F RI DAY, D E C EM B ER 6, 2013
Foreign languages: Too little, too late, or a waste of time?
FEATURES OPINIONS page 6 & 7 pages 4 & 5
VOLUME 55 NO. 3
Religion
Top literature books
FEATURES pages 6 & 7
No-Need-to-Shave November
LIFESTYLES pages 8 & 9
FLIP SIDE page 12
The Prospector
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Students react to Typhoon Haiyan 1,602 still missing
4,011 dead
Over 4 million displaced
BRIAN ZHONG lifestyles assistant Over 4,000 dead. Nearly 2,000 still missing. Upwards of four million displaced. These are the statistics arising from Typhoon Haiyan, a devastating storm that swept through the Philippines on November 8. With gusts reaching up to 235 miles per hour, Typhoon Haiyan is the most powerful storm to ever make landfall, causing over $275 million in damages. For those in Cupertino’s Filipino American Student Association (FASA), however, the repercussions of the storm extend much further than some numbers or some images. Many in the club, in fact, were directly affected by a natural disaster that occurred more than 7,000 miles away. Senior Sam Tenorio and freshman Jeanine Palicte both have roots in the Philippines and are deeply affected by the tragedy that occurred there. When Palicte first heard of the typhoon,
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Haiyan may serve as a jolt, but the call for change will only be ephemeral - Sam Tenorio, senior
Cupertino consumerism: Black Friday ASHLEY LIU lifestyles editor
On Thanksgiving Day, families sat contentedly eating turkey and cranberry sauce and basking in an atmosphere of immense gratitude for all things simple and pure. However, as the evening dimmed and the clock struck midnight, it became clear that turkey was not the only commodity that these families would consume in the next several hours. Soon, many of these families -- 63%, by conservative estimates -voraciously yanked products right off the hands of graveyard-shift employees. Indeed, the irony that is Black Friday is one of the greatest exemplifications of
American consumerism in the entire calendar year. This year, consumers spent as much as $64.6 billion, up 11% since 2012. Online shopping over traditional brick-and-mortar, or in-store retail, has grown 25% this year, with more customers than ever making their purchases from smartphones and other mobile devices. Cyber Monday has proved to be stronger than ever, with Amazon setting record numbers in sales volume. Overall web sales rose 21% since 2012, drawing away a substantial chunk of profits from retail. Nevertheless, when asked about the conditions of stores this year, many students concurred that retail seemed just as busy as usual, particularly during peak hours. Junior Austin De Lozada, who A THANKSGIVING TRADITION cont. page 2
she was “not surprised at all. Typhoons are a regular occurrence [in] the Philippines and I was not taken aback by the images.” “However,” she noted, “after several days, I realized the true extent of the storm.” Tenorio echoed these sentiments: “I was born and raised in the Philippines, so it was extremely disheartening to see all the destruction and graphic photos the media circulated in the immediate aftermath.” Shayne Presno, a senior who was also raised in the Philippines, believes that the widespread corruption in the Filipino government played a front-and-center role in the devastating impact of the storm. “The government’s inability to build adequate infrastructure or prepare for a disaster resulted in a much higher death toll.” Those in FASA and Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS) are hard at work, trying to spread awareness and amass toiletries, clothes, and other necessities. Said Tenorio, “FASA serves as a funnel to which students can bring any donations, whether that be money or supplies. We will send those donations to the necessary channels, so we can get those supplies to those in need as quickly as possible.” In addition, several ambitious students created apparel to serve as a means of fundraising. 100 percent of the profits will go towards the relief efforts based in the Philippines. At the end, Tenorio says she has a more negative outlook toward the future for her home country. “Haiyan may serve as a jolt to the Philippines governTYPHOON REACTIONS cont. page 2
Taiwan: A separate nation? JESSICA SHIN flip side editor
ISABEL LIN opinions assistant
Just as many Canadians are mistaken as Americans, it is not uncommon for Taiwanese people to be mistaken as Chinese — and the subsequent defiant reactions are hardly rare either. While the different perceptions of a Taiwanese person’s nationality may seem insignificant to most people, there is actually a much deeper history behind the Chinese-Taiwanese distinction. The history of China and Taiwan is very long and convoluted. After the Chinese Nationalists, the Kuomintang, lost to China’s communist party in the
Chinese Civil War, the leader of the Nationalists, Chiang Kai Shek, fled to the island of Formosa — today’s Taiwan — to escape the vengeance of the Communist party and its leader Mao Zedong. With the help of loyal supporters of the Nationalist party and the United States, Chiang was able to successfully establish the country of Taiwan, or the People’s Republic of China. Today, Taiwan considers itself to be an independent, sovereign state; however, the Chinese government believes to have sovereignty over Taiwan, stating that “there is only one China in the world” and “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.” The political conflict between the two countries has greatly influenced TAIWAN V. CHINA cont. page 2
I’ve always identified as Taiwanese and I don’t think it’s fair to muddle Taiwanese and Chinese identities together or think of them as interchangeable BLACK FRIDAY | Looking down on the Microsoft store, shoppers walk through Valley Fair mall in search of deals.
- Annabelle Tseng, junior
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News
The Prospector
S TA F F 2013-2014
The Prospector
December 6, 2013
Debaters succeed in competition
Taiwan v. China Cont. page 1
KATIE MARTIN editor-in-chief
Cupertino High School Established 1958 Vol LV, No. III | 2013 editors-in-chief katie martin chris s. yoon news editor michael li opinions editor diana kruzman features editor keely zhang lifestyles editor ashley liu sports editor nirmit shah flip side editor jessica shin photo editor thu dam business manager ashley liu web manager tanay tandon
news assistants
laura shkouratoff jay shroff myung-ju song
opinions assistants
alex levine isabel lin
features assistants
serena ngan alex shieh joyce ye
lifestyles assistants
maithilee kanthi marvin wang
sports assistants
nikita devdhar brian zhong
flip side assistants
delanie medina jeremy xue
copy assistant photo crew web crew
yane ahn gloria choi anirudh pai gloria choi rishi nair 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
Throughout the first semester of this school year, the Speech and Debate team has consistently fared well in competition, with participants frequently placing among the top in the wide variety of contest categories. Consisting of approximately 84 students from all grade levels and among the most popular clubs in the school, the team attended three tournaments at local high schools and universities within the month of November, racking up several overall victories in addition to numerous semifinalist finishes among their entrants, which ranged in number from 18 to 31 per tournament. Joining fellow Novice competitors at Los Gatos High School on Nov. 3 was club member Ben Kruse, a junior and recent addition to Varsity speech. In fact, his newly earned spot on the more advanced, largely upperclassmen team was due to his performance in this tournament, which earned him a sixth place finish in the Extemporaneous speech category after a day of quick thinking and writing at top speed. The signature facet of Extemporaneous speech, as its name suggests, is the limited time frame in which competitors are expected to research, write and perfect their speeches. Typically based on current events and important world news, Kruse covered an enormous variety of topics within his multiple rounds of competition, ranging from partisan gridlock in D.C. — he argued that in light of the Tea Party attempts at repealing the Affordable Care Act by stalling the annual budget passage, there will be another government shutdown come January — to the recent nuclear arms treaty, on which Kruse stated that relations between the United States and Iran will improve post-resolution, as prior “economic sanctions devastated [Iran’s] economy” and that, more broadly, the spread of social media “threatens [Iranian President Hassan] Rouhani’s power.” Especially exciting about Kruse’s competition results — his best turnout to date — is that it was, according to him, entirely unexpected. “I didn’t expect to make it all the way to the finals,” Kruse said. “I feel like it’s definitely a good accomplishment.” But Kruse, like many of his fellow team members, credits his successes to intensive preparation at weekly meetings, during which Extemporary members rehearse the pre-speech process of writing, memorization and practice before presenting to their peers and providing feedback for each other. However, the most effective strategy Kruse has found in his years of Speech and
congratulations to all debaters Los Gatos High School Debate Tournament (November 3rd) Extemporaneous: Break to Semifinals: Sudarshan Kannan, Nikhil Agarwal, Anshul Rajwanshi, Andrew Sun, Ben Kruse Break to Finals: Anshul Rajwanshi, Andrew Sun, Ben Kruse Places (Overall): 4th: Anshul Rajwanshi, 5th: Andrew Sun, 6th: Ben Kruse Original Oratory: Break to Semifinals: Melinda Sun, Jehannaz Dastoor, Varsha Swamy, and Krishna Adhvaryu Break to Finals: Jehannaz Dastoor Places (Overall): 5th: Jehannaz Dastoor Impromptu: Break to Semifinals: Brian Zhong, Jasmine Till, Pankhuri Kohli Break to Finals: Brian Zhong, Jasmine Till Places (Overall): 4th: Brian Zhong, 6th: Jasmine Till
Santa Clara University Dempsey-Cronin Invitational (November 22-24)
Milpitas High School Tournament (November 10th)
Sanika Mahajan: Novice Parliamentary: Top Speaker
4-0 Undefeated: JV Parli: Nikhil Agarwal and Alicia Lee
Jasmine Till: 4th Place Novice Impromptu
3-1 (3 wins, 1 loss): JV LD: Anita Illango, Aviral Pereira, Melinda Sun
Nikhil Krishnan: Novice Original Oratory Finalist Parliamentary Octafinals Breaks: Novice: Nikhil Krishnan and Adi Iyer Open: Diana Kruzman and Ashley Liu
JV Parli: Brendan Carsel & Anna Rajaratnam Jasmine Till & Ben Ashkenazi Nikhil Krishnan & Advaith Iyer Stephanie Shi & Allan Wu
Parliamentary Quarterfinals Breaks: Novice: Nikhil Krishnan and Adi Iyer Open: Diana Kruzman and Ashley Liu
Varsity Parli: Diana Kruzman & Ashley Liu Jigar Shah & Anirudh Pai
Debate participation is simply reading the news on a nightly basis and trying to “cram as best I can so I can be in the best possible position” for upcoming competitions. While Kruse was unable to break — move into the semifinal rounds — for any of his events at the recent Dempsey-Cronin Invitational at Santa Clara University, a number of other debaters, including Nikhil Krishnan and Adi Iyer, made it to the Octofinals before having to leave the tournament with the rest of the team due to district regulations that ban students from participating in school-sponsored events past a certain time at night. In acknowledgment of their success this season, a full list of finalists from the three most recent Speech and Debate competitions can be found on page 2.
citizens of both countries. In Taiwan, Chinese protesters can often be seen holding posters declaring that Taiwan is still a part of China while the surrounding Taiwanese pass by with glares. The tension between citizens of China and Taiwan have been passed down to second-generation Chinese and Taiwanese children in the United States, and in areas such as Cupertino, through factors like parental influence. When parents openly voice their opinions on the conflict, they consequently impact their child’s perspective on the political rifts — carrying the tensions over to the next generation. For instance, when Taiwanese students are mistakenly referred to as Chinese, they often object to this label. Said junior Annabelle Tseng, “I’ve always identified as Taiwanese and I don’t think it’s fair to muddle Taiwanese and Chinese identities together or think of them as interchangeable.” “Every time someone calls me Chinese,” Angela Chang, a junior, said, “I have this burning urge to clarify that I’m actually Taiwanese.” On the contrary, Chinese students do not agree with the perspective of Taiwanese students. Junior Barbara He, for instance, believes that that because “Taiwanese people technically still speak Chinese and their ancestors originate from there,” the two are not defined enough in their differences to be considered separate. The political conflict between China and Taiwan has not only impacted generations of Chinese and Taiwanese, but has also impacted the two countries’ diplomatic relations with their fellow nations. However, as the politics and leaders of China and Taiwan change, the relationship between the two countries will almost certainly evolve.
Typhoon reactions Cont. page 1
ment, but the call for change will only be ephemeral,” she said. “At the end, the government will continue on with its corrupt ways, stagnant in the areas of infrastructure and disaster prevention.” Tenorio adamantly contends that the only way to halt this malicious cycle is a strong, united worldwide effort to reform the government.
A Thanksgiving tradition: Local Black Friday shopping draws crowds is a sales associate at PacSun, claimed that during his 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. shift on Thursday night, the crowds grew densest at midnight. On the other hand, senior Rochelle Singh worked at American Apparel and found that her shift on Friday afternoon saw significantly less crowd-
News Briefs
A typhoon in the Philippines is thought to be one of the strongest storms recorded, with sustained winds of 147 mph and gusts up to 170 mph. Since it made landfall on Nov. 8, the typhoon has killed over 5,000 and displaced another 600,000. A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Southern Iran killed at least eight people and 59 more were injured. The earthquake disturbed electricity and damaged many residential areas. Protests to oust the Thailand prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, result-
Cont. page 1
ing, although she reported that the shopping density was still substantial. Perhaps this Black Friday indicates a few telling trends; apart from the significant shift to online purchases, the American appetite for deals is as BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING Cont. page 3
ed in tear gas shots from police. Even though Yingluck stated that authorities would not use violence to control the protesters, more than 60 were injured and 4 were killed on Saturday amidst the clashes in Bangkok. A Metro-North passenger train with over 150 people derailed in New York, causing the death of at least 4 people. The train operator stated that he applied the brakes to the train; however the train did not stop. The train cars flipped over, injuring 67 riders. The leaders of the Ukraine have
decided to reject an important trade and political deal from the European Union. Thousands of protesters gathered on the streets to protest the decision, since joining the European Union would be the path to modernization along with greater wealth. China created an air defense identification zone unilaterally over the East China Sea and Beijing insisted that aircraft identify. Two Japanese airlines have refused to acknowledge the zone and as a result, tension has increased between the two countries. COMPILED BY ANIRUDH PAI AND MARVIN WANG
December 6, 2013
The Prospector
News
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Friday shopping “Downtown” area, new Apple campus for Cupertino Black strong as ever — enough to make a record number of stores Cont. page 2
ALEX SHIEH features assistant
Where is the downtown of Cupertino? This past September, the answer to this common question was revealed. Workers broke ground on Main Street Cupertino, an ambitious project on Stevens Creek Boulevard, adjacent to the school, that developers hope will soon be a stylish new center for the city. The project was in the planning stage for more than half a decade, only recently expanding beyond blueprints. The final project is expected to include retails shops, restaurants, office space, apartments, business-centered hotels and a central square. Along with this plan, outdoor seating, walkable shopping options and a plaza is also slated for inclusion. This large number and variety of stores, not to mention its location in the middle of Cupertino and short walk from the school, is expected to draw crowds upon completion. In addition to Subway, Wingstop, Verde Tea Café and the many other places students often visit during lunch, Main Street Cupertino will provide yet another convenient hangout spot. However, once the Main Street Cupertino project is completed, it will likely bring chaos to the daily traffic. As both students and parents often disobey traffic rules as a result of frustration over the crowded conditions, a downtown project across the street may increase the morning mayhem. The Main Street Cupertino project is not the only construction going on in Cupertino. The Apple Company’s construction of its Cupertino “Spaceship” campus is underway. On Oct. 15, the Cupertino City Council gave Apple the approval to begin construction of the 176-acre campus. The campus will be located between Pruneridge Avenue, Homestead Road, Wolfe Road and Tantau Avenue; its close proximity to the school and number of anticipated commuters may further exacerbate the traffic problem. The plan for the future project is roughly 2.66 million square feet of office and a research and development space. In addition, a 1,000 seat auditorium, fitness center and parking structure will also be constructed. The large project is meant to serve as a large campus base for 16,000 Apple employees and will ultimately house an estimated 24,000 employees upon its opening in 2016. “This project, yes, is very important to the city of Cupertino, but also to the greater Silicon Valley,” Cu-
pertino Vice Mayor Gilbert Wong said in a statement. Although neither project is slated for completion in the immediate future, their development will almost certainly impact the lifestyles of Cupertino residents and students.
open starting Thanksgiving night. As a manifestation of American consumerism, it’s unclear whether Thanksgiving weekend represents a time of gratitude or gluttony.
Int’l Club hosts ELD feast On Thursday, Nov. 21, International Club hosted its sixth annual English Language Development (ELD) Thanksgiving lunch in the Wagon Wheel. Preceding the lunch, many ELD students are given the opportunity to learn more about Thanksgiving culture outside of traditional cuisines. “I am a firm believer in that we all have problems in our lives, but we all have things that we can be thankful for and that is one of the things I try to teach the ELD students when we talk about Thanksgiving,” club adviser and Spanish teacher Joy Keifer said. “It is not all about food, but it is also taking a moment to reflect and to be grateful for the good things that we have in our lives.” A traditional Thanksgiving feast, however, did not start this way. “The first time we had a Thanksgiving lunch for ELD students, we served pizza,” Keifer said. The meal began, and still runs, with the intent of offering a traditional Thanksgiving meal to ELD students who may not celebrate Thanksgiving in the same manner. “I think students from different cultures may still celebrate Thanksgiving in their own way, but we wanted them to have turkey, mashed potatoes, et cetera,” Kiefer said. This year, the Thanksgiving lunch consisted of six 20-pound turkeys, four pounds of butter, four boxes of mashed potatoes, six pumpkin pies and a plethora of other traditional Thanksgiving foods. To cook this food, International Club borrowed the ovens in the cooking room and worked with all the ELD teachers to cook each of the meals. Said Keifer, “It takes a lot of work to set up, but in the end, it is worth it.” COMPILED BY NIRMIT SHAH
4 a waste of time
Opinions TANAY TANDON web editor
Proponents of generalized learning have long argued that one must “learn for the sake of learning” or “explore many subjects”, in other words: amass knowledge and safe keep it for later. However, in a world moving faster than ever, we can no longer afford to have students with only a shallow understanding of various subjects rather than a detailed, intricate understanding of a single one. Take for example some of our world’s most pressing problems: Climate change, defending against infectious ‘super-viruses,’ exploration of deep space, and Artificial Intelligence. 50 years ago, our problems were nowhere near as complex, and anyone with a general education could work and participate in all fields of science. But times have changed. To have any chance of contributing towards society’s progressions, one needs an in-depth and highlyspecialized understanding of his or her field. This means that in order for students to have a deeper understanding, they need more specialization,
starting much earlier in life. Subjects such as foreign languages and fine arts simply have no place in the career of a future lab scientist. This is not to say that schools should completely specialize and focus a student’s education on a single subject: for example, basic sciences and subjects such as Physics, Writing, and Math are needed and essential to anyone’s career. Instead, the argument is to rid the high school curriculum of anything not directly contributing to the student’s selected path. Requiring someone to take Spanish or Cooking when they clearly have no use for these subjects is where the problem lies. Furthermore, subjects that teach students to meta-cognate and think critically are essential to success in any field. Even a future biologist can find AP Physics invaluable due to its rigorous conceptual facets, a n d its training of the mind for the-
December 6, 2013
ory and logical understanding. Thus, its not about simply ‘knowing.’ It’s about ‘knowing how to know’ — in other words: defining one’s own learning as something beyond raw facts. Sure, 50 years ago someone could have made the argument that humanity should learn simply for the sake of remembering. But just as the epitome of ‘intellectual’ changed from the image of a religious scholar to that of a scientific mind, our world is due for another change. We cannot afford to have feeble-minded, shallow-thinking students who claim to have ‘interests’ in multiple subjects, when in reality they are barely competent in each one. Learning and exploration of external, unrelated subjects such as foreign languages should be pushed into the categorization of a hobby — not a requirement. The world is changing, and our education system must too. It’s no longer about dipping your toe in the water, it’s about taking the full splash and immersing yourself within a single sphere of learning.
basa ngôn ngu
g juhë pinulongan
teanga
contrasting views on the power of For many of us, it’s hard to imagine learning something without a reason. Once, not so long ago, scholars and students were people with the simple desire to know everything there was to know, to leave no stone unturned and to never stop until the secrets of the world were made known to them. Today, with the advent of mobile devices and the ability to look up any fact on demand, knowledge has become specialized. People look upon knowledge that doesn’t seem useful to them in some way as a waste of time and effort. This utilitarian view, along with the easy accessibility of facts through mobile devices and the internet, has caused the “thirst for knowledge” to be a thing of the past; however, it is important for this desire to be revived. Intelligence is not only the qualitative ability to think critically, but also the quantitative sum of what a person knows, and thus, it is important to DIANA KRUZMAN opinions editor
learning for the sake of
knowledge
language consider all aspects of a person’s education as valuable. The “Humanities vs. STEM” debate is a prime example of the struggle between utilitarian and intellectual reasons for learning. Some proponents of STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - claim that humanities subjects such as history and foreign languages are essentially useless because they require rote memorization, while STEM subjects promote intellectual development through critical thinking. One can make the argument that depending on how the subject is taught, studying history or learning a language certainly requires critical thinking, as well as involves all parts of the brain in the learning process. However, the problem is not the difference between critical thinking and memorization. The problem is the fervent objection to memorization itself. It’s true that critical thinking is valuable, but in a lot of cases,
it i s simply a means to an end - a way to gain knowledge. Critical thinking expands the capability of your brain to process knowledge, but it is that knowledge which has a value that people have forgotten. Studying history and memorizing dates, times, and places doesn’t have very much “practical” use unless you want to be a historian - but at least you have that knowledge, and are that much more informed than the next person. Similarly, learning a language is a process of memorization, of learning grammar rules and the meanings of words, but as a result, one can speak a different language - a valuable skill in and of itself. People have gotten so wrapped up in what purpose learning can serve that they have forgotten the value of the end result - knowledge. Students today ask, “Does this expand my critical thinking skills?” and “Am I ever going to use this in my life?” when they should be asking, “How can I learn more?”
language education begins
too late ALEX LEVINE
opinions assistant
It is unfortunate that foreign language classes tend to be so ineffective. Although many students take foreign languages for three to four years, few leave high school with a significant level of fluency in a non-native tongue. This is due to the way languages are approached in the American education system, and the American view of foreign languages in general. The simple truth is that students should not begin learning languages in high school, when they are already adolescents. In order for language education to be truly effective, foreign languages must be taught at a younger age. Childhood is the ideal stage to begin language education. According to research compiled by Western Washington University, children possess a natural ability to acquire spoken language without deliberate effort that diminishes sharply at the onset of puberty. Neurologists theorize that in puberty, key
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Opinions
The Prospector
December 6, 2013
COURTESY OF WWW.EUROPA.EU AND WWW.ASIASOCIETY.ORG
Average starting age of foreign language neurons 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 in the brain belgium that function cyprus in language acquispain sition are rerouted italy for new cognitive tasks, imluxembourg pairing spoken language acquisition. france croatia Psychological research has shown that adolesnorway cents learn second languages with interference from their native language, often resulting in them having liechtenstein difficulty learning phonetics and grammar. For this reason speakers of second languages usually have noticeable nonnative accents. The United States only begins language education at approximately age 14, explaining why Americans tend to be less successful in learning languages than others, such as Europeans, who begin learning languages around age seven. Beginning language education in elementary school would teach students while their brains remain in the appropriate developmental stage. Additionally, it would confer a variety of benefits on students in respect to their overall education. Studies by Northwestern University have shown that bilingual education programs foster increased cognitive flexibility and an enhanced ability to understand language in participating children. Children who grow up bilingual are more
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uk - england
united states
uk - north ireland hungary creative iceland a n d have better memoturkey ries than their monolingual counterparts. Furthergreece more, multilingual children are better prepared for life in the increasgermany ingly globalizing world, where English is losing its status as a lingua franca to languages of rising economies like Mandarin, Russian, and Portuguese. Ultimately, teaching foreign languages at a younger age would be far more effective and benefit students cognitively and socially. The United States has long been linguistically isolated, with only 17 percent of Americans being multilingual compared to a worldwide average of 66 percent according to Northwestern University’s Global Languages Initiative, but that can be changed. Americans can become not only respected businesspeople, diplomats, and scientists on the international stage, but also and more importantly successful communicators, and that change must begin with increased emphasis on language education.
flip side assistant
the experience of a
native
speaker
ing substantially, so being able to speak Spanish for different jobs is becoming increasingly important. While I understand that it is important to have a good foundation of the grammar, I think that it’s just as important to also have a good understand-
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DELANIE MEDINA
Coming from a predominantly hispanic family, I was taught Spanish before I was taught English, which is customary amongst most Latinos. However, because I was born here in California, not in Central America, I spent less time using my first language, and more time using English. So, when I was offered to take a Spanish class in 7th grade, I leaped at the chance to mix the two languages and I was hopeful I would learn so much more about my first language. After almost three years of Spanish classes, I can’t say I’ve learned very much from them, mostly because the way the classes are taught is not effective in the sense that it does not resonate with the student. The material taught in Spanish classes is, for the most part conversationally impractical, which makes it harder to take in and comprehend. It might be more practical to learn conversational interchange for specific professions, like police officers, teachers, or doctors. The Hispanic population in the United States is grow-
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mar, which is pointless without the knowledge of how to properly say the word. Even in Spanish 3, the students are speaking with an English accent, and it would be very beneficial to many of those students if teachers would spend more time focusing on minimizing that accent, rather than spending so much time drilling in the grammar. When children learn their first language, they aren’t taught with worksheets or tests; rather, they are taught through conversations. The best way to learn a language is to practice speaking it, which has been proven time and time again. Research published by Cambridge University on second language learning has shown that many of the techniques used to teach a second language are inefficient and that learning solely the grammar or vocabulary does not give the students the ability to speak the second language fluently or accurately. Simply put, it should be taught through practical conversations, not through fill-in-the-blank worksheets which have no lasting impact on the student. Yes, learning a language at a younger age is much easier to do than at our age, but that shouldn’t dras-
When children learn their first language, they aren’t taught with worksheets or tests; rather, they are taught through conversations. The best way to learn a language is to practice speaking it, which has been proven time and time again
ing of the pronunciation. When a student says a word or phrase incorrectly, the teacher will only occasionally correct them, which doesn’t do much in furthering the students knowledge. Students aren’t taught how to speak, they are taught gram-
tically change the way it is taught. Although the courses offered are only high school level and are not as comprehensive as they could be, there is no excuse to not focus on the fundamentals.
Features
December 6, 2013
Hinduism MYUNG-JU SONG news assistant
The oldest religion on earth, with more than 330 million officially recognized gods, is quite ubiquitous in this school. Hinduism, the world’s third largest religion in existence, claims a significant percentage of the school populace as followers. Many Indian students, for instance, grew up in a Hindu environment. In fact, Hinduism is often integrated and is a natural part of many Indian students’ lives. Said junior Aravind Prakash, “Hinduism is a just like a natural part of my life. I don’t specifically show special dedication to my religion, but my personal surroundings greatly revolve around the religion in that my family and friends all believe in it.” Even though Hindu students are accustomed to their religion, they do admit that there are some restrictions that their religion places upon their personal lives. Most prominent of these restrictions may be the restriction on consumption of certain foods like beef. According to Hindu beliefs, cows are considered sacred so that the eating of beef and certain meats are prohibited. However, said junior Sahiba Kashyap, “I have never been affected by any restrictions related to my religion besides the fact that there are certain things we can’t eat, but it doesn’t affect my personal or social life in the least.” Hindu students agree for the most part that these restrictions are not significant and that the constraints do not interfere with their social lives in their studies and in public. The slight restrictions in Hindu religion, however, seems to be insignificant as many Hindu followers take part in joyous celebrations and religious customs with other members in Hindu temples. Hindus take part in celebrations such as Diwali, a five day festival of lights. “In our celebrations, families and friends get together in either in temples or houses and wear traditional clothing, eat foods, and gossip about our lives. It’s very exciting and and we sometimes do religious things like poojas [ceremonies that involve prayers and rituals like lighting diwas, special candles and incense sticks],” junior Kirthana Mohan said. In Hinduism, God, who takes on different forms, is represented by everything in nature. The religion promotes respect for nature and unity with all aspects of life. Recently, in modern America, another role has been added to the numerous functions of the Hindu religion. Many students who try to find and connect to their ethnicity and their culture say that their religion has helped them to find and bond with new people. Said junior Tanvi Choksi, “Hinduism is not the most scientifically backed up nor the biggest, most diverse religion, but it brings people together and that’s the best part.”
SERENA NGAN
DELANIE MEDINA
features assistant
flip side assistant
People often adopt the household religion they grow up with. However, as students mature, often developing different bliefs from their parents, many begin to question the religion that their parents instilled in them since birth. After reflecting on the their own religious identities, some become atheists, others convert to another religion and some continue to believe in their mother religion. “At first, [I identified myself as a Christian] because my parents were Christian,” junior Esther Hsu said. “Then, as I went to church more and learned about my religion, I realized that it was something that I wanted to believe in as well — the message especially, and it provides for a sanctuary for my anxieties.” When observing different religions, there are different aspects that attract believers, and while the aspects aren’t always beneficial, they can still be attractive. These benefits are only part of the answers to the essential question: Why do people believe what they believe? There is no simple blanket statement that can summarize how and why people identify with their chosen religion, as it varies from person to person. People often strive to find the purpose of their existence. They want to believe that they are valuable to the people around them. Religion sets intangible goals for people to strive for and accomplish, and after achieving those goals, some might feel as though they have made an impact on people in some way, shape or form. “I have my belief because it gives an overall meaning — religion makes my life bigger than just me and it gives me a kind of pur-
Atheism/Agnosticism
Atheism is often stereotyped as a cold and impersonal system of belief, and agnosticism is simply met with confusion. While atheists do not believe in a higher power, agnoslifestyles assistant tics neither deny nor confirm the existence of one. And although religion is not a dominant part of atheist or agnostic students’ lives, it still comes to define who they are. “I believe in some higher power but my family’s never been really religious, so we just try to keep an open mind to everything,” self-defined agnostic and sophomore Solin Piercy said. A higher power has often been the answer to certain questions, such as the origins of life. Although these queries have largely been explained by science, some questions remain regarding the creation and development of this planet. Said junior Jonathan Mo, “I think the unknown answers to life probably connect to something we haven’t discovered yet, and people [might] use religion to fill in the answers we just haven’t found.” Just as many other traits of a person are defined by their upbringing, religion is usually a result of family influence as well. Some families don’t observe or lose faith over time and naturally drift towards agnosticism. Others simply decide atheism makes more sense. Therefore, many students question the existence of a God because of a lack of religious influence while growing up. “[My mom] used to be ambivalent between whether or not she was religious so she would put me in some of these church [events] for kids,” junior John Siano said. “But my dad has always been non-religious and I think he influenced me to also be non-religious.” In a community primarily made of first- and second- generation immigrants, families are at even greater risk of losing touch with their religions. Such students are raised independently of religion and through their interactions with the world, came to their own conclusions about the existence of God. “I just grew up learning from school, and from what I learned it just made sense to me that [everything] happened naturally, without divine influence. I knew about God, I knew about other religions, but I never really saw the sense in it,” sophomore Martin Coder said. Despite a belief in a higher power, most atheists and agnostics find that while they do not follow a religion, they do still believe in something. Some look to their experiences and believe in cause-and-effect reasonings, such as the childhood Golden Rule. Others believe in fate or karma. Said freshman Amanda Han, “Although I don’t believe in God, I still believe that the good and kind are rewarded with greatness, and you will receive what you really deserve.” MAITHILEE KANTHI
The Prospector
December 6, 2013
pose,” junior Vinitra Swamy said. “The amount of tradition that’s associated with religion also helps me feel connected with my families from all around the world.” Some view religion as an asylum from worry, difficulty or burden. Reading religious text may be encouraging or reassuring in troubling times. Some also entrust the outcomes of their obstacles to God through prayer. Said senior Natalie Yuen, “Even though I am not devoted in my religion, I still pray every night because it is comforting. It’s the mindset that there is someone out there for you. I do hope for the best and mostly, prayer is a time of self-reflection.” Perhaps one of the biggest reasons some choose to practice a religion is out of fear. We fear death, and we fear the emptiness that comes with it. No one truly knows what happens to us when we are done living this life, and the most anyone can do is have hope that better things happen when they’re finished with this life. They hold on to that hope so that they can go through life with purpose, believing that when their time is up, they’ll be going to a better place than what they’re leaving behind. Said junior Savannah Pumphrey, “Everybody wants to go to a paradise after they die, and that’s what heaven is.” There is no doubt that religion defines the way of life of devout student believers. It affects the choices and the decisions that each student makes from day to day. Students are endowed with the right to choose where he or she places their faith. The differences in faiths only contribute to the amount of diversity in our school population.
Christianity
Islam
Features
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During 7th period, junior Muaz Amir slips out of his role as a TA for Chemistry Honors, walks to the shipping containers by the soccer field and settles down. Amir kneels down and recites one of his JEREMY XUE five daily prayers, “lā ʾilāha flip side assistant ʾillā-llāhu muḥammadun rasūlu-llāh.” (“There is no god but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God.”) After approximately five minutes of prayer, he returns to the classroom and continues working as if nothing has occurred. This daily practice is merely one of the five pillars of Islam: prayer, belief, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. Muslims from all around the school congregate in English teacher Michelle Perry’s room on Fridays during lunch, where Amir leads the Friday group prayer. Amir said that the prayer, or Jumu’ah, accomplishes the Cupertino Muslim Student Association’s goal of “providing a safe and constructive outlet for incoming Muslim high schoolers and giving them a sort of ‘Muslim orientation’ to the high school environment.” However, school has had an impact on Amir’s religious life. Amir describes school as “the monster that takes up most of [his] time.” “Because of that,” he added, “I often have to delay my prayers so that I can finish my work.” Similarly, religion takes its toll on Amir’s school life. Said Amir, “I have to plan my day out during school and other extracurricular activities, like sports, to make sure I don’t end up missing my prayers.” Nevertheless, Amir does not believe that religion has made his life more “high maintenance” or “difficult.” In fact, said Amir, “On the outside you can probably mistake me as just another high school student, which I am — but you’ll also see me abstain from or do things that other kids may or may not do.” While the Bay Area is typically renowned for its great amount of religious and racial tolerance, there still are some common misconceptions Amir wants to disprove. In a reference to discriminatory post-9/11 assumptions regarding the Muslim practice of o f ‘jihad,’ Amir explained that the phrase does not mean ‘holy war,’ as many Americans have long believed. “Jihad means struggle for the sake o f G o d , which can mean anything from striving for an education, speaking the truth, and if the situation is so dire and no other forms of resistance are viable, then yes, violence to defend your- self and the people you love is considered jihad as well.” Amir continued, “Jihad is not something you come across on a daily basis. It can only be seen in war-torn and extremely oppressed countries like Chechnya, Libya and other places where Muslims are dying left and right from oppression. “Also,” Amir added lightheartedly, “if you could stop with the airplane and 9/11 jokes, that’d be great. I’ve literally heard all of them so there’s no point in even trying.”
MARVIN WANG lifestyle assistant
For most Christian students on campus, committing to their faith is something of a challenge. The reality is that most Christian students would simply prefer to discuss homework, sports or hit television shows rather than prayers or spirituality. Admittedly, Christian students often reserve their energy for faith on Sunday church sermons or youth group. Then, as Sunday ends and the Monday morning begin, these church-going Christians return to their regular state of stressing over school work. Said sophomore Diane Hahn, “[The school environment] definitely makes it more stressful because I have less time to do church [activities]. If I’m not doing well in school, [then] I will concentrate more on school activities than on my Christian life.” Though the Christian faith involves in sharing, most Christian students like junior Angela Lin and Senior John Kevin Dayao describe the Christians’ unwillingness to be open. Lin said, “It is hard to speak up about their faith because they are scared [about sharing], which forces them to have more of a personal faith.” Dayao, on the other hand, believes that “our school has an open environment for expressing their Christian faith; however, because there are
a lot of Christians who aren’t open about their faith, [thus] some people see them as normal students or non-believers.” Regardless, some Christians attend Footprint Christian Club (FCC) every Friday lunch to bond with other Christians and strengthen their faith. For the non-believers, FCC gives them the opportunity to discover what the Christian experience is through worship and small group gathering. Lin, also a club officer of FCC, added, “We have small groups where I often lead them in discussions [and] in worship sometimes with a guitar.” Unlike their parents’ more conservative Christian ways, younger generations of Christians frequently seek a different outlook on how they want to live through faith. Even worship has changed for the newer generation. Said senior and FCC President Eugene Pak, “My parents… were raised on hymns and a more traditional worship; I was raised on contemporary Christian worship.” However, the core of the religion has remained steadfast throughout centuries — that Christians must follow the teachings of Jesus and reach out to God in times of trouble. Said Dayao, “I am deeply saddened to see that [non-believers] going through hardships are left alone with nowhere to go [for guidance], whereas I find comfort in God whenever I am struggling in life.”
Lifestyles
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December 6, 2013
HYBRID ARTISTS? HYBRID ATHLETES? ATHLETIC EXPRESSIONS?
DANCE GLORIA CHOI web crew
The broad, encompassing sound of the bass, the fluttering flutes and the snazzy saxophones introduce the anticipating crowd to the opening show. The color guard accompanies them as they twirl their flags and toss their rifles, creating the visual emotion and appeal of a marching band field show. The breakdancers are found in the heat of battle under the pounding beat of the blown-out stereo heads. The Bollywood Club embraces the Indian culture at weekly practices. And finally, the dance team, featured at rallies and home football games, practice dayby-day, learning difficult routines and training rigorously for the upcoming state competition. What is dance? Often, one will struggle to define such an abstract concept. Art, music, and sports: dance is not one, but a collaboration of all three of these techniques. A member of the school dance team, junior Caroline Jacquet said that “[dance] is definitely a combination of ... sport and art. It’s like an art because we display our routines as a performance, whether to pump up a crowd at a rally or showcase our work during competitions. However, it is like a sport in the sense that it takes a lot to accomplish your goals, and we have to practice every day. It takes a lot of conditioning and perseverance.” In many ways, dance is a way to express oneself through art and expression. However, its
choreography and integration of music and movement validates it also as a sport and an instrument. In order to excel in his/her art, dancers must condition their bodies to perform to their unique personalities. Some question whether dance is truly a sport, but it is undeniable that dancers face the same difficulties and train just the same as any athlete would. Said Jacquet, “This year, we’ve tried to do more workouts: ab workouts, cardio, and [stretches], and depending on whether we will be performing for a game or a rally, or competition, we will practice our routines. Sometimes, [practices are] more stressful ... because we have to learn a routine in the course of one or two days.” Dancers must train their bodies as any other athlete might; however, despite the vigorous workouts and training, dance is different in the way that it allows for an individual to express oneself. Said sophomore breakdancer Chris Zamora, “Dance is an art [in that it] allows you to be creative in any way you’d like.” All around the community, there are dance clubs and programs that cater to the different interests of students on campus. These dancers will practice, perform, and compete for a variety of occasions and through different techniques. Dancers are artists. They are athletes. They are musicians. As Zamora simply stated, “We dancers are unique.”
The Prospector
December 6, 2013
Lifestyles
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THE GIFTING GUIDE KEELY ZHANG features editor
It’s that time of the year again: that one time in the year when you’re free to — forced to — give gifts to your significant others in the name of holiday spirit. That’s great and all, but year after year unsuspecting students fall prey to the occasion, as their feeble attempts at gift-giving are met with a forced smile and massive amounts of awkwardness. So that’s why I wrote this article today — to give you some insight on the art of proper gift giving. Of course none of this advice is scientifically tested or anything, so don’t take it out on me if I accidentally ruin your relationships and/or life. For one thing, and this should be pretty obvious, don’t give a gift that could suggest something negative about your recipient — that means no Head and Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo, no deodorant and no “how to get your life together” books. Unless you really hate that person. Then go ahead and go all passive-aggressive. If you’re going to give gifts to multiple people in one setting, make sure to personalize your gifts. Don’t go around handing out Target gift cards like candy, or even money like candy and especially not candy like candy. Of course, if you happen to be extremely rich or something, feel free to throw free stuff at random passersby — they’ll definitely think you’re exceedingly generous. However, if you wanted to use your gift as a means to show how much you care, stray away from generics and give your recipient something personal — something to show that you know them, you appreciate them, and you’re willing to spend time buying crap to make them feel loved. Of course, if you’re forced into a situation where you have to buy gifts for someone you may not know very well (ahem, Secret Santa), be sure to do some prior research (stalking). Don’t just go to the nearest pharmacy and buy everything you see at the checkout counter;
they’ll know if all you give them is a chocolate bar, chapstick, and cough drops — especially if it’s all of the same brand. After you select your gift, the perfect way to top it off is to write your recipient a cute little card. Honestly, usually your recipient won’t care too much for those scented candles you gave them, but they’ll likely treasure a heartfelt and unique card. For maximum effect, write about key memories the two of you had together and give them a compliment or two. You know you’re doing it right if reading the card makes your little sister gag a little. Overall, the holidays are a great way to be selfless and give gifts so that other people can love you. Just remember — try to act like you actually care and try not to offend anyone. Then your holidays will probably be somewhat disaster-free.
TOP HIGH SCHOOL LITERATURE
YANE AHN copy editor
“I don’t really read.” The sentence that breaks the hearts of literature teachers everywhere, as reading is such a crucial part of literature classes. The influence of novels is often underestimated. For example, one of the most popular novels students read in junior year, Catcher in the Rye, is so influential because readers really connect to Holden, whether they like it or not. At least one student each day utters, “Dude, I am Holden.” The genuine emotions of the character may be angsty and annoying, but that’s exactly why people felt so close to the individual. English teacher Sean Buie explained the importance of novels well: “If you read a good story and you’re really into it, and you develop a love of literature, no matter what mood you’re in, it can transport you somewhere. [You] can go to Hogwarts, ... you learn from Atticus Finch.” What is truly the influence of the books we read in literature classes? Books are a form of communication, from the author to a
reader. The idea communicated can be interpreted in incredibly different ways, provoking discussion and different ideas. Discussion also leads to realization of differences, but also an embracing of others — books teach an open mind and how to see others’ points of view. Teresa Filice, an AP Literature and World Core teacher, described this as her favorite part of teaching literature classes. “I can challenge students to wander in the gray area [or] ambiguous elements of texts and characters,” Filice said. “I want students to gain a sense of confidence in terms of articulating their opinions, both written and spoken.” Books can often be a microscope on the profound parts of human life — a focus on racism, an angle looking at hope, a look at foolish love. Juniors hold a trial over whether the “n-word” in Huck Finn should be censored or not because it’s a real question that is brought to light by a classic piece of literature. Reading encourages active thinking by arousing questions that have no simple, easy answer. There’s no simple conclusion to a good story, even if the author provides one.
There are also the goals of social, political, or cultural change. Books move people to action, to results and movement. It’s a framing of its time period while remaining timeless. The Great Gatsby framed the culture of the 1920s and how all of it would eventually fall to pieces; To Kill a Mockingbird showed how the world is unfair, but that means even more that every single person should keep fighting for the mockingbirds that are killed. Just as mathematics is necessary to grow logical thinking and understanding of patterns, or science is to develop technology and apply concepts — books provide, in their own ways, a gateway to understanding the individual and the universal. “I want students to leave my class loving literature and thinking on their own [and] be good human beings, having learned from all the good characters,” Buie said. The goal of reading in classes isn’t limited to just learning from books, but to learn how to think and love literature, so we are motivated to continue growing in this way.
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Sports
December 6, 2013
THE CUTTING EDGE U.S. FENCING
RISHI NAIR web crew
With its roots in 15th century Spain and all the swashbuckling action of ages past, fencing appears to be nothing short of a Renaissance event. However, over centuries of development, it has evolved into the highly competitive and strategic sport it is today — the sport that junior Camille Esnault has practiced for the past six years. “[We began fencing] when my brother and I weren’t doing very many sports,” Esnault said. “We had already tried tennis, jiu jitsu and gymnastics and we didn’t really like any of them, so we decided on trying either fencing or archery and we did fencing first, so I guess we just stuck with it.” Fencers wear padded, tight-fitting, full body clothing as protection from potentially deadly attacks. Esnault detailed the outfit necessary for practice and competition: Thick, knee-length pants known as knickers; long socks; breast protectors made of plastic worn underneath jackets. The sword-bearing arm is clad in an arm protector, while all of this protection is worn under a long-sleeved jacket. A full-coverage mask tops off the ensemble. Like its apparel, fencing comes with similarly specific blade categories. Esnault’s personal favorite? The epee.
“It allows you to be a lot more strategic, as your opponent’s whole body is the target,” Esnault said. “I do like foil and saber as well, but they have limited areas of the body you can target. Sabre is fun to watch; it’s more rapid than the others.”
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[Fencing] is like a chess game with almost infinite possibilities -Camille Esnault, junior and fencer
Esnault is among the top young fencers in the country, having participated in numerous national tournaments and now expanding her horizons to include the international fencing stage. But with more advanced competition comes a demanding schedule — Esnault must make the drive between Cupertino and Oakland three days a week to attend four-hour practices. Additionally, she has to work out during the days in between in order to maintain the high level of fitness necessary for the sport.
Further intensifying this routine is the reality that competitions often force Esnault away from school, which, as Esnault admits, “sounds cool,” but often means future struggles in playing catch-up on academic work. Even now, Esnault maintains the sense of humility that has guided her to elite competition by remembering how far she has come in the sport. “To be honest, it took me a long time to be able to qualify for national and international competitions,” Esnault said. “For the first four years of my fencing, I was not a good fencer. I would lose, practically all the time, and it wasn’t until recently, over the last two years, that I have been starting to get results through fencing.” And those results are clear: Esnault has recently begun fencing for Team USA at overseas tournaments. Although competitiveness plays an important role in this success, she also stresses that the chances to make friends from around the country and learn about life outside of the United States are among the most valuable aspects, second only to the opportunity to participate in a sport she likens to “a chess game with almost infinite possibilities.” Said Esnault, “It’s not always about being physical or being the fastest; it’s all about being the most tactical and strategic.”
Sports funding: A breakdown of athletic financial support LAURA SHKOURATOFF news assistant
At times, it may appear that the funding for the school’s athletic teams seems to be a little disproportionate. One sport may receive a new set of jerseys while another team throws around balls that seem to be falling apart. However, there are many working behind the funds to ensure a fair system for the school’s athletic financials. Realistically, sports funding operates on a fair system. Funding involves a few vital aspects, two of the main expenses being referees and equipment. When paying for referees, a sufficient amount is given to each team to support referees needed at each game. These costs are not equal for each team simply because the cost of referees varies by sport. As for equipment, Craig Ellegood, one of two athletic directors, has set up a financial system in order to best benefit all of the school’s teams. One of the largest portions of money that goes to support equipment purchases comes from Ellegood’s “Athletic Support” fund he has set up. From this money, ASB support and a few other funds, Ellegood gives a sufficient and equal amount to each team, ensuring it is used solely to pay for necessary equipment and other needed supplies for each sport. The other biggest facet of money comes in from donations made by the players. At the start of the season, Ellegood suggests each player makes a $60 donation to the Athletic Boosters program. “$40 of that goes into the general athletics fund; $20 goes directly back to the sport,” Ellegood said. “If they decide that they want to designate more money to that specific sport, more money can be donated to the specific sport.” Thanks to these donations, a large amount of money can be raised per team if each player decides to pitch in. However, Ellegood estimates that only around 50 percent of all players choose to make the donation.
Overall, the school receives a sufficient amount of funding for each team to have enough for necessary supplies. Although it may often seem as if certain teams are more well-equipped than others, personal donations are the only factors that affect those incomes. Although our school could definitely benefit from more athletic funding, our athletic directors are doing the best they can to share the money evenly — and fairly — among each sports team.
December 6, 2013
Commentary: The “true fan” problem NIKITA DEVDHAR sports assistant
Two years ago, there was nothing I hated more than bandwagoners. When the Miami Heat won the NBA Championships two years ago, I wanted to rip the hair from the heads of everyone who wore Heat apparel or became loyal servants of the so-called “King James.” But this opinion quickly changed, however, was when I was called a bandwagoner myself. It was sometime this past April, when the Golden State Warriors – one of the local Bay Area teams, for all you nonbasketball fans – made their way to the semi-finals of the NBA playoffs. It was around this time that the bandwagoners came out of hiding, and many self-proclaimed “die-hard Curry fans” began to emerge. After one of their big wins, I wore all my Warriors gear to school and was confronted by a die-hard Warriors fan. As I excitedly reminisced about the memorable moments from the previous night’s game, this fan started at me with contempt. “Do you even know anything about the Warriors? Who are all the players on the team? Who carries jersey number 12?” While I was fully aware that number 12 was Andrew Bogut and could likely name the entire team lineup, I realized then the hypocrisy of my prior actions. I hated having my “fan” status questioned, but had long participated in this sort of fan elitism. People do not have to know every single player’s name and number, origin, date of birth and stats from every game of the past decade to declare themselves true fans. But that brings across a good point, doesn’t it? To someone who’s been a fan for seven or eight years, I would seem like a bandwagoner. To me, however, people who just started to like the Warriors would seem like bandwagoners. The distinction, however, is surprisingly clear. A true fan is someone who sticks by their team, regardless of whether they’re winning or losing. A bandwagoner latches onto teams with successful records, abandoning prior favorites and swearing their loyalty, only to switch allegiances one again come next season. In essence, bandwagoners want only to follow the path of success without acknowledging that there are plenty of downs alongside the ups. Years of second-rate basketball or failing to clinch a playoff spot will never deter a true fan.
Sports
The Prospector
11
Fans’ dream teams become reality in online fantasy sports JAY SHROFF news assistant
It’s that time of the year again — people are watching their favorite teams play during the regular seasons for popular sports like basketball and football. But some people are watching sports not only for super-fanning, but because they want their own teams to do well too. With fantasy sports, fans can now act as the managers of their own teams online, draft their own real players, and compete against other teams to see who has a better setup. Or, who has more hops. Sophomore Raman Kathuria is one of the several fantasy sports participants at the school. He plays fantasy basketball through ESPN and is the manager of his league, which includes some other students from the school as well. His team includes some of the most famous players currently in the NBA, such as Stephen Curry and LeBron James. “Fantasy sports is basically a hardcore sports fan’s way of being more in touch of what is going on in the sports world or, in our case, the basketball world,” Kathuria said. “The real world heavily influences our game in the virtual world because basically fantasy sports takes t h e stats that basketball players in the real world get into our fantasy league. So the stats that people get in the real world, they get in the game.” Kathuria says that while fantasy sports do not take out much time out of his day, success does require watching basketball games in order to create the best team possible. The hobby also requires friends against whom one can play.
ESPN, Kathuria explained, offers leagues into which players can buy, but it is also p osible to simply make free ones — the option Kathuria and his friends pursued. Betting further increases the competition. “We each put in five dollars each to make it more interesting and the winner will get all the money,” Kathuria said. “So not only is fantasy sports fun, you can win a little cash as well.” So the next time a basketball game comes on the television, take a look at the men in suits on the sidelines. Fantasy sports allow fans to become them.
SPORTS SCORES will be back IN THE SPRING
VISIT chsprospector.org
Flip Side
December 6, 2013
12
NOVEMBER IN PHOTOS NIRMIT SHAH
SERENA NGAN
NIRMIT SHAH
CAPTURE THE FLAG | Junior Alan Vigent proudly brings back the flag from the opposing side.
JASON CHEN
THU DAM
MARCHING BAND SENIOR NIGHT | Senior Sam Tam is honored for her work in marching band on Senior Night.
NIRMIT SHAH
FORMAL PROMO | Junior Shirley Xu dances alongside fellow ASB members in a Winter Formal flash mob.
IDC FANTASTICS | Sophomore Martin Coder and senior Givanni Cestone participate in the IDC Fantastics rally.
TURKEY TROT | Senior Kai Lanning shows his excitement before he runs in the school’s Turkey Trot.
CLASS-Y MOMENTS: AS TOLD BY THE TEACHERS in aching lkas te a w t e I r the day itting and “One d I’m s ring at me, n a , 1 0 a 5 king t s o m s o lo Ro he kid ey all start used, t h it ing w sudden th conf really ing a I was was go . all of e t a m h d w in g h e in up b onder p was w d around. on to and I e n r u limbed points t c I d o a s on, [he dent h was r here A stu lf ove d him] and the e h s is in t h h a t e on ven lf b f us. E all she to a t own at all o ughing.” d la g arted starin just st time, I MUTH
s to those We’ve all been witnes the classhilarious moments in ely, they room, yet unfortunat ly. This occur much too rare d, silly or collection of awkwar sroom just plain strange clas rs around moments from teache ese allth the school combines ces for too-infrequent instan those not the enjoyment of all ess them. lucky enough to witn
LARRY
THU DAM
No-Need-to-Shave November MICHAEL LI
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news editor
JEREMY XUE flip side assistant “I was auditioning kids for a very dramatic show, and there was this weird scratching noise coming from behind me up in the ceiling. I kept turning around, and was getting a little bit unnerved. I realized that the scratching was also flashing, and it was super crazy and unnerving. I was watching the auditions, and all the time behind me, I was hearing, “Blahblahblahblah.” It was really creepy. “The janitors had to go up in the ceiling, and it turns out that a squirrel was actually living in the wall of room 605. It was trying to come in, and it liked to scrabble in a particular area near the fluorescent light that was near my desk and scrabble around in there, which was making the lights flash.”
“I was demonstrat ing electrical conductivity in fr ont of my class one day, and I wa s using a home built apparatus to do so. I used my body to connect the circuit, and I electrocuted my self in front of the classroom, so I was actually plugged into a 120 volt socket. The classroom went sil ent because they thought I was jo king, but I really wasn’t.” LARRY DEMUTH
new of teaching, I was a “During my first year following all ut abo s vou ner y teacher, so I was ver ed no rules really emphasiz the rules. One of the class, one in all rec I ring class. cell phone usage du g. gin rin s wa someone’s phone , ‘Whose phone is it?’ I went around asking ldn’t their phones, but I cou Everyone is checking figure it out. t says to me, ‘Oh, it’s Suddenly, this studen ne pulls out a second pho my backup phone.’ He ed. rat spe exa and I’m a little day, this student’s I remember the next ‘We just again. I was thinking, phone starts ringing the and in, aga d rt to get ma went over this!’ I sta ore he starts bef ne pho his at student looks down r to me. to hand his phone ove and at another student ks loo he y, enl Sudd other student the t tha d lize rea I yells ‘You punk!’ his his phone out, calling across the room has trouble.” friend to get him in ZACH JACOBS
ARCADIA CONRAD
s student o know in alt t e g o yt sit one wa eryone ear, I ed that have ev of the y one y “I decid the year is to a d d n d o n c f a e o s s t the tar d classe at the s l order. So on Enriche was sure that y r a t e ic t m phabe he wo Geo st G.E class, I t as in t ching t r ame spo d was tea In my fi s e . v s e s o h t la m c ry g in had Geomet same kid sittin hat maybe he In my . e t n e t fi h h t s g I saw at wa in, so I thou ss, so th e same kid aga s class. previou he previous cla th w a s d t an up from , I looked up us ss y previo third cla to him. ting in m it s u p o u y ere I went st him, ‘W that mu I asked d, ‘No, e r e w s n e and a class?’ .’ ed at m He look rother Ronald me?’ n my b our na e y e ’s b t e a v h ha ed, ‘W onald.’ my first So I ask me is D that in , ‘My na t I also think id a s e H u asked, “B her ArThen I my brot s a .” w u o t y a aw , th class I s he goes, ‘Yeah HN K ST. JO And MAR
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COMPILED BY JOYCE YE GRAPHIC BY MICHAEL LI
NEXT MONTH: DECEMBER Holiday Choir Concert Thursday-Friday, December 12-13
Band/Orchestra Winter Concert Tuesday, December 17
End of the First Semester Thursday, December 19
Winter Formal Thursday, December 19
Teacher Work Day -No School Friday, December 20
Holiday Break Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 6
JOYCE YE
There are a lot of guys at our school who look like miniature versions of Chuck Norris. Just not us. For some reason, innocent-looking Asian guys can get good grades, play two instruments and do kung fu, but they sure struggle with growing facial hair. We don’t even know what a razor looks like. It’s not that our parents are too cheap to buy us one — we just don’t need one, period. Lately we’ve noticed an increasing amount of people walking around school sporting various quantities of facial hair, from bearing the shaggiest of stubble to boasting a full-fledged Confucius (okay, maybe not). Ours, however, is like LeBron James’s hairline. Yup, you guessed it — nonexistent. Recently, we decided to partake in the annual No-Shave November tradition, but honestly, we really can’t comprehend its significance. I mean, we don’t see anything different about ourselves at the end of the month. We could win the Guinness World Record for Most Hairless Men on Earth hands down. While some people would kill to not have to shave on a daily basis, being hairless has its downsides. We can’t watch PG-13 movies without the usher telling us we need an adult. When we go to restaurants, the waiter hands us a kid’s menu along with some crayons and a high chair. Sigh. If we’re lucky there’ll be a black or brown crayon so we can draw a real nice mustache and beard to make ourselves feel better. Who needs facial hair when you have Crayola 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Washable Crayons? An Italian proverb states, “The hairy men are the sexiest men in the world.” Good thing they stopped that Berlusconi guy from taking over the world, or we would have had to buy some black paint, capellini and glue just to get a date to Winter Formal. Darn. We should have used that money for a dozen red roses from Cupertino FBLA. Finally, we mustache you a question. How would you feel if you were not so graciously and expressly granted the extraordinary privilege of possessing luxurious, glorious facial hair? I believe that people should be judged not by the amount of hair on their face, but rather the content of their heart. I have a dream, that bearded and hairless alike can sit together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day, Cupertino High, a school sweltering with prejudice against the unbearded and unstached , can someday become an oasis of freedom and justice. Anyway, we don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for Decembeard.