MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL
VOL. 52, NO. 4
December 22, 2016
41717 PALM AVENUE, FREMONT, CA 94539
Investigative Report: School Food By Jessica Jen, Andrew Kan, Evie Sun & Maggie Zhao Staff Writers
Current Guidelines The CA Department of Education recently updated their regulations on school nutrition. FUSD is currently revising its wellness policy created in 2006, Board Review 5030, to adhere to the new regulations. As of July 1, 2016, the FUSD Board of Child Nutrition Services revised the Wellness Policy 5030 to incorporate new regulations to improve school nutrition. Starting in the school year, students across FUSD are required to include half a cup of fruits or vegetables with their school lunch. In addition, the food items sold on school campuses cannot contain more than 200 milligrams of sodium, and they must be free of any forms of trans fats. The regulations are uniform across the district, and the meal patterns are based on the students’ age groups and grade levels. For example, the calorie count requirements differ between the elementary schools, junior high schools, and high school schools, but not between individual high schools. Elementary school snacks not provided by FUSD must be less than 175 calories whereas junior high and high school snacks sold on campus must be less than 250 calories.
A lunch of an entrée, mik, and vegetables at MSJ has 500 to 600 calories.
Production and Distribution In order to obtain the fruits and vegetables that compose school lunches, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires all school districts to bid for items from nearby suppliers. FUSD selects suppliers based on four criteria: the timeframe during which the suppliers are capable of delivering food, the food quality, the safety and sanitary processes, and the pricing. These suppliers deliver their items once to twice a week to the kitchen. Each high school in FUSD prepares its own meals and snacks, as well as the meals for the elementary schools in its attendance area. However, the junior high schools have begun to prepare nearly all of their own food. The kitchen at MSJ begins preparations in the morning to send food to elementary schools by 8:30 a.m to 10 a.m. Food is prepared on site, with ingredients from district warehouses. A cook and baker make the food and the the L2 students place
National Standards
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a branch of the USDA, and has several requirements for high school lunches. For example, nutritionally, lunches must also meet certain Required Daily Allowances for nutrients such as protein and Vitamin A. Compared to MSJ, which offers an entrée, fruits and vegetables from the produce bar, and a choice between juice and milk, NSLP lunches must have an entrée and milk. However, NSLP lunches are required to have at least 825 calories per meal whereas a MSJ lunch consisting of an entrée, milk, and vegetables only has around 500 to 600 calories. The NSLP also has regulations concerning the types of foods that can be sold by student organizations such as the Student Store. Foods and beverages sold by the Student Store and other student organizations cannot also be sold by FUSD and cannot be a Food of Minimum Nutritional Value (a food that has less than five percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance for eight nutrients) or a food specified by NSLP such as gum and marshmallows.
View school food nutrition facts online at
www.fusdcafes.org/?page=menus
Passing New Foods All foods and beverages sold by CLIK Vending, the company that operates the vending machines, and L2 at the Student Store must comply with the FUSD Smart Snack guidelines, be considered acceptable by the California Project Lean Competitive Food Standards Calculator, and differ from existing foods sold by FUSD. In addition to these guidelines, L2 and CLIK Vending must also obey specific non-FUSD organization rules such as not selling hot or unpackaged food. According to Student Store Head Junior Raymond Yin, once L2 has verified that a new product adheres to all the policies, the item must be approved by the MSJ business office and Activities Director Ben Breazeale. Items that require special handling such as ice cream bars must also be approved by FUSD.
About 100 purchases are made at the Student Store per day.
6% 7%
11% 38%
14% 23% 0
1
2
Do you feel that school food has enough variety?
How many days per week do you purchase food? 3
5
4
Yes 27.5% No 72.5%
What do you wish to see more of in school food? Number of Responses
Due to FUSD’s new food regulations, the Smoke Signal is conducting an investigative report into the behind-the-scenes processes of how school food reaches students. Student responses were taken from a survey via Facebook from November 29 to December 4. A total of 201 responses were recorded.
114
100 47
61
60
staff writer jessica jen
The kitchen at MSJ prepares food for all the elementary schools in MSJ’s attendance area.
orders and write out checks to snack and beverage companies. Once an order has been delivered, a L2 member retrieves it and restocks the Student Store. The frequency of how often a food or beverage is restocked depends on its sales, and can range from once every two to three days to once every one to two weeks. MSJ has three vending machines, two in the gym quad and one in the B-Wing, which are operated by CLIK Vending. A CLIK Vending employee comes to MSJ every other school day to refill and service the vending machines.
MSJ sells about 230 cafeteria lunches per day.
How satisfied are you with 23% school food in general? 1%
32%
22% 22% Very Satisfied Satisfied Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied
What Pricing Food pricing is evaluated as 50 percent of the criteria when FUSD bids with their suppliers. are your FUSD uses the CA Department of Education’s online Paid Lunch Equity Requirement and Calculathoughts on tion Tool to determine the pricing of school food items. In addition, the USDA commodities school food program determines the range of food prices based on the prices that result from the bids with prices? food suppliers. The pricing of food in a school district depends on including the meal participation percentage, the type of storage that the district offers, and whether the district has a central kitchen. The USDA also takes into account the number of students served food to decide on school district budgets allotted to nutrition. These two functions create the range of prices that the school district can charge, but the school board votes on the final prices. L2 typically sets the prices of the snacks and beverages sold at the Student Store to within 25 cents of their actual price. However, prices are occasionally adjusted to meet supply and demand. For example, L2 is currently discounting the price of their ice cream bars in order to make up for the reduction in their demand during winter. All of the Student Store’s profits are given to ASB and used to fund events such as Walk to School Day and the Color Run. Similar to L2, CLIK Vending determines its prices based off of the current market conditions and the company’s own expenses. Though the majority of the vending machines’ profits is given to CLIK Vending, a portion of the profits is given to FUSD.
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According to Principal Zack Larsen, new technology policies are normally implemented by FUSD and are frequently updated to reflect the new ways in which technology is used. Larsen said, “Policies have changed with the understanding that some tech such as cellphones, tablets, and laptops are actual tools that can help and aid education, while perhaps in the past it was seen as just a distraction.” At the same time, they have grown more restrictive in other areas like social media. “Policies now would protect students and staff from pitfalls that could be associated with inappropriate social media use,” said Larsen.
LIC IES
By the Numbers: Technology
Number of Responses
TE CH
Students: What do teachers use technology for in your classes?
Teachers: Do you believe that the school’s technology is sufficient for your needs?
Teachers: Do 68% you have a wallYes mounted TV in your classroom?
AR Y
IBR
SJ
AT M
OF
Students: What aspect of technology does MSJ most need to improve?
187
37 52
EL
No 2%
A few days every week A few days every 2% month A few days 11% every school year
Yes 31%
54%
Students: Do you bring a personal laptop or tablet to school?
No 69%
Students: Do you use the library’s student research databases?
32
11
11
Teachers: What aspect of technology does MSJ most need to improve? Number of Responses
Daily
Yes 42% No 58%
RE
The library has several computers as well as carts of technological devices for student use. According to Teacher Librarian Maile Ferreira, in the library there are 36 21.5 inch iMacs, which were acquired last year, and two old PC desktops. Two laptop carts hold a total of 70 Dell laptops, which are about three years old. Five Chromebook carts, three of which were given to MSJ by FUSD specifically for testing, hold a total of 260 Chromebooks, acquired over the course of the last three years. One iPad cart holds 56 iPad 2s. All carts except for one Chromebook cart in the Flex Room are open for teachers to checkout for their classes on an as-needed basis.
Yes 93%
33%
FU
1 gigabit per second
Never
I do not have a smartphone
Students: How often do you use your phone for schoolwork?
that operate at
A few days every school year
TU
A few days every month
Students: Do you bring a smartphone to school?
5%
62 Wi-Fi access points
A few days every week
15%
Teachers: Do you have a projector in your classroom?
MSJ has
Daily
Starting in January 2017, MSJ will begin a seven-month project to improve the school’s Wi-Fi network and increase the bandwidth capacity, according to Principal Zack Larsen. New components such as routers, fiber optic cables, and emergency power supplies will also be installed. There will be at least one access point per classroom. Work on this project is planned to take place during the summer of 2017 or after school to minimize any disruptions it will cause for classes. FUSD is also working to provide LCD projectors and document cameras for every classroom, according to Librarian Maile Ferreira. The district also currently has some refresh funds that will be distributed to school sites to replace old technology.
TH
59%
No
No
CH
Students: How often do you use the school’s Wi-Fi (on school and 18% personal devices)?
Yes
36%
Yes 20% No 80%
TE
64%
32%
Number of Responses
WI
-FI
According to MSJ Technology Supervisor Bryan Moremen, Wi-Fi traffic is relatively constant throughout the day, and the local area network has a speed of 1 gigabit per second. There are 62 Wi-Fi access points on campus, and 12 of them are brand new while others are more than three years old. Most access points have less than 100 users connected at a given time.
6% 2%
PO
By Jenny Miao, Julia Park, Michael Ren & Helen Wang Staff Writers
In recent years, many departments at MSJ have adopted new technologies for students and teachers to take advantage of. This month, the Smoke Signal conducted surveys of teachers and students to find out how technology is utilized at school. Student data was collected by cluster sampling of a total of 213 students in eight English and social studies classes on December 2, two from each grade level. Teacher data was gathered from 24 teachers through an online survey.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Smoke Signal
18 4
3
2
1
0
Greater quantity of computers/devices
The library has
Quality of technology (hardware)
36 iMacs 70 Dell Laptops 260 Chromebooks 56 iPads
Better internet support (e.g. Wi-Fi) More usage by teachers in regular teaching More research databases None; it is fine as is.
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corrections
for the OCT. 23, 2016 issue News Pg. 7: US Consulate General Karachi was misspelled. Centerspread Pg. 11: The Freshman Jazz airband did not use the song “Run the World” by Beyoncé. A&E Pg. 15: YouTube channel “Elevate Yourself ” was misspelled. A&E Pg. 17: Masterminds was misspelled. A&E Pg. 17: Kurt Russell was misspelled.
corrections
for the NOV. 18, 2016 issue Feature Pg. 8: Adam Levine is featured in “Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes. A&E Pg. 14: Mads Mikkelsen was misspelled. Graphics Pg. 20: MSJ also played against Bridgepoint High School.
NEWS IN
brief
cedmagazine.com Comcast Business finished the fiber extension plan for Fremont.
Comcast installs new fiber expansion in Fremont On December 5, Comcast Business finished installing a fiber expansion in Fremont, giving businesses in over 238 buildings access to gigabit speeds. The Comcast Regional Vice President of Business Services for CA said, “We identified Fremont as a city with hightech companies ready to grow…” The project cost nearly $4 million and required building more than 18 miles of Compiled by Amy Chen, Stephanew fiber. The expansion will benefit nie Dutra & Jonathan Ko Fremont’s local businesses, employStaff Writers ees, and its economy.
nbcnews.com The $6.3 billion dollar medical research bill was given to President Barack Obama to review.
abcnews.com People mourn the Pakistan International Airlines crash at the site of the remains.
Senate passes medical research bill The Senate passed a $6.3 billion medical research bill, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, and sent it to the president on December 7. The bill would increase federal support medical research, mental healthcare, and funding to combat the opioid epidemic. It would accomplish this by providing $4.8 billion to the National Institute of Health to support medical research and $500 million to the Food and Drug Administration to speed up the approval of new drug therapies. The Senate passed the bill with a 94-4 vote and it cleared the House the week before with a 392-26 vote.
Pakistan International Airlines crash kills 48 A Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed in the Havelian area, 70 kilometers north of Islamabad, leaving no survivors among its 48 passengers. Though the national airline has been responsible for past safety failures, officials maintain that the plane on flight PK661 from Chitral to Islamabad had been thoroughly checked. Among the dead is famous Pakistani pop singer and Islamic preacher Junaid Jamshed.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Smoke Signal
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News 3
Orchestra and Band invited to perform in Australia MSJ will perform at the Royal Sydney Easter Show and the Bendigo Easter Festival By Ella Chen & Hana Sheikh Staff Writers MSJ and Parents of Universal Performers held the Australia Invitation Ceremony on November 17 in C-120. At the ceremony, Executive Director of Youth Music of the World Robert Bone presented Band and Orchestra with official invitations to perform in Australia at the Royal Sydney Easter Show and the Bendigo Easter Festival in April 2017. In Bone’s address to the audience, he praised the students for their musical abilities and high caliber of performance. He introduced the organization, Youth Music of the World, which made MSJ’s band trips possible by connecting school music programs with potential foreign festivals and shows. For in-
stance, in the 2014-15 school year, Band and Orchestra travelled to Europe to perform in Paris, France and Maastricht, Netherlands.
“As usual, I was blown away with the talent of the Orchestra and Marching Band. It’s a surprise to me that cities in Australia are reaching out to MSJ to have our talented students visit and perform. ” — Principal Zack Larsen
Bone presented framed letters from Sydney and Bendigo to officially welcome and in-
Color Guard performs along with Band during the Australia Invitation Ceremony.
vite the students to the upcoming festivals in April. He also highlighted the trip itinerary, which included visiting famous attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Old Melbourne Gaol. The opening ceremony commenced with Student Trip Coordinator Junior Elvin Huang giving opening remarks and welcoming the guests. Then, Marching Band entered the auditorium playing “Drum Cadence” by Cassidy Byars and Bill Flaherty. Color Guard joined in at the front of the stage as the band transitioned into “Boys of the Old Brigade,” by W. Paris Chambers. Drum Major Junior Alexandra Spencer introduced the guests present, including FUSD School Board Member Ann Crosbie, Fremont City Councilmember Rick Jones, and FUSD Assistant Superintendent Raul Zamora. After a performance by Orchestra, Huang and Spencer invited the guests up individually to speak. Band Teacher Monica Kraft and Principal Zack Larsen both gave speeches on behalf of MSJ to formally accept the invitations from the two Australian cities and commend the students on their achievements. To conclude the ceremony, Orchestra performed “Orion and the Scorpion” by Soon Hee Newbold, and Marching Band and Color Guard played “Dancing in the Street,” arranged by Tim Waters. Spencer gave concluding remarks and invited the guests and students to a reception in the B-Wing cafeteria. After the ceremony Larsen said, “As usual, I was blown away with the talent of the Orchestra and Marching Band. It’s a surprise to
me that cities in Australia are reaching out to MSJ to have our talented students visit and perform. I wish I could join them in April.” At the reception, Spencer led a cake cutting ceremony, and refreshments and snacks were offered. During the reception, Kraft said, “I’m really proud of my students. We’ve been working really hard and the invitation is another chronicle of our achievements.” ▪
Robert Bone gives a speech to MSJ students.
Orchestra performs at the Australia Band Invitation Ceremony. photos by staff writers ella chen & hana sheikh
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Investigative Report:
Housing Developments Housing developments in Fremont have generated much discussion, especially in the recent race for Fremont mayor. In an online investigative report this month, the Smoke Signal compiled information about current and upcoming housing developments in Fremont.
Make sure to check out www.thesmokesignal.org for this report, which includes opinions from FUSD Board Member Michele Berke, Principal Zack Larsen, Fremont Mayor-Elect Lily Mei, and Planning Commission Chair Raj Salwan on the potential benefits and possible negative effects these developments will have.
full article NOW AVAILABLE
on our website
“I think the developers that move into a community and make a great deal of money off of the sales of their homes have a responsibility to give back to the community in the form of schools and/or parks for residents to enjoy.” — Principal Zack Larsen
4 News & Opinion
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Thursday, December 22, 2016
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Holocaust speaker presents to sophomore English classes George J. Elbaum gives a speech as a part of Facing History and Ourselves By Bethany Woo & Vicki Xu Staff Writers Holocaust survivor George J. Elbaum visited MSJ on December 6 during third and fourth period to share his experiences during and immediately after World War II with sophomores. The presentation took place in C-120, and was organized by English Department Chair Katherine Geers. Attending students were from Geers’ English classes, as well as English teachers John Boegman’s, Morgan Goldstein’s, and Patricia Weed-Wolnick’s English classes. After attending students were seated, Geers briefly introduced Elbaum and his accompanier, Facing History and Ourselves Director Jack Weinstein, who then gave a quick introduction of Elbaum. “You are about to learn about someone whose membership in society was challenged by his identity, who suffered losses because peo-
Holocaust speaker George J. Elbaum discusses his experiences.
ple in the world thought some people didn’t deserve to be a part of the community because of who they were,” Weinstein said. Elbaum was born in Warsaw, Poland, and was only a year old when Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler invaded the city in 1939. The Nazis built a small Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, then swept the rest of the city and brought Jews in. Elbaum’s house was located in the ghetto, so he did not have to move like other Jews did. “I was born into a world where I only survived because of luck,” he said. To further illustrate his experiences, he read passages from his book Neither Yesterdays Nor Tomorrows, so named because he focused only on the present as a coping mechanism. Along with his story, Elbaum displayed black and white photos on a projector screen, both of his family and of others. Elbaum described the strength and cunning of his mother, who was essential to his survival. She found Polish families to care for him and hide him from the Nazis. They would be separated for months at a time, but she was able to track his location through a Polish underground communication network while working day jobs and disguising her Jewish identity. Sophomore Aneesh Sharma said, “Something that stood out to me was his mother, and how active she was in keeping him safe, and the dedication she put forth. If I was in that situation [I] wouldn’t have the push that she did, and that’s pretty amazing.” The presentation was originally planned
Director of Facing History and Ourselves Jack Weinstein gives a speech to students.
for just third period, but extended into fourth period and the beginning of lunch, with a question-and-answer session taking up much of the latter half. Students inquired about his stance on Israel, his
“This is the last generation that can interact directly with someone who experienced such an event, and I hope this is encouraging them to be more empathetic citizens.” — English Department Chair Katherine Geers mindset during the Holocaust, and his experiences after the war. Elbaum hoped his presentation would teach students to “be open-minded, to be
fair, [to be] tolerant, [and] to know that everybody deserves the same respect as you do.” His desire is for students to learn about the reality of anger and prejudice in the world and today’s society, but also for students to be encouraged to maintain an open mindset and a sense of fairness. Reflecting on the presentation, Geers said, “Anytime you have students who can connect with living history, it’s a success … This is the last generation that can interact directly with someone who experienced such an event, and I hope this is encouraging them to be more empathetic citizens.” ▪
photos by staff writers bethany woo & vicki xu
By Gloria Chang & Amber Lee Staff Writers
staff writer gloria chang
staff writer amber lee
staff writer gloria chang
Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Smoke Signal
The Smoke Signal Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 52, No. 4 | Dec. 22, 2016
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tanushri’s tangent
anthony’s answer
Taking advantage of our transit time
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Game On: Advocate for Video Games By Anthony Chen Opinion Editor
By Tanushri Sundar Opinion Editor
41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539 510-657-3600, ext. 37088 MISSION STATEMENT The Smoke Signal’s mission is to represent the voices of the MSJ community and serve the public by providing accurate, meaningful, and engaging information presented through print and digital mediums. SCHOOL POPULATION 2014 students EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Rishab Ramapriyan, Monica Tang NEWS Ishika Chawla, Lucille Njoo OPINION Anthony Chen, Tanushri Sundar FEATURE Kevin Li, Brian Tseng CENTERSPREAD Ashley Chang, Mallika Gupta A&E Michelle Dalarossa, Sayan Ghosh SPORTS Mustafa Ahmed, Cindy Yuan GRAPHICS Zen Thumparkkul, Victor Zhou WEB Andrew Choi, Carolyn Ge TECH Andrew Kan, Julia Park CIRCULATION Deeksha Raina ADVERTISING Ella Chen, Richard Chenyu Zhou EVENTS Heather Gan, Amber Lee WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Shivani Avasarala, Evangeline Chang, Gloria Chang, Amy Chen, Hannah Chou, Joelle Chuang, Stephanie Dutra, Katherine Guo, Ian Hsu, Jessica Jen, Jonathan Ko, Anagha Mandayam, Jenny Miao, Ansh Patel, Michael Ren, Hana Sheikh, Evie Sun, Helen Wang, Bethany Woo, Vicki Xu, Maggie Zhao ADVISER Sandra Cohen Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.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. To advertise in the Smoke Signal, email ads@ thesmokesignal.org. Advertising that is included on the pages of, or carried within, the Smoke Signal, is paid advertising, and as such is independent of the news and feature content. The Smoke Signal’s right to freedom of speech and press is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. All policies on distribution, corrections, and bylines can be found at www.thesmokesignal.org/about.
It’s tempting to perceive moving through school as moving through a set of “Point A’s” and “Point B’s.” We level up from grade to grade in order to pursue the next big end goal, whether it’s graduating from high school or going to college. However, consider the fact that every school day is made up of smaller yet equally important Point A’s and Point B’s. They’re the zombie-like treks that we make from class to class, punctuated by robotic trips to our lockers, the bathroom, or the vending machine. For six minutes, six times a day, we move in self-designated paths, ones that will probably stay the same until mid-June. Next September, some of us will return to MSJ and find different Point A’s and Point B’s. Others, however, will travel to new places to establish our routine walks. These experiences are forgettable but more valuable than we think they are. Although “passing period” will likely not be the defining characteristic of our high school experience (or any experience, for that matter), we don’t have to consider it time wasted. It doesn’t have to be an investment in something bigger and better, like a diploma, but time to use to our advantage. There are about 180 school days per year, and if we use at least 36 minutes a day to travel from point to point, then we spend an approximate total of 108 hours per year “in commute.” Over the course of four years, passing period slices out two-
Opinion 5
and-a-half weeks from our lives, and if we choose to spend the majority of that time stressing about an upcoming class, cursing the cold weather, or completely zoned out, then we lose that giant chunk of time to nothingness. We’ll never get it back. It’s not impossible to make this time meaningful, even though it’s granted in tiny sections. A student who walks his or her friend to class every day will spend a total of 18 hours getting to know another person better. A student who memorizes a new Spanish vocabulary word during each passing period will have learned over a thousand terms by June. A student who listens to a new song every morning can explore an entire decade of hip-hop music (the good parts, at least). Our transit time is a treasure trove. In the future, some of us will find ourselves enduring hour-long commutes in an effort to get from Point A to Point B, but knowing how to take advantage of that everyday journey adds an unquantifiable richness to our lives. It allows us to broaden our interests beyond that simple trip — to create value within the minute and mundane. We’re not so pressured to make it to our final destinations, be it fifthperiod Chemistry or a Wednesday morning meeting, because the time spent in transit can be just as valuable as the time spent at the destination. ▪
From being advised not to write about gaming in college essays to recently being told that video games are not “cultural artifacts” during a classroom discussion about appreciating culture, I have continually been reminded how stigmatized gaming seems to be. In a school community that embraces gaming culture and competitive gaming, it is paramount that we openly acknowledge and promote gaming instead of dismissing it. The once-popular Pokémon Go encountered widespread criticism for promoting gaming at museums and other public locations, and for potentially putting children in danger on the streets. After the original backlash against the game, however, I now hear about my friends’ parents who also discovered and now play Pokémon Go. When people overcome their original fear and distaste towards video games, they may actually find and understand the appeal behind them. Despite the fact that most forms of gaming usually happen indoors and therefore receive little public exposure, if we can make more of an effort to paint gaming culture in a positive light, those unfamiliar with gaming will have more chances to try it out. Even when video games are not negatively portrayed, they are still often dismissed as meaningless entertainment that kids resort to when home alone as a break from responsibilities. However, according to the Entertainment Software Association’s “The 2016 Essential Facts About The Computer And Video Game Industry,” the average gamer is 35 years old. The report also finds that 54 percent of the most frequent gam-
ers play with other people, showing the “social nature of game play.” In addition, Fortune reports that the gaming industry in the US earned $23.5 billion in revenue in 2015. This isn’t an underground movement — this is social, mainstream entertainment, and it deserves that respect. As video games increasingly become featured in our media, a persisting image still remains that they are confined to a virtual electronic world that has no direct impact on our world. However, the same goes for movies, books, and plays. Their value comes from the fact that the experiences they provide shape the way we see our world or inspire us to take action. The universal value of close relationships can be expressed through both iconic movies such as Monsters, Inc. and equally iconic video games such as The Last of Us. Other games such as Life is Strange test how far we are willing to go in the name of friendship. Video games that can test our game-play abilities and challenge our values are equally worthy of being considered a cultural artifact as other forms of media. When it comes to taking action and impacting the rest of the world, the competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee scene raised $94,693 for breast cancer research to secure a spot for its game at a tournament in 2013. When we put the gaming community in the spotlight and let it share its experiences and abilities, it can provide meaningful contributions. The more we initiate conversations about video games, the easier it is for everyone else to understand and acknowledge them for what they are. ▪
The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board
Adapting to technology in our classrooms
In recent years, technology has taken on a greater role in our education. Although technology provides us with innovative teaching methods and the means to work more efficiently, it is not an adequate replacement for classroom learning. At MSJ, we are privileged to have access to different forms of technology on campus, ranging from iMacs in the library, to projectors in our classrooms, to our own cellphones. We have the responsibility to ensure that the technology we have is used to enhance the learning environment rather than take away from it. Resources provided by the school give students access to infinite information at their fingertips. Teachers can add greater depth to their lessons through technology. For example, in math classes, technology can be used to project visuals such as graphs and diagrams to the entire class for a more comprehensive explanation. In history classes, technology can supply a wide range of primary and secondary sources to promote critical thinking about historical events, allowing students to gain new perspectives. Students can also use technology independently through platforms such as Google Docs and Adobe Photoshop to collaborate on projects or learn about graphic design. Technology should add a new dimension to teaching and learning, fostering the 21st century mindset of innovation. For example, Kahoot! provides a platform that creates cements material while also providing an entertaining form of review. Tools such as Turnitin, an online platform used to peer-review papers and receive teachers’ comments, and Edmodo, a type of social network used by teachers and students to discuss classroom material, allow for increased student and teacher interaction outside of the classroom, promoting constructive feedback.
However, we must be careful while maximizing the potential of technology because we can easily hinder the learning process. Technology cannot truly replace in-class discussions as it does not foster the same sense of community. It is essential to recognize that technology is not a replacement for traditional teacherstudent or student-student interactions. Often, technology is seen as a metaphorical and literal “screen” that separates teacher from student because we may turn to it when we don’t understand lessons in class. Instead of using Slader, Sparknotes, and Khan Academy to answer our questions, we should recognize that we still need to talk to our teachers and peers in order to get a more in-depth explanation of classroom concepts as well as develop relationships with the community around us. Additionally, technology can hurt our ability to learn how to process and understand material. Students take advantage of the array of information provided by technology and its convenience, using it to simplify their tasks. Instead of taking notes, we take pictures. Instead of finding and learning information by ourselves, we search, copy, paste, and in most cases, forget. We need to slow down to absorb the information that we are given instead of just using technology as a shortcut to complete assignments. Technology can be either a blessing or a curse. We must take advantage of its benefits but also make sure we are supplementing our education instead of replacing thoughtful communication. ▪
Letters to the Editor: MSJ and the LGBTQ+ community: Dear Editor, While this letter does not pertain to any issues brought up by your newspaper, it will bring to light a mostly unspoken side of MSJHS, the LGBTQ+ side. I’m gay. I will not deny that. And I know that there are probably many here at Mission who are closeted or questioning their sexuality, and that’s fine. I understand and respect their decision, especially with recent events. I’m lucky to have grown up in a liberal and accepting environment. Mission is more accepting of people in the LGBTQ+ community, but it doesn’t mean that homophobia is non-existent. There’s a stigma against homosexuality in Asian culture [that] has caused many questioning or closeted people to hide their feelings out of fear of being rejected by their parents, which is a valid concern. The next four years are going to be hard. We have no idea what the Trump administration has in store for us. We must strive to protect each other, no matter what our sexuality, race, gender or religion is. Sincerely, Timothy Prickett, 10
Incorporating Rush Week into MSJ: Dear Editor, I think our school should incorporate Rush Week, a week of testing out and joining clubs. As a freshman here at MSJ, I wanted to join some clubs that I was interested in, but I couldn’t get any information about them. Most clubs post news on Facebook, which some students may not have. Sincerely, Jacqueline Zhang, 9
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Thursday, December 22, 2016
Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Smoke Signal
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Opinion 7
By Amy Chen, Katherine Guo & Richard Chenyu Zhou Staff Writers
As the year comes to a close, many events and controversies stand out. The Smoke Signal gathered voices from students and faculty about their thoughts on the milestones that defined 2016.
5/28 Harambe
In May, personnel at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio were forced to put down silverback gorilla Harambe after it aggressively dragged a 3-year-old boy that fell into its enclosure. Harambe’s death sparked social media campaigns for animal’s rights and better zoo facilities and quickly became a commonly used internet reference and joke.
“To me, it’s just tragic that this animal was killed that way, and turning it into a joke just really bothers me. I understand that you didn’t have any relationship with this gorilla. But even with people, it’s often like that ... People die all the time, it doesn’t affect us anymore. It’s weird though. Somehow the gorilla affected us more than if it would have been a human that had been killed because there’s so much innocence there.” — SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER JAIME RICHARDS
“I agree with the zoo’s actions because I believe that the kid was in serious danger. If they hadn’t shot the gorilla, and it had killed the kid, there would have been some severe repercussions.” — ANDY ZHOU, 12
6/12 orlando shooting
On June 12, shooter Omar Mateen opened fire on crowds at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring another 53. It was the deadliest mass shooting by a single shooter in American history and the largest terrorist attack since the September 11 attacks in 2001.
“I think that the UK has been operating on its own for a long time ... they follow their own rules. For them, I think it might have been the right thing, but it didn’t help their countrymen in Europe. Part of the responsibility of being the most powerful is also the responsibility of helping others.” — ENGLISH TEACHER VALERIE CARATTINI
“It’s definitely opened up more eyes to the community ... It has definitely shown that the US has come together and mourned what happened and given sympathy more than they have before.” — PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER MELISSA KAEO
6/23 Brexit
Britain garnered global attention in late June, after a referendum to decide whether Britain should exit the European Union succeeded with 52 percent of more than 30 million votes in favor of the Brexit. The Brexit resulted in a brief economic shock and a change in Prime Minister.
“I think the whole situation was mismanaged, as a lot of the conservative leaders, like Nigel Farage, advocated for [the United Kingdom Independence Party], stepped down as leader of their parties. He lied about how 180 million euros would be paid to healthcare instead of the [European Union].” — PRANAV ACHARYA, 10
8/26 Kaepernick sits
Starting on August 26, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick gained attention on social media for sitting out or kneeling during the national anthem in games. He met with the media to explain that he was standing up for racial injustice and for victims of police brutality, who lacked a mainstream voice.
“It showed us the division of American citizens. People that didn’t support him feel that it’s more a traditional thing, and they’re totally against free will and your own opinions. The people who support it believe it is your own decision whether or not you want to support it.” — RAHUL IYER, 10
11/8 Election
“I don’t like that [Kaepernick] didn’t vote, but look, not everyone liked this election, so not everyone chose to express their voice ... But he is doing something, and I just wish he followed up his initial message with a meaningful action. Just having attention brought to an issue doesn’t solve it. You have to cause an action in order to have change.” — SHAYAN PANJWANI, 10 “I don’t know why it’s such a big deal personally. Whether you salute a flag or not has nothing to do with your patriotism or nationality and I think it’s a bit ridiculous. I think he has the absolute right to do what he did.” — ENGLISH TEACHER CHERYLLE LINDSEY
“Well I mean the shooting isn’t indicative towards America’s view towards LGBTQ people, because it’s just one guy. Even if people don’t agree with gay marriage or don’t like them, they’re not shooters and killers. It’s definitely not indicative of America. But the response to the event might have increased acceptance for [the LGBTQ community] because they don’t see them as this other group anymore but just as more Americans who died just because someone had these beliefs.” — PRAVEEN NAIR, 11
The 2016 presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is widely viewed as one of the most eventful and controversial elections in recent years. Following Trump’s victory on November 8, many have taken to expressing their opinions on this election online and in rallies.
12/4 pipeline
Following widespread campaigning, the Army Corp of Engineers announced that it will be looking to reroute the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has argued the pipeline may contaminate the Missouri River and jeopardize “[R]erouting ... still doesn’t solve the problem. The fact that they’re their sacred rerouting means that the pipeline will still be built under the Mislands. souri River, which means that oil leaks could still potentially taint
“I actually don’t think the electoral college does represent us. The history of it comes from the slaves, so that the slaves wouldn’t have as big an impact on the election. We’re way past that now, and we should just get rid of it. We know that states with higher populations have more votes, but is it enough to overcome the number of misconceptions in the country? I just think it’s pretty outdated and ridiculous.” — AYUSH AGARWAL, 9
“On a local level, [the results of the 2016 election] are great. We got Ro Khanna. On a national level I’m not so sure about it. If Trump [were] elected, we need change. Clinton was Obama 2.0. With Trump, even though it’s different, it’s something. It might be bad, or it might be good.” — JASON JEN, 12
the water supply, just in a different area. I believe it is the first step as a solution to problems. However, it is not a final solution and there is still more work to be done. We cannot take this step forward as our final step.” — Raj bhutoria, 11
“[The US government] should relook at the treaty and actually follow it. We should stop looking at things as environmental or economic concerns. We should look at things more holistically anyway. In this particular case the government was wrong, and I’m really glad that they got stopped.” — social studies teacher Rachel tevlin
“The issue is that the US conceded those lands to the Native Americans. Therefore, they’re not part of the US; they’re their own governing body. What the US is doing right now by sending troops over there and to force their way through is technically an act of war.” — christina jiang, 12
8 Opinion
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Thursday, December 22, 2016
Fake news is a personal fight, not one for Facebook By Jonathan Ko Staff Writer
With the advent of the Information Era, fake news has become a growing problem. Fake news is exactly what it sounds like: either falsified or honestly misreported information readers believe to be true. Though hoax articles have circulated since the 1800s, fake news has flourished on the Internet, a medium through which it can spread at a rapid rate. Active misinformation is a significant issue, one that is at best annoying and at worst injurious. Though it is easy to blame Facebook or Google for its problems, the responsibility to fight fake news ultimately falls to each media consumer.
“If everything seems to be the same and no distinctions are made, then we won’t know what to protect ... And we can lose so much of what we’ve gained in terms of democratic freedom.” — President Barack Obama More and more people have begun to use social media sites for news. A 2016 Pew Research Center study found that 62 percent of American adults receive news from social media. As a result, the adage “don’t believe everything you read on the Internet” is increasingly gaining relevance. False articles have permeated nearly every aspect of modern reporting, from sports to celebrities to politics. Early in November, an unfounded story that Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson would be traded to the Boston Celtics became a trending topic, throwing many loyal Warriors fans into a panic. Other examples are easy to find; a fake article claiming that Pope Francis
had endorsed Donald Trump two weeks before the election spread like wildfire, racking up nearly 1 million shares, reactions, and comments. In the wake of shocking presidential election results, many have pointed to fake news as an influential factor. Though the number of votes that fake news influenced is not calculable, a BuzzFeed News analysis found that fake election stories collected millions of views, becoming just as popular as legitimate election articles. If even a fraction of viewers changed their minds due to fake news articles, they may have provided the tiny margins of victory for Trump in several swing states. Media giants Facebook and Google have come under fire for allegedly failing to adequately inform users of what media is fake or legitimate. In fact, market research firm YouGov found that 72 percent of surveyed adults in the United Kingdom think that Facebook has a responsibility to filter out fake news stories. While fake news spreads most effectively on social media sites, it is not Facebook or Google’s job to regulate what is published online. They are both technology firms and are not equipped to act as arbiters of truth. In fact, the act of filtering content would violate the basic
If even a fraction of viewers changed their minds because of fake news articles, they may have provided the tiny margins of victory for Trump in several swing states. purpose of these sites, which is to serve as media through which information is spread and people communicate. Social
media at its most basic level is meant to to read with skepticism and think before facilitate human connection and expres- accepting. ▪ sion — it is about people’s opinions and points of view, neither of which are necessarily true. The federal government has not made lying illegal, so why should social media sites do so? This is not to say that we can’t solve the problem of fake news. The solution to this complicated problem is simple. Consumers need to consciously check if the informa- Percentage of users who tion they internalize is trustworthy. Too of- get news from different ten, people forget that consuming media is social networking sites not a passive activity, so they do not bother to check the facts of their information or the legitimacy of their news sources. The Internet has fostered a societal attitude toward information as something that is cheap and widespread, while in reality, information and its integrity are sacred. On the topic of active misinformation, President Barack Obama said to USA Today, “If everything seems to be the same and no distinctions are made, then we won’t know what to protect ... And we can lose so much of what we’ve gained in terms of democratic freedoms.” We need to regain an appreciation for news and the integral role that nonpartisan, accurate reporting plays in society. We need to realize that fake news is an attack on our personal beliefs, a virus hidden in flashy headlines and clickbait articles meant to sow mass confusion that leaves readers doubting all information — especially real news. pew research center Fake news is a menace that dupes millions every day. It has the potential to af- Statistically significant diffect elections and other future events. The ferences are in bold. Survey responsibility to fight fake news does not fall in the hands of Facebook, however — conducted from Jan. 12, 2016 it is the responsibility of media consumers to Feb. 8, 2016.
Growth in use of social media for news:
Students need earlier exposure to computer science By Heather Gan Staff Writer
In September, CA Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 2329 (AB 2329). The bill, authored by Assemblymember Susan Bonilla, enforces state leaders to begin a three year planning process to implement computer science curricula in CA public education for students in kindergarten to twelfth grade. It is an encouraging sign that lawmakers are recognizing the importance of students having strong foundations in computer science, which is useful for pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2024, there will be 531,000 openings for new computer and mathematics-related jobs, yet only a quarter of US high schools offer any computer science courses. These jobs are in high demand and pay well, but the public education system is not preparing students for these opportunities. “California currently has tens of thousands of open computing jobs where salaries are significantly higher than the state average, but our education system is not aligned to meet this workforce need and economic opportunity,” said Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom. In the modern age, computer science has become just as important as standard school subjects such as English and math. According to a report by Gallup and Google, 90 percent of parents want their students to learn computer science. The approval of AB 2329 is critical in preparing
By 2024, there will be 531,000 openings for computer and mathematics-related jobs, yet only a quarter of US high schools offer any computer science courses. our students for the future. One of the most pressing problems that AB 2329 can solve is the gender and racial gap in computer science fields. Females and minorities are less
likely to learn computer science and venture into those career paths. Of roughly 8,700 high school students in California who took the AP Computer Science exam in 2015, just 26 percent were female, 11 percent were Hispanic, and 1.7 percent were black. The early exposure to computer science that AB 2329 will bring to schools could be especially beneficial to girls and minorities. By learning computer science as early as kindergarten, students will feel inclined to take computer science courses in high school because they will be more comfortable with the subject. AB 2329 will also help students in less privileged areas by providing them with resources such as laptops and coding courses that they couldn’t have easily obtained on their own. Despite the positives of AB 2329, there has been concern regarding funding for the program.
The early exposure to computer science that AB 2329 will bring to schools could be especially benefical to girls and minorities. President Barack Obama sought $4 billion dollars to expand computer science courses through his “Computer Science for All” initiative in January, but the Republican-controlled Congress declined to fund the program. The implementation of a computer science program into public education requires materials such as Chromebooks and other devices. However, according to www.edsource.org, a spokesperson for Bonilla said that if state funds are insufficient, the law allows turning to private or public partnerships for grants. Many organizations, including Association for Computing Machining, Computer Science Teachers Association, and the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center, have already given their support to AB 2329. Other concerns include increased competition for computer science majors applying to the University of California and California State Universities as well as the efficacy of kindergarten level computer science courses. However, kindergart-
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Senior Jeffrey Ni uses computer science to participate in the Jumpstart! event held this September, which allows students to test and experience emerging technology.
ners will not be learning difficult languages and will focus on basic fundamentals such as dragand-drop languages. Several online resources for basic programming that are popular among young children allow students to learn programming in an engaging and fun way. Although some are skeptical of kindergartners learning computer science, starting computer science education at such a young age helps prepare students for success in high school level computer science courses. Although AB 2329 could make University of California and California State University computer science majors more competitive, it gives less privileged students whose schools didn’t have computer science courses the opportunity to compete equally with other students. Before AB 2329, students with more resources had a huge advantage applying as computer science majors, but the bill is leveling out the competition by giving everyone equal resources. Although the bill might make it more difficult for students to get accepted, it is
AB 2329 brings much neeeded support for students by preparing them for future job opportunities and exposing them to technology later on. closing the gap between privileged and underprivileged students. AB 2329 brings much needed support for students by preparing them for future job opportunities and exposing them to technology early on. It also helps even out racial and gender inequality by providing resources to all students. As Bonnilla said in a statement, “It is imperative that the education of all our K-12 students not only meets the demand for computing jobs, but more importantly, that students are being engaged at a young age.” ▪
Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Smoke Signal
Student Spotlight: Chris Wang
The Smoke Signal: How did you get interested in studying the culinary arts? Chris Wang: I have been a fan of Food Network ever since I was five or six years old. Food has always been something I am interested in. Watching different cooking shows and seeing different types of foods and flavor combinations ignited my interest to cook and to create my own recipes. SS: How did you first get the idea to start your blog? CW: When I studied recipes, I came across the blogs of a few other foodies, so I thought it would be a good idea for me to post my own recipes on a blog. Later, I also started to post my food-related experiences and opinions on the blog. SS: Who are your heroes or role models within the food industry? CW: I watched the documentary For Grace and was really touched by the story of chef Curtis Duffy. Chef Curtis Duffy is a chef in Chicago who has overcome many obstacles to get to where he is. His story showed me how difficult the life of a chef could be. It also allowed me to realize that hard work in any field can eventually pay off. It really made me respect all chefs a lot more. I also look up to Spanish chef Ferran Adrià for all of the new modern culinary techniques he created.
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Feature 9
By Andrew Choi & Sayan Ghosh Web Editor and A&E Editor
Senior Chris Wang has been writing about food, travel, and the culinary arts since 2014 on his award-winning and internationally recognized blog www.youthfoodblog.com. The Smoke Signal interviewed him to find out more about how he got started with his unique hobby and the plans he has for the future.
CW: I believe that sustainable farming is an important topic that everyone should care about. Today’s commercial farming aims at producing the largest possible amount of food with the least possible cost during the shortest possible period of time. The industrialization of food resources in such a mass production style creates not only sustainable issues in environmental and natural resources, but also food safety issues for human health. Understanding sustainable farming will help people realize the importance of sustainable development. web editor andrew choi I also believe that healthy eating is an imSenior Chris Wang portant topic for everyone because, in the end, In the same vein, some of my favorite chefs we are what we eat. Today’s fast-paced lifestyles are Grant Achatz, Massimo Bottura, and René leaves a lot of people ignoring a healthy diet. Redzepi. These chefs’ abilities to see out of the box and break existing barriers in gastronomy SS: What are three tips you would give to stureally have helped advance our perception of dents who are interested in cooking, but canfood. not find the time to cook and eat healthier? More locally, I admire Alice Waters’ ingredi- CW: ent-driven California cuisine. She pioneered a 1. Cooking does not have to be complicated; lot of the healthy, organic, farm-to-table food simple is good. culture we see in California and across the 2. You don’t always need to follow recipes. country. 3. Try services like Blue Apron, Munchery, etc. for ready-to-cook meals with fresh ingredients. SS: What are some topics related to food you think everyone, regardless of level of interest in SS: What goals do you have for your blog in food, should care about? the future?
Student Spotlight: Sanil Chawla
youthfoodblog.com
A screenshot of Wang's blog, youthfoodblog.com.
CW: I want to continue to blog about my food experiences and expand my audience in the future. I hope the blog remains a place where I can share my recipes and food-related thoughts and reflections and where I can connect with other foodies. SS: Do you have any future plans within the food industry? CW: I would like to continue my efforts in cooking, food blogging and other food-related activities as a hobby. ▪
Dear Diary: Mall Santa By Evie Sun Staff Writer
By Heather Gan Staff Writer
At just 8 years old, Junior Sanil Chawla wrote his first line of code by following YouTube tutorials, and eight years later, he has become fluent in 10 computer languages. While he continues to improve his coding skills, Chawla, who is currently Bay Area Regional Manager of CodeDay Bay Area and the founder of Hack+, aims to spread the knowledge of coding among students from MSJ and schools across the nation. Chawla first learned about CodeDay, a 24hour hackathon, after joining a Facebook group called HS Hackers, which connects thousands of high school coders. At his first CodeDay, Chawla had an amazing experience and knew he wanted to get involved. He became a volunteer for the next CodeDay season and was promoted to regional manager in February 2015. As the regional manager for northern CA, Chawla not only manages CodeDay operations, which involves securing sponsors, venues, and mentors, but also organizes all the events for StudentRND, the nonprofit organization behind CodeDay. With interest in coding booming among high schoolers, Chawla wants to expand CodeDay by having better workshops, finding more mentors, and increasing sponsoring. “Overall, we want to have a higher quality event for people,” said Chawla. Chawla is also the founder and executive director of Hack+, a nonprofit organization he and a few friends started with aims to help students start their own businesses and nonprofits. Hack+ seeks to link technology and business together by guiding students during the starting phases of creating a business while encouraging them to solve problems in society through technology. Hack+ is modeled after a club system, and Chawla’s main priority this year is to get a Hack+ club started at MSJ as well as at fifteen other high schools in the Bay Area. Chawla encourages those who are interested in learning to code but don’t know where to start to watch YouTube tutorials for beginners can work along with them and see the fruit of their work immediately. He also greatly encourages learning to create apps and games instead of focusing on coding theoretically, which is typically taught in computer science courses. “The joy you
Diary Entry #1: I have just received the news that I have been hired as the newest mall Santa! I am quite excited to be sporting a snowy white beard and cherry red coat during the upcoming holiday season. I, Nicholas Kringle, fully believe in the power of spreading joy and kindness during the holidays, and what better way to do so than granting wishes to eager little children?
Junior Sanil Chawla
staff writer heather gan
get from creating some app or game that people can actually use can’t be matched so I think if you want to learn coding, go for learning how to create apps and games.” Although Chawla is a seasoned coder, he continuously looks for ways to become a more versatile coder by learning new languages and exploring different fields. As much as Chawla enjoys coding, he also believes it is important to code with a purpose or a goal, and by expanding into other fields, he can link those fields back to computer science by creating apps to help fields that aren’t as technologically savvy. He also aims to expand his ability as leader, since he isn’t just active as a coder but also as the head of Hack+ and CodeDay. Chawla cites Bill Gates as his inspiration, not only because of his success as the founder of Microsoft, but also because of his contribution to charity and philanthropy. “I want to eventually have a role like that [of Bill Gates] where I can give back to the community,” said Chawla. ▪
Diary Entry #2: Today marked my first day on the job as a mall Santa. As I pulled on my fleecy fur-cuffed trousers and my matching red coat, I heard the faint giggling and screaming of children outside my dressing room. With nervous anticipation, I quickly put on my black belt and Santa hat, and straightened my white-bleached beard before walking out into the plaza to greet the first children in line. The first child I met with was a sweet young girl named Sally, who had waited an hour in line with her mother. After I promised Sally a pony for Christmas, in addition to a spot on Santa's "nice" list, I sent her on her merry way. With a grin on my face, I greeted the child in line, an older boy who appeared considerably less enthusiastic. Reluctantly, he allowed me to pull him onto my lap. When I asked him what he desired for Christmas, he pouted and whined, "I want a pet cobra, a remote-controlled helicopter that I can fit in, a Hover board, a lifetime supply of peanut butter, a power saw, and the new iPhone7!" I was taken aback by his extravagant request, and I was even more appalled when his father argued that he had already bought his son all but one gift on that list. Exasperated, the boy turned to me for encouragement. When I hesitated, he proceeded to yank on my beard. His eyes widened in surprise when it did not detach from my chin as he had clearly expected it to. His father, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, yanked his son from my lap, and stomped away without another word. It is truly beginning to look like Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year. Diary Entry #3: The remainder of my morning was filled
with squirming children and shrieking infants. I was forced to face children of all ages, most of whom were not content with sitting on the lap of a strange man with a scratchy, white beard. Believe me, kid, it is as uncomfortable for you as it is for me, I wanted to tell every child who ran away from me, screaming and crying. Their parents shot me dirty looks, as if I was responsible for the blubbering toddler who had been so rudely shoved onto my lap. I also had the pleasure of meeting a number of wailing infants whose parents had thrust them into my arms for a quick photo. The result was the iconic snapshot in which the baby's face is beet-red and glistening with tears, accompanied by my tired, not-so-jolly expression. All I want for Christmas is obedient children! Diary Entry #4: As I watched a young girl sprint up to my chair, I braced myself for the screaming that would inevitably ensue. Instead, she enthusiastically climbed into my lap and announced, "I want an American Girl doll!", which garnered an approving smile from her mother. However, when her mother turned away, she leaned close and whispered in my ear, "I actually want a life-sized gingerbread house with frosting and chocolate sauce, and sprinkles and gum drops and candy canes." The dazed expression on my face must have mirrored the baffled one on her mother's face, because the little girl then flashed both of us an adorable, innocent smile before hopping off my lap and skipping away. Diary Entry #5: By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I was sticky with sweat underneath my wool costume, and my arms felt like rubber as a result of heavy-lifting children on and off my lap all day long. My face ached as I thought back to the countless number of naughty children who had painfully yanked on it to test if it was real. My head spun with all of the strange, but amusing requests that I had received throughout the day. However, aching arms and throbbing headaches aside, I'm glad that I was given the opportunity to spread cheer this season. If I am able to bring joy to even one child or parent, then the aches and pains are worth it. After all, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. ▪
10 Feature
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THE
DIEHARD TRYHARDS take on the
Thursday, December 22, 2016
By Hannah Chou, Katherine Guo, Amber Lee & Anagha Mandayam Staff Writers
As the holidays approach, decorations begin to appear and gifts pop up under the tree. In celebration of the festivities, the Diehard Tryhards held a tournament of classic Christmas customs: crafting ornaments, decorating trees, and wrapping gifts, to see who was worthy of the title Christmas Challenge Champion.
Christmas Challenge
AMBER For me, Christmas isn’t just the most wonderful time of the year; it’s also the most artsy time of the year. As a 6-year-old, I enjoyed making holiday decorations to hang around my house and looking through rolls of pretty wrapping paper at the store. Now, even though I’ve physically grown up, my childhood mentality has not, so I still love to deck the halls with cheesy Christmas arts-and-crafts. After all, one can never have too much holiday spirit.
ANAGHA
KATHERINE Although I am a Diehard fan of winter and all things Christmas (Hello Starbucks red cups!), this will be my first time in forever, wrapping gifts and decorating trees. I’ve had absolutely terrible experiences with gift-wrapping and tree decorating. That’s probably because I ended up wasting a whole roll of paper on one measly little box and shattered multiple glass ornaments a few years ago. Nevertheless, I approach this challenge with a determined mind. Paper cuts never bothered me anyway.
The holiday season excites me! I love exchanging gifts, picking out a tree, and seeing my neighbor continue their annual tradition of putting up their “Go Bowling!” sign. That being said, wrapping presents and decorating trees have always been an issue. My mom is my Christmas angel when it comes to putting a festive touch on things. This challenge doesn’t scare me, and hopefully I can use a couple of tricks from her book to be the shining star on the tree!
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday of the year. Ever since I was little, I have enjoyed helping my parents set up Christmas decorations. However, I am completely incompetent at gift-wrapping because the selfish brat that I was as a kid believed that presents should only be given to me, and the thought of giving presents to someone else was utterly insane. Despite the obstacle, I have no fear that I will emerge as the top competitor. My unwavering holiday spirit will surely be the key to my success.
As a debater, competition comes naturally and I am sure I will absolutely sweep the competition when it comes to efficiency. The timer is a very old friend, so no worries there! Despite years of music and dance lessons, I’m still quite clumsy, so I’m much less enthusiastic about decorating the ornaments and the tree, as I have been known to accidently knock things over. Hopefully, I will prevail with enough peace of mind to grab first place!
My Christmas ornaments have slowly evolved from macaroni sloppily glued on paper to ornate ones bought from Michaels. It’s safe to say that my sheer laziness has taken over and I’ve lost touch with my artistic skills. I’ll admit I’m a bit worried about the first task, but on the other hand, I’m confident I can easily take out the other competitors in the tree decorating contest. With the little tricks from my mom’s handy holiday book, the “tree” of them have got nothing on me!
Over the years, I managed to put my selfish little self behind me, and now I have developed into a kinder person; I am absolutely certain that Santa put me on his “nice” list this year. However, when it comes to competition, I mean business. Using my enthusiastic but rather inadequate skills in gift wrapping, ornament painting, and Christmas tree decorating, I am sure that I will emerge on the top.
THOUGHTS BEFORE
As a self-proclaimed artist, I want to say that I have an advantage in making ornaments. However, over-perfectionism is an occupational hazard of being an artist, so I’m not so sure I can whip up homemade ornaments, wrap presents, and decorate a tree under a time crunch without stopping to make sure everything is absolutely perfect. Hopefully, I will be able to pull myself together and snatch first place instead of going into panic mode when the timer starts.
HANNAH
DIY ORNAMENTS
It looks like I’ll have to take back my snooty comment about having an advantage as an artist. However, I was correct that over-perfectionism would be my downfall. Evidently, my arts-and-crafts skills have rusted over time, and this fact, combined with my extreme need to fine-tune all the details, slowed me down. In the end, I only finished a few ornaments. But I am proud that I didn’t resort to taking the easy way out by just covering everything with glitter, unlike some of my competitors.
I can surely state that I have never been covered in as much glitter as I was during the DIY ornament event. My hopes of claiming first place slowly melted with each drop of gravity-defying glitter glue, and my clumsiness was no help. Out of the four bottles of glitter glue used, only one ended up on the ornaments, resulting in haphazard decorations. The aftermath was what I imagine a war between glitter and paper would look like.
The phrase “you can never have too much glitter” is 100 percent false. It seemed as though the glitter ended up more in my hair, nails, and eyes instead of my ornaments. By the end of this challenge, I knew that I absolutely hated anything sparkly, which is probably why I didn’t like my final products. As I had originally predicted, my ornaments were just like the sloppy ones I used to make in kindergarten, if not worse!
I recently read a book called Things Fall Apart in my English class, and I can confidently say that the title accurately describes my DIY ornaments. My dreams of creating the most extravagant ornaments were shattered before my eyes as I struggled to make my crafts presentable, and any plans of making them more aesthetically pleasing quickly went down the drain. Not only did I make a huge mess around me, but I also failed to meet my expectations. Santa would have been disappointed.
photos by feature editor brian tseng & graphics editor zen thumparkkul
Thursday, December 22, 2016
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The Smoke Signal
Feature 11
GIFT WRAPPING I had assumed that my superficial knowledge of origami and paper-folding techniques would carry me through this task. I was sadly mistaken, as I got a huge toy robot with three oddly-arranged wheels at the bottom to wrap in a few minutes. Needless to say, the panic monster took over at this point. All I know is that I sliced away with the scissors like a maniac, crumpled a lot of paper, and used copious amounts of tape. The result was a very lumpy and wrinkled package.
I was given a small blessing in the gift-wrapping division, as I received a mannequin, which I was able to manipulate into a roughly rectangular position. The necessary miracle still thwarted me, as I grossly overestimated the needed paper, resulting in a patchy tape job. Despite that, my year in ninth grade geometry came in handy and I was able to quickly wrap the mannequin and tie a bow as a finishing touch.
I thought I had this challenge in the bag since all my mom’s little tricks would come in handy. But I was not prepared to wrap a globe as my present! In the four minutes I had to make this gift look presentable, I scrambled to cut out a sizeable amount of wrapping paper, which I thought was enough. It turned out I had completely underestimated the amount I needed and my wrapping job left open areas. It’s safe to say that this challenge was a disaster as well.
Don’t get me started with gift-wrapping! Just figuring out how to operate wrapping paper was challenging enough, and wrapping under a time pressure proved to be an absolute failure. I thought I had it easy in this particular event since I was blessed be assigned the easiest object, a Nerf Gun, to wrap. However, the gift wrapping event taught me just how much I took wrapped gifts for granted as I could not finish wrapping it in the given time frame. Just how do people do it?
CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING My early holiday memories are scarred with experiences of the Christmas tree toppling on me as I decorated it, sending ornaments shattering and leaving a sizable lump on my head — and that was with a 2-foot-tall plastic tree. So naturally, I was apprehensive when I had to decorate a 7-foot-tall tree for part of the challenge. Somehow, I managed to complete the task, ornaments, string lights, and all, without knocking over the tree and getting flattened underneath.
At long last, I had an advantage in the Christmas tree decorating department: my relatively tall height! Or at least, so I thought. I was no match for the 7-foot tree, so the top of the tree remained woefully untouched. Nevertheless, I was able to arrange my ornaments and Christmas lights throughout the rest of the tree. I wish I could say my tree was a miniature version of the iconic Macy’s tree, but that definitely wasn’t the case. All in all, I can safely say that the tree was brighter than my future in DIY crafts.
My frustration with glitter from the previous challenge really affected my time management and at the end of the ornament challenge, I had a whopping total of three ornaments for decorating my tree. And to make matters worse, Hannah dropped one of my ornaments! Never give her anything to hold people; she’s the clumsiest person out there. Katherine came to my rescue and lent me one of her ornaments, and with the use of string and streamers, I was able to still put together a festive Christmas tree!
The only event that I had slightly more confidence in was Christmas tree decorating. I was able to show off my lassoing skills to get the end of the Christmas lights to the top of the tree. Despite the tree being 7 feet tall, my experience as a short person for almost all my life assisted me in finding different ways to reach the upper levels of the tree. Although my tree was slightly lacking in Christmas lights, I think I have a chance of being on par with my competitors.
THOUGHTS AFTER Considering that I winged the whole competition, banking on my unsharpened holiday survival skills to back me up, I’m surprised things didn’t turn out worse. Making the DIY ornaments was by far the most stressful, but I’m sure I did decently in tree decoration (if the criteria for decent is not electrocuting myself with the string lights). Regardless of how the final rankings lined up, I gave this Christmas challenge my best effort and shared many laughs with the other competitors.
Once again, I let my pride get the better of me and overreached my artistic abilities, little as they are. At the beginning, I was confident that I would be able to handle the stress and nerves, but my shaking hands thwarted my attempts to surge to the top. As the competition progressed, my chances of winning plummeted in my eyes. Despite my overall lack of proficiency, my spirit was spurred by the teamwork and sportsmanship we all shared. After all, it’s the spirit that counts!
Sadly, my mom’s book of little techniques and my Christmas spirit wasn't enough to save me as I had originally thought. The time crunch and my inexperience got the best of me and I began to realize coming in first place wasn’t within my reach any longer. But in the end, having fun is what counts. We had a merry time competing and helping each other out (even if that meant dropping an ornament or two along the way).
Overall, I think I may have overestimated my holiday-crafting abilities. Before the competition, I was absolutely certain that I would leave my opponents in the dust with my creativity fueled by my Christmas spirit. However, these challenges quickly made me face reality, and my hopes of earning the title of “Christmas Challenge Champion” were crushed. Nevertheless, I had a jolly time participating in these festive activities, and I am not upset about my ranking. After all, Christmas is a time for joy and cheer!
FINAL RANKINGS OVERALL
1ST
OVERALL
2ND
OVERALL
4TH
OVERALL
3RD
photos by feature editor brian tseng
12 Centerspread
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The Smoke Signal
Thursday, December 22, 2016
“Professionally, I’m hoping to create a new course at Mission, which is ‘Women’s Studies.’ Personally, I just hope to have a wonderful time with my family and hopefully travel to at least one new country.” — Social Studies Teacher Stephanie Kearns
j s m ts n e ev
Peer Resource will host its annual Benefit Show on February 24. There will be a variety of student performances that depict the students’ own interpretation of the theme “Write Your Own Chapter.” Guest speakers will also talk to the audience about mental health and increase awareness about the stigmatization of issues like mental illness, bullying, and word choice. Peer Resource will donate the proceeds from the show towards hiring a Fremont Youth and Family Center therapist for students on campus. Rachel’s Challenge, an anti-bullying assembly, will be coming to MSJ on January 10 to educate students on the harmful effects of bullying. Rachel Joy Scott’s unwavering kindness to others before she was killed at the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999 inspired her parents, David and Sandy Scott, to create Rachel’s Challenge. The program strives to reduce violence and make schools a safer learning environment.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
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Centerspread 13
“I’m looking forward, as for myself, to see what opportunities I get. As for the country, I’m really interested in seeing how this presidential election will go. I’m actually not as pessimistic as a lot of my classmates and I’m pretty optimistic and I want to see if America will be made great again.” — Ruchika Mahapatra, 11
“I think every year social media brings us more and more interconnections to the world, so I hope in 2017, people will be more active in shaping their community especially through the Internet.” — Shubha Jagannatha, 12
MSJ will hold its annual Spring Expo on May 25. Families of not only MSJ students but also incoming fresh“What I’m hoping will happen for our men are welcome to watch performances and parcountry is that we, as a population, ticipate in activities, such as dances and games, Combined Junior and Senior Prom will take place on May 27 at will have more clarity and understandthat the school departments and clubs host. The the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. At prom, ing of each other’s differences and Spring Expo serves as an opportunity for stuthe attendees will be able to dance, explore the exhibitions, no longer be afraid to discuss them.” dents to display their talents and passions take pictures, and sing karaoke. The junior and senior class — English Teacher Elizabeth Waller to a broader range of audience members. officers are still working on the specifics, such as deciding the theme and arranging the food. Tickets will be sold starting in late April. The MSJ pool is scheduled to begin demolition and reconstruction at the end of the spring athletic season and the project will be finished by the end of 2017. The new pool will be 30 meters by 25 yards and a new restroom and shower building will also be added. The project was initially funded through the Measure “E” Bond, but the school board agreed that the pool did not meet code requirements and quadrupled the budget size for a complete pool replacement.
By Hannah Chou, Joelle Chuang, Stephanie Dutra & Jenny Miao
Staff Writers As 2016 comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to look forward into the upcoming year. The Smoke President The next inSignal compiled a list of MSJ and world events planned for 2017. stallment in the - E l e c t Star Wars sequel Donald Trump and Vice Prestrilogy will be reident-Elect Mike leased on December Pence will swear an 15 and is currently one of the most anticipated movoath of office on January ies of the year. The film is direct20 at the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. US residents ed by Rian Johnson and brings back from all over the country will gather in many of the actors from Episode VII, front of the US Capitol to witness the ceresuch as Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. The movie follows the main character Rey mony of the transition of power from one leader to and her journey after entering the larger world. another. After the inauguration, Trump will ofThe The ficially become the 45th President of the US. 2017 first toWorld Expo will tal solar eclipse of open in Astana, Kazakhstan the 21st century in the US will take on June 10. The theme of the fair is future enplace on August 21. The moon will pass in front of ergy, and aims to bring together the best developments The International Association of Athletics Fedthe sun and its shadow will sweep across 14 states in this field in order to discuss ways to make green enererations (IAAF) will be holding its biennial World from Oregon to South Carolina. Totality will only be visgy a trend for the future. The goal is to create a global deChampionships in London, England on August 4 ible within the 70-mile wide path in the US that crossbate between countries, companies, organizations, and the to 13. More than 2,000 athletes from 200 countries es parts of these states, but a partial eclipse will be vispublic on the topic of safe and sustainable access to energy. compete in this competition that is designated for ible in all of North America and parts of South America. As of December 2016, more than 100 countries will participate, track and field events. It is currently the third largest including Brazil, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the US. sporting event in the world. Usain Bolt, who has won four consecutive first place medals for the 200-meter dash “I’m looking forward to, personally, just “This year is going to be a mixed one. Like any other, we’ll in the IAAF World Championships, is expected to compete. watching my son grow up. I have a young see even more cool technology on the market, people son who just turned three. Every momoving up the ladder worldwide, and countries working ment of time that passes just amazes me, together to hopefully solve our biggest problems. It will how quickly he grows and learns about also test our weaknesses: the rise of populism and anger the world he lives in. That’s pretty cool.” versus the compassion and resolve to help our refugees —Science Department Chair Lisa Ishimine and feed the poor. Let’s hope we make the right choice.” — Devesh Kodnani, 11
d l r wo vents e
photos by staff writers hannah chou, joelle chuang & jenny miao, astanatimes.com, calacademy.org, cinemablend.com, iaaf.org, rachelschallenge.com, tmeanddate.com, venuesmartllc.com, the smoke signal archives, courtesy msj peer resource
14 Arts & Entertainment
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The Smoke Signal
Christmas Classics
Thursday, December 22, 2016
By Joelle Chuang, Deeksha Raina & Maggie Zhao Staff Writers As the weather grows colder and Winter Break approaches, kick back and relax with these classic heartwarming Christmas films. The Smoke Signal compiled both MSJ favorites and lesser-known films for students and staff to enjoy this winter break, perfect for watching while curldled up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate.
Smokie Selections It's A Wonderful Life
Miracle On 34th Street
It’s a Wonderful Life, released in 1946 and directed by
George Seaton’s Miracle on 34th Street, originally re-
Frank Capra, is about a kind but frustrated businessman
leased in 1947 and re-released in 1994, is a comedy
who is visited by an angel and shown what life would be
about a lawyer and little girl who work together to
like if he never existed. This family film has won six distin-
try and prove that an elderly man claiming to be San-
guished awards, including the Golden Globe award, and
ta Claus is indeed him. Miracle on 34th Street won three
is number 24 on top rated movies on IMDb, the world’s
Oscars and five other prestigious awards, and continues
most popular source for movie content. It’s a Wonderful Life is celebrating its 70-year anniversary since its release, and is being shown in numerous theaters throughout the US this month.
The Holiday
to be a classic that never fails to inspire its audience and remind them of the true Christmas spirit.
Nancy Meyer’s The Holiday, released in 2006, is a romantic comedy that won a 2007 Teen Choice Award. Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) and Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz), unhappy with their lives, decide to swap homes. The two women meet Miles (Jack Black)
Love Actually Love Actually is a charming romantic comedy directed by Richard Curtis that features a star-studded ensemble
and Graham (Jude Law) and end up finding love. The movie, which grossed $63,224,849 in the box office, is a genuinely sweet Christmas movie.
A christmas memory A Christmas Memory, released in 1997, is a touching film based on the short story by Truman Capote. This
cast and follows ten separate yet intertwined stories. As
family film is about the powerful friendship between a
Christmas gets closer, the characters explore the differ-
young boy, Buddy (Eric Lloyd), and an old lady, Sook
ent aspects and complications of love. Released in 2003,
(Patty Duke). A Christmas Memory has been adapted into
the film has gone on to be nominated for 18 awards,
a musical, audio recording, opera, and an award-win-
winning nine of them and becoming a classic feel-good
ning TV series. Although A Christmas Memory is not
story.
widely known, it has still become a Christmas classic.
Student and Staff Selections The Polar Express The Polar Express, released in 2004, is an animated Christmas movie that has won and been nominated for countless accolades. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, the inspiring film covers a young boy’s adventure to the North Pole. The Polar Express won a Grammy Award for its song, “Believe,” and was nominated for three Oscars. This heart-warming film captures the spirit and wonder of Christmas.
“I like The Polar Express because it’s the first movie I watched at Christmas after I actually learned what Christmas was about.” —Devarshi Chemala, 12
Elf Elf, the 2003 Christmas comedy film directed by
Nightmare before christmas Based on a poem written by producer Tim Bur-
Jon Favreau, continues to be a classic. The movie
ton, Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion an-
follows Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human who has
imated film that tells the story of Jack Skellington
grown up with elves, as he tries to navigate the hu-
(Danny Elfman), the king of Halloween Town who
man world and human relationships. Elf was nomi-
wants to bring the spirit of Christmas Town back
nated for nine awards and won two for best comedy
to his home town. A commercial success since the
and its film score. The film’s success inspired a mu-
time of it’s release in 1993, the film has gone on
sical on broadway that thrived from 2010 to 2013.
to have several re-issues and influence a variety of video games.
“It’s such a heartwarming story that makes you smile. I love the Christmas vibes from the setting of the movie—the city with tons of lights, decoration, liveliness, vivid colors—and that both kids and adults can watch and enjoy it.” —Jumi Yoon, 11
“I would recommend Nightmare Before Christmas because it is hilariously irreverent.” —English Teacher Brian Rath
graphics by dreamstime.com, freepik.com, freevector.com, openclipart.com, qipeace.com
Thursday, December 22, 2016
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Arts & Entertainment 15
The circle of life is everlasting for The Lion King By Stephanie Dutra Staff Writer Disney’s classic, The Lion King, is brought to life in a theatrical rendition of the beloved story. The musical follows the journey of Simba (Dashaun Young) and his challenging path to the throne of the kingdom. With captivating African rhythms, impeccable stage production, and perfectly orchestrated choreography, the Broadway musical is a breathtaking performance that can be enjoyed by lovers of the classic animation and first-timers alike. The musical is very similar to the animation in terms of the storyline, even seamlessly incorporating exact lines from the movie into the production. Director Julie Taymor stays true to the story while keeping it fresh with modern references that the audience can relate to and laugh about. The original animation is more lighthearted and innocent whereas the play has more serious vibes. Off to the sides of the stage, two musicians play African instruments live which adds to the authenticity of the production, a characteristic which the animation lacks. The story is told mainly through singing and dancing as it is a musical with more limited dialogue. Despite this, it’s very easy to follow, and the plot is explained well through these other forms of expression. The transitions between scenes are incredibly smooth, and the audience is never left waiting as there is always some action on stage engaging them. The actors are very impressive and have strikingly similar voices to those of the original cast, boosting the play’s authenticity to the movie. Young Simba (Jordan Williams) and young Nala (Savanna Fleisher) are introduced at the start of the play, expressing their ado-
The lighting is manipulated to spark different moods. In the happier scenes, prior to the main conflict unfolding, the backgrounds consist of warm colors and embody the love and happiness in the community on the African savannah. When conflict strikes, colder colors and more drab greys create an uncomfortable and less welcoming setting. In the most intense parts of the play, lights flash between white and red, enveloping the audience in the feeling of danger. Smoke billows from the ground to add to the effect. The Lion King is a production that viewers of all ages will enjoy. The endearing plot is emotional and captivates both children and children-at-heart. While it is widely-loved for its nostalgia, it should also be appreciated for its embodiment of African culture, amazing attention to detail, and stunning production value. ▪ Rating: A
lionking.com
lescent qualities. The characters develop throughout the play, sometimes a bit too quickly, like the abrupt switch between the actors of young Simba and the older Simba during “Hakuna Matata.” The actors are dressed in intricate costumes that accurately represent the characters in the movie while simultaneously embracing African culture. Costumes consist of beautifully crafted masks and headpieces, most of which are secondary as the actors’ faces are still exposed. This gives the play a more personal and mature sense, although not every character is portrayed in this way, such as Timon (Nick Cordileone). The Timon costume is a sort of puppet which looks identical to the movie version of the character, making him seem out of place on stage with the other intricate African-inspired costumes.
We feature the winning review from a competition among all first year journalists.
Food Delivery Apps By Amy Chen & Richard Chenyu Zhou Staff Writers
DoorDash delivers to over 300 cities around the country, including all of the Bay Area. While the application makes finding restaurants very easy, its interface occasionally feels cluttered. Unlike other applications, ordering food does not require the user to create an account. In addition, DoorDash has the widest selection of local restaurants that one could order from and doesn’t have a minimum order amount, although there is a delivery fee. The five-dollar delivery we ordered from arrived ahead of schedule and was still hot. Every order also has a five-step tracking system that updates in real-time. Interface: 4/5 Selection: 4/5 Delivery time: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Eat24 is the official Yelp food delivery and takeout app. The app design is simple but often crashes or loads slowly. Customers have the option of making an account or checking out as a guest. Eat24 has a relatively wide range of restaurants which it delivers from and many others that offer pick-up service, most of which have set minimum cost requirements. Delivery fees range from $1 to $3, and the user oriented delivery system, which notifies customers after each step of the food preparation, transfer, and delivery process, ensured that our food arrived exactly on schedule, warm, and ready to eat. Interface: 3/5 Selection: 4/5 Delivery time: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Ordering food has never been easier as many apps now offer food pickup and delivery services from local restaurants and eateries. The Smoke Signal tested and reviewed four of the most promising food delivery apps in the Bay Area.
Seamless partnered with GrubHub in 2013, and serves nine metropolitan areas around the US. Its application is easily the most refined and is very intuitive to use. The app allows users to sort by price, rating, minimum amount, and cuisine. While ordering food requires creating an account, Seamless offers the most payment options. Users can pay with cash, Android Pay, credit card, or PayPal. However, Seamless charges a $2 to $3 fee for delivery, depending on the restaurant. Although the delivery process didn’t involve an organized notification system, the arrival of our order was timely, the food was warm, and the driver was courteous and professional. Interface: 5/5 Selection: 5/5 Delivery time: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
GrubHub, the online and mobile food ordering company based in Chicago, currently has more than 44,000 restaurant partners in the US and the United Kingdom. The app interface is quick and easy to use. The GrubHub app does not offer many local options in Fremont and has minimum cost requirements for deliveries. It requires users to create accounts before checking out. Delivery is free, and it was the fastest out of all of the services we tried out, as our order arrived within 20 minutes of ordering. The food was warm, and the driver was courteous and professional. Interface: 4/5 Selection: 3.5/5 Delivery time: 5/5 Price: 5/5 Overall Rating: 4/5 graphics by dreamstime, glassdoor.com, linkedin.com, play.google.com
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The Smoke Signal
Thursday, December 22, 2016
IvyBoost
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名門教育 專業顾问，親切服務 名校之門，輕鬆得入
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“My counselor encouraged me to explore and find my own unique path, because IvyBoost’s principle is to provide each student with customized counseling and guidance without expecting them to adopt a one-size-fits-all counseling plan. As a result of this intimate and high-efficiency environment of IvyBoost, I was able to see tremendous growth in myself not only academically but also as a person over the past 4 years.” –C. H. “I was admitted to Yale, Dartmouth, Duke, and John Hopkins with scholarships from $35000 to $56000 per year. Thanks to IvyBoost for its great counseling service guiding me through each milestone.” –H. L.
College Planning 大學規劃 (9th-11th Grade)
6 Modules to get you ready for top college admission
Academic Planning Test Planning Extra-Curricular Planning Career Planning & more
“My counselor was organized, had flexible scheduling for meetings, and was very active in the application process. We were always on task and he answered all questions at the end of the meeting and went over every section of apps before submitting. He always replied quickly through email. Also Karen was a really good editor and helped me greatly with my college essays.” –W. C. “It is an unforgettable life time experience to work with IvyBoost and my mentor. As first generation immigrants, my parents and I really do not know about college and financial aid applications. IvyBoost’s counseling is just like a lighthouse
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One-on-one or small group prep classes
PSAT SAT I & ACT SAT II Math 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
to guide me to the right port – I get in my favorite UC with $21000 grant and $10000 loans.” –B. W.
“Prior to my classes at IvyBoost, my SAT score was being brought down by my lackluster SAT Writing score. With the help of Karen’s in-depth SAT writing classes, in one month, I was able to bring up my Writing score from a mediocre 660 to a perfect 800. Her perfect teaching method combined with a lot of her practice tests allowed me to reach my target score!”
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Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Smoke Signal
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Arts & Entertainment 17
C R I T I C S’ C O R N E R M u s i C : c h ild is h gam bino, st u l a r se n | F ilm : a l l i e d | B ook : abs ol utely on mus ic
Under the radar
“A”llied
stu larsen By Ian Hsu Staff Writer In loving memory of friends and family around him, Australian folk singer Stu Larsen sings of times spent together with loved ones. Collaborating with instrumentalists from across the world, Larsen sings to the music of his ever-present guitar and to traditional bush band instruments such as whistles and harmonicas. Stu Larsen released his first album Lies Will Keep You Out in 2008. While this album did not garner widespread popularity, Larsen proceeded to release the album The Black Tree in 2009 and eventually achieved fame with the release of Ryeford in 2011. Many songs from the album such as “This Train” feature quick, upbeat rhythms and the varied usage of harmonicas; Larsen’s most recent album, Vagabond (2014), also contains the same upbeat rhythm in abundance. Unlike many other contemporary folk artists, Larsen truly upholds the spirit of traditional folk music by refraining from incorporating digital sound effects into his music. Just three years ago in 2013, Larsen left behind his home of normality, security, and comfort in favor of a life of simplicity and following opportunities that presented themselves to him. Larsen’s vagabond lifestyle allows him to focus solely on music as he wanders from continent to continent, removed from the nuances of everyday life. To date, he has traveled to and played in locations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Larsen will be participating in a tour across Australia in January 2017. ▪
Book Bites
Music review childish gambino
imdb.com
By Shivani Avasarala Staff Writer Allied, a romantic thriller set in World War II, weaves suspense and action into an epic tale of love. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Steven Knight, the film follows the stories of Canadian intelligence officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) and French resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) after their paths cross during a life-threatening mission. As the plot progresses, ambiguity develops around Marianne’s character, giving the audience a chance to participate in discovering her true identity. Initially set in Casablanca, French Morocco in 1942, the film begins as the two main characters meet for the first time on official business disguised as husband and wife on a mission to assassinate a German ambassador. Despite acknowledging the danger of developing feelings in their line of work, Vatan and Beausejour soon fall in love after sharing a near-death experience, and move to London where they eventually settle down. The plot takes a turn for the worse as it is revealed that
Beausejour may not be whom she says she is, and Vatan is ultimately caught between following the law and determining the fate of his family. Right from the start, the film breaks the classic romantic cliché of a valiant male lead and the typical damsel in distress and focuses rather on establishing the strong personalities of the two main characters. Beausejour and Vatan are individually portrayed as independent and quick-witted. In one specific scene, they amusingly manipulate and lie their way into an invitation to the ambassador’s party. Pitt and Cotillard further bring the characters to life with natural and comfortable dialogue, transitioning between French and English with ease, and acting with unexpectedly great chemistry. Audiences become one with the story thanks to the help of stellar cinematography and are kept engaged with abrupt transitions as scenes shift from casual conversation to sudden gunshots or explosions. Impressive pans of landscapes under air raids provide scenes with a surreal aspect, while calm shots of the domestic life and the use
of cool colors ground the audience once again. The prize-winning factor of this film, however, lies in the intricate and sensual plot. Laced with mystery and surprise, the plot does not fail to lure audiences into a state of utter confusion as they have to accept the truth of Marianne’s identity. While the plot deepens and gradually entangles itself into an incomprehensible mess, the film also cleverly scatters clues and details into scenes to draw the audience towards conclusions to be revealed later. The key element of suspense and the bittersweet concluding revelation sets this piece apart from average romantic thriller movie. Accompanied by powerful acting, a thought-provoking story line, and organized execution, Allied will leave watchers hanging onto this emotional rollercoaster. ▪ Rating: A
absolutely on Music scores well
By Ella Chen Staff Writer
Student Recommendations
Title: The Night Circus Author: Erin Morgenstern Rating: Easy Genre: Fantasy Le Circque des Réves is only open at night, and a fierce competition unfolds between two magicians: Celia and Marco. Despite rising tensions, the two fall in love, unleashing dangerous consequences. “The Night Circus captures a hundred different themes in one. From magic to drama to angst, this book is one I would recommend to all readers, especially those with a strong imagination.” — Ashni Mathuria, 10 Title: The Interestings: A Novel Author: Meg Wolitzer Rating: Easy Genre: Realistic Fiction Six teenagers meet the summer after President Nixon’s resignation and become inseparable. The novel traces the stories of these friends through their youths and adult lives as they merge and separate in New York City. “The Interestings depicts the progression of friendships through the decades. The dialogue between the characters is quick-witted while managing to be poignant in portraying their relationships.” — Andrew Leung, 11
Staff Recommendation
Title: American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers Author: Nancy Jo Sales Rating: Easy to Moderate Genre: Nonfiction
The dominant force in the lives of girls coming of age in America today is social media. American Girls discusses the impact of social media on an entire generation of young women. “I find it interesting because of the work I do here at MSJ. I discovered so many social media apps, and I’m trying to educate myself so I think of the world students here are living in now.” — Counselor DeAnne Andrews
knopfdoubleday.com
By Jessica Jen Staff Writer Celebrated novelist Haruki Murakami and eminent conductor Seiji Ozawa collaborated to record their conversations on musical pieces in the book Absolutely on Music. Absolutely on Music is written in an entirely different style from Murakami’s previous fictional works, composed only of transcribed conversations. It provides a unique look into the world of professional music as well as the minds of the two authors. Absolutely on Music is translated from Japanese by Jay Rubin, and as such is a moderate rather than difficult read despite the technical and sometimes obscure musical references. These are conversations between two experts in their respective fields about musical legends. Ozawa studied under famed conductor Leonard Bernstein and frequently associated with well-known conductors and musicians, such as Glenn Gould, Herbert von Karajan, Mitsuko Uchida, and Robert Mann. This book, while surrealistic in the sheer number and familiarity with which notable figures are referred to, provides an otherwise honest, straightforward view into the authors’ minds. Readers will delight at
Ozawa’s extraordinary conducting career while marveling at the legendary figures mentioned. The orchestra, conductors, and individual musicians transform into characters as they are described in detail by Ozawa. In fact, his career is the only moving plotline present, as Murakami is just the faithful recorder and audience with whom Ozawa regales tales of past performances. Leonard Bernstein, one of Ozawa’s close mentors, is mentioned frequently enough for readers to picture him as a relaxed, humorous, friendly colleague. Ozawa’s own story is told in snippets, from his time as a conducting student to his various performances worldwide with multiple symphonies and his latest string workshop in Switzerland. Murakami claims to be merely an outsider of the music world, but his knowledge of classical and jazz music is far deeper than that of the average person. His immersion in and collection of music far surpasses the comprehension of someone with a basic grasp of music. While it is likely that readers have not listened to the specific recordings Murakami and Ozawa examine, there is enough substance to make background knowledge a beneficial but unnecessary addendum. This
book is well-suited for classical music fans who can fully appreciate the conversations. However, one does not need to be a music connoisseur to recognize the heights of Ozawa’s career and the friendly camaraderie between the two, or the significant impact music has on their lives. Overall, Absolutely on Music is a thoroughly enjoyable book. Murakami’s previous books are surrealistic and make readers wonder what just happened, but Murakami’s voice is less apparent in this work as he shares the spotlight equally with Ozawa. Ozawa’s humor and vivacity is apparent, despite his age and illness, and Murakami is Ozawa’s loyal companion as he revisits the past. It takes much more than a dilettante to understand and appreciate the significance in the minutiae of their conversations but someone with a basic knowledge of music and composers will be able to follow the book. ▪
By Hana Sheikh Staff Writer The evolution of Donald Glover continued as he released his third studio album, Awaken, My Love!, on December 2. Glover, who performs under the stage name Childish Gambino, is a multitalented act that first started releasing mixtapes in the mid-2000s while working as a writer for comedy series. Since then, his acting and music career have taken off, making him a well-known figure in the film and music industries. His last studio album, Because the Internet, released in 2013, had almost double the songs compared to the new album and was more lyrical with rapping. Awaken, My Love! is a huge milestone and turning point for Glover. He is known mostly for his rapping, but the new album contains instrumental components and singing and incorporates soulful R&B with unexpected funk elements into the songs. The first half of the album is upbeat and starts with “Me and Your Mama,” which was released as a single almost a month prior to the album release. It starts with the twinkling of a lullaby that transforms into mystical instrumentals, as a choir chants in the background. The chanting is interrupted by an evil laugh as the song transitions into Glover’s heart-wrenching vocals and high-pitched screams. This first track foreshadows the first half of the album, because the same tempos and chaotic sounds are followed through until the fifth track. The second half of the album is slowed down, starting with “Redbone.” Fans of Glover’s previous album will appreciate the funky beats and relaxed vibes from these songs because they are elevated versions of Glover’s slower tracks from Because the Internet. The funk influences were Glover’s main inspiration for the album as he wanted to invoke the same feelings he felt as a child listening to funk albums. In an interview with Billboard last month he said, “I remember listening to songs my dad would play — albums by the Isleys or Funkadelic — and not understanding the feeling I was feeling.” There are many unexpected elements that contribute to the complexity of the album. The heavy auto tune in some songs contrast with the softer vocals of other tracks. “The Night Me and Your Mama Met” is fully instrumental and has no vocals, but is still a romantic song. These elements prove how effective Glover is at conveying emotion and providing an experience for the listener. Despite having fewer lyrics in general compared to his previous albums, the meaning in these songs has not been reduced. He compares racial inequality and police brutality to the fear one has of the “boogieman.” He addresses his concerns for his relationship with his child and the child’s mother and shares his fears about not being a present father. The album is a refreshing combination of genres, but it may be more appropriate for mature listeners. Overall, Awaken, My Love! would be enjoyable for longtime Childish Gambino fans, those who connect with the nostalgia of 1970s funk, and anyone looking to explore new music. ▪ Rating: A
Rating: B+
glassnotemusic.com
allmusic.com
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The Smoke Signal
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Thursday, December 22, 2016
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Sports 19
Boys’ Varsity Cross Country team spotlight By Andrew Kan Staff Writer Boys’ Varsity Cross Country concluded their exceptional season after the North Coast Section (NCS) Division II meet on November 19 and looks to continue its success in future years. The team consistently ran well throughout this season, the first season since 2009 where the team went undefeated during the regular season and obtained first place at the Mission Valley Athletic League (MVAL) meet. In addition to receiving first place at MVALs, four MSJ runners placed in the top six during the meet. However, the team fell short during NCS to the tough competition. The team placed eighth out of 18 teams overall, with Sophomore Nitin Sagi and Junior Shrey Vasavada placing 22nd and 23rd, respectively. Not only is the team unmatched by the other MVAL teams, but it is also young. Comprised of two freshmen, a sophomore, three juniors, and a senior, the Varsity team hopes to maintain its MVAL dominance in following years with only Captain Senior Thomas Scrutton graduating. The overall youthfulness of the team has allowed the players time to mature, gain experience, and improve. For example, Vasavada learned how to lead a race, and Sagi improved his Stanford Invitational time from last year by 90 seconds. Freshman Arnav Arora said, “We [the younger runners] can learn from players like Thomas and Shrey … It is really helpful when you are younger because you can learn from the mistakes of the older runners.” According to Head Coach Jack Marden, several factors influenced the team’s success this season. Its dominant early wins led to increased enthusiasm from the runners, which in turn led to better practices and meets. “The simple fact is, even though it is not about winning, winning allows you to do more,” said Marden. Additionally, the team has had a large amount of talent in recent years. Runners
courtesy jan scrutton
Junior Anish Junnarkar, Sophomore Nitin Sagi, Senior Thomas Scrutton, Junior Abhishek Shah, Freshman Ashwin Provine, Junior Shrey Vasavada, and Freshmen Arnav Arora and Ansh Singh after winning league finals.
such as Senior Vedant Mehta, Vasavada, and Sagi were all top Varsity runners in their freshman year, and Arora and Freshman Ashwin Provine have continued that trend. This talent has allowed the team to have faster individual runners as well as different training practices. Because of their talent, the runners were able to keep pace with each other and other talented runners, enabling them to rise quickly in skill. The coaches contributed to this increase
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Hazing on School Teams
By Ansh Patel Staff Writer The detrimental emotional and physical effects of hazing have been brought to light in recent years, but the abusive practice remains a common problem in sports teams across America. Hazing refers to forced activities for new recruits to “prove” their worth to join a team. They may be forced to consume alcohol, be humiliated in front of their friends, or beaten and physically abused. A study conducted by the University of Maine in 2008 found that 47 percent of students report being hazed in high school, and 42 percent of college athletes reported a history of hazing during high school. Though there isn’t a clear explanation for why athletes haze, Aldo Cimino, a professor in the Department of Anthropology at University of California, Santa Barbara, suggests that hazing, as a form of initiation into a group, may be inherent to our way of thinking. He writes, “The human mind may be designed to respond to new group members in a variety of ways… the persistence of hazing across different social, demographic and ecological environments suggests that our shared, evolved psychology may be playing a role.” Hazing is a form of bullying; it’s often violent, intended to embarrass or to put newcomers down. However, the fact that players are expected to establish camaraderie on a team after hazing each other makes it difficult to understand why players haze. It’s strange that athletes put their teammates through such trauma and then expect to be allies during a game. Hazing may be a mechanism to enforce a hierarchy within sport teams. It would cement veteran members’ place as superiors to new-
comers, sheltering their ego and pride from threats posed by younger, potentially better, players. Regardless of its cause, hazing comes with dangerous consequences. The Center for College Health and Safety finds that victims of hazing through verbal abuse often report significantly lower levels of self-esteem, high levels of depression, and higher suicide rates. The same study found that players that are physically harassed during their hazing often require hospital care after being beaten or sexually assaulted as a part of their initiation. The first step to stopping hazing is reporting the problem. Unfortunately, a survey conducted by Susan Goetschius of Alfred University in 2014 finds that 40 percent of high school students victimized by hazing do not tell an adult because they feel adults would not know how to handle it. Therefore, it’s even more imperative that coaches, administrators, and teachers are proactive in uncovering hazing on campuses across the US. FUSD district policy states that “all students, staff, parents/guardians and volunteers have the right to be free from any hate crime, hazing, and/or degrading and inflammatory statements,” and students found hazing can be suspended or expelled. However, even if schools have strict anti-harassment rules, hazing may still take place on campus. Athletic Director Thomas Thomsen said, “While there hasn’t been a major hazing incident on campus for nearly a decade, if students witness it on campus, they should immediately notify the team captain or coach before the problem gets out of hand.” ▪
by having more quality and specific workouts, such as whistle drills, which simulate tough races and help improve team grouping. While the team had a season comprised mostly of highlights, it did have its downs. Mehta was injured the entire season, and Junior Abhishek Shah was also injured for part of it. Despite these setbacks, however, the team was able to overcome them with other capable runners taking
the injured runners’ places, and retained a positive atmosphere the entire season. Many team members are currently preparing for the Track and Field season in spring. They also hope to make it to the 2017 California Interscholastic Federation Cross Country State Championship meet. Scrutton said, “It has been an honor running with these guys. I am going to miss them next year when I leave. They’re going to be great.” ▪
Spotlight: Elena Jin By Ella Chen Staff Writer After winning a national fencing tourna- SS: Do you intend to pursue fencing in the fument that catapulted Senior Elena Jin into a ture? Why or why not? top division ranking, the Smoke Signal sat down EJ: Yes, because I’d say fencing is a big part of with her in an interview about her fencing ca- my life. It’s helped me grow a lot. It’s helped me be confident in myself, and it’s not a popureer. lar sport. Knowing that I do it gives me a conThe Smoke Signal: When did you first start fidence boost. your fencing career and how has your passion SS: What has balancing life as an athlete and for the sport grown since then? Elena Jin: I started fencing in the summer student taught you? of fifth grade. I got into it because my broth- EJ: It’s taught me to make the most of my er was into the sport and it was sensible for time. The commute between home and my my parents to send both of us to practice. I club is 30 minutes each way, and I do homesoon realized it’s more than what it seems. It’s work or sleep on the car. When I come home, as much a mental as it is a physical sport. You I try to start homework right away. have to adapt really quickly to circumstances SS: If you meet an aspiring fencer, what advice and that’s why I was intrigued by it. would you offer? SS: Was competing at this tournament similar EJ: There’s going to be lots of failures and to your experience at other tournaments? How bottlenecks, but getting past them is rewarding. Fencing isn’t an easy sport to start with. It’s was it different? EJ: The last tournament was the North Ameri- cool to watch high-level fencers, but when you can Cup in Reno. Prior to this tournament, I step out on the strip, you may realize you’re not was rated an E ranking in the past four years anywhere near as good as they are. Don’t be out of A, B, C, D, E, and unrated rankings. I discouraged because there’s always something was at a bottleneck, and I couldn’t advance to to learn. With practice, you’ll get there. the next rating no matter what I did. The cup started off like any other competition. I did SS: What are your future goals in fencing? well in pools, which is the preliminary stage. EJ: Right now, I’m rated a B15. My goal this But this time, during the direct eliminations, year and the next is to renew that rating. An things seemed to come together, and with my even more ambitious goal is to advance to an coach cheering me on at the side of the strip, I A rating. ▪ did much better than before. SS: How has fencing evolved? What are some misconceptions that people have about this sport? EJ: People normally think fencing is a slashing sport. There are three weapons, and of them, I fence foil. There’s a valid target area in foil, which is the upper half of the body, including the torso but excluding the arms. In foil, there’s a right of way, so even if you hit your opponent, you don’t always get the point.
Senior Elena Jin
staff writer ella chen
20 Sports
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boys’ Basketball The Boys’ Basketball team currently consists of a Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman team. Although this year’s team is much younger than last year’s due to multiple seniors graduating, the experienced players are expected to become the leaders this year. The team is small, but each player aims for overall well-round edness and mental endurance. The team hopes that each member will play at their maximum potential and stay on the same page so that they can be competitive in all of their games.
The Smoke Signal
Thursday, December 22, 2016
wrestling Wrestling is split into a Junior Varsity and a Varsity team. As an influx of new participants joined wrestling, this year’s team is much younger compared to last year’s. However, the diversity allows for a greater range of differently skilled wrestlers to train with. One of the team’s biggest challenges is maintaining the discipline needed to manage their weight by monitoring their diet and controlling their caloric intake. The team hopes to improve throughout the season, focusing on their goal to win in all of their matches.
girls’ basketball
Girls’ Basketball is composed of Junior Varsity and Varsity teams. Despite the loss of their captain and key players, the team’s lack of experienced leaders will hopefully encourage players to step up and take on leadership roles. Off-season practice and competing in outside leagues have developed their basketball skills, giving them an advantage to do well competitively. Their aim for this season is to build up By Gloria Chang & Joelle Chuang confidence, improve constantly Staff Writers through practice, and excel in their games. Winter sports teams have dedicated their time and hard work to training and competing. Take a quick look at the goals and expectations from coaches and Cheer will continue cheering at basketball captains for the five sports which will be games and competitions for the duration of competing in the Mission Valley Athletic the winter sports season. League (MVAL) during the winter season.
Winter Sports Preview
Girls’ soccer
Having only lost two senior players from last year, the Girls’ Soccer Varsity and Junior Varsity teams have received an abundance of new players this season; the number of team members total 45. With many younger participants, veteran soccer players take on the responsibility of building up and encouraging their inexperienced teammates. The team hopes to overcome differences in age, experience, and skill levels in order to bolster team coordination, bonding, and soccer abilities. A major strength for this season is the leadership of strong, “soccer-smart” players who unite the entire team and help to improve those who are unfamiliar with Varsity Soccer.
boys’ soccer The Boys’ Varsity and Junior Varsity teams have entered this season with more confidence. More than 10 seniors have joined the team this year, boosting overall team morale and strengthening their resolve to win. They now look to improve team communication skills, achieve a better record than last year, and increase their chances of qualifying for North Coast Section Championships. Although they may face injuries, fatigue, and defeats, constant ball movement during games and strong work ethics spur the team forward. graphics by cliparts.co
Thursday, December 22, 2016
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Sports 21
Fall Athlete of the Season Nominees By Shivani Avasarala, Anagha Mandayam, Michael Ren & Helen Wang Staff Writers During the Fall Sports Season, students participated in Girls’ and Boys’ Water Polo, Girls’ Tennis, Girls’ and Boys’ Cross Country, Girls’ Volleyball, Gymnastics, Cheer, and Girls’ Golf. The Smoke Signal features the nominees for athlete of the season from each sport and describes their performance and role in their respective teams below. The overall Athlete of the Season title was awarded to Junior Shrey Vasavada for a second consecutive year.
sarah chen, Girls’ Waterpolo
Shrey VasavadA, BOys Cross Country
Captain Senior Sarah Chen played an integral Fall Athlete of the Season winner Junior Shrey role in Girls’ Water Polo’s third place finVasavada originally joined Cross Country as ish at the Mission Valley Athletic League Ficonditioning for soccer, but began to enjoy nals (MVALs). Chen first began swimming the sport and has been on the Varsity team when she was 8 years old, and became interfor the past three years. Since his freshman ested in water polo after watching the sport year, Vasavada has developed skills through in the 2012 London Summer Olympics. She being on the team that he now finds applisubsequently joined Girls’ Water Polo in her cable to other parts of his life, such as rigor freshman year and played the sport throughand work ethic. This past season, Vasavada out high school. During her senior year as has improved and achieved his new personal captain, she organized many team bonding best time for the three-mile race, 15:33, while activities and also served to give the team a competing at MVALs. In addition, he placed encouraging and positive atmosphere. Her in the top 30 at the Stanford Invitational that role model is former Olympic gold medtook place on October 1. “I don’t see myself alist Brenda Villa, who was key to the success of Team USA’s Water Polo team. Chen as the best; every race, I’ve put in the best effort and hope for the best outcome,” Vasavada can also relate to Villa because of their comparable heights. “I’m quite the midg- said. Next season, he hopes the Varsity Boys’ team will make it to the State Championship meet. et myself and [Villa] reminds me that short people can still dominate in sports,” said Chen.
jayashri viswanathan, Girls’ Tennis
Audrey Lin, Girls’ Golf
Captain Junior Audrey Lin led the Girls’ Golf team through a rewarding season, while also placing medals in six tournaments this year and setting her personal best record during MVALs. Influenced by both her father and grandfather, Lin decided to play golf while still in eighth grade and now plays a crucial role on her team as captain, helping less experienced team members adjust to the sport and improve their skills throughout the season. On her sources of inspiration, Lin said, “My role models would be both my coaches … Seeing how much they have to work to help me improve really motivates me.” In the future, Lin plans on practicing and improving her skills, and pursuing this sport through her college career.
Captain Senior Jayashri Viswanathan first started playing tennis alongside her father at the age of 8. She went on to play Varsity tennis for all four years of high school and was the only senior on the team this past season. As captain, she asserted that everyone attended practice regularly and guided the team through a strong season, finishing with a 14-0 regular season record. Viswanathan and her doubles partner, freshman Ellyn Xu, won their first match at MVALs, which took place at Chabot College. In addition, Viswanathan won her singles North Coast Section (NCS) match at Monte Vista. Viswanathan said “Even though [the team] lost to Monte Vista, the best team in the state, we put up a really good fight.” Viswanathan’s achievements this season won her the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP). As she moves on to college, she hopes to play club tennis for the college she attends.
Jiti sarkar, Cheer
Captain Senior Jiti Sarkar first heard about the Cheer team in eighth grade and joined due to her interest in dance. Sarkar went on to become captain during her sophomore year and this season she is the only senior on the team. As captain, she has the most experience and is working to ensure that other members improve as well. Sarkar said, “Everyone looks up to me when they need advice or when they need to know how to do something.” So far this year, Sarkar was nominated as an All-American Cheerleader and was invited to participate in a National Cheer Association performance in London and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but declined both offers. Currently, Sarkar is unsure whether she will continue to do cheer in college.
sabrina shih, Gymnastics
Captain Junior Sabrina Shih played a key role in holding the team together as Girls’ Gymnastics pushed through the season for a successful finish at MVALs. This was Shih’s first year on Varsity Elite, after competing on the Varsity team through her freshman and sophomore years and placing all-around first at several tournaments. On her role on the team, Shih said, “As a captain of the team, [I] have the duty to always encourage all of my teammates. To be there and to cheer them on really helps to bolster their confidence while they’re competing.” Shih also cites her role model as Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson. Next season, she hopes to maintain her performance and continue to support and build the gymnastics team.
Avery smith, Girls’ Cross Country
Girls’ Cross Country team were co-champions at MVALs, with Junior Avery Smith playing a vital role in the outcome as the fastest Varsity girl this year. Because every final position mattered, the team depended on Smith to place high consistently throughout the season. After her middle school physical education teacher recommended her to join cross country in high school, Smith joined the team and in this year placed first in every race except one and came in second at MVALs individually, even quitting soccer to focus on running. Next year, Smith hopes for more incoming underclassmen who can contribute to the team. Like her role model Olympian Jennifer Simpson, she strives to improve her times, continue leading the team as a key runner, and plans to eventually compete in college.
christopher ha, Boys’ Water Polo
Captain Senior Christopher Ha led the Boys’ Water Polo team this year. Though Ha originally didn’t find swimming enjoyable, he quickly found that he loved water polo after switching to the sport when he was 14 years old. This season, the team managed to reverse their poor start and end the season strong, taking second place at MVALs. Ha was initially frustrated with his team’s performance in the first half of the season, but he addressed the issues in the second half by working more with the team’s newer players. “Coming into the second half of the season, I became a lot more patient; I tried to understand their strengths and weaknesses and make them think as one unit,” said Ha. He is unsure of whether he will continue to play water polo competitively in college, but he still plans to return to the sport after he graduates.
michelle zhang & Cynthia Zhang, Girls’ Volleyball
Originating from Hopkins Junior High School’s volleyball program, setter Senior Cynthia Zhang and outside hitter Junior Michelle Zhang led Girls’ Volleyball to a strong season, advancing to quarterfinals in NCS and winning the East Valley Invitational Tournament. Cynthia, a four-year Varsity member and MVP winner, said “As a setter, I have to lead the offense and many of our technical decisions, which plays an instrumental role in determining the outcome of the play.” Her role model is Coach Donny Hui, who has taught her to become a better person and athlete. Michelle, who has also been a Varsity member since freshman year and was awarded Best Offensive Player and MVP in previous years, said, “I tried to be a team player and act as an indirect leader on the court.” Her role models are her mother and professional beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings. Cynthia and Michelle both qualified for MVALs all-league team and hope to integrate volleyball into their college careers. photos by graphics editor victor zhou, staff writers anagha mandayam, michael ren & helen wang
22 Sports
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The Smoke Signal
Fitness Apps
By Jessica Jen & Richard Chenyu Zhou Staff Writers
With fitness apps making staying fit easier than ever, the Smoke Signal featured six apps ranging from running to yoga that are a step above the competition.
MyFitnessPal
Charity Miles
Convenience: User Friendly: Usefulness: Overall:
Convenience: User Friendly: Usefulness: Overall:
Charity Miles allows users to select one charity from a list and proceed to exercise while the app monitors time and movement. Multiple charities cannot be selected at one time, but can be changed after each session. It can also run in the background. The app offers reminders and a variety of teams to join to keep users motivated. However, the app only works if there is Internet connection, which may prove to be a problem if the user is outside. Users can set their own exercise intensity and duration. Every mile is 25 cents on foot and 10 cents biking donated to charity.
The app’s main goal is to help the user control their weight by measuring net caloric intake and providing tips based on the user’s goal. It asks for inputs on activity levels and food eaten throughout the day. However, this is tedious and lowers accuracy because users can enter in any value for daily nutritional intake and exercise. Food and exercise are noted down in a daily “diary” and the app notifies the user about appropriate caloric intake based on height and weight. Even though its concept is good, relying on user input makes MyFitnessPal less accurate.
Down Dog
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Fit Radio
Convenience: User Friendly: Usefulness: Overall:
FIT Radio makes gym music easier than ever. Instead of putting together a playlist, users can select different premade playlists of different genres that are tailored to specific workouts. Running workouts even have playlists that follow a consistent beats per minute to keep the user on pace. In addition, there are new daily mixes, unlimited skips, and no advertisements that interrupt the music, features that rarely come in the free versions of other music apps. Regardless of your taste in music, workout, or intensity level, FIT Radio has the perfect playlist for you.
Strava
Convenience: User Friendly: Usefulness: Overall:
Convenience: User Friendly: Usefulness: Overall:
Down Dog’s developers believe that a great yoga experience shouldn’t be limited by a studio membership. Down Dog creates a new yoga sequence on demand. Users can adjust the intensity level from beginner to advanced and select different lengths and paces of the sequence. Clear vocal narration and helpful diagrams make learning new yoga poses easy and natural. Down Dog’s simple and intuitive interface makes getting started easier than ever, regardless of one’s ability or schedule.
Strava aims to allow everybody to track their fitness progress without a personal trainer. Built for runners and cyclists, Strava keeps track of distance traveled, pace, calories burned, and elevation change, and has an interactive map for each workout. Users can also share their statistics on social media and participate in challenges. It also synchronizes with most GPS watches, cycling computers, and activity trackers to provide an integrated interface. Strava is perfect for users who are looking to improve without the hassle of a personal trainer.
graphics by moveitmonday.org, play.google.com
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Thursday, December 22, 2016
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r figure skato’s passion fofirst took her nt Sa ia al M Freshman gan when her father competed at ing first been she was 7. She has pes to conskating wh dies Regionals and ho o enjoys the Juvenile La g through college. Sant provement, tinue skatinere is always room for imWest Coast sport as th emory placing first at e can be a and her m Balancing her schedul to practice Regionals. but she does her best she can, as challenge, e morning as much as ely manner. a tim skating in th schoolwork in well as finish
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By Evangeline Chang & Deeksha Raina Staff Writers It’s the season for Winter sports, and the Smoke Signal has chosen to highlight a few talented MSJ athletes that compete on the ice.
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skating an Pan beganly ice Sophomore Bry covered dis ick qu he t bu 6, when he was y better suited him. Currentthat ice hocke a national level with the San ly, he plays at and hopes to eventually comJose Jr. Sharks Division 1 college ice hockey. pete in NCAA broke his collarbone playing Pan recently d is on a temporary hiatus ice hockey an t can’t wait to start playing until it heals, butime management can be again. Though n tries to maximize his time a challenge, Pa mework and studying durby finishing ho, and on the way to games. ing read, lunch
Br yan P , 10 an photos by staff writers evangeline chang & deeksha raina
24 Photo
The Smoke Signal
WWW.THESMOKESIGNAL.ORG
Thursday, December 22, 2016
t r e c n o C r e t n i W s e l b m e s n E cal
Vo
By Stephanie Dutra Staff Writer
Choir Teacher Jason Aucoin
Students from MSJ and Hopkins Junior High School performed at the Vocal Ensembles Winter Concert on December 6 at the Ohlone College Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine Arts. The concert, led by Choir Teacher Jason Aucoin, featured various pieces by Concert Choir, Chamber Chorale, Musical Theatre Vocal Workshop, and Hopkins Junior High Chorus, as well as a special guest performance by Sophomores Jade Zhang and Julian Tso. The groups performed classic musical theater songs and winter favorites both separately and as combined choirs.
The combined choirs open the concert with “Ask Me to Sing” by Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse.
Jade Zhang, 10
Julian Tso, 10
Musical Theatre Vocal Workshop accompanies the vocals of the combined choirs with choreography. PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER STEPHANIE DUTRA. GRAPHICS BY SWSTRINGS.COM, CLIPARTBEST.COM
Advait Marathe, 10
Benjamin Lam, 10 Gloria Chang, 10
M S J ’s 2 0 1 6 winter ball, “Yule Ball,” was inspired by the Harry Potter series and hosted on December 17. Students mingled outside in the Harry Potter and Christmas-decorated gym quad and danced inside the gym. Photo stations and backdrops provided plenty of opportunities to take home memories of the truly magical evening.
Meghna Okhade, 10
Sophomores Advait Marathe, Meghna Okhade, Gloria Chang, and Benjamin Lam converse as they wait in line for Lifetouch photos.
Yule
2016
Ball
By Katherine Guo & Jessica Jen
Staff Writers
Louis Cai, 12 Students dance to their hearts’ content in the revamped gym.
Christina Di, 12
Math Teacher Tyler Robinson, dressed as Santa Claus, hands out gifts. Math Teacher Tyler Robinson
Seniors Christina Di and Louis Cai pose for a photo in front of a Hogwarts-themed backdrop. PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS KATHERINE GUO & JESSICA JEN