FEATURES: How students spend their time from day to day
IN-DEPTH: Money’s role in our lives
PHOTOESSAY: A look at hands
THE PROSPECTOR CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL’S
VOLUME 52 NO. 1
10100 FINCH AVENUE, CUPERTINO CA
OCTOBER 1, 2010
Fremont Expo: Local bands support each other and show off their skills at annual show
JAMIN SHIH copy editor
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very year, marching bands from schools across the district convene to perform in order to display both their respective field shows and their unwavering support for each other. This year’s Fremont Expo, a congregation of school bands, was held at Cupertino High School’s stadium for the first time on September 25, bringing together the bands of Fremont, Los Gatos, Homestead, Monta Vista, Lynbrook, and Cupertino. The two sets of bleachers were packed with students wearing uniforms of every color, who cheered indiscriminately to all the fellow bands. In a society where competition takes precedence, the annual Fremont Expo provides a one-time opportunity for band students to perform their shows in a friendly and supportive environment. The Fremont Expo was established 9 years ago in the spirit of intra-district harmony to give band students and supporters a chance to watch other bands. As each band prepares to compete, others are playing and in conjunction with concurrent practices, this results in bands unable to watch each other. The Expo, however, rectifies this problem by providing a non-competitive arena to showcase the field shows. Band Director Gilbert Iruegas said, “The directors get together and help each other out in any way possible. I think that the supportive atmosphere, the non-competitive atmosphere, having an audience of parents that are really supportive... really contributes to the atmosphere.” This supportive atmosphere is reflected off the field as well. Iruegas mentioned that Fremont High School helped clean up this year, even though the event was not at their school. In addition, there is a pervading feeling of mutual respect from all the bands, as evidenced by the directors’ speeches before the respective shows and the students’ encouraging cheers. Despite the competitive nature of sports across schools, the students continue to put themselves out there in front of not just parents, but musically-informed peers as well. “I think the hardest thing to do for any high school age student is to get up in front of peers. There’s nothing like the pressure of performing for an informed audience that has the same information we have,” said Iruegas. Each of the bands present at the Fremont Expo brought a unique theme to the Expo. From Lynbrook’s Moby Dick-inspired performance with singing from the Book of Jonas to Cupertino’s own clock-themed field show “It’s About Time”, it was clear that each of the six bands had invested hours for best show possible. It was through support that Fremont Union High School District bands were able to keep the music programs in the district strong. When asked if there was anything he would change about the event, Iruegas simply said, “Nothing.”
The NUMBERS: The BANDS:
4 total participants: 900 pieces performed: 20 hours of performance:
COMPILED BY ANAND HEMMADY
Los Gatos Cupertino Monta Vista Lynbrook Homestead Fremont
COMPILED BY ANAND HEMMADY
JAMIN SHIH
FINANCIAL
STRESS:
A decrease in funds forces changes to the team previously known as ComedySportz
VIRENA GALOTRA in-depth assistant
D
ue to the drama department’s change is distribution of funds, the ComedySportz team has had to withdraw from the ComedySportz league; to keep the show going they now perform under the name of Comedy Hour. The team used to be a part of the official San Jose ComedySportz league which has a high school division as well. This change has altered not only the name of the comedy show, but its format as well. ComedySportz is a comedy troupe in San Jose that performs impromptu comedy in teams. It is a competition between two teams
who do on the spot comedy based on suggestions from the audience. To join the High School League an annual fee of $1400 is required. The fee is necessary to use ComedySportz copyright material. Additional money is needed to hire referees who come to judge games. The drama department could not afford to pay the fee this year because the money was needed to fund the fall play The Crucible. Each year, the department uses about $2000 to put together their fall production, complete with sets and costumes. In previous years, the ComedySportz events were not making any profit. Poor attendance at the games resulted in low income
for the team leading to the drama department’s decision to the cut the funding for the ComedySportz team. If Comedy Hour is successful and can raise enough money, the team can rejoin the league as well as financially support the drama department. Since the team is no longer a part of ComedySportz, they have had to change the way the show is run. For example, ComedySportz used to be a competition between two improvisational teams, but now it is a mix between scripted material and impromptu comedy games. Changing the content is a challenge for the team because they have to make sure none of their content violets the copyright see, COMEDY HOUR, pg 3
2 news the Prospector 2010-2011 STAFF
THE PROSPECTOR
OCTOBER 1, 2010
OCTOBER 1, 2010
THE PROSPECTOR
OCTOBER 1, 2010 Merrick returns to teaching after helpful experience
Cupertino High School Established 1958 Vol LII, No. 1 | Oct. 1 2010
editors-in-chief anthony kao regina hong
THE PROSPECTO
news editor harini jaganathan opinions editor eric jang features editor tess wu in-depth editors jackie breuer vani mulkareddy lifestyles editor natalie hoang sports editor joanna lee photo editors willie wang copy editors alyssa williams jamin shih fred han business manager jackie breuer
news alya omar assistants anand hemmady azadeh rongere opinions gun ho lee assistants kevin chu amar kantipudi
plants,” said Merrick. It was her experience as a new teacher adviser that prompted her to reevaluate her role as a teacher and search for methods of intensifying student engagement. “The experience inspired me to become a better teacher,” said Merrick. “It gave me the perspective of a student, sitting in the back of the class for three years.” Under her guidance, new teachers devised such effective teaching and assessment strategies as showing models for clarification and giving feedback to all components of a writing assessment. Merrick applauded the school’s recent intervention efforts, including the Student Center for Success, for their significant progress towards maximizing student potential. Merrick and her husband are united in their dedication to providing a positive atmosphere for high school students. “I try to bring in some little element of laughter or opportunities to let students have fun,” said Merrick. “We are growing people. Learning should be fun.”
JAMIN SHIH
MERRICK | A hand altered classroom sign greets her students when they enter her classroom KEVIN CHU opinions assistant
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fter a three-year hiatus from teaching as a new teacher adviser, English teacher Nikki Merrick has returned to fill the shoes of her husband, Greg Merrick. At the conclusion of a three-year contract to mentor first and second year teachers in the Fremont Union High School District, Nikki Merrick assumed Greg Merrick’s vocation in the English department while Greg Merrick acquired her temporary position. Both are veterans of the public education system, each having taught for more than thirteen years. She appreciates the opportunity to seek her husband’s assistance while she gets back on track as a returning teacher. “If I have questions about how to do somethingif I need help with dissecting quotes and analyzing student work, I get to pick his brain for answers,” said Merrick. After the exchange of professions, Greg Merrick
converted into a new teacher adviser for Fremont High School and this school. “He was very excited to try a new professional development and step down from the classroom to support teachers in growth,” said Merrick. “As teachers, there aren’t many options to redirect your profession, and these opportunities reinvigorate you.” As a new teacher adviser, Nikki Merrick spent much of her time assisting teachers in this school for the first two years of the contract but frequented Fremont High School and Homestead High School last year. With this occupation came the responsibility to guide new teachers by observing their classes and providing constructive feedback of their performances. She provided assistance with lesson planning, assessing student assignments and meeting the requirements of earning a California Clear Teaching Credential. Merrick witnessed eye-opening instances of teachers who broke the barriers of conventional teaching. “I had a teacher at Homestead who dressed up as a bumblebee to teach kids the germination of
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If I have questions about how to do something, if I need help with dissecting quotes and analyzing student work I get to pick [Mr. Merrick’s] brain for answers
Nikki Merrick English Teacher
While Greg Merrick opens the next chapter of his educational career, Nikki Merrick is back to tune her students’ enthusiasm for learning to the highest degree, wielding the passion and experience to transcend her previous years of teaching.
features jesse zhou assistants emily cheng madhuri sathish
Multimedia usage sees an upsurge in classrooms
lifestyles natasha sharma assistants abhishek zaveri michelle cheung
SINDHU GNANASAMBANDAN sports assistant
in-depth victoria duan assistants virena galotra nikhil kanthi sports sunwoo jeong assistants sindhu gnanasambandan
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, 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 e-mail. 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
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he inception of a fiscal bond two years ago has opened many doors for advancement in the FUHSD district as each school is now housing a broad array of classroom technologies. The new Hitachi CP-X2011N 3LCD projectors are one of many gadgets that are being integrated into the dynamics of schooling and education. The new projectors fall under capital projects, which are buildings or attachments to buildings that exceed 500 dollars. Although the exact amount was not confirmed, Principal Kami Tomberlain offered an approximation of the per unit cost of the additions, stating that the price was originally estimated at 3,000 dollars each but totaled less.
JAMIN SHIH
CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY | Mr.
Rosado makes marks on a document based question for his fifth period APUSH class on his new Smart Board
There are high hopes across the board for what will come of this investment. Many teachers agree that the projectors will make showing computer based media more efficient and easily accessible during class time. Junior Aleena Saha notices a positive change as well. “It’s cool how there’s now a lot more videos integrated into lessons, even random YouTube ones,” she said. The science department will have new Dell laptops available to their students within the coming month. The department has also been growing its science inventory for the past seven years, including additions such as various probes and other measuring devices to be used in labs. They are working to keep up with the exponential growth of technology in the scientific world. In his classroom, Jeff Rosado is already sporting a new SmartBoard, an interactive board that incorporates the projectors and serves as a giant touch screen monitor. Three additional boards have also been purchased; two will be put on wheels so that they can be rotated within various departments, and the last will be installed in chemistry teacher, Bruce Cheung’s room. Rosado is currently working to raise funds for the purchase of more SmartBoards. International business teacher, Chin Song and math teacher, Eric Ferrante have both painted their walls with ThinkPaint, which is basically a whiteboard that comes in a can for about $150. Once coated, the walls serve as extended whiteboard space. Also, Infinite Campus is a new web-based student management system that serves as an efficient resource for teachers, containing all the demographic information, schedules, transcripts, disciplinary records and other student information in one giant database. Tomberlain describes the systems convenience: “[Ms. Farrell could] sit in her backyard, drinking a Diet Coke and changing schedules,” she said. Cupertino High School’s principal also speaks of future hopes and prospects of technology in the classroom. “In the long-term, I want to get more smartboards, more clickers… While in the workplace there have been revolutions, and in the way we interact and connect with people on a personal level, the school is the last place that it all comes, which is a shame because there is a lot to tap into, especially right here in the Silicon Valley,” said Ms. Tomberlain. Cupertino High School and FUHSD are working hard to change this. The projectors are just a glimpse of the changes underway.
THE PROSPECTOR
OCTOBER 1, 2010
THE PROSPECTOR
Tino Challenge OCTOBER 1, 2010 aims for future Challenge Days VICTORIA DUAN in-depth assistant
Challenge Day was deemed an amazing experience by the students and faculty on campus who attended it, but due to the insufficient funds behind the event, Tino Challenge club was established in hopes of raising money to guarantee that there will be Challenge Days this year as well as in the years to come. The school’s goal is to hold at least one Challenge Day each semester, but raising enough money to fund these two events each year is likely going to be a challenge for this new club. Holding a single Challenge Day event that includes a mere 100 students already costs around $3200. Given that there are currently no funds behind this event and that the cost to sponsor future activities of the like is huge, it seems unlikely that Challenge Day will be returning to Cupertino. However, the students and teachers who planned and put together last year’s Challenge Day were not ready to give up their ideas and plans and thus Tino Challenge was formed. Those who attended last year’s Challenge Day are also hoping for it to become an annual event on campus. “Challenge Day gave me a chance to open up and confess my emotions,� said junior Jesse Kim, “If I had a chance to attend Challenge Day again I would.� In order to raise money to accommodate Challenge Day, Tino Challenge is intent on brainstorming ways that will help them rake in the cash. Car washes, auctions, barbeques and even walk-a-thons are already on this new club’s to-do list for the new school year. Club members are also developing ways to spread both Challenge Day’s significance as well as word of their new club to the school campus. Activities designed to meet these purposes include mini-challenge events and bonding activities that are scheduled to take place in the quad at brunch and lunch.
news
Letter from the editors
A variety of different students were present at Tino Challenge’s first meeting of the new school year, including both those who had participated in Challenge Day last year and those who had not. During the meeting, Co-President senior Danielle Steakley encouraged students who had been to previous Challenge Days to talk about how the activities they experienced changed them. The teachers on campus also appreciated the benefits of Challenge Day for students, and are looking forward to helping at this year’s event. “Challenge Day was a real eye-opener,� said Japanese teacher Yukari Kawano, one of Tino Challenge’s club advisors. “To see so many students open up to each other is so inspiring. It would be wonderful to be able to pass on these experiences to as many students as possible.� With the spirit behind Tino Challenge, this new club is ready to make sure that Challenge Day is a part this of school’s near future.
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Greetings, fellow Pioneers! Thank you for not relegating our precious work of words into a trash receptacle. We really appreciate it. We really do. That’s because we have so much in store for you in our first sixteen-page issue! Obviously, we will not list out everything in detail because you can simply flip the pages yourself. However, we have two surprises for you. The Prospector has been selected as a 2010 Pacemaker Award finalist, which means we are among the top papers in the nation! In addition to this joyous information, we have brought back something from the past! You know that big colorful sheet that keeps falling out? That’s In-Depth, our new section, so please don’t mistake it for an ad! Nevertheless, we enjoyed making this issue as much as you will enjoy reading this. Disregarding late deadlines and non-double-spaced drafts, we really loved it. We really did. We thank our diligent editors and assistants for making this enjoyment possible! Without these special people, this letter would not exist. So without further ado, please read the rest of our award winning newspaper! Best Regards, Regina Hong and Anthony Kao Your new Editors-in-Chief
Comedy Hour: (cont. pg. 1)
WILLIE WANG
CLUB MEETING | members of the club revisist memories from last year’s Challenge Day as they watch video clips during their first meeting
laws of comedy sports. “The new format is that there are no rules,� said co-team captain senior Devika Parmar as she explained the new Comedy Hour show, “Basically, we have the flexibility to do whatever we want.� She feels that the new format of the show allows for more creative freedom but the team still eventually wants to rejoin the ComedySportz league again. “The [change in] format is a bit more challenging for those who run the show, but it gives everybody a chance to perform,� said senior Sal Serpe, one of the members of the Comedy Hour team. Since ComedySportz had two teams with a set amount of players, not everyone got a chance to participate during a show. With the new setup at Comedy Hour, all of its members see the stage. Both students, however, said that although Comedy Hour is different from ComedySportz it is still just as funny and entertaining and they encourage all students to come. Their first game alone has been very successful bringing in a profit of $400 dollars demonstrating how students enjoy the event, regardless of the changes made, and may continue to do so.
Los Altos T 650.947.7742 Fremont T 510.744.1993 Cupertino T 408.252.7742 Almaden T 408.997.1632
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FLEX COLLEGE PREP
OR
NEWS
OCTOBER 1, 2010
opinions
OCTOBER 1, 2010
4
Rallying against rallies GUN HO LEE opinions assistant
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SB needs to watch some Korean dramas. No, scratch that— everyone should watch k-dramas, the Associated Student Body in particular. Only the k-drama combination of good-looking actresses and a gripping, convoluted love triangle can clear up its misconception that five massive screamfests would boost school spirit for good. Rallies are not the most efficient methods by which school can raise spirit. ASB must lower the frequency of these events to make way for more meaningful club and class activities. Relationships I have forged with my peers, family members and adults confirm the most prevalent phenomenon present in k-dramas: relationships form from small acts of kindness. Stop rolling those eyes; I have a point to make. School spirit is “a love for the school, wanting to get involved,” said Mr. Jeff Rosado, ASB Adviser. Who’s to say that this “Tino-philia” is any different from the typical friend-or-love relationship? Indeed, raising school spirit should be no different than building a relationship; screaming helps in small doses, but for the rest of the time, the attraction builds from talking with the other person, working on a project together and showing kindness and generosity. School spirit infuses the student body with excitement to contribute to school functions. Students yearn to attend school not just for the academics, but also for the extracurricular bonding that occurs. Therefore, raising school spirit should be synonymous to encouraging students to join organizations and stirring up a desire to impact the community. If this is the goal, then rallies demand unreasonable amounts of time and money. Trying to utilize pep rallies to unify the school is just like using a biology textbook to build a fire. Does it work? To some degree, yes. Is there a more efficient way? Oh, yes. I hear a certain vampire novel burns much better. ASB can raise school spirit at no cost by mandating students to join at least one club or team. From my previous experiences managing some of these organizations, students do not feel as awkward or shy in smaller arenas. When a group of students with eclectic backgrounds and personalities works toward one goal, genuine interest in the school is formed. Senior Class Vice President Nhayoung Hwang offers yet another solution: a project for each class. Hwang said, “Kenya
iLove iPrism FRED HAN copy editor
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he balance between safety and freedom is delicate: too much “safety” equals totalitarian authority; too much freedom equals total chaos. iPrism, the school internet filter, hangs perfectly in the middle of the two, letting freedom roam free... within a safe cage. At a glance, iPrism seems to defy the ideals that America stands for: freedom, liberty and democracy — students did not vote to have a filter! In reality, the filter is not only necessary to maintain students’ focus, but also provides total security in school computers. In 2000, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was passed, one of a series of laws that require li-
Dream helped unify the class of 2010, and [the campaign for] Superprom especially helped them bond better.” Kenya Dream, an ambitious project started by the Class of 2010, sought to donate $100000 to Nthimbiri Secondary School in Kenya. The Class of 2010 also successfully campaigned for the nationwide Dell Superprom competition, which granted the winning school a prom worth $100000. Working for one shared goal can only bring a class together. We can make a larger impact on the community when the hours spent painting and decorating for one rally are allocated to service. Cutting two rallies from the school calendar opens up $1200. That money could provide 10 years worth of clean water for 120 people. That money could provide $18000 worth of medical supplies to those in third-world countries. That money could sustain a child currently living in miserable poverty with clean water, healthy food, health care and education for three years.
braries and schools to filter web content. In addition to filtering sites, CIPA grants funds to institutions that agree to install filtering software. The requirements for protection are the following: no obscene material, no child pornography and any materials that may be harmful to minors. According to Scott Harrington, the district’s internet filter manager, iPrism has been in effect for the last seven years. iPrism goes above and beyond fulfilling the requirements for CIPA. One of the biggest perks of iPrism lies in its ability to detect malicious attempts to stick a virus into the computer, blocking both the attempt and the site. This maintains the safety and the speed of the computer (no matter how slow the computer initially is, at the very least, it will not get any slower). Imagine if there weren’t any protection: students’ identification numbers and photos may be stolen by hackers! Not only that, iPrism helps preserve focus. The temptation to go on distracting sites such as Facebook, Tumblr, and YouTube is effectively destroyed the familiar iPrism filter notice. There really aren’t any reasons to go on these
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COMPILED BY ERIC JANG
Is there a more efficient way? Oh, yes. I hear a certain vampire novel burns much better.
Rallies are “the awesome dessert that you look forward to, the celebratory cheesecake in all its moist goodness,” said Rosado. Let them eat cake, but in moderation. Cut down on the number of rallies to three so that the class councils can plan their own unification, either with charity projects or community service. Mandate club activity to bridge the gap between the different classes. Rallies are splendid indicators, not generators, of Tino-philia. If all else fails, we could all watch Korean dramas.
sites at all, either - one could save work on emails, USBs and many more forms of virtual storage. Of course, there are ways to bypass the security - but is the time spent finding hacks really worth the duration of brunch? However, for all its seemingly strict and oppressive nature, iPrism is surprisingly flexible. If the filter is unreasonable and there is proof that a web site can be used for academic purposes, then requests to disable the filter can be passed onto the librarians. The librarians will then contact Mr. Harrington, who can disable the filter for that specific site. Without such filters, browsing web sites on a school computer may be as dangerous as walking through a mine field, with pop-ups devastating your concentration. It’s hard to be grateful to a force that limits freedom, but that limitation is totally reasonable. Going on Facebook to “check” for “debate materials”, looking through pictures of babes to “measure” their “concavity” or even going on YouTube for “book reports” isn’t going to cut it. Remember that using school computers is a privilege, not a right.
ERIC JANG
THE PROSPECTOR
OCTOBER 1, 2010
opinions
5
STAFF EDITORIAL
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ASB policies warrant greater transparency
hrough having the Student Senate review the school constitution during every meeting, ASB has performed a commendable service to its constituents. Unfortunately, this service has gone unnoticed among the rest of the student body, which has no easy way to actually see that constitution. This is the case for many other measures ASB implements too. In order to better foster a democratic government on campus, ASB should work to increase the visibility of its legislation to ordinary students. Currently, far too few students are informed about ASB ordinances. 71% of students do not know that an ASB constitution exists, and 97% have never seen it. For such an important school document, these numbers are disheartening but not entirely surprising. The constitution and its bylaws are currently nowhere on the school website, and students have to personally request copies from ASB officials. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to ask for something you don’t know exists. Admittedly, ASB has done an excellent job of ensuring that the Student Senate reviews virtually all issues. Still, there is an immutable disconnect between Senators and normal students that dilutes this exercise of representative democracy. Senators cannot be mandated to attend meetings or report to their classes, leaving their constituents uninformed. ASB Adviser Mr. Jeff Rosado said, “It seems like the main issue [with communication] is Student Senator inaction. We encourage and remind, but we can’t force Student Senators to participate.” Rosado is correct— ASB cannot clamp down with an iron hand and force every Student Senator to talk to their class, but it can take steps to compensate by reaching out directly to students. Just as the federal government
allows us to view all of Congress’ records on the Library of Congress website, ASB can post all policies and minutes on the school website and make SchoolLoop announcements about new measures.
COMPILED BY SUNWOO JEONG AND JESSE ZHOU
OUT OF 208 STUDENTS POLLED, STRATIFIED BY GRADE
To inform students about their constitutional rights, administration can include a workshop alongside the academic integrity lessons during the first week of school’s tutorials. A copy of the constitution and its bylaws should be added to our planner, ensuring that all students can access their school constitution as easily as an APUSH student can find the federal one. The Prospector is also open to creating a legal briefs sec-
tion for any of ASB’s legislative updates. Increasing legislative visibility would benefit both students and ASB. By actually knowing that they have the right to propose initiatives or call for referendums on now accessible laws, students will realize that they don’t need to be ASB officials to make direct and constructive changes. Being able to view the fruits of ASB’s labor will also allow students to realize that their votes do turn into something tangible, creating a larger incentive to participate in government. Enforcement of regulations would be easier too, for hundreds of informed students instead of several ASB commissioners can now accurately identify and report violations. Having accessible laws also means that students can have lively and constructive debates over highly relevant school issues. After all, the ASB constitution list one of its objectives as “[giving] students experience in democratic government,” and there’s no better way to do that than getting Pioneers interested and informed. Easily accessible legislation would also help ASB avoid blatant misconceptions à la Sarah Palin’s “death panels.” Just like Palin’s followers during the healthcare debate, students who don’t see the true nature of a law may be prone to drawing false conclusions. Having actual legislation in easy view would solve that problem and increase student trust in ASB. With complete transparency, no one can accuse ASB of enforcing nonexistent club policies or implementing unjustified measures. It’s a win-win situation with happier students and happier leaders. Transparency and visibility are hallmarks of modern democratic government— so it’s sensible that ASB increase both. With a more informed constituency, ASB and our school can truly thrive. Democracy is rule by the people— it’s about time that the people saw their rules.
ERIC JANG
An advantage on the gaming front ALYSSA WILLIAMS copy editor
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he era of console wars between Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s Playstation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii is drawing to a close as more families are purchasing more than one of the 7th generation consoles. Video gaming can offer that few hours of solace to stressed students before hitting the books again, so grabbing a sleek new console may be a worthy investment after all. For the students who do not want the motion gaming of the Wii, the PS3 and Xbox 360 are the remaining choices and the latter is becoming an obviously better pick. Online console gaming heightens the video gaming experience, but, in one case, entertainment is coming with a steep price. A recent announcement from Microsoft unveiled a price hike from the 7-year-old price of $49.99 for their online gaming network Xbox Live to $59.99, and while Xbox may justify this increase with inflation and its available features to gamers (Facebook, Netflix and more), the Xbox community is stirring. There has been talk of mutiny and a change of allegiance to rival Playstation 3. With the new price, are students willing to pay that extra $10? Should they? A comparison between Playstation Network (PSN) and Xbox Live (XBL), both online gaming networks available to the console owners, shows a considerable advantage in siding with Playstation due to price. PSN costs absolutely nothing while XBL is thrusting a colossal charge down user’s throats. Meanwhile, extremely popular games are cross-platforming so playing Modern Warfare 2 online on PSN gives the same experience as XBL for $59.99 less. On top of the subscription price, Xbox charges for online purchases of downloadable content while Playstation chucks free content to their user-base. Unless there is an obvious addition to the XBL experience to explain the price hike, this is a $10 increase that pays for basically nothing. Is the sake of online gaming with the dynamic Xbox community worth
EMILY CHENG CONSOLES | PSN offers an alternative solution to hiking XBOX Live subscriptions ($50-$60/month) by providing free, comparable online content.
the investment when free access is available elsewhere? Not until Microsoft realizes that a $59.99 price tag will lose against no price tag at all. Complaints against Xbox have been building and pushing old fans and new gamers towards PS3; there is nothing to gain from siding with Xbox over Playstation. The PS3 has a clean, elegant interface compared to Xbox’s slow, inconvenient dashboard that makes basic navigation a headache. Combine this with the inconveniences of online gaming that makes interaction real-time
and you’re left with an unresponsive Xbox that will quietly reply to your violent outburst with a simple, self-explanatory ring of red. At this moment, the PS3 is the best console investment with its sleek interface and free online access. While the intense console wars of past years may finally be at rest, there is still a slight advantage for the average high school gamer to look past other options for a better, cheaper gaming experience.
features
12 am
1 am
“At 11:30 p.m., I start Chemistry Honors notes or the lab. From 1:30 is Pre-Calculus Honors homework. At 2:30, I give up on Mr. Timmreck’s homework for the day and get up at 6 a.m. to finish.” -Sophia Jung, 10
OCTOBER 1, 2010
2 am
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“Staying up until around 2 or 3 a.m. is routine for me. The main reason for this is homework, specifically Chemistry Honors homework. I eat a lot, so I normally eat once at 11, and eat again at 3-ish. In addition, if I’m staying up late for reasons other than homework, chances are, I’m watching online videos. And it’s not porn.” -Charlotte Chang, 10
5 am
6 am
“Whenever I don’t finish homework at night or get too tired, I set my cell phone alarm to 4 a.m., wake up and do homework then.”
“I get up at 5:15 or 5:30-ish. I take care of the dog, get ready for school, clean my room, make my bed and leave the house by 6:30 or 6:45 to catch the bus for school.”
-Emily Matsunami, 12
-Kimberlyn Cunningham, 9
7 am
A complete analysis on why school should start later than it does
Groggily waking up to the loud rings of the alarm clock seems routine for a large number of students. They constantly face the challenge of forcing themselves up just to fight against their tired bodies throughout the remainder of the day. It is no wonder students’ performance is suffering due to the demands of waking up early to attend school. However, expectations in performance have not fallen, and students are still expected to be as attentive and aware as they are when they are well rested. But, of course, this is not the case. The lack of response from students is already apparent within the classrooms. “I have never had a 1st period that wasn’t significantly quieter than the others,” said Rachel Crawford. “It’s hard to get them engaged.” Unfortunately, this early start does more damage than just lower class participation. Rather, students’ health is also in jeopardy. It is this lack of sleep that causes erratic emotions and mental performance to plunge. Physically, students who are stressed and do not sleep enough are susceptible to serious diseases. According to a 2008 study, scientists have found that stress is directly linked to the development of serious health issues such as heart disease, bodily infections and circulatory malfunction. Fatigue also deteriorates the mind enough to cause depression, a major source of emotional breakdowns. Such emotional
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symptoms are major inhibitors when it comes to student performance. Students who are distressed are often forgetful and careless academically. The accumulation of slip-ups affects their overall academic performance. However, if we start school a couple hours later, we would benefit the student body greatly. By sleeping, students have more energy to not only survive school’s strenuous hours, but excel. In addition, a later start would grant time for students to chow down on a balanced breakfast, which many students are skipping in order to arrive to school on time. In fact, breakfast should be the most filling and nutritious meal of the day. It is imperative that students do not skip this important part of the day. Also, a later start would mean better rested and happier students. Sleep experts claim that the average teen’s biological clock keeps him staying up later at night and sleeping in later in the morning. By sleeping in and getting an adequate amount of sleep, students are more aware. This would create a more active and rewarding environment at school. The idea is simple and plausible. A later start can provide students with more energy and excitement, raising the school’s general happiness. It would mean no more alarm clocks, no more awkward classroom silences, and an overall more animated and enthusiastic school population. One change could create a school that is known for its students’ self involvement and contribution.
According to a 2008 study, scientists have found that stress is directly linked to the development of serious health problems such as heart disease, bodily infections and circulatory malfunction.
9 am
“It’s kind of weird to have two free periods at the very beginning of the day, but mostly I am just getting set up for my classes — doing paperwork, sending emails, following up on students and getting a cup of coffee.”
Woe is me: It’s time for school
EMILY CHENG features assistant
8 am
-Señora Joy Keifer
10 am
“Every day, we look forward to third period ASB because in that class, we have the opportunity to contribute to our school.” -Vaishali and Vinita Shah, 12
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“I usually hang out in the quad and in the past I’ve sat in my locker and yelled ‘hi’ at strangers... until I found out sitting in lockers isn’t allowed.” -Alison Neyer, 9
Holes: Blessi ABHISHEK ZAVERI lifestyles assistant
When others are heading to their next class, a special group of students walk off campus to anywhere they please. From eating frozen yogurt to finishing last night’s math homework, they can do an endless assortment of activities while other students are stuck in class taking notes. Although it seems like this group is “living the good life”, students with holes in their schedules are going through both a pleasant and stressful experience. Holes give students a fresh outlook on the people around them. The extra time available to students allows them to meet different types of people. Whether they are studying in the library, running on the track or creatively or exploring their hobbies around campus, students have the chance to make new friends or catch up with old ones. They may also find that one companion whom they can spend their spare period with every day. Holes give opportunities to meet new companions, but bonds with teachers can also grow significantly. Aiding for teachers allows students see through the perspective of their teacher. Whether students are grading Chemistry AP labs or helping people pronounce Spanish words, they gain the experience of being an educator. However, not all aspects of having a hole are positive. Being productive is already a difficult obstacle for students to overcome. During a free period with minimal restrictions, the rate of productivity often reduces to nothing. Conversations with friends seem to be never-ending, the Internet in the library is a constant distraction and the pearl
OCTOBER 1, 2010
12 p.m.
1 p.m.
THE PROSPECTOR
2 p.m.
“My period before lunch always happens to be PE and I like it that way. It’s nice have the time to properly re-dress yourself and food and drink is always a cheery sight after being exhausted.”
“I volunteer at OSF (Organization of Special Needs Families) during the school week, generally between lunch and 3, because I have -Andrew Juan, 9 no classes in the afternoon.” -Dustin Lam, 11
3 p.m.
“I always look forward to Advanced Drama Honors. We all get into a circle and clap until we’re unified as one. I think that’s why we are all so close—the things we do allow us to be vulnerable and achieve great things on stage.”
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“I’m doing crew with Los Gatos Rowing Club at Lexington Reservoir this semester. After being injured in cross country, I was looking for a new sport to try... Behind cross country skiing, [rowing is] the sport that burns the most calories in an hour of practice. And most people don’t know that rowing actually exercises the entire body because the legs do a lot of the work. Rowing practice for my team is Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays after school from 3 to 6.” -Alex Pommier, 12
-Sal Serpe, 12
features
7 p.m.
“The most interesting item in my schedule is every morning and afternoon. Those are the times I hang out with my uncle, who always has something to say about CHS.”
8 p.m.
“When I’m done with school, I sometimes just sit down with a pen in my hand and write exactly how I feel and turn it into something beautiful.” -Rebekkah Scharf, 11
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“After dinner, I get ready for a daily punishment: homework. I grab a glass of water and lock myself in my room to do my homework, which I can usually keep up for about three hours and be done by 10:30. When I finish, I take a shower, lay out my clothes for the next day, pack my bag, feed my cats and hit the sack.” -Jillian Wolgast, 11
-Evan Burton, 9
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“From 10:30 to 4, I like to ‘cupcake,’ eat and watch ‘Teen Mom.’ ‘Cupcaking’ is late night chatting with potential ‘boo thanqs’ (friends) or ‘bestie thanqs’ (best friends). On Thursdays, I have to watch ‘Jersey Shore’; I love J-Wow. She is a bigger version of me. Eating also seems to be a hobby of mine so of course I’m up eating. That’s basically what I do until I fall asleep.” -Kehaulani Crittle, 10
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PHOTO CREDITS: ERIC JANG, VANI MULKAREDDY, JAMIN SHIH, WILLIE WANG AND TESS WU
ing or Curse?
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milk tea at Verde becomes an addiction. Going off-campus becomes an everyday routine, with the concept of time management being forgotten. Holes are considered stress relievers, but students can easily get carried away with this kind of freedom. Academics, a top priority for many students of this school, can also be affected by holes in schedules. Sophomore Daniel Kho, a cross-country runner, always misses his seventh period for meets because of his second period hole. Leaving his Chemistry Honors class during the labs disgruntles Kho because it adds even more work to his already overcrowded schedule. Calling lab partners for data and learning the concepts normally taught in class independently nearly triple Kho’s workload. “As I left the class, I realized I had to talk to the counselors because there was no point in taking a lab-based class and missing the labs,” said Kho. When the schedule gap is directly interfering with sports and classes, it becomes less of a stress reliever and more of an inconvenience, making it more difficult for students to balance their priorities - academics and extracurriculars. Because of the distinct and numerous benefits and disadvantages of having a schedule gap, students’ experience with holes is often bittersweet.
percent of students want school to start later
percent of students do not think they use their time wisely
out of 100 students have a hole in their schedule 100 STUDENTS POLLED COMPILED BY ALYA OMAR
A day in the life of a Pioneer is an eventful journey wrought with its share of triumphs and tribulations. Going though the daily grind of school makes us grow in ways we are unable to measure. Whether it is agonizing until 4 a.m. over that APUSH project, grabbing that much-needed cup of caffeine to kick start our brain cells or cheering in the stands while the football team makes its first touchdown of the season, the rhythm and routine of school give us all a sense of purpose. Our everyday activities weave their way into our lives and become a part of who we are. The repetition of our schedules gives us comfort and stability and we intuitively begin to get in touch with ourselves. At the end of our journey, when we have somewhat figured out who we are and where we are headed, we come to find that it was the little conversations in the halls or the little misunderstandings with a friend that have shaped us to be who we are today. j
Dayinthe Life... WRITTEN BY NATASHA SHARMA
lifestyles
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OCTOBER 1, 2010
one for one WHERE? two for two can Bold and blatant, these bracelets draw attention and speak out
TOMS’ promise is to donate one pair of shoes for every pair sold JOANNA LEE sports editor
Raising awareness has never been trendier and simpler than shoes students wear on their feet. Tomorrow’s Shoes, also known as TOMS, have been spotted all around campus in an array of colors and styles. However it is not just the style and ultra-comfort level that draw in buyers; these shoes serve duel purposes as another child somewhere in the world receives a pair of their own for free. In 2006, an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, took a trip to Argentina and found the children there had no shoes. Mycoskie, immediately inspired to help, created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every purchased pair of shoes with a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Modeled after the shoes that most farmers in Argentina wear, he created a look that would soon sweep the nation. A little while later, Mycoskie returned to Argentina with 10000 shoes in hand. This fancy footwear has be seen as the perfect completion to many students’ daily ensembles. Many students were first unsure of this new trend, but the fact that it was for a good cause made them take the plunge and get a pair themselves. “I didn’t know what TOMS were until my sister got a pair. She told me that when you buy a pair, you’re helping someone in need, and they’re also really comfy, so I thought that was pretty cool. I tried on hers and realized that they were super comfortable so I decided that I really needed a pair myself,” said senior Brooke Preston. The trend is spreading fast by word of mouth, but the level of support and convenience that the shoes offer draws in additional prospective buyers. Said senior Shilpi Patel, “I hate tying laces every morning and I am always in a hurry to get places, so I like that they are slip-on shoes. I have very flat feet and so I am usually forced to wear arch supports which make all my shoes super tight, and TOMS have amazing arch supports built into their shoes so they are pretty much perfect for my feet.” Mycoskie’s One-for-One plan to help those in need has benefited the study body. Not only are the students able to sport the latest trends, but they are also able to feel good that their purchases have had an impact on someone else.
you get one
www.toms.com
www.keep-a-breast.org
JESSE ZHOU features assistant
“I heart boobies!” This shocking statement has been making its way around school in a bizarre form: a wristband. It appeals to many students because of the imprinted words and the unique, neon-colored design. Besides being fashionable, 100 percent of its proceeds go to the Keep-A-Breast foundation. KeepA-Breast continually comes up with ways to inform the masses about breast cancer. “We seek to increase breast cancer awareness among young people so they are better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health,” said the Keep-A-Breast website. In addition to selling wristbands, the foundation also holds concerts and art shows to help their cause with support from popular musicians like The Foo Fighters, Pink and Katy Perry. Keep-A-Breast has also established strong relationships with popular clothing brands like Quiksilver and Fox. The foundation hopes by combining the power of art, music, clothing and “symbolic artistry” they can inform new generations about a disease that affects thousands of people around the globe. Local students who sport their bracelets are doing their part as well. The bracelets have recently been popping up in high schools as a new trend and have even started appearing in middle schools. Many purchase the stylish wristbands so they can spread information about the dangers of breast cancer to friends and family. “The ‘I Heart Boobies’ bracelet is a good and easy way of showing people who are fighting breast cancer lots of support,” said sophomore Alyssa Wu. “It’s a good way to reach out to other people and let them know about important causes.” As a disease that kills a person every 13 minutes, breast cancer awareness has grown. And with help from various projects like the Keep-A-Breast wristbands, people around the world will someday be informed about the illness. And All it takes is four dollars from your pocket to help impact another’s life.
b a l n y o i l a h t e s fa Your hair is done, your outfit is on, and you’re even wearing your shoes. So what’s the wait?
JAMIN SHIH copy editor
Countless people are dancing amidst a crowded room. As individuals idle and chat or dance to the booming music, a door opens and interrupts the activity. There, dressed and styled meticulously, stands a single person. As all eyes follow this new entry and the person revels in the attention, bringing exciting stories of the events prior to their entrance. What is this strange phenomenon? It is just one example of the concept of being fashionably late. The appeal of being fashionably late is a mystery that has its roots in psychology. Urban Dictionary theorizes that, in the context of a social event, being just a little bit late often gives the impression that the tardy party is popular enough to have been held up by a prior engagement. It may feign higher social status, but perhaps, though, there are many deeper reasons. “Nobody shows up at the actual time of an event. Everyone’s fashionably late,” said senior Sam Ahmed. “If you say ‘come at six o’clock’, everyone will come at 6:15.” This seemingly required fifteen minute delay in appearance seems natural to many students. Being the first guest to arrive at an event is often nerve-racking and extraordinarily awkward, and being just late enough ensures that there will be at least a few other guests present. To be the first guest can mean waiting desperately for another person to come and fill some space. “You don’t want to be too early,” said senior Olivia Lang, “because if [the host] is not ready, it’s not cool.” Alternatively, some people may see being fashionably late as a tool to get attention. In the right situation, all heads will turn to watch a latecomer enter a party, especially if they have taken the time to look nice. While it may seem like a good idea, the general attitude around fashionably late people seems to have soured. It can be seen as obnoxious or outright rude, even if the person in question is not late on purpose. If consistent, it may seem like the individual is only looking for attention, which often disturbs peers. “I think that being late in general is a bad thing. People should be punctual. I think some people do it on purpose,” said junior Tiffany Nguyen. Whether done on purpose or accidental or to avoid attention or to seek it, being fashionably late is undeniably ingrained in modern culture. It is no longer surprising when a person shows up at an event 10 or 15 minutes late and, in many cases, it is seen as acceptable. The reasons behind this strange concept may be hidden in the shadows, but its presence in culture is crystal clear.
OCTOBER 1, 2010
THE PROSPECTOR
Pierced.
lifestyles
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Once just a symbol of teenage rebellion piercings have found their way into mainstream culture
NIKHIL KANTHI in-depth assistant
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PIERCINGS
PEOPLE
OF THE
With the more stylish embodiments of culture engulfing our lives, it is near impossible for new ideas to take root, but ones that do find a stage in our world tend to stick around. Body piercings have fought to fit in and today have their platform in fashion. Open-minded mentalities have dusted off the scrutiny from piercings, so in today’s environment, they join the chicer and more accepted trends. There is a mindset of acceptance in the school, yet new ideas still need to find their roots to be a part of the norm. Piercings have been in and out of the light due to their differences with the usual methods of self-expression. Through the differences, though, the uncomfortable feeling associated with them is disappearing in this motley of culture. Sophomore Aaron Ching said, “Before the general feeling towards piercings was not just dislike but outright unacceptable, so yeah, the fact that people are allowed to have them means that the feeling has changed.” Through the words and views of the students, the opinions
COMPILED BY WILLIE WANG
around the school are shifting, and the limelight is shining on these studs. Principal Kami Tomberlain said, “I think [piercings] are a personal expression. They are a way to express their mood or their feeling.” As an exciting new mode of expression, piercings are gaining a broader sense of popularity. Junior Meetali Kasikar said, “In modern times, people are a lot more open to piercings, [and] now it’s more of an accepted trend.” The comfortable feeling associated with this new fashion is apparent in the students’ contemplation of
this new mode. The connotations pupils and faculty have towards this expressive jewelry shows that there is an abode for piercings in the community. Also, there is definitely an upward trend visible in this wave of acceptance. Sophomore Siddhanta Dange said, “I think body piercings have grown in the past few years. Before, the majority of girls used to do it, but now a more guy ratio does it.” Piercings are gaining breadth as well as depth in the community, with a broader spectrum of students getting piercings. We’ve grown beyond just having earrings, with a greater variety of people embracing the ‘studs with studs’ policy. Although it will not be the vogue everyone will talk about, the community has found something unique here. From earrings to gauges, there is a persistent style in the fashion scene at school, and a new player in the medley of our culture. As our lives get more congested with the issues we face, the feat of a different type of self-expression finding its nook in our world is something short of finding a diamond earring in the rough.
sports an
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OCTOBER 1, 2010
athlete’s anatomy
Before the game, the players get into concentration mode, visualizing plays over and over and taking into account any possible unforeseen circumstances. However, these moments of concentration on what to do can take a toll on the players. With his adrenaline pumping moments before stepping onto the field, senior Vi Viet falls into a trap of tunnel vision, where his peripheral vision fails as his eyes and mind focus on only what is in front of him. For foot- ball play- ers, this hurts their game as they miss out on opportunities purely from being blind to them. During the game, the players open their mind to possible situations as well as keep their adrenaline in check to avoid this “tunnel vision”. Viet reiterates what the team’s Coach Mez says, “A calm player is a good player”. And finally when the game is over and any losses or wins are in the past, the players can’t help but analyze what had been done and what could have been done. Though the stress and expectations are certainly over for the night, the analysis goes on for a while.
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[
Watching a football game, we see the scoreboard, the band and most importantly the players. So what exactly goes on in the mind and body of an athlete? What are the behind the scenes looks of the moments leading up to, during, and after the game? Here, football player Vi Viet shares his perspective of life in and out of the uniform.
As expected with most athletes, football players are encouraged to stock up on carbohydrates before big games. To make sure they’re getting the right nutrition, team dinners are organized to fuel the athletes with fruits (with an emphasis on bananas), spaghetti and bread. However, as it is with most high school students, most these players are stretched thin over academics and extra curriculars and are drained of energy. Their solution? “Boost stuff like 5 hour energy drinks,” admits Viet, “I’m always lacking energy, so that’s what I have to do.” During the game, the players consume orange slices between water. They keep it light and stick to the important essentials, which in their case is maintaining hydration throughout the game. And finally when it’s all over, the players snack and dine on whatever suits their fancy. For Viet, it’s, “Mama Viet’s cooking”, but in general there are no specifics. As Viet says, “We’re all just football guys thinking I’m hungry.”
Friday night is the game night. Players will get hit, but Viet explains that they don’t hurt due to the adrenaline rush. However, what does get past the adrenaline are the small factors, which Viet lists, “It’s pretty annoying to breathe with the mouthpiece in, so after every play we breathe pretty hard. Also, those little hits like someone stepping on you hard or a face mask to the body are the most annoying”. A f t e r the score board shows the final marks and the crowd evaporates, there are two scenarios in which their bodies will meet, one of which is pumped and the other down and tired. However, in spite of which feeling their bodies fell into, in a matter of twelve hours, as Viet says, “…we start feeling it all kick in and the worst is waking up the next morning”. COMPILED BY NATALIE HOANG JAMIN SHIH
Playing at all costs Football from the core AZADEH RONGERE lifestyles assistant
Year-long activities, such as cheer, dance and band, generate the image of parents breaking open their piggy-banks to pay the fees of these overpriced sports. However, at our school, prospective athletes benefit from reasonable prices. For instance, cheerleading is assumed to be an expensive activity, but Coach Rachel Crawford clarifies that the fee has significantly reduced. This year the new cheerleaders pay $1,200 while returning athletes pay a considerably lower price of $500. “I know it’s expensive, but I try to limit it to what we just need-that way it opens up more opportunities for more girls,” said. Crawford. The cheer fee pays not only for outfits, but also for paint and paper f o r run-through poste r s during the football games. Treats for the players are also supplements to the fee. Unfortunately, funding is limited for equipment, such as mats; extra money is not provided by the school. “We are a ‘borderline sport’ the definition of a ‘school sport’ is that the school gives you JOANNA LEE
money for some stuff, but we don’t get anything,” said cheerleader junior Maral Mianji. As cheerleaders wave their affordable pom-poms, band members create melodies through their inexpensive instruments. Band students contribute $550, but Mr. Iruegas said, “You are not paying a fee in band; you are paying in advance for services you will be receiving.” This payment covers the expenses of their overnight competition. Alternative payments, such as scholarships, can be granted. Cheer and band have reasonable prices, but in order to participate in the Golden Spurs, one would need to buy a larger piggy bank. The dance fee is about $3,000, but dancers argue the friends they make and the coaching they receive are priceless. In addition, to reduce the cost, the team makes small sacrifices. “The coach gets us to buy a big enough outfit or sponsor shirt that will last so we don’t have to spend much money,” said sophomore Sam Repetti. Although the Golden Spurs does its best to reduce costs, dancers must pay the fee. “There are many people that can not pay the fee and unfortunately there is nothing I can do about it,” said Coach Caldwell. All things considered, parents may need to withdraw from their piggy banks, but not shatter them since the year-long sports their children participate in are conservative in price.
ANAND HEMMADY news assistant
Most of us only hear their voices as they lecture us, but we do not hear how they sound when they are relaxing with friends. We know our teachers inside of school, but not outsided; they could be anything. But in the case of Coach Oswald, it is obvious. He is our newest football coach, hired to turn our struggling football program around. Oswald is well-known locally as a coach. He led Santa Clara High to an El Camino division title with a stunning nine-one track record. What is not known, however, are the similarities between his teaching styles and his coaching the football team. Teaching World Core influences his coaching style in a unique way, similar to the way he runs practice. During practices, he and his assistants split up. Some of them teach the offensive end of the game, while the others teach the defensive side. The players rotate between the coaches throughout the practice, meaning that all of the players learn the same techniques. This is identical to the World Core program, where students switch between teachers who teach history and literature, while the teachers teach only one subject. The World Core program has been successful because the teachers only need to learn how to teach one subject, so they can go deeper. Football is no different. Teachers must create a nice atmosphere in order for students to feel comfortable. As a coach, Oswald has applied this. By making a friendlier atmosphere, more players want to
join. And already, this approach has worked. Both of the football teams have around 40 players each, which is a significant increase from last year. The increase of athletes brings variety to the team and gives more players to draw from, which makes the team better. Coach Oswald is a new type of coach. He is one of the only coaches who is also employed as a teacher. The team has been very receptive about his appointment. “Coach Oswald is the best coach I’ve had. He relates us and he balances practice with schoolwork. He’s a great coach,” says Patrick Johnson, sophomore. Coach Oswald has expressed optimism regarding our recent 34-0 w i n over James Lick. “I’m very proud of how we played and how hard the boys have worked. We beat them in every aspect of the g a m e ,” said Coach Oswald. With this newfound positive outlook, the team has turned to a new page in its history. JAMIN SHIH
OCTOBER 1, 2010
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sports
THE PROSPECTOR
Fourth down and goal Football star receives drastic injury
SUNWOO JEONG sports assistant
O
ne hit and it was over. Junior Joseph Ochsner was told by his doctor that he could play no more. Tears ran down Ochsner’s face as he was devastated by the news. By achieving the title of third place in the frosh/soph state-wide tournament for wrestling and being the football star of school, Ochsner’s future showed high hopes, but now his sports career is at risk. “I first heard from my doctor in the summer of 8th grade that I should rest my arm before something serious happens but I didn’t really take it seriously. Now, I am in an unreal situation. I should have listened,” Ochsner said. As Ochsner took a hit to his elbow during his summer league football practice, his joint was torn, fracturing his elbow and resulted with a part of the bone chipping off. Ochsner’s doctor recommends that he stops playing rough physi-
cal sports forever. After hearing the word “forever,” Ochsner was overwhelmed. Even though sports were one of the few things that he did with a passion, he had no choice but to quit and allow his elbow to heal. It was a time where Ochsner’s love for sports could not overcome a difficult situation. Ochsner has taken a long time to think about his future in sports and now he realizes that he must rest if he ever wants to continue. College on a sports scholarship was ideal for Ochsner, but now he must find a different option. The hardest part for Ochsner to overcome was telling the football coach his condition. Varsity head coach Christopher Oswald said, “He was visibly upset. He lives to compete and having his body fail on him made it really hard for him.” Although Ochsner knew Coach Oswald understood his situation well, it was still a difficult conversation for both of them to go through. Ochsner is not often seen as a person who shows his expressive side, but this injury cut him deep.
Ochsner’s teammate, sophomore Johnny Rowe said, “He was really depressed. I felt really sad for him and I could feel his sadness just by the way he looked and talked.” As Ochsner is coping, his friends are helping him stay on the right track to recovery. Many students are in disbelief. Ochsner must stop playing rigorous physical sports for a period of time in order to avoid additional injuries. He plans to join Track and Field and lifts weights outside of school, but at the moment, he is not left with many options. Ochsner said, “Although I am ineligible to play sports right now, my friends on the football and wrestling team can count on me being on the sideline cheering for them. For now, that is all I can do.” Ochsner hopes to pursue other hobbies and although an essential part of his life is at risk, he continues his life with a positive outlook for the future.
WILLIE WANG
Junior Joseph Ocshner gazes out onto the football field wishing he could play this season.
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photoessay
12
OCTOBER 1, 2010
On the other hand.. At first glance, a hand is… just a hand. However, look closer and its numerous abilities to change and create are apparent. To start off, hands can be used to strum the strings of a guitar (top left), creating luscious music. Those same hands shift the focus of the camera lens (top right), leading to vivacious pictures. Hands also aid in communication: no hands, no writing (middle left). No fingers (thumbs to be exact), no texting (bottom left). There’s even a form of dancing dedicated to using only hands: finger-tutting (bottom right), a style that involves creating patterns and shapes using only hands. At final glance, a hand is… not just a hand. COMPILED BY WILLIE WANG