Volume XLIX, No.5

MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL

VOL. 49, NO. 5

January 31, 2014

41717 PALM AVENUE, FREMONT, CA 94539

Investigative Report:

at MSJ

By Alice Cheng, Tiffany Huang & Irisa Lee | Staff Writers

Printing The school’s printers are often a hub of activity, and many sheets of paper get processed every day. MSJ received new, more eco-friendly printers in September 2013 that have recyclable tubes. Unlike the past printers, the new printers also use all of the ink and don’t leave residue behind. When the printers’ ink drums are empty, MSJ packages them in Ricoh boxes, which are recycling boxes to hold the drums, and sends them to a company that helps dispose of the ink drums in an ecofriendly way. This way, individual users do not dispose of the ink drums in a way that may damage the environment.

The new printers automatically print double-sided pages, helping conserve paper. However, paper consumption at MSJ is still very high, especially in the library, since students often print multiple copies if the printer doesn’t work the first time.

The librarians suggest students ask them for help instead, if the printer is not functioning well.

Holocaust speaker: Read about Holocaust Speaker Dora A. Sorell’s visit Concert coverage: Hookslide and Universal Performer’s Live coverage: Check out MSJ Robotics’ Competition on saturday Webspread: MSJ Teacher quirks

cases

164 x10

MSJ uses

See BUSES NEWS Page 2

sheets per ream

=

plus

s?

13% 17% 19% 20% 31%

26% 32% 28% 9% 5%

usually

rarely

never

sometimes rarely

About how many sheets of paper do you print at school each week?

64% 19% 8% 5% 4%

0-3 sheets 4-8 sheets 9-13 sheets

every year

14-18 sheets

18+ sheets

30% 28% 23% 6%13%

0-5 sheets

Waste

always

usually

sheets of white paper

cases of colored paper

sometimes

always

We asked about 365 MSJ students some questions. Here are their responses.

About how many sheets of binder paper do you use each week?

820,000 45

food scrap bins?

AC Transit has discontinued the bus designated for MSJ students on route 217 as of December 15 and provided inconsistent service to MSJ since.

Previously, students waited in front of the Mission bus stop in an orderly fashion. A large, private green bus would have arrived around ten to fifteen minutes before the bell for the end of sixth period rang. Most students would be able to fit on the bus, and the driver departed promptly at 3:08 PM­­. At the stops where a large number of students would exit, the driver always allotted enough time for the students in the very back to make their way out. The adjustment means students now have to ride the public bus, which is scheduled to arrive at 3:13 PM.. The schedule posted on the AC Transit website shows that MSJ has been completely eliminated as a stop. The closest two stops available are at the intersection of Driscoll Road and Mission Boulevard or Mission Boulevard and Washington Boulevard. If students miss the first bus, the next bus arriving along route 217 stops half an hour later at 3:39 PM. Considering the volume of students who ride route 217, one bus already couldn’t fit everyone, which makes the discontinuation of the school pick-up bus even more problematic for students who originally took the second bus. Because bus route 217 is the only bus heading south on Mission Boulevard, there are no alternative routes or options for MSJ students except to wait 30 minutes for the next bus. Previously, the bus solely for MSJ students omitted stops at Ohlone Community College, but the public bus is obligated to go to every stop, further increasing the amount of time it

ing bin

By Vivian Liu & Katie Sun Staff Writers

x 500

How often do you use the campus...

recycl

217 bus route changes

reams per case

about

Page 3: annual crab feed to be held at msj asb implements new club regulations MASH makes changes to improve tutoring service

ECO-FRIENDLINESS

about

Page 1: MSJ Students make the campus greener ac transit changes line 217 service band gets two sheds to store materials

A green movement to transform MSJ into a more environmentally-friendly school is working to reduce MSJ’s carbon footprint and waste. In the past few years alone, MSJ has witnessed advancements in areas such as trash disposal, selfsustainability, and food composting. The Smoke Signal analyzes MSJ’s efforts towards a lighter environmental impact.

The campus is currently expanding ways in which students can sort their waste to minimize the trash that ends up in landfills.

L2’s Green Team, for example, is currently working on a publicity campaign on the importance of recycling, both at home and in school. Green Club has placed Terracycle boxes in classrooms and around campus to collect chip bags, bar wrappers, and drink pouches. These materials are then sent to the Terracycle headquarters and transformed into usable products such as picture frames, bike pouches, recyclable fences, and all-purpose cleaners.

6-10 sheets

11-15 sheets

15-20 sheets

20+ sheets

“I know students are sensitive to waste.

They like to see that lab materials are not wasted and that chemicals are disposed of properly. We still have a way to go, but I think we are doing great.”

— Karrie Ware, Biology Teacher “I think that having more recycling bins around campus would encourage people to not litter.”

— Ankit Kuchhangi, 10

See IR NEWS Page 2

never

graphics from clipartsfree.net, iconfinder.com, schmector.com, iconarchive.com, toshiba.co.uk, psd100.com, layout by news editor kerrie wu

Two new sheds built for Music Department

graphics editor shirby wang

(From left to right) Construction workers assemble the first of two new sheds. The two completed sheds will hold equipment for the Music Department.

By Kevin Chen Staff Writer Two small sheds were recently added next to the amphitheater on Jan. 7, 2014, as storage space for the Music Department’s equipment.

Construction was completed on January 8, using funds provided by both the Mission Possible Parent Faculty Association (MPPFA) and the Mission Boosters Club.

For the past few years, MSJ’s Marching Band has stored its uniforms and helmets inside M-4/5, also referred to as the Little Theatre.

The Band currently has an inventory of more than 200 sets of uniforms and helmets to clothe the group of 207 members. These items are used only a few times during the marching band season from September to January; for the rest of the year, they are kept in the Little Theatre.

While the helmets and racks to hold them were purchased only two years ago, the uni-

form jackets are more than 20 years old. These jackets, as well as pants, cummerbunds, and decorative bibs, require special care and attention to keep them presentable. Because of this, students are normally not allowed to take their uniforms home and must place them in large wooden boxes which are stored in the Little Theatre.

These boxes, combined with the helmet racks and other Music Department equipment, occupy a large portion of the room meant for the Drama class to rehearse and perform. “Having the band boxes in there made it difficult to have the space to work on shows and spread out for my classes as well. I was constantly moving them to arrange, clean, and get around things,” Drama teacher Tanya Roundy said.

According to Music Teacher Monica Kraft, the idea for the sheds had been discussed for several years already. “Funding has been a huge issue, and the need for storage close by the MWing is important,” she said in an e-mail. This

See SHEDS NEWS Page 3

2 News

www.thesmokesignal.org

IR| Eco-friendliness (continued)

13,728

gallons of food scrap collected

by Green Club

Last year, Green Club’s President, Junior Haroon Rasheed, introduced food scraps bins to the campus in an effort to sort waste that could be re-used in the earth. The green bins are managed by AP Environmental Science students and Green Club members. According to Rasheed, “we collected an estimated 13,728 gallons of food scrap so far; this year, we’ve raised over $10,000 to improve the program and build on our previous success.” This year, Green Club has purchased four new Triple Stream Bins to go in the quad. They are large bins with three compartments for trash, recyclables, and compostables (food scraps), respectively. Unlike the compost bins, which must be taken out everyday they are used, these bins will be a more permanent change to the campus to help students sort their waste.

Assistant Principal Jeff Evans and Green Club recently transformed the neglected vandal watch site into the MSJ Community Garden. By planting vegetation such as lettuce, cabbage, and flowers in the garden, volunteers help reduce MSJ’s carbon emissions. MSJ Garden has recently begun using some of the school’s food scraps, as well as organic waste such as coffee grinds and grass clippings, to create compost. Composting involves the decomposition of organic material by bacteria to add nutrients and improve soil structure. It will take approximately three months to cultivate the bacteria and conditions in the garden’s three compost bins so that the compost is ready to use in the spring.

Student/Faculty Involvement

36%

always

walk

carpool

approximate number of students who walked to school on the November 13, 2013 Walk to School Day

BUSES| Service continued from page 1

takes for students to make it to their home or destination.

Students must now walk over half a mile down to the Driscoll Road and Mission Boulevard stop to vie for a slot on the first bus. The size of the bus has changed from a larger sized bus specified for school pick-up only to a regular line 217 size bus, decreasing the carrying capacity.

As the smaller vehicle fills up more quickly, some riders use more physical means to push and shove their way into the bus. Once it arrives, the driver usually either tries to fill the bus significantly over the designated fill capacity or only takes the first few students.

In response to the service change, parents have begun a campaign to re-

2% 30% bus

bike

50%

individually in a car

14%

2% 3% 13%

never

14% rarely

always

rarely

usually

34% 46% usually

Do you turn off your electronics when you aren’t using them?

sometimes

30%

Other student involvement includes eco-friendly efforts from MSJ clubs. Mission Energy, for example, is a non-profit organization with branches at other high schools in FUSD that sponsors local green renovations and raises awareness about alternative energy around the community. The club has an outreach program to visit elementary schools and give them interactive presentations on the importance of alternative energy.

Their main goal for the next few years is to raise funds for solar panels at MSJ. Mission Energy plans to host an aluminum drive to collect aluminum cans and sell them at a recycling facility in order to do so. MSJ Green Club helps students get involved in local environmental efforts. The club has participated in Washington Hospital’s Earth Day fairs, leadership forums on environmentalism, and in-habitat restoration projects at nearby creeks, such as Sabercat Creek.

Relay for Life

Relay for Life, in which teams of volunteers fundraise money for the American Cancer Society, has impacted MSJ’s eco-friendliness as well. One MSJ team, Team Glory Days, spent January 13 to January 17 collecting recyclable cans and bottles from trash cans. Two people went around campus after school every day in order to raise funds for the team while preventing recyclable material from ending up in landfills.

Both parents and students can get involved in Mission Possible PFA’s Campus Cleanups.

Students earn service hours while giving back to the school campus. In the past, students have picked up litter around campus and swept away autumn leaves. Recently, a Campus Cleanup was held on January 12 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and students focused on trimming the bushes around the P-Wing, M-Wing, and N-Wing and weeding the landscaping. Donuts, pizza, and drinks were provided after students finished working.

MPPFA

300

22%

— Hugh Smith, 10

8%

sometimes

L2’s Green Team has been spearheading school-wide eco-friendly projects such as “Walk to School Day,” which encourages school-wide participation in a movement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles. On the November 13 Walk to School Day, approximately 300 students walked to school. The first battery drive, which took place from January 27 to January 31, helped students reduce the harmful impact that batteries have in landfills by collecting used batteries from students in collection bins placed in classroom and shipping them to an electronic waste company.

In addition, the L2 Green Team is currently working on a cans and bottle collection project, which will be in place in the near future.

How do you get to and from school?

23%

— Tony Bellotti, History Teacher

Do you turn off the lights when you leave a room? never

Relay for Life team Glory Days collects recyclables from trash cans.

Students participate in a campus cleanup session.

L2 Green Team

Clubs

Waste

“I think MSJ is doing pretty well in terms of eco-friendliness. However, most students are aware of the problems that we have, but don’t think of them as their own.”

“We would do well to have time to educate ourselves about green technology and use these ideas to create more efficient ways to save energy and labor.

We should move towards a zero emission policy and create as little trash as possible across the board.”

continued from page 1

Friday, January 31, 2014

The Smoke Signal

photos by staff writer alice cheng, graphics from anr.state.vt.us, toshiba.co.uk, chubbybubbybowtique.com, layout by news editor kerrie wu

instate the route primarily through filed complaints via phone call.

Parent Mona Nanda, who began the motion on Yahoo group ‘Msjtalk’, said of the situation, “When I heard that my daughter found herself getting pushed into the bus backwards due to the rush and confusion about the lack of that bus service, I knew it was time to do something. So I contacted the principal and informed parents through the Yahoo group. Clearly, the AC Transit decision created a safety issue above and beyond the inconvenience caused to the students.

We are happy to see MSJ, parents, and parent groups get involved and hope that the special 217 school pick-up bus is restored right away.”

In regards to how the situation has affected students, Sophomore Charles Han said, “For some of us,

the 217 bus is a convenient way to get home. Others rely on the bus to get to their after school activities on time. I’ve personally been involved in walking to the Hopkins stop just to catch a ride. Not all of the students can take the 3:40 PM. bus because being late to our after school classes is not an option. Even if they don’t

plan to send the first bus as they usually have, sending a bigger bus would benefit us tremendously. Senior citizens who can’t drive, ride the bus and the fact that students pack together desperately trying to get on isn’t safe, and most senior citizens have a rough time trying to get off [at] their stop.”

While the changes to line 217 have

led to significant turmoil amongst MSJ students, AC Transit considers the changes regarding Southern Alameda to be generally positive. Previously, the only changes that took place along bus routes were cuts to service. Though the MSJ private bus was cut, AC Transit significantly improved service for certain bus lines in the county. For these bus lines, AC Transit expanded range, increased frequency, and established more consistency in terms of scheduling and routes. However, regarding the MSJ situation specifically, AC Transit has sent surveyors in response to the discontent from the MSJ community.

It remains unclear whether AC Transit will reinstate the MSJ bus. As of January 23, the special bus has occasionally returned, but the schedule, location of pickup, and size of the bus still remain inconsistent. ▪

nbcbayarea.com The flu-related death toll has risen to 30 in the Bay Area, as of January 24.

journalstar.com The site of the explosion in Omaha that killed two workers and injured 10 others.

todayszaman.com Ban Ki-moon withdrew Iran’s invitation to Syrian peace talks after objections.

staff writer katie sun

Students gather at the MSJ bus stop on Mission Boulevard and Palm Avenue after school.

for the dec. 20, 2013 issue

Opinion page 7: Angela Zhu is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania.

A&E page 13: Vince Guaraldi was misspelled.

Sports page 19: Sports Editor Leah Feuerman was misspelled.

Compiled by Staff Writers Tanvi Raja, Arti Patankar & Abby Wong.

Flu-related death toll rises in Bay Area As flu season is set to begin in February, a new strain of H1N1 flu virus has been taking citizens of the Bay Area by surprise. In this season, nine cases of influenza-related have been confirmed. The Regional Medical Center in San Jose has set up a tent to treat patients with the flu on account of the severity and contagiousness of the disease. Flu shots are still available and everyone is urged to get vaccinated.

Omaha plant building collapses The intestigation is ongoing over the cause of an explosion at the International Nutrition plant in Omaha that took place on January 20. The explosion triggered a partial building collapse, killing two workers and injuring 10 others. Firefighters worked to free the workers trapped under the collapsed building the following day.

U.N. withdraws invite to Iran on Syria peace talks U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon withdrew Iran’s invitation to Syrian peace talks on January 20th.

Ban Ki-moon had originally extended an invitation to Iran with preconditions, evoking objections from the Obama administration and those of the Syrian opposition coalition. Iran refused to accept the pre-existing terms and will not be joining world powers in Syria peace talks.

Friday, January 31, 2014

The Smoke Signal

Math and Science Help (MASH), MSJ’s on-campus math and science tutoring program, recently extended its services to one-on-one tutoring. The program, which is available to students during lunch and after school from Mondays to Thursdays, now offers students the option of being paired with a tutor for an extended period of time. This new system was created in December 2013

by Senior Jonathan Lu, who was concerned that students were not utilizing MASH to its full potential.

Before the change, students who needed help in math or science courses would be tutored by available tutors. However, under the new system, students can now request a long-term tutor who meets with them once a week to review material. This option, not only offers the student a sense of continuity and familiarity by working with the same person, but it also provides the student with a stronger problem-solving mindset. “People come for help on specific problems in math and science,” said Lu, “however, knowing how one problem should be solved doesn’t benefit the student in the long run.” Having a tutor who is familiar with the student’s progress and learning style may provide a more permanent solution to temporary problems.

Current MASH tutor Junior Bethany Hung says, “I think this format would be more beneficial to the student, since it may be confusing working with multiple tutors with different -

teaching styles.” Lu hopes that the program will provide students with a stronger foundation to learn material independently.

Currently the new system, which consists of approximately 10 student-tutor pairs, is run completely by volunteers. Students from all grade levels are welcome to volunteer as long-term tutors. This would not only provide them with service hours, but it would also be an excellent opportunity to obtain tutoring experience. Prospective volunteers or students interested in one-onone tutoring can contact Lu through Math teacher Matt Lazar. All students are welcome to visit MASH, which has an emphasis on math on Mondays and Wednesdays and an emphasis on science on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Locations are posted on the walls of math and science classrooms. ▪

staff writer tiffany huang

Senior Jonathan Lu (left) helps Senior Mihir Sathe (right) during a MASH session.

By Andrea Tam Staff Writer Since the end of last year, two regulations that apply to all MSJ organizations with an ASB account have gone into effect, eliminating mandatory membership fees and requiring preapproved Expenditure Request forms for requisitions. These policies have been newly-implemented in compliance with district/state laws that have already been in place for a long time.

The first policy bars clubs from mandating membership fees, in accordance with California Assembly Bill 1575, which “prohibits a pupil enrolled in school from being required to pay a fee, deposit, or other charge not specifically authorized by law” (AB 1575). ASB Vice President Dustin Chiang sent out an e-mail at the end of October 2013 notifying clubs of this change. While clubs may request voluntary donations, they may not require students to pay to participate in any extracurricular activities on campus.

All clubs were asked to revise any part of their constitution that violates this regulation.

“I think it’s a beneficial policy overall, except in some cases because some clubs might have to compromise their actual content and opportunities because of the lack of funding. But I do think it is making the process of getting into clubs more fair,” said Sophomore Sonam Bhuptani. SANE co-president Dustin Tso said, “I think the ban on membership fees is detrimental to clubs that require funds because it ends up limiting clubs in what they can do.”

The second regulation, which took

News 3

SHEDS| Music

ASB implements new regulations

MASH makes improvements

By Tiffany Huang Staff Writer

www.thesmokesignal.org

effect at the start of this year, modifies the requisition process that organizations with ASB accounts must undergo. District financial audit results showed that the addition of a preliminary step was necessary to comply with district policies. ASB President Tammy Tseng explained that a pre-approval stage ensures that club spendings do not exceed the existing balance in their accounts and that the money withdrawn is used solely for the specified purchase.

“This pre-approval process will require a bit more work for all parties involved, but will hopefully result in better-managed finances for all ASB organizations,” said Chiang.

To approve a requisition, clubs must complete an Expenditure Request and submit the form to Leadership teacher Ben Breazeale’s box by Thursday 12:30 PM. The Expenditure Request requires that the club lists the items to be purchased, estimate the amount needed to cover the cost, and specifies which account the funds will be withdrawn from. Then the Cabinet, comprised of ASB officers and one class officer from each class, and Breazeale meet on Fridays at lunch to confirm that there is enough money in the specified account to make the requested purchase. Once the Expenditure Request has been approved, the club is authorized to purchase the items, and the requisition is passed at the next Council meeting.

The implementation of these two policies will hopefully bring about improvements by promoting equal opportunities to join clubs and increasing accountability. ▪

continued from page 1 year, Roundy brought the idea to Principal Zack Larsen who granted permission for the construction.

The MPPFA funded one shed, while the Boosters Club funded the other.

Each cost around $4,000, and were installed by a local Fremont company called The Shed Shop.

The sheds will be a permanent solution to the Music Department’s storage issue, and will remain in their current location next to the amphitheater. Many music students are happy with the new structures. “I believe that the newly constructed sheds will be great for our musical program.

These sheds show a promising increase in the support that our music program receives. Now that we have a place to properly store our uniforms, I feel that we can focus more on the musical aspect of the program,” said Junior band member Dillon Peng.

Despite the support of some students, others acknowledge the practicality but question their positioning by the amphitheater. According to Kraft, colors were selected to closely match the existing M-Wing buildings.

However, Sophomore Tiffany Fang disagreed with their current placement. “The sheds look obtrusive and dissonant with the amphitheater. Perhaps they should be moved to a less conspicuous location,” she said.

Kraft is currently looking for volunteers to assist with building ramps to facilitate moving equipment. Once the sheds are ready, both the Drama and Music Departments will benefit from them. The Little Theatre will have much more free space, and the Music Department will have a safe and convenient area for its equipment. ▪

MSJ Boosters to hold annual Crab Feed

Guests enjoy the 2012 Crab Feed. MSJ Boosters will hold the 2014 Crab Feed on March 8.

By Apoorva Rajanala Staff Writer Each year, MSJ’s Boosters club welcomes the MSJ community to come support the Athletics and Visual and Performing Arts Departments through their Crab Feed fundraiser. On March 8, 2014, with a ticket for $45, attendees can choose which programs to sponsor from the two departments. “This is the one opportunity for students from all teams to work together and do fundraising for their team or activity and for families to support Boosters,” said Andrea Hancock, manager of Boosters’ Crab Feed.

The Crab Feed raises money for various programs on campus. MSJ Boosters is a fundraising club directed for the Athletics and Visual and Performing Arts programs on campus.

They hope to increase parental awareness and boost the participation in these programs. The funds that are raised through their various fundraisers are split between the two departments.

For the Athletics Department, the money is directed towards game fees, equipment, and field restoration, along with other expenses. In the Visual and Performing Arts department, the donations raised go towards musical instru-

smoke signal archives

ments, band uniforms, equipment of all kinds, and more. In past years, the event took place in other locations, but this year, it is being held in MSJ’s very own gym. Boosters hopes that this boosts attendance and provides a sense of community for attendees.

Because of the great response in previous years, this year’s crab feed holds promising results. Last year, the crab feed raised about $12,000, and this year the club aims for an even higher goal. Attendees will be served all they can eat crab and pasta, along with bread, salad and dessert. “There [will be] a silent auction which usually has things like: Warriors tickets, Sharks tickets, Giant’s tickets, local business possibilities, Disneyland tickets, and maybe a day of wine tasting,” says Hancock.The various teams and classes also hold a raffle in order to raise more funds. This year, Boosters is looking into finding entertainment for the event in order to gain more attendance and involvement.

This new activity should generate interest and encourage more families to join the event and fund Boosters’ cause.

If you wish to get involved with Boosters or their upcoming Crab Feed, contact Andrea Hancock at ax4hancock@yahoo.com. Tickets can be purchased from Monica Padilla at msjhscrabfeed@hotmail.com. ▪

4 Opinion

www.thesmokesignal.org

The Smoke Signal

Friday, January 31, 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

the

The Smoke Signal

www.thesmokesignal.org

Opinion 5

Smoke Signal

Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 49, No. 5 | January 31, 2014 www.thesmokesignal.org

The Cat’s Meow WWJD (What Would Jane Do?)

41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539 (510) 657-3600 Editors-in-Chief Jin Peng, Grace Wu News Nina Krishnan, Kerrie Wu Opinion Sanjay Sreekumar, Catherine Wang

Feature Vivian Jair, Anjali Kanthilal Centerspread Tingting Bi, Lindy Zeng A&E Tammy Tseng, Peter Xu Sports Leah Feuerman, Ishan Goyal Graphics Shirby Wang, Anna Zeng Web Laura Chen, Supriya Yelimeli Tech Peter Chew, Peter Qiu Business Aamir Rasheed Circulation Abigail Wong Ads Genevieve Huang, Tiffany Huang Events Irisa Lee, Hairol Ma Writers & Photographers Anand Balaji, Jacinta Chang, Kevin Chen, Alice Cheng, Katrina Cherk, Grace Dong, Purvi Goel, Michael Hsiu, Vivian Liu, Arti Patankar, Melissa Peng, Iyesha Puri, Tanvi Raja, Apoorva Rajanala, Nithya Rajeev, Megan Ren, Hannah Shih, Katie Sun, Andrea Tam, Hanson Wang, Rebecca Wu, Lillian Zhao, Madeline Zheng

Advisor Sandra Cohen Send letters to the editor to opinion@the smokesignal.org. Letters under 300 words may be considered for publication and must include a full name and school affiliation. The Smoke Signal reserves the right to edit for clarity and length.

To advertise in the Smoke Signal, e-mail 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.

By Catherine Wang Opinion Editor Like a certain delusional snowman in Frozen, “I like to consider myself a love expert.” A couple weeks ago, a classmate was spilling the beans about her prom concerns. Apparently, the gentleman she hopes will invite her is so universally friendly that she can’t determine his opinion of her. “I think he talks to me the most, but he talks to everyone!” My conclusion: “This is obviously a Bingley prob we are experiencing here.”

“Shun me, but I haven’t read Pride and Prejudice in full yet. What happens to Bingley?”

“Dwai,” I replied graciously. “Bingley is this uber-affable guy so he talks to everyone and is genuinely kind to everyone so Jane Bennet has difficulty determining his feelings towards her. And Jane acts really similarly, so the fiasco takes most of the book to resolve.”

Though I don’t think I consoled my friend much, I did demonstrate the enduring relevance of Jane Austen’s books. No, I’m not launching into a selfhelp Janeite column -- or maybe I am. My point, though, is that 200 years later, that snarky, quill-brandishing spinster’s wisdom remains relevant.

Jane Austen was not a fan of literary symbols (unlike Nathaniel Symbolism Hawthorne, whom we all have to deal with at some point in our lives). Rather, she focuses on her characters’ internal and external dialogue, even if the people are just sitting and gossipping. Austen

mocked the sentimental Gothic novel of her time, instead writing about mundane mannerisms in daily life.

Thus, we as modern readers see her books as quaint “novels of manners” and overly rehashed romcoms. But what sets Austen apart is her wisdom. In today’s “go big or go home” society, we assume that the profound truths of humanity come from years of exploration or philosophizing, that life lessons take a long time to learn. But it’s really the seemingly mundane minutia of daily life that defines who we are. Big ideas like astrophysics and Gestalt psychology are worth studying, but so are everyday interactions between the people around us. By exploring how people grow and mature from these daily interactions, Austen made a lasting point.

We don’t have to go on an adventure to learn a life lseson, just as we don’t have to wait for college for life to begin.

Last month, in perhaps the swaggiest press release of all time, Citibank currency analyst Steven Englander used Jane Austen quips to explain monetary policy, proving that her advice truly is universal. For example, why support entitlement reform?

“People always live forever when there is an annuity to be paid them.” Message to Congress? “I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money: and what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too.” Props to Mr. Englander – and in my case, Ms. Austen, you may or may not have helped me resolve a serious case of proma. ▪

EDITORIAL: Fremont Needs “Small” Business The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board For years, small businesses have thrived in Fremont, but development now threatens the Connolly Center and Chapel Business Center, both home to local businesses that contribute to Fremont’s unique identity and community.

The developer’s consultants carried out a study claiming that the Connolly Center is a “poorly performing center... ripe for conversion to a different use such as multi-family housing” according to www.insidebayarea.com. However, while housing new commercial development can be helpful, it should not come at the cost of businesses that have sustained themselves for a long time.

Bob’s Giant Burgers, part of the Connolly Center, has been a local favorite for 52 years and is still in good business. American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop, part of the Chapel Business Center, is a charity resale store where many MSJ students volunteer and donate clothes. If Fremont allows housing to destroy these shops and others like it, development will destroy our community’s diversity. Moreover, if other cities follow this trend, small businesses that can’t compete against large retailers or more profitable uses of land will eventually all be closed, and family businesses and charity organizations will be driven out of business.

Extensive studies have proven that mom ‘n pop businesses do in fact help

the local economy grow. One reason for this is that they provide unique consumer options and experiences. In relation to services, local businesses tend to have better customer service. These small businesses hire locals who know the area and people well. Their staff also takes more time to understand what they are selling, know how to improve their items, and get to know regular customers.

Local businesses also contribute to ecologically friendly efforts. By making their purchases from other local providers, they require less transportation and produce less pollution. By operating closer to the middle of towns instead of taking up the spaces of wildlife habitats around the edges of towns, they reduce habitat destruction.

More housing development in Fremont will also overcrowd schools. Even without further housing development, Fremont’s popular schools are very full and have overloading problems, according to Fremont Unified District Teacher’s Association’s President Sherea Westra.

Unchecked development of Fremont does not only mean that local business will fail; it means that Fremont may lose its sense of culture, diversity, and wildlife.

Ranked as the second-best run city in the US on Yahoo! Finance, Fremont should set an example for other cities by supporting small businesses. ▪ Send letters to the editors to opinion@thesmokesignal.org

Sanjay Says NSA: Balance Our Rights

By Sanjay Sreekumar Opinion Editor It seems hard to believe but just a couple of years ago barely anyone knew about the National Security Agency.

Jokingly referred to as “No Such Agency”, the NSA was just another part of the federal government, similar to the FBI and the CIA. Ever since the Edward Snowden revelations, however, public opinion has turned drastically, with many people calling for the abolition of the organization all together.

Despite popular belief, we need the NSA to protect the lives and well being of American citizens. At the same time, more restrictions need to be put in place to help prevent our rights from being trampled on.

The main reason for keeping the NSA’s surveillance program is simply that it’s effective. The NSA has stopped over 50 terrorist attacks on our soil; attacks, if successful, would have caused a tremendous amount of damage. Specific plots include one targeting the New York City subway system and another attacking the city’s stock exchange building. The agency’s domestic surveillance program has caught criminals ranging from the notorious online drug dealer, William Ulbricht, to the world’s largest distributor of online child pornography, Eric Marquez.

The NSA, however, has repeatedly crossed the line when it comes to citizen’s rights. In order to get permission to spy on particular citizens, the NSA needs to get a warrant from the Foreign

Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).

Unlike conventional courts, FISC meets in secret and rulings can not be appealed or even reviewed by the public. The court is basically a “rubber stamp” for the NSA and reports show that nearly 99 percent of requests by the government to spy on citizens are approved.

Striking a perfect balance between protecting the lives of our citizens and our rights is difficult but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. First of all, the NSA needs to be more open about what exactly it is doing with our data. It’s simply unacceptable that we had no idea the PRISM domestic surveillance program existed until Edward Snowden leaked it. Second, the NSA must stick with just collecting “metadata.”

Metadata tracks information such as the numbers used in a phone call, not the actual contents of a call. This information can be used to track suspicious behavior, but is not enough to specifically identify an individual, the perfect balance we need.

Finally, the FISC court needs to be revised to allow for more transparency and citizen involvement. Even if ongoing surveillance requires privacy, the courts should at least release information of completed wiretaps so we can get a better idea of who the NSA previously surveyed.

The National Security Agency needs more than just a good PR agent, it needs to make changes within the organization itself. At the same time, Americans should recognize that a degree of surveillance is a necessary “evil” in the 21st century. ▪

Privacy Not Profits

We live in the Information Age and enjoy having knowledge at our fingertips and an unprecedented ease of communication. Computers have become pervasive and social media has connected the world, but have we sacrificed individual privacy and security for the integration of society? From e-mail addresses to credit card numbers, so much of our daily lives rests in the hands of technology that it has become our crutch, the underbelly of the modern world.

VISA, Sony, Twitter, Adobe, Target, and Snapchat are just some of the companies that have suffered from data breaches leaking millions of users’ data. It’s necessary that, moving forward, a tech company’s first priority, if not responsibility, should be preserving and strengthening user security.

It’s a very relatable problem for us denizens of Silicon Valley. Start-ups pop up left and right, but security is rarely considered compared to user experience, often taking a backseat to budget issues and a focus on profit. Snapchat, founded by Evan Spiegel, is a perfect example; it’s a company that has exploded to over 400 million users and subsequently drew a $3 billion acquisition offer from Facebook.

However, when Australian security firm Gibson Security revealed a security vulnerability, Spiegel failed to address it, and 4.6 million users had their phone records compromised on January 1.

Of course, this Snapchat fiasco is an example of relatively minor consequences, as the data breach was not intended to be malicious, instead demonstrative.

By Peter Qiu Staff Writer

Gibson Security tried for several months to warn that the app’s Application Programming Interface (API) could expose user information, but Snapchat repeatedly failed to respond. Still, amidst calls to boycott Snapchat after Spiegel’s lackluster response, Spiegel said his company was the victim of “abuse”. This pejorative mentality must change. Hacking opportunities will only increase as data becomes spread over a wider variety of media, and tech companies should make every effort to anticipate data breaches, recover from them, and teach users how to avoid them.

The consequences of these breaches will only worsen as we invest more of ourselves in technology.

Consider Target, which suffered from an attack that leaked 100 million customers’ credit and debit card information along with PIN data, while their hackers remain at large. As compensation, Target offered a 10 percent storewide discount and one year’s worth of free credit monitoring from credit bureau Experian, but the damage was done, and 100 million customers now face an increased possibility of identity theft.

In the future, who knows how ingrained technology will be in our lives? Maybe our very own genome will be stored online, or maybe we’ll all have a personalized JARVIS that keeps track of every detail in our lives. A data breach will become far more than an inconvenience; it will be devastating. The future starts now, and tech companies have to get in the habit of placing user security above all else. ▪ businessinsider.com.au, layout by opinion editor sanjay sreekumar

6 Opinion

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Friday, January 31, 2014

MSJ: How do we compare?

Approximately how much time do you spend on social media sites per day?

MSJ: 93% of students spend less time than the national average of 8 hours When it comes to how much time is spent on social media sites, it looks like MSJ students are pretty conservative with their time... that is, relative to the national average of a whopping eight hours spent on social media sites per day. Perhaps we’re all too busy drowning in work or cramming for tests to worry about who liked the latest photo or updated their status?

By Katrina Cherk & Nithya Rajeev

Do you listen to music or watch TV while studying?

MSJ: 78%

Nat’l: 53%

According to this survey, more than threefourths of the MSJ students listen to music or watch TV while studying, which is well above the national average of about one-half.

Although trying the latter may not work as well, listening to soft and soothing music may well be your key to test success!

Tablet Laptop

No Restrictions Some Restrictions Full Restrictions MSJ: 6% 53% 41% 62% Nat’l: 19% 19%

Have you ever seen anyone at MSJ:

Though MSJ students seem to be pretty cautious about their social media profiles in general, a lot of us aren’t as careful as possible. We’re a solid 21 percent below the national average in full privacy restrictions... Maybe we should consider setting more privacy restrictions. It might not be the best idea to leave that embarrassing Snapchat your friend screenshotted on your Facebook wall (colleges can see that, too).

MSJ appears to be pretty split on the cyberbullying issue, almost completely in alignment with the national poll. Despite the increase in the number of anti-bullying campaigns, there seems to be no profound effect on the MSJ population, as more than one half of the students surveyed know someone who has been cyberbullied. *Sources: USA Today, www.sleepfoundationorg, NCES, Los Angeles Times, www.sciencedaily.com, Washington Post, www.dmv.ca.gov

13% 25% 54% 70% 1. Text while driving? **

MSJ: 39% Nat’l: 43%

With more than one half of the students surveyed saying that they use a laptop to study, and more than one third saying they use their smartphones, it is clear MSJ knows how to use technology to its benefit when it comes to school, even though we are less than the national average of 70 percent and 47 percent respectively. These results definitely show that the students still use technology efficiently to study.

In comparison with the national average, it looks like the MSJ population comes pretty close to the national average.

Maybe that text about the latest Winter Ball “ask” or Bellotti’s newest pun seems pretty important, but it’s pretty apparent we need to put the phone down and focus on the road.

2. Use his or her phone while driving?** Have you ever felt MSJ: 51% drowsy while driving? Nat’l: 49% MSJ: 61% Nat’l: 45% Apparently, all those all-nighters spent cramming

Do you know anyone who has been cyberbullied?

Nat’l: 52%

Which of the following do you use for educational purposes?

MSJ Nat’l Smartphone 34% 47%

How many privacy restrictions have you set on your primary social media profile?

MSJ: 51%

The Smoke Signal conducted an online survey of MSJ students earlier this month, gathering 377 responses on a variety of questions regarding student lifestyle. Now how does MSJ stack up to the rest of the country? *

Staff Writers

While only 39 percent of MSJ text, a whopping 61 percent use their phones while driving. Not only do we have texting and driving problems, we also rank significantly higher than the national average of phone usage while driving.

for your tests haven’t been worth it. More than half of the MSJ student drivers admitted to feeling drowsy while driving. This can increase the risk of accidents and is as risky as driving under the influence.

** Talking or texting while driving is against the law and fines for using a phone begin at $76 for a first offense with various penalties. clker.com, layout by opinion editors sanjay sreekumar & catherine wang

MLK Day: A Time to Reflect

By Grace Dong & Iyesha Puri Staff Writers

On Monday, January 20, America celebrated another anniversary of freedom -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Many students regard this day as an extra day to study for finals or catch up on late homework, but the work of this great civil rights movement leader should never be forgotten. The holiday was officially declared in 1983 to honor the memory and work of a great civil rights movement leader. Thanks to people like King, America has made commendable strides in establishing official laws and legal rights for minorities in the country. Legally, the rights of minorities and other groups in the world have improved vastly, but from a social standpoint, not enough people recognize, practice, or respect these hard-won rights.

The Women’s Rights Movement was a swiftly advancing one in the 20th century, with women gaining the right to an Ivy League University education and the right to vote in 1920.

The movement did not end there, women went on to earn more and more educational and professional opportunities as the inequality between the male and female genders decreased.

In the 1980’s, women’s rights peaked as female salaries began matching up to those of males in the same industry for the first time in U.S history. The Equal Pay Act of 1963, signed by President John F. Kennedy, was meant to be the end of the disparities between female employees’ and male employees’ wages for the same job. And for a while, it worked.

The momentum from the official legislation powered women’s rights through the next several decades. In 1980, women earned 60.2 cents for every dollar men did. A decade later, that number had risen to 71.6 cents per dollar. Yet today, over 50 years after the Equal Pay Act, women still only earn a measly 77 cents for every one dollar men earn, according to a 2012 Census Bureau study. The law declaring equal pay has not ceased to exist, but respect for that law has.

The majority of companies today are founded by men, led by men, and managed by men. And who deals out the majority of employees’ paychecks? Men. Women attending the same colleges, earning the same degrees, and having the same job as men in their field are still shown to have lower wages and ranking. A possible reason for the disparity is that, despite the fact that men and women are supposed to be considered “equals,” women are still expected to be the ones who stay home for housework and children. Women in their late 20’s and early 30’s -- a prime time for promotions in both ranking and salary at most companies -- often take maternity leaves or rely on their husband’s paycheck. This “time out” causes many women to miss out on professional opportunities, decreasing their chances of ever working on the same level as their male counterparts. Many laws have been made over the years to ensure that women can participate in society equally with men. Laws like the Equal Pay Acts are hindered by age-old mindsets that place women below men, labeling them as housewives, mothers, “girls.” According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, if the salary gap keeps decreasing at the rate it has been, it will take another 45 years for women to truly equal men. Without respect for laws protecting women’s rights, these next 45 years will be a long, dreary wait.

Students in the MSJ community live a life largely sheltered from the sexism, racism, and stereotyping that exists today, due to the fact that a large amount of MSJ’s student demographic hails from Asian heritage, 84 percent according to a 2011 report by U.S. News. Other high schools, such as Oakland High, have a more varied student population, with 45 percent Asian enrollment. MSJ has a more narrow view of racial issues in society because of this demographically isolated population. As seen with Women’s Rights, a microcosm can be found at MSJ where the Civil Rights Movement has come to a similar standstill.

Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated for equality of all individuals and minorities to

By Grace Dong & Iyesha Puri stand equal before the law. His decades long fight against racism for African Americans Staff Writers has paid off as the U.S has recognized all races, Caucasian, African-American, Asian, and more, as equals of the nation. His work has resulted in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, two landmark pieces of legislation that intended to end discrimination against all racial and ethnic minorities. For the first time in U.S history, these laws meant that every citizen, regardless of race, could vote with an equal standard and not face major forms of discrimination.

Similarly, Asian Americans have enjoyed the same citizenship rights as Caucasians for decades. The first federal law limiting immigration and citizenship in the US, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, was nulled in 1943, freeing the Chinese from 60 years of oppression and suffering. Yet fast forward to MSJ in the 21st century, and it is obvious that however many legal means are taken for racial equality, these laws hold no effect over a community with limited racial consciousness. In today’s world, we take for granted that if an aspect of the Civil Rights Movement seems to be addressed legally and in print, the issue is resolved. In reality, the fight for civil rights is an ongoing social movement. Facets outside of race are addressed by the MSJ community. MSJ Gay-Straight Alliance is a club that works to end homophobia and trans phobia while preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation. ACES is a MSJ club that spreads awareness for endangered animals, fighting for animal rights. Organizations specifically advocating for racial equality are still lacking at MSJ, with little to none of the student community aware of these social issues.

The Civil Rights Movement has journeyed a long way since its younger days with Martin Luther King, Jr. but nevertheless, the fight for equality for all people has yet to end.

It was a mere few decades ago when this movement peaked and had millions fighting for the cause worldwide. Since then, we have rested on our laurels for too long and the movement has dwindled severely. The uneven distribution in the school’s demographics has decreased the amount of awareness for racial issues even further. The official laws protecting these civil rights are not an indication that the issues are solved and the rights are solidified. The people today cannot forget the work of the honored leaders of the past like Martin Luther King, Jr., nor can they forget to forge movements of their own, as the fight for civil rights is and may always be a continuous work in progress. ▪

MLK Day:

history.com, washnington.edu, loc.gov, layout by opinion editor sanjay sreekumar

Friday, January 31, 2014

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That Site for Books

Daniel Do (12)

A one-stop store to buy prep books is finally here. Senior Daniel Do’s website www.thatsiteforbooks.com is making it easier for MSJ students to buy and sell their new and used books, or as the site reads, “[helping to] facilitate the exchange of books between those who desperately need them and those who never want to see them again.” Launched only three weeks ago, the site already contains about 30 listings.

Selling those books is as easy as making an account and providing the photo, condition, and price; purchasing is just an email away. The site also welcomes listings for books and tutoring services and may expand to other schools and local educational businesses in the future.

Features:

-Website: www.thatsiteforbooks.com - Search bar - Index that allows you to search by category - Sorting function that allows you to view the listings by date and popularity - Accounts system allows private messaging between sellers and users

Feature 7

By Michael Hsiu, Genevieve Huang & Lillian Zhao Staff Writers

This issue, the Smoke Signal has compiled an assortment of several student-run businesses here at MSJ. From books to clothing, MSJ Student Enterprises have it all. Be sure to check out these businesses today!

KimchiCREATIONS Helena Kim (12) + Anna Kim (Alumnus) Remember the good old days when stores sold figurines of your favorite TV show or movie characters? Well those days are back! KimchiCREATIONS, founded by Senior Helena Kim, offers an assortment of charms from Sherlock Holmes to Captain America. Kim first began making figurines when a friend sent her a link to a website that sold boy band figurines and challenged her to make one too. KimchiCREATIONS debuted in fall of 2012 after Kim’s sister urged her to sell her figurines. These figurines can be purchased at www.etsy.com/shop/kimchiCREATIONS, with the option of being a keychain, necklace, or standalone figurine. In addition, custom orders for figurine characters can be requested.

Features:

-Website: www.etsy.com/shop/kimchiCREATIONS - Choose from many characters or custom order - Option of keychain, necklace, or standalone figurine

Create for Charity Sanika Paranjape (11) If you need a light, there’s no better way to do it than to light a candle. And of course, if you light a candle, you need a candleholder, and a classy one at that.

That’s where Create for Charity comes in. Founded

by Junior Sanika Paranjape in October 2012. Create for Charity’s mission is to raise money for women’s education causes by creating and selling custom candleholders. Paranjape was inspired to start her business after learning the story of Pakistani Education Activist Malala Yousafzai and recognizing how difficult it was for some girls to obtain a proper education. Create for Charity has raised a total of over $1,000 since its founding, which it has donated to the Fremont branch of the American Association for University Women and the Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha organization.

Features:

- Website: www.createforcharity.org - Numerous design choices - Make-your-own-set option - Donation of all proceeds to charity

Limitless Clothing, Co. Kevin Li (12) + Milad Moghimi (Alumnus)

Limitless Clothing Co.’s motto is “Live. Life.

Without. Limits”. Limitless was founded by San Jose State University Freshman Milad Moghimi who partnered with Senior Kevin Li. Limitless was founded with one primary goal, “To deliver high quality clothing for people with a free mind.” Moghimi received his inspiration from Pink Dolphin clothing company. Thus far they have offered two tanks and two shirts, which have both sold out. Li plans to release more designs this coming spring, so keep an eye out!

Features:

-Website: www.limitlessclothingco.bigcartel.com -Increasing apparel designs this spring -Branching out to different schools

photos by staff writers michael hsiu, genevieve huang & lillian zhao, courtesy daniel do, helena kim, sanika paranjape, & kevin li, gatech.edu, psdgraphics.com, layout by feature editors vivian jair & anjali kanthilal

8 Feature

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Friday, Janary 31, 2014

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...

A Principal

To find out what Principal Zack Larsen does from day to day, the Smoke Signal went behind the scenes to interview him and observe his daily schedule at MSJ. 6:00am I arrive on campus every day at 6:00 am and head over to the gym or the cardio room for my daily workout. History Teacher Jason Cain leads the workout routine and a few students will sometimes join us. We alternate between cardio exercises and heavy lifting in the gym.

tions in order to congratulate them on their achievement and find out a little more about what they have accomplished.

I also conduct classroom observations at least three to four times a week. During an observation, I select a teacher and sit in their class for one period to see how the class functions. I then fill out a report based on what I noted about the class.

By Anand Balaji Staff Writer

12:22pm I always eat my lunch on campus and I often eat with the school administrators so I can find out what’s going on around campus. After I finish eating, I take a walk all around campus, sometimes going as far as the baseball field and the creek. Usually I walk by myself but Officer Pip or Ms. Kim sometimes accompany me.

12:58pm Once lunch break is over, I return to the office and take a look into staff enrollment. This entails looking at how we have allocated our staff around campus and seeing if we may need more or less teachers in a certain department. I also take a look at the school budget and the district schedule for the upcoming weeks.

until then (usually working in my office).

Evenings My evening schedule also changes from day to day. Every now and then, we host meetings for parents and students to participate in (topics can cover drug use, stress, etc.) I’ll usually stay on campus in order to kick the meeting off and help facilitate the discussion. I also make a very strong effort to attend as many sporting events as possible that happen at MSJ. During the winter season, I frequently cheer on both our basketball and soccer teams. I almost always stay for the full duration of the game.

Larsen, at his desk, ready to speak to students.

Principal Zack Larsen doing various exercises during his daily workout.

7:15am After our exercise, I change out of my gym clothes and take a walk around campus to check for any signs of vandalism, making sure that everything is in order.

I then head back to the office and plan my day out in my organizer. Teachers who want to talk to me will usually stop by at this time and I occasionally have students with concerns come in too.

8:00am The specifics of my schedule vary from day to day, but I always meet with students who are at risk of failing to discuss their progress. I also have frequent meetings with students who receive commenda-

9:53am During break, I may take a walk around campus, or begin work on the Facilities Bond Report. The district hires independent contractors to do work on improving campus facilities and I submit a weekly report to FUSD with proposals on what our campus may need improved.

I also have to approve school expenditures daily and do frequent work on the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Report. Every six years, MSJ has to submit a report to WASC demonstrating that our school “shows the capacity, commitment, and competence to support high-quality student learning”. This report is especially time consuming because every claim you make needs to be backed up by verifiable evidence. I spend a lot of my time looking at school data to supplement my report.

Larsen, at a girl’s basketball game, cheering MSJ on.

Larsen working at his desk.

2:58pm Once school is out, I again walk around campus and check up on things. I then return to the office and type up a few emails. I often contact the student body through School Loop messages and compose them during this time.

4:00pm Most of the office staff will leave at 4:00pm but if I have a parent meeting or sports event on campus, I’ll stay at school

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Meetings Aside from my day-to-day schedule, I also have frequent meetings between other members of the district. All the principals in FUSD have a monthly meeting and all the high school principals have a separate meeting. I’m also on the GATE advisory task force and part of the Beginning Teacher Support Assistance (BTSA) program. I also go to the MVAL board of managers meeting once a month with Athletic Director Tom Thomsen. Being a principal can be tough work, but it’s always worth it for our students. ■ PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITER ANAND BALAJI

Friday, January 31, 2014

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Pull this page out.

Feature 9

Your friend’s parents have instituted strict authoritarian rule over every aspect of their lives! What do you tell them to do?:

Encourage him/her to listen to their heart and not be too upset. Remind him/her that you are with them ‘til the end.

Tell him/her to leave and join the army.

Follow your parents; they know what is right for you. “You don’t want to be part of another world!”

Stay in and study since it’s winter. But in summer, you can be a happy snowm--err--person!

Offer him his magic carpet. Question why he feels trapped when he has a genie at his disposal.

Let them crash at your place for however long they need. A few hours. A couple days. Years, even.

It’s cool with you. There’s only one condition- they have to clean.

You want to be a little more popular and respected in society. What do you do?: Dress in drag and do the hula.

Make a man out of yourself! You must instill the rules to greatmness: be as swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, the strength of a raging fire, and as mysterious as the dark side of the moon.

Compose a symphony and have the finest muscicians perform it!

Demonstrate your ability to impale yourself with no ill effects.

Try to do something no one has ever done before, and succeed. Fly. Build a Lamborghini from scratch.

Summon Hades from the Underworld.

Become a quick change artist.

You sense your best friend is falling in love with someone. What is your reaction?:

You are totally against it! It has always been you and your two best buddies, and now is not the time for your trio to be down to two!!

You consider it a job well done. After all, this may help you get your respect back!

No, under no circumstances. If her father finds out, your life will be on the line!

You like to consider yourself the love expert, so why not try and bring them together? It may be awkward-- not that they’re awkward but just because you’re awkward. Wait what?

You’re a geni-us. You can show her the world, shining, shimmering splendid. Tell me, when did you last let your brain decide?

First you feel grumpy. Then all the irritation makes you sleepy. Then all the lack of sleep makes you sneezy. But in the end, you’re just happy for your friend.

Your friend is being relentlessly tormented by two bullies. What would you do?: Encourage the thugs to chase you, as you advertise yourself as juicy meat and run for your life!

Try to fight them, and even though you will surely lose, you must fight, or dishonor will come to you, your family, and your family’s cow.

Inform a higher authority, who will deal with the wrongdoers accordingly.

Tell them to just let it go, to let it go, otherwise, you won’t hold yourself back anymore. You’ll stand by your friend, and there you will stay. The atmosphere may feel pretty chilly right now, but the cold never bothered you anyway.

Your friend asks you to help him, and you obey; his wish is your command.

You throw that bashful side away! If they want to fight, you fight! You definitely did not turn out to be a water lily!

You are the unrelenting optimist. Although you frequently find yourself in a state of oblivion to the world around you, you are as alert as ever when your friends need you. Your soft heart sometimes causes you to melt. You are as innocent as they get, and are loved by all! Besides your clumsiness, you have an irrational love of summer and warm hugs. You also aren’t afraid to call your friends out even for white lies - especially when they hesitate.

You are the comic relief to the hard times in peoples’ lives. Your ability to mimic others never fails to put smiles on your friends’ faces. You are at the beck and call of everyone you care about, and are always willing to put others before yourself.

Sometimes you may feel trapped, and your claustrophobia and isolation results in an unfortunate attachment to inanimate objects. You take on many appearances both to express yourself and to make your friends laugh.

All the parties happen at your house because you’re the most hospitable of your friends. You love helping out the homeless. You have a multifaceted personality and are skilled at bringing to the front the side of you that the situation requires. If you’re a guy, you probably have a beard. If you’re a girl, you most likely dig them on guys.

graphics by graphics editors shirby wang & anna zeng, staff wrters arti patankar, alice cheng, & nithya rajeev, layout by staff writer katie sun & feature editor anjali kanthilal

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Centerspread 11

By Katrina Cherk, Vivian Liu, Iyesha Puri, Megan Ren & Lillian Zhao Staff Writers

graphics from android.com, apple.com, clipartsfree.net, msjhs.org, pictogram-free.com, sweetclipart.com. layout by centerspread editors tingting bi & lindy zeng

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Friday, January 31, 2014

Pull this page out.

By Nithya Rajeev, Aamir Rasheed & Katie Sun Staff Writers

When we envision ourselves in a Disney movie, we always imagine ourselves to be the beautiful but bold princess, or the dashing Prince Charming. Without Sebastian bravely swimming into Ursula’s cave to the rescue, or Timon and Pumbaa advertising themselves as edible meat to a pack of sanguinary hyenas, Disney heroes would never have overcome their nemeses. Our protagonists get all the glory, but the story would be incomplete without their friends. Disney sidekicks have been essential to the main character’s success. So every once in a while, you become instead, the light-hearted comic relief, the loyal best friend, and the relatable character--the sidekick. Which Disney sidekick are you?

Answer the questions. Keep track of the colors you choose. When finished, total up the colors. Use your most common color to identify which sidekick fits you best! Have fun!

If a formidable army was marching towards you and your friends you would: Advertise yourself as food, dress in flashy Hawaiian clothes, and run screaming and flailing as a distraction.

Launch yourself at Mount Everest on a firecracker to precipitate an avalanche Saucily snap your fingers at them and try and put up a fight, even though you would rather be writing symphonies.

Ironically enough, your friends sometimes call you thick skulled, so you aren’t worried. Sticks and stones can only break your bones.

Summon your own army and arm them with weapons from fifty years in the future.

Stand up tall, and measure up to your standards. This is no time to fall short.

Your best friend is in bad shape. He or she is an emotional wreck. How do you comfort them?: “Duuuude... just, Hakuna Matata.”

C’mon, warrior! Warriors don’t cry! Let me see your war face! GRRAH! Give them life-changing advice and compose some lively music to cheer them up.

Tell them to do what you do. Just close your eyes and imagine what it’d be like when happiness does come.

Your friend’s feeling blue? Let them know you can relate. Give them a pile of gold and two bananas.

You put away your grumpy side and pull out your happy side in order to spread the joy and love to your friend in need.

You are the perfect combination of spontaneous and easygoing. Though you seem thick-skinned, you have a sensitive soul.

You never doubt your heart, and go wherever life takes you.

You will willingly chase away anything from vultures to hyenas if it involves standing up for the people you care about. And who needs stress? Your problem-free philosophy “Hakuna Matata” gets rid of all your worries, for the rest of your days! But even though you spend a lot of time lion around, you always come through for your friends.

You are the sassy, independent one in town! You have a streak of overconfidence, which helps you reach your goals. You are the most wisecracking, and tend to bring out the most laughs at the dinner table.

Riding a firecracker into a cliff is a small chore when you are trying to prove yourself and defend your friends. You can also be excessively optimistic, especially when coming up with new hair-brained schemes.

Your paranoia about taking every safety precaution has saved your friends in more than one situation. You think the most deeply, and give the most life-changing advice.

Your serious demeanor masks your deep love for your friend, and you know that while your friend may not see why you do what you do, it’s for their best. Although you’re relatively small in stature, your enemies find you a big enough threat to foil their plans.

You have your own unique quirks however, like a preference for your pet fish’s company over that of other humans.

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Friday, January 31, 2014

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A vibrant drum sequence and the bright tinkling of bells fill the room as the intricate blue curtain lifts to reveal a shimmering backdrop speckled with dazzling stars, instantly capturing the audience’s attention—and Starstruck manages to maintain the magic throughout Peter Pan. Starstruck shows off its elaborate sets, such as the charming nursery furnished with three beds and a bay window which Peter flies in through and the underground dwelling beneath a hill that the Lost Boys reside in. The curtain itself is an impressive asset, showcasing a large sun and a map of the island, including the location of the Jolly Roger and Indian territory. Even as Peter, Wendy, John, and Michael are “flying,” fog drifts over the stage, giving the audience a true taste of aerial flight. The

Gimme Shelter

PG-13 1/24/14 A stubborn teenager, played by Vanessa Hudgens, leaves home to search for her Wall Street father and is forced onto the streets in order to survive.

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By Hairol Ma Staff Writer ing with a gruff voice and providing a comic outlook on the famed villain. When he leads “Hook’s Waltz,” Captain Hook moves in sync with the rest of his pirate gang, giving the audience a laugh as the crew describes Hook as “slimy” and “repulsive.”

The most outstanding aspect of Peter Pan, however, is its stunning vocals. Wells’ powerful voice truly draws out Peter Pan’s character and gives life to the boy who never grows old.

In “Neverland,” Wells captures a portrait of the paradise Peter dreams of and brings the courtesy starstruck theater performers are attached to cables and expert- audience into Peter’s world. “I Gotta Crow” ly maneuver across the stage, soaring over also adds a touch of humor to Peter’s sprightclouds and hills. The setting greatly enhanc- ly character with his trademark caw. Smith, as es the performance, offering the audience a well, offers spectacular vocals that breathe life chance to fly along with Peter Pan and board into Captain Hook. The reprise of “Tender Shepherd” sung by the Darling family is touchthe frightful Jolly Roger.

Peter Pan offers a wonderfully executed ing and sweet, as Mrs. Darling (Julia Brunelli) performance that can be enjoyed by all ages.

The scenes flow smoothly, allowing the audience a clear understanding of the plot. The performers boast impeccable British accents, which are easily understood by the audience.

Overall, the performers give a spectacular portrait of their respective characters, especially Captain Hook (Jack Smith), Peter Pan (Cheyenne Wells), and Wendy (Carly Tilson-Lumetta). Smith perfectly captures Captain Hook’s every strut and speech, speak-

Phoenix Poetry Slam

2/1/14 6-9 PM Little Theatre Phoenix Art and Literary Magazine is holding a poetry slam on the evening of February 1. The performances will feature poets, singers, dancers, and musicians.

July

AE UPDATES BOX

By Alice Cheng Staff Writer

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longs for the return of her children, only to be joined in harmony by Wendy, Michael, and John. The orchestra also provides beautiful accompaniment to the superb vocalists, almost perfectly in sync with every note.

Starstruck Theater pulls off another breathtaking performance with its rendition of Peter Pan. A local non-profit organization, Starstruck Theater was founded in 1995 by Lori Stokes, a Fremont resident who hoped to bring a few children together for a local theater. Starstruck has come a long way since then, now performing plays such as Guys and Dolls, Cats, Annie, and of course, Peter Pan. Peter Pan is no longer being performed, but watch out for Starstruck’s next show in April: Willy Wonka Jr. Tickets and information can be found at starstrucktheatre.org. ▪ Grade: A

Marissa Nadler 2/4/14 Marissa Nadler, a Boston-based singer-songwriter, is back with a new album to follow its companion piece called The Sister.

courtesy starstruck theater

Robocop

PG-13 2/12/14 Starring Joel Kinnaman and Douglas Urbanski, Robocop features the journey of Alex Murphy, a father and cop, who is transformed into a part man and part robot machine in 2028 Detroit.

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Drama Exhibits Student Films

By Hanson Wang Staff Writer MSJ’s Drama Department boasts some of the most artistic and innovative students the school has to offer. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that on January 17, Drama Teacher Tanya Roundy hosted a film showing in the Little Theater, showcasing six of the best films filmed and directed by her drama students for their semester final project. The five to 15 minute films ranged from silent films to music videos with dashes of romantic comedy occasionally mixed in. Many were inspired by Broadway productions and musicals, such as The Lion King, Hairspray, and American Idiot.

Starting with the first film, Grease, the imagination and creativity of the students behind each project are evident in the plots, props, costume design, and storylines. One of the funnier silent films, The Red Ball, features a character frantically chasing after her beloved red bouncy ball that twists and winds throughout MSJ’s campus and inevitably bounces away.

Cameo appearances by History Teachers Jason Cain, James Nation, and English Teacher Brian Rath, as well as well-timed use of dialogue and skilled directing, enhance the comedic aspect of the plot.

On the other side of the spectrum, Boulevard of Broken Dreams was one of the best music videos. Starring Seniors Bryan McKernon and Daniel Zopfi and Sophomore Kadie Yazd, the melancholy video contains unique shot locations in San Francisco and a gut-wrenching tale of a man pushed towards drug usage. This video provided a stark contrast to the otherwise cheery videos, but it also utilized effective lighting to highlight the darker aspects of humanity and loneliness. According to Zopfi, “Our assignment was to choose songs from a musical. I remembered that American Idiot was a musical, and I convinced Bryan that we should do a more somber piece to contrast what I thought would be a variety of happier tones. I feel like Bryan and I, and the rest of our crew, since we were such a small one had this great

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courtesy bryan mckernon, kadie yazd & daniel zopfi

Senior Daniel Zopfi performing in his short film.

big plan of what we wanted. The original music, the vocals, and the spirit that we gave it made it a lot of work, but really paid off in the end.”

After the event, Roundy was extremely proud of her students. She said, “The students made a lot of progress. I just taught them the basics behind the films and let them run with it.” She loved all of the films, but one of her personal favorites was The Love Letter, a silent film loosely based on the story of Cinderella.

The drama students’ masterful directing and acting are at their finest in this romantic comedy silent film. Sophomore Muizz Jivani said, “That was my debut, and it required a lot of time, effort, and a gargantuan smile on my face. The direction given by [Sophomore Allamaprabhu Pattanashetty] was amazing. We experimented different shots, positions to coin something delightful.”

As Roundy said, “The students are very creative and innovative, and it’s been a fun process.” All the work that her students put in to the projects paid off as the members in the audience cheered for, laughed at, and applauded their friends’ and children’s films. The MSJ community will absolutely be looking forward to the Drama Department’s future productions such as the spring musical Hello Dolly. If these short films are any indication, there are definitely bright days ahead for MSJ Drama.

Watch some of the student films at thesmokesignal.org. ▪

We proudly celebrate 15 years in providing students a personal enrichment in writing, reading comprehension, analysis, SAT preparation, math and science tutorials.

We offer outstanding instruction with a talented faculty.

Our small group settings are unique.

Come join us for our upcoming session where academic success begins and thrives!

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The Smoke Signal

Friday, January 31, 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

Under the Radar:

Immortal Technique

The Smoke Signal

Arts & Entertainment 17

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Hercules ‘Mythed’ the Mark

By Aamir Rasheed Staff Writer

Felipe Andres Coronel, better known by his stage name Immortal Technique, is a Peruvian-born American rapper and urban activist.

His defining feature is the caustic political commentary on neo-colonialism and lower-class strife that he infuses throughout his music. His mission, as he describes it, is not to incite violent rebellion, but to spark a revolution of the mind.

As a teenager and college student, Coronel was arrested multiple times, leading to a one-year period of incarceration. During his prison sentence and subsequent parole, he honed his rapping skills. He also lived and observed the struggles of the lower class and studied neo-colonialism, which heavily influenced his rapping later on. He used the money he earned from winning rap battles to release Revolutionary Vol. 1 without signing to a record label, citing the need for artistic freedom and license.

He has since released four more albums and is now president of recording label Viper Records.

While mainstream hip-hop artists often glorify sexuality, wealth, and desires, Immortal Technique denounces it, urging his audience to snap out of conformity. He does not hold back when it comes to politics. In “The Cause of Death,” he raps: “George Bush and bin Laden/ are two separate parts of the same seven-headed dragon.” As with all extreme views, his ideas should be taken with a few grains of salt, but they are engaging, thought-provoking, and enlightening nonetheless.

But he’s not all politics. In his raps, he paints vivid pictures and emotions that draw the listener into the story. In “You Never Know,” he tells a love story with a tragic ending that leaves the listener reeling with sadness. “Dance with the Devil” does the same with a boy who goes astray to live the life of a thug, only to meet his demise in the most twisted, ironic way. Each of his raps is captivating, every one is designed to make a societal statement and send a message to the listener.

For those looking for a new flavor of hip-hop, and aren’t afraid to hear things that could rile up the NSA, take a listen to Immortal Technique.

Regardless of whether or not one agrees with his views, it’s hard not to respect someone who does what he does for a greater cause. As Immortal Technique himself has rapped: “The purpose of life is a life with a purpose. So I’d rather die for a cause, than live a life that is worthless.” ▪ Rating: A

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Mindful, but Lacks Matter

By Peter Chew Staff Writer

By Madeline Zheng Staff Writer

Even superhuman muscle fails to strengthen Director Renny Harlin’s remake of the timeless Greek hero’s story: The Legend of Hercules. Set in ancient Greece, Hercules (Kellan Lutz) lives in the palace with his kind mother Queen Alcmene (Roxanne McKee), jealous half-brother Iphicles (Adam Garrigan), and the ruthless, power-thirsty King Amphitryion (Scott Adkins). Hercules, despised by his own brother and king, is deployed to Egypt and left to fight to the death.

The story revolves around Hercules’ journey and his determination to return home alive for Hebe (Gaia Weiss), princess of Crete. As Hercules uncovers the truth about his identity as the son of Zeus, he discovers great powers beyond the realms of his own imagination. He

now realizes his potential to liberate Greece from the tyranny of King Amphitryion once and for all.

The plot summary may sound somewhat appealing, but writers missed whatever mark they were aiming for by miles and miles—the film falls embarrassingly flat in both the drama and action departments.

From the very start, it dives into the treacherously deep end of a melodramatic mess as the plot hurtles forward far too quickly, giving the audience little chance to grasp the story’s central conflict. Truly meaningful character development simply does not happen.

Actors exacerbate the artificiality of the script, offering unconvincing performances. Lutz spouts cringe-worthy sugary words regarding Hebe, while holding a face of awkward anguish. Similarly, cinematographers offer clearly artificial

hercules3Dmovie.com

backgrounds and animations—the vicious Nemean Lion looks like a Pixar animation. At least these computer-generated elements are vibrant; they saturate the film with inauthentic and cheap-looking color.

Meanwhile, on a more positive note, costumes are an eye-catching respite from the feebleness of the other aspects of the film. Fighting shirtless might not seem logical, but it does give the actors a shining opportunity to flaunt their glowing, bronzed bodies.

Perhaps that was the filmmakers’ true objective for The Legend of Hercules: to win the audience over with superficiality. Unfortunately, good looks are not enough to compensate for excruciatingly weak content. Skip it—re-watch the Disney version or wait for Hercules: The Thracian War to premiere in five months. ▪ Rating: D

‘Sherlock’ Is An Amazing Deduction

By Purvi Goel Staff Writer

Arthur Conan Doyle’s pipe-smoking, tweed-coat wearing Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognizable figures in literature. It is no surprise, then, that its resurgence in the past few years has taken the big and small screens by storm. In the television show Sherlock, writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss preserve Holmes’s familiar sharp wit, the famous deerstalker, and the 221-B apartment address. But much of the character is different—this is a modern day Holmes, with nicotine patches instead of a pipe and shrewd arrogance in the place of reserved dignity.

The show, however, maintains the charm and adventure of the novels.

Despite being set against a different backdrop, audiences can still experience the heart-wrenching thrill of harrowing tales filled with suspense,

danger, and a constant sense of good fun. Sherlock’s most recent season is composed of three 90-minute episodes, “The Empty Hearse,” “The Sign of Three,” and “His Last Vow,” following the escapades and incredible deductions of Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and sidekick Dr. Watson (Martin Freeman) as they solve seemingly impossible crimes.

Cumberbatch is brilliant as the titular character. His remarkable delivery immerses the audience into the troubled world of the introverted, somewhat-crazy consulting detective without compromising the character’s humanity, cleverness, and biting sarcasm. Freeman outdoes himself as Watson by bringing on a performance that cements the less-than-ordinary friendship of the two men and making it seem genuine.

Stunning cinematography sets the scene in everyday London as the “su-

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per sleuth” and his sidekick duke it out with a new villain that seems to ooze surreal horror and creepiness, Charles Magnussen (Lars Mikkelson).

The season juxtaposes Sherlock’s brilliant observation and deduction skills with Magnussen’s photographic memory, blackmail network, and superhuman intellect, pitting two very different types of cleverness against each other.

The new season of Sherlock is lighter and more comical than the first two, but easily as extraordinary. It brings hilarity, plot twists, and tension to the likes of which no other Sherlock Holmes adaptation has accomplished yet. “Oh, do your research,” Sherlock snaps in the final episode, “I’m not a hero, I’m a high-functioning sociopath!” defining himself as a unique and unstoppable Holmes that viewers will enjoy for years to come. ▪ Rating: A+

For indie rock band Young the Giant, their sound is the heart and soul of their music. Frontman Sameer Gadhia points out, “On the last record, honestly, the lyrics were kind of an afterthought. I’ve always gone at it in a melodic way.” For their second album, Mind Over Matter, the band drifts closer to a more open delivery common to other indie bands such as Grouplove and Neon Trees.

Gone are the muted ballads of before; Young the Giant breaks out with a more unrestrained style in their search for their musical identity.

Unlike their eponymous debut album, the drums are not only used for accompaniment, but dictate the flow of the entire track list. Mind Over Matter opens with a burst of fresh energy uncharacteristic of the band. A brief introduction showcases an expanded soundstage that now includes orchestral bits. The newly ramped-up lyrical intensity is carried by spirited guitar riffs that agilely twist into the higher and more driven tempo. The album leads into the featured singles, which compose the core of the album’s creative portion. “It’s About Time” has a heavystepped beat, sailing electric guitars, and a very passionate vocal delivery.

“Crystallized” wields a catchy hook that is followed immediately by what is undoubtedly the album’s centerpiece, “Mind Over Matter.” While barer than the first two in terms of composition, orchestral strings flesh the track out nicely into balance.

Towards the middle of the album, Young the Giant lowers the intensity and sweeps in trance-like phrases for a change of pace. “Eros” sports a wilder, more indie pop attitude after the break. Unfortunately, the album approaches a disappointing end without any notable hooks; most of the songs afterwards are entirely forgettable as rehashes of earlier parts.

One of the sketchy points of Mind Over Matter is just how loud it is compared to previous works, which may turn off fans of the first album.

Ultimately, the album shows a flipside of the band’s personality. While more structured and organized, the album loses the feeling of being a grab bag of variety that lent some appeal to the band. The band has yet to fully mature, since the album does not offer a clear, cohesive theme.

Mind Over Matter does turn out some gems that are worth a spot in your collection; the rest amount to not much more than noisy filler. ▪ Rating: C+

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The Smoke Signal

Friday, January 31, 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

The Smoke Signal

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Friday, January 31, 2014

photos by staff writers apoorva rajanala, katie sun & rebecca wu, layout by photo editors shirby wang & anna zeng