The Lowell September 2013

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LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, CARDINAL EDITION, VOL. 220 NO. 1, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013, www.thelowell.org

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PHOTOS BY CATE STERN

Construction workers at the intersection of Sloat Boulevard and Forest View Drive installed a new street light and other additions to make crossing safer in the wake of a traffic accident involving a student.

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fun and affordable outings available to students around the city

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ONSTRUCTION to improve pedestrian safety is currently underway at the site of last year’s tragic death of a Lowell student. On June 24, 2013, a renovation project began at the intersection of Sloat Boulevard and Forest View Drive, due to be completed by late September of this year.

The construction includes adding bulb-outs (sidewalk extensions) to three corners to shorten the distance of the crosswalk and adding Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps at the intersection. They are also installing high-visibility crosswalks along with a unique type of traffic light on Forest View Drive. Similar type of construction on 23rd Avenue and Everglade Drive is planned for next

year, according to the Department in order to cross and the lights for of Public Works (www.sfdpw.org). the drivers hang over the street. On The traffic light planned for the average, intersections that utilize the intersection is called a hybrid bea- hybrid beacon system have seen a con. This Sloat location will be the 69 percent reduction in pedestrian first installation of the system in San accidents and a 29 percent reduction Francisco in total roadand the first way crashes, Unfortunately, it a c c o r d i n g hybrid beacon light in the Texas took an accident in to a California Transp or t acity outside order to make this tion Institute of Sacramen(onlinepubs. change.” to, according trb.org). “We to supervisor hope the new KATY TANG, hybrid beacon K a t y Ta n g supervisor i n s t a l l at i o n and the Department of will help imTransportation (www.cityofsacra- prove pedestrian safety along Sloat mento.org). These lights are unique Boulevard for everyone,” Tang said. because unlike a regular stoplight The Department of Public Works a pedestrian must press a button and the San Francisco Municipal

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“We Can’t Stop” STAR test “cheating” issue now resolved

By Patricia Nguy

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Inside

News

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Q Reporter explores the issue of high school dropouts and how the path can be a better choice for some students

Sports

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Q Reporter looks into city’s little known sports teams, including Ultimate, rugby and hockey

Columns

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Q Student follows in the footsteps of legendary band “Jefferson Airplane” on Fulton Street

Opinion

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Q The administration should grant students the same resposibility at social events as they do at academic and athletic endeavors

Transportation Agency worked to secure a $797,000 Highway Safety Improvement Program grant from Caltrans to pay for the majority of the $927,000 construction, according to the DPW. Money from the SFMTA and Proposition K made up the last $130,000. This budget will pay for the Forest View construction as well as the future construction on 23rd avenue and Everglade Drive.

Senior Anyan Chang created a petition on change.org advocating for “a stop light or traffic light installed on Vale and Sloat Blvd.” As of today the petition has 3,586 signatures. She also spoke at meetings for WalkSF and the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee advocating for pedestrian safety improvement at the intersection.

See CONSTRUCTION on Page 5

HUIMIN ZHANG

Senior Kenny Okagaki DJs at “We Can’t Stop,” the school’s welcome back dance, on Sept. 20 in the courtyard. Okagaki is the first student to DJ to perform at a school function.

HE SCHOOL’S funding and reputation are still intact after a student posted a Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Test question on Instagram during the testing period.

According to an Aug. 9 The Sacramento Bee article (www.sacbee.com), the incident itself could cost the school its Academic Performance Index (a numeric score for every school in California based on standardized test scores), state funds and eligibility for performance awards. This comes in sharp contrast to the school’s National Blue Ribbon last year for closing the achievement gap for African American, Latino, Englishlearning, disabled and socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

Principal Andrew Ishibashi is concerned about the breech in security implementing the STAR Testing protocols. “I’ll always be worried about the school’s reputation, everyday,” he said. “I can’t do anything about what happened

but to inform students that when they do things like that, it could affect the entire school and community.”

The student who posted the picture never intended to cheat. “Now I know it was a stupid decision,” the anonymous student said. “Other people could use that picture to study for the STAR Test.

I’ve seen it on the news and the Internet, and I think it’s unfair to judge the whole school based on my mistake.”

But his mistake was meant to be a harmless joke. “Right after I finished the test, I was sitting there doing nothing like everyone else,” he said. “But, I was going through the test, and I realized there was this silly question. It reminded me of Yoda from Star Wars, so I added an ‘E’ to the choices, wrote ‘Yoda’ next to it and circled it.”

Other students do not think highly of the STAR Test questions either. “I feel like the questions are either ridiculously easy or don’t make sense,” junior Alyssa Gilpin said.

See TESTING on Page 5

September 27, 2013

2 NEWS

NEWSBRIEFS Reg meetings keep classes informed This year, students will attend monthly class meetings during registry to distribute information and to build a stronger class culture.

The Lowell Student Association aims to get out pertinent information to students as well as connect the class as a whole. “We want to enforce the idea that they’re a class and for people to get to know each other,” Student Body Council supervisor Sara Dean said. “To me, it’s sad that the first time you see your class together is when you’re a senior and about to leave. I want to make it so the first time you see someone isn’t on graduation night.”

The 2014 senior class kicked off the meetings on Sept. 9. “The first meeting was informative about upcoming events and what future meetings will be about,” Dean said. “But later meetings will be about building spirit and showcasing other clubs and sports, not just LSA.” The 2015 junior class met on Sept. 16, the 2016 sophomore class on Sept. 21 and the 2017 freshmen class will convene on Sept. 30. Afterwards, the cycle of meetings will repeat.

The meetings are held during registry to allow all students to attend. “It’s the best time because a lot of people have after-school commitments, so not many people can go,” SBC president Yu Ling Wu said.

However, because the meetings are during registry, they are limited to 15 minutes. “They’re very short and that’s one of our constraints, but also students don’t have to sit through really long meetings,” Dean said. “Having these short bursts can be a welcome change in your day.”

Each class has reacted differently to this schoolwide change. “Some people are all, ‘Why are we doing this, why do we have to go all the way to the auditorium,’ but some are really excited,” Dean said.

“It’s always tough to start something new. But hopefully by the end of the year, it’ll just become part of the culture at Lowell.”

Any feedback on the meetings or suggestions for things to address should be directed directly toward LSA, either through registry surveys passed out after each meeting or on the LSA website (lowellstudentassociation.org).

— Deidre Foley

Junior concussed by soccer accident

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The Lowell on the Web

www.thelowell.org

Dance company kicks off after-­school hip-­hop class

By Patricia Nguy

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EWBIES AND novices learned how to get down with hip-hop during Lowell Dance Company’s Dance Day, an after-school dance class for the students and staff.

LDC senior co-captains Mariam Latibashvili, Sofiya Ozbek and Talor Wald led the class of 35, while ten other LDC dancers joined to contribute their expertise.

The captains explained which body parts make up the dance moves. For example, a leg pop calls for rotating the leg, and a body roll starts with tilting the head back.

They repeated the choreography slowly and at performance tempo until everyone could do it easily.

Many crouches, pops and flirty poses later, the co-captains finished teaching the upbeat choreography to “Temperature,” by Caribbean hip-hop artist Sean Paul. They split the class in two, and both groups performed what they learned while dance teacher Wendy Jones filmed them for publicity and her own records.

“Our first dance day was extremely successful!” she said in an email on Sept. 9.

“We had a great turnout, and the participants had amazing energy.”

Among the participants were firsttime dancers. “I had some friends that invited me to go, so I went to cheer them on,” senior Stanley Lao said. “I never tried dancing before so I was offbeat a lot, but they didn’t make fun of you for messing up. I might go back, depending on my schedule.”

This year, the LDC has more free time to hold a Dance Day because the choreographers started planning the rally dance during the summer and first couple weeks of school.

The LDC also plans to purchase new costumes for the rally. The team hopes that Dance Day will raise funds for costumes, equipment and festival fees, like the San Francisco Vision Series and the Bay Area High School Dance Festival.

“We’re buying new costumes for our rallies because we haven’t in awhile and we’re trying to update our collection,” Ozbek said. “It’s good to have money set aside in case something comes up.”

Not only does the LDC have more spare time for a Dance Day, they are also already preparing for the rally. The dancers started learning and familiarizing

PHOTOS BY KARINA HUFT

(Top, from left to right) Senior Lowell Dance Company co-captain Talor Wald, 2012 Lowell and LDC alumna Kimberly Verzano, and senior LDC co-captain Mary Latibashvili practice the choreography to Sean Paul’s “Temperature.” (Bottom) Seniors Cate Stern and Joy Van Hasselt strike a graceful pose during the lesson.

themselves with the different sections four weeks ago. Now, they are rehearsing and cleaning it up for the rally. “A lot of the time, the inspiration for our choreography comes from people’s stories or a message,” Ozbek said. “Wald has a story about jungle royal people behind hers, and Sarah Chan’s is an insane asylum.

Sometimes it’s just one move that the entire dance is based on. A lot of things

can form a dance.”

The LDC will be performing in several festivals coming up and is hoping to have another Dance Day soon. Students can see LDC updates by going to its website (www.lowelldance. com), Facebook, or Twitter. Jones also encourages students to join her dance classes in the spring semester.

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A student suffered a minor concussion while playing soccer after school on Sept. 5.

Junior Kaila Pambid was hit in the head with a soccer ball that senior Mario Ortiz-Trejo kicked at around 4:30 p.m. Pambid and several friends were playing on the soccer field recreationally near the boys’ varsity soccer team practice. “He was trying to make a goal, so he kicked the ball with full force and it hit Kaila’s face,” junior Catrice Washington said. “She has braces, so it cut her lip too.”

Pambid only remembers fragments of the incident.

“I didn’t feel anything before I got hit by the ball,” Pambid said in an email on Sept. 9. “Afterward, all I remember were the intimidating paramedics walking my way.”

Those paramedics showed up because Pambid passed out. “She was knocked out for about 30 minutes,” Washington said. “She would kind of, sort of wake up and then doze off again.”

The paramedics arrived around 4:40 p.m., five minutes after boys’ varsity soccer assistant coach Gene Vrana called 911. “Kaila was disoriented and scared when the paramedics came,” Washington said.

Pambid’s brother, freshman Chris Pambid, called their parents to inform them of the incident around the same time the paramedics arrived at the school.

Pambid was released from the hospital at 6 p.m. on the same day and returned to school on Sept. 9.

However, in a follow-up doctor’s appointment on Sept. 10, she was ordered not to go to school the rest of the week. “In the meantime, I am strictly only allowed to rest,” she said in an email on Sept. 10. “I can’t do homework, listen to music, read or text.”

Kaila Pambid expressed disappointment over not only missing school and needing to catch up on homework, but over her relationships too. “Some of my friends have been treating me poorly and acting like I’m disabled and stupid, which has downed my spirits,” she said in an email on Sept. 9.

— Whitney C. Lim

Lowell High School

APES teacher organizes spring break excursion to Nicaragua Participants will build gardens to provide food for children

By Noreen Shaikh

I also want to appreciate how lucky I am to live in America with TUDENTS ANXIOUS TO travel abroad to explore many opportunities, which others may not have,” said sophoforeign language and culture may not have to wait until more Camilia Kacimi, who is also an illustrator for The Lowell.

In Leon, students will work for a few days in gardens to summer for a school-organized trip.

AP Environmental Science teacher Katherine Melvin will plant trees and help with water irrigation systems. Students lead students over spring break to Leon, Nicaragua, to build will also tour an organic, sustainable farm with cattle and beekeepers. As a reward, students will gardens. Melvin led a college group last attend a beach bonfire, get to tour the year on a similar trip. Having gardens city of Leon and experience many more at school will allow more children to atadventures. tend school and provide them with food, My goal is to have exciting Melvin plans for the trip fundraissince they get fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden rather than working to everyone who wants ers — car washes and bake sales — to be done as a group instead of students earn money for a meal for themselves to go, go, even if their individually paying the $2,100, which and their family. air tickets, food, housing and Students will learn about agriculture, family income is low.” covers equipment, such as shovels and other how to plant and weed, as well as its environmental effects and will see life KATHERINE MELVIN, tools. “My goal is to have everyone from a new perspective. “It’s an amazing AP Environmental Science teacher who wants to go, go, even if their family income is low,” she said. opportunity for students to get to know This trip is organized by Global another culture, at the same time that they are contributing hard work and knowledge to help solve Student Embassy, a non-government organization. All Lowell students are invited and 40 to 50 can go. A deposit of $200 a real hunger problem in Nicaragua,” Melvin said.

Many students have signed up to attend since the trip was is due on Nov. 1, and a valid passport is required. Spanish is not mandatory. For more information, announced last semester. “I want to excontact Melvin via SchoolLoop or by perience going to another country and visiting her in the science department. see how their lifestyle differs from mine.

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The Lowell

September 27, 2013

CAMPUS

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SALLY MA

Community Health Outreach Worker Xavier Salazar talks to a student on a comfy new leather couch. The Wellness Center now offers support for students in the convenience of the first floor senior hallway. All students are welcome to drop by Room 118.

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Wellness Center moves from T’s to senior hallway for easy access and communication

By Whitney C. Lim

in the senior hallway. “We’re more integrated in the school,” members’ minds. When the Wellness Initiative started in 2002, FTER YEARS of trekking to the bungalows for Well- Leung said. “It’s not an issue for students just to come in and the principal at the time was cautious with it and was not sure if the program would last, so the center was placed in the bunness support, students can now seek help in the main get support.”

The Wellness team had been moving, organizing and plan- galows, according to Rainey. building.

To move into the building, they needed principal authoriThe Wellness Center moved from T-14B to Room 118 on ning since summer break. “When we came into work, there was Aug. 15. They are fully operational and their programs are get- nothing in Room 118,” Salazar said. “Then the movers came zation and money to pay for the move. “We needed to make and there was a huge pile in the middle of sure the Lowell community was aware of the services that the ting off the ground. “More people the room. We set up the center of the room Wellness Center was delivering and that students were taking have been coming — over onefirst so when school started there was a place advantage of these services,” Rainey said. third of the school came through We’re more integrated for students.”

The center spent over a decade in the bungalows before their Wellness last year — and that’s Herring described the center’s wall color planning culminated into the move to Room 118. “A major not because something’s wrong in the school. It’s not as “warm fuzzies,” or peachy beige, with barrier preventing the relocated Wellness Center from opening with them,” Wellness coordinator Carol Chao Herring said. “It an issue for students chocolate brown leather couches and a large last year was the time required to design a good floor plan for picture window for a glimpse of nature. The the new center,” Rainey said. “However, now we are delighted means they feel safe here and just to come in and get center has 80 percent new furniture, from with the results; it has been worth the wait.” there’s a sense of trust.” couches to file cabinets, with a different Money was needed for the reconfiguration of the room, The Wellness Center serves support.” color scheme than before. “I worked with an installing a ventilation system, electrical outlets, Wi-Fi constudents who need a cup of tea or architect, my team, interns and the project nection and doors and paying the people who did the work. someone to talk to and provides KIN LEUNG manager for design and color,” Herring said. “It was approximately $110,000, made possible by donations a safe space for them to relax or behavioral health counselor “But really, my little sister had the eye for from the Parents Teachers Students Association, the Lowell play games. Students feeling ill it and I told her I wanted Alumni Association and DCYF,” can visit nurse Maryann Rainey Herring said. on the same floor in Room 129. The center’s Youth Outreach more of a calm, Zen mood instead of our The Wellness Center hopes Workers raise awareness about tobacco, alcohol and other im- bright colors in T-14. Students can always More people have been to not only improve physically portant issues like stress and reproductive health. The center hang out and laugh with their friends, and from the move, but also in their also provides leadership and work opportunities for students that’s good. But here, we want more of a place coming and that’s not for repose. Once we’d figured out sizing, I programs. “I don’t want to make and plans health events. because something’s any promises because we might Even though the Wellness team views the move as an overall made the final decisions. But really, a village not have enough time, but I upgrade, they recognize good qualities about T-14, as well. “A helped me throughout the process.” wrong with them.”

The furniture was bought online or from want to have events, like Peer pro of being in the Ts was privacy for students,” behavioral the San Francisco Unified School District Resources’s Stress-Free Fair, for health counselor Kin Leung said.

CAROL CHAO HERRING students to learn more about Herring misses the Ts because it was like a community and warehouse with durability and sturdiness wellness coordinator what the Wellness Center does she does not see them as often anymore. “T-14 was closer to the in mind, since the Wellness team is hoping and to learn more about themparking lot; it was easier to quickly go grab lunch or go to off- Room 118 will be their permanent home. “We campus meetings,” she added. “Now we have to walk farther.” also received donations from a law office and School Health selves,” Herring said. T-14 is now a Community Access and A con to T-14 was its exterior. “I never was in the Ts, but I and the Department of Children, Youth and their Families gave Transition Special Education classroom. Furniture from T-14 walked over there and it’s just decrepit-looking,” Community us a small budget for new office spaces and a group room,” was donated to Peer Resources or other staff.

Herring said.

The Wellness Center is tentatively hosting an open house Health Outreach Worker Xavier Salazar said.

Moving Wellness has always been in the back of the team on Oct. 2.

But the Wellness Center has found its permanent home

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Former teacher retains bond with Bridge Club

By Michelle Wong

and invited some of my AP Euro students back ON’T BE SURPRISED if you walk in 2003 and hinted at the possibility of extra past the second floor and see cards credit, and even though they found out that flying, snacks rolling and students wasn’t true, they gave us a great start in the club.” rushing into Room Genie Reynolds, 233 on a Tuesday afJeff ’s wife and first ternoon. Bridge Club, The club is more than bridge partner, acwhich has been at him every Lowell for almost ten playing bridge; many companies week. “She enjoys the years now, meets for of us stay until 4:30 to interaction with the another round of aucstudents and the sotioning, bidding and 5:00, socializing and cial atmosphere that socializing. the club enhances,” Jeff Reynolds, a learning the game.”

Jeff said. “She thinks retired AP European History teacher, HUBERT SITU you Lowell students are the cat’s meow.” founded the club in senior Bridge Club president Bridge is a multi2003 and returns evplayer card game that ery week as a sponsor, hoping to promote Bridge as an alternative is known for being a mind-puzzling team efto computer games, which he believes to be fort. “To win the game, you and your partner depriving youth of real-life interaction. “The either have to make the contract you set up at San Francisco unit of the American Contract the beginning of the game or your opponent, Bridge League felt that computer games were the other pair doesn’t meet their’s,” senior too impersonal, and that they should try to in- Bridge Club president Hubert Situ explained. troduce this at high schools,” he said. “I agreed “It gets me to think. You have to plan out your

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entire hand before you even start. ” Whether it’s a day with many people dropping in, or a calmer day with just Situ and his bridge partner, senior Jesse Chan, the club has been meeting weekly with a small group of dedicated players. “There have been times when we had a full room and it gets really noisy and times when the only people who showed up were Jesse and me,” Situ said. “The club is more than just playing bridge, many of us stay until 4:30 or 5, just SALLY MA socializing and learning the game.”

Lowell students are not the only Bridge clubbers and ex-teacher Jeff Reynolds enjoy a game of bridge in Room 233. ones that come in weekly to play this sophisticated and memorybridge club of their own and the two teams improving game. Colin, sixth-grade student from the nearby St. Stephen Catholic frequently hold tournaments. “Here, we’re reSchool, comes down Eucalyptus Drive every ally laidback but when we play with Galileo, week to join in on the action. “I come to Lowell it’s a more serious game,” Chan said. “Two to play because at my school everybody fools years ago, Hubert was a lot more aggressive around in class,” he said. “I just like it because during the game.”

The Bridge Club meets Tuesdays after it includes strategy and luck.” school in Room 233, so grab a cookie and come The Cardinals are not the only fans of the on down to learn a challenging new game! card game however. The Galileo Lions have a

September 27, 2013

4 NEWS

Lowell High School

PHOTOS BY SALLY MA

(Right) The varsity girls’ volleyball team warms up in the renovated gym, which was resurfaced over the summer.

(Left) A PE class plays on the tennis court during their pickleball unit.

Summer construction revamps gym, tennis courts

By Luming Yuan

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URING SUMMER vacation, school is usually empty, quiet and lifeless. This year, however, campus bustled with activity as construction workers updated school facilities.

Funded by an $80,000 school bond and a $32,000 grant from the Parent Teacher Student Association, the gym flooring and tennis courts were resurfaced over the summer.

The projects were requested numerous times by the Physical Education Department due to safety concerns and were approved by the San Francisco Unified School District and principal Andrew Ishibashi.

Over the course of three weeks, the gym floor was resurfaced, sanded down, re-waxed and repainted. This cost approximately $20,000 of the PTSA grant.

Physical education teacher and department head Robert Ray expressed that it was necessary to redo the gym. “The floor didn’t have friction anymore,” he said. “It was becoming unsafe because it was hard to sweep and students were slipping

and falling.”

Senior Girl’s Varsity basketball player Triana Anderson thinks that the new gym floors will benefit the team. “I am so happy the old floor was finally replaced,” she said. “Other teams would complain about the slipperiness of the last one. My team and I are excited to dominate in our new gym this season.”

Besides the well being of students and staff members, the gym’s former appearance also contributed to its upgrade. “The floors were just adding to the darkness of the gym,” Ray said.

“Now it appears much brighter and more approachable.”

Freshman Mace Gouldsby said that the new gym looks better than it did before. “When I first saw the gym on 8th Grade Night, I thought it looked kind of dull,” Gouldsby said. “Now it looks bright and fresh.”

The desire to fix up the gym has been on Ray’s mind for a long time. “I’ve been at Lowell for 14 years and the gym floor has never been resurfaced,” he said.

Sophomore volleyball player Claudia Tang is impressed with the new gym. “I love how new-looking everything is,” she said.

LSA creates website for events, clubs and sports

By Noreen Shaikh

to the release. “We hyped it up together for TUDENT GOVERNMENT is known for a couple of days, then we made the rest of organizing school events such as rallies, LSA help us advertise for the website launch by sharing it through a dances, fundraisbunch of social media ers and yearly elections. platforms,” Wu said.

Now, they are adding a The last website was A feature of the site website to that list.

Student Body Counmore directed towards is a Facebook-based idea called Humans of Lowcil events coordinator LSA, whereas this web- ell, which originally apsenior Jessica Weiss and on the LSA webSBC president senior Yu site is targeted to the peared site. The page was inLing Wu launched the whole school.” spired by the Facebook new Lowell Student Aspage Humans of New sociation website (www.

YU LING WU York. Lowell’s page spotlowellstudentassociation.

SBC president lights random Lowellites com) after three weeks by taking their picture of planning. The new site will allow the LSA to implement new and asking them a question,” Weiss said. “We ideas and add more features. “The last website created this page to show fellow Lowellites that was more directed towards LSA, whereas this we really are a community with many different and interesting kinds website is targeted to of people who all have the whole school,” Wu their own stories. Our said.

The success of this web- goal is to connect LowWu and Weiss used Weebly, a website desite is the result of what ell students and create an environment where sign company that ofhappens when you everyone is apprecifers templates for users to base their webpages bring Lowell students ated.” The Humans of Lowell Facebook on. Students can eastogether, and that itself page currently has over ily access information “likes”. about sports, clubs, is an accomplishment.” 1,000 The student-made and LSA events, such as dances and perforJESSICA WEISS, website is updated daimances on the website.

SBC events coordinator ly by Weiss and Wu, who aim to maintain The site also includes biographies of all Lowell Student Association that schedule for years to come.

Overall, LSA’s goal for the website is for members so students can get to know the students to check it daily as they do for social students who are representing them.

Presidents of clubs and sports can create networking sites. “The success of this website accounts with Wu to add posts, pictures and is the result of what happens when you bring Lowell students together, and that itself is an updates about their clubs.

Wu and Weiss publicized the website prior accomplishment,” Weiss said.

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“Also, the floor is definitely less slippery than before.”

Besides the gym, the tennis courts were also resurfaced, as well as smoothed down and repainted, because students and tennis players were prone to fall on the uneven surface.

Physical education teacher and former tennis coach Terence Doherty was involved in this year’s project as well as the prior court repainting in 2007. “I had gotten many complaints about how the courts were unsuitable for playing,” he said.

Senior tennis player Katie Lei expressed enthusiasm toward the resurfaced courts. “I think everything looks amazing and I’m super excited to start playing,” she said.

Money left over from the grant will go towards putting a protective covering on the gym floor, according to assistant principal of administration Margaret Peterson. “Considering we’re in such a budget crisis right now, I think these projects are a huge benefit to the students and a big improvement to the school,” Peterson said. “We don’t want the floors to be destroyed immediately.”

New online locker assignment system ends “claim jumping”

By Tyler Perkins

jumping,” he said. “That’s when someone ITH OVER 1,500 lockers at takes a locker that wasn’t assigned to them Lowell, assigning them is no because they prefer its location or want to minor task. This year, a new keep their old one. At Lowell we switch online system has been implemented to lockers every year, so the seniors get to be on the first floor.” make the process more efficient.

Lower level lockers are generally more The system will make things simpler for Dean Ray Cordoba and his locker desirable than those on the top floor. “It is team. “Before the online system we had very inconvenient having a locker on the third floor,” freshto go through all man Kamau Monthe paperwork by tague said. “There hand, but now it is Once a student is as- isn’t much time to easy to make sure to it between everybody has been signed a locker, they go cl a ss e s , but my assigned a locker,” he said. “Also, the receive a confirmation teachers have been understanding.” reg teachers and mymessage on School Some students self won’t have to have fallen victim to remind students of Loop, where they must others claim jumptheir combination or locker number every provide their combina- ing their lockers.

“There was a lock time they forget, as tion. on the locker that they can check onI was assigned to,” line.” junior Paula Sison The change is said. “We put a note also part of a school effort to be more environmentally friendly. “We are going on it, but the lock didn’t get moved for over paperless this year,” Cordoba said. “Before a week.”

Cordoba feels that the change is long students had to fill out a three-page locker overdue. “I have wanted to make the change card, but now they do it online.”

Once a student is assigned a locker, to an online system for some time now, they receive a confirmation message on but until now there haven’t been the right School Loop, where they must provide their people to make it happen,” he said. “Also, we combination, according to Cordoba. They had to make sure the new system was legal.”

Students seem to like and support the cannot officially use their locker until it has been confirmed. “There are going to be change. “I got my locker without any probsome random inspections to prevent claim lems,” junior Robert Hu said.

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September 27, 2013

The Lowell

New electronic class scheduling system increases accessibility

By Madelyn Chen and Amber Ly

track of attendance, reports, rosters, parent and SIDE FROM the general tangle of teacher information, discipline and health. “It’s changing schedules during the first few a place to store information about the students,” weeks of school, this year the counsel- Giles said. “We’re slowly becoming paperless and Synergy is able to ors had to deal with provide us a place to a new scheduling stuff electronicalsystem.

We’re trying to use more put ly for better access.”

After years of usTo prepare for ing an older model, 21st century, current the change, SFUSD the district switched software, to make sched- counselors, teachers to a new scheduling and administrators system in time for uling more efficient.” went through trainthe 2013-2014 school ing last spring and year. The new sysHOLLY GILES, several weeks before tem, called Synergy, assistant principal school started in orwas implemented der to learn how to district-wide in order to generate schedules for the new school year, operate the new system, according to dean replacing the old Student Information System Ray Cordoba.

However, some faculty still need to undergo (SIS) previously used.

The San Francisco Unified School District training and get acquainted with the system. decided to make the change to a modern model “There are still some Lowell staff to train on that is more compatible with Schoolloop, ac- how to access and navigate through Synergy,” Giles said. “So right cording to assistant now, it’s still very new principal of curricuand a little complicated lum, instruction and in its use while helpWe’re slowly becoming awssessment Holly ing students complete Giles. “SIS was a syspaperless and Synergy their schedules at this tem the district used ” for a long time and it is able to provide us a time.Although the adbecame where it wasn’t place to put stuff elec- ministration believes meeting schools’ needs the new system will anymore,” Giles said. tronically for better eventually be efficient, “We’re trying to use the majority of the more 21st century, curaccess.” faculty is still more rent software, to make familiar with SIS. “SIS scheduling more efHOLLY GILES, was simpler,” Wu said. ficient.” assistant principal “And some people Synergy, the new think simpler is better, system, is an online system that promotes productive student data and they were used to the old system, and now management and administrative tasks, accord- they’re frustrated by having to learn a new one.”

Despite frustration, counselors still keep a ing to assistant principal of student support services, Dr. Cheng Wu. Even though Synergy good outlook on the use of Synergy. “I am hopeand SIS are similar, Synergy offers much more ful that in time it will help us be more efficient,” counselor Adrienne Smith said. “It reminds me features than SIS did, according to Wu. In addition to scheduling, Synergy keeps to embrace change.”

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Funding remains after STAR incident See TESTING on Page 1 The California Department of Education finished its investigation and informed assistant superintendent of high Schools Janet Schulze that the school was safe from penalty. “The posting of that one question doesn’t affect the validity of the whole school’s results, but that individual student’s scores were invalidated,” she said. “As a district, we need to enforce our pro-

tocols. We need to make sure that there are no cell phones. They are a part of young people’s lives. But, when it comes to testing, it could lead to consequences. We need to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Despite the incident straightening out, there may be new enforcements in the future. “We’re going to be scrutinized more closely, which could affect other areas of testing, like the SAT and AP,” testing

coordinator Assistant Principal Holly Giles said. “I suspect that district representatives will return to observe the testing progress. I plan to be more proactive about going around classrooms to make sure everyone’s doing what they’re supposed to be doing before the District comes. If it has to come down to collecting and labeling phones for testing then it will.”

Street construction improves student safety

See CONSTRUCTION on Page 1 a proposal for construction was denied by Despite satisfaction with the recent de- Caltrans in a meeting at City Hall prior to velopments, some feel that the construction Hanren’s death. “The officials stated that the was long overdue. In the years before Hanren traffic statistics did not warrant this construcChang was struck and killed, neighborhood tion,” Peterson said, who attended as the repmembers and school resentative for Lowell. staff were lobbying for On March 5, howincreased pedestrian ever, three days after We hope the new hybrid the accident, the San safety on Sloat Boulevard. In January, the beacon installation will Francisco Board of Suspeed limit was reduced pervisors voted to aphelp improve pedestrian prove funding for the from 40 to 35 miles per hour and three lanes safety along Sloat Bou- renovation project. “I were consolidated into would encourage evlevard for everyone.” two to force a slower eryone, whether you pace of traffic. Four are a pedestrian, driver KATY TANG months prior to Hanor bicyclist, to exercise supervisor rens death, a security caution while on the guard sustained a whiplash injury from being road. Unfortunately, it took an accident in orhit from the rear by a car at the same location. der to make this change,” Tang said. The Board He was acting as a crossing guard to help a then outlined a plan to complete the project, woman with a stroller cross the street, accord- which would normally take a few years, by ing to the assistant principal of administration the beginning of the new school year. Due to Margaret Peterson. delays however, the original completion date In spite of the string of pedestrian injuries, in late August this was pushed to September.

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6 NEWS

September 27, 2013

Lowell High School

t u o ng

i ? p n p o o g dr ovin m r o

Reporter Samantha Wilcox explores the issue of high school dropouts and how leaving can be a college path for some students

By Samantha Wilcox

H

OURS OF HOMEWORK, the intense demand of extracurriculars and lack of a social life is not the high school experience everyone wants. In an environment as academically challenging as many high schools, it is not a surprise that some students may choose to dropout. College and high-paying jobs are on the minds of the majority of our students, and close to 100 percent of Lowell students graduate each year. However, not all high schools are successful in graduation rates. Only 78 percent of all California high school students graduate each year according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Why do some students drop out?

Students often drop out due to lack of parental engagement, low academic performance or personal issues, such as pregnancy or drug abuse, according to the National Dropout Prevention Center (www.dropoutprevention. org). However, sometimes students drop out because the traditional high school track is just not for them. Whether they have ambitious goals that require them to have a more flexible schedule or they learn in an unconventional way, not all dropouts leave for negative reasons.

Social stigma against dropouts Seventy-five percent of all crime in America is committed by high school dropouts according to Education Week (www.edweek.org). Because of these unflattering statistics, a stigma has been formed against all high school dropouts, and 90 percent of jobs in the United States do not accept applicants who do not have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.

These statistics do not apply to every person. Sometimes people who leave high school go on to successful jobs and futures. Thomas Edison, father of great inventions such as the light bulb, got a late start in his education because of illness as a child. After receiving only three months of education, Edison dropped out of school when teachers expressed concern that he was mentally disabled because of his unconventional learning style. Despite his lack of a formal education, Edison learned from his experiences how to tinker with electronics, and his visions became known and widely used around the world — the light bulb, phonograph, and other groundbreaking inventions are a few that helped Edison permanently change the course of our lives.

Diplomas lead to fatter wallets Individuals with high school diplomas have an education level that allows them to be more financially successful; they qualify for higher paying jobs and make about $260,000 more over their lifetime than

someone without a diploma.

Oftentimes, high school dropouts are forced to start working at minimum wage to gain their footing in the economic world. After many years of working and gaining experience, a job with a decent salary is attainable. One of the best jobs for high school dropouts is as general manager of a chain restaurant, according to Career Builder, an online job search site (www.careerbuilder.com).

Exceptions to the rule However, despite Lowell’s academic reputation, we do not graduate 100 percent of our students. Although our students are known for their outstanding GPAs, not everybody benefits from the rigorous academic schedule that Lowell requires. Students who choose to leave high school early often face negative stereotypes, but not all of them drop out because of poor academic ambition. Sometimes, students drop out to pursue their interests without the burden of a traditional four-year high school.

Laura Ziganti and Aria Critchfield, both formerly part of Lowell’s class of 2015, left Lowell last year to pursue their General Education Diplomas and to attend college early. Ziganti chose to leave Lowell because of her career aspirations. “I want to study architecture, which requires six years of college,” she said. “If I start now, then I will be graduating along with people my age if they pursued a traditional four-year major.” Ziganti attends Skyline College, and later wants to attend California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. “I wanted to graduate as quickly as possible, and this path is the best for me.”

Critchfield, as well, has dreams outside of the Lowell environment. An aspiring professional ballerina, Critchfield was having trouble maintaining her schoolwork and her four-hour daily training regime. “Although most of my Lowell friends thought leaving to attend City College was a bad idea, it works best for me,” she said. “The classes are more challenging, but my schedule is a lot more flexible.

I can now focus on my dance without having to sacrifice grades, sleep or a social life.”

Marching to a different drummer Although the high school dropout epidemic is a national problem, not all instances are driven by academic hardships or an urge to do less, as Ziganti and Critchfield demonstrate. Sometimes students who have demanding dreams cannot abide by the socially accepted educational mandate, but they can pursue their dreams outside of the traditional path and still be successful.

ALL INFOGRAPHICS BY MONICA CASTRO

ILLUSTRATION BY MONICA LEE

The Lowell

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By Joseph Kim

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By Natalia Arguello-Inglis

S

OME ROOFTOP Middle School alumni may recognize this new addition to the Lowell faculty: American De-

HUIMIN ZHANG

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ERE FOR ANOTHER change in his teaching career is David Zeeman, a brand new Pre-calculus and Advanced Algebra teacher.

Zeeman taught at Galileo for eight years before flying to the Cardinal nest this fall.

Before Galileo, he worked at Pennsylva-

HUIMIN ZHANG

By Joseph Kim

nia’s most elite academic private school, Friends Select, and before that at a school for emotionally disturbed teenagers in Philadelphia, for a combined total of 17 years. “Lowell has a great reputation, and I thought that it was an appropriate time for a change,� Zeeman said. “Even though I’m only here for one year, changing schools helps us from burning out as teachers.�

Zeeman is the temporary replacement for Francisco Rosales, a math teacher who is currently on sabbatical. “Things are still up in the air,� Zeeman said. “Who knows, I might end up here for good.�

In college, Zeeman first studied the history of science and technology, but he later went on to get a degree in mathematics. “In my senior year in college, I took an Introduction to Algebra course and I absolutely fell in love with mathematics,� he said. “I made the decision to continue my studies in mathematics, and eventually ended up doing graduate coursework in math.�

While working towards his masters degree in mathematical statistics, Zeeman also earned his masters degree in education. Zeeman attended Pennsylvania State University, Montgomery College and Arcadia University for his masters.

After his first couple of weeks at Lowell, Zeeman already loves the environment of the school and the close interactions between the students and the teachers. “The students here seem very highly motivated and the faculty are nice,� Zeeman said. “I really like my colleagues in the math department. Everyone here is very nice and passionate about the students’ education.�

David Zeeman

HUIMIN ZHANG

mocracy and U.S. Government teacher Danielle Healy.

Before starting here this semester, Healy had been on a leave of absence following her daughter’s birth. “I was at Rooftop and then I had a baby so left about a month into school, and then I was out for about two-and-a-half years,� Healy said. “My daughter’s name is Isa, short for Isabel.�   Healy, who graduated with a History of Art degree from UC Berkeley, expressed her eagerness to teach at Lowell. “I was always good at teaching English, so I kept ending up in English jobs, but I actually want to spend my time in Social Studies,� she said. “Kids here are so bright and articulate. They know how to handle themselves, be responsible and are very serious about what they want.�

Danielle Healy

Maciej Flisak

ATH TEACHER MACIEJ FLISAK has made his way into Lowell to teach Advanced Algebra, Pre-calculus and Geometry.

Originally from Canada, Flisak attended the University of Manitoba to earn his business degree. Flisak decided to become a teacher after feeling he was not making enough of an impact in the world. “During the three years I worked in business, I observed hundreds of people spending many, many hours working towards goals that I did not relate to, whether it be creating some useless product or trying to sell items detrimental to the planet,� Flisak said. “I decided that if I was to devote many hours of my life to a job, it would have to be work that I found fulfilling and important.�

Before becoming the father of two children, Flisak trekked across various locations all over the world. He spent two years living abroad in Japan and Korea, and two-and-a-half more years backpacking through 60 countries and five continents. “The only time I feel truly free is when I travel,� he said. “While traveling, the only things I think about are my next meal and the next city or town I want to get to. There’s nothing more liberating than that.�

In his classes, Flisak creates themes for each day, including Mindful Mondays, Travel Tuesdays, Midweek Heroics and Science Fridays. “Three, five, ten years from now, students will remember little of the math they did in class,� he said. “I want students to walk away thinking, ‘I learned more than just math in that class.’ Moreover, if I can inspire even a few students to go backpacking like I did, that would be a huge success for me. because I feel that the experiences and knowledge gained and self-reflection that occurs during travel is something that can’t be found elsewhere.�

By Natalia Arguello-Inglis

E

VER WONDER, “Who is that awesome guy rolling into school on his motorcycle?� Well wonder no more, because it is new World History and Economics teacher David Starr, who comes to us after twelve fruitful years at Horace Mann Middle School.

Starr, who taught at Mark Twain Continuation High School in San Francisco for four years before his time at Horace Mann, also expressed excitement about his transition from middle to high school. “I spent a lot of time in middle school but I kept thinking about my time at the continuation high school, and I knew I really liked [the high school] age group,�

Starr said.

Before starting at Lowell, Starr spent time adventuring w it h h i s Gre at Dane, Likely.  “I took a year-long sabbatical, and my Great Dane Likely and I drove around the United States camping and seeing the country,�

Starr said. “I went to the Kate Wolf Memor i a l Music Festival in Northern California and the Northwest String Summit in Oregon.

Both were multi-day festivals where you get to camp in beautiful

Not only is she excited to teach American Democracy and US Government, Healy is also enthusiastic about her new department. “I can’t tell you how funny my colleagues in the social studies department are; there are so many jokes that go around,� she said. “Everyone is silly but also very knowledgeable about what they do, willing to share information and wants to do the best for kids. Anyone will being willing to help me with something if I need it.�

places. It was fun!�

Starr expressed satisfaction with his time at Lowell so far.  “It has been a great pleasure being here and meeting so many nice students,â€? he said. “It is refreshing hearing teachers talk about how much they enjoy teaching here.â€? Â

David Starr

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID STARR

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By Natalia Arguello-Inglis

fresh talent ready to make history here at our school!

New World History and American Democracy teacher Matthew Bell has come here to kick off his teaching career.

Twentyfive years ago, right out of high school, Bell headed of f to b o ot camp for the Coast Guard, where he served from 1988 to 1992.

During that time, he took part in the cleanup of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, worked in fisheries and assisted counter-narcotics law enforcement, from the Arctic Circle to the equator. He also protected President Bush during the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. “It was incredibly boring, but I got to sit

By Jospeh Kim

I

T IS NO WONDER that Alena Killpack, a lover of the outdoors, is one of our new biology teachers.

Killpack studied ecology and evolution at the UCSanta Barbara, and later received her teaching credential at San Francisco State University. Before coming to Lowell, Killpack taught at Westmoor High School in Daly City, Balboa Middle School in Ventura and at International Studies Academy in San Francisco.

Outside of school, Killpack has always been one with nature. She enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, photography and traveling. “I love spending time outdoors because it makes me feel peaceful and relaxed,� she said.

Killpack’s love for nature started as a child.

At two years old, her parents moved the family to Costa Rica to live in the rainforest where they stayed for six years. “We lived in a place without electricity other than a generator,� Killpack said. “I grew up outside.�

In college, Killpack spent a year studying abroad in Ghana, and attended Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. “I have gone to Mexico, Guatemala, Hawaii and backpacked in Europe,� she said. “Three years ago I was even able to take a group of students from ISA and travel back to Costa Rica.�

Killpack wants to preserve the planet so future generations can appreciate nature. “The more you understand about how things work, the better care you take of them,� she said. “We all live on the same planet together, and we have to share the same natural resources.�

Alena Killpack

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ATCH OUT Lowell, we have got some

through a three-hour debriefing with the secret service agents. They had some pretty crazy stories,� Bell said while reminiscing about his experience. “That was pretty cool.�  Though he has dabbled in the armed forces and politics, as a campaign manager, Bell expressed that teaching has always been his calling. “I’d a l w ay s r e a l l y wanted to teach, and I always really wanted to be a history teacher.

That was plan ‘A,’ but I kept getting all of these exciting opportunities to do other things that I thought were really great,� Bell said. “I was following all of that until I found the right girl [to settle down with].�

Bell’s “right PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW BELL g irl� c ame to him in disguise at a Halloween party. She was dressed as Velma from the cartoon Scooby Doo, but Bell mistook her for Daphne. Bell was dressed as a cowboy. The two were engaged in Ireland six months later and now have a three-yearold daughter named Zoe. “[My wife] has this whole thing about castles, and I have a big thing about pubs, so I proposed to her in a castle in Ireland,� he said.

Matthew Bell

By Joseph Kim

B

helped design. This year, Wasserman will be teaching four Physics classes and one Honors Physics class.

Wasserman is amazed by the hard-working mentality of Lowell students. “I was very impressed by the level of care and attention that students have for the institution of school,� he said. “The way students come in with respect for the teacher and the manner in which students are ready to interact and their direction of learning have been uncommon in my

teaching experience.�

Outside of school, Wasserman is an avid cyclist. “I’ve been a bicycle commuter most of my life,â€? he said. “I’m a big believer in renewable energy‌ one of the first things we did when we got our house was sign a solar lease. We can generate 3.2 kilowatts, and what we don’t use goes to the [energy] grid.â€?

Wasserman “thinks green� and is concerned about how people are impacting the earth. “As humans, we put carbon into the atmosphere that would otherwise stay locked up underground,� he said. “We have to start being smarter as a society, as people with just one planet.�

Between teaching and biking, Wasserman is finding the balance between his personal hobbies and his growing family. “The main reason hobbies and interests don’t figure prominently in my life-narrative at the moment is that I’ve got two toddler-aged children at home,� he said. “My family and my students are more important to me than knowing what movie is in theaters right now.�

PHOTO COURTESY OF BYRAN WASSERMAN

Bryan Wasserman

RYAN WASSERMAN has cycled his way into Lowell as our new Physics and Honors Physics teacher.

Before teaching at Lowell, Wasserman taught several classes, including 7th grade life science and math core classes, freshman biology and a conceptual physics class for freshmen, a new class he

HUIMIN ZHANG

By Campbell Gee HE CITY BY THE BAY is home to a plethora of political beliefs, religious views, bold fashion senses, talents and cultures. But for a few San Francisco eccentrics who have dared to be different, fame has soon followed. Whether their success comes from scaring people from behind bushes, being a musical prodigy or having a killer sense of style, these quirky characters remain known as local celebrities.

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O O O O O O O O O O O O By now, most native San Franciscans know to be wary of suspicious plant matter while strolling through the bayside tourist trap that is Fisherman’s Wharf. A notorious eccentric known as the World Famous Bushman has found fame and fortune by hiding behind a shield of eucalyptus branches and startling the living daylights out of unsuspecting foreign and local passer-byers.

But what many people do not know about the elusive street performer is that the Bush Man is actually comprised of Bush Men. Homeless partners in crime *UHJRU\ -DFREV DQG 'DYLG -RKQVRQ

devised the scare gig in 1980, with Jacobs shaking the “bush� and Johnson acting as the voice/entertainer. The two parted ways in the 90s after Jacobs accused Johnson of running off with their tip money and they became mortal enemies, leaving them to perform solo.

Their hilarious antics have made the Bush Men the subject of countless videos on YouTube and have even earned them each sums of tip money as high as $60,000 a year, according to the 2011 article “The San Francisco Bushman,� from the fact-a-day news site Now I Know (www.NowIKnow.com).

Johnson –– the more famous of the two Bush Men –– moved from Indiana

to San Francisco in the 70s and ran a VKRHVKLQH EXVLQHVV EHIRUH Ă€QGLQJ WKH act that would make him famous. In The Alternative Travel Magazine’s 2006 article, “An Interview With San Francisco’s Bush Manâ€? (www.Atravelmag. com 'DYLGVRQ H[SUHVVHG ORYH DQG DSpreciation for San Francisco –– the city that made him famous. “I like it a lot.

When I got here I called it the land of opportunity, I liked that the opportunity is here,� he said. “I knew I wouldn’t go back home too soon.�

So with double the scare lurking in the wharf, visitors to the area should always keep a lookout for misplaced shrubbery.

O O O O O O O O O For decades, identical twins Marian and Vivian Brown had San Francisco seeing double. After moving from Michigan to the city in the 1970s, the Brown twins became the talk of the town, with their corresponding vintage suits, wide cheery smiles and elegantly arched brows.

The pair settled into a small Nob Hill apartment and soon made nearby Uncle Vito’s Pizza their almost daily dining

spot. Their frequent visits to the restaurant, eye-catching appearance and friendships with staff earned them a frequent window seat at Uncle Vito’s. When the twins’ distinct appearance began to increasingly attract countless admiration from locals wanting to take their picture, national media attention quickly followed. Over the years, the ladies were featured in commercials for major brands such as Reebok, and Apple Inc. and also appeared on talk shows such as The Rich-

ard Simmons Show.

Sadly in 2012, the Brown twins were VHSDUDWHG IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ \HDUV ZKHQ Vivian developed Alzheimer’s disease and had to be put in an assisted living facility. As a testament to their status as beloved San Francisco icons, donations poured in from all over to help pay for Vivian’s care and Marian’s visits. Though Vivian passed away earlier this year, their memorable image continues to represent the fabulous glamour of San Francisco.

O O O O O O O O Before Harvey Milk became the gay icon of San Francisco, there was Jose Sarria. In 1961, Sarria ran for city supervisor –– a whopping 16 years before Milk would do the same –– and was the ÀUVW RSHQO\ JD\ SROLWLFLDQ WR UXQ IRU RIÀFH After working as a cook in the US Army during World War II, Sarria began to perform in drag at local bohemian establishments such as the Black Cat Bar and advocated for homosexual men to

be open about their sexuality at a time when violent police raids on gay bars were a regular occurrence.

Later in life, Sarria gave himself the nickname “The Widow Norton� after fellow San Francisco eccentric Joshua Norton –– the self proclaimed 19th century “Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.�

As the self-named wife of “Emperor Norton,� Sarria started annual pilgrimages in drag to his grave where fans could pay homage to the late “emperor.�

Most notably, “The Widow Norton�

created the International Imperial Court 6\VWHP D VWULQJ RI QRQ SURÀW FKDULWLHV ZKLFK VWLOO H[LVWV WR IXQG WKH ÀJKW IRU JD\ rights. This Court System is the second largest gay organization in the world and raises money through fancy costume balls. Though Sarria passed away at the ripe age of 90 this past August, admirers can head over to the Oakland Museum of California to see memorabilia from the man who helped put gay on the map in San Francisco.

O O O O O O O O O O O

If you spot a trumpet-toting teen dressed in trousers, a newsboy cap, dress shoes and a blazer, while walking near the Ferry Building or :HVWĂ€HOG 0DOO GR QRW ZRUU\ \RX KDYH QRW PLraculously time-traveled back to the 1930s. The VSLIĂ€O\ GUHVVHG \HDU ROG LV *DEULHO $QJHOR D Berkeley resident who has found fame through his stellar musical talents. Since 2009, Angelo has spent weekends tap dancing and playing a trumpet on the streets of San Francisco to help pay for music lessons, tap shoes and clothes for performances.

Angelo’s knack for music began at the \RXQJ DJH RI Ă€YH ZKHQ KLV PRWKHU HQUROOHG KLP in piano lessons at the Shiloh Conservatory in Oakland, though he soon fell in love with the trumpet instead. “I knew it made a big beauti-

ful sound, and that was the beginning of the romance,� he said, “Then at nine years old, I discovered I could make people happy with it.�

Angelo is only beginning his teen years but, his life has already been laden with success and star encounters. Besides being featured on The Ellen Show and America’s Got Talent, Angelo has also performed a rendition of Henry Mancini’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s anthem “Moon Riverâ€? in front of an important audience member. “One of my favorite memories was meetLQJ 0DQFLQL¡V VRQ LQ ODZ DQG *UDPP\ ZLQQLQJ SURGXFHU *UHJJ )LHOG GXULQJ P\ VWUHHW SHUIRUmances, which led to my performance the same evening at Arturo Sandoval’s concert with SF -D]] Âľ $QJHOR VDLG ´*UHJJ LV DOVR $UWXUR¡V SURducer, and it was such an honor for him to let me perform.â€? It was that same night that Sandoval noticed the poor condition of the young musician’s old trumpet, and gifted Angelo the one he

currently uses.

In the future, Angelo hopes to incorporate everything from fashion design to modeling and acting in his music career, but is still keeping busy until he can reach these goals.

Besides performing in this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s *OREDO &LWL]HQ )HVWLYDO LQ 1HZ <RUN &LW\ Angelo continually performs where he got his humble start: on the streets of San Francisco.

And despite his brushes with fame at an early age, Angelo has developed a mature attitude towards his musical success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I guess I have grown gradually into it since I started at ten,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me it was just an extension of loving people, and I can not imagine living any other way.â&#x20AC;?

Illustrations by Kimberly Li

INSIDE Senior soccer player kicks his way into Athlete of the Month

Lowell High School September 27, 2013

Page 11

Cards slam Wash

SALLY MA

Sophomore Celina Kong, senior Amorelle Applin and junior Eileen Shi form a defensive wall, rejecting an Eagle attempt. Varsity swept 3-0 with set scores of 25-12, 25-10 and 25-7.

Vars volleyball sweeps Eagles in three sets

By Samantha Wilcox

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HE GIRLS’ VARSITY volleyball team dominated at the Battle of the Birds against the Washington Eagles on Sept. 20, sweeping all three sets with scores of 25-12, 25-10 and 25-7.

Lowell was prepared for a rematch of last year’s Academic Athletic Association championship, which Lowell won 3-1.

“Washington has a good defense, and their players can play a scrappy game,” junior defensive specialist Natie Manalo said.

“We have been working on our consistency in preparation for the season.”

Lowell started off strong in the first set, with senior middle

hitter Jaela Caston slamming a powerful spike into Washington’s court on the first volley. Lowell continued to display good defensive skills throughout the set, with senior Amorelle Applin blocking many of Washington’s hits for a final score of 25-12.

In the second set, the Cardinals did not let up on their defense, and their offense was also top notch, winning the set 25-10. Junior outside hitter Eileen Shi was one of the stars of the game, repeatedly spiking the ball inches away from the hands of her opponents.

Varsity volleyball is known for the “Lowell lull,” where the team starts strong, then weakens enough for the opposing team to close in and then narrowly comes back in the last set.

However, the Cardinals maintained their momentum against the Eagles, dominating the third set 25-7 with superior serves from sophomore Kris Hui, a new addition to the varsity team, and with solid defense and offense from the team.

Although most of the members of the varsity team are returning members, the team is still very young. “With the majority of the team being juniors, they can be tentative at times,” head coach Steven Wesley said. “We have been trying to work on being more aggressive on the court, so that we can compete at the varsity level.”

The Cardinals will take on the Balboa Buccaneers today at home at 5:10 p.m.

JV volleyball avoids third set by dominating the first two

By Michelle Wong

around you,” head coach Steven Wesley HE GIRLS’ JV volleyball team said. “I think it was a lack of focus that reigned triumphant after an in- caused that close set.”

Another war between the battling tense scramble for points at BatJV teams retle of the Birds on curred in the Sept. 20 at Washlast seconds of ington.

The Cardinals A lot of the anxiety the second set.

At 21-19 Lowdominate d t he kicks in and you’re ell, it was anyfirst set, despite game. the Eagles closing over whelmed with body’s In three sidethe gap between scores in the midall that’s happening outs between the two teams, dle of the set at 10around you.” it went from 8. In the end, the 21-20 Wash’s Cardinals broke STEVEN WESLEY, ball, back to away f rom the head coach L owel l, and growing tension t he b ack to and prevailed 2517. “A lot of the anxiety kicks in and you’re Wash at 23-22, Lowell. Finally, on account overwhelmed with all that’s happening of a missed serve by the Eagles, the girls

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got the ball back and finished the set off at 25-22.

Though losing some focus towards the end of the game, the JV girls are looking forward to the rest of the season with a team comprised of a majority of sophomores. “There are a lot of returning players on the team this year, so we have a lot more experience altogether,” sophomore captain Mina Choe said. “This way, we can push the few freshmen more.”

Wesley hopes that having more sophomores this year will create a strong and consistent team. “Mina actually was the most reliable player in this game,” he said. “Hopefully the veterans will help in getting the younger girls more consistent with their plays.”

Join the girls for their next game at 3:45 p.m. today at home against the Balboa Buccaneers.

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Freshman Emily Moon attacks Wash with an outside hit.

12 SPORTS

September 27, 2013

Lowell High School

CATE STERN

Sophomore runners Marvin Luong and Abhay Negi get off to a fast start in the sophomore race at the Lowell Invite on Sept. 14. Negi came in 21 and Luong came in 23 out of 186 runners.

Lowell XC traveling out of state for competition

By Elazar Chertow

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OR THE FIRST time in five years, the Lowell CrossCountry team will be competing in an out-of-state meet.

Along with coach Michael Prutz, the top six runners on the boys’ varsity team and the top five on the girls’ varsity team will travel to Portland, Oregon for the Nike Pre-Nationals meet. Their hope is to face tougher competition beyond the Academic Athletic Association. “We chose to go to this meet because we’ve been there before, and it’s close by,” Prutz said.

The team will depart early on the morning of Friday, Sept.

27, and fly into Portland via SFO. Once there, they will get an evening tour of Nike Headquarters, along with other teams competing in the meet. The following day, the team will compete in their respective races at the Portland Raceway, which is normally used for drag car racing, not cross-country running.

The Raceway will be converted into a similar course to the one used for racing in Golden Gate Park, with just as many grueling hills. The boys will be running at 9 a.m. and the girls at 10 a.m. on race day.

Members of the team are not only excited for the meet itself,

but also to see their times improve against harder competition.

“This year we have a much stronger team, boys and girls,” senior captain John Hogan said. “We have so much potential and this meet could really prove that to be true.”

After their respective races on Saturday, the 28th, the team members will pack up and return to San Francisco that night.

To pay for airfare, Prutz was able to transfer dollars from their transportation budget. Even though it’s only an overnight trip, everyone is excited to see what the team can do. I wouldn’t be surprised to see many PR’s up there,” Hogan said.

Reinvigorated golf team seeks to reclaim lost title

By Luke Haubenstock

To make up for the loss, the boys’ golf team has been HE PLAYER LAUNCHES the ball with a mighty helping coach the girls. “The boys’ advice has been really swing, driving it over grassy hills and pits of sand good,” To said. “However, we still have potential to do even better. We’re working toward the hole, bringing her towards it.” team one step closer to victory. In the In addition to help past two seasons the girls’ golf team Golf is not about being from the boys’ team, the made it to championships twice, but golf team also has a has lost to Lincoln High School both strong or powerful, the girls’ new assistant coach, Mitimes. This year, with a new roster, new most important thing is chael No. He is not only assistant coach and help from the boys’ an experienced golfer but golf team, the girls hope to reclaim the technique.” also the father of junior championship title they last held three player Rachael No. “He’s years ago.

VIVIAN TO been playing for a long The team lost a total of four players sophomore time and knows a lot of from last year, three of whom were fundamentals about golf,” graduating seniors. This change has affected the team dynamic, forcing the remaining players Rachael No said. “So far, he’s helped all of the girls a lot.” to step up to the tee and face the challenge. “Because we Rachael No said.

Reaction to the new assistant coach has been positive lost four players, those who did not play much last year have had to step their game up,” sophomore Vivian To said. among players. “The new assistant coach has helped us improve our posture and short game, especially putting,” To said. “This is important since the team’s weakness is our short game. We can get it on the green in 2-3 strokes, but if we can’t get it in the hole in under 6 strokes then it’s useless.”

In golf, the short game is the part of the game in which the golfer uses a variety of stroke techniques such as chip shots, pitch shots and putts to sink the ball from a short distance.

Michael No has mostly focused on fixing the girls’ technique, which is crucial to the sport. “Golf is not about being strong or powerful. The most important thing is technique,” To said. “There are a dozen things to remember to do when swinging, any of which can mess the entire stroke up if done wrong.”

So far, the girls are off to a strong start. During their first match, they trumped Wallenburg 235-254. At Battle of the Birds, on September 12, the girls lost by a mere two strokes against a fierce team of mostly returning players. However, the HUIMIN ZHANG girls are feeling confident. “I have a good feeling Senior Rachael No watches her chip shot approach the hole. we’ll be the champs this year,” Rachael No said.

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HUIMIN ZHANG

Senior Jennifer Cho putts for glory against the Washington Eagles.

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MONICA CASTRO

Vars football adopts new offensive style

By Sam Tick-Raker

In fact, in last year’s playoff game against RAB YOUR FOAM finger, Lowell Lincoln, senior running back Dillon Easterbeanie and tailgating grill, and get ling was very successful, gaining 89 yards on ready for an exciting season of varsity six carries while using shotgun. “You can just football. The Cardinals will be relying more get the handoff and look where the hole is,” on “shotgun” — an offensive strategy where he said of the single wing shotgun. “You have the quarterback stands four yards behind the more freedom to run. You can choose whether to cut back, go to center, instead the hole or even of right behind outside.” him. On top of Working from far away from bounce This more that, the team will be using the line of scrimmage makes “spread out” style will make it easier t h e “s i n g l e it easier to see the holes and not only for the wing” formarunning backs tion more ofit’s easier for passing because new but also for the othten, where one of the running it takes more time for the de- er younger, more inexperienced backs stands fense to get to me.” players. “It’ll be a next to the better transitional quarterback, ANTONIO HUGHES, offense for us to instead of junior starting quarterback run here at Lowell,” “double wing,” head coach and ofwhere both fensive coordinator Danny Chan said. backs stand on either ends of the line.

Though junior starting quarterback AntoThe team decided to make these styles a bigger part of its offense for a couple reasons. nio Hughes has started for varsity, this will be “It’s easier to read the play,” former senior his first year starting at quarterback. Shotgun quarterback Kenny Li said. “You get a better will make this new experience easier for him. view of the field. If you want to change the “Working from far away from the line of scrimplay or run the ball it’s easier.” This style is also mage makes it easier to see the holes and it’s helpful for the running backs because they can easier for passing because it takes more time see where their blockers are and determine the for the defense to get to me,” he said.

Not only will it be more spaced out, the best route to run.

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new offense will allow Hughes to throw the ball more. The Cardinals may run some option plays, where the quarterback has the choice to either throw to a running back, or to run on the other side of the field — similar to what Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49er’s run.

The offense, however, will not be scoring many points without a strong offensive line to protect the quarterback and running backs.

“If our blocking does well, then everything else will be much easier,” Li said. “It’s all about the line.” With seniors Daniel Fong and Pasha Stone at center and right guard respectively, the experienced offensive line will do everything it can to ensure Hughes and Easterling can take advantage of shotgun.

Though most aspects of the offense are looking bright, there will be some challenges.

Senior tight end Zach Rowson sprained his MCL, an injury that usually sidelines players for four to six weeks. As a two-year varsity player, Rowson is a major part of this team.

“Zach is more of an all around leader,” senior defensive linebacker Raymond Phelps said.

According to Chan, Rowson will probably not be ready to go for one of the season’s most important games — the Battle of the Birds against Washington, on Oct. 4 at Kezar Stadium. “Him down is going to be tough,” Chan said.

Offense is just a part of the game, though, and the defense consists of many veterans. “We all know each other and we all trust each other,”

Phelps said. “We all have the experience. The skill level is there.”

Linebacker Phelps will lead the defense, which includes senior tight end and defensive tackle Kolani Uini and senior defensive end Asa Evans. “What we see in the defense is very good,” Chan said.

Though the defensive line looks strong, the secondary, which ensures the opposing receivers will not become open, and is composed of the corners and safety, was a weakness until Li joined it. Along with the leadership of safety Li, the coaching staff, among other goals, is trying to raise the inexperienced players’ football IQ. At the frosh/soph level, there is more running, so getting used to defending against the throw in varsity is challenging for them.

If the players complete these tasks, the team will be successful. With their heads held high, the Cardinals will go marching into the new season with the same goal as always. “Every year we want to play Turkey Day,” Chan said, referring to the championship game that always takes place on Thanksgiving day.

Cards to take on Jefferson today

Last preseason, the Cardinals took down Jefferson High School for their first win of the year in a 42-0 blowout. They meet again today in Daly City and they will of course try to win, but also gain experience as the away team. “We gotta get used to playing on someone else’s field,” Phelps said.

Girls’ tennis strives for 11th consecutive champ

By Amber Ly

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HE GIRLS’ tennis team serves up a thrilling season of competitive action with new players, returning veterans and renovated tennis courts.

The lady Cardinals hold the title of champions for 10 consecutive years after snatching a gold trophy last fall in the championship against Washington. The coaches anticipate returning to the finals once again this season. “We’re always ready to compete for the championships,” assistant coach Wing Lem said.

One of Lowell’s strengths is its mental game. “With almost all players, it’s difficult for them to close matches out,” head coach Bryan Lee said. “Tennis tests your

mentality and it’s a thing we’re always working on.”

After the team decreased from 35 to 24 players last season, the girls strengthened their bonds, according to senior and co-captain Jessica Kai. “We’ve got each others’ backs now,” Kai said. “We’ll go out of our way to cheer for each other during games, even when we’re not supposed to.”

While observing the Monday and Tuesday tryouts, onlookers passing by the courts took notice of the seemingly never-ending rallies among last season’s athletes. “Our experienced players are steady in tough rallies,” Lem said. “It’s one of their strengths, and they really know how to keep it up and stay in the points.”

The tryouts this year attracted a fusion of 44 seasoned and new athletes. After noting all the potential rising tennis stars, Lee decided to increase the available spots on the team from 24 to 27. “Every year we don’t have a set number,” Lee said.

“It depends on the talent we get and this year there was a lot more.”

This year, Lee is applying more structure to practices. Monday and Tuesday are reserved for running drills, and Wednesday and Thursday are set aside for point play and matches. Friday will be spent playing team-bonding games, Lee said.

March down at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 to the newly refurbished home tennis courts to check out the Cardinals take on University High School.

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Freshman Sandi Dumas follows through on her forehand during the Cardinals 5-2 victory over Galileo in the season opener on Sept. 11.

14 SPORTS

Lowell High School

September 27, 2013

The City’s Secret Sports

By Andrew Pearce

Most San Franciscans think that the Giants, 49ers and Warriors are the only sports teams around to support. However, there are plenty of other exciting options for avid fans in the Bay Area, and the excitement comes at a fraction of the cost.

San Francisco Dogfish

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THLETIC PLAYERS stretch to their fullest, completely airborne, reaching for a shining white Frisbee, suspended in mid-air. These are the kind of stunts you will see if you go watch the San Francisco Dogfish play Ultimate.

The Dogfish play in the western division of the Major League Ultimate, founded in 2012, along with the Seattle Rainmakers, the Vancouver Nighthawks and the Portland Stags. The Dogfish won their division and went on to their first ever MLU Championship game in Philadelphia, against the Boston Whitecaps in front of hundreds of excited ultimate fans. The Whitecaps came out victors, 20-15, clinching the game in the final quarter. “We played well but they were the better team,” Dogfish general manager Chris Sherwood said.

“They took an early lead. We closed the gap to one but then they pulled away.”

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The Dogfish’s goal is to make Ultimate known and respected among San Francisco sports fans. “We’re going to be in a stadium, we’re going to have an anthem, we’re going to have a halftime show,” Sherwood said, according to KQED (kqed. org). “We have a mascot, we have an announcer, we have a DJ.” Their mascot is Dougie the Dogfish and is at all home games.

After their successful first season in the MLU, the Dogfish are looking to promote their sport and their team in the upcoming 2013-2014 season. “We are hoping to introduce the game to a bigger audience,” Sherwood said. “We had some media coverage but we’d like to get more and maybe even get some games on TV. We want to do more clinics where we give some younger players a chance to work with the pros.”

Ryo Kawaoka, captain of the Dogfish, is a major player on the team along with Beau Kittredge, Mac Taylor and Ashlin Joye, who were all on Ultimate Team USA. USA Ultimate is part of the World Flying Disc Federation, and compete in tournaments such as the World Games, an international event for non-Olympic sports every four years.

The projected cost for the 2014 games are $16 for adults and $12 for kids. You can see the Dogfish play at Boxer or Kezar stadium in spring, 2014.

San Jose SaberCats

AVE YOU ever seen a football game where The scoring and timing is the same as the NFL and the football bounces back into live play if is split into four 15-minute halves with a 15-minute someone misses? The San Jose SaberCats half-time. are an Arena Football team in the Arena Football The SaberCats are trying to build their fan base League, founded in 1995. and get more recognition as a team. Their goal is Instead of the 18.5 feet wide goalposts of the to make their games more accessible to the public.

NFL, Arena Football has skinny goalposts a mere “As we look ahead to 2014, we wanted to make nine feet apart. On each sure we continued to side of the goalposts, there make SaberCats footare rebound nets 30 feet ball more accessible for wide and 32 feet tall. If the As we look ahead to 2014, our fans by lowering football rebounds back into our prices,” SaberCats we wanted to make sure Managing Par tner the field, the play is live.

These nets make the game Fry said, accordwe continued to make Dave more interesting, keep the ing to the Arena Footplays moving, and makes SaberCats football more ball official website the kickers feel better. (arenafootball.com). accessible for our fans by “As we look at the risArena Football is played indoors on a field the same ing ticket prices for lowering our prices,” size as an NHL hockey other Bay Area teams, rink. The field is 50 yards we are continuing to Dave Fry, make sure to provide a long and has eight-yard SaberCats Managing Partner family-friendly experiend zones instead of the standard 100-yard field ence at an affordable with 10-yard end zone for outdoor football fields. price.” Tickets will now be 10 dollars starting in the Each team starts eight players from a 20-man roster. 2014 season.

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In April 2013, the SaberCats acquired quarterback Russ Michna on a two-year contract. Michna was formerly on the Chicago Rush. During his fiveyear career with Chicago, Michna led them to the post season twice. In his 13 starts for the SaberCats he passed for 68 touchdowns and 3,116 yards.

He will start his first full season with the SaberCats next spring.

This season, the SaberCats had a very good season, finishing with a 13-5 record, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Arizona Rattlers. The SaberCats have won three ArenaBowls defeating the Rattlers in 2002 and 2004 and the Columbus Destroyers in 2007. In 2009, the SaberCats played a fourth ArenaBowl, but they lost to the Philadelphia Soul.

You can watch the SaberCats in the spring of 2014 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

San Francisco Bulls

ORGET DRIVING down the trafficpacked 101 to get to San Jose. If you want ice hockey, just head down to the Cow Palace in the Bayview District.

There you can find the San Francisco Bulls, a minor league ice hockey team that play in the East Coast Hockey League.

On Aug. 22, the Bulls renewed their affiliation with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League and the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League. Players from both of the Sharks teams who don’t play as often can move to the Bulls and develop their skills in a lower league while giving the Bulls top-level talent.

In just the 2012-2013 season, the Sharks gave seven new players to the Bulls, including two goaltenders, a defenseman and four forwards. “San

Francisco provides a terrific option for us to place leagues, and the crowd is very enthusiastic, cheerplayers in a situation where they can further de- ing the fighters on. The Bulls are not the first velop themselves hockey team to call the as hockey players,” Cow Palace home. The Sharks Assistant Sharks played in San General Manager San Francisco provides a ter- Francisco from 1991Joe Will said on 1993 while the Shark rific option for us to place Tank was being built. the San Francisco Bulls website (sfplayers in a situation where Then the San Francisco bulls.com).

Spiders played one seaSeating around they can further develop son in 1995 in the East 8,000 people, the Coast Hockey League themselves as hockey players” at the Cow Palace. In Cow Palace allows for a substantial 2012, the Bulls spent Joe Will, $2 million dollars on crowd to make a Sharks Assitant General Manager a new ice system and a professional game atmosphere, but large scoreboard. fans can still get much closer to the action. Best The Bulls’ first game of the 2013-2014 season of all, there are still plenty of fights in the minor will be on Nov. 8, against the Bakersfield Condors.

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ALL ILLUSTRATIONS BY MONICA LEE

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Will Slotterback

CATE STERN

By Joseph Kim

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HETHER HE IS running his heart out on the field, helping out the younger players, or pulling off a hat trick, senior William Slotterback is always involved in boys’ varsity soccer’s success, on and off the pitch.

Taking on the position as a striker, Slotterback finishes the big plays. In a 5-0 victory over Making Waves Academy during the Golden Gate Cup Tournament on Aug. 30, he scored a hat trick in the first half hour of the game.

As this year’s co-captain, Slotterback is not only a star player, but also a star teammate. “The boys chose Will to be their team captain, which already shows his excellence as a person and player,” head coach Juan Lopez said. “He’s the kind of player a

coach would want on his team.”

Outside of school, Slotterback also plays for the San Francisco Seals — a club team with many other Lowell varsity soccer players. He also previously played for three other club and recreational teams, including the Ancient Jaguars and the Argonauts. The first team he played for consisted of mostly girls, with the exception of one other boy. “My mom had to pull me out of the car for my first practice because I didn’t want to go,” Slotterback said. “Now soccer is one of the most important things in my life.”

Although his sister also played a little bit of soccer as a child, Slotterback is the only dedicated soccer player in his family. “I also played tennis and basketball as a little kid, but

as I got older, I realized that I liked soccer the most so I gradually started to phase out the other sports to focus entirely on soccer,” Slotterback said.

Having played since he was four years old, Slotterback explains what makes the sport so unique to him. “Soccer is different from other sports since there isn’t a real physical requirement,” Slotterback said. “Unlike some other sports, you can be any size and still be good at soccer. One of the best soccer players in the world is only about 5’6,” Slotterback said, referring to the Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi.

With a great team leader and player like Will Slotterback, one can expect great results from the boys’ varsity soccer team this season.

16 COLUMNS

Lowell High School

September 27, 2013

Student tours S.F. mansion from psychadelic era

By Tyler Perkins

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N THE SIXTIES FEW BANDS defined the San Francisco sound like Jefferson Airplane. With powerful vocals by Grace Slick, the Airplane was one of the first and most successful psychedelic rock bands. Their music contributed to the youth scene, called “the summer of love,” which attracted many hippies to San Francisco. Throughout the years, Jefferson Airplane produced many hits, including “Somebody to Love” and “Volunteers.” For many, this music was a way to enhance the effects of psychedelic drugs.

From the late sixties to mid eighties, the Airplane lived in a mansion across the street from Golden Gate Park. Once painted entirely black, the house became the site for many crazy parties, and its address the name of the 1987 compilation album, 2400 Fulton Street. Over the summer, I was granted access to this rock star oasis for a tour I won’t soon forget.

Growing up, I often heard about my parents’ friends who lived in the Jefferson Airplane mansion.

As a child, I was not familiar with the band, but when I grew older, I expanded my horizons and began listening to their music. Aware of my interest, my grandparents took me to 2400 Fulton for a tour as a birthday present.

The owner of the house, Paul, used to babysit my dad when

they were growing up in La Mesa, San Diego. Paul bought the house with his wife, Catherine, in 1994. When we arrived at the house, Paul and his two French poodles were right there to greet us.

The tour started in the massive living room containing a unique collection of paintings and surfboards. Here, Paul told us that the 17-room home was built in 1904 and that it has eight fireplaces.

Although the Jefferson Airplane band members were its most famous occupants, the mansion had several other owners over the years. After Jefferson Airplane sold it, a group of monks moved in, and when Paul and Catherine first saw the house, there was a healing ceremony going on in the basement.

We then looked at the other rooms on the first floor. The dining room harbors an ornate 360-degree wall mural of a dense forest, and the kitchen has large windows with a spectacular view of the city.

Next we trouped down to the basement, where we met Catherine and four of her employees. Catherine owns a successful business—representing artists who make home décor products—that operates out of the mansion’s basement. Also in

the basement is the room that once functioned as a recording studio for Jefferson Airplane. Now empty, this was where the band created and rehearsed many of their musical masterpieces.

After touring the basement, Paul led us past a magnificent stained-glass window to the second floor, where we saw the bedrooms. In the master bedroom, a detailed painting of a goddess of the hunt engulfs most of the ceiling. In the bathroom, a claw-foot bathtub and a pull chain toilet recall the Victorian style of the house.

On the top floor, we passed through a room with a pool table, likely an old hangout spot for the band. It was an odd feeling being in a room where long ago these skilled musicians probably played billiards and used drugs. Finally, Paul showed us his office, which overlooks the tall trees on the north side of Golden Gate Park.

As we drove home, lis2400 FULTON STREET ALBUM COVER tening to the wailing of the Airplane’s hit song “White Rabbit,” I could not help but feel satisfied. Only a handful of people can say they have seen the inside of the Jefferson Airplane mansion, and it is something I will remember for my whole life.

“Egg” teaches English in China — with an eco-spin

By Luke Haubenstock

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Chinese students on environment-related field trips to places like a filthy water treatment plant, an endangered mangrove forest, and a zoo, where visitors throw their garbage into the animal cages. On these trips, I witnessed first-hand the small issues that are adding up to pollute our planet. When we got back to school, we American students taught the Chinese students environmental vocabulary and helped them write essays about their views on climate change.

Over the course of the trip, I stayed with two host families — one in Guangzhou and one in Zhuhai. In their homes I became accustomed to squat toilets, extremely weak Wi-Fi access, rock-hard beds and the occasional cockroach.

All of that aside, these homestays were an extremely positive experience for me. With my hosts I tried some delicious, authentic food, went shopping and sight seeing, and honed my badminton skills.

Furthermore, staying with natives was a great way for me to practice my Chinese. My host families were incredibly thoughtful and kind to me, and for that I am truly grateful. Not to mention that they did my laundry!

In each city, we CASEEP members teamed up with our hosts and split into groups to prepare performances for the

closing ceremony. The varied performances included break-dancing to rap artist Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us,” a hilarious fashion show, the ever-so popular “Cup Song” routine and a heart-warming chorus of elementary school students singing “We Are the World,” by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

The school days were a blast, but my favorite part of the trip was nighttime in Dongguan, where we CASEEP members were free to go out without curfew. Each night after returning to the hotel from the day’s activities, we went out either to the local night market to buy fake brand-name clothing, to sing karaoke or to get our feet massaged at a somewhat sketchy upstairs venue. We drank our weight in boba milk tea and bought frozen dumplings at the

nearby Walmart to boil in the hotel rooms’ tea kettles for 2 a.m. “dumpling parties.” Those few nights were truly an unforgettable bonding experience for us CASEEP members.

When it was time to come home, I felt like I wasn’t quite ready to leave. In China, there’s so much to do and see that there’s really no way to experience it all in one short month.

Furthermore, I knew I’d miss my new friends that, over those few weeks, had become family to me. CASEEP was an incredible opportunity; I learned a great deal about Chinese language and culture, made new friends from both sides of the globe, and reached a new level of independence. Even though CASEEP has ended, I can say for certain that I will go back to China very soon.

ILLUSTRATION BY KIMBERLEY LI

HO IS THIS white ghost talking to us in Chinese?” squealed the excited fifth graders at Xian Lie Xiao Lu Elementary School in Guangzhou, China as I stepped in front of the dusty chalkboard to begin teaching. I explained, maybe for the hundredth time that week, that I had learned to speak Cantonese and Mandarin at a K-8 grade school in San Francisco called Alice Fong Yu Alternative School, and that I was in China to teach them to speak English.

This past summer, I participated in the Chinese and American Student Educational Exchange Program (CASEEP), a monthlong youth program sponsored by the Chinese government to promote educational exchange between the United States and China. I first found out about the program during 2013 spring semester when I walked by a poster at the top of the second-floor staircase at Lowell High School. I am somewhat of an “egg” — white on the outside and Asian on the inside — because I take Advanced Placement Chinese and paddle for the Lowell dragon boat team.

For this reason, the moment I saw the CASEEP sign I knew in an instant exactly what I wanted to do over the summer.

This year a total of 56 high school students from all over the Bay Area participated in CASEEP, including 54 Asian Americans, one Hapa (a person of half Asian descent), and yours truly. As the honorary “white ghost,” the Chinese slang word for a person of Caucasian descent, I was often singled out from the rest of my peers. I was interviewed on television, and reporters took pictures of me that showed up in local newspapers across Canton Province in Southern China, where I spent most of my time. I even high-fived the Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Bureau.

T h e pro g r a m v i s it e d Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Dongguan, which are all located in Canton Province. We went to elementary, middle and high schools to help Chinese students with their English. The theme of the program was environmental protection, so every day we went with the

The Lowell

September 29, 2013

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By Michelle Wong

A

cious CD-ROM wheels on their mousetrap cars, I realized how much they looked up to me and treasured my help and advice on life, science, and other “girl” issues that we all dealt with in middle school.

We junior counselors guided and befriended the girls who trusted us without question.

Since the first day, when the campers ner vously arrived with their unicorn Pillow Pets, and sometimes their entire families, every time a girl came up to me and asked for help, I looked into her eyes of wonder and admiration and remembered how I had looked into my role models’ eyes in the same way. I couldn’t help but to think to myself, why me?

Why are these crazy, young, adorable girls asking me for help? What makes them invest their trust into us, mere strangers they’ve only recently met?

What is it about authority that causes us to blindly trust leaders?

Whenever I had the rare opportunity to think to myself during camp, I kept wondering about the reasons for the seemingly obligatory respect that the girls showed us junior counselors. Nevertheless, the happy campers inspired me greatly with their constant inquiries about high school, science and life, and I hope I inspired them just as much as my junior counselors had encouraged me.

Admiration. Hoping to be noticed. Constantly asking for more information from your leaders. It was all a familiar feeling to me — does it ever stop? Does it ever stop when you become a role model yourself? At Tech Trek, I found that the answer is no. You never stop looking up to your role models, and you never stop appreciating the opportunity to inspire others as a leader.

ILLUSTRATION BY KIMBERLEY

FTER SPENDING one week of summer as a junior counselor at a math and science camp for seventh grade girls to explore their interests in science, technology, engineering and math, (STEM), I can definitely say that Tech Trek at Stanford University was the proton to my hydrogen atom.

One of eight different sites at several universities in California, Stanford Tech Trek is a high-tech, math, science and computer camp sponsored by The American Association of University Women. Throughout the week, 86 enthusiastic middle-school-aged girls participate in scientifically engaging activities such as starwatching with professional astronomers using the newest and fanciest telescopes, making their own cars out of mouse-traps and attending exciting core classes in physics, marine biology, three-dimensional math or forensics. This summer I assisted the “Physics In Motion” class, where I got to actually put my honors chemistry skills to the test. I guess learning how an electrical cell works really does come in handy!

In 2010, back in the time of Myspace selfies and chunky Nike Jordan Air Force Ones, I was a camper myself. My seventh grade science teacher nominated me to apply to Tech Trek, and after receiving my acceptance e-mail, I freaked out, thinking about soon-to-be first steps on the Stanford University campus. At camp, I met some of the most inspirational women in my life, and they encouraged me to pursue a future career in chemical engineering and to stay involved with the camp.

This summer, I saw camp through the eyes of a junior counselor. I had my first taste of leadership and learned how inspiring and influential I could be to younger people. Throughout the session, these young and talented minds of future mathematicians and physicists approached us junior counselors with endless requests, and not only to take them to the Stanford bookstore or to tell them stories about our high school lives. As my campers pestered and trusted me to pull a balloon over their pre-

By Whitney C. Lim

I

PICKED UP trash this past summer.

May b e I initially agreed to do this to make some money. Perhaps I just wanted to spend more time with my best friends, or possibly I thought it would look good on college applications. But I never thought the experience would broaden my heart and mind.

I quickly realized I had not signed up for this project for worldly rewards. We were picking up trash, and we cannot romanticize the truth: trash is dirty, disgusting and downright detestable. We did it not to change the world; we did it to clean our incredibly littered Bayview neighborhood.

Redeemer C om mu n it y Church youth leaders started Summer Pickings along with Dayspring Technologies, a company with Christian values, which develops websites and apps and shares a building with our church.

Because they both recently moved to this part of the Bayview, Redeemer and Dayspring wanted to befriend the nearby businesses, to show love and simply to benefit whomever possible. The two decided that cleaning the streets would be the most effective way to do this. So Dayspring provided Summer Pickings with blue t-shirts, trash grabbers, trash bags and other supplies for our weekly rounds.

Prepared and expectant, a group of about 20 children, youth and adults set out each Monday during the summer to pick up litter along the sidewalk and brush. We also said hello to companies we passed, wrapping up with lunch, sometimes from the Tacos Rodriguez truck or Auntie April’s Chicken and Waffles Soul Food Restaurant.

Before we had even dumped our first black bag of cigarette butts, sandwich remains and candy bar wrappers, I’d teased that we should just call ourselves the Fair-

fax Filth Folks. It made sense, because our church is on Fairfax Avenue off Third Street, and we were picking up a wide variety of filthy rubbish in that small part of the Bayview. Instead, we made our presence known with flyers that read “Summer Pickings,” which was more suitable for distributing to neighborhood businesses like Meyer Plumbing Supply, Siena Imports, Inc. and Meals on Wheels.

The first time I participated in a Summer Pickings outing, Meals on Wheels invited 10 of us into a conference room where the Chief Operations Officer talked to us. She gave us information about their programs and the huge kitchen downstairs and answered our questions. Discovering a partner in the neighborhood whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people, even with something as simple as a meal, encouraged me.

Hopefully Redeemer can volunteer for them in the near future.

On t he l ast d ay of Summer Pickings, about 30 people went to Youngblood Coleman Playground across the street from our church to eat lunch in the sun and to play some soccer. Although I didn’t play, I enjoyed sitting with other non-players on the sidelines, where we cheered and sang for our friends running after the ball and laughed with preschoolers and adults, who took time off work to be with us. In the bright sunlight and blue sky, with friends all around me and a quiet sense of satisfaction, I began to comprehend that my greater mission in Summer Pickings was to serve and love. This insight I want to carry with me.

We didn’t change the entire world, but that wasn’t our goal. Sometimes I felt discouraged when the streets filled with litter again within 24 hours. All we wanted was to feel, to see, to taste, to touch a tiny part of the world. Our world. We went with peace and to spread peace. At the very least, I learned that this experience did not fatten my wallet, get me invited to any exclusive parties or dramatically increase my chances in getting into an Ivy League school, but it did give me a more compassionate heart and clearer mind, and it gave cleaner streets to Bayview locals.

18 OPINION

September 27, 2013

Two vacation weeks would reduce stress, reporter argues

By Henry Hammel

S

ummer is great, but not that great.

It’s not so great that we should allow it to create two incredibly stressful semesters.

Instead of an 11-week summer followed by two semesters with minimal breaks — one with its longest break clocking in at five days (Thanksgiving), the other with one week (spring break) — the district should implement a nine-week summer with two additional one week vacations during the school year.

Placing these two one-week-long breaks at the beginning of October and at the end of February would most effectively reduce stress during their respective semesters. These two time periods mark the end of the first grading periods of both the fall and spring semesters — some of the most stressful times for students as they become overloaded with tests. Placing a week of pure relaxation after arguably one of the most stressful weeks for students besides finals would not only help students recover and come back ready to learn, it would also help teachers recover after an onslaught of grading.

By placing these two vacations immediately after such testintensive periods when most classes finish a chapter or unit, students would be able to enjoy a completely work-free vacation.

Unlike spring break or Thanksgiving, which are often polluted by even the smallest

assignments, these two weeks should be kept clean and absolutely untouched by school to provide a real break. And they have the capability to achieve that.

Because they are taken out of summer, class curriculums should simply skip over this week as if it didn’t exist at all.

This is in no way a revolutionary idea. In fact, many schools, both local and international, have similar annual schedules.

Lycee Francais de San Francisco, otherwise known as the French School of San Francisco, a K-12 French immersion school located in the Haight and the Sunset, has a designated vacation week in both October and February. Similarly, in Europe, an 11 week summer vacation is scarce, while several week-long breaks are common.

Cutting summer vacation by two weeks isn’t a big deal: two weeks is merely a fraction of our current eleven week break. Yes, it is nice to have a seemingly endless block of free time to do more than just relax, to take on a job or an internship.

But nine weeks is still plenty of time, and the benefits of Christine Van two extra weeks during the school year are tremendous when compared to those of two extra summer weeks.

Lowell High School

Reporter up in arms over senior steps, dean disagrees

By Spencer Thirtyacre

Cordoba said. “There’s no sign, there’s no raversing the courtyard on my policy that says it is theirs. It’s a first come, first first day at Lowell High, I couldn’t served situation.”

Some seniors help but notice the feel disrespected immense social gathering at by the school’s the steps near the catwalk. on the The seniors who occupied The steps are a rite stance situation. “The that sacred ground seemed to be thoroughly enjoying of passage for the steps are a rite of passage for themselves, despite the fact seniors. seniors,” senior that Lowell is notorious for Link Chapman its lack of fun.

While I was initially Link Chapman said. “The fact envious of their optimal senior that we can’t enforce our location in the crowded courtyard, it was apparent that I too would Lowell traditions is rather unfair to our class one day be able to claim my spot as king of and the classes below us as well.”

Although the confrontation did not change the school. And so I worked through my first three years at Lowell, putting up with bad anything officially, it appears that security will teachers, a terrific load of homework, rude keep a closer eye on the steps and those who students and an inadequate amount of sleep. are occupying them. Since security is actively All the while, I told myself that life would get watching this area, they noticed that seniors had moved a picnic table up onto the dirt area easier once I finished my junior year.

Finally, after a grueling three years, my next to the senior steps. Security then asked senior year has come around, and it was seniors, or rather told them, to move it down worth the grind. A light workload, a closer to the main courtyard. “We’re trying to keep network of friends and the chance to rule the the place green,” Cordoba said. “It can’t stay campus as the eldest group have been quite green if you got tables all around the trees rewarding, not to mention access to the holy there.” However, that area is an ideal place to ground — the senior steps. We would finally relax on scorching days. “You get some shade have this ideal area all to ourselves … at least under the trees,” senior Sam Scharffenberger said. “You get a good view of the courtyard.” that’s what I thought.

These restrictions are unfair; the seniors Ever since an altercation between a small group of juniors and seniors over ownership have earned the steps. Students put up with of the steps this month, there have been a lot, whether it is dances cancelled and then rumors that the school is stripping the rescheduled to the night before the ACT test, seniors of sole possession of the steps. Dean or Arena getting shut down due to a glitch in Ray Cordoba clarified that there has been the system. The fact of the matter is that we no shift in school policy and that the senior have devoted the last four years of our life to steps have never been only for the seniors. this school, so the least the administration can “Seniors think that it’s a tradition that from do is honor our unwritten understanding that year to year they get to sit over in that area,” the steps belong to the seniors.

T

“

T

September 27, 2013

The Lowell

OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS

19

Students need access to counselors during Arena

The LOL

By Pasha Stone

T

EDITORIAL DearAdministration:Let us dance at the dance!

CHRISTINE VAN

We’ve been back at school for a month, and Lowell life is in full swing. Although we have a doe-eyed freshman class, renovations in the gym and cafeteria and many new clubs to join, the heart of Lowell, to our relief, remains unchanged. To its credit, the administration has done its part in making the back-to-school transition smooth. However, as the Homecoming Dance approaches, one can only question the role that the administration wishes to play in monitoring the school dances that we at Lowell have grown to enjoy and anticipate.

As the Fall 2012 semester began, the student body became acquainted with the new administrative policies for behavior at school dances (see “Proposed dance policy would be unnecessary, overly intrusive,” The Lowell, Oct. 2012), despite their absence from the dance contract that we are all obligated to sign in order to attend dances. The most recognizable policy was the “time-out,” issued by school security guards, teachers and administrators to students caught dancing “a little too close” to one another. Instead of just discouraging these students, the time-out publicly humiliated them in front of their peers and forced them to sit awkwardly alone for 10 minutes.

In addition, students who were not sent to time-out were constantly being watched by teachers, staff and administrators — many of whom they know and respect — who were peering over shoulders and attempting to stop what they deemed semi-sexual behavior. This put both teachers and students in an unnecessarily uncomfortable position. Even worse is that the administration continues these policies into this year despite clear disappointment among students. During the Welcome Back dance, “We Can’t Stop,” security guards and faculty administered time-outs and surveyed the dance floor with flashlights.

However, that’s not the point. Last year, when the administration enacted these new policies many were up in arms, saying that their privacy was being violated and that the administration was acting unnecessarily harsh. Although the Lowell Student Association has had numerous meetings with administrators and has taken several polls to gauge the student opinion, there has been little followthrough and no change. As Homecoming, the on-campus dance with the largest attendance of the school year is about to arrive, where is the opposition? The student body must voice its opinion against these overly invasive rules that are taking away much of the enjoyment from otherwise lively school dances.

The administration has a point: all students have the right to feel comfortable at school dances and not be exposed to things that they deem distasteful. True, the administration has our interests in mind. However, they have gone too far. We, not only as students but also as teenagers, should demand that the administration respect contemporary social norms that are deemed appropriate by those OUR age, including intimate dancing. The administration trusts us to maintain academic honesty and continue the rich athletic and academic legacy of Lowell, but they don’t trust us to moderate ourselves at school dances. Do they need to literally be looking over our shoulders? It is time that the administration steps back and shows faith in the students, starting first with a loosening of dance regulations and rules.

HE CRISP COLORED paper on which students fill out next semester’s classes and the rush of students hustling around the gym trying to sign up for their classes during Arena — these are two things Lowell students will never experience again as of last January.

Another discontinued staple of the Arena tradition are the tables of counselors in the middle of the gym, where students could seek help when scheduling conflicts came up during Arena. Unlike class sign ups at physical Arena, there is no substitute for course changes during online Arena, leaving students stuck with the classes they signed up for early in the previous until the first day of the following semester, causing yet another headache in the scheduling process.

These new scheduling changes disadvantage students, such as struggling math and honors science students, who are unsure which courses they want to — or even can — take the following semester. Students are expected to judge whether or not they will pass a class (or receive teacher recommendation, depending on the course) only six weeks into the semester. Being unable to make changes until the next semester, these students essentially forfeit whatever pick they have and end up changing courses after all the students with scheduling errors have already gotten first dibs on the teachers with free space in their classes. These students, who already failed their advanced classes, will now be behind in their new ones.

This new system is not only inconvenient for some students, but it is also inefficient for the whole student body. Hundreds of students who could make course changes at physical Arena are now added to endless lines in front of the counseling office, crowded among all those students who need to change their classes in the tight, two-week, course-changing window at the beginning of each semester. There are almost 80 days between course selection and Arena, yet counselors can’t change any classes.

The most important duty of counselors is to schedule classes, yet they aren’t allowed to edit or even see the class selections. “The reason why [students can’t change classes between scheduling and Arena] is that it’s all on one database, and someone has to manually go in and

CHRISTINE VAN

change each class for each student and it was just too much work for one person because we don’t have access to it,” counselor Candace Boran said. “For the last Arena only Assistant Principal Yi [who is currently on leave] has access to the scheduling database. So changing one class for one student can mess up a lot of different things.”

During scheduling students want to feel that everything possible is being done to help them, not like they are stuck in the inefficiency of a bureaucracy. With the new scheduling system, the need for pre-Arena class changes are vital, and the counseling department must change its current Arena procedures. Either counselors should have access to the scheduling spreadsheet and be permitted to change class selections for all students, or those who are not passing one or more courses should be exempt from the “all class selections are FINAL” rule, and the assistant principal should change the classes himself.

In the past, the counselors were present at physical Arena for a reason, and each year hundreds of students benefited from this, yet the counseling department provided no alternative when Lowell switched to online Arena. The counselors acknowledged that there is a need for this service, then it was simply overlooked in the ungraceful transition to online Arena. The counseling department’s main responsibility is making schedules for thousands of students and it has the power to make a student’s semester either very enjoyable, with good teachers and with a much-needed lunch break in the middle of the day, or terrible, with hard teachers and an early 2nd or 3rd period “lunch.” The school needs to step up and do what is best for the students.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, At the beginning of the new school year, three words are trending more often than not —“I hate Lowell” We have all said it. To vent, sound cool, or start a conversation; regardless, it is a popular term under the breath of many students here at Lowell High School. I am finally a senior here, and I would like to say I am really tired of hearing that statement. It is like another popular three words some of us hear throughout high school, we all know that nobody actually means it! Sure you may dislike certain aspects. You chose too many classes. Some teachers pick favorites, and you are not one. You can’t find parking. It smells. Or you decided to study for five hours after midnight.

Yeah I guess those are reasonable complaints, but is Lowell really to blame? In middle school, most of you worked your tails off to come here, and now that you are here you act as if you are in a prison.

As if teachers and students are out to get you. But to be completely honest, and listen up freshmen because you figure this out very quickly, nobody cares. Nobody cares if you do your homework, go to class, do extra credit, or take notes; that is all on

you! If you are one who has said, “I hate Lowell,” you got it all wrong; you hate yourself, because you are the one making it so difficult. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t support just slacking off and giving up, in fact I think you all should take advantage of your opportunities here, but you have got to change your perspective. It is a challenge to do well here, but it is a challenge that you chose to accept, so rise and grind, every damn day. And if you want to slack off, Lowell is the perfect place to do so, because again, nobody cares! Personally, I think choosing to attend Lowell was one of my greatest decisions, simply because it has given me an education past 2:25p.m., it has prepared me for the next level. It has taught me how to watch my own back because there won’t always be someone there to do so. And most importantly, unlike a lot of schools, there are friends for everybody here, just walk around during 11/12. I have made some friendships here that I think will last a lifetime, and so can you, but not if you are going around with that negativity. Students from other schools respect the fact that we go to Lowell. And so should you. ~ John Hogan, 1412

Editors-­in-­Chief

Deidre Foley s Henry Hammel Elijah Alperins Cooper Logan News Deidre Foley, Cooper Logan Sports Henry Hammel, Ian James, Sam Tick-Raker, Andrew Pearce Features Kai Matsumoto-Hines Columns & Profiles Elena Bernick, KT Kelly Opinion Elazar Chertow, Spencer Thirtyacre Reporters, Natalia Arguello Inglis, Elena Bernick, Madelyn Chen, Emily Fong, Campbell Gee, Luke Haubenstock, Joseph Kim, Gisela Kottmeier, Whitney C. Lim, Amber Ly, Patricia Nguy, Andrew Pearce, Tyler Perkins, Noreen Shaikh, Pasha Stone, Spencer Thirtyacre, Sam Tick-Raker, Samantha Wilcox, Michelle Wong, Luming Yuan Art Editor Kimberly Li Illustrators Camilia Kacimi, Christine Van Photo Editor Huimin Zhang Photographers Luciano Chan, Karina Huft, Zoe Kaiser, Amber Ly, Sally Ma, Cate Stern, Lily Young Multimedia Editor Monica Castro Web Content Editor Elijah Alperin

Social Media Manager Pasha Stone, Michelle Wong Business Managers Martin Costa, Carissa Ng, Gabe Schumm

Cardinal Lael Bajet Red Samantha Yu

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.

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