THE
VOL. XLV, NO. 7
Second thoughts on Second Semester
Smoke Signal
FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010
MISSION SAN JOSE HIGH SCHOOL
By Sonya John & Joseph Teng Feature Editor and Sports Editor Three simple, yet incredibly loaded words: second semester senior. This phrase has reached legendary proportions. Apparently, students can cut class on a regular basis with no consequences. Homework and exams? Unheard of. Overall, students believe that being a second semester senior grants you the right to give up on formal schooling and to experience true “freedom.” Well, guess again. As much as we hate to, we will reveal the truth. Senior year is clearly the hardest year of your high school career. Stressing over SATs is nothing compared to what seniors go through when applying for college; researching potential colleges, filling out the senior profile, assembling letters of recommendations, rewriting countless essays, and stressing over deadlines drives you insane. Wait a minute - this list doesn’t include the physics project due in two days, the 200 pages of the Iliad that you have to annotate by tomorrow, and the calculus test you have to cram for because you’ve relied too much on Calc-Chat instead of working out the problems. But enough of first semester because it’s already passed…on to second semester. Now the hardest part staff writer cassie zhang
photos by staffwriters mary lam, aileen lu, & joy xu
ucs and CSUs implement waitlist process
By Rishi Das & Cynthia Kang Staff Writer and A&E Editor
On February 8, the University of California (UC) Board of Regents released a bulletin announcing that eight UC campuses, all excluding Merced and Los Angeles, will adopt a waitlist procedure for the Fall 2010 freshmen and transfer admissions. This procedure will also apply to the California State University (CSU) system. The move comes in response to budget cuts as well as increased enrollment in the UC/CSU system. The waitlist is designed to give universities flexibility in deciding the number of students to enroll for the Fall 2010 term. With recent state
budget cuts, the significant loss of funding for the UC and CSU system disables universities from accepting as many students as before. In past years, each college has admitted a certain number of stu-
more students to complete their schooling within California to avoid paying considerably higher out-ofstate and private school tuitions. Faced with these considerations, the UC/CSU system aims to po-
dents based on an estimation from past years on how many accepted students will actually attend the school. However, the recent economic meltdown has prompted
tentially maximize enrollment as much as possible for the Fall 2010 term. Recently, the state government has requested $6.9 billion
seemingly absurdist tale into a coming-of-age journey, bringing a much deeper level to the story. The movie begins with a 19year-old Alice Kingsley (Mia Wasikowska) struggling to make an important decision. Wasikowska does a phenomenal job of portraying Alice’s imaginative, yet innocent character. Confused and desperate, she falls into Underland (to us, Wonderland), the place that had enchanted her 13 years before. She is welcomed by a deadly
feud between the two queens of Underland: The evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and her counterpart, the kind White Q u e e n ( A n n e Hathaway). Underland itself is depicted quite differently. Rather than staying
See SENIORS, OPINION Page 6
THE SIGNALS March 19, 20, 26, 27 •Oklahoma! in the Little Theater at 8 pm April 2 •End of Quarter 3 April 5-9 •Spring Break NO SCHOOL April 19-23 •Multicultural Week April 26 - May 7 •STAR Testing
By Mekala Neelakantan Staff Writer Director Tim Burton has impressed the audience once again with his bizarre rendition of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Burton decides to focus on bringing the author’s true intentions with the story into the film, rather than just portray a young, confused girl meeting a series of weird characters. His goal is to create a story with a grounded plot, and transform the
edu-factory.org
in financial aid from the federal government to support its education infrastructure. The lack of finances may prevent around 5,000 students from attending the UC/ CSU college system for the upcoming school year. As students adapt to the difficult times, waitlisting may advantageously increase their chances of enrollment, since the Board implemented the waitlist in lieu of further cutting back on admissions. However, students will be required to wait a few more weeks for the final verdict as the UCs have the right not to notify the wait-listed
See UC WAITLIST, NEWS Page 2 with the colorful, Disney theme that we are all too familiar with, he creates a dark, almost haunting setting. Every detail and description in Underland is done nearly
covershut.com
See WONDERLAND, A&E Page 16
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News in Brief
The Smoke Signal
UC WAITLIST |
Implemented for ‘10
MSJ takes 2nd at Stanford
continued from page 1
Internet nominated for Nobel Peace Prize On March 10, the ‘Internet’ was nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for its help in spreading peace by expediting Haiti relief efforts and contributions to “dialogue, debate, and consensus through communication.” The nomination was made after a petition by the Italian version of Wired Magazine, who many believe are pulling a publicity stunt.
cooriosity.files.wordpress.com
The Internet is in the running for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has confirmed.
Shift in minority birth rates For the first time in American history, demographers have predicted that this year will be the tipping point where the number of births of minorities will be larger than the number of births of Caucasians. The births of minorities have increased rapidly in the last decade with the large number of immigrants who have come to America from Mexico and Asia. Another factor contributing to the shift is the number of women who are at childbearing age for minorities greatly exceeds the number of Caucasian women. This latest prediction comes as part of a trend that expects minorities to become US majorities in the next 40 years.
therainbowbabies.com
The demographic poles are switching in the US, bringing on what many have labeled the “minority majority”.
Fremont planning to build new skate park On March 2, the Fremont City Council approved a contract with Verde Design Inc. to create options for a new skate park. The facility would be located north of the Aqua Adventure Water Park, in the undeveloped portion of the former lagoon. The permanent park would be replacing the temporary one that closed last April. The cost estimate is at over $2 million. It would be made of concrete and include multiple deep bowls and imitate a downtown plaza.
applicants until June 1. Although rejected student can appeal to each campus, a waitlisted student does not have the option to appeal. If students are placed on the waitlist, they should be prepared to attend another school. “You should still submit a deposit and Statement of Intent to Register to a college [that you have already been accepted to]. If the UC campus that waitlisted you decides to admit you, you can withdraw from the other school and attend the UC,” said Counselor DeAnne Andrews. “This puts students in a difficult situation. [The process] even feels strange to us as counselors.” Since the new procedure is largely a result of the state budget cuts, the Board of Regents is considering differential fees. Higherranked campuses, such as Berkeley and Los Angeles, could have higher tuition rates than Irvine or Davis. This plan, although controversial, is a method to bring in more revenue to the more popular campuses. ▪
Matthew Jin, Eugene Choi, Jonathan Chen, Michael Choi, Bowei Liu, Carl Gao, and Merry Mou were part of the winning team.
By Mary Lan Staff Writer Zerg Rush was one of the two teams from MSJ’s Math Club that entered the 2010 Stanford Mathematics Tournament on February 28. This all-day competition was composed of four subject tests (algebra, geometry, advanced topics, and calculus), a general test, and two team tests. The team placed second, with several members placing in individual rounds. Zerg Rush is composed of eighth-grader Lewis Chen, Freshman Matthew
Later school start poll results By Stephenie Yuan Staff Writer On March 4, polls for the survey posted on the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) website presented by the Parent Representative Advisory Assembly (PRAA) closed. The FUSD board utilizes these surveys to help determine the district decision to change the school schedule to 25 minutes later, 65 minutes later, or leave as is. Results were discussed at the PRAA meeting on March 16. The board meeting will be public and televised, allowing FUSD students, teachers, and parents to know the decision as soon as it is made. Although the decision requires further deliberation, students at MSJ have been pushing for a changed schedule, allowing them more time to sleep. According to author of Doing School and Stanford University’s Challenge Success (previously named Stressed Out Students) Denise Pope, “The sleep research advocates a consistent sleep/wake pattern–so the
late start ideally should happen every day. I know some schools implement late starts one or two days per week. These can also be helpful even though they aren’t allowing for consistent sleep patterns. Students use these days to sleep in, or get homework done in the extra time in the morning (when they are feeling refreshed as opposed to cramming in more homework late at night). Teachers often use the extra time in the morning for more professional development or dedicated times to be in their classroom to offer help to students as needed. The schools that we have seen implement late starts are very happy with their decisions, and students and parents agree that it has made a real difference for student wellbeing.” The pros and cons of the proposal will be weighed by the district board and the decision will be made in late March. Meanwhile, students and faculty members at MSJ anticipate the decision that may possibly take effect in the 2010-11 school year. ▪
news editor megan bernstein
skateboardpark.com
The RampTech wood skatepark in Central Park before it closed in April. COMPILED BY STAFF WRITERS JAMIE LIN AND AMIT PATANKAR
corrections • On page 3, in “Giving a hand to Haiti,” Veronica Tse’s last name was not stated. • On page 12, Freshman Calvin Leung was misidentified in photo 3A.
staff writer amisha gandhi
Jin, Sophomores Jonathan Chen, Michael Choi, Merry Mou, and Juniors Bowei Liu, Carl Gao, and Eugene Choi. This worldwide competition attracted math enthusiasts from as far as Beijing to participate, as well as the New Jersey team that won. The Power Contest, a 50-minute, proof-oriented question on Ramsey numbers, was the first team test, in which Zerg Rush won first place. In the second team test, Saratoga Red, of Saratoga High School, tied with Zerg Rush for second place. Eighth grader Lewis Chen placed first in
Friday, March 19, 2010 two categories, with a full score in Advanced Topics and the highest score in Geometry. Junior Bowei Liu was the only one who got six out of ten problems correct in the Calculus topic test, placing first. Liu also placed fourth, with one incorrect problem, in Algebra, and Sophomore Michael Choi placed seventh in Geometry. In between rounds, the team played card games, including Hearts and Napoleon. In the afternoon, a Stanford faculty member gave a presentation on multi-dimensional tic-tac-toe. Tiebreakers of timed questions then proceeded to determine the top places of the individual contests. The day ended with awards of trophies, medals, and math books. Junior Carl Gao recounted, “The Stanford math tournament was a great experience. The day of mathematics and teamwork was challenging yet enjoyable, and the lecture was very interesting and complex. We also took advantage of the opportunity to socialize with like-minded math lovers from faraway places. And all our efforts in the tests culminated in our second-place medal, of which we are very proud.” ▪
FUSD budget cuts remain ominous in upcoming year By Gurleen Chadha & Sonia Dhawan Staff Writers Earlier this year, the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) school board was forced to implement a string of budget cuts in order to comply with California’s then $26.3 billion deficit. California’s deteriorating economy now requires that FUSD’s budget for the 2010-11 school year be reduced by $16 million. MSJ has lost a counselor, faced larger class sizes, and has had less accessibility to the library due to similar budget reductions in the past. “It is true that almost regardless of how you de-
cess to technology that are hurt the most,” said Ferreira. Along with the library budget cuts, a plan to let go of eight counselors was proposed. However, strong parent protest as well as the already high student to counselor ratio helped turn board members away from counselor cuts. Instead, they eliminated the 20:1 student to teacher ratio in freshman math and English classes. Teachers reacted to the cuts immediately. US History Teacher Bill Jeffers expressed disappointment in California’s government: “You get what you pay for—if you’re not willing to pay for an educated society, then...[shrugs].” When asked for a
You get what you pay for—if you’re ” “ not willing to pay for an educated society, then...[shrugs].
cide to make the necessary FUSD budget cuts, someone would be unhappy…Please spread and share the burdens as much as possible,” said Parent Hiu Ng in an email to the board. Many of the cuts, however, have not been spread out equally, as district officials try to look for areas that are deemed less than necessary. Recently, these have included sports, custodial services, and libraries. In the past year, library budgets throughout the district have been reduced by 50 percent. According to District Librarian Maile Ferreira, there has been a 40 to 45 percent decrease in the number of books checked out throughout the district as a whole, largely due to the decrease in hours that school libraries are open. Here at MSJ, the library is usually closed during fourth or fifth period because of understaffing, and is not open as long as it used to be before and after school. In addition, the cuts have widened the gap between students with and without computer access. “Although we don’t see underprivileged children as often in Mission, it’s the children without ac-
-bill jeffers, history teacher comment about the elimination of the 20 student cap, Freshman English Teacher John Boegman said, “Freshman year is an adjustment year, especially at Mission, with students under so much pressure… It’s much more difficult for a teacher to establish a good relationship and rapport in a class with 35 or so students, and it’s much easier for students to blend in and be forgotten.” The repercussions of cuts in the classroom aren’t limited to displaced freshmen; while many students currently rely on their teachers for outside help, that may not be a possibility in the future. At the Parent Representative Advisory Assembly (PRAA) meeting on February 16, Superintendent Dr. Milt Werner said that before the district cut down at the classroom level, they did all they could to prevent this by decreasing the district office administration staff. All that remains to be cut now are the expenditures at the individual school level. The cycle of budget cuts will not end soon, although it has already affected our libraries, extra-curriculars, classrooms, and counselors. ▪
Friday, March 19, 2009
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britannica.com, arcoidaho.info, anl.gov, fas.org, timeinc.net, photobucket.com, fredyt.wordpress, wheelhouseadvisors.wordpress, library.arizona.edu, treehugger.com, energy.gov, news editor megan bernstein
Students give their ‘heart for your gun’ Berkeley students study MSJ hotspots By Elisa Ting Graphics Editor This past month, English Teacher Lili Kim, and her freshmen and junior students spent their Wednesday lunches brainstorming on ways to help the raise awareness and money about human trafficking. Kim’s past students already held a benefit concert last year called “Not for Sale” that mostly involved seniors. This year, however, Kim hopes to attract a wider range of participants for the upcoming concert on April 30. After watching the movie, Taken, a film that shows the vulgarity of human trafficking,
“
Abolish Slavery and Trafficking. Publicity of the T-shirts was mainly done through Kim’s classes and word of mouth through students. The ideas and designs behind the shirts were solely student created with support from classmates and peers. “The idea of the price tag on the [white] shirts was thought of by [ Junior] Andie [Kuan],” said Ang. Along with selling T-shirts, Kim’s students also collaborated in selling desserts and wristbands. Juniors Kamron Afshar, Trina Duarte, and Parsa Barhaghi sold chocolate lollipops for a dollar each, raising a total of $65 all of which are donated directly to the Global Fund for Women. Another group of
”
Students are motivated to use their own talents versus just writing about [human exploitations].
By Sloka Gundala Staff Writer “What makes Fremont special?” Willow Lung-Amam, a Ph.D. in landscape architecture and environmental planning at UC Berkeley and her students aimed to find out. They recently conducted a survey for a project that they do every year called Heart and Soul. The purpose of this project is to find what places people feel define their city. The students then analyze the top response in order to find out what social and physical aspects appeal to a specific community. Lung-Amam chose Fremont for its ethnic diversity, and suburban outlook. She said, “ Fremont is very diverse and suburban in na-
ment, “It was excellent. The students were animated and engaged.” However, at Irvington the sophomores in the Service Learning class were interviewed. When asked, Lung says “The responses varied widely from Irvington students to Mission students despite the similarity in age.” Irvington students preferred the mall and several areas that were accessible by bus, whereas MSJ students tend to prefer places around the Mission area, such as cafes near Ohlone, and Tapioca Express. Common response among Mission students included Mission Peak, Top of the World, Lake Elizabeth, and Pacific Commons. The survey in general elicited a variety of responses, such as the Secret Sidewalk, the
-lili kim, english teacher
Kim assigned her students to think of projects that would help those treated unfairly. Last year, Kim showed her seniors Call and Response and many were inspired to put forth their own talents to raise awareness about child exploitation. They decided to organize a benefit concert with free admission that included break dancing, piano performances, and other talents. “Students are motivated to use their own talents versus just writing about [human exploitations],” said Kim. The funds are raised not through admission sales, but rather through audience donations. “[The students] use what they love to do to raise awareness… [it is] an opportunity for people who usually don’t perform to come out and [help a good cause],” said Kim. Recently, many juniors sold T-shirts, wristbands, and desserts with all funds donated to various foundations. Two groups of Kim’s junior students designed and ordered T-shirts, that sold for for $15 each. Junior Esther Ang’s group sold a total of 58 T-shirts and raised $138, all donated to the Coalition to
students joined with the Business Club to sell wristbands; black ones for $1 and limited edition colored ones sold for $1.50. The phrase, “My heart for your gun” is embedded on each of the wristbands to remind every buyer that child soldiers are present in other areas of the world and that the money donated will aim to put an end to the unfair treatment. Freshman Eamon Jahani said, “I hope more people become aware that slavery does exist to this day, and we can make an effort to end it once and for all.” With all the efforts aimed to end human discrimination, the “Not for Sale” benefit concert is widely anticipated event which will involve not just Kim’s students, but the rest of MSJ. Already, 27 groups of performers have signed up for the concert, but more students are welcomed to perform. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly, help out the unprivileged by making use of your talents. To sign up for the “Not for Sale” Benefit Concert, go to E-6 or visit the Facebook event online. Tryouts are March 19 at C-120 after school ▪
cdnlayer.com, californiaimages.com, trekaroo.com, yelp.com, flickr.com, news editor megan bernstein
Top of the World, Mission Coffee, Mission Peak, Lake Elizabeth, and Tapioca Express are MSJ students’ favorite spots.
ture, which is ahead of its time. It represents what America is going towards in the future.” She and her students interviewed many people from eleven different organizations around Fremont, including Mission San Jose High School, Irvington High School, the American Association for Retired People (AARP), senior centers, and the social service. At MSJ, Social Science Teacher Risha Krishna’s Ethnic Studies class was chosen to be a part of the survey to obtain a youth perspective. Krishna says about her involve-
Mission San Jose, Ardenwood, and even Costco and Safeway. Lung says. “Costco is not a designer’s ideal, but for the people of Fremont it represents part of their daily life, where they meet people and do things that matter to them. It is very different from Berkeley, where people identify their city with People’s Park rather than ordinary places like Costco.” As for the students at MSJ, Krishna said, “It was really interesting to learn about student’s lives outside the school environment.” ▪
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Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
the
The Smoke Signal
Smoke Signal
Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 45, No. 7 | March 19, 2010 www.thesmokesignal.org
41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539 (510) 657-3600 Editors-in-Chief Hannah Scobel, Jerry Ting
News Megan Bernstein, Sargunjot Kaur Opinion Rebecca Gao, Jane Wang Feature Alissa Gwynn, Sonya John Centerspread Karen Lin, Tina Tseng A&E Niku Jafarnia, Cynthia Kang Sports Joseph Teng, Anthony Wu Graphics Elisa Ting, Albert Yuan Web Christine Cheng, Tanu Patel Tech Roger Chen, Raymond Zhong Ads Gurleen Chadha, Jamie Lin Business Henna Jethani Circulation Anastassia Tselikova Events Michelle Chu, Hannie Dong with Michael Feuerman
Writers & Photographers Rishi Das,
Chelsea Dass, Sonia Dhawan, Rebecca Dutta, Matt Farberov, Amisha Gandhi, Matthew Gosen, Sloka Gundala, Grace Han, Arthur Jeng, Ravneet Kaur, Mary Lan, Sarah Li, Aileen Lu, Megan McLaughlin, Mekala Neelakantan, Amit Patankar, Diya Roy, Justin Sha, Ginger Werner, Audrey Wu, Joy Xu, Vishal Yadav, Stephenie Yuan, Cassie Zhang, Jordan Zhang
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Just B
eccause
Doubting the System By Rebecca Gao Opinion Editor
We trust each other when we meet as individuals – I bet we might even enjoy the company of Cheney or Bush in candid conversation. But piece together the bureaucracy, the paper-pushing, the money-grinding, and the vulgar parsimony of it all, and we culminate in what appears to be the most despised word of our language: government. Since our nation’s flamboyant birth, we’ve never fully trusted government nor presumed everyone a saint, and the balance shifts with the swells and tides of current events. We reviled the tyrants of yore yet scorn the frenzied masses. Public suspicion and skepticism color almost every government action, be it mockery of its snaillike pace or its furtive lobbyist motivations. So why have we been listening to the same story term after term? For the same reason bitterness and pessimism characterize popular sentiment today: the belief in the rich twirling politicians on their fingertips and suited ivory tower elites removed from reality. Even though the US swirls together our different hues and pigmentation, Congress and higher government offices remain chaired by white, moth-eaten men playing the same cards at the high-roller table. The educated become disillusioned with the mercenary backroom deals and partisan squabbling within a stagnant system. Imagine two Rottweilers scrapping over a grilled t-bone steak, streaking it through the mud and filth in their
wrangling. That’s what happened to healthcare. Laws may have always been hashed together this way, but only now in full public view. People pursue careers in politics as sparkling idealists enthusiastic for change, but we no longer trust in change from the inside. With the current cynical undercurrent pervading popular sentiment, government seems too big and too far gone for any one man to fix. Yet we continually seek the “average Joe” to herald the message of the common man, parading triumphantly under trumpeting cherubs into the corrupt White House tosweep out all the waste and decay from Washington. Well, so we have hoped, and so we will ever hope. The majority of Americans remain quite fond of Obama, but according to this month’s Gallup poll, 77 percent are unsatisfied by the way the government is leading the country. We trust individuals to remain fundamentally sound, capable of conscientious decisions, but our faith in each other wanes when we become part of a larger whole. The Tea Party, for example, claims to be an anti-government, anti-institution constituency based on will of the masses. But the pendulum should not swing too far in the other direction into a PR rephrasing of “anarchy.” The day-to-day, face-to-face interaction between two people we can handle. If we could reestablish the connection of individuals to government, or even faith in the connection, we shall yet succeed. ▪ Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org
Graphic Opinion
staff writer sarah li
staff writer mary lan
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Opinion 5
InJanenious
The Downside to Negativity By Jane Wang Opinion Editor
This issue, as A&E editors Cynthia Kang and Niku Jafarnia harangued the rest of us into submitting our musical picks for the month’s Smokie Playlist: “Spring Into Love” (see page 16), I noticed that the resounding consensus among the editorial staff appeared to be something along the lines of “Oh noes, why is this so hard?!” - a pathetic fall from our last issue, where the majority of the board emailed its choices to “Heartbroken” within an hour flat. Coincidence? Probably not. As humans, our inherent nature automatically gears us to fixate on the negative. One hard quiz following five easy tests becomes a public tragedy. We burn in effigy the weatherman who heralds an incorrect forecast one day out of 100. And I can’t be the only one who’s seen that just about all celebrated works of literature are predominantly depressing. From Hobbes to Nietzsche, Schindler’s List to The Hurt Locker, the glass always appears starkly half-empty. Negativity, it seems, is more instinctive to us than we would like to believe. People choose to focus on misfortune for a number of reasons. Misfortune suggests vulnerability, and vulnerability renders us more “human” individuals, which in turn makes us more approachable and easier to befriend. It’s easy to sympathize with the guy who just lost his job, or maybe in our case, his A in physics class; it’s much harder to understand the genius
who aces every test without once opening his book. Adversity gives us the chance to connect with our peers in ways we wouldn’t have if our lives had been perfect. The problem starts when, once we try a taste, it’s easy to get lost in the negative, to turn into cynics and skeptics and pat ourselves on the back for thinking ourselves so worldly and sophisticated. The popularity of satirical late shows like The Colbert Report and The O’Reilly Factor attest to that. What we don’t recognize, or rather don’t like to recognize, is that negativity cripples us. Instead of propelling us to achieve more, as it sometimes does, fear of failure in disproportionate doses can be so paralyzing that we stop working toward our goals altogether. We can criticize and satirize all we want, but unless a new solution emerges from those ashes, the world remains mired in the status quo – not to mention even sadder than before. Optimism, on the other hand, is rarer these days, and yet the US elected President Obama on a platform of positivism. Though many of his anticipated reforms have yet to see birth, we would imagine that a self-declared optimist (“Yes, we can!”) will achieve more than any hard-line pessimist if only because he, well, thinks he can, and that itself makes all the difference. What if the idealists we so often deride are on to something? Maybe, for all the hours we spend bemoaning our own hardships, it’s time we took a shine to the bright side.▪ Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org
6 Opinion
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The Smoke Signal
Friday, March 19, 2010
Don’t Say “Retarded” Drive-thru Literature
By Arthur Jeng & Justin Sha Staff Writers
A little common sense can go a long way – especially if you are the Obama Administration’s Chief of Staff, and your name happens to be Rahm Emanuel. Even in such a high government position, Emanuel did not have the common sense to stop himself from calling liberal activists “f***ing retarded.” In response to his derogatory comments, Sarah Palin, whose son has Down Syndrome, regarded the term “retarded” a racial slur and consequently asked that Emanuel be fired. In the past, Palin has been criticized for allowing her children to be the topic of various debates, but this time, Palin has a point. Many people have become accustomed to using negative language such as “retarded” or “gay” to describe trivial plights. The problem with this is that people aren’t realizing the hate they are imposing onto others. Just as we wouldn’t, or at least shouldn’t, call a thrifty bargainer a Jew or even a faulty mechanical pencil Asian, we shouldn’t use a developmental condition to describe an inborn circumstance or a personal umbrage. It’s embarrassing that a generation so intent on raising awareness for gay rights is so callous about flinging around pejoratives such as “gay,” “homo,” or “fag” for all-purpose insults. We love supporting the
underdog, but sadly we simultaneously group those who are different and then use their collective titles as names to be ashamed of. Instead, we staff writer aileen lu should focus on personal ethics. This isn’t about being overly sensitive, and this shouldn’t be about being politically correct. It’s about an individual’s values and sincerity when it comes to respecting others - not just on the surface but with empathy for their differences. The same circumstance happens at MSJ. We’ve been accustomed to the words “fag” and “gay” in our everyday speech, but people should realize that these derogatory terms always mean something. Anytime and anywhere, the prevalence of such negativity is a constant reminder of the disrespect that we have for our fellow peers. Regardless of whether someone is disabled or not, some individuals may find it a hurtful reminder of the times that they too were on the receiving end of hurtful slurs and stereotypes. Unfortunately, our individualistic culture of conformity, in conjunction with peer and social pressures, only conditions us to further follow this trend of speaking before thinking. That said, no one is perfect. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that we always have to stick to the norm. The Special Olympics, for example, outlawed the word “retard” from competitions. We can all make small changes; everyone can make the choice to extricate harmful words from their vocabulary. We simply just need to remember: language is power that should always be handled with care. ▪
SENIORS Not Paradise continued from page 1 of your high school career is over; your grades “don’t matter anymore” and you’ve “finished” applying to all of the colleges. Maybe dropping your tough physics class to become an office TA sounds good. Failing a test is supposedly no longer an issue; there’ll be more tests to come to boost your grade, given that you even attempt to open your textbook and glance at the material in the future. Unfortunately, reality is different from the dream world we all want to live in. This appealing yet elusive illusion helped us through first semester, but second semester classes are the same as first semester. Hardworking seniors feel that they can lighten up because they have a supposedly larger grade cushion. Yet, the reality is that classes become much harder with denser material,
editor-in-chief jerry ting
especially in AP classes; many seniors who relaxed at the beginning of the semester now face the reality of working hard for the rest of the year to bring their grades back from the abyss into the safe “C” or “B” haven, all while the prospect of being rescinded looms ominously in the background. Some students who’ve always maintained almost perfect grade reports are now lurking beside their mailboxes, scouting not for college letters but for dreaded cinch notices. Not only does the curriculum increase in difficulty, but also senioritis rears its monstrous head once again. Those already struggling to maintain passing grades during first semester must fend off the incessant waves of laziness and indifference that grow exponentially each day. Shirking homework assignments and missing classes do not help, much less win favor with teachers. If at the end of the year, you are begging to round borderline grades, your teachers will remember all the times you slacked off instead of paying attention. Thirdly, you’re still not done with college business. Forgotten about scholarships? Your parents will force you to apply for financial aid and as many scholarships as possible, even if it means writing a new, pointless essay and watching your precious time fly away to qualify for a $100 bowling scholarship. Applications are incredibly annoying to fill out, asking pointless questions and requesting details that you’ve never heard of. We haven’t even mentioned the most important part:
By Aileen Lu Staff Writer
I admit it; I used to be someone who used Sparknotes indiscriminately. Temptation lured me to err at 2:30 AM, after hours of diligent work (and sneaky procrastination). Completed the history notes? Check. Reviewed for the biology lab? Check. Studied for the pre-calculus test? Triple check. Finished reading chapters one through eight of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? Che– oh, shoot. Guess I should read the abridged summary online then.
opinion editor jane wang
Discreetly hiding your CliffNotes in your book will not lead to better test results.
During the wee hours of the morning, the heart-stopping realization of overlooking the English reading assignment creates immense panic for any sleep-deprived MSJ student. Horrifying images of being clueless during in-depth class discussions or – even worse – failing pop quizzes come to mind. Frantic for a solution, chronic forgetters pursue their last resort for salvation: Sparknotes. The widely-used literature help website
Sparknotes and its lesser-known cousin Gradesaver have long been providing MSJ students assistance during times of need since their Hopkins days. Who could hate a complete and organized list of analysis, character descriptions, and plot summary when desperate for an easy method to soak up the text within minutes? However, Sparknotes isn’t always used for its intended purpose as a “literature study guide.” Occasionally, Sparknotes becomes the main source of literature itself. Students blindly pray that 15 minutes reading the writing of sometimes-unqualified undergraduates will sustain them for the next discussion or assessment. Unfortunately, they often get away with it. However, this last-minute behavior tends to perpetuate itself due to a self-created, prolonged bout of procrastination. Once the final exam rolls around, those unlucky few who haven’t attempted to read the actual novel will become disillusioned the hard way. Most teachers tend to ensure that their tests evaluate the student’s knowledge of underlying themes and concepts, as well as details that cannot be gleaned from reading abridged literature websites. As a result, poor test scores frequently reflect the student’s reliance upon shortcuts and their inability to even glance at page one of the book. The idea of self-control goes hand in hand with how students should utilize Sparknotes and Gradesaver conscientiously. Although these resources to succeed in class are available, they shouldn’t be abused to the extent that one is completely dependent upon them. These websites are meant to supplement the reading done in class and at home, not replace it. So, should we read the actual book instead of relying upon every English teacher’s sources of exasperation? Definitely check. ▪
Goodbye to Recreational Reading
staff wrtier audrey wu
By Roger Chen Staff Writer
Over the course of the last decade, with the proliferation of computers and the Internet, we have witnessed a startling decline in reading. In a survey conducted by the Literacy Company, 80 percent of US families did not buy or read a book in 2008, 33 percent of high school graduates did not read for the rest of their life, and 42 percent of college graduates never read a college decisions. Incessant “college talks” and anxiety can prevent us from even enjoying the second part of senior year. And even when decisions come out, who knows if we’ll all be happy with them. Senior year is undoubtedly the most stressful year yet. From keeping up with English class annotations to applying to your dream college, it’s easy to succumb to the senior stereotype and crumble. It’s not to say that you can’t enjoy senior year; it’s just that classes and life itself don’t stop moving. But you didn’t work this hard for threeand-a-half years for nothing. Don’t let it all go down the drain for three and a half months of transient pleasure. ▪
book after college. Despite MSJ’s standing as an academically outstanding school, we are not exempt from the statistics that plague this nation. In an informal study conducted in a random English class at MSJ, only three students in the entire class reported reading books aside from Harry Potter, Twilight, or books assigned for English. “Who reads books outside of school?” said Junior William Gu. “We just don’t have the time. Some people don’t even read books for school.” As an anonymous source put it, “Even including the books I’m supposed to read for English, I’ve only read about two books from cover to cover.” In a sense, they’re right. As students, we already have to juggle around our school work, extracurricular activities, and other things that look good on college applications. It might sometimes seem that reading is but a hobby, an optional activity to enrich the mind, while some students believe that the only place where literature remains useful is for SAT and AP essays. We indignantly refer to our lack of reading as a “break”, necessary in order to address the work of school. However, bad habits tend to remain long after their usefulness have
been served. Even if we had the time, few would dedicate that time to recreational reading. The Internet provides a myriad of ways to entertain ourselves, all of which are more attractive than sitting down to read a book. Although few people reported reading literature, either in physical print or as eBooks, many people still read via online newsgroups. This trend is understandable; the Internet offers up-to-date content with interactions between people, where anybody’s comments are portrayed on level ground. What I’m talking about here is not the complete destruction of literature; it’s just the death of literature as we know it. What were once poetry and novels are now forum posts and comment threads. If we look through the tangled web of the Internet, we would find that people are still analyzing, commenting, and thinking about what they read. There is still a place for literature, not only in our classrooms and libraries, but also in our rooms and dinner tables. Despite the fact that reading works of literature may be a thing of the past as people migrate to the Internet, “a library is a hospital for the mind.” Given the current state of reading, all of us need to stay overnight for observation. ▪
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Smoke Signal
Opinion 7
“Public schools are more like the real world; you screw up, you’re on your own. If you need help, you need to find it by yourself.” – Harrison Cheng (MSJ Class of ’04, UC Berkeley Class of ’08, UCSD Class of ’10)
Many factors go into the debate on public and private schools. The differences in community and culture carry over to the networks and relationships students build, and price tags may enhance or detract from a school’s appeal.
By Christine Cheng, Tanu Patel, Ginger Werner, & Raymond Zhong Web Editors and Staff Writers
“Public colleges, especially the UC’s, are [of] excellent value: quality education, reputation and recognition at a very reasonable cost. [But] one has to be more motivated, ambitious and self-driven, and might have to attend classes, which might have 300 to 500 students and might be taught by TAs or follow video lectures....[the] decision depends on students’ personality and learning style.” - Mukesh Amlani (Father of a UCLA student)
According to College Board, the average private four-year tuition is $26,273, compared to $7,020 for publics. However, out-of-state fees at publics are often high; out-of-state tuition at the University of Michigan, for example, is $34,937. Not that all privates are unaffordable. About 19 percent of students in privates are attending institutions that charge tuitions below $19,000. Around two-thirds of all fulltime undergraduates receive grant aid, with benefits averaging around $14,000 per student at private four-year institutions. “While UC students were storming around in protest of the increase in tuition …I was getting more aid from my school,” said MSJ alumnae Class of ‘09 and current USC student Sorah Yang. When taking cost into consideration, remember how much is affordable, as well as how much more (or less) an education at a private can benefit each student, compared to publics.
COST
PUBLIC VS
PRIVATE COLLEGES
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“…Our classes get funding from lobbying ventures...For the past few years, the college that I’m in (Stern School of Business) has been raising $1 million a day. So from the standpoint of keeping our classes amid an economic crisis, privates are probably a safer bet.” – Ashley Zhang (NYU Class of ’13)
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION Publics cater to a wider population so, potentially speaking, would have more ethnic diversity, but privates also pay careful attention to diversity when recruiting. The high school GPA distribution may be different, however, for publics. Not everyone will want to be a Wall Street Banker or a doctor. At privates, there is diversity - just not the same. The high cost of privates discourages lower socioeconomic students from applying; scholarships given to the underprivileged are limited. Privates often attract a certain type of student, primarily appealing to someone particularly talented at music - like Julliard. Or someone whose intense focus is architecture - like Cal Poly. “Opportunity is more secure at a private university...I think one major...here at UCD has a good chance of shutting down, and I believe UCB lost a major too.” – George Yang (MSJ Class of ’08, UC Davis Class of ’12) “I think there is a major advantage to private schools. First off, I get tons of free stuff on campus, from concerts to events, like Six Flags, and I’m going paintballing in a month through the school for absolutely free. Next, I would say the networking is a lot better. I can’t tell you the number of stories I’ve heard about the Trojan family hooking someone up with a job...Lastly, the amount of attention I get from my teachers is pretty crazy. There are daily review sessions everywhere, small classes, and not to mention my classes are totally unaffected by the economic downturn.” – Ryan Mahuron (MSJ Class of ’09, USC Class of ’13)
STUDENT LIFE
Both types offer free entertainment and other activities. UCLA hosts an annual BruinBash extravaganza and the University of Chicago’s Scavenger Hunt garners national attention yearly. It may be more difficult to find housing at a large public university, whereas privates tend to be able to offer housing for all years. Both offer sorority/fraternity environments, although individual colleges have their own policies. At the same time, some privates do not give freshmen as many housing choices, and do not allow them to have a car on campus or choose their dorm. Whereas this policy may keep students from becoming overwhelmed with choices, it increases their chances of being unhappy with living and transportation arrangements.
“I think that for an undergraduate, a public college is a better deal because ultimately it is your grad school that counts the most. If you spend too much money on a private undergraduate program, you may not be able to save up enough for a top-notch graduate program.” - Abha Banerjee, 11
ACADEMICS
web editor tanu patel
“I guess I’m biased, but I think that in private schools many (not all) of the kids come from really privileged backgrounds, which takes away from the growth you attain by being around different types of people.” – Gurlene Kocher (Irvington Class of ’07, UCSD Class of ’11)
Academic intensity varies with the school. Although many believe that private school students are more competitive, the distinction between students lies in their departments and majors. Students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business or UC Berkeley’s Haas, typically called “A-list” students, look forward to jobs at Fortune 500 companies whereas other business students may not be as ambitious. The schoolwork and difficulty of the courses reflect these distinctions. Since private school campuses are typically smaller and economically secure, they offer smaller class sizes, as few as nine students per professor, which allows more student-professor interaction and a more personal learning experience. At private schools, professors often refer to their students by name, and many students at Santa Clara University have their professors’ cell phone numbers. In contrast, public school lecture halls can range from 100-500 students per class, but as a benefit, large universities can offer students huge and renowned facilities and professors who are leaders in their fields. staff writer raymond zhong
“It’s a lot easier to participate in activities here...WashU has three big cultural dance shows that anyone can audition to be in, regardless of how much dance experience they have...at privates, it’s less competitive, and students get to explore and participate in a lot of different things despite lack of previous experience. ” – Debra Yen (MSJ Class of ’09, Washington University in St. Louis Class of ’13)
NETWORKING
“At UCSD, my biggest class was around 530 people. While I was doing my masters at University of Chicago, the largest class was around 22 people, and the undergrad classes were around 120 people maximum. What it all comes down to is the type of person you are. If you’re a real “go-getter,” you’re the one who makes the effort to talk to your TAs, your professors, and attend all the labs and such offered, then it doesn’t really matter which you choose. If you’re the type that has to be “spoon-fed” all information, private schools are the way to go. It doesn’t sound pleasant, but it’s the truth.” - Raja Bose (MSJ Class of ’99, UCSD Class of ’03, University of Chicago Class of ’05)
“The usual argument against public universities is that with so many students, there is too much red tape and too little access to faculty and administrators. I would argue that this is not the case, at least at Cal. Admittedly, the classes at public schools are huge, but the network of [TAs], helpful administrators, advisors and even professors ensure that if you try just a little there are people who are more than happy to help you out.” -Aaida Samad (MSJ Class of ’09, UC Berkeley Class of ‘13) CSU Long Beach President F. Alexander argues that only the most elite privates, such as Ivy Leagues, have significant benefits for networking. He says that the impression that privates create better networks exists only for public relations. And while private college alumni may be better networked, like USC’s “Trojan family,” some networks exist more to fund endowments than opportunities. Networking is up to the student, not the college. That is also why alumni networks are usually well established at competitive public colleges. Combined with the increased diversity and larger student body, publics may actually offer more networking opportunities – just ones that are harder to grab. Michael Chang, a UC Berkeley engineering student, said: “If I went to a private technical college, there wouldn’t be this kind of an environment. Here, you find more diversity, more people...” In the end, alumni networks depend as much on college-specific circumstances (culture, student competitiveness, etc.) as the school’s public or private standing. A school’s location, especially for big-city colleges like Columbia and Georgetown, may also make as much difference as its clubs or classes. ▪
“I would definitely suggest private colleges over public colleges…I just registered for my next quarter classes and I literally was only able to get one out of four classes that I needed. I need to waitlist for the rest.” – Audrey Tseng (MSJ Class of ’09, UC Davis Class of ’13)
“Although there are some private colleges where there is a difference [between private and public education], I can’t imagine that most privates can match the value of education at any UC or most CSUs.” – Jean Faust, Records Clerk staff writer cassie zhang, centerspread editor tina tseng, opinion editors rebecca gao & jane wang
8 Feature
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The Smoke Signal
Car guide
Break away for Spring
By Amit Patankar Staff Writer
By Joy Xu Staff Writer
If you are one of the many who have recently received their driver’s licenses, the time has come to beg your parents for a new car so that you can take your friends out to lunch or drive yourself from school to SAT class. Either way, the dramatically changing automobile market is difficult to keep track of, but look no further for advice as the Smoke Signal has compiled a list of the best cars in various categories. Best Overall: Ford Fusion (All Models) After Toyota was hit with a slew of safety recalls, many more Americans are buying American automobiles. One particular car whose sales have skyrocketed is the Ford Fusion, winner of a JD Power and Associates award. This mid-sized sedan not only looks great, but also provides a combination of power and safety on the road. Amenities include a navigational system, moon roof, six CD player, power seats and windows, and keyless entry. Price: Starting at $19,700 MPG: 23 City, 34 Hwy Regular 41 City, 36 Hwy Hybrid
Every year, spring break rolls by and we tell ourselves that this year is going to be the year we do something productive, something different, something exciting – but we never quite get to it. If you have yet to plan anything, look at the following list of ideas on what to do over break; who knows, you might just find the perfect activity! Looking into Colleges: If you’re looking to do something school oriented and productive, one of the most popular activities for high school students is to visit colleges. Especially for seniors and juniors who want to look at potential universities, going on a collegetour road trip with your friends could be a fun, memorable, and useful way to spend the time that Spring Break offers. If you can’t make a trip like this, it never hurts to spend some time looking into summer internships and scholarship opportunities.
“Cutest Car”: MINI For those that want a car that looks small and compact, and one that girls everywhere adore, BMW’s MINI series is perfect. Ever since they were featured as the getaway cars in the popular film The Italian Job, MINI’s sales skyrocketed, and the car became popular all across America. Although MINI was initially criticized for safety issues with its lack of a stable body structure, MINI came out with its “Ultra-Rigid Body” chassis and erased the myth that it was not safe. Price: Starts at $19,500 MPG: 28 City 37 Hwy
Best Deal: Honda Civic Dx Line If you want a new car, but don’t want to spend too much money Honda’s Civic Value Package offers an unbeatable deal. With a price that is unmatched by any other reputable car company for a sedan, its only catch is the lack of accessories beyond the basic package. Price: $15,500 MPG: 26 City 34 Hwy Engine: 1.8L V4
Friday, March 19, 2010
Volunteering: Often people will find volunteering to be one of the most rewarding experiences they participate in. Many large scale non-profit companies, such as Habitat for Humanity, run programs for students of all ages who can apply to spend their break making a difference. Our community is also laden with great opportunities; check out the charities in your area, or just volunteer for a day at the homeless shelter. Hanging Out: Although all these things are great, most of them require a lot of planning, effort, and money. Doing something simple
and just hanging out with your friends can sometimes be the best way to have fun in a relaxing way. Try and be creative and think of something different. Hold a Poker Night betting push-ups or dares. Girls can have a girl’s night out and use it as an excuse to dress up nice for dinner. Host a sleepover with movies from RedBox and a lot of junk food. Hold your own cook-off and have friends cook their best dishes and have judges (friends who can’t cook but love to eat!) decide whose was the best.
Do it yourself: Even with large activities you plan out, there’s still going to be that extra time you’re going to have to spend chilling at home. Boring? Actually, there’s a plethora of things you can do at home. Now that you have the time to relax and exercise, take good care of and improve your body’s condition. Go running with friends, hiking, playing a recreational sport, or hitting the gym to exercise. Of course, resting and taking it easy is also nice. While you’re sitting at home, read a book, watch a movie, do something crafty, or sleep- most of us certainly don’t get enough of that. Remember to not take this time for granted; with AP testing and finals rushing our way, this is the eye of storm. Also, it’s not just what you do, but who you do it with that matters! Use this time to build up and repair relationships that have been neglected due to schoolwork and stress. And of course, while you’re having fun and wiping your mind clean of school, know that we will be returning to school after break and try not to slack off too much- procrastination will come back to haunt you the day before break ends. ▪
autospectator.com, hybridlane.net
clipartguide.com
Adding your way to college By Sargunjot Kaur & Hannah Scobel News Editor and Editor-in-Chief
So you’ve been accepted to a couple of colleges, but you don’t know where to go. Simply follow these instructions and your college decision will be easy and logical. Here’s how you play the game: Each of these categories is weighted according to their importance when making college decisions. The point values are ranked by the Smoke Signal. However, you can change the point arrangements according to your own circumstances. For example, if you value location more than costs, than you might choose to assign location out of 20 points and money out of 15 instead of 15 and 20. Happy college picking!
Location ____/15
Location is a major factor to look into when trying to decide where to go to college. Remember: this is where you will be residing for the next four years of your life, so don’t pick San Francisco State if you despise cities.
Academics ____/25
Professors play a vital role in the quality and success of the school’s academics. Make sure you do not get caught up in just the number of Nobel Laureate professors at the school, but also how the professors rate on relaying knowledge to the students. How accessible are the professors? How many classes are taught by the TAs rather than the professors?
Money ____/20
In these hard economic times, scholarships are few, and many of our parents beckon us to consider cheaper colleges over prestigious private schools. It would be unwise to rely solely on student loans to get you through college. Starting out a life with a mountain of debt to pay off may seem daunting and may pressure you to take a job for the money rather than for the love of it, leading to unhappiness down the road.
College Life ___/10
Let’s face it; a party school would be an awful college for a straightedge, just as a wannabe frat boy at a mormon school isn’t going to fly. Another factor is the downtown life. What do the students like to do in their free time? Hit the clubs or the mountain trail? Whatever the case may be, remember that college isn’t only for studying. As cliché as this may sound, it is also for finding out who you are and pursuing your interests.
Majors ___/15
This category should rank fairly high for any prospective student. If you haven’t decided exactly what direction you want to take your life in yet and you are going in as undeclared, be sure that your college choice has plenty of options for you to choose from. For those who already have that decided, do your research to see which of your college choices provides the best program for that specific major.
Clubs on Campus ___/5
The easiest way to make and access a friend base with similar interests as you is through clubs. Social and club life comprises nearly half of the college experience, so you want to make sure you are proactive from the start. When applying to internships and jobs later on, many hirers look for club experience.
Security ___/5
Check out the campus, and ask yourself if you would feel secure walking around even at night. The school campus is usually as safe as the neighborhood surrounding it, so if security is high on your list, be sure to check the crime rates of the campus and surrounding city. Make sure the campus has an around-the-clock police force, technological security innovations, and a secure pincard that helps differentiate students from visitors.
If your school scores... 90-100: Congratulations! This looks like a perfect fit. 80-89: Aside from a few flaws, you could easily see yourself at this school. 70-79: This school fits some, but not all of your requirements. Look into other options before sending in a SIR 60-69: With the right attitude, this school could suffice, but it shouldn’t be your first choice. <59 : Let’s be honest, this isn’t the school for you.
Graduate School ___/5
For those students who plan on attending grad school after their initial four years and may want to continue on at the same school as their undergrad, it would be wise to look into that school’s policy. Do they even allow you to apply for graduate school if you have already attended there for undergrad? Or, are the chances that you will get in higher? Also, look to see if your undergraduate college has programs to help you head in the direction of your interest and appeal more to your grad school choice.
Total: _____ *The Simpsons is a Gracie Films production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
thehamiltonzone.com
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Smoke Signal
www.thesmokesignal.org
Feature 9
Spring fashion By Aileen Lu and Alissa Gwynn StaffGwynn Writer & Editor By Aileen Lu, Alissa & Feature Niku Jafarnia Staff Writer, Feature Editor, and A&E Editor
The Bad: Prints, if not practiced with moderation, can buy you a ticket to Tackyville faster than you can say “Louis Vuitton”. We decided to spare your eyes and only pair two leopard pieces together (which is still one too many), but the idea still remains: too much of one print is scary. Unless attracting unwanted attention is your goal in life, wear only one graphic-heavy piece and make it the focus of your outfit. If you feel slightly riskier, two different prints can be mixed if they pair reasonably well with each other (e.g. nautical stripes and floral patterns).
The Good: If solid-colored basic shirts bored you to tears last winter, then the graphics prints trend is the easiest way to revitalize your wardrobe for spring! A laidback t-shirt and jeans combination can be enhanced by throwing on a (furless) leopard patterned cropped trench coat. A black chain purse, taupe studded heels, and assorted bracelets add class to the outfit.
The Good: Denim, and not just your everyday jeans, is definitely making an appearance this spring. With a variety of colors—pastels, acid wash, black, grey— and styles—dresses, jackets, shorts, and skirts—it’s easy to incorporate many denim pieces into your wardrobe to transition into summer. The Bad: The classic “what not to wear” dilemma: denim on denim. Do not, under any circumstances, wear a denim jacket with matching denim shorts and/or jeans. You risk looking like you’re from the ‘90s. Instead, you can wear denim on denim if you choose different washes, like the outfit on the right.
The Bad: “QQ, I am a weeping, emo teenager, who wears all black all the time to show the world my anguish. I can’t even show my face, because it isn’t black. I will now go cry in a corner...” It’s fun to add a little bit of a metal edge to your outfit, but unless you want to be a hardcore goth, a little bit goes a long way! An all-black outfit paired with combat boots doesn’t say fashion, it says be afraid.
The Bad: This outfit wouldn’t be terrible at all – if it were still December. Head-to-toe dark colors give off a brooding vibe that seems better suited for the more wintery days of the year. Even if you are not into bright colors, muted colors like gray and nude tones definitely trump more somber hues for spring. With this completely black and navy ensemble, you will just look incredibly dark, not unlike our cloudy days.
The Good: To make a punk look softer for spring, pair black leggings with stud details and combat boots with a pastel floral tunic. This adds a happy touch to a tough outfit. Also, try trading out the black leather moto jacket for a brown aviator one. Whoever says not to mix black and brown is old school!
The Good: The military trend can seem severe for the average MSJ student, given the sharp cuts and dark colors of the style’s fabric. To keep things on the lighthearted side, pair a military-themed jacket with other feminine spring pieces, like this high-waisted floral skirt. Gray suede ankle boots provide a neutral balance for the darker top, while chunky metallic bangles add the finishing touch to the outfit.
The Bad: There’s a difference between being trendy with a few menswear inspired pieces and dressing like a dude (a poorly dressed one, at that). Too much baggy does nothing for the feminine figure, and goes from being fashionable to frumpy. This particular look looks like someone who not only stole her brother’s clothes, but also couldn’t even decide whether to go for a surfer look with those torn Bermudas, or a more business casual look.
The Good: To make the look more feminine, pair the loose button down shirt and vest with a pair of more form-fitting shorts that reveal more leg, with a pair of flashy pewter heels to finish off the look. This way you can still have a masculine edge without having people on the streets try to figure out whether you’re male or female. dryicons.com, greenvilledailyphoto.com, dustylens.com, STAFF WRITER AILEEN LU, FEATURE EDITOR ALISSA GWYNN, A&E EDITOR NIKU JAFARNIA
10 Centerspread
www.thesmokesignal.org
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Smoke Signal
Do sugar free products always taste that bad? To find out, our testers tasted two samples each of the four popular candies below. Between the two samples, A and B, one was sugar free, but our testers remained unaware as to which was which. Is there really a big difference between regular and sugar free candies?
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup A's thick filling was overpowering, with only a thin, fragile film of chocolate to counteract the strikingly salty filling. Peanut Butter Cup B, with its creamier, richer filling, tasted much more gourmet. The crumbly and dry texture of the peanut butter in A seemed very artificial to our testers. The peanut butter in B, however, had more subtle aromas and flavors, which played well against the thick, flavorful chocolate shell. A was too sweet but oddly, too salty as well, making it seem laden with preservatives, while B's smooth, velvety texture won the favor of our testers.
Ever wonder what those long strings of numbers on the outside wrappers of candy bars mean? It’s a candy maker’s conspiracy: those who cannot decode the secret numbers could unknowingly be buying stale candy. Many companies, such as the Ferrera Pan Candy Company, have the production date, not the expiration date, on the wrappers. Some candies are beginning to have the expiration or production dates stamped onto the wrappers in the classical, easy-to-understand way. However, some still need deciphering. For example, the Hershey’s expiration code is simple, if you know how to read it. One or two numbers designate the last number in the year, such as a “9” for 2009 or a “10” for 2010. The following letter stands for the month: A for January, B for February, and so on. An example could be 8C, standing for March 2008. Unless the candy has been sitting on the shelf for a ridiculously long time, modern packaged candy can still taste good and be safe to eat even after the expiration date. The
Peppermint patty A had a thicker chocolate coat, while its counterpart had an extremely thin film of chocolate that was barely detectable. This thin film of chocolate made the peppermint patty B softer and chewier. The minty portion of B was also flakier and had a fresher taste than the gooey, liquid filling of A. Appearance-wise, A was shinier and more appealing, but B had a slightly sweeter taste, leading most of our testers to believe this was the sugar-filled patty.
only side effects could be a stale taste from the sugar. Chocolate should be stored in a dry place of approximately 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit and should not
Peep A, at first glance, looked much better than Peep B. The yellow was brighter, the shape cuter and neater - overall, much more aesthetically pleasing than B. A had an overwhelming taste of thick, dense marshmallow. While more compact and well-made with much more marshmallow, it was not very sweet and had a distinctly unpleasant “packaged” taste. On the other hand, B was lighter and squishier, with a grainy sugar coating. Its marshmallow was more airy and gooey but had a weird aftertaste.
Gummy bear A looked like shrunken version of real, classic gummy bears; In contrast, gumm bear B’s details included even fu markings. They were a lot easie to chew and almost seemed t explode with flavor right away a opposed to A, which required som grueling chewing. A’s fruity, sem sweet flavor took a long while t show itself, because the stiffness o the bears made them hard to bit apart, and our testers unanimous agreed that A was probably th sugar-free option.
Hershey’s
Hershey’s bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Jolly Ranchers, York Peppermint Patties, etc.
A two to three character cod the year and month of expir number represents the year, letter represents the month. ( B=February)
Nestle
Butterfingers, Nestle Crunch, Fruit Pastilles, Smarties, Nerds, Laffy Taffy, Wonka Bars, etc.
The first one or two digits tel of production. (8=2008, 10=2010 three digits follow the Julian and show the month and production. (001=January 1, 14 365=December 31)
NECCO
Necco Wafers, Sky Bars, Clark Bars, Sweethearts, etc.
Within the six digit code, th third, and fourth digits follow calendar like Nestle, while the represents the last digit of th production.
Cambridge Brands
Tootsie Rolls, Junior Mints, Charleston Chews, Dots, etc.
The first letter reflects the production. (A=January, L=Dece next two digits represent the the third number is the year.
grayruby.com
This box of Hershey’s Cocoa expired in June 2001. (1=2001, F=June)
be exposed to strong smells. The cocoa butter in chocolate, absorbs these smells very easily, and the chocolate may lose its particular taste. When stale, chocolate develops a distinct white coating. This is normal, as the strange white splotches are only cocoa butter coming up to the surface. Such chocolate is normally safe to eat, and may still taste good. Due to the ingredients in different types of chocolate, dark usually lasts for over a year without going bad, while milk and white chocolate last about eight and six months respectively.
Kasugai gummies are tasty and deliciously fruity, coming in a variety of flavors like melon, peach, and lychee.
A different version of the everpopular M&Ms, Smarties have more colors to choose from, like pink and purple, and their orange ones even contain orange-flavored chocolate.
Whoppers, the bite-sized chocolate malt balls, are great for snacking at the movie theaters, but British Maltesers use higher quality chocolate, which makes all the difference in taste.
If you want gum in sugar with shape, try a Fru no artificial f actually taste they claim to b
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Smoke Signal
www.thesmokesignal.org
Centerspread 11
By Michelle Chu, Chelsea Dass, Jamie Lin & Anastassia Tselikova Staff Writers
Candy has been beloved since the first caveman spread honey out on a rock to create the world’s first taffy. But how much do we really know about these sweet confections? Let’s take a more in-depth look at candy beyond what you typically see in a drugstore...
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For centuries, people around the world have relied on a vast array of desserts to satisfy their cravings for sweets. Commercial candies are good, but nothing beats the taste of traditional, cultural candy.
Traditional Japanese sweets, called wagashi, are often made from sticky rice flour in combination with green tea powder, azuki bean paste, and fruits. Some types of wagashi include anmitsu, chilled gelatinous cubes with fruit, or dango, sticky mochi skewered on a stick. Wagashi is traditionally served with tea and is also very healthy because it’s made up of mostly plant ingredients. Wagashi used to be a well-known present that samurai would exchange. Serving wagashi was symbolic of one’s status in society and one’s education level.
Hangwa is a category of traditional Korean desserts consisting of various sweets and cookies. Rice flour, fruit, beans, sesame, and/ or roots are mixed together with grain syrup to create a crispy on the outside, yet sweet and chewy in the inside delight. This snack is known for its colorful artistic decorations and nature themed shapes. Because it includes both natural ingredients and natural food coloring, Hangwa is considered both a classy and healthy dessert. Hangwa is also a great gift for the Lunar New Year, weddings, and other special occasions.
Pine nut candy is a traditional candy that dates back all the way to medieval times in England. This candy used to be served in the feasting of medieval royal courts of England. Ingredients for this treat include bread crumbs, sugar, local honey, ginger, and pine nut kernels. Pine nut candy is extremely sweet and tastes a bit like pumpkin seed candy. Cooks who wish to make a very sweet tasting candy may be drawn to create this historical candy.
In Chinese culture, one can find Chinese peddlers pushing around carts with big tubs of melted malt. These peddlers go from village to village selling malt candy. When they reach different houses, children run out to surround the peddler’s cart. The peddler holds a stick in one hand and pulls malt out of the tub with the other. The melted malt leaves the tub in a long sugar strand, and the peddler wraps the sugar strand around the stick. In temples, these malt candies can sometimes be found in True “African” dessert doesn’t really the shape of animals or gods. play a major role in the traditional SubSaharan African diet. Most of the popular sweets and desserts in Africa today were actually brought and borrowed from the Arabs, Asians, Europeans, and Indians who settled there many generations ago. A more “African” post-meal pleasure might be a fruit salad or a couscous and cream dish, while the well-known puddings of South Africa are simply deviations from their European origins.
Indian desserts can differ throughout the country, but one thing that many are known for is their rich, sugary flavor. The sugar is typically from sugarcane or palm, and the flour from chickpeas, various dhals (lentils), rice, or wheat. Milk and ghee (clarified butter) also serve as bases for many of the desserts. Contrary to American tradition, the Indian custom is to eat a small portion of the sweet at the beginning of the meal before finishing it at the end. But wait, there’s more to the dessert than just the taste. Sweets also carry a deep cultural meaning; eating one prior to the meal signifies an auspicious and joyful beginning to the event or occasion being celebrated.
We all love candy, but sometimes our favorites aren’t available around the world. Solution: try out some tasty international alternatives, like the ones below.
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SweeTarts look like medicine but taste like pure sugar tablets. For a more flavorful alternative, go for Chinese Haw flakes instead. They’re small and thin and even juicy.
Mentos actually hail from the Netherlands, but whereas we only have mint and assorted fruit flavors in the states, the Dutch also let you try cola and raspberry yogurt, as well as bubblegum and mini Mentos.
Gulab jamun are essentially tasty Indian donuts soaked in sugar syrup. So if donuts aren’t sweet enough for you, these small delights should do the trick.
Kulfi is a milk-based frozen dessert found in India but takes much longer than ice cream to melt. Also, kulfi comes in more exotic flavors, like pistachio, rose, saffron, and even avocado.
asianfoodgrocer.com, showmethecurry.com, krispykreme.com, saffrontakeout.ca, thestrugglingdieter.com, wellsphere.com, mms.com, tastingmenu.com, americansweets.co.uk, mytuckshop.co.uk, wordpress.com, bestbuycandy.com, wikimedia.org
Photo 12
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Junior Prom: This I Promise You
a. Juniors Denys Melnykov and Makenzie White share an intimate moment. b. Junior Goonjan Agrawal steps out in style for Junior Prom. c. Sophomore Melody Shieh and Junior Jonathan Ho dip their strawberries into the chocolate fountain. d. DJ Krazed spices up the music. e. The disco ball adds new light to the dance floor. f. The dance floor glistens with color. g. Chemistry Teacher Jack Fendell dances to a slow song with his wife.
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ASB Debates
a. Junior Aditi Amlani expresses emotion in her speech for ASB Secretary. b. Junior Tarang Patel states his case for ASB President.
Winter Sports Assembly
a. Junior Atisheel Kak dribbles two basketballs in the Teachers versus Students competition. b. Senior Max Pitner plays the National Anthem on the guitar. c. Senior Otis Lee accepts his athlete of the season plaque.
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photos by staff writers: ginger werner, roger chen, stephenie yuan, grace han, opinion editor jane wang, a&e editor cynthia kang, editor-in-chief jerry ting
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Friday, March 19, 2010
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Fashion and Food
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Charity Fashion Show: Diamonds are Forever
a. Seniors Allison Lin and Alvin Lee show off their hippie style. b. Senior Trey Howell, Juniors Charles Nguyen and Jeffrey Kanemitsu strike a pose in their Onesies. c. Senior Estefanie Del Cid flawlessly struts down the runway. d. Senior Dorothy Lin flaunts her high score on her TI-84. e. Juniors Kathy Nguyen and Lisa Xu wave to the adoring crowd. f. Senior Stephanie Hur dazzles with her voice. g. Sophomore Tien Lu, Junior Elaine Kuo, and Senior Amy Lam sing in harmony. h. Senior Pratika Yerneni does a twirl in her tap dance routine.
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Crab Feed
a. Seniors Rachel Chang and Jeffrey Hwa serve their guests sweet treats. b. Music Teacher Jeff Oliviera reads off the raffle ticket winners. c. Juniors Justin Han and Jessica Woo prepare the crabs for the guests.
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photos by staff writers joy xu, aileen lu, mary lan, ginger werner,
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14 Feature
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Student Spotlight
By Audrey Wu Staff Writer
Chris Lee
While many students are cleaning out their closets and spending money on spring shopping, Junior Chris Lee is busily designing, printing, and selling his own personal brand of clothing. Lee first began his ‘TROO Wear graphic tee biz’ seven months ago for fun, but his business soon expanded as his shirts gained popularity. Smoke Signal: So tell us a little about TROO and how it all started. Chris Lee: My clothing business was initially aimed towards a certain freedom of expression. I felt that if I didn’t do this while I still had the means to, I would miss my chance; so I decided to go for the dive. The whole process really started from scratch; I had to learn all the steps, from marketing to manual four-color process printing to designing on my own, and I’m still learning new skills every day. SS: How did you decide on the ‘TROO’ logo and what does it mean? CL: I thought hard about how my experiences shaped me so far and what the strongest lesson I had learned from them was. I finally
chose to find a logo that symbolized “staying true to yourself, even if it meant going against the crowd,” hence the name TROO. SS: How many shirts have you sold so far and what goes into the process of making them? CL: I have a few scratchpads, then whole stacks of finished and unfinished designs; I have sold about 400 shirts so far, not counting the ones I gave away for promotion events. To make them, you first need to know your Photoshop. From there, you can get creative and make overlapping or patterned stencils to create black/white or color prints. SS: Do you have a website and where can I purchase TROO T-shirts? CL: You can shop online on my website at trooclothing. blogspot.com, or check out my myspace at myspace.com/ staff writer vishal yadav troowear. The shop is currently getting revamped (new items coming in), so it’ll be down for a while. Also, the printing is on hold for a while because a better printer is coming in; it’ll take some time to get it shipped and up and running, so stay updated! ▪
The Smoke Signal
DEAR DIARY... By Tina Tseng Centerspread Editor
MSJ, Here I come!
Phases of emotions regarding MSJ from the point of view of an eighth-grader: The Excitement Phase March 15, 2010 11:40 am Dear Diary, I can’t believe it; we got our high school registration forms today! I also can’t believe there’s only two and a half more months until we can get out of here! No longer will I have to gaze longingly at MSJ’s track and tennis courts during PE! No more outrageously hard science, no more Accelerated Reading, and, best of all, no more 4-6 pm socials! Life can only get better from here on out- senior boys! Better cafeteria lunches! Junior boys!! The Nervous Phase March 15, 2010 3:07 pm Dear Diary, You know, Mission seems really big… what if I get lost? There are so many wings, and my older brother keeps hinting and snickering about some place called P-7. And I’ll be freshmeat next year…to be safe, I’m going to spend my next two years keeping my head down in the hallways. The Nostalgic Phase March 16, 2010 7:33 pm Dear Diary, Some sixth graders came by to check out Hopkins today. I felt smugly superior to those kiddies, but also a little nostalgic inside because I used to be one of those sixth graders (although I could swear that people in my class were not that short when
By Rebecca Dutta Staff Writer
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Friday, March 19, 2010
It’s not a rare sight to see MSJ students hunched over with their backpacks towering like a boulder atop their backs. Unfortunately, such habits put them at risk for fractures to the spine and neck. How can you know if your backpack is overweight? According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) students’ backpacks
staff writers chelsea dass and cassie zhang
should not exceed ten percent of the child’s body weight. So a 100 pound student should carry a backpack no greater than ten pounds. An Extreme Case of Backpack Obesity An experiment done on a randomly selected group of students determined that the average weight of backpacks at MSJ was around 12.19 pounds - significantly higher than California’s overall average of 10.6 pounds. So, to fully understand the scope of the overweight backpack issue at MSJ, I talked to Sophomore Hrishikesh Chary whose backpack’s tremendous bulk clearly deviates from the norm. Chary’s LL Bean backpack is typical of that of many students at MSJ. It has two
we were in elementary school). I remember when a big field trip used to mean walking to MSJ to watch a play! I’m going to miss junior high a little bit, and I’m especially going to miss the 2:10 dismissal time. According to my brother, I will also be missing my 10 o’clock bedtime. The Disillusionment Phase March 16, 2010 9:14 pm Dear Diary, I just realized the lockers at MSJ are no bigger than the ones we have here at Hopkins. The Unwilling Phase March 17, 2010 3:04 pm Dear Diary, All right, so you know how my friends and I were so excited about high school earlier this week? We changed our minds when we saw the huge packet of orientation papers that we have to fill out. Also, my brother keeps whining about some class called AShove or ATug or something. I am not looking forward to the suffering ahead. The Excitement Phase Revisited March 18, 2010 4:23 pm Dear Diary, So apparently there’s this Link Crew Orientation Day thing. My brother says that it’ll be a frightening experience involving upperclassman screaming at you as you walk meekly into the school gym, but he’s probably lying. It’s going to be so fun touring the school with my friends! High school is going to be awesome. ▪
large compartments and several smaller pouches in the front. In one of the larger compartments, he keeps anywhere from two to four textbooks, a novel, a folder, and three binders. When asked about his locker, Chary responded, “I have a tendency to forget things, so I don’t like to use my locker.” A Strictly Dieted Backpack Fortunately, it isn’t too difficult to help your backpack lose some weight, as Junior Vicky Lin proves. Her Jansport backpack with only one large compartment holds just a couple of notebooks and a folder; she is also a diligent user of the school lockers. “My backpack is very light because I walk home, and I don’t want to have to walk with so many weights,” Lin says. Some Effective Solutions After observing the backpack load at MSJ, it’s easy to spot some preferred habits in students with normal backpacks. Here are some things you could consider to lighten your load: 1. Get a backpack with fewer compartments. The smaller space allows for more efficiency and less over-stuffing. 2. Always use your locker. With diligent use of your locker, you won’t have to stuff books in your backpack. If necessary, carry the books in your arm. 3. Frequently clean out your backpack. Much of the excess burden is caused by unnecessary papers weighing down binders and folders. 4. Use an accordion file. This will reduce the number of folders and binders you need. 5. Try to stay away from one shoulder types that cause immense stress to half of your body from uneven distribution. Whatever the solution, any backpack that is overweight should be immediately downsized. In the end, even throwing away that pile of unidentifiable papers at the bottom of your backpack will significantly improve your back health. ▪
Friday, March 19, 2010
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Arts & Entertainment 15
Guide to Indie Music By Sarah Li, Vishal Yadav, and Jordan Zhang Staff Writers
Tired of hearing the same, overplayed songs on the radio? Luckily, the Smoke Signal has compiled a guide for you. We picked a variety of popular mainstream artists and paired them with indie bands that you are bound to love.
Ratatat manages to make its music a delight to listen to, even with minimal vocals. Each track has a unique sound to it, and Ratatat’s willingness to experiment is what makes its music so satisfying. After all, what other band can so seamlessly incorporate Indian tabla and wild animal sounds in their tracks? You will certainly enjoy Ratatat’s undeniably catchy beat and hard-hitting tone. Fans of Dashboard Confessional’s older songs will enjoy the familiarity of Straylight Run’s light keyboard instrumentals and sentimental lyrics. The band creates a unique atmosphere that is no less soothing. Straylight Run’s songs have a dash of nostalgia and a good deal of optimism put together into a captivating melody.
For those who are big on soft but powerful feminine vocals, Stars offers just that. Its heartbreakingly romantic lyrics keep listeners interested not only in the melodies but also in each song as a whole. Similar to Feist, Millan croons through each track with a soft, worldly voice. Just a few listens, and it’ll be quite apparent that Stars brings depthless emotion and beauty that transcends its songs, making each track memorable and timeless.
Although British electropop musician Frankmusik is decidedly more upbeat than Owl City, he still incorporates a similar catchy beat and wistful, subtly auto-tuned vocals. Fans of Owl City will appreciate Frankmusik’s flowing melodies, but for those who are looking for a tone edgier than Owl City’s bubbly synthetic instrumentals, Frankmusik is definitely worth listening to. Danceable and shamelessly fun, Frankmusik’s tracks are enchanting play after play.
We Shot the Moon has the energy and passion that fans of Boys Like Girls look for, but is also more daring and adventurous, creating a sound that is familiar yet new. Unlike Boys Like Girls, We Shot the Moon pumps out exciting and chaotic vocals. At the same time, their instrumentals show the same novelty, breaking from the classic even guitar rhythm for a more dynamic mix of driving guitar and smooth piano. We Shot the Moon has the energy and passion that Boys Like Girls fans love, but also offers something more as it pushes the boundaries of pop rock. Try “The Bright Side” and “Sway Your Head”
The Jackie Boyz have already established themselves as accomplished songwriters, having penned hits for the likes of Flo Rida, Justin Bieber, and Madonna. However, this duo’s talents extend far beyond simply working in the background; these two brothers shine when showcasing their smooth vocals. Though they may not be as sexy as Usher or as suave as Ne-Yo, their earnest and heartfelt delivery makes listening to their music worthwhile. And unlike most modern R&B, the Jackie Boyz have two singers, which opens up exciting new prospects for their musical future. Whether in the mood for a breakup song or a club-banger, the Jackie Boyz will not disappoint.
There’s a reason Talib Kweli is one of the biggest names in underground hip-hop: he lights up the mike like no other. Similarly to Common, each word he spits is pure fire, and every one of those words hasa meaning behind them. Politics, poverty, urban violence -- all these topics fuel Kweli’s music, providing substance that has become all but absent in mainstream rap. However, unlike Common’s songs, most of Kweli’s tracks feature live instrumentation rather than computer-generated beats, which help Kweli better convey the raw feelings and connection behind his music. Kweli provides hard-hitting rap with a purpose, bringing hope to a rap game overpopulated with sex, drugs, and autotune. images from last.fm, clipartof.com, clipartlog.com
16 Arts & Entertainment
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Gorillaz, more than ‘plastic’ By Karen Lin
Centerspread Editor Having taken the music world by surprise in 2001, British virtual band Gorillaz is back with its third studio album, Plastic Beach, still with that electropop mixed with hiphop, rock, and anything and everything else sound they’ve become known for and with an even wider array of guest musicians and collaborations. This time, the album features artists like Snoop Dogg, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, De La Soul, Lou Reed, and even the Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music. Fans have come to recognize Gorillaz by its four animated band members, Murdoc, Noodle, Russel, and 2D, but behind the scenes, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett run the show, with Albam as the main songwriter and lead vocalist and Hewlett as the concept artist and animator. Albarn drew his inspiration for the album’s theme from the plastic littered beach near his house, and it comes as no surprise that most of the songs are bleak and pessimistic in tone, focusing on plastic consumption and the ecological effects that sprout from consumerism. In “Pirate Jet,” Albarn sings, “It’s all good news
now/Because we left the taps running/For a hundred years/So drink into the drink/A plastic cup of drink/Drink with a couple of people/The plastic creating people.” The lyrics may be disheartening, but the music behind each song makes up for it. The diversity Gorillaz is so well known for once again comes through, as Plastic Beach has a great mix of songs to suit every mood and taste. Despite its name and wistful lyrics, “On Melancholy Hill” is still upbeat, lighthearted, and a little whimsical in sound. On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Broken” and “Plastic Beach” are somber and contemplative, while “Stylo,” the album’s first single featuring Mos Def and Bobby Womack, is instantly catchy with an electro-rock sound. Oriental orchestra music, heavy on the flute worDpress.com and the soft patter of percussion, meets rap and hiphop in the form of Bashy and Kano in “White Flag.” “Glitter Freeze,” with little more than five or six lines of lyrics, is surprisingly captivating with a techno-like synthesized sound on top of a funky bass beat. Plastic Beach is still a pop album, no doubt, but quite unlike any other pop album you’ll hear this year in both sound and depth of meaning. ▪ Rating: A
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Friday, March 19, 2010
Don’t “Remember Me” By Megan McLaughlin
Staff Writer
A movie featuring Robert Pattinson is nothing new, but one lacking werewolves and vampires might as well be fantasy for fans of a fangless Pattinson sans fangs. Cue: Remember Me, a movie that encompasses all teen movies in one swing. There are conflicts with parents and the law, requited and—briefly—unrequited love, smoking and binge drinking, and excessive amounts of teenage angst. Pattinson plays Tyler Hawkins, a college student who is paired up with a bonafide “girl next door,” Ally Craig (Emilie de Ravin). In theory, he is only dating her to exact revenge on her father, a policeman who arrested Tyler after Tyler back talked him when breaking up a bar fight. This violence is a recurring motif, as Tyler stumbles through life, aiming to rebel against every establishment he can. He is also a fierce protector of his unpopular younger sister, Caroline (Ruby Jerins), striving to shield her from bullying classmates and an indifferent father. The plot revolves primarily around his rash decisions and more tender moments spent writing to his deceased brother, Michael, and his relationship with Ally. Granted, they make a gorgeous couple, but do little besides engage in awkward silences and kiss furiously. De Ravin captures Ally’s mercurial moods and quirkiness, but she is simply too perfect to be a be-
lievable. Ally’s readiness to forgive and forget regardless of the situation, occasionally turns her into a one-dimensional character. In comparison, Pattinson excels in his role as an anguished and attractive heartthrob, with an emphasis on anguished as it was his chosen facial expression for at least two-thirds of the movie. However, his performance is swept away by Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal of Tyler’s emotionally stunted father, Charles, who is the epitome of horrible parenting. Brosnan throws all of his energy into each scene, so that interrupting Caroline segues effortlessly into shouting matches with Tyler. He makes Charles a character that audiences love to hate. Remember Me has very little plot, so little that Pattinson himself couldn’t even explain what the movie was about in an interview. Instead, there are multiple story lines: young love, a father learning what a father really is, and an overgrown boy finally maturing. The film, which begins with a promising tragedy, quickly falls into the clichés that plague teen movies. Luckily, the delightfully horrifying ending thoroughly shocks movie-goers into forgetting the previous two hours of mediocre script. Remember Me will leave you slightly confused as to what actually happened, but the message that “our fingertips don’t fade from the lives we touch” is worth remembering. ▪ Rating: B-
ALICE | A WONDEROUS ADVENTURE continued from page 1
perfectly, making the animation and the real characters blend together completely. As she makes her way through the “curiouser and curiouser” paths of Underland, she meets memorable characters, including the blue caterpillar smoking the hookah, the Cheshire cat, and the Mad Hatter ( Johnny Depp), the character with the most impacting effects on Alice. The chemistry between Depp and Wasikowska brings out a sibling bond, creating a realistic feeling about the film. However, the conversations and speech between the characters are somewhat confusing. Many of the words such as Frabjous Day, Bandersnatch, and Mallymkun are strange
and difficult to remember through the course of the story, and the various accents in which the actors speak quickly become difficult to follow and comprehend. What makes the movie a success are its subtle similarities, creating familiar sparks in the audiences’ minds. Burton takes theses recognizable segments and makes them something deeper and more meaningful. Although the plot is predictable and well-known, the directing and use of animation and actors make the movie anything but boring. It’s a breath of fresh air in a familiar setting, reminding the audience that Wonderlands do exist in our imaginations and dreams. ▪ Rating: A
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Ally (Emilie de Ravin) and Tyler (Robert Pattinson) is your typical teenage chick flick couple.
Jamie Cullum in ‘Pursuit’ of Love UNDER THE RADAR
By Matthew Gosen
Staff Writer
JaZZ.com
JaZZ.com
With his unique blend of classic big band jazz and pop along with his energetic rhythms, Jamie Cullum has made quite a presence in the British music scene. With his previous album Twentysomething having hit platinum while simultaneously being one of the biggest selling Jazz artists of all time, it is astonishing that Jamie Cullum is still relatively unknown in the United States. Jamie Cullum’s fifth album, The Pursuit, released in U.S. stores on March 2 came out four months after its UK debut. The album, which is a mix between covers of popular songs like Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop The Music” and Cole Porter’s “Just One Of Those Things” combined with Cullum’s own work “Love Ain’t Gonna Let You Down” and his hit single “I’m All Over It” is a testament of his eclectic taste and his style for a jazz fusion. With some of his songs having been recorded in his kitchen and others in a music studio it is no wonder that this is his most experimental album to date. The album starts off with “Just One Of Those Things” addressing how drinking the night before has left his memory in a haze
and how he cannot seem to recall the fling he had. The album slowly makes its shift into a toe tapping pop jazz track in “You And Me Are Gone.” The album finally transitions into a slower paced rhythm and more somber tone with songs like “I Think I Love” and “Not While I’m Around,” where Cullum expresses the highs and lows he feels for his love. The album ends with Cullum’s most pop sounding song in “Music Is Through,” putting forth a very experimental and unique style. The strength of Cullum’s album comes from the sound of his soulful voice exerting through the array of styles he presents. The album focuses around Cullum’s love life and how he regrets the mistakes in the past but promises to do better in the future. The down side of the album is that some of the songs have too similar of a style before it drastically transforms, causing the listener to fluctuate moods while listening to it. The Pursuit (2009) may not be Cullum’s best work yet but it is still an album you can listen to repeatedly while it grows on you more each time you hear it. ▪ Rating: A-
MUSIC PICKS FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD
THIS MONTH: SPRING LOVE ALBERT MY LOVE IS A STAPLER BY TOYOSAKI AKI & HIKASA YOKO ALISSA YOU MAKE MY DREAMS COME TRUE BY HALL & OATES ANTHONY SUNDAY MORNING BY MAROON 5 CHRISTINE CRAZY LOVE BY TVXQ (DBSK) CYNTHIA HERE IN YOUR ARMS BY HELLOGOODBYE ELISA SOMETHING SPECIAL BU USHER HANNAH FAVORITE THING BY BENTON PAUL JANE HEY, SOUL SISTER BY TRAIN JERRY POSTER GIRL BY BACKSTREET BOYS JOSEPH EVERYTHING BY MICHAEL BUBLE KAREN YOUR GAURDIAN ANGEL BY RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS MEGAN YOU SEE THE LIGHT IN ME BY INGRID MICHAELSON NIKU ENCHANTMENT BY CORINNE BAILEY RAE REBECCA BREATHE BY MICHELLE BRANCH SARGUN HANGING BY A MOMENT BY LIFEHOUSE SONYA MY LOVE BY THE DREAM FT MARIAH CAREY TANU YOU GIVE ME SOMETHING BY JAMES MORRISON TINA CONSEQUENCE BY THE NOTWIST MRS. COHEN GOOD DAY SUNSHINE BY THE BEATLES CHECK OUT THE PLAYLIST ON WWW.THESMOKESIGNAL.ORG graphics eDitor alBert YUan
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Arts & Entertainment 17
Restaurant Review: BANANA LEAF By Megan Bernstein & Niku Jafarnia News Editor and A&E Editor
Nestled in the heart of McCarthy Ranch, the small but bustling Banana Leaf Restaurant gives off the warm glow of a family favorite as well as an exotic late night escape. With a line out the door, and a murmuring crowd settled under twinkling Christmas lights, Smoke Signal restaurant adventurers Megan and Niku decided to explore the popular Asian Fusion cuisine. Megan: Upon arriving at Banana Leaf at 8 o’ clock on an empty stomach, I groaned at the huge line spilling out the door of the small restaurant. Niku: But luckily for us, though the wait looked as if it would be at least an hour long, we were given seats at the small bar within half an hour. Megan: Though not overdone, the small Southeast Asian accents scattered about the space were welcoming and gave a unique impression about the restaurant. Niku: And I absolutely loved the tropical bowties that seemed to match perfectly with the sunny disposition of our endearing waiter. Megan: Starting off, we ordered the Lobak Chicken Egg Rolls appetizer with sides of fried tofu, fried prawn cake, and a “century” egg.
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Niku: The egg rolls themselves were quite unusual, with a light flaky exterior and a nutty hint. They weren’t quite as flavorful as I would have hoped, but the courage I felt eating the century egg made up for it. Megan: You are adventurous! A century egg, traditionally a Chinese delicacy, is a chicken egg preserved for several weeks to months until they turn dark. Niku: The egg definitely didn’t taste as strange as it looked, but definitely outdid the egg rolls in the wow factor in the appetizer. Megan: We then moved on to the first of three main dishes, Penang Sizzling Chicken. The sauce snapped and crackled appetizingly on the plate, but was definitely not as spicy as I expected.
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Niku: Once again, I was disappointed by the mild flavor of the dish though the sauce was definitely tasty. Megan: The veggies soaked up the flavor well, but the green and red bell peppers dominated the plate when I was hoping for more chicken. Niku: Luckily, we got the flavor we were looking for when our order of Pineapple Fried Rice arrived in a neatly carved pineapple shell. Megan: Of the three dishes we ordered, this was hands down our favorite. The seasoned rice was a great combination with the hot pineapple chunks.
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Niku: Even though I was adventurous enough to eat a black egg, I definitely had my hesitations about eating hot fruit. Megan: But of course, the hot pineapple was a great addition to an Asian standard. It added a perfectly tangy twist to an already savory rice dish. Niku: For our final dish, we ordered a noodle dish by the name of Chow Kueh Teow, which included Hokkeinese stir-fried rice noodles with prawns, squid, eggs and bean sprouts. Megan: This was my least favorite dish, to be honest. It was a redundant dish that we could have found at any other Asian restaurant. Niku: I agree. Though I enjoyed it, that
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doesn’t say much because I enjoy just about any plate with noodles included. Unfortunately, just like two of the three other dishes, this dish once again disappointed in
its lack of flavor. Megan: Despite our slight let down with the noodle dish, all was forgiven with the final and best course of the night- the deep fried mango ice cream. Niku: This was one of the greatest desserts I have ever tasted in my life, and I’m a baker! Megan: The dessert was constructed around a perfect scoop of creamy, mango studded ice cream surrounded by a delectable shell of deep fried taro. It also included a deep fried banana on either side, with a chocolate drizzle.
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Niku: The deep fried shell was basically a fresh out of the pan, warm, and chewycrispy doughnut. It hit the spot like nothing has ever hit the spot before. Megan: Though it’s not somewhere I would have picked for a first date, Banana leaf has the perfect aura for a fun family dinner or a night out with friends. Niku: The flavors of the main courses may have not met my expectations, but the Pineapple Fried Rice and the Deep Fried Mango Ice Cream more than made up for it. Megan: Overall, it’s a restaurant that I would visit again, if only for that delectable dessert! ▪ Rating: B-
YouTube How To’s
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How To... how to identify other emo people, and separate them from the wannabes. If you ever want to be considered deep, emotional, and decidedly strange by the people around you, this is the guide for you! http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=JGLv3IEL0VI
By Michael Feuerman & Cassie Zhang Staff Writers
We all browse Youtube for comedy, music, and movie trailers. The site, however, also has quite a collection of tutorials. Here is a list of the best How-To’s, ranging from the practical to the hilarious to the quirky.
How to: Mime This one of the most popular youtube how tos Here you can learn different techniques of mime: how to use a range of objects in an act, some convincing illusions and how to put them all together for a convincing performance. (And before you ask, yes, the mimes talk to us.) Miming can be very useful. What other profession can you pull literally any object you want out of thin air? http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage
How to: Fold a T-shirt In 2 Seconds Finish folding your laundry ten times faster with this handy maneuver. This two minute long video is self explanatory. Learn how to fold your shirts in just a few swift movements. The steps may take some time to get used to, but they are easy to master after practicing several times. h t t p : / / w w w. yo u t u be . c o m watch?v=An0mFZ3enhM How to: Make a Paper Plane Let’s say you find yourself with an extra sheet of printer paper after a big project, or there’s a really boring lecture in class and you’re not entirely sure what to do with your teacher’s informative handout. Well, you can always learn how to make a paper plan Adrenaline0Studios has several useful basic paper plane making tutorials, including how to make a paper plane that flies far enough to stretch across an entire classroom, and how to make a paper plane that will come back to you and likely hit you in the head. And of course knowing how to make paper planes is practical. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tob9enuxww How to: Jerk ‘Jerk’ is, according to Urban Dictionary, “An idiot or stupid person,” OR, “A popular
How to: Tie Your Shoelaces in 2 Seconds The “Ian Knot” is the world’s fastest shoelace knot. But do not fret, it’s highly possible. Depending on how nimble your fingers are, however, this trick can take many tries to do correctly. dance originating in Los Angles California. Also known as the reject/rejerk.” Fortunately in this video, you will learn how to perform the latter of the two. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1SlGk1B5I How to: Screen Print a Tshirt Print your own designs on t-shirts at home. Typically, screen printing requires a multitude of expensive equipment, – such as a silkscreen (hence the name “screen print”). However, this video demonstrates a method that is easy
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and cost-effective. Materials can be found at your local arts and crafts store. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H_ utRjIGsc How to: Be Emo Skaterpnk13 has a wonderful 21 minute mock documentary on this subject. The helpful narration throughout will teach you what it takes to be emo, and misunderstood by your peers. Included in this video is a brief history of emo, the style, the music, the poetry, and
h t t p : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=1uONg5voLxo&NR=1
How to: Get a Girlfriend This particular type of “how to” will no doubt come in handy for many of us once we get into college. Fortunately, it seems everyone has an opinion on how to garner the attentions of that particularly elusive female. In fact, there are so many, I’m still working my way through them all. I’ll be sure to give you a specific recommendation as soon as I find one that works! We may be a while… ▪
18 Sports
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graphic by staff writer grace han, editor-in-chief jerry ting, and sports editors joseph teng & anthony wu
MSJ’S MONSTER Crowd Control: IN THE CAGE Restraining the Riot By Matt Farberov Staff Writer
Can you see Ryan Zargari playing badminton? Not in a million years. In a school dominated by popular team sports, Senior Ryan Zargari refuses to follow suit. After attending a brutal military school in Florida, Zargari has taken an interest in an unusual and lesser known sport of cage fighting. Punches, kicks, and submissions are only small tastes of the true athleticism this dangerous sport demands.
staff writer matt farberov
Much like fighters in the grueling Ultimate Fighting Championship, Zargari has completely immersed himself in his fighting in order to succeed. Fighters in the legendary Cung Le’s gym, where Zargari trains, undergo the toughest physical training to prepare them for their fights. The Smoke Signal sat down with Zargari to talk about his cage fighting experiences.
Smoke Signal: How did you get into cage fighting? Ryan Zargari: After military school, I started to get into it. My cousins were doing it so I tried it out and I fell in love with the sport. I’ve been training for about two years now. SS: What is the training like? Would you say it compares to MSJ’s intense wrestling program? RZ: Practices are for three and a half hours a day, five days a week. It can compare to wrestling in the sense that the practices are segmented. We go over everything: sparring, grappling, and then some time in the cage. SS: How have you done in competitions so far in your career? RZ: I am waiting for the next tournament right now actually. Usually you get to fight three opponents at each tournament and there aren’t really specific prizes. It is more about the satisfaction of winning. I think I did really well my last few tournaments. I took down and used a submission on one of my opponents, so I’m satisfied. SS: What motivates you to keep fighting? RZ: The adrenaline in the cage just fuels me. I let everything go and it keeps me pumped. It really is fun learning new moves and fighting people you’ve never met before. I fight people a lot bigger me. Some guys are in the 200-pound weight class, so you never know what you will get. There is always a challenge! SS: What are your goals for your future in cage fighting? RZ: I want to go pro one day. I want to teach people and train them in the sport. ▪
By Grace Han Staff Writer
When it comes to sports, there really isn’t a fine line regarding fan behavior. At sporting events, spectators are asked for nothing more than to carry themselves in a polite manner that presents no distractions to the athletes and to cheer “appropriately and accordingly to the game being watched,” said Senior Captain Allison Day. Depending on the sport, “good etiquette” can range from only applauding during certain situations to screaming your lungs out the entire game. In more “sophisticated” sports such as golf, tennis, and even wrestling, proper manners involve only cheering after play has stopped: after a point or period. On the other hand, in “rowdier” sports like basketball, volleyball, or football, fans are typically free to make any comments or gestures they want, provided it is respectful to the teams, coaches, and referees. Sadly, these unwritten rules are often ignored and there have been many instances of fans making rash, discriminatory remarks to both referees and players. Whether it be Little League or the NFL, the spectators undoubtedly play a significant role in athlete performance. “Fan behavior is pretty influential…” said Girl’s Tennis Captain Senior Tiffany Yen. “In tennis, rude fan behavior is rare, so when it occurs, it makes a big difference on how we play.” In many instances, it can get out of hand and lead to disaster. Most of us can recall the famous Pistons-Pacers basketball brawl in 2004 that resulted in the suspension of nine players and increased security at NBA games. Not only did this cast a huge shadow on the league, it made many question whether fans should be able to attend sporting events at all.
However, if the fans can display proper conduct, the impact these people have on a team’s performance is unprecedented. We all witnessed this at the incredible Homecoming Game earlier in the year. Feeding off the enormous crowd’s electrifying energy, the football team exploded for the best offensive game they’ve had in a while. Last year, during an NCS match against Deer Valley, the Boys’ Volleyball team experienced a similar boost as “the crowd’s constant cheer of ‘Let’s Go Mission!’ played a big part by pumping up the team,” said Senior Captain Tim Ye.
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Instead of following etiquette, a fan threw a beer at then Pacer Ron Artest, setting off the infamous 2004 Pacers-Pistons brawl. Artest (above) is restrained after charging into the stands.
Going to a game is not just about cheering for the team; it’s also the time to enjoy the event and show the hard-working athletes appreciation through proper decorum. By showing good manners, it gives the players confidence that they have the respect of their fans and allows them to perform at the best of their capabilities. Even though enthusiasm can definitely make the game more entertaining, at least attempt to keep your remarks moderate or considerate so that both you and the athletes can enjoy the game. ▪
Friday, March 19, 2010
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Lady Warriors Fight to the Finish By Jerry Ting Editor-in-Chief
On Thursday, March 11, Girl’s Softball faced off against the Dublin Gaels in a hardfought 11-5 loss. Heading into the game, the Lady Warriors were adjusting to the return of Senior Captain Emmeline Wang and the loss of Junior Adrianna Aboumrad to injury. In the first inning, the Lady Warriors held off a potential 2-0 deficit by playing tight defense. Junior Megan McLaughlin saved the play by recovering a tough line drive, holding the score to 1-0. Sophomore Rachna Desai was able to round the bases and score a run for the Lady Warriors, tying the game at 1-1. The Gaels retaliated in the top of the second. Although Freshman Muntaha Samad
tain the Gaels. With Mission playing loosely, Dublin chipped away at the score with several grounders and line drives, each taking home a runner. By the end of the inning, the Lady Warriors were down 8-2. Dublin came out strong in the sixth with three runs; however, MSJ didn’t give up. McLaughlin had a line drive and Wang had a walk to fill up first and second. Senior Melody Tay served as a pinch runner for Wang because she was still struggling from her ankle injury. With consistent hitting, Tay, McLaughlin, and Senior Captain Allison Day were all able to score. The Warriors continued their aggressive play with Junior Taylor Jackson hitting deep into left field. Samad had a grounder down midfield to load the bases, but MSJ was unable to capitalize. The seventh inning had no runs.
Senior Captain Allison Day concentrates on catching the ball and tagging out her opponent.
pitched well, the in-field struggled, dropping the ball several times to allow two runs. Down 3-1 entering the third, the Warriors picked up their play. Desai shut out the Gaels through the fourth. First up to bat in the bottom of the inning, Wang had a huge hit to start off the inning, sliding home to lessen the deficit to 3-2. The game was close up to the fifth inning, when the Lady Warriors struggled to con-
editor-in-chief jerry ting
Despite the loss, first-year coach Steve Thompson was pleased with how the girls played “We were able fight back and make a game out of it. We’re still learning to play as a team, and I’m satisfied with the heart we showed and how we came back after being down.” Check out this young team in their first league game on March 23rd against the Washington Huskies. ▪
Coaches’ Corner: Boys’ Tennis By Stephenie Yuan Staff Writer
Having been a competitive player for over 33 years and now head coach of the MSJ Boys’ Tennis team, Coach Barry Poole shares some thoughts on his goals for this season. Poole is undoubtedly engaged during practices and even called out to his players, “Let’s go, guys! We’re burning wind here!” as he shared his thoughts with the Smoke Signal.
SS: Are you more nervous as a player or as a coach? BP: I remember John Wooden. You wouldn’t see Wooden sitting down at a game not doing anything. A reporter once asked him this same question. It’s all about the boys execution; by the time of a game, I can’t do anything. They need to ask themselves if they executed everything they needed to execute. It’s really tough to stand on the sidelines and watch and know that they could be handling stuff better. It’s much easier being a player. SS: What do you enjoy about coaching the team? What is the toughest part? BP: I’ve always been involved in junior tennis both as a player and coach. In 2000, the boys at the club at Mission Hills won the state in SoCal. My girls almost made it that year. With the boys, it’s all about keeping an eye and making sure you’re adaptable to personalities. You need to learn how to read faces and signs.
staff writer stephenie yuan
Smoke Signal: Were you an active tennis player yourself before coming here to coach? Barry Poole: Yes, I have been involved in tennis competitively since I was eight years old. I played up to my forties and stopped due to some shoulder and back injuries and have been coaching since 1977.
SS: What are you goals for this season? BP: Basically to have these guys be well prepared. I would like to know that my guys feel like I have fully prepared them. It they feel prepared, I did my job. I would like for them to be teachers, problem solvers, etc. The same skills in tennis are the same skills they will need to use in life. That’s my goal—to fill that toolbox. ▪
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FEAT. MASTA A & DOCTA J TRACK 7: “ONE OF THESE DAYS” By Joseph Teng & Anthony Wu Sports Editors
The Issue They got ice in their veins, blood on their minds, Fighting their hearts out, ready to grind. To give their all, held back by no wall, You witness glory as they tell their story. The adrenaline’s flowin’, their faces pouring Blood, sweat, and tears yet they keep ignorin’ The pain till one will collapse Sprawled out, knocked out on the mats. Too bad this is only a dream, cut between two Top teams that can’t meet at the same stream. Can’t reach a decision, fans have lost vision, Missing out on the best competition. Pacquiao and Mayweather fightin’ in a blaze, Maybe we’ll witness it one of these days. Docta’s Diagnosis Failing to reach a compromise, the two boxing parties of Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr. are depriving the boxing world of what could possibly be the greatest bout in boxing history. Both fighters are unable to agree to the other camp’s propositions; this stubbornness keeping the match from happening is due to the disease boxringpreventia. Masta’s Analysis Last weekend, we watched an exciting matchup between the world’s best poundfor-pound boxer in Manny Pacquiao and one of the sport’s toughest in Joshua Clottey. But if it wasn’t for boxringpreventia, we could’ve witnessed something even better. I’m talking about Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Back in December, a fight between the top two pound-for-pound boxers was set to take place this month. Combine the limitless talent and unstoppable resolve of Pacquiao with the masterful skill and undefeated record of Mayweather and you have nothing but the most anticipated boxing match in history. However, things started falling apart when Mayweather demanded random blood testing within 30 days of the fight. Pacquiao refused, as he believed that such testing would weaken him. After mediation, they still couldn’t come to an agreement, so the fight was off.
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Manny Pacquiao (left) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (right) let a petty argument over blood testing prevent their history-making fight from taking place.
Such disagreements in boxing are not uncommon, but this dispute was one that the sport didn’t need to have. The forecasted record-breaking profits coupled with the boxers’ desires to be recognized as number one should have been enough to motivate them to fight. But they weren’t, and now all we can do is wish for the match. Here’s to hoping that it happens in the near future. ▪
S 20 Sports
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ports on the Dance Floor
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By Hannie Dong, Diya Roy, Megan Bernstein, & Alissa Gwynn Staff Writers, News Editor, and Feature Editor
Since the beginning of civilization, sports have been a source of recreation and physical activity for people across the globe. Yet dance, which has been present in every culture in history and by definition requires skill and physical prowess, is not considered a sport. Though generalized as a performing art based on its expressive nature, it is undeniable that dance possesses the four characteristics that define any sport: Athleticism. Watch any dance performance by a professional dancer, and athleticism is obvious. Comparable to that of a sprinter who bursts into movement out of the starting blocks and a cross-country skier who travels miles of flat terrain, the mix of explosive energy with endurance is unquestionable. Practice. Dancers spend countless hours perfecting technique and practicing the finesse needed to accomplish the physical feats demanded of their bodies. Competition. Dancers nationwide compete against one another in various styles. Many believe dance is not competitive because it is largely judged on audience appeal on shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, but not all sports are determined by a goal or finish line. Like diving, figure skating, and even baseball, there are judges and referees in place to determine the degree of skill or execution by the athlete on well-defined technical criteria. Talent. If you don’t think dance displays the talent of the athlete, go watch an old Homecoming video or attend your friends dance recital. If not more than in other sports, dancers know how to showcase and utilize talent. Not everyone can dance.
CULTURAL
Cultural Indian dances are just as rigorous as other forms of dance but are not as well known. Though there are numerous different types, the prevalent ones are Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kathak. A large part of these dances include what is called nritta, the elaborate footwork. Dancers move their feet faster than most people can count. These steps are set to taals, or beats, and are intricate as well as insanely fast. Performing these steps intermingled with sudden pauses in specific poses requires a great deal of athleticism. Training is similar to that of many other sports, including dozens of squats and lunges and running miles to increase endurance. As most of these dances are usually 8-10 minutes, a great deal of stamina is necessary. During most sports, athletes are allowed to sweat freely, but how many athletes can manage to sweat and still look perfect? Most Indian Classical Dances require layers of makeup as well as costumes with over seven pieces, not counting accessories. All this added weight makes the routines even more tiring. This is similar to athletes trying to play with butter slathered on their face while decked out in five layers of clothing. Mastering any of these forms requires the same things needed in other sports, talent with practice. As with many sports, you simply can’t perform at a high level without talent, but that alone won’t get you very far. Along with it comes hours and hours of practice. Some dancers average over 20 hours of practice a week. The ultimate gratification for an Indian Classical Dancer is performing well. The thrill the dancer feels after a perfect routine is similar to a runner beating a personal best or a soccer player scoring the winning goal. There are also numerous competitions which are judged on aspects such as clarity of movement, intricacy of steps, and other criteria. Cultural Indian dances are sports in every way, requiring tremendous amounts of physical exertion along with grace and poise.
BALLET
CONTEMPORARY Even if you’re not a dance fanatic, you have probably heard of Martha Graham by now. Thanks to the increasing popularity of So You Think You Can Dance?, contemporary dancers are beginning to receive the recognition they deserve, both for artistic qualities and athletic abilities. Contemporary, or modern, dance is a paradox within itself; dancers must display the precise technique of ballet—pointed toes, turnout, core strength—while allowing their bodies to move with greater fluidity than if simply doing conventional forms of dance. Essentially, contemporary dancers must do the impossible: train every inch of muscle on their bodies so that once onstage, their bodies can perform on autopilot. Typical athletes usually do the same (building up stamina, etc.), yet they do not have to add the second element to their performance: emotional appeal. Dancers, whether leaping across stage or completing a series of fouettes (turning sequence), must “tell a story” and convey a believable feeling across to either the judges or their audience. An extremely talented dancer will never look pained or exhausted; if you look up videos of Desmond Richardson, you can see for yourself that there isn’t one moment where he seems ready to collapse from exhaustion, yet every muscle in his body is fully engaged. He possesses great strength, just like other male dancers (they often have to effortlessly lift women above their heads), yet never appears strained. Although contemporary dance does not have a race-to-the-finish-and-destroy-your-opponent attitude, nor was meant to, it would be a mistake to discount it as a non-athletic activity. Between the need for extreme physical strength and mental engagement, contemporary dance is without a doubt a sport.
HIP HOP
One of the most popular forms of dance in pop culture today, hip hop (including break dancing) is one of the most athletic forms of dance out there. Originally beginning with the cultural movement in the African American community, it has blossomed not only into a stunning performing art, but a perfect example of the physically demanding nature of dance. Synchronization, muscle strength, and perfect execution are more than enough to make hip hop qualify as a sport. The physical condition of the dancers is obvious in their complete control of isolated movements in their torsos and legs and the sheer muscle strength needed by break dancers to hold a handstand suspended past 180 degrees. For those unconvinced by the pure physicality of the sport, consider the raw talent needed to make their moves look easy. LeBron James makes a slam dunk look like he’s playing leap-frog; similarly, the ease of execution created by hip hop dancers is nothing more than illusion and talent. It is obvious that the rapid succession of controlled movement and complicated tricking can be incredibly tough, but a talented dancer can make it look effortless. In addition to the talent and athleticism required, there is no doubt that competition is fierce and technical in the world of hip hop. Though it is often judged subjectively, many hip hop dance competitions are also graded on execution and technical skill. Hip hop conventions and competitions are abundant and highly competitive, gaining huge audiences for the unrecognized athletes. Break dancing in particular has become a highly competitive sport, with huge competitions across Europe and Asia. With athleticism, talent, hours of practice and competitions abound, hip hop dancing has all the makings of an athletic sport.
People may assume that ballet dancers have it easy compared to other athletes. Classical music, little running—how can ballet dancers be considered athletes? Ballet is just as strenuous as any other sport, utilizing many muscles and demanding great endurance. Every time dancers lift their legs into the air, they must think about keeping their body straight, rotating their leg from the hip joint, pointing their toes, and maintaining their balance. Furthermore, ballet dancers must keep in shape. Balance and strong core muscles are essential. Men need strong shoulders for lifts to support not only their own body weight but also their partner’s. In pas de deux (ballet partnering), men must lift a 100-pound woman and make it look effortless. Training is just as intense as many physical sports. Take football for example. In both activities, athletes are assigned specific positions. Each follows choreographed plays and travels using certain steps and routes. However, while football players bulldoze their way through the opposition, dancers must always look graceful, light as a feather. The best ballet dancers can make the most difficult moves look easy. This is why ballet is a mental sport as well, since dancers must overcome challenges without showing any strain. While athletes train for games and meets, ballet dancers rehearse for competitions and performances. Competitive dancers are judged on many criteria: technique, posture, timing, poise, musicality, and presentation. With the specific standards of ballet, judges are able to score objectively rather than abstractly. Also, during a performance, the audience is the opposing team, and it is the dancer’s job to make sure that everything runs smoothly. If one ballerina in the corps de ballet (a group of dancers performing together) blunders, the entire show can be ruined. The fact that ballet dancers need to step up to the spotlight and perform under pressure makes them athletes in the truest sense of the word.
photos courtesy of anjana bala, melissa carter, susie chang, and diya roy; graphics by editor-in-chief jerry ting and sports editors joseph teng & anthony wu