March 23, 2018

Page 2: Guns-forteachers plan misses target

VOLUME 61, ISSUE 8

MARCH 23, 2018

Page 5: Talented singers shine at Pops Y2K

WE ARE BORN TO SEEK THE TRUTH!

Page 7: Lawmakers support #MeToo

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Condemning gun deaths: “Not one more”

By Hannah Johansson Editor-in-Chief

Chanting “not one more” and “save your thoughts and prayers,” about around 150 students attended a protest against gun violence on Wednesday, March 14.

In response to the Parkland shooting, the Muslim Student Association (MSA), World Citizens Club, and the Black Student Union (BSU) organized the event in connection with thousands of students and staff from high schools across the country who walked out of classes at 10 a.m.

The events lasted 17 minutes in honor of the 17 students who died in the shooting.

“You never know when the next school shooting might happen,” said sophomore Addie Bukhari, president of MSA, and organizer of the walkout.

At CVHS, students protested in the quad from the start of break through the first few

Emma Yin/ Staff Writer

CVHS students protested gun violence on the courtyard on March 14. minutes of fourth/ fifth period.

Walkout organizers planned the protest to coincide with break in order to minimize class disruption, as well as to ensure the protesters would have an audience.

Bukhari began the protest with chants, which she led from the stage. She then handed her megaphone to the first speaker, senior Monet Khanyahl.

“I refuse to sit down while

children are dying,” said Khanyahl.

Seniors Marbella Daniel and Natalie Taugher, and sophomore Grace Boyd followed Khanyahl. Bukhari c o nc l u d e d w i t h a t e arf u l

speech, then asked protesters to lay down or sit for a moment of silence. Bukhari read the names of victims of the Parkland shooting, then fell silent herself.

“I’m beyond proud of my community,” said Bukhari after the walkout.

Principal Blaine Torpey addressed potential disruption to the school day in an email to families, as well as in an announcement over the loudspeaker minutes before the wakout. He made it clear that students who are late to class because of the protest would receive unexcused tardies.

While Torpey stressed he cannot legally allow students to miss class, the principal made attempts to demonstrate his support for students’ right to assembly and free speech.

“I think it is important for all adults to support young people in fashioning the world that they want to live in,” said Torpey.

Arming teachers proposal brings worries and concerns

By Milagros Aquino Staff Writer

Teachers with guns? President Donald Trump responded to the Florida school shooting by suggesting that teachers carry guns in at schools, but an Olympian poll shows most CVHS students oppose the idea.

“These people are cowards.

They’re not going to walk into a school if 20 percent of the teachers have guns, it may be 10 percent or may be 40 percent. What I’d recommend doing is the people that do carry, we give them a bonus,” said Trump.

Although arming teachers could possibly prevent shootings, there is also the risk that sooner or later a teacher will abuse the power or a student will get his or her hands on that gun. A teacher at Dalton High School in

Georgia fired his handgun out a classroom window on Feb. 28, causing the school to go into lockdown and leading to his arrest.

An Olympian survey of more than 100 CVHS students showed nearly 87 percent opposed armed teachers and about 13 percent supported the idea.

The poll showed that 50 percent of students think that having stricter gun control would be the best way to prevent school shootings, 24 percent think focusing on mental health issues would be best, and nine percent favor police reform.

The survey found that 29 percent of students’ families have guns and 71 percent do not.

“The idea of retaliating against violence with even more violence seems problematic and threatening.

I think it’ll make everyone as a whole more uncomfortable and scared than they already are to go to school every day simply to get an education.

I just think fighting violence with violence isn’t going to solve anything,” said sophomore Kylie Guzman.

“I won’t be using a gun and getting a gun. My personal opinion is that if they have enough money to give to teachers to carry guns, they should have enough money to provide supplies to students, pay for tissues for the classroom, and maybe pay teachers for all of the overtime they work,” said special education teacher Mindy Castro.

Trump’s proposal is far from passing into law. Neither Congress nor California’s Legislature have acted to arm teachers, though Florida’s goverment has considered it.

Stella Ho/ News Editor

An Olympian poll shows that 86.8 percent of students disapprove of arming teachers.

“Personally I would not feel comfortable, and the community would have to be involved. It’s a larger

discussion than just with the teachers,” said Assistant Principal Yvonna Rogers.

2

Arming teachers not the solution to school shootings

Editorial: Imagine if we gave every teacher access to firearms on campus. Think of that one teacher you had who frequently lashed out at the class. Now, imagine him or her having a loaded weapon in their classroom within easy access. Many believe that arming teachers is a solution to gun violence in schools, but that idea could have terrible consequences.

In the weeks after the deadly mass shooting in Parkland, Florida which claimed 17 lives, the debate on student safety at school has been everywhere.

It seems as if everyone has a different solution and course of action, but in the center of the debate is whether teachers should be trained and given guns to fight back, as President Trump suggested.

We see several glaring problems in this plan to turn the workforce full of teachers into gun-wielding guards expected to fire back. Castro Valley Uni-

fied School District is already underfunded, and teachers’ salaries are paying the price.

There is no suggestion as to where to find the funds for training each and every teacher how to operate a firearm and safely shoot at a shooter, but this could possibly lead to a tax raise for most citizens.

Financial issues aside, we believe bringing guns into the classrooms would not increase safety and instead do quite the opposite. Teachers shooting back at an alleged gunman in the midst of panicking and dying children would be dangerous and a recipe for disaster.

Introducing more guns into the situation will only increase problems, as opposed to alleviating fears and worries.

We favor stricter gun control measures instead. Banning assault weapons and semiautomatics combined with tougher and more stringent background checks is the only way to make progress.

Olga Buzueva / Staff Writer

Speak out louder than the opposition for gun laws and legislation

By Ria Panjwani Online Editor

In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, America once again confronts the prevalence of weapons of war on our streets. Discussions surrounding gun control, regardless of how frequent, follow the same rhythm: heightened attention, a silent consensus

of “gun control was never going to pass anyway” and on to the next topic. But this Florida mass shooting on Feb. 14 seems slightly different. One explicit differentiating factor is the courageous activism of the Parkland High School students. They have organized national marches, debated their Senator Marco Rubio in a town hall, and spread their cause on social media. Will their actions actually work?

Who opposes them?

The NRA or National Rifle Association, founded by two Union veterans who wanted to improve the marksmanship of Northerners and increase education, originated as a gun control group. Members sat down with President Roosevelt to draft gun control in the 1930s

to try to prevent crime. However, their position changed after a proposal of a national registry of all guns. Since then, the NRA has evolved to view every single piece of gun legislation as a threat to the Second Amendment.

But how did the NRA become so powerful, effective, and influential in US politics?

According to Robert Maguire, who tracks spending among political nonprofit organizations for the Center for Responsive Politics, “What’s special about the NRA is that it has two sources of its influence. The first is its very deep pockets. The second is its almost unparalleled grass roots support.” The NRA outspends gun-control advocacy groups almost six times in terms of

campaign contributions. Members are also extremely likely to vote based on the sole issue of gun control, with the NRA even “grading” politicians on their gun rights views. But in fact, cigarette, pharmaceutical, and insurance industries spend far more on lobbying, sometimes five times as much.

Why is it so hard for Congress to pass gun control or even discuss it? First, Republicans are not punished in the polls when they vote against gun control, so they’re unlikely to change. Second, Americans exhibit a 59 percent partisanship gap in terms of guns, making this a defining issue in an election. Third, gun advocates are much more dedicated to this cause than non-gun owners, and public opinion on guns

tends to change around times of mass shootings, and then around times of foreign terrorist attacks.

Young people should follow the lead of students in Florida and speak out. NRA members don’t just care about guns in the time of a school shooting: they have every single bill being voted on regarding gun control up on their website, noting exactly where, and their members consistently show up.

It might be exasperating to us, because about 90 percent of Americans support common sense gun safety laws and background checks. So call your representatives, vote in the upcoming election, and participate in the National Day Against Gun Violence in Schools on April 20 at 10 a.m.

PHOTOpinions What do you think about teachers carrying guns?

Sam Ahn/ Staff Writer

“

It’ll probably not help.

Maybe keeping one in the office would. What if a teacher gets really angry?

Karen Chen freshman

”

“

I understsand where they are coming from, however I fear some teachers may abuse their power.

Addie Bukhari sophomore

”

“

It’s probably not gonna help. What are teachers going to do when the shooter has an assault rifle?

Brandon Chow junior

”

“

Having it in a class seems unsafe and carries no real purpose. I want more regulations but I don’t want it completely illegal.

Matilde Kristiansen senior

”

“

It’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard. Has anyone proposing this met a teacher?

Do we look like people who know how to fire a gun?

Michael Langella staff

”

The Olympian March 23, 2018

3

Fast-paced: lifestyle and destruction Loving language lets

By Emily Salazar

Opinion Editor Data centres and smartphones will be the most damaging information and communications technologies (ICT) to the environment by 2040, according to new research from W Booth School’s Lotfi Belkhir.

Belkhir, along with Ahmed Elmeligi, a recent W Booth grad and co-founder of the startup, Healthcare Innovation in Neuro Technology (HiNT), studied the carbon footprint of consumer devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktops, as well as data centres and communication networks as early as 2005.

Not only did they discover that software is driving the consumption of ICT, they also found that ICT has a greater impact on emissions than we thought, and most emissions

come from production and operation.

Belkhir explains, “For every text message, for every phone call, ever video we upload or download, there’s a data centre making this happen. Telecommunications networks and data centres consume a lot of energy to serve you and most data centres continue to be powered by electricity generated by fossil fuel. It’s the energy consumption we don’t see.”

These new discoveries beg the

question if the technological advancements continuously being made every day for the sake of our convenience and consumeristic desires are worth the expense of the environmental impacts.

A smartphone’s chip and motherboard require the most amount of energy to produce,

as they are made up of precious metals that are mined at a high cost. Smartphones also intentionally have a short life, which drives production of new models and produces an extraordinary amount of waste, harming the environment.

Can we stand to sign up for the new Apple Plan, which guarantees a new phone upgrade each year, knowing of these new implications?

It’s simply not sustainable.

Communication and data centres need to convert to renewable energy now.

Though larger companies such as Google and Facebook are setting the example of running their data centres on renewable energy, there needs to be a state or country-wide policy prompting all data centres to follow suit for there to be any actual difference.

The lifestyle we all lead now is on a fast-paced track towards self destruction, if change doesn’t happen soon.

The only course of action is to educate ourselves on the meaning of sustainability, and what exactly the connotation of the word means to our daily lives. From there we can make changes for the sake of this one planet and life as we know it.

I pulled the plug on tech for a day

By Hayate Moro

Staff Writer When a person says “My car costs more than your life,” I may not believe the person even if she or he is the richest student at CVHS. The most expensive car the student may own that I could think of is a few hundred thousand dollar Ferrari. As a Japanese boy who’s lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 16 years, eating delicious expensive food my father brought home, and who’s learned my manners through spankings with rice paddles, I think I am worth more than a Ferrari which you drive maybe twice a week.

However, change that to “My phone costs more than your life.” Now, I might believe you.

From 8 a.m. on March 9 to 8 a.m. of March 10, I participated in the National Day of Unplugging, a worldwide event sponsored by a Jewish organization called Reboot.

The day serves to disconnect people from digital devices and connect them to real time.

As I experienced 24 hours of “taking out my earphones and realizing I couldn’t use my phone,” my suffering seemed to get worse with the absence I had the day before due to a throat infection.

Getting through the day with coughs that gave me throat and chest pains was difficult, but not being able to take a video of my friends having a sword fight using meter sticks with “Duel of Fate” music in the background was agonizing.

This, in fact, later turned out to be the positive effect of unplugging. The relief of knowing that you captured the moment in a cellular device takes away the knowledge to remember. Since I knew this “video” was only stored in my mind, I had to remember it or this giggling incident would have disappeared in my memory.

It is not a coincidence that I remembered the other times when I needed to use my phone. These included wanting to take pictures of the Spanish notes that I missed the day before, the time when I was unable to check my answers to my math problems, and not being able to look up the definition of “firebrand of war” in my history class.

I unplugged to recognize the disturbance of my daily exposure to cellular devices.

I realized that the seven-yearold boy who read books and slept before 10 p.m. changed to a boy who procrastinates and sleeps at 3 a.m. every night.

Seven-year-old me had the potential to become a person like Stephen Hawking, who is

“Not being able

to take a video of my friends having a sword fight using meter sticks with “Duel of Fate” music in the background was agonizing.

”

not even comparable to any expensive car in the world or a tiny device that most people use at least three hours a day.

Everyone should participate in something this so that they learn that it’s not impossible to live without your phone. People who want to be smart would do well to start by turning off their phones.

me see the world

By Stella Ho

News Editor To this day, I can still distinctly remember my first exposure to foreign languages.

I was with my family at the SFO airport, waiting by the gates about to board on my first flight out of the country.

There I was, a tiny four-yearold girl lost among a sea of a thousand human interactions. Even more intimidating was the fact that I only understood about half of the conversations around me; most of the travelers spoke in a different language. This piqued my curiosity, and so I made a vow to myself to try to learn at least one foreign language some day in the future.

I can currently speak, read, and write in four languages (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish) and am attempting to learn a fifth — Deutsch (German). My desire to learn new languages was initially fueled by an interest in other cultures around the world, and has continued to grow as I’ve come to realize how significant a role language can play in society.

More than half of the world’s people (estimates vary from 60 to 75 percent) can speak at least two languages. Some countries even have multiple official languages, such as South Africa

with 11. The small European country of Luxembourg has three — French, German, and Luxembourgish — but nearly all kids are also taught English in schools. While English has undeniably become the lingua franca (a sort of universal language) of the 21st century, being adept in another tongue would still be beneficial in the long run.

Whenever I study another language, I try to immerse myself in that language and the culture it derives from as fully as possible. I watch foreign television shows and listen to Chinese music. I listen to the radio and attempt to decipher untranslated Pablo Neruda poems. I use audio lessons and online podcasts to pick up some new German vocabulary. And every day, I try to put aside at least 15 minutes of my time dedicated to practicing my linguistic skills.

Learning new languages fills me with a sense of accomplishment, and it makes me feel closer to both my diverse community and the outside world. As an 18-yearold still confined within the education system — and probably will still be for at least the next four years — it’s hard for me to envision life beyond the textbooks and ostensibly never-ending responsibilities. But the knowledge of the languages I hold in my mind reminds me of all of the places I have yet to visit, all of the things I have yet to accomplish. Whenever I am studying a foreign language, I can envision myself back at the airport, no longer fearing all of the possibilities of destinations it holds, but in fact, embracing it.

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2018

Editors-in-Chief..................................................................Mia Babasyan Hannah Johansson News Editor..............................................................Stella Ho Opinion Editor............................................................Emily Salazar Feature Editor.....................................................Wailea Siler Sports Editor................................................................Pau Gutierrez Arts and Entertainment Editor......................................Da Di Photo Editor........................................................Beruk Tsegaye Video Editor........................................................Mara Moysen Business Manager........................................Audrey Manzano Online Editor..............................................Ria Panjwani Staff Writers: Shaelly Adams, Sam Ahm, Milagros Aquinos, Olga Buzueva, Layne Johnson, Bilal Messaoudi, Hayate Moro, Amina Moummad, Derek Neyer, Nathanial Ortiz, Jenny Pham, Young So, Rachel Stein, Thomas Vergara, Andrew Watanabe, Katelyn Wong, Emma Yin Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

4 Trojans finish amazing season Hoops team reaches state tournament

By Mia Babasyan Editor-in-Chief

By Pau Gutierrez Sports Editor

With great excitment and a lot of preasure on the players, the girls basketball team lost its first game for the state championship against Cosumnes Oak High School on March 7.

The Trojans fought valiantly against the Wolfpack. Unfortunately, CVHS was already down by one point during the first quarter and ended the first half with a score of 3726. Consumnes Oak kept the lead during the second half and ended the game 70-58.

In spite of the rough game, the players performed amazingly. Seniors Bailey Jones and Bianca Greer were the team’s MVPs, scoring 19 and 15 points, respectively, Vivian Woo and Sydney Burnama scored five points each.

“It was heartbreaking to play my last game of high

Boys wrestling team triumphs over league

Shaelly Adams / Staff Writter

Tension was high as the WACC boys wrestling tournament took place on Feb. 17. CVHS and San Leandro High School, the top two teams this season, both previously went to NCS where CVHS placed higher.

This rivalry was evident at the last match of the season when the Trojans again beat the Pirates, winning the league championship.

Team scores were intensely close as CVHS earned 215

Payton Stanberry shoots during the last game. school basketball, but I was glad that we got to do it in our own house. I learned that a loss or a win doesn’t define a team, the work that got them there does,” said Greer.

As the last seconds on the clock counted down, CVHS wrestled for their win and dashed through the court.

However, the Wolfpack managed to steal the ball several times during the game.

When the buzzer sounded, the Wolfpack celebrated while

the Trojans shared hugs with tears rolling down their faces.

It was definitely a game for the books, and an emotional one for all the senior players since it was their last high school game, and for some of them, their last basketball game ever.

Regardless of the score, the girls gave quite a season to their fans. With 23 wins and six loses, the Trojans say goodbye to basketball season.

points and SLHS earned 207.

“Hosting the league tournament and being able to destroy [San Leandro] brought back the CV pride that has always been imbued in our performance,” said sophomore Kris Darrin.

Aaron Bull and RJ Maes came out on top in the light weight brackets.

Wrestlers in each weight bracket competed fiercely, most winning by pin. In the light to middle-weight brackets, Darrin

See CHAMPS: Page 8

Mia Babasyan / Editor-in-chief

Dominic Bechere grapples with his opponent.

Jerome proves that hard work pays off

By Jenny Pham Staff Writer

Jenny Pham / Staff Writter

Andy Jerome swims free style during practice.

Freestyling down the lane, five seconds quicker than his competitors, Andy Jerome placed first alongside the rest of his team, the Chabot Marlins.

Having swam for the past ten years, his favorite memory is winning his first gold medal at the age of 12.

Aspiring to be like his mother, Jerome took up the sport when he was six and continues to love it to this day.

“Swimming is a sport that I’ve

really grown into. It has given me confidence and it has allowed me to form a great group of friends,” said Jerome.

Not only has swimming introduced him to lasting friendships, but it has also advanced his perseverance and escalated his “never give up” mentality.

Jerome was never the fastest kid growing up, but has never stopped aiming to improve himself.

Last year, his unparalleled performance at the championships landed him a spot at the

Woo ends her high school basketball career on a high note

By Beruk Tsegaye Photo Editor

You might have heard of or even seen her on the basketball court making shot after shot: Vivian Woo. Woo has played the past three years for Castro Valley Girls Varsity basketball team as a shooting guard. As she is getting ready to commit to a college and move on to her new chapter as a baller, a much deserved respect goes out to Woo, as she has dedicated five years of her life to basketball.

Woo started playing basketball in the seventh grade, and ever since it has been a part of her life. She says that playing basketball is so much a part of her life, that not playing at times feel strange. Her passion for the game started when she was watching games from college basketball to the NBA. Watching professional and college basketball has inspired her to take basketball seriously. She hopes to play in a professional league in the future, whether it be the WNBA, or overseas.

Her dedication to basketball for the past five years shows not only her passion and persistence for perfecting her skills, but also the true meaning of what it means to be a Trojan. As she gets ready to graduate this year and move on to college, she will still continue to play the game she loves.

“If you have a dream, don’t let anyone stop you from getting there. No matter how hard it gets don’t give up because one day you’ll look back and be glad you didn’t stop,” said Woo.

Shaelly Adams / Staff Writer

Vivian Woo makes a play.

North Coast Sectional (NCS) competition, a tremendous honor.

He doesn’t let his achievements go to his head, and simply continues to better himself every day. Recently he swam his longest distance, 500 yards of freestyle. That’s 20 laps!

“Everyone thinks that swimming is the easiest sport ever, but it’s not,” said Jerome. It requires dedication, patience, and perseverance. In addition, swimming has benefits that extend beyond other sports.

“It’s life-saving in case you’re drowning,” added Jerome.

Jerome is in the pool for at least two hours each day for ten months of the year, with only two months of rest. That explains why he already has numerous varsity letters, placing on the varsity swim team every year since freshman year.

In addition, he has also played on the varsity water polo team.

Teammate Luka Uchiyama guarantees that his goal to get the Herculean Award (for seven varsity letters) is attainable.

“He’s very persistent and hard-working. He practices so hard that I get splashed every time,” Uchiyama commented.

5 Choirs perform playlist from the past in Pops Y2K show

Mara Moysen / Video Editor

By Pau Gutierrez Sports Editor

Has it ever crossed your mind that, even though we love today’s music, we sometimes find ourselves missing some of the songs we grew up listening to?

Those early 2000s hits that get stuck in your head and won’t go away until you start singing them? Well, this year’s choir classes had us covered. The annual Pops concert, with the theme “Y2K,” took place at the

CVHS Center for the Arts from March 8-10, and it included a wide array of music, ranging from dramatic solos to fun group performances.

“What I was the most excited about Pops was really just performing for the audience. I appreciate when they applaud because that’s how we know they enjoyed it and consequently, we did a good job,” said senior Chris Guillaume.

This stellar show was put together by our high school’s

choirs and their leader Laryssa Sadoway. After months in the making, practicing choreography during class and long rehearsals afterschool, the participants had their time to shine during their four shows.

“It was my fourth year doing it, I have a lot of friends in it.

It’s just fun to do what I love in front of other people,” said senior Daniel Albright.

Pops was a chance for the CVHS singers to showcase their amazing talents. The show

BSU celebrates Black History Month

Mara Moysen / Video Editor

meant many different things for participants. For seniors like Daniel Albright and Chris Guillaume, the 2018 Pops was an emotional one since it meant their last time performing for a high school audience. However, for juniors like Ria Panjwani, it was just one more chance to showcase their talent, improve their abilities and look forward to directing next year’s show.

We heard some classics that appealed to all different tastes, going from “Crazy in love” by

Beyonce and “Fallin” by Alicia Keys to “Hit me baby one more time” by Britney Spears and “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.

This is a show that hundreds of students eagerly anticipate every year and the ticket sales showed the excitement of the school community. Two of the shows sold out. Once again, the school’s choirs surpassed everyone’s expectations and received well deserved standing ovations. We look forward to Pops next year.

Broke Lame$ dodges to the top

Jared Darling

BSU officers meet with special guest Dr. Melina Abdullah.

BSU, AAPAC, and NAACP collaborate

By Layne Johnson Staff Writer

With Black History Month coming to an end, the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) and the Black Student Union (BSU) collaborated to properly celebrate Black History Month with a night full of festivities and pride. At the celebration, the keynote speakers was Freddie Davis, presi-

dent of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Hayward chapter.

“We are kings and queens.

We need to hold our heads high and show our crowns,” said Davis.

Senior Etavion Carrol covered multiple popular songs on the piano. Assistant principals Patrinia Redd and Yvonna Rogers opened the night and made acknowledgements. After that, the attendees all sang the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” led

by Bianca Greer, GraceLynn Bridges, and Jordan Coleman. Poems were read

by Greer, Bridges, Marbella Daniel, Chantenese Wartel, Mary Aina, Chidera

Layne Johnson / Staff Writer

Abiakam, Aryca Warren, and Layne Johnson.

Davis spoke about the importance of the NAACP and her own personal history. She recalled how she marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a teenager and faced dogs, guns, water hoses, and prison.

She also voiced her appreciation for President John F. Kennedy and his contributions to the civil rights movement.

“Anytime you need the NAACP, just call us. If you need us, we are here. Even if you don't need us, we are still here,” said Davis.

The event was a great way to close out Black History Month.

Broke Lame$ competitors pose with their trophy. not sure if we’ll win though,”

By Rachel Stein Staff Writer

Balls were flying, students were running, and team Broke Lame$ dodged its way to victory in the annual CVHS Dodgeball Tournament held Feb. 26 to March 2 in the main gym. Broke Lame$, dressed in black, won two of three games against their challenger, Quik Mafs. A large crowd was on hand to witness the competition, and a few in the bleachers had to dodge misdirected balls themselves.

There were no extravagant strategies to victory, just the basics, according to Broke Lame$ captain Cameron Taylor.

“We just play dodgeball,” he said. Taylor was optimistic before the game, having won the tournament last year. “We won last year so I think we’ll win again.”

Grant Thomas, captain of Quik Mafs, was less confident, but still had a positive attitude going into the game.

“We’re excited. We’re ready to face a pretty good team… I’m

he said.

In the three-game series, Broke Lame$ won the first and Quik Mafs evened things up in the second game. The tension was high in game three, which saw the first player eliminated from Broke Lame$. The team managed to turn things around though, eliminating Quik Mafs one by one until just two were left when time ran out.

Thomas accepted defeat with grace.

“It was an all right game and we faced a pretty good team.

There were some iffy calls, though,” said Thomas.

Quik Mafs’ strategy was trying to eliminate the baseball players on the Broke Lame$ team. They wore various sports jerseys except for one player who sported a Spider-man costume.

Taylor credits his success to his team and their optimism.

“We knew we would win. We practiced for about two weeks and we had good chemistry,” said Taylor.

6

THE OLYMPIAN

March 23, 2018

Student designers Instagram ad sends student to Peru showcase style

By Hayate Moro Staff Writer

Jimmy Zhou

Katie Tam sports a JZYU Apparel sweatshirt.

By Layne Johnson Staff Writer

Students at CVHS are starting their own clothing lines. Junior Jimmy Zhou curated JZYU Apparel and senior Hans Poulsen also released a clothing line, 1NE CUT. Both sell their merchandise online and through social media. 1NE CUT and JZYU Apparel are in high demand on campus.

JZYU Apparel has a meaning behind it. When Zhou went on a trip to China with his parents, his eyes were opened by the hardships his parents faced growing up.

“Even though people were happy, they were limited in their opportunities because of the schools in such rural areas. My parents made the decision to immigrate to the U.S. and provide these opportunities to me. I just think it’s beautiful how America is based off of immigrants and people seeking more opportunities,” stated Zhou.

Zhou uses his clothing line’s social media page to allow his followers to share their stories and why they came to the US. The roots of our diversity. JZYU Apparel was founded in the summer of 2017. Zhou made his own logo by himself on Adobe Illustrator and found his own screen printer near him.

If you're interested in JZYU Apparel, there’s a range of t-shirts, long

sleeves, and most recently hoodies. You can buy them on http://jyzuapparel.bigcartel.com/ 1NE CUT is a collection of all of Poulsen’s designs from last year and he really wanted to develop his craft before releasing anything.

Poulsen’s inspiration for releasing 1NE CUT was his brother’s girlfriend who attended FIDM. She would come home with homework and interesting stories.

1NE CUT is currently only selling on a Google Form link that was sent out to his Twitter and Instagram followers. The form acts as a pre order form. His clothes are mainly reconstructed pieces, from cut off jeans to combining two different sweatshirts into one. He also does embroidery. 1NE CUT is not about creating what’s already out there, all of his designs are original.

“It would be nice for 1NE CUT to grow into a larger brand but we’ll see how it goes, but it would be cool to build into a brand and get it into the big fashion shows. I’d like to have my own fashion show soon. The goal is to bring 1NE CUT into a high fashion brand, possibly attend New York Fashion Week or London Fashion Week, Paris, all of that,” said Poulsen.

Poulsen’s Instagram is @ designhansy and his page for 1NE CUT is @1cut. His Twitter page is @hansteezy.

Fidget spinners would be the only reason to click on Instagram advertisements, right?

Freshman Hannah Pilgrim seems to oppose this because a simple tap on her Iphone led her to a humanitarian expedition to the other hemisphere on Earth.

A plane will rest its wings on Cuzco, Peru, on June 18 and will fly back to California on July 10 for Pilgrim’s three-week journey of wildlife and volunteer work.

“I actually found it on Instagram,” Pilgrim said. “You know how they have ads and stuff, I was going through my feed one day and then I saw it and I was like, ‘ooh that looks pretty cool.’”

By clicking on an ad, Pilgrim became a part of the Global Leadership Adventures (GLA), an international program that gives high school students the opportunity to take community actions over the summer in various parts of the world.

GLA was founded by Fred Swaniker, who is originally from Ghana and saw that the majority of high school students don’t have opportunities to build community and help others.

This foundation continues to grow, currently offering opportunities for various summer volunteer trips to Africa, Asia,

Hayate Moro / Staff Writer

Hannah Pilgrim points to her destination in Peru.

Europe, and Latin America.

With about 20 countries to choose from, Pilgrim chose Peru. “It’s a big country and I thought I’ve never been to South America. I’ve really only been to Europe so it might be a big culture shock for me…plus I heard they have really great fruits.”

Located in South America, Peru is blessed with hundreds of different species of mammals and reptiles, and also species of birds that easily surpass thousands.

Pilgrim will breathe the same air as the Incas once did as she hikes to one of the (New) Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, walk through indigenous markets, and experience white water rafting.

Although thousands of activities awaits Pilgrim, she has a purpose inside her mind.

“My main goal is to learn more Spanish but also help others that aren’t as lucky as I am, to be living in a house going to a school that I get to,” she said.

THE OLYMPIAN

March 23, 2018

Assemblyman Mark Stone

Assemblyman Bill Quirk

Senator Toni Atkins

7

Senator Bob Wieckowski

Lawmakers support #MeToo: “It starts with us”

By Hannah Johansson

S

Editor-in-Chief

exual harassment and assault are problems at the state Capitol and throughout California, and both leaders and members of the public need to do more to stop them, several lawmakers said.

The Olympian joined news organizations from all over California on Feb. 21 in Sacramento. State legislators gave speeches, which almost all addressed the #MeToo movement.

Since October, numerous female lobbyists and staffers at the Capitol have accused legislators of sexual misconduct. Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Santa Cruz, devoted most of his speech to the subject.

“There are a number of cases where there have been settlements for somebody who has complained, but the problem is the victim in that case ends up losing their ability to stay in the legislature,” said Stone. “They’re victimized again, and again, and again.”

Sexual harassment cases often end in settlement, where the victim agrees to end the case in exchange for monetary compensation. These settlements are sometimes paid for by tax dollars, and commonly include agreements such as

non-assistance clauses (in which victims are not allowed to help or encourage others to speak out against the perpetrator), silence agreements (in which neither party is allowed to discuss the issue after the case is settled), and agree-

and harassment. But is that enough?

Actions taken on behalf of #MeToo or Time’s Up (a legal defense fund founded after the introduction of the former movement) are intentionally bringing a blunt awareness to the relevancy of sexual assault. These offenses occur in all workplaces--not just Hollywood. The fact that celebrities are using their platforms to advocate for change is incredible, but it can easily be manipulative.

Take James Franco, for example. At the Golden Globes, a sea of black flooded the red carpet, as most stars donned the color to support Time’s Up. Franco was captured sporting his Time’s Up pin only to be accused of sexually manipulating multiple women.

Timothee Chalamet, star of “Call Me by Your Name,” donated the salary he earned by working on a movie with Woody Allen, a known perpetrator of sexual abuse, to Time’s Up.

He claims that because of “contractual obligations,” he can’t criticize Allen. However, as HuffPost reports, no such clause existed in his contract for the movie.

How could both men wear black in support of the movement if they perpetuate the reason for the dress code?

As celebrities eagerly thrust forward their support of both movements, it’s difficult to decipher which seriously endorse a solution.

The path away from a silent society is slowly being paved.

Time’s Up should accelerate the construction of it, not merely build a shiny sign pointing to it. I’m worried that stars take advantage of the publicity that comes with the movement.

Time’s Up is probably more well known for its red carpet blackout, but it also pushes a political agenda which I proudly support. If we want to eliminate sexual assault and harassment, we must push for stronger legislation.

In Sacramento, I listened

ments that the victim return or destroy of incriminating evidence.

Stone also emphasized the importance of publicizing the identities of the perpetrators, so voters are completely informed when they cast ballots.

“We owe it to the voters,” said Stone.

Other legislators at the conference, as well as the Senate and Assembly representatives for Castro Valley, said they believe the best way to address sexual harassment is through self evaluation and individual change, rather than legislative change.

Senator Bob Wieckowski, DEast Bay, said that respect for women needs to be ingrained in boys from childhood.

“It needs come from our schools, it needs to come from our community leaders, and it needs to come from our dads,” said Wieckowski.

He went on to say that while people are eager to stand up for change in public, it is more difficult to confront family and friends for derogatory speech.

Similarly, Senator Toni Atkins also believes that indi-

viduals are the key to larger change.

“We are the ones responsible for our own individual behavior,” said Atkins. “So really, it starts with us.”

Assemblymember Bill Quirk, D-Castro Valley, described situations where people in power need to be more aware of their behaviour, particularly around young staff members.

Quirk said that during training, after he was first elected, he was told not to take younger staff members out to dinner.

“Even if you’re not talking about things that are sexual, talking about things that are personal can be taken the wrong way,” said Quirk.

He also advised limiting drinking.

“People do things when they’ve had too much to drink they would never do otherwise,” said Quirk.

Quirk acknowledged that while there are many legislators who are careful to maintain professional relations with younger staff, “there are those who aren’t.”

as Assemblyman Mark Stone urged the importance of keeping the public wellinformed of sexual assault

and silence.

Legislation isn’t the sole fix to the corrupted system. The culture of both politics and the surrounding world must be readjusted. Assemblyman Bill Quirk revealed that politicians are taught to not take younger employees out to dinner. The training of policymakers is based upon self-preservation. Politicians should be taught to protect their employees rather than their own reputations. In fact, everyone should make their best effort to extinguish rape culture and the daily sexual harassment that we consider as normal.

What the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have managed to do successfully is broadcast their message, which needs to continue into the future. This focus on eliminating sexual assault cannot be a fad, and we cannot leave it in 2018. The motivation that radiates from this campaign must be constant if we want to terminate sexual assault.

Opinion: #MeToo must not become a fad

By Wailea Siler

S

Feature Editor

ilence of people affected by sexual assault has a collective expiration date. And the #MeToo movement proves that it’s time has come.

Despite a system brimming with nondisclosure agreements and societal shame, many have gathered the courage to contribute to the movement with their own personal stories. The result is a feeling of solidarity, as well as the exposure of many perpetrators of sexual assault

“

The path away from a silent society is slowly being paved.

”

al l e g at ions . Cit ize ns are responsible for electing people, giving voters the opportunity to weed out perpetrators.

However, the system is built to keep voters misinformed. The lengthy process of reporting sexual assault in D.C. deploys nondisclosure agreements.

Settlements prevent accusers from publicly speaking of assaults. The public must be informed enough to stop the cyclic nature of sexual assault

THE OLYMPIAN

March 23, 2018

8

Vaping leads to Crackdown

By Andrew Watanabe Staff Writer

As CVHS vapers cloud the scene in bathrooms, the administration wants to clear the misty air.

Administration has locked some bathrooms and posted signs all around the campus in disapproval of vaping which violates school rules.

An Olympian survey on vaping reported that 74 percent of students do not vape, while 26 percent admit they do. That projects to 720 out of 3,000 CVHS students.

Vaping amongst students has been a concern for the CVHS administration. Vaping can be seen as a gateway activity, leading youth to other drugs and addictive substances.

A vaporizer uses a heating system to turn a liquid or wax into an aerosol which the user can then inhale.

The student handbook does not mention vaping specifically but does prohibit controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and nicotine products.

While most E-liquids or vape juices contain nicotine,

a small amount do not. But those are not the ones most vapers use.

The punishment for possession or use of nicotine product, according to the student handbook, is a three to five day suspension.

Repeat offenders face more suspensions, along with a recommendation of expulsion.

“There are services we can direct students to if they are caught vaping or smoking, on top of the consequences they will face,” said Assistant Principal Jesse Hansen.

According to the survey, 55 percent of students say vaping is harmful, 30 percent say it’s not, and the rest are unsure about the effects.

Though some E-liquids and vape juices do not have nicotine, all of them contain harmful carcinogenic chemicals.

“Most of these chemicals’ names I can’t even pronounce.

The chemicals aren’t bad at room temperature, but when they are superheated like what a vape does, they become extremely harmful,” said CVHS Health Technician Shirley Henighan.

Survey results show that 87 percent of students say they

have not vaped at school while 13 percent say they have.

Bathrooms are a popular place for vapers to go to, and have subsequently received a harsh crackdown. On top of closing some bathrooms, patrols by staff and security have increased.

“The bathrooms have been closed for a number of reasons, but if they smell like marijuana, tobacco, or vape, we will close it,” said Hansen.

Signs going up around the school which say “No vaping or smoking” have provided an awareness to students that it’s not okay. However without constant monitoring and enforcement, it will be extremely hard to catch these bathroom vapers.

Despite the negativity surrounding vapes, vaping has some reported benefits. Many users in online forums claim it serves as an anti-stress tool, similar to a stress ball. Others claim vaping increases their focus. It has also been known to help cigarette addicts quit smoking.

“It helps me stay calm and relaxed with all this stress that being a student brings,” said one anonymous vaper.

Andrew Watanabe/ Staff Writer

A CVHS student vapes in one of the school bathrooms.

Ria Panjwani / Online Editor

An Olympian survey of more than 100 students shows that most students deny vaping but have seen others vape at school.

Wrestlers pin down league crown CHAMPS: from page 4

competed very strongly and made seven pins in his match.

Max Plotzeneder, Alex Sousa, Andrew Kohl, and Major Greene also placed first in the middle-to heavy-weight

brackets.

“Earlier this year in the league duals we lost to San Leandro as a team. Since then that’s been our goal, to get revenge on San Leandro and prove we’re that much better,” said Darrin.