The Lowell November 2011 by The Lowell

■ Not one of the lighter

urban myths, worse than deadly email forwards: cancer phones

Page 12

Backpage

Spotlight

Lowell High School, Cardinal Edition, Vol. 216 No. 3, November 4, 2011, www.thelowell.org

Lowell The

Eradicate radiation rumors?

‘O, it is my love!’

Inside

News

Pages

1-11

■ New course self-selection forms driven by technology ■ Kiwis introduce students to the sweet side of healthy eating ■ Flash mob swarms school with Middle English fun

Sports

Pages

13-18

Page

■ Inattentive girl forsakes penmanship for ambidexterity

Opinion

Pages

Page 24

State law requires inclusion of LGBT history in public school curriculum

daniel green

In a rehearsal of the school’s Romeo and Juliet production, senior Nick Balestrieri, as Romeo, professes his love for Juliet, played by junior Quinn Francis in the play’s famous balcony scene on Oct. 26. The play ran from Oct. 27-30. See the fall play photo essay on page 6.

he governor signed a law in July that requires all California public schools to incorporate historical contributions by the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community into K-12 social studies classes. The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act mandates the California Board of Education to require public schools to teach about LGBT Americans’ involvement in history. This law signals a new climate of acceptance for the LGBT community, joining the legalization of gay marriage in New York and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” a policy that for the past 18 years restricted gay men and women from serving openly in the military. LGBT history lessons are expected to be added into the California curriculum, by January 2012, according to the July 15 San Francisco Chronicle article: “New state law requires LGBT history in textbooks.” However, social studies teacher and Gay Straight Alliance sponsor Monty Worth stated that the San Francisco Unified School District probably lacks the funds to revamp social studies textbooks until 2015 due to the budget crisis. Given the time frame to integrate the sensitive topic into the curriculum, many teachers have not yet determined how they will incorporate the new lessons into social studies classes. “I think it’ll definitely be a few years before they have some good materials,” Worth said. In considering the possibilities, Worth described potential lesson plans featuring rumored gay authors such as William Shakespeare and Walt Whitman and famous court cases involving gay defendants like that of Lawrence v. Texas, See LGBT CURRICULUM on Page 5

Very early admission benefits 13 seniors By Natalia Arguello-Inglis

college offered admissions interviews to seniors this month and admitted thirteen seniors on-the-spot, the first time on-the-spot college admissions have occurred at Lowell. The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences decided to offer this opportunity for the first time to students at the school after being impressed by Lowell graduates who attended in the past, according to counselor Jeffrey Yang, According to Yang, the college will most likely return to Lowell to hold on-the-spot admissions interviews in the future. Lowell is the first school on the West coast that MCPHS has chosen to make on-the-spot admissions available to.

The opportunity was announced both on SchoolLoop and in the senior bulletin, and students were required to sign up with Yang for an interview. Students were also asked to bring a copy of their personal statement, common application, transcript and standardized test scores. Students were informed of their admissions and scholarships decisions immediately after the interview and all thirteen of the Lowell students who applied were admitted, according to Yang. Yang began discussing the possibility of holding on-the-spot admissions interviews three years ago with MCPHS associate director of admissions Alan Beaudoin. This is the first time on-the-spot college admissions have ever been made available to Lowell

College search site available to students again

students, Yang said. Many students find that on-the-spot admissions gives them an advantage over those who apply regularly. “For me it was more beneficial just because I consider myself a better interviewee, so I get an advantage because I can actually talk to the admissions people instead of just being another number in the thousands of applicants,” said senior Nicole Gee, who was accepted to MCPHS after her interview with Beaudoin on Oct. 18. Getting ahead in the race for college admissions allowed the accepted seniors increased their peace of mind. “It feels good to be accepted to one college already, because now I know I at least have that,” Gee said. A version of this story first appeared on www.thelowell.org

Trio’s turf tug-of-war

By Jeffrey Wong

■ Reporter believes NBA lockout is petty squabble between players and team owners, unfair to fans

Columns

+ 30 days + countless mugs of coffee = ridiculous plotlines

Today

What’s What’s

■ November + 50,000 words

By Isabel Boutiette and Campbell Gee

In the news In the news

ired after a stressful week? Ready to celebrate the end of another grading period? What better way to unwind than to come to Open Mic Night, a celebration of the creativity of Lowell students. Tonight, come watch students perform spoken word poetry, soulful music and rip-roaring comedy at 7 p.m. in the choir room. The Spoken Word club, the event’s organizer, invites you to spit some rhymes at the open mic. Did we mention that there’s FREE FOOD?

Novel writers anonymous

21-23

■ YouthVote deserves more attention to teach upcoming voters about election system ■ Free MUNI for youth unwise in light of budget crisis

he Parent Teacher Student Association is funding another year of Naviance, a college search website, to help seniors search for colleges and work on applications. The site is available in addition to ConnectEDU, which is paid for by the San Francisco Unified School District. In August, when SFUSD rolled out ConnectEDU, a college search website, for all public high schools, the counselors and assistant principal of student support services Michael Yi decided to cancel Naviance to save the money required to subscribe for the program, according to Yi. But Naviance would not allow Lowell to cancel its 2011-2012 agreement signed in May. Because the contract lasted from Oct. 2010- Oct. 2011, students could still access Naviance, even during the summer. Students who have still not started using Naviance need only ask their counselors for their username and password. A complete version of this story first appeared on www.thelowell.org

daniel green

Construction workers lay the artificial turf for the new football field on Oct. 11. For sports’ players opinions on the new field, see page 15.

2 NEWS

November 4, 2011

NEWSBRIEFS

Freshmen attend college fair

The freshmen class attended a mandatory fair on Oct. 12 as a supplement to the new college preparation curriculum. The fair was held from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the gym, dance studio, orchestra room and choir room. Students did not miss their classes as the activity occurred before school on a special schedule day while the PSAT was administered predominantly to sophomores. Attendance was checked during the 15-minute orientation in the auditorium for students to receive credit for their college and career classes. This was the first career fair since it is the first time that the elective is being incorporated into all freshmen academic classes. “I thought the best part of the fair was seeing all the presentations, because on a regular daily basis you wouldn’t be able to talk to all these people with various professions,” freshman Joanna You said. The fair offered a variety of presentations from doctors, real estate agents, the U.S. military force members, San Francisco fire fighters, police, psychiatrists, lawyers and more. “To get the presenters to come here we contacted the Parent Teacher Student Association and other resources that we know to recruit people from different professions,” assistant principal of student support services Michael Yi said. The students were given worksheets to complete and turn in. The worksheet provided questions to ask the presenters and provided space for students to take notes on three presentations. Freshmen who chose to take the PSAT received the assignment later and completed it with instructions from their registry teacher, according to freshman Jennifer Chan. The administration organized the fair to supplement the college and career curriculum by introducing a variety of possibilities. “This was the opportunity for us to provide students with firsthand knowledge about any particular profession or career,” Yi said. “Firsthand knowledge is more useful and attractive to students.” This is the first year of the fair and there will be an opportunity to tweak it in the future. — Michelle Hwang

Course selection goes technical This year, students are using a new, Scantronbased course selection method to reduce the time needed for data entry and planning of the master schedule. However, students’ say in class selection will still be preserved. The new course request forms are scanned sheets on which students wrote the names of their courses, and counselors manually entered the course ID numbers into the school’s computer system. “It took at least a couple of weeks to enter and check over all the data,” counselor Jeffrey Yang said. “With the new Scantrons, it will be possible to get data more quickly for department heads to formulate the master schedule.” Assistant principal of student support services Michael Yi said in an e-mail that the changes are a way to make the course selection process more efficient while preserving students’ opportunity to take the courses they want. Some students are concerned that the Scantrons are susceptible to mistakes. “In terms of convenience, I didn’t mind filling in the Scantron in addition to the course request sheet,” senior Katrina Wu said. “The only problem is that students can easily write down or bubble in the wrong codes.” To address this concern, counselors requested that all students still complete and submit the old program worksheets. These can be used to verify the information completed on the scan sheets. Yi said that around 80-100 scan sheets were incomplete or had errors, but counselors were able to refer to the worksheets to find the correct information about students’ class selections. Since the scan sheets are barcoded, it would be problematic if students misplace them. “There are no available replacements at this time, so if the sheets get lost, counselors would have to manually put in data,” Yi said. For now, the scan sheets are only used for course selection; the administration hasn’t decided whether the self-scheduling Arena will involve scan sheets as well. — Carmen Lin f o r t h e c o m p l e t e v e r s i o n s of stories, please visit

The Lowell on the Web

www.thelowell.org

Lowell High School

Barbers display razor-sharp skill By Adam Chac and Seric Kaekwan

WO STUDENTS provide haircuts at a makeshift barbershop after school in the boys’ locker room. Sophomores Harrison Lee and Kenny Okagaki offer their haircutting services once a week on varying days in a corner of the boys’ locker room near the showers. “It’s the most convenient place to do it, there’s an outlet right here, there are chairs, we clean up after ourselves and the teachers are okay with it,” Okagaki said about the service. Lee and Okagaki charge nothing, but they accept a $5 donation per haircut, using the money to buy equipment, including clippers, brooms and dustpans. One student expressed satisfaction with the convenience, affordability, and quality of Lee and Okagaki’s service. “I go to them to get a haircut because it’s cheap, looks good afterward, and it’s right at school,” sophomore Dillon Rue Easterling said. Lee and Okagaki started this service in their freshmen year. “It’s a good way to earn some extra cash and it’s also a creative outlet,” Okagaki said. The idea sprang from Class of 2010 alum Calvin Ma, who also ran a makeshift barbershop at the school, where Lee partook of his services. “Calvin Ma inspired me to start cutting people’s hair,” Lee said. As their initial interest grew, Lee and Okagaki began to hone their skills. “I learned how to cut hair by watching videos and I gained experience by cutting my friends’ hair,” Lee said. Not only do Lee and Okagaki cut common styles, but they also take requests from their clients, who are mostly teenage boys and a few girls. “We most commonly give buzzcuts, lineups, tapers, fades, fohawks and a side shave for girls,” Okagaki said. “Most of the time we use clippers to cut hair.” Lee finds some of their haircuts unusual: stars, jet-lines and

chris lee

Sophomore Harrison Lee practices his unique hobby while giving a client a quick buzz cut in the boys’ locker room on Aug. 27.

other unique designs. The duo started the salon mainly as a hobby. “I cut the first few people to build experience,” Okagaki said. They cut five to eight heads a week, according to Okagaki. Lee and Okagaki created a Facebook page called CUT MY HAIR (www.facebook.com/pages/CUT-

MY-HAIR). They use it to publicize the times they will be available to cut hair each week, and clients can set up appointments. Hair cutting is a hobby for Lee, but it doubles as a back-up job. “I don’t consider haircutting as a career interest, but it could be a fall-back,” he said.

Route of popular bus line no longer includes stop nearest to the school By Spencer Thirtyacre

organization from SFMTA, has held a survey process on their S OF OCT. 17, THE CITY’S transportation agency website (www.sfcta.org) that may affect MUNI services in the discontinued the 28-limited bus stop at Eucalyptus future. “We are a different transportation agency within the city, but we work closely with MUNI,” SFCTA Transportation Drive and 19th Avenue. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency of- Planner Liz Brisson said. “We give a lot of funding to MUNI ficials felt its customer base was already taken care of by the in support of some of their services. The survey we conducted regular 28 line, which still utilizes the Eucalyptus stop. “We were was about public transportation, and how it relates to schools.” Peer Resources teacher Adee Horn helped elicit student able to service the stop through the existing service of the 28,” input to the SFCTA plan. Horn sent out several SchoolLoop SFMTA Media Relations Manager Paul Rose said. Many students who take the regular 28 and 28L lines emails with links to the SFCTA survey so students could ofexpressed annoyance at the discontinuation. The regular bus fer suggestions to improve local MUNI service. The survey line makes many more stops than the limited line. With fewer ended Oct. 6. Horn expressed concern over students’ stress required stops, the 28L traverses the city in less time. “I took the level regarding the Eucalyptus stop discontinuation. “So many 28L basically everyday, and it’s a really convenient bus because Lowell students rely on MUNI, so if the bus is late or the bus it takes me half the time to get back home,” sophomore Charles is so crowded, they’ll be late to school, and that really adds a lot of stress to students,” Horn said. Kellenberger said. She thinks that with improvements, MUNI officials had received feedback from drivers and customers to support When I heard they “students would be less stressed about their trip to school, and could improve their decision that the 28L Eucalyptus closed the stop on their general attitude about being here. stop was unnecessary, according to Rose Being late to school because of a MUNI who pointed out that reducing the numEucalyptus, it felt like reason could wreck your whole day.” ber of stops the bus line makes would inStudents are frustrated that it does crease efficiency. Students can still catch a slap in the face. not appear their input is being examthe 28L by walking to 19th Avenue, then either two blocks north to Sloat Street, Charles Kellenberger, ined; however, they are unaware that or three blocks south to Winston Drive. sophomore the SFMTA is not actually conducting the survey and that the survey is going The cancellation of the Eucalyptus stop was one of several adjustments to the 28L line; the line now to contribute to later transportation plans by SFCTA. “I’m just extends to Fort Mason rather than ending at California Street. really mad at Muni officials, because they gave us a survey askOther stops discontinued on the 28L line included the 19th ing us how they can improve transit to and from school, and Avenue and Noriega Street stop, the Park Presidio Boulevard when I heard they closed the stop on Eucalyptus, it felt like a and Balboa Street stop for both inbound and outbound lines, slap in the face,” Kellenberger said. Brisson explained “right now as well as the stop at Park Presidio Boulevard and California we’re still gathering information and doing a ‘needs assessment’ of the system; the next step would be to consider what to do Street, for the inbound route. Some students expressed their belief that the 28L times were with that data, and how it can be effective, through a planning centered around school times, and therefore should continue process called the San Francisco Transportation Plan,” Brisson to be convenient to students. However, MUNI officials asserted said. “We have a community group that advises us in the process that the line’s operating hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. of our countywide transportation plan called the Community to 4 p.m. are based on popular transit times. “It only operates Advisory Committee, and we will be presenting the findings of during peak service hours,” SFMTA Transit Outreach Manager the survey at the next meeting in about three months. We’re in Lulu Feliciano said. “It’s only specific to commute times.” The a planning process that will take another six months until we San Francisco County Transportation Authority, a separate have a county-wide plan.”

“

November 4, 2011

The Lowell

CAMPUS

Mixed race club founded in SF melting pot

By Justine Alano and Deidre Foley

clubs

re you Jewish? Join Jew-Crew. Filipino? Join Fil-Am. Both? Where’s the club for that? The Hapa Club was founded this semester by sophomores Gracia Brown and Campbell Gee, who is also a reporter for The Lowell, in the hopes of uniting the school’s Hapa community. According to Gee, who is also half-Chinese and half-Caucasian, Hapa is a Hawaiian term meaning “half ” that is often used to describe a person with a mixed Asian background, usually half-Caucasian and half-Asian descent. Hapa originally branched off the term “Haole,” which means foreigner, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. A student can join other ethnic clubs that represent the culture of each heritage, but it will not have the same elements as a club that is formed for both. “I wanted to create a space for Hapas and those who support the Hapa community,” Brown said, who is halfChinese and half-Caucasian. Although the club is focused on people of

mixed race, people who are not Hapa can join added. Hapa is still in the process of making its too, according to Gee. The intent of Hapa club is to help students big debut. “Because we’re a new club, we’ve understand who they really are, according just been discussing the agenda for upcoming weeks, voting on what deign to Gee. “We want to bring people together so they can we should use for our t-shirt, share their Hapa experiplaying Hapa-realated We want them and games,” Gee said. ences,” Gee said. “Especially mixed race people who don’t So far, the club has been a to learn that success, achieving its goal of really identify with one race. they don’t need uniting interested students We want them to learn that “It’s been fun so they don’t need to identify to identify with atfar,”Lowell. junior Mari Galicer with just one race. Other people in the club are mixed just one race.” said, who is half-Chinese and half-Spanish. “At my too, and they can share their experiences with each other.” CAMPBELL GEE first meeting we just mingled and got to know each other, Many of their members sophomore and at my second we played joined the club to see how club co-president a game. We had pictures of they can benefit from their diversity and better handle the stereotyping famous Hapas and we tried to name them and guess their ethnicities.” they encounter. The club is planning to invite other Hapas Members have discussed what it means to be Hapa, according to Brown. “We’re asked outside of Lowell to add to the club’s discusquestions like what races is your family made sion. “Hopefully we’ll have a guest speaker of, or what race were you raised with,” Gee soon,” Gee said. The speaker may be a family said. “People usually think we’re Latin,” Brown friend of Gee’s, a half-Japanese and half-white

“

chef who runs Hapa Ramen, a food stand selling modern and creative bowls of noodle soup, at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market. The club is also trying to get guest speakers from San Francisco State University, according to freshman member Markus Min, who is half-Chinese and half-German. “We want to talk to the Hapa Club at SFSU because they’ve had it for a while and we want to find out what they’re doing,” Brown said. “They may be able to give us some advice on how we should run or activities on the club.” Later, Brown hopes Kip Fulbeck, author of the Part Asian, 100% Hapa will speak at the club. They plan to contact him by email after the visit of the Hapa Club from SF State. The club hopes to volunteer for organizations involved in the Asian-American community, such as at the Asian-American museum, according to Brown. Most of the members are proud to be branded as a Hapa, and claim that they benefit from their multiple ethnicities. “It’s the best of both worlds,” sophomore Jessica Weiss said. Head to Room 241 on Tuesdays after school to awaken your inner Hapa!

Students catch a “flash” of Romeo and Juliet’s love By Adriana “Mac” Millar

curriculum

andom proclamations of love rung through the halls one October morning as roving sophomores chanted, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” English teacher David Hereford’s 10th Grade English classes organized a unique flash mob on Oct. 19 to bring their class reading of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to life. In their registries, students broke out into dramatic reenactments of the play in groups of two. Some students completely immersed themselves in their characters. Sophomore Anthony Huang entertained his classmates by performing his scene in drag, complete with fake breasts made out of oranges — the costume helped him get into character. “I really understood what Juliet was feeling,” he said. The switching of gender roles captured many students’ interest. “I like how the girl performed as Romeo,” sophomore Giselda Perez said. “She seemed so into it. I would want to do it too.” Hereford, who majored in theater at San Jose State University, also intended to promote the fall play with the assignment. “It was kismet,” Hereford said, referring to the Jewish word for fate. “So why not advertise the play? It seemed pretty topical and timely to do the scenes.” The flash mob also encouraged students to get out of their comfort zone. Hereford offered an essay assignment to students who did not wish to participate in the activity. “There were plenty of kids not volunteering for it,” Hereford said. “Little by little they saw kids having fun [as they prepared the scenes]. Eventually no one chose the essay. And every kid who did it said, ‘I was glad I did it.’” Hereford wanted students to have fun with the assignment. “It’s learning, it’s poetry, it’s not business as usual. It’s called a play for a reason,” Hereford said. “When you’ve read it, and thought about it deeply, by performing it, coming at it from all angles — you keep it.” Some students expressed skepticism upon first hearing of the assignment. “It was definitely a different approach,” sophomore Dana Ng said. “At first I was thinking, ‘Oh wow,’ and I didn’t know how it would turn out. But after working with my partner more, I got into it.” Hereford is proud of his students’ on-the-spot performances. “It really put kids at the center of everything,” he said. “They took charge of their own learning, and became masters of their destiny.” While students were able to add their own touches to the scene, Hereford’s background in performing aided students in practice. “I was able to add my two cents,” he said. Students enjoyed being given the chance to perform. “I felt really well-prepared,” sophomore Katie Hwang said. “It felt like a mini-play.” Hereford was particularly pleased with the enthusiasm students had for the project. “All Lowell kids are self-motivated. That doesn’t mean they’re all inspired,” Hereford said. “[With this assignment] kids were going out studying, giggling with excitement. It wasn’t about getting the A anymore, but about the experience.” Students were equally inspired by their teacher’s passion for the project. “I get excited when my teacher’s into teaching,” Hwang said. “He cares about his students.” This is not the first time Hereford’s assignments have been seen around school. Previously, his ninth grade English classes wore fake noses all day to see what it felt like to be the main character in Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, who was cursed with a large nose.

photo courtesy of hugo kitano

Hugo Kitano performs Beethoven’s Waldenstein Sonata for the New Orleans International Piano Competition.

Young maestro is in the making By Sofya Kats and Ying Sham

arts

ip hop, R&B, rock and alternative music feature prominently in teenagers’ iPod playlists. What about classical piano? Along with the usual texting, Facebooking and hanging out that teens do after school, one talented junior is honing his admirable piano skills to place in worldwide competitions. Hugo Kitano is gearing up for the Gina Bachauer International Young Artists Competition, which will take place in late June next year in Salt Lake City and award $8,000 to the winner. “That’s the most famous one with the highest prize money,” Kitano said. “I’m also learning new pieces for a series of competitions I have coming up. Some auditions are this spring and if I get in, the finals are in the summer around the country.” Performing seems to be second nature to Kitano now, as he has played on stages worldwide and placed in over twenty national and international competitions. “My first solo concert was in eighth grade at the San Francisco Conservatory

of Music,” Kitano said. “It was an hour of just me playing, which was intimidating. It was a big step for me.” He said that the greatest challenge was concentrating on the music, not the crowd. “If your mind wanders, you’re going to mess up,” Kitano said. “Once I started playing though, I just enjoyed it. And it was great that I had my friends there to support me.” Overall, his first concert was a success. Since his eighth grade recital, Kitano has held two more annual solo concerts. In late October, Kitano traveled to Sante Fe, New Mexico to attend “From the Top”, a PBS radio and television broadcast that showcases talented young musicians in America. “We arrived on Monday in Albuquerque where they debriefed me and four other teenage performers (a violinist, cellist, singer and guitarist) about the recording,” Kitano said. “We had a dress rehearsal where I played my piece once while they recorded me, and then the actual performance in Santa Fe took place the next day. After the performers were interviewed, I did some parkour. It was a casual show, so it was very fun.”

This summer, Kitano participated in the New Orleans International Piano Competition, in which participants from around the world competed for a $15,000 prize. Though the winners have yet to be announced on The Musical Arts Society of New Orleans’ official website (www.masno.org), Kitano appreciated the chance to visit the famed city. “In New Orleans, the culture and the food was really great,” he said. “It was a great experience and I met a lot of people from around the country, whom I hope to see again in future competitions.” In the past, Kitano won first place in the prestigious 11th International Russian Music Piano Competition, the Young Pianists Beethoven Competition and the San Francisco Chopin Competition for Young Pianists, to name just a few. For Kitano, music goes beyond the prizes and competitions. “I think it’s all about experiencing the music and performing it with others and connecting with them on a personal level,” he said. And sometimes, he uses music to connect with himself. “I like to improvise just for fun on See ART BEAT on Page 5

4 NEWS

November 4, 2011

Lowell High School

Cleaning activity goes community-friendly For the first time in the history of the biannual Beautification Day, eager volunteers extended their services into the surrounding community.

By Audrey Yu

p p r ox i m at e ly 5 0 0 volunteers showed up to the neighborhood’s biannual Beautification Day on Oct. 15 at Lowell High School, a cleanup day that expanded its scope from the school to local neighborhoods. Although this is not the first event the Department of Public Works has held at Lowell, it is the first time they brought students off campus. There were 215 Lowell students who signed up to participate on the official Parent Teacher Student Association list, according to PTSA Parliamentarian Nancy Muller. Approximately 200 to 300 people from the community also came, according to assistant principal of administration Ellen Reller, who attended the event. Beautification Day began at 9 a.m. with a brief speech from Mayor Ed Lee thanking those present for volunteering their time and encouraging them to spread the news about preserving the city environment. The event was organized by DPW, members of which worked with the school custodians and volunteers to clean up the school. Both Reller and principal Andrew Ishibashi walked through the halls assessing the needs of the buildings and then referred their request to the DPW, who also made its own suggestions. “We had a sort of ‘wish list’ we submitted to DPW,” Reller said. Various workers accomplished various tasks around the school, such as washing the catwalk and the front of the school with a high pressure water hose; hanging the windscreens for the tennis courts; removing graffiti; and repainting the wooden benches in the courtyard. “Either way, I sit on the benches, but they just look better than before. I’m more comfortable knowing they’re cleaner,” junior Jovauhn Sanford said.

PHOTOS courtesy of ellen reller

(Left) Senior Arty Zhang transfers soil to the new green house next to the football field. (Center) Senior Adriana Rizzo signs in for the event. Around 500 volunteers signed-in at Beautification Day; the event began at the flagpole at 9 a.m. (Right) A helper sweeps vigorously outside the girls’ locker room.

Although DPW and the admin- according to Gloria Chan, Director istration oversaw several of the proj- of Communication and Public Afects, they could not fulfill everything fairs for the DPW. “It’s important to on the wish list. “We asked them showcase the work we do and to get to repaint the more people second and in the comthird floor munity Lowell was used as i nvolve d,” hallways due said. to t he t ap e a sort of home base Chan For the (from Spirit We e k ) , b u t spot from which the Beautificathere were too t ion D ays DPW needed to start DPW promany projects tools going on. It and then branch off.” vides like bags was beyond the scope, ELLEN RELLER, and gloves, a c c ord i n g and they were assistant principal more focused to Yi. on doing improvements outside,” DPW has organized a citywide Reller said. Another complication Beautification Day twice a year for they faced was that since the school the city, rotating their area of focus. is rented out to Chinese school “Several times they came to Lowell students on Saturday, participants or the Sunset Boulevard area. The needed to focus on outside work to last time they came was 2009 to disturb the students studying inside. 2010,” assistant principal of student DPW’s “Community Clean support services Michael Yi said. Team” has worked with schools on Due to the surplus of volunteers, Beautification Day for 11 years with the Sunnyside Neighborhood Asstudents and volunteers to clean sociation provided transportation and green neighborhoods citywide, to bring the volunteers to work

“

at various sites in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Groups of eight to ten students with one chaperone per group were stationed along the boulevard. “Lowell was used as a sort of base spot from which the DPW needed to start, then they branched off to other locations like Monterey Boulevard and around that neighborhood,” Reller said. Students were flexible about the change of venue. “At first, it was really weird because they didn’t tell us where we were going,” sophomore Deidre Foley said, who is also a reporter for The Lowell. “We joked that we were being kidnapped — there was a white van and everything! I actually signed up for painting, so I was a little disappointed when we ended up gardening. But it turned out to be pretty fun.” Lowell students joined Sunnyside Elementary students and DPW workers to help garden in the Sunnyside District and prepare for tree basin renewal on Monterey Boulevard. They helped install a new watering system and covered planting

areas with new mulch. The DPW closed the two center traffic lanes on Monterey Boulevard, which slowed traffic for that day only, and closed off some parking spaces for their equipment, according to Sunnyside Elementary School Parent Teacher Association president Cathy Meyer. The work being done at school was also productive. “When I came out from Cheer practice, I saw a lot of people painting and cleaning up the buildings. They were working really hard and they seemed like they were having a lot of fun too,” senior Brenda Lu said. Fellow volunteer sophomore Anny Li explained a side benefit to the event. “Everyone had fun. I was grouped with people I had class with, but normally wouldn’t talk to,” Li said. “But, after that day, I talk to them more and are good friends with them now.” Overall, the event was a success, according to Reller. “I was amazed at how much they got done in such a short amount of time. I would like to thank everyone who came,” she said.

Buddy club jives to the beat in hopes of furthering awareness

In-food-mative!

By Sean Wang and Natalia Arguello-Inglis

grouped up at the designated spot at 12 p.m. to perform. While some members promoted the organization by nder the tower, the clock strikes twelve, the music starts playing and the flash mob passing out fliers and stickers, other members danced. begins! Best Buddies participated in a flash “Even people who normally don’t dance got really into mob at the Ferry Building on Oct. 15 to raise aware- it,” Willis said. When the song ended four minutes later, the dancers dispersed. ness for their club. According to Lowell’s Best Buddies Club co-presBest Buddies is an organization that brings in volunteers to form one-on-one friendships with the ident senior Lauren Wan, the project was very suc“buddies” — people who have intellectual disabilities. cessful. “A lot of people stopped to watch as members The school’s club has over thirty members and has handed out fliers, and as a result people became more been serving the special education classes since 2003. aware of the cause,” Wan said. Public relations officer senior Ryan Tom added that Flash mobs, congregations of people in public places who perform an unusual and seemingly random act or there were also local reporters who wrote news stories about the flash mob. dance, have grown increasingly Future plans to raise awarepopular. Some videos of mob events have received more than Even people who ness and fundraise for the Best Buddies club include bake sales 24 million hits on video-sharing normally don’t dance and the annual Best Buddies sites like YouTube. Friendship Walk. Prompted by the recent popugot really into it.” According to the Best Budlarity of flash mobs, the Bay Area dies website (www.bestbuddichapter of Best Buddies planned MICHELLE WILLIS, escalifornia.org), last April the their own gathering to increase senior Friendship Walk was located awareness of their cause. Around fifty Bay Area Best Buddies members, at Crissy Fields in the Marina and attracted over 160 including eleven Lowell students, four of whom are people: buddies, volunteers, friends and family. Best buddies in the special-ed program, participated in the Buddies also plans bake sales for special events such organization’s flash mob. “It was really inspiring to see as Eighth Grade Night, to fundraise and inform people every chapter come together and express their devo- about the program. Visit Best Buddies Club on Fridays in Rm. 41, and tion to Best Buddies in such a fun way,” vice president join the cause yourself; you’ll also be able to befriend senior Michelle Willis said. On the day of the mob, all participants met before- a buddy of your own and maybe participate in a flash hand and practiced the dance for about an hour, then mob one day!

“

NICHOLAS fong

On Oct. 24, National Food Day, students were informed of health, environmental, animal-welfare and food security issues. The Center for Science in the Public Interest had announced the event in response to the ever-increasing incidents of diet-related deaths. The purpose was to garner support for policies to increase the number of farmers markets.

The Lowell

November 4, 2011

NEWS

Teachers plan to adjust Piano prodigy’s curriculum, incorporate career crescendoes, LGBT contributions hits note of success

From LGBT CURRICULUM on Page 1 a 2003 court case that ended Texas’ sodomy law. The goal of this law is to acknowledge the contributions of a silenced population, but for more than just their lifestyle. “The mistake that some people make is looking just at the race, gender, or sexual orientation someone is,” Worth said. “I think people are trying to compensate for a time when they only looked at quality writers of a certain gender, race and sexual orientation.” Worth sees a good reason for adding the topic into social studies classes. “It makes sense since LGBT people are part of history too,” he said. “They’ve always been, but history is usually designed by the majority and most powerful and I think it’s good to include minority groups.” On the other hand, social studies teacher Jeff Reynolds slightly questions the politically correct requirement. “I can’t see anything wrong with it. I don’t really have a dog in this fight,” he said. “But sometimes I feel like they (the LGBT community) get special treatment. Why not teach about something like Hungarians at that point?” Yet Reynolds also acknowledges the significance of the FAIR Education Act. “It’s definitely important for children to know that their sexuality is just as valid as anyone else’s,” he said. GSA president senior Freda Hawver-Pachter also approves of the addition to the curriculum. “I think it’s really important to include those kinds of things,” she said. “It helps integrate the LGBT lifestyle into people’s conceptions of what’s okay and what’s normal. It’s a huge part of getting rid of homophobia.” Data from the SFUSD California Healthy Kids Survey shows that in 2011, nearly four percent of

high school students and two percent of middle school students reported that one or more of their parents is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. This translates to over 830 families district-wide at the secondary school level. The SFUSD is the first California school district to include questions about sexual orientation on the middle school and high school survey. On Oct. 13, over 200 district families and staff members congregated at Alverado Elementary School for a district-wide dinner in support of the LGBTQ community. “We thought this would be a great way to access these families, welcome them, provide resources from community agencies and socialize,” school health programs manager Kevin Gogin, who co-coordinated the dinner with colleague Ilsa Bertolini, said. “I believe that this sub-population of parents in many cases are disenfranchised and underrepresented within many District events.” Many people see the FAIR Education Act as a step in the right direction despite controversy from opposing political and religious groups. “If you look at how much progress we’ve made in history over social justice issues, there’s always been a huge amount of controversy,” Hawver-Pachter said. “Not only has controversy helped us get publicity, it helps flush out both sides of the argument.” Although some societal changes are perceived as being controversial, many see the incorporation of LGBT rights necessary — a 2010 poll from the Public Policy Institute of California (www.ppic. org) stated that about 49.2 percent of Californians support same sex-marriage. “We can’t tolerate intolerance. We have to chose tolerance no matter what the cost,” Worth said.

From ART BEAT on Page 3 the piano,” Kitano said. “I play contemporary and modern music.” Kitano’s relentless practicing in the demanding art has significantly raised his piano skills. “I practice around three and a half hours on weekdays, and on the weekends maybe four, maybe five,” Kitano said. “I only started playing piano seriously when I was 12 or 13. Before that, I practiced half an hour a day. It’s slowly increased up to the level that I practice currently.” Kitano’s love for music began at a young age. Inspired partly by the singing purple dinosaur, Kitano began formal piano lessons at the age of six. “When I was a toddler, I liked listening to Barney and singing,” Kitano said. “My mom asked me if I wanted to learn the piano. I always liked music, so I agreed.” He explored other instruments such as the saxophone, but stated he did not go on to play it at the same level he currently plays piano. Balancing long practice hours and the typically large amount of homework Lowell students face nightly is difficult, though Kitano seems to manage. “Homework is priority, but I feel like I have time for both if I just speed through it nonstop,” he said. “It’s definitely hard, though. Sometimes if I’m not feeling it I take a break and

restart, but I have never considered quitting piano.” When he is not engaged in international competitions, Kitano uses his unique skill set to contribute to his community. Last June, Kitano and his friends organized a special benefit concert to support relief efforts in Japan after the 2010 earthquake. “The relief concert was a joint effort by me and a couple of pianist friends,” Kitano said. “It wasn’t my suggestion, but I helped organize and perform it. We raised over $10,000 over a series of three concerts.” They donated the money to two charities, Global Giving and Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California’s Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Kitano’s path may seem set, however he plans on keeping his options wide for the future. “When I go to college, I want to do something where I can do both academics and music,” Kitano said. “I’ll probably choose math or science, maybe medicine, psychology or neuroscience. I doubt I will only do music in college.” Though Kitano may not become a professional pianist full-time, he continues his steady uphill climb. “The peak of my career is in the future,” Kitano said. “I’m not finished just yet.”

6 NEWS

November 4, 2011

Lowell High School

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene...

all photos by daniel green

The fall play presented a twentieth-century rendition of Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passionate and tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet. A double cast portrayed the tale of star-crossed lovers from rival houses. Clockwise from top: (Top left) Romeo (Jorge Lopez) dances at the ball with Juliet (Heather Weiss). (Top right) Romeo (Nick Balestrieri) kisses Juliet (Quinn Francis) farewell. (Bottom right) Mercutio (Eli Diamond) aims an imaginary bow. (Bottom left) Juliet (Quinn Francis) mourns Romeo (Nick Balestrieri) after he takes poison. (Middle left) The Nurse (Casey Roos) embraces Juliet (Quinn Francis) and tells her a story.

November 4, 2011

The Lowell

NEWS

Argentine educator tangos to San Francisco By Natalia Arguello-Inglis and Ian James

San Francisco is much more bustling than her hometown Córdoba, according to Bonomi. “The main difference is the culn Argentinean educator was ture,” Bonomi said. “The goals of the school shadowing an assistant principal systems are the same, we just have different from Oct. 15 to Nov. 3 as part of a foreign exchange program for educators. ways of achieving them. One is not better than the other, just different. Every teacher Silvia Bonomi, principal of Cerro Azul works in similar ways and aim at similar Instituto Secundario Privado in Argengoals. I want to improve education offering tina, and assistant principal of curriculum more possibilities at my school and gaining Holly Giles are participating in the 2011more resources.” 2012 Argentina Administrator Exchange Though a continent apart, the schools Program, sponsored by the Fullbright Scholar Program, (See “Administrator wins face similar struggles. “There are a few large problems that both our schools struggle with, scholarship” The Lowell, Sept. 2011). The like funding,” Giles said. “However, our situprogram aims to help administrators from ations still differ in that Lowell receives govdifferent countries work together to find ernment, alumni and PTSA funding while unique solutions to common problems, Bonomi must fundraise to fund her school.” according to the program’s official website Like Lowell, Bonomi looks to the school (www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org). Bonomi observed day-to-day school life community for fundraising, but not all fundto discover educational practices to bring ing is donated. “Parents must pay monthly back to her own school. “I am here to learn fees for education,” Bonomi said. “When the about the goals of the school, to compare it school is in trouble, parents sometimes lend with what we are doing, and see what can be money to the school and we will pay it back once the school has recovered.” learned,” she said.

Giles has shown Bonomi both around the city and around the school, introducing her to almost all the administrators at Lowell. “She visits classrooms and makes presentations to classes about where she is from,” Giles said. “I gave her a tour of the school and she has observed classes in session. She also shadowed many of the administrators here and visited other schools.” Bonomi’s trip has given her hope for the future of her school. “When the program assigned me to Lowell, I asked why I was in such a big beautiful school with so many resources,” Bonomi said. “However now I see many of our goals are the same and hopefully in 100 years my school will be like yours, we are working in the same direction.” Beginning June 17, Giles and Bonomi will switch roles as host and guest. Giles will be staying with Bonomi in Córdoba, Argentina for three weeks and experiencing the education and culture of the country.Despite the language barrier, as she speaks very little Spanish, Giles expressed excitement at visiting a new country experiencing its culture.

gavin li

Silvia Bonomi, an administrator visiting from Argentina on a Fullbright scholarship, tours the school, meeting teachers to discuss curriculum.

Historic missiles CSF designs new tutoring sched By Melinda Leung

school program is more specialized. Stuhe school’s peer tutoring dents are guaranteed that tutors familiar organization established an with specific subjects will be available, after-school drop-in program whereas before, availability varied. “The that focuses on specific subjects on dif- all-day drop-in offers one to four tutors every mod during the day, but does not ferent days. The California Scholarship Fed- guarantee a range of subjects in which eration chapter’s first special sessions, the tutors can assist in,” Suen said. “For located in the Meyer Library, began in example, if a student happens to need the second grading period. Last year’s help in Spanish, they are not guaranteed that one officers originatof the alled the idea but day dropwere unable to tutors implement it beThe one-on-one tutor- in specialize fore graduation, according to CSF ing makes learning more in tutoring Spanco-secretary jucomfortable and easier.” ish.” n i or C and a c e A n Suen. “CurrentJULIAN QUILATAN, other adly, we are testing junior vantage of this idea out,” t he ne w Suen said. “By the end of the semester, depending on program is the tranquil environment. the outcome, we will determine whether “Since this is located in the Meyer Library, not only is it more quiet, it is or not to continue these sessions.” The tutors were surveyed regarding more private and the tutors can focus their availability and the subjects they more on their tutee,” co-secretary junior are willing to tutor, according to CSF Edwina Tran said. About five tutors are available on president senior Grace Ching. Based upon the votes, CSF deter- each tutoring day, math days being the mined the schedule: social studies most popular, according to Ching. “Many of our tutors have taken the and foreign language on Tuesdays; science on Wednesdays; and math on highest level of the specific course being offered,” CSF vice president senior Thursdays. Unlike the all-day drop-in tutoring Vivian Huang said. “Our tutors are that has been offered for years, the after- versatile so even if a student asks for

“

amy char

Social studies teacher Steve Schmidt’s Mods 1-2 Advanced Placement U.S. History class visited the Nike Missile Site in the Marin Headlands on Oct. 26. Here, they observe as a missile raises to an 85 degree angle.

help on a subject they aren’t focusing on for the day, many of our tutors will still try to help.” With the help of the new program, students are beginning to see selfimprovement. “I attend the math days and find the new program really helpful,” junior Julian Quilatan said. “My test scores have improved, I have developed better study habits and my homework is getting done faster. The one-on-one tutoring makes learning more comfortable and easier to understand, because it is more personalized, based on my abilities.” In general, CSF has been assisting more tutees this year than in the previous years. So far, there have been 300 requests for tutors. “More freshmen are requesting help on homework this semester,” Huang said. “I think this is because of the increased number of freshmen enrolled this year compared to the previous years.” Currently, CSF has a shortage of tutors; there are only 181 tutors available. “This is normally the case for the fall semester, since only membership is offered to juniors and seniors,” Suen said. “However, membership is offered to sophomores in their second semester. Hopefully, by then, more sophomores and juniors will sign up.” The CSF officers encourage students to partake in their program if they need academic help.

8 NEWS

November 4, 2011

Lowell High School

Seoul Global students shadow at school

Visitors from South Korea tour campuses of prestigious colleges and experience American school life.

By Ian James

GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS from Seoul, South Korea shadowed Lowell students on Oct. 25. Each of the 77 foreign students was paired with a Korean language student for the day. The foreign visitors arrived in San Francisco on Oct. 23 and left on Oct. 26 to continue their tour, fitting in a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge over the weekend. They returned to their school, Seoul Global High School, on Nov. 1 after visiting prestigious colleges on the east and west coasts including UC Berkeley, UCLA, Harvard and Yale. Cultural interaction was the main goal of the trip, according to Korean language teacher Ah-Mi Cho. “We want the students to form friendships,” Cho said. “They should gain in-

formation about Korean high school life, how it compares to life here.” The school arranged the exchange mainly because both are well respected academically. “They asked me if they could come because the two schools are comparable,” Cho said. “They are both very competitive and highranking public high schools in their respective countries.” It was an eye-opening experience for both sets of students. “It was a good chance for us to experience a new culture,” Korean exchange student Jung Hyowon said. “We’ve read about it, watched it in the media, but this was our chance

to experience it in real life.” Lowell students had similar responses. “It was a good experience meeting a new person and keeping this connection,” senior Linda Choy said. “We exchange information through e-mails about our two schools.” Many of the visitors were quick to notice differences between Lowell and their own school. “In Korea, we have strict rules; here, it is amazing,” Korean exchange student Jeong Su-a said. “You can just drive up to school, eat outside and just walk around; we have to sit in our classrooms all day in Korea. The teachers come to our classroom.” Other visiting students were interested in the differences in teaching styles. “Here there is discussion and interaction between the students and the teacher,” Korean exchange

student Kim Miji said. “In Korea, the teacher speaks and the students listen.” The foreign exchange students had trouble understanding some classes, but excelled in others. “I enjoyed math the most because any other class I could not understand, because of the language and the information I haven’t learned,” Miji said. Several of the visitors were impressed by the freedom Lowell students have in their teen lifestyle. “We have to wear uniforms,” Korean exchange student Lee Min-ah said. “Here you can wear make-up and have boyfriends.”

DANIEL GREEN

Korean exchange students from Seoul Global High School visit the school on Oct. 25 to check out everything from teacher-student interactions to girl-boy relations. The visit was part of a twoweek tour for the 77 students to tours college campuses across the nation. They returned to Seoul, South Korea on Nov. 1.

Navy Band performance raises awareness and brings back ’50s groove

Konnichiwa, sensei

By Adam Chac

and they loved it also.” Students enjoyed the music though some NAVY MUSICAL ENSEMBLE performed in the Carol Channing Theater found it old-fashioned. “The style of music was old, but it was very easy to listen to,” sophomore on Oct. 5 during Mods 6-7. The Navy Band’s Seabreeze ensemble was Mitchell Szeto said. The band reacted to the high-energy crowd by performing in San Francisco as part of the aninviting students to dance on stage. “It seemed nual Fleet Week. The four-member ensemble, based in San like some of the audience members were so moved to dance that Diego, operates in they wanted to get the southwest United on stage and dance, States. The band inThat may not be the so why not?” Hanna cludes a four-piece r hy t h m s e c t i on , a case in San Francisco, said.During the pertrumpet and a saxophone and plays everybut nonetheless, you’d formance, Navy recruiters gave t-shirts thing from classical to be surprised, in some to some of the stuhip hop and R&B. who danced. The band’s purpose towns people never see dents “My favorite part is to spread awareness was when they had of the Navy, even in a navy.” the crowd go up and places far from the coast. “The message JASON HANNA, d anc e and w he n they gave out free that we’re trying to conband leader t-shirts,” Szeto said. vey is that we do have a Staff also apprecinavy,” band leader and trumpet player Jason Hanna said. “That may not ated the music. JROTC teacher Colonel Doug Bullard said be the case in San Francisco, but nonetheless, you’d be surprised, in some towns people never that the music would help students connect to see a navy. The navy is a global force for good, a their parents’ generation. “It was a neat throwpolice for the world in a sense, not as most people back,” he said. Principal Andrew Ishibashi received notice of would think.” The band is versatile and plays for many the Navy Band’s visit to the Bay Area and asked audiences, according to the Navy’s website. “We Bullard to set the event up. Ishibashi invited the band to provide someplay for all crowds and try to play something for everybody,” Hanna said. “I’ve played at high thing fun for students. “Everything here at Lowell schools where I played jazz, and they loved it. I’ve is always so academic, it’s just really nice to cut played at high schools where I’ve played classical loose,” he said. “I think it was a good timeout.”

“

CHRIS LEE

Nineteen visitors from Japan’s Ministry of Education toured the school between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. They shadowed students in the Japanese National Honor Society, from registry to classes.

The Lowell

November 4, 2011

NEWS

trickers and treats galore

all photos by nick fong

Despite falling on a Monday, Halloween lacked none of its spirit this year as the SBC held an entertaining, candy-filled rally during Mods 14-15. Clockwise from top: (Top) The Swag Stags and Teletubbies line up for the group costume contest. (Middle right) SBC vice president Kenny Leung, dressed as Mr. Monopoly, cheers on the crowd. (Bottom right) SBC president Michelle Willis and secretary Melinda Lem throw out candy to eager recipients below. (Bottom left) Students watch the festivities. (Middle left) A group dressed as the Olympic track team from the 1980s show off their costumes.

10 PROFILES

November 4, 2011

The Lowell

” tech visionaries <script type= of the future”> Young developer captures the app world By Kayla Huynh and Arlen Pan

ired of Angry Birds? Consider installing fellow Lowell student junior Grant Paul’s new innovative apps. Over this summer, Paul, a web and app developer, helped create Batch, an Apple iPhone application. He worked with a team as a part of an internship for San Francisco-based company DailyBooth, which runs a photo-sharing website under the same name (www.dailybooth. com). According to Paul, Batch “takes the photos you shoot off of your iPhone and uploads them onto the web. It’s linked to Facebook so that everyone can see what you’re doing.” Paul has already designed several apps for the iPhone; a few are in limited distribution, while one is officially offered by the Apple App Store. “I already created an app called ‘news:yc’, which pulls news from a website called Hacker News, and I decided to look for an internship,” he said. “I received a bunch of replies from different companies and saw an offer from DailyBooth, which I liked best. It had a more welcoming work environment, and people who were more interested in my work.” Paul found that he gained valuable skills from the collaborative approach. “I had a pretty

awesome experience there,” he said. “It was quite useful to learn how to work on a bigger project with a larger team. It’s much better than working on something by yourself.” Paul previously only had worked on smallscale projects, relying on his personal knowledge of programming. “I was first interested in programming when I simply wanted to build my own website,” he said. “I taught myself by searching through searching Google and studying other people’s works, and using them as examples for mine. The iPhone app development part was also the same thing. I wanted to make my own app.” Initially, submitting the application for his first app “news:yc” to the App Store proved to be a difficult task, as the License Agreement for developing apps required developers to be at least 18 years of age. “I created a company called Xuzz Productions, LLC,” he said. “Age does cause issues, but there are various ways to get around it.” To Paul, creating apps is both a job and a hobby. He is often obligated to provide his customers with updates and answers; additionally, he develops his own experimental apps as personal projects. Even though schoolwork im-

pacts his time, Paul still remains committed to continually enhancing his software. “I try to balance working on apps along with homework,” he said. “Right now, I’m not able to continue working on Batch with DailyBooth because I have school, but I still update my own apps. During my free time I’m usually responding to what people who use my apps want, making updates to what people ask for, and answering questions through Twitter.” Paul recognizes the value of networking and is quite integrated with the software development community. “I went to the Google I/O Developer Conference and the Apple Worldwide Developer’s Conference this June, and I met many people that I previously had only heard of their work,” he said. “I got to know the person behind the username personally.” Paul plans to expand his future applications as a part of the software development community. “In the future, I want to always create something that isn’t just useful to me, but is something that everybody can use,” he said. “I want to create apps that appeal to a wider variety of people than just programmers.”

Java in hand, boy seeks Capable programmer commands keys to create future designing software

By Zoe Kaiser

omputer programming can be a puzzling language to some, but to the new age of techies like Gavin Li, it’s just as easy to delete a browser cookie then chow down on a real one. Li channels his eye for the arts through his current role as a photographer for The Lowell, but credits his passion for technology as having started after an assignment in fourth grade. “We were supposed to make some sort of PowerPoint presentation,” he said. “I saw this feature where you could type in code, and make the computer do whatever you wanted it to do, and that’s where I got my interest. I liked having the power to control things.” As his enthusiasm grew, Li did not take any classes, but pursued the hobby during his own time. “Computer programming is understandable if you want to take the time to understand it,” he said. Many students contest his humble perspective, especially as Li was able to bring a semblance of order to the chaos of Arena through his innovative Arena Planner program. Li got the idea the night before Arena as he worried over planning his schedule. “I was a bit stressed and I decided to make my computer do the work for me,” he said. “Thus the Arena planner was born.” Although Li created the program for his private use, he soon realized it would help other students. He got over 1,000 hits upon first posting it online a few days before Arena. The Arena Planner took him a few days to create; a small time span compared to his usual dabbling for hours with obscure programs that provided stimulating challenges. Li enjoys embarking on experiments. “I build circuitry in my free time,” he said. Li remembers trying to create a bass speaker out of garage parts and nearly ruining the house’s wiring. “I like playing with electricity . . . but after my dad yelled at me. . .” he said, trailing off. Li participated in Stanford Proco, a computer-programming contest for high school students at Stanford University where the competitors had to solve problems using code. Li has done coding for many areas of

By Isabel Boutiette

Harlev’s allegiance lies with Personal nlike most teenagers who Computers, commonly referred to as PCs. spend their time chatting with “PCs are better because they have a more people through social networks open software,” said Harlev. “There are and texting, sophomore Ofri Harlev’s fingers more restrictions on Macs than PCs. You speak with a language that differs from Face- are able to access more intimate parts of book lingo and texting slang: Java. Speak- the computer on a PC, whereas with Macs, ing in brackets and obscure commands Apple does not want you to change their unknown to the common observer, Harlev environment, making it easier on the comwrites his own codes for games and software. mon user but harder on the programmer.” Harlevs’ interest in technology sparked Harlev admires the innovation of Apple, but from his father’s tutoring in the subject. “I’ve if he were to be in charge of a major comalways liked computers because my dad is a puter company, he would conduct things software engineer, so computers were always a little bit differently. “I would make more around,” he said. It was not until high school software free, because software can be repwhen Harlevs’ interest in technology moved licated as many times as you want, so there’s beyond his father’s limited free-time teach- no reason everyone shouldn’t have it. However, developers still need to make money, ing and entered a classroom setting. Now, after taking Computer Program- so they could put advertisements in software ming 1, he is enrolled in Advanced Place- to earn a living,” he said. Harlev points out this solution is m e nt C o mp u t e r modeled by Google. Science. Harlev says “Google makes softhis extra training ware open for free comes in handy. “I and still manages think Computer Scito make millions of ence is easier with dollars in advertismy dad’s help,” Haring,” Harlev said. lev said. “When I’m Harlev’s ambitions having trouble with for the future shows my code I can go to the apple does not him, but the teacher, fall far from the tree: Mr. Simon, is really he hopes to follow good at making sure his father’s footsteps everybody knows photo courtesy of Ofri Harlev and also become a what’s going on.” Harlev uses his Computer Programming software engineer. “My dad is my main role class time and personal free time to design model because he is a successful computer and code his own versions of games such as engineer. I know he writes a lot of codes for “Asteroid,” a game where the controller plays Utopy, a voice recognition company, and Just a small spaceship that destroys incoming Answer, a company which sends customer asteroids before they damage the ship, and questions to a professional in that field to “Pong,” in which the player uses a paddle be answered. That’s the same sort of thing to attempt to hit a ball in a goal, which is that I want to do with my life,” Harlev said. controlled by the computer. “I code for fun Harlev plans to major in Computer Sciat home two to three hours a week, usually ence or Computer Engineering, preferably working on school-related projects,” Harlev at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. said. “When we finished ‘Pong,’ the game we Though the future is important, Harlev wrote last year in Computer Programming knows that doing his best in the present will 1, I went home and worked on it for another get him where he wants to be. “My ambimonth to improve the artificial intelligence tions right now are to participate in Lowell’s to make it seem less drone-like and more as (FIRST) Robotics Team, and hopefully do well in this year’s competition,” he said, “as if you were playing against a human.” Unlike most computer users, Harlev well as to continue doing well in the AP does not melt at the sight of a Macintosh. Computer Science class.”

Daniel Green

technology, and created games for phones but he still prefers working with computers. Li is not in the habit of planning out his projects. Instead he draws inspiration from YouTube videos and occurrences around school, especially if he finds an opportunity to use his skill to help the community. “Quite a few of my projects have little or no real purpose; I do them mainly for fun,” he said. “But when I come up with a project that fills a specific purpose, I try my best to actively pursue it.” Li is proficient with many aspects of technology, from hardware to software; most recently he is focusing on web design. Currently, he is working on a website for a youth volunteer organization. There Li is creating a program to aid volunteers in keeping track of their donated hours. He heard about the group’s need from a friend and took the initiative to offer his assistance. Computer programming is not Li’s only interest. Li enjoys trying out musical programming. He is intrigued by the technical aspects of music, such as the physics of sound waves, although he has not studied it extensively. He likes all the technological areas of science and is considering pursuing a career in electrical, structural or aerospace engineering. Despite his affinity for technology, Li is wary of its overuse. “Although technology is somewhat beneficial to a point, it does have the capacity to harm more then it helps,” Li said. “With technology, people keep getting lazier and lazier, and that might be detrimental to mankind.” Heavy realities aside, Li speaks from his heart. “But I do like it!” he said, adding with a smile, “I’m sort of a hypocrite at this point.”

Photo courtesy of grant paul

November 4, 2011

The Lowell

profiles

Former security guard spices up admin office By Eva Morgenstein

“I

’m part Creole and Mexican,” new Main Office Administrative Assistant Tiffany Adams said as she heated up Cajun spaghetti in the microwave in the teacher lounge. “So I grew up on Cajun food and spicy stuff.” Upon being asked what makes the delicious concoction so spicy, Adams laughs. “I can’t tell you that! My grandma would turn over in her grave.” Although a new addition to the office, for the past year Adams and her infectious laugh have been a fixture among the hallways as a security guard. After accepting the position as Administrative Assistant, Adams has enjoyed connecting with students more, besides having the freedom to utilize her wardrobe. “I like being able to wear my own clothes now,” she said. “I also like getting a chance to know the staff better by interacting with them more.” Patience, which Adams learned in the Air Force, comes handy in her day-to-day life. “You have to have a lot of patience,” she said of the job. “You’re going to have good days and bad days, but you can’t let it affect work.” A local, Adams graduated from Burton High School. She then attended City College and the Air Force, where she served as a Security Force, or a military police officer. She is now taking classes at San Francisco State

University. Although her degree is currently undecided, she knows she wants to pursue one centered around peer counseling. Adams expressed her hope to have a career in youth outreach as a counselor, advisor, teacher or juvenile probation officer. Inspired by Lowell students, she recently changed her nursing major at San Francisco State University to counseling to follow her goal. “I love helping youth, whether troubled or privileged — from a whole spectrum,” she said. “A lot of youth don’t have a voice when it comes to adults, as far as their opinions, judgments, likes and dislikes. A lot of adults ignore youth when it comes to their point of view. I love being someone they can talk to, knowing they won’t be judged.” The sponsor of the Black Student Union and

Senior Letter, and having previously sponsored the Girls’ Song Team, Adams understands the necessity of extracurricular activities and wishes that all clubs had greater representation in school goings-on. “It’s important to make sure each club and activity has a voice and is respected well,” Adams said. “A lot of them go unnoticed. Equal emphasis on every club and activity would be better for the school.” Adams’ appreciation and concern about school’s extracurriculars is a pleasant reminder of the joys of balancing academics with fun. “Students get to be themselves without a classroom structure or homework,” she said. Adams appreciates the open environment of Lowell. “My favorite thing about Lowell is the diversity and freedom students have,” she said. “It’s not as restricting, and parents and teachers are involved with Vivien Tong students. Mr. Ishibashi is awesome. He goes out of his way to make sure that every student and staff member is happy.” Outside her job, Adams spends time with

her 9-year-old daughter, Laila, who is the proud creator of the painted stone on Adams’ desk reading “I love you, Mommy.” On the weekends, the two play video games together, paint nails and get outside for adventures. To pass on the family recipes which were given to her by her grandmother, including shrimp creole, beignets and gumbo. Adams is assembling a cookbook for her daughter. “I started creating recipe book for her when she gets older,” she said. “My grandma said I wasn’t old enough to learn how to make something when I was 20!” Adorned with a beautiful star tattoo on her neck that she chose with her two sisters to signify their connection, Adams is living proof that art is a connecting force. “I love all music and dance. I like arts, period,” Adams said. “No matter where you come from, background or culture, arts are the one thing everyone has in common.” With her friendly exterior and ability to get along well with students and staff, Adams is no ordinary secretary. “I’m very playful,” Adams said. “I’m very goofy, and since I’ve been here I’ve been told I’m always bubbly and happy.” Find her in the main office behind the front desk — but don’t expect her to give you that recipe for her soon-to-be-famous Cajun spaghetti.

Cheese lover pumped to meet all 2,600 students By Mara Woods-Robinson

f you’ve stopped by the Wellness Center recently for conversation, tea or condoms, you probably noticed a new face buzzing about. In all likelihood, that face belongs to Lauren Reyes, the Wellness Center’s new Community Health Outreach Worker (or “CHOW” for short), who works to connect students to the Wellness Center and other organizations’ resources. Reyes has had a passion for youth outreach and wellness since she was young herself. “Starting in high school, I noticed that many of my peers felt comfortable confiding in me about personal issues they were struggling with,” she said. “To this day, I enjoy hearing people out and offering them a safe space to talk about their lives openly.” Born and raised in Daly City, Reyes earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine and has been working with youth ever since. She spent a year working in AmeriCorps as a Youth Outreach Coordinator at San Mateo high schools to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention, where she collaborated with school staffs and organizations to inform and assist students. “It was amazing to see how many people share the same thoughts and feelings, yet don’t talk about them because of their fears about what other people would think,” Reyes said of the experience. “The more I learned, the more I valued services that allow people to fully express their feelings and normalize the need for support, especially because it is normal.” Reyes first discovered the district’s Wellness Program two years ago, and volunteered at Galileo Academy of Science and

Technology’s Wellness Center last year. Reyes began working here in early September. She was attracted to the school by its unique environment, which she says requires a different approach to health outreach. “One of the best things we provide at Lowell Wellness is a place for students to kick back, relax and focus on themselves amidst the daily grind,” she said. Reyes is dedicated to making her knowledge accessible to students. “I realized the importance of having a strong support network for any person to build resilience and lead successful lives,” she said. “I like being around to see people find out more about who they are and how they see the world. The stress that comes with it makes self-care key and I’m a big promoter of taking steps to keep life balanced.” Taking her own advice, Reyes tries to maintain balance and optimism in her own life. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, doing Bikram yoga and listening to music, specifically, afro-funk and jazz fusion. She is a cheese aficionado, and a particular fan of creamy macaroni and cheese. “Basically, I crave cheese on a daily basis,” she said. Reyes describes her experience at the Wellness Center as eventful and diverse. “I’m meeting so many new people on a daily basis,” she said. “I really love my Youth Outreach Worker team. They’re just a really fun bunch of personalities.” She fits in well with the lively group. “I’m a chatterbox — I love to talk,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons I do well at this job.” Although she hasn’t been here long, Reyes is already working to make her mark. She sees dozens of kids come through the Wellness Center everyday, and hopes to introduce new

arts-related activities and opportunities for students. “I’m big on sharing my interests in music and art with anyone and everyone,” she said. “I’d love to start setting up arts and crafts activities regularly here at T-14. I also know people who are involved in the arts, from painting to barbering, and I hope to somehow collaborate with them so they can share their techniques with Lowell students.” Reyes looks forward to continuing her work at the Wellness Center and helping stressed-out students stay happy and healthy. “I’m just really happy to be here, and I hope to meet as many students as I can… even if that means all 2,600!” she said.

History buff trades Italia for the ‘City by the Bay’ By Elena Bernick

hat does “amo la storia” mean in English? Ask teacher Matthew Furey, who has lived in a different country, is fluent in another language, and this year transferred to Lowell after teaching at John O’Connell High School for seven years. Furey expressed excitement to be teaching US History and American Democracy at our school. He hopes to build rapport with his students. “I want to have a strong sense of rigor, but at the same time enjoy my time with them and have fun with them,” he said. Furey is looking forward to helping students get caught up in history. “It’s my favorite subject. I love the personal stories. King Louis ate by himself and all the nobles would just watch him eat, isn’t that bizarre? These stories are what keep kids interested,” Furey said. “When I was in school, that was the subject I was really excited about; The United States has an especially intrigu-

ing history. So much has happened in such a short time.” Lowell’s population of 2,630 students has been a big change for Furey. “O’Connell is a very small community, 500, 600 students, so you get to know the kids,” Furey said. “Here, I feel almost like I’m at a university.” Creating ties with students is important to Furey. “I always want to know my students,” he said. However, Furey does have his limits. “I’m not going to go hang out with them or get to know them on Facebook. I connect with them in class,” he added. Being at Lowell has given Furey more freedom with his curriculum. “Here I’m able to lecture some. I can cover a lot of intellectual concepts,” Furey said. “I like to elicit responses from students; While I’m lecturing, I ask them engaging questions to tie them into the lecture so they’re participating

and not just listening.” Furey hopes to support students to speak up about what they are having trouble on. “I feel like the kids at Lowell are less likely to say that they don’t understand something,” Furey said. “There is more of a fear of kids being critical of each other.” Above all else, Furey finds the academic atmosphere to be inspiring. “Here at Lowell, the students are very passionate. It’s amazing how much you can learn from the students,” Furey said. “Sometimes students will question me on a certain topic, and sometimes they’ll be right and they’ll correct me and I’ll be wrong. I am very impressed at the intellectual capacity of the students.” Aside from his love of history, Furey’s passion is music. “I play bass guitar,” he said. “I used to play Middle Eastern music actively in restaurants, but now I’m back to Latin jazz, funk, soul and reggae.” According to Furey, he would love to incorporate music into his experience at this school. “I’d be interested in doing some extracurricular activities, especially related to music,” Furey said. Before he brings his music to Lowell, he’s bringing it to the stage. “I’m getting a band

together called the Furey Brothers,” Furey said. “My brother plays tenor saxophone.” Furey has frequently cast his adaptive spirit beyond the borders of the country in order to expand his knowledge of the world. “I’ve been out of the country maybe thirteen or fourteen times. I lived for a year in Italy. I did my junior year (in college) abroad there,” he said, adding that he is now fluent in Italian because of the trip. “I went to the University there as well. I had a great time.” Furey has his roots in Italy; his mother grew up there and he’s been visiting the country since he was young, so he couldn’t stay away for long. “I love the language. I love the food,” Furey said. “I love the place.” Although he loves to travel, as the song says, Furey has left his heart in San Francisco. “My folks are here, I love the city, and it’s a beautiful place,” Furey said. “I don’t see myself living anywhere else. This is my town.” Furey hopes to inspire his students to follow their passions, as he did. “Whatever you’re excited about, you have to try and figure out how to carve a place in the world for yourself,” he said. “Once a student at O’Connell told his counselor that he wanted to be a history teacher ‘like Mr. Furey.’ That was pretty touching.”

NaNoWriMo tional

ting

vel

in a v By EMorgenste nth

in november, writers churn out 50,000-word novels for the love of writing

emember the long, torturous gap between each release of Harry Potter books we all suffered through? What JK Rowling did not reveal — apart from whatever happened to Luna Lovegood in the final book — included the amount of stress involved in writing seven copious novels. Now imagine writing your own literary masterpiece — at least 100 pages long — in one month, from the midnight of Halloween to midnight on Nov. 30. National Novel Writing Month, usually referred to as NaNoWriMo (www.nanowrimo.org), is a website-based contest where writers submit 50,000 plus-word novels written in 30 days. Spewing out 1,667 words a day from your left-side brain proves to be harder than your average Bananagrams match. Many authors spend years developing captivating main characters, twisted plotlines and thoughtprovoking metaphors: Margaret Mitchell, for instance, spent eight years on Gone With the Wind, her only novel. Filled with pages of gripping romance and Civil War drama, her writing process was probably nowhere near as easy as the life of a Southern belle. Even though most works do not reach such lengths, writing any novel requires more than typing out your daily Facebook status. Pouring out a plot, from exposition to denouement, not only inspires creativity but can kill writer’s block — you don’t have time for it! “I had an enjoyable experience,” sophomore Lina Anderson, who entered the contest in 2009 and 2010, said in an email on Oct 17. “I love to write, but I hardly ever get the time. NaNoWriMo gave me a chance to just sit down and write. Since it wasn’t for a school assignment, it was more fun, because I was making myself do it.” For some students, however, adding a novel to their workload poses a challenge. Fion Lau, a 2008 alumna and current senior at the UC-Berkeley, faced the challenge of two time-consuming scholarly activities when she entered the contest

twice. “I often had to ask myself whether I was going to sleep or get more writing done,” she stated in an email Oct. 27. “I succumbed to both throughout the course of the month.” Even when sleep is sacrificed for writing time, there’s still the rather large obstacle of creating a novel in limited time. “I wasn’t used to trying to write so quickly or so prolifically, and it was definitely a struggle, especially the first time around,” Lau said. “It was a valuable experience. It’s ambitious, and still the biggest writing project I’ve embarked on. As an event, it’s largely about what you make it. I’ve recommended NaNoWriMo to people in the past, and I’d do it again.” Sophomore Deidre Foley, a reporter for The Lowell, also faced challenges contending with schoolwork, but appreciated the change to a novel from her normal workload. “It was really fun and stressful, kind of like school, except it was optional,” she said. “I had the choice to stop, but I really wanted to win because it’s something to be proud of. I got to think of an entire fictional story. It was a really nice break from writing essays and doing math homework.” NaNoWriMo, although considered a contest, crowns more than one winner. Works are judged on quantity, not quality, topic, or creativity. So if your novel is 50,000 words or over, then congrats! Download your winner’s certificate and admire your name on the list of victorious authors. “Honestly, my novel never had a plot,” Anderson said. “I had intended to just start writing and let a plot develop, but it never did. My novel was more of a streamof-consciousness free write.” If you are planning on cheating your way onto the winner list, don’t prepare to copy-and-paste the longest page on Wikipedia into the submit box. Even though cheat-preventing mechanisms don’t exist in the NaNoWriMo contest, the only real prize is the satisfaction of completing a real book with one fell swoop of the ‘submit’ button: If you want a winner’s certificate you don’t deserve, it’s a bigger shame than a gain. Want to give yourself a shot at the glory of writing a book, but feeling intimidated by all those coffee-drinking professional authors? Not to worry: NaNoWriMo also hosts a Young Writers Program for students from kindergarteners to seniors in high school, where participants choose just how long their work will be. Despite this added bonus, Anderson still pushed out 52,000 words by setting daily writing goals to accomplish the task. “The ordeal was pretty insane,” she said. “At first I thought it would be easy to write a novel. Usually I would take hours to finish my daily 1,667 words, though, because of writer’s block.” NaNoWriMo was founded by Chris Baty, a notorious fast writer himself, having authored five novels. The contest began in July, 1999 with only 21 contestants vying for speed-writing glory. Once inaugurated, participation in the contest was hindered because, OMG, in 2001 not everyone owned a computer. By 2008, winners were given a paperback copy of their novels by a self-publishing company called CreateSpace (www. createspace.com), also allowing them the opportunity to sell the work on a website such as Amazon. Over the years, participation has grown All Illustrat ions by Vivian

Tong

exponentially, with 2010’s contest hosting the creative work of over 200,000 individuals. Along with technological advancements over the years, NaNoWriMo’s online forums have grown steadily, offering a safe place for some author-to-author advice or “collective procrastination” as referred to on NaNoWriMo’s website (www.nanowrimo.org). Even better than online forums, local events organized by volunteers allow participants to meet and offer author-to-author advice. Nationwide, participants rendezvous at a common meeting place such as a participant’s house or local store well past midnight to launch the contest and conclude the month with “Thank God It’s Over,” a pen-tossing final celebration hosted on Nov. 30. For potential winners of the infamous NaNoWriMo challenge, the time has come to get out your notebooks and start channeling characters in your novel. If careful layouts aren’t on your agenda, stock up on sleep and dream up a wrenching or thrillingly dangerous plot. If this isn’t the way you roll, begin writing your novel on a whim like the word-starved writer you may be. Remember to sign up on NaNoWriMo’s website and have the experience of your soon-to-be-published life. Write your piece of literary splendor, whether it is a full-fledged future classic or book of very long poetry.

, r4 e b vem 11 No 20

The

Lowell

Backpage

Reporter re-evaluates the integrity of the sports industry and its loyalties towards workers and fans.

Lowell High School November 4, 2011

Page 13

Page 18

Varsity volleyball sweeps league games By Cameron BaSaing

ITH THEIR PERFECT 8-0 record, the Cardinals are approaching the playoffs poised to win the cham-

pionship. The volleyball team has shown total domination over the AAA league throughout the season. Of their eight straight wins, four of those were won in three-set sweeps. The girls are playing at the highest level they have in years, displaying the chemistry necessary for a championship team. The championship was last won in 2008. Their matches against Lincoln, Balboa and Washington between Oct. 4 and Oct. 14 were some of the most anticipated games of the season. Coach Steven Wesley has prepared the girls well with intense weight training and conditioning. As all three games were in a two-week span, the team knew it would be a challenge, but they came out with wins from each match. “We took on each game as it’s own, rather than thinking of them as two weeks of tough games,” senior libero Vivian Lei said. “We always focus on winning each game that’s set in front of us.” This series was their biggest test yet, and the Cardinals continue to show the league that they are the league’s forerunner. The Lowellites had no problem beating Balboa and Lincoln in the same week. Both matches were won in four sets, Balboa (20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 27-25) and Lincoln (18-25, 2521, 25-16, 26-24). Each set was played tightly with back and forth scoring, but the Cardinals kept their composure well in the final points of every set, closing out each one with authority. After losing the first sets in each match, both times the girls rebounded back with a strong effort to win the next three sets. With the Lincoln game on the line, the Cardinals clinched

AMORELLE APPLIN sophomore middle blocker MVP

Setter Gianna Braganza, middle Danielle Menikheim and opposite Emily Lim uses teamwork to counter a Los Altos player’s volley in preseason game.

the win with an ace-served. In their only Battle of the Birds match-up on Oct. 14, the game was intense, with the Cardinals securing a narrow win after five hard-fought sets, the

Athlete of the Month:

Reilly Fitzpatrick

By Jeffrey Wong

“H

UT! HUT!” senior outside hitter Reilly Fitzpatrick yells, as she moves in for the kill. After taking a swift 4-step approach, Fitzpatrick winds up and smashes the ball cross-court, then cheers in celebration with her teammates. Fitzpatrick has established herself a force to be reckoned with in the Academic Athletic Association; she is first in the Cardinals in o f f e n s e with 39 kills for the season — two kills per game — and fourth on the team in defense, with 1.2 digs per game. Fitzpatrick has played on Lowell’s varsity team since sophomore year as an outside hitter and middle blocker. According to sophomore defensive specialist Erica Lei, Fitzpatrick has a unique personality, full of humor and camaraderie. “Reilly always gets into the game and loves to cheer to get the team spirited,” Lei said. “I love it when she makes up her own cheers to pump us up, shouting ‘Pumas — or any other random word she thinks of at the moment.” A star player, Fitzpatrick looks to play volleyball in collge. “I would love to pursue a higher level of volleyball because there is nothing like that team togetherness,” Fitzpatrick said. “I have made some of my closest friends through volleyball because in the sport, you rely on each other constantly.”

Player Info:

Height: 5’11” Years on varsity: 3 Position: Outside Hitter Club team: Golden Bears

GAVIN LI

fifth set resulting from a tie after the fourth (25-18, 17-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-8). Look to the thelowell.org to read updates in playoffs and championships.

Most Valuable Player The Lowell’s choice of most valuable player for girls’ varsity volleyball is sophomore middle blocker Amorelle Applin, whose energy and determination help the team thrive. In close matches, when clinging onto a one-point lead in the fifth set, Applin can deliver the block to win the game. The versatile 5’9” middle can hit and block well, and leap to slam the ball, with a vertical clearance high enough to play her position as well as someone over six feet tall. “Amorelle always works hard, never gives up, and pushes teammates to do their best,” senior defensive specialist Isabela Haeger said. “She can hit stronger and jump higher than people who are bigger and taller than her, but she’s also quick and agile.” Applin’s persistence always encourages teammates to play to their limits. Losing sets merely pushes her to fight harder; her attitude is competitive. She is always contributing, having played in each match this season. One out of every five attacks is by Applin, and she can hit with great precision. Her trademark “slide” nearly guarantees a kill every time, giving her the highest average of kills per game on the team at 1.7. Applin will continue to be a governing force on the court.

Undefeated girls’ volleyball attributes wins to chemistry By Elazar Chertow

ITH THE SEASON coming to a close, the JV girls’ volleyball team is ready to spike their way to victory with the goal of repeating last season’s championship. So far, the girls’ team has been 7-0, on track for a perfect season. As the season has progressed the girls have improved, and so have scores. On Oct. 25, the JV girls’ squad beat Mission in just two games, winning both with ease, 25-1 and 25-5. This clear success can be accredited to the team dynamics, helped by coach Ron Palarca’s friendly attitude towards his strong and skillful players Since the beginning of the season, the girls have made great strides to improve their skills. “I think the team is making great progress,” sophomore co-captain and defensive specialist Viviane Nguyen said. “We’re playing more like a team when compared to the beginning of the season.” Without cohesion between freshman and sophomore players, the team would not be able to maintain its undefeated record. “The freshmen have definitely stepped up and they play a big part on the team.” Nguyen added. JEREMY VARON Coach Palarca has kept the girls’ A lady Cardinal bounds up to prevent the ball from passing the net. practices lively and fun while still focusing on the ultimate goal: a chamdown to it, he really cares about improving our skills and pionship. “Coach Ron is super chill, but when it comes making us want to win,” sophomore Katie Hwang said.

14 SPORTS

November 4, 2011

Lowell High School

Freshman Rachael No sets up for her next shot on the fairway during the Oct. 12 match against the Burton Pumas on the Golden Gate Golf Course.

DANIEL GREEN

Girls’ golf reinvents team with only one veteran By Michelle Hwang and Carmen Lin

HE RAISES THE CLUB above her head, sweeps down, and swings to put the ball in the hole with the fewest strokes possible. The girls’ varsity golf team had a successful season. They finished in second place; losing to the Lincoln Mustangs in the championship match on Oct. 31 with a score of 689-606. An impressive score of 115 was achieved by junior Paulina Kang at the match. During playoffs on Oct. 27, Kang made a score of 42, and sophomore Jenny Cho almost matched her with a score of 43. The Cardinals were flying high in their pre-October and post-October matches. On Oct. 27, the girls defeated the Washington Eagles with a score of 230-257; they swept them again on Oct. 18 with a score of 235-247. Next, the Lowellites won against the Burton Pumas 214-234 on Oct. 12. Rewind back to Sept. 28, when Galileo stood no chance against them; the Cardinals’ tremendous effort earned them a 223-246 victory. This season, the girls’ varsity golf team consisted of all new players except for one veteran, senior Jasmine Farrales. “I knew I was the only returning player and that I had to lead,” Farrales said. “The players are pretty good; they have lots of passion. I have gotten to know them better and have become

closer to them.”

Ray said. Since she started playing on the girls’ varsity team, her golf Most Valuable Player skills progressed significantly. “My swing definitely improved,” The Lowell’s pick for Most Valuable Player this year is senior Tsang said. “I’ve also learned different techniques, like how to Selena Tsang. Although she chip — a shot that is normally played from was new to the team, and just off the green — better.” To improve her game play, Tsang plans to shake off bad had never played golf before, swings so that she can keep going strongly she quickly became a key member. “She’s focused when throughout the match. she’s playing,” senior Christie Tsang said she has learned more about Yeh said. the game over the course of the season. “I’ve learned many things, such as how to apply Tsang, a model for condifferent amounts of power to get the ball sistency, worked really hard into the hole,” Tsang said. “In the past, I was to do the best that she could for the team this season. “She interested in golf, but it wasn’t that big of an takes a lot of responsibility,” interest. Now it is a lot more enjoyable than junior Paulina Kang said. I had expected.” Even though Tsang will not be here next “When it’s time for practice, season, she predicts that next year’s players she would text everyone and SELENA TSANG will enjoy playing golf as well. “My expectations tell when and where pracgirls’ golf MVP for next season are based on looking at younger tice is.” The coach also noticed Tsang’s role on the team. “She teammates and seeing how much they’ve improved,” Tsang practices a lot and is a good organizer,” head coach Robert said. “They will definitely make it to the championships.”

JOIN JOURN

November 4, 2011

The Lowell

SPORTS

JV girls’ volleyball Astroturf renews old field gears up for ’ship with star player From JV VOLLEYBALL on Page 13 Most Valuable Player

The Lowell’s choice for JV girls’ volleyball Mo st Va lu able Player is sophomore co-captain and defensive specialist Viviane Nguyen. As a returning player, she has displayed leadership on and of f the cour t, b ot h working with new teammates on their technique during practice and motivating younger students during study hall. “Viviane has totally stepped up as a

leader,” Palarca said. “And she also acts as the perfect captain, being a liaison between me and the players.” Coming off her freshman season, Nguyen had much to prove when she was chosen to be a co-captain. H o w e v e r, she earned her title, often contributing with powerful serves from the VIVIANE NGUYEN b a ck row, sophomore co-captain a c c ord i n g defensive specialist to Coach Palarca. “Viviane is really friendly during practice,” sophomore Jaela Caston said. “And she’s got the best jump on the team.”

daniel green

Construction worker maneuvers forklift to transfer rolls of turf across the football field.

Cardinals speak out on long awaited astroturf “I think the field is great; it’s great that the athletic office advanced the process for getting the field ready about a week so the seniors could get a chance to play on it. It’s an honor to play on the new field.”

“Now that we’re playing on a really nice field, it makes us feel better, and by us feeling better, it makes us play better. There are a lot of bumps, but it’s still better than the grass field.”

“Since the turf is brand new there’s an excess amount of the rubber, but people track it home in their shoes, so over time the level of the rubber will go down.”

DANNY CHAN varsity football head coach

JOE MUELLER sophomore JV football offensive

CAMERON BASAING senior varsity soccer forward

16 SPORTS

November 4, 2011

Cardinals fight to the finish in 2011

Senior midfielder and co-captain Brian Esterle protects the ball from an oncoming Lincoln opponent.

Lowell High School

Chris Lee

Varsity Boys’ Soccer poises to dominate post-season

HE BOYS’ VARSITY SOCCER team continued its undefeated streak after crushing the Marshall Phoenix on Oct. 27 with a 4-0 win. Prior to the game against San Francisco International, the team’s record was 16-0. The boys are currently working on ways to score more creative goals by being patient and distributing the ball better while on the attack, instead of forcing the ball up the middle of the field too quickly, according to sophomore Elijah Alperin, who is also a reporter for The Lowell. The team dominated the AAA league and qualified for the playoffs; the next game is at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Boxer Stadium, opponent to be decided by a playoff game. — Kai Matsumoto-Hines

Varsity Cross Country come out on top in first meet

ROSS COUNTRY got good news on Oct. 26 — the California Interscholastic Federation released a list of the top ten race times for all high school Academic Athletic Association boys and girls, and Lowell runners dominated both lists. Alex Hillan and Susan Li each held first place on the list. These skills were applied at the Cardinals’ first AAA meet on Oct. 18 against the Galileo Lions and the Marshall Phoenix. The boys’ frosh/soph team pummeled the Lions with a score of 15 against Galileo’s score of 42. Scores are based on a complex point system – a simplified explanation is that first place is one point, fifth place is five. Boys’ varsity also proved superior with a score of 16, against the Lions’ score of 54 and the Phoenix score of 67. The girls’ Varsity team ran unopposed and earned 15 points. Come support the Cardinals at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Golden Gate Park as they pit their strength against the Balboa Buccaneers, San Francisco International Huskies, International Studies Academy Cobras and Wallenberg Bulldogs. — Samantha Wilcox

Football plays on new field. Clockwise from top: (Top) jumps to catch a wayside ball as Buccaneers rush toward

jeremy varon

Sophomore Alec Chac leads the pack in the Frosh/Soph meet on Oct. 28. GAvin Li

The Lowell

November 4, 2011

SPORTS

Daniel Green

Senior wingback Luke Gonhes sprints to the end zone trying to evade Balboa defenders. (Bottom Right) Freshman JV receiver Abdul Alaudi ds him. (Bottom Left) JV players freshmen safety Dillon Easterling and linebacker Wen Liu bring down a Mustang near the end zone.

Varsity Football counts on play off revival.

HE VARSITY FOOTBALL team is looking to make a playoff push going into the sixth game of the season against the Marshall Phoenix. The Cardinals came off a crucial game on Oct. 28 against the Lincoln Mustangs. The Cardinals were confident going into the second half with a 14 point lead, however, the Mustangs battled back in the third and fourth quarters, coming a two-point conversion away from tying the game. The Cards held on, winning 14-12, as they stand in third place with an overall 3-2 record. In what is turning out to be a rollercoaster season, the Cardinals are aiming high, anticipating a playoff run. The race is coming down to the wire, and will most likely be decided on the last day of the regular season, Nov. 11, when the Cardinals

play the Mission Bears, who are currently in first place. With Washington and Mission already clinching the playoffs, there are only two spots left, and the team will do everything they can to grab one. Head Coach Danny Chan likes the team’s odds at making a playoff run. “I think we have a pretty good chance,” Chan said. “We need to return to the fundamentals, and just getting our plays down. We have to have cohesion. We have to have the full team doing everything at the same time.” Now the Cardinals look to remain in third place at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the School of the Arts when they take on the Phoenix. — Spencer Thirtyacre

JV Football loses undefeated record to Mustangs

GAvin Li

HE HIGH-FLYING CARDINALS were snatched from the air by the mighty Mustangs on Oct. 29. At the end of the fourth quarter, the game was tied 14-14. But the Mustangs gained ground and scored a touchdown in three quick plays, narrowly defeating the JV Cardinals in overtime 14-20. After their previous stellar games, the loss came as a shock. “Things just didn’t fall our way,” sophomore defensive tackle Pasha Stone said. “All the little mistakes

made a difference. The game was just that close.” Despite their best efforts, the JV team lost their undefeated record, but not their league standing; they are now locked in a three-way tie for first place with Lincoln and Mission. Jog down to see the JV team play Marshall at 3 p.m. today at Mike Voyne Field against the Marshall Phoenix. — Cooper Logan

18 SPORTS

November 4, 2011

Lowell High School

NBA industry disappoints Warriors fan

In the midst of the National Basketball Association lockout, employees and fans are left hanging on the outcome of the 2011-2012 season as players and owners are locked in a stalemate over changing salary contracts

drinking wine and watching the game, the “issues,” the players are not the only ones that players are actually living their dream. Since will not get paid. The vendors, ushers, scouts when did anyone having the life that millions and even the mascots will be without jobs as of people desire need to have an income in long as there is a lockout. the top 1 percent of the country? The total number of people involved in To my pleasure, after the lockout, some the NBA is far greater than the actual numplayers have openly stated that they are will- ber of players rushing up the court, with ing to compromise. “After a banner year, the thousands of people employed by the NBA players are still willing to give the owners and connected businesses, stadiums and a higher percentsuch, depending on age in good faith,” the season for their Phoenix Suns point The players should love income. guard Steve Nash A n d f rom my said regarding the what they do and like seat in the bleachers, soft cap via twitter the lockout affects to get paid doing it, but not just the players on Oct. 10. Nash, a seven time all-star, employees, but money should not be and as well as a member most of all, the fans. of the NBA playthe overriding goal. Around 45 million ers association, had people tune in to showed me that not watch NBA games all players are in it solely for the money. annually. According to NBA Commissioner David They love the game, the excitement, the Stern, the league claims both that it expects feeling of being a part of something bigger to lose $400 million this season alone, and than themselves. “I grew up loving basketthat it has been losing at least $200 million ball, watching my favorite players per year since 2005. and trying to learn their moves,” The thing is, neither the commissioner sophomore Justin Cheung said. nor the owners have shown the public sufIt is wrong to take that feeling ficient evidence that the league is in fact away from so many loyal fans who losing money. As a fan, I cannot believe the have been devoted, paying customwords of sports owners-billionaires and ers for years. The NBA owners without proof. should sit down and settle their If the owners are really losing so much contract dispute with a compromise. money each year, why don’t they share the They are making ten-fold the data with their fans? It all does not add up. money than the majority of their fans are To me, it seems like a poorly thought-out making, yet they are too stubborn to reach excuse to bicker over money. a satisfactory agreement with the players. However, while the top tiers resolve their The lockout in turn brings up the question: should athletes be viewed as role models? Without a doubt they should. For me, as well as countless numbers of boys and girls around the world, professional sports players embody the ultimate career; doing something you love and getting paid wads of cash to do it. As a naïve boy, I wanted to be just like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant; the athletes I saw on television. With their determination and commitment already established by their accomplishments, athletes need to be role models — it should be in the job description. But the owners are not pleased with that proposal. They want a complete overhaul of the current system, despite the fact that they have agreed to the “soft cap” year in and year out. “I’ve been anticipating this lockout for the last two or three years,” Players Association Representative Bill Hunter said on behalf of the Association in a June 30 press release. “It’s here. Maybe now we can really begin to negotiate all those issues.” As the lockout continues, and the number of angry fans grows, all I and other Lowell fans can do is act like true Golden State Warriors fans and “Believe” that the lockout will end.

opinion

By Elazar Chertow more than 400 percent. This is allowed by OR ME, the day that sports lost its increases in the cap of each team’s total salglamour was when I was a measly third ary funds going up from $34 million to $53 grader, impressionable and gullible as million in a span of 12 years. ever — a huge sports fan. When I rushed Before this year’s lockout, the current downstairs in my moose pajamas and eagerly model in place had been a “soft cap,” which turned on ESPN, the headline read: “Bryant meant teams could exceed the allotted payarrested in Colorado on alleged rape charge.” roll cap under certain specific circumstances, My favorite player and longtime role model, including the “rookie exemption,” which Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, was allows teams to sign their draft picks even if accused of rape. the contract will put the team over the cap. I was outraged, finding it just too difficult This current model is beneficial to players, to process that Kobe wasn’t the “perfectly because they can re-negotiate their contracts attentive” and “unfailingly polite” gentleman every few years, as opposed to the “hard cap,” my dad always told me to be with girls. As a which the owners favor as it doesn’t allow devoted basketball fan, how could I look up exemptions under any circumstances. to someone that not only played for a rival With player salaries so high, we basketball of the Warriors, but was also disrespectful to fans wonder why players are deciding not to girls? My world was shaken and I ran back play. Yet, it is not that some players do not upstairs, just laying in bed, thinking. choose to play, it is that they cannot, since Seven years later, that morning still affects the season has yet to start, due to the team me. Kobe Bryant owners’ deciwas never brought sion.Although I to court (a court appreciate that With the first two weeks of some NBA playof law, that is.) He changed his jerare willing to the NBA season already can- ers sey number, but I agree to a deal, didn’t move on. I celled, the question most fans I am still upset never forgot about that some, such are asking is not when, but as the infamous, his misdemeanor charge. be rather if the season will begin. tBor yma ne t, , Ko Since then, as who I got older, betis considering ter with girls and playing overseas worse at basketball, I began to understand for an Italian club team, are so vehemently that the world didn’t exactly revolve around opposed to compromise. The players should me, but rather around money. love what they do, and like to get paid doing I viewed Kobe and other National Bas- it, but money should not be the overriding ketball Association players less and less as goal. While the owners are up in their press idols. Therefore, when the lockout was announced, I was wholeheartedly disappointed to be missing games, and similarly let down by the lack of commitment the league and teams were showing. With the first two weeks of the NBA season already cancelled, the question most fans are asking is not when, but rather if the season will begin. The fundamental problem is that both the players and owners cannot agree to a collective bargaining agreement over how the $3.8 billion of revenue should be split up. According to reporter Mike Pesca of National Public Radio the 360 NBA players earn 57 percent of the money that flows in, whereas the 30 ownership groups make 43 percent, much of which that they have to shell out to pay employee salaries. The lockout boils down to the two sides each wanting their payday increased during today’s volatile economic times. “They (the owners) say that 22 out of 30 teams are actually losing money,” Pesca said in a recent interview on NPR’s Morning Edition. To understand the lockout, one must understand that since 1999, when the average player’s salary was capped at just above $5 million a year, salaries have increased by

vivian tong

20 COLUMNS

November 4, 2011

Lowell High School

Lt. Governor reveals hidden perks of service By Nancy Wu

ormer president of the United States Bill Clinton, actor Tom Cruise, actor Brad Pitt and Elvis Presley all have one thing in common — they are all alumni. Yes, I’m talking about that club, the club that everyone in this school joined or heard of at least once in the span of their high school careers — KEY CLUB. Some say we are “overrated,” but nothing is overrated about community service, and the fact that Key Club helps develop such successful and famous individuals further proves that this organization is more than just your average volunteer club. As current Lieutenant Governor (Lt.G) of Division 34 North (sounds fancy, doesn’t it?), I serve as a liaison between one of Key Club’s 33 districts, California-Nevada-Hawaii, and the clubs therein. So far, my position has given me the opportunity to play a round of twister on a giant 20 ft. by 20 ft. twister board with teens from the Caribbean Islands, and ride a mechanical bull — I will never again underestimate the strength needed to stay on those vicious machines. Most importantly, I realized that the only way to lose substantial weight is by traveling to the Phoenix, Arizona desert valley and spend a week feeding off of instant kimchi noodles every night and walking — in heels — approximately two miles around a convention center from dawn until midnight. You would think that coming from San Francisco, I’m accustomed to anything unique thrown my way, but the people I’ve met have far exceeded my ideals of

an all-around nice and high-achieving person. We call ourselves the MVBees — Most Valuable Bees, because our district mascot is the bee. These 75 Lt.Gs, executive officers and committee chairs are the funniest bunch of people I’ve ever met. We confide and rant to each other because only board members would understand the workload we have to tackle, what with the monthly submission of tedious report forms and committee assignments. “We’re all one big Ohana,” our District Governor would say, and I agree — the MVBees have become my second family. Once I really delved into the work as Lt.G, I started to appreciate events I attended. If you’ve never helped organize an event, then you won’t understand how much time and effort is invested into any event. Recently, other Lt.Gs and I held a region training conference with a Harry Potter theme for Key Club members from the Bay Area and Napa Valley. We collectively spent months planning and making sure that every last workshop down to the most minute activity, like “wand making,” was covered. On the day of the event, more than 300 rowdy Key Clubbers arrived at Camp Jones Gulch, a YMCA summer camp in La Honda, ready to spend their weekend learning about the Kiwanis Family and an array of potential service projects. My stamina was tested as I presented a workshop on “How to Keep an Audience’s Attention” ten times, then prepared my group for the highly anticipated campfire skit, where we showcased the benefits of March of Dimes,

a charity dedicated to prevention of premature mortality rate in babies. Ending with bonding games the next morning, the conference turned out to be a magical weekend. The best part of Key Club is getting to know Kiwanis, the adult division of Key Club and the ones who started it all. Our leaders have become homies; Jack, Lowell’s Kiwanis advisor, competes in swim meets, recently winning nine medals in the senior Olympics, “I beat Michael Phelps,” he would jokingly say. A Mills High School Kiwanis advisor, Martin “Moneymaker,” is an epitome of a hip adult. He voluntarily goes above and beyond to help Key Clubbers from other schools, which scores him a cool point in my book. Kiwanis Governor Richard Olmstead always has a bounce in his step and openly pokes fun at his small stature. Kiwanis may be an adult society, but they prove daily that you can still be a kid on the inside — sometimes I feel like they’re more of a kid than I am. Kiwanians dedicate their time and money to service projects and organizations, while maintaining their careers and supporting a family; they are exactly what I hope to grow into as I grow up — successful and caring.

Hoi Leung

Humbled by his peers, boy finds better self By Jeffrey Wong

he path to high school for most Lowell students has a prevalent pattern — pride. Top of your middle school class. Top-notch grades and high praise from teachers. And, of course, the attitude — you are superior, unique from any other student. For me, it all started when I got my acceptance letter to Lowell High School. Scoffing at even initially worrying about the unopened envelope, I thought, “Obviously, I, Jeffrey Wong, would get in. How could I not, with my intellect and unimitatable ability to juggle several extracurricular activities?” I had a vision of conquering the school. I would be at the top of the top; I could see my gleaming self being framed next to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on the Lowell Hall of Fame, perhaps before I graduated. As I climbed the steps of success during my freshman year, doing academically well, I noticed others sailing past me — seemingly on escalators. I refused to simply accept that they were smarter, or God forbid, more talented. I believed that I could achieve anything, if not everything, I wanted. But as I trudged through the years, I noticed students who were not only academically exceptional, but also legends outside of Lowell. Sylvan Guo, class of 2011, had won the Ohleyer Memorial Award for her outstanding academic and athletic performance, while also competing with the U.S. Youth National ping-pong team. I was stunned that these renaissance people could balance academics and still do what they loved. My sense of discipline and self-worth was being tested — how I could be like this child prodigy, this brilliant student-athlete by the time I was a senior? And now I am a senior, but instead of feeling like my destiny

is to be the “dream Lowell student,” my goals have come into clearer focus. In September, as I was reading the latest issue of The Lowell, one specific story caught my attention — “Brothers win green design competition,” in which the two boys’ invention had won an award in a prestigious competition, even against several professional researchers. Shocked, I realized that instead of spending time on a competitive treadmill, winding up only exhausted, these students had been pursuing genuine passions, and personal success was the result. I, too, have pursued my passion — volleyball. During the summer, my volleyball club team competed at Junior Olympics, a national tournament. Although my team didn’t medal, the higher level of play inspired me, and I developed a stronger love for the game, as I loved saving hard driven attacks by 6’9” Division I hitters. It isn’t fame or applause underlying my love for the sport. The idea of a ball never touching the floor is unbelievable — a metaphor for how I never “hit the floor,” even during hard times. I thought about graduation, imagining the walk across stage while taking a moment to wonder whom I never had met. Now I walk these halls, sit next to the quiet Asian girl in my Physiology class, and wonder, “This girl seems passive, but is she really?” She and I may never say hello, and never truly get to know one another. It is because we remain ignorant, because we assume. While it is easier to believe that the way people act in the classroom translates to the way that they are outside of school, that is a deep misunderstanding — it is that they are humble,

not quiet; they are amazing at what they do because of their deep rooted passions, not their need for fame. So many incipient legends will walk through these halls, but too many of us might be blocked by the “flawless me” syndrome. I know that I am unique, as is true for each of us. But each class will always have the most athletic jock, a three-time blue-ribbon winner science bowl geek or a nationally awarded and recognized Editor-in-Chief — students who sparkle with promise, shine just a little brighter. But people should never overlook the humane qualities that truly translate to success in life: humbleness, respect for others and love of self. Working hard and trying to be the best are positive goals, but students often become caught up in their own little world of APs and GPAs, rather than delving into true passions. The Lowell stereotype is that we have to be a success (whatever that means); so ironically, in trying to be “the best,” we are just like everybody else. I realized I need not fear pursuing what seems radically different — like sailing the world or even something preposterous like hitting a Tachikara volleyball across a net — especially if that is what I love to do. Avoid the universal tiger mom’s authority and don’t be comfortable with what is standard. Discover what makes you, you. Instead of struggling with my need to be the best of the best, I feel both humbled and honored to be among multi-talented students. I now recognize each of us as future legends, whether or not we are destined to be honored on the Lowell Hall of Fame.

Girl seeks excitement in pursuit of ‘amy-dexterity’ By Amy Char

am notoriously poor at staying focused. When I flick through my sophomore year Advanced Placement European History notebook, I find “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” — hastily and repeatedly written in an untidy scrawl, squished between notes about the Enlightenment, Napoleon Bonaparte or World War II. The phrase accompanied an inky residue on my left pinky, a proud reminder of writing as a leftie. Although completely accidental, I consider learning how to write with my left hand one of the greatest achievements of my high school career to date. The desire to become ambidextrous sprang from my desperation to break the monotony of school towards the end of my sophomore year. I was in a “sophomore slump” — too accustomed to the daily routines of high school, I started keeping a countdown to the last day of school on the second day of the spring semester. Hence, I decided to immerse myself in the lifestyle of a “southpaw.” With my short attention span, I often have trouble staying on task when going through established and

repetitive routines. Why not liven things up a bit by taking a walk on the left side of the road? Any ideal I had previously held about good penmanship quickly shattered after I hesitantly started writing with my left hand. The pen felt like a stranger in my nondominant hand. After spending five minutes fiddling with my fingers and finding a comfortable position, I soon realized how poor my motor control in my “sinister” — Latin for “left” — hand was. How could something so intuitive for my right hand turn out to be so difficult for my left hand? Glancing down at my paper, I felt like I had been transported back to my preschool days — only missing the flimsy brown paper with dotted lines to guide me through the letter strokes. I had a lot of work before my handwriting became legible again. To strengthen my left hand, I put my confidence in “neurobics.” Although they sound like a weird combination between the video games Brain Age and Wii Fit, neurobics are

everyday actions you can easily complete — supposedly — with your non-dominant hand. However: brush your teeth with your left hand — end up with toothpaste splattered all over your chin. Cut paper snowflakes with your left hand — finish with a paper cut or two and a misshapen paper polygon. Cutting a pineapple with my left hand is a task I have yet to attempt, merely because I am fond of the five fingers on my right hand. I still aspire to reach this level of dexterity one day. In order to reach that level, my brain has to focus more of its attention on the right hemisphere, which ironically controls my left hand. In my Advanced Placement Psychology class, I learned the brain can accomplish this with synaptic pruning and neural plasticity. Neural plasticity means that your brain changes structure based on how you use it… or not. Additionally, synaptic pruning revolves around the principle of “use it or lose it.” Unused synaptic connections are snipped

away to make other synaptic connections in your brain stronger. Play video games 18 hours a day and never open your precalculus book? Your brain reduces the neuron connections that help trigonometric identities on a test in order to strengthen the neuron connections that help you memorize the button combos to play in-game melodies like Epona’s Song in The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time. These theories support my practice — constantly stimulating my left hand will eventually strengthen the synaptic connections involved with left-hand control. Ever hear of the classic challenge — patting your head with your non-dominant hand and rubbing your belly with your other hand at the same time? My ultimate goal is being able to write with both hands simultaneously. How efficient would that make the stereotypically ambitious Lowell student in class? But for now, I will appreciate how one day, should I ever find myself with a right hand in a sling, I’ll still be able to whip out a perfectly legible in-class essay, thanks to my ambidexterity. But then again, having each hand as efficient as the other means twice the opportunities to get off task…

The Lowell

November 4, 2011

OPINION

Free youth fares deemed financially unrealistic Do not provide MUNI assistance to all youth, but only on basis of financial need

By Ashley Louie

bus fares do not grant universal free public N JULY, the San Francisco Municipal transportation to its city’s youth. In example, Transportation Agency made an emergen- the New York City Department of Education cy decision to increase the price of a youth distributes student MetroCards to eligible Fast Pass to $21, a 110 percent increase since students at the beginning of each semester the June 2009 price of $10. In protest, a broad of school and allows for three trips on each school day, covering the coalition of youth, transit bus rides to and from advocates and elected school. Moreover, eligiofficials stood outside is based on a stuCity Hall on Sept. 19 to According to the bility dent’s distance from his urge free Muni passes for youth under the age of 18. SFMTA, funding or her home to school, not income. Considering On that same day, SFMTA free MUNI for a student’s distance away Director Joel Ramos and from home to school suits District 9 Supervisor Daall youth would New York very well convid Campos introduced the idea of free Muni to all cost $6.4 million sidering the fact that New York is approximately ten San Francisco residents times bigger than San in monthly pass under the age of 18. At Francisco. an Oct. 18 meeting at City and cash fares. In Portland, all youth Hall, the Board of Superunder the age of 18, high visors passed a resolution school students, and stuurging the passage of free Muni, although it does not have the authority dents pursuing a GED are eligible for discounted bus fares. High school students can, to require it. The increase in fare prices, though unex- however, take the bus for free during the pected, was reasonable given the financial school year because the Portland Public School deficit the MTA faces; because of financial con- District does not provide any yellow school straints, Muni should be free for low-income, buses; however, do keep in mind that Portland is about three but not all, youth. If San Franciscans’ complaints do sway times larger than San the SFMTA, the agency will lose potential Francisco, meaning revenues. According to the SFMTA, funding that its students with free Muni for all youth would cost $6.4 million schools on the other in monthly pass and cash fares. There have side of town would already been tremendous numbers of cuts to have to take the bus Muni routes and buses and an increased deficit for a longer period will only contribute to more losses in public of time than typical San Franciscan high transportation. Consider the policies and prices of public school students. In Oakland, transportation in major cities such as Chicago Marin and San Jose, and San Diego. Their free or reduced bus passes are given to senior citizens, individuals with monthly youth bus passes are similar to medical disabilities, or military personnel. On the other hand, the few metropolitan or more expensive agencies that do offer discounted or free than the current $21

San Francisco pass; in Oakland, youth passes are $20, approximately $28 in Marin and $45 in San Jose . Lowell’s Peer Resources head Adee Horn expressed her support for free Muni. “A lot of people take Muni, but not everybody can afford it,” Horn said. But why let youth who can easily afford bus passes ride for free sink our city’s transportation system into deeper financial difficulties? The best solution would be to provide free passes only to students who genuinely cannot afford them. This distinction could be determined by the same criteria that qualify students for free or reduced lunch. The SFUSD has already taken measures to cushion the blow of increased Muni fares. Through the Youth Lifeline Program, the SFUSD distributed 12,000 free passes to lowincome students during the last school year, and 12,000 discounted passes are available for purchase by eligible students this school year. The SFMTA should distribute more passes through this program instead of offering universal free youth Muni passes.

District 7 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd recognized the financial impracticality of free Muni for youth. “We have tens of millions of dollars of unfunded mandates at the MTA, ” he was quoted saying in an Oct. 7 San Francisco Chronicle article. Elsbernd suggested providing further discounted youth passes for children with financial difficulties. On the other hand, Campos argues that making free youth passes universal would benefit low income students by eliminating any stigmatism associated with receiving free bus fare. Campos also sees free Muni for youth as an investment in future ridership and education. “There is clearly a need for free Muni especially since [fares] have gone up by 110 percent and because the SFUSD is cutting its buses by almost 50 percent,” he said in an interview. If the SFMTA is smart, it will acknowledge the value of free Muni passes for youth with financial difficulties but also recognize that our city’s cash-strapped transportation system cannot afford to fund free bus fare for all youth. Story first appeared on thelowell.org

Courtesy of Griffin5 and Wikimedia

Eliminate early admissions to even playing field Overhyped college early admissions programs disadvantage students in need of financial aid and add further anxiety to the already stressful application process.

By Daffany Chan

financial aid packages they are offered. “The risk of not beOLLEGE ADMISSIONS: the two words that, come ing able to afford tuition is too high if I apply early decision autumn, every senior fears. The competition to get to a college and am accepted,” senior Kimberly Wong said, into a prestigious college has been growing every who decided the risk outweighed the benefits of applying year, putting pressure on students to do whatever it takes, early to a school. Rather than serve its intended function as an optional from packing more AP’s to a course load to trying to get a process for students who are dead-set on one college, early jump on everyone, to be accepted. In a move that shook the world of college admissions admission has become, in many students’ minds, more of an five years ago, the prestigious Ivies Harvard and Princeton obligation, a means of increasing one’s chances of getting in to a reputable school. The number abolished their long-standing of college applicants has grown early decision programs in an atevery year while the number of tempt to equalize the admissions spots available has remained virtuThe college admissions process for underrepresented and ally constant, thus increasing the underprivileged students. Accordprocess should be a time pressure many students feel to ing to a Sept. 12, 2006 Boston Globe find a “foothold” into competitive article, in explaining their policy for self-exploration ... schools. As early programs bechanges, the colleges cited the discome the norm, many students advantages of early decision for all yet it has become more worry that there will be less slots students — low-income students of a strategic game. later. According to a study by the were less likely to apply because of National Association for College the overall lack of awareness that Admission Counseling, 65 percent such an option even existed. The of colleges increased acceptances colleges aimed to calm down the frenzy of the college admissions process, as “it seemed that through early decision, and 73 percent of colleges admitted early admission was the gasoline on the fire,” the former dean more early action applicants last year. The college process should be a time for self-exploration, of admissions at Harvard stated in the article. a process for students to figure out what type of school suits Although colleges have progressed considerably from their early tradition of catering almost exclusively to the them, yet it has become more of a strategic game. With the rich, the early admissions process still poses a barrier to exception of students who found their “dream college” early, underprivileged students. According to Cornell president the looming November deadline detracts from seniors’ last Hunter Rawlings, early admissions “historically…has been year in high school — time they should be spending exploran upper-middle-class white students from the Northeast ing their courses rather than cramming to get an application phenomenon.” Because early decision is a binding contract finished in time. This intensifies the already cut-throat en— students are required to matriculate if accepted to their vironment that the college admissions process breeds every early decision college — students are unable to compare the fall. Additionally, those who do apply early can be adversely

affected if they have rushed into commiting to one school without exploring wider options. In the end, early programs seem to benefit the colleges themselves more than they do students. In the constant rat race for colleges to boost rankings in publications such as U.S. News, schools want to lock in the most competitive students. Many schools seek to fill a large portion of their entering class in the early application round; last year, competitive schools like John Hopkins and Bowdoin accepted almost 40 percent of their freshman class through early decision. Because a factor in determining college ranking is the selectivity of a college, accepting more students early would thus decrease regular decision percentages. The University of Pennsylvania has used early decision since the 1970s to increase their rankings, according to a September 2001 article in The Atlantic. The 2006 attempt of Harvard and Princeton to equalize the college admissions process has undoubtedly failed, as the two have since re-joined the ranks of the over four hundred colleges that continued to offer early admissions, according to the College Board. Just this past February, these leading universities announced that they would reinstate their early options, though in the tweaked form of Single Choice Restrictive Early Action. “In eliminating our early program … we hoped other colleges and universities would do the same and they haven’t,” the president of Princeton, Shirley Tilghman, said in a Feb. 24, 2011 New York Times article to explain the university’s change of policy. The only way to implement a fairer screening of applicants is to have one unified regular deadline. One deadline would eliminate the disadvantage to underprivileged students and the added stress of early programs, leaving a simpler, clear-cut admissions process. With increasing admissions selectivity, along with the weight of tuition hikes and school stress on every senior’s plate, simplicity in applying to colleges sounds like a breath of fresh air.

22 EDITORIAL

November 4, 2011

Lowell High School

EDITORIALS Protest movements should send message to student loan lenders

rotestors with the Occupy Wall Street movement have been camping in New York City’s financial district for over a month, filling Zuccotti Park with signs and tents, demanding a regime change in our so-called “free-market economy.” Claiming to represent 99 percent of Americans, they are intent on stopping corporations from controlling the country. The protesters with the movement are not looking directly at the problem that is causing the student loan crisis — private lenders taking advantage of students by jacking up unregulated interest rates when credit rises. What the protesters should do to alleviate the burden on students is to stop occupying Wall Street, and turn their frustrations toward the specific corporations that are responsible for entrapping youth seeking to finance their education. Students signed up for loans, not realizing interest rates would spiral; protestors need to demand government regulations that would limit the interest rates private lenders are capable of charging. College tuition rates have skyrocketed due to the country’s under-funded educational system for public schools and have a share in the blame of the student loan debt crisis. Part of the frustration of Occupy Wall Street is that only 3.7 percent of the federal budget is dedicated to preliminary through postsecondary education this year, while 24.36 percent is devoted to military purposes. California spent only $11,140,400 this year on higher-level education, according to the 2011-12 California Budget (www.ebudget.ca.gov). This lack of funding forces public universities to increase tuition rates. In fact, the median tuition rate in public colleges and universities has more than doubled since 1988, according to the June 13 CNN Money article “Surging college costs price out middle class.” We need to demand an increase in educational funding to assuage the burden placed on students. The suffocating manipulation of our credit status by subprime student loan lenders has played a part in our economy crisis. According to FinAid (www.finaid.org), an organization that assists with college payments, the total student loan debt Americans collectively owe is approaching $1 trillion, about $23,186 per loaner. Currently, “private student loans are not subsidized by the government, and therefore are not regulated as closely,” Simple Tuition (www. simpletuition.com), a financial aid company, stated. “They may have variable interest rates and fees that are based on the credit profile of the borrower.” Student loan lenders go largely unregulated by the government, trapping students in massive debt with ridiculously high interest rates. According to the July 1 The New York Times article “A New Type of Student Loan, but Still a Risk,” interest on student loans from Wells Fargo are advertised at 7.29 percent; however, since most students have not built up their credit, if they miss one payment, their credit will drop and their interest rates will rise, up to 14.21 percent. Banks like Wells Fargo are using the classic “bait and switch” tactic used to bring in business and then jack up the prices. This differs from federal loans — the subsidized Stafford interest rates are at 3.4 percent for this school year. It is important for students to research all funding possibilities; if they can qualify for government loans, they will pay a much lower interest rate. Private lenders such as Sallie Mae make a fortune off student loans because they “bundle” the loans and sell them to investors, according to Financial Web (www.finweb.com). This way, lenders continue to make money off high interest rates, while passing the risk of students defaulting on their loans down the line. This technique appears clever, but we saw the economic reprecussions of the housing market crash. Students are failing to pay back these loans more than ever; 320,000 students defaulted on their loans last year, according to the Department of Education. Some of us will be taking out loans next year. We demand both regulations to rein in private student loan lenders and funding for universities forced to increase tuition rates. We must stand up to the profiteers bankrupting our generation. f o r t h e c o m p l e t e v e r s i o n s of stories, please visit

The Lowell on the Web

www.thelowell.org

hoi leung

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Teacher espouses value of school rankings Dear Editor, I should like to comment on your Oct. 7 editorial “Annual rankings offer superficial assessment of school’s true merit.” One old adage for me that comes to mind is “You play to win.” In your editorial, you state “the survey cannot be regarded as legitimate if schools have to self-select.” This implies that there is something wrong in people or institutions self-selecting in a competition. If this was the case, then none of you would be attending this school or applying to top colleges; there would be no Oscars or Pulitzers or Nobel Peace and Science prizes. Almost all awards or prizes require either nomination or self-selection. We don’t think that because many students don’t apply to Lowell or Harvard or because actors aren’t nominated for Academy

Editors-in-Chief Caitriona Smyth • Nancy Wu Yosha Huang • Natasha Khan

Web Editors-in-Chief Content Olivia Pollak Technology Aaron Pramana

News Amy Char, Yosha Huang, Natasha Khan, Caitriona Smyth Sports Joseph Fiorello, Nancy Wu Features Jenna Rose Fiorello Columns Adriana Millar, Grace Sun Opinions Olivia Pollak, Michelle Wan Reporters Elijah Alperin, Natalia Arguello-Inglis, Cameron BaSaing, Elena Bernick, Isabel Boutiette, Adam Chac, Daffany Chan, Elazar Chertow, Jenna Rose Fiorello, Deidre Foley, Campbell Gee, Henry Hammel, Michelle Hwang, Layla Huynh, Ian James, Seric Kaekwon, Zoe Kaiser, Sofya Kats, KT Kelly, Seric Kaekwon, Melinda Leung, Carmen Lin, Cooper Logan, Ashley Louie, Kai Matsumoto-Hines, Adriana Millar, Eva Morgenstein, Arlen Pan, Ying Sham, Spencer Thirtyacre, Sean Wang, Samantha Wilcox, Jeffrey Wong, Mara WoodsRobinson, Audrey Yu Web Staff Elijah Alperin, Monica Castro, Nicholas Fong, Daniel Green, Chris Lee, Gavin Li, Jason Lo

Awards that achieving these goals are devalued. I am sure there are students just as capable as Lowell students who did not even apply to this school, but that doesn’t mean that getting accepted at Lowell is not a valuable accomplishment. Even though you question their validity, the Newsweek rankings are important to many at Lowell. National rankings are important to many students, parents, alumni, staff and to me. They are a major reason why this school has endured for 155 years while most other schools in the district have been closed or re-constituted several times over. There was an administrative communication problem last year that resulted in this unfortunate lapse in our ratings which disappointed many people. Rather than question the legitimacy of the process, let’s make sure that Lowell is sitting this year at the game table when the cards are dealt. — Jeremy Gribler, math teacher

Photo Editor Chris Lee Photographers Daniel Green, Nicholas Fong, Gavin Li, Jeremy Varon Art Editor Vivian Tong Illustrator Hoi Leung Business Managers Martin Costa, Rachel Hsu, Sophie Solomon Accounting Grace Sun

Print Sharn Matusek Web Samuel Williams

Advisers

Published every four weeks by the journalism classes of Lowell High School, Room S108, 1101 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132 Phone: (415) 759-2730 Internet: thelowellads@yahoo.com; http://www.thelowell.org. All contents copyright Lowell High School journalism classes. All rights reserved. The Lowell and The Lowell on the Web strive to inform the public and to use their opinion sections as open forums for debate. All unsigned editorials are the opinions of the staff. The Lowell welcomes comments on school-related issues from students, faculty and community members. Send letters to lowellopinion@gmail.com. Letters must be signed. Names will be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to edit letters before publication. 2011 NSPA Online Pacemaker 2009 NSPA First Class Honors 2007 NSPA All-American 2007 NSPA Online Pacemaker

2007 CSPA Gold Crown 2006 NSPA Pacemaker 2006 NSPA All-American 2005 CSPA Gold Crown

More timely SchoolLoop updates would benefit students, teachers

n this day and age, we take for granted that we can electronically reach out to someone at any time. Want to take a trip to Japantown with friends? Text message them and you are bound to meet up before the 38 line comes. Need to work on a group project? Your peers have already set up a Facebook group. But for some students, checking grades and assignments is not so easy, as, unfortunately, some teachers do not take full advantage of the school’s SchoolLoop site. In 2009, the San Francisco Unified School District introduced SchoolLoop as a way for various groups in the district’s community to communicate. The website (lhs-sfusd-ca.schoolloop.com) is often used by students to check their grades online and email work and questions to teachers. Teachers can post documents, grades, links, homework assignments and even calendars on SchoolLoop, allowing students to access assignments they may have missed, track their grades and pinpoint areas for their academic improvement. However, because not all Lowell teachers use SchoolLoop consistently, many students

miss out on these opportunities. Knowing grades before the end of a quarter gives students valuable time and incentive to improve grades. Although many students often get individual assignments back in class, grades, based on acculminated credit, are more elusive. However, SchoolLoop makes grading more transparent. The site is an extremely useful tool for students to track grades and assignments, and so the site should be used more frequently. Students would find it helpful if teachers posted grades on SchoolLoop every two to three weeks. All teachers already submit grades every six weeks via SchoolLoop. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to ask that teachers update the site every three weeks as a de facto progress report for students. In fact, it might make the end-of-the-gradingperiod crunch easier for teachers. Teachers should also take advantage of SchoolLoop’s news bulletin feature. The size of our school makes it difficult to disseminate school-wide announcements. But on SchoolLoop, a teacher or administrator can publish an announcement that can be viewed on the sidebar of all students’

SchoolLoop portals, thus facilitating communication by concentrating announcements in one place. All teachers use SchoolLoop to some extent to check their district emails and post quarter grades, but some only minimally utilize its capabilities. An informal survey with several teachers, past articles from The Lowell, and other students’ past experiences reveal several reasons why more teachers do not use SchoolLoop. Some teachers find it too time-consuming or difficult to navigate or are concerned about possible glitches with grades. Others use an alternate Web site or system for the same purpose or have a grading system they are familiar with that cannot be integrated into SchoolLoop. It is understandable how these factors might deter teachers from using SchoolLoop more frequently. After all, the process of editing calendar events is tedious and time-consuming. If a teacher wanted to push assignments one back a day, he or she have to edit each assignment individually and click through dates to reschedule it. A more efficient way to reschedule them

would be if SchoolLoop allowed users to drag events across a calendar, similar to iCal. Perhaps if SchoolLoop was simpler and more user-friendly, more teachers would use it. The site could be improved by making it easier and faster to fix mistakes and post grades and assignments, such as an easierto-manipulate calendar. The design of the site would be more useful if teachers could have a pop-up box for creating assignments on the master calendar, or even just drag assignments to change the date, rather than being redirected to a separate page each time they want to connect the new events page to the master calendar, according to Technology Committee chair and chemistry teacher Bryan Marten. In 2008, SFUSD signed a $233,000 contract with SchoolLoop that does not expire until 2013. The total cost for everything, which includes the site, hardware, infrastructure and information technician trainers, was about $2.1 million. Therefore, teachers should take full advantage of the district’s investment in SchoolLoop by using it to increase grade transparency and facilitate communication with students.

The Lowell

November 4, 2011

OPINION

YouthVote elections deserve more attention Mock elections give chance to promote civic engagement, but are not achieving full potential

By Elijah Alperin

This year, the YouthVote CHOOL DISTRICT-WIDE programs, booklet asked students about especially those coming out of an under- Proposition B. If it is approved, funded school system that educates the city will issue a $248 milan immensely diverse group of students are lion bond to improve roads, not always perfect. Such is the dilemma with bridges, etc. Do students unthe annual YouthVote, a mock election for derstand the fiscal impact of a San Francisco Unified School District high bond? Unfortunately, to make school students that is funded by the SF Youth truly informed decisions, stuEmpowerment Fund with the intention “to dent voters require more inmake elections and governance relevant and formation on the city’s budget, accountable to young people,” according to and how a yes or no decision the YEF’s YouthVote website, (www.yefsf.org). on the bond would affect the When our school does nothing to mitigate financial health of the city as a program shortcomings, instead operating in whole. Instead, the handbook a way as to accentuate them, it undoes much simply states, rather obviously, that a yes would entail voter of its potential. Each fall semester, the YouthVote infor- approval of the bonds and a mation booklets and ballots are distributed no would not. However, the larger picture to roughly 16,000 SFUSD students. Students are asked to complete the ballot by voting for is that only so many dollars excandidates , as well as propositions in up- ist for spending in the ciy, and coming municipal elections, as if they were while voting for Prop. B does registered voters. The results are tabulated and not preclude the issuance of presented to the schools themselves, as well as other bonds to pay for different needs, the city to “various government agencies, community can only go so far into debt and still ask its citiorganizations and school sites,” who use the zens to approve further spending. So in reality, voting for the proposition data to “inform their might affect whether or work,” according to not other public initiatives the website. receive funding, and In theory, it all A majority of Lowell will in our current economy, sounds like a good idea: preparing students...are too un- students who comprehend this might not feel that youth today for civic aware for a thought- the spending on roads is engagement tomorjustified. Yet this analysis row. But the orgaful vote. of the impact of the bond nizers of YouthVote decision is not explained and the school itself in the YouthVote booklet, are not executing the program so that it provides the maximum ben- and many classes have not incorporated a efit to students and achieves YouthVote’s goals. discussion into the process. The booklet’s section on the mayoral, disThe issue is simple; a majority of Lowell students, (including myself, before I reported on trict attorney and county sheriff candidates the budget) are too unaware for a thoughtful also provides only a basic overview of the canvote. They need to learn about the intricacies of didates and their priorities, information that the city bureaucracy and current city econom- needs to be built on during class discussion. ics to make informed decisions on the ballot All of the candidates listed their top three primeasures and candidates up for election. And orities for S.F. youth; while more information neither the YouthVote booklet nor the teach- from a questionnaire was included for those ers of the classes in which YouthVote surveys running for mayor; and the othercandidates are given are doing enough to mitigate that submitted a 200-word statement. Students will be unable to make decisions with only their deficiency in knowledge.

vivian

stances on a few choice youth issues. Candidates’ opinions on city-wide issues that also have an impact on young people, like budget cuts and public transit cut-backs, should be included in the profiles as well. Another issue with YouthVote is the school’s attitude toward the voting. Here at Lowell, we operate on a tight schedule, with teachers working frantically to cram the curriculum into our ever-shortening school year. As a result, activities that aren’t directly related to fulfilling the state standards and preparing students for end-of-the-year testing often fall by the wayside. YouthVote is therefore ushered in and out with little, if any, school buzz. Busy students take a few moments to review the ballot — conferring with their friends to see if they are in congruence with popular opinion — before filling in the arrows. Here the irony of the way the school administers YouthVote is apparent. Despite the program’s aim to educate students about democracy so that they are more inclined to have an impact as adults, our practice teaches them that it is okay to vote without doing their homework. Worse, judging from the experiences of both my friends and myself with the YouthVote process, it teaches them that voting

tong

is about aligning with popular opinion. Despite these shortcomings, I vote against eliminating YouthVote — a worthwhile idea that has had its usefulness diminished and simply requires better execution to become the educational experience for students that it intends to be. Although the booklets themselves need expansion, the biggest change needs to come from our school. Despite our frenetic schedule, educators should schedule a couple of days for real discussion of the YouthVote topics, in order to base votes on comprehensive, unbiased information. Until YouthVote booklets and social studies classes make up for the knowledge deficiency present in the current program, the votes (at least Lowell’s) cannot be considered accurate, and should not be reviewed by any outside organizations. Keeping social studies classes on track to finish the year with students fully prepared for testing is important, but an authentic experience of citizenry enhances textbook learning. Taking advantage of the opportunity YouthVote provides by compensating for the areas where the booklets falter would teach students valuable lessons about their civic duty. These democratic fundamentals are worth more than a few extra points on a standardized test.

What the Public Has to Say

ecause no studies offer consistent evidence or a clear conclusion, people usually trust what their friends tell them.“I’ve heard that if you hold your cell phone right to your ear, the radiation can cause brain cancer,” sophomore Sophia Phillips said. Another rumor, spread on YouTube in many viral videos, show cell phones popping popcorn kernels, which in reality does not happen. This, along with countless other urban myths, has created a reputation worse than Lindsay Lohan’s, and are picked up by others faster than a call from that special someone. Despite pervasive legends of the cancer-causing cell phone, the public continues to ignore warnings and use their beloved little helpers, and with good reason. On Oct. 27, a federal judge ruled that San Francisco has to tone down the medical warning, according to an Oct. 28 article in the SF Chronicle “Cell-phone law goes too far, judge tells S.F.” It appears that possible medical consequences of cell phone use has not been determined. “One thing that is clear is that if radio frequency electromagnetic radiation affects peoples’ health, the effects are subtle,” Bryan Marten, who teachers AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry, said in an email Oct. 20. “Radio frequency is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is very low in energy. If cell phones used X-rays instead of RF to transmit their signals, practically every cell phone user all over the world would have tumors.”

An Expert Opinion

As cell phone use increased, rumors of radiation-caused cancer spread from ear to ear. What with all the studies conducted concerning cell phone radiation, it comes as

day the final outcome of these studies is less important than the knowledge about the potential risk and how to minimize it.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified RF radiation as a possible carcinogen to humans, even without consistent evidence. “There is a real possibility that RF radiation increases the risk of cancer,” Koepsell said. “At least, this what the World Health Organization concluded earlier this year after reviewing hundreds of scientific studies.” With the threat of radiation, one would assume people would be fearful of such gadgets, avoiding any possibility of harm. But people are anything but afraid. According to the National Cancer Institute’s website (www. cancer.gov), there are 5 billion cell phone subscriptions globally. Despite the “what if,” people still do not appear to understand that their close proximity to cell phones could be even more dangerous than your Droid ringing in class under a teacher’s eye.

As laws are passed due to cell phone radiation warnings, Scientists and Cell phone users alike are still left in the dark about its negative health effects

ince the time brick-sized cell phones could barely fit in your handbag, never mind a pocket, no solid verdict on their dangers has emerged, yet people have been concerned about this controversy. On Oct. 21, Denmark scientists released the results of a fifteen-year-long study, providing the public with the most recent analysis on the issue of RF radiation in the British Medical Journal. According to the study, “there were no increased risks of tumors of the central nervous system, providing little evidence for a causal association.” Conducted in Denmark, scientists compared computerized information on cancer rates to the amount of participants’ cell phone use during the years 1982 to 1995. The results concluded that cell phone use does not lead to an increased risk of brain cancer, although that does not mean you can turn your back on your phone. This wariness is because the concern about a possible danger of cancer has not been obliterated due to one major glitch in the study: the researchers had no way of measuring the phone’s promixity to an individual. The study’s data was based on cell phone subscriptions and the amount of time a cell phone was in use. With no data concerning the caller’s adjacency to the phone, it was impossible to get an exact measurement of the exposure to RF radiation. Without this crucial information, an accurate study of the impact of cell phone radiation is yet to be accomplished.

20 ,

ver wondered if the iPhone safely tucked in the front pocket of your jeans could lead to an unwanted call from … cancer? From inducing testicular cancer to exploding popcorn kernels, the physical power of cell phones has been elevated to a radical level by urban myths. Although the impact is questionable, it is a fact that Radio Frequency radiation, the energy waves emitted by cell phones, travel to your brain at the speed of light. Though the specific health effects are yet to be determined, San Francisco environmental officials have taken preliminary measures to educate the public about RF radiation. Their ordinance calling for very specific requirements against cell phone dealers has caught the attention of the public, the experts and the cell phone retailers of our community.

Studies Break the Case

4 er

b em

lly KT Ke N ov

e o

ell

R DI TION RUMORS

a surprise that there is still no evidence to prove or disprove whether cell phone use is as safe as using your Bluetooth in the car. “The studies are typically case-control studies which observe a large number of people over many years, and then study how the health of people with different levels of cell phone use compares,” Kilian Koepsell, a neuroscientist for UC Berkeley, said in an email Oct. 20. “The main difficulty is to make sure that differences, in, for instance, the number of cancer cases are actually caused by the cell phone use and not by any other factor.” For example, in the Danish study, other unmeasurable factors included the device’s battery level and its distance from cell phone towers. Other factors, mitigating the impact but ignored by the study, included the subject’s exposure to other electronics that emit RF radiation, such as microwaves, televisions, radar and radio broadcasts. Although a gray area still exists between scientific studies, most of them indicate that cell phones do not cause the rumored effects. Some experts believe that more research must be done. “As a scientist, I think those studies are absolutely necessary, until we have a definitive answer to the question if and how harmful RF radiation from cell phone use is,” Koepsell said. “However, it will probably take a very long time until this question is settled, so for the cell phone users of to-

San Francisco Rings the Alarm

s rumors continued to spread like masstexts, the San Francisco Department of the Environment and the Board of Supervisors passed the first Cell Phone Ordinance, requiring retailers to warn customers how much radiation their cell phone emits, on June 22, 2010. By prompting the Right to Know Act, which would provide information about possible chemical exposure, the supervisors hope to empower Americans to demand to know what chemicals they are exposed to on a daily basis. The intent of the Right to Know law is to inform Americans by labeling the ingredients of household items like nail polish or groceries, as well of what is emitted from a cell phone. The Cell Phone Ordinance educates people about what ‘ingredients’ are in their cell phones, while the Right to Know justifies it, bring them closer than an iPhone and its glitter-case. In retaliation to the Cell Phone Ordinance, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association filed a lawsuit, which forced SF supervisors to vote on a second ordinance to revise the first ordinance, which had been passed on July 19, 2011. The new law requires retailers to provide customers only with general information about radiation and ways to prevent exposure, like holding a cell phone away from your ear when you speak into it, rather than stating the amount of radiation emitted by cell phones, as that is controversial data. The revised Cell Phone Ordinance requires retailers to hang posters and pass out brochures and stickers providing information about possible health effects. The revision of the law resulted in yet another lawsuit from the CTIA. U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup, who is currently judging the lawsuit, stated that there is no scientific proof that the link between cancer and cell phones exists, according to an article on the Huffington Post on Oct. 21. In the Chronicle article, Alsup ruled that the law went too far and ordered the city to soften their message and stop requiring retailers to post the warning on their walls. Like rollover minutes, some students think the law could be beneficial. “I feel like we are the first generation that will grow up with this technology,” junior Michael Wasney said. “We don’t know the long-term effects because it’s such a new thing. I think it will be useful.” To others, the law may just be a waste of government time. “I think they should supply the information but I don’t think people would actually read it or even care,” sophomore Nadine Kahney said. “However, I think it’s important for people be aware if cell phone radiation is linked to cancer.” You can ignore the rumors for now because no dependable evidence has yet been confirmed, but it is smart to be wary of electronics that emit RF radiation like microwaves, televisions, radio broadcasts and cell phones. After all, there have been too many cases where people’s health has been impacted by exposure to environmental factors that were later determined to be carcinogenic. Although phones and other electronics provide you with a lifeline you don’t want to be without, they may also take away your lifeline — literally.