C Magazine Vol. 4 Edition 5

C

April 2016 Vol. 4 Edition 5

Magazine Arts & Culture

Undocumented.

23

Letter from the Editors

Cover by Jordan Schilling

Dear Readers, This edition our cover story zeros in on the sensitive topic of undocumented immigration. In the upcoming presidential election, this topic has been brought up repeatedly in political discussion. In taking on this article, juniors Katie Passarello and Sarah Shapiro sought to learn and share about this issue on a more personal level by uncovering how our community addresses it, primarily in the education system, through the stories of two families with undocumented members. We hope by reading this edition’s cover story you, our reader, are able to better understand many of the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants seeking a better future, in part for themselves, but predominantly for their children.

In our culture section you’ll find a moving piece by junior Reilly Filter that explores San Francisco’s Delancey street, a rehabilitation center for ex-convicts that focuses on building a new lifestyle for residents prone to succumbing to violent or addictive habits. Delancey street offers a multitude of career opportunities, from employment at their moving company to waiting at their restaurant.

On the topic of restaurants, this issue’s food section will quickly have your mouth watering and your foodie instincts inspired.

“Everything Avocado” is guaranteed to inspire our many avocado lovers and obsessors and tempt you to try putting avocado on anything, with anything.

Our staff did the exploring for you this issue and the results of their judgements are in in our first ever travel section! Get the best out of your next trip to San Francisco and Half Moon Bay by checking out “Secret Spots in San Francisco” and “Uncovering Half Moon Bay.”∑ We hope you enjoy reading this edition as much as we enjoyed creating it!

Editors-in-Chief Frida Schaefer Bastian Maya Benatar Clara de Martel Maya Kandell

Managing Editors Katie Douty Ahana Ganguly

Design Editor Charlee Stefanski

Copy Editor Katya Sigal Photo Editors Larkin McDermott Emma Scott

Social Media & PR

Happy reading, Frida Schaefer Bastian, Maya Benatar, Clara de Martel and Maya Kandell Editors-in-Chief

Palo Alto High School’s Arts and Culture Magazine

Alex Weinstein

Photographer Jordan Schilling

Staff Writers Jasmine Abeyta Atusa Assadi Karni Beth Chiara Biondi Laure Blanchez Maddy Buecheler Hannah Darby Reilly Filter Henry Gordon Nicole Li Katie Look Katie Passarello Rima Parekh Ally Scheve Sarah Shapiro Emma Staiger Teddie Stewart Nathan Zeidwerg

Advisers

Brian Wilson

What’s Inside...

FOOD 4 6 8

Everything Avocado Waffle it!

Guide to Philz

10

T&C Hacks

arts

12

C Mag Perspective

14

What it’s Really Like Being an Artist

16

Artist of the Month: Mr. Vericat

18

Bolanos’ Backyard Boards

19

Playlist: Ambience

20

Unusual Instruments at Paly

culture

21

Birthstones

23

Cover: Undocumented

31

C Mag Simplifies: The War in Syria

32 34 37 38

Kim & Kanye: East to West Delancey Street Who Should be on the $10 Bill?

Paly Crossword

ADventure 40 44 46

Secret Spots in San Francisco Road Trippin’ A Day in Halfmoon Bay

FOOD

LocoEVERything For

HotAVOCADO Cocoa TEXT BY HANNAH DARBY AND SARAH SHAPIRO DESIGN BY SARAH SHAPIRO PHOTO BY EMMA SCOTT

Avocados aren’t just for guac anymore.

TEXT AND DESIGN BY CHIARA BIONDI AND KATIE LOOK PHOTO BY JORDAN SCHILLING

4 food

Peanut Butter Chocolate Avocado Pudding 2-4 servings

Ingredients: 1 whole avocado, pitted 4 Tbsp honey or agave syrup 5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp vanilla extract 4 Tbsp peanut butter ½ cup milk

Directions: Mash the avocado through a sieve.

Texture is important, so make sure there are no lumps. Add all other ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Strawberry Avocado Smoothie 1 serving

Ingredients: 1 whole avocado, pitted 10 large frozen strawberries 1 tsp honey or agave syrup ¼ cup orange juice Directions: Blend all ingredients into a milkshake consistency. Add more juice if necessary.

Avocado Face Mask Makes 2-3 masks

Ingredients ½ an avocado, pitted ¼ cup uncooked oats 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp honey 1 tsp lemon juice

Directions: Mash and combine and the ingredients in a small bowl and apply to your face. Be careful to avoid the area around your eyes.

Let sit on your face for about 20 minutes.

Rinse off with warm water.

Baked Avocado Fries 1-2 servings

Ingredients: 3 whole avocados, pitted ½ cup flour 2 eggs, beaten 1 ½ cups Panko bread crumbs 1 Tbsp melted butter ½ tsp each onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper Cooking Spray Directions: Preheat oven to 450° F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Cut each half avocado lengthwise into long, thin pieces. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs and butter. In a third bowl, mix the Panko crumbs and spices. Coat each avocado piece in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then the Panko crumb mixture. Set each avocado piece on the baking sheet. Spray lightly with cooking spray and bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.

Egg in an Avocado 2 servings

Ingredients: 1 whole avocado, pitted 2 eggs 1 Tbsp chopped chives Black pepper Salt

Directions: Preheat the oven to 425° F. Cut avocado in half and scoop out enough of it so that the egg will fit. Crack an egg into each avocado half. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the egg whites set. Season with black pepper, salt and chives.

food 5

Waffle it!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a waffle!

TEXT AND DESIGN BY ALLY SCHEVE AND KARNI BETH PHOTO BY KARNI BETH

6 food

Breakfast: Waffle Sandwich 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ cup sugar 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder 2 eggs (separate one of the eggs) ¾ cup milk ½ cup butter (melted) ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 2 strips bacon Maple syrup

1. Set one egg, the bacon, and syrup to the side. Combine all dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the milk, egg yolk, vanilla, and melted butter. Slowly mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until well combined.

3. In a third bowl, beat the egg white until stiff peaks form. Mix it into the batter.

4. In a preheated and greased waffle iron, pour the batter into two of the squares, then crack the second egg into another square, and place bacon into the final square.

5. Cook to desired crispiness and then assemble the waffle breakfast sandwich. Top it off by drizzling some syrup over the sandwich. Dig in!

Lunch: Ham and cheese panini 2 pieces bread (we suggest sourdough) 3 slices ham 2 slices cheese 1 teaspoon butter

1. Butter one side of each bread slice. Alternate placing slices of cheese and ham within the non-buttered sides of the bread slices.

2. Cut sandwich in half and cook in two squares of the waffle iron until the cheese has melted and the bread is crispy.

Dinner: Pizza For dough: 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or one 1/4 oz. packet of yeast) 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar 1 1/8 cups warm water 3 cups all purpose flour 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt For sauce: 1 (14 oz.) can fire roasted tomatoes 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon dried oregano For filling: 8 slices fresh mozzarella (2 per waffle) 1 cup shredded mozzarella 4 tablespoons butter

1. To start the dough, put the yeast, water and sugar in a bowl and let sit. Once the yeast has foamed (about 5-10 minutes), stir the flour in one cup at a time.

2. Add the oil and salt and knead it for a few minutes. If the dough is still sticky, add more flour and knead for another few minutes.

3. Spray mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and place the dough ball inside. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm area for six hours.

4. Split the dough into four balls and then split one of the balls in half. Roll it into two five inch disks.

5. Next, make the sauce: mix the tomatoes, salt and oregano in a bowl.

6. Top one of the disks with a couple tablespoons of the sauce you’ve made, then place two slices of mozzarella and a handful of shredded mozzarella on the disk.

7. Place the other disk on top and crimp the edges together. Repeat this process with the other three waffles and brush them with the melted butter.

8. Cook each stuffed dough ball in the waffle iron for approximately three minutes or until lightly brown and crispy. Top with more sauce and grated cheese and enjoy!

Dessert: S’mores 2 cup flour 1 cup dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt Pinch of cinnamon 7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1/3 cup honey 5 tablespoons whole milk 2 tablespoons vanilla Mini Marshmallows Chocolate chips

1. Whisk the honey, milk and honey in a small bowl.

2. In the separate bowl, beat the dry ingredients with an electric mixer, only adding half the flour. Beat in the butter.

3. Continue beating on low speed and add the honey mixture until fully incorporated.

4. Flatten the dough into a disk and cover in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for two hours.

5. Roll out your dough until it’s ¼ inch thick, it will be very sticky so add the remaining two cups of flour as necessary.

6. Cut 4 inch squares using a sharp knife and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Place a square onto the preheated waffle iron and cook about three minutes, then remove, using a butter knife to wedge off the cracker. Cool and repeat with the rest of the squares.

8. Place a cracker onto the waffle iron and sprinkle with marshmallows and chocolate chips, then top with another cracker. Gently close the waffle iron and cook until melted, about one minute.

food 7

An insider’s guide to PHILZ COFFEE

PHOTO BY EMMA SCOTT

Secret Menu

TEXT BY REILLY FILTER AND ATUSA ASSADI DESIGN BY REILLY FILTER

CAMPFIRE

BROADWAY

Aromatic Arabic + Ether

Dancing Water + New Manhattan

A dark roast with an earthy flavor. We would highly recommend!

A light roast with a cinnamon flavor. Try this if you’re in the mood for somthing fun and fruity.

RED HAZE

SILKEN SOUL

Hazelnut + Red Sea

Silken Splendor + Philtered Soul

This sweet hazelnut blend is the perfect coffee for a rainy day! Delicious, comforting and a favorite among the C Magazine staff.

Two of Philz most popular drinks combined!

Silken Soul is a medium roast with a cocoa infused taste. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask for a cinnamon filter when ordering.

8 food

PHOTO BY JORDAN SCHILLING

Q & A with Paly Barista Molly Kraus Q: What is your favorite part about working at Philz?

A: I really love and admire the other people who work

here. My coworkers make it so that working at Philz feels more like a chance to see friends than it does a job.

Q: What has your experience with customers been like?

A: I love them! I love the customers. I’ve had really

amazing, hilarious, and heartwarming conversations with Stanford professors, young techie entrepreneurs, hardworking parents, and even one guy who took time to write out a fully comprehensive list of his favorite scifi books for me to check out. Unlike a lot of service industry organizations, part of Philz’s mission is not only make a quality cup of coffee but also to genuinely better the days of customers. What many people fail to realize is that customers in turn can really better our days. Most of the people who work at Philz are there because they want to engage meaningfully with the people behind the bar and in front of it.

Q: What is your advice for Paly Philz customers on

what to order and how to make the most of their money?

A: There are better things in this world than extra sweet, extra creamy mint mojitos. I know that’s practically blasphemy in Palo Alto, but really, there are. Try a Gingersnap iced coffee, a Mocha Tesora, or any of your favorite blends mixed with hazelnut beans.

Q: Do you have anything to say to the Paly Philz

Phanatics?

A: If you’re a regular at Philz, take time to get to know the baristas! We’re a strange, eclectic, and rather loud coalition, and we’d love to get to know you. Also, once you get your coffee, don’t forget to let us know if it’s absolutely perfect for you.

food 9

Town & Country

Hacks

Getting bored of chicken teriyaki bowls and Strawberries Wild?

Looking to broaden your palate by walking across the street?

TEXT AN D DESIG N C Magazine did the BY HANNAH DARBY A N D searching for you…here JASMINE ABEYTA are all the Town & Country PHOTO B Y HANNA H treats you didn’t know DARBY existed...

1. Mexican spiced hot chocolate from Lulu’s - one size ($4.05) 2. Make your own salad at Calafia - ($7.99/ lb) 3. Tin Pot chocolate chunk cookies with sea salt - ($2.75) 4. Bread and sauce combo at Cheese House - ($2.00) 5. Jamba Juice White Gummy Bear and Pink Star (Secret menu favorites) - small: ($4.69) medium: ($5.69) large: ($6.59) 6. Coffee of the day from Peet’s ($2.00) (ask them to leave space for cream so you can put in your own milk) 7. Cup of tomato bisque at calafia no matter what the soup of the day is using order ahead - ($4.60) 10 food

ARTS

TEXT BY ATUSA ASSADI

C Mag Perspective

A series of published personal works...

TEXT AND DESIGN BY ATUSA ASSADI

12 arts

I

don’t think I really saw Iran when I visited the summer after sixth grade.

I was too caught up in my own world of friends, the upcoming eighth Harry Potter movie, and a typical, especially severe case of unfounded preteen anger. I can see it now: 12 year-old me trudging through the sweltering hot afternoon in long pants, a shirt, a headscarf, and a scowl on my face.

The air is dry and dusty. I can practically taste the ancient ruins of Persepolis, a wonder I purposely fail to appreciate out of defiance. I don’t speak the language … well, not enough. I can understand just about everything conversational and speak a bit myself, but I hadn’t expected an entire historical tour in Farsi. A couple of women on the tour bus keep cooing at me and pinching my cheeks, and I am not having it. I’m 12! I’m not a child! Jetlagged and soaked with sweat, I whine persistently into my mother’s ear in English. We’d only been there a few days, and I was sick of it already. Sick of the hot weather, the doting strangers fussing over me, and everyone speaking in Farsi. I convinced myself i hated Iran.

I suppose it was just my age. I mean, a privileged suburban 12 year-old has to be resentful about something, right? Wearing the “hijab” in the 90 degree weather pushed me onto the anti-Iran bandwagon. Speaking of which, I cannot emphasize enough how much I exaggerated the hardship of the clothing rules at the time — I was wearing jeans, long sleeves and a light scarf on my head. Yes, it was annoying, but the world was still intact.

At school, when people inevitably asked me asked me where my name was from, I answered carefully. I was Persian -- you know that ancient empire that came up on your Greek history midterm, benignly associated today with carpets and cats. That was nice. I felt dishonest, like omitting an ugly part of the truth. Saying Iranian, on the other hand, meant receiving instant prejudice. For reasons I wasn’t sure of at the time, Iran was a “bad” country; it evoked bearded, soulless terrorists draped in black and the phrase “nuclear threat.” Iran was bad news.

It wasn’t exactly that I believed it. I mean, I definitely knew I wasn’t a terrorist, nor were most Middle Eastern people (just as all white

American men aren’t terrorists because some have gone on shooting sprees). I just hated the way people instantly reacted with prejudice, and I took that anger out where it was least deserved — on Iran.

I was probably still legally too short to go on Space Mountain, and yet there I was preaching to my female cousin, an acclaimed Iranian movie producer, about how terribly women were treated in “this country.” I didn’t understand the people’s manners which were even more over the top than those of our Iranian family and friends back home. If I went to the store with a relative, it was almost a guarantee that they would offer to buy me everything I glanced at. I knew their kindness was predetermined by custom, and resented them for it. So I twisted the hate and ignorance from all the ridiculous and awful things I’d ever heard or imagined about Iran into an iron barrier between myself and my heritage.

As I grew older, I began to understand that I wasn’t exactly a direct descendent of the Persian emperors or anything, I was Iranian.

I adjusted my response accordingly. When asked about my heritage, I would respond “Iran” dark eyes ablaze with steely challenge, daring anyone to verbalize their ignorance.

Many of them would start sentences with “Isn’t Iran…” and name some ridiculous stereotype. I got in the habit of scowling and responding with a curt “No.” I realized that most of my complaints had been stupid and childish. I had embellished random bits and pieces of things I’d heard and conversations I’d misunderstood into wildly inaccurate stereotypes about Iran. I realized that whatever I thought about the Iranian government (not that I even knew anything about it), the people I directed my anger at did not represent it and they’d shown me nothing but kindness.

In hindsight, my rejection of my identity on that trip had to happen in order to make me consciously embrace it. I’ve never really been the type to harbor nationalist tendencies, but now whenever I sit down to my favorite meal of ghormeh-sabzee with saffron rice, or help my family set up the Haft Seen table with seven things that represent the spring to celebrate Nowruz, the first day of the Iranian New Year, I feel prouder than ever to be an Iranian-American.

arts 13

WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE BEING AN ARTIST TEXT AND DESIGN BY AHANA GANGULY PHOTOS BY JORDAN SCHILLING

14 arts

W

e’ve all heard the stereotypes — artists have no food in their fridges (or stomachs), live in terrible, cramped conditions and can’t afford anything.

What’s it actually like to do art for a living?

Dana Rottler and Peter Stucky are freelance artists and part-time teachers at Palo Alto High School (Paly). Stucky graduated from Paly in 2005, then attended the California College of the Arts alongside Rottler. Together, they run an Etsy shop called Bay Blown Glass.

WHAT’S IT LIKE MAKING A CAREER OUT OF ART? For Rottler and Stucky, every day is busy, and they know, more than anyone, that it takes a lot of work to be an artist. “You have to continue to continue — you have to be on top of everything, all the time,” Stucky said.

Being an independent artist requires marketing, business, and management skills. “Building yourself and maintaining and developing a following is [essential],” Rottler commented. Rottler and Stucky display their work in galleries across the country, create commissioned pieces, and sell their work at craft fairs and on their Etsy shop.

IS BEING AN ARTIST SCARY?

“Oh yeah,” Rottler exclaimed. “The financial aspect is what’s scary — of course I’m going to do art, it’ll be my passion and my entire life, but the fear comes from figuring out how to pay the bills with that.”

Stucky feels differently — he is concerned about making money, but “what’s really scary about art is the question of if it will be appreciated by the world.” Appreciation and criticism play a large role in an artist’s life. “It can either crush or make you,” Rottler said.

Despite the challenges of being an artist, Rottler and Stucky wholeheartedly love what they do. “Glass is fluid, beautiful, ever-changing and organic, yet rigid. It’s the optics, the light — it’s like frozen water, forever,” Rottler said, smiling. “Getting a hot gather [of glass] out of the furnace makes me feel home ... It completes me, really,” Stucky said.

ARE PEOPLE JUDGEMENTAL? “I’ve really only been praised for being a glass blower,” Stucky said. Rottler feels the same way. Although her parents disagreed with her when she first decided to go into art — they hoped she’d become a doctor — they’re fully supportive now.

WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING UNDER PRESSURE TO MAKE ART THAT SELLS? Creating art for an audience can change an artist. Rottler and Stucky separate their craft, which they sell, from their fine art, which they create solely for themselves.

They work hard to create both, but their fine art has more depth and meaning.

“It’s like we’re breathe our souls into it,” Stucky said. However, they consider their craft to be just as important. “Being able to use our technique and skills to make other people happy makes us happy,” Stucky said.

arts 15

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: MR. VERICAT TEXT AND DESIGN BY JASMINE ABEYTA ART BY JOSEP MARIA VERICAT

H

e dips the paintbrush into the well of acrylic paint, gently shaking off any excess before making the first stroke. The brush and canvas establish a mutual understanding that sweeps over Josep Vericat’s subconscience. A dialogue has been created between his creativity and his painting, releasing on canvas what is held captive in his mind.

Palo Alto High School (Paly) Spanish teacher, Josep Maria Vericat, adjusts colors and other minute details according to what he feels in that precise moment. The canvas tells him what to do, he says.

Having always enjoyed art and its history, Vericat officially took up painting as a teenager, after receiving his first set of paints and brushes. Attracted to the thrilling sense of adventure it brought him, he fell in love with painting and has continued it ever since.

“I like how you start, most of the time, with an idea, but you don’t know where the painting is going to take you,” Vericat said. “So it’s like looking for something that you don’t even know is there.”

Painting has become such an essential aspect of both his life and his character that he refuses to recognize it as a mere pastime. Although he knows that the fundamental necessities in his life, such as supporting his family, make it too difficult to take up painting professionally, Vericat occasionally sells some of his work.

His paintings can be described as a form of expressionism that incorporates symbolic elements. His nonchalant approach to painting embodies Pablo Picasso’s unconstrained style — Picasso has been an

16 arts

“The School of Athens” inspiration to him for years. “I like the freedom that [Picasso] has to paint in different styles or even combine different styles, because honestly I don’t like the artists that always paint exactly the same thing,” Vericat said.

Vericat paints mostly with acrylics, which allow him to work more quickly. However, one of the most unique aspects of Vericat’s work is the mixture and variety of materials he incorporates into his pieces.

In his sculptural paintings Vericat often uses Hydrocal, a moldable material that shares similarities to plaster, but holds much stronger. The physical strength of the materials Vericat uses translates into the common themes of fortitude and power that he portrays through the use of symbolism in his art. This is exemplified in his Warrior sculptures, which are built with hydrocal and a wooden base and take the form of a spade-like warrior. His warrior figures represent the battle towards self-affirmation.

He believes that his official profession as a Spanish language and literature history teacher has helped him in this area of his work as well, inspiring him to put his own unique twist on various historical symbolic references. For example, the “beetle” is a reference to Ancient Egyptian culture that Vericat uses as a symbol of superstition, and can be found in almost all of his paintings.

Though he may never be able to pursue his art professionally, it will always hold personal value. “All of my ideas, feelings, all my history...everything is reflected in my art,” he said.

Vericat’s Signature Symbols :

The Beetle

“The beetle was a sacred insect in Ancient Egyptian culture.

I use it metonymically as a symbol of superstition and to explain the mythical interpretation of the world.”

The Bull

Vericat likes to use the face of the bull or bull horns in order to display strength, power and energy.

The Foot

Vericat incorporates the shape of a foot into a lot of his artwork to represent himself as a grounded person, implying the idea that he “can dream, but on the earth.” In other words, he’s allowed to imagine but must remain realistic.

“The Sacred Foot”

The Warrior

The spade-like figures he uses are called warriors, but not in the negative context of war. Instead, they’re warriors of life, meaning “that a person protects their instinct of being alive and fights for what they stand for.”

The Triangle

“If you look at the [shape of a] triangle, it is pointed towards the sky, so it can symbolize something spiritual or metaphysical, while staying rooted to the earth.” It also has a stable base, so it can also represent balance and stability. Vericat incorporates the triangle in the shape of his beetle, warrior and other parts of his paintings.

“Superstition”

r” rrio a W hite W “

“Different Stories”

Bolanos’ Backyard Boards Palo Alto High School teacher is actually pretty cool

TEXT BY NATHAN ZEIDWERG • PHOTOS COURTESY OF BENJAMIN BOLANOS • DESIGN BY TEDDIE STEWART

S

tudents often get so caught up in the content of a class that they fail to realize how interesting their teacher may be. Benjamin Bolanos, a Palo Alto High School (Paly) world history teacher, is just about as interesting as they come. As an avid surfer, Mr. Bolanos has been known to take some time away from the classroom to indulge on the brisk pacific, but what many may not know is that he often creates the boards that he rides. I was fortunate enough to meet with him and discuss how his hobby began and why he chooses to build his boards instead of buy them.

When did you start surfing?

I started surfing at the Jersey Shore when I was a kid, off and on, but I got hard core in my mid 20’s when I moved to California. I fell in love with it right away and if you’re going to have an addiction it’s a pretty good one to have.

How did you get into making your own boards?

I knew some shapers in Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay like Marc Andreini and Michel Junod, so I started watching Michel shape and he gave me some tips. I wasn’t an apprentice but I just watched him work. You can find anything on YouTube too. It’s really just practice like everything.

How was the initial process?

The first board that I made was crap, but I loved it because I made it. Each board I made got better. I’d been surfing long enough that I knew the functions of a board. I knew how they ride versus how they’re supposed to ride. I love just putting my hands on the

18 arts

board and feeling the shape. It’s tangible and when you feel them you have this tactile memory. So I’d go to shops and take measurements … without them looking and I’d go home and make them.

Have you sold any of your own boards?

Yeah, I sold my first crappy one. And I’ve sold a couple others and they’re good; they’re well done, but I don’t sell at market value because I’m not known. I’m not a professional and I mostly do it for friends who need them.

They’ll pay for the materials themselves and I might take, like, 100 bucks for profit. I do it because I like it. I sell to people I don’t know too, but not at market value so I make a little money off of it. I sold [a surfboard] to one guy in Hawaii who came over which was great. Right now I really just want to make a board for myself or my wife.

Why did you decide to shape your own boards?

There are a lot of mass produced boards, but shaping a very personal thing. It’s a craft. It’s

an art and a science combined and no two boards are exactly the same. They’re more expensive but they’re very authentic too. I first got into shaping my own stuff because I didn’t want to pay all that money and I didn’t want the cheap stuff.

Approximately how long does it take to build one board?

Well, my first board took a lot of time and it still came out [like] crap but it depends on the orders. These guys are shaping every day; they have all day to shape, but I’m working all day so I’ve only got the weekends. In the summer, I could probably get one done in a week’s time. I’m not a master craftsman, but I take my time in making sure that it’s good.

I go over and over and over and fix any blemishes and so forth. So about a week, maybe two weeks depending on how busy I am with other stuff. The glassing takes forever though because it’s not just me, they have to take bulk orders from the other shapers so the last board I made was for my wife and it was like a three month wait.

AMBIENCE

Playlist of the Month:

TEXT AND DESIGN BY CLARA DE MARTEL

ONLY YOU LA FEMME D’ARGENT A WALK UNDER THE HOOD (DIRTY) 17 SMOKE & MIRRORS LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE WALK IN THE PARK SOFT SPOOKY COUCH GHOSTWRITER CAMPO HOLD STILL HARVEST MOON THE SHOWER SCENE

MAC DEMARCO AIR TYCHO SPECIFICS YOUTH LAGOON TOKiMONSTA HOT CHIP BEACH HOUSE WASHED OUT ALBERT HAMMOND, JR. RJD2 TORO Y MOI SLOW MAGIC POOLSIDE HOMESHAKE

arts 19

UNusual INSTRUMENTS AT PALY TEXT AND DESIGN BY RIMA PAREKH PHOTOS BY JORDAN SCHILLING

20

MANDOLIN

DANSO

Senior Michael Tuttle started playing the mandolin when he was five years old. His father had taught his siblings to play guitar, but Tuttle decided the guitar was too mainstream, so he took up the mandolin, a bluegrass instrument.

Bluegrass is a type of American music similar to country music, but is completely acoustic and includes more banjo and mandolin. The mandolin is a stringed instrument that’s bigger than a ukulele but smaller than a guitar and is tuned to the same notes as a violin. For Tuttle, playing the mandolin has become more than a hobby; he has traveled around the country to perform at music festivals and concert halls. “I’ve been going to bluegrass festivals for forever, and I’ve made a ton of friends that I wouldn’t have made if I didn’t play an instrument.”

Junior Soo Kim played the danso, a Korean flute made of bamboo, when she was growing up in South Korea. Kim said she first started playing the danso when she joined a club in elementary school. The danso is typically played in Korean folk music and is very similar to a flute. “My favorite part of learning [to play the danso] was learning how to read Korean music on paper,” Kim said. “For danso and many other Korean traditional instruments, we don’t use Western staff music to write or read music.”

Instead, they use Jungganbo, which was created by the famous Korean ruler King Sejong. Kim still plays recreationally and enjoys learning more about her country’s traditional music.

RECORDER People may think of the recorder as a beginner’s instrument, usually used by fourth-graders as a start to their musical careers. However, for junior Gregor Dairaghi, the recorder has a permanent place in his life. Even though he no longer takes formal classes, he continues to play in a recorder orchestra. Many associate the recorder with the soprano recorders played in school, but little do people know that various types and sizes of recorders exist, such as the contrabass recorder, which is as tall as a full-grown person.

Dairaghi loves the recorder because it’s melodic and clear. Dairaghi meets once every two weeks to play with his recorder orchestra, which performs twice a year. “We play medieval, Renaissance and Baroque pieces, which generally fit the time period in which recorders were widely used, but we also like to play modern pieces.”

Birthstones

TEXT AND DESIGN BY EMMA STAIGER ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHLOE PATTERSON

Look below to find out what your birthstone is and the wonders that it may behold!

This gemstone is considered a love charm. Turquoise is considered a symbol of good fortune and is believed to protect its owner from harm, especially when worn in a ring.

ary Fe bru

er

January

emb

er

Au gus t

ber m te Sep

?

July

Octob

rch a M

This deep red gemstone was once believed to protect its wearer from evil and was considered the “king of gems” by the ancient Hindus. Today, rubies signify love and passion.

April

M ay e Jun

Perhaps unknown to many, the bright green peridot represents strength and, when set in gold, is believed to protect its wearer from nightmares.

Dec

A deep blue color, the sapphire was once believed to protect against evil and poisoning. This gemstone also represents purity and wisdom and has traditionally been favored by priests and kings.

r

This tie-dye gemstone symbolizes faithfulness and confidence. Opals were once worn to protect against evil and preserve eyesight.

be m ve No

Ranging from light pink to amber in color, the topaz symbolizes love and affection and was believed to give its wearer heightened strength and intellect.

The dark red garnet is thought to keep the carrier safe during travel.

Perfect for Valentine’s Day, the amethyst is believed to strengthen relationships and bring the wearer courage. Just in case things go awry, legend says that the purple stone also protects against intoxication.

Aquamarines were believed to cure heart, liver and stomach diseases in ancient times, and, when bearing the likeness of Neptune, were once thought to keep the owner safe from ocean dangers.

The quintessential gemstone for an engagement ring, the diamond symbolizes everlasting love and courage.

This deep green gemstone has historically been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love. Nowadays, emeralds are believed to signify wisdom, growth and patience.

A beautiful gift from the sea, the pearl has been a symbol of purity for many years. Pearls were once thought to be the hardened tears of joy of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.

arts 21

LanguageArts in Palo Alto Teaching and tutoring for all levels and all ages in all languages of the PAUSD World Language Program www.languagearts.org (650) 329-1731 info@languagearts.org

20 culture

CULTURE

Undocumented

How undocumented Bay Area students and their parents are fighting for a better future.

TEXT BY KATIE PASSARELLO AND SARAH SHAPIRO DESIGN BY FRIDA SCHAEFER BASTIAN AND KATIE PASSARELLO PHOTOS BY KATIE PASSARELLO

culture music 2323

W

hen Mayra looks at her daughter Gabriella, now an eighth grader applying to high school, her eyes glow with pride. But, as she begins to speak about her family’s first years in California, she buries her face in her hands and begins to cry. She couldn’t find a job, she says. Her family had no money, not even for a chair.

They were living in a stranger’s garage, and in order to pay rent, Mayra did household work, a reality she never envisioned for herself after completing her degree in accounting. Though she endures financial hardship, works at a gas station and lives a life filled with uncertainty as an undocumented immigrant, Mayra would not change her decision to stay in the U.S. “Sabía que el futuro de ellos estaba aquí,” she said. I knew that the future was here for my kids.

Immigration has been a topical issue in the U.S. for decades, and this year’s pres-

24 culture

idential election has put a spotlight on the politics of undocumented immigration. Yet, the stories of undocumented people are often lost in the political fray — making a human issue a purely political one. Though politics tends to focus attention on the negative effects of illegal immigration, the stories behind many undocumented families show more honest aspirations. Mayra’s story is not unique; many immigrants bring their families to the U.S. for a better education and more opportunities.

Beechwood Story Mayra, whose name has been changed to protect her from the risk of deportation, is a loving mother of three children. She values education above all and came to the U.S. with the hope that her kids will be able to succeed here.

“We knew that we were going to start from zero, but the education was better [in

the U.S.] and we wanted to be more of a family,” she said as she spoke about her decision to bring her family to the United States from Peru.

Twelve years ago, when Mayra was pregnant with her second child, the economy in Peru was suffering — nearly 60 percent of the country was living in poverty — and her husband’s company was failing.

“He would be gone for six or seven months at a time. We never got to see him,” she said.

Anxious about the state of their family’s unity and the country’s unstable economy, Mayra and her husband received Visitors Visas to the United States, knowing they would stay long past their expiration date. Bringing nothing but her daughter Gabriella (whose name has also been changed to protect her identity) and her husband, they began a life in America.

Mayra and her family expected hardship,

Mayra and her daughter Gabriella stand concealed under an umbrella in order to protect their identities. but they didn’t anticipate just how much difficulty they would face. Both Mayra and her husband had studied at a university in Peru, yet without legal citizenship or adequate English-speaking skills, it was very difficult to secure suitable employment when they arrived. Her husband, who had co-owned a company in Peru, was underemployed as a busboy in a local restaurant. “We both knew he was smarter than that and could work a better job — it was so bad,” she said.

Mayra has worked at a gas station for the past eight years, and although she has essentially taken the position of manager, her employment is not officially documented due to her immigration status. Her salary, therefore, is not controlled by the minimum-wage law, but by her boss.

Though Mayra and her family’s Visitors Visas expired, they decided to stay and continue their life in America. The necessary first step for an undocumented immigrant

to become a naturalized U.S. citizen is to acquire a Green Card, which grants permanent legal residence in the U.S. When Mayra and her family looked into applying for Green Cards, however, they were told it was useless to apply — they needed family legally living in the U.S., a specific job, or refugee or asylee status. Mayra had none of these.

Despite Mayra’s lack of citizenship, finding a school for her daughter proved to be less complicated. In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Plyler v. Doe that barring an undocumented child from attending school for grades K-12 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

This ruling has made it possible for Gabriella, and many other undocumented students, to receive at least a base-level education.

Mayra enrolled Gabriella at Beechwood School, a private school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in East Menlo Park

that serves predominantly low-income and Hispanic residents. In a community where 19 percent of the population is living below the poverty line, Beechwood School is a beautiful haven for 170 fortunate students, of which about 25 percent are undocumented, according to Principal David Laurance.

With newly upgraded facilities (including a dance studio, art room and barn), resources such as personal iPads for students, and 27 dedicated staff members, Beechwood provides high-quality education and a better future for kids who would not otherwise receive such opportunities. The results speak for themselves: in an area where only 25 percent of teenagers graduate from high school, 95 percent of Beechwood’s students graduate from high school. For Gabriella, a current eighth grader who has attended Beechwood since pre-kindergarten, Beechwood has become an integral part of her life. “There are only 18 students [per class], so it’s nice and

culture 25

Two boys play tetherball on the playground of Beechwood School, which acts as a haven for low-income and undocumented students.

26 culture

small,” Gabriella said. “I like the experience here — it’s like a family.”

Beechwood’s approach caters to the needs of its first-generation, undocumented, and low-income students. According to Principal Laurance, many students go home to crowded living conditions, financial stress, violence and a persistent fear of deportation. Some must also learn English and work through unaddressed learning challenges.

Beechwood does its best to provide help where needed, and its small size allows for tight bonds between students and teachers.

“The staff members are my favorite part because they communicate with you and help you a lot,” Gabriella said.

A unique feature of Beechwood’s program is the requirement that kindergarten through fourth-grade students attend school year-round, in part to be protected from violence and stress in their communities and homes. Attending school during the summer helps prevent “summer slide,” the phenomenon of students losing over the summer much of the knowledge and tools gained throughout the school year.

Currently, Gabriella is applying to private high schools such as Sacred Heart Preparatory, Menlo Preparatory and Woodside Priory.

She will eventually join the estimated 65,000 undocumented students who graduate high school in California each year, according to Educators for Fair Consideration. After that, she plans to attend college becoming one of the estimated 6,400 undocumented immigrants who go to college each year.

“We talk to them from the beginning of when they come [to Beechwood] about not only thinking about going to high school, but college as well,” school secretary Isabel Jimenez said.

The school helps undocumented students apply for scholarships and programs that assist them with financial aid and citizenship applications. In 2012, President Obama instituted the policy of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which defers deportation of undocumented students for two years and allows them to obtain a work permit and a Social Security number so they are able to apply for financial aid programs through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Gabriella is applying for DACA in order to pay tuition for the private high schools she is applying to. Furthermore, some states, such as California, have enacted the statewide Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) that allows undocumented public college students to pay the same tuition as citizens.

(The federal DREAM Act, which would have given undocumented minors a path to citizenship, was never passed into law.) Thanks to Beechwood, as well as programs such as DACA and the DREAM Act, Gabriella has the opportunity to receive a top-notch education and become a positive contributor to society.

Gabriella’s undocumented status has not affected her life greatly, largely due to her parents’ sacrifices and Beechwood’s nurturing environment. Mayra has no regrets about giving up her home and extended family. She firmly believes her children’s futures are most important.

to help her mom find a legitimate lawyer. Bianca remembers the moment that her mom was told she would be able to get her Green Card: “She called me during school and she told me, and she was crying, and I thought it was something bad,” Bianca recalled. “And she said, ‘No, it’s not bad, the lawyer said that I can get my Green Card soon so I don’t have to worry about the police or anything.’ She was very happy; she wouldn’t stop crying all day.” This moment marked the beginning of a new life for her mother, who will now be able to travel back to visit her oldest daughter who still lives in Peru after 20 years apart.

Just like Mayra, Bianca’s mother is very focused on Bianca’s academic success.

Paly Story “Education is really important in my Having parents who are undocumented family,” Mayra said. “I felt the pressure in the can make life difficult, even for students who beginning of this year because my mom’s like themselves are legally residing in the Unit- ‘this is your last chance, you have to have the ed States. Bianca, a Palo Alto High School good grades.’”

(Paly) senior whose name has been changed Bianca says Paly has proven to be an into protect her identity, understands this well. valuable resource for her. “My counselors Although she is a citizen herself, she witness- have been here for me since freshman year,” es the sacrifices her mother makes to better she said. “They know about my background, her family’s future. being first-generation to college, and my Growing up, Bianca watched as her mom home and school life.” worked tirePaly staff lessly as a nanmember Crysny to support tal Laguna her family, but dedicates hershe was unself to helping aware of her students like immigration Bianca as an status until outreach counsixth grade. selor and col“When I lege and career found out my counselor. She mom was unbegan working — Bianca, Paly senior documented, at Paly four I was upset years ago and because I was primarily supscared to lose her,” she recalled. ports students whose parents did not attend Just twelve years old, Bianca didn’t know college. A minority of the students she works what it really meant to be “undocumented.” with are undocumented.

All she understood was that her mom was “If it’s hard to identify first-generation not legally in the U.S. and that, at any mo- students, it’s even harder to identify undocument, she could be taken away. mented students,” Laguna said. “They’re not Bianca’s mom, realizing the burden of be- going to just come up and say that they’re ing undocumented with a child nearing high undocumented or first-gen, and if they do school, decided to apply for citizenship. For tell me it’s not something that they’re sharing the last five years, her mother has worked to with the rest of the student body.” gain citizenship. The process has been slow, It is such a sensitive topic that counselors tedious and expensive — the financial bur- at Paly were unable to provide an undocuden was the primary reason her mom did mented student to answer questions anonnot apply sooner. Finding a good lawyer ymously about their experiences. Laguna within their budget has made the process al- estimates that around five percent of the 250 most impossible. students she works with at Paly are undocuLuckily, Bianca’s father had received his mented, but acknowledges she has no way of citizenship a few years before and was able knowing how many more there are.

“When I found out my mom was undocumented, I was upset because I was scared to lose her.”

By the Numbers

24,000

undocumented teenagers are eligible for DACA in Santa Clara County alone.

$150

billion granted in scholarship funds, making FAFSA the largest provider of federal aid in the U.S.

13

the estimated number of undocumented students at Paly, according to Ms. Laguna.

6%

94% Six percent of California’s population is undocumented immigrants (roughly 2.67 million)

24% 76% 24% of the estimated 11 million U.S. undocumented immigrants live in California. culture 27

Mayra and her daughter, Gabriella, embrace on the lawn of Beechwood School, where Gabriella attends eighth grade.

28 culture

Despite all of the support Bianca has found at Paly, she is still uncomfortable about her mother’s immigration status as well as being a first-gen student.

“I know I have the same thing that [other first-generation students are] going through, but … it’s hard to talk about,” Bianca admitted.

When Laguna does learn about a student’s undocumented status, it is usually in their junior or senior year as they begin the college application process. Her job is to support these individuals and provide as many resources for them as possible.

“Educators, in general, want to help any student, and we know the barriers that undocumented students face and we will try our best to help them,” Laguna said.

Undocumented students at Paly have a number of resources at their disposal. Laguna introduces them to programs like DACA and California’s DREAM Act to help them pursue higher education.

Laguna’s involvement with undocumented students and communities hits close to

stand,” Laguna said. “And sometimes what we don’t know can be scary.”

In school, Bianca has witnessed her classmates’ stereotypes firsthand. “There were different things I would hear,” she said.

“They would do stereotypes of Hispanics and undocumented people, which kind of hurt my feelings. I felt like if I told someone, they’d make a facial expression or they’d have a different opinion [of me].”

The stereotypes around campus, and especially on the news, make Bianca hesitant to tell her story openly. With the 2016 political campaign dominating the news, Bianca and her mom try to laugh about Donald Trump, who says as president he will deport millions of “illegal aliens.” But his words still get under their skin.

“You know how Donald Trump is, and we try to joke about it, but my mom is a little worried,” she said. “She just wanted to come to America to have a chance that she wouldn’t have in Peru.”

The sacrifices made by families who have given up everything for the future of their

“Sometimes [Paly students] just don’t know what it’s about, or they don’t understand. And sometimes what we don’t know can be scary.”

— Crystal Laguna, Paly outreach and college and career counselor home. She was a first-gen college student herself, and her parents were immigrants.

“I know what my parents struggled with; they came legally but still had to go through the whole path of citizenship, and I saw how difficult it was for them because they didn’t speak English,” she said.

Laguna struggled through high school and almost didn’t graduate. Her circumstances had a profound impact on her career choice.

“I wanted to help others as much as others had helped me,” she said.

A goal of Laguna’s is to break down the negative stigma surrounding undocumented students. At Paly, she says greater awareness of what these students are going through is necessary.

“Sometimes [Paly students] just don’t know what it’s about, or they don’t under-

children challenge the political stigma surrounding illegal immigration. For Gabriella and Bianca’s mothers, the opportunity to provide their children with a good education and a better future overcomes their loss of family, culture, and career. Their dreams and motivations, similar to those of many undocumented immigrants, are no different than the aspirations of the millions of documented people who have immigrated to the U.S. before them — only their legal status sets them apart. Whether and how that discrepancy is resolved remains a pressing issue of our time. In spite of the controversy of undocumented immigration, Mayra and her family continue to seek a better future.

“We know that while we don’t have a lot of money, we have our family,” she said. “We always think about them first. Thinking about our kids’ futures here makes it all worth it.”

culture 29

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KNOW...

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Stop by MAC 101 during 6th period and say hello! or email us at: madronoyearbook@gmail.com

c mag simplifies: the war in syria A breakdown of the main powers involved in this complex humanitarian crisis

TEXT AND DESIGN BY LAURE BLANCHEZ AND NICOLE LI ILLUSTRATION BY MAYA KANDELL

I

SIS? Rebel groups? You’ve probably heard about the gruesome civil war in Syria, but do you truly understand it? The four-year war has left over 250,000 Syrians dead and continues to endanger the lives of millions, but even the countries involved in the conflict don’t know who’s fighting whom. To help you sort this out, here are the major groups, their supporters, and what they’re fighting for.

Assad: Assad is the Shia dictator of

Kurds: The Kurds are a powerful

ethnic group, considered terrorists in Turkey. The civil war in Syria is their chance to start carving out territory of their own (known as Rojava). They’re possibly the most moderate group of the four and mostly just want basic rights.

Rebels against Assad:

The rebels in Syria are thousands of tiny groups in opposition to Assad, most of whom want democracy. Most of them are Sunni soldiers (or fighters from other minority groups), and some are defectors from Assad’s army.

Syria. He has lost much of his power due to rebel advancements. He still controls the traditional army, and he’s supported by Russia and Iran.

ISIS: The Islamic State of Syria is a

Sunni terrorist group. They were originally a branch of al-Qaeda in Iraq. The chaos in Syria gave them the opportunity to gain territory and create a caliphate (Islamic state). They have now separated from al-Qaeda and are arguably more brutal.

Putin/Russia:

Russia is the main backer of the Assad regime. They have blocked resolutions in the UN that would have hurt Assad and have been providing weapons for his army. Putin hopes that preserving Assad’s rule will protect his country’s interests in the region — particularly their access to the Mediterranean sea.

Obama/USA: Obama ran on the

promise to end American involvement in the war in Iraq and is reluctant to start involvement in another messy, Middle-Eastern war. The U.S. opposes Assad’s authoritarian rule and has been actively trying to overthrow him. Since September 2014, the U.S. has been targeting ISIS with airstrikes and has also been providing limited military assistance to “moderate rebels.”

culture 31

KIM & KANYE : TEXT AND DESIGN BY ALLY SCHEVE AND KATIE LOOK

2

1

4

3

- Yeezus is born on June 8, 1 1977 1977.

- Kimberly Noel Kardashian 2 1980 is born on October 21, 1980, and the world has no idea what hit it.

- Kanye unleashes his 3 1985 inner creative genius at a young age

through poetry and rap, encouraged by his mom, Donda West, who taught English at Chicago State University.

- Kim’s mother, Kris Jen4 1991 ner, and father, Robert Kardashian,

divorce, and in the same year Kris marries Caitlyn Jenner (then known as Bruce Jenner).

- The Kardashian family is 5 1994 brought into the limelight when

Robert Kardashian represents O.J. Simpson, Kim’s godfather, in his murder trial.

32 culture

5

ILLUSTRATION BY MAYA KANDELL

11

7

6 - Kanye started his path to 6 1996 sovereignty in the music industry as

a low level producer. After producing his first album, “Down to Earth,” by rapper Grav, he begins gaining momentum in the production industry for his hard work and creative style.

- At 19 years old, Kim 7 2000 elopes with music producer

Damon Thomas (he would later file for divorce in 2003), and begins making her way onto the reality TV scene as assistant/friend to socialite and TV personality Paris Hilton.

- His first 8 2002 big hit, “Through

the Wire,” which was inspired by a serious car accident that left his mouth wired shut, peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

8

9

10

- “Ain’t nobody expected 9 2004 Kanye to end up on top,” but he did

just that with his critically acclaimed record “College Dropout,” which was nominated for ten Grammy awards. Embodying the good sport he’s always proven to be, Kanye stormed out of the 2004 American Music Award when Gretchen Wilson beat him for best new artist.

EAST TO WEST How Chicago’s most well-known rapper and reality TV’s biggest star rose to fame and became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples

13

18 16

14 12 - While participating in a 10 2005 benefit concert to raise money for

the people affected by Hurricane Katrina, Kanye went off script on live TV to say, “George Bush hates black people.”

- A 2003 sex tape depicting 11 2007 Kim and then-boyfriend, singer Ray

J, is leaked by Vivid Entertainment, distributed under the name ‘Kim K Superstar’. In the same year, the Kardashian family makes its TV debut with the premier of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

17

15 - Kanye infamously walks 12 2009 onstage during Taylor Swift’s VMA

acceptance speech for Best Music Video and announces that Beyoncé should have won the award.

- Kim marries basketball 13 2011 player Kris Humphries, and promptly files for divorce after 72 days.

14 2012

- Kim and Kanye’s love story begins when they begin dating in early 2012.

20 19

21

- Kanye and Kim tie the knot 17 2014 in a small but lavish 200 person ceremony.

- Kim releases a gaming app, 18 2014 Kim Kardashian Hollywood.

- Success in the fashion 19 2015 industry proves yeezy for Kanye

with the release of Yeezy Season One (March) and Two (September); all items sell for incredibly high prices.

15 2013

- Kanye and Kim welcome 20 2015 their second child, Saint West, and

- Kanye and Kim’s relation16 2013 ship takes a new direction with

- “Life of Pablo” is released, 21 2016 but is only available on Tidal, Jay-

- Kanye releases the album “Yeezus” and is praised by the music community.

the birth of their first child, North West, on June 15, 2013. Months later, Kanye employs an orchestra, a Jumbotron, and a 15k diamond ring to propose to his baby mama.

immediately christen him with a diamond encrusted gold chain.

Z’s music streaming site. In the song “Famous,” Kanye confidently declares, “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b***h famous.”

culture 33

DELANCEY STREET TEXT, DESIGN AND PHOTOS BY REILLY FILTER

y Street Foundation is responsi e c n a g the lives of ex-convi ble n i D el d l i u b cts for re

34 culture

B

randon is the epitome of profes“When I got here, I was expecting bunks, sionalism. Towering at 6 feet 3 common bathrooms and lockers. I was exinches tall, he wears a polished suit pecting to find my people,” Brandon said. “I and speaks with grace and confi- knew I wanted to change, but I thought I was dence. No one would suspect that his suit is still going to have to deal with all the things I donated, and his communication skills were was used to in order to make it happen.” developed at Delancey Street Foundation.

He was surprised to find that the DelancMost unexpected of all, Brandon has a crim- ey Street facility in San Francisco included inal record. a screening room, town hall, private art gal“I just wanted to go somewhere and be in lery, as well as lounges and training rooms a place where I could work on myself,” Bran- for various activities. The facility also indon said. “I didn’t really know what I needed cludes a cafe and restaurant, both of which to work on, but I just needed to go some- are run by ex-convicts. where.” Brandon’s name has been changed Delancey Street was designed to be a place in order to profor ex-convicts tect his identity; that doesn’t rethe ex-convicts at semble a prisDelancey Street on: diversity is prefer to remain promoted, and anonymous and residents have unphotographed. good living Brandon was conditions. born into an inAccording auspicious, povto Brandon, erty-ridden fam“They break up ily and endured the same style — Brandon a troubled childof guys. Guys hood. They were from different a military family gangs have to and moved often until his father abandoned work together and communicate with each them. Brandon was raised by a single mother other … even though at one point or anothand was a feisty kid, known for picking fights er they would’ve been obligated to hurt one with anyone who challenged him. Learning another.” from the community around him, he startThe center was designed to help ex-coned committing crimes and eventually devel- victs solve social problems and allow resioped a severe drug addiction. dents to learn and teach academic subjects, After serving two years in the penitentia- as well as vocational, personal, interpersonry, Brandon was released and paroled. Nine al, practical and social survival skills. Every days later, he was back in the county jail, resident is assigned to a job and contributes awaiting his return to prison. At this mo- to the Delancey community. Residents work ment, Brandon realized that he needed to al- in upholstery, laundry, sewing or as movers ter the course his life was taking and decided for the moving company. They also work to apply to several rehabilitation programs at the Delancey Street Restaurant or Cafe, — including Delancey Street. which are a part of the facility.

Delancey Street began with four ex-conMonday through Friday, the residents victs, the help of a woman named Mimi start their day with a morning meeting at Silbert, and a thousand-dollars from a loan which they are responsible for providing shark in 1971. Since then, it has grown into some form of entertainment. This helps them seven establishments and 12 enterprises improve their public speaking skills. Branacross the nation. The residents of Delancey don enjoys sharing poetry; others perform Street are ex-convicts who built the facility skits or share jokes. Later in the day, the resifrom the ground up. Silbert, acting CEO, dents attend seminars or book reviews, keep started the foundation in hopes of helping up to date on current events, hold debates, or ex-convicts rejoin society. She believes that work to improve their cultural literacy. in order to make a significant change in the “This is done to give us a wider range of lives of Delancey’s residents, their lifestyles life, keep everyone up to date on what is goneed to be changed completely. ing on in the world and teach us how to exWhen Brandon first arrived at Delancey press ourselves,” Brandon said.

Street, his expectations were low since he During the holidays, the residents are was accustomed to poor living conditions. hired by several venues in San Francisco to

“It really softened me up working here because I had never given much thought to the people that were affected by the crimes I was committing.”

culture 35

decorate Christmas trees. Christmas tree decorating has been a highlight of Brandon’s experience at Delancey Street.

“I get to be a part of other families’ Christmas celebrations,” Brandon said. “I didn’t have a positive [holiday] experience.All of my Christmases had been in some type of jail, prison, or in some group home or juvenile hall.”

Interacting with the community allows Delancey Street residents to have positive experiences and exercise their social skills. Brandon referred to Delancey as a “life learning academy.”

“This is a school for regular ‘life things’ that most people are taught in their lives that we didn’t learn,” he said. “Just how to get up in the morning and go to school or go to work. How to behave at work so that you won’t get fired. To try and get a good work ethic.”

He explained that Delancey Street’s hope is that people are simply able to make it through the day.

“We tell people, ‘Just make it to your pillow.”

Brandon said. “The gate is unlocked from the inside...they can leave anytime they want to, but we know what they are going back to if they do.”

According to the Delancey Street Foundation’s website, over 1,000 individuals have graduated with a diploma from their state-accredited three-year program taught by Delancey residents. Delancey Street encompasses everything Brandon felt he needed in order to make a positive change in his life. He became more involved with the community and has matured over his four years living there.

“It really softened me up working here because I had never given much thought to the people that were affected by the crimes I was committing,” he said. “It makes it a lot harder to do things and not take into consideration what is going to happen and how people are going to be affected by my actions.”

Brandon is one of several convicts whose life has been positively impacted by the Delancey Street Foundation. He intends to graduate this year and feels prepared for what the rest of his life has in store.

“I’m more concerned about doing right and making adult decisions. It’s not necessarily about what I want, but what I need. Everyone has been supportive, and it’s their opinion that I’ll be fine.”

Delancey Street serves the community as well as its residents.

“I’m hopefully making things better for the generations that come after me…They might not know who I am, but I participated and there’s a lot of pride.”

36 culture

1,000 Pennies For Your Thoughts Which woman would you feature on the $10 bill?

TEXT AND DESIGN BY EMMA STAIGER AND SARAH SHAPIRO ILLUSTRATION BY MAYA KANDELL

L

ast summer, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing announced it will replace the image on the $10 bill, featuring former president Alexander Hamilton, with one featuring a woman.

The woman chosen was to be announced at the end of 2015, but has been delayed to an unspecified date in 2016. We asked five members of the Paly community who they would choose to put on the $10 bill.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT “I think that Eleanor Roosevelt should be on the 10-dollar bill because she was basically president... She was married to the president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who made a big impact, and she was really helpful to him when he was in office, and she’s just a feminist figure.”

Katie Cox, junior

HARRIETTUBMAN,ELIZABETHCADYSTANTONANDMORE... “[I would choose] Harriet Tubman for contributions to the underground railroad, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony for the women’s suffrage movement, my mother, Anne Harvey Yonkers, for her contributions to my life and being a great American. I really feel like it’s long overdue, but we should also consider some women who are non-Caucasian, because ... I think [it] would be the right way to make a more inclusive America.”

Adam Yonkers, history teacher

LESLIEKNOPE

RUTH BADER GINSBURG

“I would chose Leslie Knope because she gets things done.”

“Probably Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She’s a Supreme Court Justice, and she’s been a really important voice on a lot of really important cases. She is a feminist icon, and I think that’s someone you need as the first woman on a piece of money.”

Johnny Rohrbach, junior

Sabrina Hall, sophomore

MICHELLE OBAMA “I would say Michelle Obama because she’s promoting a healthy lifestyle for a lot of kids, and that is a very serious problem facing our nation today. I think it’s really important to kind of solidify what she’s been doing because that would stand as a reminder to lead a healthy lifestyle for generations to come.”

Ellen Goncher, sophomore

culture 37

PALY CROSSWORD How well do you know Paly?

TEXT AND DESIGN BY CHARLEE STEFANSKI AND KATIE DOUTY

21. Pastel 15. ASB 16. C Magazine 17. Chipotle 18. Infocus 19. Attendance 20. Food

38 CULTURE

1. Reese’s favorite mode of transportation 3. Freshman girls’ favorite store at the Stanford Shopping Center 5. Juniors’ least favorite breakfast food 7. It’s not Sunny D, it’s _______.

10. The building with the best bathroom on campus 12. The best kind of life 13. Lemme get a ______!

15. Meet during third period and are blamed for everything 17. An excuse for an hour and a half long lunch 18. Best place to get your weather updates 8. Construction 9. Birks 10. MAC 11. Happy Donuts 12. Quad life 13. Vikes 14. Mariposa

2. _______ = weekly hour of jail time 4. The only thing worse than the rain is being caught in it without _______ boots.

6. The barest week of the year 8. Only the underclassmen will get the benefits of the noisy ________.

9. Socks with ______.

11. Go-to place at 3 a.m.

14. Most dangerous street to park on 16. The best publication at Paly 17. Go-to lunch spot to drive to 19. The office your mom calls the most 20. The librarians’ biggest fear 21. Boys will be wearing ______ colored shorts in the spring.

DOWN

1. Bike 2. Tutorial 3. Brandy Melville 4. Hunter 5. Eggs 6. Streak week 7. Kimmy D

ACROSS

Check out the QR code for more!

For more information about Teen Drop-in and our CIT Programs: Contact Rebecca Passarello:

rebecca.passarello@cityofpaloalto.org

SPRING: • Compose Yourself! In seven visual story telling workshops covering photography, comics, book-making, and more!

• Full STEAM ahead with art, science, and engineering workshops on adaptation

40 ARTS

SUMMER: • Printmaking Drop-in Tuesday afternoons • Jewelry Drop-in Wednesday afternoons • Ceramics Drop-in Thursday evenings • Get Community Service hours through our Counselor in Training program!

ADVENTURES

Secret Spots in San Francisco TEXT AND DESIGN BY HANNAH DARBY, CHIARA BIONDI AND MADDY BUECHELER PHOTOS BY HANNAH DARBY AND EMMA SCOTT

40 ADVENTURES

The Mill, located on Divisadero street, is a cafe that exclusively sells coffee, tea and tasty toast. With its rustic vibe and simple interior, The Mill is the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon.

PHOTO BY HANNAH DARBY

Mill

736DivisaderoSt. SanFrancisco,CA

PHOTO BY EMMA SCOTT

PHOTO BY EMMA SCOTT

The

Kittea

Cafe

96 Gough St. SanFrancisco,CA

Located in the trendy Hayes Valley district, KitTea Cafe is the first cafe in San Francisco bold enough to set 10-15 cats on the loose in the store to provide some furry company for their munching customers. In addition, KitTea also supports local animal welfare by providing shelter for adoptable cats. So, sit back, relax, enjoy a tea and adopt a kitty.

PHOTO BY EMMA SCOTT

Balmy

PHOTO BY HANNAH DARBY

ALLEY

Balmy St. SanFrancisco,CA

Located in the Mission District, Balmy Alley is a block long alley filled with numerous murals. Since the mid-1980s, this alley has been a public spot that gives artists the opportunity to express themselves. Filled with colorful and intricate designs, it’s the perfect place to brighten up your Instagram feed.

Turtle

HILL

42 ADVENTURES

Moraga&14thAve. SanFrancisco,CA

Grand View Park, known as “Turtle Hill” to locals, is a stunning viewpoint near Golden Gate Heights. Make a picnic, grab a few friends and watch the sunset with 360-degree views of the city.

PHOTO BY MADDY BUECHELER

PHOTO BY EMMA SCOTT

Cafe and Crepes

PHOTO BY EMMA SCOTT

Belly Good

Hidden in the depths of Japantown lies Belly 1737PostSt.#393 Good, a tiny stand that brings crĂŞpes to life.

Pick your ice cream, sauce and toppings, and SanFrancisco,CA you will receive the the cutest food you have ever eaten!

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Road Trippin’ Don’t want to spend your summer sitting on the couch?

Grab a bag and hit the road!

TEXT AND DESIGN BY ALEX WEINSTEIN, LARKIN MCDERMOTT AND KATYA SIGAL PHOTOS BY KATYA SIGAL AND ALEX WEINSTEIN

Sierra Sights

ILLUSTRATION BY MAYA KANDELL AND ALEX WEINSTEIN

North Coast Cruise Starting your trip off in one of the world’s most famous cities, San Francisco will make the beginning of your trip both exciting and thrilling. Stop by remarkable and well-known landmarks, like Fisherman’s Wharf and Golden Gate Bridge. After you’ve fully experienced the fast-paced city life, you can start making your way to Oregon with more mellow, but equally scenic destinations. Stopping by cities such as Mendocino, Ferndale and Eureka, your drive will be sure to include large redwood trees and scenic cliff views.

44 ADVENTURES

Beautiful lakes, unimaginably tall trees and unbelieveable hikes: all aspects of California fantasies that are found along a road trip through the Sierras. Starting in Lake Tahoe, one of the more popular vacationing spots throughout all four seasons, and ending in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home to a Giant Sequoia you can walk through. You will be stopping at places like Mono Lake, Mount Whitney and Yosemite National Park. If you love nature then you will definitely enjoy this road trip whether you stop at one, a couple, or all of the locations.

Highway One Exploration Travel along the beautiful Highway One for an amazing road trip filled with fun, exciting stops. Starting at the city of San Francisco you will be going all the way down to the southern city of San Diego. Stopping at cities like Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, you are bound to have a good time. Also, the crowded beaches found along the coast in these areas are perfect for surfing and relaxing. This well-known sunny drive is a classic made by tourists and local Californians.

6 SENIOR TRIP IDEAS

San Francisco

Trying to figure out the perfect way to spend your last summer with your friends before you all leave for school? Want a trip you’ll always remember but you’re strapped for cash? Or maybe, like me and my friends, you just can’t plan ahead of time. Here’s a couple cheap and easy ideas for a fantastic senior trip.

1

Take a Road Trip: Whether you follow one of these California road trips or decide to hit all 50 states, a road trip somewhere in the U.S. is a great senior trip that would allow you to see lots of destinations and have plenty of quality time. Stop at the Grand Canyon or Mount Rushmore or any famous (or not so famous) landmark you desire!

Santa Cruz

2

Disney World: Travel to Florida and go to the happiest place on Earth! With four theme parks, there is an insane amount to do and will offer something for everyone. Not only can you lounge in the Florida sun by one of the various resort pools, but you can spend your days in either the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

3

Central America: Take a trip to Nicaragua! It is relatively close to the U.S., so flights are less expensive than those of Central American countries that are further away.

Some must see sights include the Masaya Volcano and the capital, Managua. Also, it’s not a huge tourist destination so prices are relatively cheap. Visit the Corn Islands which offer scuba diving, beaches, and yoga! Or visit a rainforest reserve like Indio Maiz Biological Reserve which offers an exploration of the rainforests and all the species in it.

4 Lake Tahoe

South America: Fly to Bolivia! It is one of the cheapest tourist destinations with much to offer. Bolivia is full of beautiful natural sights, including the salt flat, Salar De Uyuni, and famous city of La Paz. It is a lovely country full of culture and beautiful sights.

5

Europe: If you want to go to Europe but don’t have a lot of funds, Portugal is the place to go! It is very similar to Spain, but with cheaper prices on hotels and other expenses. Visit the Lisbon Oceanarium, a beautiful aquarium on the waterfront or visit Sao Jorge Castle, a beautiful hilltop Moorish castle and ruins.

6

Southeast Asia: Although flights to Southeast Asia are pricey, once you’ve reached your destination you will have to spend almost nothing! Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand were rated among the most affordable international destinations according to TripAdvisor. In Vietnam you can visit the Cu Chi tunnels, ruins of tunnels that were used during the Vietnam War. In Malaysia you can visit the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park. In Thailand you can visit some of the fabulous architectural sites like the Grand Palace or Wat Arun.

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ADVENTURES

a day in half moon bay A guide to the perfect weekend getaway in a local beach town TEXT, DESIGN AND PHOTOS BY KARNI BETH

L

ocated just 28 miles south of San Francisco lies one of the Bay Area’s greatest treasures: the quaint beach town of Half Moon Bay. With its expanse of sandy beaches and a downtown filled with warm cafes and welcoming art galleries, Half Moon Bay is the perfect local weekend getaway.

dining Half Moon Bay has a variety of different dining options ranging from ethnic Italian, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine to local seafood and sandwiches. For example, the Flying Fish Bar and Grill, a Hawaiian themed restaurant offers a menu full of beachside classics including fish and chips, clam chowder and fish tacos.

46 ADVENTURES

COFfEE Strolling through downtown Half Moon Bay exposes visitors to streets lined with cozy bed and breakfasts, unique craft stores, and inviting bakeries. On any given day the glass cases in the Moonside Bakery and Cafe are filled with seasonal cookies, tarts, muffins, and more. The quirky shop has several coffee and tea options as well as comfortable indoor seating.

the beach Deep blue waves crash on the sandy shores of Half Moon Bay State Beach, making it the perfect spot for a dip in the cool pacific, a spring picnic or a weekend camping trip.

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Cynthia Schuman www.cynthiaschuman.com Resin | Enamel | Oil