Raven Report Sequoia High School
Volume vii, Issue 1
1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
September 11, 2013
Chromebooks digitize physics curriculum In addition, the Chromebooks have helped reduce the estimated 5 million pieces of From using pens and paper paper, or 594 trees, that our to programs and passwords, student body alone uses each the Physics Department has year. adopted its curriculum to “It was never our intention match modern technology. to have a more eco-friendly Physics teachers Allison classroom, but it has been a Stafford and Ben Canning nice bonus,” Canning said. began the second full year of With the Internet full of using Chromebooks instead distractions far more appealof notebooks this fall. ing than physics worksheets, “We started not knowing teachers have to be wary of what it would look like and students being on task much what kids would do,” said more than normal. physics teacher Ben Canning. “It started to [become a Under pressure from phys- problem] in the beginning, ics teacher and then Jack West, “[Using Chromebooks] was a we got the c u r r e n t l y good way to organize my work Hapara Reon leave to because it was all on labeled mote Condocuments in labeled folders, work at a trol up and startup, the and it was cool because I could r u n n i n g , Physics De- access it at home or at school, which alpartment has without having to carry all lows us to transformed my work with me” see what a —Junior Jasmine Simmons student is teaching strategies to doing and modernize their classrooms. what tabs they have open. Each day, every student From that point, most stuis given a Chromebook, to dents were fairly on task,” watch online lecture videos, Canning said. type notes on Google DocuStill, anytime a teacher was ments and view all worksheets not actively monitoring studigitally. dents from their computer, The hope for going paper- the open door to YouTube, less was that students could games and social media drew work at their own pace in class in students rapidly, causing inand would be more organized creased time off task. in a paperless setting. “I know all my friends got “It was a good way to or- distracted, I’m not gonna lie, ganize my work because it I did too,” senior Nick Chang was all on labeled documents said. in labeled folders, and it was Others, however, utilized cool because I could access it the Internet to increase proat home or at school, without ductivity. having to carry all my work “Sometimes I would put with me,” junior Jasmine Sim- on a Pandora station and lismons said, referring to her ten to music while I typed time in physics last year. notes or did problems, but it Chromebooks have also actually made me work more made note-taking faster, in- effectively,” Simmons said. creasing students’ productivity. See PHYSICS, page 2
By GLENN BILLMAN Staff Reporter
Photo By Carmen Vescia
Counselors began accommodating schedule change requests on the third day of school. Over 200 students lined up to have their schedules modified on that day.
Counselors work to start year right
By CLAIRE BUGOS and CARMEN VESCIA Photo and Feature Editors Amid the hype of choosing first day outfits, reuniting with friends and receiving the first homework assignments of the year loomed the inevitable mass of over 200 stressed students that mobbed the Guidance Office on the first day of schedule changes. Although the line snaked almost all the way to Carrington Hall, counselors saw every last student, though it meant staying until 6 p.m. “We know that what your schedule looks like can make a difference in your joy that year,” said head counselor Guadalupe Navarrete. The guidance office worked 13 hours straight the first day of schedule changes. Creating ideal schedules can be complicated and tedious, but
counselors do what they can to provide students with all the classes they desire. However, limited space and a tight school budget can get in the way of reaching that goal. “We’re happy when we’re able to give you exactly what you need and want,” Navarrete said. “It’s very hard to say no, but we have to uphold rules for the whole of the body.” Although students may think a counselor’s job ends after classes are finalized, their schedules last far longer than seven periods. They continue to work throughout the year, writing letters of recommendation for college-bound seniors, offering crisis and career counseling and presenting to classes about graduation requirements. “I would hope a student would feel comfortable coming to us with anything at all,” counselor Joni Gordon said.
Despite how busy the guidance department can be, getting help doesn’t have to be a challenge. Some counselors have an ‘open-door policy’ which allows students to stop in and chat with their guidance counselor at any time. Additionally, email is a fast, easy way to get a response. “I love email,” Gordon said. “I try to have all my emails answered by the end of the day.” Responding to emails daily is one of the many ways that counselors show their dedication. They work hard throughout the year for the benefit of the student body. However, Gordon, like many others in the Guidance department, doesn’t mind working hard for the students’ benefit. “I’ve been in this district for 27 years, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Gordon said. “It’s a beautiful way to connect with youth.”
Our Voice program launched By CLAIRE HARKOLA Staff Reporter Our Voice, a program for students of color taking IB classes, held its first meeting Sept. 4 with a turnout of seven teachers and 11 students. Senior Matvari Maharaj created the program to give students tools to feel more comfortable and successful in their IB classes, as students of color are more likely to drop honors and IB
Feature:
courses than their peers. “People need to be informed; it’s not just the 10 of us that feel intimidated in our IB courses,” senior Esperanza Jimenez, a meeting attendee, said. The purpose of the first meeting was to create a safe space to start the conversation about how race affects the performance of students of color in their honors classes.
Editorial:
Maestros inmigrantes We need bike safety Page 6 Page 3
By the Numbers
Number of football players and coaches:
Varsity 78 Frosh 35 Junior Varsity 42
Total 153
2
News
New AVP welcomed by Unaliyi
By DALIA JUDE News Editor Warning: a tiger is roaming the halls, a white tiger that is. Sequoia’s new Administrative Vice Principal Sophia Olliver taught the martial arts form Bok Fu, which translates to “white tiger,” for many years in Redwood City. In addition to Bok Fu, Olliver taught English for 14 years at Menlo-Atherton High School. She joined the Sequoia family this year and filled the position that Instructional Vice Principal Sean Priest held for the last two years. “I have met nothing but positive, kind and energetic staff and students,” Olliver said. “This really does feel like a place of friends. Unaliyi really stands true.” Olliver came to Sequoia for May and June of last school year and just started her first full year this fall. During her time at Menlo-Atherton, she overlapped with Priest and Principal Bonnie Hansen, who also worked there. “I know her to care about every student. She has high expectations, but she is also really nice and fair,” Priest said. Sequoia’s no cell phone policy at brunch and lunch impressed Olliver in her first few weeks on campus. “What I see here is a lot more students
Enrollment at record high By EMILY DUCKER and ANTHONY DUFOUR Staff Reporters
Photo By Simon Greenhill
Before coming to Sequoia this year, new Administrative Vice Principal Sophia Olliver was an English teacher at Menlo-Atherton High School. actually communicating with each other rather than an electronic device which is a beautiful thing,” she said. Olliver knew she wanted to be a high school teacher ever since she was in kindergarten; after growing up on the East Coast and going to Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, she began her career. “I had never really been to the West Coast so I literally closed my eyes, picked a place on a map and said ‘I’m going to
Students form ‘Bike Party’ to invigorate commute
Redwood City,’” Olliver said. One of her first tasks at Sequoia this year is controlling the expanding campus parking dilemma (see graphic on page 7). Olliver also looks forward to getting to know the student body and developing relationships with students. “Seeing growth in students, whether it’s academic or emotional or some other form of growth in character, I think is just the most rewarding [part of what I do],” she said.
PHYSICS, from page 1 Even if students use them efficiently, Chromebooks require more class time to prepare and use than traditional materials like paper and pencils. “[Time efficiency] probably balanced itself out because us-
With 2,033 students enrolled, the 2013-2014 school year has Sequoia’s classrooms bursting at the seams, housing up to 41 students per class. Such large classes are impacting both teachers and students, restricting individual attention and putting some teachers over the number of students their contracts allow them to teach. Teachers are using temporary solutions to accommodate the large number of students in their classes, including having students use stools as desks and first-come first-serve seating policies. Guidance counselors and union representatives are working together to see if the school is offering enough sections of the necessary classes. New class offerings such as AP Statistics and Java programming have been added, while German is in its final year, and yearbook is no longer offered due to lack of student interest.
ing the computer gave us access to the Internet so we could look everything up and type notes, but it always took time to get out the computers and log in and put them back each day. And there were technical issues like not being able to connect to the Inter-
net,” Simmons said. Even with its flaws, the Physics department feels confident about their system as they kick off their second full year using the program. “We’re changing, getting better at it,” Canning said.
Welcome Back! Photo courtesy of Ike Seneca
A group of sophomores have figured out how to make the morning commute to campus more fun than usual. By EVAN ISENSTEINBRAND, Staff Reporter While many students drive or walk to school every day, a group of sophomores have come up with their own way to get to school. As many as 18 or 19 of them bike to school as a group every day and call their morning commute the Bike Party. Bike Party was unofficially started last year by sophomores Dylan Sollfrank, Daniel Spottiswood and Wesley Schulze, who decided to “change an ordinary bike ride… to a party,” Sollfrank said. “It’s a great way to get together with friends and get pumped up for the school day,” Spottiswood said. They started with six people, but with recruitment and word of mouth, they have
gained riders. Every day of the week, the riders meet in San Carlos at 8 a.m. and ride by to where the rest of the group joins them. As they’re riding, Spottiswood plays music through his speakers. “On Sunday nights, I’m feeling sad because there’s school tomorrow, but Bike Party gives me something to look forward to,” Sollfrank said. Sophomore Jake Loveland heard about Bike Party from his friends at school and joined in shortly after. “My carpool was dull, and I needed a better way to get up in the morning,” Loveland said. “It’s so fun and it’s a good place where nobody judges you, and it gets me up in the morning, and really gives me a reason to go to school.”
From the
Sequoia Federal Credit Union
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Feature
Verdeses viaja desde Cuba para enseñar su pasión en la area de la bahía En 1994, Verdeses escapó del comunismo y opresión de Cuba en avión hasta San Francisco gracias a acuerdos entre Reagan y los países comunistas que dejó a muchos ciudadanos encontrar refugio en los Estados Unidos. “Yo tuve que venir, no soy comunista. No me permitían enseñar en Cuba porque no soy comunista. Tienes que hacer lo que ellos dicen. No puedes
pensar diferente. No puedes tener tus propias ideas,” dijo Verdeses, quien hoy tiene doble ciudadanía. “Tú no puedes ayudar a tu gente, tienes que venir aquí a enseñar a otra gente.” Por más de treinta años, Verdeses ha enseñado español a alumnos en Cuba y en los Estados Unidos pero no era un paso sin obstáculos.
“El primer impacto fue el choque cultural, la gente que es diferente,” dijo Verdeses. “Lo que más me sorprendió fue la tendencia que hay en este país en clasificarlo todo: en raza, en religión, en nacionalidad. Todo se clasifica en que tú no eres tú, eres una cosa.” Sobrepasando sus dificultades Verdeses ha obtenido tres maestrías y un doc-
torado pero sobretodo ha encontrado su pasión en enseñar a sus estudiantes. “No es una fábrica. No puedes ver lo que lograste hasta el final,” dijo Verdeses. “La mejor parte es sentarme con los estudiantes y poder ayudarlos directamente y ver los resultados. Me parece interesante verlos porque puedes ver los frutos de tu trabajo.”
Superando fronteras y océanos: los maestros de Sequoia derrotan obstáculos —Por Araceli Efigenio
Álvarez vino por la experiencia y se quedó para aprender de sus estudiantes Después de un viaje de más de 20 horas en avión desde España maestra de español Belén Álvarez comió un pastel rosado en el aeropuerto de Washington. Aunque había previsto ser abogada, el sueño de ser maestra, una oportunidad que no pudo rechazar y la decisión de probar suerte causó un cambio de corazón. Antes de ser maestra por 13 años, Álvarez vivía en Gijón, España. Fue contactada por un programa llamada “visiting teachers” que encuentran maestras
de España y México para enseñar español en los Estados Unidos. “Lo viví como algo muy positivo aunque en el principio me sentí perdida por el horario, el cambio cultural y echaba de menos a mi familia,” dijo Álvarez. “Todo me parecía muy grande y muy diferente de España. Probé todo y decidí que iba a viajar y experimentar todo pensando que me iba en un año.” Sin embargo, todo no era pasteles rosados y la barrera del idioma fue algo difícil para ella en el principio.
“Fue vencer la timidez con el idioma. Aunque lo entendía todo me costaba mucho hablar. Yo había aprendido inglés británico. Me sentía como ‘si no me entienden, no quiero hablar’,” dijo Álvarez. Pese a que ahora Álvarez ve a su familia dos veces al año, en el verano y en diciembre, para su familia su viaje hacia los Estados Unidos también era difícil. “[Se sintieron] triste pero al mismo tiempo apoyándome porque entendieron que era una buena oportunidad.
Hubo alguna lágrima,” dijo Álvarez. “El re-encuentro era espectacular como si no nos hemos visto en 10 años.” Los sacrificios merecieron la pena no obstante por el amor que Álvarez tiene por sus estudiantes. “El sentimiento que es un intercambio no solo enseño, si no aprendo,” dijo Álvarez. “Me encanta ver incluso que aunque no los tengo me saludan en los pasillos. La satisfacción que estoy haciendo lo que me gusta. Eso es importante.”
Sophomores intern at Facebook’s Menlo Park campus By SIMON GREENHILL Editor-in-Chief Instead of spending her summer working at a desk job, junior Stephanie Rosas spent several weeks at Facebook’s bustling Menlo Park campus as one of 20 high school interns the company hired for the summer. Rosas, along with juniors Darlene Arteaga, Karla Delgado, Serena Galindo and Kevin Tran, took part in the Facebook Academy, an internship program for East Palo Alto and Belle Haven residents. Some worked in the Information Technology (IT) department, delivering computers, accessories and technical aid to employees. Others worked for logistics, or event operations. A select few worked in the engineering department. “We didn’t really know anything about our fields when we
go there,” Rosas said. “We just learned. You just have to be willing to learn, and be a really good, fun person.” Assigned to make a video about dining options at Facebook, Rosas said she was most surprised—and enchanted—by Facebook’s culture. From the bright blue cruiser bikes that employees take to and from meetings to the literal “Facebook Wall” where guests write messages to one another, Facebook’s philosophy is to allow employees to have fun at work. “You’d think that [Facebook is] just a bunch of people stuck in a room, but it’s the complete opposite of that,” Rosas said. “You don’t have to be all serious, you can have fun while working. [Facebook] accept[s] you for that, and they actually love people like that.” Galindo, too, was surprised
Five sophomores joined a group of about 20 high school interns at Facebook’s Menlo Park campus this summer. by how enjoyable the experience was. Being handed the responsibility of a full-time employee, she said, taught her perseverance. “I wasn’t really motivated to get involved, but when I got there and met all the amazing people in the program, I was so
glad that I showed up and did it,” she said. For students like Rosas and Galindo, getting to work at Facebook was an unprecedented opportunity: whereas most internships at top-level companies go to college students from presti-
gious institutions, this one employed students from Facebook’s own neighborhood. “I’d love for this program to grow; I hope that Facebook notices us,” said Gregory Stein, a Computer Animation and Web Design teacher who helped Rosas with her application. “I hope they notice that Sequoia has a lot of students… that can really make a contribution to their company as interns.” Though her summer stint at Facebook is now over, Rosas— who still used “we” when talking about the company—said that she fully intended to return next summer. “[If I hadn’t been at Facebook], would have just been sitting around at a computer answering phones, writing emails and stuff,” Rosas said. “Instead, I’m learning and having fun; it’s the best thing ever.”
4
Special
Walking histo
As summe good look dents do n old, adorn place that work. So we invite y
In the 1930s, a gardening class wanted to create a natural rock formation. Later on, the Japanese club utilized the space to create a Tea Garden instead. A large oak tree collapsed in a 1969 storm and destroyed the tea house. The Sequoia High School Alumni Association restored the Tea Garden in the early 1990s. Korean War Dogs, originally from the Japanese exhibit at the Pan American exposition in San Francisco in 1915, guard the entrance to the garden.
Photo Courtesy of Dylan Lubeck
Terremere Field is where our football players make tackles, our soccer players score goals and strangers come to run around our brand new track. Al Terremere was the football coach for two decades, from 1930 to 1951.
Photo Courtesy of Cole Driver
Almost a century ago, the first graduation plaque was put in the ground to commemorate the graduating class of 1917. After that, every single class from 1925 to 2006 installed a plaque to honor the graduating seniors and to remember the time period. The plaques, 81 in all, are located outside the main entrance of Sequoia. Beneath some of the plaques lie time capsules from that year. All but three of the plaques were made out of metal engraving, encircling the graduating year with a square. The years 1942 to 1944 are constructed out of yellow and white mosaic because metal was scarce from World War II weapon production.
— Compiled by Jarrett Crowell, Lily Hartzell, Matvari Maharaj, Cam Rebosio and Sabrina Villanueva
Sequoia’s bell tower, offi name “Argo” is in honor of to 1948. He and a group o important decisions about after the tower at Stanford stays to symbolize Sequoia
Photo Courtesy of Dylan Lu Photo By Dalia Jude
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Feature
oric halls
er turns to fall and the school year starts, freshmen walk the hallways for the first time, getting a k at the next four years of their life while seniors saunter down the beaten path. What many stunot realize, however, is that they are walking the halls of a majestic campus that is over 100 years ned with historical sites to be discovered and stories that they may have never dreamed of. This t we attend for four years has so much more to offer than classrooms, books, teachers and homenext time, rather than walk carelessly from class to class, you can appreciate the age old stories, you to learn some history about our beloved school.
Otis M. Carrington began teaching at Sequoia in 1907 as the art and music instructor. He taught for 43 years, and acted as head of the music department for many years. In 1912, Carrington’s students wanted to perform an operetta, a short, funny opera. Carrington wrote his first of over forty operettas for them, called “The Windmills of Holland.” His operettas became staple performances at Sequoia and the surrounding elementary schools from 1923 until 1945.
Photo By Dalia Jude
Photo Courtesy of Dylan Lubeck
fficially named Argo Tower, was constructed in 1923. The f Clarence Argo, who was the visionary principal from 1921 of colleagues used the room at the base of the tower to make creating the district. The structure of the tower is modeled University. The bell no longer rings in the tower; however, it pride, tradition and stability.
ubeck
The mural adorning Sequoia’s main hallway has hung there since 1927 and was painted by Sequoia students in an advanced freehand drawing class. Over the years, there has been some controversy over the depiction of the Native Americans’ relationship with missionaries Father Junipero Serra and Father Crespi. In the mural, they stand on a pathway that is now El Camino Real.
. Engraved in stone at the Sequoia Veterans Memorial outside of Carrington Hall are the names of Sequoia alumni who have lost their lives while serving in the military. The stone is set in a peaceful rose garden, allowing viewers to commemorate those who have passed away. “To give them recognition is a beautiful thing, you can come here and remember the very spirited people,” said Lora Rolandelli, a member of the Alumni Association, who often comes to the memorial to remember some of the students that went to school with her children.
Photo Courtesy of Dylan Lubeck
Appropriately enough, our campus is covered in trees from around the world. One of the most iconic is the native Australian eucalyptus between Carrington Hall and the main building. Directly in front of the main doors and next to the picnic tables is the Atlas Cedar native to the Atlas mountains in Northern Africa. It has traditionally been a popular lunch spot in the warmer months. A third, lesser-known tree, is the Monkey Puzzle on the corner of El Camino and James by the football field and school garden. It is commonly found in Chile and Argentina, and its long prickly cones make the soil too acidic to grow many plants, creating difficulties for the school garden.
Photo Courtesy of Dylan Lubeck
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Opinion Staff Editorial
We’re happy you’re here
Sequoia High School
Raven Report 2013-2014
Editor-in-Chief Simon Greenhill Managing Editors Laurel Dearborn Lily Hartzell News Editor Dalia Jude Feature Editors Araceli Efigenio Carmen Vescia Opinion Editor Matvari Maharaj Sports Editor Jarrett Crowell Photo Editor Claire Bugos Staff Reporters Glenn Billman Xavier Boluña Julio Cortez Anna Dagum Emily Ducker Anthony Dufour Lily Friebel Carlos Garcia Claire Harkola Evan Isenstein-Brand Caroline Lempert Emma Peyton Cam Rebosio Sabrina Villanueva-Avalos Abigail Wang 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, faculty, 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.
Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram www.facebook.com/ravenreport @ravenreport
ER ST
Upperclassmen aside, your fellow freshmen aren’t so scary either. Maybe you didn’t go to middle school with someone, but you’re now in school together for the next four years, and you’ll be learning from each other. Ask them what they think of Sequoia, smile in the hallway, bond about how scary your first day was. Trust us, meeting your new classmates is one of the best things that will happen to you here. Though we can’t help you figure out your math homework or walk you from class to class, we can welcome you to Sequoia and let you know we’ve been there, too. We survived and thrived, and know that within a few months you’ll love Sequoia just as much as we do.
EW BR
We all remember the first day of freshman year: crowded halls, confusing maps, intimidating uperclassmen. The transition to high school can be overwhelming, and often leaves our newest students feeling lost and despaired. It’s hard to adapt to a new environment, particularly when you’re surrounded by older, taller, (seemingly) more mature students. We’re not as scary as we look. We’re excited to have you on campus—you’re the next generation of students that will continue to make Sequoia the openminded, diverse place it is. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice or start a conversation. We promise, we won’t bite your head off.
D ELWOO
Staff Editorial
Increase in bikers causes spike in accidents around campus borders With the new Bay Area Bike Share program rolling out around the Peninsula in the past week—including bikes in front of the library in Redwood City—more and more cyclists are on the road. The program’s goal is to have 1,000 bikes distributed in 100 kiosks in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose and downtown Redwood City. Adding to this, the Sequoia bike cage is fuller than ever, and many teachers ride to school. Part of this increase can be credited to the ECOS and Bike Club’s Bike To School Day efforts, as well as student initiatives such as Bike Party. You know students are environmentallyaware when bike parking is just as big a problem as it is for cars. The rise of cyclists on the road is exactly what we want. Not only is it emissions-free
and lighter on the pavement, but it keeps people healthy and self-sufficient. However, the series of serious cycling accidents in the first few weeks of school is worrying. During the second week of school there was an accident on the corner of Brewster Ave. and Elwood St. involving a Sequoia freshman. Last year a Woodside student was killed in an incident on the corner of Alameda de las Pulgas and Jefferson Ave. Clearly, this issue is relevant to our community. Road safety is a two way street. Groups riding should be in single file, and it’s polite to signal before you turn to give cars a heads-up. If you’re heading home after sports or to zero period on early winter mornings, get a flashing light and a bike headlight for the front. You’re much harder to see than you think. Finally, stop signs. It’s in the name.
Cars aren’t guilt-free either, though. Honking doesn’t help, and you don’t need to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid us. Just treat us like slower, more eco-friendly cars without a layer of metal to protect us. As The Raven Report stated in an editorial last year, a stop sign on the corner of Brewster Ave. and Elwood St. is desperately needed. Many students have reported almost getting hit there, almost hitting someone, or avoiding the area by any means necessary. A four-way stop would greatly decrease the risk of accidents around school. So, keep cycling. You’re saving the planet one pedal at a time. But you’re not invincible. Or, keep driving, but please be careful. Whether you’re behind the wheel or the handlebars, be aware and stay safe.
6 hours basic driving course $299 8 extended freeway course $420 Drivers training available 7 days per week Free pick up and drop off from home or school Day or evening class Rated 5 stars on Yelp Contact: Jonathan Zelaya (650) 365-3322
CaliforniaDriverSchool.com Se habla español
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Feature
New girls golf team drives forward towards success
Sequoia says
What was the most embarrassing moment of your freshman year?
is the relaxed atmosphere and coaching strategy. “Our coach is really nice and really The Sequoia girls golf team debuted chill,” Park said, “Kind of like a fatherthis year. Practice is held at Crystal ly figure—” “A grandfatherly figure,” added Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, teeming with wildlife and views of the Swanson. Gary Sowers and Jerry Cresta are reservoir. “There are deer and little bunnies both coaches for the team, and bethat hop through the bushes,” senior cause of its novelty, learning will be a main theme for the seaMorgan Park said. son. Unlike other sports “It’s so relaxing, and so much fun. All you have to “I think it’s going to where the scenery consists of a black tile cross focus on is hitting the little be really fun,” Park said. “I’ve never played golf at the bottom of the ball.” —Senior Sarah Swanson before, not even a whole pool, or the view of the round.” Yumi Yogurt sign from Golf, like many sports, is an outlet the football field, Crystal Springs boasts a beautiful setting with little for stress. “It’s so relaxing, and so much fun,” more to desire. Swanson said. “All you have to focus “It’s gorgeous there, and the course is especially pretty,” senior Sarah on is hitting the little ball; the driving range is a great stress reliever.” Swanson said. Because there are only eight girls Swanson practiced with the boys golf team last year, and is thankful for on the team, students are encouraged to participate in pioneering this new her new team. “It’s definitely nicer to have girls sport at Sequoia. “Gary just wants us to have fun around because all the guys were so good; they’ve been playing for a with it, he really doesn’t care if we’re while,” Swanson said. “It was fun prac- competitive or do well he just wants us ticing with them, but it’s nice to have a to have fun because it’s a new team and we’re just getting started,” Park said. girls team now,” she said. Another draw to the sport for many “Everybody’s welcome.”
By ANNA DAGUM Staff Reporter
“My life is made up of embarassing moments. I trip all the time and papers fly.” —Teresa Ignaitis, College Counselor
“Me and Kuliga became best friends.” — Kalele Satele, senior
“I went to Woodside.” — Nicole Bouque, sophomore
“I was at the top of the stairs on the very last step with all of my soccer stuff, and I tripped. My bag flew over my head, and no one helped me up.” — Carly Barranco, senior
—Compiled by Araceli Efigenio
Whole lot of students, not a lot of lots:
An insider’s guide to navigating Sequoia’s parking problem Brewster Ave Brewster Lot
Money made onBropermit sales $4,080
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• In order to obtain a permit, students must pay $40, show their license and provide proof of registration. Parking permits are available from the AVP office.
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• Principal’s StudentsOffice who want to park on campus Guidance Office must obtain a parking permit.
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Sequoia High School 102FIRST FLOOR LAYOUT
Parking Permits issued
• The administration began issuing tickets to cars without permits after Sept. 3. —COMPILED BY ANNA DAGUM Rev. 7/12/13
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Sports
Day in the life: What it’s like to play football It’s not possible to fully comprehend a sport by just sitting on the sidelines. Thus, the Raven Report is practicing with sports teams to experience firsthand what it is like to be a Sequoia athlete. In this first installment, Laurel went to football practice. Read what happened.
By LAUREL DEARBORN Managing Editor I inched across the track and finally onto the turf, staying far away from anyone who was throwing a ball. The whistles blew and I filed into line, ready for warm ups doing what they call “Granny Skips” and lunges. I desperately tried to look like I knew what I was doing as a misfit among tall people in pads. I leaned into each stretch way more than was necessary and when the team went in for the huddle, I wasn’t sure whether or not it was okay for me to go in for the cheer so I stood five feet away from everyone. Super awkward. The drills are confusing. I need a playbook just to understand all of the equipment used. For example, one drill I did with the receivers involved running to four corners of a square… and then doing diagonals. It sounds simple, but it seemed that every single time time that I watched the players in front of me, someone cut a diagonal at a different time. So I winged it. After that drill, we moved on to contact. I was obviously banned from that as I would probably fall over if someone simply touched me with their pinky. So I stood aside and watched a running back attempt to get by a blocker. If the offensive lineman let the defense past him, he does push ups. In fact, push ups were happening all over the place. If the receiver caught the pass, the defense team did push ups. If the defense made a stop, the offense did them. Players were dropping down and doing thirty all the time. It’s super easy to get sweaty and thirsty under the beating sun. As I got more rest than any other player on the field, my life was a lot easier, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t try out the complex water mechanism. If you have yet to see the tank with yellow tubes hanging out of it, you must. Fortunately, the water is nice and cold. Unfortunately, it is really easy to squeeze the clip at the end too hard and squirt water all over your face. Lesson learned. And then we were back onto the field for more drills. I would have been absolutely clueless if the team members hadn’t been kind enough to explain exactly what we were doing. As we lined up for receiver starts, I missed the start by probably three or four seconds, an eternity in football. The guy in line next to me told me to not keep my eye off of the ball, and I went at the right time for the
Photos By Claire harkola
Football team drills include “Granny Skips” and lunges.
next snap. They asked me whether or not I was trying out for the team. Indeed, I know my tie-dye shirt screamed “football player.” Obviously, I wasn’t trying out. I had been scared all day to go practice with the varsity team. But everyone was inclusive and really forgiving when I asked them a gazillion questions about what the heck drill we were doing. They defied every single expectation that one might have about being these big unapproachable football players. In fact, it was the opposite.
Everyone was nice and I didn’t have to be intimidated. I’m a water polo player, not a defensive lineman. I’ve grown up with football, yet I didn’t realize how fast their practices move. The clock counts down every five minutes for drills and then the team switches to work on something else. And they have to set up fast. I got yelled at for slacking as I was walking instead of running to the next station. Coach Carbonneau explicitly said that there “is no walking on his football field,” and I wouldn’t dream of crossing him.
Football season preview
Noteworthy home games vs. Monta Vista 9/13 vs. Woodside 9/20 vs. Menlo 10/18 vs. Menlo-Atherton 10/25 vs. Carlmont 11/15
Last Year’s overall record: 9-3-0 Bay Division league record: 3-2-0
Special games vs. Woodside (Minimum day) 9/20 vs. Cedar City, Utah 9/27 vs. M-A (Homecoming) 10/25 CCS Play-offs 11/22–12/17