November Highlander

LOOK INSIDE:

New tardy policy Page 7

All about peer pressure Page 8-9

3D movies huge trend Pages 10

The Highlander Carlmont High School Newspaper Volume III, Issue III, November 2011 See us online at http://scotscoop.com

Student store gets healthy facelift No more than:

By Sabrina Leung

250 calories

Satff Writer

0.5 grams of trans fat 35% calories from fat 10% calories from saturated fat

By Ryan Freeman Staff Writer

From student favorites such as Gardettos, fruit snacks, and Vitamin Water, to the popular pre-practice snack of Cliff Bars, the student store’s inventory is slowly diminishing.

The list of banned items, starting with the insanely popular fruit snacks, is growing as district officials decided to step-up enforcement of the issue of “unhealthy food.”

“There have been guidelines for decades,” explained Jim Kelly, the current ASB leader, “but until now, no one has stepped up and enforced them.”

The California Food and Beverage Standards states, “individually sold food items must meet the following: No more than 250 calories, 35 percent total calories from fat, 10 percent of total calories from saturated fat, 35percent of total weight from sugar (natural and added), 0.5 grams of trans fat Although the student store’s inventory is declining, it seems the vending machines and food stalls are untouched by district regulations.

The vending machine outside the student union, which had been re-stocked around

Student store selections drastically change to comply with the states guidelines

the turn of the month, contains snacks that do not meet the health regulations.

For example, in Baked Flaming Hot Cheetos, both sold in the vending machines and from the local pit stop stalls, 37 percent of the calories are from fat. The regulations state that there must be less than 35 percent.

If the vending machines and pit stops, can sell “unhealthy” foods,” then why can’t the student store?

“By law we can’t compete with district food service on campus,” explained Joyce Quan, executive of the Student Store. “If a vending machine or one of the ‘Pit Stops’ decides to start selling a snack that we are selling, we either have to match their price or stop selling it.”

Ironically, the district’s menu cuts seem to be hurting the kids rather than benefiting them.

For example, with popular pre-practice snacks no longer being sold, athletes and

Photo by Grace Chang

parents alike are growing uneasy.

Quan, whose son, Justin Quan, currently plays soccer for Carlmont, explains, “Kids come in before practice to find a snack that will give them enough energy to make it through their practice after a whole day at school.”

An online calories burning chart shows the calories burned per hour of a sport for an average high school student of 150 pounds.

The chart includes football players who burn an average of 633 calories and water polo players who burn an average of 704 calories.

With high calorie (energy) snacks like PowerBar and Balance Bars finding their way onto the “unhealthy list,” students are going to be hard-pressed to find the proper nourishment they need to survive practice from “healthy” items like pita chips and pretzels.

Continued on page 12

Shopping center security angers students

By Rachel Schuster Staff Writer

Carlmont students are offended by how quick some stores in the Carlmont Shopping Center are to kick them out without a reasonable explanation.

At the top of the students’ complaint list rests local grocery store, Lunardi’s, which is known for its tendency to send students out.

“The manager is really annoying and mean,” said junior Byron Wu. Sophomore Kiana Yekrang and junior Luke Peterson agree with Wu, both having been told to leave after wearing their backpacks in the store and having more than three people with them.

“It was ridiculous,” commented Yekran.

“The manager said there were ‘too many people’ but there was like, four of us. And we weren’t even being loud! All I wanted was a pack of gum, but I didn’t even get a chance to buy it.”

“I understand that there may be some people who steal things, but it’s not like you can assume that about every kid that goes in there,” freshman Claudia Leist stated, upset about the multiple incidents that give students a bad name in the shopping center.

When Lunardi’s manager Bill Go was ap-

Is extra credit fair for all?

rity.

“We only allow two or three students in at a time and their backpacks must be put down,” said Diane Barbosa, the owner of Beautique Beauty Bar. “Not because we are worried about shoplifting, but because there are fragile items that can be knocked down with too much chaos.”

On the other hand, certain stores in the shopping center don’t have any student security policies at all, like Doc’s Bagels and the new Verizon Wireless store.

“We don’t have any security regarding students here,” said Doc’s Bagels employee Sonia Yoon. “They just come and buy food and eat it and that’s all.”

“Here at Verizon we don’t Photo by Nikos Frazier have any security issues,” said no offense, but in order to manage the employee Barclay Clerk. “And even if a store, I have to make rules. That’s why only student tried to steal something, all the three to four students are allowed in at a phones have alarms on them... so it’s kind time, and their backpacks must be left at the of obvious.

If anything, we love students front of the store.” and actually encourage them to come in.”

Students can’t help but complain how Each store has its own specific rules and unfair this treatment may seem, but other regulations when it comes to having stu stores also enforce certain degrees of secuContinued on page 12 proached about the subject, he had plenty of insight to share.

“I’ll be honest: The students that come here are out of control,” Go said. “I’m sorry,

Students looking to boost their grade have found that a number of teachers reward extra credit for completing nonacademic tasks such as bringing school supplies or abstaining from using the restroom during class.

According to district policy, teachers are only supposed to offer extra credit that is academic based. Furthermore, students’ grades should be determined by the quality of their work, not the amount of extra credit they complete.

“My Chinese teacher offers extra credit if you bring in tissue boxes or hand sanitizer,” stated freshman Catherine Sue. Teachers offer this type of extra credit because it’s an easy way to earn points.

With a low school budget, it’s difficult for a classroom to have basic materials.

“I offer extra credit for bringing in paper towels and Kleenex, where students can earn up to 10 points. It’s an easy way to stock up classroom supplies. In the end, paper towels and tissues are used for labs, so all the supplies go directly back to the students,” stated Biotechnology teacher Dan Raffa.

“It’s the only way to get students to bring school supplies needed for the classroom.

It’s kind of academic for science to bring in paper towels because you’re going to Continued on page 12

Shadowing modified

By Anna Wheeler Features Editor

The decision of where to go to high school is, in many cases, a tough one, especially when it comes to schools in the Bay Area.

That’s why the shadowing program has always been so beneficial to entering freshmen students and students who are considering transferring from other high schools.

Shadowing refers to when a student visits a school for a day in order to get a taste of what the atmosphere of the particular school is. This helps the student get a better idea of whether or not that school is the right one for them.

However, some of those eighth graders who wish to shadow at Carlmont may be out of luck. Carlmont’s shadowing program has, in an unfortunate turn of events, been cut back 50 percent.

This change may pose a problem on next year’s incoming freshmen.

Kalina Wasman, an eighth grader at Ralston Middle School, is one of the students affected by this.

“It’s really disappointing, because it means some people might not be able to see what Carlmont is like,” Wasman stated.

Continued on page 12

Page 2

News and Opinions

Local cities are

Infestation

overwhelmed by creepy crawlers

By Kristen Dames

world.

One of these six foot webs was found outside of Gutierrez’s Staff Writer apartment, “My family has tried to kill the spider that lives outside my door five times and it hasn’t died yet, so I adopted San Carlos and Redwood City inhabitants have recently seen him and named him Carl,” Gutierrez explained. an unusual amount of large spiders dwelling in their trees, Many orb weaving spiders eat their webs, which are full of bushes and gardens. protein, and leave only the main thread to begin their new web Most humans are not very fond of spiders. Unless they are the next day, which makes it rather an arachnid specialist or have a difficult to ward them off for very soft spot for unusual pets, most long. people’s reaction to seeing a spiBut that isn’t all they eat. Female der is to grab the nearest shoe. spiders often eat their partners after Sophomore Angelica Gutierrez mating and even if they are not said, “I don’t mind them as long eaten, male spiders spend so long as they aren’t near me, but if they seeking out a mate they usually die get close to me I’ll kill them.” of exhaustion after fertilization.

The garden or orb-weaving Little pity is shown for the spider’s spider is the cause for the heighttough life, “[spiders] are disgusting, ened amount of arachnophobia in they gross me out! When I see one the area.

I just call my dad to kill it,” said Each spider’s egg sack can conGutierrez. tain around 100 eggs. Due to the The general appearance of spiders Photo by Mai Wheeler prolonged summer heat, that has tends to be what unnerves most people. The eight eyes and carried well into the school year, the garden spider’s mating legs, the crawling movement and the vampire-like way they season has increased as well. suck out their prey’s insides all seem scary.

Orb spiders can be identified by their large bulbous bodies Because of the garden spider’s persistent web weaving, and hairy abdomens, some are colorful while others are a dull simply knocking down the web is ineffective for ridding one’s brown. yard of the eight-legged terrors.

Garden spiders love to munch on flying insects such as moths, It is more effective to make one’s property inhospitable for flies and mosquitoes and use large circular webs to capture the spiders by eliminating things that would bring spiders near. them; however they are not poisonous to humans.

The spiders are beginning to die off in the approaching winter The garden spider’s web is a stereotypical circular web that cold and when the plastic Halloween webs came down the can be anywhere from six feet in diameter to a web over 18 spiders went with them. feet diameter, which can be found in tropical areas around the

Helpful tips for getting rid of spiders near you

1) Clear any unused woodpiles and run down sheds from your yard; they are notorious hiding places for spiders.

2) Turn off your porch light at night so as not to attract flying insects which spiders will then prey upon.

3) Use a stick. Breaking down any webs will not get rid of spiders, but it is a commonly used tactic when there is no way around the web.

Electronics help education

By Nikos Frazier Business Manager

As this generation experiences a new technological era, how are they using it to benefit their education?

Currently, nothing is completely achievable through technology, but that gap is lessening every day. The way students check their emails, play games, and how they text and call their friends is changing. But how else can teenagers further this tool to be better utilized in school? Not by texting or playing games, but by using the educational based applications.

In previous years, students were only allowed to use electronic devices prior to school, at lunch, and after school. Being caught resulted in confiscation of said device and detention(s). Only after serving all detentions was the student returned their device. However, if this became a habit, the said device could be confiscated for the remainder of the school year.

But this year the rule has been dissolved after careful discussions between Carlmont’s Governance Council and Adminis-

tration.

A.V.I.D. team leader, Michelle McKee, commented on how she adapted her rules to fit the new school policies, “I had the rule of students leaving their phones in class while they use the restrooms... if they really need to use the bathroom they don’t need their phone.”

Can this be beneficial to student education? Previously, students were forced to cram all of their assignments into the school planners given out during arena-check-in, but with the help of technology, students can use Google Calendar, iCal, and other calendars located on most phones, tablets, and computers.

Sarah Loyd commented, “There is a Dictionary.com app that I use a lot. And in AP Gov, I use this app called USA Manual that has useful information on the Supreme Court Cases and Congress people.”

While on the contrary, Nikan Rasoolli commented that he does not use his phone “because I am a good student.”

Administrative Vice-Principal Ralph Crame commented, “I use my phone for a lot of things. It’s an extension to my memory; its my calendar, my to do list, my everything.”

In the App Store and Android Market, there is a whole category devoted to education applications as well as other hidden applications just waiting to be found.

New types of technology have become available to students so that they can now read books on tablets. There are over 47 electronic readers available and more coming everyday. With eReaders, users can have whole libraries of books in one lightweight tablet. These tablets are generally non-expensive items ranging from $60 up to $250, and that does not include tablets and computers enabled with this feature.

Every student knows how heavy backpacks can become after adding binders, notebooks and then a couple of lightweight textbooks. But with an eReader, all of a students textbooks can be combined into one.

By using all of these new technological advances, can students

become distracted, or will the technology actually help draw in students and help make a better classroom atmosphere in the long run?

Crame also stated, “I think it’s the way we need to move... a lot of people have them and if they can use them to organize their lives better for educational purposes that is great, as long as they aren’t abusing it.”

With a changing world, students will need to adapt, with their education adapting alongside.

Photo by Carly Bertolozzi

News and Opinions

Page 3

Photo by Alex Porter

Photo by Alex Porter

Photo by Alex Porter

City streets littered with art

By Alex Porter

Sports Editor On a wall, in a city, in black paint over a blue background, someone painted the words, “Graffiti is the way out of a gray environment. Graffiti makes your day colorful!”

And it does make your day colorful. It not only makes it colorful, graffiti enhances it.

Graffiti should be considered art, not vandalism.

In its definition, in order to vandalize something one must “destroy” or “damage” and graffiti does neither of these. Graffiti adds beauty and personality.

Some would argue that graffiti is just the opposite; it ruins the public image in the community when they see graffiti on street signs and trash cans.

These people are referring to the stereotypical graffiti called “tagging.” But I would not consider this graffiti.

No, these are just symbols and letters individuals or gangs scribble as they try to boost their reputations or titles.

Graffiti is much more than that. Graffiti has meaning.

It can inspire people, it can make people laugh, it can make people think beyond the everyday, it can help people, it can change people.

An artist can express not only their talent, but also their opinion.

Recently, street art has become a phenomenon for graffiti artists to branch off into

more intricate work by expanding their skills as artists.

Street art expresses political standpoints for peace or resistance, pop culture, quotations, historical figures or urban style, to name a few.

Street artists usually try to promote a change or overall message to society.

After they grab the public’s attention, they want people to interact with their art. They want them to feel a certain way about their art; whether it is appreciation to an iconic person, or anger towards government policies.

But it all comes at a price. As street art is a form of graffiti and graffiti is illegal, and many street artists are arrested.

We must respect the artists who risk high fines, violence, and imprisonment to showcase their artwork.

The people who use the walls as their canvases. The people who could be just as talented as the painters in the museums.

When you think of graffiti, do not think of the offensive nonsense of tagging; their that is only a sub-category that no art one appreciates. and When you think of graffiti, think find of it as an extension of art.

Ph oto ways to The beauty of graffiti collectively by connect a t i m defines a generation through the eyes of oth greater mesy j everyday people. They are the headlines to ma lon sage to all the the newspaper of the individuals. ey people.

And who knows who will see the stunning There is arguably no art. One person, or one person’s graffiti, can better way to express yourself than make a difference in many lives. through artwork.

And if you have someThe colors and designs that attract people thing significant to publish, and it must be to graffiti are illustrated through skilled arton a public wall, so be it. ists who reflect their personalities through

The truth hurts

By Carly Bertolozzi News and Opinion Editor

A timeless question that many typical teenagers find themselves stumbling across at one point or another: How do I convince my parents to

let me ____?

Whether you realize it or not, we have been trying to come up with a feasible solution to this question since we were born.

When we were two, we wanted the cookie hidden on the top shelf. When we were four, we wanted to skip our daily nap. When we were eight, we wanted to trick-or-treat by ourselves. When we were 12, we wanted our first cell phone. And now, we want so many other things, from a later curfew to a new car.

But, along with the lifelong yearning has come the lifelong denying.

When we were little, it seemed like all we heard was the word “no.” Our response? Crying, whining, yelling and screaming. Looking back on it, this has always gotten us what we’ve wanted.

The reason these methods worked so effectively was because it put the child in control; until the child got what he or she wanted, the child would continue to embarrass the parent in the grocery store, make the parent seem incompetent in front of friends, etc.

However, now that we have grown, the effectiveness of our methods in which we achieve what we want have diminished. Instead of playing hardball, most teenagers have regressed to logically talking things out.

Responsibly sitting down and communicating with your parents is not effective for the following reason: It evokes no emotional response from them.

If you cannot get your parent to emotionally invest a feeling of embarrassment, discomfort and so on into your tactic of persuasion, they will most defi-

nitely be inclined to say “no.”

Although, in this insensible world of communication and responsibility, I have hope for a growing group of teenagers who have not lost their “terrible two’s” touch.

Advancement of our intellectual capacity has led to the evolution of persuasion. Of course by the evolution of persuasion I am referring to provocative language.

It is increasingly common to overhear teenagers swearing at parents and undermining their authority.

By doing so, this group of teenagers has ingeniously discovered a more effective way to take control of the situation by means of disrespect.

The defilement of parent superiority makes the teenager more prone to break through the “no” barrier parents build.

The single objection that can be posed towards this tactic is the denial of respect for the two people who gave birth to you; however when looking at the whole picture, all of the things your parents have denied you in the past would surely make up for it.

After all, they were the ones who said no to the late night cookie because you would get a stomach ache.

They were the ones who said no to skipping your afternoon nap because studies have proven children of a young age need a large amount of sleep.

They were the ones who said no to trick-or-treating alone because they know the world is not filled with only good people. They were the ones who said no to the cell phone because you would get distracted from school work and fall behind.

And, they were the ones who said no to the later curfew because they know the mischief teenagers can be subjected to after hours.

Your parents are the ones who will say “no” for you when you yourself cannot see the reasons why.

Disrespecting their intelligence and integrity by swearing at them is the best way in which to say “thank you.”

The Highlander STAFF BOX

Editors-in-chief: Dana Bloom Jenna Chambers

Copy Editor: Ashley Dierolf

News and Op: Carly Bertolozzi

Entertainment: Erica Valbusa

Campus:

Staff Writers: Grace Chang Shannon Chang Gabriela D’Souza Kristen Dames Ryan Freeman Ivan Garin Graham Godwin Erin Greig Matthew Harris Courtney Heatherington Chris Leong Sabrina Leung Sarah Levin

Ian Madden Conrad May Kellan McDonough Hailey Miller Virginia O’Callahan Jacob Rudger Miranda Santana Rachel Schuster Chloe Scott Selina Sorensen Kiana Valdez Luisa Zepeda

Gianna Dimick

Features:

Anna Wheeler

Sports:

Alex Porter

Online:

Steven Tsujisaka

Cartoonist:

The mission of The Highalnder is to accurately and honestly cover communal as well as school events. As a student run open forum newspaper, we strive to incorporate multiple views and represent the diverse community at Carlmont Comments can be sent via email to editor@scotscoop.com Visit scotscoop.com for daily content updates, videos, slideshows, and more.

Isabella Paragas

Business: Nikos Frazier

Faculty Adviser: Justin Raisner

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Features

Page 4

Jobs stress out students Teen unemployment

By Selina Sorenson Staff Writer

High school is stressful enough with keeping up grades, completing work and projects on time, and trying to maintain a social life. Adding a job into that calls for students to become less focused on school and more consumed by work life.

Senior Aimee Lucchesi stated, “Having a job does affect my school life. I find myself having less time to do homework than I did when I was jobless.”

Trying to complete homework that usually takes about two to three hours a night can seem impossible to someone who is attempting to complete it in one hour.

Depending on the job, students are required to work from anywhere from five to eight hours on weekdays and most of the time it is for minimum wage.

Students find themselves working overtime on weekdays anywhere from two to three extra hours, making it a total of six to eight hours. This takes even more time away from the employee to finish tasks that may already seem impossible enough with regular hours.

Often managers are just trying fill in the

missing shifts to bring a good shopping environment to customers, forgetting that their employees are still high school students who are figuring out how to balance out school and work.

Work doesn’t only affect a teenager’s school life, but also social life. Junior Justina Seide said, “It [work] takes away time from my friends and social events on weekends because it fills up my schedule.”

A big part of a teenagers life is friends and when a job takes that away from them, it seems devastating. Without friends and social time, it can easily tear up a friendship unintentionally which adds more stress onto the teen.

Stress on teenagers is never a healthy thing. Stress can cause many health problems such as obesity, eating disorders, frequent colds, aches and pains, depression and much more. In a more serious case of on going stress death is a possibility and balancing is very stressful to some people.

An anonymous Carlmont senior said “I can’t play basketball this season due to financial situations that require me to work.”

Work places often create extra stress among students along with homework and social drama.

Truth: According to data collected by Slate Magazine, an online magazine that focuses on politics, business, technology, and the arts, in the summer of 2011, only 25 percent of American teenagers are employed.

Cartoon by Isabella Paragas

The effect unemployment has on teenagers’ lives

By Chris Leong Staff Writer

In local job facilities around Redwood City, Belmont and San Carlos, people can spot Carlmont students actively working to earn money. However, although most Carlmont students are employed, there are also many that are unemployed.

In some cases, a teen can actively look for jobs and still not get one. Why? Since times are currently tough, it can be nearly impossible for a teen to get a job. As labor becomes more expensive for small businesses, managers can afford to hire fewer workers. This means that leaves unskilled teenagers, as well as unskilled adults, out of luck.

“I think that since times are so tough right now companies don’t hire that many teenagers,” said Junior Emily Stambaugh, “and it sucks because a lot of teenagers need money to buy cars and what not.”

Companies likely to take a chance on young workers become skittish. This leads to teens being shut out of the job hunt and the opportunity to learn those life lessons are delayed. Ultimately, giving the cold shoulder to low-skilled teen applicants denies them on-the-job training while providing a raise for the more experienced workers who are able to get those jobs that are becoming smaller.

Junior Priscilla Chan does not enjoy being unemployed.

“It kind of sucks because I want to have a job,” said Chan. “Most places only hire eighteen and older.”

Whether it is just a case of being lazy, a manager ignoring a teenager’s job application, or being unable to be employed for any other reason, the teen unemployment rates has gone up.

For some teenagers finding a job may not be his or her top priority. The teen may be focusing on getting good grades in school at the moment.

However, teens that are unemployed miss

out on the opportunity to start taking on the responsibilities as an adult. Having a job, a teen can learn about the responsibilities that are not taught in classroom.

Despite this, junior Andrew Durlofsky believes that a teen should have a job only under the right circumstances.

“It depends on the situation.”said Durlofsky. “If the teen has the time or needs the money, then by all means they should get a job.”

A teenage employee can learn valuable life skills such as the importance of meeting deadlines, how to report to a manager, and how to get along with coworkers. These are lessons that are not taught in a classroom setting, and the job experience that young employees acquire sets them up for future success with promotions and raises beyond the minimum wage.

Senior Matt Wood opposes teen unemployment. “It is a disadvantage to us because we don’t have the experience that we should once we get out of high school,” said Wood. “We need to get jobs so we can learn how to keep track of time, money, and other commitments.”

Under the circumstances that businesses are facing, it is currently difficult for a teenager to get a job. Teens who want to make money better look for a job as soon as possible.

Do you have a job?

36% of students said yes 64% of students said no Poll by Anna Wheeler

Middle College offers alternative to high school students High school students receive the opportunity to attend school, learn, and study on a college campus

By Erica Valbusa Staff Writer

seniors must have 145 credits.

Students will be able to participate in school activities from their “home” school, including sports and dances. However,

“You have to be self-motivated and mature enough to handle being in a college setting, and you have to leave all the high school drama behind.”

Photo by Erica Valbusa

Beginning junior year, students in the Sequoia Union High School District have the opportunity to attend a program called the Cañada Middle College High School.

Middle College is a nontraditional high school collaboration between the Sequoia District and Cañada College that has been in operation for the past 12 years. Cañada College is a community college located in Redwood City. Juniors and seniors are able to complete the requirements for high school graduation while being enrolled in college courses at the same time.

“Over summer, I took a couple of classes over at Cañada and after I got a taste of the freedom of college, I decided to apply for Middle College,” commented Middle College junior Kayla Razavi All classes are held at Cañada College and both the tuition and the high school textbooks are free. However, students must pay for their college textbooks.

Middle College requires students to take three high school courses each semester and at least three other Cañada College courses.

The Cañada courses are selected based on the students’ test scores and interests, and

are taken to fulfill the credits and requirements for high school graduation. Some of these courses include astronomy, anthropology, songwriting and engineering.

To enroll in the Middle College program for the fall semester, students must complete both an application and a college placement exam in the spring. The priority application is due on Feb. 17, 2012 and the final application deadline is April 13, 2012.

Students will receive their notification of acceptance letters during the summer.

Prospective students must hold a grade point average of 2.0 or above and be on track for graduation. This means that juniors must have a minimum of 90 credits, and

students are not eligible to play on Cañada’s sport teams.

“Although I love Middle College, I definitely miss my friends that go to Carlmont and all the spirit days and events,” added Razavi.

All graduates will continue to receive their diplomas at the “home” school within the Sequoia district. Middle College offers its own graduation ceremony, but students may choose to also participate in their “home” school’s ceremony.

Each student enrolled in Middle College will have his or her own specialized schedule. Students have the option of attending class in the evening.

“My schedule changes every semester.

Generally speaking, I have college classes in the morning and three high school classes in the afternoon, starting at 12:30 and ending at 3:10. I have never had a college class on Friday, and most people don’t,” stated Middle College senior Kendall Beebe.

Middle College follows the same attendance policy as the Sequoia district. However, the school calendars do not follow the same schedule.

Since Middle College students are also enrolled in college courses, the average student graduates with a minimum of a year of college credit already completed.

Although there is no “typical” Middle College student, those who have been successful in the program include students who show a high level or performance and are seeking a more rigorous academic challenge, and students who are seeking a more mature learning environment and greater responsibility for their education.

“I would definitely recommend it to other students. It is not for everybody though.

You have to be self-motivated and mature enough to handle being in a college setting, and you have to leave all the high school drama behind,” added Beebe.

features

Page 5

Why learning a foreign language matters

By Erin Greig Staff Writer

Students interact with one another through the use of language, whether it is English, Chinese or French. The use of language has been around for a long time.

At Carlmont, students are strongly encouraged to take a foreign language for at least two years, but they are technically not required to so. Counselors encourage students because colleges require at least two years of taking a foreign language.

But there are more reasons for taking a foreign language other than it just being a requirement in order to apply to colleges.

According to the University of California 08-09 handbook, universities encourage

students to study a language other than English because the “exposure to the modes and forms of expression of at least one non-English-speaking culture increases a student’s understanding of the diversity of and similarities among human values and interests.” Students become more aware of what is going on outside their lives and become more interested in what is happening in the culture and places where their foreign language is spoken.

The handbook also states that it is crucial to a comprehensive education in some areas because it “can greatly enhance study in other areas.” In a foreign language immersion program is Kansas, MO., it revealed that students taking Spanish significantly improved in their

Graphic by Erin Greig

math test scores as well as reading and comprehension skills.

When students take a foreign language, they actually learn more about their native language. Students overlook how complex language really is in its everyday use. For example, when students in Spanish learn about the past participle and how it is used in the perfect tenses, they come to see that they use it everyday in English, just never knew what it was called.

Taking a foreign language is a challenging, but a doable process and because students know how hard it is to learn a new language and even form a sentence correctly, they are able to empathize for students who have come from a different country and are learning to speak English.

Learning a new language opens up an abundance of opportunities, according to the Head of the Language Department and Bilingual Resource Teacher Jennifer Cho. Taking a foreign language is important depending on a students personal interest.

“If you are looking into a post secondary education, then students will need to take a language for at least two years. Likewise if you are looking into doing social work, taking a foreign language will be very

helpful and beneficial for students.”

Senior Avalon Pellegrini finds taking Spanish as a foreign language at school important, “I actually enjoy Spanish and I need to know it for the career I want to take on, social working.”

When asked how else taking a foreign language is helpful Pellegrini stated, “It can be good for traveling and it is a good idea to see how communication is different around the world.”

If students are interested in going to college and studying abroad, taking a foreign language is crucial.

Whether a student is taking Spanish to study abroad in Spain, or learning French to go to France, or even learning Mandarin to travel to China, it will be much easier to communicate with people over there in their native language.

Stanford humanities professor Russell Berman stated that with globalization increasing, it is important that as a country that students are immersed in learning other languages. It will benefit them when they enter the job department and visit different countries to strike up business deals.

Taking a foreign language opens many doors and windows of opportunities and it is up to students to open and find the one they want.

“When students take a foreign language, they actually learn more about their native language.”

Technology vs. Textbook Will schools adapt to new technology or will they stick to traditon?

By Kellan McDonough Staff Writer

Apple dominates our society, but so far it has not become a part of the school curriculum. Every student uses a textbook, but could we maximize our studies by investing in the iPad? The iPad was designed for a learning environment. It is easy to use with minimal learning difficulties and lightweight accessibility.

Our district has to supply every student with a textbook. If we were to use iPads, there would be one simple way to access information.

Robert Fishtrom said, “I would definitely support it. A class set would be awesome in each classroom. We may even want to look into the students doing the research.”

Education by iPads is relevant to Carlmont because textbooks are short in classrooms. In some math classrooms, the students have to share a textbook in pairs.

Textbooks need to be maintained and kept in sturdy condition.

With the iPad, there is no need to charge students for damaged textbooks. The iPad itself can avoid damage by protective cases.

Pasha Minkovsky commented, “iPads should replace textbooks because they are lighter and have more information.”

Minkovsky has a point. Textbooks are heavy and harder to transport. Students have expressed the difficulties of carrying textbooks back and forth to school. With the iPad, students would only need one thing to bring.

Liam Mercado said, “I often feel pain in my lower back area because of the over flow of textbooks in my backpack.” iPads would create a healthier learning environment. Students would appreciate the end of back pain.

The iPad makes learning more enjoyable. Kids may find learning more interesting when they can use a tool like the iPad. According to the official Apple website, the iPad offers Apps specifically designed for education. The program facilitators at Apple search for Apps that would benefit school settings.

On the iPad, books and magazines are easy and simple to read.

School material would be featured all in one place.

Programs like Garageband and iMovie make school projects easier. Mail, Safari, Facetime, Calender, Notes, and Maps complete the iPad experience. Teachers can use Video Mirroring to project images from the iPad onto the Smartboard. The program Airprint allows you to print all files wirelessly. Therefore all the Apps, videos, and photos from the iPad can be projected for the whole class to see. Plus, the iPad comes with no other software to install, so it would be easy to set up in classrooms.

The iPad comes with features that allow people with disabilities case of use. A screen radar and supported playback are features that allow disabled students to experience the iPad. In contrast, the iPad is not an option for Carlmont because they are so expensive. Carlmont already has trouble maintaining enough money for the athletic program and extra curricular activities. With the current textbook system managing, many people don’t see the need for iPads.

There is a question over weather the students are mature enough to handle a tool like the iPad. Fishtrom commented, ““It’s all about modeling appropriate use. There is facebook and Myspace abuse on the internet.”

Fishtrom also expressed concern. “The biggest concern is the management of them. There is concern regarding misuse and theft.”

If the iPads break, then the investment would be a waste. In addition, students would have to make sure the iPads were not stolen, like the Apple computers were last year. Extra precautions would This scenario can be related to Carlmont’s purchase of the Smartboards. The Smartboards were not a necessity, but have proved valuable. These days, some teachers may even call the Smartboards vital.

If Carlmont students feel that the iPad is something worth fighting for, then they should speak up and make it a possibility.

Page 6

Campus

Band a requirement for drumline

By Matthew Harris Staff Writer

Dominic] were so passionate about it...they wrote everything and tried to top themselves every time.”.

Recently, Drumline preformed at the San Carlos Hometown Days parade competition, where they scored $500 for “Best High School Band.”

However, students who would like to join the group need to be currently enrolled in either band or orchestra as a prerequisite for admission.

When asked about the policy, Drumline’s advisor John Dabaldo stated that it was “not a new policy,” referencing that the band

requirement has been in effect since Drumline’s integration into band in 2008.

Sophomore Ryan Wong, a member in Drumline said that the policy is in place because “Mr. Dabaldo also teaches band and wants it to be interconnected with Drumline so students can have the background knowledge.”

Drumline captain Jason Ho agreed, saying that “band gives you the knowledge and background experience for Drumline,” Ho also said that being in Drumline encourages “more enrollment in Band because it is a requirement for Drumline.”

Another Drumline member, sophomore Mitchell Jang, elaborated, saying that “you don't have to be in percussion [to enroll in Drumline]. I play sax, but I was still able to join.”

Because Drumline is now run by the music department, Dabaldo as the Instrumental Music Director makes decisions regarding band, orchestra and Drumline.

It doesn’t need to be said that Drumline is a sensation at Carlmont and students will be watching how far they can go under the guidance of the Instrumental Music Department.

Photos by Gianna Dimick and Grace Chang

Most students at Carlmont have seen Drumline preform, but few know the story behind them, or even the requirements to join.

Drumline, which was started in 2008 by Jake Nilson and Dominic Ferraro, has preformed at various school events, including football games, homecoming assemblies and welcoming 8th graders to Carlmont at their orientation day.

English teacher Victoria Nilson, Jake's mother, recounted the early days of the program, saying “it was totally student led, it was hard getting started, it required a lot of hard work and determination from Jake and Dominic, who organized everything from scratch....and when they had their first performance, the whole school went crazy, and they were able to get more official help.”

Nilson also recalled the amount of work that had to be put in, saying “[Jake and

Students want freedom for lunch

By Sarah Levin Staff Writer

Many students are fed up with eating PB&J sandwiches every day for lunch and have noticed the dozens of restaurants less than a mile away from Carlmont, often wondering why Carlmont doesn’t have an open campus.

An open campus during lunch is something that students have been asking for for years. The idea itself is rather simple: during lunch, students would have the chance to leave school grounds to eat. The most likely option would be to visit the Carlmont shopping center, where there are many lunch options. Then, once lunch period ends, the students would need to be back at school in time to get to their next class.

However, executing this idea may be harder than it seems. “Allowing students to leave campus at lunch creates a liability for the school and district in the event that an injury or other situation occurs,” said Robert Fishtrom, Vice Principal, “Additionally, when the district did have an open campus policy, attendance in the afternoon was very poor.”

Open campus lunches could easily turn into a negative situation, where students take advantage of their freedom and treat it as an entitlement, not a privilege. However, rules could be made in order to keep open campus lunches a safe, beneficial aspect of Carlmont.

For example, a rule could put in place that in order to be able to leave campus during lunch, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This way, open campus lunch becomes a reward, not an entitlement. This policy would increase the effort students put into their grades, and would promote better grades at Carlmont.

Another idea would be to limit the restaurants to where students are allowed to go.

For example, students would only be able to go to the Carlmont shopping center or any of the restaurants across the street.

In order to address the issue of the liability of a student being injured or another situation occurring while out to lunch, students could have to sign a release form before they leave campus. This form would state that the district is not liable for any injury the student sustains, or any other situation that occurs. This way, the student would know the risks before they left.

Students are more than happy to offer opinions and advice on how to operate open campus lunches. “I think they could have a sign-in and -out sheet in the office,” said senior Monika Skinner, “Before they leave, students could write down where they’re going to lunch. That way, if they don’t come back, security could go find them in whatever location.”

Sophomore William Lash agrees. “[The faculty] needs to make sure that we would go back to

school and not ditch, no matter how tempting it may be.”

Open campus lunches are possible at Carlmont. It would just take a little cooperation from students and faculty alike to

make it happen. “Open campus lunches are a great idea,” said Skinner. “They provide more freedom and more food options to everyone. We are old enough and responsible enough to handle them.”

Campus

Page 7

Carlmont Student New punishments for tardies Academic Foundation

By Isabella Paragas

Students raise money for the school

By Grace Chang Staff Writer

Due to budget cuts, students at Carlmont have formed a group to fund raise for the school.

The Carlmont Student Academic Foundation (CSAF) is a club co-founded by juniors Gianna Dimick and Lauren Denney to help raise money.

CSAF started with the help of the parent branch of the Carlmont Academic Foundation (CAF).

“CAF has always wanted to add a student branch to their club in order to gain more support from the actual students and to add to the club's popularity. Lauren Denney's mom, Sue, is a member and proposed that we create the CSAF and we thought it was a good idea and ran with it,” Dimick said.

Co-founder Denney said, “Gianna and I felt it was time for the students to take responsibility to step up and help out the school. We are just trying to do all we can to raise money for our school.”

With the help of CAF, the newly-founded CSAF plans to raise money for programs and supplies that can no longer be bought.

CSAF participated in a “thank-a-thon” in which they called families and thanked them for donating and supporting Carlmont.

They also helped give tours to the alumni class of 1961 this past September. The club members have also donated money to teachers.

Dimick said, “Right now we are working on planning a walkathon in the spring and

we are hoping to get the school involved in collecting box tops because it is an easy way to raise money for Carlmont.”

CSAF allows students to practice their leadership skills by planning fundraisers and events, which can appear impressive on a college application.

CSAF has set up both a Facebook group and page that contains club announcements, as well as meetings every other Tuesday in E8 (Mr. Garcia’s room). They also plan on putting up posters around the school to inform other students of the club.

CSAF’s administrators include Raul Zamora, Robert Fistrom, and Dimick and Denney. Since Dimick and Denny are both juniors, most of the members consist of other juniors, but they hope to expand it to other grades as well.

According to Dimick, many people signed up at orientation and the club fair; however, more members are needed to be involved and attend club meetings. CSAF currently has thirty active members and is always encouraging more to join.

“I like its purpose and goal. The benefits to this club are finding out more about what’s going on at our school and to help our school counter the budget cuts that have had a big effect on us,” said member Kaela Ismael.

Another member, Connor Swanson, commented, “It’s a fun way to give back to the school. A lot of my friends are in the club so we have fun while helping out. I love the club, it’s great.”

Staff Writer

Carlmont now has a new tardy policy that allows teachers to give students consequences instead of traditional detentions.

Last year’s policy gave a detention for every tardy.

For many students, it can sometimes be a struggle to get to their next class on time.

Whatever the reason may be, most students are tardy at some point.

Students know what the consequences were for being late to class: the dreaded detention. Whether it be the humiliating campus beautification or the boring, hour-long afterschool detention, having to serve a detention for the “every once in a while” tardy was no fun.

That policy, Carlmont file photo however, has changed this year.

“Students now have to be tardy three times before receiving a school detention,” explained Administrative Vice Principal Ralph Crame.

The school has changed the tardy policy to cut down students’ load of detentions, allowing them to have more opportunities to participate in extra curricular school activities such as sports and dances.

The decision to change the policy was made by the Carlmont Governance Council, which is made up of various teachers, students, parents, and administration.

At Carlmont, there are currently two types of detentions: school detentions and teacher detentions.

Though the school has cut back on assigning school detention, teachers are given the option to assign students classroom detentions, or some other form of consequence.

The school detention is where the teacher

fills in a referral form for the student who was late, and sends it to the office. There it is recorded and assigns the student to either collect garbage during lunch or sit after school for an hour.

The term “teacher detention” is used as a broad definition. A teacher detention is any consequence that the teacher implements for their students.

The consequences can range anywhere from simply loosing homework points to serving classroom detentions during lunch or after school.

“If we're tardy in [one of my teacher’s] class, we lose 40 points, which is the same as 2 homework assignments, but if we serve a 20 minute lunch detention within 48 hours, we can get the points back,” said sophomore Julio Medina.

Some students believe that this is a positive institution.

With less school detentions assigned, there is less to worry about.

“This year the teachers are more relaxed, which is a lot better than last year,” commented sophomore Charlotte Lewis.

Others believe the tardy policy still needs to be changed even more.

“Some teachers can get angry if you disrupt class, but they forget that you are supposed to be punished based on academics, not being 5 seconds late because a teacher lost track of time [and let the class out late],” said sophomore Jay Aurora.

According to one of the staff members, whose name will not be mentioned, believes that even with the new policy, it is not helping the students any more than it was last year before the change.

“I might not know too much about the new tardy policy, but, in my opinion, it’s not helping,” said the staff member.

Though there maybe mixed reactions to the change in the tardy policy, students will just have to see if it will carry on the rest of the year.

Mary Tagilala: the story Scots in action behind the security guard

By Courtney Heatherington Staff Writer

Photo by Gianna Dimick

Carlmont’s cheerleaders throw up their flyers during their routine in front of the whole school on Thursday Oct. 27, 2011 in the Homecoming assembly. The cheerleaders are going to Texas for Nationals in December.

Mary Tagilala, one of our main campus supervisors, is no ordinary campus supervisor.

She is a former cop of 10 years, coming all the way from the islands of Fiji and Sydney, Australia.

Tagilala recently moved to the United States in 1999 for the educational opportunities available for her children.

“I guess you do give up everything for your kids,” Tagilala said.

Not only has she given up most of her life for her own children (who are currently attending college at ages 18 and 21), but spends much of her time at Carlmont, helping students every day. Tagilala has worked at Carlmont for the past four years.

From encouraging students to attend class and hosting after school detentions to enforcing the dress code and being there for the kids, Tagilala has become an integral part of the Carlmont staff.

However, for Tagilala, this job, along with living in the United States, is only temporary.

“The United States is not home. I want to

go back so bad...I miss it so much.” After her children graduate from college, or in ten years or so, she plans on moving back to Sydney. This is where her mother is buried and is where she feels most at home.

In the meantime, Tagilala loves her job and plans on keeping it as long as she can before she moves back.

She especially enjoys “get[ting] to mingle and talk and bug the kids.” Tagilala can be seen socializing and having a good time with many of the students at many points throughout the day.

Many of those commented on how much they enjoy having Tagilala as a part of Carlmont. Michael Saber mentioned how “weird it’d be without her”.

Tagilala feels likewise. “It’s a wonderful job with so many wonderful kids.”

Tagilala also loves when kids come back to visit, bearing hugs, stories, and appreciation for all she did for them. “Gosh you gotta love it man, gotta love it.”

Although Tagilala will not be at Carlmont forever, her work at Carlmont will be appreciated and she will have left footprints on the hearts of many students for many years to come.

Peer Pressure

Page 8

How Carlmont students feel:

Have you ever been pressured to change your appearance to fit in?

Looks matter

By Jenna Chambers Editor-in-Chief

Movies, magazines, television and other forms of the media are often put to blame for the pressure teenagers feel to look a certain way. However, perhaps one of the most popular trends in high school is the pressure to look good in order to be accepted by peers.

For some that means spending an hour straightening their hair in the morning, wearing makeup or being the perfect weight. For others, ensuring that they wear the right shoes and the most popular styles is an important part of preparing for the day.

When asked why they thought students are persuaded to appear a certain way, student Olivia Reidy said, “If someone sees a peer who gets attention and is accepted by other peers because of the way they look, it might persuade them to also look a similar way in order to be accepted.”

A study shows that peer pressure in certain cliques plays a strong and important role in how teenagers control their looks.

For example, in the study, teenage girls who identified with being “rebels against mainstream culture” with regards to appearance and attitude were found to be the most worried about their weight and reportedly took more steps than any other group to control it.

“Teen girls’ concerns about their own weight, about how they appear to others and their perceptions that their peers want them to be thin are significantly related to weight-control behavior,” said lead author of the study and psychologist Eleanor Mackey of the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington.

In another study done by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation (AAUW), it was found that among the 55 girls between the ages of 11 and 17, who participated in the study,

31 percent of the girls described image and appearance, low self-esteem and concerns about weight as one of the most important issues that girls have to face today.

The Guidelines for Adolescent Nutrition Services describes body image as the perception of one’s body which is shaped by perception, emotions and can change in relation to mood, physical experiences and environment.

Peers can sometimes have the ability to reinforce the idea that appearance means everything and can often influence the things teenagers do and how they behave ultimately having a powerful effect.

“I once bought Uggs even though I couldn’t afford it just because everyone was wearing them,” commented Reidy.

In a survey conducted by Carlmont students who asked over 300 students the question, “Have you ever been persuaded to change your appearance to fit in?” 67 percent of girls said yes and on the on the flip side, 41 percent of boys answered yes to the question.

Studies show that similar to adolescent girls, teenage boys also feel the pressure to look good and to be accepted by their peers.

The study done by Sarah Grogan of Stafford University and Helen Richards of Hope Hospital concluded that “...there are suggestions that Western cultural attitudes to the male body are in the state of change and that men are becoming more concerned with body image.”

Both teenage girls and boys attempt to wear the right clothes, say the right things, be the perfect weight and ultimately have the perfect body all in order to fit in with their certain group.

In the midst of this, it is not uncommon to become clones of each other as they loose themselves in the process of trying to fit in with their peers.

r e Pe

Graphic

by Dana

Bloom

Competition for grades

By Conrad May Staff Writer

Many students are pressured to perform better in school due to the competition between colleges, classmates and also their own morals.

Due to the competition between colleges, many students feel pressured to due well in school, which adds a competitive chemistry to the classroom.

Sophomore Brandon Moyle said, “I always try to do the best that I can in school because I want to get into a good college. I want to get into a good college so I can have a successful career.”

Students strive to be at the top of their class, but only a few can achieve this common goal.

Moyle then went on to say, “I feel like I need to get into a good college for my own sake, but also because my sister is in college.”

Many students have older siblings and feel pressure to top their older siblings, but sometimes fall short.

Other students strive to excel in the classroom due to their own personal morals and self confidence.

Sophomore Aaron Goodwin explained, “I feel some pressure but its mainly from my own values and goals rather than other people.”

Others students like Goodwin feel that they need to excel in school and try their hardest or they won’t feel like they achieved anything in school.

Sophomore Scott Harris said, “I always try my hardest in school because I like the feeling when you achieve something that not a lot of people can do. It helps me sleep at night.”

Although this competitiveness creates a higher intensity of learning it also comes with negatives.

Striving to do the best in their class, many students will stop at nothing to get the highest grade, causing cheating to become a serious problem.

Along with their extra-curricular

activities, or pure laziness, some students don’t have time to do their homework and decide to just copy someone else’s before class.

Harris then went on to say, “I never cheat in school because then I feel like I don’t deserve the grade that I get in that class. I would lose all my respect in my grades if I cheated.”

Not only does this affect the student’s comprehension of the work, but it also affects class time.

When students go to class unprepared, it affects the whole class. Harris explained, “I don’t like when people don’t do their homework and then all we do in class is review the concepts that were on the homework. I would rather spend the time learning something new.”

Many classes are wasted because of the problem of copying, making academic pressure have a negative side.

Whether the pressure is good or bad, it is affecting the classrooms.

Figure by Isabella Paragas

P r e s s u r e

Peer Pressure

Page 9

6 tips to stop peer pressure

Have you ever felt pressured in a relationship?

By Ashley Dierolf Copy Editor

Can students stay above the influence? Be confident.

By Dana Bloom Editor-in-Chief

It is commonly known that some American high school students succumb to peer pressure and experiment with drugs and alcohol.

For some people, the arousal they get from drugs and alcohol persuades them to do such things. But for many, it is the pressure from their peers to experiment.

Although many students do not give in and remain above the influence, there are always some students who are pressured into drugs and alcohol; and after a while, it becomes a habit.

In a national teenage drug and alcohol survey by www.adolescent-substance-abuse. com, of teens between 12-17, 27.5 percent had been pressured into drinking and 8.9 percent had used illicit drugs. Among teens who were heavy drinkers, 65.5 percent were also involved in drugs.

This age group is around the time when students enter high school, a time where peer pressure has a huge effect on students.

The new kids are trying to become the “cool kids” and some feel that drugs and alcohol will help them to obtain their ranking.

74.3% of high school students have had alcohol

When asked if students are pressured in high school, SOS coordinator Shelley Bustamante commented, “Some students who take part in activities that they know are illegal or unhealthy feel less guilty when their friends are doing it also, so they try to get them to join in. On the other hand, a student with low self-esteem may feel selfconscious in a situation if they are the only one who is not engaging in substance use.”

Being pressured is into doing things is very common but students don’t always have to give in. Senior Megan Copeland stated, “I have been pressured to do drugs but that does not mean that I did it. I think it depends on who you hang out with and that has a big influence on your decisions.”

A student who was pressured into drugs and asked to keep their name withheld commented, “I was 14 when I started doing drugs. It was my personal decision, but I felt compelled to do it based on the group of people I was associated with. I wanted to be social and did not want to be the odd one out.”

In a study by listverse.com, they rated the most common drugs among young people

Over

50%

of teens feel pressured to have sex in a relationship

as marijuana, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, LSD, mushrooms, and ecstasy. Other drugs that some students take in the form of pills include Adderall and Xanax, pills that people who suffer from attention deficit disorder take.

Senior Sara Garner stated, “I have been pressured to smoke for sure. A lot of my friends have tried to get me to smoke.”

While some students are pressured into doing drugs, others are pressured into drinking.

Another anonymous student was pressured into trying alcohol the summer going into their junior year. “I was 17 when I started drinking. I was with my friends and they were drinking so I felt a little pressured and I tried it.”

Although students may begin to do drugs and alcohol because their friends are knowledgeable, it is most common that students are pressured into taking such actions, either consciously or unconsciously.

Teenagers tend to cave in to peer pressure to fit in and become accepted. All these desires often lead students to undesirable actions such as using drugs and alcohol.

80% of women are dissatisfied with their body

Pressured to have sex?

By Steven Tsjusiaka Online Editor

“Come on! Everyone is doing it,” is a common phrase used among teenagers these days to encourage friends and peers to do something that he or she wants them to do.

Everyone, including teenagers, talk about peer pressure in high school, but how bad is it realistically?

Students have all heard the phrase “everyone is doing it” hundreds of times, but after a while they tend to ignore it. While peer pressure can mobilize a teenager’s motivation for success, teens who feel isolated by their peers are being pressured into engaging in activities that they’re not comfortable with.

Whether someone is meeting new people or dating, the pressure to be in a sexual relationship or to just have sex is extremely high and even encouraged by the media.

Another way students are pressured into sexual activity is by the method of sending provocative photos of themselves to others, known as “sexting.”

“I don’t mind it because teens should at least have experience,” stated Michael Yih. Other students believe that teen sex isn’t an issue either. “I don’t see [teen sex] as a problem,” stated a student who’s identity is being withheld.

Although recent studies have shown that teenage pregnancy in the United States has decreased in the last few decades, the num-

ber of teenagers having children is significantly higher than other countries.

“Preventing teen pregnancy can protect the health and quality of life of teenagers, their children and their families throughout the United States,” Thomas Frieden wrote on the CDC website.

According to the American Public Health Association, one of the main reasons teenagers are having intercourse at a young age is due to the fact that many believe their peers are doing it too, even though the majority of peers were in fact not having sex.

“I think a lot of teen girls are taken advantage of by guys and don’t really think about the consequences or if they really want to have sex. I’d say it is an issue because girls end up getting pregnant and no kid in high school, girl or guy, is really ready to be a parent,” replied Melissa McCormick.

Another factor that increases the perception that peers are having sex is media content. Teens that watch sexual content are more likely to overestimate the amount of sex their peers are having.

Last week, one of television’s most popular shows, Glee, caused outrage among parents after their recent episode contained sex scenes because Glee characters are technically teenagers.

“The fact that Glee intends to not only broadcast, but celebrate children having sex is reprehensible,” says Parent Television Council’s president Tim Winter. “Teen sex

is now more prevalent on TV than adult sex and Glee is only playing into that trend.”

One in three boys ages 15-17 say they feel pressured to have sex often from male friends, while approximately 23 percent of teen girls feel pressured.

With songs like Sexy and I Know It by L.M.F.A.O. and I Wanna F**K You by Snoop Dogg constantly on the radio, what can teens do to handle the pressure to have sex?

Some ways to deal with peer pressure from teens are to talk to parents or trusted adults, ignore the rumors heard about others, think long and hard before acting or simply wait.

Most teens think that talking to their parents is the last place to go for any advice because they don’t trust them, but they’ll be surprised by how much their parents know and understand what they’re going through.

It’s impossible to confirm what peers say about sex. Some teenagers tend to lie about having intercourse in order to brag to others.

It’s crucial to think thoroughly about making the decision to have sex. Serious consequences follow the decision to have sex, some of which can’t be predicted.

There’s no need to rush; teenagers still have the rest of their life ahead of them to wait for the right time. Remember, not everyone in high school is having sex.

If you’re comfortable with yourself, it’ll be easier for you to resist peer pressure. You won’t feel the need to fit in or look “cool.” Liking the way you are will help you stand up against those who are pressuring you. Eating right, exercising, doing things you like and having healthy relationships will help boost your confidence.

Avoid it.

You pick your friends, so why hang out with people that are pressuring you to do things you don’t want to do? It’s important to find people who have the same interests and values as you. If you are in a situation where friends are pressuring you, walk away or come up with an excuse to leave.

Good excuses to leave are a dentist or doctor appointment, using the restroom or having to go home.

Just say “no.”

You’ve heard it since elementary school, but it’s the simplest way to overcome peer pressure. If you’re not interested in doing something, speak up. Just saying “no thank you” or “it’s not my thing” and being persistent against your friends’ offers works and will most likely stop them from asking in the future.

Educate yourself.

Knowing the side effects of drugs and alcohol is a strong reason to go against peer pressure. If you know how harmful something is, you’re not going to want it in your body. You can also use your information to educate other friends and stop them from using harmful substances.

Consider the consequences.

Not only are their consequences health wise, but with authority and parents as well. If you’re caught doing drugs or drinking alcohol, there can be serious repercussions ranging from time in juvenile hall, probation, being grounded and/or losing your parents’ trust.

Follow your morals and ambitions.

Having strong morals and high ambitions will help you refrain from giving into peer pressure. If you know what you want in life and feel strongly about your goals, you’ll be less likely to be distracted by peer pressure.

Peer Pressure

Page 10

Entertainment

Old films recreated with modern technology

By Virginia O’Callahan Staff Writer

Three dimensional (3-D) movies continue to be a growing trend with the re-release of already popular movies in the new dimension.

People act like this new development is the best thing to ever happen since sliced bread.

“Oh my god, old movies in 3-D? Now everyone has to go see it because it’s cooler!”

Yeah, give me a break.

The Lion King in 3-D did particularly well in the box office during its short time in theaters. Why? Probably because of two things: obviously, the movie, and because of the ridiculous prices of one ticket.

“I liked the Lion King in 3-D, but only because I like that movie,” said junior Josi Flynn.

The Star Wars movies are set to start re-releasing in 3-D in 2012. A seemingly smart move by the production company to squeeze some more money out of rabid Star Wars fans. As if they didn’t have enough already from the original release.

Three dimensional movies are sweeping the nation. But what is really the appeal of it all?

Paying in excess of twelve bucks for a Don’t get me wrong, I love those old movie? Please. I could get a whole lot of movies, but considering the new fad is other stuff for that same price, and surely seeing those gems in smelly, overpriced other things are generally quite a lot more theaters, no thank you. I’ll take an actual satisfying. chair any day.

What is the point of re-releasing movYes, some movies have been improved ies into theaters in the first place? It must and enhanced with the 3-D technology. be some corporate trick to try and shake But some just make the movie even more money out of unbearable. What the pockets of if a production the public. company decided Admittedly to re-release High the old movSchool Musical in ies being re3-D a few years released are down the road? pretty good, Kill me now. but what’s “Movies are the point of not meant for watching it 3-D anymore,” for a small commented senior fortune in Erik Rasmussen. theaters when Flynn agreed, someone “[3-D] does not could just make a movie watch the better; it just gives Photo by Virginia O’Callahan same exact movie at home? me a headache.”

Because it’s not in the THIRD dimension.

Especially with the people in the movie Big whoop. theaters nowadays, it’s becoming increas“I don’t care whether a movie is in 3-D ingly hard to watch even two dimensional or 2-D, it doesn’t make a difference,” said movies. junior Katrina Pahati.

With the Movie Whisperer behind you

trying to tell the characters to turn around or to not go in the basement and Captain Crunch next to you with a jumbo bag of popcorn and who knows what other ungodly noise-making snack, it’s hard to concentrate on the movie.

Even those new, supposedly cool XD movie theaters do not seem worth it. Paying 15 dollars for what? Leather seats and excessively large cup holders? That doesn’t sound worth it.

Considering the evidence, I’d rather just sit at home on a Friday night with a giant fuzzy blanket eating microwaveable movie theater-style popcorn on a couch with the same movie for significantly less than the 3-D movie.

Sure, go buy a ticket for that completely ludicrous price, go buy an over-sized tub of popcorn and some candy. Go watch a rerelease and sit there while the 3-D technology brainwashes you into submission. More power to you.

I’m sure sitting in who knows what type of chair makes the movie so much more exciting.

Still not convinced? Sit on a leather couch and put on those 3-D glasses from the theaters that you’ve punched the lenses out of.

It’s the same thing.

Growing popularity for three-dimensional movies

By Kiana Valdez Staff Writer

The ever present transformation of movies has made the audience have different views on them. With the relatively new creation of 3-D movies, the audience is able to become part of the movie.

“I love them,” exclaimed Yulia Panchenko, a junior at San Jose State University.

“They make me feel like a kid!”

A 3-D film is a motion picture that uses the illusion of depth perception to create a cool effect. Regular cameras placed at specific angles provides the 3-D illusion with the use of special 3-D glasses.

Countless individuals are also very excited that those unflattering red and blue glasses have been replaced with more a stylish version. There are also new forms of 3-D filmed that are being created which do not require any sort of glasses.

The concept of 3-D has been one of the newest fads of the technology world. Now

many people have the ability to go to the store and buy 3-D electronics.

From the TV to the Nintendo 3DS, they seem to be all over. There is even a phone that shoots 3-Dimensional video.

Clearly 3-D videos are coming with all the rage. A survey made by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) regarding the use of 3-D video games said that one in four persons are Photo by Virginia O’Callahan interested in home 3-D video games.

But not all people feel the same way about 3-D movies. When asked her opinion on the matter, junior Christina Rice expressed, “I hate them because they give me

a headache!”

3-D technology has existed in some sort of form since the 1930’s, but has been getting seemingly more and more popular in the past decade.

There are also many unseen 3-D films that are being found. In 2011, two 30-minute Nazi propaganda films were shot in Germany in 3-D. With a seemingly fast-paced technology, what will be next?

Many are also familiar with the 4-D technology, which is similar to 3-D but with physical effects.

Picture the scene. It is drizzling on a cool

Belmont morning while the movie character walks to school. If it was a 4-D movie, the audience would be able to feel the cool water from nearby water jets in the movie theater.

Sound familiar? 4-D productions are very expensive to make. Therefore, in order to see these productions, one would need to go to a place like Disneyland or Great America.

“The movies at Disneyland are so much cooler now,” said Panchenko. “They are the reason I still go there.”

Maybe soon people will be able to head over to the local movie theater and watch a 4-D movie.

“That would be so cool to be a part of the movie!” exclaimed sophomore Sabrina Talpur.

Whatever the case is, movies and technology are advancing in amazing ways.

Numerous of individuals are very eager to see the next turn of technology.

Entertainment

Page 11

Elements of Winter performance Twelfth Night arrives at Carlmont

By Luisa Zepeda

Photo by Rachel Schuster

performance. It will incorporate the warmth and intimacy that the holidays tend to bring.

Staff Writer This will allow the audience and the dancThis holiday season, Carlmont Dance will ers to be close, which will be a new experihold their first annual winter dance show ence for the dancers.

Elements of Winter. Both intermediate and “What’s great about this event is that it’ll advanced dancers will be small with a differbe performing studentent vibe. There will be a choreographed pieces connection between the for a small, intimate audience and you’ll be able audience. to pay more attention to the Students and guests details,” said Secrist. of the second annual What will add to the Carlmont Arts Gala intimacy will be the smaller were able to preview a sized student-choreopiece from the winter graphed pieces created by show titled “Snowintermediate and advanced storm,” which was dancers. choreographed by dance “I’m really excited to see teacher Ame Secrist and my dance because we’ve performed by advanced worked so hard on it; it’s dance students. fast pace and I want to see Decorated ballet slippers add to winter theme “Dancers have been it come alive for the audiasking me to do more ence,” said advanced dancer performances, so I Jessie Real. thought it would be a great idea to have a Elements of Winter will be held on Dec. winter show,” expressed Secrist.

2 and begin promptly at 7 p.m. After the The Carlmont dance studio will be show, the dancers and their guests will end decorated in order to set the scene for the their night with a potluck.

By Luisa Zepeda Staff Writer

On Nov. 17 through 20, Carlmont’s Performing Arts Center was transformed into one of William Shakespeare’s classical settings.

Twelfth Night was one of Shakespeare’s comical plays that portrayed a shipwreck, disguises and inevitable love, all wrapped in a comedy that was to die for.

Audiences that came to see the play were indulged with a complete combat scene.

“What was great about this play, was that it was fun, playful, and not like the other Shakespearean plays,” Photo by Luisa Zepeda said Laura VanArsdel who played Viola, the shipwrecked sister trying to find her identity among the many she portrayed.

The play told the story of twins lost

at sea, that eventually land on an island.

Soon Viola, disguised as a man, helps Duke Orsino seek his soul mate, Olivia. But as the entanglement worsens, Viola falls in love with Duke and the love triangle begins.

Twelfth Night is also a classic play that was modernized in the 2008 movie, “She’s the Man.” Those who have seen it are familiar with the characters Viola, Duke, Olivia and Sebastian.

The ending of the play questioned identity and caused broken hearts, yet left the audience with a happy ending.

“The cast was great! We were willing to work together and have a good time being silly,” said Greg Newton.

“I was excited to see it come alive on stage where the actors were able to show all their hard work and their love for Shakespeare,” gushed play director Nancy Martin.

Technology continues to advance entertainment uses

By Ian Madden Staff Writer

Many may be surprised to discover that with frequent advancements, people can do more than ever thought with technology.

If someone has a video game console, a computer or even a smart phone, they can do a lot of things--not just the stuff for which they were bought. Technology can be used to do almost anything, from creating videos to developing an app for a smart phone.

With the right equipment, including a favorite video game, a recording device and

a computer that is able to use the recording device, people can act out a video and post it on YouTube.

Videos made using video games to create the animation are called machinimas, a combination of machine and cinema, and there are thousands of them available online with millions of viewers and subscribers.

It’s basically like a cartoon made by teenagers and video game fanatics.

Making videos with a computer requires more expertise because animations and effects must be made by the user.

But with new user friendly video development applications, making a video gets

easier every day. Free music can be found online to use that as the soundtrack for videos.

With a smart phone, users don’t need to worry about animation or special effects; they can just film real life, which is the easiest way to make a video. Friends can be asked to be the stars and if someone messes up, it is easy to edit it.

When a video is posted on YouTube, people around the world are provided with a burst of entertainment.

This can range from a guy doing a rail slide to someone being pranked in a high school cafeteria. Some people even put

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short films on the Web as part-time film makers, including teenagers and college students.

Technology can give a new band a chance by putting their music on the web to have it available to listeners.

Most people know that smart phones allow them to make calls, text, send photos (for better or worse), shoot pictures and videos, surf the Web, post to social networking sites, and buy things online.

Cell phones have come a long way since the 1980s when they were as big as a brick.

In addition to the capabilities described above, smart phones now can allow users to download entertainment apps, such as brainbusters, crosswords, sudoku and other puzzles.

Others include casino, arcade, and racing games that take advantage of accelerometers to mimic steering-wheel motion and speed control.

For months now, Angry Birds been the top entertainment puzzle game for iOS, Symbian (Nokia), Android, and even Mac OS X and Windows platforms.

For those who have the ability to do so, they can create phone applications of their own. There are websites, books and community college classes to get started.

Even a decade ago, teenagers didn’t have the technology at their fingertips that is present today.

Two generations ago, teenagers would have described what teenagers have now have as amazing. It is up to this generation to use technology for its potential and enjoy it along the way.

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Extras

Page 12

Student store Continued from front

Although many “unhealthy” snacks remain on the shelves of the store, this is only temporary.

“After the end of the semester, any banned items that we couldn’t sell all the stock for will be gone,” confirmed Quan.

So maybe the next time a student is spreading cream cheese on that bagel (yes, even cream cheese and a bagel may not pass) or wolfing down a power bar before practice, they might savor it as it may be the last time it will be at Carlmont.

Extra credit Continued from front

use them during lab or clean up. Plus, the teacher doesn’t give that many points,” stated junior Stephanie Wang.

According to Sequoia Union High School District’s policies, “grades should be based on impartial, consistent observation of the quality of the student’s work and his/her mastery of course content and objectives.

Behavior, effort and attendance shall be reported in separate evaluations, not in the student’s academic grade.”

Instructional Vice Principal Robert Fishtrom stated that extra credit must not exceed more than five percent of the course grade.

“Extra credit must be academic based and align to the course goal. For example, offering extra credit to attend a science lecture or Back to School night is acceptable because there is a purpose in it,” stated Fishtrom.

Even so, many teachers offer extra credit that is not academic based, such as bringing paper towels or tissue boxes. These extra points are often added on to participation points in class.

“The extra credit points earned are added to the record keeping portion of their grade in class. I have occasional material checks.

If a student forgets to bring all their materials, they can bring in tissues or paper towels to earn the full points,” said Raffa.

Some students think that the distribution of extra credit is impartial to those who can’t afford to buy school supplies.

“I think it’s really unfair for students who can’t get extra credit because they can’t afford it. Extra credit should be academic based, such as answering extra questions in class, reading articles or completing a research paper. Besides, extra credit is supposed to be based on one’s individual work, not if they can buy school supplies to earn a good grade in the class,” stated Sue. “Students should not have to buy school supplies to earn a better grade in the class.

Additionally, students should work hard throughout the whole year and not rely on extra grade to improve their grades,” stated Fishtrom.

However, despite all the opposition, some students believe it is fair for teachers to offer non-academic extra credit.

“I think that having extra credit acquired that way is totally fair because we all need some extra points and getting them that way is fine by me. I don’t believe it should be offered all the time but I would like it if it did,” stated sophomore Reggie Chatman.

However, it is difficult to regulate the extra credit policy on a consistent basis.

“There’s around 105 teachers on campus, so it’s hard for us to keep track of the extra credit policy in the classrooms. We treat all the teachers professionally and expect them to follow the school rules. However, if there are many parent and student complaints regarding this issue, we will further investigate it with the teacher,” stated Fishtrom.

Distributing extra credit for non-academic assignments is against school rules; however, it gives struggling students in need of a boost an easy way to raise their grades.

Although some students consider this to be unfair, donated items such as school supplies and paper towels ultimately benefit everybody.

Who else is using your identity?

By Erik Rasmussen Guest writer

In the United States, Child Identity Theft is on the rise. Each year thousands of children’s social security numbers are stolen, often before they are born. Criminals can hack databases and figure out formulas in order to obtain them for better credit.

Children’s identities are stolen because some people have bad credit. And these people know they have bad credit and they know they can’t buy things or fill out applications for loans, so they do all that under the victim’s good credit.

Children have great credit because they’ve never borrowed money before.

They also tend not to have criminal records. Criminals use stolen social security numbers because they know they probably won’t get a job or a loan under their own identity so they use someone else’s. They might even be a criminal who doesn’t want to get noticed and tracked down by the police, so they use the stolen social security number to hide as someone else.

If an illegal immigrant has a child born in

the U.S., then their child is automatically a citizen which means they automatically get a social security number. Their parents can use their child’s social security number to apply for jobs and find work.

Children are more susceptible to identity theft than adults because they don’t use their social security numbers as much as adults do, so the thefts usually go unnoticed for years. Sometimes the theft isn’t noticed until the child’s eighteenth birthday. No one, not even the child’s parents, would expect to check a child’s credit report because children do not need to get loans for a car, a driver’s license, a hunting license, look for a place to live, find a job.

Unfortunately, even though it is extremely unlikely, if not impossible, for a child to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, the banks and credit companies can’t, or won’t, prove legally that the bad credit does not belong to the child.

It can take months or even years to undo the damage that was done to the child’s credit rating and under the current system, the child’s credit will never be completely,

one hundred percent cleared.

How are social security numbers stolen?

Sometimes the criminals will hack into databases containing the numbers. Other criminals know that social security numbers are created with a formula. One thing that goes into the formula is birth dates. So if the criminals plug in random birth dates, they get out random people’s social security numbers, and are free to use them however they please. Sometimes these numbers are valid even before a child is born.

To find out whether one’s social security number has been tampered with there are websites such as https://www.allclearid. com/ that one can go to that will run a check on it and help him figure out how to try to fix his accounts Check periodically so that if ones identity does get stolen one can report it as soon as possible.

Knowing the ways it can be stolen is also important, like not carrying around cards so they are not lost. Being aware of what websites and documents one put his social security number and credit card numbers on is also important.

Changes to shadow program

Security

Wasman is one of the students who are considering Carlmont along with a number of other high schools, such as Notre Dame and Saint Francis. She stated that “it’s an issue because I’ll be able to see how great all of the other schools are, but it may be that all I’ll know about Carlmont is what I’ve heard about it from other people.”

However, in place of some of the shadowing, Carlmont is offering numerous opportunities where students and parents can find out more about the school.

The list of events includes an Eighth Grade Parent Information Night, which was held on Oct. 25, Preview Days, which will go from Nov. 30 to March 7, Student-Parent Forums on Jan. 18, Jan 24, and Feb. 9, and lastly, shadowing itself will be available from Nov. 1 through March.

Principal Raul Zamora noted that “the events were created to fill the gap of an eliminated position and to provide a transition experience for incoming ninth graders.”

Shadowing, in many students’ cases, is

dents around, but patrol officer Victor Xavier has a general theory as to why certain stores may be stricter than others.

“What store owners look for are mainly groups of kids that are being extra loud, so if a store has more of this kind coming in and out, they will be stricter. What I do is make sure no one is smoking, yelling or using profanity,” said Xavier. “Lunardi’s gets the most amount of shoplifters because kids think it is easy to steal from there. But I think they aren’t really bad kids; they just want attention. I know they don’t need to steal because when I catch them, they pull out their expensive iPhones.”

Xavier doesn’t like busting students, but it is his job to maintain order in the shopping center.

“I like the kids, and I know I sound tough on them, but I just want them to be safe. I just want to make sure they are okay,” admitted Xavier.

Continued from front

very helpful when it comes to choosing the right high school.

“I was looking at Sequoia and MenloAtherton, too, but I liked Carlmont the best when I shadowed it,” said junior Connor Swanson.

However, some students feel that shadowing is not beneficial to finding whether or not Carlmont was the right fit for them.

For example, junior Nick Long shared that his shadowing experience was not the best.

He ended up choosing Carlmont, though, because he was “not looking at any other schools.”

Shadowing, although certainly not vital, is a valuable program for Carlmont.

Continued from front

Fun Stuff

Sports Crossword

Page 13

Horoscopes

Aries (March 21- April 19) You have high energy this month and it shows. Do everything you’ve been wanting to do now because this spark won’t last forever.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Someone who’s been at the edge of your radar will suddenly move to the center. Be open to new relationships.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Embrace your inner child and just let loose! You’ll feel better and so will everyone around you.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This just isn’t your month--and there’s no way of escaping it!

The good news is that something good is coming your way, but for now, you’ve got to deal with quite a few people who are more irritating than usual.

Virgo (August 23-Septmeber 22) Adventure is in the air and you are intent on doing something daring. Follow your instinct and shake things up a bit.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) It may seem as if everyone is deliberately out to get you today, but let’s face it: you’re irritable and you may not be managing stress well. Take a deep breath and try to relax.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Speak up! You need to make sure that your voice is heard this month, or you will be overlooked.

Across 1. It takes longer to become good at this sport than to become good at brain surgery.

4. ______ was invented in December 1891 by Canadian clergyman James Naismith.

7. The yellow color of the ball was first used in 1986.

8. The World Cup is the biggest _____ tournament in the world.

11. The first major _____ tournament was played between Pittsburgh and Boston.

12. ______ was once called hare and hounds and first begin in England.

Down: 2. _____races used to be measured in yard, but are now measured in meters.

3. This sport has been in the Olympics since 1896 and causes back pain for over 50 percent of its participants.

4. _____ players can run over 2 km in one match.

5. this sport dates back to the Native American in 1636 and was once thought to help cure illnesses.

6. the ball used in this game is between 14 and 15 ounces and is 28 inches around.

9. ____ is one of two sports in the NCAA which is exclusively for women.

Word search: Thanksgiving

Libra (September 23-October 22) Lately you’ve felt torn, whether it be between two things or people. You can’t do or have both so choose wisely.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Your personality is too strong to mask and why would you want to?! You will shine brightly all month long.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Watch out for authority figures! They might get in your face more than you want and it’s really hard for you to not push back twice as hard, which will only end badly for you.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Your innate honesty could cause a bit of trouble this month, but at least it’s going to be interesting. Don’t be afraid of disagreeing with people. After all, if everyone just accepted everything, how could anyone learn anything new?

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Things haven’t been going as planned and you’re getting frustrated. Solution: stop planning and just go with it!

Did You Know? *An average person’s yearly fast food intake will contain 12 pubic hairs *To “testify” was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles. *More than ten people a year are killed by vending machines. *The human brain has the capacity to store everything that you experience. *A domestic cat can sprint at about 31 miles per hour. *Drivers kill more deer than hunters do. *The U.S. has more bagpipe bands than Scotland does. *More Monopoly money is printed in a year than real money printed throughout the world! *Women have a better sense of smell than men. *Hippo milk is pink.

Source: funfactz.com

Talk Back

“My favorite part of Thanksgiving is eating.”

-Madi Hubbell

“My favorite part of Thanksgiving is fighting with my dad over the drumstick.”

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving?

“My favorite part of Thanksgiving is eating a lot of good food and seeing the rest of my family.”

-Nathan Galacia

-Connor Fenech

“I like Thanksgiving because my friends and family are together.”

-Alessandro Di Paola

Sports

Page 14

Injuries cause setbacks in sports

The effects on Carlmont students injured during sports games fractures.

After only a few short minutes in JorStaff Writer gensen’s office, it becomes very evident just how many students rely on the trainer This school year is looking like it will be for help; a huge group of football players very busy for Brittney Jorgensen - Carlgetting their wrists taped for their game, and mont’s sports trainer - due to the large soccer players and runners icing their ankles amount of students who come into her ofin huge buckets of ice-cold ice water. fice to get help with “The busiinjuries. est time of Many Carlmont the years are students have when the already been injured seasons cross in sports this year over, so I and have had to have to make go to Jorgensen to a decision; receive treatment. do I multiMore than a few task? Or do students just ‘brush I help the off’ their injuries people with and don’t do anythe worst thing to help it get injuries better. This is very first?” said dangerous because Photo by Miranda Santana Jorgensen, once you hurt somewhile helping four to thing, you have a much bigger chance of the five students at once. injury returning.

One thing that Jorgensen stresses is to According to Jorgensen, the most commake sure you take the right amount of time mon injuries she has seen over the years are out to let your body heal, because if you sprained ankles, and the worst are displaced

don’t, it will get worse.

Even with something as ‘small’ as a sprained ankle, it is recommended that you let it heal for at least two weeks, depending on the degree at which you hurt it.

The first degree of a sprained ankle, also known as a ‘rolled ankle’ is minor tearing of ligaments. This only needs about two weeks of healing time.

The second degree is the complete tearing of the first ligament and minor tearing of the second ligament.

And the third degree is complete tearing of the first and second ligaments. This is very serious and it is possible that surgery is needed.

Injuries also can really affect how you play sports, like with Nicky Thompson who hyper-extended his elbow. This made it extremely hard to pass the football. “I also got my hand stepped on, and this really affected my career. I missed a game!” said Thompson.

Another football player whose injury affected how he played was Gio Tenorio, who sprained his AC in his right shoulder. “It’s really hard to tackle and do sprints, which really affects how I play,” said Tenorio.

There are also injuries that could affect

you for the rest of your life, like hurting your knees and hips, which is a very common injury in basketball players.

“I play basketball. And because I’ve been playing so much, my hips really hurt when I play,” said Michael Costello.

It is incredibly important to be careful when playing any kind of sport and make sure you heal properly and take the right amount of time out of sports if you do get hurt.

Photo by Gianna Dimick

By Chloe Scott

NBA returns in time for Christmas Lockout ends with players not feeling confident with decision

By Ivan Garin Staff Writer

On Saturday, November 26th, the fourth official lockout in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) finally ended after 149 days with the league losing over half a billion dollars in revenue.

The lockout began on July 1, 2011, after disagreements between the National Basketball Player’s Association and the NBA owners. On one side, the NBA owners felt that those in the NBPA have salaries that are too high. On the other, players felt that since they are the reasons for the millions of fans, they deserve a larger share of the revenue.

Owners and players disagreed over their salary caps and the revenue sharing from the teams’ profits. This idea that professional athletes deserve to get paid often more than 25 million dollars while soldiers and doctors are paid a mere fraction of that amount has sparked disapproval from fans.

“There is no reason that one of

those spoiled professional basketball players should make as much as they do. There are soldiers in Iraq and life saving doctors that don’t make anywhere near as much money as they do, yet they deserve it 100 times more,” said Jake Woodard.

Others disagree and say that the players had the right to earn a larger share of the profit, as they are the ones that millions pay to watch, not the owners of the teams.

“Being a professional basketball player takes a lifetime of work.

Anyone that puts in that time deserves their payload. I just hope the lockout will end soon,” said junior Derek Wong.

Los Angeles Lakers star guard, Derek Fisher, fought for a quick solution saying,”Everyone loses if we don’t reach an agreement, that’s something that I think has always been understood.”

When the players association and league meet every several years, they draw up a set of rules commonly referred to as the CBA, or collective bargaining agreement.

$350

This clause states the amount that the players can make and the salary cap for each team’s roster. The over dated clause was the main reason for the lockout.

During the lockout, no teams were allowed to trade, sign, contact or train players in NBA facilities with their staff. Because of this, many stars signed contracts in overseas professional leagues, mostly in Europe, but leaving the United States weakened the union.

Every year, players receive their first paycheck on Nov. 15. This is the first time since 1999 when the players have not received their first paycheck.

About two weeks ago it was decided that no agreements would be reached by the NBPA, which resulted in the union deciding to dissolve and file an antitrust suit against the league.

“There will ultimately be a new collective bargaining agreement, but the 2011-12 season is now in jeopardy,” NBA commissioner David Stern said after the union dissolved.

Exactly 12 days later, David

million in cumulative player salary loss

Stern and executive director, Billy Hunter, announced a new ten year deal, which either side could reject after the sixth year. Hopes are that the season will fit in at least 66 games, instead of the usual 82.

In the end though, the lockout was a massive failure for the players.

The revenue split was decided to be between 49 and 51 percent, down from 57 percent before the lockout.

The players annual raises was lowered from 10.5 percent to 7.5 for returning players and from 7.5 percent to 4.5 for those that wouldn’t return.

New rules will stop spending over the luxury tax in the free agency, making it harder to switch teams.

If an upcoming labor strike were to come, the union would be at a disadvantaged with placing after the current lockout loss.

The players looked grim and sad at the last meeting, knowing that the NBA they knew was about to completely change, whether for the better or worse.

Opening day will be Christmas, a well chosen date to reward the millions of fans that have been yearning for the season to begin for so long.

400

NBA jobs lost due to lockout

4th offical lockout in NBA history

July 1, 2011: the lockout starts

Photo by Jacob Davies provided by Creative Commons

Sports

Page 15

Students miss school for sports Athletes who miss school for games complain of dropping grades

By Gabriela d’Souza Student athletes love the sports they play, but many complain about dropping grades due to lack of sleep, attention, or time spent in class.

Athletes tend to be released early from school when they have games and thus miss many lessons covered in class. Soon these students fall behind and their grades take the beating. “[I] never had time to study; I did my homework and went to bed. I was so tired I could barely function in class,” said water polo player, Hannah Carney.

Carney, along with many of the other water polo players, missed class once or twice a week due to games. Carney also had long water polo practices that made her very tired, giving her even less time to focus on her school work.

Many studies have shown that it is harder for student athletes to focus on school because they are so involved in their sports, putting as

Photo by Grace Chang

Staff Writer

much effort into them as possible.

Carney has expressed this by saying, “I was really behind in photography and I could have been getting much better grades than what I have [now].”

In contrast to this, there are many positive opinions about student athlete’s performances in school. Some researchers have found that athletics actually

increase academic performance because the students must meet academic standards in order to practice and play in games.

“Sports take up a lot of your time,” said junior varsity football player Gabe Crespin, “but they can help too because you’re doing something you like so it makes you work harder to stay on the team.”

Many athletes have a desire to excel in both their sport and school activities, so they take every measure possible to make sure they are successful in both.

“It takes me a lot of time to re-do notes and understand the curriculum, but I am passing all my classes with good grades,” expressed varsity football player, Tristan Gasperian.

According to studies done at UC Davis, male athletes are statistically on academic probation more than female athletes, and tend to have lower grade-point averages overall. Although for some Carlmont sports, this does not seem to be a problem because the coaches are very involved in helping their players be successful in school.

Water polo is an example of this. “Our coach does a great job of making sure school and grades come first,” junior varsity Boys water polo player Max Dobson said happily when asked about his academics. On the other hand the girls water polo teams seem to be the exact opposite are the exact opposite.

“Every day we have an hour before practice to do homework and when we need help we ask him and he helps us,” said junior varsity football player Osvaldo Nava about his coach, Marco Aguilar, who is a math teacher at Carlmont.

Other Carlmont athletes such as those involved in volleyball or cross country have had little or no problems with their academics because they rarely miss any class time.

Fantasy Football has taken over the nation

It is not about who wins or loses, it is about how many points are scored

By Graham Godwin Staff Writer

Having the first pick in a Fantasy Football draft is like winning the lottery.

What could go wrong?

I chose Michael Vick, the quarterback, and super rich leader of the of the selfnamed “Dream Team” a.k.a. the Philadelphia Eagles over Chris Johnson, the also newly, super rich all-everything, speedy running back for the Tennessee Titans?

Starting with a cannot miss picks (or so I thought) like Vick or Johnson, the rest of my team would have fallen into place. I planned a flawless draft where I’d get all the sleepers I wanted.

You can almost hear NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, stepping to the microphone and announcing, “With the first pick in the Carlmont Fantasy Draft, Graham Godwin selects Michael Vick.”

Let the train wreck begin.

Americans are obsessed with Fantasy Football for the 17 straight Sundays that take up the NFL season.

This year, an expected 27 million Americans are taking part in this booming industry that racks in profits of four billion dollars annually.

Fantasy Football is a game based on what real NFL players do during the regular season. The participants act as the owner and build a team that competes against other Fantasy owners based on statistics that are earned by those players in real life.

The idea of Fantasy Football started in 1962 in Oakland, Calif. With no Internet

to draft and keep track of statistics, the original leagues would keep track of points by pen and paper while drafts were done in person.

Over the years, Fantasy evolved and changed to what it is today, a mega billion enterprise that infatuates participants all over the world.

Americans are so interested in their Fantasy Football that it has steadily gained

“Americans are so interested in their Fantasy Football that it has steadily gained more Google searches than Obama during the last couple of months and the lead up of the season” more Google searches than Obama during the last couple of months and the lead up of the season.

The major television broadcasters, major sport Internet sites and social network sites have all come together to build on the Fantasy Football hype.

ESPN has a television show devoted to just Fantasy advice and a platform online with countless articles in order to help out its Fantasy users.

Fantasy has even

changed the ways fans experience the game through their televisions.

People do not want scores. What the fans really want is the rushing, passing and receiving leaders, and the NFL and the networks gladly give them this data.

The screen is nearly full of information and data points that have nothing to do with the game fans are watching, instead they show Fantasy Football information.

The Fantasy phenomenon has also changed the way fans choose games to watch. No longer are fans’ interest restricted to the regional game to which they are seemingly assigned.

A fan in San Diego could be sweating out a game in Buffalo because he is down by a couple points and he started the Bills tight end.

Fans are now attached to the players on their Fantasy team and will follow and root for them even if it means watching games that would usually bear no interest in.

In fact, Fantasy players will often find themselves rooting for players playing against their favorite team.

Fantasy Football is not going away. It is only going to become increasingly popular as more and more people try it each and every year.

The average participant can usually access their team from multiple different technological devices and the number of options is growing.

Unfortunately, obsession can take hold through the constant checking and re-checking on their phones and tablets.

The disadvantage for some people is having to watch their plans of Fantasy domination unravel.

Here I am, sitting on my couch, on the receiving end of another fantasy beat down.

I am helplessly watching my #1 pick, Michael Vick, of that so called “Dream Team,” throw interception after interception, wondering where it all went wrong.

Well one thing is for sure, I will be back next year with a whole new Fantasy strategy that is destined not to fail.

Sports

At the Homecoming game, the frosh-soph football team powers through Capuchino and keeps up the fight until the bitter defeat.

Autumn: a time of change for Carlmont sports

By Jacob Rudger

Photo by Grace Chang

Photo by Steven Tsujisaka

Staff Writer

From the summer preparation, to the daily after-school practices, all the way to the playing field, Carlmont student athletes swam, smashed, spiked, ran and pounded their way to another successful fall sports season.

Carlmont fall athletics experienced a season of change first hand. The story of the 2011 fall season was improvement, as Carlmont teams improved their records from the 2010 season in almost every sport.

Girls varsity water polo was close to the lowest of the low in 2010, finishing fifth place in the PAL Ocean division.

The 2011 girls water polo team saw many fresh faces. They acquired a new head coach, Cole Bielskis, at the beginning of the season. Bielskis is a former professional water polo player and brought his knowledge and experience to the pool deck.

Bielskis was not even the most major addition to this year’s varsity team. The 2011 team welcomed nine juniors from the 2010 junior varsity team, who went undefeated last year and were the PAL Ocean Division champions.

These girls swung that winning momentum into their varsity season, but not without the help of

four seniors and two spectacular freshman, Kristen Denney and Katelyn McGrath.

Fresh faces helped the girls varsity water polo team improve from four wins in 2010 to ten wins and a third place finish in the 2011 PAL Ocean Division.

Boys varsity water polo had a decent season. Playing in the always tough Bay Division, these young men were up against fierce competition.

Despite only a satisfactory season, finishing with a record of 8-9 and fifth place in the division, the team made improvements from last season in which they finished 6-14.

The boys team turns their focus towards next season where they look to be in contention for a CCS birth.

Carlmont’s girls tennis team, under direction of new head coach Amina Doar, had an extremely successful fall. The team went 104, taking third place in PAL Bay Division.

Last year they finished fourth place in the Bay division. This year’s improvement was due to a widespread roster featuring freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

The Lady Scots grabbed a CCS birth and made it past the first round with a win over Stevenson.

Their second round match was hard fought versus Saratoga, but

Photo by Steven Tsujisaka

Photo by Miranda Santana

Photo by Alex Porter

Photo by Ian Madden

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Photo by Jason Wong

their season was ended in a loss.

“We had a strong season this year because of more team spirit and we had a lot of great players,” said senior tennis player Tyler Norman.

Girls varsity volleyball spiked their way to a second place finish in the 2011 PAL Bay Division, finishing with a record of 12-2 and only two games behind undefeated Menlo-Atherton.

Last year’s team finished third place in the Bay Division. 2011’s success was based on their strong set of seniors, who were on the team last year and only got better during the off season.

No matter who the volleyball team played, they seemed to find a way to win.

The team was granted a first round bye in the CCS tournament, then defeated North Salinas, only to move on to the semi-finals where they lost a hard-fought match against division rival Menlo-Atherton.

Cross country at Carlmont has dominated the PAL for many years. Last year’s team set the bar extremely high for this years team, as both the girls and boys teams were PAL Champions. The 2010 boys team was CCS Division 1 runner-up, and the girls team was crowned CCS Champions.

For this year’s team there was little room for improvement, but they lived up to it. Both the boys

and girls teams were crowned PAL Champions, making that backto-back PAL championships for Carlmont.

At the Central Coast Section Finals on November 3, the varsity Boys and varsity Girls cross country teams won the Division 1 Finals. The team competed at the State Finals in Fresno on November 26, but results could not be retrieved by press time.

Carlmont football was the talk around campus this fall, improving from last year’s second place finish in the PAL Lake Division to a tie for first place with El Camino. Both schools finished 4-1 in division play.

The football team attracted hundreds of students to each game, both at home and on the road, and proved they are a team worth watching.

“The football games are more exciting this year and attracting more fans because I think we have more school spirit. I also think this years’ team is more fun to watch,” said Corey Pang.

Fall of 2011 saw dramatic improvement for Carlmont athletics.

This success has contributed to improving school spirit and has essentially put Carlmont “on the map” as a competitor in the Bay Area sports world.