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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
NHS programs first computer science class
Sports Sports Shorts CONCORD ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FRIDAY Team registrations are being accepted for Concord fall adult softball leagues. Men’s, women’s and co-ed divisions are offered Sunday through Friday. Concord softball’s fall league is a seven-game season with playoffs Sept. through early Nov. Registration deadline is this Friday. Registration and information packets are available at Willow Pass Community Center or online at cityofconcord.org/softball. To receive info by mail or to join a team by being placed on the free agent list call 671-3423.
ST. BONAVENTURE CYO CROSS COUNTRY SEEKS COACHING HELP
St Bonaventure CYO cross country is looking for coaches for its fall season for boys and girls in 2nd-8th grades in the St. Bonaventure attendance area. Cross country is a short, family-oriented season with practices typically on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Parents are highly encouraged to run too. Meets begin in late September on Friday evenings with the Oakland Diocese meet in mid-October. Anyone interested in helping with the cross country program should contact St. Bonaventure athletic director Tim O’Hara by phone 6725774 or email retreat24@yahoo.com.
Starting this school year, 25 Northgate High School students will make history. The first ever AP Computer Science class in the Mount Diablo School District has been approved and scheduled to begin on August 25. The class will cover a simplified explanation of how a computer works and by the end of the course, students will be able to fluently program using the computer software program Java. The idea of starting a computer science class began with two students: seniors Cara Van Uden and Samson Mataraso. “We both wanted to take the class and Diablo Valley College didn’t have an alternative that we could take,” Mataraso said. “We also wanted to be on par with other high
WALNUT CREEK AQUANUTS FALL SHOW OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND Walnut Creek Aquanuts Fall Synchronized Swimming Show takes place over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-31, at Heather Farm Park. The 45th anniversary of this iconic show showcases synchronized swimming in a theatrical format complete with lights, monumental 3-D stage and glittering costumes. Many Aquanuts Olympians and United States National Team swimmers perform along with the newest members of the club. Tickets are available at aquanuts.org or at Sports Basement. For more information visit aquanuts.org.
DIABLO FC RECREATIONAL LEAGUE, CAMP BEGIN NEXT WEEK Diablo FC is rolling out a youth soccer recreational league program starting next month that will focus on individual technical development, building confidence in young soccer players, improving cognitive development and increasing imagination by allowing players to learn the game gradually in a fun, engaged environment. Diablo FC is the area’s premier youth soccer program and is offering open registration to all players ages 4-10, regardless of ability or previous experience. A mini-camp will be held Aug. 18-22 and the league runs through Oct. 11. Refer to diablofc.org for more details.
CLAYTON PIONEER BASEBALL TRYOUTS SUNDAY Clayton Pioneer Baseball (formerly Clayton Pony) is having fall tryouts for 12U, 13U, 13/14U and 14U teams this Sunday, Aug. 17, 1:30 – 3 p.m. at Clayton Valley Charter High School. For more tryout info email cvpioneers@gmail.com.
FALL PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPEN FOR ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES All fall programs at Clayton Gym including youth volleyball and basketball and adult co-ed softball are accepting applications. For complete information on all the Clayton programs, visit alloutsportsleague.com.
PICKLEBALL IS COMING TO CONCORD Already very popular in Arizona and other parts of the country, pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton. It’s played with two to four players on a court about half the size of a tennis court with wooden paddles and a plastic whiffle ball. One of the fastest growing sports among adults of all ages, pickleball is especially popular with young adults and adults nearing or in their retirement years. To receive information on upcoming pickleball clinics and leagues in Concord visit teamsideline.com/concord or call 671-3423.
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NORTHGATE CORRESPONDENT schools in the area.” However, this class was not easily established; it took six months of planning and more than 100 student signatures. “The biggest obstacle was getting support from the school to start the class,” Mataraso said.
“We started a petition, collected about 100 signatures, and turned the signatures into the principal. The administration did the rest.” Mataraso emphasized how computer programming is very important, especially with society advancing in the field of technology every day. He states how students in the area should be expected to learn some form of computer programming, given that Silicon Valley is so close by. “Our world is overrun with technology; almost every job requires some knowledge of it,” Mataraso said. “The more one understands a computer, the better one can use a computer to his or her advantage.” Mataraso believes computer science can open many doors, including majors in accounting, business and management and
Choosing a career is tough for students ROBBIE PARKER
TEENSPEAK The first semester of senior year is approaching, and it marks the beginning of the university application process. For once, future-graduates have the autonomy to choose where to spend the next few years. More importantly, college offers us students a chance to choose a school tailored to a preferred field of study – a promising, yet overwhelming prospect. As the commitment deadline draws near, the application and selection process indirectly forces students to make imperative decisions regarding future careers. Considering a major post-admission is perfectly acceptable, but many universities specialize in training for particular occupations, thus complicating an already tough decision. I continuously hear my peers asking each other the same question I often ask myself: Do I know who I want to be? From a very young age, I thought I knew the answer to that question; I have always wanted to design, develop and program my own video games. As of late, the hit-and-miss availability of stable careers in job market, combined with the scarcity of educative programs suited for aspiring game developers, has altered my once
impermeable decision. I often catch myself dodging conversations with friends, family and teachers over potential career options. Thanks to my well-established reputation as a computer geek, it is easy to provide an ambiguous response to others’ inquiries with, “I want to become an expert in information systems and technology management.” In reality, choosing software development over video game development is like picking up an instruction manual for pleasure reading over fiction. Confucius tells me to choose a job I love and I will never have to work a day in my life, but society reminds me most passions don’t line up well with paying careers. From both observation and personal experience, students feel obligated to choose a “safe job” over one they will enjoy. It takes little effort to destroy a teenager’s self-confidence, especially when his or her passion is branded as merely “a phase.” Is it naïve to make a firm career decision while still in high school? Perhaps it is. Passion is certainly no substitute for experience. It is entirely possible that I could attain a bachelor’s degree in software and game development, find a suitable position in the industry, and soon realize I made a grave mistake. Yet, not all stories of passion versus practicality turn so
glum. Had Walt Disney decided drawing cartoon characters was a childish profession, the world would be quite a different place. It’s no coincidence that both The Beatles and J.K. Rowling found themselves facing continuous rejection in youth before attaining absolute eminence in pop-culture. With the success of fellow dreamers in mind, I continue to pursue my passion of developing games. Choosing passion over practicality is a difficult decision – just as is committing to a university. With another year of school and college general education classes ahead however, seniors have ample time to find their calling. Just as the legendary entrepreneur, marketer, and inventor Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Robbie Parker is a senior at Clayton Valley Charter High School. Send comments to Robbie@claytonpioneer.com
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Julie Jung is the feature editor for the Northgate High School newspaper, The Sentinel. She specializes in news and feature stories. Email her at Julie.jung@claytonpioneer.com
Northgate students ‘Unwind,’ win app challenge A team from Northgate High School has won the first ever 2014 11th District Congressional App Challenge, U.S. Rep. George Miller announced recently. The Northgate “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Girls team — Nishtha Chavda, Shion Andrew, Ami Yuen, and Michelle Liang — was a favorite among the judges. Their app, Unwind, is designed with the purpose of helping both teenagers and young adults reduce stress through the use of scientifically proven methods. The app incorporates a variety of userfriendly short and long-term features to alleviate stress. Miller applauded the Northgate STEM Girls team and the other participants of the Congressional App Challenge. “I am proud of the Northgate ‘STEM’ Girls team’s hard work and desire to help people live healthier, more productive, and happier lives. I congratulate the Northgate STEM Girls team and all of the students that submitted an app to this year’s competition.” The contest is part of the nationwide House Student App Challenge aimed at promoting Computer Science and STEM. The winners of the contest will have their app displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
‘Everything’ happens for a reason in compelling teen read
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engineering. “With computer science, anyone can change the world from their desk, and some already have,” he said.
Ezra Faulkner’s life was perfect. He was the captain of Eastwood High’s varsity tennis team, he had an abundance of friends, and one of the hottest girls in school, Charlotte, was his girlfriend. Until one night Ezra found himself at a hardcore party he wasn’t planning on attending. Upon his arrival, he discovered that Charlotte has been cheating on him. He leaves in hurry and before he knows it, he’s in a horrendous car accident. Not only is his knee completely shattered, so it his social life and athletic future. Thus the start of “The Beginning of Everything” by
Robyn Schneider. When senior year begins, Ezra meets Cassidy Thorpe, a fearless, reckless and achingly perfect teenage girl. The two of them bond quickly and soon become the most renowned couple at Eastwood. Together they sneak into college classes, participate in a flash mob, and without a doubt fall in love. But on the night of the homecoming dance, Cassidy is nowhere to be found. Once Ezra has searched almost all night, he finds her and she unleashes secrets she has been keeping from him, and everything you thought you knew about Cassidy and Ezra is as good as destroyed. This book is so intriguing it’s almost impossible to put it down. Every page is full of fastpaced drama so there is never a dull moment. Schneider has perfectly sculpted beauty, heartbreak, betrayal and humor into a one-of-a-kind novel you surly will never forget.
Emily York is a sophomore at CVCHS.