Raven Report Sequoia High School
Volume vi, Issue 5
1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
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February 6, 2013
Foods II serves the love to hungry teachers By GLENN BILLMAN and CLAIRE BUGOS Staff Reporters
Photo by Simon Greenhill
Sequoia celebrates on the field after its first soccer victory over the Woodside Wilcats in four years.
Cherokee soccer finally defeat Wildcats Just ten minutes later, senior Erick Millan dribbled down the right side of the field, past two defenders, before centering it. Junior forward Johnny Esquivel finEven with the small crowd of fans, the energy of the ished off the goal with authority, sliding it clean past Sequoia boys varsity soccer team was felt by everyone the goalie with the inside of his foot. Just six minutes into the second half, a Woodside on the field. After four years, the Cherokees finally walked away with a win over their crosstown rival, the defender passed it back to goalie Brian Lopez, who had the ball for fewer than three seconds before senior Woodside Wildcats, by a score of 4-1 Thurs. Jan. 17. The team has been waiting for this moment since forward Diego Medina picked his pocket and passed it 2009 when head coach Julio Calles took over the boys into the goal with ease. Sequoia continued to attack Woodside’s goal with soccer program. That year, Woodside handed Sequoia persistence and was robbed of a goal in the 13th minits only loss of the season, beating them 0-1 at home. “Since I’ve been coaching at Sequoia, I’ve always ute when a shot from Esquivel rebounded off the wanted to beat Woodside. It took four years,” said crossbar. Sequoia’s final goal was the result of a cross from the Calles, referring to the 2009 game. “The referee took away [that] game from us. That was a clear offside. left side of the field, which sophomore Fiston Kizungu dove in front of, deflecting the ball off his torso and That’s why I was waiting for this day to come.” into the net. Senior captain and starting Woodside was given a penalty sweeper Carlos Ramos received “Good chemistry shows that the work kick in the final two minutes, seven staples in his head after making the final score 4-1. colliding with a Burlingame we put through is finally coming out. “That was a given goal by the player Jan. 11. Sequoia lost the If we play like this every game, I think referee,” said Coach Calles, in game 1-3. The team then lost 1-2 we got it. I think we got the league.” —Senior Carlos Ramos reference to the penalty. “That to San Mateo, the lowest-ranked was a Christmas present. [The team in the league at the time. referee] didn’t like it [when] I “Unfortunately I [didn’t] have my sweeper Carlos Ramos, and I miss that guy a lot,” told him, ‘Christmas is over.’” Ramos, who watched from the bench, was very Coach Calles said. “That was one of the reasons we lost against San Mateo. Carlos Ramos plays a tremen- proud of his team’s performance. “It’s good when the team doesn’t just rely on one dous [role] in the game. He’s so important playing that position, especially the way he plays it. He always goes player,” Ramos said. “That shows that the work we put through is finally coming out. If we play like this every 100 percent, Carlos Ramos goes 100 percent.” After making adjustments to its defense and regain- game, I think we got the league.” Ramos had his staples taken out Jan. 18 and has aling its focus, the team came prepared to beat Woodready returned to playing. side in honor of its captain. “[Menlo-Atherton and Burlingame] are the two “We had to do this for [Carlos],” said senior captain teams that I wanna beat,” Coach Calles said. Bryan Calles. “We had to win, he deserves it.” For the time being, however, the team is excited to The two teams appeared to be evenly matched until the 27th minute, when center midfielder Bryan Calles relish in its victory over its rival. “I told the kids, I wanna beat Woodside by playing sent a shot that slipped through the Woodside keeper’s good, and they played hella good,” Calles said. hands to give Sequoia the 1-0 lead.
By HANNA BOLAÑOS Editor-in-Chief
Opinion:
Pro-gun vs. Anti-gun
Page 5
Sports:
Concussions hit hard
Page 8
You’re walking down the hall, starved and rushing to the lunch tables. Suddenly, your English teacher emerges from a room that smells of heaven, toting a steaming plate of chicken teriyaki. With a wry glance at your peanut butter sandwich you wish that, for only a day, you could be in your teacher’s place. As part of a program that teaches pupils important skills such as customer service, how to operate under pressure and teamwork, the advanced cooking class offers their food service to the staff every other Friday in the form of zesty pesto, creamy alfredo, classic sandwiches and other culinary creations. “It gets us ready for how to treat customers, and also I think it’s just for the teacher’s benefit,” said senior Sydney Albin, one of 16 students in Foods II. Started three years ago, the food service provides meals for $5 which include an entrée , a side and a beverage. For the total cost for the food, preparation time, effort, trained talent and quality control, teachers are getting a great deal. “Dollar for dollar it probably exceeds [restaurant value]… it is very quality,” said teacher and regular customer Daniel Bliss. “It’s kind of cool to know the kids who are cooking your food.” Just like with essays, test and projects, teachers have high standards for student performance–an expectation that is not lowered, but rather increased when you’re responsible for their spring roll. Luckily for the chefs, Home Economics teacher Lindsay Bussey’s high standards and their own expertise leave them with mostly compliments. “If it doesn’t look restaurant quality, I won’t serve it. If I don’t want to eat it, I don’t want them to eat it,” said Bussey, checking the cleanliness of a pot for the fourth time. She then handed the pot back to the student for further scrubbing. The food service draws an average of 35-40 staff each time, and depending on the dish, the students may serve 60 customers. Faced with the challenge, pressure in the kitchen may rise. “Someone starts to panic, then somebody else starts to panic—it’s like a domino effect,” senior Jordan Robinson said. When tackling difficult dishes like jambalaya, a mistake or poor time management means a raise in wait time. In addition to teamwork and handling pressure, being able to whip up a solid meal is a main reason to partake in the class. “Going to college and everything. . .I don’t really want to rely on Top Ramen,” Albin said.
By the Numbers
325
Winter formal tickets sold
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Feature
technology headline
New pieces of technology such as brain powered cat ears and a mini tablet that plays HD computer games all are shaping the advancement of human technology. Some of the devices have been shown at Consumer Electronics Show 2013, a convention that announces new pieces of technology and demonstrates how these devices work. Here are some gadgets that have been released or will be in the near future that could shape how we as humans live. —CARLOS GARCIA and KYLE SHEA The Microsoft Illumiroom: By using an Xbox 360, a Kinect, and a projector, your own room will become a battleground of war or a jungle filled with death at every corner. The idea is to project an environment that is similar to that on your TV. “I think it’s a great concept because it is going to open up a new world in gaming. You no longer have to buy big TVs. It’s gonna be projected in your living room,” junior William Escobar said. Necomimi Brain Powered Cat Ears: You can have your very own set of working cat ears. This headband with cat ears attached will sync with your brain waves. The cat ears will flop around depending on your mood and the brainwaves will signal the ears to move around. Priced around $100, these cat ears have been said to work decently by the New York Times blogger David Pogue. “For people with disabilities who have a tough time expressing theselves, the technology might be a way for it to show,” Electronic Arts Academy teacher Greg Stein said. Nvidia’s Project Shield: Nvidia, a company that creates video game cards, has recently anounced a small tablet device that will play many computer games ranging from Assassin’s Creed 3 to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It has a Custom 72 core Nvidia GeForce GPU, which is supposed to be the world’s fastest mobile processor. The screen is 5 inches and has 720p retinal multi-touch display. It will run Android as its operating system and have integrated Wi-Fi. You can register to be notified when it will at shield.nvidia.com. “The concept and idea of this is pretty cool, but the device itself looks very pricey,” junior Larry Godinez said. Sound Oasis Sound Therapy Pillow: This isn’t your average day looking pillow. Yes, it may be fluffy in the outside and soft on the outside, but this pillow has speakers inside of them so you can listen to your tunes as you go to sleep. This pillow has already been released and is priced at $50. “I use the White Noise app on my iPhone to sleep, it’s nice, but if it were on my pillow, it would be even better,” Stein said.
PSAT scores earn seniors recognition By SIMON GREENHILL Staff Reporter
Though most students forget about the PSAT shortly after taking it, seniors Zé Martinho and Sunil Butler, along with 11 other students, are still receiving recognition for their performance on the exam. Every year, the PSAT, also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), designates 3,100 students as outstanding participants, 1,600 semifinalists, and 1,300 finalists for their superior scores. Martinho and Butler, both semifinalists, expect be notified in early February as to whether or not they have attained finalist status and have been awarded the National Merit Scholarship. Seniors Michael Allen, Allison Gee, Michael Grove, Tristan Knoth, Julia Pokorny, Nickie Pucel, Jessica Rice, Frances Welsh, Amanda Willett, Michael Wucher and Danny Yan have been recognized as outstanding participants. Though PSAT scores are relatively unimportant in the college application process, both Martinho and Butler agree that the PSAT can pay dividends. “More people should start taking the PSAT a little bit more seriously,” Martinho said. “It just seems like a lot of people say it doesn’t matter, it’s purely for practice, but they’re not aware that it could potentially lead to some big bucks in terms of college savings.”
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor speaks to sold-out crowd at Fox By CAROLINE LEMPERT Online Editor Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor spoke at the Fox Theater Jan. 28 to discuss her new memoir, “My Beloved World.” Sotomayor was appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 2009 and is the first Hispanic and third woman justice in the Supreme Court. The sold-
out event was her second stop in the Bay Area leg of the national book tour. Five students in the Sequoia Dream Club received tickets from the Foundation for a College Education. The foundation works to increase the number of students of color who graduate from a four-year college or university. Sotomayor’s speech focused on how she overcame various hardships to get to
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where she is today, inspiring others, especially youth, to do the same. “She came from the projects and grew up in the ghetto, but got out and went to two Ivy League schools, and now she’s a judge,” said sophomore Beatriz Andrade, who attended the event with the Dream Club. “I’ve grown up in ghettos around the Bay Area and seeing her makes me think that I can make it too.”
Sotomayor’s story touched all the students who attended the event and she inspired many of them to follow in her footsteps. “She represents what immigrants and everyone else aspire to, big dreams,” saidsophomore Alondra Soto, who also attended the event. “You think, ‘I’ll never reach it’, but she represents the image that you can reach it if you try really hard.”
Enter the 3rd Annual Peninsula Young Writers Writing Contest for High School Students Visit pwlp.org for details! Deadline: February 10, 2013
FEATURE
Cafeteria lunches take a healthier turn:
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a closer look at what we’re eating
“Pasta with vegetables.” — Blanca Montes, Senior
Sequoia says
What would you like to see in the cafeteria lunches?
“Fruit infused or sparkling water.” — Matt Mazoni, Junior
“A salad bar.” —Tanya Arevalo, Senior
By LILY HARTZELL Feature Editor
Every day, around 650 Sequoia students buy lunch. They pick up their spicy chicken sandwiches or New York pizza from the people behind the counter and walk away. Occasionally you see the truck pull up near the girls locker rooms and unload boxes of sandwiches. If you come back from PE at the right time you see a cart full of apples and oranges being rolled across the quad. But most people don’t know where their food comes from. The answer is at 300 James St., a nonde-
script building sandwiched between the Teen Wellness Center and the District Office there is an industrialized kitchen that produces breakfast, lunch and snacks for the entire district. “We basically have our own little Costco,” Director of Food Services Nora DeCaro said. DeCaro chooses the special items to add to the six basic options each week. The program is federally and state funded, so they have to follow nutritional guidelines set by the National School Lunch Program. “We try for variety, introducing color.
We want to stay away from white,” DeCaro said. The Expressway makes the food with a combination of convenience items like hamburger patties and thing from scratch like nacho toppings. They package the food and send it out to the different school sites. Recently, DeCaro has been trying to make the lunch options more healthy as a result of new legislation. “We’re eliminating white bread for whole wheat or whole grain. We try to get locally-grown produce from the Valley,” DeCaro said. “Our goal is to balance nutrition, cost, quality, and satisfaction.”
Student input fostered at Healthy Schools Symposium By ANNA DAGUM News Editor
Amidst the recent food trends condemning frozen foods and high fructose corn syrup and the rising importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, the San Mateo County Office of Education and Get Healthy San Ma-
teo County (GHSMC) united to host the first annual Healthy Schools Symposium Jan. 29. This meeting touched on improving the district’s cafeteria lunch menus as well as engaging youth for healthy change. A main pillar of the GHSMC philosophy is incorporating youth ideas into the development of healthy strat-
egies to benefit the public. A healthy lifestyle begins where students spend the majority of their time: school. By promoting health at schools, GHSMC works to ensure a healthy lifestyle starting at the roots. Representatives senior Christian Cruz and Mike Johansen from Healthy Sequoia as well as representatives from
the Food Advisory Committee attended the event. These representatives attended the symposium in response to the numerous requests for healthier options and an overall improvement to the “lunch culture” at Sequoia. “Healthy Sequoia doesn’t only focus on nutrition,” said Johansen. “But also See HEALTHY, page 6
Majority of students delay stepping on gas By JENNA PALIUGHI and BRIANNA ESCOBEDO Staff Reporters
Homework. Sports. Clubs. High School is stressful enough without wasting long hours at the DMV trying to get a drivers license. Recently many students have been procrastinating to obtain their licenses and permits. The number of teens with licences has dropped immensely in the past few years. Students feel that is it due to the long hours they must go through to get a license. “It takes a lot of time,” said junior Peter Bugos, who does not have his license due to time constraints. “[I] have a lot of other stuff I’m doing.” To acquire your license you must practice and study around 85 hours, which is hard for students trying to maintain high GPAs, send in college applications and keep up with extracurricular activities. “It’s a really long, long process and I was procrastinating, so it took forever,” 16-year-old sophomore Alex Croft said. The number of students with licenses
Photo by Glenn billman
With busy schedules and social lives, driving often gets pushed to the bottom.
has decreased from an astounding 44 percent in 1980 to a mere 28 percent in 2010 according to U.S. Department of Transportation and University of Michigan. For many students driving is no longer a priority. Public transportation has become more accessible and appealing to today’s teens. Students who choose not to take the bus opt to walk or ride a
bike to get where they need to go. “I walk to school everyday, so driving is not really a big deal for me,” Bugos said. In addition to time constraints, insurance for teen drivers is more expensive than it has been in the past. It now costs about $1000 or more a year for insured students to drive. Insurance increases around 44 percent when adding
a teen driver to your plan. “It takes students longer[to get their licenses] because it costs families a lot,” counselor Tamesha Wise said. The price of gas is another important factor for many. The average price of gas is now almost $4 per gallon compared to the $1.25 for one bus ride. Technology has also had an impact on the decrease of teen drivers. Why should a student drive when he can Skype, Facetime, or text their friends instantly in the comfort of his own home? Teens now have the ability to immediately get on Facebook and chat with pals, whereas in the past the only way to chat with friends was to drive to see them. However, driving still has its benefits. It offers freedom and independence. It allows teens to go out on their own, without having their parents haul them around. Being able to drive offers shortened routes, elongated time to oneself and the ability to hang with friends in the car without a parent present. “It’s a little embarrassing to be 16 and be dropped off places [by your parents],” Croft said.
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feature Recently, the media has played a large role in bringing to light the issues of depression and self-harm. In the wake of the trending #CutForBieber movement, it has come to our attention that some people have chosen to be insensitive towards these issues, when in reality there are people in our community who deserve our sensitivity.
When the joke stops being Funny
Battling insensitivity towards self-harm
By CARMEN VESCIA Staff Reporter Carlmont freshman Haley Reeder began to struggle with depression in 7th grade. She started to pull out her own hair, scratch herself and finally cut her own body. She became addicted to causing herself harm. She felt like she couldn’t talk to anyone about how she felt, or what she was going through. “In 8th grade, at the beginning of the year, I had plenty of friends. Then I started isolating myself,” Reeder said. “It was just such a horrible feeling. You’re so alone.” When she began high school, she finally found the courage to ask for help, but even the support from her counselor and other students was not enough. In the October of last year, she was rushed to the hospital when a counselor learned Reeder was planning on committing suicide. Over three months after attempting
suicide, Reeder has stopped cutting and is in a better place. She is sharing her story, starting a group at her school and planning on visiting middle schools in efforts to raise awareness and help others who struggle with depression and self-harm. Reeder’s campaign came after a recent Internet controversy after photos surfaced on the internet where teen pop star Justin Bieber appeared to be smoking marijuana. Thus the #CutForBieber movement was created. There is some confusion surrounding its origin, what is truth and what is internet rumor, but it was supposedly started by a user on the prank website 4chan. According to Fox News, the user posted this comment on the website’s message board: “Let’s start a cut yourself for Bieber campaign,” the user said. “Tweet a bunch of [pictures] of people cutting themselves and claim we did it because Justin Bieber was smoking weed. See if
we can get some little girls to cut themselves.” Many memes and posts joking about cutting appeared on Facebook. Users may not have realized how their posts could affect others who struggle with self-harm. “These students don’t feel heard,” Head Counselor Guadalupe Navarrete said. “How would you feel if you were in pain and someone laughed at you?” Soon after #CutforBieber was created, Reeder started to receive hateful messages on Facebook. The messages included pictures of arms covered in scars. The anonymous user asked Reeder if she cut for Bieber. Reeder posted a video describing her struggle with cutting, which has left her with 526 scars covering her body, which received 53 likes and 18 comments, on her Facebook page Jan. 14. She also addressed the anonymous user, telling them that they could not hurt her, and teasing her was pointless.
“What if it had happened to someone who wasn’t as strong as me?” Reeder said. “We would probably be hearing on the news about how some teen had committed suicide.” The cyber-bullying Reeder was victim to was an extreme case. It was done by someone who deliberately wanted to hurt her, but even unintentionally insensitive jokes, or acting like someone’s self harm is fake or simply a way to get attention can hurt. “They said that I was just doing it for attention,” Reeder said. “It made me feel like such a horrible person.” Insensitive jokes may be the result of ignorance, not cruelty. “They aren’t trying to be mean, they just don’t understand,”said freshman Sarah Swinnerton who heard Reeder’s story. “They think the whole thing is a joke.” Additional reporting from Cam Rebosio, Staff Reporter
Your words have power, use them kindly Warning signs By CAM REBOSIO and CARMEN VESCIA Staff Reporters
Imagine if pain and sadness were the only emotions you could feel. Imagine if your pain was treated as a joke. Imagine if you felt alone and helpless. There are thousands of people like Haley Reeder out there; thousands of people hurting, thousands of people struggling to find the will to live. No one should feel alone. No one should feel like their pain is not real. The problem of self-harm is often disregarded when it’s a real, devastating problem. That amount of pain cannot be faked, nor can it be overlooked. Any self harm, no matter how small, is serious. Imagine how much emotional pain someone
would have to be in if the only way they could escape that pain was by dragging a razor across their wrists. Everyone has a story, and you probably don’t know all of it. We don’t believe most people aim to hurt others with their jokes. We’re not perfect, we’ve let insensitive comments slip out, too. All we’re saying is that now is the time to stop. It’s time to think about what you’re going to say or post before you do it. The best thing anyone can do is offer their kindness and their support. Saying something kind, instead of something hurtful, can make so much of a difference in someone’s life. Treating our fellow human beings with kindness, love and respect is of utmost importance. Make sure to never disregard another’s pain. Reach out to those who are hurting and be there for your friends when they need you. Everyone deserves the right to feel like they are appreciated and loved, and even a simple, random act of kindness can prove to them that they are.
of depression
1. Fatigue 2. Sudden weight change 3. Drop in grades 4. Sleeping more than usual 5. Withdrawn socially 6. Lack of concentration 7. Complaints of aches/pains 8. Unexplained wounds or scars 9. Isolation and irritability Hotline to call if you are struggling, or just want to talk to someone: (800) 448-3000
Opinion
The Great Gun Debate:
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Should gun ownership be restricted? or threat of force,” is roughly four times By PAUL KIRALY higher than in the U.S., with crimes Staff Reporter being reported at 2,000 per 100,000 In light of the people according to “The Telegraph.” Sandy Hook shoot- An example of a violent crime without a ing, Aurora movie gun could be a criminal stabbing a civiltheater shooting and ian and stealing his wallet. Crime was so many other mass bad in the U.K. that, in 2007, there were killings, there has enough crimes for there to be 10 crimes been strong sup- per minute. Switzerland has the highest gun per port from government officials such as President Barack Obama and Sena- capita in Europe and has a homicide tor Dianne Feinstein to impose stricter rate of 1.2 per 100,000 people, accordgun regulation, such as the banning of ing to Stephen Halbrook, an author semi-automatic assault style weapons, and attorney. Despite the argument restrictions of bullets in a magazine and that guns cause violence, these statistics more government control of firearms. suggest that more guns create less vioDespite all these tragedies and the in- lent crime in Switzerland. I believe that creased support for more control, I be- when law-abiding citizens have weapons lieve that more guns means more safety. to fulfill their natural right of defending Hypothetically, if you were a rob- themselves, their country is safer. Who ber and there were two shops in front would want to rob a house when people of you, and one shop had a sign saying, are armed and have military training? “All staff are armed with firearms” and The citizens protect themselves. Police the other had a sign saying, “No guns come to a crime scene after it is over, not allowed on premises,” which one would when it is happening. Having a gun may not be a guarantee that you are safe, but you go to? it is certainly betI would go into ter than not havthe shop that was unA gun in your hand is better than ing anything to armed. the police on the phone. protect yourself Criminal behavwith. I think a gun ior varies in countries in your hand is better than the police on with different gun laws. The United States has a gun owner- the phone. I believe that the right to keep and ship ratio of 88 guns to 100 people, but has 386 violent crimes per 100,000 bear arms is sacrosanct, and our Foundpeople, according to the FBI. On the ing Fathers wrote in our Bill of Rights: other hand, the United Kingdom has “A well-regulated militia, being necesthe strictest gun laws in Europe accord- sary to the security of a free state, the ing to Marketplace.org, but is called by right of the people to keep and bear “The Telegraph” the “Violent Crime arms, shall not be infringed.” As BenjaCapital of Europe.” Although the gun min Franklin said, “They who can give violence in the UK is among the lowest, up essential liberty to obtain a little their violent crime, which is defined by temporary safety deserve neither liberty the FBI as “offenses which involve force nor safety.”
By HANNA BOLAÑOS Editor-in-Chief In response to the deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn., President Obama announced a series of gun-control measures Jan. 16. While it may seem logical that the shooting of primary school children would prompt immediate action against guns, arguments in favor of gun rights have continued unabated. Those who argue against stricter gun control believe that more guns will make our country safer. In some ways, their argument is valid. If everyone has a gun, everyone can protect themselves against attack—however, in that event, even in self-defense, someone will be killed or wounded—and that one person matters. Whether those people are robbers, murderers, police officers or even young students, someone will always be on the other end of the bullet. There are at least 300 million firearms in the United States. That’s a lot of guns. Even if we do put stricter gun control in place, firearms will always be accessible, they argue. But even if that goal seems unattainable, it would be wrong not to try. Some insist that stricter gun control equates to stripping people of their rights provided by the Second Amendment. But, gun control advocates are not seeking to take away anyone’s hunting rifle, or a handgun kept for personal protection or target practice. They seek only to keep guns away from the mentally ill or the criminal, and to limit the availability of assault weapons and high capacity magazines designed only to
kill a large amount of people quickly. James Madison drafted the Second Amendment with the protection of democracy in mind, not protection of the right to fight fire with fire. It’s hard to believe that Madison’s desire to protect the Republic from an invading army had anything to do with making sure that anyone who wants an assault weapon can have one. O n Jan. 19, 15-year-old Nehemi- ah Griego was arrested for fatally shooting both his parents and three younger siblings in their home in Albuquerque, N.M. According to the Associated Press, Griego had never been in trouble with the law before. He used several guns in the shooting, including one described by investigators as a semiautomatic assault-type rifle. Griego took the guns from a closet in his parents’ room. According to ABC News, the teenager told police that he had been planning to shoot up a Walmart, as well. Nehemiah Griego’s story is only one of many related to gun tragedy. The guns Adam Lanza used to shoot up Sandy Hook Elementary belonged to his mother, whom he shot and killed, as well. On Jan. 28, the Huffington Post reported that six people were injured at multiple gun shows meant to honor the first annual Gun Appreciation Day. The irony is obvious, but it is far from funny. The issue of guns in the U.S. is not about Democrats versus Republicans, or the NRA versus the world. It’s a topic of national discussion because lives are being lost unnecessarily. We may not be able to get rid of firearms entirely, but more guns is not the answer. If we can prevent even one death with stricter gun control, it is worth it. We owe it to those who are gone—and to those still here—to make a change.
Big money blatantly buys politics, a new generation takes note By HAGOP S. NARKIZIAN way from Congress all the way to the White House. Staff Reporter According to the New A s York Times, an idealistic O b a m a 2008-Obama banned corpob e g i n s rate sponsors. But this year’s his sec- festivities included several inond term, cluding AT&T, Genentech, y o u n g and many more. There is a Americans strong chance that these doare concerned with the grow- nors are expecting some return ing influence of lobbyists in on their investment. However, Washington. Private spend- according to spokesperson ing in politics is drowning Addie Whisenant, the change out the voice of the rest of in policy was “to help cover America—and we are notic- the cost of the public events.” ing. While the average Amer- That’s a particularly interesting ican makes about $45,000 a alibi, considering the inauguyear, 89 percent of Obama’s ral committee actually cut the campaign funds were over number of balls from 10 to just $100,000. Thanks to the Su- two. According to Robert Lee, a preme Court ruling Citizens United, unlimited financial sociology professor at Cañada contributions to political College, the president’s own races are now deemed as “free eroding stance against “busispeech.” The all-mighty dollar ness as usual” politics is not has been quietly squirming its surprising.
“Since the 1980s there has dents were aware that because been a shift in America towards food companies just poured so more market-oriented poli- much money against that propcies. With fewer rules you have osition so it wouldn’t pass,” the ability for money to flow Lemmi said. around,” Lee said. Companies like Monsanto, The increased exchange of the largest major donor fighting money has slowly seeped into Prop 37, invested more money our politics. against the Young peothan Half-fought battles are not bill ple are showing going to defend our democracy. the entire more and more Yes on 37 of an interest in camp a i g n , this issue, especially in this last ensuring its failure. But this campaign. Many classes spent isn’t new. Proposition 86 was time discussing Proposition also dominated by donations 37, a bill that would have re- of amounts like 66 million dolquired food companies to label lars. What is new is that people genetically modified foods in are noticing—especially young California. Catherine Lemmi, people. According to a recent who teaches Freshman Biology Gallup poll, 87 percent of and IB Environmental Systems Americans say reducing corclasses, held discussions on the ruption in politics is “extremely issue in class. important.” “We talked about how we But it’s not enough. G.I. Joe knew that it was probably not once said that “knowing is half going to pass, and I think stu- the battle.” That’s a wonderful
piece of wisdom, but halffought battles are not going to defend our democracy. We live in a system that has grown more corrupt than ever, and it is only going to get worse. It is important that people know what is going on, but more important is that we do something about it. If older white gentleman can arrange, organize, and elect officials under a name as ridiculous as “Tea Party” then we, tech savvy kids can do the same. What good is it if we rest on our laurels? Yes the office of the presidency is a stressful position, but it is our job to hold our officials accountable—and that includes Mr. Obama. Disagree with an article? ravenreport09@gmail.com or find us on Twitter or Facebook
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Opinion Staff Editorial
Sequoia High School
Caution: apples rolling You’re rammed into the stairwell while campus aides remind you at the top of their lungs that you have four minutes to get to class. You try hard to avoid the football player below you and in the process you step on something round, trip and look down to see an apple rolling down the hallway about to cause more damage. Getting to class is hard enough without having to dodge the remnants of peoples’ lunches. Cliff Kranz has been working as a grounds worker at Sequoia for 12 years, and he is one of the people who picks up the trash you leave after lunch. “About a quarter [of the trash] is packages of carrots, bananas, oranges, apples,” Kranz said. The majority of waste leftover from cafeteria lunches is fresh fruit and vegetables. The Expressway makes an effort to buy fruit from the Central Valley, and they try to include healthy options in every lunch. If we
Raven Report 2012-2013
have access to fresh, locally grown oranges, why do we find orange pulp on the bottom of our shoes every other week? “The health stuff started to pick up when they got rid of soda cans. [The trash] is mostly fruit, but every so often there’s a sandwich or a half eaten one,” Kranz said. We understand that sometimes you’re having a bad day and carrots aren’t going to make it any better, but that doesn’t mean you have to drop them on the floor. Stick them in your bag for later or share them with a friend. Our district spends about $1 million on school lunches every year, and every penny of that goes to making sure that we have the healthiest, tastiest lunches possible, but we waste them. So next time you get a banana in your lunch, eat it. Your body, and the 2,039 people who don’t do a faceplant trying to get to class, will thank you.
Editor-in-Chief Hanna Bolaños Online Editor Caroline Lempert Sports Editor Laurel Dearborn Feature Editors Lily Hartzell Araceli Efigenio News Editor Anna Dagum Page Editors Erick Castro Jarrett Crowell Ty Dewes Staff Reporters Angie Calderón Becca Melmon Brianna Escobedo Cam Rebosio Carlos Garcia Carmen Vescia Claire Bugos Dalia Jude Glenn Billman Hagop Narkizian Jenna Paliughi Kyle Shea Lorna Wake Matvari Maharaj Paul Kiraly Sabrina Villanueva-Avalos Simon Greenhill 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.
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Love is beautiful until PDA turns it disgusting By TY DEWES and ARACELI EFIGENIO Page Editor and Feature Editor We have all been through it. Shameless sucking of face, perpetual butt grabbing, and endless fondling haunts every one of us. The days of putting our heads down and walking quickly away are finally over. It ends now. Around every dark corner at Sequoia seems to loom a
couple expressing their undying love for one another just a wee bit too graphically. “Before I was in a relationship I thought it was obnoxious and gross, but I’m kinda obsessed with my boyfriend so I can’t get my hands off of him,” senior Paige Bonwood said. All must suffer the awkward consequences of intimate moments between blossoming love, even some teachers, who may have nightmares about tongue spelunking. “The line is where they are kissing for like 5 minutes,” junior Galdino Bravo said. “Kissing and hugging isn’t bad though.” What’s so romantic about staircases anyway? Believe it or not, people have
places to go and do not want to have to crawl over you to get there. “If they’re gonna go at it hard, they should get a room,” sophomore Carson Demiroz said. We do not think that having students watching you make out makes the moment any more romantic; in fact, we think it should make it much less romantic. Just tone it down at school. Keep it to a quick kiss or a hug. Short. Simple. Sweet. Not awkward. “Butt grabbing and thrusting, [you] don’t need that, it’s very unnecessary,” said Bonwood. PDA should stand for, Please Don’t Ass-grab. Enough is enough. You can’t spell making out from the word school. Coincidence? I think not.
Tongue enters the building, and by building we mean the mouth
Just right: Short kiss and hug
Too touchy, too feely
Mounting
The official scale of PDA
(Continued from page 3) physical and mental health.” Improving the lunch culture consists of speedier lunch lines and more staff supervision to create a safer lunch experience. In recent years, similar meetings have been held with student volunteers involved in taste testings where they are able to sample new cafeteria menu items such as various fruits and new vegetarian pizza options. Students are encouraged to join Healthy Sequoia and the Food Advisory Committee to suggest ideas. With more student input, Sequoia can create a better environment for future students with new lunch items and an ultimately healthier atmosphere.
10 things to do in 5 minutes instead of inappropriate macking 1. Buy a chinchilla.
You know you want to.
2. Make a new friend.
You can never have too many friends.
3. Give someone a high five.
Awkwardly gazing into each other’s eyes
Healthy
It will brighten someone’s day.
4. Google something.
Let’s keep this one PG.
5. Floss.
Practice good hygiene.
6. Run a lap.
Because everyone loves to run.
7. Call your mom.
Show her you care.
8. Tell some jokes. Keep it punny.
9. Dance.
Twerk it out.
10. Try not to think about leprechauns. They’re after your Lucky Charms.
7
OPINION
British drama captivates crowd By LAUREL DEARBORN Sports Editor
So Mary married Ma t th e w, who is her cousin, whom she at first hated because he was the one who would inherit her father’s estate, even though she was the eldest child of the Crawley family and had lived there all of her life, all while taking an entire World War to figure out that they actually loved each other? Basically. Downton Abbey is a worthwhile obsession. It has rightfully won awards at the recent Emmys, SAG, and Golden Globes. And unlike the reality TV shows that display the lives of real housewives and toddler beauty queens, watching Downton is actually beneficial to my life. My obsession was born during a visit to my grandparents’ house. We were talking about school and the latest of our lives when pop culture became the topic of conversation.
Student performers
The third installment of a feature series starring student entrepreneurs
Maggie Smith is most famous for her role as Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series. They told us how they had gotten hooked on this PBS show documenting the lives of a wealthy family in the early twentieth century and the relationships they have with their butlers and maids. My grandpa told us how he had spent an entire day watching the whole first season. I don’t know of another show that can easily bring three generations of a family together. Yes, my grandma also watches Dancing With The Stars, but that is an exception. I don’t talk to my friend’s parents about what color Nicki Minaj’s hair was last night on “American Idol” and
we don’t recite the lines of “The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At A Party” from Seth Myers’ “Weekend Updates” together. My dad likes it. My mom likes it. My brother pretends not to like it, but I think he just doesn’t want to give in like the rest of us. For once there is a show that appeals to multiple age ranges, multiple genders, and multiple interests. Scandals? Check. Romance? Check. Court cases? Check. Death sentences? Check. Comedy? Maggie Smith is a cast member. That is all that needs to be said.
For teachers, school doesn’t end when the bell rings By MATVARI MAHARAJ Staff Reporter
I’m not going to lie. I’m among the majority of the student body that says that teachers make school too stressful and should cut back on the work they give us. But how many of us think about it from the other side? Teachers have to grade every paper they assign; that’s over a hundred different assignments on their hands. It may have taken me awhile but I appreciate every teacher I’ve had at Sequoia. I’m the girl who always had a hard time inside and out of the classroom. Going to a middle school where I didn’t feel comfortable around those who were teaching me made it difficult to learn because I didn’t feel like I belonged there. At Sequoia it’s different. Teachers here care for their students and put so much effort into their jobs to make sure their students are getting the best education. It’s easy to forget that these are the people who are raising the next generation. Without our teachers, where would we be? I know Ms. Korman will be in her room during lunch when I need a place to eat and get myself together. I know Mr. Lee will be in the library after school to help me with any math problem I’m struggling with. I
know Ms. Yeager will make the time to help me figure out how I can improve my performance. If teachers didn’t care, all doors would be closed when class isn’t in session. All communication would be cut off. Class time would be strictly for business. Thankfully, that’s not the case . I never realized how much energy teachers put into their careers outside of school until I started to help Ms. Korman with grading last year. It wasn’t I saw the dedication and passion she had for her job and her students. She wants these students to succeed and make a difference. But everyday I still see students sit in classrooms and fiddle with their pens because they think school is a waste of time. School may not be for everyone and school may not even be for me. I’ve always had a hard time being at school in general but seeing the effort that teachers give, makes me want to return the favor and let them know there are people who recognize all the energy they put into their career as a teacher. Here’s to every single teacher at Sequoia, whether it’s your first year or twentieth year. I know what you put into your job. I know the passion you hold for this position. I know the effort and energy you put into every lesson you teach. And I want to thank you for giving me the privilege to learn from you.
Besides attending school, Sequoia students are focusing on furthering their careers in the performing arts. Dancers, singers and rappers are found throughout Sequoia hallways, and everyday they are working towards a future in the performing industry. “Sequoia students are smart, professional and driven!” said Stacey Morell, Sequoia dance teacher and cheer coach. For these students, music and dancing is their passion. They are all aiming for some kind of career, whether it is full or part time. “If the interest is there, I always encourage my students to go for it.” said Taylor White, Sequoia dance teacher.
Keilani Lowenstein
Keilani has been singing since before she can remember. Music runs in her family, and it is her passion. She hopes to get into the music business, or become an actress. “I get really nervous. I just psych myself out really easily. I tell myself I can’t do it.”
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anu Photo by Sabrina Vill
Jordan began singing lessons in 7th grade. She believes it is a great way to channel emotions. She has an album coming out this summer, and she hopes to continue her career as a pop singer. “I feel like becoming famous is more luck than skill. Your talent isn’t defined by how known you are, it’s what you can do.” YouTube page: jordanhurwitz
Jordan Hu
rwitz
Photo cour tesy of Shirl ey Kraus
Antoni started to rap since he learned to talk. In the future, he wants to be on a worldwide tour in Japan, just like Taylor Swift. “I just kept doing it no matter what anyone said.” YouTube page: chocsk8998 Antoni Photo by
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Klopoto
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Marijke joined her middle school’s hip-hop dance team in 8th grade, and has been dancing ever since. She views dancing as beautiful, yet also very physically demanding. Silberman enjoys musical theatre as well, and she hopes to become a choreographer for off broadway shows. “I might end up in a cardboard box on the corner, but I like to think I won’t.”
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Edgar first started dancing in 3rd grade. He started a hip-hop dance team at his middle school in 8th grade. He hopes to have a part time career in dance, and start a dance crew at his church. “If dance is your priority before school work, then you’re obviously gonna do excellent in dance but then everything else drops, so you have to learn how to maintain the balance.”
—Compiled by Sabrina Villanueva and Lorna Wake
8
Sports
Don’t let the sport get to your head:
Multiple sports concussions hit students hard By DALIA JUDE and BECCA MELMON Staff Reporters Bright lights make your head hurt. Watching TV makes it hurt. Scrolling down Facebook makes it hurt. Even texting makes it hurt. More than 62,000 concussions are sustained each year in high-school contact sports across the nation, and Sequoia is no exception. Missing school during the whole month of December may sound great to most students, but for four students who received serious concussions this year, it was the opposite. While the students were at home recovering, they were unable to do many activities and see their friends. “Having to go from being an active person to not being able to do anything and sitting at home all day was really really tough,” said sophomore Nani Friedman, who received a concussion during a basketball practice Dec. 6 when she was hit in the head with a ball. She did not realize she had a concussion at first, and did not go to the doctor until Dec. 10. Friedman missed dead week, finals and returned to school after winter break. “The school days are so exhausting physically and mentally. They just wipe me out, I get home and can’t do anything,” Friedman said. Recent studies have found that high school athletes take longer to recover from concussions and have more severe
Did you know...
53% of high school athletes sustain a concussion before participating in high school sports
2x
Females are more likely to get a concussion than males are
47%
Estimated of athletes do not report feeling any symptoms after getting a concussion
Football is the most common sport in which males get concussions:
75% chance
78% of
concussions occur during games, as opposed to practices Soccer is the most common sport in which females get concussions :
50%
chance
symptoms than professional or college With a serious concussion, things as athletes. People who have had a con- simple as going out-side or walking cussion before are more likely to get through the halls can trigger massive another than someone who has never headaches that can last hours. had one. Friedman “My mom had to and sophomore turn the Christmas Sarah Gilbert both “It’s really hard to function at the tree lights off because received their sec- rate that were all used to functioning they hurt my head so ond concussions as high schoolers” bad,” freshman —Sophomore Nani Friedman this year. Kate Heller said. Research has Heller received shown that females her concussion during are more likely to sustain a concussion soccer practice Dec. 6 after heading a and tend to have more symptoms and a ball during a drill. She did not miss any longer recovery time than males. school days because she didn’t want to
risk falling behind. However, she only returned to playing soccer a month after her injury. Sophomore cheerleaders Kaitlyn Schmidt and Kaitlyn Gilbert were injured in the middle of November while cheering. During a stunt at practice, a teammate fell and landed on Gilbert’s head. Schmidt’s injury occurred during a halftime dance at a football game when she was elbowed in the head. Neither of them knew they were concussed at the moment and continued to cheer until the pain became unbearable. Students find more and more obstacles in their way as they attempt to return to school. “Being back at school and trying to focus on my schoolwork is hard enough and being in the loud hallways with all the people just makes it that much worse,” Gilbert said. Although their headaches are not as constant as they were towards the beginning of the recovery stage, they still experience headaches that last a couple of hours. All of the students have found that focusing too hard for a long period of time on anything that challenges their b r a i n such as homework causes strong headaches. Schmidt said, “It’s hard to have a concussion in high school because we have more homework and we have finals and the tests are harder and everything is more intense.”
Standing, not sitting, teacher gets best seat in house the game’s results, but even Beacom admits that sometimes he cheers for the 49ers. “When we are on the 49ers Chemistry teacher Jaime side we can yell because no Beacom works the sidelines at one will hear us the crowd is 49er home games, and has seen so loud. It gets very loud down decades of players grow such as there,” Beacom said While Beacom’s job requires legends Steve Young and Frank him to focus on the game, he Gore. In 1988, Beacom’s family occasionally has the opportufriend, who worked on the chain nity to congratulate a player or crew, asked him to fill in for a greet a famous broadcaster. “Usually it’s just small talk game.Members of the chain crew work with NFL officials, and if a guy is next to me I can move the first down chains, and say something. It’s not like I occasionally run onto the field know anyone, but we are familiar strangers. for a meaA lot of them surement. “The first thing I learned to read are really nice When the was the sporting green.” crew need–Teacher Jamie Beacom guys,” Beacom said. ed an extra Beacom hand, Beacom was hired full time. Be- enjoys sharing his experiences cause the crew stands on the at Candlestick Park with his sidelines, they get to watch the students, and loves when they tell him that they saw him on games from a unique angle. “The speed and the size of TV. Sophomore Chris Bene has the players from that angle is so fast,” Beacom said. “I’ve got to randomly seen Beacom on TV see a little evolution about the more than once. “I was watching the game size and speed of the game.” As a referee, Beacom and against the Packers, and Crabfellow crew members are sup- tree caught a pass and I see Mr. posed to be impartial towards Beacom with his chain standBy JARRETT CROWELL Page Editor
Photo courtesy of Jamie Beacom
Teacher Jamie Beacom holds the first down chains as 49er Michael Crabtree catches a pass. ing next to his son,” Bene said. “I pointed him out to my friend and we both recognized him, it was pretty surprising.” Ever since he was young, Beacom was surrounded by sports and knew that his life would always be close to them. “Sports has been the center of my life for a long long time,” Beacom said. “My dad coached three sports, I played three sports in high school and played rugby in college. The first thing I learned to read was
the sporting green.” Not only is this job an opportunity for Beacom to cheer on his favorite team, the games also serve as a bonding experience for Beacom and his son. After some years on the crew, Beacom was able to get his son a job on the sidelines. “We drive up together and talk about the game, it is really fun,” Beacom said. Additionally, Beacom has developed a strong bond with the people at Candlestick.
“There is a whole network of people who work on the sidelines: people who help the cameramen, hold the microphones; it is like a family,” Beacom said. Most Mondays, Beacom shows his classes pictures that he was in from the last game. Whether they are a 49er fan or not, most people are envious of Beacom’s job. “It’s fun to do and I'm very lucky. Everyone I meet is like, ‘Aw man, how do I get that job?’” Beacom said.