Jan 24, 2013

Pg. 3

School shooting steals lives

Writer reflects on Sandy Hook

VOLUME 56, ISSUE 5

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Trojans beat San Lorenzo

Basketball team wins, 65-53

THURSDAY, JAN. 24, 2013

Parents “graduate” to help kids

Class supports college readiness

CASTRO VALLEY, CA 94546

WWW.CVHSOLYMPIAN.COM

Newtown massacre inspires CVHS security review

By Kristen Jensen and Melody Moteabbed

Natalie Fazeli / Photo Editor

Before his surgery for colon cancer, teacher Nick “Dubb” Whitaker shares a hug with Xavier Iglesias.

CVHS comes together for “Dubb”

By Reema Kakaday Staff Writer

“Wear pink for Dubb” posts were reblogged, reposted, retweeted, and shared across Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and social media sites alike on the evening of Jan. 10. CVHS gathered together to support the speedy recovery of the incredible social studies and leadership teacher Nick “Dubb” Whitaker. He recently announced this

unfortunate diagnosis of colon cancer.

Pink, Dubb’s favorite color, overflowed on the campus on Friday, Jan. 11. Students from his current classes and even his former graduated students visited him on his last day on the job before surgery.

All thanks to the sneaky skills of the leadership team, Dubb didn’t even know that the “pink day” was being organized.

“I have no idea how this happened, and no one believes me when I say that!” he said. “In the morning when I saw all the leadership kids wearing pink, I thought it was sweet, but as soon as I saw the choir kids wearing pink too, I definitely got a little suspicious. Then I saw the entire school, and I was just totally amazed. How did they do all of this?”

DUBB: Page 8

Beloved former teacher passes

By Anna Talajkowski Staff Writer

Beloved former CVHS English teacher, Douglas Rogers, passed away on Nov. 30 at the age of 80.

Rogers, who taught in the CVUSD for over 40 years, is remembered by students and friends as a compassionate teacher with a love for literature.

“He was a gifted educator who left a lasting impression on his students,” said George Granger, a former student and member of the Castro Valley Board of Education.

Rogers was born in Salem, Oregon in 1932. Growing up, he attended Salem High School.

Rogers later went on to graduate from the University of Oregon, where he played for the basketball team. He earned his teaching credentials from Western Oregon University, and taught in both Salem and Coos Bay early in his

career before moving to California and teaching at Canyon High School.

He worked at Canyon High School and CVHS over a span of close to five decades, teaching English and ceramics, and coaching basketball. During his career, he served as English Department chair, sat on numerous curriculum committees, and helped develop and teach the first AP class at CVHS. But of all his accomplishments, Rogers was especially remembered by students and colleagues for his love of literature.

“He was really passionate about literature, art and life,” said Anne Parris, English teacher and Roger's wife. “That passion for all the creative aspects of life was something that inspired a lot of students.”

Rogers was also known for pushing his students to achieve

the best. He was a tough grader and challenged his students with frequent writing assignments, earning him the infamous title of the “essay teacher.”

“It was no small feat to get an 'A' on any paper,” said Michael Chisholm, a former student and a current English and history teacher at Creekside Middle School. “Yet, his high standards forced me to become a better writer and thinker. I will always be in his debt for that.”

Although Rogers was known for his high standards, he was also known to be very personable and compassionate, striving to connect with each and every one of his students.

“He cared deeply about his students. He cared about making them better writers. He cared about helping them figure out who they wanted to be. He sup-

ROGERS: Page 8

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The Sandy Hook Elementary shootings in Newtown, Connecticut stunned the entire country.

Needless to say, students were shocked over the event, and many began to question their own safety in their schools.

Senior Eric Colbert was horrified and said that his first thought was, "Why would someone do this?"

Assistant Principal Matthew Steinecke, however, insisted that CVHS is a very safe, prepared campus.

Concerning overall school safety, counselor Sarah Nahigian agreed that CVHS is safe compared to other schools in the Bay Area, but she still added, "I know that there are some students who don't feel safe on a daily basis."

Shortly after the disaster occurred, teachers, students, and parents received notices that the school was under control.

They were reminded of standard emergency procedures, but can a school truly prepare itself for a random tragedy?

“We’re already prepared, but we can always prepare ourselves more,” said Steinecke. “It can get difficult, considering we have such a big campus, and there are so many students. We live in Castro Valley and it’s a safe

place. We don’t think about feeling unsafe.”

The incident nonetheless did make Principal Mary Ann Valles consider the school’s safety as well. “It was certainly a moment to reflect,” she said. “We have plans and we have lots of training, but can you ever be prepared for a situation like that?”

Steinecke pointed out previous lockdowns and past rumors of students with guns on campus.

Luckily, none of those incidents ended badly.

“We got security cameras about five years ago, and a new door lock that can be locked from the inside,” said Steinecke.

“We get students off the campus earlier after school, and we’ve made zones, specific areas of responsibility that certain staff members patrol.”

On the topic of campus security, Valles added, “There are security personnel and administrators like us to watch areas and make sure students are safe at all times. There’s supervision at all school-related events and everything is planned routinely.”

There are still, however, certain crucial issues to address.

“If there was a shooting, for example, in between classes and students are in the courtyard when a gun goes off, it

SECURITY: Page 8

Gun control, mental health both needed for safety

Editorial On Dec. 14, 2012, Adam Lanza, 20, walked onto campus at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and fatally shot 20 students between the ages of six and seven and six adults. He then committed suicide by shooting himself in the head when police officers arrived. The massacre was the second-deadliest school shooting in United States history.

Since then the U.S. has been in an uproar about gun control and policies involving firearms.

Here The Olympian evaluates suggestions to prevent more shootings.

tal illnesses. We may be able to screen those with mental ailments, but this method to ensure the safety of the public may be less effective than we think. A person may be healthy one day, and mentally unstable the next. No one is able predict when the next mentally insane person is going to go on a rampage. But we could and should take more steps to help those afflicted and to and prevent as many shootings as possible.

The Second Amendment explained

No guns for teachers

There are numerous reports from various states that local lawmakers want to give teachers the right to bring guns to schools. Proponents suggest that school shootings could be prevented if school staff was armed.

But we at The Olympian think that teachers and school staff should not be able to have guns on school campuses. There would be too much risk involved. A teacher’s gun could easily fall into the hands of student. Not all students may be comfortable learning in the presence of a lethal weapon.

Parents may agree with their children being in the presence of a gun. School districts would take a hit economically.

It would cost the school districts more money that they don’t have to make sure teachers qualified to own a gun and to get concealed weapon permits.

There is also the chance that

a teacher could have a mental break and do harm to students.

These days, teachers are responsible for much more than just teaching. They are expected to also be mentors, counselors and guardians. It is too much to ask them to be police officers as well.

Don’t blame video games

National Rifle Association (NRA) lobbyist Wayne LaPierre called for armed police officers posted in every American school to prevent incidents another Sandy Hook massacre from happening. “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” LaPierre stated. He then went

on to blame video games and movies for exposing children to a violent culture.

We at The Olympian think that violent video games and movies do not cause these mass killings and that trying to solve the problem with more guns isn’t going to work. Giving every other person a gun is like taking an eye for an eye and eventually it will lead to more violence.

Ban assault weapons

California’s Senator Dianne Feinstein has proposed a renewal of the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004, with improvements to make the law more effective. President Obama supports the bill and

Lily Carrell / Opinion Editor

also plans to back a law to require background checks for all gun sales, including those at gun shows.

We at The Olympian support background checks for all gun sales and the effort to ban assault weapons. In effect, assault weapons are only useful for killing other human beings, hence the word “assault.”

Mental health needs attention

Because Lanza was mentally ill, there have been suggestions of increasing mental health programs to prevent future shootings since the massacre.

We at The Olympian think that we cannot cure all men-

The Second Amendment has come under scrutiny in relation to gun rights. It states: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” It is debated how far this protects Americans’ rights to own guns.

We at The Olympian think that the Second Amendment was written by the founding fathers to allow the newly independent people to defend the United States from attack by Great Britain. It does not protect the right for people to use weapons of mass destruction like assault rifles. It was made in a time where it took five minutes to reload a gun. It’s 2013, and it takes two seconds to reload a gun and kill someone. The Second Amendment was written when assault weapons weren’t even imaginable.

In short, the Constitution permits Americans to ban these weapons. This would protect the public without unduly restricting gun owners’ rights.

PHOTOpinions pinions By: Indigo Flowers

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2013 Editors-in-Chief....................................................Melody Moteabbed Kate Pellegrini Copy Editors..................................................................Reyna Garcia Joyce Liang News Editor..............................................................Michael Castillo Opinion Editor.................................................................Lily Carrell Feature Editor.................................................................Amber Yang Sports Editor.............................................................Emily Courchaine Arts and Entertainment Editor........................................Suzanna Chak Photo Editors..........................................................Cheyenne Donatello Natalie Fazeli Business Managers......................................................Matt Talajkowski Anya Keller Online Editor........................................................................Eva Chen

Staff Writers: Joelle Bassett, Olivia Berden, Cameron Beresini, Kelly Chan, Indigo Flowers, Stephanie Huerta, Kristen Jensen, Reema Kakaday, Savanah Khan, Evan Kwong, Alexa Ludke, Felicianna Marquez, Hans Mortimer, Amanat Riar, Leia Saelee, Anna Talajkowski and Marissa Wu Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

What’s your response to the Connecticut shootings?

“We need to get more security and a better lock system for our school. Since the shooting, I don’t always feel so comfortable coming to school.”

Nicole Hall, freshman

“I am a pacifist, so I think there shouldn’t be any guns. However, even I know that’s unrealistic. If anything, we need to tighten up on gun restriction.”

Jenna Sparks, sophomore

“I don’t think there is any way to control it. It starts with a person’s mental stability and state of mind.”

Jalen McFerren, junior

“I think we should bring home troops and station some in all schools. What better way to protect our schools than to have trained military personnel on campuses.”

Ryan Davis, senior

.

3 “Guns are not toys” Olympian

The Jan. 24, 2013

Sandy Hook shooting steals lives

By Cheyenne Donatello Photo Editor

By Alexa Ludke Staff Writer

The death of any person is a tragedy to that person’s loved ones. But the death of a child, whose life has scarcely yet begun, is a tragedy of enough magnitude to shatter the hearts of an entire country.

One afternoon a few weeks ago, I walked home as I usually do. I arrived, and immediately plopped down on the couch with a snack. Before I could do much else, the phone rang. To my surprise, it was the principal of Canyon Middle School, Mark Croghan.

He proceeded to explain the shooting at Sandy Hook and expressed his condolences to any families affected by it. I was perplexed, having not heard anything about these shootings until I received the phone call. It was around that time that my father returned home from work. I asked him what had happened, and in that moment, I was told one of the most heart-wrenching stories I have ever heard.

Twenty young children had died along with the brave teachers who sought to protect the students they loved so dearly.

Twenty innocent, pure lives had been taken by a madman in Connecticut. Twenty tiny faces that would never smile again and would never get to finish learning their ABCs. Twenty voices that could never again be able to tell their own families that they love them, or admonish their mothers that they really could not be caught wearing that ugly coat to school. Twenty small children-the very picture of naiveté, the future leaders, Nobel Prize winners, and humanitarians--had been gunned down by a heartless maniac.

I cannot express my heartbreak simply. I felt a strong urge to hug each member of my family as they arrived home, and remind each of them how much they mean to me. My heart and thoughts will remain with the families, friends, and loved ones of the lost, as well as the people of Newtown, Connecticut as they mourn. I would like to acknowledge the bravery of the teachers who stood in the way of the gunman and saved the lives of as many students as they could. The respect I feel for these brave individuals is unwavering.

I will in no way try to remember the perpetrator of this horrific event. I will instead be lending my thoughts and deepest sympathy to the victims. I have the utmost respect for the victims who risked their lives to save others. It takes a lot of courage to stand up and face death as some of these teachers and children did.

The loss of so many innocent lives is a crime nearly unimaginable in its cruelty. All we can do is to keep the ones we love close to us and keep our focus on the victims, instead of the awful man who ended their lives.

Leia Saelee / Staff Writer

After the horrible shooting at Sandy Hook elementary, a lot of commotion about making gun laws stricter started to reappear.

Growing up on a ranch has given me a different perspective on guns.

We use guns to hunt and to protect our home and our livestock.

But guns are not toys, and must be handled correctly. The problem with stricter guns laws is that they could prevent law abiding citizens from being able to protect themselves. In 2001, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) concluded that there is no evidence that gun control reduces homicide.

My family has been in cases where the threat of a gun was enough to make the intruder leave.

No shots were fired. No one was hurt, but the gun proved that we weren’t playing a game.

Each year 2.5 million people across the nation protect themselves with guns. Criminals are

not the ones who are going follow stricter gun laws. Anyone can get their guns from the black market.

However, in order to help prevent criminals from having access to guns, I agree that gun shows should be outlawed or more heavily regulated with background checks for sales.

Currently the process to purchase a handgun requires that one must be over the age of 21 with a valid I.D. or driver’s license. Then, the one purchasing the gun must take and pass a gun safety test. If he or she passed, the customer undergoes a background check and waits ten days. The same process goes for rifles and shotguns, except the age requirement is 18 years old. Gun enthusiasts will do whatever they need to do to get what they want, so they will go through a longer process if necessary.

Drastic problems need drastic solutions. For example, since 2007, a the school district in Harrold, Texas allows its teachers to carry a gun. No one in the community has a problem with it and they feel their children are safe.

As a society we have to be careful how we direct legislation.

Good legislation has to solve real problems. Law abiding citizens are not the problem. The legislation should make it harder for non-law abiding citizens to get guns.

Vegan says “All animals have a voice”

By Olivia Berden Staff Writer

Have you ever really thought about what you eat? Many people don’t want to think about the lives of the animals they devour at the dinner table. We are all animals, all living, breathing creatures and it’s wrong of us to take so many lives each day.

Being a vegetarian for six years, and a vegan for about a month, has taught me to think about animals.

All animals have a voice but unfortunately over 300 million people in the U.S.do not hear their cries.

Every year millions of animals are killed for consumption and fashion. Very few of these animals are brought up free range or in the wild. A vast majority are brought up in horrible cramped conditions of factory farms. Most of the live-

stock America consumes will never see the light of day. Many factory farms cover the windows so people can’t look in, creating a dark cold room stuffed with chickens, pigs, turkeys, or even rabbits.

Animals in factory farms are pumped full with antibiotics and steroids. After the animals consume their steroid cocktail, it’s broken down in their body, which is exactly what you would be eating at a family barbeque. The antibiotics they use on the animals are not fit for human consumption, causing certain antibiotics to be rendered useless for people. Steroids are no better; they can cause weight gain and cause problems later in life for the consumer of the meat.

Steroids are used on the animals to cause massive weight gain. Many times the massive growth disables animals and makes their bodies too big for their legs to handle, keeping them in the same spot for the rest of their life until they are slaughtered for consumption.

Not only can the livestock not walk but they are usually so packed together they wouldn’t have much room to walk anyway. The lack of space causes the animals to become

aggressive, insane, and cannibalistic. The factory farms’ solution to these actions by their livestock is to cut off beaks, and remove all teeth.

During this process the animals are not given any sedative. They cut beaks off chicks by burning them off, and rip the teeth out of other animals as soon as humanly possible, often times causing major infections.

As if the helpless animals didn’t get enough horrible treatment, many animals in factory farms are abused, beaten, killed for no reason, and treated like inanimate objects. Factory farms usually hire people who don’t care about the animals and there are many videos of staff jokingly kicking, hitting, and stunning animals for entertainment.

Many people argue that if we didn't slaughter so many animals every day, we would be overrun by them. Their argument is completely invalid and shows obvious ignorance. Based on the life cycle and survival of the fittest cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, rabbits, any mass-produced animals would simple fit back into where they came, and would not continue to

multiply the way we make them.

Factory farms change genes and artificially inseminate their animals, which is not what would happen in a natural environment.

Imagine this: you are a toddler and you are tied up so you can’t move because the factory farm wants you to be almost pure fat without any trace of muscle. You are a mother who has just given birth and all of your children are ripped from you when all you wanted was to take care of them.

You are shoved into an assembly line and flipped upside down and slit across the throat and you can feel the blood and life drain out of you but before you die, you are taken to a machine that will burn the fur off of you. You are still alive when your feathers are ripped out of you and are still struggling for life when your neck is slit and you are plunged into boiling water, where you finally drown and are cooked to death.

Everyone needs to be a little more aware of their eating habits.

Eating meat is eating our own. The animals were here before us, and we should not continue to exploit them in the way that we do.

College is a place to explore and have an adventure

By Marissa Wu Staff Writer

I have never moved anywhere my entire life. I’ve lived in the same house for 15 years on the same street in the same neighborhood. Never have I experi-

enced feeling like the new kid, and frankly, it is an experience I would like to have.

I used to think that I wanted to go to college close to home.

Now that I’m really thinking it over, why not go as far away to as interesting a place as possible?

This might be my only chance to “move,” and experience a new atmosphere, culture, and maybe even snow, which I love but we don’t see much around here.

One reason that I think would push me to leave home for college is the fact that I love exploring new places. Every year, my ice skating team travels to a dif-

ferent state to compete, and it’s taken me to five different states so far: Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Colorado, and Minnesota.

It was so amazing to get a taste of how people in that state might spend their day. I especially liked Boston, Massachusetts and New York City, New York. Being able to walk wherever I wanted was a nice perk, considering that I don’t know how to drive and have almost no intention of learning.

College, I believe, should not only provide you with a better education, but also an adventure and teachable experiences. I

want to explore. Go somewhere I’ve never ever seen. Or go somewhere I really like. I’ve thought about New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, even London.

Though I only visited New York, it was so drastically different, and I’m eager to explore different states.

I think I’m really looking forward to the adventure, even if it does sound scary at the moment.

Big city, small town, private, state, or liberal arts college? I don’t really know what I really want to do with my life but I think that what’s most important is that I learn something new.

“Students make my life have meaning”

By Reema Kakaday Staff Writer

If you ever walk down 200 hall, you’ll find a smiling, welcoming teacher at the open door of 207 holding a book, sign, or something to make you laugh.

This unique teacher, Jennifer Clyde, has been here for only two years, but has already established a wonderful name for herself throughout CVHS. Clyde completed her undergraduate study at Sonoma State University as a liberal studies major and wanted to become a professional writer, a career which she pursued for one year.

She worked on a project that researched school classrooms and while working, she realized that she loved the environment of a classroom.

From there, Clyde’s future fell into place; she attended St. Mary’s College and earned her teaching credential, and then she taught at Bishop O’Dowd High School for three years. She received a teaching fellowship in Michigan, and taught at a university for three years while getting her master’s degree in English education.

She began working in San Lorenzo High School soon after for three years. Finally, Clyde came to CVHS, where she now absolutely loves teaching her American literature and expository reading and writing students.

“What I love about writing is that, when you do it well, it can actually change the world,” Clyde said. “It can change the way people feel about the world, themselves, and society, and it can be a powerful tool. Teaching other people about that is really exciting because it’s you guys who can take that tool to go change the world in new and amazing ways.”

Clyde is also the co-coordinator for Link Crew, and is organizing the Puentes class (Chicano studies) for next year.

She enjoys being involved in activities that bring students together and that make them feel more comfortable in their own skin.

“When I was in high school, I had problems with bullying and I was also very unhappy. But the thing I always emphasize is that it gets better. Eventually, you’ll become an adult and look back

Winter Ball attendance drops from last year

By Stephanie Huerta Staff Writer

With the holiday spirit in the air and the electrifying excitement of going with a date, Winter Ball has always been a fun event at CVHS. We have all walked through the courtyard or one of the hallways and witnessed girls and boys getting asked to Winter Ball in creative ways. And immediately after the acceptances, all witnesses awed.

This year, however, something changed. While we still saw girls smiling and squealing when getting asked and feeling the excitement of planning for the whole day, fewer people attended Winter Ball this year than last year.

Winter Ball is one of the only events of the year where lower and upperclassmen have a chance to get dressed up and dance together.

And the decreased dance attendance even puzzles Leadership teacher Nicholas Whitaker.

“We talk about it all the time,” said Whitaker. “We did change it this year to before winter break.

Maybe that had something with it, although I had always thought that was what people wanted. It also could have been because we have a smaller senior class this year. We aren’t sure.”

Last year, 1,157 people attended Winter Ball, while this year there was only 823. Also compared to last year, this year’s tickets were a bit more pricey.

“I think fewer upperclassmen go to Winter Ball because they already have junior prom or senior ball

to go to, and they feel like they’d rather save up on dresses and all that for something a bit more fancier, since prom and senior ball aren’t held in the school gym,” said senior Lexus Moncrease.

The money made from Winter Ball goes toward many senior activities like senior ball and the senior barbecue.

The fact that there was less money this year brings up the question; what will be affected by it? Will tickets to things like senior ball more expensive this year?

“Senior ball could potentially be more expensive this year but it’s all up to the senior class officers because they ultimately decide what to do with the money,” said Whitaker.

Senior class treasurer David Avila said, “Last year the senior class made around $11,054 in profits, and this year we’re at $8,495.The money raised from Winter Ball this year will go towards senior ball expenses such as desserts, decorations, and the cost of the venue.”

“I wanted to go to Winter Ball because my friends were going and we were eager to get dressed up. It looked like fun. It’d be our first high school formal, so why not go?” said freshman Veronica Bartevian.

Some students may feel that things could be done to make Winter Ball seem more exciting.

While some feel it is important to attend all dances to get the whole high school experience, others feel that it’s just one dance and there will be more dances in the future.

on this stuff, and just think about how lame it was to take grief for the trivial things that used to be important back then. Have hope, because things do change. If you’re in a bad space right now, just hold on for a bit longer, and I promise it really does get better,” she advised.

“Ms. Clyde is a really cool teacher who cares for her students,” said junior Jason Cheung.

“I learn a lot in that class, and she makes English really fun for me.”

Clyde does everything in her power to make her classroom as accepting as possible.

“I have this poster on my wall which reads, ‘You make my life fun.’ That’s really true for me,” said Clyde. “My students make my life have meaning, make my life fun and happy, and give me purpose. It’s important to me to make sure students’ classroom feels like a welcoming home.

High school is a place to learn things, but at the same time, everything is a survival and is so intense, so I want my classroom to be as comforting and homely as possible.”

Clyde excels in making her students thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Reema Kakaday / Staff Writer

Jennifer Clyde teaches American literature and expository reading and writing.

Olympian

The Jan. 24, 2013

5

Despite taboo, teachers totally sport tattoos

By Leia Saelee Staff Writer

Imagine needles driven 150 times per second in and out of your skin, injecting a pigment that stays in your body forever.

Sitting through many layers of skin, the pigment is still visible, and the ink remains forever as a tattoo. This permanent mark may be significant or whimsical.

Both teachers and students at CVHS bear distinct tattoos, each with their own story to tell.

It’s mutually agreed that the friendly and accepting environment at our school allows them to express themselves through body art.

Social studies teacher Ian Rodriquez carries his the passion for his subject permanently embedded in his skin. He carries mostly history-related tattoos and two traditional styled tattoos, which are not related to a history theme.

“Thankfully I work in a place where most people are really cool about it,” said Rodriquez.

“Usually, I try to cover them because I know there is a stigma attached with them, but I feel that more and more people are more exposed now so it’s becoming less and less of a thing.”

With seven tattoos, Rodriquez advised that there are precautions to take in certain work environments. For instance, wearing clothes that conceal your tattoo

Leia Saelee / Staff Writer

Social studies teacher Ian Rodriquez wears historyrelated tattoos and traditional styled tattoos. in an office environment always appears more professional.

“I don’t really feel like my tattoos affect my teaching, except my wardrobe,” agreed Jennifer

Clyde, a CVHS English teacher with seven tattoos. “I tend to wear clothing that will conceal my tattoos. I feel like when you’re a teacher, a lot is riding

on your image, and tattoos are something that do not go along with the professional teaching image."

Tattoos often times have a negative stigma attached to them, and many feel that hiding them are necessary in order to proceed comfortably throughout daily life. Although most of her tattoos are hidden, Clyde gladly revealed one of them.

"The one that I have on the inside of my foot is a Victorian needlepoint design and it has three elements: wheat for abundance, a fern for sincerity, and a jasmine for joy."

Often times, people get tattoos to symbolize something in their lives, either for someone or something. The permanence of a tattoo may later signify deep regrets and a reminder of younger days.

“When you get a tattoo it should mean something,” said art teacher Jo Sutton, who sports eight tattoos. “You can always tell when someone got something random, and the first thing someone’s going to ask you is ‘What does it mean?’"

Sutton also advised to wait until you’re old enough and know what you want. ”I’m really glad I didn’t tattoo a bunch of stuff on myself when I was in my twenties,” she admitted.

Each of Sutton’s tattoos are Asian art themed, inspired by her trip to Asia studying different art

styles. She passionately explains how she fell in love with the style, driving her to get her first tattoo at 33 of a blue dragon, and many others following the Asian

“

I don’t really feel like my tattoos affect my teaching, except my wardrobe.”

Jennifer Clyde Teacher

art theme.

“My tattoo says ‘hope’ with a cancer ribbon on it, because my cousin has Hotchkins Lymphoma cancer,” shared senior Elisia Clayton. “I like tattoos with meaning.”

Tattoos have long been an expression of one’s self; some have deep symbolic meaning, and others not so much. Rising in popularity, the practice is becoming less of a taboo and more of a fad. Choose wisely, because what may be popular now will remain in your skin forever.

ping pong paddlers play passionately

By Kelly Chan Staff Writer

During the most wonderful time of the year, many high school students think of snow, presents, and finals.

At CVHS, we think of the annual school wide ping-pong tournament. For one week, students from all grade levels and groups participate or watch the competition tables during lunch.

“Ping-pong brings diversity to the sports we play at our school,” said senior Ashley Perez. “It's different.”

Ping-pong is a popular pastime at CVHS. Clumps of people chat and wait by the tables to play at break, lunch, and after school.

Sophomore Ernest Chow from Team Unicorns thinks that ping-pong is fun and exciting at CVHS. “It’s an opportunity for students to express themselves in a controlled and safe environment,” said Chow.

According to junior Brian

Shinn, who also participated in the tournament, there is always a lot of momentum and competition in the games. But despite the intensity, students are dedicated and having fun during the competition.

“People play in the annex to take a break from academics,” said Shinn.

At the tournament, a sense of fun and intensity filled the gym as crowds of people cheer for the teams.

“Every mistake is magnified because there are probably more than 50 people here,” said Kyle Chan, a sophomore from Team Masterballs.

The championship game was between Team Champions (Miguel Diaz and Cash Carmody) and Team Team (Justin Wong and Matthew Wong).

Team Champions beat Team Team with the scores 21-15 and 21-16, winning two out of three matches to win the game.

“We're the well-deserved champions,” said Diaz and Carmody, grinning with their friends.

Kelly Chain / Staff Writer

Miguel Diaz and Cash Carmody battle it out intensely as excited spectators watch from the sidelines.

Being bad isn’t so great after all

By Evan Kwong Staff Writer

Kristen Jensen/ Staff Writer

The Hobbit dwarfs critic’s expectations

By Kristen Jensen

Staff Writer As the credits began to roll, I couldn't help but let out a groan of disappointment. I had spent the last three hours at the theatre watching Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, and the one thing that kept running through my head was that I now had to wait for who knew how many months to watch the second movie. I groaned again.

As an avid fan of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the novel The Hobbit, I had huge expectations for this movie. I am simultaneously its biggest fan and critic. Therefore, I must say that I was quite impressed with Jackson's rendition of J.R.R. Tolkien's book. Although not as epic as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit was humorous, witty, exciting, thought-provoking, and just the right amount of cheesy.

Firstly, the film is beautifully rendered. The controversial filming of the movie in 48 frames per second (fps) and 3D proved to benefit the film more than detract from it. Everything was crisp, clean, and sharp. The magnificent landscapes of New Zealand where the movie was filmed are extremely detailed and gorgeously enhanced, and the 3D added a dimension to the movie that made everything look much more real. The special effects were also very well done, which is to be expected from the 3-time Oscar winning special effects team of The Lord of the Rings.

The acting was superb. The main cast of 15, which include Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, and Ian McKellan, gave life

to the book characters and made one forget that they are not real people, or more specifically, real dwarves, hobbits, and wizards.

Each had their own unique personalities and little quirks that made them thoroughly entertaining and fun to watch.

I was also very impressed by the movie's trueness to the book.

Although there were obviously some different things within the movie, there was enough to make it similar to the book that readers should not be extremely peeved by the differences. Much

“ Witty,

exciting, thought provoking, and just the right amount of cheesy.

”

of the dialogue was word for word from the book and, in my opinion, was much more entertaining to watch than to read. The funny banter between Bilbo and Gandalf and the tense riddling game of Bilbo and Gollum were especially memorable.

There is so much more I could say about the movie, but there's not a whole lot of room to do that. So I will simply end by saying this: Watch The Hobbit. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Merging humor and video game-nostalgia into one fantastic film, Disney’s newest movie, Wreck-It Ralph, has bashed its way into the limelight. The movie features an assortment of classic arcade heroes, villains, and some dynamic original characters. All of the characters appeal to any audience.

As Litwak’s Arcade closes up for the day, various video game characters are free to exit their game and travel around to other games. In the game Fix-It Felix Jr., the game’s villain, Wreck-It Ralph, yearns to stop being the bad guy, claiming that his job as villain isn’t particularly favorable, as people repeatedly ostracize him for it.

After a visit to a bar in the classic arcade game Tapper, Ralph makes a decision to embark on a quest for a medal, which proves that he can be a good guy. In an attempt to get a medal, Ralph game-jumps to a first-person shooter game known as Hero’s Duty, and then unintentionally to the racing game Sugar Rush. In the candy-themed game, Ralph meets a glitch-prone character named Vanellope von Schweetz, who steals his medal and ends up spending it so she

may enter a race in Sugar Rush. To try to get his medal back, Ralph teams up with Vanellope in an adventure unlike no other.

Wreck-It Ralph is a fast-paced 90-minute excursion full of bright colors, laughter, and nostalgia.

Characters from games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, and Street Fighter, make short appearances, offering entertainment for the older generations who grew up playing classic arcade games. The humorous, action-packed, and

Leia Saelee/ Staff Writer

emotional moments throughout the movie appeal to viewers of all ages.

To top it off, the excellent art design and the undying originality of the film never seems to cease as the story progresses. Every five minutes someone in the audience was awing, and every other minute someone was laughing in the theater. Wreck-It Ralph is truly a magnificent movie and deserves only the highest of praise.

Trojans beat Rebels in first league game

By Indigo Flowers Staff Writer

Indigo Flowers / Staff Writer

Junior Jalen McFerren dunks the ball into the hoop for two points.

The CVHS varsity boys basketball team battled San Lorenzo and came out with a first league win on Friday, Jan. 11, the final score leaving the Trojans with 65 and the Rebels with 53.

Though the Trojans had a rocky start in WACC league, this game shined a new light on the team.

In the first quarter the Trojans came out with immense energy, making the first 15 points un-

contested. Castro Valley ended the quarter by outscoring San Lorenzo 21-5.

In the second quarter, junior Nick Brooks made two impressive three-point shots back to back. The Rebels, trying everything in their power to contain the Trojans’ offense, was not able to stop junior Jalen McFerren from scoring 12 points in the first half of the game.

By the end of the third quarter Trojans were up 50-32. With just one quarter left in the game San Lorenzo made a late fourth quarter run, pulling within ten

points. Fortunately for the Trojans, the Rebels could not take the game. With only 4:20 left on the clock, senior Jamoni Barber made a shot-clock buzzer beater to make the final score of the game 65-53.

McFerren had a high score of 17 points and Barber ended the game with 15 points. Junior Andrew Garcia finished with ten points and 11 rebounds. Junior Nate Moore and Brooks had six points, senior Deveion McClainHall had five points, Emmanuel Aina had four points and Rhaun Harris had two points.

Undefeated Trojans take down competion

By Anya Keller

Business Manager The CVHS boys varsity wrestling team crushed Hayward High School and one player from Tennyson High School 66-6 in a match at Hayward High School on Thursday, Jan. 10.

This was the eighth victory this season for the team, which has gone undefeated so far.

Among the victorious wrestlers were Cody Brazil, Alex Brown, Evan Champion, Daniel Wong, Keano Calderon, and Diego Lazares, who won by forfeit, and Nick Sousa, Nik Ramirez, Zack McBeth, Andre DeCoito, and Roberto Juaregui, who won by pin.

The wrestlers feel optimistic

about the remainder of the season, while still being focused for the challenges to come.

“As a whole, it’s exciting to see what we will do, but we can only see as time goes on,” senior Matt Aquino commented.

“They did pretty good,” agreed coach Josh Wheeler.

“We have bigger duals coming up that will be more competitive, and we will see how they do then.”

Among these exciting duals coming up for the boys varsity wrestling team are a double dual against Albany High School and Berkeley High School at San Leandro High School on Jan. 24, a dual against San Leandro at San Leandro High School on Jan. 30, and the NCS Dual Meet of Champions on Feb. 9.

Junior Nick Sousa ties up with Hayward opponent and wins.

Anya Keller / Business Manager

S up e r S a v v y Sp o r ts St a rs Joelle Bassett / Staff Writer

Christian Merriwether, freshman As a freshman, Christian Merriwether is new to the CVHS campus this year, as well as the CVHS court. However, he is very familiar with the game of basketball. Merriwether has played on multiple teams and at Canyon Middle school, in addition to also playing multiple positions like point guard, but he admitted that he had to work extra hard to make sure he got a spot on the CVHS team.

"It's a lot of work, but I do it because I love the game," said Merriwether.

His passion for the game and hard work appear to be paying off, and he is definitely a player to look out for in the future.

Val Birznieks, sophomore Sophomore Val Birznieks began playing soccer when he was seven years old, and after nine years, the thrill of the game still hasn’t worn off.

“I like the adrenaline rush, the speed, the teamwork, and how it’s both a strategic game as well as physical game,” said Birznieks.

Birznieks has played for multiple teams in many different positions, and currently plays center defense for the boys JV soccer team.

Birznieks intends to continue soccer for many years to come, with the dream of playing professionally one day.

“I really am going to strive to go all the way to pro, but I’m going to take every little step to get there. First I must make varsity, then college, then pro.”

Anushka Singh, junior Anushka Singh plays for the girls varsity soccer team. She has also played for other soccer teams for ten years. She plays all around but she enjoys playing forward the most.

Singh has enjoyed socccer since she was a child, and she can’t imagine not participating in this sport or being without her team.

“I just love it. I love working hard, being fit, and I love my teammates,” she said.

She has complete confidence that she and her team will do well this season.

“We’re going to become number one no doubt! O’Dowd doesn’t have anything on us!”

Singh exclaimed.

With that type of attitude the girls soccer team will definitely go far this year, guaranteed.

Jamoni Barber, senior Jamoni Barber is a senior on the boys varsity basketball team.

He has worked very hard to capture a spot as a point guard on the team and his work seems to be paying off.

“I work hard because I love playing my game. It’s my favorite thing to do,” he said.

Barber has been playing basketball since he can remember.

He wants to go far this year, for himself and for his team.

“I want me and my team to be the best we can be,” Barber stated.

He revealed that playing basketball takes up a lot of time and can be very tiring, but he never wants to let his team down and he is always trying his hardest.

8

Olympian

The Jan. 24, 2013

Castro Valley teachers get a small raise

By Amanat Riar Staff Writer

Recently, Prop. 30 passed in California with a 54 to 46 percent vote to approve it. Prop.

30 helps students specifically by targeting schools to help fund them. In a nutshell, Prop. 30 prevents school cutbacks, which means smaller class sizes and, after much negotiation, Castro Valley teachers have been approved to get a pay raise.

Felicianna Marquez / Staff Writer

Principal Mary Ann Valles presents a certificate to a parent who completed a course about preparing students for college.

Parents go to school to help students

By Felicianna Marquez Staff Writer

Every Thursday for eight weeks, 44 CVHS parents, separated into groups of Spanish speaking and English speaking sections, worked hard to educate themselves on the steps needed to be taken to prepare their kids for college.

The program called “I Am Here and I Am Ready For College,” offered through the organization “High Expectations,” successfully gave parents crucial information about college that they once did not know.

It seemed as though ev-

DUBB: from Page 1 But why pink?

“I don’t know how it started,” he said. “I guess it’s because hot pink is not what I’m supposed to like, and it’s different.” With a laugh, he added, “I think it’s given guys an excuse to wear pink today!”

Michael Kentris, a CVHS social studies teacher and good friend of Whitaker, helped rally the staff. “Everyone has rallied up, and you can really see the amount of support there is behind colleagues. It speaks to

SECURITY: from Page 1

would definitely be a challenge.

Students should already know what to do in an emergency, but if something like this happens, we’d try our best. We can’t stop bad people from doing bad things,” he explained.

Va l l e s a g re e d , e c h o i n g Steinecke’s main worry. “In that situation, students would have to go to the closest classroom they could find and follow the standard lockdown procedures as the teachers inform them.”

Students, parents, and citizens alike have all speculated on the idea of having teachers carry firearms on campus. However, according to Steinecke, fighting violence with more violence isn’t advisable.

eryone benefited. While several parents claimed they had no idea that so many steps were required for the path towards higher education, parents who were already familiar with the requirements and steps were thankful for the opportunity to refresh their memory. By educating themselves, each parent and guardian made sure that their kids would be able to take advantage of every opportunity available to them.

CVHS Principal Mary Ann Valles was the one who pushed the program and got the parents involved. She was thankful for everyone’s support and was so proud to watch the parents

“graduate.”

The “graduation” was held to honor the guardians who finished the program. Each person was given a certificate for passing the program. The families of the “graduates” watched as parents gave speeches to their children and naturally, many tears were shed at statements of how proud the parents were of their kids.

Valles hopes that the program will continue with a new group of parents as well. She encourages parents who have college related inquiries to get “college bound” and has hopes for the future for the kids whose parents were involved.

how amazing our school really is. It was funny actually, Nick was just saying how more people dressed up for him than they did for homecoming!” he said.

After school that day, the CVHS staff gathered in front of the library to take a group picture. Laughing, smiling, and embracing, the picture perfectly encapsulated the support in our school’s outstanding staff. Lighthearted and playful, Dubb laid down in front of the shot posing, as teacher and photographer Jeff Vendsel joked, “Yes, work with me, work with me!”

At the end, the caring staff sang “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow,” and gave Dubb many hugs, thanks, and cheery good lucks.

“I know I sound like a Taylor Swift song or cheesy movie, but I really don’t know how to describe this incredible support.

I don’t know how to process it all. I’ve gotten emails, visits, and warm wishes from current and even past students and families.

It feels incredible to be here right now, and there is no place I’d rather be than Castro Valley.

Where else could I have so much support?” Dubb said.

“I can see the rationale, but we’re all educators. I don’t want to carry a gun. We have sheriffs here, and this is what they’re here for,” said Steinecke.

While they won’t carry weapons, the school staff is nevertheless prepared and experienced.

According to Steinecke, school officials have received basic training, and the staff will likely train with Alameda County sheriffs officers next semester on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school.

The goal is to be as prepared as possible, and as Steinecke said, there’s always room for improvement.

“I’ve even seen staff members opening the 600 hall gates for strangers,” said Steinecke.

“If visitors need to come in,

they have to get through the office. Students also need to begin taking lockdowns seriously, because they won’t know what to do if something serious actually happens.”

Many at CVHS agree and support the action taken to improve the school's emergency response, but some also believe that more preventative measures should be taken.

Nahigian stated that there should be, "more awareness and more services" concerning mental health issues. "I think that's one of the most important things," she said.

Colbert shrugged and stated bluntly, “I don't think any school is prepared for a mass shooting.”

“The bonuses were unexpected.

Ian Rodriquez CVTA Treasurer

”

At CVHS, all teachers received a one percent pay raise.

It’s retroactive, which means teachers get the one percent pay raise from July 1, 2012. It’s almost a “payback” because they will get the money all at once for all the previous months leading up to July with the one

ROGERS: from page 1 ported them in any kind of thing they wanted to do that was going to help them be better people,” said Parris.

“That passion

for all the creative aspects of life was something that inspired a lot of students.

Anne Parris English Teacher

”

Besides teaching, Rogers enjoyed many hobbies. Rogers appreciated many different

percent raise.

“The bonuses were unexpected, so the teachers are happy about it,” said Castro Valley Teachers Association (CVTA) treasurer Ian Rodriquez. “There hasn’t been a pay raise since 2007.”

All of this could not have been achieved without the persistence from the teachers union, whose goal was to help get Proposition 30 passed so it could help fund schools. The teachers of Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) voted with a 10:1 vote in favor of the raise. Two hundred and ninety teachers voted yes while 30 teachers were against the raise.

“Now that California passed Prop. 30, school districts can be more confident in investing in their students without the fear of mid-year cutbacks,” said CVTA President John Green.

Salaries for CVUSD teachers range from $47,570 to $87,049.

Teachers with advanced degrees get added bonuses; for example those with a masters degree get an extra $1,791, and those with a doctorate receive an extra $2,678. The more units and education teachers have from college, the higher their salaries.

forms of art and contributed to many literary activities on campus. He ran the school poetry magazine and painted several murals in English classrooms.

Outside of school, Rogers liked to travel, read, make pottery, garden, and play sports.

Rogers was also very devoted to his family. Rogers met his wife while they were English teachers at CVHS. Parris says that one of the most important things to remember about Rogers is that he didn't leave anything he wanted to do undone.

“He was doing the things he wanted to do,” said Parris.

“There are always more books to read, there always are more places to travel, but he'd been to a lot of the places he wanted to go and he read a lot of the books he'd always meant to read.”

Perhaps Rogers is best captured in one of his favorite quotes: “Literature without insight is a contradiction in terms.”

A memorial service for Rogers will be held at the Castro Valley Community Center on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.