September2017

bark.

Volume LX, No. 1 • September 14, 2017 • Larkspur, CA

Giants football

Read more on p. 4, 12, 19 Photo by Photo MaxbyGilberg

Editors in Chief Anne Pritikin Daniela Schwartz Shannon Donelan China Granger

Copy Editors Review Editors Christine Watridge (Head Copy Editor) Natalie Cerf Julia Jacoby Maggie Smith Neva Legallet

Vincent Leo Alexander Lieberman Spanish Editor Sabine Lloyd Saaamya Mungamuru Bea Cazares

Feature Editors

Carolyn French

Alexandra Lee

Art Consultant News Editors

Max Gilberg Caroline Cummings

Julia Scharf

Business Manager

Sydney Hilbush Opinion Editors

Jocelyn Overmyer

Social Media Manager Jericho Rajninger

Tilly Friedlander

Lifestyles Editors Lily Baldwin

Emily Sweet

Sports Editors

Advisor Melissa Block

Erin Schneider Jordan Overmyer

Reporters

Nate Charles Sylvana Percek

Josh Cohen Maxim Kawashima

Anna Compagno Jacob Klionsky

Lauren Conrow Natalia Lazor

Grace Gaudin Amanda Morse

Jack Green Matthew Mulcahey

Hannah Halford Sachi Nahas

Lucie James Veranice Palczynski

Charlotte Seton Sam Warren

redwood

bark.

Healthy cooking

9

Freshmen tennis stars

12

“Women Facing West”

redwood high school ● 395 doherty dr., larkspur, ca 94939 ● volume LX, no. 1 ● September 14, 2017 ● www.redwoodbark.org

19

San Domenico religious statues removed from campus

By Sachi Nahas San Domenico School recently caused controversy with their decision to take down a number of religious statues on campus. Located in San Anselmo, San Domenico is a K-12 private school with an international boarding program for students in grades 9-12.

The statue of Saint Dominic, the school’s father figure, sits at the front of the 515-acre campus, welcoming students. The statue was placed at the San Anselmo school location in 1962, when the school opened, alongside many other saints and Catholic icons. The most glorified statue, a figure of Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus, was also taken down.

“In middle school and elementary [school] we would place flowers on the statue during an annual ceremony, so it was a big deal that certain statue moved because it was the main statue for our school and represented Mary and Baby Jesus,” said junior Kelsey Peltz, who transferred to Redwood this year.

According to Peltz, the school has gradually changed their teachings, removing second grade First

Photo by Sachi Nahas

LOCATED IN SAN Anselmo, San Domenico school has sparked controversy over their decision to remove religious statues.

Reconciliation and First Communion. However, critics of the altered curriculum argue that the changes which are making the school more independent take away from the original rooting of the school.

Peltz explained the evolving curriculum further.

“We didn’t really learn about Christianity so I don’t know why it was called a Catholic school. We studied different religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism at school and there wasn’t a strong Catholic pressure,” Peltz said.

With 660 students, San Domenico is ranked the 25th K-12 school in California, according to Niche Rankings.

“I was one of the only Jewish kids, so they used me as their token Jew. Most people were Christian or semiChristian and there was a few people who were strongly religious, but other than that it was like any other school and there wasn’t too much religious influence,” Peltz said.

Head of School Cecily Stock said that her goal is to make it apparent that San Domenico is not only Catholicbased and welcomes students of all religions, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

“They try not to force any beliefs upon you; it being a Catholic school does not affect your personal beliefs,” said junior Julian Haggard, who previously went to Saint Patrick’s, a private Catholic school.

According to Amy Skewes-Cox, a member of the San Domenico’s board of trustees, 80 percent of San Domenico families do not identify as Catholic. Skewes-Cox said that the school is open to changing their school academic curriculum to include all regions, according to the Marin Independent Journal.

On the other hand, because the school was founded as a Catholic institution, the religious statues continue to hold deep importance.

“I had one girlfriend who is very Catholic. All over her dorm room are quotes from Jesus and Psalms. I know she was really upset about the situation and was hurt by it. She claimed that she signed up for a Catholic school, and the school isn’t representing the Catholic community,” Peltz said.

Peltz and Haggard though have not been offended by the removal. They claim that especially since neither

Phone jail use increases

By Matt Mulcahy To discourage the use of mobile phones in class, some teachers began using wallcaddy “phone jails” with blue numbered pockets for student cellphones. However, English teacher Jonathan Weller and math teacher Jessica Crabtree have two different ways of addressing student cell phone usage in the classroom.

In Crabtree’s room, 252, the Yondr phone pouches are utilized instead of the traditional wall-caddy phone jails. Yondr, a start-up company founded by Graham Dugoni, created the Yondr pouch which locks phones inside a protective cover. To retrieve the phones, the magnetized surface of a Yondr base mechanism, located on the back table of Crabtree’s classroom, opens

Photo by Matt Mulcahy

UTILIZED IN THE classroom, Yondr pouches lock phones during class time.

the pouch.

Before this school year, Crabtree didn’t utilize any kind of phone jail system in her classroom. Instead, Crabtree allowed her students to use their phones in class as long as they notified her before doing so. However, she noticed that the students would often use their phones for other reasons, which was a distraction for the students during class time.

“The reality was, every student was using their phone to check social media. Whether it was texting, Snapchat, Instagram or email, they weren’t using it for school,” Crabtree said.

Crabtree sought to implement a phone jail system to confront the problem. After a survey of her students last school year, Crabtree realized she needed a different system to replace the traditional wallcaddy that students had utilized in other classes.

“What I heard from my students was that I needed to protect their phones from breaking and being stolen in my request for them to not have access to their phones in class,” Crabtree said.

After researching for alternatives to the wall-caddy phone jail, Crabtree found the Yondr pouch.

“Yondr solved both of the students’ complaints while meeting the means of what I wanted: to reduce the distractions,” Crabtree said.

According to Crabtree, the Yondr has been well-received by a large majority of her students.

● Phone jails Continued on page 2

Photo by Sachi Nahas

STANDING ON THE campus of San Domenico school, this religious statue is going to be removed, causing controversy throughout the community. attend Catholic schools anymore, it didn’t impact them.

“The statues were more of a representation of the church and school you attend,” Haggard said. “So usually when you are at a Catholic school it is a part of the archdiocese, so you have maybe one statue of a historical figure which represents all Catholicism and is more unique to your school and may coordinate with your school name.” snahas@redwoodbark.org

Mt. Tam School case settled

By Charlotte Seton A long-running embezzlement saga came to an end on Aug. 21 when Kate Mecca, the 71-year-old co-founder of Mount Tamalpais School in Mill Valley, pleaded guilty to stealing $1.05 million from the private school she led for decades.

Mount Tamalpais School is a K-8 school located in Mill Valley that charges approximately $31,000 annually in tuition and currently has an enrollment of 201 students.

Redwood senior Devon Cusack, who attended Mount Tamalpais School, summed up the anger felt by some former students.

“There’s no excuse for what she did.

I can’t forgive her for that because no one should be forgiven for that,” Cusack said.

As a result of her plea, Kate will spend one year in Marin County Jail and a further three years under mandatory supervision, according to a statement released by Marin County District Attorney Edward Berberian. She will be sentenced by Judge James Chou on Oct. 30. If convicted, she would face up to five years in state prison.

Redwood seniors Blake Bunney, Kali Gibbs and Cusack, all former Mount Tamalpais students, were generally pleased with the education they received at the school. The school actively promoted aspects of moral character in their students, such as courage, honesty and bravery, according to Gibbs.

“It was a very strict school that had a lot of rules,” Gibbs said. “They were very big on honesty and being a good person, and the person running the school wasn’t any of those things.”

Students also appreciated the close-

knit nature of the school community.

Cusack felt like students, parents, teachers and faculty all knew each other very well.

Gibbs also felt like she knew the faculty well, including Kate. According to Gibbs, Kate was always present and the school was centered around her.

For this reason, news of Kate’s alleged embezzlement was all the more unexpected, according to the three Mount Tamalpais School alumni.

“It was pretty shocking to hear just because I had known her basically my whole life, and I trusted her,” Gibbs said.

“I think everyone else there did, and she played such a big role in my life in school.

It was really disappointing to hear that such a big figure in my life could do something so wrong.”

Many parents were upset too.

According to the Marin Independent Journal, the parents learned of the embezzlement through the school’s Board of Trustees, who reached a civil agreement with Kate. However, some parents were so upset that they complained to the Marin District Attorney’s office about Kate’s actions, which is what initiated the criminal investigation into her activities.

“My parents and I were sort of angry that the tuition we were paying and all the fundraising for the school that was going on was simply going into her back pocket,” Bunney said.

Bunney, Gibbs and Cusack each said their parents were displeased about the misappropriation of school funds.

● Mt. Tam school Continued on page 3

bark

Page 2 • News

September 14, 2017

Photo Survey What are you most looking forward to about this school year?

“The upcoming football season.”

“Getting to know more people at a new school.”

“Getting good grades and having a good year.”

“Finishing the year.”

Luke Campodonico

Paris Royo

Joy O’Neill

Colby Houston

freshman

sophomore

junior

senior

Overview of new classes at Redwood

By Verenice Palczynski

As Redwood’s population grows, so does the number of class options for students. This year, Redwood is offering eight new or reinstalled classes.

Digital Communications Redwood TV is now getting its own class called Digital Communications, taught by Peter Parish. Previously, the Redwood TV crew met on their own time outside of school. Digital Communications is a zero period class that takes place Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Due to the class, Redwood TV will now have weekly episodes, including weeks without an advisory and will also be doing bigger, long-term projects.

According to Parish, this class’s content is heavily influenced by events both on campus and around the world, much like a news program.

“It’s all about jamming out the stories,” Parish said.

AP Research AP Research, taught by Emily LaTourrette and Ernesto Diaz, is not only new to Redwood but is a new College Board program as well. According to LaTourrette, the curriculum will continue to evolve in the coming years.

This course puts a lot of focus on each individual student, according to LaTourrette. Each student creates their own, year-long research project. The students will be able to choose any topic that interests them most, giving them a lot of freedom in the process. At the end of the course, each student will produce a 4,000-5,000 word academic paper and present an oral defense of the paper to the class.

“The skills that [the students] are going to have in terms of critical inquiry and graduate level research in many ways will totally prepare them for what they will be experiencing in college,” LaTourrette said.

AP Art History This class, taught by Susanne Maxwell and Lauren Bartone, works with topics ranging from basket-weaving to Renaissance-era chalk art and cave drawings to comic books.

“AP Art History is a class that helps us work toward understanding human existence through the study and analysis of art and architecture,” Maxwell said.

In addition to looking into the past, the students will also focus on the future.

“There are guest artists also coming in who are curators

● Phone Jails

Continued from page 1 “The kids, so far, are intrigued by it. They just come in, grab the pouch and sit down,” Crabtree said.

Crabtree realized how the Yondr positively affected her students during the Monday, Aug. 28 advisory. Nineteen of the 24 students in Crabtree’s advisory class were math students of hers and had grown accustomed to the Yondr pouches after three school days, according to Crabtree.

During advisory, the Yondr pouches were not laid out for mandatory use.

“The students walked in, sat down and no one had their phone out. They started talking to each other, which is what we want to have happen in advisory,” Crabtree said.

Weller has a different policy in regards to cell phones in the classroom. Similar to Crabtree, Weller believes phones are distracting in the classroom environment when used for purposes not related to the curriculum.

However, Weller does not utilize them.

“I need to encourage my students to be self-regulating, so I don’t use phone jails,” Weller said.

Weller has a talk with his students at the beginning of each school year about how to be disciplined with their phones in his class. However, Weller notes that the second semester can often be a little more challenging.

and gallery owners who will talk about jobs and [the students’] future if they continue with art,” Maxwell said.

Sustainable Agriculture, Government and Economics (SAGE) Joe Stewart’s agriculture classes and Mike Kelemen’s government and economics classes have been melded together to create Sustainable Agriculture, Government and Economics (SAGE).

This class, taught by Stewart and Kelemen, focuses on the ability to grow a farm in a sustainable way while still keeping in mind the social issues, labor costs and governmental issues.

“It gives students the opportunity to consider sustainability through a different lens,” Stewart said.

In order to be able to look through these different lenses, the SAGE group will be going on a field trip to Farm House Local, a restaurant in downtown Larkspur.

“We get an opportunity to hear about the issues associated with marketing, finance, as well as production and distribution to see how all that works in an actual business,” Stewart said.

Along with the real world implications, the class works to be able to mimic nature in an agricultural system.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers Spanish for Spanish Speakers is taught by Jennifer Labovich while Anna Alsina is on maternity leave. Debbie McCrea, the world languages department teacher leader, stated that this class is primarily for students who speak fluent Spanish. This class allows students at a high level to still learn from a Spanish class.

In addition to the writing mechanics, such as spelling and grammar, the class explores varying Spanishspeaking cultures.

“They can talk about Spanish cultures, about the world, about the Hispanic world and about their heritage,” McCrea said.

The class focuses on individual students and their self expression, according to McCrea.

“Wherever the students are at in their language skills, like some haven’t had a lot of Spanish and others went to school in a Spanish-speaking country, [the class] will be a lot of oral expression and talking about opinions,” McCrea said.

Shakespeare Literature The Shakespeare Literature class is a one semester class paired with science-fiction, both taught by Tom Sivertsen.

Though it isn’t a brand new class, this is the first time it has “I’ve thought about using a phone jail later in the year, but most of the time it’s only a couple students who struggle with [phone usage],” Weller said.

Weller notes that a lack of downtime and integrative learning is what may help keep the students off their phones in his English classes.

“From the moment the students walk in to the minute

Photo by Matthew Mulcahy

PUTTING HIS PHONE away, a student in Crabtree’s class adheres to her phone jail policy.

Photo by Vera Palczynski

LECTURING TO HIS AP Research class, teacher Mr. Diaz teaches his students about the new to Redwood subject. been offered in recent years.

“The class starts out with Twelfth Night and a lot of the students are excited for it,” Sivertsen said.

According to Sivertsen, the students should walk away being able to think deeply about Shakespearean texts, find the author’s voice, and express their own voice in writing.

American Women’s History American Women’s History, taught by Ann Jaime, isn’t a newly introduced class to Redwood, but this is the first time in the past few years that it has been offered.

The main focus of the course is the influence of lesser known, everyday women on American history. This year, the class will visit the Rosie the Riveter museum and the Girl’s Garage (a work space for girls to create their own construction projects) in Richmond.

“I think we are living in an age where there might be a little bit of a backwards motion for women’s rights and I hope that [the students] breathe life into the idea that equal rights are human rights, women’s rights are human rights,” Jaime said.

vpalczynski@redwoodbark.org To read the full story, visit redwoodbark.org they leave, there is learning material they are engaged in,” Weller said.

Sophomore Drake Goodman notes that Weller’s class is especially engaging and that this aspect may have an effect on the lessened problem with phone use in Weller’s class.

“A lot of kids use their phone if they’re bored or distracted, but Mr. Weller keeps you engaged which makes it easier for kids to stay focused,” Goodman said.

Goodman also notes how the curriculum taught in Weller’s class helps students stay away from their phones.

“Some kids get a little bored in other classes, so when there’s free time, sometimes they use their phones,” Goodman said.

Crabtree notes that the math curriculum may influence kids to use their phone when they’re not supposed to.

“Math is boring sometimes. When it’s boring, it’s hard,” Crabtree said.

However, Crabtree aims for an environment where the phone isn’t an escape.Senior Trevor Bagattini, a student of Crabtree’s, believes that the curriculum content plays a role in how much students utilize their phones in class.

“When kids are more hands-on interacting in the lessons they are going to be on their phone less,” Bagattini said. mmulcahy@redwoodbark.org

opinion

Page 4

Realize the real lies of reality TV

By Emily Sweet It was only the fourth hour of my newfound sense of upperclassmen immunity when a freshman boy pushed me into a locker. Well, that’s a slight exaggeration. It turned out it was all a misunderstanding: his friend pushed him, and he bumped into me and I slammed into a locker. Although the specifics of the story are irrelevant, it was my thoughts which followed that terrified me. As I resisted the cold and unforgiving embrace of that locker upstairs next to the girls’ bathroom, my first thought was, “Now, this would make great reality TV.” After all, who wouldn’t want their life exploited for entertainment? But while my unfortunate encounter with a locker might garner a few laughs, the truth is that reality TV is dangerous for impressionable adolescents and continually glamorizes an unrealistic lifestyle.

With that being said, I’m a normal kid. I like to watch TV. Sure, as I have grown into my adolescence, I have started to become more aware of the effect it has had on me. Yet, from early July to late September on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday nights you can find my siblings and me avidly watching the reality show “Big Brother.” And yes, when I’m feeling especially crazy I indulge in an episode of “Love at First Kiss,” on TLC. I know I’m not alone.

I could spend hours talking to my friends about what was on TV last night, and I’ve even had conversations with teachers about “Survivor.”

However, the reoccuring success and popularity of reality

TV is a step back for society, especially when it comes to young, easily-swayed minds. A study from the Media Education Foundation found that 37 percent of kids ages 11 to 17 that watch reality TV believe you have to lie in order to get what you want, compared to 24 percent of those that do not watch. Students and young adults are especially vulnerable to the threat of reality TV, which, as proven by the data, alters their thinking about life and success.

Reality TV first became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Shows like the MTV’s “The Real World” paved the way for accessible and easily-managed televised programs. This October marks the tenth anniversary of “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” a household name that began with the

Illustration by Christine Watridge

release of Kim Kardashian’s sex tape.

Fundamentally, this is where the issues with reality TV begin. If someone wants to rise to fame, they should do it in a way that clearly promotes hard work and a humble attitude.

Think of it this way, there are usually two types of famous people: those who stumble upon fame and use it to further their passions and then those who use their passion to guide them, with riches and success being a benefit but not a primary goal. However, the politicians and activists who have worked to achieve fame and spread their messages are often hidden beneath the makeup gurus and sensitive men of “The Bachelorette.”

Not only does reality TV create false impressions of success, it creates unrealistic representations and unrealistic ideals for life. According to a study done by the Girl Scout Institute, 72 percent of young girls who watch reality TV spend a lot of time on their appearance compared to 42 percent of those who don’t watch reality TV. Admittedly, it’s easy to be blinded by the seeming glamour of prosperity. Scrolling through Kylie Jenner’s Instagram for hours on end is a surefire way to wish for a complete life upgrade. However, even Kylie Jenner herself has commented on the artificial qualities of a public persona.

“There’s an image that I feel constantly pressured to keep up with. In order to stay relevant for the public, I have to be on Instagram and I have to be on Snapchat just keeping people entertained,” Jenner said in her new reality show, “Life of Kylie.”

Reality TV also glamorizes real life

situations that shouldn’t be monitored by the public. For example, the show “16 and Pregnant” takes teenage mothers and follows them through their untimely transition into adulthood. Who knows better than high school students that adolescence is a time of development and self discovery, and exploiting that for entertainment purposes convolutes the individual journeys we face as people?

I understand that reality TV is fun to watch. It’s easy and brainless. And if you’re aware of the effect it might be having on you, then who am I to tell you what to do with your free time? However, the damage reality TV has inflicted upon society is past the point of no return. Being a chronic watcher is not only a waste of time, but a contribution to the continuation of reinforced false ideals and solidification of stereotypes. It may be entertaining to watch a bunch of women get in a cat fight on “America’s Next Top Model,” but in the end, is that really how women want to be portrayed? I don’t think so. It’s also worth mentioning that not all reality shows have succumbed to the pressure of low societal standards. Shows like “The Great British Bake Off,” and “Cash Cab,” have continued to provide an entertaining and diverse look into the world. If more shows were to follow their lead, we may be one step closer to getting the focus away from fame and success and back towards individualism.

There’s a lot to be done to face the problem of reality TV. It’s not an easy fix, and frankly it may be an issue that just can’t be fixed. However, recognition is often the first step. Start small—you don’t have to cut out reality TV altogether, just reflect for a minute. If you want to watch it, just make sure that your escape from reality doesn’t become a painfully unrealistic model for your future. esweet@redwoodbark.org

Safety advancements should halt the plummeting partcipation

By Sam Warren

Nationwide, participation in football is plummeting.

There were three million kids aged six through 18 playing football in the United States last season, a 14 percent decrease since 2009, according to Forbes magazine. Since last season, participation rates have dropped an additional three percent in California, according to CBS Sacramento.

So why have youth participation rates dropped? One major factor is a detriment to the sport at all levels: concussions.

Even though concussions are a serious problem, brain damage and injury should not ruin one of the United States’ most beloved sports because often the injuries are not serious and new improvements to tackling techniques and technology will cause concussion rates to decline in years to come.

Parents’ disapproval of the sport isn’t entirely unreasonable. Football can put a child at risk of permanent brain damage, potentially setting their child back in the classroom and life moving forward. According to a recent study by neuropathologist Dr. Anne McKee, 110 of 111 brains of deceased NFL players were found with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This disease causes memory loss, confusion, depression, dementia and, in many cases, suicidal thoughts, so it makes sense that more and more kids are hanging up their cleats.

Locally, Novato High School originally could not field a varsity team for the 2017 season due to poor turnout, but late arrivals allowed them to maintain their team. Novato was once an MCAL powerhouse and made it to the Division II State Championship game in 2007, but now has only 26 players, 10 more than the minimum requirement to field a team and seven less than Redwood’s varsity team.

The flaw in parents’ logic is they fail to recognize that the sport of football is evolving. The NFL understands the concussion problem and are making major changes to the situation, such as trying to change the way players tackle as well as enforcing more penalties on hits above the shoulders and defenseless ball-carriers. Parents should not deny their kids the chance to play football just because of McKee’s study, as the CTE was caused by the old, outdated, dangerous way of tackling. The new way of tackling being implemented on today’s generation is reducing concussion and injury rates

by a wide margin.

In the old ways of the NFL, the technique was to lead with your head and keep your eyes to the ground when making a tackle to produce maximum force while running into the other player. In contrast, Coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks has implemented rugby style tackling to his defense. With this method, which the NFL calls Heads Up Tackling, players are taught to keep their heads and eyes up and lead into contact with the front of the shoulder. The theory is that keeping the head upright takes it out of the play, thus preventing injuries to the head and neck, including concussions.

The NFL claimed that Heads Up tackling, their new initiative that they fund and promote, has reduced injuries by 76 percent and concussions by about 30 percent cumulatively at all levels, based on the results of an independent study.

Local teams are also applying the new philosophy of football to their programs, reducing concussions and injuries in players. Over my nine years of playing football for the Southern Marin Broncos youth organization and Redwood, I have yet to receive a single concussion or a severe injury, which is the case for many players who have been through both programs.

Also, many college teams such as Dartmouth and Baylor are now using mobile tackling dummies called the MVP, or the Mobile Virtual Player. These tackling dummies are used by coaches to practice tackling drills with their players without making contact with another player, eliminating the risk of getting a concussion in practice while still having a moving target and a useful and safe way of practicing.

Along with the Heads Up initiative, rules are being put in place to improve safety during practice as well. In 2015, Governor Jerry Brown’s law took effect, allowing high school and youth teams to only have two 90 minute full-contact practices a week in California, the rest being no contact/ minimal contact practices.

In addition, according to studies by Dr. Wellington Hsu from Northwestern University, football isn’t the only sport with a high concussion rate. Girl’s soccer surpassed the concussion rates of football at youth and high school levels in 2015. Among athletes ages five to 14, 28 percent of football players, 25 percent of baseball players, 22 percent of soccer

Illustration by Will Ethridge

players, 15 percent of basketball players and 12 percent of softball players were injured while playing their respective sports. Although injury rates are highest among football players, the difference in the rates between sports is not as drastic as many might think.

There will always be risk and danger in playing sports, but through ways to reduce risk and injury and by tackling the correct way, football will become much safer.

swarren@redwoodbark.org

Page 5 •Opinion

www.redwoodbark.org

Point-Counterpoint

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Seniority is what keeps Redwood tradition alive

By Carolyn French The first time I walked into a Redwood rally, my heart stopped. Giant crowds of people I’d never seen before pushed me through the doors into a room of overwhelmingly deafening screams and music that was taboo in middle school. I walked towards the left side of the room, to the red bleachers filled with other freshmen faces equally as intimidated and nervous-looking as mine.

It was homecoming week, and that meant skits.

The year’s theme was “Hit the Streets,” and the seniors had been assigned the Yellow Brick Road. After three mediocre performances from the younger classes, including a weak Broadway performance from a few freshmen (myself included), I watched as a mass of seniors filled t h e gym floor and h a d the time of their lives. Their very presence in the r o o m fostered the spirit of t h e entire student body: a united force. An inspiration for what I would want from my class someday. I spent the next three years preparing to embody the true spirit and Redwood pride that I saw from that senior class at my first rally. And yet now that I’ve made it, I can’t help but feel that the image I worked towards throughout my high school experience has been squandered.

On Wednesday, Aug. 23rd, Redwood kicked off the new school year with a rally, with students seated according to the new house system. This meant that

different grade levels were forced to intermingle. Frankly, I don’t care if this new seating arrangement was simply a one-time change or a permanent alteration to the rally’s tradition, it gave off the wrong impression to incoming students. Seniors are meant to be school leaders—to lead as an example for those who are just entering Redwood.

We foster the spirit of the school because we’ve seen it from three grades before us. We’ve been preparing to take it on since we were the gangly freshman getting booed off the gym floor and back into the safety of our red bleachers. But how can we unite when we’re surrounded by students four years younger than us who don’t know how to rile up the school like we’ve learned to?

So, a little hierarchy is necessary within high school. The grades each have a role to play, and the seniors are there to inspire, to show the rest of the student body what high school should be. And the freshmen are there to learn from them. It isn’t something that can be taught in a day, or a week, or even a year.

It took our class four years to get to where we are, and same with the seniors before us, and so on. Our knowledge is made up of our experiences at Redwood: the booing we faced during our freshman homecoming skit, or when we nonchalantly walked into the wrong classroom...multiple times...a day.

When we accidentally parked in Senior Row and our car got written on, or got lost trying to find the third floor of the main building. But our missteps brought us to where we are today, so now we should be looked up to by those who have yet to make those same mistakes.

Stanford professor of Organizational Behavior Bob Sutton said Illustration by Christine Watridge

that there is “a series of studies showing that when such agreement is absent (so the nature of the formal or informal pecking order is not clear), members become less committed to their groups, less productive and effective, dysfunctional competition for status emerge, and coordination and cooperation suffer.” The example given here is in a work setting, but the same goes for high school. Without the clear leading senior class, underclassmen have no expectations to exceed. We have seen what Redwood embodies and can enlighten those who haven’t yet witnessed our unity and spirit. But if we don’t have the chance to show what our grade represents, that opportunity will disappear.

Look at the way we treat our elders. Those who are older than us are treated with respect. Why is this?

It’s because they have more wisdom and experience than younger generations. They’ve lived through more, they’ve seen more, and they most likely know how to handle the situations presented to them better because they’ve had many more years of experience. Granted high school seniors are still naive teenagers, the same idea should apply. We know Redwood like the back of our hand, and we should have the opportunity to pass on our understanding of the Redwood spirit to the rest of the student body. As the staff tries to equalize freshmen and seniors, respect is lost for what we know, and we can’t effectively pass on what we’ve been taught throughout our years of high school.

I came to Redwood expecting an authentic high school experience. I came for the crowds of faces I didn’t know. I came for the overwhelmingly loud screams to friends at rallies, and music that we weren’t even allowed to talk about in middle school. I came for the Lip Dub I watched twenty-five times in my middle school Pre-Algebra class, and all the Redwood ra-ra that came with it. That pride and spirit is modeled by those who know it best: the seniors. Now that I’m a senior, I think my classmates and I are ready to show our new peers what Redwood has always been about.

cfrench@redwoodbark.org

Grade integration creates inclusivity, community

By Maggie Smith

I’ll admit it: I woke up dreading the first day of school. I’d heard that the advisories would be mixed grades, and I was afraid of having to spend the day with people I didn’t know. And yes, I didn’t have any close friends in my advisory, and I probably would never have been friends with most of the people in my class, but as the day went on, I found myself getting more comfortable. Everyone in my class was enthusiastic about participating in the icebreaker activities together, genuinely getting along and enjoying themselves.

Before school started, most of the seniors I talked to felt the same way I did. We wanted to spend time with each other, not with the rest of the school. We didn’t want to participate in the all-school activities, nor sit amongst our houses at the rally. Many of us had looked forward to enjoying a lot of these “privileges” as seniors since freshman year.

My positive experience in my advisory class, as well as my experience being an underclassmen, has led me to believe that we should prioritize school unity above senior tradition. Instead of focusing on exclusive senior privileges and activities, seniors should make an effort to be leaders for a more inclusive school environment.

During freshman year, upperclassmen can seem very intimidating, like a different human species, because of the drastic changes that happen from freshman to senior year. On my first day of high school, I never would have talked to an upperclassmen. However, this intimidation creates divisions in the Redwood community.

Imagine how much easier the transition to high school would be if the the upperclassmen, and especially the seniors, were more friendly and welcoming, both through the Giant Kick-Off Day and throughout the year. Not only should seniors be examples to the rest of the student body, but older students could relate to a lot of problems underclassmen go through and, as we all know, freshman year is hard.

Having an older mentor could be incredibly helpful.

During my freshman year, I was one of three students in my grade in my math class. It was terrifying.

Throughout that entire year, I can barely remember any non-freshmen who talked to me in that class. Transitioning

to high school is difficult, but it becomes even harder when you feel uncomfortable in an academic environment.

In that math class, I was very afraid of raising my hand to ask the teacher a question, much less anyone around me. I remember that class being very difficult, not only socially, but academically. If there had been a more inclusive environment in that classroom, due to the changes in mindsets caused through adjustments like the new advisory, where upperclassmen were more willing to reach out to underclassmen, I’m sure I would have different, more welcoming experience.

There are multiple studies that tout the benefits of having more inclusive environments at school. According to an article published in the American Journal of Public Health by Victor Battistich and Allen Hom, i n schools that have a larger sense of community, students are less likely to engage in problem behaviors.

When traditional ideas of class seniority become more inclusive, freshman at Redwood are welcomed and have a smooth transition; this makes things easier not only for the students, but also for teachers and administrators.

A nontraditional first day of school also has other merits than establishing community. It eliminates the need for a multi-hour freshman orientation the day before school, which is helpful not only for freshmen but also Link Crew leaders. Furthermore, being at school without needing to worry about academics or homework for a day was a relaxing way to ease into the year.

The difficult part of creating a more inclusive environment at Redwood is that people are used to, and look forward to, the high schools they see in movies and in past years at Redwood, where seniors rule the

school (and boo the freshman at rallies). It’s hard when seniors have always been on top, have always been the “leaders” of the school. But are seniors really leaders when underclassmen feel like they can’t talk to them?

The fact is, this change isn’t expected to happen immediately. It may take many years for students to become less resistant to the changing traditions of Redwood, as a lot of my class is now. However, Redwood would be a much better place if we had a more unified community, and where seniors are leaders, not people everyone else is scared of. msmith@redwoodbark.org

Illustration by Lucas Marchi

bark

Page 6 • Opinion

September 14, 2017

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Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org

Editors-In-Chief Shannon Donelan China Granger Anne Pritikin Daniela Schwartz

Illustration by Vicens Vila

editorial Statues should not be set in stone Bust these busts Today, the controversy over Confederate monuments is not simply about statues—similar to how the Civil Rights movement was never just about drinking fountains.

The issue over Confederate symbols encapsulates a series of long-standing national conflicts, reignited by last month’s deadly clash at the White supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA. Confederate memorabilia is not only concentrated in the South, but is scattered throughout the country.

Just three hours south of the Bay Area in an unincorporated area of Monterey County, lies a town called Confederate Corners. For years, there have been debates over changing the name. California State Sen. Steve Glazor proposed legislation in 2015 that would require public places with names linked to the Confederacy to be renamed. However, the bill was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown. When asked if he is now reintroducing the bill, a spokesperson for Sen. Glazor said that he is “evaluating the situation,” according to Mercury News.

Since the rally in Charlottesville, around 23 of 700 Confederate monuments have been rightfully removed throughout the country in cities such as Helena, MT; Brooklyn, NY; Louisville, KY and more locally in San Diego and Los Angeles, according to the New York Times. In August, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles took down a monument honoring confederate veterans after hundreds of activists called for its removal. Within the same month, the city of San Diego took down a plaque commemorating Confederate president Jefferson Davis from its downtown area, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Like all memorials, statues reflect what a country values and respects. By putting figures who don’t represent American ideals of freedom, acceptance and equality on a pedestal, we are wrongfully giving a platform to their beliefs and actions. These prominent American figures are integral in telling the complete history of our country and require a place in our textbooks, but not in our public parks, our community centers and our universities.

Although removing historic monuments may be seen as unpatriotic or as an attempt to erase the past, such action instead represents reform efforts to cease the antiquated, often hateful, ideologies that these statutes reflect. These figures will not be forgotten; the effects of their complex legacies will remain in America, but they should not be granted the honor of occupying our public spaces.

Rather than publicly preserving these monuments, the statues should be relocated to museums where

A BARK to Amazon for buying Whole Foods. We heard they’re having a sale on Prime rib.

A BITE to Trump for trying to end DACA. What started as a dream is quickly becoming a nightmare.

A BARK to Link Crew for delaying the start of school by a day. When they said we should go to our houses, they meant we could go home, right?

A BITE to the constant haze.

It looks like someone told the sophomores they could juul outside of the bathrooms.

A BARK to the largest freshman class yet. We’re going to need that 3rd floor.

they can be adequately contextualized in America’s complicated past. To fill the vacated spaces, monuments of figures who represent the epitomical values of the country should be erected. Their removal presents an opportunity to display heroic figures among traditionally marginalized groups of people, such as Native Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics, members of the LGBT+ community and women. Figures such as Leonard Matlovich, the first service member to come out in the military and fight their ban on homosexuality, Susan Le Flesche, the first female Native American to earn a medical degree and become a physician in the United States and Audre Lorde, a feminist, civil rights activist and poet, are deserving possibilities. With the removal of these statues, the American people are presented with the opportunity to celebrate more recent and relevant figures.

As Erika Doss, an American Studies professor at University of Notre Dame, said in a New York Times opinion piece in August, “Memorials and monuments have a lifespan, not unlike the human body. They’re symbols at certain moments. Values change, histories change.” In fact, it is part of our patriotic past to take down statues that no longer accurately celebrate our principles. During the American Revolution, New Yorkers removed a statue of King George III at Bowling Green, as its existence represented a monarchy that no longer aligned with Americans’ desire for democracy.

Ideally, the removal of these monuments will inspire discussions of ways to acknowledge America’s complex past while reforming its present, and serve as a reminder that there is still much to be done to reach racial equality; by taking the statues down, we are making strides in the right direction and setting the tone for the future.

Head Copy Editor Christine Watridge Copy Editors Julia Jacoby Neva Legallet Vincent Leo Alexander Lieberman Sabine Lloyd Saamya Mungamuru News Editors Caroline Cummings Julia Scharf Opinion Editors Jocelyn Overmyer Jericho Rajninger Feature Editors Carolyn French Alexandra Lee Sports Editors Melissa Block Jordan Overmyer Review Editors Natalie Cerf Maggie Smith Lifestyles Editors Lily Baldwin Emily Sweet Spanish Editor Bea Cazares Business Manager Sydney Hilbush SocialMedia/ Snapshot Editor Tilly Friedlander Survey Manager Devon McClain Art Consultant Max Gilberg

Have an opinion regarding anything that appears in the Bark or in general? We encourage our readers to submit letters to the editor. Letters to the Bark should be 500 words or fewer, typed if possible and signed. They must be submitted to room 177 or in the Bark mailbox in the facility. They may also be emailed to bark@redwoodbark.org.

A BITE to Taylor Swift’s new music video.

We would very much like to be excluded from this narrative.

A BARK to this heat wave. Mr. Zargar must’ve released another rap video.

A BITE to the hurricane in Houston. There hasn’t been a Harvey that disastrous since the Miss America Pageant.

A BARK to the PTSA for having a better foundation than the portables.

A BITE to having to get here perpetually early to find parking.

We thought Mr. Ippolito told ucompetition was good?

A BARK to Prince George and Kate Middleton for their new pregnancy. There is a royal crumpet in the oven.

A BITE to the Boston Red Sox for cheating with the Apple Watches. We guess you could say they were caught red-footed.

Reporters Nate Charles Josh Cohen Anna Compagno Lauren Conrow Grace Gaudin Jack Green Hannah Halford Lucie James Maxim Kawashima Jacob Klionsky Natalia Lazor Amanda Morse Matthew Mulcahy Sachi Nahas Veranice Palczynski Sylvana Perczek Charlotte Seton Sam Warren

Adviser

Erin Schneider BARKS and BITES are the collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS are in praise of accomplishments, while BITES criticize decisions or events.

POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of the Bark staff.

español

Página 7

Implementando una vision unica a la clases Por Sam Warren Se puede decir que la maestra de español Melissa Zeiher fue destinada para hacer este trabajo.

Aunque sus padres no fueron maestros, su abuelo fue un maestro de español en San Marcos High School en California del Sur. “El me ayudo mucho a aprender y a estar interesada en el Español,” dijo Zeiher.

“El me puso en el camino para seguir el Español en la universidad y más allá.”

Zeiher creció en Gualala, California, más de cien millas norte de Redwood en el condado de Mendocino.

En todos sus años escolares, Zeiher nos cuenta que estuvo a fascinada con el idioma español y las culturas hispanohablantes.

En la preparatoria, ella fue a una excursión con su clase a Costa Rica, y fue su primera experiencia de tener que depender de su habilidad de hablar español para comunicarse.

“Me encantaba viajar y esa experiencia me animó a seguir estudiando Español,”

Foto por Sam Warren

MAESTRA SRA. ZEIHER estudio en Loyola Marymount University.

Foto por Bea Cazares

MAESTRA SRA. ZEIHER enseñando su clase el baile de Flamenco durante su clase de septimo periodo. dijo Zeiher.

A partir de ese momento, Zeiher estuvo encantada en explorar países latinoamericanos.

Durante su tiempo en Loyola Marymount University, de donde obtuvo sus títulos universitarios, ella viajó a Tijuana 35 veces para ayudar en orfanatos, construir casas para la comunidad y visitar oficinas de deportación y consolar a los inmigrantes.

Después de esas experiencias, Zeiher conoció a su mejor amiga en su trabajo en El Segundo High School en Los Ángeles y ambas se pusieron como meta, viajar a un país hispanohablante cada verano.

Las dos han viajado a Puerto Rico, Argentina, Republica Dominicana, España, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Perú, Colombia, Bolivia, Panamá, y Nicaragua.

Mientras estaba en el extranjero, Zeiher dirigió programas de estudio internacional en muchos de los países que he visitado.

Ella fue a Argentina a traducir y conducir entrevistas para un documental sobre los impactos en el; bienestar cuando usan pesticidas en cosechas.

Después de dejar su trabajo en El

Segundo y enseñar un curso en Pepperdine University, Zeiher regresó a Argentina y usó una beca Fulbright para enseñar inglés a estudiantes.

Ella también entrevistó sobrevivientes de la dictadura militar de 1976 que no terminó hasta 1983, durante este tiempo un estimado de 30,000 Argentinos desaparecieron.

“Mi maestra de Español en la preparatoria y yo tuvimos una relación muy buena. Ella era una sobreviviente [de la dictadura], entonces estaba conectada a mucho de los sobrevivientes de los tiempos duros y pude aprender sus historias y cómo fue,” dijo Zeiher.

Aunque este año es el primero en el que Zeiher trabaja tiempo completo en Redwood, ella no es completamente nueva para la escuela.

El año pasado, después de regresar de Argentina, trabajó de sustituta de largo plazo por Anna Alsina, que se fue con permiso de maternidad.

Un estudiante de último año, Oliver Leograndis, tuvo a Zeiher como sustituta el año pasado y ahora es su estudiante para AP Spanish Language & Culture.

Dice que Zeiher estaba puesta en una posición difícil—entrando como una nueva maestra en medio del año—pero hizo un trabajo fantástico en tomar las riendas del trabajo continuar el ambiente académico en el salón de clase.

“Ella trajo una dinámica maravillosa; fue una transición sin interrupciones,” dijo Leograndis. “Ella trae mucho al salón y trae riqueza cultural para aprender Español.”

McKenna McGonigle, una estudiante de tercer año en la clase de Zeiher Honors Spanish 7-8, dijo que ella piensa que ella es excelente en mantener a sus estudiantes interesados en la clase y en asegurarse que ellos entiendan sus lecciones.

“Aunque sea una clase avanzada, ella habla a un paso que no deja a los estudiantes confusos y perdidos de lo que está diciendo,” dice McGonigle. “Nadie se queda atrás.”

Zeiher también dice que entiende que es difícil aprender una nueva materia en clases donde se habla inglés y después cambiar y aprender en un nuevo idioma, y por eso encuentra modos divertidos para mantener a sus estudiantes atentos y para que aprendan.

“El último año, usamos unos días para aprender bailes Latinos. Fue muy divertido y me enseñó más de la cultura Latina,” dice Leograndis.

Zeiher también usa técnicas en multimedia como Kahoot, un juego que es como una prueba donde los estudiantes compiten los unos con los otros para contestar las preguntas en sus teléfonos más rápido, para provocar que sus estudiantes estén contentos y expuestos al la idioma, cultura y historia de Latinoamérica.

“Su clase es difícil, pero ella hace un buen trabajo en mantener su clase muy justa para todos los estudiantes de la clase, a pesar de sus niveles de fluidez, para hacer una clase divertida, interesante, y una clase divertida para asistir,” dijo Leograndis.

swarren@redwoodbark.org

Crusano pueblos por AP Spanish Literature Por Natalia Lazor Cada lunes y miércoles, estudiante de último año Elia Chou viaja a Sausalito para tomar la clase de AP Spanish Literature, una clase que se ofrece en Redwood cada otro año. Ella toma clases en Tilden Preparatory en el centro de Sausalito.

Chou desarrolló una pasión para aprender y perfeccionar el idioma. Ella pasó su verano de primer año y tercer año en viajes de servicio a Costa Rica y Ecuador.

“Penśe que era muy genial cuando fui a esos viajes poder interactuar con personas y poder conocer a personas que fueron de una cultura diferente de la mía y hablaban otrà idioma,” dice Chou.

“Como yo también podía hablar en español, podía comunicarme con ellos y ser amigos con ellos. Todavía estoy en contacto con muchas de las personas que conocí en esos viajes” Chou ha tomado la clase de español desde el sexto grado y cree que tener la habilidad de hablar un idioma extranjerà es muy fascinante.

“Estaba muy emocionada porque leímos un cuento en clase que era un ejemplo de algo que le leeríamos en AP [Spanish] Literature. Pensé que era muy genial poder leer literatura que está en Español,” dice Chou.

Como no tuvo acceso a la clase en Redwood, Chou encontró un programa que le ganaría su crédito AP, mientras enseñándole algo que está apasionada de.

AP Spanish Literature atrae a dos diferentes tipos de estudiantes: nativohablantes y personas que quieren

trabajar hacia la fluidez.

Cómo tomó la clase de Spanish 5-6 como estudiante de primer año, Chou estaba preparada para una de las clases más avanzadas de Español ofrecida a tiempo para su último año.

La mayoría de estudiantes entran a la clase de Spanish 3-4.

Tilden Prep, que originó en la bahía este recientemente construyó una nueva oficina en Sausalito.

“Es un poquito como Fusion donde estás en una clase, pero tienes un maestro privado,” dijo Chou.

El ambiente es diferente a un salón de clase normal en la manera en que está establecida.

Tilden Prep trabaja en un sistema beneficioso para Chou.

A pesar del empeoramiento del extendido tráfico que atrapa a Chou por horas, Chou hace el viaje dos días de la semana para proseguir con el estudio de este idioma.

“Es muy inconveniente para mí porque tengo que manejar a Sausalito y estar ahí por dos horas a la semana,” dijo Chou. “Tengo que salir de mi propio horario, fuera de las clases.”

A pesar del viaje, Chou se irá a Tilden Prep, dos días a la semana para el resto del año escolar para estar en contacto con su pasión para enfocarse alcanzar fluidez.

Foto por Natalia Lazor

nlazor@redwoodbark.org

ESTUDIANTE DE ULTIMO año Elia Chou despues de su clase en Tilden Prep.

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Page 8

Hurricane Harvey: reflecting beyond the borders

By Neva Legallet Houses that used to be homes—filled with precious keepsakes and memories—are simply gone, just like some of the families that filled them. Beloved pets wander in the floodwater, seeking their missing owners and desperate to be reunited.

Hurricane Harvey traveled 3,100 miles, finally making landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast on Friday, Aug. 25th, and has since has caused upwards of 60 deaths. It contained winds over 130 mph and dumped over 50 inches of water on areas of Houston. It could cost up to $180 billion, and even drew comparisons to Hurricane Katrina.

However, these statistics don’t describe the suffering of the many people and animals who have been devastated

by Hurricane Harvey.

Although it is nearly 2,000 miles away, Harvey isn’t completely removed from Marin or even Redwood, because among those affected are several family members of Redwood students, like senior Stella Campodonico and junior Simone Mardell.

Campodonico has kept in contact with her family members in Houston through text and email to stay updated on their situations, some of which were perilous.

Her cousins sent her daily texts that read “just saying ‘I’m still alive.’”

Although these daily updates may seem excessive, in the areas of Texas where Hurricane Harvey was most devastating, being alive was not a given.Campodonico’s family relocated to parts of Houston that were less affected by the hurricane, but they were still in some danger and had to act accordingly.

“My cousin told me that she has to have a Sharpie in her pocket to constantly re-write her Social Security number on her arm in case they find her body,” Campodonico said.

This practice had been encouraged by the local governments of some cities, as it made it easier for law enforcement or medical assistants to identify any corpses, according to Patrick Rios, the mayor of Rockport, TX, 200 miles south of Houston.

Campodonico’s relatives were included in the over 30,000 people that were displaced due to Hurricane Harvey, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Former Redwood student Nick Gathara, who attended Redwood his freshman year and moved to Texas in 2014, has firsthand experience of the ruinous effects of Hurricane Harvey.

Gathara now lives just outside of Austin, and has multiple close friends who live in Houston. “[My friends] seem to be doing alright, as far as communication, but they lack necessities like food, water and gas, which is scarce right now, but it’s getting back on track because it’s no longer raining,” Gathara said.

Although Gathara’s area wasn’t as affected as Houston, he is fully aware of the havoc wreaked by the storm.

“It’s devastating - people losing their houses or their loved ones to the hurricane; people not being able to find their pets because of it; having to evacuate and leave everything they own behind,” Gathara said.

Photos courtesy of Creative Commons

RUSHING TO SAFTY, Houston citizines head towards dry land to escape floods due to Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Texas Gulf Coast on Friday, Aug. 25.

Mardell, who is a member of the Marin chapter of of the risk to his citizens, but decided against issuing the National Charity League, encouraged students to stay evacuation orders. He has since been criticized for this, aware of the ongoing situation in Texas and help out with and defended himself by arguing that if he had given the any kind of donations, which NCL will be collecting. order to evacuate, it would have caused untold chaos.

“They’re doing drives for basic supplies like clothes Even so, chaos was abundant - during and after the and food, really anything helps,” Mardell said. hurricane, emergency services were overwhelmed, with Gathara’s community in Austin is also collecting donations residents waiting outside shelters like the George R. and funds.

Brown Convention Center in Houston. The 911 system “Being in a part of the state that wasn’t as affected, we was also backed up, with thousands of calls coming in want to help out the parts that were,” Gathara said. daily according to CNN. Although the crisis in Texas may seem distant when However, Gathara was grateful for the sheer number of viewed through a television screen, it is a painful reality emergency responders that were on the scene. that is affecting many of our fellow Americans.

“I’m glad that there were actually more emergency “Things always seem a lot less worse when they responders than when Hurricane Katrina hit, and I think aren’t happening to you, like when you see them on TV. that a lot of lives were saved because of that,” Gathara There’s a lot of memes and a lot of jokes going around said. about Houston, like people seeing sharks on the road, and With Hurricane Harvey leaving drenched and ravaged it’s kind of funny but at the same time there are people cities behind, what is next for those affected? Volunteers who have lost everything and could just use some help,” and donations are pouring in from average families and Gathara said. celebrities alike, but more contributions are always needed.

Mardell criticized the government’s response to the “I hope the people in Houston can stay safe for the time situation, saying that their actions worsened the effects of being, before they have to worry about what they lost. And Hurricane Harvey. if anyone helps out and does their part, every little thing “It’s not like they could have prevented the damage, helps,” Gathara said. but I feel that they should have evacuated a lot earlier,” Mardell said.

The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, was aware nlegallet@redwoodbark.org Photos courtesy of Creative Commons

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Page 9 • Feature

www.redwoodbark.org

Feeding the soul, aiding the earth

Photos courtesy of @ClaireCanCook

By Lily Baldwin

Oftentimes, the concept of eating healthy food is associated with the idea that you can’t eat tasty food. However, while sophomore Claire Fogarty and junior Catie Duys stand in Fogarty’s kitchen blending homemade pesto, they explain why eating healthy does not mean eating a plate of raw vegetables and shying away from tempting treats.

They’re just two friends, cooking meals together and exploring the vast horizons of healthy recipes and foods.

They emphasize that it’s not in an effort to diet or to preach, and it most certainly is not to follow a trend. It’s all about feeling good within your body and your soul.

These amateur chefs know that a plate of quinoa and lentils will be better than a sirloin steak not only for their physical health, but also for the well-being of the environment.

Through blogs and Instagram posts on Fogarty’s cooking account (@ ClaireCanCook) displaying images of colorful plates piled with lush food, Fogarty and Duys are spreading their love of health foods one dairy-free recipe at a time.

“A question that I would get all the time was, ‘Do you even eat? What do you eat?’

And I eat all the time. I’m always eating.

Kind of as a joke I said, ‘Well, [what I post] is what I eat.’ It wasn’t about me being vegan, because I’m not. It was more about just having fun and how I still eat a lot of things that are really fun. Now it’s a yearand-a-half since I did that. [The account] started with 40 of my friends following it as a joke, and now it has about 500 followers,” said Fogarty.

Going on diets that restrict certain ingredients or groups of foods has become a recent trend, with the gluten-free market growing by 63 percent between 2012 and 2014, according to U.S. News, which also states that about 2.7 million people adhere to a gluten-free diet who have not been diagnosed with celiac disease.

Fogarty, however, was not drawn to a restricted diet by the idea of following a popular fad. Medical concerns prompted her to visit a doctor to find the root of her uncomfortable symptoms. Her motivation behind going vegetarian, however, purely had to do with her love for preserving the earth. “[The symptoms] were a challenge, enough that I had to see a doctor and I had some blood tests. They couldn’t really find anything, so I don’t know what particular thing was going on, but my doctor advised for me to give up gluten and dairy for a month and it worked. So, since then, coming up really close on two years, I’ve been gluten and dairy free,” Fogarty said.

While forgoing dairy products and gluten was a necessary decision for Fogarty, giving up meat was something she felt was a moral responsibility.

“Gluten and dairy was medical. I needed to change something because I wasn’t digesting my food correctly and it was taking a toll. But vegetarianism is more ethical, and I never thought I would say this, but now I can’t even stomach eating meat,” said Fogarty.

Duys made a dietary change for similar reasons. She cares greatly for the environment, and despite the image of a stereotypical vegetarian or pescatarian preaching their love for animal activism, Duys argues that boycotting the beef industry is part of a much bigger picture.

Often faced with criticism or a need to explain their choices to others, Fogarty and Duys have practically memorized the scientific research behind their endeavors to better the planet.

According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization in 2006, it’s estimated that livestock are responsible for about 18 percent of human-caused greenhouse gases, the highest contributor of emissions by any single industry.

Fogarty mentions the high rate of methane also emitted into the air by the livestock industry. Livestock accounts for about 37 percent of human-caused

methane emissions and cows alone produce 150 billion gallons of methane per day, according to the International Business Times.

With raising passion in their voices as they spiral out zucchini noodles, Duys and Fogarty dive into the topic of the extreme amounts of water used to produce meat products.

Fogarty cites a 2005 report from the United States Geological Survey, which states that raising livestock in the United States alone consumes 34 trillion gallons of water and 235 trillion worldwide.

Additionally, there’s the harmful practice of deforestation to make landspace for the animal agriculture industry and the emissions caused by transporting livestock and meat products, Fogarty says.

The determination in the cooks’ tones and their pockets full of statistics convey how much they’ve had to justify themselves to skeptical meat-eaters.

But science aside, the practice of cooking is more of a ritual for Duys that allows her to get to know her food and be conscious about what she eats.

“I eat fish, but I kind of force myself to be upfront with it. A lot of times I’ll get shrimp with everything attached and it’s so gross, but I take it all off, and I clean it, and I cook it myself. Same thing with fish; I’ve done whole fishes and its terrifying, but I

want to make sure I know where my food’s coming from and not just remove myself morally from the situation,” Duys said.

Preparing their own meals is also an opportunity to spend time with friends and connect with others while detaching themselves from a very anti-social world of social media.

“I like cooking because you have to put your phone down and you’re doing an activity. It’s like drawing, you’re completely disconnected. You feel like you’ve accomplished something when at the end you have a product to show,” Duys said.

Fogarty and Duys feel strongly that others should be cooking their meals at home, too, and should consider the impact their eating habits have on the earth.

She encourages her peers to do this through her posts, which have gained momentum in the recent months.

“It makes me really happy that people are interested in seeing what I have to cook and what I have to share. And that’s something that I’m kind of proud of. That’s just one thing that makes me really happy, that people want my recipes. Of course you can have my tofu recipe! That’s one less person eating meat,” Fogarty said. lbaldwin@redwoodbark.org

Photo by Lily Baldwin

MAKING HOMEMADE PASTA, sophomore Claire Fogarty and junior Catie Duys share their passion for cooking healthy and sustainable meals.

Confrontin

Marin Breast Cancer Rates Fa

By Sydney

Infographic by Sydney Hilbush

A

s “Deb,” a local parent who preferred to remain anonymous, walks into the hospital waiting room to receive her annual mammogram check up, the room is already abuzz with women anxiously awaiting their test results for the same evaluation. Scanning the room, “Deb” questions an underlying trend she has noticed over her past few appointments - why are so many women taking precautions regarding breast cancer in Marin?

Among Marin’s natural beauty, affluence and healthy lifestyle lies a puzzling issue that scientists and researchers have been battling for decades. For years on end, the county has been encompassed with unusually high breast cancer rates, particularly among the white population of women. These rates were once the highest in the world, yet in recent years have fallen to their lowest level since the 1990s according to the Northern California Cancer Center (NCCC).

Scientists and researchers have been struggling for decades, attempting to

find an explanation for the phenomenon.

Why would Marin County, consistently ranked as one of the healthiest counties in California (according to surveys conducted by Niche), have such an astonishingly high rate of breast cancer?

To further investigate these studies, researchers are examining the sudden drop by looking at environmental factors among other variables such as age, alcohol intake and family inheritance of the cancercausing gene. These factors have been found to affect one’s risk of developing breast cancer, according to the NCCC. Women in Marin tend to have children at a later age, and have a higher alcohol consumption as compared to other rates across the United States, according to the NCCC. White women are at a slightly higher risk of developing the cancer than women of other races and ethnicities as well. Although multiple risk factors have been assessed, researchers are still unable to pinpoint a single explanation for the issue.

Kristin Mauro, a parent in the Tamalpais Union school district and former breast cancer patient, remains puzzled about Marin’s high rates as she had no genetic correlation or increased risk factors to the gene.

“I had kids at a younger age, I lead a pretty healthy lifestyle, I don’t have any history in my family of it. You can’t explain it.

Everyone is so healthy and outdoorsy in Marin,” Mauro said.

M u l t i p l e organizations in Marin devote their studies to finding an explanation for the peculiar occurrence as well as developing more research within the field.

Zero Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization in San Rafael, was founded in 1996, when breast cancer rates in Marin were the highest in the world.

The main focus of Zero Breast Cancer is assisting the prevention of breast cancer development by reaching out to the community.

Catherine Thomsen, Program Director at the organization, coordinates many events a n d programs that connect the business to the community.

“We reach out to children and adolescents through our education programs...and we also have general education materials for adults,” Thomsen said. “We also have another program for breast cancer survivors to help them adopt healthy behaviors so they can reduce their risk of getting breast cancer again.”

Through the educational materials offered

by Zero Breast Cancer, Thomsen hopes her organization can help the survivors in their mental recovery as most organizations are focused solely on the research aspect of the cancer.

“No one really pays attention to the mental health side of things. And it’s something that,

ng Cancer

all to Lowest Levels Since 90s

y Hilbush among a bunch of us survivors, needs to be more widely recognized. Living with [breast cancer], the trauma of it, there is not enough resources.

It’s like a silent suffering,” Mauro said.

In addition to providing useful information to the community about breast cancer risks and prevention strategies, Zero Breast Cancer also works in conjunction with organizations in and around the Bay Area to examine why rates have dropped suddenly in the past few years.

Since 1988, the death rate from breast cancer has dropped 65 percent as compared to rates from 2015, according to the NCCC. There is still no direct scientific explanation for Marin’s unusual rates.

“The last data that we have shows that the rates in Marin are more inline with that of the rest of the country.

We still think that the rates should be a lot lower. At least we aren’t as high as past years, but we still have work to do to get people’s risks down,” Thomsen said.

Although rates have dropped significantly, the detrimental effects of breast cancer continually take their toll on the local communities. “Deb” has more than six friends who have had, or continue to battle, the cancer.

“It helps for breast cancer survivors to talk about their experiences to support each other.

Medicine has come a

long way and the outcomes for many women are excellent nowadays,” “Deb” said. “Hopefully women take better care of themselves and get annual checkups so that problems are caught early.”

Breast cancer not only takes a toll on a person’s health, but their economic situation as well. In the first year of treatment, the average medical cost per breast cancer patient is $85,772 according to the American Health Association.

According to the Harvard School of Public health, 33 percent of cancer patients have trouble paying medical bills. As a result, 43 percent report skipping treatments because of the high cost.

Photo by Sydney Hilbush

WORKING TO DIMINISH breast cancer in Marin and the rest of the world, Catherine Thomsen (right), Program Director at Zero Breast Cancer, poses with two coworkers in front their organization.

Despite Marin’s predominantly affluent who consume two to five drinks daily have about community, ranking as the eighth most one and a half times the risk of getting breast wealthy county in America according cancer compared to those who don’t drink at all. to U.S Census Bureau data, financial In addition, rates of the disease are higher struggles still persist as treatment is costly. among women who have their first child later “There are so many women in their lives, over age 40. who can’t afford the care and “A lot of the women who I it’s heartbreaking. When you know have had [breast cancer] really start to get to know some The after care is not have been mothers a little of these women going through enough. You just get later in life. Certainly years the cancer, they don’t have any ago when I was born mothers left wondering, how money. They’re struggling to had their children earlier, in do I return to a regeven pay rent and childcare, and their 20s. Most of my friends it’s even worse if you are single. ular life? now had their kids in their It affects everyone, whether you Kristin Mauro, 30s or 40s,” “Deb” said. are white or black or hispanic Former breast cancer patient Although organizations or whatever, ” Mauro said. continue to conduct research The National Cancer Institute and educate the public about (NCI) estimates that 12.8 the effects and risk factors of breast cancer, percent of all women will Mauro believes there is still not enough develop breast cancer at work being done Marin to assist survivors some point in their lifetime. with the after-care mental health process.

Yet, according to Redwood “The after care is not enough. You just get left data from 2015, 63 percent wondering, how do I return to a regular life after of students know either an having [breast cancer] when you have no hair, no immediate family member or a family friend eyebrows and no eyelashes? Your hormones are that has had or continues to have breast cancer. crazy, you are depressed, you are crying all the Although rates have dropped in past years, time. You are just sort of on your own,” Mauro said. breast cancer is still a prevalent issue within As the search for a plausible explanation the county. Remaining physically inactive, of Marin’s fluctuating breast cancer rates drinking excess alcoholic beverages and continues, organizations and scientists alike taking estrogen can all increase one’s risk of are continuing their efforts in hopes of obtaining breast cancer, according to the NCI. seeing the trend of lower breast cancer rates A group of scientists from UC San Francisco continue until the issue can be cleared entirely.

(UCSF) found that women in Marin will usually consume up to two alcoholic drinks a day. Women shilbush@redwoodbark.org

sports

Page 12

After being the pinnacle of high school sports football now faces a decline

By Jacob Klionsky and Amanda Morse In the Bay Area, all but one high school sport has increased in total participation: football. In fact, high school football has experienced a ten percent decrease in participation in the past decade, according to the California Interscholastic Federation.

Throughout high schools in Marin, this has been apparent and was brought to larger attention when news was released that Novato High School was contemplating cutting their football program. Once a perennial playoff threat, it was shocking that they were struggling to even field a team.

Unlike other sports, football stands out when it comes to the number of head injuries that players experience. These numbers have gotten increasingly higher as the years have gone on, despite new safety technology such as helmets aimed at preventing injuries.

According to Prevacus, a Florida State University lab that focuses on treating concussions, there are around 67,000 diagnosed concussions in high school

football every year.

Due to this unsettling fact, students have steered away from the sport as they, or their parents, believe that the negative consequences trump the positive.

This happened to be the case for Novato High School junior Brad Arata, who played football freshman and sophomore year but decided to quit this season due to high risk of injury.

“I actually love the sport — it’s a great sport —- but I think that the risk you take when playing it is not in your best interest if you’re expecting to have a career in something else,” Arata said.

Redwood senior Johnny Fitzgerald, who had been playing the sport since fifth grade, experienced this issue firsthand when he was told that he wasn’t going to be able to play high school football due to the amount of concussions he has had.

Coach Allen Talley agrees that one of the main reasons for the disinterest in football are the facts surrounding football injuries.

“The biggest thing is the safety issue [which is] seen in the higher levels

Photo by Max Gilberg

REMAINING STRONG AS a team, Redwood hopes to continuously field a team in the future.

Not just a girl thing: Boys can cheer too

By Hannah Halford

Historically, cheerleading has been a female-dominated sport, an image which has only been perpetuated in its portrayal in television, movies and via social media.

As a result, the male population has turned their attention elsewhere. There are no boys on the Redwood cheerleading team.

Captain of the varsity cheerleading team, senior Evie Kiefuss, described the team’s advertisement as gender neutral due to the stigmatization that’s always followed the sport.

“I don’t think it’s a sport where boys are encouraged to try out, because for so long it’s been thought of as only girls can do it, and thought as more feminine.

With competitive cheerleading especially, it’s become more coed at higher levels because they’re so strong and there’s more power coming from guys,” Kiefuss said.

The stigma that has followed cheerleading has caused senior Aidan Rankin-Williams, both a parkour and gymnastics instructor, to steer away from the sport.

“Cheerleading has the reputation of being a female-dominated sport and because of that stereotype, guys are less inclined to go towards it. However, if it was advertised in a way that was more encouraging to males I think they’d be more likely to join,” Rankin-Williams

said.

“If I was considering doing cheerleading, and I knew that even four guys were doing it, I’d feel like it wasn’t as female dominated and [would] definitely join,” Rankin-Williams said.

Junior Max Dostal decided to join the team last year, and although he was the only male member on the team, he still had a very positive experience.

Unfortunately, Dostal had to quit the team due to a new job and a lack of extra time.

“Everyone on the team was really nice, and I loved being a part of it.

They were very inclusive, and the team mentality was my favorite part,” Dostal said.

Kiefuss believes that if more guys joined the team, the team would be able to perform more dynamic, advanced tricks.

“Physiologically guys can be stronger, but it depends on the guy’s confidence, because if they’re shy and don’t want to do the cheers or dances it won’t be as successful. However, guys generally will add more strength to the team and allow for more advanced stunts,” Kiefuss said.

Dostal also emphasized that his strength made it easier to complete stunts.

If there was more outreach and advertising that invited every person to join the cheerleading team, regardless of gender, it could shift the balance and potentially create a more genderbalanced team. hhalford@redwoodbark.org

Photo by Jacob Klionsky

EMBRACING HIS TEAMMATE, senior Wiley Geiger encourages Alex Aguero after a successful play during a game. especially when it comes to head injuries,” Talley said.

With the health risks that football presents, students who are just looking for a fun sport to play in high school have to decide if it is worth playing football in the long run.

Fitzgerald believes that a main reason Redwood athletes avoid football is because it’s one of the toughest sports to be recruited for.

“Many people at Redwood play sports that they want to go college for. With football, it’s pretty difficult to do that,” Fitzgerald said.

Although it seems that football is trending downward, there are many encouraging developments for the sport.

Although some MCAL teams are questioning cutting their programs, Branson just started its own 7vs.7 football team. After one undefeated season for the Bulls, the team is looking like a success.

This 7vs.7 type of play demonstrates an alternate way to make the sport safer because the tackling aspect of regular football is removed. Although injuries do Photo By Max Gilberg still occur, the number and severity of them DASHING BY OFFENDERS, junior Alex is far lower.

With continued advancements Aguero moves the ball forward for his in football and medical technology, teammates. researchers have found ways to lower By taking these precautions, football concussion rates in practice. According will become a safer sport. When this to Elliot Kastner of the Thayer School occurs, more talent will be driven to of Engineering, college teams such as football as more kids will be able to train Dartmouth are using ‘Mobile Virtual safely in the years leading up to high Players’ which are a form of robotic school. punching bags capable of moving 20 In the meantime, Talley is continuing mph around a football field. While solely to build Redwood’s football program one using these robots in practice as tackling team at a time and hoping to improve upon dummies, the Dartmouth football team can their last season accomplishments. avert head injuries in practice, while still “I think when you win you get more getting their tackling drills in. guys interested —- to go to the playoffs While not all teams are capable of two years in a row there’s just something purchasing these devices, Arata explained to build off to get even better,” Talley said. that since nearly half of head trauma incidents happen during practice, having shorter full-contact practices could create bark@redwoodbark.org a safer environment.

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September 14, 2017 bark Page 13 • Sports Freshmen tennis stars light up the new season

By Julia Scharf In every sport and every season of every year, there is excitement and anticipation regarding new members who will join the team. This year, the girls’ varsity tennis team welcomed two freshmen, Erin Roddy and Chloe Chang, to fill missing spots on their roster after losing two of their star players.

Senior and co-captain Molly Kehoe’s expectations for the incoming talent were exceeded by these two new players on her team.

“It’s sort of the luck of the draw; every year it just depends [on who tries out]. But some years it’s not as great, so we were super lucky this year to get players like Erin and Chloe, just people who will be strong at the top of the lineup and help the team out,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe is confident in what her new teammates will bring to the court this season.

“Erin is a fireball. She’s so funny, so enthusiastic about everything, she’ll do anything for the team which is awesome. She’s a very strong player and wants to play doubles which is great because usually it’s hard to find strong players who prefer doubles over singles,” Kehoe said. “Chloe is super strong, very level-headed, and just in her zone. She’s super focused specifically on technique which is really important, and will definitely be a strong singles player somewhere in our top six.”

Roddy says they are not only contributing to the team, but also gaining a lot from the experience of playing with older girls.

“It’s really fun [playing with upperclassmen] because we laugh a lot and we get along. Around school they all say hi to me which is cool because my friends are like, ‘oh my gosh seniors said hi to you.’ It’s been very welcoming and exciting,” Roddy said.

Roddy’s sentiments were echoed by her teammate Chang, who is equally thrilled about being on the varsity

tennis team this season.

“I’m really excited about how we get to meet new people, get to socialize, practice together and get to know each other and freshen up our skills, and learn new things to improve our game. We love to work hard together and we’re just a great supportive team. It’s very loving,” Chang stated. “We’re very goofy sometimes, sometimes we’re serious and sometimes we’re just like,‘You know what? We just want to have fun!’”

The varsity coach, Marlies Zeisler, is confident in her new recruits. She is optimistic about what the freshmen will provide for the team and about their ability to improve further as the season unfolds.

“Erin has popped right into the four slot, which is pretty exciting. She may move into singles depending on what is looks like later on in the season, but right now that’s what we’ve got going on,” Zeisler said. “Chloe is number seven on the ladder right now. I can see her doing some challenges and moving up, but right now she’s working on consistency. She’s got beautiful strokes so once she gets a little more consistent playing out here everyday, it changes everybody.”

Zeisler is excited to see what the competition will bring this season to MCALS. “We are traditionally strong. It’s usually Redwood, Tam and Branson that are at the top together and I see us being right there as well. I haven’t seen Tam’s team or Branson’s team yet this year. I have no idea what they’ve got going on.

They both lost a couple of really decent players that were seniors also, so all depends on what they have coming up,” Zeisler said.

The tennis team has only been practicing together for a few weeks, yet Zeisler has formulated her own opinions on the state of her team this season.

“I think we’re going to be pretty good. We have a little more depth this year than we did last year.” Zeisler said.

“So we might not win all the ones and twos, but I think

Photo by Josh Cohen

HIGH-FIVING HER TEAMMATES, freshman Erin Roddy gains confidence for her upcoming match. we’re going to win deeper. It all depends on what Tam and Branson have got going. If they have the same thing, then it’s going to be a battle for all of us.” jscharf@redwoodbark.org

Boys’ water polo team looks toward future despite facing adversity

Core group of returning players holds girls’ water polo team in place

The Redwood boys water polo team placed second in MCALs at the end of the 2016 season, just behind the nationally ranked Drake High School team.

Redwood excelled due to their offensive style, which was centered around a star hole set. This year, however, the team’s climate has drastically changed.

In the offseason, the team lost a total of 11 players, eight of whom went to college. The other three - Will Kepler, Scott Matthews and Jesse Smith - left the team for personal reasons.

“We lost a lot of our really great seniors to college. Our starting lineup had six players, and we lost five of them,” said senior Jacob Berston, a current player who has been on varsity since his sophomore year.

Among the eight players the team lost to college was their star hole set, Wyatt Barker.

“Hole set is the main scoring position, and currently we don’t have a star hole set, so we need to change our playing style,” Berston said.

Unfortunately, a high school sports team will always lose players due to aging out. Head coach Rudy Kardos takes it as a matter of fact and looks

With six returning seniors, the girls’ varsity water polo team is boosting their skills to a whole new level. Coach Kirstein Frazer has high hopes for their season, even with the variety of skills and grade levels making up the varsity team.

The girls ended their last season with a splash, finishing with an overall 15-10 record and 7-5 in the league. Four of the six seniors regularly started last year, and will start again this year. The team's main focus this season is for the older returning players to help influence and develop their younger counterparts.

Senior Caitlin Donnelly has been playing water polo since fifth grade and was rewarded with the position of team captain this year.

“We got a lot of new players this year, which is always exciting to see. I've seen the sport become more popular throughout the years and I am happy because this is the sport I love. I like seeing other people enjoy it as well,” Donnelly said.

According to Donnelly, the team relies on unity and friendship not just in the pool, but out of the pool as well, to ensure that the girls are comfortable communicating with one another.

Donnelly also said that as seniors, they are trying to integrate and get along as a team and be more of a unit than they had been in previous years. They are incorporating more bonding activities and have set aside physical practices for out-of-water social meetings.

“This year we have already bonded really quickly; we're already really good friends and it's only been a couple weeks,” said returning sophomore Skylar Strotz.

As the team attains younger players, they also are focusing on working with each individual’s specific playing traits and helping them improve as a team.

Each player has different strengths, but as a team they are taught to come together to enhance their differences and use them together. Frazer has been adding in practices which focus on the strengths and weaknesses of individual players.

If one player struggles with passing, then the whole team will work on their

By Jack Parsons

Photo by Jack Parsons

Photo by Jack Parsons

COMING UP FOR a breath, senior Cale Tippett conditions during practice.

toward the future.

“We just have to change our style.

When you have a star player, the team will play around the star player, but we now need to play more of a team game,” Kardos said.

Raised in Czechoslovakia, Kardos coaches with a different outlook on how success can be achieved.

“I think in this country, people focus too much on looking for excuses they can make rather than just taking responsibility.

If we can step up as a team, I think we will perform well,” said Kardos.

The team also lost a goalie, another very important asset to the team. However, junior Edward Messler, an exchange student from Sweden, has stepped into the position. “[Edward] is performing really well so far. He is adapting to the way things work, not only in the pool, but in the country,” Berston said.

Although most of the current seniors on the team returned for their last year, two seniors quit the team, as well as one junior.

Will Kepler, a senior who left the sport, spoke on his reasons for leaving.

“Initially, I wanted to quit [water polo] because I was never super into it, and I figured that it wouldn’t be such a bad idea since I want to focus on my grades and college applications,” said Kepler.

The Giant’s next game is at Saint Francis High School on Friday, Sept. 15.

POWERING UP TO throw the ball, junior Wes Porter shoots. jparsons@redwoodbark.org

By Sachi Nahas

Photo by Sachi Nahas

PREPARING TO PASS the ball, sophomore Piper Tonne treads water. passing. The others are then aware of each other's abilities, good or bad, and can track progress.

Additionally, the team recently gained a rare left-handed player, freshman Toula Cox, who poses a great threat to the goal and defenders of the opposing team.

“With our left-handed player, we are going to try and work her into our team just as anyone else, as she wasn't on our team last year. I think we are definitely going to practice and work on specific drills for our team with the new players,” said junior Alex McGregor.

As the underclassmen dominate the player count, it’s their chance to show the team what skills they have in store for the seasons to come. The coach is looking forward to working with the new players together as they are the foundation for the future water polo team.

“I think having only six returning seniors is going to make everyone step up a little more because there's less seniors who are more experienced that we can rely on to help out our team.,” Strotz said.

The girls’ next game is tonight against Novato High School. snahas@redwoodbark.org

Page 14 • Sports

www.redwoodbark.org

Pathways program allows senior to pursue dance professionally

By Lauren Conrow When senior Krystina Morrill decided late in her junior year that she wanted to pursue dance professionally, she knew that she had a lot of catch-up training to do in order for her to be accepted into an elite performing arts college. She also knew that there were simply not enough hours in the day for her to train while attending a traditional school, which is what led her to the Pathways Program at Tamiscal High School.

Located right next to Redwood, the Pathways Program provides students throughout the Tamalpais School District with an alternative high school experience for their senior year.

By attending classes at Tamiscal for just twelve hours a week, participants have the freedom to decide what they want their schedule to look like. The only restrictions are that each student is required to take three College of Marin classes per semester, along with an internship of their choosing once a week.

Students use the rest of their time to take part in an extracurricular activity, and many, like Krystina, focus on a sport.

“I have a lot more time to train and to work on my applications and auditions, which are crucial for college dance programs. Through Pathways, I have a lot more flexibility to get the work that I have to do done,” Krystina said.

Krystina has been dancing at Marin Ballet since she was three years old, and can’t imagine her life without dance. She realized just how deep her love for dance

Photo courtesy of Krystina Morrill

GRACEFULLY POSING, KRYSTINA Morrill practices her craft. She has been in the Pathways Program to prepare herself for a career in performing. was about a year ago when she broke her athletics, with seven out of the twenty two leg and was benched for six months. participants pursuing a sport.

Being injured caused Krystina to realize “I actually changed the instruction how important dance was in her life, as times for this year because I got so much it made her a much happier person. This interest from people participating in experienced influenced her into pursuing athletics. I figured if I moved the start time her dream professionally. Krystina is up a little bit, it would make it easier for hoping to get her bachelor of fine arts my students to make it to their practices,” degree and then to ultimately perform on Callahan explained.

Broadway.

The Pathways staff members’ Alyssa Callahan, the lead coordinator of dedication to their students is very Pathways, said this year Pathways has the apparent, and is recognized by students highest number of students participating in and parents alike.

bark

Lisa Morrill, Krystina’s mom, said that she immediately noticed this when she attended the Tamiscal back to school night.

“It seems like a great little community of staff and teachers and parents who will do whatever it takes help the kids that need a non-traditional school year to pursue what they need to do for their futures,” Lisa said.

When Krystina is not dancing or attending her classes, she interns at a theater company once a week. This allows her to get real world work experience in the dance industry.

“The internship that Krystina has is connected to one of her passions which is dance and theatre, so she’s getting more experience in that field, which she just wouldn’t have the time if she was following a normal high school schedule,” Callahan said.

Krystina has only been in Pathways for about three weeks, but so far she has had a very positive experience. She says that she would definitely recommend the program to anyone who is interested in having a professional athletic career.

“Pathways is great if you’re looking to pursue a sport at a competitive college program, like Division I. Not only do you have more time to train and get ahead in your sport, but Pathways gives diversity to your application and makes you stand out,” Krystina said.

lconrow@redwoodbark.org

D’Ancona twins: The powerful duo that plays off each other to reach their full potential

By Daniela Schwartz Being a twin has its difficulties: you’re commonly misnamed, commonly stared at for determining differences and commonly paired together as one person. But for seniors Desi and Nique D’Ancona, being twins has only helped them to become a daunting duo on the girls’ varsity volleyball team, utilizing their unique skillsets to improve each other’s talent.

“As a twin you always get those questions like who is better at volleyball or who is better at this or that, but it’s not really like that,” Nique said. “We work together as one because we each have certain strengths.”

The D’Ancona twins couldn’t be more different in what they bring to the table. While Desi takes the majority of the swings as the outside hitter. Nique leads the defense as a libero. (Libero is a specialized defensive position in indoor volleyball and often responsible for digging balls out of reach of other players. Not allowed to hit or block any ball that is above the net, liberos are often diving to keep plays alive).

“[Nique] is going to get it [even if] she has to dive on the floor and there’s no chance of getting it,” senior

teammate Alex Lefebure said. “Desi is super reliable. If you just need her to get the ball, she’s going to step in and set.

Nique is also reliable, but she goes after the most insane balls and somehow gets them up every time.”

Last season, Nique was an MCAL All League honorable mention. Out of 119 sets played, her numbers include 568 digs and 583 served receptions, according to MaxPreps.

Beginning their volleyball career in eighth grade, later than most varsity players, the competition between the twins pushed them to learn the game quickly, according to Nique. Sophomore year, they were two of three girls to make the varsity squad.

Now seniors, the D’Ancona twins were voted captains of the varsity team by their teammates and are considered by the Marin Independent Journal to be among the top returning Redwood varsity volleyball players, along with juniors Britney Klein, Ella Spaethling and sophomore Lucy Walsh.

“Voted captains by the team shows that they are very capable of taking on leadership roles, and being an example

for the other girls,” coach Tahan Minakov said. “They both have a high volleyball IQ, meaning they understand the game well and are very competitive in practice, and practice how they would play in a game.”

According to Desi, she and Nique both are hoping to not only be role models but also friends with their teammates.

Moving from Sonoma freshman year, Nique and Desi didn’t go to middle school or play on club teams with any of the current Redwood players. As a result, team unity is especially important to them.

“It’s weird. You feel like kind of an outcast, all of these girls have been playing with each other since they were 11 and they all know each other. It’s really cool to be going through an experience of feeling like we didn’t have teammates that liked us, to them ending up voting for us to be their captains,” Desi said.

When Redwood girls’ volleyball isn’t in season, the twins’ volleyball career doesn’t stop. During the offseason, the two play for Golden Gate Beach Volleyball Club. While playing doubles on the beach, it is more common that their identical features confuse opponents.

“Doubles is fun because we can wear the same exact thing. That whole point is to try and find that one player that is the weakest, but they can’t really decide because we look exactly the same.” Desi said.

Their talent in both beach and indoor volleyball has also taken them across the world. Last summer, Absolute Volleyball coach Gayle Stammer recruited Nique and Desi and other players to compete in the Global Challenge, a volleyball tournament in Croatia between youth and junior national teams ranging from Slovenia to China. The two stayed an additional week in Italy to train with professional Italian beach volleyball players.

Nique said that being able to play against girls from other countries and getting that variety of play made her talent and confidence in the Redwood season increase.

Looking ahead, both of the twins are planning to play volleyball in college. According to Nique, their goal is to play Division 1, but as of now they don’t know what school they’ll attend. They are especially interested in continuing beach volleyball together, according to Minakov.

“I think that wherever they end up will be a lucky school because they have so much to add to the team because they know how to play so well together.” Minakov said.

SPORTS

SPOTLIGHT

Photo by Grace Gaudin

STANDING BACK-TO-BACK, the senior D’Ancona twins create a dynamic duo while also shining individually.

dschwartz@redwoodbark.org

review

Page 15

Legion of Honor inspires with impressionism, millinery and muses

By Alexandra Lee Walking downstairs into the special exhibit at the Legion of Honor, I did not get what I expected: walls covered in exquisite Edgar Degas paintings with a handful of other museum-goers milling about.

Instead, what greeted me was a vision of pastels centered around an unexpected theme: hats. Not just any hats, but beautiful 19th century decorative hats and bonnets, antiquated symbols of social class, complete with bird plumes and bunches of flowers.

The Degas exhibit was centered around the Paris millinery (hat-making) trade, which proved to be a great inspiration to the painter’s later works. According to the museum, all of his millinery-inspired paintings were still in his studio when he died in 1917. Featuring several wellpreserved hats along with richly colored works by Degas and his contemporaries, the exhibit was certainly impressive.

Not only was it pleasing to look at, but it also functioned as a commentary on the juxtaposition between the grandeur of the hats and the hard labor of the women who made the hats, called milliners.

While a variety of other respectable artists’ work appeared in the gallery, it was easy to pick out Degas’ paintings based on his spectacular use of pastels, soft brush strokes and light, which gave the paintings an airy and ethereal effect. Captured in his paintings was the simple elegance of society women who tried on the hats in shops, as well as the exhaustion radiating from the milliners as they completed their tasks.

Several people stopped to crowd around a large framed piece featuring a milliner in an olive dress, lost in concentration while working on a hat. What drew in the audience, besides its enormity, was the

painting’s subdued yet lively tones, and Degas’s ability to make the ribbons and flowers appear so delicate and fluffy. While other artists took more realistic approaches when portraying the milliners, using hard lines and sharp edges, the allure of Degas’s work lies in its graceful imperfection.

Another standout was a portrait

by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, featuring a young girl with tumbling brown hair in an exquisite wide-brimmed hat, trimmed with red ribbon and bows. Renoir’s style appeared similar to Degas’s, with the same light and delicate feel.

Scattered throughout the exhibit were more cartoon-like drawings and diagrams of late-19th century women in hats, offering variety amongst the countless pastel paintings. However, what impressed me the most about the exhibit was the museum’s ability to arrange a variety of artworks and artifacts around a seemingly unimportant topic and bring it to life. The paintings throughout the museum tell a story of style, sophistication, struggle and status while entrancing audiences with their gentle colors.

However, if impressionism and millinery aren’t for you, there are other exhibits at the Legion of Honor that are sure to grasp your attention and interest.

Peculiar yet intriguing sculptures made by British artist Sarah Lucas in her “Good Muse” exhibit accompany the classic works of Auguste Rodin in the Centenary Installation, marking 100 years since his death. Lucas’ strange, erotic and very modern works, which make eyecatching centerpieces in many rooms on the top floor, sharply juxtapose the timeless awe-inspiring statues by Rodin, including “The Three Shades.” This statue, one of Rodin’s most famous pieces, was originally incorporated into “The Gates of Hell,” a massive bronze doorway covered

Photo by Alexandra Lee

SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE Degas exhibit were display cases of late 19thcentury era hats, which were a symbol of class and inspired many artists’ work around that time. in infernal carvings and protruding figures.

According to the museum, the fingers of the men in “The Three Shades” are pointing down towards the words “Abandon hope all ye who enter here” when mounted atop the doorway.

While Lucas’ work is definitely not for everyone, it offers a bit of humor and a fresh perspective amongst the old statues.

Her works of art often include plaster models of body parts, or the use of strange objects, such as a washing machine, to help portray her message. Lucas’s work is purposely paired with Rodin’s to create a bit of controversy amongst rather traditional sculptures. As put by one poster on the wall, “Tapping into our complex and often anxious relationship with the naked body, especially when considered in relation to the desires of others, the exhibition emphasizes the erotic undercurrent in Rodin’s work, often just barely veiled by

biblical and mythological subject matter.”

However, Rodin’s work doesn’t need the extra humor to be impressive.

If you’re looking for a cultural way to spend a free weekend day, at least one of the Legion of Honor’s many exhibits are worth visiting. While the Degas exhibit is the most special and spectacular, it comes at a hefty extra price of $13 per person on top of the regular museum fee, which is $6 for a student with a valid ID. For those on a budget, however, you won’t be disappointed by the various works of art throughout the top floor. Whichever exhibit you want to see most, the Legion of Honor offers a variety for every person to enjoy.

alee@redwoodbark.org

Free-spirited energy showcased in ‘The Glass Castle’

By Melissa Block How does a filmmaker recreate a life? A life so complicated, untraditional and free-spirited that it was difficult for me to even visualize it in written form.

As I headed to the theater to watch Destin Daniel Cretton’s film adaptation of Jeannette Walls’ memoir “The Glass Castle,” I assumed that it simply couldn’t be done. After all, Walls’ life was so extraordinary that I believed the film would inadequately portray it.

With any re-creation, naturally there would be some aspects left out. So yes, there were moments when Walls’ story didn’t line up with the movie. Critical scenes from the book were not mentioned, moments or events were rearranged and actors were perhaps improperly cast for their part, but Cretton did something quite remarkable: he managed to capture the emotion and energy of the human spirit.

The film opens with a desert scene, the Walls family packed in their beat up car, driving down the empty road. It reflected exactly the type of environment Walls explained, an adventurous family exploring the wilderness.

Walls’ parents Rex (Woody Harrelson) and Rose Mary (Naomi Watts), had a different approach on parenting that significantly influenced their children. They disregarded the traditional ways

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

PORTRAYING THE DEVELOPMENT of a young girl in an unconventional family, “The Glass Castle” successfully showcases the memories of author Jeanette Walls. of raising a family—rather than sending their children to school and having steady jobs, they were carefree roamers who weren’t tied down.

Rex was a dreamer who used his imagination and intelligence to inspire his children. When they would question why they weren’t attending school each day like most kids, Rex would say, “You learn from living, everything else is a damn lie.”

Harrelson cast as Rex could not have been a more perfect fit. He not only appeared as the loving fatherly figure, but he also managed to simultaneously capture the short-tempered alcoholic that Walls described.

Harrelson’s acting allowed the

audience to witness his psychotic characteristics, and see the abusive way in which he treated his children over time. His body language and his movements showed aggression and power.

It was intriguing to watch his behavior but also evoked sympathy for the children.

Rose Mary was not able to balance out Rex’s aggressive qualities. She would keep to herself while her children would struggle, making her a rather disappointing character in the film. She didn’t do anything to stand out, and in most scenes it was as if she wasn’t even present. Watts’ acting caused the audience to become frustrated at her, because she showed no

compassion towards her kids.

For instance, when their house contained no food, the youngest children would eat sticks of butter and sugar to fill their stomachs, and she wouldn’t do anything to help. This related to her apathetic personality in the book, however, it was not any more enjoyable to watch on the screen than it was to read. But, in terms of Watts’ acting, she was spot on as it was necessary for her to take the role of an unlikeable character.

The movie switched back and forth from when Jeannette was a young girl to a grown adult making the character development that much more interesting. The audience would watch her struggle as a child, feeling as if her voice was not heard and that she was trapped in her own family. Then these feelings of hopelessness were contrasted by scenes showing the successful woman she had become.

The film had a hopeful message to all of those who struggle with abusive parents or dysfunctional families. At many times, it’s difficult to look past the unhealthy qualities of people you’re close with. But once you do, you’re able to show unconditional love for them.

As with all adaptations from books to movies, several important details were omitted or scenes were altered. When the Walls’ family moved to Welch,

VA, Jeannette was invited by a Black classmate to go swimming at the community pool during the time of day that was allotted for just Blacks to use the pool. This scene in the book reflected race issues occurring during this time period.

However, Cretton chose not to expand on the idea in the film, perhaps deeming it to be unimportant. Including commentary on racism would have made the movie stronger as it would have added more historical information and perspective to the film. Though it wasn’t necessary to include all aspects of the book, it’s disappointing to recall specific scenes and then not see them present in the movie.

Despite some aspects of the book not included, the overall performance from each actor made up for that. The audience witnessed the character buildup as they watched the characters change when the film progressed.

At the end of the film, the screen filled with photos and videos of the Walls’ family in real life. This made the film more sentimental as it caused the audience to remember that all the events that were present in the film, both positive and negative, were based on real documentations of someone’s life. mblock@redwoodbark.org

September 14, 2017 bark Page 16 •Review Netflix original ‘Atypical’ proves to be typical

By Tilly Friedlander As a Netflix binge-watcher myself, there are many shows which are less-than-perfect that I can easily sit through. I’ve watched all of Gossip Girl, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Desperate Housewives, you name it. But when I sat down to watch “Atypical,” a comedy about an autistic teenager, I found myself cringing as I anticipated the next line.

Don’t get me wrong, “Atypical” was a good attempt for a TV show. I think it’s important that Netflix and major TV outlets recognize that not everyone lives like the Kardashians do or acts as Serena Vanderwoodsen does. But, while the protagonist was atypical himself, about everything else in the show was what you’d expect from Hollywood.

Sam, the high school student protagonist, has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which causes him to stand out from other kids at his school and in his family.

The show portrays someone with autism as being insensitive to

other’s feelings. They are also unable to be in large crowds and become easily triggered by loud noises. In one instance, Sam breaks up with his girlfriend Paige in front of her entire family at Olive Garden by telling her that he doesn’t love her.

While this may sound funny, someone with ASD may find this offensive. In a way, the show was making fun of the protagonist, as he later doesn’t know why he was in the wrong by breaking up with Paige in front of her parents.

His parents have to tell him why Paige was upset with him as if he were a kindergartener having to get a lesson about hitting and kicking.

In retrospect, the show gives a brief idea of what the disorder is and what someone with autism may go through, but it does not delve deep enough into these aspects. Instead, it simplifies a very serious disorder through cliche plot lines.

Throughout the show, Sam becomes obsessed with having a girlfriend, falling in love and having sex. He constantly writes

Photo courtesy of Netflix

FOCUSING ON AUTISTIC protagonist Sam, “Atypical,” while funny at times, simplifies the disorder and has cliche plot lines. pros and cons about different girls at his school, dreams about dating his therapist and wishes that he’ll see boobs one day.

“Atypical” sends the message that romance is all that an autistic person needs in their life to be able to live normally, putting a Hollywood twist on a severe disorder. Even his own therapist gives Sam advice that he should

start dating.

Despite its many flaws, “Atypical” included a few lines that managed to make me laugh once or twice, even though they were still a little cheesy or insensitive. Towards the beginning of the show, Sam is attempting to learn how to communicate with girls through his extremely promiscuous friend

Zahid. Zahid tells Sam that a girl at the technology store where they work was “giving him eyes.”

So, taking Zahid’s advice, Sam tries to smile at the girl. The smile backfired; to say the least.

Rather than focusing on Sam and accurately portraying someone who has ASD, “Atypical” includes so many other corny storylines on the side, that I lost track of the show’s focus. You have the sister who has the older boyfriend that was expelled from their high school.

She fights with her mom when she catches her cheating on her dad. Then you have the mean girls who steal the sister’s clothes because they’re jealous of her track scholarship. And if you’re getting overwhelmed, you should be. So was I. What started out as a good idea turned into a show involving typical plot lines that detracted from its focus, which I thought would and should be Sam. As ironic as it is, “Atypical” was just way too typical. tfriedlander@redwoodbark.org

Using technology to transform your closet

By Charlotte Seton We often experience the urge to liven up our clothing with some back-to-school shopping at this time of year. But the latest styles can be costly as retailers tend not to discount in August, knowing we’re eager to update our wardrobe.

An alternative way to modernize our attire is by using various used-clothing shopping apps. This can be a surprisingly affordable and productive way to modernize your closet. You might become so taken with the process that you start cleaning out your own closet and selling clothes online, like I did!

I reviewed four apps that sell women’s, men’s and children’s clothing to determine the value they offer to both buyers and sellers. I also studied the range of items offered, the apps’ utility, commissions and other fees and their return policies.

Shipping costs were comparable for all the apps.

Poshmark

Poshmark has a broad selection of items for men, women and children. It offers a diverse collection of styles, brands and sizes, all at reasonable prices.

You can browse almost endlessly through the app due to the enormous selection. Fortunately, you also have the ability to set up searches to target certain brands and sizes as it can otherwise feel overwhelming.

As a seller, Poshmark is convenient to use. The directions for listing sales items are clear and straightforward. You are provided with a pre-paid shipping label to send goods to the buyer. Poshmark’s 20 percent commission was at the higher end of the apps we reviewed.

Probably the biggest negative of Poshmark is that virtually all sales are final.

A buyer cannot return an item if it does not fit or is not what you had hoped. However, if the item is not as described on the app or not in good condition, then the buyer may get a refund if this is reported within three days of delivery, and the buyer sends photos and a description to Poshmark for verification.

Another issue with the app is that certain sellers’ “closets” include selfpromoting posts, which are distracting and make the app feel crowded and messy.

Tradesy

On Tradesy, you will find clothes from Zara to Chanel at generally higher prices than Poshmark. This sophisticated app presents items in a clean, simple format by forcing the buyer to specify the type of item she or he is searching for upfront. You can further narrow your search by size, color, condition and designer, making it easier to locate the items you want.

Another positive of Tradesy is that the buyer may return an item for any reason so long as they do so within four days of delivery. Return shipping is free, and the buyer will receive Tradesy site credit.

There are only limited exceptions to this policy.

Posting items for sale on Tradesy is as easy as uploading a photo and categorizing and pricing your item. Tradesy charges less commission than Poshmark unless the item sells for less than $37.50. If a buyer returns an item, the seller keeps their earnings so long as the item was not misrepresented by the seller.

For more expensive items, Tradesy is definitely easier and more convenient for the buyer as well as the more lucrative app for the seller.

charges a 19 percent commission not only on the sale price, but also on the cost of Vinted’s payment services, making it one of the most expensive apps for sellers.

There might not be much money left for the seller once you complete a transaction on Vinted, and the sale process is not as straightforward as other apps. As a buyer, you’d better have a high degree of confidence that you really like what you see before you buy.

Depop

The simple and geometric presentation of Depop’s app gives it a thrift store feel.

Depop focuses primarily on reasonablypriced vintage, grunge and bohemian clothing, which may narrow its appeal.

The app is easy to navigate and allows you to search by any word, but the accuracy of the results can be spotty. Because Depop

is based in the U.K. and has a European following, you may incur higher shipping costs than anticipated if you have a European buyer.

Returns are difficult to manage since Depop is not responsible for them or refunds. Instead, it lets the buyer contact the seller directly to figure it out for themselves.

As a seller, posting items on Depop was simple and effortless. You are provided with pre-paid shipping label but have to obtain the box in which to ship your item.

Depop’s commission is 10 percent of the sale price plus the shipping costs, making it one of the more reasonable apps for sellers unless the sale price is very low. Buyers can reach out to you directly, so you have to be prepared to handle the additional level of communication.

If you long for the 1990s, then this app is for you. Otherwise, the narrowness of its offerings limits its usefulness. cseton@redwoodbark.org

Vinted

Vinted offers primarily non-designer clothing from Forever 21, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch and other retailers on the app. It is easy to navigate, although it provides less flexible, predetermined search filters compared to the other apps. Its numerous advertisements are distracting and ruin the shopping vibe.

On the other hand, Vinted offers a unique feature allowing buyers to chat with other buyers and sellers privately.

However, there are some negatives for buyers. They have to pay approximately 5 percent of the sales price to use Vinted’s payment system. Also, returns are not available unless the item was damaged or not as described by the seller. To qualify for a refund, buyers need to click the “I have an issue” button within two days of delivery.

Posting sale items on Vinted is almost as easy as it was for Tradesy. Vinted

Images courtesy of Poshmark, Tradesy, Vinted and Depop

OFFERING GREAT DEALS, used clothing apps have become a popular way to update your wardrobe.

lifestyles

Page 17

After TEAM students adjust to traditional education

Students are given just one summer to adjust to this transition. Since it is only a one year program, once TEAM When asked what draws students to join the TEAM is done, students need to go back to their regular schedules Program at Tamiscal High School, Lenny Gucciardi, a of class every day, for five days a week.

A former TEAM student, senior Emma Ortiz, found the TEAM teacher, attested to the community that is created.

Redwood’s community is prominent but cannot compare scheduling part of the transition one of the most difficult aspects of coming back to Redwood. She to the close-knit relationships that are made note of the difference between math made when spending an entire school class four days a week versus two days a year with only 23 fellow classmates, week, as it is at TEAM. each one coming from any of the five They get more self “I think it was harder to transition to schools in the Tamalpais Union High confidence and TEAM, for me, because especially with School District. our math class, we only had math twice a The Tamiscal website describes they learn coping week,” Ortiz said. “You have to do a lot of the TEAM program as a “one year mechanisms that they work on your own for your math class.” academic and experiential program.” didn’t have in school.

A friend of Ortiz’s and another former The goal is to provide junior year TEAM student, senior Anna Martin, attested students with real-life experiences Lenny Gucciardi, to the same point. She was struggling to relevant to their school work. They also TEAM teacher adjust to having math class only two times a want to help these 24 students improve week after being accustomed to Redwood’s their self-reliance. These goals are achieved through community service, career exploration, four days a week schedule.

Although the transition back to Redwood was definitely wilderness adventure and ropes course leadership, an adjustment, Martin and Ortiz were given the skills to according to the Tamiscal website.

Once the year of nontraditional learning comes to know how to deal with it.

Gucciardi said that he knows going back to a big high an end, there is a reality to return to: regular schooling. school after such a dramatic change in learning styles can be hard, and that’s why he tries his best to give his students tools to cope with the change.

“We actually talk during the year when students are in TEAM about what it’s going to be like once they leave,” Gucciardi said. “A lot of the time students from last year’s class will come in and talk to them because we know it can be difficult.”

Through the program, Gucciardi and his teaching partner, Whitney Hartzell want to encourage and teach students to become more self-reliant.

“They get more self confidence and they learn coping mechanisms that they didn’t have in school,” Gucciardi said. “So that actually when they go back, a lot of them feel more confident in the environment.”

TEAM students’ relationships with their teachers are quite different than your average Redwood student-teacher relationship, according to Ortiz and Martin. This was another thing to get accustomed to after a year of being one of a teacher’s 24 students. Comparatively, teachers at Redwood may have upwards of 100 students spread out throughout their classes.

“We only had about three teachers including the math teacher and then Whitney [Hartzell] and Lenny [Gucciardi]. We go on trips with them and they know us so well because it’s only 24 students, so they knew a lot about each one of us,” Martin said.

Another relationship that is altered during TEAM is Photo courtesy of Lucy Viscardi SENIOR ANNA MARTIN relaxes after an action-packed friendships. Ortiz said that she didn’t really know Martin before really meeting in TEAM for the first time. day in Joshua Tree.

By Natalie Cerf

Photo courtesy of Anna Martin

RECOVERING FROM A day of backpacking and bonding, TEAM students rest.

“I knew of Anna, but we weren’t in the same friend group or anything. And then we became really close,” Ortiz said.

Martin agreed with Ortiz, mentioning that some of the people she became friends with were people that she wouldn’t have expected to befriend, and probably never would have gotten close with if it hadn’t been for TEAM. When the end of the year comes and it is time for these newfound friendships to separate and return to their big high schools, Gucciardi says there is always a little anguish in the air.

“There is definitely some sadness and nostalgia because they are not going to have that same experience going forward,” Gucciardi said.

TEAM is a stepping stone for the students to continue on their experiential learning path, according to Gucciardi.

“They spend a lot of time at a business or organization to test out to see what they want to do and a lot of times kids will figure out where they want to go in their lives,” Gucciardi said. “It gives them more reason to do their school work.”

ncerf@redwoodbark.org

Student producers showcase musical talent

By Matthew Mulcahy As the sun’s last ray vanishes beyond the mountainous terrain of Marin County, the in-tempo thumping of electronic beats can be heard from the home-studios of senior Shayan Davaloo and junior Brener Arias. Both identify producing electronic beats as their passion, fueled by a yearning for creating original music.

Davaloo was originally inspired to play music at the age of five by a friend whose piano recital he attended.

“I thought hearing him play was the coolest thing ever. After the recital, I decided to start taking lessons,” Davaloo said.

Although Davaloo initially hated piano lessons, hearing his own musical style mature was an inspiration for him to continue practicing.

“The only reason I would go to piano lessons was to get better at making my music,” Davaloo said.

During Davaloo’s time taking piano lessons, his piano teacher began experimenting with electronic software music. Davaloo was captivated by the process of making electronic beats and began producing his own music. He began producing beats professionally at the age of 13 under the name “TH4T.” Originally, Davaloo created electronic dance music (E.D.M.) beats. However, that soon changed when he taught himself how to play the drums.

“Once I started working on drums more often, I started creating more rap beats,” Davaloo said.

Davaloo enjoys the process of making rap beats,

Photo by Max Gilberg

WORKING ON NEW beats, senior Shayan Davaloo began professionally producing music at the age of 13.

especially those that require lyrics to be written over them.

Recently, Davaloo featured himself rapping with rapper XO Louie over his own beat on his new song, “DAMN.” “I wrote my own lyrics. I had so much fun and I never knew I could make a song like that,” Davaloo said.

Davaloo’s main goal, as of right now, is to be a rap producer.

“I want to go up on a stage with famous rappers and be a hype man while my own beat is playing,” Davaloo said.

Arias, who produces under the name “RiA,” began producing electronic beats before he learned to play an instrument.

“I started picking up musical instruments after I started producing music but I never really stuck with any. I learned

piano until I could create my own melodies,” Arias said.

Arias was inspired by E.D.M., Pharrell Williams and Kid Cudi to start producing his own music.

“Listening to Pharrell Williams taught me how to experiment with my own music and do whatever I want to do with it,” Arias said.

Lately, Arias has placed an emphasis on creating original music rather than the acapella remixes.

“I feel that remixes can take away from my music. I want people to know when they hear a ‘RiA’ song,” Arias said.

Music has played an important role in his personal life.

Arias notes that his songs often mirror his mood. Arias’s song “Mary’s Interlude” is an example of how his personal life is personified in his music. He created this song after a close friend of his moved to Brazil.

“I haven’t talked to him in a while. I was thinking of him and I felt sorrow. When you hear that song you can kind of feel the things I felt,” Arias said.

Arias plans to continue creating music that he loves.

Although he produces music as a passion, if he was able to make money off of producing, he would use it to fulfill his ultimate goal in life.

“I want to produce for an artist I respect and make enough money so my mom doesn’t have to work anymore,” Arias said.

For an accompyanying video, visit redwoodbark.org mmulcahy@redwoodbark.org

bark

Page 18 • Lifestyles

September 14, 2017

Meet your ASB President: Eamon Rogan

By Maxim Kawashima

Most students at Redwood rush to get to school by at least 8 a.m., although a certain group routinely arrives by 7 a.m.. That group, Leadership, attends class early every morning except Fridays to plan out upcoming events and fundraising. Senior Eamon Rogan leads this group as the ASB president.

Rogan has been the president of his class since his freshman year. He ran for class president with the goal of wanting to improve the school, and he believes that the necessary changes can be made to Redwood by uniting the students.

“I’d love to have one of the most spirited schools around and definitely increase [spirit],” Rogan said. “So I would really love to have high turnouts at Homecoming and Prom. Also another thing is a lot of people coming out to sports games.”

Rogan thoroughly enjoys his duties as president, such as managing leadership meetings and fundraising.

“I enjoy working to help Redwood function, such as people creating clubs and stuff like that. I like having a good community and a place where kids can also have fun as well as learn,” Rogan said.

Senior Clark Chung, the ASB treasurer, said he believes Rogan is respected by

Photo by Maxim Kawashima

FOUR-YEAR LEADERSHIP student Eamon Rogan will serve as the ASB President for this school year. his peers, leading them to listen to him.

“He’s definitely very charismatic and he works with people well,” Chung said.

“He doesn’t waste his words and when he says something, it’s usually pretty meaningful and he doesn’t just ramble on.”

Besides spending copious amounts

Redwood’s new staff

By Jocelyn Overmeyer

Every year, Redwood welcomes new teachers into its hallways. This year, we were fortunate to welcome nine new teachers into our staff. Some of these teachers are familiar faces, returning to teach after attending Redwood as teenagers, while others are new to the Bay Area. Regardless, every teacher offers a unique presence and knowledge that will contribute to the ever-growing Redwood community.

of time on school and leadership, Rogan excels in soccer, playing for both a Marin FC team and leading the Redwood varsity soccer team as the captain. Additionally, he is the project manager for the Elix Incubator, a business created by Redwood students.

Rogan said he enjoys similar aspects

of leadership and soccer, believing they are both about bringing people together to reach a common goal.

“I actually do really like soccer because it brings a lot of people together who might not normally be hanging out or spending time together,” Rogan said.

“It kind of expands across all boundaries because in different countries, they play no matter what class you are.”

Rogan said he believes that the insight and skills he has gained from joining leadership will help him in his future. He thinks that being a part of Leadership will prepare him for the amount of independence required for a successful college experience and a possible entry into political science.

He said he thinks that students should take their chance to join Leadership because of the experiences that can be gained through it.

“For one, it’s a fantastic community.

You get to know people better and you’ll form a lot of close bonds with a lot of people that you might have never have met if you hadn’t joined Leadership,” Rogan said.

mkawashima@redwoodbark.org

Pablo Garcial

Department: Math Previous School: Wallenberg High School- SF Unified School District Quote: “I’ve already discovered that students are really great here, I really love them. I’m looking forward to helping with the wrestling team, and the mountain biking team because those are both my hobbies.”

Fun Fact: His wife is a Spanish teacher at Sacred Heart in the city and he has an 11-year-old daughter.

Laura Leones

Aubrey Jordan

Karen Seekamp

Alejandros Reyes

James Sinkler

Mary Clare Neal

Multu Kartin

Melissa Zeiher

Department: Special Education Previous School: San Pablo Middle School Quote: “I’m really excited to be back. There’s just so many great programs here. It’s just a really positive place to be. I’m excited to make sure I’m supporting my students the best I can.”

Fun Fact: She went to Redwood. She also has two kids and two dogs.

Department: Special Education Previous School: San Andreas High School Quote: “I’m really here for support. My job is to make sure students get the services they need, and more importantly when they are having a rough time, have a place to come to where they feel safe and get help.”

Fun Fact: She was the best roller skater in the country when she was 13 years old.

Department: Math Previous School: George Washington High School Quote: “I’m excited to be in the Tam District. I went to school at Drake. I’m looking forward to a good year with the students doing their own work and understanding the math.”

Fun Fact: He has no sense of smell. “So if anybody in my room smells smoke, and the fire alarms aren’t going off, we should evacuate.”

Department: Science Previous School: Marin School and Analy High School in Sebastopol Quote: “I had another opportunity to come back to the district, and share my joy and passion of science, especially chemistry, with my students... I’m looking forward to inspiring more students to major in science and engineering.”

Fun Fact: She met her husband in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and later found out that they grew up a few miles apart in Istanbul.

Department: Science Previous School: San Jose High School Quote: “I’m really impressed with the students’ respect and the way they treat each other and the teachers. I’m also impressed by my colleagues and how supported I feel. Everyone seems to really like being here and I’m happy I get to be part of that.”

Fun Fact: She got married over the summer.

Department: Special Education Previous School: Marin City-Martin Luther King Academy Quote: “I’m looking forward to getting to know the students and teachers and projects and try to do some community-based outings.”

Fun Fact: He wasn’t born in this country.

Department: Math Previous School: White Hill Middle School Quote: “I’m really loving my algebra classes that I’m teaching. I love bringing algebra into geometry and bringing those two areas of mathematics connect to each other. It’s my first time teaching high school and I’m amazed and wowed at how really independent students are.”

Fun Fact: She is a triathlete and has done an Ironman.

She’s currently in the process of training for one this spring.

Department: Spanish Previous School: El Segundo High School in LA Quote: “I’m excited to be doing AP Spanish again, and seeing opportunities to get involved with local culture here.”

Fun Fact: She has been to almost every Spanish-speaking country.

jocelyn.overmyer@redwoodbark.org

bark Students challenge gender discrimination in Judaism Page 19 • Lifestyles

www.redwoodbark.org

According to Vohland, another main goal of “Women Facing West,” is to reveal the inherent sexism occurring in Jerusalem.

This past summer, senior Angelica Vohland visited “We’re starting small in the Bay Area, but we’d love it Israel with a student organization. While she was there, if this organization and this concept grew into something she discovered a startling fact: the Western Wall, a holy bigger and more powerful, because I don’t know too many site in Jerusalem, was restricting women’s rights to pray women that are socially aware of this issue in general, at freely, inspiring her to start a photo exposition titled least within the Bay Area,” Vohland said.

“Women Facing West.”

Rabbi Stacy Friedman of Rodef Sholom, one of the “I chose to wear my prayer shawl, which is called a temples where Vohland and Levy are taking photos, agreed tallit, and entering in. I got some stares from Orthodox that the issue of discrimination at the Western Wall is not women that were currently praying at the wall,” Vohland always a priority among people in the Bay Area, instead said. “Women were staring at me, scowling at me, giving focusing on the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and me strange looks, and going in, I Israelis. originally didn’t know that I was “Sadly I think people focus so much unable to wear a prayer shawl or that on the Palestinian Jewish issue in Israel it was considered offensive to the as being the only issue, but for people Orthodox Judaic religion.” who live within the state of Israel, there Vohland quickly realized that in are many issues that affect them, and [the the Orthodox tradition, women are Western Wall] is certainly one of them,” not typically allowed to wear tallits Friedman said. or tefillin, and the Western Wall is Vohland and Levy hope to bring physically divided with a partition attention to these issues Jewish women between men and women, as gender face through taking photos of women at separation is customary in Orthodox different temples around Marin County.

Angelica Vohland, places of worship.

“I’m basically going to take pictures “The men’s side is actually twice senior of women wearing tefillin, carrying tallits, as large as the women’s side and the assembling, kind of rejoicing together— discrimination is so obvious when all the things that we can do in America you’re there, because the men are there, they’re dancing that are really uncommon in Israel and that would be really and they’re singing and they’re welcoming each other frowned upon,” Levy said. and talking loudly,” Vohland said. “They’re enjoying and According to Vohland, the location of the photos is exerting their love for Judaism, whereas women are told crucial to the purpose of the photo exposition as well. to be quiet.”

“By allowing women to have their picture taken in a Not willing to accept this discrimination, Vohland place that they feel is most holy to them, we’re essentially returned home and began to think about ways she could trying to create this dynamic where women are allowed increase understanding of this issue locally. to be who they are within their Jewish community and do “I grew up in the Bay Area, where women are totally what they like and express their love for the religion in any allowed to be within Judaism and have all the rights they way that they’d like,” Vohland said. could possibly want here. We’re not really familiar with Although “Women Facing West” is only just getting this concept of discrimination within the religion, so I started, Levy and Vohland both expressed their hopes for wanted to bring it home to my friends and help spread the the future of the project. Vohland hopes that both Levy and awareness here,” Vohland said. herself will continue the project through college.

Vohland reached out to fellow senior Katie Levy with “That would be an incredible way to continue the social the idea of a photo exposition to promote a dialogue about advocacy and raise awareness, especially if we decide to the issue. get involved with Jewish students’ rights on campuses or “I think a photo project is the best way to spread social wherever we choose to go,” Vohland said. advocacy because photos themselves are the best way to The project is also aimed to gain the attention of communicate that people here are able to express their the Israeli government and hopefully make change at a rights and their love for Judaism by wearing prayer shawls political level as well. and tallits,” Vohland said. “It’s powerful to see a Jewish “We have a petition available on our website to help woman in a leadership position exerting her rights.” raise awareness and bring this concept to the attention of

By Caroline Cummings

It’s powerful to see a Jewish woman in a leadership position exerting her rights.

Photo by Caroline Cummings

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ANGELICA Vohland and Katie Levy take photos in their local synagogue. the Israeli government to help desegregate the space at the wall, so that both men and women can pray together and women will be allowed to participate and exert their love for Judaism in any way that they like,” Vohland said.

Levy plans to visit the Western Wall in a few years in hopes of expanding the project further.

“Hopefully we’re going to keep expanding, keep growing,” Levy said. “If people see what’s actually happening there, they’ll be more likely to join our project.”

Friedman also believes in the potential of “Women Facing West,” and is hopeful for the results of the project.

“The more of us get involved, the more we can make sure to express our voices about it, and the more successful we’ll be,” Friedman said.

ccummings@redwoodbark.org

Easygoing yet high-spirited coach aims to connect players

By Sylvana Perczek Former Terra Linda High School football coach Nick Naudain began teaching at Redwood this season, replacing Thomas Wong.

Naudain has a long relationship with football. In his

Photo by Sylvana Perczek

LAUGHING WITH SOPHOMORE player Gabriel Troisi, Coach Naudain leads practice for the frosh/soph team.

high school years he became well acquainted with the sport were truly understanding what he was teaching was during his junior year at Galileo High School in San Francisco. their first preseason game, which they won 50-6, according After graduating high school, he decided to try football to Jenkins.

“I tell the players that we’re trying at a college level without intention of to form the Avengers; everybody tries pursuing it seriously. to form their own power,” Jenkins said.

Earlier this year, coach Esteban Sophomore Jack Loebbaka has Chavez from Redwood contacted been playing football for the last five Naudain about the open position. years. Loebbaka has played basketball, Naudain took the opportunity and left baseball and rugby but he has never Terra Linda to come coach at Redwood, considered himself good at any sport bringing three other coaches from Terra except football.

Linda High School with him.

According to Loebbaka, last year Although the first few weeks of the coaches didn’t do a good job at summer practice were only attended keeping the team together. They would by four to five players, over 40 kids Nick Naudain, show the plays but it would be hard to came to the first official day of practice, Freshman Head Coach understand how to run them because Naudin said. At first the large team the coaches weren’t able to do the plays was a lot for Naudain to handle, but he themselves. adjusted.

“This year the coaches are pretty active with the “I’m a little nervous, but I’m the kind of person that grabs the bull by the horns and gets to work, and that’s players,” Loebbaka said. “They can demonstrate the exercises that they’re doing and on top of that they’re what we’re doing here at Redwood,” Naudain said.

According to Naudain, he wants the football program better at connecting with the players and hyping them up. to be inclusive. He said he tries to make everyone feel that Coach Nick is mainly the hype guy, he yells and gets us all they are safe and free to talk to the coaches whenever they riled up with chants and makes us want to play.”

Starting his fourth year coaching, Naudain is excited want.

“Most head coaches say ‘it’s my way or the highway’ for the season and what will unfold. At the start of the and I’m not that way. I’m a compromiser. We can talk it season, Naudain said he asked the team how many games they thought they were going to win this year and some of out,” Naudain said.

So far, the team has had two scrimmages and one the guys said four, maybe five. Only one person said they preseason game. The team won the preseason game. were going to go undefeated.

“In the beginning when the players were told that they According to Naudain, most of the Redwood students on the team didn’t believe that they would be winners until were going to go undefeated, they would snicker on the side, but now they get excited and believe that they can do this first win.

Defensive coordinator Michael Jenkins, known to that and that it can be a reality,” Naudain said. players as Coach Mike, has been coaching football for the last 15 years, and met Naudain at Terra Linda.

Jenkins said coming to Redwood from Terra Linda with Naudain was very exciting. He realized the players sperczek@redwoodbark.org

Most head coaches say ‘it’s my way or the highway,’ and I’m not that way.

Junior’s love of nature sparks a passion for agriculture

By Hannah Halford As students mosey by the farm on their way to P.E., perhaps not paying it any attention, junior Tommy Freiburger passionately tends to the garden, just as he has for the past two years.

Freiburger joined the Sustainable Agriculture class his sophomore year because he wanted to be involved in a class that was outside where he could interact with nature. This sparked a newfound love for the outdoors.

The goal of implementing the Sustainable Agriculture class into Redwood’s curriculum was to create an outdoor classroom that makes students aware of the food they’re eating. Sustainable Agriculture teacher Joe Stewart translates his love of agriculture and farming through a unique teaching style.

“Just like students like to learn in a different way, I like to teach in a different way,” Stewart said.

This hands-on teaching style that Stewart embraced, with the creation of the class in 1997, has attracted students who enjoy the outdoors, Freiburger serving as an example. Stewart has created a balance between agricultural knowledge and fun in his outdoor classroom.

“We eat food three times a day, and it’s important to look at where it’s coming from. The environment is to be considered as well as our nutrition and health.

The fact is that [sustainable agriculture] is a fun thing to be spending your time doing, as opposed to reading about it in a classroom,” Stewart said.

Shortly after joining the class, Freiburger decided to get a job at the Bayside Garden Center in downtown Tiburon to further pursue his interest.

“I like working with the plants, but you’re not involved in the lifecycle of a plant or the cycles of nature like you are in agriculture class, but it’s nice being around plants,” Freiburger said. “[Mr. Stewart] is very committed, knows a lot and cares a lot about the farm.

He started this whole farm for the school, and that’s a pretty big commitment to sustainability,” Freiburger said.

The farm took two years for Stewart to build. Although creating the farm was time consuming and required serious dedication, the support he received at all levels – the students’ interest, the school and district administration support and the funding commitment from parents – made the process much easier.

Senior Isabella Karman, who takes Sustainable Agriculture with Freiburger, enjoys the non-lecturebased approach Stewart has created.

“It’s the only class where I’m not just sitting in a chair all day and listening to a lecture. He does the work before we do it, instead of making us read a book or something, so he’s leading by example which is awesome,” Karman said.

Karman has voiced her commitment

to pursuing either a major or minor in environmental studies in college, due to the influence of APES and the sustainable agriculture class.

Similarly, Freiburger has expressed his fascination in majoring in agriculture when he attends college in one year.

“I like being outside and interacting with nature because we are all a part of it; all human beings are a part of it. Everything we do is nature, because we are all organisms. When you interact with nature it’s like interacting with yourself in a way, a part of yourself that you don’t know a lot about,” Freiburger said.

Both Karman and Freiburger are grateful for the opportunities that Redwood and Marin have provided for them in this field, with specialized programs as well as natural resources.

“I don’t think there are any other schools that I could’ve gone to that would have this type of program. I’m lucky that I live where I do so that I could go to Redwood,” Freiburger said.

According to Freiburger, his ideal location for a farm would be West Marin due to its rare beauty.

“I love Marin County, it’s the most beautiful place in the world. West Marin is so open and it’s just uninhabited, but if you go to Mill Valley or Larkspur, it’s crowded with traffic and people,” Freiburger said.

Stewart’s goal as teacher is not only to keep students aware of the food they are eating, but also to take this knowledge beyond the classroom and make use of it.

“I hope that they become lifelong learners and have awareness about what it means to be sustainable around food choices,” Stewart said.

Stewart’s farm has gained appeal and created opportunity for Redwood students like Freiburger and Karman.

“Agriculture gave my interests direction.

I always liked nature and being out in it, but I never did anything with it until now,” Freiburger said.

hhalford@redwoodbark.org