ROP: Students Pursue Career Paths 3,300 tents, 20,000 plastic sheets, 18,500 kitchen sets, and 16,500 jerry cans were recently donated to Iraquis
with over 650 schools hosting IDPs, thousands of children did not start school this fall
1.8 million+ have been displaced by fighting
OPINIONS page 5
over half a million Iraqi lives are currently in danger
over 50,000 Islamic soldiers are fighting on ISIS’s behalf
in the past 13 years, over 2 trillion dollars have been spent establishing democracy in Iraq
Iraq Intervention: for better or for worse?
W ED N ES DAY S EP T EM B ER 24, 2014
FEATURES pages 6 & 7
New Girl Blues
Apple Smartwatch
FLIPSIDE page 12
LIFESTYLES page 8
The Prospector
VOLUME 56 NO. 1
CHSPROSPECTOR.ORG
Student Newspaper of Cupertino High School
10100 FINCH AVENUE, CUPERTINO, CA 95014
Community Service No Longer Required for Sophomores A look into the reasoning behind and ramifications of this alteration SERENA NGAN photo editor
STEPHANIE SHI features assistant
In recent months, World Core teachers have decided to remove the community service requirement for sophomores, a decision that stemmed from deliberation about the effectiveness of the requirement. Students in World Core were previously required to complete a minimum of six volunteering hours per semester. “The service hours were intended to allow students to start experiencing things outside of their comfort zone and understand what it’s like to be part of and to serve in a bigger community,” said World Core teacher Carley Stavis. However, many students did not feel that the requirement was effective. “If you’re forcing students to do community service, then you’re not really teaching them what community service is about, which is helping the community,” junior Dharma Naidu stated.
Despite the faculty’s genuine intentions, concerns like Naidu’s consistently resurfaced; as a result, the World Core department convened to deliberate whether or not the requirement was effective in helping students appreciate community service. Said Stavis, “We [felt] like we were forcing students to do
If you’re forcing students to do community service, then you’re not really teaching them what community service is about, which is helping the community.
- Junior Dharma Naidu
community service for a grade, which takes some of the authenticity and sincerity out of it. As a whole core team, we talked about the fact that service is really supposed to come from people
wanting to serve and not from an artificial requirement.” The faculty was also worried about the logistics behind transportation to the service events. “One major problem that we encountered was that sophomores had issues arriving at the service location because they could not drive,” said World Core teacher Kelly Roush. With these concerns in mind, the World Core teachers decided to remove the requirement. Instead, community service is now encouraged through awards — students can receive bronze, silver and gold awards depending on the number of hours they complete. Still, not everyone agrees with this action. “I don’t think the removal of the requirement is beneficial to sophomores because it is better to be exposed to and do community service early on since you can learn a lot from the experience. Now the community can’t receive the service that it needs,” commented senior Emily Caballero. The removal of the requirement may also impact service club membership, as service clubs had relied on the requirement in the past to maintain a steady flow of members. “It will definitelCommunity Service, Continued on Page 2
State-of-the-Art Google Fiber Coming to San Jose ANIRUDH PAI copy editor
JOYCE YE copy editor
The Internet is undoubtedly a huge part of the lives of just about every student and staff member in the school. It’s not a surprise, then, that with the possibility of this ever-expanding resource becoming up to 100 times faster in the Bay Area with a program called Google Fiber, cities like Cupertino, San Jose, and Santa Clara are jumping at the opportunity. Google Fiber, a shortened name for Google’s fiber-optic Internet connection, would provide Internet speed of about one gigabit, or 1,000 megabytes; currently, the average family’s internet speed is only 10-20 megabytes. Google is speculated to be considering the San Jose, California area for future expansion of this innovative program. These cities would include Santa Clara, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Palo Alto. Even though the current release date is unknown, employees estimate the arrival of Google Fiber to take at least a few months, if not years. Google Fiber would be an immense benefit to the school, as the growth of internet speed results in little to no buffering period. Tech experts who visited Kansas City, Missouri, where Google Fiber is fully in place, stated that they were able to play five high-definition YouTube videos simultaneously. Therefore, surfing the web would be faster and easier for a high schooler in the San Jose Google Fiber, Continued on Page 2
Teacher Tenure Ruled Unconstitutional PETER MARTIN flip side assistant
On August 15th, 2012, nine public school students filed a lawsuit against the state of California. They sought to abolish three teacher labor laws, encompassing tenured employment, the dismissal process, and seniority-based layoffs. The plaintiffs were backed by Students Matter, a non-profit organization created by businessman David Welch. The organization states that it is “dedicated to sponsoring impact litigation to promote access to quality public education.” The California Teachers Association and The California Federation of Teachers defended the laws, stating that abolishing this legislation “is without support in law or fact.” The court case concluded on March 27, 2014, ruling in favor of the students to strike down these labor laws. California teacher tenure makes any teacher kept for over eighteen months a permanent employee. A permanent employee can only be fired for specific reasons, such as unprofessional conduct, dishonesty, or unsatisfactory performance. “Basically what the California law has is a set of rules that says ‘this is what you can fire a teacher for’, and none of them are anything you wouldn’t expect in any job,” said math teacher Mark St. John. The problem, according to St. John, is that the process for removing an ineffective teacher is so nebulous and troublesome that it is often not even attempted by administrators. Said St. John, “It appears as though the unintended consequence of the rules is that they’ve created a costly, cumbersome process for termination that then discourages people from trying to terminate anyone.” The California Teachers Association has already filed for an appeal on the case.
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News
The Prospector
The Prospector
S TA F F 2014-2015
Community Service Statistics Do you volunteer regularly? No
Were the sophomore community service hours effective in making you want to volunteer?
Yes Yes Cupertino High School Established 1958 Vol LVI, No. 1 | 2014 editors-in-chief diana kruzman jessica shin
Were the community service hours a burden?
25%
Yes
news editor brian zhong opinions editor laura shkouratoff
sports editor nikita devdhar flip side editor delanie medina online content editor jay shroff
Yes
15+
Number of community service organizations on campus
copy editors anirudh pai joyce ye
media liasons alex shieh jeremy xue news assistants
neil mcclintick rishi nair myung ju song
opinions assistants
anisha dangoria michelle pyke
features assistants
shalmali patil stephanie shi
lifestyles assistants
melissa silva allan wu
sports assistants
daniel fertelmeister marvin wang
flip side assistant
peter martin
online assistant
melinda sun
photo crew
jason munoz aine chatterjee
No
30+
COMPILED BY SERENA NGAN AND STEPHANIE SHI
Community Service Requirement Continued from page 1 nitely put pressure on service clubs to have more exciting events that people will want to participate in even without the motivation to complete hours,” noted senior Sravya Koduri, one of the ASBclub commissioners. In order to help service clubs overcome the possible decline in membership, the ASB community link and club commissioners organized a committee composed of service club presidents, in which clubs can collaborate to share members in large events. “We really want to have more communication between all these service clubs so that we can help each other out. The committee will give clubs more advertising for their events so that they won’t lose too many members,” said Mahima Dutt, an ASB community link commissioner. “Additionally, we created a Facebook group called CHS Service and plan on creating a bulletin board near the quad to broadcast different events that service clubs are hosting.” Nevertheless, community service at Cupertino High does not seem to be declining. Remarked sophomore Thu-An Hanley, “Even though it’s not enforced, I’ll still volunteer because I think it’s a fulfilling experience.”
School Size Increasing Rapidly MYUNG-JU SONG
adviser ann peck 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 assistant
Within the last few years, the school has seen a steady rise in the number of incoming students. The class of 2014 was once the biggest class, with 488 students; however, the class of 2015 numbers 508 students, and the classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018 have 522, 559 and 562 students respectively. Despite the changes to the campus, including the construction of new buildings and classrooms, traffic congestion, crowded hallways and maxed-out classes continue to plague students. When Kami Tomberlain became principal eight years ago, the school held only a fraction of the students enrolled today. The graduating class of 2007 had only 352 students. “CHS has definitely grown bigger over the last few years,” Tomberlain said. “There were around 1450 students in my first year as a principal, with an average of 350 students per class. All of the four classes today, however, exceed 500 students.” Even though the student population is currently at 2150, that number is
News Briefs As a consequence of the shooting of Michael Brown on August 9, outrage has broken out in Ferguson, Missouri over various issues ranging from the racial profiling in the killing of the unarmed black teenager by a white policeman to the militarization of the police force in the riots.
The National Football League is facing a storm of allegations toward its players for domestic violence offenses, which are tarnishing the image of league for being unable to hold its players accountable for their actions and behaviors. Several NFL players that are being investigated include Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Ray McDonald.
Both Russia and Ukraine are seeking to stop the fighting in the eastern Ukrainian separatist regions occupied by pro-Russian separatists. Accusations of Russia aiding the separatists have emerged in the last few weeks, and NATO allies are seeking tough sanctions against Russia, including the removal of Russia from the 2018 World Cup hostship.
Community service opportunites each semester
photo editors thu dam serena ngan business manager marvin wang
Do you think the removal of the service hours requirement will noticeably impact club membership/participation?
No
features editor isabel lin lifestyles editor maithilee kanthi
No
September 24, 2014
Chinese internet giant Alibaba debuted its initial public offering (IPO) in the New York Stock Exchange last Friday. It is the largest IPO in U.S. history, and has put the company onto the world stage against Western giants like Google and Amazon.
So far almost 4,000 people have been infected in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. There have been reported cases of Ebola spreading into Nigeria and Senegal. Some patients were sent to developed countries for clinical treatments. Cures for Ebola virus are currently developing.
On September 19, the majority of people in Scotland decided to keep the union of Scotland and the rest of United Kingdom intact. Around 4.3 million people — approximately 90% of Scotland’s population — turned out to vote on whether Scotland should become independent. COMPILED BY MARVIN WANG
LAUSD Changes Policy Continued from page 2
LAUSD is among the largest school districts to join this growing trend, in which the police have adopted a policy of less stringent discipline towards minor offenders.The new district policies regarding zero tolerance affect more than 640,000 students at nearly 1,100 schools in LAUSD. Officials hope that providing counseling instead of prosecuting students will allow students to stay in school and secure a better future.
Google Fiber to San Jose Continued from page 2
COURTESY OF CUPERTINO ASB
THE NEW QUAD | The new facilities were
constructed to address the growing student population, but other aspects of the school may not be ready the surge.
expected to grow in upcoming years with further development in Cupertino. When the new Biltmore Apartments near the Cupertino Library are finished, there are expected to be up to 250 new students. Said Tomberlain, “The school is prepared to receive around 2400 to 2500 stuSize of School, Continued on Page 3
area, and the widespread fear of a tremendously long buffer period would be nonexistent, thus enabling students to further their learning through online resources such as Khan Academy. In order to install Fiber, permits for construction must first be obtained from the government and approval gained from the communities. Then, the city has to provide Google with detailed maps in order for Google to start designing the layout of the cables. Sign ups will be launched soon afterwards, and individuals in the community will be allowed to opt in or out of Fiber. Once a certain percentage of Fiber customers sign up, Google will be able to start the actual construction of cables. The Bay Area is still in the first stage of this process, and if Fiber is to be installed, at least a few months will be expected to pass before Fiber reaches residents. Said Yan Li, a Google employee working in Fiber’s Network Management System team, “The eventual goal of Google Fiber is to get more and more people connected to this internet and get them all the satisfying speed needed for revolutionary work.”
The Prospector
September 24, 2014
News
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Sexual Harassement in Universities How this issue has come to define college life DIANA KRUZMAN
Sexual harassement incidents by the numbers
editor-in-chief
A recent spike in reported cases of sexual assault on college campuses across the nation has drawn attention to the issue of lax university regulations and led Congress to propose legislation to strengthen university responses to rape on campus. Although many college campuses have campus police forces and general policies that ban sexual assault of any kind, rape has been on the rise; according to a report by the U.S. Department of Education, reported cases of sexual assault on college campuses across the nation rose from 2,200 in 2001 to 3,300 in 2011. Furthermore, the number of reported cases is much lower than the actual number of occurrences — due to the stigma associated with reporting rape, only 5% of victims actually come forward. Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that one out of every five undergraduate women is sexually assaulted at least once; if a woman enrolls in college, her chances of being raped increase dramatically. In September, Emma Sulkowicz, a Columbia University senior, publicly stated her intention to carry a mattress around campus until the university expels the man who raped her — an action that, two years after the crime occurred, it still has not taken. The mattress is meant as a symbolic representation of Sulkowicz’s experience, as Sulkowicz aims to shed light upon the issue as well as seek her own justice. Cases such as Sulkowicz’s have led to increased scrutiny of university policies, which many believe are not stringent enough to discourage sexual assault. In most cases, accusers and the accused both tell their stories before a panel of administrators, professors, and even other students; there is usually no representation for either, and little reliable evidence is
Cases of sexual assault on college campuses 3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
2001 2011
% of universities that conducted no investigations of alleged sexual assaults COMPILED BY DIANA KRUZMAN
brought forward. For many, this process is ineffective due to its drawn-out nature, lack of support for victims, and lax punishments for those that are found guilty. Many universities are hesitant to punish students accused of committing sexual assault because of the detrimental image this would place on the university; a survey conducted by the Senate Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight in July of this year found that 41% of universities had conducted no investigations of alleged sexual assaults, despite reports from those universities to the Department of Education indicating that assaults were occurring. Furthermore, the drawn-out nature of the cases makes the chance of preserving
Los Angeles Unified School District Changes Zero Tolerance Policy JAY SHROFF online content editor
On Aug. 19, Los Angeles Union School District superintendent John Deasy announced district policy changes that would lessen the number of students sent directly to the police for minor offenses. This policy change serves as a precedent to a variety of such changes occurring across the state to revise the old zero tolerance policies. Deasy said at a news conference that “zero tolerance in this country has lost its way.” District officials believe that reducing police involvement in minor offenses, such as fighting on campus and possessing alcohol, and instead providing counseling, will give perpetrators a better future. District officials maintain that when a student commits a minor offense on campus, instead of calling the police, the administration responsible would refer the student to YouthCare centers, where he or she would receive counseling from LAUSD employees. Ruth Cusick, an education rights attorney with Public Counsel, told NBC Los Angeles that just one arrest on a child’s record will double his or her chances of dropping out of school. “When students make mistakes, like we all do, we want to intervene and actually give them a chance to address the problem,” Cusick said.
LAUSD, Continued on Page 2
School Size Is Increasing Continued from page 2
dents over the next couple of years. It will definitely be a squeeze, but I think that our school has the capabilities to handle a maximum of 2700 students.” Despite the 52% increase in school population over the last 8 years, the school has made necessary adjustments and preparations to deal with the rise of bigger classes. “The school has installed 17 new classrooms in the last four years, and we were also given larger budgets,” Tomberlain said. “Although we got increased funding, there were definitely areas where the administration has had to make sacrifices as a result of school population. For instance, there isn’t as much flexibility in changing and dropping classes as there was 5 years ago.” The ratio of students to teachers and the number of students per class had increased as well. Despite the influx of new teachers and the construction of new classrooms, the student to teacher ratio has only gone up. Because each teacher must spend more time addressing the needs of a larger group of students, many may be unable to spend enough time working individually with students. Although the steady increase in population can lead to overcrowding and headaches for the front office, the school is attempting to reduce the impact on students and staff as much as possible. It remains to be seen how much the school will grow, but students can expect to see longer lunch lines and crowded hallways become everyday occurrences.
evidence very small, making it difficult for victims to convince panels of the validity of their claims. In April of this year, 23 students filed a class action lawsuit against Columbia University claiming that despite Title IX, an act that requires campuses to actively fight discrimination against women, the university does not provide adequate protections and counseling services for victims of rape. Similar cases have been filed at Harvard, Dartmouth, and Yale Universities, and 64 colleges and universities are currently under investigation by the Department of Education for violations of Title IX. In response to the backlash against weak policies, many universities have instated more stringent punishments for offenders; for example, in June of this year, Dartmouth University set the punishment for rape to expulsion, and mandated that all sexual assault complaints be handled by an external adjudicator instead of the more subjective and informal panel of administrators. The issue has come to the attention of the federal government as well; in April of this year, the White House released a list of guidelines for universities to follow in order to reduce instances of sexual assault on their campuses. In July, two proposed pieces of legislation — the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) and the Survivor Outreach and Support Campus Act (SOS Campus Act) — drew widespread bipartisan support. Despite the crackdown on sexual assault, the number of reported cases continues to increase, and has even begun to affect the college application process for many seniors. “When I was making the list of colleges I’m applying to, [the probability of sexual assault] was definitely a factor that I considered,” said senior Pooja Singh. For her and for millions of other students planning to attend college in the fall, sexual assault is a nagging threat — one that is on the rise.
Opinions
4
MAKEUP & FEMINISM in today’s society. Nevertheless, voices against the use of makeup are features editor steadily growing in number. Recent no-makeup campaigns Upon entering the first level of and advocates of “natural beauty” ferociously attack the the Macy’s department store, the idea of cosmetic beauty, denouncing makeup to be equivacasual observer can easily be overwhelmed by the rows lent to “face paint.” Critics declare that makeup’s prevalence upon rows of gleaming white countertops fully stocked in society is due to the unfortunate fact that women are with a dizzying array of colorful lipsticks, foundations, no longer comfortable in their own skin and have come to eyeshadows, and more. Throughout the floor level, innurely on makeup as a permanent mask to hide under. This merable cosmetic brands entreat unassuming passersby assumption that makeup is just a guise is dangerously to try on a multitude of beauty products, each product misconceived — the fallacy in the idea lies in the fact that boasting a new and improved formula. Indeed, the prowomen do not wear makeup simply to hide their “true face”. motion and use of cosmetic products is quite ubiquitous Rather, the act of wearing makeup is a personal choice; for many individuals, makeup is even an outlet for creative exTotal market share of of Tot al market share pression. Contrary to what some critics may believe, wearing cosmetics by ca tegory cosmetics by category makeup is in no way an indication that a woman is unhappy with her appearance or just wants to attract PERSONAL CARE CARE the attention of others. Even more so, the act PERSONAL of wearing makeup is not a precursor to carFRAGRANCE FRAGRANCE ing only about vanity and ceasing to care about other aspects in life. The reality is that many womHair care Hair care en love putting on makeup simply because it is a MAKEUPMAKEUP method for experimentation and unique expression. In many ways, makeup is an art; FACIALFACIAL SKIN CARE SKIN CARE instead of a traditional art canvas, the artist’s canvas is her own face. Furthermore, applying makeup is often times enjoyable and not burdensome at the least. For many, achieving the perfect winged eyeliner or the flawless smoky eye look is a feat deserving of pride and joy. While it is true that women may also choose to wear makeup to hide “imperfections”, contempt from critics for such choices is groundless. After all, isn’t it only human to want to look one’s best? Makeup not only enables certain individuals to feel beautiful, but it also assists in building ISABEL LIN
LAURA SHKOURATOFF opinions editor
As the deadly infection quickly spread through a rural area of West Africa, no one seemed to notice. Ebola was infecting hundreds of Africans, but no one knew to report the recent increase in deaths to officials. As the months went on, doctors finally concluded that the biggest Ebola outbreak in the 40 years since it had been discovered was currently sweeping through over five countries. By Sept. 10, 2014, over 4,846 cases were reported, resulting in over 2,375 deaths, though the number is estimated to be much higher due to a lack of citizens reporting potential infections and deaths. From the beginning, it was clear that Ebola was wiping out a large gun amount of the region’s population, yet the helped the disease lack of help received from other countries to spread quickly. The WHO did send a and organizations was, and still is, comsmall number of doctors to help the people pletely underwhelming. of West Africa, yet they were sent with a lack The World Health Organization, of medical supplies that were necessary to commonly abbreviated as the WHO, is actually make a difference in the spread of the an agency of the United Nations which disease. specifically works in international public Doctors Without Borders was originally one health. One of its biggest responsibilities of the only programs actually putting in a large is to help to provide basic global health amount of effort to stop the spread of the discare. However, the WHO was completely ease and to help those who were infected. The unprepared for the outbreak of the Ebola WHO and many countries with the power to virus that occurred. Having recently sufmake a difference completely left the fate of a fered nearly $1 billion in budget cuts for virus with a case fatality rate of over 52% in the the next two years, the WHO only had hands of a nonprofit organization staffed almost enone technical expert on Ebola when the tirely by volunteers and funded by donations. outbreak began. This created a huge hole As an economically stable and medically adin the organization’s immediate medical vanced country, the United States should have been response system for the virus, and the one of the first countries to jump in and attempt to poor, rural regions in which Ebola had bereduce the spread of Ebola. USAID, one of the United
September 24, 2014
confidence. This truth is especially evident in teenage girls who are conscious of self-proclaimed blemishes such as acne. Often times, these girls tend to feel like the eyes of others are on their acne rather than on their actions or words. In this case, cosmetic products like foundation and concealer are sometimes what are necessary for these girls to face life feeling their best and thus to develop as an individual. Makeup does not mask these individuals’ identities but actually fosters the development of personal identities. Those who assert that wearing makeup can transform women into “fakes” are misguided — the obvious reality is that a woman who does not wear makeup isn’t necessarily any more “real” than one who chooses to wear makeup. Another common misconception in today’s society is the notion that feminists are — or should be — against makeup. This fallacy is in part attributed to what much of society perceives feminism to be. Contrary to the beliefs of some, feminism is not an antifamily movement that encourages women to hate men; nor does feminism condemn makeup as a tool for turning women 16 years 13-18 into sexual objects. or older years Feminism, in fact, is essentially about old achieving equality for all genders. An aspect of this involves eradicating the limits on what women can or cannot do. For an independent woman, to be able to wear a sparkly blue eyeshadow and to beautify herself is a personal choice — which is what feminism is all about. Fu n d a m e n t a l l y, wearing makeup is a personal choice that anyone is entitled to have. Critics who perceive women who wear makeup to be “fake” should reflect on their judgement. After all, is it any more “real” to be a judge of someone else’s character based on what he or she looks like?
28%
61%
AGE WOMEN START WEARING MAKEUP
States’ foreign aid programs, is specifically focused on helping to end extreme global poverty. Despite this, they did nothing to help the spread at the start. Although, by August, the program had committed over $12 million to assist in medical response in West Africa, the funds had that been given were too little, and were donated too late. A lack of medical supplies and facilities is still largely evident in every area contaminated with Ebola. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a U.S. organization, has recently reported that because it took so long for a sufficient amount of medical response to reach the infected areas, Ebola now poses the threat of becoming endemic, meaning that doctors could fail to eradicate the strain, having it constantly be a threat to the world as time goes on. When the Ebola virus had finally been diagnosed, there had already been over 100 deaths from the virus. After that many deaths of innocent civilians, someone should have cared enough to step in, particularly a large organization or country that had the power to shut down the virus from the start. Even if it did not pose the threat of making its way to the American people or those of any other wealthy country, it is still the United States’ responsibility as a world power to step in. Furthermore, if these countries had had a sufficient amount of health care before the initial outbreak, Ebola would have been diagnosed months beforehand. The WHO and other organizations or countries with a large amount of financial support need to be working harder to eliminate poverty worldwide. The largest thing that the outbreak has brought to light is the complete lack of medical care in these developing countries, both connected and unrelated to Ebola patients. It is the responsibility of the worldwide community to step up and prevent deadly outbreaks, one patient at a time.
a despErate cry for help
as ebola sweeps though some of the poorest regions on the planet, no one seems ready to lend a helping hand
September 24, 2014
HANDS UP, MELINDA SUN online assistant
Earlier this August, the news about the shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a white policeman in Ferguson, MO, exploded on social media. Having long been a subject of heated debate, racial profiling was once again pushed into the limelight. Unfortunately, the practice of racial profiling is the sad reality of a manufactured socioeconomic divide. Protests against racial profiling would be more productively aimed toward reducing crime, whose root is poverty. America has the largest income gap in the developed world. Statistics show that certain races have higher rates of poverty than others, and where poverty rates are high, crime tends to be more prevalent. The ever-growing income disparity, the low minimum wage and the lack of effective action to help communities in poverty have
for better
5
crime is closely linked to poverty in America — and leads to the police practice of racial profiling
DON’T SHOOT.
failed to provide some communities with ways to improve their situation without turning to crime. Poor communities lack adequate social services, infrastructure, education and appeal to businesses. For many communities in poverty, crime is a deeply rooted facet. The concept of racial profiling does not encompass murder for a person’s race, but rather, the use of race as a grounds for suspicion, which, in many instances, is statistically reasonable. Among races where poverty rates are higher, crime rates are higher as well; thus, police are more likely to target these races for searches and other crime prevention methods. Certain racial groups, the subjects of racial profiling, also have higher conviction rates than
others; however, despite its apparent effectiveness, racial profiling is inherently discriminatory, and its removal would provide greater rights for minorities. Such a removal is, unfortunately, not a reality; however, profiling is the product of our society’s failure to provide opportunities for minorities living in poverty, and thus, reducing poverty would eventually end the practice of racial profiling. Shootings such as those in Ferguson are tragedies. When deaths occur without provocation, police are to blame. The protests, however, would be more productive were they aimed at improving American policymaking. Until America can alleviate poverty and consequently reduce crime, racial profiling will persist. But profiling need not be fatal. America’s goal should be to expel racial profiling by attacking the true root of crime –– poverty.
IRAQ INTERVENTION
Thirteen years ago, the United States and its allies invaded Saddam sports assistant Hussein’s Iraq in response to gross violations of human rights and the threat of a radical and powerful enemy. For over a decade, the U.S. military fought insurgency and promoted democratic thought, ultimately creating democratic governments in both countries. Now, with the U.S. presence in Iraq almost gone, a new threat has emerged. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL, has gone on a murderous campaign, seizing land, killing civilians and jeopardizing the progress of the past 13 years. In order to prevent this, the United States must flex its military muscles — arming the rebels and crippling ISIL by way of airstrikes. The Islamic State isn’t just trying to take over land to create its own government; the terrorist organization, which currently boasts nearly 50,000 soldiers, is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Iraqi and Syrian civilians. Tens of thousands of people have been rounded up and trapped, with fighters surrounding their land and threatening death. ISIL currently controls a dam in the city of Mosul, and with it the lives of the half million people who over half a million Iraqi rely on it. ISIL has beheaded Western journalists, crulives are currently in cified Christians, and burned churches. Allowing the danger organization to continue its reign of terror unchecked would be essentially be letting this barbaric behavior slide. The biggest threat posed by radical insurgents in over 50,000 Islamic Iraq is that they might disrupt and destroy the evosoldiers are fighting lution of democracy in the Middle East. The United on ISIS’s behalf States and its allies have spent billions of dollars and risked thousands of lives over the span of the last decade establishing the beginnings of a democratic society in Iraq and its neighboring countries. Now, the in the past 13 years, Islamic State, which is trying to create an Islamic caover 2 trillion dollars liphate, is trying to end democratic elections, destroy have been spent estabreligious freedom, and take away the basic rights of all the area’s inhabitants. lishing democracy in As democratic superpowers, it is the job of the UnitIraq ed States and its allies to promote democracy around the world. The Iraqi people want democracy, a voice and the ability to govern themselves. They do not want a radical and violent government to oppress them. If the United States does not step in, no one will — therefore, it is the nation’s duty to do so. Those opposed to U.S. intervention like to talk about the past. They like to talk about how the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were failures, and that entering into this conflict will surely be a failure too. Only they weren’t total failures; both wars succeeded in significantly lowering the amount of radical insurgency in their respective countries, and both established governments that were democratic to some extent. Avoiding action in the present because of arguable defeats in the past would be ridiculous. If anything, the relative success and achievements of the United States and its allies in the past are indicative of the fact that intervention can have positive outcomes. The United States and other world giants are and always have been involved in a war against tyranny and human rights abuses, and this is simply another battle. Ignoring the fact that the United States and its allies are the only countries with enough power to fight these forces, and that it’s the duty of a superpower to maintain peace, the fact remains that the United States should continue using its resources to fight terror because it’s simply the right thing to do. Stopping ISIL is not just about preserving progress. It’s not just about promoting democracy. It’s not just about saving the Iraqi and Syrian people. At risk of sounding over-dramatic, it’s about saving the world. A world in which the Islamic State is allowed to establish a caliphate is not safe for anyone. Military intervention is not something to be excited about, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and no one can argue that the situation in Iraq isn’t desperate. DANIEL FERTELMEISTER
Opinions
The Prospector
or for worse?
The same story seems to have been be running on repeat on every news lifestyles editor channel for the past few years. “Crisis in [interchangeable middle east nation]! Hate crimes/human rights violations/brutal violence occurring. Foreign aid is being demanded, and Western nations are flying in to ‘save the day’”. It is the responsibility of humans as global citizens to look past their individual neighborhoods and empathize with the struggles of their fellow people, and no place seems to be more constantly in conflict than the Middle East. However, the American government should not consider a military intervention in Iraq, as it could only do more harm than good in the long run. The Middle Eastern region has long been a melting pot for sectarian conflict. But it is often forgotten that the conflict truly erupted about 60 years ago when Western powers played God and drew the boundary lines for the existing populations, with no concern for preexisting social divides and religious 3,300 tents, 20,000 differences. And so, when ISIL (the Islamic State of plastic sheets, 18,500 Iraq and the Levant) declared their caliphate in the region a few months back, many Americans were kitchen sets, and staunchly against the idea of a martial force being sent in to 16,500 jerry cans were the area. Despite the public opinion, Congress has approved recently donated to airstrikes to help the existing Iraqi military, as well as offering Iraquis military training for rebels to fight ISIL. Looking back historically, it’s been clear that Western powers intervening in the place of Middle Eastern nations has only ignited further conflict. The British offered the Jewish population land along the with over 650 schools Gaza bank, but added the inevitable Israel-Palestine hosting IDPs, conflict in the fine print. The U.S. went in to ‘clean’ Iraq ten thousands of children years ago, but only led to a new insurgency that resisted the did not start school this fall occupying force, as well as the ongoing Sunni-Shia sectarian conflict. When a Western nation that falls far outside the region’s cultural background steps in another nation’s affairs, more people are likely to join the rebels’ side 1.8 million+ have been if only to fight against the foreign invasion. displaced by fighting Yet a more important idea to consider here is how foreign intervention hurts the identity of the nation subjected to it. Foreign nations usually do not bother intervening in another country’s affairs unless they have something to gain — and if the intervening nation does succeed, it uses the chance to manipulate the new government into a “puppet” state. This then leads to corruption within the government, thus easily setting off another rebellion within the nation. Americans have already seen this the last time they were in Iraq — the U.S. army’s initial strike was to end Ba’athist Iraq, and yet the majority of the Iraq War was spent fighting the insurgency that rose against the occupying forces and new Iraqi government. This isn’t to say no aid should be offered by concerned foreign nations. The conflict in Iraq truly is horrifying, and as citizens of this planet, it is Americans’ responsibility to address such human rights violations. Aid in the form of food, medical supplies, safe havens, clean water, medical kits, and medics is welcome and appreciated. Organizations on the ground, such as Doctors without Borders and UNHCR, are working around the clock to provide aid to the thousands of displaced Iraqis, the people whose homes and livelihoods have been stolen. Escalating the conflict in Iraq does not help the mothers who want their children to go to school, the fathers that want their families under a roof, the friends who want to see one another again. There is no ‘right’ answer for such a situation, but if there were, it would not be military intervention. It has been proven time and time again to only cause more difficulties. The federal government needs to reconsider its decision to intervene in Iraq, before it is too late. MAITHILEE KANTHI
Features
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O I G E R
September 24, 2014
N O I T A P U C C O L NA
SPORTS MEDICINE JEREMY XUE media liason
Concussions, sprained ankles, broken bones — in the world of athletics, injuries are not uncommon occurrences. Fortunately, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians are available to injured athletes seeking treatment. All of these career paths stem from a knowledge of Sports Medicine, a branch of medicine that deals specifically with the treatment and prevention of injuries caused by exercise or sports. Every morning, Senior Vinh La drives to Fremont High School to attend the ROP Sports Medicine class. “I have a hole in [my schedule during] 2nd and 3rd [periods],” La said. “After Sports Medicine I have some time before my 4th period class […] it gives me extra time to finish homework or get some extra sleep.” Students from schools all over the district, such as Fremont, Monta Vista, and Lynbrook, attend the class. Despite this, “Mrs. Crawford, the teacher, treats all the students the same whether or not [they are] from Fremont,” La said. “She expects us to do just the same as any Fremont student.” La believes that his interest in sports medicine stems from
his athletic lifestyle. “I’m active in sports, and I’ve been injured quite a few times,” La said. “I’ve been to the trainer and he fixes me up. Being in Sports Medicine, I’m learning medical [information] which I might use since I’m planning on going into Biology. At the same time, I’m learning something that will help me in the future.” During the Sports Medicine class, La focuses on certain areas that he feels will be most useful to him in the future. “I’m most interested in learning CPR and wrapping,” La said. “I’m interested in CPR because if I ever wanted to have a summer job as a lifeguard, then I’d be CPR certified. [I want to know] wrapping because overall it’s something that every athlete should know how to do.” When asked about his future career plans, La said that his options are still open. “I’m taking this class so that I can see what I want to do in the future, and if Sports Medicine is part of that future, then I’ll definitely be considering it.”
ROP STUDIO ART JASON MUNOZ photo crew
In room 70 at Lynbrook High School, the walls, furniture and even the doors are covered in art. From conventional paintings of tigers on the doors and Greek styled busts, to faceless dolls, dresses made out of water bottles, denim clad toilets and dozens of other pieces of art most would struggle to even imagine, the room is a monument to creativity. The teacher in charge of this room is Mr. Lee Akamichi. “My job is really to create and guide [students]
through tackling prompts that don’t have right answers,” Akamichi said. “[My goal is to] be able to give them the freedom to be able to, starting from nothing, arrive at solutions that I never would have come up with.” Studio Art is a class where students are free to pursue their interests in various forms of art, from sound design to video to traditional oil paintings. Students don’t receive specific assignments, but instead are given a large list of “prompts” which they’re free to create art for throughout the year. There are essentially only two rules to Studio Art: create a portfolio for future use, and don’t be afraid to take risks. The main goal of the class is to make a portfolio. Whether students are college bound or looking to dive directly into the workforce, a unique portfolio is an incredibly important requisite to becoming successful. “I’m working with kids so they are able to make aesthetic creations that actually do catch [a] person’s attention, and write a narrative that absolutely resonates with them because they’re going through [all] this work,” said Akamichi. To further motivate his students, Akamichi has his previous students come in and speak to the class about the college they attended, or the
LAW MEDI
CINE
careers they pursued after Studio Art. Akamichi’s previous students include globe-trotting graphic artists, Pixar animators, fashion designers, and so many other graduates working “dream jobs”. “The kids are able to see and relate to those successful artists,” Akamichi said. “And the kids don’t know how they’re going to get there, but they see someone who was just like them, who sat in the exact same room they did, but [the graduates] stuck with it, and son of a gun if they didn’t make it.”
Features
The Prospector
September 24, 2014
A R M G O R P L NA ALEX SHIEH media liason
The automotive industry is constantly changing. Companies are continuously supplying new technologies and advancements to their consumers. Along with these supplements, the demand for automotive workers to repair and maintain the high number of vehicles on the roads continues to increase. While cars have become more advanced, the vehicles still need to be monitored by humans. Until scientists develop a way to make vehicles self-sustaining, there will be a demand for auto mechanics — a career senior Nathan Zadkovsky is interested in. Three times a week, Zadkovsky makes his way to Homestead High School to attend an Automotive Technology class of the Regional Occupation Program (ROP). Since freshman year, Zadkovsky has wanted to experience Automotive Technology, and finally got the opportunity to do so during his senior year. “I joined this year because I’ve always been interested in taking this specific class and made it a goal for my high school career to take it,” Zadkovsky said. In the class, Zadkovsky learns about the various parts of transportation vehicles, such as the 4-stroke engine, and how they move and connect with one another. Although the learning is very enjoyable, one downside in taking a ROP class is transportation. “[Students need to plan] transportation to get to the [other school] and be back in time for the next class as well,” Zadkovsky said.
TEACHING
STUDENTS EX PLO
RE
CAREER PATH S
Like most high school students, Zadkovsky is unsure about his future career. Automotive Technology may or may not take part in Zadkovsky’s future life, but he claims that knowledge in the industry will be beneficial. “Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do in the future,” Zadkovsky said. “However, I do think it’s important to know and understand the functions of cars.” The Regional Occupation Program as a whole provides students with the opportunity to explore interests not available in their other classes. “ROP class is a fantastic opportunity for any field within the list of possible classes,” Zadkovsky said. “[It] gives students a chance to explore different subjects that interest them and [that they] are possibly considering investing their future in.”
BUSINESS
BIOTECHNOLOGY NIKITA DEVDHAR sports editor
Some students may take courses such as AP Biology and AP Chemistry as a stepping stone for their future careers in STEM. However, with the introduction of classes like Biotechnology, students are now able to delve further into their career-based learning. Offered at Fremont High school and Lynbrook High School, the Biotechnology class teaches students the technical skills that are used in the industry of biotechnology, such as bioremediation, forensic investigations, and gene therapy. Although some students take AP science classes in order to prepare them for careers in the biotechnology industry, others like sophomore Raeeka Yusuf choose Biotechnology as another path to get there. Whereas Biology can be more general, some students prefer the specific focus on one subject that Biotechnology offers. “It is more career-orientated, and they don’t have those kinds of classes in Cupertino, so I was interested in what kind of class it would be,”
PROGRAMMING
Yusuf said. Throughout the year, the students work on a variety of experiments and labs that help them to learn the skills involved in their career choice. Students learn about drug discovery, the skills of the industry, protein and DNA study, and how biotechnology is applicable in other industries like agriculture and medicine. While some students may argue that travelling farther to get to school may not be worth it, students found that there were both pros and cons to taking classes at another school. “The cons are that you don’t really know anyone, but it’s a different experience, and you get to know people,” Yusuf said. “It’s a good opportunity.” Ultimately, classes such as Biotechnology have opened up new career choices for many students such as Yusuf. “It taught me new things, and gave me more opportunities than in Cupertino because other schools have different classes,” Yusuf said.
WHAT CAREER PATH WILL YOU TAKE?
7
Lifestyles
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September 24, 2014
J E A N P O P S I C L E S ...and other handy hacks SHALMALI PATIL features assistant
Denim, a staple in almost every American teenager’s closet, is not only one of the most versatile and comfortable forms of clothing but also one of the trickiest to take care of. Upon hearing of the potentially revolutionary idea that freezing one’s jeans is a suitable alternative to the standard wash, I decided I had to give it a try. Curious, I attempted to freeze my own standard blue jeans in the freezer twice and discovered that a quick cooling next to the mint chocolate chip ice cream has its benefits.
Crayon Lipstick If you can’t find the perfect shade of lipstick, there is a way to make your own. Simply use crayons instead, mixing them with a little bit of coconut oil or coating your lips with chapstick as an alternative. Crayons are safe enough for young children to eat, so putting them on one’s lips should not be a hazard.
After a strenuous day of running from class to class, your favorite pair of jeans is bound to get a bit musty. Freezing them, as it turns out, neutralizes the stench, leaving jeans smelling fresher. And as flattering as dark wash jeans may be, they fade fast. Even washing them a few times can cause the gorgeous color to lose luster drastically; folding them up and sticking them in the icebox, however, preserves their color and life. Even though exclusively treating your trousers to an ice bath does not completely rid them of bacteria, it tends to be pretty safe, since the bacteria found on jeans are generally not harmful. Studies show that the growth of bacteria found in jeans
Shaving Fuzz As fall approaches, sweaters form tiny clumps of lint, but rubbing them with a pumice stone helps get rid of these clumps faster than picking at them throughout the day. Another alternative is to take a shaving razor and shave them off, but this method is better for those who love to take risks. If you shave them too haphazardly, you risk tearing holes in the sweater.
Tech Corner news editor
DELANIE MEDINA flip side editor
A recently developed app, Sketch Factor, has been stirring up controversy between left- and right-wing bloggers. The app, marketed as a community-driven effort, aims to provide customers with with user generated information regarding potentially unsafe neighborhoods based on their “sketchiness”. While the app theoretically serves an extremely useful purpose, the designation of what is “sketchy” is deeply linked to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Because of the opportunity it presents for internalized bias, Sketch Factor is a powerful form of targeting minorities who are already marginalized by mainstream society. As America’s population grows, attracting more and more immigrants from all corners of the world, we as a society have also grown increasingly divisive. Fear of
G u m Re m ov a l Chewing gum is known for being sticky, so it comes as no surprise to find out that it sticks to your clothes too. But rubbing the clothing with ice can make scratching the gum off easier, without damaging your clothes.
iWatch
BRIAN ZHONG
A flexible display. NFC communication to make wireless payments. A suite of health monitors and sensors. These technologies can all describe a smartphone. But all eyes are on something else, something consumers can access with a turn of the wrist: Apple’s brand-new watch. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Apple unveiled this highly rumored device at the Flint Center in Cupertino. Throughout the characteristic Apple announcement, Tim Cook and other presenters emphasized the intimacy and connectivity that the device can foster. Users can draw a doodle on their watch, and the recipient can send an emoji or doodle back. The watch can even record a user’s heartbeat and send it to a friend. In addition, the watch comes in an assortment of finishes and bands, ranging from a sport band to a milanese loop. Some students can’t wait to get their hands on the Apple watch. Said freshman Ria Bhatt, “I think I would purchase it because it’s something new that Apple came up with. I know that there are a bunch of smartwatches, but [...] it just sounds very interesting.” Others aren’t so receptive to the idea of a smart device on their wrists.
unwashed for months is not much greater than that found in jeans left unwashed for a few weeks. If the denim popsicle trend does not appeal to you, there are other methods to get the same effects of a wash without actually washing your jeans. Leaving them out on a clothesline for a day or skipping the wash and simply drying them are both equally beneficial alternatives. There are few articles of clothing that can call themselves as universal as a pair of jeans. Almost anyone from any part of the world will come in contact with them. It is the clothing of both the common man and of royalty, so why not make them live longer?
“I wouldn’t buy it because [...] all of the [features] that you can find on the Apple Watch you can already [find] in your pocket with your iPhone,” said junior Andrew Jong. “It’s pretty much the same thing.” The Apple Watch will be entering a market currently dominated by Android devices. Samsung has released an array of smartwatches varying in purpose from fitness to music. Other Android watches also pose a threat to Apple’s fledgling product, with the competition offering a range of smartwatches containing apps such as Facebook Messenger, Lyft, and voice control software. “Apple is trying to follow and catch up with [the competitors], [since Samsung] already came up with the Samsung [Galaxy Gear],” noted sophomore Garima Anand. “[However], if Apple is incorporating new technology and making it groundbreaking, they can catch up or exceed them.” The Apple Watch is slated for release in early 2015 and will start at $349.
the “other” has become an increasingly prevalent part of mainstream society — just look at the rising number of colored minorities shot in unwarranted acts of violence. There are all too many cases in just the past few years in which racial profiling has led to deadly consequences, from Oscar Grant to Andy Lopez to Mike Brown. Now more than ever, we need to push back the barriers brought on by ignorance and prejudice to stretch the limits of the status quo. Communities of color, as well as lower income neighborhoods, are no less American than those growing up in affluent neighborhoods and, as such, deserve to be given equal amounts of respect. Of course, people have a right to be, and to feel safe wherever they go. The real issue is that people of color are often automatically labeled as “sketchy.” So, the idea that we should all have faith in an app that provides a platform for racism is outright ridiculous and quite frankly appalling, as people’s perceptions of what is sketchy is most often linked to false stereotypes.
SKETCH FACTOR S H A DY N E I G H B O R H O O D 5 miles
Lifestyles
The Prospector
September 24, 2014
humans
of t h e
WORLD
HONY takes on the world!
MICHELLE PYKE opinions assistant
Each photo leaves behind a trail of universal thoughts and fears, and yet, Brandon Stanton, the founder of Humans of New York (HONY), always seems to provide incredible insight that delves into the darker depths of the lives of seemingly ordinary people. With 9 million likes on Facebook and an equally impressive rise to fame, HONY has become the latest movement to watch for in social media. It all began as a project to simply take pictures of ordinary New Yorkers, but no one could imagine Stanton’s blog becoming a source for people to uncover the true reality of the world they live in. Stanton’s blog consists of photographs taken of random people on the street, including a short segment from his interview with them as a caption. After walking the streets of New York for more a year, Stanton embarked on a journey to Iran, and a few years later he moved on to other countries such as Iraq, Uganda, Jordan, Kenya, and Ukraine. What’s extraordinary is that his photos and captions are deeper than a simple statement about someone’s life story, shattering the stereotypes and common misunderstandings about people in general.
Photographer Brandon Strantoncapturesthestories of strangers from around the world. We’re calling it a ‘World Tour,’ because the trip will span over 25,000 miles and circumnavigate the globe. - Brandon Stanton, HONY Sponsered by the U.N, who hope to reach his extensive fan base and promote the eight millenium goals.
An article in The Guardian noted that “[Stanton] says his remit is much the same as it is in New York – to listen to as many people as possible and to show that everyone has a story to tell.” In other words, no matter what region Stanton is in, his main goal has not changed. People should not be defined by their appearances or by the conditions they find themselves in, because they are worth more than the rubble around them or the garbage piled high in the streets. Social media has once again provided a means for creating awareness, causing the masses to change their views to stray away from what has been accepted for years. Stanton’s passion for revealing the person behind each face is revolutionary, despite its seemingly simple origins. His work with HONY is worth more than an article about the conditions in a third world country because we have heard these facts a million times and we know that they are true, but there is a difference between hearing about the pain and actually seeing it. To many people, HONY’s efforts have served as a beacon for hope, causing poverty to be portrayed as more than just a number and instead as a connection to the morality of all mankind.
Nwhere in the world is HONY? IRAQ, 5 DAYS JORDAN, 5 DAYS
NEW YORK CITY, USA
HAITI, TBA
ECUADOR, TBA
9
UKRAINE,
INDIA, 8 DAYS
11 DAYS
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 6 DAYS
SOUTH SUDAN, 5 DAYS
UGANDA, 4 DAYS
KENYA, 5 DAYS
NEPAL, 1 DAY VIETNAM, TBA
Sports
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May 31, 2013
Athletic trainer heals behind the scenes ALLAN WU
Now I’m here with the high school field, trying to translate what I learned from the Phillies to the high school side
lifestyles assistant
Spectators are often enthralled by a touchdown play or captivated by a standout athlete, without paying attention to the people behind the scenes. At a game, viewers see the end result — the first downs, the three-pointers, the goals — but none of the work that is hidden from the public. Their perspective is only the “seen”, but the “unseen” — the meticulous hours and effort spent to properly protect and treat athletes — remains unknown. Though often overlooked, athletic trainers are critical to the success of a team or player. Like nutrients are to a plant, an athletic trainer is to a team or player — unseen, but imperative to survival. Athletic training, as described by the Strategic Implementation Team of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, is the field that “encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities.” This year, the school hired Elliot Diehl as its new athletic trainer. Despite the short amount of time that Diehl has been with the school, many athletes are already emphasizing his competency and professionalism. “Elliott is definitely very professional,” said junior Micheal Munson, varsity football player. “He even considered the blood flow after wrapping, not making it too tight, but still firm.” Prior to his job at the school, Diehl interned for the Philadelphia Phillies, a Major League Baseball team. Said Diehl, “I was working with [the Phillies’] rehab coordinator… [I] learned a lot of good stuff about the shoulder… progressive therapy, progressive core strengthening, things that are pertinent to baseball.” Diehl’s experience with the Phillies helped guide his expertise
-Elliot Diehl
THU DAM
in athletic training. “Now I’m here with the high school field, trying to translate what I learned from the Phillies to the high school side,” Diehl said. Diehl, however, did not plan on being an athletic trainer from the start. It was not an innate calling or a miraculous sign that convinced Diehl to become a trainer. Instead, he was a chemical engineering major until he decided that calculus and working at a desk job were not for him. Ultimately, ath-
letic training and sports medicine ended up being a great fit for Diehl, providing a hands-on and interactive environment. “Athletic training is a relatively new profession,” Diehl said. “Its only been around for 50 to 70 years. We are healthcare professionals. I can rehab an injury anywhere from a hamstring injury to ACL reconstruction.” Because athletic trainers have a broad range of knowledge and are professionally trained, they provide an imperative connection between the sports world and medical world. Elliot Diehl is just one of numerous athletic trainers that serve and assist sports teams and players. The sports world that athletic trainers are found in is heavily idealized as corporations and leagues spend a large majority of their marketing on competitions and games, failing to reveal the true warriors behind the curtains. Though easily overlooked, trainers are the backbone of sports.
Do SPORTS MOVIES
[this m ov i e] again with my team, not with anyone else,” said varsity football player Edison Espinoza. The story behind De la Salle High School shows how important the team aspect of football is — not just between the players on the team, but also with the coach’s influence. Every team needs someone to guide, advise and be there for its members, and When the Game Stands Tall reinforced this message for many players. “It’s the most important thing...learning what hard work [is] and how that feels to really work hard and really be part of the team,” said JV football coach James Gilmore. Not all sports movies, however, have this effect on athletes. Million Dollar Arm, for example, has failed to inspire some of the school’s baseball players. Said sophomore baseball player Connor Shiomoto, “[Million Dollar Arm] wasn’t really that much about baseball, it was more about the [main character] finding himself as a person. That’s probably as much as it impacted me.” Different movies have different effects on their audiences; as for the athletes who watch these films, it helps if they can relate to the movie. In the end, even though Million Dollar Arm wasn’t much of a home run for our baseball players, When the Game Stands Tall seems to really have touched down in all of the athletes’ hearts.
have an impact on students in our SCHOOL? MELISSA SILVA lifestyles assistant
Hollywood releases countless sports movies, most of them claiming to be inspirational. Many people say that watching “inspirational” films won’t actually inspire them — however, several sports movies have defined the motivation of athletes at school and influenced their ideas of what being a team is all about. Making its debut in theaters on Aug. 22, When The Game Stands Tall describes the journey that De La Salle High School’s extremely successful football team embarks on, as they realize what being a team really means and discover who they truly are. As cheesy as this may sound, many athletes at school - specifically, members of the football team - agree that this film was very moving. A recurring theme in this movie is brotherhood and teamwork. “I would watch
WARNER BROS.
TRISTAR PICTURES
DISNEY
DISNEY
Sports
The Prospector
May 31, 2013
11
Football participation increases despite safety concerns AiNE CHATTERJEE photo crew
American football has earned itself quite a reputation for being the most popular sport in the United States. The National Football League, for example, receives $9 billion in annual revenue. The popularity and demand for the sport, however, is not limited to the NFL; in the 20132014 school year, 6,607 more boys played high school football than in the previous year. Participation in football at the high school level is increasing across the nation, in spite of the safety concerns commonly associated with the sport. The horror stories of fatalities resulting from football injuries like concussions sometimes deter potential players. There are more players on the JV team than the varsity team at CHS, in part for this reason. In reality, the history of American football is what has earned its reputation for being a violent sport. From 1931 to 1970, approximately 18 deaths per year were attributed to direct injury on the football field. Since then, though, this number has dropped steadily, as changes in rules have decreased violence. A common misconception is that all football players are extremely vulnerable to concussions as a result of the aggressive nature of the sport. In actual fact, the hype surrounding concussions in high school football is largely exaggerated. “I played for 14 years and I don’t remember one person hav-
ing [a concussion] in high school,” said Mr. Oswald, Varsity football coach. Advances in safety equipment have contributed to the increase in the size of the school’s football team, which appears to be growing proportionally with the rest of the student population. The school is one of the first high schools in the United States to have access to technologically superior safety equipment. Riddell Speedflex helmets with InSight Impact Response System have sensors that alert coaches if a player receives a serious head injury. The school’s administration works hard to promote its athletes’ academic success, a factor which may serve as an incentive for new athletes to join. Scheduling football players into seventh period weight train-Football Head Coach Chris Oswald ing classes, for example, helps provide them with the time they need for schoolwork. “The administration’s...trying to be conscious that they’re student athletes and give them the time that they need,” said Oswald. While there is no doubt that football remains a physically grueling sport, it appears that with the aid of state-of-the-art, twenty-first century safety equipment and scheduling cooperation from the school’s administration, football participation at school will continue to grow. Said Oswald, “That [cooperation]’s been really helpful...and winning helps.”
Administration’s trying to be concious that they’re student athletes and give them the time they need
IN 2013-2014: 1,093,234 BOYS participated in 11-player football.
64%
CA has the
2ND highest number of
STUDENT ATHLETES
of youth football INJURIES
in the US
ARE CONSIDERED THERE ARE 0.47 concussions per 100 athletes in youth football. MINOR.
Prosthetics not an unfair advantage ANISHA DANGORIA opinions assistant
Men participating in the 2012 Paralympics (65%) 1960
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2012
The heat of competition makes even the most mundane competitor seem more impressive than he or she truly is. But what if one were unable to reassure oneself with the fact that, biologically and anatomically, the competitor was exactly like every other athlete? What if, instead of skin and bone, part of one’s competitor consisted of carbon-fiber and plastic? The issue of prosthetics in sports is not new, but recent developments in athletics technology have rocketed the issue into the spotlight. The field of prosthetics technology is progressing rapidly, and many questions regarding whether or not prosthetics give athletes the upper hand in competitions have arisen. Advances in prosthetics engineering have made prosthetics increasingly similar to flesh-and-bone limbs, but many companies now engineer limbs that are designed to put less stress on the joints of athletes and reduce the risks of overcompensation by other parts of the body. This is arguably no different than able-bodied athletes conditioning themselves for their prime performance. In fact, according to the International Association of Athletics Federations, the international governing body for athletics, any device giving an athlete an unfair advantage is prohibited from use in competition, but given the role prosthetics play in the lives of athletes who necessitate their use, they are allowed in competition. But do these advancements give athletes who need prosthetics an edge above the rest of their competition? Studies in biomechatronics have attempted to answer such questions. Research by Dr. Alena Grabowski of MIT found that prosthetics did not give athletes who require them an unfair advantage. In fact, the use of prosthetics actually put athletes at a distinct disadvantage. The study, which focused on lower limb amputees, found that athletes who required pros-
thetics in order to compete were at a disadvantage due to the fact that the prosthetics, for all their technological advancements, overcompensated for the missing limb and forced the athletes to alter the efficiency of their movements. Regardless of this development, however, many still question the legitimacy of athletes who compete with the use of prosthetics. At time progresses and further developments in prosthetics specifically designed for athletes are made, the question of how to accurately gauge the advantage, if any, an athlete is obtaining through the use of a prosthetic remains. things sport-related, any device giving an athlete an unfair advantage is prohibited from use in competition, but given the role prosthetics play in the lives of athletes who necessitate their use, they are allowed in competition. But do these advancements give athletes who need prosthetics an edge above the rest of their competition? Studies in biomechatronics have attempted to answer such questions. Research by Dr. Alena Grabowski of MIT found that prosthetics did not give athletes who require them an unfair advantage. In fact, the use of prosthetics actually put athletes at a distinct disadvantage. The study, which focused on lower limb amputees, found that athletes who required prosthetics in order to compete were at a disadvantage due to the fact that the prosthetics, for all their technological advancements, overcompensated for the missing limb and forced the athlete to alter the efficiency of their movements. Regardless of this development, however, many still question the legitimacy of athletes who compete with the use of prosthetics. At time progress and further developments in prosthetics specifically designed for athletes are made, the question remains how do you accurately gauge the advantage, if any, an athlete is obtaining through the use of a prosthetic if the athlete is incapacitated without it?
COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING
Women participating in the 2012 Paralympics (35%)
Flip Side
September 24, 2014
12
SEPTEMBER IN PHOTOS COURTESY OF MURAD ALZIQ
JASON MUNOZ
SERENA NGAN
SERENA NGAN
THU DAM
COMEDY HOUR | Martin Coder, Ar-
CROSS COUNTRY | Sophomore FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS | Senior men Tumanov, and Marshal Pangillian Jack Robinson picks up the pace at the Alexis Silva lines up for a play during a victory over James Lick. play “Arms” at a Comedy Hour Show. Earlybird Cross Country invitational.
CLUBS FAIR | Junior Niharika Sanghavi CHOIR | Juniors Clara Choy and Carrisa promotes Tino Challenge at the annual Clubs Fair.
Ko perform alongside the rest of Choir on the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Bannar.
PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR DUMMIES
It seems anyone with a camera can be a photographer these days. Knowing your way around a camera is essential, but while the right equipment helps, the actual photographer is the only one who can turn a boring picture into a work of art. With these four basic photography tips, you can be on your way to mastering your camera and capturing that perfect moment. THU DAM
NEW GIRL BLUES
ISO is the sensor’s sensitivity to light. In low light situations, you’ll have to crank up the ISO, but with that, you’ll also have to sacrifice the quality of your photo. A higher ISO means a brighter picture, but it will also mean a granier finish.
JESSICA SHIN editor-in-chief
Composition refers to where everything is in the photo, and what techniques are used The photographer is the one in control of photo composition. One rule to always keep in mind is the rule of thirds. Dubbed the golden rule by photographers, it focuses the subject in one of four areas that capture the eye of the viewer the most. The four spots are the intersections of a 2x2 grid -- essentially a tic tac toe board. Focus your subject in one of these areas to balance the photo. While there are countless different established rules for composition, the person behind the lens can always break the rules to create the photo they are looking for.
Aperture describes the wideness of the opening of the blades in your lens, and is measured by the term f/ followed by a number. A larger aperture translates to a smaller opening diameter. Aperture controls the depth of field. A shallow depth of field makes objects in front clear, while the background is blurry (like in those artsy photos). To obtain a shallow depth of field, the aperture should be low. For photos that do not require a shallow depth of field, such as landscape photos, aperture should be turned up to a higher value.
Shutter speed determines how long the shutter in your camera remains open. In order to have a good photo, there needs to be enough light, and opening the shutter for a longer period of time allows more light to enter. But be careful - a slower shutter speed often correlates with a blurrier photo if you shake the camera. COMPILED BY THU DAM
NEXT MONTH: OCTOBER
Club’s Day Friday, October 3 Homecoming Week
Monday-Friday, October 13-17
Homecoming Game vs Gunn Friday, October 17
Debut Choir Concert
Tuesday-Wednesday , October 21-22
Blood Drive Monday, October 27
SERENA NGAN
“Hi, my name is Jessica! I’m new here.” After having to repeat these two sentences for about two months seven times in my life, I wish I could say that, by now, I’m pretty solid at approaching strangers. But the truth is, I’m still awkward. When people hear that I moved many times across different countries, the first thing that they say is either “OMG!” or “You must have so many friends!”. In reality? I don’t. People who also experienced the tragedy of moving will probably understand when I say that only the closest of friends may or may not stay, and the rest is history. Not that my other friends and I became enemies, but just victims of awkwardness. As soon as you move, you are usually tackled by tons of questions, often comparing where you are in the present to where you were in the past, even if you’re moving within one state. But when you move to a whole different country, the questions get pretty extreme. Questions like “In America, if you say the ‘f ’ word, will you get arrested?” and “Are you, like, hella fobby?” were thrown at me when I moved to Korea in fourth grade and when I came to Tino respectively. Both questions left me speechless: the former because the logic took time to register in my head and the latter because “hella” wasn’t in my dictionary - yet. I later discovered that it was almost synonymous with “welcome to California”. Despite all the lonely lunches in bathroom stalls (yes, that does happen in real life, not just in Mean Girls) and mixing up names, faces, backpacks, and everything else that can possibly be mixed up, moving has also had some positives. I travelled more often than others have, picked up a love for languages, and learned to use my trust sparingly. Many times, I was disappointed in the lost relationships that I hoped would last even after I moved and realized the hard way not to rely on people’s first impressions. Still, I think this all really helped me learn who I am and realize that nationality is just a title. Outside, I may be Korean, but inside, I hate kimchi, love butter, and have the strongest passion for Chinese - even if I haven’t reached the stinky tofu stage yet. I hold the experiences that make me unique close to my heart, and as a senior about to leave the place I called “home” for the past three and a half years, I’m excited for where I’ll be heading next - as long as I don’t have to live next to a stinky tofu stand.