the first time I was paid to do work, it was pretty cool. Plus, I was a big fan of ‘Doctor Who’ back then, so I felt important.”

Last summer, senior Yanele Ledesma interned with the Chicano/Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP). About 100 students attended talks from professors for a week at Sacramento State.

“This program focused on the future of the students, which was community, college, career and culture,” she said. “We learned how the government works, and the program encourages more political involvement from more people.”

Senior Gabi Alvarado and Esme Bruce-Romo, ’18, participated in the program the previous summer and convinced Ledesma to join.

“Because I’m co-president of CLSU (ChicanX-LatinX Student Union), we wanted more ideas of what to do in the club,” Ledesma said.

“Our idea for an ethnic studies course came from the internship because one of the classes focused on how ethnic studies has impacted other schools.”

Students spent one day at the Capitol learning about legislation and the process of passing a bill. News stations covered the students’ activities.

At the end of the day, Ledesma participated in a televised cheer that lasted five minutes.

On KCRA (Channel 3), sophomore Anna Fluetsch was featured for her independent summer project at a Sutter Health hospital. When she was 14, she sewed 50 teddy bears and donated them to the hospital for sick kids.

“I had companies sponsor almost every teddy bear for about $50 each, so I donated about $2,700,” she said.

Fluetsch presented her project to Sutter Health’s Child Life Program on the news.

Her idea came from an app called Volunteer.

“I had been thinking about doing a big service project, and this seemed like a nice gesture,” she said. “I kept seeing this idea about sewing teddy bears on the app, and it didn’t seem like a bad idea.”

Fluetsch said her favorite part of the project was the look on the coordinator’s face after she donated.

“I was really excited when I was on the news because I wasn’t expecting to be recognized for my work; I just enjoyed donating,” she said.

In 2010, junior Maddie Woo watched an astronaut launch into space at the University of the Pacific. Her grandmother worked at the university, and the astronaut was an alumnus.

“There was a lot of excitement, and a reporter asked me what I thought of it,” she said. “I talked about how cool it was, and I was superexcited to be televised, but I didn’t get to see the clip.”

Chloé Collinwood A British TV show, “The Fades,” was filmed in senior Chloé Collinwood’s house in England when she was 9. Actors Daniel Kaluuya, Natalie Dormer and Tom Ellis were filmed in her house. Because the TV show was about zombies, the crew repainted and redecorated the furniture of the bedrooms to film scenes.

“We had a bigger garden then most English houses, so it was easier to film,” she said.

“Our house was also really big, so we could still sleep in other rooms without disrupting the filming process. Sometimes, on accident, I would walk into a bedroom when they were filming, but that didn’t happen often.”

Scenes were filmed in Collinwood’s house for about two months. She said her favorite experience was taking pictures with the actors in their zombie costumes.

Michael Tovar At 11, sophomore Michael Tovar was recognized for reading a biblical verse on his pastor’s radio show.

“When I spoke in church, people thought that my speech was meaningful and wanted me to share the message,” he said. “This was a new experience, and seeing all the equipment in the radio station was cool.”

Tovar’s radio segment lasted five minutes.