Carlmont Highlander January 2016

HIGHLANDER PAGE 5

COSMOS -- a summer of STEM

PAGE 2

Breaking misconceptions about OCD and anxiety PAGE 8

Genderfluid flows through PAGE 7 Carlmont

THE

How the Super Bowl will affect the Bay Area

Carlmont High School — Belmont, California

January 2016 Vol VII Issue IV

www.scotscoop.com twitter: @scotscoopnews

Gun violence sees no ceasefire Mass shootings become an everyday affair

Avery Adams

As an elementary school kid, you liberally strutted your rainbow polka-dotted or race car backpack through the halls everyday.

But in our current society, some children are being advised to turn to a new style of bags: bullet proof backpacks.

In 1980, the United States’ average of mass killings per decade spiked and has continued to rise.

There have been at least 62 mass shootings in the past three decades, 24 of them occurring in the last seven years, according to a recent Mother Jones survey.

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) define a mass public shooting as an attack in which four or more people are killed in a single incident involving guns in a public place, such as a workplace or a school. This excludes familyrelated and crime-related mass shootings.

“Hate for different groups, or different religions [can influence mass shootings]; most seem to relate to racial differences. Terrorism is a big part as well. People want to make their point. Most people that shoot [a gun] get a lot of attention, especially in mass shootings. Maybe they are not taken seriously in society and that is the only way they can get attention—on a huge scale,” said sophomore Liam Gunning.

The largest of those 62 mass public shootings—the ones with victims in the double digits—such as the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut resulting in 26 dead, have occurred only 13 times since 1966.

However, seven of those 13 large shootings occurred between 2007 and 2013, while the other six were spread out over the previous four decades.

These mass shootings have occurred even as the nation’s overall violent crime and homicide rates decreased.

Single-victim gun killings have dropped more than 40 percent since 1980, according to 2010 FBI crime data.

But the total number of people dying in mass shootings

has risen from an average of 161 each year in the 1980s to 163 between 2006 and 2008, according to FBI statistics.

“Recent incidents make it seem as if rampages are on the rise, but they have been a fact of life for a long time and will remain that way,” said Jack Levin, a criminology professor at Northeastern University and author of “Extreme Killing.”

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the rate of mass shootings has tripled since 2011.

A similar report recently published by the CRS shows the frequency of mass attacks has increased to every 74 days this decade, compared with 282 days between mass killings in the 1970s.

Although some studies have shown the increase of mass shooting incidents through recent years, some professionals suggest that the rise is not as abrupt as the media portrays.

“These decade-long averages suggest that the prevalence, if not the deadliness, of ‘mass public shootings’ increased in the 1970s and 1980s, and continued to increase, but not as steeply, during the 1990s, 2000s and first four years of the 2010s,” said the CRS report authors, William Krouse and Daniel Richardson.

Mass public attacks have been in the news recently after high-profile shooting sprees in 2015, such as in Charleston, South Carolina, where a historically black church was the target, and in San Bernardino, California, where a couple opened fire on a holiday party.

The CRS said those were part of a “rash of shootings” that have captured the public’s attention due to the seeming randomness of these attacks.

“Mass shootings are part of the new reality. It’s just going to happen. Hearing about school shootings—and it is possible that we have [previously] heard about them—is now just a part of our normal agendas. [We] seem to be waiting until it reaches [us],” said history teacher Gregory Schoenstein.

By breaking down the data by decade, the CRS researchers concluded that things are getting worse regard-

ing mass shootings, though the rise isn’t as bad as it was several decades ago.

“People worry about media bias. If people bought stories about the majority of the stuff that happens in a given day, such as all the happy, peaceable stuff, [people would be bored].”

Maybe we are wired to be on the lookout for danger or threats that seem disastrous,” said Schoenstein.

Ted Alcorn, a researcher for Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization dedicated to gun control laws, analyzed the mass shootings between July 2009 and July 2015.

Contrary to several other reports, Alcorn concluded that mass shootings are not on the rise at all; they’ve plateaued.

According to the analysis, 130 people were killed in mass shootings in 2009. In 2012, even with Aurora and Newtown, two of the most violent mass attacks, 112 people were killed in mass shootings. Meanwhile, in 2015, there were 66 deaths from 13 mass shootings up until July.

Gunning said, “It feels like almost everyday I go on the news and see another mass shooting, nothing [changes]; everything is about mass shootings. I feel like it is a norm now, seeing a mass shooting.”

Although attention has been recently brought to America’s culture of guns, ownership of firearms is near an all-time low in the United States, according to political scientist Patrick Egan.

A recent General Social Survey report revealed that compared to the 1970s when about half of all American households owned at least one gun, only 31 percent owned a firearm in 2014.

“When there’s, on average, 21 mass shootings every year, whether statistically significant or not, that’s very significant in terms of lives lost and for us as a society,” said Mike McLively, an attorney at the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. “We can all agree that’s extremely significant that it’s happening with such frequency.”

PHOTO BY MINH-HAN VU

Page 2 The Highlander

CAMPUS

Special summer program offered for STEM Sarah Schisla When summer hits, some students head to the beach and forget about textbooks for the next two months. For other Carlmont students, summer means searching for a job, an internship, or the chance to explore beyond what they learn in school.

In past years, some Carlmont students have taken advantage of the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science program (COSMOS) hosted by the University of California.

Despite its name, the program is very unlike the high school experience.

COSMOS is a four-week residential program for those interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM subjects).

Senior Nathan Kinsey said, “When we walked into class on day one, our professor said that if we felt like we were in summer school, he wasn’t doing his job right.”

While studying biomedical sciences at COSMOS, Kinsey never felt like he was back in a high school classroom.

“COSMOS was unlike any other learning experience I’ve ever had. I woke up every day and went to class with other people who shared [my] common interests. Class was always engaging and fun because I was learning exactly the sort of thing that I am interested in,” he said.

Applicants indicate their firstand second-choice “clusters,” or areas of study; these groups determine a student’s peers and curriculum during the program.

Kinsey has always planned on pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, and his chosen cluster at COSMOS was closely tied to his plans for college.

Others, like senior Sage Shamsai, used COSMOS as a chance to explore their interests and potential career paths.

“Even though I didn’t fall in love with the cluster I enrolled under, the environment and exposure to college-style lectures really helped me get ready for the next stage in my life,” said Shamsai. “I would do it again [if I could], but this time I would choose to apply under a cluster that I have more of a passion for -- structural engineering, [rather than photonics].”

In addition to following a rigorous curriculum in their field of choice, students get a taste of college life during the program.

Senior Austin Tang, who studied in the Mechanics of Engineering cluster, said, “COSMOS opened my eyes to the level of independence college students

have, as well as the level of responsibility expected from them.”

COSMOS students are largely responsible for managing their own time. This means that they must finish all work (including their final projects) on time, but they are also granted a wide breadth of freedom in navigating and exploring the campus and surrounding area.

COSMOS is offered at the UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz campuses.

Applicants may only apply to one campus. Each location has its own distinct recreational activities, and the available clusters may vary by campus.

“I mainly chose the UC San Diego campus because I was going to apply there for college anyway, and I wanted to see what it was like first hand,” said Shamsai.

Most Carlmont students who participated in COSMOS enrolled in the program at UC Davis.

“It’s [one of] the closest COSMOS campuses, and I didn’t really want to pay for plane tickets.

Between UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz, I choose to apply to UC Davis because it was one of the schools that I was considering for college,” said Tang.

The application process can be competitive, as each campus can only accommodate around 200 students.

The cost of in-state tuition is $3,400, but financial assistance is available for California residents.

According to the COSMOS homepage, this tuition funds a program for “talented and motivated students completing grades 8-12 the opportunity to work with renowned faculty, researchers and scientists in state-of-the-art facilities, while exploring advanced STEM topics far beyond the courses usually offered in California high schools.”

Overall, COSMOS allows for a deeper exploration of subject material alongside peers who share a passion for learning.

“At first it was intimidating because I was with some of the smartest people I had ever met, so it was definitely a challenge, but we all encouraged each other, which definitely helped to promote learning,” said Tang.

The COSMOS application period begins Jan. 19, and the deadline for submission is Feb. 20.

The application includes a shortresponse portion and two letters of recommendation from the student’s science and math teachers.

For students interested in pursuing a STEM career, the COSMOS program could be a useful head start.

The program runs from July 10 to Aug. 6.

January 2016

Guide to student loans After grants and merit aid and all other financial options have been exhausted, it’s time to take out student loans.

Federal loans

Subsidized

Unsubsidized

Interest rate: 4.29%

Interest rate: 4.29% (undergraduate), 5.84% (graduate)

The US Department of Education pays the interest on the loans while you’re in school (or at least half of the time), and also pays the interest 6 months after you graduate (called a grace period) and during a period of deferment

6 + months

You have to start paying interest immediately. If you don’t pay the interest on your loans it will build up (accrue) and will be added to the original amount you have to pay back.

Original balance

Unpaid Interest

+

=

New balance to be paid (with interest)

Only for undergraduate students Your school determines the amount you can borrow, and the amount may not exceed your financial need

For undergraduate and graduate students Your school determines the loan type(s), if any, and the actual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year.

Private loans

Interest Funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders

Simple daily interest formula: Outstanding principal balance x number of days since last payment x interest rate factor = interest amount

Example Say you take out an $100,000 unsubsidized loan and you pay it over 10 years with the federal interest rate of 4.29% percent you will actually end up paying…

Why are they’re undesirable: ¥ Variable interest rates that can rise when interest rates rise during the life of the loan (can substantially increase your payment) ¥ Fewer options to reduce or postpone payments ¥ Less flexible repayment options

$123,154.96 https://studentloans.gov http://www.Þnaid.org/

http://www.consumerÞnance.gov

ZOE WILDMAN

Recycling at Carlmont demystified Aria Frangos

Carlmont Scots bleed blue, but are we green?

“One of my teachers told me that Carlmont doesn’t recycle,” said sophomore Rhea Subramanian. “According to him, the custodians just empty recycling bins and trash into the same bag.”

This take on how Carlmont handles recycling, however, is not true.

Recycling in the Sequoia Union High School District is handled independently at each site. At Carlmont, custodians have separate bags for recycling and for trash, and are instructed to keep them separate. Carlmont receives between $2,000 to $2,500 from the district for recycling done on campus.

Carlmont has three recycling bins per section of campus and bulk bins by ASB, behind F-wing, and in the senior parking lot. The bulk bins are picked up every Tuesday and Thursday.

“Putting a recycling bin by every trash can is a good idea, but it’s just too much work for the custodians. It already takes one man

4 hours every morning to empty the campus trash cans, said Plant Manager Jerome Harris. “There are plenty of recycling bins on campus within a convenient distance for people to use if they’re willing to think about recycling.”

According to a 2005 U.S. Senate Report, recycling one ton of office paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 463 gallons of oil, and three cubic yards in a landfill.

A study at Stanford University found that recycling one ton of plastic saves 16.3 barrels of oil.

Carlmont recycles in bulk, but clubs can also get money by collaborating with the custodians and sorting bottles from the recycling for cash back at Carlmont Village Recycling.

“There used to be an environmental commissioner in ASB who handled that, but no one has sorted the bottles out in about three years,” said Harris.

The Carlmont Green Youth Alliance is a club dedicated to preserving and saving the earth.

“I didn't know that separating the bottles to get cash back for club funds was a possibility,” said club president senior Tara Shahrvini. “I remember the club trying

to do that when I was a freshman, but we haven't since then. We will have to look into that.”

In addition to recycling from bins year-round, at the end of the school year, custodians empty the trash cans into the recycling, since they are filled mostly with paper.

In addition to the usual recycling done on campus, the Biotech building and Performing Arts Center are green buildings with eco-friendly cleaning. According to Harris, the custodians are also switching over to green cleaning all across campus with eco-friendly products.

Recycling has many positive effects on the environment: it saves landfill space and conserves resources. Everyone is aware of the general benefits of recycling, and yet Carlmont students and staff alike seem to be largely unaware of the recycling policies and opportunities in place on campus.

There are numerous recycling cans all around campus, and Carlmont custodians are doing their part to recycle. In the end, it’s up to the students to decide whether or not Carlmont recycles by choosing to toss their cans in the trash can or the blue bin.

The Highlander

CAMPUS

Page 3 January 2016

Questioning the benefits of choice Hannah Young

While American students browse class cataloges and college brochures at their counselor meetings, students in all other parts of the world are sitting through standardized classes and studying for their national college entrance exams.

The difference lies in the culture and ideology of being dependent until high school graduation.

However, automatic independence in college is only an expectation in America.

According to CollegeBound. net, 80 percent of American public college students leave home for school. On the other hand, most teenagers in other countries attend college while living at home with their parents. This cultivates

the American culture of raising students to make decisions as ex- early independence as good prepteenagers to be as independent pected is commonly reinforced by aration for high school students as possible early on by encourag- colleges who promote living on before they graduate.

“Because of the way our coling teenagers to make their own campus.

According to US News, “Liv- lege system works and how indecisions by providing them with dependent college choices. students need to be, Does the American “It’s obviously different for every practicing those skills teeanger today have too many choices, or circumstance, but I don’t think [high of independence and self-advocacy in high not enough? school students] should be making school when you’re “I’m not saying it’s still in a supportive a bad thing, but we do major unguided decisions.” environment is a good have a lot of options, thing,” said DePaoli. and if you make differHunter Manter DePaoli and the ent decisions than what Junior guidance department your peers are making encourage students to it feels like you’re falling ‘behind your grade,’” said se- ing in university housing can help ask for help in high school and nior Mia Hogan. “A lot of people students transition from living take advantages of all the support feel pressured to push themselves under their parents' roof to living that living at home can offer.

With the freedom of so many so they don’t fall behind their on their own.”

Similarly, Head Guidance choices comes a lot of responsibilpeers.”

The same pressure that drives Counselor Tammy DePaoli sees ity that students may or may not

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be prepared to take on.

“I feel like I rushed into my decision so I’m not entirely sure that it’s going to be the college where I want to study, but I couldn’t wait on it because I didn’t want to be ‘behind’ and college really isn’t something that can wait,” said Hogan.

Perhaps a compromise between encouraging independence early on and letting kids be kids should be considered so students can practice important skills without worrying about making life-shattering decisions.

“It’s obviously different for every circumstance, but I don’t think [high school students] should be making major unguided decisions,” said junior Hunter Manter.

Page 4

CAMPUS

The Highlander

January 2016

Winter formal will be a ‘twerk free’ zone Isabel Mitchell

Twerking is out.

Due to a new policy at the Fox Theater in Redwood City, Carlmont students will not be able to twerk at Winter Formal on Jan. 23.

Ernie Schmidt, the director of marketing and sales for Fox Theater, said they implemented this policy in 2015 due to some inappropriate behavior observed the past years at the venue. Schmidt said that Fox Theater wants to create a safe and fun environment for students.

“We have relayed to all schools wishing to hold their formal dances at our venue that students simply use good judgement when out on the dance floor. We will do everything in our power to ensure that it is not only a fun and great place to hold a school dance, but a safe environment for all students,” said Schmidt.

If twerking is not consensual between two people, then it can create a higher risk for a sexual assault due to the fact the dance provokes sexual contact.

Administrative Vice Principal Grant Steunenberg believes the Fox Theater venue is protecting themselves and students in case an assault were to occur.

“Without having spoken to the Fox Theater management directly, I would assume their policy is in place to avoid potential litigation. When renting their facility to an organization that caters to minors, they are incurring greater liability under their

insurance. Because 'twerking' involves the be really awkward if a chaperone stepped participants to engage in movements that in to stop you from twerking, but I do can be interpreted as sexual in nature, it in- not think they will really enforce the rule. creases the chances for inappropriate con- However, if the situation escalates sexually, duct and/or contact within the confines of chaperones should intervene,” said sophotheir facility,” said Steunenberg. more Maddy Meier.

According to the Oxford English DicWith this in mind, chaperones such as tionary, to twerk means “to dance to popu- Belmont Police School Resource Officer lar music in a sexually provocative manner Brian Vogel do not plan on intervening uninvolving thrusting hip movements and a less there is a serious issue concerning the low squatting stance.” safety of students.

Twerking originates from West Af“How many times have you seen me on rica, but it became the dance floor? Alsexualized once the most never. I do not “Even if students are not hip hop industry in want to make stuAmerica began to dents feel uncomallowed to twerk, formal will use it in the early fortable. My priority still be an amazing event 1990s. In 1993, DJ is to make sure all because of the incredible Jubilee released the students feel safe “Do the Jubilee All,” at the venue and that energy Carlmont has.” which included no prohibited subNour Zabaeh lyrics encouragstances are brought Junior ing twerking. Since in,” said Vogel. then, the dance Popular songs has only grown. Singer and actress Miley such as Gas Pedal by Sage the Gemini, She Cyrus is also known for her 2013 VMA Twerkin by Ca$h Out, and Booty by Jenperformance with Robin Thicke that dem- nifer Lopez promote the provocative dance onstrated her twerking skills on national move. Similar songs like these were played television. during homecoming and last years winter Statistics from a recent poll sent out to formal.

Carlmont students through social media Sophomore Kiran Boone believes that showed that 65.1 percent of the 261 re- the type of music influences the way stusponders will feel uncomfortable having dents dance. this rule enforced.

“I think that a better solution would “If this year’s formal is like last year’s, be to change the type of music played at there were not a lot of chaperones. It would school dances instead of policing specific

dance moves. If you don't want inappropriate dancing to be going on, don't create an inappropriate atmosphere with degrading and suggestive music that most students don't enjoy,” said Boone.

According to ASB Dance Commission Supervisor Amelia Armstrong, ASB sends a request song list to the DJ weeks before the dance that includes student recommendations. The DJ can look at their requests, but there is no guarantee every suggestion will be played.

Despite this new rule, formal will not dramatically change. Formal will still be a night to spend with friends. Students have the chance to create fun memories with their classmates. And for seniors, this will be their last winter formal.

“Formal is about having a good time with friends and starting the new year off the right way. It is a chance to let go of your mind, take in the moment, having a good time, and enjoying the atmosphere formal brings,” said sophomore Josh Camerino.

Junior Nour Zabaneh encourages students to attend the dance because of the school spirit students had at the Scots vs.

Wild homecoming dance in October.

“During homecoming, the lights and music turned off several times and everyone continued to have an amazing time. So even if students are not allowed to twerk, formal will still be an amazing event because of the incredible energy Carlmont has,” said Zabaneh.

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The Highlander

SUPER BOWL 50

Page 5 January 2016

The good, the bad, and the ugly Economic benefits

Economic issues

Safety concerns

If you own a hotel or restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area, prepare to win big.

With nearly 100,000 people planning to attend Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, local businesses can expect to find themselves swimming in profits.

Even Bay Area residents can reap some benefits.

Online markets such as HomeAway and Airbnb are giving local families the opportunity to earn thousands of dollars by turning their cozy homes into festive inns, and renting them out to Super Bowl attendees for the week.

Shannon Earley, a junior at Notre Dame Belmont, said, “Having Super Bowl 50 in the Bay Area is really cool, and since the 49ers won’t be playing in it this year, we know people from out of state are going to be looking for somewhere to stay. We decided to put our house up for rent because we felt it was an easy way to get some extra money and it’s in a great location for getting to Levi’s stadium.”

The 2015 Super Bowl brought nearly $500 million in economic impact to its host state of Arizona, and returned over 2 million of it back to the community through grants.

Local politicians are hopeful that the San Francisco area will see similar proceeds, and that the event will open up all sorts of job opportunities.

For those who won’t necessarily be impacted economically, they can still enjoy other Super Bowl festivities.

The Bay Area wil be hosting the NFL Experience driven

by Hyundai the week of the Super Bowl, which includes interactive games, an opportunity for fans to meet certain NFL players, and a display on the history of the game.

Unfortunately, hosting such a monumental event is accompanied by some negatives as well.

For one, traffic all over the Bay Area is projected to be awful, and commuters are being forced to adjust their normal routes to avoid particularly heavy areas.

With a large number of out-of-towners visiting the San Francisco area, many locals feel pressure to stay at home and avoid the long lines and high prices they are likely to find as the big day inches closer.

Don’t even bother trying to hire Uber or order a pizza delivery because the wait could take hours.

And definitely don’t make the mistake of thinking the Super Bowl is a “one-day event” because it really lasts more like a week.

According to the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee’s calendar, symphonies and luncheons will be held in honor of the big game starting about a week in advance. And the more popular cities such as San Francisco and San Jose have an array of other festivities lined up leading up to the game to start building up excitement.

The city of Santa Clara as well as the NFL have also found themselves amidst a lawsuit by Santa Clara soccer league, whose soccer parks are being converted into a media center for the big game. Though it is too late to save the fields, the movement has been receiving lots of support from the local community and other nearby clubs.

So if you enjoy spending your nights out at clubs with friends, or at a cozy restaurant with family, the days surrounding Feb. 7 may not be your favorite days of the year.

Following the massive terrorist attack in Paris this past November, concerns are looming over whether the San Francisco Bay Area should be on watch as nearly 100,000 people flood into San Jose to watch one of the most important games of the year.

And because safety is nothing to take lightly, a coalition of agencies have been at hard at work to guarantee secure grounds.

In an article for KQED News, Al Guido, chief operating officer for the 49ers and Levi’s Stadium said, “We’ve had Homeland Security, the FBI, the military do best/worstcase scenario planning, and evacuation training. This is a major event and we know it.”

Jim Mercurio, general manager of the 49ers and Levi’s Stadium, added, “As you arrive in the parking lot you’ll see security. As you walk to the entry gates of the facility you’ll see them. You’ll see them on the concourses and you’ll see them on the field. You’ll see them in the tunnels and you’ll see them in the streets.”

But even tougher security measures at the stadium don’t guarantee a safe game.

Pregame festivities aren’t confined to one location, and thus maintaining this strong force at all Super Bowl facilities will be no easy task.

Though at this point there is no way to know for sure whether or not terrorism will come into play at this beloved sporting event, for now all we can do is continue to take precautionary measures and make sure we are prepared to protect our citizens at all costs.

ALYSSA FAGEL

In less than three weeks, Super Bowl 50 will kick off at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

Though the teams are yet to be determined, close to 100,000 people are expected to flood into the Bay Area to observe the event.

More than just another football game Bijan Khalili

Football fans have been waiting for Super Bowl 50 to come since September, and finally it is just around the corner.

“As a football fan, I’ve been waiting all year for the big game, and I’m excited to see who comes out on top,” said senior Brent Zanette.

Come Super Bowl day, no matter where you are, everyone will be tuning in to watch the big game.

According to statistics from NBC Sports, last year’s Super Bowl XLIX generated 112.2 million viewers.

“You can’t really escape it; the game is playing everywhere,” said senior Connor Loucks.

The Super Bowl is not seen merely as just a game, but rather a part of American culture.

There’s something about food and foot-

ball that gets family and friends all together to enjoy watching the same thing.

“I usually have Super Bowl parties every year at my house. It’s always fun and exciting to have everyone together eating good food and watching the game,” said senior Nick Pugliano.

Aside from the game itself, a big part of the Super Bowl is the food.

According to Mashable statistics, people across the country will consume 1.23 billion chicken wings, 4 million pizzas, and 29 million pounds of chips on Super Bowl day alone.

“There’s always an overwhelming amount of food; everybody is pigging out,” said Zanette.

Due to its appeal to various audiences, the Super Bowl has something for everyone to enjoy.

This year’s halftime show is set to have performances from Beyonce and Coldplay,

extra festivities that attract a different range of audience members and include far more people than just football fans.

“I always enjoy the halftime show and Coldplay is playing this year, which I’m looking forward to watching,” said junior Elise Green.

Another source of entertainment is something that in normal cases people tend to ignore: the commercials.

With over 100 million eyes glued to the TV screens, businesses spend a lot of time making commercials to advertise their product.

Marketing strategists make sure every second counts in their commercials as a 30 second commercial for Super Bowl 50 will cost $4.5 million according to syracuse. com.

With the limited amount of spotlight time, businesses compete with each other to make the most memorable commercial.

“Super Bowl commercials are the best commercials because they’re funny and actually entertaining to watch,” said Zanette.

Some enjoy all the festivities surrounding the game, but what about the game itself?

Even though there’s a lot that comes with the Super Bowl, it is indeed a football game.

“All the extra stuff is good and all, but what I mostly care about is watching the game,” said Loucks.

Many fans want to see their team come out on top.

“The Patriots will win it and it will be easy for them to repeat because they did it 2003 and 2004,” said Pugliano.

At the end of the day, whether you are a football fanatic, or casually enjoy watching the commercials and the halftime show, the Super Bowl keeps Americans across the nation tuned in.

Page 6 The Highlander

LIFESTYLE

January 2016

How to make New Year resolutions stick Sophie Penn With the beginning of the new year comes a new list of resolutions.

Whether it is to try something new, break an old habit, or build a new one, people have something to add to their New Year’s resolutions list.

“One of my resolutions was to try new things. I think it’s a pretty reasonable goal because it’s easy for me to break away from my normal cycle and try something new,” said Carlmont sophomore Brock Lotti.

However, most resolutions are never completed.

The concept of making new resolutions for the upcoming year is a tradition for people across the world. Although many people set goals for the new year, very few of these are actually accomplished.

AP Psychology student and junior Chase Nilsen said, “Most New Year’s resolutions focus on completely unrealistic standards for people who lack the motivation to follow through.”

Many teenagers resolve to get healthier, start earning money, or do better in school.

According to Statistic Brain Research Institute, approximately 45 percent of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions, however only 8 percent are successful in achieving them.

Author of “Women, Food, and Desire,” Alexandra Jamieson, gave her opinion on the negative psychology behind resolutions

ISABEL MITCHELL

New Year’s resolutions can be hard to complete in one year.

in an article in Cosmopolitan Magazine. chologist Leslie Becker-Phelps believes “We set outrageous, unrealistic goals the majority of people who are dedicated that make us feel we’re not worthy until to achieving their goals don’t make them we achieve them. in December or And if we have January.

“Most New Year’s resolutions slip-ups, we feel She said, “I worse about ourthink as people focus on completely unrealistic selves than before mature, you standards for people who lack the we made the resomay find that motivation to follow through.” lution,” she said. they just come Many people to a place where Chase Nilson make resolutions they’re ready to Junior because it is cuschange.

Then tomary to, but you’re not necesmost don’t follow sarily seeing it as through. a New Year’s resolution, you’re seeing it as In an interview on CNN.com, psy- an evolution that might happen any time of

year for them.”

Writing down or announcing a goal is not nearly as difficult as making steps to change. According to the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes on average 66 days to build a new habit.

Psychology Today states that to make New Year’s Resolutions work, individuals should focus on just one goal, instead of many. In addition, goals should be realistic, and worked on throughout the year.

Nilsen said that “Another reason that resolutions fall short can be explained by the psychological differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation is a desire to accomplish something for a tangible reward, whereas the latter is purely internal self motivation.”

It has been scientifically proven that making resolutions for the new year rarely results in accomplishment of goals, yet thousands of people continue to make and fail at them, year after year.

Sophomore Ben Hood believes that the reason for this repetition is “to make people feel better by thinking that they might make a change, even if they don’t follow through.”

“If you’re making a resolution just to make a resolution, your heart is probably not in it. There’s a good chance you won’t do what you need to do to make it happen,” said Becker-Phelps.

As the new year kicks off, only time will tell if Carlmont students will stick to their resolutions or not.

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The Highlander

LIFESTYLE

Page 7 January 2016

Genderfluid flows through Carlmont Holly Chen

Boy or Girl? Check whichever box applies.

For some, both boxes apply.

Mainstream society defines gender into two categories: male or female. The day one comes out of the womb, they are told what gender they are and how to act as that gender.

But sometimes, gender is not such a definitive term.

The Oxford Dictionary defines genderfluid, or genderqueer, as “a person who does not identify themselves as having a fixed gender.”

Ruby Rose, star of season 3 of the hit TV show “Orange is the New Black,” came out as genderfluid in July of 2014.

Rose said to the Huffington Post, “I am very gender fluid and feel more like I wake up every day sort of gender neutral.”

Senior Cyan Chang came out as genderfluid during the summer of 2015.

She said, “I think being genderfluid has always been with me, because I would love the clothes that men and women wore, equally. I never felt 100 percent female every day. I did not know enjoying both gender styles and enjoying different gender pronouns was a gender identity until my junior year in high school. That was when I knew I was genderfluid.”

In 2015, the American Dialect’s Society chose “they” as the “Word of the Year” and defined it as, “[a] gender-neutral singular pronoun for a known person, as a non-binary identifier.” Showing that genderfluidity and not conforming to gender roles is becoming more and more prevalent.

More teens are coming out as genderqueer. According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 89 percent of people who identified as genderqueer are under the age of 45.

Most of these youth are in colleges, high schools, and middle schools, with different experiences after coming out. After Chang’s coming out in 2015, she said that the reaction had been relatively positive.

Chang said, “Carlmont High School is a very open place where people understand and accept one another; so I felt no pressure when coming out as genderfluid.”

Being genderfluid is relatively a new thing, and many people are unsure of what it means.

Sophomore Ogden Asmar said, “Everyone tried very hard to be positive, but it is much different than coming out as gay, bi, etc. Not harder, just different. When I came out as gay, there was no confusion, no explaining, no apologiz-

ing. When I came out as genderfluid, many people furrowed their brows and asked questions. What I’ve found is that people simply do not know what being transgender even means. I want to educate cisgender people about who we are.”

For Asmar, their coming out as genderqueer was a gradual experience.

Asmar said, “For me, experimenting with my gender was more of a process rather than an immediate realization.

It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I ADRIANA RAMIREZ feel like a boy today. I Cyan Chang dresses according to the gender she prefers on a given day. must be genderfluid.’ I had no idea what that meant 2 years ago. I just knew that sometimes I wanted a wrong information about people.”

Common misconceptions with genderfluidity are that it flat chest, and sometimes I wanted to wear heels. is interchangeable with being transgender.

But Asmar’s journey has not always been smooth.

Chang says, “Being genderfluid and being transgender Asmar said, “The two most difficult things about beare two completely different things. Transgender is defined ing genderfluid is one, dealing with cisnormativity, which as a person who does not feel like the gender they were is the same deal as heteronormativity. Basically, when evborn into, so they usually favor only one gender, and would erything is separated into girl stuff and boy stuff. I often like to change to the other gender permanently.

At times, a ask myself, ‘Where is the line for me? What am I allowed person might say they are genderfluid but then realize later and not allowed to do?’ And two, having little representain life that they are truly transgender; so there might be a tion in the LGBT+ community. In fact, everyone after the bridge between the two. ” + is barely ever talked about. What’s more, many cis people But for most genderfluid people, they hope that one day in the LGBT+ community are ignorant on the concept of society can progress to fully accept them as the way they gender.” are.

Or people are curious about genderfluidity’s other imAsmar said, “To me, the concept of gender is a social plications, from sexual preferences to whether or not “it is construct, and although people like me have always exjust a phase.” isted, challenging gender stereotypes is still a fairly new Chang said, “Some people do ask me if I am a tomboy concept.

People will get things wrong. I’ve found that most or if I am a lesbian, to which I tell them the definition of people want to be cool about it, but they’re just confused. being genderfluid. I find it funny that people question my Instead of dismissing these people, we need to educate and sexuality just because I sometimes dress masculine. I do inform if we want anything to get better. And hopefully understand why they would ask those questions, but again, people’s views on gender will slowly start to change.” it’s another stereotype that’s being tossed around and gives

Obsessive-compulsive disord Kelly Song

There’s a shuffling of papers, and pens spill everywhere. Everything is out of order and all the tiny details are out of place. The alarms inside every person with OCD must be going off at this moment, right?

As it turns out, this is actually the opposite of true. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD, is far from the neat, ever-controlling personality society has always pictured it to be. For decades, OCD has been confused for its similar, but distinctly different, counterpart OCPD. Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is the true “Type-A,” always-organized mental illness we’ve so commonly been referring to as OCD. So the next time someone says, “That picture frame is crooked, it’s throwing off my OCD,” you’ll recognize the irony in their statement.

The distinct difference between the two mental illnesses rests in one key word: personality.

OCPD is a personality disorder, while OCD is an

anxiety disorder. This introduces an important, but often unnoted, difference. Someone with OCPD is usually comfortable with their “neatness;” they find satisfaction in being demanding or organized, as it is simply part of their personality. When they rearrange something to be neat, they find relief and inner harmony, otherwise they feel in chaos. Sounds a lot like the “OCD” we’ve been popularizing, doesn’t it?

As it turns out, OCD is something completely different. It goes far more than being neat, simply because they feel uncomfortable about mess.

OCD is an anxiety disorder, meaning it is fear driven.

As explained by the National Institute of Mental Health, “Everyone double checks things sometimes. For example, you might double check to make sure the stove or iron is turned off before leaving the house. But people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) feel the need to check things repeatedly, or have certain thoughts or perform routines and rituals over and over.

The thoughts and rituals associated with OCD

cause distress and get in the way of daily life.”

While both are very similar, people with OCD never find satisfaction in their habits, unlike those with OCPD. An example of this might be someone flickering the lights on and off thirty times before they leave the room, because they believe something bad will happen if they do not.

And very unlike OCPD, where the person will urge others to follow their neat habits, people with OCD will apologize for their compulsions because it is unwanted.

As summarized by the International OCD Foundation, “People with OCD have insight, meaning they are aware that their unwanted thoughts are unreasonable. People with OCPD think their way is the ‘right and best way’ and usually feel comfortable with such self-imposed systems of rules.”

With the difference between both illnesses defined, a more complex issue underlies this common mishap. For some, this casual mistake is a larger metaphor for society’s need for more awareness in mental health. The term “OCD”

Anxiety is the MOST COMMON psychiatric disorder in the United States

6 MAIN TYPES

Social anxiety put Megan Tao “Oh I know the answer!”

“But, what if I’m wrong?”

“I was wrong last time.”

“My classmates all glared at me for wasting time, some even laughed.”

“But, I definitely know this one.”

“Wait, maybe I don’t… I better not raise my hand.”

At one time or another, most students have had this internal strife when asked a question in class.

However, some students experience this problem more often than not due to having social anxiety.

Social anxiety differs from regular nervousness a student may feel before a test or presentation. It can actually inhibit students from asking teachers for help, or answering a question even if they know the answer.

According to WebMD, social anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being judged or criticized by others.

Most teenagers, especially high schoolers, frequently find themselves in positions in which their peers can easily judge

them. This environment can b The National Institute of Menta cent of 13-to-18-year-olds will e However, most students only ness when having to answer qu “I get nervous in class when my answer is correct,” said juni Having social anxiety, espec room environment, goes beyon impacts students to a greater d Senior Haley Reeder is co-p organization that helps and sup individual needs-- and core le bully prevention and awarene own social anxiety while help their anxiety along with other m “Social anxiety is really stre with, simple things like getting because I’m scared of people w students] understand that the said Reeder.

Reeder also explains how s

der is not the same as perfectionism or “depression” or “anxiety” is too often tossed around casually, and the stigma of mental disorders causes those who suffer from it to be seen in a negative light.

“Many people believe mental illness defines a person,” said senior Kendall Kauffman, president of Mental Health Awareness Club at Carlmont.

“They might believe, say, that a person with depression has no emotion other than sadness, or a person with OCD has no context of the greater situation beyond their compulsions. This behavior is identical to some racist, sexist, homophobic, or ableist behavior. However, in both cases, when they get to know the person behind their labels, many people see them as human.”

In many cases, incorrectly labeling someone with a mental disorder with a generalized term can cause even greater fear in the victim, leading to embarrassment or humiliation. Many stay silent, not because they feel fine, but because they are afraid of society’s negative stereotype given to those with mental illnesses. Victims are called crazy, pessimists,

insane, and neat-freaks, just to name a few.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “One in five American adults have experienced a mental health issue.

However, only 44 percent of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20 percent of children and adolescents receive needed treatment.”

“A person doesn’t just catch a cold or get a life threatening disease on purpose, nor do they purposely have a mental illness,” said se-

DEALING WITH PANIC ATTACKS

nior Tara Sharvini. “The perception of mental illness as “superficial” is superficial in itself, because the person saying it doesn’t know what is going on in another person’s mind. With that being said, that’s why it’s so important to talk to people in your life and keep an open dialogue.”

While mental disorders are invisible, it is still important to remember they are illnesses nonetheless. They are as deep as the scars of physical wounds, and healing them takes time.

It’s as if someone broke a leg, but because they felt like the rest of society gives a negative label to those with broken legs, they chose to shelter themselves from the world. They expect their wound to “heal on its own,” but in reality, it only gets worse over time.

OCD VS OCPD Persistent, unwanted images & urges

Extreme perfectionism

Stop negative thoughts.

Unsatisfied with actions

Satisfied with actions

Inhale deeply.

Does not Associated with anxiety produce stress

Don’t be afraid.

Move around.

Desire to control

ts students in an unwanted spotlight

be as mundane as a classroom. al Health estimates that 25 perexperience an anxiety disorder. y experience common nervousuestions or participate in class. n I’m not entirely confident that ior Liam Jocson. cially when related to the classnd the regular nervousness and degree. president of S.O.S.-- a student pports other students and their eader of Sticks and Stones, the ess group. She copes with her ping other students cope with mental disorders. essful and really hard to deal g up to blow my nose are hard watching me. I try to help [other ere’s not a spotlight on them,”

she helps other students cope

with academic anxiety, specifically.

“With academic anxiety, I try to help [students] put into perspective what school really is and how grades are very important, but they aren’t the defining factor of your intelligence. I try to remind students to do their best and talk to their teachers and make sure that they’re creating a safe, supportive environment.”

However, students are not alone when dealing with either social anxiety, or just regular nervousness.

Shelly Bustamante, coordinator of S.O.S. and Carlmont’s crisis counselor said, “If the social anxiety is specific to the classroom environment and presenting we help the students take baby steps by using some breathing techniques, creative visualization, and trying to alleviate other stresses. We also work with the teachers to allow them alternate options to ease their way into presenting, and sometimes the teacher allows them to present individually to them.”

Physics teacher David Talcott is able to relate to students who get nervous when they have to present or talk in class, because he deals was his own conflict with public speaking. “[Public speaking] was something that I had to conquer and teaching has forced me to do it and practice speaking.

Teaching is equipping me with the conversational ammunition to get through a conversation even though it scares me,” said Talcott.

Students, even if they get too nervous when trying to talk in classroom discussions, try to find different ways to actively participate.

“Taking notes, in my opinion, is a form of active participation and is the route that a lot of people like to take if they are too nervous to speak,” said Jocson.

Social anxiety can really limit and make difficult one’s participation in a classroom, but it also affects students outside of class.

Having a strong support system is important when one has any kind of mental disorder. Especially when dealing with social anxiety, knowing that one can confide in someone without fear of judgement is helpful. “[S.O.S.] has helped me cope with my own anxiety because I’m able to rationalize it more. There are still days that I’m insane in my mind, and I can’t stop thinking. It kind of upsets me because I have a training in this, and I know what do in these situations, yet I’m still freaking out and it’s nice to be able to use S.O.S. as a support system,” said Reeder.

Page 10

POLITICS

The Highlander

January 2016

Crucial decisions to come in Iowa caucus Justin Som

With the Iowa Caucus looming ever closer for presidential candidates, Iowa voters will set trends for other Americans.

Every four years, the citizens of Iowa come together to decide their picks as to whom they will nominate for final elections. Iowans gather together in small rooms and choose which Democrats or Republicans to support.

But despite its small size, Iowa will play a vital part in presidential elections as the first state to choose its picks for candidates.

The 2016 election promises to be a significant one. With extreme opinions on gun control and national security between Democrats and Republicans, Iowa’s opinions, the first of many, will largely influence the uncertain judgements of other citizens.

As a result of the recent shootings in San Bernardino and other places, Democrats have as of late focused their sights on the issue of gun control.

On Jan. 5, Obama announced that before the end of his presidency, he would continue to fight Congress for tighter restrictions on gun control. Private sellers would be forced to subject their clients to background checks and more FBI agents would be hired to conduct them.

“People are dying and the constant excuses for inaction no longer suffice,” said Obama in a speech to the public. “That’s why we’re here today. Not to debate the last mass shooting, but to do something to try and prevent the next one.”

On the other hand, Republicans like Ted Cruz believe that these new Democratic policies

Our family is weirder than yours

directly violate American rights.

Members of the GOP claimed that guns are needed to defend against terrorist attacks and that taking these weapons away only harms the American people.

“It is wrong, it is contrary to our rights guaranteed in the constitution, and we need to put a stop to it,” said Catherine Frazier, a spokeswoman for Cruz in an interview with CNN. Another topic of concern is that of national security and immigration policy. As a result of the terrorist attacks in Paris of November 2015, many candidates have intensified their policies.

For the majority of the Democrats, most will continue to follow the lead set by Obama during his administration. Democrats would continue to allow legal immigrants to enter with slight restrictions, but would enforce tighter

restrictions on the illegal immigrants already present in the U.S. But for the Republicans, there is a much larger divide. More focused on the belief that Americans need to be protected from terrorists, the GOP candidates argued that Obama’s immigration policy was too open during the past presidential debates and may have even caused terrorist attacks.

Candidates such as Marco Rubio endorsed immigrants.

“Our legal immigration system has to now be merit based,” said Rubio during the “Your Money, Your Vote” debate in October 2015. “It has to be based on what skills you have and what you can contribute economically.”

On the contrary, opposing Republicans Ted Cruz and Donald Trump argued that illegal immigrants would first be deported from America and that a wall

would be built behind them.

“End birthright citizenship,” said Trump on his policy page for his campaign. “It is the biggest magnet for illegal immigration.”

Though it’s not necessarily a definite declaration of the winner, the Iowa Caucus certainly influences the tide of votes. According to ABC news, “out of the past ten Iowa Caucuses, eight of the ten winners gained the nomination of their party [to the final election].”

However, the taking of the Iowa Caucus is not a final declaration of the next president. Out of the eight Iowa Caucus winners that were elected by their party, only three candidates actually won the final election.

“I think students should pay more attention to the elections,” said sophomore Amaury Avat. “If a bad president gets elected, all Americans will be affected.”

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The Highlander

NEWS

Page 11 January 2016

Working toward a low-carbon future Kimiko Okumura “Fossil fuels? Fossil fools.”

“There is no planet B.” “I’m sure the dinosaurs thought they had time too.”

The messages painted on the protesters’ signs may be funny. Climate change is not.

In early December, 785,000 activists, across 175 countries, marched to demand a greener Earth.

Throughout the last century, the global average temperature increased by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. This change in temperature, which may seem small and insignificant, has profound impacts on the world.

According to NASA, carbon dioxide levels are at their highest in past 650,000 years. Carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere. The rise in carbon dioxide levels has led to nine of the 10 warmest years to occur since 2000.

Unlike the negative impacts from a downturn in the economy or poor education, the consequences of climate change are irreversible. Due to the essentially permanent nature of the climate, many world leaders recognized the urgency to take action.

On Dec. 12, President Barack Obama secured a global agreement to combat climate change by building stronger communities and prompting better financial support toward climate change prevention.

According to the United Nations Envi-

ronment Programme (UNEP), world leadSounds promising, right? But that’s all it ers have signed about 500 treaties over the might live up to be. Just promises. past 50 years to combat climate change.

If a country fails to live up to the expecWhat is so different about this one? tations set forth by the agreement, there The Paris agreement, between 195 will be no repercussions which has brought countries and the European Union, sets the about concern among scientists. goal to reduce Climate carbon emisscientist James sion and mainHansen, to tain the average ‘The Guardglobal temperaian,’ said, “It’s ture 2 degrees just worthless Celsius above words. There pre-industrial is no action, temperature just promises. levels.

As long as Naomi Asrir The differfossil fuels apSenior ence between pear to be the this agreement cheapest fuand those before it is that the developed els out there, they will be continued to be countries, such as United States and Ger- burned.”’ many, will provide financial aid to developIt takes more than country leaders ading countries to acquire renewable energy dressing climate change. The other 7 billion sources and thus reduce carbon emissions. people in the world must take part in reDeveloping countries carry the burden versing climate change if anything is to sigfrom the environmental damage more than nificantly happen. However, many people developed countries. Developing countries brush off climate change. have a more vulnerable geography and a “It’s kind of an invisible issue. We don’t less developed ability to cope with rising see the effects directly on a daily basis, so sea levels and severe weather. we kind of forget it’s there, and then differFinancial aid from other countries will ent issues attract our attention,” said senior allow developing countries to better com- Wesley Lim. bat the impact of climate change. This There are hidden causes as to why means a lower mortality rate and an im- the public is misinformed about climate proved economy. change. Billionaires Charles G. and David

“If humans are not consciously reducing, reusing, recycling, we will not be able to turn this global warming around”

H. Koch, who benefit largely from fossil fuels, have persuaded elected officials, including Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, to sign a pledge to oppose any legislation to climate change, according to National Public Radio (NPR). The three presidential candidates have all publicly spoken about their opposition toward climate change because it’s not a valid or pressing issue.

Senior Naomi Asrir said, “I believe that many Americans are misinformed or simply unaware of the monstrous environmental issue of climate change. I think there are some skeptics who do not believe climate change exists because they have not experienced such a change in the immediate surroundings. These skeptics will only understand their false reasonings once it is too late.”

By following the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, Asrir works to reduce her carbon footprint. She uses recycling and compost bins, brings reusable bags to the grocery store, and rarely buy clothes new. She buys from thrift stores and apps that allow users to resell clothes. There are many simple ways to reduce the carbon footprint.

Asrir said, “People are reluctant to change their habits because they feel that such small progress isn’t any progress at all.

This cannot be further from the truth. If everyone took baby steps toward reducing their carbon footprint, we would live in a much greener world.”

The climate is changing, why aren’t we?

Page 12

FEATURES

The Highlander

January 2016

#Activism gets students involved Ivy Nguyen

Parents often tell their children to get off of their phones, but they may not realize the potential that lies in the scrolling, clicking, and tweeting.

According to the Pew Research Center, users of all genders, ages, races, demographics, education levels, and household incomes claimed they increasingly got their news on Facebook in 2015 compared to 2013.

Hashtag activism is a term that refers to the use of Twitter’s hashtags for Internet activism, but it can refer to social media activism in general.

According to Pew, more than half of all Facebook and Twitter users get news from the sites. However, a strong majority of the people who were polled said that social media is “not an important way to get news.”

Senior Alexis Morrow said, “I have learned a lot about current events and movements because of social media. I see why it can seem like a bad way to get news, but I have personally benefitted from it, so I see Internet activism as a good thing.”

Social media has given rise to longterm movements like #BlackLivesMatter, #BringBackOurGirls, and #YesAllWomen.

ple have made using social media, many individuals “jump onto the bandwagon” and add a flag filter to their Facebook profile pictures or write a vaguely supportive Tweet.

“I think that the French flag filter was unproductive. I saw people who didn’t truly know what was going on in France and Syria act like they were socially and politically aware. Doing these things isn’t bad, but it is ineffective. I wish people would take the time to read newsites and make informed opinions about our society and the world,” said junior Nour Zabaneh.

This is not to say that the intentions are bad, however. Not everyone has the interest, time, or resources to become a fullfledged activist. Little acts of support can also create discussion and overall change the public’s sentiment.

These days, the Facebook News Feed is becoming an actual news feed. With the evolving role of Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites on current events and social justice, more and more people are becoming aware of what is happening in the world. The Internet can seem like a place to waste time, but it can teach you a lot, if you “follow” and “like” the right news accounts.

#Activism #kony2012 #blacklivesmatter #bringourgirlsback #yesallwomen ISABEL MITCHELL

These hashtags allow people from all over movement by raising awareness of police the world to get brutality, raisinvolved in coning funds for the “I see why [social media] can seem versations and families of viclike a bad way to get news, but I have tims, and leading potentially make personally benefitted from it, so I see protests. By using change.

Internet activism as a good thing.”

Internet activsocial media to ists such as Deray spread facts and Alexis Morrow McKesson (@denews, Internet acSenior ray), Johnetta Eltivists have been zie Clash (@Netable to reach a taaaaaaaa), and Shaun King (@ShaunKing) large audience in real-time. have spearheaded the Black Lives Matter Even with the progress that some peo-

The true and lesser known meaning of birthstones Karen Gao As a girl walks through the hallways, adorning a dazzling gemstone necklace, the people passing by wonder why the girl wears such a rare stone.

Gems are prized as symbols of wealth and status, but they are more than just decorative accessories.

All of the birthstone gems represent a virtue or a positive characteristic, such as wisdom or rebirth, depending on the time period and culture.

“I know that each birthstone represents a month,” junior Stephanie Flores said. “My birthstone is opal and it revolves a lot around love and care. All of the birthstones have their own meaning and that is what makes them interesting to many people."

Ancient civilizations that valued gemstones include the Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Incas, Aztecs, Persians, Tibetans, and Indians. Often there was a strong belief that these gemstones held special curative powers or the ability to bring the soul peacefully to the afterlife once the person died.

Junior Sonia Mahajan said, “I don't think a lot of people

THE

know the cultural significance behind them. Many people even today believe that birthstones hold some sort of mystical power. This dates back to ancient people who probably thought these colorful stones had incredible properties.”

One origin of the importance of gems rests in the mythology of the Breastplate of Aaron, in which twelve gems represented the twelve tribes of Israel. These are biblical birthstones that the modern birthstones are derived from.

In Ayurvedic India, people believed that birthstone gems held medicinal effects.

Sophomore Miya Okumura said, “I believe that ancient civilizations believed that these gems were powerful objects because they can be polished to look shiny, and it can also represent a person. The gem you find represents who you see, and the polished gem represents their true being.”

Although they vary in different civilizations and cultures, the general idea and spiritual importance remains consistent. Many ancient civilizations saw gemstones as signs of power and thought the gems brought positive virtues.

Gena Schwam wrote on the Burke Museum website, “The basic human need to own and wear materials we

HIGHLANDER

Editor-in-Chief Zoe Wildman

Managing Editor Alyssa Fagel

Art Director Minh-Han Vu

ScotCenter Editor-in-Chief Elena Mateus

Scot Scoop Editor-in-Chief Sarah Schisla

Faculty Advisor Justin Raisner

Editors Kelly Song

Avery Adams

Adriana Ramirez

deem ‘sacred’ or special is what drives us to collect rocks and minerals. Perhaps this explains the lure of birthstones; how powerful it is to have our month of birth represented by a beautiful natural gemstone. We can own and display our special stone and feel embraced by its beauty.”

Though not as well-known as the zodiac signs, gemstones are very closely connected to the astrological signs since both are categorized by month.

Flores said, “I think the birthstones are closely related to the idea of astrology signs. Like the zodiac signs, birthstones are determined by the month you’re born in. People could try to connect their meanings to the zodiacs or make them have different meanings in contrast to the respective zodiac sign.”

People around the world enjoy and are intrigued by the cultural significance behind the birthstones.

“Gems might have stood out in the ancient times because of each stone’s unique appearance,” Flores said. “Superstitions may have arisen because of their appearance.”

Although they can hold different meanings to people, birthstones are a significant part of human history.

Kimiko Okumura

Staff Writers

Holly Chen Karen Gao Aria Frangos Sophie Haddad Kian Karamdashti Bijan Khalili Anya Meredith Isabel Mitchell

Ivy Nguyen Sophie Penn Justin Som Taran Sun Megan Tao Kiera Pendleton-White Hannah Young

Mona Murhamer

The Highlander is a newspaper dedicated to providing Carlmont students, staff, and the community with high-quality news, features, and opinion articles. We want to keep our readers informed on important issues ranging from events at Carlmont to international news, and want to engage them with unique stories and images. The Highlander is publications completely run by the students of the Journalism classes at Carlmont High School. Story ideas are generated by the students and the published content is up to the discretion of the editorial staff. This month’s editorial is written by Kian Karamdashti.

Page 13

FEATURES

The Highlander

January 2016

Hoverboard fans float while critics crash Taran Sun An upright figure majestically floats across the ground, maintaining rigid posture while making minor balance adjustments, carried by the wheels of a stylish new hoverboard.

Bearing the name of the iconic hoverboard from “Back to the Future,” these “self-balancing scooters” have taken popular culture by storm in recent months. All that is required to ride these twowheeled boards is decent balance and weight distribution.

Junior Peyton Young said, “I’ve seen people riding hoverboards around our school track.

They are no substitution for actual exercise. I think that they are getting popular because people are becoming too lazy to actually walk.”

With top speeds of slightly over 10 mph, these so-called hoverboards are not exactly the swiftest transportation option, but that hasn’t stopped celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa, Usain Bolt, and Chris Brown from coasting around on them. Carlmont students have taken interest in these appliances as well.

Sophomore Tiffany Chung said, “Hoverboards aren’t very practical for traveling, but they are fun to ride and fairly easy to use. I think I would buy a hoverboard.”

Hoverboards mark another consumer trend fueled by popular culture. The prices of these pieces of technology are daunting, ranging from close to $300 to as much as $500.

Senior Keegan Kirk said, “Hoverboards are just another corporate sham that makes people spend way more money than the product is actually worth. It’s just going to fail and be seen in very few places like the Segway.”

New technology such as the hoverboard doesn’t come without its dangerous downsides. Many fires and explosions have been reportedly caused by hoverboards, either due to the stress of weight or some unknown malfunction, according to CNET. Hoverboards have been banned from the streets of the U.K., as well as from many popular airlines such as JetBlue, Alaska, Hawaiian, and Southwest Airlines. These vehicles carry the inherent risk of injury just as your everyday scooter does.

Senior Kelsey Reed said, “My sister’s friend broke her ankle on one because the battery died when she was on it. I personally think that they are pointless and very expensive. I definitely wouldn’t buy one myself, and it is a very pricey gift.”

Technology advances continue to push the envelope for different uses in daily life. Although fun to use, hoverboards are a

testimony to the fact that these advances don’t always increase efficiency or benefit lives in any way other than to provide a new focus for entertainment.

Senior Alexis Morrow said, “I think that hoverboards are a really cool and interesting invention, but I would never invest in one and I’m not interested in using one. In my opinion they are unnecessary and act as a replace-

MINH-HAN VU

ment for physical activity, which I don’t agree with.”

To some, the hoverboards are strangely reminiscent of the epitome of human sloth.

Young said, “Hoverboards remind me of the movie “Wall-E” where people wouldn’t ever walk or get exercise. I would never buy one, why buy a hoverboard for a few hundred dollars when you can just walk for free?”

Blowing away the happiness of birthdays Kiera Pendleton-White “Happy Birthday!” is a common phrase that occurs every day, accompanied by a triple-layer cake and a shower of presents.

But for some, even among the burning flames of candles, the joy of celebrating birthdays no longer shines bright.

When the anniversary of your birth comes around, there can be many feelings that come along with it. Some people are excited, happy, and eager to celebrate, while others dread the day and go out of their way to ignore birthdays.

“I like my birthday, but I wish it was later in the year because I tend to get all my presents in the week of Christmas. But my friend doesn’t like making a big deal about her birthday because she doesn’t like all the attention. She hates when I sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her on her birthday,” said se-

nior Loran Branch.

As people get older, there seems to be a trend in how people feel about their birthdays. Their overall happiness regarding the day starts to go down, and they would rather spend the day like any other person.

Although there seems to be no precise turning point from loving birthdays to hating them, many people begin to dislike celebrating their birthdays starting in their mid 20s and early 30s.

The causes of this change are not certain, but society seems to have an influence over the phenomenon. Society puts the elderly in negative light, and as people get older they seem to see themselves becoming more elderly.

“Birthdays are like a big sign saying, ‘Hey, you’re old and closer to death,’ and that scares people. People don’t want to age and become obsolete,” said senior Blair

Finlayson.

Another possible reason for this is simply the increase in attention.

“Some people dread the embarrassment and all from the attention that they get from everyone,” said junior Dana Wai. Humans did not always celebrate birthdays, and some people still refuse to celebrate. Before 4000 B.C. no one celebrated birthdays because there was no way for anyone to keep track of time, as the calendar was not invented.

In early Christianity, people were discouraged from celebrating their birthdays.

They were encouraged to celebrate Name Days.

Medieval Christianity started to branch from just the Name Days, and the nobles began to celebrate their birthdays while the poor people continued to only celebrate the Name Days.

This, of course, has since evolved to everyone celebrating the anniversary of their birth with food and/or presents. At this point, it is tradition all over the world to celebrate birthdays. The amount of usage of the word “birthday” in books since the Middle Ages has had a steady increase according to Google Ngram Viewer. Google Ngram Viewer gives data on the amount of times a word occurs within a database of books that Google has scanned.

According to the Greeting Card Association, the most popular “everyday cardsending occasion” are birthdays.

Although some people may not like their birthdays, there can be ways to try and enjoy the day regardless.

“Have a good breakfast, surround yourself with friends and family, and in the long term, always remember that life is precious and should be celebrated,” said Finlayson.

Page 14 The Highlander

The Tao of Megan Megan Tao “The job of the newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

-Finley Peter Dunne

We’re more than just numbers I find myself constantly refreshing School Loop until my thumbs are sore, analyzing the graphs that conveniently display the progress of my grades throughout the semester, and questioning why the graphs look like cliffs.

Well, those “cliffs” represent drops in my grades, but it could also represent the cliff that kills my GPA. Then I stop refreshing the screen to contemplate why I’m so worried and why does this means so much to me?

Oh right, those college brochures and posters in my room want me to care. The people on the College Board who decide if I’m going to have a successful future or end up behind the counter at my local McDonald’s see me as just a collection of numbers: my GPA, SAT score, how high I’m ranked in the sport I play, and the amount of awards decorating my walls, or lack thereof.

I go back to constantly refreshing School Loop even though I know my grades won’t have changed from one minute to the next like I know food doesn’t magically appear in the fridge no matter how many times I go back downstairs and hope for something new.

Getting good grades seems to be the main priority students have in high school because having good grades means a better chance at getting into a better college, and going to a better college means a more successful, higherpaying job, which then leads to a better life. Therefore, the grades students get in high school determine the course of their life.

As ridiculous as that sounds, most students would begrudgingly nod their head at each stage I just listed of why grades define us.

It’s easy to want to go against the herd and think, “What I learn from the class is more important than the busy work I would have to do to get a better grade.”

It’s hard to actually implement that mindset when, from elementary school, students were given a number that defined how well they did in the class.

I’m not here to answer if grades define us-- and by “us” I mean as eligible college applicants or job candidates-because the competitive environment and era we live in already proves that grades are a big part of who we are.

However, grades should not define our self-worth.

We justify that grades define our self-worth because we believe in the path. The path of good grades, going to a good college, getting a good job, and ultimately a having a good life, but that path is not set in stone.

This uncertain path that too many students believe in drives them to do whatever it takes to get the grades they desire. Badgering teachers for extra credit, taking classes they have little interest in just because it’ll boost their GPA, and sacrificing much needed sleep, all on the promise of a better life.

Our self-worth is measured by our own accord. Whether one defines their value by their mental state, or by their job, grades and test scores should not be able to define our value as a person.

According to Melissa Chen, a college consultant living in the Bay Area, the problem with applying to Ivy League schools is that most students’ applications look the same with perfect grades and test scores. Chen urges her students to not focus so much time on perfection, but to actually take time and participate in hobbies that are for self-enjoyment, and not just another thing to add to one’s college applications.

Yes, grades are a major part in the college admission process and one could make a valid argument that it can make or break which colleges students get into, but that’s it.

Grades don’t decide the course of our entire lives and they don’t define the quality and the value of our lives.

This “promise” of a better life is anything but secure and that path is about as straightforward as the winding, surprise provoking yellow brick road.

OPINION

January 2016

Are liberals really open-minded?

Anya Meredith

Living in the Bay Area, we are all too familiar with the groans that follow comments like “I don’t think gun control is necessary” or “Global warming isn’t real.”

That leads people to wonder, “Does being a liberal really mean that you are open-minded?”

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it does.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes a liberal as “someone who is not opposed to new ideas or ways of behaving that are not traditional or widely accepted.”

Except to me, liberals (especially in the Bay Area) seem the most set in their ways.

According to the Bay Area Center for Research, Oakland is the third most liberal city in the nation with San Francisco close behind in fifth place.

In the Bay Area, it can be scary to admit to being a conservative.

When students speak up in class about their conservative beliefs, I tend to cringe.

Not because what they’re saying is something I disagree with, but because I know that I’m going to hear them be ridiculed by their fellow classmates; whether to their face, or behind their back.

Of course, where we live is probably what has programmed us to be the way we are.

Growing up in the Bay Area, many of us are affected by the liberal views surrounding us.

According to the website Bay Area Census, of the people 25 years old and older in the Bay Area, 42 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher and 45 percent of people 16 and older in the Bay Area workforce have a professional job or are in management.

The average household income is $75,989.

The combined factors of being well-educated and com-

monly having a healthy income help liberals feel this sense of elitism.

Liberals in the Bay Area tend to act this way because they think it is their place to.

In the Bay Area, there is also a strong stereotype against conservatives.

Bay Area liberals seem to connect being a conservative with, as the website Town Hall says, “flag-waving, meateating, God-fearing, gun-toting capitalists.”

Thus adding to liberals’ fuel for a sense of elitism.

We grow up seeing media that instills liberal ideas in us.

Many of us hear our parents discuss their liberal views, and we have often grown up with liberal teachers and a liberal curriculum that has shaped the way we think.

When you ask conservative students about their beliefs, you get the watered down version of their beliefs because like most high schoolers, they are afraid to be judged.

The website Philosophy Basics says, “[Liberals] are generally united by their support for a number of principles, including extensive freedom of thought and freedom of speech.”

It seems like liberals encourage everyone to “express our opinions” and “say what we believe!”

That is, unless what people say or believe contradicts their own opinion.

When liberals in the Bay Area hear others’ opinions that are different from their own, they are quick to judge them or even interrogate them until those that have voiced their opinions sink down.

I have seen it happen many times within my time in high school, and this is just high school.

Whether conservative or liberal, everyone can benefit from having an open mind and listening to each other.

EDITORIAL Gun control: Why we need it

Ninety thousand dead.

More than 90,000 Americans have lost their lives due to guns since the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in Newton, Connecticut on Dec 14, 2012. The shooting that killed 26 people -- 20 of them children. The shooting that, three years later, reduced President Barack Obama to tears on national television. The shooting that urged politicians to implement stricter gun control laws.

Yet, 90,000 more lives have been lost.

The United States is obsessed with guns. It is even written in the building blocks of our Constitution.

The Second Amendment declares that all citizens hold a right to bear arms. Things were different when the constitution was written. This country was built on rebellion, and it only made sense that most citizens remained armed.

Future citizens should have had the right to arm themselves.

So what if the government doesn’t do its job?

Well, resisting the government through violence isn’t smart. Technology has grown exponentially in the last 200 years, as well as the American government’s power. Do you think a rebellion against the United States army, arguably the most powerful in the world, is smart? Secondly, throughout history, violent protest has simply not worked.

Statistical evidence compiled by political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan shows that “non-violent protest is more likely to attract mass participation and topple governments than its armed twin, especially in the modern era.”

Many people were upset by Obama’s recent executive action, with Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio stating that Obama was going to “take away our guns.”

That’s simply not true. Nowhere in the plan is it stated that any guns will be confiscated by the U.S. government. Plus, no law-abiding citizen who passes a background check will be denied access to a firearm.

The plan states that all firearm sellers are required to have a license, and to conduct a background check before selling any gun. If these standards are not met, fines of up to 250,000 dollars are put in place. The president even said it himself: “This is not a plot to take away everybody’s guns.

You pass a background check, you purchase a firearm.”

A background check is the process of looking up and compiling criminal records, commercial records, and fi-

nancial records of an individual or an organization. A reasonable action to take before selling a firearm to an individual. But, why are so many people against the stricter enforcement of this process?

Money and greed, obviously. The fewer restrictions placed on gun sales, the more money gun sellers make, and the stronger the National Rifle Association (NRA) becomes. The NRA’s Executive Vice President, Wayne Lapierre, has even switched sides on the issues, stating in 1999 that universal background checks were “reasonable,” a direct contrast to his beliefs today.

Yes, criminals are people who commit crimes and disregard the law. Most criminals who really want a gun are going to find a way to get it. But why argue against a process that’s only going to make it harder for these criminals to get these weapons? Background checks are not the final solution to the gun crisis, but they are a start. I can’t ask for much more.

If you’re still skeptical about the enforcement of stricter gun control, let’s see a fellow “advanced” country’s success.

After 13 mass shootings in 18 years, the Australian government implemented a stiff new gun control in 1996 that banned a variety of weapons, integrated a governmentfunded gun buyback program, and declared that using a gun for self-defense purposes was a crime. The result? A ratio of .93 firearm-related deaths for every 100,000 citizens in 2013.

This was not a fluke, as the United Kingdom, Finland, and France have all experienced similar results in their own strict gun control measures.

In comparison to all these “advanced” countries, the United States of America held a ratio of 10.64 firearm-related deaths for every 100,000 citizens in 2013 and in 2012, according to statistics released by the FBI, 32.2 criminal firearm homicides occurred for every legally justified homicide.

More guns are certainly not the answer to the gun problem. Why add fuel to the fire? The U.S. can fix its gun problem and the evidence is lying in plain sight. Mass shootings and high murder rates don’t have to be the norm.

I urge those in Congress to act swiftly in order to enforce stricter gun control. This is bigger than money, politics, or a single amendment. This is about human lives.

The Highlander

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Page 15 January 2016

OPINION/NEWS WOMEN:

The Highlander

Page 3 September 2015

leaders until they leave high school

Sophie Haddad “Does anyone know how to code?” A few girls raised their hands, but the boy in the group disregarded them.

He volunteered himself. The assumption that girls and computers don’t mesh astounded Sage Shamsai, who was at a math and science camp. She insisted that she could help, but the boy remained skeptical. After she explained her knowledge about code, he was shocked. Mechanical endeavors and men had long been associated, and the boy’s assumption represented a commonly held stereotype.

Gender roles are changing, but old ideas continue to harm people.

Even though Shamsai spoke up, many women don’t.

She explained that she was the only girl who challenged the boy’s assumption.

“I definitely realized at that point that I need to stand up for myself that I know how to do this stuff. A lot of the other girls didn’t say anything,” said Shamsai.

Why women are rare in leadership positions

When it comes to leadership, women are vastly underrepresented.

Women “are only 14.6 percent of executive officers, 8.1 percent of top earners, and 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs,” according to the Center for American Progress.

This may be due to deeply-ingrained stereotypes that equate leadership with masculine traits.

To Carlmont High School’s leadership teacher Jim Kelly, men dominate leadership positions because people subconsciously think of men as fulfilling the criteria for being a leader.

“Part of the reason why there is such a [gender gap in leadership] is that people have a preconceived notion of what a leader is -- size, volume, all of that stuff,” said Kelly.

“Your overall presence has a lot to do with it. I think a male might have an advantage there, simply because they’re bigger, and maybe their voice projects better, maybe it’s deeper, it resonates more. I think that’s what society perceives as being a leader.”

Many people visualize leaders with traditional masculine characteristics such as height, strength, and confidence. Instructional Vice Principal Jennifer Cho had to erase that image from her mind when she became a leader.

“When I came into leadership, I felt like I had to be a style that I had seen,” said Cho. “Now I realize being a woman in a predominantly male team actually is like a secret weapon, or strength. I’m going to more play into that instead of trying to hide it or downplay it because we all have our own strengths and our own weaknesses, and it’s important to know what are yours, to not apologize for them, and to be comfortable with your leadership style.”

In Cho’s case, as is true for other women, stereotypes can be beneficial. The stereotype that women work better with people suggests that women would do well in leadership roles.

According to Tom Courry, a training officer for San

Francisco who teaches leadership and management skills and coaches executives, women possess qualities that make them well-suited to leadership.

How stereotypes can be used as advantages

Courry said, “Women are more reflective. They are more collaborative by nature. Men can be [collaborative], but it’s just part of the stereotyped roles that we all get thrown into. It’s something we need to work on.”

Women seem to be an asset to companies because of the way they communicate with others. When their performance was analyzed by Catalyst, a nonprofit organization that researches women and business, the results indicated that women work well as leaders.

According to Catalyst, “Fortune 500 companies with the highest representation of women board directors attained significantly higher financial performance, on average, than those with the lowest representation of women board directors.”

Despite the idea that women make effective leaders, the number of women in leadership declines sharply after high school.

Kelly remarked that the maturity difference in high school favored girls.

He said, “The girls are the ones who step forward and take the leadership roles. Are they more mature? Yeah.

Do they care more? Yeah. Are they better at leadership? I would have to say yeah.”

At Carlmont High School, most of the higher leadership roles have been held by women for at least the last 19 years.

Ninety-four percent of the ASB Service Council is made up of women, and 75 percent of those are supervisors. But, of the 13 elected officers, only three are girls.

This means that when it’s up to the voters, the choice is usually a man.

The unconscious bias

The tendency to vote in favor of male leaders is widespread. Studies have shown that both men and women are more likely to choose a man for a leadership role when the candidates are equally matched.

One such study, conducted by Rhea E. Steinpreis, Katie A. Anders, and Dawn Ritzke of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1999, sent the same resume to different participants. Some resumes had a female name on top, and some had a male name. Both men and women were more likely to choose the resume with the male name.

Courry said this may reveal a subconscious gender bias.

He said, “We all have biases. We don’t have time to process all of the information coming in, so we make a lot of snap judgments. There’s a huge bias on names these days.”

In high school, girls may be more likely to accept powerful roles. But this changes when women enter the working world. Factors such as families and prejudices keep many women from advancing in their careers.

Many Americans assume that women can only have one

or the other -- a job or a family.

Cho made a decision about her job when she had kids.

To her, though, the answer was clear.

“There were definitely several critical points when I had kids and I was feeling terribly guilty about returning to work, but returning to work is what I wanted to do, and I kind of just had to get over myself and say, ‘I’m not going to apologize for what my passion is.’ I can still be a good mother, and I can still be a good wife, and I can still make a good home and fulfill myself by having a career and doing what I love to do,” said Cho. In reality, it is often impractical for mothers not to work.

Carlmont P.E. teacher David Heck said, “Especially living here in the Bay Area, you can’t make it. Both parents have to work in order to make the household work.”

Some men stand by their traditional role as breadwinners. Carlmont P.E. teacher Rich Vallero would rather work to provide for his family.

He said, “I want to take care of my family. I don’t want my wife to have to go out and kill herself providing for us.

I want to go do that. It would make me feel good knowing that I can take care of the family that I love and try to give them everything that I can. And if it means I’ve got to wear myself down to do it, I feel like that’s my purpose.”

Men are also affected

The stereotype regarding women’s place as caregivers also harms men. According to Cho, there is also a harsh stigma against “stay-at-home dads.”

She said, “I do feel that there is a stronger stigma or perception of fathers who stay home that’s [more] negative than the mother who goes back to work, because this is sort of a newer thing, relatively.”

In Vallero’s eyes, it would be a luxury for either parent to stay home. Even though raising kids is hard work, spending so many hours away from them is harder.

“The thing about being a stay-at-home dad is, deep down in the core of my belly, I’m jealous,” said Vallero.

“I wish I could be a stay-at-home dad. It gives you time to bond with your kids. But, I think we’ve all grown up with learned traits where we learn that you’re supposed to provide for your family, you’re supposed to bring home the check to make sure that the mortgage is paid for, that there’s food in the fridge.”

The old ideas about families and careers still affect many people today.

Women’s conditions in the workplace are improving, but Heck insisted that the battle is not over.

He addressed the wage gap for women, saying, “Women in business are a lot better than it was. I mean, still, there’s a glass ceiling for women. They’re not going to make the same money as a man makes right now, and they’re trying to break through that, and they should.”

Gender stereotypes have been destructive to both men and women, especially when snap judgments are made. Perceptions of leaders can be beneficial to some, but others are harmed.

Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, campaigned for change in the views of both men and women. She said, “If we acknowledge it, we can change it.”