Issue 4, 11/9/18 by The Campanile

Friday Nov. 9, 2018

The Campanile

Vol. CI, No. 4

PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL 50 EMBARCADERO RD. PALO ALTO, CA 94301 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

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Nov. 6 midterm election results awaiting additional ballots Two open School Board seats may need recount to be confirmed; Cormack, DuBois, Filseth elected to City Council

YUSRA RAFEEQI/THE CAMPANILE

Voters gather in the tower building and prepare to cast their ballot in time for the Nov. 6 midterm elections.

By Kennedy Herron & Anna Meyer

Managing Editor & Staff Writer

enior Otto Berndt, who recently turned 18, was among the few Paly seniors who had the opportunity to cast their first votes in this week’s elections. Little did he know that preparing to vote would require so much effort. With college applications and schoolwork looming overhead, Berndt lacked the time to learn about the measures and candidates on the ballot. “To understand more fully the implications of a lot of the propositions, it would have taken a lot more time to research and it was definitely hard to try to fit it in,” Berndt said. “It sort of came down to the last minute.” Still, Berndt did his best in fulfilling this privilege of citizenship, and along with thousands of other Palo Altans, cast his vote for dozens of candidates and issues, including five local propositions: Measure A to renew a tax to fund general county purposes,

Measure E to hike the hotel tax to improve city services, Measure F involving health care, Measure Y to limit school board members to two terms and Measure Z to issue up to $460 million in bonds to upgrade schools. Additionally, voters had a say in selecting state officials, city council members and school board members. According to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, only about 53 percent of ballots had been counted as of The Campanile’s press time on Wednesday night because of the large number of mail-in ballots. With more than 200,000 ballots countywide still being factored into voting, results for Palo Alto’s school board race may not be released for a few weeks, according to a Palo Alto Online article. According to the results for the Palo Alto Unified School District board election as of Wednesday evening, incumbent Ken Dauber and candidate Shounak Dharap were leading. While Dauber’s six percentage point lead over Dharap almost guaranteed him a spot on the school board, the sec-

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' has successful run By Annie Chen

Lifestyle Editor

aly Theatre is putting on its fifth and final performance of Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. The play is the first of Paly Theatre's 2018-19 season. It is codirected by Tony Kienitz, parent of Paly alumnus, and Kathleen Woods, head of the Paly Theatre program. Paly Theatre performed the play on Nov. 2, 3, 4 and 8 in the late afternoon and evening. According to Woods, Paly Theatre selected this play because of a shift in the performance schedule. Last year, instead of performing a Shakespeare play, the program produced "Venture." “Having waited an extra year, students were very eager to do another Shakespeare play,” Woods said. “The last Paly Theatre production was 'Macbeth,' … so I was looking for a comedy. Midsummer was the best fit for the talent we currently have, and it is Shakespeare's most popular play—for good reason. It is hilarious and offers many performance and stage tech opportunities.” Preparation and design work for "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" began over the summer, and the show was cast late August. Since early September, the cast has rehearsed five days a week after school. Performers attended weekend rehearsals and made late-night preparations prior to the first performance.

INSIDE

“Hundreds of hours go into building and painting the set; collecting and creating costumes for the cast of 40, many of whom wear more than one costume; creating sound cues; finding and making props, etc.,” Woods said. Furthermore, actors had to study their characters and adapt to the personages and language of the play. Junior Emilia Massoudi interpreted her character, Hermia, one of the four lovers in the play, as a spoiled princess. Massoudi studied and worked closely with the directors on the language and character development of Hermia. “I rewrote all my lines in our modern language in order to match the rhythm of that to the old Shakespearean speech,” Massoudi said. “Since this took place in 1918, I watched some silent comedies and studied the body language and physicality of the women in the films. [I was] also drilling the lines every week to get them in my body.” Senior Robert Vetter plays Demetrius, another one of the four lovers. Vetter had to adjust to the new character and discover how to effectively bring out humor in a serious character. “This is really special to me because I've played Thisbe [another character] four other times, so playing a totally different role has been really interesting and fun,” Vetter said. In addition to the acting, music plays a crucial aspect in this

See website for complete story

ond seat was up for grabs. As of Wednesday evening, only 25 ballots separated Dharap from thirdplace finisher Stacey Ashlund. Kathy Jordan was in fourth position, followed by Alex Scharf and Christopher Boyd.

“To understand more fully the implications of a lot of the propositions, it would have taken a lot more time to research and it was definitely hard to try to fit it in.” Otto Berndt

“I’m pleased to have won, which I think is just a sign of the voter confidence by the community and the leadership that I've provided and the School Board has provided on behalf of students and the district,” Dauber said. “You know, there’s still a second

seat to be filled, and I think that will give us a better understanding about what direction voters are looking for.” In total, only 306,086 of 885,764 registered voters in Santa Clara County cast ballots, according to the registrar, meaning countywide a voter turnout of 35 percent, not counting the mail-in ballots that may not even have arrived at the Registrar yet. Adding to the uncertainty for Santa Clara County, a school board election must hold a recount if the difference in votes is 25 ballots or less, according to a Palo Alto Online article. “There's still a lot of votes that haven't yet been counted, so I think we really have to wait to see how many votes were dropped off at precincts and how many votes are coming by mail before we can really get accurate turnout numbers,” Dauber said. In his upcoming term, Dauber plans to focus on a few urgent issues that directly affect students. “My top priorities are continuing to make progress on student wellbeing, in particular homework, test and project stacking, improving special education services, raising achievement for underrepresented students and continuing to improve the fiscal operational management of the district,” Dauber said. A common theme in goals among School Board candidates is better control of management and operations. “I’d have to say that there are two priorities. The first is hiring a general counsel so that we can continue down a path towards compliance and towards proper management,” Dharap said. “My second thing is really making sure that we are addressing equity and innovation in the District.” This election process has brought up various issues, which Dharap hopes will continue to be discussed. “We’ve had such diverse candidates who have brought really unique perspectives…. There have been a lot of issues that have galvanized the community during this election,” Dharap said. “The

PROP A

YES. Measure A proposed making permanent a temporary tax to fund basic county purposes that was approved in 2012.

YES. Measure E proposed hiking the hotel tax by 1.5 percent in order to improve city services, providing about $2.55 million annually.

PROP F

NO. Measure F proposed placing a limit on the amount of money that healthcare providers can charge patients.

YES. Measure Y proposed limiting schol board members to serving two consecutive terms.

PROP Z

PROP E

PROP y

YES. Measure Z proposed giving up to $460 million for school upgrades. (See A3 to learn more about Measure Z) LIKELY WINNER: SCHOOL BOARD. Ken Dauber is an incumbent School Board member running for reelection.

LEADING SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES FOR SECOND SEAT.

Shounak Dharap: Attorney Stacey Ashlund: Technology Consultant/Researcher Kathy Jordan: Parent/Student advocate CITY COUNCIL WINNER. Alison Cormack is a first-time candidate. Cormack served as chair of a Palo Alto public library bond. CITY COUNCIL WINNER. Tom DuBois is an incumbent City Council member. DuBois is a parent and volunteer in schools. CITY COUNCIL WINNER. Eric Filseth is an incumbent City Council member. Filseth has served on several city committees.

Election A3

Fiery Arts to hold glassblowing workshop Paly glassblowing program dedicates weekend to teach community about craft By Byron Zhang

Managing Editor

he Paly Fiery Arts Program will hold its fifth ever Glass Weekend Workshop on Nov. 10-11, open to all students, parents and community members. According to Fiery Arts Instructional Supervisor Martin Ehrensvard, Glass Weekend Workshops are designed for people who are curious to learn about the art of glassblowing, since most people do not see glassblowing facilities in Palo Alto on a frequent basis.

“Not only do you get to learn how to blow glass, you will also get to make things out of glass and take them home." Martin Ehrensvaerd

“Me and the other instructors will guide you through the process,” Ehrensvard said. “Not only do you get to learn how to blow glass, you will also get to make nice things out of glass and take them home.” Ehrensvard said participants of the standard workshop usually make a couple of flowers, paperweight, cups, a base and a bowl.

Lifestyle

JOHNNY YANG/THE CAMPANILE

Junior Tori Chen blows glass while senior Sydney Liu molds its shape during a glassblowing class. The workshop also offers other options. “If you’re interested in doing something else more specific, we can help you with that instead,” Ehrensvard said. “If you have taken a first workshop, you can always come back and take a second workshop and do whatever you want. We want people who come in to make most of the glass themselves, but we can also help them if they are not comfortable to do certain things.” According to senior Phoebe Crabb, who participated in her third workshop in October, the

Science & Tech

workshops are intense sessions running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “They’re so open to whatever you want to make, and there is just no limit to what you can do.” Crabb said. “I saw a [glass] oyster with a pearl in it. There was also a woman who made two sculptures of Donald Trump as a political art piece. One is supposed to be on display, and she is supposed to smash [the other one]. The great thing about the workshop is that if you have an idea, it can help you deliver the message.” Crabb said one of the other advantages of Paly’s glassblow-

Spotlight

ing workshops is that the facility is better equipped and provides many vibrant, aesthetic colors that are not offered elsewhere nearby. The Glass Weekend Workshop also provide financial support to the Paly Fiery Arts Program, which requires a relatively large budget. “The [student] glassblowers use the studio all the time," Paly arts teacher Kate Mckenzie said. "The budget is huge, so they have to support that. The kilns [that glass blowers use] are outrageously expensive, as well as the chemicals to blow glass.”

Sports

the edition

News. . . . . . . . . A1-A4 Opinion. . . . . . . A5-A7 Editorials. . . . . . . . . A8 Lifestyle. . . . . B1-B3, B6 Spotlight. . . . . . . . B4-B5 Science & Tech. . . B7-B8 Sports. . . . C1-C3, C6-C8 Sports Spread. . . . . C4-C5

GABRIEL SALDANA/CC BY 2.0

The Nutcracker

A perspective on the Pacific Ballet's performance from two dancers. PAGE B1

JENNIFER MARTIN/CC BY 4.0

Medical marijuana

Medical uses of marijuana and its impact on Palo Alto students. PAGE B8

I.WOMAN 19/CC BY 2.0

Consent

Exploring the complexity of defining consent. PAGE B4-B5

SRY85/CC BY 1.2

Unique dance styles

A closer look into the diverse styles Paly dancers perform. PAGE C4-C5

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

NEWS

NEIL KAPOOR/THE CAMPANILE

Harlan Cohen gave a talk on Monday about finding the right college.

Speaker recommends new college framework By Neil Kapoor

News & Opinion Editor

n light of the college application frenzy, Paly students and parents attended the “Happy, Healthy, Almost StressFree College Planning” talk hosted by author Harlan Cohen Monday night in the Haymarket Theater to learn about strategic approaches to navigate the college search and selection process.

“The process is very overwhelming, so it’s important to figure out what you’re looking for before you jump into it.” Harlan Cohen

“Parents are so engaged, and I’m one of them, so how do we be better equipped to engage with supporting the journey to find the answers to what our kids want?” Cohen said. Cohen, a New York Times bestselling author, emphasized how students and parents should prioritize what they want for the student’s college experience and less on “being wanted.” “The process is very overwhelming, so it’s important to figure out what you’re looking for before you jump into it,” Cohen said. Cohen began the talk by asking parents what they wanted to get out of his presentation and how he could help them achieve that goal before transitioning into an introduction of his biography and past and his college experience. “I always knew I wanted to go to a big school because all my family members went to a big school,” Cohen said. “I didn’t even consider smaller schools.” But Cohen explained how he quickly became miserable at his dream school due to the challenges transitioning socially and emotionally. “I was miserable, depressed and I knew I had to get out of there,” Cohen said. “So I transferred to a familiar place, Indiana University, where my brothers went. I found my people, and I was much happier.” Following the discussion of his college transition experience, Cohen suggested that students use a five-pronged framework to help them transition to college,

uncover their college priorities and find their “places, people and patience.” “Students and parents should consider the social, emotional, physical, financial and academic aspects to find a fit,” Cohen said. “The students who struggle have the same thing: they don’t have their people, they don’t have their places, so they panic.” According to Cohen, students should reach out to older students they look up to and believe are similar to them — socially, emotionally, physically, financially and/or academically — so they can learn how those students addressed their challenges. “Ask them how they dealt with $200,000 of student loan debt; ask them how they chose their classes; ask them how they got involved on campus; ask them these important questions that you’re wondering about because they had to deal with them too,” Cohen said. “People want to help; you just have to ask.” Junior and attendee Neive Wellington said Cohen’s analysis was beneficial for her. “I think the speaker’s approach to the college application process was helpful in that he encourages students to dream big and apply to colleges where we can picture ourselves thriving,” Wellington said. But according to junior Raj Sodhi, the event was not as helpful as he had hoped. “I thought he said the same things over and over,” Sodhi said. “He wants to appeal to a huge audience, so his messages are super broad and vague.”

“I think the speaker’s approach to the college application process was helpful in that he encourages students to dream big and apply to colleges where we can picture ourselves thriving.”

ALYSSA LEONG/THE CAMPANILE

Shirley Tokheim and the English Department filed a Williams Complaint, saying that areas of the English building and the MAC were unsafe.

PAUSD addresses English department safety concerns after complaints filed District resolves issues in Williams Complaints Form with intercom, windows detailed By Rebekah Limb

Staff Writer

ollowing a Williams Complaint filed by the Paly English department, the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) is currently in the process of addressing these concerns, regarding the security of the English building and the Media Arts Center. The concerns in the complaint arose from safety issues in these building in light of recent incidents including frequent fire alarms and a lockdown last spring.

Neive Wellington

“The District responded with a list of steps they have taken, but from what I’ve seen, the work is not yet complete.”

Throughout the talk, Cohen reinforced the importance of remembering that everyone is a valuable individual no matter where they attend college. Cohen said, “No matter where you go, it’s going to be OK.”

In many of the classrooms in the English building and the MAC, the intercom system wasn’t working and the windows of classrooms were not coverable, according to English

Shirley Tokheim

Instructional Leader Shirley Tokheim. Other safety violations included in the department’s Williams complaint included doors that didn’t lock from the inside, phones that didn’t work and emergency Red Cross kits that weren’t uniformly equipped. Williams complaints are part of a California law that requires every school district provide a uniform process for people allegeding a district has provided insufficient instructional materials, unsafe or unhealthy facility conditions. It also can be used to address problems with teacher vacancies and assignments In response to the English Department’s formal complaint, the District’s business services drew up a written report on Oct. 8 explicitly replying to each concern with a fix. In the letter, the District said all the window coverings and a glass wall covering in the Media Arts Center would be installed by Oct. 15. “The complaint requires that the principal respond within 30 days,” Tokheim said. “The District responded to the complaint with a list of steps they have taken, but from what I’ve seen, the work is not yet complete.” Ron Ellis, the District’s

ASB contemplates Spirit Week, school vaping Cookies on the Quad becomes monthly event; student influence leads to public forum By Leila Khan

director of maintenance, operations and transportation, has been overseeing the improvements as a result of the complaints. “Because of the various sizes of door windows, the length of manufacturing time, and refinement needed, maintenance reengineered this product and created a window covering device which was more suitable to our needs,” Ellis said. “These devices have been deployed in the identified buildings.”

“I think that the procedures are a bit overwhelming, but it would be helpful in [...] a lockdown.” Sophia Krugler Ellis said the maintenance team responded to the request of covering the windows on doors in case of a lockdown by installing shade coverings in most classrooms. The shade coverings include a list of lockdown procedures in case of an emergency. “I think that the procedures are a bit overwhelming, but it

would be helpful in case of a lockdown,” sophomore Sophia Krugler, who was on campus during the lockdown hoax, said. “I think that anything we can do to help us be safer is a good thing.”

“Continuous observation and analysis of all PAUSD school sites [...] is constant to ensure the safety of our incredible students and staff.” Ron Ellis

Although the District is not finished with resolving all the issues raised by the English department, according to Ellis, it knows that safety is top priority. “Continuous observation and analysis of all PAUSD school sites and office buildings is a constant to ensure the safety of our incredible students and staff,” Ellis said. “The professional teams of maintenance, operations and facilities demand [safety preeminence through thoughts and actions] of ourselves on a daily basis.”

UPCOMING EVENTS NOV

VETERANS DAY — NO SCHOOL Always a fun time unless you have a Nov. 15 deadline...

Staff Writer

ith fond memories of Spirit Week fresh in Paly students’ minds, the Associated Student Body (ASB) is hard at work reflecting on the week while also planning new and traditional interactive events for the new quarter. “We are currently looking back on Spirit Week and brainstorming ways to make next year more inclusive and fun for all students,” junior Class President Zoe Silver said. This year’s student participation in activities during the spirit rallies was remarkable and inspiring, according to Student Activities Director Matthew Hall. As well as thinking of new events and activities for the following Spirit Week, members of the student body have been preparing for the fall season. “ASB has a lot of things in the works for November,” ASB Vice President Benjamin Rapperport said. “We are getting ready for a ping pong tournament, the Turkey Trot, Teacher Appreciation Week and a lot more events we are super excited for that are fallrelated.” Along with the Turkey Trot,

NOV

SECOND QUARTER PROGRESS REPORT

NOV

PALY/GREENE BAND CONCERT

NOV DAVID HICKEY/THE VIKING MAGAZINE

Over 100 seniors dash off the football field, celebrating after their winning spirit dance performance.

more events involving food on the quad are in store for the upcoming months. “We decided to make our Cookies on the Quad event a monthly occurrence after receiving so many positive responses from students and staff,” Board Representative Caroline Furrier said. In light of receiving feedback from the Paly community regarding the influence of the students in the district, ASB is planning to host a public consultation in the near future to address certain issues with

the city and obtain the public’s opinions. “ASB will be hosting a discussion to gather feedback from members of the community in hopes to educate our citizens on what we do in ASB and how we can improve our impact as the student body of Palo Alto High School,” Site Council Representative Ben Gordon said. Additionally, ASB is working towards combating the recent outbreak of teenage vaping in the area. “[We are] planning to host a campaign against vaping in our

school and spread knowledge about this epidemic to our community,” Furrier said. “Hopefully, we will work together in finding ways to repel this growing trend in our school district.” Paly administration has already begun addressing the vaping issue by locking certain bathrooms in order to concentrate the population of vapers. It was also an attempt to eradicate the fire alarm issue. “We are looking to educate the public on the negative effects of vaping and to find a solution,” Furrier said.

The race to bring your grades up before finals begin.

It’s Jordan, but go off, I guess.

TURKEY TROT

55 minutes to stuff yourself with Thanksgiving food

NOV

FLEA MARKET

NOV

DEC

without your relatives asking about your future.

Itching for some bargains?

THANKSGIVING BREAK 10,080 minutes to stuff yourself with Thanksgiving food while trying to avoid said relatives’ questions.

PALY CHOIR’S MADRIGAL FEASTE A royally good time.

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

NEWS

Proposition Z passes, brings decade-long bond to an end As 2008 bond for PAUSD funding expires, local voters agree on Nov. 6 ballot that new bond is best for Palo Alto By Vivian Feng

Multimedia Editor

he city voted to pass Measure Z, a bond measure that would authorize $460 million of capital expenditures from taxes throughout Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) for various construction and infrastructure improvements and renovations on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Going forward, PAUSD will improve the Tower Building and the Haymarket Theater and renovate the Student Center and the quad.

“We've been going full speed and we're accelerating all the way up until Tuesday, which is Election Day.” David Shen

In June, the PAUSD School Board voted unanimously to put Measure Z on the ballot. David Shen, the campaign co-chair of Measure Z, is one member of the campaign team recruited to work on the project in May. “Even before school started, we needed to hit the ground running, which is what happened,” Shen said. “We’ve been going full speed and we’re accelerating all the way up until Tuesday, which is Election Day.” Measure Z is following the 2008 Strong Schools (SS) Bond

Election

Continued from A1 election has been a really lively time, a time that we’ve really been able to engage in the kind of discourse around issues that we should be engaging in when it’s not even election season at all.” While this election has united some candidates, it has caused divisions between others. Current Board member Todd Collins lent $2,668 to a parent-run committee against candidate Jordan, according to an Independent Expenditure Report. “I faced unfounded and unrelenting personal attacks intended to distract from the fact that change is needed on the school board,” Jordan wrote in an email, responding to questions from The Campanile. Overall, Jordan believes that her message was heard by community members. “I think [the race] was an in-

measure that authorized $378 million dollars to go towards architectural renovations. The plans projected in 2008 are not complete, but the SS Bond is almost depleted in terms of money, which is why Measure Z is on the ballot this year, according to Shen. The SS Bond, gave Paly the benefits of a newly renovated math and social sciences building, football stadium, baseball field, library, soccer and lacrosse field, Churchill parking lot and Tower Building. New construction projects included the Media Arts Center, the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Peery Center, according to the 2017 SSB committee report. Current students, who are reaping the benefits of the 2008 SSB measure, agree that the architectural improvements has positively impacted their campus experience. “When I go into my English class, we don’t have windows,” senior Emily Tsoi said. “It feels really dark and I feel like I have no energy in there. In new buildings, like the 800 (math and social sciences building), there are big, glass windows with a lot of natural light which I think improves the learning experience.” Tsoi is one of many students who has the majority of their classes in a new building. Beyond academics, the new construction has benefitted the student community in extracurriculars too. “When the PAC came along, it was so advanced,” senior Annie Tsui said. “For theater, it was really nice to have these resources and

to be able to expand on the type of shows we can create because of it. It gives students a lots of experience if students want to work in professional theatres, especially to stage tech students who get to handle a lot of aspects of professional theatres that most high school students wouldn’t get to.” Conversely, some students believe that although the facilities may affect one’s learning experience, the staff and curriculum are the main catalyst of a positive high school experience. “To some extent these build-

ings have benefitted my learning, but Palo Alto High School, compared to some other schools in the area and across the country, is so nice,” junior Alexandra Lee said. “People I bring think that it looks like a university, but I think that [my positive learning experience] has more to do with the teachers and the education we’re getting than the actual buildings we’re being taught in.” When public schools want to modernize or fix their architecture, the main way to do so is through bonds.

“The way California is set up, funding comes a lot from the taxpayers, the communities really have to work together to build up public schools so that not only current students benefit, but also future students,” Shen said. Many of the PAUSD elementary schools’ multipurpose rooms were built in the 1950s and have not been seismically upgraded, according to Shen. Some of these buildings don't have air conditioning or are not big enough for the number of students enrolled. “[Those against the ballot

may] have students who are almost out of the District and they don’t want to pay anymore; that’s very disappointing to see," Shen said. "If families and parents had thought the same thing way back in 2008, and didn’t approve this bond, where would [today’s] kids be? They would be sitting in shabby buildings at Paly, not enjoying the new PAC and athletics facilities, and that’s unfair. We need to band together as a community not only to support present generations but future generations of Palo Alto."

tense experience, but our message that change is needed on the school board came through clearly and has resonated,” Jordan said. “I'm not surprised that it is close. I hope that it will get even more close.” In the Palo Alto City Council race, first-time candidate Alison Cormack came in first by a large margin and beat all three incumbents, knocking Cory Wolbach off the council. “I was thrilled with the results, and I actually wasn’t surprised, and the reason is that I have been walking and knocking in neighborhoods all over the city since July,” Cormack said. “That’s really the closest there is to polling, and over the past month I felt the momentum building and enthusiasm, so I was just thrilled to receive so many votes of confidence.” Cormack plans to zero in on important fixes throughout Palo Alto, as well as on budget issues, during her upcoming term.

“We need to rebuild a number of the things here in the city that we rely on to make it work, and then I'm really hoping that we rebuild Cubberley [Community Center],” Cormack said. “In addition to that, it’s time for us to look carefully at how the city receives its money and how we spend it. A deeper dive into the budget both on the operating budget and on the infrastructure budget will be at the top of my list as I know it will be for my future colleagues.” As for the low amount of voters in Santa Clara County, Cormack believes there are easy solutions for the future to increase voting such as making it clear to the general public that they have a right to two hours of paid leave to visit a polling station on election day. “I was hoping for higher turnout,” Cormack said. “[Voting] needs to be a habit for everyone, it’s part of being a citizen in this country.”

For this particular election, many hoped that the 18-25-yearold age bracket would make a large presence and represent youth beliefs. Although Paly seniors are currently consumed with work, several student voters stepped up to the task. “I didn't get to put in as much effort as I wanted to because of college apps… so I didn't have much time to go over the issues, but I still felt like I made an impact,” senior Kevin Cox said. Some student voters felt as though the ballot was extremely confusing, especially for new voters. “I think that for a lot of the propositions, the wording is meant to make you vote a certain way even though that's not necessarily the focus of the proposition,” Cox said. Many students agreed, feeling disappointed by the descriptions provided for each proposition. “I was extremely under-

whelmed by the capability of our politicians to formulate comprehensive reviews of our measures and propositions,” Berndt said. “I felt a lack of intention in the wording and much of it felt as though our politicians are kind of not doing their job.” Although he was unable to visit the polls on Tuesday, Berndt requested an absentee ballot and dropped it off. However, he felt as if he still did not have enough time to completely read about each measure. Absentee ballots are issued to military voters, overseas voters, or simply voters who cannot be present on election day so that they can fill them out on their own time. History teacher Caitlin Evans organized an election viewing party in the Media Arts Center for students, specifically sophomores enrolled in U.S. Government. Sophomore history teacher Mary Sano’s students have been

tracking the election in key races since September and attended the watch party. “I hope that [students] think back on this experience and realize how exciting it is to be a citizen in our democracy,” Sano said. “I was really happy that a student from last year… came to… tell me that… because of the project last year, he was following [the election] this year.” Amsbaugh, a former student of Sano’s, learned the value of voting through Sano’s election project during her sophomore year, an experience which she said was helpful in her voting experience and learning about voting. “I had my ballot shipped to my home address, and I was able to fill it out in my own time, doing research as I went through each proposition and candidate and race,” Amsbaugh said. “I wanted to vote because I didn't want to squander the opportunity that so many people struggle to get.”

ALYSSA LEONG/THE CAMPANILE

All students of Palo Alto schools are directly affected by the funding bonds, which have funded buildings such as the MAC and PAC at Paly.

ELC sparks interest in business-oriented juniors Paly holds informational meeting for juniors pertaining to the Enterprise Leadership Conference taking place this spring essential communication and team-building values in addition to entrepreneurial skills. “You learn a lot personally about yourself,” Shemanski said. “You learn how hard it is to work with a group of people and the barriers of how to express your point of view without insulting other people, for example.” Students experience life as an entrepreneur, learning how to build their own businesses, provide products and services for a target industry, practice marketing and finance skills and share entrepreneurial stories. Successful local business leaders will give presentations educating participants on all aspects of business.

CLAIRE CHEN/USED WITH PERMISSION

Claire Chen, pictured fourth from the right, poses with her newly made friends at the Enterprise Leadership Conference last April.

By Miranda Li

Science & Tech Editor

o encourage high school juniors to apply to and attend the Enterprise Leadership Conference (ELC), an informational meeting regarding the conference was held at Paly’s Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Nov. 6. A collaborative effort of the rotary clubs of Campbell, Los Altos, Mountain View, Santa Clara,

Saratoga, Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Sunrise, the ELC’s mission is to “enhance leadership skills of high school juniors through a working introduction to the opportunities, benefits and challenges of establishing a business or providing a service in the free enterprise system,” according to its website. The conference consists of a free three-day seminar starting and ending at Mission College in Santa Clara, with the ELC hold-

ing the majority of the event a bus ride away at Multiversity Campus in Scotts Valley, Calif. The main activity of the conference is for students to work collaboratively in groups to create a company, develop a product and present it to “venture capitalists.” According to Rotary Technical Advisor Kris Olson, “You get an overall taste of the amount of work, the scope of the different areas you really need to consider in order to have your own com-

pany and make it successful.” Senior Claire Chen, who attended the conference last year, agrees with this sentiment. “I went to ELC last year I thought it was a really great experience,” Chen said. “I’m still in contact with a lot of the friends I made at ELC so even though you’re only there for three days, you become really close to the people you work with.” Rotary Technical Advisor Phil Shemanski believes students learn

"You get an overall taste of the work, the scope of the different areas you really need to consider in order to have your own company and make it successful." Kris Olsen “It was a good learning process because you would learn presentation-wise and then you would immediately apply it,” Chen said. Entrance into the ELC is determined by an online application which asks three questions: “Why are you interested in applying to

this business conference?” “How do you think attending this conference will influence your future goals?” and “In ten years, at your high school reunion, what would you like to tell your classmates you have done?”

"I'm still in contact with a lot of the friends I made at ELC so even though you're only there for three days, you become really close to the people you work with." Claire Chen

From these responses, as well as a teacher recommendation letter, the selection committee of Rotarians gauge students’ character and admit a total of 60 applicants. The deadline for applications to the conference is Feb. 9. The ELC views their ideal candidate as an open-minded individual interested in pursuing business in the future and willing to dedicate three days in thoroughly experiencing and learning about entrepreneurship. There are no GPA requirements or prerequisite courses needed. The ELC provides a unique opportunity for students to explore the realm of business and entrepreneurship and learn valuable life skills for future use.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

NEWS

Jewish community reacts to Pittsburgh synagogue terror attack

After gunman walked into Tree of Life synagogue and killed 11, Palo Alto community joins nationwide mouring for lives lost By Yusra Rafeeqi Online Editor

n anti-Semitic American gunned down 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, the weekly holy Shabbat for Jews, claiming his targeted views were centered around the JewishAmerican community supporting refugees and that “[ Jews] were committing genocide to his people.” Although the effects of this shooting can be felt all across the country, the Palo Alto Jewish community at Etz Chayim congregation, Hebrew for “Tree of Life,” has been deeply affected by the tragedy.

“There were people there were Muslum, Hindu and Christian communities there.” Naomi Sporer The two synagogues are not formally connected; however, Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky from Etz Chayim said the matter that his synagogue has the same name affected him and his community on a more personal level. “It’s hard not to start imagining a similar scenario happening in our own synagogue, and so whenever one reads or hears the name Tree of Life (Etz Chayim), it makes it feel that much more close to home,” Koritzinsky said. Koritzinsky said he first heard of the attack the same morning at his synagogue. “Because I don’t use electronics or watch TV on Shabbat [the Sabbath], a congregant informed me what happened,” Koritzinsky said. “My first reaction was: ‘Are you serious? In a synagogue? A synagogue with the same name as ours?’ It took me a while before it started to sink in. When the time came to lead our Shabbat morning services, I noticed that there were a few people there that don’t usually show up. Some people’s

THE WHITE HOUSE /CC 1.0

Shrines placed at the Tree of Life Synagogue are in memory of the 11 victims killed on Oct. 28 and include flowers, cards and gifts as The City of Pittsburg mourns. instinct was to come to the synagogue to process, reflect and be in community.” Rachael Richmond, a Paly junior and a youth member at Etz Chayim congregation, said she saw growth in her Jewish community immediately following the attack, and received comfort through flowers, hugs and cards.

“Sadly, our youth have grown accustomed to hearing about mass shootings.” Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky “People that don’t usually go to [Etz Chayim] came to [Etz Chayim],” Richmond said. “There were people who were not even

Jewish who showed up to Shabbat to show us support. It was a big come-together of the greater community.” However, Koritzinsky said he was not prepared to talk about this issue to Jewish youth at Etz Chayim. “Sadly, our youth have grown accustomed to hearing about mass shootings,” Koritzinsky said. “But this one felt different — this one hit closer to home. On Sunday morning, I led a discussion with our teens who are becoming Bar and Bat mitzvah [13 years old] in the coming year. Both the teens and their parents wondered whether this event might have an impact on their Jewish identity and whether it may strengthen it and display it more proudly or make them more cautious about expressing it.” Regarding ways to prevent an event like this from happening again, Koritzinsky said there

WAYMO.COM/PRESS PHOTO

Waymo, based in Mountain View, has been granted a permit for use of its self-driving cars in Palo Alto.

is an urgent need for gun control and harsher punishments for hate crimes. “I don’t know how America can stop these tragedies, but I do think Americans can make access to guns more difficult and create more serious consequences for hate rhetoric,” Koritzinsky said. “When one allows virulent hate speech, it can too easily move from words to actions. We need to find ways to stop it long before it escalates to the level of action.” From a different Jewish congregation, Paly senior Naomi Sporer said that her family decided to attend an interfaith memorial ceremony at Congregation Beth Am. She said that, although she had learned of the attack from a phone call from her synagogue, she did not have a complete reaction until she witnessed the mass of people at Beth Am. “There was a memorial ceremony there, and there were

Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities there,” Sporer said. “That’s when it really hit me, because I realized that these people [in Pittsburgh] were targeted because they were Jewish.”

“That’s when it really hit me, because I realized that people [in Pittsburgh] were targeted because they were Jewish.” Naomi Sporer Both Richmond and Sporer said they were touched by the turnout of the events they attended, but they had wished there was a greater emotional response nationwide to the attack on thier community.

“I saw that people that were posting about the Pittsburgh shooting got a lot of comments about supporting Israel, like ‘what about Palestine?’ and that was upsetting to see,” Richmond said. “Pittsburgh is not even related to that. It happened to people humans so we should care about that and not involve politics.” In order to combat future assaults on the world’s progress toward acceptance, Sporer, Koritzinsky and Richmond all say that communities need to remain intertwined and unified against hate. Sporer said, “The more people, the more power that we have, the more love that everyone carries for each other. No matter what religion, race you are, what you believe in, [that] doesn’t matter to the point where you aren’t accepted. There is always a need for communities to be together for one another to stand together.”

COURTESY THE CITY OF PALO ALTO

Plans for the new parking garage include green screens, covered bike parking and 32 EV parking spaces.

Driver-less cars coming to Palo Alto streets Parking garage to be put on Cal. Ave By Lara Nakamura Senior Staff Writer

aymo became the first company to obtain a permit allowing it to test its self-driving, driverless cars on Bay Area roads on Oct. 30. Founded in 2009, Waymo began as Google’s self-driving car project. In October 2015, Waymo originated the first driverless ride with a vehicle called “Firefly,” the first vehicle of its kind with computer sensors, brakes and no pedals or steering wheels. In 2017, the fully self-driving Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivans were released for testing by Waymo. Later that year, these self-driving minivans appeared on the streets of Phoenix. California regulators introduced the “one of a kind” permit early 2018, with the first permits available for issue that April. Waymo was one of the two companies to apply to test vehicles

without drivers, the other company has not been released yet. In order to receive the green light, Waymo’s cars had to be monitorable off-site and have plans to assist law-enforcement and first responders in case of emergency.

“Being so new, and we’re talking about heavy vehicles, if nobody is there in case there’s a glich in the programming, that is what makes me the most nervous.” Doyle Knight Last week, the driverless Pacifica Minivans were let loose onto the streets of Palo Alto, Mountain View and a couple other sur-

rounding cities. Acording to senior Ayush Gupta, despite being legal, selfdriving cars still have a long way to go. As a member of Peninsula Robotics Team 6036, Gupta is familiar with the capabilities of autonomous machines. “There will have to be a lot of improvement in terms of technology and answering some of the ethical dilemmas that come with having a computer make decisions which could potentially cost human lives,” Gupta said. Regardless, Gupta doesn’t deny the future of cars without human operators. “Whether you like it or not, self driving cars will probably be the future of transportation,” Gupta said. The argument of self-driving cars is one that is argued on both sides. For auto shop teacher Doyle Knight, the technological progress that has been made is only half of the equation. “I like the technology, I like the idea, I like how they’re moving forward with technology like that,” Knight said. “There are a lot of bad drivers out there; It’ll help people who are drunk, they can call [a car].” For Knight, the other half are the safety risks that come with a computer controlled car that is unpredictable. Knight said, “Being so new, and we’re talking about heavy vehicles, if nobody is there in case there’s a glitch in the programming, that is what makes me the most nervous.”

Construction is set to begin in 2019 and go through 2020 By Cameron Legrand

Senior Staff Writer

fter nearly three years of planning, Palo Alto City Council authorized the sales of bonds in order to fund the upcoming construction of a parking garage and the new public works building located at California Avenue. City Council expects to sell up to $50 million worth of bonds.

“[The Public work building] helps guarantee response times will be quicker, even if it is minimal.” Ben Rapperport According to Watry Design, Inc., the company tasked with designing and planning the project, the garage will approximately cost $38.5 million and will “include green screens, covered bike parking, photovoltaic panels, EV charging stations for 32 spaces.” The structure will add an additional 310 spaces and will also create space to house a new public works building across from the courthouse. This comes as a part of the 2014 Council Infrastructure Plan and will commence construction once the parking garage has opened. The garage is projected to start next year and finish in early

2020, with the public works building expected to finish in 2022. Councilman Adrian Fine told Palo Alto Online that he is opposed to the construction of the garage as it is “incentivizing people who drive” instead of helping supporting more environmentally conscious projects. Fine also added that he believes that they could make better use of city land. This commercial hub shares its already limited parking spaces with several local government institutions, such as the county courthouse. As a result, business owners have long asked for additional parking spaces to help relieve traffic on the busy streets near California Ave. According to Councilman Greg Scharff, the reaction is very positive regarding the construction of the new structures. Scharff told Palo Alto Online that “the neighborhood is excited to get this done. I’m glad we’re moving forward.”

“I visit [Cal. Ave.] often, and its great, but the road is always blocked by people trying to park.” Ben Rapperport The new public works building will consist of emergency services such as the 911 dispatch center for

the area and the police department. The Council unanimously approved the the public works project on Sept. 20 and approved an application for architectural plans on the building during a meeting on Nov 5. Paly ASB Vice President, senior Benjamin Rapperport, sees many benefits from having new parking, as he believes that creating space around California Avenue will clear up traffic. “I visit [California Avenue] often and it’s great, but the road is always blocked by people trying to park, and that can get really frustrating when you try to drive through,” Rapperport said. “Having a garage like that will definitely make driving much easier than before.”

“The neighborhood is excited to get this done. I’m glad we’re moving forward.” Greg Scharff Rapperport also believes that the new public works building located near California Ave. helps make the city more central. This would help first responders tend to emergencies quicker compared to the previous location. Rapperport said, “[The public works building] helps guarantee response times will be quicker, even if it is minimal.”

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

OPINION

Students should be more understanding of test stacking By Bernie Koen

Senior Staff Writer

he overpowering stress of having multiple tests on one day happens often to students at Paly. It happens at every school. It’s an unpreventable occurrence that will happen to all students. And it’s something that students should stop complaining about. Some students have argued that teachers should communicate with other teachers to make sure they don’t administer two tests on the same day. But that’s impractical. For one, all students have a different set of teachers, and there’s no feasible combination for tests to be arranged in a way that no tests or big assignments overlap. Scott Friedland, who teaches Algebra 2/Trigonometry Advanced and AP Calculus AB, often allows students to move their tests to the following day, but accepts that it’s impossible to ensure tests don’t overlap.

Teachers’ willingness to move tests really depends on whether it’s a regular lane, A lane or honors lane. According to Friedland, although having all teachers communicate about tests is nice in principle, it’s not feasible. Since there are so many teachers on different schedules, it’s almost impossible to have a joint collaboration across seven departments. Some students could argue that preventing a test overlap should be ensured for large classes that many students take, such as AP Psychology, AP Statistics or AP Calculus AB. But even then, these classes have rigorous curricula, and teachers must use every day of the school year to prepare their students. If these classes started

ART BY KHADIJA ABID:

shifting their tests forward and back, it would shift the teaching schedules, and students would find themselves with not enough instruction to prepare them for the tests themselves. Many students do not realize taking a test in the testing center is an option for when they have several tests in a short span of time. When teachers put the tests in the testing center, students can go in whenever they have free time and take the exam in the center. The center is there for not only students that miss classes, but also for students who need to find a more convenient time to take a test. Students always ask to be treated as adults, so they should show maturity by taking the simple initiative to approach a teacher and respectfully ask them to take an upcoming test in the testing center.

Test stacking has also already been dramatically decreased over the years. According to Friedland, the new bell schedule minimizes the number of tests students can have on a given day. According to Friedland, even and odd block days help teachers give students flexibility with taking a test, as long as they keep it within the days that the exam is normally administered to other students. According to Friedland, teachers are trying to maintain a level of fairness with respect to the fact that some kids aren’t able to move their schedules around. Oftentimes, a student complaining about a test date is actually what leads to test stacking. For example, when students ask for no tests during Spirit Week, that simply leads to a bunch of stacked tests the week directly following Spirit Week.

Students complaining about tests can have seriously negative impacts because it’s one of the causes of test stacking. It’s always possible to come up with an excuse for why a test shouldn’t be on a certain day. Even complaining about tests being on a Monday leads to tests being closer together later in a week. Dealing with multiple due dates, assignments and test dates is part of being a student. The proper way to ensure this doesn’t become an issue is to simply plan ahead and move tests that absolutely must be moved. Although teachers may not be able to prevent test stacking, they should put all exams dates on Schoology at the very beginning of the quarter to give students a good idea of when they will be most busy. When students are finding out about tests without much notice, then the lack

of further notice about the overlap becomes something that they can complain about. But once the dates are given with enough notice, the responsibility falls on the student to manage their time and ensure they’re ready. The hardest tests students complain about are for harder honors or AP classes. However, students are the ones who sign up to take those classes in the first place. If someone has trouble managing their time and can’t deal with a build up of assignments in a short period of time, they shouldn’t be taking the class. These more challenging classes are the ones with a stricter curriculum with more to learn and have fewer days available to be able to move tests around to please students. Friedland said that teachers also take into account the difficulty of the

course the student signed up for when giving leniency for moving tests. According to Friedland, teachers’ willingness to move tests mostly depends on whether it’s regular lane, A lane or honors lane.

Teachers are trying to maintain a level of fairness with respect to some kids that aren’t able to move their schedules around. Despite the stress that can often lead to students moving tests, Friedland said the test schedule usually works out for students. Students should toughen up if they have multiple tests on one day. It’s a part of life, and students should understand that after all, things will work out just fine.

Paly should add more intramural sports throughout the year

ART BY: NOA LEHRER

By Will Robins

Senior Staff Writer

ntramural sports at Paly always spark intense competition, spirit and excitement among students. However, intramural tournaments are not held very often. Associate Student Body (ASB) only gives students a limited amount of opportunities to participate in intramural sports.

Many enjoy participating in sporting events at school, but the lack of intramural tournaments keeps them from doing so. Many enjoy participating

in sporting events at school, but the lack of intramural tournaments keeps them from doing so. For this reason, ASB should create more intramural tournaments. If ASB put more intramural sports in place, then students would be able to have fun and showcase their talent and spirit in front of their friends, fellow students and staff. Around every three months, students are given the opportunity to create a team with their friends and compete in an ASB-hosted intramural tournament. Some of the most popular sports include basketball, volleyball and capture the flag. The intramural tournaments last a week, with games starting on Mon-

day and ending with the championship on Friday. The games take place during lunch at locations across campus. The volleyball tournament occurs on the quad, the basketball tournament is played in the small gym and capture the flag is played on the lacrosse field. At each intramural game, students often show up to watch and cheer for their friends. This allows students to have a break from their ordinary lunch routine. Because it can be repetitive to sit down at a bench, the quad, a table or another spot on campus to sit and talk with your friends at lunch, the intramural sports offer the opportunity to do something different. In addition, on a normal

high school day, most students aren’t looking forward to anything in particular, except maybe a five minute break during class or going home. Intramural sports, however, allow students to get excited about something. For example, during Spirit Week, everybody rushes out of their classrooms to go to the football stadium to show their school spirit and participate in the spirit rally. Similarly for intramural sports, the participants are always excited to play, and the spectators are excited to watch during lunch. Intramural sports are also a great opportunity for students who don’t have much time outside of school to participate in a sporting activity.

With the extensive workload that Palo Alto students are used to, it can be hard to play sports outside of school. Intramural sports are perfect for these students because the tournaments occur at lunch, which allows the students to play without it cutting down time for their schoolwork. This makes for a great opportunity for students to de-stress. Another great thing about intramural sports is that no matter their skill level, anyone is still allowed to sign up and compete. If students are looking to create a volleyball team with their friends for fun, that is OK. If someone wants to try out basketball despite the fact that they have never played before, that is fine too.

Intramural sports grant students the choice to play in tournaments with their friends even if they have never played that sport before.

The participants are always excited to play in the game and the spectators are excited to watch during lunch. If ASB increases the number of tournaments from one every three months to one every month, then students will have more opportunities to have fun with their friends and lunches will be filled with more excitement.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

OPINION

Students should have right to vote on Paly spendings By Kaahini Jain Staff Writer

very year, tons of donations are made to the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD). Parents and community members donate through Partners in Education (PiE) and other groups to contribute to the quality of their child’s education. There are many people involved with deciding where these funds go, but few of them are actually students at Palo Alto schools. The main adults responsible for deciding where money is spent within Paly are Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson and Budget Secretary Lisa Stone. A major improvement to the way that money is spent within Paly would be allowing a greater student voice into the system. According to Stone, she and Berkson create a budget once they find out from the district how much they can spend for the year. The administration is key to the order and stability of the funding for the school and its organization. However, student input is important, since it directly affects the future of their Paly education. This would have many benefits, including allowing students to express their opinion on how to spend the budget. The school needs money for school supplies, including technology, books, office supplies and employees, according to Stone. Most of these things, such as technology and supplies, are used by students on a daily basis, so it makes sense that students should have the chance to be included in these decisions. As shown on the PAUSD Business Services website, there are different types of money that the school receives. There is the money that the state allocates to Paly, because it is a public school. However, PiE actually gathers more money for PAUSD than the state funding provides, according to Stone. There are also PiE and

ART BY: ZANDER LEONG

PTSA grants that teachers can apply for separately to fund their department or a specific project. In addition, other donations and matching programs take place that can go towards a specific project or can be placed under general discretionary use. The general money is used to help departments stay in budget or is saved for unexpected expenses. While this does not especially concern students, there is still a value in students knowing where money, some of which may be from their parents, is being spent. They also should be able to learn more about where school expenses are needed to appreciate the value of the school’s funding. As budget secretary, Stone makes recommendations based on where money is needed, and Berkson has final say on what gets spent where.

If students could be a part of the recommendation making process, or vote on the recommendations by Stone, it would be a great way to teach students about both responsibility and money management. According to Stone, it’s pretty much decided where the money goes when they create and finalize the budget. Both Berkson and Stone work on finalizing the budget in the beginning of the year and then send it off to business services at the District office to be approved. That is what they are currently in the process of. ASB also has a voice in where money goes each year. The members of ASB get to vote on where they think funds are needed, essentially representing the student body. While this is important, and much better than students having no say at all, the students who are directly affected by the distribution

of money in their school should have more of a say in where it goes. One idea for reformation would be a voting system. A simple Google Form sent to students would do the trick. Students who have attended Paly for at least one full year should be able to submit ideas for the administration to view. The purpose of including students with over a year of experience at Paly is to get more opinions from those who are using the funded materials everyday. Students should get a year to adjust to Paly, and then decide the year after where they observed money being needed. Then, students submit their spending ideas. The administration can narrow down these ideas to a few options which students will ultimately vote on. This system would allow more student involvement while also ensuring order with

help from the administration, ASB and anyone else involved. An additional benefit would be that this process would teach students the importance and value or their vote, as well as provide an opportunity for students to make responsible decisions and see their effect. Students are the ones who use the materials and resources that the school provides and can see where improvement would be beneficial to their education. Therefore, they should have a say in where the money goes to improve their high school experience. However, this is not to say that the voice of teachers and administration are not important. The teachers are the ones who try and provide their students with proper materials to further the understanding of certain topics. The administrators ensure that money

is held responsibly, and they are responsible for every extra learning opportunity a student has. It could also be the duty of the administration to ensure that students are exposed to the budget process, teaching students some of the most lifelong important lessons that teenagers can learn.

The admin ensure that money is held responsibly and they are responsible for every extra learning opportunity a student has gotten.

It is time that parents, students, administration and faculty work together to make Paly the optimal high school experience for everyone. Every vote can count to better the school and teach young students the importance of financial responsibility as they enter their independent lives.

Teachers should give absence passes to students By Johnny Yang Staff Writer

ost students at Paly have to spend considerable time studying for their tests the night before, sometimes up to five hours, to go through all the material. This significantly impacts students’ schedules because of other obligations. For example, clubs will not change their meeting date, volunteer organizations will not move their activity to another day, colleges will not change the deadline of their application essays and coaches will not change the time of practice. It’s true that students could plan ahead, but the inflexibility of most of these activities limits students’ options. If you get home at 8 p.m. from practice and have two tests the next day, it’s most likely that you won’t be able to go to bed before midnight.

Studying late at night is not only inefficient, but also harmful both physically and mentally.

An absence pass may be a good solution to this problem. The absence pass would give a student an opportunity to miss a class without requiring acceptable reasons like illness. Students could simply use this time to study for the test next period and to make up the work from the missed class later through tutorial or after school. This way, they are able to study more efficiently and get more time for sleep. A student should be given a limited number of absence passes to use each year, such

ART BY: LUCY NEMEROV

as two. Besides studying for tests, absence passes could be used widely for other goals, such as preparing for a presentation, finishing a leftover assignment or taking a nap if the day has been too stressful for students. It simply provides a backup option for you when you feel like they can’t handle the situation. The school has long been working on students’ mental health and even keeps the Wellness Center open all day for this purpose. However, besides telling students not to push themselves too hard and to drop

some classes, the school should focus more on understanding what truly bothers students and take some real action to reduce their stress, such as giving them more flexibility on their schedules. Certainly, the idea of absence passes is not perfect. Right now, our attendance system is very strict—and effective—in keeping students in their classroom during class in order to regulate students’ behavior at school and to make sure they are using their time appropriately. The idea of absence passes will certainly help

stressful students to better organize their schedule, but there are also concerns that some students will abuse this right. And there are legitimate questions about whether this help should be provided in the first place. AP U.S. History teacher Jack Bungarden said students should be responsible for their own time management. Bungarden said if a student had to stay up late the night before a test to prepare himself, he could have made a better plan. However, there are always things that cannot be

managed or predicted, such as the date of the tests, club meetings, sports games, and so on. Thus, even if this right might be abused at times, teachers should still grant students more control over their schedules, because their health is equally important as their good behavior in school. Studying late at night is not only inefficient, but also harmful both physically and mentally. The lack of sleep makes people stressful and anxious, which further decreases their efficiency. And in the end, they cannot keep themselves focused and productive during the test.

Some may say that it is the responsibility of students to choose appropriate classes to take. However, the cause of this extra stress is not always the amount of work, but often the uneven distribution of the work. Generally, after these stressful days, students will have a rather free week with lots of spare time that they can use for make-up work. If that is the case, why not let the students use their time more reasonably? One way to do that would be to try absence passes.

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

OPINION

Teachers should allow Wikipedia to be used as reliable source

ART BY: FRIDA RIVERA

By Henry Queen Senior Staff Writer

ikipedia, or “he who must not be named” to most teachers, has been a controversial topic in the classroom ever since its inception in the early 2000s.

Wikipedia has been able to amass hundreds of millions of detailed pages on its website that cover every topic imaginable

Students love its simplicity and to-the-point approach of providing information, while teachers loathe its crowd sourced content and open editability.

Senior Nick Welch supports the use of Wikipedia in the classroom. Welch described Wikipedia as extremely useful, because it is able to directly answer whatever questions he has. He does not find it difficult to differentiate vandalism from truth. For this Paly student, fact checking a Wikipedia article is more convenient than disregarding the source altogether. Anyone can edit a Wikipedia page at any time, but for high-traffic pages there is a “semi-protection” system which requires the editor to confirm their IP address with Wikipedia. This way, if they vandalize the page, they can be traced and banned from editing on the platform again, according to Wikipedia’s website. The upside to allowing

anyone to add to or edit pages is that Wikipedia has been able to amass hundreds of millions of detailed pages on its website that cover nearly every topic imaginable. This is the main reason that students gravitate towards the website; it has everything they’re looking for. However, trusting the user with the keys to the website comes with the inherent risk of vandalism. Because of this, most teachers do not allow students to use Wikipedia as a source in their assignments and even Wikipedia claims that “Wikipedia is not a reliable source.” Wikipedia should not be cited or blindly trusted, but there are correct ways to use Wikipedia. Many Wikipedia users are unaware of the extensive list of all the

sources used on that page, all of which are linked to intext citations where they are used on the page. For popular topics, there can be hundreds if not thousands of reliable sources backing up the information on that page. For example, if one needed to find out Barack Obama’s birthplace for an essay, they could look at his Wikipedia page and find that he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. However, this is a controversial topic and may be subject to vandalism, so how can this information be used if it may not be reliable? Simply follow the in text citation which leads to a photocopy of Obama’s actual birth certificate. Now the most reliable source possible for this information can be cited courtesy of Wikipedia.

Wikipedia is great for finding information, if it can be verified with a cited source that can be used without worries of reliability. History teacher Stephen Foug believes Wikipedia can be correctly integrated into the classroom. He said that through Wikipedia’s evolution over the years, a higher level of credibility has been established. Although he does not allow it to be used as a direct source for assignments, he believes it is useful for beginning research. Best described as a “portal” for more in-depth information, Wikipedia is a gateway to more credible sources. Welch shares Foug’s opinion, and said that students could benefit from the removal of restrictions on the resource.

It is extreme to outright ban Wikipedia from the classroom. More time should be taken to teach students to utilize the website so that reliable information can be found easily and quickly. To scour the Internet for

Wikipedia is great for finding information, if it can be verified with a cited source sources when others have already taken the time to compile them is unnecessary. Finding sources can be challenging for many students, and they are missing out on a great opportunity to find them through Wikipedia.

CROSSWORD

Hello Campanile readers! The answers to the clues of this crossword puzzle can be found throughout the articles in this issue. When your crossword puzzle is complete, bring it to MAC 103. The first 30 people to do so will receive a free cookie! Down 1. The most commonly used way of assesing academic performance in classrooms around the world. 2. Last name of the speaker who gave a talk about consent to students in 2017. 4. Junior Will Moragne is one of 15.7 million _____ in the United States, according to CNS News. 6. The location on Paly’s campus in the tower building that takes care of students’ mental and physical health. 7. A recent film that sheds light on the student perspective of the past decade’s suicide clusters. 8. One of the ways senior Noor Navaid practices self care, which is something that is highly encouraged by Paly’s mental health and wellness coordinater, Elizabeth Spector. 12. The dance studio in Mountain View that is hosting a local rendition of The Nutcracker.

15. The scientific term for nearsightedness. 17. The part of the eye in which photoreceptors are located. 18. An upbeat and energetic dance style that is known for its swinging rhythm, according to Paly dance captain and senior Iris Hart. 23. The location on Paly’s campus where there has been a full electrical shade been installed (acronym). 25. A place where students can go to find a counselor in the tower building during the school day. 27. The abbreviated version of electronic sports, which is a form of competition using video games. 28. The general style of popular Chaco sandals feature multiple _____. 29. The academic department that complained of safety issues at Paly

13. A shoe brand that is popular at Paly, founded by German Johann Adam Birkenstock in 1774.

31. A website that promotes the purchase of self care products in the form of informative articles.

32. Often considered as the foundation for other dance genres, this dance style is known for its elegance.

35. This former NBC talk show host was recently fired for an insensitive blackface comment.

33. Hunting is considered more of a _____ than a competitive sport.

36. The character in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” that junior Emilia Massoudi plays.

Across 3. The Holocaust survivor who witnessed the Pittsburgh shooting. 5. Palo Alto City _____ just approved $50 million dollars in bond sales for a new parking garage and public works building to be built. 7. Name of the website that posts job openings for coaches.

9. A popular dance performance that many attend at some point during the holiday season. 10. Stanford, _____ and Carnegie Mellon are all tier one colleges that have esports teams. 11. Rachael Richmond is a Paly junior and a youth member at Etz Chayim _____.

14. The group of students that represents the student body. (acronym) 16. The full name of the director of the movie ‘Edge of Success.’ 19. The number of years Matthew Hall has been in charge of Spirit Week. 20. Slang for marijuana

21. Waves emitted by cell phones are called _____. 24. The misuse of cultural elements for recreation is called cultural _____. 26. The last name of Paly’s budget secretary. 30. The room Paly has for students to take tests in outside of their regular class time.

34. Self driving _____ are the future of transportation, according to senior Ayush Gupta.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

EDITORIALS

Teachers should extend availability beyond tutorial

ach week, students leave sixth period and are faced with the decision of where to go during tutorial. Many students use this time to catch up in classes they missed recently or to work with their teacher one-onone to better understand a confusing concept. Students will also often visit a class during tutorial if they have a test approaching, because they get an extra hour to review the material they will be tested on and ask their teacher any questions they still may have. However, with the tutorial system implemented this year, students are only allowed to check in at one location and must stay in that location in order for tutorial to count as instructional minutes. While this system has its merit, it creates problems for students who have to visit multiple teachers, either because they missed multiple classes or they would like help in more than one class. To solve this issue, The Campanile recommends that teachers post a schedule of times and places students can find them outside of tutorial. We understand that this is an extra commitment for teachers and truly appreciate that. We also understand that teachers cannot give up all their preps to meet students, but even just a few opportunities to meet can be

extremely helpful. One teacher who has made such a schedule is chemistry teacher Samuel Howles-Banerji. According to Howles-Banerji, a Google form detailing his availability during the week is linked on Schoology and updated weekly, including the locations he is likely to be in at any given time. Teachers are busy and as students, we are extremely grateful that they set aside time for us two or three times a week during tutorial. However, given the new restrictions for tutorial this year, we often need more opportunities to meet with our teachers. While most teachers can be found in their offices during preps, this is not always the case. For this reason, a schedule would be most helpful in finding teachers during off-peak hours. According to Howles-Banerji, though a system similar to what he uses can make his schedule more restrictive, it has helped make his students aware of where he can be found at various times during the week. Obviously, posting a schedule would not be an open invitation to barge in on a teacher without notice. Students would still have to schedule an appointment in advance, but creating a chart with a teacher’s availabilities would be

a helpful first step in setting up these meetings. Teachers could also designate specific times on their schedule that are not good times to meet, which would give students a better understanding of when to schedule an appointment. In Howles-Banerji’s Google form, a clear indication is given of whether or not certain blocks of time are available, down to the scheduling of the advisory sessions he teaches for freshmen.

We often need more opportunities to meet with our teachers. With the introduction of the new, restrictive tutorial system this fall, there has been a clear need for students to have a way to meet and communicate with their teachers in a clear and easy fashion. The Campanile urges teachers to consider adopting a similar system to Howles-Banerji’s, so as to help students get the time they need with their teachers. Posting an availability schedule is a simple and effective tool to help the student body learn and succeed academically and would be greatly appreciated.

Students should have more say in teacher advisor assignments

he last three years of high school are widely considered the most important time in an adolescent’s academic and personal life. In this hectic, critical period, teacher advisors are meant to serve as trusted adults on campus to help guide the students in their advisory classes. The Campanile thinks students should have a voice in the teacher advisors they are assigned. It would allow for much more meaningful connections between teacher advisors and their students.

A close relationship would be easier to establish if teachers saw their teacher advisors on a more regular basis. The current system in place has freshman fill out a survey with questions about their personality and interests. According to Ann Deggelman, the co-coordinator of the Teacher Advisor Program, Paly hired an engineer to create an algorithm that groups students into cohorts based on their survey responses.

Typically, the cohorts will have similar interests and responses but a variety of personality traits, such as a mix of introverts and extroverts. Then, based on a different survey filled out my teacher advisors, each cohort is assigned to a teacher advisor.

Many students have complained of being matched with teachers with whom they never take a class. The purpose of this survey system is to expedite the assignment process, since in the prealgorithm it took many days to create the advisory rosters. Deggelman also said teacher advisors are more content with the results of the current system, as it creates a more balanced and diverse cross sections of students. However, many students have complained of being matched with teachers with whom they never take a class. According to Deggelman, it is not necessary for a student to have taken a course with their teacher advisor because the goal of the teacher advisor is to get to know their students outside of the classroom.

However, The Campanile believes a close relationship would be easier to establish if students saw their teacher advisors on a more regular basis. With the current system, students who only see their advisors only through advisory sometimes go weeks with little interaction. Even though the surveys match a student and teacher advisor with similar interests, they don’t have much time to discuss those interests when they do not see each other regularly. In the past, students were able to fill out a ballot and rank teacher advisors in order of preference. The Campanile acknowledges that with Paly’s growing size, both in teachers and students, such a system may no longer be possible. Instead, we suggest that a new system be created that finds a balance between the past and the present systems. We propose hosting a meet and greet event where freshmen can meet and converse with potential teacher advisors. This personal interaction would be a better indicator of chemistry than a few generic questions. Then a section where students can rank their top three choices for advisors can be added to the survey. This could just be another factor for the algorithm assesses before creating the cohorts.

More classes should implement test correction policy

he nauseating, sinking feeling of getting back a test covered in red marks is one many Paly students have experienced. Whether it be a bad night of sleep, struggling to comprehend difficult concepts, personal distractions or just careless errors, mistakes happen and are inherent to life as a student. But sometimes, a bad test can have lasting repercussions, particularly in a class where a limited number of unit tests each semester make it hard to recover a grade.

A bad test can have lasting repercussions, as the limited number of unit tests each semester make it hard to recover the grade. To give students to a second chance to master material, many teachers at Paly offer test corrections, allowing students to earn credit by learning from the mistakes they make on exams. Test correction policies vary among classes, from retaking the test for credit up to a certain grade to correcting mistakes for test or homework credit. The Campanile commends teachers who already offer test corrections and urges all others to consider offering them in some form. Allowing students to do test corrections is beneficial for two

main reasons. First, making test corrections provides students with the opportunity to learn from and understand the mistakes they make. Often students do not make an active effort to understand the mistakes they make after receiving their graded tests back, instead focusing their energy on worrying about their grade. According to Paly economics teacher Grant Blackburn, who implements two types of test corrections, giving students an incentive to revisit material encourages students to focus on the learning process instead of the points. Blackburn said studies have shown recall practice helps people retain information, and he thinks giving students second chances reduces stress and gives students flexibility in difficult times. Blackburn’s exams have three rounds. In the first round, students take the exam in the traditional setting — in one sitting, without notes or distractions. In the second round, students are handed back their original exam with the incorrect problems marked, but not explained, and they can then proceed to correct the questions, forcing them to understand the correct solution. They receive half credit for every problem they missed in the first round but correct in the second round. If students are still not satisfied with their score, they can opt for the third round where they retake the entire test without penalty. Blackburn said the goal of education is to remember what you learn. He said giving students

the opportunity to extend the learning process beyond an exam creates a more personal approach and is a better alternative to students strategically cutting class or feeling overwhelmed. Some teachers might be concerned that such flexible testing protocols might not adequately prepare students for a post-secondary education. And in some situations, hard consequences are necessary — for example, teachers cannot be flexible with academic dishonesty. However, we agree with Blackburn who says high school is a time for students to make mistakes and learn from them. Test corrections provide an opportunity for this. Offering test corrections ensures that a student’s grade is not completely swayed by one bad test. Tests are usually a major part of a class grade, and since there are a limited number of tests each semester, one bad performance can sink a student’s semester grade. For teachers who may be uncomfortable offering test retakes to their students, there is still value in offering test corrections for homework credit. Test corrections for homework credit offer the same value and opportunity to recover to the student, while giving teachers the freedom to choose how many points a student can earn. Many Paly teachers already allow students to do test corrections; some, such as Blackburn, institute creative policies. The Campanile urges other teachers to follow suit for the benefit of student learning and growth.

Correction: The Campanile published an infographic about fire alarms at Palo Alto High School on page B8 of the Oct. 19 issue that was credited to the Palo Alto City Fire Department. The graphic should have also been credited to the Paly Voice for compiling data from the Palo Alto City Fire Department. The Campanile apologizes for this error.

NOVEMBER’S TOP TEN LIST Top Ten things to do over Thanksgiving Break 10) Say "I don't know" every time a random relative asks what you want to be when you grow up. 9) Try the tofurkey and say it's really good so the vegans don't go off on you. 8) Give thanks to family, God and most importantly, the District for giving students the full week off. 7) Step on leaves for that satisfying fall crunch. 6) Go to the club on a Tuesday. 5) Resist the temptation to join the political debate that is bound to occur at your Thanksgiving table. 4) Cry at the thought of how many times you'll hear "All I Want for Christmas is You" in the next month. 3) Spend Friday in a food coma, wishing you'd never had that last piece of pumpkin pie.

The Campanile Editors-in-Chief Leyton Ho • Waverly Long • Kaylie Nguyen Ethan Nissim • Ujwal Srivastava

Online Editor Yusra Rafeeqi

Managing Editors Kennedy Herron • Byron Zhang

News and Opinion Editors

Lifestyle Editors

Noah Baum • Neil Kapoor

Annie Chen • Leela Srinivasan

Science & Tech Editor

Sports Editors

Miranda Li

Navid Najmabadi • Ben van Zyll

Multimedia Editor

Business Managers

Vivian Feng

Lucy Nemerov • John Tayeri

Distribution Manager Khadija Abid Emily Asher Eve Donnelly Kaahini Jain Leila Khan Paige Knoblock Bernie Koen Kaitlyn Lee Nicholas Le

Photo Editor Alyssa Leong

Board Correspondent Samantha Hwang

Staff Writers

Cameron Legrand Rebekah Limb Anna Meyer Sophia Moore Lara Nakamura Tien Nguyen Sarah O'Riordan Henry Queen

Maya Rathore Frida Rivera William Robins Kiana Tavakoli Kai Vetteth Johnny Yang Jaures Yip Shannon Zhao

Photographers Khadija Abid • Emily Asher • Leila Khan Alyssa Leong • Johnny Yang

Illustrators Khadija Abid • Noah Baum • Annie Chen Cameron Legrand • Noa Lehrer • Zander Leong Miranda Li • Lucy Nemerov • Jaures Yip

Advisers Rodney Satterthwaite • Esther Wojcicki

Writing Coaches Evelyn Richards • Elisabeth Rubinfien

Letters to the Editors: Email all letters to editors to theeds19@googlegroups.com The Campanile prints letters on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit submissions. The Campanile only prints signed letters. Advertisements: Advertisements with The Campanile are printed with signed contracts. For more information regarding advertisements or

sponsors in The Campanile and their size options and prices, please contact The Campanile Business Managers by email at campanile.ads@gmail.com. Note: It is the policy of The Campanile to refrain from printing articles that misrepresent or alienate specific individuals within the Palo Alto community. The Campanile would like to thank the PTSA for supporting the mailing of our newspaper!

2) Politely ask your mother to stop putting leftover turkey in every meal. Turkey is not a breakfast food. 1) Wish your Thanksgiving dinner was as delicious as Paly's Turkey Trot.

-LEELA SRINIVASAN

Our Vision Statement: The Campanile has upheld the highest standard of student journalism for the last century by engaging the community through various mediums of storytelling. Our coverage of news, culture and athletics aims to represent the diverse perspectives of our student body.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

L FESTYLE

The Nutcracker Pacific Ballet Takes on the winter classic performance starring paly students

s Halloween passes, the holiday season approaches bringing sparkling lights, extravagant meals and festive spirits. In the span of just three months, many cele b r a t e holidays such as

“Clara has two costumes: a for performing. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and own versions of this popular and ahead in school.” “I spend most of the time beChristmas, which fill the air with timeless performance, putting Despite the hours spent in party dress and a night gown,” holiday spirit and traditions. A their unique spins on the story. the studio preparing for “The McDowell said. “There are a few fore a performance trying not to common tradition is seeing an an- Pacific Ballet Academy is a Nutcracker” performances, the party dresses that Claras can worry about things, so I really rely on havlocal dance studio that does amount of time dancers spend re- choose from, nual dance performance of “The ing practiced exactly this. hearsing is one of the many ways in a Nutcracker.” enough that variety of This year they get to know one another. The story by the time marks the of “The Nut“The busy schedule brings different colperformance 28th an- everyone closer together, and ors and sizes. cracker” takes “I really enjoy making comes, evniversary of Nutcracker season is when most All of them place on erything, lovely, their rendi- people make new friends,” Mc- are Christmas up thought processes of “I spend most of including tion of “The Dowell said. “This is especially but I’ve liked day and folall the different characcharacter, is Nutcracker,” true during dress rehearsals, the pink one lows Clara, a the time before a habit,” Mcwhich will which, due to their run-through the best for young girl, ters and the new story Dowell said. preformance trying be per- like nature, include more down quite a while, who dreams gives me more room A f t e r and I am reformed at time than most.” about a Nutnot to worry each perforthe Mouncracker and to interpret Outside of rehearsals, the cast ally glad I mance, Martain View has other opportunities to bond can wear it.” his victorious about things. ” the characters.” ion Chaeff New renCenter for in Nutcracker season. For exbattle against Sabrina McDowell always exof the Per- ample, the cast participates in an ditions the Mouse Sabrina McDowell presses her the dances f o r m i n g annual Secret Santa event. King. The love for her allow Arts on Nov. Nutcracker’s “Everyone writes down five also job and the danc23 at 6 p.m., food items they want on a list and the d e f e a t students’ Nov. 24 at 1 we exchange the slips, so it’s kind ers to make of the hard work and 6 p.m., of like a Secret Santa, but you their charmouse breaks an ancient spell, and Nov. 25 at 12:30 and 4 p.m. get food,” Adamson said. “We do acters more personal and stylistic. throughout the process. Marion Chaeff said, “It is “Part of this year’s choreograThis year, two Paly students that every year with Nutcracker, and he transforms into a prince. Throughout are starring in the Pacific Ballet so eating lots of junk food right phy is new, and this year’s Clara wonderful to see the production has a dif- come together and to see the joy the rest of the per- Academy production: senior Sa- before the show f e r e n t of the dancers as they learn their formance, Clara and brina McDowell will be playing is a tradition.” character parts. It is so very wonderful to the Nutcracker Prince Clara and senior Nicole Adamson Through arc than see the production looking good travel through many dif- will be performing as the Sugar all the varishe does and a relief to have reached this ferent realms, such as the Plum Fairy. ous traditions, “It is wonderful to in most goal.” While dancers such as Mc- Rima and MarLand Of Sweets, and N u t meet a variety of differ- Dowell and Adamson’s perfor- ion Chaeff have see the crackers,” ent people throughout mances may seem flawless, the been through production come McDowtheir journey. The majority of the work they put in it all — the ell said. play concludes with takes place before the show. In two adult sistogether and to see “Clara a final dance in order to prepare for their shows, ters have been the joy of the even has which Clara and dancers attend classes up to four directing “The dancers as they a sword the Nutcracker times a week. They also spend N u t c r a c k e r ” for part bid each other an extra two hours after classes since they startlearn their parts.” of the rehearsing for the performances ed performing farewell. Marion Chaeff battle Around three times a week. Because the it at the Pacific scene. the world, dancers have to balance dance Ballet Academy. This is d a n c e with school and college applica- Marion Chaeone of my studios tions, their busy schedules create ff ’s experience favorite create difficulties during Nutcracker sea- directing the scenes their son, according to McDowell. show for 28 years has allowed her “One of my biggest challenges to work out all the details that go because I really enjoy making up during Nutcracker season is time into putting a big production on thought processes of all the different characters, including Clara, management, McDowell said. like this. “Since October, “There and the new story gives me more I have been goare many room to interpret the characters.” After weeks of auditioning, ing to the stuareas to dio four to six cover, in- setting up the stages and dress “The busy schedule days a week, c l u d i n g rehearsals, the dancers, choup to 16 h u n d re d s reographers and directors are brings everyone hours a week. of cos- able to put all their work into closer together, and On days that tumes, sets, action. There is a new cast evI don’t have Nutcracker backdrops, ery performance of the season, rehearsal, I am music and making every moment count season is when still quite s o m e o n e for the dancers when they are most people make busy beto call the on stage. “It’s nice because we do six cause I show, givnew friends.” have to ing cues shows and they give you mulSabrina McDowell g e t for all ac- tiple parts, so you can perform tions on multiple parts each year,” Adstage, in- amson said. “I just try to enjoy c l u d i n g it because there are six sugar lights and plum fairies, one for each show, so I only get to do it once. I try music,” Marion Chaeff said. Along with dancers and props, to make the most of it.” While some may experience costumes are one of the most important parts of the show, as they nerves before a big performance help transform the dancers into like this, both Adamson and McDowell have expressed their love their characters.

Text & Design by Emily Asher art by miranda li & annie chen

Lifestyle

SCIENCE & TECH

Medical marijuana

CREATIVE COMMONS/CC0

Design by maya rathore

A look into the life of students at Paly who are prescribed a medical marijuana card for medicinal purposes and those who use it to treat and ease self-diagnosed anxiety and depression. PAGE B8

DAVID HICKEY/THE VIKING

Cultural appropriation

Costumes that straddle the line between offensive and nonoffensive. PAGE B6

Spotlight

Science & Tech

KHADIJA ABID/THE CAMPANILE

Consensus on consent

Investigating the perception of consent at Paly. PAGE B4-B5

LWYANG/CC BY 2.0

Tech myths

Debunking common tech misconceptions. PAGE B7

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

LIFESTYLE

Gunn alumni recount suicide clusters in the film ‘Edge of Success’ Recent, locally-produced documentary focuses on sharing student perspective on mental health in their community By Kiana Tavakoli

Staff Writer

ilicon Valley has long been a bustling community, housing the nation’s most intelligent and ambitious minds. However, in the past decade, this same community has seen a tragic trend amongst its youth. A new documentary “Edge of Success” tells the story of the suicide clusters of 2009 and 2014 in Palo Alto. The film, directed and produced by Bay Area locals, hopes to provide a platform for students to express their side of the issue, according to director, producer, writer and Gunn alum Kathryn Basiji. “‘Edge of Success’ was inspired by what we saw as a deficit in the new stories surrounding teen suicide and mental health,” Basiji said. “We noticed that there was often little to no input from actual teens, which was shocking, given that they were the very subjects of these stories. It seemed to us that without listening to the young people who struggled or had peers struggling to manage their mental health, we would never know the depths of what was really going on.” Though the film provides a platform for students to tell their stories, Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) Superintendent Don Austin said the conversations around mental health in Palo Alto schools should mainly take place within the district. “The creators of the movie have thoughts [on this topic], but we can’t let anyone from outside dictate how we interface and support our students, so the conversations that will take place will be with our staff,” Austin said. “We have such great support systems in place now that I would be reluctant to go outside of those support systems to introduce new people to our students.” In a letter released online to the community, Austin praised the film for giving the students’ perspective on the issue by depicting the pressures and concerns they experienced as a result of the clusters. However, Austin added that an aspect that the documentary doesn’t address is the District’s effort to improve campus culture, student well-being and intervention services in order to prevent future tragedies. According to Austin, PAUSD has implemented several changes to help students deal with mental health issues and alleviate the high pressure environment.

“Not long ago we did not have wellness centers,” Austin said. “We did not have contact information for the resources that we have. We did not have therapeutic services, and we did not have the same level of awareness about mental health and wellbeing that we do now. This did not come out [in the film] in the way that I would have hoped.” According to Austin, the current resources at Paly and in the community are a step toward improving the mental health of students now and in the future. “I was not here during the two suicide clusters, but [I] can only imagine the pain the community went through,” Austin said. “As a whole, the school district is better equipped to handle student wellness now than at any other point in history. Necessity created the circumstances for a focused effort to improve services and reach out to students.” Lisa Hao, a Gunn alum and student in the film, said she experienced the suicide clusters on a personal level and although constant reminders of the tragedies are tough, suicide and the alarming rates of students struggling with mental health is not an issue that can simply be moved past.

“After the cluster, there were so many publications writing their own take on Palo Alto ... It isn’t just a news story to us; it is our lives.” Lisa Hao

“I have three other siblings, and we have all experienced passings due to suicidal ideation during our times in high school,” Hao said. “I feel like we were hoping that it would just go away after my sister graduated, and I was hoping that it would go away after I graduated. But it hasn’t. Every individual needs something different to approach this issue. For some, that’s moving on to the next chapter. For some, that’s learning more about the issue. For some, that’s digging deeper to find answers.” According to Hao, although some may be nervous about how the community will be portrayed and what emotions “The Edge of Success” will bring back, the film

EDGE OF SUCCESS MOVIE/KATHRYN BASIJI

Gunn High School alumni share their stories of living through the tense environment of the suicide clusters in the film ‘Edge of Success’. accurately depicts the complexity of the issue and represents the experiences of the interviewed students well. Hao said she anticipates that the documentary will have a positive impact on the community. Basiji said she hopes the community will listen to the students’ stories in order to better understand their thoughts on the issues they are facing. “The students in ‘The Edge of Success’ are members of the Palo Alto community who trusted us with deeply personal stories because they believed their vulnerability could make a difference,” Basiji said. “They believed that they could help break the stigma surrounding mental health and break down barriers to communication, which is so critical to ensuring people feel supported and get the help they need. In turn, we urge the community to have an open mind and listen to what they have to say.” While some students are reluctant to talk about their experiences, Hao said the students in the film hope that by opening up on a large scale platform, they will help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. “To be honest, I took a while to decide that I wanted to be in the film,” Hao said. “After the cluster, there were so many publications writing their own take on Palo Alto. They all wanted the ‘breaking news’ story, but it isn’t just a news story to us; it is our

lives. I talked to a couple of reporters during that time, and I felt that my words were often misconstrued to fit the reporter’s agenda. I felt like publications would try and simplify the issue while also isolating us through their portrayal of Palo Alto as this unrelatable community. So, I became wary about speaking out again.” Hao said she decided to be a part of this film because she believes the directors of “Edge of Success” have the right intentions: to highlight the complexity of the issue in Palo Alto while still reminding the audience suicide is a global problem.

“‘Edge of Success’ was inspired by what we saw as a deficit in the new stories surrounding teen suicide and mental health.” Kathryn Basiji

According to Basiji, her and her fellow filmmakers hope to follow screenings of their film with discussions in order to inform their audiences and offer resources to them. “The film covers some sensitive subjects that many have opinions or preconceived notions

about,” Basiji said. “However, audiences will get the most from the documentary if they approach it with the intent to simply listen to what the students have to say. We also want viewers to know the resources available to them if they or a loved one needs help. We plan to host screenings that are followed by panel discussions that include mental health professionals and others who can connect people with appropriate organizations and resources.” Basiji said there are many accessible resources available, some of which are outlined on the movie’s website. She emphasizes the “Asta Lab’s Anxiety Helper” app as a helpful resource, a program developed by a teenager that acts as a “toolkit” and resource of information, according to the “Edge of Success” website. Basiji also recommends the Crisis Text Line for 24/7 support. Along with online support platforms, Paly’s wellness center and guidance counselors provide several ways for students to get support. “There is nothing more important than the safety and wellness of our students,” Austin said. “PAUSD has more resources for students than any school district I have seen in my career. Students who are in need of help have numerous options. Of course, the most important action is for a student in need of assistance to ask for help.”

According to Austin, the creation of the wellness center as well as the increased availability of counselors and therapists demonstrate PAUSD’s effort to create an atmosphere that is more supportive and helpful to students who may be struggling.

“Students need to know that their teachers care about them deeply and can get them to the right people to help.” Don Austin

Austin said, “My hope is that a student dealing with unbearable depression or personal issues can trust in others enough to reach out. One more day can make all the difference. Students need to know that their teachers care about them deeply and can get them to the right people to help.” Mental health resources: 24/7 Teen Crisis Hotline: 1-888-247-7717 SCC Suicide Crisis Hotline: 1-855-278-4204 “Asta Lab’s Anxiety Helper” app for iOS devices

Self-care often commercialized in media to sell merchandise Brands, companies’ advertisements imply obtaining mental relaxation requires spending money on expensive items ‘self-care’ products,” Navaid said. “This makes it seem like self-care is a very exclusive thing that can only be achieved through certain rituals or products, when in reality… self-care is just doing stuff that doesn’t make you stressed.” Popular websites such as Buzzfeed, Popsugar and Bustle have often promoted the purchase of products for the explicit purpose of self-care through their articles. For instance, Bustle has an article titled “38 Self-Care Products Under $20 Trending On Amazon That You Effing Deserve Too,” in which the author says that the listed products helped her “achieve a much-needed holiday,” and that “they’re likely to boost your mood and give you the self-care treatment that you effing deserve.”

ALYSSA LEONG/THE CAMPANILE

Face masks, bath bombs, candles and bath salts are often portrayed as items of necessity when winding down.

By Alyssa Leong

Photo Editor

aking a hot bath with a bath bomb. Wearing a face mask. Burning scented candles. Going to the spa. A hot drink from Philz Coffee. These activities are what come to many people’s minds when they hear the phrase “self-care,” which has become more commonplace in an age that is more open-minded about mental health. Many use these products to practice self-care; however, they are not necessarily essential for it. As a result, self-care can often become commercialized, and its true meaning erased. “Self-care is taking time to engage in activities that are meaningful for you that help you to recharge,” Elizabeth Spector, Paly’s Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator, said. “When you’re

feeling depleted, or even if you’re not, it’s great to make self-care a daily habit.” Self-care is important, as it gives people time to relax and prioritize their wellbeings. Brands have capitalized on this growing practice and have used it as a way to market their products.

“Self-care is taking time to engage in activities that are meaningful to you.” While this has spread the knowledge of what self-care is, it has also caused many to create an association between spending money and self-care. With the term “self-care” becoming more

widely used, it can sometimes be used too broadly, according to Spector. “We definitely overuse the word and don’t necessarily define it,” said Spector. “‘Go to the spa and have a self-care day,’ ‘get your nails done,’ ‘get a massage.’ That stuff ’s all great, but it’s hard to do that on a daily basis, and it’s expensive.” Since self-care is something that should ideally be practiced daily, overusing such products and services can make the costs add up. Senior Noor Navaid, a member of the Sources of Strength club and a student who practices self-care daily, echoed Spector’s sentiment. “I’ve definitely noticed that some companies have been taking advantage of [self-care] or commercializing this by branding products as stress reducing or

“Self-care has always been doing things that normally just make me happy and appreciative of things around me.” Noor Navaid

Senior Giselle Navarro regularly takes time for self-care by listening to music, meditating and spending time with friends and family. “A lot of people think self-care is something that has to do with money,” Navarro said. “Self-care doesn’t have to cost you a thing. There is a lot in the media [about] having to look a certain way to feel better about yourself, which may work for some people but not for me.” Senior Kristina Im, a Sources of Strength member, says that self-care in the commercial world is often short-term. “We hear about ‘self-care’ days

and relaxing activities that may help relieve stress times and situations,” Im said. “Though these are not bad ways to take care of yourself, I personally think it’s important to look at long term self-care and consider how self-care can be integrated into your daily life.” Self-care is not necessarily about the products one buys or uses; rather, it’s any activity that makes the particular person feel happy or relaxed, according to Spector. “Self-care’s very personal,” Spector said. “Everyone uses different techniques to practice selfcare, but it could be simple as taking five minutes to lay down in your bed and just breathe deeply or reflect on your day.” For instance, Navaid practices self-care by making coffee, taking walks, chatting with her mom, stretching, taking a nap and staying hydrated. “Self-care has always been doing things that normally just make me happy or appreciative of things around me,” Navaid said. Spector encourages students to integrate self-care into their daily routines, whether it be by practicing yoga, drawing, meditating, watching YouTube, playing video games or anything else that relaxes them. “I know [students’] schedules change everyday, so you’re not necessarily going to have a consistent schedule, but know that you want to create [time for self-care], no matter what your day looks like,” Spector said. “I could throw out a whole number of options [to practice self-care] and maybe none of them speak to you … Find what works for you.” Im emphasizes the importance of consistency in making time for self-care. “Maybe it’s taking 3 minutes a day to journal or drink herbal tea before bed,” Im said. “Instead of only utilizing self-care when

you’re extremely stressed, trying to weave it into your daily life will probably be helpful as this may prevent stress instead of solely treating it.”

“There is a lot in the media [about] having to look a certain way to feel better about yourself, which may work for some people, but not for me.” Giselle Navarro

Navaid and Navarro have learned to make self-care a normal occurrence in their day, whether that be from taking one minute a day to breathe or having a chat with a family member. As a result, it has made them happier and less stressed. “In recent years, I’ve learned that self-care is just supposed to be normal and part of your routine, rather than make you feel like you’re going out of your way to make time for yourself,” Navaid said. While products such as bath bombs, candles and face masks may be nice to relax with every now and then, they are not essential to achieve happiness and self-care; rather, it is meant to be any activity to maintain mental, emotional and physical health. A healthy lifestyle could be achieved through activities such as taking a walk or spending time with loved ones. Navarro said, “You should always surround yourself with things that make you happy and not feel stressed. If you are a busy person, make sure you always make time for yourself, even if it’s a little bit of time and effort.”

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

LIFESTYLE

Act of reading aloud reengages students with text Creative writing course uses reading aloud to practice important skills of dialogue, poetry and rhythm By Leela Srinivasan

Lifestyle Editor

here is a common misconception that reading stories aloud or being read to are skills that are mainly relevant to children. Oral storytelling plays an important role in students’ learning in their elementary education, but seems to have little to no place in the classroom as students age. In most high school classrooms, if a teacher wants their students to read a text, they will often opt to link it online and instruct the students to read silently to themselves. Whether it be the interference of technology in the classroom or the notion that young adults have outgrown the need for oral reading, reading aloud has become somethin of a lost art. However, in English electives teacher Lucy Filppu’s Creative Writing course, things are done differently. Filppu reads the articles and short stories that she hands out to her students out loud as much as possible, and the entire class respectfully remains silent, laptop screens closed, listening to the sound of her voice or the voice of another student. “The number one reason I [read aloud to my students] is because I think that in order to write creatively and be able to create dialogue and poetry and rhythm, you have to be able to have an ear,” Filppu said. Filppu is adamant that her students detach themselves from their electronics when it’s time to listen to someone read, because she wants them to get the most out of the experience as audience members. “One of my concerns is that in the age of screens and institutionalized schooling, students are losing their ears,” Filppu said. “Part of writing and enjoying the process of reading is being able to hear the voice inside your head. Whether it be the voice of the narrator or the voice of the character, the cadence in the way someone speaks, or the tone, it’s important for the audience to take it all in.” Christina O’Konski, a theatre

LEILA KHAN/THE CAMPANILE

Column: Quad needs reform By Nick Le

Senior Staff Writer

M EMILY ASHER/THE CAMPANILE

7-year-old Alexandra Asher practices reading her favorite book ‘Ramona and Beezus’ aloud to her audience of stuffed animals. student and senior in Filppu’s Creative Writing class, echoes Filppu’s argument, touching upon some of the benefits of reading aloud and how it changes the manner in which students engage with the text. “In this age, everything is so fast,” O’Konski said, referring to the accessibility that the internet provides and how students can switch between assignments and websites in the blink of an eye. “When you read in your head, particularly off of a computer screen, you tend to unconsciously skim the material that you are reading, and that can be really dangerous. You tend to miss much more and often [miss] the entire main idea. I think that reading aloud forces you to really take in what you’re reading, especially if you go beyond the bare minimum of just saying the words out loud.” According to O’Konski, the tone of the reader can have a positive impact on the amount of material absorbed. “If you don’t just read in a monotone, but you instead try and use inflections, or mimic their emotion, it absolutely gets you more engaged with the writing,” O’Konski said. “Making the effort

to sound like you understand the material can be beneficial.” The effort that the reader puts in can make the experience more enjoyable for not only themself, but the listener as well, according to Filppu.

“In order to write creatively and be able to create dialogue and poetry and rhythm, you have to be able to have an ear.” Lucy Filppu “I absolutely love listening to my students read what they’ve created,” Filppu said. “I find the intimacy of the human voice far more compelling than what I read on paper or on a screen when they turn in their work for credit. I want to see them present their writing to me with their voice.” O’Konski has become comfortable reading lines through the theatre program. When she reads aloud to an audience, she pushes herself to encapsulate the characters she is

playing. “Sometimes, when I’m reading lines, particularly Shakespeare, I’m advised to rewrite the words in my own way in order to understand what I’m saying,” O’Konski said. “Then I can put the words back and I have the meaning underneath. Now I understand the intonations and how to say [the lines] properly, and then I can convey the right feeling from the word choice.” Learning how to impersonate the characters in a reading is an important skill, and this is part of the reason that Filppu made it a requirement in her Creative Writing class to read one of your own works in front of the class. “I want my students to learn how to work as a professional and own their voices,” Filppu said. “I have some students that naturally love to read their writing, but I know it doesn’t come as easily for everyone, I am always ready to work with a shy student and help them accomplish that.” O’Konski was introduced to oral storytelling at a young age. “There’s this huge ritual of storytelling, but it’s mostly just to kids,” O’Konski said. “I would get read to as a kid, when I was get-

ting ready for bed, and there’s just something entirely different about hearing a story read aloud and focusing on the sound of someone else’s voice. I don’t know why these bedtime stories are seen as something that’s just for kids.” Professor Barry Zuckerman of the Boston University School of Medicine conducted a study on the benefits of reading to young children. Zuckerman found that in addition to aiding language development, the practice also establishes a parental connection. “Reading aloud is a period of shared attention and emotion between parent and child,” Zuckerman said in an online interview. “Children ultimately learn to love books because they are sharing [their books] with someone they love.” According to Filppu, these benefits can extend to a demographic that includes children and adults alike. “Many people are aware of the positive effects of reading to their children,” Filppu said. “But why let it stop? Reading out loud must be a part of every student’s life, and must be a part of every single person who wishes to grow as a writer’s life.”

Fashion trends reemerging around campus

Birkenstocks, high waisted jeans, Chacos see a boost in popularity as students’ fashion choices By Maya Rathore

Staff Writer

espite today’s constantly shifting world of fashion, it’s becoming more and more difficult to find upcoming trends that haven’t been seen before. For example, the iconic denim jacket was invented in 1880 as a utilitarian tool. However, the style has remained popular through the decades since it was originally catapulted into the spotlight in the 1950s. But what about the recent reemergence in popularity of not-so conventionally attractive clothing, such as the staple shoe Birkenstocks, light-washed high waisted “mom jeans” and sandals like Chacos? Birkenstock, one of Paly’s most prevalent shoe brands, was founded by German Johann Adam Birkenstock in 1774. Nowadays, they’re known for producing orthopaedic, utilitarian sandals. The sandals are adored for their incredible comfort from their contoured cork with rubber footbeds that molds to the wearer’s foot.

“[High waisted jeans] are also reminiscent of the ’90s, which is an era of style that I particularly enjoy.” Isabella Moussavi “With [Birkenstocks], they’re comfortable, but have a nice look to them,” junior Isabella Moussavi said. “ I know a lot of people joke around about them and call them ‘Jesus sandals’ or ‘jandals,’ but I still like their appearance … to be honest, I thought that Birkenstocks were kind of ugly at first, but I saw them a lot and with different outfits, and eventually they grew on me.” The shoe brand has shifted in and out of popularity ever since the 1960s, when it grew popular in association with hippies and

young Berkeley protesters. In the 1980s, the shoe had a drastic drop in popularity, only to shoot right back up again in the 1990s. Now, in 2018, after shaking off its temporary lull from the 2000s, the shoe is popular on campus at Paly, evident by the hundreds of students that wear them. Most popular among students are the two-strap Arizona sandal and the single-strap thonged Gizeh sandal.

“I thought that Birkenstocks were kind of ugly at first, but then I saw them a lot and with different outfits, and eventually they grew on me.” Isabella Moussavi However, the German sandal is not the only controversial clothing item reemerging on Paly’s campus. Another resurfacing “ugly chic” trend on campus is highwaisted jeans, more commonly known as “mom jeans.” Once ridiculed for their unflattering fit and excessively high waists on Saturday Night Live in 2003, the “mom jeans” style was actually quite popular in the 80s and early ’90s. The term refers to a type of denim pant that sits at the bellybutton, with long zippers, and a loose, boxy fit around the hips and thighs. The pant style experienced a disastrous dip in hipness in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as low-rise jeans were becoming more and more popular. This drop in ‘coolness’ marks the birth of the derogatory term ‘mom jeans’ — a slanderous phrase used to describe the middle-aged women who typically wore them. Nowadays, the term ‘mom jeans’ is no longer a jab at middle aged women — in fact, in the 15 years since the 2000s slump, the style of pant has seen a boost in popular culture and is commonly

ALYSSA LEONG/THE CAMPANILE

Birkenstocks, high waisted jeans and denim jackets have reemerged as popular fashion trends. worn on Paly’s campus today. “I like the versatility, comfort, and style of them,” junior Ella Jones said. “They go with almost anything and there’s a more relaxed, chic look to them in comparison to regular jeans.” The jeans’ strong association with the early ’90s, where the pant style flourished, also makes them more attractive nowadays according to junior Isabella Moussavi. “I think that [high-waisted jeans] are quite flattering and they tend to elongate the legs, which is something I like,” Moussavi said. “They’re also reminiscent of the 90’s, which is an era of style that I particularly enjoy, so I was really attracted to them.” Chacos are growing in popularity as well. Comfortable, orthopedic and more utilitarian than conventionally attractive, they tap into the same demographic as Birkenstocks. Also immensely popular in

’90s they are cycling back into popularity. However, Chacos have not yet hit the explosive popularity that Birkenstocks have attained on campus, perhaps due to their more niche appearance.

“I love [Chacos] a lot because they’re so easy to wear, but also run around in.” Rachel Lit The general style of Chacos feature multiple straps: one wrapping around the ankle, a side strap down the foot and one binding the toes to the sole of the shoe. Junior Rachel Lit describes her experience discovering Chacos and how the unique shoes became a staple accessory in her wardrobe.

“I needed to buy some sturdy sandals or water shoes for this trip I was going on about three or four years ago,” Lit said. “I saw my friend from Indiana wearing them and she said they were waterproof and great for hiking.” However, Lit still continues to incorporate Chacos into her outfits in her day-to-day life around Palo Alto. “I love them a lot because they’re so easy to wear, but also run around in,” Lit said. “They’re basically glued to my feet all summer. I also thought the way the straps were criss-crossy was really funny — they make an amazing shoe tan.” Although these trends may not appeal to everybody, these continually recurring and reemerging styles have made their mark on Paly’s campus in 2018, and will most likely disappear and resurface again for many years to come.

any high school students enjoy spending their lunches on and around the quad, due to the splendid California weather. I myself consume lunch with my mates on the senior deck. But recently, I’ve noticed various pickles that affect every student who hangs around the quad: poorly maintained grass, yellow jacket wasps and table shortages. These are major issues that pose a serious threat to students’ lunches. However, Paly has not found a solution to the quad epidemic. Thankfully, I have found simple, foolproof methods to solve each issue. The Grass The grass speaks to me. It told me it’s poorly maintained and wants to be treated with love. Certain areas of the grass are dry, others are muddy and some are just not well-trimmed. This isn’t only unsatisfying to look at, but it is a hazard to students. Dry grass can lead to fires, and we have already have too many of those in California. Wet grass is a slipping hazard and could cause students to have harmful (or potentially deadly) falls. The first solution is that we have someone properly take care of and love the grass. Ideally, our grass would have the same maintenance level as that of Pebble Beach. This requires daily slicing and proper watering. The second solution would be to use an alternative grass such as turf. This would require less maintenance and care, but it wouldn’t provide the same ambiance as authentic grass. The Yellow Jacket I hate wasps. Fun story, a yellow jacket recently flew away with a piece of chicken from my Trader Joe’s chicken caesar salad. The yellow jacket wasps are carnivorous arthropods that inhabit the magnolia tree by the senior deck. They are extremely aggressive and will attack for no reason, much like campus supervisors. Wasps often disturb students’ lunch breaks by scavenging through their lunches and attacking students. For these reasons, we must find a way to remove or displace these wasps.Once again, I have two genius ideas to solve this abhorrent issue. One solution: a simple 7-dollar wasp trap. These are an efficient and low-maintenance way to end the heinous wasp epidemic. However, this solution would clearly harm the wasps. The better solution would be the removal or relocation of the wasps’ magnolia tree. A simple removal or relocation of the tree would take harm away from students while allowing the wasps to find a new home rather than trapping them and depriving them of an opportunity to live their lives to their full potential. I hate wasps, but they still deserve a life. The Table Shortage Seniors, if your “group” for lunch is two or fewer, please hop off and let others hop on the tables on the Senior Deck; the tables are meant to seat many more people. If there are two tables of two or fewer, you guys can fuse together. A merger would give you an opportunity to meet new people and maximize the potential of these thick tables. This would prevent groups of students from being displaced to rural areas of Paly or stuck on the heinous quad grass. Final Takeaways The quad provides an area for Paly students to hang out during their preps, brunch and lunch. But at the current state it is in, it puts many students, especially seniors, in danger of major injuries, fires, stings and lack of seating. If these issues were resolved, many students would be able to have delightful lunches with their comrades. Paly administrators should take action on this issue as soon as possible; these issues are getting out of pocket and need to be put back in pocket.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

SPOTLIGHT

Coming to a Cons Design by

“In which consent is at issue, “co positive cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an voluntarily and have knowledge of the n - Cal. Penal C

Noah Baum, Leila Khan & Tien Nguyen

Introduction

f you stop and ask 20 strangers to define “consent,” you will hear a variety of answers. If you stop and ask 20 students who have all attended the same consent assemblies to define the term, you will get an equally diverse set of answers. With the intention of providing students with the basic understanding of consent, Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) has repeatedly organized assemblies and shown the “Tea Consent” video, among other informational videos. Through the analogy of forcing someone to drink tea, the creators of the video portray consent and respect of one’s body in simple terms that are easily digestible by a younger audience. The extent of these eﬀorts by PAUSD may have left students with fluency in the topic of consent in sexual encounters, but not with the judgment or wisdom to act on what they have learned. It is clear — based on incidents of sexual assault in the Paly community alone — that the meaning of “consent” seems to be as widely

misinterpreted and foggy as ever. Definitions of “consent” are taught using euphemisms that leave some students confused. Classroom teaching usually focuses on upperclassmen, even though students may confront sexually charged situations much sooner than their junior or senior year. Like in other schools across the country, Paly students struggle to grapple with these nuances and the changing legal definition of consent. In light of a series of high-profile incidents of sexual assault in the district, Paly’s several assemblies tackling consent have brought in speakers such as Anea Bogue, an expert on women’s selfesteem and preservation of confidence. “I believe especially among [adolescents], that if you just have the right information on just how to interact in sexual and non-sexual contexts in ways that are consent based, fewer people will get hurt and fewer people will become perpetrators,” Bogue said in an interview with The Campanile.

Pizza, Baseball & Tea

fter going to assemblies, attending class- ly. This leads to miscommunication and leaves es and watching YouTube videos about people with holes in their knowledge as to what consent, many students can easily regur- is OK and what is not. gitate the simplified definitions they learned. But “We need to get our definitions straight, as a the real issue is whether they are able to apply it nation, before we can resolve this issue,” Vanessa to their everyday lives. Grigoriadis, the author of “Blurred Lines: ReIt starts with how people talk about sex. Sex is thinking Sex, Power, and Consent on Campus,” often compared to items such as pizza or tea or said in an interview to The Campanile. “Right baseball, with the aim now, the situation about of creating analogies what consent is and that are easy to underisn’t, is chaos.” “We need to get our definitions stand, which actually Over time, attitudes straight, as a nation, before we muddle the situation toward intimacy and can resolve this issue.” further. consent have shifted. In some Living “Colloquially called Vanessa Grigoriadis Skills class last year, ‘yes means yes,’ aﬃrmastudents watched a Ted tive consent is a new Talk by Al Vernacchio doctrine that shifts that pointed out the problems with talking about standards for consent,” Grigoriadis said. “And sex in baseball terms such as first, second and it’s a good one — better than the old doctrine, third base because baseball is “competitive” and which was ‘no means no.’ With ‘yes means yes,’ “goal-directed.” Instead, Vernacchio suggested Americans will understand that silence isn’t contalking about sex as pizza because it is generally sent.” thought of in a positive light and can be customSo, students can repeat simplified definitions ized to anyone’s likes. and acronyms that they learned, such as “FRIES,” Vernacchio’s analogy tried to show that sex is which stands for freely-given, revocable, inmore like pizza than like baseball, but students formed, enthusiastic, specific. But in the heat of in this class said the problem came from using the moment, the issue becomes whether they remetaphors rather than just discussing sex direct- member the acronym, or know how to apply it.

Personal Stories

t Paly, we get a ton of information about Another student shared her experience with consent and watch the Tea video hun- this issue and requested to not give her name. She dreds of times, but it seems that no one said her partner of almost three weeks took her ever fully understands to his friend’s house, an the importance of conunfamiliar place. She sent until they are faced recalled being asked to “He never asked if it was OK, with a scarring incifollow him into a room and he made me feel that I was dent that aﬀects them separate from their personally,” said a Paly friends so they could be powerless and had no control junior who asked to alone. over the situation.” remain anonymous to “He took me into a protect her privacy said. bedroom and asked me Anonymous Victim 1 She said one night, to give him [oral sex], she intended to have a and I was unaware of girls’ night in with two the fact that the entire good friends and instead found herself lost and time I was being recorded,” she said. “His friends confused after being peer-pressured into smok- even came in and snickered, and then they left, I ing marijuana at a nearby park. didn’t know what to do.” The student was She said that she later led into the backlater discovered that seat of a car with a male her partner’s friends “He took me into a bedroom and friend who was two had been watching the asked me to give him [oral sex], years older and half a video on a computer foot taller. synced with cameras and I was unaware of the fact The student recalled installed inside the bedthat the entire time I was being being too high to think room where they had recorded. His friends even came clearly and not being their encounter. able to walk straight on While she consentin and snickered, and then they her way into the car. ed to the sexual activity, left, I didn’t know what to do.” “[He] forcefully she did not consent to pushed my head down being recorded. Anonymous Victim 2 continuously and said, “I have a lot of re‘Come on, go down grets, but I was also on me,’” she said. “He super-ignorant, so there never asked if it was OK, and he made me feel wasn’t much I could do at the time to prevent that I was powerless and had no control over the this from happening,” she said. situation.” Students are conAfterwards, he left fronting sexual experithe car and began to ences before the focus “Maybe if the administration text his friends, boaston teaching about implemented the information ing about his recent consent begins. A large “accomplishment,” she majority of students to freshmen it would be more recalled. take Living Skills as helpful and we probably “When I woke up upperclassmen, just to wouldn’t be experiencing so the next morning, I felt fulfill the requirement. this deep sudden loss of “[Paly] teaches conmany incidents that involve respect for myself and sent in Living Skills, lack of consent today.” it’s stayed with me for which a majority of months,” she said. “I students take when Anonymous Victim 2 find myself feeling very they are already upinsecure about myself, perclassmen,” said the and it’s honestly diﬃsecond victim. “Maybe cult to trust a guy again.” if the administration implemented the informaIssues of consent can also involve situations tion to freshmen it would be more helpful and where someone gives permission to proceed with we probably wouldn’t be experiencing so many one act, but not for all the events that unfold. incidents that involve lack of consent today.”

Students

Consen

Kirtana Romfh, ’22

Riley Herron, ’22

Kobi Johnsson, ’20

Patrick McCole, ’19

“That both people agree to do something and both people are completely involved in what they’re doing.”

“The same feelings where both people are OK with what’s going on.”

“Where you or somebody else allow someone to do something with an affirmative response.”

“Giving someone else control of your comfort level, making sure everyone’s OK with what’s happening.”

David Evans, ’21

Akash Ganguly, ’21

Sam Yamashita, ’22

Katherine Buecheler, ’20

“A verbal cue that gives permission to certain acts.”

“An enthusiastic ‘yes’ every step of the way.”

“Saying ‘yes’ clearly and being sure about what you’re saying yes to.”

“A mutual agreement and mutual respect between two people.”

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

SPOTLIGHT

sensus on Consent Text by

onsent” shall be defined to mean exercise of free will. The person must act freely and nature of the act or transaction involved.” Code § 261.6

Twisted Tales

rom a young age, kids receive subtle mes- and taking on the problem in all of its complexsages from seemingly innocent bedtime ity. stories that hide dark insinuate consent is “I think some people just feel like, ‘Well it’s inconsequential. uncomfortable to talk about, I’m not supposed “Sleeping Beauty,” for example, has its origins to rape someone, I get it. Like, what else is there in rape; in the origito talk about?’” Laptalo nal 17th century story, said. “But I think there “Sun, Moon, and Talia,” are so many levels of written by Giambatnuance of what sexual “I think the real question is tista Basile, the princess assault can look like what are students experiencing, awoke not to the kiss and how you can be inwhere do they have questions. of Prince Charming, volved in it.” That’s where the real learning but to the birth of her Schools’ eﬀorts to baby twins, as she had force “consent” into stucan happen, instead of an been raped in her sleep. dents’ vocabularies has outsider’s imposition of ‘I’m Over generations, the resulted in exactly that assuming you think consent is story was rewritten and — consent has become sanitized to the Disney just another word that this so I’ll tell you what it version that is known carries little relevance really is.’” today. to the experiences of No matter which students in real life. Melissa Laptalo rendition, “Sleeping “I think the real Beauty” tells the story question is what are of sexual assault: a man students experiencing, kissing an unconscious woman. From a contem- where do they have questions,” Laptalo said. porary lense, the fairytale looks alarmingly simi- “That’s where the real learning can happen, inlar to a girl falling asleep at party, awakened by stead of an outsider’s imposition of ‘I’m assuming the weight of a man on top of her. And, when you think consent is this so I’ll tell you what it little boys and girls are really is.’” told that kissing an unHowever, if merely conscious person is rosurface level conversa“Sleeping Beauty,” for example, mantic, they may grow tions continue, people has its origins in rape; in the up carrying deep-seatwill become tired ed beliefs that diminof hearing the same original 17th century story, ish the importance of depthless orations re“Sun, Moon, and Talia,” consent. peated. written by Giambattista Basile, Schools and famiAccording to Laplies do not have to stop talo, on Safe and Welthe princess awoke not to the telling these stories coming School Day, kiss of Prince Charming, but to completely, but changwhen students were the birth of her baby twins, as es need to be made in required to watch the she had been raped in her sleep. these narratives to re“Tea and Consent” flect the goals and bevideo, her students liefs of the current gen“groaned” with irritaeration. tion as they felt that the “If I were to teach ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ I would video had been overplayed. be absolutely open to looking at how the text “It just felt awkward, like, ‘Why are we talkcould be problematic,” AP Language teacher ing about tea versus actual consent or sexual Melissa Laptalo said. “You could do a lot of in- assault?’” Laptalo said. “So it maybe seems juveteresting activities, like asking students to rewrite nile or weird or something.” an ending, or talk back to the text, or [write] difLike solving any systematic issue, combating ferent versions, like, ‘If this were 2018 Sleeping this culture must be fought from its roots. Beauty, how would it be diﬀerent?’” Laptalo said, “If you can’t talk about sexAs a result, teaching students the meaning of ual assault directly, then how are you going “consent” consists of developing changes in their to change anything that’s problematic in that ideologies, which requires entering the gray area field?”

nt is...

Noah Baum, Leila Khan, Tien Nguyen & Shannon Zhao

Legality

bove all else, “consent” is a legal expression, and one that is relatively recent.

Early Versions of Consent “Well into the 20th century, with sexual assault laws and rape laws, we didn’t even use the term ‘consent,’’’ said Stanford Law Professor Robert Weisberg, who specializes in criminal law. “(The legal system) used a term ‘resistance’ and, in particular, ‘utmost resistance.’” Utmost resistance, Weisberg said, is when the victim “fought back so hard that she was virtually risking her life to defend her honor.” The legal system at that time would, in effect, assume consent was present unless the victim literally risked his or her life to prevent the sexual assault. By the mid-20th century, the concept of “reasonable resistance” was developed to address the reality that sexual assault victims rarely had the means or wherewithal to resist an attacker and should not be punished for failing to do so. Thus, a sexual assault victim could manifest “reasonable resistance” without having to risk his or her own life to do so, Weisberg said. If resistance would have been “futile because of a physical imbalance,” the courts could even consider no resistance to constitute reasonable resistance. Consent Becomes the Norm In the early 1970s, the feminist movement decried the state of rape legislation and with their concerns came changes to the law. According to Weisberg, these changes came in two phases: first, instead of requiring evidence of the victim’s resistance, proof of sexual assault could be shown by a lack of consent to a sexual encounter; second, the idea of consent had to be “aﬃrmative consent,” meaning consent that is unambiguous in nature. The latter change was only present in certain states, but the idea that the presence or absence of consent would determine whether a sexual encounter was an assault has become the new federal standard.

Up until the late 1970s, a common technique of defense attorneys was to “very vigorously cross-examine (a victim) about her personal sexual history in order to show that she really wasn’t a very virtuous person,” Weisberg said. This practice of “putting the victim on trial” was believed to deter many sexual assault victims from coming forward, lest their entire sexual history be revealed and examined in a public courtroom To correct this, many states enacted rape shield laws that said a woman’s sexual history was irrelevant unless it related specifically to the incident in question In 1978, Congress passed the first federal rape shield law as part of the “Privacy Protection for Rape Victims Act of 1978,” and it was broadened in 1994 to include all types of sexual assault. Modern Changes to Consent In the past decade, many states have updated their sexual assault laws to include an “aﬃrmative consent” requirement. Rather than the old “no means no” approach, which focused on the victim’s expression of a lack of consent, the new law requires an aﬃrmative expression of consent. American universities have become the new focus of these evolving consent norms. In view of the statistics that show 20 to 25 percent of college women and 15 percent of college men are victims of forced sex during their time in college, according to the National Institute of Justice, President Barack Obama sent a letter to schools that introduced a lower standard of evidence to find a student guilty of sexual assault. States like California followed suit, with universities adopting “yes means yes” policies to keep federal funding. In 2017, the Department of Education reversed these lowered-standard-of-proof policies, arguing that they “lacked basic elements of fairness.” With this reversal, campuses can now adopt the higher “clear and convincing” standard of proof, the highest standard of proof available in civil cases.

Resources Rape Trauma 24/7 Service (650) 692-7273

YWCA Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 572-2783

24/7 Crisis Text Line text BAY to 741741

RAINN 24/7 Hotline (800) 656-4673

Community Kyd, 32

Nicole, 15

Kamron, 55

Peter, 61

“Between a man and a woman, there should be a bit of distance unless they are in a relationship.”

“Everyone taking part in something and [being] equally comfortable and enthusiastic about it.”

“One or more people agree in terms that is well understood by each party without a doubt.”

“The idea that individuals feel the need to be in control of their own destiny in terms of intimacy.”

Obadiah, 32

Beaumen, 23

Christine, 50

Madeline, 31

“Giving total approval to someone.”

“Enthusiasm.”

“An emphatic yes, not just a yeah, or a yes, an emphatic yes.”

“Permission.”

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

LIFESTYLE

Spirit week, Halloween costumes encourages cultural appropriation

Tradition of dressing up as members of certain races for various occasions often poorly represents, offends minority cultures

ART BY ANNIE CHEN

Native American traditions are often culturally appropriated by many in the community for recreational purposes such as Halloween.

By Eve Donnelly

Staff Writer oblins, ghouls, witches and monsters are all common costumes for the spooky holiday that is Halloween. The scariest costume of all, however? Cultural appropriation. Paly’s most spirited time of the year has just passed, with Spirit Week and Halloween taking place at the same time. With these celebrations comes an array of dress-up days and costumes that are intended to bring light hearted fun to the public. However, some costumes cross the line from make-believe into imitation and mockery. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, cultural appropriation, sometimes referred to as cultural misappropriation, is defined as members of

a dominant culture adopting traits or styles of a minority culture, typically for recreational use. Examples of cultural appropriation in costumes include dressing as a Native American, dressing as a geisha, the use of blackface or an imitation of the opposite gender for comedic effect. In Spirit Week, the Thousand Island dressing day, where juniors dress like Hawaiian islanders, could be considered appropriating Hawaiian culture. There is also the sophomore class’ ranch dressing day, where students dress as farmers and ranch workers, which could be construed as imitating lower socioeconomic status agricultural workers. One of Paly’s Social Justice and School Climate Commissioners, senior Noor Navaid, has not seen any culturally insensitive

Halloween costumes on campus, but can see how the Thousand Islands Spirit Day could be appropriating Hawaiian culture.

“I think that there are easy ways to improve this. Students could be recommended to dress up as vacationers or tourists rather than to imitate the culture.” Noor Navaid

“I feel like there are aspects of Spirit Week themes that are inappropriate,” Navaid said. “When recommended how to dress for

the Thousand Islands theme, students are often told to dress up ‘Hawaiian.’ I don’t think the students realize that those costumes are branded with the intent of promoting the stereotypes because costumes are an extreme interpretation of a character or culture.” Navaid sees a simple solution to this problem. “I think that there are easy ways to improve this,” Navaid said. “Students could be recommended to dress up as vacationers or tourists rather than to imitate the culture.” Paly’s other Social Justice and School Climate Commissioner, senior Giselle Navarro, does not believe insensitive costumes are a large problem at Paly with Halloween or Spirit Week.

“In my four years at Paly, I haven’t seen any costumes that appropriate different cultures,” Navarro said. “People may interpret it in a way that they please, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. Spirit Week is supposed to be a week of fun times and showing school spirit towards your grade.” Navarro does not think any instances of offensive costumes have happened recently at Paly, but she still believes education on race and religion could be further incorporated into the school’s curriculum. Native American culture is one of the most widely misappropriated cultures, with many people parading around in head dresses, buckskin clothing and face paint ignoring the history and cultural values behind each of these elements. Junior Declan King, was planning to parody the idea of cultural appropriation this Halloween, by dressing up as a Native American. His goal was to make fun of people who dress as Native Americans sincerely, but he decided to abandon this idea, despite his satirical intent. Although King was initially upset he could not executre this idea, a discussion revolving around this topic in one of his social justice classes made him realize that not everyone may have viewed his costume the way he intended. He worried specifically about other students in the Social Justice Program, who were especially aware of the issue. “I changed my mind after that talk in class, because I was not about to [anger] the Social Justice Program,” King said. Although it may not be a prominent issue at Paly, cultural misappropriation is still woven into our society, and intentionally or unintentionally offends groups of people. The existence of a large variety of inoffensive costume options makes the imitation of other cultures for recreational purposes un-

necessary. Student Activities Director, Matthew Hall, has been in charge of organizing Spirit Week and “Hall’s Halloween Costume Contest” for five years. To his recollection, there have been no complaints regarding dress-up Spirit Day days or Halloween costumes, but Hall admits that people taking offense is a definite possibility. “Just because I haven’t received anything doesn’t mean people don’t feel a certain way,” Hall said. His solution to eradicate any room for misinterpretation is to promote acceptable costume examples.

“Just because I haven’t received anything doesn’t mean people don’t feel a certain way.” Matthew Hall “If all class officers were to make a collage of appropriate costumes for all five days and we posted that on Schoology, that would be a good way to get it out there,” Hall said. “At the very least, I think ASB’s role should be a proactive one and a positive one.” Cultural appropriation has also sparked controversy in mainstream media when former NBC anchor, Megyn Kelly, was fired from her job for defending blackface in Halloween costumes. She spoke on air of how in her childhood, the use of blackface was OK as long as it was used for a costume and how she did not understand why this had changed. The public’s intolerance of this issue continues to grow. Events such as Spirit Week and Halloween are intended to cultivate fun and a sense of community, but this can be ruined when an insensitive use of culture is brought into the mix.

Hotly-anticipated ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ has ups and downs Bryan Singer’s newpopular biopic depicts the origin, story of the rock band Queen, their lead singer Freddie Mercury

FOX MOVIES.COM

Actor Rami Malek portrays Freddie Mercury at the Live Aid in 1985 in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a movie centered around the popular band Queen. Queen consisted of four members and originally formed in London in 1970.

By John Tayeri

Business Manager

n any discussion about great musicians, it is only a matter of time before the name Queen comes up. With a diverse repertoire of rock music, they changed the way that songs were created and performed in their era. Leading the group was the talented and charismatic singer Freddie Mercury. His voice, stretching over four octaves, left audiences amazed. Mercury was a natural performer and will go down as one of the best singers if not the best singer of all time. I am a big fan of Queen, so when I heard that a biopic on Queen was being produced, I was immediately excited to watch the film. However, I did not know what to expect. The director of the film, Bryan Singer, has produced some movies that I loved watching, such as the X-Men series. However, all of his previous movies were either action or

horror. Biopics are very different than those types of movies, so I was unsure if he could pull it off.

I would have loved to see more about the origins of the group because it seems as if the film merely touched on that part. I felt as if scenes in the film, especially those in the beginning, were too fast-paced. I would have loved to see more about the origins of the group because it seems as if the film barely touched on that part. The beginning of the movie felt too rushed. Quick scenes were displayed featuring main events for the band in chronological order. In the beginning of the movie, one scene could be set in 1972 and the next in 1976, with no explanation for

what occured in between those years. I went to the movie longing to learn more about the band’s origins and the hardships they struggled through. Instead, I felt as if I was watching a biography of Freddie Mercury’s life. Although Mercury was the leader of the band, I felt as if the movie went too far in depth on his life, especially the plotline centered on his sexuality. Mercury was a very dramatic man who lived a complex life, so it makes sense that the film emphasizes this. However, these stories could have been told without leaving the other band members underrepresented. I left the theater knowing the names of some of Mercury’s love interests, but not the names of the band’s bassist or drummer. Although the film had its fair share of faults, I was thoroughly entertained while watching. If you are a fan of Queen’s music, then you will be singing along with the entire soundtrack. Timeless

songs such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “We are the Champions” and countless others filled the theater with excitement and nostalgia. One of my favorite parts of the movie was its depictions of each song’s creation. Singer dove into the origins of each individual track, and how the group transitioned from genre to genre of music.

Looking back on it, the Live Aid scene was one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever watched in a movie. Queen began as a group that produced staple rock music: songs with a lead singer, a bass player, a guitarist and a drummer. Later on, they began incorporating other musical elements into their songs, opera being a prime example. The

film succeeded in showing these transitions, and how the group members could adapt to them. As mentioned before, Mercury was a complicated singer that no other artists at the time could parallel. His quirkiness, charm and charisma were some aspects that separated him from other artists at the time. Rami Malek did a tremendous job as Mercury. Malek was passionate in his role and it was clear from the get-go. He was energetic and humorous, just as Mercury was decades ago. The climax of the film was “Live Aid,” a concert held in 1985 that attracted over one billion people worldwide on television. It was the concert that solidified Queen as one of the greatest bands of all time, and it was the concert that the bulk of the movie led up to. I had watched the Live Aid concert countless times before seeing the movie, and Singer recreated it perfectly. There was so much attention to detail, whether it be the music, the crowd, the

outfits, the looks and just about every detail that made Live Aid such an amazing concert. Looking back on it, the Live Aid scene was one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever watched in a movie.

Although the movie did have some issues, I believe that the music, acting and ending of the movie all outweighed its problems. Leaving the theater, I was content with the film. All I’ve been listening to for the past week is Queen, and I give all credit to the movie. Although the movie did have some issues, I believe that the music, acting and ending of the movie all outweighed these problems.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

B7 SCIENCE & TECH Photoreceptor defects cause color vision deficiencies Absent, insensitive or defective cells of specific cones which correspond to specific colors lead to color blindness, mainly in males By Frida Rivera

Staff Writer

large part of the human population tends to take their sense of sight for granted, seldom stopping to think about the 4 percent of people that are color vision deficient. In order for humans to view anything, we require photoreceptors that are located in our retina. Certain photoreceptor cells in the eye called cones contain photopigments which are sensitive to different colors or wavelengths of light. The three types of photopigments are sensitive to red, green or blue light. According to Paly biology teacher Dunant Hin, the range of color blindness depends on how functional the cones in each eye are.

“Many people may not even realize they have some of these deficiencies ... within each type of color vision deficiency there is a range from mild to more severe.” Diana Darcy

Each cone in the eye corresponds to a different color, meaning that if certain cones are absent, not as sensitive or detective, there will be a color vision deficiency. According to Diana Darcy MS, a Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor, there are several different types of color blindness, more accurately called color vision deficiency. Additionally, most people do not realize how common certain types are. “Many people may not even realize they have some of these deficiencies,” Darcy said. “We call these ‘deficiencies’ because there may not be total blindness of these colors, just reduced color vision. Within each type of color

vision deficiency there is a range from mild to more severe.” According to Hin, color deficiency is a sex–linked trait, meaning that the gene is located on the X chromosome and will statistically affect males much more often than females. According to Darcy, out of people with Northern European ancestry, it affects about 1 in 12 males and 1 in 200 females. Redgreen color deficiency is caused when the red and green cones do not work properly. A range of colors may appear more muted or difficult to distinguish from each other. Paly junior Ryan Stanley experiences red–green color deficiency and explains that it is hard for him to distinguish between purple and blue, brown and red, and, at times, green and red. “I have known I was color deficient since preschool, when they tested everyone for color blindness,” Stanley said. According to Stanley, this deficiency does not have a large impact on his daily life, except when he is playing water polo. “Sometimes in water polo, if the cap colors are dark red and black, I might have some problems with knowing who is on my team and who isn’t, which can be hard for me,” Stanley said. Like most genetic conditions, there is a large range of severity in color deficiency. Recent Paly graduate Charlie Baldwin explains how his mild color deficiency causes him to tend to mix up similar colors such as blue and purple, or yellow and green. “Sometimes the fact that I confuse similar colors [such as green and yellow] makes me think I’m not actually colorblind and am instead just bad at making judgements on that kind of thing,” Baldwin said. “But every time I take a test I always get reassured about that because I always test positive.” Baldwin further explains that the test he usually takes, found on enchroma.com, always labels him as a mild protan, which means

ALYSSA LEONG/THE CAMPANILE

Junior Ryan Stanley has a red-green color deficiency, which makes it difficult to distinguish between certain colors such as purple and blue. that the kind of color blindness he has is protanopia. Protanopia is color-blindness resulting from insensitivity to red light, causing confusion of greens, reds and yellows, and is the most common form of color deficiency, according to Darcy. “One of the funny things about being colorblind is the questions you get asked about it, because not many people really know how it works,” Baldwin said. “Just like people ask people with glasses how many fingers they’re holding up, people always point to stuff and ask me what color it is. I almost always get it right because my colorblindness isn’t that bad and that also isn’t really how it works.” Furthermore, Darcy says that blue-yellow color vision deficiency affects males and females equally, but is much more rare.This condition occurs in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people worldwide. In this condition, the blue cones are not completely functional and it is

difficult to tell blue from green or yellow from pink.

“A lot of people also assume that me being colorblind means I literally can’t see color at all ... I think there are some cases of colorblindness where that is true, but those kind of people are extremely rare.” Charlie Baldwin

In addition, blue, red or green cone monochromacy, a condition where only one type of cone is working, is much more rare than the other forms of color vision deficiency, affecting about 1 in 100,000 people worldwide. With a single cone working,

the brain can't tell colors apart, and vision may be less clear overall, according to Darcy. “A lot of people also assume that me being colorblind means I literally can’t see color at all, which isn’t true either,” Baldwin said. “I think there are some cases of colorblindness where that is true, but those kind of people are extremely rare.” According to Darcy, a complete lack of color vision is called achromatopsia, which is referred to as true color blindness, and is the most severe of these conditions, only affecting about 1 in 30,000 people. In this condition none of the cones work and colors all look like shades of gray. Darcy explains that these color vision problems are often inherited. Depending upon the genes which are mutated, color vision deficiency may be recessive, which means it is inherited from parents who are both healthy carriers without symptoms. It could also be dominant,

which is when at least one parent also has the condition. If the gene is on the X chromosome, women can be healthy carriers who can pass the condition to their sons. Additionally, a person sometimes can acquire color vision problems through a spontaneous mutation, instead of through heredity. According to Hin, a mutation is very rare, and occurs when there is a mutation on cells within the cones. Color blindness is a condition that affects many worldwide, but for most, it does not hinder daily life. This uncommon genetic trait exists as another rarity in the human body. “My colorblindness has a specific hereditary pattern in our family,” Baldwin said. “My mom’s dad had it, and he passed it on through his daughters as carriers, who then passed it on to their sons. If I had a daughter, her son would also be colorblind.”

Urban theories about modern technology not definitive Common theories surround everyday technology, from the effects of phone radiation to damaging side effects of screens

YUSRA RAFEEQI/THE CAMPANILE

Senior Meera Bharat uses Apple earbuds. Many fear they cause hearing loss, but doctors say they are harmless if volume stays under 80 decibels.

By Kaitlyn Lee

Staff Writer

echnology plays a prominent role in our everyday lives, from communicating with friends to catching up on the latest episode of a TV series, but have you ever wondered what effects this could be having on your health? Many fear that, along with the useful tools that everyday technology grants its users, devices can cause many negative health effects. These technology health theories are often not discussed, as many people do not want to think about how a piece of technology they use every day could be harming them. A topic that is often debated is whether or not the radiation from smartphones can cause cancer in users. According to the National Cancer Institute, cell phones emit radiofrequency waves, or radio waves, which are used for telecommunication purposes. These waves are non-ionizing, meaning they don’t carry enough energy to ionize, or remove electrons from, molecules. Andre Venturini, a family hospitalist at the California Pacific Medical Center, explained how important this difference is when discussing radiation from tech.

“The type of radiation that causes cancer is ionic, which are high-frequency electromagnetic waves,” Venturini said. “Most Computed Tomograph scanners that we use in the hospital use ionized waves or nuclear radiation. But phones are completely different — they emit electromagnetic waves, but those are non–ionizing and they are very low frequency.” Radio waves are emitted from the antenna of the phone, and according to the American Cancer Society, quickly lose energy as the wave travels farther away from the device. The body nearest to the antenna tends to absorb the energy of the radio wave, which tends to be the user of the phone. The amount of exposure to radio waves can differ depending on the amount of time the person is on the phone, how close the phone is to one’s head, the distance to the nearest cell tower, the type of phone being used and more. However, the question still remains if these radio waves can cause cancer. Freshman Sophie Pardehpoosh believes in this myth. “I think the radiation from phones can cause cancer,” Pardehpoosh said. “I think this because any sort of radiation can

cause cancer, and if you put your phone in the same pocket for hours a day, then the radiation can be too much.”

“It’s very difficult to prove that cell phones can cause any kind of cancer." Andre Venturini

However, Venturini believes this myth is false. “[Phones] are not whatsoever linked to cancer,” Venturini said. “The low frequencies are not linked to cancer or tumors.” He explained that it is very difficult to conduct a study that determines whether or not the radiation can cause cancer because there would have to be a group that uses cell phones regularly and a group with no contact with phones. However, it would be difficult to keep these subjects away from smartphones because technology plays such a prevalent role in people’s lives. “It’s very difficult to prove that cell phones can cause any kind of cancer,” Venturini said. “So far, there’s not really data to prove this. We know that there are the

types of electromagnetic waves that are linked to cancer, but not the ones emitted by cell phones.” Another common fear is that earbuds and headphones are especially damaging to the user’s ears, potentially causing deafness in rare instances. These tiny earbuds, which may seem harmless at a first glance, have been rumored to cause hearing loss since they play music so close to the user’s ear in order to play music for the user only. They can be pretty powerful and can play music up to 120 decibels, which is as loud as a chainsaw or thunderclap. According to Oliver Adunka, an otolaryngologist, or an ear, nose and throat doctor, constant exposure to loud noises can lead to a decrease the number of tiny hair cells in the cochlea, the inner part of the ear. These hair cells are important to one’s hearing as they send signals from the ear to the brain. A loss of these hair cells can result in permanent hearing loss. Many people believe that earbuds and headphones have the power to damage these hair cells in the cochlea. Sophomore Ella Spanhook agrees. “I think [earbuds can damage hearing] because some people will listen to music at full volume with headphones all the time which I

can imagine is not good for your hearing at all,” Spanhook said. According to Adunka, earbuds should not cause any issues as long as the volume stays below 80 decibels, which is the midway point on the volume slider. However, it is common for users to raise the volume higher than 80 decibels, especially when one is in a public setting with background noise. In fact, Adunka stated that there are studies in Europe showing that at least 10 percent of teenagers and young adults aged 13-23 who use headphones or earbuds while commuting on public transit have been diagnosed with permanent hearing loss. According to Adunka, the solution to this problem is to keep the volume low when using earbuds or headphones. In fact, the auditory system is constantly adapting to the noises it takes in, so if the user starts out listening at a low volume and raises it, the music will sound loud enough for the user while staying at a nonharmful level. Exceeding 80 decibels doesn’t mean that the listeners hearing will automatically be damaged. Adunka stated that it’s OK to listen to a couple songs at a higher volume, but listening for a longer period of time is the damaging part. Venturini doesn’t believe that the earbud itself will permanently damage one’s hearing, but the volume at which the music is played can take a toll on the person. “What we know for sure is that people who are exposed to loud noises do have the tendency to lose their hearing with time compared to people who are not exposed to loud noises,” Venturini said. “I don’t think earbuds are related to hearing loss, but how loud the music is played can affect the listener.” Lastly, many people debate whether or not phones, television or computer screens can have a negative impact on eyesight. In fact, many parents warn their children to not sit too close to the television as it will give them bad eyesight in the future. Many fear that continuously staring at screens could cause Myopia, or nearsightedness. This condition causes far away objects

in the distance to appear blurry. Sophomore Sophia Krugler thinks that screens can damage one’s eyes to a certain extent. “I think that if you look at a screen for too long it can definitely damage your eyes,” Krugler said. “Sometimes after I stare at my screen for a long period of time, it’s harder for me to see things afterward.” According to Damon Pettinelli, an ophthalmologist, using a computer, tablet or smartphone does not damage one’s eyes. However, looking at these screens for a long period of time can result in headaches, fatigued vision, dry eyes or red eyes. In addition, Pettinelli said that an increase in computer use and video game playing has been correlated with myopia becoming more common worldwide. Trouble arises when one stares at a screen for a long period of time because reading characters off a screen takes more focus and makes the eye work harder. This strains the eyes and can lead to the user developing myopia, which has become much more prevalent in children as they spend less and less time outdoors. A solution to this problem is to take frequent breaks from screens and look about 20 feet away, which is helpful since screens are often very close to the user’s face. “I think people need to get periodic [breaks], especially people who are on the computer all day, like the people in the tech industry,” Venturini said. “They should stand up every hour or so and look at something really far, then look at something really close, which relaxes the eyes from being focused on something so close to your for a long period of time.” There isn’t certain evidence that spells out the answer to these myths. For the time being, the verdict to these three questions is that there is little evidence linking the waves emitted by mobile phones to cancer, it’s best to be cautious about the volume at which music is played through earbuds to preserve one’s hearing and it seems that screens are not extremely damaging to one’s eyes as long as they are used in moderation and frequent breaks are taken.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

SCIENCE & TECH

Minors and medical

marijuana Text, art & design by Lucy Nemerov

Introduction

eenage marijuana use is at an all-time time high in America. Known to relax the user amd allow them to feel a sense of euphoria, the drug has been used to treat both mental and physical illnesses. Although these benefits can help patients immensely, many medical professionals argue the drug does more harm than good. Through speaking to medical professionals, counselors and students who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, The Campanile gains perspective on how medical marijuana use affects students in the community.

design by eve donnelly

Student Experience

hether recreational or medical, marijuana has cemented itself into American teenage culture. Especially in Palo Alto, where marijuana is legal for those over 21-years-old and money to purchase it is abundant. In some cases, minors can acquire cards with the approval of a guardian and doctor. Additionally, students have found loopholes within marijuana delivery services that can allow for them to be a medical marijuana card holder by answering some questions pertaining to mental health and paying $30. Pete, a senior at Palo Alto High School whose name has been changed to protect his identity, has had a medical marijuana card since he was 15 years old. After struggling with depression and insomnia for years, Pete had tried various supplements and forms of prescription medication to no avail. “I ended up trying cannabis in a social setting and found it did exactly what these solutions hadn’t,” Pete said. “It helped me relax and not feel the effects of my depression and insomnia.” Although many warn against freuent marijuana use for minors, Pete said his experience shows in some cases, curbing mental illnesses that would be taking a more detrimental toll on a student outweigh the possible negative effects of marijuana use. “I spoke with my doctor about [my experience with marijuana] and he told me it undoubtedly had medicinal benefits, and although it can cause negative side effects, we agreed the good outweighed the harm in my case,” Pete said.

Pete also explained his perspective on the benefits of marijuana use, drawing from past drug use experiences. Although Pete’s use of the drug is primarily medicinal, he also uses it recreationally.

“I ended up t ry i n g c a n n a b i s in a social setting and found it did e x a c t ly w h at t h e s e s o lu t i o n s h a d n ’ t. ” anonymous student “I wouldn’t call my use of marijuana solely recreational because it definitely benefits me in more ways than one, and while many disagree with its toxicity to the body, as someone who has abused certain other substances, it feels good to now only be getting high on cannabis,” Pete said. Unlike Pete, Jack, a Paly graduate whose name has been changed to protect his identity, obtained a medical marijuana card without consulting a doctor. Using a loophole in the a marijuana delivery service, the student simply answered some questions regarding his mental health and paid around $30 for a card. “So a while back (a marijuana delivery service) would issue medical records,”Jack said. “Basically, when you would go on

the website, it would say ‘consult a doctor’, and if you gave certain responses that made it seem like you needed it for mental health issues as well as your personal information, you could be issued a [medical marijuana] card.” Using this loophole, Jack was able to obtain marijuana legally without the approval of a real doctor. Despite recreational use not being legal at the time. Although Jack used the drug for recreational purposes, he would also use it to calm symptoms of anxiety and depression. “I haven’t been prescribed marijuana for tendencies regarding anxiety and depression, however I do have those tendencies and I have used marijuana to medicate which has really helped me calm those feelings,” Jack said. “But, I think you need to be aware that sometimes smoking weed can worsen people’s anxiety and make them more paranoid. However, I’ve learned to control that in most situations.” But frequent drug use can also come with downsides, and Elizabeth Spector, a Wellness Center administrator, strongly urges students to feel comfortable in speaking about their issues with drug use with a trained professional. “Students are protected by confidentiality,” Spector said. “So for the most part if you bring up alcohol or drug use it stays in that confidential space unless it meets the requirement to alert somebody else but for the most part it can stay in that kind of therapeutic compound. Things that are brought up in a therapeutic situation, meaning speaking to a counselor or advisor, are protected by confidentiality.”

of eighth graders see frequent use of m a r i j ua n a a s h a r m f u l S o u r c e : N at i o n a l i n s t i t u t e o n d r u g a b u s e

T h e p e r c e n ta g e o f tota l a n n u a l a d m i s s i o n s to t r e at m e n t fa c i l i t i e s i n t h e U n i t e d s tat e d u e to m a r i j u a n a . S o u r c e : N at i o n a l i n s t i t u t e o n d r u g a b u s e

S c i e n t i f i c B ac kg r o u n d

O f l i f e t i m e m a r i j ua n a u s e r s ag e 1 8

o f 1 2 t h g r a d e r s s ay i t w o u l d b e

a n d o l d e r w h o r e p o rt f i r s t u s i n g

e a s y to o bta i n m a r i j u a n a .

b e t w e e n t h e ag e s o f 1 2 - 1 7 .

s o u r c e : T h e R e cov e ry V i l l ag e

S o u r c e : V e ry W e l l m i n d

ecause marijuana is legal in California, minors with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have a much easier time acquiring licenses here than in many other states. In many states where marijuana is not legalized, minors can only qualify if they are suffering from cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, severe epilepsy or terminal illness requiring end-of-life care.

The drug c a n c r e at e a euphoric and relaxing e f f e c t, r e d u c i n g feelings of restlessness and depression.

For medical issues such as cancer, medical marijuana is used to ease painful side effects of the patients disease. In most cases, patients do not smoke marijuana; they take in the drug through creams or edibles. However, in cases of treating mental illness, researchers are fearful that the drug will only worsen the patient’s condition. According to an article by Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences Simone Tambaro, “the main psychoactive ingredient of hemp, Δ9-

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and its synthetic cannabinoid analogs have been reported to either attenuate or exacerbate anxiety and fear-related behaviors in humans and experimental animals.” For students like Pete, marijuana can have a largely positive effect. The drug can create a euphoric and relaxing effect, reducing feelings of restlessness and depression. THC and Cannabidiol (CBD) both create this positive feeling for the user. THC often brings on a wave of happiness and increases sensitivity to sound. CBD is found to reduce pain and muscle spasticity, which is the main benefit for many medical marijuana users. However, it cannot be ignored that, for minors, many dangers are associated with freuent marijuana use. Krista Lisdahl, Director of the Brain Imaging and Neuropsychology Lab at the University of Wisconsin, strongly advises against teen marijuana use. Lisdahl referenced a number of studies that show that using marijuana once a week or more actually changes the structure of the teenage brain in areas related to memory and problem solving. In a study done by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, it was found that those who used marijuana heavily while under the age of 18 showed impaired mental abilities pertaining to memory and problem solving, even after they quit taking the drug. THC, a primary component of the drug, alters the ability of the hippocampus. This area of the brain is related to learning and memory and also allows effective communication

between different regions of the brain. However, it is important to note that scientists know very little about long term effects and there is a substantial amount of inconsistent data regarding the issue. Many researchers disagree on the severity of marijuana’s effects.

in cases o f t r e at i n g m e n ta l i l l n e s s , researchers are f e a r f u l t h at the drug will o n ly w o r s e n t h e pat i e n t ’ s co n d i t i o n . Since reactions to the drug have a dramatic range, it is difficult for scientists to conclude on the ultimate effects of frequent marijuana usage. According to James Giordano, professor of neurology and biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center, people’s reaction to marijuana can be based on their genetics or even the cultural messaging they’ve internalized about how a given substance should affect them. In cases ranging from mental to physical illness, marijuana is only a suppressor of symptoms. For some, it makes a world of a difference. For others, it worsens their condition.

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

SPORTS

Dante Kirkman: Hitting with Haymakers A student’s JOurney toward olympic boxing

ll of the noise around junior Dante Kirkman starts to fade away, leaving only him and his thoughts. The only thing he can hear are his steady breaths as his mind runs through the upcoming fight. Kirkman, now ranked ninth in the nation in the 16-17 youth category in the 114 pound weight class, first started officially training to fight when he was 10 years old. With his father and his brother also boxing, the sport runs in the family. What really hooked Kirkman about the sport, though, was the fact that his success in fights depends on him and only him. “I liked the aspect of controlling my destiny in a sport because in football or basketball, I can perform a certain way but I can’t make my team win a game,” Kirkman said. “I can contribute a lot and try my hardest to make my team win, but I can’t make that happen, it’s not for sure. But, when I’m boxing, it’s one-on-one. It’s my own thing and I can control it. If I lose, it’s my fault, something I can fix. If I win, it’s something I did correctly.” On an average day, if Kirkman has a free period, he starts his day with 600 push ups and 100 sit ups. Kirkman’s practice starts right after school ends and continues until 8 or 9 p.m. After practice, he eats dinner and finally gets started on his homework. He also has training on Saturday, which is shorter and mainly just consists of sparring and running. Throughout his boxing career, Kirkman has gone through many obstacles, including a shoulder injury, which kept him from fighting and competing for a year. “You really can’t do much if your shoulders are injured, so around that time, I really just focused on developing skill,” Kirkman said. “It was really just hard physically and emotionally to have that happen, because I felt like things were going well and I just kind of won-

dered if I would have been farther along if I hadn’t gotten injured.” According to Kirkman, communication with his family and hard work helped him get through this tough time.

“I just tried to ignore it,” Kirkman said. “It was very difficult and I talked to my family a lot, just about how I was feeling. I was still able to train so that made it easier to deal with a little bit but it was pretty difficult until it stopped because I was pretty frustrated when I had to stop.” Another obstacle Kirkman had to get over to become the boxer he is now was nerves. “When I was younger, I used to get nervous all the time and it would really just mess up my fighting,” Kirkman said. “But I knew I had to fix it, so I try to put myself in situations to make me nervous and try

my hardest not to be. Now I don’t get nervous before fights anymore.” As for Kirkman’s plans for the future, he has his sights set on the 2020 Olympics, and eventually hopes to become a professional boxer. “If I don’t make it to the 2020 Olympics, I’m going to try for the 2024 Olympics, but after that, I’d like to turn pro,” Kirkman said. “I’m not exactly sure at what age, but my trainer is very experienced with pros and works with World Champions and was a former World Champion, so I would like to turn pro and just get that and work from there.” With all of these hours spent at the gym, Kirkman has developed very special bonds with the people around him, especially his trainer, Eddie Croft. “Outside of my family, my trainer is probably the closest thing I have to family,” Kirkman said. “I spend a lot of hours of the day at the gym. He takes time out of his day to work one-on-one with me, to fly to Salt Lake City for a tournament, fly to wherever, to just be in my corner and help me, even when I had injuries for almost a year and a half.” Through this time, Kirkman would continue practicing. “I wouldn’t be able to perform what I wanted because I was injured and Croft still helped and trained me and knew that later, it would be rewarding,” Kirkman said. “I

know he cares about me. We have a very close bond.” Kirkman has been working with his trainer from the beginning of his boxing career, which has allowed Croft to see his development. “Dante and I have grown closer as he got older because I can let more of my true self out,” Croft said. “He’s matured and now he’s emotionally ready to handle [more criticism]. We’ve become close friends, and I’ve gotten closer with his father. That has been a really instrumental part in Dante’s development as a boxer.” Croft was once a professional boxer himself. He originally started in taekwondo in 1974, eventually moving to boxing to improve his other skills. He had always wanted to open up a gym San Mateo, where he had grown up. After that, hopping gym to gym, he finally opened up his own gym in 2008. In his past decade of owning a gym and being a trainer, Croft says that he has learned a lot. “I think a part of being a good teacher is the ability or at least the willingness to learn from everyone that you come across,” Croft said. “Everyone that you’re able to teach something to is able to teach you something as well.” Croft says one of the lessons he learned from several years of working with Kirkman how to approach his students in order to encourage them to continue forging forward. “The one lesson I learned from Dante is that, even though you have some setbacks, it’s really important to let the kids know that they are going

in the right direction, that they’re improving all the time and to make sure that they retain the high work ethic and they will eventually reach the goals that they have set for themselves,” Croft said.

But with Kirkman that isn’t much of an issue. Immediately from the beginning, Croft could tell that he would be a hard worker. “I remember when he first came to the gym, he jumped in the class and in a lot of ways you can see his work ethic and dedication and drive that he had,” Croft said. “What I saw was that it was very unusual for a kid that young to have that kind of drive. You see dedicated kids but not very many kids with the drive and the work ethic that he had. A very ambitious and motivated individual and it was very noticeable at ten or eleven years old. It was something that was unusual.” Kirkman is constantly practicing and wanting to succeed, so

much so that Croft sometimes has to get him to stop. “There have been lots of times when I’m working with him where I would show him something and he would practice it for hours to get better without needing me to stand over him and ask him,” Croft said. “Then he’d come back and say, ‘Eddie, how does this look? What else do I have to do?’ [He’s] always asking for more. Many times I just have to shut him down and say, ‘You’re going to overwork yourself. Go home. You’ve had enough for the day.’” Throughout the past six years of practicing hour on hour, his proudest moments includes his very first win, back when he was in seventh grade. “When I was 12 years old, my second fight was my first victory,” Kirkman said. “I was kind of devastated after my first one, since I was a little kid and I had lost. I wasn’t really sure about things. But when I won, I can’t really put it into words, but I was so happy because I knew I could succeed in a sport.” Another moment that meant a lot to Kirkman solidified why he does what he does and continues to pursue boxing. “My most joyful moment was my first win in a National tournament.” Kirkman said. “I had always known I was a good boxer,, but my family and I weren’t sure if it would transfer to higher levels of boxing, if I could be a nationally-ranked fighter, if I could go to the Olympics. We were never really sure but my first win made me eighth in the nation at the time and that just made all the hard work pay off and it made me realize why I box.”

Text by tien nguyen Design by nick le Art & design by annie chen SPREAD

Unique dancing styles

Many Paly students express themselves through a variety of dance styles including ballet, hip hop, jazz and lyrical, dedicating time and effort to their passions.

IO PHOTO STUDIOS/USED WITH PERMISSION

PAGE C4-C5

Coaching

LEILA KHAN/THE CAMPANILE

Hiring coaches

Hiring process of Paly coaches contributes to athletic success. PAGE C6

Hunting

LEILA KHAN/THE CAMPANILE

Hunting

Uncommon sport of hunting grows in popularity at Paly. PAGE C7

Esports

NICK LE/THE CAMPANILE

Paly esports growth

Esports club puts video game talent to use in national competition. PAGE C8

Friday, November 9, 2018

SPORTS REPORT

The Campanile

SPORTS Cross country places first in SCVAL finals Both girls, boys advance to CCS Championships, aim for State championships By Rebekah Limb

FOOTBALL RECENT SCORES

Paly vs. Los Gatos 10/26, W, 35-10 Paly @ Homestead 11/2, W, 49-0 UPCOMING GAMES

Paly vs. Los Gatos 11/9, 7 p.m. Paly @ TBD 11/23, 7 p.m.

TENNIS RECENT SCORES

Paly vs. Cupertino 10/25, L, 4-3 Paly vs. Carlmont 11/3, W, 7-0 UPCOMING GAMES

Paly vs. Los Gatos 11/10, TBD

BOYS WOPO

Staff Writer

t the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League (SCVAL) finals on Oct. 30, the boys and girls cross country teams finished their regular season strong, with both varsity teams placing first. At the meet, which took place at Crystal Springs, the boys varsity team had a successful race, with the top five runners for Paly all seniors. Senior Henry Saul placed first overall with the time of 15:31 in the 2.95 mile race, senior Donald Taggart placed third, senior Alex Evans placed fifth and senior John Tayeri, The Campanile’s Business Manager placed eighth.

“We’re aiming for both teams to go to states this year, but that’s super dependent on how healthy our team stays.” Caity Berry

For girls varsity, junior Miranda Jimenez placed first with a time of 19:01 in the 2.95 mile race, followed by junior Kai Douglas coming in fourth and junior Ella Ball in fifth place. “SCVAL championships went really well for both teams,” junior Ian Matheson said. “Based off how

BHUSAN GUPTA/USED WITH PERMISSION

Senior Donald Taggart, who placed third overall in the Crystal Springs meet, races forward to help boys varsity place first overall.

we ran at SCVAL, we have a really good chance of winning [Central Coast Section championships] (CCS), which has been one of our goals since the beginning of the season.” Both teams also competed in the City Championships at Gunn High School on Oct. 24, where girls and boys varsity both got first place. Paly defeated Gunn in every varsity race. With their first place finish in SCVAL, both varsity teams will advance to the CCS championships. “Obviously both teams up to

this point have done exceptional,” Saul said. “For Palo Alto cross country, I think this has been one of the best teams in a while.” At the SCVAL finals, the boys frosh-soph team also came in first in the meet with sophomore Noah Holbrook coming in first, followed by sophomores William Balentine and Andrew Pham. The girls JV team followed this sequence, with sophomore Emilie Difede and sophomore Anna Roth leading Paly JV girls with a first and second place finish respectively, to reach first place as well.

According to girls varsity captain senior Caity Berry, CCS is hopefully not going to be the end to their season. “We’re aiming for both teams to go to states this year, but that’s super dependent on how healthy our team stays,” Berry said. “But it’s definitely a possibility this year.” As the end of the season draws near, the cross country runners are optimistic for the future and reflective on their season, as, according to Saul, this has been a memorable one. “The girls are really special be-

Boys water polo advances to CCS finals

Team remains confident, determined for upcoming matchup against rivals Los Gatos “I think our team has really improved on working as a team and being aware of the plays our teammates are making,” Alasti said. “Morning practices at the beginning of the season were also instrumental in getting people in shape.”

RECENT SCORES

Paly vs. Menlo-Atherton 11/3, W, 8-7

“Our team has really improved on working as a team and being aware of the plays our teammates are making.”

Paly vs. Los Gatos 11/7, W, 12-11 UPCOMING GAMES

Paly vs. Los Altos 11/10, TBD

Javid Alasti

GIRLS WOPO RECENT SCORES

Paly vs. Fremont 10/25, W, 9-2 Paly @ Homestead 9/21, L, 11-6

VOLLEYBALL RECENT SCORES

Paly vs. Sacred Heart 10/30, L, 3-0

DAVID HICKEY/THE VIKING MAGAZINE

Junior Dexter Gormley gets ready to line up a shot on goal with a defender guarding him in a match versus Menlo Atherton High School.

By Frida Rivera

Staff Writer

fter beating Los Gatos High School 12-11 in a tight Central Coast Section (CCS) match on Nov. 3, the boys water polo team hopes to win the CCS championship for the first time in 21 years. According to junior Ryan Stanley, the team had a great start

CROSS COUNTRY RECENT SCORES

SCVAL Meet #3: VG 1st Place, VB 1st SCVAL Finals: VB 1st Place, 1st VG UPCOMING GAMES

CCS Finals 11/10, 2:30 p.m. CIF Finals 11/24, 8:30 a.m.

GOLF RECENT SCORES

Norcal Tournament 4th Place CCS Tournament 1st Place

to the match, which allowed Paly to be up 11-6 by the end of the third quarter. “We had great intensity starting off the match,” Stanley said. “I think that the team was really combining well as a unit.” According to Stanley, the team came in with confidence, which contributed to their success. “We had beat Los Gatos

[High School] in the regular season pretty handily,” said junior Ryan Stanley. “So we were pretty confident that we can come out and take care of business.” Senior captain Ben Rapperport attributes some of the team’s success to fans attending the game and showing support. “I am incredibly grateful for the people who come out and watch the game,” Rapperport

said. “It’s nice to look out into the stands and feel the supportive energy coming from our fans.” According to Rapperport, he is very prideful of the team’s performance, and admires the confidence the team brought to the match. In addition, the team has been preparing all season for CCS, working on both their offensive and defensive tactics.

According to coach Ethan Look, Los Gatos is a strong team, and is good competition for the team. “It was a really intense game,” Look said. “It was really up and down which makes sense since it’s a CCS quarter final game, meaning that it’s gonna be intense no matter what.” Looking ahead, the boys will face Los Altos High School in the finals of CCS, a team they have faced before and hope to beat again. The team will face off against Los Altos High School on Nov. 10.

Girls water polo ends season with loss against Homestead Team remains optimistic for future despite abrupt end to season after failing to qualify for CCS By Kai Vetteth

Paly @ Buchanan 11/7, L, 3-0

cause they graduate zero seniors next year and the boys team is also exceptional because we lost our number two and three runners this season and we did not look strong early on,” Saul said. “But our boys team rebounded and we now look like we are going to make States.” The CCS championships will take place on Nov. 10 in Burlingame, where both teams will compete against the best in the area. Depending on their results, an awaiting California Interscholastic Federation State championship meet will be on Nov. 24.

Staff Writer

he girls water polo team season was cut short after failing to qualify for the Central Coast Section playoffs as a result of several close losses and a difficult season according to junior Alexandra Lee. “I think we played really well, and we played really competitively in some games where we are so close to taking a W,” Lee said. “Everyone on the team got a lot better, and I know I had a lot of fun playing with all of these girls.”

“Our record wasn’t perfect, but our team was super close and I loved every minute of playing with those girls.” Esme Stotland

Over the course of the season, over a third of the games were lost by two points or less. Lee hopes the experience the team’s younger players help the team improve for future seasons. “Next year, I really hope we can come out and compete at the same level of intensity, and just build off of what we did this year to stay competitive and win some

of these close games,” Lee said. The team played its final game of the season on Oct. 27, losing 11-6 against Homestead High School.

“Next year, I really hope we can come out and compete at the same level of intensity, and just build off of what we did this year to stay competitive and win some of these close games.” Alexandra Lee

Overall, the team is ranked sixth in the El Camino league, with a final record of 10-17. Lee said the leadership and contributions of its senior class benefited the team significantly. “I’ve played on the same team with all of these seniors since my freshman year,” Lee said. “Each of them is going to be leaving a gap we have to fill, not just in skill level but also in their personality and the amazing love and environment they bring to the team.” According to senior and varsity captain Esme Stotland, the season’s end was especially bittersweet for the graduating seniors,

DAVID HICKEY/THE VIKING MAGAZINE

Junior Sophie Kadifa unleashes a shot on target to help Paly in a nail biting match versus Gunn High School. who make up a significant portion of the team. “We were all really sad for it to be over, but really thankful for all the great times we had,” Stotland said. According to Stotland, in addition to improving as individual players, one of the team’s major

focuses was improving their ability to work together. “Watching my teammates develop and use what they learned in practice in games made me super proudm,” Stotland said. According to Stotland, while the graduating seniors leave big shoes to fill, they are confident in

younger players’ ability to protect their legacy. “Our record wasn’t perfect, but our team was super close and I loved every minute of playing with those girls,” Stotland said. “I think next year [the team] will dominate and we will be so much better next year.”

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

SPORTS

EVE DONNELLY/THE CAMPANILE

Junior Amelia Gibbs and sophomore Kylie Mies go up for a block.

Volleyball season ends in CCS semi-finals after successful run By Eve Donnelly

DAVID HICKEY/THE VIKING MAGAZINE

Football seeks to advance in CCS tournament A

Junior Jamir Shephard prepares for the varsity team’s upcoming game against rival Los Gatos this Friday for the CCS Open Division finals.

Team prepares for upcoming playoff matchup against Los Gatos By Emily Asher Staff Writer

inishing the season off strong, Paly’s varsity football team is headed off to the Central Coast Section (CCS) Open Division finals for the first time in six years. This year’s varsity football team has shown huge improvement from last year, only losing one game throughout the whole season, while last year’s team only won three games. “We ended the regular season with a record of 9-1 which hasn’t been done in a while,” junior Dylan Duncan said. “We’re just so motivated and really want to do something special.” The last game of the season was an away game on Oct. 2 against Homestead where Paly blew them out with a score of 49-0. “We did really well the first half,” junior wide receiver and defensive back Joey Passarello said. “Jackson Chryst went off and had six touchdown passes, and Jamir Shepard had three touchdowns. In the second half, we just cruised

and burned out the clock.” The team has been able to succeed throughout the season due to the individual achievements of many players.

“We’re just so motivated and really want to do something special.” Dylan Duncan “It was a fun game,” Duncan said. “I got to see my teammate Jamir Shepherd break 20 regular season touchdowns coming into the game with 17.” The team’s success this season has given them the opportunity to compete in the CCS finals where they will fight to become open division champions. “The teams next steps are big,” junior wide receiver Jamir Shepard said. “We are going into playoffs and want to go in and win every single game to go CCS Fi-

nals. We need to prepare and stay focused all week for the first big playoff game.” To prepare for important games like these, the team has been working hard during practices to be in the best shape possible to compete at the highest level, according to Duncan. “We have been conditioning after practice with the running back coach, working on reading and reacting with the defensive backs coach, and our scout team period, where it’s our scout team versus our starting offense or vice versa,” Duncan said. This Friday, the team will face Los Gatos High School at Paly for their first round of CCS. “We have come in on Monday and locked in our focus to make sure we get our minds right and ready to compete,” Duncan said. Because they have already faced Los Gatos is the regular season, the team knows what to expect. However, they are still preparing for any differences they may face. “We are expecting Los Ga-

tos to fix mistakes that they had against us,” Passarello said. “They have a good power run which we are preparing for.” Preparing individually is another way to ensure the win.

“The teams next steps are big. We are going into playoffs and want to go in and win every single game to go to CCS finals.”

Jamir Shepard

“I’m just using my own strategy, which is to beat my man off the line every play,” Shepard said. Despite the good competition they will face in CCS, many players believe that their success in league play will translate into victories during the playoffs. Passarello said, “This season so far has been a success, but I think our success can be reflected by our playoff performance.”

Staff Writer

fter crushing competition and ending the regular season with a record of 11-1, the girls volleyball season ended in the semi-finals of the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs.

“We all have high expectations for ourselves, including our coach, and everyday we work on making it more of a reality... We are going to go as far as we can and play our game.”

Grace Thayer

On Nov. 7, Paly faced Buchanan in Clovis and lost 3-0, officially drawing their succesful season to an end. Their victory against Homestead High School on Oct. 23, with a score of 3-2, took them to the top eight of CCS teams. They then beat Saint Francis 3-1 on Oct. 27, which took them to the semi-finals. Palo Alto was the only public school out of the four semi-final teams. “This was a huge win for us,” senior captain Mallory Kuppe said about the game against Saint Francis. “We watch film on the teams we are going to play and basically analyze their offensive and defensive strategies. Based off that, we practice certain things that will help us extra in the match.”

According to junior Grace Thayer, no matter the outcome of future games, the team will continue to play their hardest and progress as far in the playoffs as possible.

“This was a huge win for us.”

Mallory Kuppe

“We all have high expectations for ourselves, including our coach, and everyday we work on making it more of a reality,” Thayer said. “Even if we end up going from open to division one Norcal, we are going to go as far as we can and play our game.” Despite their determination, the team lost to Sacred Heart Prep on Oct. 30 with a score of 3-0. This moved them from the Open Division to Division I.

“We watch film on the teams we are going to play and basically analyze their offensive and defensive strategies. Based off that, we practice certain things.”

Mallory Kuppe

Even after this loss, coach Benji Saetang encouraged the team to continue putting their best foot forward. Saetang said, “Even in losing moments, we are able to still sustain the level of mental toughness and keep fighting.”

Tennis team wins first CCS match, focuses on improving tiebreakers By Sarah O’Riordan

T PRIYA BAKSHI/USED WITH PERMISSION

Varsity captain junior Katherine Sung led her team to a league championship and CCS victory, but narrowly missed qualifying for States.

Girls golf celebrates league champions, CCS

Team participates in Norcal tournament but falls short of qualifying for States By Lucy Nemerov

Business Manager

fter being named league champions, the girls golf team competed at the Norcal tournament on Monday, Nov. 5. After falling short by sevenstrokes, the team came in fourth in the Norcal competition. The teams success during the CCS competition and the past season added to its motivation for the Norcal tournament. However, the team faced close competition in the championship match of CCS. “During CCS, we won the final competition by shooting a 385, Harker high school came in second by shooting a 391 and Valley Christian high school came in third with a score of 392,” Sung said. This close match came down to the final players from Palo Alto and their Harker competitors. “There was a lot of stress when our last two players were competing against their last two players because the scores were really close,” Sung said. “I honestly thought we were going to lose but

then our last two players, Bridget O’Keefe and Lauren Sung played really well.” Speaking of the competition highlights, Priya Bakshi, another junior captain, emphasized Bridget O’Keefe’s further success in the tournament.

“Overall, I think we played very well this year as a team and were definitly able to bond with everyone and build good relationships... I am really proud of the team for everything we have done and how well we played this season.”

Priya Bakshi

“Our new freshman, Bridget O’Keefe, shot a 73 and placed third overall in the whole tournament, which was also really amazing,” Bakshi said. Bakshi also spoke about the motivation the team gained from

CCS; even from their unfavorable moments. “A key moment from CCS was obviously winning just because although we didn’t have the best day, we were still able to win which kind of proved to us that we could do so much better and make it to states,” Bakshi said. According to Sung, the teams’s finish in the Norcal competition has not been reflective of the teams talent and potential. She is disappointed in their quality of playing at Norcals as she believed they had a better chance this season. “For the last few years, we have placed sixth in Norcals. This is honestly not a good representation of what we should have placed,” Sung said. “We know we’re playing the best schools in Northern California but our goal was just to make it into the top three, unfortunately we came close but didn’t make it.” Although the team is disappointed with its failure to qualify for the tournament, freshman Bridget O’Keefe proved individually successful in the tournament. “Bridget O’Keefe shot a 75 in

the tournament and qualified to compete individually at States, we’re really excited for her,” Sung said.

“We know we’re playing the best schools in Northern California but our goal was just to make it into the top three, unfortunetly we came close but didn’t make it.”

Katherine Sung

After a long season, the team is grateful for the bonds they formed and the progress they made. “Overall, I think we played very well this year as a team and we’re definitely able to bond with everyone and build good relationships,” Sung said. “Although the finish may not have been what we wanted, I am really proud of the team for everything we have done and how well we played this season.”

Staff Writer

he tennis team played their first Central Coast Section (CCS) match coming out with a decisive victory on Nov. 6. Each player won their respective games and propelled the team to the next round of CCS. Despite facing issues in handling high-stress matches and their subsequent tie-break ends, Paly’s varsity girls tennis team has remained determined and focused in competition and on improving in hopes of being seeded for CCS championships at the end of the season. In the last few weeks the team has participated in four matches, winning against their competitors in two out of the four. The team played and lost to Monta Vista High School on Oct. 16 with a score of 4-3, but won their next match on Oct. 18 against Los Altos High school with a final score of 5-2. On Oct. 24 the team beat crosstown rival Gunn High School with a score of 4-3, but unfortunately fell to Cupertino High school on Oct. 25 with a score of 4-3. According to varsity tennis player Jackie Galbraith, a junior at Paly, the team’s goal in the last week of the season is mainly to focus on maintaining their solid foundation as a team, hoping only to refine their ability to keep a competitive edge in unusually tough or stressful matches. “One thing we’ve been spending a lot of time on is getting used to the pressure that we normally have during tiebreakers,” Galbraith said. “Our coach has given us a lot drills designed to help us become more comfortable playing [for] points under a lot of pressure.” Tiebreaks are especially

nerve-racking for the team, according to Galbraith, as they are a common end to their matches but are very high-stakes situations in which a small mistake could cost the match. “Tiebreakers are crucial in our tennis matches, and in a tiebreaker you only play to 10 points, so every point counts,” Galbraith said.

“Tiebreakers are crucial in our tennis matches.”

Jackie Galbraith

Overall, Galbraith said the team has gotten noticeably better since the start of the season. She credits this gradual success on tiebreaks, citing the team’s focus on improving them. “Our coach started to keep track of our overall tiebreaker score throughout September. and by the end of month, we had lost about 20 tiebreakers and won five, but by the end of October, we had only lost about 10 and won five,” Galbraith said. Though coaching tactics proved helpful in advancing the team, Galbraith also attributed the team’s success through the season to the players’ efforts to become tighter knit and form a stronger team. “Another thing that helped our team’s overall performance were team building activities,” Galbraith said. “We met up twice aside from tennis, once at Gott’s where we all went to dinner together, and once at lunch where we all dressed similarly and ate together.” Galbraith said, “I think that coming together as a team really helped players become more confident with their standing in the team and ultimately helped them to feel more comfortable around everyone.”

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

SP RTS SPREAD

Diving into the D

Different genres require varying skills, tec

There’s a certain magic in the way a body, usually accompanied by music, is able to express a story and evoke awe and fascination from viewers. as more of an art form, rather than a simple competitive game. One of the most unique and appealing aspects of this particular sport is its

JAZZ

Ballet G

lobally influential and widely considered to be a fundamental base for several other dance genres, ballet’s substantial history has allowed it to remain one of the most popular and recognizable dances in the world. It’s unsurprising that many dancers begin with ballet before expanding to other genres, as it helps introduce and develop elementary skills displayed in a variety of dances. “I believe ballet is the foundation for other types of dance,” senior Natalie Ho, who is currently a part of the Menlo Park Academy of Dance, said. “It teaches you basic technique and bodily alignment, which translates to other genres.” Characterized by theatrical yet graceful movements, ballet is usually accompanied by classical music. According to junior Alina Taratorin, a member of the Bayer Ballet Academy, it requires intense technical accuracy and control, despite its eﬀortless presentation. “When it comes to ballet, there’s a strict discipline that has to be maintained,” Taratorin said. “That’s not to say there’s no freedom of expression ... there’s a lot of room for artistry but strict rules when it comes to technique and choreo.” While many people typically only as-

sociate ballet with classical ballet, other methods have since stemmed from this traditional style to create distinct subgenres. For example, neoclassical ballet is less rigid and more asymmetrical, oﬀering complex spacing. Similarly, contemporary ballet retains the technique and pointe work from classical ballet, but is also influenced by modern dance, which is shown by its inclusion of floor work and in-turn of the legs. Although its intricacy and precision may seem intimidating, several find that the challenge simply makes them more attracted to it. Junior Taylor Yamashita, who is currently in her fourth year at Dance Connection Palo Alto but has been dancing since she was three, considers ballet to be her favorite style of dance, and well worth the rigor. “It’s taught me how to work hard and persevere,” Yamashita said. “I’m not a natural ballerina body-wise, but somehow I’ve managed to stick with it anyways.” Given the high degree of athleticism and dedication needed to execute such a refined artform, it is impossible to not admire of the strength, elegance and agility of ballerinas.

lthough j a z z dancing is a uniquely American product that developed in New Orleans, the style showcases mixed roots from ballet, tap and African traditions. Initially referring to simply any improvisation to jazz music, it has since evolved into a more choreographed, technical style of dance, all while maintaining its animated nature. The Paly Dance Team incorporates a variety of genres into their routines and practices, but jazz has been particularly focused on. According to senior Iris Hart, co-captain of the Paly Dance Team, while jazz dance does have some noticeable ballet influences, it oﬀers a much more buoyant and fast-paced style. “[ Jazz] is a little more upbeat and has a bit more creative movement involved,” Hart said. “You can add a bit more of your style while still being sharp and staying with the team.” Known for its syncopation and swinging rhythm, jazz numbers are highly energetic while still precise. Jazz dancers often maintain a low center of gravity, frequently positioning themselves with bended knees to create more grounded movement.

Other key characteristics include isolations, when the dancer isolates a specific body part, and improvisations. “My favorite style is jazz by far,” senior Abby Cummings, co-captain of the Paly Dance Team, said. “I absolutely love the fast-paced nature of jazz and the performance aspect of it.” Most of the music, moves and costumes are flashy and intense, so being able to perform to such upbeat routines requires great technical prowess and accuracy, according to Cummings. Dancers have to manage to appear energetic and free while still executing numerous exact movements. “Jazz is extremely technical and requires clean lines and sharp movements unlike contemporary, lyrical, or ballet, which are more focused on fluidity,” Cummings said. Strong technique is especially crucial for the jumps and turns that are commonly used throughout jazz routines. Subsequently, a suﬃcient ballet background is greatly encouraged to assist with grace and balance. A combination of the rhythmic swing from African influences with the technical elegance of European dance allows for a uniquely creative and exciting style of dance that is continuously evolving and expanding.

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

SPOR S SPREAD

Diversity of Dance

chniques for students who participate in them

. Although requiring the same physical prowess and exertion as other sports, dance offers a freedom and creativity that makes it widely regarded s vast diversity. From the grace and control of ballet, to the lively street style of hip hop, there is undoubtedly a style of dance for everyone.

Hip Hop

ne of t h e most culturally rooted styles, hip hop dance has been ingrained in African American society since the 70s, shaping the way many people talked, dressed and acted until it eventually became a lifestyle. Hip hop first appeared in the form of deejaying, in which a disc jockey (or DJ) would use turntables to play catchy music usually centered around a breakbeat to maintain the crowd’s energy. Eventually, breaking — or breakdancing — was born as breakdancers, known as b-boys or b-girls, would perform athletic street dances and “battle” each other. Since then, a variety of unique dance styles have developed from hip hop, including locking, which uses a series of quick movements that are individually “locked” for a few seconds, and popping, fast contractions and relaxations of the muscles to create jerks or “pops.” Its freestyle nature and dance battles significantly diﬀerentiate hip hop from other styles. However, its extreme improvisation does not lower the level technique or skill. “When we do those moves, we typically focus on whatever is in the background of the music, because if you listen closely, you can usually discover patterns in the music and predict what is coming,” Ben Tsai, a junior on Paly’s K-pop Dance Club, said. “Those moments when you see dancers do something dope to a beat that no one expects, they actually counted in the back of their mind to figure out when that beat is coming.”

As hip hop garnered more and more mainstream exposure, classically trained dancers began to create more commercializ ed and studio-based dances called “new style,” that were typically performed spontaneously outdoors. Hip hop music also began to further diversify, although usually not straying very far away from its signature breakbeats. “For hip hop as a genre, we usually dance to R&B, all the different types of rap songs, traps, EDM, funk and sometimes remixes of pop songs, quite a big range really — just shows how versatile hip hop dance,” Tsai said. Hip hop’s freedom and casual approach is an enticing mix for several dancers, who prefer a less disciplined style as opposed to more technical dances such as ballet. “It’s different aspects of artwork,” sophomore Alice Wang, a member of Dance Connection, said. “It’s like a calligraphy painting versus a sketch; they’re equally beautiful in their own ways, but I would relate hip hop to more a pencil drawing where you can do it spontaneously and takes a lot of effort to do but is also a more convenient way of expressing yourself.” Hip hop’s less restrictive but still passionate form of dance has become increasingly popular throughout the world, and has even become prominent in foreign music, such as K-pop, and mainstream music.

Lyrical A

relatively recent genre, lyrical dance blends elements from ballet and jazz to create a style that focuses on expressing the lyrics or emotion behind the music to which it is performed to. An extensive assortment of music can accompany lyrical dances, from rock to pop to blues, though it is usually very powerful or expressive. Lyrical dancing typically takes on a poetic and emotional tone. “Lyrical dance is flowy and allows for a lot of creative movements,” Hart said. “There are stories that go along with most lyrical dances, especially for competitions. This way, dancers have similar emotions and moments to match the theme.” Less concentrated on precision, it prioritizes eﬀective expression usually achieved through

dynamic and unpredictable moves. Although generally elegant and intricate, lyrical dancing can sometimes use more pedestrian techniques rather than showier ones to create an organic feeling. “I chose [to perform] lyrical and modern dance because personally, it gives me more freedom to express myself individually, whereas I sometimes find [another style of dance] requires exactitudes,” Ho said. Lyrical dancers often utilize long leaps and graceful turns in order to create fluid movements. Although influenced by ballet and jazz, it is typically less physically taxing, allowing more people to explore this dance. Lyrical dancing is unique in that its main goal is to connect with audiences through illustration of song lyrics, and as a result, is able to consistently create emotionally impactful and memorable routines.

DEsign by katilyn lee text, design & art by Jaures yip

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

SPORTS

New cheer coach Diving team shares outlook on sport recruits larger team After years of club, school training, returning divers reflect on experiences, dedication By Sophia Moore

By Sarah O’Riordan Staff Writer

fter an abrupt coaching turnover and a tumultuous last fall season, the newly declared California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) sports team, Paly cheer has reinvented itself with new coaches, contracts, Sports Posters programs and a junior varsity team. Though the change in coaching and management has required some adjustment from the athletes, junior and varsity cheer co-captain Tati Taylor believes the turnover has built grit and determination in the team, and that Paly cheer’s new coach, Lea Santini, has done a good job of stepping up for the team. According Santini, one of the major goals of this coming season is to participate in local competitions against other high school cheer teams. The team was unable to fulfill this goal last season, according Taylor. “We haven’t competed yet this year, but we hopefully will later this season,” Taylor said. “This is the first year for me and most girls on the team to compete on Paly cheer officially and with an official choreographer.” “The style of coaching is definitely different, but not in a bad way,” Taylor said. “I feel that Lea has stood up for us and that she works hard to make sure we as a unit are succeeding and not always receiving the short end of the stick.” While cheer was declared a CIF sport in 2017, varsity dance was not. This development meant that the teams would have to figure out a way to continue to support one another with new team logistics and titles. “Our two team bond has definitely been disrupted,” said Alanna Williamson, English teacher and varsity dance coach. “Some changes have been in thinking about what’s best for both teams. For example, we do our finances separately now, which allows for more independence and clarity around donations and fundraising.” According to Taylor, though the team has faced issues in assim-

ilating into PAUSD athletics as a newly declared CIF sport, it has taken impressive strides towards rebuilding their competitive edge and strong team foundation. “Cheer is definitely still in a transitional stage in regards to practice space and feeling welcome within paly athletics,” Taylor said. “I feel that for cheer, where we stand as of now is a huge accomplishment from where we were towards the end of last year, regarding the coach transition. I’ve seen that this year, attitudes from athletes are way better, along with the team chemistry.” This school year, a junior varsity team was introduced.According to Taylor, varsity cheer remains tight-knit in spite of having a second team, and strives to include them more in as they move their way up to varsity.

“Paly cheer has come a long way, but I feel as if we still have a long way to go.” Tati Taylor “In regards to team bonding, I feel that varsity cheer has clicked more than junior-varsity,” Taylor said. “One reason for that I think is the fact that varsity is almost all returning members along with a few new members, which is very different compared to junior-varsity where they are all brand new members.” Taylor also said that, while the team has overcome an immeasurable amount of challenges, cheer still has issues to solve with coaching. These issues also impact the development of the newly formed junior-varsity team. “The other [reason varsity is more unified] being the fact that both teams have to share a coach which makes it very stressful during practice,” Taylor said. Overall, cheer has managed to land on its feet and plans to continue to improve after bouncing back from last year’s issues. Taylor said, “All in all, Paly cheer has come a long way, but I feel as if we still have a long way to go.”

Staff Writer

ith the sun’s heat shining on the platform and laser focus on his dive ahead, Paly senior Jack Callaghan mentally prepares himself for the sequence of acrobatics he will perform. Without further ado, he jumps off the platform, spins through the air and gracefully enters the pool’s water. After watching the diving teams compete in the 2012 London Olympics, Callaghan was inspired to try out diving himself and began his diving career with the Stanford Diving Club. According to Callaghan, who has been diving for six years, diving just as much a mental as a physical sport. A difficulty that comes with diving is the level of perfection that must be maintained. Learning new dives and overcoming the fear of failure is a strenuous task that every diver must face. “In competition, every little thing you do is being critiqued,” Callaghan said. “This means that in order to get a perfect score, you basically need to do everything right. It’s very hard to do this, but when you do it, it feels great.” Currently Callaghan dives for Stanford Diving Club and the Paly varsity team. His training includes practice five days a week at Stanford for two hours a day during club season and seven days a week when both Paly and club seasons overlap. Callaghan is a dedicated diver and sees a future in diving; he hopes to continue his career in college and is meeting with college coaches in order to commit. Looking back at his decision to begin diving, Callaghan has no regrets. Over the years he has gained skills that help him in his everyday life and is happy that he has found something that he is passionate about. “Honestly I just really like the feeling of jumping and flipping through the air,” Callaghan said. “It gives you a huge adrenaline rush. When you hit a dive perfectly, called a rip entry where you dive perfectly straight into the water, there is almost zero splash and makes the sound of paper being ripped. It feels amazing. I also

MAX VALASEK/ USED WITH PERMISSION

Senior Jeanpaul Ditto, who will attend Yale University for diving, dives at the Stanford Diving Club. think it teaches you how to conquer fear and be confident outside of the pool.” Jeanpaul Ditto is another senior diving for Paly’s varsity team. Ditto began as a gymnast and also recreationally flipped and tumbled outside of the gym with friends.

“[Diving] gives you a huge adrenaline rush. I also think it teaches you how to conquer fear and be confident outside of the pool.” Max Valasek

After quitting gymnastics, Ditto began diving and has continued with it ever. He is now committed to dive at Yale University and loves and is devoted to the sport.

“I honestly just love the feeling of the pit in my stomach when I’m attempting scary, new dives, and I love the feeling of that pit disappearing after the dive is completed,” Ditto said. “I have a history of sports like gymnastics, parkour and skateboarding, which all involve agile movements and risk taking. I like how diving falls in the same action sports category as these sports while also being a sport of elegance and precision.” Junior Max Valasek is also a current member of Paly’s varsity diving team. Beginning as a gymnast, Valasek transitioned to diving after a recommendation from his sister who was a swimmer. Throughout his years of diving, a constant fear is getting injured. As an incredibly dangerous sport, many people quit due to the risk factor as well as the difficulty. However, Valasek has learned to overcome these fears, seeing diving as enjoyable and thrilling. “The thrill that diving brings

is unmatched,” Valasek said. “It’s absolutely terrifying throwing myself off a 30-foot platform, but once I am safe in the water, I just want to do it again.” Like Callaghan, Valasek is a member of the Stanford Diving Team but joined in 2016. Before that, Valasek lived in Los Angeles and dived for the University of Southern California club team. Now, Valasek hopes to continue diving in college at a Division I university. He is dedicated to the sport, training up to six days a week. What Valasek enjoys most is looking back at his achievements and improvements he has made throughout his multi-year diving career. “I like diving for a couple of reasons,” Valasek said. “One because I can visibly see the progress that I’ve made over the years. Every season I love to learn new dives and improve on my skills.”

Athletics department continues rigorous coach hiring process

Athletics Director Therren Wilburn said school has selective process for staff recruitment of after school sports teams day, good coaches recognize that education is the most important thing in school, and Paly has those coaches.” According to Wilburn, despite a California Interscholastic Federation mandate for coaches to be certified in fundamentals of coaching, concussion management and Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Paly prefers to hire those who seem more devoted to their work than just meeting the requirements.

“[Paly] coaches care about players’ academics too. I don’t just mean keeping students eligible to play, but actually pushing kids to reach their full potential academically.” Paul Thie

LEILA KHAN/THE CAMPANILE

Nelson Gifford, the Paly football coach instructs players at practice. Gifford has led the team to a 9-1 season, seeding third place in CCS play offs. The Vikings play Los Gatos on Friday at home at 7 p.m.

By Ben van Zyll Sports Editor

ith a rich history of titles from a wide range of competitions, Paly sports teams have maintained a high level of prestige in the local athletic community. While powerhouse players have immense importance in a team’s success, a team’s coach is one of the most important factors to consistently win. Paly’s numerous outstanding coaches begs the question: how do we find our coaches, and what is the hiring process? According to Paly Athletic Director Therren Wilburn, the first destination for coaches that are determined to take on the responsibility of leading out a Paly season is EdJoin.org. The web-

site is a resource for educational institutions to post job openings. Prospective coaches apply via the website as their first step to becoming the mastermind of a Paly team. According to Wilburn, in terms of selectivity, Paly is determined to find the perfect person for the job. While there are certain criteria through which coaches are evaluated, Paly also takes into consideration personal goals, aspirations and values when determining whether a coach is a good fit. “Each job posting has minimum job requirements,” Wilburn said. “After candidates apply we review their application and see if their experience is a fit with our department philosophy and our expectations. Our first necessity is the coach to be a role model for

the Palo Alto High School student athletes.” In addition to the characteristics that make an effective leader and victory-enabler, the school also makes sure to seek out coaches that are trained properly in how to tend to severe head and heart injuries. Senior and three-sport athlete Paul Thie has had extensive experiences with a wide variety of Paly coaches. Throughout the seasons on athletics teams at Paly, coaches have become influential figures in his life. “It’s not just about the sports,” Thie said. “The coaches care about players’ academics too. I don’t just mean keeping students eligible to play, but actually pushing kids to reach their full potential academically, because at the end of they

“Candidates who are consistently developing and attending professional development conferences are always ideal, as they have shown an intrinsic motivation to improving their craft,” Wilburn said.

According to Wilburn, each time a new coach is hired, they are interviewed by a panel consisting of athletic department staff, a school administrator, an outside panelist who has experience in the sport and a current Paly studentathlete. “I think the Paly hiring process is good because of all of the steps that are taken before any coach is hired,” Thie said. “They go through an immense questioning process which narrows down the candidates that truly care about the student athletes and their safety.” Like Thie, sophomore varsity soccer player Chris Chen sees the Paly hiring process as an effective method of finding the right people for the right job. His coach, Don Briggs, has had an excellent run of seasons in his time with Paly soccer, earning multiple titles, including the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League titles and Central Coast Section playoff title. “Although Briggs is more well regarded for his reputation as an athlete, being in the [University of California, Davis] Hall of Fame, Paly was spot on with their choice of him as the varsity soccer coach,” Chen said. “Briggs devotes many hours of his time every day during

the soccer season to fulfill his love for the game and love for the journey. He is one of the most knowledgeable and passionate coaches I have had, and I am lucky to hopefully have him as a coach for the next few seasons.”

“He is one of the most knowledgeable and passionate coaches I have had, and I am lucky to hopefully have him as a coach for the next few seasons.” Christopher Chen Throughout the years, Paly’s athletic dominance has been repeatedly proven. And while we can credit star athletes, the coaches are clearly chosen with great specificity by the athletic staff. Ultimately, the hiring process has shown to be successful in the eyes of student-athletes. Thie said, “Through my three sports, I have always had a Paly coach that has cared for me not only as an athlete, but as a friend and as a role model, which is the key to good coaching.”

Friday, November 9, 2018

The Campanile

SPORTS

cool,” Moragne said. “I try to go as much as can.” Critics sometimes say hunting can decrease wildlife in an innately violent nature. However, hunters spend money to preserve nature. Each year hunters pay up to $47 on a hunting license, most of which goes to wildlife protective service.

“I do think some people at Paly look down [on hunting] just because it isn’t common and they don’t understand why we do it.” Will Moragne

LEILA KHAN/THE CAMPANILE

After trekking to Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Suisun City, Calif., junior Will Moragne lines up the barrel of his rifle and takes a shot while hunting duck.

Hunting increases in popularity among students Student hunters reflect on past experiences, reasons for becoming a hunter, public perception of their sport By Paige Knoblock

Staff Writer

s he walks through the brush on the way to his favorite sport, Paly junior Will Moragne sloshes through the overgrown grass with his gun in hand and duck calls around his neck. This is Moragne’s fourth hunting season. Moragne’s passion for hunting brings him up to Grizzly Island almost every weekend of hunting season. “I try to go as much as I can, especially with my dad,” Moragne said. Moragne is one of 15.7 million hunters in the United States who hunt each year, according to CNS News. During hunting sea-

son, which for most animals spans from fall to winter, the meat industry claims 31 million ducks are killed in Northern California. The process to become a hunter is not an easy one, since it is necessary to acquire a hunting license annually. In addition to getting a hunting license, a hunter safety course has to be taken. Although there is no minimum age required to take a hunter education class or purchase a hunting license, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the hunters safety course may be demanding for children. Hunter and Paly junior Max Giovannotto first hunted at a young age. “The first time I went hunting I was 5 years old, when my dad

took me to our family duck club in Los Banos,” Giovanatto said.

“The first time I went hunting I was 5 years old when my dad took me to our family duck club in Los Banos.” Max Giovannotto

Hunters have to take various classes to get their hunting license, according to Giovannotto. Giovannotto does not have ethical concerns regarding hunting because these classes teach hunt-

ers how to kill animals humanely. “In those classes they really teach you the right way to kill an animal and how to make it go as quick as possible,” Giovanatto said. However, hunting is not a Paly team or club — though hunting is a sport, “hunting teams” rarely exist because, according to hunters, hunting is considered more of a tradition than a competition. However, hunters often hunt in groups. Hunting clubs around the Bay Area are a tradition that has been around for hundreds of years.The way hunting clubs work is a group of people who enjoy hunting lease a patch of land from a farmer who would like to have his crops pro-

tected from animals. Generally, hunters visit their clubs two days a week. There are various types of hunting clubs, such as duck and foul clubs, all of which range in prestige.

“They really teach you the right way to kill an animal and how to make it go as quick as possible.” Max Giovannotto

“There are some places I can go after school, which is pretty

“I do think some people at Paly look down [on hunting] just because it isn’t common and they don’t understand why we do it,” Morgane said. Students who hunt at Paly agree that many Palo Altans and others in the community don’t necessarily look down on hunting, but it’s their misunderstanding of the sport that adds to their apprehensiveness of others to partake in it. “I wouldn’t say that Palo Alto looks down on hunting, but I would say that they may just have a misunderstanding towards it that makes it unpopular,” junior Joey Passarello said. Several student hunters agree that they would enjoy a hunting club, though some disagree on whether or not they would like to have hunting competitions. Passarello, who started hunting this year, said that he would like a hunting club but competitions would take away from the sport itself. “I think if there was a specific hunting team with competitions, I wouldn’t support it because the integrity of the animal that you are hunting would be lost because the focus would be on the competition,” Passarello said. The sport of hunting, however uncommon, does have a booming community at Paly students who are passionate about the sport they partake in. Giovannotto said, “I knew I would love it forever.”

The Campanile

Friday, November 9, 2018

SP RTS ONLINE ATHLETES

CLUB SHOWCASES STUDENTS’ ESPORT TALENT

DESIGN BY SOPHIA MOORE

TEXT & DESIGN BY KAI VETTETH

ART BY FRIDA RIVER

heers erupt from the stands club boasts over 100 members across as thousands of fans crowd events. Oracle Arena. Bright spot“Originally, what we started lights and giant screens replace out with was just a fun little projthe basketball court in the center ect among friends,” Kong said. “We of the stadium. Supporters of elec- all played video games and we just tronic sports, or esports, gather from wanted to see how far we could go across the country to watch play- as a team together and build frienders compete in the grand finals ships along the way, but as it of the North American went on, we finally won League of Legends a tournament [and] Championship we realized that Series. we could turn Less than the time that “Esports, like any 30 miles away, Paly students junior Benplay [into] other sports activities, jamin Kong something teach the same turns on useful.” his gaming Sophoconcepts: teamwork, c o m p u t e r, more and and opens C o u n leadership and three winter Strike dows on team capcommunication.” his desktop tain Enzo — the first DeMarinis to watch the said a shortc h a m p i on s h i p age of players match, the second has been a limitto log onto his own ing factor in previLeague of Legends acous seasons, when the count and the third to post a club played against high reminder that practice for the Paly schools where esports were more Esports Club is about to begin. widely accepted. Since co-founding the club in “During the [Spring 2018 Na2016, Kong has worked tirelessly as tional High School League Tournathe co-president in a collaborative ment], we made it to playoffs, but we effort to provide students from Paly didn’t have enough players, so we had and Gunn High School with a pro- to forfeit quarterfinals [because] we ductive outlet for their esport talents. just couldn’t play,” DeMarinis said. Club members practice four times a According to DeMarinis, the club week in preparation for competition received unprecedented influxes of at national, inter-high school tourna- players at the beginning of the 2018ments for video games like Counter 19 school year, after publicizing its Strike and Overwatch. Today, the achievements on Infocus. According

Christine Ahn

to Kong, these influxes resulted in the club’s current status as one of the largest high school esports programs in the country. DeMarinis said some members receive advice from a volunteer coach who reviews videos of their games online. Christine Ahn, a member of Carnegie Mellon University’s esports team, served as the club’s coach for its first season in 2016. “Esports, like any other sports activities, teach the same concepts: teamwork, leadership and communication,” Ahn said. “[All] require time commitment and cannot be done without being passionate about what you do, while still balancing [academics].” According to Kong, the club is currently seeking corporate sponsorship or official recognition as an athletic sport in order to obtain adequate funding. The team’s current lack of funding precludes many players from participating, as they are unable to afford tournament entrance fees or required equipment such as specialized computers, keyboards and mice. “Some players have struggled... sometimes it’s hard for them to pay off the expenses,” Kong said. Kong said players’ earning potential in esports is higher than in many other sports. After the team won the Winter High School League Championship in 2017, one Paly Overwatch player was invited to attend Upper Iowa University on an allinclusive scholarship. Kong believes potential scholarships often attract academically ambitious students to join the club. “There are many tier one colleges

that have teams now, including Stan- Arbolante said students from his ford, Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon,” school sometimes join the Paly club Kong said. “There are huge leagues as a way to play in official high school for colleges now and I think what leagues which they would be unable people don’t understand is the size of to do otherwise. esports now.” “[A] major problem which makes According to Bobby Pragada, the it seem [like] there is stigma towards co-founder of the Stanford esports video games is that Gunn doesn’t alteam, esport’s following has grown low anyone to play esports exponentially at both collecompetitively under giate and high school their name, due to levels and will conthe risk of betinue to do so until ing liable for it is widely accyberbully“There are many cepted. ing or ha“I believe rassment,” tier one colleges that within five Arbolante have teams now years, every said. school in the When including Stanford, country will it began have an ofin 2016, Berkeley and ficially sancalmost Carnegie Mellon.” tioned esports half of program and a the club’s lot of them will members be scholarship attended based,” Pragada Gunn High said. School. ToPragada said critiday, players from cism of esports will subside Gunn High School as its practice becomes mainremain an integral part of stream. the club. “It’s almost like you’re out there According to Kong, esports profor an hour or two hours practicing vides students from both schools kicking the soccer ball around with with the opportunity to use their talyour friends,” Pragada said. “It’s the ents and build important life skills. same kind of mindset in that it’s not “[Our goal is] to create a friendly wasted time — it’s time spent build- and social and yet still competitive ing a specific skill set, creating a rep- community of gamers in Paly and ertoire and creating a familiarity with Gunn schools,” Kong said. “We strive a medium that is maybe [seen more to make Paly the best high school negatively].” team in the nation and provide a Gunn High School junior and way for students with talent in video Paly Esports Club member Quinn games to become recognized.”

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