Graduation 2013

SENIOR ISSUE CLASS OF 2013

THE OLYMPIAN JUNE 10, 2013

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Parting words from your editors-in-chief In junior year, all the seniors boasted about how easy life was as a senior. They made it sound so perfect. No homework, all sorts of events exclusively for seniors, and a stress-free environment.

Well, I can’t say that senior year was the utopia promised to me, but I will admit that it has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I have been swamped with extracurriculars this entire year.

My life has been on the move since August 31 with band, jazz, the newspaper, AP classes, the musical, concerts, school events, babysitting, pool parties, potlucks, school shows and performances, movies, Peet’s runs, you name it.

And there were moments

thrill of the midnight premiere where I felt overwhelmed, but and the adrenaline of prom. looking back, I wouldn’t have Enjoy each day. Because changed a thing. every day, you and those As I like to say, in 20 years, around you are you won’t changing. All of look back our lives have and remembeen thrown tober fondly gether by hapall the nights penstance to be you stayed in high school home and together at the studied. same age at the Yo u ’ r e going to resame time for a member the reason. Take adconnections vantage of the Kate Pellegrini life and opportuyou made nities fate provides you. with people. The moments Talk to the cute boy in your of compassion, understandEcon class. Try out for that ing and fun. You’re going to part in the musical. You’ll remember the way your best open up entire worlds you friends laughed and the quirks never knew existed. of your favorite teacher.

Whatever you choose to You’re going to remember the

do, put your heart and soul into it and you will be happy.

Whether it be playing a music al instrument, writing poetry, helping animals, playing tennis, or solving complex algebraic formulas, just go for it. It will take you places you’ve never been before, and the fact that you’ve done it out of intrinsic interest will make it so much more satisfying.

To you underclassmen reading this: hang in there. It gets better. You’ve been working all your life to get into college. Second semester especially, just allow yourself to be freed of the bonds of stress and worry. Live a little.

To all you seniors: congratulations. You’vemade it. I hope you made your last year in here the best it could be.

This is the fifth time I’ve approached this entry. How do I start? What kind of advice could I even give? I’m only 17, and yeah, I’m a senior. But I’m still not an expert on everything about this school, let alone adolescent life.

I’ll approach the pretty basic, easy stuff first and see where that takes me. Take your hardest classes during your junior year. Take your next hardest classes your sophomore year (yes, think about college early. I wish I had when I was picking my sophomore year classes).

But you also want to take AP classes you are genuinely interested in – otherwise, your year will be a drag.

So I suppose I’ll talk about just how important your senior year is for your mental health. I’m only taking one AP class, but I don’t particularly enjoy the rest of the classes I’m taking, so

this year has actually been late night dinners with your more of a struggle than my friends on a school night. Go academically rigorous junior to at least one school dance year, which was loaded with and several school events.

Dress like AP and honors an idiot durclasses I was ing Homereally excited coming, and about. scream for Speak up to your class a teacher if you as loudly think you’re being unfairly as you can.

C h o o s e graded. Don’t trick-orfeel as if you’re treating lesser just beover partycause you’re Melody Moteabbed ing young; if you even have true conviction and rea- if you’re a junior. Be in a son, people will listen to you. school club and go take as Tell your friends you’re mad many pictures at a club event at them and explain to them as you can. Don’t feel bad why, because awkward si- about spending more than lences and behind-the-scenes you originally wanted to gossip is so much worse than for your Senior Ball if your a constructive confrontation. dress makes you feel like And the rest of my advice? a princess. Go to a formal Do it. Do it all. Do every- dance with an underclassman thing you’ve ever wanted to without fear of being judged do but didn’t have time for and if you’re a girl, don’t be your senior year. Have those afraid to ask. As much as I

despise the term, senior year is where “YOLO” comes into play.

The best moments of senior year for me were, unfortunately, not academically related at all. God knows how much I’ve wanted to bust out of school during fifth period and drive straight to La Jolla and stay there until school starts in September. What keeps me sitting in my seat?

The possibility that I might miss my best friend’s awesome jokes if I leave then and there. Or that my crush could’ve been telling me how he’d always been in love with me, only for me to be driving past Los Angeles, never to receive the message.

Or me missing the moment when I would find out that I won that scholarship.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

If you still don’t get it, here it is: Enjoy the good parts while they last.

Senior Prank

“Look out below!”

On June 4, students either took cover or joined in as an epic water balloon fight broke out in the courtyard during lunch.

The reason for the air raid?

“People forwarded a text to me talking about the prank, so I went,” said senior Helena Zhu. The source of the text remains a mystery, but the intent was clear: this year’s senior prank was going to be a wet one.

There were doubts about whether the plan would go through when the morning proved overcast, but the sun managed to break through just in time for the battle.

Seniors gathered in the courtyard, bearing coolers and green and gold attire.

At first, things seemed to be falling apart as administrators began confiscating coolers.

Eventually, some brave seniors started chucking the balloons at each other, and the fun began.

“It was chaotic,” said Zhu. “But it was fun too.”

Only when the bell rang for sixth period did the battle die down.

Students then ambled to their classes, sopping wet and grinning from ear to ear.

Advice from An Olympian Veteran

I have spent four years at CVHS, and for an 18 year old, that’s a vast portion of my life. I’ve learned so much here, but I think the most important thing I’ve learned is to do what you want and do what you love, and if you don’t know what you love, then find it.

For three years, I spent high school being the girl I thought people wanted to see. I wore clothes I didn’t like. I listened to music I didn’t really enjoy.

I took classes that were too hard for me. I dated people I didn’t really like and I stuck with friends that weren’t really friends. I tried so hard to be perfect and it was all for nothing. I wasn’t happy. I changed all of that my senior year.

I was so brainwashed to believe that I had to do everything a certain way: take AP/honors classes, get into a good college and then go

into a job that would make me a lot of money. I “wanted” to be

By Reyna Garcia Copy Editor

a marine biologist, but that’s the thing, I didn’t really want to. I threw all that out the figurative window and I decided that I wanted to be a journalist.

Most people warn me that the journalism industry is “fading away” (it’s not) or about how hard it is to make a living. That’s all a practicality to me. I don’t care how much money I will make. I love journalism; it’s my passion. I would do it for free.

High school is over and we’re all going to college or entering the job force, or maybe just taking a year or two off, and that’s okay too. College isn’t for everyone and if you aren’t going, don’t let people make you feel bad. You can be successful and happy without college.

No matter where you’re going, explore. Explore everything and anything until you find your passion. And along the way, do what you want. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for doing what makes you happy.

I wasn’t one of those blessed people for whom high school was fun and everything it was supposed to be. For three years it was a disenchanting, monotonous experience. I was completely miserable, and I know I’m not the only one. High school wasn’t this great clichéd experience for all of us. I refuse to allow the rest of my life to be like that ever again. I refuse to be unhappy and I advise everyone

who isn’t happy to do the same.

I’m going to become a journalist and I’m going to do what I want along the way.

I’m going to wear the clothes I want and dye my hair purple at two o’clock in the morning with my best friend. I’m going to drive to Half Moon Bay at 6 p.m. on a Monday so I can sit on the beach and write. I’m going to work my butt off at internships that don’t pay.

I’m going to listen to ska and spend my paycheck on tickets to shows at The Gilman. I’m going to take a witchcraft class instead of anthropology to fulfill my social behavior requirement. I’m going to do whatever I want. Conventionality be damned.

I hope the soon-to-be graduates of 2013 can do this too.

I hope we all choose self-fulfilment over the predestined choices pushed on us by other people.

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A flashback through the years...

Friends take a break from P.E. to smile for the camera.

Students learn more about themselves in their freshman health classes.

The very first high school formal, Winterball, is a memorable experience.

Students go all out during their first homecoming experience.

FRESHMan Year

Brave students create witty winterball proposals.

Spirited Justice League students are all smiles.

One of the days for cheer tryouts calls for some fun, Disney-themed outfits.

Students goof around in their very first P.E. class in high school.

It’s telephone hour on stage in the Pops concert, Off the Hook.

Friends pose before getting ready for P.E on the first day of sophomore year.

Our Drama Department’s High School Musical is a smashing success.

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These students celebrate winterball in style.

SOPHOMORE Year

Halloween is a great time for students to show off their silly costumes.

The Teens Reaching Out club proves to be a big happy family in this group picture.

Homecoming is a success thanks to these spirited students.

Entire classes dress up during homecoming week.

6 Link Crew leaders helporientate incoming freshman class into high school.

We love you, Conrad.

Oh yes we do.

Students get to choose from a variety of science classes for the first time.

Students “scream for 2013’ at the homecoming parade.

Junior Year Math geeks hit the books when they signed up for ever-challenging math classes.

The biannual Every 15 Minutes event hits hard with the juniors and seniors.

Students bring history to life in their AP US History classes.

Counselors get down and dirty in outdoor school.

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Green seniors gather in their classes to take pictures during Homecoming.

The long-awaited Great Gatsby finally roars into theatres

Seniors pose for the camera at the beach on Senior Picnic Day.

Patriotic seniors watch the inauguration in style on the 2013 Close Up Trip.

SENIOR Year CVHS’s premier Madrigals choir goofs off after caroling.

Handsome senior boys perform in their very own 2013 Mr. CV show.

Senior royalty bunches together during the Welcome Back assembly.

Singing seniors star in their last Pops concert ever.

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The Class of 2013 Academy of Art University

Cal Poly, Pomona Olivia Berden

Corinne Pon

Cal Poly, Obispo

Aims Community College Jamie Badgett

Alameda Beauty College Anna Markette

Americorp

Ace Spitzer

Arizona State University Zachary Appleby

Wallis,

Brianna

Art Institute of San Francisco

Brittani Thomas, Michael Oseguera

Berkeley City College

Michelle Baker, Kaila Butler, Jeanette Dicochea, Ashley Garcia, Asia Graves, Joy Johnson, Nazelah Sankofa

Biola University Spencer Stanford

Boise State University

Andrew Bagdadlian, Cameron DeMiguel

Brandeis University Emma Silver

Brigham Young University Emily Yim

Bryn Mawr College Kate Pellegrini

BYU - Hawaii

Kainalu Shortland

BYU - Idaho

Mitchell Ormsby

San

Luis

Eric Fong, Leanne Hsu, Alexian Alton, Enrico Alvaro, Molly Keenan, Caleb Kim, Kalea Louie, Pedrom Mashaw, Leo Shimizu, Brian Shinn, Jake Steinorth, Joseph Tognolini

Carrington College Danielle Mooney

Chabot College

Travis Allen, Ryan Brown, Latasha Hayes, Omar Aburahma, Adriana Alvarado, Ramon Alvarado, Ivan Alvarez Barajas, Gina Badilla, Eric Bell, Katherin Berman, Katelyn Braninburg, Shelby Bustria, Evan Cardenas, Andrew Castro, Matthew Castro, Driana Chavez, Anthony Dahdah, Destiny DeWitt, Brenda Diaz, Yohannes Endalkachew, Jessica Fernandez, Ernest Frida, Reyna Garcia, Martin Hambrick, Benjamin Ho, Kathleen Irish, Lauren Jarvis, Gracien Jean-Philippe, Vitaliy Khomyak, Kwan Yuet Kwan, Jun Ying Li, Kristopher Lindsey, Nevin Mandel, John Edward, Edelmira Medina-Melendrez, Mark Mialik, Ryan Miller, Noe Morfin-Gallegos, Gabriel Morfin-Guzman, Francine Mshipwa, Liana Mukha, Kyle Narahara, Khandsuren Natsagdorj, Julia Nissen, Alexis Niu, Eric O’Bayley, Cierra Orabuena, Poon Pan, Leandra Plotkin, Vyacheslav Rakityanksey, Cristobal Ramirez, Mario Reyes, Jacinda Rodillas, Cynthia Rojas, Roberto Ruiz, Benjamin Salazar, Alejandro Sanchez, Adrian Sandoval, Daniel Sellen, Joshua Siguenza, Katrina Singh,

Katherin Staggs, Trenton Stanford, Sheenal Sunder, Keanue Thomas, Adriana Tinoco Rodriguez, Trinh Tran, Ashley Ugalde-Velasquez, Tyler Vallejo, Darrianne Villa, Fidel Villegas, Hyun Un Von Euw, Thu Vu, Sharon Wossen, Justine Yu, Nesly Zuniga, Zachary Harvie, Sarah Mehalas, Danika Perry, Jacob Silva, Elijah Tope

Chaminade University of Honolulu Nicole Erichsen

Chapman University Gabriella Nasrah

Chico State University

John (Matt) Aquino, Kelly Braxton-Semonsen, Kristin Elam, Thomas Hernandez Pippitt, Matthew Lloyd, Reed Macy, Daniel Nourot, Dominic Wong, Jacob Mitchell

City College of San Francisco Divya Bhattarai

Clark University Lexus Moncrease

College of Alameda

Annabella Chan, Edgar Naranjo, Monica Baca

College of Charleston Spencer Blum

CSU East Bay

Emmanuel Aina, Nesreen Albanna, Danahlynn Alon, Olivia Aragon, Kane Ashton, Jazy Cheung, Jacqueline Childs, Kaneesia Chu, Angelo Cortez, Elliot Cosgrove, Kristiana Federe, Andrew Fernandez, Jessica Ferraris, Nicholas Henrietta, Karishma Khatri, Victoria Lapacek, Michelle LaPonte, Erly Martinez, Jasmine Martinez, Simona Nallon, Trevor Olazabal, Jose De Jesus Ornelas, Isaac Sheynkman, Brandon Shores, Zarien Smith, Jenny Tang, Tiana Tanjoco, Kelsey Wood, Mikhail Zherebnenko, Danielle Torres, Maggie Chong, Cynthia Martinez, Amy Sowers

CSU Fullerton

Amanda Lemoine

CSU Long Beach Danielle Waxdeck

Piper,

Leonard

CSU Monterey Bay

Dominick Abundiz, Emily Payne

CSU Northridge

Quantavis Gissentanner, Kiaira Rosby, Julie Wilton

Community College of the Air Force

CV Adult School

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

CSU Channel Islands

Design School of Cosmetology

Trevor Agulay Helena Zhu

Amanda Evans

Rachel Peixoto Karen Chaw

Allison Tureaud

Future Plans Johns Hopkins University

De Anza College Julian Balanon

Diablo Valley College

Jamila Awad, Patrick Cheek, Sage Curry, Audrey Huey, Khushmanjit Jawandha, Cristian Lopez Jimenez, Everett Nettles, Kaori Nguyen, Emily Solis, Kailey Ybarra, Benjamin Bellamacina, Mirina Lualemana, Rebeca Guzman Villatoro

Dominican University

Lauren Maslowski, Danica Tse

Emerson College

Jaime Fong, Hayley Mason Emerson College

Expressions College Rodrigo Ramirez

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Crystal Lee

Feather River College

Lindsey Hill, Rebecca Oliver

George Washington University Amanda Briggs

Gonzaga University Emily Mill

Courchaine,

Gordon College

Scott

Chelsea Gutierrez Torres

Hampton University Gabrielle Norflin

Hofstra University Andrew Maestas

Emily Hadley

Laney College

Mykela Dunbar-Culp, Jia Rong Liu

Las Positas College

Joe Andrade, Daniela Arroyo, Benjamin Atkinson, David Avila, Laura Ayala, Adrian Bello, Bhavisha Bhukhan, Megan Bigelow, Cody Brazil, Danielle Buchanan, Noel Burton, Francisco Cabrera, Taranbeer Chahal, Vincent Chan, Ryan Cheng, Christopher Cherniss, Brandon Chu, Robin Cucchiara, Wilson Dang, Andre DeCoito, Jennie DeRose, Alexandra Dutchover, Brian Farrell, Jimmy Feng, Joshua Ferguson, Raymond Fernandez, Yalissa Fernandez, Andrea Flores, Erik Flores, Dominique Franco, Jennifer Gallagher, Mark Goddin, Alyssa Granados, Rhaun Harris, Celina Ho, Erika Holland, Jess Holter, Kaylee Hong, Austin Hooper, Ryan Hoopes, Starla House, Mohamed Ibrahimi, Roberto Jauregui, Avneet Kaur, Brandon Keliiaa, Erin Kim, Hyo Hun Kim, Sophia Kokezas, Justen Lewis, Bryant Ling, Cecilia Lomeli, Vanessa Maes, Dylan Marquette, Kendal Marquez, Zackary McBeth, Taylor Michieli, Al Mocanu, William Moeller, Michael Neishi, Theodoros Nikolaou, Lisa Nikssarian, Joseph Paiz, Jessica Pan, Aaron Peek, Anthoney Pennewell, Jacob Peterson, Brian Pinon-Alvarez, Erika Poerink, Jessica Prause, Abdul Waseem, Samanraj Rai, Maria Eloisa Minorka Reyes, Haeden Richart, David Roberts, Andrew Rocha,

Carmen Rodriguez, Juliana Roselius, Kylie Rufino, Kevin Scott, Syed Shah, Jiawen Shen, Taranpreet Singh, Zachary Smith, Sarah Smith, Yekaterina Sorokina, Marisa Stinn, Bradley Stover, Joseph STrother, Antonio Thomsen, Katelynn Tian, Mia Toledo, Tiffani Truscott, Bea Denise Vergara, Chang-Hao Wang, Arthur Wu, Aaron Yan, Wesley Yun, Irshad Zakaria, Kevin Zelaya, Yelizaveta Zherbnenkov

Maceira, Rebecca Quezada, Zachary Ross

Ohlone College

Raymond Caravalho, Jillian Ceccanti, Alex Cowan, Christiana Johnson, Michael Muse, Kimberly Perez, Tamera Ramos, Raymond Teefy, Amelia Vultaggio

Oregon State University Colette Larochelle

Merritt College

Pasadena City College

Mesa College

Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology

Elisia Clayton

Chynain Richards

Military

Deveion McClain-Hall

Miranda Rossi-Grasseschi

Alex Bovenzi, Hunter Huffaker, Pedro Pacheco, Brandon Pelton, Nicholas Vega, Tajhoba Williams, Angel Zuniga, Joseph Gliddon

Pennsylvania State

Mills College

Point Loma Nazarene University Allison Redmond

Katherine Kolden, Sarah Endriss

Modesto College

Community

Adela Zhang

Pepperdine University Justin Lew

Pomona College

Matthew Eva, Sabrina Li

Ronald Sims

National Hispanic University Alexis Rodriguez

New Rochelle College Indigo Flowers

New York University Emma Collins

Northern Arizona University

Karli Crocker, Joseph Ekholm, Jonathan Fosdahl, Zachariah Gibson, Sophia

Sacramento State University Jamoni Barber

Saddleback College Vanessa Bucklin

San Diego State University

Elise Ackerman, Joshua Khan, Connor Reffitt, Benjamin Sadoff, Janne Torres Jarin

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The Class of 2013 UC Berkeley

San Jose State University

Youstina Abskharoun, Brandon Arias, Alvin Cheung, Caroline May Clemente, Helen Cryer, Brittany Hilker, Rosina Htoy, WenRi Hu, Jessica Kruschke, Janice Kwak,, Natalie Liu, Marc Anthony Mendoza-Toledo, Eric Nazario, Cristina Nguyen, Julian Paiz, Kenji Pinzon-Shigeta, Melissa Poon, Aby Samuel, Kimberly Siu, Ariel Soon, Loren Thai, Jaykie Tse, Quinton Wang, Derek Wong, Jennifer Wong, Kenneth Wong, Jack Zhao, Natalie Liu

San Mateo City College Trevor Trammell

Santa Barbara City College Olivia Kramer

Gardom,

Dakota

Santa Clara University

Luke Huerta, Anya Keller, Jason Seever, Jamal Woodard

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Na Ra Lee

SF State University

Kaeani Abilar, Erika Arens, Derek Chan, Nigel Davis, Jon-

athan Gica, Sarah Gong, Rebecca Horpel, Thien Huynh, Jacob Leininger, Kimberly Low, MyKell McCoy, Erica Mendez, Sasha Misco, Kevin Mocker, Natasha Nand, Acacia Ross-Goedinghaus, Alan Sin, Kahealani Tica, Eric Tucker, Renee Velasquez, Zachary Villamor, Jasmin Tomas, Amber Yang

Sierra College

Melissa Tanzillo

Sonoma State University

Janelle Breedlove, Trevor Fontana-Acebo, Noah Green, Viktoriya Malkina, Javier Prado, Melissa Young

Southwestern College Lauren Hirsch

Saint Mary’s College

Jessica Anthony, Brooke Costello, Sheyenne Davis, Karina Kihevka, Emily Lopes, Robert Posada

Trinity University Olivia Mill

Caroline Cady, Sarah Kim, David Lee, Nicholas Lima, Anne Lin, Hans Mortimer, JoAnna Saunders, Jeff Zhang, Subhav Rajbhandary

UC Davis

Jesse Bridgeman, Melissa Elizalde, Daniel Iong, Deena Kheang, Jaime Liu, Cherry Lo, Rebecca Lum, Imran Meskienyar, Benjamin Mok, Matthew Skinner, Su-Lin Terhell, Matthew Wong, Eduardo Navarro Mata, Peter Esterlis, Minhee Song

UC San Diego

David Fite, Cassandra Glaze, Joshua Hicken, Kristen Jensen, Kelson Kaj, Paula Kerby, Hosanna Koo, Tiffany Kwan, Grant Lin, Melody Moteabbed, Garrett Quan, Cole Stanford, Paul Wallace, Nicholas Walsh, Christine Wang, Randi Wong, Tiffany Wong, Steven Wu, Brianna Xu, David Yee

UC Irvine

Rachel Carruth, Sarah Chen, Eric Colbert, Jeremy Dang, Victor HernandezVega, Gabrielle Ko, Elizabeth Lange, Connie Lau, Jonathan Lie, Alvin Lin, Bonnie Liu, Jolinna Nguyen, Jessie Pangelina, Eric Su, Anna Young, Yuran Zhen

UC Merced

Mujghan Afschar, David Gistand, Joyce Long, Laura Miller

UC Riverside

Juan Chen, Emily Hui, Christopher Ma, Ivan Titov

UC Santa Barbara

Lexie Arens, Michael Castillo, Matthew Dove, Alexander Fong, Robert King, William Leach, Jonathan Lee, Noelle Leong, Amanda Suhalim

UC Santa Cruz

Justin Eric Aquino, Elina Berman, Stephen Choy, Sara Crispin, Andrew Elijah Juntilla, Taylor Keenan, Ashley Perez, Jonathan Tong, Gordon Tse, William Tsuei, Jennifer Wong, Eiji Kono, Jugmohit Toor

Future Plans UCLA

Ho-Shing Chau, Eunice Jung, Young Chan (David) Lim, Janice Lu, Kimberly Lui, Kandace Mok

Undecided

Stacey Aguilar, Kyran Caines, Grace Cho, Devon Gallagher, Vanessa Gomez, Kwang Hyun Jeong, Jordan Linney, Evan Locke, Allison Mitobe, Matthew Son, Eddie Tran, Yvette Ochoa-Cortez

Universal Technical Insitute

Joriamie Bello, Esteban Lopez-Montoya

University of Arizona

Bronson Brown, Ariel Magidson, Kelly Kincaid

University of Chicago Lisa Bonsignore-Opp

University of Cincinnati Kayla Utley

University of Dallas Alvaro Joseph Hu

University of Hawaii

University of Miami

Villanova University

University of Montana

Western Career College

University of Oregon

Western Michigan

University of the Pacific

Work

Tatiana Dean

Yonah Radousky Sasha Wallace

Katherine Spies, Miguel Diaz, Melina Huey, Kristie Huie, Regine Padilla, Jackson Stephens, Newton Tran

Nancy Hernandez Raquel Huerta

Khalid Ammari, Jasser Adrian Antig, Alexander Ca-

bral, Richard Cardoza, Christian Chico, Krystal Coleman, Nicholas Cooper, Mia Cuevas, Rosalie Dacoco, Kiana Gatson, Alexander Gibson, Alexander Hernandez, Ryan Lui, Yah Yah Mayar, Fabian Romo, Isaac Toledo, Samuel Valli, Joseph Xepoleas, Chasen Lorge

Work and Military Teniyah Rose Jones

University of Redlands

Matthew Speegle, Myles Speegle

University of San Francisco Emily Kieu Vi Nguyen

University of Santa Fe Jacqueline Braze

University of Southern California Jia Wei (Edmond) Liu, Janae Chatmon

University of Vermont Emily Roscoe

Sidney DelRosario, Leah Sparks, Kyler White

University of Wyoming

University of Massachusetts

US Marine Corp

Youngjoo Hwang

Alexis Attwood

Ryan Davis John Hahn

Congratulations Jackson Stephens Class of 2013!

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Senior Ball takes our breath away

Amber Yang Feature Editor

Formally dressed students mill about the beautiful Metreon rooftop venue.

A mystic fortune-teller tells the eager students what was to come that night.

The view of San Francisco from the rooftop of the Metreon is truly spectacular.

It’s that exciting time of the year again when one popular and anticipated event takes over the lives of many students: tradition dictates that a date be taken, dazzling dresses bought and dapper tuxedos and limos rented.

Some savvy students go above and beyond with trips to salons, flower boutiques, and fancy restaurants.

On May 25, CVHS took over the Metreon in San Francisco for this year’s Senior Prom, themed “Take My Breath Away.” Students got the chance to experience jawdropping performances by wandering entertainers that

could walk on stilts, swallow swords, lie on a bed of needles, and even tell the future.

The students were also presented with seemingly endless tables of complimentary refreshments, ice cream, fresh fruit, cookies, cake, and chocolate fountains.

Guests walked outside and observed the beautiful city view in the fresh air, which gave couples and friends opportunities to share special moments of appreciation for such a sensational night.

When the students weren’t busy enjoying those extravagances, the dance floor welcomed students to show off their moves to fun, upbeat music, including blast-from-thepasts and the latest songs.

Neon glowing sticks distributed by the DJ adorned many necks and wrists.

“I had a great time with my handsome date, and the venue was beautiful,” said pleased senior Natasha Nand. “I loved the chocolate fountains and photo booths!”

Outlandish circus performers walking on stilts were only a few of the many attractions. There were also word-swallowers, acrobats, and animal trainers.

Memories from the Class of 2013 “My favorite memories have to be seeing all my friends and being supported every day from them. I also had the best memories with the ASL class!”

- Kaila Butler

“Singing in class.”

- Cynthia Rojas

“Meeting all of the wonderful people.”

- Joy Johnson

“My favorite memories are all the ones I made with my good friends, and also trying to convince everyone I’m a mermaid!”

- Cecilia Lomeli Ramirez

“Participating in Peter Pan. It was an amazing experience.”

- Adam Rani

“Days of Diversity. It was nice to appreciate all the different cultures at CVHS.” - Gabby Norflin

“My favorite memories have to be making new friends and being able to just have a great time as a high schooler, being able to lay back and chill with friends was amazing.”

- Tajhoba Williams

“Becoming prepared for earthquakes in Mr. Schneck’s class.”

- Eric Robert Bell

Teachers give great advice “Keep a cool head and stay away from the wrong posse.”

- Mark Mladinich

“Keep an open mind about classes you might enjoy. If you’re interested, at least give it a shot.”

- Gerry Cox

“Find what you’re really interested in and work hard at it.”

- Laura O’Brien

“Follow your passion and if all else fails, dig for gold.”

- David Roth-Rossi

“Stay true to what you believe in, even if it’s not popular opinion.”

- Maria Natale

“You don’t have to have it all figured out. Don’t be afraid to take risks.”

- Laryssa Sadoway

“Be kind to yourself and to others. Nurture a sense of resilience and enthusiasm for the world.”

- Clare LePell

“Take risks, seek adventures and do as your heart tells you. And let me know where you are once in awhile!”

- Dr. Deborah Yager

“Before you feel like criticising anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

- Eric Unti, quoting The Great Gatsby “My best advice for life is to always do what makes you happy. Don’t worry about what other people think, and seek out experiences.”

- Becky Maciel

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Senior Bios “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief.” Amber Yang’s journey through high school can be summed up with this quote.

There were many classes she took solely for the credit or to appeal to colleges, but it was different for journalism. When she became the feature editor, she couldn’t have been more excited to take on such a job. For this was a place where she could keep in touch with the school, express herself through words, and learn all about the quirks and secrets of the newspaper. Although she will not pursue journalism at SF State University, she will embrace the moments she’s had in journalism.

Michael Castillo has had some de-

cent times in his two years at The Olympian. He has served as a staff writer, online editor and news editor, roles that have given him a wide range of creative opportunities. Some of his favorite times in high school have been working for the paper, whether researching, writing articles, editing the front page, or managing the website. Next year he intends to major in physics at UC Santa Barbara. His future plans do not include journalism, but the experiences he has had will stick with him for a long time.

Even though this is her first and last year in journalism, Kristen Jensen has not regretted getting up at 5:45 in the morning every single day for 180 days. Ok, that’s a lie. Sometimes she just really wanted to skip zero period and sleep.

But for some strange reason, she didn’t. Idiot.

Journalism was actually really good for Kristen.

Interviewing people was an excellent way of making her more assertive and thick-skinned, and the satisfaction she gained from working behind the scenes was incredibly rewarding.

She hopes to continue working in journalism at UC San Diego, where she will be majoring in microbiology and learning to surf without falling. Too much.

Hans Mortimer was inspired to

write for The Olympian after spending the summer of his junior year reading as many newspapers as he could get his hands on at the Castro Valley library. Writing for the CVHS newspaper was an easy choice for him after deciding to try journalism for himself. During his year writing for CVHS, Hans learned more about high school bureaucracy, improved his writing skills, and attended some great high school events that he would have otherwise missed. In the fall, Hans will attend UC Berkeley. He is very excited to move into this new, next phase of life with its own set of challenges, life experiences, and friendships to be made.

Go Bears!

Contributing to The Olympian has been one of

many amazing experiences Anya Keller has been fortunate enough to have at CVHS. She spent two years in journalism: one as a staff writer and one as a business manager, learning valuable lessons regarding organization and the power of being assertive. Outside of journalism, Anya has spent her time as president of the Peace in the Middle East club. In the fall, she will be attending Santa Clara University, where she will major in history and art history. Anya is looking forward to focusing on her interests and figuring things out in the years ahead. The many lessons she learned at CVHS and in journalism will help her in the process.

Senior Bios When Kate Pellegrini first stepped foot into journalism, she did not expect the impact it would have on her. She had no idea that she would become editor-in-chief, meet lawmakers in Sacramento, or spend the wee hours of the morning discussing the meaning of life with Amber and Michael. She couldn’t have foreseen working late hours at school perfecting pages, mumbling at the cranky Macs in the corner of the backroom, or fervently defending fun fonts from the wrath of Michael and Matt. In short, journalism exceeded all expectations. It has also opened up new avenues of interest she had never before explored, and she will be sad to leave the familiarity of room 113 and all the memories it holds. She plans on receiving subscriptions of The Olympian all through college.

Emily Courchaine was a member of The Olympian staff

for two years, the first as a writer and the second as the editor of the sports page. During her time at CVHS, Emily participated in choir, wrestling, and track, and her work in journalism interviewing students and photographing events has been another great way to become more involved in the Castro Valley and the CVHS communities. Contributing to The Olympian taught her valuable work skills and gave her a new appreciation for journalism and photography. Emily is looking forward to attending Gonzaga University in the fall, and although she does not plan on continuing to work for a newspaper, she will never forget her days on The Olympian staff.

When she first read a copy of The Olympian as a freshman, Melody Moteabbed decided that she would one day become editor-inchief. Luckily, that goal has been accomplished, and being editor-in-chief for The Olympian has been an honor and an exciting challenge. The experience definitely added to her high school career and taught her useful skills that she will be able to use for her future endeavors. Melody can thankfully say that she has enjoyed high school very much. Besides missing the obvious - choir, good friends, favorite teachers, and spontaneous off-campus lunches - she will also miss cozy Friday evenings in front of a computer in Room 113, working on the next issue. She hopes that she will be able to one day call herself editorin-chief for The UCSD Guardian at UC San Diego, where she will study history and comparative politics.

For Reyna Garcia, or “Reyn Or Shine,” high school was a mundane and monotonous experience, but her time spent working on The Olympian as a staff writer, sports editor and finally copy editor made it bearable. Reyna practically lived in Room 113 and her collection of food under the whiteboard proved it. When Reyna wasn’t writing or editing the paper she could be found reading, listening to obnoxious punk music, ranting about something or dying her hair unnatural colors. Reyna thanks Mr. J for being not only an advisor, but also a role model and friend these past three years. Reyna wishes luck to her cabbage-hating prodigy, Matthew Talajkowski. This fall Reyna will be attending Chabot and hopefully one day you will see her articles in the Los Angeles Times or New York Times.

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FAREWELL SENIORS