Verde Volume 14 Issue 1 by Verde Magazine

verde

palo alto high school volume 13 edition 1

What Oct. 31 really means to teens

V. volume 14 issue 1

INDEX

VERDE MAGAZINE PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 14 EDITION 1 OCTOBER 2012

SHORT STUFF News The Launch

7 65

PERSPECTIVES Religion Classes Political Comedy “Elementary” Review

12 13 15

PROFILES Construction Workers Crystal Laguna

21 22

CULTURE Music Festival Retrospective Weird Music Genres French Fry Review Alternative Marketing Palo Alto Art Center Reopening

26 29 32 34 38 Photographer Name

FEATURES The Stigma of Plan B East Palo Alto’s Mayor The End of Safe Ride? Private vs. Public Schools

43 45 46 48

COVER The Politics of Patriotism The New Right Patriotism and Illegal Immigrants Gun Laws Cumpulsory Miltaries

52 55 58 61 63

Sharon Tseng

Laura Martinez, East Palo Alto mayor and after school director at East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy checks to see how a student is progressing on his homework. Read about the East Palo Alto mayor on page 34.

EDITORIAL

he Palo Alto Unified School District has moved this year toward using Schoology, a Facebook-style interactive portal in place of InClass. Looking much like Facebook, the website gives students notifications when teachers post assignments and announcements and connects to other tools like Dropbox, turnitin.com and Google Docs. Verde supports this transition, but believes Schoology needs to make major improvements to become the district’s standard website. With a clean layout and an intuitive interface, Schoology is easy to use and a step in the right direction. But the user-friendly and accessible website still lacks a way for students to directly access their grades. Rather than just logging on to check their progress, students must redirect to Infinite Campus. Though the administration voices hopes for a Schoology Gradebook in the future, there are no concrete steps being taken at the moment. Furthermore, although teachers can be contacted through Schoology, there is no easy way for students to find or contact peers through this website. A solution would be to code a messaging component between students that allows students to coordinate big projects or answer one another’s questions without resorting to Facebook, yet another website now used for educational purposes. Another useful element to add would be a calendar that combines all class assignments and notifications for each student. This is a bit similar to LibGuides, but would collectively give an overview of what is coming up for each student and

THE COVER verde

palo alto high school volume 13 edition 1

What Oct. 31 really means to teens

In Verde’s first issue of the school year, we explore the virtue of American patriotism through several social, cultural and political lenses. We aim to give some shape to this quality of American life that is gaining significance with an election that will dictate the socioeconomic shape of our country for the next four years. The cover features senior Katherine Price’s lips, adorned with the stars and stripes of the United States flag, an eternal symbol of patriotism.

clear up misconceptions of due dates. If it is to become the “standard,” Schoology should be a central hub for student services, rather than one of the many websites students have to learn about and access yearly. This kind of streamlining cannot be achieved without active use by teachers and administration. Though some teachers have already begun the switch, others have opted for websites also supported by the school, such as LibGuides, and only use Schoology as a redirecting portal. Others view it as simply another website they have to get used to and choose to not participate at all — something apparent in the blank class pages, lack of reminders on the student calendar and gray profile picture boxes. Either way, the administration should push teachers to utilize Schoology more to make notifications uniform among classes and convenient for students. The site should also be given time to get used to; with yearly changes between eclassinfo. com, InClass, Infinite Campus, and now Schoology, it is time to settle down to avoid further confusion among students and teachers alike. Schoology is already a great platform with a number of useful tools, but it is up to the district to transform it into the central hub for information about grades, reminders and announcements. The support and participation of all Paly students, teachers, and administration is crucial to making Schoology last and work for everyone.

THE STAFF Editors-in-chief Ana Carano Sharon Tseng Evelyn Wang Managing Editors Katy Abbott, Features & Profiles Spencer Carlson, Design Savannah Cordova, Perspectives Benjamin May, Technology Jacqueline Woo, The Launch Melissa Wen, Culture News Editors Sharon Cohen Angela Xu Business Manager Elisa Rerolle Photo Director Charu Srivastava Copy Editor Noam Shemtov

Illustrators Diana Connolly, Art Director Jamie Allendorf Hanako Gallagher Hollie Kool Noam Shemtov Staff Writers Jamie Allendorf Ben Cook Samantha Dewees Katie Ebinger Hanako Gallagher Daniela Ivey Carly King Hollie Kool Olivia Koyama Leah Medoff Will Queen Soo Song Henry Tucher

Workers at the Palo Alto Art Center drill wood beams in preparation for the reopening of the Art Center.

@VERDEMAGAZINE

Charu Srivastava

FROM THE EDITORS O

n Nov. 6, Americans 18 years and older will cast their ballots to determine our country’s leadership for the next four years. Until then, both candidates (Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, for those who have been living under a rock for the past year) are trying their best to look pretty and stay out of trouble. God forbid either one of them pulls a Britney, or worse, a Lohan. With that lovely image seared forever into your retinas, Verde introduces our latest issue: The Patriotism Issue, in which we examine illegal immigrants, guns, country music and other things that gave us a reason to vote in the first place. In this issue, Daniela Ivey talks to local illegal immigrants about their interpretations of patriotism in “Land of Libertad” (p. 58) and Melissa Wen examines the rise in popularity of conservative culture in “The Grand New Right” (p.55). While Carly King and Evelyn Wang explore the stigma and falsehoods surrounding teenage use of the morning-after pill, Jacqueline Woo and Hollie Kool look into the future of Safe Ride in “Prepare for Impact” (p. 13). And for something completely different, Noam Shemtov samples some bizarre music genres, from Goregrind to Techno-Trot, in “Refraining from Normalcy” (p. 29). For our next order of business, Verde is thrilled to welcome on board our nine new staff members. Congratulations, you’ve made the best decision of your Paly career! Speaking of best decisions, if you’re 18 or over, be sure to vote for the candidate who will make us the least likely to move to Canada. You decide who that is. — 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, obscenity and other concerns noted in California Ed. Code 48907. 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 verdebusiness@gmail.com for more information. Printing & Distribution Services Verde is printed six times a year in October, November, December, February, April and May, by Fricke-Parks Press in Fremont, Calif. The Paly PTSA mails Verde to every student’s home.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

OCT 2012 58

Charu Srivastava

A fruit vendor waits on a street corner for potential buyers to become enticed by his strawberries.

Daniela Ivey

“Excellent article, Emily. A clear overview of the situation. Nice photos, too. Oh, and the poster in red-white-and-blue was created for Mary Carroll by her son who came down from the city to do it. — Scottie Zimmerman, Save Our Shelter

I got a kick out of Elizabeth Silva’s article about the change of colors. I decided to look at my old “Block P” with one star which had been hanging in the closet for years.The sweater has been well traveled. I forgot for a moment that it had been worn by Marilyn Moody, my first real girlfriend. Sure enough the sweater was Red and the “Block and Star” were green. I had entered Stanford for the winter quarter so did not get into the matter about the change in colors. I think I was presented the “Block P” by Hod Ray, for being manager of Paly’s sports teams in ‘45 through ‘47. I still like the red and green even though they were Christmas colors. Change is such a wonderful thing. I entered Stanford when they were the Indians and later they became the Cardinal. — Reverend Alfred Johnson, Green and white — Fight! Fight! Fight! To submit your feedback, comment on a story at http://palyvoice.com/verde.

NEWS possibility of unfair scoring, and will allow students to have more information about the event. “Additionally, we are changing the point system so every day is worth the same amount of points except for Friday’s rally, which is worth more because of the work ASB leaders said students that goes into the dance and floats,” should expect several big changes Parker added. in the ways Spirit Week will run this There will no longer be any year. confusion over how many points an In order to event is worth. “The main rule is make the events ASB is also you can’t single run smoother, cracking down the largest change on inappropriate people out, bethis year is the cheers. Students cause that has way the points and leaders have been an issue bewill be counted created a set of fore.” and displayed to rules governing — Spirit Co-Comissioner students. what is acceptable Emma Ketchum In 2011, and what is not. many students were They will make sure unhappy with the secrecy of point that all judges are aware of all the calculations and the addition of rules. “unity” points that put the senior “There was some confusion, class in first place. especially about cheers, like what “This year, we want to be as was appropriate and what was not,” transparent as possible, which means Spirit Co-commissioner Emma posting the point system before Ketchum said. Spirit Week even starts and continu“The main rule is you can’t ally updating the website with the single people out, because that has points,” Spirit Co-Commissioner So- been an issue before,” Ketchum phie Parker said. added. Several people were singled She and the rest of ASB believe out in cheers last year, causing disthis new system will get rid of the cord between grades.

photo by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

ASB changes Spirit Week rules On the heels of last year’s Spirit Week controversy, the Associated Student Body plans to transform the week long festivities this year into a more transparent competition.

text by WILL QUEEN

Club Day Newbies Junior Will Mendenhall plays beach volleyball on the quad during Club Day, Sept. 14. Beach Volleyball is one of the many new clubs this year at Paly. Other new clubs include the Fashion Club, the Biotech Club, the Indian Culture Club and the Running Club.

photo by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

School Board tries combining Schoology, Infinite Campus In partnership with Infinite Campus, Palo Alto High School and other schools within the Palo Alto Unified School District are working on adding a grade book feature to Schoology during the next year. “We, as a school, are committed to fully utilizing Schoology and taking this year to implement the tool,” Paly Principal Phil Winston said. Although Schoology does not currently provide all the optimal functions for students, according to PAUSD Chief Technology Administrator Ann Dunkin, Schoology has the ability to incorporate features from other sites like Turn It In and Infinite Campus into one consolidated resource. “The Schoology grade book still needs significant development. So, [there is] no real schedule on the grade book at this time, but I don’t think it will be this year,” Dunkin said. In the next year, Schoology will be improving and adding features, collaborating with other student information platforms to condense the tools into one location. Communication between Schoology and Infinite Campus is currently happening to ultimately reduce the work for teachers when uploading grades and announcements, according to Winston. “IC is a student information system,” Winston said. “Therefore we will continue to use both.” text by HOLLIE KOOL

By the

NUMBERS

Paly students bike to school. The upcoming event Bike Palo Alto! is the perfect opportunity for anyone who is interested in biking around the city more often. “If you’ve ever thought of cycling to the grocery store, library or wanted to send a teen by bike to the orthodontist, had your eye on biking with small kids to the ice cream store, this is your event,” said Robyn Duby, one of the event organizers for the Neighborhood Green Teams.

Neighborhood event aims to promote bike use, bike safety The Palo Alto Neighborhood Green Teams look forward to hosting their third annual Bike Palo Alto! event. The event will occur from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7, at El Carmelo School. The free event offers biking and safety information, helmet fitting, bike registration and maintenance and a choice of bike routes throughout Palo Alto. “Our vision is to encourage more people to ride their bikes more places more

of Paly girls polled who have used emergency contrace ption Plan B. pg. 43

often,” said Robyn Duby, one of the event organizers for the Neighborhood Green Teams. Participants can bike around town and receive free “treats” provided at no cost from Whole Foods Market, The Sweet Shoppe, the YMCA and others. The goal of Bike Palo Alto! is to show residents how local biking can be an easy and enjoyable alternative to driving.

text by SAMANTHA DEWEES

7i.ll9 ion m

Dollars spent on the renovation of the Palo Alto Art Center. pg. 38

Library and Theater team up for Banned Books The library and Theater 1 and 2 classes are collaborating to create short video clips that feature Shel Silverstein’s “A Light in the Attic” during Banned Books week, which starts Sept. 30. Palo Alto High School head librarian Rachel Kellerman hopes to encourage and express the importance of exercising the right to read texts that other schools censor. Theater students will act out some of the poems in “A Light in the Attic.” Silverstein’s works have faced a large amount of scrutiny, with “A Light in the Attic” being one of the major controversial books of the 90s with its dark portrayals of children

breaking dishes, aunt-eating anteaters, and little girls getting caught in umbrellas. The book has been challenged and banned in schools all over the nation. Proponents of banning the collection of poems argue that the book advocates defiance and that it contains negative and melancholy themes unsuitable for the younger readership that the book draws. According to Kellerman, these quick sketches will be posted on the library’s public Youtube page. “I really think these videos will turn out well,” Kellerman said. text by BEN COOK

Due to the outbreak of the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Curry Village, teachers organizing the annual November freshman TEAM trip will alter their plans. “We’ll be staying at the Wawona Hotel in the southern region of [Yosemite National] park,” TEAM English teacher Denise Shaw said. “We’ll do most of our hiking in the Wawona area instead of in the valley, and we’ll be dining at the Wawona instead of the Curry Village cafeteria.” The Wawona is 25 miles away from Curry Village, which is about a 50 minute drive, according to Google Maps. Other than the changes in hiking location, the itinerary for the trip will remain the same including the activities managed by the NatureBridge program, according to Shaw. Concerned families will be provided with more information as the date of departure approaches. “NatureBridge will send out their di-

Cost of a regular three day ticket to Outside Lands. pg. 28

rector of risk management to speak directly with families and answer all questions and address all concerns during our information meeting in October,” Shaw said. According to a statement released by Yosemite National Park, HPS has infected a total of nine vacationers and been fatal in three case. It is spread by the inhalation of rodents’ waste. Due to the severity of the situation, NatureBridge is working with schools to guarantee the safety of hands-on education programs scheduled prior to the epidemic. Despite these safety measures, the threat of the virus is still serious. “Some parents are concerned about the safety of their children,” Shaw said. “We’re trying to do all that we can to provide information to families so that they can decide for themselves whether or not their children will be attending this trip with us.” text by KATIE EBINGER and OLIVIA KOYAMA

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of all smartphones that are iPhones. pg. 18

photo courtesy of 6th Happiness as on rodentfancy.

Aw, rats! Rodents add detour to TEAM Yosemite field trip

Deer mice are common carriers of the HPS virus. The virus caused TEAM teachers to revise plans for their annual Yosemite trip.

2 y 8 ea

Length of Palo Alto’s Saferide program. pg. 56

School Board changes direction of focus goal The Board of Education will not pursue test and project balancing methods this year, according to the board’s 2012-2013 Annual Focused Goals adopted last month. According to Palo Alto Unified School District Board President Camille Townsend, the goal of test and project balancing, which focuses on balancing homework load, was dropped because of the new district homework policy adopted June 12. “It [student workload] is not being taken off the plate,” she said. “I would see this as being put directly on the plate.” Townsend said that the homework policy is more significant than the Focused Goal because policy can be seen as the implementation of the goal. The Annual Focused Goals are a list of goals created by the School Board every year to help guide its actions and decisions. “It is our intent to try to make homework more manageable,” Townsend said. “That’s why we passed the new policy on homework. [We have] implemented a much more concrete action into School Board policy.” School Board candidate Ken Dauber tells a different story. Dauber urged the Board to adopt a goal that would address test and project stacking-related stress for the 2012-2013 year, just as he did for the 2011-2012 school year. The board adopted such a goal last year, Goal #A3b: “Examine the system of distributing test and project deadlines,” according to a public record available on the school district’s website. However, the goal was dropped this year.

“There was little progress last year — in part because staff were occupied with other important goals such as homework and A-G [graduation requirements] for all students,” Dauber said. “The solution, though, is not to drop an important goal that is intended to address a large source of stress in our teens’ lives but to renew the goal and make progress on it this year.” Dauber cites the 2008 Strategic Plan survey data to back his assertion that swells of tests and project deadlines cause undue student stress. The new homework policy is a onepage document available on the school district website that does not include the words “test” or “project” at any point, nor does it mention teacher collaboration. It does address student stress, stating that, “Effective homework practices do not place an undue burden on students.” No definition of “undue burden” is provided. Dauber acknowledges that not all stress is a result of test and project stacking, but says that the school board would make progress in addressing the high rates of stress by working to avoid student work overloads through scheduling conflicts. “I hope that the board will reconsider its decision to drop addressing the problem of test and project stacking from its focused goals,” he said. “This is a straightforward improvement that can make a big difference for our students.”

- School-wide professional development -Academic audits -Instructional coaching -Instructional technology consulting

text by SPENCER CARLSON

extremely stressed somewhat or extremely stressed

74% 33%

This data, gathered by the School Board for the 2008 Strategic Plan, highlights student stress levels at Paly.

verde magazine

PER SPE CTIV ES WHY PALY SHOULD TEACH RELIGION LOLITICS “ELEMENTARY” REVIEW ALL TECHED OUT

12 13 16 18

photo by CREATIVE COMMONS

WHY PALY SHOULD TEACH RELIGION

LET’S LEARN THE CONTEXT OF HISTORY AND LITERATURE Text and Photography by HENRY TUCHER

“

AN YOU NAME THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?” The first week of school, Kevin Sharp asked his Humanities 11 class this question, and none of the students — not even Aaron Slipper, human encyclopedia — could do so. I can’t recite Christianity’s Beatitudes, the Five Pillars of Islam nor Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths. And I bet you can’t either. Yet I’d bet that if Sharp were to ask his students to recite parts of the United States Declaration of Independence, students could do so competently — after all, many of us study it in our sophomore government classes. “The Declaration of Independence reflects the religious ideals of its namely Protestant writers, so understanding their religious beliefs will help explain why it’s written that all men are ‘endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,’” World History teacher Benjamin Bolaños says. “In fact, religion is practically inseparable from history.” So why would we study historical events but not their contexts? That’s like reading Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” without knowing the history of slavery in the United States. For this reason, it is important that Palo Alto HIgh School students be educated on religion so that they can better understand the context of the literature and history they’re learning. Some teachers have acknowledged this and have taken it upon themselves to provide that context. “I teach religion because we have a number of wonderful texts, foremost ‘Life of Pi,’ that really use religion as a construct or a way to make us question truth, reality and conceptions of higher power,” Humanities teacher Lucy Filppu says. “And I think students — whether they are religious, agnostic or atheistic — should all open their minds to the power of religion.” AP English Literature teacher Ellen Austin does a unit on the “greatest hits” of the Bible. “My students need to know major stories of the Old Testament because they are used so often as allusions by British and American writers,” Austin says. “And if you don’t know what the allusion is, then you miss the context that goes with the story.” Some, however, question religion’s place in the classroom. Many believe that Paly teachers are not allowed to teach religion because it is a public school. But this commonly held belief is not

based in fact. In Abington v. Schemp, the Supreme Court stated: “the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have said here indicates that such study of the Bible or of religion, when presented objectively as a part of a secular (public school) program of education, may not be affected consistently with the First Amendment.” Although religious studies could be a mandatory part of the history or English curriculum, some think it would be better as an elective. “I think Paly should offer a religious studies elective where students learn about multiple religions,” senior Anthony Villanueva says. “I don’t think students should be obligated to learn about religion, but I think interested students should have the option.” Others disagree. “I think that religion fits much better woven into a literature course or into a history course,” Filppu says. “I don’t think of it as a stand-alone course. Students who are really interested in the subject should pursue a religion course in college. There they’ll get more of an expert. At Paly we should really just introduce students to thinking about religion.” I agree with Filppu in that I think religion fits best interwoven in history or literature curriculums, but including the study of religion in the curriculum of a mandatory class is a difficult process and therefore pretty unlikely. Taking a “Religious Studies” elective, however, may be possible in the near future, and Bolaños might be the one teaching it. “I don’t want to teach Sunday School per se, but I think the study of religion gives important context to world history, so I think it should be an elective,” Bolaños says. “I’m surprised by how little many students know about religion, but there are even many adults who don’t really understand the Protestant Reformation and its consequences today. For that reason, I think the study of religion definitely has a place in high school education.” Maybe it’s not important that Sharp’s class couldn’t list the Ten Commandments, but it is important that Paly students graduate with a comprehensive education, which requires including the important religious context to history and literature. We should not let an unrealistic fear of losing the separation of church and state prevent us from learning. v

LOLitics WHY POLITICAL SATIRE SHOULDN’T BE YOUR ONLY SOURCE OF NEWS Text by WILL QUEEN Art by DIANA CONNOLLY

“

F YOU WATCH THE NEWS AND DON’T LIKE IT, THEN THIS IS YOUR COUNTER PROGRAM TO THE NEWS,” political funny-man Jon Stewart said about “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on Comedy Central. Although political comedy may not be new, in recent years, political satirists such as Stewart and Stephan Colbert have become superstars, harnessing the capabilities of television and the Internet to get their points across in the funniest and most interesting ways possible. Both men have brought a lighter side to politics and news, engaging huge audiences of Americans with their wit and social commentary. However, some people worry it is not beneficial to the young people in this country for comedians to have so much power. “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report” are two of

the most viewed shows on television. Last year, “The Daily Show” finished in the Nielson TV Ratings as the No. 1 late night talk show across several demographics of TV viewers. The shows have also enjoyed critical acclaim. Stewart has won 16 Emmys, and Colbert has won five. Although at heart the shows are just comedy routines written the day the episode airs, they have gained massive influence. Both comedians are playing a growing role in relaying news and politics to the public, and stealing audiences from bona fide news broadcasters like CNN, NBC and ABC. In 2009, Stewart was voted in a Time Magazine poll to be the most trusted newsman in America. Although the poll is widely believed to have been

rigged, it did show that he was gaining an edge on other newsmen and newswomen. These politically liberal Comedy Central shows also have an edge on conservative broadcasting. In May 2011, the Nielson TV Ratings showed that Jon Stewart beat Fox News in nightly viewership, averaging 2.3 million viewers to Fox’s 1.8 million viewers. Although Colbert’s viewership is not quite as massive, he still has 1.5 million nightly viewers, according to the Chicago Tribune. Time Magazine has ranked both Stewart and Colbert as some of the most influential people in the world, and both have made the “Top 100” list. This begs the question: is it such a good thing for them to have so much influence with a presidential election just around the corner? “I think that even though they are ‘fake’ news programs, they still have a real influence in people’s ideas,” Paly sopho-

more Alex Murray says. The two men are a comedic force to be reckoned with. Any government official or political figure that has slipped up since Stewart took over “The Daily Show” in 1999 or Colbert started the Colbert Report in 2006 can attest to this. “There is definitely bad publicity,” Attorney General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. said when he delivered his commencement address at Columbia Law School on May 17, after his garbled argument in the health care debates earlier this year was talk show fodder. “Being on the wrong end of a Jon Stewart monologue is bad publicity.” “The guy on the government side [Verilli] is twisting himself into pretzels to find a way to pay for the previously uninsured 40 million people who get emergency room care but can’t pay for it,” Stewart said of the Verilli’s struggle to fight for people’s right to health care. Many people even admit that shows like these are their main source of news. A poll done by the Pew Research Institute in 2009 shows that 21 percent of people 18 to 29 said “The Daily Show” and “Saturday Night Live” were where they got their news. In comparison, 23 percent got their news from ABC, CBS or NBC. Comedy shows have nearly the same viewership as actual news. What makes this interesting is that Stewart’s show, as well as Colbert’s, seems to have a fairly strong liberal bias. Despite this, both entertainers say that they try not to take political sides. “Left, right, they’re all idiots,” Stewart once said, according to Hollowverse.com, a website devoted to revealing the political and religious views and affiliations of influential people. Junior Rajiv Vasudaven agrees. “Both entertainers seem mostly bipartisan in their opinions, and do not seem to want to convert anyone from one party to another,” he adds. However, Vasudaven is well informed on the news. As the 2009 Pew poll shows,

“People are now given just enough information to be dangerous.” —Grant Blackburn, U.S. History Teacher 14

many members of the younger generations are not. Viewers of the two Comedy Central shows might not take into account the liberal bias in the stories, and their views may be affected. Most people are reading less, but spending more time on social networks, which are now starting to integrate news delivery. People are becoming more enveloped in their own personal social lives and losing touch with the outside world. Mark Bauerlein, an English professor at Emory University, wrote a book called “The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future.” He talks about how technology is affecting the younger generations in an

interview with the Washington Times. “It used to be that when teens went home, social life ended, save for the landline. Now, social life goes on in all spaces, including the private home, and it can happen at any hour,” Bauerlain says. “This gives kids no reprieve from the tribal dynamics of high school.” Additionally, a lot of young people are caring less and less about things that do not directly influence them, such as international news. The media is not improving the situation. The availability of news is almost overwhelming.

“There is definitely bad publicity. Being on the wrong end of a Jon Stewart monologue is bad publicity.” —Attorney General Donald B.Verrilli Jr. News’ abundance should help provide different perspectives and ideas, but what it is doing is watering down the power of a headline. With such an overwhelming flow of information on the Internet, it is easier to just take a headline or a statement and believe it as the absolute truth. The appeal of Stewart and Colbert to many Americans is that they are entertaining and informative. It requires no effort to get your news from a comedy show that lasts barely over 20 minutes, an attractive prospect to busy people. But it is leaving people undereducated on current events. “People have stopped thinking for themselves, and are letting others think for them,” Paly US Government teacher Grant Blackburn says. “People are now given just enough information to be dangerous.” Even people on the shows’ staffs realize this is becoming a problem. One of Stewart’s correspondents, John Oliver, who has been with the show since 2006, spoke on this issue in a video on “The Daily Show’s” influence. “I have no influence as a comedian,” Oliver says. “People do not watch ‘The Daily Show’ for news. I realize that is something people love to say, but that cannot be true. If it is true, this country is in real trouble.” The point he makes is especially true now, as we will be electing a new president in just over a month. As both shows, especially “The Daily Show,” constantly ridicule Mitt Romney, the opinions of voters who watch the shows may be unfairly swayed. This election has not been an easy one for the Republicans. Political comedy could affect who is elected to the presidency. With Stewart being one of the most trusted names in news, and Colbert following in his footsteps, the two have a lot of power over the public. They must be careful with their influence. Most likely, they will make a joke out of it. v

PERSPECTIVES

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me i t d n seco a r o r y” a th t u n a e d lem E eme “ e f t o s e tion a illing z i k r f e t o arac uilty h g c Text by EVELYN WANG S r a B p C b u Photography as credited s he t h t i w

t’s every Sherlock Holmes purist’s nightmare: Holmes is a sexy leprechaun who has lots of sexy sex, Watson has a uterus and (deep breaths, guys), they’re in...America. Even the most blasphemous of fan fiction writers — guilty of such monstrosities as “50 Shades of Sherlock” (Don’t believe me? See rule no. 34 of the Internet) — would never stoop so low. But someone did. And that someone is CBS, with “Elementary,” its new modern-day adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. Poor CBS. All it wanted to do was sit at the cool kids’ table. It even came up with a cute little tagline: “New Holmes, New Watson, New York.” I mean, how hard can the actual writing be? After all, BBC gave Sherlock Holmes an iPhone, and Guy Ritchie made our titular detective a badass of Chuck Norrislike proportions to critical acclaim, so it should be pretty easy, right? Right, guys?

Wrong. Newsflash: A race lift and a sex clearly realizing the futility of the situchange does not a “new Watson” make ation, must have thought “Screw the and “British” is not a character trait. book!” and went off on an entirely difHolmes’ and Watson’s portrayals ferent path: the sexy sex path. Upon either make or break a Sherlock Holmes Holmes’ introduction, he’s shirtless and adaptation. The original stories weren’t showing off his luxuriant chest hair and particularly thrilling as far as mysteries manly Celtic tattoos. go, but they became “I find such a hit because sex repelIf Keanu Reeves de- lant, all the of Sir Arthur Conan cided to do a Kristen fluids and all Doyle’s sarcastic, Stewart impression, the sounds,” cocaine-injecting, borderline-Aspergthe result would look he says as er’s sleuth and his exactly like Lucy Liu. we cut to a faithful everyman shot of sexy sidekick. Screw up handcuffs the characterization, and you have noth- draped sexily over a sexy ladder. “[But] ing but an unlikely whodunit on your my brain and my body require it to funchands. And unfortunately, that’s exactly tion at optimal levels, so I feed them as what CBS does. needed.” Ooh, Mr. Holmes, are you trying to deduce me? (Ba-damm-chh.) The Science of Seduction Well, it’s certainly a promising start. The most recent incarnations of The dialogue has potential and the Holmes — Benedict Cumberbatch’s whole Stephen Hawking-Ryan Gosling modern-day “high-functioning socio- thing is definitely innovative. However, path” in BBC’s “Sherlock” and Rob- as the pilot drags on, Miller seems unert Downey Jr.’s scruffy action hero in able to decide between character choic“Sherlock Holmes” (2009) — are both es, switching uncomfortably from a so iconic but still true to the book that poor man’s Jack Sparrow to an eccentric it’s almost impossible to one-up them. fop to an excitable dog-man. EventualJonny Lee Miller (who keeps the titu- ly, he gives up altogether and reverts to lar detective British in “Elementary”), a basic hair-trigger temper and uncon-

trollable need to acknowledge his own brilliance. It’s only his British accent that keeps him from being completely boring. Now, this could make sense instory. When we first meet Holmes (before the line about sexy sex), he delivers a monologue to Watson about love as he stands a mere kiss-length away from her. Then, she steps on a remote, and we realize that he was reciting a monologue he had just seen on TV. This combined with his later character “development,” could indicate that Holmes is a narcissistic sociopath — incapable of feeling anything but anger and a need to be acknowledged and adept at replicating other people’s personalities. Unfortunately, while it may be the most accurate portrayal of a narcissistic sociopath I’ve seen in a while, it’s definitely the most boring. My dear, bland, boring Watson There is nothing inherently wrong with making John, ahem, Joan Watson an Asian woman. In fact, being an Asian woman myself, I was eager to see how they would handle it without making her some mail-order geisha opium dealer from Crouching Tiger, (Not So) Hidden Stereotypes. And then, they cast Lucy Liu. And it all went to hell. Has she OD’d on Botox? Throughout the entire pilot episode, I counted all of three expressions — all slight variations of her default look, which is that of a wombat high on nitrous oxide. If Keanu Reeves decided to do a Kristen Stewart impression, the result would look and sound exactly like Liu. But we can’t blame Liu entirely; the screenwriters are just as guilty. In one scene, as Holmes and Watson are about to enter a crime scene, Holmes calls Watson a “glorified helper monkey.” And that is exactly what she is, not just for Holmes, but for the audience, the plot, the director, everyone. For some weird reason, the screenwriters forgot to give Watson a personality.

Watson’s dialogue could belong to anyone — every single line is either a question to clarify the plot or a robotic response to one of Holmes’ constant jibes. She serves no purpose but to act as indialogue exposition where the writers were too lazy to show-not-tell. She’s supposed to be an adult ex-surgeon, but she uses phrases such as “scary administration guy” and “doesn’t mean it’s not awesome!” Her most insulting burn begins “You’re just embarrassed because…” When Holmes insults her (which is often), she gives a stonedwallaby double-take, blinks slowly, and plods on with another question. Even when he blatantly crosses the line and talks about her past in what is clearly meant to be a cathartic scene, she responds as though she’s complaining about a mildly irritating bowel problem. Wait, hang on, what if this is actually intentional? What if Liu is playing Watson as the Rain Man? Golly, CBS, you’re brilliant!

THE CU L Not so “Elementary” after all Joan W PRIT: Lucy Liu a t stars son o With both members of the dream Phot o: Nino n “Elementar as y.” Muñoz team so sadly butchered by big names © 201 /CB 2 like Liu and Miller, the rest of Elemen- ing In CBS Broadcas S tc. tary just disintegrates into yet another cookie-cutter police procedural. The only people who would benefit from watching this are recovering masochists wishing to wean themselves off of their cattle prod fixation. I’ll be watching this just to see if it gets any better, since it couldn’t possibly get any worse. For the rest of you screaming for your Holmes fix, I’d recommend rewatching the Guy Ritchie film and the BBC mini-series, because that’s all you’re going to get until a comparable Holmes adaptation comes out. v onny RGED: J A H C S A k “Elementary” airs 10 p.m. GUILTY stars as Sherloc r le Thursdays beginning Sept. 27 il .” y M r Lee enta on “Elem ufino/CBS on CBS. R Holmes i n Inc. : Giovan casting PHOTO d a o r B S B 17 © 2012 C

ALL TECHED OUT

iOS & CYDIA WHAT’S THE RIGHT MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEM FOR YOU? Text and Art by BENJAMIN MAY

t’s hard to be at Palo Alto High School for even 10 minutes without seeing a student using an iPhone to check grades or to play Tiny Wings (a much better option). All of these iPhones function on a mobile operating system, OS, whose capabilities have expanded a lot over time. However, there are so many types of phones and operating systems. Which is a better OS, iOS or Cydia, an iOS hack? Research in Motion? (Just kidding, no one uses Blackberry devices anymore.) Here is a comparison between the most famous OS and its newest archnemesis: Cydia. About iOS Ever since the release of the first iPhone 2G and iOS 1.1 in 2007, the market share of iOS has been growing, according to research and advisory company Gartner. 2012’s Quarter Two iPhone market share has hopped to 18.8 percent, a 5.8 percent jump from two years ago, showing its increasing popularity. (I feel like it’s 201.09 percent of people at Paly.) Responding to this increase in market share, Apple has kept adding new features, including multi-tasking, Siri, Do Not Disturb (iOS 6) and Passbook (iOS 6). However, this doesn’t make it an advanced OS, as iOS is quite limited until hacked. What do I think? iOS may not be the most advanced OS, but its 19 percent fol-

lowing has proven its popularity. One bothersome feature of iOS is the severe lack of customization. As a smartphone, the iPhone should be able to fit my needs; I shouldn’t have to fit its needs. I don’t want to use Safari as my default browser. I don’t want the iOS “standard” theme. And I hate (strongly dislike) the 12-app folder limit and all the default apps I will never, ever use. The OS feels slightly stale. Even with its additions (which tend to be released late), such as folders, Notification Center, “multitasking” (a little different than advertised) and Siri, iOS has not changed much over the years. I do not get to decide what my iPhone looks like; I enjoy the user interface, but it would be quite nice if the themes had some variety. I get bored easily, and the same user interface for five continuous years doesn’t interest me. Sigh. iOS, it’s been a great couple of years, but I’ve moved on to something better. It’s not you, it’s me! If only you had more customizable features and were more up-to-date with other “more advanced” systems, such as Android and Cydia.

Then what about Cydia? Oh, my! Truly, the savior of the iPhone and its OS, Cydia gives the user the ability to do whatever he or she wants with his or her iPhone. Cydia is an open-source software application for iOS that lets its user download tweaks, utilities, and apps for a jailbroken iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Author Jay Freeman (known online as “saurik”) has made the Cydia application available to iPhone users since iOS 1.1, the “first” OS for the iPhone. Cydia allows your iPhone to do whatever you want it to do. Want a new theme? Want to browse through the file directory? Want to put five icons in your dock? Just download the file from the application “Cydia” acquired through jailbreaking (the act of installing Cydia onto your “iDevice.”) Whatever you want, the Cydia store has it, and for the most part, for free as well. Jailbreaking

iPhone 5 Apple made a great decison by making the screen larger. Not only does this make the retina display even better to look at, it also creates a 16:9 ratio, perfect for movie watching. The 4-inch display also allows a fifth row of icons, which is helpful if you have a lot of apps. iOS 6 did have a lot of changes, but all were expected. In fact, Cydia offered most of the options seen in iOS 6 some time ago.

your iPhone will make the OS more advanced, usually before Apple comes out with a competitive solution. Oh, Cydia, you’re the one for me! But, I still kind of feel like a fugitive. By jailbreaking your iPhone, you void the 1-year warranty provided by Apple. However, restoring your iPhone through iTunes will completely remove Cydia, thus showing no evidence of jailbreaking. (To be even more careful, Apple recommends that you restore your device before going to the Genius Bar.) So this is how you can feel like a super awesome spy every time you use your iPhone. Apple ain’t tellin’ ya what to do now! (Don’t worry, jailbreaking is 100 percent LEGAL, according to the U.S. Copyright Office’s ruling.)

HOW TO DOWNLOAD CYDIA 1. Download RedSn0w RedSn0w will help you download Cydia onto your iPhone. There is also Absinthe, a simpler version of RedSn0w, but Absinthe has fewer options. I use RedSn0w, but the difference is minimal. However, Absinthe runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. RedSn0w only runs on Mac and Windows.

2. Follow the instructions Fortunately, this could not be simpler. This would be done while your iPhone is plugged in, installing Cydia onto your iPhone: 1. Hold the lock button for three seconds 2. Hold the home button simultaneously (with the lock button) for 10 seconds. 3. Hold only the home button for the remainder of the time. Your computer and iPhone take it from there.

3. Use Cydia and have fun! A really simple 3-step process. Anyone can do this (even cavemen). Browse the Cydia store, and show off your jailbroken iPhone to your friends!

So, which one?! If you’re an Apple fanboy or fangirl, chances are that your opinion probably won’t change. The iPhone has a lot of things going for it, mostly its clean and simple user interface. However, if you already have an iPhone and want to try something new, I recommend jailbreaking. I enjoy the hardware on an iPhone more than anything else, and the customization options are extremely simple through Cydia. However, at the time of publication, Cydia is not available for iOS 6. (For all you SSH geeks out there, that’s quite annoying to download on iOS 6 too.) And for the time being, the iPhone 4 is horrible with iOS 6. If you have an iPhone 4, run iOS 5.1.1 to keep Google Maps and jailbreak to receive Apple’s new features from iOS 6. While you decide which OS is for you, I’ll be writing my Dear John letter to Apple, and officially confessing my love to Cydia and RedSn0w. v

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Photo by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

PROFILES HAMMER BY HAMMER, BOLT BY BOLT

MOVING AHEAD

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PROFILES

HAMMER BY HAMMER BOLT BY BOLT HOW THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS EASE THE PROCESS Text by LEAH MEDOFF Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

OU’VE SEEN THEM WORKING, BUT HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT A CONSTRUCTION WORKER DOES BEHIND THE SCENES? Tim McBrian, the senior project manager of the Palo Alto High School construction project, has firsthand knowledge of Paly’s construction scene. His construction expertise stems from working in construction for a long time. “I was told I was good at it and I enjoyed thinking on my feet,” McBrian says. For him, a typical day includes responding to project needs, which can come from the design or trade department. McBrian takes care of problems that arise throughout the day, essentially overseeing the project and handling any and all issues. Although his job is crucial to making sure the construction goes smoothly, some-

times even that doesn’t prevent issues from occuring. “A challenge is keeping the school functioning,” McBrian says. “We have knocked out power in the [400] building and had to repair it quickly.” Particularly because of Paly’s age, the workers on the site never know what to expect, and must be quick to react. “On a 100-year-old school [like Paly], we’ve encountered unknown utilities,” McBrian says. “We call them unforeseen conditions.” In the past, noise presented another issue. But McBrian says that the efforts in minimizing noise and confusion have been mostly sucessful. “The noisiest part [of construction] is past us,” says Kim Diorio, the Paly administrator in charge of construction. For any teachers who continue to complain about the noise, microphones are available for the classroom and have proved

to be very helpful, according to Diorio. Working at a school also requires knowing the dates of important school events that might conflict with construction. To coordinate around these, construction workers must be in close contact with the administration. “We call, text and email,” Diorio says. This level of communication allows the project to run smoothly. “They [the administration] have been very supportive in working with us to keep in touch with events and to work around them,” McBrian says. According to Diorio, the administration and constuction workers have weekly Wednesday meetings to talk about upcoming events that the construction crew needs to know about. “They are very professional and hardworking,” Diorio says. “They really care about the project.” v

PROFILES

MOVING Ahead

NEW OUTREACH SPECIALIST BREAKS BARRIERS Text by SOO SONG Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

RYSTAL LAGUNA REMEMBERS THE FEELING OF BEING TOLD, “YOU CAN’T.” She was 20 at the time, enrolled in an honors program at her local community college and hoping to apply for a transfer to Stanford University. Counselors — the very people who were supposed to offer support — didn’t believe she could do it. “I had more than one counselor tell me not to aim so high, that college’s not for everybody,” Laguna says. “I don’t think any counselor should say that, or say that someone’s not fit for a certain school.” Feeling discouraged, Laguna decided against applying and remained at the local college for two years. Six years later, as Palo Alto High School’s new outreach specialist, Laguna aims to ensure that every Paly student feels comfortable and capable of accomplishing their goals. Laguna says she will be helping students navigate the high school system, acting as both a liason between Paly and community organizations and an extra support for the more underrepresented part of the student body. Daily activities include calling students whom teachers refer her to, believing they will benefit from more information about high school and college. “We have a segment of our population that doesn’t use all the resources that are there for them,” Assistant Principal Kathie Laurence says. “She [Laguna] goes after those students who don’t access it and tells them, ‘Yes you can do this, yes you can graduate.’ The door of opportunity is open, but we still need everyone to go through.” Laguna hopes to give students an idea of what resources they have, other than guidance and College and Career Center services. “Apart from guidance and ACS (Academic Counseling Services), I want to bring even more resources from the community outside of the campus,”

she says. Laguna first realized she wanted to be a counselor when she experienced the downside of a lack of support in community college. After her two years at community college, Laguna took a couple of years off to work and save up money before completing her undergraduate education. But the transition between community college and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) was difficult. “I definitely questioned if I was going to go back [to school] or not,” Laguna says. “As soon as you take that break, it makes it really hard to go back because you’re already in the working field and have responsibilities.” Valuing her education, however, Laguna applied to UCLA and recently completed her undergraduate education, majoring in Chicano studies with a minor in education. Now she is pursuing a masters degree in counseling at San Jose State University. As the first person in her family to attend college, Laguna had difficulty finding the right resources and taking advantage of them. Her experience drives her to be a constantly available resource to students, especially those who are struggling to graduate or reach their full potential.

“Underrepresented students also have the ability and opportunity to do well. I’m here to give that extra push.” — Crystal Laguna, Outreach Specialist And although she focuses on academic not emotional counseling, Laguna says that anyone can email her to arrange an appointment or stop by her office in the library for advice. “Students have come up and asked simple questions about college or programs I know of, or even homework help,” she says. Laguna added that she will try to give such students as much information and encouragement as possible. “Every student does their best and underrepresented students also have the ability and opportunity to do well. I’m here to give that extra push.” The search for an outreach specialist originated at the end of last year with Principal Phil Winston, according to Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson. “Not every student is having success here, so having an outreach person brings them more help,” Berkson says. “Before a

kid finds her, it’s more, she finds a certain audience we’re targeting.” Since arriving at Paly, Laguna has received a warm welcome. “I love Paly and completely love the faculty,” she says. “The administration has been so supportive and friendly. Anything I need is completely there for me.” Laguna, who has also been opening up the Student Center daily at 7:30 a.m. to offer students a place to study or just talk with her, wants to let Paly know that she is an available resource. She is ready to encourage and push students forward. “They [the students] need to know that the sky’s the limit. If you don’t try, you’ll never find out.” v

REACHING OUT New outreach specialist Crystal Laguna chats with Paly students at lunch near the Student Center.

Fall Season, 2012

Argyle& Colors& No-Show& Stripes& Wool.

www.socksquare.com Use the code ‘GOVIKINGS’ for 30% off of your order! All proceeds are donated to Palo Alto High School.

CULTURE LOOKING BACK: SUMMER CONCERTS REFRAINING FROM NORMALCY PARDON MY FRENCH MARKETING MADNESS BUILDING A NEW HOME

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photo by CATHY RONG

CULTURE

LOOKING BACK:

SUMMER CONCERTS 2012â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MUSIC FESTIVALS, COUNTRY CONCERTS AND RAVES Text by CARLY KING Photography by CATHY RONG

HE ENTRANCE TO THE SHORELINE AMPHITHEATER OVERFLOWS WITH THOUSANDS OF TEENAGE GIRLS WEARING TUTUS, NEON BRAS AND NOT MUCH ELSE.

Loud, thumping bass can be heard anywhere in a 5 mile radius of the concert. I push my way through the crowd and as I turn the corner, the concert becomes visible in the horizon. In the setting sun, the throbbing bass of the beginning acts blasts through the parking lot that has been converted into a secondary stage.

The flash of an iPhone camera goes off every few seconds as Instagram is flooded with pictures of glittery concert-goers toting flavored vodka and pictures of the venue itself. Entering the concert from the parking lots offers an aerial view of Identity Festival, a huge electronic music concert which tours venues throughout the country every summer. Teenagers and college students from the Bay Area gathered in multitudes from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 17 to listen to artists like Eric Prydz, Excision, Wolfgang Gartner, Porter Robinson, Dr P and Eva Simons. I am searched for any contraband items (open water bottles, alcohol, drugs) and then released into the festival. Restaurants line the sides of the opening walkway, serving beer and liquor to those with over-21 wristbands (which are easily attainable, even to those

IDENTITY CROWDS Concert-goers don neon shirts and pile on bracelets in the true spirit of rave wear. able prices. Getting to and from Shoreline takes only ten or fifteen minutes by car, meaning transportation is relatively simple. Featuring arists ranging from country music stars to Top 40 bands, the concerts draw in a variety of audiences. Bigger-scale music festivals in the city, where tickets are more expensive, like Outside Lands and the upcoming Treasure Island festival are also becoming more and more popular in the Bay Area, especially among high schools students. At Shoreline, smaller festivals and concerts ranging from country music to dubstep draw in huge crowds of teenagers. The two main country concerts this summer — Toby Keith and Brad Paisley — attracted a slightly different crowd than Identity. Most Paly students probably had Facebook or Instagram newsfeeds full of their peers dressed in short shorts, plaid shirts and cowboy boots on unidentifiable lawns. Sophomore Caitlin Duff Brown went to Identity this August, as well as country some concerts over the summer. “Identity was a tougher crowd, but was so fun because it was really carefree, country concerts are more social and sorta like a party where you talk to people the whole time. Identity was dancing and stuff like that!” Duff Brown says. Rock the Bells, another music festival held at Shoreline, was under 21) and other fast food and soft drinks to those without. Walking toward the main stage, a steady stream of people spills two days long. Tickets sold at about $100, which wasn’t as pricey as through the walkway — every age, race, gender and sexuality rep- Outside Lands, or as cheap as Identity. “[It was] amazing because you get two whole days to see rap resented. Visibly drunk and high teenagers stumble through the venue, legends and newer more popular artists,” junior Karina Dutra says. and some high school and college students even pop pills like the “Meeting new random people is hilarious, and the atmosphere was club drugs MDMA (ecstasy) or LSD (acid), which are commonly different than most concerts I feel like because it’s an all day long festival and there [are] honestly all different types of people,” says found in more hardcore rave scenes. Dutra. The festival stretches from the inside “Kid Cudi is God,” says juof the amphitheater at the main stage to “The music was really nior Alex Grandy of the rap artist, an overflow parking lot where the Rockamazing, and once it got who was a headliner for the event. star stage is set up. The two stages face dark they had really cool Other famous artists who peraway from each other, so two artists can formed included Mac Miller, Tgya, play at once without any overlap. The muvisual effects and light 2 Chainz and J Cole. Over 20 artsic never stops, and although it all falls shows, which made it ists performed, meaning there was under the category of EDM (electronic fun to just enjoy it if you an eclectic mix of styles over the dance music), each artist is completely difcourse of the festival. ferent. weren’t dancing. The cheaper concerts at Shore“The music was really amazing, and — Amanda Aldridge, junior line are better for those who care once it got dark they had really cool visual more about the social and party effects and light shows, which made it fun aspect, rather than the music. San to just enjoy if you weren’t dancing,” Palo Alto High School junior Amanda Aldridge says. “I had gone to a Francisco has better festivals for those who care about quality artcouple of the Shoreline country concerts before this, but the two ists and have a less tight concert budget. Just the weekend before Identity, San Francisco disappeared genres of music are completely different and that was clear with beneath a cloud of smoke for 72 hours while people of all ages the atmospheres at both of them.” This festival was not the first or the last summer concert gathered for the annual three-day music festival Outside Lands. event to attract huge numbers of Paly and Gunn students to the The state-renowned three-day concert featured bands like Fun. Shoreline Amphitheater. The concerts offer a fun outing without and Foo Fighters as well as solo artists like Stevie Wonder and parental supervision where peers can gather for generally afford-

Regina Spektor. The unusually high ticket prices scared off some teenagers. “The tickets were, with fees, about $250, which sounds absurd but was really quite reasonable and absolutely worth it when you consider you’d pay $50 to see one of your favorite bands. Why wouldn’t you pay $250 to see 15 of your favorite bands?” senior Thomas Zhao says. “The experience overall was pretty much indescribable. Imagine the best thing that has ever happened and then something twice as good as that. There’s really nothing quite like seeing one of your favorite bands, getting incredible food from local businesses, and then seeing another one of your favorite bands right after. And repeating that process for 3 days straight.” Festivals are less frequent in the Bay Area, while venues like the Fox Theater, Shoreline, The Greek Theater, The Fillmore and HP Pavilion host solo artists or bands several times a month. Recently, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes came to The Greek, attracting a large number of Paly students. “The Greek Theatre was by far my favorite venue I’ve ever been to. Aside from the floor where it was very easy to get good viewing spots, you could also get a great view sitting or standing in the risers,” Zhao says. “The venue itself is very aesthetically pleasing. The facilities were also very convenient and the sound quality was great.” With concert venues like Shoreline, HP Pavilion, the Greek Theater, the Fox Theater and San Francisco festival locations, the possibilities are endless. Just a bike ride, car ride or train ride away, and ticket prices starting at $12 (G-Eazy, Oct. 28 at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall), concerts provide an affordable social event with good music, good company, and minimal parents. The mob of people leaving Shoreline continues for a mile outside of the amphitheater when Identity closes at 11 p.m. The rush to get out is understandable — after all, there are pictures to upload, lyrics to be tweet, and songs to download. And a recovery period was necessary before Rock the Bells next weekend. v

UPCOMING CONCERTS Bridge School Benefit feauting Foster the People and The Flaming Lips Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View Oct. 20-21 General admission ticket, $40-49 Treasure Island Music Festival featuring m83 and The XX. Treasure Island, San Francisco Oct. 13-14 Two-day ticket, $129.50 Two Door Cinema Club Fox Theater, Oakland Oct. 23 General Admission ticket, $29.50 Crystal Castles Fox Theater, Oakland Oct. 22 General Admission ticket, $39.50 Madonna HP Pavilion, San Jose Oct. 6 and 7 Tickets starting at $48

CULTURE

efraining from

ormalcy FIVE WEIRD MUSIC GENRES EXPLAINED Text by NOAM SHEMTOV Art by NOAM SHEMTOV, JAMIE ALLENDORF and HANAKO GALLAGHER

HE INTERNET’S EXPLOSION IN THE 90s BROUGHT US A HOST OF NEW MEDIA THROUGH WHICH TO UNIFY, AND WITH THE WORLD CLOSE AT OUR FINGERTIPS WE DELVED INTO THE ENDLESS PERMUTATIONS OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT WERE SUDDENLY AVAILABLE TO US. It is through this that such eclectic musical genres as “Goregrind,” and “TechnoTrot” have been popularized; it is no longer the music that unifies us but our ability to unify that creates the music. Here are some of the strangest brainchildren of this movement that will not be found on your average Spotify sidebar or Pandora radio. CHRISTIAN DEATH METAL Context: An eclectic mix of Jesus and paradox, Christian Death Metal stepped onto the scene on the verge of the 1970s, a time that no doubt smelled of the pungent breath of its hippie-turnedChristian forefathers. A movement of born-again Christians in the late 60s decided to turn away from their musical roots as sacrilegious noisemakers and move in a holier direction. Attempting to stray away from the occult Satanic symbols of such bands as Mötley Crüe and Black Sabbath, newly converted hippies and self nominated “Jesus People” put down their crack pipes and picked

up their rosaries for a bout of good, not-so-clean fun! You’ll Like This If: You wear black every day except Easter, and every year before Christmas you ask Santa for nothing but an Uglydoll, a Bible from Hot Topic and revenge on the unholy. Favorite Bands: Jerusalem and Barnabas for the unforgiving guitar, which carries a much more forgiving message. Suggestion for a Jewish spin-off: Guns and Moses. TUVAN THROAT SINGING Context: We set the scene in Southern Siberia, where the Tuvan people fill mountain caverns with their guttural chanting melodies. Apart from the chronological inconsistency, an untrained ear might rationally mistake Tuvan singing for the love child of Kermit and Cher. Don’t feel simple, American readers, even an intellectual as erudite as myself can’t quite grasp the

pulse of the Eastern aesthetic, so hop into your pickups (Priuses, I know) and don’t bother to roll up your windows as Kenny Chesney comes on. The 1999 film “Genghis Blues,” about an artist who travels to Northern Asia in pursuit of a career as a Tuvan singer, brought this genre to popularity in the United States. While still a fringe genre, Tuvan singing has some notoriety both in its own cultural circles, and among world music enthusiasts. You’ll Like This If: You fantasize about Peace Corps volunteering while fingering massive amounts of wooden jewelry. You have started a book drive for children in the Himalayas and only drink tea with names that contain more than five syllables. You may also enjoy Tuvan if you are a Mongolian tribesperson. Favorite Bands: Tyva Kyzy, because harmonies sung in croaky bass remind yours truly of noisemakers on purim.

Favorite Bands: Darko Rundek, Gogol Bordello.

GYPSY PUNK Context: Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle,” borscht and toothless babushkas are conjured up by grinding Klezmeresque violin and woodwinds. Possibly the best part of this genre is the delightfully predictable lyrics, which in their addressing of subject matter (ranging from alcoholism to prostitution) make the listener revel in sordid liberation. Bar fights and other ignoble subject matter aside, this East-meets-Westmeets-West genre is a personal favorite because of its upbeat, frivolous musical candor and matching lyrics (this coming from a Google Translate enthusiast). You’ll like this if: You spend endless hours reveling at angsty Tumblr pages, often look through your grandfather’s sketchbook from Ellis Island, and subsequently find yourself craving beet juice.

GOREGRIND Context: The world, or at least some of its more daring inhabitants, decided that they were ready for the next step. Perhaps Goregrind is a product of intense frustration or perhaps it is the brainchild of boredom with those limit-testing genres that no longer offered a sufficiently horrifying listening experience. In any case, Goregrind is about what it sounds like: an exaggeration of “hardcore” music that either leaves its listener hiding under his bed in fear, or clutching a jagged soda can and on the verge of a breakdown. You’ll like this is: You’ve been listening to death metal for years. Once you were even shamefully discovered by your friends attempting to recreate Morbid Angel songs by screaming and slapping pans against each other in front of your computer’s Garageband. You don’t care for Nirvana, and you scoff behind your chin-length bangs whenever you hear the words “rugby” and “hardcore” in tandem. You’re a big kid now, and your growing angst draws you towards titles such as “Vomited Anal Tract” and other more unmentionable things. Favorite Bands: So many choices — bands with names like “Aborted” and “Regurgitate” among them — but it will go to Carcass for the aforementioned title. Congratulations, Carcass! v

TECHNO TROT Context: I am almost ashamed to admit how profoundly it affirms my stereotypes of Asian culture that the shrieking vocals of Korean Folk music, combined with delightfully catchy techno-pop would become wildly popular in Japanese cell-phone culture. This is the kind of music that one could play while reading Murakami, were it not so very distracting, or while watching muted infomercials for grape-flavoured Japanese gum on Youtube. It is so contrary to the American ear that, like everything Lady Gaga, it gives one a creeping fear that they are missing something very crucial. You’ll like this if: You are deaf. Favorite bands: Wing, because who wouldn’t go head-over-heels for an adulteration of Elvis classics with shrieking Korean vocals? That’s right, readers: No one.

CULTURE

Pardon my

FRENCH FRY NO MORE: PALO ALTO’S POTATO OF PERFECTION IS HERE

Text and Photography by HOLLIE KOOL

RENCH FRIES. A STAPLE AMERICAN FOOD MADE OF STAPLE AMERICAN INGREDIENTS: CARBOHYDRATES AND OIL. These slender, streamlined, savory, simple, salty, symbolic slices of starch embody the essence of what America stands for: branding, media, obesity, lucre, fast food, and sinful temptation. With an approaching election, and the revisiting of America’s Founding Fathers, the Electoral College, and stars and stripes that happen every four years, what other American-esque food is there to review after hamburgers, hot dogs, and boxed mac and cheese? Obviously it’s (the very American) French fry. I take this opportunity to run a — please note, science teachers — controlled comparison and review of these highly addictive, golden snacks. I have rated the various fries on an elaborate scale from one to five, five being the best, in the following categories: crispiness, size, starchiness, volume, overall flavor, greasiness, natural saltiness, and the best outer surface-toinner texture relationship. You better appreciate this, Paly, because in one day I ate approximately onefifth of the 30 pounds of fries the average American consumes in one year (give or take a few). I’m considering making a sequel to Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me” about my unhealthy, organ-destroying high school journalism escapades called “French Fry Me” — so watch out world. v

McDonald’s

33/40

Method: sliced and fried in vegetable oil

Crispness: 3 Size: 5 Starchiness: 4 Flavor: 4

Freshness: 3 Greasiness: 4 Saltiness: 5 Outer to inner texture: 5

Weighing in at 230 calories, the Golden Arches takes the cake for the most delicious, balanced, reliable French fry in town — artificial coloring and all. Each fry is short and relatively thin, allowing for multiple fries to be eaten at once with complete ease. Out of all the fries, McDonald’s has the best light flavor — the diner can really taste the potato and the oil without feeling weighed down (obviously the source of America’s obesity problem). Although they may lack the handcrafted look and the homemade touches of love that smaller places have, the lightly salted, slightly crunchy, soft insides, and bite sized snacks were so addicting I couldn’t stop reaching my hand into the bag. Mickey D’s has got it right.

The Counter

26/40

(369 California Ave., Palo Alto) Method: sliced and fried in canola oil, seasoned with paprika

Crispness: 3 Size: 3 Starchiness: 4 Flavor: 3

Freshness: 4 Greasiness: 4 Saltiness: 3 Outer to inner texture: 2

The Counter produces flavorful, rich French fries with more stylized touches. They are golden brown, but very long and thin, which hindered my ability to stick the entire fry in my mouth. Although thin fries are crispier, the slenderness also gives the fry a uniformly tough texture, making the inside potato undetectable. The seasoning The Counter uses on fries is a bit heavy and salty, and the oil is stronger than that on other fries, which makes it difficult to eat mass amounts of them.

Kirk’s Steakburgers 25/40

(Town and Country Village, Palo Alto) Method: sliced with skin on, flour battered, fried in soy oil Crispness: 4 Size: 3 Starchiness: 2 Flavor: 2

Freshness: 4 Greasiness: 4 Saltiness: 2 Outer to inner texture: 45

Steak fries tend to not suit my fancy as the inside is too dry and they taste like a plain, relatively less cooked potato. On the plus side, Kirk’s are very crispy due to a flour batter, making the outer crust much thicker and crunchier, and the size is more practical so I wasn’t taking big mouthfuls of starch. However, the soy oil has hardly any flavor and the fries are not heavily salted. As a result, the fries are boring to eat, and heavy. These crispy, large fries are best served with a topping. Note: Kirk’s also makes a mean garlic fry.

Palo Alto Creamery 22/40 Fountain and Grill (566 Emerson St., Palo Alto) Method: sliced with skin on, fried in soybean oil Freshness: 5 Greasiness: 2 Saltiness: 4 Outer to inner texture: 3

The most distinct characteristic of the Creamery’s fries, which some may like, is that they are large, thick, hunks of potato. But, the Creamery’s fries are too greasy and bland and take the “fry” from the French. Despite having to wait significantly longer for the fries, they were incredibly fresh. Overall, the Creamery’s fries are not very salty or flavorful, and are dry on the inside and too oily on the outside. The potato skin has a nice burnt taste and added crunch, but there isn’t enough on each fry.

In-N-Out Burger

Method: sliced and fried in vegetable oil Crispness: 2 Size: 4 Starchiness: 3 Flavor: 1

19/40

Freshness: 4 Greasiness: 2 Saltiness: 1 Outer to inner texture: 2

TURE

Crispness: 2 Size: 2 Starchiness: 2 Flavor: 2

Though these are a popular choice, I am underwhelmed with this soggy, pallid, chlorine-tasting and bland product. I think the fries went in and out of the oil a bit too quickly. If you prefer a plain fry with more crispnes, order the well-done fries, which are fried multiple times to ensure a very crispy outside.

“THIS IS A SPECIAL TIME” The commercial for Little Baby’s Ice Cream shown here is a prime example of reverse marketing, the perfect combination of freaky and fascinating.

MARKETING MADNESS

ALTERNATIVE ADS DEMAND ATTENTION BY STRIVING NOT TO FIT CONVENTIONS Text by SAVANNAH CORDOVA Art by HANAKO GALLAGHER

HINK BACK: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW SOMEONE I N E X P L I C A B LY COVERED HEAD TO TOE IN LAYERS OF THICK, MELTY VANILLA ICE CREAM? Was the person in question staring unblinkingly at a video camera to the tune of an eerie lullaby-esque melody?

Most importantly, did they have a spoon clenched in their hand, which they then used to scoop out and eat a portion of their skull? If this scenario sounds familiar, then you’ve likely fallen victim to the strange phenomenon of reverse marketing, which involves utilizing gross, off-putting, or otherwise peculiar advertisements to draw people to a product. The marketing team of Little Baby’s Ice Cream put out the

commercial described above just weeks ago via YouTube, and already it has more than two million views and roughly 13,000 comments. Some users seem disgusted, some confused, and all intrigued. Based on the amount of publicity this minute-long video has generated in barelt two months, it’s safe to say that Little Baby’s Ice Cream can look forward to booming business — or can it? Reverse marketing may be a foolproof recipe for

exposure and a huge leap in consumer awareness, but does it last beyond those 15 minutes of dazzling Internet fame? According to Experts “I think advertisements like this might work by increasing physiological arousal, or stress,” Jamil Zaki, assistant professor of psychology at Stanford University, says regarding reverse marketing. “This physiological response, in turn, improves memory, and may make these ads ‘stick.’ However, if it causes the product to be associated with a negative experience, this strategy could backfire.” Marketing professor James Lattin is on the fence about reverse marketing as well. “I guess there is value in ‘cutting through the clutter’ — an ad must be noticed these days to have any impact — but I don’t have a compelling argument for why a disturbing ad is necessarily a better approach or sustainable in the long run,” he says. “No idea what future ad trends will be, as I’m not sure how much advertisers pay attention to psychological research,” Zaki says. So essentially, the future of advertising could go in any direction at this point. More Reverse Marketing Little Baby’s Ice Cream is not the first company to employ the strategy of reverse marketing. Although the vast majority of advertisers tend towards the safe classic approach, many corporations both large and small have had success with images and infomercials that one wouldn’t normally consider particularly consumer-friendly. Many will recall the original “Cadbury eyebrows” commercial that aired in 2009, consisting of two kids in a photographer’s studio who suddenly, without warning, burst into an elaborately crafted choreography routine — using their eyebrows. To the techno-pop tune of Freestyle Express’s “Don’t Stop the Rock,” the dynamic duo move their respective brows up, down, and all around until the Cadbury logo appears over top of the screen, completely unrelated to anything else in the ad. Another notable example is David Lynch’s thoroughly unsettling “Barbie head coffee” commercial, a four-minute video of a man talking softly to a Barbie doll whose head he’s squeezing in his palm. As a slow, waltz-like track plays in the background, the man (presumably David himself) converses

with the doll, “convincing” her to try some of his coffee while complimenting her on her appearance and shaking the camera around a little bit, in case you weren’t already freaked out by the basic premise of the ad. As for advertisements that are nonmedia-oriented, restaurant chain Oldtimer has commandeered a tunnel in the Austrian countryside to publicize its services. “All you can eat rest stop” reads the billboard around the tunnel, as the massive face of a wideeyed, open-mouthed woman looks down upon the road, her lips perfectly contoured around the edges of the tunnel. Sure, driving along the freeway you might be startled to round the turn and be confronted with such an ad, but there’s absolutely no question that it would grab your attention. Versus Traditional Marketing The most common factors of reverse marketing are unusual or unexpected images and a soundtrack that creepily captivates or otherwise engages the viewer. Traditional marketing, on the other hand, takes no chances and plays no wild cards when it comes to advertising, thereby appealing to a wider audience. The key difference between traditional and reverse marketing, however, is the target. Traditional marketing reaches out easily to its intended demographic, inviting

them in and encouraging them to spend money on a specific product, whereas reverse marketing sparks a more general curiosity. Often the audience of a reverse marketing ad has no idea what the ad is trying to sell to them. Fortunately for those putting stock in reverse marketing, this nagging need to know exactly what just happened typically leads people to Google, which will point them exactly where advertisers want: to the home site of their product. Indirectly, reverse marketing can be much more effective than traditional marketing because it brings in website traffic and revenue from people who are intrigued by the unorthodox visuals and audible oddities. Regardless of what the average viewer might interpret from these arbitrary advertisements, the YouTube view counts speak for themselves. Reverse marketing does work, to an extent — it attracts viewership and allows for companies to expand upon their products in later ads (at least so long as their audience stays curious after the initial campaign). So if you’re considering a career in marketing, take note: Little Baby’s Ice Cream could very well be our first glimpse into what lies ahead. v

OPEN WIDE A woman’s gaping mouth beckons to Austrian travelers in this ad.

Ticket to Ride the John Lennon Bus STUDENTS TOUR THE LENNONINSPIRED MOBILE MUSIC STUDIO

Text and Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

group of students gaze in awe at the sleek interiors and cutting edge technology of the The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus (JLETB). They watch a music video made by high school students, sitting on the same sofas as the Black Eyed Peas did a few months ago when they created their latest music album. The JLETB is a nonprofit, global audio-video recording studio that goes around the United States for 10 months of the year. “We get a group of students on the bus and they write and record an original song,” says Kyle Baudour, an engineer on the bus. “They make a music video from scratch, for free, in eight hours.” Palo Alto High School students got an opportunity to tour the bus and watch some of the music videos made by students from other schools when the bus stopped here on Sept. 20 and 21. v

LEFT: Inside the Lennon Tour Bus. The bus has multiple instruments including an 88-key piano, a drum set, guitars and a ukelele. TOP RIGHT: The bus was parked outside the art building. JLETB employees live, eat and sleep on the bus for most of the year. FAR RIGHT: A JLETB employee teaches a student how to play the ukelele. BOTTOM FAR RIGHT: Seniors Gina Scarpino, Erin Riley, Chrissie Cheng and Maryam Hami watch one of the studentcreated videos. RIGHT: Senior Jason Brigel plays the drums at the tent the tour bus set up. CENTER: Junior Eric Griswold jams on the electric guitar.

37 99

CULTURE

NEW AND IMPROVED New exhibits at the Palo Alto Art Center, including Locally Grown, require community participation. The year-and-a-half long renovation is nearly complete along with updates to outdoor areas and indoor art classrooms.The main gallery has undergone major changes, such as raised ceilings and new state-of-the-art light fixtures. The Art Center has maintained its green and environmentally friendly status by using recycled plastic products to refurbish its greeting area.

BUILDING A

NEW HOME THE PALO ALTO ART CENTER UNDERGOES MAJOR TRANSFORMATION AND RENOVATION Text by JAMIE ALLENDORF Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

OXES LINE THE ENTRANCE TO THE WET-PAINT-SCENTED LOBBY AS PALO ALTO ART CENTER EMPLOYEES AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HUSTLE ABOUT PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES FOR THE REOPENING OF THE CENTER. The sound of their conversations echo off the high ceilings and drift through to the main gallery. In the remodeled gallery, artists prepare for the Oct. 6 reopening day of an institution that has been a part of the Palo Alto community for the past 40 years.

TeenScapes Kathy Aoki has been working on an exhibit called TeenScapes that focuses on the life of the average teen for the upcoming reopening of the Art Center. The piece uses a mixture of painting and installation to create a three-dimensional representation of teen life. Aoki has also incorporated a peephole format into the display that enhances the viewer’s experience and connection to the work. “The peephole offers a larger landscape, suggests mystery, and can be more easily controlled in terms of scale and lighting than a life size scene,” Aoki says. “Plus, the peephole has a certain amount of distortion which helps to provide a sense of depth.” Aoki was aided by Palo Alto High School senior Elani GitBuilding a New Art Center Over the past 18 months, the Art Center has undergone a terman to assist her creatively, as well as in the building the Teencomplete transformation and upgrade of its facilities, a change Scapes exhibit. “I’ve been helping Kathy Aoki with her project which will be made possible by $7.9 million from public, private and governon display at the opening of the Art Center. I helped her brainment sponsors. The most significant changes include raised ceilings and new, storm for ideas and am helping her build the actual piece right now, and I’m excited to see our finstate-of-the-art lighting in the main gallery of the center. “[The Art Center] ished product on display at the gallery opening,” Gitterman says. The outdoor setting has also been upwas created by the Working with teenagers on a piece dated. The back courtyard was designed by about teenagers allowed Aoki to get SWA Group, the designers of San Francisco’s community, for input from the source and helped her California Academy of Sciences living roof. the community.” create the final product. The Center wanted to create an outdoor atmo— Karen Kienzle, Palo Alto “The students brought art skills sphere that was more sustainable and usable for its guests. Art Center Director and ideas that enhanced the project throughout the creation process,” The building, originally built as a governAoki says. “As we worked together, ment office space in 1953, was retrofitted in 1971 and has been a part of the Palo Alto community for the past more and more suggestions came from the students. I completely rely on their eyes and opinions of the project as we move forward.” 40 years. “There was community interest in turning the building into an art center,” Palo Alto Art Center Director Karen Kienzle says. “It Green Initiative The Art Center also has kept up with maintaining its green was created by the community, for the community.” Over time the center became dated architecturally, which is image, and making sure that every update is efficient, multi-funcone of the main reasons for the recent renovations. Thanks to the tional and aesthetically pleasing. The main entrance will house the Judith Content pottery projdesigns of the SWA Group and many others as well, the Palo Alto Art Center is now a modern representation of what it has always ect, with landscaping material created from discarded and broken been, a place where the Peninsular community can observe and pottery, showcasing the Center’s idea of recycling objects to create something new and environmentally friendly. create art.

“Judith begins by hitting the pottery with a hammer to break it into shards,” Kienzle says. “Then she puts the shards into tumblers, where they tumble around and it results in a great landscaping material. It’s going to be a colorful and really wonderful landscaping material that connects directly to our program.” The Center also boasts new double-paned windows that will insulate the building and cut energy costs. Outdoor seating areas and decks are made of a recycled plastic called Trex. The Center has incorporated a material made of compressed paper known as paperstone into the customer greeting area, and throughout the art classrooms. “We did not increase the [carbon] footprint of the Art Center through this renovation,” Kienzle says. “[The renovation] was really about making the existing spaces that we have more functional, as well as more pleasing.” ART AT WORK A local artist begins construction on one of the installations of the opening exhibit for Art Center.

FOR DISPLAY Children’s clay pieces are set out to dry in the renovated ceramics room at the Palo Alto Art Center. On the Road While the center was going through construction, an alternative program was created to continue to engage and educate the public in the arts in its absence. The moving art truck has expanded the center’s audience with outdoor and community involved exhibits. By creating a travelling art exhibition, the Center was able to bring its message to new audience and maintain its following. “The goals of On the Road were to keep the center alive in our community when we didn’t have the building,” Kienzle says. “It was really wonderful for us to continue our program in the community. The intention of On the Road was to continue to reach out to new audiences and to bring them all back to the Art Center when we reopened.” On the Road provides a distinctive experience for the people of Palo Alto and creates opportunities for those who may not normally visit the center to view pieces of art by prominent local artists. Opening Day The final step in the reopening of the Palo Alto Art Center will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by hands-on activities, led by Art Center employees, for guests of all ages. The new logo, designed by Colleen Sullivan, a member of the Cubberly Artists Studio Program, will be revealed in an exhibition along with other logo entries. The reopening will include food trucks, faculty demonstrations and workshops to get the public interested in upcoming art classes, and two performances from both an Indian dancing group from Palo Alto and the India Community Center in Milpitas. Community Creates!, the inaugural exhibition for the reopening, consists of installations by 10 local, prominent and emerging contemporary artists who required community participation. The exhibit provides a unique glimpse into the people and community of Palo Alto. “The day is going to start off with a dedication ceremony that will include speeches by various dignitaries,” Kienzle says. “Then a ribbon cutting. We are really excited about getting the community back to Art Center.” v

FEATURES WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

IN HER OWN WORDS: LAURA MARTINEZ PREPARE FOR IMPACT THE FLIPSIDE OF PAUSD

42 45 46 48

photos by JACQUELINE WOO

CULTURE FEATURES

WHEN ALL ELSE

FAILS Text by CARLY KING and EVELYN WANG Photography by CARLY KING and JACQUELINE WOO

THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND MEDICAL REALITY OF USING THE MORNING-AFTER PILL

t’s all fun and games until someone ception to the forefront of American politics. Although both Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan breaks a condom. “We were just laying there watching the sunrise and all have since denounced Akins’ comments, in addition to vocalizing of a sudden he was like ‘The condom is broken,’” anony- support of abortion in instances of rape and incest, the Republimous junior Hannah says of her pregnancy scare. “If you can platform committee still opposes the support of mifepristone, could have a mini-heart attack without any history of heart disease an abortion pill that can also be used as emergency contraception and a totally meat free diet, that’s what I would call that moment in small doses. Furthermore, Romney himself called emergency contraception “abortive pills,” according to a New York Times arright there.” Hannah, whose name like others in this article has been with- ticle published earlier this June. Despite pro-life efforts to the contrary, in 2009, the Food and held to protect her identity, is just one of many Palo Alto High Drug Administration made Plan B available without a prescription School students, and in fact teenage girls, who have had to deal for purchase by men and women who are at least 17 years old. with the unwanted surprise and implications of birth control malNevertheless, loopholes such as state laws that allow pharmacists function. Condoms are only effective 86 percent of the time, acto refuse access to the pill can cording to the American Pregnancy prevent teens from getting what Association, and for the other 14 “The name Plan B connotes they need. percent, the morning-after pill is a loose approach to intimaAlthough California has often the only option short of aborcy. When it comes to unprosome of the most pro-Plan B tion or pregnancy. tected sex, there should not laws in the country, for those unThe morning-after pill, also der 17, emergency contraception be a readily available panaknown as Plan B, is an emergency legislation is still an issue. Laws contraceptive meant to be taken in cea in the form of a pill that that make it illegal for a pharmathe first 72 hours after unprotected will mitigate high-risk becist or doctor to withhold emersex or instances in which birth conhaviors.” gency contraception due to moral trol fails. Although it is often called —Paly parent or religious beliefs do not apply the “abortion pill” by pro-life advoto those under 17. In those situacates, emergency contraception does tions, the easiest way to get emernot actually abort existing pregnancies, according to the Plan B One-Step website. Rather, it tempo- gency contraception is to visit a Planned Parenthood health center, rarily stops the ovaries from releasing an egg in order to prevent at which teens can get it for free without a prescription. But even then, stigma is still an issue. fertilization. “The name Plan B connotes a loose approach to intimacy,” a However, this has not prevented emergency contraception Paly parent said. “When it comes to unprotected sex, there should from renewing reproductive rights as a source of controversy not be a readily available panacea in the form of a pill that will within the Republican party and the upcoming election as well. mitigate high-risk behaviors.” Republican congressman Todd Akins’ comments about a woman’s Jessica Munn, chairman of anti-abortion group San Mateo body shutting down and preventing conception in instances of Pro Life, agrees. “legitimate rape” have catapulted abortion and emergency contra-

THE BACK-UP PLAN: Emergency contraception pills such as Next Choice or Plan B One-Step should be taken in the first 72 hours after unprotected sex.

“Unmarried people should not be engaging in the marital act (sexual intercourse),” Munn says. “If they do, that is called fornication. The sexual act should be the gift of self that is given to one’s spouse on one’s wedding night.” Munn opposes use of emergency contraception even in instances of rape. According to Munn, her views reflect those of San Mateo Pro Life and indeed the Pro Life movement as a whole. “The point of the media and such people in promoting this is to assure everyone that they can ‘prevent’ pregnancy by a pill.,” Munn says. “But the pill — if conception has occurred — will prevent the new human from being implanted, thereby causing the new human being to die and be expelled from the mother’s body (ie: aborted).” While the morning-after pill doesn’t actually kill fetuses, this misconception is common. “If you’re already pregnant, it won’t end the pregnancy,” explains local nurse Linda Pomeroy. Unlike the abortion pill taken in the first nine weeks of pregnancy, emergency contraception does not terminate pregnancy, it simply blocks egg fertilization. This is why it is not 100% effective — if fertilization has already occured, Plan B won’t help. Those who take emergency contraception can face stigma from peers as well. “Plan B only teaches people that being careful isn’t important anymore,” junior Miranda says. “Plan B allows those who are sexually active to feel less obliged to use a condom or birth control when having sex, because they know the next day, they can just take Plan B.” This, however, is not the case. Emergency contraception is not meant to be taken regularly, as regular birth control pills and condoms are much more effective. Additionally, even taking it as an emergency form of contraception can have some adverse side effects. According to the Planned Parenthood website, one in four women feel nauseous when they take Plan B, which can also cause breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, dizziness, and headaches. Junior Hannah experienced painful side effects after taking Plan B. “My time of the month is already full of extra cramps which I have to take some serious pain meds for,” Hannah says. “Well, drumroll, I had three of those [cramps] in a row. One is plenty, two is too much, and by the third one I was pretty much rolling on the ground of my room wondering if I was seeing a light at the end of a tunnel.” These side effects of the pill are harmless compared to the serious effects physicans worry emergency contraception could have. Those who take birth control pills regualrly or have seen advertisements that caution the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and breast cancer due to complications with birth control hormones know that taking birth control poses serious health risks in extremely rare cases. Emergency contraception is esentially “a hyper dose of birth control,” according to local therapist Beth O’Malley. This “hyper dose” is 40 times stronger than the average dose of birth control hormones, meaning the body is bombarded with a harmful excess of hormones. Despite these unlikely but possible future side effects, “Overuse of the morning-after pill is not dangerous. I would not expect any young women to be using this for the long term.

Paly on the Morning-after Pill

have used emergency contraception

would use emergency contraception

37%

71% know someone who has used emergency contraception

PALY OPINIONS Results based on a true/ false survey of Paly females given in English classes this September.

It is designed to be used only in the 24 hours following unwise or unwanted intercouse,” Dr. Dave Rusen, a local MD and psychiatrist, says. Pomeroy cautions that “It is not the best form [of birth control] and there are better forms that are more effective. If you’re pregnant, it won’t end the pregnancy, and if your birth control method failed, emergency contraception won’t protect against STDs.” Hannah not only doesn’t plan on taking Plan B regularly as a form of contraception, but won’t be taking it again anytime soon. “It was an experience, I can tell you that, and definitely a lesson learned,” Hannah says. “I’ve definitely been insanely cautious since then.” v

WHEN NOT AT THE CITY COUNCIL At East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy, where she serves as after school director and family college resource director, Laura Martinez discusses the arrival of new art equipment with a teacher (top left); Martinez helps a struggling student with his homework after school (above); checking her email, Martinez waits for after school enrichment to begin (bottom left).

In her own words: Laura Martinez East Palo Alto mayor and Paly alumna Laura Martinez, 27, shares her thoughts on being mayor Text and Photography by SHARON TSENG

Verde: When did you decide that you wanted to be a mayor and what drove you to pursue that career? Laura Martinez: I grew up in East Palo Alto and I always knew that I wanted to come back after college and serve my community. I had done a number of volunteer jobs in high school but I knew that I wanted to come back and serve in a different capacity. I came back to East Palo Alto after college and started working for some local nonprofits, and then I decided back in 2008 that I would take a shot and run for City Council. I was being supported by the former mayor of East Palo Alto and another council member, and they encouraged me to run. V: What do you want to accomplish in your next term if you are relected? LM: I want to continue to bring more revenues to the city, support the [Ravenswood] District Plan which is attracting more developments, creating more jobs. I want to continue to support public safety initiatives, keeping our streets safe, working on more structures like sidewalks. Those are my top three things.

V: What is your proudest accomplishment as a mayor? LM: I would say opening a new skate park and opening a new open space park. Cooley Landing is an open space park. It is our first open space park. It’s right on the bay, it’s right on the water, and it’s not your typical recreation park. Students can go and learn about the natural habitat and there’s going to be opportunities for an education center where students can go and learn about the environment, things like that. V: What do bring to City Council by being young? LM: The majority of East Palo Alto is young and I can relate to them. I think I have that more than the other council members. V: How do you feel knowing that you are one of the youngest mayors in the country and the first Latina mayor of East Palo Alto? LM: It’s really an honor to be serving this position in this city that I’ve grew up in. It just feels really good and a lot of people are happy for me. v

FEATURES

PREPARE FOR

impact

Text and Photography by HOLLIE KOOL and JACQUELINE WOO

AKE TWO TONS OF FAST, SLEEK, UNSTOPPABLE POWERFUL STEEL. COMBINE THAT WITH THREE BOTTLES OF BEER AND ONE TEENAGE DRIVER. Suddenly, those few thousand pounds, once the ride home, transform into a death sentence. For 28 years, Safe Ride was a safeguard against the dangers of teenage driving in the Bay Area that offered intoxicated high school student a confidential, free alternative to travel home. But on Aug. 17, Red Cross dealt a blow to Safe Ride, publicly announcing that they would no longer fund or be affiliated with the student and adultrun program. As of Sept. 5, Safe Ride has not been active in the Silicon Valley. Over one-third of fatalities for young adults between 15 and 20 years old are caused by driving, and 23 percent of those car related deaths are a result of having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An August 2012 New York Times article states that the likelihood that a teenage driver will crash is 44 percent higher when there is one other passenger in the car. When there are three or more passengers, the likelihood quadruples. Safe Ride, which aimed to prevent accidents like these, was formed by Palo Alto and Gunn High School students in 1984 after the death of 17-year-old Paly student Scott Safreed, who was hit by a 16-yearold drunk driver in 1983. Although other states and regions around the U.S. provide a similar resource, Safe Ride was the first program of its kind in the Bay Area. Local high school students either under the influence of alcohol or drugs or unwilling to accept a ride from an intoxicated friend would previously have been able to call Safe Rideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confidential toll free number (1-800-SAF-RIDE) for a free ride home with no questions asked and no repercussions. High school volunteers from nine different schools in the area provided a safe ride to up to three passengers at a time on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the school year from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., offering the service to students around Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Stanford, Moffett Field, Menlo Park,

Woodside, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Redwood City. Each high school, including Menlo Atherton — the current hub of the program — had volunteer student coordinators except for Palo Alto High School, which could not find a student willing to be a coordinator. “Someone would call the number and someone at the station would pick up the phone,” Safe Ride student head coordinator and Menlo School senior Nick d’Alencon says. “[The person at the station] would ask for their school, how many people there are, where they are right now and what their home address is, so they don’t party hop.” According to the Red Cross, a decline in popularity along with financial complications and other ambiguous reasons related to conflicting goals contributed to the end of the program. At the height of its usage, Safe Ride gave about 600 rides annually. In the past year, however, Safe Ride has only been utilized 200 times. After hearing the news of the program’s closing, former Safe Ride volunteer Becky Beacom was prepared to host a series of meetings to offer new ideas for a similar program. “The meeting would not necessarily have been to save Safe Ride in its current form — but to meet and explore any and all ideas for helping teens continue to make the safer decision to not drink and drive,” Beacom says. D’Alencon and fellow head coordinator and St. Francis High School senior Alexis Doyle felt strongly about the Safe Ride program and took it upon themselves to call organizations hoping for a new host, believing that the program deserved to continue. “The Red Cross allegedly tried to find a new organization, but they were unsuccessful,” d’Alencon says. “It looks like we have found a potential [organization] and we do have support from the Menlo Atherton police department.” Despite a funding deficit, an undisclosed organization has shown interest in supporting the student-run program, according to d’Alencon. “I would rather have kids drink and have a safe ride home than drink and have them drive themselves,” d’Alencon says. As

a result of finding a new organization, Beacom’s meetings were not held. If Safe Ride is successful in finding a new organization to partner with, d’Alencon hopes to publicize Safe Ride and increase its usage. While Menlo School already prints the number of Safe Ride on the back of their students’ school ID cards and occasionally distributes informational fliers, students from other schools are not always aware of the option to use Safe Ride. “I think it’s a good idea, but people don’t want to call a stranger,” Paly senior Chelsea Chen says. “They would rather call a friend — which is what most people do.

Not many people use [Safe Ride], or have heard of it.” Although the future of Safe Ride is still uncertain, the efforts of school coordinators like d’Alencon give hope that Palo Alto students, along with students from other communities, will still be provided with the opportunity to find a safe, shameless, and easy way to travel the road no matter the circumstances. A new beginning may bring more students who will take advantage of this service. The hope is that when faced with choosing between driving home drunk, and calling 1-800-SAF-RIDE, people will chose the latter. v

Of 200 Paly juniors and seniors surveyed…

12% have driven drunk or under the influence of an illegal substance 74% would use SafeRide if intoxicated and needed a ride home 25% have been a passenger in a car with an intoxicated driver 67% would call their parents if drunk and had no ride home 59% have heard of the SafeRide program 47

flipside

THE

PALO ALTO RESIDENTS SHARE THE DIFFERENCES THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS

S PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FINISH OFF THEIR WEEK, THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO REST IN THE BLUE PLASTIC CHAIRS ON THE QUAD. Many gather with friends to discuss weekend plans and pedal off to each other’s houses to get ready for the football game later that Friday night. Just half a mile away at Castilleja School, groups of girls stroll over to Town and Country clad in white polo shirts and blue pleated skirts. The students cross paths while cruising through the crowded underpass, their different lifestyles ultimately stemming from their school situation: public or private. Lucy Fox, a sophomore at Paly, attended Castilleja for middle school before transferring to Paly a year ago. She says switching schools was the right choice, preferring the freedom of Paly life and the proactivity of the students. “There are bigger classes at Paly, and not as much one-on-one time with the teachers,” Fox says. “And personally, I don’t mind figuring stuff out on my own. I like having more responsibility.” On the other hand, Campbell Field, a junior at Castilleja, has been attending the school since sixth grade and still loves it. She hardly considered leaving after middle school. Although it was her mother’s idea for her to apply to Castilleja, Field says she genuinely enjoys the comfortable environment that Castilleja provides. “[I love] how everyone is relaxed and friendly with each other,” Field says. “It’s a very supportive community… we don’t have a whole lot of drama.” Unlike Fox, Field prefers the smaller, more intimate environment that Castilleja has to offer. “I think that it’s much easier to focus; I like the small classes,” she says. “If you have any questions, you can come talk to [the teachers] and they make sure that everyone knows what they are doing.” Caitie Field, Campbell Field’s mother, says

that she knew Castilleja would be right for Campbell when her daughter was in kindergarten. “In first grade, she started going to the camp and she really loved it,” Caitie says. “She enjoyed the independence [and] she loved the all-girl environment.” Caitie explains that she has nothing against the public schools; she simply felt that Castilleja was the right choice for Campbell. “There was nothing negative about the public schools at all,” she says. Caitie explains that her own experiences growing up in public schools may have influenced her to advocate for private schools. “In middle school… I stopped liking math and I didn’t think it was cool to be smart,” Caitie says. Overall, Caitie says that Castilleja has been a

“There was nothing negative about public schools at all. ” — parent Caitie Field good experience for Campbell. “Originally we thought she was just going to go there for middle school, but in eighth grade she wasn’t interested in leaving Castilleja,” Caitie says. “It was sort of a home away from home for her.” Campbell’s brother, Bo Field, a freshman at Paly, didn’t take to private school like his sister. He spent two years of middle school at Menlo School in Atherton and left Menlo after seventh grade, transferring to Jordan Middle School for eighth grade. Bo says that his mom asked him to look into switching to private school for middle school, but that it was ultimately his decision. “I thought [private schools] looked cool because they’re super fancy,” he says. However, the private school environment didn’t work for him. “People were way more chill at public

OF PAUSD Text by SAMANTHA DEWEES and OLIVIA KOYAMA Art by DIANA CONNOLLY

school,” he says. “Everybody was kind of intense about everything [at Menlo] about school and crazy about their hobbies.” After leaving Menlo, Bo says he had a much easier time managing school and friends. “It is easier to keep up with the work… [and] to meet up with people on the weekends because everybody lives around here,” Bo says. Caitie says that she was supportive of Bo’s decision to leave Menlo. “The social aspect was not good there,” she says. “The friends he has here are so down-toearth.” Corbin Dodd, a junior at Paly, attended Keys School for middle school before transferring to Paly for high school. According to Dodd, class size was one of the biggest contributing factors when he chose to transfer to Paly. “I went to a really small private middle school, just 20 kids per grade, and decided that I wanted to get to know more people,” Dodd says. “I also already knew lots of people at Paly because I was in PAUSD for elementary school, so I wanted to reconnect with them after three years too.” Dodd says that although he was happy with the change, the large population of students can be quite intimidating. “The hardest part was adjusting to how many people there were at one school,” Dodd says. “If I’m feeling overwhelmed by the amount of people, I prefer Keys, but when I’m meeting someone new from the seemingly endless supply of nice, interesting people, I prefer Paly.” According to Dodd, although he had trouble at times switching from private to public school, he is happy with his decision and enjoys being a Paly student. “I think it was worth it because I’ve met lots of wonderful people at Paly, become more involved in the Palo Alto community, and feel I’m getting a great education,” Dodd says. Students often look to private school for an environment that better suits their needs. But Leslie

White, a public school parent, advocate and teacher, feels there are a number of other factors. “Parents can feel strongly about the education philosophy or religion espoused at a school, can want their child to be part of a particular social community, or want their child to appeal to a more prestigious college by buffing up the school resume,” White says. “Unfortunately, I think the latter is an insidious influence in Palo Alto.” Factors such as Silicon Valley and Stanford University nearby create an environment where families are willing to do anything to get ahead. But White feels that the typical ideals of private school, such as the all-girl environment at Castilleja, prevent children from being exposed to real life experiences. “You have to learn to deal with the unmotivated, the cut-ups, the deadbeats, the brilliant and the dimwitted [in life],” White says. “As a young adult, you may not deal with all these people well, but [at public schools] you know they are part of your community, and that community is everybody all together.” White believes that one of school’s most crucial responsibilities is to prepare students to live and prosper in the real world. She also emphasizes the importance of working with everyone in one’s society. “None of us really live in a Disneyland world; stuff happens to everybody and democracy requires that we include everyone in the conversation, planning and expected outcomes,” White says. Whether they wear a sweatshirt and jeans or blouse and blue skirt, the students walking through the underpass continue to live and act like teenagers do. After their schooling has finished they will both enter the same world, despite their educational differences. “If we all learn and work together,” White says, “we can live and succeed together.” v

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COVER

LEFT, RIGHT, AND IN BETWEEN THE GRAND NEW RIGHT LAND OF LIBERTAD THE PURSUIT OF PATRIOTISM

54 55 59 61

photo by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

COVER

LEFT, RIGHT AND

IN BETWEEN

HOW PATRIOTISM OPERATES IN AMERICA’S POLITICAL PARTIES Text by NOAM SHEMTOV and OLIVIA KOYAMA Art by CHARU SRIVASTAVA and OLIVIA KOYAMA

demption to the world,” Linker says. tism with a bite into her sandwich. EVENTY NINE Linker cites this religious elitism as the “The idea that you can have a partisan YEAR-OLD HARfeature of American patriotism that sets us attitude is very much part of our political RIET PALMER, A apart from other countries. culture and we’ve internalized that,” Jack LOCAL VOLUN“It is this persistent theoTEER FOR THE “This is the greatest Rakove, Pulitzer logical self-confidence that Prize-winning OBAMA CAMPAIGN, PASSdistinguishes American patrio- country in the world” Stanford profesES OUT POLITICAL PARA— Harriet Palmer sor of history tism from expressions of comPHERNALIA TO THOSE munal feeling in any other modern nation,” says. WHO PASS BY HER DESK. This is a split that is becoming more She appears rejuvenated by every new Linker says. Palo Alto High School senior and and more pronounced as we are bomarrival at the Menlo Park Democratic convention, where she volunteers. Palmer, the outspoken Republican Jake Kerman dis- barded on Facebook by the posts of our physical embodiment of a patriotism that is agrees with Linker’s claims that patriotism pseudo-pundit peers and on television inboth new and old, seated behind the stick- is rooted in religious America’s altruistic terviews by their lobbying adult counterer-covered table, is surrounded by bouquets intentions, instead claiming that capitalist parts. The student population has taken it upon themselves to declare their political of balloons in the archetypal red, white and individualism is our country’s backbone. “Democrats believe that government orientation over social media platforms in blue and peering out at her America from has the responsibility to create a play- dispute over which patriotism is more corbehind her wire-rimmed glasses. “I’ve always been in politics,” Palmer ing field where people in need of aid re- rect, whose love for America greater. “I think there’s an asymmetry — Resays, as if she ran a similar reception desk ceive it by law,” Kerman says. “Conservaat the arrival of the Mayflower and has tives believe that this aid should not come publicans who, generally speaking, reprewatched politics evolve ever since. She through the government, but rather by way sent old-stock Americans and Democrats hands out nametags as she professes her of strong community values and private who have become the much more multicharity.” The claim, at once firmly based in racial party, much more the party of immilove for her country. “This is the greatest country in the capitalism, and socially conscious, evokes grants,” Rakove says. This asymmetry has world,” Palmer says, “My passport when I somewhat more of a “Bleeding Heart existed since Anglo-American times, when was growing up was an important thing for Conservatism” than Romney’s recent “47 Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian ideologies me. I’m fortunate because I’m here but that percent” remarks. Palmer and Kerman gave birth to the party-specific strands of also gives me responsibility. That’s what pa- stand for the two types of patriotism that patriotism that we see in politics today. Even apart from the most dramatic triotism means to me, owning up to our drive the ever-uglier political campaigns in our country and constant speculations that right-wing factions like the Tea Party, the responsibility as a country.” The true meaning of patriotism has each election will be the one that defines Republican Party in general defines patriotism in terms of America’s beginnings. long been the center of a vehement de- America for our generation. “I would say According to Rakove, “their platform has bate. Maybe this need to “The American patriot identify ourselves based is loyal to the Consti- that mainly Demo- been advertised in Hamiltonian vernacucratic ideals are what lar, condemning all traces of “socialism” on love for our countution of the United I believe in,” Palmer and the left as “more interested in national try is the reason that we says, reaching across norms than American interests.” defend the objects that States of America.” — Peter Rockhold her table and gestur“He [Obama] takes his political inspisymbolize America so desperately, draping flags and thematic bal- ing at flyers printed with Obama slogans. ration from the socialist Democrats in Euloons over reception tables, flagpoles and Palmer’s sparsely ringed hand passes over rope,” says Romney in Fox’s GOP debate infomercials. Maybe this need to qualify pa- last election’s dictum, “Yes we can,” as if on Sept 22. “I believe in free enterprise triotism is why Palmer punctuates her defi- subconsciously affirming the statement and capitalism. I believe government is too nition of it with the claim that “Romney that her patriotism and ideology cannot be big.” “We are a country that demands freedoesn’t recognize his universal responsibili- split, and that our country’s greatness lies ty, our universal responsibility” as a country in that eternal promise. “It’s important [for dom in every sense of the word. We are a country that values hard work and getting who has considered itself a universal para- patriots] to have a belief.” Lisa Altieri, Palmer’s colleague and the ahead of the curve,” Kerman says. “It does digm since independence. Damon Linker, in his article, “Calvin and American Excep- regional field organizer of the Obama cam- not matter what one subscribes to; as long tionalism,” traces this overconfidence as paign, agrees with Palmer’s partisan take on as they subscribe to it with these beliefs, patriotism. patriotism will form as a results.” the seed of American patriotism. “Right now, we’re at a crossroads,” “The way symbols [of patriotism] “[There was a] profound impact of Calvinist assumptions on the formation of Altieri says. “Either people will understand operate between the parties is what is sigAmerican patriotism — and in particular what’s going on or they will believe what nificant,” Rakove says on the true meaning the country’s sense of itself as an excep- they [the Republican party] are saying and of partisanship in American patriotism. tional nation empowered by providence to we’ll lose everything.” Altieri interposes her Rakove’s claim hints at a patriotism that is bring democracy, liberty and Christian re- rejection of a legitimate right-wing patrio- shared between the two.

Contrary to their competitors, the left campaigns in terms of the promise that America can improve on itself (Obama’s former “Yes we can” mantra immediately comes to mind). “What makes America great is not its perfection, but the belief that it can be made better,” President Barack Obama said in a 2008 speech in aptly-named Independence, Missouri. Obama qualifies American exceptionalism by relating it to humanity, not the individual, connoting that as a country, America has much to realize and the potential to do so. “Patriotism for me is a belief in true democracy,” Altieri says. “People all over the world really want what we have here in terms of opportunity for equality.” According to Christopher Morriss’s Time Magazine article, “The New Patriotism,” the left designates social characteristics to the equality that Altieri talks about. The left campaigns for an America where all races, creeds and sexual orientations will be afforded the same privileges and fiscal opportunities, using Romney’s lack of Obama’s rags-to-riches appeal to downplay his understanding of the common American. Peter Rockhold, Paly graduate class of 2012, and one of few Paly students who take on the responsibility of patriotism by planning to join the Navy defines patriotism as independent of party division. His views are his alone, and do not necessarily mirror those of the US Navy. “What really defines America [and our national identity] is our documents: the Declaration, the Constitution, these are true American ideas and values,” Rockhold says. According to Rakove, the vir-

DEDICATED PATRIOT Harriet Palmer, 79, takes a short break in her shift at Obama’s Menlo Park office, where a convention was held to watch Obama’s speech. tue of true American patriotism is rooted in something much deeper than the party division that he calls “a false dichotomy” in American politics. “The American Patriot is loyal to the Constitution of the United States of America,” Rockhold says. “For a long time, sailors of the United States Navy have been taught the constitutional paradigm. Politics is where the lines blur between patriotism, greed and jingoism.” These politics dictate the different operations of symbolism on either side of our political spectrum; these politics that inspire us to defend our ideology so aggressively by flag-waving and chest thumping. Kerman holds

a similar opinion on true patriotism to Rockhold and Rakove’s, he claims that partisanship is nullified by patriots’ common loyalties to the great American documents, and that patriotism is a definitive pride in the principles that make up America, and the ideals that we stand for as a nation. According to Kerman, it is our Constitutional ideals that define true American patriotism at its core, that dictates the goals we are fighting over on televised debates, during Occupy protests and in virtually every expression of love for our country. Perhaps it is this universally applicable strain of patriotism that inspires Palmer to recognize the American community in saying, “No man is an island, we’re [as Americans] all part of a whole,” Palmer says as she reclines away from her desk and peers up at the balloon bouquets with new meaning. Perhaps it is this patriotism that we adorn with our flags and Fourth of July napkins. According to Rakove, “The fact that we continue to argue about our ideals; what kind of equality we favor, what kind of social norms are we comfortable with, is what defines American citizenship, a virtue so bound up with who we are as people.” v

THE GRAND

NEW RIGHT

FROM ENTERTAINMENT TO POLITICS, A RECENT SURGE OF CONSERVATIVISM EVEN TOUCHES LIBERAL PALO ALTO Text and Photography by MELISSA WEN Art by DIANA CONNOLLY

ENIOR CHARLIE DULIK HOLDS UP a PHONE CASE EMBLAZONED WITH A VINTAGE LOOKING AMERICAN FLAG. A vivid display of patriotism at Palo Alto High School? More like a display of irony, Dulik says, chuckling. This American flag looks like something out of a music video by Lana del Rey, a singer-songwriter known for her hit single “Video Games” and frequent references to 50s and 60s Americana. Dulik isn’t a fan of her though, or of patriotism for that matter, saying both things lack substance. A self-proclaimed independent who says he would vote third party if he could vote,

Dulik also enjoys the occasional Southern ballad despite his own belief that the Palo Alto lifestyle embodies the “exact opposite of country music.” Dulik exemplifies the new role of conservative America in modern Paly culture, although not politically. 50s style and cowboy boots, at one point tied to conservative America, have resurged in the realms of hipsterdom and mainstream music. Meanwhile, the presidential election looms, with a Republican candidate boasting a platform that some describe as the most conservative in the history of the party. In light of these contradictions, modern-day conservatism seems hard to define. A look at Paly politics and pop culture, however, reveals some trends rising out of

a medley of opinions. I’m driving a Prius, y’all According to Hoover Institution research analyst Carson Bruno, conservative undertones have always existed in popular entertainment. “American rooted characteristics not only include a general skepticism of government involvement… but also a focus on personal responsibility, entrepreneurship and self preservation,” he says. “While these traits are inherently conservative in nature, they do not necessarily have to be related to politics.” Paly student opinions align with Bruno’s analysis. Country music, for instance, is often associated with conservatism.

COVER A CONSERVATIVE RESURGENCE? Culturally, the popularity of Lana Del Rey and country music seems to be evidence of a resurgence of conservative ideals. However, only 12 percent of Paly respondents included in a September Verde poll say they would vote Republican in the upcoming election.

From Carrie Underwood’s plea for Jesus to take the wheel to Taylor Swift’s pining for a nuclear family, many popular songs seem to highlight the values that Bruno lists. But students say that the popularity of country music at Paly has little to do with political values, and, in a September Verde poll of 338 students across nine Paly English classes, only about 23 percent say they associate it with conservatism. “I like country music because it always makes me happy, sophomore and country music fan Kelly Swanson says. “I like the message too because it’s normally meaningful. Country concerts are pretty popular because people like to go hang out with friends and have a good time.” Dulik agrees that the social opportunities that country music offers hold more allure than whatever political values they might hold. Pointing out that students here are more likely to own a Priuses than tractors, he calls country music concerts an avenue for “high-school dress up,” a chance for teenagers to imagine a completely different lifestyle. “It’s fun,” he says. “It’s simple country livin’.” A brief history of conservatism According to Stanford University sociology professor Doug McAdam, the start of the primary system 30 odd years ago pushed the Republican Party farther right. He describes the majority of America as moderate centrists. “On the Republican side, what we saw over the last year is pretty typical,” he says. “The most extreme elements in the Republican Party, the most conservative Tea Party supporters, wield unbelievable power and influence under the primary process because most Americans don’t choose to participate.” McAdam also notes that the left has not been as mobilized as the right for the past couple decades, although he isn’t sure why. He predicts that if the Republicans lose this year with their extremely conservative platform, it will encourage both parties to move towards the center. “If Obama wins, I think some people will conclude that it’s still very risky for a party to move as far to the right as the Republicans have this year,” he says. “I think this election is critical in determining whether things might start to move back in

a more centrist direction.” Paly is no exception, boasting mostly moderates. In the aforementioned poll, roughly 47 percent identified themselves as moderate, compared to 5 percent who consider themselves very conservative and 3.6 percent who consider themselves very liberal. Only 12 percent of students said they would vote for Romney if they could, although 18 percent identify as either very or somewhat conservative.

national debt,” he says. “These are libertarian positions.” In light of the newly founded Libertarian club, libertarianism seems to have also made its mark on Paly conservatives. “Libertarianism and conservatism are very similar, in a more economic sense,” junior and Libertarian club member Gabriel Salmon says. “On the other hand, libertarianism is much more inclined towards freedom and individual rights.” Slipper notes the appeal of this comThe Palo Altan right bination in Palo Alto’s particular environAlthough Palo Alto is known for being ment. mostly liberal, Bruno says that Silicon Val“Paly is extremely open-minded and ley has become slightly more accepting of tolerant, and, in general, quite socially libconservatism. According to Bruno, many eral,” Slipper says. “The libertarians simply Silicon Valley industries are fairly new and combine ideas of social freedoms with free thus have not been regulated heavily by the market economic freedoms.” government. Dulik says that, unlike the Tea Party, “As the growth of government in- conservatives at Paly have not become sigtervention has crept into these nificantly more vocal in expressing their industries, the beliefs recently. “Historically, Silicon country’s culBut he has seen Valley donors have mastural centerconservatism exsively skewed toward right nature pressed lately in a Democratic candidates, and individual way that is decidself-interest has edly modern. but since 2010, we’ve prompted a re“I just see witnessed a noticeable action,” he says. it over social increase in donations goBruno says media,” he says. ing to conservative canhe has seen this “I’ll see someone didates.” through the intweet ‘Mitt 2012.’” crease in lobby— Carson Bruno, Hoover The grand ing activity and Institute research analyst new in increased poreligious right litical donations A certain kind of religious right does for Republican candidates. “Historically, Silicon Valley donors exist at Paly, although not like one might have massively skewed toward Democratic expect. Christian club President and senior candidates but since 2010, we’ve witnessed Alexia Garcia says her conservative beliefs a noticeable increase in donations going to largely stem from her religious values. She conservative candidates,” he says. opposes abortion, for example, for reliJunior Aaron Slipper, who calls him- gious reasons. “I guess I was just raised that way,” self a libertarian, says he has seen a similar trend at Paly — the prevalence of eco- Garcia says. “My family’s very conservative nomic conservatism but not social conser- overall.” vatism. He thinks that conservatives have Garcia also acknowledges that not all become increasingly libertarian — who Christians are as conservative as she is. “There’s definitely a spectrum within aim to minimize government interference in all aspects — citing the success of ex- Christianity overall,” she says. “There’s Republican candidate Ron Paul among the really conservative and orthodox kind of people. Then there’s some that are just young voters. “There is now a good deal of discus- more liberal.” Garcia believes the religious commusion among so-called conservatives about reducing government spending, particu- nity to be substantial, citing 60 sign-ups for larly entitlement spending, and decreasing Christian club this year. She says that last

PALY LIBERTARIAN CLUB This poster advertising the new Libertarian Club illustrates the rising popularity of libertarian views, as espoused by politicians such as Republican primary candidate Ron Paul and Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. The poster boasts that “Libertarians will give you real freedom.” year about 20 members attended regularly. Junior and Christian club Co-Vice President Curtis Wu also places himself on the more conservative end of the spectrum, saying that his beliefs, too, are largely influenced by his family as well as his religion. Although the Republican party is generally recognized as catering to the religious right, both Wu and Garcia prefer to call themselves independent. Garcia says she is undecided, but in the process of considering who to vote for remains open-minded to both parties. Wu also would hesitate to vote Republican, saying that the party has been too critical of Obama, both in terms of his personal life and policies. Wu’s ultimate criticism seems to affirm McAdam’s prediction about the disconnect between the views of the Republican party and those of the American populace. “I think [the Republicans have] gotten a little extreme. That’s the message I’ve gotten from the community around me,” Wu says. v

COVER

LAND OF

LIBERTAD

IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR STRUGGLES WITH PATRIOTISM Text and Photography by DANIELA IVEY

MAN STANDS ON A STREET CORNER, HOLDING OUT A BOX OF STRAWBERRIES. HIS BLUE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT STICKS TO HIS SWEAT-DRENCHED SKIN AND HIS BOOTS ARE WORN DOWN AND CAKED IN MUD. Cars drive by, but none stop. He runs after them in the hopes of making a sale. Unsuccessful, he returns to his corner. Two o’clock in the afternoon, $5 made, yet he stays optimistic with a

determination fueled by a dream of possibilities. This is the life of Roberto, 35, an illegal immigrant and fruit vendor stationed about a mile away from Palo Alto High School, whose name has been changed due to the sensitivity of the topic. Roberto is one of countless men and women who cross the Mexico-California border illegally every year in hope of new opportunities. Since its founding as a nation more than 200 years ago, America has strived to be the land of freedom, equality and possibility, qualities that have appealed to immigrants for centuries. However, as evidenced by bills such as Arizona’s SB 1070 —

ON THE CORNERS OF PALO ALTO Local fruit vendor Roberto, sells strawberries on a Palo Alto streetcorner.

Moving to America, however, has proven difficult in certain one of the most stringent anti-illegal immigration acts yet — the opposing opinions on immigration aspects for Adan. “It can be hard for some of us [immigrants] to love America (more specifically, dealing with illegal immigration) have fueled one of the most heated political issues when people see us differently due to the side of the border on which we were born,” he says. of our time. Roberto agrees, and points to the hardships he’s faced as an The DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act, a relatively new piece immigrant, “There are racist people here, it can’t be helped… of legislation now supported by Obama, was intro- Working here I’ve encountered people who don’t want us here,” duced by Congress in 2001 in hopes of aiding illegal he says. “I’ve even had police officers go out of their way to punimmigrants. Intended to grant minors, students and ish me.” Roberto relayed one such police encounter. long-term residents an opportunity for permanent le“I was selling, a policeman parked and told me I couldn’t sell gal residency, the DREAM Act has reignited hope in immigrants searching for the liberties for which they here, and I said OK and started to pack up,” Roberto says. “But then he started to handcuff me. He knew some Spanish and in it initially came to America. In addition to the DREAM Act, a bill was passed he told me he would report me to immigration… Then he started August 2012 here in California that, according to the saying ‘f*** you’ and some other things like that… I don’t know San Francisco Chronicle, “would prohibit local police what it means but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t anything good.” On the contrary, the Palo Alto Police Department says its emfrom detaining anyone on an immigration hold if the ployees “treat everyone equally regardless person is not charged with or of their race, gender, or citizenship,” achas not been convicted of a “It can be hard for cording to police protocol. serious or violent crime.” some of us to love It can’t be denied that still looming are In other words, the deAmerica when people the feelings that America should stay just cision of what to do about see us differently due that: all-American. non-citizens once in custody to the side of the bor“I believe American jobs should go would no longer be made by to true-blooded Americans,” says one Paly local law enforcement. Howder on which we were junior. This is one of many who believe ever, the Chronicle article born.” illegal immigrants have been treated with provides other viewpoints as — fruit vendor Roberto more leniency than deserved. well. Jessica Vaughan, direcRegardless, Adan believes the tor of policy studies for the Center for Immigration studies in Washington, D.C, argues that DREAM Act will counteract negative feelings toward immigrants. “With the new DREAM Act, the Hispanic community will “it would force them to release people they believe are a threat to have many more chances to come out on top,” Adan says. the public.” “He [Obama] has my vote,” he says. “He’s given us a path full However, these bills have made life more difficult for illegal immigrants, as expressed by Roberto. He also acknowledges that of freedom.” Many legal immigrants have a more neutral view on their own changes are being made. “I, along with many other people, am not eligible, but it really patriotism. Shina Avalos, a junior at Paly, moved to the US in 2006 from El Salvador. is good for those who are,” he says about the DREAM Act. “My family is pretty patriotic,” Avalos says. “We celebrate 4th Although not eligible for the DREAM Act’s benefits, Roberto of July, and we support the way the government runs the country. still views his life here as a blessing. “Although I can’t vote here, I stay… Life here has provided This is probably half due to the fact that we go to school here and contribute to society.” me with some opportunity.” As Avalos stated, many legal immigrants have the opportunity Adan, local painter and a legal immigrant, has a similar view to fully immerse themselves in American culture, as opposed to on the DREAM Act to Roberto. “I know a lot of people who have been here since they were illegal immigrants like Roberto, who are not fully supported by the little,” Adan says. “And I think that if they are loyal taxpayers, government they reside under. The importance of this support is they should have just as many rights to citizenship as anyone else. infinite, as evidenced by Adan. “All I want is to be part of a country that accepts me,” he says. Thanks to the US, I’m living a good life with work, food, a car and “That’s the foundation of patriotism.” v clothes on my back.”

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LOOKING DOWN THE BARREL OF A GUN THINKING ABOUT FIREARM BANS DURING TRAGIC TIMES Text by BEN COOK Art by DIANA CONNOLLY

O MANY AMERICANS, THE TRAGIC MASSACRE IN AURORA, COLORADO THAT OCCURRED ON JULY 20, 2012 STANDS AS A SIGN THAT THE RELATIVELY EASY ACCESS THAT U.S. CITIZENS HAVE TO FIREARMS RESULTS IN HORRENDOUS EFFECTS. Backed by many other instances — Columbine, Arizona and Virginia — it seems very logical that, by limiting the availability of firearms, the rate of homicides would drop and fewer unanticipated shootings would occur. However, eradicating the means by which an assailant carries out a murder does not remove the motive with which he or she feels driven to kill. There was a little stint in the 20s where a similar approach was used to control alcohol and that didn’t go so well. As a matter of fact, it exacerbated the conditions that it had been intended to expel. The sad fact is that violence will still occur even if the government intervenes. To fully understand the net effect of gun ownership, it is necessary to shoot some holes in the gun restriction argument. The reprehensible and unexpected shootings that occur throughout the U.S. every year leave many individuals griefstricken. Others are left in awe at how something so unimaginably horrendous could occur and, as a result, seek solutions to prevent future occurrences. It is easy to point the finger at guns. However, surrounded by fear and indignation, people are likely to make irrational decisions.

Advocates for increased restriction There are too many proponents of gun ownership and gun law abiding indi- on gun ownership feel that by limiting the viduals to restrict such rights. As a matter accessibility of weapons such as firearms, of fact, less than 1 percent of those who gang violence and homicides in centers with heavy gang activity could be lowered. own guns use them for violence. This statement goes with the assumpStatistics show that having a gun in the home increases the chances of a homicide tion that gang members with weapons are taking place. Well, so does a toaster oven, registered to own firearms — which is not or a knife, or even a pencil for that matter. the case. Even if the purchasing of fireOwning a gun does not cause homicides; arms was made more difficult, undetected it just increases the risk of one occurring. circulation could continue, giving the crimWhether taking this risk is necessary should inal the upper hand. “Criminals are able to obtain guns be left up to the owner. Some individuals in Palo Alto and through illegal means,” Palo Alto High other upper class, urban cities (except, of School senior Mason Haverstock says. “This is because course, all those guns are traceable authentic down“I think that the average and if we were home Southern gun owner is either a deto make gun laws folks at Shoreline ranged lunatic or a gangmore strict, especountry concerts) most likely have a ster looking for trouble.” cially in Californegative percep— Anonymous Paly student nia, then the criminals would have tion of the “stean even greater reotypical gun advantage over the average law-abiding owner” as being a backwards hick. “I think that the average gun owner citizen. Why then, would it make sense to is either a deranged lunatic or a gangster tighten gun laws in California?” Some amount of precautionary mealooking for trouble,” says an anonymous Palo Alto High School student. However, sures, however, could be necessary and just like any other hobby, there are a myr- would be beneficial in keeping firearms out iad of different individuals comprising the of the wrong hands. Advocates for harsher general culture. Many ardent gun support- gun laws should focus their energy on limers purchase firearms to ensure a sense of iting illegal firearms trafficking and developing a more extensive way in which to assecurity. The Centers for Disease Control re- sess the mental well-being of an individual ported that in 1990, when gun ownership purchasing a gun for the first time. It is understandable that after life-alterrose, the murder rate fell. This suggests that most gun owners are responsible with ing tragedies one would push for extreme their privileges and do not deserve to lose reform. However, restricting or eradicattheir constitutional rights due to the actions ing firearms is a shot in the dark that could prove to do more harm than good. v of the few.

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compulsory service no compulsory service

THE PURSUIT OF PATRIOTISM

THE EFFECT OF COMPULSORY SERVICE ON NATIONAL SPIRIT Text by KATIE EBINGER and SAMANTHA DEWEES Art by HOLLIE KOOL and KATIE EBINGER

T AGE 18, MEIRAV HAR NOY, AN ISRAELI CITIZEN, LEFT HOME TO JOIN ISRAEL’S COMPULSORY MILITARY. While many American teens start college or careers at 18, in 34 nations around the world, teenagers must take a few years from their lives to fight for their country, like Har Noy. For many nations, requiring military service is an effective means to muster patriotic sentiments and bring citizens closer together. In the United States, determining if compulsory service would increase patriotism is difficult because of the size and prominence of freedom of choice in our country. In Israel, this service is known as the Tzavah, and every citizen must serve once they turn 18. Men must serve for three years and women for two. Shiri Arnon, a Palo Alto High School junior who lived in Israel for several years, says that there are benefits to serving in Israel’s military. “The Tzavah is a… great experience [in which one] can make lifelong friends,” Arnon says. “The unforgettable experience [of] defending your country can definitely increase patriotic feelings.”

Har Noy agrees that there are cultural benefits to having a compulsory military service. “The army enables people from different backgrounds, social environments, and places to meet each other and learn more about other people in the country,” Har Noy says. “This basically [unifies] people who would have never met in other circumstances… around one goal: fight for their country.” Har Noy acknowledges that there are downsides of Israel’s compulsory military as well. “Some people — such as super religious people — are refusing to take their share in the task of protecting the country,” Har Noy says. “This creates big antagonism inside Israel which has become a major political issue.” Like Israel, Finland requires military enlistment, despite the country’s long-standing status of peace. Men are required to serve from six to 12 months, but non-combat training is also available. Antti Kokkinen, a 47-year-old Finnish citizen who served in Finland’s compulsory military and often travels to the United States for work, emphasizes how compulsory service can increase patriotism. “I went into my military service patriotic, but came back even

FEATURES more patriotic,” Kokkinen says. Markus Salolainen, another Finnish citizen, agrees that Finland’s compulsory military positively affects patriotism. “[The military] gives an unique opportunity to bond with men from all over the country,” Salolainen says. “In my mind, this experience of ‘togetherness’ is an important building block for a healthy national self-esteem and positive patriotism.” Austria, another country with mandatory military service, requires all men to serve for six months or work for nine months in the “Zivildienst,” Austria’s non-combat service alternative. Service options include working as a paramedic or nurse for the elders. Contrary to the beliefs of Kokkinen and Salolainen, Joseph Lang, an Austrian citizen who attended Palo Alto High School last year, believes that Austria’s required military service doesn’t affect patriotism in Austria due to the lack of correlation between patriotism and war. “I don’t think that military service affects patriotism here,” Lang says. “Austria is a neutral country, so all you do in the military is help when there’s an avalanche or flood. People don’t actually have to fight in wars.” Salolainen mentions his take on the differences between how Americans and Finns show their patriotism towards their country. “American patriotism is expressed in a more extroverted and confident way,” Salolainen says. “In Finland, patriotism is a more private and serious matter.” Finland’s independence day, for example is far different from its American counterpart. “It is a rather somber affair that is marked by quiet reflection rather than fireworks,” Salolainen says. Kokkinen agrees that Finnish and American patriotism are vastly different. He believes that due to the long-lasting peace in Finland, supporting the troops is not an issue of patriotism as it is in America, where we often define one’s patriotism based on one’s partisan support of our nation’s current wars. Similarly, Lang adds that patriotism in Austria isn’t a direct result of military service. “Patriotism and the military are completely not connected,” Lang says.

Steve Foug, a Paly U.S. government and history teacher, believes that in America, patriotism means something different for every person. “Patriotism is a funny thing,” Foug says. “The definition of [patriotism] from one American is going to be very different from another. [It can be] defending the basic rights, the ideas, because we’re a country based on ideas.” For some, expression of patriotism might mean “waving a flag,” Foug says. For others, “[It] might be standing up to authority.” Grant Blackburn, another Paly history teacher, believes that compulsory military in the United States has the potential to increase patriotism of citizens. “On the one hand, compulsory service can be seen as a good thing since everyone can be indoctrinated with the state ideology,” Blackburn says. “This is great for keeping order in the state and furthering their interests… since a collective conscience is created.” On the contrary, Foug believes American ideals are too strong for citizens to benefit from compulsory service. “[Standing up to authority is] such a strong element in our culture that mandatory military service in America would not go over well,” Foug says. “[In a] smaller country with a unique sense of nationalism to it, [compulsory military service] would work better.” Har Noy agrees with Foug regarding the limited utility of compulsory service, and whether or not compulsory service increases patriotism. “I strongly believe [service increases patriotism], but it has to be only in specific situations where there is no other choice,” Har Noy says. Amit Shmuelevitz, a Palo Alto High School student who moved here from Israel last year, believes compulsory service is only an effective means of increasing patriotism in a nation where an on call military is a necessity. “Israel has to require military service because we are always under a threat,” Shmuelevitz says. “I don’t think the US [would] benefit from it because… they just don’t need it.” In smaller nations with less emphasis on individual rights, such as Finland and Israel, mandatory service appears to have a positive effect on citizens’ patriotism, as seen by Har Noy’s time in the Tzavah. In the United States, a large nation famous for its liberty, the possible effects of requiring military enlistment during peacetime are unclear. v

THE

Launch

Compiled by JACQUELINE WOO Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

Learn all about the Election and voting! Pages 68 - 69. >>

THE

Launch

SPIRIT WEEK

Homecoming and Spirit Week are on Oct. 26. Take a peek at what is new and coming up!

Post-it Art

Paly students draw a representation of their class theme.

Chit-Chat

What did you want your class’

“I think we should dress up as vikings because we are the Vikings.” — senior EMILY HAIN 66

From left to right by: freshman Ryan Brown, sophomore Alex Murray, junior Annie Chen, senior Matt Morton.

“Magic School Bus because I wanted to make my bike into a big school bus.” — junior ELI WEITZMAN

ASB Answers :

What is new about this year’s Spirit Week? “[For] this year’s Spirit Week, we’re being a lot more transparent about the point system and scores. We’re also looking at upping the relay race from last year [and] definitely making sure that all the problems that went wrong last year won’t happen this year. For example, the sumo suits [incident].” — ASB President JESSICA TAM Have a question for ASB? Email your question to verdelaunch@gmail.com and see if it gets picked to be in the next issue of Verde! Questions may be anonymous.

Spirit Week theme to be and why? “I think red carpet is already good because it’s a different kind of theme.” — sophomore MARIANNA PIZZARO

“Dukes of Hazard because The General Lee is orange and it’s a cool car.” — freshman ALFREDO GONZALES 67

Launch

THE

2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

October

With major elections coming up in November, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for Paly students to voice their opinion!

3 Presidential Debate

8 Pro and Con Forum

10 Pro and Con Forum

11 Vice-Presidential Debate City Council Candidates Forum

16 Voter Registration Closed Presidential Debate

22 Presidential Debate

November

Calendar by KATIE EBINGER

1 Early Voting Ends

6 Election Day

21 Thanksgiving Break

22 Thanksgiving Break

23 Thanksgiving Break

24 Thanksgiving Break

25 Thanksgiving Break

How to Vote Text by LEAH MEDOFF

Registration First, you need to register on an online application. That can be found on Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Secretary of State website (http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm). Once you do that, you will receive a printed registration form in the mail about seven to 14 days later to submit to your county election official. You must verify your identity before your application is complete. You will receive a voting card in the mail. Once you get that you need to verify that all your information is correct. Registration Requirements To register to vote in California you must meet all registration criteria: 1. You must be a United States citizen and a resident of California. 2. You must be 18 or older on Election Day. Voting by mail

You can vote by mail in two different ways: 1. Download a vote by mail ballot application on the California website. or 2. Complete a vote by mail ballot application that comes with the sample ballot booklet. Your request to vote by mail must be submitted at least seven days before elections which are on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

email is registrar@smcare.org. Voting in Person 1. Find your local poll center. 2. A poll worker will give you a ballot. Follow the instructions in the next available voting booth. 3. Fill in the box next to the candidate you are voting for. 4. Take the ballot to the ballot box and deposit it.

3. Bring the ballot to a poll office before the polls close at 8 p.m. The best way to find local polling places is to contact your county elections office. The San Mateo county elections office is located at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo. The phone number is 650 312-5222 and the fax number is 650 312-5348. Its

Paly Election Polls

In a September survey, Verde surveyed 338 students from nine English classes in all four grades.

Who would Paly vote for? 81% Obama 12% Romney 7% other

Which political parties does Paly represent? 64.5% Democratic 11.5% Republican 25% independent/other/none

Find the Verde V-Man

Be one of the first five Paly students to find the hidden Verde V-Man somewhere in this issue and come to room 213 to claim your prize!

Photo Contest

Last year, The Launch hosted a contest to find a photo for its banner. This year, we are continuing this contest for the next edition, so email your photographs to verdelaunch@gmail.com by Oct. 25, 2012. 69

A SUPPOSEDLY FUN FOOD I’LL NEVER EAT AGAIN Text by KATY ABBOTT

HE APOCALYPSE IS COMING. Dust storms billowing, buildings burning, ash choking the remaining survivors. Grab your possessions and run, but don’t expect to get out. You probably won’t live to see daylight. In times past, nobody would have survived the end of days. But judging from the latest news articles and blog posts, there’s a new, Armageddon-proof superhuman: the “healthy foodie.” Every time I step out of the house, I seem to be bombarded by the latest “wonder foods.” Just picture me, holding an umbrella, defending against hits from rice flour bagels and chia seeds. At the Whole Foods on University Avenue, there is a full-size refrigerator dedicated to gluten-free baked goods. At least oneeighth of the breads on its shelves are similarly sans-gluten. Companies like Blue Print Cleanse will gladly send customers enough juice for a three-day juice fast — all for the reasonable price of $65 a day. Seemingly overnight, the Palo Alto that I know and love — er, tolerate — has been taken over by pod people, as per Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Except take out the emotionless clones, and replace them with healthy foodies. The glutenfree fans have already invaded the gourmet blogging community with their posts about how they “don’t even miss bread anymore.” And the probiotic supporters brag about the health benefits of their deliciously fermented diets. Kudos to you, superior human beings. I wholeheartedly sympathize with those who must turn down sliced bread for medical reasons. But somehow I find it difficult to have compassion for those who quit gluten just because they want to “try something new.” “Trendy” diets, like trying juice cleanses, probiotic regimens, chia-seed-addictions, or going gluten-free, don’t deserve the national attention that they have received. Many of their benefits have been overstated, and they perpetrate severe price inequalities. But someone, somewhere, seems to have missed the memo. Scientific evidence indicates no correlation between a

gluten-free diet and improved health, according to a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic by Arizona State University researcher Glenn Gaesser. A 2009 study by researchers at Appalachian State University reports that chia seeds are equally ineffective. Nutritionists such as Shannon Lewis, a gastroenterologist at The Oregon Clinic, warn against following certain fads like going gluten-free because the body has difficulty getting sufficient nutrients when certain food groups are cut out. Celebrities, always on top of the latest trends, have helped to fuel the fads. In April, Miley Cyrus tweeted, “Everyone should try no gluten for a week. U won’t go back!” Gwyneth Paltrow, who experiments with new diets almost as often as she gets a haircut, has recently taken to promoting a juice fast by Organic Avenue. And Madonna just loves her probiotics. The constantly shifting celebrity endorsements of these trends diminish the importance of food as a life-giving substance. People can be spurred into adopting diets because they believe it will make them look like the stars who promote them, which in turn encourages unhealthy relationships with food. Besides, many health food trends have deep classist underpinnings. In general, only the wealthy can afford these diets and therefore only the wealthy can “cleanse” their bodies. After all, the probiotic diet alone demands the consumption of fermented foods like miso and kombucha, which can make for an expensive meal plan. The food industry takes advantage of these trends, knowing that it can charge more for certain products essential to these diets. But there wouldn’t be anyone to be taken advantage of if the trends didn’t exist in the first place. “This new fad about having healthier food perpetuates some inequalities because it is definitely pricier,” Palo Alto High School social studies teacher Ben Bolaños says. Sure, it can be fun to experiment with new diets and to test our willpower when it comes to food. But at a certain point, a line has to be drawn. We need to get back to our roots and embrace food not because it claims to have healing powers or because all the cool kids are doing it, but because food is a basic part of our existence, and we need to accept it for what it is: nutrition. v Photography by CHARU SRIVASTAVA

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