March 2, 2018

Page 2: Cesar Chavez Day should be a school holiday

VOLUME 61, ISSUE 7

MARCH 2, 2018

Page 5: CVHS seniors dance their way to victory

WE ARE BORN TO SEEK THE TRUTH!

Juniors shine at Prom

Page 7: Trojan girls basketball team play in NCS WWW.CVHSOLYMPIAN.COM

Florida shooting sparks new CVHS protocols

By Andrew Watanabe Staff Writer

Wailea Siler / Feature Editor

A group of juniors pose for pictures and have fun before Junior Prom.

In response to the recent school shooting in Florida, CVHS has made changes in the safety and evacuation protocol earlier than scheduled.

Recently, CVHS held mock emergency procedures in order to gain insight and feedback on current procedures and on how improvements could be made.

The protocol/procedure that was most affected by the Florida shooting is the school’s evacuation timing.

The shooter in Florida set off the fire alarms in order to get students and faculty to leave their classrooms when he opened fired upon the victims.

In order to combat something like this from happening

to CVHS students and faculty, Principal Blaine Torpey wants to delay evacuation after fire alarms have sounded by two minutes.

“I want staff to wait for instructions before jumping immediately to evacuation,” said Torpey.

However, Torpey has made it clear that if fire or smoke is present or an earthquake has occurred, the students and faculty should evacuate.

These changes are nothing new, and have been a topic of discussion since the school shootings at Columbine and Sandy Hook, but the Florida shooting adds a new perspective on how these horrible tragedies can be carried out,

See SECURITY: page 8

Gavin Newsom campaigns for state’s top office

By Hannah Johansson Editor-in-Chief

Gavin Newsom, California’s lieutenant governor, former San Francisco mayor and current candidate for governor, shared these comments in an exclusive Olympian interview on Feb. 2.

Olympian: What makes you the most valuable candidate for young people?

Newsom: I think a willingness to step up and step in. I’m not someone who’s timid. I try to bring my authentic self.

I’m not one of those politicians that says one thing in private and another in public.

I was the first person in the United States that started marrying same sex couples.

Back in 2004, over a decade ago, I married 4,036 couples from 46 states on the steps of City Hall. I say that as sort of a prove-point that I want to be bold. I’m not like a lot of politicians that, frankly, tend to be timid and play in the margins. So I think for all

those reasons, in addition to having four young children myself, and having a deep appreciation for the challenges, struggles, and aspirations of young people, I think I’d be the right candidate.

Olympian: What parts of your public service career are you most proud of?

Newsom: Criminal justice reform. I’m vehemently opposed to the war on drugs, which has been a war on poor people and people of color.

I’m very proud to be a principal opponent to increasing college tuition. I’m a very proud supporter of public education. I’ve received the endorsements of every education group in the state, from the teachers on down, and the administrators. I’m very proud of that because I support our public schools and public teachers, and believe very strongly in bringing social services into the public schools: wellness centers to deal with physical health needs and adolescent mental needs, arts education, every

child, every classroom, K-12.

We have a proposal to create a college savings account for every entering kindergartener in our K-12 education, something I did as mayor.

I’m proud of those efforts. But I’m also proud, perhaps more than anything else, of getting 12,000 people off the streets when I was mayor of San Francisco, the most significant effort to address the most vulnerable members of our community. That’s something that’s so evident to all of us; it’s never been worse in this state. We need a governor who cares about homelessness.

Olympian: Your California Promise is to make two years of community college free.

How will you make four-year universities more affordable?

Newsom: That’s the challenge, right? So, the community colleges, we’ve already done one year free...I’ll easily commit to doing the second year free. Hopefully this time next year that will be accomplished. The challenge with the four years, is that in order

Mia Babasyan / Editor-In-Chief

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to the Olympian in an exclusive interview. to make four year college free, it’s billions and billions of dollars. Not just a few billion, it takes a significant amount of money to roll back the tuition costs. So, for me, it’s about holding a line against any subsequent tuition increase, and then significantly expanding the investment into offsetting the full cost of education.

Tuition is a relatively small percentage of the overall cost

of college. It’s transportation, it’s housing, and it’s books.

That why we have a significant proposal to increase our funding, and subsidies, and loans, and grants to deal with the broader costs of education.

Hold the line, oppose any subsequent tuition increases, significantly increase the investment in our institution

See NEWSOM: page 8

2

Cesar Chavez day brings attention to Latino rights Editorial: “¡Muy bien! ¡Gracias! ¡Adios!”

How many times have we used these words in our lifetime?

Latin American culture has become a part of United States, yet not one important hispanic leader is honored with a holiday in the Castro Valley Unified School District. Through the voices of the Latinos United Club in CVHS, a petition was passed around to make Cesar Chavez’s birthday a day off for remembrance and service.

Latinos United Club President Andrés Gonzalez and Vice President, J.P. Paz talked to district representatives about the petition on Feb. 7.

Chavez was an influential Mexican American leader and civil rights activist who turned around the inequity of farmers through non-violent, powerful words of action. He became the backbone of the National Farm Workers Association in 1962.

Chavez and fellow activist Dolores Huerta led social protests for the farm workers’ working

conditions, wages, discrimination in employment, and sexual harassment of female workers.

Currently the NFWA is integrat-

ed with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) and is more commonly known as the United Farm Workers.

We at The Olympian support the overall idea but are much concerned about one issue.

Taking the day off on March 31

requires postponing other dates in the district calendar. This may result in an later start of summer vacation, later finishing school, or taking another break one day shorter. The number of days in a school year does not change and some students dislike modifications that may alter their vacation plans.

From a different point of view, however, no holidays are currently scheduled in March.

Having a break may be a relief to students and staff.

The Olympian also looks at the petition in wider perspectives. Chavez’s birthday is not solely one day from 365; it typifies millions of the working people and shows respect to Latinos. The Latinos United Club craves to bring attention to Latino culture by educating young people in a way that will be noticeable.

If the school board decides to dismiss the idea, we suggest that schools give Chavez more recognition in class and honor him without cancelling school.

tised her to potential “suitors.”

Her story, told by ICE, is one of 100,000 victims in the U.S. alone, and 24.9 million globally.

A humanitarian crisis running rampant in our very communities, Alameda County is ranked third highest as a hotspot for human trafficking in the country, with 80 percent of cases in California coming from the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

“A question I often get, is how do you tell [a victim]? How do you report it? This issue can honestly be affecting anyone.

It could be a teenage girl in the mall, walking around in UGGs and carrying Starbucks in her hand. Sometimes it's very hard to distinguish,” said Tiffany Gipson Chaplin, deputy district attorney of Alameda County.

Chaplin identified the vari-

ous risk factors for children involved in sex trafficking. With 58 percent reporting previous drug use history and 70 percent with runaway history, risk factors play a large role in helping to anticipate the problem. Also, statistics show that human trafficking disproportionately affects one ethnic group. In Alameda County, 61 percent of victims are African American, 15 percent are Latino, and 12 percent are Caucasian.

These statistics are reported

by H.E.A.T. Watch, created

by District Attorney Nancy O’ Malley, a five-point program designed to combat human trafficking by raising community awareness, training law enforcement, prosecuting offenders, coordinating victim services, and changing legislative policy. O’Malley also founded the Alameda County

Family Justice Center (ACFJC) in 2005, where support services are available for victims to further their safety, recovery and wellbeing. Programs such as the Young Women’s Saturday Club work with at risk or affected girls in attempt to support them.

So what can you do? This answer can be tricky to navigate given the hidden nature of this crime, and its high profitability. But the first step is to be educated about the subject, and share that information to those in your community. Help debunk myths that exist around human trafficking. Traffickers are not like the movies show them; they come from a wide variety of socioeconomic classes and some chose to be trafficked because of the profit they will receive.

The next action you could

take is donating to groups that work to prevent human trafficking, or even volunteering your own time. The Polaris project offers fellowships for those interested in working for anti-trafficking agencies for a shorter amount of time.

Another important combatant is to boycott (as a consumer) companies that profit from trafficking. A list can be found at the Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor. The tech industry, for example, has a higher percentage of sex purchasing than other industries.

As Chaplin concluded, “I see lots of these cases, and I see where people would have identified risk factors and helped out. Spreading this knowledge through our communities is just as crucial as providing services to victims.”

Amina Moummad

Human trafficking runs rampant in Bay Area

By Ria Panjwani

Online Editor “He kept telling me, ‘If you love me, you’ll do this.’” Tonya (pseudonym) was 15 when she became a victim of human trafficking. What she thought would be a one-time thing became an every day routine for the next few weeks. Night after night and bar after bar, Tonya would go out with Eddie (pseudonym) while he adver-

PHOTOpinions

“

He worked hard to promote rights for laborers and we can show appreciation by including the movement in our history classes more.

Shane Tayag freshman

”

“

He gave the people a symbol to follow and lead by. To celebrate his work, we can dedicate a day in Spanish classes to learning more about him.

Elena Lottich sophomore

”

How important was Cesar Chavez in the civil rights movement?

Katelyn Wong/ Staff Writer How are we to show our appreciation?

“

Having a day off for Cesar Chavez is a special opportunity to honor a hero of this state and give a voice to not only Latinos, but other minorities as well.

JP Paz junior

”

“

He was a very important activist for civil rights and to show our appreciation, we can have a memorial of some type during lunch in the courtyard.

Marcos Reyes senior

”

“

This is a fantastic idea because it honors the contributions of Latinos in California and in our community.

Candice Tigerman teacher

”

THE OLYMPIAN March 2, 2018

Bitcoin brings pollution to planet

By Nathanial Ortiz

Staff Writer Lately, everyone from news reporters to students have been obsessed with bitcoin.

However, bitcoin isn’t just the magic money maker everyone thinks it is.

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency released in 2009 that uses no central bank, but instead works solely off of user interactions. The price of bitcoin, or the amount of money one bitcoin would be to buy, has soared since the beginning of last year, when its price was under $1,000. Now one bitcoin is worth over $10,000 and changing everyday. (coindesk.com/price) At first, investing in bitcoin may seem like a great way to make some cash, but it is more of a ticking time bomb about to explode on all of its

investors. A digital currency without a central bank has no way to regulate any of the transactions that are made day-to-day. There is no way to enforce a widespread use of this currency, which means that at any given time it could become obsolete.

Not only will it be incredibly difficult to deal with as a currency without a central administrator, but according to basic economics, the rise in its market will inevitably be followed by an equal or larger fall.

Computers have to input and output so much data and as bitcoin rises in popularity, the required data needed to

“...according to basic

economics, the rise in its market will inevitably be followee by an equal or larger fall

”

continue processing transactions will grow.

According to CNN, the popular internet “coin” uses 32 terawatts of energy every year to store all of its data. That is enough energy to power three million homes in the

U.S., which is a huge risk to the environment, especially when you look into where this energy is being consumed.

Most bitcoin mining occurs

Meeting the man: Gavin Newsom

By Mia Babasyan

Editor-in-Chief Myself and members of The Olympian made our way to a meet and greet with Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom in hopes of meeting him after years of requesting for an interview. We had expected a huge turnout, a stadium of reporters and supporters standing around to see the well known former mayor of San Francisco and very possible future governor of California. However, when we arrived at the venue, a small amount of chairs and people were present.

It was then that I realized how possible having to interview Newsom became.

I had personally never interviewed on camera before, but was more than excited for the opportunity. He came out after a short introduction and shook hands with the audience.

He began right away, addressing his top issues and successes from his previous experiences in office. Newsom spoke about making universal preschool “happen overnight” and promising the first two years of community college free. He was not shy of his work and spoke about being at the forefront of legalizing gay marriage and drafting the legislation for the legalization of marijuana.

He then allowed questions from the audience, where hands shot up. As soon as each question was asked, Newsom answered each very cleanly, however dodging many of the sensitive parts of each topic. I understand most politicians approach questions this way, yet it came across to be ingenuine at times.

Is new art a sellout to our selfie-driven selves?

By Shaelly Adams

in China, and uses inefficient coal power plants. The majority of this 32 terawatts of energy is being powered by coal.

The amount of pollution caused by this ticking time bomb of a currency is nowhere near worth the chance to cash out temporarily. However, without any central administration, there is no way to regulate bitcoin of its effects, which will ultimately allow this pollution to continue to occur.

With both of its environmental and economic implications, bitcoin is a potential disaster of an idea and it cannot continue. Whether it is by nature or force, I do not see a future for this virtual money.

Newsom was the most polished person I’ve met.

He never stumbled on a word during our interview and his demeanor was extremely confident no matter the question. It was both intimidating yet reassuring knowing we have such an assertive candidate running for governor and possibly leading our state into the next generation.

It was an honor to meet Newsom, let alone interview him. As the front-runner for governor so far in the race, I have high hopes and expectations for him and what he can accomplish.

Whether he becomes governor or not, I am happy to have met someone who has greatly impacted California and continues to envision our success in the future.

3

Staff Writer Over winter break, I visited Yayoi Kusama’s touring “Infinity Mirrors,” where crowds gathered at the Broad Museum in Los Angeles for more than three hours to get into the exhibition of paintings, sculptures, and Kusama's kaleidoscopic mirror rooms.

The Japanese contemporary artist of age 88, who still is confined in a mental institution, still comes out to prove that she is one of the most intricate artists of our time.

Kusama uses balloons, thousands of lights, and of course her ongoing obsession of polka dots, to attract tons of people to the art museum, and make her art one of the biggest trends on social media.

This generation primarily uses social media to interact amongst each other. Kusama is also popular for her effect on human narcissism that makes us have intense interest in physical appearance and personality. Because of this, the Kusama effect challenges the viewer to be not only be culturally relevant, but to make us look in the mirror and realize how Instagram sucks us in and takes us away from critically look-

ing at art.

As one of her biggest themes is self-obliteration, a metaphor for abolishing uniqueness, I tried not to snap too many pictures of myself, and instead enjoyed the 30 seconds I was allowed in each room.

However, is this Instagram phenomenom hurting or helping art? Other museums like the Museum of Ice Cream, which opened in 2016, exploded on Instagram for the primary resource of its lighting, backdrops, and cute props. Today, our selfiedominated culture spills out everywhere in contemporary art.

Here in the Bay Area, we can judge the huge sellout of the San Francisco Museum of Ice Cream or the popularity of MOMA for the sole purpose of social media. But art has this power of connecting millions of people. The difference is, Kusama’s usage of mirrors makes you a reflection of the art as if you are personally a part of the piece.

“However, is

this Instagram phenomenom hurting or helping art?

”

Your individual interpretation of human hubris and what you actually see in the room versus our iPhone camera is exactly what Kusama wants you to feel.

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2018

Editors-in-Chief..................................................................Mia Babasyan Hannah Johansson News Editor..............................................................Stella Ho Opinion Editor............................................................Emily Salazar Feature Editor.....................................................Wailea Siler Sports Editor................................................................Pau Gutierrez Arts and Entertainment Editor......................................Da Di Photo Editor........................................................Beruk Tsegaye Video Editor........................................................Mara Moysen Business Manager........................................Audrey Manzano Online Editor..............................................Ria Panjwani Staff Writers: Shaelly Adams, Sam Ahm, Milagros Aquinos, Olga Buzueva, Layne Johnson, Bilal Messaoudi, Hayate Moro, Amina Moummad, Derek Neyer, Nathanial Ortiz, Jenny Pham, Young So, Rachel Stein, Thomas Vergara, Andrew Watanabe, Katelyn Wong, Emma Yin Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

Nathanial Ortiz/ Staff Writer

4 Cliff Burton day honors rocker

Two EL students trade tales

By Andrew Watanabe Staff Writer

The stage was set and the crowd of fans and friends swelled. Big gold letters hung up high spelling “Cliff.” Two giant pictures of Cliff Burton and his big smile, holding his bass stood on either side. Feb. 10 is now not only Burton’s birthday, but a day to remember him.

The late Burton was a CVHS alumnus and Metallica bassist, making him a local celebrity. He was a part of Metallica before the band’s peak, and played on its first three albums.

Sadly, his success came to a tragic end as he died at the age of 24 in a tour bus crash in Europe.

The petition to get the day commemorated to him was started by Castro Valley local and fan of Burton, Robert Souza, who used his Castro Valley News Facebook page to get the signatures he needed to push it through.

Jenny Pham / Staff Writer

Simon Ma and ChaoPeng Huang pose together in the hallway.

By Jenny Pham Staff Writer

Imagine this: today is your first day in America and you’ve just completed a high school placement exam. You turn to your left and introduce yourself to your neighbor. The small talk is now a conversation and the two of you become friends quickly. Little did you know that this encounter would become a storylike coincidence. This is the story of Simon Ma and ChaoPeng Huang.

As the two stepped out of the College and Career Center, where they took the California English Language Development Test (CELDT), their guardians, glancing back and forth between the two, were speechless.

As Ma and Huang took the test, their guardians discussed the boys’ journey to the U.S. from China, and found that they were both on the same plane! The two happened to be at the airport on the same day, on the same plane, headed to the same place.

They both boarded the same plane on Feb. 4, 2017, never having met before, and became friends 6,000 miles across the world.

“With so many local and national issues dividing people, what better way to bring people together than music?

Honoring a local legend like Cliff also promotes pride in our community,” Souza said.

Souza presented his petition to the MAC board and it passed with a unanimous 7-0 vote. Then, on Feb. 6, 2018, it went to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and passed again, thus marking Feb. 10 as Cliff Burton Day. Locals held a special memorial in honor of Burton at the Castro Valley School of Music. Hundreds of people showed, from fans of Metallica to close friends of Burton.

Up on stage stood two basses, a black and gold one signed by the man himself and the other a replica of one he used to play. The centerpiece was the certificate for the holiday, framed in all its glory.

Many people spoke about

Burton, recalling fond times with him, shedding tears, and sharing their stories.

One man spoke of Burton in a fond light and brought up the story about the five year deal Burton had with his dad.

“Cliff went to his dad and said ‘Hey, Dad, there’s this band. I think I’m going to join the band. They’re called Metallica and I think I would fit in really well with these guys,’” said Jim. His dad in response said that he would support Burton for five years, and if it didn’t work out, he was on his own.

It was just one of the many fond stories told by the people who attended. Burton served not only as a local celebrity, but a friend and a genuinely real person.

One audience member, went up on the stage, took the microphone and talked about Burton. “In high school I started a metal band, and Cliff was my inspiration,” he said.

Del Castillo creates activist art

The interesting part?

They came from different cities!

China is humongous!

Being one of the largest countries in the world with approximately 650 cities, what are the chances of this fairytale-like fated encounter?

Now they are best friends,

“ We became

closer and relied on each other.

SIMON MA

”

together in Eric Bahm’s sixth period English Learners’ CCG class together.

Ma and Huang have been inseparable since the day they first met, almost exactly one year ago.

“At first we just said hi and didn't talk too much, then we became closer and relied on each other,” Ma recalls.

“When we first met, I didn’t know much English, so Simon had to teach me how to write my name,” said Huang.

Not all story tales are found in children’s books.

Layne Johnson / Staff Writer

Dominic Del Castillo created this portrait to advocate for civil rights.

By Layne Johnson Staff Writer

Dominic Del Castillo’s work includes a portrait of Kalief Browder (an innocent teen who was sentenced to three years at Rikers Island), collages, and more. Civil rights and institutionalized racism are the main focus and motivations of his art.

Del Castillo is a senior at CVHS who has a passion for civil rights and channels his beliefs into his artwork. Recently, Del Castillo entered his work into a European magazine, 1340Art Magazine.

Del Castillo’s message is to get people aware and get them to act rather than just react. He hopes that his work inspires people to actually do something.

“You can look at something and say ‘Oh, that’s really sad,’ but then if you don’t do anything about it, what are you even doing? You’re just internalizing it and not doing anything with it,” Del Castillo said.

According to Del Castillo, the best way to create change is to volunteer, donate to charities and give support to prisoners.

That includes writing letters to them even if you don’t know them and treating them like humans. He advises that people educate themselves about the policies that perpetuate racism and understand what’s going on.

“If you’re not trying to relieve the oppression and anguish from the people overall, then what’s the point? You have to struggle for people, that's just how it works. Everyone has to fight in order to make some kind of change,” said Del Castillo.

THE OLYMPIAN

March 2, 2018

5

Seniors shimmy their way to first

Shaelly Adams / Staff Writer

CVHS students smile wide after their victory at Starbound National Talent Competition.

By Shaelly Adams Staff Writer

Thomas Vergara / Staff Writer

The Muslim Student Association advertises on Club Day.

Muslims make education effort

By Thomas Vergara Staff Writer

For the first time ever, CVHS has a club for Muslim students and those interested in learning about Islam. Founded this year by the current president Addie Bukhari, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) aims to educate and inform students about Muslims in our community.

Bukhari says that she wanted to start this club freshman year when she became politically active after seeing the treatment of minorities in the US and the rise of hate crimes against her people. She saw the media’s portrayal of Muslims; they were only broadcasted when it concerned terrorists and not the peaceful majority. Her goal in creating this club is to educate people on what’s going on in Castro Valley’s Muslim community and those worldwide.

Bukhari teaches members of the club by sharing her experiences as someone who grew up in a Muslim family and conducting research for club-wide discussions. Members present videos and powerpoints to contribute and spark discussion

on topics that vary by meeting.

Bukhari says that she hopes to inform members without any bias and allow everyone to formulate their own opinions.

“My main purpose is to inform rather than persuade, that way my members can obtain knowledge. Then its up to them to decide what their opinion is,” said Bukhari.

MSA is all about seeing both sides. It’s about trying to understand why people see Islam the way they do and to make them see that Muslims in our community aren’t violent terrorists, they’re like everyone else: they’re American. The goal is to help people understand the struggles of Muslims everywhere and to create a safe environment where everyone can express their opinion, creating a mutual understanding to strengthen the sense of community around us.

The MSA believes that it’s important to have a place where people can discuss differences in opinion in a constructive and understanding manner because we are living in a time where political discussion is something difficult and often aggressive.

Imagine confetti flying all around you, the rush of emotions bringing relief and joy as all the time and hard work led up to this moment. This is the feeling from six CVHS seniors in the the heat of Lake Tahoe last July. These dancers won first place at the Starbound National Talent Competition in the highest category: senior elite. They spent the entire week competing and then recompeting in a live showcase for the coveted title of national champions.

The girls have been competing on a team at a local dance studio called Michelle’s Dance X-Plosion. However, they have all spent some time being on the CVHS Varsity Dance or Cheer Team. After practicing for six months, they are now headed to their last first competition ever.

They have set out many goals for this season and have strong feelings about their senior year.

“We plan to work hard all competition season so we can go to our last nationals ever and hopefully come home as 2x champs. Our motto is to always ‘do better,’” said senior

Lindsay Villamor.

The girls will be competing in about five competitions here in the Bay Area before their final round at Lake Tahoe nationals in July. However, dance is something that the girls say will be around them forever.

“A couple of us auditioned for colleges with dance, but I’m sure all of us will end up taking a few dance classes, become teachers, or be in the industry. Dance is something that will always be a passion of ours. Graduation is only the beginning.” said senior Melissa Ah-Tye.

6 New “Jumanji,” new adventure

By Andrew Watanabe Staff Writer

Da Di / A&E Editor

Black Panther is revolutionary

By Wailea Siler Feature Editor

“Black Panther” is a spectacle.

With its embedded African culture, breathtaking colors, and perfectly orchestrated fight scenes, it’s one of Marvel’s best movies by far. But the biggest message of the story? Wakanda, the fictional home of T’challa (Black Panther), is a vision of what Africa could have looked like had it not suffered from imperialism.

To outsiders, Wakanda is merely a third-world country that has chosen to isolate itself from foreign affairs. However, behind the cloaking device, the nation colorfully sprawls across a beautiful landscape in the form of technologicallyadvanced buildings and traditional architecture. As it turns out, Wakanda is perhaps the nation superior in technology.

Its mines are rich with the fictional material Vibranium, the strongest metal in the Marvel universe.

The advancements of Wakanda are completely hidden to the world. This is the conflict that T’challa must face once he becomes king as a result of the events of “Captain America: Civil War.” Is it his responsibility to share these resources to the rest of the world, to suffering black communities in America, to other African nations affected by imperialism?

The villain Killmonger certainly seems to think so. He dreams of using Wakanda’s resources--and weapons--to arm oppressed African descendants everywhere to allow them to usurp their governments.

T’challa’s vision of a peaceful country clashes with Killmonger’s militancy. Naturally, a compromise evolves by the end of the film.

“Black Panther” gives widespread representation for black men and women. There are only two notable white characters in the story, and the royal family of Wakanda is protected by an all-female army called the Dora Milaje. Additionally, T’challa is frequently accompanied onscreen by three inspiring women: Nakia, a spy with charitable intentions, Okoye, the loyal leader of the Dora Milaje, and Shuri, his genius younger sister.

This representation of black females is profoundly important. It proves that female-led superhero movies can be done successfully.

Shuri was by far my favorite character. With perfectly-timed one-liners like “Great, another broken white boy for us to fix," and “Don’t scare me like that, colonizer!" she steals nearly every scene she’s in. Her intelligence rivals that of Tony Stark, but she is only a teenager. Her creations like remotely driven automobiles and kinetic energy-absorbing super suits pry her from the mold of the typical Disney princess.

“Black Panther” has allowed people of color to infiltrate the mainstream media. Director Ryan Coogler pays homage to his hometown of Oakland, which is unsurprising considering his work on Fruitvale Station and the origins of the Black Panther Party. Killmonger is a villain that the audience can sympathize with to an extent. T’challa, Nakia, Okoye, and Shuri are all tastefully developed. Coogler has done a truly amazing job with his latest adaptation.

“Black Panther” sets a wholesome example of the representation that is so needed in cinema while curating a captivating, emotional, and actionpacked story.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is a modern take on its predecessor, incorporating new technology and characters into its story.

The film follows the story of Spencer, Fridge, Bethany, and Martha, who have all stumbled upon an old video game set while cleaning out their school storage room as punishment.

They set it up, choose their characters and with the final press of the button, jungle beats and drums start to sound, dust falls all around and they are sucked into the game with a flash and swirl of green light, immediately faced with new challenges and tasks.

Like the original “Jumanji,” it keeps the player and game interaction, and welcomes all to the jungle. It follows the same premise that once

the game is started, there is no turning back until it is completed, and then the players who are stuck in the game are returned to the time period from which they first entered the game.

However it deviates after that. In the original movie, “Jumanji” was a board game.

Moving pieces and rolling dice until reaching the last space then rolling doubles, won the game. In the new one, the Jumanji evolves into an old video game console that provides a quest line and characters with different strengths and weaknesses that the players use. The end result is still the same; the world is returned to normal.

The new cast of “Jumanji” stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Nick Jonas, and Karen Gillan. Each one has been in a previous movie before and has many accolades in the entertainment business as well as numerous followers.

In fact, Johnson and Hart,

co-starred in the comedy blockbuster, “Central Intelligence,” and their prior experience shows in their acting on and behind the scenes.

This star-studded cast coupled with the background and past experience of all the actors makes for a great movie in my opinion. The action sequences were good, and the story was nice and well explained, but the predominant feature was the comedy.

I found myself laughing multiple times during the movie, and also the people around me were too. There were a couple times when the entire theatre erupted in laughter.

The movie is filled with action, adventure, and loads of laughter and humor with the characters constantly going back and forth with wise remarks or witty banter.

I highly recommend people go watch it.

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7 Girls basketball -a step closer to State Trojans rally for two wins in NCS games in a row

By Layne Johnson Staff Writer

By Ria Panjwani Online Editor

Bleachers erupted into cheers as competition raged between the Trojans and the Monarchs, and both fought passionately for a spot in the NCS semi-finals. With the Trojans leading the scoreboard for the entire game, the girls varsity basketball team secured a 66-52 win against Mt. Eden on Friday Feb. 23 in the CVHS gym.

The Trojans started with great energy, scoring 11 points in the first five minutes.

Junior Payton Stanberry made many rebounds immediately after she came onto the court, becoming a top scorer for the Trojans.

“I think our defense could’ve been a little bet-

Season ends for girls soccer team

Ria Panjwani / Online Editor

Kassady Marasigan faces her opponent in NCS play. ter, but all in all it was a good game,” said Stanberry.

The first quarter ended as a hotly contested match at 19-13, however Mt. Eden seemed to miss many shots. The energy was evident as Mt. Eden’s buzzerbeater ended the half with cheers, bringing the score to 33-22, CVHS in the lead.

After half time, the Monarchs were determined to come back, but the Trojans refused to let up. They led by 16 points at the end of the third quarter. With just four minutes left in the game, and

the score at 62-50, aggression ran high as CVHS felt the pressure of maintaining the lead.

After a quick time-out, CVHS appeared more relaxed and started to run out the clock.

Over the course of the season the team has done very well, with a 23-5 record, and ranking 36th in the state.

“We’ve gotten a lot closer as a team, and that really helps with our team chemistry and our game in general. In the semi’s, I’m looking forward to us playing as a team and sharing the ball,” said Stanberry.

Girls soccer senior night began with a ceremony honoring the seniors on and their dedication to the team, and ended with a tie of 1-1 against Berkeley High.

After the ceremony, they fought hard against Berkeley High. Aleya Dolorfino scored the first goal for CVHS. “It was really awesome just scoring on senior night when the seniors are the focus. It was also the team goal too.

It was kind of disappointing that we let the intensity drop right after we scored that point, and let Berkeley score.

We should’ve had that game in the bag,” said Dolorfino.

The game was meaningful for theseniors,sinceitwasdedicated to them. The seniors all started and ended the game together.

This was especially meaningful for senior Reya Hancock.

“Tonight’s game meant a lot, seeing everyone play together and coming together for the seniors and having the all of the seniors start really meant a lot,” said Reya Hancock.

The team qualified for NCS. On Feb. 14, the girls played against the California Grizzlies.

They lost 2-0, making it the final game. CVHS girls soccer had a great overall record, 10-5-5.

You inspires teammates while embracing clubs

By Young So Staff Writer

Young So / Staff Writter

Mei Yi You serves the birdie to an opponent.

Mei Yi You took first place in WACC, a badminton competition, as a sophomore for girls doubles. She began badminton at a young age and continued to play during high school. Although she had the temptation to join volleyball, she ultimately stuck with badminton, which has proven to be fruitful. She has become the captain of the badminton team and leads the Trojans in practice, along with helping them to get into shape

during conditioning.

“I feel that leading by example is one of the better ways to show how something should be done,” said You. She hopes that she can be an example to her fellow teammates and inspire them to do better. Although she didn’t have an athlete. You has interests in STEM and bioengineering, as well as becoming a research scientist in the near future. She has also researched in a bioengineering lab at UCLA under Professor Dino Di Carlo.

You is the president of the

Embrace STEM Club, the vice president of the UNICEF club, and the coordinator for the Save the Children. Impressively, she has been excelling in both badminton and in her studies.

You has also had some amazing accomplishments in badminton. She took second place for the mixed tournaments in WACC. You’s hard work and determination has allowed her to achieve success in many different aspects. She hopes to continue working hard and make an impact on the world.

Fung stays true to volleyball since freshman year

By Milagros Aquino Staff Writer

Ryan Fung was inspired to play volleyball because his father played back when he was in high school.

“It was a different sport and I enjoyed doing different things, so I went to tryouts and made the varsity freshman year,” said Fung.

Fung has been playing volleyball since his freshman year. He is currently a senior

who plays setter and team captain since sophomore year for the CVHS team.

Fung has won multiple awards: he was the first team sophomore All League awardee, second team junior All League awardee, as well as MVP his sophomore year.

“I like to play volleyballbecause just like any sport, it’s more than just winning and losing. It’s about communication; bonding with your ‘family,’ in other words

teammates; and most of all, having fun,” he said.

According to Fung, bonding with teammates also helps with nerves before games.

“I do get nervous, however, my teammates and I joke around and play music to get rid of the nerves,” said Fung.

In the future he hopes to play volleyball in college, and in a few years he plans to help and coach a team of his own.

Milagros Aquino / Staff Writer

Ryan Fung sets the ball for a teammate.

8 Teachers trek for more benefits THE OLYMPIAN

March 2, 2018

Latinos United petitions for day off

By Derek Neyer Staff Writer

Cesar Chavez, leader of United Farm Workers and civil rights activist, had a profound effect on California and on Castro Valley, and deserves to be remembered and celebrated, according to members of Latinos United. The student group’s members say Cesar Chavez Day, March 31, should be a day off from school.

On Feb. 8, Latinos United members petitioned the school board to make Cesar Chavez Day a holiday giving students and teachers a day to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Chavez.

“He helped Latinos, giving them a chance in the workforce and showing that there should be equality within all communities,” said Andrès Gonzalez, president of Latinos United.

Chavez was born in 1927 in Yuma, Arizona and spent his early years of adulthood as a farm worker. He became a prominent activist voice for workers’ rights from the 1950’s to the 1970’s.

Chavez organized a number of strikes and legislative campaigns to protect farm workers and immigrants, notably the “Salad Bowl Strike,” the largest farm worker strike in American history.

Latinos United believes the day off would be a day to continue in pursuit of the ideals that Chavez held, those of

equality and fairness.

“That day we [students] should do community work just like he did. We should try to do what he wanted,” said Gonzalez.

The hope is to bring awareness to the student body and staff of a man who contributed to the civil rights movement and helped fight for protections still held today.

Some students support the proposal. “It would be good because we get a day off for Martin Luther King Day, so it would make sense to celebrate another civil rights leader,” said sophomore Nolan Thompson.

“It would be an important way to educate students beyond school,” agreed sophomore Grace Boyd.

Gary Howard of the school board was happy to receive the petition, and expressed his hopes for the future. “The school calendar is set for this year, but I am hopeful that we can join other districts next year in celebrating Cesar Chavez Day,” he said.

If the petition passes and Cesar Chavez Day is made into a holiday, one day would be added into the school calendar to make up for the lost school time.

“We could benefit from it, not from doing nothing but from helping out the community,” said Gonzalez.

By Derek Neyer Staff Writer

Over 100 teachers from Castro Valley schools gathered at a school board meeting on Feb. 8 to ask for a better benefit package and express their opposition to the district’s plan to move the school year’s beginning to Aug. 13 and its end to May 29 for the 2019-2020 school year.

Teachers marched from CVHS down Redwood Road and up Alma Avenue to the district office, wearing blue shirts and toting signs with slogans of support for their cause.

“The district does not pay for benefits for one teacher in full, and so if a teacher has to worry about paying for their medical care, then how can they do the best for their students?” said Roger Kim, president of the Castro Valley Teachers Association (CVTA).

CVTA began discussion on the topic of benefits with the district in a bargaining meeting in January, and many members went to the public board meeting to reinforce the resolve held by the teachers in this matter.

Union members believe that the compensation package currently offered by the school district is driving talented teachers to other districts that offer more coverage.

“Our students are suffering as a result [of the situation] because we’re losing a lot of good teachers. We can’t keep them here,” said Kim. Currently the district offers $6,000 per year per teacher in health and dental benefits.

Derek Neyer / Staff Writer

CVUSD teachers march and hold up signs to protest for better benefits and more funding.

They offer seven different medical plans for teachers to choose from, with varying premiums and deductibles.

The district has offered an increase of $300 per year in the amount of health coverage it pays. The teachers have requested a further increase so that every teacher would at least be able to take the lowest cost plan without paying out of their own pocket.

While some other school districts offer more in health benefits to their teachers and some offer less, Castro Valley Unified School District receives less funding than many other districts. As a result, the district tries to consider all its programs when making financial decisions.

“As a district, we have to look

at everything. We try to balance it out and make the best decision for everybody,” said Sherri Beetz, assistant superintendent for human resources.

President of the School Board Jo Loss stated that the district wishes to balance its budget while also retaining skilled teachers.

“The Board of Education recognizes that a highly qualified teacher is the most important factor in the classroom,” she said.

All parties involved declare that their goals are the health and happiness of the students and teachers in Castro Valley, but their views on how that is achieved differ.

Bargaining between the district and union will continue through the spring.

cipal Jacqueline Cedillos.

The mock emergency procedures caused discomfort and worry among some students, due to recent events.

“When the alarm first went off, I thought it was a drill or maybe 700 started a fire, but as time went on I started think-

ing about what happened in Florida,” said Junior Gianna Delgado.

It is pertinent that we update our procedures and modify them according to what is going on in the world in order to keep our students and faculty safe.

Newsom: “I want New safety protocols set in place to be bold” SECURITY: from page 1

NEWSOM: from page 1 higher learning, and try to offset the overall cost of attendance.

Olympian: As governor, how would you respond to the Trump administration’s agenda?

Newsom: Go on my website, you will see. I’ve been aggressive. Check out my Twitter feed, our Facebook. Go on my website you’ll see all these commercials and cartoons.

We’re pushing back hard.

Look, I’m not timid, I’m happy to go toe-to-toe to the Trump administration. We’ve been

as aggressive as any elected official in California, pushing back against Trump-ism and his assaults on our environmental values, on our diverse communities, particularly our Dreamers. Let’s all maintain that vigilance, but do go on my gavinnewsom.com website for some fun videos so you can see specifically what I’m talking about.

Olympian: We have one last question. If you win, will you promise our class another interview?

Newsom: The answer is yes. You’ve got my word.

and what the staff can do to combat this.

“We have been working on this since last year, training and educating staff on the new ways to respond to an active shooter situation,” said Assistant Prin-

SOSPOP begins, community awareness grows

By Emma Yin Staff Writer

The first annual Season of Service, Period of Peace (SOSPOP) began on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 15) and will continue until March 31, promoting friendship and awareness at CVHS and in the Castro Valley community. SOSPOP is club based, and every week, different clubs collaborate to create events that pertain to the theme that those clubs have chosen. Interact, Red Cross, and Key Club, along with 21 others, are participating in SOSPOP this year.

This year’s SOSPOP themes are mental health awareness, providing basic needs, religious tolerance and minorities, women’s rights and empowerment,

environmental consciousness, education, music as a bridge, deaf culture, women in engineering, and Latino culture awareness.

Interact, Girls Learn International, and Response worked together during Feb. 5-9 to conduct activities surrounding women’s rights and empowerment. One of the activities was an anonymous survey regarding the sexual harassment.

Results showed that 246 students out of the 709 (35 percent) who participated in the survey have been affected by sexual harassment in some way.

“The purpose of the survey was for all of us to be more aware that sexual harassment is a problem everywhere…it was meant to be an eye opener,” said Interact President Simone True.

Red Cross and Key Club collaborated for SOSPOP during Jan. 29-Feb. 2; their theme for that week was providing basic needs. To promote this theme, members of both Red Cross and Key Club worked with each other and put together care packages for the less fortunate in the community.

“We collaborated with our activities and it was very fun working with another board to plan events and raise awareness,” said Patrice Cheung, Key Club editor.

Clubs like Interact, Red Cross, and Key Club will be participating in SOSPOP until March 31 and will continue to contribute to the community by promoting the feeling of unity and support throughout CVHS and Castro Valley.