April 30, 2008

Every 15 Minutes shocks student body Seniors VOLUME 51, ISSUE 10

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008

CASTRO VALLEY, CA, 94546

lack STAR power

By Sophiana Carrell News Editor

On April 17, 2008, I died.

It’s a surreal experience, dying. I am now one of the twenty CVHS students who were lucky enough to be resurrected and now will spread the tale of my death to my peers.

Every 15 minutes, someone is killed or affected by a crash caused by drinking and driving.

This statistic has altered, sometimes even defined, the lives of millions of American families.

The Every 15 Minutes program was designed to bring this statistic to life and impact high school students across the country.

I didn’t know what to expect when I found out I was going to become a participant of the program. Beginning about two or three weeks before the event itself, the group was pulled from class every so often and taken to the mat room for activities.

The group was composed of a diverse bunch of students, selected from every “social group” on campus. Looking around, I had a feeling it was going to be an awkward experience, considering I recognized only a handful of the faces that surrounded me.

During these gatherings, we were led in those bizarre, stereotypical “bonding” activities, such as ‘gum sculptures’ and pre-made partner interviews. I wondered how the event coordinators would be able to affect every one of these radically different teenagers.

On the day of the event, a bell sounded, I was told to leave the classroom and, as I got up to do so, I saw the mournful-looking girl place a red rose on my desk, followed by two policemen. I briefly heard one of them begin

By Eva Poon Staff Writer

Stephanie Lombardo / Photo Editor

Keri Callahan and Jackson Phillips scream as they are handled by multiple paramedics in the Every 15 Minutes mock crash assembly. to read my obituary to the class, “Sophiana Helene Carrell died on April 17, 2008, when she was hit by a driver under the influence... She will be greatly missed.

There will be a service held tomorrow to honor and celebrate her life.”

Outside the classroom, listening through the door, it was beyond creepy hearing my own death announcement. As I turned around to walk towards the Center for the Arts building, I passed a student in the hallway. “Oh my God, you just died, didn’t you?

Wasn’t that really weird for you to hear?”

As I walked away from the classroom, I wondered how

much of an impact Every 15 Minutes would make on our student body; would they “get it,” understand its significance like this student did? But high school students drink. They always have and always will.

A fake car crash and a phony funeral couldn’t change that.

Yet as I stood towards the side with the other ‘Living Dead’ during the mock car crash, I looked around at the faces of the students, their eyes transfixed on the bloody bodies of their fellow students. The silence was eerie and unlike the usual rowdy atmosphere during other school assemblies.

After the crash, the “Living

Dead” were then put on a school bus and taken to an unknown destination. After about 30 minutes of driving, we arrived at the Westminster mansion in Alamo for an overnight retreat. Surrounded by acres of green land and a private pool, I expected we would be spending hours outside doing group games, enjoying the sunshine. Little did I know, I was about to embark on the most trying emotional experience of my life.

That evening after dinner, we all sat in the common room of the house and listened to speaker after speaker discuss how drinking and driving had permanently

CARRELL: Page 5

ASB candidates battle for power

By Irene Liang Staff Writer

Hillary vs. Obama. Obama vs. McCain. McCain vs. Hillary.

Unlike this year’s presidential election, which is full of twists and complications, this year’s Associated Student Body Forum was exciting and humorous.

On April 14, candidates spoke to the CVHS student body during the ASB Forum at the Center for the Arts, two days before the primaries.

This year, some candidates are running unopposed, but the competition tightens in the ASB presidential race between juniors Julia Joung and Andrew Cathey.

Joung, the current junior class president, has a platform that includes unification and an increase in student participation in activities such as Homecoming and dances.

“What I can bring to the position is that I will do whatever it

takes to create good memories for the students and will follow the guidelines as well while doing so,” said Joung.

“I believe in green and gold,” declared Cathey, who wants more involvement in CVHS athletics and its endeavors.

The race for ASB vice president is between juniors Branden Meadows and Leonard Bobbitt.

Meadows, who later sang “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles with lyrics that inspire students to achieve their goals, wrote and performed a rap, promising unity with the school and an increase in student participation. “I have your back and the others are just whack,” said Meadows.

The audience had a few good laughs when Bobbitt presented his speech. With his “good looks and great hair,” Bobbitt promises to use his experience in leadership to come up with ideas in terms of themes for dances and Homecoming.

“If I could have anyone’s hair,

Howard Whang / Staff Writer

Julia Joung and Andrew Cathey present their speeches to the student body in hopes of winning their votes.

I would want President John F. Kennedy’s because he was the sexiest president,” said Bobbitt.

Current junior class vice president junior Michael Lonsdale, fourth year leadership student junior Mckenzie Finn, and sophomore Joseph Ro are

running unopposed for their positions of ASB school board representative, ASB secretary, and ASB treasurer, respectively.

Primaries took place during fifth and sixth periods on April 16. Elections will take place on May 1 and May 2.

Students faced new changes, including the new requirement for seniors to show up at school during testing, along with higher expectations during this year’s STAR test week, April 21- 25.

Associate Principal Sue Goldman informed classes that California requires at least 95% of students take the test. The schedule was changed so every student had to be at school during testing time, a dramatic change for this year’s seniors who had to show up to keep their senior ball and graduation privileges.

“The change is not good. We’ll have nothing to do and nothing to talk about. For us seniors, it’s a waste of time and not necessary,” said senior Gurpreet Jammu.

“We’re not going to do anything at school.”

Seniors reported to the Center for the Arts and the gym for assemblies while the rest of the school tested. The assemblies focused on graduation procedures since the state required those minutes to be used for instruction.

“I like the schedule but not the fact that we have to take tests,” said junior Laurie Lam. “It sucks for the seniors, though, since they’re not even testing.”

Goldman stressed the need for students to take STAR testing more seriously. She said that last year’s scores were not an accurate reflection of CVHS’s full potential and knows students can do better when they try, especially since many students did well on the exit exam.

Teacher Richard Schneck provided statistics on 2007’s STAR testing results. Fortynine percent of CVHS students tested in history received STAR scores of proficient or advanced (considered passing). Fifty-one percent of students passed in science and 60 percent in English.

Around 36 percent of students passed in math.

Though teachers and the administration spent weeks before STAR stressing over the school’s performance, most students do not consider it important since it does not affect their grade.

“When a college sees two kids with the same GPA and SAT scores, some colleges look at STAR scores to determine how competitive those schools were.

They’ll probably choose the student from a higher scoring high school over our student,” cautioned Schneck.

Every 15 Minutes warns teens about drunk driving

It started out with a crash.

Then the scene was unveiled and it was chaos. Two wrecked cars were right in front of us.

A kid our age was lying on the hood of one of the cars and blood was everywhere. Fortunately this was not a real crash but a stark reminder of the danger of driving drunk to the driver and everybody else on the road.

According to a poll from 1995, every 15 minutes somebody dies due to somebody driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This program presented to the upper classmen of CVHS was effective in getting its message across: DO NOT drink and drive.

Throughout Thursday, students were reminded of the real-

ity of death on the road by a bell and a student getting pulled out of class every 15 minutes. Then the damage of the crash was revealed to us. The students got to see the emergency workers try to save our fellow students from the bad decision of one driver.

Unfortunately, this is all too common in real life and not everybody was saved. The students

ASB election forum was a joke

By Joseph Wan Sports Editor

I wonder why I ever thought that election speeches were about anything other than humor. Was I not right in thinking that humor isn’t everything?

All right, maybe humor is everything, but when it comes to something as important as elections, I would much rather have seriousness than light-hearted informality.

The ASB Forum on April 14 was rather like all the other ones in the past. Candidates came up, gave their speeches, and tried their best to make a good impression on their classmates in their audience who were in various stages of excitement, from bored to squealing. I’ll give them this: it was certainly entertaining.

Best by far, in my opinion, was junior Leonard Bobbitt, ASB vice presidential candidate, who is running against junior Branden Meadows. It was amazing how

completely unabashed he was in bringing attention to his “good looks” and his obsession with his hair. Humor at its finest indeed.

I almost forgot that we were there to listen to speeches. Almost. Except for the fact all the candidates were at least dressed up nicely and did, in fact, talk about their goals for the next year, it could have been standup comedy.

Many good things were said, but the message that came off strongest was the need for school participation. Junior Julia Joung, running for ASB President, went so far as to lead the audience in a cheer full of school spirit. Now that I think of it, I got this same message from last year’s forum.

However, it remains to be seen whether these promises can be fulfilled.

I do believe that whoever wins the election will prove to be a powerful and effective leader.

Still, it worries me that this ASB

forum isn’t very serious. If it had been any less serious it would have been a joke.

Jokes are fine and it is great that everyone is loose and relaxed, but everything doesn’t need to be funny.

Now, I am in no way implying that I would rather listen to dry, boring speeches over witty jokes regarding hair and past presidents, but some level of seriousness should remain to remind students that the elections are a serious matter and that their vote will affect the next school year.

Anyways, hair jokes aside, the best speech that I heard that day belonged to Joung. Her speech was the best because it was passionate, strong, interacted with the audience, and most impacting to me, prepared a poem that listed specific examples of classes and clubs that she felt were a major and important part of the school.

were shocked to see their classmates on the brink of death or even being sent to the morgue.

The most touching part that brought students to tears was the mock funeral, where we saw the morgue and hospital workers struggling to keep our classmates alive and even the sentencing of the drunk driver. But by far the

most emotional part was the letters written by the students to their parents. It was supposed to be the last words to their parents before they die.

This event will hopefully convince students to think twice about drinking and driving especially with prom coming so soon.

"Statutory" isn't rape

By Erin Mundy Staff Writer

People always say age doesn’t matter, but when it comes to the laws regarding statutory rape, age definitely plays a factor.

California law states that any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 18 (regardless of the minor’s consent) is guilty of a crime.

I’m not sure what justifies 18 as the age of consent. Eighteen is the age at which the state determines a person competent to give consent to sexual conduct.

I’d like to know what makes an 18-year-old capable of knowing how far is too far, any more than a 16-year-old is capable.

What’s even worse is that the law no longer seems to apply to sexual relations, but its impact on society has made dating mi-

nors seem highly unacceptable as well. This can be especially straining on girls who quite often seem to be attracted to the older boys. I sometimes wonder why society accepts the 19-year-old who dates the 56-year-old sugar daddy, while a 20-year-old hanging around a 16-year-old is committing a heinous crime and is dubbed a “cradle robber,” and the girl becomes known as “jail bait.”

I find it hard to agree that it’s wrong to be with a person who’s over 18 when you’re not, especially when I see married couples who are as much as 12 years apart. I can’t find a reason to believe it’s unacceptable to date underage, other than the fact that there is a law against sexual conduct between the two.

Age, in my eyes, is truly nothing but a number, and definitely doesn’t define you as a person.

High school: a long, grueling experience

By Candace Wong Business Manager

We wake up at - perhaps even before - the crack of dawn, brush our teeth, get dressed, get to school before everyone else steals all the parking, the bell rings, and class starts.

The routine of an average CVHS student is as gruesome as it sounds. After being here for the fourth year, it’s difficult to say that I want to stay here for a second longer. High school has definitely gone from moderate to bad. And as I look back on my high school career, I see the many things that I could have changed.

After taking seven classes every year, I definitely suggest not to do that. It is a waste of your time and energy for a portion of courses that are not even considered “college prep,” or courses that don’t count towards your

GPA for colleges. You double the amount of work you really do not need, whereas those that take fewer courses still manage to graduate perfectly fine. And along with the screwed up schedule, life simply gets harder.

As some seniors I know rave

“The routine

of an average CVHS student is as gruesome as it sounds.

”

about this being the best of their four years, I must disagree. It just really depends on what you

make of it. If you, like me, choose to pile up work on yourself, then senior year will become like any other year you have had in high school. Plus, it is really not necessary to give more work for yourself. If you want to impress colleges, then you would have already done so in your sophomore and junior years. So it is ineffective to waste time doing that in your senior year.

For incoming seniors, I suggest that motivation is key to success but not necessarily key to a good senior year. It will simply cause more misery and time spent at school for no apparent reason at all.

High school has definitely been an experience. There were good and bad times, but as of now high school is such a drag with long and tiring days. If you decide to pile up on classes, make sure you do so on classes you will enjoy.

The Olympian is a publication of the Journalism Class, Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. ©2008 Editor-in-Chief...............................................................Malena Bell City Editor................................................................Michelle Matsui News Editor.............................................................Sophiana Carrell Opinion Editor..............................................................Kevin Hanley Feature Editor...............................................................Hayden Folks Sports Editor....................................................................Joseph Wan Copy Editors...............................................................Kyle Friedrich Laura Mitchell Becky Chao Photo Editor......................................................Stephanie Lombardo Systems Manager.........................................................Andrew Quan Business Managers.....................................................Candace Wong Esther Lee Staff Writers: Frank Chao, Ryan Flores, Andrew Huber, Irene Liang, Brandon Lui, Erin Mundy, Lindsay Oda, Taylor Pepsin, Eva Poon, Howard Whang, Tim Wong Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

China stifles human rights and freedom in Darfur and Tibet

By Malena Bell Editor-in-Chief

As the Beijing 2008 Olympics approach, people around the globe are objecting to the location of the games due to human rights violations occurring in Tibet and Darfur.

The genocide in Darfur is an issue that many students don’t relate to China. Though China is not directly responsible for the genocide, it has influence in the region. China purchases 70 percent of Sudan’s global exports and plays a major part in its oil industry. China imports seven percent of its oil from Sudan, and Chinese companies hold dominant positions in Sudan’s oil industry.

Not only do Sudan and China have close economic ties, but China is also Sudan’s primary weapons supplier.

Because of this close relationship, China is in a unique

position to stop the genocide.

However, China’s actions have largely supported noninterference. Though China voted to authorize a UN deployment to Darfur, it has also used its veto power to prevent UN efforts to deploy a larger peacekeeping force.

The Chinese government has denied that it should be doing more to stop the genocide. It asserts that it is already taking strides to help the situation in Darfur and will continue to do so.

China could easily do much more to stop the genocide, and the world needs to help pressure them into doing so.

Students can take action by petitioning the International Olympic Committee, turning off the commercials of Olympic sponsors, and writing to UN ambassadors.

As long as China continues to violate human rights, I feel no re-

spect for the country as the host of the Olympic Games. China wants the respect of the global community, but in my opinion, it has to work for it by proving its dedication to human rights.

The people of Tibet and Darfur should not be ignored as China basks in the glory of the Olympics. Not to mention, even the people of China do not have the same rights to freedom of press and speech that we as Americans enjoy.

China demonstrated its stubbornness in relation to these issues by taking the Olympic torch away from an athlete who pulled out a Tibetan flag while carrying it. This is not the action a truly free country would take.

I am disappointed and saddened by China’s actions, and until the Chinese government changes its policies, I believe that humanitarians should do everything they can to expose China’s hypocrisy.

LETTERS

To the Editor Free Tibet

Dear Editor,

Have you ever lived under a communist government? Have any of your family members been shot for protesting peacefully? Mine have!

I decided that I would participate in the protest against human rights abuses that are happening every day in Tibet.

On April 9, there was a protest against China’s abuse of human rights. It seemed to be the right time with the Olympic torch running through San Francisco to bring the attention of the world to the plight of people suffering in Tibet.

When we got there, it was very touching to see all the people who joined our protest.

Everyone was wishing for good changes in Tibet and Darfur. I think the protest was a big success, though the route of the Olympic torch was changed at the last minute.

Majora Carter was one of the torch carriers, who, while running with the torch, took out a flag of Tibet. The Chinese security took the torch and the flag of Tibet out of Majora’s hand and the Chinese security guards pushed her onto the sidewalk.

Majora is one of my heroes for her courage and standing up for

the Tibetan cause.

Tibetans have been fighting for the independence of Tibet since 1950. We hope the world will help Tibetans gain their freedom from China and to live and prosper in peace.

Ashi Bista, sophomore

Ron Paul and chicken

Dear Editor,

How dare you say that Ron Paul is the greatest American hero? Since when have we decided that people who are epic failures are heroes now?

Seriously though, isn’t Ron Paul that one guy who keeps trying and trying to run in every single presidential election, but always loses? I suppose that his persistence may be admired, but he still fails miserably in my opinion.

And the statement that the chicken came 5,372 years before the egg is terribly wrong.

That would mean that the only other logical way that a chicken produces offspring would be as a mammal does, and totally not through eggs. This means that the “chicken,” as one would like to say, would not be a chicken if it came 5,372 years before the egg did. It would be some mammal

chicken bird thing. So therefore the chicken did not come before the egg, because it would not have been called a chicken.

Next time, please make better controversial statements such as, there may have not been a God sometimes, or that .999 repeating indefinitely equals 1.

PHOTOpinions COMPILED BY Laura Mitchell

How did Every 15 Minutes affect you?

Artem Senchev, sophomore Hi there all you crazy kids! Ostrich the Olympian octopus was very pleased with the two letters he received this issue. Thanks to the brave heroes, Ashi Bista and Artem Senchev, who took up arms and wrote letters, Ostrich will not be commiting a genocide of the entire human race.

However, don’t think that just because you wrote us a few letters this issue you can rest easy.

We still have two more issues and Ostrich expects even more letters to be sent to The Olympian between now and the end of the year, or he will come to your house and he will cut you.

“I don’t think it affected me because I don’t have a car and I don’t like to drink.”

– Jessica Brooks, senior

“It really let me know that drinking and driving affects other people around you, as well as yourself.”

– Andrew Brown, senior

“It was really sad. “It was really emoIt made me think of tional; it was a reality family friends who check for me.” have gone through – Christina de la the same situation.” Vega, junior – Paden Long, junior

Marshmallow fun at Improv

By Kevin Hanley Opinion Editor

Senior Travis Northup was trying to say something to his fellow Improv teammates, but was unable to because he had about five or six marshmallows crammed into his mouth, and he was not allowed to chew or swallow them. Every time he made the audience laugh, he had to shove another marshmallow into his face. The thing was, the audience was now laughing because he had so many marshmallows in his mouth, which meant he was continually shoving marshmallow after marshmallow down his throat. He had over ten marshmallows in his mouth when the referee finally blew his whistle and ended the game.

This was one of the many games played at the final varsity Improv show of the year on April 11. It was moments like the one I mentioned above, and several others, such as Dustin Katz trying to lead a blindfolded teammate across a stage covered in mousetraps, that made the show a hilarious fun-filled extravaganza. I laughed. I cried. I even got a little turned on. Just kidding, I didn’t cry.

In a heated competition, Team Win, lead by Northup, faced off against Team Ultra Win, lead by Katz. After two hours of cutthroat no-holds-barred hilarity, Team Win came back from behind to win a razor-thin one-point victory over Team Ultra Win. The show was two hours long, with a five-minute break after the first hour. I felt that the first half of the show was much better than the second, with both of the aforementioned memorable moments as well as several others occurring then. In the second hour the games got crazier and less funny. They started combining separate games that didn’t really work together, and the players seemed to be getting tired. However, there were still plenty of laughs to be had during the second half.After the show, the team captains, Northup and Katz, who are both seniors and will be graduating next year, stepped forward and gave short speeches about Improv club and what it meant to them. Katz said he hoped to continue Improv in college, and Northup called the Improv club his “baby.” Northup also announced next year’s president of the Improv club, junior Teresa Andrade.

Prom season inspires creative courting

By Tim Wong Staff Writer

It may be due to school being over in about a month or because of the recent warm weather that the upperclassmen at CVHS seem so giddy. But it wouldn’t be a shot in the dark to guess that the reason for their giddiness is the subject that is on all their minds: Junior Prom and Senior Ball.

“I think that they will be experiences that all students attending will thoroughly enjoy,” junior Tania Gutierrez said.

Since the two events are only a short time away, it is not rare to observe groups of seniors and juniors planning things such as their form of transportation, organizing their groups or even asking each other out. With all this activity abounding, it is inevitable that some super cute stories about how people were asked out would result.

One of the more well known stories was carried out by ju-

nior James Tran. With the help of a few of his friends, Tran pulled off an elaborate act during lunch one day. With music blaring in the background, the group dazzled Tran’s date, and the entire student body, with an intricate dance routine.

Once they were done impressing everyone with their dexterity, the group revealed the shirts they were wearing. Each member’s shirt had a single letter, spelling out “P-R-O-M-?” Wearing the “?,” Tran was thrown a bouquet of flowers from the crowd, which he offered as he asked his date to Junior Prom. Flattered, his date happily accepted.

“It was hard setting up everything and practicing the routine over the weekend, but it was worth all the trouble,” said Tran.

The CVHS campus is not the only setting for such stories. One example of an off-campus event is when junior Victor Xie set-up his plan to ask his date in his own home.

“I was worried because I didn’t know if her parents would let her go,” said Xie. Despite this, he still carried out his sophisticated plan. Xie made a massive sign which asked if his date would go to Junior Prom with him, and hung it in his living room. He invited his date over, keeping his plans secret. When he invited her in, Xie surprised his date with the giant sign. Needless to say, he was very cheerful when she said yes.

Though the sales for junior prom tickets ended on April 18, one will now be able to see the senior class carry out their own creative scenarios for asking each other to Senior Ball. Eagerly waiting for their respective events, both the juniors and seniors will continue to work out their arrangements until everything is perfect.

With a laugh, junior Kara Owyoung reflects the sentiments of most upperclassmen, “I think it’s going to be fun, and I’m really excited.”

Facing death ... every fifteen minutes

CARRELL: from page 1

All Photos

by Stephanie Lombardo Photo Editor

Junior Rashad Parker lies “dead” on the hood of a car.

Senior Krista Edwards hugs her mom after a very emotional speech.

Junior Melissa Reclus is “arrested” for “driving drunk and accidentally killing two people.”

Junior Heather Bauman is shocked by the absolute horror of the scene.

Junior Dominic Shortridge is saved by fire fighters during the assembly.

damaged their lives. Whether it was losing a friend or a family member, teenagers driving under the influence greatly affected each one of these people.

As each of the speaker’s stories unfolded, I once again looked around the room only to find that every single person was crying. There wasn’t a single dry eye in sight. I was amazed to see a group of teenagers react so drastically, when at this age it is difficult to express emotions openly, let alone sob out loud in front of 20 other people.

We were then instructed to write a letter to our families containing our “last words,” everything we would want to say to our loved ones before we died. This task was especially difficult to perform in our already fragile states. Everyone sat around the tables in the dining room, staring at their papers with tears in their eyes, trying to put their last words to the world on paper. Nail biting, pencil tapping- the atmosphere was so tense, I had to leave.

In the seclusion of my room, I was finally able to concentrate. After staring blankly for about a half an hour, trying to put into words how I would feel if I was never able to see my family again, I began writing a letter to my mother. On a tear-soaked paper, I wrote about how much I loved my family, how I took so many things for granted in my life.

The next day, we were awoken at 5:30 in the morning to be bussed back to the school for the mock funeral.

The group was really quiet on the way over. It might have just been because we were all running on only about four hours of sleep, but I think everyone was preparing themselves for the difficult day that awaited us.

As the three assemblies of students watched the footage from the mock car crash the previous day, they seemed to be extremely moved. I knew that in that moment, the presentation affected every person in the building.

Yet I could only hope it would make a lasting impact and stay with them for the rest of their lives.

One night, a few days after the event, I got a text from one of my friends. I jokingly asked him why he wasn’t, “out partying,” because it was a Saturday night. He then responded defensively with, “Of course not!

Didn’t you learn anything from Every 15 Minutes?”

This experience not only opened my eyes to the frightening consequences of drunk driving, but it made me appreciate my own life for everything it is worth. However cliché it may sound, I feel like I am a changed person now. I find myself with a new feeling of appreciation for the ones I love, and telling them so more often. I learned through all this just how precious life really is and how, in an instant, it can be taken from you by one, irresponsible decision. It’s strange to think, but I guess I needed to experience ‘dying’ in order to truly appreciate living.

dodgeball week brings the school together Team Feenix finishes first with a blaze of glory

By Michelle Matsui City Editor

Howard Whang / Staff Writer

Junior Jimmy Woodward leaps over a barrage of flying dodgeballs in the final match.

“Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge!” Those are the words that first inspired the weeklong dodgeball competition at CVHS. This year, 16 teams were allowed to sign up and compete in a competition so intensely epic that the administration felt it necessary to change the school’s lunch schedule so that every student in CVHS could participate in the merriment.

Team Feenix, this year ’s dodgeball champion, played in a series of exciting games throughout the week against some intimidating teams.

Although they were usually pretty secure in their wins, there were games when a single player seemed to have the potential to make this a “true underdog story.”

“I wanted to be a part of something special,” joked Elliott Rice, a Team Feenix member.

However, Team Feenix won in a decisive victory against The Modest Egos in a best-ofthree final showdown, winning the first two sets rather quickly.

In each set, The Modest Egos were left with only junior player Jimmy Woodard to save

them and bring them back into the game. However, Woodard was outnumbered by at least three to one on both occasions, making the final hit somewhat anticlimactic.

The championship victory was hard earned nonetheless as the team faced off against many impressive teams over the course of the week. One of these teams include Team Biggie Smalls, in which a single freshman was able to dodge a simultaneous attack from the entire Feenix team, only to be hit soon after to the crowd’s collective disappointment. America really does love an underdog story.

“I had a lot of fun,” said Rice, summing up the sentiments of all those who participated or watched the craziness ensue.

“It was all right, but the games were really short,” said senior Daniel Scheiman, relating the only problem with the week.

Dodgeball Week has become popular at CVHS with its reminiscent sense that calls students back to a simpler time known in elementary and middle school.

The sport allows students the opportunity to run around and have fun in a lighthearted manner that is not often experienced in the stuffy classrooms, SAT practice sessions, or competitive Varsity sports, which is why Dodgeball Week appeals to such a wide variety of students.

Dodgeball is both cathartic and entertaining, making it a prime choice for an activity to bring the school together at a time other than Homecoming.

Plus, who doesn’t enjoy seeing the kid in the sidelines getting smacked across the head by a renegade dodgeball?

Intramural Trojans win in a perfect game against Rebels flag football Girls win, 10-0, tournament improving overall team begins record to 13-3

By Frank Chao Staff Writer

Hike! On Wednesday April 16, the intramural flag football tournament began. The tournament, which takes place on the new football field, involves six teams and it goes on for many weeks.

All six teams play once a week, every Wednesday at lunch.

The teams involved in the tournament are the Spartans, Twins, Red Wings, Maners, Temptations, and Marines.

Physical education teacher John Edwards and football coach Jordan Seiden planned the tournament together.

“Mr. Seiden and I decided to give kids the opportunity to play on the new football field and let them show their skills without the requirements and conditions necessary to play on the school team,” said Edwards about forming the tournament.

“I like the idea of flag football at lunch because it’s an opportunity to play football for people who don’t want to play tackle,” said sophomore Harsimran Singh, when asked why he was participating in the tournament.

By Erin Mundy Staff Writer

Stephanie Lombardo / Photo Editor

Senior Molly Graham takes a swing at the pitch in the game against San Lorenzo on April 17.

Flag Football: Every Wednesday at Lunch

According to some of the JV team spectators, they weren’t anticipating anything other than a Castro Valley win in the softball game against the San Lorenzo Rebels on April 17. The Trojans did not disappoint them.

In the top of the first inning, fast-paced pitcher Jessica Lemmon struck out the first Rebel up to bat in the blink of an eye.

Throughout the game, both Lemmon and Lauren Ermitano continued to hand out strike

after strike with few balls in between. The same could not be said for the pitching of the Rebels, who were no match for the Trojan hitters.

A slight misunderstanding unfolded later when umpires could not decide whether Monica Ammerman hit the ball with the bat or her leg when attempting a bunt.

Colleen Roe slapped the ball to mid-field with bases loaded, knocking home three runs. Jessica Jones soon followed up with a double.

In the bottom of the sixth, senior Jamie Esmeyer hit a standup triple, knocking in two runs and bringing the game to an early end. With a score of 10-0, the Trojans got their anticipated win, bringing their overall team record to 13-3.

The most significant part of this latest win for the Trojans was the fact that it was a perfect one. Through the combined efforts of Lemmon and Ermitano, no Rebel player was able to get onto base.

All in all, the girls can clearly play a great game of ball, as evidenced by their ranking as first in the East Bay by The Daily Review.

ASB Candidates: President

Andrew Cathey “I am a good, hardworking person. I am very vocal and good at communicating my opinion. I will always have a smile on my face.”

Julia Joung “I know the procedures and resources needed to have fun events. My goal is to help the students have a better time on campus.”

Vice President

Leonard Bobbitt “I’m a pretty friendly person and I’m willing to speak my mind, especially when that means helping the student body.

Lastly, I served on the Justice League.”

Branden Meadows “My goals for next year are to make 2008-2009 the most fun and safe year CVHS has ever had. I will be available to help all students on campus.”

Class of 2009 candidates: President

Brandon Azevedo “I am very motivated because I want to have a great senior year. I will make sure that the people are heard and represented.”

Kristie Koo “I am a hard worker, I get along with others, and I am an open-minded person and am willing to listen to others.”

Secretary Katelin Labat “Next year, I would like to make school as fun as possible. I am a hard worker and I’m also very dedicated.”

Vice President

Alicia Ceniceros “I always try and have a pro-active attitude and give my work 100 percent effort. I want everyone to enjoy their senior year!”

Lauren Hebert “My goals for the school year are to have the best senior year ever, not just for myself, but for the other students too.”

Samantha Barakat “I’m a hard worker and I work great with other people. I’m ready to have a great year and help my class enjoy senior year.”

Class of 2010 candidates: President

Melissa Luong “I usually work my butt off to get things done.

Mostly my goals are to make Homecoming and Junior Prom really good for the class of 2010.”

Candace Foust “I show great leadership skills in my everyday life. I was enrolled in the leadership class in the prior year and I want to help CVHS be a better school.”

Vice President

Moises Fonseca “I help students when they need it. I can get along well with anyone.

I always look for the best solution to a problem.”

Samantha Wultanski “I’m passionate—what doesn’t make me a good candidate? I would love to get everyone more involved. The more, the merrier!”

Class of 2011 candidates: President

Nicolas Barradas “I currently hold office as the freshman president.

I know how this system works. My number one goal is to improve on last year’s homecoming.”

Eric Nikssarian “I am smart and I have had experience with being a leader. My goals are to keep students and staff happy with the school.”

Vice President

Elenita Nicholas “I know I would be able to lead, plan, and organize because I am experienced. I will try to be the best role model I can be.”

Secretary

McKenzie Finn “I have been in leadership for five years. I’m a hard worker and I’m dedicated to CVHS. I hope to improve activities and the atmosphere of CVHS.”

Treasurer

Joseph Ro “I feel that I know how to get things done. I have a broad perspective on how things work, which I think is essential in a position of leadership.”

Treasurer

Jaspreet Kaur “I am an experienced leadership student. I respect all my peers, and I just want people to remember this year as their best year.”

Cheryl Krake “I’m very outgoing, and I work well with others, and I want to help our school! I am very good at managing my time.”

Brian Love “I’m an excellent candidate due to my strong skills as a leader and my great money handling ability. I will be 100 percent devoted to doing my job to the fullest.”

Secretary

Justen Meadows “I know what needs to be accomplished for the junior class. I will try to represent the junior class and their ideas.”

Treasurer

Brian Hayes “I have good math skills, I am responsible, and I often take charge in groups.

I have also done this job before so I have a good amount of experience.”

Secretary

Lawrence Domingo “I am dedicated to what I do and I will bring the happiness of life. My goals are to gain credits for academics and to fly to the moon.”