Raven Report Sequoia High School
Volume X, Issue 4
1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
February 17, 2017
Adaptive hockey team scores Sharks donation
By SHANNON COAN Staff Reporter Sequoia’s Adaptive Physical Education Class received a $30,000 donation from the San Jose Sharks as part of the Shark Foundation’s “Big Give” program, Dec. 22, to fund their ice hockey team. Special Education teacher Rebeca Goodwin created Sequoia’s adaptive hockey team three years ago after discovering a grant for special needs students. The hockey team, originally started as an alternative to the normal adaptive physical education class, is now offered to any student with an Individualized Education Plan. “For some kids with autism, when they get on the ice, their [uncontrolled] movements go away,” Goodwin said. The Sharks’ donation sustained the adaptive team’s funding, which was exhausted last year. The grant was inititally meant for teams solely in Santa Clara County, but ultimately found its way to Sequoia.
The donation provides practice time on the ice from 2016 to 2018, registration for each player to the USA Hockey program, new gear and tickets for all of the players’ families to watch the Sharks play against the Edmonton Oilers in a luxury booth. “It was really amazing. It was nice that they gave us that much nice stuff,” junior and team goalie Ever Quintanilla said. “[The players] spending the day with us was the best part.” The Sharks also invited the adaptive team to watch a private Sharks practice. After practice, they visited a locker room where each player received personalized hockey equipment. Sharks player Paul Martin signed jerseys right in front of them before having a private skate session with Sharks players Dylan DeMelo, Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier as well as assistant coaches Steve Spott and Johan Hedberg. During the skate session, the Sharks players advised and practiced technique with Sequoia’s team.
Photo Courtesy of Beth Goddard
Alex Munoz-Bergman (left) and Robbie Batista (right) smile for the camera in full gear on the ice, while meeting the Sharks players. “I scored on one of the Shark players,” sophomore Jaklyn Kendall said. “It felt like a once- in-a -lifetime opportunity.” The team practices for more than 4 months during the second semester at Ice Oasis in Redwood City, every Tues-
day during 5th period. According to Goodwin, without the help of other teachers and aides, including Nick Boldrey, Judy Hoja and Luis Ledesma, putting on the players’ skates
See SHARKS, page 2
Superintendent bids Sequoia campus expands to farewell after 39 years fit growing student body By MADDIE PEI Managing Editor After 39 years in education and 7 years as Sequoia Union High School District’s superintendent, Jim Lianides will retire at the end of the school year. Lianides’ most impactful actions in office include expansion of school facilities and redrawing school district lines, all in efforts to give everyone an equal opportunity. “We’re on the right path in narrowing the achievement gap,” Lianides said. “My hope is the next superintendent stays on this path. I don’t want anyone to think we should pat ourselves on the back and say, ‘We’re done.’” During his time at the district office, to accommodate the growing student population, Lianides supervised construction of the “A,” “S” and “J” wings at Sequoia, Carlmont and Woodside, respectively. Prior to Lianides’ term, district lines caused students from the same middle school
to go to different high schools. Redrawing district lines ultimately allows students to have a better sense of community. Aspirations Advocates is one program that helps at-risk students graduate. The support system consists of one full-time teacher per school to look out for incoming freshmen. Lianides also works closely with English language learners in the district and maintains a close relationship with the local K-8 schools. The Redwood City native and graduate of Woodside High School became a teacher in 1978 and became principal and Chief Business Officer in later years, before becoming superintendent. “We live in a very complex society,” Lianides said. “Now, in the Information Age, we have to be able to process information and analyze information. Jobs and careers now are very specialized, where a strong skill base is very important. We need to do all we can to prepare our students for jobs.”
By NICK ABRAHAM Entertainment Editor The new A-wing opened Feb. 1, despite classes starting two weeks prior. Several English and science classes are hosted in the complex near Elwood lot. It is also a temporary location for classes previously located in the M-wing, which is currently under construction, itself. Students are seeming to enjoy the new and clean atmosphere of the new A-wing. “The A-wing is as clean as a hospital,” sophomore Tom Woodward said. Another positive change for many students is the new convenience they have in getting to class compared to before. This is especially true for English students that previously had to make the trek to the portable classrooms. “On my A days, I have English and Band right next to each other, so I don’t have to move,” sophomore Jacob Givens said. “I’m not in a hurry and or tardy anymore because I don’t have to worry about the distance.”
Spread: Your brain on drugs: Pathways
Page 4-5
Photos by Nick Abraham
The A-wing’s grand opening was attended by Principal Sean Priest and Assistant Vice-Principal Gary Gooch alongside project contributors, alumni and students.
By the numbers:
34.2
percent of Sequoia students who reported having consumed alcohol
23.8
percent of Sequoia students who reported having consumed marijuana
2
Feature
Sojourn
Graphic by Lauren Stevens
To The Past Meridan, MS
Memphis, TN "I really want to a lifechanging experience, because there are very few things that can truly change how you see the world, and I'm hoping that this will be one of them" Shasta Sholes, Junior
"Sojourn is a once-in-alifetime opportunity, and it changes your perspective on the Civil Rights movement" -Emily Calderaro
February 17, 2017
Birmingham, AL Visit 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and National Civil Rights Institute, Meet the McNair Family, Session on Music in the Movement led by Minnijean Brown Trickey.
Atlanta, GA Hear “I Have a Dream Speech” at Stone Mountain, Visit King Center, Anti-Racism session led by Minnijean BrownTrickey, Meet Clark Olsen and Congressman John Lewis
Little Rock, AK "Before I went, I didn't know much about the Civil Rights Movement, but after going, I learned so much about hardships they went through to get rights," senior Emily Calderaro said.
Selma, AL Jackson, MS "The journey is important not only for its historic value, but for teaching the real lessons of the Movement: tolerance, justice, compassion, hope, and nonviolence" -Sojournproject.com
Visit Brown Chapel, Cross Edmund Pettus Bridge, Meet Joanne Bland and Coach Lawrence Huggins.
Passion put on display by political activism test his inauguration. The motivation to attend marches and protests vary. Junior Aubrey Maciaszek attended the Women’s March in San Francisco and wanted her voice needed to be heard. Election season is over, but the heated “We went to show our support for evpolitical discourse has just begun. eryone who felt like they weren’t respectThe reactions to the election are ed [by Trump’s policies],” Maciaszek mixed. Some fully support President said. “We don’t have a president who reTrump; others starkly oppose him, con- spects everyone’s rights, but we can still testing his legitimacy as a president. stick together.” Some celebrated; others protested it Maciaszek was not the only student with similar vigor. One student who has to voice her anti-Trump opinion; senior a favorable view of the new administra- Adam Melamed attended a separate protion is senior Andrew Acevedo. test on El Camino with other students Acevedo was given the chance to on the day of the inauguration. attend Trump’s inauguration and emHis reason was very clear: he wanted braced the opportunity. unity. “I was extremely proud to watch the “We wanted to recognize women’s peaceful transfer of rights, but also LGBT power, an importMelamed “It will be a people’s presidency. rights,” ant part of democ- America first, no more Washington said. “It was peaceracy,” Acevedo said. insiders controlling everything. He ful, [and] Americans He described the speaks to [the ignored] Americans, showed support for inauguration as a from the South to the Rustbelt,” one another.” picture of America’s Both Maciaszek —Senior Andrew Acevedo heartland rejoining and Melamed plan to celebrate the end on attending future of “big Washington government”. protests given the right situation, but are Acevedo is confident that students mixed on their support for Trump. with preoccupations about Trump will “Technically, he is my president, but become more open once they can enter- I do not support him,” Maciaszek said. tain a respectful and open dialogue beMelamed is more optimistic, but distween people with opposing viewpoints. agrees with much of Trump’s rhetoric. “It will be a people’s presidency. “I don’t support everything he says,” America first. No more Washington in- Melamed said. “But he has some good siders controlling everything,” Acevedo points.” said. “He speaks to all [ignored] AmerAlthough it seems a four year stretch icans, from the South to the Rustbelt.” of constant squabbling has just begun, Despite some students’ optimism, Sequoia will continue to peacefully disothers have taken to the streets to pro- cuss ideas and remains a place of friends. By TYSON FRALEY and LIAM MENENDEZ-BRENNAN Staff Reporters
What Is Sojourn? Sojourn to the Past is a journey that takes students through the history of the Civil Rights Movement, with visits to historical sites and speakers
SHARKS from page 1
and getting them to the rink, wouldn’t be possible. To the students, it’s more than just love of the game that motivates them to practice every week. “It’s good to get out there, have fun, be with your classmates and have a good time,” Quintanilla said. The adaptive hockey program exposes the students to physical activity that helps develop useful skills that will be beneficial for the rest of their lives. “It’s good for their muscle tone, gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s a great sport that we aren’t exposed to very much here in the Bay Area,” Goodwin said. Some of the students on the team have never been on skates before, but hockey gives them something to look forward to every week. “I always liked [watching] hockey,” Kendall said. “But I never really realized I loved it until I tried it.”
Sequoia crawling with rats By DARIEN DALY Staff Reporter Rats have emerged from the depths of school ceilings and walls over winter break, resulting in issues of rat infestation. The signs are everywhere. Sequoia Librarian Elizabeth Snow was displeased to find droppings in the library. History teacher Teresa Yeager was cleaning her desk, and screamed when she discovered a rat living in it. “I opened the left drawer of the desk and realized a rat had made a nest in it,” Yeager said. “A custodian came in and we [wanted] to see if there were any droppings, and the rat jumped out the side of my desk. We are in a place where students have food all the time.” The rat that Yeager saw was gray and about six inches long, indicating that the list of possible species of rats inhabiting this school includes Roof Rats and Norway Rats. The average feral rat life span is about a year.
The school provided aid to those who found rats or rat droppings, which carry many infectious diseases. Both Snow and Yeager received maintenance to cover holes and prevent further entry. “The school addressed the concern [the] right away. We are looking for the cause and not just running around and killing rats,” Snow said. “We did a good job of filling holes, and the district sent maintenance to make sure that the entry points were all filled in.” To remove further rats, Sequoia decided to utilize poisonous rat pellets. The California Healthy Schools Act prohibits the use of dangerous pesticides on school property. This law allows parents and staff to access information about pesticide use at public schools. “The presence is a health concern,” Snow said. “We want to make sure that we know exactly where they are. We can keep the place clean for students, but students also have to be a part of that solution.”
3
Feature/Opinion
February 17, 2017
Raven’s Review:“Best Picture” hopefuls contend for Oscar “Manchester by the Sea”
“La La Land”
“Moonlight”
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
After several unplanned meetings, Sebastian and Mia fall in love, but success mounts and they the fragile fabric of their love affair. The dreams they worked so hard to maintain threaten to rip them apart.
Lee lives alone in an underground apartment in Boston to hide from his past. One phone call and he’s headed back to all the people and places that remind him of an unspeakable catastrophe.
Set in the 1970’s during the beginning of the “War on Drugs”, Moonlight tells the story of a young black man, Chiron, who struggles to find himself and succeed within his impoverished community.
Outstanding cinematography makes La La Land a compelling musical. The vivid hues add to the impact of each event, allowing the viewer to understand the plot. Mia dresses in vibrant colors while Sebastian in muted tonevs. Later, he becomes cheerier and dresses in bright clothing. After they split, however, the color shifts back. Despite these outstanding filmmaking and powerful acting, the plot felt very familiar and unoriginal. This movie was touching and sweet but not as impactful as I hoped.
Manchester by the Sea lacked creativity and excitement. The overplayed, dramatic music drained each scene. In fact, there never was a climactic point in the movie. The playwright, Kenneth Logan tried to replicate grief by never providing closure. Despite this attempt, I lost interest quickly. Lee was convincing as a depressed and pained man. His relationship with his nephew is entertaining. Overall, the acting well done, but the plot lacked coherence and closure. Two hours of my life had been wasted.
Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney creates an atmosphere of desperation as he recounts his life story, exposing neglected issues in inner city Miami. Nothing is lost to arbitrary relationships. The level of depth was only possible through the exceptional performance of the three actors that played Chiron throughout his stages of life, from child to teen, to young man. They brought the dialogue to life with silence and powerful expressions. Moonlight left me speechless, feeling like I’d just been to hell and back.
Beautiful choreography and impromptu piano songs create a spectacular musical. One of the best parts of the movie was the summer montage backed with an uplifting tune composed by Justin Hurwitz. The film changes tones when it focuses on the problems in Mia and Sebastian’s relationship and careers. Director Damien Chazelle encourages the audience to root for the two to return to their romance, but he leaves us torn, deciding between love and career when the main characters meet again and share only a glance.
—by Isabel Sanchez-Foster Manchester by the Sea is bleak and depressing. The plot does not exist. It’s as if the director expects the audience to enjoy watching a sad, alcoholic man and his nephew to overcome a tragedy. Though the witty banter between Lee and his nephew is intriguing, it doesn’t make up for the lack of a plot. I can’t remember a specific climax or resolution. The characters were not relatable. It only appeals to an audience who wants to watch a movie that will make them lose hope for relationships and life.
On the outside, this film is about drug abuse, mass incarceration, violence but is truly a story about a boy struggling with his sexual and racial identities. I was amazed with Director Berry Jenkins’ ability to portray Tarell Alvin McCraney’s life. However, I didn’t agree with the scene in which modest Chiron turned materialistic, and accepted the offer of a neighborhood couple’s house.
Immigration ban betrays American values and ideals By TYSON FRALEY Staff Reporter The recent ban on immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries goes against 225 years of American values. Since our country’s foundation, we have both been made up of and supported refugees. From the Irish fleeing British persecution; who were given jobs and the opportunity to succeed in a rough environment to the Slavs fleeing an oppressive dictator in the 1990’s, we have seldom wavered in our support of refugees. And when we have abandoned these sentiments, it has left a stain on an otherwise proud history. The newly-inaugurated President of the United States, Donald Trump, has decided to abandon these values in favor of supporting fear mongering—a platform he campaigned on extensively. Acting on the advisement of Steve Bannon, a renowned propaganda journalist who has remained staunch in his opposition of political correctness throughout the election season, and without the advisement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and current national security advisor, President Trump passed an executive order meaning to ‘secure our borders’ from radical Islam. The effect that his executive order had on our country has been far more detrimental to foreign relations than it has been protective our national security. While President Trump may have intended for this order to slow the advance of the Islamic State (ISIL) it has only served to help heighten their recruiting; as well as prevent our forces from coordinating with
Iraqi military and Syrian rebels---the main bution to his actions. My party holds true opponents of ISIL. that through hard work and love anything While Americans have an inherent in- can be achieved; we stopped slavery and vestment in protecting our borders, it must stopped Jim Crow we can’t stand idly by be done so in a way that thoroughly pro- while the same type of discrimination retects American Ideals. The ideals that our turns to the mainstream. Our party, which very democracy was founded on: to grant was founded on “free labor, free land, and those who are denied freedom in their free men” and a fierce opposition to execuhomeland the opportunity to succeed, tive prerogatives, needs to wake up. As Rethat all individuals regardless of birthplace publicans, and more importantly Ameriare guaranteed life, liberty, and the pur- cans we need to stand up for the value of suit of happiness, and that one should be freedom and Liberty that our party was free of religious persecution in a land of founded upon and take a stance against the opportunity. The actions that we take to ever increasing tyrannical presence of Presprotect our own borders and citizens must ident Trump’s executive branch; we didn’t be done in a way that reflects these values like it when Obama ignored the constituand avoids alienating current legal Ameri- tion, and the rights of middle America-we can immigrants. shouldn’t support it now. While Trump’s executive order reflects No human fleeing radical Islamic terintentions positive in rorism or Sharia Law nature; its hasty impleshould be denied enNo human fleeing radical Is- trance to our country mentation, and poor legal wording leave lamic terrorism or Sharia Law which was founded to room for prejudice: should be denied entrance to our be a nation opposed intended or otherwise, to tyranny while safewhile harming inno- country. guarding freedom of cent Americans and religion. As Americans properly vetted refugees in the process. we should take into account the rejection The order should be immediately with- of Jewish refugees who were fleeing Nazi drawn and restructured to strengthen our persecution prior to our involvement in borders through proper vetting and diplo- World War II, this rejection has turned matic action in the Middle East to encour- into one of the deepest wounds on Ameriage nearby countries to accept refugees. can history; as patriots, Americans, stuAs a proud American, and member of dents and humans we should all, Republithe Grand Old Party, the lack of action can or Democrat, do what is in our power that my fellow Republicans have taken in to help guide our nation down the right response to the order is sickening. Presi- path, removing the power from executive dent Trump is perhaps the least Repub- agencies and returning it to Congress so lican, Republican president our country that we never have to deal with another has ever seen. His ban takes away oppor- ill-thought executive order. It is imperative tunities from hundreds if not thousands to ensure that the Trump Administration of people who want only to come to our does not become another black mark on nation to flee the oppression of radical Is- our vibrant history. Instead, let it be the lam and better themselves through Hard beginning of another Golden Age for the work. He hampers our safety by antago- American Dream-- open to all who favor nizing ISIL and provoking attacks in retri- liberty around the world.
—by Sam Brook
Sequoia High School
Raven Report 2016-2017
Editor-in-Chief Xavi Boluña Managing Editors Opinion Editor Trevor Crowell Mars Svec-Burdick Maddie Pei Feature Editors Online Editors Beatrice Bugos Rio Popper Benjy Jude Maddie Reynolds Entertainment Editor Nicholas Abraham
Sports Editor Brighid Bugos
Page Editor Copy Editor Matthew Eisenberg Zack Rosenblatt News Editor Photo Editor Mackenzie Clarke Aviva Futornick
Staff Reporters Sam Brook, Simon Clarke, Shannon Coan, Darien Daly, Tyson Fraley, Dario McCarty, Liam Menendez-Brennan, Carolina Michel, Isabel Sanchez-Foster, Lauren Stevens, Krista Weaver Adviser Minauti Davé Send letters to the editor to ravenreport17@gmail.com
Special
4 The smell of smoke and booze filled the air...
cide what they want to do,” Kaleb said. “That’s all part good people,” Masha said. “At the height of it, of growing up.” when it was all bad, it was ‘oh I just want to go Other students attribute the origins of their drug get faded.’ I just started binge drinking heavily.” use to individually-motivated exploration and curiosMasha was able to keep her academic perfority. During the teenage years, the human brain under- mance separate, but there were social side effects. goes significant growth and development in the pre“I was really school-motivated, so it didn’t affect By MACKENZIE CLARKE and ZACK ROSENBLATT frontal cortex, meaning that stimulation translates my grades. I actually ended up getting straight A’s, News Editor and Copy Editor into much stronger feelings or “highs” for teens but I stopped talking to all other friends that I wasn’t than for adults. This personal interest in experidoing it with, and I kind of shut myself off because I knew they were going to ask me ...and the music blared; the bass was turned up menting can manifest itself when a student is about what I was doing,” Masha high. Scattered red Solo cups painted the landscape of by themselves in the comfort of their home said. a stranger’s home filled with dozens of tipsy teenagers. or at a party with friends. “I wanted to do weed, and my first According to the National Bottles passed around as chants escalated: “CHUG percent time was with a friend,” junior Riley Institute on Drug Abuse, proCHUG CHUG!” of students who longed drug abuse and addicA Hollywood fiction or the average Sequoia party? said. “One reason I do it is because it reported feeling tion can lead to cardiovascular Both. While scenes like these are exaggerated in films is fun. I didn’t know it was going to pressured to use disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and media, this is a weekend reality for many high help me sleep, but I realized that afany type of drug, ter I started.” lung disease and hepatitis. While it school students. While partyis inarguable that most drugs, classified According to data collected by a 2016 Teen cigarette or aling with friends as both “soft” and “hard” can come with Resource Center survey, 34.2 percent of cohol (2016) on weekends can dangerous physical consequences, addiction the overall Sequoia student popbe an innocent pastime is not only physical. Another aspect of what ulation has consumed alcohol at When you and source of stress relief for makes drugs dangerous is the use of them as least once before. Although this is some high school students, it can suppressants for personal distress. not the case for everyone, it can be start messing up also have the risk of escalating toIn some cases, life outside of school besafely assumed that at least some of the things you want wards more destructive habits. However, comes dangerously intrusive. these instances of substance use occur to do with your life this hasn’t been an issue for Riley. “Some people are really good at compartwith friends at a party. because of drugs, “Your tolerance builds up to it but, mentalizing. But for some, partying is a lot The reasons a student to be honest, not that quickly. I’m more fun than dealing with responsibilistarts going to parties can difthat’s when it more relaxed the rest of the day after ties or personal problems so, instead, fer greatly, ranging from peer pressure gets bad.” smoking, even if the high is over. they [escape],” Masha said. However, to pure curiosity. —Ezra, senior [And] even if I haven’t smoked that not all who party end up involved “The first time I drank was freshman year, day, since I have started smoking, I in anything mind-altering. and I did it because my friend came up to me just sleep better overall,” Riley said. “I’m not interested in trying and offered it,” junior Kaleb said. “The first time Risk of negative side effects increases as the sub- drugs, although at the parties I it was offered that night, I said ‘no,’ but later in stances become harder. For senior Ezra, hallucinogens go to, there’s usually weed, the night I caved and said ‘yeah, I’ll take some.’” vape and hard alcohol,” After that, Kaleb’s interest in alcohol and drugs in- are acceptable, but he draws the line at opiates. “I’ve done acid and shrooms before, just with a few sophomore Danny said. creased along with his attendance of weekend parties. During the past few months, Kaleb has gone to about friends,” Ezra said. “I just wanted to try it. Psychedelics “I’ve had the opportwo parties a week. Despite this interweaving of parties are not as bad as heroin. Screw heroin. Never in my life tunity to smoke and from least to m and recreational drug use, Kaleb still accepts that the would I try that. With psychedelics... people say they been tempted, but give new perspectives.” I usually say, ‘I’m ‘party lifestyle’ isn’t always the safest option. of drugs consu Senior Masha has more experience with the down- fine.’” “Society is right to think that teenage partying is Sequ bad. Obviously, purposefully breathing [smoke] and sides of substance use. “When I started to do harder stuff, the people who drinking something poisonous isn’t good for you, but everyone needs to live their life at some point and de- I was hanging out with during that time just weren’t
H
Hallu
12.9%
P
“
Cig
Marij
Alcho
Teach teens to toke safely
The kids are not all high, but they will be In California, we already have more like the conversation around sex: if dispensaries than Starbucks locales, it’s abstinence-only, the kids who get and prop 64 hasn’t even hit yet. The into it are going to screw up harder day I turn 18, if I so choose, I can walk than they would have if they knew into a clinic and walk out with a card how to protect themselves. that gives me legal access to a wonderHere at Sequoia, we benefit from land of THC. Right now, if I really Teen Talk: two weeks of scientific tried, someone could deal me an illegal education about sexuality, sex and all gram for less than the price of round- its risks. Now I’m calling for a comtrip Bart tickets. parable Teen Toke: comprehensive, Let’s not pretend that students don’t realistic drug ed program, with the have access to drugs. goal of preventing adand overdose. And no matter how “I’m calling for a com- diction much we hear it, a vast When I was a freshparable Teen Toke: comnumber of us aren’t goman in ICAP Biology prehensive, realistic drug ing to just say no.” (back when we still To put this in per- ed program, with the goal had ICAP Biology), of preventing addiction spective, according to we took a break from the Center for Disease and overdose. discussing how PunControl’s 2015 survey, nett Squares affect 41 percent of teenagers nationwide are our genetics, to talk about the effects having sex. According to the Teen Re- of alcohol, THC and MDMA on our source Center’s 2015-2016 Needs As- brains. Stigma and legality aside, we sessment, by senior year, 42 percent of learned the cause-and-effects: here’s Sequoia students have smoked weed. why rolling on ecstasy induces bliss, In terms of prevalence of risky teen be- here are its immediate health risks, haviors, getting high beats getting laid and here’s how long you’re at risk of by an even larger majority than Hillary depression afterwards. won the popular vote. We naive freshmen spent the block The conversation around drugs is class asking questions and the lesson
has stayed in my brain ever since. Unfortunately, not all students get the talk that we had in ICAP. The existing Life Skills curriculum, meant to prepare all first-semester freshmen for new challenges in life, covers drug use by briefly addressing its physical side effects and potential to impair decision making. While this is valuable, it’s far from comprehensive. Student-made posters from the unit last fall included tips on how ‘smoking’ LSD can kill you, when in fact, it’s impossible to smoke LSD. Inevitably, at some point during high school or college or adult life beyond, we’re all going to be offered a joint. When that point comes, I need to know more than the chances of damaging my lungs. When it comes to opiates like heroin, ‘not even once’ is good advice. But where’s the actual medical line between use and abuse when it comes to marijuana? Cocaine? Xanax? How about the finals week favorite, adderall? The kids are not all high, but the ones who are need a reality check.
Path
—opinion by MARS SVEC-BURDICK, Opinion Editor
Students’ names have pseudonyms to ensur
Feature
5
Laying down the law with drugs and alcohol
Heroin
“Every intervention or disciplinary action flawed, thinking traditional disciplinary actions could potentially do more harm than is an opportunity to help students learn and make healthier choices,” Priest said. good. In addition to constructive interventions, “I don’t believe in punishment for anything, at all, ever,” said English and Theory some students feel that a successful outcome Consumption of drugs and al- of Knowledge teacher Lisa Gleaton. “I can’t of issues involving drugs or alcohol also recohol by at least some of Sequoia’s think of a single time when punishing was quires a personal change in a student’s attidiverse population is not un- the answer and not, instead, assisting and tude. “If somebody doesn’t want to realize what common‒but what happens reorienting.” when students get caught? For those who take the slightly more con- they’re doing is wrong, it’s going to take a Consequences are deter- ventional approach: if a student is suspected whole lot,” senior Harley said. “It took me mined by the California Ed of being in possession or under the influence weeks into treatment to realize, maybe change Code (CEC), a standard of an illicit substance at school, the first step is a good thing. I think you have to think set of policies set by the is to send them to the Administrative Vice about why you’re doing it, what’s motivating it, being mindful of that.” state government to aid Principal’s office. Yet, others who have been caught found school administrators in “School is about many differthe consequences of their actions addressing drug and alco- ent kinds of learning, and valuable in the long run, hol offenses on campus. one of our first and foreallowing them to learn CEC 48900 states that most obligations California Education Code from their mistakes students can be suspended is to provide a and ultimateor expelled for “unlaw- safe and clean A pupil shall not be suspended from school ly to make fully possessed, used, sold learning envior recommended for expulsion, unless... different or otherwise furnished, or ronment for decisions. been under the influence of, students,” (d) Unlawfully offered, arranged, “I got a controlled substance ... an E n g l i s h or negotiated to sell a controlled subexpelled alcoholic beverage or an in- t e a c h e r stance..., an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant from toxicant of any kind.” Nichoof any kind... WoodEven with this blueprint for las Muys side [for] and either sold, delivered, or otherwise how to take disciplinary action, s a i d . selling the decision of how best to ap- “Whatever furnished to a person another liquid, substance, weed. My proach a given situation ultimately is happening or material and represented the liquid, subf r e s h m an comes down to the school staff. in our world in stance, or material as a controlled substance, year I had “It’s really up to the administrators terms of shifting alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant. bad grades and I to look at the big picture and make a attitudes toward the got kicked out my decision for what is best for the school use of various [substancsophomore year. I then and for the kid that is caught, by using es], I don’t think they have any [started] trying hella hard to get good grades [the CEC] as a guide,” Principal Sean place in a school setting, obviously.” Priest said. “There really isn’t a perfect flowHowever, Muys believes that understand- because I was on probation,” Oswald said. “I most, the popularity chart-way for how we deal with every issue, ing the core causes for a student’s involve- think it helped that they expelled me because umed by students at because each situation is a little bit different.” ment in drugs and alcohol is equally impor- I started doing good in school, and I’m actually going to go to college because of it.” Some find the CEC to be somewhat tant to disciplining them. uoia (TRC, 2016) Although some students may find the “We, as educators, owe it to students to school policies to be excessively harsh, Oshelp them navigate those types of issues,” Muys said. “Substance abuse is something wald feels that the severity of the consequencthat I think we have to treat as part of the es is not unwarranted. “[Administrators] want to make sure that complicated reality of some students’ lives and not only as some sort of criminal aber- their school doesn’t have hella drugs in it. ration that we just judge, punish and then [Drug and alcohol policy at school] is important because drugs are terrible, they’re the move on from.” Most staff members concur, finding it hardest thing to stop in the world, and it’s in the best interest of everyone to use dis- [the administrator’s’] job to control that,” Oscipline for drug or alcohol related of- wald said. “It’s their job to teach us and confenses as a an opportunity for a po- trol [drug use]. If everyone here was smoking weed everyday, this school would be pretty tentially positive outcome. A few of my friends have fake weak.” IDs so we usually take turns Consequences for drug and alcohol ofbuying the alcohol. When I start My mom caught me sneakfenses are serious, but recently “Alternative to running out of money, I’ll start ing out... She knew the people I was Suspension” programs have been implementpicking up jobs here and there. ed, allowing students to reduce the number hanging out with weren’t good [and] —Kaleb, senior of days they are required to stay at home in describes living with me during that exchange for an educational assignment. part of my life as ‘living with a crazy “We want to make sure that the conseperson.’” —Masha, senior If you’re surrounded by quences have weight so the student knows a bunch of stoners, you’re that [what they did] was serious, but we don’t want them to be losing educagonna probably smoke; if I work, which helps me pay for the weed. I tional opportunities,” Priest said. you’re surrounded by a bunch
ucinogenics
By NICK ABRAHAM and TREVOR CROWELL Entertainment Editor and Managing Editor
Synthetics
Ecstasy
Cocaine Over-thecounter
Prescription Drugs
garettes
juana
ohol
hways “
“
“
of drinkers, you’re gonna probably drink.
e been replaced with re their anonymity.
—Hudson, senior
“
started working before I started smoking weed... but I know inside that one of the reasons of why I am working [now] is to pay for it. —Riley, junior
Are you or is someone you know addicted to drugs? Drug addiction is typically characterized by, though not limited to, any of the following indicators:
• • • • • •
Inability to stop using the drug. Hiding the behavior from loved ones. Having trouble maintaining healthy relationships. Neglecting responsibilities. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Engaging in illegal activities to obtain the drug.
Call the drug abuse hotline:
1-877-680-5382
6
Feature
February 17, 2017
Sequoia’s campus harbors decades-old secrets
1 - Bunker 2 - Bell Tower 3 - Tunnels 4 - Archive Room
4 1 2
3
After four years at Sequoia, students think they know this school inside and out; however, they haven’t noticed that unused door or the panel on the floor. If so, you may have stumbled across one of the four hidden places at Sequoia that students are restricted from. Thesee are: an underground bunker, a bell tower, a hidden tunnel and an archive room. After researching and visiting administration, we learned the following:
Bunker During The Cold War era, there was a lot of worry and fear towards the possibility of nuclear war. Many homeowners built bomb shelters, preoccupied with ensuring their survival. Following suit, Sequoia began construction of a bunker to house students, should an attack occur during the day. The facility is no longer in use and is not nearly big enough to hold the current school population, but it is still here today, located under the library with an entrance near the Tea Garden.
Bell Tower
—compiled by Simone Clarke and Matt Eisenberg
Soto worked in the AVP office here for three and half years and now teaches Algebra Readiness and Study Skills. Soto grew up in the Menlo Park. At five, she found a love for soccer. She continued her passion while she attended Sacred Heart Prep, playing Girls Varsity soccer all four years. “My dad brought me up into the game and since, I’ve always had a passion for it,” said Soto.
Miko Nadel is a long term sub for Sarah Chu while she is on maternity leave. Although he has no prior teaching experience at a high school, hewas a teacher’s aide in college. Although Nadel has lived in the United States his whole life, he has made two research related trips to Africa. “I’m very passionate about mycology and lichenology,” said Nadel “I’m currently publishing some papers which will reveal three new species I discovered while in Africa.” In the past, he has worked a myriad of different jobs, including California Academy of Sciences and the Forest Service. Nadel hopes teaching this semester will help him decide which career path to pursue. “I hope that after this semester, I’ll have more insight into what I want to do after. said Nadel I Can either go to teaching at a junior college,” “Or I can continue teaching K-13 which would be harder, as I can immediately start teaching at a Junior College with a Master’s Degree. Or, I can continue researching and explore some more stuff and try to discover new things about lichen and such.”
Kyle McCabe McCabe teaches Geometry and is a member of the Special Education department. McCabe grew up in Menlo Park and attended a Sequoia rival, Menlo-Atherton (MA). “I always remember having a great time when playing football against Sequoia,” McCabe said. “It was always the big game that everyone was hyped about.” After graduating MA, he attended Berkeley for his undergraduate degree. McCabe then decide to move to Colorado to pursue his passion for music. Now living locally, he has been playing bass in a nearby bluegrass band. He taught at MA before coming to Sequoia.
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Before Turner moved from San Diego to teach U.S. Government here, he grew up in Calif. He attended both Fremont and Homestead High Schools, dramatically influencing the way he teaches. “I couldn’t stand Fremont. The teachers [didn’t] authentically care about the students,” Turner said. “I make sure that my students know I care about them and their education.” After high school, Turner played football at West Valley Junior College. Before transferring to a four year college, he enlisted. “I realized when I was going to school I did not have the tools to be successful in college,” Turner said. “I joined the Navy [to get those] tools and then I went back to college.” Before coming to Sequoia, Turner taught in San Diego for seven different schools. When he first moved to the Bay Area, he started subbing long term at Woodside. “I want to get immersed in what happens in Sequoia,” Turner said. “I would like the students to say ‘you know I really like Mr. Turner here. He’s a part of Sequoia.’”
Students have long days with set routines, from waking up in the morning to going to school and extra-curriculars. But what is Sequoia’s day like?
4: s p 00 SA or F
Miko Nadel
Before the internet, Sequoia kept all of their important documents in the Archive Room. Students could ask to rent anything in the room for personal use or research projects. The collection is very diverse, covering topics from 1900’s political news to subscriptions of the National Geographic in the 40’s. The archives are a literary time capsule of Sequoia and U.S. history. During his time in the library, Florian Shasky kept the room relevant, adding to the collection when he could. Upon his retirement, Shasky decided to take with him some personal favorites from the collection. The room’s entrance is very near that of the library’s.Walk in, look to your right, and in the lower elevated room, there is a door leading to a wonderland of history. —compiled by Isabel Sanchez-Foster
day) ock (bl
Brenda Soto
Archive Room
l oo
Darrell Turner
The original purpose of this room was primarily architectural, as buildings back then needed a crawl space to access electrical and foundational aspects of the structure. Even today, maintenance crews frequently use it for storage purposes. It is unclear how far the tunnel stretches but it definitely continues underneath the entire main building, the evidence being the large square floor panels in the hallways.
Sequoia around the clock
the school insi de a clean s r nd ito n ou Ja 0pm t m 8:3 y)PTs 7:30 am -3: 0- nthl eting 40 o me
New faculty members adapt to Sequoia life
3:00 -1 1 : 00 p 7 ( m :0 SA
The view from inside the Sequoia’s bell tower. The tower is kept strictly off-limits for students.
The bell tower, built in the 1920s, was one of the original structures built for the school. Its original bells have been long since replaced due to lack of preservation and only maintenance crews go up there now to make sure everything is safe and intact.
Tunnel
Most pm s & 00 tice 6: rac rams t p prog E
n e d d Hi ms o o R
—compiled by Brighid Bugos and Benjy Jude
From left to right, Darrell Turner, Miko Nadel, Brenda Soto and Kyle McCabe.
7
Opinion
February 17,2017
Writing away sexist language, one word at a time no longer used. When people feel like they Feature Editor need to express their negaThere are tive opinion towards someone lots of words else, some synonyms could be we say or “annoying”, “irritating” and hear in our “rude”. The phrase “you guys” is everyday lives that we another term that people use brush off as without realizing the exclusion normal lan- towards women, when talking guage, but to any group of people. The problem is so widewhat if these words are actually spread that there is no easy subhurting each other? When I walk through the stitute for this. Even someone who is conhallways, I scious of it, often hear People are calling their peers can’t stray people referthese words with friendly intenaway from ring to other term. classmates as tions, not realizing that they’re de- the grading women. I asked “b***h” and around to “h*e”. People see what are calling their phrase others would use instead peers these words with friendly intentions, not realizing of “you guys” to address each that they’re degrading women. other, and the only other anSome men even find the term swer was “y’all,” which just isn’t California’s style. “d**k “ offending. Words such as “everyone” People know that these derogatory terms are bad words, and “people” can be substituted although they still use them easily, yet I rarely hear anyone anyway. They’ve become so use them because they don’t embedded into people’s vocab- work in every situation. What strikes me is that ulary that the former insults are By BEATRICE BUGOS
Cartoon courtesy of Leigh Alley
there is no easy substitute, even though the West Coast is one of the most progressive areas in the country. Why does our society think calling a group of females “gals” or “girls” is weird? Why are we still accepting these phrases without questioning their meaning? What other things are we not questioning anymore because they’ve been
so embedded into our society? The use of male pronouns before or over female pronouns is an example of the implicit sexism in our everyday language use. It would be much more fair to either switch between the use of “he” and “she”, as some publications do, or sometimes use “she/he”. Throughout many decades,
the language we have used has changed meaning, but now we have the ability to change how our words are used in the future. What I’m asking you is, if you think the words you use offend your audience, do not use them. If we choose to challenge what we are accustomed to, we will be able to create a more equal and accepting world.
Sequoia Student Athletes! Looking for a great summer job where you get to play sports and work with kids?
THE LEADER IN YOUTH SPORTS SINCE 1979
Skyhawks is hiring outstanding student athletes, 16 years or older, to work at our summer sports camps on the Peninsula. Camps take place in Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City and Palo Alto.
Hourly rates range from $13 to $18 per hours, depending on experience. If you have experience in the following sports, we want to talk to you! Track & Field, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Volleyball and Cheer Summer camps are typically 9am-Noon or 9am-3pm Monday through Friday. Coaches will work 18 hours per week for half-day programs and 33 hours per week for full-day camps.
To apply, please go to http://www.skyhawks.com/peninsula
8
Sports
February 17, 2017
WINTER Season Sports Summary Boys Soccer (4-10)
“[This season] our biggest competition is MA, and our first [game] against MA was pretty challenging but we tied 0-0.” —Freshman Manny Jimenez Rodriguez
Girls Soccer (9-2-3)
“[This season], coming out strong and staying strong has been hard for us sometimes but we have become [stronger] playing as a unit.” —Senior Siena Falzon
Photo courtesy of Sequoia Sports
Boys Basketball (17-4)
“I think [the hardest challenge the team has faced was] when we lost to Carlmont. That was kind of rough because we really wanted to win that game, but [since then] we’ve gotten back on track.” —Junior Jonathan Heist
Girls Wrestling (none recorded)
“[My favorite moment from the season was] going to tournaments with my team. Everybody’s there and tournaments are all day so we make a lot of memories with [the] team.” —Junior Maya Metro
Boys Wrestling (none recorded)
“[Wrestling is] not just a sport. It teaches you a lot of life lessons not only in school but in your daily life. Because the tournaments last all day..., you build a bond with the all the coaches and the players.” — Junior Kasi Talea Pohahau
—compiled by KRISTA WEAVER
Girls Basketball (7-14)
Photo courtesy of Sequoia Sports
“Before a game, we huddle up in the locker room and talk for a little bit. Then we do this thing where we pound on the lockers and just scream and then get in a huddle and [yell] “What time is it? Game time!” —Junior Makena Roberts
Spirited student section brings energy to basketball games rowdy cheering, and fun-loving members and even through their comedic Instagram acClub David is an unofficial count, @ClubDavid17. club dedicated to cheering for “[The club] is a great way the basketball team, but its his- for the school to come together tory leads many to question the and get involved in [basketball true story behind the club. games],” said Patrick, another “Club David is the best stu- club member. dent section in the [Peninsula “We are not a registered club, Athletic League], no matter [so we] maintain semi-anonymwhat [people say],” said senior ity and [do not have to comply Sam Fraley, a club co-leader. with] the free speech limitations The history of the club is one that are [imposed by] school adwhich most people are unaware ministrators,” Fraley said. “We of, leading to many questions have much love for [the adminsurrounding the club; ‘why is it istrators] though. They always called Club David? Who is this have our backs and respectfully David that the club is named interact with the ‘Daves’ if they after?’ feel we ‘take it too far.’” “It all started at a sandwich Despite the spirit and livelishop. Brady Stubblefield and ness of the club, some people my brother, Tommy Lopiparo claim that Club David has been [founded the club four years losing popularity slowly as the ago]. [They] years have all ordered gone by. In their club “[Club David] started as a bunch of a d d i t i o n , s a n d w i c h e s kids calling each other David and the Associunder the has continued as a cornerstone of ated Stuname David,” Sequoia spirit.” dent Body junior Patrick —Tommy Lopiparo, (ASB) deLopiparo said. to Club David founder cided “When the replace worker called Club Daout their order, he said, ‘I have vid’s bleacher section with ‘The a club for David,’ they had a Nest’. name for their club: Club Da“The administration is curvid.” rently trying to phase out the The club has remained a glorious tradition that is Club source of memories and spirit David,” Fraley said. “We like for many years through their ASB and their dedication to the By DARIO MCCARTY Staff Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Judy Stone
The student section of Club David, a unofficial club devoted to cheering at basketball games, lays claim to the rowdiest student section in the PAL. school, but there’s only one student section at Sequoia, and it’s not ‘The Nest.’” However, at the most recent basketball game, the ‘Daves’ were told to come up with new, less disparaging chants, or don’t chant at all. “Our mission is to help people be good, productive citizens and one piece of that is the academic side. But the other part of that is sportsmanship. What we want is for students to cheer for our team and not against
the other team,” Administrative Vice Principal Gary Gooch said. “If you have to put someone down, disparage or distract others in order to win, what does that say about yourself?” One of the club’s founding members, Thomas Lopiparo, thinks that phasing out the club is not the right idea, and that keeping the club is a valid part of school spirit. “Club David is a great thing because it started as a bunch of kids calling each other David
and has continued as a cornerstone of Sequoia spirit even after we have left,” Tommy said. “The club gives all Sequoia students a good way to support our sports teams.” “It leads to a great season and passionate chants in support of our sports teams. Nothing bad about that,” Tommy said. “Ultimately, it’s just about getting everyone together for some nice quad games,” Patrick said. “And being the loudest [student] section.”