June 6, 2008

VOLUME 51, ISSUE 12

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2008 CASTRO VALLEY, CA, 94546

Teachers to wed after marriage ruling

By Malena Bell Editor-in-Chief

May 15, 2008 is a historic date both in the gay rights movement, and in the lives of art teacher Jo Sutton and science teacher Melissa Kindelspire. It’s the day the California Supreme Court struck down a California law banning same-sex marriage, and the day Sutton proposed to Kindelspire.

“For the first time in my life I feel like I am equal with straight people,” said Sutton, who was overwhelmed with joy when she found out about the ruling.

Sutton and Kindelspire have been together for ten years and domestic partners for seven years. After finding out about the ruling in an email from Kindelspire, Sutton went to Kindelspire’s class and proposed to her in front of students from both classes.

“What was really cool was the overwhelming support and love from the students and staff,” said Sutton.

“I didn’t feel anything but love when people found out I was getting married,” agreed Kindelspire.

This ruling is a step forward for the gay rights movement and a big deal to homosexuals who have worked for years to earn the right to marry.

“It validates that you’re a person that deserves equal treatment,” said social studies teacher Roger Kim. Before the ruling, homosexual couples in California were able to get domestic partnerships, which, though similar to mar-

By Sophiana Carrell News Editor

Malena Bell/ Editor-in-Chief

Soon-to-be-married teachers Jo Sutton (center) and Melissa Kindelspire (right) pose beside the mural of gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk. riages, are not the same. Domestic partners are not given many of the rights that are given to married couples.

Kim has been with his partner for nine years and they have been domestic partners for eight years.

“It’s like asking me to sit in the back of the bus. The seats are the same, but you’re treated differently,” said Kim. Though Kim and his partner already had a wedding ceremony, they are planning to get married as soon as the state will issue them a marriage license.

The couple considered getting married in San Francisco when

Cameras fail to stop graffiti vandals

By Lindsay Oda Staff Writer

Vandals came to CVHS and tagged the courtyard side of the main gym on April 7. Many of the murals were defaced saying “HHS.” Unfortunately the cameras didn’t help, and the graffitists were not caught.

If the taggers were to be caught, they would have been punished with three to five days of suspension, arrest by the school police officer, community service, fines, and possible expulsion depending on previous offenses.

Administrators thought “HHS” meant Hayward High School, meaning that perhaps students from Hayward High School tagged the gym, or even that CVHS students were trying to start a rivalry.

Within two days, a clean-up crew hired by the district covered the graffiti. However the tagged murals couldn’t just be covered.

Art teacher Jo Sutton had her

Tuition hikes strike UC, CSU

students volunteer to repaint the murals during class time.

“I’m proud that my students are willing to maintain our beautiful murals, despite the recurring vandalism,” commented Sutton.

The school has been constantly working to catch new taggers. School resource officers work with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police to identify tags. Both teams take pictures of tags and compare them to each other.

Other ideas from the administration are for teachers to check binders of students who practice their tags, and for kids to anonymously report taggers.

In the end, the administration seems to be fed up about it.

“Kids should quit tagging and just respect the school. We only have so much money and it’s a waste of time. The tags just get erased quickly anyway,” said Assistant Principal Jesse Woodward.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom decided to start issuing licenses in 2004, however they decided against it.

“We wanted to but we knew that it would probably not be valid,” said Kim. He is hoping that this new decision will stay.

Many gay couples feel hurried to get married quickly because of an initiative that may make its way onto the November ballot that would amend the state

Constitution to once again ban same-sex marriage.

“To think that it could all be reversed in a few months is scary,” said Kim. However, he believes that the movement for gay rights will be successful. “It’ll take time, but I’m hopeful,” said Kim. According to these teachers, the Supreme Court ruling embodies the changing attitude toward gay citizens. All three of

MARRIAGE: Page 8

As if college isn’t already expensive enough, UC and California State University systems are increasing their tuition costs again, making this the sixth cost hike in seven years.

“I got an e-mail about it,” says senior Kimmy Steinbuch, who will be attending Fresno State this upcoming fall. “Because my school is so cheap, only about $7,000, it won’t really affect me that much.”

A few weeks ago at the CSU headquarters in Long Beach, dozens of students showed up to the meeting regarding tuition increase. When the regents’ finance committee voted 7-2 in favor of the increase, the students then locked arms and refused to leave the meeting. The outburst then led to the arrest of several people who were escorted out of the building hand-cuffed.

Though the decision sparked anger across the nation, CVHS students don’t seem to be too shaken by this change that will increase the annual cost for

TUITION: Page 8

Political week has burritos Students gain political awareness

By Ryan Flores Staff Writer

Political week hit CVHS from May 19-23. The goal of the week was to get students, especially minors, to become politically aware with games and mock elections.

The week started off with students filling out their voter reg-

istration forms. Then, students voted for their favorite political cartoon and presidential candidate. A row of information tables on the party representatives in the annex helped students to pick the right candidate. Afterwards, the voters got a slip of paper entering themselves in a raffle to win a free Chipotle burrito.

On Tuesday, May 20, while the

Howard Whang/ Staff Writer

Sophomore Igor Breyman suffers from head trauma in the 900 hall bathroom during the earthquake drill.

voting was taking place, Jason Teramonto paid a visit to CVHS. Teramonto, a CVHS alumnus, is running for state Assembly as a Democrat.

The next day was the JSA debate in the annex. Their topic this time was if California’s constitution should prohibit gay marriages.

Then, on Thursday, May 22, the team behind political week gave Chipotle gift certificates to the winners of pin-the-tailon-the-donkey and pin-thetrunk-on-the-elephant. They also announced the winners of the mock election. Presidential candidate Barack Obama was in the lead and John McCain close behind.

The last political week was around four years ago, but the school hopes to have it every two years because of its huge success with the students. Only half of the senior class was old enough to vote, giving minors a chance to let their voice be heard. Four hundred to 500 students ended up participating all week long.

No relief yet for increasing gas prices

By Esther Lee

Business Manager

Yay for Supreme Court, gay couples, justice Editorial ----------------------------------------Not since 2004 have homosexual couples in California been given the right to marriage, while heterosexuals have always had that constitutional right. Until now, that is. On May 16, a historical decision was made, and with a fourto-three vote, the California State Supreme Court granted gay couples all over California marriage rights once again.

Sadly, the notion that gays should possess the right to marriage simply because they have the same rights to love, to create a family, and the opportunity to share their lives together, has never been enough for some people. The fact that marriage is a civil right given to all citizens except homosexuals in most of the country does not matter to them either.

This reminds The Olympian of a dark time in this country, when segregation laws granted

rights to only one kind of people.

Fortunately, homosexual couples were granted their overdue happiness, at least for the time being. It is no secret that there is talk of a state constitutional amendment, limiting marriage to heterosexual couples only, that will quite possibly reach the ballots in November.

Many people feel deprived of their own rights, since they voted to ban homosexual mar-

riages but saw the State legalize it anyway.

Still, imagine how gay couples across the state felt after being told in 2004 that yes, they can marry just like everyone else, only to see the California State Supreme Court void those marriages.

The court’s most recent decision to allow gay marriage is a victory for equality and justice.

This time, the court got it right.

The disease of universal senioritis

Apathy strikes lazy Americans and eats us all up inside like spaghetti

By Andrew Huber Staff Writer

Guess the greatest dilemmas sweeping the country: prom, drugs, war, dress sizes, college, fights between Democrats, more Democrats, and Republicans. Guess what: we don’t care. One of the most largely overlooked and grossly depressing topics blanketing the United States is the phrase, “I don’t care.”

As if the world did not matter, it seems that the U.S. has succumbed to the temptations of universal senioritis. The notion of not caring about homework commonly enjoyed by many graduating seniors deserves no place in society.

People often do not understand that whatever a person does, or does not do, still affects countless other people. Even little things like picking up a piece of trash, rushing into a burning building, giving a person a smile, holding a door, all common things that go into those “Respect” commercials, I

Letters to the Editor

rarely see.

Some people do mind. True, it is not a competition. But to be

honest, I rush to get to school before this kid who I don’t know, just so that I can hold the door open for him. Otherwise he will hold the door open for me. The majority, however, never concern themselves with

the little acts of kindness that immensely brighten someone’s day.

Moving beyond the routine thoughtfulness lecture, what happened to duty? Taking care of something also means taking responsibility for it and action towards it. What if everyone gave up and said, “I don’t care”? What would happen to families, friends, neighbors, education, even the next president? Every person has a choice; the scenario does not matter. Do something for someone else, finish a project, do their part, and it is all simply a choice. Chances are that a choice of ignoring a duty will adversely affect someone rather than sincere caring to do something.

They say that people only start to care after a disaster.

For instance, the money floods into a country after a natural disaster. Do people really need family members to be killed in DUI accidents, wars, suicides, gang fights, or looming global warming to get engaged in others’ wellbeing?

The Castro Valley High School Olympian, naturally, will welcome letters to the editor over the summer, especially of the variety that somehow relates to our writers’ work. We expect to have 482 letters by August 26, or else that weirdo octopus will grace the letters box and haunt us all for the next 15 years. Otherwise, Ostrich will probably follow

Kevin Hanley to Chabot and stalk him the rest of his mortal life. Please send the letters to cvhsolympian@yahoo.com or break into the school office and deliver it to Mr. Johanson’s box, where he will hopefully eventually receive it.

Note that this box drips of sarcasm. Please, we beg of you, dear reader, send LETTERS!

“ Do people re-

ally need family members to be killed in DUI accidents, wars, suicides, gang fights, or looming global warming to get engaged in others’ wellbeing?

”

I hope this generation can see what needs to be done, and do it without slacking off and letting someone else take the responsibility. I challenge, or beg you, whichever will inspire you, to get out there and start caring. This is not just your life to waste; it is your life and all the lives of those around you.

Gas prices have been consistently rising – $3.98, $4.05, $4.18 – plaguing the whole nation and especially the Bay Area.

San Francisco has one of the highest gas prices in the nation. There is no end in sight as experts expect prices to hit $5 in the summer.

Gas prices seem to be on everyone’s minds and have been one of the hot topics of the presidential debate. Many people are looking for a relief in prices and are paying attention to the candidates’ stances on it.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama wants to raise the CAFE standards, which are the fuel-efficiency standards on cars, 3 percent each year and wants to create a market for renewable fuels. Candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCain proposed a gasoline tax holiday.

The presidential nominees are not the only ones trying to deal with the prices, however; high school students are dealing with them as well.

Many students have experienced firsthand the pain of having to pay high gas prices at the pump. Spending $50 to $70 for a full tank is not often unheard of. Whether we pay for these unbelievable prices by working or asking our parents, money is flying out of our pockets.

Hopefully, to avoid spending too much on these rising prices, there will be more fuel-conscious cars available for consumers in the near future.

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

A ‘Modest Proposal’ to save the Earth

By Hayden Folks Feature Editor

Although I am conservative on most issues, there is one that I agree with my left wing counterparts on. The issue is global warming. I not only believe that global warming should be the issue on the forefront of the presidential election this year, but that it is the greatest threat to us, not just as Americans, but as human beings as well.

Now, most people know what global warming is and what causes it, so I will not bore you with all the details.

I myself have done a lot of research and have found the perfect solution to global warming, energy problems, hunger, and almost all environmental problems. This is my “Modest Proposal.”

The environment has become strained from supporting the large human population. There is no argument about that. The world is struggling to support all of our needs. The oil beds are running dry from powering our trade and transportation.

The forests are disappearing to build our houses or to make

room for more farm and grazing lands. We need that extra land to feed our giant population and we do not even feed them that well. War and violence takes place over the few resources we have. And worst of all there is the ever-looming cloud of global warming. If we let it continue, global warming could cause the temperature of the world to raise as much as four degrees Fahrenheit. That’s right, four degrees.

We are told that the main greenhouse gas causing global warming is carbon dioxide.

This is carbon dioxide from our cars, our factories, and even

our b breath. The other gas that is not as prominent as carbon dioxide but that is far more dangerous is methane. It has ten times the effect of carbon dioxide and guess where that comes from?

That’s right, from humans and the animals we raise. Well you may ask what do you think we should do, stop farting and go back to the Stone Age? No, of course not, that would be completely unreasonable. Plus, if we go back to the Stone Age the environment still will not be able to support us. There are too many post-Industrial Age

Farewell seniors, hello senior year

By Malena Bell Editor-in-Chief

As this year’s seniors approach graduation, I feel so proud of all the fantastic things they have accomplished, and I feel very grateful to have known them. I am also torn with sadness at the thought of parting with them.

They are such special people, and I know they are going to do so many amazing things in the future. As the end of the year approaches and they do all the senior activities, I know that, whether they are glad or disappointed, they are coming to the understanding that they are actually leaving Castro Valley High for good.

As a junior myself, I am start-

ing to think about my senior year and all the responsibilities it brings. I am already investigating colleges and planning my life after CVHS, which is what many seniors spend their year doing. But is that what senior year should be about?

I feel like sometimes we plan so far into the future that we forget to appreciate what we have right now.

Right now, I know that I am surrounded with many friends whom I love and do fun things I enjoy. Despite all the hardships of junior year, I have had great times and made many unforgettable memories. I can only imagine that senior year will be just as wonderful. But then again, at the end of senior year, I will be forced to leave everything behind. I can’t

even imagine leaving all the people with whom I have spent these past high school, middle school, and even elementary school years.

Luckily, I have one more year to spend with these great friends, and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I don’t want to lose the last year I have with all these people worrying about what I am going to do afterward.

I would urge everybody to do the same, to try to ignore some of the stress of high school and instead enjoy the time we all have left together.

I know this all sounds pretty preachy, but I feel like too many people miss out on so many things in life because of the stress they put themselves through.

humans.

My proposal is simple: to eliminate the human population to pre-1800 numbers. That way there will not be enough people to cause a strain on the environ ment. There will be hardly any carbon emissions from cars and power sta tions with so few people and there will be very little carbon dioxide emitted from breathing. There won’t be so many people who want to eat steaks from farting cows. This simple proposal will also solve all the other problems prementioned.

How would you do this?

Well, we have to make everything fair, because life is always fair, so we would just randomly select people to be executed for the common good.

With our population at 6.4 billion people we would only

have to eliminate 5.43 billion people, which is just 84 percent of the population. We cannot burn them because the carbon in their bodies would be released and we definitely can’t just leave the bodies to rot because it would stink and they still would release their carbon dioxide. There are only two solutions to this problem and both are completely reasonable.

The first is to put all the bodies in rockets and shoot them to the moon so that our atmosphere will be safe. We would remove a significant source of carbon from the earth’s ecosystem, avoiding recycling the carbon into carbon dioxide or methane.

However, even better would be to dig huge holes several miles deep and dump the bodies there to copy the massive burying of organic matter that occurred during the Jurassic Age when the current oil fields were formed. That way we removed a major existing source of carbon dioxide, removed the human stress to the environment, and even resupply oil for future generations. It is recycling at its best.

I hope you seriously consider this proposal as I already have.

It is the only logical and reasonable way to save the humans, polar bears, and octopi. Or maybe global warming is not that big of a deal and we should stop worrying so much about it. Look at the real facts and not that biased crap Al Gore presents in An Inconvenient Truth and realize it is not nearly as catastrophic as he makes it out to be.

There will be (fictional) blood

By Frank Chao Staff Writer

Can violence really be bad for children? Heck no. Only overprotective mothers and little whiny sissies complain that there is too much violence in video games.

First of all, what’s wrong with killing people in video games?

Death is natural, why should we be afraid of it? Kids need to get used to the cold hard fact that people die. The longer it takes for them to learn that, the more naive they will be when they grow older.

Another good thing about violent video games is that it allows people to take their anger out on pixels rather than on real people. Isn’t it much better that you’re stabbing pixels instead of your girlfriend? Since it’s your parents that usually buy you these games, they teach you that it’s better to kill people in the games only and not in real life. You don’t see parents handing their children enemies to slaughter.

If violence is carried out from video games to real life, kids

wouldn’t ask for these violent video games and instead ask for a Beretta. How often do you see kids carrying around Berettas? Not often.

These violent video games often portray enemies that should be regarded with distaste. For example, if you’re fighting a monster, would you not shoot it if you could? Would you hug him? No way. You wouldn’t even think before pulling the trigger.

People seem to believe that if you’re able to shoot a monster in real life, you could shoot something in real life. That’s completely wrong because in real life, it’s much harder to pull the trigger. It’s all fictional in the game so you wouldn’t think twice. In real life, your emotions would race through your mind and make you think twice before you shoot. There’s a difference.

If a person can’t tell the difference between real life and fiction, the person shouldn’t be playing any video games at all.

We don’t want people to think that they can fly on broomsticks or have 29 lives left.

¡Vamos! Students headed to Spain Joung featured in Time magazine

By Taylor Pepsin Staff Writer

Just imagine castles, right out of a medieval movie and palaces as elaborate as one can imagine.

Picture an endless abundance of culture, music, dance, and history going back centuries ago.

Thirty-two students from CVHS will take a $2,800 trip across the Atlantic Ocean on an 11-day tour of Spain. Their first destination is Madrid. These students will take a tour of the largest Spanish gallery in the world, Prado. The gallery has beautiful cultural artwork and more than 8,600 paintings.

While in Madrid, students will visit Madrid’s largest square, the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace was once the most powerful court in the world. It holds more than 2,800 rooms and has

a remarkable throne room and marble staircase.

Also during their trip, they will be taking a guided tour through the astonishing city of

“

If you like Spanish and culture, this is the trip for you!

Clare Enseñat Teacher

”

Seville. Seville is well known for its music festivals and charming atmosphere. One of the main attractions is the Seville Cathedral. It is the largest Roman Cathedral and the largest religious building. It has a great

amount of religious jewelry, painting and sculptures. The Cathedral is a major trade center and was originally built to show Seville’s strength.

They will then head to the royal palace of Seville Alcazar. The building presents numerous examples of cultural architecture.

The students will then travel northeast to prehistoric Granada, where they will stop at Spain’s most celebrated building: Alhambra. Alhambra is one of the most stunning and eye-catching palaces of architecture, full of fountains and gardens.

Lastly, they will arrive in Barcelona. There they will see cultural and traditional monuments, including the Parque Guell. Full of remarkable landmarks, amazing and colorful architecture, and an urban garden, the Parque Guell is said to bring you peace and keep you calm.

“If you like Spanish and culture, this is the trip for you!” said Spanish teacher Clare Enseñat who will be joining the students on the trip. “If anyone is interested in going to Spain in the future, the next time we’re going is in 2010.”

By Esther Lee

Business Manager

Next year’s ASB president, California State President of DECA, and Vice President of Promotion for Optimier are just a few of the impressive positions Julia Joung maintains. Now, she can also add an appearance in Time magazine, Bentley Tomorrow 25 student, and 2008-2009 ASB President of CVHS to the list.

Bentley Tomorrow 25 students are chosen in an international competition. The 25 students are whittled down from 1,000 applicants. The students must be juniors and have to be nominated by a teacher and submit an application. They can be nominated for one of three categories: humanitarian, ambassador, or entrepreneur. Impressively, Joung was the only entrepreneur selected out of the 2008 finalists.

As one of the chosen students, Joung went to the Bentley Leadership Forum during April 26-27 on an all expenses paid trip. She met the other selected students and also had the opportunity to meet an ambassador from Africa, a CEO of a communications company, and the CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

While at the forum, she experienced, first-hand, a discussion

between the CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Time magazine editor. The CEO explained how she ran her nonprofit organization and also explained her efforts on trying to find the cure for malaria.

Joung admits that it was very flattering at first to have been chosen as one of the Bentley Tomorrow 25 students. She says, however, that it was very humbling to meet the other students.

“I’m not hot stuff,” said Joung While at the forum, she realized that people’s efforts don’t go unnoticed. People can make a difference. The other participants inspired her to work harder.

As of now, her short-term goals are to maintain the best grades possible and to continue extracurricular activities. She plans on pursuing business in college. Further into the future, she plans on immersing herself in international marketing in a corporate setting. By working in marketing, she believes that she can have a greater influence on what is shown in the media.

Overall, Joung is grateful and appreciative that she was one of the finalists. “It was a very humbling, flattering, and a learning experience for me,” said Joung.

Orchestra creates beautiful music

By Joseph Wan Sports Editor

In the still, tense lull of silence, after the last remnant note died away, a cascading scale of notes suddenly came to life. For a few moments, the only sounds that could be heard came from the piano, clear and dramatic. Then, the rest of the orchestra rejoined the piece, but throughout the combined accompaniment of strings and wind instruments, the piano sang clear.

This was just one part of the orchestra’s spectacular performance in the Center for the Arts on May 16. It was the last performance of the year for the symphony and chamber orchestras.

Led by teacher and conductor Heidi Dahms, the orchestra played a total of nine songs, mainly concertos, but also including a special percussion piece called Shiprock. In this piece, only the percussion instruments played. With the tympanis booming, the beat reverberated through the whole room.

Other impressive perfor-

mances included the many solos performed within the concertos. Some examples include junior Megan Kwang and senior Karen Chan’s violin solos as well as junior Geoffrey Seto’s viola solo and Alana Shannon’s cello solo. Aside from the string performances, the piano also had two soloists, senior Stephen Yu and junior Michael Calderon.

In all of the concertos, the most exciting parts came during the solos. The playing of the violin sounded like it had two melodies, a conversation between two people. Also, in both piano solos, the pianists’ hands were a blur, flying across the keys in an incredible tempo.

The performance was not only the last performance for the orchestra students, but the last performance in high school for the seniors. A small celebration was held in honor of the graduating seniors and a short awards ceremony as well.

“It’s a universal language that will continue to help us throughout our lives,” said senior Matt Small in commemoration of the seniors’ experience in orchestra.

Conflicts abound at annual Varsity badminton Powder Puff football game girls return from NCS victorious

By Frank Chao Staff Writer

Malena Bell / Editor-in-Chief

Morgan Castain carries the ball through an opening made by her teammates.

By Brandon Lui Staff Writer

Players exchange curses, rude remarks, and go ballistic. You think this would be a professional football game, but can you believe this was the CVHS powder puff game?

“I was kind of surprised by the brutality for flag football,” said Nick Whitaker, a coach for the juniors and freshmen team and social studies teacher.

With one side adorned in white and the other in black, you could clearly see that this year’s powder puff game would be one worth watching.

Despite the juniors and freshmen combination, the seniors and sophomores in black managed to get Morgan Castain to the end zone. During the second quarter the juniors and freshmen took Maria Cameron all the way up the field to tie the game up 6-6.

What really brought the crowd into a frenzy was when the score

remained 6-6 and the referees called overtime. The rules of overtime were clear: each team would be allowed four downs with the ball only ten yards from the end zone. Whichever team scored the most points within their team’s four downs would be declared the winner.

The freshmen and juniors had already made a score on their third down, giving them the lead. If the seniors and sophomores didn’t score at least one touchdown they would lose. The senior and sophomores were on their fourth and final down with no touchdowns, when with one last throw Micaela Castain caught the ball and made a touchdown, drawing the game into an official tie.

Before people filed out and into their cars each team chose a player to award MVP to. For the juniors and freshmen team Mariah Cameron won the MVP award, and Ilean Maze won the award from the seniors and sophomores team.

What really made this game a bit more controversial was the long stemming grudge between seniors and juniors. Like the old saying goes, “Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn.” If no one remembers homecoming last fall, the senior and junior girls

exchanged harsh words and more.

“Sometimes people take jokes too far,” said Shane Dunnigan, a senior coach. “I’m hoping it all ended here.”

Some girls had to be warned about on several occasions despite being told prior to the game that un-sportsmanship conduct wouldn’t be tolerated.

Heckling and bad remarks were bad enough, but they didn’t compare to the second half when Katy White fell down and Melissa Reclus lunged on top of her after.

When asked about what she thought about the game, White said, “Truthfully, I’m happy that it was a tie, so now no one can give each other crap about ‘Oh, I won’ and like that.”

According to Whitaker, “It was really five or so girls that really caused the problems. I told them to leave any drama on the field. If you’re still talking about powder puff, then not a lot has happened to you since then.”

Despite the trash talking and the short brawl, most players from the powder puff game agree that they want to leave this conflict on the field. The year’s almost over and people start to let these things go. Or so people hope.

With one smooth swing of the racquet the championship was over. On May 17 Chanele DaRosa and Ingrid Wong were crowned champions of the North Coast Section in girls doubles, winning the final game 21-19 and 21-6 over the heavily favored duo of Rebecca Chen and Mazie Hui (Mission San Jose) at Newark High School.

“I feel accomplished and happy. It was way out of my expectations to win NCS,” said DaRosa, a sophomore, when asked how she felt about her victories.

Both players are accustomed to winning; neither has ever lost a match in the Hayward Area Athletic League. However, they’ve never faced as

skilled opposition as those at NCS, where they faced the best of the best and overcame their challenges.

Both players also normally play singles but decided to try doubles for NCS. “Well, it was unexpected looking at our draws. Things turned out fine with us winning,” said Wong, a junior, who was surprised at their success.

By winning NCS, they qualify for the first ever California Junior All Stars Badminton Championship, which takes place in Orange County on July 11 and 12. The California Junior All Stars Badminton Championship is a brand new championship created for the winners of NCS, Central Coast Championship, and Southern California.

There, they hope to show everyone that they’re among the best players in California.

Former Olympics star retiring from coaching

By Becky Chao Copy Editor

The CVHS boys volleyball team has a formidable new coach named Michael Sami, who was formerly a member of the Soviet Union men’s national volleyball team. He was a teenager when he was selected to go to the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

Sami was born in Afghanistan, grew up in Russia, and got into the game when a relative – a former volleyball player – encouraged him and set him up in good teams. He started coaching in order to nurture aspiring players himself.

“I have a lot of passion in volleyball. Doing business [was] a waste of my life. [Volleyball] will give me a lot of energy,” he said about his new coaching stint here at CVHS. “It’ll make me happy.”

Although he thinks the school administrators were “very nice,” Sami described the school population as not very enthusiastic about the sport.

“Students [aren’t] encouraged to come out for volleyball and I don’t know why.”

When asked about his experience as an Olympiad, Sami replied, “I was young and at that age you cannot really think about it.”

According to Sami, his team had lost in the semifinals, resulting in no medal. Four years later, Sami was still qualified to return to the Olympic team, but he thought that he would find more enjoyment and opportunities elsewhere.

The Olympic coaches, he said, were strict. The training

included a lot of repetitious exercises. Spiking a ball a thousand times wasn’t enough practice for a professional player. The experience discouraged him “very quickly.”

“As a pro, I didn’t have a life.

[I was] always under control – my food, my sleep. I had six or seven hours of practice,” Sami explained. “When I found an opportunity not to play, I took it.”

Sami then moved to the Czech Republic, where he occasionally played on club teams. Soon after, his family relocated to Yugoslavia, went back to Russia, and then on to a few other U.S.S.R. bloc countries, due to “politics.”

Sami came to the United States about 15 years ago and had a bit of cultural shock. “I couldn’t figure out the volleyball system and spent a lot of time struggling,” he said.

He then began to work in business, but decided recently to return to volleyball – this time, in the coaching aspect. He cites his sons, ages four and six, as his main reason; he saw their potential as volleyball players, encouraged them, and wanted to help others as well.

Sami is optimistic about improving the boys program, especially about his JV team. They have the potential to compete with good teams, he said.

Above all, Sami hopes to push aspiring volleyball players farther, “These kids need encouragement. There’s no encouragement at all,” he said. “If you’re a good player, you’re going to find your place no matter what. You can’t hide from the coaches.”

Retiring staff members say goodbye to CVHS

Ruth Gasser Math teacher

Steve Ghidinelli Junior counselor

Mona Kreuzer Marketing and economics teacher

Multi-faceted Waldron leaves math

By Taylor Pepsin Staff Writer

“I like school, I like what happens in schools, I like communication,” says Martin Waldron.

After 25 years of teaching, from a Catholic school priest to a geometry teacher; Waldron will say goodbye and retire from CVHS. Waldron has been a geometry teacher at Castro Valley High for the past 11 years. He enjoys geometry because it’s clear and inarguable.

Just because Waldron is retiring doesn’t mean he has nothing left to do. Besides being a teacher he is also an actor, mostly for Irish theater. He has been in several musicals and plays including:

Annie, Christmas Carol, 1776, and The Secret Garden. But he doesn’t stop there. Waldron also happens to be a family lawyer.

“If you need a lawyer, I’m your man!” said Waldron.

Waldron’s most memorable day at CVHS was when he collapsed and was taken to Eden hospital on a stretcher. What made it the best and most memorable part was the students’ response. The students made sure he was okay and got security right away. He felt the students’ concern and appreciated what they did for him.

Waldron says he will never forget his favorite teacher, Mr. Holohan, his eighth grade geometry teacher. The thing Waldron liked

most about his teacher was that he had an Irish national radio talk show. O-n the show, people from all over the country would call in and ask him anything. Mr. Holohan would have an answer for everything. He described his teacher as very knowledgeable.

Waldron says it’s a tough life.

If you want to be a teacher you must be humble and patient.

Mostly you must have a lot of energy and a sense of humor.

Waldron says he enjoys the students here at CVHS. He says they have a great sense of humor and always get his jokes. So for all of the students, Waldron just has a little advice in return: “Keep smiling, don’t give up, and keep trying.”

Ghidinelli says job has “kept him young”

By Laura Mitchell Copy Editor

After 30 years of working for the Castro Valley Unified School District, 20 of those years spent as a counselor at CVHS, Junior House counselor Steve Ghidinelli is retiring at the end of the year.

Ghidinelli said that he “got a lot of satisfaction out of helping people” while working as a counselor, especially in small accomplishments and situations like working out conflicts between students or between students and teachers.

“I think that what has been the most interesting thing is to have worked with adolescents for such a long time. I think that they have kept me young in my thoughts and kept me honest,” Ghidinelli said.

Ghidinelli plans to spend his retirement in the “usual” ways: traveling and spending time with friends and family. His retirement activities will include

“I can’t think of

a better place to spend time with people than here.

Steve Ghidinelli Counselor

”

helping his grown children “begin their independent lives as adults” and refereeing soccer, which he does for high school, college, and adult leagues and levels. Ghidinelli would also like to do some sort of volunteer

work once he has retired.

“I feel fortunate in having a life where I had a career and was able to raise two children, and I’d like to be able to give back in some sort of way,” he said.

Simply spending time relaxing is something Ghidinelli looks forward to as well.

“I’ve had a career of talking to people, and I’m looking forward to not having to talk to people so much,” he laughed.

Although he looks forward to retiring, Ghidinelli maintained that he will miss many things about CVHS. “I’ll be sad to leave; I think that there’s a lot of good kids and great staff I’ve worked with over the years. I’ll miss those great contacts,” he said.

“I can’t think of a better place to spend time with people than here.”

Puppione looks forward to non-summer vacations

By Becky Chao Copy Editor

Cindy Puppione, currently an English teacher and office assistant here at CVHS, is retiring after working here since 1992.

She originally began as a French and English teacher.

“I’ll miss the students, the staff...definitely the thing I’ll miss the most is the people,”

she said. She’ll also miss school service, where she got to know many more students.

Puppione has had a long connection with CVHS. “I like the fact that we’re the only high school in a somewhat small town,” she said, smiling.

Her fondest time at the school was when her son attended and she saw his experience here first-

hand. He graduated in 2001.

“It was a special time for me,” Puppione said. “He was fortunate to go here.”

Now Puppione is looking forward to taking non-summer vacations with her recently retired husband, who was also in education, but the thing she will like the most about retirement is “not having to get up early.”

Cindy Puppione

English teacher and office assistant

Martin Waldron Math teacher

Gasser recalls fond memories of teaching

Believes integrity and heart are important

By Lindsay Oda Staff Writer

“I used to squirt kids with my water bottle if they would fall asleep in class. On the last day of class right before the bell rang, about ten students surrounded my desk with big grins on their faces. I looked up to see what they needed, and out popped ten spraying water bottles.

Another teacher came in to talk to me and I dashed around him and returned fire. But there were too many of them I had to flee the classroom to avoid the attack,” tells math teacher Ruth Gasser as her favorite moment in her career.

Gasser has been teaching all together for 24 years, 22 of those at CVHS. She started as a summer camp counselor and soon found her love for working with young people. Gasser taught at two private schools before teaching at CVHS, where she now teaches geometry and algebra II/trigonometry.

Gasser’s plans after she retires are to spend a lot of time reading and studying the Bible.

Gasser says some things she’ll definitely not miss are having to discipline students, attending meetings and confiscating cell phones. But what she’ll miss

the most are the students and teaching.

“All students have touched my life in one way or another.

As a teacher working with teenagers, you always are seeing a ‘work in progress,’ so I always enjoy seeing students who are

“I used to squirt

kids with my water bottle if they would fall asleep in class.

Ruth Gasser Teacher

”

all grown up and being successful adults,” shares Gasser who still keeps in touch with some of her former students.

Students are obviously a big part of Gasser ’s career. She doesn’t only teach numbers, but skills for life. “There are two things that I want every student to learn: first the importance of integrity—knowing and doing what is right because it is right.

And secondly, I want every student to know that they can be successful at anything they attempt if they put their heart into it.”

Kreuzer wil miss students and DECA Jokes about “young man” in Florida

By Kyle Friedrich Copy Editor

After 20 years of teaching Marketing and Economics at CVHS, Mona Kreuzer’s career has come to an end.

“I just love the students and staff here, but the best part is the DECA competitions,” Kreuzer said. She is the advisor of Castro Valley’s DECA program, which is one of the largest chapters in California. DECA is a business and marketing club that gives

students the opportunity to develop real world business skills while still in high school.

“I just worry about who the advisor will be for next year,” she said. The next marketing teacher and DECA advisor will likely be someone without much experience in the club, and will also not know the students as well.

Kreuzer plans on spending all her extra time sleeping in and working out. “I am going to meet a young man and move to Florida,” she joked.

Coaches disapprove of double-teaming S u p e r S a v v y

By Candace Wong Business Manager

It’s not a surprise when coaches do not like the idea of athletes twotiming sports. However, many athletes continue to do so without the consent of coaches.

During the year, a large part of the CVHS student body participates in various sports. Though some students are inclined to explore other options in the athletic community, the school’s policy does not allow them to have a combination of sports.

Also, it seems as though this year, the coaches and administration are enforcing the policy a little more. A list was made of students who participate in two sports during the same season and they were told that they are unable to take part in both.

Coaches are supportive of students being dedicated to one sport.

In one case, track has been the victim because according to coach Peter Brewer, many people view track as the less “serious” sport.

So, many students take advantage of that mentality and use track as a secondary sport along with another, the coach said.

“We need to respect the athletes when they have illnesses and can-

not make the meets…but some athletes feel like they can get away with it by lies and deceit,” Brewer said “They dilute the rules by joining two sports at once…high school is a time to make choices and they cannot be halfway invested.”

When asked if there would be a solution in the future, Brewer responded by saying that it is school policy and he would like to collaborate with athletes that share the same passion in “the sport [track]” as he does.

Other coaches feel the same way. Even coaches who have not experienced athletes participating in dual sports agree that it should be prohibited.

“I haven’t personally experienced an athlete ‘double sporting.’ As a coach, I demand absolute commitment from my athletes and there is no time for them to compete in swimming and another sport at the same time. Any sacrificed practice time is a detrimental to the swimmer and the team as a whole. Even if ‘double sporting’ was allowed by the school, I wouldn’t let a swimmer be ‘half-committed,’” explained swim coach Brian Barry.

Although many coaches

disagree with “double-teaming,” some may have made an exception.

“One time in my 13 years of coaching baseball at CVHS, I allowed a baseball player to compete in track at the same time,” explained baseball coach Jon Lavine.

Despite the feelings towards double athletic participation, students who do participate in two sports share their thoughts.

“It’s stupid that they make us to stick to one sport. I had to choose between Ultimate Frisbee and cross country in my junior year,” exclaimed senior Daniel Eng. Eng is not the only one who disagrees to the school’s system.

Sophomore Summer Harris also questions the school rules. A dedicated soccer player, Harris was suspended from the track team because she was also involved in off-campus soccer, she said.

“I wasn’t missing meets, except for one, and I was kicked off. I wasn’t even in two school sports. A lot of people are still sneaking around and doing soccer and track!” exclaimed Harris.

S p o r t s St a r s

By Lindsay Oda Staff Writer

Lucas Chang, junior

Isabel Chi, freshman Isabel Chi has only started track this year, but enjoyed her past season so much, she wants to continue running throughout her high school career.

“I’m glad that I improved in just one season. I got second in my heat and cut my 100-meter time by a second.”

In addition, Chi also runs the 200 meters and the 100-meter relay. What she loves most about track is being part of the team.

“I liked meeting a lot of new people and hanging out with them while I got a work out.”

Lucas Chang plays varsity doubles tennis. He picked up the sport three years ago and has been working at it ever since. His favorite part is “smacking the balls really, really hard.”

He also loves the teamwork. “I want to work hard for next season, so I can help my team go to NCS,” he said.

Even though they work hard, Chang even enjoys the non-competitive side of the team. “My team also knows how to joke around and have fun.”

His favorite memory from this season is “when coach Roth-Rossi tried to beat me… but didn’t.”

Lindsay Sasada, senior

Harry Stanwyck, sophomore Harry Stanwyck pitches for the varsity baseball team. He and the team had a successful season and a trip to NCS. Stanwyck was truly inspired this season and credits all his success to his favorite coach Mike Brewer, whom he calls a “saint of a coach.”

“He inspires me to do the best I can and to always keep my game up. Because of it, I’ve seen a lot of improvement for myself and drive to do better.”

Lindsay Sasada was the starting wing at the powder puff game, and played punt team during the kick off. This last game, she got multiple blocks and earned multiple bruises. As a kid, she was a tomboy and quickly learned how to play by “playing with all the boys in elementary school.”

Since Sasada only gets to shine once a year, she always looks forward to powder puff and is “sad it’s [her] last year.”

Outside of powder puff, she plays casually. “I like just tossing around a football with my cousins,” said Sasada.

MARRIAGE: From pg. 1 them have seen things change during their lives.

Sutton recalled a time she was harassed while walking down Redwood Road. A truck driving by threw stuff at her and the passengers shouted, “Go home you fat, ugly dyke.”

Kindelspire also remembers the hate she felt in her first few years of teaching at CVHS. While she was walking through the courtyard, people would call her names and throw things at her.

The feeling of hate on campus got so bad that she considered leaving CVHS. “It felt hostile and that’s really changed,” said Kindelspire.

Kindelspire even faced resistance from the administration when an administrator asked her if she would take down her “Safe Space” sign for back-to-school night. She refused to do so, and she has continued to stand up for her beliefs. She now works with the Spectrum club to help students.

“I always tell them I’ll shut up when the kids stop killing themselves,” said Kindelspire.

Kim also helps with Spectrum,

but he recalls a time when it was not so easy for gay-straight alliances to operate. While he was in high school, there were schools that would actually shut down all student groups just so that such a club could not form. He has seen that change and he also noticed that now, “Students and teachers are much more open about being gay.”

As for the initiative that may be voted on in November, Kindelspire said, “It’s to be expected.

We’re all expecting backlash.”

All three teachers are excited for June 14, the day the court’s ruling will take effect and samesex couples will at last be able to get married in California. They all want to be part of the lists of people that get married, and they all feel a rush to get married before November.

“It’s a little weird to think of our wedding as a political act,” said Sutton. They are hopeful that the court’s decision will not be overturned in November, “but if it does, we’ll deal,” said Sutton.

And for now Kindelspire and Sutton are excitedly planning their October wedding.

Please recycle your copy of The Olympian.

Keep our school clean!

Local teachers protest Budget cuts getting hated on

By Irene Liang Staff Writer

About 350 teachers, administrators, and parents from the Castro Valley Unified, San Leandro Unified, San Lorezno Unified, and New Haven Unified School Districts protested in Hayward on the intersection of Foothill and Mission on May 14. The protest was organized in response to the state’s proposed budget cut of $4.8 billion towards education funds.

The California Teacher Association organized the protest, declaring May 14 “Day of the Teacher,” where its members, teachers and administrators, organize protests and other activities to inform legislators of the community’s disappointment over the budget cut.

To fix the now-estimated $17.2 billion deficit of California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a statewide $4.8 billion budget cut towards education funding this month.

With a budget cut this high, many teachers, counselors, and other staff members of California public schools have already

been pink-slipped. For instance, in Pittsburg, an estimated 87 teachers were handed pink slips in March. In addition, class sizes are expected to increase as a result of the shortage of teachers.

Furthermore, supplies will be limited while programs such as art and music risk getting cut from schools due to funding.

“It is criminal to take money a w a y f ro m k i n d e rg a r t e n s , elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools,” said English teacher Gabrielle Hedlund. “Students should not pay for the state’s debt.”

California ranks 46 out of 50 in per-pupil spending, according to Hedlund and other teachers, which does not make it easy for the schools to accommodate a decrease in funding. It is estimated that the $4.8 billion budget cut will leave California short of about 100,000 qualified teachers.

The budget cut has already affected CVHS with its bell schedule. Without enough money to fund for additional seventh period class options, the bell schedule will remain the same next school year. However, Castro

Valley Unified District Schools will not experience much of the effects of the budget cut because they have enough savings to last them the next school year. Thus, no programs will be cut and no teachers will be pink-slipped this year, according to teachers.

The CTA and the CVUSD encourage parents and community members to write letters to their government representatives to encourage them to fix the proposed budget cuts.

“Education is a big part of the state budget and it is disrespectful to the education system to take money away from the students,” said social studies teacher John Green.

TUITION: From page 1 UC undergraduates from $6,571 to $7,126 and the annual undergraduate CSU tuition from $2,772 to $3,048.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know about the tuition increase,” said senior Jake Slakey. “More than half of my college money is coming from scholarships and grants. I’m just hoping that when the tuition goes up, my financial aid will increase as well.”