F RI DAY, F EB RUA RY 1, 2013
Cultural perceptions of women harmful in Indian society
Get your game on! FEATURES pages 6 & 7
OPINIONS pages 4 & 5
VOLUME 54 NO. 4
Jake Reichenberger scores his 100th goal eBooks are the devil’s literature
SPORTS pages 9 & 10
FLIP SIDE page 12
The Prospector
CHSPROSPECTOR.ORG
Student Newspaper of Cupertino High School
10100 FINCH AVENUE, CUPERTINO, CA 95014
The most memorable rally: farewell to Lawson AZADEH RONGERE editor-in-chief
PHOTO BY JASON CHEN
History teacher Jay Lawson, who retired at the end of 2012 after 36 years of teaching, returned to campus on Friday, Jan. 25 to attend what he assumed to be the annual Winter Sports Rally, but was surprised with a Hall of Fame induction. In order to conceal the rally plans, AP U.S. History teacher Kelly Roush asked Lawson to substitute for her third period class. At the start of brunch, while the other students were filing
into the gym, which was decorated with posters depicting Lawson’s passions, Roush’s class was instructed to stall Lawson with history questions that were rehearsed beforehand. The ongoing chants of “Lawson, Lawson” resounded through the gym as Lawson finally walked into his surprise rally with Dusty on his arm. He then embraced his family as well as former students and previous athletes, whom he did not know were in attendance. “When I entered the gym, I was terrified and overwhelmed with emotion. I was starting to get embarrassed, but I just told myself that
this was going to be a fantastic experience. I took a deep breath and was ready for the ride of my life,” Lawson said. Lawson expressed that having his family present was “comforting” and “awesome,” especially having his granddaughter on his lap during the rally. He was also honored to see his former wrestlers. “Some of them I hadn’t seen for a while. All of them were outstanding wrestlers, but knowing that they are very successful now makes me proud. I believe that the self-discipline and LAWSON’S HALL OF FAME INDUCTION LEAVES THE SCHOOL IN TEARS cont. page 3
Residency issues arise VICTORIA DUAN copy editor
CHRIS S. YOON news editor
As students line up to confirm their residency status with the school, the issue of legal residency arises again as a common topic of discussion. The residency verification requirement in the Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) was implemented in Jan. 2005 and has been strictly enforced since. But despite the consequences, families continue to illegally send their children to FUHSD schools at the risk of having their children pulled out
You want every dollar well spent on the students that live within our district boundaries
A “lot” of problems PHOTO BY THU DAM
STUDENTS ILLEGALLY PARK IN MARKED-OFF ZONES | Ongoing construction and lack of permit enforcement overcrowds the student parking lot
JESSE ZHOU eidtor-in-chief
NIKHIL KANTHI
- Assistant Principal Cathleen Farrell of the school they are attending. Forging residency has become a critical issue, as the school’s population has dramatically risen in the last couple years and there are only so many teachers and classrooms available on campus. Larger class sizes and increased work loads for teachers are only a few of the unfavorable counter-effects of illegally enrolled students. The consequence of defying the residency code is immediate disenrollment from the school or district. Though this infringement on the law is not recorded on a student’s permanent record or transcript, disenrollment more than often negatively impacts the student in question. Students are forced to leave behind their friends and classes and assimilate into a new environment. Yet many students continue to attend schools outside of their district at the risk of being caught. An estimated 150 to 200 students are disenrolled from the district each year and OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENTS CHEAT RESIDENCY SYSTEM cont. page 3
opinions editor
Student drivers have recently expressed concern over the lack of space in the new student parking lot, with many citing the loosely enforced parking permit system as the source of their frustration. With such limited space in the new lot, student drivers cannot find spaces in which to park, an issue perpetuated by the lack of fining parked cars without a permit in the student parking lot. Many of these students who cannot find spaces to park in have already paid for parking permits, but feel as if they are not getting what they paid for. Said senior Julia Seaton, “I usually try to get to school a little early, but obviously that’s not going to happen every day. Sometimes, a window as small as five minutes can make a huge difference.” On an average day, around 34 percent of cars parked in the student lot are parked without the $15 school-issued parking permits, yet every spot is filled. With 80 available spots and 104 parking permits sold to date, many students are invariably left without parking spaces for the day, especially if students without permits take
the spots designated for permitted drivers only. The unlucky students who do not get spots either choose to park in the teacher parking lot, Finch Avenue or in illegal marked off zones in the student lot. Although taking such spots is problematic when there is limited space, the situation is still fairly new and adaptable in many administrators’ eyes. “When kids start cutting corners, they seem to be parking in those ‘no parking spots,’ which I don’t necessarily see as a safety issue at this point,” assistant principal Andy Walczak said. “However, as more kids start getting their licenses this spring, we need to start making sure that kids start parking in the pool lot. It’s not a very ideal situation this year.” ASB loses out on funds when students do not purchase permits. There are currently 104 parking permits issued for the 2012-2013 school year, but in a recently conducted survey only around 66 percent of students currently have parking permits. School administrators check for non-permitted parkers approximately three times per semester, but many feel as if this check-up is not enough of an incentive to curb unauthorized parking and space issues. “It kind of feels like an empty threat,” senior Ophelia Ding said. Because parking without a permit is not
CO AN MP D ILE NI KH D BY SU IL KA JES CO RVE NT SE UR YE HI ZH SE D O OU OF VE 5D RA AY S
150 120 90 60 30 0
NUMBER OF PERMITS strictly regulated, the school’s parking has been defined by many as an open game for any campus driver or visitor. School guests and faculty sometimes park in the student parking, with many of their own spots often occupied by students as well. LACK OF PERMIT REGULATION OVERCROWDS PARKING LOT cont. page 3
2
News
The Prospector
S TA F F 2012-2013
The Prospector
Governor Brown proposes education reform for California KATIE MARTIN copy editor
Cupertino High School Established 1958 Vol LIV, No. I | 2012 editors-in-chief azadeh rongere jesse zhou news editor chris s. yoon opinions editor nikhil kanthi features editor laura kao lifestyles editor natasha sharma sports editor abhishek zaveri flip side editor michelle cheung copy editors alya omar anand hemmady katie martin victoria duan photo editor jason chen business manager kevin chu
news assistants
diana kruzman vinitra swamy michael li
opinions assistants
trinia bhattarai chris cai
features assistants
keely zhang kevin chu ashley liu
lifestyles assistants
thu dam youseph pavlovic
sports assistants
nirmit shah tanay tandon
flip side assistant
jessica shin
photo crew
nirmit shah thu dam jessica shin
While serving nearly 6.2 million students, California’s K-12 public school system has suffered at the hands of a state budget crisis during the past decade. Thanks to the recent renewal of parcel taxes through Measure B, the Fremont Union High School District has successfully avoided the cuts many California schools have been forced to make. But in many other districts, particularly those with poor or non-English-speaking students, spending cuts have significantly reduced staff and resources. However, Governor Jerry Brown, having pledged during his 2010 campaign to address these problems, will pursue a major overhaul of school financing this year in hopes of turning the public school system around. The California Budget Project, a nonprofit organization advocating fiscal solutions, believes that much of the problem lies in the way public schools are funded. Prior to 1978, California public schools received nearly half of their funding from local revenue such as property taxes — similar to how most other states currently finance education. The passage of Proposition 13, however, decreased these rates by taxing property at one percent of its 1975 value and capping annual inflation-based increases in taxes at two percent. With this sudden drop in financial support from property taxes, public schools were forced to rely on the state budget for funding. The lack of local funding left school districts susceptible to state budget woes, and officials responded to the economic strife of the 2008 reces-
sion by cutting the K-12 budget by 15 percent — a move that has rapidly widened the gap between educational resources in California and those in other states. The state now ranks among the worst in regards to student-adult ratios as well as spending per student. According to the California Budget Project, typical California classroom has approximately 21 students per one teacher, lagging significantly behind the national average of 14 to one. The statistics are not any more impressive for guidance counselors or librarians, coming in at 810 to one and 5,489 to one, respectively. And with spending per student at an all-time low of $8,908 — nearly $3,000 behind the average for public schools across the country — California currently resides amongst the lowest-ranked states for education. The contrast between this poor financing and the affluence of the state, Principal Kami Tomberlain noted, is remarkable. “We’re in one of the wealthiest economies in the world, and we pay less per student than, say, Connecticut, or Michigan, or Texas,” Tomberlain said. “That’s absurd.” Tomberlain, however, shares Brown’s high hopes for bridging these gaps in the years to follow. During the most recent budget cycle, Brown hinted at the possibility of addressing the inequities of Proposition 13. The governor’s plans also include simplifying the stringent regulations regarding student performance that schools must follow in order to receive state dollars — the current regulations “take mountains of interpreters to explain,” according to Tomberlain — as well as increasing funding to low-income schools.
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
Updated statewide assessments for student performance, referred to as “Common Core standards,” will be implemented alongside Brown’s proposals. While these evaluations will focus on application and understanding rather than memorization, Tomberlain worries that these new, computer-based assessments may be inaccessible in less affluent areas, where schools cannot afford to provide enough computers to satisfy a student body. Although the major formative assessment will take place during junior year, currently being discussed is the possibility of conducting practice tests for ninth and tenth graders — however, these will be voluntary and, if used, will be accompanied by additional costs. Economic disparity, Tomberlain explained, may make the improved education standards unreachable in some areas. “There are a lot of districts that don’t have the resources they need to get all their kids on computers,” Tomberlain said. “Schools that have the resources will be able to get their kids feedback, and schools that don’t will just have that one opportunity.” Despite the looming problems that financial inequalities will present statewide, Tomberlain views the changes to education as a “stepping stone” from which California can work to further improve its public school system. Although some school personnel remain concerned that such alterations could revoke funding from affluent districts, recent talks between Brown and school officials suggest that the proposals may soon be implemented.
Office reclocates due to construction Adding to the numerous construction projects currently taking place, the office and guidance center were relocated to different areas of the school over the holiday break. The main office has been relocated to the former guidance office in the 200 wing. The significantly smaller area has brought forth a call for downsizing; nevertheless, administration says that the move has been smooth, although it has yielded some changes for administrators.
“I don’t see the teaching staff as much. They used to always come in and out of the main office for stuff, but now we’re separated by [Principal Kami Tomberlain’s] office. There’s a lot less casual interactions with the teaching staff, which is sort of unfortunate,” assistant principal Andy Walczak said. Construction of the new office building is expected to be completed in the fall before the 2014-2015 school year. COMPILED BY ALYA OMAR
Students’ views on pot legalization TRINA BHATTARAI opinions assistant
adviser ann peck
February 1, 2013
VINITRA SWAMY news assistant
A survey taken by The Prospector regarding marijuana legalization showed that 49 percent of the 147 students surveyed support the recreational usage of this drug in California for people of appropriate age while 51 percent oppose it. After 75 years of prohibition, the recent passage of ballot measures in Colorado and Washington that allow for the production of cannabis for recreational usage has amplified the controversy as both the benefits and drawbacks of marijuana legalization become more complex. “By legalizing marijuana, the government may have the potential to help control its production and place restrictions on it to make it safer,” junior Veda Thirmunadas said. “It would help the economy out too, because if it’s legal, then it can be taxed.” The focus has now shifted to states such as California, Alaska, Maine and Oregon, as they are now considered the next major political deciders for the legalization of cannabis. According to an article in The New York Times, California’s lieutenant governor Gavin Newsom said that the “ubiquity of the drug had led him to believe that laws against it were counterproductive and archaic.” This support for marijuana legalization is particularly significant due to Newsom’s strong Democratic views and position as one of the leading contenders to be the next governor of California. According to drugabuse.gov, the estimated annual revenue that California would raise if the state taxed and regulated the sale of marijuana is $1.4 billion, providing the money that the government needs to reduce the large
budget cuts to education, among other areas. Students like junior Anna Bakker doubt the fruitfulness of using the limited state budget to pay for imprisonment of drug users rather than investing those funds in public schools. Said Bakker, “We spend too much on building more jails rather than building better schools for children.” While legalization of cannabis may provide an opportunity to boost the economy and put an end to the War on Drugs, senior Manpreet Tiwana believes the social effects of legalization outweigh the benefits. “Legalizing it is not going to help us prevent anything,” Tiwana said. “It is a hard drug and it will increase the addiction to not only [marijuana] but also many other drugs.” According to National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana overstimulates the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception and coordinated movement. Thus, the drug has been linked to a variety of negative short and longterm effects relating especially to cardiopulmonary and mental health. Sophomore Sarah Rahman, however, believes that easier accessibility of marijuana will reduce the potentially harmful usage of this drug. Said Rahman, “Marijuana should be legalized, because it’s like the forbidden fruit everyone wants. If it was easy to obtain, then, hypothetically, people wouldn’t want it as badly.” Additionally, advocates of cannabis legalization argue that legalization may decrease both the activity of drug lords and the number of people of in jail for possession and distribution of cannabis. “Drug dealing is a huge issue, and it’s hard because the profits from marijuana oftentimes goes towards producing and distributing more serious drugs,” senior Julia Seaton said.
“I believe that our school should ban the usage of marijuana because it distracts the students from their studies and it’s unhealthy for their body. I am pretty shocked at the number of students using marijuana because Cupertino is a place that everybody pictures as a safe community, and it would be horrible to ruin our ‘good school reputation’ with drugs like marijuana.”
- Sophomore Serena Ngan
News
The Prospector
February 1, 2013
Lawson’s hall of fame induction leaves the school in tears Cont. page 1
courage that they came away with after being on the wrestling team helped guide them to personal confidence that led to success,” Lawson said. Once Lawson settled into his seat, rally commissioner Grace Kim and ASB president Alya Omar started the rally. Each class had a different theme celebrating the versatile aspects of Lawson’s life: the freshmen embodied The Beatles in tribute to Lawson’s favorite band; the sophomores and juniors represented Lawson’s classes, U.S. History and World History, respectively; seniors honored his wrestling experience as an athlete and a coach; teachers sported tropical clothing to demonstrate Lawson’s love for surfing.
ALL PHOTOS BY JASON CHEN
MR. LAWSON RALLY | The school surprises history teacher Jay
Lawson with a rally to celebrate his teaching career and retirement, and to induct him into the Hall of Fame
The rally started with two student speakers who had Lawson as a teacher; senior Prachi Joshi was in Lawson’s World History class while another senior, Greg Brazil, was in his Terra Nova class. They both shared their fondest memories of Lawson and expressed the impact he had on not only their own lives, but also on the entire community. Brazil later praised Lawson, whom he describes as “inspirational,” and his unwavering support of him and his classmates in Terra Nova. “Sophomore year, when I had [Lawson] for World History, he motivated me and renewed my drive to succeed. I probably wouldn’t be on track to graduate without him,” Brazil said. Other speakers included Leo Club officers and wrestling
team representatives. “The speeches by the students were the most emotional. I was moved by what each of them said. It made me think for a moment that maybe I am worthy of this tremendous honor,” Lawson said. The dance and cheer teams also performed in his honor, while the band played a Beatles medley. “The entertainment by the dance team, cheer squad and the band was fantastic. Being a huge Beatles fan, I loved the medley. I loved singing along with the crowd and when the horn section came out, I was blown away. I sincerely hope that all of the students walked away with a greater appreciation of Beatles music,” Lawson said. Once the band finished their routine, all students began shouting, “Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame,” as ASB adviser Wes Morse announced the Hall of Fame founder and former teacher Bill Boggie, who personally inducted Lawson into the Hall of Fame. In addition to the induction, which is usually an honor celebrated only in the biennial May rally, Lawson was also offered the traditional hand-drawn photo of his first year teaching, created by junior Jane Li. “Honestly, I never dreamed that this would happen. I’ve been at Tino a long time and have been to a lot of Hall of Fame rallies. I’ve always been in awe of all of the inductees. I know every Honorary whose name is now above mine and they were great role models for me. Now, I hope that I will be a role model for many current staff members who will be added to the list below my name,” Lawson said. Lawson then gave a speech that expressed his gratitude and adoration for every student in the stands and staff member in the audience. His talk was touching even for students who have never had him as a teacher. “[His speech] made me realize how involved in the school he was and also how much he did for the school. It was still emotional because I could really tell how much everyone cared about him. I think he has been a very inspiring teacher and wrestling coach. He seems like he has done much more too! I wish I had him [as a teacher],” sophomore Lauren Rowe said. Before returning to fourth period, the school sang the Alma Mater with Lawson. It was one of his favorite moments from the rally. “I loved singing the Alma Mater. As I was singing, the words had a much deeper meaning. I love [the school] so much. Thanks for the memories,” Lawson said.
Lack of permit regulation overcrowds parking lot Cont. page 1
Part of the problem is inevitable for the administration; in these transition years when construction is putting the strain on the entire school, many have already anticipated parking constraints on both faculty and students. Given the situation, the administration feels as if they are being as understanding as possible. “I usually, at the very least, give students two warnings,” Walczak said. “Space is limited this year with this transition. With construction, we’re just
trying to go with the flow here.” Although some students have suggested an overhaul of the current system in favor of one that assigns parking spaces to the permits themselves, many are nevertheless still frustrated with the current situation and feel as if more regulation is necessary. “It’s a pain to know that my family has blown over $30 the last two years paying for parking, when nothing comes out of it,” Seaton said. “You buy parking permits because it’s a rule.”
Out-of-district students cheat residency system Cont. page 1
many more are deterred. FUHSD has developed several methods of determining whether or not a student actually lives in the district boundaries. These “bed checks” aim to discourage families from lying. “We’ve had our district investigators who have taken pictures and videos of students and parents leaving a house [in the morning] that’s outside of our district boundaries,” assistant principal Cathleen Farrell, who is in charge of enforcing the school’s residency policy, said. “And when the greater community hears about that, they’re less likely to try to put through fake paperwork.” Because the district receives funding from the taxpayers in its community, each extra stu-
dent that manages to cheat the residency system is taking money out of the school’s set funds. The school loses anywhere from $6 to $10 thousand per student each year. Using these statistics, a freshman can cost the school $40 thousand if he or she manages to remain in the district illegally for four years. Senior privilege is granted to selected students who move out of the district during their senior year. Grades and attendance are factors that are called into attention when deciding whether or not a student is granted senior privilege. “We want the resources that we’re receiving from our community to educate the children and students in our community,” Farrell said. “You want every dollar well spent on the students that live within our district boundaries.”
Check out the Weekly Obsession at chsprospector.org
3
“Breaking” news Four teenagers reportedly broke into the school library at 3 a.m. on Sat, Jan. 19. Of the four, one was arrested by the sheriff while the other three escaped with “nominal” amounts of cash and pocket electronics. According to the school administration and the sheriff’s office, none of the four students are students from the school. The teenagers assessed the library by breaking through the reinforced glass on the library door. In the process of stealing the iMac computers, they also broke the glass doors to the Mac lab and to librarian Pat Accorinti’s office. The burglars attempted to steal several computers, Flip video cameras, loose change from library copying transactions and approximately $50 of cash from the Tibetan relief donation box. The computers were placed in a trash bin, presumably to be hauled away by the thieves. However, they were recovered when the sheriff arrived to respond to the reported break-in. The rest of the stolen items disappeared with the other three burglars, who have not yet been apprehended. The school library is equipped with a security system, and the company managing the system notified the police as soon as the alarm was triggered. In addition to these security measures, the school also has security cameras, but due to the poor video quality, the footage could not provide any information in regards to the identity of the burglars. This break-in is not the first for the school, as a similar incident occurred about five years ago. In like manner, the burglars targeted the computers in the library. At that time, the school had only just acquired 15 brand-new Macintosh computers to add to its previous collection of 15 computers. The thieves, however, successfully fled the scene with the computers. Even a custodian, upon witnessing this escape, did not realize that the people he saw had broken into the library. As the school is undergoing construction, new security cameras and lighting fixtures will be installed in strategic locations around the school. The new library will also be on the second floor of the main building, thus making any attempt to remove items from it more difficult. These new security measures, along with the relocation of the library, are expected to arrive in the fall of 2014 when construction is completed. COMPILED BY KATIE MARTIN & CHRIS CAI
Dear Students and Staff of Cupertino High School, It is important for me to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for providing me with the most fantastic experience of a lifetime. The Hall of Fame Rally in my honor was beyond a dream come true because I really never expected it to happen. When the surprise wore off, reality set in and I realized that I was invited to the greatest party on earth with my family, friends and all of TINO; I was beaming with pride. Upon reflecting on the event, I now understand the real meaning of that day. I want to share that with you because it is all about YOU. Being recognized by your peers is the ultimate compliment of one’s work. When Lawson Middle School was named after my father because he was one of the pioneers of education in our city, I told people that it wasn’t necessarily about my father; it was about the value of education in our community. He believed that schools and the community were inseparable and that through community effort, children could learn, develop self-worth and be prepared to contribute to society. Everyone who worked with my dad could proudly feel as if they too are a part of Lawson Middle School, and that is how I feel about being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It is just as much about each and every one of you as it is about me. I hope that every student left the rally with a sense of personal pride that they are a part of a school that is special. I want the teachers to know that their hard work is making a difference in the lives of their students. The more one understands the value of their work, the more they put into it. As a result, CHS has and always will achieve greatness. When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I was devastated. I thought that my life was quickly coming to an end. Honestly, it was the students at TINO that got me out of the depression and inspired me to fight back and work hard to get healthy again. I am so grateful for that! I have learned so much about life these past few months and have a different perspective. I now understand that life comes in three stages. The students are approaching the end of phase one which is learning and developing a plan to achieve their true purpose in life. The current staff members are in the second phase, which is applying their skills and working hard to make a difference. The third phase of life is reflection and sharing wisdom. Today I am as excited about entering my third phase as I was in 1976 on my first day as a teacher. I have new goals and now I can slow down and talk to people one-on-one and share thoughts. I was only a small piece of the powerful TINO machine. All of you are an important part of the machine and each piece must support each other in order to function properly. I want to thank everyone for being a part of my life here at Cupertino. I will always cherish the relationships I made here and the Hall of Fame experience has motivated me to keep on truckin’ down the road of life. I love TINO! Sincerely, Jay Lawson One Happy Camper
Opinions
4
February 1, 2013
Silence of India’s women
NATASHA SHARMA lifestyles editor
Women in Indian society occupy a strangely dichotomous position. On one hand, a woman is held in high esteem as a manifestation of divine feminine energy, a goddess whose power keeps the universe in balance and brings forth new life. On the other hand, she has been and continues to be subjugated and is expected to be subservient to a man. Clearly, there is a huge chasm of hypocrisy between these two socio-cultural viewpoints. The truth is that it is difficult to be a woman in India. Last month, when a 23-year-old female medical student now being referred to as “India’s Daughter,” was brutally beaten and gang raped, the entire nation was shocked at the macabre event. Men and women of all socioeconomic statuses came together in a massive wave of solidarity and empowerment to fight for their rights as well as to question why women feel
57% 53%
of Indian women believe their husbands have a right to hit them
unsafe. While the government needs to enforce stricter laws regarding women and their rights, the real change will come when there is a change in Indian society’s perception of women. In the five thousand years of Indian history, gender has always been an integral part of art, folkloric epics and literature, in which the Indian woman is often portrayed as the weaker character. From a young age, in patriarchal inclinations, men are imbued with the thought that they are the breadwinners and the capable ones. In a culture that reinforces the idea that men are the stronger and more powerful gender, it is no surprise that women are then expected to fall into a submissive position and remain both physicall and mentally oppressed. Now, when both women and men are equally literate and competitive, India is crying out for a shift in the social order and, more urgently, a shift in the collective consciousness. Horrific as this event was, it has been a catalyst for a monumental movement towards women’s safety and overall standing in society. It is only when every man and woman, young and old, urban and rural, educated and illiterate, begin to value and respect women’s rights that India will become a better and safer society.
of Indian men believe they have a right to hit their wives
70%
of Indian women have suffered from domestic abuse in their lives
COMPILED BY TRINA BHATTARAI AND NIRMIT SHAH
S t a f f
What is in
Fixations, like most things, are fine in moderation. Everyone has one: a person whom they idolize, a band they can’t stop listening to, a movie they rave about to anyone who will listen. As long as these obsessions make up only a small part of a person’s life and character, there is nothing wrong with such adoration. It is when that feeling is exaggerated beyond rational bounds, even driving a person to self-harm, that adoration turns into obsession. It is this dark side of a natural emotion, encouraged and promoted by the media, that has consumed modern society; in order to fight it, we must have the clarity to see these idols not as deities, but as nothing more than musicians and actors. The recent “Cut 4 Bieber” phenomenon, which involved teenage girls and boys cutting themselves to convince Justin Bieber to end his alleged recreational drug usage, is a clear sign that society has taken infatuation way too far. Celebrities, actors and vocalists are performers, meant to entertain and amuse the masses. And while it’s fine to get together with friends and squeal about shared love for a certain public figure, today’s culture has blown the importance of such idols well out of proportion. When it comes down to it, Justin Bieber is just a singer. However, today’s culture endows these individuals with an irrational degree of
E d i t o r i a l
your shrine?
importance; their cult statuses are the spawn of popular media. Celebrities and characters are portrayed as idols, so thousands of Americans worship them as such, giving rise to an obsession culture in which infatuation to the extreme is not only acceptable, but encouraged. The archetype of this culture is the screaming teenage fangirl. It’s not surprising that adolescent girls are the prime targets of this wave. The media has good reason to support and promote this culture; it is an extremely profitable industry. The more obsessed people are, the more tabloids and magazines they will buy. Media promotion of obsession has gotten to the point where paparazzi will risk their lives to get that one perfect photo. In early January, a man was hit and killed by a car while crossing a busy interstate to take a photograph of Justin Bieber getting a speeding ticket. He risked — and lost — his life for that photograph. Passion is a part of life, and there is nothing wrong with feeling strongly, even lovingly, about a celebrity or other idol. It’s when society takes them to be more than just actors and musicians that it needs to step back and ask itself why.
Opinions
The Prospector
February 1, 2013
5
#Instasham
NIRMIT SHAH sports assistant
JASON CHEN
ILLUSTRATION BY KEELY ZHANG
sports assistant
KEELY ZHANG
“Shout out to all the freshman on Instagram, features assistant straight flexin.” This phrase, among others, refers to a popular photo editing software applicaLast semester, Citibank property manager Tom Hall began tion. While we applaud Instagram for creating a restricting students from using the property as a drop-off and pick-up networking site based on photography, as avid zone. Students who had previously used its parking space were forced photographers, we also resent it. to modify their schedules to accommodate the heavy traffic of a less As photographers, we tend to take calculated convenient route. Although Citibank has every right to restrict stusteps in trying to compose the perfect shot in dent access because it is private property, Hall’s response to student order to capture the moment. We aim to take trespassers is excessive, to say the least. In an attempt to clear what he stills that describe a whole story in one frame. calls “gang-like” groups of students off his property, Hall has resorted We spend hours on this process, going out into to taking pictures of minors and yelling at parents for minutes at a the field trying to find that perfect moment. This time. While he technically has the law on his side, he has forsaken process involves adjusting the camera’s settings, grace. incorporating the right angle and ultimately stepIt is difficult to form an exact picture of one of Hall’s many conping out of our comfort zones, all for the sake of frontations with trespassing students and parents, as they range from that one shot. physically nudging students to loudly berating parents for supposedly Photographers can spend hours capturing encouraging their kids to break the law. While his claims are not comthe expressions of a basketball player on the pletely wrong, it is hard to imagine that parents deliberately trespass court, but when they post the image online they to be bad parents; they simply choose the most straightforward way to receive very little feedback. Yet the get from Point A to Point B. person who snaps a frame of a tree Furthermore, Hall’s three-minute speeches fail to make a point. on his iPhone, throws on the words By the end, parents leave with the erroneous impression that the only M “Your past never defines your future DA U TH #inspirational” and posts the image online can easily get hundreds of likes. Meanwhile, the photo of the tree consists of nothing but a snapshot with a TH filter, yet the U DA M public gives it a lot more attention. Though we consistently take photos to upload to our respective photo blogs, we receive the same number CHRIS CAI of notes, if not marginally opinions assistant less, as pictures uploaded and edited via Instagram. By essentialThe Citibank property would be perfect for picking up and ly beating out true photography, dropping off students if it were not private property. Students Instagram demeans photographers who congregate in front of Citibank scare senior customers into and photo editors. The value of closing their accounts. Parents waiting in the parking lot prevent a photograph is lost when customers from finding parking. By using the Citibank property a smartphone user slaps a for sheer convenience, students abandon the most basic respect “deep” quote onto an iPhone for the school’s neighbors. image to sound profound. In real phoDue to this lack of inhibition inhibition on the part of tography, the editing is the other half of making students, Tom L. Hall, the property manager of the Citibank a great picture. The composure of the picture, property, has resorted to harassing students as a measure of deterhowever, comes directly off of the camera rather rence. Students complain that his measures are too harsh and than through editing. With Instagram, the need that it is hardly necessary for Hall to loudly reprimand and take to think about the composure of the still is pictures of any trespassers. However, Hall only started to do so afconsidered obsolete, thus making photography ter realizing that nothing short of an unrelenting response would reliant on editing. This reliance unsettles the balkeep students away. Graffiti on the signs and the walls, as well as ance upon which photography is based, allowing the large imposing formations of students that congregate in front anyone to take an “artsy” picture. of the local businesses all negatively impact the local economy. A good photograph is not any old snapshot The situation progressed to a point where senior customers can but one that inspires through the image itself. neither find parking spots nor physically enter the bank. Hall has Instagram gives the user a false sense of inspiratried to reason with these students and parents but he is either tion, devaluing the significance of a good shot. ignored or insulted, several students even deemed it fitting to An inability to inspire ultimately tears away at the gave him the finger when asked to move. His methods may be foundation of photography and muddles with the unorthodox, but they work, and he has only the best intentions worth of a picture. in mind. Although there are better ways to prevent students from
reason they had to add five to 10 minutes to their morning and afternoon routines is that Hall, the grumpy old neighbor, did not like kids on his property. Passerby and customers who see these confrontations will form their own compromising conclusions. Whatever the case, the fact that Hall is outside Citibank verbally abusing pedestrians is probably enough to send marketing teams across the world into wild fits and convulsions. However, as unconventional as Hall’s tactics may be, he has a legitimate reason for closing off his property. The sheer number of cars packed together during morning and afternoon rush hours has, according to him, caused many customers to complain and even abstain from going to the bank. Unfortunately, Hall neglects to mention this little piece of logic to parents and students, and instead uses inflammatory language to deter trespassers. As students, we should make an effort to respect private property. Then Hall will not have to play the bully because, in truth, we are not the victims in these confrontations. Both sides have made mistakes; while Hall may be the grumpy old neighbor, we are the selfish neighborhood kids who believe that we have a right to prance wherever suits our whims. Hall has handled his situation the way he thinks is best. It is time for us to make a decision: is going the extra mile to avoid Hall’s verbal abuse worth the sacrifice? Perhaps. But is it a sacrifice we must make because we want to be good neighbors? Definitely.
Grumpy neighbor
Citibank: who’s yard is it anyway? Annoying kids entering the property, it is indisputable that his methods are working. Fewer students and parents are using the parking lot, and many cite Hall’s intervention as a direct cause. Previously, students would stroll into the parking lot and congregate in front of the local properties. Without any consideration for the drivers, they would weave between cars in order to get to their own destinations. Even when accosted about their behavior, most students would protest with complete disregard for common courtesy. Students and parents should stay off the property on their own volition. If that does not happen then they should not complain when they are confronted about it. Hall is doing what neither the school nor the city can spare the resources to do. Through his efforts regulating traffic on the property, he is defending local business interests so that the school can spare teachers for better purposes than supervising traffic. For all the complaints and assertions, the students and parents are in fault in this case. It is not a right that students be allowed to use any property as a drop-off zone. The school has sent out multiple communications via School Loop and email; signs on the Citibank property caution parents from using the lot. Nevertheless, it should come as common sense that it is simply inconsiderate towards the local businesses to use their property for student drop-off. No matter the allure of convenience, the feelings of discontent and outright fondness for rebellion, both students and parents should exhibit the resolution of character that propriety demands.
6
Features
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February 1, 2013
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Features
The Prospector
February 1, 2013
l l a b 8 c i g a m e h t n i g n i k Sin IU ASHLEY L istant s s a s re tu a
includrs at school, and io n se d an juniors Daniel Lee For several and seniors g an ic life, on W in lv Ke part of organ er and l ra g ing junior te in food, wat illiards is an Osker Lu, b asic necessities such as eration, b er of an exagg it b a s par with oth ap rh vides for ile this is pe as pool, pro ly n o shelter. Wh m m nt. so known co but also entertainme billiards, al n o ti ften last nly competi ed fairly o y la p ts them not o as si ver, now l enthu reak; howe b These poo r te in w r they e specially ov l, most reported that semester, e o ey o th h k with sc eekend so back on trac -hour games on the w . rk o one om homew only played too much fr d nt of e te ac am tr rn is u d to e would not b p also played a miniurnas. In their to ch, am This grou te n te f o le mat ith a total for the who ur for ay p their own w to ad sing pair h $20 per ho ment, the lo een $16 and tw e b e b to ed which tend re was no . le p o ut since the e b , e v ti four p ti e p r bragging y com “It was prett ple were just striving fo any peo cash prize, m . pool was, said rite part of o v fa ir rights,” Lee e th e logisd what ging from th ith. n When aske ra s, w ie v ey played w ad varying the group h to simply the people th h shots that e am g tras tics of the g ool] is gettin rst part is hitp f [o t ar p o “The best , and the w e will go in u u said. cl L o ” n t, e e ck av you h rong po w e th to in all ting the 8 b fe
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yer skilled pla a n e h W : play Smur fing account to as w e n a s wn create rs, also kno e n in g e b with g “noobs.” sabotagin ly e s o rp u P it. Griefing: the fun of r fo s te a m one’s team
7
Lifestyles THE BURGER BATTLE
8
February 1, 2013
islands experience cheeseburger $6.99
Bacon Cheeseburger $5.39
Cheeseburger $3.65 YOUSEPH PAVLOVIC lifestyles assistant
Framed portraits of surfers and plasma screen televisions broadcasting the latest football game presented a warm party atmosphere. The service was attentive and friendly. But even these positives could not make up for the horror that graced the plate in front of me. The food, which should have been the main attraction at Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks, was anything but fine. I went to see for myself what all the hype was about. The inside was brightly decorated, and the walls were garnered with palm trees and coconuts
to create a general tropical vibe. I gulped as I opened the oversized laminated menu, my prefrontal cortex overwhelmed by the vaguely thematic names for every item on the menu. Can I just get a — burger? The food came after a short wait. The fries were so salty I started to wonder if they hadn’t been dipped in the Pacific Ocean before serving. At least, I considered, that they would mesh with the island theme. The burgers, while better than the fries, were simply too pricey. Fast food joints like In-N-Out Burger and Five Guys sell better burgers for less. I came out of Islands pretty unsatisfied, thinking the hype was unfounded. If you want a quality burger for a reasonable value, find another place in the area. Or even better: fly to Hawaii. The burgers might not be any better, but at least the palm trees will be real.
No more happy endings VINITRA SWAMY news assistant
Most students at the school grew up with Snow White’s seven dwarves, Cinderella’s lost glass slipper, Rapunzel’s long golden locks and Goldilocks’ “just right” porridge. These stories have provided students with the timeless morals and cautionary advice that build character and integrity: stand up for what you believe in; be wary of strangers; things are not always what they seem. However, movie studios in Hollywood are turning these children’s stories into action-packed gore fare and threatening this movie education for future generations. An increasingly popular movie trend is changing the delivery of these fairy tales from playful and innocent to frightful, ghastly scream-fests. According to producers and trend analysts, the modern audience has begun to crave the suspense of a last-minute plot twist more than the slightly cheesy, romantic happy ending. However, over 86 percent of 60 students polled agree that the classic fairy tale endings are far superior to the darker, more gruesome alternatives. Instead of the rosy-cheeked, fun-loving Snow White of 1938, students are now introduced to a dismal, foreboding take on the story in “Snow White and the Huntsman”: a scared maiden, the hunter meant to kill her and her truly evil stepmother whose
deepest desire is not just to be the fairest of them all, but to murder her own daughter. Instead of the Hansel and Gretel who only wanted to find their way home by following their trail of breadcrumbs, students are going to meet “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters,” the karate-chopping, bounty-hunting duo. Students do not get to see Little Red Riding Hood, the innocent 10-year-old girl toting the basket of baked goods while on her way to visit on her grandmother. They now get to experience “Red Riding Hood,” the story of a terrified teenager ostracized by a village infested with dangerous wolves. Students like sophomore Emma Farry dislike the new fairy tale spin-offs, regardless of the reasons behind the directors’ change in delivery of the age-old stories. “I like the simpler things, like true love and happy endings,” Farry said. Today, those “simpler” closing scenes are nowhere to be seen as the fairy tale movie industry becomes increasingly focused on violence. It is clear that the producers believe that the Disney brand of innocence and “happy endings” is not as profitable as its supposedly unpredictable, violent successor and its moneymaking madness. “Magic is what makes the Disney versions so special,” sophomore Sohni Thakkar said. “The animated Disney fairy tales are the classics and nothing can change that.”
February 1, 2013
The Prospector
innovation imitation TANAY TANDON sports assistant
In today’s consumer electronics market, customers have more choices than ever when it comes to using tech products. Companies like Apple and Google pack countless features into their smartphones in an effort to woo prospective consumers. Amidst this growth in innovation however, it seems that tech giants have resorted to intellectual property infringement all too often in the recent past. Smartphones have followed a sort of convergent evolution, in which all their user experiences are now essentially the same. Take for example the classic case of Samsung and Apple. Both tech giants began with completely different ideas of the ideal smartphone, but are now presenting essentially duplicate devices. Apple began with a minimal and simplistic approach to building technology — their layouts and OS were highly intuitive with very few buttons or distractions. In other words, there was only one way to use an iPhone; it was simply a device that worked well for the consumer but sacrificed a sense of customization and an abundance of bells and whistles. Samsung, on the other hand, began with a feature packed approach. Their technology carried a sense of customization and power, but the Android UI was highly criticized for holding design flaws. Overall though, die-hard Android fans were willing to make these sacrifices on the front-end in order to gain flexibility on the backend. As updates and new product releases began to roll out, each iPhone came with a slight bump in features that made the phone more powerful than its predecessors. Similarly, each Android update began to simplify the user interface and clean up the aesthetics of the OS. With the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3, the similarities are more evident than ever before. For example, following the iOS 5 release, the iPhone notification center is a near copy of the one present in Android. Furthermore, the iOS 6 Twitter and Facebook integration is a clear attempt to compete
Lifestyles
9
with Android’s popular ‘sharing itent’ feature. Granted, Android has ripped off of the iPhone as well (the guy that made Android originally worked at Apple) but looking beyond this OS warfare, what do the similarities mean for consumers? As high school students, choosing the right smartphone is sometimes just picking whatever is considered the most popular device. From a productivity and usability perspective though, it might be interesting to try out something that offers a less mainstream approach to mobile computing. Unfortunately Apple and Google have forsaken this creative side of development and have been offering the same device for the last couple years. This similarity in iOS and Android offers a chance for a company like Microsoft to amass a larger user base with its Windows platform. A recent Wall Street Journal Market analysis suggests that users have grown weary of essentially the same device layout for the last four years, and are interested in trying something different. With Windows, the homescreen is structured in a sort of ‘feed’. Instead of opening various apps, and toggling between screens, the feed provides all the information in one place. Its a faster way to stay updated and provides exactly what you need, when you need it. The downside of choosing Windows is its less than adequate supply of applications. While the basic array of productivity apps may be available, more specialized software created by third party developers is definitely lacking. Essentially, Microsoft has created a great platform, but failed to garner the right amount of developer attention. In this sense, the Windows platform is a time bomb for Apple and Google. The moment developers begin recognizing its potential, iOS and Android will need big updates to continue to compete. The world of mobile devices is an exponentially growing business. The major competitors may have resorted to a lack of innovation, but consumers should continue to look for an innovative solution to their computing problems. Looking into platforms like Windows may provide a novel perspective on mobile computing and also provide a more optimized experience for smartphone usage.
Sports Hockey Fever: reactions to recent nhl season
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Feburary 1, 2013
KEVIN CHU features assistant
JASON CHEN
COURTESY OF OPHELIA DING
JASON CHEN
COURTESY OF OPHELIA DING
SHARKS-MANIA | (top left) Senior Victor Ardulov wears his Sharks gear in support of the team. (top right)
Junior Andrei Taheri also wears his Sharks jersey in honor of the NHL season’s beginning games. (bottom left and right ) Seniors Ophelia Ding and Jasmine Su show their Sharks spirit at the most recent game on Jan. 21.
Among the San Jose Sharks fans rejoicing at the return of their beloved sport are some of the school’s teachers and staff. They are excited that finally, the NHL’s battles can take place on the ice instead of across a boardroom table. After a lockout that lasted 113 days as the league and its players clashed over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), a tentative deal was struck in the early morning hours of Jan. 12 that will salvage the 2013 season, albeit a shortened one. Fans, however, were not the only ones hurting from the NHL lockout. Before the National Hockey League and the Player’s Association signed the agreement, guidance counselor Lisa Hart met former Sharks captain Ryane Clowe, who said players were just as bummed by the lockout pugnacity. It may be hard to imagine that crowds will immediately flock back again. Many season tickets are already sold, of course, including Hart’s 10-game ticket pass. So those people surely will show up. But getting disgruntled fans to buy single-game tickets, and regaining a nationwide television audience, and persuading Bay Area residents to start caring about the Sharks again after a nine month hiatus and the 49ers and Warriors have been sapping away some casual fans’ attention could be difficult. “I was frustrated because the casual fan is the target audience for hockey’s growth in the States, and taking long-time fans for granted won’t help attract mainstream appeal,” English teacher Teresa Filice said.
On the other hand, at least there will be major league hockey to watch, which is better than staring at an empty rink — and, according to Filice, far better than seeing minor league hockey, with all due respect to the San Francisco Bulls. “I’m most excited to see the hitting. Hockey is an aggressive sport, and with football almost over, I’d like to see some more contact,” business and AVID teacher Keith Mello said. He still recalls his most memorable hockey game over 10 years ago. In the middle of the first period, a player in the opposing team hit a slap shot that hurtled over the glass panel and into his seat 15 rows behind the goal. “The puck traveled so fast that after I caught it, I saw the man in front of me raise his hands,” Mello said. “I was told later that the dent on my seat was made only a few hours earlier by the same player during practice.” Hockey is perhaps more deeply embedded in the blood of true fans than any other sport. “Hockey may not be as popular as some other sports in this country, like football or baseball, but the few people who like it are really passionate about it,” Filice added. Looking to the recent dominating victories of the unbeaten Sharks, the teachers and staff remain cautiously optimistic of the Sharks clinching a spot, and even winning, the 2013 playoff. “This is my theory: if the Giants win the World Series, and the 49ers win the Super Bowl, then it’s only fitting that the Sharks should win the Stanley Cup,” Hart said. “I hope this is the Bay Area year of sports.”
Reichenberger’s100 goals JESSICA SHIN flip side assistant
Watching sports matches on television can often lead to a desire of playing a certain sport. Only a few people, however, actually pursue this desire. Freshman Jake Reichenberger made his dream of playing hockey a reality, and it all started with a meaningful Christmas present that he had received several years ago from his father: a hockey stick. Reichenberger, who is also involved in the JV soccer and water polo teams, already possessed the athletic characteristics that helped him to move forward in learning a new sport. When he first started playing hockey, he had set a specific number of goals that he wanted to make when he first started playing the sport. Having played for about three years now, he finally reached his target. Despite the fact that he recently hit his target, he has already set a new goal and is currently pursuing that new goal, showing how he strives to become a better hockey player. “A few games ago, I got my 100th goal,” Reichenberger said. “Now, I’ve set my goal as 200.” Despite his love and passion for the sport, practicing hockey is not as easy for Reichenberger. Because he lives 30 minutes away from the practice arena, he cannot attend practice everyday, but still manages to go every Saturday. This obstacle, however, does not hold back Reichenberger from “[practicing] on the street as much as [he] can” with the equipment that he has available at home. Injuries are like pit holes to athletes, and recover-
ing from them is not easy. Luckily, Reichenberger has not suffered from any type of serious injury from playing hockey. He does, however, predict that he may get injured soon because of the competitiveness of his teammates and opponents. He described a time during a game when a player on the opposing team cross-checked his team’s goalie, an infraction in which the player holds the hockey stick with both hands to defend him or herself from the opponent. While body-checking is allowed, using the stick increases the risk of getting injured and is therefore against the rules. This event led to a conflict between the two teams, forcing the coaches to separate the players and give out penalties to some. Competition can often lead to unhealthy relationships between players and even entire teams. But competitiveness, to Reichenberger, does not get in the way of his enjoyment of the sport and the friendships that he has formed. “I know so many people there because it’s like a community where everyone knows each other,” Reichenberger said. “We play a different team every week and every single team we play has people that I know so I have a lot of fun because I’m always playing my friends.” With a new target of making 200 goals and having many friends on his team and opposing teams, Reichenberger enjoys the challenges — and fun opportunities — that hockey provides for him. He plans to continue playing the sport, despite the risk of injury. The strong desire and inspiration that he had as a child stayed in him as he grew up and made him a great hockey player, pressing on to be the best player he can be.
COURTESY OF JAKE REICHENBERGER
DOMINATING THE RINK | (top) Reichenberger approaches the goalie, preparing to
hit a slapshot through his guard. (bottom) Reichenberger attempts to protect the puck for his team and proceeds towards the goal in order to secure a victory.
COURTESY OF JAKE REICHENBERGER
Sports
The Prospector
Feburary 1, 2013
Game summaries Varsity Girls Basketball: January 4: The girls’ varsity basketball team played against the Homestead team and lost 26 to 56. Although many of the players on Cupertino’s team were absent either from injury or Christmas vacation, the team maintained a winning spirit throughout the entire game. January 11: Although the team put up a valiant effort, Fremont came out on top with a score of 31-19. All the girls did their best and there were some great shots throughout the night. January 23: Although the team put up a valiant effort, Fremont came out on top with a score of 31-19. All the girls did their best and there were some great shots throughout the night. Varsity Girls Soccer: January 4: Varsity girls soccer won 3 to 1 against Wilcox in a home game. They scored one goal the first half and two goals the second half while Wilcox scored 1 goal the second half. Sophomore Stephanie Magellan scored two goals while senior Jackie Ballin scored one goal. January 16: Varsity girls soccer won 3 to 1 against Lynbrook in an away game. They scored two goals in the first half and one goal in the second half while Lynbrook scored one goal in the second half. Senior Nicole Reichenberger scored the first goal, while sophomore Stephanie Magellan scored the last two. January 23: Varsity girls soccer lost 6 to 3 against Fremont in a home game. They scored 3 goals in the second half, while Fremont scored three goals in each half. Seniors Jackie Ballin and Nicole Reichenberger and freshman Niteesha Retini scored the goals. Varsity Boys Basketball: January 2: Fans at Wednesday’s league challenge between Saratoga and the host Cupertino Pioneers saw Saratoga defeat Cupertino by a score of 72-41. Varsity Boys Soccer: January 16: Although Tino had possession of the ball most of the time. Lynbrook scored a “debatable” offsides goal sometime in between. Junior Nathan Petrie scored with five minutes left, leaving the final scored tied at 1-1. Varsity Wrestling: January 4: Tino’s wrestling team performed well against Santa Clara, winning numerous matches and performing strongly. Senior Evan Drake played a key role in Tino’s victory. January 17: The varsity team won 54-26 against Santa Clara High School. Andrew Liu, a freshman wrestler, managed to win his round 9-2 despite his broken finger. To read more game summaries visit chsprospector.org
Teachers to participate in Powderpuff games THU DAM lifestyles assistant
When girls step onto the football field equipped with cleats and guys hustle into cheer formations on the sidelines, it can only mean one thing: Powderpuff week has begun. The yearly tradition of flag football and halftime cheer performances has never failed to unify classes in their mission to prove who has the highest spirit and most skilled athletes, and participating allows students to broaden their views on cheerleading or football. The tournament, however, has undergone a few changes this year. New rules have been enacted to keep players safe, and for the first time ever, triumphing over fellow students is not the end: the finalists must face their very own teachers in a student vs. staff finale. Although Powderpuff is a no-tackling flag football tournament, players have been known to sustain minor injuries throughout the years. The games are always intense, and occasionally players get carried away, which is why rules will be emphasized. It will be seven versus seven on the field, with no flag guarding or tying, stiff arming, shirt grabbing, tackling or any other forms of physical contact that could harm other players. Said ASB sports commissioner Annie Boyle, “We’re trying to keep the game safe, because there were a few injuries and we want to try to downsize that number as much as possible. We know people are doing other sports and activities, so we don’t want them getting hurt in Powderpuff.”
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Besides the enforcement of rules regarding safety, a change has been made to the games in order involve the teachers and staff. In the past, the first game would start on the second day of the week, but this year, the tournament has been shifted so that on the Friday of Powderpuff week, the winning team will play against a faculty team trained by Christopher Oswald, the school’s football coach and cheer coach Kelly Roush. “We wanted to change things up and thought it would be fun since there are some pretty athletic teachers on campus,” Boyle said. “Everyone wants to watch their teachers get out there and play, and it’ll bring a little bit more incentive to do well and play hard, and it’ll also be extra motivation for people to come. Hopefully this year the games will get a lot more attention.” Many teachers are considering participating — Amy Benson, Lara Myers, Eric Ferrante and Mark St. John, to name a few. Teachers enjoy the idea of displaying their school spirit in Powderpuff, and would also like to see their students participating, whether on the field or as spectators. Staff members are confident about their abilities and are planning practices to prepare for the big week. “I feel that the faculty needs to bring it this year in order to represent our school and I love to play sports, so I wanted to try and help out the team,” history teacher Jennifer Founds said. “I certainly hope that my students will show up to cheer the teachers on.” Powderpuff week will take place between Feb. 4 and Feb. 8, with the entire school prepared to play hard. Let the games begin.
WHEN YOU CALL BEFORE 02/28/2013
State Tests
7335 Bollinger Road Suite A Cupertino CA 95014
Flip Side
February 1, 2013
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JANUARY IN PHOTOS NIRMIT SHAH
NIRMIT SHAH
JASON CHEN
JASON CHEN
JESSICA SHIN
BEHIND THE SCENE OF WEST SIDE WRESTLING | Tarun Nappoly com- OTHELLO SHAKES | Billy Schmidt STORY | Choreographer Phill Jaco di- petes against an opponent from and Chaitanya Karve act out a rects students for the musical Santa Clara High School scene from this Shakespeare piece
KAVIN MISTRY, LEGO DESIGNER
GIRLS BASKETBALL | Olivia Wissig jumps to take possesion of the ball in a game against Los Altos
JASON CHEN
SPIRIT WEEK | Julian Tran and David Hong sport their matching outfits for Twin Day
COMPILED BY LAURA KAO
Q: Where do you get your inspiration/ ideas from? A: Just going to baseball games and watching TV. Q: I heard you entered a design into a competition? A: It’s this site called CUUSOO. Basically you submit your Lego structure and if you get 10 thousand supporters, Lego will consider making it a set. Q: Do you know when results will come out? A: Well, I only have 154 supporters and you need to get 10 thousand before they will consider it. There’s no timetable, [so] at any time, anybody can do this.
NIRMIT SHAH
Q: What sparked your interest in Legos? A: As a kid, my mom [would] always give me Lego sets for Christmas. I used to make [them] really fast and I would take apart all the pieces and make something new out of them. Q: At what point did you decide to take the next step to build large stadiums? A: As soon as I started gaining a lot of sets, I realized [that I had] these big panels, and whenever we went to a Giants game I used to memorize exactly what everything looked like. And then I thought, “Hey, what don’t I make it out of Lego?”
Q: Out of everything you’ve built, what is your favorite? A: I made one stadium where I had the roof open and close by itself with a Lego motor. I have lights in all my stadiums, those are pretty cool. So I’d say my new Marlins stadium and the new 49ers stadium.
I T V and n o d he tly “I watc emorize exac m h t e would ortant in p im s a w I would what ... d then n a , m stadiu build it.” AI
IS C
CHR
Q: What types of things do you build? A: I started building stadiums that already exist. I watched on TV and I would memorize exactly what ... was important in the stadium, and then I would build it. But now I design my own stadiums. Q: Do you make baseball stadiums only? A: I’ve done other stadiums, like the new 49ers stadium. And I’ve done other sports, but I think baseball’s the easiest.
Q: Do you make any other things besides lego structures? A: I make 3D models too. I made a 3D model out of paper and skewers of the Olympics stadium. And I made Hollywood Boulevard out of little boxes.
Q: What type of prep work do you do? A: A lot of drawing and designing and building. Architecture is what I want to do. Q: Do you make any other things besides lego structures? A: I make 3D models too. I made a 3D model out of paper and skewers of the Olympics stadium. And I made Hollywood Boulevard out of little boxes. Q: Are you applying to colleges for architecture? A: Yeah, California College of the Arts, Cal Poly and others.
NEXT MONTH: FEBRUARY Valentine Serenades
Tinostock
Friday, February 15
Friday, February 1
Winter Sports Awards
Powderpuff Monday, February 4 - Friday, February 8
Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 25
President’s Week (No School) Monday, February 18 - Friday, February 22
Thursday, February 14
CHRIS CAI
WEB EXCLUSIVE www.chsprospector.org Fashionista of the week: Annabelle Tseng shares her fashion tips, including strategies for thrifting
DesignCon: Shachi Kakkar participates in a panelist discussion, Engineering the Next Generation
Infinity scarves: Take a look at this season’s soft, everlasting chosen accessory
Drama Showcase Photos: Review Advanced Drama’s performance of a variety of scenes
NIRMIT SHAH
Paper beats rock NIKHIL KANTHI opinions editor
Reading a book is a sensory experience. Actually, I’m still waiting for Febreeze to create a spray with the scent of a book. It’s the touch as well; glossy or dry paper on my fingers. The sound of the pages rustling as I flip them. Reading involves all five senses, kind of like slow dancing or eating Smoke Eaters. It would be safe to say I am a fan of reading books. That is, physical books that I can hold in my hands and throw at people. When eBooks debuted, I didn’t see them as a real threat to books. Why should I? It’s obvious that a digital screen can’t replace reading, just like Wikipedia couldn’t replace going to the library to do research, or how checking School Loop could never replace asking a teacher about your grade. When Borders shut down, I was heartbroken. I had a bitter taste of reality, and reality was digital. The iPad lit the fire and Amazon Kindled it. Now Barnes and Nobles is following suit, and I can’t help but make an appeal to preserve books the way I knew them in my youth: physical objects I checked out from the library and, for the most part, refused to read. The ones I did read stayed with me, and they adorn my bookshelf. The best smell in the world is the dry parchment aroma of my “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” If Bath and Body Works made that a ladies scent, the girl using it would be turning heads in the public library. On Christmas Day, I bought “A Light Between Oceans” on my iPad for English 4 AP. As much as I loved real books, I wanted to give the enemy a chance, and I did. I could feel the hardcover books hold back bitter tears as I took their nemesis to bed with me. I’ll start with the positive aspects. I can listen to music and read books with the flick of a finger. I can make notes and highlight the book with the tap of a button. What were its shortcomings, though? In times of trouble, I turn to the 2011 film Inception. There’s a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio’s dream projection of his wife, who tells him to stay with her. However, he replies, “You’re just a shade of my real wife. You’re the best I can do, but I’m sorry, you’re just not good enough.” iPad, Kindle, Nook, Cranny and whoever comes next: you’re the best technology today can do, but you’re just a shade of the tomes you try to copy. At the end of the day, as beautiful as you are, I’m sorry to say that you’re just not good enough.