Look how far we’ve come: Seniors ready for college Advice for Timeline of major events life outside of California underclassBy Eva Poon Students off men to India, News Editor
Freshman year 05-06 • Our class was the first to enjoy Japanese class at CVHS added to the foreign language department. • Measure B provided for the second gym, the Center for the Arts, and the new library. • Cross-country runners decided to get drunk and run a mile at Canyon at night. • Students arguing about Mexican and American flags on Cinco de Mayo brought unwelcome media attention to the school and lead to a period of racial tension on campus. Sophomore year 06-07 • It was the last year of tutorial, which was half an hour every week for students to catch up on work, before the administration took it away after discovering many students using it as time to hang out. • The entire campus went into a three hour-lockdown due to rumors that a student brought a gun to school. Students and teachers were stuck in their classrooms, forced to resort to creative methods of passing the time and relieving themselves. • A.P. Chemistry kids were caught trying to cheat on their final by saving answers on their calculators. • Exit exam mosh pit occurred as students got out of control in
a mad rush for muffins. • After months of false fire alarms, the administration finally caught the alarm-pulling culprit. • A few students walked out in ill-organized protest against tadding minutes to the school day.
Junior year 07-08 • Security cameras were first installed, evoking scorn and concerns of privacy over security. • Massive homecoming fights broke out between seniors and juniors. Vandalism involved sauerkraut on car fenders and egging. Seniors and sophomores banded together against freshman and juniors with the S.S. Express. • The ASB president and vicepresident are removed from office after participating in “ghostriding” and streaking during a football game, respectively. Senior year 08-09 • Our class lost senior Sarah Streicher and CVHS alumnus Clark Wright, who both died in a tragic car accident. • Prop. 8 divided Californians, who ultimately voted to ban gay marriage. • The district announced the first of a series of budget cuts due to the economic recession. • The death of senior Alex Romanov, who battled cancer for years, shocked the entire class who will remember him for his sense of humor, kindness, and unending faith.
Pennsylvania, and New Jersey By Sophiana Carrell Staff Writer
Deciding where you’ll be for the next four years of your life is not a simple or impetuous resolution to come to. This past year, this decision has consumed the thoughts of many seniors, causing much anxiety and sleepless nights. Finally, May 1 came around and, whether they were ready or not, students were forced to declare where they will spend their future. For some though, they will be further away from their homes in Castro Valley than others. Tanya Poovaiah will attend the Manipal Institute of Media and Entertainment in India earning a specialized animation degree. “I’ve always wanted to do animation,” says Poovaiah. “And this is my chance.” She added that the main difference between American colleges and her college in India is that they don’t have as much mascot paraphernalia. “The school is reputable and close to my family,” Poovaiah said. “Plus, I don’t want to waste two years doing general education.”
Another CVHS senior Madelyn Keyser, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania next year, said, “I’m leaving everything I know like the back of my hand behind, and moving on to a whole new experience.” Having lived in Castro Valley her entire life, she will now be surrounded by unfamiliar things. “It’s scary and exciting all at the same time, ” said Keyser. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people and [am] glad that I will still be able to come and visit Castro Valley.” Ariel Navarro will be at Rutgers University in New Jersey next year. She claims she first heard about the university from the movie, Garden State, and “If it’s good enough for ‘Tetembe’ then it’s good enough for me.” Ariel decided to go to Rutgers for the sole reason that it is an out-of-state school. “I find Californians idiotic, small-minded, and dull,” says Navarro. “Rutgers is the second most diverse campus in the U.S. and no one from CVHS is going there, so that makes me a little bit more happy on the inside.” Though they may be homesick at first, going to a school out of the comfort zone of California takes courage. “I’ll miss the American lifestyle, but it will be amazing to experience a new one,” says Poovaiah.
Seniors share their favorite CVHS memories
“The lockdown sucked! But besides that I’ve got to say I’ll remember all the ridiculous stuff my friends and I got away with at school...Everyone I’ve met has impacted me in amazing ways. I complain about CVHS so much, but I secretly LOVED high school!” ~ Sarah Giambruno
“Over the past four years, I have learned so much. Everything that has happened to me, and all of us, has prepared us for what we face in the future. We have all grown so much, and I will never forget how strong high school has made us all and how it braced us for the real world.” ~Matt Kerner
“I will always remember the people I met, grew up with and learned to love. I will never forget the laughs, adventures, experiences, and people that made a huge effect on my life.” ~Allie Levy
“What I’ll remember most about high school will be Eric Horton. Throughout my years I never had any problems with him, until I actually got a car. He gives all of us those stupid, little stickers that are super hard to get off, but I’m sure everyone will remember
him.” ~Dominic Shortridge
“High school really shapes everyone in their own bizarre, unique way. As depressing, ridiculous, and frustrating high school was, it was an important thing that everyone can relate to. It’s a momentous experience. I am ready to leave, like mostly everyone. It’s time to cross the line. Good luck.” ~Matt Casani “I made millions of memories running with my two best friends, Sam Owyang and Bethany Chan. We were the craziest freshmen running backwards around that
old dirt track with nothing to hold us back. Groody’s seventh period American Lit. class contained some of the most amazing, well-spoken, intelligent people I have ever met. I can never forget the amazing discussions, fishbowls, and pieces of writing that came out of that room, 511. To name a few: Sophie and Lisa’s poetry, Maddie’s Vienna, and Vicki’s letter to McDonalds. It brought me to Sarah, who could think and raise her point faster than I could raise my hand. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, because it’s over much too fast.” ~Megan Lee
By Lisa Carmack Staff Writer
Before the class of ’09 peaces out for good, we’d like to share some words of wisdom we’ve accumulated through our years of high school. 1. Make sure to be nice to a few teachers (you’ll need them for letters of recommendation later). 2. A little sun does not mean show a lot of skin. 3. If you plan to park where you shouldn’t, be sure to buy adhesive remover for those lovely warning stickers. 4. Unless it’s an emergency, it’s better to it to trek it to the 900 hall bathrooms than settle for 200 hall bathrooms. 5. Senior cut day is a must. 6. Work hard third quarter of senior year so you can coast fourth quarter. 7. Remember that freshmen are people too. Kind of. 8. Do not get senioritis your junior year. 9. Be involved and make it fun. 10. Don’t forge progress reports (it will nip you in the butt later). 11. Don’t forge anything (Ms. Frasca will catch you). 12. Be safe. With your friends, with your cars, with your lives. 13. Dances are fun when EVERYONE goes. Go to the dances. 14. Do not do your entire LAP the night before. 15. Be kind, be courteous, and ALWAYS read The Olympian, or else you will FAIL AT LIFE.
Disclaimer: Obviously some of these are silly, but others we really mean. Most importantly we wish you an amazing high school experience and hope you continue to learn, grow, and take care of each other. Much love from the class of ’09.