the broadview

the broadview

February 12, 2010

Convent of the Sacred Heart High School | San Francisco, California

Volume 14, Issue 4

Haiti drive gains momentum

I

n the weeks before the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, Farah Makras had a hard time collecting donations to take with her on a trip to the poverty-stricken island nation in the middle of the Caribbean.

Since the earthquake, over 1000 boxes of clothes, medical supplies and water have flooded into donated warehouses and storefronts being used as storage around the city. see HAITI p. 2 | Story by Zoë Newcomb

2 Chinatown

losing cultural authenticity

6-7 Technology

changes the role of the classroom

ZOE NEWCOMB | photo illustration

The U.S. Department of Defense, SSgt. Greg Biondo, MC2 Michael C. Barton, Master Sgt. Russell Cooley IV, AM3 Nicole Bieneman | with permission

Students from both CSH and SHHS helped to organize donated clothes in the warehouses where clothes, food and medical supplies are being stored until they could be ready for Coast Guard shipments to Haiti. The donations will go to several orphanages in rural Haiti, areas that have recently attracted around 500,000 of the nearly four million displaced Haitians who are seeking refuge from the destruction, says the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It is also estimated that over two million people have been left without food, and 700,00 are in need of medical attention.

Team honors seniors

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Tori Green receives a bouquet of flowers from Head of School Andrea Shurley during Senior Night on Tuesday. The varsity basketball team honored each senior player and her family with flowers and a short speech before the game against University. The Cubs also presented University HS seniors with flowers.

leaves Disney roots in the past

Popular designers protest Prop 8 Ava Martinez Reporter

Basketball pictures COMING SOON

12 Nick Jonas

Opponents of Proposition 8, a California initiative passed in 2008 banning single-sex marriage, and popular brands among teens and young adults have turned to clothing as a creative way to protest.

American Apparel’s “Legalize Gay” line of shirts and underwear is designed to make a statement against Proposition 8 and homophobia in general, according to Jonny Szymanski, of the Product Placement department of American Apparel.

“The line was started when some employees at our factory in Los Angeles requested some shirts to wear to a ‘No on Prop 8’ rally,” said Szymanski. “We’ve been involved in marching for immigrant rights for almost 10 years under our Legalize LA banner, so ‘Legalize Gay’ was a natural extension.”

The Legalize Gay line has been very popular, according to Szymanski.

“We saw several thousand of the shirts worn at the National Equality March in D.C.,” said Szymanski, “When students at Stanford organized a sit-in during some of their classes they had on Legalize Gay shirts. We’ve even seen Perez Hilton, Kathy Griffin and other celebrities wear them.”

Legalizing same-sex marriage is especially important to American Apparel because the issue affects employees and customers.

“Many of our employees identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and so do many American Apparel custom-

ers,” said Szymanski. “We want them to know that they are supported and that the company uses its resources to speak out for them whenever it can.”

“Sexuality should be celebrated, not condemned,” according to American Apparel’s Web site. The goal of its Legalize Gay line is to “stand against Prop 8 and what it represents.”

Many students agree with American Apparel’s position against Proposition 8, and embrace the clothing line as another way to express their opinion.

“I am completely against Prop 8 because it goes against everything America stands for,” said junior Briel Renstrom.

“Love is blind and people should accept different types of love.”

“I agree with the statement American Apparel is making with their clothing,” said junior Farah Fouladi.

“Church and state need to be separated, and it should be up to the couple to decide if they get married, not the government.”

Marc Jacobs stores have also taken a stand against Proposition 8 with its storefront designs and a line of T-shirts, with slogans such as, “I pay my taxes, I want my rights.”

“Of the pro-gay rights clothing I’ve seen, the Marc Jacobs T-shirts speak to me the most,” said Renstrom. “The shirts are dead on. Same-sex couples are still citizens and should have the same rights as everyone else.”

Fouladi says a simple T-shirt may not appear to have a significant impact to create more rights for same-sex couples, but it might be a step in the right direction.

“Wearing T-shirts to advocate for same-sex marriage rights is a very strong way to spread the word for marriage equality,” said Fouladi. “While it may not seem as extreme as participating in a protest, everyone who sees the shirt will receive the message.”

AMERICAN APPAREL | with permission

“Legalize Gay” shirts are sold at American Apparel for $17. A similar clothing line is sold at Marc Jacobs.

American Apparel’s goal is for their line to lead to more gay rights, but the onus is on customers to wear them and spread the word, according to Szymanski.

“We wouldn’t want to speculate on any impact the line has had, but our hope has always been to make it a little easier for people in the movement to make their voice heard or to pass the message along to a friend or family member,” said Szymanski. “We’ve given away at least 30,000 so far, but without people wearing them they are just T-shirts.”

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED the broadview Convent of the Sacred Heart HS Schools of the Sacred Heart 2222 Broadway San Francisco, CA 94115

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2news As families relocate to suburbs, Chinatown elderly ask: Jovel Quierolo Managing Editor

February 12, 2010

Where have all the children gone?

F

eng Wong starts his morning with breakfast at home before bussing 40 minutes from the Sunset to Chinatown to shop for bargain fresh fruit and vegetables, digging through the piles of bok choy and Chinese broccoli for the best bunches at a few stands on Stockton Street. Once his cart is filled with ingredients for his dinner, he heads to a bun shop for a pork bun or a deli for some barbequed meats.

Chinatown is a center of Chinese food and culture — home to family organizations dating back to the 1960s when a large wave of Chinese immigrants came to the United States to escape political turmoil. While the neighborhood continues to receive newer immigrants and maintains character in its sights, smells and sounds, suburban flight has left the neighborhood relatively poor, decrepit in many parts, with a large elderly population concerned with the decline of Chinese youth awareness of their tradition and heritage.

“I never see many kids coming here to help out their parents with their business and all those traditions,” said Wong in Cantonese. “I don’t know what happened. My generation taught our kids all those traditions and their kids don’t speak our language, they don’t pour the tea, they can’t even eat meat or fish with bones in it.”

Chinatown has 100,574 residents, according to the 2000 United States census —which accounts for two-thirds of the overall ethnic Chinese population in San Francisco. It is also one of the poorer to more middle class sections of the city, with neighborhood median household incomes averaging out at $42,153, drastically lower than the citywide average income of $73,798.

“I moved here years ago, and have worked around in different jobs,” said Wong. “It has definitely become more dirty. And even though people are moving out like I did to other places in the city, if Chinatown is bad, then it hurts all the Chinese people in San Francisco.”

Wong is referring to other unofficial Chinatowns in the Richmond and

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

The streets of Chinatown are filled on a Friday evening with the biggest crowds gathering during noon for lunch and after work with a random smattering of tourists scattered around the area throughout the day (above). Shopper, Lo Au examines a purple yam for bruises before making his purchase (below).

Chinese come from all over San Francisco to shop for fruits and vegetables at what they consider the best prices for the freshest quality produce.

Sunset neighborhoods that have been established within the city due to overcrowding, poverty and gang violence.

“I don’t really go to Chinatown anymore because its dangerous and so crowded, but I used to when I was a kid,” said senior Daisy Chung, whose parents were both born in Canton, China. “All the shops sell the same thing and you can get a lot of it at other places around the city like Clement Street. What keeps people going back to Chinatown are the prices and the rare ingredients.”

With a few Chinese language schools in Chinatown and scattered around the city, young Chinese Americans in San Francisco are often brought up speaking Chinese. Cantonese is the predominant dialect in Chinatown itself, but Chinese schools and some families teach Mandarin — the predominant dialect in China. More obscure dialects like Shanghainese are occasionally picked up by a trained ear.

Even with Chinese schools and speaking at home, Chinese American teens are slowly being Americanized in values and the English language, according to Chung.

“I’m half Chinese, but I don’t speak at home at all even though I spoke a little when I was young,” said senior Katherine Mibelli. “And sometimes we go to Chinatown to eat and buy Chinese DVDs from the stores there,

but lately I’ve seen some chains and non-Chinese restaurants and shops opening up. It’s almost like the Chinese are being pushed out.”

Organizations in Chinatown are working to preserve culture with social work and educational programs. The Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) sustains several youth-run, youth-led programs that are sustained by young high school leaders from all over San Francisco who, despite not living in the neighborhood, come back to Chinatown and call it their community.

“Through the CCDC, many of our youth are engaged in not only community service, but also run their own programs such as leading tours of the neighborhood that project their perspectives and experiences growing up, and about community issues and who are very much concerned and active with neighborhood preservation,” said Angelina Yu, Senior Community Organizer for the CCDC. For elderly Chinese, who culturally deserve respect and honor as elders, a decline in youth awareness of their own culture is cause for concern.

“My son and my daughter went back to China and they send me money,” said Mei Lee, 76, in Cantonese. “I can still take the bus, but I don’t know who will take care of me when I cannot walk

anymore. We have many family values, like caring for elders but my friends’ children and their grandchildren are losing it.”

Lee, a retired clothing maker, shops in Chinatown every other day to buy fresh fish, meats, other produce, special fungus and herbs for soups, and to have dim sum with her friends.

“The prices are good and there are special things I can get at some shops,” said Lee. “But the young people are so disrespectful and there are tourists everywhere. It’s not good. I don’t know how they will keep the culture if the kids can’t even speak Chinese.”

A few young community leaders like senior Harriet Hu are working to preserve the authenticity of Chinatown now and in the future.

“I’m full Chinese American, and am living with my parents and grandparents,” said Hu, who attends Washington High School. “I actually do spend a lot of time with my grandparents whenever I can, just conversing and eating with them. I don’t live in Chinatown, but I always return for Chinese school, groceries shopping, and Adopt-AnAlleyway Youth Empowerment Project (AAA).”

Hu and the AAA, a branch of the CCDC, focus on environmental issues such as alleyway cleanups, graffiti removals and tenant services for low-

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

income seniors part of efforts to “bridge the generation gap,” according to Hu. Last spring, the AAA wrote a letter to keep a 7-Eleven from out of Chinatown, something he says would have a very detrimental effect Chinatown’s family owned businesses.

“I’ll definitely be returning to help the youth and the community,” said Hu. “I’m passionate about housing issues within the community. It’s amazing to be able to have two homes — one where I actually live and one in Chinatown.”

Haitian earthquake involves community from HAITI on p. 1

“Unfortunately it took a disaster for the community to get involved,” said Makras. “But maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. The country needs this outside help.”

Makras’s involvement in Haiti began through her friend Michelle Lacourciere who runs the Sirona Cares Foundations, a nonprofit that supports orphanages in the rural area outside Port-au-Prince. Lacourciere has been making trips to Haiti every six weeks for the past year and a half, and Makras was planning to leave on her first trip with Laucourciere two days after the earthquake hit.

“We’re just two moms working in out of our basements,” said Makras, who has two sons and a daughter in the elementary schools, and a son who recently graduated from college. “All the attention is overwhelming and its been challenging.”

The Haiti drive Makras organized has garnered support and attention

around the city, not only from students and their families but also from organizations like the San Francisco Fire Department and The Chronicle.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi organized a Coast Guard helicopter transport to carry the donated clothes and medical supplies to six orphanages with which Sirona Cares specifically works.

Students from CSH and SHHS spent hours last week sorting and organizing what junior Natalie Garnett described as “a mountain” of donations sitting in the warehouses. The Cakes for a Cause club organized bake sale just days after the earthquake, raising over $600 that was donated to the Sacred Heart orphanage in Haiti.

“I was shocked by just how many donations there were to organize,” said Garnett. “It seemed like it would never all get organized.”

Despite the outpouring of support, Makras worries Haiti will be forgotten in the upcoming months and the country will be left to fend for itself, as

has happened in other areas that have faced natural disaster.

“I really hope that people don’t just forget,” said Makras. “In a few weeks the media coverage is going to fade, but this is an ongoing process.”

Haiti, a country that was already in a state of poverty before the earthquake, is economically unstable — making it difficult for its own government to organize a centralized plan to rebuild.

UNICEF and other aid organizations on the ground report Haiti is relying almost entirely on outside support to rebuild the country, a process that could take years.

“All kinds of people are going into the country, but it’s more of a burden than a help,” said Makras. “Right now what they really need are doctors and translators.”

Because the country is so unstable volunteers entering the country pose a problem — they must fed and housed, which takes supplies away from Haitians who are in desperate need. For

MONIQUE HILEY, U.S. Department of Defense | with permission

Jacob Earl, a 3rd Class U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, examines a Haitian woman in the aftermath of the earthquake. The dock-landing ship USS Carter Hall medical department set up a medical clinic in Leogane, Haiti. now, Makras is continuing to gather donations and lend support until the dust in the country settles. She says she plans on going to Haiti once it becomes safer and is no longer in a state of crisis.

“What is happening in Haiti right now is so tragic,” said junior Christina Perkins. “I know that I can’t make that big of a difference but we should be helping out whatever way we can.”

sacred heart

the broadview

3

Students leave Chile for classes in San Francisco Ava Martinez Reporter

Y

ears of English classes were put to the test for three exchange students from Colegio del Sagrado Corazon in Reñaca, Chile who lived and attended school with Convent students for the past few weeks. Nine students in total arrived in San Francisco — three staying at Convent while six attended Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton.

“The Chilean exchange is going very well overall, particularly in regard to the enthusiasm of the Chileans and the hospitality of the families,” said theology teacher Julia Arce, who spent the last two years working to coordinate an exchange with the Network sister school.

Although Convent is a new environment for the Chilean students, with a different language and a new culture, similarities to their school in Chile made for a smooth transition.

“Convent is similar to my school in Chile because our school is also very small,” said Catalina “Cata” Blanc, who stayed with junior Tori Balestrieri. “The

MAGGIE CUMMINGS | the broadview

Sophomore Lily Kaplan talks to rising sophomore Francisca Bayer at lunch.

Bayer lived and attended classes with freshman Cate Svendson but later during her stay she attended Women’s Studies, French and an Art Class on her own. It is summer for students in Chile, but the visitors from Reñaca are taking a few different classes at Convent that will not count for credit.

Anna Schulte visits from the cornhusker state Emma Herlihy Asst. News Editor

classes I am taking here are similar to the ones at my school, but some of the material is different.”

The community the Chilean exchange students come from is similar in its Sacred Heart traditions such as Prize Day and Congé, and like Convent, their high school is right next door to a Sacred Heart elementary school.

Upon the exchange students’ arrival, Convent welcomed the guests with food and an introduction at an assembly, something that would happen at their school in Chile, according to Blanc.

“I have really enjoyed meeting a lot of new people and taking different types of classes at Convent,” said Blanc. “Everyone has been very welcoming.”

The school worked to support the exchange students with special schedules so that they have the independence to attend class on their own without their hosts.

“The hardest part is coordinating schedules so they can do work but also feel like it was easy to integrate them into the academic setting,” said Arce.

“The teachers have been very helpful as well to accommodate the students.”

The exchange students are not tak-

ing a full course load and have more free periods than the average Convent student. On weekends, the girls’ hosts took them to different attractions around the city.

“The city is very beautiful,” said Blanc. “I have especially enjoyed going to Chinatown and North Beach to see the different cultures in San Francisco.”

An exchange of cultures is equally valuable for the students and families who hosted the Chilean students, according to Balestrieri.

“I have really liked having Cata stay at my house,” said Balestrieri. “I thought it might be awkward with the language barrier, but we actually get along really well.”

The success of the Chilean exchange program has created some conversation about Convent students to studying at a Sacred Heart school outside the United States.

“I would love for our students to visit other schools internationally,” said Arce. “Aside from the expense of travel, our school would like to promote Convent girls going to other countries too.”

Sacred Heart visitors explore the city

W

hen rising senior Catalina Blanc and rising sophomores Camila Cespedes and Francisca Bayer and arrived at SFO miles away

from home in Reñaca, Chile, their Convent hosts met them at a baggage claim ready to introduce their guests to an American school and city.

S

ophomore Anna Schulte says she will bring memories of adventure and new friends to her home of Omaha, Neb. following her threeweek exchange program in San Francisco.

“I decided that I wanted to come to San Francisco because I heard about the city, the people, the amazing music scene and the excitement that I expected to find here.”

Schulte is staying with sophomore Kristen Kennedy, who decided about two months ago to host an exchange student, saying SCHULTE she wanted to live and go to school with someone in the same grade.

“I want her to be able to experience my everyday life, so hanging out with friends, going to the movies, going to dances and so on,” said Kennedy. “I hope to make her love San Francisco and our school and go home and be able to encourage other people to go on exchange programs to Sacred Heart Schools around the country.”

Schulte says Duchene Academy is similar to Convent only in terms of a uniform, an all-girls student body and Congé.

“The schedule is a lot different,” said Schulte. “We only have double-block days twice a week. We also have 20-minute breaks in between every two classes, and there are lounges we all hang out in.”

“Anna seems really excited about the fantastic shopping we have here,” said sophomore Chloe Polite. “She has her own sense of style which is really nice.”

Schulte says she has enjoyed the boutiques and wide selection of restaurants in San Francisco.

“I love the different kinds of people I see on the street, and the number of them,” said Schulte. “I like that there is always traffic and looking at the Golden Gate Bridge even when it is far away.”

Likewise, sophomores helped Camila Cespedes in their English classes. Cespedes speaks Italian and English and Spanish and says she plans to learn French next year.

Catalina ‘Cata’ Blanc and Camila Cespedes chat in the Center at Breakfast Club. The Chilean exchange students also attended Winter Ball and the Fanta dance. The girls do not have a brother school, but head to a local public school in Reñaca on afternoons to relax and socialize.

When Honors Spanish 4 students began reading short stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Francisca Bayer gladly helped confused seniors translate the Spanish text.

The girls took a few days off to explore San Francisco on their own. The atmosphere and boutiques on Haight Street were a highlight as well as dim sum in Chinatown.

On a shopping day, they went downtown to pick up American gifts for friends and family at home.

During their stay, the weather was the opposite of the sunny beaches the girls left. It rained on and off for a few weeks, but the hosts still took their guests down by the bay and took the ferry to Alcatraz. With the diversity of places and food in the city, the girls tried all sorts of food and saw distinctly San Francisco sights in addition to leaning more about the American culture.

— Illustrates by Theresa Granucci — photos by Maggie Cummings

4 op-ed staff

February 12, 2010

editorial People

should do more then just text to help

D

isaster strikes. The global community is inundated with requests for volunteers and donations for the affected region. It has become easier with each natural disaster to send humanitarian aid to the people of a panic-stricken country without leaving the house or even getting out of a seat.

The average American who feels for victims of disasters can quell her empathy by utilizing 21 st century methods of aid, but new technologies do not replace reliable organizations and traditional ways to help that carry the largest burden in helping a disaster area recover.

When the latest major earthquake struck Haiti, the American Red Cross

collaborated with phone companies for a unique relief effort — cell phone users could donate to Haiti relief by texting HAITI to 90999, automatically adding $10 to phone bills.

This modern system of donating makes it easier to make a donation quickly, but this should not be where help ends. It is an excellent start and appreciated by organizations, but

a text and small donation does not provide the same personal involvement of traditional volunteering and hard work.

Citizens who really want to help should also be heading to their neighborhood community centers. Many organizations have the resources, but not enough hands, to organize and sort basics like clothing and toiletries.

Raising money through fundraisers such as benefit concerts allow donors to actually learn about whom they are helping. Social justice groups such as United for Peace and Justice-Bay Area and MADRE actually bring people together to educate them on a hurricane or earthquake’s

destruction have been a trademark of relief efforts that goes beyond a simple monetary contribution. It is important to know what donations are funding

Cell phone users could donate to Haiti relief by texting HAITI to 90999, automatically adding $10 to phone bills. and why aid is needed.

Individuals concerned with the devastating situation in Haiti and have simply texted as their form of aid should reconsider how much effort they have put into helping the cause.

A next step might include volunteering with a local service core or church that has programs for Haiti, running a drive for groups collecting supplies or working at organizations like Architecture for Humanity, an organization designing stable buildings for Haiti.

Grassroots is basis of change.

The best thing to do is start local.

Create projects. Keep communities informed and reminded of what is going on in Haiti.

The surge of texting and online donations may not last long , but Haiti’s recovery will take years — if not decades — and it will be a combination of local, national and global aid organizations that will continue to help the country rebuild.

Cutting to the chase Ina Herlihy

SF needs to prepare for next earthquake

E

very Tuesday at noon since World War II, the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management tests the emergency siren for 15 seconds so the city has an alert system in the event of a major earthquake, tsunami or human threat.

Luckily, I have never heard these alarms at a time other than Tuesday at lunch, but they remind me that we have to be prepared for what the future may have in store for us.

There is a 99 percent chance California will have a magnitude 6.7 earthquake or greater within the next 30 years and a 46 percent possibility that a 7.5 earthquake or greater will strike, according to a group of scientists lead

by Ned Field, US Geological Survey geophysicist.

The 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Northridge, just north of Los Angeles in 1994 caused $40 billion in property damage, and 57 deaths.

If that wasn’t warning enough, Haiti’s 7.0 earthquake last month gave

us a jolt of reality. Natural disasters can happen when you least expect them.

We need to ensure that we are prepared. The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests everyone check her house for possible hazards, develop an emergency plan and have disaster supplies like flashlights, a radio, shoes, a first-aid kit, cash and a week’s supply of food and water.

The State of California has undertaken another precautionary measure by ordering an as of yet unfunded mandate

that all hospitals in imminent danger of collapsing be retrofitted by 2013. Buildings in less imminent danger of collapse must be rebuilt by 2030. This cost places an onerous burden on hospitals and diminishes their ability to provide the highest levels of medical care.

California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) is spending $2.5 billion to construct new hospitals at Cathedral Hill and at St. Luke’s, as well as seismic upgrades to other facilities and retrofitting at the Davies campus.

Although the Golden Gate Bridge withstood the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, it is not definite it will withstand the next large magnitude quake. The Bay Bridge was closed for a month after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake due to a collapsed section.

Because bridges may not be reliable, and traffic jams will make it harder to transport relief supplies, every home should have an emergency supply box that can sustain a family for at least three days. San Franscians also need to identify where they meet up with family members if their home burns or they are evacuated.

Haiti’s earthquake has reawakened us to the effects of devastating quakes.

We have a lot of work to accomplish to ensure that we will withstand the next earthquake when — not if — it happens.

Instead of ignoring the Tuesday alarms, we should be mindful about how we can better prepare for a large scale disaster.

THERESA GRANUCCI | the broadview

1. Cycle 3 is almost over.

2. Prop 8 is back on the table.

3. The Prius was the sixth most popular car in 2010.

1. Midterms are two weeks long.

2. Not if Meg Whitman gets elected.

3. Check brakes, Toyota is working on quality control.

4. The Dalai Lama met with President Barack Obama.

4. The U.S. has angered the dragon.

5. Katy Perry is getting married.

5. Clothing is optional.

the broadview

the broadview invites letters the broadview invites comments, additional 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.

Reporters Emily Bloch | Claire Fahy | Katie Ghotbi Convent of the Sacred Heart High School Katy Hallowell | Caroline Hearst | Aggie Kruse 2222 Broadway Rebecca Lee | Ava Martinez | Ta’lynn Mitchell San Francisco, CA 94115 Isabelle Pinard | Elizabeth Smith | Colleen Scullion broadview@sacredsf.org Theresa Granucci Cartoonist Michaela Wilton | Natalie Garnett Graphics Ina Herlihy Editor-in-Chief Maggie Cummings | Katherine Mibelli Photographers Jovel Queirolo Managing Editor Tracy Anne Sena, CJE Adviser Sara Kloepfer A & E Editor Zoë Newcomb News Editor Anjali shrestha Feature Editor Sophie Gilchrist Sports Editor Meghan Helms Asst. A & E Editor Emma Herlihy Asst. News Editor Unsigned pieces are the opinion of the editorial board. Reviews and personal columns are the opinions of the author. Letters to the broadview should be 400 words or fewer and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

op -ed

the broadview

5

Teens should increase Facebook privacy Caroline Hearst Reporter

F

acebook stalking is an online epidemic. Whether it’s a cursory glance through a sibling’s pictures or an hour-long foray into a friend’s online activity, many users take advantage of lax privacy settings and the innate openness of social networking sites.

Many Facebook users, especially teenagers, fail to realize these habits, as easily as they are employed, can be used against them by people with much more disquieting motives than boredom or curiosity. Neglecting Facebook security settings can result in unwanted messages, a hacked account or even identity fraud.

Hackers can access online bank accounts or stored credit card information on retail Web sites through information available publicly on Facebook. Basic information, like hometown and school

name, are often freely available on Facebook pages and can typically serve as identity verification information for such Web accounts.

Beyond protecting oneself from the threat of scammers, users have incentives to tighten online security. Potential employers, colleges and graduate schools surf online profiles to verify their applicant’s personal lives are as spotless as their resumés. Jobs, scholarships and offers of admission have been denied to applicants whose Facebook profiles tell a different story than their application.

Even within the seemingly small world of friends and networks, there can be advantages to a censored Facebook profile. Tagged pictures become linked to the user’s profile, no matter their origin. If users are not careful about un-tagging themselves in compromising photos, their profiles can perpetuate undesirable messages.

A few simple steps can dramatically

increase one’s online security. Adjusting the site’s security settings by clicking on Privacy Settings under the Settings heading is a smart first move. Making the “Public profile,” what non-friends see from searching a user’s name, as non-descript as possible is wise, as is eliminating the visibility of one’s birthday, e-mail, hometown, IM and home address. Each bit of personal information a user shares enables a hacker to manipulate her identity, so less is more.

Additional basic security measures include being wary of suspicious links even if they are sent from a friend and devising a unique, complex and difficult to guess password. Since hackers can guess whole words through dictionary software, it is to the user’s advantage

to have a password with a mix of symbols, numbers and letters.

Online, one is only as safe as her profile is secure. It doesn’t take drastic measures to reduce risk. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

NATALIE GARNETT | the broadview

Relationships need to involve personal contact, not just the Internet Jovel Quierolo Managing Editor

H

igh school relationships can be terrifying. Bad breath is the enemy. A girl might be confused about whether a guy likes her.

And the guy might like her but be too scared to ask her out. Conversations can be painfully awkward for first-time daters, yet high school is where many folks have first dates.

Traditional dating is in trouble.

Relationships are getting even more confusing with the growing presence of technology in many young relationships. Although most teens do not consider themselves online daters, the fact

that many relationships begin and end on Facebook might prove otherwise.

Overall time spent on the Internet remains at 12 hours per week, according to a Forrester Research report, and teens are no exception. If one counts Facebook relationships as online dating, about 20 percent of online daters admit to deception, according to survey research conducted by Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When the daters were asked if other daters were lying, the number jumped to 90 percent.

If high school students looking for love are statistically prone to lie online, then the already puzzling process of

getting to know someone by dating them through chats and texts becomes difficult, if not impossible.

Teens should get off Facebook and hang out with their crushes if they are looking for a relationship.

A guy, for instance, talks to a girl he likes for a few weeks online and she gets to know him only through text on a computer screen. If he’s a crafty writer, he might be able to make a pretty hot

With all due respect Jovel Quierolo

Rebels with a cause Organized religion is the new counterculture

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he pews smell like stale floral perfume and a hardware store every Sunday. A sleepy warbling organ and a only a few enthusiastic voices back up a whining cantor singing “A-lle-lu-i-ah” as Father Mark takes his time settling the Gospel on its stand.

Parishioners stand, but by the end of “A reading from the Gospel as recorded by” both a boy in baggy jeans and his grandpa stare at their toes. When Father Mark’s monotone voice fades, the sound of bodies collapsing onto pews echoes.

Four words crash the usual Sunday morning routine.

“Organized religion is countercultural.”

That got our attention. On any given Sunday morning at Mass, I feel light-years away from the Ray-Ban clad hipsters enjoying their strong coffee and pastries at city cafes. But Father Mark was right.

“Today’s youth are so interested in this counterculture,” he said. “They want to fight or rebel and go against the flow. But if anything, organized religion is the biggest threat to the ‘flow’ nowadays.”

Counterculture in American society brings to mind hippies of the ’60s, protestors and modernist philosophers and

authors all for bashing religion’s idealism and its followers. In the last century, counterculture consisted of that small majority of individuals, critical of what they saw as abusively conservative societal systems. The majority grew.

And “rebel” teens continue to embrace remnants of the movement.

American culture, its markets and its people, have grown secular and increasingly liberal at large — leaving organized religion under scrutiny among younger generations. They seem to worship once-inappropriate breed of musicians and music that grew popular in the decades of counterculture.

Before teens consider themselves “different” or “rebellious” in criticizing religion’s uselessness, they should realize they have fallen into the majority.

What used to be countercultural — the anarchy, the loud music, calling religion brainwash — is now more common than conservatism and religious faith.

Although organized religion isn’t going to disappear, American teens have been misled. They aren’t fighting an ultra-conservative religious right for the sake of counterculture anymore. When it comes to teen interest, organized religion is hanging for dear life.

Organized religion lives on, and

probably isn’t disappearing any time soon. It now fights for respect. It fights on a basic level for believers no matter what religion, but more fundamentally, organized religions fight a stereotype.

Father Mark always gives a shoutout to the youth group kids, even if they don’t always listen to him during Mass. A few of them sit together each Sunday, bored more often than not.

They rock out with their upbeat songs and guitars at monthly youth services, to the grumbles of parishioners who think the songs are too fast.

Those youth group kids all paid attention the Sunday Father Mark stood up for them. Because the youth group kids get beat up. They get teased for being Jesus freaks even though they refuse to accept parts of the faith they don’t believe in.

They’re not targeting pro-choice groups, they aren’t homophobes and they don’t damn nonbelievers to hell.

The youth group kids are fighting a cultural backlash against organized religion with a simple message of love.

They’re fighting today’s less flattering social norms with a simple message of love.

Say hello to the new counterculture.

impression on his crush.

She seems into him from what she’s typing back in their online conversations so he asks her to a dance. They haven’t hung out, but they’ve seen each other around school and they smile at each other.

If he picks her up the night of the dance and turns out to be a complete jerk, she is stuck with a nightmare — an entire evening with a person painfully different from the dreamy, charming guy she talked to online.

He could have asked her out at school, and she could have seen how different their interests were before he could ask her to a dance. His real voice and real mannerisms and tone

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might really bother her — things that cannot be translated over an Internet conversation.

Most importantly, if they had physically gone out she could have learned how to talk to a boy in person. She skipped the lesson learned in dating where a girl learns to identify undesirable traits or body language in a potential relationship because she did not get the truth in their nightly chats.

Teens should get off Facebook and hang out with their crushes if they are looking for a relationship. A simple walk in the park or an ice cream stop afterschool might be more charaterrevealing than typing in questions to be answered in an IDK and an LOL.

What technology distracts you most from homework?

“AIM and Facebook actually completely prevent me from doing homework. I’ll just go for days where I don’t do homework and I’m just on Facebook for four hours.”

—Tori Balestrieri, junior “Video chat because I lose track of time and before I know it it’s 10 o’clock and I haven’t even started homework.”

— Quinn Reno, sophomore “My biggest distraction is texting. Thank god I have unlimited.”

—Scarlett Kirk, senior “I would say that television shows online are my biggest distraction.”

—Caitie Sullivan, senior — Katy Hallowell

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features

February 12, 2010

Technology Takeover

Electronics and social networking influence teenagers’ lives educationally and socially Students increase their Internet privacy settings Ina Herlihy Editor-in-Chief

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any seniors have joined a popular teenage trend of changing their Facebook names as a way to protect themselves from college admission officers, teachers, parents and advertising agencies targeting teenagers.

“I changed my name mostly for colleges,” said Alexis Otellini, who is waiting on college acceptance decisions.

“I don’t think they should be looking at my Facebook and judging me on what I do outside of the classroom. Not that there is anything bad on my profile, but I just wanted to take extra precautions.”

Otellini is not alone in wanting to find anonymity.

“I felt safer if I was inconspicuous [by changing my Facebook name],” said Emily Ward. “It was to be funny and different, but mainly it was for Internet privacy reasons.”

Although some schools check Facebook profiles of potential students under real names, most colleges are too busy to spend the time finding a student’s fake name according to college counselor Rebecca Wandro.

“College admission representatives are not always purposely seeking out students on Facebook,” said Wandro.

“They may by chance review a student’s photos if they have a mutual friend. I couldn’t see them going out of their way to do this.”

Students are also changing their Facebook private settings to decrease access to their profiles.

“Only my friends can view my pictures and my wall,” said senior Nikea Barconia. “I don’t want random people that are creepy looking at my page.”

facebook

Home

Facebook’s privacy settings allow restricting profile access to only friends, friends of friends and people in a network, rather than having profiles accessible to everyone.

Teenagers who have a strong yearning to keep their profiles private probably should not have posted the information and photos to the Internet in the first place, according to Rebecca Jeschke, Media Relations Director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

“When I was a kid people said don’t write anything down that you wouldn’t want to see on the front page of the newspaper,” said Jeschke. “It is a good thing to remember when you are on the Internet. When you put something up there, it is hard to get it back.”

There are over 55 million Facebook status updates every day, 2.5 billion photos uploaded every month and 3.5 billion pieces of content shared weekly, according to Facebook. “[Not restricting your privacy settings] is like going door-to-door to everyone on the block and handing out your information to everyone,” said Jeff Godlis, Communications Director at iSafe. “It could just fall into the hands of one person who will use it against you.”

Personal details people should exclude from posting online include a social security number, date of birth, address and school, according to Beth Givens, Director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

“Unless the social security number is an absolute requirement, leave it off [forms],” said Givens. “Your social security number is the key to a criminal being able to impersonate you in order to obtain credit, bank loads, renting an apartment and applying for a job.”

Internet privacy may also be infringed upon when

advertisements correlate with the topics in personal e-mails or on Facebook.

“If you are signed into Gmail, then your Google search terms are linked into your e-mail address,” said Jeschke. “Use a different browser [from your e-mail to stop this].”

Third parties collect information for targeted advertisements through the use of software cookies that track a computer’s visited Web sites, according to Jeschke.

“Lots of people aren’t comfortable about having an advertising company track what they do on the Internet,” said Jeschke. “These companies aren’t transparent about what they do or how they do it. EFF is doing research about what things people can do to protect themselves.”

Junior Lindsey Eng says it is fine that Facebook lets advertisers target its market based on users’ pages and the information users provide in the “About me” section.

“Whatever you are willing to put on Facebook, you should be willing for anyone to see,” said Eng. Thirty-nine percent of teenagers regret posting something on Facebook, and 28 percent of teenagers share personal information on Facebook that they usually would keep private, according to a Common Sense Media poll.

Your Name Settings Logout Search

Every month an average Facebook user...

• sends 8 friend requests • “likes” things 9 times • writes 25 comments • becomes a fan of 2 pages • is invited to 3 events • is a member of 12 groups

350 million active users Pages have 5.3 billion fans 20 million people become fans every day

41% of people ages 8-17 have their profiles set to public.

2.5 billion photos are uploaded every month

44% of adults have their profiles set to public.

55 million status updates every day

34% of people ages 16-24 were willing to put their phone numbers, home addresses and emails on their profile

Over 70 language tranlations Source: www.facebook.com | Compiled by Emma Herlihy

Teenage relationships defined by being “facebook official” Day 2

Day 1 John and Jane Doe are now friends.

Comment

Like

John is in a relationship with Jane Doe.

Day 3 Comment

Like

John is in a relationship with Jane and it’s complicated. Comment Like

e Doe

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features

the broadview

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Anja li Sh

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Modern tools change classroom learning

— Compiled by Anjali Shrestha Michalea Wilton | the broadview

Facebook changes traditional dating Katy Hallowell Reporter

Day 4 John went from being “it’s complicated” to “single.” Comment Like

“In a Relationship”: three words that can be shared by a Facebook user with hundreds of friends in a matter of seconds.

The persona of dating is rapidly changing with the existence of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. They make starting, hiding, blatantly exposing and subsequently ending relationships as easy as the click of a button.

Teens from 8-18 years of age spend more than 53 hours a week on various types of entertainment media, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

“The Internet makes everything so much more exposed — we use it all the time,” said junior Monica Rodriguez.

“From homework to Facebook and iChat, a lot more can happen in a day now.”

Teens may cram 11 hours of technology use into seven and a half by multitasking and using more than one application at a time. Along with homework and extra curricular activities, face-to-face dating is difficult to fit in, according to Rodriguez.

“Kids are so busy these days. If couples don’t go to the same schools, then there’s hardly any time to hang out,” said Rodriguez. “Facebook allows couples to talk to each other when they’re home doing homework.”

Online relationships may not be genuine, according to sophomore Nicola Forbes. Students may feel pressured to be in a Facebook relationship to “be cool.”

“Making a relationship ‘Facebook

official’ by publishing it on your profile is for publicity,” said sophomore Nicola Forbes. “Relationships shouldn’t be based off of that.”

However other teens consider a relationship unofficial until it is visible for friends and family to see on Facebook.

“Everybody revolves around other people’s relationships and social lives,” said junior Shannon McInerney. “I think that Facebook makes relationships official.”

Not too many years ago a boy calling a girl and asking her out was a process that took a few minutes. Today teens date through Facebook with a series of friend requests or chats, and text messages.

“It’s turned into kids getting to know each other through a screen,” said Rodriguez.

8

features

February 12, 2010

Seniors explore themes in women’s history, image & psychology in a collegestyle women’s studies class

Student projects explore sexuality Caroline Hearst Reporter

MAGGIE CUMMINGS | the broadview

(left to right) Seniors Amanda Aish, Caitie Sullivan, Rebecca Halloran, Charolette Kiaie and Alexis Otellini listen to a lecture in their Women Studies course. They are currently learning about the definition of beauty, and the way that society perceives women. The class is one of the most popular among upperclassmen, with 28 seniors enrolled.

Class relevant to teen concerns Jovel Quierolo Managing Editor

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he F Period Women’s Studies class files into Room 305 during their final exam period not for a thick packet of questions and essays, but for a few hours of discussion, photographs and film on a wide range of topics the 12 seniors picked from religion to sexual freedom.

History teachers Sarah Garlinghouse and Sonia Evers, Ph.D continue the tradition of teaching the history elective to upperclasswomen offering insight into the evolving role of women in society past and present.

“Women’s Studies is different from other subjects because we’re learning about stuff that applies to your life,” said senior Amy Domergue. “It’s not like math or English when you have to keep asking ‘What does this have to do with me?’”

Domergue, who did research on anorexia and body image last semester, explored pro-anorexic Web sites in her semester presentation — which many of her classmates had never seen. The class spent a few minutes discussing why women might choose to abuse

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their bodies.

“Everything we study has to do with girls and women — and that’s interesting because we’re basically studying ourselves,” said Domergue. “We’ve studied a girl’s brain — and the effects of different chemicals on your mood. Reading about what’s going really helps to make sense of things we don’t understand.”

A course more commonly found in colleges, Women’s Studies quickly gained popularity when Convent introduced the class 15 years ago.

“It’s powerful because the class is so relevant,” said Hallie Young (’09). “We talked about issues that we could really only discuss in a single sex school. Not only did we learn about the history of women as a role in Western society, but also what we can do to change stereotypes.”

The class allows students to begin reversing stereotypes simply in the way it is taught, according to Young. Students are required to speak confidently, listen critically and freely criticize restrictions on women.

“One thing we learned that stood out to me was that women make like 70 cents to a man’s dollar, which can make women feel inferior,” said Young,

with

Simple Gifts Designers

Elena Dudum, junior

What is the focus of your collection?

I didn’t make these three pieces with a theme in mind because I made them at different times, but what I’m trying to project is my range of designing capabilities. I have chosen to show a casual sundress, a semi-formal look, and a formal floor-length dress. When I’m designing a piece, usually I’m inspired by something organic— the formal gown has a tulip shape where it opens up at the bottom.

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Junior Elena Dudum pins up a red dress for her fashion line. This formal gown will be modeled by junior Natalie Garnett as her final look in Thursday’s Fashion Show.

Will you pursue fashion design in the future?

I’ve always had a fantasy of designing wedding dresses.

Not that I’m focusing solely on designing, because I have other interests, but I’m definitely keeping it as a hobby and making sure that the college I go to has opportunities for fashion design in case I choose to explore it.

who is currently a freshman at UC Santa Cruz. “It is facts like that and other parts of the class that have taught me to like speak up louder and not let guys intimidate me.”

Students also think and analyze women in history, literature, film and the media on a personal level. Senior Nicolette Tarrant’s research on women’s bodies and body image tied together the invention of the bra, iconic women and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

“It’s in all the shows we watch and magazines we read,” said Tarrant to a room of nodding classmates. “The evolution of the bra, Hepburn, Monroe and Twiggy all have to do with what it is the ideal woman is.”

Discussions are focused on the hit show Jersey Shore one minute, and on artist Georgia O’Keefe’s unintended sexual imagery the next.

“It’s sort of a history class, a science class, an art class and a lesson in psychology,” said Garlinghouse. “We’re reading all sorts of literature, so it’s a little bit of everything – all of girls can relate to. It’s often over-registered and arguably one of the most popular classes at Convent.”

Pornography may not be a typical topic of discussion in high school classrooms, but in Women’s Studies, it weaves itself into classroom debate on a weekly basis.

In early January, the topic came into play yet again as students created final presentations on topics ranging from sexualization of women in media to female archetypes in the Bible. The assignment, which allowed students freedom to choose their topic, offered students a platform to explore issues that were of particular significance to them.

“For the final we could select any topic that interested us,” said Charlotte Kiaie. “Women’s sports, the definition of a whore, stereotypes, teens and sex, and how the body image of women has changed over time were some of the topics students picked.”

Beth Levin, one of the 28 seniors enrolled this year in Women’s Studies, explored a Biblical figure named Lilith, who, according to religious myth, was Adam’s wife before Eve. “Since she and Adam were made of the same earth, Lilith would not submit to him,” said Levin. “Early Bible writers depicted her as a demon. But now, women are reclaiming her, saying she was the first feminist.”

Levin’s presentation and the YouTube video she showed sparked discussion about male hegemony and Western Civilization owing many of its values and beliefs to a text written almost exclusively from the male perspective.

“We talked about how men wrote the Bible,” said Levin. “Men were afraid of what women would say when they found out that not every woman was submis-

sive, so Lilith became a temptress.” By extension, women became “temptresses that want to lead men to evil.”

Other presentations had a contemporary focus. According to Lauren Hawkins, whose presentation concerned anorexia and bulimia, a popular subject matter was body image. The evolution of the standards of beauty and plastic surgery were other issues that students presented, said Kiaie.

After each presentation, the student audience was encouraged to share relevant opinions and personal experiences.

“The debates got really heated,” said Kiaie. “People who normally keep to themselves suddenly had so much to say. Everyone was excited and engaged and more willing to pay attention and participate because the material got us talking.”

Since the final presentations, students have discovered changes in the way they think.

“I see what we’re studying in front of me all the time,” said Rebecca Halloran.

“I get into analyzing how I act and how the girls around me act, too.”

After a discussion on the sexualization of women in the media, Laura Venner said she saw comparable changes in the way she approached the world.

“I never realized how much I have been affected by flipping through a magazine,” said Venner.

The material explored in class affects its students in both their daily lives and the long term, allowing them to see more deeply and think more critically about the messages that modern women face.

“The class has made me more aware,” said Venner. “It makes me think about things. It encourages me to be a strong woman.”

Rachael Hurd (’08)

Juliet Charnas, junior

What is the focus of your collection?

There’s not really a theme besides color. All the fabrics are gray, cream or navy blue. A bunch of the pieces have similar details, like buttons down the back, v-necks, or the same sort of pleating technique on the front. They’re a little fancier than what I would wear day-to-day. I think that they’re closest to work outfits. There are a couple of cocktail dresses as well. I would imagine my clothes on someone in their early twenties.

Will you pursue fashion design in the future?

Yes, definitely. Right now, I’m still deciding whether I want to study design as an undergraduate or for graduate school. But either way, I definitely want my career to involve fashion or design of some sort.

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Junior Juliet Charnas works on her navy blue wool dress for her fashion line. Her theme for her dresses are a casual day-to-day wear, as well as work outfits.

What is the focus of your collection?

This year my collection is all about San Francisco. It includes my experiences growing up here and the vibe of the city. I really tried to incorporate the culture of the city with different colors, shapes, and textures, and I tried to take retro colors and ideas associated with the city and give them a modern twist. I think this collection exemplifies my love for this city and represents how much fun I’ve had growing up here.

Will you pursue fashion design in the future?

I’m hoping to get an internship with a designer over the summer.

I am pursuing a career in design, but I’m not sure if it will be fashion design. I’m highly considering changing my major from fashion design to costume design and to eventually design for movies, music videos, costume, theatre, et cetera.

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the broadview

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Exaggeration ruins ‘Fiddler’ Sophie Gilchrist Sports Editor

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sarist Russia may seem to be the farthest thing from modern San Francisco, but a touring production of Fiddler on the Roof is bringing it close to home.

Fiddler on the Roof, which first opened on Broadway in 1964 and set a new record for longest run, centers around the village Anatevka in tsarist Russia. The musical, like the Marc Chagall painting “The Fiddler” from which it gets its title, uses the character of a Fiddler to highlight the value of tradition.

From the moment the curtain opens the stage is alive with singing and dancing, immediately drawing audiences in to the widely-recognized Jerry Brock song “Tradition” in which the

audience is hears Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein’s raspy voice as the main character Tevye. Although he projects well, Fierstein sings with the same intonation and magic of his speaking voice: none.

Steve Gilliam’s shabby-chic Anatevka village set smoothly glides into a quaint home.

Yente the Matchmaker, played by Mary Stout, is introduced — her voice both hysterically nasal and accented.

Susan Cella brilliantly plays Tevye’s rational wife Golde. Her harsh but affectionate tone when Tevye continually tells her that he has allowed their daughters to marry poor men, allows the viewer to understand her character better as a woman who wants the best for her family.

Cella’s performance provides a needed contrast to Fierstein, whose interpretation of

Tevye sometimes loses the audience’s sympathy and errs toward exaggeration. There are times Tevye seems like a more elderly version of Eric Cartman from South Park by the childish way he stomps his feet and speaks in his babyish voice.

Gilliam’s dazzling celebration set has the villagers standing on several levels and holding lights and softly singing “Sabbath Prayer.” The inventively designed set uses different sides of the same house for multiple scenes.

The show is an admirable rendering of the Broadway classic. Aside from Harvey Feinstein’s sometimes over exaggerated acting, the characters were convincingly portrayed.

The show plays at the Golden Gate Theatre on Taylor Street through Feb 21. Tickets range beween $30-$99.

| with permission

Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein plays Anatevka’s Tevye in the recent production of Fiddler on the Roof. Fierstein’s performance is marked by his characteristically raspy voice.

Band leader marches into Syufy Spring musical has a conman wooing a librarian in ‘The Music Man.’ Jovel Quierolo & Meghan Helms

I INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Musical Director Billy Philadelphia leads a singing rehearsal in Syufy Theatre.

Drama students practice every day after school in the Duschene room, Syufy Theatre or the Little Theatre blocking scenes, rehearsing lines and singing.

PULSE

t’s as clear as a buttonhook in the well water,” in the words of the fictional Mayor Shinn, that the CSH and SHHS drama production of The Music Man is bringing Gary, Ind. to the Syufy Theatre.

Meredith Wilson’s 1957 Broadway hit about the unlikely story of conman Harold Hill, played by senior Doug Greer, posing as a boys’ band organizer and leader, was selected as the spring musical for its humor and need for lots of students.

“I chose The Music Man because it has a big cast with a lot of wonderful acting and music opportunities for the students,” said director Pamela

Rickard.

Aside from their lines, actors are working with music director Billy Philadelphia on harmonies for the ensemble and solos for individual singers.

“Right now we are learning the music because it’s not hard to sing it once you learn the music — but we have to do it a cappella,” said sophomore Natalie Sullivan who plays a member of the barbershop quartet along with senior Jessican Peterson and juniors Elena Dudum and Katie Shulman.

“This show was a great idea because the pay off for this show is this whole magical ending with all the instruments,” said Philadelphia.

Senior Susie Lee will replace Philadelphia on the piano this year, allowing him to use OrchExtra, an instrumental system with the musical score programmed into it, aiding tempo changes and filling in for missing instruments — which Philadelphia said would give the audience an experience similar to a full orchestra.

When the actors aren’t singing, Wilson’s quirky characters crack jokes and explore love with distinct attitudes each actor is practicing over the next few weeks.

“I [play] a stuck-up librarian that no one likes in the town because I’m more educated than everyone else,” said sophomore Maddie Kelly, whose character ends up softening and falling in love.

With a big cast and crew preparing for the show, cast, crew and directors say the musical will reflect the group’s own growth as a bunch of teenagers.

“I hope the audience will enjoy the unique atmosphere of this play,” said Peterson. “Like the drama kids at the beginning of the new season, the play begins chaotic, then in the end all the characters come together like the drama kids do on opening night.”

The Music Man plays Thursday, March 11 through Saturday in Syufy Theatre. Tickets are $5. For show times visit http://www.sacredsf.org/chs

what’s pumping in the halls 1

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1 - Purple and beige rain boots with yellow laces, $40 (J. Crew) 2 - Black, white and grey plaid rain boot, $70 (Burbury) 3 - Black Jeffrey Cambell rain boot , $80 (Nordstrom) 4 - Multi-colored polka dot rain boot, $20 (Target)

General admission

Sara Kloepfer

BBC show depicts real adolescent experiences

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he British have done it again. BBC America, the channel that introduced us to the comedic genius of capturing everyday life in The Office, has made over the teenage drama, focusing more on the teenage and less on the drama.

Skins follows a group of middle-class teenagers in Bristol, South West England through two years of sixth form — the British equivalent of junior and senior year of high school. The name says it all — “skins” is British slang for cigarette rolling papers, used by

a character to light up in the first shot of the theme song.

Edgier than the more sedate teenage shows populating American shores, Skins is instead reminiscent of the 1995 movie Kids, which documents a day in the life of shameless New York City teenagers reveling in drugs, sex and alcohol. Debauchery is not the center of the show, it is represented as a reality of teenage life.

Rather than focusing on the petty backstabbing that dominates Gossip Girl, Skins confronts the realities of teenagers grappling with the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Each episode focuses on one of the key characters while incorporating storylines involving the rest of the cast.

Eager to be as close a representation of British youth as possible, the producers selected its stars not from actors’ agencies but rather via open auditions. The cast, most of whom had never acted before, is as raw and real as their characters.

The show’s authenticity stems from the writing team — the scriptwriters are almost as young as the viewers. Skins was created by father-son team Brian Elsley and 19-year-old Jamie Brittain. The writers frequently invite college students in London and Bristol to their meetings to receive feedback on ideas. Consequently, dialogue employs the jargon of typical teenagers, rife with slang, swearing, and sincerity. Unlike the trite exchanges characteristic of shows

such as The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Skins doesn’t dumb down or dramatize conversations.

Instead of patronizing teenagers with the “After-school Special” approach of forcing characters to learn a lesson from each and every transgression, Skins portrays other realities such as anorexia, homosexuality, abortion and death without the melodrama characteristic of other shows in the genre. Parents are represented as equally if not more dysfunctional than their offspring, capturing the 17-year-old notion of “Why are my parents so stupid? They just don’t understand.”

Through its genuine portrayal, Skins reveals problems in the teenage genre. The show is worth watching week after week because it embodies the authenticity lacking in American shows, which misrepresent teenagers almost to the point of disrespect.

From the ridiculously wealthy Upper East Siders on Gossip Girl to the cat-fighting airheads on Beverly Hills 90210, teenagers are shown as shallow, overdramatic and naïve. There is an obvious disconnect watching actors who look like they are in college pretend to be high-schoolers worrying about the prom. Our country does not seem to know how to get back in touch with the average teen.

Maybe the solution is across the pond.

10 health & fitness

Kickin’ it Kickboxing provides alternative workout

February 12, 2010

Hop, skip and a jump

Anjali Shrestha

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ab, punch, double time and ski, five, four, three, two, one,” the instructor yelled over the music in an upbeat and perky voice.” The class followed the instructor’s example by jumping up and down, punching the air and occasionally adding in a leg-kick.

The cardio kickboxing class I attended began this way. Initially I was confused by the instructor’s term of “skiing” that had nothing to do with going down a snowy slope and surprised this class was more like cheerleading then martial arts. In kickboxing I quickly realized the key to success was constant movement. Even between sets the class was instructed to run or jump rope in place.

“The whole body gets a good workout in cardio kickboxing,” said chiropractor Ted Fratto, who practices kickboxing several times a week. “First and foremost, your cardiovascular system is working during the entire class, making your heart stronger.”

Working the cardiovascular system strengthens the heart, more oxygen throughout the body and increasing the number of red blood cells.

“The benefits of cardio is keeping your heart strong and increasing endurance,” said Fratto. “As we age, cardiovascular health is one of the — if not the — most important aspect of physical health.”

Cardio kickboxing exercises the entire body, from working the arms with punches and jabs to legs with high kicks.

“Your core, the area between your ribcage and pelvis, gets a great workout because it is the base from which we generate the power to kick and punch,” said Fratto. “Your shoulders and arms as well as your hips and legs are worked with all the kicking and punching. In other words, your whole body gets a great workout.”

Cardio kickboxing is the culmination of aerobics, martial arts and the constant energy of boxing. It is con-

sidered an ideal way to stay fit because it is a whole body workout that builds stamina.

“I like doing cardio kickboxing to workout because although it is very tiring at the time I feel like I am getting a great workout,” said junior Sophie De Lancie. “It was enjoyable because of the music and the teacher and made working out a fun activity.”

Although at first I felt thrown into a routine that everybody knew except me, it was surprising how fast I could pick up the steps. The upbeat music and energy of the rooms got my adrenaline pumping which made this high-intensive workout fun.

Half an hour of cardio three-timesa-week is the suggested starting point.

“As your cardiovascular conditioning improves, you increase the frequency and duration of your workout,” said Fratto.

During the class I was staring at the clock and waiting for the music to end, hoping the overly-perky teacher would tell us class was over. The constant

Regular dancers are prone to injuries Emma Herlihy Asst. News Editor

S

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Senior Kelsey Vickery does a pulse during an Irish dancing competition at the Oakland Marriott in October her freshman year. Vickery dances with her dancing school but also performs for CSH St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

enior Kelsey Vickery attends weekly dance classes, but her sport is not just about toning muscles, but also preventing common injuries.

“In about seventh grade, my left knee was constantly bothering me and I learned that I had osgood-schlatters,” said Vickery, who has been dancing for 12 years with the Kennelley School of Irish Dance. “This knee issue led me to fracture my tibula two years ago, which kept me out of dancing for six months.”

Osgood-schlatters, an inflammation of the bone, cartilage, or tendon, is a common knee injury among adolescents.

“When a dancer has an injury at San Francisco Ballet, you would ice your injured body part instead of take part in class,” said Nicola Forbes, who is a student at the San Francisco Ballet School. “Injuries usually last a few days at the minimum, which is just enough time to fall behind in ballet because all of the other dancers taking class learn new steps and routines that you have to learn in your free time from a fellow dancer.”

Yet, dancing can strengthen bones, tone the entire body, increase stamina and flexibility, reduce stress and tension, according to the Nation Center on Physical Activity and Disability.

“Dancing not only makes you fit, it requires you to be fit to succeed,” saidVickery. “That’s why our classes are two hours long. We drill moves and practice each dance so that we have the stamina to go on stage and give our all for two and a half minutes, without managing to pass out as we walk off stage.”

Warming up before dancing and cooling down afterwards can help staying in good condition and preventing injuries.

Most dance-related injuries are a result of overworked muscles that were previously underworked.

“The body needs to be warmed up before any type of exercise if it’s going to be strenuous,” said Star Dance Studio instructor Micky Powell. “We also make sure students are in the correct level of class, so they are not in something too strenuous.”

“It’s a great form of exercise as well as an original way to express yourself,” said Forbes. “I love it despite the injuries.”

movement and unfamiliar steps made the class initially challenging.

After getting the first few combinations down and mastering the ski-step combination, the class became fun and upbeat rather than a chore.

“I felt like I got a really good workout because in the class we worked different parts of the body,” said De Lancie. “The punching exercises and working out my arms felt good cause I felt like I was building strength even though I was a little sore the next day.”

Junior Sima Daniel practices air punching after taking a practice ACT exam. Daniel uses kickboxing to release her energy.

ANJALI SHRESTHA | the broadview

Snack Attack Bagels are healthy, heavy Emily Bloch Reporter Sophomore Jayni Webster sits on the locker room floor, biting into her bagel covered in schmear — cream cheese spread — but her “snack” can add up to 500 to 600 calories, one-fourth of an average teenager’s daily-recommended calories.

“I find it convenient to get a bagel in the morning rather than rushing to eat a home-cooked breakfast, because I can get it to go and it fills me up,” said Webster of her food choice.

Some saturated fats, like the ones often found in schmears, can stick to the inside of blood vessels and can accumulate in organs like the liver or heart and can raise LDL

(“bad”) cholesterol, increasing the chance of heart disease, according to Mayo Clinic.

Bagels themselves can have large amounts of carbohydrates, which are not easily digested. Individuals are more at risk to develop diabetes, heart disease and obesity if they eat high levels of carbohydrates regularly.

“I care that [bagels] are full of carbs and high in calories, but that doesn’t prevent me from eating them,” said junior Bridgette Hanley. “If there was a low-carb bagel, I guess I would eat that too, though.”

Rather than giving up bagels completely, an alternative is to choose other toppings such as lox or low-fat cream cheeses, eating whole-grain bagels or eating half a bagel.

Flu season not over yet, people can still protect themselves against illness Isabelle Pinard Reporter

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he number of H1N1 cases and flu deaths have not been as widespread as expected, but the common cold and influenza viruses are still going around, but can be prevented by trying to stay healthy or alternately identifying and treating symptoms.

“Most cold, pneumonia and flu seasons are not pandemics, but it doesn’t mean that people should not be worried about catching a virus,” said Kaiser Permanente pediatrician Charles Hearey, MD. “Pandemics affect everybody and is not something you can hide from because it’s prevalent and in the environment, which is why it is important to maintain a healthy community.”

Most people infected by the flu do not need to see a doctor or get tested, but a vaccine may help fight off the flu viruses for some, according to the San Francisco Department of Health.

“One thing that is important to everybody from six years of age to a teenager is a flu shot or vaccine every year,” said Hearey. “This will prevent suffering from colds and the flu, enabling the patient to have a quick recovery.”

Seasonal flu and cold viruses are spread by moisture from coughs, sneezes and talking. Colds can be caused by breathing or touching items and moistened surfaces and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

“To keep one’s body safe from any type of exposure, people should be careful around others with colds or the flu and make sure to wash their hands

regularly,” said Hearey.

Symptoms of seasonal flu can include cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may experience high fevers, and children may have diarrhea or vomit.

“If you are sick with any cold stay at home for a couple of days to recuperate and to also prevent other people at one’s school or work from catching the virus,” said Hearey.

Staying home allows time for an infected body to rest and recover. It also prevents the spread of germs through contact with other people.

“This year we have a great number of students who have become sick during the flu season,” said Dean of Studies, Douglas Grant. “Therefore, it is important to educate students and

their families on why they should stay home because all it takes is one student to infect a whole class.”

Schools are the most common places to catch a cold or the flu because of continuous contact with ill persons who should be resting at home, according to Hearey.

“Students go to school when they are sick because they do not want to miss any important information during class, or have missing assignments,” said sophomore Sophia Redfern. “There is just so much work to catch up on after being absent, and it is hard to learn lessons that you have missed.”

Individuals fighting the flu and colds need to make sure they give their bodies the correct amount of nutrients, to support their immune system fight germs.

“Another way for young adults to stay healthy is by having a balanced diet with six servings of vegetables, less fatty foods and over-all healthy eating habits,” said Hearey.

Staying in shape through sports or other activities as well as maintaining an upbeat attitude tend to do a lot better with illnesses, according to Hearey.

“It is true that athletes and active students tend to stay healthier than non-active students,” said Hearey.

“Yet, being mentally ‘fit’ and having optimism can also help people recuperate faster from colds, flu, and other diseases. People who get sick and don’t do anything about their illness will recover much slower than someone who wants to take care of their body by eating healthy foods, taking vitamins and exercising regularly.”

11

sports

the broadview

Undefeated bball team grapples for first place Liz Smith Reporter

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arsity basketball pulled out a 64-55 win over Eastside College Prep, the Central Coast Section first place team, on Feb. 6, with co-captain Scarlett Kirk leading scoring with 20 points. The Cubs are currently ranked first in the Bay Counties League West with an undefeated record in season play.

Eastside Prep scored the first basket of the game but, Convent came right back. It was a back and forth game until the third quarter when Eastside Prep’s Hashima Carothers was injured without any remaining substitutions, causing the team to play four on five against the Cubs who had pulled ahead by 10 at that point.

Varsity played Marin Academy on Feb. 5, and after an early lead won by 30. The Cubs dominated over Urban on Jan. 28 with a final score of 78-38, with a similar outcome when they played Drew, ending the game 54-10.

“The energy and support from the fans really encourages the team and plays a role in their success,” said frosh/soph team manager Cassidy Lewallen. “Of course, the rest is all due to their

skill itself.”

The Urban School was the Cubs’ biggest threat last year, but most of its top players have since graduated, according to co-captain Rebecca Halloran.

This year the Cubs anticipated University to be its biggest rival, but it didn’t turn out that way when the Cubs came out with a 64-47 win on Jan. 22.

“UHS has always been competition for us,” said Okamoto. “They have the talent, and when we face them it just comes down to who wants it more.”

With a senior-dominated team that includes varsity veterans, Kirk and Halloran are both confident the team will make it to the BCL West playoffs.

“It’s always hard to be that top team that everyone is aiming for so we need to remain focused,” said Okamoto.

Athletic director Elena De Santis expects a great season, but she knows the competition and the surprises that can come along with high school sports.

“Everyone has high hopes for the team,” said De Santis. “I try to look just one game ahead — you never know, any other team could come out with more heart.”

Varsity has qualified for the BCL West playoffs

INA HERLIHY | the broadview

Junior India Pearce prepares to jump for the ball at the start of the game at a home game against Marin Academy. The varsity basketball team is undefeated in league play as of press time. in each of the past eight seasons, with the Cubs winning the division title in 2001-2002, 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 and the California Interscholastic Federation State Championship in 2003.

“Our winning record is telling because we know that if we play hard we have the talent to beat anyone,” said Kirk.

Varsity’s strong start began with a pre-season victory at the Urban Shoot-out, fifth place at the West Coast Jamboree, and a 78-43 win over Urban

in the first game of the regular season.

The Cubs qualified for the BCL West playoffs and advanced to the championship round where they finished second last year. The first round of BCL West playoffs begins on Tuesday. Information about standings, game times and match-ups are on the school Web site, http://sacredsf.org .

“We can’t get too confident,” said guard Amanda Aish. “We are still working to get on top — stay on top, where we are now.”

Students with little experience still play Colleen Scullion Reporter

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MAGGIE CUMMINGS | the broadview Senior Rebecca Halloran prepares to shoot a basket from the 3-point line. Halloran has played on varsity for four years.

thletics are often about winning, but Convent students with little experience who try out for sports can quickly learn being a part of the team is more than scoring goals and making baskets.

Senior Qiyamah Hameed decided to try out for basketball her sophomore year despite previously not having played on a team. Hameed says she was intimidated by the intensity of the team — a team that is consistently ranked among the top basketball teams in the BCL West League.

I wasn’t expecting to make varsity, but I knew that I wanted to play,” said Hameed. “Instead, I made the freshman team and I was the only sophomore on it.”

Hameed says her basketball skills improved over the course of the season, but that was not the most

important part of playing on the team.

“Although I wasn’t the star, I enjoyed the year,” said Hameed. “Being a part of the team and getting to know the younger girls was a great way to bond with the freshmen, and helped me be a leader and contributor.”

Sophomore Quinn Reno decided her freshman year was the perfect time to take a plunge into something new, so she joined swim team.

“I was struggling, but as the year went on I got stronger and stronger,” said Reno. “I moved up from the junior varsity lane by the end of the year, and now I am swimming for the Fog City Hammerheads competitively.”

Reno went from barely being able to do flip turns and full sets to completing 4000-yard workouts with her new club team.

“I have been encouraged by the school swim team because they feel I have so much potential to grow and be one of the main swimmers on the team in the varsity lane,” said Reno. “Swimming

Students attend Olympics

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ost students will be turning on the television to watch the Winter Olympics, but two freshman are celebrating the Games first-hand in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Chiara Figari and Mary Katherine MichielsKibler are traveling to Canada with their families.

“I am excited to experience it, to be in the action, right there as it’s happening,” said Figari. “I’ll remember it for a long time.”

Both students are attending the Olympics for the first time.

“We’re going to the Opening Ceremony,” said Michiels-Kibler. “It’s my favorite part. I find it interesting to see how people from all over the world can get together in one place for the same purpose and continue the traditions.”

Tickets for just the Opening Ceremony range

from $175-1100.

“We don’t quite have tickets,” said Figari. “It’s still up in the air, but my sister goes to University of British Columbia so she gets free tickets.”

Tickets can be purchased onsite at a fan-to-fan marketplace where individuals can legitimately buy and sell their tickets in an auction setting.

“I grew up with skiing,” said Michiels-Kibler, who spent winters in Jackson Hole, Wyo. “I love to watch professional skiers speed down the mountains and see how hard they’ve trained for this moment.”

NBC will broadcast the Games continuously starting at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 running through the Closing Ceremony at 10:30 p.m. 17 days later.

— Aggie Kruse & Becky Lee

VANOC/COVAN | with permission

The Richmond Olympic Oval in Vancouver, British Columbia will be the speed skating venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The construction of the facility was completed in 2008.

has become a hobby of mine and I am looking forward to the next three seasons during my time at Convent.”

Having grown up playing soccer, sophomore Solana Boboschi tried out for varsity soccer as a freshman, allowing her to not only play a sport she grew up with, but to get to know and develop supportive relationships with students from other classes.

“My favorite part about soccer is improving my skills with the help of the upper classmen,” said Boboschi. “Their leadership and support helped me grow and become friends with upperclassmen as well as become more responsible and committed as a play.”

“Sports are a key aspect of high school extra curricular activity, and athletes of all skill levels are able to benefit from the relationships and life lessons learned working out and competing with a team,” said Hameed.

On the Sideline Sophie Gilchrist

Going to college strengthens pride for hometown teams

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ooking back on my 12 years of living in San Francisco, I have come to realize that I have not always been a dedicated San Franciscan. Although I love San Francisco as a city, sports-wise I’m not as loyal.

I am a rabid the Golden State Warriors, but because most of my family lives in New York, I’d rather support Eli Manning and the New York Giants than the 49ers — a team that plays less than 15 minutes away via Highway 101 from my home. To be honest, I cannot even tell you the name of the Niners’ quarterback.

As March approaches and I am waiting to hear back from colleges, I find myself looking on Facebook at pictures of Convent alumnae who attend the colleges and universities to which I applied.

Through my “Facebook stalking” — in the least-creepy sense of the word — I’ve seen pictures of girls attending professional sports games in the cities where they go to college, but wearing San Francisco teams’ apparel. Recently,

I came across an album where alumnae attended a Dodgers game wearing Giants shirts, repping the city they come from.

While academics should be the main focus of my college experience, a part of me cannot wait to wear my San Francisco gear — especially if I go to a college outside of the Bay Area. I cannot wait to show my SF Pride.

Some may call me a fake fan for not appreciating and supporting the Niners or Giants while I live in the city. It may seem strange that being away from San Francisco will bring me closer to home, especially through sports. But in reality other than parents and friends flying in to visit, there is no other better way to have San Francisco to come to you.

I guess I will have to stop by Big Five or Sports Authority and pick up a 49er jersey before I leave at the end of the summer so that I can rep the 415 to the fullest when I am away in the hope that it will make me less homesick, but also remind me of the great city I come from.

Timeless Bling

12 city life

February 12, 2010

Cartier collection showcases jeweler’s impact on American vision of wealth

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ne hundred years of American culture is explored through Cartier jewelry at the “Cartier and America” exhibit now showing at the Legion of Honor.

The exhibit shows over 300 bejewThe magnitude and intricacy of eled objects ranging from the diamond the jewelry is one of the most engrossand platinum jewelry of the Louis XVI ing features of the exhibit’s display. A revival to the colorful stones 47.60-carat diamond sparof the 1920s and the more Meghan Helms kles under the brilliance of modern jewelry of the late Asst. A & E Editor display lights and an elaboPrincess Grace of Monaco. rate twisting brooch shaped Most of the jewelry on display as flowers and leaves lies pinned up belonged to the wealthiest and most against black velvet. influential people of the time. The Cartier’s expertise was not limited Vanderbilt, Townsend and Post famito jewelry. The exhibit also displays the lies, and other American families who famous Mystery Clocks, clocks that owned such influential companies as work without any apparent motor or American Telephone and Telegraph gears, which are curious even to the Company, General Foods and Singer modern eye. Tiny hands embedded in Sewing Machine. crystals seem to float without gears or On exhibit with the jewelry is an other forms of mechanization, leaving ad campaign poster partnered with even the viewers who live in a time of Cadillac from 1956, featuring a red car computers and cell phones to wonder and diamonds with text reading, “This how they work. could be your someday.” Images like this The versatility of each piece of jewand the success stories of the families elry is unexpected. A diamond and platiwho own most of the jewelry represent num tiara lies dismantled into multiple the American Dream of wealth and bracelets and pendants on black velvet fame, a theme illustrated throughout the exhibit. and a pearl and diamond necklace can

be dismantled into smaller necklaces and bracelets.

Not to be missed is the room filled with jeweler’s concept sketches for many of the pieces exhibited later in the exhibit. These sketches illustrate the uniqueness of many of the pieces which where designed specifically for and with the help of the customer.

The exhibit is easy to navigate and the pieces are displayed under light that makes the pieces sparkle brilliantly. The only aspect missing is information— most placards simply tell what the jewelry is made of and read “Cartier Collection” — leaving the viewer to wonder why the piece was made and if it was even ever worn.

“Cartier and America” is on exhibit until April 18. The Legion of Honor is opened Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for students with school I.D. For more information visit http:// www.legionofhonor.org

EDWARD OWEN | with permission

“The Portrait of Marjorie Merriweather Post and Her Daughter” by Giulio de Blaas features Post wearing the Cartier pendant brooch featuring Indian-carved emeralds and diamonds, and created for the American socialite and founder of General Foods, Inc. in 1928 (above). The Cartier tiara features seven pearshaped diamonds weighing approximately 17 carats. Owned by Mrs. Richard Townsend of Washington, D.C., the tiara is designed in Cartier’s signature Louis XVI style (above left). Photo: NICK WALSH, CARTIER COLLECTION | with permission

‘Mr. President’ wraps up solo grassroots campaign Youngest Jonas Brother introduces different sound to familiar fans during a solo tour backed by his new ‘Administration’ Ina Herlihy Editor-in-Chief

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KATIE BURKE | special to the broadview

Nick Jonas and the Administration perform on Jan. 30 at Zellerbach Auditorium on the UC Berkeley campus. Jonas performed songs from his new album Who I Am along with a medley of covers of popular songs and two new original songs.

hen the Jonas Brothers had two weeks off last spring from publicity events, filming their Disney TV show JONAS, and other music commitments, Kevin spent time with his then-girlfriend and now wife, Joe visited Australia and Nick “locked himself in” at Nashville’s Blackbird Studios to record a side-project album. He just ended the resulting month-long tour with his band, Nick Jonas and the Administration.

As Nick Jonas took the Zellerbach Auditorium stage on the UC Berkeley campus on Jan. 30, the crowd instinctively jumped-up — unlike Diane Birch’s opening act when the hip, younger-sounding Norah Jones failed to capture the crowd’s enthusiasm, leaving most people sitting in their comfy theater seats like they were sitting through a movie’s previews.

Jonas’s concert attracted an audience of high-pitched screaming teenage girls reminiscent of the days of the Beatles. There were just a few young

girls with parent chaperones.

It was clear Jonas really wrote these songs in his “free time” over the past year due to the lack of forceful sound and Disney-feel.

Jonas laced his poetic lyrics with inspiring commentary and anecdotes between songs, recalling it has been four-and-a-half years since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Continuing with his message “You don’t need to be fearful,” Jonas brought an 11-year-old girl named Stacy on stage who held a sign that read, “Who I am: a diabetic.” He reminded her to stay fearless and handed her a bouquet of roses that he received from a fan.

Other fan gifts included roses thrown on stage during the song “Rose Garden” and personalized posters to each band member. Jonas’s poster was a cardboard American flag entitled “Mr. President, administrate me,” which caused Jonas to say “That is, uh, interesting. Thank you.”

Jonas’s side band has evolved around his fascination with the U.S. presidency, explaining his band title, Nick Jonas and the Administration, several

track titles with names like “Olive and an Arrow” and “State of Emergency,” along with the stars on his guitar strap, and foreshadowing red and blue lights during the opening act.

Jonas has been proclaimed the leader of his brothers, and he could become the next Ronald Regan if he stays on track.

After the concert Jonas met with family friends, Anna Marie Perez de Tagle from Camp Rock with her parents and this high school journalist he requested to meet to ask her opinion of the show, proving he is a serious singer songwriter who wants to develop a good repor with the press. His parents were there too waiting for him, ready to take him to Los Angeles for the Grammy’s after the last performance of his tour.

Jonas did not answer the question “Who I am?” onstage that his encore song posed. But backstage it was evident that Jonas is a down-toearth, easygoing 17-year-old rock star, dedicated and driven to live out his dream.