WHAT’S INSIDE
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Learn about AVID, to be introduced next year, helping freshmen get into college
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Find out more about the Easton Branch, Burlingame’s “hidden” library
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Hear about your privilege - and responsibility - to speak up when you disagree with the paper
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Read about sophomore Wyatt McGovern and his rise in the world of competitive golf
THE BURLINGAME B theburlingameb.org
April 26, 2019
Issue 7 Vol. 123 PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIRST ROBOTICS AND THE IRON PANTHERS
Iron Panthers win world championship BY JAMES LOWDON
Senior Reporter
Burlingame’s Iron Panthers robotics team took home the title of world champions in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) World Championship after four hard-fought days of competition. The tournament took place in Houston from April 17 to April 20 and drew in 403 of the best robotics teams from around the world. Every year, FRC offers a new challenge for the high school teams. The 2019 challenge, called Destination: Deep Space, involved competing in an alliance of four teams, with the main goal of building a robot that picks up and loads objects into a “spacecraft.” Allianc-
es earn points based on a variety of factors, and the team with the most points is crowned the victor. The 403 robotics teams competed until there was one winning alliance from each division. The division winners then competed until one final winning alliance was declared world champions. The Iron Panthers got off to a rough start, experiencing technical difficulties. “Going into worlds, the team outlook was pretty bleak,” Engineering Lead and senior Ethan Lai said. “We’ve been strapped for time since our first competition, and the mechanisms we wanted to use definitely needed more testing going into the first day of qualification matches. This was reflected
in our first day of quals, where we ended up in 63rd place out of 67 teams in the division.” On the second day of the tournament, the Iron Panthers rebounded. The team solved its mechanical issues and finished the day having jumped up 42 places to 21st place. It was in this stage that the team was picked to be a partner in a very strong, all-California alliance, with teams from Madera High School, Atascadero High School and the Da Vinci School, where the Iron Panthers proved themselves extremely capable in a defensive role. From then on, the team found success, winning their division and eventually finding themselves competing in the finals of the
world championship. “We were in a constant state of disbelief,” senior Grace Chen said. The Iron Panthers, being a relatively new team, did not have much experience and had already broken several team records by this point. “We’ve had a curse of never being able to get past quarterfinals for the past few years, so we were all aiming to at least break it,” senior Justin Lee said. The team played the final matches in Minute Maid Stadium, with an audience of 20,000 live and another 2,000 watching the competition livestream. The competition ended with the Iron Panthers’ alliance reverse-sweeping one of the most famous robotics
teams in the world, Bellarmine College Preparatory’s NASA-, Apple-, and Google-sponsored, fourtime world champion team “The Cheesy Poofs.” The nail-biting finals match ended with the Iron Panthers and its partners victorious, declaring them world champions. “It meant more than the world to us. We’ve spent up to 10 hours a day for the last four months working on this robot, and seeing it succeed like this is what I imagine seeing your kid succeed would be like,” senior Junha Park said. “I think we all leave a part of ourselves on the robot, and, at least to me, winning worlds was a deeply personal accomplishment.”
BY CLAIRE HUNT
Copy Editor
Beginning in the fall, ethnic studies will replace the contemporary world studies (CWS) course. While CWS focuses on recent historical events, ethnic studies explores the histories of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality and culture in relation to local and national identity. “The emphasis is on perspectives that we don’t usually focus on, so it is more of a U.S. history from the perspective of different and often historically marginalized groups,” history teacher Alison Liberatore said. “It does have a bit of a humanities feel, so it has maybe a little bit more literature, not in the form of books, but more poetry or writings from different groups.” Along with professional development days during the summer, the history department will have help from the outside firm Acosta Educational Partnership in Tucson, Arizona that offers “Ethnic Studies & Culturally Responsive, Sustaining, and Humanizing Education” training. The new class eliminates the option of students
taking an advanced standing course. While the classes have yet to be allocated, and the history department does not know who will be instructing the course, the teachers are excited to begin this new class. “Any new course is stressful. Es-
“If you want to create change and movement, sometimes there can be a little discomfort.” -Liberatore pecially because this isn’t a history class in the way that U.S. history is, where we kind of all have a background in that,” history department head Annie Miller said. “Any new class is stressful, but planning new classes is also the thing that teachers enjoy the most.” The course shift results from a recent push in California educative legislation to emphasize pre-
Students in Megan Nasser’s contemporary world studies second period class listen to a lecture. viously unheard perspectives from pecially when we’ve had incidents spectives. in the past few years with things “Will it be uncomfortable marginalized minority groups. “I think it’s the most import- like the Mills game,” Miller said. sometimes? Yeah, because it’s real ant class to teach, particularly “I think working with students to conversations, and it’s tough conat Burlingame High. We have a understand identity is something versations,” Liberatore said. “If you want to create change and multi-ethnic student population, that is exceptionally important.” Burlingame teachers are open movement, sometimes there can and yet we are known as being homogenous, and that is an inac- to starting a conversation about be a little discomfort.” curate reflection of who we are. Es- history from typically untold per-
PHOTO BY CLAIRE HUNT
Ethnic Studies to replace CWS as freshman history course
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News
April 26, 2019
BY TEKLA CARLEN
Copy Editor The economic inequalities of the college application process entered the national spotlight last month. Federal prosecutors announced on March 12 that 50 people had been indicted on charges of mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. These parents, athletic coaches and test officials are part of a complex scam to get underperforming rich children into elite American universities. At the center of it all is Rick Singer, head of Key Worldwide Foundation and The Edge College & Career Network. The investigation made headlines for the outlandish lengths that the one percent of the one percent undertook to gain their children access to the University of Southern California (USC), Stanford, Georgetown and about five other colleges. The wealthy parents most infamously involved are actresses Lori Loughlin of “Full House” and Felicity Huffman of “Desperate Housewives.” Thirteen of the 50 parents charged in association with the scandal hail from the Bay Area. Junior Laura Ehrlich met the son of
Bruce and Davina Isackson at Peninsula Temple Sholom. The Isacksons, of Hillsborough, now plan to plead guilty after paying Singer more than half a million dollars to get their daughter into the University of California, Los Angeles. “I was slightly surprised,” Ehrlich said, “but not overly.” After the initial report, 16 of the parents indicted were also accused of money laundering. Most of the people involved, including Huffman, will plead guilty. Loughlin, on the other hand, has maintained her innocence. Her daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli is a YouTuber who said on her channel in 2018 that “I don’t know how much of school I’m going to attend … I don’t really care about school, as you guys know.” Loughlin spent $500,000 on fraudulent athletic recruiting so that Giannulli could attend USC. She spent an equal amount on Olivia’s sister for the same purpose. As this news unfolded, Burlingame seniors awaited their own college decisions. Senior Courtney Rosales grew more worried than before about her prospects when she realized the full scope of the college application process’s corruption.
“I have been directly witnessing my classmates pour their hearts and souls into applications for schools that they are sometimes sadly getting turned away from,” Rosales said. “It devastates me to think of anyone who was not admitted into a school because another person who used lies and bribery took their place.” Rosales will be attending Stanford University in the fall. She has worried that because of the scandal, people will be increasingly suspicious of students like her who have gotten into top colleges. However, not all students think the corruption will have a negative effect on Burlingame applicants. “Obviously, it is still very concerning, but we already have many more resources to help us get into a good college than other high schools do,” sophomore Isabella Arcoleo said. “I also feel since we live in such an affluent area, wealth has been normalized, so the idea of people buying their way into college ... isn’t actually very shocking.” Burlingame students wishing to be competitive university applicants may consult college counselors, hire Scholastic Aptitude Test tutors and spend hundreds of
The University of Southern California is at the forefront of the scandal, joined by Stanford and the University of California, Los Angeles, among other schools across the country. dollars on test preparation courses. All of these methods are perfectly legal, but as the federal courts examine Loughlin and her peers, the court of public opinion questions the ethicality of paying to get ahead legally when others cannot. The jury is out, but College & Career Center Advisor Jonathan
Burlingame to discontinue Lime PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB LUDARSKY
BY JACOB LUBARSKY
Staff Reporter Lime (formerly known as LimeBike) began to pull its rentable bicycles away from sidewalks and streets of the Bay Area last February, with many citizens unaware of its permanent leave. Over the past few months, Lime has made massive changes to its company. Their first order of business—a new name. The company switched its name to Lime after having been named “LimeBike” for the entirety of the company’s short existence. This was part of its goal to completely replace its bikes with scooters and to express to consumers that the company offers more than just its bikes. Each city in the Bay Area had the option to continue the placement of Lime products after the bike removal; the mayor of Burlingame, Donna Colson, and the City Council ultimately decided to discontinue the means of transportation in Burlingame. “I did enjoy the Lime bikes and ride them. They were an excellent last-mile connector for public transit,” Colson wrote in an email. “[The City Council and I] have opted to not adopt scooters at this time due to the evolving
Dennis J. Murphy
Your Peninsula Neighbor 415.310.7956 | dennis@dennisjmurphy.com dennisjmurphy.com
Dhyne warns students against application panic. “There are so many amazing schools that are great fits for a lot of students,” Dhyne said. “Even if you didn’t get into UCLA, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a school out there that’ll prepare you for the future.”
THE BURLINGAME B STAFF Teacher Adviser: Melissa Murphy
Sports Editor: Tyler Idema
Editor-in-Chief: Vishu Prathikanti
Chief Photographer: Hanna Sato
Managing Editor: Lily Page
Copy Editors: Tekla Carlen Claire Hunt Caden Thun
Design Editor: Allie Kennedy
A screenshot from the Lime App, with each Lime logo representing one bike in the area, showing the few bikes left in the area. regulations and concerns over safe- portation [to school],” sophomore ty.” Chance Bonifacio said. “I had to According to the city, some cit- sacrifice my breakfast in order to izens found the bikes to be an ugly [arrive at school on time without addition and a hassle to keep or- the Lime bike].” ganized. While some felt this way Burlingame is hoping to find about the company, the removal of a new rentable bike company to Lime bikes has caused frustration replace the Lime bikes. It is unfor those who relied on the prod- known how soon the City Council uct for means of transportation. plans to follow through with the “I feel outraged because Lime search. Bike was a crucial part of my trans-
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Students react to national college admissions scandal
Business Manager: Moya Liu Webmaster: Ben Neuman
Senior Reporters: Charles Chapman Darrion Chen James Lowdon Annie Sun
Staff Reporters: Alec Abramson Hubert Chen Wesley Chen Ethan Gardner Mark Habelt Amelia Harris Jacob Lubarsky David Mehran Aidan O’Sullivan Allison Szetu Rachel Yap Caroline Yeow
Policy Statement: The Burlingame B is a student-run newspaper with the sole purpose of providing an open forum for student expression. Anything printed represents the opinion of the writer, but not necessarily that of the The Burlingame B staff, the administration or faculty of Burlingame High School, or any person affiliated with the San Mateo Union High School District. The Burlingame B does not discriminate against race, political orientation, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Although The Burlingame B will never refuse to publish guest submission based on the aforementioned factors, we reserve the right to edit or not publish them.
Letters to the Editor:
Disagree with the writers? Bring your letters to the room A120 or email them to <theburlingameb@gmail.com>. Letters may be considered for publication. The Burlingame B reserves the right to edit for clarity, length and accuracy. We welcome all comments.
News
April 26, 2019
AVID college readiness program comes to Burlingame
PHOTO BY ALLIE KENNEDY
BY ALLIE KENNEDY
Design Editor
Senior Dana Rienks Alfaro converses with academic counselor Carla Renzi about committing to a college. “The group of students will remain together to form a cohort, or an AVID family, a family of support, where students are working toward a collective goal,” Zozos said. “I’m going to be working with those students over multiple years so that we build a greater bond, and the trust and compatibility of working together leads to greater success.” Freshman and sophomore year, AVID class time is dedicated to building skills such as time management, organization, questioning and note taking. Developing these characteristics is supposed to help AVID students succeed both in their current high school classes and later in college. Junior and senior year, the class transitions to focus more on standardized test prep, graduation, and applying to college. Additionally, the AVID class will take time to visit colleges. In the fall, the freshmen will take a trip to a local college, and in the spring there will be an overnight trip to colleges in Central and Southern California. Students will probably need to make individual financial contributions to be able to travel, but the program leaders will also fundraise with the ultimate goal of having AVID be self sustaining. “We’ll expose students to a
BY CLAIRE HUNT
Copy Editor
A new trend has emerged in the girls’ bathrooms on campus, and it is hurting the school’s resources and environment. Graffiti, a nuisance faced in many public spaces, comes and goes in cycles at Burlingame. “It pops up, and sometimes it pops up pretty quickly too. And it’ll pop up for, like, a good month or so,” maintenance worker George Frias said. “It’s cyclical.” Vandalism takes time away from the maintenance staff, as well as funds from the school and energy from administration. Severe punishments have been put in place for vandalism, including detention, suspension and worse. Yet students continue to deface school property, disregarding the consequences. “I went to the loo and saw a big marijuana plant with a smiley face, I see a lot of ‘f-ck school,’ a lot of Juuling symbols,” junior Chloe Castillo said. “I have tried to erase it, though, because it pisses me off.” Because most vandalism on campus occurs in areas out of the
public eye, such as the student bathrooms, the administration and maintenance staff work together to keep the school free of graffiti. “We are vigilant, so we check the bathrooms pretty regularly,” Assistant Principal Michelle Fichera said. “We try to make sure we’re in there so we have eyes on it. Of course, the maintenance staff is in and out of the bathroom all day long, and they’re another set of eyes to help us. That’s also the crew that, when there is vandalism, they’re the crew that cleans it up. Whatever happens, they see it, they clean it up.” The administration acknowledges the problems vandalism face to our school, but mainly focus on the root of the problem--student disregard for school property. “Our goal is, what we want to do is maintain and keep our environment clean and we want to respect our environment, make sure we don’t talk advantage of it and we don’t abuse it, which means we don’t vandalize it and graffiti on it,” Fichera said. “Generally speaking, most all students do that here.”
variety of schools, like big UCs or CSUs, or even smaller private schools, giving students a full range of options so that they can choose and make choices about schools that are most appropriate for them,” Zozos said. AVID’s goal is to narrow gaps in achievement and opportunity between AVID and non-AVID students, and the data suggest that AVID is successful: of all AVID high school graduates, 95 percent enroll in college, with 63 percent of those students attending fouryear institutions. Over 85 percent of AVID students who go to college stay for their second year. A study reported by Education Week suggested that once in college, AVID graduates outperformed their non-AVID peers. AVID in Burlingame will not be able to accomodate all the students that could benefit from it. Approximately 20 percent of the class of 2018 did not meet CSU or UC eligibility requirements, but only 35 students at a maximum from each grade can be in AVID. However, Burlingame offers other venues unaffiliated with AVID through which students can find support, including the academic counseling department, the college and career center, tutoring in the library and flex time. Graffiti found in the girl’s C building bathroom depicting the words “Welcome to BHS,” with a Juul below the text.
PHOTO BY CLAIRE HUNT
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), an international program designed to prepare students for success in college, will be offered to Burlingame freshmen in the fall of 2019. Over 2,000 high schools across 46 states and 16 countries offer AVID, and there are almost 1.5 million students in the program. The program is designed for students earning primarily B’s and C’s in middle school. Low-income students, minority students, students who would be first-generation college students and other groups typically underrepresented in higher education are also suggested to apply to join AVID. The program provides extra support in navigating the college preparation and application process. At Burlingame next year, AVID will be a one period elective class with 20 to 35 freshmen. The class will be taught by Michael Zozos, who has prior experience with AVID from leading classes for all four grades at El Camino High School. Luis Mashek will be the AVID counselor, and Michele Fichera will be the AVID administrator. The AVID team will attend a summer training program to learn more about how to implement AVID most effectively. The administration will reach out to incoming ninth graders who appear to be good candidates for AVID, and students not contacted by the administration may have the opportunity to apply as well. After an interview process, the AVID class will be determined. “Students have to have this determination and motivation to improve. They have a goal: they want to go to a CSU or UC. But they don’t know quite how to get there,” Fichera said. Students placed in the program will be expected to stay in AVID through all four years of high school.
Vandalism is cyclical on BHS campus
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Features
April 26, 2019
PHOTO BY LILY PAGE
Tickets, tuxes, and transportation: unpacking the prom price tag
The average American family spends $919 to send their child to prom. Burlingame students are no exception.
BY JACOB LUBARSKY
Staff Reporter
In 2019, one may consider libraries around the world to be useless, with information and entertainment accessible through the internet. The Easton Branch library, however, is as successful now as ever before in its 77 years of operation. In 1927, the Easton Branch library did not yet exist, as the Burlingame Women’s Club stood at 1800 Easton Drive instead. Due to World War II needs from the city, Burlingame decided to discontinue funds for the Women’s Club, and the organization came to an end in early 1942. The Burlingame Public Library later purchased the plot in August of 1942. It was not until 1943 that the Easton Branch library officially opened. For the majority of the library’s history, the building was untouched, as the property only faced minor facelifts. It was not until 2003 that the library began a massive renovation project featuring completely new floors, windows, a computer lab and even a small garden in the back of the library. Additionally, the opening hours of the library were extended an extra six hours each week. The library was closed for renovations for over a year, costing around $1.1 million, with approximately 90 percent of the funds coming from private donors to the Burlingame Library Foundation. After the renovations, the library was thriving—until the Great Recession of 2008. While the Recession was hitting full throttle, the Easton Branch library felt the strain of local budget cuts of around $40,000. The City Council discussed shortening the
As prom season approaches, junior and senior girls embark on the quest for the perfect prom experience. Often, the venture entails spending hundreds of dollars for one night. In 2015, Visa held a survey and found that the average American family spends $919 to send their kids to prom. This year, the price of a ticket is $120 without a PAL sticker. Transportation to and from the venue ranges from party buses to limousines to Uber. Students with dates also purchase corsages and boutonnieres. Some students, like junior Kayla Biewer, characterize the costs of prom as excessive in relation to the duration of the event. “I spent $120 for the tickets, $200 for my dress, $45 for nails and $20 for my eyebrows,” Biewer
said. “It is not worth all the money. People shouldn’t have to pay that much money to have a good time.” Many students find that prom tends to be overly extravagant and excessive. Students may purchase items which possess perceived obsolescence, meaning they have artificially limited lives, and must therefore be replaced by other similar products. Others cite the costs as intrinsic parts of the event, negligible because they hold a special place in American pop culture. “This fantasy [of the perfect prom] is a product of watching any American high school movie,” senior Madison Kong said. Films such as “Back to the Future” and “High School Musical” climax during school dance scenes; others, such as John Hughes’ “Pretty in Pink,” focus on a female protagonist’s preparation for prom. To some students, this focus suggests
a disproportionate cost for girls versus boys. “It gives off the idea that women are materialistic perfectionists who waste their money to create one special night,” Kong said. “The media has always made it seem like it’s all about the girls [spending] a ridiculous amount for prom.” In order to reduce the financial costs of getting ready for school dances, organizations such as the Princess Project provide prom dresses to those who would not have been able to afford them otherwise. The need for such organizations calls into question the socio-economic implications of the prom price tag. “I think it’s overly expensive to pay for prom. However, we all do it for the ‘prom experience’ and the memories,” Kong said. “It’s a give and take.”
Inside the weight room community BY AMELIA HARRIS
Staff Reporter
number of hours the library would be open per week and even discontinuing the library budget completely. However, after the community refused to let this decision pass, the city allowed the Easton Branch library to remain. “I am glad our northern neighborhoods, which otherwise have very few public amenities other than parks, [have] a branch library,” City Council member Michael Brownrigg wrote in an email. “I think for many people, Easton Branch library is a true gem that would be missed terribly if it disappeared.” As the Great Recession came to an end and the city began to rapidly grow in population, the library started to flourish once again. “We are a growing city, and in the last 10 years our K-8 population [has] grown about 42 percent compared to less than 10 percent for the entire county,” Mayor Donna Colson wrote in an email. “We do need a second library to respond to all the interest from our residents and as we continue to grow, the second library will be used even more.” Though most citizens go to the much bigger Burlingame Public Library, located just 1.4 miles away, the Easton Branch library will continue to house the families living in northern Burlingame. “The Easton Branch is beloved for its small-town charm and quaint architecture, but it is more than an amenity,” City Librarian Bradley McCulley wrote in an email. “Libraries build strong communities. Every day, libraries are transforming the lives of families across America, so now more than ever, we need more Easton Branches in the world, not less.” PHOTO BY JACOB LUBARSKY
The Easton Branch Library is located on 1800 Easton Drive.
Chief Photographer
Before Ernesto Núñez became Burlingame’s strength and conditioning coach in 2017, the weight room was used sporadically, mainly when teams were brought in with their coaches. Núñez, who also works in Burlingame’s special ed department, is a former high school and collegiate wrestler, and has trained with weights through his life. As a Burlingame teacher, he would use the weight room for personal gain, and when Athletic Director John Philipopoulos saw this, he asked Núñez to take on a new coaching position in the weight room. Since the Athletic Boosters began funding the job in 2017, more teams and individuals have come to the weight room to work out. Teams have scheduled days and times to attend the weight room, sometimes with a coach, but having one present is not mandatory. Students who are medically cleared are allowed to work out in the weight room during either their offseason or to stay in shape in lieu of a traditional gym. “My favorite part about [being the strength and conditioning coach] is that I get to work with just about every team and it gives me the opportunity to meet the rest of the students here,” Núñez said. For junior Cooper Glavin, who runs cross country and track, the weight room is a way to supple-
PHOTO BY AMELIA HARRIS
The Easton Branch Library - Burlingame’s hidden historical gem
BY HANNA SATO
Núñez explains an exercise to sophomore Isaac Frankel during football’s weight training. ment track workouts, and he also tentimes hard to visualize it not comes on his own time, without a being there. I think once you becoach. come a part of the weight room “I really like having Coach E. in and its community, it is hard to here helping us know what to do, step away from it,” Aitken said. and he makes sure that if you want The weight room is open to progress, you can. You can see Monday through Thursday after yourself getting stronger,” Glavin school until 6:00 p.m. as well as said. some mornings based on demand Sophomore Isabella Aitken at- and scheduling. Both Núñez and tends morning workouts in the the athletes who use the weight weight room twice a week as part room emphasized the community of her training for swimming. Ac- mindset and support in the weight cording to Aitken, the workouts room. focus on varying muscle groups “This is a welcoming place. As but are almost always full-body long as you’re [medically] cleared, and have helped her become a I’ll find a time slot for students stronger swimmer. to work out. Everything is, in my “After experiencing the weight mind, family-oriented,” Núñez room and being a part of some- said. thing bigger than myself, it is of-
Features
April 26, 2019
BY ALEC ABRAMSON
What are student loans? A Brief FAQ Q: What is a student loan? How does it differ from other kinds of loans? A: A student loan is for paying off student debts, as opposed to other loans which can be used for any number of things. Q: Where can I get loans from? What’s a public versus private loan? A: Both the government (public loans) and private companies offer loans. Q: How long do I have to pay the money I owe back? A: It varies, but most loans have payment plans which start after graduation. Q: How long does the average student loan take to pay off? A: Loans can take anywhere from five to twenty years to pay off. Q: Where can I find more information regarding student loans? A: The government website for student loans, FAFSA.ed.gov, or the websites of private companies which offer loans. BY WESLEY CHEN
Staff Reporter
A student loan is a low-interest, long-term loan which is used to pay off education-related debts. With the rising cost of college, more and more students will need to take out a loan in order to pay for their educations. There are two main kinds of student loans: public loans and private loans. Public loans come from the government and feature set interest rates and simple repayment plans. Government loans are typically cheaper than private loans and require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms found on the government’s student aid website. Comparatively, private loans come from companies and non-government entities like banks or the schools themselves. These loans have varying conditions which are Bonne Sante Banner FINAL.pdf
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set by the lender. More information regarding student loans can be found on the government loan website, fafsa. ed.gov. “There are plenty of resources on the government student loans website,” College & Career Center advisor Jonathan Dhyne said. “You can learn about private loans there too.” While student loans feature lower interest rates than normal loans, they still carry the potential to be difficult to pay off for some. “Student loans aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but paying off the debt rushes undergraduate students to immediately start finding jobs after colleges,” senior Alec Soohoo said. “I’d say that I’m worried about paying it off because finding jobs now are already competitive, and I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like in a few years.”
Staff Reporter
Advanced Placement (AP) may be the hallmark of countless high schools across the nation, but more than 4,000 institutions around the world (including here in the U.S.) offer a different higher-level program—International Baccalaureate (IB)—to their students. The only school in the San Mateo Union High School District that uses IB (and has done so since 2004) is Capuchino. While both IB and AP allow students to take rigorous courses à la carte, a key feature of the former is the rigorous Diploma Programme (DP), which students can opt into. The DP consists of six courses, including a Theory of Knowledge class and a 4,000 word research paper on a topic of the student’s choice that is independently directed with support from educators at the school and assessed by IB when completed. Students who rack up a total of at least 24 points from each subject’s end-of-class exam (scored on a scale of one to seven) ultimately receive the coveted IB Diploma. AP, by comparison, awards credit exclusively for individual tests rather than cumulative assessments, and honors students only for scoring a three or higher on a certain amount of AP exams. Martee Lopez-Schmitt, the IB Coordinator at Capuchino High School, is very confident in the IB Program and what it does to prepare students for further education. She said it glows in comparison to her experience with AP in high school, which simply “prepared [her] for passing tests.” “Because IB is a program and goes in-depth with the classes that
Both AP and IB offer students the opportunity to earn college credit and to augment their applications. last two years, students are able to companies cite their programs develop the skills needed to suc- as fostering deeper thinking and ceed in college,” Lopez-Schmidt preparing students for a successful said in email responses to The Bur- college experience. The College lingame B. Board (which runs AP) did not The format of the end-of-year follow up on a request for a more exams suggests that IB classes re- detailed picture of how the comquire a deeper understanding of pany sells its curriculum to prothe material. Although AP tests spective schools. usually consist of a multiple choice At Burlingame, some students set followed by a free-response share a mixed view of the AP prosection, IB tests rarely require gram. bubble sheets, instead focusing on “I like AP classes because we get open-ended questions. For exam- to explore topics in-depth,” junior ple, one of 2018’s AP U.S. History Julia Jaworski said, “[but time conlong essay question prompts was straints mean] we have less time “Evaluate the extent to which the for class discussions.” Civil War fostered change in the “From my experience, I think United States economy in the peri- that AP classes emphasize breadth od from 1861 to 1900.” The 2005 over depth,” junior Thomas Cao released IB History test shared said. “With that said, it makes more targeted questions but also sense to me why high school stuoffered general queries such as “To dents should receive broader, more what extent do you agree with the contextual knowledge on a subview that war accelerates social ject.” change?” Either way, AP still remains the Despite their apparent differ- prominent program in the United ences, IB and AP appear to market States, even if not all are enthusitheir respective programs in simi- astic about the structure of its curlar ways. On their websites, both riculum.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS
A quick and simple guide International Baccalaureate: the other Advanced Placement program on student loans
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SYDNEY CRESPO | Sophomore “It’ll be helpful. Sometimes, I have to leave early for sports. The old office hours schedule was inconvenient.”
FOR FLEX TIME
BY ALEC ABRAMSON
Staff Reporter
When it was announced some weeks back that Burlingame would be transitioning into a new bell schedule that features a so-called “flex time,” I was a bit flabbergasted. What conceivable benefit would there be to eliminating what is effectively early dismissal on Wednesdays and ruining the possibility for intimate instruction during office hours? And yet, upon further reflection, it dawned on me that my innate resistance to change (just like with Canvas) was eclipsing my ability to see the positive sides of the latest addition to the school day. If you think about it (and I have), it’s sort of like that delightful tagline you see on a cereal box or milk container—new look, same great taste. After traversing corridors and conversing with peers, I’ve discovered three common issues students have with flex time: a later release, not having time for extracurriculars and being forced to utilize instructional opportunities that they don’t need. And before I go any further, I need to make something completely clear. As I see it, flex time isn’t at all perfect in its present state. But flex time is good enough that I volunteered to write this article. The first grievance, which is the fact that Wednesdays would now (officially) end at 3:15 p.m., is something that I see as easily addressable. For some reason, the new schedule would start school at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. If the administration were to adjust that back to its current 9 a.m. start time, school would end at 2:45 p.m., which would result in the day ending almost 30 minutes earlier (or lengthening it by a mere 15 if you leave campus after sixth period currently). Of course, the extracurricular issue is one that many schools are grappling with as they decide whether or not to push back start times. But if we get out at 3:15 (assuming the administration does not make
the aforementioned adjustment), what changes? Sports practice starts at 3:20 instead of 3:15? And for those of us who have some other commitment during what would become sixth period on Wednesdays, it may simply be a sacrifice we have to make. In any case, I’ve seen plenty of students miss school for practice or games as per our current schedule. I doubt there will be much of a difference. And if the prospect angers you so much that you question whether participating in a sport is worth it anymore, I can tell you from personal experience that the sedentary lifestyle is … delightful. To those who say flex time hurts students who don’t need additional help outside of school, I sympathize with your struggle. I really do. Yet flex time may very well be a way to provide enrichment to students who don’t necessarily need help. While the proposed model offers students the opportunity to sign up online to visit a certain teacher or go to the library to work on homework, the administration could expand the list to include time for other activities, such as club meetings or discussion forums. The block could ultimately end up allowing students to focus on developing themselves here at school (and nourishing our student community) rather than through activities outside Burlingame. Before I conclude, I would like to add a fourth (personal) grievance: the name “flex time.” If I’m being completely honest, my first reaction when I heard the term was that this was America’s newest euphemism for gym class and that it would be instituted for all four years. I was terrified. As such, I would like to suggest a new term: office hours. It rolls right off the tongue. Evidently, there’s still lots of work to do in order to develop flex time into something with which both students and staff can get on board. But I believe that it could end up being a time and space for students to learn, work, collaborate and engage. Flex time can only work with our timeless flexibility.
ZOE STEINBERGER | Freshman “I think it could be worth trying, but I also think it’s unnecessary.”
CYRUS SAMSAMI | Freshman “I think it’s great because there’s less class time.”
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FOR FLEX TIME
BY CHARLIE CHAPMAN
Senior Reporter
ALLISON COHEN | Sophomore “I think it could be really nice, or it could hurt some ANDREA YAPof the kids who benefit from office hours.”
ELISABETH WEIMAR | Sophomore “Honestly, I’m not a big fan. For the lazy students, help is offered. If they choose not to take it, that’s on them.”
When Valerie Arbizu announced the flex time proposal, she marketed it as an opportunity to increase student engagement and achievement by providing students an increased amount of one-on-one instruction time with teachers. Upon initial review, the plan seems laudable and in line with the national trend to increase individualized learning time. However, a closer examination of the specific policy reveals students will suffer, especially those who are self-motivated and able to manage their time effectively. The impetus for the change is centered around data collected by the administration showing strikingly low participation during current Wednesday afternoon office hours. This data presumably led the administration to believe that restructuring the schedule to make office hours mandatory would increase participation and in turn student success. In an ideal world, this solution would be entirely reasonable and most likely effective. However, a seasoned educator should be keenly aware of the fact that students do not always respond to situations in the most responsible way. It is hardly controversial to say that many students will mismanage their time regardless of whether the allotted study time is mandatory. The administration’s suggestion during the initial presentation of the flex time system that the proposal would increase “student freedom” is insane. The only functional difference between our current schedule and the new one proposed is that it decreases choice and removes responsibility; no significant new resources will be offered as students have always been able to meet with teachers and work on homework on Wednesday afternoons. Our current system rewards students that are responsible as they have the opportunity to gain
extra help from students in a one-onone setting. The true value of office hours, the ability to work one-onone with teachers, will be lost as a victim to the universality of the flex time system. If every student at the school is required to make use of the time period, increased attendance will limit the amount of attention teachers can give to a single student. Arbizu specifically stated that students will only be able to attend one class or study area for the entire flex time period. This rule is intended to ensure accountability and prevent students from turning the flex time period into an extended break. This move completely undermines one of the key benefits of office hour periods: the ability to touch base with several teachers and shore up your understanding of the material in each class. By limiting student movement during this period, the “flex time” label becomes very misleading. The time is not “flexible,” and students will not be able to use the time effectively. The true victims of this new policy will be motivated, high-achieving students. These students are generally less dependent on additional help and already hold themselves accountable enough to attend office hours when their academic situation warrants it. Additionally, many of these students use the additional time allotted to them on Wednesday afternoons to supplement their academics in ways such as working as an intern or participating in clubs or sports. Removing the freedom of students who have already been successful in their utilization of flex time adversely is more than just an unavoidable side effect of this new policy, it underscores the mindset of the administration in drafting the new schedule. It has been made clear that this policy favors universality over quality, and casts aside academic freedom as a necessary casualty of change.
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W JASON SHEVACH | Senior “Students who don’t use flex time productively will have larger homework loads after school.”
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April 26, 2019
Patriotism in modern day America
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPLASH
his
Opinion
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BY AMELIA HARRIS
Staff Reporter
I am not a patriot. Yes, I am grateful to live in America, where I have free primary education, access to clean water and the right to vote. My gratitude, however, is different than pride in the country. Though I have never been extremely patriotic, since the 2016 election I have become more consciously averse to patriotism. Under the Obama administration, I was happy to be from America, yet I never felt the need to fly the flag. As a result of the United States’ recent conservative policies and ideas, when traveling outside of the country I am embarrassed to be from America, something I would have willingly shared in previous years. Over the past few decades, the American flag has evolved into a right-wing symbol, and I view it as representative of conservative ideals. A friend and I recently had a conversation in which she said that seeing the American flag in someone’s Instagram bio causes her to think they support Trump or at least have a more conservative viewpoint. For this same reason, I wouldn’t fly the American flag—I worry that people will think I am conservative and judge me. This show of patriotism is something I refrain from because I do not support the current administration nor want others to think I do. Due to the evolution of the meaning of the flag, any show of
Student sets new speed record for CAASPP test
The American flag, once signifying the pride in the republic, has now become a symbol of right-wing beliefs. patriotism is presumed to be borne particular presidency or a set of out of conservative ideas and not ideas they disagree with. just a show of unity between citSince Trump’s election, political izens, as it should be. The Amer- and social division in the country ican flag is not for any group in has been more noticeable, as people congregate in groups that share similar viewpoints and remain solely in said groups. The lack of communication between citizens creates a lack of empathy and understanding of other people’s ideas, resulting in political echo chambers. In order to make people more comfortable with shows of patriotism, such as the waving the flag, we need to have more converparticular; it unites people under sations in order to reach a point of common goals, values and history. understanding. Hopefully, these This is what people should think conversations will lead to the realiof when they see the flag, not one zation that the flag is for everyone.
“Any show of patriotism is presumed to be borne out of conservative ideas.”
Utilize the privilege of student free expression Dear Student Body,
Last issue, I was disappointed with the students of Burlingame. I found a group of students and staff who have traditionally been vocal in their opinions resort to silent criticism behind backs. I am, of course, referring to the responses garnered by our review on Burlingame’s drama production “The Hollow.” After we distributed the the paper, I heard multiple students complaining about how the article was needlessly mean and offensive to people involved in the play. I wasn’t angry that students had this response but rather that they kept this response to themselves. These were the same people who protested Donald Trump’s arrival in Burlingame in 2016, the same people who attend the San Francisco Women’s March every year; and the same people who staged a school-wide walkout last year and marched for our lives. Surely these people would have enough courage to speak out on something unjust they thought was published in the paper. And yet, there were no letters written to the Burlingame B. I’m not sure if it was because students skipped the Letter to the Editor notice on page three, or they forgot our email address (theburlingameb@gmail.com, by the way), but for whatever reason, no one felt inclined to send us a Letter to the Editor. The Burlingame B is a public forum, meaning that students have the responsibility to speak their minds and comment on articles published. Editors on the staff have discretion in published content, but typically as long as the letters comply with California education code 48907 (not obscene, libelous, slanderous or inciting danger), they will be published. In my three years on the paper, I can only recall three students writing the Burlingame B Letters to the Editor: Alec Abramson, Vivian Yuen and Alessandro Franco. To those three, and others whom I may have forgotten in that three-year span, thank you. To the rest of the school, I would ask that you don’t forget who you are: a group of outstanding students who aren’t afraid to speak your mind. If you have a problem with something written, tell us. I think this April issue is filled with enough content to have an opinion about—in particular, the articles on this page and the one before it. We welcome any letters, and as long as they are written in a courteous fashion, we would be more than happy to publish them. This right is extended to all members of the community as well. Sincerely, Vishu Prathikanti
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Entertainment
April 26, 2019
ADVANCED DRAMA TAKES OVER DRAMA FESTIVAL AT ARAGON BY MOYA LIU Business Manager Every previous spring, the Ohlone College campus has buzzed with life as students applied stage makeup, rehearsed lines and belted Broadway show tunes one last time before they had to perform. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints and Ohlone College’s schoolwide restructuring, the Theatre and Dance Department was not able to produce the festival this year. Instead, the drama teachers from Burlingame and Aragon, Cindy Skelton and Shane Smuin respectively, decided to hold a mini festival at Aragon. Drama students from Burlingame, Aragon and Hillsdale participated in the event, affectionately referred to as simply “festival.” The Advanced Drama class brought a variety of performances, including a mix of four-minute
PHOTO BY CINDY SKELTON
theater
scenes and fifteen-minute one-act plays. Each student was involved in two separate performances, playing extremely different characters. Sophomore Isabella Arcoleo enjoyed performing with her peers at the festival. “It was really amazing to see people I know so well become these characters on stage. I really enjoyed how festival brought us together. It was so fun to perform in front of other people, and since they were all in high school, there wasn’t a ton of pressure. It was also a really great opportunity to get feedback on scenes that we’d been working on for a while,” Arcoleo said. Although this year’s festival was relatively small and less competitive, the Advanced Drama class prepared their scenes for two months before the big performances. The festival also provided a more supportive atmosphere for young actors to learn and improve. “I usually prefer to perform
Passionate young theater makers of the Advanced Drama class geared up to take over the drama festival on March 29 at Aragon High School. comedies, but now performing some dramatic scenes seems pretty interesting. Also, I learned a lot more about projection in new surroundings because BHS’ theater is
D O I O V
review
Triple X Chicken is a new hotspot after it replaced Cherimoya last month.
Sports Editor
It’s crispy, tasty and about as good as you’re going to get for classic Southern cuisine in Burlingame. Triple X Chicken, the new hotspot downtown that replaced Cherimoya on Lorton Avenue this spring, gives a whole new definition to the chicken sandwich with its savory fried chicken. With a spicy kick to their own special sauce, this sandwich hits every taste bud and leaves you feeling satisfied. Created by the same owner as Nachoria, Triple X
Chicken is a perfect fit for Burlingame. Triple X Chicken’s fast and easy pickup makes it a convenient place to stop and get some food on the go. The food comes in a small, red box that you can eat straight out of, and the sandwich with a side of fries only comes out to around $10. Walking in the door, I immediately felt welcomed by the drowsy, half-eyed chicken logo as well as the aroma of fried food that awaits your stomach. The atmosphere of this small hole-in-the-wall gives off a Southern vibe that is new to
Burlingame. The first bite of the chicken sandwich provokes an unexpected tangy flavor that is accompanied by spicy jalapenos and even spicier sauce. The intensity of the flavor depends on what exactly you order, though (Triple X Chicken lists its own favorite chicken sandwiches on the menu, but there is also a make-your-own-sandwich option). The taste of the fry is salty and crispy, and it compliments the taste of the sandwich. Both options are dangerously addictive and hard to put down.
Winter is here BY DAVID MEHRAN Staff Reporter
At 6 p.m. on April 15, millions of fans worldwide turned on their TV or quickly tried to renew their laptop HBO account before the first episode of “Game of Thrones” season eight hit the screen. After over a year and a half since the end of season seven, fans were eagerly awaiting the release, prepared with a wide array of predictions and theories about how the decade-long, high-budget show would complete its final season. After a montage of season seven and a newly designed title sequence, the show opens with a boy running through a crowd of people lined up on the streets. Once the boy climbs up a tree to view his surroundings, we see the crowd is watching ranks of soldiers marching towards Winterfell, the last castle in the North holding out from the undead. Over the course of the episode, several necessary but underwhelming events occur including a Stark
family reunion, a dragon-riding montage and military strategizing for the upcoming final battles. While fans were hyped going into episode one, very little transpires that is actually engrossing. The one scene that grabbed the viewers attention was when the dragon queen Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) thanks the Night’s Watch Maester Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) for saving her friend from disease. But once Daenerys learns who Samwell is, she is forced to explain how in a battle earlier that month she executed Samwell’s father and brother due to their refusal to bend the knee to her, a tragic and unsettling scene. Overall, the first episode of season eight of Game of Thrones was a suitable way to open the extremely hyped show finale. There was ample time spent tying up loose ends and showcasing character interactions. The episode, while anticlimactic, effectively prepared the plot for the battle-focused episodes to come. PHOTO COURTESY OF HIPTORO
Triple X Chicken is the spicy new hole-in-the-wall on the Ave BY TYLER IDEMA
just had a really fun time overall. Everyone was laughing and students from other schools would talk to each other instead of staying in our own clique.”
tv show W E PHOTO BY TYLER IDEMA
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smaller than Aragon’s. A lot of our scenes were pretty quiet,” sophomore Vanessa Teo, who performed “Dragon Slay” and “Wrong End of the Stick” at the festival, said. “We
Reunited with the person she believes to be her half-brother, Arya Stark embraces Jon Snow in the Godswood.
Sports
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April 26, 2019
McGovern guns for PAL Player of the Year
BY TYLER IDEMA
Sports Editor
Sophomore Wyatt McGovern has been playing golf his whole life and is one of the most promising young players on the Burlingame golf team. He was introduced to the game when he was only 1 year old, and since he was four, McGovern has been tearing up the course, playing competitively for six years of his total 11 years of golf. However, this year McGovern is looking for a new challenge: “I am trying to become the [Peninsula Athletic League (PAL)] most valuable player,” McGovern said. Even though he is only a sophomore, McGovern has risen up among upperclassmen to become one of the team captains for the Panthers. With his high golf IQ, McGovern understands what his teammates need to work on and how to help them improve as a whole. A number of freshmen have joined the team this year, and McGovern has been a key figure in helping them acclimate to their new team. “I enjoy [leading] because I like seeing people improve and have fun with golf,” McGovern said. Last year was McGovern’s first taste of Central Coast Section (CCS) golf. Since he was unfamiliar with the course, Mc-
Govern was unsure of the exact locations to hit the ball. He struggled at the beginning of his match but was able to keep his composure and shoot a 78. “I missed advancing as an individual by just a handful of shots,” McGovern said. Despite being one of the best distance hitters and one of the best players on his team, McGovern has struggled with the mental aspect of golf. McGovern admits that one of his weaknesses is not being able to bounce back after hitting a bad shot or two because getting a par or a bogey and moving on is crucial to lowering his season average, which would give him a better chance of becoming the PAL MVP. “I have had a couple abnormally high rounds this year that have hurt my season-long average,” McGovern said. Although McGovern could still perform better, he is the frontrunner for the PAL MVP so far. With little time left in the season, McGovern believes he will make it to CCS again this year, but this time he will be more prepared “Now that I have seen the CCS course, I’ll know what to do and what not to do and I should be much better at navigating the course,” McGovern said.
PHOTO BY ZACH HEFFERNAN
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL PEREIRA
PHOTO COURTESY OF LARA HOYEM
Will Pereira proves his worth as “most devoted manager in PAL” BY MARK HABELT
Staff Reporter
While talent and strong coaching have provided much of the basis for the Burlingame baseball team’s success thus far, one unsung hero has not received the attention he deserves from fans and scouts. Team manager Will Pereira has inspired the team and added to a positive clubhouse culJunior Emmy Sharp bumps a volleyball at her indoor club, Rage ture with his lively personality and Westside. Sharp plans to play beach volleyball at Stanford in 2020. commitment to excellence. Pereira’s profound baseball knowledge and team-first mentality have lit a spark underneath the team ever since an early-season walk-off loss to their archrival San Mateo. The Panthers currently hold a 9-3 overall record, with sweeps against and quickly fell in love with the BY TEKLA CARLEN Sacred Heart Preparatory, Terra sport. The coaches soon started Copy Editor talking about future recruitment, Nova and Hillsdale and a plus-30 total run differential. Even though Emmy Sharp is a and Sharp received her first email “This season should be a good from a college coach in freshman junior, she has known for over a one. We are in the hunt for a year. It was Harvard. year where she is almost certainly “I still remember I was just [Central Coast Section (CCS)] tiheaded after graduation. Sharp tle and we are in first place for our plays competitive volleyball and terrified,” Sharp said. “I always division. So the main goal is to win knew that I loved volleyball so is verbally committed to Stanour league,” Pereira said. ford University’s beach volleyball much. It’s who I am, and so I An avid baseball fan, Pereira beteam, receiving her formal admis- never even questioned whether gan his baseball career playing in or not I wanted to [play] in colsions decision this July. Burlingame Youth Baseball AssociBesides playing on the Bur- lege. It was just a matter of where ation, making his presence known I could go.” lingame team freshman and Even though she communi- as a reliable outfielder and clutch sophomore year, Sharp trains at situational hitter. His plate disRage Westside Volleyball Club cated with other schools, Sharp cipline and bunting ability made always wanted to attend Stanfor indoor as well as at Santa him a coach’s dream in late-game Cruz Beach Volleyball Club. ford. She has taken a rigorous situations, especially when his Both clubs hold practices twice a amount of advanced placement team needed someone to execute week, and on the weekends Sharp classes to meet the university’s hit-and-runs and sacrifice bunts to frequently has two- or three-day standards, although going to advance runners. During his freshtournaments. Last summer, she weekend tournaments means she man year, Pereira played right field played at least six hours every day. frequently misses school. Make- and served as a pinch hitter. Before “Indoor is more for fun be- up work can get intense, but his sophomore season, Pereira decause I could not say goodbye there is always light at the end of cided to hang up his cleats and into it, and beach is because I’m the tunnel—Stanford. “I always think about what corporate his high baseball IQ into playing in college, and also I an unfilled position on the roslove it,” Sharp said. “But it’s very I’m working towards,” Sharp ter—team manager. Pereira helped said. “I just get through this year time-consuming doing both of and I can know that I get to go the 2018 junior varsity Panthers them.” go 18-6, a drastic improvement Sharp began to play indoor to Stanford. I really enjoy playing over his freshman team in 2017 club volleyball in fourth grade volleyball, so it’s all worth it.” that went 6-4. Recognizing his newfound
Sharp to serve at Stanford University
Manager junior Will Pereira (left) has made a lasting impact on Burlingame sports. managerial talent, Pereira chose to hone his skills in a new endeavor, managing the 2018 Burlingame football team. Every game, Pereira would lead the team out of the locker room and videotape every play, all the while ensuring every player had enough water and proper gear. Pereira’s dedication proved immensely valuable, as the team went on to secure its second CCS Championship in school history. “He is the most devoted manager in the PAL,” said Serra cornerback Liam Kilbridge.
Pereira’s success has led to speculation he might seek an NCAA Division I gig as a team manager. However, with an eye toward attending Temple University, which does not have a baseball team, Pereira has higher aspirations in mind. “The end goal is to work in the front office for a major league team,” he said. If Pereira maintains his impressive managerial skills, no one should be surprised if he becomes the first Burlingame alum to hold an MLB front office position.
Sports
April 26, 2019
11 PHOTO BY VISHU PRATHIKANTI
Girls and boys lacrosse determined to save season with strong finish BY MARK HABELT
March 26. Mountain View will also be an unimposing opponent, as it holds a 2-7 record. The PanFollowing relatively weak starts thers beat Mountain View 4-2 on to their respective seasons, the March 23. Junior midfielder Evan Burlingame Panther girls and boys Jones expects the Panthers to make lacrosse teams are looking to finish the Central Coast Section playoffs the season with multiple wins each in the first year that boys lacrosse to build momentum heading into has ever had a postseason. next spring. “We expect to finish out the For the girls, the remainder season with two wins and make of the schedule includes a home the playoffs,” Jones said. matchup against Castilleja on Next year looks to be more Sophomore Justin Ly and Senior Mariano Wemiz prepare to return a serve in a game against Carlmont. April 26 and a road game in San promising for the boys team, as Jose against Archbishop Mitty on the junior varsity team has imApril 30. Castilleja should be a pressed throughout the season, beatable opponent, as they hold beating formidable opponents like a meager 4-6-1 record and have Serra and Menlo-Atherton. given up more than 12 goals per The junior varsity girls team game. Archbishop Mitty, however, has also offered glimpses of hope is a more formidable challenger, for a better varsity team in 2020, BY VISHU PRATHIKANTI “We’re gonna lose this game morning practice each year. as the Monarchs have gone 9-5-1 demonstrating strong team chem- Editor-in-Chief anyways,” senior Alan Zhen told But the lack of care doesn’t just thus far. One of these wins came istry under their coach and former me. Apparently, Burlingame was extend to Burlingame. MaxPreps, against the Panthers earlier this college lacrosse player, Phil Wang. Last week, on Thursday, April about to play Carlmont, a high- a news site which keeps record of year at Burlingame. 18, I had the chance to attend ranked school in badminton. They high school sports stats, doesn’t “The girls succeeded this season The boys, meanwhile, will face because they set goals for them- Badminton’s senior night. For lost the game 9-6. Afterward, they even have a tab for badminton. Carlmont in Belmont on April 26 selves like holding opponents to most other sports, senior night is all just went home, no pictures, no Interestingly enough, they do have and Mountain View at home on a certain amount of goals or win- characterized as a celebration of flowers, nothing. a tab for “Ski and Snowboarding,” April 30. Carlmont is a weak op- ning a certain amount of faceoffs, seniors, with parents showing up This atypical senior night was which I find hard to believe is a ponent, with a 4-11 record. The which they usually achieved,” ju- and underclassmen making post- indicative of one thing to me: the more mainstream sport. Panthers beat Carlmont 10-8 on nior Kate Hua said. All of these things not only ers and giving out flowers. I ex- failure to recognize badminton as hurt the public perception of the pected to observe something of the a “real” sport. “The stigma of badminton is badminton team, but also the inlike inside the gym. I didn’t find it. Instead of parents and spec- that it’s not a real sport and that ternal view of the team as well. “Team spirit is trash,” Lee said. tators sitting in the bleachers, I the players don’t have to try very found a small group of maybe five hard to be able to play badmin- “The fewer people outside [badfrowning adults sitting on fold-up ton,” senior Justin Lee said. “I’ve minton] take it seriously, the fewer chairs in the corner of the gym; the been playing badminton for a very people inside take it seriously.” Liking a sport and supporting a bleachers hadn’t been pulled out at long time, and I had to put effort all. When I walked around, trying into it to get pretty decent at it. sport can be two different things. to find posters and flowers for the And these people are saying that’s Personally, I don’t like watching baseball, but I obviously recogseniors, I could only find one per- not a real sport?” Aside from students showing nize it as an activity important to son (senior Courtney Rosales, who wasn’t even on the badminton a lack of attention towards Bad- many, which also requires skill to team) who had made posters for minton, it is clear that Burlingame play. Similarly, badminton needs shows little care towards the sport. to be raised to that level. Until we her friends. I was fine with the lack of senior For example, when the badminton stop disproportionately dumping night traditions, though, as long as and basketball seasons coincide, morning practice on badminton the team was ready to finish the badminton is always relegated to players or denying them a sport season strong. However, instead of morning practice, showing a clear tab on MaxPreps, the future of an exciting, final game for the bad- preference towards basketball. To badminton as a real school sport minton season, it seemed like the me, a more fair system would be remains unclear. Kyle Botelho makes a move against Los Gatos during a home loss. Burlingame team had already lost. to alternate which team is assigned
Staff Reporter
Badminton is a serious sport; it deserves to be treated as such
PHOTO BY BEN NEUMAN
Boys volleyball swiftly improving due to in-game singing BY DAVID MEHRAN
Staff Reporter
After struggling early in the season, the new boys volleyball team has found their groove, going on a four-game winning streak as the 2019 season comes to a close. The Panthers got their first victory against BASIS Independent (3-1) and went on to beat Sequoia (31), which also has a first year team. The following week, the team beat both San Mateo (3-0) and Silver Creek (3-2). After a series of early season losses, many wonder how an uncoordinated team managed to secure four victories in a row. “We’ve done a lot better in previous games partially due to our increased coordination and partially due to our use of ... chants to get each other hyped,” junior Connor Kall said. These improvised chants get the team motivated between plays and create a bond between
the players. The chants consist of random sounds intermixed with a memorized chorus of “Xelelelele,” according to Kall. At most practices, the team spends at least half an hour warming up with the “butterfly drill,” during which they rotate positions around the court and get a chance to practice serving, spiking and bumping. As a result of this drill, the handful of inexperienced players have learned to play all game positions more effectively. “The team showed us that their pass-set-hit game keeps improving. Their coverage of the court is undeniably more instinctive. I’m proud of the boys!” Coach Chris Chu said. The team’s tactical skills improved and the morale peaked after the series of wins, and the team is eagerly anticipating the 2020 season, during which they will compete in the Peninsula Athletic League tournament.
PHOTO BY DAVID MEHRAN
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Student Life
April 26, 2019
SCENES FROM THE ITALIAN EXCHANGE TRIP HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS PHOTOS BY LILY PAGE
Seniors Alexis Castellino and Rachel Intrieri gape at the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence.
From the top of the Duomo, Senior Heather Perillat peers down over the red roofs of Florence.
Aboard a gondola, juniors Ella Burrows, Alicia Bolstad, Fiona O’Donoghue, Emma Sharp and KaterSenior Regina Cruz grins while she and other students stop to rest in ina Rally breeze past the Santa Maria della Salute, a minor basilica in Venice. the square of the Basilica di Santa Croce.
BHS - Student playlist
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Students picked their favorite songs from the following genres: rap, pop, classic rock, mom and dad music, and alternative.
R.E.M - Ariana Grande Comfortably Numb Genre : Pop Pink Floyd Ariana Grande’s music is Genre : Classic Rock cotton candy-sweet; her quick, vibey beats and persistent “yuh”s are an homage to bubblegum pop favorites such as Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time,” but reconfigured for a new generation. “R.E.M” has minimal instrumental music, with snapping and a breathy beatboxing beat. It’s impossible not to tap your foot or bob your head to the rhythm. Grande teases the listeners through singtalking and a choir-like doo-wopping staccato. Unlike many songs that tell stories, the lyrics of “R.E.M” are conversational, but it’s a conversation between Grande and herself. She sings, “Is this real? Before you speak, don’t move.”
Created by: Allison Szetu Staff reporter
Though we live in an age in which many teens have forsaken classic rock for more contemporary genres, Pink Floyd will always be an iconic band cemented in music history. Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” has a slow, heavy drum beat, along with dragging vocals that ooze with psychedelic reverb. This is the song that you put on the record player in your room at full volume, lie on your bean bag chair and listen to for eight minutes and 56 seconds. You feel like you’re dreaming. Your stress melts away, and you feel ... comfortably numb.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears Genre: Mom and Dad Music You hear this on your road trip to Arizona. Your parents play this on the radio. No one really knows what this song is called, but somehow everyone knows the tune, and your entire family sings along to the only words they know. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, by Tears for Fears, has a strong and upbeat drum tempo with a catchy and simple tune. After listening to this song just once, you already know the lyrics. By the time you reach your destination, you now are on your 80th time listening to this fun track.
I’m Not Okay (I Promise)- My Chemical Romance Genre: Alternative
Old Town Road- Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus Genre: Country-Pop
Emo and alternative music form the foundation of preteen angst. If you’re still in that phase, this is the perfect song for you. My Chemical Romance is a staple alternative band, and “I’m Not Okay”’s hard vocals and electric guitar scream intense emotions. The rejection of mainstream society is what this song represents. Lead singer, Gerard Way’s raw, growling vocals might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it is certainly the perfect song to play when all you really want to do is scream-cry in bed.
This song mixes hip hop, rap and with the addition of Billy Ray Cyrus, country. It’s an unorthodox mix of genres, but that’s exactly what makes this one a good listen. Hannah Montana’s dad is back for another country banger. “Old Town Road” has been number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for over six weeks now. It’s easy to dance and sing along to the song’s simple tune and fun lyrics, describing their high-flying feel of riding a horse.