MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL
VOL. 51, NO. 4
41717 PALM AVENUE, FREMONT, CA 94539
December 18, 2015
American studies professor speaks to MSJ students about race relations By Anu Asokan & Michelle Dalarossa Staff Writers Guest Speaker UC Berkeley Professor Justin Gomer discussed race and racial representation in American films with MSJ students on December 8. Students from multiple classes, including English, Ethnic Studies, and Art attended the presentation. Gomer, a UC Berkeley alumnus, earned his Ph.D. in African-American studies from the university in 2014 and began teaching at UC Berkeley in 2011. He has taught courses in the American Studies, African-American Studies, and Ethnic Studies departments. Gomer began his lecture by defining a few common terms like race and culture, explaining how race and its definition have evolved throughout history and how race is not a biological trait, but rather a product of social conflicts and interests. One focus of the presentation was “colorblindness,” a term that emphasizes the idea that one should view people as simply humans and not as members of a specific race. The concept was originally advocated by African-American leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. to advance the rights of people of color, but later used by opponents of the Civil Rights Movement to “take away the gains of Civil Rights,” said Gomer. He gave two main examples, school integration and affirmative action, that were gains of the Civil Rights Era, but later opposed using rhetoric promoting colorblindness. After providing students with this background information, Gomer moved on to the main topic of the presentation: how
MSJ students give back Student organizations hold canned food drives By Lucille Njoo & Cindy Yuan Staff Writers L2 organized a school-wide food drive in which all MSJ clubs and numerous classrooms donated cans, while Interact, Key Club, and Leo Club held a joint InterKeyLeo canned food drive, asking for donations of canned foods around the MSJ community. L2’s annual canned food drive began on November 5 and lasted until November 20. MSJ students brought cans of food to their third period classrooms in a school-wide contest for the most cans donated by a class. In addition, each of MSJ’s 88 clubs contributed
American movies represent African-Americans and their culture and why these representations matter. Using both recent films like Selma and 12 Years a Slave and older films like Mississippi Burning and The Long Walk Home, Gomer emphasized the power of films that do not merely retell a story or “transport meaning,” but create a new narrative that gives meaning to the characters and events it portrays. To demonstrate the relevance and importance of films, he explained that movies and pop culture in general influence the public’s conscious and subconscious thoughts and discourse, holding the power to perpetuate false narratives and stereotypes. Gomer continued that mainstream Hollywood often cast white leads in movies depicting black freedom struggles, whereas independent African-American directors featured AfricanAmerican leads in movies depicting the same struggle. Gomer concluded his hour-long presentation by correlating race to other topics like gender, poverty, and gentrification and answering questions from audience members regarding Ethnic Studies and social issues. Junior Anita Carraher, who attended the presentation with her English class, said, “He [Gomer] was able to to explain stuff clearly and give relatable anecdotes. I think the most interesting point brought up was that these movies…were still evidence of the culture that they were produced in, in how they retold their stories. I thought the presentation was well done!” ▪
staff writer michelle dalarossa
UC Berkeley Professor Justin Gomer discusses racial representation in Hollywood with MSJ students.
a mandatory donation of at least 30 cans. History Teacher Risha Krishna’s third period class won the contest for the most cans donated, at 364 cans. They were followed by Chemistry Teacher Ling-Ru Katy Kuei’s third period, at 196 cans, and Health Teacher Cate Ruebling’s third period, at 143 cans. In total, MSJ students donated 5,725 cans, amounting to $6000. The cans were donated through Abode Services to Sunrise Village Emergency Shelter, a local homeless shelter that will use the food to serve people in need in our own community, on November 20 and will be used to feed its residents during the holiday season and part of 2016. “We just wanted to help provide food to the less fortunate this holiday season, and what better way than to get donations from students?” said L2 Senior Spencer Chau. L2 has been holding its food drive for over ten years. Each year, they have collected about 5,000-6,000 cans. “I think it’s a good tradition that lets us give back to the commu-
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
Stay tuned on our Facebook page for the final days of Christmas recipes, activities, and jokes!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: JAPANESE SPEECH CONTEST
Junior Anthea Xiao placed first in the middle to high school division at the 42nd Annual Japanese Speech Contest, among other accomplishments.
nity,” said L2 Senior Anastasia Ecin. In addition to L2’s canned food drive, MSJ’s three largest service clubs, Interact, Key Club, and Leo Club, banded together for
“We just wanted to help provide food to the less fortunate this holiday season, and what better way than to get donations from students?”
- L2 Senior Spencer Chau
their annual InterKeyLeo canned food drive, their largest fundraiser of the year. In this event, members of all three clubs joined together to ask MSJ’s neighboring communities for canned and nonperishable food donations. The event was held over two separate days; on November 14 to hand out flyers, and on November 21 to collect door-to-door donations. This year, the InterKeyLeo drive donated 1,306 cans, far surpassing last year’s number
of barely 1,000 cans. “The reason that I think it’s one of the most important . . . events is the fact that . . . members from all three service clubs get to know and work with each other towards the same goal. That way we’re able to have a bigger impact because we cover the most area,” said Interact Co-President Senior Urmi Mustafi. The cans from the InterKeyLeo canned food drive were donated to Abode Services. True to the giving spirit of the holidays, MSJ students banded together to contribute to charities, donating a grand total of 7,031 cans and leaving a notable impact on the community. ▪
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FUSD Math Pathways By Anthony Chen, Pratham Gupta, Amber Lee & Deeksha Raina Staff Writers FUSD’s Board of Education held a meeting on November 18, and in a 4-1 vote, passed changes to the Common Core State Standards Math Pathways. The board adopted this curriculum in early 2014 for the district’s junior high and high schools to better address the fundamentals of mathematics. The original Common Core pathways, which the board approved on Feb. 12, 2014, featured foundational math courses Common Core 1 for seventh grade and Common Core 2 for eighth grade. Students would then take the Common Core 3 course Algebra 1 in freshman year, Geometry in sophomore year, Algebra 2/Trigonometry in junior year, and PreCalculus in senior year. However, when FUSD schools transitioned to Common Core math in the 2014-15 school year, the courses were renamed as Common Core 1 for sixth grade, Common Core 2 for seventh grade, and Common Core 3 for eighth grade, to stay consistent with the titles of the Springboard math textbooks used in each grade. After the board’s recent meeting about changes
to the existing math pathways, the Common Core 3 class for eighth graders was renamed as Foundational Algebra and Geometry, so that the name better represents the course material. The original Common Core pathways offered accelerated paths that compacted three years’ worth of course material into two years. This way, students who wish to take more advanced math classes do not skip any material or miss out on fundamental math concepts. The junior high acceleration pathway, which students enter if they score high enough on a district math placement test in sixth grade, includes Common Core 2 and 3 in seventh grade and Common Core 3 and Algebra 1 in eighth grade. Geometry will no longer be offered in eighth grade as a stand alone class after this aforementioned system is implemented. The board’s meeting on November 18 added a new summer bridge program for borderline students who did not qualify for placement in junior high acceleration in seventh grade. To enter the summer bridge program between seventh and eighth grade, the students must have A grades for
both semesters of seventh grade Common Core 2 and score 90 percent or higher on all district benchmarks. After the summer classes, they will be able to join the accelerated pathway, taking Foundational Algebra and Geometry/Algebra 1 in eighth grade. The initiation of the summer bridge program is estimated to cost $100,000. The board also passed new changes to prerequisites for entering high school accelerated paths. For students who took the junior high accelerated pathway, they now must have math grades of Bor higher for both semesters of eighth grade to enter the high school accelerated pathway, which compacts Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, and PreCalculus into ninth and tenth grade. For students who were not in the junior high accelerated path, they must have A grades for both semesters of ninth grade Algebra 1 and 90 percent on all the district benchmark tests to enter the high school accelerated pathway in 10th grade. These high school accelerated paths allow students to reach Calculus by junior or senior year as opposed to PreCalculus by senior year in the
regular path. One more change that the board recently approved allows students in the non-accelerated high school pathway to take Algebra 2/Trigonometry as an elective along with the required Geometry course in sophomore year, so they will be able to take Calculus during their senior year. According to MSJ Math Department Chair Scott Sugden, there are currently 256 students in Hopkins Junior High School in the accelerated program. He goes on to say, however, that the accelerated pathways in high school may not be the appropriate choice for every student. Sugden said, “My biggest concern is having too many kids signing up for the classes who are unable to keep up . . . It puts stress on the students and it puts stress on the teachers. It puts stress on everybody.” These changes will be implemented during the 2016-17 academic year. The Math Department’s Professional Learning Committee is still holding monthly meetings to finalize the prerequisites of the high school accelerated pathways. ▪
*Graphics based on the November 18 FUSD Board meeting.
corrections
for the NOV. 19, 2015 issue Opinion Pg. 3: Graphics were from PiktoChart. A&E Pg. 15: “A Thousand Miles” should be “A Thousand Years.” Our Brand is Crisis is misspelled. Sports Pg. 21: MSJ Soccer Coach Fodé Doumbia’s former team is Olympique de Marseille.
NEWS IN
brief
mercurynews.com
shusterman.com
huffingtonpost.com
Construction of the Niles Boulevard Bridge has begun near the original span.
The Supreme Court rules against removing the ban to allow assault weapons.
Bejing residents walk through the smog during the red alert.
Construction begins on Niles Boulevard Bridge Construction has begun on the new Niles Boulevard Bridge. The bridge will connect Fremont and Union City and will replace the one that is currently in use, which was built by BART in the 1970s. The new bridge is an improvement over the old span as it meets curCompiled by Staff Writers Mustafa Ahmed, rent seismic and design standards. The Ishika Chawla & Michelle Dalarossa bridge is expected to be completed by Spring 2017.
Supreme Court allows assault weapons ban to remain The US Supreme Court refused to hear a case of a challenge to the Second Amendment to the assault weapons ban in Chicago on December 7. This ban is valid against semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. This action is largely unprecedented and has caused the gun control debate to resurface, questioning whether other cities should pass a similar ban as well.
Beijing issues red alert for smog Beijing issued a red alert for smog for the first time ever on December 8, which was in effect until December 10. Schools were shut down, factories were closed, and restrictions were imposed on vehicles in the wake of the red-alert, the highest and most serious level on a system of four levels measuring pollution amounts. The alert means that authorities have predicted more than three consecutive days of serious smog.
Friday, December 18, 2015
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Smoke Signal
Opinion 3
Letter to the Editor:
Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 51, No. 4 | December 18, 2015
Response to Nov. 19, 2015 Editorial “A Culture of Entitlement”
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41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539 (510) 657-3600
Dear Editor,
Editors-in-Chief Alice Cheng, Katrina Cherk News Michael Hsiu, Apoorva Rajanala Opinion Grace Dong, Harshita Gupta Feature Chakshu Hurria, Katie Sun Centerspread Neha Shah, Annie Tang A&E Sarina Chitre, Andrea Tam Sports Amrith Krishnan, Rishab Ramapriyan Graphics Kevin Chen, Monica Tang Web Jacinta Chang, Nithya Rajeev
It is simple for us to say Mission students are unilaterally demanding and disrespectful when it comes to college applications, but I believe we should be hesitant in judging the character and action of any large group of people. A single person acting entitled is a personal flaw that they are responsible to fix, but when a whole school acts entitled, it is not the fault or responsibility of its 2,000+ individual students. We must look towards outside influence on our students instead.
Tech Andrew Chen, Brian Tseng Business Shivane Sabharwal Circulation Tanvi Raja Ads Andrew Choi, Sayan Ghosh Events Deeksha Raina, Ruiwen Shen Writers & Photographers
Mustafa Ahmed, Anu Asokan, Ashley Chang, Ishika Chawla, Anthony Chen, Ella Chen, Kylie Cheung, Michelle Dalarossa, Carolyn Ge, Mallika Gupta, Pratham Gupta, Andrew Kan, Amber Lee, Kevin Li, Lucille Njoo, Ansh Patel, Tanushri Sundar, Bindhu Swaminathan, Zen Thumparkkul, Chloe Velasquez, Didi Wu, Cindy Yuan, Richard Chenyu Zhou, Victor Zhou
staff writer amber lee
Adviser Sandra Cohen Send letters to the editor to opinion@the smokesignal.org. Letters under 300 words may be considered for publication and must include a full name and school affiliation. The Smoke Signal reserves the right to edit for clarity and length.
Why do we feel we must ask for so many recommendation letters? It is not out of a sense that we deserve it. It is because colleges require it of us. Why then must we apply to such demanding colleges? It is not to stroke our own egos. Instead, we have been told since childhood that getting into those colleges is the only way to a good career. We are told that if we don’t get those letters, if we don’t get into a good college, then we’re failures. We face the threat of being priced out of our own neighborhoods in the future because we can’t get a job as good as our parents’. All those must be changed before we stop demanding recommendation letters from our teachers. The problem is not the characters of Mission students but the standards forced upon us. We do not need to change our mentality, we need to change the world instead.
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Happy Holidays, Michelle Song, 10
The Smoke Signal’s right to freedom of speech and press is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
staff writer mallika gupta
STAKEHOLDERS: NEW FUSD MATH PATHWAYS Smoke Signal journalists spoke to teachers, parents, and students about their views on the new FUSD Math Pathways. All quotes were given directly to a journalist.
TEACHERS
PARENTS
STUDENTS
“The kids that are super super advanced will fit quite nicely into [the new pathways] because they’re going to be more than capable, but there are not very many students that are super advanced. Maybe one, maybe two classes of that. So for those kids, I think [the program] will be very effective because it will be a lot of material with very little review and that’ll be fitting for them. The other students, if there is still an honors system where kids that come in as freshmen, will take Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, and Honors PreCalc. That will still be beneficial for them because the class will still be accelerated for them. It’ll still be over three years but if there is not an honors I think that it will be detrimental to the kids that are skilled in math but aren’t super super skilled in math because those kids that are skilled won’t have the ability to take a more sophisticated class and learn more material. They’ll be stuck with the kids that don’t understand the material and everyone will kind of be grouped together so it depends on how they decide that they want to do that.” Tyler Robinson, Honors Algebra II/Trig and Honors Precalculus Teacher
“When you are in your junior high school, you don’t feel too much pressure at all, everything is pretty easy. Now, ninth graders feel okay. But once you are in 10th grade, the pressure starts piling on. Not only do you [have] pressure from your studies, you also have pressure from your volunteer work, from your other club activities. So many things around you, and extra work means extra time. [sic] The math subject is not an easy subject at all. So right now, just by taking one subject of math each year, you already feel the pressure. Thinking about learning three math subjects in two years, what would that be like? That worries us. That worries the students, worries the parents.” Betty Bai “You know, my daughter [attended Mission] and now my son is going to Mission and they are doing fine and so are their friends, so I don’t think we really need these new things. I would say what we have now is working and will save us from a big adjustment.” Sudipa Mukhopadhyay
“Our math pathways right now seem to be working fine. The new pathways only widen the gap between students of different math levels. They only benefit those who take the accelerated pathway.” Austin Chang, 10
to the
“This sounds like new prep for the teachers, and I’m okay with that. It’ll be an invigorating experience and there’s nothing to worry about. As for me, I already do some curriculum outside the given text already, so I’m ready to go with the flow and see what comes… Yes, it is up to the teacher to prepare students for future careers. I’ll give Common Core the benefit of the doubt and say it’s possible this new curriculum builds foundation. There will be more authentic application of concepts learned.” Charlie Brucker, Honors Geometry Teacher
to the
“I don’t really support these changes, because they make people focus on the wrong thing. The reason the kids are so ahead of the classes is because they had to go out and learn it, or learn it all beforehand –they’re not born geniuses. This new change encourages parents to spend time, money, other resources on their kids to go learn the math, instead of having them learn it more formally or completely at school. While this new pathway might seem good to the kids who had the conditions to learn it before, others who didn’t have the luxury of the other kids will feel left behind even though they’re just learning it the way they’re supposed to. I don’t believe that’s the way to help the kids get better educated.” Lucy Wang
“I think that this new program is beneficial [because] it allows students to take math classes that they are interested in throughout high school… This will help students be better placed in classes that challenge them. With the current curriculum, it’s silly that students are stuck in classes lower than they are fit for because of a test taken in sixth grade. Hopefully, the new system can change this.” Rushali Kothari, 12
to the
“I like that students are allowed to take whatever math class that they want based on their abilities... But students will think they can handle more just because they pass a placement test, and that’s going to cause a lot of struggling. In places like MSJ... there is not much space to change classes after the school year has already started, that’s just going to cause a lot of failure.” Ankush Swarnakar, 10 “I think the school district should do the math placement test slightly later because often students placed in advanced math pathways do more poorly than other students. Sixth grade is perhaps too early to decide whether a student has the capabilities to skip an entire year of curriculum. The new Common Core math pathways seem very convoluted. The only apparent overall difference is that students now have an official (non-failing) option to not take Precalculus until senior year. Leon Ming, 11
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Friday, December 18, 2015
THE SMOKE SIGNAL’ S GUIDE TO COFFEE
Friday, December 18, 2015
The Smoke Signal
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By Grace Dong, Ella Chen, Andrew Choi & Brian Tseng Opinion Editor and Staff Writers
Are late nights of studying for tests causing you to fall asleep in class? Fear not, because the Smoke Signal has made a guide to coffee shops and drinks to give you the caffeine kick you need. Here’s everything you need to know about this black liquid treasure and savior of students.
Which classic drink should I order based on my level of experience?
frappuccino With minimal caffeine and generous amounts of sugar and whipped cream, a frappuccino is the typical Starbucks drink moms grab for the 10-year-old in their backseat. A blend of the Greek frappe and Italian cappuccino, it’s not quite coffee, because it is typically mixed with a base flavoring ingredient and then chilled with ice. Frappucinos are great for a hot day, but they’re particularly well suited for your average hipster, sweet tooth, and avid social media user who wants to post about his or her “coffee” addiction.
mocha The mocha, also known as caffe mocha or mocaccino, is the weaker, sweeter, and chocolatey-er cousin of the latte. Some are merely hot chocolate with a shot of espresso, but most of the time, they have a milky froth on top or a layer of whipped cream. Mochas are some of the most Instagrammable coffees, since they look beautiful with nearly every filter. With a generous amount of cream, this delightful coffee is just the right drink for the holidays and is perfect for those who want a tad bit more caffeine with their liquid calories.
Though the menu selection is limited to traditional coffees and espressos and the wait time is longer than your typical Starbucks, Devout Coffee’s shining feature is quality of its handcrafted drinks. devout theDevout Coffee began as a cart in coffee 2013 but opened up a cozy spot in August 2015 that features a pa37323 Niles tio, WiFi, and an open roasting Blvd. Fremont, room where customers can CA watch the magic of latte art happen. (9 min)
latte
black
If you’re a frequent latte drinker, you’re almost to the end of the journey to becoming a coffee aficionado. At this point, you finally appreciate the taste and flavors of real, legitimate coffee, and have probably had a late night latte or two so you could stay awake to cram for that APUSH test or Precalculus midterm. The poor latte has been painted in a bad light in recent years with the rise of fake, sugary concoctions such as the somewhat infamous “Pumpkin Spice Latte”, but don’t be fooled—with more traditional lattes, you can kickstart your day with both the rich, flavorful espresso and the soothing, warm milk.
If you’ve sunk to this level, you either really appreciate coffee in its purest form or you’ve hit some sort of rock bottom. Regardless of the circumstances, having coffee without any milk, cream, or sugar is only for the strongest of wills. Black coffee is often called an “acquired taste,” so if you think your taste buds can take the bitterness, give it a shot. However, be cautious—black coffee also comes with an undiluted kick of caffeine. This bounty of energy has proven to interfere greatly with human circadian rhythms when consumed in later hours.
Philz Coffee is gaining recognition in the bustling Bay Area life. Over the course of 25 years, founder Phil Jaber created over 30 customized blends to sell at his shop. Customers often find a long line snaking out of Philz philz Coffee shops; when it is their turn, they their order to the barista, who coffee givemakes the coffee from fresh beans and ingredients. A favorite drink 118 Paseo de San at Philz is the mint mojito, an Antonio Walk iced coffee that contains San Jose, CA real mint leaves. (31 min)
Along able prices son rea with n of drinks, Bean ctio sele e wid a and to Scene provides a place for people started in ne Sce n Bea meet, laugh, and relax. ny Lam expanded Sunnyvale in 2004, and owner Kens up to its mission it to Fremont last year. The cafe liveracter, and excellence statement of aspiring for quality, cha daily specials. with free WiFi, homey decor, and
bean scene cafe
CA 4000 Bay Street, Fremont, (6 min)
Attached to the Amtrak station in Centerville, The Depot is a popular place for commuters to grab some coffee and a small bite to eat before starting off their day. The decor is very retro and reminds one of a quaint, 1950s diner, especially with the old Coca-Cola decorations. While other coffee shops offer coffee that is too bitter or too sweet, The Depot is able to find the perfect balance.
ot p e d Blvd the
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Opinion & Feature 5
Outdated CAHSEE replaced by Common Core By Andrew Kan Staff Writer
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that suspended the CA High School Exit Exam for three years on Oct. 7, 2015. Now, students and administrators can avoid wasting energy on a test that has outlived its purpose, and instead redirect their time, money, and focus into the new Common Core standards. When the CA exit exam was first made mandatory in 2004, the percentage of sophomores who passed the math and English and language arts sections were 72 and 74 percent respectively. Over the years, those percentages have risen. Currently, 85 percent of sophomores pass both the math and English language arts sections. While there is still room for improvement, the majority of students who did not pass the exit exam are English learners and economically disadvantaged students. With over 93 percent of non-economically disadvantaged students passing both test sections, the exit exam can do little to help improve their education. With this information, school districts should concentrate on helping the underprivileged students who did not perform as well catch up to the rest of their peers. According to the CA Department of Education, one of the primary purposes of the exit exam was to “ensure that students … demonstrated competency in reading, writing, and mathematics.” However, despite being called a “high school exit exam,” the test only assessed English and language arts concepts up to grade 10 and math concepts up to Algebra 1 (grade 7 or 8 math at MSJ). Additionally, in order to pass, students only needed to get 55 percent of answers on the math section and 60 percent of answers on the English and language arts correct section. Since the exit exam set such low standards, it seems unnecessary to have used it as a graduation requirement. If seniors did not pass middle school math and sophomore English, there were likely other graduation requirements they were unable to fulfill. With the removal of the exit exam, students and schools save valuable school time that can be used for teaching, school assemblies, or rallies. However, without the exit exam, there will no longer be any CA high school statewide standardized tests. The only benchmark to compare CA high schools will be the Smarter Balanced Assessment exam, created by Common Core. Yet with the lack of data and existing public controversy already surrounding Common Core and its new tests, it is doubtful that educators will trust the Smarter Balanced Assessment exam as a good indicator of high school and student performance. Until parents, students, and educators have all fully accepted the integration of Common Core, CA schools should continue to use their existing graduation requirements, which requires the least amount of change. No matter how much legislators and critics bicker about the CA High School Exit Exam, it has already been suspended for the next three years. Instead of worrying about what has already been done, students and educators should focus on the new Common Core standards and urge Smarter Balance to create relevant and updated forms of assessment. ▪
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圀椀渀琀攀爀
䌀伀一䜀刀䄀吀唀䰀䄀吀䤀伀一匀 吀伀 伀唀刀 倀䔀刀䘀䔀䌀吀 匀䌀伀刀䔀匀 伀䌀吀伀䈀䔀刀 䨀甀猀琀椀渀 吀⸀ 䨀漀栀渀 倀⸀ 䈀爀椀愀渀 䌀⸀ 䌀愀琀栀攀爀椀渀攀 夀⸀ 䈀攀渀樀愀洀椀渀 圀⸀
⠀㔀 ⤀ 㤀㜀㤀ⴀ 㠀 㠀 㐀㌀㐀㌀㌀ 䴀椀猀猀椀漀渀 䈀氀瘀搀Ⰰ 匀甀椀琀攀 ㈀㌀㔀 䘀爀攀洀漀渀琀 䌀䄀 㤀㐀㔀㌀㤀
一伀嘀䔀䴀䈀䔀刀 䬀爀椀琀栀椀 刀⸀ 匀愀瘀瘀礀 䜀⸀ 匀愀椀猀栀愀 䄀⸀
Friday, December 18, 2015
The Smoke Signal
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THE
DIEHARD TRYHARDS
TAKE ON Gingerbread Houses
AMRITH I have more experience than most in the culinary arts. When most kids were just learning the alphabet, I was already flipping through my mom’s kitchen cookbook. As a budding chef, I strive to achieve a balance between blossoming creativity and irresistible appeal. I went shopping for ingredients with this approach in mind, picking up a component of structural framework that I’m sure has never been used before in the modern history of gingerbread houses.
My house is inspired by the holiday spirit of coming together to make something bigger and more beautiful. I planned to use gingerbread people for the frame, with icing as the glue. In this house, no spot would be uncovered; every inhabitant would be protected by the gingerbread people forming an unbreakable shelter around them.
CREATIVITY 3.6
EXECUTION 1.9
STRUCTURE 2.1 My gingerbread house was, put mildly, a complete catastrophe. I was unable to create any structural solidity whatsoever for my house, and it crumpled to the ground in front of my eyes. Due to a misinterpretation of the definition of a gingerbread house, I attempted to use actual gingerbread to build my house, rather than graham crackers—unfortunately, the only gingerbread I could find was in the form of gingerbread people. So, my house, for the entire three seconds that it stood, was built out of gingerbread people stuck together with copious amounts of vanilla frosting.
OVERALL
2.5
DIDI
Gingerbread houses are my favorite daydreams. The gorgeous gables, lovingly-piped icing—making one is my dearest wish. I’m not known for my craftsmanship, but in my childhood, I did construct innovative masterpieces with Lincoln Logs and Legos. How different could making a gingerbread house be? I’m ready to create the best one yet seen with my rudimentary building skills.
By Amrith Krishnan, Ishika Chawla, Kevin Li, & Didi Wu Sports Editor and Staff Writers
With Christmas right around the corner, four Smokies got into the festive spirit and put their skills to the test in a gingerbread house-building competition for the ages. Other staff members scored the quality of the houses based on creativity, execution, and structural stability.
KEVIN
CREATIVITY 3.5
EXECUTION 4.4
I am a pro at cooking, but being “artsy” and “architectural” are two areas of complete incompetence for me. Over the summer, I took up baking as a hobby, and after a few exploded cakes, I think I have learned from my mistakes and turned into a quite competent chef. I look forward to putting my abilities to the test and hopefully my previous experience will carry me to the end.
I’m really planning to blow my competition out of the water with this one, and that starts with my design. The gingerbread house, or “Gingerbread Manor” as I plan to call it, will be fit for the gingerbread gods, with its majestically pointed roof, spacious porch and imposing height. What could possibly go wrong?
Gingerbread houses are all about aesthetics, so for my inspiration, I went to the clichéd website for all things creative, Pinterest. With the aid of my fancy piping bags and cute decorations, I am going for classic and colorful, and plan to make the best graham cracker house the world has ever seen.
The first few seconds after the timer starts, I panic and fumble with the “icing” bag, a Ziploc filled with hastily squirted frosting, as I’m stupefied at how to manipulate the squishy thing. Fortunately, that was the only complication I ran into and my house turned out rather nicely. Well it is true it looks a little like a brick, or maybe a jail, but the red and green and white coconut-shaving snow add to the holiday spirit! I think someday I might just try my hand at building a gingerbread house with actual gingerbread and a roof.
OVERALL
CREATIVITY 3.4
LOOKING BACK
STRUCTURE 4.8
4.2
ISHIKA
When it comes to culinary matters, I’m probably not your most exotic spice in the cabinet. However, I have been rigorously trained by my mom after she was scared into believing that I would live off of cup noodles in college. This training, along with my prior experience in eating gingerbread houses, will give me a solid foundation to craft a glorious gingerbread house for the ages.
THE HOUSES
With only 20 minutes to work, I’m content with keeping it sweet and simple. Double-layered graham crackers for the walls, gummy rings as wreaths, mini Starbursts as roof tiles, and I’ve got it all planned.
Feature 7
EXECUTION 4 STRUCTURE 4.3
The icing I made at home turned out to be way too runny, even after I attempted to refrigerate it in the freezing outdoors. Time was at even more of a premium than I had originally thought, causing my fingers to fumble and my mind to jumble. My graham crackers crumbled, and my dreams of becoming a master gingerbread architect were humbled. Thus, my massive manor was reduced to a tiny little hovel - a cookie for each wall and the roof, a hastily stuck in candy cane for the chimney, and dozens of DOTS candies. I guess it could have been worse - at least I didn’t pull an Amrith and simply stack up all of my cookies.
OVERALL
3.9
CREATIVITY 2.6
EXECUTION 2.1
STRUCTURE 2.1 Turns out that when you have less than 20 minutes to create a building out of crumbling graham crackers, constructing any shape besides a simple box is probably not a good idea. The last few minutes of the competition were the most stressful moments of my life, during which I panicked and threw sprinkles at my collapsed heap of graham crackers in utter despair. I am more than ready to forget my disastrous attempt and take my frosting-covered hands somewhere else to redeem myself in my culinary abilities.
OVERALL
2.3
photos by staff writer richard chenyu zhou
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Special 9
THE SMOKE SIGNAL EDITORIAL BOARD PRESENTS
VOICES FROM WITHIN: OUR REALITIES OF MENTAL HEALTH
This month, we use this space to shed light on candid truths. By sharing our personal experiences here, we’re acknowledging a reality that’s often the elephant in the room. No one in this community is without flaws or struggles. Through our very personal voices, we hope to create space for discussion and empower members of the MSJ community to share their experiences. Stay posted for further coverage. Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org.
“I’ve been keeping spare hairbands around my wrist for as long as I can remember to tie my hair up for sports, science labs, hot days, etc. In sophomore year, I found a new use. Whenever I was feeling stressed, defeated, or angry at myself, I would pull at a hairband and snap it against the tender skin on the inside of my wrist until it was red and raw. It didn’t occur to me until recently that this habit—this coping mechanism—was self-harm. When I was 15, I didn’t even consider the possibility of not being perfectly mentally healthy. I had chalked up my constant fatigue and frustration to my inability to work under pressure, manage my time, or any reason related to my stringent belief that I was incompetent compared to my peers, but looking back, I wish I knew that I needed help. I wish I knew I needed help that wasn’t another tutor or prep book.” “I’ve woken up to a jolt of fear before– the fear of realizing that I fell asleep at 3 AM while studying for a math test without fully getting through the material, the fear that the inevitable grade drop would ruin my chances of reaching my goals, the fear that I ultimately wouldn’t be able to live up to my own expectations of myself. It’s resisting the urge to curl up in a ball and hide from your problems, and instead choosing to face the consequences, that helps you get past the fear. I’ve found that taking responsibility for my actions helps me to avoid negativity that I often find myself consumed in.”
“I have this terrible habit of twirling my hair furiously when I’m worried, and it makes me even more stressed out and exhausted. I don’t know why I do it. I think it’s just evidence of how our minds are constantly on overdrive—schoolwork, extracurricular activities, standardized tests, college applications, leadership work—it’s this endless cycle of things to worry about. My mind is always going, thinking about what I have left to do and whether I’ll do well, and with it my fingers are also pulling at my hair. As the day goes on I get more tired and I pull harder, which only leads to even more fatigue. So, I got a haircut.”
“Five years into my tennis career, I injured my right wrist. What appeared to be a minor strain ultimately ended up requiring three years away from the game, and an equal number of surgeries. Several misdiagnoses and failed doctors appointments caused me to feel hopeless, lonely, and betrayed. In an attempt to make up for this loss, I dove headfirst into my studies. I set unrealistic goals of receiving A+’s in all my classes, and the mere mention of a quiz was enough to push me over the edge. I saw each drop in my grades, no matter how small or large, as a reminder of my failures, both in tennis and academics. Over time, I convinced myself that I was weak whenever tears flowed down my face. Out of fear of burdening others with my problems, I bottled my emotions up and endured several breakdowns by myself. After a few months of struggling, I gathered the courage to talk to family and friends, and almost instantly saw a vast improvement in both my grades and my wrist. I had spent so much time pressing the gas pedal further and further down, when all I should have done was taken my foot off for a while. A bulk of my stress from school or sports stemmed from my insistence that never stepping on the brakes would lead me to success. In reality, taking some time to talk and listen to others, and sitting back for a while, was exactly what I needed to succeed.” “In tipping your chair backward onto two legs, there is more often than not a moment where the chair tips back just a little far, and an instinctual, quick flash of panic jolts you as you begin to fall (if you’re lucky enough, you’ll catch yourself). I’ve always felt that anxieties, whether due to academic pressures or a multitude of other factors, can feel like living in that brief moment, again and again, all the time.”
“I felt overshadowed by all her accomplishments. She was better at everything—academics, sports, beauty, friends—the sister that everybody loved. The feeling of invisibility remained until I made a conscious decision to seek the experiences that I knew I would love, allowing me to realize that I was capable of my own strengths and weaknesses. My sister always has been and always will be my best friend and biggest role model, but it was definitely worth getting to know myself for who I am.”
“I wish I worked harder. I should have participated more in community service and extracurriculars. Why didn’t I get straight A’s with a schedule that is so ridiculously easy in comparison to my peers. Look at her. Colleges would kill to have her at their school. Look at me. They don’t want me. I have nothing to offer but lackluster grades and underwhelming stats. I’m sure all my peers don’t expect much from me anyway. I don’t blame them. You’ll never hear students buzzing around campus about the amazing things I’ve done or the incredible school I’ve gotten into. They don’t expect much from me. No. I don’t expect much from me. Why can’t I just believe in myself and be proud of everything I’ve done? Rather, I let jealousy and comparisons consume my thoughts.”
“In December of my junior year, a combination of botched friendships, friction at home, and school stress reduced me to an emotional wreck. I walked around constantly anxious, not wanting to face anyone or anything: friends, teachers, schoolwork. I would feel guilty when teachers and friends could tell I wasn’t okay, imagining all the horrible things I was sure they thought about me. I would wake up with this terror in my chest that everything was wrong. I spent one morning before school crying and gasping for breath on my living room floor, terrified of something I no longer understood. I was just scared of everything. I realized later that I’d had a panic attack. My parents thought therapy wasn’t necessary I seemed to be doing fine in school, so meditation and better time management would be good enough. I insisted that we talk to a doctor, and am very thankful I did. Therapy has made me okay with the fact that on some days, anxiety will render me inoperable. It’s okay to not be okay. I’ve learned to live with my imperfections and take on every day with self-compassion and acceptance. My anxiety doesn’t define me.” “I was 15 and had never felt emptier. Somewhere amidst the suffocating peer pressure, reluctant allnighters, forced smiles, and stifling standards, I lost sight of myself. I floated from one fleeting illusion of happiness to the next in achieving the things I thought I wanted…only to come crash bang back down to earth and hit deep lows of anxiety and depression. I’m still working to prioritize happiness and self-improvement over hollow achievements. I’m still searching for a way off that cloud cycle. But I’m not falling as hard now.”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, are struggling, or just want someone to talk to, please reach out. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call (800) 273-TALK to contact a mental health professional about yourself or someone you know. California Youth Crisis Line: Text “CTL” to 741741 to reach a staff of highly-trained volunteers ready to counsel 24 hours a day. Peer Resource: Set up peer counseling for yourself or a student you know by emailing peerresourcemsj@gmail.com. Suicide Prevention App: MY3APP.org: MY3 is an app made for iOS and Android by Link2Health Solutions, Inc., the administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is designed to help individuals having suicidal thoughts stay safe. MSJ Counseling Team: Mrs. DeAnne Andrews, A-Gh; Ms. Ivy Lee, Gi-Ln; Ms. Joanna Jensen, Lo-Sh; Ms. Lindsay Rotter, Si-Z. All counselors have open doors during school hours. During winter break, remember that your parents are an important resource. layout and coverage led by opinion editors grace dong & harshita gupta
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Centerspread 11
By Mustafa Ahmed, Ansh Patel, Shivane Sabharwal, Richard Chenyu Zhou & Victor Zhou Staff Writers The Smoke Signal showcases some of the most significant events of 2015 as the year comes to a close. Continue reading to see some MSJ students travel down memory lane!
Charlie hebdo attacks Two armed shooters attack the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris killing 11 employees and injuring 11 more. During their escape, they hijacked cars and robbed a gas station, before finally being killed in a fight with police two days later. The gunmen were found to have ties with Al-Qaeda, who claimed responsibility for the act.
First probe to ceres Dawn, a space probe launched in 2007, finally arrives in orbit around Ceres, a dwarf planet in our asteroid belt. The mission’s objectives are to study the asteroids Vesta and “My most memorable event was my last parade ever Ceres, which are large enough to have with MSJ band. Since it was a their own moons. After completing Christmas parade it was very both phases of its mission, it festive and there were fireworks, will orbit Ceres for the rest so it was very bittersweet.” of its operable lifespan. - Allison Chan, 10
“One of the most Expo 2015 begins in Milan memorable moments Expo 2015 officially kicks off after five years was Homecoming. I know that’s an entire of planning and preparation. The theme of week, but it was really the fair is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for fun, like everything about Life.” During its six month duration, the it—the all-nighter, and Expo hopes to draw attention to “My most memorable then performing on stage the problems of world hunger, and all that, and preparing moment of 2015 was for it all— it was really fun.” the obesity epidemic, when my volleyball team placed fourth in sustainability, and future - Ananya Verma, 9 Junior Olympics . . .I’ll never resource management. forget walking into the gym feeling overwhelmed and then walking out feeling as if I had finally accomplished something in my life that was worthwhile.”
Same-sex Marriage Legalized In a monumental decision, the US Supreme Court declares that state-level bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional, violating the clauses in the Fourteenth Amendment. This verdict overturns a previous case, ending more than 40 years of campaigning for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.
- Michelle Zhang, 10
Ukraine Ceasefire Leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany agree to a set of measures aimed to alleviate the fighting between Russian and Ukraine forces caused by Russia’s annexation of Crimea, originally considered Ukrainian territory. Like previous ceasefire “The most memorable event for pacts, this agreement did little to me in 2015 was the MSJ Color Run. stop the shelling and fighting This was the first color run at MSJ and it in the Donbass region. was great. I spent quality time with my friends and also ate food!” - Sumeet Chaudhari, 10
Nepal Earthquake Triggered by avalanches on Mt. Everest, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes central Nepal on April 25, 2015, near the capital, Katmandu, destroying national monuments, “It would be when injuring tens of thousands, and I first started Color killing nearly 4,000. International Guard and I went to my relief agencies are helping first tryout. . . Color Guard is the first full-on passion to support Nepal’s I’ve found. Whenever it’s a disaster relief efforts.
marching band day, it’s one of the most important things I look forward to all day. Even when I get hurt, it’s okay, because I love doing Color Guard, and I want to keep practicing it.”
Perspectives From MSJ “I think the most memorable event was the legalization of gay marriage in all states. It’s important that everyone can love and marry whomever they want to. And everybody should have the choice to do that and it shouldn’t be illegal to do that.” - Somya Sharma, 9
“My most memorable moment was when our [MSJ] gymnastics team won MVALs. I also won the MVAL champion title. I really liked meeting all the seniors, being close with them, and competing with all my teammates together.” - Winnie Xu, 9
- Joyce Liao, 10
- Michelle Zhao, 10
Restoring African Forests
Perspectives From MSJ
“There were so many memorable events but I think one of the main ones would be [the] Soledad speech tournament and although it was a pretty crappy tournament, it really felt like everyone was one giant family, and it was so nice to connect with everyone on a deeper level and know that these are the type of people who would inspire me and challenge me to be better.”
Pope Francis Visits the US
First Probe to Document Pluto
Pope Francis visits New York, Launched in January 2006, New Several African countries are “I heard from one of my teachers that Washington D.C., and Philadelphia Horizons finally completes its long pledging to restore 386,000 square even on our campus there was some racial as a part of his tour of three cities in journey to Pluto, the farthest “oncemiles of forest by 2030 at the United discrimination happening due to the Paris Cuba and three cities in the US. He planet” in our solar system. Designed Nations talks on December 6. With more event, and because of someone’s race they Republican After Paris China Ends praises the Obama administration on were discriminated against. I just feel really primarily to survey Pluto and its moon than 1.5 billion dollars of funding, strongly about that and I feel . . . It’s lumping Presidential Debate Attacks the actions they have taken to curb One-Child Policy Charon, New Horizons is sending African countries are replanting trees people together, and not really fair.” global warming, but also stresses back detailed photos of Pluto and in the hopes of improving the The first televised 2016 The Communist party In the aftermath of the Paris Samantha Teo, 11 the traditional view of family. is studying its atmosphere. ecosystem, boosting the local Republican Presidential Debate declares that Chinese families attacks, US lawmakers from both It is now on its way to a economy, and preventing in Cleveland, Ohio pits the 10 most may now have up to two children, a sides of the political spectrum issue body in the Kuiper Belt. desertification. popular Republican candidates in a shift from a policy that has been in place statements regarding refugees. Many battle of opposing views. Discussing hot since the 1970s. The policy changes call for a more stringent vetting process for topics like immigration policies, surveillance, counteract the skewed ratio of males to incoming refugees; others petition for banning healthcare reform, welfare, and abortion, females as well as increase the labor supply the entry of Syrian refugees to the US entirely. the debate garnered over 24 million viewers, and benefit the economy. Even with the new policy, making it the most-watched primary debate ever. China’s population is still estimated to decline by 2030.
photos by staff writers ansh patel, richard chenyu zhou, & victor zhou, courtesy of michelle zhang. discoverwalks.com, images.catania.liveuniversity.it, irishexaminer.com, newsweek.com, smh.com, static1.com.
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The beloved Star Wars franchise is set to reawaken this December with its seventh movie, The Force Awakens. After a decade-long wait, fans around the world are ecstatic to be reunited with old favorites like Luke, Leia, and Han. The Force Awakens is set 30 years after the events in Return of the Jedi, and trailers have shown that the movie will feature a multitude of new characters as well as old fan favorites—villains and heroes alike.
By Kevin Kevin Li Li & & Ansh Ansh Patel Patel By Awaiting the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the seventh Star Wars film produced, the Smoke Signal has set out to reminisce about the
events that took place in a galaxy far, far away with a chronological timeline that begins with the Original Trilogy and continues on with the Prequel Trilogy. Catch up on everything you need to know before the big premiere! In Revenge of the Sith, set three years after the onset of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Knights are spread out across the galaxy leading a massive clone army in the war against the Separatists. The Jedi Council dispatches Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to eliminate the notorious General Grievous, leader of the Separatist Army. Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, separated from his former master, grows close to Sheev Palpatine, the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic and, unknown to the public, a Set 10 years after the events in The Phantom Sith Lord. Their deepening friendship Menace, Attack of the Clones finds the galaxy on threatens the Jedi Order, the Repubthe brink of war. Under the leadership of a renegade lic, and Anakin himself, who must come to terms with his own dark (underground, secretly Sith) Jedi named Count Dooku, dilemma, one that personifies the thousands of planetary systems threaten to secede battle between the Force and the from the Galactic Republic. When Senator Padmé AmiDark Side. dala, the former Queen of Naboo, is nearly assassinated, Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect her, while his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi is assigned to investigate The Phantom Menace marked the beginning of a new sequel trilogy, comthe assassination attempt. Anakin, posing of three films that were released after Episode VI but are set in a Padmé, and Obi-Wan are drawn into time before the original episodes. The film’s narrative follows the Jedi the heart of the Separatist territories, Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. They escort which planned to secede from the and protect Queen Amidala, who is traveling from the planet Naboo Galactic Republic, and the beginning to the planet Coruscant, hoping to find a peaceful end to a largeof the newest threat to the galaxy, the scale interplanetary trade dispute. The story also features a young Clone Wars. Anakin Skywalker before he became a Jedi. He is introduced as a young slave boy who appears to have unusually strong nascent powers of the Force and must contend with the mysterious return of the Sith. Luckily for him, he won’t embark on that perilous journey “Solo”.
The evil Galactic Empire, under the direction of the ruthless Emperor Palpatine, is constructing a second Death Star in order to crush the Rebel Alliance once and for all. Since Palpatine plans to personally oversee the final stages of its construction, the Rebel Fleet launches a full-scale attack on the Death Star in order to prevent its completion and kill Palpatine, effectively bringing an end to the Empire’s hold over the galaxy. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker, the Rebel leader and Jedi apprentice, struggles to bring Darth Vader, who he has learned is actually his father Anakin, and himself a fallen Jedi,back from the Dark Side of the Force.
The film is set three years after A New Hope. The Galactic Empire, under the leadership of the villainous Darth Vader and the Emperor Palpatine, is in pursuit of Luke Skywalker and the rest of the Rebel Alliance. While Vader chases a small band of Luke’s friends— Han Solo, Princess Leia, and others— across the galaxy, Luke studies the Force under Jedi Master Yoda. When Vader captures Luke’s friends, Luke must decide whether to complete his training and become a full The Galactic Empire has created a new weapon of mass destrucJedi Knight or to confront tion, a space station called the Death Star so powerful that it can Vader and save his friends. eradicate entire planets. The Rebel Alliance, with Princess Leia as its “leiader,” attempts to destroy the Death Star. This conflict disrupts the isolated life of farmhand Luke Skywalker when he inadvertently acquires a pair of droids that possess stolen architectural plans for the Death Star. After the Empire begins a destructive search for the missing droids, Skywalker agrees to accompany the “wan” and only Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi on a mission to return the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance and save the galaxy from the tyranny of the Galactic Empire.
Protagonist and hero of the rebellion, Luke Skywalker reigned in the new order of the Jedi, one that eventually led to the triumph of rebels over the galactic empire. The son of Anakin Skywalker and pupil to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke grew familiar with the ways of the Force and used his knowledge to resist the pull of the Dark Side.
Han Solo, a smuggler-turned galactic rebel, is iconically pictured with blaster in hand and Wookiee friend Chewbacca at his side — and for good reason. Solo became a renowned pilot of the Rebel Alliance after meeting Luke Skywalker and had countless near-death experiences while doing battle with his beloved spaceship, the Millenium Falcon, which Solo had won in a bet with Lando Calrissian. Solo’s gungho, let-the-blaster-do-the-talking forwardness has made him a popular figure in the hearts of Star Wars fans around the world.
Even at a young age, Anakin Skywalker showed huge potential to become a great Jedi Knight. After maturing and receiving training from Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Skywalker came to be known as the “Hero With No Fear.” However, the losses he suffered and his passionate temperament, along with his connection to the corrupt Emperor Palpatine, drove him down the road of the Dark Side of the Force, thus creating one of the series’ greatest villainsDarth Vader.
One of the Rebel Alliance’s greatest heroes, Princess Leia Organa was dedicated to ending the tyranny of the Empire. Daughter of Anakin Skywalker and sister to Luke Skywalker, Leia is remembered as one of the galaxy’s greatest heroes.
photos from giantbomb.com, piercepioneer.com, starwarsunderworld.com, starwars.wikia.com & villains.wikia.com
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Arts & Entertainment 15
C R I T I C S’ C O R N E R MusiC: adele
music review
| g-eazy
| F i l m : m o c k i n gj ay i i | t h e n i g h t b e f o r e
mockingjay Brings its a-game
Music review g-eazy
adele By Tanushri Sundar Staff Writer Four years after the blockbuster release of 21, British singer-songwriter Adele has released 25, her third studio album. 25 features familiar themes of heartbreak, but there is an underlying maturity that distinguishes the album from 19 and 21. 25 is painfully nostalgic, as Adele, rather predictably, reflects upon previous relationships and pain with songs such as, “Water Under the Bridge,” “When We Were Young,”, and “Million Years Ago.” The lead single and opening track, “Hello,” was an instant hit and set the melancholy yet empowering tone of 25. The songs are moving yet unsurprising. They seem appropriate to binge on during times of sadness, as Adele’s overpowering vocals command attention and draw the listener in with a strong yet silken grasp. In short, much of 25 is comfort food. The lyrics in 25 are fairly generic, yet such simplicity shows that Adele’s rich, raw vocals are unmatched. She ranges from low, crooning lamentations to staggered, soft falsettos. Although Adele laments about an unexpectedly empty life with lyrics such as “Sometimes I just feel it’s only me/Who can’t stand the reflection that they see,” a few standout tracks contrast with surging gospel and pop inspiration. “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” begins with acoustic guitar and vocal vibrato akin to singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s typical style. Adele bounces into an upbeat chorus, complemented with joyful, pulsating percussion that differentiates the track from the permeating sorrow of 25. The deep, bluesy, gospel sound of “River Lea,” a homage to Adele’s childhood home, is equally refreshing and empowering, perhaps more soulful and more goosebump-inducing than “Hello.” The fresh tracks on 25 are marked with positive drumbeats, guitar, youthful insight, and strong emotion. These are subtleties of a transition in Adele’s style, hinting at a departure from trite woe. Yet because 25, though stunning, borders on lamentation and longing, it cannot compete with 21, which seems to be entirely soulful. Adele says 25 is a “make-up album” in contrast to 21, which is a “break-up album,” yet each track in 25, in some way or the other, epitomizes heartache—and if the lyrics don’t illustrate this, the sentiment in Adele’s voice makes this clear. It is unreasonable to expect Adele to continually change perspective, as the most powerful emotions—love and pain— are not as fleeting as an audience’s attention. Adele said, “sadness hits [her] in different ways than it used to,” and this statement proves that 25 is worth a listen. ▪ Rating: A
amazon.com
By Kylie Cheung Staff Writer
By Harshita Gupta & Mallika Gupta Opinion Editor and Staff Writer A brutally realistic and fitting finale to the tale of “the girl on fire”, Mockingjay-Part 2 closes the Hunger Games saga with an emotional and terrifying “76th Hunger Games” featuring fan-favorites Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth). Here the unwavering strength of the Katniss we know and love has been damaged by the war around her, revealing a sharp vulnerability underneath the fire. She weaves her way through the complexities of the rebellion, deciphering whom she can trust in the despair left by President Snow (Donald Sutherland). As she fights to keep herself and her loved ones alive, she must accustom herself to an alarmed and animalistic Peeta, permanently changed by the Capitol’s torture. Lawrence’s performance is raw and bone chilling as we watch her grapple with the nature of sacrifice, war, and death. She aims scene after scene of uncontrolled, appropriately messy emotions straight at our hearts, making us quiver with the characteristic twangs of her bow.
The interplay of tension and affection between her and Hutcherson is both powerful and endearing. After his relative absence in the previous film, Hutcherson has returned with a jarring performance, exposing the journey of Peeta, no longer just the boy with the bread. The innocent and righteous character we’ve known since 2012 has been turned inside out. Hutcherson morphs with Peeta’s internal battle and fights with his demons, delivering a complex and nuanced personality. Mockingjay-Part 2 delivers excellent cinematography and production. The stark contrasts between the dusty, monochromatic scenes in the Districts and the mockingly fuchsia rooms in the Capitol are constant reminders of the inequalities in this world. Through the lens of this far removed world, the movie gets us thinking about the complexities of war. The conflict between Districts takes on the form and setting of an inhumane Hunger Games; all too real this time around. While Part 1 encouraged rebelling against oppressive rulers, Mockingjay-Part 2 forces us to question the ethics behind these rebellions. Katniss’s moral compass throws her into the role of a devil’s advocate, calling out the hypocritical
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nature of propaganda, extremism, and the “all is fair in love and war” mentality. There is a hard-hitting back and forth between Katniss and Gale on what is fair and what isn’t. While its predecessors skimmed the surface of these complicated questions, the film delves deep and forces us all to think. Although the movie does draw the story to a close, it falls short on fresh delivery, trying to do too much in too little time. While character-building moments are fleshed out, much of the story seems rushed. An extremely predictable, awkwardly hasty plotline doesn’t give us as many edge-of-your-seat moments as we expect, and there is almost no anticipation or build-up. On the whole, the movie is backed by a stellar cast, well-conceived and masterfully executed production, and a complex thematic exploration. Bringing the saga to a close is no easy feat, and although Mockingjay-Part 2 could soar higher, it delivers a faithful closure that is sure to satisfy all. Will it stay in our hearts forever? To quote Peeta Mellark, “Always.” ▪ Rating: A-
the night ‘b’efore
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By Tanvi Raja & Chloe Velasquez Staff Writers The Night Before is an unconventional Christmas story that takes the audience on a bumpy sleigh ride from start to finish. The film follows the journey of three best friends on Christmas Eve who are looking to make their last night of Christmas traditions their most memorable. It begins with the story of Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), whose parents are killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve. From then on, his best friends Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) vow to spend every Christmas with him, thus beginning their annual tradition of carefree, wild antics. On one of their Christmases, the three friends meet a woman who tells them about an epic party she just came from, The Nutcracker Ball. Entranced by the insanely thrilling details of the party, the three spend their next few Christmases trying to find this mysterious Christmas party, but
to no avail. Twelve years later, the trio is back together for one last hurrah-finally with tickets to The Nutcracker Ball. However, Isaac, now a soon-tobe father; Chris, now a famous football player; and Ethan, still a struggling musician, all begin to realize just how much each of them have drifted apart. Their annual Christmas shenanigans kick off with a performance by all three friends of Kanye West’s “Runaways,” on a piano on the floor of a children’s store, in reference to the classic film, Big. The Night Before throws it back to a variety of classic songs and films, Christmas related and otherwise, filling the audience with a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality. However, the same can’t be said about the rest of the movie- it is still a Seth Rogen film. In line with most of his comedies, the crass humor and hour and a half of drugs and parties were predictable and unoriginal, but entertaining nonetheless. While none of the performances fall flat, Rogen was definitely the highlight of the film. He fit well into the
comedic role of a terrified soon-to-befather who can’t come to grips with his impending future. His character Isaac thus decides to consume a mixture of drugs to escape his worries, taking this Christmas tale on a psychedelic turn and the audience on a train ride of laughter. Gordon-Levitt, on the other hand, is able to slow the film back to its central purpose, the importance of friendship. Despite playing a character with a history of tragic events and bad luck, Levitt manages to maintain an underlying sense of seriousness for the film while keeping the movie light-hearted but not corny. If you want to sit back and laugh at some crude humor and questionable jokes, this is the movie for you. The Night Before is nothing special from a typical comedy, but it does a great job in combining humor with some Christmas cheer. It is a film to watch online on a relaxing December night, though nothing worth watching in theatres. ▪ Rating: B-
Gerald Earl Gillum, better known by his stage name G-Eazy, released his second studio album on December 4. When It’s Dark Out, a 17-track compilation, continues its predecessor’s emphasis on weighty, complex ideas and fresh spin on the classical hip-hop sounds of artists and fellow Bay Area natives like Mac Dre and Lil B, who have influenced G-Eazy’s style. When It’s Dark Out opens with “Intro,” a one-minute track featuring dreamy background vocals and chilling, distant instrumentals as G-Eazy recites the contemplative lines of the late poet Dylan Thomas. The same methodical yet altogether absorbing instrumentals follow into “Random,” as G-Eazy raps about the fruits of his success with intense bravado. In “Me, Myself & I,” G-Eazy teams up with Bebe Rexha to continue contemplating his fame in clever verses set to a cool, almost carefree background melody. Deeper into the album, G-Eazy begins to touch on more personal topics. In “What If,” he considers the role of his race in his hip-hop career, asking, “What if the game didn’t care I was white?” and questioning what would happen if society paid “attention to real … issues instead?” The track features Gizzle performing an infectious hook, as well as chilling piano chords in the background. Though thought-provoking and catchy, its bars often feel like laundry-lists of questions, stinting the track’s flow. Later, in “Everything Will Be OK,” G-Eazy contemplates love, loss, and even death to wistful background vocals, with featured artist Kehlani singing the track’s hook. G-Eazy continues to provide fans insight into his private life and struggles in “Sad Boy,” as he wonders why fame and success have yet to bring him real, substantive happiness. Meanwhile, in “One of Them,” which features the well-known and more mainstream Big Sean, G-Eazy raps about his aspirations, from career goals to material desires, against hard-hitting instrumentals. The track is honest, but much like “What If,” its flow feels at times strained and compromised by his “laundry-list” approach. Finally, “Nothing to Me,” which features Keyshia Cole on the hook and dynamic, Bay Area native rapper E-40, resounds as a conclusive final track. Set to background music that mixes simple, elegant piano with punctuated percussion beats, G-Eazy emphasizes how meaningless hate and criticism are when compared with success and optimistic future goals. All in all, When It’s Dark Out is an excitingly rare hip-hop compilation for its ability to present both fresh, dynamic sounds and thought-provoking lyrics. Not only does the album solidify G-Eazy’s deserved reputation as an up-and-coming artist, but it also strengthens his connection with fans through its intimate, captivating glimpses into the rapper’s private world. ▪ Rating: A
g-eazy.com
allmusic.com
16 Arts & Entertainment
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The Smoke Signal
Friday, December 18, 2015 By Andrew Chen & Zen Thumparkkul Staff Writers
2
Last Friday evening, December 11, students, parents, and staff gathered at C-120 to watch the long-awaited Mission Night Live 2. By the time doors were open at 6 pm, audiences had already formed a long waiting line by the theater door. The show began sharply at 6:30 pm, with a welcoming speech from Drama Adviser Valerie Carattini, followed by its first skit, “The SAT.” The skit played up SAT stress and MSJ stereotypes in a farcical comedy. The next skit, “Mission Bullies,” focused on the same themes, with three problematic dorks picking on an athlete in a reversal of traditional roles. Utilizing little props, the actors focused on individual talent, making good matches between the characters and actors. The last skit before intermission was “Santa Claus,” which gave a glimpse into a mall Santa gone horribly wrong with dark comedy. Intermixed between the skits were improv games “Make a Date” and all-time classic “Telephone” with a original twist, both of which employed audience participation and actor improvisation. The COR dance group performed after the intermission, showcasing its talents in three student-choreographed songs. The striking dance routine launched the second half of the show, which featured a stand-up comedy anecdote and two final skits. The first, “The Therapist,” poked fun at eccentric personalities and phobias, ranging from fear of therapists to dissociative identity disorder. The event was concluded with “Thanksgiving Dinner,” in which multiple characters from the previous Mission Night Live and skits joined each other for an absurdly eventful turkey feast that comically ended in chaos. Universal Performers held Mission Night Live 2, whose cast members included Sophomores Baladithya Balamurugan, Moksh Chitkara, and Kylie Walrod, Juniors Shohan Bhattacharya, Jainav Gohel, and Vineet Raju, and Seniors Sachit Bedi, Abhay Dewan, Jenni Huang, Vanessa Morales, Rohan Panuganti, Allamaprabhu Pattanashetty, Abhishek Singh, Chris Voreck, and Sonya Wong. Considering that for many of the above members, this was their first Mission Night Live performance, the show proceeded well. The majority of the script was written by Pattanashetty and the production was almost entirely student-run. ▪
Mission
Night Live
photos by zen thumparkkul
A Gentleman’s Guide to
[Love and Murder]
Michelle Dalarossa Staff Writer
and win the hand of the beautiful and vain
is a humble, sensitive man who has lived
Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is
Sibella Hallward (Kristen Beth Williams),
in poverty his entire life. Upon the dis-
undoubtedly one of the funniest ones to
had started picking off each of the eight
covery of his distant relation to an earl,
hit stages in recent years. With generous
successors in gruesomely creative ways.
Navarro’s moral purity rapidly deterio-
helpings of horror mixed with heaps of
The musical hinges on the skill of its
rates in his quest for wealth and his climb
humor, this theatrical piece encapsulates
Love And Murder skillfully delivers a comi-
actors and their ability to juxtapose a dark,
up the ladder of success. He justifies the
the best of both worlds. Exceptional act-
cal and curious performance that does not
grisly tale with a comedic script and sa-
murders he commits by convincing him-
ing and clever songs keep audiences en-
disappoint. Based on the 1907 novel Israel
tirical songs. It would be difficult to en-
self that he is avenging his late mother,
gaged, and thanks to deeper undertones
Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal, by
joy a theatrical piece revolving around
who was born into the earl’s family but
and ideas, members of the audience are
Roy Horniman, the piece was first per-
cold-blooded murder without light and
was disinherited after eloping with a
left with plenty of food for thought at
formed in 2012 and takes place in London
playful songs that relieve tension, like the
poor musician. Navarro suddenly has the
the end of the show. Young or old, man
in the year 1909.
exaggeratedly snobby, “I Don’t Under-
chance to gain power and money, but at
or woman, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and
stand The Poor,” or the overtly sugges-
what cost?
Murder will leave all who watch it exhila-
Through murder and adultery, jealousy and resentment, Tony-Award winning Broadway musical A Gentleman’s Guide To
As the curtain rises, the cast begins with the ominous song, “A Warning to the
tive, “Better With A Man.” The remark-
Audience,” immediately intriguing viewers
ably gifted actor John Rapson displays an
and establishing the entertainingly morbid
incredible level of talent and adds another
tone of the musical with lyrics like, “For
layer of humor, portraying all eight of the
those of you of weaker constitution...If
extremely different successors and their
you’re smart, before we start, you’d best
deaths in eight different macabre ways.
depart.” Once the protagonist Monty
Thanks to the actors’ incredible perfor-
Navarro (Kevin Massey) steps on stage a
mances, the musical rides the line between
minute later, he reveals that he is await-
disturbing and delightful with laudable fi-
ing a court sentence for the murder of a
nesse.
wealthy heir and explains all of his elab-
While the production successfully en-
orate and hilarious schemes through the
tertains audiences with lively songs and
form of flashbacks. Navarro had learned
a witty script, it also provokes deeper re-
that he was ninth in line to become an earl,
flections over the debate of money over
and, determined to rise through the ranks
morality. At the start of Act I, Navarro
As far as Broadway musicals go, A
rated and entertained. ▪ photos from www.shnsf.com
Friday, December 18, 2015
The Smoke Signal
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Sports 17
Athletic Clubs on Campus By Sayan Ghosh & Victor Zhou Staff Writers With such a diverse variety of sports and athletes, MSJ is home to several athletic clubs. Take a look at the unique experiences each club can offer. Find out how to join each club by visiting msjasb.org/clubs.
Landcruizers
Ubuntu Athletics
Compared to traditional skateboards, longboards are particularly suited for pure transportation, rather than stunts and tricks. At Landcruizers, boarders of every experience level can enjoy the challenge and excitement of longboarding. Riders of all levels can have fun at slide jams, which are held monthly to let beginners hone their skills and to learn from the advice of the more seasoned. Landcruizers also hopes to arrange a trip to the local skatepark to embrace all kinds of skateboarding and to bond with members of the club.
Ubuntu Athletics is a club for students that have any experience with athletics. Currently, they run weekly basketball and soccer camps at Weibel Elementary. They have also run basketball camps at Forest Park Elementary in the past. Their goals for the year include raising $5000 and sponsoring athletes in India and Mexico.
MSJ Cycling Club No matter what type of bike, amount of experience, or fitness level, MSJ’s Cycling Club welcomes every kind of rider. The Cycling Club is a great place to learn and love the sport of cycling, with many events planned throughout the year, such as club rides to Coyote Hills and an annual special trip to San Francisco. Helpful club officers offer advice on everything from maintenance to endurance. The club is looking forward to its upcoming San Francisco outing, which will take place in late May.
MSJ Archery MSJ Archery currently accommodates participants of all levels of archery. They hold beginner lessons to introduce those new to the sport each month to the sport and also hold monthly group practice shoots for the more experienced archers. They are looking at doing some more recreational styled events such as themed shoots and inter-school competitions. During the winter season, the club encourages its members to participate in indoor archery tournaments. The club’s current goal for the future is to increase the number of participants in archery and to spread interest. They also wish to qualify for financial grants so that all of their members can have full-time equipment.
Mission Ultimate Ultimate Frisbee, a growing sport that uses a Frisbee instead of a football, has become more and more popular around the world. Mission Ultimate is a tightly-knit group of athletes who share in the enjoyment of this sport. The players’ enthusiasm can be seen by the schedule of their games; they play every Friday, during extended lunches, and even during school breaks. This year, their goal is win the MSJ Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. In the coming months, Mission Ultimate looks to organize scrimmages with other Ultimate teams in Fremont to further their learning and game insight.
MSJ Lacrosse MSJ Lacrosse accommodates students of little to no experience at all. The club mostly focuses on teaching members the intricacies of this exciting sport. If there are enough people at their meetings, they have small scrimmages. MSJ Lacrosse’s eventual goal is to create a team for Mission, as other high schools nearby already have teams.
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Serving all of your educational needs since 1998, Mill Creek Academy offers quality academic enrichment, test preparation, and college admissions consulting. We are committed to delivering the highest quality of expertise to support your child’s academic achievement. www.millcreekacademy.com
Email: directors@millcreekacademy.com Phone: 510.353.0400
1544 Washington Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94539
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The Smoke Signal
EDUCATIONAL
A
OLLEGE ADMIS C S ND
VISORS S AD ION
So, you hit the Send button on your College Application? What Next?
Friday, December 18, 2015
SI
NCE 1999
For many high school seniors, an intense and demanding period of hard work is coming to a close; the season of applications is nearly over and the season of waiting has begun. For a lucky few, the waiting may be over and already daydreams of dorm life, freedom and independence are fast eclipsing the joys and thrills of high school life. Senioritis is going around and it may be contagious to nonseniors as well. But before we launch into a lecture on how to stay focused and finish off the year strong, here is a bit of counterintuitive advice: relax, exhale, enjoy!
E G E A L D L M O C I SS D N
VISORS S AD ION
A
This time in your life will never come again: senior traditions, bonding with friends who may be 3,000 miles away by this time next year, a brief, but hard earned reprieve from intense academic pressure. College is fun, but it is also hard. Academically, socially, and psychologically, it is leagues above high school in what it will ask of you, so before you toss away this fleeting opportunity to enjoy what you have while you still have it, pause. Savor the relationships with the people in your life, family, friends, mentors, who have helped you get this far. Don’t wait until you are leaving to express your gratitude in a card or through a random act of kindness.
A T C I U O D NAL E
In the lull between now and spring, when college decisions come out and test resumes in earnest, consider what underlying purpose you might tap into that will help you make the most of this time. This is, after all, the time of year for goal setting and making changes that help us lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. To get you started, we offer here two of our favorite evidence-based exercises that will help you find meaning and motivation for the months ahead. Parents, you’re welcome to try these too! 1.Best Possible Self: Take a moment to imagine yourself at the end of this academic year, whether it is simply the end of another year on the long high school journey or the culmination of all your hard work and time for graduation. Consider all the important areas of your life, school, friends, family, passions and hobbies. Imagine yourself having done all that you hoped to do between now and then; imagine a best case scenario in which you are thriving as the best possible version of yourself. Now write about this vision for 15 minutes without stopping. It is important that you not focus on comparing your current situation to this best possible future or restrain yourself only to what you think is “practical.” Let your imagination run wild, dream big. The more specific you are about what you hope to accomplish, the more powerful this exercise will be. When you are done, consider reflecting on a few practical steps that you could take beginning now to help make this vision a reality.
SI
2. Mental Subtraction of Positive Events: As a follow-up to Best Possible Self, reflect back on a recent accomplishment or positive event, finishing the past semester with strong grades, submitting your college applications, learning a new skill, or sharing a unique experience with family or friends. Now begin to list all of the events and circumstances that had to unfold for this positive experience to take place. It can be helpful to actually write them in a list. Again, be as specific and detailed as possible. Next, imagine what would have happened if anything in this sequence of events had gone differently. What if the weather had suddenly shifted or traffic had prevented you from reaching your destination? What if you had not taken a risk and tried out for the school play? Imagine how different your life would be if you did not get to enjoy this positive experience. Let that possible reality sink in. Now remember that this positive event actually did occur and many minute seemingly mundane events conspired to bring that moment in your life to fruition. Give thanks!
NCE 19
9 9
There are many reasons to finish this year strong by investing now in a productive and successful second semester. Even if it feels as though this chapter of your life is coming to a close, there are a few critical pages left in the chapter that you’re on right now. Ask yourself what you’d most like those pages to say about what you value and who you have become.
Insight Education
39355 California St, Ste 209, Fremont 510-400-7600 | info@insight-education.net www.insight-education.net
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Sports 19
Fall Athlete of the Season Nominees By Ashley Chang, Carolyn Ge, Ruiwen Shen & Bindhu Swaminathan Staff Writers
Shrey Vasavada
Michelle Zhang
Sophomore Shrey Vasavada initially joined the cross country team during freshman year in order to be in better shape for soccer during the winter. However, he found that he enjoyed the sport and wanted to improve. He made the Varsity team as a freshman, which motivated him to work harder. His main goal for the team is to qualify for the CA Interscholastic Federation Cross Country Championships. With no graduating seniors on the Varsity team this school year, he feels that they have a chance at winning the league title in the coming seasons.
Sophomore Michelle Zhang tried out for volleyball in seventh grade in a recreational spirit, but she gradually fell in love with the sport. She had a rough season last year after receiving little playing time and having unsatisfying results on the court. However, this season, she improved greatly due to her determination and perseverance. She attributes her improvement to practicing whenever she had free time. One of the greatest highlights of the season was narrowly defeating Newark Memorial High School after losing to the team the first time. Zhang aspires to play volleyball in college.
Major Accomplishments: 20th at NCS in 2014, 105th and 34th at the Stanford Cross Country Invitational (2014 and 2015 respectively), Cross Country First Team All-League
Major Accomplishments: 2014 League Champions, 2015 Second Place in League
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Adil Bari
Boys’ Water Polo Captain Senior Ashvath Balgovind started playing water polo in seventh grade, and soon afterwards joined a local club team. By the time he was 14, he was starting for the 16U team, and at 15, he played at the 18U level. Balgovind then became a starter on the MSJ Varsity team in his freshmen year. He has gone to two Junior Olympics with his club team and became captain of the MSJ team in his junior year. Balgovind aspires to play water polo in college and would also like to try coaching, which he believes would bring a new level of excitement to the sport.
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Football Captain Senior Adil Bari started playing football in summer of seventh grade for the Fremont Football League, and has since been playing for five years. After entering high school, he has played on the MSJ football team since his freshmen year, making the Varsity team during his sophomore year. During his time playing at Mission, Bari has broken the single rush record for MSJ that was set in the 1980s and has had a 92-yard touchdown. He hopes to continue playing football, and earn a scholarship to a Division One College.
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Major Accomplishments: First Team All-League kick return specialist, Second Team All-League wide receiver, MSJ single rush record holder
Major Accomplishments: First Team All-League and League MVP
Sabrina Shih
Ashley Miu Cheer Captain Senior Ashley Miu joined cheer at the end of her sophomore year and struggled due to her initial inexperience. She couldn’t do proper splits or push-ups, and the then five-person team had trouble with basic stunts and remembering routines. Eventually, she improved, and her progress was reflected in the team’s overall improved performance. Highlights during this year’s cheer season included performing at the assemblies and winning first place at a cheer camp competition. She looks forward to the continued growth of the team and the elevation of the sport’s reputation.
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Emily Gosti
Minji Koo
Cross Country Captain Senior Minji Koo started running for cross country during her freshman year. After some problems with shin splints, Koo continued to practice, citing perseverance and willingness to work hard as the reasons she has improved since then. She says her practices throughout the season and running during the weekends have improved her times and results throughout her four years in the sport. Koo says that finding out the Girls’ Varsity team were MVAL league champions was the highlight of the season. She says this was not her best race, but the fact that the team did unexpectedly well is what mattered to her.
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Hesper Wu
Nithya Rajeev
Girls’ Tennis Captain Senior Nithya Rajeev started playing tennis at the age of eight, after watching professional tennis players on TV. She decided to join a clinic, and her interest grew from there. Rajeev first joined the MSJ team in her junior year. She loves being by herself on the court, knowing that she has complete power over what she can do there. The highlight of her season was the quarterfinal round of MVALs, when she defeated the second-seeded player in the tournament. Rajeev loves her supportive team for encouraging her and motivating her to improve.
Girls’ Golf Captain Senior Emily Gosti started playing golf when her dad introduced her to the sport. She started taking lessons in sixth grade and went on to play in high school for four years. She has played in many year-round tournaments in addition to the season games, including Northern CA Golf Association competitions and American Junior Golf Association national-level tournaments. For her, the highlight of the golf season was NCS because even though the team lost, they grew closer that day from bonding in the club house.
Major Accomplishments: Scored three under par on the last day of NCGA tournament, Second Place in 2014 NCGA tournament, first in NCS, Top Three in NorCal, Third Place at states (Top NorCal team) in her freshman year, First Place in 2013 NCGA tournament, Top Four in NCS and NorCal Qualifier (2015)
Major Accomplishments: 2015 League Champions
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Major Accomplishments: Two-time MVP (2014 and 2015), voted Most Inspirational 2015-16, undefeated in league both years, First Team All-League 2015, second place at MVALs, defeated second and third seeds en route to Final (2015)
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Major Accomplishments: Second on vault, First on bars, First on beam, First on floor, and First all-around at MVALs in the Varsity division (2014 and 2015), First all-around every meet
Major Accomplishments: First place in the game time cheer division at the National Cheerleaders Association Camp
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Sophomore Sabrina Shih realized her passion for gymnastics when she was four, and she has taken recreational classes at Bay Aerials Gymnastics since then. Shih is inspired to improve from seeing how hard her teammates work. She loves going out for dinner after meets with the team, which she says feels like her family. Her favorite meet was MVALs because the entire season was a learning process for her, with MVALs as the climax. Shih performed extremely well, scoring first in bars, beams, floor, and all-around. She plans to continue with the MSJ team for the next two years while taking recreational classes.
Senior Hesper Wu started out hating water polo, because she had to play it without goggles in third grade during a swim practice. The summer before freshman year, however, her friend, Senior Jamie Ng, convinced her to go to a pre-season practice. The workout tired her more than she thought it would, but she enjoyed it and decided to join the team. One especially memorable moment to her was when her team beat Irvington High School, whom they were “never close to beating before…towards the end of the game, the other team’s coach got really paranoid and started switching the players out every time a goal was made.”
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Major Accomplishments: Beating Irvington High School photos by staff writers ashley chang, carolyn ge, ruiwen shen & bindhu swaminathan
20 Photo
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The Smoke Signal
Friday, December 18, 2015
photos by staff writer zen thumparkkul
photos by staff writer amber lee