Verde Volume 11 Issue 1 by Verde Magazine

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palo alto high school volume 11 edition 1

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index Stanford kissing tradition ends, pg 12

7 10 11 12 13 14 18

20 21 22 24 25

THE LAUNCH

Reflections from the Border By Margaret Kadifa

SPECTRUM

Paly Speaks By Kailey Flather Life Before the Lecture By Sonali Sastry and Manon Von Kaenel Know Your Rights/ Stanford Kisses Full Moon Goodbye/ Top 5 By Emily James, Allison Chang and Jessica Madej 10 Questions with Joshua Bloom By Bella Hernandez News By Verde Staff Talking Politics with Smokey Wallace By Kianna Evans and Mary

PERSPECTIVES

You’ll Thank Them Later By Ally Messick So-Duh! Tax it! By Amanda Groziak Let Him Be By Bella Hernandez The Hypocritical Cycle goes ‘Round and ‘Round By Mary Vericat Nobody’s Perfect By Anabel Homnack and Emma Tucher

26 28 30 34 38 40 41 43

PROFILES

Shoes for Change By Silvia Maraboli Academics Meet Athletics By Anabel Homnack Dancing for Diversity By Emma Tucher and Manon Von Kaenel

COVER

Living with Celiac By Camille Von Kaenel No Bread for Me By Camille Von Kaenel Uncovering Hidden Calories By Kianna Evans Markets and Money By Emily Efland and Manon Von Kaenel Do you know Joe’s? By Max Cohen and Mira Khanna

FEATURES

46 48 50 52 54 56

EPA rally for the relocation of a sex offender, pg 22

Fighting the Battle By Ally Messick Changing the Scales By Sonali Sastry Fresh Off the Boat By Margaret Kadifa Finding the Middle Ground By Allison Chang and Emily Efland Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough By Asha Albuquerque and Amanda Groziak Textbooks: History Class or Ancient History? By Sarah Jacobs

Adi Katz baking gluten-free bread, pg 34

CULTURE

60 61 62 64 66 67 68 70

Halloween Hits: Four Great Zombie Films By Max Cohen and Harry Nordlinger Bollywood Beats Hollywood By Jessica Madej Government Corruption is... Funny? By Ryan Flanagan Photo Essay By Sarah Henderson Cartoon By Harry Nordlinger Sweet Shop Merits BitterSweet Review By Sophie Cornfield Malltastic Mall Food By Natalie Lin

RYAN’S RULES

Could You Please Control Yourselves? By Ryan Flanagan VERDE MAGAZINE

verdecartoon by harry nordlinger

verdeexcerpts “[Bhangra club] is really fun because it’s something new that I’ve never done and the people are really nice.”

Page 30

freshman Maryssa Sklaroff “Dancing for Diversity”

“Once a month we would get together and bake and have a gluten-fee party. It was great because we all could never eat at our friends’ parties and here we finally could.”

Page 34

letters to the editors volume 10 edition 5 verde

palo alto high school volume 10 edition 5

“The Road Less Traveled” This is great. I think it totally embodies the dilemma and accurately describes the hidden pressure students have to deal with in this city, as well as in many others.” — Lloyd Dobler

Take a Bow Paly students discover their passions for the performing arts

cover 4

OCTOBER 2009

by yelena kasianova

senior Adi Katz “Living with Celiac”

“Trader Joe’s has become a lot more mainstream, and people like it because of the prices. In this economy, people know they can always get good prices here.” supervisor of Menlo Park Trader Joe’s, Chris Camburm “Do you know Joe’s?”

Page 43

“We are targeting kids who are dissatisfied with their high school experience but still have college aspirations. We get all kinds of students.”

teacher at Foothill Middle College, Tricia Langdon “Finding the Middle Ground”

Page 52

“The seniors are so different from us and they know how to make a joke out of [their mistakes]. They’re so open and warm.”

Page 54

junior Shireen Kaboli “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”

verde

volume 11 edition 1 october 2009

from the editors

ood brings people together. After all, it is our staff ’s favorite part of production week: production snack and dinner. Pesto pasta, Chinese food, Izzy’s Bagels and homemade lemonade are just a sample of the satisfying goodies that filled our stomachs in this production cycle. For a few minutes, we take a break from staring at Indesign on the computer screen and worrying about our stories, to eat our delicious grub in the classroom, laugh, gossip, and listen to outrageous Youtube videos. While we have had to deal with tragic losses in the Palo Alto community, a tough economy, and the daily stresses of school work and extracurricular activities, we always have fine meals to give us a break during the day. So we invite you to read our first issue of the school year, which focuses on food, in hopes that you’ll take a break from the stresses in your life to relax and delve into Verde. Unfortunately, this is not foodporndaily.com or the Food Network, where one literally starts drooling from looking at images of food. However, we go beyond eating food to reveal the growth in celiac disease diagnoses in “Living with Celiac” (pg. 34). To accompany this story, we have “No Bread for Me” (pg. 38), Camille Von Kaenel’s experiences eating gluten-free for a week. Have you been wondering when Trader Joe’s will finally arrive at Town and Country? Well, we have, and we went further and looked into the store’s history in “Do you know Joe’s?” (pg. 43). You may be surprised by what you find in the store’s past, but here’s a hint: pantyhose. Along with our cover package, we also have other stories from one of the largest writing staffs Verde has had in years. In Perspectives, an East Palo Alto resident shares her experience living with a sex offender in her neighborhood in “Let Him Be” (pg. 22). In Culture, we embrace Halloween by recommending some spooky entertainment in “Halloween Hits: Four Great Zombie Films” (pg. 60). We also explore the looming H1N1 issue in “Fighting the Battle” (pg. 46). For this edition, we decided to re-organize the magazine by splitting it into sections in order to promote readability. “The Launch” is an interesting perspective that kicks off the magazine; “Spectrum” compiles all of our short features; “Perspectives” are opinion pieces; “Culture” has reviews; “Ryan’s Rules” is Ryan Flanagan’s page for her to share her wisdom on various issues; and “Profiles”, “Cover” and “Features” are pretty self-explanatory. The cover pages for each of these sections, designed by Emily James, will hopefully add to the organization of the magazine. We have an amazing new staff this year, including photographer Sarah Henderson, artist Yelena Kasianova and cartoonist Harry Nordlinger. Along with celebrating our staff, we would like to congratulate our adviser Mr. Kandell on winning the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund’s 2009 National Journalism Teacher of the Year award. It has been a great start to the year and we could not be more excited for the rest of the year. So besides saying welcome to the issue, we’d like to say welcome to the start of volume 11 of Verde. — Amanda & Caroline

Staff List Editors-in-Chief Caroline Wang Amanda Young Managing Editors Sophie Cornfield Whitney Drazovich Art Director Yelena Kasianova Design Manager Emily James Business Managers Sarah Jacobs Harry Nordlinger Short Features Editors Natalie Lin Silvia Maraboli

Staff Asha Albuquerque Allison Chang Max Cohen Emily Efland Kianna Evans Ryan Flanagan Kailey Flather Amanda Groziak Margot Gerould Bella Hernandez Anabel Homnack Magaret Kadifa Mira Khanna Jessica Madej Ally Messick Sonali Sastry Emma Tucher Mary Vericat Camille von Kaenel Manon von Kaenel

Photographer Sarah Henderson Cartoonist Harry Nordlinger

Adviser Paul Kandell

Verde Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301 650-329-3837 pkandell@pausd.org Letters to the Editor Verde, a feature magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Magazine Journalism class, is an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its readership. Verde is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost. The staff welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to verdeeds0910@googlegroups.com Advertising The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with Verde, please contact the Verde business managers Sarah Jacob and Harry Nordlinger by e-mail at verde.biz.paly@gmail. com or call 650-329-3837 for more information. Printing & Distribution Services Verde is printed five times a year in October, December, February, April and June by Fricke-Parks Press in Fremont, California. The Paly PTSA mails Verde to every student’s home.

VERDE MAGAZINE

OPINION

staff verdict Encourage seeking help and building sense of community to recover from recent tragedies

t the beginning of every school year, teacher advisors provide information about Adolescent Counseling Services and other ways to cope with depression and stress. As the fall is an extremely stressfull period for many students with college applications, SAT’s, and a weighty academic load, Verde believes in re-emphasizing the importance of seeking help and counseling whenever you need it. Many of us have experienced sadness at some point in our lives, however through the emotional and, on occasion, professional support of others, we can learn how to conquer it. In memory of those who were unable to obtain help and could not find a way out, we would like to reach out to the school community. Now is the time to be there for your friends to listen to their problems and empathize with others. Don’t wrap yourself up in your own personal lives but instead take a moment to reflect on how you can help other people with their problems. We may never know what caused those individuals to decide to take their lives, but we can work to prevent such a tragic event from happening again. Palo Alto has a myriad of organizations that offer help and counseling. Organizations like Kara and Adolescent Counseling Services offer free individual and/or group counseling with a range of issues including relationships, depression, academic stress, self-esteem, parent-child communication and anxiety. ACS also provides on campus counseling services at Paly. In addition, Paly’s guidance department and teacher advisers are always willing to listen and offer advice to any student in need of help. We would also like to encourage participation in organizations like Gunn’s Talk to Me, which is selling stenciled t-shirts with the message “Talk to Me.” The group hopes to foster communication and a sense of community among the Gunn student body. In addition, Paly’s organization Someone to Listen hopes to encourage an open network of phone numbers and emails of peer helpers so that those in need of help can attain it anonymously and without judgment. The club is based on the idea that it is easier to ask for help from people of the same age

Help will always be given at Paly to those who ask for it.

OCTOBER 2009

and with a similar outlook as you. Paly junior Divya Ramakrishnan, president of Someone to Listen, hopes that the organization will become an official club sometime next week. In addition, Verde believes that the school should offer more opportunities for finding stress relief. For the past few years, the school offered weekly yoga sessions in the ERC, however a lack of knowledge of when those events occurred inhibited many interested students from joining. We believe that the administration should bring back these yoga sessions and announce their logistics in the school bulletin. We also would like to endorse a school-wide policy of a monthly no-homework night. Such a policy would be a significant stress reliever in student lives and is already implemented at the Palo Alto middle schools. Although, we have not been struck by the tragedies that have faced Gunn, the two schools are alike in many aspects and a tragedy that occurs at one affects the other. We all share the same grief that results upon such tragedies. Faculty members and older siblings will remember that it was only a few years ago that Paly faced the same misfortune. It is important to understand that there is no single cause of depression. Instead of pointing fingers at causes of academic stress, teachers’s demands, parental pressure, relationship conflict, substance abuse and so forth, we should instead look at ways to increase the acceptability of accessing emotional support services to cope with these pressures. Help will always be given at Paly for those who ask for it. Thus, it is extremely important to muster up the courage and ask for help. As a generation, we tend to feel very independent and value privacy above all else. However, there comes a time when everyone needs to shed the “I don’t need anybody, I can take of myself ” attitude and admit that he or she does need help. Likewise, as students we need to watch out for our peers and encourage them to seek help and talk to adults even if they say they do not want it. With such a variety of options to consult for help, no member of the Palo Alto community should ever feel hopeless or that he or she has no one to turn to. As a community, we need to take care of each other in hope of conquering the emotional anxiety and stress of high school together. There is always a way to get help and for as long as we live, it is never too late to ask for it. v — Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Verde staff

THE LAUNCH

Reflections from the Border How a week in Arizona opened my eyes to the tragedies associated with illegal immigration Text by MARGARET KADIFA Photography by JOHN BRUNETT, MARGARET KADIFA and FRANZESCA MAYER

he Sonora desert in Arizona is famous as a place pasts, they were incredibly funny. I laughed as he told me stories where illegal immigrants cross the border into the of his friend, who learned English reading the daily newspaper. United States. This desert, which encompasses two Eduardo’s friend’s wife left him for a man who could speak English, thirds of Arizona, is difficult for the border patrol so he resolved to equal that man. When I told Eduardo I came from to guard because it is part Indian reservation, part California, his face broke into a smile. He had always wanted to go to National Park. I went to Arizona during Spring Break 2009 with California. I asked him where he was from and he said he had walked my high school church group to learn about immigration and I all the way from Mexico. quickly realized that immigration is a much bigger problem than I Walking across the border through the desert like Eduardo did had thought. takes at least a week. It is impossible for a We spent several mornings in a church “It is the moral obligation of people person to carry a sufficient amount of water, parking lot teaching English to a group of living near the border to help those so all immigrants are severely dehydrated. day laborers, most of whom were illegal Out of desperation, immigrants often start immigrants. Once the lessons were over, dying of dehydration.” drinking contaminated water from stock we played soccer with them and listened to ponds which results in illness. The entire their stories of families they had left behind. I talked to a man named journey, immigrants run through the desert, parched and sleepEduardo as he waited for work. Eduardo was 20 years old, but he deprived in the middle of the night, crouching to avoid the beam looked about 35. His face was already weather-beaten from the sun of a border patrol helicopter. In addition, the desert near the border and his teeth coated in gold fillings. I was surprised by how open is inhabited by drug smugglers and gang members, many of whom and kind the day laborers were to us. For people who had such tragic rape, assault, and rob immigrants. VERDE MAGAZINE

THE LAUNCH

(clockwise from top left) shrine at No More deaths, hole in the border wall, the border wall, filling water for immigrants at No More Deaths, the border separating Mexico and Arizona I was devastated when I saw what happened to immigrants who are caught crossing the border. I went on a tour of the border patrol headquarters in Nogales, Ariz. My group and I went into a little glass booth, through which we could see rows of dingy cells full of people, still wearing desert-dust encrusted clothing, clutching plastic water bottles. It was like peering at animals in a zoo. In one cell was a little boy, not more than 10, slowly pacing back and forth across the floor. A random group of the immigrants who get caught receive a trial through a program called Operation Streamline, which I witnessed in Tucson, Ariz. About 70 immigrants, handcuffed and chained, were carted into a courtroom, still wearing the clothes they wore during their weeks in the desert. Every single person pled guilty and was deported. My group and I met with Raul E. Rodriguez, an attorney detective who worked in Nogales. We asked him why all illegal immigrants must endure such humiliating treatment. The Rodriguez said that there are devastating drug problems on the border. Even though the vast majority of people crossing the border are wellintentioned individuals, it is virtually impossible for law enforcement to separate the immigrants with good intentions from the drug dealers. Rodriguez told us that if Americans would stop consuming marijuana, then there would be no reason to be so harsh towards the 8

OCTOBER 2009

people entering this country illegally. We spent an afternoon with a humanitarian group called No More Deaths. Like many other groups, No More Deaths volunteers believe that it is the moral obligation of people living near the border to help those dying of dehydration in the Sonora Desert. Volunteers leave water bottles in the desert for the immigrants. As the volunteers walk through the desert, they pick up objects that were dropped by immigrants and make a shrine at the campsite for those who perished in the desert. In the shrine, among crosses and backpacks, is a baby shoe. In the past, I have worked in the Bay Area with impoverished people, just as I did in Mexico. The needy I worked with here had serious obstacles, such as addiction or mental illness, that they had to overcome in order to contribute to society. The impoverished that I met in Arizona were completely functional people. The day laborers I laughed with were funny, smart, and hardworking. The only reason they were in desperate situations was because they were born on the other side of the Rio Grande. For the first time in my life, I met people who were able to work and wanted to work, but were refused jobs. As difficult as their lives were here, they were grateful to be living in the U.S. and were eager to contribute. My hope, after going to the border, is that someday there will be a better option for people than illegally crossing into the U.S. v

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SPECTRUM

S Y L PA

K A E P

If you could own a restaurant, what would it be named and what type of food would you serve?

A Chinese pizza restaurant called Kung Pow Pizza. Mark Slakey, senior

OCTOBER 2009

Torie’s All You Can Eat Buffet because it would have a large variety of food. Torie Nielson, sophomore

I would have a cupcake store called “Twinkle Twinkles”. Bryan Keohane, junior

I would open a salad bar because it is healthy. Maya Shemtov, senior

An Icelandic-Morrocan cuisine named “Rockin’ the Ice”. Katy Crewdson, junior

Life Before the Lecture Guess what your teacher used to do. Text by MANON VON KAENEL and SONALI SASTRY Art by YELENA KASIANOVA Your Palo Alto High School teacher may not have always stood in front of a classroom. Look at some of the faculty’s pre-teaching lives and discover the paths that took them to your classroom. How well do you know your teachers? Take a guess and see!

Teacher A has traveled a “long, winding road” to teaching. Out of college, this teacher went through a series of jobs, including interviewing models for InStyle magazine, organizing creative writing workshops for nursing home patients and tracing Edmund Hillary’s original course accross the Himalayas for a month. Three years ago, this teacher started teaching English, first at Gunn High School and eventually at Paly. Teacher A enjoys the job greatly: “Where else can I be a comedian, poet, diplomat, wall decorator, graphic designer, friend, colleague, orator, reader, writer, recycler, actor and equity advocate all before lunch?”

Teacher B, after four years of studying as a Mechanical Engineering major, switched his/her major to English, with the goal of eventually teaching the subject. “I enjoyed the aspects of engineering, specifically the designing parts aspect, but I didn’t like the things you have to do after you’ve figured out what the part needs to look like,” this teacher says. This new major and his/her minor in French enabled this teacher to apply for a teacher-exchange program that sent this teacher to Caen, Normandy and France to teach English conversation and culture to French high school students. Three years later, Teacher B came to teach at Paly.

Teacher C followed his/ her high school dream of becoming a musician by getting a master’s associate in radio and television. Teacher C’s first job after college was working as a news and sports assistant editor at the radio station RCBS. After taking part in educational research, he/she decided to emerge from behind the scenes work and become a teacher. “[I] felt distant from what teachers were actually doing. I thought ‘I’d better see what this is really like before continuing in the field,” this teacher says.

Teacher D, a former Paly graduate, attended college at Stanford University and worked many part-time jobs, one of which was at the Stanford Law School. “My task was to read newspapers, primarily The New York Times and look for articles having to do with Africa, particularly those stories relevant to the justice system and current (at that time) law in Africa.” This teacher believes that his/her most interesting job was operating a telephone switchboard. Teacher D’s teaching career started by substituting for Paly’s Social Studies department and later began teaching History and Drivers Education at Menlo-Atherton High School. After being repeatedly asked by Paly to join the teaching staff, this teacher finally accepted the position as an English teacher. OCTOBER 2009

Teacher A: Lucy Filppu Teacher C: David Rapaport Teacher B: Kirk Hinton Teacher D: Kaye Paugh

SPECTRUM

Know Your Rights

Text by EMILY JAMES

After several incidents last year involving discipline, the administration’s jurisdiction over Paly students was called into question. Although much speculated about, very few students are actually informed of the rights they relinquish whenever they step onto Paly’s campus. On behalf of Paly’s students, Verde investigates what you can do at school, and what you can’t. v

Search and Seizure

According to the ACLU, California public schools do have the right to search students, but only under specific circumstances. School officials must have “reasonable suspicion” of prohibited activity in order to commence a search, meaning that their suspicions of the student in question must be fact based. Per federal law, anyone can refuse a search.

Suspension and Expulsion

California state law mandates that a high school may only suspend or expel a student if the student is an imminent danger to those around him/her, or if the student disrupts the school environment. The student may not be suspended for longer than five consecutive days, and the student may not be suspended for behavior outside of class time or school-sponsored activities.

Free Expression

As far as freedom of expression goes, California school laws are pretty lenient. A high school cannot restrict a student’s constitutional right to free expression, provided that the said expression is not disruptive to the learning environment. The only speech or expression that a high school is allowed to ban is that which is offensive, slanderous/libelous, or disruptive.

TOP

-You Have the Right to Not Remain Silent, N. California American Civil Liberties Union

1. 2. 3.

“Banana Skin”: something embarassing that causes “Have Your Cake and Eat It Too”: someone who wants everything done his or her way “Know Which Side One’s Bread is Buttered on”: knowing were your interests lie

Dressed as a Lamb”: Food-Related 4. “Mutton an older person trying to look younger Idioms Text by JESSICA MADEJ

from http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/ cat/1.html 12

OCTOBER 2009

“Like Nailing Jello to the Wall”: a task made difficult by changing parameters

Stanford Kisses Full Moon Goodbye Popular tradition cancelled

Text by ALLISON CHANG tanford University’s “Full Moon on the Quad” has been resilient to two centuries of diseases, from mono to common colds, even to cholera and yellow fever. Unfortunately, the event has now fallen victim to swine flu. On Sept. 22, 2009, Stanford officials announced that one of Stanford’s oldest traditions, “Full Moon on the Quad” was cancelled due to concerns about the spread of the H1N1 virus. “Full Moon on the Quad”, an event in which freshmen are kissed at midnight by seniors under the first full moon of the quarter, is a widely anticipated gathering, supported by the student body and the faculty. “There is staff present, including medical staff for any emergencies,” said Elena Carano, a sophomore at Stanford. “Also, there are different student groups who provide things like mouthwash, mints and Hershey’s kisses.” According to the Stanford Daily, Greg Boardman, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, decided to cancel the event after health committees deemed it “irresponsible” to continue to promote “Full Moon on the Quad” in light of current health concerns. “The Center for Disease Control has made comparisons of H1N1 to general seasonal flu; the difference is that our population has never seen this particular virus and thus do not have any built immunity to it,” said Jarreau Bowen, Peer Health Education Coordinator at Stanford’s Vaden Health Center, a health clinic reserved for Stanford students. “The university did not feel comfortable supporting an event which could potentially spread such a virus.” In the meantime, the faculty encourages students to take seasonal flu shots, wash their hands and take necessary health precautions to avoid the spread of H1N1. The university staff remains supportive of the students and are disappointed to lose such a popular event this year,” Bowen said. “But like the students, we understand the elevated level of precaution necessary to keep the campus safe.” v

10 questions with...

Josh Bloom

Text by BELLA HERNANDEZ Photography by SARAH HENDERSON

Verde interviewed the latest addition to the Palo Alto High School science department, physics teacher Josh Bloom. Also a former Gunn student, Mr.Bloom offers insight into his past and personal life. What’s something that no Paly student knows about you?  I used to collect PEZ dispensers. I had about 100 when I was little. My mom used to buy me a PEZ dispenser every time we went to the store. It was sort of a nostalgic thing; they’re just cool. I mean, they’re little heads that spit candy out of their necks. What more could you want? What did you do before you became a teacher? Before I became a teacher I worked at NASA briefly. I was also a YMCA counselor and camp director. In college (Bloom attended the University of Washington) I was in the marching band.    What are your favorite memories from your years at Gunn?  My favorite memory of high school is getting caught setting up a senior prank where the freshmen hung out. We were caught by the campus security patrol as we were pounding nails into the roof at 2 a.m. The cops were impressed with the ingenuity of our plan and one of them even told us he was sorry he had to make us take it down.  What type of guy were you in high school?  In school I was known as the funny one: the clown. I was also smart and, of course, the most desired hunk on campus.    What were your favorite TV shows growing up?  Star Trek and the X-Files. I really liked how weird and cool it [Star Trek] was. I was way into the story about a government conspiracy to cover up its knowledge of aliens and their plan to colonize the Earth. Plus, I thought Agent Scully was hot.    During your year abroad in England teaching last year, what did you notice was different about the students there and the students you teach now?  They all wore uniforms for one. Amazingly they all had English accents, and they all called me “Sir”.    What was your nickname when you were younger?  Pierre. Some friends and I went to Denny’s and I ordered the French Dip and the waitress came by with my order and asked, “Whose is the French Dip?” My friends decided I needed a French name after that and so they called me Pierre. Eventually the entire marching band began to call me Pierre. How did you meet your wife? I met her on Craigslist. I posted a personal ad and she responded. To be honest, I don’t remember exactly what my ad said. I do remember that it was written after two years of trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted in a relationship. What are your goals in life? Well, besides being a good husband and a good father in the future, my other goal is to follow my passion — teaching. I know that your favorite game to play in class is Two Lies, One Truth. Tell us two lies and one truth about yourself. (a) I was born in Canada. VERDE MAGAZINE

Truth for last question = B

Briefing

Almost, Maine actors Stephanie Spector, Sam Bellows, Grace Barry and Maddie Sykes pose outside of the theater where their play will premiere.

Almost, Maine almost premieres

Palo Alto High School students prepare to perform their fall play, Almost, Maine, which premieres Nov. 6. The play is about couples in a fictional town. It documents how they navigate life and the trials of love. The play centers on several short love stories. It is a comedy, which focuses on the ups and downs of love between the characters. The play is about relationships and the way that people interact,” actress Ke’ili Deal said. “My scene involves a young woman and her long time friend. He wants to take the next step in their relationship, but she is hesitant. It’s a funny scene, also pretty racy.” The play has 24 cast members, with no main character. “Almost, Maine is a series of short vignettes and most performers are only in one or two scenes,” Theater teacher Kathleen Woods said. “Each scene only has a few people, so the roles are very evenly

Key Club cashes in

news photos by whitney drazovich

As a part of the the Key Club 34 South Division, the Paly Key Club helped raised money for Pediatric Trauma Prevention earlier this month by selling American Apparel hoodies. Because the club bought the sweatshirts in bulk, they were able to sell them for $25 a piece, 41 percent off the original price. The fundraiser, which took place between Oct. 5 through 16, resulted in the sale of 634 hoodies, with the entirety of the proceeds, $3,764.50, going towards the charity. Due to the fundraiser’s success, the club is likely to carryout the fundraiser again next year according to vice president Libby text by ryan flanagan Li. 14

OCTOBER 2009

text by emma tucher

distributed.” Paly theater department aims to create a more personal viewing experience, “For our production, we are doing alternative staging and the audience will be sitting on the stage in order to create a more intimate theatre experience.” Woods said. This play is no ordinary love story. “There is something almost mystical about it,” Woods said. “It is humorous and very touching without being sappy.” The cast agrees that the play has been a fun experience, “Rehearsals have been going really well,” Raffel said. “All of the actors fit so well in their roles. Those of us who get to watch rehearsal are always bursting out laughing at our favorite lines in the play. I think the actors are really enjoying themselves as well.” Almost, Maine will also be performed on Nov. 7, 12, 13, and 14.

Cause we all need somebody to lean on Have you ever felt like no one is listening to your problems? Someone To Listen, a new club at Paly is starting a 24-hour 1(800) hotline number to help students who want to talk to a peer. The hotline is open to all Paly students who have a problem at school, home, or with friends. They meet on Wedenesdays at lunch in room 202. At the moment, the 1(800) number is not open, but the club has an active email open to anyone who needs to talk. You can reach them at: someonetolistenpaly@ gmail.com. Gunn High School also has a similar club, but is not in collaboration with Paly’s Someone To Listen. Someone To Listen was introduced this year by club president, Sakura

Schlegel. “I created this club because I wanted a place for people to turn to,” Schlegel said. “A lot of people needed that especially after the suicides.” Schlegel wanted to start a club because it would target and reach the people who needed it the most. Becoming involved and making a difference was a main goal for her. “We want Paly students to help Paly students,” Schlegel said. Paly junior Alina Tompert is a member of the club. “I think it’s great fot the students who call because they know the people they are talking to are in the same system and are going through the same things,”Tompert said. “The purpose of this club is not giving advice, but just to lend an ear.” text by amanda groziak

Briefing

CEO’s apology ends national Whole Foods boycott Due to an apology released by Whole Foods CEO, John Mackey, Whole Foods patrons, such as Soroush Kaboli, have ended their boycott of the company. On Aug. 11, Mackey wrote an opinion-ed piece supporting health care reform. His article provoked a strong negative reaction from Whole Foods consumers, many of whom, in their anger, decided to boycott the store. One such consumer was Kaboli, father of Paly junior Shireen Kaboli. For Kaboli, the problem was not so much in Mackey’s opinion on health care as the position he was in when he presented his argument. “He is the CEO of a publicly traded company,” Kaboli said. “That is a very different situation than when you are in a private company. He is entitled to his own opinion, but he needs to be careful of how he expresses his opinion when he is speaking for the company.”

Zero waste by 2021?

As Palo Alto residents adapt to a new series of green policies, the city is preparing the next step in the goal of becoming a completely zero waste community by 2021. Coming into effect on April 10, a new ordinance will eliminate styrofoam food and beverage containers from large grocery stores such as Safeway and Whole Foods. This follows the ban on single-use plastic bags offered at the checkout counter in large grocery stores, which went into effect Sept. 18. The city hopes that these policies will encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable thermoses, containers, and bags to grocery stores and limit some of the city’s environmental impact. Palo Alto has also taken a step towards its goal of becoming a zero waste community by 2021 by joining with the company GreenWaste, which is based in San Jose. GreenWaste states that it is a privately owned “solid waste and recycling company” aiming to limit the environmental impact of residential and commercial households by collecting garbage, yard trimmings and a larger amount of recyclables than the normal trucks.

text by camille von kaenel

At the beginning of Mackey’s article, he included a quote: from former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher saying: “The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” Kaboli strongly disagreed with the placement of this quote. “I am a strong supporter for the health care reform, and I don’t think that providing health care equates socialism,” Kaboli said. Kaboli then sent emails to Whole Foods, expressing his unhappiness. He was satisfied when he received emails from both Whole Foods Media Relations as well as the vice president of customer relations, which explained to him that Mackey’s views were solely his own, and did not represent the views of Whole Foods as a company. With this sort of damage control, Kaboli and other Whole Foods boycotters were appeased. text by mira khanna

New math toys excite students The Palo Alto High School Mathematics Department has installed new Elmo projectors in many classrooms using funds provided by the Parent Student Teacher Association. The Elmo projectors, also known as document cameras, are altering teacher’s lecturing styles and improving the way some kids learn, according to Instructional Supervisor Radu Toma. The document cameras have proven successful in class and many students agree, among them Natalie Campen. “It made class a lot easier, the projector was loud and low quality,” Campen said. “Now with the

doc cam the teacher can zoom in and it’s clear.” The document camera has become an imminent part of some teachers’ teaching. “It [the doc cam] has made a huge difference because it allows me to do a lot more with student work,” said math teacher David Baker. “I can prepare solutions to the problems and throw them under the projector.” For other teachers, the document camera is rarely used, “Perhaps it’s because I’m not in the habit of using it yet. I prefer to write on the board, though it [the doc cam] does save a lot of time,” Toma said. text by bella hernadez

New hit drug finally on market

Health officials say that doctors should expect to recieve the H1N1 injection by the end of October. Santa Clara County received its first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine as a nasal spray during the week of Oct. 5. Doctors expected a shipment of the injection the week of Oct. 19, but it did not arrive. The nasal spray is effective, but according to SF Gate, it contains a “live, weakened version of the vaccine”. This means that the spray is dangerous for pregnant women and those with other chronic diseases. However, the shot is less dangerous and will be offered to everyone except those with allergies from flu shots. Companies like Kaiser Permanente are also expecting to start giving out the injection by the end of October but will start administering the spray to “healthy children” sooner. Children will receive two doses instead of the usual one in order to be fully protected from the virus. Major pharmacies, including Safeway and CVS/Walgreens, will be administering the nasal spray and shot once they are able to obtain them. text by sonali sastry VERDE MAGAZINE

Briefing Book club fun for everyone

Librarian Rachel Kellerman has chosen The Hunger Project as the first selection

Interested in discussing quality books with peers? The Paly library has organized a book club this year. The book club is completely funded by the library and is held both electronically through InClass and personally through occasional meetings at lunch. On InClass, students can join the book club and blog about their opinions of the books or make recommendations by clicking on “Library Information and Passwords” under their course list and then clicking on “Groups” The date of the first meeting is still undecided, but it will be someday in November according to librarian Rachel Kellerman. Books are selected from both students’ recommendations and the Silicon Valley Reading List. According to Kellerman, more than 60 students are signed up. Kellerman selected the first book for the club, The Hunger Games, off of the New York Times’ bestseller list. She chose the book not solely because of its notability but also because of its interesting conflicts. “It has a broad spectrum of appeal,” Kellerman said. “It has great problems like the surveillance of our government and the ubiquity of phones. It allows us to think about how messed up our own lives are.”

Sophomore beasts writing challenge like a pro After successfully writing a novel during scattering his writing throughout the day. Nov. 2008, sophomore Allen Wu is In only one month, he was able to write gearing up to accomplish the a novel consisting of 50,000 feat once again.The National words (roughly 175 pages). Upon Novel Writing Month, an annual completing his novel, Wu was challenge that encourages writers overall satisfied with the outcome. to complete a 50,000-word novel “It was a challenge against in only 30 days. Due to this, myself,” he said. “In the end, Wu successfully wrote his book, I was not very happy with my Armageddon. writing, but I’m glad I finished it.” sophomore This November, Allen plans to The program is not Paly Allen Wu poses with a contest, but merely a his completed novel once again take on the challenge. challenge of completion. Wu said he feels that the challenge While writing, Wu said that he almost has helped him to become a better writer always felt pressed for time. He worked “I hope to be published. I’m aiming for on his novel whenever possible, sometimes the top,” Wu said. text by paige borsos

Sweet tooth to become costly

coming to Stanford

The Obama administration is considering instituting a tax on soda to pay for its national health care program and to combat obesity. Like the tobacco and cigarette taxes, a soda tax will discourage consumption of soft drinks by those unwilling to pay an extra fee. According to the Center for Disease Control, obesity will soon surpass smoking as the primary cause of preventable death. Already, some of the largest school districts in the nation districts in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles have banned the sale of soda within school grounds. Although the Palo Alto Unified School District placed a ban on the sale of junk food in 2004, the school still allows the sale of some sugary drinks such as Hansen’s sodas and has not declared any recent change to school food policy. text by asha albuquerque

text by mary vericat

By the

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Paly and Stanford students may be even more productive now that Coupa Cafe is opening a new location on the Stanford campus. In 2004, Nancy Coupa opened Coupa Café in downtown Palo Alto. The chain is California’s only cafe that offers gourmet Venezuelen coffee, according to the cafe’s Web site. Stanford was eager to open another cafe on the campus for students and faculty alike. “We are hoping that our new cafe will step up the quality of food and dining that Stanford currently offers,” Coupa said. The new cafe, which should open in January, will be across from the Greene library.

1in 33

Americans have Celiac disease

1107

text by ally messick

calories in Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Pasta

Briefing Extreme Lytton Plaza makeover Walking downtown, one usually comes upon Lytton plaza, a Palo Alto landmark. The plaza is currently under construction in order to beautify the space. On Aug. 3, Palo Alto approved a plan to renovate Lytton Plaza, originally built in the 1960s by Lytton Savings & Loan. A group of citizens and businesses, named Friends of Lytton Plaza advocated for the renovation. “We got together and through a legal process, and negotiation with the city, we formed a formal group,” said Barbara Gross, chair of the Friends of Lytton Plaza. After a required 31-day waiting period, construction began and is estimated to be finished in December. The total cost of the project is about $800,000. The city pledged to match dollar-for-dollar the amount the Friends raised. The new Lytton Plaza will look very different than it used to. There will be trees, lights, benches, tables, flowers and a new fountain. Also, Gross said that Pizza My Heart will play music over loudspeakers for the plaza. As for the electronic egg, “It will just be located in a slightly different position,” Gross said.

Paly rocks PSAT’s

Construction continues on Paly’s second turf field

More fake grass!

Palo Alto High School’s second turf field is projected to open on Oct. 25, although due to the recent rains, the opening might be pushed a couple days backward. The field, situated next to El Camino Real, will have three sets of colored lines for boys and girls lacrosse and soccer. A scoreboard, bleachers and lighting will also be installed at the field. “The new turf will be safer for the athletes, as there will be less rain-outs and less ankle sprains,” Paly assistant principal Jerry Berkson said. “They [the athletes] will be fired up to play on it.” text by manon von kaenel

Forty-six Paly National Merit students will advance to semi-Finalist standing in the competition if they meet the specified requirements. Finalists this school year, according to Paly Teacher Advisor Co-coordinator Ann Deggelman. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an organization focused on awarding high school students across the country scholarship money based on their Preliminary SAT (PSAT) scores. Students are automatically entered into the competition upon taking the PSAT and receive notification during September of their senior year upon being chosen as a semifinalist. Based on a number of factors, such as the student’s academic record, the school’s grading system, and a recommendation from the school, the finalists will be chosen for scholarships. Good luck to all of Paly’s Semifinalists!

text by silvia maraboli

Eat turkey and pie, support families in need The Palo Alto Parent Teacher Student Association will host the fifth annual Turkey Trot on Friday, Nov. 20, giving students the opportunity to purchase, using cash or canned food, a Thanksgiving lunch during lunch. Though the Turkey Trot will be similar to last year, there will be a greater emphasis on helping those in need. “There will be a push this year to help out families in the area,” said Kindel Launer, associate student body advisor. The PTSA expects to raise a minimum of $1,000 from the lunch,

according to parent coordinator Anne Stewart. All proceeds will go towards the Ecumencial Hunger Program in East Palo Alto. Ecumencial Hunger Program will put money in a holiday fund for teenagers. Donated cans go towards families in need. Families of students at Palo Alto High School will supply the food. All purchased food comes from local businesses. “Parents cook the turkeys or order them from JJF Market,” Stewart said. “It is a day when many families and students give to the community.” text by margaret kadifa

text by max cohen

registered sex offenders in East Palo Alto

65,000

dollars In Her Shoes has contibuted to Global Fund for Women

consecutive days a student can be suspended by CA state law VERDE MAGAZINE

SPECTRUM

Talking Politics with Smoky Wallace

n just a matter of days, the new 2009-2010 city council members will be selected. Verde decided to get into the head of Don, “Smokey”, Wallace who ran in the 2007 elections. Smokey decided to campaign because since he has been a resident of Palo Alto since June Text by EVANS and MARY VERICAT of 1971, he KIANNA has noticed problems by SARAH HENDERSON withPhotography city government throughout the years. Smokey has many nontraditional ideas that offer a new perspective on many city issues.

STILL SMILING Even though the campaign is over, Smokey is glad he went through the experience. “I really learned a lot about city government. It [the experience] was frustrating, but I enjoyed myself.”

n just a matter of days, the new 2009-2010 city council members will be selected. Verde decided to get into the head of Don “Smokey” Wallace who ran in the 2007 elections. Smokey decided to campaign because since he has been a resident of Palo Alto since June of 1971, he has noticed problems with city government throughout the years. Smokey has many non-traditional ideas that offer another perspective.

First off, how did you get the nickname “Smokey”? I used to wear a “forest ranger” hat and with my beard I looked like Smokey the Bear! Do you have plans to run for Palo Alto City Council again? I ran in 2007 on the belief that both the city and city government needed some major changes. I really learned a lot about city government, but I would not run again unless I truly thought I could make major positive changes. What has the experience taught you? City government is sufficiently broken that it cannot be fixed by simply running for city council. Did you know that the City Council’s agenda is controlled by the city manager? Did you know that council members are forbidden from talking directly with city employees? If you were to run for Palo Alto City Council again, what would be your platform? What would be the main changes you would want to implement? My principal platform would be pretty much the same as 2007, 18

OCTOBER 2009

but with a major change in strategy. I was way too timid last time. If you were running again what would be something new you would want to be a part of your campaign? I would only run again if I were part of a larger effort to do a complete revamp of the way the city is run. What are the current problems with the city and city government? [There is a] lack of real businesses in the downtown areas and too many restaurants and coffee shops and definitely too many “transient” businesses like rug merchants and gift clearance shops. I also feel very strongly that city government is broken and pays too much attention to “feel good” issues and not enough on actually running the city. How would you reduce the number of transient businesses on University Ave? I think the focus should be on retail businesses in general, not just University Ave. You cannot just bring back stores. The city must provide a climate and incentives for stores to thrive. I think they should focus on specialty stores. v

PERSPECTIVES PROVING THE POINT

YOU’LL THANK THEM LATER 20 SO DUH! TAX IT! 21 LET HIM BE 22 THE HYPOCRITICAL CYCLE GOES 23 ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUND NOBODY’S PERFECT 24

Art by Harry Nordlinger

PERSPECTIVE

You’ll Thank them Later The new attendence policy will be better for everyone Text by ALLY MESSICK Art by HARRY NORDLINGER

t’s 11 p.m on a Thursday night and you are desperately trying to edit your essay that is due the next day while completing your Spanish homework at the same time, slowly accepting the fact that you will not have time to study for your math test. Suddenly, the option of cutting your first or second period class in order to complete some unfinished work starts to become more appealing. However, under Paly’s new administration policy, that is no longer as tempting an option for many students. When I first heard about the new administrative change to the 2009-2010 attendence policy, I, like many of my fellow classmates, was outraged. The original attendence policy required Saturday school as punishment for one unexused absense and included attendance records in official transcripts for all students. The new decision by the administration seemed harsh, insensitive and manipulative, especially when it punished students for only one unexcused absense. I was just about to get my protest signs and petition forms out from storage when I stopped and remembered that there are two sides to every conflict. While this trite message may sound suspiciously similar to a theme in an ABC family special, even the most rebellious teenagers have to admit that it holds some truth. And although it saddens my inner hippy child to admit this, the more I pondered the administration’s side of the issue, the more the policy made sense. Again, like many of my fellow students, I am a very practical person. I applaud students who can cut certain classes to study for others. I congratulate my classmates who are able to stay up until three in the morning to study for a test (sleep is for the weak). And I deeply appreciate any tools that help high school students succeed (what did kids do before SparkNotes?). So I had to ask myself, what would I do if I were in the same position as the principal? First of all, I would have to think about my reputation. I am supposed to be the leader of this institute of higher education, but the truancy rate at Paly is 70 percent? That is just embarrassing. I would do everything I could to get Paly students far from Jamba Juice and closer to history class. I would also have to think about my responsibilities as an administrator. Even if all Paly GPAs were spotless and Paly were the epitome of excellence, I would not be doing my job unless students went to class. It is part of the administration’s 20 OCTOBER 2009

job to protect students from making future mistakes and help them form good habits. And it is hard to argue that cutting, even strategic cutting, is a good habit. The administration wants to teach us to make sacrifices and to budget our time more wisely. Because I was already trading shoes with a middle-aged woman, I decided to imagine what it would be like to be a teacher. It would be extremely burdensome to have to get work, put tests in the Academic Resource Center, and re-grade assignments because students were purposefully missing classes. Teachers, more than anyone, appeared very willing to endorse the harsher policy. But recently, the administration has changed the policy; instead of having to attend Saturday school after one cut, now a student has to be an official truant, with an accumulation of three cuts, in order to recieve Saturday school. The new policy gives students more breathing room for making mistakes; a few dentist appointments your mom forgot to excuse or one last-minute test cram. And while some students still feel the policy is too harsh, a strict policy that is easy to enforce is the only way to ensure that students actually show up to that boring lecture. The administration still appears to be the domineering alpha male, but the students now have greater flexability and are still hesitant about cutting. It seems like a win-win situation. It’s very easy to blame the administration and McEvoy and stew in rebellious hostility, but it is also easy to see their side of the situation. They are trying to do their jobs as administrators, just like we are trying to do our job as students. They rarely get excused from their obligations, so why should we? In reality, this new policy will probably not affect most of us. Now parents will be more likely to call in absences and students will be less likely to cut. And for those kids whose parents formally refused to excuse absences, they may find that their parents are now a little bit more willing. Because cuts now go on students’ transcripts, which get sent to colleges, parents may not want a cut to jeopardize their child’s acceptence into a top school. However, if your parent still chooses not to excuse you, you can just spend 10 fewer minutes on Facebook per day, (that’s almost an hour per school week, the equivalent of one English class). Eventually most of us will be in college, a heavenly place, where no one really cares if you go to class or not. But for now if you can’t stand the time, don’t do the crime. v

So-Duh! Tax it! Soda tax would help our health and the economy

Text by AMANDA GROZIAK Art by YELANA KASIANOVA

n September, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, proposed a tax that would help improve the health of San Franciscans. Newson’s new law is a governmental tax for retailers selling soda drinks. The resulting money would go to help Shape Up, a San Francisco organization that focuses on awareness, physical exercise, and research for health issues. This tax would create many health benefits for San Franciscans and the rest of the state would profit to follow suite. According to the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, a non-profit, public policy organization that conducts research on diet and obesity health issues, if this new soda tax were to be implemented in the city of San Francisco at just 1 cent per ounce for the year of 2010, $36,628,022 would be the total revenue. If the tax were state-wide in California, the total revenue would add up to $1,834,445,880. These large amounts of money could help to pay for the vital health care many Californians need. California is too much in debt, facing a $24 billion budget gap according to CNN Money, to worry about a slight inconvenience in the unnecessary pleasures obtained from drinking a sugary beverage. Now is not the time to miss out on an opportunity to gain money from this tax. Not only would the tax bring in money which could be used for heath care, it would also help deter the strong urge we have to

guzzle down these large amounts of sugar. The same approach is being used for cigarettes. According to the Federation of Tax Administrators, there was an excise tax on cigarettes on Jan. 1, 2008. Also, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices decreases teen smoking by 7 percent and overall smoking rates by 4 percent. Furthermore, a study by three researchers from RTI International, an independent non-profit research institute founded in North Carolina, found that increasing tax rates on cigarettes decreases smoking rates for youths, and also that states which significantly increase their tobacco tax rates gain a tax revenue despite the decline in smoking. Sugary drinks are unnecessary in human diet, and therefore it should not be that much of a problem to give them up. The tax would not ban soda. It would just collect a revenue on it to help the very same people who buy soda. The tax would only make money from soda and not change its legality. In fact, this money resulting from this tax would help the very same people who are paying it. The Center for Health Policy Research at the University of California, Los Angeles, conducted a study by four researchers in September 2009. The study found that adults who drink at least one soft drink per day are 27 percent more likely to become obese than those who do not. This tax would therefore specifically target these people who are at risk of obesity and help them through the health procedures they would need. In the long run, this soda tax would only benefit us. It would slim our waists, plump up California’s statewide pocketbook, and would not severely infringe on the right to pick our food. So let’s pop the top on the soda tax can. v

In the long run, this soda tax would only benefit us.

VERDE MAGAZINE

PERSPECTIVE

Let him be

Reactions and reflections on the arrival of a notorious sex offender in East Palo Alto

Text and Photography by BELLA HERNANDEZ

hen people think of Many other residents of East Palo Alto there are rarely people protesting outside of East Palo Alto they express the same feelings — fear, anxiety his home,” Christina says. “I think people generally don’t think and anger because they think he may attack have just accepted he won’t be relocated.” “safe”, and as a resident again. Many don’t comprehend why he was Before this incident the community of East Palo Alto I can placed into their community. At first, there rarely complained, if ever, about the sex understand why. East Palo Alto is known were constant protests outside Robinson’s offenders living in East Palo Alto. As soon for high crime rates, gangs, drug dealers, home. East Palo Alto mayor Ruben Abrica as one shows up who seems like trouble, the drive-by’s and, adding salt to the community erupts with a dozen wound, we now have a notorious news vans and reporters covering sex offender. the story of how this one man A convicted sex offender was will affect the entire community. released into East Palo Alto on Will this occur every time a sex Aug. 31, by the ruling of a Santa offender moves into East Palo Clara County Superior Court Alto, and what precedent does judge. Donald Robinson, 57, this set? If the community puts was placed into a home on Beech all this effort into re-locating Street, causing uneasiness among Robinson, why let that effort go members of the community. to waste? Part of me wants to get Residents fear he’s sarcastic and take this to the next endangering their children’s safety logical extreme, why not eradicate because he lives near many schools the rest of the 19 or more sex and after-school programs. offenders already living in East Robinson has been convicted Palo Alto? At the same time, a four times; two of the convictions part of me is opposed to forcing were for beating and raping older Robinson’s relocation, because if women and the other two for A SIGN TO GO Many East Palo Alto residents want Mr. Rob- East Palo Alto decided to kick attempting to have oral sex with a inson, a sex offender, to be relocated. However, it is unfair to out every criminal, or every sex minor, according to the National not give Mr. Robinson another chance to live a normal life. offender in the community, what Sex Offender Registry. Robinson would that say about us? Can we served a total of 21 years and not give these people a second then was put into a four-phase treatment was present at one of the protests. chance? I may be biased because I’ve grown provided by the state for sex offenders who “The idea that someone like him can up in church where people have always told have offended several times, according to be present in any community … is very me to “love your neighbor as yourself ” or the San Jose Mercury News. But despite disturbing,” Abrica told Palo Alto Daily because my parents have always told me the four-phase treatment, neighbors have News staff writer Jessica Bernstein-Wax. that love and hate are just one step away. had difficulty staying calm. East Palo Alto had come together in This man may have committed despicable “Ever since he moved in, life has been order to try to make Robinson relocate crimes, but he has served his time and he a little more stressful, very nerve-racking,” into a different neighborhood, but soon has a right to live a normal life without says Christina, one of Robinson’s neighbors, residents quieted down when the judge said being attacked. No one is perfect; in fact whose name has been changed to preserve Robinson wouldn’t be re-located. everyone is far from perfect. But if the her confidentiality. “I am cautious with my “The community was very active for the community would be willing to move on children playing outside, and I take more first week Robinson moved in, but slowly and leave Robinson alone, they’d be one precautions.” they have begun to quiet down, and now step closer to perfection. v 22

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The Hypocritical Cycle Goes ‘Round and ‘Round On Nov. 3, Maine will be voting on Question 1, possibly causing a devastating rerun of Proposition 8 Text and Photography by MARY VERICAT

remember watching as same-sex couples threw their ring-less hands up in the air in happiness as the California State Supreme Court announced on May 16, 2008, that California’s ban on same-sex marriage was struck down. I also remember watching as the same couples gripped each other with ringed hands, tears rolling down their faces, as the same court allowed Proposition 8 to stand on May 26, 2009, and revived the ban on same-sex marriage the court had obliterated beforehand. Now, this devastating and hypocritical cycle is hitting Maine. Maine’s supreme court legalized gay marriage on May 6, 2009, but now on Nov. 3 Maine voters will be able to vote on Proposition 8’s twin, Question 1, a ban on same-sex marriage, and decide the everchanging fate of same-sex couples. But, in reality, the people of Maine should not be given the opportunity to vote on Question 1, or any matter relating to basic, constitutionally granted human rights. Since when is it constitutional to take away a human being’s unalienable, constitutionally guaranteed right to the pursuit of happiness and love? In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to overturn the ban on interracial marriage in the case of Loving vs. Virginia, stating that: “Marriage is one of the ‘basic civil rights of man’s fundamental to our very existence and survival.” The last time I checked, homosexuals were human beings as well, and deserve the same basic, constitutionally protected and Supreme Court-enforced civil rights as every other human being. In addition to the Supreme Court’s words in 1967 guaranteeing every human the right to marry the person they love, the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment clearly states that “No state shall make or enforce any law which

shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” And as clarified by the Supreme Court’s decision in 1967, the “basic civil right of man” to marry and love whomever he/she wants is an established “privilege” of all American citizens. And no state, whether it be Maine or California or the other 44 states in which same-sex marriage is illegal (gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Iowa), should be able to propose laws such as Question 1 or Proposition 8, which “abridge” the American privilege of unconditional love and marriage. Americans always boast about how evolved they are with their advanced technology and inventions, but it seems as though many Americans have morally devolved. It is a shame that the Supreme Court in 1967 was able to realize that the right to love is an unalienable right granted to all constitutionally protected Americans, but now 42 years later, 92 percent of the states of the U.S. have lost and forgotten this moral realization. “History shows that we tend to be fearful of people who are different, and as a majority it tends to take a while before we do the right thing,” says Leslie Pirritano, a Palo Alto High School parent who works with Equality CA, a non-profit organization that fights for LGBT rights. It is time that the American majority reawakens its long-lost morality and realizes that the right thing to do had already been done once before in 1967. It is also important to note that Question 1 and Proposition 8 affect real people. These are not bills that ban a senseless object, but rather they are banning a fellow human being’s way of life. Allowing the government and the majority of society to stigmatize one’s life style and one’s family as illegal and wrong poses an immense toll on the victimized family. “[My children] really didn’t understand why 52 percent of voters [during Proposition 8] felt we do not deserve to be called married. I worry about them and how they feel,” Pirritano says. v VERDE MAGAZINE

PERSPECTIVE

Nobody’s Perfect French Lawmakers take steps to combat body image issues Text by EMMA TUCHER and ANABEL HOMNACK Artwork by YELENA KASIANOVA

pen the cover of Us Weekly’s latest edition and the difficulties that accompany it. you will see glossy pages filled with models and The truth behind these pictures is that in five minutes, celebrities with perfect skin, bodies and hair. Stand professional air brushers have altered the appearances of celebrities. in line to buy groceries and bone-thin celebrities Airbrushing has the power to elongate necks, cinch waistlines, will seem to jump out of the magazine pages to steal create glossy hair, erase zits and under-eye circles, and widen eyes. your sandwich. Harmlessly flipping through your latest Seventeen The use of Photoshopping has become a phenomenon. or Cosmo Girl to glance at the latest ads for makeup and pictures Models and celebrities, paid to be beautiful, undergo hours of hair of pop singer Rihanna will make you wonder how someone’s skin and makeup styling before they are Photoshopped. There is no end could possibly be so smooth. From a young age, we play with dolls, to what the photo-retoucher can alter. like Barbie, who have bodies that are biologically unattainable. We An average person sees 5,000 ads a day, according to the have been programmed from our youth that beauty means physical president of the marketing firm Yankelovich Inc., a leading perfection. consumer research company, Jay Walker-Smith. An average female The French have decided that enough is enough. As part of a is bombarded with millions of ridiculously perfect pictures daily. The campaign against body image issues and eating disorders they are pictures portray super thin girls selling everything from shampoo instigating a “health warning” to toilet paper. They represent on Photo-shopped images. an ideal that even models and French lawmakers believe that celebrities cannot attain. This altered photos are dangerous ideal of beauty that society to the health of young women. has propagated is unattainable. Similar to the health warnings Women are striving to look on cigarette ads, Photolike magazine models who do shopped images would now not even exist. merit a health warning. At least Anorexia is the most fatal 50 French legislators believe of mental disorders. Twenty that these altered photos create percent of all sufferers will die. bad body image. This negative This issue is about more than image is a leading cause of the ALTERED REALITY Photoshoppers are capable of completely not fitting into the right jean lethal mental illnesses anorexia altering a photo in mere minutes. size, it is about the mental health and bulimia. Legislation would of women. Forty to 60 percent require altered photos to include a health warning along the lines of high school girls are on a diet, according to statistics reported by of: “Photograph retouched to modify the physical appearance of a the Eating Disorder Coalition, an organization whose mission is to person.” raise awareness about eating disorders as a public issue. Anorexia is This disclaimer would be necessary on all altered images. the third leading chronic illness among adolescents. Fifty percent This warning would appear on any form of media that contains a of girls between the ages of 13 and 15 think they are fat, according retouched photograph changing a person’s physical appearance in to the EDC. photography, product packaging, newspapers and magazines. Fifty The unrealistic standard of beauty that these photos set creates French politicians have voiced their support for this legislation and a feeling of inadequacy among women. This ideal is unattainable proposed consequences. The French President Nicolas Sarkozy and often the initial cause of eating disorders. According to studies initiated this legislation. Violating this proposed law would result done by the Teen Future Network funded by the Washington State in a fine of 37,500 euros ($54,930), or up to 50 percent of the cost Department of Health, at age 13, 53 percent of American girls are of the advertisement. “unhappy with their bodies.” This grows to 78 percent by the time American law makers need to take steps in the same direction. girls reach 17. Our country’s women are facing the same pressures and insecurities. The disclaimer is a monumental step towards educating young An American Dove campaign against Photoshopping illustrates women about misconceptions in the media. The French lawmakers the pressures and difficulties women face. The bombardment of ads created an effective way to deal with this body image crisis. that women see on a daily base affects their self esteem. The French Although the legislation has not yet passed, it is a step in the right lawmakers are creating progressive legislation. America also needs direction. Given the number of ads the average American sees each to make changes to protect women against poor body image and day, lawmakers need to take steps in the same direction. v 24

OCTOBER 2009

PROFILES STORIES OF THE FACES IN THE HALLS

BUST A MOVE Bhangra club presidents Naazneen Essabhoy, Jujhaar Singh and Nehika Miglani perform at Paly’s club day.

SHOES FOR THOUGHT 26 ACADEMICS MEET ATHLETICS 28 DANCE INTO DIVERSITY 30

PROFILE

Shoes for Change One woman turns her passion for helping the world into a local boutique

Text by SILVIA MARABOLI Photography by SARAH HENDERSON and SILVIA MARABOLI

pon stepping foot into In Her Shoes and admiring the quaintly decorated interior, one would never be able to guess the full scope of the hecticness happening behind the scenes at the store. Pamela Rosekrans, the store’s founder, busily chats away on her phone as she finalizes a sale with a customer. When Rosekrans is in town, she works at the store almost every day, ensuring that things are running as smoothly as possible. “When I’m here, I’m mostly in the back of the store doing bills and orders, answering e-mails, checking bank statements…” Rosekrans sighs and smiles contently. “Problem solving, basically.” Rosekrans had a vision for a store that would benefit people in need. She turned that vision into In Her Shoes, a women’s boutique newly quartered in Palo Alto’s Town and Country Village. The store donates all of its proceeds to the Global Fund for Women, an international organization that advocates women’s human rights. According to its Web site, GFW makes grants to women’s rights groups around the world that devote their time to 26

OCTOBER 2009

A NEW HOME In Her Shoe’s new location at Town and Country OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Rosekrans at her store’s recent grand opening; several of the new styles for fall; inside the shop

addressing human rights issues such as access to education, gender-based violence and economic and environmental justice. “I had an idea that I wanted to bring more awareness to the Global Fund for Women,” Rosekrans says, “and I decided a store would do that.” Rosekrans had just recently helped her daughter open a shoe store in Portland when she came up with the idea for her own store. “After [helping her], I had confidence that I could also open a store and make it work,” she says. In Her Shoes sells an assortment of stylish women’s apparel, from well-known designer shoes to jewelry handmade by local artisans. The store’s original main focus was just on shoes, hence its name; however, it now carries a variety of other items. “I sell products that are pleasing to me,” Rosekrans says. “I love clothing and jewelry and decided to see how they would do as well.” In Her Shoes has a comfortable and welcoming feel. Women can come in to see what the latest styles are from their favorite designers, or simply drop by to converse with Rosekrans and the small group of women that help run the store. “I designed my store hoping to attract mothers and daughters who would be able to shop in one place for the two of them,” Rosekrans says. “That is why you will find such a wide range of prices and styles.” In Her Shoes received a generous welcome from the Bay Area community after it originally opened on Emerson St. in downtown

as much as I used to.” The struggle with the economy also forced Rosekrans to change location from downtown Palo Alto to Town and Country. “Our landlord wanted to raise the lease when we tried to renew it,” says Debra Austin, Rosekran’s sister who helps out in the shop. “Town and Country was a lot cheaper. [Rosekrans] found this place for a lot less.” Despite the effect that the economic downturn has had on the store, In Her Shoes has nevertheless been able to donate $65,000 to the Global Fund for Women since — Pamela Rosekrans, its opening in 2006. Rosekrans has not only conowner of In Her Shoes tributed so much to the wellbeing of women worldwide, but she has inspired others to reach out to show on Oct. 16 in which she displayed her their own communities as well. Several of the brands that In Her Shoes carries collection of handmade jewelry. “We plan to have many events like this have offered Rosekrans a discount in order to boost the profits she is able to doin the future,” Rosekrans says. These events attract customers from all nate to GWF, according to the organizaover the Bay Area and greatly benefit the tion’s Web site. Women who leave In Her store. However, despite the surge in atten- Shoes walk out with a sense of inspiration tion that the trunk shows bring, sales have and determination to do what they can to been rough for In Her Shoes. The last nine help those around them. “My favorite thing about having the months have been especially tricky for the store due to the plunge in the country’s store is the purpose it gives me,” Rosekrans economy. Since January, Rosekrans has had says. In November, she will be visiting to cut back on her purchases for the store several of GWF’s grantees in India with in order to ensure stability in today’s eco- the organization’s CEO, Kavita Ramdas. “I love having this store, and I hope that nomic crisis. “I’m trying to be way more conservative [the work I do] has inspired others to do now,” Rosekrans says. “I can’t afford to buy the same.” v Palo Alto. “It was very exciting the first few weeks it was open,” Rosekrans says. “I loved being in the store and meeting new women daily. It had such a wonderful energy of goodwill.” In Her Shoes also hosts trunk shows every couple months. Michelle Pfeiffer’s sister-in-law, Rona Pfeiffer, held a trunk

“My favorite thing about having the store is the purpose it gives me.”

VERDE MAGAZINE

PROFILE

Academics Meet Athletics Palo Alto High School math teachers find great pleasure in running marathons Text by ANABEL HOMNACK Photography Courtesy of KATHY HIMMELBERGER and MISHA VEREYKEN

t’s 9:50 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. Students rush to class, teachers are busily working away in the Math Resource Center and in walks Misha Vereyken, one of four Palo Alto High School Math Department marathon runners, after her daily run. She places her worn out shoes behind her office door and changes back into her school attire. Vereyken has participated in numerous half-marathons, which are 13.1 miles in length, and one 26.2 full marathon. Math teacher Kathleen Himmelberger has raced two full marathons and several 20- and 30kilometer races. The endurance and strength of several of Vereyken’s marathon running friends influenced her to start her running career. She went to a couple of marathons to cheer them on and always thought she could never do it. She first started running differing distances daily five years ago to get back into shape after being pregnant. “I got motivated to run my first half marathon, the Nike Women’s in San Fransisco, because you got a Tiffany silver necklace at the end of the race,” Vereyken says. “I loved it, and decided to put my name in to the New York Marathon lottery. When my name was drawn, I knew I had to do it. I might not get the chance again and, of course, I love getting the medal at the end.” Himmelberger began running in the early 70s, before the running craze began. According to Olympic trainer Pete Pfitzinger, in those days, there were few female long-distance runners, aside from the Olympians. The marathon event was not added for women until about 1984; before that, many people believed women were too fragile to run that far. “I was not an extremely fast runner, but could run fairly fast for long distances, so 28

OCTOBER 2009

longer distance races were perfect for me,” Himmelberger says. “My first marathon time was three hours and 36 seconds, which was one of the top 50 (female) times in the world, and qualified me for the Boston Marathon. The temperature in Boston that year was in the mid-90s, so I ran a fairly slow three hours and 37 minutes.” Vereyken enjoys running for the challenge, pride and excercise. “I can easily do it anywhere,” Vereyken says. “All I need are my shoes.” The shorter runs (four to five miles) give Vereyken energy for the day. “It helps me clear my head, and relieve stress and sometimes it is almost meditative.” She says “I love listening to my iPod and zoning out to music. And it makes me grateful that I can run ... I’m healthy with no injuries. I don’t take that for granted.” Running provides Veryeken with a sense of accomplishment. “It’s not just the marathon itself that’s

tough,” she says. “The other huge achievement is the dedication and commitment it takes to train for the 18 weeks leading up to race day. During the race, running alongside all the other runners who are also striving to run 26.2 miles and the crowd cheering you on, is very inspiring.” Himmelberger originally started training for a marathon so she could be in the best possible shape for having a child. Running is a time for her to relieve stress and think about as many or as few things as she may wish. “I can leave my mental worries behind and feel a good kind of tired when the run ends,” Himmelberger says. The idea of running races while getting fit in order to raise money for a good cause is a fairly new phenomenon and a win-win situation. In 2006, Vereyken and her friends participated in the New York Marathon, which raised money for the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  Vereyken

also ran in the Nike Marathon, which raised money for leukemia and lymphoma research. When Himmelberger began racing, most marathons were 50 cents to a dollar to enter; nowadays races can cost up to $100. Three weekends ago she walked in a heart walk in Sacramento with her grandson and his family. “My grandson was born with a serious heart defect and has already undergone three open-heart surgeries so I’m always happy to contribute to heart research,” Himmelberger says. Most runners who participate in marathons have goals they wish to complete. To reach these goals they train far in advance. For Vereyken, finishing, is a huge goal. The only time Vereyken set a time goal was for the California International Marathon; she wanted to finish it in under four and a half hours and she did.  For a half marathon, with the training help of former Paly teacher Jeff Billings, she was able to finish the 2007 San Jose Rock and Roll Marathon in under two hours, which was her goal. Vereyken achieves her goals by running 8.5 to 9 miles on Saturday or Sunday in addition to two 4 to 5 mile runs during the week. She also crosstrains with weight training and Pilates. “When I sign up to run a marathon, I’m already in decent shape,” she says. “I just have to get my body ready to run for 4.5 to 5 hours. If I’m trying to improve my time, then I’ll do interval training. and I eat food that will help repair my muscles during training and give me energy.” v Far Left: Himmelberger runs in the 1974 Hour Run Center: Vereyken family at the Pat Tillman Run in San Jose, Calif. Right: Vereyken runs in the New York Marathon VERDE MAGAZINE

PROFILE

Dance into Diversity Four Paly seniors bring the Bhangra movement closer to home with their new club Text by EMMA TUCHER and MANON VON KAENEL Photography by SARAH HENDERSON and MANON VON KAENEL

aughs and a modern mix of Indian music fill the room as students trickle in for their dance lesson. Many head for the table in the back where they snatch a spring roll from the tray. As the music gets louder, the four students at the front of the room begin to dance. Making an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oâ&#x20AC;? with their forefingers and thumbs, they swing their arms and spring into the air. They move their feet rapidly, creating neat jazz squares while moving their arms from side to side. Familiar rap songs are mixed with traditional Indian music. The students slouching against the walls and munching on snacks drift toward the dance floor. Soon, the whole group is jumping and twirling and throwing their arms up in the air. CULTURE SHOCK Seniors Sana Bakshi, Jujhaar Singh and Nehika Miglani perform Bhangra for their peers during Paly Club Day.

OCTOBER 2009

“Paly has zero Indian culture. People have a limited perspective on our culture.” —SENIOR NEHIKA MIGLANI

These four Palo Alto ent. The Bhangra move“We want to High School seniors; Sana ment may be attributed have performances Bakshi, Naazneen Essabto a growing awareness and at schools and have hoy, Nehika Miglani, and Jujhaar promotion of different cultures, or Bhangra Battles, esSingh, are trying to share Indian dance simply because the enthusiasm of sentially to become and culture with the Paly community the dance has a wide appeal. a Bhangra Team,” through their new Bhangra Club, the Bakshi and Singh have danced Miglani says. “More first ethnic dance club at Paly. Bhangra together from an early age, and they importantly we want fuses traditional Indian folk dance and agree that it has always been a good to have a presence on hip-hop. way to connect with the community campus.” Essabhoy “It’s the hip-hop of India,” senior Singh and with their culture, since both Miglani shares a co-president Sana Bakshi says. It origicome from the Punjab region. They love for Bhangra, a love she also found at nates from the Punjab region of northnow want to provide the opportunity to an early age. As a young girl, she was inwestern India and parts of Pakistan, but explore Indian culture for their peers, and volved with three different types of Indian has gained popularity around the world bring the bigger Bhangra movement closer dancing. with widely followed international comto home. Essabhoy has also been dancing for petitions. “Paly has zero Indian culture,” Miglani a large part of her life, mainly the Indian “It’s exuberant and tiring,” Bakshi says. “People have a limited perspective on style Bharatnatyam, the national dance of says. “You can’t dance more than eight our culture.” India. It involves elaborate eye and hand minutes of it.” The founders were dismayed by what movements and has precise hand and footThe founding of the Bhangra Dance seemed to them a lack of awareness that work. Club at Paly reflects the growing popularPaly students have for Indian culture. To “Bharatnatyam is a completely differity of the dance all over the world. Bhansolve this, they decided to create a fun way ent style from Bhangra, and it takes a lot gra competitions have recently sprung up to introduce people to new traditions. of work to teach, so we will not be doing across the country, common in both col“This club will be a good way to any of that in our club,” Essabhoy says. lege and high school settings. The Universpread [Indian] culture and dance,” Singh However, she hopes to contribute sities of California frequently host Bhansays. her knowledge and experience with Bolgra competitions that elicit large crowds Bakshi’s and Singh’s long dance calywood dancing to the club. Bollywood and nationwide support. The Bruin Bhanreers and experiences at dance competiis more modern than Bharatnatyam or gra 2008 at University of California, Los tions have given them valuable skills and Bhangra and is commonly known for its Angeles, known as the West Coast’s bigenthusiasm they say they want to share appearance in Indian musicals. Bhangra, gest Bhangra competition, had a record with the Paly community. Both Singh and though, has remained a favorite dance for audience of over 3,000 people at the Bakshi will bring their own interpretations Essabhoy, who looks forward to helping event, which took place on Oct. to the classes, which will mainly be with the club. 16. The Bhangra movement taught by Singh. “Up until know, Bhangra has been reaches across the nation, and “I have a modern take, while a fun thing for me,” Essabhoy says. “I the Boston Bhangra ComJujhaar [Singh] is more traditional,” am not Punjabi, but have always enjoyed petition, happening in BosBakshi says. doing Bhangra.” ton, Mass. on Nov. 16 this Bakshi is working on getting the In addition to holding various peryear, is also expected to club involved in charity work through formances, the club will participate in attract 3,000 people. Paly the Seva Foundation, a program that several competitions, such as Sapnay at students may have also raises money and awareness for the Monta Vista High School and Spotheard about Bhangra from education of young girls in India. lite at Homestead High School, both the first-ever appearance The presidents plan to hold various in the California Bay Area. of a Bhangra team on this fundraisers in which they will show“What I hope for the Paly Bhanseason’s America’s Got Talcase their dancing talent. gra club is that they get to compete,” Bakshi Miglani

VERDE MAGAZINE

PROFILE says Maria Rao, the club’s teacher adviser. “Obviously I want them to have fun, but it would be really cool if they could be in a big competition.” However, club membership is not limited to those who want to compete. “[We want to create] a competitive group, for more experienced dancers who are interested in competing,” Miglani says. “And a fun group, for people who just want to experience Indian culture and have some fun dancing Bhangra. This way we can get as many people involved as possible.” For many, learning Bhangra is simply a way to have fun, learn something new, and meet new people. “We watch a lot of Bollywood movies and I wanted to try it,” Paly freshman club member Fariha Beig says. “They didn’t have this at my old school,” freshman member Israa Beig says. “I’m super excited to be part of this club and learning Bhangra.” For others, the club is a way to expand their cultural horizons in a fun and energetic way. “It’s really fun because it’s something new that I’ve never done and the people are all really nice,” freshman club member Maryssa Sklaroff says The existence and popularity of Bhangra dance clubs at other high schools influenced the presidents’ decision to create the club. “It’s definitely something prevalent because a lot of high schools have Indian dance clubs,” Essabhoy says. “So we thought, why not Paly?” They were finally convinced to establish a Bhangra club with the encouragement they received after performing at the 2008 Jordan International Night. “After the performance, we got a lot of positive feedback,” Bakshi says. This is something we’ve wanted to do for a while, and we finally got around to doing it.” The presidents insist that the club requires no dancing experience, and hope to involve a wide diversity of people. “You don’t need experience. You just need an open mind, willingness, and spirit,” Miglani says. “Bhangra is a very spirited and energetic dance so you need enthusiasm and energy. If you’re interested in learning about a new culture, then Bhangra Club is the club for you.” v 32

OCTOBER 2009

Learn a Bhangra Move!

Cross your arms and tap your chest twice while skippping once in place. Repeat the step but skip with your other foot.

Spread your arms and skip once, turning your body around 180°.

Make one more skip with your other foot to make a full turn.

Put your hands together and clap.

Interested in Joining the Bhangra Club? Come to room 710 at Paly every Monday at 7 p.m. for samosas and fun.

COVER THE FOCUS

LIVING WITH CELIAC NO BREAD FOR ME UNCOVERING HIDDEN CALORIES MARKETS AND MONEY DO YOU KNOW JOE’S?

34 38 40 41 43

COVER

Living with Celiac As national celiac disease diagnoses increase, Paly students with the condition find an expanding gluten-free market

Text by CAMILLE VON KAENEL Photography by SARAH HENDERSON and CAMILLE VON KAENEL Art by YELENA KASIANOVA

our foot eight in middle school, Palo Alto High School senior Nathaniel Munger remembers the teasing he received. His height scared him because he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the cause of his condition, which could have been due to a key hormone deficiency or a life-threatening disease. When the doctors proposed a concrete reason and solution, he felt relieved and joyful that he could finally grow. The doctors had diagnosed him with celiac disease. Following their suggestions, he eliminated bread, pizza, cookies and more from his diet. He grew eight inches in the following year and left the embarassment and uncertainty of being short behind. Celiac disease is an autoimmune intolerance to gluten, a protein found most commonly in wheat, rye and barley. Responding to the rise in celiac diagnoses and awareness, the gluten-free market, which provides alternatives to traditional bread and other wheat foods for people with celiac, has been growing rapidly. Researchers have found that the amount of celiac diagnoses has been rising in the U.S. to levels four times the levels 60 years ago, according to a study made by the Mayo Clinic, a clinic specializing in the celiac disease. According to national statistics, 14 of the 1800 students at Paly may have celiac disease and one out of 133 Americans have 34

OCTOBER 2009

AT LUNCH Freshman Caroline Martignetti and senior Nathaniel Munger replace bread, pizza and more with gluten-free foods a celiac diagnosis. “Diagnostic technologies are getting better, and doctors are more aware of the disease,” Stanford Professor Chaitan Khosla says, giving a possible explanation for the rise in celiac diagnoses. Paly senior Adi Katz was diagnosed with celiac at nine years old. She had been having strong recurring stomachaches for several years. “I was having trouble with dinner but not with ice cream, so my mom thought I was faking it,” Katz says. The usual symptoms include abdominal problems such as stomachaches, bowel movements and nausea, according to Stanford Professor of Medicine Gary M. Gray. However, a person who has celiac can show none or just a few of these symptoms. Because the symptoms associated with celiac are also associated with other diseases, many people with celiac never receive a positive diagnosis and do not make the switch to a gluten-free diet, which would eliminate the symptoms and risks of celiac. In Katz’s case, her doctor recommended a blood test, which Gray says searches for antibodies related to celiac disease. When the test came back saying she had celiac, she made the switch to a gluten-free diet. “My diet is basically vegetables, meat and rice,” Katz says. She, though already tall,

showed a similar growth spurt to Munger’s Munger took the blood tests because after she began to eat gluten-free — she grew he showed another alarming symptom — six inches in one year. delayed growth. When a person with celiac Paly freshman Caroline Martignetti ingests gluten, an autoimmune reaction received her celiac diagnosis four years ago for damages the villi, or the lining of the small a different reason — her sister had symptoms intestine. so the whole family took the tests. The tests “It [gluten] destroys their intestinal for Martignetti, her lining, causes inflammation sister and her mother in the gut and malabsorption came back positive. of nutrients,” Khosla says. If a family member The damaged villi can not has celiac, the chances absorb the nutrition that passes of having the disease as through the person’s system, well increase by 5 to 15 and this undernourishment percent because celiac sometimes leads to delayed is linked to a genetic — SENIOR ADI KATZ growth, as in Munger’s case, or predisposition. a variety of other conditions “There are background genes that are such as anemia or osteoporosis, the reduction necessary but not sufficient to cause the in bone mass. disease,” Gray says. Celiac is a permanent and Having celiac disease entails finding irreversible autoimmune disease affecting the alternatives to traditional gluten-containing digestive system, more specifically the small breads, cakes, cookies, pasta, pastries and intestine, not a gluten allergy. more. However, the specific cause of celiac is “It [gluten] is the most abundant protein still unknown. Other factors, such as surgery, in the human diet,” Professor Khosla says of severe trauma, or pregnancy often trigger the gluten. actual onset of the disease and the symptoms “It [the gluten—free diet] was really hard vary from person to person. when I was young,” Katz says. “I couldn’t eat “Like many autoimmune diseases, it cakes at birthday parties or take food from takes a while for the disease to start,” Khosla friends.” says. “In this case, one’s immune tolerance to She eventually founded a support group gluten has to break.” for kids with celiac in Palo Alto, creating a

“I couldn’t eat cake at birthday parties or take food from friends.”

STUDENTS WITH CELIAC From left to right: Senior Nathaniel Munger, freshman Caroline Martignetti and senior Adi Katz

VERDE MAGAZINE

COVER local branch of the national organization The Food Allergen Labeling and ROCK (Raising Our Celiac Kids). Consumer Protection Act, passed by Congress “Once a month we would get together in 2004, requires that the top 10 allergens, and bake and have a gluten-free party,” Katz which include wheat, be listed on processed says. “It was great because we all could never foods, which makes it easier to single out and eat at our friends’ parties and here we finally stay away from gluten foods. could.” “It [celiac] is actually With 30 to 40 kids fairly common now,” attending along with their Munger says. “People are parents, the ROCK meetings recognizing that a lot of brought together many people have it.” community members with The growing awareness celiac. Though she doesn’t — SENIOR NATHANIEL and curiosity surrounding lead the group in Palo Alto MUNGER the disease and the glutenanymore, the gluten-free free diet has led people to parties helped Katz get eat gluten-free even if they through the early years of her diagnosis. do not have the disease. Martignetti finds it especially difficult For example, when Katz received her to abstain from all of the traditional gluten diagnosis for celiac, the whole family decided foods. to go gluten-free. “Every time I look at a pizza it takes “I hardly ever eat any processed foods incredible will power not to snatch it off anymore,” Katz says. “We make everything of whoever’s plate its on and stuff it in my from scratch.” She prefers homemade recipes mouth,” she says. adapted from old favorite gluten recipes over Even if they have recognized the difficulty other manufactured gluten-free products, of the gluten-free diet at the beginning of even if the range of gluten-free products their diagnoses, the students acknowledge available in grocery stores is expanding. that finding gluten-free products has According to Katz, a gluten-free diet become easier with may lead to a healthier the expansion of the lifestyle because of the gluten free market clear correlation between and the growth in the gluten foods and foods awareness of celiac. high in carbohydrates. A study published “If you go on a by Packaged Facts gluten-free diet, you’ll reveals that the just find yourself eating gluten-free market less donuts and cakes,” has expanded nearly Munger says. — FRESHMAN CAROLINE 28 percent every year Martignetti has also MARTIGNETTI since 2004, and is noticed the new curiosity expected to continue surrounding the glutento rise. The market, currently standing at free diet and celiac disease. $800 million each year, is expected to reach “It’s funny because loads of my friends $1.7 billion by 2010. and their parents now try and bake me “Whole Foods carries a lot of [gluten gluten-free products or make me pizza just free] products,” Munger says. “Their gluten- so they can try them out,” Martignetti says. free aisle has doubled since I started [the As the gluten-free market has shown gluten free diet].” a great expansion in recent years, Katz Along with other grocery stores such hopes that the trend towards awareness and as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods stresses the availability of products will continue as many cleanliness of its facilities to avoid gluten opportunities in the gluten-free market have contamination. In 2004, Whole Foods even yet to be developed. created the Whole Foods Market Gluten“There are no completely gluten-free Free Bakehouse “to keep up with the volume restaurants, and I hope there will be even needed to statisfy customer demand” for more gluten-free products in the future,” she gluten-free food, according to the Whole says. “It’s an untapped market.” v Foods Web site.

“I was probably four foot eight in middle school.”

“My friends and their parents now try to bake me gluten free products just so they can try them out.”

OCTOBER 2009

Adi Adi Katz’s Katz’s Gluten-Free Gluten-Free Angel Angel Food Food Cake Cake

Ingredients: 6 separated and 1 whole egg 1 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup gluten free oat flour 1/2+1/3 cup brown rice flour 1 1/2 tbs lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp almond extract 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Farenheit. 2. Beat the 6 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add 3/4 cup of sugar (SLOWLY) and cream of tartar and continue to beat until very stiff. 3. Mix yolks with 1 full egg, flours, remaining sugar, vanilla, almond extract and lemon juice until very smooth and an even mixture is formed. 4. Gently fold foam into the yolks until fully incorporated, careful not to break the egg whites. 5. Pour the cake mixture into a 9” spring form pan and bake for 1 hour. Then, let cool in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes. 6. Let cool completely before serving. NOTE: Sprinkle sliced strawberries with sugar and let stand in refrigerator for at least an hour. then serve on top of cake with whipped cream

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855 El Camino Real 108 Palo Alto, California, 94306 (650) 323 1515 www.createitceramics.com

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No Bread for Me Stepping into the shoes of a person with celiac disease, I abstained from gluten for a week... and survived Text by CAMILLE VON KAENEL Photography by CAMILLE VON KAENEL

T THE PRODUCTS A variety of gluten-free products, including Nut-Thins, Quinoa Pasta and Gluten-Free flour exist for people with celiac.

OCTOBER 2009

o better understand what people with celiac disease, an intolerance to gluten, go through every day, I embarked on a mission to abstain from gluten for a week. Gluten is a protein found mostly in wheat, rye, barley and some other grains and ingredients. Eating gluten-free means finding alternatives to traditional gluten products including bread, pasta, crackers, bagels, cookies, pizza and more. As an ardent lover and daily consumer of bread, I dreaded my first day on the diet. I was off to a very bad start when I saw that my family members were eating bread for breakfast. Settling down at the table, I grabbed a yogurt and dug in glumly as my sisters teased me mercilessly. The classic phrase, “Mmm, this bread is soooo good,” became their most common and preferred method of torture. I had a terrible vision of myself in a week, skinny and gaunt from eating only green vegetables and drooling in front of a couple of bread crumbs. I decided that I already hated eating gluten-free. My first lunch consisted of a salad with radishes and raspberries on the side. Eating my salad, I realized with a surprise that this was actually a normal meal. I had eaten many similar and coincidentally gluten-free meals before. A gluten-free diet did not mean I would have to limit myself tremendously in what I ate — I could still eat almost all of the food I normally ate, like vegetables, fruits, and meats, as well as some grains including quinoa and millet. Even some of the questionable foods, such as oat, corn, soy, beans and rice, do

not have gluten, which opens up the many different possibilities and cakes. My mom even found wheat-free flours that we used for meals. to make a gluten-free bread. We adapted a normal bread recipe The only real limitations were the hundreds of processed foods that used wheat flour using some recommendations for baking that contain traces of wheat. By having to constantly look at the gluten-free from the Celiac.com Web site. To compensate for ingredients label on processed foods, I discovered the amount of the missing gluten, we added a special ingredient called xanthan foods that have “traces of wheat” even gum as a supplement to the gluten-free flour. if they, well, shouldn’t, under normal, Though the experiment was interesting, homemade circumstances. For example, the bread didn’t match my expectations — it I discovered that some types of candies, came out of the oven dense, hard, and small. sausages and even yogurts have wheat. However, it tasted almost normal, just a little The Food Allergen Labeling and rubbery and sweet (due to the xanthan gum). Consumer Protection Act, passed by It felt good to feel almost normal eating my Congress in 2004, requires that the top 10 sandwich at lunch along with my friends. allergens, which include wheat, be listed The availability of products, however, is on processed foods. That made it easier relative — I found an abundancy of gluten for me and people with celiac to find and free products, but for the one out of 133 eliminate foods that may have even the Americans who have to abstain from gluten smallest amount of wheat. all the time, everyday eating is still severely As I noticed the amount of foods with restricted. the label “contains wheat,” I also noticed Adi Katz, a Paly senior with celiac, told the growing amount of products that are me that it just felt good to eat gluten-free, actually gluten-free. Country Sun and THE BREAD Made with gluten-free even for people without celiac. After a week Whole Foods have entire aisles dedicated flour and xanthan gum, this bread without gluten, I have to admit I felt slightly to an array of gluten-free foods. The Kettle turned out very hard and dense. different — I felt almost healthier, but that Chips brand is proudly gluten-free, and may be due to the correlation between special there is even a delicious “Nut-thins” brand gluten-free foods and healthier, more organic — like “Wheat-thins” but with almonds or hazelnuts instead of foods. wheat. I now prefer the gluten-free version much more than the I also noticed that I had lost some weight, about one wheat version and I still eat Nut-thins even after my gluten-free pound, by the end of the week. This was probably due to the week. clear connection between gluten foods and, for example, sweet Also, I found special brown-rice and quinoa pasta for people pastries, from which I had to abstain for the duration of the with gluten-free diets. To be honest, these special pastas are week. nowhere as tasty as traditional pasta. The quinoa pasta was rubbery When I finished with the gluten-free week, it felt almost and bland, while the brown-rice pasta tasted a little bit too sweet. strange to ignore labels and ingredients, and to eat everything In the end, I was happy that I could eat any pasta at all and ignored without checking for gluten. Even now, when I grab a piece of the unfamiliar tastes. bread, I have a reflex to think about whether it contains gluten My family and I made banana bread and chocolate cake that did before I realize that I don’t have to care about that anymore and not contain gluten and they tasted no different than normal breads stuff it in my mouth. v

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Chips with beans, rice, salad, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and cheese (a tortilla without the wheat tortilla)

Quinoa pasta (either undercooked or naturally rubbery), cake with corn starch (normal recipe is without gluten)

Oatmeal with fruit, potatos and cheese, salad banana cake with glutenfree flour for dessert

Salad, mango slices, gluten free crackers (Nut Thins! so yummy) millet, gluten free sausages, salad, fruit

Bread with wheat free flour and xanthan gum (tastes sweet, very dense) eggplant and cheese casserole

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Bread and butter cheese, corn on the cob (corn, like oats and soy, is actually gluten-free) and salad

Brown-rice pasta (tastes acidly sweet), peaches, last Nut Thins , carrot salad, potatoes

VERDE MAGAZINE

COVER

Uncovering Hidden Calories Many people do not realize how many hidden calories some restaurant foods have Text by KIANNA EVANS Art by HARRY NORDLINGER

he Trust for America’s Health organization reports that America’s obesity rate has risen to 30 percent in 30 states. One major contributing factor is how foods can be misleadingly unhealthy. Restaurants are filled with dishes that have a concealed amount of excess calories. Verde interviewed four Palo Alto High School students about the dishes at the Cheesecake Factory in order to compare the projected number of calories to the actual number in each of the foods.

Pasta Paly senior Sam Chang usually orders the Thai Chicken Pasta when she eats at the Cheesecake Factory. When asked how many calories she thought the dish contained, she says, “Probably between 400-500 calories.” However, when she found out it was actually 1,107 calories, she was appalled. “That’s disgusting”, Chang says. “A normal healthy meal would be between 400-500 calories, I guess I should just order the salad then.” Salad Not all salads are as nutritious as many people might believe. When Verde asked sophomore Connor Ellmann how many calories the Cashew Chicken Salad at the Cheesecake Factory contained he said, “100? No wait, 50-100 calories.” However, once Verde told Ellman that the salad contained approximately 710 calories, he was shocked.“Is it because of the cashews?” he asked. While the cashews do add to the fat content of the salad, the main source for the high calories come from the excessive mayonnaise that the restaurant adds to the salad in order to add flavor. 40

OCTOBER 2009

Beverages Most people do not consider that beverages may have high calorie intakes. The Tropical Ice Tea at the Cheesecake Factory is 144 calories per serving. This may not seem like a lot but when you add meals, snacks and desserts to your day, the recommended 2,000 calories a day becomes less realisitic. When Verde asked Paly Junior Copper Levitan how many calories the Tropical Ice Tea contained, he said: “Probably a lot.” Levitan was right to assume that the beverage did indeed contain many calories in respect to it’s serving size.

“A normal healthy meal should be between 400-500 calories”

Pasta Another Paly senior, Taylor Quattlebaum typically orders the pasta Bolognese. When Quattlebaum was asked the same question she responded by saying, “I think it would be 800 calories.” But once she found out her dish was actually 1,450 calories, she then said, “What? That’s shocking. I guess I won’t be eating the cheesecake tonight.” The Cheesecake Factory corporate headquarters did not return multiple calls requesting a comment on this story. v

Markets and Money Text by EMILY EFLAND and MANON VON KAENEL Photography by MANON VON KAENEL

ave local farms felt a decline due to the recession? California farmers say that while they have seen drops in profit, farmers’ markets continue to rise in popularity thanks to an increased interest in healthy and trustworthy alternatives. Here’s what five local farmers have to say: “The people that we meet and talk to here are very interested in food quality and safety. There are demgraphics where people are more educated and more concerned, and Palo Alto is certainly one of those areas.”

BOB BLANCHARD, Old Creek Ranch

EVAN HELLER, Bounty of the Valley

“Most sales have dropped 30 to 50 percent because of the recession, but people still come for fresh food. It’s better than going to Safeway.”

“Farmers’ markets are growing more and more popular, but during the recession people spend a lot less money. More markets are being created.”

CHRISTIAN LARSON, Iacopi Farms

“I think the CSA’s [Community Supported Agriculture from local farms] have become a lot more popular because people are being educated about the food system.” DAVE HOSAKA, Camoda Farms

NATALIE KILMER, Capay Organic

“People are going towards the green movement. It seems that they might be more conscious of what they are buying.”

VERDE MAGAZINE

Norzin Collections 486 University Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94301 650.566.8424 Fine Jewelry Fashion Accessories Handicrafts

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Do you know

A look at Town and Country’s coming attraction Text by MIRA KHANNA and MAX COHEN Photography by MAX COHEN AND SARAH HENDERSON

es, it is causing inconvenient construction. And yes, it has been more than six months since it was supposed to arrive. But it’s better late than never. Paly students will receive an early holiday present on Dec. 4, when the new Trader Joe’s at Town and Country opens. Trader Joe’s expects to fill parking spaces as well as students’ stomachs, by providing low-priced food, and using its eco-friendly habits.

The New Location According to Chris Camburm, supervisor of the Menlo Park location, Town and Country is an ideal setting for the new store. “We decided to [open a location in Palo Alto] because a lot of the people that shop at Menlo Park live in Palo Alto, and it [the store] is really popular,” Camburm says. “People have been asking if we will open a store in Palo Alto, and Town and Country seemed like a really good place to do it.” In addition to adding a new location, Trader Joe’s has plans to make several new changes. Currently, Joe’s sells the majority of its produce prepackaged, wrapped in plastic. According to Camburm, the packaging was designed to offer customers a better price; however, because of its negative environmental impact, it is not popular. Trader Joe’s at Town and Country and its fellow stores now have new plans to mix things up.

BRING YOUR OWN BAG Trader Joe’s supports environmentally-conscious customers. “Now things are going to be changing,” Camburm says. “We are going to be getting many more loose [unpackaged] products, like peppers and tomatoes.” The store will still retain many of its currently prepackaged products; however it will now introduce more unpackaged produce.

begin the Bring Your Own Bag Campaign, which encourages Trader Joe’s customers to use their own, reusable bags. Everyone who participates automatically enters a raffle for free food or goodies. As in other Trader Joe’s stores around the country, BYOB will go into effect at the Trader Joe’s in Town and Country.

A Green Store

Trader Joe’s History

Trader Joe’s managers have made a commitment to be environmentally conscious. Trader Joe’s was the first store to

According to the Trader Joe’s Web site, Joe Coulombe opened the first Trader Joe’s in 1967. Born in 1930, Coulombe VERDE MAGAZINE

graduated from Stanford in 1954, Redwood High School senior and proceeded to work at Owl Rexall, a Talia Smith has been working at the drugstore chain. When Owl Rexall wanted Trader Joe’s in Larkspur for about two to expand, the store asked Coulombe if months, and is very satisfied with her he would start Pronto Markets. However, employment. because of competition with 7-11, “It’s tight,” Smith says, “The people Coulombe decided to redefine the normal there are really chill and it [Trader Joe’s] grocery store by providing customers with has really good food.” exotic foods at low costs, and by striving According to Smith, if you are under to eliminate the middleman and produce 18 you cannot work the register, and original foods. He opened the first Trader most of the work consists of bagging and Joe’s in Pasadena, Calif. Over the years, stocking shelves. This type of employee Trader Joe’s has ventured outside of is called a shipmate, and for them the California, and now has hundreds of dress code is extremely “lax.” On the locations nationwide. next level up are the managers, who all “Trader Joe’s has become a lot wear Hawaiian shirts, a Trader Joe’s more mainstream, and people like tradition. According to the Trader it because of the prices,” Camburm Joe’s Web site, “We [Trader Joe’s] says. “In this economy, people are traders on the culinary seas, know they can always get good searching the world over for prices here.” cool items to bring.” The popularity of Trader According to Smith, the Joe’s stores has been a problem best way to be hired at Trader for the chain’s competitors. In Joe’s is by keeping your January, it sued Trader John’s, hours flexible. She highly a grocery store opened in New recommends this job for high York by John Catsimatidis,CEO school students. of Gristedes Grocery Stores in “It’s a really good starter federal court. The charge was job because there’s not that an intellectual property rights much skill required,” Smith infringement, because Trader says. “Once you get into Joe’s believed that Trader LEMONADE SIGN it, then you can easily John’s was a duplicate of Joe’s Trader Joe’s features transfer to other Trader signature traits. Trader Joe’s this sign in its Los Altos Joe’s [stores] in college. It’s ended up winning the lawsuit. store, emphasizing its definitely a job for high Trader Joe’s has made organic products school students.” significant changes to its inventory in the past. It sold pantyhose Joe’s Pride up until 1978, according to their Web site. Also, in 1972, it introduced granola as its In most Trader Joe’s stores, the first original product. Five years later, Trader employees pride themselves on the Joe’s came out with its first organic private paintings and artwork hung in their label item: organic unfiltered apple juice. locations. The paintings tend to be of In addition, in 1997, Trader Joe’s adopted significant places or landmarks around a new policy in which it consistently the city that the Trader Joe’s store is in. introduces about 10 new items every week. The paintings are usually painted by “crew members who are also artists,” Trader Jobs Mochizuki says. Another quirk that some Trader Trader Joe’s could open up job Joe’s stores share is the daily llama opportunities for Paly students. hunt. According to Smith, each day, According to Allison Mochizuki, an employee hides a stuffed llama Trader Joe’s director of public relations, somewhere in the store. It is then up to the Trader Joe’s is an Equal Opportunity children to find the llama, and whoever Employer, meaning they consider all job finds it gets free candy. Mochizuki says applicants equally, whether or not they that the Town and Country Trader Joe’s are in high school. However, according to will be doing something similar for Mochizuki, it is too early to determine who children, but what animal it will be has will be working at the new store. not yet been determined. v 44

OCTOBER 2009

The Numbers The year Trader 1967 1967 Joe’s was founded. Trader Joe’s is scheduled to open on Dec.

4 4

5 Cents for the original 5 Trader Joe’s newsletter in the 1960s

The year Trader Joe’s stores stopped selling pantyhose

1978 1978

10 10 or more new items are

introduced to Trader Joe’s in a single week. A 14 oz. container of oatmeal cookies costs

$3.49 $3.49

130 calories in a Trader 130 Joe’s apple (the most calorie

filled fruit or vegetable sold)

Grams of fat or less qualify a product for being labeled “fat free”

.5 .5

26 26

States that have Trader Joe’s in them:

Trader Joe’s opening up across the street from Palo Alto High School

1 1

FEATURES GOING BENEATH THE SURFACE

FIGHTING THE BATTLE CHANGING THE SCALES FRESH OFF THE BOAT FINDING THE MIDDLE GROUND DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH TEXTBOOKS: HISTORY CLASS OR ANCIENT HISTORY?

46 48 50 52 54 56

PROFILE

Fighting the Battle District’s head nurse works to prevent the H1N1 virus Text by ALLY MESSICK Photography by ALLY MESSICK

DAY IN THE LIFE Lenoir works to teach prevention in the community

OCTOBER 2009

“

I woke up one morning, and I was super sore with a 106-degree fever; it felt like every bone in my body was broken,” Palo Alto High School Junior Osceola M. Ward says, while describing his recent experience with the H1N1 virus. “I went to the hospital and was tested and told that I had Swine Flu. My appetite was completely diminished and had to miss a lot of school.” Although news about the H1N1 virus has circulated the media for the past year, according to Charles Weiss, a public health specialist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, the situation may be about to become more serious. “In some communities, 5-10 percent of the population has already had H1N1 virus, and this is probably much higher in schools,” Weiss says. “If H1N1 hits a school, maybe something like 20-40 percent of the kids will get it,” Weiss says. According to the Santa Clara Public Health department, H1N1 is a new virus that is very contagious because people have little or no immunity against it. Most people who have been affected by the disease have been between 5 and 24 years of age, making Palo Alto students prime targets. “Schools are known to be "incubators" of the flu and many of the outbreaks of H1N1 flu this year started in schools and spread from them,” Weiss says. If swine flu breaks out at Paly, Linda Lenoir, head nurse of the Palo Alto Unified School District, will be at the forefront to stop the spreading of this virus. In many ways, the districts’ health team could not ask for a better guide than Lenoir, who has had an active role as head nurse for the last 15 years.

WORDS TO THE WISE New signs of warning on desplay in health office. Lenoir and Bay Area doctors encourage all students to get the H1N1 vacine. Also, students should be extra careful about spreading germs around campus.

Lenoir, in response to the recent pandemic, recently met with PAUSD staff to teach new protocols and procedures. Some protocols include keeping a child who exhibits flu symptoms at home for 24 hours and emphasizing general hygiene. Lenoir is a strong believer of prevention and has just started a project to encourage a “hand-washing and health practices” program at local elementary schools. “When it comes to H1N1 the most important issue is that Santa Clara health protocols and procedures are followed to a T,” Lenoir says. Janece Glaves, a Palo Alto High School senior, has worked with Lenoir to develop a community service project to teach elementary school students good sanitation habits. “Lenoir was really helpful in funding and helping my project,” Glaves says. “It is obvious through her work that Lenoir really cares about teaching prevention of disease in the community. She really believes that small changes [in the community] can make a difference.” Another key issue in the battle against H1N1 and other community health problems, is making sure as many students as possible have health insurance, which Lenoir has also been an advocate of. According to Carol Zengali, Lenoir’s supervisor, for years Lenoir has strongly encouraged health care programs to help families that cannot afford health care. Fortunately, Santa Clara County offers a program called Santa Clara Healthy kids, which provides health care for Bay Area children. The program, although extremely beneficial to district families, is not without flaws. Even if the families could fit the

multiple visits into their schedule, the general process of picking a healthcare option was usually not well explained by the providers, according to Linoir. “Many families did not know what plan would be best for them or what options they could qualify for,” Lenoir says. “But I did not have the means or the time to help every family. It was a major problem.” Fate intervened when Lenoir was approached by a member of a Stanford club called Spot that was looking for a community-service project to participate in. Lenoir thought that if students were trained on healthcare forms and procedures, they could then explain the process to

“If H1N1 hits a school, 20-40 percent of the kids could get it.” — Charles Weiss MD district families. Stanford students attended rigorous online and in class training to be qualified to assist families. Last year, the group of students counseled and registered more than 20 Palo Alto Unified School District families for health insurance. Graduating seniors who moved away from Stanford then went on to help other families in other districts. Instead of focusing on national issues

on health insurance, Lenoir would rather address issues in the community. Lenoir insists that citizens should utilize the schools more by bringing local clinics and community members together. “For example, if all students need the H1N1 vaccine and they are already all at school, it just seems practical to give them the vaccine here,” Lenoir says. “Schools need to be the place where education and prevention of disease need to start. Schools need to be the place where families and students feel safe to get the help that they need.” Weiss also encourages all students to get the vaccine. “I think all students should get the H1N1 vaccine. The highest attack rate of H1N1 in a study in Chicago was in kids 5-14 years old, and they are all students,” Weiss says. “Also, you can spread the H1N1 flu to others if you don't get the vaccine.” According to Weiss, the situation with H1N1 looks hopeful. “We've been lucky so far with this flu,” Weiss says. “Although it has spread really fast and hits certain people really hard, including a small number of totally healthy people, most people who get H1N1 do OK. What public health experts worry about is if the H1N1 virus develops a mutation or picks up a new gene that makes it harsher. But so far there has been no sign of that.” Lenoir encourages students to get vaccines and develop better sanitation habits to better protect themselves. Meanwhile, she continues to be an active and positive force in the community. “If ever there’s a need or issue, she’s [Lenoir] is there,” Zepecki says. “She will provide glasses, call a doctor, whatever they need to be successful.” v VERDE MAGAZINE

FEATURE

Changing the Scales Paly students express their thoughts on the grading policy changes for Analysis H and AP Chemistry

STUDYING IN THE MATH RESOURCE CENTER Chung, facing center, grades homework for Ms. Antink

Text by SONALI SASTRY Photography by SARAH HENDERSON

uring lunch, Palo Alto High School junior Tyralyn Tran sits in the Academic Resource Center with her Analysis H tutor going over the latest math homework. Discussing the math problems she had difficulty with the night before, she also makes sure she is ready for the upcoming test.Tran has been in the highest math lane for the past three years and she believes that Analysis H is the hardest one yet. However, this year, Palo Alto High School’s math department has made the choice to change Analysis’s curriculum 48

OCTOBER 2009

and textbook. The math department is not the only one to have made a change; the science department has changed the grading policy of AP Chemistry in order to make the class slightly less stressful. The curriculum, mainly based on lab work, will remain unchanged; however the change will result in an 80 percent being the minimum for an A, 60 percent for a B and 40 percent for a C. Yet students like Tran are still having difficulties with Analysis H and are forced to spend time outside of class relearning the material. “I worry because the homework is so much easier than the tests, and I have to

do a lot of review outside the homework,” Tran says. Tran still spends a large amount of time completing the Analysis H homework and also feels that it is stressful to complete. “I typically spend an hour to two and a half hours on nights when homework is assigned,” Tran says. “When I am doing Analysis homework, it is pretty stressful because of the time it consumes.” Kelli Hagen is teaching AP Chemistry for the first time at Paly this year and explains the reasoning behind the change in grading policy. “We were talking about how AP

“We are going to stay very focused on the Pre-Calculus material and not overreach BC Calculus. In that way the class should be more attainable than than it was in the past” — Suzanne Antink

Paly Analysis Teacher

[Chemistry] tended to be graded on a different scale than we had looked at so we wanted to reevaluate the scale and put it more in line with AP in general,” Hagen says. “The class isn’t AP chemistry. The class is college chemistry. That’s what the biggest difference is.” “It’s really hard to align [the class] with an AP class when it’s a college chemistry class because it’s actually a step above an AP class. We’re wanting to maintain the integrity of it being a college class although students are taking if for AP credit,” Hagen says. Students like Paly juniors Lucas Chan and Lillian Xie believe that the change is highly beneficial for students taking AP Chemistry. “The fact that the grades are curved by the factor the Chemistry teachers have explained to us really helps,” Chan says. “A lot of people say Paly’s college chemistry course is harder than [those of ] other schools. Since many people got C’s and B’s last year but almost everyone passed the AP test with a 4 or a 5, adding more of a curve definitely helps the general group of students.” Chan is taking AP Chemistry mainly because of the challenge that is involved with the course and believes that the class has exceeded his expectations of the class. “[The class] really feels different than any other class I’m taking with regards to the testing and workload,” Chan says. I also heard that it is really representative of a college class and that some schools accept college chemistry credit from Paly.” Kaitlyn Tracy a Paly Senior, knew beforehand that the class was challenging and therefore made the choice to take it senior year. However, Tracy believes that the new grading policy is necessary to compensate for the challenge. “[Our teacher] told us that the average score on the AP Test for last year from her

class was [about] 4.8 out of 5, but the average GPA was around 2 something, so what she did this year makes a whole lot of sense,” Tracy says. However, the change associated with Analysis has not received as much enthusiasm as that for AP Chemistry. Unlike AP Chemistry, Analysis has changed its textbook and its curriculum, mainly in hopes of getting more students to reach and be successful in BC Calculus. Suzanne Antink, has been teaching at Paly for 25 years and has seen many changes in Analysis’s curriculum. “Analysis often goes through a metamorphosis,” Antink says. “In the past, we were looking to give students a basis in calculus beyond BC. We are going to stay very focused on the Pre-Calculus material and not overreach BC Calculus. In that way the class GREEN IS NEW Paly math teacher Ms. Antink should be more attainable than it proudly displays the new Analysis H textbook. was in the past.” Junior Michelle Chung, who months looking at [the book],” Antink says. took Analysis H last year, dislikes the fact “We thought that this would be a very nice that the class has been made easier. way for the kids to string everything that “Analysis is seen as one of the hardest they have learned together.” classes that is not an AP at Paly,” Chung However, Ramakrishnan does not says. “It’s really a shame they’re making it feel prepared for the tests from using the easier with a new textbook and everything. textbook. Analysis was very hard. Everyone knows “I don’t like the new textbook because this and everyone who’s been in the class it doesn’t prepare us much for the tests knows this.” at all,” Ramakrishnan says. “It’s hard to Divya Ramakrishnan, a junior currently prepare for tests because I feel I know that in Analysis, agrees. material in the textbook. I wish we had a “There is just more breathing space, textbook that has problems similar to the according to Mr. Toma,” Ramakrishnan ones on the test.” says. “I don’t like the new textbook because With the current changes in Analysis’s it doesn’t prepare us much for the tests at all. curriculum, students are still struggling to From what I’ve heard, IAC [Introduction maintain the grades they are happy with. toAnalysis/Calculus] seems to be having However, students like Chan believe that a much easier time with it. So I think we the change will help prepare Analysis H could use a tougher textbook with nicer students in the long run for BC Calculus. explanations” Meanwhile, students in AP Chemistry In contrast to Ramakrishnan, Chan, tend to love the change in grading policy also in Analysis, is among the students who and Hagen suggests that the students are see the new textbook as easy to read and already off to a good start. understandable. And according to Antink, “I have incredible students here” the math department at Gunn likes the Hagen says. “Students have been really well textbook because of the fact that it focuses prepared for Chemistry They seem to be more on functions doing well. They took a test today so we’ll “[Last year], we spent about four [have to] find out” v VERDE MAGAZINE

FEATURE

Fresh off the Boat Living with an immigrant parent. Text by MARGARET KADIFA Art and Photography by YELENA KASIANOVA

hen my dad first bread. Paly Junior Layla Moheimani, whose immigrated to the parents are Iranian, says, “I have bread and United States from feta cheese for breakfast.” More important Lebanon, he was 22. is the attitude that other cultures have He remembers the about food. When I first went to Lebanon, sheer size of the O’Hare parking lot— my relatives insisted that I eat constantly. If “It was the size of Lebanon!” — and that I stopped eating after my third helping, and fateful day when he and five friends ordered my aunt would look at me reproachfully six large deep-dish pizzas. They assumed and say, “You don’t like it?”— disregarding that pizza sizes in the United States were the idea that I might be full. Moheimani personal, just like in Lebanon. remembers how her camping trip with My dad’s stories and culture seep into Iranian family friends centered around every aspect of my life, which is not unusual meals. for a teenager in Silicon Valley. Many Palo “At breakfast, we’d migrate through Alto High School students have parents everyone’s cabin and get food,” Moheimani that immigrated to California in search of says “My friends would say ‘go to the that work. My life is different than those of many cabin, they have tea!’” other Paly students, due One of the biggest challenges to my dad’s heritage. of having immigrant parents is Take sports for applying for college. The general example. When my consensus among students I brother started little interviewed was that their parents league, my dad didn’t expected them to attend one know that three of the three schools they know strikes meant that the about: Stanford, Harvard or Yale. batter was out. For Besides the high expectations, his birthday, my mom the college application process is got him Baseball for a nightmare. Many immigrant Dummies. We laughed parents have never applied to when we gave it to him, school in the United States; but I think my Dad therefore they have no clue how knew that it wasn’t really to fill out an American college — JUNIOR COLIN application or take the SATs. a joke. When I asked junior Alina Tompert, Junior Colin Marchon, whose whose parents are parents are French and Irish, German, if they liked baseball, her response says, “My dad was like, ‘What’s this PSAT was simple, “No.” stuff I keep getting e-mailed about?’” Each culture has a unique food. Applying for a driver’s license is equally Because my dad is Lebanese, I grew up difficult, as many immigrant parents have eating falafel, dolmas, hummus and pita never applied for licenses in the United

“My dad was like, ‘What’s all this PSAT stuff I keep getting e-mailed about?’”

OCTOBER 2009

States. My dad learned how to drive in a country where there are no traffic lights, lanes or signs. Hence, he considers red lights “suggestions,” never signals before changing lanes, and ignores any highway road signs. Some of the funniest moments of my childhood took place in the car. My mom would let my dad drive, and after five minutes, nearly have a panic attack as my dad swerved around cars, going 80 mph where the speed limit was 60. I’m convinced that my dad would have failed my permit test. Even though I laugh at my dad’s silly moments adapting to certain American customs, moving to a new country can be very difficult. Paly parent Leda Krakirian, who is Armenian, talks about taking her daughters to the doctor and trying to use everyday expressions when she first moved to the U.S. “Phrases like, ‘running a low fever’ make no sense to non-native speakers,” Krakirian says. “Can you imagine bringing your child to the doctor and trying to explain what is wrong with them?” Despite all the inconveniences, having an immigrant parent has enhanced my childhood. I love the connection I have with another culture. I can travel to Lebanon and get a much more meaningful experience than a tourist. I get to talk to people who live there and understand what life is really like outside of the U.S. The more I travel to Lebanon, the more grateful I am that my dad moved here. Thanks to his sacrifices, I will always have job opportunities, will always be governed by a stable government, and will never have to endure civil war. v

FEATURE

Finding the Middle Ground Text by ALLISON CHANG and EMILY EFLAND Photography by SARAH HENDERSON

Foothill’s Middle College program provides a middle ground for former Paly students

GROWING POPULARITY Seventeen Paly students transferred to Middle College this year, almost double the amount from the previous year.

year ago, Marissa Post sat in her Palo Alto High School math class, wishing she were anywhere but there. She slouched her shoulders and put her head down on the desk, trying to make the scenery disappear. Now, Post recalls her sophomore year as though it were a bad dream. “I couldn’t see myself going back to Paly for two more years,” Post says. Post, now a junior, is one of the 17 Paly students this year who transferred to Middle College, a high school alternative program on the Foothill College campus. According to Paly guidance counselor Paige Johnson, the previous year only nine Paly students transferred. Middle College gives students in 11th and 12th grade a chance to complete high school graduation requirements by taking community college courses and high school courses concurrently, all at Foothill College. “Middle College would be preferable to 52

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students who want to be more independent and in a more mature environment,” says Chris Ortiz, a former Paly sophomore and current Middle College junior. Increasing numbers of Middle College transfers show that high school students are gravitating towards earlier independence. “Enrollment has increased for a number of reasons,” says Michael Wilson, the Middle College department chairman. “There is a national trend of increasing support for early college high school programs. Additionally, as the competitive pressure increases at the traditional high schools, students are looking for a smaller, more supportive experience that allows them more academic freedom.” The Middle College teachers themselves search for students who are not enriched by the high school experience. “We are targeting kids who are dissatisfied wih their high school experience but still have college aspirations,” says Tricia Langdon, an English and history teacher at

Foothill Middle College. “We get all kinds of students.” Although students in the Middle College program do not take Paly classes, they can participate in Paly sports, clubs, and dances as long as these activities do not interfere with their class schedule. They may also participate in all activities and sports that Foothill offers. Along with the new college setting, Middle College offers a plethora of classes unavailable to Paly students. Subjects range from anthropology to astronomy, and even dental hygiene. “I think it’s super beneficial to have such a diversity of classes,” says Natalie O’hara, a former Paly student and Middle College junior. “It lets us explore our interests and become more informed before we graduate.” Not only are students encouraged to explore different subject areas, but many Middle College students already know what areas of work they are looking into.

“Two years was enough of high school for me. I was ready to move on” — Middle College MARISSA POST

CAMPUS LIFE Foothill’s placid campus provides a safe haven for Middle College students. This awareness gives Middle College classes a mature feel. “A lot of times the kids that come here already have an idea of what they want to be and the reason they leave high school is that there isn’t a class at their level for their particular interest,” Post says. All Middle College classes can fulfill Paly’s credit requirements for graduation. According to the Middle College web site, one semester of college classes at Middle College is worth one year at Paly. In this respect, students earn credits more easily and move faster through the curriculum. Despite these advantages, with college classes come college workloads. “There is definitely more homework per course for the college courses,” Wilson says. “We rarely have students that take five or six courses because if you’re covering so much material in the college courses, you just don’t have the capacity.” Because Middle College students take fewer classes, they have shorter school days than Paly students, with fewer hours in class per week. “A typical Middle College student would be in class for about 20 hours per week,” Wilson says. “So that would be four hours a day, five days a week versus someone at Paly who’d take [classes] 25 to 35 hours a week.” Paly guidance counselors aid all Paly students who wish to transfer to Middle College. Once students transfer, counselors check in with Foothill Middle College staff to see how Paly students are dealing with the switch. “Teachers, staff, and the Guidance

Office absolutely think that the Middle College program is a great program for some of our students,” Johnson says. “We often suggest the program to individual students, and actively help students through the application process.” The Middle College program pays for all course fees, but students must pay for any supplemental fees each class requires. The Gates foundation, which funds new programs in many states, gave $10 million to California to start new programs. In addition, students need one teacher and one counselor recommendation from their previous high school and their high school transcript to apply. After that, students must take Foothill assessment tests in math and English. “Your scores on the math and English assessment tests determine the rigor of the courses you can sign up for,” Post says. “If you score low though, you can still take a high school level class at the college.” Apart from the two required English and history classes that juniors and seniors at Foothill Middle College must take each year, they are allowed 10 credits a semester of college classes. Although math is not a required class to graduate from the Middle College program, most Middle College students end up taking math to cover their high school graduation requirements. When students graduate, they receive a high school diploma from their home school. Although difficult, students can also receive an associates degree at the same time. The college application process may also prove easier for students who graduate

from Middle College. “If you do well at Middle College you can show them [colleges] your transcript and be like, ‘Look, this is how I perform at the college level work, and I’ve got two years of it under my belt,’ ” Middle College senior Nick Klein-Baer says. Middle College students often find themselves in college classes with students two to three years older than them. “If you are lucky, someone from the Middle College program will be in one of your college classes,” Post says. In most of her classes, Post remains the youngest. Students at Middle College also have the ability to choose their own schedules from the class times given. Classes occur in the morning, afternoon, and night, and can be arranged in endless formations. Class ratios of students to teachers average 29-to-1. Although this may seem large, the entire Middle College program consists of only 87 students. This gives the program a sense of community, with all of the advantages of school facilities. “The teachers see students as individuals rather than just numbers,” O’hara says. “Since the teachers work closely with the students throughout the year, they create a closer bond than they otherwise would at Paly.” Like many, Post has found a safe haven in the Foothill program. “I felt I had already gone through the typical high school experience,” Post says. “Two years was enough of high school for me. I was ready to move on to a different environment where I could have more focus.” v VERDE MAGAZINE

FEATURE

Don’t Stop ’til you get Enough Students learn life lessons at the National Senior Games Text by ASHA ALBUQUERQUE and AMANDA GROZIAK Art by YELENA KASIANOVA

hen Palo Alto High School junior Shireen Kaboli clutches her lacrosse stick and feels anxious about an upcoming game, she remembers meeting Willie Banks, a world-record holder of the triple jump. Kaboli met Banks while volunteering at the National Senior Games in August at Stanford. She remembers Banks’s motivation and the intensity on his face as he prepared for his event. As she reflects on Banks’s determination to continue competing and participating in athletics in spite of his age, Kaboli does not feel so nervous about her lacrosse game. Instead she feels excited and motivated to do the best she can. At the National Senior Games, the theme is not simply striving for victory but maintaining a healthy lifestyle through athletics for as long as one can. For the first time in the game’s 24-year-old history, the events took place from Aug. 1-15, to the joy of many Paly students, who gained a volunteering opportunity of a lifetime. The National Senior Games Association organized a wide variety of events such as swimming, basketball, tennis, track and field, cycling and volleyball. Paly student volunteers helped out with registration, scorekeeping and other duties. According to the National Senior Games Association, over 400 volunteers and 30,000 athletes congregated in Palo Alto for the Games. Kaboli, who volunteered at the triple and long jump events, was impressed with the fitness level of the senior athletes as she observed their agility and strength. 54

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broke world records in their events for their age groups. Woodside resident, John Novitsky, 54, received a gold and silver medal in cycling at the National Senior Games. The memory of his parents pushes him to the finish line. “Both my parents died from cancer,” Novitsky says. “Chances of cancer survival are better if you stay really fit and really lean. I suspect that I will get cancer because both my parents had it.” Novitsky finds motivation from sport stars such as Tiger Woods. He dreams of one day winning the cycling event at the World Senior Championships. “The top guys don’t stop; they just keep going,” Novitsky “It was amazing to watch [the senior comments. athletes] be able to do stuff better than me,” Kaboli believes that her volunteer Kaboli says. “They can do things better than experience will have life changing effects. most people our age.” After talking to the senior athletes, she is Kaboli remembers the awe she felt now strongly considering working with every time she watched an event. As a senior citizens as a possible career. volunteer, she was responsible for measuring “The seniors are so different from us the length of the long jump and and they know how triple jump events. She recalls her to make a joke out jaw dropping when she watched of [their mistakes],” Banks finish the triple jump in the Kaboli says. “They’re first event. so open and warm.” Paly junior Charles Lockner, Even months who kept score for basketball at after the Senior the games, was also astonished by Games took place, the fitness level and talent of the Kaboli knows that athletes. she will always JUNIOR SHIREEN “They were really into it,” remember her time KABOLI Locker says. “If I played against spent volunteering them, they would have kicked my and triple jumper butt.” Banks’s courage and determination. According to Kaboli, many of the “He had so much fun doing what athletes were previous Olympians and he loved,” Kaboli says. “I now know that continued training after their Olympic you should never let age stop you from glory. Several of the athletes at the Games following your dream.” v

“You should never let age stop you from following your dream.” —

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FEATURE

Textbooks: History Class or Ancient History? California schools are increasingly using digital textbooks in place of traditional ones Text by SARAH JACOBS Art by SARAH HENDERSON

alo Alto High School junior Michelle Chung leaves seventh period Chinese five AP and walks along Embarcadero road toward her home almost two miles away. The backpack she lugs along with her is laden with four heavy textbooks; one each for BC calculus, AP U.S. history, Chinese five AP and AP Biology. Chung, however, along with the rest of Paly students, may not be using mid-15th century technology much longer; California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced a plan this summer to bring digital textbooks to students across the state. The initiative will exponentially increase the use of digital textbooks in nearly all California public schools, including Paly. A growing number of Paly classes use them to supplement or even replace more traditional sources of information. In a time when students are already getting so much of their information online, on web sites such as iTunes, Facebook, and Google, some schools are beginning to see the advantages of bringing school and the Internet together. Add that to the multimedia options available online like interactive games, quizzes and photos, and throw in the lower price tag, and the combination is practically enough to make the governor and schools alike drool. Instead of buying expensive hardcover textbooks, schools could set up online textbooks for their students that could be reached by a computer, kindle, or smartphone. The students are generally given a password to allow them access to the right website. Using digital textbooks in the place of 56

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traditional textbooks could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars each year, according to Schwarzenegger — millions of dollars that California cannot afford not to save right now. With the state in billions of dollars of debt, Schwarzenegger was eager to

“A [traditional textbook] is completely linear, very flat, verses the possibility of a media-rich, interconnected web of content. It’s an exciting potential. It is one thing to read about Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, and another thing entirely to hear it and see it.” - DANA TOM cut a little out of the state’s annual expenses. Maybe “a little” isn’t quite the right term; the state earmarked $350 million last year for school books, according to Schwarzenegger’s website. The average cost of a textbook is about $100, so a digital textbook that is half that price, or even free, sounds pretty attractive. The governor launched the initiative

in May of this year, and it appears to be moving fast and gaining momentum. Over the summer, a company called California Learning Resource Network, an organization that examines online resources and compares them to California learning standards, reviewed 16 science and math digital textbooks and found that 10 of them met state standards for content. Schools across the state and even the country have begun to change. Some colleges, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are already using digital textbooks almost exclusively. A few Paly classes have started using them too. Social studies teacher Steve Sabbag has had success using an online textbook for his sophomore government class. Sabbag says he likes using digital textbooks overall, but there are significant issues associated with them. “About 25 percent of the students had some sort of problem with them,” Sabbag says. Some students had faulty internet connections, trouble with the log-on process, or did not have access to computers at home. On the other hand, he says it was a significant advantage to be able to project the textbook on a projector during class time, and he thinks the online quizzes and activities have potential to be very effective. “We don’t want to be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for outdated textbooks,” Sabbag says. “It [digital textbooks] outweighs all the negatives; it’s the way of the future.” Julia Howard, a Paly junior, was in Sabbag’s government class last year. She liked being able to print out individual sections of the textbook and carry them around with her, rather than carrying the whole textbook, and she appreciated that she could highlight

Norzin Collections 486 University Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94301 650.566.8424 Fine Jewelry Fashion Accessories Handicrafts

TIME FOR A CHANGE California public schools are beginning to turn from traditional sources of information to digital textbooks.

rather than carrying the whole textbook, and she appreciated that she could highlight and take notes on these printed pages. “There are some things I really like about having the textbook online, but overall I think I prefer the real textbook,” Howard says. She says it’s easier to take notes from a real textbook. Digital textbooks are expected to make up 10 to 15 percent of textbook and course materials sales by 2012, according to the National Association of College Stores. This will likely have a significant impact on companies that currently sell textbooks, but it is, as yet, unclear whether these changes in demand will bring textbook companies new business or financial ruin. On the one hand, textbook companies that adapt quickly to the changing market may be able to make a profit: company Flat World already has digital textbooks available online. Students can purchase and download a whole textbook for $29.95, an individual chapter for $1.99, or the textbook with additional study materials and quizzes for $39.95. On the other hand, textbook companies may not be able to match competition from businesses or organizations that offer very cheap digital textbooks. The nonprofit organization CK-12 is a perfect example — it offers students free online resources called “Flexbooks.” Barbara Klausner, a member of the Palo Alto Board of Educations, says that digital 58

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textbooks have fantastic potential. “Anything that will provide good information, especially if it’s free, is fantastic,” Klausner says. Still, she has concerns about the reliability of the information. Because some digital textbooks are open-source, and can be altered by anyone, the facts are not necessarily correct. “The openness is both positive and negative,” Klausner says. “Hopefully the information has been vetted by someone who knows what they’re talking about. But as long as the information is correct, students can benefit from expertise from people all over the country.” Dana Tom, another Palo Alto Board of Education Member, also has mixed feelings. “The devil’s in the details,” Tom says. “A [traditional textbook] is completely linear, very flat, verses the possibility of a mediarich, interconnected web of content. It’s an exciting potential. It is one thing to read about Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, and another thing entirely to hear it and see it.” On the other hand, he worries that not all students would have equal access to computers. “We are charged with providing education to every single student,” Tom says. “It is essential that every student has the opportunity to access the material.” Students with families unable to provide

them with computers, smartphones, or Kindles would be at a disadvantage if the class material had to be accessed digitally. In addition, not all students are in favor of using digital textbooks exclusively. True, the digital textbooks would take a literal load off of students’ shoulders, but some say they prefer good, old-fashioned hardcover. Chung says that it’s easier to take notes from a traditional textbook, and she would choose to use them if she had the choice. “It’s really helpful online because it’s more accessible and easy to read, but I still prefer having a real textbook around,” Chung says. Paly junior Amelia Bell agrees, saying that she would rather have her own book than something electronic. “I have my own copy of ‘Pride and Prejudice,” Bell says. “It was the first copy I ever read and it has my name in the front cover; it’s completely mine.” Despite the kinks that remain to be worked out of the plan for California’s digital textbooks, the times are changing and California is changing with them to utilize this new technology with all its potential. “This represents an important step toward embracing a more interactive learning environment that leverages technology to meet the changing academic needs of California’s students,” Schwarzenegger says. v

CULTURE THINGS YOU CAN BRAG ABOUT KNOWING

HALLOWEEN HITS BOLLYWOOD BEATS HOLLYWOOD GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION IS...FUNNY? PHOTO ESSAY: SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES SWEET SHOP MERITS BITTER SWEEET REVIEW MALLTASTIC MALL FOOD

60 61 62 64 66 68

AH! Halloween is the perfect time to bring out the traditional zombie thrillers. See pg. 60 for ideas. Art by HARRY NORDLINGER

CULTURE

Halloween Hits: Four Great Zombie Films Text by MAX COHEN and HARRY NORDLINGER Art by HARRY NORDLINGER

his Halloween, instead of trick-or-treating, try renting a zombie movie, a sub-genre that has been terrifying, traumatizing and entertaining audiences for almost 100 years. Zombie films have been popular since Edison’s Frankenstein (1910). The zombie genre started off in a completely different direction from the way we now see it, with the Bela Lugosi film White Zombie (Victor Halperin, 1932), which followed the traditional voodoo zombie mythology, which in no way involves cannibalism, infection or other aspects of the zombie ideal we are now familiar with. Before 1968 all zombie movies used the voodoo or Frankenstein principle, until a young film student named George A. Romero revolutionized, and in “When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead shall walk the Earth” many people’s opinions, invented the zom— GEORGE A. ROMERO bie genre. Here’s Verde’s take on four of the greatest zombie movies of all time.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

In 1968, Romero shot his first defining movie in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, using a black and white camera, amateur actors and chocolate syrup for blood. He created a masterpiece. Night of the Living Dead was a ground-breaking success. It utilized film and story elements never used before: a dreary ending, gory descriptions and visuals and, most taboo of all, the bloody death — and eventual “resurrection” — of a young child. It was also the first zombie movie in which the zombies were their own entity controlled only by their hunger, and not by revenge or a voodoo master. People were terrified and outraged by the film, and it was picketed as being “blasphemous.” Night of the Living Dead set the standard for what we now know as a zombie: stumbling, undead cannibals who infect anyone they bite. A remake of Night of the Living Dead was made in 1990, and, although it achieved success at the box office, it failed to capture important themes from the original. 60

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Dawn of the Dead (1978)

In 1978 the most controversial, violent and successful zombie movie to date was released. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead established itself as another revolutionary film in the horror genre. Although not initially successful in America, it became a smash hit in Italy and later went on to become a cult classic in the U.S. Considered by many to be the greatest horror movie of all time, Dawn of the Dead shocked and inspired a generation with its over-the-top and ultra-realistic gore, created by special effects wizard Tom Savini. Romero re-established the rules and parameters invented in Night of the Living Dead. The zombie rules were simple: there is a chemical released in the air and anyone who dies becomes a zombie: a slow, stumbling brain-dead cannibal driven only by hunger. If you are bitten by a zombie, you become infected and die, thus becoming a zombie. Most importantly, a zombie can only be killed by destroying its brain. These rules would be used in scores of movies to come.

28 Days Later (2002) The entire concept was re-imagined in 2002. A new, fast moving, and far more decomposed zombie would make the trend for the 21st century. From director Danny Boyle, who directed Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting, 28 Days Later follows the story of a man who wakes up in a hospital bed to find the world overtaken by the walking dead. He travels through a bleak, empty London searching for safety. An intriguing quality about the movie is the blockade that the survivors build and attempt to defend. And, anyone who does not mind watching someone’s thumbs push through another’s eye sockets should certainly rent 28 Days Later. 28 Weeks Later, the sequel, failed to achieve as much success as the original, but hopefully, the third movie, 28 Months Later, will recapture the same quality of the first of the series.

Land of the Dead (2005) Another George A. Romero film, Land of the Dead adds a unique element to the typical brain-eating zombie movie. Land of the Dead begins after the global zombie infection and apocalypse. Survivors live in a dystopia similar to those in movies such as Mad Max. However, instead of being a typical zombie movie where survivors join together to fight and defeat oncoming zombies, Land of the Dead introduces human conflict and dispute. This struggle between the survivors offers a new, interesting angle. Additionally, zombies are seen as more of a nuisance rather than a real threat. This movie also uncovers some revolutionary ideas such as fireworks as a distraction for the living dead and the terrifying fact that the zombies can learn and make reasonable decisions. Although a fun watch, Land of the Dead redefines the word “gore.” In fact, watching Land of the Dead is like having surgery; it is recommended that you do not eat 24 hours beforehand. v

Bollywood beats Hollywood Veera becomes Veer to play on India’s cricket team in the Hindi comedy Dil Bole Hadippa! Text by JESSICA MADEJ Photography courtesy of YASH RAJ FILMS

wasn’t sure what to expect when I entered the NAZ 8 Cinema in Fremont. My father and I decided to try something new and see Dil Bole Hadipppa, a Hindi film playing at the NAZ 8 cinema, whose Web site claims one can “enjoy Hollywood as well as Bollywood movies.” Unlike a chain theater, such as Century Cinemas 16, where popcorn, sodas, and 3-D advertisements are prominent, the NAZ 8 entrance is modest, with a large concession stand against the wall that sells Indian food. The black hall leading toward the screening room has stars lighting the way, some shining brightly while others are dim. Movie posters are tagged to the wall, overlapping each other, fighting for space to show off the next Bollywood film. The showing room itself is not large, seating about 150 people. Most of these people are Indian and dressed in cultural attire. Dil Bole Hadippa! (My heart says hooray!) is a film that does not fit into one genre. This film is partly a romantic-comedy, but the film also explores other themes, such as women’s rights and the power of social class structure. The heroine of this film is Veera, a country girl who works at her uncle’s theater, but dreams of being a “world-class batsman.” Only one thing stands between Veera and her dream of playing on India’s cricket team: a rule declaring that women are not allowed to play. Rohan (Shahid Kapoor) is a professional cricket player for

a county team in England, who comes back to India to coach the country’s team. Veera and Rohan are polar opposites and have to learn to get along in order to lead the team to victory. Hot pink, bright orange and yellowgreen stand out against a dry, green field and a blue sky; colors set the stage for the film. Color is used generously in clothing and props, adding liveliness to the scene. The only downside of this film is the scenery. Compared to American films, where the background and locations seem to be changing constantly, the scenery in this film seems to be fairly simple. Open fields, locker rooms, and a theater dominates this film. The film is partially about cricket, but I would have used other locations. Colors stand out, but so does music. Throughout this film there are plenty of catchy tunes and beats. One of these upbeat songs is called “Hadippa,” which roughly translated means hooray. This seems to be the theme song of the movie as the beat comes up often throughout the progression of the film. Most of the music is fast-paced except for Veera’s praying song. When Veera needs to focus on the game, she prays the Ik Onkar prayer, which is part of the Sikhism belief. This prayer is repeated many times throughout the film. I find this interesting because the plot would be fine without the prayer but the addition of it may show that religion is important to

Bollywood movies. Imagine what you would think of the movie She’s the Man if Amanda Bynes prayed before every soccer game. Of course this may just be how the Bollywood mindset differs from Hollywood’s. I always thought that the Hindu culture was modest, but this film seems to prove otherwise. Though there is no lip-locking in this film, plenty of skin is shown. Most of the female actresses in this film wear clothes that show off their bellies, similar to bikinis with long skirt bottoms. The men often wear v-necks, with the “v” ending in the middle of their chest. The women’s clothes especially stand out because the color of the cloth is always bright and eyecatching. Some of the jokes are lost through translation and some of the scenes in the film are a bit cheesy. But this film has the same effect as Singin’ in the Rain: you want to get up to dance and sing. The plot summary claims that “Dil Bole Hadippa is a celebration of the never-say-die spirit of India” and I cannot agree more. I absolutely love the way this film was directed and the way scenes could be intensified by something as simple as a camera’s angle. The overall mood of the film made me laugh and smile, especially when the characters break out dancing and singing. When I left the theater, the actors were dancing on the screen, and I was dancing my way out the door. v VERDE MAGAZINE

CULTURE

Government corruption is...

eave the popcorn behind before viewing In the Loop, a biting political satire out of Britain which, though full of laugh-out-loud moments, may leave the audience a little queasy by the end of the film. The film commences with the U.S. and British governments beginning to gear up for war with an unidentified Middle Eastern country. When the British minister of international development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), makes an offhand comment that “War is unforeseeable,” he is shoved into the center of a media controversy. Foster is transformed into a pawn in the fight both for and against the war in London as well as Washington, D.C., no longer a person but an object to be manipulated by various government officials. Looking at technical aspects, In The Loop maintains its momentum from beginning to end. The camerawork of director Armando Iannucci resembles that of a documentary, shaky at times without becoming distracting. This suits the dingy atmosphere of the film, whose main purpose appears to be presenting the inner-workings of government in as 62

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unromantic a light as possible. The insides of each building look more like doctors’ waiting rooms or average office cubicles than famous destinations like the United Nations or the U.S. Capitol Building. The various characters fit perfectly within this tainted reality. The war hawks conduct their shadowy business behind closed doors and doctor intelligence information from within a secret war committee, misleadingly named the Future Planning committee, while young aides maintain constant smiles as they viciously cut each other down in a desperate battle to further their own political careers. Even the principle doves of the film seem polluted, more concerned with political positioning and self-interests than actually maintaining peace, and press secretaries easily manipulate journalists into saying exactly what the government wants to be said. The heart of the film lies in the script. Sharp wit is present in each line of dialogue within a screenplay that puts other recent comedies to shame. One major highlight of the film is the character of Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi), the foul-mouthed Scottish communications chief who verbally abuses nearly every

funny? In the Loop serves up political commentary with a barrel full of laughs Text by RYAN FLANAGAN Art by YELENA KASIANOVA

member of the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s large ensemble cast. Tucker utters some of the most offensive, vulgar and completely hilarious lines ever written, with four-letter words sprinkled copiously throughout everything he says. British comedian Steve Coogan is also memorable as Paul Michaelson, a blue collar British man who attracts an excess of media attention for government inaction concerning his collapsing garden wall, in an episode reminiscent of Joe the Plumber. But even minor characters are given a chance to shine with a slew of brilliant oneliners that continue from the first minutes of the movie up until the credits. Some viewers could be troubled by the lack of a clear and cohesive plot and a story that can be difficult to follow, especially when confronted with an overload of characters with similar names and titles. But this layer of confusion allows In the Loop to provide the audience with an interesting commentary on the political process itself, because the characters are just as confused by the events surrounding them. The film does not specify any particular political party, implying that every politician operates in basically the same fashion regardless of varying agendas; the politicians are all self-

serving and unconcerned with the people they were elected to represent. This means that when the laughs die down, a vague sense of uneasiness sets in. The war will go on; people will die and yet it seems like very little will change in the lives of the people who began it. While the characters and situations are fictional, the plot maintains an eerie resemblance to events in 2003 that led up to the Iraq War the similarities hit a little too close to home. These parallels turn In the Loop into a film that every responsible American (or British, for that matter) citizen should watch. Through biting humor, the film holds up a mirror that flatters neither the government nor its citizens. The audience is left with the feeling that the manner in which governments operate must change, yet at the same time, the film makes it perfectly clear that people as a whole know very little about what actually goes on within the government and thus have little power to change anything. But even beyond its political agenda, In the Loop avoids becoming preachy or didactic by simply being really funny and enjoyable for everyone ranging from political activists to casual viewers. v VERDE MAGAZINE

PHOTO ESSAY

144th Annual Scottish Highland Games Hundreds converge for a day of kilts, pipes, birds of prey, and merriment

Text by SARAH HENDERSON Photography by SARAH HENDERSON

very Labor Day weekend, Scottish folk from around the Bay Area and beyond flock to the Alameda Country fairgrounds for the Annual Scottish Highland Games. This festival is on its 144th year and features several attractions including piping and drumming, athletic heavy events for men and women, Celtic heritage and Scottish country dancing, Highland dancing competition and performances, sheep dog trials, birds of prey demonstrations and exhibits, rugby and shinty, The Kilted Mile Race, and whisky tasting. The event is produced entirely by volunteers from the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. Far right: Keith Jones, drummer for the pipe band The Wicked Tinkers, looks out to the crowd. Middle right: The tartans of different Scottish clans hang outside of a tent with pins clipped onto them representing each family crest. Right: A sterling silver hair adornment as sold by a vendor.

OCTOBER 2009

(opposite page) Bottom left: Warren Patrick Casey of The Wicked Tinkers plays the bass drum . Bottom right: A close-up on the strap of a leather pouch for sale by a vendor. Top left (above): A young bagpipe player prepares for competition. Top left (below): Coins minted to show the currency used by the clans of early Scotland. Top right: Keith Jones of The Wicked Tinkers plays snare drum for a crowd of fans. Right: Horns for sale outside of a vendorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop.

VERDE MAGAZINE

Art by HARRY NORDLINGER

CULTURE

Sweet Shop merits bittersweet review The Sweet Shop’s offers a warm ambiance and unique treats

Text and Photography by SOPHIE CORNFIELD

ou cannot help but smile as Elementary School is one of its most Once I received attention and bought you walk into the Sweet Shop. winning attributes. Students regularly stop my candy, it became clear that The Sweet While the shop is quite small, at the Sweet Shop on their way home from Shop really is a grab bag. Select candies, good lighting makes the space school, making the shop a fun place to hang such as the fresh and chewy red licorice were feel open — perfect for the out between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on a school spot on, while others, such as the lack-luster, multitudes of families that nearly always fill day. boring frozen yogurt left me unsatisfied. the store. Children dart through the crowd While the staff is extremely friendly, Candy options ranged from the usual items, stuffing bags with candy while parents its ability to help customers is compromised such as Hershey’s kisses, to more unique capitulate and eventually succumb to their by the shortage of staff. Throughout the day, selections, such as dark chocolate covered children’s wild demands by indulging raisins and chocolate covered gummy them a bit. The décor is cheery and bears. The self-serve candy selection is whimsical, in a very understated way. moderately priced at $8.99 per pound, Tasteful touches such as delectable so tasting a bit of each of the various candy displays and adorable stands offerings is definitely feasible. filled with pre-packaged candies add The frozen yogurt, however, pales to the classy, yet childlike atmosphere in comparison to many other local of the shop. Froyo options. Both the vanilla and the The Sweet Shop has big shoes original tart were satisfactory at first to fill, as its location at 994 Los Altos bite, but the flavor lost its appeal after Avenue has been home to more than the first few spoonfuls. The spoons, five different family-owned candy while completely biodegradable and stores since 1940, according the Los made of cornstarch, tainted the flavor Altos Town Crier. However, the lot of the yogurt with through its bizarre remained vacant from 2004 to 2008, texture and faintly starchy smell. With after Jesse and Renee Cheng closed its bland taste, the yogurt’s $2.25 SWEET TREATS The sweet shop offers a variety of J&R Foodland. Stacy Sullivan, a price tag for a small portion makes it candies, both traditional and unconventional. patron of the 1960s Foodland, bought a questionable purchase. the lot in 2008 and recently opened it The pastries, decadent and as the Sweet Shop. appealing through their glass casing, As Forrest Gump wisely said, “Life the store remains quiet, but the moment the also disappointed. The beautiful cupcakes is like a box of chocolate. You never know local elementary school releases its students, were not worth the calories, as they tasted what you are going to get.” The same is true pandemonium ensues. On a weekday after more like a dry scone than like cake. of the Sweet Shop, which offers a wide 3 p.m., one can expect line for the cash Although it has yet to perfect all of variety of chocolates, gummies, ice creams register to stretch the entire length of the their treats, I highly recommend a visit to and cookies, some of which are excellent, store, However, one can be sure that the the Sweet Shop on the basis of its ambiance while others are sub-par. cheerful atmosphere and friendly staff and its culture alone. After all, who doesn’t The store’s proximity to Loyola more than compensates for the wait. love being a kid in a candy store? v VERDE MAGAZINE

CULTURE

Malltastic Mall Food

At Westfield Shopping Mall in San Francisco we traveled through a variety of restaurants to find the best of the best Text by NATALIE LIN and WHITNEY DRAZOVICH Photography by NATALIE LIN AND WHITNEY DRAZOVICH

LUNCHTIME Natalie and Whitney dining at Westfield shopping mall

SALAD Insalata Moto from Pasta Moto

all food has not always been the first on peoples’ “go-to dinner places”. When we usually think of mall food, we think saucy beef and broccoli from Panda Express, happy meals from McDonalds’, and gigantic slices of luke warm pizza that drench napkins in salty grease. Being connoisseurs of food and lovers of shopping, we decided that we deserved more than fast food restaurants; we were tired of the lack of healthy choices presented in malls. So, we took the train to Westfield shopping mall in San Francisco. This eating experience has not only given hope to shoppers in search of good quality food, but it has also shown Westfield shopping mall as a consideration for a quaint and appetizing meal. When we arrived at the mall’s food court, we were astounded by the quantity of restaurants presented. The spacious room was full of eateries that were far from chain restaurants and fast food. Plastic plates with metal utensils were served along with the food. After observing the wide variety of options, it was impossible to just eat at one restaurant, so we decided to try as many restaurants as possible.

Rating: B Price: $4.50

Insalata Moto from Pasta Moto This prolific salad with endives, radicchio, goat cheese, pears, walnuts, and raspberry vinaigrette was large for its price. A profusion of walnuts was scattered among its green leaves.The walnuts were not whole, but instead broken up into bite-sized pieces, each crunchy and sweet. The green pear was sliced paper-thin and was very dry. The dressing was too sweet, the raspberry flavor masked the tartness of the vinaigrette. The salad could be split between more than three people. 68

OCTOBER 2009

Tri-tip Steak from Buckhorn Grill Cooked medium well, the steak was unexpectedly juicy, and the slices came thick and big. The smoky flavor permeated our mouths. The consistency of the blackened crust was a bit chewy, but overall it was a great dish. Underneath the pieces of tri-tip lay a bed of thin fried onions, crunchy and sweet. The steak sauce that accompanied the dish was not needed. Rating: APrice: $7.95 Calamari from Catch Isle  As we waited for the calamari, we could see the chefs freshly frying the pieces of squid. When the calamari was done, it was a beautiful golden brown, still bubbling from the hot oil. Embellished with fresh lemon and crispy lettuce, the dish had a visual appeal. Fried green beans were dispersed throughout the dish as well. Although the appearance was mouth-watering, the calamari was soggy and limp. It was not crisp like the previous image of crunchy gold brown it had given us. The tartar sauce was thick, creamy and tasty. A deceiving dish, the calamari soley depended on the tartar sauce. It lacked the independant salty crunchy exterior. Rating: BPrice: $7.75 Turkey chili from Bristol Farms The chili came in a deep paper cup, filled to the brim. The chili

CALAMARI Fried calamari with tar tar sauce from Catch Isle

CREPE Strawberry and Nutella Crepe from Melt

was full of large pinto beans, ground turkey, celery, carrots and cubes of tomatoes. A melted mix of cheeses blanketed the top, giving the chili additional texture. However, despite its pleasing flavor and texture, the visual appearance was not appealing . When we purchased the chili, we were given bread for 99 cents. A forearm long, the bread bagautte was surprisingly chewy and thick, despite being wrapped in plastic for who knows how long. With full of tasty spice, the chili was hearty and satisfying. Rating: B+ Price: $3.75 Fried Rice and Cashew Chicken from Coriander Gourmet Thai The customer can choose to have rice or noodles with one, two or three other sides that range from various chicken dishes to spring rolls. We decided to get cashew chicken with fried rice. The dome of rice was dry and flavorless. When we first placed the rice into our mouths, it was luke warm and tasteless. The chewy chicken was slathered with a sweet sauce and there were a sparseness amount of soggy cashews diffused in the dish. This dish was not fresh, but stale and bland.

Thai Rating: C-â&#x20AC;¨ Price: $7.95â&#x20AC;¨ Tidal Wave Smoothie from Froots This sweet smoothie consists of strawberries, peaches, strawberry kiwi juice, and orange sherbert. The smoothie was refreshing, but lacked the taste of fruit. The consisty was lush, but overall it was a very average smoothie. Rating: B Price: $1.85 Strawberry and Nutella Crepe from Melt Finishing off our meal with a strawberry and nutella crepe was the perfect choice. The presentation was friendly and inviting, with chocolate sauce and powder sugar sprinkled on top. However, the whipped cream next to the triangular crepe was limp and melting, not fluffy and airy. The cream was somewhat watery, almost ruining the dish. But the chewy, thick consistency of the crepe was delicious, and paired with the profusion of fresh ripe strawberries and layers of melting nutella, the dish was truly a success. Rating: APrice: $6.95 v VERDE MAGAZINE

RYAN’S RULES

Could you PLEASE control yourselves? One student’s plea for an end to inappropriate on-campus PDA

Text by RYAN FLANAGAN Photography by SARAH HENDERSON

get it: teenagers have hormones. I’m a teenager, too. in watching a girl give her boyfriend a lap dance during lunch. So I understand that you and your boy/girlfriend have Enough said. an unbreakable bond that I could never hope to fully Do: Walk with your hands in each others’ back pockets This is an adorable twist on holding hands that offers a healthy comprehend. I understand that you are sorry that you can’t hang out this weekend because every second that you alternative to reformed butt-squeezers. Only one downside: this are not with your significant other, you feel like a piece of your can be difficult if someone is wearing tight jeans. Still, if you really soul has been forcibly ripped out. What the two of you have is feel the need to touch your significant other’s gluteus maximus, special. Fine. Even with my embittered, eternally single heart, I it’s worth a try. am willing to overlook these side effects of young love. It’s natural, Don’t: Grab, squeeze or slap your boy/girlfriends’ behinds on the walk to class it’s normal and it happens to everyone. Watching as someone reaches down and squeezes the butt of However, there is one thing that I cannot tolerate: inappropriate public displays of affection, aka PDA. I don’t care if a boy/girlfriend is like witnessing a bad car wreck: you really want that sounds like a quote out of the Paly Handbook; there’s nothing to take your eyes away but you can’t help looking. Just thinking about it makes me gag a bit. It looks more disgusting than walking to class trashy, so please keep your hands to and being confronted with two kids yourself. sucking each others’ faces off. There is Do: Hold hands a fine line between what is acceptable in This is classic and cute. It gives you public and what should be kept firmly some physical contact without going behind locked doors, but since this overboard and shows the world that concept appears too difficult for some you’re part of a couple without shoving members of the Paly population to the fact in other peoples’ faces. Holding understand, I’ve composed a collection hands has some negative connotations, of simple PDA do’s and don’ts. often mockingly associated with Do: Goodbye peck middle school relationships. But to Kissing in public is okay if you do me, holding hands displays a level of it the right way, like a quick kiss before restraint and maturity that other types class. A peck doesn’t need to be awkward of PDA don’t. and tight-lipped; just avoid exchanging Seriously? If bystanders are within arms Don’t: Engage in the “prom pose” too much saliva on the way. length, no kissing should be happening. walk Don’t: Eat each others’ tongues on the For people who don’t understand quad I honestly can’t believe this isn’t a given. Believe it or not, no what this is, allow me to explain. The classic prom photo pose one, and I mean no one, wants to watch you make out with your consists of a boy standing behind his date with both the boys’ boyfriend or girlfriend. No one. So do the world a favor, show and the girls’ hands clasped together in front of the girl. This is some class and keep your tongues inside your mouths where they unfortunate enough in pictures; brought to life, it’s completely inexcusable. You might feel cute doing it, but it looks plain belong. awkward, especially when backpacks are in the mix. Do: Sit on laps (but tread carefully) These are some basic guidelines, but the bottom line is this: Whether sitting on another person’s lap is allowable completely depends on the way you do it. If you tangle your arms the next time you feel like sucking your significant other’s face off together and use it as an excuse to grind up against each other, in school, check yourself. Shoving your relationship status into then sitting on laps is a big PDA don’t. But if you’re just sitting other people’s faces is flat out obnoxious. And do you really want your teachers to see you doing that? Think about it. Still want together, chilling and talking, you have my approval. Sit away. to engage in PDA? Fine. But be ready for some seriously dirty Don’t: Straddle your significant other. This is a high school, not a strip club, and nobody is interested looks from me. v 70

OCTOBER 2009

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