Quarterly Volume 2 Issue 2 Dec 10, 2009
WE A R E
el camino Some students are naturally in the spotlight- class officers, athletes, performing arts students, class clowns, cheerleaders, the popular kids... Contained within are five stories of students that are just as much of a part of the diversity of our school as any of us. They ARE El Camino.
7 We’re Online @ my.hsj.org/ca/southsanfrancisco/thecq and coltquarterly.wordpress.com 8
editor in chief Lauren Eberle Photo Editor Katrina Nolasco
Art Director Yasmine Mahmoud El Camino High School
Editors Quarter 2
1320 Mission Rd. South San Francisco, CA 94080
Managing Editor
The Colt Quarterly
Steven Hansen
Page Editors Rebecca Gigi MaryJo Ubamos Varsha Ranjit Catherine Tadina Staff Writers Jeffrey Crisafi Trecia Cruz Marcus Ismael Brandon Joe Ryan Love Emily McMonigle Brian Trinh Michael Wong
Photographers Ray Concepcion Marivic Victoria
Advertising Director Rebecca Gigi
Mission Statement
and
Policy Guidelines
The Colt Quarterly is a news magazine dedicated to inform the El Camino High School student body and staff of the issues that affect the school and community. We strive to publish each magazine with accuracy and journalistic excellence and provide a forum guided by the ethics of journalism. Our goal is to represent the voice, passion, and diversity of the El Camino student body. We attempt to achieve journalistic excellence through thorough research, accurate reporting, and a structured editing process. All content is realized and produced by The Colt Quarterly staff. The Colt Quarterly staff and adviser are responsible for all editorial decisions and will not submit to school officials prior to publication for review. School officials are not responsible for any materials published in The Colt Quarterly but may be held liable for prior restraint or censorship. The adviser has the authority to review all materials prior to publication but does not have the right to censor. The adviser may give advice and instruct the staff on consequences to aid an informed and ethical decision. The Colt Quarterly staff will not print any materials considered libelous, a material disruption of the school process, an invasion of privacy, obscenity, or copyright infringement. No materials will be run without attribution and anonymous sources will not be used unless no other credible source is found. Final editorial decisions about questionable content are made by a committee consisting of the editors, the adviser, and one rotating staff member. Any materials in question must be voted down by a majority decision. The Colt Quarterly encourages submissions from its readers. Submissions will be held to the same editorial criteria as materials produced by the staff. Submissions will be rejected for containing unprotected speech and/or false “facts” or claims and may be suspended for substantial grammatical errors.
Online Editor Catherine Tadina
Adviser Adam G. McLearan Printer Folger Graphics Hayward, CA
We The Colt Quarterly staff promise to follow The Colt Code of Ethics and strive for excellence in writing, representation, and timeliness of production. Drafted by Sabrina Reyes, 2008-’09 Editor in Chief, ratified by The Colt Quarterly Staff October 2009
WE A R E
Volume 2 Issue 2 Dec 10, 2009
PG 4
el camino Pg 4 EC plays it safer Ever since the safety seminar on October 27 the staff of El Camino has been making changes to keep everyone on campus safe. Some changes have already been established and more may be in store in the future. By Marivic Victoria
PG 10
Pg 10 Home court homecoming El Camino alumni come back to play basketball for one night a year in the annual Alumni Game. The game is a chance for graduates to play once again on their homecourt and connect with old friends and teachers. By Marcus Ismael
Pg 15 El Camino Student Wishlist What do the students of El Camino really want for Christmas? Here is The Colt Quarterly’s wishlist. By Varsha Ranjit and Michael Wong
Pg 25 Behind the ban
PG 15
The district is considering harsher restrictions of cell phones and listening devices. The Colt Quarterly asks, why do we even need these devices at all? Editorial
Pg 23 Student Survival Guide: Surviving Finals We bring you a list of the do’s and dont’s of surviving finals: a few guidlines to get through a stressful yet important week successfully. By Yasmine Mahmoud
Pg 28 Best School Books
PG 25
The top book of each grade is summarized, reviwed, and rated for all those who want a sneak peak into El Camino’s required reading material. By Lauren Eberle
ON THE COVER
Pg 17 We ARE El Camino Some students are naturally in the spotlight- class officers, athletes, performing arts students, class clowns, cheerleaders, the popular kids... Contained within are five stories of students that are just as much of a part of the diversity of our school as any of us. They ARE El Camino. Photo headline: Sara Alfaro, Oliver Reich, Mark Anthony Fajilagutan and Shelbi Campbell get close for the first time in a photo even though they’ve been part of the El Camino family for years. Photo Katrina Nolasco
PG 28
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[Since the safety meeting] I have kept a set of very straightforward rules and always remain aware of all possible things,” -Spanish teacher Denise Webb
El Camino plays it safer District employees make changes after safety seminar By Marivic Victoria In response to the October 27 district safety meeting, El Camino High School has started taking precautions. After the meeting, teachers began to take what they’ve learned and put it into action. Many teachers are now keeping their doors locked throughout the school day and cover their windows with papers or posters. “Besides locking my door and covering my window, I have also educated my students about the procedures they must do and the different drills we need to practice,” math teacher Stephanie Lopes said. Many additional steps are being considered towards El Camino’s safety. District wide, schools are implementing a uniform color safety cards. Yellow cards to indicate a class is safe and
lice or swat team to deal with and leave it alone,” Principal Adele Berg said. As a school, it is important for us to take these issues seriously and train ourselves in case a shooting was to occur. Berg believes everyone should be trained and students should be able to know what to do if something was to go wrong. Since our school has many open areas, it would be easy for an intruder to step in. It’s important for everyone to stay alert and warn someone if anything seems out of order. “If a lockdown was to occur, I would get on my cell phone and alert the office immediately,” Campus Security Ron Haynes said. In response to increasing school violence across the country, El Camino is finally taking matters into their own hands.
red to signal if someone is injured or there is danger. “I think the new methods are a good idea, but it doesn’t really affect me as a student. I still think it will make things a little bit safer in case of an actual emergency,” junior Nathan Huey said. The district has also been considering the banning of cell phones. In the occurrence of a lockdown, many students would feel the need to call their parents or the police. Having numerous students using their cell phones at the same time can overload cell phone towers and cause them to crash, preventing police and rescue personnel from being alerted to an emergency. “I think in the perspective of a parent, it is important for their child to have a cell phone, but if a lockdown was to occur, we should leave the po-
What changes have teachers made to keep students safe after safety seminar?
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Locking door at all times
Before After Enforcing cell phone policy strictly
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Enforcing no hat policy strictly
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Monitor hallways regularly * icon=10 yes responses
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After Before Enforcing personal electronics policy
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Enforce dress code strictly
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Monitor “troubling” student behavior regularly
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* 27 teachers responding
News Briefs
Are these measures helpful? No 71%
Yes 29%
Sign ups for the Talent Show will begin January 5 in room 13A. See Mr. Padilla for more details.
*238 students polled
Photo Katrina Nolasco
N E W S
Do you feel safer at EC since
P the new safety measures O have been put in place? L No Yes L 62% 38% S
Showing support GSA promotes Ally Week
By Jeff Crisafi From January 11-15, the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) will hold a lunchtime activity for Ally week. The pledge a person can make states that they must not use anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT) language, intervene safely when someone is being harassed because of their sexuality, and support efforts to end bullying and harassment. This helps support the community by showing that despite a person’s sexuality they should be allowed to have the same rights as anyone else and should not be discriminated against. GSA will be offering armbands people can wear to
show support for Ally Week and will accept two dollar donations. Five steps schools can take to address anti-LGBT bullying and harassment are to establish and publicize a policy that specifically includes sexual orientation and gender, including gender identity, appearance, and behavior. Secondly, schools should require training for staff to identify and address slurs or negative comments based on sexual orientation or gender non-conformity effectively. Lastly, students should know where to go for information and support relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. And to support student efforts to address slurs and bullying
against LGBT on campus. According to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a poll was conducted for schools all over California. In 2004, GLSEN concluded that 63% of California students said they sometimes or often hear others make negative comments based on gender presentation. Thirteen percent of students surveyed said that they sometimes or often hear teachers make negative comments also. Only 40% of California students reported that the teachers or staff stop others when they make negative comments. For more information on Ally week, visit www.allyweek. com.
The El Camino Dance Department will perform at 5 p.m. in front of Sears at the Tanforan Shopping Mall on December 18. The registration deadline for the March 3 SAT test is January 23. Register at collegeboard.com or see your counselor for more details. Applications for Outdoor Ed., starting January 19, are ready in the Counseling Office. The Animal Rights Club is having a blanket drive December 1-14. Donate any type of blanket to your fourth period class for shelter animals. The UC application website crashed on the last day of deadlines (November 30). In response, the application deadline was extended to December 2. Teens between the ages of 14 and 18 are invited to design a 30 second video highlighting job safety for the chance of a cash prize. Videos can be entered at www.youngworkers.org before January 11.
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El Camino teacher honored
Panosian recognized as Region 4 CLHS Educator of the Year finalist English teacher Sevana Panosian earned the nomination as Region 4 California League of High Schools (CLHS) finalist for the Educator of the Year award. Panosian was recognized at a banquet amongst roughly 100 colleagues from all eleven Californian regions on Thursday, November 12th. “She was born a teacher. She used to teach me a lot by correcting my English,” Panosian’s father, Armen Bagdasarian said. Most of Panosian’s curriculum prepares students for the SAT and AP English test and also provides them a skill set to become a college-bound student. “She has very high expectations, but she gives you the stepping stones to reach them,” history teacher Alicia Vosberg said. She also stresses the importance of college. Instead of saying “you can go to college”, she replaces this with a resounding “you are going to college!” She gives mini-lectures about college including what majors to choose from, the different types of degrees, how to distinguish a good college, and how to succeed once there. Panosian prepares students—covering all the California Standards and going beyond what is expected. It is because of this approach that Principal Adele Berg nominated Panosian for the CLHS Educator of the Year award. The award is given annually to eleven educators in eleven regions throughout California. Its focus is on reforming education for high school students by demonstrating techniques that can improve the system. The goal is for educators to maintain academic excellence by continually adding new ideas and strategies
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Photo Katrina Nolasco
By Brian Trinh
Teaching has always been my dream. I drew a picture of
myself in 1977 as a teacher and used to
play ‘teacher teacher’ when I was young.” to previous ones. When Panosian informed that she was a finalist for the award, she said, “I was very shocked because I’m only doing my job!” As a finalist, Panosian was able to attend an Educator of the Year Banquet and give a speech on how she approaches students in the classroom. The event was held at the Basque Cultural Center where roughly one hundred guests from around the Bay Area attended.
The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
Attendees included principals, teachers, colleagues, friends, family and professors who taught the nominees. Among some of the high schools represented were Hillsdale, Carlmont, Woodside, Westmoor, South City, and El Camino. Panosian represented El Camino with her speech—the first of a series of speeches that inspired, humored, and emboldened the crowd. Panosian started her speech with the three mantras that she believes are crucial factors for success in life. She says the first two are obvious: 1) Work hard and 2) Be nice. The third mantra is “Don’t eat the marshmallows,” a saying based on a Stanford study that concluded self-control, by delaying self- gratification and finishing the work that needs to be done, has the greatest affect on a young person’s life. After the mantras, she continued by speaking about the importance of education and how it has helped her succeed even though life can be rough. And it is with education that she made her final remark. She was shocked when the board rewarded her with a certificate that reflected her achievement through excellence in the three R’s: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships. “My students are the mirrors that reflect my experience and encourage me to continue,” Panosian says.
35%
28%
Art Yasmine Mahmoud
37%
Teachers/administation on Blue Ribbon Committee
Community members on Blue Ribbon Committee
City/district officials on Blue Ribbon Committee
Reason for the ribbon
District Blue Ribbon Committee created to address “PI” status By Lauren Eberle A blue ribbon committee has been created by the South San Francisco Unified School District to address accountability, achievements gaps, and overall district improvement. Motivated by the district’s Program Improvement (PI) status due to a number of subgroups not meeting standardized testing requirements, the committee, made up of both school administrators and community volunteers, will be working over the next five years to find new ways to improve student learning. “There are a lot of people here who care deeply about South San Francisco,” superintendant Howard Cohen said about the members of the committee. Defined as a district strategic planning process that includes community, staff, and members of the School Board, the Blue Ribbon Committee is faced with the process of improving the district as a whole, as well as working with individual schools, administra-
tors, and teachers. It must construct a set of goals and procedures to help raise AYP scores, in all subgroups. “The API is like the long jump, we can work over time and distance to make it over. The AYP is like a high jump, this bar we need to get over now,” said South San Francisco High School Teacher-librarian and Blue Ribbon member Marcie Mitchell said when asked what distinguishes the two different requirements. The district hopes to have all subgroups meet state and federal standards in the near future. “We’re looking for a program to close the [achievement] gap,” Ponderosa Elementary Principal Janet Ingersoll said. Although there has been no finalized strategic action plan as of yet, the committee has already adopted a set of guidelines. The 9 Essential Program Components (EPCs) was created by the state to help districts under PI status. They cover: Instructional Program,
instructional time, lesson and course pacing schedule, school administrator training, fully credentialed, highly qualified teachers, student achievement monitoring system, ongoing instructional assistance and support, monthly teacher collaboration, and budget “[We should] have after school interventions for kids, and cover not just those who are challenged but also the gifted,” Ingersoll said during a brainstorm session. The district has already begun to implement changes, starting with the new textbook adoptions that have been an ongoing process for the past two years. So far, the math, history, social studies, and science departments have all adopted new textbooks, and the English department is currently in the adoption process. This is in compliance with the Instructional Program EPC, ensuring that all students are equipped with upto date textbooks. “How can we help kids prepare for the world out there?” Cohen said.
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1. Varsity Colts linemen block a Warrior during the Bell Game on November 14. Photo Marivic Victoria
2. Math teacher Demian Martens, history teacher Michael Zozos, and science teacher David Jordan show off their beards during the third annual teacher Holiday Beard Growing Competition November 25. Photo Marivic Victoria
3. Senior Josh Overton and econ. teacher David Vinski go head to head in the Teachers vs. Seniors basketball game November 25 in the Big Gym. Photo Marivic Victoria
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4. Senior Leslie Castillo gladly helps a customer fill out an order sheet while working at the economics class business Elfco after school on December 2.
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Photo Katrina Nolasco
5. Members of the student council begin their monthly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance December 2. Photo Marivic Victoria
6. Nico Formalejo practices his solo performance in rehearsals for the musical Bat Boy November 17. Photo Katrina Nolasco 7. The El Camino Choir performs in their annual winter concert I Need a Silent Night December 1. Photo Ray Concepcion
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The Alumni Game is great because it’s fun to play with people who have the same competitiveness and passion for the sport as I do” -Varsity basketball player Jordan Santos
He shoots...: Boys’ varsity junior Allan Santos lines up a free throw while both teammates and alumni Ryan Smith, Jason Smith and Antoine Turner look on during the annual Alumni Game.
Home court homecoming By Marcus Ismael On November 25, 2009 the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams faced off against El Camino alumni teams. These games are traditionally held the day before Thanksgiving in the Big Gym and are an opportunity for graduated Colts to return to the court where they once played. The girls’ alumni beat the current varsity players in the first game 25-20 and the boys’ varsity bested the alumni winning 54-35. “The alumni game is a way to reconnect with old teachers as well as catch up with El Camino,” Principal Adele Berg says, “I hope the tradition is kept for many years to come.” The Alumni Game is an annual El Cami-
no tradition where former Colts return for a night of basketball against the varsity teams. For the alumni, the tradition is more than just a basketball game. For some it’s like returning home and for others it’s a
ers. “Playing as a Colt once more is really a great experience,” Hazel Cantania said. To come back to El Camino to play means a lot to those that return, it’s a chance to be a Colt once more. The alumni game itself is a mustsee game for the Fall season. Part of this big day of basketball games the freshmen faced off against the junior varsity team then the teachers played the seniors. The evening finished off with the big event, the Alumni Game itself. The girls’ game was intense as both teams exchanged point after point until the final score 25-20. The boys’ game was even more action packed as the boys teams played a tough game where eventually the varsity team won 13 points ahead of the alumni to 54-35.
“The alumni game is a way to reconnect with old teachers as well as catch up with El Camino” chance to revisit their athletic days. The returning alumni come from various class years ranging from the most recent Class of 2006 to 1996 and some of the oldest alumni attended El Camino in the 1980’s. Participating in the game also gives a sense of pride to its alumni play-
10 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
S p o r t s
P What kinds of injuries O caused student athletes to L sit out the season? L
Sports Briefs
Breaks 25% Sprains 62.5%
Dislocations 12.5%
Former students, current coaches EC alumni return as coaches to give back to school athletics Many athletes describe their days as high school athletes as their “glory days”. For most, the journey even ends there. But at El Camino, some don’t let the end of their high school days end their involvement in high school sports. After all, where would high school athletes be without the actual MVP, the coach. About 90% of the El Camino coaching staff is comprised of former El Camino students. “It’s a really special thing knowing that so many people were influenced enough by the athletic program here at school that they’d actually want to come back here and help share that feeling with younger athletes,” varsity basketball coach Anthony Khoo said. Many of those include past Blanket Award winners like Archie Junio, Mark Turner, and Charles Truong. Junio, Turner and Truong have all been through the sturuggles and successes of the sports they now coach. Experiences they feel
Photo Ray Concepcion
By Ray Concepcion
Colt for life: El Camino alumnus and coach Archie Junio prepares the JV football team for the Bell Game.
they can use to relate to their players. Junio and Turner both graduated in 1994 and began coaching soon after. Turner is a varsity football coach as well as an assistant basketball coach. Junio works as the junior varsity football coach. Also, like Turner, Junio is a JV basketball coach. Charles Truong graduated in 2008 and started coaching in the 2008-09 school year. Truong was the football team captain his senior year and began attending football conditioning the summer following his graduation. Soon after, he was hired as an assistant coach for football. During the 2009 spring sport season he was also hired as the track coach replacing his brother, former coach and also
EC alumnus Kevin Truong. Truong believes that high school sports had a very big impact on his life and coming back to coach is his way of trying to spread the influence it had on him. Truong describes specific instances and challenges he had to overcome as team motivators. “I usually try to push the team to do their best by telling stories of things that happened while I was playing,” said Truong. Truong feels that since he is close in age to most of the students and so recently helps him understand each individual player, keeping him more in touch with them and making his experiences hit a little closer to home.
The Fall Sports Awards night was held November 24. The MVP for JV girls’ volleyball was Veronica Cheung, for varsity volleyball Alisha Leong, cross country was Mario Roussanov, Chance Vicino, Adrienne Viray and Emily Sison. The MVPs for girls’ tennis was Jeanette Weber, varsity football was Jeff Fuentes, and JV football was DJ Peluso. The boys’ varsity basketball have entered to compete in an Academy Tournament at King’s Academy on Thursday, December 3. Varsity volleyball player Alisha Leon was named first place on the All League Team, while Maricela Abarca was named second place. The El Camino vs. South City varsity basketball game will be held on January 8, 2009 at South San Francisco High School at 7 p.m. El Camino’s soccer season has started, and teams have begun conditioning and practices. The first game of the season took place December 5 at Hillsdale. The El Camino Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team won their season opener against Mission San Jose High School December 1 34-33. There will be a wrestling tournament against Golden Gate High School at Washington H.S. in San Francisco December 12 at 8 a.m.
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Photo Ray Concepcion Touchdown!: Sophomore wide-receiver Armando Moncada runs the ball for a touchdown during the Baby Bell Game November 14.
JV Colts defeat Warriors 35-0 in Baby Bell blowout By Mary Jo Ubamos The El Camino Junior Varsity Football Team defeated the South City Warriors 35-0. The Colts started their offensive control of the game early on. Running back DJ Peluso ran a short route to the right side and caught a swing pass from quarterback Richard McCune, gaining 30 yards. The first quarter ended scoreless and the second saw the Warriors shut down offensively, unable to gain yardage and drives ended in punts. Back on offense, the Colts drove to the 20 yard line and Peluso scored the first touchdown of the game with a time of 4:42 left in the second quarter with kicker Omar Reyes adding the extra point. Later in the second quarter, El Camino’s Chris Pola tackled Warrior Gerard Rowes at the 20 yard line for a fourth down stop. With 1:01 left on the clock, the
Colts had a third down at the 10 yard line and McCune ran in a touchdown. “Chris Pola acted as a shield for Richie. He was able to block two people and create a sort of path for him into the end zone,” lineman Matthew Woodard said. The first half ended with El Camino up 13-0. Once the third quarter started with the ball back in the Warriors’ possession, the Colts were able to again stop the Warriors on fourth down. The fourth quarter kicked off with running back Marcus Roman scoring another touchdown for the Colts. The game ended with back to back scoreless drives by both teams. “Our defense was really strong and the offensive line had a really successful running game, but we still could’ve improved on the passing and had less running plays,” Peluso said.
12 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
Warriors top varsity Colts 37-16 in Bell Game By Ray Concepcion The El Camino varsity Colts football team faced off against the South City Warriors in the annual Bell Game November 14. The Colts stayed competitive until the second half where they let the game slip away, resulting in a 37-16 Warriors victory. Early in the first quarter the Warriors took control of the game, gaining 40 yards from the opening kickoff. On a play action pass, Warrior wide receiver Anthony Gomes scored the first touchdown of the game. A missed extra point capped off a five minute scoring drive, putting South City up 6-0. The Colts opened the second half strong with a touchdown on their first drive from running back Nathan Huey, putting the Colts on the board. Rather than kicking for the point after, the Colts successfully attempted the two point
conversion, bringing the score to 8-16. “After we scored that first touchdown, I think we got a little over anxious. We were more concerned with scoring again than gaining yards, which is way more important,” Huey said. In the fourth quarter Sanchez hooked up with wide receiver Kevin McGovern on an 18-yard post route for another touchdown, putting South City up 30-8. Back on offense, Colt’s Roman hooked up with wide receiver Kenny Anderson on a 25-yard pass, bringing the score up to 14-30. “I was so sure we were going to win in the beginning of the game,” back-up quarterback Francis Nagtalon said, “I know all of us seniors wanted to end high school with the Bell.” The 2009 Bell Game ended with a loss for the Varsity Colts, with a final score of 16-37.
d Varsity Boyest’ ban ll Girls’ Bask a
Cross Country
Dec. 1 Mission Boys’ varsity vs. San Jose W 33-34
SEASON RECORD -The team place d 6th at PAL Finals
Dec. 2 Mills Girls’ varsity vs. W 48-32
-The team place d 9th at CCS
Winter Sports *Scores current as of December 3*
Girls’ Tennis
JV & Varsity Football
SEASON RECORD
SEASON RECORD
13-22
Varsity 1-7-1
Varsity 6-15
JV 7-3
JV 6-6
JV & Varsity Volleyball SEASON RECORD
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Giving Back: The Greatest Gift By Varsha Ranjit
Want to make the most of your holiday season? Use this winter break as a chance to give back to your community. Not sure where to start? Donating to these charities is not only easy, but donating and volunteering are also fun and rewarding experiences that will make your break even more memorable.
Best Buy: The @15 Fund
Selected products from Best Buy will support this national fund, that benefits teen programs to enrich the youth population nationwide. Not only is this a wonderful program to take part in during the holidays, but it’s also simple and easy. The @15 gift listings can be seen at Best Buy’s website and are available for purchase through the internet or in stores. A percentage of all gifts purchased between now and January 15, 2010 will go directly to this fund dedicated towards helping teens, like us, throughout the country.
For more information: www.at15.com
Toys for Tots
Remember unwrapping the toy that was number one on your Christmas wishlist? Now you can help less fortunate kids who experience that same joy as well through Toys for Tots. National toy drop locations can be found at local Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores, making donating to this charity accessible, easy and fun.
For more information, visit: www.toysfortots.org
The San Francisco Food Bank
Want the ultimate experience of giving back to your community? Volunteering at the San Francisco Food Bank is a great way to start. If there are not enough volunteering opportunities this holiday season, those who are interested are still able to donate to this local charity. The San Francisco Food Bank also provides a list of other easy ways to give back without having to volunteer or set up a food barrel--from spreading the word to buying a CD-- every action helps.
For more information, visit www.sffoodbank.org.
ABC7-Safeway “Share Your Holiday” food drive
This annual food drive, run by ABC 7 News and Safeway, is a great chance to help out your community. All one has to do is donate non-perishable food items to the “Share Your Holiday” food barrels at your local Safeway. This food drive will support the San Francisco Food Bank, and will continue until January 1. Remember, it’s never too late to help out!
For more information, contact or visit your local Safeway.
14 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
El Camino’s Student Wishlist By Michael Wong and Varsha Ranjit
Dear Santa,
El Camino students have expressed their wishes for the school from improving academic programs to respect in the hallways. We hope that these wishes can come true to keep EC striving to take the academic and social potential of our school to greater heights.
1. Standardized test prep and more AP classes
We wish for more opportunities for standardized test prep. along with more AP classes so we can ultimately have more options as motivated students. Standardized test preparation would benefit us greatly because we would be better prepared for the challenging high-stakes standardized tests we encounter in our years at El Camino. This would be an accessible and affordable way for us to test themselves without having to pay a massive amount of tuition for prep. classes outside of school. Similarly, a wider variety of AP classes would give us more class options to choose from and more chances for us to challenge ousselves in several different subject areas.
2. A larger variety of food With long lunch lines,
how are we supposed to eat? Even though school lunches are affordable and give a lot to choose from, we still desire alternatives to the lunches provided at school. Students have suggested
that they would like healthier lunches, and have expressed how the temptation of buying from accessible, quick, and easy vending machines is not only unhealthy (depending on the moderation and amount of food items students buy), but also that the machines are their last resort.
3. Cleaner bathrooms
Due to the amount of vandalism in school bathrooms along with the disrespect shown to bathroom facility as a whole, we wish for the graffiti on towel dispensers and misuse of other bathroom supplies to stop. El Camino is a second home to most of us, so we should treat and respect it like one. We are wishing for cleaner bathrooms so we can make the school much more sanitary and safe for students.
4. Politeness in the hallway
After hearing students exchange loud, rude comments to each other during passing periods and enduring the shoves and pushes as students try to make their classes in time, a huge concern over respect in the hallways during passing period has risen. While passing period may only total about 30 minutes of our school day, every six-minute period can not not be taken for granted. More respect and politeness in the hallway would ultimately enable our passing periods to be much more relaxing and stress-free, and allow us to have a healthy attitude as we walk into our classes.
Sinc El C erely , am ino December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
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Following are five stories of students that are representative of the diversity of El Camino. These students are not “different�. In fact, more students are like these five than not. Everyone has made bad choices, everyone has lent a helping hand, everyone has taken steps toward their future careers (however far away that future may seem), everyone has been sick at least once in their life, and everyone has needed a second chance. These are their stories.
16 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
All feature photos Katrina Nolasco
el camino
for Gomez. His parents began to push him to do better and meet his potential, as well as offer in the occasional reality check. Equally shocking to Gomez was his brother’s newfound success in academics, coming home with straight “As”. “While his report card would be glued onto the refrigerator, mine would be hiding somewhere behind last month’s water bill,” Gomez said. Those external factors, combined with a push by El Camino counselor Lea Sanguinetti, led to Gomez’ difficult but rewarding transition from delinquent to academic. “Ms. Sanguinetti saw something in me,” Gomez recalled, “she helped me believe that I could go to college and become something of myself. I could recall walking into her office after school to complain about my rather rough day, and Ms. Sanguinetti with a warm smile and a contagious giggle would say, ‘Lisandro, you’re doing great. Keep it up and the universities will be applying for you to go to their school,’” Gomez said. Of course, making the change was an arduous process, as Gomez suddenly had a lot more work on his plate. According to him, making this life change was the most difficult thing he’s ever attempted. However, he had to do so, as he was now in competition with hundreds within our school and thousands throughout the nation to get a spot in college. “Now I had to push myself, cut down on distractions and get things done. It took a lot for me to turn down dates for math homework and two hour phone calls in exchange
GOMEZ By Steven Hansen
“
Don’t ask me where I’ve been; ask me where I’m going,” is senior Lisandro Gomez’s mantra. Gomez, after a rough five years, recognized his path as one of a scholar with limitless potential. Gomez was raised in a low socioeconomic household by immigrant parents with little schooling and little grasp of the English language. Like many in his position Lisandro faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles chose apathy towards school thinking it was useless. This thinking started him down a dark road. His delving into the seedy underworld truly began with his attempts to join a gang in middle school. “I wanted to have that power and respect that they did, so I gave it a shot,” Gomez recalled. But following those influences didn’t lead to a positive outcome, as Gomez quickly found out when his best friend went to jail for assault and battery. “I realized that the tough guy life wasn’t for me,” Gomez said. However, while not taking it to such extremes, Gomez still wasn’t the ideal student by the time he got to high school. He was content to be a class clown and a nuisance, quickly writing off seemingly inconsequential things such as homework or college. “My parents fought so hard to make me a good kid and I just wanted to be cool,” Gomez laments. “I thought I would get all the ladies and respect by being cool, like not paying attention in class, making fun of the teacher, and getting in trouble. I wanted people to know my name and I was willing to do anything.” Eventually, however, reality set in
December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
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Continued from pg 17 for reading time,” Gomez said. Still, the end justifies the means for Gomez, as he has successfully completed AP and Honors courses within the last year and a half, and is on his way to attending college – a possibility he wouldn’t change for the world.
“I didn’t want to be a part of another lame statistic on how Latinos have the lowest college education and how there’s arguably more Latinos in jail than in college,” Gomez said. Gomez has chosen his path in life and knows it will eventually lead to success. “Before, I thought life was about
By Lauren Eberle
“
You don’t realize how little people have, how most don’t even have clean water . . . having a jacket, food, we take it all for granted every day, and don’t realize how valuable it all is.” So says senior Shelbi Campbell. With a big sunny smile, she goes on to talk about her participation in mission trips around the nation with her youth group, Youth Works, where she and her fellow parishioners take ten days out of every summer to travel to another part of the country and reach out to those in need. Shortly after eighth grade,
Campbell left on her first mission trip to Anchorage, Alaska - the state where she was born. “That first trip changed my life,” Campbell said. Talking animatedly, she talks about her work with Anchorage’s large homeless population through soup kitchens and the Salvation Army. “We walked down the street of downtown Anchorage one night and went up to homeless and just said hello and asked them how they were doing,” Campbell said. “They would have the biggest smile on their face.” Youth group director Brad Brown says she was fantastic when working with the people. “She was the youngest on the trip, and had the hardest time adjusting [to working with the homeless]. . . but when we would visit a shelter, she would just hang out with the homeless, talking with them and listening to their stories as people, not the needy.” Campbell’s next mission was a trip to Puerto Rico. “The city you fly into is just beautiful,” Campbell said with a laugh, “and you think ‘we’re having a mission trip here?’” However, soon after landing the group took a five hour drive around to the other side of the island, and witnessed the living conditions of many Puerto Ricans. “We were working in the projects. . . I was doing summer camp, just trying to keep kids off the streets, and one morning the area were they played was filled with syringes with blood in them and cocaine bags and bottles,” she said.
18 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
being the cool guy with all the girls, the coolest clothes, the nicest car and the most devastating punch,” Gomez recalled. “Now, I see life through a whole different pixel. It’s a lot easier going downhill than up, but once you strive and struggle to get to the top, you’ll be up there with the best of them.”
CAMPBELL Her most recent trip took her to Arizona and New Mexico, where she visited a Navajo reservation. “We were painting the outside of this one woman’s house, and it looked like just a piece of junk hut, but she was so happy that someone would come out and help her, even just painting . . . she was crying,” Campbell said. However, Brown attested to hitting minor road bumps along the way to helping the community. “The Navajo children were not very welcoming. They were like, ‘Why are you here?’ We really had to earn their trust. Campbell was great then. She reached out to them and gained their respect, she is truly gifted with children.” Campbell is someone who is always looking for a way to help, a way to ease another’s worries. In times of service on mission trips, she gives to those they visit as much as she can, and in times when others might be thinking about themselves and their own families, she takes the initiative and organizes her own ways to give back. “It doesn’t take a huge trip to give, if people just do local service in their community they will be helping so many others . . . just say hello and it will make a difference in someone’s life.” Campbell says.
you put on that uniform you are a different person...because you “ When are expected to be a different person, automatically held to a higher standard than someone your age who’s not wearing a uniform. ” By Yasmine Mahmoud
L
eather boots, drumsticks in back pocket, and a single ear-bud jutting from ear may scream rebellion to some. But senior Oliver Reich is ready for anything. Reich has always wanted to emulate his police officer father Oliver Reich Senior, and has taken proactive measures in order to achieve this goal. Reich has been volunteering with The Millbrae Police Explorer’s Program for approximately a year now, and is certain that this is his career path. The Millbrae Police Explorer’s Program is a branch of Boy Scouts of America, and holds its members to the same standards and requirements, such as an expected 2.5 GPA [or higher], no prior criminal record, and sixteen hours or more of community service, plus weekly lessons. The training sessions are held just as school is, says Reich. “[They’re] graded, [there are] midterms, finals, tests--almost like a second school. Instead of being able to sit in a classroom and sleep, we have to do push-ups [if we get caught], it’s like a paramilitary thing.” Despite the difficult scholastic work, he says that it’s a blast, “We get to [rappel] down walls. We are certified by the Red Cross. [We] shoot real guns, and we learn how to write reports and properly search for people like in a forest and such,” a normal routine “Hell Day” search and rescue. Reich’s duties as a Police Explorer entail upholding the “big five” of the Explorer program: Character Education, Life Skills, Leadership Experience, Citizenship, and Career Opportunities. Reich sees learning these skills as valuable whether or not one chooses to go into the law enforcement field, or even the public service field. “[There is] zero tolerance for screwing around.
When you put on that uniform you are a different person...because you are expected to be a different person, automatically held to a higher standard than someone your age who’s not wearing a uniform.” During one of his official excursions, Reich was ordered to close down a street for police activities taking place on the block. He had to restrict residents from passing through police lines. “I almost got ran over, I got lots of swearing. I was there and it was cold from seven to ten. I just powered through.” While wrapping up a late night expedition, he and other policemen spotted a drunk driver, and he was obligated to go along with the other certified policemen in order to catch the offender. “We were leaving an apartment building and it was...midnight. We were in front of the crosswalk and this white car slows down, sees us, accelerates into us and barely misses us.” The squad jumped into their cars and furiously pursued the reckless driver, “All I remember was seeing the back of it because it was new, and all I remember was seeing the turn signal [a sign of drunk driving]...it was never caught.” Reich says. The team checked parking garages and ran license plates and although they did not find the driver, Reich gained valuable knowledge from his experience. Reich’s perseverance is constantly tested during these activities. Reich, unlike many of his peers, understands himself enough to know his career path. At such an early age, he is able to pursue his goals without having to think twice-- Oliver Reich is enforcing his future.
REICH
December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
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FAJILAGUTAN By Katrina Nolasco
A
t age 10, senior Mark Anthony Fajilagutan was a typical kid. He got along with his peers and played a lot of sports. He went to school every day and hung out with his friends on the weekends. He lived a very normal life. One day, his father noticed something shockingly abnormal about him - his lips were starting to turn purple. “Everyone thought it was asthma,” said Fajilagutan. “No one thought it was a big deal.” It wasn’t until he began to have hard time breathing that he and his family realized something much worse than asthma was going on. Fajilagutan’s
d o c t o r s told him that his liver was somehow taking short cuts to his lungs, resulting in him only receiving about 40 to 60 percent of the oxygen he needed to survive, which led to him being put on oxygen tanks 24 hours a day. When he was in the sixth grade, Fajilagutan’s family noticed that his knees were beginning to swell. As time passed, it was becoming more and more difficult for him to walk. His doctors told him that he
had to get around on a scooter, which he stayed on until ninth grade, until the swelling subsided, which made it very difficult for him to get around. With the oxygen tanks and scooter, Fajilagutan could no longer live the life
hospital and once he was out, he still needed four to six months to recover, causing him to miss his whole sophomore year. “I’ve heard a lot about how your high school years are some of the best years of your life,” Fajilagutan
“I felt uncontrollable sadness because I was on the verge of losing my beloved cousin,” junior Erikson Bautista said. “But I’m so relieved and joyful that his health is stable now.” he once had. Walking was an impossiblity, and having to give up sports was even more devastating. Before he was diagnosed, he played flag football, basketball, baseball and he participated in karate. “It was something I didn’t want to give up, but it was also something that I
couldn’t make a decision on.” When he was about 13 years old, Fajilagutan’s doctors came to him with the solution to his condition - he needed a liver transplant. “I can only remember feeling very shocked about the whole thing,” Fajilagutan said. At age 14, Fajilagutan told his doctors that he was ready for the surgery. “I was kind of scared, but mostly excited,” Fajilagutan said. After waiting six months, the transplant was finally available. Fajilagutan was required to spend a whole month in the
20 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
said. “I was really bummed out when I found out I had to skip a whole year.” However, he used all that time to relax and recover, as well as gain back the weight he had lost. Last summer was the very first summer that Fajilagutan spent without his oxygen tanks. “It was very different than having a whole bunch of tubes strapped to you all day.” he said. Fajilagutan was well on his way to recovery, being able to walk and getting back his normal life. As the days passed, Fajilagutan was getting more and more excited. Now a senior, Mark Anthony Fajilagutan is almost completely recovered. He’s 17 years old, breathing fine, walking again and actually driving, too. He’s very excited about living life as a normal teenager again, trying to get back into sports and the life he had seven years ago. People that were so used to seeing him in a scooter and strapped to oxygen tubes were amazed to see how much he’s changed and how great he looks. “I felt uncontrollable sadness because I was on the verge of losing my beloved cousin,” junior Erikson Bautista said. “But I’m so relieved and joyful that his health is stable now.” Fajilagutan is just as relieved and joyful. “It makes me proud to see all these reactions,” he said. “I do get it a lot and it makes me happy.”
H
er bright, bubbly white patterned sweater is from JC Penney, but her black, frilly, skirt is imported straight from El Salvador—in fact, she’s got a closet full of them. Amidst teenagers with dyed hair, make-up, and denim shorts, Sara Alfaro stands out in her anachronistic, anklelength skirt - she’s not allowed to wear pants, it’s against her religion. In fact, she’s not allowed to bring attention to herself by dressing like a guy, or cut her hair for that matter. Alfaro feels neither stifled nor selfconscious. She likes it when people approach her and ask why she wears skirts, so she can talk about her church. She has been asked about it many times yet she isn’t tired of it, talking about her faith with a passion that is evident in her eyes and in the way she smiles. Alfaro’s sophomore World History teacher Alicia Vosberg and sophomore English teacher Shannon Allen were unanimous in describing Alfaro as a very strong, positive force in class. “Sara does not have to act tough to get her point across,” Allen said. Alfaro is gentle, yet she exudes an aura of strength and self-assurance. However, beneath the exterior of this lighthearted yet strong and loyally religious girl lies a rebellious, vulnerable, and despondent past. Her adolescence was marred by bullying and combined with feelings of loneliness as well as family problems. According to her best friend Michelle Coronado, Alfaro was relatively happy in sixth grade, but problems started surfacing in eighth grade until, eventually, she sank into a full-blown depression in ninth grade. When she started her freshman year at South San Francisco High School, she got into numerous fights, resulting in referrals and suspensions. At one point, she was sentenced to do community service through city cleanup. As depression caused her life to spiral out of control, she turned to self-injury and teetered on the verge of suicide. Although there were students at SS-
ALFARO By Catherine Tadina FHS who tried to help her cope with her depression, there were also some who tried to take advantage of her vulnerability. Coronado painfully recounts seeing Alfaro with a boy who did not treat her with the respect she deserved “I had no friends [back then],” Alfaro lamented, “I had a really hard time trusting people.” Sara started going to therapy in April 2008. Little by little, she developed more confidence in herself. However, it was only with the help of her church that she was fully able to overcome all of her obstacles. Her mother, extremely worried, talked to a minister at her local church, and turned her life around. The minister asked some teenagers in church to spend time with her, and with their support, she slowly began to piece her life back together. She started participating regularly at church by July 2008. Ever since Alfaro turned to religion, she has been able to regain control of her life, much to the delight of those who care about her. Most importantly, it allowed her to reconnect with her family. One thing she regrets is upsetting her parents during those rough years. According to Alfaro, there was a lot of miscommunication between her and her family. “We used to argue a lot before,” Alfaro said. “Going to church gave me and my relatives a connection we didn’t have before.” In hopes of a fresh start, Alfaro’s parents transferred her to El Camino last year, where she was taken under the wing of recent graduate Diana Araujo, who also attends her church. As a new student in El Camino, Alfaro felt nervous and scared. However, she underwent a complete metamor-
phosis from a troubled teenager to a confident young woman. “It’s nice to have students like Sara who never give up and keep on living positively even if things aren’t perfect in their lives,” Vosberg said. “[Sara] is a fighter. Her positive spirit is going to get her through.” Alfaro serves as a role model to the people around her. She also exudes a lot of leadership potential and, as a result, her counselor nominated her for the prestigious Summer Search program. “Having faith in God, putting my fate in His hands, allowed me to have faith in myself.” Alfaro said.
December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
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Lif dent e
St u
V
2009
2008
Single period absences
9.7% Increase Total: 2,325
Total: 2,551
1 Admit = 200 Absences
Absences increase during severe flu season By Brandon Joe This flu season has definitely taken a toll on attendance records this year due to the emergence of the new H1N1 virus as well as the common flu. Attendance office administrator Colleen Egan stated that the sicknesses have come earlier this year than previous years. There were a total of 2,325 single period absences by November 1 2008, compared to 2, 551 absences by November 1
2009. This is a 9.7% increase in absences due to illness. Students have been noticing the number of student absences at El Camino. “I’ve noticed a lot of my classmates getting sick more. It seems to be symptoms of the flu,” senior Marco Acayan said. Senior Rebecca Donsife was one of the unfortunate students who contracted the H1N1 strain of the flu this fall and was absent for about a week. “I had a lot of make-up tests. It
wasn’t too bad except for caculus. I was really behind.” she explains, elaborating on the massive amount of make up work that many students have faced due to extended illnesses. This year, the students and administrators of El Camino should be aware of illnesses by being careful and taking care of their health; the consequences of becoming sick can not only affect your health, but they can also dramatically affect school life as well.
Myth
Hand sanitizer will help prevent you from getting sick.
Fact
While hand sanitizer can eliminate 99.9% of germs, the one percent of germs left over are the most harmful of all. The majority of germs killed are actually ones that can help you build resistance to sicknesses.
Myth
You can’t get sick from sharing food and drinks with friends that are well.
Fact
Think having one sip of your friend’s soda is harmless? The risk of you or your friend getting sick is heightened if either of you are sick, or have symptoms of any illness. Just because someone isn’t feling sick or physically showing symptoms doesn’t mean they can’t be carrying an illness and spreading germs.
Myth
Going to school when you’re sick is better than being absent and missing entire school days.
Fact
22 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
It’s better to stay home. If you’re not feeling well and decide to go to school, you may spread your sickness to students and teachers around you. In addition, it’s hard to focus when feeling sick, therefore defeating the purpose of going to school in the first place. Stay home and wait until you’re in a healthy mindset to return to school.
Surviving Finals: Student Survival Guide By Yasmine Mahmoud In order to succeed during finals week, one needs to be able to keep their minds clear and stay within a healthy stress level. It is unrealistic to expect that you will be able to stay up studying all night while IMing your friends about how much you need to be studying, while binging on blocks of cheese, cold cereal, and grainy saccharine coffee. Staring at information for hours at a time does not help unless you analyze it correctly, which you can’t really do unless you stop skimming your study guides and actually sit down and answer all of the questions. To do well, one has to understand the restraints of their bodies, both physical and mental.
1. Save your sight for the books. While you may be dying to find out what happened to Nate on Gossip Girl, you’ll have no chance of running into him at Dartmouth if you don’t turn off the screen and open up your textbooks. Cut down on the down time; the writers neglect to add the study sessions that characters must have had to undertake to get to such a school. By not having to rely on a plot line full of potholes, waiting to find out what happens next, you are able to occupy that time and brainpower on making flash cards, which get you one step closer to wearing that “Dartmouth” sweater with pride. It may cause tremors and
cold sweats, but the best way to remain clear-headed is to take a break from Facebook, take the Twitter vow of silence (stop tweeting!), and stop blogging about how much your life sucks around Dead Week. You’ll get your parents to stop haranguing you about your lack of time management skills and dazzle them with your new found attention span! It’s better to save your tweets for after finals than to tweet ten years later about your McDonald’s job!
2. One head is better than two. Studying with your friends might seem like a fun way to kill time when we get out of school so early, but be wary of this pastime: friends are the single biggest distraction. If you believe that you are able to study with your friends without distractions, schedule a couple hours to quiz each other or explain concepts the other does not understand and vice-versa. Don’t expect any major breakthroughs because even if you are a diligent student, a friend giggling can lead to hours of wasted time.
3. Frankie says relax. Dedicating your week to studying does not mean not sleeping for seven days straight and cramming as much information as you can at the last minute. This means that you make the flash cards as soon as you are told or hinted at what is being given on the tests, review them periodically, and alternate between subjects in order to
lessen the “burn-out” factor. Try exercising if you’re feeling particularly stressed; increased activity will release those endorphins that can improve your mood.
“Never give up, never say ‘I quit’, always listen to yourself, let your heart take you there.” -Dennis Dougherty Freshman Andrew Crilly
4. It’s too cold for cheerleading practice! Take a break from your extra-curricular activities, especially since most of them are not even allowed to gather during Dead Week. Neglecting a club, or some lessons for a couple of days won’t hurt you, as long as you explain why to whomever is in charge of that activity. Your responsibility and ability to understand your limits will be impressive.
“Always be yourself.” -Amanda Bautista, sister Freshman Arianna Bautista
Students Speak Out What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
5. Don’t fall asleep in the Top Ramen! When people are stressed, they tend to eat whatever is in front of them, and that combined with stress can yield disastrous results. How can you be prepared for a strenuous experience if all you’ve eaten is reconstituted egg noodles in a greasy salt bath? In order to stay focused, you need to just say no to that third Rock Star. Sleep is better than sugar. Staying away from media is as well, which is an excellent way to schedule some sleep into your stressful life. Imagine being stuck on the second question of your English final because you just want to close your eyes for a moment. Fatigue is the biggest distraction next to hunger, so remember that rest is essential in order to retain information.
“When you look back at your life, what are you going to say that was your mark on the world because you only live one life.” -Frank Mir, MMA Fighter Sophmore Van Jones
“Giving up on something is just giving up on yourself. Live in the moment and make your future what you want it to be.” -Steven Stone, father Junior Anthony Stone
December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
23
n
Op in io
G
“
I find it annoying when people randomly swear left and right for no reason, especially sentence after sentence.”
-Elisabeth Rodriguez
Students Behaving BADLY
By Varsha Ranjit
( @!~%$&$^%
Art Yasmine Mahmoud
A cell phone sits on her lap. He boasts about his weekend as the teacher is lecturing. They whisper to each other during a test. As the teacher places a detention on the student’s desk, do they: a) storm out, b) throw it away, or c) argue against it? Unfortunately, more often than not, the answer is “all of the above”. One student’s negative actions can have a dramatic affect on the classroom atmosphere and take away from everyone’s learning. No one is a perfect student, but why is it that students still engage in behavior that is the opposite of “model behavior”? Not only do they lose their dignity as a student, but their peers suffer, and the teacher must focus more on addressing behavior problems instead of teaching. El Camino teachers and staff constantly have to struggle with poor student conduct that seems to have a domino effect. If students do not realize how their behavior has an impact now, it could worsen to the point where bad behavior is the norm, not the exception. Teachers are generally willing to work with students to
“Do students think of the consequences? Do they consider how their teachers or peers feel?” help them change their behavior. However, other students are most impacted by student misconduct, and should be interested in working towards positive change as well. If students would help monitor other students’ behavior, many problems wouldn’t exist. Peers have great power over each other and are frequently listened to more than teachers. Teachers could focus on teaching and students could manage each other. Negative student behavior
24 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
ranges from annoying to downright disrespectful. From cheating to bad-mouthing a teacher, from texting and tweeting to sleeping during class—they all represent how small factors ultimately cut into class time and disrupt a positive learning environment. Do students think of the consequences? Do they consider how their teachers or peers feel? The topic of poor student behavior revolves around the
constant “if ”: if this problem continues to grow worse, what can teachers do? If there is student intervention about the impact of behaviors, would change really occur? What if ? If only we knew the answers to these questions. Then again, we wouldn’t learn the answers if we asked the person sleeping on the desk next to us.
Behind the ban Since the October district safety meeting, teachers and administrators have been making strides to make El Camino a safer, more secure environment. Many teachers are now enforcing rules and making changes they feel must be made. Other rules are still up for consideration. Perhaps the most interesting to students is a new rule under consideration forbidding phones and personal listening devices from being seen or used when school is in session. If seen or heard, the device in question would be immediately confiscated, regardless of whether or not it was in use or even turned on. Many may consider this harsh or unfair, taking away a valuable resource that most students rely on to survive in their daily lives. But really, does anyone really need their cell phone every waking moment? If you need your device just to check the time, there is a perfectly good clock at the front of the classroom. If you need a calculator, consider the ten dollar brand from Target, a great deal cheaper than a $100+ cell phone. Administrators are not trying to take away rights from the students; they are trying to cut back on the numerous distracting and
dangerous activities brought on by students using phones in school and to ensure the safety and undivided attention of the student body. Many students can attest to having been distracted by their phone during school, and many more can remember when an entire class being disrupted when someone’s phone went off. With students so preoccupied with their phones, they are unable to fully participate in class. However, the problem goes further. Occasionally students will use their phones to set up rendezvous inside or outside of school, use text messaging to coordinate when they should skip out of class and where they will meet up. If the school has no knowledge of where you are, how are they supposed to protect you? Numerous students have been caught setting up drug deals on their phones—in fact this is one of the chief ways the security and administration are able to crack down on this criminal activity. Listening devices can also be potentially detrimental to a student’s safety. When plugged in, it is pretty hard to stay involved and alert with what is going on around you. If there was a breach of school safety, a
Art Yasmine Mahmoud
Editorial
student who was plugged into their headphones could potentially become a victim of violence simply because they weren’t paying attention to their surroundings. In addition, the administration also hopes to cut down on the general negativity bred from certain kinds of music. By taking away music during school hours, any negativity or depression a student could be feeling would not be fed further by dark or violent music and media. Schools have been trying to figure out what to do with electronic devices on campus for years. Students claim they love and need their phones and iPods and they can’t survive outside the insanely over-stimulated environment they have created for themselves. Our question is, why? With absolutely zero educational value, they are nothing but a distraction and a nuisance during school hours. Through these new rules, the classroom would be given back to the teacher unencumbered by the constant distractions of electronics and as a result, students would have a safer and saner learning environment.
Do you have an opinion on a national, local, or school issue that you want to share with the readers of The Colt Quarterly? Email us at coltquarterly@gmail.com. *Letters that violate our editorial policy concerning the printing of libel, constitute an invasion of privacy, or contain an excess of grammatical errors may not be printed.
December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
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Good Student By Katrina Nolasco
E
By Steven Hansen wake up at 7:51 as usual, after staying up all night cramming in my homework— most of it, at least—at the last minute. Scrambling to get to class on time, I put on some clothes, grab my backpack and I’m out the door, without breakfast, and just barely reach first period in time. Today I do get into first period before the last bell, but I’m definitely not prepared. We have a test today, and I didn’t do my homework, let alone study. The teacher offers us a fiveminute grace period for some cramming, so I quickly search through my backpack, looking for my class notes. Unfortunately, I don’t keep my binders up, so I spend the entire five minutes looking for the actual notes. With that disaster finally over, I track down some friends during passing period. We decide to run up to the vending machines, stopping and chatting with acquaintances along the way. Late to second again. Might as well have not shown up, given that I forgot my binder with the day’s assignment. By the time third period rolls around, I’m glad to have
I
very morning, my alarm wakes me up at 6 a.m. It’s easy for me to get out of bed because I always get at least nine hours of sleep. I’m quickly showered and dressed in the clothes I laid out for myself the night before. I eat breakfast at seven so I can stay energized for the rest of my day. After breakfast, I brush my teeth, grab my things and I’m readout the door by i n g 7:30. period I’m alavailable as ways at a break where I least can either take a 3 0 much needed nap or, more often, rush to get homework done that I didn’t get to finish last night (Or really, really early morning, I suppose). After nodding off through half of fourth, lunch finally rolls around where I can just hang out with some friends, mess around, and chow down on some food. I’m already checked out for the day after lunch hits—fifth and sixth seem to drag on forever, but they eventually end. Finally, school’s over and I can make like a baby and bounce. On the way home, I catch some Jack in the Box before a text message arrives and my friend wants me to head over to his house. At about ten o’clock, I decide to cut out and head home. When I get there, I raid the fridge for
minutes early for school. I decide to go to the library to go over some homework. I make sure to always check my answers and read over my papers at least twice. The first bell rings and I’m off to my first period. I take out my homework assignment and I quickly check over it one more time before handing it in. As the teacher is collecting all the homework assignments, I get started on the warm-ups for the day. When we’re finished, it’s time for the teacher to start the lesson. All my notes are always organized. I’m sure to always pay close attention to everything the teacher tells us and take short hand notes so to get the most out of the lesson. Once class ends and the bell rings, I gather my things and head to my next class. During passsome ing period, I more try to head food and straight head up to to class my room to a n d watch some TV. By about eleven, I figure it’s time to start my homework. I get about half done by about 1:30 a.m. At that time, I figure it’s getting a bit late, so I pack up the books and head to bed. By 2 a.m., I’m asleep. I’ll finish the rest of the homework tomorrow in class before its due, or the next afternoon. Maybe.
Bad Student
26 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
keep myself from getting distracted by the people around me. With a few minutes to spare, I’m in my seat and ready to go. We have a test, so I take out my notes and read over them to make sure I have the material straight. The teacher gives us a few minutes to study before passing out the test. Instead of using this time to talk with friends, I decide to ask a few people to quiz me. Once I have the test in front of me, I take a breath and start. Paying attention to the directions, I take each question in, one at a time. When lunch time comes, I sit down and eat lunch with my friends. I need not worry about homework because I already did it all the night before. During lunch, I hang out with friends, but for the last 10 minutes, I to go to the library and study. There’s no harm in making sure you’ve got everything down! Once I get home, I get started on my homework immediately. Each assignment takes about 45 minutes. I’m finished with all my homework before dinnertime. I get ready for bed around 9:30 p.m. and I’m in bed at 10.
Opinion Column
Idol-ly Worshiping
Idol worship. Perhaps none are guiltier of this irrational act than teenagers. From their Twilight-based apparel to their Harry Potter-influenced screen names, the imprint the media has had on developing minds is as impressive as it is disturbing. The idea of a role model is a good one. Given the impressionability inherent to teenagers, having a positive influence to emulate is a fantastic prospect. The problem lies in who teenagers choose as their role models. Then there is the extent to which these people are idolized, which reaches such points that people are willing to forgive or blatantly ignore misdeeds. Take the phenomenon surrounding Michael Jackson for instance. With his recent death, fans have been coming out in droves to celebrate his life, whether through buying his albums or wearing his memorabilia. While that’s all well and good, what of the child molestation charges brought against Jackson? Of course, there are those who will immediately turn to the “Acquittal!” rebuttal, all the while ignoring the vast sums of money he gave in order to quiet the situation. But, for their sake, let’s just recognize that, whether or not those claims were true, it is true that Jackson ended his life a creepy recluse with a penchant for plastic surgery and dangling his baby off of a balcony. His negligent, downright disturbing behavior will forever be an asterisk on his accomplishments as a musician. How does death suddenly erase any wrongdoings? It’s a strange residual effect of the death of many stars; a sudden increase in popularity and an air of infallibility, akin to that of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. Simplistic guitar riffs, drugs, and suicide do not make a role model. Or how about the Tupac-Biggie Smalls quarrel: two young artists with loads of potential and ideas, they both got caught up in the nonsense of
Tr-HANSEN-dental Musings with Steven Hansen
So we’ve covered the poor role models in the limelight and the underrated local influences, but there remains another category worth delving into. Fictional characters are not people, people. They don’t exist. Edward Cullen is not going to whisk you away and make you his immortal love-muffin so you can whisper god-awful dialogue like “You dazzle me” into his ear. First off, it’s quite an anomaly as to how anyone could regard Twilight as either a great piece of literature or film, but even more disturbing is the obsession with the characters in that poorly written book and poorly acted movie. Obsession is unhealthy enough, but when it’s centered on characters that are invented, it has reached its peak of creepiness. Another unhealthy aspect to the common idol worship is a need to be accepting of every part of a personality. There are definitely some who have certain aspects of their personality worth admiring, but many more worth ignoring. You can idolize Ernest Hemingway for his literary genius, yet remained turned off by his blatant racism and sexism. What people need to realize is most of those they idolize aren’t worthy. For every Kurt Warner and Derek Jeter—generally good role models—you have a “Pacman” Jones making it rain and shooting up strip clubs or Tim Lincecum getting fined for marijuana possession. Those in the limelight typically aren’t worth looking up to; there’s a good reason why plenty of amazing actors, musicians, and so on don’t make the tabloids—it’s because they’re the normal ones, the ones that aren’t dysfunctional, battling drug addiction, on their fourth marriage, or going to jail. Teens need to step back and take a good look at who they’re so ardently supporting and attempting to emulate, while also recognizing the unappreciated heroes all around them.
“Idol worship always seems to be centered on some pop diva, talentless heartthrob, or person of downright ill-repute.” living the “thug life”, and both ended up pumped full of lead, dead in their prime. So why do celebrities have teens frothing over and striving to emulate them? It’s due in great part to the media that establishes those personas as a chic, social norm. Idol worship always seems to be centered on some pop diva, talentless heartthrob, or person of downright ill-repute. There seems to be an enigmatic stigma regarding looking up to a typical, everyday hero. Why strive to emulate, say, Michael Vick, who brutally tortured and murdered dogs, over the ASPCA members that rescue them from poor living conditions and find them loving homes? Or how about the people directly in your own life you should be looking up to? Perhaps parents who came to this country as immigrants and have worked as hard as they can to give you a better life than the one they were given?
December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
27
Re vi ew s
What’s Hot
&
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
and Wha
Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Canterbu by Geo Chau
Be st SCHOOL Best School bo B NOT!
Leisure: 4 out of 5 Academic: 4 out of 5
L
ord of the Flies, unlike many required reading books, can be used as an introduction to understanding both literature and the world around us. Set in a time of war, it presents an account of a group of British school boys stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes into the sea, their battles with human nature and the hierarchal structure, and their struggles dealing with each other. An encounter with “the beast”, a creature of unknown identity that haunts their stay on the island, adds still more tension to the situation, and helps to ultimately bring cha-
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
Lord of the Flies
William Golding
os and destruction upon the boys. Lord of the Flies facilitates deeper thinking, and requires the reader to look beyond the surface of words. Even “the beast” holds many different levels of meaning, symbolizing death, the devil, the boys’ insecurities and fears, and what Golding sees as mankind’s primal instinct to do great evil. Although at times the book can be very dark, it still gets a 5 out of 5 ranking in leisure. Lord of the Flies is perfect for students learning to analyze symbolism and thinking on a higher level, giving it a 4 out of 5 ranking in academics.
The Great Gatsby
T
he Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick Carraway who comes to know his party-throwing neighbor Jay Gatsby, and becomes involved with Jay’s torturous relationship and his obsession with a married woman named Daisy Buchanan. Throughout the book, Nick witnesses Gatsby’s harrowing path towards self-destruction. In addition to being a classic, The Great Gatsby is also a stepping stone into understanding the use of imagery and description to reveal a higher meaning within the text. Fitzgerald uses imagery to describe his characters and the setting with the sense
28 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
Leisure: 3 out of 5 Academic: 10 out of 5
of disillusionment so popular with expatriate literature such as this. There are blatantly obvious symbols such as Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s faded glasses watching over the Valley of Ashes. However, meaning can even be found within the very name of a character, like Gatsby’s, which symbolizes death, obsession, and redemption. At times the vast amounts of imagery and symbolism can be overwhelming, making the leisure ranking only a 3 out of 5. However, the full breadth of meaning and instructive value in the book calls for an 10 out of 5 in academics.
at’s Not with El Camino school books?
ury Tales offrey ucer
The Human Comedy by William Saroyan
Books ooks By Yasmine Mahmoud
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
HOT! By Lauren Eberle
Have you ever looked at your class reading list and wondered, “Why am I reading this?” To help puzzled students understand not only the literary merit, but the educational value of the books you have or will be reading, the best book from each grade level has been summarized and analyzed to answer such questions.
S
hakespeare’s Hamlet tells a tale of death, sorrow, and revenge. Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, comes home from school abroad for his father’s funeral to find that his mother has remarried--to Hamlet’s uncle Claudius. When Hamlet learns that his father’s death was no accident but a case of murder committed by Claudius, he swears vengeance. And so begins the true story. The chaos that ensues following Hamlet’s oath is filled with madness, double-handed tactics, and indecision, all leading up to the amazing, astonishing, astounding final scene. Hamlet is perhaps best known for its fan-
tastic use of diction. The characters’ very word choices give insight into the feelings and intentions that they are trying to disguise from those around them and even themselves. Puns, paradoxes, antitheses, and other literary devices show the contradictory meanings of speeches and soliloquies throughout the play. Being Shakespeare, it is sometimes hard to follow, giving it a 4 out of 5 in leisure. But in educational value it earns an 5 out of 5. Hamlet offers solid examples of many different literary techniques, and serves as a fantastic resource for students learning how to use them.
Hamlet
Leisure: 4 out of 5 Academic: 5 out of 5
T
hough the entirety of the text is not read in every class, The Odyssey is still one of the most important books read in freshman year. The epic centers on the war hero Odysseus. Trapped by the nymph Calypso, he longs to return home but is unable to do so alone. What follows is a tale of trials and tribulations like no other, filled with angry gods, cyclopses, sirens, and test after test of willpower, strength, and wits. Despite the poem’s length and somewhat meandering plot, The Odyssey continues to stay on the required reading list because
Homer
The Odyssey
William Shakespeare
of its reoccurrence throughout literature through allusions and references. It has also been used as a basic template of the epic journey that is still used today. The template, or the Epic Hero’s Journey, consists of several parts, all relating to The Odyssey. The hero must have a flaw, have a quest, and be aided by supernatural aids. Some modern examples that follow this template are Wall-E, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and O Brother Where Art Thou. The overall enjoyment of this book rates at 3 out of 5, but in educational benefit it definitely ranks at an 5 out of 5.
Leisure: 3 out of 5 Academic: 5 out of 5
December 2009 / Quarter 2 / The Colt Quarterly
29
I Dreamed a Dream review By Catherine Tadina
delicately polished and poignant. “Wild Horses” sounds nothing like the original Rolling Stones song, in a good way. She employs a style that elevates the song from a simple boring cover; her version is sleek and modern. Mid-way, the album seems to drag on and the songs start to sound the same. Sometimes I Dreamed a Dream feels like the producers are banking too much on Boyle’s “lonely old lady” persona. The somewhat dated songs may not be familiar to younger listeners. Nevertheless, her voice is instantly endearing, which is why this album gets a 4 out of 5.
P
New Moon review
Photo Summit Entertainment
T
ypical teenage love story with lovesick girl, plus “dreamy” vampire, divided by hunky werewolf all adds up to the highly anticipated movie, New Moon. Viewers pay ten dollars to view two long hours of teen drama that you could easily get for free at your local high school. As heartbroken Bella (Kristen Stewart) goes through months lonely and upset when her vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and his family abandon the town, she starts to recover with the help of her friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), and builds a relationship with him. This movie had way too
By Rebecca Gigi
many make out scenes for my liking--Bella and Edward were eating each other’s face. This movie made me sick to my stomach from being forced to hear so many cheesy love lines. What really irked me was how few characters were wearing shirts. Was there a real need to have the entire Wolf Pack shirtless even in the rain? When Bella was bleeding, Jacob’s shirt came flying right off with ease. I give this move 2.5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the action and points of intense drama that continued through out the whole movie, but the annoying randomly shirtless boys and constant “in-your-face” view of intense teen passion was a turn off for me.
30 The Colt Quarterly / Quarter 2 / December 2009
By Trecia Cruz
assive Aggressive Notes by Kerry Miller started off as a small website but has now grown into a book filled with those notorious angry notes. This book started off as a website called passiveagressivenotes.com, which collected notes directed to annoying people. Before she compiled the book, Kerry Miller wrote about her day-to-day life. She started posting these passive aggressive notes on her blog from other people. They were very sarcastic and rude, yet humorous. She then published these in a book for everyone else to read. Most of the notes are
a b o u t common day to day annoyances. One note reads, “If it’s too hard to close these doors, maybe you shouldn’t be opening them.” Another one read, “Dear stalker, please do not leave any more notes or flowers on my door. I am not interested.” Other notes, however, I didn’t get as much. Some were confusing and I think that maybe older people would understand them better than younger ones. Overall, Passive Aggressive Notes was a good laugh that many will enjoy. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Hamlet play review
T
By Yasmine Mahmoud
he best way to understand Hamlet, Prince of Denmark has been and always will be watching a production along with a close reading and analysis of the play. Unfortunately, watching Hamlet at the Noe Valley Library is not the best way to learn exactly what is going on in the play. Put on by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, the play was allotted an hour and a half on the library site, but it only ended up to be fortyfive minutes long. The actor playing Hamlet shouted all his lines and he began sweating within the first ten minutes. The plot was not well illustrated and child actors did not bother with costumes, which was distracting. The set could be more accurate;
the backdrop continues to portray nighttime throughout the play. Featuring mostly adult actors, the small cast had three men, two women and two children who did a charming job of reading highlighted lines off of a clipboard while not in costume. The whole experience was rather charming albeit exaggerated with the minimalist set, and extensive explanations of the most famous scenes. Overall, the production focused on the most famous scenes of the play and were illustrated fairly well, although the plot contained holes which made it difficult for one who has not read the play challenging; it was an interesting experience. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Photo Harper Collins
Photo Columbia Records
S
usan Boyle’s picture on the cover of her debut album I Dreamed a Dream is a far cry from her first public appearance on Britain’s Got Talent. I Dreamed a Dream has become Amazon.com’s most pre-ordered CD in history and is expected to be the biggest debut album of the year Boyle broke down people’s stereotypes of what it truly means to be beautiful on the inside, taking the world by storm through her powerful voice—first with the audience then as a viral video on YouTube. Boyle’s renditions are
Passive-Aggressive Notes review
I
nsomniac Games, with its nearly flawless track record, never ceases to impress. With their latest entry in the Ratchet and Clank series, the team managed to once more up the ante and make the tried and true formula feel fresh while retaining the elements that have drawn people to the series since its beginning. A Crack in Time introduces a new character Alister Azimuth who, much to Ratchet’s surprise, is a fellow lombax—the first one he has ever encountered. Azimuth has been in exile, spending his time seeking The Great Clock, an entity with the capacity to turn back time, in an effort to undo the disaster that befell the lombax race. Coincidentally, Ratchet’s longtime partner Clank who mysteriously vanished following the last game’s cliffhanger ending winds up in The Great Clock, as well as in the hands of an old foe, Dr. Nefarious. A Crack in Time is definitely the most narrative-heavy Ratchet and Clank title, and to great effect, as the game maintains
the sec o m ries’ pletely clever fresh. humor Equally and witimpressive By Steven Hansen ty one-liners, is the outbut adds a sense of depth and standing level design, which investment to the characters, Insomniac built off of the conwhile also providing cohesion cept of warping time. Catching and, in some instances, closure some of Ratchet’s old pirate to the long-running series as a nemeses crashing to earth in the whole. form of time-frozen scenery Adding to the immersion was a great nod to past titles, are solid voice acting and beau- and aspects such as that contiful visuals. The cut scenes in stantly display the inventiveness particular rival—even outdo, in of the development team. some regard—Pixar films. The Mainstay gadgets such as the in-game visuals, although less Swingshot and gravity boots reimpressive, are also stunning, turn as well, but most notable bringing across beautiful, color- is the new addition: the Hovladen worlds rife with countless erboots, which Ratchet uses explosions. It’s a visual treat. to traverse environments more The huge arsenal, as always, quickly and add another eleis incredibly creative. Each spin ment of frenetic speed to the on typical gun classes (shotgun, gameplay. They also serve as a rifle, etc.) is as unique as ever— bit of a replacement for Clank, such as a living organism’s mat- who spends most of this game, ing call acting as the game’s for the first time, separate from shotgun—and mesh nicely with Ratchet. the other, less typical weapons. Clank has his own segments While the gunplay itself which are some of the freshremains similar to past install- est and strongest the series has ments, new enemies and the ever seen. His segments revolve new arsenal keep it around time, using
time pads to send multiple prerecorded versions of himself to accomplish tasks in conjunction with each other. It’s a little bit complicated to imagine, but incredibly clever, and executed nicely. Also expanded in A Crack in Time is ship navigation, with various galactic sectors to explore. Along with adding a nice element of exploration, it does open the world up a bit more. Unfortunately, the aerial battles leave a bit to be desired in terms of both difficulty and interest, but it isn’t much of a complaint. Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time is an impressively polished and clever game that is likely to fly under the radar amidst a packed fall season in gaming. The fact that after so many iterations, Insomniac was able to piece everything together so nicely and that people are still interested in the series serves as a testament to consistency and excellent execution put forth. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the Ratchet and Clank games.
31 Photos IGN.com
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