THE PROSPECTOR SENIOR ISSUE 2016
Dear Class of 2016, Every adventure story needs a few things. A setting, a cast, a plot, and a resolution. Without these, there would be no Marvel movie, no Harry Potter story, no childhood fable or folktale. Without these, there would be no Class of 2016 story. Because that is what these past few years have been: one epic story. The setting? Good old Cupertino High. Cast? Each and every one of our 526 member class. The resolution? Graduation. But the plot? That part was up to us alone.
The Class of 2016: After 19 years of serving in the FUHSD, 13 at Cupertino High School, I am still intrigued by the way a graduating class exudes certain characteristics- characteristics which stick in my mind many years after they depart Finch Avenue. The Class of 2003? Phenomenally athletic. The Class of 2010? The year of the remarkable Kenya Dream project. The Class of 2014? Well, let’s just say they reveled in their procrastination.
Our four-year adventure story has shared some common denominators — we all stared at the black asphalt and green chain-link fence our freshmen year, wondering where the real quad was. We watched the asphalt transform into the twostory building we, first cuttingly, and then affectionately, dubbed McDonald’s. We watched our classmates grow alongside us, knowing they each had an entire life behind the fifty-minutes we saw them every day.
Some classes exert their attributes in more obvious ways than others, which allows me to immediately recall that particular group. The Class of 2016 confounded me, because I could never pinpoint just one way to describe its members. Talented? Yes. Kind? The MandM Project and the Tino Cares rally are both 2016 concepts. Spirited? Of course! I might have even lectured a few of you about the appropriate time and place for expressing your spirit. Sense of humor? Martin Coder and Bar Kimchi have kept me laughing for 4 years now. After much thought, I find comfort in knowing that the Class of 2016 defies a simple description. This class combines immense talent in the arts, athletics, and academics with a sincerity and compassion which makes our staff proud to send you off into the world. In the future, these traits will serve you well, as they did while high school students at Tino.
But while our stories share the same pages, our plot lines went in wildly different directions from one another. Some of us poured our hearts into rally dances and morning set-ups, contributing to our two Spirit Bell wins and rally victories every year. Some of us dedicated our lives to clinching that Basketball League Championship title and others spent weeks on top of weeks perfecting their scripts for the Lenaea High School Theatre Festival. And then there were those who simply took joy in the little moments: the ones who treasured the late night drive with their best friend, the ones who finally clicked submit on the officer applications, the ones who learned to laugh when it felt like the hardest thing in the world. Those were our plot lines. Full of minor victories and painful setbacks and, ultimately, character growth. But this is not the entire story. The Class of 2016 may have started this part of the story together, but this is not the end of our own life stories. And so, as we close Part 1, bittersweet memories tugging at our hearts and touching goodbyes tugging at our tears, we say hello to Part 2. Thanks for the adventures, Class of 2016. Now go have a new one!
I wish the Class of 2016 the best of luck, and yes, take another final bow on June 2nd, this class deserves it! Mr. Walczak
LETTER FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE VP
Sincerely, Maithilee Kanthi and Brian Zhong
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF To the class of 2016,
Dear 2016, At the end of my junior year, I was debating whether to run for ASB or keep my position as class president. It had been a hard year, and honestly, I was paralyzed in fear of what my class would think of me if we lost another rally to the sophomores. The reason I ended up choosing class president -- and will always choose it -- is because I realized that I couldn’t imagine my senior year without this class. Because I would have missed the homecoming all nighters. The late night dance practices in the middle of the quad before our final rehearsal. Being the only class to create a balloon arch in less than 45 minutes and chanting “WE ARE SENIORS, MIGHTY MIGHTY SENIORS” before every rally starts, filling the gym with our voices and unmatched spirit.The powderpuff practices and holding up the trophy for the first time. Being the first class to distribute senior shirts and seeing the wave of maroon when we won the Spirit Bell for the second year in a row. These were the moments that are worth remembering, and this is the class that has made high school worth remembering. So, thank you 2016, for making that decision so easy to make. For the last time, Nikita Devdhar
LETTER FROM THE 2016 PRESIDENT
As freshmen, we were “Mouse Trap”; as sophomores, we were “Sonic the Hedgehog”; as juniors, we were the “Phantom of the Opera”; and as SENIORS, we were the “SENIOR CIRCUS”. Our adventure has not been without excitement, tears, and some really amazing dance moves. Even though the rally was your final homecoming act at Tino, the “circus of life” is just beginning. May you find the opportunity and courage to seek out new adventures, continue your circus and try new acts—if they don’t work out, try other ones! It has been a pleasure being your class advisors for the last four years. We strongly believe that the class of 2016 stands out above the rest. We have learned many things from you over the years and we thank you for that! Seniors, you met challenges as a group and succeeded in finding solutions to anything that crossed your path. You kids take care of each other—your class is truly united and we cannot wait to see what all of you do in the future. We truly believe that you will be the creators and dream makers of the next generation. You started small and dreamt big. You took flight. You soared to new heights. Now go, live your own dream, and forever remember the class of 2016. Adventure is out there! E-Money Robison and Mo Money Machado
LETTER FROM THE CLASS ADVISORS
FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEARS NOV 6, 2012 Obama reelected AUG 20, 2012 First day of school
JULY 2013 George Zimmerman found not guilty in the murder of Trayvon Martin
MAY 2013 Mass exodus of The Nugget staff
FEB 27, 2014 Russia annexs Crimea DEC 13, 2013 Beyoncé unexpectedly releases her first visual album, Beyoncé
MAY 2, 2014 The M&M Project
MAR 22, 2014 Ebola outbreaks confirmed in West Africa
Won a rally every year since freshman year Won every single rally of senior year Raised over $15,000 in funds Made it to three Powderpuff finals Won all powderpuff games senior year and were champions against teachers
CLASS OF 2016
526 students in Class of 2016
329 students applied to 4-year colleges 14: Average number of colleges applied to 2347 teacher letters of recommendation sent to colleges
COLLEGE APPS
Data was gathered through self-reported data via Naviance. Number of LOR’s written do not include: Regents, National Merit, Honors Colleges, special programs, etc.
117 senior athletes 276 games played 156 wins 11 wins against MV 225 points scored 34 touchdowns 91 three-pointers
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12 All-League Players 4 league champ teams 6 league champ players 5 league 3rd place teams 3 CCS champions 1 state champion 1 national champion JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS
JULY 13, 2014 Germany wins the World Cup
JAN 20, 2015 Fall Out Boy releases sixth studio album
AUG 9, 2014 Mike Brown killed in Ferguson
APR 25, 2015 Nepal Earthquake
MAR 20, 2015 Junior Prom
JUNE 26, 2015 Gay marriage legalized in the US
MAR 10, 2016 Tino Gives rally
MAY 23, 2016 Ms. Machado has her first son!
MAY 21, 2016 Senior Prom
JUNE 2, 2016 Graduation
. . . Y A W A FLYING
JASO
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WORK-STUDY
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MICHEAL MUNSON MARK WANG business manager
Q: Why do you plan to work in college? A: The main reason is money. I am going to be attending Baylor University, a private school in Texas, and although I have received a large amount of scholarship money, I still have to take care of the expenses that the grant did not cover. I do have friends contributing to a few expenses, which I am very grateful for. Unfortunately, college is a pocket-eater, and I still have pay a large chunk of cash on my own. So, work-study would help me mitigate some of the expenses. Q: Have you worked before? A: I have worked since my freshman year at Cupertino High School at Rancho Rinconada. It is a community pool and play area where families take their kids to enjoy a fun day, or night in the pool, picnic area, or game lounge. I have been a lifeguard and swim instructor there my entire four years of high school, so I am very adjusted to having work as a part of my schedule. JASON MUÑOZ
Q: What do you look forward to the most for work? A: My funds made from work-study at Baylor will be automatically contributed to my college expenses, which I think is more helpful than hurtful since it will assure that I do not abuse my privilege with the job. So, knowing that I am contributing to lowering college expenses keeps me secure, because I know I will be freaking out about the loans in the future. Therefore, I am the most excited to mitigate my future panic. However, I do know that work in all places creates grittiness, connections, and productivity, which I hope to improve on during my college years. I am not too certain what job Baylor is giving me, but whatever it is, I am excited to learn the tricks of that trade.
JASON MUÑOZ
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JAY SHROFF
RISHI NAIR sports assistant
Q: When and why did you first start swimming? A: I started swimming when I was three, so I would not drown in water fountains when I fall in, no joke. Q: What has inspired you to compete through all these years? A: I love competing in relays since it gives more of a “team” feeling, since swimming is mostly individual. I just swim because I want to earn points for the team. Q: How have the people around you helped you through your journey? Coaches, teammates, parents, etc. A: Big thanks to my parents for also waking up at 4:45 a.m. to take me to morning practices, then taking me to school, then taking me to practices after school. It is also thanks to my coaches that I am still swimming because otherwise I would have stopped.
COURTESY OF EILEEN CHEN
Q: What has made this season particularly memorable? A: The best part of the season is CCS where you get to see all the hard work pay off. This year we won the CCS title in the medley relay!
COLLEGE SPORTS IVY CHEN
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Q: Do you think work will hinder or improve your studies? A: I think this question is synonymous with, “Do you think doing sports will hinder or improve your studies,” and I was a tri-season athlete for two years. And I think doing a sport kept me productive, because it kept me out of trouble, helped me focus on activities that I thought were important, and gave me a sense of urgency in everything that I did. I am a pretty independent person, so I am able to differentiate what is right from wrong. And having a sport, or a job, take a few daylight hours away, pushes me to finish my work as soon as possible because I know I am running out of time. Q: What do you think your work will be? A: I do not have the slightest clue of what my work will be at Baylor. I have heard students work in the Financial Aid Offices, in labs, and in the cafeteria. And I do not think there is any sort of pre-screening which determines where one would be working. So I am just going with the flow at the moment. Although I would love to work in a lab, working in the cafeteria would still make the money I need—which is the most important.
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Q: Do you plan on continuing your swimming career at the collegiate level? A: I am swimming for CMS in college, so I’m very excited! That’s Claremont, Mudd and Scripps, which is basically three small colleges competing as one team in D3 swimming. Q: What lessons have you learned from your years spent swimming? A: I’ve learned to do things that make you uncomfortable. That is what makes you better.
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ave you always been interested in military service? has always been in the back of my head growing up. Being in the miliwas one of the only things I have really been attracted to, but the enment at Cupertino has kept me from wanting to pursue that earlier. I ot really start looking into this type of thing until sophomore or junior and I also felt insecure about this because most people are into enging or computer science. But I have heard about a lot of people doing s like this or joining the army and there is a lot less stigma now. [Adnally,] it has always seemed like a male dominated field too. I was just ied about other people’s opinions, but now, I have gotten over that— s about what I want to do.
What do you think you can accomplish as a member of our military? hink the biggest thing is female representation because, even at Santa a, I asked what the demographic was like, and of the 30 students in C at SCU, only 8 percent are female and it is like that everywhere. I of assumed that, and I understand that there are a lot of girls that would want to do that, and it is not for everyone, but even personally, like I I was not as willing to do this mainly because of peer approval and the ure around here. But I kind of got over that. So I think that is something accomplish here.
How do you think that this is going to help you grow as a person?A: yone comes out with leadership experience and that is the biggest thing me. Everyone that comes out [of the program] does not immediately become a leader because there is always someone above you, and that is the constant learning aspect that I will carry with me. The whole “serve your country” thing is a given, but it is more about the personal thing – what I can do to make me feel like I am serving a purpose on this earth.
DREAM COLLEGE
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did you consider the University of Pennsylvania to be your "dream college"? to Penn over the summer of my sophomore year for an experimental physics There were college kids doing research there who I talked to, professors who d listened to ramble about their research, and buildings that I explored. The s beautiful, the people are amiable, ambitious, and proud, and the professors they do. Being in an atmosphere where everybody is doing what they love t afraid to show it is magical in itself. And that was just during the summer. At time, I do not think I had a dream school ever since junior year. I made sure setting my sights on one school because I did not want to feel disappointed. the closest thing I had to a dream school, so it worked out that way, but if dvice I have for juniors going into the process, it is to not have one dream o not invest so much or give so much power and influence to an acceptance it may crush you. It worked out for me and I am glad it did.
do you look forward to most in college as a Penn student? oking forward to the real "work hard play hard" attitude at Penn. One current I met there summarized it really well: "There are three choices in college: Partying, and Sleeping. You get to choose two." But I think the "play hard" staken for partying a lot (though I will do that in college) there is also the freelifelong friendships, and the beginning of adulthood. If I were to summarize e experience, it is the freedom coupled with the knowledge that the stories I hrough in Penn in the next four years are the same stories I will be telling for orty. Knowing that I am at a turning point, I am looking forward to making of everything Penn has to offer, squeezing every essence of college out of my stay in Philadelphia.
does Penn specifically offer that you are excited about? is this house on campus dedicated to writers called the Kelly Writer's House. to all people regardless of majors and it is massive. People live there, hang write there, and listen to poetry there. It is the hub of all things literature. I ng forward to being a part of that and finding more people like me who are or engineers but do not want to let go of their writing abilities and talent.
NEXT DESTINATIONS:
AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY BAYLOR UNIVERSITY BIOLA UNIVERSITY BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY BROWN UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, POMONA CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN LUIS OBISPO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, CHICO CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, STANISLAUS CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY CLARKSON UNIVERSITY CORNELL COLLEGE CORNELL UNIVERSITY DARTMOUTH COLLEGE DE ANZA COLLEGE DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DREXEL UNIVERSITY EMORY UNIVERSITY FOOTHILL COLLEGE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY - LINCOLN CENTER CAMPUS/ROSE HILL CAMPUS GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART MENLO COLLEGE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY PRATT INSTITUTE PURDUE UNIVERSITY SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY SAN JOSE CITY COLLEGE SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY STANFORD UNIVERSITY SUNDAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL THE BERNARD M. BARUCH COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, OKANAGAN CAMPUS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TWIN CITIES UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY OF UTAH UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY VASSAR COLLEGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS WEST VALLEY COLLEGE WESTMONT COLLEGE & MORE!
BRIAN ZHONG - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MAITHILEE KANTHI - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DANIEL FERTELMEISTER - MANAGING EDITOR DELANIE MEDINA - COPY EDITOR ANIRUDH PAI - COPY EDITOR ISABEL LIN - LIFESTYLES EDITOR STEPHANIE SHI - FEATURES EDITOR JASON MUNOZ - PHOTO EDITOR JEREMY XUE - PHOTO EDITOR MICHELLE PYKE - ONLINE EDITOR JAY SHROFF - ONLINE EDITOR MARK WANG - BUSINESS MANAGER RISHI NAIR - SPORTS ASSISTANT ALEX SHIEH - ONLINE ASSISTANT
a final goodbye ANIRUDH As far back as I can remember, I’ve always tried to be smart in any way, shape or form. Such a vague concept I know, but I used to try and hope and dream, failing each and every time to embody that persona of a “smart” person. However one day during class, it miraculously clicked. If life is made by our intelligent decisions plus dumb choices then math tells me that subtracting the idiotic decisions from my life would achieve my goal. It’s been a million times simpler to just not be stupid rather than attempt to be smart. Instead of signing up for classes I did not want to attend or pursuing activities only to heighten my already grandiose ego, I cut out all the waste. Perhaps I could have studied, read, or wrote more than I did; yet, looking back I believe high school was about creating an unshakeable foundation for learning and challenge. I can’t say that I have no regrets in my school experience and while those aspirations may never be fulfilled, I know that I have many more chances to optimistically avoid stupidity.
ALEX In one week, we graduate. We’ve written our novel, The Formative Years, for far too long. But now, it is complete. The Exposition, elementary school. There, we took our first step in the field of education. We learned the alphabet, put them into words, and combined them into the golden rules: “treat others like you want to be treated” and “sharing is caring”. The Climax, middle school. There, we started to hit puberty, growing more physically mature than emotionally mature. We became curious and started questioning everything, including our parent’s authority. And finally, the Denouement, high school. Here, we gain memorable experiences and friendships that will forever stay with us. We learned about ourselves - the passions and values that define us. However, this is not the end. As we publish our first novel, many more await. So, I would like to thank you all for being in a chapter of my life, and for a special few, the entire novel. Class of 2016, always remember that you are the author of your own story. Congratulations, good luck, and take care! Peace out, nerds!
DANIEL I just want to take this opportunity to say thanks. There’s no way to quantify the amount of growth each and every one of us have experienced over the course of the past four years. From physical growth – thank god for puberty – to the mental advancement that each and every one of us has experienced, our four years at Tino have seen us vault into glimmering half-adulthood. So thanks to every teacher who assigned everyone of us every assignment that we hated, because it taught us how to learn and work hard. Thanks to the coaches that pushed all of us past our physical limits, because it taught us how to get the most out of ourselves. And thanks to each and every member of the class of 2016 for growing with me. Four years ago, I walked into Cupertino High as a small, squeaky-voiced child and now I’ve come out a grown bearded man-bear. It’s been a crazy ride for me; it’s an honor to have shared it with all of you.
BRIAN Sept. 28, 2012. I picked up the first issue of The Prospector my freshman year, glancing over articles about the construction, political apathy, and medical maladies. I noticed the names of each staffer printed in bold letters above each article, their positions in italics below. I envisioned my name in those bold letters above one of the articles, but the fleeting thought passed as I hurried to my next class. May 19, 2016. I flip through all of the issues I’ve worked on the past three years. Now, I see so much more than just names and words. I see a heated brainstorming session in which we’d spend half a block period just on one idea. I see late-night send-offs defined by expressions of frustration and cries of joy. I see a staffer writing something hilarious on the quote board, and the parties after each issue is distributed. I see all of the friendships I’ve made with staffers past, present, and future. I see the unparalleled dedication and compassion of our adviser. I see something I love—now ending as I look towards my next adventure. Thank you, The Prospector, for all of the memories.
ISABEL DELANIE Imagination and uninhibited expression can help transform America and lay the framework for a more equitable, just society. The progress made to ensure that success is possible speaks to the hard work of those willing to question authority to fight back against destructive misconceptions. As citizens and especially as young adults, it is important that we make an effort to reframe the dialogue and look past our differences to work towards a more unified tomorrow where our differences are not only acknowledged but appreciated. As we embark on the next chapter of our lives, I ask the class of 2016 to venture into the world with an open mind. In order to encourage conversations and bring about solutions to break down the barriers that divide us, harsh realities must be confronted and uncomfortable discussions are necessary.
I always thought that high school would be where I could finally discover the answer to “What do you want to do with your life?” Accordingly, I’ve spent the past four years searching for the answer. But 1312 pages of Campbell’s Biology, 15 FBLA conferences, approximately 126 Pardis Sabeti statistics videos, and 1 pressexclusive tour of Lyfe Kitchen later, the only conclusion I’ve made is that I’m more conflicted than ever on what path to pursue. Indeed, in an ironic twist, my four-year pursuit to find my passion has introduced me to a variety of new interests — leaving me more conflicted than ever. But despite my frustration over not knowing which roads to take, I know I wouldn’t want to change anything about my high school experiences. After all, although my experiences have failed to elucidate my future, they have undoubtedly formed the high school memories that I will forever hold onto.
JASON My best advice to lower classmen and maybe some of my fellow seniors is this: things happen, plans go awry, but life keeps going on. You might not be spending your Friday nights with the friends you had as a freshman, or even the ones you had three months ago. You might not be attending your dream college since 8th grade. I can almost promise you you will look in the mirror and not see the person you had planned to be 4 years ago. But you’re you, and this is where you are now. It might not be what you expected, but this is life, and life is beautiful. You’re going to struggle and you’re going to get disappointed, but you have to keep going. Never stop pursuing your own happiness, you’ll be surprised where you find it. Good luck, and lots of love 2016.
JAY For yours truly, it has been 4294 days from when I started school in Kindergarten on August 30, 2004 to today. If you enjoy numbers like I do, those 4294 days can be translated to 11 years, 9 months, 3 days, 8 hours, and a lot of peanut butter jelly sandwiches. Since the time we first started our education, we’ve progressed through at least 3 different schools, 45 different teachers, and 450 different classmates. The fact that we’re all here means we’ve successfully completed 24 state standards tests, and our days of struggling along the 1.2 mile Sartwell run in PE are just memories now. With every math problem we hastened to finish, each 35
page lab report we methodically wrote about respiration and butterflies, and each sword fight we tried to get right for our Romeo and Juliet scenes, we have learned something new, discovered the value of what we are learning, and have come one step closer to gaining the knowledge we need in order to succeed in life. So here we are, 4294 days later, along with 525 other classmates that made the journey with us. But the class of 2016 had an extra spark, a little something that no number can describe. I guess it’s just that no matter how many numbers are used to describe us, we will always be more than the sum of our parts.
MAITHILEE JEREMY You know how in some video games, after you finish a level, you’re presented with an option to go to the next level? You start over, with the same skills and items you’ve acquired in the previous game, but everything just gets way, way harder. Do you see where I’m headed with this? We’ve just finished our first level. We’ve grinded away studying for tests, and maybe even grinded away at members of the opposite gender (although, personally, I haven’t), and now it’s time to grind away at what next awaits us. The Next Level. I’d say I thoroughly enjoyed the past four years. Although there isn’t a set goal at the end of each level, I think I’ve defined my own. High school is so much more enjoyable when you have a purpose, and for me, it was getting involved with student organizations—FBLA, Interact, ASB, The Prospector. They’ve all played a huge part in shaping me as an individual, and I’d like to thank all the advisors and students involved. As the summer approaches, I’m excited for the next level, and I think I’m ready. Here we go.
MARK Man, my high school career has gone by so fast! I’m incredibly sad that this is the last year I get to spend time with the student and teachers of Cupertino High. From the multiple all-nighters and the consecutive afternoon naps I took, I can certainly say that high school is exhausting! Furthermore, I regret missing out some high school experiences. I should’ve worked out more with my buddies starting my sophomore year. I should’ve attended to one of the CCS basketball games. I should’ve tried out chess or go club. But every should haves that I didn’t do, I tried my best in everything that I have done in my transformative years at CHS. From hustling in wrestling practices to competing in FBLA competitions to writing opinion pieces in the Prospector has taught me to derive joy from doing things that I love. Although I look forward to making another impactful experience in college, I deeply treasure my years at CHS. Goodbye, Tino!
MICHELLE To seniors who bear anonymous titles, I was not raised alongside students who spoke merely one language or spent the precious minutes of their youth on simple pleasures. You, in turn, will be introduced to other novels far times larger than yourself, boasting of their bestselling titles and impressive reviews, but you will also meet bedtime stories that dream of smiling children under the moonlight. When I was little, I tried to bend the forms of numbers into a vow, tracing a cross upon my heart in the form of an empty promise to pursue STEM, but their answers never fit my own. A decade passed and I found the remnants of poetry on the tongue of another and fell for the way the words captured the breadth of the speaker. Do not be afraid of who you may become. The best part is noticing the subtle changes in your reflection - how the light captures the natural color of your eyes, but also a certain strength unlike before. I wish the graduating class the best of luck in their endeavors and if fate asks that we meet again, I look forward to witnessing these changes firsthand.
Every birthday, for four years, I have made the same wish: I wish this is the year I have my big adventure. I hoped for a secret mission, a lost prophecy, a coming-ofage saga, anything. But now, in the last few days of high school, I let go of my expectations and began to put together the chapters of an adventure story that had been happening all along. After all, what was losing class council sophomore year if not the blessing in disguise that set me along my destined story line? What was the formation of Posse if not the introduction of key characters- the comedic relief on long drives and the wise advisors in rough times? What was becoming Editor-in-Chief of the paper if not the dream-come-true after six years of living in publications classrooms? Sure, I didn’t change the world or have a fairy-tale ending. Who does at 18? But I met the kind of friends that make saying goodbye so hard. I found a place where I feel valued and fulfilled. I challenged myself to be a better person, to make the world around me a better world, and to earn every victory I ever had. I became a person I could respect. I have no more need for big adventures. It’s the small adventures that always made my story worth living anyways.
STEPHANIE RISHI High school’s been a long ride. Memories from freshman year still resurface in my thoughts from time to time, but it feels as though the escapades of my immature 14 year old self throughout my first year in high school were from another lifetime. If I had the chance to relive that lifetime again, I don’t know if I would or wouldn’t take it. We’ve all gone through quite a lot in four years as individuals. This year’s left my mind in a conflicted state. On one hand, I regularly feel nostalgic and sentimental about the journey we’ve been through together, as I’ve constantly reminded my main posses in our legendary group chat. Yet there is also the part of me that’s bored and looks forward to the next great adventure, whatever it may be. No matter how far apart we may grow as a class after high school, the journey we’ve been on together will always keep us together no matter where we are, or what we’re doing. I want to wish the Class of 2016 good luck on the rest of this wild ride called life.
As my four years here come to an end, I’ve spent a lot of time wondering how my high school experience could be completely different. Maybe I wouldn’t have joined FBLA my freshman year and not met so many of my closest friends today. Maybe I wouldn’t have applied to that one math camp that made me fall in love with the subject all over again. Maybe I wouldn’t have tried out for journalism again after being rejected the first time. Perhaps this is version 1.0, and there exist other versions of “Stephanie’s Time at Tino.” But honestly, it’s hard for me to imagine my time at Tino being any different than it was. Hauling myself out of bed before 7AM four days of the week, wondering how I managed to land myself in a first period every single year. Losing it after being caught in the rain in Nashville at the 2014 FBLA National Leadership Conference. Getting my heart broken three times. Realizing that in the grand scheme of life, most things don’t really matter. These past four years, my dear reader, with their up and downs, are the version of high school that I’ve created for myself. And I wouldn’t change any minute of it.
SUPER THANKFUL THAT I MET MY POSSE; I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE WITHOUT THEM! -NIHARIKA SANGHAVI // AFTER T WO YEARS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, I GOT MY PERSONALITY BACK. // BEING AWAKE IN THE CRAZED HOURS OF THE NIGHT, GOING TO SAFEWAY AND GETTING BALLOONS, AND EATING COLD PIZZA DURING OUR FINAL SENIOR YEAR'S HOMECOMING ALL-NIGHTER. IT'S A MEMORY I'LL NEVER FORGET; IT FELT LIKE FAMILY. -PIA MANDREKAR // AFTER TAKING THE SAT'S IN JANUARY, I RANDOMLY DECIDED TO GO TO A HACKATHON IN REDWOOD CITY WITH A COUPLE FRIENDS AND WE ENDED UP MAKING A MUSIC EDIT AND COLLABORATION TOOL THAT WON AT THE EVENT. IT HAPPENED RANDOMLY YET IT ALL WORKED OUT IN THE END. LIVING LIFE A LITTLE IMPULSIVELY IS KEY. -AAKASH ADESARA // I ALMOST CAUGHT MY DAD ON FIRE AT A BBQ, BUT I KICKED HIM AND PUT IT OUT. - DMITRI CHERNETSKY // BEATING PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL IN THE PLAYOFFS EVEN THOUGH WE WERE THE UNDERDOGS AND BEATING HOMESTEAD T WICE IN 1 DAY- AJAYPAL SINGH // MADE A RUN TO 85 DEGREES DURING LUNCH WITH T WO FRIENDS, DECIDED TO STOP BY YIASSO ON THE WAY BACK TO SCHOOL. MISSED SIXTH PERIOD ENTIRELY. -ARJUN MATHUR // MY BEST FRIEND AND I WENT TO GET OUR SECOND PIERCINGS AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS TERRIFIED THE ENTIRE WHILE THERE BECAUSE I DON’T LIKE NEEDLES, BUT SHE WAS THE ONE THAT FAINTED WHEN THE TIME ACTUALLY CAME. - MAITHILEE KANTHI // ONE TIME, ME AND THIS GIRL GOT THAI FOOD AND WENT TO A VIEWPOINT. THEN, WE CLIMBED ON TOP OF HER CAR TO LOOK OUT OVER THE CITY AND WE SAW A SHOOTING STAR. -KRISHNAN NAIR // IT WAS A FRIDAY NIGHT IN AUGUST, AND THE DRUM LINE PLAYED OUR BATTLE SONG. BARBARIANS, BEASTS, AND MONSTERS DRESSED IN PURPLE AND GOLD WERE STARING AT US. ZIP THE FOOTBALL FLEW AND WE WERE OFF TO A NIGHT I'LL NEVER FORGET. - MICHEAL MUNSON // THROUGHOUT MY YEARS IN CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL I ALWAYS LOVED RALLIES. // SENIOR SUNRISE WAS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF SENIOR YEAR - KRISTEN NAGAMATSU // IN N OUT AFTER BEATING MONTA VISTA IN BASKETBALL // STAYED AT SCHOOL ON DITCH DAY - HARRISON TRAN // EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS "MS. BENSON!" IN MATH CLASS, I WOULD LOOK UP THINKING IF I WAS BEING CALLED. - BENSON LIN // GIRL'S WATER POLO MAKING IT TO CCS - NEGIN // ONE TIME I ASKED COUNCIL TO INCLUDE HOT AIR BALLOONS IN LITERALLY ANY EVENT AND THEY DIDN'T. -KRISHNAN NAIR // I HAD THE MOST INCREDIBLE TIME AT SENIOR PROM! // BEFORE OUR CHOIR CONCERT, WE USUALLY HAD A LOT OF FUN GOSSIPING IN A CIRCLE IN THE GREEN ROOM. -RIHO TERASHI // A TREASURED MEMORY OF MINE WAS WHEN TINO BEAT MV IN THE 2ND ROUND OF CCS FOR TENNIS. I WAS THE LAST MATCH ON AND AFTER MY PARTNER AND I WON OUT MATCH, THE REST OF OUR TEAM STORMED THE COURT AND CELEBRATED LIKE CRAZY. -ADITYA GOYAL // FAVORITE DRAMA LINE WITH KARISSA: "10 BILLION WON RADAR, COME HERE. NO, ACTUALLY, GET LOST" -JASMINE LIU // THE DAY THE FIRST MEMBER OF POSSE TURNED 18, WE SURPRISED HER AT ONE OF OUR HOMES WITH CAKE AND A BIG BIRTHDAY HAT AND PARTY POPPERS. THEN, WE WENT OUT TO WATCH SISTERS, TRIED TO PROVE ONE OF US WAS 17 BY BRINGING OUR PASSPORT TO AMC, AND THEN WENT TO GET FOOD AFTER, ALL ON A SUNDAY NIGHT. - MAITHILEE KANTHI // WE GOT THE PREP DAYS MIXED UP FOR FRESHMAN YEAR HOMECOMING AND DECIDED TO HOP THE FENCE BY THE GYM AND BOYS LOCKER ROOM, THREE MAYBE 5' GIRLS TRYING TO HOP THAT FENCE ON A SWELTERING SATURDAY AFTERNOON. CHERRY ON TOP, WE THREW ALL OF OUR STUFF OVER THE FENCE, SO THAT WAS FUN. - MADDY MOLARO // THE MOST ZEN PAINTING ROOM AT THE HOMECOMING ALLNIGHTER WITH VIDEO GAME MUSIC, DORITOS, SOUR PATCH, BABY ANIMAL DRAWING AND GOOD COMPANY - JANANY SUBRA // AFTER TAKING OUR SATS, MY FRIEND KAMESH AND I (ALONG WITH 4 OTHER GUYS) RANDOMLY GOT ON A TRAIN AND WENT TO A HACKATHON IN REDWOOD CITY. WE WENT IN SOLELY INTENDING TO COMPLETE OUR HOMEWORK AND SOCIALIZE BUT WE ENDED UP BUILDING AN APPLICATION THAT LET PEOPLE COLLABORATE WITH THEIR FRIENDS TO MAKE MUSIC AND WE WON A $1000 PRIZE. -AAKASH ADESARA // ONE DAY, A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS (ANIKET, AAKASH, OMKAR, PRASHANT, DEEPTHI, AND NIKHIL) AND I DECIDED TO GO TO CASTLE ROCK WHILE THERE WAS A LITERAL STORM OUTSIDE WITH NONSTOP POURING RAIN. WE ENDED UP GOING AND CAME BACK WITH OUT CLOTHES SOAKING WET, WHICH MADE US REALIZE THE EXTENT TO WHICH SENIORITIS MAKES YOU DO STUPID THINGS. - KAMESH // "MISSPELLED THE PROM DINNER RESTAURANT NAME IN GOOGLE MAPS AND ENDED UP HALF WAY TO BURLINGAME" -GRACE YU // DOING OUR MIGHTY MIGHTY SENIORS CHEER AT THE HALL OF FAME RALLY FOR THE LAST TIME WITH MY CLASS. -ANNIKA TAHERI // PULLING AN ALL NIGHTER FOR HOMECOMING JUST SO WE COULD FINISHED EVERYTHING. -CLARA CHOY // THE TIME MY HAMLIT DEBATE GROUP PLAYED HANGMAN DURING A MEETING AND IT WAS A SURPRISINGLY GREAT TIME! -SOPHIE KU // TEACHER DANCE SHOW AT THE HALL OF FAME RALLY -KEDAR THAKKAR // T WO YEARS AGO, AT MY YOUTH ORCHESTRA'S SUMMER CAMP, THE FRENCH HORN SECTION (WHICH I AM PART OF) WENT ON A HIKE THROUGH THE REDWOODS BELTING BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY AND OTHER CLASSIC 70S SONGS. IT WAS FUN. -MELANIE GEE // NOT SHOWING UP TO ANYTHING -HARRISON TRAN // WHEN SHRIPAD SET HIS CHEM H DEMO ON FIRE - ZI-CHEN LIU // HOMECOMING POSTER PAINTING FRESHMAN YEAR I MADE SO MANY FRIENDS AND HAD TONS OF FUN :') -SOPHIE KU // ME AND MY FRIENDS WENT ON A CAMPING TRIP ORGANIZED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB THIS YEAR. AS A PART OF THE TRIP WE WENT ON A DAY HIKE AND SINCE I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD PHONE SERVICE, I TOOK MY PHONE ALONG. BUT, WHILE JOGGING DOWN A STEEP HILL, MY PHONE FLEW OVER THE EDGE OF THE HILL. AS I LOOKED DOWN, I LUCKILY FOUND IT SITTING ON A LITTLE LEDGE AND SO I DECIDED TO CLIMB DOWN TO GET IT. AFTER I GRABBED IT, I TRIED CLIMBING UP AGAIN BUT THE SOIL BENEATH ME STARTED BREAKING AND I WAS SLIDING DOWN. SO, I STAYED STILL, UNABLE TO MOVE FOR A WHILE. THE FALL WAS HUGE BENEATH ME AND THE HILL WAS INTERSPERSED WITH TREES AND SO GOING DOWN WAS from, DEFINITELY NOT AN OPTION. I ENDED UP WAITING FOR A WHILE UNTIL I WAS PULLED the prospector UP BY MY FRIENDS WHO CAREFULLY VENTURED DOWN TO GRAB ME. THESE WERE THE MOST NERVE WRACKING FEW MINUTES OF MY LIFE THOUGH. - MONICA SHEHATA // BABY GRIND ON ME - KEDAR THAKKAR // WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK - KEVIN YANG // TURNING INTO A TOMATO -ETHAN SHEN // ALMOST SAID “HI” TO RITHU - CHARAN // DRIVING UP A WINDY ROAD FOR ABOUT A MILE TO A VIEWPOINT ONLY TO REALIZE THAT THE VIEWPOINT ISN'T OPEN SO YOU GO PLAY POOL UNTIL 2AM INSTEAD - RITHU SIMHA // CONCERTS ALWAYS TEND TO BE ADVENTURES, BUT HAVING YOUR OWN? PERFORMING AT CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK WITH MASS98 WHILE STANDING IN THE POURING RAIN, LOOKING OUT AT NEW FACES AND A SEA OF CHRISTMAS TREES, WAS DEFINITELY ONE TO REMEMBER. -EKTA SHAHANI // MY FIRST RAVE... AND THE 11 AFTER. - JASON MUNOZ // I REMEMBER EVERYDAY GETTING OUR SCHOOL LUNCHES FROM A FOOD TRUCK DURING OUR FRESHMEN YEAR. NOW, WE HAVE A FULL CAFETERIA. BUT STILL, WE COMPLAIN. - ALEX SHIEH // AFTER LEAVING A SOCIAL EVENT, MY FRIENDS AND I DECIDED TO DRIVE UP TO THE SARATOGA HILLS LATE IN THE EVENING TO HIKE UP TO A VISTA POINT. AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, WE SAW THE ENTIRE EXPANSE OF THE CITY ERUPT IN LIGHTS AND IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENES I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHILE IN THE BAY AREA. - MICHELLE PYKE // I HAVE SO MANY TREASURED MEMORIES OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, BUT ONE MEMORY THAT STANDS OUT IS THE FBLA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE THAT I ATTENDED LAST JULY. I COULD EXPLORE CHICAGO WITH MY FRIENDS, PLACE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, AND SIMPLY TAKE IN THE MAGNIFICENT SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND FOOD OF CHICAGO. // ALL OF HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN AN ADVENTURE, IN ITS OWN WAY. SOME ADVENTURES WERE GREAT- LATE NIGHT DRIVES WITH THAT ONE FRIEND WHO HAD DROPPED EVERYTHING JUST TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT THE WORLD, EARLY MORNING HIKES TO MISSION PEAK TO SEE THE SUNRISE WITH YOUR OFFICER TEAM, THE HOURS LONG SPONTANEOUS CONVERSATION OVER COFFEE THAT YOU HAD WITH THAT ONE CLASSMATE YOU HAD ALWAYS MEANT TO SAY HI TO AND NOW REALIZED YOU SHARED SO MUCH IN COMMON WITH. SOME ADVENTURES WERE A LITTLE MORE PAINFUL- THE FIRST TIME YOU LOST THE ELECTIONS AND WONDERED IF YOU MAYBE YOU REALLY WEREN’T GOOD ENOUGH, THE NIGHT THAT THE BOY YOU HAD BEEN TALKING TO FOR MONTHS BROKE YOUR HEART, THE LAST TIME YOU PLAYED WITH THE TEAM THAT HAD BECOME YOUR FAMILY OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. AND FINALLY, SOME ADVENTURES WERE THE ONES THAT HAPPENED ALL ALONG, WITHOUT YOU EVEN NOTICING THEM- GROWING INTO A LEADER, LEARNING TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF, FINALLY FIGURING OUT WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING WITH JOY. THIS ADVENTURE STORY HAS BEEN ONE HELL OF A RIDE. BUT IT IS NOT OVER YET. SO CLASS OF 2016- WHERE WILL YOUR ADVENTURES TAKE YOU NEXT? //
THANKS FOR THE ADVENTURENOW GO HAVE A NEW ONE!