Issue 6, 2016

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BY STEPHANIE LU AND AURELIA YANG

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efore the first Apple computer was created, there stood a valley of small towns and two-lane roads, replete with the fresh fragrance of apricot and plum trees.

Silicon Valley is built on the graveyard of those trees.

At the turn of the 20th century, the valley was primarily agrarian, with valley transportation outside of large cities limited to horseback. Despite the rural background, the valley managed to put down significant roots in technological innovation: Stanford graduate Cyril Elwell founded the Federal Telegraph Corporation in Palo Alto and created the world’s first global radio communication system, eventually signing a contract with the Navy in 1912.

Continued Navy influence, and the technology it brought, came in the form of Naval Air Station Moffet Field in Santa Clara County, which opened in 1933.

Technology firms set up shop near the air base, and when the Navy moved out, the NACA--NASA’s predecessor--moved in. A host of aerospace firms also moved in to serve the NACA, bringing with them an influx of engineers and scientists.

Despite these early advances in technology, Cupertino remained a town of ranches and estate vineyards well into the mid-1960s; San Jose remained largely agricultural until the 1960s as well. Even then the Santa Clara Valley was still known as the Valley of Heart’s

Delight, a fertile basin famous for its mild climate and its thousands of acres of blooming orchards that older residents can.

“As a kid I enjoyed hiking or walking through the local orchards or vacant lots,” said Kurt Euler, a long-time Silicon Valley resident who attended John Muir Elementary, Miller Middle and Lynbrook.

“One thing I particularly enjoyed was the amount of butterflies in those days. I recall running around with a butterfly net. Very few butterflies now, since all the fruit trees are gone.”

Social studies teacher David Pugh, who graduated from Cupertino High school in the 1960s and has resided in the area since, recalls similar memories.

“There was a gap between all the little towns--Campbell, San Jose, Sunnyvale--with just orchards in between,” said Pugh. “Stelling Road was a two-lane road--a lot of these were just two lanes-and once you went across Saratoga-Sunnyvale, you were in the countryside, you were really in the sticks. There was the occasional orchard and the house, and that was it. Stelling was a country road, hardly any traffic, no stop signs or anything like that.”

A popular summer job for high schoolers, Pugh also remembered, was working at a fruit packing plant that stood where Armadillo Willy’s is now.

“I couldn’t get in--I wanted to, but there was a big demand for see HISTORY page 2

NEWS//

Senior research paper to be replaced next year

BY SOPHIA LING AND WILLIAM GUO

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his year, the Lynbrook history department announced its decision to cancel the annual senior research project to revise its objective and content. While current seniors may rejoice over the omission of one of the more intensive assignments of their high school career, history teachers are currently working on creating an alternative project for the 2016-2017 school year.

The change in curriculum was due to overlapping requirements in both the English and history research papers. Since the history research paper was created five years ago, both history and English teachers observed that students were given unnecessary stress under the weight of two large projects. The two projects also paralleled each other in different aspects, as both focus on topics regarding

research and writing complex theses.

“We want to make sure we’re getting a meaningful product, [and] that students see value in it,” said History Department Chair Nate Martell. “In the recent years we’ve run into more anecdotal evidence that the projects in other classes have grown increasingly similar to the ones we were doing.”

Redundancy is one of the main issues that influenced this decision. The original purpose of the research project was so that students could learn how to conduct research and condense their findings into a paper defending an argument, which is an essential skill incoming college students are often unprepared for. Over the course of the past few years, the new Common Core standards have emphasized the application of researchrelated skills to better prepare high school students.

“I think having the research paper would have given a lot of experience for college because we will be writing [many] of these by the time we graduate college,” said senior Kriya Giresh.

The history department’s main focus for the new project is to reduce an unnecessary workload while challenging students’ research abilities. Although nothing is fully established yet, current juniors should expect an improved research-based history assignment for their senior year.

“While [the project is] in the process of being rethought, there are no guarantees as to what it actually might be in the future,” said English Department Chair Robert Richmond. “The research part won’t go away and the writing won’t go away; we would still emphasize all of those skills, but perhaps in a different format.”

EQUESTRIAN// pg. 13 SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY - EPIC

News in Brief

Epic Informational Meeting The Epic will be holding an informational meeting for all interested applicants on Thursday, March 31 during lunch. Come out to this meeting to receive an application as well as learn more about what being a staff member on the Epic entails!

Opportunity Fair Lynbrook’s 1st Opportunity Fair is on Thursday, March 31 during lunch in the quad. There will be tables set up for employers, summer programs, volunteer opportunities and colleges to be able to connect with students and provide up-todate information. Be sure to be there for this amazing opportunity!

Special CAASPP Bell Schedule There is a special CAASPP/Smarter Balanced Test bell schedule for the week of April 4 to April 8. Monday and Friday will follow the tutorial schedule and Thursday will be a 7 period day. Tuesday and Wednesday will follow a special testing schedule, so check that out on the Lynbrook website homepage.

Red, White & Blue Awards The Red, White & Blue Awards will be held on April 7 from 7-9pm in the auditorium to congratulate exemplary students from each department.

Spring Break Spring Break this year is going to be from April 11 to April 15. Enjoy this break and relax before you’ll be swarmed with AP tests and finals!

Cherry Blossom Festival The local Cherry Blossom Festival will be held at Memorial Park in Cupertino, on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 from 10 am to 5 pm. Come out to see some Lynbrook clubs running game booths and help them raise money!

by Eshani Mehta

Tentative classes for next school year

BY ALEXANDER XU

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or the 2016-2017 school year, Lynbrook may be offering tentative classes in physical education and applied academics targeting more specific student needs: PE Weight Training for Athletes, PE Total Fitness, PE Basketball, Accounting 2 and Introduction to Engineering Design.

As outlined in the new 2016 WASC Action Plan goals, Lynbrook plans to offer its students “a rigorous, viable curriculum designed to help them pursue their passions and interests while preparing them for college and careers.” The main issue surrounding these classes is whether they will generate enough student interest to justify their existence.

Of the five new classes, three of them are related to physical education, as per the PE department’s decision to restore interest in PE classes. PE Basketball, for example, is expected to be popular among all students. This class would teach students a variety of basic physical skills but also focus on letting students play and enjoy the sport.

“We know there are a lot of students here that enjoy playing basketball,” said PE Department head Linda Nichols. “We’re trying to encourage students to be more physically active.”

While the new PE basketball course would be open to all Lynbrook students, PE Weight Training for Athletes would be a weightlifting course tailored to Lynbrook athletes. Compared to normal Weight Training class, this specialized course would give athletes an environment to do exercises that pertain to each individual’s sport.

“We’re just hoping that we can help our sports programs with this class by reserving seventh period to work out instead of during practices,” said Nichols.

PE Total Fitness would be a different class altogether. It would be taught by PE teacher and guidance counselor Jennifer Griffin, giving students an experience they might find

in professional gym classes. Currently, the curriculum may include yoga and stretching techniques; Pilates, exercises which teach coordination and balance; Zumba, a program combining dancing with exercise; and TRX, a resistance-based strength workout.

“I’ve just finished my master’s program in kinesiology, so I have the time to plan a new curriculum and I’m no longer as busy as I was before,” said Griffin.

Since the curriculum is not fixed, Griffin welcomes all interested students to voice their opinions on what she should incorpo-

rate into her class.

Aside from adding several new PE courses, Lynbrook is also adding applied academics courses, emphasizing those that can help define a career path. For one, Accounting 2 is a new course that is under consideration which would expand on the principles taught in Accounting 1. Accounting 2 would not be its own course; instead, it would be taught during Accounting 1 classes as an independent study class. Business Department Chair Andrea Badger is unsure as to whether or not the class would be successful, as interest

in the accounting program as a whole is typically sparse.

“Given that we only have a handful of students here that have taken Accounting 1, I’m expecting relatively low signups as well,” said Badger. “I’m perfectly willing and excited to offer Accounting 2 to the kids that want to continue to learn accounting.”

The fifth course Lynbrook’s new curriculum would offer is an Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) course, which would replace Drafting and Engineering Tech. IED is part of Project Lead The Way, an attempt to teach Career Technical Education courses that are designed to give students cumulative experience in a career field in the same way art classes at Lynbrook culminate into Studio Art. “Project Lead The Way is the engineering pathway: you’d have an Intro to Engineering Design, Engineering Design, and a capstone class after that,” said assistant principal David Erwin. “With enough student interest, the school would start moving in that direction.”

Overall, the expanded five-course selection would reshuffle allocated classes within Lynbrook subject departments. If students show significant interest in a new class, the new class may divert too many students away from other classes and cause some courses to lose a section or period.

“We’re trying to be responsive to our students and build excitement about the curriculum and courses we offer,” said assistant principal Malissa Goldstein.

Lynbrook’s effort to cater to students seems to be working; an expanded selection of courses allow students who previously may not have shown interest in a specific academic area to experiment with classes more aligned to their tastes.

“Racquet Sports and Weight Training aren’t for everyone, but I know students who normally wouldn’t take PE but are taking either PE Total Fitness or PE Basketball,” said freshman Christine Cheng.

WASC report suggests improvements

BY SAMHITA HONNAVALLI

Letter from the Editors Dear readers, Welcome to the sixth issue of the Epic, where we discuss issues that are often brushed aside or considered taboo.

Check out our centerspread to get an indepth view on sex, from its representation in the media to students’ personal experiences with it.

This issue includes opinionated stories on the case between Apple and the FBI (pg. 4) and Kesha’s case against her producer (pg. 3). Don’t forget to read the interesting column about toxic friendships.

Check out a features story with fashion ideas for the spring (pg. 6).

Be sure to read the detailed article on the confidence gap between females and males (pg. 10) and the interesting story about the history of Silicon Valley (pg. 11).

Flip to the sports section to read a story about girls who weightlift (p. 14).

Remember to enjoy your break, Kristen Wong and Stephanie Lu

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he Western Association of Schools and Colleges; (WASC) visit to Lynbrook ended with a presentation on Mar. 9 and a report of what they learnt about Lynbrook from the self-evaluation report Lynbrook had sent to them. The Lynbrook staff members and visiting WASC committee attended the meeting.

The result of the visitation will be sent to Lynbrook in May; results can vary from a recommendation of another visit in one to six years, one being the worst a`1nd six the best.

“Lynbrook will most probably be recommended the six year accreditation with a mid-cycle progress report, or the six year accreditation status with a mid-cycle progress report and a one day visit,” said principal Maria Jackson. “Either of these [results] is a sign that Lynbrook is doing well.”

Suzi Weist, the chairperson of the visiting committee, and other committee members presented at the meeting about the 70 page report that WASC had formulated during their visit.

The first two chapters includes questions raised by the WASC committee regarding Lynbrook’s self evaluation and validation of the progress that Lynbrook had made from its previous WASC report six years ago. Chapter 3 consists of various sections pertaining to different aspects of a well-rounded school.

For each section there is areas that Lynbrook

is proficient at and areas that Lynbrook expand the methods used to check for aucould focus on. The following chapter lists thentic student understanding. the critical areas for follow up for the next “This follow up is [practically] for every WASC visit. Some of the critical areas were school because they want us to implement to address mental health issues, efficiently common core,” said Jackson. “It’s not that communicate goals, and increase student Lynbrook isn’t doing it, it’s that everyone engagement. Chapter 5 is about the ongoing should be doing it.” school improvement, which includes the acThe second follow up is that Lynbrook’s tion plan that Lynbrook had created in their administration needs to develop and impleself evaluation. ment a multi-year plan that is inclusive of The action plan that Lynbrook drafted both district and site needs. The third being consisted of these goals: the school should gather that Lynbrook would work data in regards to student to sustain and improve “WASC REALLY SUPPORTED achievement to enhance high levels of learning and student learning. Fourth is OUR ACTION PLAN TO performance for all stuthat the Lynbrook commuADDRESS SOME THINGS dents; to give access to a nity needs to implement THEY NOTICED [ABOUT rigorous, viable curricustrategies to reduce stress, lum designed to help stuaddress mental health and LYNBROOK].” dents pursue their interMARIA JACKSON well being to reduce acaests while preparing them PRINCIPAL demic bullying. The reason for college and careers; the fifth follow up--that and that the school would site administration needs partner with students and to work on communicattheir families to develop more effective ways ing goals and district expectations while to manage stress. addressing site level concerns--has already “WASC really supports our action plan, been resolved is due to the smooth transition to address some of the things they noticed,” in administration that took place just before said Jackson. the visit.

WASC cited five areas to improve on as a “Lynbrook’s committee will be meeting follow up for the action plan, in order to bet- in April to discuss and write the final action ter help Lynbrook, one of which has already plan [that will be sent to WASC] taking into been resolved. The first is that Lynbrook’s consideration of what the WASC committee staff must increase student engagement and said,” said Jackson.

Kesha’s plight against rape in the music industry

BY CATHERINE HUANG

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n Feb. 19, a long-running legal dispute between artist Kesha and her music producer and alleged sexual abuser, Lukas Gottwald--more widely known as Dr. Luke--came to a temporary end. Having brought her case to the New York State Supreme Court, Kesha left the court sobbing upon hearing that she was required to continue working with her abuser in order to fulfill her six-album business contract with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records, a subsidiary of Sony.

For the past year and a half, Kesha’s artist career has been put on hold because of her lawsuit against Dr. Luke. In her testimony, she claims that after signing a record deal with him in 2005, Dr. Luke had drugged, raped and emotionally abused her during their 10-year relationship, contributing to an eating disorder that led to her short stint in rehab. Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich ultimately decided there was not enough evidence in Kesha’s case to back her claims and denied the injunction.

After the court’s decision, the public supported Kesha with kind comments on social media, with a few even offering to sponsor her financially or produce new songs for her. Yet skeptics still accused Kesha of making up false allegations in order to exempt herself from the binding recording contract. By casting doubt on her claims, the skeptics have also turned a blind eye toward the underlying issue of rape, thus engraining in society the cultural belief that rape is acceptable.

“It’s not a good idea to let a potential rapist keep working with a victim, regardless of contracts,” said sophomore Andrew Chen. “It’s incredibly stressful for the victim and deteriorates the quality of the victim’s work.”

Granted, though Kesha was still obligated to record her remaining albums under Dr. Luke’s sight, she was allowed to work with him without physically interacting with him. But Kesha’s case is about more than simply making another album free from her abuser. In addition to highlighting the common misogynistic behavior in both the music industry and rest of society, Kesha’s case also shows how victims, not abusers, receive most of the negative attention in the industry.

“It’s easier to believe that Kesha’s seeking media attention or cash than it is to think that Dr. Luke raped an 18 year old,” said senior Maryam Sabeti. “If the former is true, we can continue thinking that humanity is good, just slightly greedy. However, with the latter we start doubting people we trust, which is why

URMILA VENKATARAMANI//IN MY OPINION

Not savage enough

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fter four weeks, my spoons career came to an uninspiring end. I had told myself at the start of the game that if I were to die, I would at least go out in a blaze of glory--the legendary recounting of my valiant attempt at escape from the clutches of my killer would inspire those still in the game to never take their life for granted. Unfortunately, it didn’t end up quite like that.

Unlike my prior dreams of fame, and un-

victims usually receive such negative media attention.”

Since large corporations already have recording deals with many artists, allowing artists who have suffered emotional abuse to record outside of contracts would not be difficult to arrange. By siding with Dr. Luke, Sony promotes abuse by valuing monetary value over civil rights and business deals over basic human privacy. While the court made the correct decision in terms of business negotiations, it overlooked morality and took a step backward in promoting safe consensual cultural environments.

“If large corporations were to explicitly state that they don’t condone rape, it would have a huge impact on fighting rape, because it shows there is someone on the victim’s side, even though often times the law is not,” said Chen.

To acknowledge the issue, Sony does not have to act above the law and give Kesha the injunction she requested-all the corporation needs to do is make a statement encouraging other abuse victims to speak out against their traumatizing experiences. This statement could be small, such as reaching out to Kesha’s family, or more pronounced, such as replacing Dr. Luke with another producer.

“If Sony were to drop Dr. Luke as a producer, it would encourage people to take action against their abusers, because it would show

t h a t abusers will be punished regardless of w h o t h e y are,” said sophomore Vedika Shenoy.

Kesha’s case is just one of many in which testimonies of rape are dismissed owing to insufficient evidence. Others who were recently disregarded include an 18 year old girl from Brooklyn and a student at Columbia.

Courts tend to dismiss these cases because they want actual evidence rather than victim recollection; however, this evidence is seldom found. The likelihood of a victim lying with such vivid emotions is slim--especially when the victim has a lot more to lose in her career than gain in the trial.

“Having to face someone who has degraded and humiliated you is something no one should have to go though,” said Shenoy. “The fact that Kesha is still being forced to collaborate with someone who so utterly degraded her is unfathomable, yet she is still required to do so by law.”

Regardless, the dismissal of Kesha’s case is a significant part of the reason why women are accused of lying, and why rape is a growing problem in modern society. According to the Justice Department, 97% of rapists are getting away with their crimes, causing fewer women to speak out against rape for fear of lack of support.

“The negative attention toward victims is what stops many people from speaking out, which allows abusers to continue,” said She-

noy.

The negative attention deters former victims and others from speaking out, which perpetuates the abuse. Until music corporations start to prioritize the wellbeing of their female artists over their own reputation and finances, women and abuse victims will continue to suffer and stay silent, and rapists will continue to get away with one of society’s most heinous crimes.

like my fellow Spooners, I had tired of the game after weeks of being unable to kill.

With the quota approaching, I didn’t see the point in staying alive any longer. Instead of putting up a fight, I simply left my immunity at home and waited for my killer to find me.

You see, I was ashamed of the fact that I had no kills. I had never thought of myself as a meek person, but when it came to placing a sticker on another person, it was as if I suddenly had the confidence of an ill-prepared student for an AP test. Despite my brain telling me to vy for that free senior prom bid, my heart was never into the killing.

For me, day-to-day spoons was fairly uneventful. You might expect it to be dramatic, especially if your head has been filled with the spectacular and unrealistic tales of savagery that grace the Daily Cannon. The stories that we heard through the grapevine were glamorized tales that sprung from pure luck. And luck has never been on my side.

My situation with my target is the perfect example. I received someone whom I didn’t

know much about, but a bit of sleuthing presented me with information on my target’s address, schedule and eating habits. With my arsenal of intelligence, I should have been able to eliminate my target once and for all. What I didn’t expect was that my target would be as much of a pain to me as I was to my killer (until I gave up, of course).

I once tried to stalk my target during lunch, because she didn’t have a sixth period.

I can’t drive, but my friend can, so we piled into her car and followed my target’s car as she headed off to lunch. It was the lemon-inthe-mouth immunity day, and I thought that since she couldn’t hold a lemon in her mouth while eating, I would be able to tag her. It was a literal slow-speed car chase and I felt like a cop in one of those spy movies. Alas, my work did not pay off, because they realized we were tailing them and managed to lose us.

On the day of the lawn chair immunity, I thought I had it in the bag. This was the day I would kill my target and prove that I could be as cunning and savage as anyone, and that I

deserved to stay in the game. I received word that my target would be leaving class early and that I should too in order to catch them.

I thought about it; I genuinely considered it. But it didn’t take me long to realize that killing just wasn’t in my blood. I was, on one hand, too concerned with staying alive myself (which led to scooting around in a lawn chair for an hour and begging teachers to let me stay in their classrooms and is a whole other story) and on the other hand, I was just too afraid to kill. There were too many risks involved--they could find out that I was their killer (which I learned later that they did, perhaps thanks to a not-so-subtle car chase) or I could mess up and the kill could be disputed.

I’ve just had to accept that I’m not a risk taker. I’m not savage. And that’s okay. I may not be able to succeed at spoons, but the experience was an illuminating one. And there are 401(k)s and stable retirement plans waiting for me in my future that will save me a lot more than a $70 bid.

INFOGRAPHIC BY RAKSHA NARASIMHAN

Apple: standing up for our privacy

and attempted bombing that

BY CHELSEA LI resulted in 14 deaths and 22 injuries. The shooters, a n Feb. 25, Apple denied the FBI married couple, were pursued and killed by permission to access an iPhone 5C the police a few hours afterward. On Dec. 6, previously in the possession of one 2015, President Barack Obama defined the of the San Bernardino shooters, stirring event as an act of terrorism. up controversy over the issue of privacy Apple CEO Tim Cook explained the reaversus protection. Following the attack, soning behind their refusal through an open the FBI contacted Apple, asking them to letter to customers on Apple’s website. unlock an iPhone that belonged to one of “In the physical world you can destroy the shooters for investigation. While cre- something and it’s gone,” said Cook. “But in ating a “key” to unlock the phone would the digital world, benefit this investigathe technique, tion, and potentially once created, similar cases in the could be used future, Apple made over and over the right decision in again, on any refusing the FBI’s renumber of dequest. The key used vices. Once the to unlock a single deinformation is vice could be used to known, or a way hack into other Apple to bypass the products as well, unDAVID PUGH code is revealed, dermining the imporSOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER the encryption tance of security in can be defeated Apple’s products. by anyone with Currently, there that knowledge.” are no specific laws or legislation perCook is referring to the FBI’s request for taining to such situations, making it dif- Apple to essentially build a “back door” to one ficult for judges to make a ruling on the of their devices. This software would overcase. However, as technology continues ride the self-destruct feature that activates to develop, questions concerning privacy when a password is incorrectly entered too and protection inevitably become far many times. Such a solution seems straightmore pressing. forward; after the device has been unlocked The incident took place On Dec. 2, and investigated, there is no use for the soft2015 at the Inland Regional Center in ware, which can then be discarded. However, San Bernardino, and in- in the digital world of today, this solution is volved a mass shooting not this simple. This “key” is a coded piece of information and would not be easy to destroy. It can be duplicated easily, as are most codes in the digital world. If any information regarding the software were leaked, professional hackers could use the same key to open countless other Apple products. What began as a investigation of one individual’s device could

O

“PRIVACY IS THE ONE THING THAT [APPLE] SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND TECHNOLOGY ON. THE WHOLE POINT OF THE PRODUCT IS THE SECURITY,.”

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SOPHIA LING

RAKSHA NARASIMHAN//IN MY OPINION

Drop the toxicity result in the infringement of millions of others’, threatening the very concepts of freedom and liberty the FBI is supposed to stand for.

“There’s clear logic in Apple’s perspective and a lot of ignorance from the FBI,” said sophomore Saketh Muvva. “It’s counterproductive for Apple to make a software that breaches through their own, especially since they promote privacy.”

It is possible that the couple responsible for the event had been receiving orders digitally from a foreign terrorist organization, and that investigating the device could potentially uncover valuable evidence. However, it is equally possible that the phone that the FBI wishes to investigate may not contain any helpful information at all. The shooters at San Bernardino possessed other cellular devices, which they had attempted to destroy. The remaining phone, however, was abandoned in a car; clearly, it was not as important as the others. Unlocking this phone is unlikely to yield any significant information, and therefore doing so is not worth the risk of endangering other users’ security.

Because Apple is currently one of the largest companies dominating the technology scene, this event would not only tarnish its reputation of protecting users’ privacy, but also lay down the expectation for other companies to do the same.

“If Apple does create a software [that allows the] FBI to have a back key, that sets a precedent for other manufacturers who will have to make one themselves in the future,” said Muvva.

Social studies teacher David Pugh notes that by creating a key, Apple is risking more than just the privacy of their customers. In doing so, they risk hurting their business as well. “[Privacy] is the one thing that they spent a lot of time and technology [on].

The whole point of the product is the security,” said Pugh. “Consumers really want that encryption, and if [Apple] doesn’t do that, then their business could be seriously hurt.”

The case between Apple and the FBI is just one step toward a larger issue that will become increasingly difficult to ignore. As technology develops, U.S. laws and regulations must evolve as well.

Apple made the right decision in refusing the FBI’s request; in doing so they set a strong precedent for future cases, and kept their customers’ privacy protected.

E

ach day of my sixth grade year, I’d come home emotionally exhausted.

I felt increasingly self-conscious, and my confidence began to drop. For the longest time, though, I didn’t figure out why.

Throughout high school and middle school, I’ve witnessed (and been part of) my fair share of toxic friendships. I’ve seen kids get pushed around and emotionally abused by their more controlling friends.

And until I was exposed to the toxicity of unhealthy friendships, I always wondered why they didn’t just end those obviously harmful relationships. Although I used to look down upon those who were harmed by toxic friendships, I came to realize that there was far more to unhealthy friendships than I believed.

Each time I hung out with my “best friend” in sixth grade, I would spend a lot of time feeling insecure and belittled.

When I got out of the car at the beginning of the year and walked into my first class at Miller Middle School, I was completely new. I made a few friends but never really bonded with anyone because of the tight cliques that had already formed in elementary school. The cutthroat middle school social hierarchy was real. So when I met a girl who was willing to take me under her wing, I was so grateful, and devoted myself to upholding our friendship.

Our relationship was very demanding.

Whenever I hung out with her I felt exhausted, as if I needed to say just the right things to please her. She would insult herself to get compliments from me, constantly looking in the mirror and calling herself fat and ugly, leaving me to reassure her of her own attractivity. And it wasn’t as if she returned the favor--whenever something positive happened to me, she would insult me and put me down, until gradually, I began to genuinely dislike myself.

Eventually, I gathered the courage to stand up to her. I faced my fears and told her how she hurt me every day. I alienated her and moved on with my life.

But why did I stay in that relationship for over a year? Why didn’t I just stand up to her and get out of the friendship immediately?

Fear played a major part in it; she was overpowering and bad-tempered, and I knew confronting her would surely end up with upsetting her. But I didn’t stay in that friendship just because I was weak--it was more than that. It involved guilt and a false sense of responsibility.

Whenever she complained about herself, I felt obligated to compliment her. I felt as if by abandoning her, I would cause her insecurities to grow. I felt responsible for her mental health--for making sure that she felt good about herself. On another level, I was scared to break the longest friendship I had made at Miller. Each time I thought about confronting her, my mind would drift back to an image of the sixth grader that had made her way across the quad during lunch, alone and under the belief that she wouldn’t ever fit in at a new school. I did everything I could to steer clear of reverting to that person, even if it involved changing my personality and succumbing to an overpowering friend.

Of course, my friend was suffering from severe insecurities and needed emotional support. It was only after I managed to end our relationship, though, that I realized I wasn’t responsible for her well-being. Trying to raise my friend’s self-esteem ended up taking away from mine--helping her out wasn’t worth tearing myself down in the process.

Post-Scalia: keeping justice in the Supreme Court

BY JESSICA LUO

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ollowing the death of beloved Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13, a controversy has arisen as to whether incumbent president Barack Obama or the incoming president will choose a replacement. To prevent the prolonged existence of an eight-justice court, it would be more practical and sensible for Congress to accept Obama’s appointment for Scalia’s replacement, rather than wait for the next president’s term to nominate a replacement.

Scalia was known for his stringently conservative views on modern issues and his unwavering return to the literal interpretations of the Constitution. With his presence, the vote in the Supreme Court was tilted at 5-4 in favor of conservative-minded verdicts. However, since his death, the balance has shifted to an equilibrium, with four moderate-tostrong liberals and four moderate-to-strong conservatives.

The disadvantages of a 4-4 tie are numerous: without a decision in the upper court, the ruling of the previous court stands, and no precedent or impactful verdict is upheld to change the status quo. In other words, two different areas of the country with similar issues may have completely different local rulings that cannot be normed by a national supreme court decision. “[Given the current situation], the Supreme Court will end up ruling on a lot more cases and is going to have to repeat a lot of these cases later on, because it doesn’t establish national precedence if you just simply have a tie vote,” said AP Government teacher Jeffrey Bale. “The courts aren’t going to operate at their full power until somebody is on.”

If the next president ends up choosing Scalia’s replacement, the next justice would

not be on the court until mid-2017, as the next president does not get sworn in until next January. A full year, perhaps longer, with a perfectly balanced Supreme Court will lead to several chaotic cases and an ineffective judiciary system that will take far longer to repair. If Obama’s nominee is accepted

by Congress, however, the replacement will be appointed in the span of a few months, avoiding the disorganization of several 4-4 cases that must be reevaluated much later.

“Obama should be able to appoint the next justice,” said senior Neeraj Agrawal. “It’s a constitutional right as a president to be able to appoint someone who has died or lost office as a Supreme Court justice, and [it is] not necessary for the people to vote for the justice when it’s already the president’s right.”

The Senate, which currently holds a Republican majority, was previously concerned about Obama nominating a liberal to replace the highly conservative Scalia.

It has publicly declared that it would not hold hearings for Obama’s nominees, arguing that the people, not a “lame duck president,” should select Scalia’s replacement.

Despite the recent Pew Research Center Poll, which indicates that 56 percent of Americans want Senate leaders and Obama to “take action to fill the vacancy now,” after Obama’s pick of Judge Merrick Garland on Mar. 16, the Senate Majority Leaders are still

not inclined to make an exception to their decision.

Garland, who is well known and relatively well liked among both Democrats and Republicans as a moderate conservative, was nominated in part to attempt to appease the staunch Senate Republicans.

The Senate’s refusal to even consider Garland places them in a delicate and uncompromising situation: the Democrats are angered by the Senate’s stubbornness and the Republicans are even more angered by the Senate’s unwillingness to accept a moderate conservative on Court. Consequently. the growing animosity on both sides could potentially affect the voter turnout for the upcoming election, causing former Republicans to rescind their support for the GOP. “It would look relatively silly if the Republicans refused to even consider a moderate Republican in this year,” said Bale. “It would really make them look overly partisan and American voters might not like that and might be willing to take out that newfound frustration in the general election in the primary, or potentially even at local races.”

It is becoming increasingly unwise for the Senate to continually disregard Obama’s nomination.

In order to truly maintain justice in the Supreme Court, the Republican senators should heed their own advice and start fulfilling the people’s wishes by giving Judge Garland a chance.

“OBAMA SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPOINT THE NEXT JUSTICE. IT’S A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AS A PRESIDENT.” NEERAJ AGRAWAL SENIOR

INFOGRAPHIC BY ANYA POPLAVSKA

The senior history research paper is history

A

s college decisions are released, the impending senior research papers weigh heavily as time-consuming responsibilities upon the backs of secondsemester seniors. At the beginning of the year, there were supposed to be two research papers; one in literature and one in history class. Yet as the 2015-2016 academic year draws to a close, the history department has made the decision to amend the regular second semester curriculum by removing the senior research paper, leaving students with just one literature research paper to write.

“We’ve listened to feedback from the students, the students’ feedback was pretty real in this regard, and so we said to ourselves, ‘You know, maybe we need to take a pause on this,” said history teacher Mike Williams.

The removal of such an integral part of the history curriculum, whether it’s the Economics, Government or AP Government class, undeniably alleviates considerable work and stress from seniors, and should have been implemented years ago.

“The assignments, as designed, have a huge amount of overlap,” said literature de-

partment chair Robert Richmond. “There was a pure redundancy between the the projects, leading to some documented cases of students double-dipping between research papers.”

As noted by Richmond, a factor in the removal of the paper revolved around the similarities between the senior history and literature papers, in both structure and function.

The European Literature teachers assign an annual research paper that requires students to choose a topic which ties into a novel covered in class. Similar to this, the history paper requires students to choose a topic that ties to a subject related to economics or government.

While the purpose of the two classes are clearly disparate, the history research paper gave students the opportunity to borrow information from the literature paper or vice versa, rendering the purpose of the assignment given last useless.

One of the many reasons teachers give se-

niors research papers revolve around making the jump from high school to college easier, since undergraduates must write various professional papers. The ability to conduct research and integrate it into a well-written paper is also a Common Core standard. At the same time, many students already write research papers during their junior year, which are commonly reused, making the purpose of the senior research paper meaningless. Instead of having students write an entirely new research paper senior year with similar content to the junior year paper, teachers should assign a paper built upon the information researched the previous year.

In addition, impending college decisions cause seniors a large amount of stress, and the AP tests in May also add to their apprehension. With an increase in workload with two research papers, their distress can only rise.

“I was really happy when Mr. Williams told

Staff Editorial

The Voice of the Epic

us that we wouldn’t have to write a senior research paper,” said senior Kriya Giresh. “It felt as if there was a lot of stress taken out from my workload, as it helped keeping [my] grades up [and helped] prepping for the [upcoming] AP tests.”

Although the papers prove to be repetitive, this year’s change is temporary, since teachers plan to bring back the history research paper next year. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, literature and history department members should work to ensure that each future research paper has a different, meaningful focus. Moreover, the literature department must consider the repetitive nature of requiring both juniors and seniors to write research papers for similar purposes, which can lead to students simply copying their previous year’s work.

“The senior topic was supposed to be something controversial that students would deal with and take a position on,” said Richmond. “However, I think that the english and social studies departments will be meeting to discuss what we want to do in order to coordinate it.”

Spring fashion inspiration from your peers

BY AURELIA YANG

W

ith the arrival of a new season comes an influx of new fashion trends. Floppy hats, maxi skirts

and floral rompers are just a few favorable remedies that inevitably make spring one of the most popular and trendy times of the year apparel-wise. The season of renewal is upon us, which means that it’s the perfect

Amy Song // junior

time to upgrade your wardrobe. There are a myriad of wearable spring trends that can enhance your wardrobe significantly while also inspiring you to achieve your ideal look for the spring time. Whether you are in need

Fashion inspiration: “I usually get my inspiration from Instagram fashionistas, but I also like to put in a bit of my own twist and alter the outfit to be as comfortable as possible.”

Ideal spring out�it: “I usually wear jeans, a button-up, either a leather jacket or plaid jacket.”

Favorite article of clothing: “For spring, I typically like to wear anything with bright colors, like yellow and green. I would say that my favorite article of clothing would be sweatpants, because they are stylish and warm, yet comfortable at the same time.”

Hannah Faris// sophomore

Fashion inspiration: “I mainly get my inspiration off of Instagram. I don’t really have anyone that I can name in particular, but seeing other people’s outfits on Instagram definitely helps me transition through the seasons, because you can see what other people are wearing.”

Ethan Chee // senior

Favorite article of clothing: “Personally, I like a good pair of khaki shorts for the spring, because they’re fashionable yet comfortable at the same time.”

Fashion advice: “Don’t spend too much money on clothes!

I would definitely recommend buying a pair of khaki shorts and a pair of boat shoes or roshe runs. I would also suggest wearing a specific article that pops out. That way, you can build the rest of your outfit to compliment that specific article, which typically looks pretty good.”

Fashion advice: “I think that some key components for spring fashion in general involve skirts and sundresses, or anything with a floral design. I think a good way to build an outfit is to find a floral that is easily-pairable with other clothing items, and then building an outfit around that.”

I

Fashion advice: “It’s important to pick clothes that you are comfortable with wearing -- don’t buy anything that is too much out of your comfort zone, and pick out apparel that compliments your body type. I feel like a lot of people wear clothes that only consist of one layer -- dressing in clothes that are a bit more dimensional typically looks pretty good.

Ideal spring out�it: “My ideal spring outfit would definitely include a pair of khaki shorts, loafers, and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up.”

Favorite article of clothing: “I’m really into circle skirts because they’re very flattering and they also show off your legs really well.”

’ve devoted at least 30 straight minutes (time I should’ve been using to write this column) playing the new basketball minigame on Facebook Messenger. The fact that I can’t even score past 12 points is really starting to get on my nerves. And for once it isn’t even about my meager or complete lack

Favorite article of clothing: “I really like button-up shirts. They’re really trendy right now, and I think that they instantly enhance an outfit.”

Fashion inspiration: “Most of my inspiration comes from two of my favorite stores -- Zara and TopMan. I think both of these brands are kind of tailored toward toward my build, and they also have really creative outfit styles that compliment my body type.”

Ideal spring out�it: “For spring I like to wear a lot of skirts and shorts, but I still will wear pants on occasion.”

Dealing with my flip phone

Luca Popescu//freshman

Fashion inspiration: “When I see something that I really like online or in a magazine, I’ll try to put together something similar. Other than that, I pretty much just try on whatever I think looks good and if I think it works, then I’ll wear it.”

Ideal spring out�it: “Basically, I like to wear anything that’s comfortable, which means that I usually pair a comfortable top with a nice pair of sweatpants.”

Fashion advice: “I would recommend for students to dress in apparel with brighter colors, especially since spring is such a lively season. You can honestly wear whatever you want -- just find clothing that suits you well and looks good with your figure.”

of spring festival garb, school attire or simply activity inspiration for a fun night out, here are some ideas from a few of your stylish peers to help you dress right for the season.

ALL PHOTOS BY SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY, ART ILLUSTRATION BY MICHYLA LIN

in athletic ability and hand-eye coordination. After around three to four minutes in the game begins to lag and the ball only jerks around occasionally despite my aggressive swiping. Five minutes in the ball refuses to move at all. And shortly after that, like some twisted finale, the application itself goes blank, leaving me staring soullessly at my reflection in the black screen like some Banksyesque performance art piece on the consuming and wretched nature of smartphones.

Except the thing is, I don’t even own a smartphone. I’m chatting with my friends on a 2012 edition iPod Touch. I also sometimes employ the services of an LG flip phone.

Which, granted is better than what a lot of other people in the world have. However, when you’re living in the land of cutting-edge technology, social media giants and Steve Jobs known as the Silicon Valley, you can’t help but feel a little behind the times texting your mom with a keypad that requires you to

press a button four times to get the letter “S.¨ Even with these two somewhat primitive pieces of tech combined, I still find myself missing out on all the cool new fads my friends have gotten into. Snapchat filters?

Don’t have them. An app that requires iOS 8 or later to download? No can do. Anything that involves the use of a back camera? Nada.

I’m still especially sensitive about the lack of a back camera thing, even if my friends are used to my increasingly creative device maneuvers that I use to take pictures of things that are not directly on or related to my face.

I’m not particularly known for having any monk-like tendencies or general distaste towards new technology, so a question I get a lot is why I’m in this situation. The reason dates all the way back to 6th grade, when I accidentally lost my phone in the ocean during a friend’s birthday party at the beach. I specifically remember the pure terror I felt confessing this to my mom and dad. Despite

my friend’s support and the fact that it really was more the fault of the Pacific, from then on my parents have displayed an inherent lack of trust in my ability to not drop a phone.

Of course I’ve tried to prove myself to be a good caretaker of my current phone. The exterior has only suffered minimal scratches (It makes a pretty solid candidate for throwing in desperate times). Four years and a lot of begging later, they still hold true to this maxim: as long as I still walk the earth as an irresponsible, phone-dropping fool, I should never own a smartphone device to call my own. So next time you curse your bad luck after missing a shot in Messenger basketball, remember that life can be a lot worse. And by a lot worse I mean in the form of a collapsible cellular device.

Catch you on the flipside!

Sophia “can’t text people emojis” Ling (Boba count: 62/50)

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis make a wonderfully unruly mess with new album

BY SHREYAS IYER

T

hree years after their best selling album The Heist won a Grammy for Best Rap Album with its varied display of politicallytinged yet amusing songs, Seattle rap duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have made a return from their sabbatical with a new album titled This Unruly Mess I’ve Made. Complete with their trademark stances on current political issues and the same smooth flow that catapulted the pair into fame, the album delves deep into their characteristically impressive lyrical and aesthetic arsenal.

The pair begin the album right where they left off--literally-- at the Grammy’s. In “Light Tunnels” Macklemore takes the listener backstage into the experience of accepting a Grammy for the first time. Rather than writing about the jubilance of being surrounded by the celebrities he has long looked up to, Macklemore focuses on the media hype surrounding the show. “They want the gossip, they want the drama.// They want Kanye to rant and to go on longer// cause that equates to more dollars// They want talking topics, they want trending topics//Cause they live for clicks, this is economics.”

The pair then enter their own world within a ballad to, of all things, mopeds: “Downtown,” released last August, announced the duo’s return into the limelight. Featuring such retro hip hop legends as Kool Moe Dee and Melle Mel and a production sample from classic 60’s pop songs, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, both in lyrical and in production quality, revert to the “Thrift Shop” days of playful pop beats and a smooth delivery.

Macklemore touches on his

SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY—EPIC

personal life as well, in both “Growing Up” and “Buckshot.”

The former is written as a dedication to his newly born daughter, elaborating on both his fears as a parent and his advice to her. From religious matters to character traits, Macklemore focuses on empowering his daughter for future success. “Do yoga, learn ‘bout karma//Find God, but leave the dogma//The quickest way to happiness? Learning to be selfless//Ask more questions, talk about yourself less.” “Buckshot” is a tale reminiscent of Macklemore’s past life as a Seattle graffiti artist.

Incorporating beats from veteran producing legends DJ Premier, Macklemore sends the listener back to the nineties with the piano-oriented beats and a harsh bassline.

The pair’s staying power, though, comes from the heels of their politically-centric music, and this album does not disappoint. In “Kevin,” Macklemore pens a moving eulogy to his friend Kevin, who previously died of a prescription drug overdose. Over a melancholy beat, Macklemore channels his “Same Love” self from the Heist to write a poignant message on drug overdose in America, culminating in his call for action to American pharmaceutical companies: “I blame the pharmacy companies//And country that spends trillions fighting the war they supplying themselves//Politicians and business and jail//Public defenders and judges who fail//So America, is it really worth it?

I’m asking you.”

Macklemore’s most controversial song, “White Privilege II,” is also his most conflicted.

Macklemore discusses his place as a white rapper in an Afro-centric profession, surrounded by the recent racial tensions stemming from police brutality and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. He criticizes himself for his previous silence on racial tension, yet opens the song at a Black Lives Matter protest in which he wonders whether or not he is out of place protesting with his African-American peers. He puts the blame on himself for manipulating the cultural identities of another ethnic group, and challenges others in his field to stand up for African Americans when they face such persecution.

Overall, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made represents a return to the same sociopolitical activism that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis dabbled in previously, yet does not retain the same pop vibes that many of their hits in The Heist had.

In this album, the pair return to rap’s roots to deliver a stirring album that hits on almost all cylinders, and is sure to lead Macklemore and Ryan Lewis back to where the album began: on the Grammy stage, getting an award for the best mess made all year.

How to immigrate to Canada ft. Trump

BY ESHANI MEHTA

R

ecently, Donald Trump has been leading the polls and has become the most popular Republican candidate. While some may rejoice at this news, for most this causes fear and unrest about the future

On the immigration website, there is a short assessment for interested individuals to determine their immigration eligibility. Immigration programs include an express entry pool for skilled workers, family sponsorships, a start-up visa and programs for immigrant investors, self-employed individuals and caregivers. If you can’t find a program for you, temporary resident permits can be issued.

If your application is approved, then it is time to pack all your personal items and travel up to the Great White North.

To keep the permanent resident status, you must live in Canada for at least two of the upcoming five years. If becoming a citizen of Canada sounds appealing, then you must live in Canada for six years and be present in the country for four of those years.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY CLAIRE CHIANG

of the nation. Moving to Canada seems to be a popular option among those that can’t imagine living in a country with Donald Trump as President. While moving to Canada may not be as easy as it seems, if you do manage to convince your family and finish the application process, I wish you luck on your life up North!

While this may seem obvious, getting on the immigration website may not be as easy as it seems. Accessing the Canadian government’s citizenship and immigration website may be a challenge due to the rush of visitors the website received starting Super Tuesday, which was when Donald Trump received a majority of Republican delegates.

After qualifying for a certain immigration program, an application form has to be filled out. The form depends on the program that you will be applying to, but supporting documents such as language proficiency test results have to be submitted no matter which program you apply for.

You will also have to pay a fee of $366 to be submitted to the Canada immigration process visa office.

“LET’S TALK QUOTE GUIDELINES

lfway between columns OR in column between paragraphs—whichever works betyout

EXAMPLE pro (except quotation marks) n marks are gotham narrow 13/13 (because kristen) 13/13 “TAEKWONDO HAS ALSO old condensed ALLOWED ME TO DO STUFF on: condensed THAT I NEVER THOUGHT ight: 0p6, width: 10p5 I COULD DO BEFORE. I ween quote/line, quote/attribution ergy, or my down there,” said Cai. “I was his first shows, sexual innuendos in comedy, but very little time, and BREAK he media, TV

BY THE EPIC STAFF COULD BOARDS is taught of the reality of sex,” said McCaffree. “Everything was my first time, so we were like ‘Why don’t we give it a shot’ le in theex same text box, 13/12 centers onHANDS.” this act of sexual intercourse, but there’s so much lasted about 10 BARE is the three-letter word we start giggling at when and it was pretty okay, and it worked out. HeWITH MY more to it. it was kind of anticlimactic for me.” we see it on our elementary school 1p0 standardized tests. seconds, p around bounding box, around all sosides Sex is in our jokes, our ads, in the Shakespeare plays we

SAYS LOLA DE LEóN OF THE BRIEF WONDE OF OSCAR WAO: SEX. THAT NEVER GOES A

S

Media misinformation read for class--in the creation of all living bodies.

Sheldon on “The Big Bang Theory” calls it “coitus.” Rachel “We are sexual beings,” said Dr. Konstance McCaffree, twotime president of the American Association of Sex Educators, and Ross from “Friends” call it “the stuff.” But regardless of Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). “But the fact is that sex the names it’s given, sex is always sex. And when it appears in is a decision someone has to make, and that turns it into a the media to the extent that it does, adolescents are exposed whole different ball game because your pleasure can take to different sexual messages and pressures, many of which may be incorrect. over.”

A survey conducted by the U.S. National Library of MediFor senior Brian Hong*, he fell into the pleasure trap Mccine (USNLM) reveals that teens rank the media as the primaCaffree described the first time he made that decision.

“It was a hook up [and] I think one thing that I regret is I ry source of sexual knowledge, outranked only by sex educawish my first time was with someone I truly loved. And I was tion. The USNLM also noted that through films and television, During the early 1940s Korea was about sex, s invention in the 1900s in Okiimpressionable viewers may form misconceptions lucky enough for my second time to be with someone I really such as the idea that sex is risk-free, or should be done beloved, but my first time it just kind of went too far, and we occupied by Japan, and during that time, n, karate has spread all over the both didn’t use our best judgment,” said Hong. “I don’t regret cause “everyone is doing it.”

Okinawan karate inhelped Korean martial nly became popular inI the U.S.that in I didn’t do “Especially mainstream media they always portray the action within itself, just regret it with [people] to be really experienced someone I love.” artists develop taekwondo. however, when American troops While first times can be plenty awkward on their own, and really knowledgeable of what however, e karate theycanlearned while they’re doing, but it’s so not true. hookups be especially painful. staIn fact, hookupsUnlike are often karate, so many things a source of regret: a recent study conducted on 200taekwondo Canadian There’s focuses morethat go pan back home. undergraduate students found that 78 percent of women and wrong,” said Cai. “In mainstream on speed and agility. ore Alex Thwin is a black belt 72 percent of men who had uncommitted sex reported regret media, when they have sex they lastAdish like 30 minutes?

Junior Jain isThat a didn’t r one who practices karate, who following such an encounter.

Speaking about his own hookup, Hong said, “There wasn’t happen.” first-degree black belt in racticing the art for seven years.

Hong’s first sexual encounter physical intimacy. It wasn’t me giving her my love, it was just taekwondo and contrasted has found helps with being with meme beingself reallycontrol, horny . . . and I think for someone like me, also heavily dia expectations. who really values deep connections, there’s something just the experience to be reour surroundings, and self“I think that in terms of pop not right about doing it with someone you’re just physically wardingculture, bothit’s mentally andwe aid Thwin.

“As kind of because attracted to.” a student, you are watch these romcoms or romanSenior Joshua Wood* shares his own first time with a o control yourself, and know when physically. partner he was comfortable around, wary of the potential tic movies that we have these un“Taekwondo has also appropriate. helps you to realistic expectations of not only ramificationsKarate of the experience. love, but also said Hong. “It’s “It was something fun.

We both liked each other and trustallowed me to dosex,” stuff meet those requirements.” each other enough to do it. There was no point in not doing not this earth shattering moment that I never thought I to be. It’s Thwin’sed experias people make it out it, most since we memorable were both interested and I know how to conduct thatsaid you should sortwhen of thing safely,” said senior Joshua Wood*.could “The riskdosomething before,” Jain.put a karate this was he placed first of sexually transmitted diseases was very low, and the risk lot of consideration into, but at “ I learned how to break ment. of The tournament was made attracting pregnancy can be greatly reduced through birth the same time it’s just a personal boards divisions: which of We were choice.”my bare controlkata, methods, so there consists were no problems. both with comfortable with each other and we were very close friends.” hands.” Additionally, a study done by researchers at the UniverpunchesMutual and interest kicks,andweapons kata, consent in having sex is generally one sity of California, Santa Barbara revealed that only 14 percent participated in ainboard-breakng. “The tournament was very of programs with sexual content 2005 mentioned conseof many prerequisites for the act; for senior Audrey Cai*,Jain hav- once quences like unplanned pregnancies and STDs, or showed ing some level of intimacy also plays a key factor. ing tournament against older black belts. id Thwin.

“I have basically one base requirement for sex, and it’s “sexual responsibility,” such as using protection.

“It’s a breakdown of communication and expectations. that I have to have an emotional connection with the person I’m having sex or else I feel like it’s not worth my time my en- The funny and pleasurable parts of sex are taught in social

3 COLUMN EXAMPLE

ADISH JAIN JUNIOR

Sex appeal It would be easy to blame teenage sex on media influence and hormones, but the explanation is more complicated, involving a variety of other factors such as those stated in our survey: religion, parents, and peers, Still, there is truth in the cliché: according to the Harvard Mental Health Letter, the link between the prefrontal cortex and the midbrain reward system remains incomplete in adolescent brains. Simply put, adolescents are especially susceptible to the value of novel, exciting experiences, including sex.

“I think [the desire to have sex is] more just the horny “We had tofelt domuch flying kicks the teenager phase.

I never pressure,” said to Cai. break “I had hormones, he had hormones; we wanted to fulfill the horboard, which is hard because the boards a mones.” super highareinonly the Jain.

But hormones partair,” of thesaid equation.

Sex and peer pressure have infamously As theancompetition banal relationship, but again, progressed, it eventually the stereotype retains some truth.

Whiledown Cai mayto notJain have and o came felt pressure to have sex, a of their highest-ranking 2003 survey by the Kaiser Familyblack Foundation found that 33 belts. percent of teenage males and “I was nervous becau 23 percent of females feel peer he was extremely good,” pressure to have sex.

“In your teenage years, said Jain. “But I was also you’re being exposed to so surprised had actu many different that people I and events and you’re still trying ally made it that far. The to figure out your own norm-other belt fir who you are,black what you want went for yourself,” said McCaffree. but when he did his kick With this added indepenhe wasn’t reach t dence, having sex able may notto necessarily change teen’s perceptarget.

But when I did m tions of themselves, but during flying kick, I was able to the tender years of high school, earning it touch can affectthe howboard, others perceive them as more sexually active than most. myself first place.”

“I think especially here at Lynbrook, because most of my Judo is another was bor guy friends haven’t had their firstmartial kisses yet, itart just that made me feel really old,” said Hong.

“Maybe I took that step maybe a bit in Japan. In this sport, the primary goal is too soon -- I feel like I should have waited a bit because now there’s this disconnect between me and my friends. They know me as guy who has done everything, and they haven’t

“WE HAVE GLORIFIED EXPECTATIONS OF NOT ONLY LOVE, BUT SEX. SEX IS NOT THIS EARTH SHATTERING MOMENT PEOPLE MAKE IT OUT TO BE.” BRIAN HONG* SENIOR

4 COLUMN EXAMPLE

ABOUT SEX” DO YOU BELIEVE SEXUAL ACTIVITY IS COMMON AMONG LYNBROOK STUDENTS?

EROUS LIFE AWAY.

AT WHAT AGE IS IT OKAY FOR SOMEONE TO BE INVOLVED IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY?

HOW LONG SHOULD TWO PEOPLE BE DATING BEFORE THEY ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY? WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR OPINIONS ON SEXUAL ACTIVITY?

done anything.”

On the other hand, from a couple’s standpoint, sex can positively affect a relationship given the right restraints and conditions. Researchers from the University of Toronto Mississauga looked at data from the U.S. General Social Survey (GSS) on more than 25,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 89, analyzing marital/relationship status and sexual frequency over the past 12 months. For those in relationships, they found there is a positive trend between happiness and sexual frequency, but only up to a point. From the paper: “There was a significant linear relationship between sexual frequency and well-being for people having sex once a week or less… and no association for people having sex more than once a week.” The study’s once-a-week correlation held true regardless of age, gender, or length of relationship.

For high school couples in particular, for which the length of relationship is much shorter, there are other positive benefits to sex that can build upon a couple’s relationship. “[After sex] we’ve been able to be a lot more open with each other,” said Cai. “I’m not very secure about my body, but then after having sex, and doing it multiple times repeatedly in many different conditions, it’s made me realize how nice it is that he appreciates how I look, he appreciates who I am, and it’s made our relationship a lot stronger just because we have another bond to go by.”

And while some may choose to be sexually active before marriage, others deliberately choose not to.

“I don’t think [premarital sex] is necessarily a bad thing. I am religious, and I think Christianity does uphold the values that you should stay abstinent before marriage,” said senior Esther Kao. “But I also think a lot of people have the misconception that sex is something really dirty and shouldn’t be done, when it’s actually one of the purest forms of connection and intimacy. It’s something special that should be shared with one person.”

Though Cai has engaged in premarital sex, she shared a similar sentiment.

“I don’t personally, but if your religious beliefs clearly don’t work with premarital sex, don’t do it. Other than that I think that if you practice safe sex, you know what you’re doing . . . it’s your body,” said Cai. Double up How curiously fascinating the human body is - that both males and females have reproductive body parts and yet the two genders are treated in different ways.

The sexual double standard may be best represented by one immortal scene from Woody Allen’s Annie Hall -- Alvy’s therapist: How often do you sleep together? Annie’s therapist: Do you have sex often? Alvy: Hardly ever. Maybe three

times a week. Annie: Constantly. I’d say three times a week.

In American society, men have high expectations for their sexual endeavors, whereas women are believed to be less inclined to engage in sex. For instance, at any given drugstore, there is no shortage of female birth control methods. While male contraception is generally limited to just the condom, our society has come up with inventions such as morningafter pills, birth control pills and diaphragms for women.

“It’s drilled into girls that they should not have sex while it is drilled into guys through their social surroundings that they should have sex,” said Wood.

While men are generally looked down upon if they interact with women with the sole incentive of having sexual intercourse, their ability to seduce women is considered a positive trait and suggests masculinity. Women, on the other hand, are not met with the same attitudes.

“It’s like the guy who has lots of sex - he’s a beast, he’s a monster, he’s awesome, and then with the girl it’s like ‘Oh, she’s a whore.” I think that’s really unfortunate - it’s an unfortunate byproduct of years of misogyny and misunderstanding of the nature of sex,” said Hong. “People don’t really consider the fact that some girls have different needs from guys, so you can’t really hold the two to the same standard.”

The Singles in America 2015 study revealed that adult males reported having an average of 14.6 sexual partners in their lifetime, while adult females reported a much lower average of 8.4 partners. The double standard of having sex could have motivated men to participate in more sexual intercourse and women to participate in fewer amounts of sexual activity. Alternatively, the negative stigma surrounding female sexual activity could have motivated the women in the study to report having had fewer sexual partners.

For many women, then, sexuality is somewhat of a tabooed topic as well as a hindrance to equality. Women’s reluctance to share their sexual activity experiences will hopefully decrease as society learns to accept women as sexual beings akin to men. “[Society’s response to double standards] is getting better since women have a lot more rights than before. Since sexual liberation was introduced, opinions toward sexuality in general have only gotten more and more progressive. People are becoming more okay with women exploring their sexualities.

It’s their body, it’s their business. They should be able to do what they want without shame or judgement,” said Wood.

Educating the masses Introductions differ, but for much of America, sex education is a child’s first foray into sex.

26 states teach abstinence-only sex education, in which students are taught to only have sex after marriage and are

*the Epic surveyed 859 respondents in total given no information on topics such as birth control. But multiple studies found that states with abstinence-only sex education programs have no significant impact on abstinence and mixed results on whether students favored abstinence.

In some states, sexual behaviors actually increased.

All FUHSD schools teach comprehensive sex education, which aims to inform students about all sex-related issues, including abstinence, reproductive health and birth control.

But junior Amiya Dutta noted that Lynbrook’s comprehensive sex ed is still less detailed than what she learned at her previous school. “[I used to see] a couple pregnant students walking around, and especially during sexual education bio freshman year, you guys just talk about the use of condoms,” said Dutta.

“And then at my old school we talked about at least 10 different methods of contraception. Abstinence was never brought up. They offered us a big basket of condoms, [like] ‘take them if you want them, you might need them.’”

Comprehensive sex education programs also appears to make a larger impact on sexual behaviors; a 2007 study by the Journal of Adolescent Health showed that 32 comprehensive sex education programs nationwide delayed sexual initiation, reduced sex frequency and reduced unprotected sex, among other positive effects. Still, comprehensive sex education’s lack of emotional teachings has received criticism.

“The one thing that’s missing from this culture, from sexual education across the country, is people don’t know how to talk about sex. They don’t know how to communicate on a sexual level at all,” said McCaffree. “You have to ask your partner, what do we want from this relationship? What do we want to be doing?”

A Cleveland State University study found that more communication is linked to greater sexual satisfaction. But nearly all sex ed programs, including Lynbrook’s, tend to gloss over those important conversations and cues.

“Sex ed [at Lynbrook] doesn’t do anything to debunk the popular perceptions of sex . . .we know how to put on a condom, but sex ed doesn’t say anything about the nature of sex,” said Hong.

Resolution We may still giggle or even awkwardly laugh at the topic, but sex is everywhere. It exists outside of the screen, outside of freshmen biology classes and idealized fantasies. Centuries from now, sex will never truly go away, as it retains an emotional potency connecting people, creating life. When it comes down to it, sex is a reality in any culture - whether it be high school, college, or married living -- and it is one we would do well to acknowledge and accept. *names kept anonymous for privacy

THE REALITY OF THE CONFIDENCE GAP

Uncovering the source of differing self-esteem levels between genders

BY CLAIRE CHIANG & HARSH JAIN

labeled as aggressive,” said Dawn Bridges, Lynbrook’s student advocate. “I would love n March of 1972, the U.S. passed the Equal for our female population to feel more confiRights Amendment, which in writing and dent in who they are. A lot of girls don’t.”

Most would assume that women from a in theory fulfilled the decades-long battle for gender equality. The bill, a dynamic soci- developed nation, such as America, would ety-changing protocol, was thought to be the experience a narrower confidence gap than end of the discrimination women faced so those in third world countries. Yet women in Western society experience a greater confievidently in their lives at the time.

44 years later, however, it is apparent that dence gap than their counterparts in less dewomen have not gained the rights promised veloped countries.

“In countries that people consider less to them. Today’s women hold only 14.2 percent of the top five leadership positions at developed, there are female leaders and we the companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500, have yet to do that as well,” said senior Ishita a list of the top earning corporations in the Dubey. “Women are more liberated here, but nation. In fact, there is a higher chance that there’s still a systematic oppression in socia woman will get some form of cancer than ety and the view of women that they’re less hold an executive position in a company. The capable than men.”

Developed countries also provide more clear disparity that women face in the workplace as well as in society has worsened over opportunities for men and women to work the past decade, creating an environment in alongside each other, which increases chances of comparison. The more comparison that which a clear confidence gap has emerged.

The confidence gap is defined as the dif- takes place, the more backlash women face ference in assuredness between males and for certain actions; the more society dictates females—men tend to overestimate their how women should act, the less confident abilities, while women are inclined to do the women begin to feel.

The difference in confidence also affects opposite. This gap is not new; high-achieving women may suffer from imposter syndrome, how women face specific situations and inin which they believe they have merely fooled teractions in their everyday lives, leading to people into believing they are accomplished consequences in corporate negotiations in when they actually are not. These situations particular. Linda Babcock, an economics prohave been written and spoken about since fessor at Carnegie Mellon University, found that women negotiated for salaries four 1978 by various figures and publications.

Societal actions contribute to the rein- times less often than men and that when they forcement of a confidence gap by implying did, they asked for 30 percent less than what that women should not be granted the same men asked for. But the confidence gap exists rights as men and do not deserve to be treated at all stages of life through discrimination that women face early in fairly. In 2013, a woman their lives, especially in who had been working middle and high school. in the same Iowa dental A study conducted office for over a decade “WOMEN ARE MORE LIBERATwith the same boss was ED HERE, BUT THERE’S STILL by the Occidental Weekfired from her job after A SYSTEMATIC OPPRESSION ly confirmed that fehe began viewing her as IN SOCIETY AND THE VIEW OF male students earn high math and science irresistibly attractive. In WOMEN THAT THEY’RE LESS school credits at the same rate another case, a woman as male students. Yet at Phoenix Satellite CAPABLE THAN MEN.” despite these statistics, Television was denied the right to sue her boss ISHITA DUBEY women in a study run by for sexual harassment SENIOR Cornell University estimated that they scored because she was an un5.8 on a scientific reapaid intern. As a woman soning test while men and a victim of sexual harassment, she could not say she had been estimated that they scored 7.6. The actual sexually harassed because society dictated scores were 7.9 and 7.5 for men and women that her safety was not as important as her respectively.

“We tell young women that they can’t be monetary value.

“If you look at stereotypical comments, as good as men in STEM field, and we don’t women are called negative things and they’re tell boys the same things,” said senior Shailja

Somani. “Women feel they shouldn’t apply for an internship or college because they feel like a man would be suited better for it, and they’re told that by their peers constantly.”

This mentality can be harmful to women, especially since that young lack of assuredness frequently continues into adulthood, and can ultimately contribute to the workplace confidence gap that women have in the workplace. Women who try to act as equal counterparts to males or who are assertive enough to take a stand against gender disparities are often shot down while males are often applauded for such actions.

Despite the praises of so-called equality in today’s age, it is evident that a disparity still exists between men and women, especially in corporate environments.

inely good people, but at conferences with a diverse pool of schools and students, the confidence gap is more distinct and prevalent, especially without the looming threat of teacher discipline or administrative action.

During MUN committees and conferences, I always see an abundance of young, confident guys and know that I have to outspeak them to be noticed. Oftentimes during conferences, guys in committee have talked over me, or--even worse--barely acknowledged my presence and it makes me question myself. Am I as good as the guys?

One specific girl told me that the her coach was especially focused on helping the boys on the team--not only was she one of the only girls on the team, but she began to perform worse and lose confidence because she felt excluded from the team.

When I was a freshman, a male senior messaged me and offered to help me learn more about the club we were both in and his openness made me feel welcome. So, I took him up on it; I probably messaged him about twice that summer. A few months later,

my team was at a tournament where he participated as a judge. When I returned from a bathroom break, I saw my male coach and the guys on my team laughing with the judge.

I later found out that they were talking about me; he was saying that I super “annoying” and that I “constantly” messaged him, “always” asking for help. I was outraged, and embarrassed; not only had he humiliated me in front of all my peers, but he was blatantly lying as well. I began to feel like I wasn’t even a part of my own team anymore; my confidence plummeted during that tournament and I performed worse than I ever before.

The disparity in confidence between men and women starts to build during high school; I know because I’ve seen it, and so have my peers.

Honestly, the best remedy to this issue is to just perform to your fullest potential; forget gender and your competitors. Try as hard as you can, regardless of the circumstances, and when you become the best at what you do, know that it had nothing to do with whether you’re a girl or a guy.

I

ANYA POPLAVSKA//IN MY OPINION

Am I as good as the guys?

W

hile men and women often get compared in the workplace, it’s different for high schoolers--quite different. Sure, we have school, but the real place where high school girls often get discriminated against is in clubs and in activities related to STEM. When it comes to leadership positions, or anything competitive, I’ve personally experienced differences in confidence between the genders. After all, if

you’re one of the few females in a room, it’s hard to not feel like you’re at a disadvantage.

For instance, one of my friends wants to be an officer of a specific STEM club, but has been rejected twice already. She says she is sometimes too intimidated to go to the meetings, because she doesn’t want to be the only girl in the room. The more girls in the STEM, the more officers, and consequently more role models in the field. That’s her dream, but it should be a reality.

I might not be a STEM girl, but I participate in clubs involving public speaking and fierce competition. During these stressful meetings I’ve noticed a disparity in the way women and men are viewed--guys have told my female friends, in all seriousness, to “drop out” of clubs and activities because they weren’t “good enough.” When dressing in business attire, girls have been told that our normallength skirts are too short. Debate judges tell girls to be less aggressive--while boys are encouraged to be more dominant.

It goes without saying that guys at Lynbrook are generally respectful and genu-

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BY SOPHIA LING

GLOBAL EFFECTS OF EL NIÑO

BY ESHANI MEHTA

I

n the aftermath of the severe storms in the Bay Area, El Niño appears to be a positive change for California. Scientifically, an “El Niño” storm is a temporary shift in the world climate caused when the ocean surface warms up by a few degrees Celsius.

Although these abnormalities may seem inconsequential, El Niño’s global advancements can be much more dramatic; in fact, climate experts predict extreme weather changes, such as heavy rain, flooding, droughts, melting polar ice caps, a drop in temperatures and more in various parts of the world.

INFOGRAPHIC BY CATHERINE HUANG

Despite the dot-com crash, Silicon Valley continued to maintain its status as one of the world’s leading research and [those jobs]. They had a huge plant [at the corner of Sarato- development centers. With a steady influx of scientists and ga-Sunnyvale and Homestead],” said Pugh. “There were just engineers. and numerous high-tech companies in the area, hundreds of mostly high school students--very seasonal--and the valley has become a renowned center of technology. you’d just be pulling pits out of apricots and things like that, The valley is now also home to a significant number of and packaging them in boxes. It wasn’t automated.”

“Unicorn” ventures, or startup companies whose valuation The sprawling orchards and hilltop wineries of the valley has exceeded one billion dollars. The Silicon Valley currently lasted until the mid-1960s, and the area did not fully transi- has the highest concentration of high-tech workers in any tion into the electronic powerhouse it is today until it arrived metropolitan area, as well as the highest average high-tech at an intersection of several essential factors. salary at $144,800. The area also has the most millionaires In 1951, Stanford’s Dean of Engineering, Frederick Tur- and billionaires in the United States per capita, largely due to man, began developing Stanford Research Park, where the its high technology sector. university leased out land for bargain prices to attract high “It’s been nteresting to see the cultural change from hotech companies. Turman, who is often acknowledged as one mogeneous white and Hispanic neighborhoods to a mix of of the fathers of Silicon Valley, also greatly expanded Stan- everything now,” said Euler. “[There are] lots of people here ford’s science, statistics and engineering departments. With from different parts of the world, but the bad part for some of companies like Lockheed Martin and General Electric at the them is that the housing prices have skyrocketed.” research park and a budding institution nearby, the mid-PenAs the valley’s main industry has turned toward technolinsula area was well on its way to technological fame. ogy, highly-skilled and predominantly Asian immigrants have William Shockley, who invented the junction transistor moved into the area, while poorer residents no longer have and founded Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory in Moun- the means to keep up with the increasing cost of living. tain View, is widely credited as the valley’s other creator.

“Unless your parents have bought the house years ago and Although his company would later be they left it to you, you’re not generally surpassed by Fairchild Semiconductor, able to buy [into this particular area] Shockley’s establishment was the first to “IT’S GETTING ASTRONOMI- easily just because the cost of cost of develop the silicon semiconductor devicis so high,” said history teacher CALLY EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF entry es Silicon Valley would later be named for.

Kyle Howden, who attended Lynbrook By the 1970s, the area’s newfound LIVING COSTS. IT’S AN INDICA- in the 1990s. recognition inevitably led to a great influx TION OF A HEALTHY ECONOMY, While the valley’s high tech indusof immigrants, though factors such as the BUT IT’S ALSO PROBLEMATIC. try has thrived, residential construcmass exodus of Vietnamese refugees also IT CAUSES, TO SOME DEGREE, tion has not kept up with job growth, played a role. In just 30 years, the Asianresulting in exceptionally high housing SOME SOCIAL UNREST.” American population in the region rose prices out of the range of non-high tech from 43,000 to 430,000, while the Latino KYLE HOWDEN workers. population grew to comprise 30 percent In 2015, less than 25 percent of HISTORY TEACHER workers and just 40 percent of houseof San Jose’s population.

These immigrants contributed sigholds in metro San Jose could rent or nificantly to both the high-tech and probuy average-priced housing in the area, duction workforce, bringing with them a according to a report by the Silicon Valvariety of imported talents and ideologies that benefited the ley Competitiveness and Innovation Project. production of many large corporations.

“It’s getting astronomically expensive in terms of living Another main movement, the beginning of venture capital costs,” said Howden. “It’s an indication of a healthy economy, investments, became a huge part of the valley’s economic be- but it’s also problematic. It causes, to some degree, some sohavior in the 1970s; successful venture capital expenditures cial unrest. And I think you see that with some of the stuff of the time, like Genentech and Apple, are still thriving today. going on in, say San Francisco,” where protests over evictions During the early 2000s, venture capital activity again and gentrification have erupted in the past years. boomed during the Internet’s rise in commercial growth, Despite these areas of conflict, Santa Clara Valley’s rapid placing the valley under a stock market bubble. When the transformation from a cluster of small towns and orchards bubble burst, the region’s economy began slipping into a to an area of revolutionary problem solvers and innovators huge financial crisis as stocks sank and companies folded. effective solutions is unquestionable. continued from HISTORY page 1

INFOGRAPHICBY BYINDEPTH IN-DEPTHSECTION SECTION INFOGRAPHIC

Jacoby gallops to a national championship

BY HEDY ZHOU

F

ALL PHOTOS BY SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY

eeling only the thud of the hooves and the breathing of her horse, sophomore Anna Jacoby leaps over the first bar that stands in her way. As her horse gracefully completes the jump, Jacoby focuses on the next obstacle ahead of her. Over the past 7 years, riding and jumping horses has become a special part of Jacoby’s life.

Jacoby has been riding horses ever since she was eight, and her mother signed her up for a summer horseback riding class at Garrod Farms in Saratoga. It was after that summer when Jacoby realized she had found a second home in the stables.

“At first, it scared me because horses are big animals and having to control them is scary but there was always something that made me want to keep going,” said Jacoby.

“As I got better, I realized how special it was.”

For the first five years of her riding career, Jacoby practiced Western style riding; however later on her coach suggested she try English riding. Within English style riding there are different disciplines of study, and Jacoby currently focuses on three: show jumping, hunter and equitation. Show jumping is scored based on the number of obstacles cleared within a given time; hunter is scored based on the horse’s form, style and looks; and equitation is scored based on the rider’s form and ability to handle the horse.

“I switched to English [riding] because my trainer wanted to see if I would like it more,” said Jacoby. “I’ve always wanted to try it and it seems so cool.”

At practices, Jacoby either trains privately or in a group, alternating between riding her two horses: Archie, a 16 year old Belgian warmblood, and Cory, a 10 year old Czech Republic warmblood. Depending on the day, her training varies in intensity -- for jump-

ing days, the horse practices jumping to its normal competition height; for flat days, the horse is given a rest and instead works on rhythm and bonding with Jacoby.

Jacoby’s years of practice have led her to participate in a myriad of events. At her most recent national competition, HITS (Horse In The Sun) Thermal, in Palm Springs, California, Jacoby placed first with her younger horse, Cory, and eighth with her older horse, Archie, in their respective groups. The groups are based on the riders’ level, age and bar height, so each competition she enters in is slightly different from the previous one.

Although Jacoby may not place high at every competition, her attitude is what helps her overcome adversity and literally jump over obstacles that stand in the way of her passion for the sport.

“She has truly embraced the attitude that there is only winning and learning,” said Tammy Blanchette, Jacoby’s trainer. “That is going to take her a long way.”

Still in the process of recovering from an ankle injury and with her next competition coming up in mid-April, Jacoby receives much needed support from her coaches and family. From attending competitions in severe weather conditions to washing her horse-riding gear, Jacoby’s parents have supported her passion through thick and thin.

“Riding with her horses gives Anna great joy,” said Jacoby’s mother, Mrs. Schenck. “I am grateful that we have been able to provide her with opportunities to enrich both her riding and her growth as a person.”

In the future, Jacoby has considered spending a year abroad to continue her training, or finding a college that is near an equestrian center.

“I’m going to continue [riding] of course and my plan is to train, teach or ride professionally,” said Jacoby.

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Trying sports for dummies

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oosh: 10 years. It seems like they flew by just like that. 10 years of competitive gymnastics ended for me, and I felt as though someone had taken out a chunk of my life. I knew it was for the best; I had lost my love for the sport.

But what now? I had quit, and I felt empty.

I know I’m not alone in this experience. Although I had spent my whole life focusing on one sport, it was time to delve into something new. Keep in mind that trying a new sport was no easy task; most people around me had been playing sports since elementary school, so I had a huge learning curve to get over. Things worked out for me: after trying wrestling, softball and volleyball in middle school, I ended up playing softball for Lynbrook’s team. So, with my experience, I have a few tips on how to restart your athletic life.

Tip 1: Have an open mind. This is easier said than done, but being confident is essential to starting any sport late. I remember when I first tried to play volleyball in the 7th grade: there were nearly 70 girls at the tryouts, and every time I messed up, I felt like I was the worst one there. This screwed me up; I wasn’t the most patient person, and I got pissed with myself the more I missed the ball. But if you can get over this mental block and have fun with whatever you’re doing, it

will make practicing 10 times easier. There’s a simple way to overcome this frustration: just relax. The more mentally discouraged you are, the worse you’ll play. Remember: you’re (probably) not going to be an Olympian. If only I had told this to my 7th grade, overly competitive self…

Tip 2: Put in extra work. If your teammates have been playing for years and it’s your first day, you have work to do. Join recreational leagues, or even practice in your backyard.

Anything you can do, such as practicing with friends during weekends, and asking for help from your coach after practice, helps you catch up. I remember coming home after school and spiking my volleyball into my backyard fence constantly; you can do the same. Honestly, practicing regularly is very effective; if you don’t put in the extra mile, don’t expect to make the cut. Sure, I didn’t make the team, but I can promise you I would’ve had a much lower shot if I hadn’t even attempted to practice more.

Tip 3: Befriend those in the same situation.

Talk to friends who have started sports late before and who are successful now, or those who play the same sport that you do. If you guys start discussing strategies, leagues you could join and also perhaps common issues about what you have to deal with, you’ll then feel better about your endeavors. I know this helped me particularly in high school. After trying many different sports in middle school and feeling defeated and spread thin, I talked to some of my friends who had found their calling for sports freshman or sophomore year. That was when I realized I still had time to figure out what I like! There’s no ticking clock--whatever you choose invest your time in will reap benefits for you at one point.

When venturing into a new sport, your choice can help you attain your happiness.

High school is the time for one to delve into new things. So, get off your couch and go to tryouts. It’s better than sitting at home and regretting what you never tried!

Defying the stereotypes: Girls who lift

BY MICHYLA LIN

W trends.

eightlifting is commonly associated with a group of brawny boys doing pull-ups or bicep curls, but these preconceptions hide a few of its developing

SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY—EPIC

Many long term benefits besides building muscle such as increasing bone density can be attributed to weight training.

It also strengthens tendon, bone and muscle connectivity and improves motor performance.

Although weightlifting has largely been a male-dominated activity, women have begun to engage in the sport as well. A

Jessica Peng Sophomore Jessica Peng began lifting as a part of the required training for track and field.

Peng specializes in long jump and triple jump, though she also takes part in running events like the 100 meter and 4x100. Peng describes how weight lifting made her feel empowered. “[Weight training] changes your mindset,” said Peng. “In the middle set [of exercises], we may give out, but since [the coach] is really pushing us, we have to build a mental barrier that says ‘this will do good for my body even though I am in pain right now.”

When she first began lifting, Peng struggled to feel comfortable entering the weight room by the lack of the female lifters. After returning a few times with her track team members, Peng found that lifting was quite fun.

“When you go [into the weight room], it kinda diminishes your confidence because [the other lifters] seem to be able to lift two or three times what you [weigh] and you think ‘can I really do this?’,” said Peng. “[I learned to not] be afraid and go with a partner because it is more fun to do sets with someone else who can help you.”

The confidence Peng gained from weight training allowed Peng to improve in track.

“For triple jump, I always collapsed on my second step,” said Peng. “But since I’ve done more lunges with weights, I was able to improve my second jump and it helped me improve my personal record by two feet.”

Rachel Lee Junior Rachel Lee began lifting as part of her regimen for Lynbrook’s cheer team, but grew to enjoy the sport. As a cheerleading base, who supports the weight of other cheerleaders during stunts, Lee built her arm muscles in order to lift and catch her cheer team members safely.

Initially, Lee feared the results of working out, namely the idea of becoming overly muscular.

“My mom and I have always had bigger, thicker arms,” said Lee. “It’s not like you can deflate them, so I fear overworking and becoming Hulk-like.”

Lee believes similar fears about body shape are shared among others including both males and females, dictating the way that both genders view weight training.

“The guys probably see the Hollister models with six pack abs, and from a guy point of view, [media/advertising] is pressuring,” said Lee. “For girls, we see people like the Victoria Secret models who don’t necessarily have a full six pack or large arms, but who are [are well endowed]; girls see weight training more as a way to build bodies.”

Though Lee has not felt pressured herself, she noticed how cultural stereotypes of a person’s background can shape how and what muscles they work out.

“In Taiwan and Asia in general, the girls there are super skinny and pale said Lee. “I feel like different countries outside of America have stricter body stereotypes.”

SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY—EPIC

rise in women’s participation in weight sports led to the creation of women’s weightlifting events at the Olympics.

Such trailblazers have come to influence lifters at Lynbrook, such as sophomore Jessica Peng, junior Rachel Lee and senior Esther Ho, whom have all discovered the physical and mental benefits of weight training.

SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY—EPIC

Esther Ho Almost every day after school, senior Esther Ho heads to the weight room or, on occasion, the Right Stuff Health Club to lift. From free lifts that train the muscles that people use in everyday life, to cardio which increases lung capacity and endurance, Ho does it all to get in shape for a variety of sports including track and field, wrestling and volleyball. For example, Ho will do squats and deadlifts to train her leg and arm muscles for the track and wrestling seasons respectively. Along with her workouts, Ho also found that weight training has helped her in other areas. “[Weight training helps with] getting in shape and it makes you think about the other aspects of life, like eating well,” said Ho. “It helps with everyday things you never notice [such as], stress from school, and being able to cope with emotions.”

Near the end of her junior year, Ho’s eldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it was only after her sister’s diagnosis within the past school year that Ho began routinely going to the gym to find some peace of mind.

“I found out [my sister had cancer] my senior night for volleyball at school, and I didn’t really start going to the gym until this year,” said Ho. “So right after practice, all three seasons this year, I would just lift.”

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SPORTS SECTION

Badminton challenges for league crown train players.”

As a result of the lack of coaching, the players organized urrently 3-3, the Lynbrook varsity badminton team themselves into training sessions with the boys’ doubles started off strong with victories against Gunn and Palo team drilling the girls’ double team and singles players Alto in the beginning of its season. The team is trying to practicing footwork and shot drills. The self-constructed bounce back from initial setbacks -- the mapractices make the team structure difjority of the team graduated as seniors last ferent from last year’s, when coaches year -- and is training its new influx of playled the practices. ers to stay competitive this season.

“A lot of the varsity players are “COHERENCY IS ONE OF “Due to the number of senior players that helping out our JV players,” said JV THE MOST IMPORTANT we lost from graduation, we’ve been trying team captain and junior Kavi Ravuri.

PARTS OF BADMINTON. to hold out with new players and previ“In the process of teaching people, the IF YOU SUPPORT [YOUR ous junior varsity players,” said Allen Chen, varsity players refine their skills and TEAMMATES], YOU ALL DO the JV players improve significantly.” junior and co-captain of the varsity team.

“Nevertheless, we’ve defeated Palo Alto and Other than the footwork and BETTER .”

Gunn and lost to Monta Vista and Cupertino.” technical training the players learn KAVI RAVURI throughout the season, most have “I thought that because we lost a lot of JUNIOR formed closer bonds with their teampeople, we would be bad this season but we are actually doing pretty well,” said senior mates. For the players, the unity creco-captain Ithika Mirji. ates a more solidified team mentality.

Though the underclassmen strengthen “Coherency is one of the most imgroup dynamics and morale, the team lacks the overall train- portant parts of badminton,” said Ravuri. “Although it isn’t ing needed to bring the team to its highest playing potential a team sport, if you as a player support [your teammates] due to the frequent unavailability of the team’s coaches. you all do better.”

“Aside from the influx of new players, we have also In a team sport like badminton, unity cannot be changed our coaches as well,” said Chen. “Since our previous stressed enough. With continued encouragement, the capassistant coach Ivan Tieu cannot make too many practices, tains believe that everyone will be able to become more we have also added in [assistant] Gordon Ho. Even with two unified as a team, improving their match performances assistant coaches, they can rarely be at a full practice and and promising future successes down the road.

BY SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY

C

SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY—EPIC

LORD OF THE STRINGS// Junior Ethan Chuang races to the net to return a shot against Saratoga on March 22.

Meet the presidential candidates

BY SHIVATEJA VEMIREDDY

E

verwhere in the U.S., people are talking about who they think is going to be the next president. While the fate of our country is being debated over, we have a couple of students at our own school who are running to be the presidents of their own respective classes.

This is the season of elections and the competition is stiff, except for the presidential candidate of the class of 2018.

The number of officers in the student council depends on the year of the class. The incoming sophomore class (2019) will have four positions total: president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.

The incoming junior class (2018) will have five positions with there being two vice president spots and the incoming senior class (2019) with three vice president spots making six total positions. Tomorrow, April 1, see the candidates at a Q&A session during tutorial and on Mon., April 4 to listen to them give their speeches.

Left: Sophomore Saif Kausar is running to be the president for the class of 2018. Kausar is also the current president for the class and is running unopposed, however, there are five candidates contesting for two vice president spots in his class, two candidates competing for one spot and another two for one treasurer position. So, although the president position is set, there are a lot of different ways the officer team can turn out next year. Below is the message he has for his fellow classmates regarding his candidacy this year.

“Hey 2018! I’m running to be your class president (again)! In freshmen year, we were the new kids. We were figuring things out, but we were not able to do things to the fullest of 2018’s capability. In sophomore year, we killed it! Having a year of experience, 2018 was able to make the best dances, to write an excellent skit, and to have the most spirited class. In a few months, we will be juniors. With two years of experience under our belt, I believe that 2018 can dedicate, innovate, and dominate to the fullest of our capabilities.”

Above: Freshman Aayush Shah shares his platform for this election: “Hey everyone, I’m Aayush Shah, and I’m running to be your 2019 Class President! Over the year I’ve come to realize that the contributors in our class are

the ones that sat in the blazing sun painting for homecoming, spent hours choreographing dances, or used their time to organize rallies. But contributors with a vision can be leaders. Leadership isn’t about what you’ve done or what you’ll do, leadership is about the change that you want to inspire in the people around you. Our class is full of talented Mathematicians, Scientists, Artists, Dancers, Singers, and more, and if we combine all of this talent, everything we do or make would be amazing. My goal for next year, would be to enhance the attitude of everyone in the Class of 2019 to get them to care, to get all of our talent into every decoration, dance, and rally. Instead of just asking for your input and feedback, I would help get more people involved in all of the planning, so our class would be run more by the majority instead of the few. If given the distinct privilege to serve as president of our amazing class, I want to turn you and I, into WE because divided we are vulnerable, but together we’re uncruSHAHble.”

Right: Freshman Jamie Chang is the second candidate running for 2019 president. There are four candidates in total but only two of them are featured.

However, there is a candidate who is involved in a four person campaign. This is definitely an interesting campaign strategy.

“Coming in to the election, I thought I had all the

other candidates figured out and put in boxes. Then, I read about their ideas for next year. I’ve been completely re-inspired by all of them! My hope is that I’ll be elected so that I have a chance of working with these amazing people next year,” said Chang.

Above left: Junior David Lee offers a thought provoking explanation of his campaign.

“I’m running an emotional campaign. A campaign that will focus on my thoughts and experiences with certain emotions, and what I think they mean for our future as the senior class. A class of Appreciation, Pride, and Compassion is a class that I envision walking alongside for our final chapter at Lynbrook, and I would be honored if you joined me.

To Lynbrook: this election should not be about numbers. The number of profile picture changes, likes, or words crammed into a website should not determine your vote. Instead, look through the campaigns and look for meaning. Does the candidate have a clear plan? Anyone can say that they “love” the class- what have they specifically done in the past to show you that?

To the classes of 2019, 2018, and 2017, I ask that you keep all of that in mind when you cast your ballots.

Happy voting everyone!”

You can check out Lee’s website at tinyurl.com/davidseniorpres.

Above right: Junior Katherine Li offers methods of contacting her if you want to know more about her campaign.

“I’ll say it now -- I don’t believe campaigning works.

It rarely makes a difference (unless the race is tight) -- I feel that people vote based on the impression the candidate has made on them through daily interactions.

Nevertheless, I’ve taken this opportunity to express myself to you to heart. Everything I write will be my first draft, straight from the heart to the page to you.

For the general: To get a feel for the type of person I am and my VISION for next year, please read about

ME and my VISION at http://katherinelipl.wix.com/ aletterto2017!

For the details: There are way, way, WAY too many things I have to say in terms of improvement and concrete plans for next year. Therefore, if you have anything specific you want to know in terms of plans for next year and changes to be made, please ask me a question at lhscampaign.cf and I’ll answer it concretely to the best of my ability. Read my Q&A document for my previous answers (to be found on my event page!)

Join my event by searching up “Katherine H. Li || 2017 president” or by friending me and requesting a link! (It’s really long and ugly so this will probably be easier.

04/04/16 IS A SPECIAL DAY. Watch out for future updates for A SURPRISE ON MONDAY!”