Raven Report Sequoia High School
Volume X, Issue 6
1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
April 26, 2017
Future looks bright for record-breaking boy’s golf team to their success in the Ocean Division. “We’re all consistent pretty much The boy’s golf team is now 13-1, every match. In the Ocean [Divitheir best record in the six years that sion], if we all shoot 40s, we’re going Gary Sowers has been the coach. to win every time. We’re all having They recently won the Ocean Divi- pretty good years,” Doyle said. sion title, winning a match against Despite a great deal of recent Terra Nova by a 25-point margin. success, no one seems to be talking Historically, this is one of Sequoia’s about the golf team. The players have most successful golf teams. The team’s definitely taken note of this, but do only loss was a close seven-stroke loss not seem to care about any outside to Mills High School. noise. They are focused on the sucSowers attricess of their team. butes their success “Everyone on the team really One player who to hard work and cares about golf and have dedi- has noticed this is the determination cated themselves to practicing and Brendan Snyder, a of new players. working hard towards meeting the senior. “We’ve had a team’s goals.” “Sports like lot of young talent basketball and come in this year. —Gary Sowers football are specI think there are Boys Golf Coach tator sports, while more members on most people don’t the team that have watch high school a passion for golf,” Sowers said. “Ev- golf. We’re also in the [Ocean Divieryone on the team really cares about sion] right now, but if we move back golf and have dedicated themselves up into Bay Division and start doing to practicing and working hard to- well there, we might get a little more wards meeting the team’s goals.” attention,” Snyder said. Many of the players have been on This division-winning Terra Nova the team since freshman year, but this game gives the team a chance to move season has also brought along a batch up to the more competitive Bay Diof fresh talent to the team, including vision next year. With a great deal of freshman Zachary Doyle, one of the young talent and the record to prove most successful players on the team it, the future of Sequoia boy’s golf this year. He feels consistency is key looks bright. By LIAM MENENDEZ-BRENNAN Staff Reporter
Photos courtesy of Gary Sowers
Senior Andrew Acevedo (top) and freshman Zach Doyle (right). The boy’s golf team recently won against Terra Nova with a score of 242267. In doing so, the team hopes to advance to the Bay Division, where they will meet tougher competitors and, if all goes well, continue their winning streak.
Board meeting approves new superintendent, IVP Kristin Stout has been appointed the new Instructional Vice-Principal (IVP) for Sequoia High School, and will begin in the 201617 school year. This follows the departure of Mike Kuliga as Assistant Vice-Principal and IVP Sophia Oliver’s decision to take his place. Stout was hired from within the district.
By MARS SVEC-BURDICK Opinion Editor
During a Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) board meeting on April 5, top candidate Mary Streshly was approved to the role of SUHSD superintendent. Following the retirement of Jim Lianides, Streshly will begin office as superintendent on July 1, 2017. She was chosen from a pool of 40 candidates, nar-
rowed down by focus groups and interviews by the governing board of the district. The latter reported that their consensus quickly emerged on Streshly. Streshly’s extensive background prior to her superintendent job includes a position as Bilingual Resource Teacher at Sequoia and two decades of experience in education. Her current position as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services
In moderation: 5 accounts on living ‘optimally’ for a week
Page 4-5
at Campbell Union High School District in nearby San Jose makes her particularly qualified for the superintendent role. Likewise, her work with students from all backgrounds makes her well prepared for SUHSD’s multicultural student body. Streshly herself has benefitted from the California public school system, earning her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and
her Master’s and Doctorate from San Diego and San Francisco State Universities, respectively. Before finalizing the decision, the board read the details of the superintendent contract, which will last until 2020 and includes a starting annual salary of $238,000. The unanimous approval of Streshly’s contract by roll call vote was followed by a reception, where sparkling cider and cupcakes were served in celebration.
Opinion:
Financial aid frought with fear
Page 6
Feature:
Page 2
Trump’s first 100 days
2
Feature
April 26, 2017
Academic pressures tempt academic dishonesty they were forms of cheating. Most students felt motivated to cheat due to the pressure of getting into a “good” college, which As second semester courses has created an atmosphere that ramp up, some students are resort- prioritizes grades above all else. “The pressure provided by coling to desperate methods in order leges is to not [only] to do well, to improve their grades. but phenomBased on a surThe following statistics come enally, in high vey of 239 students, from a survey administered school. It is an over half of students online to 239 Sequoia unreasonable reported that they students. assumption have participated that everyone in some form will excel in of cheating certain subin their high jects. Because school careers. of [college] These methods influences, vary between of students report having [...] the excopying a peer’s cheated pectation to notes to using in high school do well leads materials that [students] to are prohibited believe that during a test. there is no While the alternative to Academic success but to Honesty Policy is signed by every student at the be- cheat,” Maura said. However, others feel that the ginning of the year, most students do not act accordingly. All of the cheating epidemic stems not only following are considered cheating from the pressure from schools in the Academic Honesty Policy: but also from a lack of work-ethic cheating on assignment or test; in teens. “People want good grades but improper electronic capturing; allowing others to copy an assign- don’t want to do the work. Our ment or test; giving or receiving generation is heavily pressured to be high pertest informaformers; we tion; using want to do unauthorized well for ourresources selves, and to during an a certain exassessment; tent, expect to submitting do well withthe same asof students report out doing the signment or believeing cheating is work,” Benepresentation contagious dict said. more than With the once, workpressures of ing on and/or second semescompleting ter, some stuan assignment collaboratively, making up infor- dents chose to rely on cheating as mation, and pressuring or encour- they feel it guarantees them a good aging another student to violate grade. “If you don’t cheat, you don’t the Academic Honesty Policy. However, the survey showed get good grades, you don’t go to that an overwhelming number college, you don’t get a job,” Shanof students were not famil- tel said. iar with these policies and Pseudonyms were used to protect 27.8% disagreed that student interviwees’ identities By ISABEL SANCHEZ FOSTER and KRISTA WEAVER Staff Reporters
51.5%
75.9%
21.6%
23.2%
Students, asked to rate on a scale of 1-10 how closely they abide to the Academic Honesty Policy
10.8%
No students reported
8.7%
—compiled by SHANNON COAN, Staff Reporter
5.8% 2.1%
Not at all (1)
Closely (10)
3
Feature
April 26, 2017
Presidential promises stir fears for the undocumented community. A student who wished to remain anonymous is undocumented along with their parents, and their whole family has felt the emotional impact of the increased ICE raids. “If the immigration police came to It is estimated that 12 percent of Sequoia’s student population is undocu- my house, I would stay quiet and not mented. Amid the recent executive or- do anything,” the student said. “In case ders signed by President Donald Trump something does happen, we’ve been and the promises made in his campaign, sending money back to our home town many of these students have an increas- in Mexico in order to build a house.” While over 2.5 million undocumenting fear of being deported. The main question surrounding this is: will Se- ed immigrants were deported under quoia protect undocumented students former President Barack Obama, the administration prioritized serious criminals and if so, how? The first of two executive orders signed over law abiding people, especially those by Trump on Jan. 25 related to the cre- with families. Under Obama, those qualifying for ation of the wall Trump had promised during his campaign. The other focused deportation were separated under three on “Border Security and Immigration priorities. Priority One included convicted gang members and EnforcePriority ment.” Executive Order 13768: convicted felons. Two mainly The language of the ‘Enhancing Public Safety in the i n c l u d e d those conlatter underInterior of the United States’ victed of mines “sanctu“...expedite determinations of appresignificant ary cities” and misdehas broadened the prior- hended individuals’ claims of eligibility meanors ity to include undocu- to remain in the United States... [and] as mented people who have remove promptly those individuals whose such legal claims... have been lawfully rejected” domestic not been convicted of a violence crime as well as anyone who has “abused any program related to and sexual abuse. Priority Three only included those who had been issued receipt of public benefits.” While large-scale raids from Immigra- a final deportation order after Jan. 1, tion and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 2014. According to the Department of have not been conducted in the Bay Homeland Security, 94 percent of those Area specifically, the rise of these raids deported from the United States in Fisin many other parts of the country and cal Year 2015 fell under Priorities One California have sowed fear among un- and Two. Due to Trump’s authorization to ICE documented immigrants in the Sequoia By NICK ABRAHAM and LIAM MENENDEZ-BRENNAN Entertainment Editor and Staff Reporter
agents to determine for themselves who that the SUHSD will continue to ensure may be a threat to public safety, many a safe learning environment for all. immigrants have been deported who are Despite the assurances that come part of families that the Obama admin- along with FERPA and district policy, istration previously protected. some still worry what would happen in “[My parents] are not criminals. the event of an ICE raid. They’re just working class. They don’t Principal Sean Priest assures students do anything suspicious,” said sopho- that Sequoia has a very strict policy on more Eduardo Ceballos, whose parents law enforcement from which it wouldn’t were undocumented but have recently deviate from, even in the event of a raid. obtained “Any law enl e g a l forcement of“The Secretary of Homeland Security status. ficer coming “They’re (Secretary) shall prioritize for removal... onto camjust here aliens who: ...have been charged with any criminal pus in a non offense, where such charge has not been for a emergency resolved” better life, [and] we’re situation will productive members of be asked to society.” check in at the Principal’s Office,” Priest Despite the increasingly aggressive said. “If it’s an immigration related matrhetoric coming from Washington D.C., ter, the Superintendent and District Ofthe Sequoia Union High School District fice would be contacted. Student per(SUHSD) has stood strong to uphold sonnel have been instructed that if an their core values. officer enters the class without an admin On Dec. 14, 2016, just over a month present, the teacher should contact the after Trump was elected, the SUHSD principal.” adopted a resolution guaranteeing that At Sequoia, the Dream Club is a reall students will receive free and high- source that undocumented students can quality education regardless of immigra- go to for their peers’ support. tion status. “They keep on top of what their rights “The district will not release infor- are and we also do events where we raise mation regarding immigration status or money for college because often times related matters…to federal agencies…,” undocumented students do not have acsaid the resolution. It also “ensures that cess to federal funds,” said photography all students and families, including those teacher Kate Sheehan, who works closely that are undocumented, are able to re- with the club. “[It] is made up of docuceive an education in a safe and support- mented and undocumented students, so ive environment.” it’s not like everybody there doesn’t have Although the Family Educational papers. It’s students that are supporting Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) already each other.” outlines similar measures, this is a sign Additional Reporting by Simon Clarke
Sun’s out, sails out
Sequoia High School
Tracking Sequoia students’ Spring Break travels Spring break has been a time for students to relax and unwind before making the end-of-the-year push for finals. This year, Sequoia students used the time to visit colleges, countries and to work for the greater good.
Seniors Grace Singh, Emily McAdams and Sarah Robertson pose with a local. For some students at Sequoia, Spring Break is a time to see the world. Seniors Emily McAdams, Grace Singh and Sarah Robertson, among others, travelled to Ensenada, Mexico. Ensenada is the third largest city in Baja California and considered the ‘Cinderella of the Pacific.’ With a bustling tourist economy and glistening resorts, the area appears to be well off. Many of Ensenada's residents, however, live in squalor. “There was no running water. [People] had to bathe in giant buckets and pour water into toilets for them to flush.”
McAdams said. According to Robertson, most homes didn't even have doors—just beads or a sheet to cover the entrance. The majority of their charity work came in the form of playing with the town children. They would do anything from playing sports to simply talking with them. “A lot of the kids come from rough backgrounds,” Robertson said. “But they are still the sweetest kids.” The kids’ unfettered happiness was another point of admiration. “That was the big thing for me,” Robertson said. “The fact that the littlest of things that [Americans] take for granted and ignore can make [such] an impact on their life says a lot.” They both agree that the greatest benefit from the trip was a transformation in perspective. “It really makes you look at life with a newfound appreciation,” McAdams said. “I would encourage anyone to go.”
Raven Report 2016-2017
Managing Editors Editor-in-Chief Trevor Crowell Maddie Pei Xavi Boluña Feature Editors Beatrice Bugos Benjy Jude Online Editors Rio Popper Maddie Reynolds Page Editor Matthew Eisenberg
Senior Noa Amzallag explores ruins in Guatemala. One student with the opportunity to go abroad was senior Noa Amzallag. “My family is lucky enough to be able to go to very nice places.” she said. “It’s nice to explore different areas and culture and I always experience something that makes life at [home] better.” This break, Amzallag traveled down south to Guatemala to relax on the beach and immerse herself into Guatemala’s rich culture.
—compiled by TYSON FRALEY
News Editor Mackenzie Clarke
Opinion Editor Mars SvecBurdick
Entertainment Sports Editor Editor Brighid Bugos Nicholas Abraham Copy Editor Zack Rosenblatt
Photo Editor Aviva Futornick
Staff Reporters Sam Brook, Simon Clarke, Adviser Shannon Coan, Minauti Davé Darien Daly, Tyson Fraley, Send letters to the editor to Dario McCarty, ravenreport17@gmail.com Liam Menendez-Brennan, Carolina Michel, Isabel Sanchez-Foster, Lauren Stevens, Krista Weaver
Correction: The Raven Report erroneously stated that the Sequoia Yearbook was entirely student-run. The Yearbook benefits from the immense contributions of Eileen Bray.
Special
4
...gave up selfdeprecation
This week I plan to give up self deprecation in hopes of becoming a more positive person. I can often be really hard on myself. One of the main reasons teens are self-destructive is because of the fear of not being good enough.
Day One
I’ve started the day positively and had yet to fail. I had the sudden urge to hate on myself during art class because a painting did not come out as well as I had wanted. I proceeded to take a deep breath and think ‘stuff happens.’ My friends have asked if I had consumed an odd substance. I told them about the article and they condescendingly patted me on the back while “wishing me luck.” Should I assume that was a positive reaction?
...got enough sleep
For a full
Going into this challenge I am prepared for the worst. I do not think I will be able to get a full nine hours of sleep each night with the amount of homework and time I put into track practice. I will try though because maybe my efforts could lead to fewer yawns and smaller bags under my eyes.
Day Two
The first night, I exceeded my goal and somehow slept a total of ten hours. I was exhausted from a day of tubing and snowball fighting, so falling into a deep sleep was easy. I was even able to drown out the loud Taylor Swift music playing throughout the car. I woke up at 7 o’clock sharp to the sound of my alarm. For the first time in months I got up promptly at 7 without falling back asleep or hiding in my blankets. I felt fresh and ready to go, so I jumped out of bed and did my morning routine. I was ready at 7:30 a.m., a half hour before I normally am.
Saturday
Day Three
During this experience I have found that I can sense other people’s moods, which in turn affects my mood. If my friend is having a bad day, they will start to complain. This causes my subconscious to start thinking negatively about myself. Another thing I have noticed is how much people tend to comment on their own flaws. It’s been three days and I haven’t heard anyone say anything nice about themselves.
25
Day Seven
Today was a good day, I got my hair cut. While I was sitting in the hairstylist’s chair, I was not looking in the mirror thinking about how I looked like a potato with the apron secured tightly on my neck. My hair looks great, so I felt fierce. I ended the day on a good note. This experience has changed my mentality about life. I highly suggest you try self-affirmation and remember that you are your own worst critic.
—by DARIEN DALY, Staff Reporter
Preaching Moderation
With the recent occurrence of Lent and Passover around two weeks ago, Christians and Jews are just getting over having to go days without certain indulgences. Muslims are preparing, spiritually and emotionally, for the future fast of Ramadan coming May 26. Lent is the 40-day long period where Christians often give up a luxury. Passover is the week when Jews give up any leavened wheat product, including bread, pasta and cereal. Ramadan is the month when Muslims give up all food and drink during daytime hours. However, one doesn’t have to be religious or practice a faith to understand the annual struggle. We are privileged to have phones and social media. We are
Day Three
I was stacked high with homework. I had an essay and a project due the next day. At 8 o’clock I began work on my English project working diligently to try and meet my 10:30 p.m. goal. By 9:30, I was almost done. I watched the minutes tick away as I typed. I submitted it at 10:15 p.m.
Day Six
Today, I spent six hours in Daly City for a track meet and got home exhausted. Windblown, and with my track jersey still on, I rested my head on my lounge chair and, before I knew it, my alarm was ringing and my mom was yelling at me to wake up. The morning was rough, but by the end of the day, I realized my sleep had paid off because I was no longer drowsy and was jacked with energy for practice.
Day Seven
My parents got a new movie for me to watch with them, Loving (a great movie on the civil rights movement, by the way). Time passed, the plot thickened, my eyelids began to flutter, but I had to continue. It was getting late, but there were only five minutes left in the movie. I stayed and set my alarm to 8 a.m. instead of 7:30. When it ended, I rushed to my bed and flew through my nightly routine. By 10:45, I was in bed with my eyes closed. My day came to a close, and my challenge along with it. —by SAM BROOK,
Staff Reporter
privileged to have Michelle Obama looking out for how much breakfast we should be eating and how much sleep and exercise we should be getting. Abstaining from privileges we take for granted teaches us to appreciate what we have. For example, Jews have to eat unleavened bread or ‘matzah’ during Passover. The taste of cardboard expanded in 100 degree heat, immediately refrozen and mixed with edible pain every year for a week only ever makes Jews more thankful for the macaroni and cheese available at the store down the street. The Jim Rome sandwich at Ike’s, the bread given to you before your food comes at restaurants, CheezIts and even Cookie Crisps (the black sheep of the Kellogg’s breakfast family) all seem too appetizing
...stopped u my phone
Snapchat. If not, I’m scrollin stagram. If not, I’m texting Teens in the U.S. spend an nine hours a day using their p media/entertainment, which than most of my friends sleep. the necessary preperations: I someone to keep my Snapcha while I was away.
Day One
I started off my Saturday w at noon because I didn’t hav So, Day One was automatical pressing start. First, I did all o which is considerable due to th percent of my work to Sun to have all of that work ing planned for the upc point of having free tim After I did my homewo considering my day w began.
Sunday
26
Day Three
I have descended in wish for a slow death. I this week being somewha this so far has been not being one who really can’t fall asleep the background, I feel really ou sic playing. My walk home tod does. I really hate this, but I’m happens that my soul and outl scarred, then so be it.
Day Four
I made up the mile in PE, w mile of my life. Not running w and I was more aware of my s good way). At this point, I’ve g people. I haven’t been going o them to organize something. media. I’m at about a 6/10 mo
Day Five
I’m still feelin’ irritated, still ation of the misery plateau. De life telling me that my life wou technology, it didn’t. As someo nology her entire life, this wee it posed new obstacles I hadn’t you had to actually go to the l your parents complained abou me and my Snapchat — streaks live.
during Passover, yet Jews alike all catch themselves before consumption. Even if just for a week, everyone should either abstain from a certain luxury, or compelte a daily task to the recommeneded dregree. For the same reason that changing up your routine is vital to veering away from becoming insane and boring, mixing up your wardrobe or activities or diet is essential to staying healthy and interesting. If you’re new to this, start off easy with no phones after a certain hour, or bring a water bottle to school. If you have experience, go right all the way in. If you want to do a juice cleanse...don’t...how dare you hurt your bowels.
Feature
5
week, I...
using
If I’m not using my phone to listen to music, I’m checking my ng through Inmy parents. average of phones for is longer . So I did enlisted at streaks
waking up ve an alarm. lly off to a deof my homework, he fact that I leave 90 nday night. It was relieving k done, but I also had nothcoming weekend. What’s the me if you don’t do anything? ork, I just went back to bed, was practically over before it
nto the fifth dimension and I have abandoned all hope of at tolerable. The worst part of able to listen to music. As someor do anything without music in ut of place when I don’t have muday felt a lot longer than it usually m gonna finish this week. If it so look on life itself are permanently
...abstained from sugary drinks
...drank enough water
I plan on going one week without soda or juice, which I drink on a daily basis–about six to eight times a week, maybe even more. You know that quote, “Your body is a temple”? Well, mine is more like a kid’s sixth birthday at Chuck E Cheese’s. Or like a McDonald’s bathroom.
I sometimes hear people saying that the key to clear skin is to drink a lot of water. In reality, it makes sense that more water cleanses the body and skin. But my laziness that floated over the idea of having to go all the way to REI to get myself a water bottle I would actually use, kept me away from going on a water binge. According to WebMD, AuthorityNutrition and MayoClinic, the “8x8 rule” is the easy answer to how much water one should drink: eight ounces of water eight times a day.
Day One
Before today, I had a last hurrah for my sad, little, unhealthy body and had some soda and juice. I feel really dehydrated, partly because I’m sick and partly because I haven’t been drinking healthy liquids. I need to step up and start drinking more water if I want to keep myself hydrated. I made my friend take me to Five Guys. Didn’t get a soda–pat on the back for me. Drank water with my burger and it sucked. Room temperature water is hell.
Day One
I woke up and I’m ready and excited to do this. What can be easier than drinking water all day? I washed out my slick flask and filled it with ice and water, very satisfied with myself. I took my first sip and felt like a champion. I had been awake for about one hour and I already drank my first full bottle. I fill up my bottle and start drinking again. I don’t really feel physically different, I’m just using the restroom twice as often.
Tuesday
28
Day Three
Monday
27
Tips for surviving these next few days: soda and juice are bigger temptations when I’m physically near it. Only have water at your house. When you are going out to eat, only take enough money to buy the meal and not a drink with it. Finally, if you don’t trust yourself, go out with someone you trust and make them order for you.
I am starting to see some noticeable results in my skin, and it feels less oily in general. While visiting the restroom abnormally often can be a problem at school, I’m getting through it. I also spent a lot of time showing off my new Hydro Flask to other people at school. I felt like I was joining some kind of cult of the people that already owned them.
Day Seven
Day Four
I’m getting into the routine of drinking three full bottles a day. My skin just keeps getting clearer. All the restroom trips are taking away my extra credit which is tough to do but I guess it’s all in the name of science! It seems that if I drink the two liters a day, I don’t have random food cravings during like I did before. Who knew?
Day Seven
which ended up being the slowest with music made me feel off beat, steps and my breathing (not in a gotten used to feeling irritated at out with friends and I can’t text I can’t even socialize with social ood.
l feelin’ lonely. Overall a continuespite all the baby boomers in my uld be benefitted by a break from one who has literally utilized techek was only more challenging as t encountered before. I get it that library to research, but I bet that ut your “obsession” with TV. Let
—by MADDIE REYNOLDS, Online Editor
The effects were undeniably positive and very rewarding. After completing this challenge, I can vouch that drinking 64 ounces of water per day clears up one’s skin. As well as clearer skin, I have also seen a reduction in food cravings while on the “water binge”. Though it may sometimes cost money and require patience while going through bathroom passes, I recommend that everyone drinks the correct amount of Graphics water if they want to try something new and possibly beneficial.
—by ZACK ROSENBLATT, Copy Editor Enjoy your freedom in setting your own appreciation-in-moderation guidelines that you alone force yourself to follow. Being able to understand religious people’s moodiness and hunger without having to go pray about it is a privilege of which everyone should take advantage. Take advantage being your own boss, and know that you’re better than those people who don’t appreciate moderation.
—by BENJY JUDE, Feature Editor
Day Three
by
I left my water bottle in my friend’s car and I don’t have a water bottle again. I don’t have anything planned for today, so soda and juice are not a big temptation. Staying at home makes it easier to resist sugar. I only work today and that’s the most wildest thing I’m doing today. I guess you can call me a party animal. I spent the part of my day not at work watching Netflix. “13 Reasons Why”. There’s just something about sitting under a hot blanket and being lazy that really makes you dehydrated. At this point, I’ve just really been craving soda and when this is over I’m definitely going to cave and drink soda. Trying to go these days without soda and juice has really made me think about my eating habits. I’ll Darien Daly admit that only drinking water sucks but it’s definitely something you have to ease into especially if you drink an insane amount of soda.
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—by CAROLINA MICHEL, Staff Reporter
6
Opinion
April 26, 2017
Loan me the time to talk about college cost By MACKENZIE CLARKE
News Editor As the time approaches in many high schoolers’ lives to apply to and decide which college they will attend, there are many scary and daunting components—how far away from home it will be, being alone in the adult world for the first time and (gulp), midterms and finals. But the one aspect that is perhaps the scariest is one that is easily brushed over: the cost of college. Sure, the idea of moving into a cramped dorm with someone I don’t know on a campus in a city I am unfamiliar with is terrifying. However, a grotesque,
looming and vicious price tag of an upwards of $60,000 a year is honestly something that keeps me unable to sleep at night. I want to have the college experience of my idealistic dreams, but I also do not want to enter my adult life with so much debt that I cannot buy a house for ten more years and have a profoundly low credit score. While I understand that the cost of colleges differ depending on the type of college (for example, a private, out-of-state university will have a different sticker price than a University of California (UC) school or California State University (CSU)), the simple fact is that higher education is more expensive than it has ever been in the past. For the 20162017 school year, the cost for a California resident undergraduate in the UC system was $34,200 a year, which includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, health
insurance, room and board, and overarching categories: aid from personal spending/transportation. the government, and aid from the These costs, while seeming man- school itself. Under federal loans, ageable when looking at a single there are Direct Subsidized Loans year’s cost, quickly compile them- and Direct Unsubsidized Loans selves over the four years of at- (Subsidized Loans are awarded to tendance. Four years at a UC will low-income students, accrue little cost around interest, and $136,800 do not need I do not want to enter my adult to be repaid, without any financial aid life with so much debt that I cannot while Unor loans. buy a house for ten more years and subsidized Luckily, this have a profoundly low credit score Loans are cost has allegiven withviation, but I out considam coming to eration to find that the reality of “financial demonstrated need, but do collect aid” is illusive. interest). Financial aid packages Despite the increasingly egre- from schools themselves, private gious costs of colleges, both pri- and public, are a completely difvate and public, in-state and out- ferent story. These are multifacof-state, financial aid is here to eted and individualized to each save the day, right? According to school and applicant. data from this last school year, not At the end of the day, the averexactly. Financial aid for students age financial aid package for last can be broken down into two school year was around $30,000...
but that’s just a one-time package. I do not mean to discredit the financial aid that colleges do allocate, I am certainly grateful for the fact that they give financial aid at all. I’m not suggesting that you stomp on your lifelong dream of attending so-and-so college because it is too expensive. As I mature throughout high school, I’m beginning to see the nitty-gritty side of college as something of greater importance when considering schools to attend. To me, financial aid is an integral factor in deciding where I will go, but I’ve also learned is, if I am wise in understanding the realities of the college I choose, whether it be a big name university or a teensy liberal arts school in Oregon, I will be able to get the college experience that is right for me and (hopefully) graduate with less than a quarter of a million dollars in debt.
Sequoia Says: It’s no secret that staff and students don’t always see eye-to-eye. Here’s where everyone can be less irritating. Bridge the gap, Sequoia! “Teachers need to keep in mind different student’s strengths and weaknesses. I don’t like it when they don’t treat everyone as individuals. But I understand that that’s not all their fault.” –Mark Aguilar, Freshman “I hate it when I have to explain things again and again because students weren’t paying attention.” –Lauren Riebstein, Dance Teacher “[My] biggest pet peeve is when teachers take forever to grade things that don’t seem that hard to grade.” –Sarah Robertson, Senior “I hate it when kids act like they have small bladders. Six kids need to go to the bathroom all at the same time and I’m sure none of them actually [need] to go.” –Jose Rosario, English Teacher
Attention: Sequoia Student Athletes! Looking for a great summer job where you get to play sports and work with kids? Skyhawks is hiring outstanding student-athletes, 16 or older, to work at our summer sports camps on the Peninsula. Camps take place in Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City and Palo Alto and hourly rates range from $13-$18/hour depending on experience. If you have experience in
Track & Field, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Volleyball or Cheer, we want to talk to you!
Summer camps are typically 9am-Noon or 9am-3pm Monday through Friday. Coaches will work 18 hours/week for half-day programs and 33 hours/week for full day camps.
–compiled by RIO POPPER and LAUREN STEVENS
To apply, please go to http://www.skyhawks.com/peninsula For more information. visit www.skyhawks.com
Efficient school spending should concern all of us By TYSON FRALEY Staff Reporter Walking the halls, you can likely hear everything from menial gossip to legitimate complainints about books or desks. You may hear ‘I wish our administration would...’ or ‘I wish we had money for…’. You might catch a conversation placing blame on one organization such as football or basketball for the problems. Sequoia’s an annual expenditure was $151.5 million in 2013. During this same time we acquired $162.3 million in revenue. According to the annual spending and bud-
get report, on average we have a $11 million surplus. This careful spending at Sequoia is responsible for many of the cutting edge programs and projects that take place here. The truth is that many problems students feel are prevalent are due to low levels of fundraising by organizations other than Sequoia High School. Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF), PTSA and the Athletic boosters are all responsible for raising funds for extracurriculars and any additional utilities at Sequoia. Each of these programs participate in private fundraising to acquire funds necessary to complete their various objectives. Most sports teams participate in various fundraisers to raise more money than the small check they receive from the boosters. Sequoia’s football team in particular does two major fundraisers and a few smaller scale
operations that vary from year to year. These fundraisers help afford nicer jerseys, newer equipment, and funds necessary for the annual travel game. Over the course of last year new purified water dispensers have been added, claiming to be better than tap water. Unfortunately, these machines rarely work. “I was excited [about the new water fountains] at first, but when I found out that they never work I was really mad,” junior Patrick Lopiparo said. Students like Lopiparo can take action: through contact with these organizations, it would be simple to fix this problem. Also, the purifiers were gifted to Sequoia pro-bono, and, therefore, have no apparent downsides. Another recent expenditure is the statue of Cherokee Chief Sequoyah that is dis-
played in the lobby. The 24-inch statue is made of copper and costs over $10,000. Students have posed the question ‘why spend over $10,000 on a statue when some of our textbooks still refer to Bush as the president?’ While these feelings would be more than justified if it had been paid for from our budget surplus-that is not the case. The statue was paid in full by private donations through our alumni association. Therefore, the addition of Sequoyah to our foyer is not a slap in the face to students and faculty but rather a positive display of the pride our graduates have in our school. If any students feel that these funds could be used in a more positive manner I would suggest reaching out to the Alumni association themselves. Our district and admins spending decisions should be praised, not ridiculed.
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Sports
April 26, 2017
Professional hockey hopeful pursues dreams abroad By RIO POPPER and LAUREN STEVENS Online Editor and Staff Reporter Junior Victor Bodin will move to Canada this fall to pursue and possibly jump-start a career as a hockey player. “[Hockey] is the [best] feeling in the world,” Bodin said. “Everything moves so quickly and it takes so much focus. The feeling when [you] achieve something is great.” For Bodin, hockey is a great way to cope with life’s stresses. “Hockey is really my escape. Going to the rink and getting out there and talking to all of my friends there helps a lot,” Bodin said. Bodin’s dream is to play Division 1 hockey at the University of Michigan and then, if all goes as planned, break into the professional scene. Bodin believes that playing in Canada, where hockey is one of the most popular sports, will prepare him for this path.
“The team [from Canada] recruited me, and I visited in December and over spring break,” Bodin said. “The team has great facilities and I’ll be able to play every day, which I can’t do here in California.” Currently, Bodin plays for the Golden State Elite Eagles in Cupertino and practices three to five times a week, including weekends. In Canada, he will play with the West Vancouver Warriors. “Making the jump from California to Division 1 hockey without any transition would be difficult,” Bodin said. Bodin isn’t the only one who’s life will change drastically when he moves across the northern border. Many of Bodin’s friends including his girlfriend, junior Zoe Clark, will miss him after his departure. “I’ll miss him,” Clark said. “But it’s his dream. You have to do what you have to do. It’s great if you know exactly what you want to do with your life. He does.”
Photo Courtesy of Victor Bodin
Junior Victor Bodin is moving to Canada for his senior year in order to pursue hockey more professionally than he can in California. There, he will play with the West Vancouver Warriors.
‘Nicotine Field’ to become Sports rivalries breed new home for varsity football animosity, progress “Nicotine Field” is known as the worst field on campus for as long as any current student can remember. However, recently, Nicotine Field is recieving renovations, including a name change. A very long time ago, the field was coined “Nicotine” because it used to be the smoking area back in the day. According to administration, these renovations aim to generally improve the field. “We are going to lay down a turf field out there and fence it off,” Athletic Director Melissa Schmidt said. Football players, who this will affect the most, are especially happy about the new field. “It’s great because varsity football will practice on its own field now,” junior Patrick Lopiparo, varsity football quarterback said. However, Lopiparo’s excitement comes with a cost. Administrative Vice Principal Gary Gooch estimates that the renovations will cost upwards of $1.5 million. “After we finished all of our construction projects, like the AWing, we realized, ‘Hey, we’ve got some money left over, and what can we do with that?,’” Gooch said. “We realized we’ve got just enough to finally go out there and put in a new turf field.” However, some students are against renovations to Nicotine, believing that this money would be better allocated elsewhere. Some believe that other Sequoia athletic fields should sooner get a renovation than Nicotine. The baseball field, whose grass is spotty and deteriorating, has been
Kyle Tarzon. “When there’s a practice where offense goes up against defense, it’s going to be a battle.” Sometimes, players on the While Sequoia has intense rivalries with other schools, same team with similar posisome of the fiercest rivalries tions will compete to see who take place on campus be- can finish with the best results tween sport teams and play- during games. “There is definitely a riers. Different teams often maintain friendly rivalries, or valry between pitchers beplayers on the same team will cause they try and see who compete to see who can get can throw the fastest or who’s the most accurate,” Amaya the best results. Such rivalries may help said. “Also the batters want to boost competition, but it is be the one who gets the most unclear whether or not hav- hits or who hits the most ing minor conflicts between home runs.” How teams at ever, while the same “I think football pretty much many team school is helpful or has a rivalry with almost every oth- sscan mainer sport. I think it may be because tain a rivalhurtful. “ T h e s e there are so many football players.” ry with an—Kyle Tarzon, other sport, rivalries are varsity football wide receiver one sport in both good particular is and bad,” known for softball player junior Danielle Amaya their competitiveness. “Football has a rivalry with said. “They make everyone competitive, and people will almost every other sport. I try harder. At the same time, think it may be because there they bring people down and are so many football players,” Tarzon said. “I think that a can make them feel bad.” Although rivalries are typi- lot of other teams also believe cally between teams, or possi- that we get whatever we want, bly players on different teams, like all of the athletic fundthat is not always the case. ing.” Although rivalries are fun Sometimes different divisions within a team will maintain and help increase competitive a friendly rivalry, which may play, they can lead to people translate into good results for placing stereotypes. “I think that people set them. “Of course there are rival- stereotypes in sports,” Amaya ries within the football team, said. “And if you don’t live especially between offense up to those stereotypes, then and defense. We don’t really they don’t think you’re as like each other,” said varsity good or that you shouldn’t be football wide receiver junior succeeding.” By MATT EISENBERG Page Editor
By DARIO McCARTY Staff Reporter
an area of concern. “We should be putting money into teams that are actually doing well,” varsity baseball player junior Brandon Gee said. According to Schmidt, the baseball field renovations are on the horizon, but some issues stand in the way of starting them immediately. “It’s something we’ve discussed, and it’s been on the table for a little while. However,
the problem with doing it out there is that it’s a much bigger space and a lot more expensive,” Schmidt said. “[With the lights] you have to deal with [complaints from] the neighborhood, whereas [with Nicotine], they just face out to the street where we already have lights. Those are the issues, but it’s absolutely something that’s on our radar as far as a goal.”
8
Special Feature
April 26, 2017
For some students, public school still comes at a cost signments. “Anyone with a job should do [Work Are you in School? Experience] just because you’re doing the No work already, and the Work Experience Yes units are simple to get,” Broome said. What is your age? You must complete Wake up late. Come to school tired Students enrolled in Work Experience 14 or 15 16 or 17 seventh grade and late. Stay behind in class for not doare helped towards building their careers ing homework. Leave school, get some and get elective credit for this course, homework done. Go to work. Get home, 8 hrs on a non-school day which can be used in substitute for the 8 hrs/day, 40 exhausted. Try to finish homework. Fall classes they cut out due to work. 8 hrs/day, 48 Are you a Work Experience asleep. Repeat. For all the classes students are takhrs/week. hrs/week. Education (WEE) student? For many students at Sequoia, this ing during their time at school, many of routine is accurate for them, Especially them assign homework that requires an Yes for seniors Joevanny Rios and Emmanextensive amount of time to complete No Age? uel Diaz who, among others, rely on outside of school, which the student Age? 14 or 15 16 or 17 their next paycheck to help keep a roof does not always have. over their head while trying to succeed 3 hrs/school “We are doing some things—like 14 or 15 16 or 17 in school. retakes during class—so that a student day, 18 hrs/ “Out of every check [my sister and I] wouldn’t need to feel the obligation [to week. 4 hrs/school get, we give our mom $200,” Rios said. complete assignments out of class],” IB day, 48 hrs/ 3 hrs/school 4-8 hrs/ “I usually cover up for [my sister] and History teacher Teresa Yeager said. week. day, 23 hrs/ pay her part of the rent so she can go buy The IB program has already started to school day, something [for] herself.” week. decrease the amount of homework as48 hrs/week. In 2006, Rios’ father left him, his signed to students to allow them more — compiled by BRIGHID BUGOS mother and teenage sister. After a series time outside of class as well as increasing of events, they became homeless. Rios the focus on in-class learning. decided to focus more on earning an “It is not a right to get to work—it is Students who work more hours are high school. But that ‘D’ in Chemistry income rather than focusing on school- more likely to “have lower academic and got all of my college applications de- a privilege. If you do something stupid, work. His family earned enough money career aspirations and are less likely … to nied,” Rosario said. “I tell students that [the administration] can take it away,” for an apartment for the three of them engage in extracurricular activities and at the beginning of each year: passing Broome said. “Think of [offenses that] and their combined salaries. attend or stay in college,” according to with a ‘D’ or with a ‘C’ is the difference would make you ineligible to play in a Diaz is in a similar situation. He lives the Association for Supervision and Cur- between being eligible to apply to col- sport, would also make you ineligible to in an apartment with his family and his riculum Development. lege and being eligible to graduate from have a job.” aunt’s family to compensate for the cost Extracurriculars However, this is not always the case. high school.” of rent. Despite living with many peo- English teacher Jose Rosario had several provide students Although, Rosa“I tell students at the beginning of ple, the financial situation is still unsta- jobs in high school and community col- rio does support his with an opportunity each year: passing with a ‘D’ or with ble as the bills keep getting higher. Addi- lege, and was able to get a degree after students who decide to seek their pasa ‘C’ is the difference between being tionally, Diaz is the main person keeping transferring from El Camino Commu- to have a job in high sions. From aftereligible to apply to college and being his mom in the US and his 5-year-old nity College to University of California, school even if they school sports proeligible to graduate from high school.” brother in Mexico afloat, even with his Santa Cruz. viding an outlet for need a work permit —Jose Rosario, small paychecks. stress and an inkling “That $200 [paycheck] was a big deal. in order to start one. English teacher “I feel like I have to of a social life, to That was like, According to mu“I feel like I have to put in as many ‘I can go out sic teacher Daniel put in as many hours as SAFE programs alI can so my mother can hours as I can so my mother can have with friends. I Broome, the faculty member in charge lowing them to pursue their passions, to have something to eat something to eat or my brother can can go and see of distributing work permits to students, tutorials helping them better understand or my brother can have have a toy, clothes or socks.” a movie,’” Ro- about 1400 are distributed each year, their subject material, after-school pro—Emmanuel Diaz, sario said. “But issued at the start of every school year, grams are designed to help all students a toy, clothes or socks,” senior then there was summer, when a student switches a job succeed in all aspects of school. Diaz said. For students who have However, Diaz feels that with his the other side… and when they switch the location of often placed studies on jobs, he can’t be involved in all the activiI only had four their work. the back burner, maintaining stability is classes, yet I didn’t pass [Chemistry]. Practices such as being strict about ties that he wants to participate in, such of the utmost importance. That tells you how distracted I was.” permits help support the student in this as Powder Puff, because the employers “When we were homeless, and I was Despite communication skills, uni- volatile time for them. In order to maxi- need him and he needs the money. working almost every day of the week, I versal workplace truths that can’t be mize time for students’ lives outside of With students’ ability to explore their had no time to do homework. If I did, taught in school and expanding his net- school, Sequoia also creates students’ passions in school and obtain skills from I would do it in class,” Rios said. “Last work all proved to be beneficial for his schedules around their jobs that allow their jobs, both priorities allow them to year, I started working a lot and failed future. Rosario always regrets his lack of them to go to school earlier and get out explore the world in a new way as well as a couple of classes. Now … I’m behind focus in school. earlier. Another practice is encouraging prepare them for life after high school. and have to catch up on Cyber High. “After the summer,” Rios said, “I’m “If you know anything about A-G re- students to enroll in Work Experience, Graduation is around the corner, so I quirements, even [15] years ago, [a ‘D’] an online course where students fill out going to college. I’m going to De Anza don’t even know if I will graduate.” was good enough to for me to graduate weekly logs of hours and do monthly as- College.” By BEATRICE BUGOS and BENJY JUDE Feature Editors
Want to work?
Completing ‘homework’ extends beyond paper and pencil For some students ‘homework’ is the scribble on paper done in the heat of the night. For others, it isn’t school related. They still always have to do it, taking a couple of hours each night. The twist comes in the rewards. “I get paid,” senior Julia Peralta said. “I often spend it right away. I don’t have much in savings.” Peralta and many other students work at their families’ businesses, whether it is helping
out at their brother’s auto-mechanic shop, or serving at their parents’ restaurant. Balancing school’s homework and homework is a challenge every student in this situation faces. “Before, I worked in the morning before school, but now I don’t and just work an hour a day,” Peralta said. “Since I don’t work a 5-hour-shift day [anymore], I have [the time] to do homework.” But, her shift in schedule comes with some downsides.
“We’re such a big family that tion of restauranteurs in her fuit’s hard to get everyone togeth- ture as most of her other family er [for dinner],” she said. members have. M a k “I want ing sure her “Depending [on] how my family to go into family and is doing, for the first couple of years the techthe business I would like to stay nearby and then n o l o g i c a l is secure drift away a little bit to see if they are f i e l d — e i and safe is a fine without me.” ther commuch high—Julia Peralta, puter scier priority or senior ence than makcomputer ing sure everyone is at dinner engineering,” she said. “Defor the Peraltas. But she doesn’t pending [on] how my family want to continue in the tradi- is doing, for the first couple of
years I would like to stay nearby and then drift away a little bit to see if they are fine without me. I would like to go far away.” Currently, both “homeworks” are leading her to having a better future. However, it is a universal fact in her house that one is more important than the other. She said, “Studies. My parents have always told me school over work.”
–by BENJY JUDE and BEATRICE BUGOS