October 2018

redwood

bark.

Volume LXI, No. 2 • October 26, 2018 • Larkspur, CA

Exploring Title IX and athletic funding Read more on p. 13

Photo by Sydney Steinberg

redwood

bark.

Women in STEM

9

Fishing at Redwood

14

Fall recipes

redwood high school ● 395 doherty dr., larkspur, ca 94939 ● volume LXI, no. 2 ● October 26, 2018 ● www.redwoodbark.org

22

Ongoing Bon Air Bridge construction affects students’ commutes

By Nate Charles Construction on the Bon Air Bridge in Larkspur began in June and is now in full swing. Traffic has been rerouted to adjust for the work being done along the bridge and Bon Air Road, and crews have moved all of their equipment into the area. The contract for the project, awarded to Golden State Bridge Inc. after their $26.7 million bid in March, will run for four years and one month.

According to Director of Public Works Julian Skinner, the existing bridge will be completely replaced with a new castiron girder bridge (one that uses girders, or beams, to support the bridge and castiron for the framework). This bridge will be much wider in order to accommodate 10-foot-wide multi-use paths and 7-footwide shoulders on each side. As for disposal, Skinner said the concrete from the current bridge will be crushed and then recycled piece by piece.

The plan is for the northern half— the end closest to the Marin General Hospital—to be built first, then focus on the southern half, closest to Magnolia Avenue. According to Skinner, the area is being updated for regulations before construction continues.

“All the work that they’re doing now is all of the foundation work, [including] putting piles and supports into the [Corte Madera] creek,” Skinner stated. “The project footprint expands out to Magnolia [Avenue] and it will also extend out to South Eliseo [Drive] on the other side, so those signals get updated and the intersections get repaved or reconfigured slightly so that they meet all of the current ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] standards.”

While traffic around the area has increased, Skinner said that the bridge will only be completely closed at three separate times over the duration of the project, hopefully during weekends. These closures are roughly scheduled to begin a year and a half from now, and will be spaced throughout the duration of the project.

Although some complaints have arisen, Vice Mayor of Larkspur Ann Morrison said

Photo by Jackson Epps

LOCATED DIRECTLY ON Bon Air Drive, Marin General Hospital is also undergoing construction and emergency access to it is a main reason behind the bridge construction. that this is a vital project that has generally been well-received by the public.

“If there’s an earthquake, that bridge is going down,” Morrison said. “We couldn’t waste any more time … I haven’t heard any complaints because I think the public has been well advised on what is happening.

People have accepted the project because they know it needs to be done.”

Although the new bridge is a safety measure, Skinner recognizes that the project will increase traffic congestion and has experienced complaints because of it.

According to an October Bark survey, 28 percent of students self-reported that their commute to Redwood has been affected by the construction.

One such student is junior Matt

Photo by Nate Charles

SPANNING OVER FOUR years, the project includes a complete replacement of the current bridge with a cast-iron girder bridge, part of which has already begun to be built.

Shippey, who commutes from Kentfield Morrison, there is a nest of Clapper Rails and crosses the bridge on his way to and near the bridge that will require the crews from school every day. Shippey said he to be quieter than usual and force them to has seen a marked increase in congestion take breaks during construction.

Shippey said the four-year timeline around the area. s e e m e d “I think [the exaggerated construction] given the major has created a effects the work lot of traffic, has already had especially on traffic, such around the as the tighter afternoon at lanes restricting 3:30,” Shippey the flow of cars said. “Everyone across the bridge. from the He also claimed Kentfield and that construction Ross areas has would be moving to go [across faster if the bridge the bridge] and was seen as more anyone who’s important or not using the Ann Morrison, was located in a freeway is using Vice Mayor of Larkspur more populous that bridge to community. get over to the “I think four Larkspur side [of years is kind the creek].” of ridiculous Skinner said he understands why some citizens are with how they’re keeping [the lanes] complaining, citing the rise in congestion super tight,” Shippey said. “I think [the construction] could be quicker because if as a primary factor.

“We’ve seen a whole lot of complaints [the bridge] was a bigger [more important] about replacing the bridge,” Skinner said. bridge in a bigger area with more people, “I think most of the negative feedback from they’d be getting it done in less than four the public has to do with the inconvenience years.”

Though it may be a few years before the during construction and the fact that there are traffic impacts over the course of the new bridge is fully operational, Morrison has a bright outlook for its impact on the construction.”

In regards to some of the complaints, community. Construction has been taking Skinner noted that the city ran a study place at the nearby Marin General Hospital about 10 years ago to determine whether it for over two years, and Morrison believes was more cost-effective to repair or replace replacing one of the most important access the bridge, and that the results pointed to a points to the hospital is critical, especially full replacement as the best option. in the case of a natural disaster.

In addition, both Skinner and Morrison “It’s going to be incredible. When cited the environment as having a noticeable there’s that 7.5 earthquake or higher, impact on the speed of construction, as the people are going to have access because creek is home to protected bird and fish that bridge is not going down,” Morrison species that will force crews to halt work stated. “People are going to have access to during certain times of the year. Due to the hospital and that bridge is going to be these conservation efforts, the project is around for many many years to come.” going to take twice as long as it would have without these environmental concerns.

The main impediment is the Clapper Rail, a protected bird species. According to ncharles@redwoodbark.org

When there’s that 7.5 earthquake or higher, people are going to have access because that bridge is not going down.

October 26, 2018 bark Page 2 • News Marin bike stores expect financial difficulty with imposition of Trump’s tariffs

By Francesca Fox Cub Reporter

In March of this year, President Donald Trump proposed a plan to place tariffs on Chinese goods, but it was not until late last month that higher costs for Marin consumers became a reality. On Sept. 24, the 10 percent tariff was imposed on over $200 billion worth of Chinese products and is set to increase to a staggering 25 percent by the first day of 2019.

Companies involved in the sale of industrial parts and vehicles will be significantly affected by the taxes.

Targeting mainly metal products consisting of titanium and steel, this tariff will impact local cycling businesses, including Mike’s Bikes and Paragon. Customers will begin to feel the ramifications of increased prices of bike related products very soon, if not immediately, as a result of the tariffs.

For the Richmond-based bicycle frame building components company, Paragon Machine Works, a price increase of 5 percent on all of their goods is beginning to be implemented. Although the company builds its own products domestically, they will feel the same effects from the tariffs due to the necessity of imported materials.

The company owner, Donna Norstad, explained that there are not enough manufacturers in the United States to meet the needs of her business to compensate for the taxes, and believes that consumers will ultimately experience the effects.

According to Norstad, however, the imminent price increase for her company’s supplies and for her consumers is less than it should be, and will be insignificant compared to the 25 percent tax beginning in January.

Photo by Francesca Fox

HANGING A BIKE from the store’s front window, Mike’s Bikes worries how tariffs will affect future prices.

Photo by Francesca Fox

DISPLAYING BIKES IN the view of passerby, Mike’s Bikes, among other Marin companies, anticipates increased costs in bikes up to 36 percent by 2019. bikers as prices increase.

“I put in an order for a large quantity Coughlan said.

In the meantime, Norstad says, Marin of titanium tubing, and then I was told that Coughlan does not expect his friends there was going to be a 10 percent tax on to be willing to pay more either, creating bikers should be motivated to do their it. Our suppliers were really nice, though, the possibility that fewer consumers will spending now before Trump increases and only had us pay five percent more,” buy from companies like Mike’s Bikes. the taxes to 25 percent by the end of the Norstad said.

The option of buying high-end bikes year.

However, other businesses within the manufactured in the United States rather Bay Area bicycle industry are not expecting than bikes assembled in China will become any tax leniency. more prevalent for Coughlan and other ffox@redwoodbark.org In a recent interview with the Marin Independent Journal, Alex Logemann of the PeopleForBikes organization said that bike companies selling assembled bikes from China were already experiencing an 11 percent tax.

With the commencement of the trade war, the 10 percent tax that was initially imposed by Trump causes bikes to cost 21 percent more. By 2019, these companies will be paying 36 percent more from taxation.

Mike’s Bikes, a company that is almost entirely dependent on the importation of pre-manufactured bikes from China, will have to carry these fees over to consumers unless it can find suppliers from different countries.

For junior Toby Coughlan, an avid biker, as well as other Marin bikers, these increased prices will have a large financial impact. Coughlan, a member of Redwood’s mountain bike racing team, is reluctant to purchase from bike companies affected by the tariffs.

“I don’t know why anyone would want to spend 36 percent more on a bike,”

Photo Survey

What is your favorite Halloween candy and why?

“Snickers, because I like the “Candy corn, I’ve had it peanuts.” since a very young age and it has stuck with me.”

Sophia Mendoza freshman

Thomas Johnson sophomore

“Reese’s Peanut Butter “Sour Punch Straws, they are very unique and have Cups, [they are] the perfect combination of chocolate an intense flavor.” and peanut butter.”

Lauren Hvistendahl junior

Luke Elders senior

Page 3 • News

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bark

Student clubs encourage voting pre-registration

By Katherine Muller Throughout the week of Oct. 15, members of the Amnesty International Club and Human Rights Club assisted Redwood students in pre-registering to vote on the CEA mosaic stage during lunch. Registration forms, both in paper and online forms, were distributed as members of the two clubs encouraged students to sign up.

In order to pre-register to vote, students need to be at least 16 years old and are required to show a valid driver’s license, California State Identification Card or Social Security number. Although individuals who pre-register cannot vote until they are 18 years old, junior Olivia Raskin, a member of the Human Rights Club and one of the drive’s organizers, stressed the importance of starting the registration process early.

“It’s super easy and only takes three minutes. [Preregistering] makes it easier; when you’re 18 and you need to vote, you can directly register. You may [still] have to do a short procedure if you’ve pre-registered and want to vote when you’re 18, but it’s not as long as the process would be otherwise,” Raskin said.

According to Raskin, pre-registering is a simple, uncomplicated endeavor that won’t cost students much time or effort, but makes a difference in the long run.

Emma Wait, a junior who has pre-registered, elaborated on how easy it was for her to pre-register, and how it can even be done at places such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

“If you get your driver’s license or your permit, when you go to the DMV, all you have to do is check a box that says ‘Yes, pre-register me for voting!’ I was at the DMV when I was getting my permit and just pre-registered,” Wait said.

With the ability to vote comes the chance for individuals to voice their opinions. Assistant Principal Saum Zargar believes that pre-registering to vote is something students

should take advantage of so that they are easily able to vote in the future.

“As big or as small as issues may be, [voting] is an opportunity to voice your position on issues, and I fully believe that every single vote counts,” Zargar said. “I believe that students and adults, as citizens, should participate by voting. It is one way to communicate to our politicians, like senators or congressmen and elected officials, what we care about.”

The upcoming midterm elections on Nov. 6 serve as an opportunity for students to speak up through voting.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 46 percent of citizens ages 18 to 24 reported voting in 2016. According to Raskin, getting more students to vote is the main purpose of the registration drive.

According to Wait, if there are any students that can legally vote, meaning that they are 18 years old and registered, they hold the ability to support issues they care about in the upcoming elections. Wait elaborated on how important voting is in the current political landscape.

“I think it’s important to vote so we don’t end up with somebody else in the office that we don’t want there. A lot of people didn’t believe that Donald Trump would become President, so a lot of people didn’t vote [in the 2016 presidential election],” Wait said. “If you don’t vote, then we can end up with people that are representing our country that we don’t necessarily want there. It’s important to have our voices heard, and contribute to our country.”

Zargar echoed Wait’s statement, stating that he also believes that students should have a role in shaping the country by utilizing the benefits that come with voting.

“I think for students, voting, whether it be on a proposition or in an election, is an opportunity for us as citizens to participate in the democratic process,” Zargar said. kmuller@redwoodbark.org

Photo by Katherine Muller

DISPLAYING REGISTRATION INFORMATION on a poster, junior Olivia Raskin encourages fellow students to pre-register to vote.

Kristen and Tane Abbott Margaret Abbott Aaron and Randi Agenbroad Charles and Kimberly Allen Seth and Kelli Anderson The Aylwin Family Lisa Bacino Kathryn Baldwin Cammi Bell Helga Beyer The Blazei Family The Blum Family Mari Bowler Donal and Brenda Brown Jason Brown Amy Brugger Liz Brusseau Rose and Chuck Bucklar Taissa Cherry and Jay Labourene Amy Cifarelli Compass Education Group William and Laura Conrow Bill and Laura Conrow Deborah Cook The Corn Family Joanne Desin

Lisa Diener Shannon Donelan Laurie Dubin Douglas Epps Gus and Dee Ann Ezcurra Family Cuts Shelley and Kendall Fargo Courtney Finnegan Tim Fischer and Cyndi Devereaux The Fishbourne Family Thomas Fishburne Suzanne Fogarty Pamela Fong The Gilman Family Jennifer and Michael Ginsburg Emily Glidden Cynthia Goodman The Haggard Family Mark and Jacqueline Harris Joyce Hoelzle Maura Hughes Tamara Hull The James Family Lawrence and Teresa Jeffry

Bark Patrons The Johnson Family Sylvia Jones Nina Katz Jon Kawamura and Elizabeth Foley Stacey and Noah Kempler The Kimball Family The Kitzel Family David and Lisa Klein Ari and Nicole Klionsky Tammy Kornfeld Jodi and Guy Ladetzky Eugene Lewis IV Cynthia Lightfoot Jeffrey and Karen Loebbaka Bill Lowis Alice and Bob Marks Kerianne and Christopher McBride John McCullouch Tom and Michelle McHugh Wendy McKinley Jon and Laura Mellberg

Chris Michaels Denise Miller Jacqui Miranda Donna Norstad Jay H O’Conner and Heather Corcoran Denise Olson James Parker The Parsons Family Ed Pfeiffer Roxane Polidora Lesley and Tim Reidy Wendy Robinow The Rocha Family Walter and Ellen Sanford Christina Smallhorn Robin Steele The Steele Family

Geordie Stephens Lorna Strotz The Strotz Family Jackie Swoiskin The Tatum Family Karol Towns The Tribolet Family The Tribuzious Kimberly Tully-Sutton Vickie Vann Helene Walters Holly Welch Jim Whelpley Patty and Dave Young The Zlot Family

If you would like to support the Redwood Bark, donations can be made by check and mailed to Redwood High School.

Checks should be made payable to the Redwood Bark.

Additionally, online donations can be made through PayPal to rhsredwoodbark.

opinion

Page 4

How the bypass on bipartisanship is hurting the government

By Maddie Loebbaka The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has left Americans on both sides of the aisle reeling. Whether one is affiliated with the Republican party, the Democratic party or neither, the controversy has affected everyone and led us to re-evaluate our morals and values.

However, the events have brought up an even more important issue that is more prevalent in our government: the lack of bipartisanship from both sides.

Bipartisanship represents the flexibility of both Republicans and Democrats to vote beyond party lines and approach voting matters with a more open mind. It plays an important role in the functioning of our government, ensuring equal, shared power from all parties . Bipartisanship also protects the rights of the citizen by promising that the opinions and values of the majority will be upheld on a larger, national scale, allowing legislators to do what is best for the greater good instead of what their party believes is.

Justice Kavanaugh was nominated by President Trump to replace Justice Kennedy. Kavanaugh has been known for supporting more conservative views, however, in a process such as a Senate hearing to confirm a Supreme Court judge, the Senate Judiciary Committee must go beyond party affiliation to see whether one is fit to hold a lifelong seat in the highest court in the nation.

In this recent confirmation, 49 of the 50

senators that voted to confirm Kavanaugh were Republican. This means that every Republican seat in the Senate, besides two that chose to abstain, voted yes, and all Democrats but one—Joe Manchin—voted no.

Some could attribute this to the agreement of Kavanaugh’s values with those of Republicans. However, this had little to do with morals and values and more to do with political strategies. Republicans and Democrats alike were aiming to gain partisan strength by maintaining a seat in the Supreme Court for their respective parties instead of prioritizing the qualifications of the nominee. Our rights are being gambled with by the very people we put in power.

In Trump’s previous Supreme Court nomination of Justice Neil Gorsuch in January of 2017 to fill the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the seat was vacant longer than any other Supreme Court seat in history, according to the Los Angeles Times. The vacancy was due to

60, according to ABC News. McConnell passed this amendment specifically to ensure Gorsuch a spot on the Supreme Court. This allowed Gorsuch’s nomination to pass through with a narrow vote of 54 in favor and 45 against.

However, Democrats are hardly role models of bipartisanship either; the Democratic party employed the same strategy when voting on lower court and Cabinet members. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of the Democrats changed the simple majority voting regulations so Congress could more easily pass Democratic politicians and justices through.

The Senate Judiciary Committee leader Diane Feinstein and other Democrats are also being accused of making assumptions about Kavanaugh without substantial evidence. Though many were convinced by testimony from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Justice Kavanaugh of sexual assault, there is no hard evidence to corroborate her

Illustration by Audrey Hettleman

pushback from Republicans over the nomination of a Democratic candidate.

Powerful political figures were willing to leave a position—one that could have affected nationwide legislation and the rights we have as citizens—open because of disputes over party lines.

In the nomination, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell changed the regulations of a Senate vote to allow only 52 votes to end debates instead of the original

claim.

Democratic senators and members of the Judiciary Committee have overlooked this fact along with the constitutional value, “innocent until proven guilty.” The Democrats’ inflexible stance on this particular issue is due to their resistance of a Republican candidate for a historical “swing” seat on the Supreme Court. Their motives are the same as the Republicans: they want to reinforce the strength of their

party by putting a judge on the Supreme Court from their own party.

The stalling, belligerent fighting of the political parties has left a country divided, and the blame falls on both parties.

Kavanaugh himself even described the testimony as “a national embarrassment” that highlights the weaknesses in our government.

Both parties are valuing political power rather than valuing what is best for the nation. The politicians that citizens voted in for their views are no longer following through with their promises.

The lack of bipartisanship has also inhibited the freedom that political figures have to vote on what they believe is just or moral because of the conflict with their party values. As members of a democratic nation, our voices and opinions are being silenced unfairly. A government that is supposed to represent our beliefs and values is instead focused on petty party differences.

The parties might even be voting simply to benefit themselves.

Bipartisanship is vital, as it allows the United States to keep functioning as a democratic Republic, where the citizens’ voices are listened to. However, in recent times, reaching across the aisle has become an activity avoided at all costs by Congress members, and that same avoidance, if unchecked, will eventually silence the voices of the people until only those in power are heard. mloebbaka@redwoodbark.org

Cheerleading for the NFL should be empowering not hypersexualized Story and Illustration by Isabella Roesler When did having a passion for dance, teambuilding and cheer become another opportunity for men to exploit women and enlist them to enhance their public image?

NFL cheerleaders have extraordinary athletic discipline and talent, but the culture surrounding cheer has devolved into something far from cheer squads’ athleticism and NFL encouragement. Cheerleading should be empowering and give squad members a sense of pride by focusing on their athleticism rather than physical appearance.

Nowadays, cheerleading comes with a long list of unspoken rules and requirements. The official handbooks for professional cheer squads have many specific rules for appearance and hygiene, though most do not support cheer members when they are put in uncomfortable situations.

Cheerleaders face hypersexualization and groping by drunk fans at games, and are oftentimes forced to ignore their discomfort by posing for photos with rowdy, beerguzzling men. Many of these men grope cheerleaders while taking photos, and the majority of cheer outfits expose bare skin, which can invite unsolicited touching.

According to a 2018 New York Times article, an anonymous former longtime Cowboys cheerleader said, “We were taught, if someone’s getting handsy on you, how to navigate that. We were told what to say, like, ‘That’s not

very nice,’ To be sweet, not rude. Say, ‘Can I ask you to step over here?’ Use body language to help deter the situation.

Never be mean. Never. Always courteous. Because if it’s not for the fans, we wouldn’t be here—that’s how we were supposed to think of this.”

Being required to use this type of implicit language is problematic for cheerleaders. Cheerleaders should be protected against situations like sexual harassment.

Instead of explaining how to “avoid” or “politely deny” situations, NFL officials should advocate for heightened security measures to assure their safety when socializing.

A cheerleader should have every right to signal for assistance from a bodyguard or deny unwanted photos or comments without the fear of being removed from their cheer squad. Fans should also be informed about how to treat cheerleaders and what is and isn’t appropriate. If fans do not comply, they should face legal repercussions.

One major reason as to why there are not explicit legal ramifications towards cheerleaders’ sex offenders is to protect the image of NFL teams, and to keep football targeted towards men—the NFL’s main audience.

Debra Katz, a Washington lawyer who has been tackling sexual harassment cases for three decades, explains how nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) support a cycle of secrecy about harassment and assault cases within cheerleading. An NDA is a contract by which one or more parties agree not to disclose confidential information that they have shared with each other as a necessary part of doing business together.

“When employees with little power sign [NDAs], it creates an environment where sexual harassment or improper pay can proceed because people are fearful of speaking out,” Katz said. “Anytime you have a profession or an industry where sexual harassment can be anticipated, putting someone under an NDA is designed to clearly protect the image and the team.”

While cheerleaders are left to navigate social situations at games without support of the handbook and silencing factors such as NDAs, similar navigation also occurs outside of the football realm. Calendar photoshoots are one of the many “uncomfortable” situations NFL cheerleaders endure.

Five former Redskins cheerleaders spoke anonymously to The New York Times in May 2018 about what they called an environment of sexual harassment and

intimidation on the job. These cheerleaders participated in a calendar photoshoot in Costa Rica, where some women were required to pose topless, and other women told to wear nothing but body paint. This created a hostile work environment for the women, as they were being used as objectified models, not cheerleaders. They were being forced to pose in the nude for the titillation of male fans who use football as an excuse for the sexual exploitation of cheerleaders.

While more legal protection should defend the rights of cheerleaders, opposing individuals may argue that these women are choosing to be cheerleaders and will inevitably be subjected to sexual harassment and groping. If cheerleaders are complaining about the sexualized culture, why are they still cheerleading for the NFL? According to Time, the NFL requires cheerleaders to have full-time jobs outside of cheerleading, including motherhood or being a student in college. They are not pursuing the job for the money, and it is not their choice to be a part of a misogynistic culture. Cheerleading was never intended to disrespect or objectify women. In fact, in 1898, when organized cheerleading was created by a male student at University of Minnesota, it was originally a squad of six male students in an attempt to support their football team. Eventually, in 1923, women were permitted to participate in cheerleading, according to Varsity Spirit. Men were the world’s first American football cheerleaders. Cheerleading was never intended to permit explicit sexual harassment or assault towards women. It is not a cheerleader’s choice to be a part of this culture.

They signed up for this job because of their talent and enjoyment of cheer, not objectification.

Cheerleaders are the promoters of their sports teams.

They are a key marketing tool for the athletics programs they support, and they create the community patriotism we call “school spirit” or “team pride.” Cheerleaders are also extremely talented women who happen to be treated unfairly. It is the role of fans, the rest of society and the NFL to change this aspect of cheerleading and to make sure cheerleaders are respected for what they are worth.

broesler@redwoodbark.org

Page 5 • Opinion

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bark

We need to learn to dislike the like button Story and Illustration by Ryo Weng We now live in a day and age where the term “metrics” has taken on a whole new meaning. The dictionary definition of “metrics” is “a standard of measurement,” according to Merriam-Webster. However, in today’s current society, this word is being used to describe the merits of someone’s social media account. These achievements refer to the number of followers and friends, likes and retweets.

These seemingly meaningless numbers have risen to dominate and control our lives.

American rapper and social media influencer Kanye West posted a tweet on Sept. 20 expressing his opinion regarding how social media platforms should offer the option to hide an account’s metrics. The public responded in many ways, including West’s wife, Kim Kardashian, agreeing with West by tweeting, “Amen to this!” “[Metrics have] an intense negative impact on our self worth,” West tweeted.

According to PageSix, a celebrity news outlet operated by the New York Post, West deleted all social media including his Instagram and Twitter accounts two weeks after posting this tweet. With West removing his presence from the internet, he is pushing for social change, starting with giving social media users the option to hide their metrics. This flexibility would greatly reduce the stresses associated with social media such as maintaining a certain amount of followers or generating enough likes on a post.

Social media has evolved in playing a bigger role than simply providing entertainment for the public. What once was a fun way to share pictures and communicate has transformed into a competition of who can get more likes and gain the most followers.

According to a recent self-reported survey conducted by the Bark, 50 percent of students said that they cared about the amount of likes they receive on any given

post. Not only does this create a false sense of reality, which affects our selfworth, but it is also driving the addiction and unhealthy habits that come with social media.

While social media is meant to connect people f r o m around the world, a r e c e n t Cosmopolitan study has actually proven the opposite.

According to Cosmopolitan, people who spend more than two hours on social media a day significantly increase their chances of feeling socially isolated, rather than feeling closer to peers.

The whole system behind giving and receiving likes is rather trivial. There is no real thought that goes into liking someone’s post, yet such a small gesture has a major effect on the receiving end. By offering the option to hide the number of likes a post generates, this concern would be eliminated altogether. The border between receiving a compliment in person and a stranger double tapping their screen has blended together to alter the way people receive praise.

As a user of social media myself, I am familiar with the content uploaded online.

From snaps relaxing by the pool to aerial pictures of expensive dinners in the city, people only show the highlights of their life. This sets the bar high, and for people who are not as privileged, seeing these ideal fragments of a seemingly flawless

life may lower esteem. With how easy uploading

t h e i r self-

content is, users can filter out and selectively choose which moments to post, often portraying their life to be different than their reality. This becomes m o r e prominent w i t h younger crowds absorbing t h e s e practices from early on, instilling unrealistic expectations of life in forthcoming generations.

Platforms such as Twitter and Facebook have become aware of the effects of having these metrics on public display, and have created demetricators to address the situation. These extensions give users the option to hide their metrics.

Having this option on social media isolates the content and disregards what other people have thought about the post, prompting their own genuine reflection.

Additionally, VSCO (Visual Supply Company) is an application where users can upload pictures without worrying about the number of likes they receive.

It focuses the attention on the actual content of the post, discarding any societal pressure that comes with meeting certain standards. Unlike other conventional social media apps, VSCO is headed in the right direction, as users are free to enjoy their feed without the distractions of an account’s metrics.

Opposing views claim that showing the number of followers of an account credibilizes a post. For example, a news outlet would be more appealing to someone if they had a high number of followers.

While this may be true, people should not resort to social media for their daily news

intake. Users scrolling through Twitter and Instagram should not be expecting sufficient news reports, especially since we live in an era where misleading news is prevalent. Going to a publication’s actual site and reading an article is a viable way of receiving news.

Additionally, those who are satisfied with the number of likes their posts generate are boosted by false confidence.

Likes do not matter in reality; they will never provide an honest indication of a person’s true character and values. This false confidence obstructs the pathway between what is real and virtual.

Due to likes and followers being visible to the public, there are people who are trying to “seek validation” in a virtual world where none of that matters. This supports West’s thinking that metrics are translating into how people truly value themselves, and is why many companies have taken the initiative to hide metrics.

According to NBC News, a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed there to be increasing suicide rates, with reason to believe are the drawbacks of social media.

Every so often, I hear about someone deleting their social media accounts.

Whether the motivation may be to take a break from the virtual world, or to step back from the mental stress associated with social media, it is clear that metrics have found a way to affect our presence online, as well as in the real world.

Social media platforms should offer the option to de-metrify accounts to appeal to those who strive for untainted and genuine content. The number of likes, followers and friends have clustered together in a flurry, distracting users from the real purpose of social media. These metrics force users into a virtual simulation, competing for useless titles, altering their value of selfworth.

rweng@redwoodbark.org

It’s time to start putting the ‘PC’ back into ‘respect’ Story and Illustration by Lily Baldwin Earlier this year, I met one of my sister’s friends: a hilarious, kind person with a particular love for stand-up comedy and small cats. They happened to be gender nonconforming and, with a smile and tired expression as if they’d done this a million times before, simply informed me that they go by gender-neutral pronouns (they, them).

As a 17-year-old raised in California who has witnessed the growth of Generation Z into a culture of nearly unconditional acceptance for all identities, the concept of calling this person by their preferred pronouns wasn’t even a concept; it was just a natural reaction for me take in the information and move on. Yes, it was a conscious change I made to the way I addressed them, but it took minimal effort and time on my part.

Political correctness has always been a controversial subject, but in the last two years, the topic has been thrown into the fires of debate. Donald Trump was quoted at one of his rallies as saying, “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I’ve been challenged by so many people, and I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either.” His statement resulted in roaring cheers from his supporters, shouting in agreement that it was time to put aside the oppressive, time-wasting concept of basic respect towards others.

Who has time for that anyway?

Here’s the catch when it comes to political correctness: despite its name, the idea has very little to do with politics.

Merriam-Webster defines being politically correct as “agreeing with the idea that people should be careful not to use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.” Additionally, the Oxford Research Encyclopedia cites political correctness as “the encouragement of more multicultural perspectives.” There is nothing about red, blue or green parties in the definition of political correctness. There is only the idea that people should be respectful with the words they use so as not to harm others with exclusivity, and even more, expand their abilities to consider life from different perspectives.

In a study conducted in 2014 at Cornell University, groups of students worked together for 10 minutes to brainstorm new business ideas. One group was given a set of politically correct (PC) norms to consider as they discussed with one another, such as avoiding sexist language and racist comments, while they interacted, a n d another was not.

The g r o u p

who had addressed the PC norms ahead of the work time produced more new business ideas.

Additionally, the conversations held within this group produced more creative thinking and showed more cooperation between participants.

Reminding oneself how to be appropriate in any setting allows us to interact with one another without hesitation.

There is comfort in knowing that there is existing mutual respect.

Despite the term ‘political correctness’ becoming a commonly used dirty word in politics, there seems to be some misconceptions surrounding what it means to be politically correct. No one is required by law to call someone by their preferred pronouns. No one will be carted off to county jail for calling Native Americans

“Indians.” You won’t be fined for speaking outwardly about your opinions on feminism. But your choice of words does reflect your character, and your idea of ‘free speech’ might be making people around you incredibly uncomfortable.

It’s true that everyone has a right to speak their minds, but as with anything, there will always be a reaction to your action. If one chooses to use language that could be seen as hateful or exclusionary, they must be prepared for the reaction they may receive. Some self-proclaimed advocates for free speech disagree, however, such as Milo Yiannopoulos, an alt-right figurehead who believes political correctness is a tactic to silence those with unpopular opinion. “[Political correctness] always shows up as a series of actions designed, to this observer, to crush the souls of those blessed with common sense,” Yiannopoulos said in a 2016 article for Breitbart News.

The social pressure one feels to use language carefully to avoid offending others is not oppression. That pressure is not a political weapon conjured up by the liberal party. The backlash one faces for using offensive language is merely a reaction people have, and it is their right to react to speech they find hateful.

To put it simply: the basis of political correctness is respect for others, not the suppression of one’s beliefs about the choices other people make. Feel free to disagree with what others do; it is your constitutional right to speak your mind and voice your opinions on any matter.

However, be mindful that while you have the legal freedom to be as outspoken as you want, you could very well be hurting people from all reaches of life; family, friends, classmates and other members of your community all have circumstances that you may be unaware of, so it’s important to be sensitive to how your language may affect them. Speaking as someone who wants only to support others who are merely living their lives, I choose to respect them and use language that reflects my respect. lbaldwin@redwoodbark.org

October 26, 2018 bark Page 6 • Opinion It’s getting hot in here: Environmental Science key to modern education

By Sydney Hilbush According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the 21st century has seen the most temperature records broken in recorded history. Since 2008, over 21.5 million people have been forcibly displaced due to climate change. Global flooding could triple by 2030. More than one million species face potential extinction as a result of disappearing habitats, changing ecosystems and acidifying oceans, as predicted by the NWF. More greenhouse gases are in our atmosphere than any time in human history.

Earth could warm by six degrees fahrenheit from current temperatures by the end of this century.

It takes a simple Google search to understand the trajectory of our climate and our planet. As a result of global warming, the human race now faces a 1-in-20 extinction probability by the year 2100, according to The New York Times.

We are currently living in a period of extreme cruciality in altering the course of irreversible climate change. Our generation will determine the possibility of our grandkids inheriting an uninhabitable climate. It is essential that current and future generations of students receive a concrete understanding of their own environmental implications before high school graduation; however, currently only 20 percent of Redwood seniors and juniors are enrolled in AP Environmental Science (APES), Redwood’s only course solely dedicated to environmental science, according to principal David Sondheim.

While there are innumerable ways that our future citizens may decide to respond to environmental challenges, we have an obligation to prepare them in making those decisions. One step in that direction is to provide all high school students with a fundamental understanding of how environmental systems function and how human activities depend upon and impact those systems, which is why environmental science should be a required core curriculum class for high schoolers.

If exploitation of natural resources continues at its current pace, the current generation of school age children will experience unparalleled degradation of the natural environment and loss of biodiversity. Although Earth is predicted to warm by six degrees by the end of this century, any increased warming from current temperatures will bring catastrophic consequences. For example, at four degree warming, the deadly European heat wave of 2003—which killed as many as 2,000 people a day—will be a normal summer, according to Intelligencer Magazine.

Students must be educated in order to make

environmentally conscious decisions to save the future of the planet, as current misinformation of climate change on a global scale understresses the importance of climater e l a t e d issues.

A 2014 Yale study f o u n d that 35 percent of Americans b e l i e v e that global warming is caused mostly by natural phenomena rather than human activity, and 34 percent think there is much

Illustration by Spencer Ferguson disagreement a m o n g scientists about whether global warming is even happening.

In reality, 97 percent of scientists agree on the basis of climate change, according to The New York Times.

Data gathered by Horizon Research, Inc. as part of the National Survey in Mathematics and Science Education, show that between 1993 and 2000, the percentage of high schools teaching environmental science increased from 24 percent to 39 percent. Over the last decade, the number of high school students enrolled in the AP Environmental Science course has risen 426 percent nationwide, according to the College Board. However, enrollment in APES at Redwood has only increased 2 percent over the

past two years, according to Sondheim.

Students are already taking the initiative to enroll in environmental science classes nationwide; however, not all students are presented with the opportunity to take such a course or hold freedom in their schedule to take an elective science class. Although freshman and sophomore science classes at Redwood include environmental-related curriculum, APES is the only science course that provides students with a fundamental and in-depth understanding of our environment and human impact. Redwood is not alone in this regard; in fact, only one state, North Carolina, requires a year-long Earth/Environmental Science course for high school graduation, according to the State Board of Education.

As a Redwood student, I know the difficulties of “perfecting” my schedule—making room for AP and Honors classes, fulfilling UC A-G requirements, incorporating required curriculum, such as history courses, while simultaneously finding time to blend my interests into my schedule and not overloading my course load. Although I am fortunate enough to take APES as a senior this year, many of my friends have not been afforded the same luxury in schedule availability. As a result, many of my friends will leave Redwood without a fundamental, in-depth understanding of environmental science crucial for tackling future environmental implications.

Incorporating the requirement of environmental science into high school curriculum will provide an opportunity for the entire student body, regardless of schedule complications, to enroll in the class and receive a concrete understanding of our effect on the environment and future environmental deterioration that will be faced without immediate environmental action and policy change.

Students today stand to inherit a climate severely impacted by global warming and environmental degradation. The ability of future generations to save our planet from climate catastrophe depends on the knowledge of current and future individuals to mitigate environmental problems and create tangible change through environmentally sustainable practices and legislation. One classroom isn’t enough to solve climate change. We must teach our future citizens about solving climate change before time runs out.

shilbush@redwoodbark.org

It’s a company’s responsibility to stand for what is right Story and Illustration by Grace Bouton Fifty years ago, a company taking a stance on political issues would result in a public relations nightmare as well as a decrease in sales. However, today we live in a country where a new generation of people demand transparency not only from politicians but also private institutions, where almost every sector of our lives from the movie industry to the National Football League has some political meaning. Therefore, it is in the best interest of companies as well as their responsibility to the consumer to take stances on political issues of importance.

This political shift in companies such as Nike, Starbucks and Ben and Jerry’s originated from a shift in the consumer.

According to a 2015 study by Cone Communications, 91 percent of millennials now say they would s w i t c h b r a n d s to one associated with a cause, while 59 percent believe CEOs and h i g h e r executives should be involved with social and political problems according to a survey by Sprout Social.

As consumers have become aware of

the donations and support that large corporations have given to political institutions and candidates, they have started to view each dollar spent not just as a trip to the coffee shop or on a new pair of shoes, but also as financial support to a set of values. This altered consumer mentality is fostered in our capitalist market which places the burden on companies as opposed to consumers, preventing American companies from attempting to continue walking the middle ground.

Many may argue that by taking a side with controversial issues such as abortion or the recent NFL kneeling protests, companies are eliminating a whole demographic of consumers, who disagree with their views, unnecessarily. However, in the age of polarized politics and values, attempting to please all consumers has become impractical, which has ensured greater financial losses for companies who tried to remain silent as opposed to those who choose to speak up.

F o r example, N i k e recently released an ad for their 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign, featuring ex-San Francisco 49ers

By mindlessly buying products whether those companies align with our values our not, we are slowly diminishing our voice as a citizen in the doings of the government.

quarterback and political activist Colin Kaepernick. Many took to social media to show their disapproval of the ad by burning their Nike attire, while others questioned Nike’s decision to make such a political statement on an issue that has already divided the country.

However, since the Kaepernick ad was released Nike’s stock has reached its alltime high of $83.47, and their online sales have increased by 31 percent since the day after the ad premiered. According to a Quinnipiac University poll, 67 percent of people ages 18-34 approve of the ad. This rise in sales and approval of the younger Americans demonstrates the connection between the altered consumer state of mind in the more politically active generations and the financial benefits of companies that take stands on issues no matter how controversial.

Creamy “mint chocolate chunk” Breyers ice cream has been my favorite for years. However, after I recently discovered the support that Ben and Jerry’s gives the LGBTQ community, highlighted in their “ I dough, I dough” flavor released after gay marriage was legalized, I abandoned my childhood favorite, whose company stayed silent on political issues, and decided to think politically and ethically, even when it came to ice cream. This shift in consumer mentality across the rising generations is about more than just choosing one brand or the other, it speaks to the broader issue of consumer spending influencing our country’s politics. By mindlessly buying products whether those companies align with our values our not, we are slowly diminishing our voice as a citizen in the doings of the government. Therefore,

just as information about candidates, legislature and voting are American rights, the knowledge of corporations’ values is just important as a right. The message we send while buying ice cream is just as significant as when we punch a ballot.

gbouton@redwoodbark.org

Page 7 • Opinion

www.redwoodbark.org

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Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org Editors-In-Chief Lily Baldwin Neva Legallet Saamya Mungamuru Emily Sweet Head Copy Editor Sydney Hilbush Illustration by Lily Baldwin

editorial Maintaining moral standards through marketing “Like selling candy to a baby”

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

In the late 1990s, The New York Times published an article addressing concerns with Camel Cigarettes’ advertising campaigns, suggesting that using a cartoon camel encouraged underage smokers to use their product. Now, advertising methods are more sophisticated, and the phenomenon of drug and alcohol companies advertising to questionably young audiences is even more nuanced.

Some companies in these industries have strayed from appropriate marketing strategies as teenage consumers offer increasing profitability. As marketing through social media has evolved and disproportionately targeted an underage generation, companies must bear culpability for their influence on young users and maintain stricter focus on their target audience.

In early September, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called JUUL vaping “an epidemic,” warning manufacturers of a potential ban on e-cigarettes if producers continue to advertise to “inappropriate” audiences.

Although the JUUL was originally created with the goal of offering a healthier alternative for consuming nicotine to adult smokers, JUUL’s mismarketing, characterized by its colorful, flavorful pods and their presence on social media, has led to an increase in younger users.

According to the Tobacco-Free Kids survey, major tobacco companies spend $9.5 billion per year—nearly $26 million per day—to promote their products. Many of their marketing efforts directly influence youth, including students from the Redwood community.

According to a survey by Tobacco Use Prevention Educators, a Redwood student-run organization that educates underclassmen on tobacco use, 42 percent of freshman reported using JUULs within the past year.

The popularity of illicit substances among underage users is compounded by the products’ promotion on social media platforms such as Instagram, an application that 76 percent of teenagers use actively, according to ScienceDaily. Across the platform, notorious accounts like ImShmacked, Banger Buddy and Barstool Sports promote underage consumption and abuse of nicotine and alcohol products by posting videos of teenagers using intoxicating substances.

These three accounts range between 800,000 and 5.6 million followers, with content geared towards high school and college students featuring graphic videos of excessive binge drinking, irresponsible drug use and other activities that glorify reckless behavior.

Not only is underage consumption prevalent on drug-and-alcohol oriented accounts, but so are blatant advertisements for accompanying accessories.

Colorful, customizable products such as JUUL sleeves are sold over Instagram, and sales are often aided by the endorsement of social media celebrities.

These advertisements give young viewers an outlet to purchase illegal products without a proper ID and A BARK to the upcoming midterm election night. Halloween might not be the scariest night of the year.

A BITE to all of the marijuana drifting up on beaches following the hurricanes. That’s a lot of seaweed!

A BARK to San Rafael High getting new lights for their football field.

It might not be Dillon, Texas, but Friday Night Lights have finally returned to the MCAL. A BITE to Steve Penny, the former president of USA Gymnastics, for meddling in the Nassar trial. Maybe he thought evidence was flexible.

A BARK to the grandmothers who provide free therapy at a bench in Zimbabwe. That’s not a “babwe” but

offer significant discounts as an incentive.

According to a 2016 report by Johnson and Wales University, marketing companies direct their advertisements at students because of their vulnerability and willingness to experiment. Preying on teenagers is clear manipulation of the sensitive teenage psyche. Arguably, teenagers are capable of making their own decisions. However, we are not yet fully prepared to make conscious choices about how to regulate our intake of harmful substances: there is a reason we cannot vote—or legally buy alcohol and tobacco products. Our developing sense of actions and consequences must be taken into account by firms who utilize predatory marketing practices for the health and safety of the next generation.

JUUL serves as only one example of companies experiencing economic growth as a result of marketing to teenagers, and is one of few actually facing legal consequences. However, James Monsees, CEO of JUUL, has vehemently denied any intent to target youth.

In the wake of backlash over marketing strategies, JUUL has begun to alter their approach. Originally advertising with fresh-faced, youthful models, the company has adapted to an older crowd, featuring former smokers who have switched to JUUL. They have pledged an investment of $30 million for research and community engagement, and developed a team to combat illegal online sales. While these seem like sincere efforts, these measures are merely superficial attempts to appease the FDA and improve public standing. Cursory actions cannot amend the harm done; a significant shift in moral values must occur.

Marketing techniques have drastically changed over time as more companies are advertising their products through social media platforms, which target youth and use cheap, persuasive advertising to garner them customers for life. Monetary gain aside, companies must carry out socially responsible investing by making moral decisions in choosing their target demographic and support a world in which producers and consumers have a healthy relationship. Companies that leave a population especially vulnerable to underage consumption are refusing to meet our demand for a higher standard of morals, putting young consumers at risk every day.

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

a “goodwe” to help the community.

A BITE to the guy that was swimming naked in the Toronto aquarium. That’s not what the kids meant when they said they wanted to see a water snake.

A BARK to Canada legalizing marijuana. Are we sure that’s a maple leaf on the flag?

A BITE to Kanye delaying his album “Yandhi.” We knew it was “Bound 2” happen.

A BARK to Patrick Mahomes for his outstanding start to the season. His voice sounds like Kermit the Frog’s but he is TOADally killing it out there.

A BITE to the LA man who is

stealing Halloween decorations from people’s front yards. Time to give him the boo-t.

A BARK to to the announcement of high-end Mexican food restaurant Flores coming to Corte Madera. Cool beans.

A BITE to Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson for breaking up. Looks like she has got one less problem without him.

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

Copy Editors Maria Alexander Mikaela Beberman Drake Goodman Sabine Lloyd Maddie Loebbaka Justin Newhard Ryo Weng News Editors Audrey Hettleman Katherine Muller Opinion Editors Lauren Steele Sam Warren Feature Editors Natalie Cerf Josephine Yee Sports Editors Jacob Klionsky Matt Smalbach Review Editors Sydney Steinberg Skylar Strotz Lifestyles Editors Melissa Block Eislyn Snyder Spanish Editor Julia Scharf Video Editors Harrison Segal Charlie Werner Business Manager Lucie James Social Media Manager Karl Somerville Survey Manager Aaron Kim Art Consultant Max Gilberg Web Developers Erin McCarthy Bennett Somerville Reporters Evelyn Bailey Ryan Bell Jack Benbow Grace Bouton Olivia Brekhus Emma Carpenter Nate Charles Taylor Charles Anna Compagno Garrett Cook Jenna Dahlin Alexa Erickson Shane Fricke Dean Griffin Emma Ingledew Alex Johnson Devon McClain Julia Merron Amanda Morse Sachi Nahas Jack Parsons Alexandra Polidora Bella Roesler Alix Salzer Morgan Salzer Meera Srinivasan Bennett Vasquez Sarah Young Adviser Lindsey Kornfeld

español

Página 8

Profesor introduce un único método de enseñanza

El método de enseñanza de TPRS ofrece un nuevo enfoque atractivo para el español Por Bennett Vasquez Mientras entras en la habitación de Alberto Aparicio, llama la atención la peculiar organización de los escritorios, todos orientados hacia el centro de la clase. Esta es la etapa de Aparicio, donde los estudiantes pueden desarrollar una comprensión más profunda del español en un ambiente de clase en colaboración. Las hojas de trabajo y los libros de texto se dejan a un lado en la clase de Aparicio, y se presentan sus métodos de narración y actuación.

Aparicio, un nuevo profesor de español en Redwood este año, utiliza una estrategia para involucrar a sus estudiantes llamada Dominio de la enseñanza a través de la lectura y la narración de cuentos (TPRS), una forma nueva e innovadora de enseñar idiomas extranjeros. En lugar de hacer hojas de trabajo para ampliar el conocimiento del español, el método TPRS utiliza más actividades de trabajo en grupo y representa escenas para comprender mejor lo que están aprendiendo.

El método TPRS se basa en leer y contar historias con un enfoque natural. A diferencia de materias como matemáticas, donde es imperativo dominar cada nivel para progresar a un contenido más riguroso, el método TPRS comienza con la lectura y luego se sumerge en los conceptos complejos y el vocabulario en las etapas Foto por Bennett Vasquez AL HABLAR CON sus estudiantes, el Sr. Aparicio explica un proyecto. Utiliza técnicas de TPRS para mantener a los superiores.

Aunque muchos maestros de español en Redwood estudiantes comprometidos en su trabajo. usan TPRS como herramienta educativa, la mayoría utiliza repetición y hacer preguntas. Cuando un bebé aprende un Otro aspecto de TPRS es leer y traducir. Los métodos de enseñanza tradicionales como su principal idioma, ¿cómo aprenden? A través de la repetición, sus estudiantes traducen los libros que leen del español al forma de instrucción. La libertad de usar el método TPRS padres les dicen muchas palabras, mucha información, inglés y viceversa para solidificar la comprensión. A en Redwood fue uno de los factores que Aparicio tuvo en muchos comentarios sobre el lenguaje y comienzan través de esta repetición, los estudiantes de Aparicio están cuenta cuando buscaba un trabajo de maestro. a procesarlo de forma natural, comenzando con la jugando con las diferentes reglas de la gramática mientras Antes de venir a América, Aparicio se graduó en comprensión,” dijo Aparicio. ganan confianza en sus habilidades para hablar español. comunicación y dirigió seminarios “[Los estudiantes] están haciendo muchas preguntas Para mantener profesionales para adultos, así como a su clase sobre la gramática, y esa es una actitud positiva porque también se especializó en normas c o m p r o m e t i d a , están notando cómo las palabras coinciden en español con internacionales. Hace cuatro años vino Aparicio usa a sus solo leer y escucharme y escucharse a sí mismos contando a los Estados Unidos y se convirtió en estudiantes como las historias,” dijo Aparicio. profesor de español en Lowell High Aunque TPRS es un método bastante nuevo, Aparicio actores y los usa School el año pasado. Allí terminó su para que se unan dice que ha observado un aumento sustancial en el uso de año de profesor y alumno, pero rara a ellos durante las TPRS en las escuelas. vez utilizó el método TPRS. “Hay muchas escuelas que aún enseñan gramática historias, como “Implementé TPRS de vez por ejemplo, “No tradicional, pero cada vez más escuelas están adaptando el en cuando, no todos los días, con me digas” o “Es método TPRS y las variaciones del método en un enfoque otras técnicas diferentes como natural porque es la forma en que [los estudiantes] lo maravilloso.” conversaciones de instrucción, “ [ L o s aprenden,” dijo Aparicio. trabajo en grupo, técnicas de lectura y La estudiante de primer año Kate McHugh está estudiantes] se gramática tradicional,” dijo Aparicio. ofrecen como inscrita en la clase de español 3-4 de Aparicio y tiene poca Aparicio comenzó a usar el método voluntarios porque experiencia con TPRS. Sin embargo, McHugh notó que ha TPRS a tiempo completo en Redwood les encanta [actuar], visto una mejora dramática en su español debido al nuevo porque su título en comunicaciones lo Alberto Aparicio, y actuamos en método de Aparicio. educó sobre el método. Aparicio ama un profesor de español “Me ayuda mucho porque puedo entender el diálogo medio de la clase el método porque todos los estudiantes sobre la historia ... y que los hispanohablantes usarían en la vida real, en lugar pueden aprender a través de TPRS y yo soy el director de de solo entender lo que significan las palabras,” dijo ofrece un enfoque natural para aprender un nuevo idioma. la obra, y si están luchando un poco por una frase o una McHugh.

“Es aprender un idioma a través de la lectura de palabra, Solo les estoy dando una pista,” dijo Aparicio.

McHugh ha comenzado a experimentar con sus conocimientos de español fuera del aula hablando en español con sus padres. Aunque sus padres solo tienen una comprensión mínima del idioma, a McHugh todavía le gusta mostrar sus nuevas habilidades.

“Siempre me gusta tener conversaciones cortas con mis padres, y ellos tratarán de entender lo que estoy tratando de decir. Creo que [TPRS] me hace sentir más cómodo al formar oraciones y encadenar palabras,” dijo McHugh.

La estudiante de primer año Sanah Keswani-Santiago

también está en la clase 3-4 de Aparicio y ha tenido

relativamente poca experiencia con TPRS en sus últimas clases de español, pero también ha notado los beneficios Linda Perrella, College Planning Consultant de este estilo de enseñanza.

“Se trata más de aprender un tema a través de experiencias como narraciones, canciones y novelas. Eso • Tutor for ACT/SAT • UCLA-certificated ha sido más efectivo que los métodos tradicionales,” dijo Keswani-Santiago.

• Member: NACAC, HECA, • Search for Colleges/Careers El método TPRS ha ayudado a Keswani-Santiago a WACAC sentirse más cómodo fuera de la escuela al conversar en español. Ya que ella está hablando constantemente en el • Help to Create Distinctive lugar del aula, también le ha facilitado hablar el idioma en Essays otros entornos.

“Si estás en una situación en la que tienes que hablar español en el lugar, y si tienes las habilidades de comprensión y hablas regularmente en tu clase en español, lindaperrella@comcast.net www.lindaperrella.com es más efectivo que la forma tradicional,” dijo KeswaniSantiago.

Office: 415.927.7944 Cell: 415.606.7521 Aparicio ha encontrado que TPRS es un método de enseñanza beneficioso y cree que el método aumentará en popularidad en el futuro.

Life is a journey, not a destination. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hay muchas escuelas que aún enseñan gramática tradicional, pero cada vez más escuelas están adaptando el método TPRS y las variaciones del método en un enfoque natural porque es la forma en que [los estudiantes] lo aprenden.

· ·

bvasquez@redwoodbark.org

feature

Page 9

Why so few? Investigating reasons behind the lack of women in STEM

By Drake Goodman

The lack of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields is pertinent around the country.

According to Forbes, women make up 27 percent of all computer science jobs and one in seven engineers are women. The underrepresentation of women in these fields is an especially glaring issue considering that women hold 60 percent of all bachelor degrees in the country.

In recent generations, there has been a cultural shift in the United States, encouraging more women to receive a college education and enter the workforce. According to Statista, the percent of women attending college from 1980 to today has risen from 13.6 percent to 34.6 percent.

So if women are attending college at a higher rate than men, why is the difference between women and men in the STEM fields so drastic?

Even at Redwood, the number of girls in Advanced Placement (AP) and honors science, math, computer science and engineering classes is much less than boys.

In all engineering classes, girls make up 14 percent of the students. Likewise, in AP Computer Science, that number is just 11 percent. In all AP Calculus classes, 38 percent of students are girls, and in Honors Physics girls make up just 26 percent of the class.

With this being said, the female population at Redwood exceeds the male population in other advanced classes. In AP English Composition and Language and AP English Composition and Literature, the female population is 65 percent and 71 percent, respectively. In addition, in Honors Spanish 7-8, girls make up 61 percent of the population.

Based on these numbers, it is apparent that women are taking advanced classes in general, but there is a definite lack of women taking advanced STEM classes. There are several reasons to explain this underrepresentation in fields that have long been dominated by men.

According to the Guardian, while students are influenced by being in a classroom with their same gender, the ultimate explanation for this phenomenon is that students stay away from classes if there is the belief that they cannot succeed. This mainly is caused by stereotypes, especially regarding women in STEM classes.

Junior Sarah Conant, who is taking AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science and Honors Biomedical Science, believes that females need to see representation in these

fields in order to look past this stereotype.

“The media needs to advertise more women in these fields because right now it is a fairly maledominated field, so including more women

through the media could entice them to join,” Conant said.

A study conducted by the American Association of University W o m e n found that when someone believes they cannot learn or succeed, that very thought actually inhibits their intellectual growth in any given subject.

Therefore, if girls are not encouraged to enter STEM fields from an early age, their likelihood of pursuing or succeeding in those fields is much lower.

According to Conant, she has always enjoyed science. In addition to her parents encouraging her to pursue her interests from an early age, she has had other influences as well.

“Growing up, I went to a lot of science-focused camps over the summer. They helped me get more involved in science because I wasn’t doing it just in school and was able to see the fun side of it,” Conant said. “I loved doing experiments and learning what happens at a closer level.

I think that by seeing those cool reactions, I found myself wanting to know how that happened.”

Conant believes that even though Marin has a more open culture surrounding females in the workplace and in education, she feels that some people are still surprised that she is taking so many advanced science classes.

“I can tell that some people are shocked that I am a girl taking these classes.

I think that if it is something you are interested in, then you should do it because it’s really about what you want and not what they want,” Conant said.

Jessica Crabtree, an AP Calculus AB and Honors Precalculus teacher, echoed similar sentiments as Conant.

According to Crabtree, some of the Redwood female math teachers have reached out to girls in order to encourage them to take honors or AP math classes, which has had positive results. She believes that in large part, it is our culture that restricts females from entering STEM fields.

“I think part of the problem is how we are raised as females is that we are rewarded for being quiet and for following all of the rules. We are told that in our culture, since the time we were little, that boys are energetic and a little rambunctious. The hidden message that girls get taught is that you are to be sweet, docile and cooperative,” Crabtree said. “Since the STEM fields have been dominated by men for so long, these values we are teaching girls are telling them to continue to not pursue STEM.” Crabtree said that if women stray away from this expectation, which is important if they want to be successful in STEM, they are criticized by society.

“Our culture teaches women the direct opposite of what they need to be in order to be a leader or in STEM,” Crabtree said. “If you change to be in that type of role, you will get slammed with the idea that you are mean and people are afraid of you. It really is that women who are confident, outspoken and smart receive constant negative

messages everywhere they go.”

Virginia Tusher, a researcher in biotechnology, interdisciplinary life sciences council member at Stanford and board member of the San Francisco Academy of Sciences, may have found one possible solution in bridging the gender gap in STEM fields: implementing a program at Bel Aire

Elementary School designed to encourage girls to take STEM courses.

“The goal of the program was to address the problem of the lack of time given by teachers, who have to cover so much, to science, especially since it wasn’t tested on. This program was so important because it’s still a challenge to get people to really understand what doing science is about,” Tusher said.

According t o Tusher, a group of mothers received training from the Academy of Sciences on how to teach the after-school program.

“Science is boring when you learn about it in textbooks. When I heard about this program that the Academy of Sciences had put together, just to do outdoors, hands-on and exploratory science, it wasn’t like we needed to hit this standard or that standard,” Tusher said. “It wasn’t about the tests, but learning for the joy of it. The purpose was to give students more opportunity for science instruction in a fun and hands-on way.” dgoodman@redwoodbark.org

Infographic by Drake Goodman

The Issue

In

the morning, it’s there to wake you up. It’s your morning pep talk. At times, it even accompanies you through long, boring lectures to keep you from dozing off. It motivates you to study for that big math test. When it’s not around, you grow irritable and your mind feels foggy. This is the relationship between caffeine and the average American teen.

+++

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that activates the brain and nervous system, prompting a boost of energy and alertness. According to the University of Michigan, caffeine can lead to a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure and diabetes. It can further aggravate existing health problems in teens such as heart disease and anxietyrelated disorders. Caffeine creates hyperactivity in the brain, which often leads to neurological effects such as tremors and heightened stress.

Senior Caroline Soja experienced the extreme effects of caffeine consumption first hand. For approximately a month, Soja had sporadic and severe migraines, characterized by loss of vision in her left eye and a form of paralysis in her muscles.

After a recent field hockey game, Soja’s migraines reached their height.

“Everyone thought I was having a stroke. My lip started chattering. I couldn’t move my top lip so I was slurring all my words,” Soja said. “I felt paralyzed and I couldn’t move my body.”

After a trip to the ER, she was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines, a rare form of migraine with similar symptoms to that of a stroke, including paralysis, headache, nausea and impaired vision. According to the American Migraine Association, caffeine is a common trigger for various forms of migraines. Soja’s migraines were dormant and were aggravated by an increased caffeine intake.

“I’m trying to manage college apps and maintain my grades. I’m also the captain for the field hockey team so I have to devote a lot of time to that, too,” Soja said. “I was drinking a lot of Yerba Mates to keep up with my schedule because I’ve been so tired.”

Soja said that caffeine is a stressor on the body, and warns teens to steer clear from abusing it.

According to Jonathan Hirsch, a psychology teacher with expertise on the developing teen brain, increased caffeine consumption can be directly linked to sleep deprivation rates.

“The whole issue of being sleep deprived is a relatively modern phenomenon. We haven’t evolved to deal with sleep deprivation. [Humans] haven’t evolved genes that tell us, ‘Stop what you’re doing and go to sleep,’” Hirsch said.

Sleep

Sleep deprivation can leave the brain in a stressed state that can be exacerbated by caffeine consumption. Because of the stressors put on the brain, less blood flows to the frontal cortex and its growth is stunted.

The excessive consumption of caffeine can disrupt key connections in the brain between transmitters. During adolescence,

while the brain is still forming and vulnerable, it has a large number of neural connections, which are rendered less efficient by caffeine.

Caffeine’s role in the lives of adolescents has evolved from a convenient aid to a functional necessity, as demonstrated by its usage among students. Sixty-six percent of Redwood students report consuming caffeinated beverages weekly, according to a recent self-reported Bark survey. This high level of consumption is compounded as caffeine is molded to fit the needs of our increasing high school workloads, according to Hirsch.

“As far as caffeine’s ability to create physical dependence, there is no debate there. If you’re drinking coffee or Yerba Mate every day you will develop a chemical dependency sooner or later,” Hirsch said.

Caffeinated beverages have grown in popularity among younger demographics.

According to the National Institute of Health and Medicine, energy drink sales have risen by 50 percent since 2005, making it the fastest growing beverage industry. At Redwood, Guayaki Yerba Mate in particular has become a staple in the lives of many students. Due to its high volume of caffeine and mild taste, the drink has become an alternative for those who don’t enjoy the bitter flavor of coffee.

Despite Guyaki’s all-natural marketing, Yerba Mate contains approximately 150 mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent to about two cups of black coffee.

Some students appreciate the convenience of caffeinated beverages when keeping up with the fast-paced day. With a busy schedule to upkeep, lost hours of sleep are often compensated with artificial sources of energy.

Junior Tatum Shaver finds herself dependent on caffeine.

“Sophomore year, I used to have a large can of Yerba Mate [and] a latte every day, and I would usually get a [caffeinated] drink at lunch,” Shaver said.

Shaver said that caffeine is a constant in her daily life and that it’s become a necessity for day-to-day tasks.

“Going to school without caffeine would b e nearly impossible for me now because I’m so used to it and so dependent on it. If I go a day without caffeine, I’ll get a huge headache,” Shaver said.

The manner in which caffeinated beverages are marketed has evolved to cater to a younger audience. Packaging has developed into colorful cans featuring

sports, video games, pop culture references and characters, designed to entice younger demographics. According to the National Council of Strength and Fitness, some marketing teams such as Spark, an energy drink company, have made the diameter of the can smaller to comfortably fit in a smaller grip. Plastered in bright purple letters across Spark’s website is their motto: “Transform your day, delivering energy a n d

enhanced m e n t a l f o c u s s i n c e 1 9 9 4 , ” easily misinterpreted as a healthy source of convenient energy to boost workouts and increase mental efficiency.

According to Hirsch, marketing teams are largely aware of the importance of reaching young consumers.

“These companies, whether it’s Starbucks or Peet’s or whoever, know that whatever brand [teens] start drinking, you’re more likely to keep drinking for the next 25 to 50 years,” Hirsch said.

“Absolutely they’re going to market to teenagers.

From a purely marketing and economic p o i n t - o f - v i e w, they’d be stupid not to.”

Finding loopholes in loose regulations, energy drink companies, such as Monster, make the drinks appear deceivingly nutritional, labeling them as “zero calories” or “naturally flavored.”

“The ‘natural’

binge drinking culture.

Caffeine enhances the effects of alcohol by suppressing its sedativity, which in turn prolongs intoxication and increases the risk of alcohol poisoning.

According to Scientific American, alcohol and caffeine both interfere with dopamine production, a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and emotional response. This obstruction can temporarily mask the effects of alcohol.

According to Catherine Miller, a specialist in Adolescent Medicine working with clinics at Stanford and Michigan, mixing the substances can result in higher blood-alcohol levels, leading to serious health impacts. Miller said she’s alarmed by the number of alcohol and caffeine related incidents that have come through her hospital doors.

“I have seen caffeine use in patients high enough to necessitate consulting poison control. I’ve had to put patients in the hospital a few times because of caffeine-related cardiac or neurological toxicity,” Miller said.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, from 2005 to 2011, energy drinkrelated emergency room visits rose from 1,494 to 20,783.

As good of a “friend” as it may seem, caffeine dependence is a proven toxic relationship and the source of many health problems. Caffeine alters the brain’s chemistry so that we need it when it’s not around.

It encourages bad decisionmaking by intensifying and prolonging the effects of alcohol. It manipulates us to be attracted to it with flashy first impressions. Caffeine is a drug that has nestled its way into our youth culture as a social norm.

Illustrations by Piper Tonne and Eloisa Costa

claim is misconceiving,” Hirsch said. “Opium is natural. Cyanide is natural. Natural is a highly overrated rationalization for the use of any substance. Natural does not mean we have evolved to metabolize it.”

Intoxication

The brain has not evolved to metabolize other substances, such as alcohol, and mixing it with caffeine has integrated into

Infographic by Charlie Werner

jdahlin@redwoodbark.org

bark

Page 12 • Feature

October 26, 2018

MT. TAM

How local organizations are preserving Marin’s prized beauty

By Meera Srinivasan Watching the sun set over the Bay Area from Mount Tamalpais’ Bolinas Ridge is an experience often reserved for Marin residents who know the mountain’s coveted spots. Just a few miles from the high-stress, crowded city of San Francisco, Mount Tamalpais (Tam) is a place of solace and quiet. Overlooking Mill Valley, Mount Tam is, in many ways, the heart and soul of Marin County. In recent years, Mount Tam has experienced threats to its diverse ecosystems as a result of climate change, forest fires and man-made construction. In an effort to restore the health of Marin’s cherished terrain, the Tamalpais Land Collaborative and many other community organizations have come together to maintain the mountain’s condition.

According to Gary Yost’s documentary, “The Invisible Peak,” for nearly 5,000 years, long before the colonization of America, M o u n t Ta m a l p a i s sheltered t h e indigenous peoples of the Pacific Coast. Not only was the mountain a source of food and water, but it had a spiritual importance that unequivocally tied the natives to its ecosystems.

Respect for the mountain and its natural resources continued with the development of Marin County where hiking and the outdoors became a quintessential part of the area. Even today, Fairfax and Mill Valley are centered around the mountain, with many local businesses thriving off of the 2.7 million visitors that come to Tamalpais each year, according to the Marin Municipal Water District Census.

As displayed in the documentary, peaceful coexistence with the mountain did not last long. With the U.S. involvement in the Cold War, the government soon made Mount Tam a lookout point for nuclear missiles and incoming planes. As a result, half a million cubic yards of the mountain’s west peak were destroyed to make room for new military bases and a large radar.

These military operations have had long-lasting and devastating repercussions on Tam’s surrounding wildlife. After the end of the Cold War, the concrete buildings were abandoned and West Peak was left in ruins.

In the fall of 1989, the Dalai Lama visited the peak of Mount Tam and reignited the spirits of Marin residents who felt helpless in restoring their favorite location.

With a newfound energy, the Tam Conservation Club began projects to rehabilitate the mountain. Within a few decades, the protection of Mount Tamalpais would become the primary focus of over a dozen local organizations.

One Tam, an initiative of the Tamalpais Lands Collaborative, was founded in 2014 and pools the

resources of these local organizations to more effectively tackle some of Tam’s most pressing issues.

Lisette Arellano, One Tam’s Community Science Manager, expressed that One Tam has allowed her to give back in a meaningful way.

“I am excited to be contributing and connecting people to a land that gave so much to me when I was younger,” Arellano said, adding that community projects like these help build unity and promote the mountain’s wildlife.

Data is a vital part of the process when it comes to rehabilitating the mountain according to Monica Stafford, the Community Ambassador Program Director for One Tam. Stafford said the lack of research prior to One Tam’s establishment had contributed to a less effective management of Tam. “One Tam was created with the intention to manage the mountain more holistically and intelligently,” Stafford said.

“Not enough information was available on things like pollinators or Coho Salmon populations which are essential to the m o u n t a i n ’s health.”

As one of its ongoing projects, One Tam has initiated a study on the pollinators of Mount Tam by working with Marin residents to create a database of bees. With over 500 bee species present on the mountain, according to Dr. Arellano, the organization has been able to determine how to tackle the rehabilitation of plants in some of the most endangered ecosystems.

In addition to smaller, community-based projects, One Tam has published extensive research-based reports on the mountain’s health to aid scientists in efforts of rehabilitation. According to the collaborative’s website, OneTam.org, One Tam now has the continent’s largest array of wildlife cameras that produce more than one million images of Tam’s mammals, contributing to an even more accurate system for researching how to help the mountain.

With access to research about Tam’s health, thanks to years of community collaboration, state officials and local organizations are now actively working to help preserve some of the mountain’s most beautiful features.

One of the most daunting and immediate threats to Tam is the possibility of forest fires, according to Stafford. Like many forests in California, Tam’s woodlands are adapted for the possibility of fires. However, man-controlled fire suppression has created an even more threatening situation for the mountain.

“Right now, the decades of fire suppression threaten some of Tam’s ecosystems,” Stafford said, “When a forest hasn’t experienced a fire in so long, a new fire is more dangerous as it can burn faster and is almost 10 times stronger.”

Stafford noted that the mountain’s ecosystems, which haven’t experienced a large forest fire in nearly 80 years, may not be able to regrow if a new, stronger fire erupts.

According to One Tam’s 2016 report on Mount Tam’s health, it may be more prone to forest fires because of climate change trends that predict hotter, drier environments. This poses the question: how does one protect Marin’s property if forest fires are needed to support its wildlife? It’s a delicate balance that local organizations have wrestled with for years.

Problems like these have arisen over the past few decades, alarming scientists and residents alike.

One Tam has tackled these issues through researchbased initiatives that incorporate the community into its efforts. The reliance on Mount Tam by Marin’s culture and economy has prompted One Tam’s goals of rehabilitating t h e mountain to its original health and restoring the heart of Marin.

S u c h a Sudarsanam, a resident in Greenbrae since 1999, feels that the mountain is an integral part of his life in Marin.

“I’ve lived here for 20 years and mountain bike on Tam almost every day,” Sudarsanam said. “Without this mountain, I probably wouldn’t have stayed here for as long as I have.”

Sudarsanam’s connection to Mount Tamalpais is not unique; many Marin residents live in the area due to the proximity of the mountain. Local businesses such as Caesar’s Bike Shop in San Anselmo rely on Tamalpais bikers for their business. Without the mountain, communities’ local shops wouldn’t thrive like they do today.

Bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars per year to Marin County, according to Stafford, Tamalpais is an integral part of the local economy. The money that is brought into Marin is circulated through school districts and goes towards maintaining the pristine parks found in the county. The homes in Greenbrae and the Kentfield Woodlands, which are known for their views of the mountain, draw buyers every year specifically for their views of nature.

Impactful as it already is, One Tam’s efforts will truly shine in the near future as more scientists evaluate the mountain’s ever-changing landscapes and evolution. In the meantime, high school students can get involved by volunteering for One Tam or through an eight-week paid internship during the summer. msrinivasan@redwoodbark.org

bark Gender and the Redwood sports program: a closer look into Title IX Page 13 • Feature

www.redwoodbark.org

By Sydney Steinberg On a concealed page of the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) website are the guidelines, rules and procedures to protect students, teachers and administrators against sex-based discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act, more commonly referred to as Title IX. According to the TUHSD website, Title IX “prohibits sex-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities, including athletic programs.” At Redwood, Title IX is most commonly related to harassment incidents, and is less acknowledged as pertaining to athletics.

Before the implementation of Title IX in 1972, the climate for female athletes largely contrasted its present state. According to The Atlantic, in 1971, only 294,000 girls played high school sports compared to over 3.2 million in 2011. The jurisdiction of Title IX has also been expanded by the Civil Rights Restoration Act in 1988 and the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act in 1994. At Redwood, an increase in female sports participation has been exemplified by the addition of female golf, freshman basketball and field hockey teams.

In addition, Redwood also allows girls to play male-specific sports such as football, although according to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) records this has never occurred.

According to Wesley Cedros, the district’s Senior Director of Student Services and one of two Title IX coordinators, TUHSD has received few to no Title IX violations related to athletics.

Although TUHSD may have never

violated Title IX, male sports receive more funding than female sports every year. Title IX does not require female and male sports to receive the same amount of money; however, it does require equal treatment and benefits. It is debatable whether the large gap between male and female sports funding is resulting in equal benefits.

Cedros believes that a larger portion of the athletic department’s budget may go to male sports because sports such as football are more expensive to run.

According to Athletic Director Jessica Peisch, football protective equipment such as helmets and shoulder pads need to be reconditioned every year to comply with CIF rules. This process is expensive and requires the equipment to be analyzed at a lab, after which the majority are deemed unusable and new equipment is purchased.

Because of this, football is the most expensive Redwood sport.

“If we’re looking at the overall amount spent on boys sports and the overall amount spent on female sports, its going to be really hard to have those numbers be completely equal as long as football is in the equation,” Cedros said.

“If we’re looking at the same sports, [male and female], those amounts that are spent should be pretty equal, and to my knowledge they are.”

The athletic department has a tight budget and is only able to fund items necessary to play each game. According to Peisch, these necessities include officials, league dues, section dues, CIF dues and equipment required to play games.

The department relies on Benchwarmers, a committee within the Redwood Foundation, to fund items not covered by the athletic budget that are deemed worthwhile. This includes anything from matching warm-up outfits, to bus rides to out of county non-league games.

“Our [athletic budget] goes to

Rise of AI and robotics raises concerns about future job stability

By Eislyn Snyder

Throughout modern history, new and innovative forms of technology have been implemented in people’s daily lives and workplaces. Whether it be the printing press in 1440, the automobile in 1885 or the smartphone in 1992, technological pioneers are constantly introducing different ways of making human lives more efficient. After the early 2000s tech boom, engineers and computer scientists have figured out how to push the societal boundaries with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI)—except this time, the implications could be potentially debilitating to our economy and social stability.

According to Stanford Professor John McCarthy, AI is a form of technology that uses the concept of machine-learning (learning from data, environmental conditions or direct teaching) to create intelligent systems in robots or other forms of mechanization.

Through their comprehensive global survey, Pew Research reported that 72 percent of Americans are concerned that the rise of robotics and AI will displace human jobs and lead to severe economic issues.

According to The New York Times, pre-existing technology has the capability to automate 45 percent of paying jobs. Researchers, business owners and workers alike often debate about whether the effects of incoming AI will be positive or not. On one hand, AI and increasing automation show significant promise in raising efficiency and maximizing company profits, which could benefit our economy. On the other hand, the displacement of workers via machinery or robotics is daunting to those with jobs that could easily be automated such as cashiers, truck, taxi and uber

necessities... I would say boosters go above to out of county, non-league games, and beyond,” Peisch said. including playoffs, are funded partially Both the athletic budget and through Benchwarmers and partially Benchwarmers allocates funds on a need through another booster organization basis with the goal of providing teams called Pigskins. with all items needed. Benchwarmers and “We have no problem with funding a other booster groups, some designated to bus for cheerleading to join the football specific sports, allocate funds to teams team out of county. We could find funding indirectly through the athletic department, through our boosters,” Pesich said. and therefore Although the specifics also comply with of funding and allocation Title IX. Any of those funds can get team, regardless complicated, what the If we’re looking at the of gender, can athletic department request funds, deems most important overall amount spent on and will be is that all teams receive answered if the boy’s sports and the overall funding to purchase item is beneficial necessary equipment. to the current “We’re so fortunate amount spent on female team. However, where that [a Title sports, it’s going to be it is possible that IX violation] should certain expenses never happen here. If really hard to have those have been it’s something that is overlooked. reasonable and the team numbers be completly An example is needs, we’ll find funding the transportation for it… I don’t think equal as long as football is of football players a team should ever be and cheerleaders in that situation where in the equation. to away games. they don’t have funding Cheerleader for specific items they Abby Trahms Wesley Cedros, need,” Peisch said. “At noted that Senior Director of Student our school, we’re very football players fortunate that a team Sercives seem to take doesn’t ever need to go buses to away without what they need.” playoff games more than cheerleaders, According to Peisch and Cedros, Title even though they are going to the same IX is not taken lightly at Redwood. This destination. can be seen not only through a perfect “The school is willing to pay for them record, but also through the dedication of to get a bus when they could easily carpool staff such as Cedros and Peisch. like we do, and then when we ask for a bus “Title IX compliance in regard to they don’t want to give us one,” Trahms sports is a collaboration because as the said.

Title IX officer, I am not personally out According to Peisch, buses used to there...making sure an equal amount is transport most athletes to out-of-county being spent between teams and things like league games are funded through the that,” Cedros said. athletic budget, while buses used to transport football players and cheerleaders ssteinberg@redwoodbark.org

drivers or fast food cooks.

AP Economics teacher Ann Tepovich believes that one of the potential encouraging features of AI and automation could be allowing people to enhance their human capital.

“It makes us more efficient. It frees labor up to theoretically gain different kinds of skills and add [to society] in different ways. If you can be replaced by a robot, theoretically, that’s not a good use of human labor,” Tepovich said. “Maybe what we should be doing is training people to do other types of jobs that can’t be replaced by robotics so it makes for people using their skills in different ways—enhancing their own ‘human capital,’ which in economics is your skills, your brains, your know-how—to be using that in a different way that adds more to the economy and to prosperity.”

In a 2016 article, the Harvard Business Review expanded on this increase in efficiency, saying that throughout the 1990s and 2000s, productivity growth increased by .35 percent yearly due to robotics. With said prosperity and efficiency, though, comes substantial issues for lower-income individuals. According to National Public Radio (NPR), automation and robotics could displace 400-800 million workers by 2030.

Senior Austin Patel, who has interned at the Buck Institute, an independent biomedical research organization, for seven weeks thinks of AI and automation in a more positive light. He himself has created AI programs such as the program

he developed his sophomore year for an Honors Integrated Science project that could decipher handwritten letters and replicate them. Through his personal experience, he doubts that AI will have the impact that many speculate.

“It’s pretty hard to get an AI program to actually accomplish what you want it to do. I guess that makes me think, ‘No, it’s not going to take over the world.’ Yes, it might displace workers in certain fields, but I think it opens up more opportunities as well,” Patel said. There are just tasks that are better done by computers than humans … and there are some tasks that humans do better than robots.”

However, AP Economics teacher Paul Ippolito finds that, on the contrary, worker displacement is a reality that must be acknowledged, and it comes as a result of an economic concept called disruption.

“Disruption is really a process of destroying an old industry and inventing a new, hopefully more efficient way of doing it. People are going to find their skills are no longer relevant … they’re going to have to go back to school and get new skills that are relevant,” Ippolito said.

Tepovich questions where the money will come from to pay for said education, and how people will find the motivation to follow through with learning unfamiliar skills.

“I think it takes a lot of investment. If you’re saying to somebody you no longer have a job and we want you to go back to school to learn or go through retraining, how do they pay their bills? Where that financial investment comes from, is it the government, is it the companies that are looking for workers, is part of the dilemma,” Tepovich said.

This reality not only has implications for those who are older and are currently being displaced, but also the youth that will soon be entering the labor market. Many wonder how the introduction of AI and automation into the workforce will impact this younger generation.

“It means that it’s harder to get your foot in the door and start your career. If you’re a valuable employee, a good company will never let you go. It’s really about getting those internships in college,” Ippolito said. “I think the main thing is to receive a lot of education and get out there in the real world. You can always pick the company you work for, but the first company you work for may determine what you end up [pursuing].” esnyder@redwoodbark.org

sports

Page 14

Fishing at Redwood: What reels people in?

By Amanda Morse “I constantly think that I’m going to catch a fish. I feel like I have to take one more cast. I feel like I have to sit out there just a little bit longer to try and catch a fish, even if I’m not catching anything,” senior Robert Buchanan said.

Marin’s abundance of creeks, marshes and bays makes it the ideal place for fishing. At Redwood, students have taken advantage of this. For seniors Buchanan, Miles Dean and Owen Henderson, fishing has been a constant fixture in their lives for many years.

Fishing has long been a part of Henderson’s family history. His father practically raised him with a fishing rod in hand.

“Ever since I was a few months old, I was always on my dad’s back on the river while he was fishing, so it’s kind of in my blood,” Henderson said. “I’ve been doing it for all of my life.”

His family has their own fly fishing business, Henderson Fly Fishing, which Henderson has become very involved with. In addition to this, Henderson’s uncle is a fishing guide. In the past two years, fishing has become Henderson’s form of work, which he hopes to continue with for the rest of his life.

“It’s just a real connection to nature, especially being really connected with how everything fits together. Some people say it’s boring, and you have to have patience, but it’s kind of a hunt in and of itself,” Henderson said.

Similarly, Buchanan was introduced to the sport of fishing at the age of four while on a trip to Florida with his mom. Using a small beginner’s rod, Buchanan was unsuccessful in catching fish, so a more experienced fisherman put a fish on his line and told Buchanan to reel it in. This is when his interest in fishing truly sparked.

“For me, it’s part of the Miles Dean, aspect of not really knowing senior what you’re going to catch. You can target certain species, but for bay fishing, you’re casting it out there and you just wait. When you catch something, you don’t know what it is, and it’s kind of cool to see what fish you caught,” Buchanan said.

Through fishing, Buchanan has also become exposed to new opportunities while traveling around the states and globally. Buchanan explained how he has been able to

travel to places such as Oregon, Hawaii and New Zealand, Henderson, Dean and Buchanan have all expressed a world renowned fishing destination. He has brought lots of interest in fly fishing, as it requires more attention his fly rod to these places, allowing to detail and a stronger sense of him to experience fishing in other purpose. locations besides Marin.

“When you’re fly fishing you Dean started fishing when he try to imitate what the fish is eating. was five, during his vacations to What the trout will do is it will hone his grandparents’ house in the in on eating a certain bug or certain Adirondack Mountains in New York. food source, so with your fly you are He has been fishing seriously since trying to match that food source and then, and has even learned to tie his present it to the fish in a way that’s own flies, which are used as bait natural,” Dean said. when fly fishing. Last year, he also Alongside requiring more focus, started the fishing club at Redwood fly fishing is also appealing to all and is looking to continue growing it three seniors because it is more this year. interactive. Instead of waiting for Dean describes how fishing the fish, there are different ways to serves as a meditative practice, change the approach to catching fish. something that has been especially “You’re trying to present the fly helpful to cope with the stressful Owen Henderson, in a manner that the fish would want high school environment. to eat it,” Buchanan said. “It’s just senior According to the Harvard Medical constantly recasting and mending.”

School Department of Neurobiology, Not only is there much variety the Recreational Boating and Fishing within the sport of fishing, but those foundation who fish are immersed in nature, and along with the Outdoor with this, they learn to value the ecosystem.

Foundation claim that 38 percent “Protecting fishing is something that I’ve always of Americans who look to get thought about because it’s really in jeopardy and it’s really involved with fly fishing see it as exploited, so keeping it healthy [is important],” Henderson a relaxing activity. said.

“Some people go fishing For Dean, heading the fishing club is not the only way for the comradery of going he has brought fishing to the community. He also teaches with other people, but that’s kids how to fish, and helps bring them into the sport honestly not me at all. I go just through the non-profit organization Trout Unlimited. to completely immerse myself The future of fishing for these three seniors will in the ecosystem. It’s a mindful continue on past high school. Buchanan and Dean explain practice; when I’m fly fishing how they have planned trips revolved around fishing and and I’m standing in the middle catching certain species. Buchanan hopes to travel to the of a river, the only thing on my Amazon, and Dean wants to travel to both New Zealand mind is fishing and the fish,” and Alaska. On top of all of this, they all hope to continue Dean said. to expand the sport of fishing to all.

This calmness isn’t “[Trout Unlimited is] all about getting more people something that usually comes into fly fishing, because fly fishermen are the best with fishing, especially when conservationists. They really care about the ecosystem and starting at a young age. The wait want to make sure that the fisheries are sustainable and in between casting and reeling in able to be enjoyed for years to come,” Dean said. “I am big the fish can last hours or days on into that conservation part and also just spreading the love end, which makes it more difficult to appreciate the sport of fly fishing to other people.” itself.

“I [used to think] that if I’m not catching fish then I’m not having fun, but as you grow older you just grow to appreciate more of the other parts of fishing rather than just the prize at the end,” Dean said. amorse@redwoodbark.org

Protecting fishing is something that I’ve always thought about because it’s really in jeopardy and it’s really exploited, so keeping it healthy [is important].

I [used to think] that if I’m not catching fish then I’m not having fun, but as you grow older you just grow to appreciate more of the other parts of fishing rather than just the prize at the end.

Photo courtesy of Robert Buchanan

Photo courtesy of Owen Henderson

Photo courtesy of Owen Henderson

HOLDING A FRESH catch, Miles Dean first began fishing in upstate New York, but now fishes whenever and wherever he can.

CASTING OUT A line, Owen Henderson loves to bring his family boat into the bay and fish with his friends.

DISPLAYING HIS CATCH of the day, Owen Henderson shares many of his fishing experiences on his YouTube account.

bark Athletic trainer’s influence extends beyond injuries Page 15 • Sports

www.redwoodbark.org

By Audrey Hettleman

studies through higher education as well, earning his bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and a graduate degree from San Jose State University.

After completing school, he held a twoyear internship at Stanford University before finding a home at Redwood, where he has been for the past 10 years.

A f t e r experiencing athletic training at both a collegiate and high school level, Alvarado said he prefers being involved

The training room is overcome with a flurry of activity as soon as the last school bell rings. One after another, athletes come in for treatment from athletic trainer Americ Alvarado, who trades jokes with them while attending to various injuries.

The small room is soon packed, with players lounging on examination tables, awaiting ankle wrapping and poking fun at each in high school athletics other so loudly that because the competition the J Boog Pandora isn’t based on money. radio station playing “At this level, no one in the background is gets paid. It’s all for fun, nearly drowned out. just about enjoying the Alvarado bobs his sport. The excitement Americ Alvarado, head to the music and the motivation is while blending into Athletic Trainer definitely here, so it’s the conversations definitely good to be at around him, this level where these seemingly energized kids are just playing by the cacophony of sound and motion. because they love the sport,” Alvarado “That’s why I love athletes,” Alvarado said. said. “All that built-up energy can come Although the worst injuries Alvarado out.” sees on most days are twisted ankles and After 10 years on the job, Alvarado’s skinned knees, he has had to deal with original passion for helping athletes harsher injuries in the past. Once, during has only grown with experience. With a boys’ soccer game, a Redwood player students and fellow faculty members slammed his head into an opposing player’s alike describing him as both qualified and jaw while attempting to head the ball, inspiring, it is clear that Alvarado is an causing the student’s maxilla, or upper jaw integral part of the Redwood community. bone, to shatter.

Alvarado got his first taste of athletic “He came in all bloodied down to his training his junior year of high school when shirt, with blood coming out of his mouth, he attended a sports medicine regional which is pretty common for that kind of occupation program. He continued those injury. Now that I think about it, it sounds

It’s good to be at this level where these kids are just playing because they love the sport.

Photo by Audrey Hettleman

LAUGHING WITH ATHLETES after school, Alvarado tends to a variety of medical needs from athletes of all sports.

Photo by Audrey Hettleman

ALVARADO AND MCNAIR leave the training room in a golf cart to reach athletes that may need help.

Photo by Audrey Hettleman

ENGAGING WITH VARIOUS students while wrapping an athlete’s ankle, Alvarado prepares athletes for their after school sports. pretty intense, dude,” Alvarado said. that we have [opportunities at Redwood], Alvarado usually appoints an intern just like KelseyRose had the opportunity to to help him attend to injuries such as experience it. Either she comes away with these, as well as to be an extra hand in the a good experience or a bad experience, regular afternoon at least that experience can rush. This year, tell her, ‘This is where I senior KelseyRose want to take my life,’ or McNair has taken ‘No, I don’t like it.’ She’ll on the position. know by getting hands-on “I’ve always experience.” been interested In addition to his in the medical welcoming nature, field, the body, Alvarado’s professionalism the cardiovascular is recognized by many, system, the muscles including Athletic Director and everything like Jessica Peisch. that. I don’t want to “[Alvarado] knows his go be a doctor or craft. He works well with anything like that, students, well with coaches but I love sports, and parents,” Peisch said. so with athletic Peisch and Alvarado training, you get Jessica Peisch, began working at Redwood the whole medical Athletic Director the same year, and Peisch aspect and you says that her opinion of also get to watch Alvarado has only improved sports,” McNair said. since then.

McNair first met Alvarado while still “One of his good qualities is that he is enrolled at Marin Catholic when she very calm in tense situations. If we have a needed to get her ankle taped during a player that has been injured or needs more soccer game against Redwood. She didn’t medical care, he has been very calm about think anything of the interaction at first, it over the years. He is very clear, he directs but by that time next year, she would be people and the kids are always safe and the spending three to four scene’s always safe,” days a week in his Peisch said. office.

Not only is Alvarado “When I came successful at interacting here on my first day with athletes, he is also [interning], I was a team player. Peish so nervous, because remembered a time everybody loves about seven years ago Americ. Americ has one when Alvarado joined in of the best reputations with the PE department on campus. He’s just for the Halloween skit. the nicest, funniest guy “We did gold ever. I came in super trophies, the ones nervous but he made you get when you’re me feel super at home,” a little kid. The PE McNair said. department spray After high school, painted themselves McNair wants to study KelseyRose McNair, and he was one of the kinesthesiology and poses. I think he was senior possibly follow athletic ‘basketball,’” Peisch training as a career. said. “He is definitely a Working with Alvarado, team player. We needed she says, is one of the another [trophy] and he jumped in and factors that convinced her to pursue this totally helped out.” field.

According to Peisch, there is no one For those like McNair that are looking that could live up to the standard Alvarado at athletic training as a possible career has set as an athletic trainer. path, Alvarado said that the best advice he “He’s organized, he’s clear with the can give is to gain experience as soon as coaches. He’s respectful with the students. possible.

When they have injuries, I think he makes “The number one thing is [to] everybody feel comfortable. He works with experience it. Get out there, do some coaches, parents, and the student athlete to internship hours, reach out to your local get back on the field,” Peisch said. “He’s athletic trainer or physical therapist or just perfect for the position here.” sports doctor, and just see what they do and see if you like it,” Alvarado said. “It’s good ahettleman@redwoodbark.org

He’s organized, he’s clear with coaches.

He’s respectful with the students.

When they have injuries, I think he makes everyone feel comfortable.

Americ has one of the best reputations on campus. He’s just the nicest, funniest guy ever. I came in super nervous but he made me feel super at home.

bark

Page 18 • Sports

October 26, 2018

Sports Spotlight: Liam Anderson continues to dominate

By Devon McClain

As many talented athletes begin the recruitment process and many seniors work on college applications, Liam Anderson gets to spend his senior year focusing on something he loves: running.

Anderson began running in seventh grade, and after seven years of training, he was the No. 1 ranked cross country runner heading into the 2018 season. After a lengthy recruiting process, Anderson chose to pursue his passion for running at Stanford University over other schools such as Georgetown. Considering Stanford is one of the most academically rigorous schools in the country and was ranked seventh in the nation by U.S. News., there is no doubt that it will be a challenge to manage both a varsity sport and an intense workload. Regardless, Anderson is ready to take the challenge head-on.

“Motivation has never really been an issue for me.

I’ve kind of always wanted to be the best at what I do,” Anderson said.

Using this determined mindset, running has transformed from a fun middle school exercise into a prosperous future. Although Anderson started this year as the favorite to win the Nike Cross Nationals, the cross country national championships, he never strays far from his intense training regimen.

To improve, Anderson combines a mix of physical training and an undaunted mental attitude. He enters every race knowing what he needs to accomplish to reach his end goal. Anderson also finds new ways to excel through running, and utilizes his teammates for support during every practice and at team meets.

“My coaches and my teammates push me to work harder every day, whether it’s during a practice or at a meet. Even if it’s one of my teammates running up on me in a workout, it always will push me to run a little bit faster and go a little bit harder,” Anderson said.

Both joining the team as freshman, Anderson and Austin Patel have spent four years alongside one another, and now lead as co-captains. Patel and Anderson have been able to grow as individuals, while also working in unison to accomplish bigger goals for their team, explained Patel.

Though Anderson will occasionally crack a joke during

Photo by Devon McClain

JOGGING AT THE start of practice, Anderson perfects his form which he has been working on since his freshman on the varsity cross country team.w practice to lighten the mood, he takes workouts and meets for both track and cross country, Coach Laura Schmitt has been able to see Anderson’s cumulative growth. According very seriously.

“Liam thinks about every cross country meet as a to Schmitt, Anderson has a very unique mindset that business trip, he treats races very seriously and makes sure allows him to surpass many of his competitors and peers. everyone is prepared, focused and stretched out before Although his physical capabilities are a big contributor to his success, his approach to every challenge and consistent they run,” Patel said.

This focused and dedicated mentality are what keep him on top.

“Liam doesn’t get ruffled. If someone were to try and mindset is what makes him one of the top competitors, play a game with him and throw him off by sprinting passed Patel explained. Despite him, he won’t blink an eye. He will respond appropriately already committing to and succeed in that environment he’s in,” Schmitt said.

A big part of Liam’s success also comes from his mental Stanford, his solid work ethic and leadership skills remain, game, which he has developed alongside his coaches and which attest to his love for teammates. Although he may have a new pace or terrain to get adjusted to, there always seems to be one thing he stays running.

“I don’t think [his true to- his aggressive and determined mindset.

“I would say that I’m usually pretty friendly, and I’m commitment] has deterred him from any of his goals and effort in running, and he never out to get anybody, but as soon as the gun goes off continues to try to improve himself and excel at what he during a meet, I’m hunting,” Anderson said. does,” Patel said Having coached Anderson since he was a freshman dmcclain@redwoodbark.org

Brooke Leslie kills competition as she makes the varsity team

By Sachi Nahas

From being dragged to volleyball clinics by her parents as an 8-year-old, to playing as the starting middle hitter for the girls’ varsity volleyball team, freshman Brooke Leslie has worked her way up on the volleyball court. Brooke is the first freshman girl to make Redwood’s girls’ varsity team since junior Lucy Walsh in 2016. In her first season, Brooke has an average of six kills, eight attempts and a 0.350 pct (hitting efficiency) per game.

According to head coach Ursula Kunhardt, Brooke is well prepared for the next three seasons ahead of her.

Brooke was first introduced to volleyball watching her older sister, senior Taylor Leslie, which eventually influenced her to play. In second and third grade, Brooke attended Absolute Volleyball Clinics as a “junior jumper,” where she

was taught the fundamentals of the sport by professionals. According to Taylor, when Brooke finally got a grasp on the sport, everything played out naturally.

After realizing her talent, she committed all of her energy to volleyball.

“It’s been amazing watching Brooke play with me on varsity since I’ve watched her play since she was eight years old,” Taylor said. “Witnessing her transformation and growth as an all-around player just in the past two months has been wild for me because I’ve always had so much belief in her.”

Brooke eventually decided to get involved competitively by joining her first club team in fourth grade, where her true interest ignited. Eventually, she made her way up to the Black team, the most competitive team for the Absolute Volleyball Club. Her first year on the U13 Black Team, Brooke and her teammates

Photo by Sachi Nahas

PREPARING FOR A serve, Leslie has been able to play alongside her sister, Taylor, as a freshman on the girls varsity volleyball team.

made it all the way to the Junior Olympics, always wants to further develop her placing third in the country for their age skills, whether it’s in her own position or group. Before attending Redwood, Brooke a completely different position. She’s an ended her last club season with her team all around a great player and it’s an honor ranking 20th in the nation. to have her on the team,” Not only is volleyball Kunhardt said. a sport Brooke has grown Although Brooke has up playing, but it’s also had experience playing part of her daily routine. on a widely-watched Playing for a club team in competitive team, when addition to the high school she first started to play as team means practice and a starter on varsity, she clinics seven days a week. Brooke Leslie, knew she had to make “When you’re playing sure not only to focus on freshman a sport you love, it doesn’t her own playing, but to try bother you because and keep everyone else’s you’re so invested in it and it’s a part of energy at an equal level by supporting her your whole life,” Brooke said. teammates.

Brooke initially went into tryouts “It’s all a balance; someone can be thinking she would play on the JV team. too energetic in the game and throw off The thought of making varsity never the scheme, just as someone who is too occurred to her. down on themselves,” Brooke said. “One “When our coach sat us all down and person can mess up the balance of the said, ‘This is our team,’ I didn’t process team, so it’s very essential for all of us as it at first. It took me about five seconds to individuals to do our best so the team as a actually comprehend what she just said. whole will do better.”

When I realized I actually made it, I was According to Brooke, her hard work speechless,” Brooke said. as an attentive volleyball player has paid Kunhardt has always had confidence in off through her unwavering devotion to Brooke, since she previously watched her the sport. She thinks that she can only play for club teams and at summer camps. improve from where she is at now, and is However, being a first year Redwood excited for what is in store for her the rest coach, Kunhardt mentioned that she wasn’t of this season. Brooke is also planning on familiar with the overall dynamic of last continuing playing volleyball throughout year’s varsity players. During the first day high school. of tryouts, Kunhardt said she was able to “I love seeing everyone being gain a sense of who the returning players successful and getting better. My love for were, and who would be strong in specific the team isn’t about me; it’s about seeing positions. From there forward, according teammates collaborate with one another to Kunhardt, she immediately recognized to score,” Brooke said. “I’ve always loved Brooke’s energy on the court and positive watching volleyball, and now being apart attitude in tryouts, and believed that she of a sport I admire is so fun. I love being deserved the spot on varsity. on the court with everyone and cheering.

“Brooke 100 percent earned her spot It makes me happy.” on the team, and I was very excited to bring her up. She is very coachable and snahas@redwoodbark.org

When I realized I actually made it, I was speechless.

Page 17 • Sports

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Newcomer to cross country Helena Janku sprints to success on girls’ varsity team

By Grace Bouton

The bang of the gun, the cloud of dirt and the herd of runners with various colors of uniforms pulling for position are all elements of a high school cross country race. This experience was recently brand-new to freshman Helena Janku, who did not experience this until her first crosscountry meet just a month ago. Since then, she has become accustomed to the nuances of cross-country racing.

Janku's lack of experience in the world of cross country has not shown in competition. In the first three league meets of the season, she has won two races and finished second in a third. According to Janku, although she is just starting to run competitively, she always knew running was something that was in her future.

“Even though I’ve just gotten into cross country this year at Redwood, I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to run because it’s something that I’ve always really

Photo by Grace Bouton

GETTING OFF TO a fast start in her first cross country season, Helena Janku has placed first or second in the first three meets of the year.

enjoyed,” Janku said. “Also, my mom is a very serious runner so that has always kind of inspired me to run.”

According to Janku, her early success at meets this year can be attributed to both the support of her teammates and encouragement from coaches.

“The races are definitely very tough; there are a lot of great runners in Marin,” Janku said. “I feel like I wouldn’t have been doing as well as I am if it wasn’t for the upperclassmen on the team who I run with and pace with during races, or the overall motivation from the team and coaches.”

Since these victories early on in the season, Janku has decided to continue running cross country as well as track in the spring throughout her four years at Redwood. She also has set her sights on running at the collegiate level.

Coach Laura Schmitt, the Redwood cross country and track coach of 32 years, has only coached Janku for the couples of months she’s been running at Redwood, but sees the potential she holds.

“In the sport of cross country you really get to know kids quickly and pick up on their qualities right away,” Schmitt said. “One quality of Helena’s is that she doesn’t take it too seriously, she’s very patient and poised. If I tell her to run something easy she’ll run it easy because she knows success is going to happen. It doesn’t happen in one season, but rather in four cross country seasons and four track seasons and beyond all of that, college.”

According to Schmitt, Janku has taken her position on varsity in stride as she gets to know the older and more experienced runners.

“She’s acclimated beautifully. The older girls have embraced her and grabbed her,” Schmitt said. “The great thing about running, and cross-country in particular, is that even though a lot of people think it’s an individual sport, and it is to an extent, but more than that it’s a team sport.”

Junior Tyler Woods, Janku’s teammate, has also begun to see the potential of the freshman and identified some of her qualities that have made her successful.

“At the first practice we got a little taste of her talent, when she was able to stay behind girls who’ve been running on the team for a couple years. That was the first time we saw her raw talent,” Woods said.

According to Woods, Janku’s natural ability to maintain and alter her pace is what has allowed her to place in early meets.

“One of the best things about Helena is that she can sit

Photo by Grace Bouton

FRESHMAN HELENA JANKU stretches before practice at Doug Basham track. back throughout the entire race and near the very end, put all of the rest of her energy into that finish. That’s the thing that really sets her apart from the other girls. She can be sitting back in sixth place and then have that kick in the last 200 meters and finish the race in second,” Woods said.

Though running has become a source of athletic success for the freshman, according to Janku, running is also a time to ponder other aspects of her life.

“I think about what I’m going to do when I get home, what homework I’m going to do, what happened throughout the day,” Janku said. “It’s a good time to calm myself down and process everything.” gbouton@redwoodbark.org

Practicing a balanced lifestyle as a multi-sport athlete

By Alix Salzer Most children start off their early years playing sports. Teetering kindergartners are signed up for peewee football, clump together during their rec soccer practice or perhaps a particularly able six year old might manage to hit a baseball without a tee. After a few years, many of the kids will stop joining the teams, deciding instead to follow other hobbies that interest them. There soon after, more players will drop from the sports, perhaps prioritizing academics or simply no longer wishing to play. Those still dedicated to their sports by the high school level will compete for a spot on a varsity team. Some, with the right combination of hard work and skill, may

manage to play at such a level for more than just one sport.

For senior Nathaniel Kuffner, it means spending his average year jumping from sport to sport in order to be the most competitive he can be. Kuffner, who started playing soccer at age five, is going into his third year on the varsity team.

Though Kuffner started later with lacrosse, beginning in eighth grade, he is going into his fourth year on the varsity team. Kuffner believes that his relentless dedication to the lacrosse and soccer teams was able to get him to that varsity level.

“I am a very hard worker and I am someone who is willing to do work that other people aren’t willing to do. Last year for the lacrosse team I got the coaches

Photo by Lily Baldwin

SENIOR MILES SQUIERS has played basketball and lacrosse since his freshman year. Squiers started on both teams last year.

award because I was just kind of the go- playing multiple sports helps them more to guy for all the things that needed to get than it hinders them. Besides just keeping in shape and translating skills, the sports done,” Kuffner said.

According to Kuffner, one of the teach the players lessons they can apply outside the field. biggest burdens of playing “[I learned] multiple varsity sports is how to lead and the lack of time. how to not be “[Balancing my time] antagonistic. Like is definitely pretty difficult, knowing your but you just have to be players as if they are really productive and good your friends. I’ve at time management so learned a lot more after practice I will go social things from home, take a quick shower, sports than I thought eat and start working on Nathaniel Kuffner, I would,” Squiers homework right away,” senior said.

Kuffner said.

Blake Atkins, Besides just balancing the varsity lacrosse his academics, Kuffner also must balance the time he spends on coach, feels that Squiers has learned this lesson. each sport. “[Squiers is] the man, he’s always got “The time I am playing soccer, I could be on my own, hitting the wall for lacrosse a smile on his face, he’s one of the best or going to the weight room. So even competitors I’ve been around. He wants though playing multiple sports is good for to win, he wants to help his teammates cross training, if I was only playing one, I [and] he cares about the guys on the team,” could invest more time in it and possibly Atkins said.

As well as acting like a leader, become better,” Kuffner said.

Miles Squiers, a senior on the varsity Atkins stated that playing multiple sports lacrosse team with Kuffner as well as has helped Squiers to become a better a player on the varsity basketball team, competitor.

“It’s more awareness, it’s more field expressed a similar sentiment.

“I always thought playing lacrosse is sense. We call it lacrosse IQ, but it’s really going to prevent me from getting better more sports IQ. [Squiers] steps onto the for basketball because I’d always come lacrosse field and already has a sense of back for basketball a little rough, a little where he is and that general awareness of rusty. [However] I’ve learned that it’s a where others are around you makes a big big advantage because I’m always in shape difference,” Atkins said. once the sport starts for me, so I tend to look past that,” Squiers said.

Still, both Squiers and Kuffner feel that asalzer@redwoodbark.org

I am someone who is willing to do work that other people aren’t willing to do.

review

Page 18

Candy museum brings a sweet treat to San Francisco

By Jenna Dahlin Candytopia, a new museum in San Francisco, is a favorite childhood game come to life. It travels along a winding rainbow path as visitors wander through different worlds of candy. Treats are around every turn and huge structures composed of various sweets tower overhead.

Visitors encounter different characters such as confectioners and museum curators that interact with them along the way. Unfortunately, unlike the board game Candyland, the journey ends in the gift shop, not the candy castle.

Following in the footsteps of the Los Angeles installation, which has been visited by 150,000 people, San Francisco’s newest food-themed museum, Candytopia, has become a popular destination since its debut in early September. Although Candytopia was originally projected to close in November, the success in ticket sales has prompted them to stay open through the holidays.

The 16,000 square foot exhibit, located on Market Street and adjacent to Union Square, is easily accessible and optimally located. The museum flows through various themed rooms, consisting of overflowing crates of candy and

Photo by Jenna Dahlin

CREATED WITH POP rocks and jelly beans, Cardi B’s portrait flashes a grin.

interactive structures and displays. Organizing the contents into different themes created a sense of anticipation and kept me interested through the duration of the experience.

Start to finish, the walk through lasts about an hour, which seemed short to me considering the $34 ticket price.

On the upside, candy samples are almost always in reach with two to three treats per room. The samples are well placed and match the environment, with a range of candy from Lindor chocolates to watermelon Airheads. The different tastes enhanced each room by engaging all senses in the experience.

Before entering the museum, my excitement was already high as I was greeted by a large-scale, bright red dragon made up of 125,000 cherry cola gummies, among other pieces of candy. Large gears displayed on the wall began to churn, triggering the doors to open up to a hidden room, the library. After, I traveled down the escalator underneath an assortment of neon lights, which acted as a portal into the candy fantasy. Art is placed at intervals along the walls and throughout the various rooms. The walls are brightly lit, with a utopian society of lollipop farms and flying unicorn pigs depicted on the wallpaper.

One room is an art gallery displaying recreations of famous paintings and portraits of pop culture figures made of candy. Each creation is beautifully composed with an array of hundreds of thousands of gummies, jelly beans and other types of colorful candy. All the displays are interactive and touchable, encouraging children to interact with the artistic displays. The creations feature timely artists and events, such as life-sized replicas of the Golden State Warriors’ Championship trophy and a jelly bean rendition of rapper Cardi B. All playfulness aside, each formation is extremely detailed and creatively involves a variety of candy.

With props and high-quality cameras, the museum is curated towards a social media experience. Photo opportunities are available throughout, with workers standing by to take candid group pictures. The experience would be unsatisfying without a group of friends and a camera. This took away from the overall experience for me, as the goal seems to shift

Photo by Jenna Dahlin

DECORATED WITH SEA organisms and plant life, the ocean room features a hammerhead shark with over 11,800 pieces of candy. toward taking the perfect picture for Instagram.

Although the number of tickets are limited and arranged throughout the day, the rooms still felt crowded. Bands of children ran around seemingly unsupervised, which made the experience stressful.

At the more popular attractions, there wasa wait time, although it was no longer than five minutes.

The highlight of Candytopia is the marshmallow pit.

Visitors can wade through a pool of foam marshmallows, which is especially appealing to kids, and enough cardio to last a week. With 250,000 marshmallows, the pit is deep enough to disappear into the abyss of foam, however it makes walking difficult as there is no solid footing.

Overall, Candytopia is true to its name. Its unique exhibits and thoughtful presentation make even the “not dessert people” want to return for a second go. The combination of overwhelming neon colors and sweet flavors of artificial sour candies create an attractive experience for all ages, making it worth the hefty price. jdahlin@redwoodbark.org

Eric Church’s new album shows him as a “Desperate Man”

By Sam Warren The nickname “Chief.” A wardrobe normally involving a black leather jacket and dark aviator sunglasses. A list of musical influences that includes the likes of Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and even hard rock and heavy metal bands like Metallica and AC/DC. Eric Church has developed quite the “bad boy” persona on the country music scene.

Through songs like “Drink in My Hand,” “Smoke a Little Smoke” and “That’s Damn Rock & Roll,” Church paints himself as a rowdy, roughneck kind of guy in his past musical releases. But with his new album “Desperate Man,” Church presents a softer and more emotional side of his identity, trading his hard shell for a heartbroken character on an endless search for love.

However, this shift in character brings changes to other components of Church’s musical reputation as well. In “Desperate Man,” Church trades his southern rock and bluegrass sound for an over-edited, pop rock style with a southern twinge. His signature low, soft rock voice is lost, and swapped for overproduced, higher pitched vocals that costs Church his country integrity. As a result, Church seems to lose touch with his country-heavy musical roots, branching out for a new sound— despite his established musical style, which has garnered him seven Grammy nominations over the past six years.

The album’s first track, “The Snake,” gives a tease of Church’s old slow country sound. Through a biblical tale of a copperhead and rattlesnake plotting the usurpation of humanity, Church delivers a haunting story with only a downtempo banjo, ghostly background vocals and gravelly singing. Church describes this track as a parable for the United States’ political system, with the two serpents a metaphor

for the political parties of today, conspiring together to disrupt the public sphere.

This first track is not the only time Church flashes glimpses of his old self within the album. In fact, many of the tracks on the album display his former style. However, even within these songs, Church seems to have lost the wittiness which formerly distinguished his songs.

Although Church was not known as a lyrical mastermind in his previous albums, his songs prior to “Desperate Man” tend to have more clever rhymes and meanings. In this album, however, Church doesn’t capture this freshness. Even his partnership with legendary songwriters Ray Wylie Hubbard and Casey Beathard is underwhelming, as many of their collaborative “country” songs fall back on pandering to their southern audience.

In his song “Some of It,” Church falls into the three ceaseless pitfalls of country music, those being alcohol, love and trucks—all within the first lyric. “Beer don’t keep, love’s not cheap and trucks don’t wreck themselves” is just one example of the pandering that remains consistent throughout the album.

In “Higher Wire,” Church bases his entire chorus on alcohol, singing “Benedictine baby, Chartreuse snake old lady, Appalachia moonshine crazy, bible belt and a sinner’s fire,” somehow fitting a reference to alcohol in every line of the stanza. Once again, in “Jukebox and a Bar,” Church makes more references to love and alcohol, singing “As for me and my barely-beating heart, there’s no better description, for my broken disposition, than a jukebox and a bar.”

Because of these recurring subject matters, many of the songs feel cliche and unoriginal, as if they had been written and performed hundreds of times before.

As much as Church falls back on country

music stereotypes and incurable themes, he also takes risks in the album, particularly in the album’s title track as well as “Hangin’ Around,” which are also the two most streamed songs from the album on Spotify.

In the title track, Church again sings about his pursuit of love, but does it in a new pop-rock style infested with bongo drums, maracas and a gospel-like choir in the bridges of the song. This style is one that has infiltrated the top charts of country, pop and even rock genres alike.

“Hangin’ Around,” the album’s second track, exhibits this subgenre even more, using an upbeat snare drum, a tambourine, various funk synths, pianos and bass to produce the fastest tempo song on the record. While these two upbeat songs may be a breath of fresh air in this sluggish album, Church loses his integrity and old

audience, as his vocals sound incredibly artificial and high pitched to the point where they are almost unrecognizable.

Overall, the album is inconsistent. It seems like Church couldn’t find a direction for where he wanted to go with the record, whether he wanted to stick to his old slow style or break out of his pattern and produce music for a new audience. The songs fit into two categories, either upbeat and over edited or slow, boring and trying to please his southern audience. Instead of being the strong, identifiable and powerful man that his nickname suggests, “Chief” lets his tribe run free without direction.

swarren@redwoodbark.org

Photo courtesy of EMI Records Nashville

CHURCH HAS BEEN nominated for seven Grammys over the past six years, with “Desperate Man” gaining consideration for “Best Country Song.”

bark “Fear” paints terrifying picture of Trump administration Page 19 • Review

www.redwoodbark.org

By Emily Sweet Looking at renowned journalist Bob Woodward’s recent release, “Fear,” a deep dive into the Trump administration, is frankly intimidating. If one can move past the initially overwhelming and dense writing style, Woodward’s new book delivers an informative and eye-opening insight into Trump’s’ journey through presidency, and is worth the commitment of reading.

“Fear” was released on Sept. 11, and has maintained relevance since it first hit the stands. Especially moving towards the midterm elections, politics are a hot topic of conversation. The book was highly

Photo courtesy of Simon & Schuster

RELEASED ON SEPT. 11, Bob Woodward’s new book, “Fear” devles into President Trump’s administration.

anticipated by many because of Woodward’s extensive portfolio and admirable reputation in the world of journalism, which he lived up to with this recent release.

Woodward’s use of a narrative style closely mimics that of “All the President’s Men,” a nonfiction novel he wrote alongside journalist Carl Bernstein in 1974, exposing the Watergate scandal and corruption in President Nixon’s administration. “All the President’s Men” was rated by Time magazine as one of the top 100 nonfiction books of all time, and Woodward himself was a finalist the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 1987. Though it is up to interpretation how similar the content of Woodward’s two most talked about books are, the style of “All the President’s Men” and “Fear” are almost identical. Because Woodward has proven himself credible and accomplished, reading “Fear” without having to worry about fact checking is a nice plus.

As Woodward has demonstrated in the past, he has no issues writing informative and investigative nonfiction; however, clocking in at 420 pages, “Fear” is jam-packed with information. About halfway through, 27 pictures are printed matching key names from the work to their faces, and honestly it was a relief to see. It takes time to adjust to this fast-paced and information-heavy read, but if one can move past the underwhelming amount of flowery language, making it through the book itself and understanding the concepts are not difficult (coming from someone who is by no means an expert on politics).

What separates “Fear” from other nonfiction and political writing cannot be fully attributed to Woodward, considering the political climate is ever evolving and captivating, especially in the last two years. With that being said, Woodward is able to deliver the most entertaining and engaging account of the Trump administration I have read thus far. Unlike James Comey’s “A Higher Loyalty,” which was released last spring, Woodward is able to set himself aside from the novel and use his platform as a well-known and respected journalist to recount his findings rather than his personal experiences. Woodward does an excellent job of utilizing his sources, notably former chief of staff Reince Priebus and former staff secretary Rob Porter. It is evident from Woodward’s vivid accounts of many meetings and interactions among administration members that his research is thorough and reliable.

Woodward also excels in making complicated issues understandable for his audience. As someone

who knows little about foreign affairs, I was able to read and retain much of the information about the Iran Deal and fighting in Afghanistan, which were discussed in some detail throughout the novel.

Admittedly, not every reader finds a political, substantial novel to be an enjoyable read, but the actual information within “Fear” is what makes it so compelling.

For example, the efforts by Trump’s administration to simply work with him consistently demonstrate his own persona and how normalized the ideas of working around an atypical President have become in the Executive branch.

When staff secretary Rob Porter came onto staff, he met with Jared Kushner who said, “You’re going to have to learn how to handle [Trump]. How to relate to him.”

Understanding the unique aspects of Trump’s administration, such as the the integration of his family into his presidency, is partly what makes the novel so compelling. The most interesting case comes in the form of Ivanka Trump, who according to “Fear” often oversteps her boundaries based on accounts from Trump’s cabinet members. In one instance, Woodward recounted a story from Steve Bannon in which he and Ivanka got into an argument over her rights to be in the White House, saying, “You’re nothing but a fucking staffer! You walk around this place and act like you’re in charge, and you’re not. You’re on staff!” It is anecdotes like these that shine through “Fear” and provide insight to our government’s inner workings.

The main area where Woodward occasionally lacks is moving between ideas and setting the scene too quickly.

Because there is not much sensory description, at times the narrative of the book can seem a little random, but for the most part it stays in a clear chronological order. For example, on page 174 Woodward moves from discussing FISA wiretaps to Melania’s feelings for Trump within two paragraphs. This abrupt transition can be off-putting at times, but all in all does not take away from his message.

Overall, “Fear” instills just that. It paints a vivid picture of the cracks within Trump’s administration relating to nearly every position and aspect of our government. It is worth a read for the sake of understanding the tumultuous political atmosphere of the last two years and for the sake of delving deeper into politics. It’s not a light read, but it is an important one. esweet@redwoodbark.org

Twenty One Pilots flies in a new direction with “Trench”

By Josephine Yee After over three years of eager anticipation from the Clique, the name for devout fans of Grammy-winning musical duo Twenty One Pilots, the band’s latest album, “Trench,” transcends expectations, providing an hour full of multidimensional tunes.

Since their release of “Blurryface” in 2015, the duo’s music has become the epitome of alternative, “teenage angst” music popularized by mainstream media.

Especially reflected in their most-streamed songs, “Stressed Out” and “Heathens,” most of their last album consisted of regularized pop music with repeated choruses, melodic tunes and hints of alternativeinspired rhythms. This unfortunately left fans who have followed the band for

their alternative style since the release of their debut album in 2009 disappointed.

After “Blurryface,” Twenty One Pilots decided to take a year-long hiatus that left fans questioning their disappearance. It was not until July of this year that they dropped a simple clue on Twitter—a short clip of an eye-opening. This short clip signified the opening of a new era—the “Trench” era.

Beginning with a hard-hitting headbanger and concluding with a melancholy ballad, “Trench” is a wholesome album that marks a high point in the band’s career.

Every element of this album was a hit: the band’s signature alternative sounds, R&B-laced verses, reggae-inspired rhythms and classic pop choruses.

“Jumpsuit,” their new album’s opener, resolidifies the band’s strict alternative roots. The song is not only musically

Photo courtesy of Fueled by Ramen

PREPARING LISTENERS FOR an emotional journey, the glowering bird depicted on the “Trench” album cover is theorized to signify a sense of freedom. complex with avant-garde sounds, but it has a lyrical impact that reveals a spectrum of both vulnerability and anger.

This transition in musical production provides a refreshing sense of individuality, which is many steps above the amount of fulfillment garnered from their previous album.

Songs like “My Blood” and “Chlorine” have a similar tone to the opener and stay true to their original genre, which “Blurryface” could not quite achieve.

Even in this album, Twenty One Pilots has created a few noteworthy songs with heavy pop influences to affirm their mainstream presence. Towards the end, the album kicks back with “Legend,” a lighthearted pop song with feel-good chords.

The most notable songs on the album Photos courtesy of Fueled by Ramen are “Nico and the Niners” and “Leave the SHOOTING ON SET for the “Jumpsuit” music video, Twenty One Pilots jumps into City.” “Nico and the Niners” is a simple, the new era. yet two-dimensional song that is not only

a catchy tune, but is also musically diverse with unique rhythms inspired by traditional reggae. It blends alternative and foreign sounds effectively, making the song a relaxed bop. “Leave the City,” the last song on “Trench,” slows down the pace of the album in an exceptional way, revealing a pit of raw emotion and honesty. “Last year, I needed a change of pace/couldn’t take the pace of change moving hastily/but this year I’m far from home in this trench, I’m not alone,” the lyrics reveal. With this as the defining lyric of the album, the entirety of the work comes together in this closure.

“Trench” proves that Twenty One Pilots is not a alt-pop band watered down by attention garnered over the past few years. Instead, it reveals their notability in making unique music for a wide collection of listeners. jyee@redwoodbark.org

October 26, 2018 bark Page 20 • Review Visitors marvel at Academy of Sciences’ “Giants of the Land and Sea”

By Lucie James Once a popular field-trip destination for chaotic adventures in middle school, the Academy of Sciences has not lost its unique ability to educate through interactive activities, as demonstrated by the newly opened exhibit “Giants of the Land and Sea.” Already well-known for its focus on the natural sciences and the environment of Northern California, the Academy goes above and beyond in this display, which opened June 15 and will be available to visitors through Dec. 31. In the “Giants of the Land and Sea Exhibit,” there is a focus on Northern California’s weather, history of its land and information on the ecosystems that surround the Bay Area.

Walking into the exhibit, a suspended whale hangs above, representing the “giant” aspect of the exhibit, and the nearly-overwhelming scale of the exhibit does not stop there. Recreating some of the most awe-inspiring ecosystems in the world is not easy to do within a museum setting, but the Academy of Sciences immerses visitors in beautifully interactive displays.

Flowing through each aspect of the exhibit is a clear appreciation of the natural world, and specifically of Northern California. Despite having lived here for all 17 years of my life, this exhibit opened my eyes to the profound beauty and complexity of the environment that surrounds us.Living in the Bay Area, the San Andreas fault is a fact of life, as is the imminent possibility of an earthquake. However, until I experienced the “Shake House” part of the exhibit, the severity of such a natural disaster occurring here had not come to mind.

As the Bay Area sits atop unstable tectonic plates and San Francisco has experienced two large earthquakes, one in 1906 and another in 1989, the “Shake House” gives visitors the opportunity to experience the feeling of an earthquake.

In the “shake house,” visitors held on to railings as the room shook for 60 seconds, and through a speaker, history of the San Francisco earthquake was told in detail.

Experiencing the “shake house” was a popular attraction among visitors, and was eye opening, as the shaking imitated a real earthquake.

Displays, such as the fog room, also added to the exhibit’s realistic atmosphere and provided for an eerie experience. The fog room simulates the weather in the Bay Area that locals see on a daily basis. With trees, a forest-

Photo by Lucie James

EDUCATING ABOUT THE understory, written information accompanies realistic recreations of the forest to teach visitors about nature in the Bay Area. like background wall and mist falling from the ceiling, educate themselves on their daily surroundings. visitors are able to feel like they are outside experiencing And there’s good news: the entry fee of $30, which day-to-day Bay Area weather. Although this may not be as may seem exorbitant, allows access to the rest of the much of a radical experience for locals, tourists are sure to Academy of Sciences. Despite its grandeur and ability be awed by the foreboding yet unique aura of inclement to evoke appreciation for our surroundings, the “Giants” weather. exhibit isn’t an all-day excursion, making a longer visit to A third aspect of this breathtaking exhibit offered the rest of the Academy well worth the time. visitors a chance to virtually ascend magnificent redwood If you find yourself missing the fog during the warmer trees. In this room, there are five videos to choose from, weeks of autumn, the Academy of Sciences can provide an giving visitors background on the trees that surround the uncannily realistic recreation—and an all-day experience Bay Area. of interactive education.

Not only does the “Giants of the Land and Sea” exhibit highlight some of the most well-known and valued natural areas of Northern California, but it gives locals a chance to ljames@redwoodbark.org

“A Star is Born” starts with a big bang and ends in a supernova

By Katherine Muller Getting past her outlandish style choices and heavily-edited pop hits, “A Star is Born” reveals a more raw, honest version of pop star Lady Gaga than what is often depicted on social media and through pop culture in general. Gaga reinvents herself throughout the movie as she transforms into a struggling artist, allowing the audience to see a different side of her artistic abilities and true talent without autotune getting in the way.

Bradley Cooper, who directs and stars in the movie, also breaks out of his traditional acting roles as he showcases his surprisingly melodic vocals, featured in many songs throughout the film. Additionally, since “A Star is Born” is Cooper’s first directing role in a major motion picture, the directing skill involved should be viewed with an even higher praise.

The storyline begins with Jackson Maine (Cooper), a country-rock artist at the peak of his career, struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction, a secret hidden from his fans. While desperately looking for a drink following one of his shows, he meets struggling singer Ally Campana (Gaga) at a drag bar. As Campana performs at the bar, Maine is immediately blown away by her voice and intrigued by her feisty yet friendly character.

After spending the night together, Maine invites her to one of his performances.

The love story develops from there, as Maine pushes Campana to perform on stage at his shows, where she eventually gets discovered and her own music career takes off. While Campana rises to the top, winning Grammy awards and performing on “Saturday Night Live,” Maine approaches rock bottom as his struggle with addiction worsens. While much of

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros

WRITING SONGS TOGETHER, Maine (Bradley Cooper) brings Campana (Lady Gaga) on tour with him, later starting her singing career. this love story does come with a fairytale romance, the storyline showcases the realities of addiction and how relationships and life overall can suffer as a consequence.

The mature content matter, which includes explicit scenes of Maine consuming drugs and overdosing as well as his reckless and destructive behavior while drunk, is unique in comparison to gushy and impractical romantic comedies. While the film features much of the whirlwind romance that rom-com lovers are familiar with, the story goes deeper than a “too good to be true” love story. “A Star is Born” adds a flux of intimacy, emotion and heartbreak.

That being said, the story content may be above the limits than what many students can handle, making its R rating fitting. The storyline is not the only component of the

movie that makes it realistic and different from other drama and romance movies.

As director, Cooper utilizes many closeup shots and angles for the majority of the movie. These shots are able to better capture the emotion of the movie and its characters, a key aspect of the film that makes it successful and worth seeing.

Close-up angles are used especially in scenes where Campana and Maine are either falling in love or fighting, allowing you to connect to the characters on a more personal level, making viewers truly feel Campana and Maine’s relationship as if it were their own.

This movie is the fifth rendition of “A Star is Born,” as four other versions of the same plot and title were released in 1937, 1954, 1976 and 2013, but

features throughout this version set it apart from the rest. For example, this movie is able to successfully blend the traditional plot line with modern touchups including the the drama and romance aspects following Campana and Maine’s relationship and pop influences. Although these components play large roles in the movie, it is impossible to miss the talent involved in the film’s music album, “A Star is Born,” featuring 34 original songs, including “Shallow” and “I’ll Never Love Again,” both of which have topped multiple music charts since their release.

While the old-fashioned rock music fused with pop and country is euphonic enough, Gaga and Cooper’s vocals are what make the songs truly stand out. Gaga, with six Grammys and a decade-long career, is no stranger to the music industry.

However, through singing with a slower style, differently than her traditional pop, her talent is evident and she proves again and again what a gift she has. Cooper, on the other hand, shocks viewers with his singing capabilities, a side of the actor that was previously unseen.

Painting Gaga and Cooper in a new light not only illustrates their true talent, but makes the film complete with outstanding music. The soundtrack represents the movie as a whole by not only using lyrics that represent “A Star is Born,” but by correlating the themes of the film with the music. The way the songs and storyline intertwine is flawless, something movies rarely master.

Additionally, the practical take on the romance plotline renders this movie a success in all aspects, making it a must-see for mature audiences who can appreciate the film’s dark and serious content. kmuller@redwoodbark.org

lifestyles

Page 21

Behind the wheel: the faces of Marin’s bus drivers

By Lauren Steele and Skylar Strotz For a few hours every morning and afternoon, Austin Morris and Paul Flaherty are each responsible for the lives of many students on their way to and from school.

They are trained to make split-second decisions and hold up under intense pressure while seated in front of dozens of kids. Morris and Flaherty are two Marin Transit bus system drivers, operating two of the routes to and from Redwood. For such a seemingly innocuous occupation, these men can face life-threatening situations every day on the job. “[When driving,] if you have a problem, you have a big problem. And so you have to be self-assured to handle that situation. You don’t want to put anybody else’s life at risk,” Morris said.

Morris and Flaherty arrive in Novato every weekday at 6 a.m. for an inspection of the buses. An hour later, they pull up at their first stop, where a group of sleepy bus-riders climb in and take a seat.

Both men only recently became bus drivers and have a lifetime of experience stretching far beyond their current jobs.

Morris speaks slowly Austin Morris, and carefully, as if he bus driver knows the effect his words can have on the world around him. His complex vocabulary and worldly perspective are the mark of a man who has experienced a great variety in life, and his stories reflect his worldliness.

Morris, born and raised in San Francisco, served in the Marine Corp, worked in private ventures in Central and South America and has also been a representative for a company selling lumber and operating machinery to various international organizations. He has jumped around jobs since he got out of college, and began driving Marin Transit buses just four months ago.

Morris attended Marin Country Day School as a child, and believes he is very fortunate to have had such a happy and exciting childhood.

“The child that I was, I was blessed with the Tahoe

weekends and we’d come rent houses in Marin during summers. It was a very special childhood and my father was the central point around that,” Morris said.

Morris moved east to attend boarding school after eighth grade. His senior year of high school, his father passed away. Morris had always been close with his him, but they had grown even closer to compensate for their distance.

“I was just getting to the point with my father to where I respected him not just as a father, but I was appreciating him more as a friend that I knew I could trust,” Morris said.

Morris attributes his evolving career path to this traumatic event.

“My father’s passing was earth-shattering in changing my life’s direction. That can happen to [anyone] spontaneously, in a heartbeat,” Morris said. “If you don’t appreciate the day you have now, you can’t make proper projections for the future and you’re just living life,” Morris said.

Morris had planned to attend Stanford University in the fall, but after his father’s passing, he decided to defer for a year and enlist in the Marine Corps. He ended up serving for two years, during which he assisted a squadron on a presidential third-wing helicopter.

After two years with the Marines, Morris realized he was no longer suited for the life he always thought he would have.

“When I got out of the Marine Corps, there was some adjustment required. I went to UCSF for a semester, and found that I was coming from a completely different place than I was before,” Morris said. “I was no longer going down a ‘normal road.’”

While his life had changed, Morris was confident that his new path would also lead to success.

“You can have bumps in your road, but you just have to keep going,” Morris said. “It’s about pushing through them.”

His coworker, Flaherty, is in a similar position.

He began driving buses just eight weeks ago, on Aug. 14, and does not see his current position as a long-term job, though he enjoys it.

If you don’t appreciate the day you have now, you can’t make proper projections for the future and you’re just living life.

Photo by Lauren Steele

DRIVING OUT OF the parking lot, Austin Morris focuses ahead amidst the chaos behind him.

Like Morris, Flaherty is a man of great ambition. After his 23-year career in financial services ended, he worked at a number of startup companies and experimented with other sales jobs before he thought it was time to settle down for a bit.

“I wanted stability, the opportunity to interact with people and to be outside,” Flaherty said.

Flaherty believes his job as a bus driver is more than just transportation; his favorite part is that he gets to help people in a unique and rewarding way. “[It’s about] giving people mobility and freedom,” Flaherty said.

Sophomore Chloe Swildens has taken the bus almost every day since freshman year. She says she relies on the bus system to get to school, yet she still does not know her drivers.

“I think the bus drivers are really nice, but I don’t know them very well because I usually sit in the back of the bus,” Swildens said. “I don't really see anyone do anything nice for the drivers, and I don’t think they are ever really appreciated.”

Flaherty has made an effort to connect with students and he enjoys the warm atmosphere on the bus, so he goes out of his way to help others feel the same way.

“Everyone [on the bus] is pretty friendly. It’s nice when you can help an old person get on the bus, and you’re picking up their bags of groceries for them and you’re helping them get home safe,” Flaherty said. “It’s really all about giving.”

As Flaherty and Morris are both new drivers for the transit system, they both see the job as demanding, but rewarding. For them, it is the little things that are the most appreciated. A sincere “thank you” goes a long way, especially because these men value students above all else in their job.

Day in and day out, Flaherty pulls up to school and opens the double doors. Kids pour out of the bus and jump down from the platform as he stands at the top of the stairs.

Smiling, he reminds them of the values he tries to embody every day.

“All you Giants, be giant in your actions and how you interact with other people,” Flaherty tells them as he waves goodbye.

Photo by Skylar Strotz

HEADING TO THE bus, sophomores Leah and Lyla Jirasek begin their daily commute home. They have been taking the bus since their freshman year.

bark@redwoodbark.org

HEARD IN THE HALLS “I could have gotten the 2018 [Mercedes] model, but I decided to get the 2017 to save my mom some money.”

- Physio class

“If they cut off your hands and they were using the size of your hands to try and find you, they’d be looking for a child.”

- Back lot

“Does a JUUL have calories?”

- Locker room

“God I look f*cking sexy today.”

- Upper hallway

“You’re smarter than you look, and you look pretty f*cking stupid.”

- Downstairs hallway “If you get a face tattoo, I won’t be friends with you anymore.”

- Downstairs hallway

October 26, 2018 bark Page 22 • Lifestyles Vanessa Kristal’s journey from fashion in France to teaching in Marin

By Emma Carpenter “Graduating a year early from high school as a 16-year-old is out of the box in itself. Dropping out of UC Santa Cruz a few years after high school must have been an even bigger nightmare for my parents, yet that’s just what I did before moving from California to Paris, France,” English teacher Vanessa Kristal said.

Kristal, a new addition to the Redwood staff, had a seemingly endless voyage to becoming a Redwood teacher. Her journey has evolved from her love of the French language and interest in ballet. Growing up in Marin, Kristal attended the Marin Ballet school and took French classes in middle and high school, which both influenced her decision to move to France later in her life.

Photo by Emma Carpenter Kristal’s journey began at Tamalpais High School, where she graduated a year early by taking additional ONLY A FEW doors away from her Aunt Allison, classes at College of Marin, and continued taking Vanessa has adjusted to her return to Marin.

French courses throughout college at UC Santa Cruz. countries every week.

“I would get students from Japan, France and South She eventually participated in a study abroad program through UC Santa Cruz, living with a family in France America, constantly giving me a new mix of faces. For example, I would have a Japanese student who wasn’t for a semester.

Although switching locations and moving away from accustomed to speaking up in a classroom setting because that’s just not how they would culturally her family was a drastic change, function, and next to the reserved participating in French culture had student, I would have a student from always been a dream of hers.

Brazil, who wasn’t afraid to shout, and “After just a few months in would be bursting with energy,” Kristal France, I was dreaming and thinking said. in French. I just completely fell in Although Kristal’s job was an love with it, and continued speaking unordinary experience, she kept finding fluently,” Kristal said. excuses to leave and return to France.

Soon after Kristal got a taste of She switched paths again in her 20’s, what France had to offer, she decided this time joining a graduate program to move there long term by dropping in Florence, Italy in merchandising out of UC Santa Cruz and attending and management at the Polymontal the American University of Paris. Vanessa Kristal, Institute of Fashion. After her studies, Moving back to Paris as a transfer teacher Kristal searched for a job as a publicist student, she took teaching courses for for fashion lines. She became involved English as a Second Language (ESL) in a completely new career, helping because she found teaching to be a fashion designers in promoting their clothing by sending rewarding profession.

After completing her courses in Paris, Kristal moved lookbooks to high-end magazines.

Although the fashion scene was satisfactory for Kristal back to America where she found a job as an ESL teacher at Brandon Language Center, a college in San Francisco. in her younger days, she soon realized the work was not Here, she was able to meet new students from different meaningful to her.

After just a few months in France, I was dreaming and thinking in French.

Kristal began reevaluating her career and life when her mother passed away from cancer after battling the illness for 10 years. She decided she wanted to make a greater impact on her community by teaching once again in Marin.

“I always thought of Marin’s landscapes as dry and boring, but coming back has awakened me to the spaciousness and proximity of everything here. I just love the fact that I can go to the beach, and a few miles away is a breathtaking hike like Tennessee Valley,” Kristal said.

Although it was difficult for Kristal to separate herself from France, she holds fond memories of Marin and has family that lives in the area who have helped her transition back.

Redwood math teacher Allison Kristal, Vanessa Kristal’s aunt, has always been close with Vanessa, and their relationship has progressed as they have reunited in Marin.

“I think what’s nice about family that you’ve grown up with is that reconnecting is seamless. Even if you haven’t spoken for a long time, when you’re back in the same space, it feels natural to pick up where you’ve left off,” Allison said.

Since Allison was both a Redwood student and teacher, she was able to give Kristal contrasting perspectives about what teaching is like at Redwood.

“The first week on campus I just gave her the lay of the land. I think just knowing a familiar face within the sea of bodies at a populated school acts as a source of comfort, and ensures that someone is looking out for you,” Allison said.

Kristal’s new students have also been supportive, and value her optimistic outlook on life. Senior Angelina Prakash, a student in Vanessa’s Essay Exposition class, respects her flexible and encouraging teaching style.

“I really enjoy being able to relate to teachers who have similar childhood experiences as I have had, and life choices that are not necessarily regarded as traditional. I can tell that Ms. Kristal really wants the best for her students and looks out for them in ways some of my other teachers don’t,” Prakash said. ecarpenter@redwoodbark.org

Festive fall flavors: four recipes to LEAF you full and smiling Story and Photos by Sabine Lloyd SWEET POTATO GNOCCHI: 16 ounces ricotta cheese 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 cups flour 1 medium or large sweet potato ¼ teaspoon nutmeg Topping: Melted butter & sage (or sauce of choice) Parmesan (optional) Directions: In a large bowl, stir the ricotta, parmesan, nutmeg and flour together. Mash the cooked sweet potato (oven: 45 minutes, microwave: pierced and cooked for 6-8 minutes) in a separate bowl with a ricer or fork. Add the sweet potato into the cheese, nutmeg and flour mixture. Mix until combined, but do not overwork the dough. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and divide into 1-2 sections. Roll each section into a long rope and cut into ¾ inch pieces. Cook the gnocchi in boiling water for one-two minutes.

Remove and drain. Lightly brown the butter or heat the sauce of choice in a pan and coat the freshly cooked gnocchi.

Garnish with sage.

KALE SALAD: 2 cups tri-colored quinoa 3 bunches of kale 1 gala apple ½ cup pomegranate seeds 1 cup candied pecans ½ cup dry cranberries Dressing: Juice of 1 lemon ½ cup olive oil Sea salt to taste Pepper to taste Directions: Boil the water and cook the quinoa according to the instructions on the package. Chop the kale into small pieces and slice the apple into thin wedges. Deseed a pomegranate. Add the components into a large bowl.

Disperse the candied pecans and dry cranberries throughout. Mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a Mason jar. Shake the jar gently to distribute the ingredients evenly and pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine and serve for yourself, friends and family!

CHAI LATTE: 1 cup milk (I recommend coconut almond milk) ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger (optional) 2 cloves (optional) ½ teaspoon cardamom (optional) 1 tablespoon maple syrup Directions: Begin by adding the milk of choice into a small saucepan. Then, add the cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour in the maple syrup into the mixture. Simmer at medium heat and stir often until bubbles appear on the surface. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy with preferred toppings!

PUMPKIN WAFFLES: ½ cup coconut oil, fully liquified 2 eggs, separated ½ cup white sugar ¼ cup brown sugar 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin purée ½ cup buttermilk ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1 ½ cups all purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt Directions: Preheat the waffle maker. Add the sugar, coconut oil, egg yolks, buttermilk and pumpkin purée into a large bowl. Whisk until combined. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt) in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir.

Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks and fold them into the batter. Ladle ¾ cup of batter into the waffle maker.

Cook for about 3 minutes and serve with toppings of choice. slloyd@redwoodbark.org

Page 23 • Lifestyles

www.redwoodbark.org

Qualified college advice presented by an unqualified applicant

bark

By Natalie Cerf I am a first-semester senior. I take six classes at school and one “class” at home: college applications. The load of the entire application process feels like exactly that, a whole other class. I’m writing essays, constantly stressed out, have to report to a “teacher” (college counselor) and have nightly homework with deadlines.

I know that one-fourth of Redwood is going through the same thing, and I do empathize. I know just as well as anyone that this time of the year is more stressful than we ever anticipated it to be. Luckily, we do not have to suffer alone. There are more services and resources on campus than I realized, and I’d bet I’m not the only one who didn’t know about them. Between the Wellness Center and the College and Career Center, the low 100s wing of the school is basically a one-stop shop for any stress relief or college help you could need.

Here is some advice that might help make first semester senior year a little more bearable.

“Have compassion for yourself” According to Cera Arthur, Wellness Outreach Specialist, the amount of people that come to Wellness because of collegebased stress is very high.

“When I am checking in with people, they are really overwhelmed by not only the college application process but being in class and just trying to function as a student,” Arthur said.

I know that my fellow seniors and I have struggled these last two months combining all of our school assignments with our college application work. Arthur suggests that in order to combat this type of stress, sometimes the unsuspecting distraction can be just what we need.

“I usually ask [students] in the past when they’ve been really stressed what they have done to help; sometimes that’s just distracting themselves and painting.

Sometimes it’s just to really talk about it which can be done with their school counselor or another therapist here,” Arthur said.

Arthur said that this year the Wellness Center is focusing in on self-care, stress and anxiety. The center will be putting on school-wide events to help kids cope with their stress levels in an effort to make them more manageable, so make sure to look out for more information about those in the future.

However, in my experience, simply lowering my stress levels is way easier said than done. If there was simply a switch in my head that could “dim” my stress level on a day-to-day basis, I would love it.

Unfortunately, technology has not come

Photo by Natalie Cerf

HANGING FROM THE ceiling, college banners decorate the College and Career Center on campus. Students can come during SMART period throughout fall for counseling help, as well as attend college visits from representatives. quite that far yet and so we are left with is feeling the most stressed out on campus.

However, I do recognize that the seniors are some evergreen tools.

“I think it is really important not to not the only class worrying about college. make college applications the constant The looming stress of college, according to topic of conversation; there are other things Heimbrodt, is something that often begins going on. I think giving yourself breaks is before senior year.

“I think the so important stress begins and just way before allowing [senior year]. yourself to My goal since relax and I started here is trying not to to help change feel guilty the mindset, or about taking change the norms the time to around here from take care of thinking that yourself,” there are only Arthur said. Meg Heimbrodt, 10 acceptable “Be gentle College and Career Center Specialist schools to go with yourself, to into helping ask for help students realize and staying that there are lots and lots and lots of connected with friends.” schools,” Heimbrodt said. “The goal is to “Turn down the volume” Meg Heimbrodt, College and Career find what is the best fit for the individual Specialist, is another great resource for any student, not what is the best fit for 50 other and all students. She will start the college students.”

I know I cannot be the only one who has conversation with students as soon as freshman year, if that is what they’d like. felt the weight of the college application The College and Career Center, according process before it was even close for it to to Heimbrodt, is a great resource for be time to be thinking about it. Whether students to begin exploring colleges and it’s an older sibling, parental pressure, the different opportunities that they offer. internal pressure or some combination of Students can meet with college admissions the three, the intensity of the stress did not representatives at school and have a fall start recently.

“One of the messages I give to all the semester full of SMART class periods dedicated to college application help at the students who come in is to turn down the volume. There is so much frenzy and center.

Right now seniors are 100 percent so much hype. I meet with freshman and allowed to have the monopoly over who sophomores who are already feeling that

One of the messages I give to all my students who come in is turn down the volume.

There is so much hype.

pressure and I just want to try to start reducing it from the get-go,” Heimbrodt said. “The emphasis is not ‘I have to get into this one school,’ it’s more about ‘I have to find a place that fits who I am and what I’m looking for.’”

Heimbrodt helps kids realize their full, individual abilities instead of clumping them together. She notices that there is a large amount of pressure coming at kids from every single angle of their lives, making it nearly impossible to block every single worry out all at once.

“One of the ways I help students reduce stress is by seeing them as a whole person and have them understand that this is just part of the journey. There is no right or wrong answer in this process,” Heimbrodt said.

There are so many different ways that people respond to stress; it would be insane for me to assume that lighting incense and drinking tea does the trick for everyone (I do recommend it, however). Whether you are more of a soother of the mind or a soother of the soul, I think it is important for us all to at least make the effort to agree on one thing: do not overwork yourself.

“During college applications it is really important to listen to your body, make sure you’re sleeping. There are a lot of really great resources here; the school counselors help, the College and Career Center helps and Wellness, too. Have compassion for yourself, take breaks, don’t overcaffeinate,” Arthur said.

ncerf@redwoodbark.org

Sophomore Fin Bunting’s bold style does not drag

By Bella Roesler High school can be a difficult environment for genuine self-expression due to social pressures and expectations.

However, sophomore Fin Bunting has confidently expressed his identity though drag culture, cheerleading and art.

Bunting is currently in the Drawing and Painting art class, where he paints with acrylics. His love for art started in middle school and led him to explore makeup. The creative freedom of painting urged him to experiment with a new medium on a new canvas: makeup on himself.

“I’ve always loved art, like painting and drawing. I think that makeup is another form of art for me, but a way to do it on my face. It’s a very creative process,” Bunting said.

In seventh grade, just as Bunting was beginning to advance his makeup skills, he discovered drag culture through the TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.

“It came across my Instagram and I was like ‘Oh I’ll watch this.’ It’s basically just a show with a bunch of drag queens in it. I ended up really liking it so I decided to try [drag],” Bunting said.

Being introduced to drag led Bunting to further explore its vast culture. He started doing drag queen makeup and attended his first show when he was 13.

“I’ve gone to six drag shows altogether. I’ve been to two in L.A., called RuPaul’s Dragcon, which is basically a big meet-and-greet with a bunch of drag queens,” Bunting said.

“I’ve gone to four shows in San Francisco, which were smaller.

The San Francisco drag cons include a show, where the drag queen will lip sync to a song and dance.”

When Bunting is immersed in the lively environment of a drag show, he gets along with the queens due to their mutual appreciation for drag.

“You socialize and watch the show.

I’m friends with some of them, so they’ll

bring me up on stage sometimes,” Bunting said.

Before attending a show, Bunting has plenty of options to create his own style. He owns 12 wigs, and his cosmetic process takes about two to three hours to complete. One of the required items to accomplish a look includes an Elmer’s glue stick.

“I sit down and take an Elmer’s glue stick. I glue down my eyebrows to make them flat so I can go over them with makeup; I want a clean base so I can draw new ones. [The process] depends on what kind of look I want to do, because sometimes I’ll be more normal and other times I might be all blue,” Bunting said.

From the pampering process to showtime, Bunting explained that he is well-supported and has never experienced criticism for loving drag. One of his supporters is his best friend and cheer teammate, sophomore Zoe Harrison.

“I think it’s really cool that Fin does drag events and makeup. I’m going to a drag show with

him in the city. He’s friends with some of the queens, and there’s this show about drag that he made my family watch with him,” Harrison said.

The drag queen aspect of Bunting’s life is not his only hobby. As one of the backs for the Redwood varsity cheer team, Bunting lifts flyers up, contributes dance ideas and adds his signature dance moves such as the “death drop” and the “split jump.”

“Fin is really helpful on the cheer team. He contributes a lot. He helps bring everyone together and comes up with new ideas to make dances. He puts a lot of effort into it outside of our practices,” Harrison said.

Bunting’s cheer coach Heather Long has a similar perspective on Bunting.

“He is very eager to learn and he wants to be the best he can be. He’s really strong and tall, so that’s helpful in stunting. He’s also an amazing dancer,” Long said.

Long has coached boys in the past. She has not faced any issues regarding team dynamics and coaches Bunting with the same respect as the girls.

“I’ve had a few boys throughout the years; one stayed with me through all four years. I kind of see that with Fin,” Long said. “Having boys on the team is good, but it depends on the guy. Fin just blends in with everybody and fits in. Everyone is comfortable with him and he seems to be comfortable with the girls. It’s a pretty cohesive unit. I treat Fin the same way as all cheerleaders.”

While Bunting’s plans for the future may not include cheer, whatever he chooses will involve his talent and artistry.

“I know I definitely want a future in makeup. I think drag would be fun, on the side obviously, because I can’t make that much money off it, but I know I want to do something involving makeup,” Bunting said.

Bunting has found his calling through the art of makeup. He has built a life with many aspects of creative expression and uses these hobbies to differentiate himself and tap into his individuality. iroesler@redwoodbark.org

Photo courtesy of Fin Bunting