Raven Report Issue 1 by Sequoia High School Raven Report

FEATURE Teenagers and adults obsess over Silly Bandz Page 3

ENTERTAINMENT Your favorite fall TV shows are back Page 6

SPORTS Football team dreams of CCS Page 8

Sequoia High School

Raven Report

Volume IV, Issue 1

1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062

Footloose musical debuts in Carrington

New gym on track for opening

hairstyles.” Broome believes that the play is “about the importance of building bridges between people and strengthening the bonds Sequoia students are com- between parents and their ing together to create the fall kids.” Footloose was chosen musical Footloose, premierthis ing year Nov. “It’s about the importance of to try 19-21 in building bridges between peoa “difCarple and strengthening bonds ferent rington between parents and kids.” genre Hall. —Daniel Broome, director of muBased on sical” the 1984 because in recent years the movie, the story follows newkid Ren McCormick and his musicals have been more determination to save a town traditional. The cast will take three where dancing is illegal. more weeks of rehearsals It’s a “tremendously fun, than normal to perfect the high-energy musical with loads of youthful spirit, great extra singing, dancing and other preparations. choreography, and upbeat “And, to get a better music,” said the musical’s disense of costuming for the rector, music teacher Daniel Broome. “We also get to play show, I now own and have with some fun 80s dress and see FOOTLOOSE, page 8

By LAUREL DEARBORN, SAMI MAST, and REBECCA SAND Feature editor and staff reporters

By LIAM O’HARA Staff reporter When the new gym was reported as the main culprit of premature fire alarms, many questioned its progress. But according to Administrative Vice Principal Don Milhaupt, the new gym is scheduled for a December completion date, and is running under its $11 million budget. The fire alarms were mainly caused by complications with wiring, but are now safe, said Milhaupt. The new gym will feature 16 badminton courts, eight basketball courts, dressing rooms, and a new electronic sign that will display see GYM, page 8

September 29, 2010

Juniors Conner Reiss and Alison Logia and senior Taylor LaMantia participate in yoga, offered through the SAFE program. Beginners are welcome to join from 3:30-4:30 on Tuesdays in the dance studio with teacher Eric Kobrick.

Students and community flock to new In-N-Out in Redwood City By SARINA KOCHER GROSS and SANTIAGO ORTEGA Editor-in-chief and layout editor Lines went out the door and cars in the drive-through overflowed into the street. After months of construction, opening day of the new In-NOut, located at 949 Veterans Blvd. in Redwood City, finally arrived and proved the fast-food burger joint to be a popular success. Many Sequoia students attended its opening day on Aug. 26 and waited through the backed-up lines. The new In-N-Out is conveniently located for students, and has become the new hang out for several fast-food lovers. “I am so happy that there is an In-N-Out around here, I go there all the time with my friends and order a 4x4 [burger] and animal fries. Maybe

even a 6x6 on occasion,” said senior Peter Babekian. Some disagree with the hype, however. “Although I’m happy that there is an In-N-Out close by, it has become less of a treat, and not as amazing,” said sophomore Julian Bertero. “So you kinda begin to get over it.” Since In-N-Out’s opening, customers have flooded the restauraunt, casting a shadow on other businesses around In-N-Out. It is possible that places such as Carl’s Jr. and Pizza my Heart could be hurt due to In-NOut’s reign. With all of hype pertaining to the arrival of In-N-Out, competition of fast-food restaurants is bound to happen. “Who knows how the popular InN-Out will affect other businesses,” said junior Elise Levin-Guracar.

The new In-N-Out in Redwood City has many fans, as evidenced by the long lines. It even has a secret menu. But is it worth the hype? For more information and another viewpoint, see page 3. Photo by Liam O’Hara.

News

Campus news briefs Club day brings new opportunities to students

In the Fashion Club, students design clothes and help people learn how to sew. The new Graphic Design club helps find the artistic ability in people through the means of graphic design. Colorful posters held high in the It will teach members how to create websites and layout designs. quad. Students excitedly discussing The American Cancer Society the possibilities. raises money to support people with Club day, held Sept. 17 during cancer and raises awareness about lunch, drew approximately 200 cancer. students through the quad to look Other clubs to be featured later at each table to figure out what club they wanted to join. Joining clubs can include Outdoor Ed, Vegetarians for Change, Squash Club, Shoe help students explore career paths Rafiki, Human Trafficking, Schools they might be interested in. Being a club member or officer is also good to for Schools and Invisible Children, Business Giving Back, Robotics Club, put in a college application to show Latinos Make a Difference, Students how well-rounded a student can be. Creating Connections, Our Hands, Sequoia offers over 20 clubs for Shoe Rafiki, National Hispanic Instistudents to get involved. tutee, Dream Club, and Quidditch Key Club, one of Sequoia’s most popular clubs, gets students involved Club. —ZEENAT ALI in doing community service.

Above: Freshman Briana Leviste waves a Debate Club sign to attract new members. Photos by Liam O’Hara.

Senior college applications can create stress without proper planning ahead Senior year may have just begun, but the college application process has already started for many students. According to college and career counselor Teresa Ignaitis, “If you want to go to college, you need to be on track.” Where to start: Update/create your Naviance accounts (on the school homepage), and check it regularly. Narrow down your list of choices and create application accounts on individual college websites. Begin on college essays: “It is a process, not a one-draft thing,” said Ignaitis. “You share with people and rewrite. People that do the best are open to suggestions.” Sign up for SAT/ACT tests, and SAT subject tests: SAT: registration deadline is Oct. 22, test date is Nov. 6 (most colleges will not accept test dates later than November) ACT: late registration deadline is Oct. 1, test date is Oct. 23. College application deadlines: CSUs: opens on Oct. 1 and CLOSES on Nov. 30. UCs: opens on Nov. 1 and CLOSES on Nov. 30. Private Colleges: deadlines vary, check for Common Application. Community Colleges: applications not due until the Spring 2011. —ZEENAT ALI and ALEX DEAS

This month’s Financial Literacy article is sponsored by the RCSSE:

Learn About Money From People Who Failed We all know millionaires know how to make money. I’ve always wanted to know why most people don’t become millionaires or don’t succeed at having enough money to lead a stress-free and independent life. Here are five key lessons I’ve learned so far from those who fail becoming millionaires:

Redwood City Sequoia School Employees Federal Credit Union http://www.rcsse.org/ 530 El Camino Real, P.O. Box 5413, Redwood City (650) 366-7777 Serving employees and their families in the following districts: Redwood City Sequoia San Carlos Belmont Ravenswood Las Lomitas Menlo Park Portola Valley Woodside

Canada College district

1. Don’t assume higher income always means more savings. If you increase your spending every time your income goes up, you’re standing still, not moving forward. A perfect example: your income goes up, and you immediately get a more expensive car or apartment. 2. Don’t assume higher incomes are guaranteed for life. Ask somebody you know who worked on commission for the last few years if their income stayed up during the meltdown. Always assume your income may drop. Repeat that thought every day. The more prosperous you get, the more careful you should become. I’ve got a friend whose income skyrocketed during the meltdown, but she’s living exactly like she did before the money rushed in. “I know this can go away,” she says. 3. Pay attention to cash flow. Even if you’re working at a McDonald’s, cash flow impacts your life, whether you like it or not. 4. Never let failure slow you down. Ever heard of Mark Twain? He spent years paying off debts after a business meltdown, but never dodged his debt or lowered his head. Most millionaires will tell you they failed many times before making it big. 5. Confront money issues head on, don’t ignore them. Be up-front with people about money. Reach out to them don’t wait for them to contact you. If you have debt problems and belong to a credit union, call them for credit counseling. If you’re like a lot of people, you’ll fail a few times when it comes to money management before you succeed. So what? Learn from those mistakes and you’ve got a better chance down the line to be the millionaire in someone else’s story about success. For more information, go to www.rcsse.org or call Larry Wagner, RCSSE Vice President.

Features

Silly Bandz popularity shoots sky high By JOSH PITKOFSKY and NICKIE PUCEL Staff reporters

but also on Amazon,” Bartoshuk said.

Woo said, “I got all of mine from friends. They’re like baseball cards.” Kids around the country are Baseballs. Monkeys. Palm Trees. collecting and trading these bands Guitars. I <3 Justin Bieber? nonstop, and they are selling like These are just some of the shapes crazy all over the place. Bartoshuk created by Silly Bandz, little colorestimated that she’s paid “maybe $10 ful rubber bracelets that retain their shape when you take them off. These on Silly Bandz,” while Gordon said, “I’ve probably spent 80 bucks on Silly bands, invented by Robert Croak, Bandz.” the owner of BCP However, these “I’ve probably Imports, have become insanely popular since spent 80 bucks on bands also have a dark side. As the popularthey hit the market in ity of Silly Bandz has Silly Bandz.” November 2008. shot upwards, schools In a poll of 84 —Linda Gordon, throughout North Sequoia students, Carolina, New York, 34 of them said they Treasurer Texas, Florida, and normally wear Silly Massachusetts have Bandz, which origiprohibited them in class because stunally targeted children under fifteen. dents are missing out on productive Sophomore Jerod Woo believes instructional time as they are distractthey are “legit” and that they can ed by their bands’ intriguing shapes. “bring out someone’s personality.” In addition, there have even been The shapes formed by the bands several reports of injuries related to are different and unique. Woo told us Silly Bandz. According to MPNnow. his favorite shape was the pink princom, one child from New York had cess one, while sophomore Megan worn so many Silly Bandz that the Bartoshuk said, “My favorite is my bottom few had embedded themalligator.” Treasurer Linda Gordon is another selves in his wrist, creating deep cuts. Patty Davis, with the U.S. Confan. “My favorite is the unicorn,” she sumer Product Safety Commission said. said, “Parents should limit the numStudents purchase these bands at ber of elastic wrist bands that kids stores such as Walgreen’s, Learning wear and they should check their Express, and Toys ‘R Us, but some students have other ways of obtaining children to make sure they are not too tight.” Other precautions include these amusing bracelets. removing the bands before sleeping, “I got them mostly from friends,

Silly Bandz have become popular even among Sequoia High School students and staff members. bathing, and when participating in activities like sports or exercise. Also, it is not uncommon for these bands to break, as they are extremely fragile. Gordon was upset when she showed a broken band: “my monkey broke!” Still, it’s truly incredible how one small idea could spark one of the largest crazes in the past couple decades. Ironically, the inventor, Robert Croak, didn’t come up with this idea on his own. A Japanese team initially designed these silicone rubber bands in 2002 as an attempt to create a more environmentally sustainable office product. Croak bumped into the

Photos from http://animal-rubberband-bracelets. com and www.wheretofindsillybandz.com

bands on a business trip and decided to re-market them as a children’s toy. This shows that if you see an opportunity, take it because it might just lead to something greater than you expected.

In-N-Out: greatest thing to hit Redwood City or overrated? By LIAM O’HARA Staff reporter I Hate In-N-Out. Ever since InN-Out opened the lines have been outrageous, and neighboring communities have been complaining about an excess of wrappers—and all for food that’s rather mediocre. The burgers are greasy, the patties offer little sustenance, the fries have the texture of Styrofoam and don’t have any salt. The menu is limited, it’s more expensive than other fast food restaurants, and the food is comparable to Burger King. In terms of price, an InN-Out cheeseburger costs $2.15, whereas a Burger King cheeseburger is $1.00, and Burger King’s line doesn’t

The Secret Menu

In-N-Out’s popularity has caused traffic and trash problems. Photo by Liam O’Hara. stretch over a block. Their fries come with salt on them. And the menu only offers four food items. These include a cheeseburger, hamburger, double cheeseburger, and fries, and all of these are only okay, not great. The burger has too many condi-

ments and next to no patty, and the fries taste like “space man food,” said my little brother. The In-N-Out building is also ugly: it looks like a strip mall, and it’s over done, tacky, too big, and come on, fake palm trees in the front, really?

So all the fuss is about a half bad cheeseburger that can easily bought at another fast food restaurant, and some not-so-good fries. I think people would rather chase the brand name that is In-N-Out rather than accept that it’s just average.

• “Animal Style” -- adds pickles, extra grilled onions, extra spread, and lastly it fries mustard into all patties. • Flying Dutchman -hamburger patties with no bun • Root Beer Float -- root beer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. • Fries “well done” -crispier-than-normal fries • Fries “lite” -- cooked less than normal fries. • Neapolitan shake -strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate shakes. Extra large shakes are available! —SARINA KOCHER GROSS and SANTIAGO ORTEGA

Opinion/Editorial

Passing periods should be extended By DANIEL JUDE Sports ditor Hurry out of class, dip and dodge through the packs of people filling the hallways, pray not to get hit by an opening door, and slip into class in a rush. Sound familiar? When the third period bell rings on a Monday, students and teachers have just 300 quick seconds to get to their class and set up before fourth period begins. If you can beat the bell, you are lucky. It is simply not enough time to get between classes. Some students have nearby classes, or they just don’t mind being late, and will stand around or walk excruciatingly slowly. This makes other students, like junior Robert Massingill, who has to scamper through the halls from room 209 to B-3, never get to class on time on Mondays. “Mondays are the worst days,” Massingill said. “Teachers don’t have time to finish, so we’ll stay a little bit; but then you have 3 minutes to cross the entire campus.” Massingill, and many other students (including myself ), have no time to ask a 3rd period teacher a question or get clarification on an assignment.

Massingill is regularly 30 to 90 to get a little bit of extra advice and seconds late to his Spanish class. this could set off a chain reaction Because the teacher starts class at the preventing hurting their grades. bell, he and many other students who Many teachers face these problems have the same problem are already and more when trying to move flustered while heading to class classrooms during the passing periods, and can’t focus completely on what and this needs to be fixed. the teacher is saying. The learning There is a simple way to fix this environment is compromised and problem: extend the passing period everybody is behind for the day. on Mondays. Some teachers share the same Uhalde said his former school had sentiment as students, but it is six minute passing periods and “it almost worse. was never an Teachers have The “biggest problem [is] these issue. The jump to switch conversations [you don’t have from five to six classrooms, was because of room switching] minutes and this is an huge.” are conversations even tougher I think task than the Sequoia should you need to have.” students’. adopt this six —Cameron Uhalde, History minute passing history teacher teacher period, maybe Cameron even just five Uhalde says his transition from Room and a half minutes, as an experimental 132 to Room 31 is always difficult operation at the least. because “people are The only question is where to take in the way; it is an the extra time out from. Uhalde obstacle… I notice suggested that lunch could easily on Mondays more spare a minute or two every day, students frantically Massingill said simply to add four running.” minutes to every Monday, an extra Uhalde has to minute for each short passing period. pack up his 3rd I promote brunch as an option to period stuff, head donate minutes to the passing period to his 4th period, cause, because it’s a pointless period and re-open up all where people stand around relatively of his documents near to their classrooms, and I doubt to begin class. anyone would notice if the five Not only does this make him minute bell rang after nine or eight look muddled heading into his 4th minutes, not 10. period, but he says not having time If we were able to adopt a longer to answer questions is his “biggest passing period, maybe Uhalde could problem. Often these conversations be answering questions and maybe are conversations you need to have,” Massingill could be sitting in Spanish Uhalde said. ready for class to start without pulling There is no chance for students a hamstring on the way over.

Juniors need to step it up By SARINA KOCHER GROSS Editor-in-Chief AP/ IB Exams. SATs. College visits. IB Diploma. Com-munity service. Clubs. Sports. Tutoring. First job. Drivers license. After school activities. Homework. Prom. Friends. Family. Grades. With all of this, how do juniors even have time to sleep? The truth is, most juniors don’t. Junior year is notorious for being the hardest year of high school, and it doesn’t take long for the new upperclassmen to feel the heavy pressure once the school year has started. “It’s just so much work and I feel like everything suddenly matters,” said junior Lauren Kirkpatrick. Guidance Counselor Dolores Sleeper described junior year as if “you walking along a spring board and then, all of a sudden, you are getting to the very end and are about to jump off.” 11th grade begins the transition into adulthood, and many feel the burden of facing for the first time the question of: “What am I going to do with my life?” With graduation in the near future, life beyond high school seems to be quickly see JUNIOR YEAR, page 5

Sequoia High School

Raven Report 2010-2011

Want to weigh in on the In-N-Out debate? Have a suggestion to fix the short passing periods? Respond to what you read about in our issue by writing a letter to the editor at ravenreport09@gmail.com Or search for “Sequoia High School Raven Report” on Facebook and leave a comment or suggestion on our page.

Editor-in-Chief Sarina Kocher Gross News Editors Zeenat Ali and Alex Deas

Feature Editor Sami Mast

Layout Editor Santiago Ortega Sports Editor Daniel Jude

Staff Reporters William Baker Matt Brotherton Anna Dagum Laurel Dearborn Layne Diener Connor Grossman Will James Caroline Lempert Josh Pitkofsky Nickie Pucel Rebecca Sand Jacob Warren Faculty adviser Kim Vinh Mission Statement The Raven Report strives to provide Sequoia High School with informative, engaging and relevant news. The staff will exercise integrity and adaptability while promoting justice and transparency through professional reporting about the school, the community, and the world. Letters to the Editor The Raven Report welcomes letters to the editor from students, parents, or community members, sent to Room 308 or by email to ravenreport09@gmail.com. Letters must include the writer’s full name and ID number, and the staff reserves the right to edit for space and style.

Opinion

ASB

A monthly column from the student body leaders

ASB officers plan for spirited year of activities Officers for the 2010-2011 School Year: ASB President – Vinny Diaz ASB Vice President – Omar Garcia ASB Secretary – Lisa Weishaar ASB Treasurer – Tiffany Ah Tye Publicity: Commissioner- Tarah Haslett Committee Members- Lily Frates, Matt Lefkowitz ESL: CommissionersSusan Perez-Hernandez, Alexis Garcia-Zapiain Activities: Commissioners - Nathalie Irias, Eidee Palacios Committee MembersCharissa Teller, Cynthia Nava-Zavala, Taylor Williams Spirit: Commissioners Gloria Saldana, Maria-Jose Arroyo Committee MembersDaisy Guerrero, Jessica Angel, Marina Poole Athletics: Commissioners -- Nicole Serrano, Elizabeth Schaffernoth Committee Members -Julia Knorpp, Tamer Saideh, Julian Hiltbrand Consoli Recognition: Commissioner- Nick Pauley Committee MembersEduardo Ochoa Community Service: Commissioners: Maia Hippard, Monste Zamora Olivares Committee MemberAndrew Olague Shadow: Commissioners- Nehemaiah Teputepu, Jeremy Smith Committee Member- Briana Gomez Leadership meets in the Student Activities Center during 4th period and is supervised by Lauren Reibstein.

New bike racks needed for healthy students and cleaner environment By ANNA DAGUM Staff reporter I round the corner into the swim parking lot off of Elwood and skid to a halt. “Do you need help finding anything?” asks a girl wearing a purple leadership shirt. It’s freshman orientation and there’s about twelve of these students posted at every entrance, walkie-talkies ready to call in for backup when they pick up on a lost freshman.

bold black font. This is not only a warning sign, but also a plea for improvement. Sequoia, with just short of two thousand students and a immensely small bike cage, is in dire need of a new bike rack. “Let me tell you something,” said Don Milhaupt, administrative vice principal, in charge of facilities, said “I’ve been at Sequoia since 1992, and the bike rack was here before I came.”

This puts the age of Sequoia’s “Yeah… um, [The bike rack sign] bike cage in where’s the bike is not only a warning, perspective. Besides rack?” I answer. its age, the bike cage but also a plea for They glance has a number of improvement. around at each other issues making other with looks of it unreliable and in confusion on their faces, need of a makeover. The bike rack is “Do we even have a bike rack?” one poorly monitored, so students have been caught stealing bikes from the of them questions. cage after 6th period when the gate is This is when I realize that biking unlocked, Milhaupt has observed. to school for the next four years is With new spaces for student’s going to be brutal. bikes, the number of students Finally a faculty member pipes who bike to school will skyrocket. in and directs me to a chain link According to Milhaupt, new bike box towards the back of the school. racks are scheduled to be installed Posted next to the gate is a sign that inside the existing bike cage and in reads “PARK YOUR BIKE AT the plaza outside of the new gym. YOUR OWN RISK” in a menacing

JUNIOR YEAR (continued from page 4)

Photo by Caroline Lempert

Because students take advantage of their facilities, if more bike racks were to be put in, more students would ride their bikes to school as opposed to driving. this would not only improve the health standards of the school, but also of the world. With each gallon of gas burned, 14 lbs of carbon are emitted into our atmosphere. By riding a bike to school instead of driving, Sequoia High School students are capable of reducing carbon emissions by the pound. With our depleting ozone, we need to act fast to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions.

graders. There are study groups in the library for classes where students can get extra help from teachers. The SAFE program offers a variety of after school clubs and activities, such as yoga and cooking, that can serve as a stress reliever and a fun creative outlet, and some can even help get community service hours. Remember juniors: this may be the hardest academic school year that you have yet to encounter but take comfort in the fact that many have survived junior year before you.

approaching, and juniors feel the pressure of having to prepare for being on their own. Colleges want to see improvement in grades, meaning that junior grades need to be a student’s best. With teachers, parents, and advisors constantly emphasizing the importance of good performance junior year, it is no wonder why some juniors feel like this year predestines their entire future. How to Survive Junior Year: Find a few activities English teacher Justine Rutigliano 1. Sign up for free weekly SAT-prep that interest you said, “I’ve had so many students come questions and do the practice materials. and be involved in to me and say, ‘I can’t take it! What 2. Don’t join every club or do am I going to do?’” them. Colleges look extracurricular activity. Find a few These melt-downs are not for passion for a few activities that interest you and be involved uncommon. A lot of juniors feel the in them. Colleges look for passion for pastimes, not how a few pastimes, not how many you can need achieve that 4.0 GPA (or even higher, with honors classes) and to be many you can possibly possibly fit into your schedule. competitive in hopes of getting into fit into your schedule. 3. Try to find balance. Remember to their dream schools. have a life outside of school and do things This can become too overwhelming that are stress relieving. and sometimes students drop classes in order to stay sane. 4. Start to look up colleges online. Make a visit to that Although classes are more challenging during 11 grade, school and decide whether or not it’s a good fit for you. Sleeper said that “[stress] is caused more by perception-5. Keep your grades up. Junior year grades are crucial for sometimes it can be psychological.” college admissions. Ask for help when you need it. Junior year does have its benefits. Junior Tarah 6. Save Facebook for the very last thing that you do. Haslett said, “Being a junior because allows you to Homework is more important! choose the classes that you are interested in. I love my 7. Sleep when you can: studies show that this increases IB Environmental Systems class. Another perk is finally your academic performance and also make you happier. being an upperclassman -- I have so much more power.” 8. Make goals to work toward this year. Know what your Sequoia has resources to help stressed out 11th priorities are and figure out ways to accomplish your goals.

Entertainment

Fall television brings excitement to weekday nights romantic drama have earned it two Emmy awards, and two more nominations. You can watch Chuck Mondays on NBC at 8 p.m.

By DANIEL JUDE and SANTIAGO ORTEGA Sports editor and layout editor After a long and relaxing summer, what better way to procrastinate from doing schoolwork than to watch some of television’s brand new and returning shows. Of course, school work should be your priority after school, but if you feel like taking a little break, here are a few shows to ease your studying and give you a great mental break.

“Modern Family”- This hilarious extended family returns to the screen this fall, after winning the 2010 Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series. While Phil Dunphy and Co. are silly, the show goes into deeper meaning about the values of family and views on life. The variety of humor in the show ranges from shooting a daughter’s boyfriend (albeit with an airsoft gun) to covering up the murder of a pet turtle. Simply put, the show is just plain funny. Watch it on ABC, Wednesdays at 9 p.m.

Popular shows returning with a new season: “The Office”- In Steve Carell’s last season on the hit NBC show, he will continue to portray goofball boss Michael Scott and his paper-selling super team at Dunder Mifflin Inc. Their regular shenanigans were popular enough to get an Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy in 2006 and be nominated every year since. “Its funny, unique, and witty,” said junior Ryan Perkins. Imitating Michael Scott’s schmuck-like humor, Perkins said, “It’s always phresh... with a ph so I seem hip.” Watch The Office on NBC, Thursdays at 9 p.m. “House”- Star Hugh Laurie gets back to the hospital with his hit Fox

New series to watch:

series, “House,” which has dominated the Monday primetime slot since its debut in 2004. The series has been nominated for 79 awards, winning

Visit D rivers Ed.com and e during nter d the on iscoun line p t* cod ayme e CAH nt pro S3 cess.

32, with Dr. House maintaining his antisocial attitude and uncanny brilliance. Now in the sixth season there is an added twist: his new girlfriend is his boss Lisa Cuddy. Senior Jimmy Newsome calls it his favorite show because it is “deep and complicated.” You can find House, his team, and his new patients on Fox, Mondays at 8 p.m. Lesser-known shows you are going to love:

Online Drivers Ed

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“Chuck”- Zachary Levi returns to the spy game trying to find his mom, with the help of the Operation Bartowski team this fall. “Chuck” was nearly discontinued after Season 1, but the strong fan movement kept it on-air for at least another three seasons. Chuck still isn’t talked about by many, mostly because it is on at the same time as “House,” but Newsome recommends it to his friends, saying, “It’s awesome, Sarah is hot, and it’s a really good show.” Chuck’s mix of action, comedy, and

“No Ordinary Family”- Jim and Stephanie’s relationship had slowed after 16 years, but they are about to get a super family boost – literally. In the midst of the Powell family’s bonding vacation, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. When the Powells got home, everything had changed. They all find out they have superpowers. See how the newfound strength, speed, intelligence, and telepathy affect their lives Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. “Outsourced”- Todd Dempsey, a recent management school graduate, working for Mid America Novelties (where you can find top of the line whoopee cushions and bacon wallets), has been abruptly outsourced to India to manage the company call center. Todd soon finds out that his coworkers are not as well versed in the American supply line as he had hoped and is forced to put them through a crash course on America, but unexpectedly learns that he needs a crash course on India too. Watch Dempsey and his new Indian coworkers on NBC, Thursday nights at 9:30 p.m. Photo credits: officetally.com, media.daemonstv. com, impawards.com, goerieblogs.com, fusedfilm. com

Questions? Call us at 1-888-651-AUTO.

Need advice? Send questions to

askaraven@gmail.com Also, find us on our Facebook page: “Sequoia Raven Report Advice Column” Want a fast, easy way to fundraise for your class? Earn a 25% commission and save your friends 15% off drivers ed. Visit www.DriversEd.com/Associate-Programs. *Discount for online drivers ed class only.

Sports

Fall Sports Preview

More experienced volleyball team hopes for great season Head Coach: Jane Slater Captains: Nicole Kielty, Nicole Serrano, Katerina Petrova Current League: Ocean Coach’s Goal: Coach Jane Slater said, “I want our team to be very competitive in our league and be the best we can be.” She thinks they can be a solid contender because “we are a more experienced team this year, but we still are young. I am looking foward to watching the team improve.” Outlook: This year’s volleyball team

has nine returning players and four new players. Three of those new players come from last year’s J.V. team, but one of them is freshman Joy Robinson. The team is very upbeat about the season and is hopeful about making CCS at the end of the season. Returning sophomore player Hannah Singh said, “If we really work hard and focus on what we need to improve on and don’t make stupid mistakes, then we have a good shot at making CCS.” Captain Nicole Kielty said, “I

Girls tennis team growing in size and skill Head Coach: Ed Murphy Captains: Claire Tweedy, Carina Gleason Current League: Ocean

picked up a racket before this year. With only six matches left, they hope to make the best of the remaining season and build towards next year.

Outlook: Well into its season, the girls tennis team has already had eight matches. They’ve enjoyed their most successful season yet; they’ve won the most individual wins of recent memory. With the biggest girls team Coach Ed Murphy has taught, over twenty girls on the team, each one has learned a new tennis skill every day. Murphy is excited to teach all of the girls, some of whom who had never

Upcoming matches: Tuesday Sept. 28, vs. El Camino Wednesday Sept. 29, at Oceana Thursday Sept. 30, vs. Hillsdale Tuesday Oct. 5, vs. South San Francisco Tuesday Oct. 12, vs. Westmoor Thursday Oct. 14, at Terra Nova —DANIEL JUDE and ZEENAT ALI

Local businesses: Advertise in the

Raven Report! Reach over 2000 students, teachers and administrators, local families, and community members. Advertising in the Raven Report provides you with a highly effective, yet economical medium to reach the Redwood City community. Your business can choose to advertise in an individual issue, several issues, or for the entire school year; we are able to offer a considerable price reduction if you choose to advertise for the entire school year. Email ravenreport09@gmail.com

think our team definitely has potential to be a solid contender for CCS because we’re more experienced this year.” Even with only two seniors on the team, Sequoia has high hopes for the upcoming year.

Upcoming games: • Thursday, Sept. 30 vs South San Francisco • Tuesday, Oct. 12 vs Capuchino • Thursday, Oct. 14 vs Half Moon Bay —MATT BROTHERTON and WILL JAMES

Biggest cross-county team in years looking for big return Head Coach: Andrew Hutchinson Captain: Danny Raggio Current League: Pacific Athletic League Coach’s Goal: Coach Hutchinson said his goal is for “everyone to have the most possible fun and to try their best and give 100 percent.” Sophomore runner Alex Bliss said that Coach Hutchinson is “supportive, cheerful, and fun to be around.” Along with Bliss, other team members praised Hutchinson as one of the nicest and most easygoing coaches they’ve had. Outlook: This year’s cross-country team is starting their season better than ever. Leading the charge in the sophomore girls 5K was Gaia Bouchard-Hall who placed 22 out of 194; meanwhile, Manny Avila led all of the Sequoia boys when he ran an 18:17 5K. Sophomore Alyssa Bliss

ran a 27:03 5K, and described her teammates as “energetic, motivated, and most of all, fun.” The stats for every meet tell the story for the team when it comes to the end of the year, when only the best runners in the peninsula will be summoned to represent their school at the C.C.S. playoffs. Junior Nick Blanck said he expects “a good amount of the team to make C.C.S.” Upcoming meets: • Saturday, Sept. 25 at Westmoor • Saturday, Oct. 2 at Crystal Springs • Tuesday, Oct. 5 at Crystal Springs • Thursday, Oct. 14 at Crystal Springs —WILLIAM BAKER and CONNOR GROSSMAN

Sports

Football team strives for CCS By JACOB WARREN Staff reporter “I feel we’re going to have a great year,” said senior guard/center Paco Gonzalez. The 2009 football season for Sequoia High School was a good year finishing 7-3. “This year, we know what we have to do and we are more focused on our assignments”, Gonzalez said. The 2010 football team is looking for a CCS Playoff berth this year.

“I am very proud of the program that coach Rob Poulos and his staff have helped built, and I’m happy that this program has been built on strong fundamentals, teamwork, and pride,” said Assistant Vice Principal Rick Cooke. With a 2-0 record so far in the year Brandon Gibson is happy and impressed with his team. “We are off to a great start so far,” Gibson said. The senior running back has 4 carries for 26 yards, and 4 catches for

69 yards and no touchdowns. He’s waiting for his first touchdown but he hopes it will come to him soon. When asked about the all important Carlmont game, Cooke said, “The trophy is in our display case and I hope it stays there for a while to come.” The season is just underway but all eyes are on this years team, as spectators, students, and faculty wait to see if this will be the year for the CCS Playoff berth people have been awaiting.

Head Coaches: Varsity Rob Poulos, Junior varsity Cameron Farris Captains: James Beakley, Clint Kastrop League: Lake Upcoming games: • October 1 Junior varsity @ Pacheco, 7:00 p.m. • October 8 Varsity @ San Marcos, 7:00 p.m. • October 15 JV and Varsity @ Capuchino, 4:00 p.m, 7:00 p.m.

Water polo off to a good start Head Coaches: Frank Mecchi, Francisco Andaluz, Dave Knochenhauer Captains: Oscar Andaluz and Matt Draper (Boys varsity) Matt Brotherton (Boys JV) Sarah Beach and Kaila Manca (Girls varsity) Andrea Vidal and Sammi Gembala (Girls JV)

The new gym is expected to be completed in December. Photo by Liam O’Hara.

NEW GYM (continued from page 1)

dates and basic information of upcoming school functions. The new gym will have 16,000 square feet and 1,300 seats as well as an area for food concessions and a teen room. With the new gym’s construction, the big gym and small gym have been outfitted with new basketball hoops, and the small gym has recieved completely new floors.

The construction of the new gym has also allowed for sports such as wrestling that never had a place to practice before a new home in the small gym. There is also a new landscaped plaza that is “sure to be the new student hang out” according to Milhaupt. The new plaza will feature new benches, trees, and will be located behind the new gym, to the right of Terremere field, and in front of the big gym.

Senior Matt Draper serves as one of the boys varsity captains. Photo by Jen Briesach.

on training and working with the JV, Current League: Bay division so it’s looking like we will continue to have a strong team after our graduaOutlook: The fall’s girls and tion”, Manca said. boys water polo is off to a great Water polo has become increasstart. ingly popular over the last few years. The teams are ready for the “Water polo requires a lot of physical league competiton to start, strength and stamina,” boys junior “since we’ve all been playing varsity player freshman George Archthe sport together for a couple bold said. “But can be really fun once years now and we’ve gotten a lot you get the hang of it.” stronger as a team”, Junior Olivia Upcoming Games: Wade said. • Thursday, Sep. 30 vs Aragon Senior Kaila Manca said, “we • Wednesday, Oct. 6 @ Burlincollaborate well, so the begingame ning of this season has sort of • Friday, Oct. 8-9 @ Monte given us a head start in compariVista son to last year.” • Wednesday, Oct. 13 vs Menlo To make sure everyone on the team thrives, “the seasoned —LAYNE DIENER and players have been working more CAROLINE LEMPERT

FOOTLOOSE (continued from page 1) watched more 1980’s teen movies than I’d like to admit,” said Broome. Sophomore John Murphy who will play Ren, said his character “came from a big city to a small town and I came from a small school …to a big high school. So, I related to being an outsider.” Freshman Courtney Carbonneau, a chorus member, said that it’s been “a lot of work” and since this play is dance heavy, “you actually have to go home and take time out of your day to practice and get (the dance steps) done.” So why should you go to see Footloose? Broome has three reasons: “It’s a light-hearted musical with real substance, with heart and soul. We have a tremendously talented cast and crew performing,” he added. “And at $10, it’s cheaper than going the movies.”