Dec. 18, 2008 "The Tech Issue" by The Broadview

the broadview

december 18, 2008

convent of the sacred heart high school | san francisco, california

vol. 13, is. 3

the Tech issue

6-7

Geek expo:

An overview of Macworld is unveiled.

The best toys come after Christmas at Macworld 8

Artist profile:

Senior Grace Milligan mashes various sound tracks with Garageband.

he motto for attendees of the Macworld Conference and Expo is simple. “Exciting? Yes. Overwhelming? Sometimes. Invigorating, inspiring and energizing? Absolutely.” The annual Macworld Conference and Expo is put on by the International Data Group (IDG) see macworld p. 6-7

photo illustration | INA HERLIHY & LAUREN JUNG

Wishes & excuses Bellringer finds holiday donations to charity scant and far between

inging a bell in front of a Lucky supermarket was lonely and miserable, but in five hours I began to understand why this holiday season is less of a season of giving. The weak economy’s impact is written on the faces of the hundreds of people who walk by my kettle. I was asking people to give, hoping to receive.

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Junior Jovel Quierolo rings the Salvation Army bell outside of Lucky supermarket in Millbrae on Dec. 6. Money collected in the red kettles is used to provide food, clothing and toys to over 6 million people during Christmas season and to others recuperating from personal disasters during the year.

But this is a season of wishing. Bell ringers today are different from the first volunteers who set up kettles on streets over the holidays in 1891 to raise money for San jovel quierolo Francisco’s poor. I arrive at a Salva- sacred heart editor tion Army office in FIRST PERSON the Mission District that is short on volunteers. Some of the kettle workers I meet are paid because of volunteer shortages or a worker’s need for some extra money.

I am given a red apron with “I am a bell ringer” printed in white letters, a Santa hat, a big red kettle and a small white bell with a sound louder than its size. Almost all the people I work with are regular kettle workers — older men and women speaking fast Spanish and laughing at inside jokes. I quickly make friends with the one other high school volunteer, Gustavo, before we are herded into a van along with kettle stands that clank noisily in the trunk. The six of us are blessed with

see bell-ringing p. 4

in brief ▶ The Operation Smile Club raised $7,337 through ticket sales at the second annual semi-formal Smile Ball on Dec. 12. Operation Smile is an international organization that provides surgeries for children with cleft lips and pallets in 26 countries around the world and supports other international missions for the same purpose. “By the end of the evening we will be able to count up the money and know how many kids we helped,” said club co-head Tiana Abdulmassih. Smile Ball proceeds are expected to cover 30 children’s facial deformity correctional surgeries. Surgeries cost $240 and are performed by nearly 4,000 credentialed medical volunteers. “It’s a really good feeling,” said club co-head Joumana Abdulmassih. “We get to help all these kids.” — Meghan Helms

‘Oh, Santa!’ Girls’ Choir performs Santa Baby at the Winter Expressions Concert and Visual Art Show on Dec. 11 in the Syufy Theatre. The concert ended with the audience joining in to sing Christmas carols. Instrumental music and choir performed an excerpt from their Breakfast Club show earlier that day. Winter Expressions included an art show exploring the topics of personal cartographies, print, murals, psychological architecture and portraits.

RENA HUNT | the broadview

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op-ed

december 18, 2008

Governor’s scheme opposes change

he saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” has stepped onto the forefront of Americans’ minds once again, but this time in reference to politics’ reputation for backhanded dealing in light of the latest scandal surrounding Illinois governor Rod R. Blagojevich. Despite the promises of change during the presidential election of Barack Obama, Blagojevich’s brazen display of corruption revealed in tape recordings of him allegedly putting his appointment of the successor to Obama’s Senate seat up for sale shows that the dirty side of politics will be hard-pressed, if not impossible, to truly change. Since Obama has left his Senate term early to lead up his transition team, Blagojevich was in

charge of appointing someone to take over for the president-elect’s final two years. Yet, the governor was more than willing to take bribes for the seat, even apparently considering appointing himself at one moment. Blagojevich’s recordings were littered with expletives, according to a federal affidavit reported in The New York Times, “I’ve got this thing and it’s [expletive] golden. And I’m just not giving it up for

[expletive] nothing. I’m not going to do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there.” It would be a considerable understatement to suggest that Blagojevich’s actions have cast a slight doubt over the nation in regards to Obama’s upcoming presidency as well as the nature of politics in general. Yet, critics of Obama have long argued that Chicago’s reputable history of corruption should be something for voters to think about — it is hard to imagine that Obama could have been completely oblivious to such brazen acts. However, whether or not Obama knew about such antics like Blagojevich’s remains uncertain and probably won’t be known for

some time — or at least not until someone decides to write a tell-all book. But one thing is certain — the American people have been given a harsh reality check about the dark side of politics. This reality check, however, is necessary. Even though Blagojevich’s actions are frightening as well as deplorable, they have helped Americans remember that not everything is sunshine and lollipops in politics. In fact, hardly anything is. With people already building high expectations for Obama’s presidency as they wait for him to reinvent Washington and become the new FDR, the reality of the president-elect’s situation as well as his limits have been overshad-

vantage point lauren jung

Last Christmas revolves around family, loved ones

very morning in December, my brother and I race each other to open our family’s Advent calendar. The hidden chocolates are sweet, but the picture that always greets us in our sleepy stupor is one of the most classic symbols of the holidays — the Nativity scene. Baby Jesus sleeps in a trough of hay with Mary and Joseph watching over him with serene, joyful grins. This is a picture of a family, albeit Jesus’ human family, but his family nonetheless. Even though today’s holiday season is a time often associated with Christmas trees, twinkling lights and gifts, one of the most important parts of the celebration is family. This Christmas, I’ll be spending every moment I can with my family. As a senior, I’ll be going off to college next year. I’ll come back home for Christmas, but I won’t be able to open the Advent calendar every day with my brother, and I won’t be able to drink hot chocolate and eggnog with my grandfather after dinners like I do now. There are countless family commitments and traditions we have each year like addressing hundreds of Christmas cards by

hand, visiting relatives I haven’t seen all year and playing a competitive game of hide-and-go-seek with my cousins. Although some are a bit uncomfortable and awkward like sitting at the dinner table next to my cousin’s boyfriend who is so nervous that he only responds with one-syllable answers and the occasional grunt, I’ll still miss the laughs my cousins and I share over dinner. But when all is said and done, these memories will be the ones that I will remember and treasure. These memories aren’t just confined to the holiday season, either. Even though my brother likes to hide my homework sometimes, I’ll miss how he wraps up Pokémon cards for me as a present and expects me to share the same enthusiasm for the little creatures. But next year when I am miles away from home, I won’t be able to be as close to my family as I am now. So I am going to cherish every moment of this Christmas season with my family because Christmas is not only the celebration of Jesus’ birth, but the celebration of our loved ones.

Corrections The following errors were made in the Oct. 31 edition: In “School gives service around the city” on Page 12,

senior Annick Brett-Kearns was incorrectly identified as a junior, sophomore Lauren Arnold was misidentified as a freshman.

For $10,000 Going Once ... Going Twice ...

the broadview invites comments, additions or corrections on stories in the paper. Letters to the Editor should be 400 words or fewer and must include the writer’s name and a method of verification. Submissions should be e-mailed to broadview@sacredsf.org and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

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at ate se

’s Sen bama

Rod R. Blagojevich Governor of Illinois

THERESA GRANUCCI | the broadview

1. Secret Santa comes to town tomorrow. 2. United Nations talks set countries on path toward a global climate treaty. 3. Change we can believe in for the White House. 4. Students get involved in no on Prop 8 protests. 5. Convent girls bought tickets for Britney Spears concert five months in advance.

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broadview invites letters

owed. People are bound to be disappointed if they can’t recognize the deep rooted corruption that continues to be a presence within politics, as evidenced by Blasgojevich’s shocking tape recordings. It is one thing to be hopeful for the new presidency and quite another to be disillusioned by it. Even though politics will most likely never be fully rid of all its areas of corruption and scandal, that doesn’t mean that the system can’t be monitored more closely and the despicable acts lessened. It does mean, however, that the American people need to understand the truth behind their precious democracy — nothing and nobody is free from sin.

convent of the sacred heart high school 2222 broadway san francisco, ca 94115 broadview@sacredsf.org lauren jung editor in chief rebecca kelliher editor in chief

1. You might get coal. 2. It’s 10 years too late. 3. Illinois governor’s actions prove corruption still exists. 4. Prop 8 already passed. 5. Tickets are selling at up to $150 each.

gracie hays a & e editor ina herlihy news editor rena hunt photography editor jovel queirolo sacred heart editor sophie gilchrist sports editor amanda james web master Unsigned pieces are the opinion of the editorial board. Reviews and personal columns are the opinions of the author.

op-ed

the broadview

Marriage proposition protects, continues tradition

ina herlihy news editor

n the passing of Proposition 8 last month protects the institution of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. History has defined and accepted this definition for thousands of years, and Proposition 8 continues this tradition. One of the central traditions of marriages is procreation, and redefining marriage for a small minority weakens the institution. Children in public schools would have been taught about “same-sex marriages” as well as traditional marriages if Proposition 8 did not pass. There was already an inkling of this when a San Francisco public school used funds to bus a class of first grad-

THERESA GRANUCCI | the broadview

ers for a field trip to attend their teacher’s same-sex wedding at City Hall in October. Although there is no scientific evidence at the moment, proponents of Proposition 8 argue that teaching about gay marriage confuses children because they won’t be able to fully comprehend it. Proposition 8 won by a margin of 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent. Voters in California passed Proposition 22 in 2000, which defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, by a margin of 61 to 39 percent. The California State Supreme Court in May called this definition unconstitutional, and thus legalized same-sex marriage. The judges’ decision to

redefine marriage went against the patterns of history. This led to churches of many denominations, including the Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Latter Day Saints (Mormon), to campaign “in favor of Proposition 8 because of their belief that the traditional understanding and definition of marriage is in need of defense and support, and not in need of being re-designed or re-configured,” said Roman Catholic Archbishop George Niederauer in his Dec. 5 column in Catholic San Francisco. Some proponents of Proposition 8 say homosexual couples who choose to adopt children, put the children at a disadvantage for not living with a mother or father figure. Girls growing up without a father figure are more likely to be sexually active in their

teenage years according to a 1996 release by the Indiana Office of the Governor. Soon after the announcement that Proposition 8 won, several gays and lesbians filed lawsuits for discrimination. It is a common misconception to believe Proposition 8 takes away rights from same-sex couples, but California’s Family Code 297.5 states, “Domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits.” San Francisco passed these domestic partnership laws protecting same-sex couples and heterosexual couples alike in 1990, which California passed in 2005. This effectively gives same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as a heterosexual couple have in marriage.

Union ban creates inequality, defies human rights

jovel quierolo sacred heart editor

qual marriage rights for single-sex couples are driving the next great American civil rights movement. After Proposition 8 passed last month with 52.5 percent of the vote and eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry, marches and protests sprang up around the country reminiscent of crowds who fought for equal rights at other times in history. Democracy should shoot down unequal rights the same way it won rights for women to vote. Allowing same-sex couples to marry is as “harmful” as blacks sitting at the same lunch counter as whites. Marriage comes with rights that should be guaranteed. Opponents of same-sex mar-

riage may argue marriage must be between a man and a woman because the ultimate goal of marriage is procreation, but elderly and infertile heterosexual couples may still legally marry. The ability to procreate should not be a prerequisite for marriage. Samesex couples can have their own children through adoption. Being lesbian does not mean women lose their ability to give birth. Because same-sex couples cannot marry, it is difficult for partners to help each other in medical crises. The ill partner’s complications end up burdening their own families when they could be shared with their chosen life partner. Federal laws bar same-sex couples from rights to file joint income tax returns or to inherit a share of a spouse’s estate. The modern perception of

College overload can intimidate applicants

toppling pile of college guidebooks lies in one corner of my room like my own private library. Yet, in the end, most of those college books, from The Princeton Review to Kaplan, can only get me so far on this quest for the perfect college. Over the summer, I essentially worshiped my The Best 366 Colleges, reading about new colleges every night until they all began to sound the same. There are the quirky liberal arts schools packed with hipsters wearing flannel. There are the big universities where students paint their faces blue to pack the stadiums. And there’s the Ivy Leagues, which the book essentially warns you not to apply to unless you have some sort of death wish. Of course, this habit of learning about too many colleges soon resulted in me adamantly wanting to apply Early Decision to a new school every week. My most ridiculous college book, however, was College Essays that Made a Difference. Although there are some brilliant essays written in this book that real students used in their applications, the

“real students” they chose sound more like fearsome over-achievers with perfect test scores. Let’s just say that you wouldn’t want to be stranded in a dark alley with one of them in the fear that they might sprout tentacles and suck out your brains, revealing themselves to be

Like most things in life, it’s best to go at these [college] books and the entire college process in moderation. the aliens they truly are. One such alien is Robyn Rose Schneider on page 292 of the guidebook. In high school Robyn held leadership positions in the Aspiring Authors Society and humor magazine — both of which she founded. She was the manager for school plays and the varsity team mascot. Robyn donated over 1,000 books to children’s homes, volunteered at a local library and wrote an advice column for the local newspaper. Robyn also signed

“traditional” monogamous marriages is fairly new. Polygyny, men having more than one wife at a time, has been the norm for most of human history. Churches cannot argue what the Old Testament reveals. King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Traditional marriage has changed and fluctuated over time. Allowing same-sex couples to marry is not an extreme alteration. Religions have traditionally used marriage to seal men and women in sacred unions for life. When the government began taxing and giving certain rights to married couples, it blurred the fine line between church and state. Religion remains the most profound argument against samesex marriage. Many religions acknowledge civil unions, but draw the line at

just a thought rebecca kelliher

a book deal to publish a young adult novel, created a Web site based on her search for a literary agent, and worked on a collection of short stories before she sent out her applications. Oh, and we forgot to mention that Robyn also tutored Korean middle school children English. Aside from the obvious jaw-dropping response I had from learning about dear Robyn, I couldn’t help but laugh at how unbelievable this girl was. But that’s the point — she’s literally unbelievable, as in I hesitate whether or not she’s an actual human being or a robot with a circuit board in the back of her head who is programmed to intimidate normal people like me. The truth is, reading too many college guidebooks, reference books and essay-writing books will probably only serve to scare you to death if you don’t know what you’re looking for — or they will limit your perception of reality. Like most things in life, it’s best to go at these books and the entire college process in moderation. Of course, a good sense of humor can’t hurt either.

joining together two men or two women, arguing that their bond could

THERESA GRANUCCI | the broadview

never be “sacred.” The government should either grant marriage rights to all couples who wish to tie the knot, or like some European nations, join all couples in a civil union for legal rights. Heterosexual couples could still have their unions made sacred at their religious institutions with a second ceremony. Marriage is a word owned by the state and it comes with rights that should be guaranteed regardless of religious affiliation. As with racism and sexism, civil change will come slowly. It is important to understand that the issue of same-sex marriage is not about gay rights. It is about granting equal human rights.

Q: Mac or PC? “I prefer Macs because I think they are easier to work with and much less complicated. They are also more appealing to the younger generations because of the bright and appealing appearance.” — Erika Jesse, freshman

“I prefer PCs over Macs. I think that PCs are less complicated for me to work. Macs are more appealing to the younger generations but in the long run, I feel that PCs have more to offer.” — Julianna Wetmore, sophomore

“Definitely Mac because I have a MacBook Pro. It has a built in camera for Photo Booth. Having a Mac has also allowed me to stay in contact with distant family members by using video chatting.” — Katherine Heng, junior

“I definitely prefer Macs over PCs. Visually, they’re just more exciting and they’re a lot better for photos, music and entertainment. I also find them less confusing than PCs.” — Mollie Davis, senior — Compiled by Colleen Scullion

news

december 18, 2008

Financial aid grows, private AIDS quilt displayed loans are difficult to obtain COLLEGE & THE ECONOMY PART 2 OF 2

lauren jung editor in chief

ollege tuition continues to rise and federal aid for students has nearly doubled in the past 10 years, but the number of private loans taken out for higher education are shrinking according to 2008 College Board reports. The current credit crunch has affected students’ ability to obtain private student loans with banks tightening up standards and increasing interest rates. “Many students take out a private loan to bridge the gap between what their financial aid package covers and what they are able to pay,” said consultant Pierre Jospe from College Funding Strategies. “Borrowing situations are becoming more strained because banks are lending out less money.” Some banks, like Bank of America, no longer offer private loans. “Overall, it would seem that this would affect middle and upper income families since they are more likely to take out these types of loans,” said research associate Kristan Venegas, Ph.D., at the Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis at University of Southern California. “However, it could affect low income students and families as well, depending what types of aid they seek.” Besides private loans, the federal government plays a substantial part in helping students and families finance college. The government has distributed more than $143 billion in financial aid to

undergraduate and graduate students for the 2007-2008 academic year through Pell grants, Perkins loans, Stafford Loans, parent PLUS loans and campus-based aid. Financial aid packets are generally made up of grants, scholarships, federally subsidized loans and federally subsidized work-study. “Federally subsidized loans refer to loans that the government pays for the interest and you only have to pay for the principal you borrowed after you graduate,” said Haley Chitty, Associate Director of Communications at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. “The student loan industry is a little bit ahead of other industries in that Congress

education

money

THERESA GRANUCCI | the broadview

has provided banks and lending companies money to enable them to continue to provide federal loans. These loans won’t be affected by the economic crisis.” President George W. Bush signed into law H.R. 6889, extending the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act for another year until June 30. The act provides the Department of Education and the Treasury Department and the Office of Management and Budget renewed temporary powers to use

federal funds to ensure students and families continue to have access to federal student loans. Many students are also turning to scholarships to help pay for tuition according to College Counseling Director Rebecca Wandro. “There are thousands of scholarships out there,” said Jeanne Asdourian, mother of senior Elisa Asdourian. “We want to send her to the best school we possibly can, but if we can’t afford it, we can’t afford it. Elisa’s going to have to get every last dime she can get, and she’ll have to do more research into financial aid and scholarships to make it happen.” Some students are also modifying the list of colleges they are planning to apply to in addition to applying for scholarships because of the current economic situation. “Even though I don’t really want to go to a UC, since I don’t think I can handle taking all of my classes in an auditorium with hundreds of other students, I have had to put them on my college list because they are so much cheaper than out-of-state and private schools,” said senior Kristie La. As the U.S. and global markets continue to dip, many students’ future plans are subject to the whims of the current financial situation. ”A lot of students are applying broadly because nobody knows what’s going to happen — how much financial aid they will get from one institution compared to another,” said Wandro. “We have a great higher education systems in California in the UC and Cal State systems, so students whose families may have financial concerns, might have applied to a couple of those schools to have all their bases covered.”

RENA HUNT | the broadview

Two panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt were displayed in the Main Hall of the Flood Mansion during Dec. The quilt acts as a visual reminder of the AIDS pandemic. Pieces of the quilts are sewn together by friends and family to commemorate the life of someone who has died of AIDS. Over 14 million people have seen the quilt since it was started in 1987 by Cleve Jones.

in brief ▶ Six students attended the 21st annual National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference in New Orleans in early December, joining 3,000 students from independent schools across the country. “The actor, Sir Sidney Poitier was there, speaking to us about how important it is for people of diversity to stand up for them,” said sophomore TaLynn Mitchell who attended the conference. The program gives students of color with similar backgrounds a chance to interact with one another. This year’s

theme, “Music for Life. Food for Thought. Friendships that Sustain: Rebuilding and Preserving the Essence of People of Color in Independent Schools,” provided the background for workshops about identity, learning and leadership over the weekend. — Emily Bloch ▶ The Forensics team competed in the Dempsey/Cronin Invitational at Santa Clara University from Dec. 12-13. The team entered four two-person parliamentary debate teams and two Lincoln-Douglass debaters, one of which also did an impromptu speaking event. Students debated two rounds on Friday night and three rounds on Saturday, but no one made finals. — Jovel Quierolo

Bell-ringing raises concerns about Christmas giving spirit from wishes p .1 the Sign of the Cross by a volunteer coordinator before the van pulls out. Our posts are not in the City. One man is dropped off at a Lucky supermarket in Daly City. The rest of us are sent to chain supermarkets and pharmacies in Millbrae and Burlingame. Gustavo and I are to be posted outside another Lucky in Millbrae – one of us at each entrance to the store. The driver parks, we set up our stands with their signs reading “Doing the most good” and began our 5-hour shift. The rules are simple. I am allowed to say “Happy holidays” and “Thank you.” I have a pamphlet for people who need information on what the organization does. The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet human needs with help and stability. I am told to talk about the organization feeding seniors, putting together afterschool programs and giving away food on Fridays, the Mission office’s busiest day. But I don’t say much. No one asks. I stand next to a fenced area Lucky is using to sell its Christmas trees. The smell of the trees and the sunny day make my first few minutes easy. Standing next to trees, I realize how for many people, I have become another piece of Christmas. As a bell ringer, I represent a giving spirit — a spirit that makes many uncomfortable.

After my first half-hour at work, it is noticeable. Only a handful of people actually smile and give a donation to which I promptly recite my “Thank you” and “Happy holidays.” After the first hour my right foot falls asleep. A Lucky employee pushing carts chuckled at my bell and says, “I guess both of our jobs suck equally.” When people walk by a high school student with a bell, they don’t see people lined out the door of a Salvation Army station waiting for food or clothes or a place to let their children play. They may not even see my sign. Some people pass without a second glance. But the most interesting are the ones who try to look down or away, realize that they can’t, and scuttle past me retreating through the automatic doors — afraid to look me in the eye. It’s a day of wishing and excuses. Every time a customer walks by, I watch hands reach into a pocket or purse and I wish as hard as I can that a dollar or two comes out. If I don’t even get a nod, I wonder what the excuse is. If they drop money into the kettle I wish even harder that they give again. It’s not enough to give once. People aren’t going to stop being needy. People of all age groups give except for teenagers. It is upsetting to see not one high school student drop a donation into my kettle. I see many rush by, too cool to give.

Two teenage girls walk by with can of coins. A few seconds later, I hear them dumping into a Coinstar machine to be turned into bills. I meet some interesting characters. A man yells, “Why don’t you ask Pelosi for money cause she’s giving to everyone else — or ask that Communist Obama.” Two hours into my shift, the sun is getting hot. My bell is occasionally drowned out by shopping carts or the chainsaw on trees. I can see Gustavo’s feet sticking out over by the other entrance. He sat down. I keep ringing, and get a few smiles.

The one in every 10 people who dropped money in the kettle can’t keep the “season of giving” alive. A little boy asks his mom, “Who is that?” “Oh, that’s a bell ringer,” she replies. I snap out of a daze realizing I’ve just been labeled as bell ringer. She is not bitter, but comforting. Her tone is one of admiration. He stares at me for a long time so, probably against the rules, I let him ring the bell. He grins and shakes it forcefully and is about

to run off with it, but his mom grabs it away before he sets off to see which Christmas tree his dad had chosen. I wonder why he stared so long. Maybe his mother’s words left him wondering what unspoken needs his mother’s coins would pay for. He looked up at me, like a kid does at a hero. The Salvation Army is an unspoken Superman, “Doing the most good.” It is hour four. The Christmas tree lot thins and the sun is beginning to set over them. I’ve watched tree drama all day. One woman talks me through the whole process of her fight with an employee over a tree she wants. She waits two hours for a tree. She never once donates. “You’ve been here almost as long as me,” I joke. She laughs and goes on about how terrible the service is and how she wishes she had gone somewhere else – another wish. “Especially in this season of giving,” she said ironically. “How can these people be so difficult? Why can’t they just give me my tree?” What I still struggle to understand it how she spent two hours and $40 on a tree without dropping a few coins into a kettle for people who have nothing. Anyone can refrain from buying one less ornament and give someone a place to sleep or something to eat. Half an hour left, I can’t help

but keep shifting weight from foot to foot. I can smell people’s dinner cooking. I start thinking about the day. Maybe people get stressed-out around Christmas because they are uncomfortable with giving. More people gave than I expected, but more could have given. I think about my bell which I begin to fear will haunt me long after I have stopped ringing it. The bell is a happy part of Christmas, or an annoying noise outside supermarkets. But whether or not people like it, they hear it. This bell is an alarm. It gets people’s attention. Some are ready to hear it and some don’t understand why they should give. They have their own wishes to make come true. We take down our stands and get picked up around 5 p.m. Everyone is tired and our stomachs are empty, but our kettles are full. Back in the City, we put away the bells, take off our aprons and hats and go home. When I close my eyes to sleep that night, all I hear is my voice saying, “Happy holidays, thank you” and that little white bell ringing. The one in every 10 people who dropped money in the kettle can’t keep the “season of giving” alive. Those little boys and girls will grow into teenagers too cool to give. The elderly will pass on. And there will always be the woman with her wallet flashing as she struts by with her chin up – wishing I wasn’t in her way.

features

the broadview

Digital demand

Technology allows musicians to create mixed media in cheap, quick process

ina herlihy news editor

ecord players and CDs are becoming memories of the past with new technologies

like iPods, digital music files and home studios making music more accessible and easier to create. “Technology has made it so anyone can make a CD,” said singer and guitarist Angel Nova

RENA HUNT | the broadview

Los Angeles based electro indie-pop DJ Steve Aoki mixes on a turntable at a concert at The Great American Music Hall for PUMA’s 60th anniversary party. See page 12 for complete coverage of his performance in the Bay Area.

from the band The Phenomenauts. “From the music to the album art, it can all be done at home.” Software like Garageband, Audacity, Logic Pro and Protools let users take advantage of this technological advancement. “Home studios have been springing up all over the place,” said Priya Prins, freelance engineer for the Interscope Studio, a branch of Universal Studios. “Big time recording studios have had to close because they don’t have as much business anymore.” Some of these major record labels that have declared bankruptcy include Watermelon Records and Antone’s Records. “Technology has destroyed the major label system and has allowed independents to get noticed on a mass level without major label support,” said singer Reina Boone. Self-published videos on YouTube led to the discovery of singers like Cobbie Cobalt, Arnel Pineda and Bo Burnham. “Technology is a benefit for people who want to become famous,” said Felix Rodriguez IV, Marketing Assistant at Def Jam Records, a branch of Universal Studios. Technological advancements have also facilitated connections between artists around the world. “Technology creates an ex-

tensive network so someone from Beijing can compose music with someone from Alabama,” said Drew Parke, a freshman majoring in music technology at New York University. “As technology increases, it becomes easier and easier.” With increased visibility and collaboration, however, comes more competition according to Boone. “The quick turn-around creates a quicker demand which creates a demand for a lot of cheap, crappy music,” said Boone. “People with no talent can become singers with technology.” However, these technological advancements have had negative repercussions in other areas of the music industry as well. Home studios, social networking sites and illegal file sharing have decreased the $15 billion music industry to a $10 billion industry in the past nine years according to Paige Ralston Fromer, Vice President of External Relations at the Recording Industry Association of America. Music piracy has also caused the loss of over 71,000 U.S. jobs and $12.5 billion of economic loses a year according to the Institute for Policy Innovation. “For the first half of 2008 digital [music] was already at 35 percent of the total value of the U.S. market,” said Fromer.

Technology also gives artists more choices in sound equipment, but sometimes older technologies are preferred. The vintage microphones sound better, according to Priya Prins, but are no longer made. “We used to use tube microphones or tube pre-amps, but those burn out,” said Prins. “Now we use a solid state mic, which is a more modern version of it.” Although some people appreciate the older technology, others like junior Alexa Collins value modern advancements. “I prefer the electric guitar,” said Collins who has both an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar. “The strings are thinner, so it is easier to press them down. The size is also smaller, so it is easier to get my hand around to play it.” Technology has always been intertwined with music. “From radio to records, from microphones to amplifiers to multi tracking and now computers and CDs,” said Nova. “[Technology] is just part of it.” Still others like Boone appreciate how technology is connected to music. “Music is powerful in itself,” said Boone. “Technology is a vehicle, just like money. Using it towards something positive is the important factor.”

Alum applies past lessons to career Computer science major credits success to high school computer programming sara kloepfer reporter

“M

y job bridges the gap between business design and implementation,” said applications consultant Veronica Tufo. “It will change depending on the needs of the client and the stage in the project, so I have to be flexible and a quick learner.” Tufo works on teams with high-level business thinkers and technical analysts to design applications or recommend software for clients. Her current project is for Wells Fargo Bank for wholesale loan services. “I’m learning about their lending process in order to help my team recommend a platform and/or applications to enable a workflow and make their jobs easier,” said Tufo. Tufo started working a few months ago, so she still has a foundational role, but as she progresses she can specialize in technical areas such as databases or networking. “My major gave me the background I needed to understand and contribute to the concepts being discussed, but obviously there is a learning curve that I expected to experience starting a new job,” said Tufo. “Since I didn’t choose the standard developer role, my learning curve needs to be a little steeper than average.” Tufo was first introduced to computer science in Dean of Studies Doug Grant’s computer programming classes.

After doing well in both mandatory classes, Tufo enrolled in AP Computer Science at Grant’s recommendation. “It seemed to come naturally and each programming assignment was like a

Veronica Tufo 04

College: Calif. Polytenic State U, San Luis Obispo (’08) Major: Computer Science Job: Technical Consultant/ Applications Associate, Computer Sciences Corporation

puzzle that I needed to solve,” said Tufo. “I enjoyed the challenge and even more so showing off the finished program. So when Cal Poly made me pick my major as I was filling out the application, it seemed only natural to pick computer science. Luckily, it worked out.” Tufo says her AP Computer Science courses had a big impact in college. She passed out of the intro class and went

into 102, which was a review of Grant’s AP course. “The classes I took in high school gave me a comprehensive understanding that some other students didn’t get in 101,” said Tufo. “A lot of the kids in my dorm switched majors because they didn’t have a baseline and couldn’t grasp the logic or the concepts that I was taught in the AP classes. I would strongly recommend anyone considering an engineering major to at least look into it.” According to Tufo, average computer science classes consist of a lecture and a lab. Lectures tend to be a bigger class and cover the textbook ideas along with question and answer. Students apply the ideas learned in the lecture during labs while the professor or a teacher assisstant helps. The upper division courses Tufo took were more specialized, so she could pick which subjects she wanted to explore. “Classes usually depended on large projects that we had to complete on our own time and smaller labs that were due more frequently,” said Tufo. “Learning how to manage my time was the biggest adjustment I made after high school.” The most popular class Tufo took was a 3D animation course in which students designed and created a video game. Tufo’s favorite couse was Artificial Intelligence. “It was exciting to learn about and create intelligent programs that “learned” as they processed,” said Tufo.

Compute this As a computer science major you would • Study computer systems • Learn about how humans and computers interact from a scientific standpoint • Study the theory and design of hardware and software • Take programming courses covering languages such as C++ and Java • Solve problems by translating a question into instructions that a computer can follow in order to come up with an answer • Explore what goes on inside a computer when it’s solving a problem Careers you might pursue • Computer and information systems managers • Computer programmers • Computer software engineers • Computer systems analysts Typical courses in college • Computer system organization • Data structures and algorithms • Digital system design • Introduction to program design • Mathematics for computer science • Software engineering Classes at CSH to help prepare you • AP Calculus BC • AP Chemistry • AP Computer Science AB • AP Physics B or Physics C • AP Statistics • Discrete mathematics For more info • Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) http://www.acm.org

features

Take a byte o december 18, 2008

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Mac

Conventio

Inside the hard drive AMANDA JAMES | the broadview

Features Price Memory Space Battery Life Battery Weight Height Width

MacBook

HP Pavilion dv5t series Starting from $579.99

$1,999

Memory up to 8 GB

Memory up to 4 GB

Up to 400 GB Hard Drive

320 GB Hard Drive

10 hours of battery life

5 hours of battery life

12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Lithium-polymer battery

5.83 pounds

4.5 pounds

1.65 feet

0.95 inches

14.05 inches

12.78 inches

Display

High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display 15.4 inches, 1680 x 1050

LED-backlight glossy widescreen, 13.3 inches, 1280 x 800 pixels

Built-in

Wi-Fi, low-light Webcam, digital microphone, TV tuner, remote control, premium audio, dual headphone jacks

iSight camera, microphone and speaker with subwoofers

HP Color Matching Keyboard

Standard key board or illuminated key board Safari alerts user when something is downloaded, Apple continually makes free security updates that can be downloaded automatically, comes with AppleCare protection plan

Keyboard Safety Software Apps

HP ProtectSmart HardDrive Protection, automatically detects if notebook has been dropped, locked hard drive to protect data, simplified password management, optional integrated fingerprint read QuickPlay software, one click access to entertainment Microsoft Word 9.0 Source: http://www.shopping.hp.com

Made by Mac, rarely crashes or freezes Time Machine, Mail, iChat, Safari, PhotoBooth, Front Row, Boot Camp, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb and Garageband

Source: http://www.apple.com

Cracking the Mac vs. PC ads T

zoë newcomb reporter

wo men stand against a white background. A young man in a T-shirt and jeans declares himself a Mac. A dorky man in a suit, tie and glasses quickly adds he is a PC, then tries various techniques to trick people into buying his computer, and eventually concedes that Macs are superior. The “Get a Mac” ad campaign captures the growing cultural distinction between PC users and Apple’s Macintosh computer users in short, humorous commercials that have become widely recognizable since they began in 2006. “The ads are genius,” said Amy Stonecipher, account executive and planner at OneWorld Communica-

tions. “It personifies the products, presenting them to people in a way they can understand. The PC is a fat, old man in a nasty beige suit. Whereas the Mac is a dude in Chuck Taylors, and he looks really chill.” This year, Microsoft responded to the Apple ads with a new campaign called “I’m a PC.” These commercials feature real life customers, who have uploaded videos onto the Microsoft Web site, saying “I’m a PC”. “They’re a little late in the game,” said Stonecipher. “If the Mac brand stays the way it’s been for the past five years, PCs will not be able to compete.” A growing cultural distinction between people who use Macs and people who use PCs greatly contributes to the competition between Apple and Microsoft.

“I think Macs are way cooler and easier to use, but I have both,” said sophomore Kristy Harty-Connell. “I use my PC more at home because my parents like it better. They think PCs are easier to use.” The Apple Web site advertises their computers as doing “what a PC does, only better,” while the Microsoft Windows software Web site prompts visitors to record a video telling their “own unique story” that could be featured in commercials. Both companies offer special benefits to try and convince potential buyers that their product is better than their competitors. Microsoft offers links to Web sites that can get buyers special offers on their computers. New Mac purchasers can bring their old PCs into an Apple store to have their entire hard drive transferred.

“I use PCs at work because people were old and boring and that’s what they’ve used in the past,” said Stonecipher. “But now people are stepping out and trying new things, and all the companies are stepping up their games.” Advertising, competition between companies, and cultural stereotypes have a big influence people’s ideas about a product. But in the end, it’s the actual features of a computer that matter. “Both PCs and Macs have done some really cool things with advertising,” said Stonecipher. “But Macs have a really cool product that appeal to an increasingly environmentally aware society. PCs are great too, but if you don’t have the best product, advertising doesn’t matter.

jovel quier sacred heart

from tech p. 1 during the second week o is the world’s leading tech events and research compa “The convention is h up two buildings of the M said senior Hallie Young. “I whelming but really awesom new stuff people have crea The five-day confere consumers and businesses from companies that sell, ma products, services or soluti OS platform. For $25, anyo for the event that often before-seen products that h make front page news or se “Macworld is a gath panies that design softw hardware components th Apple computers,” said To technology support specia schools. There are vendors accessories, from cameras The personal computer mar competitive, and many man specialize in Apple-related p Macworld as the showcase technologies.” The first Macworld Exp

Hovey-Kelley asked to design mouse for Apple

1970

features

out of Apple the broadview

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on brings Mac enthusiasts together

Charlotte McCormack | with permission

All iWant for Christmas

rolo editor

of January. IDG hnology media, any. huge — it takes Moscone Center,” It’s kind of overme seeing all the ated.” ence is open to s looking to buy arket or promote ions for the Mac one can register unveils neverhave gone on to ell out. hering for comware and extra hat work with om Funkhouser, alist for the four s for all sorts of s to backpacks. rket is extremely nufacturers that products choose for their newest

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1985 in San Francisco and since then Macworld has always been held at the Moscone Center. There used to be expos in the summer in Boston and New York City, but now there is only one in January. The event is highly accessible for all Mac enthusiasts with sessions on trends and trouble-shooting as well as programs for businesses looking to incorporate Apple technology. “I’d consider going because I run into problems with my computer sometimes and it would be nice to know how to fix them,” said sophomore B Krasnoff. “I’d love to see what new ‘stuff’ they’re coming out with.” In the past, over 40,000 Mac enthusiasts have attended Macworld annually to see, test, evaluate and ultimately purchase the products and services that they rely on. Over 500 exhibiting companies will be presenting their wares. “I went when last year I went to a session on the then new Macbook Air and it was really cool because no one had seen it before,” said Young. “The people were so helpful and the session was so cool that a friend and I decided that we want to be Mac Geniuses (tech support for Macs) at some point in our lives.” Type “apple” into a Google image search and a few of the results may be a Granny Smith or a Golden Delicious. But

APPLE Apple I design is finished

1976

1984

“Any student who wants to see the latest innovations for Apple computers can do so at Macworld,” said Funkhouser. “I have become fairly familiar with the inner hardware components. I enjoy working with Macs, though sometimes they are a little more difficult to take apart when compared to hardware from other companies. This is in part largely due to the unique designs that Apple Computer has developed for their laptops and desktops. But the extra effort, for me, is worth it.”

Features: high speed 3G network, downloadable third party applications Price: $299.99 Where to buy: Apple Store, AT&T

Flip Video Mino Digital Camcorder

Features: Compact high quality sound and video recorder Price: $159.00 – $179.99 Where to buy: Best Buy, Circuit City

RENA HUNT | the broadview

through the

Apple goes The Macintosh public is launched

1980

the next 55 pages of pictures are predominantly of Apple brand laptops, accessories and iPods. Apple is leading the redefinition of modern technology. “Apple Computer is innovative not only in their eloquent designs but in the concept of presenting a complete package: both hardware and software produced by the same company,” said Funkhouser. “Computers and software work seamlessly, and this is especially evident with their iLife suite (iTunes, iPhoto, etc.). And now, the iPhone is re-defining the ease of use and eloquence in the smartphone category of the cellular phone industry.” Electronics companies are still coming out with products inspired by Apple’s iPod and its popular laptops. The Macworld Conference and Expo is a chance to see the Apple’s most recent work.

Apple iPhone 3G

Apple releases first desktop computers

1994

Power Macintosh G3 and The Apple Store are introduced

1997 — Compiled by Jovel Quierolo

AGES First iPod is released

MacBook is released

iPhone is released

2001

2006

2007

Sources: http://library.stanford.edu/mac/market.html, www.theapplemuseum.com

sacred heart

december 18, 2008

Tech-savvy lab assistant blends work, skill

sara kloepfer reporter

ick McSpadden’s love affair with technology began in the very same computer lab he now works in. The assistant tech support specialist for the Schools of the Sacred Heart says he realized he was interested in technology the first day he attended Stuart Hall for Boys (SHB) and saw the Unkefer Computer Lab. “I used to come in early to that lab for my MCSPADDEN computer class every day so I could have extra time on the computers,” said McSpadden. “I’ve always been rather technologically literate and computer savvy. Technology has always been such a huge part of my life.” It was during his summers at Lick Wilmerding High School that he started working with four-school Director of Technology Hoover Chan. “Initially, I just needed a summer job, so I was working as a general assistant for the summer school here,” said McSpadden. “Then I met Dr. Chan, and I offered to help in the tech department. Everything snowballed from there. The next summer I was working with him in addition to the summer school. I cleaned the lab and managed computers and software, all the while Dr. Chan and I got more familiar with my skill set.” McSpadden began working full time after graduating from University of California Santa Cruz in 2006. Chan listed many aspects that made Nick a good candidate for his job — his connection to the community, his understanding of how the school worked and what it represented, along with his technical expertise. “It’s important to not only have technical knowledge, but to be able to work with people,” said Chan. “That’s a good combination for this kind of work environment.” McSpadden says that transitioning from attending SHB as a child to working there as an adult has been interesting. “On the kid side of things, your experience is very limited because your time as a student is so structured because you have to follow the rules,” said McSpadden. “As an adult it’s more open.” McSpadden still sees some of his old teachers, but now has different relationships with them. “Who ever thought that I’d be having coffee with the man who taught me science in seventh grade?” said McSpadden. “I’ve had to define a name for myself as a profes-

sional so I wouldn’t be seen as little Nicky McSpadden anymore, and I think I’ve done that pretty well.” McSpadden sees another familiar face at work — father David, who has taught math at SHB for almost 20 years. “My dad has always been very tech oriented. We’re both very interested in discussing how to improve student learning techniques through technology,” said Nick McSpadden. David McSpadden uses various types of technology when teaching — an eBoard for his classroom, the lab for his geometry and algebra classes and Photoshop for showing two-point perspective in Renaissance art. “I’m always thinking, what’s the best way to learn this?” said David McSpadden. “What can technology do for you?” Nick McSpadden uses a similar method in his career. Working primarily with the faculty of the four schools, he makes sure all the computers work, the network is accessible, and all technological based tools are usable and in reach for faculty. “These schools are a 24-hour business,” said McSpadden. “The Web site is running day and night because our community outreach is done through the Internet, so it’s our job to fix any problems so that everyone’s online experience is as smooth and easy as possible.” McSpadden’s experience with technology has given him a unique view on the way it works.

Who ever thought that I’d be having coffee with the man who taught me science in seventh grade? – Nick McSpadden “A computer is like a dog,” said McSpadden, chuckling at his own philosophy. “I know it sounds silly, but it’s true. Like a dog, a computer responds to basic commands. Once you figure out the knack of computers, they don’t seem challenging anymore.” McSpadden combines his affinity for technology with his interest in music. “At home, I mix electronic music and use it in beat matching programs,” said McSpadden. “I take music that works well together and put it in long sequences. I don’t make a lot of my own songs, but maybe someday in the crazy dream world I’ll be-

RENA HUNT | the broadview

McSpadden works at his desk in the Unkefer Lab between the Grant and the Flood buildings and around the schools from about 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. He leaves his desk when called during the day by teachers from both schools to help troubleshoot plasma screens and computers. come a DJ. I love music technology. I find it fascinating, and it would be great to bring more of it into the curriculum.” McSpadden has started to build a legacy of his own through teaching students in a position similar to his own at his age. Last summer he and Chan trained two interns, Larkin Grant (’08) and SHHS senior Everett Dong. “Everett’s father was in one of the early classes at SHB when it was first founded and now his son attends SHHS,” said David McSpadden. “My son is passing computer knowledge on to Everett. [Dean of Studies] Doug Grant was a math teacher way back and he was one of the first to encourage

the Schools to get computers for grades and transcripts, and now there are entire computer departments and classes at the Schools. My son passed computer knowledge on to Grant’s daughter as well.” Chan believes the program was successful. “It’s exciting to create opportunities for members of our community,” said Chan. “We try to provide a learning experience in which they help us, which in turn helps our community.” “Even teaching everyday skills, like how to hook up to the Internet, is technology being passed on through the generations,” said McSpadden.

Alumni gather to share music, memories, Christmas spirit

RENA HUNT | the broadview

Alumni gather near the end of the evening to sing in the Belvedere of the Main Hall. They sang holiday tunes as well as traditional French songs associated with a Sacred Heart Christmas.

anjali shrestha & colleen scullion

n alum returns to the same evergreen-scented Main Hall she left years ago, receiving a nametag with her date of graduation to welcome her to Alumni Noëls. “We all fondly remember singing Noëls in the Main Hall as students, and it is so much fun to hear the traditional carols again,” said Devi Zinzuvadia (CES ’91), Communications Associate for Schools of the Sacred Heart. “I was amazed to find that I could sing some of the songs by heart, even after all these years.” Alumni Noëls, the largest of the five alumni events hosted by the Alumni Board, helps reconnect alumni to each other, their families and faculty. Participants sing traditional songs familiar to Sacred Heart students around the world. The members of the Alumnae Chorus has even recorded a CD of these recognized tunes. The French carol CD, made in 2002, brings the holiday spirit and flashes of school history to its listeners. The music’s history is important to former students who came and sang.

“Coming back to the Flood Mansion, there are a lot of memories here,” said Charlene Mak (’96). “Singing at the end when everyone gathers around the tree and sings in French, brings back memories.” Noëls serve as a time of reunion and remembering past friendships. “I come to the Broadway alumnae reunions to keep up relationships because I think that this is part of what Sacred Heart tradition is about — deepening relationships,” said Sister Be Mardel, former Head of Schools who now resides at Oakwood in Atherton.

Coeur de Jésus Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant Éveille-Toi Bergeré Noël de Notre Dame Aux Concerts Des Anges Minuit Chrétien

a&e

the broadview

Fashion designer’s work shown in art exhibit

DREW ALTIZER | with permission

A portrait of Algerian-born French fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent hangs at the enrtrance of the exhibition on show at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park through April 5 (above). The exhibit presents a 40-year retrospective of the design’s life and work from 1950 when he submitted three sketches on a whim to a contest and won, to when he was first chosen to suceed Christian Dior as the head designer of House of Dior in 1957 to the mid 1960s when Laurent mainstreamed the idea of wearing silhouttes from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s. “From Sketch to Garment” (left), shows Saint Laurent’s innovative style in a wide array of outfits from DREW ALTIZER | with permission

conception to finished product.

amanda james webmaster

tripped from the runway with its flashing lights, beautiful models and beating music, deceased French fashion designer and couturier Yves Saint Laurent’s designs are now illuminated by bright bluish purple lights placed against grey walls and surrounded by the hushed chatter of museum and fashion connoisseurs alike. The de Young’s exhibit serves as bibliography of Yves Saint Laurent’s career in fashion, spanning from his very first collection for Christian Dior in Spring Summer 1958 to his final Spring 2002 haute couture collection. The Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent Foundation has been dedicated to preserving over 20,000 of the artistic genius’s Haute Couture garments, accessories, fashion illustrations and sketches for the 40 years of his career as a fashion designer. At its only stop in the United Sates, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, along with the help of the Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, present an inspiring 40-year retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent and his garments that made him known as one of the most influential and innovative fashion designers of the 20th century. Yves Saint Laurent moved to Paris in 1950 at the age of 17 to train to be a fashion designer at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, responsible for managing the haute couture industry, and within that same year was hired by fashion haute courtier Christian Dior. He was immediately recognized for his talent, after winning the International Wool Secretariat competition, and at 21 was named the head designer of the House of Dior. From there, after designing a

revolutionary collection of trapeze dresses, Laurent eventually started his own line of clothing under his own name with Pierre Bergé, catalyzing his creative genius, creating timeless looks such as the pantsuit, peacoat, safari jacket and his famed Le Smoking tuxedo jacket. Among the de Young’s exhibit is a gathered gown made of black and white printed taffeta, a flowing floral print silk organdy cocktail dress, an evening gown made of a duchesse satin bow and velvet skirt, a pant and cashmere Day Ensemble and of course, his careerchanging grey wool Trapeze Dress for French designer Christian Dior, each, incomplete without his signature bow. These are just a few of the 130 accessorized garments and fashion illustrations of Yves Saint Laurent, chronicling his dedication to beautiful contemporary women’s wear, art, and music. Neatly stenciled on the grey wall above the entrance to Yves Saint Laurent is a quote from the designer himself that reads, “The most beautiful clothes that can dress a woman are the arms of the man she loves. But for those who haven’t had the fortune of finding this happiness, I am there.” And that’s exactly the impression Laurent’s point of view is all about — clothes that make women feel confident, loved and independent, for there is far more to fashion design than just satisfying a customer’s vanity. Laurent’s exhibit at the de Young embodies confidence, allowing the imagination run free of silhouette and color boundaries. Yves Saint Laurent runs until April 5 at the de Young Museum. Members are admitted free to the exhibition and museum. Adults are $20, and youth aged 13 through 17 are $17. Admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month.

Senior creates own music with computer program GarageBand, sounds of the city make for innovative music

susie lee reporter

veryday sounds such as the clicking of heels upon pavement and the whirring engine of the Muni on the streets may appear too commonplace to notice, yet to senior Grace Milligan they remind her of the movement, rhythm and beat in music. Milligan incorporates the inspiration she finds on the streets into the music in GarageBand, a computer application that allows users to create audio tracks including music and podcasts, encouraging her to explore the artistic field and produce personal audio tracks by mashingand combining songs. “When I first came across GarageBand as a sophomore, I just started fooling around with it because it was easy to use,” said Milligan. “I began mashing songs from various artists, uploading music that was in GarageBand onto iTunes and burning CDs out of my songs.” Music has always been a part of Milligan’s life. She first played piano when she was five-years-old, and went on to learn how to play the violin and guitar. “I messed around and played the piano my own way,” said Mil-

ligan. “Whenever I heard a song on the radio, I sat down on the piano and translated what I heard onto the keys. I tried to figure out the melody of the song, and then I put my hands together to build onto a song.” Milligan has compiled a few CDs, each containing 20 tracks ranging from ’70’s soft rock artists like Bread to modern rap artists like Stunna Man. Milligan’s interest in blending music came from listening to mash-up artist Girl Talk, who produces song remixes with voice overlays from various artists on his laptop. “I liked Girl Talk’s music because it wasn’t typical — his music never went on and on with the same beat and didn’t have a drab flavor to it,” said Milligan. “His music had a variety of genres to it, which really pushed me to make mashed songs because they didn’t bore me.” While Milligan is interested in pursuing a career in conceptual art such as music, she is also intrigued in creating more tangible, physical art. Milligan explored both her interests over the summer in a studio art class at New York University (NYU). There she experimented with a variety of art forms, includ-

ing film, sculpture and computer programming. “I rented a video camera at a studio art summer program from NYU to film people busily running to their work or wherever they need to go to,” said Milligan. “We also did an awesome art project, in which we plastered our left forearm and hand to mold a turkey.” When Milligan returned to San Francisco, she combined her mashed music with a slideshow of cartoons. “I drew nearly 400 scenes and filmed them like a flip book,” said Milligan. “I synchronized music that I made in GarageBand with about a minute long comic strip.” But since her last project, Milligan has found it difficult to create art projects that develop her interest in GarageBand and physical art. “If I only had the time to make more music, I would definitely use GarageBand more often,” said Milligan. GarageBand appeals to the general audience because the application is accessible. “I think GarageBand is suitable for everyone because it has diverse music segments to choose from,” said Milligan. “I could have Cambodian music with a cat meowing in the background.”

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Senior Grace Milligan uses GarageBand, a Macintosh computer application, to create her own audio tracks by incorporating everyday sounds she hears. Milligan has now been mixing music on GarageBand for two years, using everyday sounds in her work.

10 sports

december 18, 2008

Players return to coach frosh-soph team sophie gilchrist sports editor

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Alumna Andie Yamagami (‘03) instructs freshman Emily O’Reilly (right) on the proper techniques of shooting. After graduating CSH, Yamagami went to study at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

2003 STATS LIZ BROWN

ANDIE YAMAGAMI

Position: Point Guard Number: 22 Height: 5’5” Grade: 12

Position: Forward/Guard Number: 34 Height: 5’8” Grade: 12

embers of the 2003 Division V State championship basketball team Liz Brown (’03) and Andie Yamagami (’03) have returned to the Herbert Gymnasium once again after a four-year break for college. Yet this time — instead of playing — they are coaching the freshmansophomore basketball team. After graduating from CSH in 2003, Brown went on to study at Point Loma Nazarene University and Yamagami went to the University of Southern California. Neither player played basketball for BROWN her college, although each played the occasional game. “The biggest difference between college and Convent is that Convent has 200 students whereas in college there were around 40,000,” said Yamagami. “It was weird that when I played intramural basketball that it was coed and playing basketball with

boys is very different.” College was also a very different experience for Brown. “There wasn’t as close of a sense of community,” said Brown. “At Convent there was a big sense of one and in college you just have to find your own way.” Returning to CSH has given them a new perspective on the school. “Back then we were so focused in the environment that we were in that we didn’t get to realize it, but now [that we are back] we are able to look out and see what a great community [Convent] is,” said Brown. Brown was shocked when she realized that YAMAGAMI s h e g r a d u ated elementary school the same year that the sophomores started elementary school. “Wow, we are so old!” said Brown. Brown’s high school basketball jersey was retired while she was on winter break in her freshman year of college. It was the first

Captain uses sport as stress relief

zoë newcomb reporter

enior Emma Fahy started playing basketball in third grade because her school didn’t offer any other sports. Eight years later, Fahy is varsity basketball captain.

Fahy started to concentrate more on basketball in seventh grade after attending a basketball camp, deciding she wanted to take the sport seriously. “Basketball is a stress reliever for me,” said Fahy. “ I love the mental challenge, not knowing what is going to happen next.”

Fahy and fellow captain Scarlett Kirk work to build chemistry among the team and prepare everyone for games. “I love the mental connection I have with my teammates,” said Fahy. “The telepathy is really cool, we can anticipate each others actions before they happen.” Fahy’s teammates say her intensity and concentration on basketball teach them how to be better players. “She’s very aggressive,” said sophomore India Pearce. “ She gives really good speeches that pump us up before games. She’s just amazing. She has real talent.” But its not Fahy’s skills in basketball that inspire her teammates —it’s the way she acts both on and off the court that make her a role model. “I know that she is a really great friend because she is trustworthy and intelligent,” said Pearce. “She always has our backs.” Fahy says that the role basketball plays in her life is important, so she hopes to continue to play beyond high school. “I want to continue to play at the club level [in college],” said Fahy. “I really love this sport.” RENA HUNT | the broadview

Senior Emma Fahy takes a shot during a practice. Fahy plays club basketball as well as for the school and she says she plans to play basketball in college.

Upcoming games/tournaments:

Dec. 18-20

Dec. 27-30

@ Kezar

@ Freedom High School

Urban Tournament

West Coast Jamboree

Jan. 1

LickWilmerding @ CSH

Tournament and game information not available at press time. See http://www.sacredsf.org/chs/athletetics_today.aspx for details.

time CSH retired a number. “We retired her jersey because she was a great athlete,” said Athletic Director Elena DeSantis. “She had great sportsmanship and was a team player. She was a leader on the team, always motivating her teammates. It was not just on the court but in school, too.” Despite the passing of four years, neither Brown nor Yamagami returned think the school has changed drastically. “I don’t think that much has changed,” said Yamagami, although she confessed that she was jealous that students could now wear hooded sweatshirts. “It’s a lot the same, which is good,” added Brown. “It is the same community — the same people, and the same five Goals.”

Next Games: Dec. 17

Galileo HS

3:30 @ Galileo

Dec. 19

The Bay School 3:30 @ Letterman

On The Sideline sophie gilchrist

HS game strikes impact

ost people describe the most exciting game of their life as the Super Bowl or the World Series, but for me it was a high school basketball game. It was unusual that a high school game could have such an impact on me rather than a professional or college game, and I have wondered why. I was a sophomore, and it was my first year on the newspaper staff when I found myself in the front row of the Kezar Pavilion reporting on the Bay Area Coast League (BCL) Championship basketball game in which Convent played The Urban School. Normally reporters are supposed to remain neutral, not rooting for any particular side. But at this game it was undeniably hard to maintain composure. The game started out slow. The players were so nervous they could not hit their shots in the first half. With 2:27 minutes left in the first quarter, captain Grace Bishop scored Convent’s first basket. Even though in a professional game the first basket would have been scored about two minutes into play, the anticipation made me realize that this game was going to be worth watching. Guard Rebecca Halloran scored a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left in the third quarter to pick up the flow of the game. Time was running out. Convent would score and then Urban would score. Finally the Cubs took the lead when guard Scarlett Kirk scored a field goal. I was writing as fast as I

could, scribbling notes as the game progressed. Each basket was noted, each foul was jotted and each interception was scribbled in my reporters notebook which had become ratty throughout the game with cross-outs and revisions. After the buzzer, 300 fans rushed the court, congratulating the players on the win. As I tried to remain the “neutral reporter” that I was supposed to be, I could not suppress a grin. My friends, the girls who had been working so hard for this, had finally accomplished their dream, winning the championship as well as beating Urban. The great thing about going to high school games is that everyone who rushed the court and was jumping up and down not only was happy because we won, but was also happy for the players. At high school games, especially Convent because it is a small school, the fans truly know the players. In the future this is not likely to happen. It is rare to know the athletes at college games because the school is so big. Even small schools are comprised of around 5,000 students, making it hard to know the athletes. You know how stressed they are with the latest history test or latest English essay and it is incredible that they still have time to be dedicated to their sport. If there is a night without too much homework — as rare as those come — go to a game and witness the feeling of watching your classmates score a winning basket, hit a winning spike or kick the winning goal. It could be a game to remember.

health & fitness

the broadview

Earbuds may harm hearing T

he popular iPod earbuds may allow listening to music almost anywhere, but repeatedly turning up the volume can gradually cause isabelle pinard painful damage to the reporter ears and hearing. “Hearing loss occurs when you listen to extremely loud sounds over a long period of time,” said Janet Christensen, Director of the Auditory Oral School for the Deaf at the Hearing and Speech Center in Northern California. Almost 16 percent of American adults have impaired ability to hear speech, and 30 percent over the age of 20 have lost some high-frequency hearing. This could cause the iPod generation to lose their hearing even earlier than their parents. “When you lose high-frequency hearing, you are then unable to hear high sound letters, such as ‘s’, ” said Christensen. “This could make understanding everyday speech very difficult.” Being unable to understand highfrequency sounds as a high school student could be quite strenuous since the educational process heavily relies on lectures and class discussions. More than 22 million Americans own iPods, and many iPod users listen to their music over 65 decibels. Experts recommend that the volume on iPods should be lower than 75 decibels, and that users listen for no more photo illustration | AMANDA JAMES than an hour at a time.

“Your iPod on full blast can go up to 120 decibels. This is almost as loud as an airplane taking off, and can cause excruciating pain to your ears,” said Christensen. Signs of hearing damage may include muffled voices, ringing or buzzing in the ears, pain or sudden sensitivity to loud noises. “High school students are at risk for damaging their ears by going to concerts because their ears are exposed to very loud sounds over a long period of time,” said Christensen. “The ringing that people experience after the concert is over are hair cells that have been traumatized by the loud vibrations, and they may not all recover.” Sixty-one percent of teens said they have experienced ringing in their ears or other hearing problems according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. “I do experience a bit of ringing in my ears when I return from concerts, and it takes about a night to wear off,” said freshman Isabella Holland. Ringing and buzzing are caused by listening to music above 75 decibels. Newer headphones may help listeners prolong their hearing. iHearSafe earbuds and headphones attempt to prevent noise-induced hearing. These headphones can be plugged into any electronic device playing at full blast, but the volume level will always remain below 85 decibels, which is still slightly above the recommended maximum listening level. “Earbuds always need to be used carefully and should be kept at appropriate volumes to protect the users hearing,” said Christensen.

3 exercises to protect the ACL

Girls at risk for tearing ligaments Side plank

omen are three to five times more likely than men to tear the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) but can prevent injury through strengthening exercises, according to a new study by the British Medical Journal. The ACL connects bones, providing stability and minimizing stress to the knee. Severe injuries can be cut in half through the prevent injury and enhance performance program (PEP) that strengthens and coordinates muscles while teaching proper technique. “The ACL prevents the tibia, the lower bone in your leg, from moving forward onto

Drink it up? Recent cold weather has girls running to the nearest coffee shop to gulp down their favorite warm drink, holiday-themed, sugary confections harboring hidden calories. Out of a teenage girl’s recommended daily intake of 2,200 calories a day, a warm, wintery confection can supply one-fourth of a day’s calories. Here is a rundown of holiday drinks at popular Fillmore Street coffee shops. Tully’s was unable either on their Web site or in stores visited to provide nutritional facts for their holiday drinks. — Sara Kloepfer

Starbucks

Grande Eggnog Latte 470 Calories Grande Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha 540 Calories Grande Pumpkin Spice Frappucinno 470 Calories Source: www.starbucks.com

Tully’s Grande White Mocha 430 Calories Grande Pumpkin Latte 240 Calories Source: Tully’s nutritional information pamphlet

the upper bone in your leg,” said physical therapist Daniel James. Senior Kristie La hurt her ACL freshman year playing basketball and went through a year of physical therapy. “There are times when I walk or run or jump and I can feel my ACL or knee partially buckle,” said La. Exercises are especially important while training for a sport, and should be done three times a week. James says balance activities are essential because they “strengthen your quads and hamstrings” which support the knee. — Emma Herlihy and Zoe Newcomb

Tuck jump 1. Crouch down and bend legs. 2. Jump up and pull legs towards chest. 3. Straighten legs, land on toes and roll back onto feet. 4. Regain balance, repeat.

1. Lie on right side, keeping right forearm flat and feet stacked. 2. Lift up body with right arm and feet. 3. Lift left arm up and hold position for 10 seconds. 4. Repeat on left side.

Double leg jump

Simple balance and strengthening exercises can prevent tearing the ACL, which provides important stability to the rest of the leg.

1. Create a barrier to jump over. 2. Stand with feet together and knees bent. 3. Jump over barrier, keeping knees. bent and landing softly on the other side. 4. Rest for five seconds. 5. Jump back to starting position. 6. Repeat 10 times.

city life

december 18, 2008

DJ performs at anniversary bash

roll over, beethoven gracie hays

Age restrictive clubs should put music before alcohol, liquor

gracie hays a & e editor

n a nippy Tuesday night in the Tenderloin, the line for DJ Steve Aoki and Lady Gaga at the Great American Music Hall stretched down O’Farrell and wrapped around Larkin Street three hours before Aoki even took the stage. Having gained a steady following over the past decade, Aoki is now accustomed to crowds of this size. While a college student at Univesity of California at Santa Barbara, he attracted attention with his living room concerts in his apartment along with producing do-it-yourself records of local artists. Though he is now world renowned for his innovative and diverse mixes of songs from artists such as The Who, Lil’ John, Rage Against the Machine and Bloc Party (whom he is responsible for promoting and producing), Aoki’s first experience performing was in high school with punk bands. At an anniversary party open to the public for PUMA on Dec. 16, 31-year-old Aoki’s background as a punk performer shined through as he leaped on and off speakers, giving hifives to fans that leaned off the balcony, and crowd surfing across the small club. Despite his energetic presence on stage accompanied by the frantic, piercing beats of his mixes, Aoki’s demeanor remained confidently calm, and he only

spoke few words to the crowd, letting his music and body movement speak for itself. Unlike certain performers who present themselves in a holier-thanthou affectation, Aoki who dawned gray skinny jeans, a white T-shirt and high tops seemed to be one with the crowd as he moved around the stage. At one point, a member of the crowd jumped on stage with Aoki and danced alongside him, whipping his hair around in a similar fashion. In response Aoki shouted into the microphone, “We’re like brothers!” The audience at the show drew mostly from the hipster and yuppie crowd who seemed to all be of drinking age, judging from the levels of intoxication seen at the show. With one lady nearly collapsing on the sidewalk while waiting in line at 9 o’clock, at certain times there was little sense of self- control while on the dance floor. Aside from the questionably abundant use of alcohol at the show on a weeknight, the crowd maintained a positive and enthusiastic attitude, dancing through Aoki’s entire set and hooting for him long after he had left the stage. Despite the fact that Aoki didn’t perform until 11:30, an hour and a half later than the show was scheduled to start, the late hour didn’t seem to faze the crowd as they danced through the night as though they had just started.

RENA HUNT | the broadview

DJ Steve Aoki spins mash-up mixes during PUMA’s 60th anniversary party (above). He pumps his arm in the air and screams into the microphone during the performance (below). Aoki, also known as DJ Kid Millionaire, founded DIM MAK records.

RENA HUNT| the broadview

Coeur connection: Our Lady Gaga of Pop

PULSE

ock enthusiasts can only shudder to imagine how music would have changed if an adolescent Eddie Van Halen had never gone to his first concert and perhaps never decided to pick up a guitar. With an increasing number of age restricted shows, it is more than likely that Van Halen would have been unable to attend the concert if he were growing up today.

On any given night of the week there is usually a plethora of live music in the city that would be worth your money. However, it is far too common for the ardent club-going teen to flip through the Pink Pages only to come across a sea of 21+ shows even at clubs like Thee Parkside and Bottom of the Hill, which make an effort to put on fairly regular all-ages shows. As the availability of live music wanes for teens, a number of kids may not even get the opportunity to discover and develop their passion in music. Though 21+ clubs geared towards pricy bar tab profits may seem shrewd in maintaining the money flow, in the long run the elimination of underage music fans will later result in a economic decline. Once the current generation of underage kids becomes old enough to attend 21+ shows, it is unlikely that they will share the same enthusiasm in supporting local clubs that the current 21+ crowd have. Ultimately, people don’t return to these clubs to get drunk, but rather to experience a more personal form of showmanship and musicianship that is not as present at sold-out stadium concerts with flawless, touring bands. Excluding youth from the local music scene will only result in an adult generation that hasn’t even heard of half the clubs in the City and only attends stadium seated concerts every blue moon. Just as a karaoke booth might enhance the attendance at a bar, liquor also works to boost the crowd number at show. Still, just as people at a bar are there for alcohol, people ultimately come to local clubs to listen to music. Although attracting a younger crowd with consistent attendance may seem to be a daunting task, all-ages clubs like 924 Gilman and Slim’s, which have both been in business for more than 20 years, have proven that youth attendance dependable in creating a successful local club. Ultimately, local clubs must decide which is more universally uniting, liquor or music.

what’s pumping in the halls

hipster headbands

1 - Lamé Headband, $6.50 (American Apparel)

3- Double Strap Braided Elastic Headband, $12 (Urban Outfitters)

RENA HUNT | the broadview

Lady Gaga, born Stefani Germanotta, graduated from Convent of the Sacred Heart at 91st Street in New York City in 2004. She performs “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” at PUMA’s 60th anniversary party in San Francisco last week.

2 - Feather Headwrap with Applique, $24 (Urban Outfitters)

4 - Shiny Headband, $4.50 (American Apparel)