F RI DAY, M AY 29, 2015
The Arts: Tino students delve into creative pursuits
New eateries in town: a review LIFESTYLES page 8
FEATURES pages 6 & 7
VOLUME 56 NO. 8
Battle Hymn of the Tigerless Son
Sports: The year in review Sports page 11
Danger in Media’s Portrayal of Violence
FLIPSIDE page 12
Opinions page 4
The Prospector
CHSPROSPECTOR.ORG
Student Newspaper of Cupertino High School
10100 FINCH AVENUE, CUPERTINO, CA 95014
LAURA SHKOURATOFF opinions assistant
JAY SHROFF news editor
HEALING HAITI MAKES A SPLASH COURTESY OF SERENA NGAN
Students stay away from School Dances
This summer, as most CHS students plan activities with their friends and families from beach days to study sessions, 14 students will be giving up three weeks of their summer to provide much needed help to the people of Haiti. The group of volunteers is traveling as the Healing Haiti Project, which was founded by a CHS student almost two years ago. Last summer, six students went on the same trip, but this year, the group expanded to welcome more volunteers. The planning for this summer’s trip started last August. Three out of the six members who had traveled on the previous trip interviewed over 50 applicants, and eventually chose 14 students to travel with them this summer. Since finalizing the team, the Healing Haiti group has held two drives at CHS, one for clothing and another for hygiene products. The group also raised over $800 from a bake sale and through their gofundme account, which they advertised on social media. The money raised through both these fundraisers goes towards purchasing medical equipment that will be used on the trip. In Haiti, the students will be volunteering with Angel Wings International Clinic, a charity that provides basic healthcare to local Haitians and that strives Healing Haiti, Continued on page 2
CONSTRUCTION AT VALLCO ANIRUDH PAI editor-in-chief
JESSICA SHIN flipside assistant
For the first time in the history of Intra-District Council dances, in which all five schools in the Fremont Union High School District were to come together, the EDM dance that was scheduled to be on May 8, 2015 was cancelled. Although IDC dances are usually expected to sell about 500 tickets, this year, the number drastically decreased to around 150 tickets total among the five schools in the district. However, the EDM dance was not the only dance that a significantly smaller number of students chose to participate in. Despite great efforts to increase the spirit of students attending dances and make dances more fun and interesting for the students, ASB has been unsuccessful in being able to attract a larger crowd of students at its social events. Many other students have claimed that the dances often seem to be “rush-
Vallco, Cupertino’s iconic shopping mall, has been bought by the Sand Hill Property Co., one of the region’s largest real estate developers, due to a decline in overall sales. However, the developers have only chosen to purchase the three department-store complexes: Macys, J.C. Penneys, and Sears. They eventually hope that the rest of the complex will agree to sell their stores, but with the growing
[Vallco] will give students more places to study or hangout, increasing their high school experience”
- Senior Koushik Gopineedi
School Dances, Continued on page 3 population, the stores will not easily be bought. “I will miss walking the halls of Vallco, [which I have been doing] since the age of three, so it is really sad for those memories to go away,” said senior Koushik Gopineedi, “Yet I think it’s better for the community because the company will come in with a goal in mind and to really improve the area whereas vallco has been stagnant for the past couple years.” The 1.3 million-square-foot acquisition, worth over 200 million, arrives at an unique time with Apple’s campus undergoing construction. Regardless, the Cupertino locations of both JC Penney and Sears were scheduled to close according to the respective companies and the final closing date will be announced next year. The developer, Sand Hill PHOTO BY JEREMY XUE
PHOTO BY JEREMY XUE
Property Co., is currently working on the construction of the Main Street Cupertino and has previously developed the Cupertino Village area. The transformation from an often serene environment with barely any stores years ago to a time of constant construction highlights the fact that Cupertino will never be the same. Cupertino, only fifty years ago, was overgrowing with orange trees; today, the area is quickly reaching the heights of modernization. Similarly the school having underwent construction also depicts the increasing population within Cupertino and it is not a surprise that Vallco is expanding as well. Said Gopineedi, “However, overall I think the change will be positive for the school because it will give students more places to study or hangout, increasing their high school experience.”
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News
The Prospector
S TA F F 2014-2015
Cupertino High School Established 1958 Vol LVI, No. 8 | 2015 editors-in-chief isabel lin anirudh pai news editor jay shroff opinions editor daniel fertelmeister features editor meilinda sun lifestyles editor shalmali patil sports editor peter martin flip side editor melissa silva online editor michelle pyke copy editors delanie medina rishi nair niikita devdhar photo editor jeremy xue business manager marvin wang
news assistants
brian zhong neil mcclintick
opinions assistants
laura shkouratoff diana kruzeman
features assistants
jason munoz alex shieh
lifestyles assistants
maithilee kanthi joyce ye
sports assistants
anisha dangoria stephanie shi
flip side assistant
jessica shin myung ju song
online assistant
allan wu
photo crew
thu dam serena ngan
The Prospector
Healing Haiti Makes a Splash continued from page 1
to build a strong community in the area. Though the students have been learning some basic Creole, there will be translators present in order to ensure understanding. The students will be assisting physicians, nurses, and pharmacists in all departments. This year, they will also be working in mobile clinics, traveling to different places around the country to distribute the items that were brought as well as provide free medical care. The group believes that the trip will be a great learning experience. Derek Pan, a junior Said Meyhaa, “we’ve all read the articles, and heard about the Haitian earthquake, but to actually go there and see how it’s impacting them would be really inspiring.” For the students, the purpose of the trip is to raise awareness to global health issues and community service in third world countries. The Healing Haiti project first began 2 years ago, when one of the current Healing Haiti founders went to Haiti as a sophomore with an organization called Show Hope to care for orphans, and build homes. This student visited the Angel Wings International clinic, which was looking for volunteers at the time, and coordinated with one of the founders of Angel Wings to organize the first high school medical mission trip through the program. The group plans to post pictures and updates daily during their trip from from June 8-25 on their Facebook page titled “Healing Haiti Project.” Their journey will be documented online in order to share their adventures with fellow students as well as other friends and family.
The Future of 3-D Printing at CHS MYUNG JU SONG flip side assistant
A novel product has been getting the rest of the world excited about its limitless possibilities. This machine, which is applicable in virtually every one of today’s industries, promises to redefine the way people live by printing ideas into reality. The 3D printer, more formally rePHOTO BY JEREMY XUE ferred to as additive manufacturing, is the process of “printing” a solid object from a digital file using special types of “ink.” An object is created by laying down successive layers of “ink,” which may range from human cells to concrete, until the entire object is eventually formed. By essentially forming an entire product from cartridges of raw materials, the applications of a 3D printer are almost endless. All one needs in developing a creation are raw materials, a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file, and a 3D printer to make ideas come to life. Additive manufacturing is unique in that designs can be easily modified for a wide range of applications. For instance, 3D bio-printers are able to print out replicas of human tissue and organs. Layers of living cells are deposited into a gel and slowly added using an inkjet medium to form three dimensional structures of bones, teeth, organs, etc. Industries use 3D printer for prototyping – Nike and Adidas are now using 3D printers to 3D Printing, Continued on page 3
Editorial Policy “The Prospector” is an open forum of expression for student editors to inform and educate their readers. It will not be reviewed by or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisors may and should coach and discuss content during the writing process. The staff of “The Prospector” seeks to recognize individuals, events and ideas and bring news to the Cupertino community in an accurate, professional and unbiased manner. “The Prospector” will not avoid publishing a story solely on the basis of possible dissent or controversy. If you believe an error has been made or wish to have your opinion expressed in “The Prospector,” please contact us via mail or email. Letters sent become the sole property of “The Prospector” and can be edited for length, clarity or accuracy. “The Prospector” editorial board reserves the right to accept or reject any ad in accordance with its advertising policy. Contact Us The Prospector 10100 Finch Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 prospector.chs@gmail.com
News Briefs
Six police officers indicted in Freddie Gray case Six Baltimore police officers were indicted on May 21st on charges connected to the death of Freddie Gray. The indictments came after prosecutors presented evidence to a grand jury for two weeks. Gray died last month after allegedly suffering a devastating spinal injury while in police custody sparked the infamous protests and riots in Baltimore. The six officers face charges that, if they are convicted, could lead to decades in prison, based on their alleged actions that day. Among them: Illegal arrest, misconduct, assault and involuntary manslaughter. Massive Oil Spill in Santa Barbara On May 18th, an oil pipeline near the coast of Santa Barbara broke and spilled up to 84,000 gallons of crude oil in the Pacific Ocean. The National Guard and other federal agencies have already began cleanup efforts, which continue as of the publication date. The company that owns the pipeline, Plains All American Pipeline LP, offered an official apology immediately and has said that it will pay for all ensuing damages. ISIS takes control of Ancient city of Palmyra On May 20th, ISIS seized with apparent ease the cities of Ramadi in Iraq and Palmyra in Syria, in both cases seemingly coming out of nowhere to rout government forces. On Thursday, the militants were digging in, consolidating their grip and executing people with ties to the old order. Many Syrians are concerned that the ruins located in Palmyra, a UN World Heritage site, could be in danger of being blown up by the rebels. John Forbes killed in car crash John Forbes Nash Jr., the Princeton University mathematician whose life inspired the film “A Beautiful Mind,” and his wife died in a car crash on May 23rd, according to New Jersey State Police. Nash, 86, and Alicia Nash, 82, were riding in a taxi near Monroe Township when the incident occurred. Nash, widely regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, was known for his work in game theory, and his personal struggle with paranoid schizophrenia. WomenCrossDMZ succeeds in trip to North Korea An international group of female activists crossed the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea on Sunday in a controversial effort to bring attention to the need for peace between the two nations. The group of about 30 members, called WomenCrossDMZ, included feminist Gloria Steinem and two Nobel Peace laureates. COMPILED BY JAY SHROFF
Chipotle, other restaurants stop using GMO’s MELINDA SUN features editor
adviser ann peck
May 29, 2015
Chipotle’s groundbreaking rise from a local Mexican food franchise based in Colorado to one of the largest restaurant chain giants i n the world has caused a national paradigm shift of sorts and has rebranded the entire fast food industry. Chipotle’s marketing strategies and skyrocketing sales make its message clear: fast food’s convenience is self-evident, but it can also be healthy. CEO of Chipotle, Steve Ells, describes his business model to The New York Times: “Just because food is served fast doesn’t mean it has to be made with cheap raw ingredients, highly processed with preservatives and fillers and stabilizers and artificial colors and flavors.” Chipotle is famous for spearheading the shift from processed, chemical-laden products to organic, healthy foods. In 2013, Chipotle became the first restaurant to label products whose ingredients included GMOs. GMOs, or geneticallymodified organisms, are organisms whose genetic material has been altered: scientists could, for example, create genetically-modified ap-
ples to prevent bruising and increase growth. To date, the only products it uses which contain GMOs are tortillas and cooking oil. Its most recent venture is its ban on GMOs from all of its products. GMOs are already ubiquitous in American food –– the US Department of Agriculture finds that 88% of all American-grown corn is genetically modified, and a UC Davis study reports 95% of all food animals consume GMOs in their feed. GMOs drive down the cost of food and, in a sense, perfect and optimize food. Hence, many food corporations have embraced this new technology. Chipotle, however, differentiates itself in this new measure. Chipotle cites three reasons to justify this new measure. The first is that because GMOs are a relatively new development, scientists still do not have enough information to determine GMO’s relative safety. Furthermore, some of the means by which GMOs are cultivated damage the environment. Additionally, customers who want to avoid GMOs can realize these preferences at Chipotle. Chipotle’s GMO ban has, however, been met with mounting backlash. Critics note that Chipotle’s ban is creating irrational fear about GMOs. The National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the European Commission all presume GMOs as safe for human consumption. Because Chipotle sets a precedent for those who strive to eat healthy, Jesse Singhal of New York Magazine writes, “Chipotle has developed a reputation for corporate responsibility and making careful decisions about
“GMOs are found in 80% of all processed foods in the US.” - Fast Company
Restaurants stop using GMO’s, Continued on page 3
May 29, 2015
The Prospector
3-D printing at Cupertino continued from page 2 create multi-colored prototypes of their shoes and equipments. 3D printing is also less expensive than current industrial production methods. Car manufacturers have already adopted 3D printers to make complex engine parts that are costly and time-consuming using traditional methods. “Impossible” creations of sculpture and architecture are now possible - new building techniques such as a net of concrete and 3D printed houses are just some of the new breakthroughs in building architecture. 3D printing is also widely accessible to anyone. 3D printers have dramatically decreased in pricing over the last few years, with the basic consumer printers falling below $300. Printing services like Shapeways and Ponoko can now inexpensively print and deliver an object from a digital file that builders upload into their website. With 3D printing, individuals are finding new ways to extend their creativity and make interesting new products. Some individuals have already made a market for themselves by selling CAD designs online or by selling art sculptures made from 3D printing. The market for 3D printers are now currently valued at $4.1 billion but is expected to surpass $10 billion by 2025. As with all technologies, however, 3D printing comes at a risk. Easily accessible printers, material cartridges, and design files means that potential danger can come to those who abuse the power of the printers for illicit purposes. For instance, a working plastic gun capable of firing live bullets can be found on the internet for anyone to access. Because 3D printed objects are unable to be tracked and accounted for, 3D printers can be a potential choice of weapon for many criminals. In addition, many of the computer designs for printing cannot be verified for stability, safety, and reliability; therefore, they are potential hazards because there is no institution that confirms that the designs are safe for standard use. Despite the potential drawbacks, the future of 3D printers looks promising. With the ability to inexpensively print an idea, 3D printers have already revolutionized how objects are made. The 3D printer is an enticing machine capable of use in various industries and will continue to be improved upon in the times to come.
News
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Chipotle Stops Using GMO’s continued from page 2
the ingredients on its menu, and Chipotle ditched GMOs — therefore, GMOs must be bad.” Sometimes irrational but not entirely misplaced fear about GMOs may have been exacerbated by Chipotle’s GMO ban. At the same time, corporations must cater to public opinion to gain profit; because 52% of Americans believe that geneticallymodified foods are unsafe, and 13% are unsure, Chipotle’s decision to ban GMOs merely reflects the general consensus. Many argue that Chipotle’s new measure to ban GMOs merely heightens irrational fear about GMOs. Ultimately, however, this new measure is a business publicity plan and although meant to advance Chipotle’s interests, the effects of this ban reach both consumers and other corporations.
Students stay away from School Dances continued from page 1 edly thrown together”, unlike most of the formal dances which are widely attended, and this factor has made students less willing to attend dances. Over the past few years, statistics have shown that the attendance to casual dances, such as Back to School Dance, Homecoming, Yearbook dance, has decreased by an average of 400 students. However, the number of students attending formal dances, such as Winter Formal, Junior and Senior Prom, has increased by an average of 150 students. Said senior Arsh Saroya, “Obviously it would be ridiculous to put as much effort into casual dances as formal dances, but the contrast [between the two] is really stark.” In addition to the IDC EDM dance being cancelled, there have been other changes that have also been made to the traditional events due to the lack of attendance. The annual Yearbook Dance in which students were usually given time to receive their yearbooks and spend time signing them has been cancelled for this school year and has instead been changed to a Yearbook bash, which will be a social instead of a dance. Other dances, such as Sadies, have also been cancelled for the past few years due to the lack of attendance. As the next school year approaches, students are excited to see what kind of changes will be made to the events so that more students will be likely to attend the dance parties held by the entire school.
Opinions
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May 29, 2015
All Lives Matter. February 26, 2012 – Trayvon Martin, a black teenager, is shot dead by George Zimmerman, a Hispanic man
August 9, 2014 – Michael Brown, a black teenager, is shot by Darren Wilson, a whilte police officer, following Brown’s robbery of a convenience store August 11, 2014 – Dillon Taylor, a 20 year old white man, is shot dead by a black police officer
April 12, 2015 – Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, is arrested by 6 officers (3 white, 3 black), and later dies from injuries sustained during the arrest May 4, 2015 – Brian Moore, a white NYPD officer, is shot and killed by Demetrius Blackwell, a black man
Violence and race sell. They manifest within video games, in movies, and more ALLAN WU than anything online assistant else, they sell ANISHA DANGORIA newspapers, sports assistant gain blog shares, and get DANIEL FERTELMEISTER people’s attenopinions editor tion. The increased attention that violence and race has gotten in the media has no other purpose than to sell newspapers, get retweets, and likes. The issue is a simple one – the media’s job is to show the news, not to pick and choose what they think has the highest entertainment value. But violence and race in American media have been sensationalized, and in their efforts to win the attention of the public, the American media has failed to accurately and impartially address the issues. This, in turn, has created an uninformed public. Between 2009 and 2013, the rate of violent crime in America had actually dropped. However, the rampant and increasing media attention that is given to violence, specifically mass violence such as riots and shootings, has created a public that now associates violence with an American image, and fails to look beyond the effects to see the causes. The issue of sensationalization and overplaying of violence in American media is rooted in the heart of American culture. In an article published in the wake of the deadly Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut, The New Yorker analyzed the importance of violence as a cornerstone of basic American entertainment and an element of masculinity in American society. The issue of media coverage of violence, and not the issues causing violence were also thrust into the limelight after the Ferguson riots, caused by the shooting death of unarmed teenager, Michael Brown, and the Baltimore riots, caused by the death of Freddie Gray whilst in police custody. The violence that ensued after these two conflicts between the people and the figures that represented their government —in both cases the police —was the subject of rampant and unending media coverage. However, instead of educating the public on the important aspects of the issue, the causes and what could be done to mediate them, the media focused on the rioting, looting, anger and destruction of American cities. Furthermore, by simply portraying the violence as the core cause of American strife, the media created a screen through which Americans associate some issues as important and others as commonplace and nothing to be worried about. This not only allows the media to rewrite the history of the country, but also shift the country’s political, societal,and moral compass. The keystone element of this lies in the contrasting portrayals of the deaths of Eric Garner, Freddie Gray and Michael Brown in the media. Right off the bat, their cases bear an eerie similarity– all were black men who died in the custody of police. However, while violent protests and intensive media coverage followed the deaths of Michael Brown in Missouri, and Freddie Gray in Baltimore, the death of an unarmed father was peacefully protested and soon forgotten by the media. It is not only the level of violence in American media that is cause for concern, but the potential impact it can have on future generations. The obsessive coverage of extreme violence and destruction in the media is creating a public that is desensitized and is fostering a generation that is growing to view violence as a norm in society. In studies conducted by the Surgeon General’s office in 1972, and the National Institute of Mental Health, it was found that the increased level of, and increasingly casual manner of the exposure and reporting of violence in American media, had long-lasting, negative effects on the youth of American society. When the positive correlation between exposure to violence by the media and increasingly aggressive and violent behaviors in children are coupled with the fact that six of the deadliest shootings in the country’s history have occurred in the last twelve years, the portrayal of violence in the media proves to be a cause for immediate concern. The media has the power to shape society, and the growing coverage of an increasingly violent America is a self-perpetuating cycle, leaving the same finger that pulls the trigger pointing the blame at the society from which it came. Given the climate of crime in the United States, some of the only plausible causes of the overexposure of violence in the me-
dia are the political issues that it fuels. Racial violence in America has become the basis for many political campaigns, and the current party polarization of the United States political system leaves many politicians focusing on the issues that hit closest to home for their constituents–violence, equality, and the issue of safety. The American media is one of the most fundamental institutions that links the people of the country to the democratic processes that they hold so dearly; however, the media’s responsibility for informing the public honestly and completely is often overshadowed by their coverage of whatwill sell. The role of political gatekeeper gives the American media much more power than they are warranted, especially when it comes to the issues they deem important and the issues that gain the attention of the public. The widening divide between the Democratic and Republican parties is also a cause of the intensive obsession of the media with racial violence. With the divide in beliefs over issues such as care for the mentally ill and acceptance and rights of members the LGBTQ community, issues of constitutional importance, such as privacy and the right to bear arms, as well as the increasing racial tensions in the southern and eastern sections of the country, the media has had to cover what sells. In this case, the media’s obsessive coverage of violence is the only manner in which issues that need to be addressed, such as gun rights and race relations, are brought to the attention of those in charge. While the media does seem to be acting as an advocate in this scenario, the bigger question remains for whom. With the increasing coverage of violence in the media and the media’s focus on the perpetrators, questions about the culture the media is trying to promote, as well as for whom they are advocating, beg to be answered. The racial component of this violence has also been grossly taken advantage of by mass media. The cases of Trayvon Martin, Freddie Gray, and Michael Brown – cases where anti-black racism could be viewed as a motive, were pounced on by every channel and every publication. Many media sources even ignored facts – such as the crime that Michael Brown committed just prior to his death – in order to further a racist storyline. This is not to say that racism was not a factor in any of these cases, for it very well might have been. But that’s just the thing: it might have been. Nobody except for the perpetrators will ever know, but that didn’t stop the media from asserting that race was the main issue in the case. By unwaveringly asserting race as the motive, various media outlets not only ignored facts, but they pushed a story that caused death and destruction. The violence that was mentioned earlier – the riots and the looting that came as protest to the perceived racial element of these cases – was undeniably fueled by the same media sources that took advantage of it. The importance that race plays in the reporting of violence can be summed up in a couple examples. When Dillon Taylor, a white man, was killed by a black officer in an altercation very similar to that which led to Michael Brown’s death, almost no major news sources ran the story. When NYPD officer Brian Moore, a white man, was shot and killed by a black man, the story again received minimal coverage in mass media. Even the biker gang shootout that took place in Waco, Texas, which included mostly white shooters didn’t get close to the coverage usually afforded to a crime involving so many people. Compared to the level of coverage given to the cases of Martin, Brown, and Gray, these incidents skated by the media. Many have said that if a black cop kills a white man, it’s ignored, but if a white cop kills a black man, the story has instant potential to become national news. The reason? A black-on-white violence doesn’t sell; white-on-black violence does. But it’s not fair for the media to pick and choose like this. If death is truly a significant event, the races of the parties involved is insignificant. Mass media has been banking heavily on the “black lives matter” movement. And they do. But don’t all lives matter? Isn’t the death of a peaceful police officer as significant as the death of an unarmed black teenager? The American media is creating a dangerous America. Violence is shown and glorified on a nightly basis to a global audience, and the situations that are involved in said violence are exaggerated and cut for the gain of the media. Not only does this have the potential to desensitize the public to the horrors of the violence that they see on TV, but it also misinforms the public about the realities of the conflicts they’re seeing. The media has an obligation to the American viewers to report what is significant, not what is lucrative, and to do so impartially. But lately this hasn’t been the case. And that’s a dangerous reality.
May 29, 2015
Opinions
The Prospector
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The Quest for Perfection In today’s world, nothing is more convoluted and multi-faceted than the media’s portrayal of beauty and body image. Magazines, ISABEL LIN TV commercials, and editor-in-chief billboards all feature a myriad of seemingly JOYCE YE perfect models that aplifestyles assistant pear to define beauty as having glossy smiles, luscious hair, and slim bodies. In response, critics and important figures have retaliated against the celebration of skinny body figures, proclaiming that “real women have curves” and “men love big women.” At the same time, messages like “love yourself just the way you are,” “embrace your flaws,” and “imperfection is beauty” — despite the constant corporate endorsement of beauty and health products that supposedly help in the quest for perfection — are pervasive. Indeed, the media is inundated with conflicting messages that promote varying definitions of physical attractiveness, while the more important issue of character development is not stressed. The prevalence of skinny-shaming and fat-shaming in the media sends confusing, dangerous messages to individuals in today’s society. Skinny-shaming, a relatively new concept, is becoming increasingly common; Meghan Trainor’s hit song, “All About That Bass” includes lyrics like “boys like a little more booty to hold at night” and refers to thin people as “skinny bitches.” Songs like “Anaconda” vilify the thin, labelling skinny people as superficial and vain. At the same time, fat-shaming continues to be ubiquitous. The double standard regarding body image creates a hostile environment in which seemingly no single body figure is acceptable.
Not only does the media send a fallacious message to women about what kinds of bodies they should strive for, but it also promotes society’s erroneous definition of beauty. In one of Dove’s Real Beauty campaign advertisements, women were asked to look at two portraits of themselves, with the supposedly “more beautiful” one revealed to be more accurate. In the follow-up, all the women regarded the portrait meant to be “more beautiful” as thinner and younger-looking. The “prettier” portrait also diminished characteristics like wrinkles and pimples, implying that these characteristics make women less attractive. In an ironic twist, the Real Beauty campaign sends women the beguiling message that real beauty is defined by being thinner, looking younger, and having flawless skin. At the core of the media’s erroneous portrayal of beauty and body image is society’s overemphasis on physical descriptions. Individuals today are constantly reminded by the media to accept themselves, flaws and all; however, the media incorrectly defines flaws as physical attributes that society views as less than desirable. Meanwhile, the dictionary defines a flaw as a defect or weakness in a person’s character, as opposed to a physical feature. While the message to accept oneself is positive and has good intent, the media has also failed to highlight a key step individuals should take after acceptance: improvement, especially on character flaws. In arguably the most famous quote about character flaws, Marilyn Monroe once stated “I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure … don’t deserve me at my best.” This quote has since graced many teenage girls’ social media posts and has thus had a huge impact on ways of thinking, but the philosophy it preaches is wrong at its core. Essentially, this quote criticizes people around us for not “accepting” our shortcomings, while implying that we ourselves do not need to change. However, a society based upon
this philosophy will doubtlessly fall apart; if everyone were selfish, impatient, and insecure, society would only become more corrupt with time. Character flaws are not meant to be romanticized; they are meant to be improved upon as best as we can. Nevertheless, it’s also dangerous to seek to achieve perfection and in doing so, become obsessed with imperfections. Ultimately, the most important part of personal improvement is for an individual to understand that real beauty comes both from within themselves and also hard work, and that they should never settle for being anything less than what they could be.
TWO SIDES TO EVERY
MATTRESS
The media demands a radical reaction from its viewers in order to retain its relevance and stay afloat financially. It seems that in the age of information that we live in today, the average individual JEREMY XUE has grown accustomed to photo editor having a spoon-fed stance instead of having to dig through troves of details and facts to —god forbid — come to a conclusion of their own. We often do not have the time to sort through the facts themselves. We sometimes simply do not care enough about the topic to read past the headline. We are programmed to respond to a situation with a clear “good” side and a clear “bad” side. In an effort to instill such a polarity, the media goes to great lengths to extrapolate from little to no information and create a false dichotomy. In August of 2012, Emma Sulkowicz and Paul Nungesser, two students attending Columbia University, had sex. Beyond that, the details get fuzzy. Sulkowicz’s account of the night was that Nungesser violently pinned her down on her mattress and raped her. Nungesser, on the other hand, argues that the sexual encounter was consensual and that Sulkowicz’s accusations stemmed from jealousy of Nungesser’s new relationship. Before continuing, I would like to make it clear that I am not asserting the validity of either statement; whether Nungesser is guilty of rape or Sulkowicz is guilty of fabricating her story, only the two know the truth. Sulkowicz initially brought up her allegation by filing a complaint with the university in April 2013. In October of that year, the university found Nungesser “not responsible.” In May
2014, Sulkowicz filed a police report with the NYPD, who interviewed Nungesser and stated that they would not be pursuing the case. Displeased at the ruling of both Columbia University and the NYPD, Sulkowicz took matters into her own hands and achieved viral fame for her bold “Carry That Weight” campaign. This served as her senior thesis, which consisted of Sulkowicz carrying around a large 50-pound mattress so long as her alleged rapist remained at the university. After the campaign went viral, thousands of supporters rallied in support of Sulkowicz’s cause. Various media outlets swarmed to cover the issue, eager to feed on the growing hatred for the at-the-time unknown alleged rapist and to fulfill their desire to receive likes, retweets, and shares from people reading and responding with, “How could something like this happen?” However, the truth is that the issue is not as black and white as the media makes it out to be. While rape is a serious issue that should not be trivialized, it is dangerous to arrive at a conclusion without sufficient evidence. The basis of the American justice system is the presumption of innocence unless the accused is proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In the case of a rape, the burden of proof lies upon the prosecution—in this circumstance, Sulkowicz. This presents a frustrating catch-22— evidence is required to prosecute, however, evidence in such a case is almost impossible to attain. The only evidence available is the verbal testimonies of both Sulkowicz and Nungesser, as well as Facebook messages following the event that portray a playful and friendly nature between the two. While this evidence does seem to support Nungesser’s claim, there is still the possibility that Sulkowicz did not understand how to respond to the events of the controversial night and chose to mask it as if nothing had happened. Thus, it seems the case is back to square one: Her word versus his.
Columbia University, unable to find sufficient evidence to take action against Nungesser, deemed Sulkowicz’s accusation “untrue and unfounded”. The outrage over the difficult situation prompted Sulkowicz’s Mattress Performance. While such a bold action has been lauded among the feminist community, it raises ethical concerns as to whether taking matters into one’s hands through public shaming is justified. On the other hand, in such a situation, what else is there for one to do? When the justice system has run its due process and if, hypothetically, Nungesser were to be at fault while escaping legal punishment, does that justify Sulkowicz’s actions? Again, this is a difficult scenario that becomes even more frustrating with the media blowing the situation out of proportion. The media must conform to the expectations of their viewers. The liberal media sided with Sulkowicz, publicly shaming Nungesser and eulogizing Sulkowicz’s actions. Similarly, the conservative media sided with Nungesser, calling Sulkowicz an outright liar. Regardless, we on the outside simply don’t know what happened and both sides draw conclusions from what little evidence there actually is. Ideally, the media should merely provide us, the general public, with the facts so that we can come to our own educated conclusion, rather than viewpoints that cater to what the public would like to hear. This of course, is not the case, and reflects the media’s desire to create a black-white scenario over what is more of a gray issue. We can’t expect the media to change their ways, but we can change how we interpret and trust the information that the media gives us. We still might not have time and we still might not care enough to read through the facts, but what we can do is question the validity of the viewpoints presented to us.
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Duncan chung sfz
PHOTO BY JASON MUNOZ
Features
May 29, 2015
INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA JASON MUNOZ
pp mf
features assistant
For students who want to pursue music at Cupertino High School, there are plenty of opportunities. Those who want spotlight showcases at rallies and football games are given the opportunity to partake in marching band. Aspiring singers, dancers, and performers may participate in choir. One class which has, for the most part, evaded the spotlight, caters to those who want to perform sophisticated symphonies and perfect their art –– orchestra. Sophomore Duncan Chung is one of the 40 students who chose to pursue the unique experience offered in intermediate orchestra. Having begun playing music in middle school, Chung has been playing music for four years; this year is his sophomore year. His first instrument was the viola, but after one year, Chung decided to change his instrument to the larger and deeper double bass. The double bass does not enjoy the same attention than do instruments such as the violin and the cello: typically, the double bass does not carry the melody. Despite this, it is integral to the orchestra because its main function are establishing a clear rhythm for musicians to follow and producing a bassline which serves as the foundation for playing chords. “You have to have a good sense of rhythm [when you play the bass] because you’re basi- c a l l y giving t h e tempo for the entire orchestra, other instruments count on you to give them the beat of the song, and if you go too fast or too slow,
it’s going to mess the rest of the orchestra up. It requires more strength than a violin or anything too, just because of the massive size of the instrument” said Chung. “Usually there is a lot of pressure on the bass player, because the volume of the bass is much louder than that of the other instruments… So people can hear you when you mess up, even once.” For students like Chung, the most rewarding facet about orchestra is the people in it. Despite the pressure on each member of the orchestra to perform well –– after all, an orchestra is only as strong as its weakest players –– students in intermediate orchestra enjoy a close bond. Chung and his classmates perform pieces, are scolded for goofing off by conductor Gilbert Iruegas, and grow and improve together, both as musicians and as individuals. When asked what students should do if they wish to play in orchestra, Chung remarked, “If someone takes the initiative to practice before they start orchestra, then [joining] is a pretty easy task. Otherwise, it will take a lot of hard work to succeed, but anyone can do orchestra if they work hard enough.” Orchestra is a music program that often goes unnoticed. Similarly, Chung’s instrument, the double bass, is similar in that it is frequently overlooked, although its role in uniting the orchestra is critical.
ht e
Yearbook sohni thakkar MELISSA SILVA flipside editor
As the school year comes to a close, so must Sohni Thakkar’s six-year-long yearbook journey. Senior Sohni Thakkar is one of the three editorin-chiefs of this year’s Nugget staff. As editorin-chief, Thakkar is in charge of finalizing the yearbook by working with the assistant editors, deciding on the theme, and choosing what should and shouldn’t be included in the final copy. Thakkar realizes that although the student body does enjoy the yearbooks, many overlook the industrious process behind its creation. The Nugget, our yearbook staff, spends the entire year creating spreads, interviewing students and staff members, and compiling everything into the finished product students PHOTO BY JASON MUNOZ
receive. Being part of the staff, therefore, is an enormous job. Said Thakkar, “Yearbook...adds a sense of responsibility to what you’re doing... What you’re doing is going to be printed, then sold to a thousand, two thousand students. So you’re responsible for getting what you need, getting interviews, getting data, everything; that’s on you.” Yearbook is an almost completely student-run class, with the editor-in-chiefs in charge. Commented Thakkar, “It challenges you in a different way than [other] classes do... It’s very student run, so we’re the ones that make the decisions, we’re the ones that put in the hours... Ms. Townsend... lets us make most of the major decisions.” Unlike many other classes, to become part of this program, there is an application process that takes place at the end of each school year. Additionally, participation in the class has given Thakkar and her fellow staffers a chance to explore material they would not have otherwise been exposed to in mainstream classes. Noted Thakkar, “If it hadn’t been for yearbook, I feel like I would’ve stuck to a lot of math and science courses...which is great, but I wouldn’t have tried anything arts-related or graphic design or design at all...I might not even have taken literature classes that I really do enjoy now.” Thakkar admitted that, at the beginning of high school, she had mixed feelings about whether or not she would continue the program. At the end of her freshman year, however, she decided to return after her editor-in-chiefs asked her to be assistant design editor. Throughout the years, Thakkar has found a family in her yearbook staff - a family she will miss once she leaves for college. Said Thakkar, “Everything you do is always made better by the people you do it with.”
May 29, 2015
Features
The Prospector
7
Culinary Careers: negin khalili ALEX SHIEH features assistant
In freshman biology, we learned that food as a means of subsistence was essential for every human being. Today, food is no longer just a necessity, but instead, a pleasurable experience. The irony is that while we love food, few know how to make it. Junior Negin Khalili explores this; her participation in the Culinary Careers class enhances her passion for cooking. Specifically, Culinary Careers, instructed by Ms. Michelle McClelland, widens the lens from not only simple cooking, but also, nutrition. Said Khalili, “In middle school, you kind of just cook. But in culinary careers, not only do we cook, but we also learn more about the food we eat, especially its health benefits… If you have a passion for food or cooking, you should definitely take culinary careers.” Prior to taking Culinary Careers, many students take the optional course Introduction to Culinary Careers, a preparatory course class for kitchen novices that addresses the many aspects of food preparation such as safety, sanitation, kitchen tools and their functions, and most importantly, meal planning and preparation. People who have extensive experience in cooking, such as Khalili, however, are directed into Culinary Careers in their first
year. The main difference between Introduction to Culinary Careers and Culinary Careers is that the former introduces students into the “world of food and flavor” while the latter delves deeper into meal planning and offers more opportunities for creative expression in creating recipes. Khalili has been learning to cook since she was in sixth grade. When asked what inspired her to take cooking as a class, Khalili was quick to respond. “Like many people, I love food. So, I just thought I should probably learn cooking,” said Khalili, “Also, my dad has always been a great cook, so he may have influenced me [as well].” Students in Culinary Careers participate in a variety of activities contingent on the days of the week. On lab days, which occur block days, students cook more advanced food which require longer preparation, including cheese soup, a dish that Khalili labels one of her favorites. On the days that students are not cooking, they either watch cooking demos or videos about nutrition. Khalili offers her advice to any-
one who is new to cooking. Said Khalili, “There are a lot of opinions when it comes to food. So [it is important to] add your little flair and make what you like.”
PHOTO BY JASON MUNOZ
T H E A T E R
MARSHALL PANGILINAN: Cupertino actors theater BRIAN ZHONG news assistant
As you step onto the stage, you become blinded by the bright spotlight shining right at you. You’re donning your elaborate yet fitting costume, which was painstakingly handcrafted by the costume designers. The stage reflects a picturesque Victorian town, built from the ground up by stage designers several weekends before. All of the hard work of sound and makeup people, the director, and countless others, all comes down to this. This is the buildup to the big spring musical, Cabaret, the flagship show of the Cupertino Actors Theater (CAT), and senior Marshall Pangilinan has undergone this routine several times, as a CAT member since his freshman year. Said Pangilinan, “I’ve always liked drama for a very long time, and I was in beginning drama. But not much besides the basics is taught in beginning drama. It [was] a lot of fun, but it was a little easy for me at the time, so I talked to Ms. Conrad, [the director of CAT], and I wanted to take a higher level of drama.” For Pangilinan, performances are not just about the actors and actresses on stage. Each play and musical requires the dedication and effort of many more, dance captains, lighting and sound technicians, and student directors. The effective coordination of all of these “moving parts” is essential to a successful production: “Everybody’s there to put on a good performance and do their job,” Pangilinan said. “[Each play requires] a big group of actors and technicians who cover [roles] across the board of building the set, designing a poster, going backstage, and also being on stage and making costumes and performing.”
Each play requires months of preparation, finetuning, and rehearsals. One of the first and most PHOTO BY JEREMY XUE grueling steps of any play is the audition. “To me, this is the most challenging part of the entire process,” Pangilinan remarked. “You have to compete with everyone else in CAT, and it’s tough to be competing against people you have always called your friends.” Despite this, Pangilinan maintains a strong sense of camaraderie with the cast and crew. In fact, Pangilinan gains far more from CAT than just acting and drama production skills. The members of CAT have developed a familial bond, knowing each other just as well as family. Said Pangilinan, “My favorite part of CAT is always the end of each production, when we would go to IHOP at around midnight, 1:00 a.m. for a celebratory meal. We would talk about how awesome the play went and just hangout after months of hard work. It’s very rewarding.” While CAT involves students of a wide array of talents and skillsets, Pangilinan cautions that only people with certain, crucial quality would be fit for CAT. “You have to be very self-reliant,” Pangilinan said. “Just like in real life, you’re on your own in terms of getting the role you want and perfecting your role. You have to spend a tremendous amount of time getting your lines just right.” PHOTO BY JEREMY XUE
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Lifestyles
Traveling on a Budget HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SUMMER WHILE STILL SAVING MONEY STEPHANIE SHI sports assistant
TIP 1: Buying Tourism Cards City tourism cards are official products formed from the partnerships of tourist attractions. They give you access to dozens of attractions for the price of only one or two and even allow you to skip the long ticket lines. These can be bought online before your trip.
TIP 2: Cooking and Shopping at Local Markets Instead of eating out at restaurants all the time, cook for yourself while traveling! Explore local markets and grocery stores for fresh ingredients. Another way to save money is to visit local markets and bakeries in the late afternoon. Some of these shops sell baked goods at a discounted price toward the end of the day in order to recoup expenses, so buy your breakfast for the next day then. Lunch prices are often up to 30% cheaper than the same entrées at dinner, so plan to fill yourself during lunch and opt for a more economical dinner.
TIP 3: Procrastinate for Cheap Tours and Cruises If you’re down for the risk, consider booking cruises and group tours at the last minute, as often times cruise companies try to fill unsold spots, resulting in large discounts off the list price. (This doesn’t apply to airfares, however, which tend to skyrocket at the last minute.)
TIP 4: Home Exchanges Home exchanges are in which people swap homes and stay in each others’ houses. These are very popular, especially in Europe, and are a great way to reduce costs while traveling. Make sure to correspond frequently with your trading partner before the switch to build trust, and take care of your partner’s house while staying over.
MUST-WATCH DOCUMENTARIES ON NETFLIX THIS SUMMER SHALMALI PATIL lifestyles editor
FORKS OVER KNIVES Forks over Knives is yet another food documentary to make one question everything that they eat. Much like the iconic Food Inc., this documentary looks into the devastating effects consuming heavily processed meat, however; unlike Food Inc., Forks over Knives is more focused towards the health of the consumers of that meatas opposed to the process of meat processing. Admittedly, many of the statistics do raise a few eyebrows due to the implications that they imply. Being told that one’s current diet could have potentially fatal outcomes and being lectured to adopt a purely vegan diet can be shocking. Whether the vegan diet is one that you would like, to adopt or not, this documentary offers an opportunity to consider it.
HAPPY How is it that most middle class Americans are just as happy as a person living in a beaten down shack in a third world country? Another shocking and borderline disturbing documentary, Happy questions the emotions and feelings of its viewers. Watching the documentary as an average American, seeing and comparing the levels of happiness to the people in other countries can put one’s life into perspective. Upon watching, one can learn to appreciate more about what they have and not take their happiness for granted. Happy shows the complexity of a single emotion.
VIRUNGA Virunga takes a deeper look at the conservational work done by various rangers in order to protect the only home of the last species of mountain gorillas. The documentary showcases the work of a group of people determined not to let the rare gorillas from falling victim to poaching and approaching oil companies. The documentory does a spectacular job of displaying the beauty of Virunga, Congo while still craftfully investigating the hidden motives of big business. While the topic is serious, it still manages to be empowering. It has since been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentory Feature.
May 29, 2015
SUMMER SNACKS FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T COOK NIKITA DEVDHAR copy editor
Smoked Salmon and Crackers Ingredients: Smoked salmon Crackers (Ritz) Optional: Feta and Dill Cut the salmon into small pieces Place 2-3 small pieces of salmon onto the crackers Optional: Sprinkle feta or pieces of dill on the salmon.
Tangy Strawberry Lemonade Ingredients (Lemonade): 2 cups water 2 cups ice 2 lemons 3-4 lemon verbena leaves
Ingredients (Strawberry Syrup): 1/2 cup honey 1 cup strawberries 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Recipe (Strawberry syrup): Mix all the ingredients of the syrup into one pot, and heat it at 350 for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture until only the liquid remains and chill the liquid in the refrigerator until cool. Recipe (Lemonade): Mix all ingredients together with the previously made strawberry syrup and serve with ice.
Chocolate covered strawberries Recipe: Place the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Holding each strawberry by the stem, dip it in the melted chocolate, making sure to let the excess chocolate drip off. Transfer the dipped strawberries onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. As you set each berr y down, slide it ½ inch to the side to prevent the formation of a chocolate “foot.” Refrigerate the strawberries until the chocolate is firm, at least 30 minutes. They will keep for up to 3 days, covered, in the refrigerator. If you want, you can add extra things on top of the strawberries, such as white chocolate drizzle, which can be found in the nearest grocery store.
May 29, 2015
The Prospector
Lifestyles
9
WHAT IS Trendy RIGHT NOW? MAITHILEE KANTHI lifestyles assistant
JASON MUNOZ features assistant
PRESSED JUICERY Located in Santana Row, by Urban Outfitters and Maggiano’s, there is Pressed Juicery - tempting shoppers to splurge on trendy juices or fruit and granola bowls. For my first visit, I decided on a juice known as “citrus 1” - it’s made of the juices of cucumbers, pineapples, and lemons a well as coconut water and aloe vera - and those are the only ingredients, which is certainly a plus. The juice’s flavor is almost impossibly fresh, it really tastes like it’s made of just natural juices. The most dominant flavor is definitely the cucumber, with strong hints of lemon coming through and a very light sweetness coming from the pineapple. It’s very reminiscent of the way my mom dresses up cucumbers for me, so the taste was very familiar and much appreciated. However, this juice is not as sweet as anything from a supermarket - if you like your coffee with four sugars and you won’t eat celery without peanut butter this is probably not the juice for you. Overall, I enjoyed my juice very much. Though the price was too steep for me to make a habit of drinking it, it’s definitely something I’ll treat myself with.
a review of the new “in” places to eat in town
CREAM It should be said that I’ve been to Cream about ten thousand times since it opened and this was just my ten thousand and second visit there - the store’s proximity to our school may be the death to my wallet, except the prices are actually pretty solid - $3 is pretty good for a dessert around here. This time around, I chose to get a cookie sandwich with coconut ice cream and red velvet cookies, and it’s probably my favorite creation from there thus far. Cream’s cookie are always warm, and they taste fresh. This creates a sort of “race against time” to eat your sandwich before the ice cream melts too much, but unlike some other places I’ve had ice cream at, Cream’s ice cream appears to be a fair bit colder, so it holds up better. The ice cream melting into the cookie tends to soften it further too, which I appreciated. The red velvet cookie was perfectly balanced. It was far less sweet than most cookies I have had before; you can really taste the cocoa powder and I think the bitterness is quite nice, especially because their cookies are often paired with ice cream. In addition, even the white chocolate chips didn’t seem overly sweet, but still provided a nice contrast to the bitterness of the cookie. The coconut ice cream was also exceptional. I’m a big fan of coconut flavored things in general, and very much enjoyed the delicate flavor of the ice cream. The coconut flavor was not dominated by sugar, and there were even coconut shavings in it which added both texture and authenticity to the flavors of the ice cream. This is an order I would definitely get again.
MOD PIZZA Despite MOD’s high quality ingredients and industrial-chic decor, my absolute favorite aspect of this restaurant is its top notch customer service. On our very first visit, each employee patiently guided us through the pizza building process, smiling and joking with us as we stumbled over which cheese to use and what sides to order, never once making us feel rushed as we held up the line with our novice questions. I’d been to a couple gourmet, build-your-own pizza places before, but none have tasted as delectably fresh as this one. The aroma of all the herbs and sauces filled the room, hitting me with a mouth-watering scent as soon as I had stepped into the door. I ordered a “Mod”-sized pizza, which is their medium size option, with olive oil and red sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese, with mushroom, chicken, and basil on top. My first bite was wonderful, with each flavor complementing the other so not one overpowered any of the others. I wanted an extra kick though, and so I got up to add a pesto drizzle to my completed pizza. Mod Pizza was most definitely designed with young and trendy patrons in mind. The walls feature photos of local high schools, the pizza titles are quirky names, such as “the Dillon James”, and the oldest staff member was no older than 30. Despite this, the pleasant attitude of every worker I met, coupled with the fresh taste of the pizza, ensures that this is a place I would bring my parents to next time. Overall, with all of the MODifications you can attach to your pizza at Mod, the friendly staff and fresh ingredients will ensure you never go wrong.
Sports 10 NFL NO LONGER LABELED NONPROFIT May 29, 2015
MARK WANG business manager
In midst of accusations over lack of protection in concession injuries and the so-called “Deflategate”, the National Football League (NFL) has decided to change its filing status from a non-profit organization to a for-profit organization on April 28. By filing the status change, the league joinshas to pay taxes for 2015, joining the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) as a for-profit organization and leaving behind non-profit organizations such as the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Professional Golf Association (PGA) The NFL began as a non-profit organization in the 1940s. When the American Football League (AFL) and the NFL merged in the 1960s, the football commissioner of the newly-formed NFL league, Al Davis, argued advocated on behalf of the NFL that Congress should allow the NFL to keep its status as a non-profit and succeeded. However, accusations over the years have risen about the NFL’s filing status in that the league is profitable, so profitable that paying an estimated $10 mil-
lion dollars due to the filing status change is a drop in the bucket in comparison billions of dollars of revenue made every year. Some people argue that the league isn’t really a non-profit because many NFL employees are profiting from an ever more popular sport – its current football commissioner Roger Goodell makes well over $44 million dollars a year in addition to other football executives also making millions annually. In defense, Goodell himself has said that although the league administration hasn’t been paying taxes, the league football teams, with Green Bay Packers as an exception, are already for-profit organizations, paying taxes in forms of licensing, food sales, ticket sales, etc. Some critics claim that the sudden change in the filing status is only a PR stunt to lighten the NFL’s tarnished image. Other critics note that by becoming a for-profit organization, the NFL no longer has to disclose the salaries of the league office workers, including Goodell. The change might also be an attempt to avoid congressional action to strip its status – a reputation damaging event in a series of past terrible PR stunts. Even so, it is a welcoming move for an organization that has been trying to clean up its reputation in recent years. Hopefully, the NHL and PGA will follow NFL’s footsteps in changing its filing status.
The NFL has been a non-profit organization since 1942.
$44 MILLION
The NFL saved about $10 million with its tax-exempt status.
The salary of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in 2013.
Quatar World Cup: Human Rights Concerns DELANIE MEDINA copy editor
Major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup have become widely associated with development and prosperity over the past decade. With FIFA’s recent decision to have Qatar host the 2022 World Cup, Qatar seems to be the next country that hopes to throw itself onto the global stage by hosting this globally televised event. Despite the prestige that comes with being the host country, there has been mounting controversy surrounding the upcoming Cup over allegations of poor human rights conditions. Last month a Guardian exposé of working conditions for migrant laborers, particularly from Nepal, uncovered evidence of forced labor on the World Cup infrastructure project with conditions amounting to slavery. According to the exposé, “the overall picture is of one of the richest nations exploiting one of the poorest to get ready for the world’s most popular sporting tournament.” Last year it was claimed that Nepalese workers building infrastructure – not stadiums – in Qatar were dying at the rate of one every two days because of destitute working practices in sweltering hot temperatures. A kind of labor program, the kafala, is commonly used in cities throughout the Middle East and it gives employers the power to withhold pay, seize passports, and issue exit visas, which if abused, can strand migrant workers in countries against their will. The country has done little to address safety concerns; journalists working on a documentary in late March about the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar were arrested and detained by the country’s government, their camera equipment, notebooks and personal cell phones were all confiscated by government of-
2015 The year the NFL will begin filing tax returns.
ficials and returned four weeks later. All data were deleted and equipment was damaged. The government of Qatar, under pressure from FIFA, promised to investigate and make the necessary changes, but according to an International Amnesty researcher “practically nothing” has changed. By some estimates, one laborer dies every day on a World Cup construction site, where they work as many as 100 hours a week in temperatures even FIFA acknowledges are too hot to play in. One claim last year made by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) estimated that as many as 4,000 migrant workers will die by the time the tournament takes place in 2022. The ITUC has been scrutinizing builders’ deaths in Qatar for the past two years and has said that at least half a million additional workers from countries including India and Sri Lanka are expected to flood in to complete stadiums, hotels and infrastructure in time for the World Cup kickoff in 2022 on November 21. The COURTESY OF ICON IP annual death toll among those working on building sites could rise to 600 a year – almost a dozen a week – unless the government makes urgent reforms, the ITUC says. The Indian ambassador in Qatar said 82 Indian workers died in the first five months of this year and 1,460 complained to the embassy about labour conditions and other related issues. According to the ITUC, without changes to working practices, more workers will die building the necessary infrastructure for the World Cup than players will take to the field. “Nothing of any substance is being done by the Qatar authorities on this issue,” said Sharan Burrow, the general secretary of the Brussels- based organisation that is preparing the country for the World Cup.
Sports Should Not Be Altered for Stars RISHI NAIR copy editor
In the world of professional sports, fierce competition brings out the best in players and puts the spotlight on a select few star players who represent the best of the best in the game. There have always been and always will be such star players. Today, standout superstars like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant of the National Basketball Association wow crowds of thousands of enthralled fans with their every spectacular move. These players are the faces not only of their respective teams, but also of the leagues in which they play. These stars’ likenesses alone — in addition to their extraordinary play — generate a large amount of attention and more importantly, a large amount of money. This important cash flow ensures that star athletes enjoy a relatively high level of protection from the consequences of rule-breaking while playing. An important note: this trend consists of the breaking of the fundamental rules of a sport, not other, more serious violations such as the use of performance enhancing substances. Such rule-breaking can
include anything from a travel violation to a time violation. Star players rarely make these mistakes, but when they do, referees often neglect to call a violation. Now, it must be taken into account that such referee mistakes do occur from time to time regardless of the player was who violated a rule. However, some examples of more well-known players violating rules cannot be so easily overlooked. For example, when Houston Rockets’ basketball player Corey Brewer obviously and glaringly violated the two step travel rule by taking six steps on the way to a key fast-break dunk. His six step travel violation — when a player illegally moves his or her pivot foot or takes three or more steps without dribbling the ball — set an NBA record for the number of steps taken in an uncalled travel. Granted, Minnesota was down 22 points, but such violations should not be overlooked. Other more notable stars have also violated these rules in game before, such as Tim Duncan and LeBron James. These stars’ plays were protected due to the buzz and cachet they bring to the NBA. Clearly, this is unfair to the rest of the players in the game and hurts the integrity of the game. When the foundational rules of a game go broken and no consequences are enacted, it is an insult to the identity of the game and is an invitation for additional rule-breaking. It is the responsibility of the league to protect the integrity of the sport and call travel violations in future.
Sports
The Prospector
May 29, 2015
11
The Year in Review Players say the varsity coach trained the girls well, along with the team having enough experience on varsity to work well with one another. The players were really developed, everyone wanted it, and the leadership was strong.
GIRLS VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD SPRING
FALL
GIRLS VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY
While a small team, each member put forward their hardest effort and worked to support one another, allowing the team to succeed. The girls varsity team had an undefeated season and went on to win League Finals.
WINTER
BOYS VARSITY TENNIS BOYS VARSITY SOCCER
The CHS Boys Varsity Soccer Team did fairly well this past season placing 4th in the league. The team especially benefitted from the leadership and experience of seven seniors. Three players received first team all- league honors: Brandon Cardona (senior), Marcos Anton (senior) and Yoshinori Hanada (junior).
GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL
The Girl’s Basketball team had a turnaround season this year. After going 0-12 during league and winning only 2 games simply two years before, they rose up the ranks this year and went undefeated during league season and won 22 games. They ended their season in the CCS quarterfinals.
This season was really special because to the players as the team went undefeated and were league champions. Not only that, but the team also made it to the quarterfinals of ccs. Players feel that their struggle to get there was truly due to a team effort. GIRLS VARSITY SWIMMING The Girls Varsity Swim team had a repeat of last year, going 6-0 in the dual meets. Unfortunately, they lost by 4 points to Mountain View at leauges. However, their 200 medley relay ended up winning CCS, leading to the hastag #didntevenwinleagues on their photos.
BOYS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL
Mens Varsity Volleyball made history this year. They lost only one match the entire season and were league champions this year. The team’s success stemmed from a collective effort from the players and the Coach Robert Huff. COMPILED BY PETER MARTIN
Flip Side
May 29, 2015
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MAY IN PHOTOS
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Spring Choir Show | The men’s
THU DAM
COURTESY OF TIFFANY ZHAO
Track and Field SCVAL meet |
ELD Speech Contest | Junior Freshman Caroline Gee leads the pack in Tiffany Zhao wins first place at the the 3200 meter race at the SCVAL meet. FUHSD ELD Speech Contest, held at Fremont High School
chorale performs Elvis songs at the Spring Choir Show.
JEREMY XUE
THU DAM
Senior Prom | The class of 2015
Rally | Senior Ashni Shetty performs
enjoys their senior prom, held this year at David’s Banquet and Conference of Santa Clara.
in the all class dance at the Rally of Champions.
staying busy this summer Free/Cheap places to check out in the bay area
JEREMY XUE
SERENA NGAN photo assistant
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10 AM - 6 PM Union Street ~ Gough to Steiner San Francisco, CA Composed of six blocks, each featuring different “worlds” — Fashion World, Culinary World, Tech World, Local World, Craft World and Health & Fitness World — this street festival is filled with a plethora of exhibits, food vendors, and community groups. This festival is being held rain-or-shine and is the perfect excuse for a road trip!
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Sat., June 6th and Sun., June 7th -39th Annual Union Street Festival - price: $15
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Wednesday, June 17th - Carnival Rides @ Alameda County Fair - price: $1
11 AM - 5 PM 4501 Pleasanton Ave Pleasanton, CA 94566 Grab a friend, a sibling, a special someone, or just yourself, and head on to the Alameda County Fair for some sweet rides! With $1 admission and carnival rides also for $1 each, this could pass for a great date or fun hangout that will leave your wallet happy at the end of the day.
Saturday, July 18th - Poochella @ San Francisco - price: free!
1 PM - TBA 18th St & Dolores St San Francisco, CA 94114 Whether you are a dog owner or not, participate in one of largest gatherings of dog lovers in the Bay Area at Poochella! Situated in one of the best parks San Francisco has to offer, this event includes photobooths, pooch shows, awards, and even a showcase of puppies you can adopt or play with. To add onto the festivities, there will be music and food, a great combination for making new animal or human friends. Entrance is free and all proceeds will go towards a local dog rescue organization.
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Friday, July 31st - Chocolate and Art Show @ San Francisco - ticket Price: $10
8 PM - 2 AM 934 Brannan Street San Francisco, CA 94103 Meet some of San Francisco’s finest artists, photographers, and creators at San Francisco’s Chocolate and Art Show. With tickets sold online for $10 apiece, the jam-packed program includes five musical bands and something for everyone — live body painting, face-painting, free nail art, free henna tattoos, live portraits, and free chocolate — the list goes on!
Next Month: June Baccalaureate
Finals Week
Drama Awards
Last Day of School
Monday, June 1
Tuesday, June 2
Track and Field State Finals
Saturday, June 6
Friday, May 29 - Wednesday, June 3 Thursday, June 4
Senior Graduation
Thursday, June 4
battle hymn of the tiger-less son NEIL MCCLINTICK news assistant
In my friend’s yearbook, I wrote about the mixed feelings that beguiled me the first time I entered his modest home. It was a scene of resounding yet casual chaos; Mom reiterating that sons should do “X”, sons continuing to do “Y”, and little sister complaining that she cannot join in on “Y.” And at some point, Mom complaining about Schoolloop grades until the somewhat tense atmosphere is distilled by the arrival of a secondary parental figure. It is a dysfunctionally genuine, familial support base—something I have always wished was in my life. From an early age, living in Cupertino has always given me a bit of an inferiority complex when matched with the area’s emphatically competitive academia, much of which is attributed to the dedication of tiger moms and dads. Prior to my mom’s 11-year hiatus, during which time I have neither spoken nor seen her, there was a brief period in which the Korean tiger mom within thought it fruitful to force me to learn piano. In hindsight, there was something nice and reassuring embedded within the painful ruler whacks I received with each mistake; it was a reassurance that there was a parent looking for ways to teach me the importance of dedication. This was inevitably a short-lived fantasy, as shortly after, my mom left, and my dad became emotionally distant due to his long work hours coupled with his reluctance to keep up with me and my brother’s lives. Since then, I have often felt alone, drudging through life with an aura of uncertainty and anxiety. While my peers have always placed great precedence in their grades and extracurriculars, I failed to develop interest in these corners of life for most of my academic career, since nobody checked or cared for me. This parental apathy has always made me feel like a fish out of water; I have been thrown into a foreign environment where I’m expected to operate like those around me in order to to make it, yet nobody around me ever taught me the fundamental ropes of dedication needed to succeed. During these past two years, I’ve managed to redirect myself to independently care about some of the aforementioned, but I would be lying if I said that I don’t often emotionally break down at the thought that nobody is waiting to ask if I’m failing school or finding it strange if I spontaneously decided to just not come home.
OVER THE SUMMER:
Band Camp - Aug. 3 - 14 Junior & Senior Pioneer Day - Aug. 10 Freshman Orientation & Sophomore Pioneer Day - Aug. 11 First Day of School - Aug. 17