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Volume LVIV No. 2 • October 21, 2016 • Larkspur, CA
The Art of Comedy Read more on p. 12
Photo by Gregory Block
Editors in Chief Gregory Block Emily Cerf Sarah Kimball Rebecca Smalbach
Copy Editors Review Editors Caleigh Stephens (Head Copy Editor) Carolyn French Gemma Calandra Sam Sheridan Josh Cohen Adam Kreitzman Spanish Editors Heidi Roenisch Shannon Donelan Christine Watridge Data Analyst Adam Kreitzman Feature Editors Sydney Soofer Video Editors Pearl Zhong Garet Jatsek Sam Slade News Editors Catherine Conrow Art Consultant Anne Pritikin Maxime Kawawa-‐Beaudan Opinion Editors Business Manager Daniela Schwartz Grant Barnes Alicia Vargelis Social Media Manager Sabrina Dong Lifestyles Editors Annie Forgarty Survey Manager Andrew Hout Charlotte Seton Sports Editors Advisor Max Josef Erin Schneider Mary Winnick Reporters Sabrina Dong Tilly Friedlander Eric Ahern Julia Jacoby Kendall Rhoads Kaelin Kragh Henry Tantum Alexandra Lee Luke Dahlin Brendan Winters Michael Benz Amanda Trusheim Hayden Blum Hallie Fox Rachel Schten Kevin Gao Maggie Smith Jocelyn Overmyer Caroline Cummings China Granger Christine Watridge Jordan Overmyer
redwood
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volume LVIV, no. 2
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October 21, 2016
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Syrian Refugees
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Racism discussions aim to raise student awareness By Daniela Schwartz On Sept. 26, roughly 300 students crowded into the small gym during Advisory, expressions of confusion and concern upon their faces. On Sept. 27, seven staff members and three students spared an hour after school to focus on Redwood’s future plans involving racism. Two days later, on Sept. 29, 33 attentive students came together in the small gym, choosing the discussion over typical SMART period work time to speak openly about their feelings toward stereotypes and race. Though the numbers of students at each meeting differed, and the topics varied slightly each day, there was a similar purpose emerging at each of these meetings: addressing racism at Redwood. After a racial slur targeting Redwood assistant principal LaSandra White was spray-painted on the spirit ball, the administration and the student body united to take action against racism at Redwood. Junior David Simpson-Heil and senior Carl Simpson-Heil contacted White to see how they could help. They talked to Principal David Sondheim and planned the voluntary discussions to improve the understanding of racial identity and racism at Redwood. Leadership students also delivered flowers to White the morning after the vandalism was publicized to show support from the student body. “The flowers were wonderful, but they didn’t really solve anything,” David Simpson-Heil said. “They are more like a ‘We are sorry this happened to you, and we respect you and love you,’ versus ‘We are sorry this happened to you, we respect you and love you, we don’t want this to ever happen again and we are going to do this to stop it.’” September 26 As the bell rang for Advisory on Sept. 26, students gathered in front of the small gym. Although attendance wasn’t mandatory, Monday’s discussion had the highest attendance of the three forums. At the discussion, students sat tightly packed around the walls of the small gym. In the middle stood Carl Simpson-Heil and. David Simpson-Heil. Keith Jackson, founder of Dynamic Solutions for Youth, and who works with different schools with the TUHSD district to discuss racism, also came to Redwood to help initiate the forums. “We are here to talk about the word n****r,” Jackson said, beginning his lecture. Jackson and the other two speakers emphasized that the discussion would be honest. The speakers talked briefly about the history of the N-word as well as how it
Photo by Daniela Schwartz
SHARING HER THOUGHTS on racism, junior Victoria Wiggins speaks at a racism discussion on Sept. 29 during SMART. Hundreds of students attended the three racism discussions throughout the week of Sept. 26. impacts Redwood’s community now, and focused on the importance of the school coming together to change its culture. “I don’t care if somebody came from another school and wrote it on the ball—there is racism at this school,” Jackson said. “How do we change the culture at Redwood High School? How do we make the other students aware of what it feels like to be a Black student at this school and hear racial epithets?” The silent audience continued to listen as the speakers took turns sharing their own experiences involving the N-word. David spoke about what it is like to be a Black student at Redwood. “Normally if someone on the street says, ‘F*** you,’ you’ll be shocked and might be a little offended, but it won’t really affect your identity. But when that insult is associated with something you can’t change about yourself, it makes it seem like there is something fundamentally wrong with you,” David said. At the end of the 35-minute discussion, Jackson urged the crowd to open up to one another and understand different perspectives. Jackson said that the overall goal of his lecture was to
inspire students to reach out of their comfort zones and embrace others. Multiple students, including freshman Sergio Alamo and senior Sam Sanchez, said that they were amazed by the amount of peers who attended the discussion. Sanchez said she attended the discussion because she thought that the vandalism was disrespectful and she wanted to hear about what actions would be taken. September 27 After school on Sept. 27, a group of three students and seven staff members, including White and Sondheim, met in Room 182 to consider how Redwood will approach race in the upcoming months. The primary goal addressed was how to continue raising awareness so that racism can be eliminated from Redwood. Sondheim said that the race issue won’t be solved right away, which he said was okay because it meant that there would have to be a culture change regarding the way Redwood handles racism. Continued on page 4
Administration introduces stricter parking punishments By Tilly Friedlander According to the new 2016-2017 parking permit rules, if a student parks illegally, in addition to receiving a parking ticket, they will be required to complete community service as well as lose their parking privileges for a specified amount of time. The challenge of finding a parking spot at Redwood is not a new issue. In recent years the struggle has grown due to the rising population, and parking permits do not guarantee students a spot in the parking lot. As of this year, there are new and harsher consequences for parking violations due to the fact that there are more students wanting spaces than there are spaces available. The first parking offense warrants a parking ticket, an apology to anyone affected, a parking ticket, school service hours, moving your car and the loss of parking parking privilege for two weeks. There are no warnings, so the first time a student is caught parking wrongfully, they are punished to the fullest extent. After two parking offenses, the school will contact the student’s parents and the student will lose their parking privileges for the rest of the semester (or three months, whichever is shorter) on top of community service. If a student commits three parking offenses, they will not only have the same consequences as their first and second offenses, but they also will lose their
Photoillustration by Tilly Friedlander
AS A RESULT of the worsening parking situation, the administration has introduced harsher parking consequences that include mandatory community service. parking privileges for the rest of the school year (or six months, whichever is shorter). In other words, after receiving three tickets, students can no longer park on campus for the majority of that school year. Principal David Sondheim said he thinks that with a greater number of students on campus, parking has become a more prominent issue and has resulted in a need for the stricter parking rules. “In these recent years, there have been more students wishing to park here than we have spaces. That’s made it a very
difficult challenge,” Sondheim said. “The reason [the rules are] fairly stiff is because the problem has been significant and we continue to grow and we need people to understand that for safety reasons, people need to follow the parking and safe driving rules and regulations.” Police officer Ryan McMahon of the Central Marin Police Authority, who has ticketed cars in the Redwood parking lot, thinks that the new parking policy will cause students to change their way of getting to school as well as decrease the
number of cars parked illegally. “Now there’s a consequence to your action. It’s not just a fine. You’re going to have to go donate your time to community service and people aren’t going to want to do that. They’re going to look at what they’re doing and say, ‘I don’t like this’ or ‘I need to learn how to park and go from there,’” McMahon said. McMahon thinks that this issue can be solved if students look at alternative ways of getting school. “I think that kids can either park in a designated spot, or they can communicate with each other and carpool. Also, you can take public transit or you can ride your bike. There’s several different ways. You could leave earlier to get to school to hopefully get that parking spot,” McMahon said. Senior Madison Hake, who received a parking ticket last year, said that the new parking rules are too strict considering students only park illegally in order to get to class on time. “You shouldn’t have to park far away and be late to class. There should be enough parking spaces for everyone to park on campus,” Hake said. However, Hake thinks that few students will change their parking habits with this new rule in mind, because even though there are consequences students still have to park in order to get to class. “I definitely will try not to park illegally. But I think when it comes down to it, in that moment, most kids will risk getting... Continued on page 5
bark
Page 2 • News
October 21, 2016
Photo Survey: What sets your heart on fire?
“Lots of running. Ow, my heart is on fire.”
Layla Isherwood freshman
“Are you asking me what’s attractive in a guy?”
Alice Sampaio sophomore
“Probably a doubledouble bacon cheeseburger.”
David Simpson-Heil junior
“The power of love.”
Lukas Finkbeiner senior
San Rafael charter school petition unanimously rejected By Heidi Roenisch On Sept. 26, the San Rafael Board of Education unanimously denied the application for the Ipso charter school, proposed by former Redwood assistant principal Katy Foster and Drake science teacher Erin Ashley, to become part of the San Rafael School District. The 5-0 decision to reject the charter came after Superintendent Michael Watenpaugh and other representatives from the district released a report strongly recommending its denial and nearly two hours of public comment in which the majority of speakers strongly opposed the opening of a charter school in the district. Watenpaugh cited Ipso’s failure to provide a “reasonably comprehensive description” of seven elements of the required 15 in a charter school petition as the main reason the staff recommended the know our families and we know our rejection. community.” Specifically, Watenpaugh expressed Ipso attorney Janelle Ruley, who concern that Ipso’s proposed student- specializes in charter school law, said that teacher ratio of 33:1 would actually be the submitted petition met all state legal higher than the San Rafael School District’s requirements for charter schools. current ratio of 29:1. “I’m afraid the Additional issues were that district reviewed Ipso’s proposed budget the petition through relies on the renewal of district lens and not outside funding that has necessarily a charter not been promised past lens,” she said. the first year. In addition, Foster said that foreign language will be Ipso isn’t targeted taught through an online at all San Rafael program instead of by students, but would a certified teacher. be a beneficial option This was coupled with for some. the fact that the idea and “We know that campaign for the school San Rafael does was created and driven by great things, and we residents from outside the Rachel Kertz, believe that a small, community. more personalized Board President “This is not a local school is a great community-driven option for some initiative. The Ipso charter kids,” Foster said. proposal does not originate with the During the board meeting, San Rafael students, families or staff of San Rafael Board of Education president Rachel Kertz City schools,” Watenpaugh said. “Neither provided a scathing review of the proposal [founder] has taught in our schools. We and efforts made by Foster and Ashley.
I will continue to work night and day to represent the majority of our community who do not support Ipso.
Photo by Heidi Roenisch
SEVERAL SAN RAFAEL teachers attended the meeting wearing ‘Bulldog Pride’ t-shirts, showing their support for the current school district structure.
Infographic by Heidi Roenisch
“Very early on, it became clear that [Foster and Ashley’s] focus wasn’t on the students, but on their self-interest,” Kertz said. “I find it ironic that [their] pictures were on the front of the IJ instead of the students, the heart of what we are all about. It seems to me to be indicative of [their] priorities, not representative of our community or what we are working to achieve.” Several San Rafael District teachers spoke against Ipso at the meeting, emphasizing that the district already provides specialized learning through AP classes, the AVID program, which focuses on closing the achievement gap, newcomer language classes and various academies that focus on specific subjects, like engineering. Ashley pointed to the Sequoia Union High School District in the South Bay as an ideal model, as they are a basic aid district that has successfully run a mix of charter and traditional high schools. In regards to a main concern that Ipso will Erin Ashley, divert significant funds Ipso co-founder away from the other high schools in the district, Ashley said that they will still receive some funding from students that attend Ipso. “We understand that there is fear of the unknown, specifically regarding the financial impact,” Ashley said. “Students at Ipso schools will be funded at a lower rate than students at San Rafael, so the difference in that funding goes back to other San Rafael schools.” Board member Linda Jackson also strongly opposed the charter petition, despite initial curiosity. “When I first opened up the charter proposal, I have to say I was excited because I thought I would be reading something new,” Jackson said. “Within the first two pages I was struck by the number of grammatical and factual errors in the document. Then I was struck by the first of
many inconsistencies.” These inconsistencies included two differing descriptions within the proposal of how the school’s board members would be selected and several different versions of the school’s four core curriculum principles, according to Jackson. Jackson went on to describe that she rejected the proposal because of its failure to expand learning style choice for students and the lack of a clear plan for implementation of the school. Watenpaugh also expressed concern at the methods used by Ipso to build support in the community, as several parents said they inadvertently signed a document that supported the charter’s petition that they had been told was a meeting signin sheet. Additionally, community members alleged that Ipso and its supporters approached them inappropriately during church meetings and doctor’s office visits. In a written statement released after the decision, Ashley and Foster expressed their disappointment at the decision. “We are disappointed in the vote, as we believe that it is in everyone’s best interest for us to be approved locally,” the statement said. Despite the rejection and lack of community support, Ashley and Foster have filed an appeal to the Marin County Office of Education, which could still grant the charter. The petition will be reviewed later this month. Kertz has pledged to continue fighting the Ipso petition at the county level. “If there is a decision by the petitioners to present this to the county, I will continue to work night and day to represent the majority of our community who support San Rafael City schools and who do not support Ipso,” Kertz said.
We understand that there is fear of the unkown, especially regarding the financial impact.
hroenisch@redwoodbark.org
Page 3 • News
www.redwoodbark.org
Meet Redwood’s 2016 Homecoming Court
bark
By Kendall Rhoads
Eric Ahern
“I’m incredibly mediocre at playing both the piano and the guitar and my spirit animal is Ernest Hemingway,” said ASB president Eric Ahern. Ahern hopes his high school political career translates to a successful political future, as he wants to be involved in politics and public service. He has been in Peer Resource and The Redwood Bark for two years and is a youth commissioner for the Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Department. Ahern is the only Homecoming Prince able to vote in the presidential election, and he plans on taking a different approach by voting for a thirdparty candidate, Harambe.
Courtney Carswell
“Let’s address the elephant in the room. I have been vegan for a year. Best decision ever,” ASB Vice President Courtney Carswell said. Carswell is interested in pursuing nutritional science in college and is the co-president of the Vegan Club. Her bubbly personality is also expressed in her artwork. She is an avid artist in AP Drawing and Painting. Additionally, Carswell enjoys learning languages and has dedicated her past three summers to a variety of Spanish immersion programs, including a trip to the Dominican Republic. Carswell’s best talent? She can shotgun a green tea in three seconds.
Gregory Block
Sophie Landeck
“I have always wondered what high school would be like if I kept my childhood bowl cut,” said senior class president Gregory Block, who thankfully ditched the cut by middle school. Block has been in leadership for three years and rose through the political ranks before becoming senior class president. Block is also an editor-in-chief of America’s premier newspaper, The Redwood Bark, and has spent many nights laboring over the publication in your hands. In the future, Block plans on going to a university with plenty of school spirit, where he hopes to study business or journalism. Block also dedicates his time to athletics as a catcher on the varsity baseball team and as a co-founder of the highlyacclaimed Redwood Hockey Club.
As a co-anchor of Redwood TV, Sophie Landeck loves being in front of a camera. “I really like talking in front of crowds,” she said. Landeck has been on Redwood TV for one year and has been in leadership for three and a half years. She has immersed herself in the drama department at Redwood since her freshman year, including starring roles in “Heathers: The Musical” and the upcoming “Micetro” performance. Landeck is a member of Advanced Drama and Honors Theater Directing and is currently the aesthetics manager for Redwood’s EPiC drama company. Landeck wishes to expand her interest in theater by getting a BFA in Musical Theater or a BA in Theater.
Cosmo Taylor
Allie Fobes
Unlike a fellow homecoming court member, Cosmo Taylor is a “survivor of veganism.” Until this year, Taylor was a member of the varsity lacrosse team, but is unable to play this season due to multiple head injuries. Additionally, Taylor was a reporter for The Redwood Bark during his junior year. After high school, Taylor plans on going to the Fire Academy and becoming a firefighter. Taylor loves his one-year-old cat, Curry, who is “absolutely insane.” He is especially proud of his table tennis abilities.
“I still tell people I am a transfer whenever I get lost or when I get confused,” Allie Fobes said. “I say, ‘Sorry, I am a transfer student.’” Fobes and her family moved from Sacramento to Marin at the beginning of her sophomore year. She played volleyball and lacrosse as a sophomore and has been in Leadership since her junior year. Fobes has a passion for art and is in AP Drawing and Painting. Outside of school, Fobes spends a lot of time volunteering at various community organizations, something she hopes to continue to do in the future. While still unsure about her future interests, she is contemplating a major in communications.
Max Josef
Juliet Ricci
“I didn’t really have a presence at Redwood until last year when I was the sun in the homecoming skit,” Max Josef said, referencing a performance that quickly became legend. Soon after videos of his dance spread around Marin, Josef was informed that he had a small cult following at Hall Middle School. Josef loves sports in all forms. He is a varsity volleyball player, sports editor for the The Redwood Bark, and a youth basketball coach at the Bay Club. In the future, Josef hopes to be a basketball sports agent, similar to Michael Jordan’s agent, David Falk. Josef is proud of his 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. “I have to floor it to go about 60 MPH,” Josef said.
“I eat five bananas a day on average,” Juliet Ricci said. Ricci’s animated and outgoing personality shines through in her dedication to Redwood events. She has been a part of leadership for four years, and was her sophomore class president. Ricci has also been a part of Peer Resource for two years. Additionally, Ricci’s claim to fame is that she can lick her elbow. Outside of school, Ricci devotes a lot of time to dance. She hopes to study psychology or sociology in college.
John Van Liere
Amanda Trusheim
“I got very self-conscious sophomore year because everyone would tell me my weather forecasts were wrong,” said Redwood TV weatherman John Van Liere. “That’s why I stopped looking altogether and resorted to pure guessing.” In addition to his weatherman role, Van Liere is also involved in the Redwood music program. He has been a part of Advanced Performance Workshop for four years and intends to play music for the rest of his life. He hopes to work in the music industry, either performing, producing or promoting. In addition, Van Liere has played basketball at Redwood for all four years, is a Link Crew leader and has started two clubs, the Outdoor Cuisine Club and the Conspiracy Club.
“The first week of school freshman year, I fell down the entire staircase during a passing period and my bag broke, my shoe broke and I knocked a couple people out with me,” Amanda Trusheim said. Trusheim’s goal at Redwood has been to get involved in all major organizations around the school. She is a member of the Leadership class and serves as the senior class secretary. Trusheim is involved in Link Crew orientation, The Redwood Bark, Peer Resource and Peer Tutoring. She hopes to become a doctor and earn her MD after college.
Robert McInnnis
Lauren Foehr
“Two years ago a couple friends and I were chased down the mountain by ski patrol for skiing with our pants down,” Robert McInnis said. Luckily, he got away. McInnis skis and mountain bikes, but is not a part of any Redwood teams. He is a proud environmentalist and he hopes to volunteer for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society after graduating from Redwood. McInnis also plans to take a gap year and is preparing to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in April 2018.
“I am afraid of mascots,” Lauren Foehr said, which is a strange phobia considering that Foehr is a four-year starting varsity soccer player and has been around plenty of mascots. Foehr has been playing soccer since she was five years old and is committed to play Division I soccer at the University of San Diego. While soccer is her obvious favorite, she has also dabbled in plenty of other sports, including a stint on the varsity tennis team as a freshman. Once her athletic career is over, Foehr plans on helping other athletes by becoming a physical therapist or athletic trainer. krhoads@redwoodbark.org
bark
Page 4 • News
October 21, 2016
• Racism lectures
Continued from page 1 The group discussed how they would shape the following dialogue at SMART, and planned to incorporate more student discussion instead of lectures. The teachers and students at the meeting hope to make Redwood a safe environment for all students of color. “Right now we are at a place where our numbers [of students from Marin City] are smaller for a variety of reasons, but if we can build up this sense of community so they feel more comfortable being here, I think that will help that issue. So this is the right time and work to be doing,” White said. Later in the meeting, differences between schools within Marin County were considered. According to Sondheim and others at the meeting, schools like San Rafael have more racial diversity than Redwood, but there are forms of racial discrimination everywhere. Attendees of the meeting planned to use Advisory as a main platform to address racial problems as the school year progresses. The main issue the attendees addressed was how to continue pressing this issue at Redwood as time passes on. “You walk out [of Redwood] with a good education, but it can also be you walk out with a good education and a really good understanding of what other people are like. It’s hard and it takes work,” Sondheim said during the meeting. September 29: At the last student-run forum to discuss racial identity, about 33 students met by the small gym at SMART. The discussion had a more talkative and loud atmosphere than the previous two meetings. “It was really nice to be able to get more input from the people who came. And I think the fact that it was more of a conversation instead of us talking at them was really nice,” David Simpson-Heil said. Forming a small circle in the center of the room, Jackson asked why it’s okay for Black people to say the N-word, but not for White people. “Whatever question you ask in here, nobody’s going to be pointing fingers and saying you’re a racist, you’re this and that. What this is, is coming together with a group of people that say ‘I want to learn something,
Photo by Daniela Schwartz
PARTICIPATING IN ONE of the racism discussions, Carl Simpson-Heil has taken the initative with racism forums at Redwood. I want to know something, I want to hear some clarity, I’m interested in helping out to change a culture of what’s going on,’” Jackson said. Jackson hopes that future meetings will eventually have even more student interaction, so that students can talk about their ideas and their own experiences and thoughts. According to freshman Lili Ostoijc-Gibson, this meeting was better than the first due to the increased time for discussion. “The first one was more, people were curious, and I think these people really wanted to come and had a strong purpose and it was more intimate, so you get to actually
listen to people and hear what they have to say,” Ostoijc-Gibson said. Despite having more of a conversation at the meeting, students still worried about whether these dialogs would actually affect the future of the school. “One of the students asked, ‘What’s going to change from this?’ and that’s the real question,” Jackson said. “Now the real work comes into how we are going to make a real difference.” Several students interested in continuing the effort to fight racism at Redwood joined a student “steering dschwartz@redwoodbark.org
Leadership seeks to improve dance attendance with ‘Turnabout’ theme By Anna Compagno Cub Reporter
Hoping to spin things around by increasing the attendance at the annual Homecoming dance, the Leadership class voted to change the event to a “Turnabout” style. “We’re trying to get more people to come by having it be more of a date dance. Hopefully this will help increase our attendance, that’s the idea. Every year we kind of tweak the style of Homecoming a little,” said Leadership teacher David Plescia. There was talk of a formal black and white dance, but Leadership decided on Turnabout because it was a better balance between the Back to School Dance and Prom, according to Plescia. “We’ve been trying to find something for years that will be super successful, and we haven’t been able to find that,” Plescia said. “If you measure [the] attendance at the Back to School Dance, Homecoming is about half the size, maybe less. We’re trying to figure out how [to] get those numbers up and give the students what they want.” Homecoming is the least attended dance at Redwood, according to Plescia. Last year, about 500 students attended the dance, in comparison to the roughly 1,100 students who attended the Back to School
Bark Patrons
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Dyer
IN KEEPING WITH the ‘Turnabout’ theme of this year’s homecoming, senior Sydney Abrams asks Gabe Stephens to the dance. Dance and the 675 upperclassmen who went to Prom. However, many students remain skeptical of the dance, saying the decision to make Homecoming a Turnabout dance will still not influence them to attend. “[Homecoming] being Turnabout this year does not matter to me. I am still not going to go,” junior Marley Edington said. “I would only want to go if all my friends went.”
Thurman The Corn Family The Ahern Family The Conrow Family James & Katheryn Baldwin Naz Erickson Howard & Loren Block Brenhan & Katherine Green Malcolm Brenner & Cynthia Tom Guarcello Altman Sylvia Jones Donal & Brenda Brown Key Family Thom Calandra & Maura Bernice Kintzer & Kurt Paul
The majority of students who attend the dance are underclassmen, so Leadership wanted to give them a more formal dance experience. “Our original idea was for [Homecoming] to be a date dance. Prom is already a boys-ask-girls date dance, so if we wanted to get the upperclassman participation we figured it would be better to make it something different,” said junior Luna Zirpoli, a leader of the Spirit
Linda Kreitzman Dana Linker Steele & Rich Steele Jean & Norton Lin The McKechnie Family The Mowbray Family Barbara Owens The Rankin-Williams Family The Rocha Family Frank Rollo
Committee. Zirpoli believes attendance will increase if the dance is made more formal. “We think part of [the reason] why so many students are not going is [that] the culture of the dance is very casual. By making it more formal, people can ask someone to go with them, which will encourage more people to go,” Zirpoli said. The Spirit Committee was inspired by other high school dances, such as Marin Catholic’s Turnabout dance and Saint Ignatius’ Sadie Hawkins dance. A Sadie Hawkins is an informal dance in which girls are encouraged to ask guys to be their dates. While there was talk about this year’s Homecoming becoming a Sadie Hawkins dance, Leadership ultimately decided on Turnabout because it allows anyone to ask whoever they want, making it much more inclusive. “[Leadership] is also concerned that maybe younger students, especially freshmen, who don’t know everyone so well, may be intimidated by the title of Turnabout. We want people to know you don’t have to bring a date—you can go with a group of friends and it will still be fun,” Ratcliffe said. Homecoming spirit week began Oct. 17 and the annual Homecoming dance will take place on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. in the big gym. acompagno@redwoodbark.org
Tom Sivertsen Paul & Paula Strand The Tantum Family Karol Towns & Ronal Wagner Penny Watridge The Watridge Family
Want to be a Bark patron? Visit redwoodbark.org and click “Patrons” under “More” to access a form.
bark Senior helps establish volunteer music program in Marin City Page 5 • News
www.redwoodbark.org
By Maggie Smith Despite the early hour on a Saturday, the eager faces of the young music students fill a MLK-Bayside Middle School classroom. This was exactly the environment that senior Noa Zimmerman was trying to create—a positive space where kids could experiment with music freely. It’s the second meeting of the Soundwaves program, which was created this year to give kids in Marin City the opportunity to learn music. Every Saturday, kids can come and take free music lessons, mostly given by high school students. Currently, there are about 15 Redwood students who volunteer with the program. The first meeting, according to Zimmerman, was a huge success. “There were a lot of people, a lot of energy. It created such a warm environment,” Zimmerman said. According to program founder Jonnette Newsom, the former principal of MLKBayside Middle School, Soundwaves was created to give kids the opportunity to learn music. The program aims to prepare middle school students for music programs in high school, which had been difficult previously due to the lack of music education in middle school. In order be ready for high school, the students need basic practice on their instruments, but since a lot of the students are low-income, many could not afford private lessons, according to Newsom. Newsom says the program was also
Photo by Maggie Smith
TEACHING FLUTE LESSONS to students at MLK-Bayside Middle School on a Saturday morning, freshman Emily Comins volunteers at the Sound Waves Program. created to give students new career and educational opportunities in music. “It was a career path that was not available to our students,” Newsom said. “It’s a hook to keep [the kids] in high school.” Zimmerman also mentioned the importance of having an outlet for any problems the kids might be having in their lives. “These kids are growing up in an environment where they’re watching the adults solve their problems with violence, and they really need good role models and someone in their life to help them learn
how to deal with issues and how to express themselves in the right way so they don’t fall into those traps that they’re being exposed to,” she said. Last year, Newsom created a more informal version of the program, in which a few Redwood students, including Zimmerman, would come on various days and teach. This year, Zimmerman helped to create a new program by coming up with a name and mission statement and attracting more Redwood volunteers. Freshman Emily Comins, a flute player, decided to volunteer for Soundwaves
system back in 2000. “They let teachers vote and so we voted to have it be first come first serve because we knew then it would mean ...a ticket and community service instead of being late students would be parking in the dirt. But, the principal had tried to talk us into taking the dirt and giving students to class,” Hake said. Redwood has struggled to find the right punitive the parking lot, but that didn’t fly really,” Jaime said. Along with Sondheim, Jaime also believes that measurements to solve its parking crisis for years. parking is an issue that goes sideAccording to an article dated from 2000 by-side with a greater number of in the Bark by former Redwood student students at the school. Samantha Reis, students used to lose “When I started working here credit for non-academic classes if they [in 1991], Redwood was 1300 or violated parking permit rules. 1400 students so then if you only According to social studies teacher have that many students then you Ann Jaime, parking may have never been have that many fewer faculty and as large an issue as it is today, but it has all of the things that go along with caused controversy at Redwood since that. Now it’s just the size of the the year 2000, when Redwood received school and the number of people,” money to renovate the campus. Jaime said. “When we had our modernization Jaime also added that parking bond in the early 2000s, the very first Ryan McMahon, has continued to be an issue thing they did was close the back parking Central Marin Police because much of Redwood’s lot and repave it. So they set up a parking Authority population does not live in walking lot basically on the football field or distance. baseball field. There was a little bit of In recent years, more parking permits have been given controversy because nobody really wanted to park in out than spots have been. According to Sondheim, parking the dirt,” Jaime said. According to Jaime, the parking crisis was settled permits are a way to identify students who have parked for the teachers when they got to decide the parking illegally during an emergency.
• Parking punishments Continued from page 1
Now there’s a consequence to your actions. It’s not just a fine.
because she was excited to help kids play music. “I want to help or give the opportunity to learn an instrument if they can’t afford to get a teacher,” Comins said. According to Zimmerman, teaching music is a new challenge for many Soundwaves volunteers. “[The volunteers] have to figure out what makes [the kids] excited, what makes them engaged and keeps them coming in and wanting to learn music,” she said. Comins said that teaching can be rewarding, especially when a student is passionate about their instrument and practices what they’ve learned. “When they say ‘Oh, it’s so fun! I love playing the flute!’ it just makes me feel so happy,” Comins said. Zimmerman echoed Comins’ sentiments, saying she loves when kids start getting excited about music. “I get so much out of it because I know what they’re going through,” she said. According to Zimmerman, music may not only be a fun hobby for kids in Marin City, but also a way to help find their voices, in the same way it was for her. “Music is a really great way to find your identity and gain confidence, and it’s just a really good thing for their lives,” she said. “The kids are still kids. They still get excited by music. They have as much potential as us. They just need a different kind of support because of the environment they live in.”
msmith@redwoodbark.org
“If we don’t have everybody permitted so that we can identify every car that parks in the lot, we have any one of a number of situations including an emergency with a car or a car parked illegally. It is much more difficult to identify who the driver of the car is, should we need to contact him or her,” Sondheim said. McMahon thinks that students need to be the ones to change their ways in order to solve this parking crisis, rather than having the administration initiate new policy changes. “Just because you’re in a private lot doesn’t mean that you don’t have to obey the vehicle code. You have to not park in red zones and stay out of handicap areas because those are designated for emergencies or people with disabilities,” McMahon said. “Also if you’re taking two parking spots, then that’s not being a courteous driver.” According to McMahon, police come to Redwood when they’re called due to a complaint, usually regarding students parking illegally. McMahon has noticed an increase in tickets given out in recent years, which he thinks is due to more students driving themselves to school nowadays. Sondheim still doesn’t know exactly when parking permit forms will be released. tfriedlander@redwoodbark.org
opinion
Page 6
Class ranking system obscures students’ true talents By Rebecca Smalbach Every year around the time when many Redwood seniors are beginning to submit their college applications, counselors at Redwood have a lot to do. They write letters of recommendation, send transcripts to schools, and, perhaps most important, give schools a copy of Redwood’s School Profile. The School Profile details a number of facts about Redwood—it talks about the required classes for everyone at Redwood, the Advanced Placement (AP) courses Redwood offers and a partial list of extracurriculars. Close to the bottom of the page it details the GPA needed to be in the first, second and so on deciles. It also gives the necessary GPA to be considered one of the top 5 percent of Redwood seniors. The numbers needed to be in the top 5 or 10 percent of Redwood’s class of 2017 are ridiculous—a 4.22 puts you in the top 10 percent, and a 4.32 puts you in the top five. Straight As aren’t nearly enough. To be in the top 10 percent a person would have to take about 4 honors or AP classes and still achieve straight As, and to be in the top 5 percent requires straight As in a schedule that includes about 6 honors or AP classes. This only takes into consideration classes through junior year, meaning that these numbers go up significantly after a student’s senior year. Redwood is already considered a competitive school, and to rank its students only puts undue stress on students to conform to incredibly difficult standards. Is a student with a 4.21 GPA appreciably different than a student with a 4.22 GPA? The obvious answer is no, but the student with the 4.21 is forced to put on the Common Application that they were in the second decile rather than the first. This may not seem like a big deal, but many colleges publish the percentage of incoming students in the first decile of their high school graduating class. This means that colleges are incentivized to admit students who have higher decile rankings, even though the difference in GPA may be miniscule.
are a diverse mixture of excellent, competitive public and Colleges such as Cornell and Tulane have said that a private schools. majority of their applicants come from schools where they The one thing they all have in common is that they don’t rank, so people from schools like Redwood who decided to stop ranking their students. aren’t in the first decile are at a disadvantage compared Additionally, the counselors at Redwood have been to people with similar academic profiles from different trying to get rid of the ranking system for a long time, schools. according to counselor Ian Scott, due to the Although class ranking is theoretically another way anxiety it can cause high achievers who are to differentiate students in the not in their preferred decile. college process, more often The ranking system benefits no one. than not there are alternative, Colleges can already identify high more helpful ways to achievers by their transcript and distinguish students. the additional information on the Many colleges, such school profile; rank is an arbitrary as NYU and Chapman, way to slice and dice the senior say that in the absence of class that can cause people at the class rank, more time is spent top of their respective decile to be looking through the school categorized as less hard-working profile and other aspects of the than they actually are. applications—two methods of Especially with course offerings differentiating students that such as advanced journalism or are much more helpful than drama that don’t offer a grade boost, rank. it becomes much harder to stay in All that ranking students one’s preferred decile, meaning that accomplishes is to stress ranking ultimately punishes people for students out about the decile following their passions. in which they’ll be placed. Eliminating the ranking system at Especially at Redwood, Redwood is an easy way to destress where many people who students and level the playing field for are looking at extremely applying to college. Seniors are already selective schools feel stressed out enough by taking lastlike the difference minute standardized tests, writing between the first and second their applications and maintaining decile could make or break an their grades. They shouldn’t have application. to be worrying about how their Fortunately, there’s a ranking will affect their chances solution to all this stress: of admittance, and if Redwood Redwood, stop ranking students. gets rid of the ranking system, Marin Catholic, Marin Academy, they won’t have to. Drake, Branson, Saint Ignatius, Illustration by Maxime Saratoga, Gunn and Miramonte Kawawa-Beaudan rsmalbach@redwoodbark.org
Cartoon by Aidan Ferguson
Page 7 • Opinion
www.redwoodbark.org
This is aPoint-Counterpoint headline set in Myriad Pro Italic Turn out to It’s the anthem sensation that is sweeping the nation. Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit, or do anything but stand during the national anthem has inspired thousands of professional and young athletes to do the same, including
Illustration by Maxime Kawawa-Beaudan
some of Marin’s high school athletes. As of now, neither the NFL nor any individual organization has made an attempt to silence the protests, but it hasn’t stopped the argument over whether the actions are appropriate.
Stars, stripes and especially respect By Eric Ahern When a determined young woman bravely enlists in the United States military, she is not risking her life to fight for a piece of meaningless, colored fabric. When a police officer takes on the graveyard shift, choosing to spend a night alone on patrol in a dangerous neighborhood, he is not taking on this responsibility to defend a catchy tune. When a passionate citizen goes to a polling booth on Nov. 8, he is not putting in the thought and taking the time in order to ensure the future of a striped sheet with stars stitched into the corner. That soldier is fighting and that citizen is voting, not for a song or for a meaningless communion of thread, but for the flag, Old Glory and for the anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. The flag and the national anthem are patriotic symbols that represent America’s past, present and future. We honor them to show our respect for this nation’s values, virtues and even its shortcomings. The First Amendment, the initial component of the Bill of Rights upon which our country was founded, allows us to express any dissatisfaction we may have for issues stifling American citizens, but that does not mean we must disrespect the flag, the anthem or the nation while doing so. Keeping this in mind, does Colin Kaepernick have the right to break the honorable tradition of taking a moment to pay respects to his country, and does he have legitimate reason to be protesting in the first place? Yes and yes. However, is disrespecting the flag and anthem the appropriate way to go about it? Definitely not. As a professional athlete, Kaepernick should absolutely utilize his public platform to fight for issues about which he is passionate. In fact, no Americans, especially
celebrities, should refrain from attempting to make an actual difference in this country, but they should try to do so in a productive manner. For instance, in response to the same social injustices that Kaepernick is protesting, Green Bay Packers player Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is going back to school to get a criminal justice degree. Instead of kneeling, Clinton-Dix is standing up and taking action by educating himself, and eventually others, on the social issues at hand. On Aug. 26, during a televised press conference, the 49ers quarterback wore a shirt featuring communist dictator Fidel Castro, the shirt referring to Castro as a “like mind.” So while Kaepernick claims he is fighting against oppression in America, he simultaneously chooses to endorse the former totalitarian leader of communist Cuba, a man who oppressed millions and who has one of the worst human rights records of all time. This wasn’t the only time that Kaepernick has contradicted the message he claims he wants to express. In September, images of Kaepernick’s attire from training camp surfaced on the internet. The photographs showed that Kaepernick had been wearing socks that feature multiple pigs wearing police caps. This behavior only increases animosity between police departments and communities, instead of resolving any issues. It’s no secret that America is currently plagued with a variety of social, political and economic troubles. Kaepernick is completely justified in his desire to mend these wounds, but the actions he has taken are not the correct way to sew the stitches. We must stand unified to make a positive difference, without issuing disrespect to anything that deserves just the opposite. eahern@redwoodbark.org
Colin Kaepernick’s stand for sitting By Jason Fieber
The National Anthem and the American flag stand for the very freedom that supports Colin Kaepernick’s decision not to stand. No one should be able to stop Kaepernick from doing what he wants during the singing of the national anthem. One of the greatest rights we have as Americans is free speech and our ability to speak out when we face injustices. Anyone who believes that Kaepernick’s stand (or lack thereof) is unpatriotic needs to realize that it is quite the opposite. Since his decision to kneel during the national anthem in the NFL preseason, many athletes have joined Kaepernick in protest. In week three of the NFL season, 35 players participated in some form of protest, either kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem. The protests have expanded beyond football to other sports. Soccer player Megan Rapinoe has also kneeled during the national anthem before her games for the U.S. national team. The idea to use professional sports as a platform for the discussion of social issues does not originate with Colin Kaepernick. The first major instance came in the 1968 Olympics when Tommie Smith and John Carlos joined in a salute to the Black Power movement during the gold medal ceremony for the 200-meter race. Occurrences have been as recent as Lebron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony speaking before the ESPY awards about the oppression of Black people in American society. Kaepernick’s protest is just the latest in a string of protests. I don’t believe that Kaepernick should kneel or that he should be forced to stand, but that he should do whatever he wants. It is not his actions that worry me, but the actions of those who potentially could control his ability to protest.
Those who boo Kaepernick when he is on the field or want him to end his protest often view it as an act of disrespect to those who protect our country. However, in the midst of the media storm about whether or not Kaepernick’s decision was patriotic or disrespectful, groups of veterans emerged and offered their support for Kaepernick. Much of the outpouring of support for Kaepernick’s actions has come via social media along with the hashtag “#VeteransforKaepernick.” As veteran Charles Clymer wrote, “Don’t use my service or that of any veteran to justify the silencing of Black Americans. Not on my watch,” or as another veteran Sunny Anderson said, “I took an oath and served so players on a team I don’t even like could have freedom of speech.” There is no need for us to put words in the mouths of the people who fight for our country when they have already offered their opinion and backed Kaepernick’s decision. These people fight for Kaepernick’s right to speak out if he believes there is injustice in the country. Kaepernick has said that his protest is not meant to disrespect police or the military, and instead is intended to bring attention to the issues that he sees across the nation. As fans, or simply as citizens, we shift between criticizing professional athletes for not using their position in society for a greater purpose and then chastising them when they try to make a statement. Kaepernick has one of the greatest pedestals to speak about social issues, so we can’t expect change as a society if we don’t allow people like him to speak out. For me, it doesn’t matter whether Colin Kaepernick makes the decision to kneel or stand during the national anthem. What is most important is that he isn’t stopped. If NFL or individual team executives try to stop Kaepernick from making himself heard, then they are the ones who are truly disrespecting the flag.
jfieber@redwoodbark.org
bark
Turnabout: School dances need to spice it up By Sam Sheridan
The first Friday of every school year, most Redwood students will pile into the courtyard for the Back to School Dance. There’s bumping baselines, overdressed freshmen, Redwood jerseys, and senior girls who are overconfident in their ability to keep tempo with a whistle. Three hundred and sixty-five days go by and the school rinses, washes and repeats. The dance is recreated to a T; nothing changed but perspective. It’s fun, but I’ve left early every year, always feeling like there could be more. The BTSD grows tiresome; the vibes plateau. Every October a less-than-optimal number of underclassmen and the homecoming court “royalty” pile into the gym for the Homecoming dance. There's loud music, underdressed freshmen and fake gambling. Homecoming’s theme may change, but the dance remains the same. Homecoming should be the epitome of a stereotypical high school dance; the students should be spirited, enthusiastic, and ready to dance. However, it is usually the least anticipated of the dances and efforts need to be made to improve student turnout. At other schools, Homecoming is a big deal. Every fall, Instagram feeds are littered with Marin Catholic kids asking each other to turnabout with cheesy signs. While the signs may be bad, at least students actually turn out to turnabout. Prom is our only break from the monotony. The locations change, the theme is applicable—you can actually dress for it—and the food is good. It’s an exceptional event, and our other dances could learn from it. Dance locations should vary. This doesn’t mean that we should hold the BTSD at the MOMA, but why not try it in the gym one year? Or fence off the lawn and put the DJ on the amphitheater? The dance themes also need to work. Last year the prom theme was “Great Gatsby,” a suitable theme for a formal event. Any boy, to the dismay of his date, could easily follow the theme by wearing a white tux. But how are you supposed to dress up for “Under the Lights”—a previous year's theme— without a trip to the hardware store and an increased fire hazard? Themes like Luau, Toga or Hoedown could easily be implemented to not only increase attendance, but also improve vibes at dances like Homecoming. Dances need increased attendance to be fun. Without an enthusiastic student body, our dances will never reach their full potential. While all the BTSD may need is a fun change of scenery, Homecoming needs an advertising makeover to get the student body on board. Homecoming has become a catch 22 of sorts: everyone needs to go to Homecoming for it to be fun, but no one wants to go to Homecoming because they don’t think it’s going to be fun. Reversing this trend starts with the senior class. If the the seniors go, the student body will follow. Should we make a Facebook page for Homecoming dresses? Well, probably not, but at least offer something new and exciting, whether it be themes, ideas, or tradition! Thankfully, Leadership has begun to mix things up this year by making Homecoming a turnabout style dance—which means that girls are encouraged to ask guys. While we’ll have to wait to see the effectiveness of this switch, I’m optimistic for the future of Redwood dances. ssheridan@redwoodbark.org
Illustration by Allison Fobes
bark
Page 8 • Opinion
October 21, 2016
bark
Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org E ditors -I n -C hief Gregory Block Emily Cerf Sarah Kimball Rebecca Smalbach
Head Copy Editor Caleigh Stephens
Copy Editors
Gemma Calandra Josh Cohen Adam Kreitzman Heidi Roenisch Christine Watridge
News Editors
Catherine Conrow Anne Pritikin
editorial Redwood’s underground racism surfaces Are you racist?
Have you ever… Complained that people of a different race were stealing your spot at a college? YES/NO Stayed quiet while someone made a racist joke? YES/NO Felt that society is prejudiced against white people? YES/NO Considered the actions of one person to be representative of their entire race? YES/NO Thought that racism didn’t exist at Redwood or in Marin? YES/NO Chances are that with a little self-reflection you probably answered yes to one or more of the above questions. And you’re not alone in this. Whether we’d like to admit it or not, the manifestations of racial bias, prejudices and stereotypes addressed in these questions are ones that we often encounter in our day-to-day lives at Redwood. It’s a pervasive idea at Redwood that racism isn’t a widespread issue. But what conversations after the Spirit Ball incident brought to light was the tendency of Redwood students to deny the racist culture of Redwood, and their own racial biases. In Advisory a few weeks ago, some students were given an opportunity to fill out surveys detailing their experiences with race at Redwood. Many students denied being racist and said that their peers weren’t either. Posts on social media directly after the spirit ball graffiti reflected this, with students writing about how concerned they were for Redwood’s reputation rather than for the cause and effects of such hateful racism. These responses seemed to be based on a faulty definition of racism -- that only extreme actions and words intended maliciously count. These types of actions reflect egregious prejudice, the likes of which are not common in our community. The more important issue at Redwood is not overt racism, but the use of subtle microaggressions that aren’t intended to be racist yet still contribute to a hostile environment for people of color at Redwood. Microaggressions include seemingly innocuous actions or words, such as perpetuating the stereotype that all Asians are good at math or denying that white privilege exists. Subtle racism among family members or close friends can influence people to consider these types of comments and actions to be acceptable. Redwood isn’t very diverse, so we may be more likely to believe the stereotypes we
Barks & Bites
A BARK to SNL for the exceptionally accurate portrayal of our presidential candidates. Alec Baldwin never goes “wrong” with Trump. A BITE to Halloween being on Monday. That’s Hallo-mean. A BARK to Mr. Zargar ’s fashion sense. He is up to Saum-thing. A BITE to “phone jails.” When were we given a fair trial? A BARK to the senior class Facebook page. Now we will never forget a spirit day. A BITE to Samsung. When we said we wanted you to blow up our phone, we didn’t mean it
see presented in the news. All of this blinds us to the hostile environment that such words and microaggressions create. The way to combat this type of racism isn’t through pointing fingers or casting blame. It starts with acknowledgment of our own racist tendencies. By examining our own prejudices and identifying stereotypes we have perpetuated, we can begin to deal with racism at Redwood. This process is in no way comfortable. None of us want to admit if we feel nervous seeing a Black man in the streets or if the word terrorist floats into our head when we see someone of Middle Eastern descent. However, it is essential that we make a conscious effort to reflect on our own thoughts and actions—it is the only way we can learn to overcome our biases. It is on each of us to individually take responsibility for our words, actions and thoughts, and to consider why we hold the stereotypes that we do. The student-led discussions and newlycreated race steering committee are both wonderful starts, but for change to occur on a wider scale we need to admit that at the core, all of us have preconceived notions about race that we need to confront. After we acknowledge this, we can begin working towards more comprehensive changes in our school culture and community.
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 the Bark mailbox in the facility. They may also be emailed to bark@redwoodbark.org.
literally. A BARK to boys who wear red sweaters. Ken we Bone? A BITE to Marin Catholic seniors getting a week off to focus on college apps. If we want to pay to not go to school, we know where to go. A BARK to the football team playing Novato for homecoming. Good thing hornets can’t sting trees! A BITE to the Homecoming court getting free food all week. We didn’t realize tasty treats were more important than textbooks.
A BARK to all the real clowns. Thank you for not carrying around machetes. A BITE to the fact that Homecoming decor had to be ripped down because students used the wrong tape. Talk about an unnecessarily sticky situation.
B A R K S a n d B I T E S a re t h e collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS are in praise of accomplishments, while BITES criticize decisions or events.
Opinion Editors Daniela Schwartz Alicia Vargelis
Feature Editors Sydney Soofer Pearl Zhong
Sports Editors Max Josef Mary Winnick
Review Editors Carolyn French Sam Sheridan
Lifestyles Editors Annie Fogarty Andrew Hout
Spanish Editor
Shannon Donelan
Video Editors Garet Jatsek Sam Slade
Business Manager Grant Barnes
Social Media Manager Sabrina Dong
Survey Manager Amanda Trusheim
Art Consultant
Maxime Kawawa-Beaudan
Data Analyst
Adam Kreitzman
Reporters
Eric Ahern Michael Benz Hayden Blum Caroline Cummings Luke Dahlin Jason Fieber Hallie Fox Tilly Friedlander Kevin Gao China Granger Jack Green Julia Jacoby Kaelin Kragh Alexandra Lee Jocelyn Overmyer Jordan Overmyer Kendall Rhoads Rachel Schten Charlotte Seton Maggie Smith Henry Tantum Brendan Winters
Adviser
Erin Schneider
POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of the Bark staff.
español
Página 9
Graduado utiliza su pasión por el español en el trabajo voluntario
En Caridades Católicas, Dubin habló con sus dos clientas en español Con la voz temblorosa y con el corazón por horas y horas, aprendiendo de sus latiendo, Alex Dubin se presentó a su cliente vidas, enfocándose en las experiencias en la sala de espera del Departamento traumáticas y reuniendo información para de Inmigración de Caridades Católicas redactar sus declaraciones para el asilo. “La gente llega aquí por necesidad. (Catholic Charities) antes de llevarla a uno de los cuartos de entrevistas decorados en Ellos están huyendo de la violencia, y de el cual él llevó a cabo su primera reunión la pobreza extrema. Los gobiernos no pueden ayudar a muchas personas”, dijo en español. Él se sentó en un lado de la mesa y ella Dubin, describiendo por qué algunas se sentó en el otro. Ella le habló por una personas, como sus clientes, vienen a Los Estados Unidos después hora y media sobre la de sufrir de persecución. historia de su vida, él “Nadie quiere alejarse de escuchaba y le hacía sus hogares, pero muchos preguntas, con su inmigrantes vienen aquí voz más calmada y su para salvarse a sí mismos”. corazón más lento. A pesar Dubin se graduó de haber recibido de la secundaria capacitación sobre todos de Redwood en los temas relacionados al el año 2015 y este asilo y una historia de casos verano aplicó su de asilos en Caridades amor del español Católicas, Dubin dijo que siendo voluntario trabajando con sus clientas en departamentos era intenso, y un trabajo de servicios de impactante. inmigración de dos Alex Dubin “Es emocionalmente organizaciones sin graduado de Redwood duro. Estas son historias fines de lucro. absolutamente verdaderas Desde mayo a agosto, Dubin trabajó en Canal y tan terribles”, Dubin dijo. Él enfatiza las inmensas penurias y Alliance en San Rafael, una organización que provee servicios para inmigrantes situaciones difíciles que sus clientas se hispanohablantes de bajos ingresos y enfrentan en sus países de origen, aún también en Caridades Católicas de San cuando apelaron a las autoridades. “Muchas de estas personas han tratado Francisco, que “ofrece ayuda para crecer y de ir a la policía, han tratado de obtener desarrollar,” según su página web. En Caridades Católicas, Dubin tenía ayuda, y ellos no pueden porque son dos clientes, una joven peruana de 17 años amenazados a muerte si van a la policía o y una mujer salvadoreña de 34 años, ambas hablan con alguien”, dijo Dubin. Dubin dijo que aunque escuchó relato sufrieron de la violencia y actualmente de terror tras relato de terror durante buscan asilo en los Estados Unidos. Dubin dijo que hablando a sus clientas sus juntas, la parte más gratificante de su era una manera increíble para mejorar trabajo fué saber que él estaba ayudando a sus habilidades con el español y también sus clientas. “Al final de esas dos horas me decía, expandir su perspectiva del mundo. “Hablando con ambas clientas ‘Ay Dios mio’. Pero luego caminaba afuera realmente me hizo entender la vida de una y yo me decía a mi mismo, ‘Oye, mira, manera diferente. Creo que la mayoría de las estoy ayudando a esta persona’. Aunque soy personas en el mundo están simplemente un joven de 19 años de edad que no sabe lo que está haciendo, si ésta es la mejor tratando de sobrevivir”, dijo Dubin . Escrito por Anne Pritikin
Hablando con ambas clientas realmente me hizo entender la vida de una manera diferente.
Ilustración por Sam Sheridan
Foto cortesía de Redwood Log
ALEX DUBIN POSA para su foto de graduación en 2015 antes de salir por su trabajo usado su amor de español. ayuda que ellas pueden tener, entonces estudiante. estoy haciendo algo y esto es un increíble McCrea es la que dirige el Departamento [sentimiento]”, dijo Dubin. “Cada vez que de idiomas. “Le interesa también conocer me salía después de terminar una reunión a hispanos”. McCrea describió a Dubin con una clienta, parecía decir, ‘Eso era como un líder y un chico modelo para el terrible,’ luego me daba cuenta de lo que departamento. estaba haciendo y por qué “Tenía amigos necesitan ayuda y esa fue la hispanos en la mejor parte”. escuela y trataba Dubin regresó a Canal de entenderlos. Alliance este verano Ayudó a varios después de anteriormente chicos en Redwood haber trabajado allí en su que llegaron de último año de la escuela otras países. secundaria y el verano En clase, siguiente como asistente [él estaba] muy de profesor de clases de entusiasmado. ESL (Inglés como Segunda En la clase de Lengua) para adultos. literatura, la “Después de salir de las mayoría eran clases de ESL, es lo mejor hispanohablantes Alex Dubin que siempre siento. Hay y él [estaba] muy algo acerca de que, como graduado de Redwood contento y muy [estas personas quieren interesado en la aprender] inglés y les estoy clase”, dijo McCrea. ayudando a hacerlo y están tan agradecidos Debido a su afán de hablar español, por eso”, dijo Dubin. Dubin complementó sus estudios En la organización, este verano, Dubin académicos aprovechando cada trabajó los martes y los jueves por seis horas, oportunidad para conversar con personas utilizando sus habilidades de español para en español y sumergirse en la lengua. traducir sus certificados de nacimiento y “Necesitas hablar en español afuera del los documentos básicos, haciendo llamadas aula si quieres hacer algún progreso, y por telefónicas a clientes en español, copiando tanto siempre hablaba con mis amigos documentos, completando U-Visas (visas latinos y cualquiera que podía hablar para víctimas de crímenes) y agregando la español”, dijo Dubin. información en la base de datos del cliente. Además, Dubin pasó tres semanas en Dubin, quien actualmente es un Costa Rica antes de su segundo año de la estudiante de la Universidad de Tulane está escuela secundaria y un mes ahí antes de su planeando sacar dos carreras en estudios último año de la secundaria. latinoamericanos y españoles, comenzó a Viajando en el extranjero benefició aprender la lengua en el séptimo grado. sus habilidades de la lengua, aunque él Sus intereses en la inmigración cree que él habría perdido los avances comenzaron a desarrollarse en el octavo que hizo durante esos viajes si no hubiera grado debido a las historias que había oído continuado hablando en español cuando de sus amigos inmigrantes. regresaba a casa. Él continuó tomando clases de español “Nada me hace más feliz que hablar en la escuela secundaria, incluyendo AP de español, para ser honesto. [Hablando Lengua y Cultura Española y AP Literatura español con otras personas] es realmente Española y Cultura. cómo mi español llegó a donde está hoy”, “Siempre tenía mucha pasión, mucho dijo Dubin. interés para el español. Siempre, siempre, Editado por Bea Cazares and Oliver siempre, me hablaba en español”, dijo Sagastume Debbie McCrea, quien enseñaba las dos clases de español AP cuando Dubin era un apritikin@redwoodbark.org
Es emocionalmente duro. Estas son historias absolutamente verdaderas y tan terribles.
bark
Page 10 • Feature
October 21, 2016
FROM CUB TO EAGLE: A Boy Scout’s Journey
By Christine Watridge The young boys, clad in their navy blue uniforms, meet on a Saturday afternoon. The local “pack” consists of about 30 Scouts from first to fifth grade. Cub Scouts and their families begin a round of “Ants Go Marching,” and the cheerful singing fills the local park. Over 43 thousand packs meet regularly like this across the country, with a total of about one and a half million Cub Scouts nationwide. But fast forward six years, and the numbers have dwindled. The transition from Cub Scout to Boy Scout isn’t always easy. As middle school rolls around, many drop out of the program. Sports, school and other extracurriculars take priority. By high school, there are just a few who are still on track to becoming Eagle Scouts. The journey to becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, is timeconsuming and challenging, but some scouts stick with it, and reap the rewards. Although the number of Eagle Scouts has been steadily rising since the creation of the Eagle award, only about five percent of all Boy Scouts achieve Eagle Scout rank nowadays, according to the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA). According to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), “the mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.” The Eagle Scout rank is similar in prestige to the Gold Photo by Christine Watridge Award of Girl Scouts, where high school girls create a RAISING THE BOY Scout salute, senior Wyatt Barker proudly stands wearing his sash filled with badges, 13 of project to help solve a problem in the community. Both the which were required to be ranked as an Eagle Scout. Gold Award and the Eagle Scout rank are performanceachieved his present goals. really great experience. It’s things like that made me stick based. An aspiring Eagle Scout also has to do a big community with [Boy Scouts],” Young said. “Some people think it’s just this thing to get all these project in order to be Barker has been with Boy Scouts since elementary badges and ranks and be an Eagle Scout eligible. Current Eagle school and decided to go all the way through the program. because it looks good for college. I Scout Wyatt Barker He almost quit after fifth grade, when he moved from Cub don’t think that’s the main point of it. paired the bleachers of the Scouts to Boy Scouts and joined a new troop where he It’s this journey of the stuff you learn baseball field at Bacich didn’t know anyone. along the way,” said Mike Kelemen, Elementary School in Both Young and Barker received their Eagle Scout a social studies teacher and long-time Kentfield for his project. badges relatively early. The deadline for becoming an parent volunteer for the Boy Scouts. “If After the scout gets Eagle Scout is 18 years old, but Barker achieved Eagle you look from the training I’ve done his required badges and Scout rank the summer before his freshman year of high and what Boy Scouts is supposed to be, finished his community school when he was just 14 years old. it’s a youth development organization.” project, he is evaluated One of the most difficult parts of the process for Young, The process to becoming an by the district, the local who became an Eagle Scout at 16 years old, was figuring Eagle Scout has four steps. First, the council and finally the out what to do after receiving the Eagle badge. scout must learn and practice various National Council. The “I didn’t really know what to do, because for a while I’d activities, including camping, cooking reviewers look at the be like ‘Oh, I’ve got to get Eagle, that’s what I’m doing,’ and first aid. To acquire the different scout’s attitude, skills and then after that, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’ I’ve badges, the scout then needs to prove Mike Kelemen, and whether they meet been with my troop, just watching, giving advice,” Young his abilities to the troop by being tested Social studies teacher and Boy Scouts the standards to qualify said. on these skills. volunteer for rank advancement. If According to Barker, becoming an Eagle Scout isn’t By achieving these skills, a Boy the scout is approved to the end of the road. Scout can move up through the ranks— advance to Eagle rank, “That’s kind of the pinnacle of scouting, the Eagle Scout, Scout rank, Tenderfoot, Second Class, they are recognized at a but it’s not over after that. You’d like to think that you’re First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. done, but it can get even harder after you become an Eagle At each rank advancement, the scout participates in a ceremony in front of the troop and presented the badge. There are 13 required merit badges that a scout Scout because you’re being held to a higher standard,” Scoutmaster Conference, where the scoutmaster aids the scout in setting new goals and discusses whether the scout must acquire to become an Eagle Scout, as well as eight Barker said. “You’re expected to help everyone, run other badges, which can be chosen out of more than 130 meetings and stuff like that, which is something different.” available badges. Barker said that the hardest badges to get for him were cwatridge@redwoodbark.org three called Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation and Citizenship in the World. “[The badges] really go in depth about what it means to be part of your community,” Barker said. “For that, you have to do some community meetings or something and sit in and then write reports about it, like what you thought and something that you would change. And then there’s the same thing for the nation and the world, too.” The BSA was founded in 1910 but the rank of Eagle Scout became official in 1927, when it was switched from a special award to a real rank. About two million scouts have earned the title since 1912, and now more than 50,000 boys earn the award each year, according to NESA. Kelemen said that Boy Scouts is a way to try and teach qualities and ideals to young boys in a more relaxed and enjoyable context. “A lot of it seems a little cheesy, but it’s actually really good if you think about it. You have a duty to yourself to be an ethical person, you have a duty to your community to help other people, and you have a duty to your country to appreciate what you have,” Kelemen said. “Most of these kids don’t want to sign up to be good people, so you try to teach those things in the context of doing stuff that’s fun.” This is what kept Barker and junior Tommy Young interested in the program. Both enjoyed the outdoor aspect of Boy Scouts, as well as the opportunities to go on Photo by Christine Watridge different outings. “I had the privilege of going to the National Jamboree STANDING TALL, BARKER has completed community projects including building a flagpole and repairing the in 2013 in West Virginia, and this last summer I went Images courtesy of the Boy Scouts of America and infographic by Christine Watridge backpacking in New Mexico for two weeks, which was a baseball bleachers at Bacich Elementary School.
You have a duty to yourself to be an ethical person, you have a duty to your community to help other people...
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adding that it can cause a lot of anxiety and makes her feel angry. The girls were sitting in the front of a public bus, Both girls reported feeling helpless or powerless to do drinking lemonades, when a group of twenty-something anything when they’re catcalled. year-olds in the back started yelling at them across the bus “I feel like if I try to defend myself, I’m getting myself full of people, making comments about the straws in their into more trouble,” van Dorsten said. “It’s just kind of mouths. something that happens, and you just have to kind of “They were yelling, ‘She’s the kind of h** you’d accept it. You can be irritated about it, but you kind of bring to the bathroom, not to your parent’s house,’” junior need to just let it go and keep walking.” Lauren Kenneally said, recalling that it was probably her Kenneally noted that when she’s tried to reply to a scariest experience with catcalling. catcall, maybe by swearing at them or by flipping them Unfortunately, that was not an isolated incident or off, men will often retort back or get very defensive. situation, and may be the reality for many students at According to both girls, the place they experience Redwood. According to an October Bark survey, 73 catcalling most in Marin is San Rafael. They also said that percent of girls at Redwood have been catcalled, which a majority of the time the people catcalling them are older means unwanted comments and actions of a sexual nature men, though Kenneally said she has also been catcalled by have been directed at them in a public place. high school age guys near Redwood after school. Fifty-nine percent of those who had been catcalled, Both reported being catcalled when they’re out running according to the Bark survey, were upperclassmen. Still, 41 or exercising, and Kenneally said its has happened while percent of freshmen and sophomores she’s wearing her Redwood Cheer also had been catcalled, suggesting uniform. that it is an issue that affects students “Guys feel that if you’re wearing at Redwood no matter their grade. something suggestive it’s more okay,” Being catcalled is different than van Dorsten said. receiving a compliment, according to While van Dorsten and Kenneally junior Anna van Dorsten. She believes both said while they’re catcalled more that compliments are more specific, when they’re with another girl, they’ve and less threatening. also experienced street harassment “You know that [catcallers] focus when they’re with guys, which they on you in a sexual way,” she said. said is confusing. “When you get a compliment, they’re “I think most guys have some probably thinking, ‘Oh, she looks Anna van Dorsten, awareness that it’s an issue, and they pretty’ or ‘Oh, I like her outfit.’ It’s junior know better than to catcall a girl, but I not like they’re checking me out.” feel like there are definitely some guys Street harassment can be more that need to understand,” van Dorsten than just a few spoken or yelled said. words. According to van Dorsten, she and junior Lauren Both girls said that while they think guys know street Kenneally were in San Rafael when a man walking past harassment exists, they feel that boys don’t know why it’s them took out his smartphone and started filming them an issue or why girls aren’t flattered by it. And even when from behind. He followed them for a block, until Kenneally they’re catcalled with boys, a response isn’t effective or turned around and realized what was going on. safe. The best thing to do, they said, both for victims of “I whispered to Anna, ‘Hey, we need to walk fast.’ I street harassment and for any bystanders, is to be subtle. didn’t tell her what was going on; I just said ‘walk faster, “Don’t be aggressive about it, just show that you’re not walk faster,’” Kenneally said. flattered and keep going,” van Dorsten said. According to van Dorsten, catcalling leaves her feeling She also uses other tactics to try to deal with catcalling, very uncomfortable, and almost dirty. Kenneally agreed, including making a phone call, explaining that she thinks
bark
By Maggie Smith
I feel like if I try to defend myself, I’m getting myself into more trouble.
Photoillustration by Maggie Smith
guys are less likely to approach her when she sounds like she’s on the phone with a guy. Other times, she’ll ignore them or glare at them and continue walking away. According to Sergeant Paul Barrolaza of the Central Marin Police Authority, catcalling is almost never reported to the police, but he believes it is an issue that warrants the attention of law enforcement. “Any behavior like that we would want to know about,” Barrolaza said. He was especially concerned about adult males catcalling young girls, saying that should definitely be reported. “I would definitely want to have a chat with that person [doing the catcalling],” he said. “You never know what’s going to turn up.” According to Barrolaza, if a teenage girl was catcalled by an adult, they should try to record the license plate number or get a description to report to law enforcement. On the other hand, if someone was catcalled by a fellow Redwood student, it should be reported to the school. msmith@redwoodbark.org
Redwood celebrates two decades of Honors Biomed By Jordan Overmyer In 1996, eighteen students took a risk by signing up for a class that had never been offered: Honors Biomedical Sciences. Twenty years later, it seems as if that risk has paid off, as Honors Biomed has become one of the most prestigious classes at Redwood. The Biomed class, taught by Skip Lovelady, reached its 20th anniversary this year. The 21 students in the class currently are among the 471 students to have taken this course. The first year Biomed was offered to Redwood students was the 1996-1997 school year, during sixth and seventh period, one of the only two years Biomed has been offered for two periods. The only thing that gave Lovelady and students a clue to what the course was about before the first year was a small descriptor with only a few sentences that described the class as a molecular biology class. Physiology studied the full body, tissues and organs and stopped there, while Biomed would pick it up from cellular molecular biology and go from there, according to Lovelady. “Take in mind this was only my second year, not just at Redwood, but teaching, and I had no experience,” Lovelady said. “My experience [as a teacher] was fast and it tracked me into a more advanced level of what teachers do, lesson planning.” Lovelady developed the curriculum based on what classes a pre-medical student would take in their junior or senior
Photo by Jordan Overmyer
USING A BUNSEN burner, Honors Biomed student Brenna Bunch heat fixes a slide in preparation for a Gram staining lab. year of college, making it very challenging course from the start. He took a portion of a college curriculum that he felt comfortable with and based his course off that. Senior Josef Alavi is a current student in the class and believes that Lovelady recognizes that a foundation in biology and in other sciences are important for student sthat want to pursue a career in sciences and medicine. “I believe that biology in itself is always going to be challenging because there’s just a lot of knowledge and memorization involved,” Alavi said. “I believe that Mr.
Lovelady has such a high expectation for the students; as long as he’s teaching the course, it will always be at a high level.” The course is considered a lab-based science course and the lab portion is called “post grad,” meaning that most people won’t see the labs they do in this class until they graduate from college. Senior Leah Jun, a current student in the class, believes that the class will be a good experience for her because she is likely to conduct research in college. Some of the labs that she is doing in Honors Biomed are the same thing she did in a lab
during an internship. “As a teacher, I think [Lovelady is] pretty direct on what he expects from us and it’s kind of our job to try our hardest and put everything we have into this course,” Jun said. Once students started to graduate and go to schools like Stanford, UC Berkeley and various Ivy League institutions, they began giving Lovelady feedback. The labs they were doing in the class were labs that kids in some of the best schools were not yet doing, according to Lovelady. “We do some advanced lab work that most high school classes don’t get to do. A lot of people aren’t exposed to these lab techniques before college so I get an upperhand in that,” Jun said. Since the class isn’t an AP class there is no test that Lovelady has to prepare the students for, allowing him to only teach a few topics the entire year. The class studies only four to five topics including cancer, viruses and DNA. According to Lovelady, the biggest challenge of teaching the class is that molecular biology and medical-based research is constantly changing, and he has to keep up with the ever-evolving science world in his curriculum.
jordan.overmyer@redwoodbark.org
What’s So
Gabriel Iglesias and Redwood s By Gregory Block, Carolyn
You’ve tried to tell a joke, whispering something to a friend and expecting a hearty laugh in response. When all you received was a sorry giggle, well, they just don’t have your sense of humor, right? But what if you aren’t as funny as you think you are? Unfortunately, it’s probably true, at least according to one of comedy’s biggest stars. “I think that it’s got to be one of those things that you just have or you don’t. I’ve never seen someone who wasn’t funny become funny in general,” said Gabriel Iglesias, a comedian who has performed at Madison Square Garden and produced multiple Netflix specials. “You either have a personality or you don’t.” In September, the Bark was given an opportunity to conduct a phone interview with Iglesias. He discussed the ups and downs of his career and his inspiration for becoming a comic. What stood out most, besides Iglesias’ conversational hilarity, was his opinion on humor development. Practice can help, according to Iglesias, but at the end of the day, being funny is an innate trait. Fifty-three percent of Redwood students share Iglesias’ perspective that people are born funny, according to data from the October Bark survey. And while this may be true, Redwood students are still utilizing opportunities to expand and improve upon their humor. To the more seasoned Redwood comedians, comedy is not an inherent talent, rather a skill that can be developed with practice. “I think humor is more of a muscle,” said senior Will Gallagher, who will be performing in Micetro, the popular improvisation-based comedy show that begins on Nov. 1. “Some people are born with a strong muscle, but if you work out enough you’re going to increase your talent.” Opportunities for Redwood students to study comedy have increased in the past few years with the creation of the Language of Humor class as an English elective. The class, started by English teacher Steve Hettleman, was intended to give non-AP English students an opportunity to learn traditional English emphases through a nontraditional lens. In the class, students study famous comedic texts, learn how to write comedy and work on crafting and performing a stand-up routine, according to Hettleman. The class approaches humor from an academic perspective, using it as a tool to grasp the intricacies of the English
language. “We look a lot at satire and parody,” Hettleman said. “Humor is really a form of criticism. It’s a way of poking fun at things that otherwise might be off the table or taboo.” So how do people become funny? It’s a question that conjures many opinions, but there’s really no right answer. For Iglesias, humor comes from worldview—what someone observes around them and how they are able to frame it with a humorous perspective. Repetition and practice can help someone improve their delivery, but their ability to look at the world through a comedic lens will not change. “The process for coming up with my stuff is basically I live it,” Iglesias said. “I go up on stage and I vent about it. Sometimes it’s really, really funny and sometimes it’s just this angry Mexican up there who’s got issues.” Gallagher shares a similar opinion, explaining that for him, humor is influenced by environment. Parents, pop culture preferences, familial views—these are what give someone the ability to think and behave humorously. “I think a lot of humor comes from a young age—what you do and what you absorb at a young age,” Gallagher said. “People who grow up on Comedy Central understand the timing, how to build a punchline, how to use body language and facial language, and I think that’s a very important part of humor.” Junior Ali Janku, who will also be performing in Micetro, recognized the importance of observation and experience in developing comedic talent. “Some people just have an aptitude towards funny and there are so many different ways that that can manifest,” Janku said. “I think that it’s not just purely nature, that it’s also nurture.” Hettleman admits that being funny is partially natural, but he also sees an opportunity for students to expand their humor through practice. “[Iglesias] is probably right to some extent that there’s a propensity for it, the way you see the world, but I certainly think it could be taught and it should be taught,” Hettleman said. “Practice, feedback, desire to do it— all of those things I think play into the ability to learn humor.” Audience and style can also dictate whether something is funny, and having an understanding of both is important for budding comics, according to Iglesias.
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o Funny? -
students know the answer n French and Andrew Hout Iglesias stays away from jokes that spark controversy, instead striving to unite his audience. “I avoid politics, I avoid religion, I avoid sports, I avoid any topics that get people riled up,” Iglesias said. “I don’t want to divide my audience; I want to bring my audience together. By avoiding certain topics, I keep the crowd friendly.” But remain too friendly, and a comic can lose their edge. “I can’t just talk about a nice day— people don’t want to hear about a ‘nice’ day. They want to hear about other people’s issues,” Iglesias said. “You relate to people who have things going on in their lives. No one wants to hear about the guy who has it all together.” In order to turn something mundane into something hilarious, a comic has to utilize a variety of comedic techniques, such as irony, hyperbole and repetition. These are just a few of the devices that Language of Humor students analyze, according to senior Liam Lucas. “People might not know exactly what it means, but they might still use it even if they haven’t learned about it,” Lucas said. “[The class] just helps you understand why it’s funny.” Language of Humor teacher Cathy Flores-Marsh believes that the class also helps students integrate humor into their writing. “All teenagers are funny in some way. They just don’t know what they need to use,” Flores-Marsh said. “The class teaches kids how to insert humor into their writing, which is something most don’t know how to do.” For Flores-Marsh, humor is a skill that is rarely mastered, but one that can be improved. She teaches the class by emphasizing the importance of practice. “Humor rhetoric is not usually considered something people become skillful at, but the class lets me approach it in that way,” FloresMarsh said. Humor is a dynamic medium. Comics are not bound by any rules or regulations, but instead have the freedom to speak about whatever they want, however they want. This lack of structure can be challenging to young comics, according to Hettleman. “Kids are like ‘can I swear?’” Hettleman said. “They don’t understand that they have to swear with a purpose.” Understanding an audience is especially critical for improv actors, such as those in Micetro, who have no control over the style, character
and props they will be using in any given scene. G a l l a g h e r ’s tip? Speak whatever’s on your mind. “Even if it’s a mistake or something really weird, it’s still funny because people are like ‘how the hell did you just come up with that?’” Gallagher said. “Being weird is funny to people.” And applying this spark of weirdness requires confidence, perhaps the most important comedic trait. “If you’re not committed to your funny character then it’s not funny because you’re embarrassed about it,” Janku said. “But if you are committed to it, even to just the joke you’re telling and you’re confident about it, then that’s what makes it funny.” Micetro has gained popularity over the years because of its spontaneity— neither the actors nor the audience really know what to expect. This randomness can lead to embarrassment or comic delight, often both at the same time. But don’t mistake this for a lack of preparedness. If anything, improv highlights the practice and repetition that allow comics to master delivery and style. “In order to become better you need to get up on stage five or six times a week. You need to find places to go up. The more you get up, the better you are going to get,” Iglesias said. “If anything else, your confidence and your comfortability up on stage will get stronger. And with that your performance level will start going up.” Micetro actors begin practicing months in advance, learning improvisation techniques, comedy skills and how to think on their feet. The repetition also allows the actors to develop on-stage relationships and an understanding of how to play off of each other’s humor. “Improv is special because it’s more about wit and coming up with things on the fly,” Gallagher said. “It’s easy to train because as you
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do more improv you’re going to have more ideas for how to take something. Improv is very teambased because if you’re in a scene with someone you kind of build off of each other and that connection you have between the two can make funny things happen.” As Micetro performers perfect their improv skills and Language of Humor students learn how to write and perform comedy, it appears that Redwood students are doing their best to think funnier and be funnier. But in Iglesias’ opinion, they still have a long way to go. “You guys don’t know shit yet,” Iglesias said. “Life is going to come at you—be fricking ready.” Advice taken, Mr. Iglesias. Advice taken.
bark@redwoodbark.org
October 21, 2016 bark Page 14 • Feature Marin traffic proves to be a speed bump for local commuters By Gemma Calandra The 21st century has conditioned us to an accelerated lifestyle. Email, automated bridge tolls and soon-to-bereleased self-lacing shoes all stand as examples of our regular routines taking less and less time as the efficiency of modern technology improves. One of the frustrating exceptions to this rule, however, has emerged as an increasingly prominent part of our everyday lives: traffic. In the October Bark survey, almost a third of students reported spending 40 minutes or more in the car every day. But how much do you really know about traffic in Marin? According to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) website ‘Vital Signs,’ as of 2014, commute times, time spent in congestion and miles spent in congestion were at an all-time high in the Bay Area. Derek McGill, planning manager at Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), said that traffic in Marin is indeed increasing. “Some segments of our Congestion Management Plan network have shown some slight improvements. However the main arterials like Third Street in San Rafael and Highway 101 have gotten worse,” McGill said. The main factors that affect traffic are land use and the economy, according to McGill. For example, a residential area will attract less vehicles than a commercial piece of land like a Target, McGill explained. “As for the economy, when it’s down we see less traffic on the roadways because people aren’t going shopping, they aren’t going out to restaurants, and a lot of them aren’t going to work sometimes,” McGill said. According to Dan Cherrier, a principal project delivery manager at TAM, Marin is forced to deal with a lot of highway traffic due to the fact that many shorter trips that could be made using local roads in other parts of the state aren’t possible without going on Highway 101. Marin is also a thoroughfare for a large amount of traffic with a final destination outside of Marin County, added McGill. “That’s not the case in a lot of other areas, where you have alternate routes,” he said. Another issue is that many people who work in Marin can’t afford to live in the county and have to drive in from other locations, according to Nicholas Nguyen, a principal project delivery manager at TAM. However, several projects are in the works which will help to alleviate the current levels of congestion. TAM is currently working with Sonoma County and the state of California to complete the Marin-Sonoma Narrows project on Highway 101. Along with adding a third lane for carpool users, the latest phase involves making sections of the road more flood-protected by raising the elevation of the roadway. According to Cherrier, a third lane on the RichmondSan Rafael Bridge should also be open sometime next year. English teacher Joe Gonzalez commutes to Redwood from El Cerrito and said he is excited about the possibility of an extra lane on the bridge to lighten evening traffic. “That would open up for me more opportunities to be involved in school activities that are after school,” Gonzalez said. “Because it’s the only way to get to the East Bay without going all the way through Vallejo or without going through the city, it’s all about the functionality of the bridge and the amount of traffic that it contains.” TAM is also funding pedestrian and bike-friendly pathways to schools in Marin as part of its Safe Routes to
Photo by Gemma Calandra
USUALLY HEAVY DURING evening commute hours, northbound traffic to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is gridlocked. School initiative in an effort to decrease the number of cars on the road. According to an email sent out by Principal David Sondheim on Sept. 30, 62 percent of Redwood students drive to school in single family vehicles, meaning they drive by themselves or with other members of their family. “We’ve found that 25 percent of the morning traffic is basically someone driving a kid to be dropped off at school here in the county,” Cherrier said. “We work really hard to get that number down by encouraging people to get to school some alternate way, by either bus or bicycle or walking or whatever it might be.” Ramp metering lights will also be installed on a number of northbound Highway 101 on-ramps to regulate the flow of traffic during certain times of day. Though the project initially ran over-budget, it should soon be back on track once MTC finds additional funding, according to Cherrier. In the future, Nguyen predicts commute hours will continue to expand from the traditional peak periods of traffic. “In the afternoons, instead of the kind of 4 o’clock or 5 o’clock surge of people going home, now it’s in between about 2 and 7 p.m.,” Nguyen said. “I think that trend will continue, because what we’re seeing is that people are more flexible in the times that they can start and stop work.” McGill said he hopes to see major traffic relief on Highway 101 thanks to the SMART train, set to begin service in the spring of 2017. English teacher Robert Winkler is exploring the idea of taking the train to Larkspur instead of driving from his
home in Sebastopol. “I have a hybrid that gets terrific gas mileage, and there’s a chance it might be cheaper for me to drive my car. It depends on how much the train is going to cost,” Winkler said. Though Winkler tries to arrive at Redwood around 4:15 a.m. in order to skip the morning congestion, he still ends up commuting around 10 hours per week. “I don’t think it’s been altogether good for my health at all,” Winkler said. “By the time I get home I’m exhausted; I have absolutely no energy. So not only am I sitting for hours, but then I have no energy to be active.” According to Nguyen and McGill, TAM’s efforts to improve traffic conditions are limited due to the amount of funding they receive. Nguyen added that there’s also the economic challenge of gas tax revenues diminishing as cars become more fuelefficient. “For great reasons, we’re building more efficient cars to preserve the environment, but since a lot of the transportation funding is tied to gas taxes at the federal and state levels, we’re making less money,” Nguyen said. Though maybe flying cars are not the answer to Marin’s traffic problems, McGill said technology has a long history in the transportation industry and will play a part in resolving some of these issues in the coming years.
gcalandra@redwoodbark.org
Data courtesy of MTC’s Vital Signs and infographic by Christine Watridge
Page 15 • Sports
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Doubles pair smashes the competition with powerful chemistry By Alexandra Lee As they simultaneously hit righthanded volleys back to another doubles pair at practice, Molly Kehoe and Zoe Babikian looked like they had been playing together for years. It is their coded communications and obvious chemistry, shown by the constant smiles and laughter exuding from the girls when they are together, that make them oneof the varsity girls’ tennis team’s top duos. While it may seem like they have been playing together for a while, Kehoe and Babikian have only been playing together since the beginning of this season, but they had a noticeable connection from the start. According to coach Marlies Zeisler, the girls were placed together due to their instant relationship on the court, even though they were not similarly ranked on the team’s ladder system. Zeisler said that tennis requires a lot of communication between athletes playing doubles, and success can hinge on the chemistry between the two players. “A lot of tennis is about having fun and enjoying yourself, it’s that kind of a sport. So when there’s no chemistry, it makes it harder because you really do need to talk a lot,” Zeisler said. Both girls agree that their friendliness and positivity towards each other has been beneficial in how well they play together. “Some people get really intense and we both sort of are able to keep it in perspective and keep it light and have fun with it,” Kehoe said. “We definitely want to win, but we’re also able to be there for each other and rile each other up versus shutting down if something starts to go wrong.” One of Babikian and Kehoe’s attributes is a unique “code” they use for serving placements to throw off their opponents.
Photo by Alexandra Lee
POSING TOGETHER, junior Molly Kehoe (left) and freshman Zoe Babikian (right) have become one of Redwood’s top girls’ doubles pairs.
“We have a category of words for each placement of serves so that the opponents can’t catch on, so [for example] if we say a different type of fruit it means one particular placement,” Kehoe said. According to Kehoe, the code makes it more fun for the pair. “Sometimes we’ll say guava but then halfway through the match it’ll become cantaloupe or grape or something to change it up and to confuse [our opponents] but also keep it fun for us.” They also have differences in playing styles that complement each other on the court. “[Babikian]’s a great baseliner. She really moves the ball across the court, which then sets up her partner [Kehoe], who loves the net, to get up there and really volley shots off the net and take care of
stuff up at the front,” Zeisler said. The two are very compatible doubles partners as their personalities and skills work off of each other. “Skill level they’re great, and personality they’re great together,” Zeisler said. Kehoe and Babikian agree that their similarities and differences in playing style work strategically together to help them win. “It’s good in doubles because we’re both pretty solid at the net, so that’s not an issue. I feel like sometimes you play with someone who can’t really volley and it kind of messes up the dynamic, but I feel like we’re both pretty good,” Kehoe said. Babikian agreed, adding that they both can play on either side of the court, so if one of the girls is having an off day on one
bark
side, they can switch. When the girls go from practice to a match, their intensity shifts from being fun to focused, while still not being too serious. “The team in practice is less focused. We just have fun and try to bond as a group instead of focusing on technical skills per se,” Kehoe said. “But then in matches we definitely get in our zone and put our code into action and make our plans a little more strategic.” Babikian added that playing together during practice helps the girls to plan out things in advance, so that for the match their intensity becomes stronger and more focused. Another interesting aspect of the duo is that Kehoe is a junior, while Babikian is only a freshman. As Kehoe has two years more of experience over Babikian, she sees herself as somewhat of a leader for the younger of the duo. “Because this is my third year playing in MCALs, I understand which different matches are worth stressing about and in what situations it’s important to be concerned and how to keep the match in perspective,” Kehoe said. According to Kehoe, she is trying to help Babikian as much as she can because, as an upperclassmen, she has more experience than Babikian. Babikian feels lucky to be playing with an experienced upperclassman, and playing with Kehoe has also encouraged her to step up her game. “I always want to play well and I’m lucky to play with an upperclassman and have a friend, so I do want to work harder,” Babikian said.
alee@redwoodbark.org
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Page 16 •Sports
HOLE IN ONE:
October 21 , 2016
Girls’ golf wins MCALs due to seniors and undefeated season
Photo by China Granger
PREPARING TO HIT the ball, senior Grace Garcia lines up her shot. Garcia showed her leadership skills this year by becoming a captain and helping the new players become familiar with the game. By China Granger
them during games to improve her swing. “I picture either my mom or mostly [Waddington] and [senior Sam Conte] since they’re such good players,” The return of coach Kelly Smith and top player senior Weingart said. “It just sort of calms me down and gets my Grace Garcia, supplemented by the camaraderie of the head back in the game.” team, has carried the girls’ golf team through a so-far In high school matches, each team is allowed six players, undefeated season, and a chance at a historic MCAL of which four scores count towards an overall score. championship. According to Smith, she has played at least one of the If the girls’ golf team placed first at MCALs, it would three freshmen in every match this season, mostly rotating not only bring an end to Justin Siena’s five year reign as them between the five and six spots. MCAL champions, but also be the first time in Redwood “I’ve played almost everyone in the matches, and I history. think that creates a different camaraderie on the team, in Despite experience as a player herself and throughout that everyone has a shot going into every match,” Smith her professional career, Smith began coaching only a year said. ago. To accustom younger players with the sport, Smith has “I had never coached high school golf before. It was encouraged players with more experience to work with the a new challenge,” said Smith, a PGA Professional and team’s three freshmen. Assistant Golf Pro at the Richmond Country Club. “[The seniors] have gained their experience and now While two seasons might not seem like a long time, this their role is to pass that experience on to everyone else,” is the first year any of the current girls on the Redwood golf Smith said. team have had the same head coach two According to four-year player years in a row. Conte, when she joined the golf For the current seniors who have team her freshman year, she was shy played since they were freshmen, Smith and intimidated by the skill of the is their third coach in four years. upperclassmen. According to team captain and four“The seniors were so good my year player Julia Waddington, Smith is freshman [year] and it was sort of like able to offer even more insights about they were ‘untouchable,’” Conte said. Redwood’s competition coming into This year though, it seems that the her second season. seniors are more focused on connecting “Now she really knows the other with younger players, according to teams, the coaches, what they’re capable Conte and Waddington. of and what you need to do to be the top “[The freshmen] know that we’re all team,” Waddington said. friends and we just want to help them Cambry Weingart, As a senior, Garcia will be entering freshman get better,” Waddington said. her second year on the team after being Between practices four times unable to play her freshman and junior week at the Richmond Country Club years due to a torn ACL and then and additional rounds played on the conflicts with the Tamiscal TEAM program, respectively. weekends, this year’s team has become a group of closeSophomore year, Garcia started off as the number three knit teammates and friends. player, but worked her way up during the season to the “By knowing that each player has to do their part to team’s number one. This season, as a senior captain, Garcia help the team win, I try to stress that we win as a team,” had one clear goal in mind: to win MCALs. Smith said. While also optimistic about MCALs, as a coach, one of With such a strong lineup of seniors, it is unclear how Smith’s goals is to create a strong sense of team in a largely the team will do after a third of its members graduate. individual sport. However, most team members are optimistic that the “[Smith] really wanted [Waddington] and I to get the winning streak will continue. girls motivated and believe we can win MCALs, because Both Waddington and Garcia believe that this year’s we can,” Garcia said. juniors will be able to lead the team in their absence. For freshman Cambry Weingart, the captains play “One of our juniors right now, Katie [Levy], has a large part in encouraging and inspiring all the team’s improved so much from last year. [Sophomore] Nina members. Cinelli has been playing in the top six since she joined last “Having role models on the team, it’s so much easier to year and knows all the teams and what’s expected of her,” see what you want to shape up to,” Weingart said. Waddington said. The captains and seniors have proved to be such large role models for Weingart that she finds herself picturing cgranger@redwoodbark.org
Having role models on the team, it’s so much easier to see what you want to shape up to.
As of press time, the team’s most recent match was a 410-426 victory over Justin-Siena, the four-year reigning champion. The team’s top players will look to channel their momentum into an NCS run, hoping they can build off perhaps one of the most successful MCAL campaigns in team history. The team’s top players include Garcia, Conte, Waddington, Cinelli, Levy and freshman Camille Mungenast, all of whom contributed to the MCAL championship.
410-426 was the final score between Redwood and Justin-Siena in the MCAL final, as Redwood snapped the Braves’ four-year championship
89
was Garcia’s solo total in the MCAL final. Garcia’s score led all Redwood’s girl golfers and helped capture the MCAL title. She’ll look to have similar success in NCS.
Infographic by Adam Kreitzman
bark Marin Rowing seeks victory in Head of Charles Regatta Page 17 • Sports
www.redwoodbark.org
By Maxim Kawashima Cub Reporter
For the last 46 years, the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts has been home to the Head of the Charles Regatta, one of the largest rowing competitions in the world. The two-day competition hosts some of the best crew teams from around the world, with more than 11,000 athletes. This year, on Oct. 22, the Marin Rowing Association will send its top male and female athletes to Boston with hopes of first place finishes for both teams. The boys’ varsity crew team has won the Head of the Charles competition six times in the last seven years. The girls’ varsity team’s chances at winning this year also look positive after finishing second in 2015. Aside from athletic ability, one of the main factors in the Marin Rowing Association’s success is often attributed to the organization’s strong sense of community. While having a tough training routine and a strong mindset is important, athletes, coaches and parents agree that community is one of the most critical aspects of the
Photo by Maxim Kawashima
WITH DETERMINATION TO win the regatta, the boys show grit during varsity rowing practice.
Photo by Maxim Kawashima
THE BOYS’ VARSITY crew practices for the upcoming Head of the Charles Regatta. A major reason for their success over the past decade has been the sense of community within the program. team because it makes them perform better. “If you’re in a boat with anyone, that guy will go as hard for you as you will for them,” said junior Max Igou. “You go hard, you try your best for someone else, not just for yourself, which is kind of unique to rowing.” Varsity girls’ coach Sandy Armstrong said that Marin Rowing focuses on teaching its rowers how to effectively work as a team towards a common goal. Rowing can teach teamwork better than most sports because it is a selfless sport where the team is more important than the individual, according to Armstrong. According to Igou, there are several misconceptions about the sport, including the belief that rowers are egotistical. “[The belief] stems from us having to be confident in our sport. Confidence is just part of our personality as rowers. If we don’t have confidence then we’re not going to get any better,” Igou said. The Marin Rowing community is also strong among parents and former rowers. “I think that they teach so many good skills that will prepare them for life. As a parent you want your kid to be prepared for life,” said Caren Horstmeyer, mother of junior rower Arend Horstmeyer. “[My son] really has embraced the hard work. He’s got into the system and he’s a full fledged crew guy now. I’m really proud of him
for that.” Colin Parker, a Redwood graduate who has continued his rowing career at Oregon State, remembers tight-knit relationships with his teammates. “There were a lot of friendships made through [crew]. I think that helped because when everyone is on the same page and everybody feels the same way about each other, the boat moves a lot faster and it’s a lot more fun,” Parker said. With the Head of Charles closely approaching, Marin Rowing has high hopes for victory in both boats due to the amount of time they spent together, their extensive practice time and their warm community. “I think that if we do everything we can and we have the best race possible, then I think no matter the outcome, we’ll be satisfied,” junior Amelia Shunk said. In regards to the boys’ varsity boat, the crew appears to be confident in their boat’s chances of winning. Junior Calvin Norstad is anticipating a close race with good competition from teams such as Marin Rowing’s longtime rival Oakland Strokes, but he believes Marin will emerge victorious.
mkawashima@redwoodbark.org
Senior Jaqueline Racich shoots to help new players learn the sport of water polo By Michael Benz “Jacqueline is a relentless force in the pool. She is fast and uses her speed to play strong defense, intercepting passes and getting a lot of steals,” said girls’ varsity water polo head coach Kirsten Frazer. “On offense, she uses her speed to counter attack hard and driving to create opportunities.” Jacqueline is one of the best aquatic athletes in MCAL, and if it weren’t for a last minute decision the night before volleyball tryouts, senior Jacqueline Racich never would have tried water polo. Since that decision was made in her freshman year, she has earned a variety of water polo accolades. She jumped over the JV team and made the varsity team as a freshman with no prior competitive experience. She won most improved on varsity that same year. She received an NCS Scholar Athlete award every year. She was named an Academic All-American, by playing in two national tournaments while maintaining a 3.6 GPA. And according to Frazer, she is among team leaders in goals and steals. No stranger to competition, Racich played many different sports during her upbringing which sharpened her competitiveness. She grew up swimming and playing baseball, softball and volleyball but had never tried competitive water polo. In fact, it was her older brother and Redwood alumnus Jake Racich who suggested that she play the sport, which he also played during his time at Redwood.
“I picked [water polo] up and fell in love with it,” Jake said. “My sister followed a similar path years later.” Before freshman year, Jacqueline hadn’t so much as thought about playing water polo competitively, even though she had swam almost her entire life. “I’ve been swimming since I was four and I wanted to change it up,” she said. “Water polo adds in new components to swimming. It’s more team based and the contact element is a fun part of the game.” Jacqueline spent a lot of time growing up in the water, either swimming on club teams, wakeboarding in Lake Tahoe or surfing at local beaches. “Playing water polo was a perfect fit that would help translate to some of the other activities we do in the water,” Jake said. So, when faced with the option of playing a sport on land or in the water, Jacqueline chose the latter. And now this year, she is a captain of the Redwood water polo team, helping beginners understand how to play the sport. “I hope I can help to teach the team because everyone has different levels of experience. I hope my experience can help me teach them through a teammate connection, which would be different than a coach connection,” Jacqueline said. Frazer has seen Jacqueline develop from a novice to expert from freshman to senior year. “Jacqueline is a very confident young lady. She is doing an excellent job leading the team in and out of the pool. She has grown into a leader that leads by example;
Photo by Michael Benz
SWIMMING THROUGH THE water, senior Jaqueline Racich warms up for water polo practice. she supports, listens and encourages all of her teammates,” Frazer said. For Jacqueline, she puts around three hours a day into water polo. And due to this work, she is quickly developing as a player, something that her brother has noticed. “Other than improvements to her water polo skills, fundamentals, and shooting, she has really stepped up as a leader who can be relied on for communication and directing the team during games and practices,” Jake said. Like many other sports, club teams make water polo into a year-round sport. Because of the extra work from club teams in the offseason, she has had exposure to many different coaches and teammates, all helping her create her play-style. “Jacqueline always works hard. In the off-season she gains valuable experience
playing with a competitive club team,” Frazer said. Her club coach played Division I water polo at University of the Pacific, playing at a level a lot of young players want to reach. Due to the long off-season, Jacqueline has learned a lot from club coaches like this. “I play with my club coach, Sophie Waldron, year round. Redwood is only one season out of four, really,” she said. Not only did her brother introduce her to the sport, but he now introduces her to new skills. “My brother [influences my play-style] too, because we play together a lot and he’ll send me links to videos of people playing,” Jacqueline said. mbenz@redwoodbark.org
October 21, 2016 bark Page 18 • Sports Freshman sticks with hockey through change in terrain By Mary Winnick Despite changing from skates to cleats and the rink to turf, several essential skills have easily translated in freshman Eva Oppenheim’s switch from ice to field hockey. Oppenheim grew up in Pennsylvania where she started playing ice hockey at the age of six. After moving to California in 2012, she continued playing on ice hockey teams in San Francisco, Oakland and Vacaville. This year, Oppenheim decided to transition to a different type of hockey. Oppenheim played field hockey for the first time at Redwood, where she learned the basics of the sport, such as how to hold the unique stick and the vastly different rules of the game. Field hockey differs from ice hockey not only in playing surface but also in technicalities. The ball stays on the ground most of the time and players can only use one side of the stick. Field hockey also allows significantly less contact than its ice counterpart. Despite these changes, she was able to adapt easily because of her athletic ability and drive, according to varsity assistant coach Sandy Pfaff. “She is a natural athlete who has been able to take a passion for that sport and translate it onto the turf field,” Pfaff said. “She looks very comfortable with a stick in her hand. I have to imagine that is a big part of her background playing ice hockey, but it also just speaks to how athletic she is.” Oppenheim discovered that she likes field hockey more than ice hockey because it allows for more passing and collaboration with her teammates on all parts of the field. Her experience in ice hockey was much Sandy Pfaff, more fragmented Assistant coach between positions. “[Field] hockey has a lot more team work; it’s not just one person or five people, it’s eleven and everyone is working together,” Oppenheim said. Oppenheim also enjoys how field hockey is focused on skill instead of aggression. Most contact is a foul in field hockey,
CHASING DOWN THE BALL freshman Eva Oppenheim (#17) runs ahead of the defender a large impact on the team, despite this being her first year playing. so the participants have to rely more on their players were able to stop her.” Senior captain and two year varsity dribbling and sustained possession of the starter Neeve Kennedy also believes that ball instead of body checking. Oppenheim used to play the forward Oppenheim’s dribbling and stick handling position on the ice, which she didn’t like skills have proven beneficial to the team’s as much because she wasn’t attack and overall ability to possess the ball able to work with all of her for longer periods of time. “Because she has very good stick skills, teammates. She now plays midfield, she is very good at dribbling until she feels which allows her to connect she is in a good place to pass,” Kennedy with both the defenders and said. According to Kennedy, Oppenheim’s the forward line. “I find that when you stick-handling ability makes it easier for watch her on the field, she her teammates to get open. “She’s able to wait until I am completely is looking to pass, and is looking to help somebody open to pass me the ball because she is able to hold onto it for a decent amount of else,” Pfaff said. Oppenheim has also time.” Kennedy said. The aggressiveness of ice hockey has mastered the skill of dribbling the ball down also made Oppenheim fearless in field the field, one of the hockey, according to her teammates and most challenging tasks Pfaff. “She’s one of the most aggressive for beginning players, players,” Wilson said. “She’s not afraid of according to Pfaff. “I remember when the ball, she’s not afraid of the sticks, she’s we were playing against not afraid to get pushed around a little bit.” Kennedy also believes Oppenheim’s Berkeley and at the start of the half, she started with the ball at the middle of the ice hockey experience has been important field and started to dribble. She picked up in helping the rest of the team improve some speed and started dodging around their skills and be more comfortable with all of their players. She dribbled down the a stick. This is apparent in Oppenheim’s whole field and then scored a goal,” said junior teammate Sara Wilson. “None of dribbling skills which give her advantages over other teams. Kennedy says that Oppenheim’s offensive skills help her create space and time for, shots allowing her to become more accurate. “Some of us were returners from last year so we had the basics down, but she helped a lot with improving our shots. [Oppenheim] taught us how to do lifts which is driving the ball up into the goaling shot, which is a more advanced skill,” Kennedy said. While Oppenheim’s presence has been felt on both sides of the field, she has made the biggest impact on the offensive end, which is especially a benefit for Redwood’s low scoring team. Both Kennedy and Wilson said that Oppenheim is very driven and always wants to improve her skills. Because Kennedy plays on the attack line, she works very closely with Oppenheim in the midfield. “She is great at transitioning the ball from the defense into the offensive zone,” Kennedy said.
She is a natural athlete who has been able to take a passion for the sport and translate it onto the turf field.
Photo by Mary Winnick
towards the goal. Oppenheim has made
FALL RECORDS* Girls’ Field Hockey: Overall Record (9-3)
Girls’ Volleyball: MCAL Record (8-3) Overall Record (17-2)
Girls’ Tennis: MCAL Record (11-1) Overall Record (13-2)
Girls’ Golf: MCAL Record (16-0)
Girls’ Water Polo: MCAL Record (5-2) Overall Record (12-6)
Boys’ Water Polo: MCAL Record (9-0) Overall Record (14-3)
Football: MCAL Record (3-1) Overall Record (6-1)
Boys’ Cross Country MCAL Record (7-0)
Girls’ Cross Country MCAL Record (6-1)
Photo by Sachi Nahas
HAVING PLAYED ICE hockey since the age of six, freshman Eva Oppenheim decided to try out field hockey.
mwinnick@redwoodbark.org
*as of press time
review
Page 19
de Young, Wild and Free: Museum jazzes up Friday nights By Anne Pritikin and Pearl Zhong It’s evening in Golden Gate Park. The silhouette of the perforated glass and copper façade looms behind the botanical walkway. Typically at this hour, the voice from the intercom would announce, “The museum will be closing soon.” But the de Young is alive tonight, promising a night of spectacular entertainment, with crowds roaming the rooms, exploring and observing various exhibits while a live band plays California surf music in the background. Subdued red light floods the center of the main floor, as adults with cocktails in hand await The Aqua Velvets, the band performing for the night. As the band begins, indistinct chatter diminishes to a soft murmur, accenting the surf music instrumentals. It’s Friday night at the de Young. Every week from April to November, the museum hosts a series of diverse art activities and events throughout the evening, with each week focusing on a different theme. Activities include “live music, dance and theater performances, artist demonstrations, film screenings, panel discussions, lectures, hands-on art activities and exhibition tours,” according to the de Young website. In addition, local artists display their art, conduct workshops and premiere new commissions. Guests also have the opportunity to experience the observation deck which remains open until 8 p.m., offering an incredible 360 degree view of San Francisco. With a diverse range of activities to interest all ages, Fridays at the de Young promise a vibrant, engaging hub of artistic and cultural events. Local Exhibition: Masako Miki Tucked in the corner of the museum near the entrance, holograms of semitransparent images flicker across a thin glass screen, intriguing passersby to enter the exhibition of Masako Miki, the local guest artist for the evening, titled “Kira Kira, Moya Moya, Hara Hara.”
Protruding from one wall are dozens of small platforms, each supporting a small figurine made out of brightly colored felt. Detailed yet simplistic works of carefully crafted animals, mostly wolves and whales, are featured on the walls. Miki, who hails from Berkeley but is originally from Japan, wanders around the room, engaging in lively conversation and answering questions about her artwork. The whimsical ambience allows visitors to experience the wholly original and refined imagination of Miki. “The show represents the idea of the rethinking of boundaries and I’m taking particular realms of the spiritual and physical realm. All of the references I am taking are from the Japanese folklore and mythology,” Miki says. Yellow lanterns cast warm tones across the room, juxtaposing the finely-lined blue and grey drawings. “Lanterns are a signifier for pathways. In Japan we celebrate the Obon festival, which is in August,” Miki explains. “We celebrate ancestors and they come visit the earth. We illuminate the pathway for them, so they don’t get lost.” Miki has a warm, friendly manner about her. She smiles as she sits at a work table, dressed in all black, and describes the inspiration behind her work. “I tried to use the motif and concept that demonstrates the boundaries are all blurred. So that’s why the [exhibition] looks more ghostly and kind of transparent,” Miki says. The Aqua Velvets People clap and dance on the main floor of the de Young as The Aqua Velvets perform a lively, original set of colorful surf music with a blend of California western and lounge. The band members, Donn Spindt (drummer), Hank Maninger (guitar), Miles Corbin (songwriter and guitarist), and Michael Linder (bass, keyboards and accordion) harness the crowd’s energy under the red spotlight, feeding spunky guitar riffs and rhythmic drum beats to the audience. A refreshing
Photo by Pearl Zhong
FLOCKING TO THE WINDOWS, guests of the de Young museum admire the sunset from the top of the Hamon Observation Tower. and innovative genre of music, The Aqua Velvets commemorates the hub of California surf culture in the ’80s and ’90s, contrasting with the sound of clacking shoes and hushed whispers typically audible in an art museum. Hamon Observation Tower As the sun begins to set, guests gather in elevators, taking them up to the minimalistic Hamon Observation Tower on the ninth floor of the museum. The glass walls offer an impressive view of the city, from the tips of the Golden Gate enveloped in fog to the distinct point of the Transamerica Pyramid. The tower offers a tranquil bastion away from the crowded galleries. It is the perfect place to step away from the loud music to have a few peaceful moments to talk to others, digest the night’s festivities and be immersed in the San Francisco skyline. James Turrell’s “Three Gems” “Three Gems” is an interactive art piece hidden in the Osher Sculpture Garden of
the de Young. Guests must walk through a small tunnel cut out of the grass-covered hill and between two large white concrete retaining walls in order to enter the skyspace. At night, the interior of the dome is illuminated with LED lights and guests have the opportunity to become immersed in the light show. The lights are turned on approximately 40 minutes after sunset, changing colors every 20 minutes. There is a small circular opening at the top of the dome, allowing for a concentrated view of the night sky. Visitors gaze about in awe, sitting on a stone bench that runs around the circumference of the interior of the chamber. Guests’ perception of the night sky morphs to reflect the complementary color of the light inside the dome. The muted colors of the skydome creates an incredibly serene atmosphere. Although, the lights occasionally seem to change too slow, and taking photos with flash will elicit booing from other visitors, “Three Gems” is undoubtedly a hidden jewel. bark@redwoodbark.org
Mac Miller shows emotional side in soulful new album By Kaelin Kragh Mac Miller’s latest album, “Divine Feminine,” shies away from his usual hip hop style, revealing a surprising strength in his vocals. Miller’s sensitive tracks express his love for his significant other, Ariana Grande, as well as lessons from past relationships. His album is as close to “divine” as Miller has ever been. “Divine Feminine” balances pop and soul in its tracks, which feature artists that contrast Miller’s raspy voice, including stars such as CeeLo Green, Kendrick Lamar, Ty Dolla $ign, and even Grande in a romantic duet with Miller. “Divine Feminine” has reached #2 on Billboard’s Top 200, so it’s safe to say that a break from rap, since his last album “GO:OD AM,” has treated Miller’s career well. Miller announced the release of the album in mid-July with his debut single, “Dang!” featuring Anderson.Paak. The singlehinted at Miller’s relationship with an unknown girl, leaving fans waiting in anticipation for the remainder of the album. With a unique 1980s disco beat integrated into the song, it served as an appropriate hit to excite his fans. In one of Miller’s more sentimental tracks, “Soulmate,” he refers to an unhealthy relationship he once had, and reveals his true feelings toward the relationship when he says, “I try to make you feel okay/ Do you know I’m in pain?/ I get you close, you misconstrue/ You continue to push me far away/ Why don’t you come on in?” Although the recording included emotional lyrics that his audience could relate to, the song itself was one that could have been left out of the album, due to he combination of multiple beats clashing together, therefore resulting in an unappealing sound. Two other single hits in the album include “We,”
Courtesy of Warner Bro. Records
WITH HEIGHTENED SENSITIVITY, Mac Miller’s album “The Divine Feminine” highlights his love for Ariana Grande and reflects on his previous love. featuring Cee Lo Green, and “My Favorite Part,” featuring Ariana Grande. The latter evoked praise from fans, as it was the first song the two had released as a couple.
In “We,” the background melodies from Green’s distinct voice accompanied by electric guitar riffs allowed the true grit of Miller’s vocals be a strong aspect of the song, which is a quality that makes the track among the best within the album. Miller stressed his struggles and insecurities from rejection in attempts to find a relationship, which added to the emotional characteristic of the song. In “My Favorite Part,” Miller serenades Grande, referring to her as “maybe being the one,” which adds a romantic aspect to the song. Grande’s voice has a powerful Mariah Carey-esque quality which contrasts Miller’s vocals. A track that didn’t receive nearly enough recognition was “Stay.” This song diverges from other recordings on the album in terms of the variance of its beats. With a powerful R&B trumpet background contrasting with an upbeat tempo, it relates to Miller’s message of uncertainty in his relationships. The only aspect lacking in this album is the diversity of the beats and lyrics. A majority of the songs, such as “Soulmate” and “Congratulations,” have a predominantly slow tempo, which makes the whole album feel repetitive. Additionally, Miller occasionally veered overboard with sappy lyrics such as “you know I know who you really are/ the universe couldn’t keep us apart/ Why would they even try?” from “My Favorite Part,” referring to his relationship with Grande. There is certainly room for improvement in terms of mixing up the beats in each track. However, it is a challenge to change one’s entire vocal style and Miller put forth a commendable effort. This album has the potential to redefine Miller’s career.
kkragh@redwoodbark.org
October 21, 2016 bark Page 20 • Review Jack-a-lackin: iPhone 7 eliminates for innovation By Sabrina Dong Students walk slowly through the halls, their backpacks and purses slung over their backs and the gentle glow of a cell phone illuminating their faces. Mobile phones have become an important part of a student’s daily life, and out of all the phones on the market, I think the iPhone reigns supreme. Apple released the iPhone 7 on Sept. 7 starting at $649, one year after the release of the iPhone 6s. Students purchasing the phone can enjoy new features like water resistance, a jet-black finish, and a 12-megapixel camera. Made of aluminum, the iPhone comes in both 4.7 and 5.5 inch models, available in matte black, rose-gold, silver, gold and the brand new glossy black finish. Apple has chosen not to revive the old, more colorful options for the iPhone, leaving many users reminiscing for the iPhone 5C. One new, long-awaited feature is this iPhone’s waterresistance. This improvement is due to a new enclosure that can protect from spills, splashes and dust. One user showed me the extent of the water resistance of the iPhone by dropping his device into a bowl of water and leaving it submerged for a minute or two, only to pull the phone out, unscathed. I was amazed by the phone’s resistance and durability and considered purchasing it just for this new feature. Another new feature is the redesigned home button. It is reinforced to be more durable, responsive and pressure sensitive. Although this redesign may sound like an improvement, many iPhone users are not as happy with this change. Senior Nina Belloni, a dedicated iPhone user, feels that the home button is too different from the old versions. “My brother has the new iPhone and I hate the home button because it doesn’t push down when you press it,” Belloni said. “I press it down, but it just feels like it doesn’t go anywhere; it’s not like the old phones.” The new iPhone has a 12-megapixel camera and a 7-megapixel facetime camera so you can not only take pictures, but chat with friends in amazing quality. I, for one, am very excited for this improvement. The iPhone has been steadily improving its camera quality, making it the go-to photo taking device for many people. The company prides itself on its devices’ sharp images and clear display, saying that the iPhone is the “Only camera you’ll ever need.” The phone’s camera takes
Courtesy of Apple
MADE OF ALUMINUM, the iPhone 7 comes in both 4.7 and 5.5 inch models, available in rose gold, gold, silver matte black and the brand-new glossy-black finish. stunningly clear pictures, making photography a breeze, a definite upgrade from the previous iPhones. While these features are exciting, the new iPhone created more headlines for what it lacked: the traditional headphone jack. The company has removed the jack to create a slimmer, thinner look and feel to the phone. This has angered some buyers due to the fact that they now must buy a special cord that plugs into the charging outlet in order to attach headphones and listen to music. Users are intimidated by the idea of buying a new set of plugs and cords. “It’s so annoying. You can’t charge your phone and listen to music at the same time,” Belloni said.
An alternative to using the charger outlet for headphones is to buy the new AirPods, wireless headphones that come out late October. These headphones connect to your phone to play music and can sense when they’re in your ears, so they pause the music when you take them out. However, these new wireless headphones cost a whopping $159, making them an unattractive option for many users. Apple’s modifications to the iPhone are new and exciting, but could prove to be too much change for most users, and may not be worth the upgrade. sdong@redwoodbark.org
‘Snowden’ adds Hollywood flair to controversial issue By Tilly Friedlander
In director Oliver Stone’s latest movie “Snowden,” a heroic view of Edward Snowden emerges, creating a romanticized, Hollywood version of the story of the person who leaked classified national security information to the public. Based on true events, “Snowden” reveals the steps that urged former Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden (Joseph-Gordon Levitt) to expose to the public that the NSA monitors citizens’ electronic devices. “Snowden” does not include a counterpoint to the argument that Snowden made the right decision to leak the information, causing the movie to have a lopsided perspective on a controversial subject. The film emphasizes the relationship between Snowden and his girlfriend, Lindsay Mills (Shailene Woodley), throughout the movie, humanizing Snowden to the public and adding entertainment to a story that is more dry and technical than most Hollywood movie topics. These attempts at romanticism are unsuccessful. There are several cheesy scenes between Snowden and Mills that do nothing but lengthen the film. There are scenes where Mills takes photographs of Snowden in a park where they laugh together, and appear together on a beach discussing the future of their relationship. Both scenes detract from the plot and do little to advance the story. There was only one scene in the film that was specifically included to provoke the viewer into questioning the ethics of Snowden’s actions. Snowden covered Mills’ computer camera with a piece of a paper, without telling her the reason. Mills makes the
Courtesy of Endgame Entertainment
PLAYED BY JOSEPH Gordon-Levitt, Edward Snowden gets interrogated in the recent Oliver Stone film “Snowden.” argument that she has “nothing to hide.” However, Snowden persists by saying that he knows she still visits the dating site that they met on, conveying that Snowden may have used the NSA software inappropriately. If Snowden had used the software unprofessionally, this would convey that he had acted unethically in his
workplace. Levitt stands out in his portrayal of Snowden, as he nails his awkward and serious persona. The protagonist calls himself a “robot,” which is how many have described the real Snowden. Snowden is depicted as a very likeable character because of his ingenuity when
justifying his actions. In the movie, while being interviewed for an article in The Guardian, Snowden says to reporters that the American people have the right to know that their information is monitored and to decide whether it’s justified or not. By saying this, Snowden is depicted to be an honest man looking to help the people. This scene frames the main character in a positive light, and the filmmaker never changes direction after this point. “Snowden” incorporates many cliché and typical Hollywood scenes, such as the protagonist’s first day of schooling at the CIA. Stone included dramatic music as the protagonist takes a lie detector test to ensure his faith to the Unites States, causing the scene to feel corny. The movie does not clarify whether Snowden had used Xkeyscore (a database which is used by the NSA to search through virtually everything on the public’s phones, computers, or tablets) unethically or had just been snooping around on Mills’ computer. Either way, this argument brings up the moral questions behind the NSA’s use of surveillance. “Snowden” is a fictional movie that includes aspects of the NSA that are extremely unrealistic causing the movie to act as just another unoriginal Hollywood story. In the movie, Snowden is asked to move from his apartment with Mills in Maryland to a luxury home in Hawaii on the beach where he works closely with the NSA and their security programs. This would be rarely asked of a contractor to the NSA. For those who watch this movie, it is important to keep in mind that it is a dramatized version of the real events and that there are two sides to every story. tfriedlander@redwoodbark.org
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Avocadon’t miss out: a toast to the best toast in the Bay Area By Shannon Donelan What was once a health guru’s recipe has turned into your neighborhood restaurant’s most popular item. Avocado toast is the new kale chips, a healthy snack that is popular among Marin residents. However, the overwhelming availability can be daunting. Bark set out on a mission to find the best avocado toast in the Bay Area, narrowing down the selection for our readers. We went to The Plant Cafe, Seed & Salt, M.H. Bread & Butter and Frog Hollow, reviewing the food based on quality, flavor and affordability.
Seed & Salt Located on Chestnut Street in San Francisco, Seed & Salt is a quick 20-minute drive from Redwood. The avocado toast lacked gluten and GMOs, but it also lacked taste. For $4.50, the quality was average and nothing special. The avocado was not fresh and was devoid of flavor. In addition, the toast was missing salt and pepper which would have brought more taste to the avocado. However, for spice-lovers, the chimichurri topping gave it a strong kick, almost too strong for a typical eater. The bread had a good texture, but overall the toast did not live up to my expectations.
Photo by Shannon Donelan
RATED FIVE STARS, M.H. Bread and Butter avocado toast had an addictive taste with an optimal amount of salt mixed into the blend.
The Plant Cafe
Frog Hollow
M.H. Bread and Butter
Located in Strawberry Village, The Plant Cafe is easily accessible right off the highway and offers a variety of choices for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike. Two pieces of avocado toast, priced at $6.00, left me feeling satisfied as though I had eaten a complete meal. The arugula topping was an appetizing addition that added a vibrant and strong flavor. Combined with a lemon dressing, the toast had an uncommon zesty flavor. The strong flavors were enhanced by the dried garlic and sprinkled sesame seeds, which added spice to every bite. The Plant offers an avocado toast that is unforgettable and worth every penny.
Nestled in the San Francisco Ferry Building, Frog Hollow is a fruit stand which also serves snacks. These pieces of toast were the largest, but so was the price: $7.50 for one piece of avocado toast and $12 for two. The avocado was layered nicely, resulting in an appealing presentation, but the flavor was mediocre, as there was not enough oil on the toast to balance the salt and pepper on top. The baguette was well-toasted, giving it a crispy taste and serving as a solid base for the avocado. However, the taste was ordinary and there was nothing unique about this avocado toast.
M.H. Bread & Butter, tucked in downtown San Anselmo, supplies an avocado toast that is a true gem. The avocado was fresh and appetizing, but the bread was the highlight of the whole experience. The crust was crispy while the center stayed soft and fluffy, resulting in a pleasant texture and flavor. The avocado is mixed with the optimal amount of salt, giving it an addictive taste. The two pieces of toast weren a perfect mid-day snack. For $5, this avocado toast is highly recommended. sdonelan@redwoodbark.org
Get caught in the music with Travis Scott’s highly collaborative trap album
on “first take.” Travis begins the track with quiet moaning until he begins to switch up the beat and pick up the tempo. This section flows well and illustrates Scott’s melodic ability. When Tiller begins, he is able to steal the show as his singing ability far exceeds that of Scott, finishing the song on a high note. “First take” is very reminiscent of Tiller’s sound on his debut album, “T R A P S O U L” as he once again demonstrates his mastery in blending trap/hip hop with R&B.
By Hayden Blum Travis Scott is back with the same trap beats, druggie lyrics and autotune, but he lacks the charisma of his critically acclaimed debut album, “Rodeo.” On “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight,” Scott’s verses are forgettable and he lacks the energy he possessed in his previous projects. While his beats and production are still impeccable, the vocals are somewhat disappointing, as he fails to experiment much with his verses. However, this album is only partially performed by Scott, as he features an artist on all but one song on the 14-track project. Each song displays Scott’s attempts to blend his trap style with the sounds of featured artists, as all but one song on the 14-track project features another artist. In many ways, it is these collaborations that dictate the quality of some tracks. Because of this, I’ve ranked the most exceptional collaborations on the album.
Cassie “sdp interlude” The only interlude on the album is not a track to skip. While it features a repetitive, drugfilled hook (“Smoke some. Drink some. Pop one”), the beat is one of the best on the project. Cassie’s angelic background vocals act as a second instrumental, adding a high pitched sound and a diversity to the beat. While not featuring a single verse, “sdp interlude” is very unique and one of Scott’s best compositions to date.
Nav. “biebs in the trap” “Biebs in the trap” has a laid back and ominous instrumental, and Nav. fits the beat perfectly. Nav. is an up-and-coming Soundcloud artist who works in a similar sound as Scott, leading to a seamless collaboration. “biebs” is likely the song with the most drug references on the album, referencing Lean, Molly, Xanax and Cocaine (which he refers to as white or “Bieber”). While the lyrical content isn’t appreciated by everyone, the instrumental creates a catchy, hypnotic track that definitely stands out. Kid Cudi “through the late night” In the past, Scott hasn’t been shy about his idolization of Kid Cudi, even admitting to partially modeling his style after Cudi’s. This chemistry is clear on “through the late night” as Cudi’s trademark “hmmmmmms” and muffled vocals fit the beat well. Scott goes as far as to pay homage to Kid Cudi, starting his first verse with the lines from Cudi’s hit song, “Day ‘n’ Nite.”
Courtesy of Grand Hustle Records
LACKING THE CHARISMA of his previous albums, Travis Scott’s “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight” disappoints fans with unexperimental vocals but maintains impeccable beats. Cudi fans who miss his old sound will love this track, while new Scott fans will also appreciate the way both artists sync up on this hit.
Bryson Tiller “first take” Travis Scott rarely shifts into R&B sound, but Bryson Tiller’s soft, soulful style helps Scott make the stylistic change
Kendrick Lamar “goosebumps” Kendrick Lamar may be the biggest rapper in the game right now, but he failed to live up to his own standards on “goosebumps.” This track is one of few where Scott actually outperforms the featured artist, no small feat considering Lamar’s ability. Scott’s hook is probably the best on the album, and Kendrick’s verse, while experimental and interesting, is not up to par with much of his recent work. His super-falsetto is striking, but not necessarily pleasing as it transforms into almost a shriek. While his bars are passable, more was expected from Lamar on this song. hblum@redwoodbark.org
October 21, 2016 bark Page 22 • Lifestyles Leland leads “Dream Team” of refugees preparing to build new lives “It got me in the gut and in the soul where I just couldn’t believe that that Four years ago, Sidra lived a life not was happening somewhere in this world,” very different than that of a soon-to-be Leland said. “In my head I kept replaying Redwood student. what it must be like to run for your life, get She was 10 years old, went to school on a boat and be in the middle of the sea everyday and dreamed of becoming a and to have it start sinking. None of that surgeon when she grew up. But within a has to happen.” few short years, Sidra’s childhood was no According to Leland, before she left for longer anything close to normal. Athens she raised $13,000 from hundreds Sidra lived in Damascus, Syria, the of donations to be put towards building country’s capital that came under control another schoolhouse. of the Free Syrian Army in 2012. Although Leland went to Greece Sidra asked for her last name to not be with the intention of helping to build a used as it could affect her asylum request. schoolhouse for refugee children, the “Life in Syria was really nice before the SchoolBox Project decided to convert a war,” said Sidra, now 13 years old, through few old classrooms in the squat to a school, a translator over Skype. “Once the war while waiting to find a permanent location started, there was a lot of fear. Every time for the new schoolhouse. someone would leave the house, we would “I went there thinking ‘What could be scared they wouldn’t come back.” be controversial about offering a school Like many other Syrian refugees, Sidra to kids?’ but it turns out there are a lot of was caught in the middle of a three-way controversial things,” Leland said. civil war between President Bashar alNone of the refugees or volunteers Assad’s regime, the Free Syrian Army and knew if or when the squat would be closed the Islamic State of the Levant and Syria by the Greek police because they were (ISIS or Daesh). trespassing in an abandoned building, “None of them are good,” Sidra said. which made it hard to determine how much Photo courtesy of Mary Beth Leland “Each one of them hits the other and we are money should be invested into the school. stuck in the middle. We don’t care. It’s not “Everyday that we were there we were SPENDING TIME WITH her students, Mary Beth Leland helps a group of kids into our war, but it comes to us.” trespassing, and everyday that we were an inflatable pool with a broken arm in Athens, Greece last summer. After enduring years of fighting, there we knew that at any point the police including the bombing of her school and the might kick everybody out,” Leland said. “It was the day the school opened, which the Since returning home, Leland has stoning to death of her uncle for swearing was tricky to figure out how much money volunteers and refugees came together to begun a project to publish the stories of the in the streets, Sidra’s family finally decided and time we [should] invest here when we celebrate. Dream Team in a storybook. to flee to Germany. “We had a big dance party and the adult “I wanted to provide a way for the kids could spend a few hundred or thousand Today, Sidra lives dollars to get it all up men in the community played drums,” to have their voices be heard,” Leland said. in the Jasmine School Leland also said that through the act of and running and to get Leland said. “The children made speeches, squat, an unofficial furniture and desks and and one of them was supposed to be about writing, she hopes the book will provide refugee camp located in to paint the walls and hope and education and at the end they the kids a way to process the trauma that Athens, Greece, unable books and all that and tied it all together and said that they were they have experienced. to reach Germany The refugees’ stories in the storybook then at any moment [the synonymous. You can’t have one without because the Balkan will have several parts: life before the war, police] might close the the other.” borders have closed. Leland admits that some days she what life was like during the war, what place down.” Sidra’s story is Additionally, some wanted the squat to be shut down because their escape was like, what their life is like just one of many that now and what their dreams for the future of the residents of of how horrible the conditions were. Redwood Academic “I was in love with the place, I was in are. the squat argued that Workshop teacher The focus of the book will be their for every penny the love in with the school, I was in love with Mary Beth Leland organization spent on the kids, but I would pray that someone dreams for the future. heard while working Leland is planning on collecting the school supplies, they would come in and shut it down because in this squat for six could be buying daily the conditions were so awful and smelly stories before she returns to the Jasmine weeks this past summer necessities, such as food and dirty,” Leland said. “But there were School squat in December, and is currently as a volunteer for the and clothing, which ran other days where we would have parties to looking for Redwood students or other Schoolbox Project. celebrate different holidays and we would community members to act as mentors for short in the squat. Mary Beth Leland, The Schoolbox teacher Although the dance and sing, and it would be the most the Dream Team throughout the writing Project, a nonprofit Schoolbox Project did beautiful thing that I had ever experienced.” process. based in the Bay Area, In addition to teaching classes and International opinion towards refugees not bring a portable builds portable schoolhouses that can schoolhouse to the Jasmine School squat, organizing a women’s group, Leland also has become increasingly hostile, and move with refugees from camp to camp. Leland and other volunteers offered helped organize a group of 15 children ages Leland said that she understands why many Each schoolhouse comes equipped with English, German and Arabic classes for all eight through 16, who named themselves Europeans and Americans have isolationist power stations, school supplies and arts age levels, in addition to teaching regular “The Dream Team.” perspectives. and crafts, which provide an opportunity classes to the children. “[The Dream Team is] a group of “I understand [the controversy] because for creativity and emotional expression For many of the kids, the school offered students who refused to give up on we are victims of main-stream media. during a time of trauma, according to Belle at the squat was the first time they had had dreaming and banded together with a Even though I don’t agree with [the antiSweeney, the organization’s executive the opportunity to attend school since the promise to keep living, to not wait, to start immigrant perspective], it’s not that I don’t director. today and every day with the idea that they understand that opinion,” Leland said. Syrian civil war began. In addition, the organization trains “They watch the news and see pictures of Leland’s happiest moment in Greece must move forward,” Leland said. volunteers to teach classes with traumaMuslims next to the word ‘terrorist’ and informed principles, according to Sweeney. that’s what they are exposed to. What else Between 200 and 400 refugees lived are they suppose to know? We weren’t in the squat, an abandoned, 50-room born racist, but we were taught throughout school that they broke into to make their our lives to become racist.” temporary home, according to Leland. Since returning to Redwood, The residents came from all parts of Leland, the advisor of Redwood’s Syria, each with a background and story Amnesty International chapter, has given just as harrowing as Sidra’s. presentations to staff, the yearbook class “[The refugees] had lives and jobs and and the Amnesty International club, which houses [in Syria],” Leland said. “I met will be organizing a campaign to both someone who was a teacher, some business raise awareness of Islamophobia and of owners, a couple of women in their early refugees’ struggles in Greece, according to 20s who were university students. [I met Leland. a student who] stopped going to school The club, which meets Mondays at because ISIS had come onto her bus to lunch, will also be collecting money and kidnap women, and she was too scared to school supplies to send to refugees in leave her house after that.” Greece. Many refugees at the camp made the Leland said that she is continuing to final decision to leave Syria as the civilian raise money for the Schoolbox Project, death toll continued to rise and their homes to which she hopes community members and schools were destroyed by bombs. will donate (www.youcaring.com/the“Some of them knew a different person schoolbox-project-561436). everyday that was killed in Syria,” Leland said. Photo courtesy of Mary Beth Leland Leland made the decision to go to Greece at the end of the summer of 2015 TEACHING REFUGEE CHILDREN through a trauma-aware lens, academic after seeing images of boats and people workshop teacher Mary Beth Leland works with students to share their own personal stories. cconrow@redwoodbark.org drowning. By Catherine Conrow
It got me in the gut and in the soul, where I just couldn’t believe that that was happening somewhere in this world.
Page 23 • Lifestyles
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Face-to-Face: How much should schools shield students?
bark
IL: Prioritizing mental health is always a good thing because I want to make sure we look out for our students’ well being. But at the same time, recovery from any mental illness or trauma does require facing what has haunted you in the past. Creating an environment where it is easy to evade dealing with hard things creates a gap between those who are able to deal with diverse ideas and those who shy away from them. In turn, you could argue that it would degrade the overall mental health of the school because everyone becomes weak, for lack of a better word.
By Charlotte Seton Face-to-Face is a feature that allows two members of the Redwood Community to grill each other, argue, or simply converse about a relevant issue or event. We provide the topic, and they do the rest. This month’s participants are senior Audrey Gaither and junior Isabella Liu. They discuss a topic related to the event of University of Chicago’s admission letter to incoming college freshman this year about how they do not support “trigger warnings” or “safe spaces” because they want to encourage consideration and thought of all perspectives. They will be discussing the topic of whether or not schools should prevent topics with potentially controversial opinions or if it prevents freedom of expression or inquiry.
Audrey Gaither -vs Isabella Liu
What do you think about safe spaces and trigger warnings? Audrey Gaither: Safe spaces and trigger warnings help facilitate nice, safe learning environments for students who’ve undergone different traumas in their past and who have different backgrounds, and it allows everyone to feel safe in a learning environment and to reach their individual potentials. Isabella Liu: While I am an advocate for egalitarianism, I am also an advocate for academic diversity, so to me safe spaces and trigger warnings can break down the free expression of beliefs and ideas in a school which can stop progress and lead to a more segmented society. AG: Safe spaces and trigger warnings don’t necessarily segment the population any more than they would already be segmented. Students often end up after college in societies surrounded by people that they chose to surround themselves with, and they can talk about what they feel comfortable talking about. So giving students the option in college to feel comfortable and to understand what
works for them might in fact lead to a community where people understand themselves a little bit better. IL: It’s important to understand yourself, but it’s also really important to understand those whose opinions differ from your own. If you have safe spaces and trigger warnings, students can retreat from ideas that make them feel uncomfortable, and we’ll never make any real progress and become a more cohesive student body. AG: “Uncomfortable” is a bit of light term to give to such a serious issue. Some students who’ve had a traumatic past or come from a less stable home life might need a little bit of space in order to stabilize and become more familiar with themselves. Students making sure that their own mental health is a priority will, in turn, allow them later on to accept others’ ideas even if they aren’t able to do it at that time.
Do you think that trigger warnings should be used in our school? AG: Trigger warnings, when used moderately, couldn’t really be detrimental to anyone’s learning. Teachers, before breaching sensitive subject matters, could help the students in the class to understand what they’re dealing with. For example, in history class, slavery was a real issue that affected a lot of people. So by mentioning trigger warnings, we take events and subjects and discussions we talk about in class and make students realize these are real-world issues. IL: You don’t necessarily get trigger warnings in the real world and so to learn how to grapple with things that make you feel uncomfortable again or even threatened is important if you hope to have a fulfilling life that is rich in different vantage points. Secondly, trigger warnings can be an asset if they are used to facilitate a deeper discussion, but not if they are used to let kids run away. I understand your point about having trigger warnings to let people know that hey, heads up, this is going to be uncomfortable. But if trigger warnings are preceded by an option to opt out of the discussion, I have a problem with that. cseton@redwoodbark.org
Canopy revamps with addition of new band members By Emily Cerf Most returning Redwood students knew the rock-and-roll sounds of Redwood’s socalled “mega-band” Canopy, a merging of what was two Advanced Performance Workshop bands, Sequoia and High Tide. But when over half of the band members graduated last year, current seniors Bryte Darden, Matty Michna and John Van Liere, as well as alumnus Aaron Halford who will not begin college until the spring semester, looked to other musicians in their community as they moved to a “new phase of the band,” according to Van Liere. “We’ve got some very talented musicians coming up from other schools that we’ve met through the years of playing,” Van Liere said. One such musician is Marin Academy senior Timmy Stabler, a bassist. Stabler first met the members of Canopy when his former band, Raspberry Planetarium, opened for a benefit show for Ecuadorian earthquake relief put on by Canopy. “For some reason I didn’t really see [the invitation] coming even though it did make a lot of sense. I was really happy with it and it’s gone as well as I could have hoped,” Stabler said. Additionally, Berkeley High senior Jasim Perales, who plays the trombone, has been featured in recent gigs with the band. “We became friends with Jasim within the first 30 seconds of meeting him and same with Timmy. We’re all there to play music; we might as well get to know each other,” Van Liere said. “I feel like that’s the other half of being part of a band, you have to be friends with the people you play with because you’re able to communicate a lot better.” According to Michna, including new members has also allowed the group to
expand their musical style. “Everybody listens to different music, but [the new members] were influenced by different people through their instrument and through their background, so they can influence us with stuff we haven’t heard or played before,” Michna said. Stabler said that joining Canopy has allowed him to diverge from the style of music that he played with Raspberry Planetarium for the past two years. Raspberry Planetarium tended to play a jazz-fusion style. “I had departed from [rock, soul and funk music] for a couple years,” Stabler said. “So when I got this ask, I realized I would have to dig back into music that I had stopped playing for a long time, which has been a refreshing process. But it’s cool to go back through a lot of my older musical tastes—it’s kind of a nostalgic thing.” Furthermore, Stabler appreciates the band’s ability to improvise in moments where gigs might not go as planned, such as when there is a faulty generator or the band must play longer than planned. “I think those are some of my favorite moments, when things derail a little bit and we have to think on our feet, and Canopy’s a really good band for that,” Stabler said. One of the biggest challenges for the band has been coordinating their various schedules as they prepare for upcoming gigs. However, when they do practice, the process of working with new members has been smooth, according to Van Liere. “The actual rehearsal part of it where we are playing the music and learning the parts hasn’t changed that much,” Van Liere said. “That will pretty much be the same no matter who is in the band—you have to play the part together before you can exhibit that to your audience.” The band plans to continue to play
Photo courtesy of John Van Liere
PERFORMING AT Blackie’s Hay Day, Redwood seniors Matty Michna and John Van Liere play with new basist, Marin Academy senior Timmy Stabler. together throughout the year and into the next summer, and all current senior members hope to pursue music, in either the performance, production or management aspects, as a major in college.
The next chance to see Canopy live will be at the Presidio Yacht Club on Nov. 11. ecerf@redwoodbark.org
jfieber@redwoodbark.org
The man behind the spunky bowties and socks Saum Zargar: Redwood’s new Assistant Principal Story and Photo by Sydney Soofer “Saum is my name, and bow ties and socks are my game,” beamed Saum Zargar, the newest of Redwood’s three assistant principals. Zargar’s quirky and fun attitude has allowed him to form connections with Redwood students and faculty in the few weeks he’s been on campus. “What has stood out to me is the number of people who have approached me with kindness,” Zargar said. “I’ve also had a chance to talk to students a little bit in classrooms. They’ve all been very sweet in my reception.” At a TUHSD board meeting on Sept. 6, Zargar was appointed as the new assistant principal of Redwood. The position had been vacant since former Assistant Principal Lisa Jimenez left just days before the start of the school year, due to another job offer. Before Zargar was hired, former assistant principals Katy Foster and Sue Chelini had been working together to fill the vacancy. “It’s exciting to see how well he’s getting along with students and staff,” said Principal David Sondheim. “He’s bringing much experience and energy to Redwood.” Zargar was an AP Environmental Science and AP Biology teacher at Terra Linda High for 11 years, as well as an assistant principal at Vintage High School in Napa for the past two years. “One thing that’s been consistent with me both as a teacher and as an administrator is what can I do every single day to support our students and staff academically, socially
and emotionally,” Zargar said. “It’s very important to me that I do a good job with that.” Zargar credits his experience as the eldest of four brothers as a key influence on the type of person he is today. “I want to be a mentor to my students, just like I did with my brothers,” he said. His passion for working with kids originated when he was a student himself. Growing up as a soccer player in Sacramento, Zargar has always had an interest in coaching. His love for soccer carried into college at UC Davis, where he played a year of Division I soccer. “I had coached younger teams throughout college, but then I got the opportunity to coach club women’s soccer at Cal which was a really amazing experience,” Zargar said. Doubling as a coach and teacher, he worked at the college level for five years while simultaneously student teaching in the Bay Area. Zargar was drawn to Redwood because of its reputation for supporting students both academically, socially and emotionally. On top of that, he is able to work near home, keeping him close to his wife and two-year-old son. “I am really impressed with the Wellness Center and counselor support system,” Zargar said. “I want to continue to assist students in helping them balance their academic component of their lives with their social and emotional wellbeing.” Sondheim had only positive things to say about the new staff member. “He is very warm, accessible, and dedicated to high levels of student learning engagement.” Sondheim said. When Zargar isn’t shopping for new socks to add to his “on-point collection” or working with students and faculty, he enjoys hiking throughout Marin County with his family and exploring new restaurants in Marin (he’s open to suggestions). Having also played four years of club lacrosse in college, Zargar is excited to attend many Redwood sporting events himself. “I look forward to getting into more classrooms in the coming days and meeting more of our teachers and putting a face behind the name,” Zargar said. ssoofer@redwoodbark.org