Raven Report
Sequoia High School
Volume XI, Issue 6
1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
March 19, 2018
Students stage show of solidarity for school shooting victims By SAM BROOK and SHANNON COAN Staff Reporter and Feature Editor Enough. Nunca más violencia. Never Again. We call BS. Nosotros somos el cambio. These are the words and posters that filled the air as students and staff walked out to protest gun laws and honor the victims of school shootings March 14. This national walkout was planned in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) shooting in Parkland, Florida Feb. 14, where 17 students and staff were killed. Across the country more than 3,000 walkouts occured. “We found out about this national protest, and we said, ‘We need to do something. We can’t be silent. We can’t just sit here while this issue continues to happen,’” junior organizer Adam Griffin said. The student organizers came up with the idea while on Sojourn to the Past, a week long trip where students learn about the Civil Rights Movement. Once home, they partnered with the Social Justice League and Unity Club to organize speakers and discuss involving the whole school. ASB also assisted by placing post-its with positive messages on lockers and leading a ceremonious moment where students released balloons
Photos By Sam Brook and Aviva Futornick
Hundreds of students gathered on Mar. 14 to protest gun violence in school shootings. The walkout featured students’ speeches, such as senior Shasta Sholes (bottom left), president of the Social Justice League. as others read the names of the 17 victims from MSD and schools who have recently had a school shooting. “We hope to raise awareness about not only what’s happening, but what you can do to make a change and stand up for this,” senior organizer Alex Strehlow
said. Furthermore, the walkout’s goal was to demand change and show that Sequoia stands in solidarity with all schools that have experienced gun violence. “This is an issue that affects schools across the country,” junior organizer
Diego De Nault said. “When it’s something that’s threatening students and the learning environment across the country, I think joining that movement and trying to be a part of that statement is
See WALKOUT, page 5
WASC evaluates Sequoia’s self-improvement measures By BRIGHID BUGOS Sports Editor Students aren’t the only people getting graded at Sequoia this year. From Feb. 11 to Feb. 14, a team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) visited Sequoia’s campus for a three day study of the quality of education and environment. This is part of a sixyear cycle of self-improvement to help WASC reach its goals of providing a quality education for all students. To prepare for their visit, the team gets a selfstudy report prepared by the Sequoia leadership that outlines the strengths of the school and their goals to improve the education of all Sequoia students. WASC works in coalition with the California Depart-
ment of Education (CDE), and through the joint WASC/CDE process high schools are accredited. This means that high schools do a sufficient job with teaching all their students, and that colleges and employers can trust student’s diplomas from those schools. “I believe that it is an important self improvement measure for a school and it really signifies that you are a trustworthy educational organization for your community, for your students and your entire learning community,” said Shiela Folan, one of the seven volunteer educators from around California as well as Honolulu, who worked on the self-study. The process started 18 months ago when ELA English teacher, Alissa Talesnick, began
working with school administration, parents, students and Associated Student Body to form a report that reflects Sequoia. The “WASC Single Plan for Student Achievement” included areas such as data on demographics and the school numeracy and literacy tests as well as information from surveys that were given to students, parents and staff members. “It’s basically just a report about what we’re doing, how we’re meeting these criteria that WASC sets forth and how we’re going to continue the work that we need to do get to where we need to be,” Talesnick said. The WASC team started its visit Feb. 11 in a meeting with community members. They continued their three-day stay with visits to classrooms, hold-
Mini-Spread:
Unholstering the school shooting conversation nationwide
Page 5
ing roundtables with students and concluded it with a meeting where they shared their findings Feb. 14. “The main way of preparing is to get as much input as we can from the community in order to reflect,” Principal Sean Priest said. “I think it’s really good for schools to reflect about goals, and how those goals serve students.” At the report-out meeting the WASC visiting team gave an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the school, organized as the five chapters of their eventual report. WASC reported that the main thing Sequoia should focus on is continuing to collect more data and using it for analysis. In his closing remarks, Priest made the point that they used
the words “should continue”, meaning Sequoia is going down the right path. The report of the visiting team as well as the school’s self study will be sent to the WASC commission for an overview and Sequoia will receive the official report near the end of this school year. For now, Priest and the Sequoia leadership team expect to get a passing grade. “Affirmation should come when we read about things in the newspaper and come to understand the text of the injustices that exist in society and institutionally,” Priest said in closing remarks of the meeting. “Remember that the work we’re doing here is the most powerful work that can be done to undo some of those injustices and make the world a better place.”
Opinion:
Don’t be a FUUL, put away your JUUL
Page 7
2
Feature
March 19, 2018
Elon Musk’s vision electrifies student ambitions By JAY TIPIRNENI Staff Reporter Elon Musk’s popularity is on the rise among young people due to projects such as his SpaceX missions and selling flamethrowers. These novelty projects and ensuing success inspires young people to be ambitious as well. Musk’s recent projects are extremely important to the general field of science and to space exploration in particular. His considerably wild ideas and inventions often seem unattainable, but in time, end up coming to reality over and over again. These seemingly outrageous ideas range from rockets that can carry people thousands of miles around the world to flamethrowers that are meant to be used for fending off hordes of zombies. Yes, Musk legitimately said, “When the zombie apocalypse happens, you’ll be glad you bought a flamethrower,” in a tweet after selling flamethrowers. This kind of behavior from Musk is what makes him so popular. It’s also why students think of him as an inspiration and someone to emulate. “[Musk] definitely inspires people to get into more scientific and educational studies about space and other innovative fields,” said freshman, Elijah Fletcher. Recently, Musk used one of his Falcon Heavy Rockets to propel a Tesla roadster into space with a human analog dummy
Graphic By Jay Tipirneni
According to Forbes, Musk is worth $20.5 billion. He is the CEO of Tesla Motors, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company. in the driver’s seat. The launching of the car into space is what undoubtedly gave popularity to the Falcon heavy rocket. Musk plans to take humans to Mars using his reusable rockets designed by his SpaceX company. One of his current missions through SpaceX is to land humans on Mars using a newly designed rocket: the BFR, or Big Falcon Rocket. He’s also trying to use the same rocket
Midwinter break serves as double-edged sword By SIONE TUIAKI and CHRISTIAN PARDO Staff Reporters This year the Sequoia Union High School District is testing out giving the school the third week of February off. There are a variety of activities that students did during the break, from catching up on sleep to visiting colleges to traveling the world. “I think the idea of having this break was great because I benefited from it by giving my brain a rest and visiting my family across the sea,” junior Joseph Adams said after returning from his week-long trip to Germany. Midwinter Break is not without its disadvantages, though. “It’s a double-edged sword,” Administrative Vice Principal Gary Gooch said. “It gives students and teachers a chance to go home and recon-
nect with family or just with themselves […] also, it could let students work on projects that they don’t have time to work on during the year. On the other hand, a break in instruction is always hard. You have to go home for a week and then come back and start over.” Student athletes have taken advantage of the break, especially those who had to try and manage school and sports at the same time during the semester. “I think it’s very beneficial in that it allows students to relax in such a difficult semester, especially for juniors and seniors as they focus on steps towards the college process,” senior and soccer player Noah Masur said. A number of people spent their break hitting the slopes in Lake Tahoe. “I hope to catch up on sleep as well as crash through Lake Tahoe’s snow,” Masur said.
for commercial transportation in which one can travel from Los Angeles to London in 32 minutes compared to 10 hours and 30 min using a commercial airline. Some of the other utilities of his BFR include deploying satellites, making International Space Station missions, as well as completing moon missions. “The sheer capabilities of the rocket itself and the potential it carries into
space exploration are what makes it so special,” said Fletcher. Musk recently also sold 20,000 flamethrowers for $500 each. He did this through one of his lesser known ironically-named companies, The Boring Company. The flamethrowers are considered safe by the company itself because of its short range but fire authorities still believe an accident is waiting to happen. “When people have a product like this I’m sure that they don’t intend on burning anyone or anything or destroying any property with it. But unfortunately accidents do happen and with a product that’s so easily transportable and creates a two-foot length flame, it’s only a matter of time until we really have a tragedy unfortunately that’s going to unfold here,” said Orange County Fire Authority Larry Kurtz in a CBS Los Angeles article. His is selling the flamethrowers to raise money for a tunnel drilling project. The Boring Company, aims to drill transportation holes underneath cities in order to alleviate traffic on streets. In addition to the capital raised from the flamethrowers, the special product offering raised awareness and publicity for The Boring Company. “He definitely makes himself much more likable than other [entrepreneurs],” said Fletcher. “He does wacky things like selling flamethrowers.”
Fan favorite “Fortnite” ignites craze to ‘build’ all day and night By ZACK ROSENBLATT Executive Editor The video game ‘Fortnite’, created by the producers ‘Epic Games’ and ‘People who Fly’, has ignited an addictive craze that has not only captivated young gamers’ lives, but in extreme cases, seeped into other prominent sectors of life. When ‘Fortnite’ was released on July 25, there was some immediate positive feedback that the game was going to be a hit. The free, co-op, sandbox survival game was developed for download on Playstation, Xbox and PC. The game is described by many casual gamers as a cross between popular video games, ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘Minecraft’. While the objective of the game is to be the last player standing after everyone else has been killed off, collecting supplies and building forts add a less violent sentiment to the gameplay. “It is a ‘Battle Royale’ game. You are in a lobby with 100 people and the goal is to be the last group standing at the end. You drop down and get different leveled loot from buildings,” sophomore, Gus Kirkpatrick said. “There are a bunch of locations on the map where you can get guns, grenades and health. When you kill another player, you get all their supplies too.”
One of the main attractive fac- rick said. “I think the addiction tors that makes ‘Fortnite’ popular will pass in a couple of months among young gamers is the abil- or fade out. It has not happened ity to play on a team with friends. yet though. For now, I play about This includes being able to talk to four hours a day during the weekfriends over the video console’s day and about eight hours a day server through microphones in during the weekend.” order to work together as a team. According to ‘Epic Games’, as This creates a common ground of Feb. 2018, Fortnite had 3.4 and pathway where one can talk million people playing on their to a friend outside of school time. servers during peak hours. This “You get your squad and you broke the record set of 3.2 milhunt for wins. Nobody is backing lion players set by rival game, down; everybody has each others’ ‘PUBG’. In addition, ‘Fortnite’ back. You has become one have to help of the most “You get your squad and you e a c h o t h e r hunt for wins...You have to help popular games out. It’s not to livestream. each other out. It’s not one man one man for Because of the for themselves.” themselves,” strategy and — Paul Garcia, senior senior Paul skill involved Garcia said. with success in Because of the addictive na- the game, highly skilled players ture that comes naturally with are able to attain large followvideo games, for young gamers, ings of people that are willing to the urge to play ‘Fortnite’ can watch them play. spill into other important parts “It is cool to watch other good of life. One may be motivated to players play. I take strategies from skip sports practice, a family din- streamers and try them when I ner, face-to-face time with a sig- play,” Kirkpatrick said. nificant other or even on campus Twitch, a live streaming video school time in order to play a few platform, reported that over the more matches of the game. week of February 26, “Fortnite” “Sometimes I am tempted to was being watched by an average try to get out of school somehow of 141,000 people. This vaulted to be able to play. I know other ‘Fortnite’ into the top spot as the people cut class just to play the highest viewed game on Twitch, game. It’s hard to do homework unseating Twitch favorites like at night too. Once you get on, ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Battleit is hard to get off,” Kirkpat- grounds’.
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Feature/Opinion
March 19, 2018
Labeling ‘fake news’ endangers us all
beliefs. People choosing to use the two words are damaging our government. Yes, we all know the public is becoming more politically polarized, but so are news companies. These two words are making news companies fearful by making them defend their ideology in every article they write. Instead of people vilifying the media, they should be reading their news from a variety of news sources, not just social media (I know picking up a newspaper or going to a website is so much harder) or Fox News or ABC. We need to keep the debates going. Graphic by Beatrice Bugos This slang phrase, if you will, should false accusations. People believe things not be used just as any other slang phrase. like this because they forget there can People are losing their jobs. This is why be “fake” articles. Now, in the age of there needs to be more media literacy. technology, it is important to remember Media literacy is the “ability to access, that anything on the internet could be analyze, evaluate and create media in a made up. variety of F o r forms,” acjournalists CNN exploits Holocaust; Suggest ICE cording to and the agents are Nazis the Center news outBiased headline from Breitbart.com for Media lets, repuL i t e r a c y. tations can This means be ruined just with the use of these two that people could theoretically learn the words. If you think about it, journalists difference between lies and biases. The and newspapers are almost like a fourth more the person pays attention to the branch of government. Their jobs are sources of their information, the more extremely difficult (I can say from expe- that person will understand that biases rience) so they should be applauded for can be inferred while lies can be noticed their work rather than torn down be- through common knowledge. cause their work doesn’t align with one’s After all, words matter.
By BEATRICE BUGOS News Editor
“So many positive things going on for the U.S.A. and the Fake News Media just doesn’t want to go there. Same negative stories over and over again! No wonder the People no longer trust the media, whose approval ratings are correctly at their lowest levels in history!” Guess who tweeted this, I’ll wait. At this point I don’t even have to say his name anymore because he is so connect- conservative, you most likely go to Fox ed to the phrase ‘fake news’. News because they have the same politiSince the 2016 presidential elections, cal views as you. If you’re more liberal, the phrase ‘fake news’ has been used an you go to ABC. Some stories just bleed exceedingly often. This phrase was pop- with bias by never acknowledging the ularized by the other side, which U.S. President. It makes it easier has been used for NFL lawyer who claimed Super for you to know decades; the fo- Bowl is 'rigged' is found dead why the writFake headline from YourNewsWire.com er says certain cus on the phrase is the only thing things. that has changed However, for recently. The same situation has been made-up stories (i.e. ‘fake news’), you a problem throughout journalism’s his- have to use your common sense. Do you tory. really think that Cadbury products are There needs to be a distinction be- contaminated with HIV? Seriously? Or tween heavily biased news and just that Ivanka Trump was fired from the made-up stories. Of course it is easier White House? If this is still really hard to find heavily biased news by just look- for you, there are many websites, like ing at the news source. If you’re more Snopes.com, that check news articles for
Pluto Has Been Officially Reclassified As A Planet!
2018 Oscars Quiz: What’s the move(ie)?
—Compiled by MACKENZIE CLARKE
Who are you watching with?
Alone
Are you looking for something romantic or political?
Do you want something exciting or funny?
With mom/ mother figures
Parents/Adults
Political
With friends
With dad/ history buffs
Funny
Drama Romantic
Exciting Lady Bird
A coming-of-age film with humor and heart-wrenching mother-daughter relationships set in Sacramento.
Phantom Thread
Coming of age/ coming out
A famous dressmaker finds love and inspiration in 1950s London.
Call Me By Your Name
Set in the bucolic Northern Italian countryside in the 1980s, Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer play romantic interests.
Modern?
The Darkest Hour
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, a mute woman working as a cleaning lady at a top-secret government laboratory finds love in an...unusual place. (Bonus: Winner of Best Picture)
Get Out
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut tells the story of a young African American man meeting his white girlfriend’s The Washington Post, headed by the first family. Chaos female publisher of any major American ensues through publication, exposes a massive governa coalescence of mental cover-up about the Vietnam War. horror and a social commentary.
The Post
Managing Editor Mackenzie Clarke News Editors Benjy Jude Beatrice Bugos
Copy Editor Rio Popper
Sports Editor Brighid Bugos
Feature Editor Shannon Coan
Opinion Editor Nicholas Abraham
Online Editor Aviva Futonick Social Media Editor Maddie Reynolds
Historical?
The story of the World War II Allied escape from Nazi-occupied France on the beaches of Dunkirk is told through three perspectives— land, air, and sea.
The Shape of Water
Executive Editors Trevor Crowell Maddie Pei Zack Rosenblatt
Entertainment Editor Dario McCarty
Dunkirk
The historical drama follows the life of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he negotiates with the Nazis during World War II.
SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL RAVEN REPORT 2017-2018
Three Billboards outside ebbing, Missouri
After the gruesome murder of her daughter, a Missouri mother protests the local police department’s incompetence and inaction by purchasing three billboards to be placed on the outskirts of town. Twists and turns and jaw-dropping moments galore.
Staff Reporters Soana Afu, Edward Aguayo, Sam Brook, Simon Clarke, Sarah Fazio, Taylor Gayner, Jonathan Guzman, Hannah Kloninger-Stever, Christian Pardo Villa, Ysabelle Punzal, Lauren Stevens, Jay Tipirneni, Sione Tuiaki, Krista Weaver Adviser Minu Dave Send letters to the editor or requests for advertisement to ravenreport17@gmail.com Masthead by Darien Daly
4
Opinion
Transgender students navigate school, family life out in 8th grade, felt supported but his friends, but received a less supportive reaction from his teachers. “Teachers looked at me different, One in 137 US high school students like ´Why did you just throw your life identify as transgender. For 150,000 away.´ ´You had so much potential American teenagers, their sense of per- and then you decided to do this,’” said sonal identity and gender does not cor- Hayden. “‘You´ve always wanted to be special, why are you trying so hard to set respond with their birth sex. “I was really excited because I had fi- yourself apart.’” For both students, their friends were nally figured out what it was that I had felt was in a way the part of me that was accepting of their decision and willing missing,” said CJ, an upperclassmen, to support them. “It was really easy to talk to who came out as trans his junior year. CJ came out to his friends first, and came them and say ‘Hey this is me’ and this is what I need you guys to do in out to his teachers and school after order for me to feel safe and writing his preferred name on respected,” CJ said. “And a paper in class. 75% of they went completely “I wrote my name on transgender along with it.” the piece of paper and my Home life provides teacher asked me over and youth feel unanother story for CJ, who I had completely forgotsafe at school is not out to his parents, ten that I had written my parents less accepting of his name on it. And my teacher identity. called me over and she was like “My reality is that I might be ‘Hey I know this is your handwriting, do you wanna let me know about kicked out when I come out to my parthat,’” said CJ. “So I came out to her and ents so the probability of losing contact it was a really cool moment because she with my siblings really messes me up a was like “okay cool” and asked me about bit,” he said. Even little change in pronouns, [so] I went ahead things like writand told her to use he/his pronouns. they ing his name Hayden, an underclass/THā/ on a homework men, came pronoun sheet causes a potential 1. used to refer to two or problem. more people or things pre“I’m liv2. used to refer to a viously mentioned or easily ing a split life person of unspecified identified. is what it is,” gender. CJ said. “I have homework at home and I have my A common misconception about they/them preferred name pronouns is that they can only be used in on it instead of reference to groups of people, but they can my birth name, also refer to a singular person. Many people so I always have who identify as nonbinary or genderfluid to be looking prefer to use they/them pronouns as opposed over my shoulder to he or she. to make sure my mom or dad don’t
By AVIVA FUTORNICK Online Editor
see that I have my name written there.“ record is the student’s legal name, so for Hayden shares a similar experience, students like CJ and their birth name his step-mom left the house afis the name that gets called ter he came out becuase she on every first day, with 4 didn’t want her child to be every sub and appears in 10 LGBT around him. on every transcript. A youth say the Teenagers who make student can choose the brave decision to community in which to add a nickname to come out are faced with the record, but then they live is not acjudgement and pressure their preferred name cepting of LGBT at a time in life when it and identity become already feels like the whole temporary. people. world is against them. “It sucks that legally Hayden faced extreme amounts my name is the name that my of pressure from the community around parents gave me,” CJ said. “All of these him to present himself in the way that documents are just another paper trail of others were comfortable with, not what the person I’m supposed to be according he was comfortable, resulting in a strug- to my parents and that’s a moment of gle with anorexia and self-harm. despair.” “There’s a lot of pressure to identify When Hayden started high school with the most biased form [of gender],” his name hadn’t been officially changed, Hayden said. “I’ve had people tell me which his parents have since changed, I would never pass unless I’m skinny but he is using a ‘middle name,’ one for enough.” now, because it is still a conflict in his Before, CJ paid little attention to how house. he presents himself, but, after coming From his experience, Hayden thinks out, he became very conscious of the way that for a safer community, gender idenpeople addressed him. Hayden identifies tity should be taught, not glorifying it as gender fluid and non-binary, present- like sex ed. ing as male, but dresses androgynous, “If you can’t stay safe at home, why which makes him a target for derogatory not stay safe at school,” Hayden said. terms in the hallway. CJ is an active member of CJ expresses that he genthe Gay-Straight Alliance 59% erally passed as male, but and works with staff to of transit’s not any less uncomprovide education and fortable of a transition, templates on how to gender students specifically in the bathaddress transgender have been denied students and their prerooms. Sequoia has one genferred names. For him, access to reder neutral bathroom school is a safe place, strooms next to gym two, and one where he has received acin the health office, a several ceptance and support from minute walk for the majority of students and teachers. students on campus. “Everyone is very open and loving “The bathroom situation is a bit tricky and I have found myself closer to a lot sometimes,” CJ said. “I am someone of my friends than I did before,” CJ who passes as malke so it’s pretty okay, said. “School is the one place where I’m but I definitely had situations when I open.” came out where I was terrified.” When it comes to official names, Students names have been things become more complicated. The changed for purposes of name that appears on the school’s official anonymity
Statistics courtesy of Human Rights Campaign and National Center for Transgender Equality
Misgendering tears down trans identities ally adapting to allow more and more ways for people to label themselves apart from either male or female, but there is still a culture of joking about Everybody has that how others identify. The seemingly one insecurity that trivial jokes such as “I identify as an atmakes them scared tack helicopter” cause people who are of being laughed at actually transgender to feel like their or ridiculed by their identity are a joke. peers. Imagine the “To be closeted or to be questionobject of these insults ing and hear those things [makes was your entire gen- them] think they don’t deserve to be der identity. Imagine being told you acknowledged for who they are,” said were confused and seeking attention non-binary Carter, whose name has just for trying to be who you are. For been changed to protect their anonymmany transgender ity. “It opens the students, this is not “To be closeted or to be ques- door for people who a hypothetical sce- tioning and hear those things don’t know about it nario, but an every- [makes them] think they don’t de- to look at it as a joke. day struggle. serve to be acknowledged for who It’s harmful because Mis-gendering they are.” when they’re introsomeone and trans—Carter, anonmyous student duced like that, it’s phobia in general whose name has been changed hard to unlearn those can have a colossal kind of things.” affect on anyone In high school, evquestioning their own identity, and it eryone is extremely conscious of how needs to stop. Our society is continu- they are perceived by their peers. As a By HANNAH KLONINGER-STEVER Staff Reporter
result, it’s an especially difficult time this small part of me,” Carter said. “If for trans teens to feel comfortable not they can teach it in a way that doesn’t just coming out to others, but being separate it from other things or doesn’t able to accept themselves as well. Soph- shove is into a spotlight, that would be omore Luezi Endamne-Wamba has al- best.” ways known they didn’t fit into either Taking the time to ask someone binary genders, and has since come out what their pronouns are and making to their friends as non-binary. sure to refer to them correctly is the “Identity obviously takes a long time first step in being supportive. For how to figure out, [and] in high school ev- little effort it requires, it has a huge eryone’s trying to figimpact on someone ure out their identiwho has come out to Using someone’s correct proty at the same time,” you or is questioning nouns and labels isn’t about how Endamne-Wamba their gender. well you like that person; it’s a said. “Some people Using someone’s matter of basic human decency. are going to be bad correct pronouns influences on you, and labels isn’t about which might throw you off.” how much you like that person; it’s a Much of this ignorance comes sim- matter of basic human decency. Disreply from a lack of education. Although garding this not only harms that person nonbinary and various other gender and their feeling of self-worth, it also identities are covered briefly during perpetuates the stigma around invalisex-ed units, so much more can be dating the trans community as a whole. done to destigmatize them. Misgendering someone should never “I don’t want my identity to be be a way to attack someone because it highlighted or the center of attention, jeopardizes their ability to feel secure in because I’m a different person besides their own identity.
Opinion/Feature
5
America on standby yet again after gun violence By DARIO McCARTY Entertainment Editor Another day, another school shooting, another crop of students are cut down — their hopes and dreams accompanying them to their grave. So often in these tragedies we lose the humanity of the situation; the victims become reduced to another statistic, a tax we must pay at the toll booth of freedom. The families of victims become footnotes, collateral to the great, humming engine that is American politics. These incidents are merely a broken cog in the machine of democracy, to be oiled and replaced to run again. It’s tragedies like these that leave the nation divided and hurt, that truly test the bonds of democracy. The time to act is now. Not
tomorrow, not next week, not next month—now. We cannot in good conscience allow this raucous symphony of carnage and death to transpire while we masquerade as watchmen. Every day we allow American politicians to line their goldtrimmed coffers with contributions from the NRA is another day we unnecessarily place our youth in the ironsights of another potential killer. Any politician who values campaign donations of the NRA over the lives of America’s youth has completely lost their moral authority. The sardonic irony of having to present a call to action to the American people to do something to defend our children reaches the crux of the issue. Politicians and the talking heads on television love to indefinitely postpone resolution to the gun issue in America, forever keeping the calamity at an arm’s length. “Can the Left let the families grieve for even
24 hours before they push administration says they care their anti-gun and anti-gun about life when it comes to owner agenda? My goodness. abortion, but when it comes This isn’t about a gun, it’s to the slaughter of American about another lunatic,” tweet- children, they become immoed Tomi Lahren, a Fox News bilized by the collar and leash political commentator. the NRA has placed on them. If the shooter was a Muslim Remember that. or some sort of immigrant, Florida State Senator Marco white America would be prac- Rubio’s response to the situatically tripping over itself in or- tion followed the same vein of der to shout “Thoughts its lungs We cannot in good con- and Prayers,” hoarse about science allow this raucous sym- that so many r e f o r m i n g phony of carnage and death to effor tlessly immigration fling onto transpire while we masquerade policies and their social s t r e n g t h - as watchmen. media pages. ening our “Today is the borders. Why are we selective- terrible day that you hope nevly choosing when it’s okay to er comes,” Rubio said. Rubio politicize a tragedy? Pundits has received $3,303,355 and and politicians use this mantra counting from the NRA, and only when it benefits them and it is for this reason he languishwill further their own political es in inaction, instead reveling causes. in his “Thoughts and Prayers.” The American democraThe right’s response to the cy’s wheels are greased by the situation has been, of course, words of hypocrites and the more guns. “Armed educators blood of victims. Our current love and will protect our stu-
Mass shooting serves as catalyst for corporate change against NRA By MACKENZIE CLARKE Managing Editor Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Feb. 14, a movement protesting the National Rifle Association (NRA) has gained momentum in the business world. As of March 12, more than 20 major companies and conglomerates severed ties with the NRA, including Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Metlife Insurance. Many of these corporate decisions have been made aft mounting pressure from users on Twitter asking companies why they are affiliated with the NRA. The NRA, gun and Second-Amendment rights advocacy group, has become increasingly involved many major major campaigns. During the 2016 Election cycle, the NRA spent $54 million funding Republicans in Congress. Because of this relationship, the interests of the group continue to be represented and protected governmentally. In addition, the NRA has continued to become a household-name, representing the anti-gun control movement in many people’s’ minds. Prior to the Fla. shooting, NRA members could gain access to a number of discounts with these companies including cheaper flights, auto insurance policies, discounted hotel rooms and more. However, the recent shooting has spurred these corporations to cut ties with the gun-lobby group. NRA supporters were quick to voice opposition to gun control legislation in the wake of the Parkland shooting. The group’s inextricable link to a large number of America’s lawmakers and companies further strengthens its polit-
Several companies have retracted promotions where NRA members get special discounts on merchandise. ical and economic force in the country. Because of the organization’s popularity and influence, many conservative lawmakers understand that supporting gun control could hurt their campaign. The NRA goes so far as to ‘grade’ every politician running for congress on how pro-gun he or she is. These grades are often used by candidates to prove to voters his or her strong position either against or for guns. Many companies cutting ties with the NRA now face consequences: Lawmakers in Georgia have punished Delta Airlines by eliminating a proposed tax exemption on jet fuel worth some $38 million. The NRA has also spoken up against the severing of ties. “The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school’s security preparedness, the failure of America’s
mental health system, the failure of the National Instant Check System or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement,” the NRA said in a statement. “Despite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice.” Student survivors of the shooting, however, are supporting the boycott. Emma González, a senior at Stoneman Douglas High School where the recent shooting occurred and an activist for the mitigation of semi-automatic weapons, has provided much of the drive against the NRA on social media. After the shooting, González created a Twitter account in order to join Twitter’s community of solidarity and activism and has since garnered 1.22 million followers, surpassing the NRA’s 621,000.
dents .. shootings will not happen again,” Donald Trump, our 45th President, tweeted. If Trump’s ‘game changer’ is to give guns to teachers and train them to shoot students who are shooting other students … well, perhaps it’s time for us as a nation to realize there’s a problem that wasn’t initially envisioned by the authors of the 2nd Amendment. No more can America turn a blind eye to the bloody orchestra of violence and guns unfolding on our doorstep. Thus it would seem America is reaching a turning point, a time of great inflection where we must ask ourselves what it is we wish to stand for. The greatest fight America will face is not overseas or in the Middle East; it is a fight between the country we are and the country we are capable of becoming. The burden of democracy is a heavy one, and it is up to us, the people, to right the ship against the tides of history.
From WALKOUT, page 1 something that’s important and worth walking out for.” The walkout started at 10 a.m. and was supposed to last for 17 minutes, one for each victim, but continued past that mark. Admin altered the bell schedule for the day to have brunch start at 10 a.m. in accommodation. “I think that [changing the bell schedule is] fantastic because it’s showing that it’s not just the students, it’s also the school that’s supporting us,“ said Social Justice League President and senior Shasta Sholes. “The fact that they’re showing support is going to be really beneficial for students because we know that they’re on our side.” However, others were not happy about the bell schedule change. “Putting it into the schedule completely defeats the purpose of a walkout,” sophomore speaker Sophie Cattalini said. “When it’s called a walkout, it means you are leaving something; you are leaving school or leaving class. When it is scheduled like this, it is in a way silencing students.” Speakers throughout the walkout emphasized the need to continue this activism. “17 minutes isn’t enough to change anything,” sophomore speaker Sarah Stampleman said in her speech. “This 17 minutes instead needs to be the awakening of the next generation of activists and more importantly voters who have the power to change something big. We just have to choose to do it.” Other actions are planned for March 24, where a partner protest to the March For Our Lives is planned at the Courthouse Square and on April 20, when another national school walkout is planned.
6
OPINION/FEATURE
Fear
Why do you hate horror movies?
I hate almost anything and everything that has to do with the horror genre. I hate the story lines, the jump scares, the amount of blood and death. The list goes on forever. When I ask people why they enjoy horror, they usually say something along the lines of “I love the feeling of getting scared.” I feel the exact opposite. That feeling is the worst part. When I get really scared during a horror movie, I get completely detached from the movie, causing me to not follow the story line. Another thing I hate about horror movies is how the horrific and disgusting images stick in your mind for months. It’s hard to proceed with your day-to-day life when all you can picture is the bloody clown that’s behind you.
March 19, 2018
Horror Movies:
How do horror movies affect your daily life?
vs.
Horror movies affect my life when they’re based on typical objects in your life like a house, mirror, or family member that ends up getting haunted in some way. After watching the movie, I look at that item or person in my life differently because I assume it will act the same way it did in the movie, eventually killing me somehow.
What do you think about people who do like horror movies?
I have nothing against people who enjoy the horror genre whatsoever. We just have very different taste. I would rather laugh at something funny in a normal, wholesome movie rather than laugh because you are so scared that’s the only way you can react. I never take pleasure in watching innocent people get brutally murWhat are you like when you watch dered by paranormal things. What I find even more alarming is the people on this horror movies? How do you act? planet who can come up with the ideas When I watch a horror movie, I am always for horror movies. You have to be twisted completely hidden behind my hands, try- to enjoy them, let alone write them! ing to see and hear the least amount possible. The less I see or hear, the more I feel like I am not stuck in the horrible situa- Is there anything about horror tion I’m in. I can’t eat while I watch be- movies you love? cause I always feel completely sick to my As long as the scare isn’t too horrifying, stomach from the blood and gore. In the it can be fun to get through the suspense slight chance that I am actively engaged in and the scare with your friends and laugh watching the movie, I ball up in my chair, after. That’s about all of the good things I stay away from doors and keep my legs off can come up with. the ground so that nothing can come grab —Compiled by TAYLOR GAYNER me!
FUN
Why do you love horror movies?
The adrenaline rush, anticipation, excitement and basically everything about horror movies is what keeps me wanting more. I love the creepy characters, jumpscares, mysteries and plot twists that occur throughout. I love how watching horror movies is an experience in itself with everyone huddled together, screaming when something pops out, and just overall being engaged both physically and mentally in the movie. I love being at the edge of my seat, waiting for the murder to happen or for the evil spirit to finally reveal itself. I love the climax of the movie when there is a ton of action, scares and twists that keep the movie interesting.
How do horror movies affect your daily life? Horror movies for the most part do not really affect my life. Once the movie is finished, I’ll debrief and talk about what I thought of it, and then I’m over it. Very rarely do I experience long term effects where I am afraid to look in a mirror or leave a door open as I do not scare easily.
What do you think about people who don’t like horror movies?
I completely understand why someone would not enjoy watching horror movies. They’re scary, unnerving and can be scarring! However, they bring everyone watching together with everyone huddled under a blanket. It is just such a fun experience! Also, watching all of the antiWhat are you like when you watch horror movie people get scared is very amusing. horror movies? How do you act? While watching horror movies, I am for Is there anything about horror the most part fully engaged. I snuggle up movies you hate? in a blanket and grab a bunch of snacks to devour while I watch. I never really There’s nothing about them that I neceshide or cover my face, with the exception sarily hate, but if there is one thing that of a few truly gruesome scenes. When I I don’t like about them it’s that you can watch with friends, I always have a good be scarred for “life”. The only time I ever time because we get to experience it to- felt that way was when I was ten years old gether and feed off of each other’s reac- and I had just watched my first horror tions and emotions. I love scaring others movie. I was completely traumatized for by pretending to see something in the months! window or sneaking out and banging on the doors. I may be a bit twisted but, I —Compiled by YSABELLE PUNZAL promise I’m not psychotic!
IB program distinguishes College applicants weigh decision
Sequoia’s curriculum By SOANA AFU and SARAH FAZIO Staff Reporters Since 2002, Sequoia has been accredited as an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. Like IB’s more-common counterpart, Advanced Placement (AP), IB courses are college-level classes meant to prepare students for post-secondary success. “I think taking challenging classes is beneficial because it teaches students to struggle and then overcome that struggle,” junior Marco Pretell said. While IB and AP share the goal of preparing students for future endeavors, the two programs differ in a multitude of ways. “In an AP class, you might look very deeply at an issue and look at it from multiple perspectives. In IB, it would probably be […] looking at that issue over time and how it has impacted other parts of the world,” said Matthew Nelson, Director of Advanced Academics for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in an article. Additionally, some feel that
AP courses teach more to the test than IB courses do. “[In AP courses] you learn everything in terms of the AP style. The way that IB is taught it’s more about learning the material,” Sequoia Senior Jasleen Pella-Lutzker said. Teachers of AP courses can feel pressured to teach just to the test. “It is a specific test,” said Woodside High School AP Physics teacher Stephanie Finander. “I have to teach exactly the topic they say I have to teach. It’s sort of restrictive.” Both courses culminate in an exam that gets students college credit. IB, though, is internationally recognized, compared to AP’s primarily domestic reputation. “I’ve always wanted to live outside of the country, so IB has definitely helped me,” Pella-Lutzer said. Internationally, the IB program might be more beneficial, but, in the U.S., both programs help with admissions. “Colleges know what courses are available at your school,” Finander said.
on whether or not to apply early By RIO POPPER Copy Editor While some college-bound seniors haven’t yet heard back from any colleges and have no idea where they’ll be attending next year, a few have heard back and know precisely where they’ll be come September. Many of these seniors who know where they will be going submitted their application to early action or early decision programs. Early action allows applicants to submit applications months earlier than the school’s regular submission deadline. Decisions are then returned early to the applicants. These students can then choose to attend one of the schools they hear from, or, instead, wait until they see their regularlytimed results. Early decision, on the other hand, is a binding commitment—if you apply early decision, you are legally agreeing to attend if you are admitted. “Initially, I wanted to do early decision, but then I couldn’t narrow it down
to one school, so I just applied anywhere I could early action,” said senior Jonathan Heist, who applied to several schools early action and several others Regular Decision. “Once I get my results, I’ll visit and see what seems good.” For others who want to expedite the process, though, early decision is an attractive option. “Early decision is a lot better for people—like me—who are entirely sure what their number one college choice is,” said senior Jared Mejia, who was accepted to Pomona College, early decision. “I was really eager to figure out where I was going.” Because the regular admission decision notification period can be very stressful for collegehopefuls, both early action and early decision can help alleviate college-related stress. “It helps to know that even if something goes wrong, you’re still going somewhere,” Heist said. “[Getting in early action] relieves stress around first-semester grades because they aren’t considered for early action applications.” Getting in early, and even
knowing where one will matriculate, does not necessarily lower workload, though. “Most students have been working really hard to get to where they are,” Mejia said. “Once you get that acceptance, it’s not like that just drops off immediately. There’s always that fear— even though it’s super unlikely—that you get your application rescinded.” For others, regular decision makes more sense because balancing classes and college apps during the beginning of senior year can be difficult. “I was still getting used to having more than four IB classes, and I felt like it was too late to do both my classes and apply to college at the same time, so I decided to apply Regular,” senior Felicitas Etu said. For senior Sunaina Butler, who didn’t apply anywhere early, it was a question of rushing her senior experience. “Senior year happens too fast,” she said. “I wasn’t ready.”
March 19, 2018
7
OPINION/Feature
PSA to all JUULers: You don't want no smoke
teens take into account when partaking in activities they know authority figures in their lives will not approve of. First and foremost, the smell. CigaYou enter the rettes have a strong tar smell that lingers house party; a ca- on the users breath, clothes and the surcophony of chat- rounding air. This smell can be offensive ter weaves between and in some case prevent people from usplumes of smoke. ing cigarettes. On the other hand, JUUL’s Ah… yes, the JUUL- release fruity or minty scents depending ers. The truly foolish on the flavoring of the fluid being used. juveniles, of the most erroneous type. In addition, the smell doesn't linger on “Yo, can I hit your JUUL?” clothes or on breath. That means teenagInhale. Exhale. You may have clouds, ers can use it before school, before work but now you have mono. or in a bedroom and a parent, boss or While teenagers have been vaping teacher would not know. since the mid 2000s, no other product JUULs produce smoke by heating the has grown the widespread network of fluid in each disposable JUUL ‘pod’. The ‘vapers’ quicker than the JUUL. Because fluid is heated using a wick and coil sysof the sleek, USB shape design and the tem that creates vapor to be released when affordable $40 price tag, JUULs have be- the user sucks on the mouthpiece. The accome a staple in the high school and col- tive ingredient in JUUL fluid, nicotine, is lege party scene. Though JUULs are mar- a highly addictive substance that is found keted as a way for adult smokers to quit mainly in tobacco. This is the same ingresmoking cigarettes, many young people dient that produces the addictive nature use JUULs purely beof cigarettes. Accordcause of the perceived "It's never just 'vapor' you are ing to the Centers for clout they feel they inhaling—it's vapor plus irritants Disease Control and receive when blowing and toxins and nicotine. So you're Prevention (CDC), out sizable amount of nicotine can harm still inhaling a lot of chemicals, essmoke-clouds. adolescent brain depecially if the vapor has flavoring Aside from the invelopment, something agents." herent germ-spreadwhich extends into the Dr. Honold J Faber, ing that comes from mid-twenties. Professor at Baylor College sharing a mouthpiece In addition, the with other people, CDC reports that ewhen taking the JUUL’s numerous fea- cigarette aerosol can contain substances tures into account, it can be easy to that harm the body, understand why they have become so including cancer-causing chemicals tempting for teenagers to use. Simply and tiny particles that reach deep into the put, JUUL’s are extremely easy to use— lungs. and easy to hide, two important factors In an article published by BuzzFeed
By ZACK ROSENBLATT Executive Editor
News, Dr. Honold J Farber, associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and pulmonologist at Texas Children's Hospital said, "E-cigs might be safer than the most toxic delivery method for nicotine, combustible cigarettes, but they are in no way safe. And it's never just 'vapor' you are inhaling — it's vapor plus irritants and toxins and nicotine. So you're still inhaling a lot of chemicals, especially if the vapor has flavoring agents.” To put a big, round, juicy cherry on top of this point, even the JUUL website has a disclaimer: “No tobacco or e-liquid product should ever be considered 'safe' [and] we encourage consumers to do their own research regarding vapor products and what is right for them." Does that not convince you? Read JUUL’s website further and you will come across the message: “While we are dedicated to our mission of helping adults switch off cigarettes, we are also incredibly focused on combating underage use. No minor should be in possession of a JUUL or any other tobacco product. Underage use of certain product categories remains a persistent problem. While we have made strides, we are working on new approaches to address the issue more effectively.” Let us pretend you disregard or even fail to read JUUL’s website before buying yourself one. Regardless, the moment you get your hands on the product, you are greeted with the words, “an alternative for adult smokers,” on the top of the box. This should be enough to make you think: “Am I an adult smoker? Hmm… Maybe not.” So why do it? It creates a certain level of
disbelief as to why a human being would place themselves in such jeopardy—not only with willingness, but with anticipation. Much of the attraction to vaping comes from teenage party culture. When at a party, people often feel the need to do something to occupy their attention in between conversations. In addition, smoke tricks can make for fun ‘party tricks’ at a social gathering. This can be cool, but is it really worth the health risk? Does it make sense to jeopardize your health and future years to look cool in front of a bunch of kids you want to impress at a party? The excuse many look to when justifying e-cigarette use is that it is ‘healthier’ than regular cigarettes. Though E-cigarettes do contain fewer carcinogens than conventional cigarettes, E-cigarettes cancel out this health positive (in comparison to cigarettes) with a bigger negative. Because of the ease of access that vaping, especially JUULing allows for, it inherently leads to more use from the user. Since the potential use of a JUUL is so much higher than a conventional cigarette, a JUUL user ends up receiving an equal severity of health risks compared to a cigarette user. The decision to JUUL or not to JUUL boils down to one thing...Maturity. The maturity to realize how paramout living a healthy life is over trying to appear cool. Do not be oblivious and ignore the obvious dangers of smoking. Be mature. You do not need to be blowing clouds while you drive, study, or party. Sequoia, it does not make you look cool, and nor does it make me want to be your friend. Let’s all stop JUULing and make life not-sosmokey again.
Gen Z: The Events That Shaped Us
Generation Z is defined by a group of people born in between the years 1999 and 2014. Here's a timeline of some of the events that molded and influenced the culture of a generation. —Compiled by BEATRICE BUGOS
and MADDIE REYNOLDS
The Rise of Young Adult Fiction 2007-2011
The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Twilight, and Percy Jackson are just a few of the pieces of literature that pervaded every member of Gen Z's bookshelves and childhood.
The Internet Boom 2001-present
The Refugee Crisis 2015-present
Gen Z is the only age group to have grown up regularly utilizing modern digital technology. They have been exposed to an unprecedented amount of social media, from a young age, making them more adept at online interaction than their predecessors.
In 2015, there was an influx of migrants seeking asylum in Europe from war torn countries, such as Syria. Massive numbers of people made headlines across the world and opened a dialogue of people from many generations, including Gen Z, about immigration all over the world.
Domestic Terrorism 2001-present
The Age of Social Justice 2013-present
From 9/11 to the Parkland shooting, acts of domestic terrorism have been commonplace throughout the timeline of Gen Z.
The Golden Age of Disney Channel 2003-2010
That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, Zoey 101 and just about every Disney Channel original movie to exist. These shows were a part of every Gen Z-er's childhood and continue to stay relevant not only in their memes, but in their hearts.
The #BlackLivesMatter movement, the fight for gay rights and most recently, the rampant push for gun control have been a hallmark of Gen Z culture. Activism and the push for political reform has been a societal norm for Gen Z, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
March 19, 2018 8 sports/Feature Weddings unite students in celebration of marriage equality By LAUREN STEVENS Staff Reporter The Sequoia Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) held their annual marriage fundraiser Feb. 16 in the quad. About 100 students gathered to be married or have their vows renewed from earlier marriages. Students from Orchestra played live music and streamers were hung in the trees to decorate the quad on the day of the event. GSA members acted as officiants for the marriages. The GSA has held this fundraiser since 2014 to raise money for club activities and donations. The marriages began as a way to protest government regulated marriage laws. Since the 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized same sex marriage nationally, the marriages serves as a celebration of the strides the LGBTQ+ community has made. “The Valentine’s Day celebration has been around for a really long time. It originally was to
Photos by Hannah Klonninger-Stever
Same-sex marriage has been legal in the U.S. since 2015, but GSA has continued to strive for marriage equality. protest that same-sex marriage wasn’t legalized in America, but now it’s just a celebration,” said senior and GSA board member Aubrey Maciaszek. “It’s a great experience and people seem to really enjoy it.” The GSA charged two dollars a person and students were al-
lowed to marry anyone or anything they wanted to. The newly-married couple received rings and marriage certificates, in addition to the ceremony carried out by a GSA officiant. Couples could choose from a variety of labels, ranging from “wives” or “husbands” to simply “friends”
Wrestler pins her way to spot at state championships By SHANNON COAN Feature Editor
On Feb. 23-24th, senior Iris Guizar competed at the CIF Wrestling State Championships in Visalia, California, becoming the first athlete to represent Sequoia at the meet in six years. Wrestling coach and history teacher Bradely Ramezane praised Guizar’s abilities and was ecstatic when he heard that she had qualified for state. “She’s one of the best athletes I’ve ever coached. Just because she was always willing and ready to do what she was asked,” Ramezane said. “It was always a joy to see her not only at practice but also compete because she always went out there to beat the other person.” To qualify for state championships Guizar needed to place in the top three of her weight class at the Central Coast Section (CCS) Championships. She lost her second match of the first day, but came from behind to win all five matches the next day, securing the 3rd place spot she needed to qualify for state. The team practices with Carlmont High School’s team as both teams don’t have many members. The small team does pose as a challenge, especially for the girls as between the two teams there are only four. This is especially problematic when they practice
live wrestling as there is often a lack of good partners for athletes to wrestle with. “One of the biggest challenges is for the athletes because they don’t have a lot of different people to work with,” Ramezane said. “A lot of them lack a really good partner to work out with, especially because of weight differences.” Through the difficulties to practice, the team is encouraging of each other. “We play around with each other, but we all support each other. We are there for each other. No matter if you lose, we will be there for them,” Guizar said. Throughout the whole process Guizar’s parents have not supported her decision to wrestle on Sequoia’s team and did not travel with her to the state meet. “[My parents] don’t support me doing wrestling. They think that it’s a guy sport,” Guizar said. “They think that wrestling is for a guy not a girl, and I shouldn’t do it because I can get hurt.” Guizar started wrestling her sophomore year after the coach approached her in the weight room and suggested that she should try it. She quickly fell in love with the sport. “Wrestling has taught me a lot,” Guizar said. “Each match I’ve had has taught me something. It doesn’t matter if I lose or not. I take something from it and I can apply it to my life.”
and everything in between. “I got married because my friend and I wanted to become official ‘partners-in-crime’,” senior Amanda Lowenstern said. In addition to the marriage ceremonies, couples who had married in previous years could renew their vows in a similar
ceremony. “The first time I got married was freshman year, and this year [the people I married and I] hadn’t seen that much of each other because of applications and stuff,” senior Ellis Spickermann said. “It just felt like the right thing to do.”
Winter Sports Wrap-Up
Boys Soccer (10-8-3) 3rd in Bay League
“We kind of slumped near the beginning of regular season but we ended pretty strong … One of the best moments of the season was probably destroying Woodside.” —Kyle Spottiswood, junior
Girls Soccer (14-5-3) 2nd in Ocean League “I think the best moment of the season was when we won our first CCS round game. That was pretty good because we got to advance and we’re the second Sequoia team to advance, so that was pretty exciting.” —Kara Shannon, junior
Girls Basketball (20-8) 3rd in South League “The [new] coaches have completely transformed the entire program and definitely deserve the credit regarding our success this season. They provided the backbone to the team.” —Danielle Huber, junior
Boys Basketball (22-8) 1st in South League “I feel like our season went good overall. We put a lot of hard work in throughout the summer and towards the end. It’s nice that we got league champs in back-to-back PAL tournaments, but I feel like we could have gone farther.” —Jean Ayarza, senior
Wrestling (0-6) 7th in Bay League
Photos Courtesy of Sequoia Yearbook
“We had a lot of new people coming out, so it was really a lot of fun to build our wrestling community. Overall, [our season] was good … One of my teammates, Iris Guizar, she went to state, she placed 3rd in CCS, so she obviously did really great. We’re all really proud of her.” —Maya Metro, senior —Compiled by SOANA AFU and SARAH FAZIO