June 4, 2010

Pg. 5

Teachers say final good-byes

Pg. 4

Learn about our retiring teachers

Pg. 8

Boys track team takes NCS gold

Third-year-running champions

Powderpuff power to the end

Golden State Competition 2010

Student stabbed and robbed near campus

By Lawrence Ham News Editor

Howard Whang / Senior Wrtier

Powderpuff football players Eileen Maes and Marisa Schneider fight their way towards the end zone.

CVHS welcomes new principal lots of years working at high schools and middle schools,” said Valles. “I have a broad perspective of being a bilingual Latino female. I really love working in diverse settings.”

“I am looking for-

By Hillman Zheng Business Manager

The Castro Valley Unified School District Board of Education announced Mary Ann Valles as the new principal of CVHS during the district board meeting on May 13.

Valles was chosen from 16 applicants to replace Pete Alvarez, who has accepted a principal position in Colorado.

“I have a lot of experience and

ward to meeting the staff, the students, and the community of Castro Valley High School Mary Ann Valles Principal

”

Valles is currently the principal of Bancroft Middle School and has held that position since 2003. Before, she served as co-principal of Berkeley High

School for two years and assistant principal for one year.

She has also served as head counselor at Burton Academic High School in San Francisco, a teacher at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, and a teacher who worked on curriculum improvement and professional development in the San Francisco Unified School District. Furthermore, Valles has held the administrative position of supervisor of curriculum and technology for the SFUSD. As for Valles’ own education, she holds Master degrees in counseling and educational administration from San Francisco State University and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from CSU Los Angeles.

Valles went through many job eligibility interviews and screenings before the CVUSD

Choirs sing to compete

A CVHS freshman boy was stabbed and robbed near school grounds on Santa Maria Avenue at around 9:40 p.m. on Friday, May 14, school officials reported.

Alex Gibson was hospitalized for serious injuries.

Gibson, age 14, was approached by two men who stole his backpack and wallet while stabbing him three times, sheriff’s officers said. The suspects were seen fleeing the scene in a dark colored vehicle.

Gibson was transported to Eden Medical Center where he had to undergo surgery for the wounds and is expected to make a full recovery.

Unfortunately, this is only one of the four stabbings and robberies that took place over the same weekend in the Castro Valley area, sheriff’s officers said, the one closest to the school being the first and most severe. Another incident occurred on 166th Avenue in an area called Ashland near San Leandro, while two other attacks occurred near Meekland Avenue near the Hayward and Castro Valley BART Station. Officers believe that all four stabbings may be related and are on the lookout for the two suspects.

CVHS has treated this wave of stabbings and robberies very seriously. On Tuesday, May 18, an emergency 15-minute assembly in the Trojan Stadium was held to alert students of the crimes around town. Assistant Principal Jason Whiteman along with Sheriff’s Deputy Timothy Vales and another officer from San Lorenzo created awareness of the situation and addressed personal safety. In addition, teachers also gave phone numbers to their students for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

Students were reminded of street safety and given tips on being safe and what to do during a robbery. According to the officers, the best thing to do is to surrender items they want and to try not to provoke them further.

For example, walk with your head up, do not walk with Ipods in, and use a buddy system.

Also, students were encouraged to go from one place to another in a vehicle whenever possible or to walk on welllighted and busy streets. If faced with a situation where harm is done, students should report it to the sheriffs department immediately, where officers are on call 24/7.

VALLES: Page 8

Day of Silence claims success

By Georgina Sousa Sports Editor

“What are you going to do to end the silence?” was printed on the flyer for Day of Silence, which occurred on April 16 and was sponsored by the Spectrum Club on campus. This day was to show support to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community and to give awareness of what is happening to the LGBT com-

munity, such as bullying and harassment.

During the Day of Silence, the Spectrum Club held a silent lunch in the courtyard. Many students and teachers attended the event to show their support. Even though not everyone stayed silent for the day, there was still support from people who either wore red shirts and/ or stickers.

“It was pretty hard to stay

silent all day because friends would keep talking and wanted a response, but it was worth it,” said club president Balys Ragenas.

CVHS has held the Day of Silence before in the past and it has been a hit. There’s no exact number known of how many people supported the day, supporters believe a huge amount of people participated.

“It went well,” said Ragenas.

Bianca Arias / Photo Editor

Freshman Monica Barrios shows off her crazy dance skills. See story on Page 4.

The nostalgia of senior year sets in

By Irene Liang NIck Leonardo / Staff Writer

Do your part to keep sports alive Editorial Budget cuts have hit Castro Valley School district hard. The entire community knows that.

The only thing that’s more shocking than the cuts is the fact that sports are the next program lined up on the chopping block.

Swarms of students, parents, and boosters have stepped up to raise money for next year’s sports program.

Sports are a necessity and anyone else who says otherwise is either crazy or too much of a cheapskate to donate.

Sports have helped both schools and students for as long they have been around. A year without sports would be like a year without passing periods; it just wouldn’t make sense.

Sports also serve to further

students’ careers and build skills. Colleges look at other activities outside of the classroom when reviewing appli-

“A year without sports would be like a year without passing periods. ”

cations. Depriving current and future students of CVHS this opportunity would be unfair

and tragic.

There could be an endless list about all benefits of sports such as the exercise that students need, college applications, and even school reputations.

Besides all of the academic perks that come with sports is the fact that sports provide valuable memories. Sports are something, and sometimes the only thing, students find enjoyable at school.

When it comes down to it, we need all those deadbeats and tight-fisted people to start contributing.

The school needs the help and funds to keep sports alive.

There is no excuse. Everyone needs to be part of the solution, not the problem.

“Life’s all a balancing act” diagram: Good Grades, Social Life, and Sleep. These are all things I figure are necessary for your typical, healthy high school student. But unfortunately, opportunity costs dictate that, as the day consists of a lame, measly 24 hours, we can only satisfy two of the

By Joseph Wan

Good Grades

Senior Writer

“Opportunity costs” are two amazing words every senior hears repeated over and over again in economics class.

For example, I could be writing my last opinion about the merits of auctioning off my computer on eBay or shipping off a live bobcat instead. I have no idea where I’d get a live bobcat, but that’s not the point.

The point is, I’m giving up my last opinion in an effort to be a good upperclassman and hand out valuable advice garnered from my four glamorous years of high school. Or they will be glamorous when, while suffering in college, I look back at the good old times.

At this time, please kindly refer to the graph.

As you can see, there are three categories in the triple Venn

Zombie

Slacker

Social Life

Nerd

Sleep

three requirements. In a word, pick two and cut your losses.

A zombie, a nerd, and a slacker I’ve done my best, but even with my experience in all three fields, I have my limits.

Unfortunately, though I can be pretty incredible at times (usually not in very admirable ways), I have yet to defy the laws of physics.

So, my advice to all prospective seniors—otherwise

known as all underclassmen— know you’re going to have to sacrifice one thing for another.

Trust the guy with experience.

If you work part time, you’ll miss out on time spent with friends. If you take multiple AP classes, you’ll burn out.

And if you’re Alicia Harger, editor-in-chief-elect, I salute you for your brave, selfless act of sacrifice and wish you a happy rest of your life.

Defies All I know you’ll Laws of do a great job w i t h t h e re Physics maining time you have left in this world.

So, my underclassmen, whether you agree with me or not, just the fact that you’re reading this article means you’ve given up the chance to do something else more enjoyable, such as burning textbooks. Opportunity cost strikes again.

But, thank you for your patience. As a token of appreciation, here’s a final tip: if you really want to defy the laws of physics, it’s quite simple in theory.

Run away and join the circus, because life’s all a balancing act.

Senior Writer

As I’m writing this column, I can’t help but think that this is the last. I feel nostalgic and bittersweet thinking back to all my firsts: my first day of high school, my first Homecoming, and of course, my first day of journalism. But all these firsts have turned into my last. Graduation will be the last time I enter CVHS as a high school senior. This is the last time a column I write will be published in The Olympian and this will be the last issue that I will be a part of. But, I know that Alicia Harger will be a wonderful editor-in-chief next year and lead The Olympian to much success.

With senior year coming to end, it is getting harder to leave the place that I am so familiar with. CVHS is where I know I will see my friends every day and eat lunch with them in front of the 700 Hall. It’s where I know what to expect each day and have grown comfortable. It is where I have met many new people and gained new friendships. But most importantly, CVHS is where I have learned so much at and found a voice with

The Olympian. I gained an understanding of the people in my community through the countless articles that I have written and edited. It has helped to make me the Obama-loving liberal that I am.

It’s overwhelming to think that in a few short months, I will be a college student. I’ll be a freshman again with all those nervous feelings I had on the first day of high school.

I will have to adjust to my new surroundings. I’ll feel uncertain about what these next four years will entail; yet I’m excited. I’ll be attending my dream school and meeting new people who come from different backgrounds.

There are countless opportunities waiting for me that I cannot wait to take on. College will open so many new doors for me and I am ready to enter them to learn as much as I can.

Although I will be only half an hour away at UC Berkeley, it seems like six hours. I will miss CVHS and spending valuable time with my friends. But I know I won’t be alone as I have many friends who will be attending Cal with me. I’ll take in as much as I can to make my college experience as unforgettable as my high school experience.

I’ll always remember that this is not the end, but only the beginning.

The Olympian is the world’s greatest newapaper and a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2010 Editor-in-Chief...............................................................Alicia Harger City Editor.......................................................................Simrit Kaur News Editor...........................................................Lawrence Ham Opinion Editor.............................................................Kearny Combs Feature Editor.................................................................Nic Barradas Sports Editor.............................................................Georgina Sousa Arts and Entertainment Editor........................................Sarah Gilchriese

By Alicia Harger Copy Editor.................................................................Dana Lin Opinion Editor Photo Editor..............................................................Bianca Arias Business Manager .....................................................HIllman Zheng Senior Writers: Joseph Wan, Irene Liang, Erin Mundy, Brandon Lui, Lindsey Oda, Howard Whang, Alexandra Gomes, Moises Fonseca, Igor Breyman, Amanda Chouinard,Trevin Smith Staff Writers: Aditi Bhatia, Tiffany Choi, Yoon Jung, Max Kahane, Kate Kim, Melissa Lau, Nick Leonardo, Jose Luna Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

CVHS, all that and then some

By Alicia Harger Editor-in-Chief

Everybody complains about Castro Valley. Students especially love to complain about the high school.

But honestly, we got it good.

So, here are the top five reasons to love CVHS. CVHS is a big school. Some might say that this is actually a bad thing, but think of it this way. You have options in classes, activities, teachers, people, and places to eat lunch. If you get in a fight with your best friend, our school is big enough to make it easy to avoid her. And there are thousands of other kids you can be friends with.

CVHS is close. Everything that one really wants to do is within walking distance of our school: pools, bowling alley, movie theater, mini-golf course, restaurants, convenience stores, parks, skate shops, skate parks, pet stores, and grocery stores. There’s a lot to do very close to campus.

CVHS is diverse. Not necessarily racially diverse, but diverse

personality-wise. Anyone can find a group of friends here.

We’ve got jocks and nerds, preps, emos, artsy kids, future mechanics, people who wear dresses to school and people who wear pajamas, Improv kids and kids who barely talk, Spectrum Club kids and Revelation Club kids. There is a group for everyone and anyone. Unlike other schools in our area, it’s not easy to stereotype CVHS as a whole.

CVHS has a pretty nice campus. No, CVHS is not the Palace of Versailles. Trojan Stadium and the CFA are amazing though.

We’ve got our own pool and a lot of field space. There are trees and grass. And there’s not a lot of graffiti everywhere. Most of our buildings are in good shape.

We have two gyms, one of them new. Thanks to the custodial staff, there isn’t trash piling up everywhere. CVHS is in much better shape than many of our surrounding high schools.

CVHS is home. Maybe it sounds corny, but it’s true. I’m comfortable at CVHS. I could probably navigate the halls blindfolded. Even if I had the chance, I wouldn’t leave it.

I’ve made good memories and grown so much during my high school experience. CVHS will always be a treasured place in my memory.

Enough with the complaints

By Alexandra Gomes Senior Writer

For the past four years of my high school career, I have always heard complaints about how school sucks and how much they despise everything about it, but I can never help but wonder why. It’s always, “oh my god, school sucks so bad,” or, “why do I have to be here?

It’s not like I’ll need this stuff in the future,” even, “I could be at home doing something better.”

Really, guys? Staying at home playing video games, catching up on your soap operas, and chowing down on ice cream does not sound like a great substitute to me. School is a blessing that we should all be

grateful for.

To those who say, “oh my god, school sucks so bad,” don’t you realize that this is the best time of your life? We get to hang out with our friends, meet new people, learn new things, and we don’t even pay for it. We as teenagers have no large bills to pay, no people to fire, no businesses to manage, and no terrible responsibilities to stress over. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

For all those nay-sayers who are always groaning, “why do I have to be here? It’s not like I’ll need this stuff in the future,” you know who you are and you are terribly mistaken.

First off, we are all required by law to come to school, but that is beside the point. Sure, we will not need everything we learn in school, but we are required to take all of these seemingly meaningless classes to meet the needs of everyone. Yes, the world does not revolve around you and your needs. Hard to believe, I know.

Someone somewhere in this school

will appreciate getting a head start on reading Shakespeare or speaking a different language when they reach college.

Finally for you, “I could be at home doing something better,” people. Thus far, I have not heard one thing anyone could be doing better at home than at school learning. How do you expect to succeed in life if you have no motivation?

There will always be options for those who try and fail, but those who do not try and fail will be far more limited in future endeavors.

School is an adventure and I am not afraid to say so. I would not be the person I am today if it was not for everything my teachers taught me and what school has molded me into.

Appreciate school while you can, because it will be here and gone before you know it. Also, we should all learn that school is a necessity and, since we’re in school for at least twelve years, we might as well enjoy it.

LETTERS

To the Editor “Thank you so much” I just wanted to write to commend you on another wonderful edition of The Olympian and also thank you for your outstanding journalism. In particular, I wanted to thank you for dedicating such a large portion of your paper to the Every 15 Minutes program and compliment Igor Breyman, Alicia Harger, and the entire staff for their insight and dedication. On a personal note, it was an absolute honor to be able to participate in this project and even more so to be able to work with such amazing young students. Reading these articles once again brought tears to my eyes as I could remember the same feelings both Igor and Alicia described. They are a series of events that I will never forget and students that will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you so much for everything that you have done and continue to do. Carry on!

Nicholas Whitaker Wrights explain garden area Because our son Clark Wright had many friends from the soonto-graduate class of 2010, we hope to bring to your attention the improvements made and the bench installed at the start of the school

year in the garden area between buildings 100 and 200. This was a project inspired by Heather Bauman, Class of 2009, soon after the accident, which cost the lives of Clark and his passenger, Sarah Streicher on August 12, 2008. Clark was speeding, perhaps racing another 18 year old boy.

The intent of the project was a memorial site of sorts and a means in which to serve as a warning to teenage drivers.

The students who worked on the project had hoped to install a plaque as a means in which to remind young drivers to use their heads and make smart decisions in life, especially when it involves the responsibility of driving. Unfortunately, the school board has a strict policy prohibiting plaque memorials on campus and the wording of the plaque is still being developed.

It seems nearly every summer our small community grieves the loss of a teenager from an auto accident. If the loss of these two lives can serve in some way to possibly help in saving the life of just one CVHS student, we will feel a little better.

David & Becky Wright

Castro Valley at another glance

By Igor Breyman Senior Writer

Constantly I have bashed the meaning of living a life in Castro Valley. Throughout my 13 years of involvement in the public school system—particularly my four years at CVHS—I have demeaned what it means to live in Castro Valley. Where is Castro Valley on the map anyways? Castro Valley can’t even be considered a city, a town maybe. We’re known for our largest achievement: the most fast food restaurants on one street, and there is nothing ever going on in Castro Valley.

A big 0 out of 5 stars right?

However, I cannot compre-

hend why I would ever let myself believe in that garbage. It may be a boring and dry town, but Castro Valley has a strong sense of community and diversity, it changes everything I have ever thought.

Castro Valley is known for our bold and bright individuals, which always shows. I find it hard to live and participate in Castro Valley events and hard to participate at CVHS events without seeing smiling faces, hearing loud laughter, and especially feeling a sense of camaraderie. When someone accidentally bumps into me, they apologize and smile a smile so sincere that the unifying feeling of being considered a Castro Valley man is felt in not only my mind, but also my heart.

Plus doesn’t the phrase “location, location, location,” have something to do with our successes? California not only has one of the world’s strongest individual economies, but California girls are unforgettable, and California

knows how to party. Northern California especially has beautiful weather and raw nature.

The influence of redwoods is strong in California, and with the Mediterranean climate, everything is usually enjoyable.

For being considered so boring, living in Castro Valley is more like riding a roller coaster.

Because of the absence of immediate things to do, people have to congregate, and that’s when the beauty of humanity is fully unleashed. The raw emotions I have seen in my peers throughout separate events— homecomings, lockdowns, disaster drills, Every Fifteen Minutes, plays and musicals, and even proms and protests— has changed me for the better.

Though I may be going on to pursue a new life, specifically on the East Coast, I’ll find it hard to forget Castro Valley, and all that has happened here.

I will be back. That’s a promise.

Gillam says goodbye after 11 years at CVHS

By Aditi Bhatia Staff Writer

Yoon Jung / Staff Writer

ESL teacher Patty Mew wishes CVHS goodbye.

We’ll miss you, Mrs. Mew

By Yoon Jung Staff Writer

Patty Mew started teaching in 1998 at Independent Elementary School. She switched to Castro Valley High School in 1996. At first, she was working as a special education resource. She has been an English learner instruction assistant for the past 14 years. Now, she is having her last year in CVHS. “I just love working with students who are learning a second language. They are like sponges, they want to absorb everything,” said Mew. “I give them a lot of credit because in high school, it’s a challenge.”

She is responsible for administering California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to new students from other countries to fit them into our school program.

Countless students who are learning English as a second language face a lot of difficulties adjusting into American culture and communicating with people.

Mew tried make it easier for them.

“It is very sad to see her go. She helped English Learning students

including myself a lot to get through difficulties. I think new students might need her help as well. And I will miss her,” said sophomore Jessica Yang.

“I love it when I hear they went into college and that they can compete with mainstream students. I would love to know my students, where they are and what they have been up to.

What I enjoy the most of this job is meeting the students from all different cultures and listening to their stories,” shared Mew. Mew has seen many changes in English Learner Programs over the years as well as immigration patterns.

She hopes everything is moving in the right direction to help all the English learners, because “their number is definitely increasing.”

“I will miss the students but I’m ready to start a new chapter.

I would love to travel with my husband, who also retired, and my grown-up children,” said Mew. She advises students to “continue to strive and keep reading. Reach for the stars!”

So you think you can dance?

By Bianca Arias Photo Editor

If you have two left feet, Monica Barrios is the person to go to for help. Barrios, a freshman, has been dancing for 13 years since she was about two years old. She loves doing lyrical routines—they’re her favorite type of dance—but Barrios also does tap, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop.

Barrios is multi-talented; she has also been in competitive soccer for seven years. Dance is what she truly needs in life. Even when she’s just standing around, she starts dancing.

“If I didn’t dance I would miss it more than anything,” said Barrios.

Barrios dances with intensity and passion, showing her true love for this sport; anyone would be lucky to see her dance. Her desire to be the best, like the professional dancers, drives Barrios to go to the fullest.

“I love that I can go all out and feel free to do whatever I feel at that moment,” said Barrios.

Dancing is a huge part of Barrios’ life; she would like to make it her career in life. Although many people try to say dance isn’t a sport, she would disagree completely, since in her opinion dance is one of the hardest sports there is. She views it as her hobby and sport. She also competes in dance, so she takes it seriously.

“I dance because I want to and because it helps relieve my feelings and let lets you be free and emotional,” stated Barrios.

Nick Lazorini is Barrios’ dance hero.

“He’s amazing,” Barrios mentions.

He is a winner of So You Think You Can Dance. Barrios has looked up to him since seeing him perform at competitions she also competed in.

Richard Gillam, the Algebra 1 and Geometry teacher in Room 754, has decided to retire after teaching for over 16 years.

After graduating in 1958, he taught for two years, and then joined the Air Force. Afterwards, he returned back to teaching, and has been teaching at CVHS for 11 years.

During these years, his favorite aspect of teaching has clearly been the energetic students.

“My students motivate me to teach every day,” said Gillam.

“They are what kept me here for so long.”

By far, the worst aspect of teaching for him has been inconsistent curriculum and schedules. He dislikes how the techniques to teach mathematics change every year.

Gillam’s favorite memory is watching students play music on their iPods and being reminded of when he was back in high school, when rock music first originated.

As for retirement, “I just need

Aditi Bhatia / Staff writer

Math teacher Richard Gillam reminisces about his time here at CVHS. Gillam will be missed.

to get out. I need time to relax and enjoy my free time,” said Gillam.

He’s not sure of what his plans are after retiring, but will most likely spend time with his seven grandchildren, celebrate his fiftieth anniversary with his wife, and visit Yosemite.

He also plans on playing golf in

his free time.

Gillam enjoys playing a good game of bridge, reading history, and listening to some of his favorite musicians, like Frank Sinatra.

“He’s just plain awesome. I think he’s a great teacher,” said sophomore Reny Ramil.

Burnette can’t get away from CVHS

By Kearny Combs Staff Writer

After attending Castro Valley schools as a minor and teaching for 36 years, Ed Burnette is “finally graduating” the Castro Valley school system.

Burnette currently teaches US History and World Civilizations, but he’s also taught math and coached the football, track, and cross country teams.

As much as Burnette loves CVHS, he does admit he liked the way things used to be when there was more than one high school. Before it became a middle school, Canyon was a high school, which Burnette attended.

“CVHS is too big in numbers, I think. It’s nice to go to a high school where you know most students in your grade but at this school, not even the popular kids know many people by name,” said Burnette. “And when there were two high schools, there was balance in the number of students attending and there was more bonding between students and even teachers. This school can seem like a factory sometimes.”

Burnette intends to have an explosion of fun immediately

Kearny Combs / Staff Writer

Social studies teacher Ed Burnette gives his last F as a teacher at CVHS, but will be back as a substitute teacher. after retiring.

He desires to travel around the world a bit, go golfing, camping, hook up with his friends and chat, and lay back and relax.

He doesn’t plan to entirely abandon teaching in Castro Valley; he hopes to be a substitute.

So even though he’s retiring, he

might still be seen occasionally around campus.

“A word to the students—be all that you can be, and I’m not talking about the army,” said Burnette, seeing the slogan on an army poster in his classroom. “Try harder in the classroom.”

Trojans slayed the Dragons

By Max Kahane Staff Writer

Castro Valley’s varsity girls softball team outplayed Bishop O’Dowd at a neck-to-neck game.

At the beginning, the game was very close, but towards the end, the Trojans played hard and beat the Dragons, 11-9.

“The game was really intense and I’m glad that we came out on top,” said Cassandra Grima.

The game was held at Castro Valley High School on Thurs., May 13. This game was very important for the girls because not only did they defeat their main rival, but they also won the championship game of the league. This means that they were able to play in the NCS tournament.

In the NCS, the Trojans faced a very tough team, Monte Vista.

The game started out well and the Castro Valley girls played a good first inning with some hits. Unfortunately, they didn’t get any runs, so the first inning was scoreless.

When it came to the second inning, things started to fall apart for the Trojans. The Mustangs scored two runs with one out left. A short time later, another run was scored by the Mustangs. At the end of the second inning, the Trojans were down, 6-0.

Going into the fourth inning, the Trojans were down by six runs.

From that point on, Monte Vista took control of the game. But, this

By Kate Kim Staff Writer

Bianca arias/ photo editor

Sophomore Erin Cathy hits a perfect hit. didn’t stop the Trojans from giving it their best.

“Sometimes things don’t work out,” said Kelsi Mitchelle. “We had a good year.”

The game ended with in a 10-0 win for the Mustangs. But the Trojans played their best and finished the season with 17 wins and 7 losses.

Girls “beasting” at Powder Puff

By Jose Luna Staff Writer

The Powder Puff Football game is an incredible event that comes only once a year. Girls, separated by grades, teamed up to play a friendly football game against each other on Friday May 14.

There is nothing better than watching girls play football.

Sophomores and seniors wore

Running, jumping, throwing and winning

black jerseys while freshmen and juniors wore white jerseys.

This game wasn’t about who was the best, but about playing a friendly football game with each other and having fun.

“We both tried really hard and we both did awesome and the score means nothing,” said junior Melissa Coulter.

The game was well played throughout the quarters and there were a couple of dirty moves, but nothing as serious as the fights in previous years.

“The game was kind of dirty, but we stuck with it and got through with whatever came our way,” admitted junior Franchesca Morales.

Girls who participated seemed to have enjoyed the game, as well as the audience cheering on them.

“The game went good and we played hard out there,” said sophomore Christiana Rodriguez, who seemed to have had a great time during the game because she was “beasting.”

In the end, it was a very well played game by both teams.

The sophomore and senior girls ended up winning the game 28-18, but that was the very last thing every one looked at, and everyone enjoyed playing the game while having a lot of fun.

After all, that’s what it was all about.

Senior Writer

Jessica Heuer, Micaela Castain and Danielle Torres rush the ball during Powder Puff football.

Track girls race to victory

By Kate Kim

Keeping up with the Trojan victories, the CVHS girl track and field squad showed off their talent at the HAAL and NCS Bayshore championships.

Senior Tobi Alli won four events at the HAAL championships. Alli broke the school record for the long jump with a mark of 18-1. She also took home first place for the 100 (12:6), the 200 (26:5), and in the 400 relay with teammates Brianna Miller, Kristen Elam, and Maya Chisell.

“I want to thank my coach and my teammates. I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without them,” said Alli, the day before the NCS championships.

At the NCS meet, Alli came in fifth in the 100 (12.87), third in the 200 (26.45), and third in the 400 relays along with Miller, Elam, and Chisell.

Adding on to these victories is Kelsey Santisteban, who won first place in the 1,600 (5:15).

Following Santisteban by a few seconds was Elise Wummer, who came in third (5:19).

In the 400, Miller got third with a mark of 59.88 and came in fifth on the long jump with a mark of 17-83/4.

Chelsea Schneider was another champion who came in first on the 800 with a time of 2:20.

With all of the exceptional results, the girls were titled second place in the NCS Bayshore championships with an overall score of 73.

“This team has a talent and they responded well to Coach Jones in his first year,” says Peter Brewer, former track and field coach. “The athletes developed during the season and it shows at the end.”

O’Dowd with a score of 628 points, and varsity boys won their league title as well, for the fifth year in a row.

Varsity boys Frank Horpel, Patrick Brown, Gabe McDermott, and Mark Nagy stepped their game up in the 200 Medley Relay, breaking a league record set in 2005. In addition, all six of the varsity relays qualified for NCS, with only one qualifying relay finishing at second place. “Our varsity girls did so amazing. They worked really hard and it all paid off,” said senior Eleni Lembesis.

Aside from the winning relay races, swimmers Patrick Brown,

Frank Horpel, Sierra Gibson, Gabbi White, Gabe McDermott, Chris Kerner, and Mark Nagy qualified for NCS in their respective races. Varsity swimmer Frank Horpel broke a second record, set 15 years ago for the 500 Freestyle, but lost the record-holding win to O’Dowd’s Nick Burbidge by eight hundredths of a second.

“I will miss everything. We had some amazing people and I’ll miss the bonding time. We were, in a way, like a little family,” said Lembesis when asked what she will miss most about her team.

Staff Writer

Swimmers make a splash at NCS

By Erin Mundy

Bianca arias/ photo editor

With the school year almost over, the boys track and field team is finishing the year with a bang.

From daily practices and meets, the efforts and hard work of the athletes paid off through their races and events.

The boys had an easy victory at the HAAL championships, which led them to the NCS Bayshore Area Championships.

Will Weekes, also known as “Stormin’ Norman,” had an amazing worst-to-first day at the HAAL meet. Sickness caused him to come in last in the 1,600, but did not stop him from storming back to win the 800. His teammates helped him get pumped up for his races, he said.

“There’s a storm-a-coming, Stormin’ Norman. That’s a little slogan that everybody says that really motivates me,” said Weekes.

Weekes moved on to the NCS Bay Shore Area Championships, where he came in second place for the 800, improving his last time with a time of 2:00.52.

Coming in right behind Weekes,

Anthony Martore, a junior, came in third with a time of 2:00.81.

The NCS meet was a victorious one for the CVHS boys as different runners shined in different races and events. Ben Eversole came in first for the 3,200 (9:44.24) and fourth for the 1,600 (4:28.49). Matthew Speegle, Myles Speegle, Bobby Batis, and Damion Rosby won first place for the 400 relay (43.27).

In the pole vault, Andrew Wiegart was the champion with 13-4 and Erich Coulter got the fourth highest score with12-6.

Eric Mason came in second for the shotput (52-1) and Jacob Eckel came in fourth (48-10).

In the discus, however, things were reversed with Eckel coming in second (151-4) and Mason coming in right after him (146-8). With all of these victories, whether it was first place or beating a personal record, the boys won the NCS meet for the third straight year with an overall score of 91.

As the season comes to a close, CVHS swim team has proved to be a force to be reckoned with. All four divisions (boys, girls, junior varsity, and varsity) ended the season of regular dual meets undefeated at 6-0. Varsity girls beat out

Iron Man 2 lacks excitement of first

Recent alum rocks radio waves

By Sarah Gilchriese A&E Editor

Live 105 is more than just an alternative rock station heard blasting out of cars in the parking lots; it’s home to Castro Valley High School’s 2007 graduate Katie Goodman. Once president of DECA and key player on the varsity basketball team multiple years in a row, Goodman co-hosts The No Name Show every weekday morning on station 105.3.

Goodman attended CVHS where she was active in many things. She has played basketball for 16 years to date, which landed her a spot on the varsity line-up her sophomore and junior year. She also was the president of DECA her senior year, where she and her team placed high, and was awarded the hospitality award.

“Babuljak taught me my mindset of ‘let things happen,’” said Goodman. Babuljak was one of her favorite teachers while she was at CVHS. Mona Kreuzer, who was the head of DECA, inspired Goodman and helped her to pursue her goals.

“DECA helped get me into Live 105, which has impacted me greatly,” said Goodman.

After graduation, Goodman decided to go on to Las Positas, where she found an internship at Live

By Melissa Lau Staff Writer

105. After her internship was complete, she became part of the paid staff, and started to help running the morning show. She has been with the radio station for over two years, and plans to stay there as long as possible.

“I love my co-workers the most; I’ve been really fortunate to work with genuine people,” explained Goodman. She says that all the people on The No Name Show with her have become as close as family.

“ I’ve been

really fortunate to work with genuine people Katie Goodman Radio Host

”

Goodman’s advice to anyone interested in radio broadcasting, or any future goal is: “If you get an opportunity, do it.” You can check out Goodman on The No Name Show every weekday morning at Live 105.3.

The Last Song comes first

By Tiffany Choi Staff Writer

The Last Song is an unforgettable romance movie that just melts your heart.

The movie stars Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. Most of us know Miley Cyrus as a famous singer and actress, and most of us either hate her or love her. I for one love her and enjoyed watching every minute of her throughout the movie.

The story is about a rebellious teenager, Ronnie Miller (Miley Cyrus) who hasn’t spoken to her dad in three years after her parents’ divorce and her father’s move, until her mother decides to ship her and her brother off to their dad for the summer. The last thing Ronnie expected was to meet Will, a boy who is able to break through her tough outer shell and see her as the genuine person that she is.

Over the course of the summer, Ronnie is able to open up to her father through music, the only thing they have in common, and fall in love with Will.

The movie is based on the novel written by Nicholas Sparks, the

author of many famous romance novels turned into films, such as Dear John and The Notebook.

I read the book before I saw the movie, and it is very different from the book, like most movies are.

In this movie, love is demonstrated in many ways: a person’s first love, the love between parents and their children, and the love shared between friends and family. Tragedy strikes when secrets are revealed and misunderstandings occur.

This movie caused my eyes to water, but I was not pouring tears out of my eyes. It might have been because of the fact that I read the book and knew everything that was going to happen.

One of my favorite scenes was Will accidentally bumping into Ronnie during a volleyball game and causing her to spill her drink all over herself, because this is when they first meet.

In the book, Ronnie is a rebellious bad girl, but it barely shows in the movie. However, the chemistry between Ronnie and Will is very strong and you just can’t help but fall in love with this movie.

Overall, this is a very touching movie that is definitely worth watching, whether you are a fan of Miley Cyrus or not.

The worst kind of movies out there are the ones that spend all their time polishing the path to the climax, and leaving the climax only a few moments before the story ends. Iron Man was an instant hit to box offices, and sequel Iron Man 2 was no exception.

The movie takes place six months after Tony Stark, played

by Robert Downey Jr., reveals his secret identity of Iron Man to the public. He has maintained world peace, continued his father’s legacy by re-opening the Stark Expo, and refused the government’s desires to use his technology for the military, claiming his technology was years ahead of everyone who

were trying to recreate it. While all of this is going on, it is revealed to the audience that Stark was suffering from his palladium core in his arc reactor as it is hastily burning and eating away battery after battery. It is revealed that his lifespan is limited due to his palladium core’s flawed state, and that there are no known successful replacements for it.

With full knowledge on how short his life was, he decides to do as he pleases, going as far as to throw dangerous parties, while still wearing the Iron Man suit, and racing cars. While racing, he finds himself a new opponent who proceeded to whip open his car with electric whip-like weapons.

His name is Ivan Vanko, played

by Mickey Rourke, who created a successful arc reactor which Stark had claimed no one could make, and he was the son of Stark’s father’s ex-partner. Vanko’s father died in poverty even though he had helped Stark’s father create the first arc reactor, and Vanko

In praise of new documentary Babies

By Yoon Jung Staff Writer

Do you remember the very first thing you saw when you came out in the world? Or the first step you took? It’s an unusual thing to remember when you were a baby. The documentary film Babies will bring you to the times as far as back to where you won’t remember.

Forget about all the fancy actors and interesting dramas.

The movie without a single dialogue and scripted scenario turned out to have the most humanity, be the most humorous, and the best.

The film directed

by Thomas Balmes follows four babies from their birth to their early months in decidedly different locations—Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and San Francisco.

Baby Ponijao in Namibia drinks water from a stream, plays in and eats the dirt. Baby Hattie in San Francisco goes out to the park with her mom in her carriage to take a nap. Baby Bayar in Mongolia grabs a rooster and goats as his friends. Baby Mari in Japan plays with her toys and stickers.

They see, touch, feel very different things and get influenced by their own environment, parents and pets.

Everyday experiences show how differently cultures are raising each baby from a native country to civilized country.

In contrast, the babies’ strengths are built up to stand themselves up on the blanket where they slept, ate and peed. It is the world that holds their hands and legs not to fall, and the eyes that show them various things they will face as they grow up.

The camera captures their loud and definite emotions with irresistible adorability. Wherever they are, the most important lesson is they have such a precious life as we all have. As I saw many seats with old women, the movie was the blueprint for a life. They laughed when the babies were smiling, they laughed when the babies were crying.

The only inconvenience with watching Babies is only few of the theaters show this movie, and people have not heard of the movie yet because of lack of advertisement.

This movie gives you fascinating new perspective for the life when it gets boring and teaches you how many times you fall and stand back up on your feet, and now you can do anything to stand up from failure.

blames Stark for his family’s misfortunate fate and is thirsty for revenge.

Just because the graphics were impressive in Iron Man 2, that doesn’t make it a good movie. The storyline lacked action and the ending was rushed. It isn’t thrilling, and you’ll find yourself about to fall asleep for the first hour and 45 minutes. When the action does come, it’s only for at most 15 minutes. Disappointed, I’d have to rate this movie 2 out of 5 stars.

Anyone who is expecting an action-packed movie that’ll keep you at the edge of your seat will be completely and awfully disappointed.

Entertainment Calendar MusicJune 8: Christina Aguilera: Bionic June 8: Lil Jon: Crunk Rock June 15: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Mojo June 22: Automatic Loveletter: Truth or Dare June 22: Miley Cyrus: Can’t Be Tamed June 22: Pierce The Veil: Selfish Machines MoviesJune 11: The Karate Kid June 18: Toy Story 3 June 30: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse July 9: Despicable Me Video GamesJune 1: Call of Duty: The War Collection, (X360) $59.99 June 1: Pure Futbol, (X360, PS3), $39.99 June 15: Toy Story 3, (X360, PSP, Wii, DS, PC), $29.99$49.99 July 6: Crackdown 2, (X360), $59.99 BooksJune 7: Sisters Red – Jackson Pearce, $16.99 June 8: Lifted – Wendy Toliver, $9.99 June 10: The Talent Thief – Alex Williams, $16.99 June 14: Reality Check– Jen Calonita, $16.99 June 16: The Spider’s Web – Adrian Tilley, $11.95 ConcertsJune 4: Cute Is What We Aim For, Slims, $15 June 6: BFD [including Sublime, Flyleaf, Queens of the Stone Age], Shoreline, $32.50 June 10: Mewithoutyou, Grand Ballroom, $13 June 25: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The Warfield, $22.25 June 26: Van’s Warped Tour, Shoreline, $33

CVHS choirs sing it to win it A Capella and Madrigals sing out their souls

By Trevin Smith Senior Writer

The CVHS A Capella and Madrigal choirs went on their annual trip to Pacific Union College in Angwin, California for the Golden State Competition 2010 on May 28.

The competition is known across the state as one of the most prestigious high school choir competitions because many schools want to enter, but few have the skills to actually be accepted. It takes years of recommendations, rankings, and other trials before one choir can be accepted into the competition.

CVHS choirs were joined by some of California’s greatest high school choirs from Monte Vista High, Nevada Union High, and Napa High, who are all known to have some of the best high school student singers in the state.

The choirs train year-round with their choirs for this very competition.

The CVHS A Cappella choir sang intricate songs such as “Beati Quo-

rum Via” and “The Conversion of Saul.”

The A Capella choir ended up placing in fifth this year, which is very impressive since the competition is so fierce. The choirs they sing against are extremely advanced and therefore difficult opponents.

CVHS’s A Cappella and Madrigal choirs place only every few years, so doing so is a great achievement. Getting fifth place also means that they are guaranteed a spot in the festival for next year.

The Madrigals this year faced challenge after challenge in their preparation for the festival.

Problems like POPS, students leaving the group, and songs being learned too late were huge obstacles they were forced to climb this year.

They came in last, although they tried as hard as they could.

There is always next year for them.

Golden State is the Super Bowl of choir competitions for CVHS. After night after night of long practices and preparations, it is safe to say that the many students at CVHS who are in choir are very grateful that the competition is done for the year.

So many aides, so little work

By Tiffany Choi Staff Writer

Students with holes in their schedules enroll in school services and become teachers’ aides even when they aren’t needed. There are 427 TAs at CVHS. In most cases, students who are failing or can’t handle a certain class drop out first semester. The student then has a hole in their schedule and needs to take a class for units in order to graduate, but they know they won’t do well in an academic class. Since the school does not offer many one-semester classes, students enroll into school services and become a TA. Teachers requesting a TA are assigned one; a student may also request to assist a teacher. However, it does not take five TAs to help a teacher run the class or help with work.

“I currently have 14 TAs. I’ll admit that I only need one and that most of them are quite useless.

But hey, I don’t mind,” said history teacher Jason Marlis.

Unless the teacher and TA have

VALLES: From page 1

Board of Education appointed her as principal, including a meeting with panels of students and teachers, as well as an interview with CVUSD Superintendent Jim Negri and his cabinet.

a strong dislike for each other, being a TA is a pretty easy job.

Most TAs just sit around during class, doing their homework or nothing at all. It is hard to help a teacher when the students are not allowed to grade or do certain things.

“Since there’s so many of us, we don’t have much to do,” said junior Chris Maldonado.

Some view TAs as an crucial part of CVHS. “Many of the school sevice students work closely with teachers and staff memebers and play a vital role on our coampus,” said teacher Duane Magno.

The only solution is for the school to offer more one-semester classes. However, due to budget cuts, the school doesn’t have enough money to offer more classes.

Five years ago, one-semester art classes were offered, but the classes became one-year classes because of the UC requirement for one year of visual and performing arts.

“I am looking forward to meeting the staff, the students, and the community of Castro Valley High School,” said Valles at the district board meeting.

“It’s going to be a wonderful opportunity.”

Trevin Smith/ Senior Writer

A Capella and Madrigal choirs rehearse on stage before their competition at Pacific Union College in Angwin, California.

Passing time by passing out

By Nic Barradas Feature Editor

A number of students at CVHS have been engaging in a dangerous and possibly fatal game known as “The Pass Out Game,” “The Choking Game,” “Black Out,” “The Hanging Game,” or “Choke Out.” Students who have been caught doing this on campus have been suspended. This punishment is only one more of the surmounting reasons not to try this game. The long-term and short-term affects are all detrimental to one’s health; in severe incidents this game has lead to death. There is no upside side to this game.

“The goal of the game is asphyxiation, as in, to apply pressure to restrict oxygen blood flow to the brain of the victim.

This is accomplished by neck constriction and/or chest compression, sometimes including hyperventilation. Diminishing oxygen to the brain produces a sensation,” explained school nurse Sandee Velasquez.

“The ‘high’ are the cells of the brain seizing and beginning the

process of permanent cell death.

When the victim becomes unconscious, the pressure is released and the secondary ‘high’ of the oxygen/blood rushing to the brain is achieved.

“The health consequences of this game are varied and potentially fatal,” Velasquez warned.

“Bruises, concussions, broken bones, seizures, brain damage, memory loss, retinal hemor-

rhaging, stroke and cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest are all real possibilities… Students need to know they are injuring their brain every time they play this game, and that stroke, seizures, and cardiac arrest are very real consequences.”

One student who tried the stunt described his negative experience.

“It’s done by sort of bending

over and hyperventilating 15 times and then standing up and sticking your thumb in your mouth and blowing out as hard as you can till there’s no air left and the result is that you pass out,” explained senior Nick Marino. “It sucked. My vision faded, I lost consciousness, fell, and hit my head on the ground.

My friends kind of caught me, but they sort of missed.”

When asked why he tried the game, Marino simply said “It was a bet.”

As teenagers, students are pressured to do many things that are bad for them. Drugs, alcohol, and violence plague them.

“Teenagers, more often boys than girls, want to take risks.

You guys [teenagers] make a conscious decision to take a risk, to push the limit,” explained health teacher Sue Anderson. “The part that saddens me most is that these kids aren’t doing it because they are bad, but because of peer pressure and the need to fit in, to be a part of the group,” she said.

“Don’t do it; it’s not worth it. I’m lucky nothing bad happened,” warned Marino.

four, making a Trojan comeback a more daunting task with their struggle for a big hit.

Junior Matt Narahara was spectacular, going the distance with a complete game allowing five hits, walking three and striking out five. California scored four runs but only one was charged to Narahara as the Castro Valley defense committed three errors.

There was no shortage of hits for the Trojans, as they produced nine, but Castro Valley failed to come up in the clutch scoring none of the baserunners.

“We should have easily won that game because we had more

hits than they did.

“We just weren’t able to execute while we had runners in scoring position and California did. Our defense made plays and all we needed was run support for Matt Narahara.

He pitched a great game,” said sophomore Jesse Sellers, summing up the frustrations of a lack of timely hitting and a wasted pitching performance.

Castro Valley ended the season with a very respectable 16- 8 record, making their first round NCS exit even more disappointing. The win improved California’s record to 13-11-1.

“The health conse-

quences of this game are varied and potentially fatal.

Sandee Velasquez Nurse

”

Trojans battle until the end

By Nick Leonardo Staff Writer

The Trojans ended their varsity baseball season on Thursday May 27 with a 4-0 loss to California High School in their first NCS game. Originally scheduled for the previous day as an away game, a rainout pushed the game back and moved it to Castro Valley.

The game was scoreless through three and a half innings until California busted out three runs in the bottom half of the third. They added another run in the fifth, raising the deficit to