MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL
VOL. 49, NO. 9
June 6, 2014
41717 PALM AVENUE, FREMONT, CA 94539
Page 1: • MSJ’s first ever FUN RUN takes place • Mission: SOS efforts spotlighted by tv station • L2 unveils Campus beautification efforts • students and faculty pitch in for relay for life Page 2: • Speech showcase raises funds
MSJ holds first ever Fun Run
Page 3: • 2013-14: the YEAR in review • Four Albums on an Island: Check out our interactive spread of staff picks for four albums they would listen to while stranded on an island. • HOMSJ: See what seniors had to say • Wearhaus ARC: Learn about Alumnus Richie Zeng and the new wireless social headphones he launched. staff writer peter chew
MSJ’s Fun Run was held on May 24. Participants competed in a series of obstacle courses and contests.
Mission: SOS Rising Seniors Workshop
By Peter Qiu Staff Writer MSJ’s Fun Run, a new replacement to the annual Family Festival, was held on May 24 here at MSJ. Participants from grades K-12 competed in a challenging series of obstacles and contests. Food trucks and face-painting booths
provided entertainment for those not competing. The Family Festival and the Fun Run were very similar; both were family based, consisted of challenging obstacles, and could be enjoyed even if one was not participating in an event. The Fun Run was organized by L2’s Events Committee, and all proceeds went to MSJ ASB. Participants competed in seven challenges
L2 reveals beautification efforts
on a three kilometer course, which was separated into three categories: Green, Yellow, and Red. Each color was at the elementary, middle, and high school level, respectively. Challenges included standard military style tire obstacles,
See RUN NEWS Page 4
Behind the scenes of Relay For Life By Grace Dong Staff Writer
can be found in museums all over the world. L2 advisor Ben Breazeale said the idea for a statue popped into his head while he and the Campus Beautification Committee were thinking of different ways they could implement further campus improvements. The whole gist of the statue is that of critical thinking, which is very appropriate for an academicallydriven school like MSJ. “Environment affects emotional mood, and campus beautification can make the school look and feel like a better environment,” said Breazeale. He said that L2 explained its purposes for buying the statue to local companies, who pooled $10,000 worth of donations towards funding for the statue. The statue was bought from The Large Art
MSJ Relay For Life took place from May 17 to 18, but the 48 teams and 435 participants were in action long before that. Relay for Life is a 24-hour walkathon hosted by the American Cancer Society to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and cancer treatment. This year, MSJ went above and beyond to raise more than $43,000, surpassing last year’s event, which raised around $34,000. Team Kancer, a group of 15 MSJ students, have been fundraising since the beginning of the year. Team leader, Sophomore Karen Trinh said, “Many of our members have prioritized fundraising over work and sleep these last few months, but as a team and community, we know that everything we’ve given is going to be worth it.” Team Kancer has raised funds through doing casual and formal photo shoots and selling desserts in the community. The team has sold baked goods such as Twin Choreos, chocolate chip cookie and Oreo combinations created by Sophomores Ashley and Brittany Miu; Nagata Mango Mousse, made by Sophomore Chaz Nagata; and Bread of Life products, various breads from the Old Oakland based bakery. Another MSJ team, Team Answer for
See CAMPUS NEWS Page 2
See RELAY NEWS Page 2
staff writer rebecca wu
Seniors Richard Liang (left) and Andy Lai (right) speak about their experiences with the college application process at the Rising Seniors Workshop.
By Rebecca Wu Staff Writer MSJ’s Mission: SOS held its annual Rising Seniors Workshop at 6:30 PM on May 22 in C120. The workshop was dedicated to helping “rising seniors”, or current juniors, learn how to navigate the entire college applications process for the upcoming fall season. At the Rising Seniors event, a panel consisting of current senior students and MSJ administrators provided information and resources covering the college application process. Staff speakers included Records Clerk Jean Faust covering transcripts, English Teacher Katherine Geers covering teacherrecommendation letters, and Career Center Counselor Lindsay Rotter covering counseling. Seniors Jonathan Lu, Richard Liang, Andy Lai, Kerrie Wu, Sarah Mueller, and Aamir Rasheed made up the student panel that sat together onstage to answer questions. Mission: SOS selected a diverse senior student panel to include a well-rounded
See SOS NEWS Page 4
staff writer megan ren
(From left to right) FUSD Board Member Lily Mei, Superintendent James Morris, retired MSJ Principal Stuart Kew, Principal Zack Larsen, L2 advisor Ben Breazeale, and ASB President Tammy Tseng pose with the new statue at the afterschool unveiling on May 16.
By Megan Ren Staff Writer MSJ usually welcomes changes to the campus toward the end of the school year, namely the legacy brick project which has continued since its inception in 2012. This year, additional features have also been added, including a seven-foot replica of French sculptor Auguste Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” statue. The original 27-inch statue of “The Thinker” was made in 1880 as a depiction of the poet Dante, but has since then become a symbol of all philosophers and creators. The larger-than-life cast was not made until 1904, and numerous reproductions of this large model