Page 4: Day of the Dead celebrated
Page 2: Questions and concerns on dress code
Volume 61, Issue 3
November 16, 2017
We a r e b o r n t o s e e k t h e t r u t h !
Page 6: Junior races to finish line
www.cvhsolympian.com
Parade lights up the holidays New state law
provides free college
By Derek Neyer Staff Writer
Stella Ho / News Editor
Castro Valley residents show off their floats at the annual Meet in the Street parade on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Oct. 13 that will waive tuition for California students’ first year of community college. California State Assembly Bill 19, introduced by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, will establish a program called the California College Promise with the aim of making higher education more feasible for students. “I think it’s definitely a really good thing. I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction for our colleges,” said senior Matt Betti. This bill reflects the growing idea that higher education should be free. In his bid for the presidency in 2016, Bernie
Sanders suggested that public universities should not charge tuitions. This seems to many to be a step in that direction. Many students at CVHS are excited by the knowledge that there will be no tuition fees for first-year community college students and are anticipating its effects. “This will definitely help many people take the next step in furthering their education,” said junior Patrick Chen. A multitude see it as a way to make more knowledge and more training accessible to more people, and the bill itself states its purpose is to promote more successful transfers from two year to four year education.
COLLEGE: Page 8
#MeToo makes its mark on CVHS clubs and students
By Shaelly Adams Staff Writer
More than 50 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault, and even rape since the New York Times first published an article in early October detailing actress Ashley Judd’s allegations against the powerful Hollywood producer. As the Weinstein news spread, the hashtag #MeToo caught fire after actress Alyssa Milano tweeted, “If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote Me Too as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.” In less than 24 hours, social media feeds were filled with millions of people using the hashtag, acknowledging that they too were sexual assault survivors. Since then, hundreds of celebrities have used their platform to address the topic with their own experiences as well.
Even 14-year-old Hollywood actor Finn Wolfhard recently announced he has cut ties with his agency. The “Stranger Things” star decided it was over, due to the claims of his former agent who was accused of sexually assaulting a large amount of young male actors. Thus meaning, even though the focus of the #MeToo movement is based on women, the topic ultimately applies to all genders. However, thousands of men also confessed their participation in sexual harassment or assault with hashtags such as #YesIhave, #Itwasme, or #HowWillIChange. However, the sexual assault and harassment issue is not confined to just Hollywood. Powerful politicians and journalists have been forced out of their jobs due to sexual harassment allegations. World Citizens Club and Feminist Club collaborated on a survey for students to highlight the effects of sexual harassment and write their
responses what happens here at CVHS. “When I was in sixth grade a boy at my school texted me asking me for nudes. I wasn’t even talking to him at all it was just out of the blue. Though he was suspended for it, different rumors were spread all the way up to high school making me feel negatively about myself for a long time,” wrote one. Fourteen students participated in the anonymous survey, and 93 percent (all but one) reported that either they or someone they knew had been affected by sexual assault or harassment. “I get very nervous when it comes to being intimate, I’m always scared for some reason,” wrote a second anonymous student. “It makes me afraid to do simple things like walk home from the high school. If any events happen on campus at night I always ask for someone to drive me home. I feel as if I can’t wear
Shaelly Adams / Staff Writer
CVHS students show their support for the #MeToo movement. what I want to wear because of the fear of being called a slut or getting the wrong message the someone will judge my body in a way that makes me uncomfortable. We live in an unfair society.” Similar to a lot of social
media activism, the Me Too Movement is not asking for immediate change or the beginning of a campaign; it is ultimately an attempt to bring awareness and concern to the ongoing epidemic. However,
#METOO: Page 8
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Dress code: better but vague and confusing Editorial: With the new school year also came a new CVHS student handbook. This year, CVHS administration has announced a more relaxed, yet problematic, dress code that seems remarkably vague in detail, and allows staff more power in deciding what is inappropriate to wear. However, the change in the dress code for the 2017-18 school year shows that the administration is trying to adjust to our concerns about the former strict and unnecessary dress code. While The Olympian agrees with the new dress code changes, we think that the code needs to be more specific so that the rules are more clear to the students. The change to the dress code is not necessarily in favor of the students. The CVHS hand-
Katelyn Wong / Staff Writer
book prohibits clothing “that overtly or inappropriately exposes a student’s body.” How are students supposed to follow such a vague statement? This could allow teachers and staff to be able to call students out for wearing anything. Confusion over this is bound to cause conflict between the students and staff.
How are students supposed to focus at school when they are interrupted and embarrassed by being called out for what they wear? Teenagers are already insecure enough, they do not need teachers and staff nitpicking every article of clothing they are wearing, and they sure do not need to lose time from the enforcement of
useless rules. This is especially wrong since it is usually targeted at girls.Why is it that when a female students exposes her midriff at school she is forced to cover up, however when a male student wears no shirt during homecoming no action is taken? Another issue that was not
litical conditions or other dangers that you hadn’t even begun to think about before being deported. This is the possible reality for approximately 800,000 recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which began under the Obama administration in 2012. The program was established to protect “Dreamers,” or those who illegally immigrated to the US as children from deportation. President Trump has decided to rescind the DACA program. To be eligible for DACA, a person must have immigrated to the U.S. before the age of 16. Typical DACA recipients did not have a say in whether or not they would cross the border; their families brought
them. It’s immoral to punish them for something they didn’t consciously commit. This country is probably more of a home to them than their country of origin; they’ve grown up in the U.S. Simply plopping them back from wherever they immigrated from is like trying to jam the wrong puzzle piece into a spot that won’t accept it. Many people have been separated from their country of origin for so long that it wouldn’t be fair to tear them away from the place they call home. While some may argue that the DACA program protects criminals and encourages illegal immigration, it is important to acknowledge that these recipients are contributing members of society. The path for US citizenship is not paved
through DACA; recipients are simply protected from deportation. Under DACA, they are allowed to pursue higher education, obtain driver's licenses, work, and pay income taxes.
mentioned in the new dress code was Confederate flags. In years past, the dress code used to include a statement restricting wearing this racist symbol. The code states that clothing that cannot be worn,“includes offensive symbols used to intimidate or harass or includes hate messages or promotes violence such as guns or weapons,” which could include rebel flags. Especially in a political climate like this, the administration should specify so there’s no dispute. The Olympian believes that this vague dress code will not help the educational process at CVHS. The more relaxed rules are an improvement, but students need more specifics so issues between students and staff interpretation of the rules will not arise.
DACA Dreamers don’t deserve deportation
By Wailea Siler
Feature Editor Imagine being ripped from the only home you have ever known and sent straight to a place where you don’t speak the language or know the area. To make matters worse, this new place that you have no choice in being dispatched to might have unstable po-
PHOTOpinions
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There should be some regulation because currently the dress code isn’t really enforced, which might lead to trouble.
Paul Friesen Freshman
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Self regulated: It should be your own decision what you wear. No one should tell you what to wear. Ciara Bolt Sophomore
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“Simply plopping them
back from wherever they immigrated from is like trying to jam the wrong puzzle piece into a spot that won’t accept it.
”
The further education and opportunities that arise from DACA both empowers Dreamers and makes our society better. Innovation greatly benefits from a larger number of educated people; it can even
contribute to a greater number of jobs. The people that know no other home outside the U.S. deserve to play a role in it without a constant fear of being deported to a place they’ve been so far separated from. DACA recipients treat the U.S. as a home like any other citizen does. They contribute to the economy, pay taxes, and maintain their own ambitions. It’s immoral to simply drop them into a place that might not be stable, a place that they haven’t treated as a home, a place they might not know enough about. To put almost 800,000 people—who registered through DACA in the first place to achieve an education or make a living in their own home—in this position of danger is nefarious.
Do you think dress code should be school regulated? By Sam Ahm
“School regulated: “ Everyone would dress inappropriately. Abbriana Pantoja Junior
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Self regulated: They should wear whatever they want. Everyone should be unique and special. Joshua Choe Senior
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School regulated because school is like your job as a student, and you should dress appropriately for your job.
Kara Wilkinson Faculty
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The Olympian Nov. 16, 2017
Climate change concerns everybody
By Bilal Messaoudi
Staff Writer Imagine waking up one morning to destruction and chaos, garage flooded, car not in your driveway where you left it, and all of your windows smashed. Imagine having to abandon your home because if you do not leave right away, you are going to burn with it. This is a reality for many people living in areas of Texas and Florida affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma and also parts of Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California battling wildfires.
Since the beginning of September, these two hurricanes have caused over 85 deaths and billions of dollars of property damage. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), over 67 firefighters have been killed this year by wildfires across the U.S. Clearly, natural disasters are increasing in severity and prevalence over the past year. As the temperature continues to be on the rise due to an increased amount of fossil fuels being burned and other global warming factors, natural disasters such as hurricanes will continue to be on the rise. There are many people living in the United States that still somehow do not see climate change or do not view it as an issue. There is a lot of false information about climate change and global warming which is regurgitated by many well known politicians including President Donald Trump, who said, “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to
make U.S. manufacturing noncompetitive.” Sharing correct information about climate change and talking about it with friends and coworkers can increase the dialogue and inform people on the facts of how the Earth
tion, southern states built statues and hung flags as a way to intimidate African Americans. The statues weren’t put up to mourn the loss of soldiers, they were put up to glorify the soldiers’ values and beliefs. The statues are glorifications of the causes of the Civil War. There is virtually no “southern pride” incorporated with the Confederacy. The strange thing is, why would you have pride in something that lost terribly? I have been to many schools all around Missouri. The school that really stuck out to me was Fulton High School in my sophomore year. On the first day of school, I saw a caucasian boy wearing a belt buckle with a Confederate flag and dirtstained boots that had heels decorated with red, white and blue. As an African American, I was alarmed. I thought to myself, “Where am I?” I hadn’t seen a Confederate flag in real life before. In Fulton, they were everywhere. Confederate flags were sold at convenience stores and in my government class, we
were taught to remember the accomplishments and nobleness of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. The class ignored the blatant racism the Confederaty represented and that its flag still represents. I felt targeted and threatened going to that school. Girls would get dress coded for wearing a sheer top but others were allowed to wear shirts, hats and accessories that embodied hate. I will never forget the time an African American girl wore a “Black Lives Matter” shirt and was told to change by the vice principal for wearing a shirt that “offended” others. In more recent news, the Confederacy is being called out for what it is. Many statues and flags are being taken down but some right wing activists are fighting to keep the statues up and are willing to kill. Just ask the white supremacists from Charlottesville. Luckily, progress is being made because of the issues that occurred in Virginia. Instead of more statues and flags being put up, statues and flags are being taken down.
ter, you can’t let that get to you. Manny Garcia
take a step back and realize that we should not repress the opinions of the contestants, nor the entire history of women in America. Jean Wong
Living in Confederate America
By Layne Johnson Staff Writer
Confederate states and flags are literal symbols of racism and white supremacy. The Civil War happened in 1861 yet we still have Confederate flags waving in front of city buildings and statues of Confederate soldiers standing tall and proud. There are 31 states that feature the Confederacy but only 11 states were initially in the Confederacy. Many white southerners say that the Confederate memorabilia isn’t about slavery, even though it actually is. During the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow segrega-
Letters to the Editor
The Olympian shares comments submitted through www. cvhsolympian.com below. We also accept letters delivered to cvhsolympian@gmail.com or room 113. Re: “Why I quit soccer” by Emma Yin I agree parents should stay out of it. If your parents need to be the ones telling you to fix things then there’s a problem. I also think that if you can’t handle the yelling from coaches then you shouldn’t do the sport because it’s all to get you bet-
Re: “What people have forgotten about Miss America” by Shaelly Adams This is a really thoughtful and insightful analysis on the inequality women in America are faced with. My thoughts on this issue are very in-line with Shaelly’s. There’s a quote from Malala Yousafzai; “We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.” This applies to this article because it needs to be realized that we need to
Lost and in love with linguistics
By Hayate Moro
is changing. Taking the time to educate yourself further on this issue will help you make informed decisions that will take the side of our environment. Remember, climate change is real, despite what the president might say. So, keep spreading information, not wildfires.
Re: “Is T.V. monochromatic?” by Isabelle Voix I agree, I also do see that the media is dominated by white cisgender men. We definitely need more diversity in industry to show that we are diverse and not just white cisgender men. Well written. Katherine Tai
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Staff Writer Language is a puzzle. We connect the pieces as we grow up, sometimes connecting the pieces by ourselves or with others. To attach a piece with someone is to share a culture, and to transcend the barrier every human carries. No matter how many languages there are in the world, we all have one thing in common. We all have ideas to share. To share ideas across cultures, learning two languages becomes a fundamental. Dealing with English as my second language was absolutely horrifying. My grammar, writing, spelling, and reading skills were outrageous, like a man who lost both arms and started eating with his legs. But through years of practice, not only did I become proficient, but people started to admire me. The benefit that comes with the time and effort of learning another language pays dividends in the long run. “You’ll thank us for making you learn Japanese,” my parents used to say. I won’t lie. After a long week, I couldn’t stand the three and a half hour Japanese class I had afterward. I questioned and begged my
parents to get me out of the class. “If you quit Japanese, you can’t go to Japan,” was what I got in return. If I talked back, I would have sacrificed meeting all of my relatives. My mother created a harsh, yet intelligent rule to further improve my Japanese. If English was spoken in the house, I had to pay $5. My allowance when I was in fifth grade was $5! A month worth of chores would have gone back into my mother’s wallet. Frank Smith once said, “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” Bilingualism creates opportunities. I have helped others struggling to communicate, and it has also helped
“One language sets
you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way. Frank Smith
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me from becoming antisocial. I learned that the disadvantage of having to spend long hours schooling becomes an advantage when the goal is finally accomplished. Now, there’s not a single day I regret going to Japanese school. There are currently 6,909 languages in the world, and I am fluent in two. With just these two languages, I can communicate with millions. Although I won’t be able to learn all 6,909 languages, learning another would offer me another hotel full of doors to open.
The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2017
Editors-in-Chief..................................................................Mia Babasyan Hannah Johansson Copy Editor......................................................................Nisha Lal 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, Gianna Ellis, Layne Johnson, Bilal Messaoudi, Hayate Moro, Amina Moummad, Derek Neyer, Nathanial Ortiz, Jenny Pham, Young So, Rachel Stein, Thomas Vergara, Isabelle Voix, Andrew Watanabe, Katelyn Wong, Emma Yin Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson
4 “Luna Mexicana” performers dance for Day of the dead
“Luna Mexicana” performers from the Oakland Ballet Company dance in front of students in the CFA. By Hayate Moro Staff Writer
¡Cuidado! (Watch Out!) Clinging to their last life, white skeletons rattled their bones on stage to gain back their flesh from a newly arrived body in the afterlife. The skeletons of the Oakland Ballet Company break their legs as the production of “Luna Mexicana” stole the light. Artistic Director Graham
Lustig flashed on a show about a Latin American holiday, Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, at CVHS on Oct. 26. Both male and female ballet dancers shined their faces with sweat, surrounded by loud applause in the CFA. “I learned that on Dia de los Muertos they don’t mourn for the dead but instead celebrate the lives of the dead in a festive way.
Overall I felt like it gave me a new perspective on death,” said junior Torin Dokie. The performance “Luna Mexicana” started off with a young lady in a golden dress, tip-toeing to the smooth Mexican music. Moments later, multiple skeletons ticked the clocks with the moves they have been carving for years. In a competitive field of art, the Oakland Ballet Company
has successfully expanded its educational outreach program and popularity. “We practice 40 hours a week and perform this 22 times,” said one of the dancers after the recital. More than 5,000 local schoolchildren got to to learn through kinetic motion. For many students, it is easier to learn by sight instead of pounding information for hours in a tiny
Hayate Moro / Staff Writer
uncomfortable chair. “Besides with the lesson in Spanish [class], I felt like I understood how much it meant and what it’s like for those who celebrate it,” said Spanish learner Brandon Perez. In about an hour, the ballet team did an incredible job educating CVHS students about the Day of the Dead and further connecting them to another culture.
Medical Careers class directs drill Essay clinic comforts By Olga Buzueva Staff Writer
The annual Great Shakeout earthquake drill occurred on Thursday, Oct. 19. Most students participated in the drill by hiding under their desks and then evacuating to the field, but students in the Medical Career class helped with the simulation by using their medical experiences to make the drill more realistic. “ T h e c l a s s g i ve s y o u many skills to use all over campus,” said student Tiffany Lau. The Medical Career course is run by Sue Anderson, and the students learn emergency training, basic first aid, medical terminology, and pharmacology. “The class is very multi-faceted. It is a very vigourous class because in the medical field you need to know many things,” said Anderson. The students would also get an opportunity to listen
to guest speakers and go on field trips. Lau has gotten several of these chances, including a trip to Stanford. “I wouldn’t have done Stanford if I wasn’t medically inclined,” said Lau. Both former and current students relay positive experiences with the course, but don’t recommend the class for anyone not ready for its immense workload. “It is an amazing class. The advice I give to anyone is don’t take the class if you aren’t interested in medicine. There’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it if you enjoy it,” said former Medical Careers student Cheyenne Marques. With the materials and lessons the students have taken away from the class, they have found that they have become better prepared for their adult life and understand more about themselves. Both Marques and Lau recounted how they had begun to use medical terminology during doctor appointments.
“It gives you a privilege of advocating yourself to your doctors,” said Lau. One of the recent events the class has helped out with was the Great Shakeout earthquake drill. “This year, there were three Medical Career classes. We were in charge of search and rescue and running the first aid station,” said Lau. Students look at the drill with a positive attitude. They liked the experience of putting their medical training to the test in a simulation. “I really like the class, especially the drill. It was really good practice,” said student Joy Pihanna. With bright gazes pointed to the future, both the students and Anderson are proud of the progress being made. “We are more prepared than most schools for an actual disaster. Not only do we have the teachers, but also many able students,” said Anderson.
concerned seniors By Emma Yin Staff Writer
Completing college applications is one of the most stressful times during the senior year of highschool. Here at CVHS, teachers and staff are working to help students write stronger applications and essays to their dream schools. Essay coaches were available Oct. 23, 25, and 26 to help seniors review their personal statements and essays for college applications. Each student willing to participate in the College Essay Clinic had 15 minutes to discuss their essay with a coach. Then, they could attend a follow up meeting from Oct. 30 through Nov. 6 to review their final essay. “I think that the college essay clinic is a unique service,” said English teacher Clare LePell. “It plays a meaningful role in applications CVHS students file each year.” Along with helping to improve students’ college applications, this provides a service that many seniors would otherwise not be able
to afford. Many students who cannot afford to hire a private essay coach would not be able to receive any help with their applications if it were not for the efforts of the English Department. “The goal of this clinic is to give students more confidence in themselves as they apply for colleges,” said LePell. This opportunity has been available to seniors for ten years, however the college essay clinic is in danger of disappearing. Due to recent budget cuts, funds supporting the college essay clinic are no longer attainable, and the program will most likely not return next year, LePell said. This poses a problem for many students in the future who cannot afford to hire an essay coach. Seniors are lucky to have this opportunity to aquire new writing strategies and improve their applications. Though prospects look dim for the CVHS college essay clinic, essay tutors are determined to finish this year strong.
5 Getting loud and lively at Rolling Loud festival By Young So Staff Writer
Flashing fireworks, smoke and colorful lights filled the amphitheatre. Bass shook the ground like an earthquake and people were like wild animals.
“ Bass shook
the ground like an earthquake and people were like wild animals. ” Rolling Loud was one of multiple concerts that was held on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 at Shoreline Festival Grounds in Mountain View. Many well-known rappers such as
The Rolling Loud festival lights up the stage in Mountain View. XXXTentacion and Lil Uzi Vert performed, and tickets started at $200.
Most people were headed towards the “Loud Stage” which was one of the two
Young So / Staff Writer
stages located in the amphitheatre. The “Wav Stage” was smaller, but the quality of the
artists was the same as the “Loud Stage.” People were given a time list for when certain artists would show up, however, to much of their disappointment, few main artists flaked from the concert including Future. Towards the end of the concert, a great amount people arrived filling up the whole amphitheatre which was barely filled in the earlier hours. When the sky darkened, the better artists in the lineup came up to perform which was accompanied with fireworks and an amazing lightshow. Many people were dancing and jumping up and down while having a great time. Overall, this concert was a great experience. The music and atmosphere were great, although water and food were extremely expensive. Going at night is a much better experience than going at the earlier hours as the place becomes more lively.
A.R. the Believer: a rap artist By Bilal Messaoudi Staff Writer
Destiny 2: New Legends will rise By Young So Staff Writer
Your strength is taken from you, above the clouds on a spaceship you lay without power, an alien overlord walks over to you, as you try to crawl away, he kicks you to the edge of the ship, he then kicks you off and you fall. “Destiny 2” is a sequel to “Destiny,” a game in which warriors called guardians fight the “darkness” with their light. “Destiny 2” was developed by the same company that created and developed the Halo Franchise, Bungie. “Destiny 2” is very similar as “Destiny,” but it has a few improvements like smoother gameplay and
a higher loot drop rates, which are the items in the game, for casual players. The new game is a hit or miss to most people, like the previous one. Those who disliked the gameplay of the original would most likely dislike this game. However, those who enjoyed “Destiny” are bound to enjoy “Destiny 2.” The story was improved from the previous version and although the story aligns with the first game. The makers ingeniously take away your previous progress by introducing a new character who destroys your city and takes your gear. The story revolves around you trying to take back what the new character, Ghaul, stole from you. To reach Ghaul you scrounge different planets, and try to bring together the
main characters to help you defeat him. After you defeat him, you reach the end game where you try to maximize the power of your gear, and participate in public events and team based PVE (Player Vs. Environment), which would include non player characters as enemies. The game has a decent story line and great gameplay mechanics. The abundance of things to do after you finish the story is also amazing, which different from the older game. Bungie listened to all the feedback from the original, and implemented the suggestions in “Destiny 2” to create a more refined video game. The game is great for those who enjoy MMOs or play with friends.
“Words and noises. Just in a hella dope order.” This opening line on the website of the young upcoming rapper pretty much sums up the artist. Abdur Rahman Hassan, or more commonly known as A.R the Believer, has been recording and performing live at numerous venues for the past year. A.R the Believer is not like most other artists. All of his music has meaning to it and he purposely designs it this way. “I’m looking to push a message, and I want to have actions to go along with my music,” said A.R the Believer. A.R the Believer raps about injustice, poverty and other day to day struggles he faced living and growing up in Oakland. “My background defines my music, more than anything,” he said. When I spoke with him, he said that growing up he listened to artists such as Immortal Technique, Kendrick Lamar, Rage against the Machine, and Tupac. The
musical styles of these artists managed to make their way into his own works. A.R the Believer and his works can be found on YouTube, Soundcloud, Instagram, and soon Spotify as he looks to expand and spread his music to more listeners. His new songs will be more personal but he assures the public that his music will remain charged and socially aware. Towards the end of the interview, he also hinted that new music would be dropping soon and to expect an album towards the end of this year or early 2018. Choosing a favorite song was difficult for me, but one of his singles, “YGs” was one that definitely stood out to me for its message and overall flow and sound. I really enjoyed his styles and patterns that blended high and low tempos combined with many different flows and the vibe of his music. A.R the believer might not be for everyone but next time you aren’t sure of what to listen to, put on Oakland’s next big thing in the rap game and you won’t be disappointed.
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Janatpour-Brown family recognized for contribution By Pau Gutierrez Sports Editor
After seven years with CVHS athletics, parents Mary Janatpour and Mark Brown were named honorary captains of the CVHS football team in recognition for everything they have done for the program and the Castro Valley sports community. As a pair of bricks in the entryway of the stadium say, the Janatpour-Brown family made Castro Valley its home in the year 2000. After deciding to move to Castro Valley, Janatpour and Brown made a decision that would later become one of the biggest parts of their lives: involving both of their kids in Castro Valley sports. Their oldest son began playing T-ball at the age of four. Later on, both of their kids went on to play for the San Leandro Crusaders football team, which prepared them for high school football. Both parents have been deeply involved in their sons’ atheletics. Janatpour dedicated her time as a team mom and athletic boosters board president. Brown coached baseball, basketball, and football to give his sons a better understanding of
Jared Darling
Mary Janatpour and Mark Brown joined their son Cameron before his last game.
the sport they were so passionate about. Even though this may seem like a simple task for some parents, being part of this community is everything but easy. Brown works as senior drafter for East Bay Municipal Utilities District and Janatpour is senior director at Dynavax Technologies. This means they both have full time jobs, two young men to raise, and all the responsibilities
that being part of the football family entails. The couple can be seen cheering at every game, fundraising money and supporting the coaches. Brown even films all the games to make sure every player gets good footage and highlights to use for future college recruitments. “As a family we have sacrificed a lot. Our kids were always in sports so that meant we weren’t doing other things. We have
things that we’ve missed out on as a family because of sports, but the tradeoff is what I see the boys have learned in terms of their life experience, their discipline, their putting the work in and getting the reward. Even the bad stuff has prepared them very well for life,” said Janatpour. As their time as football parents came to an end, the football team felt the need to recogize the family’s time and work ethic.
One of the things both of them highlighted about the program is the sense of family and camaraderie that coach Denny Molzen has helped to create. “The football experience the program offers goes beyond high school, it creates a true brotherhood that kind of transcends the sport,” said Brown. Walking with their youngest son, Cameron Brown, during senior night before their last local football game was sad and a little surreal for the parents. However they were proud of what they and their sons had accomplished. “Thank you for the experience and the opportunity to be part of it and thanks Coach Molzen. I highly encourage sports parents to stay involved, the strength comes from parents supporting the program,” said Janatpour. Even after their youngest son graduates, they still plan on supporting and cheering for their local high school football team. Even so, the JanatpourBrown family will be missed by the football team and the Castro Valley athletic community, but their legacy will always be remembered.
Athletes of the Month
Davidson runs towards her dreams
By Katelyn Wong Staff Writer
Olivia Davidson races to the finish.
Layne Johnson / Staff Writer
Junior Olivia Davidson is the epitome of “hard work pays off.” Ever since fifth grade, Davidson has had a strong passion for running that has followed her thus far in cross country and track. Starting cross country just last year, she has already risen to the top as the current varsity team captain. Her strong mindset is evident as she tries hard to truly commit and get involved with the sport. Running may not be everyone’s forte. “There are good and bad days but at the end I feel pretty good and accomplished,” Davidson said.
Unti’s volleyball journey
By Milagros Aquino Staff Writer
Senior Elika Unti is the captain of the varsity volleyball team. Volleyball is something she had built into her as a child, which sparked her interest in the sport. “My parents played it so they really got me involved. I just really enjoyed it more than the other sports I was playing at the time,” said Unti. She first started playing in middle school around eighth grade when she really started getting competitive and
went to a club more often to improve her skills. She has worked a lot to get to where she is right now, but this is her last year on the team. “It’s a little heartbreaking, and a little sad...hopefully I made an impact on my team. We really helped each other get to where we wanted to be to reach our goals,” said Unti. What is in the future is unclear but she does have her hopes on what could happen later in life after high school. “I'm considering playing volleyball in college. I haven't
really decided if I completely want to play yet; I’ll go to college first and see how that goes,” said Unti. Unti has gone through her fair share of ups and downs in the past five years she has played. However, she never gave up, and she believes in putting in a lot of hard work instead of taking the easy way out. Unti is more than just a captain on a volleyball team, she is family to the team and will always be remembered as a great coach, captain, and leader.
Davidson has become accustomed to the difficulty her sport entails, but her favorite part about competing in races is being able to finish the race with satisfaction after a victory. However, her favorite memory this year was not from a victorious race, but a relaxing picnic with her teammates after a treacherous race at Half Moon Bay. Aside from the pressure of breaking personal records and gaining victories after races, being surrounded by extremely supportive and encouraging teammates play a huge part in the sport. Davidson finds team bonding a big aspect in recovering from a hard season of running.
To some people, running may seem dreadful but Davidson says otherwise. “Most of the time, going on runs give us one hour to reflect on our day while being surrounded by nature,” explains Davidson. Even when cross country season ends, she plans to maintain her current shape for the track season at the beginning of spring. Davidson finds the light of running in cross country and track as each race allowed her to take a learning experience away from it. “The races are challenging but important because they show you how far you’ve come and how you’ve improved as an athlete,” she said.
Hannah Johansson / Editor-in-chief Hannah Johansson / Editor-in-chief
Elika Unti is a star volleyball player and varsity captain .
THE OLYMPIAN
Nov. 16, 2017
Runners race at WACC meet By Layne Johnson
Staff Writer The boys varsity cross country team came in third place at the WACC championships behind senior Reilly Berberian, who placed third individually in 15 minutes and 58 seconds. The meet was on Nov. 4 at Hayward High School. “I feel like it went all right. I took it out a little fast. The course was muddy but I feel like I did pretty well,” said Berberian. The girls varsity team finished in seventh place. Junior and team captain Olivia Davidson set a new personal record at 19 minutes and 22 seconds. She says that her team did very well and she’s very proud of them. “This is my fourth time doing this and I wanted to make sure that I improved,” said Davidson. “We did well and competed in all six divisions. Not many schools compete in all six
Boys race at the WACC meet.
divisions and I’m proud of them,” said Coach Dino Cardiasmenos. Tobias Taylor and Jasmine Amezcua, both freshmen, shined in the frosh soph races. Taylor won the boys individual race, leading his team which finished in second place. Taylor says his secret to success is to “pace yourself and hard work.” Amezcua also won her individual race and led the girls team to a league championship. Both boys and girls JV teams got third place. Carly Hegarty was the Trojans’ top finisher for the girls JV team and so Jack Singer led the boys team. Boys and girls varsity team will run at NCS on Nov. 18 and they will have a chance to advance to the state meet. “Our chances of going to the state meet are there… if we work really hard this week we’ll get there,” said Berberian.
Layne Johnson / Staff Writer
Dirty biking gets to Castro Valley By Rachel Stein Staff Writer
Dirt biking isn’t usually what comes to mind when sports are brought up. Though it’s not very common, dirt biking is an important part of the lives of CVHS juniors Dylan Simao and Cole Briggs. Because dirt biking is a tradition in both of their families, they started riding at young ages: Simao at two, and Briggs at three. Now, both race competitively for CP Racing Team, a northern California motocross organization. They can often be found at the Club Moto Motocross Track in Livermore, where they regularly practice for upcoming competitions. The two both played baseball for multiple years before committing to dirt biking. When asked why he prefers dirt biking, Briggs explained, “It’s the adrenaline.” “Dirt biking isn’t as much of a team sport, you can
achieve things on your own,” said Simao. There is a friendly rivalry between the two. When asked about his inspirations in the sport, Simao stated, “My friends motivate me to work harder and win more.” Simao and Briggs frequently compete in dirt bike racing competitions, such as the MotoPro Graphics Triple Crown and Fly Amateur Nationals. “I started racing for the fun of it, but over time it’s become more for winning,” said Briggs. Simao is sponsored by Ride365, a dirt bike and motocross supply company. “Getting sponsored has been my greatest achievement in dirtbiking,” he said. In the future, both Simao and Briggs aim to go far in dirt biking. “I hope to race professionally one day,” said Briggs. “I also hope to get some first places under my belt.”
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Tears spike seniors’ last match By Nisha Lal Copy Editor
The varsity girls volleyball team tamed the Liberty High School Lions during their senior night volleyball game on Oct. 24. Winning the match 3-0, the athletes were ecstatic to make playoffs and celebrate their senior players all in one night. The moments leading up to the match were very emotional, as the underclassmen players made speeches reminiscing about each senior athlete. Celebrating their time on the team with flowers, tears, and hugs, the team went into battle emotionally charged and ready to win. “I am so thankful to be a senior on the team, especially with this group of girls. I enjoyed being a leader on the team and getting so much support,” said Alexis Hoffman when asked about her experience during senior night. Starting the game off well, the team kept a strong lead during the first period. With plenty of close saves and amazing spikes, the team won the set 25-13. One particularly memorable moment was when junior Amina Moummad literally bent over backwards to return a deep shot. Sending it over just in time, she scored for team and earned loud
Elika Unti blocks the ball during a game. cheers from the crowd. “My favorite part about the game was the intensity we had as a team. We always came together after every point with so much energy,” said Hoffman. The second set was over quickly as well, featuring many amazing spikes from players such as senior Elika Unti. The ending score was 25-21. The Trojans played even harder in the next period, winning the third set as well,
Nisha Lal / Copy Editor
finishing the match. Overall, the Trojans gracefully defeated Liberty High. Winning three straight sets, the team proved its strong bond and amazing support has them ready to face any challenge ahead of them. “I’m thankful to have finished out my volleyball career with these girls and thanks to Coach Unti for everything he has done. Best team ever!” said Hoffman.
THE OLYMPIAN
Nov. 16, 2017
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No tuition fees at New features and tools in library website community college By Gianna Ellis Staff Writer
COLLEGE: From Page 1
According to the state Legislature, the new program will cost $31.1 million, although that estimate is based on numbers from the 2014-15 school year and does not account for any increased attendance. These costs are not justified to some students. “It’s a good idea in theory but the state doesn’t really have money to be throwing around, and I feel that it would be better put towards other things,” said freshman Colby Lambert. The expense will come from
the state’s feneral fund. The current cost for community college classes is $46 per unit per semester, and that will essentially be paid by the state for full-time first year students. It is estimated that 19,000 students per year will benefit from the bill, though it is the hope of the Legislature that that number increases as more people take advantage of this and get more education. “I hope this leads to more opportunities down the way,” said Betti.
Sexual assault awareness at CVHS #METOO: From Page 1
the survey includes students arguing that it is hard to bring awareness on campus because it so normal to feel unsafe. “In one of my classes there was unwanted touching and comments made to me about how I identify myself. I felt uncomfortable and it was a struggle to keep up with my classwork, ultimately making me feel like I was in an unsafe environment. Sure it does
not compare to other horrible experiences, but the harassments were made based on my failure to conform to gender stereotypes,” wrote a third anonymous student. “The topic is something a lot of people look over, and it created an outlet for people all over the world share their stories and show others that they are not alone in the tragedies of sexual assault,” said WCC club president Marbella Daniel.
The CVHS library website has finally gotten the update we’ve all been waiting for. “The website is to offer free resources to student and teachers with free information. It is a place for students to discover new things as well,” said librarian Dana Adams. The new website includes a music blog, a contemporary art page (much of the art work posted involves social justice issues), book blogs, and a digital poster.
Now, not only is the CVHS library website useful for academics, but it also gives the students and teachers an opportunity to discover new music, and stay updated on relevant social issues. Another new update is the login system. The students are now able to create an account, or login, with their student google account. Through their account, they can view a list of books they have checked out. Also, there is also a new book catalog which shows the students what books are available in the library.
Adams describes this feature as “patron empowerment,” because it gives the student some control and knowledge of the books they have. This way, there is less confusion going into the library. “The new website is overall just more efficient for the students and teachers.” said Adams. This is incredibly thoughtful for students of CVHS, and makes the library experience even more enjoyable. The website can be found at http://cvhslib.weebly.com/
DECA walks for cancer organization Students volunteer for breast cancer research By Beruk Tsegaye Photo Editor
Waking up bright and early on Saturday, Oct. 28, Castro Valley DECA members made a difference and contributed to the “Make Strides for Breast Cancer” walk. On that sunny day in San Jose,
people of all ages joined the American Cancer Association (ACA) to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. DECA sold T-shirts for $10 each, and half of the profits went to the ACA. DECA volunteers did their part and wore t-shirts that said “CV DECA CARES.” “It’s important to have a cause, such as this, that CV DECA can be part of,” said Pau Gutierrez, an officer of CV DECA. “Designing the shirt and
actually attending the walk was really fun and rewarding, but the logistics part and getting the students to sign up for it was a little bit of a challenge,” said Gutierrez. Amongst other organizations, an overwhelming number of DECA members were part of the three-mile walk, wearing pink and purple to show support. The event created an amazing feeling within all of the participants, proving that coming together can make a huge difference.
Dress Code brings changes and concerns New rules are less strict, more vague By Jenny Pham Staff Writer
This year, the school’s dress code became more vague and less strict. Girls are no longer specifically required to cover up their stomachs, cleavage, and undergarments. “As a school, there should be an elevated state of mind. I dress appropriately in respect for what I am doing here. I want students to have that same respect,” said Assistant Principal Jesse Hansen. The first difference is the addition of the phrase “supports college/career readiness” in the opening statement of the dress code article of the 2017 to 2018 Student Handbook. “The purpose of a dress code is to promote a serious academic atmosphere that supports college and career readiness, and assures the physical and emotional safety of every individual,” said Hansen, underlining some of the reasons for the changes in the school’s dress code. In addition, the previous statements that ban excess exposure of the torso, chest, belly, cleavage, or undergarments and short bottoms are simply summarized under a blanket statement that “cloth-
ing cannot be worn at school that overtly or inappropriately exposes a student’s body.” “The dress code was skewed against the female body. It somehow seemed that the female body was more dangerous than the male body, and as a school we do not want to contribute to sexism,” said Hansen, explaining the reasoning behind the generalization. Not only have rules on revealing clothing been generalized, but so have statements regarding hate speech. The dress code no longer specifically prohibits symbols like swastikas and the Confederate flag, prohibiting “offensive symbols used to intimidate or harass or includes hate messages or promotes violence such as guns or weapons.” However, the administration interprets this to mean that the code prohibits rebel flags and swastikas, Hansen said. In general, it seems the code and the school are allowing
students more freedom to dress as they choose. “It is true that revealing clothing is not enforced as harshly, but we are trying to be respectful to young people and not pick on certain people. The negative is that some people push it really far,” said Hansen. “I think the whole concept of telling a woman that she needs to ‘cover up’ in order to make other people less uncomfortable puts the responsibility on our shoulders and in a way blames us for how other boys feel about our clothes, which isn't a good lesson to teach young people about where the responsibility should lie,” said junior Katelyn Lance, a passionate feminist. “Personally, I don't dress for the male gaze, I only dress for myself. If you really can't focus on your work because I have two inches of my stomach out, maybe you're the one that needs help,” Lance said.
Jenny Pham / Staff Writer
CVHS students are less restricted by the new dress code in their fashion choices. Honors Chemistry teacher Deborah Yager has never written up a dress code violation before and never plans to do so. “Honestly I don’t pay that much attention to choices in wardrobe; I am much more interested in their outlook. Style is a freedom of choice,”
said Yager. However, Yager also commented on the importance of dressing appropriately. “It is important for young women to realize that people will form perceptions of character based on appearance. Impressions matter,” continued Yager.