The Smoke Signal Vol XLIV No 3

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Smoke Signal

Protective measures for girls’ locker rooms

By Lena Liu Feature Editor In the last couple of years, increased thefts in the girls’ locker room have prompted PE teachers Linda Campana and Julia Madsen to begin practicing a program aimed at reducing the amount of burglaries. However, in spite of this, burglaries still take place because the outdated lockers are easy to break into.

This anti-theft system involves the cooperation of both the students and the teachers. The PE teachers make sure that all the kids leave the locker room before locking the doors, and they are always the last ones to leave the locker room. The students are required to lock up their backpacks; if their backpacks don’t fit in the lockers, they can leave them in the office, which is also locked up. If students leave their backpacks lying around in the locker room, they get a referral.

The teachers and students try to follow this system as closely as possible, but sometimes, problems arise.

For example, says Campana, “when students leave early, the teachers have to let the students in. Also, during the swimming units, the girl swimmers come in early, but I’m on

the pool deck with the boys. Another thing is that the lockers are in poor condition. The latches are so old that even when the locker doors are closed, the doors can be pulled out.

A solution would be to apply one latch to the base of the locker and another to the [locker] door. That way a lock can be put on and secured.”

However, due to the school’s limited budget, the administration has decided that updating the lockers is not a top priority. Says Campana, “I requested the maintenance person attach latches to 50 locker doors, [but] the administration doesn’t feel this is important enough. The lockers have been here since I began teaching 35 years ago when the school opened. Each year, as the lockers get older, the [number of thefts] go up slightly.”

Despite some snags in the anti-theft system, overall, the program is doing quite well.

“The number of thefts has reduced 95% over the last three to four years,” says Brandi Speier, MSJ’s campus supervisor. However, she agrees with Campana and says, “We need to update all the lockers, not just the ones in the girls’ locker room. Locker renovation is a high priority.” ▪

Fish Stark visits MSJ

By Sonya John Staff Writer It is not a typical day at MSJ when the son of local Congressman, Pete Stark, pays a brief visit. On Oct. 24, Fortney “Fish” Stark, the politically astute adolescent walked the halls of MSJ, accompanied by Senior Chirag Vasavda. Stark toured classrooms and met staff and students throughout the day.

Smoke Signal: Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you live, your age, which school you attend.

Fish Stark: I’m 13, and I’m in 8th grade at the Key School, a small private school in Annapolis, Maryland. And by small, I mean really small. It’s Pre K-12, and in the whole school there are only maybe 250 more kids than there are in the senior class at Mission San Jose. I live near a small town called Galesville which is about 20 minutes from Annapolis, the state capital where I go to school. Dad needs to commute into Washington for voting most weeks, which is why we live there instead of in CA. But we go to CA as often as we can, especially him since it’s his duty to be out there and talk to the people who [he] represents.

SS: Why did you visit MSJ? FS: My reasons for visiting MSJ were as follows: my parents wanted me to see what a large public school was like. I thought it was really exciting to see what a math-andscience-centered school was like since my school is so centered around humanities and the arts (I still like music and English better than math and science, but I had fun in the math and science classes [that I visited] ), and to see the school I’d be going to if we moved back there.

SS: What did you think about the MSJ atmosphere? How is it different from your school?

FS: It was exciting and busier than my school, but also a little more laid-back. I used to think my school was laid back [...] Mission made it look like a military school! At Mission you felt absolutely no pressure (except when they handed me a packet from BC Calc). Chirag was a great guide, and everyone I met was really nice. I think I really started the day out well because I had AP English first [...] (I love English)[...] and Mrs. Allen reminded me of my favorite English teacher. Overall, I thought the school was great.

SS: Does your visit to California relate to

your father’s re-election for Congressman?

FS: I wasn’t going to Mission to stump for votes. I had a few days off with school and wanted to come out with Dad to California to help him with his campaign and others with theirs: just walking precincts, phone banking, and stuff. Dad had wanted me to see Mission, and since there wasn’t anything going on Friday morning, he asked me if I wanted to go and I said of course.

SS: How involved are you in your father’s career?

FS: I’ve gone with him on some campaigning

courtesy fortney stark

Fish Stark, son of Congressman Pete Stark, visited MSJ.

trips, but he takes them so often that I’d have to go to summer school if I went on all of them! I’d go with him more often when I was in Kindergarten and could afford to miss a day or two of school. I’ve helped out in his office from time to time [...] writing a few correspondence letters and stuff [...] and I hear about what’s going on in Congress all the time from him as well.

SS: Do people treat you differently because you are the son of a Congressman?

FS: Yes, they do, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. I mean, it’s nice to meet people with him and go to awards dinners and all with him. Luckily, though, there are like 400 other congressmen, so it’s not like I’m the president’s kid or something. I also rather enjoy being so close to politics and knowing exactly what is going on in Washington.

SS: Anything else you would like to add?

FS: The worst thing is that people think, because of my father, I’m like some jerk or something. “Oh, he’s the son of Pete Stark, he must be so full of himself,” y’know? Also, I hate wearing ties. ▪

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News 3

iPod restriction enforced

By Tanu Patel Staff Writer According to the Fremont Unified School District School Board Education Code 48901.5, students are prohibited from using iPods, cell phones, and other electronic devices during class time. While this policy was implemented years ago, students at MSJ are now feeling the effects.

The only exception for having an electronic device is if it is determined by a surgeon or physician essential to a student’s health.

Administrators and teachers fear that students may be using cell phones and other electronic devices to cheat on tests.

However, the focus of the policy is to create an environment conducive to education.

“Electronic devices can be a disruption during classes,” says Vice Principal Zack Larsen. Students are allowed to have electronic devices on campus as long as they are turned off during class time when they may be disruptive. They can have them on, and use them during lunch, break and throughout passing periods.

Teachers can choose how strictly they want to enforce the policy in their own classrooms, ranging from confiscating the devices to ignoring their presence. If a teacher does choose to follow the policy exactly, the first offense requires that confiscating the device and sending it to the office, where the student’s parent must pick it up and sign a contract called the progressive discipline policy, which lists the disciplinary actions that will be taken with further offenses.

If a second offense occurs, the device will once again be sent to the office with a referral slip. The student’s parent will have to come to pick up the device and sign the second offense line of the progressive discipline policy. A third offense will result in the device being confiscated and sent to the office, where the parent will have to pick it up and sign on the third offense line of the progressive

disciplinary policy. The student will face more severe disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension.

Essentially, every student is given two warnings before facing disciplinary consequences.

District policy clearly states that if students bring electronic devices to school and they are stolen or lost, it is not the responsibility of the administrative staff to find those items. However, MSJ Campus Supervisor Brandi Speier recommends that students fill out a “lost item” form, but she cannot promise that they will be found.

“It’s too hard to search every student in the school for missing iPods and cellphones, but if I do find them, I will contact you.” she says. ▪

4 News

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A’s inching closer

The new A’s stadium is set to be completed by 2012.

By Henna Jethani Staff Writer Currently, one of the major issues facing the city of Fremont is the construction of the A’s stadium on the Cisco Systems Campus, in Pacific Commons. The misconception has been that the development of the A’s Ballpark Village project will adversely affect Fremont’s finances. However, negotiations are currently underway, and so far the deal does not involve any financial obligations on Fremont’s behalf. The Cisco field will be relatively small compared to other major-league ballparks, but will be the most technologically advanced in the nation. The technology provided by Cisco will improve ticketing, concessions, and game day operations. Also, there will be great improvements in the digital media and video technology surrounding the stadium. The Ballpark Village will include new housing structures, a state of the art elementary school, classy restaurants, and will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for Fremont’s general fund.

There has been increased controversy and concern surrounding the A’s Ballpark Village Project and the fiscal effect it will have on Fremont, because of the decreasing number of Police and Fire Services throughout the city. Rumors have been circulating that

The Smoke Signal Friday, November 21, 2008

Single-sex classrooms in effect

Fremont may not be able to afford security for the A’s ballpark. This is not the case; the A’s will provide a private security unit as well as financing for Fremont’s Police Services solely for the ballpark. Fremont will have to provide the security throughout the city. Other issues regarding increased traffic have also arisen, but the A’s will encourage public transportation to alleviate the problem. Shuttles to BART, Altamont Commuter Express Stations, and Amtrak will be provided.

Fremont’s mayor, Bob Wasserman, approves of the proposed Ballpark Village project because of the revenue it will bring to the city.

Many residents of the city of Fremont are awaiting the environmental impact analysis, which will be released in spring 2009. The analysis will address issues such as traffic, parking and the effects on the environment of the surrounding area. As the negotiations progress and more documents come into existence, such as the aforementioned analysis, concrete decisions will be made. If the deal goes forth, the construction is approximated to be complete by 2012.

Vice Mayor Bill Harrison said “The A’s deal could be a good way for Fremont to grow its economy. If the deal comes out to be great for the city, I will support it.” ▪

By Lucy Liu Web Editor Throughout the nation, more and more schools are implementing single-gender classrooms. Schools in Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia have converted to single-sex classrooms in an attempt to boost self esteem and standardized test scores. Surveys and recent research showed positive results.

As federal officials finalized rules to ease the process of implementing single-sex education in 2006, schools and even districts have started enacting such measures. In South Carolina, more than 1700 students took a survey by the South Carolina Department of Education. From grades two through nine, 75% of students agreed that the single-gender classrooms were effective. According to the survey, girls especially said that the classes have improved their confidence, participation, and independence.

South Carolina is not alone in this journey: schools in Texas have been encouraged by studies as well. In Wichita Falls, Texas, high schools have separated math classes by gender: a male teacher teaches the boys, and a female teaches the girls. Swayed by research in South Texas that single-gender classrooms improved math scores, Secondary Math Curriculum Director Ward Roberts and Principal Dr. Bob Mobley hope to see improvements in next spring’s Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.

Greene County, Georgia, has converted a whole district of public schools to singlegender. With rock-bottom test scores and numerous teen pregnancies, this rural system hopes to improve the situation. As students approach high school, boys and girls will attend separate middle and high schools on different campuses.

However, even with South Carolina’s survey, the number is too small to be of statistical value. There are too many outside factors that may affect education to conclude a solid theory about single-gender classrooms.

Problems have already arisen in the new systems. Students have even been suspended for protesting the conversion. Parents were also upset with the new system. Interacting with the opposite sex is an essential element,

heralding a new era of Dynamic Living. At a time when architects were concerned with stabilizing skyscrapers from movement due to earthquakes, they are now looking towards constructing buildings entirely dependent on movement. “Our technology has advanced to a point where it seems very likely that we can achieve this,” said Junior Dawei Lui. The Dynamic Tower is entirely selfsufficient, capable of generating electricity for itself as well as for adjoining buildings. Each of its 80 floors will be mounted between 79 wind turbines, which are virtually invisible and extremely silent due to their special shape and carbon fiber composition, and at least 20% of each roof will be exposed to the sun, producing solar energy. In addition, the interior finishing will make use of recyclable and natural supplies including stone, marble, glass, and wood.

Similar to the idea of attaching small pieces of Legos together to make larger objects, the Dynamic Tower will be mechanically fitted on site with pre-fabricated factory assembled parts, which will not only reduce construction time, but also result in limited noise, dust, fumes, and waste compared to traditional construction methods.

The construction of the Dynamic Tower not only exceeds modern-day techniques, but it is also an exceptionally luxurious lifestyle.

The Villa residents have an indoor parking lot where they can directly drive into and then be escorted on a special elevator in their car to their specific floor. Not only that, but

every resident is provided with state-of-theart designs, constantly changing views, a voice activated control system, and high quality Italian finishing.

Additional Dynamic Towers are set to be built in Moscow, New York, and Seoul. “Each Dynamic Tower will be unique, becoming an iconic structure wherever it’s built. Together the Towers will represent an era of a new architecture that will change the look of our cities,” said Fisher.

Green architecture has already made its mark in San Francisco. The California Academy of Science is a spacious, sunlightsoaked museum with a living roof.

Metaphorically speaking, the Academy was built virtually by lifting up a piece of natural land and putting a building underneath it.

The seven grassy domes form a roofscape of rolling hills and valleys, resembling Teletubby Land.

Environmentally speaking, the green top of the building is befitted with a natural cooling and heating systems, water conservation, solar panels, as well as a new habitat for birds and butterflies. With its planetarium, rain forest and aquarium exhibits, and giant Pacific octopus that can stretch 7 feet or shrink to tennis-ball-size, the museum visually and functionally links its natural surroundings. A bird flying above will have to get acquainted with the sight of 1.7 million native plants and the variety of bugs snuggling on top of the building, against the cloak of tall cement buildings around it. ▪

sfgate.com

Dynamic Towers to be unveiled

cache.gizmodo.com

The Dynamic Tower marks the beginning of “green” living.

By Sargun Kaur Staff Writer Science challenged traditional architecture methods, combining motion, green energy, and efficient architecture with the launch of the construction of the revolutionary Dynamic Tower, the first rotating skyscraper. Visionary Italian architect, Dr. David Fisher, revealed the floor layout and designs for the 80-story rotating skyscraper in Dubai,

a.abcnews.com

Single sex classrooms are becoming a trend across the US.

and parents are concerned with the lack of communication.

Because most of these schools face dissatisfactory test results and poor conditions, implementing the single-gender policy might not have the same effect at MSJ. Some of its students prefer a co-ed school.

“Interaction with the opposite gender is necessary, especially since we will be forced to learn in a non-single-gender classroom when we move onto higher education,” says Senior Kimberly Zaw. “I guess our grades would improve because we wouldn’t really focus on looking better or trying to impress [guys], because all we would be doing is studying and basically concentrating on what the teacher is saying,” said Junior Revathi Kotni.

Though research and studies have shown positive results at these less privileged schools, as more and more districts implement singlegender classrooms, only time will be able to tell whether such a system is effective. ▪

Hopkins principal passes away

By Alissa Gwynn Staff Writer Leesa Jack, a caring principal, supportive friend, and avid “fancy shoe” fanatic, passed away on Oct. 7th due to an advanced stage of pancreatic cancer. She was 57. Colleagues, former students, and the community at large were shocked. “I had no idea anything was going on,” said sophomore Janvi Shah, “It’s sad; she was an inspirational principal who really cared about her students.”

Prior to her employment as principal at Hopkins, Jack worked first as vice principal (2001-2002), then as principal (2002-2003), at Orchard Elementary School in San Jose.

She also previously taught math and science at John Muir Middle School, which is located in San Jose. Jack has led Hopkins to the position of the top Junior High school in California (based on API scores) as well as a Blue Ribbon school.

Viewed more as a friend than as an administrator, Jack was constantly interacting with the teachers and students at Hopkins.

She would share stories, joke around, and play card games with them, all while continuing to carry out her duties as principal. During construction on campus a few years back, she would always be seen wearing a hard hat and carrying a clipboard “to make sure they [the construction workers] got everything right for us,” according to P.E teacher Candy Lindskog.

In order to commemorate Jack, students and administrators have worn purple, her favorite color, on various Fridays. They are also in the process of planning something on a grander scale to honor her. Proposed ideas include planting a jacaranda tree or purple irises. Lindskog remembers and describes her as “a professional when she dealt with the district, an adviser when dealing with teachers, and a parent when dealing with the kids.” ▪

Friday, November 21, 2008 The Smoke Signal

the

Smoke Signal

Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964 Vol. 44, No. 3 | November 21, 2008

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Opinion 5

MAOTH off!

Jules of Wisdom

Amend the Constitution: Protect Gay Rights

I love me some America

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41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539 (510) 657-3600 Editors-in-Chief Sophie Diao, Mala Neti News Vidya Mahavadi, Amy Mao Opinion Julia Harrell, Marianna Mao Feature Lena Liu, Hannah Scobel Centerspread Amanda Kwan, Natalie Yang A&E Vicraj Gill, Eric Sun Sports Ryan Tanakit, Audrey Tseng Graphics Cici Cao, Jerry Ting Web Raymond Chou, Lucy Liu Tech Abhay Malik, Albert Yuan Ads Rebecca Gao, Sargunjot Kaur Business Victoria Gu Circulation Derek Yueh Events Megan Bernstein, Clara Ma Copy Editors Sandhya Chandrasekaran, Sonya John, Cynthia Kang, Tanu Patel, Anastassia Tselikova, Jane Wang

Writers & Photographers Andre Abrahamians, Monica Chen, Victor Chen, Christine Cheng, Michelle Chu, Ankur Dhar, Hannie Dong, Michael Feuerman, Peter Gao, Alissa Gwynn, Niku Jafarnia, Henna Jethani, Karen Lin, Yvonne Lin, Gina Liu, Joseph Teng, Elisa Ting, Anthony Wu, Jonathan Ye, Jordan Zhang

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

To advertise in the Smoke Signal, e-mail ads@thesmokesignal.org. Advertising that is included on the pages of, or carried within, the Smoke Signal, is paid advertising, and as such is independent of the news and feature content.

The Smoke Signal’s right to freedom of speech and press is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

By Julia Harrell Opinion Editor

My favorite activity to pass the time during road trips is looking for bumper stickers. I love seeing ridiculous slogans and witty phrases pasted on the backs of cars both old and new.

During the past eight years, I frequently saw decals that proclaimed “Proud to be an American” in block letters against a background of glorious red white and blue.

Eight years ago those stickers meant nothing to me, but as I got older and began to follow politics more closely, the slogan and the people who touted it started to annoy me.

Until recently I would scoff at drivers of vehicles whose tailgates were basked in so called “patriotism. ” I considered myself above the influence of the right-wing propaganda campaign to rally citizens behind the war in Iraq and the current administration’s often unconstitutional policies.

Although I still oppose the war and am far from being a rightwing sympathizer, I recently had an epiphany about the slogan I thought I hated.

I really am proud to be an American.

On November 4, 2008, as I sat at a white folding table checking people off the voter registration list and handing them ballots, I realized that being an American is not something to be ashamed of.

On election day I was excited to be a part of history by working at a

Graphic Opinion

polling place, but I never expected to come out with an overwhelming sense of pride in my country.

Hearing a mother say to her young son, “Okay honey, take a picture of Mommy voting for the first time,” and witnessing husbands and wives exchanging overjoyed looks as they explained to me that this was their first time voting as citizens made me rethink what I considered patriotism.

I came to realize that it doesn’t matter how big the flag on your front porch is or how loudly you recite the Pledge of Allegiance on Monday mornings. Having pride in the United States means using the voice that you are given as an individual.

Though I was not eligible to vote in this election, seeing men and women of all ages and races activly participate in democracy filled me with pride and hope.

I may listen to Anti-Flag instead of Toby Keith and watch The Daily Show instead of Fox News but that doesn’t mean that I lack pride or faith in the U.S. My country is a place where it’s okay to disagree with authority and my ancestors were some of the first people to fight for the right to do so.

I know that the United States is far from being a perfect country, but as I watch it grow from a broken nation into one of unity and prosperity, I will be proud to call it home. ▪ Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org

Staff Writers

The last few days in office...

Opinion Editor

On November 4, President-elect Barack Obama announced to the world, “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

Yes, Obama’s victory showed that our democracy can overcome the partisanship, racism, and ignorance that often stain American politics. But the election of a halfKenyan president only underscores the irony that in the same night, voters in Arizona, Arkansas, California, and Florida disenfranchised gay Americans, taking away their fundamental rights to marry and raise children. If America wants to live up to its creed “with liberty and justice for all,” we need to pass a Constitutional amendment prohibiting all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In a country where “all men are created equal,” there are no legal grounds for applying different laws to gay and straight people; like skin color, sexuality is a natural and immutable characteristic. For decades, research has suggested that sexuality is heavily influenced, if not entirely determined, by genetics. There is nothing immoral or wrong about homosexuality, which has been observed in 1500 animal species and well documented in over 500.

The argument that homosexuality isn’t “right” because only het-

erosexual couples are naturally equipped to have sex is ludicrous.

After all, the history of the human race has been a struggle to surpass our natural limitations. If it’s not natural for two men or women who love each other to be together, it’s also not natural for people to wear clothing, fly or get vaccines.

After the suffragist and civil rights movements of the past two centuries, America should have learned a lesson: it is hypocritical and unconscionable to extend “equal” rights to one group and not the other. Qualified acknowledgments of fundamental rights are not acknowledgments at all. We should no longer compromise when it comes to civil liberties—we cannot settle for “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies and civil unions.

The tombstone of Leonard Matlovich, a gay Vietnam War veteran who died in 1988, reads, “When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.” Matlovich risked his life to protect American liberties, liberties he was no longer entitled to once he revealed his sexuality. The tragedy is that in the 20 years since his death, we have made little progress. Until we extend equal rights to gay people, not state by state but by amending the Constitution, America will only be a place where not everything is possible, where the dreams of our founding fathers flicker but feebly in our time. ▪ Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org

The Bush Legacy

By Michael Feuerman & Rebecca Gao

staff writer monica chen

By Marianna Mao

When the Smoke Signal decided to investigate George W. Bush’s plans for his last few weeks in office, we originally concocted an elaborate plan to break into his secret files à la Spy Kids. But we merely went with hacking his e-mail account (cake_loverGWB1946@sarahpalin2012.gov).

After a week of shifting through his endless Facebook alerts, we finally came across this: Howdy Cheney! As per usual, I forgot to mention to Congress some of my latest plans for our nation.

First off, I still firmly believe in No Child Left Behind. However, it just occurred to me that no child would be left behind if there weren’t so many ahead. So I have a new proposal for the country, one that I am sure will strengthen my portrayal in history. I will eliminate all Honors and AP classes and drop everyone who has skipped a grade back down.

All As and Bs will be dropped to Cs. After all, I got through school without those things, and look how I turned out!

Secondly, Cheney, try not to be alarmed, but, using my Patriot Act powers, I have been monitoring a terrorist organization, one so massive I fear it has infiltrated even the media. They call themselves the “Demonic Rats.” Recorded mem-

bers include one Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, and someone named “Bill”. But that isn’t the worst of it. This extremist group is led by none other than Hussein Obama himself. I only have weeks left, but, heck, I’ll catch him yet. I would have gathered further evidence, but they caught me in the ventilation shaft and kindly asked me to leave out the front door.

This is solid proof that I haven’t been hallucinating about Afghani and Iraqi insurgents all these years.

Those insidious Demonic Rats have even sneaked into the Supreme Court. To counteract their takeover, I have appointed a new justice named Simon Cowell, someone the American people assure me is a very truthful and outspoken judge.

He will undoubtedly continue my strong government ideals.

I feel this display of my influence is necessary, since I have the strangest feeling that people are ignoring me. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but people don’t seem to pay attention to me anymore. Yesterday, in my all-important State of the Union Address, I issued a dire warning to the American people, but only one man attended: some French guy named Colbert.

This international friendliness did inspire me to take my first trip to the Middle East. First thing I did was to dig around in the sand

a bit, hoping to find those weapons of mass destruction. They were hidden well, but maybe SETI can spot them.

But I did find something interesting. There’s this stamp I’ve just discovered on my table that makes everything really “official-looking.”

I kind of like it, so I make sure to stamp it on every bill that comes my way. I’m not quite sure what it’s for yet, but it says V-E-T-O; glad I’ve found it while I can still decorate with it.

I have also been amusing myself by scrawling endless pieces of drivel on documents for my successor. Go ahead and join the fun, Cheney, as those 26,000 pages of meaningless paperwork will keep that next president busy following my brilliant instructions for his first few years in office. My legacy lives on, Cheney; it lives on.

But it is a pity that someone new is coming in, though, because it seems that my popularity is better than ever. A recent report now indicates that I have fewer critics than ever: only 23%. My approval rating just keeps going up and up!

-Bush P.S. I’ve been hearing some nasty rumors about some sort of “lame duck” hiding in my Presidential office. Knowing your reputation as a gunslinger, I was hoping you could come in and have it killed. ▪

6 Opinion

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The Smoke Signal

Friday, November 21, 2008

Investigative Report: MSJ Tutoring

By Sandhya Chandrasekaran, Henna Jethani, Gina Liu Staff Writers

At MSJ, there are three tutoring programs geared towards different subject areas. Students find assistance in math and science at MASH, foreign language skills at the foreign language tutoring club, and essay writing at Writer’s Block. In October, the Smoke Signal evaluated the student body’s perspective on the effectiveness of the tutoring programs by conducting a school-wide survey and attending sessions at each of the programs.

We found that these clubs provide a positive, engaging environment by allowing students to engage in lively peer-based discussions. At MASH, most students are selfsufficient and ask their peers to clarify questions. MASH supervisor Matt Lazar agreed, “We’ve tried to make the program more student-based. When I’m supervising, I usually just put out some resources for the kids to use, and they figure out the answers to their questions by themselves.” Overall, the classroom environment of the programs lets students multi-task: they can eat lunch, do homework, and form study groups for future tests.

Nonetheless, the tutoring programs could be improved. The most commonly suggested improvement was to increase the number of tutors at the programs. MASH Chairman Jim Camacho encourages students to tutor with an extra-credit policy for AP Chemistry students: “The idea of awarding extra-credit points to students for tutoring has been in effect for a while now. It’s definitely a way for

us to get more people to come to the program and make use of the tutoring opportunities.”

However, this practice may be backfiring.

Survey results show that many students feel MASH doesn’t help because most tutors just help their friends to earn the promised extra credit: over half of MASH attendees reported attending only because their friends needed extra credit. This means that when a student who needs tutoring does show up, he is often left without help because tutors are commonly occupied with their friends. Supervisors should make it clear that the extra-credit is an incentive not to be wrongfully earned.

At all three tutoring programs, we observed that in classrooms with less supervision, the high noise level was much too distracting for learning. Teacher supervision needs to be increased in order to keep students at a reasonable sound level and help those who sincerely want to use the programs’ resources.

On the other hand, the efficiency and organization of all three clubs must be praised.

For example, at Writer’s Block, tutors wear green badges and walk around the classroom to ensure that every student in need of help receives it. Editor-student collaboration has yielded remarkable results. Writer’s Block Adviser Elizabeth Waller-Torres said, “Students who have come in have said [the program has] helped. They get one-on-one help with peers and not just from the teacher. It’s a relaxed and comfortable environment.”

At Writer’s Block, every desk was occupied, and many students were standing around waiting for essay advice. Unfortunate-

ly, in all the commotion, many students were left unattended. Moreover, the large number of students lessens the quality of editing; survey respondents suggested that Writer Block’s editors work on more than grammar and syntax errors. In order to really benefit from the program, students should be able to sit down and discuss their writing at an indepth level with the tutor. But when we attended, we saw tutors correcting papers while the writer stood off to the side, after which the tutor quickly explained the corrections.

At the foreign language program, supervisors were very receptive to helping the students sign in and find a tutor. The day we investigated, French teacher Valerie Hodin repeatedly made sure that all the students found suitable tutors to guide them through the session. Spanish teacher Karen Ashcraft also helped the tutors pinpoint areas of weakness to students for their upcoming test.

The foreign language program also ensures that each student has one, and only one, tutor, so each pair is able to develop a tutor-tutee relationship. However, Senior Krista Abrams, a tutor at the club, suggests, “Although the tutoring is one-on-one, I’m never really able to connect with my students over a long period of time. Every week brings a new student, and having never heard a response from my previous student, I never know whether my tutoring methods work or not. I feel that if we were assigned to a student for a longer of period of time, the results would be a lot better.”

Abrams’ advice can be applied to all three

The Case for Legalizing Weed

By Sophie Diao & Jonathan Ye Editor-in-Chief & Staff Writer The American Medical Association lists 435,000 people dying from tobacco-related illnesses in the year 2000. In the same year, 85,000 people died due to alcohol consumption, while 32,000 died from “adverse reactions to prescription drugs.” Aspirin killed a separate 7,600 people. Marijuana’s death toll for 2000? 0.

And yet, every year, $42 billion in taxpayer revenue goes toward fighting the “War on Pot.” Why? Prohibition in the US has consistently failed. The restriction on marijuana is no different.

The government has never been able to control the use and trafficking of this widely used plant.

A recent poll conducted by drugwarfacts.com showed that in 2007, there were over 14 million marijuana related arrests in the US. It is projected that there will be over 20 million arrests in 2008. In California, the so-called Dope State, a recent marijuana bust yielded $20 million dollars of assets from 7,200 plants. The number of plants would have been much higher had the arrest been before 4/20.

A legal market of marijuana would drastically reduce the amount of arrests and crime rates nationwide. Legalizing marijuana reduces if not destroys the money flow to international drug cartels.

Because there is such a high demand of marijuana, gangs look to drug trafficking as a means of pro-

web editor raymond chou

of the tutoring programs. In order to gear programs to target the people who need them the most, assigning tutors to the students may be a viable alternative for students seeking help on a more long-term basis. Then, the tutors will grow more accustomed to a student’s strengths and weaknesses and will learn to focus on those specific needs.

The final verdict? MASH, Writer’s Block and the foreign language club at MSJ can become extremely beneficial to students if improvements are made. The changes that students make in collaboration with the teachers can develop the programs even further and provide better opportunities for students in the future. ▪

SEGRE(GAY)TION

By Niku Jafarnia Staff Writer

staff writer peter gao

“No no, sweetie, alcohol and tobacco are bad for you!”

curing money. Right now, the only people who benefit from marijuana prohibition are organized crime groups. Legalizing this plant would limit their profits and make underground trafficking less favorable.

As of now, cannabis production is a hugely lucrative but unregulated business. Legalization of marijuana would signal the creation of a new, legitimate industry, and with it, thousands of new jobs ranging from farming to transportation.

These new business ventures would lead to much better regulation of cannabis than if the plant were to stay illegal.

Marijuana’s detractors argue that it is unhealthy and dangerous – and yet, marijuana usage has never been recorded as fatal, while tobacco and alcohol kill hundreds of thousands each year. Alcohol consumption is also linked to domestic abuse; in

contrast, marijuana is used medically to relieve “nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety” (Institute of Medicine, 1999).

Abusers can become physically addicted to both alcohol and tobacco, while marijuana has not been proven to cause addiction. (Psychological addiction can occur, but that depends on the user and not on the drug itself.) With this in mind, why should the statistically safer and non-physically addictive marijuana be illegal while the numbers of alcohol- and tobacco-related deaths continue to grow?

It’s time to recognize that marijuana has no part in the War on Drugs. Instead of wasting $42 billion per year, the government should spend its money elsewhere. ▪ Disclaimer: The Smoke Signal does not advocate the recreational consumption of marijuana.

In light of recent studies showing that harassment and violence are causing homosexual students to drop out of school at a much higher rate than their heterosexual classmates, the Chicago School Board is making plans to open a “gay friendly” high school: the Social Justice High School-Pride Campus, a safe haven for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students that would also welcome heterosexual students.

The plan’s proponents say that it would be a great place for homosexual students to escape harassment. It would provide them a safe environment from bullies, allowing them to learn and receive a proper education without the constant fear of violence and torment from their peers. However, a single word can completely change the outlook of the proposal: segregation.

The situation just seems a little too déjà vu. Think back to the 1950s, when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum, a time when African American children and Caucasian children were not permitted, by law, to go to the same schools. One of the greatest motives for learning history is the chance to learn from past mistakes.

The US has yet to resolve the problem of racial segregation, much less begin a new era of segregation based on differing sexual orientations.

Many might believe that the situation differs, that these students

are separating themselves out of their own free will, whereas during the time of racial segregation it was involuntary. However, it most definitely isn’t the choice of homosexual students to be harassed and bullied to the point that they feel it’s necessary to leave their friends and relocate to a new school. Rather than attempting to create a new environment for these harassed students, school officials should be investing more effort in creating educational programs to teach students the concept of acceptance so that these problems don’t arise in the first place. They need to realize that relocating these students will only worsen the situation rather than solve it.

Opening a school for homosexual students would create an easier target for discrimination because they would all be concentrated in the same school. Not to mention, it would suggest to other students that it’s acceptable to torment homosexuals because the victims of this harassment would simply move to another school. Creating a “gayfriendly” high school would do nothing other than produce greater problems not only for the Chicago school district, but for homosexuals around the US. Fortunately, Mayor Daley, a supporter of gay rights, is one of the few fighting against the Chicago Board of Education to keep this proposal from passing. For now, Pride Campus is projected to open in 2010 to 600 students. ▪

Friday, November 21, 2008 The Smoke Signal

How will the economic downfall affect you personally?

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Opinion 7

What do you think of the new restrictions on “freaking” at school dances?

“Despite people’s beliefs that [the economy] won’t apply to them, only to people at the extremes, I feel like that is not true. We can see the effects through our parents. The middle class is getting hurt especially in the Silicon Valley... through layoffs, cuts and bankruptcies. The budget cuts are also affecting the school and this is all a trickle down effect. Our education is important but the students are not getting all that they need.”-Jessica Wan (11)

“I think that the freaking policy and the dance security are a little overrated. Sure some parents may feel it poses a bad influence on kids but in general there’s no harm in ‘dirty dancing.’ The freak police were not useful because around me I didn’t see anyone get busted. Also, because there were too many of us; there was too big a handful to catch.” -Tiffany Lind (11)

“In my case, it’ll be a pain for my parents when I go off to college next year. College tuition is crazy expensive, especially the UC system and private schools, and although my parents tell me that I should go wherever I get accepted, even if it’s out of state, I will probably stay in state, just to save money for the future.” -Stephanie Cheung (12)

“I didn’t notice them much until my friend got caught by one of them. I think it’s stupid how we have to pay them to watch us when we can use teachers and parent chaperones for free. It’s not like we are willing to listen to strangers anyway. Students would be more cooperative with the dancing rules if they knew their own teachers were watching them dance.”

-Sonia Dhawan (10)

“Strangely the economic recession has benefited me by lowering housing prices for a single income person. I was able to buy a huge house because of the bad housing market. In a weird way, because I am a single person I was able to buy more. This is the first time that I am happy to be a little poor. I don’t have to worry about the stock market because I do not have any money invested there.” -Jeff Evans, History teacher

“I don’t think the extra security guards really help, so in a sense it is a waste of money. Dirty dancing really isn’t an issue. There are other more important things to worry about. Spend the money on other stuff rather than on making sure people don’t get too close to one another.” - Jaime Richards, Government teacher

photos taken by staff writer jane wang

MSJ Cyber Security Too Tight

By Ankur Dhar & Clara Ma Staff Writers

There’s one screen that every Mission student sees more often on school computers than even the MSJ home page—the “Content Blocked” page.

No matter when students use the library computers, be it for research or just to check their email, there is a good chance that they’ll encounter this screen. The school and district claim this Content Filter is for the students’ protection from inappropriate information on the web, when it’s really preventing students from doing their work.

We tested this filter by searching various words that might be considered inappropriate but were still legitimate for school use. Apparently, words such as “gay,” “incest,” and “sexually transmitted infection,” are inappropriate for high school students.

The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) educates the student body on gay rights issues and tolerance; the Oedipus plays mention incest frequently; and all freshmen learn about sexually transmitted infections in Health class.

Clearly these subjects are appropriate for the school environment, yet the district blocks them.

Blocking the words “gay,” “lesbian,” and “homosexual” only reinforces intolerance for these topics hinder-

ing the GSA’s work in reversing prejudice. If the district’s excuse is “to protect the student from inappropriate content,” they have a bit more than just websites to worry about.

School libraries should have resources beyond the classroom or textbook for students to do research and write reports. Instead, the MSJ library actually has less information and becomes a hindrance whenever students are forced to use it during class.

Many people use their own laptops instead, and others are desperate enough to use proxy servers and redirects, a violation of district policy. This is not out of defiance, but of necessity, as much of the information schools need for up-to-date curriculum is being denied. A simple assignment for government class is ruined when the words “Prop 8” are blocked. Yet, try searching “how to build a bomb” and the results will show.

This hypocrisy could be fixed easily if the district just took some time to analyze their filter and alter it to better suit the curriculum. Instead they leave the job to students, who must petition the district to remove each blocked site one by one. Given the internet’s size, it is impossible to individually unblock every site current and future students will need, yet the ones who

have the power to get the job done faster simply won’t.

We found that the most blatant example of the district’s ineptness is with the blocking of email sites, such as Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and AOL mail. These sites are not blocked because of any particular content, but because of the special protocol they use called https, which allows for a secure link to one’s email account.

Email access is crucial to all students, and if somehow the school library is not secure enough for this access, what does that say about the district’s ability to secure and utilize its technology?

In addition, we found that the filter allows other words through.

One can learn to “build a bomb” and searching racial slurs for African Americans as well as Chinese are allowed. The effectiveness of the filter is also deprecated. While one cannot search about information on a “gang,” simply make it the plural form “gangs” and lo and behold, it works.

The content filter severely limits the information available to students on campus, and with the library being especially limited with an additional content filter on top of the first one, the district simply proves its incompetence with updating its technology and exercising rational judgment when deciding students’ curriculum. ▪

I recently ran into Mr. Mattingly and he asked me to take a look at the Smoke Signal’s article on the cancellation of the much loved Mock Convention. I was shocked when he said that it was cancelled, but I think I was even more surprised about the lack of enthusiasm the seniors have shown over this decision.

I never had any desire to even talk politics with anyone until Mr. Larsen’s government showed me that I did have my own opinions. I really discovered my true love and passion for government and the process when I stepped up to that podium on that December morning. The experience we all walked away with has affected every person I know.

Mock Convention illustrated like no other experience, a party’s nomination process. To this day, I have classmates asking my professors to explain aspects of the party’s nomination conventions that we participated in. I don’t know how much more relevant curriculum can get in a Presidential election year.

I am currently in my senior year at Chico State and I will be graduating with a double major in Political Science and Public Administration. I credit my love of government to my Mock Convention experience at Mission San Jose.

-Emily Alexander, Class of 2005 Send letters to the editor to opinion@thesmokesignal.org

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Friday Activity: Newlyweds 10.17.2008

A. Seniors Joy Lin and Sean Gabel share a kiss during the Newlyweds Activity.

B. Seniors Emily de Stigter and Matt Hanna eagerly await the response from Hanna’s girlfriend.

C. The girlfriends of the male participants ponder the questions asked.

Undokai

10.17.2008

D.Undokai participants compete in the donut eating contest.

E. Team purple performs during one of the events.

F. Team black cheers on as they are announced the winners of this year’s contest.

Halloween 10.31.2008

G. Junior Sam Kim and Freshman Stacy Chuang, dressed in matching pirate costumes, share a private moment as they wait on stage.

H. This year’s costumes ranged from the traditional ghost to a student dressed as Senator John McCain.

I. Juniors Amanda Howland and Alyssa Gilbert dress up as Home Depot girls.

Sports Assembly 10.31.2008

J. Still in their costumes, the choir sang the National Anthem at the assembly.

K.Senior Lyndsi Mark performs an aerial.

Red Ribbon Rumble & Fall Blood Drive 10.24.2008 & 11.7.2008

L. Senior Alex Xu waits to donate blood.

M. Freshmen Annie Gu and Candice Tandiono pledge to be drug free.

N. Seniors Sorah Yang and Jonathon Shay fire up the crowd with song.

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photos by graphics editors cici cao, jerry ting, a&e editor eric sun, staff writers megan bernstein, victor chen, sonya john, joseph teng, anthony wu

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Smoke Signal

www.thesmokesignal.org

Centerspread 9

By Natalie Yang, Amy Mao, & Karen Lin

Centerspread Editor, News Editor, & Staff Writer The last bell of the day rings, and you burst out of the doorway of your sixth (or seventh) period class. Freedom! you think. Sweet, glorious freedom!

But once the novelty of the idea fades, you are left with the dull reality of your situation: you have nothing to do. We’re here to fix that.

Take heed, readers. Our handy-dandy list of unique indoor activities will save you from the boredom of that idle Thanksgiving break.

SAN FRANCISCO JAPANTOWN Just a mile away from San Francisco’s Westfield Shopping Center, Union Square meets its match in one of only three Japantowns in the United States. This Japantown spans six blocks and offers a comprehensive shopping experience. Its stores are filled with goods imported from Japan, including traditional and trendy fashions, jewelry, and books. Every year, the area celebrates the Nihonmachi Street Fair in August and the Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

Though many who hail from the island country claim that the San Francisco version has been Americanized by immigrants who combined aspects of both countries and cannot be compared to the real deal back in Japan, Japantown has proven to be an effective and entertaining method of keeping the Japanese culture alive in America.

Go to www.sfjapantown.org for more information.

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES The California Academy of Sciences is home to attractions such as a coral reef display with over 2,000 species of sealife, a four-story artificial rainforest, the largest all-digital planetarium in the world, and an aquarium exhibit housing dozens of water tanks.

But perhaps the most unique section of the museum is its 2.5 acre living roof. Housing over 30 species of native plants that attract a multitude of birds and insects, the aesthetically-designed hills serve not just to create a more natural environment, but also to draw cool air into the building, acting as vents for the exhibits below.

Located only a third of a mile from the Embarcadero BART station in San Francisco, the Academy charges $24.95 for adult admission and $19.95 for youth.

Visit www.calacademy.org for more information.

WAX MUSEUM The Wax Museum, in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, carries over 200 life-sized wax figures divided into six exhibits, ranging from dictators and royalty to Hollywood stars and iconic entrepreneurs. Its most popular display is The Gallery of Stars, which is constantly expanding with more wax figures being made in the likeness of emerging stars.

Each exhibit has a different mood: the Palace of Living Art is artistically inspiring, and the Chamber of Horrors is eerie. The Chamber of Horror includes wax figures of Frankenstein, Dracula, Freddy, and a good dozen or so grisly torture scenes. If anything, the museum is the perfect place to whip out that camera and snap pictures of yourself alongside famous people from the past and present. Tickets are $12.95 for adults and $9.95 for youth.

For more information, visit www.waxmuseum.com

SKY HIGH SPORTS Sky High Sports was founded by Jerry and Ron Raymond, two brothers who envisioned a place where they could play with their kids. Because of this, the trampoline center in Santa Clara is both safe and fun.

All trampoline frames at the center are spring-loaded, and both frames and springs are covered with four-inch thick safety padding. Court supervisors watch over the vicinity.

Apart from the traditional birthday parties, church gatherings, and corporate events, Sky High Sports also hosts trampoline dodgeball tournaments for $60 a team. Groups of six pair up against each other, taking the old game of dodgeball to a whole new level as players literally bounce off walls to evade and smite their opponents. Pricing is $9/hr per person.

If you’re interested, be sure to visit Sky High Sports’ website at www.jumpskyhigh.com.

Located across from the Fremont Hub on Fremont Blvd. and Mowry Ave., both the restaurant’s parking lot and its interior looked desolately empty.

A giant menu hung over the cash register, where an employee immediately prompted us for our order. Slow decision makers might find this arrangement daunting, especially during rushed business hours. After ordering a meat shawarma sandwich, the falafel plate, and baklava, we hovered awkwardly in front of the counter, not knowing whether the absence of a ‘Pick-Up Here’ sign meant we should wait or head further in to sit down. Fortunately, the employees were relatively friendly and helpful, coming to our rescue and directing us inside to the dining area to await the arrival of our meal. The service was astonishingly fast, as we were digging into our entrees within 10 minutes.

The shawarma sandwich, a popular fast food staple in the Middle East, consisted of a pita pocket bread with marinated lamb slices, turnips, pickles, tahini, and tomatoes inside. Though the meat was a little on the salty side, the acidity of the vegetables and mildness of the bread melded the flavors together quite nicely. Our falafel plate came with a Greek salad topped with feta cheese, olives, turnips, and pickles and a mound of baba ghannouj, a dip made from blending baked eggplant, tahini, and seasoning together. A side of warm pita bread accompanied the spread, and while the baba ghannouj’s texture was smooth and melted gently in the mouth, its smoky flavor and tart acridity proved to be rather disagreeable.

Thankfully, the falafel patties with their crunchy exterior and light and tender interior were, without a doubt, delicious, whether combined with the pita and baba ghannouj or eaten alone.

Our final dish, the baklava, consisted of many flaky filo dough layers soaked in sticky syrup and heavily stuffed with a variety of chopped nuts, was an especially sweet way to conclude our meal.

Though the establishment leaned more towards fast food than regular dining, the mellow atmosphere in both the restaurant interior and the small courtyard outside, complete with an outdoor bar counter, patio furniture, and water fountain, gave the restaurant a classy and comfortable feel.

With the entire lunch of two entrees and one dessert totaling just slightly over $15, we left Falafel, etc. with our stomachs close to bursting and our wallets still full.

By Amy Mao and Karen Lin Grade: B+ News Editor and Staff Writer

photos from arabist.net, photos.everywheremag.com, greenroots.com, jumpskyhigh.com, sfcitizen.com, treehugger.com, waxmuseum.com, and by staff writer karen lin.

10 Centerspread

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The Smoke Signal

Friday, November 21, 2008

Never mind shopping malls and movie theaters.

Fre m o nt is an unexpected trove of public landmarks and adventure, some hidden, others in plain sight.

He re are four of the most spectacular pieces of public property right here in our hometown.

By Natalie Yang, Cici Cao, & Monica Chen Centerspread Editor, Graphics Editor, & Staff Writer

Morrison Canyon Road

Secret Garden

What It Is

What It Is

The two-mile Morrison Canyon Road starts off as a two-lane road and merges into a one-lane mountain road, complete with turnouts.

When we made the trip, a creek snaked along our right side, and trees and shrubbery made up most of the landscape, providing ample shade for a comfortable drive.

As our group neared the two red barns, the greenery faded, and we were left with ranches on both sides of our car, not different from those of Mission Peak.

Where It Is

Go north along Mission Blvd. Turn right on Morrison Canyon Road, which is opposite of Walnut Road. Continue up Morrison Canyon until you are at a red barn. (Do not enter the barn; it’s private property). Be sure to turn left when you hit Vargas.

Accessibility

To reach the sensational view on top of Morrison Canyon, you will have to hike, bike, or drive two miles up the mountain. Since there averages one turnout every half a mile, be extremely cautious of oncoming vehicles. In addition, there are many small boulders on the road due to miniature rock slides. If you have the time, we recommend hiking up Morrison, but if not, be extremely careful when driving.

Note: parking is not permitted next to the barns.

The View

When our group reached the top, the view was not as great as we had expected. Only a small sliver of space was not blocked by hills or barns, and that space was covered in fog on the day we visited Morrison. On better days, we can expect this road to show us the bay.

The view is about the same no matter what time of day you travel, but do not travel at night! There are no streetlights, and the trees will block out most moonlight.

Environment

We highly recommend Morrison for its clean and natural environment, especially if you choose hiking as your mode of transportation.

As stated earlier, the trees provide enough shade for comfortable travel. At the apex of the hill, there are horses and cows for your viewing pleasure. The only downside of this is the smell of manure.

Overall Rating: C

Nestled in the grove on the dip in Paseo Padre Road, this “garden” was as hidden as it was secret. As we trekked down a trail that supposedly led to the garden, we saw nothing but a beaten-down bridge. Further exploration down the path resulted in the discovery of sections of graffiti-ed walls that made the location a prime candidate for a haunted house on Halloween. As the path ended, there was still no garden in sight. As it turned out, the garden was… the decrepit bridge.

Where It Is

Go west along Washington Blvd. toward the plaza that contains Froggies and Mission Jarrita. Turn left on Luzon Drive and continue on until you see a big gate to your right. If you see red barn beyond the gate, then you are at the right place. You can park by the road and walk through the gate to explore the Secret Garden.

Note: Don’t be scared of the menacing signs. They are just there to remind you that people are not allowed after sunset.

Accessibility

Reaching the Secret Garden is simple, and the trail beyond the bridge is easy to follow. However, when venturing beyond the bridge, you’ll encounter several forks in the road. To avoid exiting the garden by accident, always choose the path that leads downward.

Note: Please do not go on the Secret Garden path at night, for there are no lights and the trees block out all other light. One slip and you might fall down into the creek below. Plus, it’s not allowed per the signs.

The View

Despite the initial disappointment over the purported garden, the pathway that starts from the Secret Garden is scenic, filled with surprises on the way. Just a bit further from the bridge lie walls covered with colorful, even quirky graffiti. The path onwards, then, is shrouded by trees with branches that created a green foyer above our heads. The moss on the trunks further added to a Jurassic Park feel.

The path ends at a vast stretch of barren land that overlooks the 680 Freeway, which also includes a pretty good view of Fremont.

Environment

The path toward the Secret Garden is not exactly clean, but it offers a real taste of nature, with small twigs and cow feces littering the path.

Unfortunately, our eyes were glued to the road in our attempts to avoid the manure on the ground, so we were unable to fully appreciate our surroundings.

Note: The trail is muddy and very slippery if it has rained recently.

Overall Rating: B-

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Smoke Signal

www.thesmokesignal.org

Ram Court

Secret Sidewalk

What It Is

What It Is

Located on top of a residential court on the hills, this spot offers a breathtaking night view of the city lights. As we stepped onto the vast expanse of barren land at the end of the cul de sac, the night scene of Fremont opened up as lights sparkled below.

Where It Is

Drive west on Mission Blvd., away from MSJ and past Ohlone College. Turn left on Cougar Drive and then right onto Cougar Circle. Next, turn right at Boar Circle and then immediately right again at Ram Court.

You will pass a series of houses that opens into a wide clearing at the end of the court, which opens up to the night scene.

Accessibility

Reaching Ram Court was very simple. However, be sure to bring a GPS or a flashlight because looking for road signs in the dark may be confusing, especially up in the hills. Moreover, try to get back to Mission Blvd. the same way that you came or else you will be circling around the enclave of Mission Hills for quite a while. However, even if you aren’t able to go back exactly the way you came, don’t stress because there are many ways navigate out of the hills.

Note: Try to go in a group, so it will be easier to navigate and find your way up to the location. It is more fun to enjoy the view in a group as well.

The View

The view is simply put, a panoramic night scene of Fremont. However, the lights paint a grand picture that made me catch my breath when I first came upon it. The only downside to Ram Court is that it is just a view. After a few minutes, the initial intrigue from the lights died down as I looked for more adventurous quests to embark upon.

Environment

Located within Mission Hills, the environment is the best that one can ask for. However, since anyone can come up to Ram Court, there might be some shady characters there as well. Always travel in a group for safety and for an overall more fun experience.

Note: Since you are in a residential area, don’t do anything that will disrupt the residents of Ram Court. Yelling out into the expanses may be fun, but that might get you booted from the wonderful scenery.

Overall Rating: B+

Centerspread 11

The Secret Sidewalk is an old aqueduct tunnel in the Niles Canyon area that was built in the 1800s. The hidden, isolated area used to be a party spot during the 80’s. Today, it is a nearly forgotten legend.

The journey requires a great deal of bravery and the support of a group of friends; for this trip, one or two people will not do.

My companion and I came to the tunnel with little preparation (i.e. no flashlight), so after going 10 yards into the eerie, black tunnel, we chickened out and scurried back to the entrance screaming our lungs out. The journey was NOT successful.

Where It Is

Find the railroad that crosses Niles Canyon Road Walk along the rocky path parallel to this track. The railroad is still in use, so be sure to keep your distance. Be warned: the rock path is very uncomfortable; we could feel the rocks through our shoes. Do not walk along the concrete path adjacent to the tracks because it is private property.

You are headed in the right direction if the concrete pathway is on the left side and the dried yellow grass is on the right side. You will come across the old brick factory when you see three brick chimneys. Bring flashlights for the gloomy train tunnel. If you do make it across the tunnel, begin your search for the Secret Sidewalk.

Accessibility

We drove to Niles Canyon Road to begin our journey. We were lost for a while, trying to find the tracks, which run across a neighborhood.

Asking the residents for directions helped us get back on track.

The View

Along the railroad track, we saw trash and dried yellow grass. There were many times when we came across wild deer. We also visited the old brick factory, which certainly was interesting. It was filled with burnt scraps of wood and abandoned cans of an unidentified substance.

The chimneys and factory remains give a sense of Fremont’s image before the place was abandoned. The Sidewalk itself is known to be beautiful. Sadly, we were unable to confirm whether this is true or not.

Environment

The trip was odorous, and the scenery is far from ideal, distinguished by yellow hills and cans of spray paint along the tracks. The area is occupied by wild deer and other creatures. As you get nearer to the tunnels, you will start to see trees on both sides. Once in a while, you’ll have to be careful of the train coming by. BRING BRAVE FRIENDS ALONG if you plan to do this at night; I can’t stress that enough.

Overall Rating: A-

photos compiled by graphics editor cici cao and staff writers sandhya chandrasekaran, rebecca gao, karen lin, jonathan ye, and albert yuan.

12 Centerspread

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Friday, November 21, 2008

By Ankur Dhar and Derek Yueh Staff Writers

Maybe staying inside is not your thing. Maybe you’re done with walls and roofs and would like to escape into the great outdoors. Fear not, dear readers, for we are equally armed with ideas that will take you outside.

ARDENWOOD FARM Ardenwood Historic Farm recreates life on the Patterson Ranch in the 1870s. The Patterson house showcases how the family lived. Docents are dressed in period costumes to add to the effect. The house is closed for most of November, but it reopens on Dec. 4 for Christmas.

Horseback train rides lead you through the evolution of farming from the 1870s to the present, with everything from horse and plow teams to tractors. Back at the farm, you can see various farm animals such as sheep, turkeys, and cows. You may even catch the occasional peacock walking around. The farm also has authentic blacksmiths, whom you can watch work with real tools. You can also buy a horseshoe with your name engraved on it.

The farm is open during winter months from 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for 17 and younger.

MISSION PEAK Mission Peak is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks of Fremont. It is one of the only places in Fremont where snow regularly appears. The mountain stands 2500 ft tall, and can be accessed from two main trails. The trail that begins at Ohlone College allows an easier and more gradual climb, while the trail from the Stanford Ave. staging area, off of Mission Blvd., provides a shorter but steeper trail to the summit. No matter which path you take to the top, the view is phenomenal. The San Francisco Bay, Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais, and even the Sierra Nevada can all be seen from the peak.

The area surrounding the peak is also available for other activities, such as R/C planes, hang gliding, and backpacking. The park is open 7 AM to dusk, and parking costs $1.50 at Ohlone and $3 at Stanford Ave.

COYOTE HILLS Established in 1967, Coyote Hills Regional Park covers 987 acres of marshland and grassy hills. Already a popular place for hikers, joggers, picnickers, and avid bird watchers, Coyote Hills also offers special events throughout the fall season. On Nov. 23, visitors will be able to learn the art of making acorn soup, one of the Bay Area’s most historic foods. By using cracking stones, mortar and pestles, and different types of baskets, participants will be able to cook the old-fashioned way, bringing old traditions back into the future.

In autumn, many flocks can be seen migrating toward a new habitat. On Dec. 6, new and experienced bird watchers are welcome to join Brenda Senturia, an Audubon Society Member, on a series of bird walks to learn patterns of behavior, migration, and habitat.

For more information, visit www.ebparks.org.

JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN San Jose’s Kelley Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden is the perfect place to de-stress and enjoy the changing leaves of autumn. This is one of the rare places in the country where you can experience the zen of a traditional Japanese garden and either read a good book or picnic in beautiful surroundings. Remember to bring quarters to buy fish food; the koi fish literally eat off your hands when you dip them into the ponds.

Although the parking costs $6, entrance to the garden is free, and you will be able to have access to the rest of the park. Just around the corner of the garden are the Happy Hollow Zoo (currently closed for renovation) and History Park. On Dec. 6, the city of San Jose and the newly re-opened Happy Hollow Zoo will host the Holiday Heritage Festival, including book signings, Santa’s Secret Workshop, food and honey tastings, and wreath-making classes.

Tucked away at the intersection of Blacow Road and Mowry Ave., Le Moose Crepe Café is a small family-owned establishment that, as its name suggests, boasts crepes as its specialty.

At the cafe, the establishment’s bright interior and warm lighting made us feel at home as we sat down to scan our menus.

As expected, the menu was dominated by a variety of crepes, both savory and dessert. There were, however, some surprises on the menu that, such as the original PB&J creation bar. Not being the adventurous types, we took a pass on the white chocolate blueberry peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and finally decided on the Le Moose Club Signature on French bread, the Chicken Marsala savory crepe, and the Le Moose Lovers dessert crepe.

The Le Moose Club Signature, with layers of chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and onions, came with a side order of salad. The crumbly bread served as an interesting textural contrast to the sandwich’s contents. Although the Club signature was visually pleasing, it was nothing but a fancier version of one of Subway’s creations.

As we polished off the remains of the sandwich, the owner began to make the Chicken Marsala in a little glass station. From our table we watched as she made the crepe from scratch and spread the curry inside. When the food arrived at our table, we eagerly attacked it. The spicy flavoring was refreshing at first, but a few bites later, we were both draining our cups in an effort to calm down our taste buds.

Our Le Moose Lovers dessert came right on time as we finished the Marsala. Nutella and fruit spilled out when we attempted to divide our portions, but the dessert was appealing nonetheless. The dish definitely satisfied our sweet tooth, but unless warmed fruit and ice cream is your thing, the slightly heated strawberries were a little disconcerting.

From its aesthetically pleasing plates (fruit arrangements, anyone?) to its emphasis on sweet dishes, Le Moose is definitely the place for a nice day out. Other than a few minor disappointments, our time at Le Moose was well spent, and the price tag was moderate (around $20 for all three dishes combined).

By Amy Mao and Natalie Yang Grade: B+ News Editor and Centerspread Editor

find more vacation activities online at www.thesmokesignal.org photos from z.about.com, bayareaflyinglessons.com, bayequest.info, baytrail.abag.ca.gov, localhikes.com, planetware.com, and siliconvalleyvisitor.com and by news editor amy mao and centerspread editor natalie yang.

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Smoke Signal

www.thesmokesignal.org

Hoopty of the Month Shelley Wenzel

Feature 13

Scouts Honor

By Victor Chen Staff Writer

By Hannah Scobel Feature Editor

The Boy Scouts of America is an organization long fabled for its dedication responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance in youth. Different levels of scouting reflect upon different members’ leadership qualities and accomplishments as a Boy Scout. The highest Boy Scout honor is the Eagle Scout. Here at MSJ, we have a few of these impressive scouts, including Senior Sean Foo, Junior Scott Kavanagh, and Sophomore Cody Thompson.

Sean Foo

Shelley Wenzel and her Volvo station wagon.

Through the years, the cars at MSJ have varied from BMW “Beemers” to minivans to the occasional Porsche. Yet since 2002, there has been one consistent, familiar vehicle around the school: the car driven by the Wenzels.

Though it had a brief break after Drew Wenzel’s graduation in 2004, the 1988 740 Turbo Volvo station wagon is now back in action, as his younger sister, Shelley Wenzel, brings the legend back to the MSJ parking lot. But do not be fooled by its seemingly demure and sturdy exterior. This car is fully equipped with a turbo engine. From the outside, it cruises along smoothly without the loud clatter that one might expect from an engine of its caliber, but from the inside its power is clearly noticeable.

Merely watching Wenzel drive the car, it appears as though it is automatic, due to her skill in operating a stick shift. Yet the real beauty of this hoopty is not in its make but rather what the Wenzels have managed to make of their time with it.

“It’s always been our family car, since Drew and I were really small,” said Wenzel, “But regardless of how people perceive it, we

staff writer christine cheng

have managed to have an extremely fun time with it. Once we were driving and came to a stoplight, and a really nice Corvette pulled up right next to us. The driver of the Corvette looked over at us in our station wagon, so I thought it would be a great time to rev my engine, sort of as a joke since our cars were definitely not in the same league. He just laughed and didn’t reciprocate the engine rev.

I’m pretty sure that means we won.”

Something that Wenzel has come to realize is that her vehicle sticks out in the MSJ parking lot.

“When I drive around, everyone knows it’s me. I’m the girl with the gold station wagon.”

With over 170,000 miles on it, it really has been a great vehicle to take a trip down memory lane in. It has provided a means of transportation to and from just about anywhere; sporting events, school functions, you name it, it’s been there.

The water polo sticker on the back of the car clashes with the persona one might expect from the average station wagon driver.

But keep in mind, this is no ordinary station wagon. ▪

staff writer sargunjot kaur

Smoke Signal: Why is scouting important to you?

Sean Foo: Scouting for me has always been about hanging out with friends. When I started out, my dad was the one who got me into it, and [he] suggested that I join Cub Scouts. I thought it was pretty fun at first, but then a bunch of my friends joined, and scouting for me ever since has been about friend-

ship. However, outside of just having fun with friends, scouting has really emphasized in me the importance of leadership.

SS: What was your Eagle Scout project, and what about your project makes you proud?

SF: I helped redo some of the gardens in Ardenwood Farm, specifically the spice gardens.

I’m actually a little disappointed in this task because I think that I could have done it better, and it wasn’t the best result for me.

SS: What is the best part of being an Eagle Scout?

SF: The best part about being an Eagle Scout is that there is no pressure to move on, and advance in rank, though we still have to.

SS: What about the respect you gain from younger scouts?

SF: Well, the respect was always there because I’ve been part of scouting for so long.

Having the title of Eagle Scout doesn’t really change the amount of respect I already had from other scouts. ▪

Scott Kavanagh Smoke Signal: How long have you been scouting?

Scott Kavanagh: I have been scouting for six years. I first knew I wanted to do it because I looked at other Boy Scouts doing their work, and I thought, “I have to do this. It’s just so much fun.” So I asked my parents if I could become a Boy Scout, and they signed me up!

SS: What was your Eagle Scout task?

SK: I built benches for my church because the church was getting remodeled, and so they took out some of the previous benches that an old Eagle Scout did for his project.

I really liked those benches, so I decided to remake them for my church.

SS: What makes you most proud of your accomplishment?

SK: I think it’s the fact that Eagle Scouts are so rare, it just feels like wow! Being an Eagle Scout is just really special to me.

SS: What do you think is the biggest misconception about scouting?

SK: I think that the biggest misconception is that scouting prepares you for the army,

staff writer sargunjot kaur

when in reality, it just prepares you for life in general. There are so many different tasks that a Boy Scout has to complete to become an Eagle Scout, and all those tasks help later in life, be they leadership or menial skills.

SS: What would you say is your most memorable experience from scouting?

SK: I was a 12-year-old at my first summer camp, and the older kids lashed me onto a pole by my wrists and ankles and carried me around the camp. It was SO fun! ▪

Cody Thompson

staff writer monica chen

Smoke Signal: What was your Eagle Scoutproject and why did you choose this particular one?

Cody Thompson: My project was to build a soft wall for Baylands Quarter Midget Track.

Before, they had a brick wall, and because I go-kart a lot, I hated to crash into that. I’ve also raced at tracks with soft walls, and I saw how much better those were, so I decided to

give back to my old club.

SS: So are you into racing?

CT: I am. I first found my passion for racing when I was 10 years old. Currently, I race Micro Sprint Cars at the Delta Speedway in Stockton.

SS: What is the best part about scouting?

CT: The most fun definitely comes from camping out and hanging out with friends.

Troop 105 is awesome!

SS: Why are you proud of your accomplishment as an Eagle Scout?

CT: Because only two percent of Boy Scouts in the nation become Eagle Scouts, I feel that I am very accomplished in being one.

SS: What is one of your most vivid memories from scouting?

CT: [laughs] Beating my scout master in archery. It was funny because I was always the one in my troop to challenge my scout master, but I would lose every time. But this time, I finally beat him in archery. ▪

14 Feature

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guide to

Black Friday

By Raymond Chou Web Editor

What ever happened to the concept of the Black Friday sale being on Black Friday? Thanks to the imploding economy, it seems that retailers are deciding to slash their prices early this year.

Black Friday has been a traditional shopping day dating back to 1924. It signifies the beginning of the Christmas season, or more accurately, the Christmas shopping season, the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black and turning a profit. Yet retailers are hoping to be in the black early this year.

Because of these tough economic times, retailers have decided to spread their sale prices throughout November to coerce budget-conscious buyers to leave their homes and spend their money. And for those who didn’t know about these early sales, this Black Friday may become the day of missed opportunities when they find that what they wanted to buy is either out of stock or no longer at the discounted price.

Of course, leave it to Wal-Mart to have a Pre-Black Friday sale 20 days before Black Friday. The Compaq CQ50-139WM 15.4” Laptop with 2GB RAM and 160GB HD was sold for only $298, and the Sony PS3 with 80GB of storage was reduced to $399, in addition to a $100 gift card.

And just to ruin family bonding time, Kmart is hosting a Thanks-

giving sale on Thanksgiving Day. Some hot items will be the Sony BDPS350 Blu-ray Disc Player for $179.99 and the Nextar X3-03 Text-to-Speech GPS for $79.99.

Also, if you were looking forward to lining up in front of a store in the wee hours of the morning and rushing into the store with a huge crowd, you may also be disappointed to find out that many sales are happening only online. Wal-Mart’s Unbelievable Online Specials include the Philips HD Upconvert DVD Player for $38, and Dell has a wide range of laptops on sale online starting early Thanksgiving Day, including a Dell Inspiron 1525 for $559.

The Black Friday tradition has adjusted itself to fit the current economic state, but many retailers are still holding sales on November 28. Tommy Hilfiger has 40% off all purchases the entire day. Doorbuster deals include Sports Authority with 50% off the entire stock of mens’, womens’, and kids’ shoes and Best Buy is selling the 80GB Playstation 3 with a game and blu-ray disc for $399.99. Other good deals are Half Price Books with 20% off all purchases until 10:00am and Costco selling SanDisk memory products 50% off.

The latest information on Black Friday sales can be found on blackfriday.info, bargainist. com, dealtaker.com, bfads.net, and theblackfriday.com. ▪

The Smoke Signal

Friday, November 21, 2008

Best and Worst Pets

By Sophie Diao Editor-in-Chief

Whether you’re feeling lonely or just fed up with humans, it’s very possible that you may be in need of a pet. To provide you with some food for thought, here is a list of the best and worst pets. Happy companion-hunting!

BEST PETS: 1. Panda dogs – Remember when, right after you found out that pandas existed, you desperately wanted to own one? Now you can.

A panda dog is one of the best pets to have.

As politically incorrect and arguably inhumane as they are, there’s just something too deeply nostalgic about these expensive “designer” puppies, whose naturally white fur has been dyed black in certain places.

2. Cichlid fish – This more awesome cousin of the angelfish has the ability to change color and size when it rises in the cichlid social hierarchy. Stroke its ego and watch the changes unfold. Conversely, when it loses popularity, this fish will shrink and become bland and gray-colored – unless, as sometimes observed, it sinks into a state of

denial, becoming extremely reclusive while still retaining its physical signs of past social standing.

3. Extremely obedient beehive – If you manage to procure one of these, never let it go. It’s worth the risky process of finding one. Imagine the possibilities – limitless supplies of honey and a matchless military at your beck and call. ( Just kidding.)

4. Anteater – Ant infestation? No problem, when you have an anteater living in your backyard. They eat

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not only ants but most other bugs, too. Not to mention they are utterly adorable.

WORST PETS: 1. Hermit crabs – If you’re looking for love, a hermit crab is not for you.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a pet that will at least move when you poke it, a hermit crab is still not for you. Unless you’re looking for an extremely low-maintenance pet for someone in a coma, there should be no reason for you to purchase such a useless creature. Ever.

2. Chinchillas – Though these animals are unbearably adorable,

the bowels of a chinchilla are too trigger-happy for most people to handle. Had it not been for this unfortunate characteristic, they would have been in the “Best Pets” list. If you feel up to the challenge of cleaning up after their lightningfast metabolisms, then by all means, buy the chinchilla!

3. Any kind of bird other than a parrot – Fact: Birds are no fun unless you can teach them pirate-speak.

They can also be irritatingly shy and are, unfortunately, biologically programmed to chirp at the worst times of the day.

4. Roosters – Allow this article to be your wake up call. Roosters not only deprive you from any sleep after sun up, but they make all of your neighbors suffer, too. So unless you wake up before the crack of dawn every single morning and hate your neighbors, steer clear of this fowl pet.

5. Goldfish – Unless you enjoy the color gold to a point of obsession, you really would be better off just putting a rock in a bowl of water.

Trust me, it is a lot easier. You also don’t need to go through the hassle of cleaning the water and feeding it.

Huge waste of money and time.

6. Ant Farm – Ant farms are by far the worst idea ever. Not only are they completely useless, but you cannot teach an ant to do anything cool whatsoever. Even goldfish can be taught to do random tricks. Also, if you’re walking past the ant farm and you bump the table, mayhem ensues. Time to look into buying an anteater. ▪

16 Arts & Entertainment

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The Smoke Signal

High School Musical 6: The Phantom of College

TRL Comes To An End

By Sargun Kaur & Tanu Patel Staff Writers

Screaming fans and paparazzi accosted the stars of High School Musical 6: The Phantom of College, as they made their way along the red carpet for the film’s premiere, Friday evening, at the Kodak Theater.

Sporting a gray UC Berkeley sweatshirt and bulky sweatpants, heartthrob Zac Efron, 35, made quite a fashion statement. His thick metal-rimmed glasses openly displayed his new identity as “Berkeley alum,” and not “Future NBA superstar,” as predicted in the first few HSM films. They were, however, unable to hide the tears in his red-rimmed eyes. His recent split with longtime wife and co-actress, Vanessa Hudgens, was rumored to be the result of Efron’s projected five solo songs in the upcoming seventh installment of High School Musical. Director Kenny Ortega claimed that fans were upset with the last movie because that they only saw Efron in 98% of the movie’s scenes. Efron flashed his National Crestawarded smile to the public when asked about the divorce and remarked, “She [Hudgens] can be as jealous as she wants. It’s Hollywood, baby!” Hudgens declined to comment.

Soon after Efron’s arrival, Hudgens, dressed in clothing reminiscent of Miley Cyrus’ scandalous first Vanity Fair shoot, strutted the red carpet hand in hand with her new beau, Joe Jonas, vocalist for The Jonas Brothers, a band that had broken up years ago over a bathroom-sharing fiasco. In an obvious attempt to make her ex-husband jealous, Hudgens clung to Jonas like peanut butter clings to the roof of the mouth. The pair literally weren’t able to keep their hands off of each other.

The rest of the High School Musical cast…wait, there isn’t one! Hudgens and Efron claim EVERY scene in the movies!

HSM 6: The Phantom of College is an enthralling, fast-paced musical that sends the message of “believe in the impossible” to its diverse audience. Incredible new songs like “Hangover Cha-Cha,” and exciting new dance numbers, including random breakouts of Vanessa and Zac attempting the tan-

wikipedia.com

TRL’s final title card, introduced in 2008. The show’s twohour send-off aired on Nov. 16.

By Hannie Dong Staff Writer

staff writer monica chen

go and salsa, occupy the bulk of the movie.

High School Musical fans have eagerly lapped up the previous five inane movies and now expectantly await the sixth installment of the nine-part series.

The film continues the love story saga between Hudgens’s character, Gabriella, and Efron’s character, Troy, as they solve the mystery of the Homework Stealer (and have to cope with being 32.7 miles away from each other). In an attempt to teach kids about teamwork, the film has each and every East High alumni drop their individual classes and jobs to fly to Berkeley and solve the mystery.

From motivational punch lines and sad break-ups to quick make-ups, HSM 6 has everything the past five installments seemingly didn’t.

The seventh film has already been launched, and the actors all signed up; but it’s unsure as to how current relations between Hudgens and Efron will affect the film. Apparently they’re not “all in this together!” Other questionable factors include the cast’s ages, which range from 31 to 43. At what age does one become too old to embody a singing, dancing, basketball-playing college student? Even in Hollywood? ▪

Friday, November 21, 2008

Total Request Live (TRL) has been drawing in the hottest recording artists, actors, and celebrities for 10 years. Originally hosted

by Carson Daly, followed by Damien Fahey and Lyndsey Rodrigues, the show is filmed in MTV’s Times Square studio, overlooking the busy metropolitan street. Fans travel from all over the country to catch a glimpse of their favorite artists being interviewed, performing live, or presenting their videos.

After 10 years of playing the top 10 most requested videos of the day, TRL is coming to an end. On Sunday, Nov. 16, MTV aired Total Finale Live, concluding TRL with a

celebratory special on its 10th anniversary of being on air. During the finale, mainstream artists such as 50 Cent, Backstreet Boys, Beyonce, and Fall Out Boy performed while other superstars talked about the impact of TRL on pop culture. According to Dave Sirulnick, the executive producer of TRL, the show is not permanently ending but receiving a break after running on air for a decade.

TRL is supposedly ending due to a sharp decrease in ratings. However, reports confirm that there is still a decent number of fans. “I think it’s a shame that TRL is coming to an end,” said Sophomore Ginger Werner. “The show really helps music artists gain publicity, and it was usually really entertaining.” TRL has always been a destination for celebrities, movie stars, and musicians to promote their latest projects. Now, with the conclusion of TRL, artists may have to find another source to expose audiences to their music.

MTV has decided to replace TRL with the strikingly similar FNMTV, which debuted over the summer. Pete Wentz, the bassist from Fall Out Boy, hosts the show, which televises music videos and performances by bands such as Slipknot.

TRL, which was once a popular show, is ending, and MTV is counting down the days until its finale. ▪

THE PROBLEM WITH THE NOBEL PRIZE

By Vicraj Gill A&E Editor

According to a recent piece in The Guardian, Horace Engdahl, the permanent secretary of the jury in charge of deciding the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, derided America’s literary scene in an interview with the Associated Press, claiming that the U.S. was too “isolated” and “insular” for its writers to have any hope of winning Nobel recognition.

Wait. What?

Given the nature of Engdahl’s comment, I was more than a little put-out to hear America’s lackluster response. Granted, a few rose to Engdahl’s implied challenge; David Remnick of The New Yorker blasted the jury for yet another instant of what he saw as their ever-present shortsightedness, taking the opportunity to remind Engdahl of authors such as James Joyce and Vladimir Nabokov—writers who were not American, insular, or recognized by the Nobel committee.

For the most part, however, backlash against Engdahl’s comments has been fairly mild, with most American authors responding ambivalently, if at all.

As for me, well, that reaction is the only insular thing about U.S. literature. But if the nation’s authors won’t defend our literary tradition, I guess readers like me will have to.

Engdahl goes on to say that Americans don’t translate enough, and thus aren’t active in the “big dialogue” of literature. While the former is definitely true—we read far, far more English works than we do those in other languages—the contention that the works of authors such as Phillip Roth and Joyce Carol Oates, whose names have been brought up in prize discussions for years now, don’t speak to the world’s read-

ers is not only ridiculous, but insulting.

True, when Alfred Nobel first came up with the idea for the prize, he required the works in question to be of an “idealistic tendency.” I suppose that does open the door for the kinds of tight rules and regulations the Nobel jury holds its potential honorees to. But Engdahl’s behavior in this matter displays an ignorance of American literary culture that’s just as dangerous as the kind he sees in our literature’s nature and outlook.

There have been twelve American winners since the Nobel tradition first began, 107 years ago. Joseph Brodsky, a hero in American literature and one of the most powerful poets in history, is one of them.

And then there’s T.S. Eliot—sort of. He had to move to Europe to get his Nobel prize; the debate over which country his victory truly belongs to is still raging today.

Most of the American authors that the Nobel jury has chosen to honor are classic ones such as John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway—famous authors, with works of great meaning and tremendous historical clout. But their writing seems dated, and has little to no connection with the tone of modern masterpieces from authors such as Thomas Pynchon or Cormac McCarthy, books that the closeted nature of the Nobel judging leaves no room to recognize.

Toni Morrison was the last American to receive the Nobel Prize in literature, fifteen long years ago, for works that were described as having given “life to an essential aspect of American reality.” I don’t believe, Mr. Engdahl, that she’s this nation’s last or only author whose pieces possess this quality. And if the Nobel jury refuses to recognize them, well, who’s culture is truly insular? ▪

wikipedia.com

Horace Engdahl, secretary of the Nobel Jury, who in an interview declared modern American literature unfit for Nobel recognition.

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Smoke Signal

UNDER THE RADAR Synecdoche, NY

By Eric Sun A&E Editor

Sorry if I sound pretentious, but Synecdoche, NY is an allegory embodying the pure essence of life.

It’s true, Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) has written and directed himself a film that will play a key role in the medium‘s developing history.

There is no way to write a proper review for this movie, and it’s plethora of symbols, themes, and double entendres cannot be comprehended with just one screening.

So what I offer below instead is my own take on all of the heavy content.

The lead character, Caden Cotard (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is a theater director wishing to express the heartbreak, boredom, and overall pointlessness of living

through a new play set in an elaborately constructed indoorreplica of New York City. But he is confounded: how does he end a play that has no point? If the play simply consists of city dwellers living and interacting, what‘ll be its climax, or conclusion? If he takes his audience on a journey, he ought to provide them with some sort of rewarding destination, right?

Try to follow the beauty of this, and realize the genius that is Charlie Kaufman‘s script. Caden really represents every single one of us, as we are all “theater directors” of our own lives, aiming to prevail with our voices and individuality, while simultaneously begging the question: why are we aiming at all?

What’s in it for us?

“Eric, life is beautiful, you’re just a douchebag and a cynic,” you might say. But I assure you, I am

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not a cynic, nor is this film itself cynical.

Caden hopes that by watching his actors’ performances, he will make some sense out of his own disheveled life. “Cast me and

timeinc.net

see who you really are,” says a man aspiring to play Caden on stage. But as Caden watches and watches, he discovers that the people he’s cast as extras have immersed themselves in their roles, and ultimately discovers the beauty of all the characters he’s

neglected while being too focused on perfecting his own. “None of th[e]se people is an extra,” notes Caden about the actors, “They’re all the leads of their own stories. They have to be given their due.”

It is this newfound appreciation of others’ lives that helps Caden admire his own life, as well as find an ending to his play, which falls on the wonderful day Caden spent with Hazel, the woman he’s loved for years but has feared bonding with.

Beneath the metaphor, Caden discovers a point to being on this earth: Life is about the means, not the end. Let’s all make the best of what we’re given: the people around us, our powerful brains, our environment, etc. Simply because we have the abilities of loving, feeling pain, learning, creating, and problem solving, we should employ them. If they allow us to simultaneously feel proud of ourselves and sympathize with others, I don’t see the need for

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any other justification.

Caden admits as he‘s directing, “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“That’s the first and most essential step towards knowing,” a woman responds. He then begins to see that his life will get better, and that our struggles and tears are not necessarily things that reduce life‘s quality. They are as crucial building blocks for our self-improvement as our moments of joy.

Synecdoche points out that in approaching every day with logic, courage and perseverance, we can enjoy fully the luxury of living life as only humans can. Reality can dissolve our past illusions, and the death it houses can halt our activities in the future, but neither can infringe upon our present pursuit of complacency unless we let it.

At least, that’s my interpretation of the film. It has inspired innumerable others, as all timeless masterpieces have. ▪

QUANTUM| The latest in ‘Bond’ Third time’s not the charm for Ingrid Michaelson

By Julia Harrell Opinion Editor

bbc.co.uk

continued from page 1 a loved one in the previous film. He kills first and asks questions later.

By the end of the movie, Bond manages to overcome his loss, and keeps a cool head in high-octane situations. All of this, however, takes priority over the plot, making it somewhat weak and secondary to the movie.

The cinematography and editing are superb. The producers had a clear direction they wanted to take the film in, and it shows. The camera placement is modern, with

innovative angles and movements.

The lighting throughout the movie is consistent as well. The colors appear stark and unsaturated, never letting the movie stray too far from its gloomy mood.

Quantum of Solace is a new direction for the Bond franchise.

Die-hard Bond enthusiasts may not appreciate it for its departure from the standard Bond themes, but if you have an open mind, Quantum is an excellent addition to the arsenal of Bond movies.

Rating: B+ ▪

New from Pink: Funhouse

amazon.com

By Peter Gao Staff Writer

In her latest album, Funhouse, Pink manages to preserve her pop-rock style while exploring a variety of other genres. The album begins with “So What,” an upbeat song with Pink’s familiar energetic style. A softer countryrock approach provides listeners with a contrasting tone in “Mean.”

The arranging of both mellow and upbeat songs further adds to the diversity of the album. An interesting combination of piano, electric guitar, and violin introduces a new but effective alternative-metal style in “Ave Mary A.” and in “This is

How it Goes Down,” an R&B bonus track featuring Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes. Pink puts a bold, refreshing twist to her music by complementing rap and hip hop successfully with her unique voice.

Although the variation of song style was an enormous achievement, Pink’s allusions to her personal life played a drawback in her album. Most of her songs related to her recent divorce with Carey Hart, but unfortunately, listeners will find her feelings contradicting themselves throughout her album.

From a declaration of independence in “So What” to an apology in “Please Don’t Leave Me,” the confusing inconsistency and clichéd lyrics will cause the listener to doubt the sincerity of her emotions and detracts from the overall enjoyability of her album.

In Funhouse, Pink’s ability to embed different genres while still retaining and even enhancing her original style reflects positively on her album. Despite mediocre lyrics, fans of Pink will find her approaches refreshing while new listeners are bound to find something they like.

Rating: B+ ▪

After a successful sophomore album that pleased critics and fans of pseudo-Norah Jones music alike, singer-songwriter and MySpace protégé Ingrid Michaelson’s third album, Be Okay, proves to be a serious disappointment. While it’s a decent attempt to dole out a collection of upbeat songs and cover tracks, the release failed to deliver the same vibrant, melodic sounds as her first two.

Boys and Girls, the disc that launched Michaelson’s career, was filled with light melodies and playful lyrics. The album’s hit single “The Way I Am” was a track with pop undertones whose sweet melody landed it in an Old Navy commercial and on The Billboard Hot 100 list in October 2007. Unfortunately, almost none of these positive aspects are displayed in Be Okay.

The CD starts off with the track

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“Be Okay,” an upbeat cutesy song, followed by “Giving Up,” whose flowing melodies and quiet acoustic sound leave hopes high for the remaining ten songs. Unfortunately, the tracks get progressively worse, and it becomes apparent that Michaelson had been scrounging for material to complete her album

instead of abstaining from an early release to create more original work.

With two cover tracks and three acoustic versions of previously released songs, the quickly-released album is an obvious attempt to ride out the short wave of fame created from the highly-publicized single on her sophomore release.

Michaelson’s attempt to throw together enough tracks to complete a legitimate album merely resulted in a compilation that is awkward and unappealing to the ear.

Her usually light and happy voice is replaced with high, nasal sounds that make tracks such as “The Chain” and “Oh What a Day” difficult to sit through.

Be Okay is, to say the least, not okay. In “Lady in Spain” Michaelson asserts “I can do anything I want to / I can do anything my heart tells me to.” Unfortunately the declaration does not ring true for this haphazard album.

Rating: D+ ▪

Bloc Party’s ‘Intimacy’ amazes

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By Victoria Gu Staff Writer

Encompassing all genres from dance electronica to post-punk rock to experimental industrial à la Nine Inch Nails, British indie-alternative band Bloc Party has truly developed an individual style in its nine years of existence. The band continues to exhibit its creativity and eccentricity in its third studio album, Intimacy, which hit stores October 28.

With upbeat riffs worth headbanging to, the release is sheer foot-tapping bliss, rivaled only by the band’s internationally successful 2007 album A Weekend in the City.

As its title suggests, Intimacy is a compilation of love songs written by lead singer Kele Okereke. However, they are love songs in lyrics

only. The album mainly consists of experimental electronica tracks that feature apocalyptic vocals, drum solos, and guitar riffs.

The opening track “Ares” is undoubtedly catchy despite the choppy vocals. With lyrics like: “War, war, war, war / I want to declare a war,” Okereke experiments with the use of his voice as a sound-effects machine. The song weaves seamlessly between sounds of utter chaos to those of lyrical harmony to produce a clever juxtaposition of industrial and dance.

Later in the album, the band abandons its new experimental

sound for the more traditional Bloc Party-esque “Halo” and “One Mouth Off.” Both tracks are reminiscent of the band’s post-punk dance songs of their first album Silent Alarm. These two songs are by far the best in the album.

Intimacy constantly alludes to Greek mythology (e.g. the song titles “Ares,” “Mercury,” and “Zephyrus”). Similar to these legends, this album is one of epic proportions—a classic work of art. As Okereke sings in “One Mouth Off,” “you’ll be the one missing out” if you don’t pick up this album.

Rating: A- ▪

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The Smoke Signal

Friday, November 21, 2008

Friday, November 21, 2008

The Smoke Signal

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Athletic Conduct:

Sports 19

Lowering the bar

“Out of the blue” Athletes

By Elisa Ting Staff Writer

It’s only natural for the aggressive side of an athlete to take over when competing in a sport. However, athletic conduct has been deteriorating throughout the years.

Disagreements between the players and coaches have increased, while more fights have been taking place on the court or the field. The popularity of sports is increasing, but proper sportsmanship is declining.

On Nov. 19, 2004 in Auburn Hills, Michigan, two NBA teams stirred up a brawl, which resulted in multiple player suspensions and a police investigation. The visiting team, the Detroit Pistons, was down 82-97 in the fourth quarter to the Indiana Pacers. With 45.9 seconds left, Pacer forward Ron Artest commited a hard foul on Piston Center Ben Wallace. Wallace responded by shoving Artest in the throat, then Artest went to lie down on the scorer’s table to wait for the referees’ decision on the situation. Seeing this, spectator John Green threw a cup of beer at Artest that hit him on the chest.

Artest charged into the crowd and pushed a spectator that he thought was responsible for the throwing.

Stephen Jackson dashed to help out his teammate and others followed his example.

Basketball is not the only sport with physical confrontations. Zinedine Zidane and Marco Mater-

By Ryan Tanakit & Audrey Tseng

Zinedine Zidane retaliates against Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Finals.

azzi also had a conflict at the 2006 World Cup Finals. Materazzi, an Italian defender, was guarding former French soccer star Zidane when Materazzi tuggad at Zidane’s jersey and whispered the owrds “the son of a terrorist whore” at Zidane.

Zidane walked away but moments later, he stopped and rammed his head into Materazzi’s chest, knocking him down. Referee Horacio Elizondo did not see this confrontation, but after consultation with the other referees, issued Zidane a red card.

As competition becomes tougher, good sportsmanship becomes more and more important. Fan influence is also an important factor in the behavior of an athlete, but an athlete at a professional level should be able to cope with his surroundings.

Admirable sports conduct is lacking in many teams lately, but

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there are still a few role model athletes. Back in 1988, Detroit Piston’s Isiah Lord Thomas III would exchange a courtside kiss on the cheek to Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson prior to the game as a sign of their deep friendship. Athletic conduct such as the friendly kiss on the cheek is now rarely seen in the world of athleticism. However, when the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash bumped heads with the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker at the Western Conference in 2004, the bloody-nosed Nash was more concerned about Parker than his nose.

Nash is the kind of athlete that students should admire and learn from. Not only did he not respond with violence, he also showed superior sportsmanship by helping out his opponent. Athletic conduct may be deteriorating, but there are still athletes out there that are excellent, respectable models to follow. ▪

Sports Editors Often times superstar athletes seem to appear out of nowhere, but Rome was not built in a day and real talent isn’t produced overnight.

These sudden celebrities become so because they have potential that is discovered and nurtured into the skill that today’s top professional athletes have. However, in order to appreciate the skill that they have acquired, we must first take a glimpse into the pasts of these athletes— before they became superstars.

Maybe the most compelling example of a rags to riches athlete is Olympic hero Usain Bolt. Bolt, the fastest man alive, burst into the mainstream at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he smashed the world record and won by “daylight”.

We hate to say it but the majority of people who claim to have known Bolt before the begging of last summer are lying. Here in America, we were going Phelps crazy, and the only track star on our minds was the since forgotten Tyson Gay. Although many athletes do gain fame at the Olympic games, few do it on the scale that Bolt did. Right after Beijing, Bolt immediately received endorsements from Puma, and the world was buzzing about how fast he could have run if he hadn’t slowed down in the 100m dash.

Even though Bolt is no longer a

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Brady was a sixth round pick out of Michigan

regular in the headlines, he is surely a household name and thus falls into the “out of the blue” category.

Our next athlete happens to be New England Patriot Quarterback Tom Brady. Everyone knows Tom Brady - he holds the record for most touchdowns thrown in a single season, has three Super Bowl titles, and was named 2007 NFL Most Valuable Player. What most people don’t know about Brady is that he was the 33rd pick of the SIXTH round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Nobody wanted him; no body knew about him. Not even NFL scouts and coaches wanted him. Although I cannot explain why Brady was such a late-bloomer, we believe it is safe to say that pretty much every other NFL team is kicking themselves for passing on Brady in round five.

The superstars of tomorrow are the average athletes of today. The sudden fame of these athletes makes one take a second look at those we see every day. ▪

NBA Season Preview

By Joseph Teng & Anthony Wu Staff Writers

The 2008-2009 NBA season has just started and it is already evident that this season will reach greater heights than last year’s. Power between the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference has become more balanced, and a talented class of rookies brings new possibilities to the table. As teams continue to get better, one must wonder which ball clubs will come out on top.

Western Conference Northwest Division Jerry Sloan’s Utah Jazz and the young and talented Portland Trailblazers will fight for control of the Northwest, but ultimately the experienced duo of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer will be enough to win the division. However, don’t be surprised if Portland comes in a close second, with the addition of young talent such as Rudy Fernandez and Greg Oden. Denver is not expected to do as well as last year after losing Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby and will have a very tough time making it into the playoffs, even with new point guard Chauncey Billups. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder will continue to dwell at the bottom of the conference.

Predicted winner: Utah Jazz Pacific Division After making it all the way to the Finals in June, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to win the Pacific Division as well as the entire Western Conference. The Lakers have a star-studded lineup and with the return of Andrew Bynum, team leader Kobe Bryant will carry the Lakers. Phoenix will still be a good team, but the window has closed for the elderly Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, and Grant Hill. That will keep the Suns from being a championship contender. The LA Clippers and the Sacramento Kings do not figure to be factors in the tight Western Conference playoff race.

The Bay Area’s very own Golden State Warriors have a slightly higher chance of making the playoffs, but don’t get your hopes up.

Predicted winner: Los Angeles Lakers Southwest Division The Southwest Division is consistently the most competitive division in the entire NBA. As long as Chris Paul remains healthy, the Hornets will win the division and challenge the Lakers for control of the conference. The Spurs, Rockets, and Mavericks will all win more than 50 games, but various problems for each team (such as aging players, recurring injuries, and lack of motivation) will prevent them from having good chances for first place. On a side note, the Memphis Grizzlies will spend another year in the rebuilding stage.

Predicted winner: New Orleans Hornets

over the disaster of last season, but will continue to stay at the bottom with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Predicted winner: Detroit Pistons

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Iverson, the newest Piston, looks to lead Detroit to the NBA finals again. The Pistons, however, have to dethrone the Celtics first.

Eastern Conference

offense but not that much of a better record.

Predicted winner: Boston Celtics

Atlantic Division The Boston Celtics, champions of 2008-2009, will probably win their division with relative ease.

However, the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors will significantly improve on their records from last year. Second place in this division is up for grabs between these two teams. In New Jersey, the Nets will find themselves going through a relatively unproductive season as they try to win at least a few games, develop players, and prepare for the much-anticipated 2010 free agency in which rumors say they will attempt to sign superstar LeBron James. The New York Knicks will improve under new coach Mike D’Antoni and make some noise, but in the end they will probably just end up with a stronger

Central Division As always, the Detroit Pistons are forecasted to come out on top in the Central Division. With the addition of future Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson, all eyes will be on the Pistons to see if they can return to championship greatness. Not too far away from the Pistons, the city of Cleveland will count on LeBron James to come up with more amazing games throughout the season.

We all know that he is talented enough to cause major damage in the playoffs; the question is whether or not the new additions to his team will be sufficient to help him get over the hump. Watch out for the Indiana Pacers, as they could quietly sneak into the playoffs behind Danny Granger. The Bulls will not have a hard time improving

Southeast Division Like last year, the Orlando Magic will once again control the Southeast Division. The NBA’s very own superman Dwight Howard will continue to get better and serve as the anchor of the Magic. The remaining four teams are relatively even as the rankings could go any way. Dwyane Wade’s spectacular performance at the Summer Olympics is a sign of his return to dominance, and with former All-Star Shawn Marion and skilled rookie Michael Beasley, the Heat will do much better than last season. The performances of both the Charlotte Bobcats and the Washington Wizards will depend on their ability to perform as a team and deal with injuries. Finally, do not overestimate the Atlanta Hawks just because they took the champion Celtics to seven games in the first round of the playoffs. Without a great pass-first point guard and a dominant center, which can’t be Al Horford because his natural position is at the power forward spot, Atlanta will fail to improve on last season.

Predicted winner: Orlando Magic ▪

CONGRATULATIONS Bonnie Hu for making it to the CIF State Championships for Golf!

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Lady Warriors ace Another Game

By Christine Cheng Staff Writer

Football Albany 6-0, W Irvington 0-50, L Kennedy 0-47, L Washington 0-49, L Logan 0-49, L Newark 0-41, L MVAL Seventh Place

The Girls’ Tennis team arrived on Oct. 24 at the Fremont Tennis Center confident in their abilities and determined to defeat the Washington Huskies.

Doubles team Captains Seniors Mahita Penke and Julia Chang played one position higher than their usual as the first seed, but they were able to win the match. In a match that lasted almost two hours, the Warriors split, but they maintained their composure and took advantage of Washington’s highly

Gymnastics Washington/Logan 144.55122.25/81.95, W Irvington/Las Lomas 144.85141.40/85.65, W American 139.6-107.3, W MVAL First Place Girls’ Volleyball Logan 1-3, 3-1 L,W Irvington 3-1, 3-0 W,W Kennedy 3-0, 3-0 W,W Washington 3-1, 3-0 W,W Newark 3-2, 3-2 W,W American 3-0, 3-0 W,W staff writer victor chen

Boys’ Water Polo Washington 9-8, 9-8 W,W Newark 16-7, 22-6 W, W Logan 18-2, 21-4 W, W American 15-3, 22-6 W, W Irvington 9-5, 13-6 W, W MVAL First Place NCS 13th Cardinal Newman 11-6 W Acalanes 4-15 L Girls’ Water Polo Washington 7-4, 5-4 W,W Newark 7-5, 8-7 W,W Logan 7-5, 10-4 W, W American 14-3, 11-3 W, W Irvington 7-1, 11-6 W, W MVAL First Place NCS 19th Deer Valley 4-6 L Girls’ Tennis Logan 7-0 7-0 W, W Irvington 7-0 6-1 W, W Washington 7-0 7-0 W, W Newark Memorial 7-0 7-0 W, W American 7-0 7-0 W, W MVAL First Place Cross Country Washington: Boys L, Girls L Logan: Boys W, Girls W Newark: Boys W, Girls W Irvington: Boys W, Girls L Kennedy: Boys W, Girls W American: Boys W, Girls W MVAL Boys 2nd, Girls 4th Girls Golf San Leandro 213-211 L, 219-267 W BOD 212-273 W, 238-279 W Moreau 198-234 W, 207278 W Arroyo 247-317 W, 269337 W Castro Valley 214-204 L, 213-233 L HAAL Tournament 2 place NCS Fifth Place

Senior Danielle Havard performs a smooth backhand.

aggressive style. With patience and skill, they were able to beat their opponents, winning the third set 6-2.

In another doubles match, Sophomore Sahana Kribakaran and Senior Courtney Poopat teamed up to play against Washington.

In a tight second set tie breaker, they inched ahead to a 9-7 victory, winning game, set, and match in straight sets. As a young player, Kribakaran proves to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

As these matches were taking place, singles first seed Sophomore Yanni Dzoan easily won her game in straight sets, with a final score of 6-1 and 6-0.

All of the girls displayed amazing sportsmanship and talent, fighting for every point. Though Washington put up a good fight, the Warriors stood their ground and continued to execute flawless shots that were too much for the opposition.

Freshmen Leslie Chan and Allison Tong, Junior Tiffany Yen, and Senior Danielle Havard also won their singles matches, earning the majority of the points and securing the team’s victory.

The Warriors shut out Washington 7-0, making it their eighth “bagel” of the season. Said Coach Bill Patton, “We’ve had a very nice season. It was kind of a surprise, and we won all our matches 7-0. It’s just been really terrific.” ▪

The Smoke Signal

Friday, November 21, 2008

MSJ Vaults to Victory: Defeats Irvington

By Jordan Zhang Staff Writer

The Gymnastics team faced league rivals Irvington, at a tri-team meet between Mission, Irvington, and Las Lomas. “This is our toughest meet, our toughest competition,” said Head Coach Laurel Masatsugu. The Warriors came out on top with a score of 144.85-141.4.

Senior Lyndsi Mark took first place by 1.4 points with an all around score of 38.05. Seniors Lena Liu, Gina Liu, and Sophomore Trina Duarte took the third, fourth, and fifth spots with scores of 36.05, 35.5, and 35.25 respectively.

The first event MSJ competed in, vault, was won by Mark. Mark received a score of 9.0, successfully completing the Tuck Tsukahara, a vault that is a full point harder in difficulty than any other vault attempted at the meet.

Mark also swept the competition in bars with a score of 9.65, by performing a skill called Giants, full circles around the bar swinging with a straight body.

L. Liu came in second with 9.3.

The beam event was a real breakthrough for the team. All of the girls included new skills into their routines. Duarte performed particularly well, attempting and landing the flip-flop, a backwards handspring, for the first time at

staff writer jordan zhang

Senior Lillian Wang executes a cartwheel on beam.

a meet. Duarte and G. Liu tied for fourth place, each scoring 9.0.

Mark, whose routine included a back walk over flip-flop combo, came in second with a score of 9.8.

The Warriors fought to win the last event, floor. Irvington put up a tough fight, but they lost the event by a marginal .25 points. Mark once again nabbed first with a score of 9.6, performing a front layout with a full twist. L. Liu came in third with 9.5.

With the hardest meet of the season over with, the team is looking forward to improving their skills and finishing an impressive season off.▪

BOYS’ WATER POLO | MVAL champions once again continued from page 1

occurred when thunder rolled causing the players from both teams to evacuate the pool. Ready to make up for their last game, the Warriors came back with fury. Captains Seniors Denny Wong and Andrew Kin and Junior David Westerhoff each scored a goal leading the team to an early lead in the first quarter, 3-2.

The Warriors continued with their dominating plays in the second quarter. Senior Ca;, Ryan Tanakit scored three goals off fast breaks, and an additional goal was made by Senior Jeff Wong. MSJ outscored the Huskies 4-3 leaving the final score 7-5 with the

courtesy david westerhoff

Junior David Westerhoff defends against the opposition.

Warriors in the lead at half time.

The Huskies stepped up their game slightly during the third quarter, outscoring MSJ 2-1, but the Warriors managed to hold them off, the quarter ending 8-7.

Starting off the fourth quarter, the Warriors fought to finish off the Huskies once and for all. Westerhoff scored his fourth goal of the game, but the Huskies countered with two goals of their own and the quarter ended 9-9 with the game now going into overtime. The overtime essentially became a shoot off between the two teams. Kin added a point to the scoreboard in the first

quarter, and Washington scored a goal in the second. As the teams were tied yet again after overtime, the game went into sudden death.

In the face of immense adversity, MSJ pulled out a victory, winning the sprint and the game. With Kin scoring the winning goal, the Warriors defeated the Huskies 11-10.

Throughout the game, the Warriors shut down the Huskies.

Tanakit had a total of seven steals and three assists along with two assists from Kin. With the league title in hand, the Warriors were guaranteed a spot in NCS and ended their league play in style.▪

Girls’ Volleyball Clinches Top Spot in MVAL

By Andre Abrahamians Staff Writer

Loyal MSJ fans came out on Tuesday, Oct. 21 to see the Girls’ Volleyball team come back from a three game deficit.

The first game opened with Newark taking a lead. Newark dominated throughout until Juniors Allison Day and Keila Mah both nailed back-to-back kills to pull MSJ within five. The Warriors rallied back to win 4 points only to lose the game 25-20.

With MSJ trailing 0-1, the second game was neck in neck until MSJ pulled ahead and took a promising lead, starting with Mah’s kill. Day’s ace sparked back to back hits as the score was tied at 16-16. The Warriors collapsed defensively and fell back as Newark made a solid 8-3 run to put the game 24-19. MSJ fought to get two more points in, but its offense

graphics editor jerry ting

Junior Keila Mah gears to spike the ball.

was shut out by Newark’s tough defense, losing game two 25-21.

Newark entered the third game running as they took the lead. The Warriors rallied to tie the score at 5-5, pushing past their growing

deficit. Both teams battled for the lead, winning out when Sophomore Elisa Ting’s kill pushed the Warriors to the front. MSJ won game three easily at 25-16.

At the start of game four, down 1-2, the Warriors needed a win to stay in the game. Starting strongly off ofTing’s ace, MSJ held the lead at 9-3. By tightening up on defense the Warriors were able to shut down Newark and make sure that the Cougars never got closer than six points during the game. With the score at 15-6, Newark had an easy hit on MSJ, but Junior Nicole Yen’s dig followed by a great kill

by Ting saved the play. Newark’s momentum seemed to fade as the Warriors kept the lead out of reach.

The Cougars were no match for Mah’s kills and blocks, which forced an easy 25-21 win in game four.

Entering the final game, MSJ had little room to breathe as New-

ark stepped up offensively. However, MSJ came away with a well-deserved win for the first place team, ending with a final score of 3-2.

Newark’s nearly flawless game was not enough to beat the Warriors.

The team can look forward to next season, as they hope to become more experienced after they plunge into NCS. “I couldn’t have asked for a better season. We worked extremely hard to get where we are now, and it has definitely paid off,” said Mah. When asked about his team, Coach Donny Hui replied, “This is how I try to treat my girls. Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” That kind of attitude lifted this team to a whole new level this season. Said Hui, “Tonight Coach was 1%, the Girls were 99%, and that’s the reason we won.” ▪