Verde Volume 13 Issue 5 by Verde Magazine

VERDE

THE SOCIAL NETWORKING ISSUE JUNE 2012 / VOLUME THIRTEEN / ISSUE 5

INDEX SHORT STUFF News Senior Section The Watch The Launch

7 20 36 71

COVER Slacktivism Instagram Facebook for Animals Tumblr

12 14 16 17

PROFILES Suzanne Antink David Rapaport

65 68

PERSPECTIVES Prom Review Online Shopping Special Snowflake Syndrome

26 30 78

Emily Hain

FEATURES Internet Radio Lying Deaf Culture Science Research Projects Animal Shelter Eating Disorders iPhone Games Parent Artists iPhone Apps

46 47 48 50 53 55 58 60 62

CULTURE Better Than Chipotle Odd Future WGKTA Asian Pop

33 34 42

Charu Srivastava

San Francisco is home to a variety of eccentric people. Find out about the best things to do in the city on (p. 38). Students pass a fire engine on the way back from a fire drill. Read more about fire drills for summer (p. 7).

EDITORIAL

round November of last year, Palo Alto Unified School District teachers, parents and even students were all talking about the newly approved SMART boards that would soon be installed throughout the school district. According to school board meeting notes, these boards had seen huge successes in district test classrooms and were seen as an easy way to advance teaching curriculum towards the digital age. However, as it stands, the SMART boards we currently have seem somewhat out of place and lack the basic functionality of traditional whiteboards, which most teachers opt to use instead. The lack of usage of the boards, in light of recent decreases in state funding, is a living testament to the seemingly misspent funds. This makes us wonder why the district would suggest adding more touchscreen devices, similar to the old SMART boards, before learning how to use the ones that we already have. The innovative boards could make it possible for teachers to seamlessly integrate video or other media, amd manipulate digital images into their lesson plans, making learning more interactive and more engaging for students. The boards that already hang in the economics classroom, room 310, are only being used for one class, history, but it would be interesting to see if they could be implemented in other classes as well. It seems as though educators and administrators have quietly resigned these expensive tools to failure. Rather than just

give up, however, we would like to see the district train teachers to use the boards effectively and encourage them to experiment with the new technology in their curriculum. These teaching instruments have received high praises from primary and secondary school teachers who successfully implemented the boards into their math and science courses. We believe that the SMART boards that we currently have, as well as the new ones to come, could work as well in the high school setting if given proper support and funding. We at Verde acknowledge the potential that these boards can have to make learning more engaging and we hope to see them integrated more effectively into daily class lessons, but we know that it will take significant commitment from the administration and staff to make this possible. In order to fully take advantage of the resources already available to teachers and the new technology that we are sure to see in future years, the administration must understand the need to not just make tools available to teachers, but to train them effectively to use them. We hope that the district genuinely tries to find a better way to use these boards before committing to buying any more. By this time next year, we want to see students who are excited to take advantage of these new educational resources and not confused about what these ‘fake’ whiteboards are doing gathering dust in their classroom.

THE COVER

THE STAFF

In this issue, we discuss the social networking phenomenon. The cover features the QR (quick read) code, a fairly recent development that represents the Internet’s further influence into our everyday lives. To find a story online, download a QR code reader on your smartphone and scan the code on the page. You should then be asked to visit the online location of the story itself.

Editors-in-chief Ana Carano Sharon Tseng Evelyn Wang Managing Editors Katy Abbott, Features & Profiles Spencer Carlson, Design Savannah Cordova, Perspectives Benjamin May, Tech Lisie Sabbag, The Launch & Media Melissa Wen, Culture News Editors Sharon Cohen Angela Xu Business Manager Elisa Rerolle Art Director Diana Connolly Photo Director Charu Srivastava

Photographer Haley Farmer Copy Editors Margot Richard Noam Shemtov Staff Writers Jamie Allendorf Camille Couchon Caroline Ebinger Hanako Gallagher Emily Hain Jessica Jin Emily Kellison-Linn Tin Nguyen Scott Kleckner Hollie Kool Maytal Mark Elizabeth Silva Henry Tucher Jacqueline Woo Allen Wu

@VERDEMAGAZINE

Charu Srivastava

FROM THE EDITORS W

ell, you know what they say about a guy with a tiny IPO. In light of Facebook’s recent forays into the dangerous terrains of matrimony and stocks, along with Kony 2012’s rather anticlimactic crash-and-burn, we felt the timing could not be better for the topic of social networking to pop back up onto Paly’s news feeds. While social networking has been an integral part of our teenage existence for quite some time, it’s our recent discovery of its abilities that has changed how we interact on these sites. In Verde’s social networking issue, Scott Kleckner’s “The Age of Slacktivism” (p. 12) delves into the mind of an armchair activist while “The Institute of Instagram” (p. 14), by Savannah Cordova, explores the shortcomings of the wildly popular Instagram app. We are also proud to announce the premiere of Katy Abbott’s column “Snark Attack” (p. 78), in which she criticizes the firstworld epidemic of “Special Snowflake Syndrome” that is so prevalent at Paly. On a more serious note, we delve into the recent controversy surrounding the Palo Alto animal shelter with “Save our Shelter” (p.53) by Emily Kellison-Linn. Finally, please welcome our new editorial staff, which includes a brand-new team of managing editors. As Verde’s proud new editors-in-chief, we also want to say that we could not have completed this issue without the help of the outgoing seniors. Thank you Class of 2012 for all of your wonderful work on Verde! As for our predecessors Emily Kellison-Linn, Scott Kleckner and Maytal Mark: you will be sorely missed and we pledge to uphold the extremely high standards you have set all year. We hope everyone enjoys the last issue of the 2011-2012 school year and has a great summer! — Ana, Sharon, & Evelyn

Publication Policy Verde, a feature magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Magazine Journalism class, is a designated 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. Letters to the Editors The staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to verde-eics-12-13@googlegroups. com or to 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301. All Verde stories are posted online and available for commenting at http://palyvoice.com/ verde. 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 manager Elisa Rerolle at 650-329-3837 for more information. Printing & Distribution Services Verde is printed five times a year in October, December, February, April, and May, by Fricke-Parks Press in Fremont, Calif. The Paly PTSA mails Verde to every student’s home. All Verde work is available at http:// palyvoice.com/verde.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS Charu Srivastava

JUNE 2012

Correction: In Thinking outside the (Asian) box, Asian Box is incorrectly referred to as an Asian fusion restaurant. It actually serves authentic Vietnamese street food. Verde regrets the error.

“Great article! I cannot believe that after hearing the full vision about where this project is (on unused, abandoned land behind Abilities United, where no one rides bikes,) and what this project stands for, that ANYONE in our community could say something negative towards it.” — Emily G, Magical Connection

“Fantastic journalism and thorough coverage about our playground project, thank you Jessica!” — Olenka Villarreal, Magical Connection

I’m somewhat displeased that you missed my point; perhaps I was ineffective in my attempt to convey it, so let me lay it down how I see it: I don’t believe that everyone who is diagnosed with ADHD actually has it. I believe that the reason why ADHD became an epidemic, as you say, is because drug manufacturers made it one... Because there is no definitive test for diagnosing ADHD and the drugs can be sold at such inflated prices, it’s the perfect cover for one of the largest drug deals in history... That’s why so many Paly students, and students across America are diagnosed with ADHD; I can get as many refills as I want, whenever I want, without any questions asked, and that’s why the people at [Palo Alto Medical Foundation] gave you false information about how my medication affects those without ADHD. I sell drugs because, when you look at the way they’re being regulated, it’s stupid not to. — Calvin (renamed), ADHD and me To submit your feedback, comment on a story at http://palyvoice.com/verde.

NEWS

THE LATEST AND GREATEST

Administration investigates false alarms safety,” Winston said. Normally, these alarms are an inconvenience, but they rarely make the news. That wasn’t the case for the alarm that sounded during the SAT on May 5 at Paly. “The fire alarm that cancelled the SAT was set off by a helium balloon that popped near a fire detector in the small gym,” Berkson said. Although the alarm on May 5 wasn’t a result of tampering, when students returned to Paly on May 19 to make-up their cancelled SAT, they were greeted by the sight of policemen stationed near the alarms. “The administration is hoping that students will do the right thing, be mature,

Spencer Schoeben

Palo Alto High School administrators are reviewing video footage of recent fire alarms to identify suspects, according to Principal Phil Winston. Within May alone, there have been four fire alarms, but no fires. “The fire alarms are often triggered by the smoke-detectors in the science building... not by people pulling them,” Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson said. Yet three of the recent fire alarms, on May 15, 23, and 24, were triggered manually. Pulling fire alarms without reason is a felony. “I’ll admit it’s an annoyance, but of course we can’t just turn the fire alarm system off because it’s important for student

Firefighters respond to Paly’s fire alarm on May 23. Paly’s administration is looking into the causes of this false alarm, as well as two others on May 15 and 24. and stop pulling the alarms,” Winston said.

text by henry tucher

Looking forward to familiar faces in Olympics

A Palo Alto High School sopho- Zhang said. “It started off for fun when Jacqueline Woo more table tennis chammy parents played socially, pion will be achieving her but as I enjoyed it, I began longtime dreams by comtaking private lessons.” peting at the 2012 LonOther recent accomdon Olympics this sumplishments for Zhang inmer on July 21. Another cludes becoming a 2012 sophomore has qualified US World Team junior girls for swimming Olympic member, 2011 US National trials. championship women fiLily Zhang, 15, nalist and 2011 Pan Am earned the spot of 2012 games women bronze. U.S. Olympic Team MemPlayers who have ber for table tennis back worked with Zhang are in April after beating a also impressed with her Lily Zhang (‘14), will Canadian player for the success. spot at the women’s final compete in the 2012 “I’ve known Lily since tournament, achieving Olympics second grade when I starther childhood dreams. ed playing,” Brian Chen “I started playing when I was seven,” said. “I never expected her to make the

Olympic team while in high school back then, but her 2012 ticket to London is inspiring.” According to Zhang, after the Olympics she hopes to keep on playing but will also need to balance her time for junior year. Another Paly sophomore, Andrew Liang, has qualified for Olympic trials for swimming. Trials will start June 25 and end July 1. Liang is excited for this new experience. “I’m looking forward to the experience and environment that trials will provide,” Liang said. “I can’t wait for it.” In order for Liang to make the team, he must place in the top two for his events at trials, or top six in the 100 or 200m freestyle for relays. text by jaqueline woo june 2012

[ NEWS ]

Student to compete in Physics Olympiad Tin Nguyen

Shawn Leonard, Yan’s AP Physics A Palo Alto High School student will compete as a finalist in the 2012 United teacher, acknowledges the tremendous effort and dediStates Physics cation that Yan Olympiad this shows towards June in College the subject. Park, Maryland. “I was very The Amerihappy for him can Association when I heard of Physics Teachthat he qualified,” ers selected juLeonard said. “To nior Jeffrey Yan be good at that from a pool of level, you have a p p ro x i m a t e l y to put in a lot 3,600 high school of work, and he students across the nation. Yan’s — AP Physics teacher SHAWN LEONARD does.” Out of the 20 scores qualified students particihim among the top 20 physics students in the country, earning him a spot in the pating in the finals, the top five will go to represent the US in the 43rd Internafinals. “I was pretty surprised because I tional Physics Olympiad in Estonia. text by tin nguyen didn’t think I did well,” Yan said.

“To be good at that level, you have to put in a lot of work, and he does.”

Board to spend over $1.3 million on new technology The Palo Alto Unified School District will use a $378 million bond to cover the cost of new electronics for the 2012-2013 school year. The school board plans to take approximately $1,368,239 from the bond, that had been voted on four years ago, for the new technology. “The bond only funds hardware that can be considered capital,” said Ann Dunkin, director of technology. “This includes primarily computers, handheld devices and printers. However, that is not an exhaustive list of what could be purchased with technology bond funds and other items

are considered when requested.” Money spent on technology has not decreased due to budget cuts because bond funds such as these are determined by voter authorization rather than the balance of the general budget fund that was recently cut back. “That means that the bond is a stable fund,” said Dunkin. “A certain amount is authorized and the district can issue bonds and spend money up to that amount. But, once it is gone, the voters must authorize another bond for the district to spend bond funds.” text by jamie allendorf

Jeffrey Yan (middle), works on a circuit board in physics. He will compete in the the 2012 United States Physics Olympiad this June.

Zero period class canceled Zero period AP Chemistry will not be offered next year, due to lack of sign ups. “Less than 10 students chose zero period chem,” head of the Science Department Michelle Steingart said. Students who signed up for the class will be moved to a regular AP chemistry class. Raphael Bargues, a sophomore who signed up for it was notified that it was cancelled. “I don’t really care that it was cancelled; it [doesn’t] really effect me,” Bargues said. The administration is still not sure if Paly will offer zero period AP Chemistry in the future.

text by margot richard

By the

NUMBERS

verde magazine

537,000

Number of likes Mark Zuckerberg’s dog, Beast, has on p. 16 Facebook

7.5

Miles in the Los Trancos Trail at Foothills Park p. 36-37

UC campus grades diversity California’s public schools are admitting more international and out of state students, to limit the influence of coming budget cuts. A document released by the University of California Regents showed an admit rate of around 51 percent and 53 percent for out-of-state and international students respectively in 2010. These statistics were magnified by 10 percent in the following year. Palo Alto High School senior Amy Ke, an incoming freshman at University of California Los Angeles, is excited about this change. “I think it’ll be good for the school to admit more out-of-state students because it’ll bring more diversity into the schools and make them more like private schools where you meet people from all over the country, as opposed to the state you’ve lived in all your life,” Ke said. Ke’s classmate, Toby Lee, disagrees, “The UCs will benefit themselves financially by charging for higher tuition,” Lee said. “The UC system is not taking the right approach at all.” In the future, the public California system is looking at an increase of more than 100 percent tuition money from out-of-state students, according to a report by US News. That money will go towards accounting for government budget cuts. text by noam shemtov

Charu Srivastava

The new archway and redesigned stadium complex are scheduled to open by the Fall 2012. New bleachers are being installed along with the snack shack. According to Winston, the construction is back on track despite minor setbacks.

Paly closes registration to incoming freshmen Palo Alto High School no longer accepts ninth grade registration for the 2012-2013 school year due to a large increase of incoming students. According to Paly principal Phil Winston, the campus has already reached the maximum number of students that can be fit into classes.

18%

Increase in eating disorders from 1999p. 55-57 2006

As a result, new students moving to Palo Alto this year will have to enroll at Henry M. Gunn High School. Paly expects 519 freshmen in the 2012-2013 school year, according to guidance counselor Susan Shultz. “The difference between Gunn and Paly’s freshmen class was about 100 in

33%

Amount of high school students who have an iPhone p. 62

our direction,” Winston said. In the last few years, the majority of new students have attended Gunn, but Paly has recently seen a surge in enrollment, according to Winston. According to Winston the administration will still maintain an average class size of 28.5 students. text by allen wu

Number of hours it took for Ms. Antink to get her tattoo p. 65-67 june 2012

Green Thumbs Up, Inc Fanny Obadia-Rubinov

designer/contractor Cal. License #949910

Specializing in custom designs and installations of modern and sustainable gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area. follow-up services provided to ensure your garden ďŹ&#x201A;ourishes over time

For a free consultation email greenthumbsupinc@gmail.com or call 650 575 3726

Verde congratulates the class of 2012

COVER THE AGE OF SLACKTIVISM THE INSTITUTE OF INSTAGRAM PETBOOK TOP TUMBLRS

12 14 16 17

Confused about the black and white patterned squares in each story? See page 4. photography courtesy of modcloth.tumblr.com

[ COVER ]

The age of slacktivism

New activists get stuck behind screens, not causes Text by SCOTT KLECKNER Art by DIANA CONNOLLY and BENJAMIN MAY

lack·tiv·ist — noun: A pejorative term for a person who shows support for various social causes through the use of low-effort tactics. Most often, this consists of signing an online petition (I’m looking at you Whitehouse. gov), updating a status on facebook (cough, KONY 2012), or tweeting, reblogging, posting, on whatever website in the name of “raising awareness” about an issue. Critics contend that these actions add up to nothing more than self-satisfying acts that do not result in substantive change, an accusation I agree with to a point. Like many others, I am tired of seeing Slacktivists post about some random flavor-of-the-week issue (“OMG, check out this Kony 2012 video! It’s totally worth 30 minutes of your time,” says your typical Kony Slacktivist) and then never speak about it again. However, one must appreciate the positive effect some of these movements have had when managed correctly. Now is not the time to give up on all armchair activists — instead, we should encourage

these movements and help guide them in the direction of responsible action. The good Let’s start with the positive effects of Slacktivist movements. When masses of Facebook-frenzied, Reddit-junkie types get up in a fury, there is little you can do to stop a message from getting out, which can be great if organized effectively. The movements to stop the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) bills last year are great examples of slacktivism done right. These bills, which together would have radically expanded the US government’s role in regulating online content (read: potential censorship and messing with our favorite online websites that host shared content; RIP Megavideo), were threats to Internet freedom and had to be killed with fire. While many people simply heard the message, posted an ironic or funny status and walked away, the sum of this collective action resulted in real change. Many people heard about the movement

to stop these bills from social media or their favorite websites, bringing the message to those that could make a difference. In this case, outrage was not limited to the 500 or so friends and casual acquaintances on Facebook, but emailed to representatives in Congress and the White House, who were responsible for the fate of the bills. The catalyst of this action were the messages posted on the Internet, but the real change came as many high-traffic websites like Google and Wikipedia (during college midterm weeks, mind you!) blacked-out to draw attention to the bills. When representatives saw the deluge of angry posts from potential voters, they were quick to dissociate themselves from the radioactive bill. As support withered in the House and Senate, both bills were as dead-asdisco. And all of this was accomplished by activists who were, in this instance, appropriately sitting at their desks! Sure, people could have marched, flooded the representatives’ mailboxes with letters and used more conventional protest

SOUND THE INTERNET ALARM Online cartoonist Psychipebbles posted a video online poking fun at a KONY 2012 supporter. Note: this reproduction is the product of our very own artist, Diana Connolly.

verde magazine

“For all its goodwill, Invisible Children’s KONY 2012 is dangerous propaganda, pure and simple.” – Journalist DAVID RIEFF in Foreign Policy Magazine

methods, but the quick response made the protest much more timely and effective. The message would not have reached nearly as many people if it had relied on traditional media outlets. The bad The collective outrage felt on the Internet was the catalyst needed to kill bills like SOPA and PIPA. But, generally, Slacktivists tend to have the attention spans of goldfish. Due diligence is a term usually used in the context of an investigation of a business contract, suggesting that a person should extensively review papers before signing the final document, but it applies nicely to this, so I’ll use it anyways. When deciding whether or not to call for the United States to commit forces to execute a renegade general in the heart of Africa, one should definitely do their homework. This is a lesson we all painfully learned last March (which in Internettime is years ago) with Invisible Children’s KONY 2012 campaign. The now-infamous KONY 2012 video embodies all that is wrong with slacktivism. For the original call to action, Invisible Children used social media sites to spread a misleading video that used heartstring-pulling footage to get viewers to spend money on items that were meant to “spread awareness”. The group relied on stories from before 2006 to justify sending US troops to Uganda without actually proving Joseph Kony was even there anymore. And that’s where the action stopped. Later, after the video went viral and gained over 80 million views on Youtube alone, we learned that only a small fraction of the donated money was actually going to help the people in Uganda and that Joseph Kony is now operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. So, although Slacktivists had good intentions, they completely failed to understand the reality of the issue. Unlike the SOPA and PIPA movements, KONY

2012 was an engineered controversy that misrepresented the issue in order to get a greater response. Many in the media were skeptical of Invisible Children, including several reporters from Foreign Policy magazine. FP magazine published articles saying, “Kony 2012 is dangerous propaganda, pure and simple,” and that ”[Invisible Children] manipulates facts for strategic purposes, exaggerating the scale of LRA abductions and murders and emphasizing the LRA’s use of innocent children as soldiers.” This article is just one example of the hundreds of well-researched articles available to Slacktivists that clearly illustrates the misinformation in the KONY 2012 video. So do your research! At least one Google-shotgun search before donating. Weekend-warrior activists were taken advantage of, plain and simple, and will continue to fall victim to these ‘raising awareness’ movements if they do not learn from their mistakes.

thing, TOMS Shoes’ online media campaigns grossly oversimplify the problems that these people face daily. Giving them shoes does not get at the root-cause of why they are poor in the first place. Also, giving away massive quantities of free shoes distorts local markets, potentially causing harm to their domestic economies. Movements, like TOMS shoes, FEED 100, Inspi(RED), and others, have their good aspects and their bad, but a little extra legwork (or mouse-work?) on the part of the company and the consumer would make these movements much more effective. Lyk muh status Although we might like to rag on Slacktivists and their inconsistent application of action, at the end of the day they are doing something, however small. I believe that with some extra organization, we can harness the collective laziness of a generation addicted to Facebook and Tumblr for good. So like that status, retweet that message and raise awareness about an issue that needs attention, but do not stop there! You can still email your representatives, donate money to trustworthy NGOs, and raise awareness on Facebook while wearing only your underwear! Trust me. Just one extra click adds up to a lot more when multiplied over the whole group. v

And the awkward More often than not, movements are actually not actively trying to do something malicious. Instead, they fall into a category of movements that try to do the right thing, but do so in a way that is ill-suited to the problem at hand and fail to make a significant difference. TOMS Shoes, a for-profit company based in Santa Monica, is an excellent example of this problem. The company launched a campaign which, according to their website, aims to provide a oneto-one transaction to supply shoes to people in poor countries. Essentially, buying a pair of fashion-friendly shoes in America results in a pair of shoes becoming available to someone else in need. An attractive idea, no? But even just donating a pair of shoes to someone has its OH EHM GEE These shoes totally match the pair I gave to drawbacks. For one some poor guy in Argentina! june 2012

[ COVER ]

The Institute of (and why I’m not an Insta-fan)

What makes us so susceptible to the temptations of a simple photo-editing app? Text by SAVANNAH CORDOVA Visuals by HANAKO GALLAGHER and HALEY FARMER

uestion: what do Instagram and vaguely pondering the loneliness of the human condition have in common? Answer: Both make you feel deep, despite the minimal amount of genuine effort required. Maybe it’s simply the idea of it that draws people in. Maybe it’s the lure of a free app, just a few clicks away via your

verde magazine

friendly neighborhood iTunes store. Maybe it’s that fancy, loopy font they use for their logo at the top of the screen (after all, Instagram is all about aesthetics). Whatever it is, though, I don’t really get it. Easy to use? Definitely. Recipe for a good time? Sure, if you’re the kind of person who gets enthusiastic about light exposure and color contrast. But given the level of its success and the fact that Facebook recently purchased the compa-

ny for a whopping $1 billion, Instagram seems like it should have some pretty cutting-edge features, or at least a more complex platform than “take a picture, then make it look artsier.” For those of you who are unfamiliar, Instagram accommodates more than 30 million people who are focusing, snapping, and filtering their ways to semifame on Instagram’s ever-changing photo feed. In some ways, the story of Instagram is a subtle metaphor for the American Dream: start at the bottom and work your way to the top (of the most commented-on photos, that is). With the help of the “Popular” feature, you can become a veritable Insta-god or Insta-goddess, if you play your cards right. And yet, most adequately tech-savvy people have been modifying their pictures since the dawn of iPhoto. What is it, then, that makes Instagram so popular? As the name of the app implies (Instagram, Instant-gram, not a particularly obscure portmanteau), you can whip out your phone and within minutes have a polished, bordered photograph that’s immediately available to post on your preferred social network. But that’s no excuse for the masses of people who use the app every day, plus the ever-expanding population of Instagrammia. After all, considering that there are only 16 filters and none of them have any kind of groundbreaking signature look, you’re bound to run into artistic boundaries at some point. Plenty of people seem perfectly content with Instagram’s

limitations, but not me. (Maybe if there were some kind of 3-D or colorchanging effect, I’d be more personally Insta-rested. Instagram also turns the peers that I once knew and liked a reasonable amount into pretentious faux-photographers whose primary claim to fame is a picture of a sandwich in eight million barely distinguishable colorations. If you’ve Instagrammed once or twice, even if you’ve used one as your profile picture, I withhold judgment, for I am guilty of the same offenses. But I draw the line at those insufferable people who post a different picture every half hour, who link to their accounts and follow everyone they know and eventually force you to block them out of exasperation. And until the app catches up with my expectations, I have to say that Instagram just isn’t that intriguing. I may have been something of an enthusiast in summer 2011, but I found out quickly that even if you’re only taking

a picture a day, the novelty wears off once you’ve tried out every effect. Soon, all the photos you’ve altered blend together in an unrelenting sepia-toned mass, and you can’t even shut your eyes without seeing the selection of filters, from X-Pro II to Lord Kelvin, swim before them. So if Instagram is anything more than a hobby for you, you might want to step back and re-evaluate some of your life decisions. Ask yourself how many hours per day you spend taking photos, because the only healthy and acceptable amount is less than one (unless you are indeed a professional photographer). For the most part, Instagram is a harmless timewaster. But it’s not unique, it’s not revolutionary, and it doesn’t automatically make you a trendy photographer — it just indicates to everyone that you know how to saturate your pictures, and I, for one, have seen enough saturation to last a lifetime. v

june 2012

[ COVER ]

Does your pet really need a Facebook? Text and Photo Illustrations by Sharon Cohen

acebook, it seems, has already penetrated every edge of this earth with its evil and addicting ways. The site is the most visited on the web: according to Facebook’s statistics in March , 901 million people and counting have already been sucked into this black hole of procrastination and regret. Most of us already use Facebook as an online storage unit: holding multitudes of photos, phone numbers, and notes on the social network. But of all the silly and unnecessary things that we fill our Facebooks with, making pages for your pets ranks high on the list. As if we all don’t spend enough of our precious hours scrolling through endless pictures of friends (or strangers),

new species have entered the Facebooksphere. Dogs, cats, rats, and other animals are apparently on a mission to destroy the last of our dwindling productivity. While I enjoy pictures of cats riding invisible motorcycles as much as any semisane person, as well articles such as “Every Picture of Ryan Gosling And His Dog on the Internet,” (There are 34) I do not like being forced into bringing your pet to world-stardom. According to an article published in The Telegraph, an online magazine based in the UK, in July 2011, one in ten pets have already joined the Facebook hype. Many of them are famous, too. Beast, Mark Zuckerberg’s dog, has 537,000 likes on Facebook. The United States census, for comparison, report-

Courtesy oftJJacki Seymour

“Dogs, cats, rats, and other animals are apparently on a mission to destroy the last of our dwindling productivity.” 16

verde magazine

ed that 64,403 were living in Palo Alto in 2010. Boo, dubbed “the cutest dog in the world,” and rightfully so, even has his own book, “The Life of The World’s Cutest Dog.” Through pictures, posts, and adorable videos, pet Facebook pages are draining the time we should be using to do other things. Pets have been a part of the social networking trend for quite some time, with dozens of social networking sites like http://www.doggyspace.com and http:// www.petster.com dedicated just to pets. The purpose of these websites, though, is to connect pet owners and their fluffy companions. If we want to limit the control Facebook has over our lives, even by a bit, ensuring that our pets do not have their own productivity killing pages is a good first step. v

[ COVER ]

toptumblrs Navigating the world of online microblogging Text by SAVANNAH CORDOVA and HANAKO GALLAGHER Visuals by HANAKO GALLAGHER and as credited

taking a tumbl: Chances are you’ve heard of Tumblr, a multimedia social networking and blogging site simultaneously home to stunning digital art, huge collections of photographs, thoughtful text posts, and much more. Its users range from celebrities like Aziz Ansari and Zooey Deschanel to people, like the blogger who runs foodonmydog, who are just trying to make the Internet a more entertaining place. Without these dedicated individuals — some of them attending our very own Palo Alto High School — Tumblr would become just another blogging wasteland, like the ill-fated sites of Xanga and LiveJournal. The complete artistic freedom of Tumblr coupled with its users’ passion for creating new content has made the site a tremendous success. Here is just a sampling of the blogs you can expect to find as you journey through the twists and turns of Tumblr.

humor: Tumblr includes a huge quantity of quirky, humorous blogs. 3eanuts, a strangely poignant blog created by 24-year-old Daniel Leonard, reveals the melancholy side of Charles Schultz’ classic comic Peanuts by omitting the last panel of each strip. Meanwhile, on simsgonewrong, players submit awkward glitches from the PC game Sims, effectively producing an assortment of screenshots chronicling its unfortunate malfunctions. Many other funny Tumblr pages are fairly self-explanatory: presidentialpickuplines (“John Hancock’s signature isn’t the only thing that’s big around here”) and onetinyhand, which has perhaps the simplest yet also one of the most amusing premises on Tumblr. Textsfromdog plays off of another successful (though debatably genuine) blog, textsfrombennett, by posting screenshots of a fictional conversation between a dog and his owner.

SIMSGONEWRONG This widely reblogged screenshot of a broken Sims game shows a male Sim attempting to write using the face of a kitten.

verde magazine

hi!

[ COVER ]

A number of celebrities have hopped onto the Tumblr bandwagon, from big stars like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel and Lady Gaga to YouTubers such as Julia Nunes and Bo Burnham. This platform allows personalities to advertise themselves, answer messages, and share interesting pictures or stories. Celebrities’ Tumblrs give visitors a sense of their personal interests, a contrast to what is offered by comparatively impersonal platforms like Facebook fan pages.

celebrities:

THINGSORGAN I Z E D N E AT LY Images like this (an unassembled bicycle arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner) exemplify the largely superficial nature of Tumblr.

Some bloggers devote themselves solely to the documentation and appreciation of beauty. Archiphile, thingsorganizedneatly, and white-vanilla are just a few examples of blogs with aesthetic themes, consisting of photos of ancient buildings and breathtaking sunsets as well as articles of clothing arranged by color (for those of us who appreciate the little things).

aesthetic:

HOLYCHEESEBURGERS These cheesecake cookies are just one of the many sumptuous concoctions that can be found on a Tumblr food blog.

Another unsurprisingly popular facet of Tumblr is its food blogs. Most are fairly to-the-point, composed of mouthwateringly high-resolution pictures of lasagna or strawberry cheesecake. The URLs for food-related blogs, like foodopia and fattiesdelight, tend to be very straightforward (a notable exception being the somewhat cryptically titled “poodforn”). For anyone in the process of becoming a master chef, food blogs are definitely the place to look for exemplary dishes. For the rest of us, they’re perfect to salivate over while we wait in agony for dinner, or just to view as a casual pastime.

food:

verde magazine

june 2012

Now that you’ve dipped your feet into the wealth of pictures, humor, fashion, and celebrity stalking Tumblr has to offer, you’re ready to explore it yourself! No matter what your interests, there are innumerable blogs geared toward every possible niche. So get to tumblin’! v

ready to go:

Finally we have the members of Tumblr who reside right here in Palo Alto, a selection of whom have agreed to comment on their respective experiences with Tumblr. Kayli DeBacker, a junior and Tumblr user since November 2010, says she got involved with the site after a friend told her about it. “She kept showing me funny posts on her dashboard,” DeBacker says, “It sounded fun.” Senior Brian Benton can’t recall the exact moment he first heard about Tumblr, but he was a fan of the blogging platform from the start. “Whenever there is a new website that a lot of people are talking about, you want to try it out, and Tumblr was one of the ones I tried that I actually liked,” Benton says. Their opinions on Tumblr may be similarly favorable, but DeBacker and Benton utilize the site very differently. While DeBacker has more than 10,000 followers (an achievement that makes her “Tumblr famous”), Benton says that he’s not particularly interested in rising to prominence on the website — he’s more enthusiastic about its accepting atmosphere. “For me, what sets Tumblr apart is just that it is more than words … on Tumblr you can post a music video and then a 500-word rant about the government and then a picture of Ryan Gosling with a cat and it’s perfectly normal,” Benton says.

Tumblr is a gathering place for trend-setters not only in the culinary arts but also in fashion. Vogue magazine maintains a tumblelog, sharing photos out of their magazine as well as behind-the-scenes shots from events and fashion shows. There are countless blogs dedicated to every possible clothing style, each reblogging content compiled from other blogs as well as posting self-created content. In addition to the professional, officiated blogs of Vogue and ModCloth, plenty of amateur designers generate content of their own. Some reblog from a variety of sources, some photograph their own style choices, and some do both. Simply skimming through Tumblr results of the tag “outfit of the day” will yield hundreds of unique ensembles, each one a potential inspiration to any budding fashionista.

MODCLOTH “We’re democratizing fashion one indie, vintage, & retro-inspired style at a time!“ exclaims the sidebar on the ModCloth tumblelog. Shown here is a fan of the site, posing in the Classic Stunner Dress along with a few accessories of her own.

paly:

fashion:

[ SENIOR SECTION ]

To Paly, with love Seniors share what they will miss most about school along with thoughtful parting advice and reflections

ear Fellow Seniors: The past four years of our lives will forever remain in our hearts. Here at Palo Alto High School, we have essentially been guinea pigs — from being victims of Freshmen Friday to lounging in new lawn chairs, we’ve experienced it all. We welcomed a new principal and spirit week advisor, adjusted to a new schedule and coped with major budget cuts. But judging by our actions and reactions, we’ve been pretty good guinea pigs. Good luck, Class of 2012, and may the odds be ever in your favor. Sincerely, Verde Seniors ULTIMATE FRISBEE Seniors enjoy a game of frisbee during their prep.

WORDS OF WISDOM

“Don’t party five days in a row. It’s a terrible idea.” — Andre Gouyet

“[Try] not to stress out that much and enjoy the second semester of your senior year. It is by far the best time of your life.” — Anjali Ahuja (with Arun Varma)

verde magazine

“I will miss sunny preps in blue lawn chairs and acting like a fool with my friends.” — Maddie Kau (left to right: Naomi Epstein, Maddie Kau, Sosi Lepejian, Katya Stukalova)

Compiled by CAROLINE EBINGER and CHARU SRIVASTAVA Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA Senior Section by CAROLINE EBINGER

WHAT WE’LL MISS... Lucas Brooks reads an article for a class. I will miss Mr. Bungarden.” — Daniel Shan

“[An] open campus... I really love Town and Country.” — Jennifer Lin (with AnaCena Zander)

june 2012

[ SENIOR SECTION ]

Surveyin’ the

Seniors W

onder what other seniors consider some of their most memorable Paly experiences? So did Verde, so we asked them questions to discover what the Class of 2012 will take away from their time at Paly.

How We’ve Changed Since Freshman Year “We have cleaner hair.” “We appreciate high school more.” “We’ve figured out how to optimize our time.” “We’ve stopped running to class.” “We can do stupid things faster.”

Final Confession “I kind of hypothetically had a crush on Mr. Friedland.” “I peed in the pool.” “I don’t think anyone noticed our freshmen class prank.” “I didn’t learn anything in AP English.”

Funniest In-Class Moment “Ms. Martin poking herself in the eye while trying to put a pencil behind her ear.” “When I hit the wiffle-ball into Mr. Friedland’s crotch.” “Getting my backpack put up in the ceiling every day of math class sophomore year.” “Kevin Kannappan’s justification for a proof: ‘All of the above knowledge’.”

Highlight of Paly “Senior year Spirit Week.” “Kennedy visiting APUSH.” “Streaking.”

Biggest News Event During Our Time at Paly “The Obama election and Prop 8.” “Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs dying.” “The Arab Spring.”

And for them, some

ADVICE V

erde asked recent Paly alums to share their knowledge about starting college. Consider this advice, seniors!

“College is a true character-building experience. Be prepared to be both inspired and humbled.” — Malini Veerappan, Paly Class of 2008, Duke University

“I think Paly prepares you well enough, so my advice is to make sure you enjoy your experience. All the work can make college seem terrible, so it’s important to take a breath and have some fun once in a while.” — Ben Brown, Paly Class of 2010, University of Michigan

“College is an intellectual journey. And freshmen across countries should treat it as such.” — Camille von Kaenel, Paly Class of 2011, University of Geneva, Switzerland

verde magazine

“I tried out for a capella at the beginning of the year and had no idea what I was doing and ... so I didn’t even get called back. But it showed me that I could put myself out there and gave me more guts to try other things! — Jacqueline Friduss, Paly Class of 2011, University of Chicago

And as for Verde seniors...

We will

Miss you!

Thanks so much for all of your fantastic work. We appreciate your support and dedication throughout your time on Verde. Stay â&#x20AC;&#x153;profresh!â&#x20AC;?

Caroline Ebinger

Elizabeth Silva & Camille Couchon

Jessica Jin

Tin Nguyen

Maytal Mark

Allen Wu

Scott Kleckner

Emily Kellison-Linn

june 2012

DRUM LESSONS

Roger Kidd 650.450.3469 rogkidd@gmail.com

Parents: You are the couple that wants a happy and healthy marriage after your nest is empty. Study now, before the test: www.connect2.us.com/couplesblog.html

Chandrama Anderson, MA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 650-575-2167

canderson@connect2.us.com www.connect2.us.com CA License #MFC45204

photo

photos by ELISA REROLLE

PERSPECTIVES Confused about the black and white patterned squares in each story? See page 4.

PROM SHOPPING

26 30

Prom

ppétit

Finally, a dance done right — almost Text and Photography by ELISA REROLLE Design by LISIE SABBAG

resses have returned from the drycleaners, tuxedos have been sent back, and corsage flowers have withered away in land fills or on girls’ shelves. Palo Alto High School’s 2012 Midnight-in-Paris-themed prom, held on April 28, has passed. Now only distant memories and unflattering Facebook photos remind us of the good, and often not so flattering, times past. But it’s a night worth remembering, preferably well, so let’s take a loooong look shall we? Starting from the very beginning. TRANSPORTATION After being told quite firmly to arrive at Paly at 5:30 p.m., we waited 45 minutes before even loading the buses. That’s 45 minutes in ridiculously high heels; for most ladies, the word shoes became synonymous with excruciating pain. Once loaded, we didn’t start for another 15 minutes, and because of the absence of air conditioning in the buses, we slowly began to swim in our own sweat.

verde verdemagazine magazine

Once in SF, we learned that we wouldn’t be allowed into the Design Center until 7:45 — another 20 minutes in hot buses. Organizing the transport of such a large group is such a challenge, especially when the group in question is comprised of excited students whose only thought is getting a prom picture with every single other person in attendance. But allowing students to board the buses earlier, hopefully some with better ventilation systems than this year’s buses, would give the girls a place to sit and rest their feet. Once prom was over and students began to board the buses for the ride home, it was discovered that one of the buses had broken down. A replacement bus was immediately requested, but it didn’t arrive until 1:45 a.m., an hour and 45 minutes after the end of prom. The Associated Student Body and the administration handled the situation well, principal Phil Winston waiting on the broken down bus and singing songs with the students, according to Student

P-day A view of the Paly prom dance floor from the fourth floor of the San Francisco Design Center (left.) Savannah Cordova getting ready for prom (far left, photo illustration.) Activities Director Matt Hall. To apologize for the wait, ASB reimbursed the full price of the prom ticket to the 24 students forced to wait. THE PLACE Stepping into the SF Design Center quite literally was like walking into a modern ballroom. With a large open dance floor on the ground floor and four levels of wrap-around balconies for tables and eating, the space rented out was simply spectacular. While the dance floor was a little small for a third of the Paly population bumpin’ and grindin’ it, the bar serving water and other (non-alcoholic) drinks was very conveniently placed near the parched dancers. The only downside of having such a large venue: having to climb four floors of stairs in 5-inch heels because the two elevators were quickly overrun. THE FOOD Served buffet style, the main course was disappointing, lacking diversity and

actual flavor. On the menu: salad, two types of pasta, bread, fries, and meat. The first three levels had their own buffet, but the fourth floor was forced to load plates on the buffet on the third floor, making the lines long and the service slow. The only redeeming quality: the desserts. A huge array of cakes and macaroons were fantastic, but the two (TWO!) chocolate fountains stole the culinary show. And judging by the large amount of white and milk chocolate drips around the tables, the dipped strawberries and marshmallows were clearly a favorite. THE MUSIC DJ Miguel Hightop did a solid job providing the event with music. He stuck to his motto of “trying to please everyone”, making the rounds during dinner before the dancing started to get song requests. We got a little Disney, some dubstep, and quite a few fast beats that got those booties boppin’. There was a comfortable number of slow songs, enough to satisfy

the many lovers without making the single people too uncomfortable. Highlight of the night: Winston rocking the stage with some sweet dance moves. Who knew Winston could stanky leg? OVERALL ASB got the most important part of prom right: the dance floor was packed the entire night. For those that don’t particularly enjoy swinging their hips, photo booths and card games were provided for distraction. While the location was magical, the food leaves much to be desired — a little more variety in the main course would go a long way. But most importantly, the organization of transportation to and from the location needs some smoothing out. The prom experience met the expectations — it wasn’t perfect, but it was just good enough. It had a little crazy, a lot of last minute, some stressful, and tons of memories to last the next 60 odd years of my life. I’m looking forward to next year — Prom 2: The Remake. v

june 2012

[ PHOTO ESSAY ]

Paly at sunset Although the sun has set at Palo Alto High School, the day is far from over. Text and Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

verde magazine

he daytime buzz comes to a lull as the sun sets behind the Tower Building. Bright orange and yellow streaks fill the sky, while little birds hop around the senior deck. As dusk approaches, Paly takes on a new character, becoming a center for adult school, sports, extracurricular activities and gorgeous sunsets. v LEFT: The sun streams through the Tower Building, casting long shadows as it sets. RIGHT: The Palo Alto Adult Soccer League players warm up before their Monday practice. BOTTOM RIGHT: The sun sets with vibrant hues behind the lacrosse field. BELOW: A Nor-Cal Lacrosse player runs to catch the ball during an evening game. BELOW LEFT: A Stanford Water Polo Club player shoots on her first day of practice. FAR LEFT: Senior Mark Nishimura and freshman Peter Nishimura share a sibling moment after their jazz ensemble concert in the Haymarket Theater.

june 2012

[ PERSPECTIVE ]

Just a click away Why shopping online is far better than shopping in person

“B

Text by HOLLIE KOOL Art by DIANA CONNOLLY

eing at Old Orchard Mall kind of reminded me of being home in Africa by the watering hole, when the animals are in heat,” Cady Heron, Lindsay Lohan’s character says in “Mean Girls.” Lindsay couldn’t have described it any better. The mall is an overwhelming and draining place that sucks all life from one’s soul. Leaving empty-handed from a crowded department store with overpriced clothing, a labyrinth of neverending racks, and pushy and irritating shoppers is a painful experience. For this reason, online shopping was invented: it allows us to be antisocial, helps us avoid confrontation with overly peppy dressing room workers, and simply eases the unfortunate part of life that is shopping for clothes. “I do all my shopping online,” says Paly sophomore and fashion blogger Vivian Laurence. “It’s so much easier than going into a store. Plus, there are some companies that don’t feature all of their items in their store, so looking online is a nice option because everything is posted and easy to find.” I highly recommend the expertise of the Internet and its rapidly improving technology. It makes shopping effortless, quick, varied, and cheap. A possible wardrobe just a few clicks away trumps entering a mall any day. “So much less hassle!” Laurence says.

verde magazine

The Pros

of Online Shopping Location, location, location The loud, claustrophobic atmosphere of a mall is overpowering after half an hour, making shopping intolerable. The benign shopping trip quickly takes a turn for the worse. Expect an immediate onset of crankiness at this time. A computer, however, can be used anywhere: at home, in your bed, at the library, in the car, or at a coffee shop, listening to whatever genre of music you choose instead of the cacophonous, remixed “music” played in department stores. There is no pressure from a salesperson over your shoulder asking if she can “start a room for you”. You do not have to worry about others judging your purchases or intentions. You are in the privacy of your own Wi-Fi. Convenience Not only is the ability to be anywhere while surfing on the Internet convenient, you can also shop at any time. You can’t go to Macy’s at midnight in search of some hip Sperrys the night before the first day of school. Also, availability is important. Instead of physically walking to store after store looking for a stylish sun hat with pockets, one can easily search for it on Google and get 166 results (I can assure you that a stylish sun hat with pockets won’t be at the nearest Nordstrom or Urban Outfitters). Quick, easy, and a wide selection — perfect for anyone with time constraints. Money Stores constantly have online stock-depleting sales to get rid of old season’s apparel, making bargains easy to find. Instead of paying $100 for a pair of shoes at Nordstrom’s, you can order them for $75 on eBay or Amazon to name a few. “When I’m online, I also tend to spend less money because I shop the Sale sections,” Laurence says. “Forever21 is probably the cheapest and they have a lot of good deals.”

Tips, tricks, and the future

The Cons

of Online Shopping Fit

The least convenient part of buying online is the fact that technology is not advanced enough for us all to have a Tupac-esque hologram to virtually try on clothes. Some energy is compromised deciding what size, width, or style to purchase and flatter your figure. It is extremely frustrating when something comes after a week of waiting and has to go right back in the mail because it looks like a Snuggy instead of a loose-flowing top. Time Despite the many styles of clothing offered online, the overall time to sift through it all may be greater than in a store. Although you might find a cheaper price online, going to a store can help you confirm decisions much faster. Plus, having to wait five to eight days for something is a downside, particularly with the increased risk of having to return the purchase if it does not meet expectations. Morality A moral issue with shopping online also comes into play. Many websites like Amazon, for example, get away with not charging sales tax on purchases. And yet, at real-life stores, a state sales tax is required. Even though this means a cheaper price for the customer, it also means that you are neglecting the local economy and smaller businesses. Consider this next time when ordering from Forever 21 website because of the huge sales and deals on the already cheap clothing. One more purchase online means one less for small local boutiques. Although it may take more time and money to shop at stores in your area it is beneficial to the community.

Save money The website Overstock provides a huge selection of items that are new, mainly from other businesses. The website partners with many large brand names and resells returned or excess merchandise usually for less money. Overstock offers high quality purchases at a reasonable and affordable price. Websites like Nextag compile hundreds of deals on an immense range of items from baby food to satin pajamas. It does all the price searching for the buyer, compares the cost of items from store to store, and presents the cheapest bargain. Morality and uniqueness If you still want to shop online while supporting small sellers, try sites like Etsy, which provides an excellent market for small businesses with unconventional and unique products. Future innovations Virtually trying on clothes at a store? On July 10 in San Diego, Cisco plans to debut its Cisco StyleMeâ&#x201E;˘ Virtual Fashion Mirror that allows a shopper to try on accessories and clothes virtually, called â&#x20AC;&#x153;mashoppingâ&#x20AC;? (store and web mash-up). Life-size touch-screen devices with store inventory will allow customers to rapidly view a variety of clothes on their computerized body. Shoppers will also have the ability to print and send outfits as well as share them through Facebook to get a second opinion prior to purchasing an item. v june 2012

CULTURE BETTER THAN CHIPOTLE OFWGKTA KOREAN POP TO THE TOP

THE WATCH

CAMPING IN CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO ADVENTURES PEARLS OF WISDOM

Confused about the black and white patterned squares in each story? See page 4.

33 34 42

36 38 41

Better than

Chipotle

Chipotle may be our closest source of cheap burritos, but it isn’t our only tasty option Text and Photos by MELISSA WEN Art by HANAKO GALLAGHER

’d like a taco. With steak. No, scratch that, carne asada. And shredded cheese, please, and guacamole. White cilantro rice. Just kidding, brown cilantro rice. Top that off with mild salsa — no, make it hot — and fresh sour cream. There. That’s perfect. The very fact that I could make that order illustrates my initial captivation with Chipotle. Considering the tasty choices and clean efficiency it offers, it’s no wonder that so many students turn to Chipotle as a quick cure to a Mexican food craving. But ingredients can only be combined in so many ways, and convenience can’t always replace authenticity. So I decided that it’s time to branch out. After embarking on a journey of the tastebuds, I’ve discovered a trio of new, tastier sources of Mexican food. It’s not you, Chipotle; it’s me: I’ve just realized I can do better.

2605 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94303

3636 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306

2078 Old Middlefield Way Mountain View, CA 94043

¿Cómo Está? welcomes customers as much as the name (which means “how are you?”) implies. Adorned with red pepper printed wallpaper, yellow tiles and a miniature bouquet of hot pink flowers on every table, its ambience suggests warm nights and fiestas held under the summer moonlight. The food has just as much vigor, and the menu offers more variety than that of Chipotle. A super taco ($4.85) provides lettuce, guacomole, sour cream, beans and meat, all fresh off the grill. The fish taco ($3.98) tickles tastebuds with its light zestiness, and the carnitas ($9.95) drip decadent grease with every bite. The homemade flan ($3.95) finishes off a meal well with a cool coat of sugar and cream. Other pluses are the outdoor tables and the open grill. The interior does get a little crowded, but I’d say the chance to sit amid wafts of steakscented smoke is worth sacrificing a little personal space.

Of the three restaraunts featured in this review, this taqueria provides the most comfortable atmosphere. Equipped with clean floors, bright lighting, and a few flashy Mexican signs, it welcomes a family meal and a healthy dose of loud conversation. Outwardly, El Grullense isn’t very different in style from Chipotle; however, its friendly pink exterior does nothing to suggest its foods full flavor potential. The red wet burrito ($7.75), for instance, is not for the faint hearted. Bathed in a blood-red sauce, it boasts hearty meat, the typical burrito adornments, and enough spice to leave you gasping for water. The enchilada plate ($9.99) provides the same caliber of flavor at a milder level. I have to warn you, though, that the chicken is so tender that your tongue might lose some muscle mass. The chips and side salads were nothing special, but the side of refried beans was excellent—exceptionally creamy, with just enough salt.

Tagged onto the back of a Mexican grocery store with a distinct prison cafeteria feel, La Costeña doesn’t win any points for ambience. It does, however, deliver a killer burrito. The restaurant’s tasty offerings range from simple fajita style beef to punchier carnitas, with plenty of beans, cheese, rice, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and other toppings to slop on as desired. The tomatoes taste just-off-the-vine fresh, the meat to rice to topping distribution is nearly perfect, and the cheese melts into the rest of the filling in a way I can only describe as delightful. Seating is available adjacent to the outside of the grocery store, but I’d suggest getting your food to-go, as the busy street nearby doesn’t make for the most pleasant outdoor eating experience. Also, it would be neglectful of me not to mention that $5.99 will buy you a burrito half the size of your head. Perfection in a tortilla for less than $6? Now that’s pow for your peso. v june 2012

[ CULTURE ]

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, a Los Angeles rap collective, gives universal nightmares a dope beat Text and Art by MARGOT RICHARD

oblin cries, black eyes, and tricky lies are all a part of our odd future — at least according to Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, a rap collective based in Los Angeles. Known for its wicked words and lighthearted chaos, Odd Future had its start in 2007 and instantly gained an underground following. Now this group is stepping into the mainstream with its first studio album, a worldwide tour, and a sketch comedy show. So prepare yourself, because the hounds have been released.

34verde magazine

involved in Tyler’s albums Bastard and Band hype The alternative hip-hop collective of Goblin. Left Brain, a record producer skateboard rats and pranksters identify and also a rapper, produces portions of themselves as “wolves”. The content be- nearly all of Odd Future’s releases. Frank hind the self-produced beats and videos Ocean, a singer and songwriter who has has caused considerable controversy due written for singers like John Legend and to references to violence and enthusiasm Beyoncé, joined Odd Future for its tour for rebellion. Odd Future is notorious for in May of 2011. The group is filled with vividly rapping about rape, murder, and sub-groups of other rappers like The Inself-destruction. Its lyrics, mostly writ- ternet and Mellow High, who work on ten by front man, Tyler the Creator, have their own projects along with the production of Odd Futhe ability to horrify yet inture. clude scholarly vocabulary. The original and random ilSick beats lustrations drawn by Tyler The latest album, also cause interest. Some Odd Future Vol. 2, was of the notable art include released in March of cats with lasers, unicorns, 2012. The album cardonuts, inverted crosses, ries the same energy and decorated sneakers, and camaraderie as to name a few. These reprevious works, but invented rappers are adthe constant wordmired by many for their — “Rella”, Odd Future play and clever referoriginality. ences to media and the band’s culture in Name the wolves The group includes 11 rappers, sing- the album’s lyrics make it stand out from ers, and non-musical members who all their previous work. The first single off hang out like rowdy brothers. Tyler the the album, “Rella”, featuring Hodgy Creator’s wild and unorthodox Beats, was released on the Internet 10 behavior follows the mantra months before the album’s official rethat has shaped the Odd lease. The video, produced by Left Brain, Future culture, which is involves violence, drugs, and a centaur “Kill People. Burn S---. dressed in drag. It is eerily playful but F--- School”, as stated lacks a sense of direction. The song cenin the song “Radi- ters around the group’s frustration with cal”. Hodgy Beats a “rella”, a girl who feels no shame and is a rapper and does crazy things. The band also expressproducer who got es its feelings with its new mainstream

“We just stand in the middle like hula hoops”

LURKING This picture illustrates an spooky scene that appears in the music video “She” by Tyler the Creator, the group’s frontman.

rs in an.

WORD VOMIT The drawings are a part of Odd Future merchandise that has grown in popularity.

status, “Under pressure, we just stand in the middle like hula hoops”, to say that they have arrived in the rap game and are in the middle of the hype. “Lean” spews out male hormonal rage with every verse. The song can sometimes have a clumsy beat and includes the group’s usual antics of provocative lyrics. The last song on the track, “Oldie”, features the group’s youngest rapper, Earl Sweatshirt, with more unknown members of Odd Future. The song is 10 minutes long and provides the major punch lines of the album. Overall, the music on the album reflects earlier Odd Future works, with lyrics and videos that could make you lose your lunch. The album is more hazy and hypnotic, so new listeners should also check out Odd Future’s previous work to

get a feel for its typical style. These menaces of the industry were previously overshadowed by overzealous personalities and shenanigans, but this album shows the mainstream what it have to offer. Swag out Odd Future’s appeal is like that of watching a horror movie or riding a roller coaster. That gut-wrenching feeling is addictive, intriguing and instinctively thrilling. You will be appalled when you listen to the lyrics that seem to have been thought up by a musically-gifted psychiatric patient. But there is beauty in a mental breakdown and this band is creating honest and raw art. In an oppressive society, Odd Future says to be whoever or whatever you want, even if it’s a unicorn. They

don’t try to scare, they just want to share the inner demons, violence and terror that lurk within us all. They work hard, push boundaries and refuse to compromise themselves. Whether you’re a fan or not, that’s admirable. The brotherhood demands your attention, and then laughs because they made you look. v

n i g n i p m

[ CULTURE ]

Local campsites provide fun ways to relax and explore the great outdoors Text and Art by JAMIE ALLENDORF Art by JAMIE ALLENDORF and HANAKO GALLAGHER

ummer vacation is a time to relax and forget all that we have learned over the past year, by enjoying the freedom of no work and no teachers. But as great as summer is, we’ve all gone through that lull, when all our friends are sunbathing on tropical islands while we’re at home watching “Iron Chef ” reruns. Well, there’s a simple, cheap way to get out of that slump and start enjoying summer again — going camping. That’s right, it’s time to get out of your pajamas and enjoy the great outdoors. Nature calls!

Francis Beach, Half Moon Bay Drive: 45 minutes Francis Beach, near a Half Moon Bay State Beach, is the perfect place to catch some sun and have a good time. There are 52 individual campgrounds, some for tent and others for RV camping, and the beach offers many recreational opportunities. You can ride the three-mile stretch of sandy beach from Roosevelt Beach to Francis Beach and Half Moon Bay State Beach on horseback. All horseback trips are accompanied by an experienced ranch hand to help those with little or no experience with horses. The trail starts at the horse stables and progresses slowly to the beach. When you finally reach the beach, you are able to roam along the shore and enjoy the view. In total, the round trip trek from the stables to the beach and back takes a total of two to three hours.

Foothills Park, Palo Alto Drive: 20 minutes Located a mere 20 minutes from Palo Alto High School, Foothills Park is the perfect place to set up camp. Towle Campgrounds are open seasonally from May 1 to Oct. 31 exclusively to Palo Alto residents and their guests. Eight campsites are located at the end of Wildhorse Valley, equipped with barbecues, picnic tables, water, a tent area, and even a food box. Friday and Saturday are often booked a couple months in advance, but campsites are usually available Sunday through Thursday a week beforehand. This quiet paradise not too far from home is a great place to relax and enjoy the many activities the park offers. Foothills holds 15 miles of hiking trails, the longest being the 7.5-mile-long Los Trancos Trail. If you don’t like hiking, the park also provides fishing and boating opportunities. However, you must have a fishing license if you do plan on fishing on Boronda Lake. Fishing at the lake is great for beginners and seasoned fisherman alike. It is extremely fun, even if you get a little dirty. Many species of fish such as red-eared sunfish and channel catfish, dwell in the shady shores of the lake and a lucky somebody may even catch a full grown bass. Canoes are available for rent on weekends and holidays when the campgrounds are open.

verde magazine

New Brighton State Beach, Capitola Drive: One hour New Brighton Campgrounds in Capitola, although far away, offers a serene atmosphere and calm beaches. There are around 110 campsites, all located less than a mile from the beach itself. Swimming is popular, but as always in Northern California, it can get a bit chilly, so be sure to pack warm clothes and even a wet suit if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re prone to cold. Several hiking trails lead from the campsite to the bluff and beach while others follow the cliffs that lead to a small town called Capitola by the Sea. These trails are great for ocean lovers. They provide impressive views and a chance to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, including sea lions and sea otters. The trek to the campsite, while longer, is well worth it. Capitola by the Sea is a wonderful beach side community that holds many fun shops and events throughout the summer. From June to August, the town offers free concerts on the beach at 6 p.m. that feature local bands. In September, the annual Capitola Begonia Festival, a two-weekend festival dedicated to flowers that starts Labor Day weekend begins. Gardeners donate their flowers to contest floats that eventually sail downstream to Soquel Creek, and festival goers can participate in a sand castle contest, the fishing derby, and row boat races.

Mount Madonna, Santa Clara County Drive: One hour and 15 minutes Mount Madonna is a wonderful summer campsite that offers unique camping opportunities. It is one of the few campgrounds that house alternative tent options like yurts. Yurts are pre built tents shaped like giant cylinders, with a sunroof on top. Yurts can hold six to 10 people depending on its size: 16-feet-diameter yurts cost $50 per night during the on-season and prices increase by $20 for every four feet in diameter. Each yurt is equipped with three to five bunk beds, but sleeping bags are still necessary. For those campers who dread the assembly aspect of tents, this is the perfect no mess, no stress solution for a little extra money. v june 2012

[ CULTURE ]

San Francisco adventures Native, entertaining and one-of-a-kind places to visit when in San Francisco on a budget Text by JACQUELINE WOO and EMILY HAIN Photography by JACQUELINE WOO and EMILY HAIN Art and Map Illustration by JACQUELINE WOO

urning off of the bumpy highway, the car leaves the sparkling bay view and is suddenly surrounded by tall, intimidating skyscrapers. People flock the streets and cars honk by, altogether creating a dissonance of noise. Yet despite the chaos, this is part of San Francisco’s charm that has attracted tourists from all over the globe. Although San Francisco is famous for its sightseeing locations including the Golden Gate Bridge and Ghirardelli Square, by this point, many Palo Altans have already visited these places. Here are places you won’t find in a tourist book that are unique, cheap, and emphasize the native San Francisco culture.

Twin Peaks Atop the hillsides of San Francisco is a small park where teens can drive up to visit. At night, you can see the skyline of San Francisco, with all the lights of the tall buildings of Downtown and the outline of the Golden Gate Bridge. Also a great spot to watch fireworks on July 4, this peaceful area is perfect to visit with your significant other or just a group of friends.

Shopping 38

verde magazine

HaightAshbury From thrift stores to vintage shops to boutiques, an abundance of unique shopping experiences can be explored in the Haight district. One-of-a-kind clothing and accessories can be found in stores like Buffalo Exchange (1555 Haight St.) and Wasteland (1660 Haight St.). The Haight is also a great place to sit in a cafe and enjoy a beverage while watching the people walk by.

North Beach

Sightseeing Food

For those who enjoy delicious Italian food, North Beach is a great area to visit. North Beach Pizza (1462 Grant Ave at Union St.) serves fabulous pizza along with pasta, salads and other entrees. To continue the Italian food experience, head over to Caffé Grecco (423 Columbus Ave) and enjoy a creamy cannoli. Relax in the spacious, bright sitting areas inside, or, if the weather is pleasant, venture outside and savor your tasty pastry or cup of coffee while watching the people stroll by.

Ja lot sh re in On Pu co th Ki St $8 ph fu ba th tu diff re ta co to

Purikura

Japantown is filled with lots of restaurants and shopping stores. Although restaurants are pricey, cheap shops include tricket shops and bookstores. One unique shop in Japantown is the Purikura store named Pika Pika, which contains photobooths and is located at the second floor of the Japan Center Kinokuniya Bldg. on 1581 Webster St. Although the cost ranges from $8.00 to $15.00, pricier than original photo machines used in Japan, the fun makes it worth it. You first choose backgrounds for the photobooths, and then, as the photo booth takes pictures, the people in the booth pose in different ways. Then the machine directs you to a station where you digitally decorate each photo with stamps, colors, and words. At the end, the photos print out as stickers.

Sushirrito

Firecrackers at Chinatown Chinatown is full of many little shops selling trinkets and firecrackers, as well as restaurants with an assortment of food. The main perk of these stores is that you can buy 4 sets of noise crackers for $1.00 (one store sells 5 sets for $1.00). These sound crackers are highly entertaining and portable â&#x20AC;&#x201D; just throwing them on the ground makes a loud firecracker noise.

The idea of sushi burritos was based on the vision of making sushi fast, fresh, affordable, and portable. In a unique fusion, this restaurant located at 59 New Montgomery St. provides sushi in a burrito style, all at a cheap cost in respect to its huge size. One popular dish there is the $9.00 Cali Loco â&#x20AC;&#x201D; similar to a California roll, this burrito includes surimi crab, fried cream cheese, shaved cabbage, avocado, green onions and cucumber.

june 2012

Real Estate Broker Your Trusted Advisor in Palo Alto Real Estate

2585 California Street Mountain View, Calif. 94040

“My Only Interest Is In Representing Yours!” (650) 269-7193 DRE # 01726700

bruce@whitson.biz www.whitson.biz

BRUCE WHITSON YOUR TRUSTED REAL ESTATE ADVISOR

650.269.7193 WWW.WHITSON.BIZ BWHITSON@APR.COM

[CULTURE ]

mid a colorful renaissance of synth-pop and leg warmers, pearl milk tea was born on the island of Taiwan. The mouthwatering specialty has its roots in the 1980s but has taken its place in the western world in recent years, not to mention become the wind beneath my thirsty sails. The drink, also known as “Boba” “Bubble Tea” or “Ball Juice,” traditionally contains tapioca pearls, which ride flavorful juice on their way up a thick straw. Today, many variations on these can be found. As the scrumptious trend continues to flourish, Boba is earning its place among a host of boutique delicacies such as the equally sensational frozen yogurt. With a plethora of pearl tea stores and stops popping up all around, taking on the title of Pearl Tea Connoisseur can be a daunting task, something I realized soon after assignment to this story. Lucky for you, though, you can feed your hobby-turned-addiction without hurling yourself fully into the hustle and bustle of the Boba world! You can thank me later. v

Pearls of wisdom Text and Art by NOAM SHEMTOV

Ingredients: • Store bought tapioca pearls • 2 cups of boiling water • 2 cups fruit juice/syrup/tea • Sugar • Milk or cream, amount will vary • ‑A velvet “shent” (shirt-tent) á la Ina Garten

Step 1: Boil pearls for five to 10 minutes.

•

Step 3: Fill around one sixth of a cup with delicious pearls and pour the hot liquid you have prepared over them.

Step 4: Invite some friends over to share in the pearl-tea madness (and clean up the mess).

Step2: Add the dairy and syrup to the boiling water, to your taste.

june 2012

[ CULTURE ]

KOREAN POP Flamboyant pop stars from Korea capture new fans from around the world with fast songs and crazy music videos Text by ALLEN WU Art by DIANA CONNOLLY

right lights flashed all across the crowded Shoreline Amphitheatre. The excited audience, filling the seats and spilling out onto the grassy slope behind them, chattered loudly above the techno music. When at last the doors opened for the first of the bands scheduled to perform that night, the fans erupted — Korean pop had arrived in the Bay Area. On May 21, Google hosted a massive Korean pop concert starring famous bands such as Wonder Girls, Super Junior, and Sistar. When free tickets were made available online, local fans responded with such enthusiasm that they crashed the site within minutes. Fortunately, several Palo Alto High School students managed to secure tickets amidst the mad scramble. “It was mind-blowing!” senior Justin Robinson says. “People got really into it and everyone was dancing. It was the best experience of my life. I must go to another one!” Korean pop, often abbreviated to simply “K-pop”, is a style of music emanating from South Korea. Songs are typically quick and energetic, blending chirpy voices with electronic instrumentals. Some of the most famous groups in-

verde magazine

clude 2EN1, Big Bang, and Girls’ Generation, also known as SNSD. Though the bands have not performed overseas very often, their music has achieved considerable fame on sites such as Youtube. The hallmarks of the genre are sexy stars and bizarre music videos. Multitudes of celebrities, both male and female, appeal to audiences worldwide regardless of cultural and linguistic differences. “It’s a very exciting and dynamic genre,” senior Benson Chen says. “K-pop is very popular in South Korea, and I think it is a defining feature of the country’s culture.” One does not need to understand Korean in order to be amazed by the sheer silliness of official music videos or the flashiness in live performances. Catchy tunes and the use of English words of phrases in songs further contribute toward the ease of enjoyment. Someone might understand only three or four words out of a song and find that line stuck in his or her head for the rest of the day. “I don’t really mind not knowing what the lyrics mean, which is one of the biggest complaints about K-pop, because the music is varied and interesting and is just so different from current Western music,” senior Ryan Oshima says. “Overall though, I feel like not understanding the language allows me to just appreciate the song as a whole instead of creating biases based on the meaning of the lyrics.”

As more students discover K-pop, they introduce their friends and set off a chain reaction of popularity that ripples through the community. “I was introduced to K-pop by Andrew Liu when he showed me SNSD. At first I was like, ‘Oh, just another bunch of Asian girls’ and I didn’t think it was that awesome,” senior Honora Ip says. “But later I started to watch them

BIG BANG is a prominent Korean pop group distinguished

by l

hed

TO THE TOP more on Youtube, and the more I watched the more I think they’re awesome. After I got addicted to that girl band, I started to explore other K-pop singers and groups.” Although many of the genre’s fans first experience the music through their friends, others stumble upon it independently online or in person. Students who

by loud outfits and louder hairstyles.

have lived in or visited Korea can to experience concerts firsthand more easily. “When I was in second grade I moved to Korea and was introduced to the music by my mom’s really good friend who works at a television company kind of like NBC and MTV put together,” junior Joshua Oh explains. “She got us into a lot of shows for free.” Like Ip, however, he did not always enjoy K-pop, losing interest when he moved back to the United States in fifth grade. “I started hating Korean music but that changed when I visited Korea a couple of years ago,” Oh says. “I think I got back into K-pop because I got tired of the profanity of pop here in America.” While popular Western songs frequently feature explicit ideas or renegade behavior, Korean lyrics are generally sillier, sometimes more bizarre, but rarely as racy. “What is also kind of refreshing about K-pop is that the songs don’t usually refer to drugs or sex at all,” Oshima says. Pretty faces and memorable lyrics are found in any country’s entertainment industry, but what truly distinguish the style from the rest are the music videos, many of which must be seen to be believed. There are certainly some odd videos of Western songs, but in general Americans and Europeans place more emphasis on the music itself than the accompanying video. In South Korea, however, substantially more time, money, and imagination are invested into choreographing and animating the finished products. “Hate You” is a song by the group 2EN1, with lyrics about a girl loving a boy before realizing that he is a jerk.

It’s a simple plot to follow, but not one that a viewer could possibly understand from the music video, a fully-animated short starring cartoon versions of the singers. Armed with guns and knives, they corner a wanted terrorist at a bar, starting a confrontation that is loaded with cinematic fighting and high-speed car chases. When shot through the chest, the terrorist transforms into a massive monster before she is defeated for good, as the song ends. Other videos are less cohesive in their chaos. “MAMA”, a collaborative song between two boy bands EXO-M and EXO-K, flashes from an animation about the origins of ancient life to hooded figures chanting to the moon. Clips of the boys’ dancing intermix with footage of their performing supernatural feats such as teleporting around instantly and leaving trails of fire behind them. “I like the movie-like intro, the smooth dance, the realistic computer effects, and the song,” Ip says. “I like the scene where the guy holds a sphere of water in his hands.” Near the end of the 20th century the Chinese identified a movement that came to be known as Hallyu, describing the rapid spread of South Korean culture around the world. Some predicted that the wave would die down after a couple of years, but to this day Korean entertainment, notably Korean pop, continues to grow internationally. The success of the Mountain View concert signifies a bright future for Kpop in America. “I think more people will accept Kpop and it will grow more popular,” Chen says. “There is always an aspect of ethnocentrism that makes cultures unwilling to accept music from other cultures, but I think this barrier will weaken as time progresses.” v june 2012

FEATURES WHERE DO YOU TUNE IN? THE LYING GAME HEART TO HEAR RISING CHANCES FOR RESEARCH SAVING OUR SHELTER NARROW MINDED IPLAY PAINTING & PARENTING WHAT APPS SHOULD YOU HAVE?

46 47 58 50 53 55 58 60 62

Confused about the patterned black and white squares in each story? See page 4. Photo by EMILY KELLISON-LINN

GOT SPOT? Better For Your Garments. Better For The Environment. Better For The Future.

Menlo Art Cleaners 824 Santa Cruz Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025 650-324-3606

TRIANGLE

ART STUDIO

• • • • • • •

Art College level lesson plans Studying various techniques in Drawing, Painting and Creation Prepare College Art Portfolio Pre- Art College Exercise Express student’s talent and develop their Aesthetic Summer Art Program available!

Contact bpcstudio@yahoo.com (415)-385-4268

[ FEATURES ]

Where do you tune in ? Verde’s groovy guide to the internet’s music players Text by CAMILLE COUCHON and ELIZABETH SILVA Art by CAMILLE COUCHON

It’s a rarity to still find an avid music listener who still solely relies on the classic FM radio. With advancements in technology, new ideas for sharing information have sprung up and with them new ways to share beats.

Pandora Pandora is an upgraded version of your handy radio that allows you to discover new music. It is an easy online based listening site. Just type in an artist or genre you wish to listen to and Pandora will provide you with related songs. It is perfect for listening to songs you wouldn’t have otherwise thought of and learning about the minds behind the tunes. Unfortunately, Pandora limits the amount of times you may skip displeasing songs and will stream the occasional advertisement unless you decide to upgrade to the premium versionof Pandora.

Turntable Here you shall find yourself continuously playing the role of a successful disc jockey. This music listening platform acts as an interactive forum where each person is offered the possibility of playing a song on a turntable and sharing their music. There are numerous users whose tastes range from ambient and dubstep to swing. Each dj takes turns playing songs according to a certain room’s genre or predetermined theme. It’s extremely simple to use and offers the possibility of changing your avatar and making him bob his little head to your favorite tunes. This website is great for sharing music with people who have similar interests as well as discovering music from up- and-coming djs.

Last.fm This website offers a huge music library and it even offers the possibility of recommending music. Last.fm enables you to search and discover new music as well as create playlists that you can later share. This website also informs you of the artists on tour, which is always a plus for concert junkies. The only con? You pay a small price for having access to such a large music library, in exchange for your easy listening, your musical choices and options are monitored and shared to record labels. Freedom just cannot be free.

verde magazine

Grooveshark If you’re surfing the web for some sweet grooves, here’s a good place to stop by and just listen in. Although it doesn’t offer much in terms of aiding in the discovery of new music, this online application has one of the most extensive catalogs available on the Internet. A great part of Grooveshark is that all of its advertisements are on the website instead of played in between songs. Sadly, this system is also one of the few that does not offer an application for your tablet.

Jamendo If you love finding music from artists before they make their big debut, Jamendo is the place for you. It operates on a “you contribute, you receive” sort of downloading system, though unlimited downloading is offered to those with a premium membership. Although Jamendo is more of a musician’s hub than anything else, it is still an interesting site to check out.

Spotify This application operates in a manner similar to both Pandora and iTunes. You have the option of either searching for groovy tracks on your own or listening to a variety of genre specific radio stations. Spotify is great for easy-to-name big artists but it is not the prime spot to go hunting for those new underground tunes that might tickle your curiosity. A practical aspect of this application is that you can easily connect and share the music you spotted and the playlists you created with your Facebook friends. It is magical since all you need to do is enter an artist’s name and it creates a “station” of all similar music. You can also create playlists. v

The use and abuse of lying lies at the center of society and relationships Text and Art by TIN NGUYEN

web of brightly colored wires crawls across the wooden circuit board, stretching clumsily from notch to notch like vines. At the end lies a single lightbulb, waiting eagerly to shine. Tom, a senior whose name has been changed to protect his identity, watches with bated breath as the last end is clipped into place. Nothing happens. The light bulb remains a dejected and dreary gray, and the multimeter reads zero. As the period’s end rapidly approaches, Tom and his group unanimously reach the same conclusion without debate: to forge data. With finals and an abundance of final projects arriving to threaten students towards the end of the school year, students resort to lying, both academic and social, in order to take some of the stress off of their shoulders. “It’s the easiest way to get credit for your classes,” Tom says. “It only increases my grade and improves my chances of getting into a good college.” Dishonesty in any setting has become so prevalent that many believe that it will never truly be eliminated.

What lies do you tell?

“Academic dishonesty is going to happen no matter what. It’s not something that teachers can prevent,” Palo Alto High School freshman Winston Wang says. “In the long run, it’s not going to help them [liars] anyway so we don’t have to do anything about it.” AP Psychology teachers Melinda Mattes and Christopher Farina believe that lying is necessary for society; while lying can be immoral, it has a proper time and place. “Pro-social lies are aimed at social cohesion and are important to maintain social harmony,” Mattes says. “They are the kind of lies you give to keep a social situation not awkward or to preserve a relationship. I don’t think it’s possible to function without pro-social lying.” Many students admit to resorting to pro-social lying for this purpose exactly. “If the truth happens to hurt the person intensely,” senior Richard Struck says, “then I think it’s OK to lie.” In addition to interpersonal interactions, Farina believes that lying is integral to intrapersonal relations as well. “There are definitely social advantages to lying,” Farina says. “It’s integral to the human experience.”

However, Farina states that students who lie are often more likely to continue lying. “The more you do it and get away with it, the more you’ll lie because of it’ll be reinforced,” Farina says. “People will come to trust you less and won’t entrust you with knowledge or responsibility.” In addition to facing implicit punishments for lying, many teachers feel that explicit punishment is necessary in order to discourage academic dishonesty. “If you’re caught cheating, you’ll have to face all of the consequences set out by the Academic Honesty Policy,” Japanese teacher Teruko Kamikihara says. However, Chinese teaher Janet Shyr states that, whether or not she knows if a student is lying, she will do anything she can to help a student in trouble. Shyr admits that students are struggling towards the end of the year but encourages them to ask for help instead of lying. “If I think a student might be lying, I talk to him or her and find out about the problem,” Shyr says. “I adjust my lesson so that there can be fair testing. I want my students to perform to the best of their ability and not to cheat.” v

I know what I’m I don’t have homework tonight. doing. – freshman ANNA ZHANG

– sophomore JOHN YOUNG june 2012

[ FEATURES ]

Heart to Hear

Hearing-impaired students find community, special services at Gunn High School Text by JESSICA JIN Art by HANAKO GALLAGHER

very morning, Gunn High School senior Yalda Shahrokhi wakes to silence in her Campbell home. No birds sing, no crickets chirp, no wind rustles the leaves. Shahrokhi, who is 99.5 percent deaf, hears virtually nothing without the use of her cochlear implant. Her family discovered her condition when they tried to get her attention as a child and found that she never responded, no matter how loudly they called. Although she lives about half an hour away from Palo Alto, Shahrokhi is educated in the Palo Alto Unified School District because of the special services offered here. The Deaf community, which views deafness as a variation in the human experience rather than a disability, holds that deaf people should embrace Deaf culture and communicate exclusively in sign language. (The “d” in “deaf” is capitalized to denote the culture as opposed to the audiological condition.) The PAUSD program for hearing-impaired students, created in the 1970s, takes a different approach. It promotes an oralaural education, teaching students to use spoken language and their remaining hearing to interact with others. “It’s really much more advantageous if they learn to communicate in the world with fellow hearing and speaking people,” program coordinator Sharon Yost says. “That way they can have more opportunities and voice their opinion.” Students in the program are mainstreamed into regular classes at Gunn, and spread evenly among the lanes. The program’s unique approach attracts stu-

verde magazine

“It’s really much more advantageous if they learn to communicate in the world with fellow hearing and speaking people.” . — Gunn Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program Coordinator SHARON YOST

dents from across the Bay Area, though enrollment has decreased in past years. According to Yost, the cochlear implant, a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to the deaf and hard-of hearing, was introduced in the 1970s. But its further development over the past few decades has led to a drop in enrollment in the PAUSD program as more hearing-impaired students choose to attend their neighborhood schools equipped by cochlear implants. At the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels, the program has now been eliminated – only the program at Gunn, which hosts an average of 12 students per year, remains. Nonetheless, Yost says that the program is here to stay, adding that the introduction of the cochlear implant, although game-changing, does not solve everything. “I believe there’s one flaw in the thinking of many, and that’s that the cochlear implant makes a deaf person a hearing person,” Yost says. The truth is far more complicated. Exposure to language during the first five years of life plays a critical role in language development. Because they do not hear language during this critical period,

deaf and hard-of hearing children may not reach the level of linguistic sophistication necessary to meet performance expectations at the high school level. In addition, even with current technological advances, the cochlear implant does not allow for perfect hearing. “By the time they get to high school, deaf or hard-of-hearing students] sometimes experience a drop in grades because they tend to be tested more on their mastery of the content and their synthesizing of ideas, and that’s where we come in,” Yost says. According to Yost, prior to high school, hearing-impaired students may have been able to make up for their challenges with hard work and persistence. But high school is a different story. To compensate, teacher aides at Gunn accompany students to class and volunteer to take notes for them. Teachers are also supplied with FM systems, small hand-held microphones that transmit the teacher’s voice to the student’s cochlear implant or hearing aid. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students also have extended time testing. Yost believes that their condition helps bring the deaf and hard-of-hearing

“Once you get into college most students are more open-minded, more accepting of your differences, so I feel like it got easier.”,” — Former Gunn hard-of-hearing student HELEN GIUO

COCHLEAR IMPLANT a graphic illustration of a girl sporting a cochlear implant community at Gunn closer together. “They have lots of friends in the hearing community, but I think ultimately most of the hearing-impaired find their closest social contacts among others in the hearing-impaired group of students at Gunn,” Yost says. Helen Guo, a hard-of-hearing student who is now a sophomore at UC Berkeley, agrees, adding that she found it difficult to make friends in the hearing community. “The hard of hearing and deaf community at Gunn is really close-knit, because we’ve known each other since pretty much elementary school, and when the new [hearing-impaired] students come in we’re more accepting of them,” Guo says. “At the same time when you try to go out and branch into the hearing community it’s a little bit difficult to break in.” According to Guo, she also sometimes felt isolated in high school as a result of her disability. “Don’t get me wrong – the note-takers are super cool and I love them, but sometimes they just stick out a little bit,” Guo says. Non-hearing-impairedstudents’ attitudes may have also contributed to her difficulties befriending them. “Hearing students – they’re cool and they’ll talk to you, but it’s not so easy to make friends with them,” Guo says. “They know you’re there, they’ll work with you, but it’s not like you’re close friends.” According to Shahrokhi, interac-

tions between hearing-impaired and non hearing-impaired students are facilitated by groups like the ASL club. “It is still difficult for me to make friends with non-deaf students., mostly because I’m shy,” Shahrokhi says. “However, since we have ASL club, many nondeaf girls want to learn ASL. So I’m still trying to make friends.” Finding their place After graduating from Gunn, many hearing-impaired students find their place at four-year universities. Recent graduates have gone on

to Rochester Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley, among others. Guo has found that the open, accepting culture of her college has alleviated some of the concerns she had when she she was younger about being different, and having difficulties adjusting to society and making friends. However, she still finds loud, stimulating environments difficult to cope with. “Once you get into college most students are more open-minded, more accepting of your differences, so I feel like it got easier,” Guo says. “But at the same time it’s really frustrating, especially what everyone is talking at once.” But Guo has learned to adjust to her advantages and disadvantages. She carefully watches people’s lips, so when she doesn’t catch their words by ear, she can make up for it by lip-reading. Shahrokhi remains overwhelmingly positive about her experience being deaf and the unique perspective it has given her. “If there is a miracle to find a cure for deaf people, then I refuse to have that cure,” Shahrokhi says. “I love being deaf and I cannot imagine being able to hear everything without my cochlear implant. I’m deaf and proud to be.” v june 2012

[ FEATURES ]

Rising chances for research

Science Research Projects course faces turning point as more mentors offer help to students Text, Art and Photography by EMILY HAIN

taring intensely at the multitude of gray wavy lines and miscellaneous numbers on her laptop screen, Palo Alto High School junior Yasna Haghdoost listens to conversations between strangers. She carefully studies the intensity of the people’s voices, then begins entering her observations onto charts and graphs.

Haghdoost is an intern at a linguistics lab in Stanford University’s Psychology Department researching spontaneous conversation. For the past 10 months, Haghdoost, along with about 25 other students, has worked with mentors to conduct high-end research through the Science Research Projects class offered at Palo Alto High School. This year, all but one student was able to find a mentor for the class, an improvement from previous years when up to a third of students enrolled in Science Research Projects had to drop out of the class due to a lack of mentors. The number of available mentors is increasing as technology helps students in their searches and as more local scientists reach out to high school students.

SPONTANEOUS CONVERSATION Yasna Haghdoost analyzes data from her research on dialogue between strangers. Unlike many other students, Haghdoost did not encounter much difficulty in finding a mentor.

verde magazine

The program Science Research Projects allows students to choose from an array of different research projects relating to various science fields including chemistry, psychology and environmental sciences. The program, now overseen by Paly Physics teacher Shawn Leonard, was started about 18 years ago by a group of Paly teachers including former Paly Biology teacher Lynn Hori. “There was a group of us...that really felt that this community was so rich and by being able to provide students with opportunities to be hands-on and in real life and stewardship, you give back to the community,” Hori says. By enrolling in the course, students participate in more rigorous lab research and learn more in-depth concepts than they would in a normal high school science course, preparing them for realworld research experiences. “It’s okay to do cookbook labs in Chemistry classes and Physics classes” Leonard says. “I give [cookbook labs] all the time and those are good teaching

Although Haghdoost was able to locate a mentor at the beginning of the year, she still encountered a few challenges in the process. “I did email some contacts who either weren’t willing to take on high school students for safety reasons or who Shortage of mentors Once students focus on an area of just didn’t have room for more people in interest, they then must search for a their projects, so there was definitely a lot of rejection mentor. Leonard asinvolved in the sists the students in process,” Haghfinding researchers doost says. to serve as mentors, She discovone of the greater ered her mentor challenges of the through a classprogram. Every mate who was year, Leonard must also researching regularly contact psychology for numerous researchScience Research ers himself to match Projects and had students up with a mentor willing advisors. In previto take on anothous years, Leonard’s er student. efforts were still not Paly parent enough; this year, Monica Nicolau, however, things bea mathematigan to change. cian, has men“Stanford is betored students coming very proacin mathematics tive in supporting for the past three high school science years. She enjoys education,” Leonard — Science Research Project overseer mentoring the says. and Physics teacher SHAWN LEONARD students because According to of their dedicaLeonard, Stanford recently began putting more money and tion and hard work, but understands effort into creating a staff fully dedicated why other researchers would not be into helping high school students find interested in instructing high schoolers. According to Nicolau, the process ternships and conduct research alongside adults. Professional researchers are requires a lot of work on the mentor’s even being trained in working effectively part, which discourages many potential mentors from volunteering to help the with and around their interns. “I am actually getting calls now from students. “It is really a lot of time and it is not random Stanford researchers looking for interns, and that hasn’t ever happened very likely that your research will benefit that much, because it takes many years in the past,” Leonard says. tools, but it is also good for students to explore their interests outside of the classroom and to see what they really might be getting themselves into if they choose a career in science.”

“I am actually getting calls now from random Stanford researchers looking for interns, and that hasn’t ever happened in the past.”

to learn a lot about how we do research,” Nicolau says. Nicolau says that although the students in Science Research Projects are often some of the most advanced in math and science at Paly, many still do not have enough knowledge to competently help and understand the highlevel research of their mentors. “A lot of it is a lot more advanced than what a high school student can handle,” Nicolau says. “People who run labs are not very interested in having someone who is very young and does not know anything running around the lab, not really being able to do that much.” Even though Nicolau’s mathematical research is highly advanced, she has still been able to teach her mentees the essential information necessary to obtain a general sense of her work and help on a simple level, and has appreciated and benefited from mentoring the students. “It is fun to teach someone who is very young and very bright,” Nicolau says. “It is very enjoyable.” v

june 2012

SAFE HAVEN Animal Services Supt. Sandy Stadler greets shelter dog Ella Mae.

Saving our shelter

How a community uprising has kept a threatened animal shelter open — for now Text and Photography by EMILY KELLISON-LINN

n Bayshore Road, facing Highway 101 and tucked behind a row of hedges, sits a short yellow building. This unassuming edifice is Palo Alto’s animal shelter and headquarters of Palo Alto Animal Services, which in recent weeks has found itself at the center of a city-wide controversy. The shelter may close. The conflict began at the end of March when the Palo Alto City Council announced it was considering closing the shelter and contracting out animal services to a regional center in Santa Clara. While some have agreed that the move is necessary to balance the city’s budget, other residents have organized in a vocal opposition, urging the city to keep the local shelter open. It is this grassroots opposition that has edged Palo Alto Animal Services away from shutdown. Beginnings The rumblings started last year, when Mountain View decided to withdraw from its shared use of Palo Alto Animal Services, ending an agreement in which Mountain View paid Palo Alto $500,000 each year. Without Mountain View’s contribution, Palo Alto’s annual

cost to run the services will increase to more than $1 million each year, according to a report by the city. With the city facing a multimillion dollar budget deficit, City Manager James Keene released a proposal in April outlining cuts to balance the budget, according to an April 2012 Palo Alto Online article. Among those proposed cuts is a plan to outsource Animal Services by shutting down Palo Alto’s operations and joining with Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority in Santa Clara. The council estimates that the city can save $500,000 each year through this change, which would involve closing the local animal shelter on Bayshore Road and sending all animals to SVACA’s shelter, as well as relying on SVACA’s employees to respond to animal emergencies in Palo Alto. At the shelter Built in 1937 and staffed by longtime city employees and volunteers, the animal shelter houses lost and abandoned animals, performs thousands of spay and neuter surgeries of local pets each year, and handles wildlife found in the neighborhood. Animal Services Supt. Sandy Stadler explains that the staff and shelter have been in a state of un-

derstandably high anxiety in the weeks since the city’s announcement. “It’s a tremendous place to work,” Stadler says. “We love our job. It’s not a typical government shelter — it’s very progressive.” For now, the shelter is in a state of limbo. “We are daily getting calls from people saying, ‘Is it true?’ ” Stadler says. When staff tell concerned callers about the current situation, “for most people, the next question is, ‘What can I do?’ And that gives us hope.” Community support Save Our Shelter, a hurriedly organized advocacy group, was formed just over a month ago but is responsible for much of the community awareness of the shelter issue. Resident Judy Cook is a founding member of the organization. “It came up quickly, and we’ve just responded right away,” Cook says. Cook is a regular volunteer at the animal shelter and has worked there for a year and a half, coming in once a week to walk dogs. When the news broke of the proposed closure, she joined with fellow volunteers Scottie Zimmerman and Sally Connell with the goal of reaching out to june 2012

[ FEATURES [ FEATURES ] ]

ABOVE LEFT A sign in the City Hall lobby urges visitors to sign a petition urging the City Council not to close the shelter. ABOVE RIGHT A dog at the Palo Alto shelter. If Palo Alto outsources animal services, animals will be housed in Santa Clara. the community, raising awareness and fighting to keep the shelter open. They called themselves Save Our Shelter. Save Our Shelter’s first objective was simply to spread awareness of the possible closure, and collect signatures on a petition opposing the closure to be delivered to the City Council. “Petitions were mostly what got the word out,” Cook says. “It wasn’t just the three of us; it became others who wanted to help. And so it grew. People went to dog parks with the petitions, stood in front of pet shops, went to schools [and] stood in front of City Hall.” The Save Our Shelter Facebook group, where supporters can share news articles and plans of action, has over 300 members. In three weeks, Save Our Shelter collected more than 1500 signatures in support of keeping the shelter open.

convenient to buy a dog directly from a breeder instead.

Student activism Palo Alto High School senior Andrea More is one of many who were drawn in to support the shelter. She has spent the past month collecting signatures for the Save Our Shelter petition. “We’re just trying to show City Hall that a lot of people really do care,” More says. Having adopted a dog from the Palo Alto shelter herself, the cause is personal for her. “I feel like I have an obligation,” she says. “I have a dog that’s brought me so much joy and I want other people to be able to have the same experience.” She argues that if the shelter were moved to Santa Clara, fewer people would be willing to make the ten-mile drive to consider adopting a shelter dog, finding it more

Wheels in motion The first major reckoning for the facility came on May 10 at a meeting of the city’s Policy and Services Committee. Every seat in the Council Chambers was filled with residents, some as young as seven, and attendees sat with Save Our Shelter picket signs at their feet. Finally, over 30 residents had the chance to speak to the committee. In the end, advocates of the shelter breathed a sigh of relief. The fourmember committee voted unanimously to recommend against outsourcing and suggest the creation of a task force to find ways to reduce costs. “The community is the reason why we’ll be staying,” Stadler says in reaction to the policy recommendation.

verde magazine

Opposition Despite community support, some oppose keeping local animal services, voicing concerns about the shelter’s financial drain, small size and dire need of renovations. The initial city manager’s report expressed doubts about the condition and size of the shelter, and estimated that building a new facility, if necessary, would cost $3.7 million. Several days after the report, the Palo Alto Weekly published an editorial saying that the city has “little choice but to outsource animal services.” With Animal Services now costing $1.1 million each year to operate, and with the city’s $2.1 million and growing budget deficit, the Weekly argues that the best financial decision is to outsource and take the savings.

Still, the committee’s decision is only a recommendation, not a verdict, and there are serious financial obstacles ahead. At the end of the meeting, council member Larry Klein warned about the realities of budget negotiations. “There are no magic answers,” Klein said. The following week, the city’s Finance Committee recommended that in order to remain open, Animal Services should be required to close the budget gap of half a million dollars created by Mountain View’s exit, using a combination of spending cuts and revenue increases. According to Stadler, spending reductions of that size will require staff positions to be cut. “The bottom line is that we’ll be here,” Stadler says. “In what form, I don’t know.” Looking forward The final decision will be made in the coming weeks by the City Council, who will take both committees’ recommendations into account, debate the issue, and reach a conclusion by June 18, when the budget for fiscal year 2013 is due. Cook says that Save Our Shelter will remain to advocate for the shelter. The group is looking at introducing a new website, providing a place for residents to donate directly to Animal Services, and exploring other ways to raise money for the shelter. Stadler is encouraged by the council’s decision, but knows that it will be an ongoing battle. “This is our little piece of heaven here, that we hope to keep open,” she says. v

Narrow minded Society’s thin ideal is tipping the scale on body image Text by HOLLIE KOOL and HALEY FARMER Photography by HALEY FARMER

arah takes a pensive sigh, pauses for a few moments, averts her eyes downward and fidgets as she tentatively explains her ongoing battle with anorexia. “I wouldn’t hang out with friends anymore because most of my friends ate food like regular people. If hanging out with them meant eating, it just wasn’t something I could do.” The onset of depression caused by stress, weight gain, and rude remarks from her parents triggered Sarah, a Palo Alto High School student whose name has been changed to protect her identity, to start dieting at the early age of 12. “I weighed more than my mom, which was something that was stigmatized,” Sarah says. “I just started dieting, and at first, you know, it wasn’t actually that bad.” At about five feet tall and weighing over 100 pounds, Sarah felt an immense amount of pressure and shame. Sarah’s dieting quickly took a turn for the worse once she stopped losing weight after the first 10 pounds. Unsatisfied with her progress, she turned to extreme measures. “I was like ‘Oh, I just need to eat less and exercise more.’ It got down to the point where I was eating 500 calories a day pretty consistently for about three and a half months,” Sarah says. Within two and a half months, she had lost 35 pounds.

Taking action According to the National Eating Disorders Association, from 1999 to 2006 in the United States, there has been an 18 percent increase in eating disorders. One million men and 10 million women currently suffer from anorexia or bulimia. In March, Israel passed a law banning female and male models with a body mass index of 18.5 or lower, the cut off for a healthy weight. Models in Israel now require a doctor’s note to prove their health and all Israeli magazines are required to disclose whether images have been photo-shopped or retouched. On May 3, Vogue announced that to refrain from sending detrimental messages through photos and advertisements, models under the age of 16 would not be hired, along with models who appear too skinny or have signs of an eating disorder. These changes are trickling down to the local level. Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry is currently working with the NEDA to set a policy for testing high school students for signs of eating disorders to improve prevention. “Schools right now screen for a lot of things, but they don’t ask anything about eating disorders,” says Doctor Megan Jones, psychologist and researcher of Stanforord University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “This legislation has been proposed in Virginia and is moving along in Maryland—it has had a pretty good response.” june 2012

[ FEATURES ]

The source In such a stress inducing, intense env ironment like Paly, mental illnesses such as eating disorders can be more prevalent, according to Jones. “There is a really different ideal of what is normative to look like,” Jones says. “When you have particularly a community of really driven and perfectionist, high achieving people, you do see a higher prevalence in eating disorders because eating disorders capitalize on those traits.” Current research reveals that a major cause of eating disorders is biological. Silicon Valley, as a breeding ground for high— achieving and intelligent people, is also full of the genetic traits that may lead to an eating disorder. Every year worldwide, $40 billion are spent on the dieting industry, according to NEDA. Eating behaviors like dieting can escalate to the point of an eating disorder for those with genetic traits that are more susceptible to eating disorders. “So, it’s that combination in which dieting turns on,” Jones say. “The gun is loaded, but the situation can pull the trigger to activating the disorder. And the same process happens for depression, or anxiety or substance abuse, other mental health disorders.” In a study done by Stanford, 60 percent of college-attending women who were teased about their appearance developed an eating disorder within four years. “The teasing, the fat talk, [it] is really powerful,” Jones says. “And with eating disorders, it’s not just about trying to change your body. There is a lot else that goes into it that may not start or have anything to do with your body image.” Overcoming the disorder Paly’s College and Career adviser Christina Owen says she was 15 years old when she began to develop an eating disorder. “As a teenager the only thing I could control were my grades and

verde magazine

my food,” Owen says. “Those were the things I could monitor closely.” Owen, an avid skier, led an active and healthy lifestyle. However, after multiple family hardships, her unhealthy eating habits started. “I lasted from the day I turned 15 to the day I turned 16 without eating sugar. I wouldn’t eat ketchup or bread that had sugar in it, so I had lost about 10 pounds that year,” Owen says. At the age of 16, Owen joined a finishing and modeling school where unhealthy eating habits were exacerbated. The school forced Owen to diet and constantly bombarded her with criticisms about her weight. After graduating, she felt pressure to maintain the unnaturally low weight through purging and over exercising. “The only way I could stay this weight or body type was either not eating or if then I ate too much, I had to purge,” Owen says. “I tried throwing up, or using diet pills.” However, these weight loss tactics did not felt immoral to Owen. To compensate, she used constant exercise as her form of weight loss. After struggling for ten years with body image issues, Owen eventually recovered and came to terms with her athletic build. B the community had little knowledge on eating disorders at that time, Owen’s disorder remained unacknowledged and went without treatment. “I wish I would have known where to go for help, but there really wasn’t much help available back then. I wish I had been more insistent with my mom, who always just said, ‘Oh, you’re fine,’” Owen says. “I wasn’t.” Denial Sarah’s life began to revolve around food in middle school. Socializing was replaced with weighing everything she consumed with a scale. Sarah became so dependent on the scale that she would attempt to bring it with her when she went out to eat, refusing to eat if she did not have it. “It got to the point where one time my food scale broke and I refused to eat until I had a new food scale,” Sarah says. Her body lacked insulating fat, so hair, called lanugo, grew all over her body as a result of her body’s last effort to retain heat. Eventually, a family friend who worked at an eating disorder clinic voiced concerns about her health after noticing Sarah’s signs of malnutrition, which also included emaciation. Although her parents tried to deny the worsening situation, Sarah was forced to go to the doctor. Subsequently, Sarah was hospitalized for two days due to an abnormally low resting heart rate. She was so cold that her temperature couldn’t be read by the thermometer and her body began to shut down. After hospitalization, she joined an outpatient program, where she struggled to come to terms with her illness. “[My recovery] was going okay for a little while, but then I

gained 20 pounds in the first month and a half of the program and I kind of freaked out and then they had to put me in an inpatient [program].” After three months as an inpatient, Sarah tried to recover and return to her prior routines. Sarah’s parents, especially her mom, rarely addressed the eating disorder and continued to live as though there was not a problem. “A couple weeks after my diagnosis, I was released from the hospital, and [Sarah’s mom] made me go skiing because it was kind of like a ‘keeping up of appearances’ kind of thing,” Sarah says. “ I don’t think people close to the person usually want to see something wrong; it is harder to deal with than to ignore.” Misconceptions A large barrier to the treatment of eating disorders is the numerous misconceptions and falsehoods relating to eating disorders and the people suffering from them. “I think that people get blamed, and that’s really hard to separate because somebody can choose to go on a diet, but they cannot choose to have an eating disorder,” Jones says. Denial is a natural response for many friends and family. Often they do not understand that eating disorders cause physical and chemical changes in the brain. Eating disorders are not solely by choice. “That is what becomes hard for family members, friends. Just people at large have a hard time understanding that it is not a disease of choice, and they can’t just turn it off,” Jones says. Sarah’s tale offers a warning for those who think the eating disorder can just be “shut off.” After leaving the inpatient program, she replaced under-eating with binge eating, presenting a new and equally destructive coping mechanism. “Something people don’t associate sometimes with recovering anorexics is that a lot of times people develop either a binge—eating disorder or bulimia following anorexia because once you start re-feeding,” Sarah says. “It becomes really hard to stop eating sometimes.” Currently, Sarah still battles the effects of the detrimental mental illness. Even after years of therapy, a variety of programs, and nutritionists, the emotional and physical effects of her eating disorder have not been fully eradicated. It is a continuing battle. Support “I think also something people don’t understand is that it is this ongoing thing,” Sarah says. “You have good days and bad days and that people need to let themselves have bad days.” Throughout this struggle with anorexia and its repercussions, Sarah has found support from close friends and family. “People need to know that they don’t need to necessarily

understand what the person is going through, but they just need to support the person that is going through it,” Sarah says. “I think it is too hard to find the empathy if you are too distant from the issue; you just don’t understand. And that’s fine, it’s totally fine.” As society takes steps to combat issues about body image and weight, the horizon looks a little brighter. There is a long way to go, but each step, whether it is Stanford’s initiative to better understand eating disorders or Vogue’s steps to restict underweight models, holds promise. Owen lends advice to the Paly community: “Love and accept yourself. Accept that none of us will ever be perfect. We are not supposed to be perfect. We all have strengths, and the number on the scale really doesn’t matter with what’s going on in our hearts and minds.” v

high standards

not being in control

not perfect

so much pressure

stressed out

why can’t I look like her I need to lose weight

success

june 2012

[ FEATURES ]

I P L A Y 2

How smartphone games shape our daily interactions Text by ANGELA XU and EMILY KELLISON-LINN Photo Illustration and Art by EMILY KELLISON-LINN

reshman Riley Cassidy doesn’t see her cousin very often — maybe once a year for a family reunion. But even though the two live on opposite sides of the country, they can reduce a six-hour trip to mere seconds by using a smartphone game to play with each other in the comfort of their own homes. When Cassidy bought the iPhone app Draw Something, a Pictionary-like game involving two players, several months ago, Cassidy’s cousin immediately noticed through Facebook and began a game with her. Soon the two began to write in-game notes to each other, and the smartphone game became another way for them to stay in touch. Rise of the social games n the past year, the trend of turn-based smartphone games, where players volley moves back and forth with real-life opponents, has exploded. The craze started several years ago when web games company Zynga released the smartphone game Words With Friends, a digital Scrabble clone, and Scramble With Friends, another word game. And a few months ago, Internet gaming company OMGPOP released Draw Something, which has become the latest Palo Alto High School craze.

verde magazine

Each of these games allows players to compete one-on-one with a friend or stranger. Games of this kind have become ubiquitous on the Paly campus, where the large population of students with smartphones provides an ideal environment for people to find others to start games with. These games provide a productive outlet for the often-shoved-aside spirit of playfulness in high-schoolers while allowing fleeting but meaningful interactions between friends hundreds of miles apart. Grab and game enerally, Paly students don’t have free time to gather a group of friends to play a board game like they did as children, but they still enjoy the challenge and fun of such games. Smartphone games, then, become a way to fill this gap, allowing students to fit gameplay into random spare minutes during the week. “On an iPhone, I think it’s way more efficient because you can keep your game going on throughout your whole entire day, instead of just doing it on a piece of paper,” freshman Anna Dieck says. “You can also respond to different people and you can play multiple games at the same time.”

Bringing people together s an alternative to texting or Facebook chatting, these games surround friendly interaction with the pretext of a game, while still allowing players to communicate with each other. New York Times critic Seth Schiesel has written several columns about the type of interaction made possible by two-person smartphone games. In an interview with Verde, Schiesel discusses how while video games have become more entwined with everyday life, they have beome more human. “I think the trend is ... toward bringing a social influence into games,” Schiesel says. “[We’re moving] away from people playing alone with a machine, and towards people playing games with other people.” Closer connections ike Cassidy, senior Paige Morkner has also become closer to her cousin through playing smartphone games. “I would say it was a way for us to kind of connect in a way that we otherwise wouldn’t have because we don’t usually talk to each other [except] for family functions,” Morkner says. Schiesel believes that this trend will continue. “I think that we use new forms of technology primarily, hopefully, to enhance our real human relationships,” he says. v

AT PLAY Junior Michelle Lam plays Words With Friends. june 2012

[ FEATURES ]

Painting & Parenting Text and Photography by CAROLINE EBINGER

THE BRAINS BEHIND THE WORK (clockwise from top right) Teri Llach with her paintings; Claire and Nadine Priestley chatting about Nadine’s photography; Linda Etherington flipping through The Book of Moses, which she illustrated.

fter a Watch section last edition about artists at Palo Alto High School, Verde thought it would be appropriate to check out the influence behind the art. It turns out that Paly’s parent community contains numerous talented artists, some of whom are featured here.

Linda Etherington

painter; mother of Holly, Cassidy, and Amy Etherington

Lesson for Paly students Pay attention to the small things in life.

tepping into the Etherington household feels like entering an entirely different world. Six girls — five of the seven Etherington children and one foreign exchange student — run around the household in different directions for different purposes. Some are trying to perfect their beginning sewing skills in the kitchen; others are trying to organize themselves before starting homework. So it comes as no surprise that Linda Etherington, mother of Paly students Amy, freshman; Cassidy, junior; and Holly Etherington, senior, enjoys painting as a satisfying therapy. It’s an activity which, on a good day, lets her forget about time and create paintings that “just kind of flow out of [her].” Linda paints figures, still-lifes and

verde magazine

the occasional landscape. She currently uses oil paints, but in the past has used watercolor and sketched with ink. Even in a chaotic household, Linda does not merely paint to relax herself. Her main motive is expressing her opinions, an outlet she has used since her own high school career. “Right when I got out of high school I felt like the world was a scary place,” Linda says. “My figures were a lot darker, my faces were a lot darker.” Since then, both she and her paintings have become more optimistic, encompassing her motto about ‘eating life up’. “There are a lot of nice things, if you pay attention,” Linda says, explaining the meaning of this mantra. “I don’t want my life to be routine. I want to pay attention

to where I am. … If my child’s talking to me, I want to be engaged. I want to be engaged in life, in whatever’s going on around me.” Linda’s first sales were ink drawings, which she sold to her friends as a junior in high school. Both in high school and college Linda won numerous competitions for her work, and she made this hobby a career after she was offered an exhibit in a gallery following her college graduation. Although none of Linda’s children have pursued art, her painting has been a positive influence on her family. “I appreciate art a lot more,” Holly says. “I’ll spend four hours in an art museum … just because I like the art and I like the style.”

Teri and Eduardo Llach

painter and photographer; parents of Shawn Clayton and Guayo Llach

Lessons for Paly students Teri: Continue to search for your dream. Eduardo: Use art as a new way to see the world.

veryone in the Llach household is an artist. Guayo Llach, a junior, works with clay and cartooning; Shawn Clayton, a senior, sketches; Teri Llach, Shawn’s mother and Guayo’s stepmother, paints; and Eduardo Llach, Guayo’s father and Shawn’s stepfather, is a photographer. This love for art shows in their house’s decor — every spare space is covered in it. “All my life I’ve been surrounded by her [my mom’s] artwork,” Shawn says. “And my mom’s always been a big supporter when it comes to art.” While both Shawn and Guayo grew up surrounded by art, Teri and Eduardo discovered it on their own. Eduardo discovered photography af-

ter moving to Rhode Island from El Salvador as a high school sophomore, realizing he could see the world in a different light through the lens of a camera. “I loved what I was seeing [in Rhode Island], and wanted to capture it,” Eduardo says. “It was that change that opened my eyes, and I began to see things differently and kind of pay attention.” Nonetheless, at age 17, he chose engineering over photography. Although this became one of his biggest regrets in life, he now pursues photography as a hobby and has founded his own company, Krome Photos, which helps people pick and edit their best photographs. Teri, who has always loved art but searched for her forté until 12 years ago,

has now mastered oil painting with a palette knife and mostly paints flowers. “Honestly I couldn’t find something that I was particularly good at,” Teri recalls. “Then I started working with these heavy paint colors and palette knives and people were really excited about the works.” Currently, Eduardo photographs as a hobby, most enjoying his trips on which he spends time getting to know local people before photographing them, while Teri does commissions and is beginning to show her work at artshows. Both of them would love to eventually quit their day jobs and spend all of their work time doing what they love — pursuing art.

ARTISTS (clockwise from top left) Eduardo Llach; Linda Etherington’s By the Sweat of His Brow; Nadine Priestley; Shawn Clayton, her sketch, & Teri Llach; Linda and Holly.

Nadine Priestley

photographer; mother of Claire Priestley

Lesson for Paly students It’s never too late to pursue your dream.

ifteen years ago, Nadine Priestley realized she didn’t want her daughter’s life to pass by undocumented, so she picked up photography. Since then, she has not stopped photographing and has even begun her own business as a professional photographer, shooting families, weddings, and houses. Her love for photography comes from capturing the emotions of her cli-

ents. “I want to see how people feel, not just how they look,” Nadine says. She discovered such a passion for the camera that she quit her corporate day job to pursue it six years ago. Her hard work has paid off not only in her successful business, but also in her personal life. “[It] made me really happy, that she liked what she was doing,” says freshman

Claire Priestley, Nadine’s daughter, about her mom’s new line of work. The family has grown closer around the business through meeting hundreds of new people, traveling to new and exciting places, and connecting as they share their mutual loves for photography. Nadine’s stepson has even picked up photography, wishing to preserve the memories of his new child, just as Nadine did. v june 2012

[ CULTURE ]

What apps should you have? Useful and fun apps for your iPhone Text by HENRY TUCHER Art by DIANA CONNOLLY

ne-third of American high school students have iPhones, according to Piper Jaffray, an investment bank on University Street in Palo Alto, but that number might be even higher here at Palo Alto High School. As of now, there are more than half a billion apps on the App Store and there have been 25 billion App downloads. Companies such as Instagram, which Facebook recently acquired for $1 billion, have proven that companies reliant on a mobile interface can prosper. Many of these companies are headquartered here in the Silicon Valley. This summer, as Paly students find themselves with plenty of downtime, they will probably spend more time looking at screens than at pages. Much of that screentime will involve using apps on an iPhone, so what free apps should be on Paly students’ iPhones? Dropboxes For those who want access to all the documents on their computer at home there are a few options: bring a laptop to school, email the documents to oneself, or download a dropbox app. Two popular dropbox apps are Sugarsync and Dropbox.

Education Campus Portal Campus Portal lets Paly students access Infinite Campus and view their grades and attendance without having to go Paly.net each time. iTunes U This is a great app for Paly’s intellectual student body. iTunes U enables students to continue their education by providing hours of lectures from universities as well as entire courses in a variety of subjects.

Snapchat “Snapchat is a great app where you share pictures with your friends who can view the picture for a short amount of time,” sophomore Kenny Rapaport says. “The time limit means that you can send something silly without fearing that it will end up all over the Internet. It even goes as far to notify you if the recipient tries to screenshot the photo.”

shopkick shopkick is a great app for people who like to shop. Reward systems for people who shop isn’t something new, but shopkick partnered with popular companies, including Best Buy, Macy’s and Urban Outfitters, to reward shopkick users. Buy something small and get free coffee. Save your points and get Nike ID shoes or even a shopping spree in New York.

Photoshop Express PS Express allows iPhone photographers to alter their photos with borders, effects and color-adjustment. It’s like Instagram filters without the social aspect and with more control of the saturation, glow, blur and other editing tools. News 360 “News360 is unlike other news sources because it organizes so much content and puts it into such a simple interface,” senior Aaron Bajor says. “I like how I can have news from several different news sources, whether they be local or international, all in one place.”

verde magazine

QR Reader for iPhone This app lets you scan QR codes for websites, locations, text and much more. In addition, QR Reader enables you to create your own QR codes so you can easily share content with friends. Try it! Download it in the App Store and scan the code at the top right of this page.

Chess.com For those who like chess, finding a good chess app from the many that exist can be difficult. Chess.com stands out among its competititors because it lets users learn tactics as well as play games against online opponents or a computer. Live-play really changes mobile chess. v

Photo by MAYTAL MARK

SWEET AS 3. 14159265358979323

YOU HAD TO BE THERE

Confused about the patterned black and white squares in each story? See page 4.

46 48

PROFILES

[PROFILES]

Sweet as 3.141592653589793 Teacher Suzanne Antink continues long legacy of quirks, puns, and mathematical fun Text by JESSICA JIN and TIN NGUYEN Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA and courtesy of SUZANNE ANTINK

owdy, y’all,” Palo Alto High School math teacher Suzanne Antink greets students as they file into the classroom. Some students laugh, others try to imitate her accent, and still others sit silently and try to absorb the lesson. “Theorem of the Mean Policeman Day,” or, as students call it, “Southern Day,” a day where Antink speaks exclusively in a Southern accent, is an annual tradition that has endured over the years in Antink’s Analysis H class. It’s also one of the many quirks that separates Antink from all other math teachers. “I must say that that to me was the most remarkable thing,” sophomore Aaron Slipper says, laughing. “We all tried imitating her [accent], but none of us could quite get it as good as she had it.” Unbounded background Antink, who also teaches Geometry 1A, grew up during the 1960s counterculture era, when young people helped topple historically-held

values and behavioral norms. “My first teaching job, I lived on a mountainside, so maybe I am more of a throwback to hippie times, simpler times,” Antink says. “I lived on a mountain with cougars and three streams running through my yard. It was pretty cool. Pretty neat place. A lot of hippies out there. I considered myself part of the crowd.” As a junior in high school, Antink, then Loyer, fell in love with Bruce Antink, her husband-to-be. Fittingly, it all started in math class. “It was Algebra 2, and he [Bruce Antink] had gotten a C the year before so he was repeating the class to take it again,” Antink says. “I came in a little bit late and got stuck sitting behind him. He walked in after me, and there he was in his tight jeans and white T-shirt and Aviator glasses and sideburns and a mustachio, and I was smitten, and I’ve been smitten ever since.” Although Antink went to college fully intending to become an English major, she decided instead to double major in math and British Literature. Antink’s love for math began to blossom in college and continues to flower today. “The more I did math in college, [the more] I thought it was fantastic,” Antink says. “I thought, ‘What an incredible system that people had invented!’” Most students know that Antink is anything but a recent addition to the Paly staff. This school year is her 29th year teaching here, and her 38th year teaching overall, making her the

TYPICAL SLICE Antink prepares to teach her students.

june 2012

[PROFILES ]

longest-standing teacher at Paly at the moment. However, few students know of her teaching history: Antink was originally both a math and computer science teacher at Paly, and an English teacher before that. Differentiating devotions A matter that has always fascinated students is the tattoo hidden underneath Antink’s shirt. Spanning her entire back, Antink sports a tattoo of two peacock feathers. According to Antink, she felt the 10-hour, skin-exhausting procedure was worthwhile, because peacock feathers have always held special significance for her. “They mean ‘happy family’ to me,” Antink says. “I’ve always thought they were iridescent and beautiful, and I wanted something that was art for my tattoo.” In her leisure time, Antink enjoys riding her motorcycle, which she enthusiastically calls her “baby.” “When you’re on a motorcycle, you can’t do anything else,” Antink says. “You have to be aware of your surroundings, of the wind, of the traffic, of the people on the side of the road, dogs, squirrels, teenage drivers – you have to be super aware. So it’s totally relaxing because it takes you out of whatever you’re dealing with. I would ride anytime.” Integral instruction Antink’s enthusiasm and zeal for life manifest themselves in her Analysis and Geometry classes. Antink says that she thoroughly enjoys teaching all levels of math, which is apparent in her teaching style. “Within the classroom, she offers lots of freedom for her students,” senior Matt Miller says. “She has the unique ability to pull students together across grades and talks to students on a personal level. She helps kids with whatever they’re dealing with, and I feel she’s really good at knowing what kids want.”

verde magazine

In addition to her standard math classes, Antink also teaches an after school math contest class known as Advanced Problem Solving, open to all students. Students enrolled in this class learn creative and novel methods to think about math problems that demand not only a deep understanding of mathematics, but innovation as well. “I’m learning some new ways to think about problems, so I’m growing academically by working with kids who come in with different skills that I don’t have,” Antink says. “I’m getting as much out of the class as the students are.” Students appreciate her for the lively flair she adds to her classroom environment. “She always takes whatever she does with a grain of salt,” Slipper says. “She adds a little flair of her own. I think that a lot of teachers do this, but it’s particularly strong with Mrs. Antink, and that’s really what makes her classes a lot of fun.” Hers is a classroom setting punctuated by puns, which come to her spontaneously and which she shares freely. One of her most common puns is the “Are you positive?” pun: when Antink asks students if they are sure about something she’s demonstrated in class, they must reply with “I’m positive!” (not “I’m sure” or any equivalent expression) before Antink will move the class forward. “Some students find it very distracting and hate it, but some students think it keeps the class lively, and it cracks me up,” Antink says. “I think I’m hilarious, and I love it when other people in the class make puns.”

The proof A former student of Antink’s, Haelin Cho remembers Antink for being “uplifting.” “What’s part of Mrs. Antink’s charm is that she makes what would be a normally very difficult and somewhat boring math class more fun just by being excited about everything,” Cho says. S e n i o r Sophie Wang agrees. According to Wang, adding to Antink’s positive attitude is her faith in students of all levels. “She truly believes in math – the power of math – in the world, and in the universe,” Wang says. “And she believes that anyone can love math. She said that from every single math lane, there are always people in the class who will really love math and get really into it. And she really loves teaching these people.” Math Department Instruction Supervisor Radu Toma, who was hired and taught by Antink 18 years ago, regards Antink as “a dear friend.” “I am extremely grateful to her because she held my hand throughout the first year,” Toma says. “I wouldn’t have stayed in teaching if it wasn’t for her.” When Lynelle Ye, now a sophomore at Stanford University, became a finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search Competition, she was given the opportunity to name a “minor planet,” or asteroid,

after a teacher. “Mrs. Antink was the obvious choice for me,” Ye says in an email interview. “I remember that her classes were really enjoyable to be in because she’s so excited about math and good at spreading her excitement around. She also just really takes care of her students.” Now, from somewhere in outer space, you’re sure Minor Planet Antink is looking out for you. You’re not sure. You’re positive. v

Favorite Puns Q: What did the log of the sixteenth root of unity say when the pie was gone? A: I over-ate. Q: What do you call an Englishman on vacation? A: A tangent. Q; What is SinB/TanB? A: Cosby Q: What is the other name for a broken angle? A: A rectangle Pie aren’t squared, they’re round! Q: “How would you start?” A: “You could take out a 2x.” Q: “What do you think–dinner, dancing, maybe a movie?”

june 2012

[ PROFILES ]

You had to be there

David Rapaport’s guest speakers provide human connection to historical events Text and Photography by MAYTAL MARK

he walls of David Rapaport’s classroom are alive. Headlines on decades-old, yellowed newspaper covers announce game-changing moments from American history; “NIXON RESIGNING” and “READ MY LIPS...I LIED” are among them. The corkboard walls are covered in American faces and

verde magazine

stories. A Palo Alto High School United States History teacher of eight years, Rapaport first and foremost wants to make history come alive for his students. “I want students to have a direct link to the people they are studying, as much as possible,” Rapaport says. He explains this week’s lesson plan: a documentary about the Vietnam War. “In the film, there’s an admiral who was the first prisoner of war released by the North Vietnamese,” Rapaport says. “His name is Admiral Jeremiah Denton and I interviewed him. When students see him on the screen and then hear his interview with me, it brings it a little more to life. This is not just some sterile image from a video that was shot whoknows-when, but this was a person my instructor talked to.” After showing the film, Rapaport discusses the students’ impressions, and presents his own draft card to the class. “I was in college at the time,” Rapaport says. “College students can get defferments. You don’t send the best and the brightest to war. Is it fair that college students don’t have to go?” His question is answered with silence. One student remarks that he would be 18 in July, meaning he could have been drafted at that point. This was the exact reaction Rapaport was hoping for. In addition to the newspaper covers, Rapaport’s walls are covered by examples of his famous dollar bill project. Rapaport asks his students to replace Andrew Jackson’s face on the 20 dollar bill with whomever they feel should be repre-

sented. “Money is very symbolic,” Rapaport says. “There are no women on our money — except on coins we don’t even use.” Many students choose to put Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Albert Einstein on their bills, but others choose relatives, authors, and even South Park characters. Previous to his time at Paly, Rapaport taught in San Jose at Bret Harte Middle School. During his time there, he met Mary Tillman, the mother of Patrick “Pat” Tillman, an American football player who enlisted in the United States Army after the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and was later killed by friendly fire while in Afghanistan. In April of 2006, Rapaport asked Tillman to visit his classes at Paly to speak about her son. “Mary’s visit here to Paly was memorably brilliant,” Rapaport says. “It was so sad, first of all, discussing the death of her son, the cause of that death, and the unanswered questions.” Tillman’s visit was the first of many guest speakers Rapaport has brought to Paly. “I think it’s important for students to have connections to human beings who are making history,” Rapaport says. “It’s not enough to provide really excellent sources, even high quality films or ancillaries. There is something about having the person there.” This year alone, Rapaport has invited and hosted three prominent guest speakers: Juan Romero, who at 17 years old came to the aid of Robert Kennedy when he was shot in 1968, visited in April of this year. Romero’s visit was an especially moving experience for Rapaport.

“I think it’s important for students to have connections to human beings who are making history.” — DAVID RAPAPORT, United States History teacher

“I’ve been trying to get Juan Romero for a long time,” Rapaport says. “I so admire Mr. Romero’s courage and his strength and what he did at a time when bullets were flying around the pantry of the Ambassador Hotel. He went to the aid of someone I very deeply respected.” Junior Martine LeClerc, who came to hear Romero speak, agrees. “Juan Romero was very humble; really sweet,” LeClerc says. “He just seemed like a very caring person. He was a very scared person when he was telling his story, and he was thin and frail, but when meeting JFK he felt like a bigger person. I never thought of a president being able to do that to one individual.” Karen Korematsu, the daughter of Fred Korematsu, the man who fought in the Supreme Court against the legal segregation of Japanese-American citizens, visited in May of this year. “Korematsu was someone who was spellbinding in her telling of her story of her father and his incarceration and how he was ostracized for years afterwards,” Rapaport says. Lastly, Dr. Harry Edwards, a professor emeritus of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, visited in February of this year. “Dr. Edwards was such a treat,” Rapaport says. “What he said was so powerful and gave such a lasting remark on racism and on the treatment that Jeremy Lin was getting at the time.” Junior Kevin Dukovic, who attended all three guest speakers’ pre-

PUTTING IT IN CONTEXT Rapaport shows his United States History class his draft card from the 1970s (left), Historical headlines decorate the walls of Rapaport’s classroom (right).

sentations, says Edwards was his favorite. “Edwards is just a fascinating and impressive man who has done so much for the fight for equality and I am so thankful for the opportunity to hear him speak on a variety of topics,” DuKovic says. Rapaport feels that having guest speakers is an unparallelled experience for students. “I think a guest speaker is the best kind of person I can provide to bring depth and realism to a discussion that we’re trying to take to another level,” Rapaport says. Dukovic shares Rapaport’s enthusaism. “It’s amazing how much you can learn from just listening to others speak,” DuKovic says. “I hope he [Rapaport] will continue doing this for future students because these guest speakers truly offer a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Rapaport believes that guest speakers allow an interactive experience for students. “I want their curiosity to be aroused,” Rapaport says. “I want them to ask questions of each other, and of course the great, respectful courage

that it takes to go up and thank a speaker, to shake their hand.” Rapaport recalls the line of students waiting to shake Romero’s hand after his presentation. Romero, deeply flattered, was pleased to see that the students were moved by his story. “He said, ‘It made me feel so good to know that they had an interest in what I had to say’,” Rapaport says. “I just said, ‘well it was your courage that inspired them to want to shake your hand, sir.’”

june 2012

[ PROFILES ] Romero’s visit was not the only incidence of active interaction between a guest speaker and students in attendance. Rapaport recalls an exchange between Bernstein and a Paly student. “The student was trying to ask a question and was expecting an answer from this professor and [Bernstein] intellectually frisked this student,” Rapaport says. Bernstein proceeded to interrogate the student about his phrasing of the particular question and his motivations for asking it. “It was just fantastic,” Rapaport says. “It’s just what happens in college. It was the Socratic method as perfected by this professor.” Rapaport is not alone in the pursuit of guest speakers who interact with Paly students. John Bungarden, AP United States History teacher has had Stanford Professor David Kennedy, author of the AP U.S. History textbook “The American Pageant”, visit his students annually for several years. “They get to hear from the guy who wrote the book that they spent a year diving into,” Bungarden says. “He’s one of the premeire historians in the country.” Unfortunately, not all of the speakers Rapaport pursued were able to appear at Paly. Despite this, Rapaport often records phone interviews which he later presents to his classes. Among the phone interviewees are the likes of John Lewis, a Georgia representative who worked to end segregation, James Zwerg, a freedom rider who was beaten nearly to death by the sheriff of Birmingham, Alabama, and Geraldine Ferraro, the first female Vice Presidential candidate. Many visitors to Rapaport’s classroom notice the sign asking, “Who is Dina Babbit?”. Babbit made a famous attempt to reclaim paintings drawn during her time at Auschwitz from the AuschwitzBirkenau Museum. Rapaport hosted Babbitt twice at Paly. Paly alumnus and Rapaport’s son, Wes, filmed one of her presentations, and turned it into a short film that is now part of the National Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. In 2009, Rapaport and a class of 150 junior students wrote a book about Bab-

verde magazine

bitt’s experiences. The book, titled “Justice for Dina” documents Babbitt’s life, from her birth to her time at Auschwitz, to her fight for her paintings. The book also includes poetry written by students who were moved by Babbit’s experiences as well as exerpts from the Marvel comic book “Magneto” which also traces Babbitt’s journey. “[She] was memorably brilliant with her extraordinary tail of trying to get her paintings back from the museum officials,” Rapaport says. Rapaport explains that he keeps the sign in his room in order to remember her presence. For a man who emphasizes the importance of voices and personal accounts in history, Rapaport is full of interesting stories himself. Rapaport tried for five years to get Walter Cronkite, famed radio journalist, to narrate “Justice for Dina”. He interviewed John Lennon’s pre-Yoko Ono girlfriend, May Pang, as well as Carl Weiss III, the grandson of the alleged assassin of Senator Huey Long. For this reason, Rapaport’s favorite era to teach is modern history. “It’s more present in my student’s lives,” Rapaport says. “They are beginning to report conversations from home that they have had with parents and relatives and loved ones.” For Rapaport, these conversations mean a greater understanding of historical movements and events. “I have Japanese students who have felt the pull and the tug of internment through their families or Chinese students who have felt the pull and the tug of World War II in regards to what Japan did to China,” Rapaport says. “I think it’s very important to listen to those voices and those voices come out when they report the events from the dinner table.” Rapaport hopes that his students gain a new perspective on American history by exploring different opinions and pesonal testimonies. “I think it’s so vital that when a student comes to Paly that we’re working to make a unique experience for them, trying to pique their interest by listening to what is going on around us.” v

THE REDCOATS ARE COMING Rapaport displays a historical red coat worn by the British. “You’re real easy to shoot with that on,” Rapaport says.

Be on 1st fiv e of the e Paly students t hidden o find the V come t -Man and to clai o room 213 m your prize!

THE

LAUNCH With summer lasting only 69 days this year, every sun-soaked moment has to count. See the SUMMER MUSIC CALENDAR for must-see concerts, check off everything on the LONER SUMMER CHECKLIST and try out our resident expert’s reccomendations on the TOP 3 to be sure your summer is one to remember.

Junior Clare Gill “Summer Wishes” ••• Junior Anna McGarrigle “Blue Bus at Gas Station in Northern California”, “Silhouette of a Girl at the Big Island of Hawaii”, “Silhouette of a Heart at the Big Island of Hawaii” ••• Senior Brian Benton “Crowd in Washington, D.C.” ••• Sophomore Alex Touloukian “Floating beach balls in Palm Springs”, “An easel of drinks at the Maker Faire”, “Purple Flowers” ••• Sophomore Cathy Rong “Last Breath of Summer ferry between Italy and Greece”, “Daydreamer in July”, “Curiosity in Postiano, Italy”, “Three’s a Crowd in Riconada Park” ••• Senior Spencer Schoeben “Love Me Poster in Black and White”, “Black and White Baylands Pole”, “Bench Overlooking a View” ••• Sophomore Nikki Freyermouth “Froyo on a hot day”, “Soccer in the sun” ••• Junior Masha Andreyeva “Hut Silhouette on Sunset Beach in Aruba”, “Cayman Snorkeling” ••• Sophomore Maxwell Bernstein “Small flower-filled vase”, “White Chair at the Beach”

youorr t i m b u otos f ph next the ue of iss de at Ver photos ch .com launm il @g a

#PALYTWEETS

One more academic week left. One week of chill. One week of finals #justdoit #accomplish

Monday

Thursday

Tuesday

Wednesday

5 Van Halen @ The HP Pavilion

6 Cocorosie @ The Regency Ballroom

10 Summer Jam @ Oracle Arena

12 Thrice @ The Regency Ballroom

17 Scissor Sisters @ The Fox Theatre

18 Nickelback @ The HP Pavilion

24 B-52’s @ The Truth Finley Person Theatre-Wells Fargo Center

Saturday

Friday

1 Sugarland @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

2 Live 105 BFD @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

7 Indina Menzel @ Davies Symphony Hall

8 LMFAO @ Power Balance Pavilion

9 Scorpions @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

13 Collective Soul @ The Fillmore

14 One Direction @ Paramount Theatre

15 Bret Michaels @ The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre

16 The Temper Trap @ The Warfield

19 Indigo Girls @ The Moutain Winery

20 Glen Campbell @ The Mountain Winery

21 Above & Beyond @ The Warfield

22 Above & Beyond @ The Warfield

23 Vans Warped Tour @ The AT&T Park

25 New Edition @ The Mountain Winery

27 Summerland ft. Everclear, Sugar Ray & Gin Blossoms @ The Mountain Winery

28 DJ Avicii @ The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

29 Foster The People @ The Greek Theatre

30 Keane @ The Fox Theatre

1 Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

4 San Fransisco Symphony @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

5 Liars @ The Fillmore

6 Blind Pilot @ The Fillmore

7 Lyle Lovett @ The Mountain Winery

8 Volbeat @ The Warfield

14 Earth Wind and Fire @ The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre

15 Aesop Rocky w/ Rob Sonic & DJ Big Wiz @ The Fillmore

16 Ziggy Marley @ The Mountain Winery

17 Demi Lovato @ The San Jose State Event Center

21 Owl City @ The Slim’s

22 American Idol Live @ The HP Pavilion

25 Kelly Clarkson & The Fray @ The Sleep Train Pavilion

27 Brad Paisley @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

June

6 9/18

8/17

July

August 1

9/18

4 8/18

7 Chris Isaak and Shawn Colvin @ Mountain Winery

8 Jennifer Lopez & Enrique Iglesias @ HP Pavilion

9 Duran Duran @ Mountain Winery

10 Seal @ Mountain Winery

11 Outside Lands @ San Francisco Golden Gate Park (11th & 12th)

12 Dead Can Dance @ Greek Theatre

14 Yes @ San Jose Civic Auditorium

15 Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Oracle Arena

16 Kiss, Motley Crue & Bone Bash Xiii @ Sleep Train Pavilion

17 Identity Festival @ Shoreline Amphitheatre

18 ZZ Top @ Mountain Winery

19 Phish @ Bill Graham Auditorium

20 Policia @ The Independent

24 Summer Slaughter Tour w/ Cannibal Corpse @ The Fillmore

By Haley Farmer and Camille Couchon

Sunday

SUMMER2012

@mr_zeigler

Summer 2012, it’s somethin’ that we have all been waiting for! It’s time to stop sharpening pencils and stressing about your next Trig test. The school year’s coming to a close, so time to attend the hottest concerts and maybe, just maybe, relax. Verde is here to save you from your school-induced torpor. We’ve done all the research and put together the most enthralling events!

Offi

Office: And why wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t your son be in school today Ms. avery? Kathleen: YOLO!

So much to do, so few people to do it for me

@traackchi3f4oo

@skylerfeltyou

7/16

Complete these two puzzles and bring them to RM 213 for a prize!

The former Launch editor, Caroline Ebinger, makes a cameo appearence in her last issue of Verde before going off to college. See if you can find the six differences in the two similar photos below. 7/29 7/1

8/21 8/22

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s p 8/25

1) hoodie strings are gone 2) letters on sweatshirt are gone 3)more flowers on the bush 4)arm is down 5) shirt is a different color 6) bird is in the sky 7)middle beam is gone

e s 8/25

9/25

. e

ed e

9/25

d r

9/16

Photos credit ed by: Creative Commons, redhotchilipep pers.com, thefray.com, bradpaisley. com, american idol.com and owlcitym usic.com

Complete each column, row and box with a number one through nine, without repeating any digits. by

Lisie Sabbag

-Spencer Carlson

Alarmed: should curry smell this much like teen spirit? @NoamShemtov1

Give me a life remote so I can fast @duduvia

Carlson condemns using summer for school Finally, it’s summer. School draws to a close, and the warm Palo Alto air inspires lethargy in much of the student body as it prepares to spend a summer in relaxation. Not all students choose to enjoy a break from academic rigor over the summer, though. Many enroll in summer school programs, online courses, or engage in other scholarly pursuits. You have to ask, why? If you absolutely “Becoming a truly capable person, need to take summer school to get graduais going to take tion credits, fine. But if not, why give up two more than excel- months of rejuvenation? Why do the same lent derivation thing all year round? Why? To get ahead. To distinguish skills.” oneself academically. To look better than everyone else on paper — because that’s really all a college application is: paper. So your college app looks great — incredible, actually — but what makes you unique as a person? You’ve got the statistics, but what about the color? What do you do for fun? Even if your only goal is getting into college, you need more than just numerical superiority to be an worthy applicant. That’s what summer is for: having fun in the real world to help you develop into a real, multifaceted person. Enjoy your summer — and not just in the “I’m getting ahead and I enjoy feeling superior” way. Do fun things. Go hiking, swim at the beach, and make some art, even if you’re horrible at it. Have unstructured free time, but also participate in extracurricular activities that you are passionate about. Get an internship, volunteer somewhere, or even babysit. Take advantage of the opportunity to excel at something other than cut-and-dry academics. So, summer school calculus students: Stop! By committing to academics year round, you’re giving up your opportunity to experiment, in the true nature of childhood, with a large scope of real world activities. While you may think you’re ready to grow up, childhood and summer — and the exploratory attitudes they both promote — are crucial to human development. In other words, becoming a truly capable person, is going to take more than excellent derivation skills. Countless reports , such as the Alliance for Childhood’s: “Crisis in the Kindergarten: Why Children Need Play in School” have demonstrated time and again the importance of childhood play in early education. Some of the lessons are social: share with your friends; be kind to others; if you bite, me I’ll bite you. But other lessons are academic. Playing with blocks, for example, provides intuition about physical law. Actually, according to a 2009 Scientific American article, “The Serious Need for Play”, many of the benefits of unstructured play are difficult to pin down and categorize. Still, “childhood play is crucial for social, emotional and cognitive development,” the article says. “Kids … that do not play when they are young may grow into anxious, socially maladjusted adults.” Just as children learn about the world through unstructured play, teenagers use summer to prepare themselves for life in the real world. Sometimes, you have to learn how to fail before you can succeed. Summer is all about being a child, testing the waters, and getting the occasional burn — even if its from something legal, such as sleep deprivation. Such behavior is often labeled as teenagers being reckless, but that’s just not the case. It’s teenagers learning how to be respectful, productive citizens that have a complete enough understanding of the world to do something of real value for it. So once again, physics prodigies, stop. Take the break. Don’t be afraid to be a normal teenager. It’s just a step towards becoming a normal adult.

thanks for reading, Spencer Carlson

up camp it

eat your fee lings

Netflix marat hon!

o e mo h t st to Almo

Switch it up “Going to Cancun to party it up.”

n hma ang fres x Hw

Ale

“Playing golf tournasoph ments and hanging omor out with friends.” Kenen

y Vi

forward to June 7th #lastday #almost there

Where are the streakers??? Step it up seniors. @annamcgiggles

You’d tho u during br ght that you had r e eally disco ak s b e t w summer hours on een Chemistr y c vered the “Cinem r h mate mo ments wit and, the time ha am-sessions. With a Internet” s h th e N chick flick etflix coll come to spend s countless om ec s, cause wh the web has got it tion. From foreign e ver y intiile the tim all. No ac films to 8 c e is really a 0 bout you you spend beefin ount? Do not fret ’s r Netflix , g be willing b u ep on mov and to lend th eir accoun you, chances are ie acumen a t for a cin ematic m friend will énage a tr oi. Be it a tie -dyed shir camp”, or t you will a vides a pe batch of brownie later lie about, say s rfect opp ing you “m ortunity ; the sunny, unfe note, y ade it a result in ou will find that c to explore your cr ttered summer pr t realized oertain d eative beware o artistic ability an egrees of seasona side. On a side f the urge d possible l boredom to Instag ram pictu hipster super-pow will res of you e This is ve r creation rs, so cop out n r y fun, surprise! s . Y o a list of b more! Approach ou can no longer h yo o id than the oks to tackle over ur local librarian e behind require , or any o weight-lo d chapter the summ the ss g so er. gratifying than find oals you had in m You will find tha r over-the-counte f “American Pagea r t this goa ing pictur n ind, and tu l is much literar y amigo an t” soes of you rning the d m r amass c o e p r le a e g b c e r o s so read yo it m ur way to y inspiration and of a crisp book is a fortable to follow living vic the moon m illion tim ario , ever y pa ge is a mil usly through you es more e! r tumblr, Your judg a perfect mental friends ar p e of “red” (a osition to switch it all tanning, tonin g ccidental hot-pink) up and tr y someth and relaxing on th ing new. e Honolu hair can tu I s p eak lu bea rn a mindset a nd encou summer from bla from experience ch, leaving you iin nd to life raging yo when I sa u to seek c y out adven hanging by broad a streak ening you ture. If you hav r back now e discovered som , though, e th ing of aberratin a g from th nd backyard camp a hipster streak, a e all too m s predicte ing is an Netflix-lo ainstream habit opportunity to e d, I am sorr y. It’s xp aded com o puter and f sleeping in beds erience Bon Iver-e far too late to turn . Unpack some mu sque solitu y nchies fo r a soberin our tent, a bundle de while of sheets g experie ,a nce.

verbatim

What will you be doing this summer? by Jacqueline Woo

“Working at a pool as a lifeguard and getting tan.”

soph

omo

re Jess

Brans

“I’m going to Hawaii and surfing waves with Tori (left).”

junior

Abby Bromberg

“Learning how to drive and getting a job.”

senior

Justin Robinson

So someone pooped on our pool cover, so wopo couldnt practice. Whoever you are #ihateyou @bannanaa_boo

by MARGOT RICHARD

TOP 3 1) IC E

resident experts give us their top picks of the summer Photos and text by Jacqueline Woo

Librarian Rachel Kellerman has always loved books, and she still takes the time to discover new novels. These three books made her list for best poolside reading, so be sure to grab one of these from the library to keep you company.

CRE

er 1) Hung

IE ERR

2) B

N 3) COR Tiffany Tsung loves food, but keeps health in mind as well. Here are the snacks Tsung says will keep you cool this summer.

Senior Alexandra Dwight has always loved fashion and dressed accordingly, earning her the title â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Dressedâ&#x20AC;? for the 2012 senior polls. Now, her tips on what to wear this summer!

Games

1) Open back dresses with big flowy sleeves

e 2) Bitterblu

2) Turquoise 3) Long skirts and silver jewelry 3) Cu riou

s Inc ide

erika

kamayatsu

peterson, DDS

Thanks to our Sponsors: The Woos The Mays The Srivastavas

The Gallaghers The Shemtovs The Kellison-Linns

369 Main Street, Suite 250 Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 369-3399

SNARKATTACK by KATY ABBOTT

“Colleges Missing Out” Wall rejects reality ach of us at Palo Alto High School is a special,

wonderful person made of tropical Skittles, glitter, and cotton candy. We will all get into our choice colleges and make billions of dollars. If our life plans don’t work out, it’s not our fault; society is responsible for failing to recognize our value and wonderfulness. Special snowflake syndrome: three words that barely begin to describe the pervasive, ominous nature of the increasingly widespread belief that we should treat everyone like unique snowflakes and encourage them to embrace everything that makes them even the least bit different. After all, everyone is special, right? The problem with this notion is that it sacrifices reality for the sake of temporary happiness. It suggests that we should ignore the facts and focus only on the positive, even if this means pretending that the harshness of life doesn’t exist. It shelters us, actively limiting our ability to solve problems and reducing our capacity to cope. I’m not trying to say that Paly kids are childish or incapable of handling rejection. Students at Paly regularly deal with stress; some of us juggle, among other things, after-school sports, jobs, and full course loads. Certain students even singlehandedly run a business or are future Olympic athletes. Sometimes there are consequences — for instance, someone may start suffering from panic attacks or begin doing drugs because they can’t cope with the stress. We need to find ways to minimize this stress so that students don’t have to pay such a high price for trying to succeed. But we can’t solve problems by protecting students or by pretending that failure doesn’t exist. The “Colleges Missing Out” Wall embodies special snowflake syndrome at its impractical worst. When the Paly administration rechristened what used to be called the Rejection Wall to avoid any sense of negativity, it fanned the flames of entitlement and denial. It isn’t our fault that the Rejection Wall was renamed, but we will suffer the consequences of not being taught to deal with disappointment. There is a discrepancy between the values promoted

at Paly and the expectations of reality. In the real world, people don’t invent euphemisms for every possible event under the sun. People aren’t “let go” for being “too awesome.” They are fired. The Rejection Wall originally began as a place for students to take solace in the fact that they weren’t alone. Now, it has become an exercise in self-indulgence. By crossing out our names and writing “overqualified” and “way too BAMF for us,” we as a community are refusing to accept the cold, harsh reality: people get rejected. And it’s true. Even the most qualified students will get rejected. I’ve been rejected (albeit not from college). I’m sure that most of my peers have been rejected as well. We are rejected by employers, by boyfriends and girlfriends, by friends who are too busy to talk to us. It’s not an unreasonable response to console oneself by eating melting mint chip ice cream while watching reruns of “How I Met Your Mother.” Believe me, I’ve been there. But rejection isn’t inherently bad. After all, what doesn’t kill us does make us stronger. The value of the Rejection Wall was that it created a community based in reality. It fostered solidarity. The honesty and courage required to post a rejection letter gave the wall a sense of power and legitimacy. Now, the “Colleges Missing Out” Wall just feels like a bland attempt to sugarcoat the truth. Rather than installing the “Colleges Missing Out” Wall, we should offer more support to students — or encourage them to take advantage of the support system already available by talking to teachers and counselors about any issues they have. To prepare students for the future, we have to balance our desire for happiness with an acceptance of reality. Sheltering students from real world problems may seem to create a happier student body. But such benefits are temporary. We may be special. We may be wonderful, unique snow flakes. But that doesn’t excuse us from reality. v

Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

verde magazine