Raven Report Issue 2 (2016)

Raven Report Sequoia High School

Volume X, Issue 2

1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062

Varsity football team kneels in silent protest of police brutality

By DARIEN DALY Staff Reporter

A dozen members of the Sequoia varsity football team knelt during the “StarSpangled Banner” Sept. 28 in an act of solidarity with the fight against police brutality towards African Americans.

Both players and coaches participated in the protest, which was proposed just before the game’s start. The protest is planned to continue through the season.

Since Aug. 14, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has taken a knee instead of standing for the national anthem to raise awareness for alleged racially-biased judicial profiling. Kaepernick’s actions have inspired Photo courtesy of Pam Singler boycotts of the national anthem across professional and collegiate sports.

Inspired by Colin Kaepernick, several varsity football players knelt to raise Sequoia football’s participation in awareness of police brutality and unfair treatment of African Americans. this protest began with a discussion before the game at Woodside. The discus- Kyle Tarzon, wide receiver and safety. “I football players’ independent choices. sion was prompted by a representative think [kneeling during the national an“They have the option to [kneel or from the Black Student Union, during them] is very disrespectful. I had uncles not kneel],” said Poulos. “They are not which, football players were asked to who served in the navy and my grandpa forbidden from doing it. Part of growstate their opinion on served in the army. ing up is figuring out who you are and the protest.

That’s one reason what’s important to you.”

“They have the option to [kneel or Football players why that I don’t do However, in spite of the growing not kneel]. They are not forbidden it—because I think controversy, many players that chose to on both sides of the from doing it. Part of growing up is it’s disrespectful [to- kneel were ultimately happy with their political spectrum figuring out who you are and what’s wards] them.” decision to kneel. voiced strong opinimportant to you” People ‘quickly “[It is] raising a lot of awareness,” said ions. The team was, —Rob Poulos, snapped,’ said senior Yambao of the cause against police bruat first, divided over head varsity football coach Joaquim Jacob Yam- tality towards African Americans. whether to protest bao, cornerback. “I The Sequoia team assures, however, and—if they did— whether to link arms or raise a fist dur- mean no disrespect towards [veterans] at that they will remain a team—regardall, but I know they find it offensive.” less of each other’s political beliefs—and ing the national anthem.

Head varsity football coach Rob Pou- will continue to allow players to kneel or “Some people were upset that the topic was even brought up,” said junior los, however, asserted that it was the stand as they choose.

nOVEMBER 2, 2016

First storm of season wipes out electrical grid

By MACKENZIE CLARKE News Editor Sequoia’s power supply unexpectedly shut down during the early hours of Friday, Oct. 14, during zero period. Per district mandate, the school is required to have a backup generator for situations such as this; however, that generator did not trigger to come on after the initial power outage at 7:45 a.m. The head district electrician was immediately called to survey and fix the backup generator malfunction.

The initial outage was the result of PG&E’s widespread power outages during the storm that hit Redwood City that weekend. The storm, which accumulated close to three-quarters of an inch of rain and had winds of up to 20 mph, left over 2,500 customers around and including the neighborhood surrounding Sequoia without power Friday morning.

Although the reason is unknown as to why the backup generator did not instantaneously get turned on, electricians from the district were able to get it back up and running quickly after arriving.

Because the power went out before the start of second period, the amount of classes interrupted by the

See POWER, page 2

Young Republicans Club is ‘Stronger Together’

By MARS SVEC-BURDICK Opinion Editor “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

With the Pledge recited in unison, thus began the firstever meeting of the Sequoia Young Republicans Club.

Following the 1950’s Greasethemed homecoming rally on Oct. 7, the Sequoia campus hosted an even older American tradition of assembly. As girls in Poodle skirts and boys in leath-

er jackets went out to lunch, fourteen male Sequoia students congregated in the windowless back room of the library to talk politics.

Primary club officials are Party Chairman senior Andrew Acevedo, Vice President senior Tyson Fraley and Treasurer sophomore Harrison Fukuji.

Although Debolina Dutta was originally staff advisor, she has since pulled out. The club is seeking another teacher to fill the role, or else they may have to disband.

The main goal of the Young Republicans is to express their political beliefs while challeng-

ing existing stereotypes about is having a whole pallet of opinconservatives. ions to work with on how to “Why do liberals hate us? make the school and commuWe’re not all sexist right-wing- nity better.” ers,” one club affiliate said.

On Friday however, the So far main agenda though, no “We appreciate that we have the item was to female stu- rights to hold this club. In other coun- collect condents have tries, we could be arrested for gather- tact info. shown seri“Make ing like this” ous interest sure you list —Andrew Acevedo, in attendyour offisenior ing meetcial school ings. email—no “We want people of all difpersonal email accounts, ferent backgrounds and opin- please,” one club member said. ions involved in the club,” Acknowledging that GOP Acevedo said. “A big part of representation is a minority in political and social institutions this area, Acevedo reminded his

Spread:

Election Night— what’s on the table

Page 4-5

fellow club members that “we are stronger together.” Ironically, this parallels Democrat Hillary Clinton’s campaign mantra: ‘Stronger together.’

“We appreciate that we have the rights to hold this club,” Acevedo said. “It’s fantastic. In other countries, we could be arrested for gathering like this.”

A strong trend of discussion during the second meeting was their sense of being antagonized by the Bay Area’s strongly progressive environment.

“There is no Young Liberals Club because all of Sequoia is

See GOP Club, page 6

Feature: The Raven Report debates the issues

Page 6

2

Feature/Opinion

November 2, 2016

“Locker room talk” is indicative of a larger issue

By MACKENZIE CLARKE News Editor We live in a modern society in which the idea of rape and sexual assault in schools is confined to a news story and Twitter hashtag about Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner. The Turner case surfaced a national discussion about the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses. But what about high school campuses? What about our country?

As of 2016, 54 percent of rapes go unreported, and although the reasons behind this statistic are complicated and delicate, a large issue lies within our society itself.

The trend in our country to stray away from talking about topics like this is not only problematic in itself, but also allows for the perpetuation of the idea that sexual harassment and assault are somehow normal or can be written off as “boys will be boys.” It is not my belief nor my intention to antagonize men; additionally, this is not

a stereotypical categorization of all men. was almost tangible. The recording just However, I believe that it is crucial to got worse as it went on, and I remember have this conversation with boys at an ear- thinking to myself that this was going ly age—respect for women and all people to be the tipping point of the election. I thought to myself, after this, how could should be instilled in our societal norms.

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse anyone vote for him? How could women and Incest National Network), females vote for him?

To me, this should not be a Democratic aged 15-19 are four times more likely than the general population (made up of males or Republican issue. This is a bipartisan, of all ages and women older than 19) to be universal concept of treating women and all people with respect. Two days later victims of rape or sexual assault.

These numbers are discouraging to say as I sat watching the second Presidential Debate, his words the least, but they are kept playing over in also indicative of a “To me, this should not be a Dem- my mind. I’m sure larger issue. Recently, the term “rape cul- ocratic or Republican issue. This is a I was not the only ture” has been buzz- bipartisan, universal concept of treating one deeply sickened by how casual his ing in social media women and all people with respect.” declaration of sexand in the news— ual assault was, or and with justifiable reason. The way in which women are por- how nonchalant Billy Bush’s reaction was. trayed and treated in the media and pop When questioned about the incident, culture is dangerous. Just because a song Trump wrote his filthy words off as “locklyric says something disrespectful about er room talk.” In fact, he repeated the term three times. At this point, my disgust had women, that makes it ok, right?

The anger and disgust I felt when lis- materialized from indignation to fear.

I am afraid that this public figure’s tening to the audio recording of Donald Trump boasting that “when you’re fa- “locker room talk” attitude will get swept mous, you can do anything to women,” under the carpet. We will all see the SNL

skits and laugh, watch the CNN reports and gasp, but what message here is being exposed to little boys? Teenage ones? Sexual assault and sexual harassment are not light issues, nor are they something that anyone should joke about.

The objectification of women is not “locker room talk.” It is my sincerest hope that lewd comments bordering sexual harassment are not discussion points in Sequoia locker rooms, or any high school locker room. As an athlete, I am offended by the insinuation that this is normal behavior for males. In fact, the thought terrifies me.

However, I also have witnessed firsthand how deeply this attitude toward women and sexual violence is ingrained in our society. Why weren’t we more shocked when we heard the lewd comments? Why were there people out there who saw no issue with the comments or behavior?

With election day right around the corner, I hope that the future of our country does not continue on this dangerous trend.

One in three-to-four girls will be sexually harassed or abused before graduating from high school. In a world like this, locker room talk is not an excuse.

Discipline: a brief look at actions and consequences

—compiled by SAM BROOK

CERT training aims to ready Ravens for any emergency

By TYSON FRALEY Staff Reporter When alarms sound and the ground opens up, the juniors of Gregory Schmidd’s Medical Clinical class will be ready to act.

The students are being introduced to a new form of learning, courtesy of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, which helps prepare them to act effectively in case of emergency. The training consists of a combination of videos, presentations, written assignments and hands-on training in class.

It takes place over the course of the fall semester, spread out evenly so as to integrate smoothly into the Health Academy curriculum. The training will culminate in a “skills day” field trip to Redwood City Fire Station Nine, where students who have completed all eight units of the CERT training will be evaluated on their knowledge, finally becoming officially certified members of Sequoia’s emergency response team.

Schmidd asserts that, after completing the CERT training, students will be well versed in the skills needed to think on their feet in the event of any emergency,

regardless of its severity.

“Students will learn what it means to be prepared for a disaster, including how to purify water and how to develop a family disaster plan,” said Schmidd. “They will know how to fight an active fire and practice fire prevention, how to properly and safely search a damaged building and remove a victim; and how to identify and treat common injuries such as lacerations, excessive bleeding and fixing broken bones.”

On the role of CERT-trained Sequoians in case of disaster, Schmidd said he is collaborating with Administrative Vice Principal Michael Kuliga, who is in charge of emergency response at Sequoia.

“We are currently considering a variety of positions for students who complete the CERT program, including assisting faculty in head counts, assessing hazards on campus, crowd control during evacuations, partnering with staff to [search] buildings; and assisting in the rescue, triage and treatment of victims,” Schmidd said.

Although Schmidd is only taking students who are in his Medical Clinical class, he says that anyone over 18 can take a CERT training course with their local fire department.

Power

from page 1 outage was low, but 0 period classes were still greatly affected by the sudden darkness.

“Everyone was shocked at first and the whole situation was pretty confusing,” said junior Alix Richardson, who was in Josh Yezerski’s 0 period AP/IB Calculus class at the time of the outage. “We weren’t quite done with the lesson for the day and we had to make up for that lost time the next class period.”

The power was out for around 39 minutes, prompting administration to evacuate all buildings out of concern for safety. Classes were first sent to the MPR, but later relocated to Gym 1 due to its natural lighting until the power was back on.

Although the entire situation only lasted under 45 minutes, many 0 peri-

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od classes, including Pre-Calculus, AP/ IB Calculus and Advanced Dance, felt the negative repercussions of the outage.

“We definitely lost instructional time. I had to shift my teaching schedule to make sure [0 period Calculus] was kept on pace. I had to adjust, but teachers do that all the time—we learn to adjust on the fly,” Yezerski said.

With more heavy rains expected in the upcoming fall and winter months, the school is taking precautions to ensure that students’ learning will not be hindered by nature again.

“Any situation that occurs that we have not experienced is an opportunity to learn,” said Administrative Vice Principal Gary Gooch. “I’m sure that the district office, who handles the generators, has developed a protocol that will avoid these kind of things in the future.”

Feature

November 2, 2016

3

Vegans at Sequoia plant diet in morals and health

students have vegetarian diets, which consist of no meat, but allow animal products like dairy.

So why do many vegans decide that they must go all the way and completely cut off animal products? “[I]f you just cut out meat it helps because you are not supporting the meat industry. [But t]he dairy industry does a lot to hurt the environment, probably even more so than the meat industry. So to me, it doesn’t make sense to go vegetarian as it would [only] be doing it partially,” junior Morgan Taradash said.

Despite a 400 percent increase in the amount of vegans present in the U.S. since 2009, most people are still omnivores. There are still 1.4 billion cows living as farm animals in the world according to The Economist. However, this definitely does not mean that vegans don’t believe they aren’t making a difference.

“When I first started being vegan, I was the only vegan I knew. A lot of people didn’t really know what veganism was, and so I think I brought a lot of awareness to this area,” Siri said. “At my old school I inspired [about] six people to be vegan or vegetarian. Here, I’ve inspired other people as well who will then go on to inspire more people. I think it definitely starts small, but I think people can have a ripple effect in the differences they make in the environment and these industries.”

By NICK ABRAHAM and MATTHEW EISENBERG Entertainment Editor and Page Editor There are many reasons people decide to go vegan: disagreement with the treatment of animals by the meat and dairy industry, the processing of their goods and even reasons pertaining to personal health.

“I used to have a lot of stomachaches, and now [that I’m vegan,] I don’t anymore. I’ve also lost weight, my skin cleared up and my hair grew [more],” sophomore Sonja Frazer said, who has been vegan for seven months. Although many advocate for a vegan diet, many believe a healthy diet consists of meat, dairy and eggs.

“I can see how it is a healthy diet for [some] reasons[, but y]ou can not have only vegetables or only meat,” sophomore and omnivore Joe Adams said.

Besides health reasons, many vegans believe the meat and dairy industries mistreat their animals. Sophomore Alexandra Siri, one of the founders of Vegan Club, supports this.

“Milk is made is by artificially inseminating cows whose children are forcefully taken from them hours after they’re born so [that farmers] have milk,” Siri said. “Once the cows have exhausted their dairy producing abilities, they are taken to the meat industry.”

-Compiled by NICK ABRAHAM Still, the majority of Sequoia students There are many challenges that vegans find eating a cheeseburger or a milk- have to face on a daily basis as a result shake to be perfectly acceptable. Even of their diet. Many restaurants do not though many vegans believe the treat- have vegan options, and it can be hard ment of animals for non-vegan friends and by the meat and family to cook an adequate “I think people can have a ripple dairy industry is meal from only planteffect in the differences they make deplorable, being based ingredients. in the environment and these an omnivore is “At my friends’ houses, industries.” the most popular or when I’m just eating —Alexandra Siri, anywhere, I always have diet at Sequoia sophomore to double check which is by far.

“In nature, kind of annoying, but that animals eat animals, [and] humans will is just the way it is,” Frazer said. eat other animals. The animals should Vegans, despite their recent popularlive a happy life, but when it is time to ity boost, are not the only Sequoia studie they should be eaten,” Adams said. dents with dietary restrictions. Many

Freshman Guide to the Galaxy: Tips for navigating freshman year Ah, freshman year, that time of social flailing where you’re trying to work out your place in the social hierarchy (hint: you’re at the bottom). Thankfully, not all the upperclassmen are out to destroy your social life, despite what Sequoia’s own Kenny Ortega wants you to believe.

Here are some tips to help freshmen navigate (and stay on the sides of ) the halls.

The upperclassmen on the Do’s and Don’ts: Do: “Make sure you have good time management skills, because the work does add up.” Your schoolwork may not seem difficult now, but believe us, IB is coming. Prepare now.

Don’t: “When you’re a freshman, you just don’t go into the senior tables.” The Sequoia campus is huge! Explore it! There are plenty of gorgeous spots on campus that you and your friends can claim for yourselves.

Adalberto Villalobos, senior Do: “Just because it’s freshman year doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Because if you put in good habits freshman year, then you’ll carry them through all of high school.” Going to tutorials, doing your homework and asking for help will benefit you in the future.

Don’t: “Don’t clump in the middle of the hallway.” The hallways are like driving. Always stay to the right of the road, and never, never, go against the flow of traffic.

Jordan Resnick, junior Do: “Never say ‘no’ to anything just because your friends don’t think it’s cool.” Be your own person! High school is about figuring out who you are, not following your friends.

Don’t: “Don’t stand in the middle of the hallways, because it annoys all the upperclassmen.” When you have a 5 minute passing period to get across campus, you’re gonna want a clear hallway.

Shayan Weera, senior

-Compiled by LIAM MENENDEZ-BRENNAN and MADDIE REYNOLDS

Sequoia High School

Raven Report 2016-2017

Editor-in-Chief Xavi Boluña Managing Editors Trevor Crowell Maddie Pei

Opinion Editor Mars Svec-Burdick

Feature Editors Beatrice Bugos Benjy Jude

Online Editors Rio Popper Maddie Reynolds

Entertainment Editor Nicholas Abraham

Sports Editor Brighid Bugos

Page Editor Matthew Eisenberg

Copy Editor Zack Rosenblatt

News Editor Mackenzie Clarke

Photo Editor Aviva Futornick

Staff Reporters Sam Brook, Simon Clarke, Shannon Coan, Darien Daly, Tyson Fraley, Dario McCarty, Liam Menendez-Brennan, Carolina Michel, Ellie Pederson, Isabel Sanchez Foster, Krista Weaver Adviser Minauti Davé 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 comunity and the world.

Send letters to the editor to ravenreport09@gmail.com

Special

4 Timeline: Switching Stances —Compiled by BENJY JUDE Obama’s birthplace (Birtherism) HRC: She has always believed and said Barack Obama was born in America, despite claims that her campaign began ‘Birtherism.’

DJT: Despite being insistent that Obama was born outside of the U.S. and then refusing to clarify until December 2015, he finally conceded September— even insisting that Clinton’s campaign started it in 2008.

2008

Climate Change HRC: In October 2010, some argued that she hinted that she was leaning towards favoring the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would bring oil from Canada and that would cut through many rural ecosystems and supposedly be bad for their environments. However, in September 2015 she formally came out against the Pipeline. Politifact does not count this as an inconsistency because she remained careful with her words when discussing it, but others may think she flip-flopped.

DJT: Despite his tweets saying he believe climate change was a hoax invented by the Chinese, at the September Republican debate on CNN last year, he said that he never said that. He has been consistent in his assertion since then.

2002

Gay Marriage HRC: Though she opposed restrictions on homosexual pride and lifestyle, she only switched her support for civil unions (united by law, without legal benefits of marriage) to same-sex marriage in a Human Rights Campaign video in March 2013 DJT: In 2000, he made comments seemingly supporting the LGBT+ community, even offering an amendment to the Civil Rights Act to include their rights. However, since then, he’s turned his view away from the path that the nation went on, and said he didn’t think they should have the right to marriage.

He remains ‘pro-gay’ but anti-gay marriage.

1996 Trade Agreements HRC: In 2012, she supported the Trans Pacific Partnership, even calling it the ‘gold standard’ of international trade deals. She changed her mind in 2015.

When she was first lady, she was a key figure behind the scenes of the North American Free Trade Agreemeent, but has criticized it for “not [living] up to its potential” since she’s been a senator.

DJT: He has been consistently against both, and vows to undo or completely scrap either/both of them.

2016 Immigration (Middle East) DJT: In December 2015, he said no Muslim would be allowed in America.

However, in May, his campaign manager at the time said it was negotiable. But, before mid-August, Trump himself said there would be a ban, and lots of vetting for those who would be allowed to come in.

HRC: Clinton has been consistent in her opposition to banning Muslims from entering the country, and has even called for an increase in taking in refugees fleeing ISIS.

2010

Immigration (Mexico) DJT: In 2012, in an interview on Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC), he said he didn’t believe in deporting undocumented immigrants who “have done well”. However, he campaigns promising to build a wall and deport immigrants. Since then, he’s kept a strong anti-immigrant stance until this August, when he said, “[I will] do the same as past presidents.”

HRC: In 2014, she said undocumented children should be sent back to their origin countries, but now would not send them back. In November 2015, she told New Hampshire voters that she voted to build barriers on the southern border, but this January she told Nevada voters that she found it unbeneficial to build a barrier.

2003

Iraq War DJT: Days before the Senate’s vote, he said, “I guess so,” when asked if he supported the war. Days after war started, he said it will be great for the stock market.

Days after that, and in ensuing months, he started expressing doubt about the war. Recently, he claims he was always against it and fought very hard to stop it from happening.

HRC: Although she voted for it in 2002, she disagreed with how the Bushg administration delt with the war and slowly got more vocal about her regret.

She called it a mistake in 2015, and has remained in that frame of mind.

1997 Abortion, Women’s Rights DJT: In 1999, when politicians were still scared of the abortion taboo, Trump said he was completely for it. However, since the announcement of his candidacy, he has been stongly against it and in an MSNBC interview with Chris Matthews, he said he would punish women who have them. He switched his opinion throughout the day. Now he’s just for banning abortion.

HRC: Hillary has been cited as being one of the most consistent and strongest supporters of a woman’s right to choose.

1992

America Votes, R

Believe it or not, California ele Proposition 51 Public School Facility Bond A proposed $9 billion bond will fund construction, modernization and renovation of buildings for schools and community colleges. This bond will be $17.6 billion, costing the state approximately $500 million a year. Most of the money goes to construction for public schools.

Pro The $9 billion bond will be put into place. Schools will be able to update construction and provide better facilities for their community. This will relieve crowding and keep health standards up to date.

“I’m in education, so I’m biased to where the money should be spent. Some people see [a bond] as an issue, [but] most people prefer to see a slight increase in taxes for raising money for education,” history and Psychology teacher David Weyant said.

Anti The bond will not be issued. No additional money will go to schools to make changes in their learning environment. Arguably, this will also not allow builders to benefit from taxpayers, according to The San Jose Mercury News.

Propos tion and H Would annual in joint inco if passed a

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Potential presidential po

By SHANNON COAN and ISABEL SANCHEZFOSTER

Staff Reporters

Debt free college and a wall along the Mexican border are potential outcomes of the presidential election on Nov. 8.

Depending on whether Republican nominee Donald Trump or Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wins, these potential policies could hit home for some Sequioa students and Last Novemeber, Dream Club mem their families.

IMMIGRATION

“America is the land of opportunity. You watch movies and America looks so amazing.

You come here for bigger opportunities,” said sophomore Alyanna Belong, a Filipino emigree.

America is home to many immigrants who will be vulnerable if certain policies are adopted, and Sequoia is no exception.

Clinton: She intends to introduce comprehensive immigration reforms within her first 100 days in office. These changes would create a pathway to full and equal citizenship, and expand affordable healthcare to undocumented immigrants.

Her plan would also end the three-and-ten-year bars—a system which prevents a person who overstayed their visa in the U.S. and voluntarily left, from re-entering the country for three or ten years. She also intends to extend President Obama’s

ries during a fundraising dinner Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs, two executive actions that grant deferred action status to eligible undocumented immigrants.

Dream Club adviser Jane Slater, believes that Clinton’s policy changes will be beneficial as they will give more undocumented students the chance to apply for DACA. “There are students here who missed the deadline for DACA,” Slater said. “So, given your age, you can see that kids who are in high school who came when they were eight, nine, might have missed it at that point.

They’d be eligible for DACA, which is a pretty big deal.”

Trump: In contrast, his reforms for immigration prioritize securing America’s borders.

He intends to deport anyone

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Feature

5

Raven Report Hopes

ectorate votes for propositions and POTUS

sition 55 Tax Extension to Fund EducaHealthcare d extend income tax on singles with an ncome of $250,00 or households with a ome of $500,000 for the next twelve years and will fund education and healthcare.

Pro Will extend the tax for the next twelve years.

Funds could raise up to $6 bilion per year, as seen since 2012, r the current income tax. This l also reduce budget cuts and fill gap for funding left by the recession.

Anti x will expire in 2019 and will be out starting in 2018 and fundwill have to come from eslwhere. o not support th[is] prop because ... [i] ssentially is redistributing wealth,” ophomore Harrison Fukuji said.

“I believe in small government and that taxes shouldn’t be raised on everybody just —Compiled by simply for education.”

Proposition 58 English Proficiency, Multilingual Education, Initiative Statute Would repeal Proposition 227, thus authorizing classes to be taught in a non-English language, leaving multiple ways for English learners to learn English.

Pro Repealing the old prop would make programs (English-only or bilingual) available for English learners in public schools.

Guardians would no longer have to sign waivers, making it easier for English Learner (EL) classes to be taught.

“I am definitely for the proposition. It is beneficial for students ... with no English to have access to full curriculum. Even though we want them to learn English [fast], we want them to stay caught up in other subjects,” said Spanish teacher Jane Slater.

Anti The old prop won’t be repealed and EL classes will stay the same.

BEATRICE BUGOS

olicies hit home to many students I was scared for my dad. He [worked] the same job for 17 years, I was scared that when he retired he wasn’t going to receive his benefits. I was scared for him, I was scared for the obvious fear of deportation,” Soto said.

COLLEGE

Being able to pay tuition is a question that seniors often have to ask themselves. Sequoia has many students from low income families who might not be able Courtesy of Dream Club to afford certain colleges withmbers shared personal sto- out scholarships or financial aid.

“I have current seniors that have the intelligence, grades egally in the U.S. and build and preparation to go to fourwall along the Mexican boryear colleges, but they’re choosr. He also aims to terminate ing to go to community college e DAPA and DACA and end because their parents just don’t tch-and-release—an existing have the money to pay,” Head stem that releases people who Guidance Counselor Guadelupe e caught being in the U.S. unNavarrete said. cumented, while they wait for Clinton: Clinton’s goal is to hearing with an immigration make graduating from an indge. Trump also intends to state university without debt d the praca possibile of sanctu“I have current seniors that have ity for evy cities like the intelligence, grades and prepara- ery student. n Francisco, tion to go to four-year colleges, but To do this, hich follow they’re choosing to go to community she plans to rtain proce- college because their parents just don’t make colres to protect have the money to pay,” lege tuition documented — Guadalupe Navarrete, free for any migrants.

Head Guidance Counselor s t u d e n t Senior Karowhose fama Soto, an ily earns documented immigrant curless than $85,000 a year, and by ntly on DACA, understands 2021 she aims to expand this to udents concerns for their parbenefit more families. She also ts’ statuses if Trump wins. proposes making community “I was really scared for them. college free.

Navarrete believes that Clinton’s plan will not only benefit students and their families, but also our entire nation.

“Students, if they graduate without debt or small loans [are going to be able to invest their money] in the economy instead of just investing it in paying loans. They’re going to be able to do more with their lives,” Navarrete said.

Trump: Trump intends to make two and four- year colleges accessible to everyone by proposing a reform that will encourage universities to reduce cost and banks to lower their student loans in exchange for tax breaks.

Senior Diane Zermeño believes that his ideas would be beneficial, but she questions whether or not they would be put into effect.

“The fact that he wants to work with Congress to ensure that these universities pay their fair share of what is supposed to go to the students is a good idea—but is he actually going to go through with it?—I don’t think so,” said Zermeño.

These plans may not align with every student’s beliefs, but in this election, voters may find that neither candidate agrees wholly with their exact beliefs.

“We’re not choosing our best friend. This is not a popularity contest,” Navarrete said. “We’re choosing somebody that has the guts to stand up to anyone in the world.”

Presidential Muscle The legal powers of the president Legislative The most basic influences in legislation that the president has is vetoing or approving bills coming from Congress.

The president can promote his or her agenda by proposing already-drafted legislation to Congress through a congressmember, setting the agenda during the State of the Union and suggesting already-drafted budgets. President Obama proposed ObamaCare and Dodd-Frank legislation through congressmembers. However, these are all just recommendations and must be passed by Congress.

War The president is also known as the “Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.” Although Congress is the one to officially declare war, the president can send troops without approval from Congress and has sent troops to Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq without a formal declaration of war.

Executive Presidents can withold information regarding national security from the public with executive privilege. Bill Clinton tried to use executive privilege to hide that little thing with Monica Lewinsky. The Supreme Court did not approve. Presidents can fill government positions at executive agencies such as the NSA, FBI, Departments of State, Defense, Treasury and Justice. When Congress is in session, it must approve these appointments. However, when Congress is not in session, the president can make appointments to any department or agency. Many presidents also sign executive orders, which are essentially laws regarding the executive branch that do not need initial consent of Congress. President Theodore Roosevelt issued the most executive orders for a non-wartime president at 1,081 executive orders. President Obama issued 256 orders as of Oct. 20.

Judicial The president can nominate federal judges as well as Supreme Court justices, which all need to be approved

by Congress. The president can pardon and shorten the sentences of those that committed federal crimes, except impeachment. President Obama shortened about 700 prisoners’ sentences as a part of his plan to reduce mass incarceration.

Foreign and Diplomatic As the chief diplomat, the president can appoint ambassadors and in receiving ambassadors, the president can actually realize and legitamize a nation-state. Presidents can also sign treaties and executive agreements. Unlike treaties, executive agreements do not need as much congressional approval. However, agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) must be within the parameters of the Constitution and can be reversed by the next president.

—Compiled by MADDIE PEI

6

RR

FEATURE

debates the issues

Tyson Fraley Libertarian Moderate Republican Supported John Kasich

Mars Svec-Burdick Progessive Radical Liberal Supports Hillary Clinton

Meet the participants Obamacare

Tyson: ‘Cause kids didn’t die Mars: Obamacare has already when communist healthcare was addressed some of the underly- around in Russia and China?

Mars: I’m not advocating ing issues with healthcare in this communism. country. It has allowed 21 million Tyson: Yes, but socialism alAmericans who weren’t already ways leads to communism—Karl covered to be covered.

I’m in full support of this. I Marx said that. believe we should be moving towards a more progressive, almost Rodrigo Duterte & the socialist system of healthcare like Philippines [what’s] used in Europe and in Mars: He’s an absolute disasCanada. ter. Just on character alone, he’s Tyson: Obamacare has failed even worse than Donald Trump. miserably. It’s failed the health- He’s made rape jokes; he is absocare industry; it has failed the lutely racist... people it provides services to. As Tyson: Didn’t he call Obama a whole, it has hurt our economy. a monkey?

Essentially what Obamacare Mars: Essentially, yes. He is has done is forced these [com- undisputably a terrible person. panies] to do certain things that However, I believe diplomacy is they weren’t doing before, caus- the best strategy. ing large healthTyson: I care companies, agree.

This is a “Obamacare has failed including Blue miserably. It’s failed the diplomatic situaCross and Blue tion.

Shield, to cut healthcare industry... As He’s said stuff down services in a whole, it has hurt our like ‘it’s us, Ruseconomy.” certain states. sia and China If you have —Tyson Fraley against the a big healthcare world.’ This is [provider] that— almost like what let’s say—was servicing 16 states. North Korea is doing right now.

Now it’s servicing four states. Almost. You could compare it There’s less diversity in options very loosely: saying crazy stuff for people who want to have pri- about other countries and then vate healthcare in those states, [the countries mentioned] not which lowers the quality of care. totally or openly supporting it.

In the private sector, healthYou have to get in [to the recare isn’t of the highest qual- gion] and you have to get China ity, either. The competition that to reel them back in and tell was there before is not there; the them: ‘hey man, this isn’t how we quality of healthcare is not there. do international politics.’

Mars: But, with free-market Immigration insurance, which is what we’ve Mars: [Two things]: Research always had, so many Americans weren’t covered—you end up shows that crime rates are actually lower in immigrant neighwith kids dying.

GOP club, from page 1

all of Sequoia is a liberal cult,” another member said.

Statistically, he’s not wrong. According to the California Secretary of State’s Report of Registration, 51 percent of registered voters in San Mateo are democrats compared to 19 percent GOP. To increase visibility, Acevedo and Fraley hope to hold a Q&A with other student clubs such as the Black Student

November 2, 2016 Facts in this article were verified by a team of fact-checkers during the debate and checked in a second round after the debate. Facts that could not be proven or were incorrect were removed from the candidates’ arguments or amended as necessary.

borhoods; and yes—it’s unethical to protect my family’ is so wildly to assemble a deportation force. inaccurate.

In order to have a global workWhen the Constitution was force and global capitalism, you written, we were post-revolution need workers to be able to move and it made sense to have a gun. across borders. It is completely People were shooting wild aniunrealistic to deport 11 million mals to feed themselves. immigrants. The United States is What I believe, based on the a country built on diversity and Second Amendment, is that all of nationalistic, xenophobic policies the guns that we had in the 1700s like a [no-questions-asked] de- should be legal. Anything made portation is toxic. past that point we should [ban].

Tyson: Mass deportation is Tyson: The Constitution is never the answer. not a flexible It’s unrealistic document; it was “The claim that ‘I need written as a way and it costs unnecessary money a gun to protect my family’ to protect our to taxpayers. rights. is so wildly inaccurate.”

UndocumentWe have the —Mars Svec-Burdick ed immigrants right to bear are a significant arms. The fact part of our workforce and, if we is, we’ve had it for 200 years. I’m took them all out at once, the not going to say I need a gun to economy would fall to shit. defend myself. I live in San CarI think what we should do is los—I will be fine, I guarantee it. make it easier for the people here Recreationally, [shooting guns] is who want to honestly work to really fun. have an easier path to citizenship Mars: So is cocaine, but does or easy applications for work vi- that mean it should be legal? sas. Then, after that, you secure Tyson: You can’t use cocaine the border. If it’s easy to come in responsibly, but you can use guns legally, then the small number of responsibly. people that are coming over ilMars: We could argue that all legally are those people that are day. There’s a degree of safe use in going to do something bad—and any dangerous substance [or obyou will know that they’re up to ject]. Explosives. Spray paint— no good.

for teenagers. Guns, drugs, alcohol. There are items that are so dangerous that it makes complete sense to have regulation on them.

Tyson: I’m not advocating for complete deregulation of firearms. What you have to do is keep the guns out of the hands of bad people.

Touching on what you said about suicide, do you know what we could do instead of taking away guns? Invest that money we are trying to use for gun control into mental health, because there is something that led to the point of that person deciding to put a gun to their head and pull the trigger.

You need to have a gun-safe society, invest in mental health and you need to create stricter sentencing for gun-related crimes, particularly crimes involving stolen weapons.

Mars: Why does anyone need a gun?

Tyson: Honestly, it’s a constitutional right. It’s equivalent, in my mind, to our right to run a newspaper and to have free speech. It was a freedom that was given to us by our founding fathers. It is one of the things that turned America from that refuge into what we are today.

The Wall Tyson: Is [the wall] feasible?

Yes. Would it be good if we did it the way that it was feasible? It would hurt us. Do we need to upgrade the current border [deterrents]? Not necessarily a wall itself. Honestly, increasing border patrol would create more permanent jobs than building a wall would. It would have a better impact on the economy.

Mars: We have roads crumbling and massive student debt— there are so many things we need to devote our resources to. The Great Wall of Mexico is not one of them. We do not need a Berlin Wall here.

Tyson: [Forget a wall]. Unleash the coyotes. Rabid coyotes, as far as the eye can see.

Mars: We do need to reestablish coyote populations.

Gun control

Mars: The biggest source of gun death in this country is actually suicide. Many, many more people shoot themselves per year than shoot others in personal defense.The claim that ‘I need a gun

Union and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. They also plan to create ‘I am a conservative because…’ posters.

When the issue of fundraising for official club apparel arose, many club members were in support of purchasing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hats.

Acevedo reminded the assembly that they will not be offering a club-wide endorsement for any candidate. Still, the room was in majority consensus on both their candidate and his ‘politically incorrect’ discourse.

Photos by Aviva Futornick

Tyson and Mars in the heat of the debate. Topics addressed in the debate ranged from healthcare to domestic security to foreign policy to economy.

“We love Trump,” one freshman said.

Others chimed in their agreement.

“Yeah, we love him because the things he says are funny,” another member said.

“This is not a safe space.”

Both Acevedo and Fraley will be voting in November, but neither shares this enthusiasm for Trump. During the primaries, they favored Ted Cruz and John Kasich, respectively.

“Donald Trump addresses the right issues, but he goes about addressing them the wrong way. I’m going to find it very

hard to put a checkmark next to his name. Now, I certainly am not going to vote for Hillary Clinton. That is not going to happen, ever,” Acevedo said.

When election day comes, the Young Republicans will be holding a special meeting to observe the occasion. Some discussed taking it a step further.

“If Hillary becomes president, we should riot downtown,” one affiliate said.

As for whether they meant it— well—they’re keeping us in suspense.

7

Opinion

November 2, 2016

High school: the incomplete guide to the real world

By TREVOR CROWELL

Managing Editor Le Chatelier’s Principle can be used to predict the effect of a change in conditions on a chemical equilibrium.

As you’ve probably guessed, this law has absolutely nothing to do with this article. Seeing as I don’t plan on becoming a chemist, this also doesn’t have anything to do with my future career, and yet I spent hours trying to master this concept at school. This begs the million dollar question: why?

Why do we, in school, spend hours laboring over the scrupulous principles and topics that we will learn once, then proceed to never use again? In my mind, that question remains to be answered.

I am a strong believer in the importance of education. I think that it’s necessary and that what we learn in school sets the stage for how we live the rest of our lives. However, it is because I believe this that I also notice the many gaping holes in the traditional high school system that hinders a high school student from being successful after they graduate.

By no means am I trying to say that what we learn in school everyday is irrelevant. We need to know about our past, which we learn in history. We need to know about how to develope a strong argument, which we learn in English. We even need to have basic number sense, which we learn in various math classes.

All of these skills are imperative to our success as human beings, but when it comes down to it, there is a surplus

Graphic by TREVOR CROWELL

of more beneficial subjects that students school to assist its students in getting could be devoting their time to learning. into and doing well in college in whatThe goal of high school should not be ever way it can, it is equally important to teach every student what happened on for the high school to provide a student any given date in history, or how to cor- with the fundamental tools for life, both rectly balance chemical equations. The simple and complex. goal of high school should be to make Why is it that that our high school sure students are prepared to be fully gives us a lesson on the difference befunctional adults when they graduate. tween eustress and distress (thanks freshThis does not necessarily mean teach- man year Life Skills, I’ll be sure to put ing each and every stuthat information to dent the ins and outs use later in life), but “The goal of high school should of one specific job that doesn’t bother to teach be to make sure students are they may work in their us how to do our taxes future, that is what prepared to be fully functional or give us a lesson in college is for. It means adults when they graduate.” money management? ensuring that when a Why is it that we senior graduates from spend hours learning Sequoia, he or she is prepared to carry the quadratic formula, but not a single himself or herself in the real world. second on how to apply for a job?

It seems that, over time, high school Sure, some of us come from fortunate has become less about learning impor- backgrounds and have parents, relatives, tant life skills and more about learning friends and even the occasional teacher what colleges want their students to who have been willing to teach us these know. While it is important for a high basic, yet integral skills. But for those

students who are not so lucky to have someone to show them the ropes, it appears that, as of right now, they are out of luck.

Is that really what we want to be telling Sequoia graduates? Do we really want to be saying, “Congratulations, you’re done with high school, now let us throw you out into the real world, hopefully you’ll find a way to apply the Pythagorean Theorem somehow?”

I’ve done some unusual things in my life, but never have I seen a triangular figure, magically determined two of its side lengths, and then experienced the burning desire to find the third side length. Maybe it’s just me.

On the other hand, what I have seen is other people needing to learn important life skills on the fly because they were not taught them in school. Whether it is home/auto repair, making a professional resume or even addressing and mailing a letter, the list of things we could, and really should, be learning is endless.

The problem is that this issue cannot be solved only by changing something at Sequoia only. In order for this problem to be eliminated, schools across the country have to work towards being less focused on getting their students to college, and more focused on preparing their students for the real world.

In an age where the classroom is dominated by discussions on the latest and greatest in math, science and English, what we really should be talking about are the fundamentals of living. Students need to be prepared when they leave after their four years of high school, so let’s shake things up a bit, and start using the classroom to talk about what will actually have a sizable impact on our lives.

Dear teachers, please let me get up and stretch

By BRIGHID BUGOS

Sports Editor It’s 11:10 in the morning, half way between brunch and lunch.

I check my watch to try to keep myself focused on the amount of time I have left, but all I want to do is get up out of my seat—even for 30 seconds— and stretch. Looking around the classroom, I know I’m not the only one trying to keep my eyes open or thinking about the food I get to eat to satisfy the orchestra of growling stomachs.

But it is not just in the middle period of the day. I find this true in almost every class, that by the end, I’m just done.

If there is that mid-class lull where you are not doing anything stimulating, the minutes seem like hours.

The answer to this problem is not complicated. By simply taking ten minute breaks after 40 to 50 minute blocks of studying, one allows their brain to

—complied by AVIVA FUTORNICK

rest and body to wake up again.

As Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Academic Excellence suggests, “Shorter periods can be fine for studying notes and memorizing materials, but longer periods are needed for problem-solving

tasks, [problem sets], and writing papers.”

This means that mid way through a block period even a two minute stretch break can improve students ability to focus in class. A small break is not as ideal as a ten minute break,

but I understand that every moving object that diverts their minute in class counts, so we focus, but also I’m losing my can’t afford to take them. focus trying to find ways where In a study conducted by I can get up and stretch rather professor Alejandro Lleras of than paying attention. the University of Illinois, it was Getting up not only allows found that “[t]he brain gradu- people to stretch but to be exally stops registering a sight, posed to new stimuli. I know sound or feeling if that stimu- that teachers might be a little lus remains constant over time.” hesitant to let students break, The brain especially then focuses “ By simply taking ten minute with a rowon new and breaks after 40 to 50 minute dy class, abrupt sensa- blocks of studying, one allows their because it tions, which brain to rest and body to wake up might be is why I think again.” hard to get if someone in the class front of you started back starts playing with their hair up again. When just the teacher during a lecture, your eyes are is talking, it can be beneficial to immediately drawn to them. allow students to talk to each As an athlete I get antsy re- other. This is due to the fact that ally easily and I cherish any mo- it is a new type of stimulus. ment I can to get up, stretch my If we can have breaks belegs and get the blood flowing. tween sections of the PSAT, Sometimes I just have to get then we should definitely be alup to “blow my nose” or throw lowed to have at least one break something away, so I can enjoy during a class period. We still a few seconds of freedom away need to have the same amount from my desk. But you know of focus doing class work, and you are out of luck when the especially if we are having a test. teacher is lecturing.

Please teachers, please let us This is not only disruptive to have at least a two minute break other people because I am that to get up, stretch and refocus.

8

Sports

November 2, 2016

Fall Sports Wrap-Up Autumn athletics conclude seasons of success Girls Golf

Football

Varsity (8-1) Varsity (3-5) JV (4-2) Freshman (1-3) “With football there’s a lot of friends in “[The season] is going really good, we only lost one game the entire seathe game, but also a lot of enemies. For son, and we came in first place again.”

—Junior Samantha Ellard me, this season has just been all about wanting it more than my opponent.”

—Junior Patrick Lopiparo Varsity (10-6) JV (16-0) “Our success this season [can be attributed] to our inseparable bond in the water -- our communication skills were uncanny. I think it’s because Varsity (10-4) those of us on the Water Polo team are friends inside the pool and out“So far, we’ve either creamed the other side.” team or we’ve lost pretty bad, and there’s —Sophomore Landon Pierce only a few schools that were in between, like Terra Nova. We won four and lost three games [at Terra Nova], and it was actually some really heated games, a lot of three-set [games] and long points. It was nerve-wrenching and really interesting to watch.”

—Junior Clara Epelman

Girls Water Polo

Girls Tennis

Senior Nick DeMarco Photo courtesy of Pam Singler

Boys Water Polo

Varsity (9-6) JV (9-1) “[During the game with Capuchino] I think we were just really tired and we underestimated them because they had only won one game. I just [don’t] think that we were too energetic and we let the lead get too big.”

— Sophomore Victor Abou Serhal

Juniors Annika Krueger (front) and Michela Imperiale (back) Photo courtesy of Pam Singler

Volleyball

Freshman Marley Jackson (back) Sophomore Natali Petani (front)

Varsity (7-16) JV(3-12) “ I’m really happy with how the season went. Even though the record might not reflect it, we were a good team and had a lot of fun together. Honestly we were just happy to be able to play with each other.”

—Sophomore Natali Petani

Coed Cross Country

Varsity Girls (4/17) Varsity Boys (6/17) “I really enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after each run. Even if it’s a race that I didn’t do too well in, I still am proud of myself because I know that not a lot of people can accomplish that. Even though it’s been a rough day, I can walk out of there saying I ran seven miles today” —Sophomore Chloe Sharratt

—Compiled by KRISTA WEAVER and DARIO MCCARTY

Photo by Aviva Futornick

Football players keep their head in the game—despite risks

By SIMON CLARKE Staff Reporter When sophomore Emily Knopf was asked if football was safe, her attitude was one widely shared by fans across the country. “It’s not safe, but that’s why people like it,” Knopf said.

Students like Knopf feel that watching football is unpredictable and exciting to watch.

Similarly, it is fair to say that high school football games here at Sequoia have the highest turnouts of any fall sport or sport in general. However, some safety experts are concerned about the severity of concussions on the football field.

Concussions are a risk in the sport and concerns have spiked among parents due to that fact that high school football players are twice as likely to sustain a concussion than college and pro players.

A study from ABC shows that 11.2 concussions occur for every 10,000 games and practices in high school football, compared to 6.3 in college leagues.

Photo by Simon Clarke

A football player’s helmet is the most important part of their equipment in terms of safety. Repetitive concussions lead to CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) which is a degenerative brain disease linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

A study conducted by the Institute of Medicine, funded by the NFL, found that most concussion symptoms disappear within a two week span. However, 10 to 20 percent of football players have symptoms that last for several weeks or

months in extreme cases.

Yet to researchers, it is still unclear whether or not repetitive head injuries lead to long term brain damage. According to Beri Dwyer, the head athletic trainer here at Sequoia, an estimated 20

players who have suffered a concussion this year at Sequoia. One of these students was junior Alexander Fogel, who suffered from a concussion while the football team was in Oregon.

Fogel plays the position of defensive tackle, and was assigned to target the center during a specific play. In the pile of players, he made helmet to helmet contact with another player.

“The only thing I remember is having a sizable headache,” said Fogel, who has been out for roughly a month and will be able to play in the last three games of the season.

The players who have had concussions this year have all been treated the same. Once a player has been spotted with any signs of unease or discomfort, they are taken out right away.

“When players have a concussion we air on the side of caution,” head varsity football coach Rob Poulos said. “When a player is under suspicion of a head injury they are taken out for the rest of the game or training and undergo rehabilitation with a trainer or their own personal physician.”