March 4, 2011

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Parking Baby boom restrictions hits near school CVHS

Olympian condemns new rules

VOLUME 54, ISSUE 7

Read what teen moms have to say

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2011

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Singers wow the crowds

Annual Choir Pops Concert

CASTRO VALLEY, CA 94546

Ouch!

Undefeated champions Students required to get new shot

WWW.CVHSOLYMPIAN.COM

Permits, $50 tickets coming to CVHS streets

By Hillman Zheng

By Jason Hazari

A new law changing California immunization requirements for students passed on Sept. 29, 2010.

For the next school year (2011 – 2012), students entering seventh grade and above are required to have proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (“Tdap” shot) before starting school. For the next and subsequent school years, only students entering seventh grade will need proof of a Tdap shot before starting school.

“I have been a nurse for a very long time, and I have never seen any requirement this extensive,” said school nurse Sandee Velasquez. “As overwhelming as it is to make sure that every student between seventh and twelfth grade has received this vaccine before the start of school next year, I believe that this is a very important public health requirement.”

The Tdap shot protects against the diseases tetanus, which causes painful tightening of the muscles, diphtheria, a throat infection that can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death, and pertus-

Alameda County has recently approved a plan to require residential parking permits to park on streets surrounding CVHS. The plan aims to preserve parking for residents who now compete for spaces with students.

The fine for parking without a permit will be $50, according to the Sheriff’s Department..The official date for the law to be in effect is still to be announced.

These permits will be required to park on parts of Santa Maria Avenue, Lux Avenue, San Miguel Avenue and Garrison Avenue on weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

According to Rick Yeung of Alameda County’s Public Works Agency, the proposition was made by two-thirds of the residents on the streets who created a petition for this law. Now, the county is calling and sending the letters to all the residents on the streets and once all are informed, the law will be in effect.

“The residents on these streets will benefit a lot,” said Yeung. “It will be more convenient for them to have their own personal parking spaces.”

Business Manager

SHOT: Page 8

Staff Writer

Bianca Arias/ Photo Editor

Juan Anderson shows off his dribbling skills during the basketball game against Bishop O’Dowd High School as the Trojans clinched the league title. See story on page 7.

It’s not easy being green at CVHS

By Anna Balassone A&E Editor

After years of representing the colors green and gold, CVHS is finally “going green.” In an effort to make our campus a more eco-friendly environment, the leadership class is joining with Smart Energy Club to create a recycling plan for the school.

From a recent school-wide survey, the leadership class discovered that the current recycling

plan is sadly deficient.

“Right now, recycling is not too big on campus,” explains senior class president Jasmine Fong.

Some teachers do not use their recycling bins and others do not have bins in their classrooms at all. Throughout the school there are 40 blue recycling bins, but many of the bins in the courtyard are being used for garbage. In addition, the leadership class is responsible for rolling the

blue bins to and from the Mabel Street curb for pick-up. This cuts into valuable class time every week. Also, because pick-up day is Wednesday and leadership does not have class on that day, there are periods of time when there are no recycling bins on campus.

The idea to implement a new plan arose when leadership student Samuel Ison suggested that CVHS become “Green Ribbon

GREEN: Page 8

PARKING: Page 8

Anti-war activist speaks out to CVHS club members

By Matt Barney Staff Writer

A “Tornado” stormed through CVHS on Feb. 11. Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war activist codenamed “The Tornado” by the Secret Service, spoke to members of the Peace in the Middle East Club and others.

“It’s been almost seven years since my son died,” Sheehan remarked solemnly. Her son Casey Sheehan died on Army duty in Iraq on April 4, 2004. After this event Sheehan held a protest wanting to talk to President George W. Bush about the war and gained a lot of attention both positively and negatively. “The Tornado” has since never been afraid to speak openly about

her views.

“Bush was popular when my son was killed. I was unpopular,” said Sheehan to enforce the notion that she was not a wimp.

The Peace in the Middle East Club provided refreshments to the waiting students, teachers, and former students of CVHS who had heard of the event. The former president of the Peace in the Middle East club came even though he is now a freshman in college. At first the room was half-full of people but by the time Sheehan showed up it was packed to its maximum capacity of around 35. Sheehan’s talk lasted for little over an hour.

“What do you think were the highlights?” asked an audience member, referring to Sheehan’s

history as an anti-war activist.

Sheehan responded by telling the story of how one time when she was in Venice, Italy, a woman came up to her and said, “Every boy in my family was going to join the National Guard. Now, after seeing you march in D.C., not one of them went.”

Sheehan also explained that victories in her cause are few and far between. Her other victory was about a village near a military base where the base was supposedly trying to force the villagers out so they could construct a golf course. According to Sheehan, she showed up, protested and helped to save the village.

“We think that our interests

SHEEHAN: Page 8

Matt Barney / Staff Writer

Cindy Sheehan, also known as the “Tornado” to the Secret Service, talks to the Peace in the Middle East Club.

New parking permits put student drivers in a bind Editorial: Alameda County has approved a plan that would make permits a requirement to park on San Miguel Avenue, Garrison Avenue, Lux Avenue, and Santa Maria Avenue. The decision was made by county officials based on a petition by the residents of these streets, who dislike the congestion caused by the parked cars of CVHS students. The Olympian’s opposition to this plan is unanimous.

While the plan might be helpful to the residents of the selected streets, the institution of the new parking permits is simply unfair to high school students who currently park there.

There are some benefits in this plan: the residents of the affected streets would not have to deal with as many students, and it could also possibly encourage students who park there to carpool, bike or even walk to school.

However, these benefits do not even come close to offsetting the disadvantages of the plan.

CVHS has limited parking space, and if this plan takes ef-

.

the parking permits that allow students to park in school parking lots, which are limited in number, would increase in price

By Yesenia Gutierrez

have come to the conclusion that adults don’t always listen to adolescents because we are not their equals, not yet anyway. Adults often dismiss our claims because they usually think that it is nonsense or is not relevant to a situation, but the reality is that we have the right to be heard like anyone else.

Some teenagers understand more about life than adults because of their experiences. It is not about a number, the age.

It is about the knowledge and understanding that a person has gained. The wisdom that a teenager can have is astonishing and extremely inspiring. If I am able

to gain a nugget of the awareness that some of my classmates have, I would spread that information to others, hoping that they learn something as well. Adults, all I am saying is that when a teenager tells you something, think about it before you discard it into the trash compartment in your mind because you might find that it can help you. As the man was taken to the ambulance, I thought to myself, “What would have happened if no one had listened to her and tried to move him, causing permanent bodily injury?” People did listen to her after a while, but they should have done so the entire time.

Andie SmithStaff Writer

fect, The Olympian has a simple question: where are students supposed to park? Wouldn’t the students pushed out of the

PHOTOpinions BY: Natalie Chin

Teenagers not to be misunderstood

What do you think about having the parking passes around school?

“I feel like when people decide to live near a crowded area, especially near a school, they should expect traffic, noise, and minimal parking.”

Jason Carmack, freshman

“I think it’s okay because the residents will have to pay for the parking passes.”

Tiffany Wong, sophomore

k

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included streets simply park somewhere else and cause parking problems there? In addition, there is also the possibility that

as a result of the higher demand that would inevitably result from not being able to park on the selected streets.

The Olympian prefers that the plan never come into effect.

However, because the plan has already been approved, we propose that the permits be made available for student purchase.

That way, the permits could raise money and keep excess students from parking on the affected streets.

As long as the permits are not made more expensive than the ones sold by the school, the residents and high school students would both be able to benefit from the plan.

Despite the benefits that the permit plan gives the residents of the affected streets, The Olympian strongly opposes it. If the plan must be put into place, then perhaps a compromise of sorts could be reached, and both the residents and the students could benefit. However, without this compromise, all the plan does is shift the problem of over-parking somewhere else.

“Passes would make it really inconvenient for licensed juniors who don’t have parking permits. We’d be stuck parking a quarter mile away, or else have to make our parents drive us like we’re in elementary school.”

Emma Hancock, junior

“Students should be able to park on the streets because there are not enough spaces in the lots.”

Jenny Landon, senior

Letters to the Editor

The Olympian encourages letters from our readers. Please note that letters must be signed and no longer than 200 words. They can be e-mailed to cvhsolympian@gmail.com, delivered to Mr. Johanson’s box in the office, or dropped off at our Olympian office in Room 113.

Staff Writer

A few days ago, I experienced something that I never thought I would experience, a man bleeding, laying facedown on the floor, breathing in his own blood. I had only seen these types of things on Grey’s Anatomy or any other hospital television drama, not in real life, not at Peet’s Coffee Shop in Castro Valley. Like in the shows, people had tried to help, but no one really knew what to do.

One person, in fact did know what to do, but the problem was that no one would listen to her, since she was a teenager. Granted that I and others had the classic thought of, “Oh my God, oh my God, what do we do?” and did not listen to her because they were trying to figure out what to do in this situation, but this girl did not react this way. Her primary concern was the man and his safety during and after he had his seizure. She tried to tell the grown-ups what needed to be done to protect him. When he stopped seizing that he needed to be on his side and his head needed to be aligned with his spine, but they would not hear of it.

How could people not have listened to her? She knew what she was talking about. Is it because she was a teenager? This is a question which I have been pondering for some time now. I

a

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2011 Editor-In-Chief...............................................................Alicia Harger City Editor.....................................................................Sarah Gilchriese Simrit Kaur News Editor...........................................................Lawrence Ham Opinion Editor.............................................................Kate Kim Feature Editor............................................................Nic Barradas Sports Editor.............................................................Kearny Combs Arts and Entertainment Editor........................................Anna Balassone Copy Editor.........................................................Dana Lin Photo Editor..............................................................Bianca Arias Business Managers......................................................Hillman Zheng Staff Writers: Matt Barney, Natalie Chin, SangEun Choi, Daniel Chung, Abby Clark, Rebecca Fong, Samantha Gamble, Dan Galvan, Reyna Garcia, Yesenia Gutierrez, Jason Hazari, Yoon Jung, Max Kahane, Erin Kim, Trevor Kwong, Noelia Ley, Emily Lin-Jones, John London, Tim Pak, Holden Parks, Jennifer Price, Andie Smith Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

Olympian

The March 4, 2010

3

Why women lack artistic prominence Schools not offering

“Why have there been no great woman artists?”

(Note: this was the title of an essay I had to read in AP Art History, by Linda Nochlin, an American art historian. This was my response to the question before I read the essay—which Nochlin answered far more effectively than I did—before I read the essay.)

From a biological standpoint, I see this as an indirect result to the earliest stages of our species’ development. In these stages, our ancestors’ only goal was to further their genes through reproduction. Thus, both males and females acted accordingly to their sexual functions.

Males needed to impregnate as many females as possible, and females needed to give birth to as much offspring as possible.

And within these two functions, both genders adapted physical roles. Because the male did not have to spend time going through pregnancy, they could continually find more sexual partners to bare their offspring.

This required males to be physically free, allowing them to do

whatever it took to dominate all other competitors and be chosen by females. The female, in contrast, did not need to be physically free because they did not need to dominate. Their biological role consisted of choosing the fittest partner, giving birth, and caring for their offspring.

In short, males needed physical freedom in order to dominate, while females did not because they had no need to dominate.

This physical freedom, I believe, translated into mental freedom. Males used far more mental capacities—with respect to the physical world—than females in order to find possible ways to dominate others. Females biologically had no need for this physical freedom they inherently had. Consequently, they did not put it to use and instead used only specific mental capacities—mainly those that involve choosing partners and caring for their offspring. The most important thing to note is that at the primitive stages, both genders had the same physical freedom and mental freedom: one just decided to disregard it because it was not necessary.

This is the expected biological ‘reaction.’

Eventually, these biological reactions became the foundations for civilization—they became societal standards, or systems of thought. Males used to resort to physical freedom in order to dominate; but now humans built civilizations in ways to foster their physical freedom to dominate. Females used to resort

By Tim Pak

classrooms.

But what can I truly say? Besides school, I also work with my parents at a liquor store dealing with rude customers who smell like malt liquor and most of the time also smell like they just came from a sessions of “Hotboxing.”

Many students don’t have the power or opportunity to voice

By Trevor Kwong Staff Writer

to using only specific aspects of their physical freedom (because it was unnecessary in its entirety); but now humans built civilizations in ways to restrict the inherent physical freedom to only these specific aspects—that is, caring for offspring, finding a fit partner, etc. And as a result, these physical restrictions act as mental restrictions.

And thus, “there have been no great woman artists” in history, and why men have achieved seemingly more physical “greatness” than women not only in art, but in other fields as well.

Women are born into the societal standards set up by civilization, which have turned biological reactions into systems of thought.

These standards foster the male physical freedom to dominate; and limit the physical freedom of females to specific tasks— mainly, caring for offspring.

These limits on physical freedom then translate to limits on mental freedom.

On a side note, I want to point out that the question deals with the physical world only. As I mentioned, the mental restrictions on women are only restrictions in relation to the physical world. By physical I mean what we can physically touch. The non-physical is the mind and it is infinitely capable of anything.

And if we talk about art as a work of the mind—as a spiritual experience rather than a physical one—we can say that women have achieved equal amount of greatness as any Van Gogh or Picasso has.

productive classes that show and explain how to do taxes, what is involved in getting mortgage, raising children, and managing money? If schools offered such classes, many students will feel better about taking

“So why do

By Max Kahane Staff Writer

schools offer classes that are not productive or helpful for students? ”

When people go to school, they expect it to prepare them for the future. For the most part school does just that. It offers subjects to people that will get them to good colleges and offer possible career choices.

However, there are some very important things that school does not teach. These things are important to know and understand when you take on life.

Every school day, except Wednesday, I sit in my “school service” class. I occasionally will deliver passes to students or put some papers together for a counselor. But, most of the class time I sit and do nothing.

People tell me to bring my homework to do, but I usually finish all my homework at home. So why do schools offer classes that are not productive or helpful for students? The answer remains a mystery to me.

If the schools are designed to help students prepare for life, whey aren’t they offering classes

on life. These types of classes would help young people in the future.

Two years ago, there was a class here at CVHS that dealt with teaching basic life skills. The class was called On Your Own. Unfortunately, it has been cut do to the relentless budget cuts the school is facing. Why would they cut a class like that and not a pointless class like school service? I do think that it is important to offer teachers help, but muchof the time, those sorts of classes don’t require you to do anything.

or some other path in the game called “Life.”

However, there are those of us who push through who are constantly fighting sleep and getting work done on time.

One prime example of this is a fellow student, Jane Hong.

She is the junior class secretary and tends to have a workload every week. However, she is the complete opposite of me and a good example of a star student and citizen.

“Getting through a traditional schedule is always a challenge

when you’re running on low amounts of sleep. I’m not sure that I’ve ever felt so exhausted that I felt like collapsing or fainting, but I am guilty of sleeping during a couple lectures,” Hong states.

Hong is truly a trooper and an excellent student. I myself am guilty of sleeping in over 40 lectures and the number shall continue to rise as long as I attend school.

Many of us students have no choice but to push ourselves, especially since the competition to get into colleges these days has become so intense; high schools everywhere have truly become places where Darwinism reigns, where only the fittest and most knowledgeable and highly skilled will be picked for higher education. We must continue to deprive our bodies of sleep and, instead, replace it with caffeine to keep ourselves in this continuing race.

I wish for all the teachers to hear take this article into consideration. The administration and whoever makes the bell schedule should also get a few pointers from this.

From teachers we ask to not be irrational, but to assign sensible amounts of homework.

From the administration, the population of groggy students asks nothing more but a little more thought-out bell schedule.

As I type this last sentence, the hour is now 3:15 a.m., and I still have two chapters of APUSH to do. God help me.

Too much schoolwork, not enough slumber

Staff Writer

Fellow students and teachers, let me speak! I am writing this piece at 2:30 a.m. and the date is Feb. 10, 2011. Accompanying me this night, or rather morning, are my APUSH textbook and a Venti Americano with four shots from Starbucks; I can feel my heart beat faster with each letter I type on my laptop. I have an enormous workload and I need to get all of it done by 7:00 a.m.

This opinion is going very slowly but I am going to sauce it up right…now.

This school year, I have experienced extreme sleep deprivation almost every week. I have a zero through seven period school day and the workload piles up.

What’s worse is that because of this lack of sleep, I tend to doze off in many of my classes and I cannot process the new factoids of information that are spoken from my teachers’ mouths.

I’m sure many students “feel” me right now. I’m also positive many staff members are reading this and are shaking their heads, sighing at the ignominy a student like me brings to their

“ I’m also

positive many staff members are reading this and are shaking their heads.” their opinion so I, Tim Pak, will represent the exhausted, grouchy, and often caffeinated students of CVHS. I don’t like to sugarcoat or make anything too complex, so I’m going to be very straightforward. Ninety percent of us CVHS students are tired! I don’t know about you, but whenever I have to stay up until the wee hours of the morning, I don’t turn into a happy camper. The new bell schedule doesn’t comply with everyone’s mood and the con-

Yoon Jung/ Staff Writer

tinuous work doesn’t accompany it well either.

Yes, school is a place for learning but when the body is pushed to its limits, nothing comes but pain and failure, unless you are omniscient and require no schooling at all. Many juniors and seniors also work to earn extra money to either save up for college or their leisure time.

Because of this tough economy, students have no other choice but to take up jobs to try and save their fading futures of attending universities and private schools

In their own words: the teen moms of Castro Valley Story and Photos by Kate Kim and Bianca Arias

The television show 16 and Pregnant may show Macy’s and Farrah’s experiences as pregnant teens, but CVHS students Vanessa Arteaga, Emilie Sorensen, and Giana Bargas have their own stories to tell about pregnancy.

These girls will soon have a lot on their plates as students and moms, but they take these challenges with optimism and help from friends and family.

What was your first reaction when you found out?

Arteaga: When I found out I got scared. I didn’t know what I was going do, how I was going tell my parents, how my boyfriend and his parents were going to react and how I would finish school. My heart was beating

Giana Bargas

very fast and a lot of stuff was going through my head.

Sorensen: I was scared, but I tried to keep a positive mindset.

Bargas: I was shocked. I didn’t think I was pregnant at all. So I did three pregnancy tests and I went to the doctor’s office and then they told me.

When is your due date?

Arteaga: My due date is March 12 but I think I’m going have her before because I’ve already started feeling some contractions.

Sorensen: I’m due March 8.

Bargas: May 22.

What made you want to keep your baby and was it a hard choice to make?

Arteaga: I’ve never liked abor tion or adoption so for sure I wasn’t going to do that. My boyfriend had asked his aunt what we should do and she said I should abort it before it’s too late. I don’t get how people could just give up their baby though. I would never give up my baby for anything. It just makes me sad thinking about that.

Sorensen: Well, abortion was never a choice for me, just cause I have always been pro-life. Adoption wasn’t so easy to say no to, and it took me a while.

Bargas: Mostly because I’m anti-abortion, so that’s the main reason. Plus, I k n ow p e o p l e who went through it and they’ve actu-

Planned Parenthood provides prophylactics

By Dana Lin Copy Editor

Planned Parenthood is a family planning organization that provides many services to mostly low-income adults and teenagers regarding reproductive health.

The organization offers many birth control services such as pills, diaphragms, condoms, female condoms, spermicides, and the Morning After Pill.

The Morning After Pill is an emergency contraception that can prevent pregnancy up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, costing from $10 to $70. The pill is available without prescription for those ages 17 and older. Those 16 and younger need to go to a health center or private health care provider for a prescription.

Along with contraceptives, Planned Parenthood also has a trained staff on location who can discuss pregnancy options or miscarriages, offer pregnancy planning service, fertility awareness education, adoption/abor-

tion referrals, abortion services, and pregnancy testing.

There are two types of abortion available: in-clinic abortion and the abortion pill.The in-clinic abortion costs between $350 and $950 in the first trimester. The abortion pill is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy. It is available in Planned Parenthood health centers, with costs ranging from $350 to $650.

In California, parental consent is not needed for a minor to get an abortion.

However, because Planned Parenthood provides abortions and receives federal funds, there has been much controversy over the organization. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 240-185 to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood in Feb. 18, but the plan has not yet passed the U.S. Senate.

The nearest Planned Parenthood to Castro Valley is at 130 Ryan Industrial Court #115 in San Ramon.

ally made something out of themselves.

“ I want to

prove everyone wrong who says I can’t do it.

I also want to be a good example for my baby.

Vanessa Arteaga

”

What made you decide to stay in school and did you ever have the thought of an alternative like homeschool?

Arteaga: I don’t want to be like other teen moms and not finish school; I want to prove everyone wrong who says I can’t do it. I also want to be a good example for my baby. Both of my older sisters got pregnant at a young age too and they both graduated at Redwood. I don’t want that; I’d rather graduate at a regular high school. Once I told my mom, she told me that I’m going to go to school no matter what and that she doesn’t care if I’m throwing up, I still have to go, so she kept me in school. In September or October I had transferred to Burke Academy in Hayward. It’s for teen moms. It helps you graduate faster and provides child care, but I didn’t like it be-

cause I wasn’t really getting the help that I needed in my classes.

They put me in lower classes so I transferred back. I never really thought about homeschool.

Sorensen: I wanted to stay in school as long as possible, since things are going to be hard enough as it is. I was originally planning on doing independent study, but things changed, so I’m going to transfer over to a school for teen parents in Pleasanton.

Bargas: When I first found out, I went to my counselor and we arranged it so that I can stay in school and I can come back right after I have the baby too.

How did your parents feel and what kind of support do you have?

Arteaga: Both of my parents cried. They would always tell me I better not get pregnant and I would always tell them that I wouldn’t. My mom and I are close so when I told her it hurt me the most. I have a lot of support. My parents, boyfriend, his parents and my friends support me a lot.

My counselor and teachers also support me. I’m grateful for that because I know most people don’t get the support that I’m getting.

Sorensen: My parents were disappointed, but they are very supportive. I have support from a lot of teachers and my counselor too, which really helps. My boyfriend is very supportive too.

Bargas: At first they were disappointed, but you know, everybody make mistakes and they’re being supportive now.

Was it hard to tell your parents and how did you tell them?

Arteaga: Yeah, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. My mom owns a beauty salon and

I was cutting my aunt’s hair and out of nowhere I started getting dizzy so I had to stop and my aunt asked why I felt dizzy, but I just ignored her. I was just sitting in the back of the salon and crying because I knew I had to tell her then.

I had kind of stopped crying when my mom came by and I told her I’m pregnant and I just busted out crying again.

My dad found out two days after that. My dad, little sister and I were in my living room and my mom was in her room and I texted her asking if she could tell my dad because I couldn’t. She texted my dad and told him to tell my little sister to go to her room because I

me if I was pregnant and I just nodded my head and he just covered his face. And then my little sister came back and he said that we’ll talk later and I just left to my room. We never talked about it after.

Sorensen: My stepmom was with me when I found out, but it was hard for me to tell my dad. I asked her to do it for me. They were really disappointed.

Bargas: I didn’t tell my dad; my mom told my dad. I told my mom I had to tell her

“ Be careful

because you may think you’re safe just using one form of protection, but you can never be too careful.

Vanessa Arteaga

Vanessa Arteaga needed to tell him something.

My little sister left and my heart was beating very fast. I was watching TV and I could feel my dad just watching me.

Then he asked me what I need to tell him. And I just started crying and I couldn’t talk at all.

After a few minutes he asked

”

something and she guessed and that’s how they found out.

Do you have any words of wisdom for other teen girls?

Arteaga: Always think before you act because you never know what could happen. Don’t have sex without a condom or without being on any type of birth control. You don’t want to be

in my situation. Babies are cute and everything but it’s harder when you’re young and especially if you know you won’t have any support.

If you ever do want to get pregnant at least make sure you’re with the right person and they’re going be there and support you.

Sorensen: Be careful because you may think you’re safe just using one form of protection but you can never be too careful. Adults aren’t just being dumb when they tell you to use two [types of contraceptives].

Bargas: Be more aware.

So what’s the weirdest thing you have craved?

Arteaga: I don’t really have any cravings.

Sorensen: I’ve craved sour candy the whole time.

Bargas: I really haven’t craved anything. I only crave something if I’m driving and I see it, that’s when I crave it.

How did you choose your baby’s name?

Arteaga: My boyfriend and I couldn’t come up with a name that we both liked. He would come up with one and I wouldn’t like it and I would come up with one and he wouldn’t like it. So that was frustrating.

One day we were at his house watching a movie and one of the ladies’ names was Linda and I’ve always liked that but had forgotten about it. So I asked him if he liked it and he finally said yes so we just stuck to that one.

I asked my ASL teacher what she thought would go with Linda. She said it should be Linda Alejandra Olivares.

So that’s what we’re going name her.

Sorensen: That was difficult actually. We kind of just thought of names we like and switched them around in dif-

Emilie Sorensen ferent combinations until we found the one we liked the best. We’re 90 percent sure on his name and it’s Lucas Bradley Hunter.

Bargas: I haven’t chosen a name yet.

Have your career and future plans changed?

Ar teaga: I never really thought of what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I was going finish high school and go to college.

Bargas: No, I’m still going to go to college and my boyfriend is still supportive so he’ll have a big part in taking care of the baby so I’ll still be set for college. I want to be an X-ray tech.

Sorensen:I feel disappointed, just because I know that it will take me a lot longer

to do the things that I want to do while taking care of a baby.

Sorensen: My boyfriend is doing pretty well with it. He

Has being a teen mom changed you? How? Arteaga: Being a teen mom has changed me in a positive way. I’m not the same person anymore; I have a bigger responsibility now. I don’t have time to just screw around like other people. I think it’s made me a better person Sorensen: Yes, I’ve had to mature a lot faster than my friends. It makes things a little more difficult, but I don’t think it has changed me in a negative way.

Bargas: Not really, I still feel the same.

I know people who went through it (teen pregnancy) and they’ve actually made something out of themselves. ”

What kind of a reaction did you get from students at school?

Arteaga: All my friends support me and are cool about it. All the people that don’t like me just started talk ing about me but it didn’t affect me at all. A lot of people were surprised.

Sorensen:The students at school never really said anything to my face. I got a lot of stares, but after awhile I just got used to it Bargas: Well I know that everyone already knows and no one’s really negative.

How is your boyfriend doing with you being pregnant and does he help you with anything?

Arteaga: He’s doing well.

He supports me a lot and helps me whenever I need h e l p w i t h a ny t h i n g. I’m happy I got stuck with him.

He’s a good person and is going be a good dad.

Bargas: Yeah, he comes to all my appointments and he’s there. He’s excited.

“

Giana Bargas

helps me with what he can, but I don’t think it’s really hit him yet since he’s not the one carrying the baby around.

How do you plan on taking care of your baby?

Arteaga: I’m planning on getting a job and my boyfriend is too. I’m not trying to rely on my parents a lot.

They’ve already helped me a lot and I don’t want to keep relying on them for a long time.

Sorensen: Well, my boyfriend has two jobs, but we’ll ask for help when we need it.

Right now, I’m just focusing on school and taking care of the baby.

Bargas: I’m only planning on going to college two days a week and the other days [my boyfriend] will stay home from

MOMS: Page 8

“Knowledge is power” for young people, health teachers say Pregnant high schoolers have choices

By Holden Parks Staff Writer

In order to graduate, all students must,

at some point, take a semester of health.

A part of this required class, much to the delight of snickering freshmen, includes education in contraception. In spite of this, many pregnancies hit CVHS this year.

“Some students just think that having a kid is just changing diapers. No, no, no,” says health teacher Sue Anderson. “It’s one of the biggest life changes, regardless of age.”

In her class, Anderson strongly encourages students to consider the benefits and consequences of becoming sexually active.

Too often, she claims, students do not take a measured approach in considering the possible effects of their actions.

“Being sexually active changes who you are,” stated Anderson. “More often than

not, we make decisions without thinking about the consequences.”

To help her students understand the repercussions of an uninformed decision, she uses a simple, but powerful, metaphor: “Would you like to drive down the boulevard at 70 m.p.h., blindfolded and drunk, in the middle of rush hour? What are your chances of getting hit?” she asks.

California does not require teachers to inform students about contraception, but it certainly does not oppose its instruction, as it is the only state that has refused federal funding for abstinence-only education. The state only requires that teachers inform students about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and drugs, but many health teachers in California make consistent efforts to educate students about several different types of contraception. The controversial nature of this subject has caused CVHS families to pull their children out of lessons

in the past, but that has not stopped health teachers from teaching students about contraceptives.

“In my class, I give an overview of different types of contraception, be that the barrier or hormonal method,” explained health teacher Jean Emrich. “But, I also teach that the only way to not be at risk for either pregnancy or an STD is to be abstinent.”

However, Anderson emphasizes that every student must make an individual choice.

“It’s up to the individual. They have to be the one that makes those decisions. But it should always be an informed decision,” she said.

“Knowledge is power,” agreed Emrich.

“After students take health, they’ll probably have more knowledge than they did before. And if they’re more informed, then they’ll use that information to improve their safety.”

Both teachers also stress the difficulties

that inevitably come with pregnancy.

“Often times,” Anderson said, “students who become pregnant are minors. They usually don’t have a lot of requisite skills.

Now they have this added thing called ‘I’m pregnant.’ What are they supposed to do?”

With only about a week to teach such subjects, one of the health teachers’ biggest challenges is making their lessons remain in their students’ minds.

“I think that having more time would definitely help, and I think that I do a pretty good job of making things stick. But ultimately, it’s up to the listener to learn this stuff and make informed decisions,” said Anderson.

Anderson’s final point of emphasis to her students is to not lose sight of their future.

“Honor yourself, and honor what your goals are,” she tells them. “When you’re prepared for life’s responsibilities, then you’ll succeed.”

By Max Kahane Staff Writer

In today’s world, it is not unusual to see pregnant teen girls walking around American high schools. According to Facts on American Teens’ Sexual and Reproductive Health, there are about 750,000 U.S. women, ages 15-19, who become pregnant each year. So, what are the options for these young teen mothers who end up keeping their children?

The options depend on what the high schools offer. Most teen moms stay at their school until they physically can’t attend anymore. The multiple teen moms at CVHS have at least three options besides staying here.

They can go through a program called Home Hospital; this program allows them to

stay at home with teachers from the school district visiting them for five hours a week, though this program is not commonly used. It is mainly designed for those moms who physically cannot attend school.

They can also go on Independent Study; this program allows them to do school work from home and turn it in to their teachers at the end of each specific time period. The program works very well with the students’ time schedules, but it does not allow the students to take college preparatory courses.

The final option is to attend a school designed only for teen parents. There is a school in Hayward called the William P. Burke Academy, which is de signed for such purposes. The school allows teen parents to earn their high school diplomas

and provides education on how to be a parent. The only problem with this option is that most teen moms don’t want to leave their old high school lives behind. They want to be with their friends and it is very difficult getting used to a new school.

The multiple teen moms at CVHS are now going to face lifechanging experiences. However, there is a lot of support for them from their teachers and counselors. Counselor Natalie Mathrole hopes that CVHS students will support the new mothers as much as their teachers and counselors do.

“I just want students to be as supportive and tolerant of students in this situation because they are facing a lot of challenges and it makes it difficult when people are judging or criticizing them,” said Mathrole.

In their own words: the teen moms of Castro Valley Story and Photos by Kate Kim and Bianca Arias

The television show 16 and Pregnant may show Macy’s and Farrah’s experiences as pregnant teens, but CVHS students Vanessa Arteaga, Emilie Sorensen, and Giana Bargas have their own stories to tell about pregnancy.

These girls will soon have a lot on their plates as students and moms, but they take these challenges with optimism and help from friends and family.

What was your first reaction when you found out?

Arteaga: When I found out I got scared. I didn’t know what I was going do, how I was going tell my parents, how my boyfriend and his parents were going to react and how I would finish school. My heart was beating

Giana Bargas

very fast and a lot of stuff was going through my head.

Sorensen: I was scared, but I tried to keep a positive mindset.

Bargas: I was shocked. I didn’t think I was pregnant at all. So I did three pregnancy tests and I went to the doctor’s office and then they told me.

When is your due date?

Arteaga: My due date is March 12 but I think I’m going have her before because I’ve already started feeling some contractions.

Sorensen: I’m due March 8.

Bargas: May 22.

What made you want to keep your baby and was it a hard choice to make?

Arteaga: I’ve never liked abor tion or adoption so for sure I wasn’t going to do that. My boyfriend had asked his aunt what we should do and she said I should abort it before it’s too late. I don’t get how people could just give up their baby though. I would never give up my baby for anything. It just makes me sad thinking about that.

Sorensen: Well, abortion was never a choice for me, just cause I have always been pro-life. Adoption wasn’t so easy to say no to, and it took me a while.

Bargas: Mostly because I’m anti-abortion, so that’s the main reason. Plus, I k n ow p e o p l e who went through it and they’ve actu-

Planned Parenthood provides prophylactics

By Dana Lin Copy Editor

Planned Parenthood is a family planning organization that provides many services to mostly low-income adults and teenagers regarding reproductive health.

The organization offers many birth control services such as pills, diaphragms, condoms, female condoms, spermicides, and the Morning After Pill.

The Morning After Pill is an emergency contraception that can prevent pregnancy up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, costing from $10 to $70. The pill is available without prescription for those ages 17 and older. Those 16 and younger need to go to a health center or private health care provider for a prescription.

Along with contraceptives, Planned Parenthood also has a trained staff on location who can discuss pregnancy options or miscarriages, offer pregnancy planning service, fertility awareness education, adoption/abor-

tion referrals, abortion services, and pregnancy testing.

There are two types of abortion available: in-clinic abortion and the abortion pill.The in-clinic abortion costs between $350 and $950 in the first trimester. The abortion pill is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy. It is available in Planned Parenthood health centers, with costs ranging from $350 to $650.

In California, parental consent is not needed for a minor to get an abortion.

However, because Planned Parenthood provides abortions and receives federal funds, there has been much controversy over the organization. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 240-185 to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood in Feb. 18, but the plan has not yet passed the U.S. Senate.

The nearest Planned Parenthood to Castro Valley is at 130 Ryan Industrial Court #115 in San Ramon.

ally made something out of themselves.

“ I want to

prove everyone wrong who says I can’t do it.

I also want to be a good example for my baby.

Vanessa Arteaga

”

What made you decide to stay in school and did you ever have the thought of an alternative like homeschool?

Arteaga: I don’t want to be like other teen moms and not finish school; I want to prove everyone wrong who says I can’t do it. I also want to be a good example for my baby. Both of my older sisters got pregnant at a young age too and they both graduated at Redwood. I don’t want that; I’d rather graduate at a regular high school. Once I told my mom, she told me that I’m going to go to school no matter what and that she doesn’t care if I’m throwing up, I still have to go, so she kept me in school. In September or October I had transferred to Burke Academy in Hayward. It’s for teen moms. It helps you graduate faster and provides child care, but I didn’t like it be-

cause I wasn’t really getting the help that I needed in my classes.

They put me in lower classes so I transferred back. I never really thought about homeschool.

Sorensen: I wanted to stay in school as long as possible, since things are going to be hard enough as it is. I was originally planning on doing independent study, but things changed, so I’m going to transfer over to a school for teen parents in Pleasanton.

Bargas: When I first found out, I went to my counselor and we arranged it so that I can stay in school and I can come back right after I have the baby too.

How did your parents feel and what kind of support do you have?

Arteaga: Both of my parents cried. They would always tell me I better not get pregnant and I would always tell them that I wouldn’t. My mom and I are close so when I told her it hurt me the most. I have a lot of support. My parents, boyfriend, his parents and my friends support me a lot.

My counselor and teachers also support me. I’m grateful for that because I know most people don’t get the support that I’m getting.

Sorensen: My parents were disappointed, but they are very supportive. I have support from a lot of teachers and my counselor too, which really helps. My boyfriend is very supportive too.

Bargas: At first they were disappointed, but you know, everybody make mistakes and they’re being supportive now.

Was it hard to tell your parents and how did you tell them?

Arteaga: Yeah, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. My mom owns a beauty salon and

I was cutting my aunt’s hair and out of nowhere I started getting dizzy so I had to stop and my aunt asked why I felt dizzy, but I just ignored her. I was just sitting in the back of the salon and crying because I knew I had to tell her then.

I had kind of stopped crying when my mom came by and I told her I’m pregnant and I just busted out crying again.

My dad found out two days after that. My dad, little sister and I were in my living room and my mom was in her room and I texted her asking if she could tell my dad because I couldn’t. She texted my dad and told him to tell my little sister to go to her room because I

me if I was pregnant and I just nodded my head and he just covered his face. And then my little sister came back and he said that we’ll talk later and I just left to my room. We never talked about it after.

Sorensen: My stepmom was with me when I found out, but it was hard for me to tell my dad. I asked her to do it for me. They were really disappointed.

Bargas: I didn’t tell my dad; my mom told my dad. I told my mom I had to tell her

“ Be careful

because you may think you’re safe just using one form of protection, but you can never be too careful.

Vanessa Arteaga

Vanessa Arteaga needed to tell him something.

My little sister left and my heart was beating very fast. I was watching TV and I could feel my dad just watching me.

Then he asked me what I need to tell him. And I just started crying and I couldn’t talk at all.

After a few minutes he asked

”

something and she guessed and that’s how they found out.

Do you have any words of wisdom for other teen girls?

Arteaga: Always think before you act because you never know what could happen. Don’t have sex without a condom or without being on any type of birth control. You don’t want to be

in my situation. Babies are cute and everything but it’s harder when you’re young and especially if you know you won’t have any support.

If you ever do want to get pregnant at least make sure you’re with the right person and they’re going be there and support you.

Sorensen: Be careful because you may think you’re safe just using one form of protection but you can never be too careful. Adults aren’t just being dumb when they tell you to use two [types of contraceptives].

Bargas: Be more aware.

So what’s the weirdest thing you have craved?

Arteaga: I don’t really have any cravings.

Sorensen: I’ve craved sour candy the whole time.

Bargas: I really haven’t craved anything. I only crave something if I’m driving and I see it, that’s when I crave it.

How did you choose your baby’s name?

Arteaga: My boyfriend and I couldn’t come up with a name that we both liked. He would come up with one and I wouldn’t like it and I would come up with one and he wouldn’t like it. So that was frustrating.

One day we were at his house watching a movie and one of the ladies’ names was Linda and I’ve always liked that but had forgotten about it. So I asked him if he liked it and he finally said yes so we just stuck to that one.

I asked my ASL teacher what she thought would go with Linda. She said it should be Linda Alejandra Olivares.

So that’s what we’re going name her.

Sorensen: That was difficult actually. We kind of just thought of names we like and switched them around in dif-

Emilie Sorensen ferent combinations until we found the one we liked the best. We’re 90 percent sure on his name and it’s Lucas Bradley Hunter.

Bargas: I haven’t chosen a name yet.

Have your career and future plans changed?

Ar teaga: I never really thought of what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I was going finish high school and go to college.

Bargas: No, I’m still going to go to college and my boyfriend is still supportive so he’ll have a big part in taking care of the baby so I’ll still be set for college. I want to be an X-ray tech.

Sorensen:I feel disappointed, just because I know that it will take me a lot longer

to do the things that I want to do while taking care of a baby.

Sorensen: My boyfriend is doing pretty well with it. He

Has being a teen mom changed you? How? Arteaga: Being a teen mom has changed me in a positive way. I’m not the same person anymore; I have a bigger responsibility now. I don’t have time to just screw around like other people. I think it’s made me a better person Sorensen: Yes, I’ve had to mature a lot faster than my friends. It makes things a little more difficult, but I don’t think it has changed me in a negative way.

Bargas: Not really, I still feel the same.

I know people who went through it (teen pregnancy) and they’ve actually made something out of themselves. ”

What kind of a reaction did you get from students at school?

Arteaga: All my friends support me and are cool about it. All the people that don’t like me just started talk ing about me but it didn’t affect me at all. A lot of people were surprised.

Sorensen:The students at school never really said anything to my face. I got a lot of stares, but after awhile I just got used to it Bargas: Well I know that everyone already knows and no one’s really negative.

How is your boyfriend doing with you being pregnant and does he help you with anything?

Arteaga: He’s doing well.

He supports me a lot and helps me whenever I need h e l p w i t h a ny t h i n g. I’m happy I got stuck with him.

He’s a good person and is going be a good dad.

Bargas: Yeah, he comes to all my appointments and he’s there. He’s excited.

“

Giana Bargas

helps me with what he can, but I don’t think it’s really hit him yet since he’s not the one carrying the baby around.

How do you plan on taking care of your baby?

Arteaga: I’m planning on getting a job and my boyfriend is too. I’m not trying to rely on my parents a lot.

They’ve already helped me a lot and I don’t want to keep relying on them for a long time.

Sorensen: Well, my boyfriend has two jobs, but we’ll ask for help when we need it.

Right now, I’m just focusing on school and taking care of the baby.

Bargas: I’m only planning on going to college two days a week and the other days [my boyfriend] will stay home from

MOMS: Page 8

“Knowledge is power” for young people, health teachers say Pregnant high schoolers have choices

By Holden Parks Staff Writer

In order to graduate, all students must,

at some point, take a semester of health.

A part of this required class, much to the delight of snickering freshmen, includes education in contraception. In spite of this, many pregnancies hit CVHS this year.

“Some students just think that having a kid is just changing diapers. No, no, no,” says health teacher Sue Anderson. “It’s one of the biggest life changes, regardless of age.”

In her class, Anderson strongly encourages students to consider the benefits and consequences of becoming sexually active.

Too often, she claims, students do not take a measured approach in considering the possible effects of their actions.

“Being sexually active changes who you are,” stated Anderson. “More often than

not, we make decisions without thinking about the consequences.”

To help her students understand the repercussions of an uninformed decision, she uses a simple, but powerful, metaphor: “Would you like to drive down the boulevard at 70 m.p.h., blindfolded and drunk, in the middle of rush hour? What are your chances of getting hit?” she asks.

California does not require teachers to inform students about contraception, but it certainly does not oppose its instruction, as it is the only state that has refused federal funding for abstinence-only education. The state only requires that teachers inform students about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and drugs, but many health teachers in California make consistent efforts to educate students about several different types of contraception. The controversial nature of this subject has caused CVHS families to pull their children out of lessons

in the past, but that has not stopped health teachers from teaching students about contraceptives.

“In my class, I give an overview of different types of contraception, be that the barrier or hormonal method,” explained health teacher Jean Emrich. “But, I also teach that the only way to not be at risk for either pregnancy or an STD is to be abstinent.”

However, Anderson emphasizes that every student must make an individual choice.

“It’s up to the individual. They have to be the one that makes those decisions. But it should always be an informed decision,” she said.

“Knowledge is power,” agreed Emrich.

“After students take health, they’ll probably have more knowledge than they did before. And if they’re more informed, then they’ll use that information to improve their safety.”

Both teachers also stress the difficulties

that inevitably come with pregnancy.

“Often times,” Anderson said, “students who become pregnant are minors. They usually don’t have a lot of requisite skills.

Now they have this added thing called ‘I’m pregnant.’ What are they supposed to do?”

With only about a week to teach such subjects, one of the health teachers’ biggest challenges is making their lessons remain in their students’ minds.

“I think that having more time would definitely help, and I think that I do a pretty good job of making things stick. But ultimately, it’s up to the listener to learn this stuff and make informed decisions,” said Anderson.

Anderson’s final point of emphasis to her students is to not lose sight of their future.

“Honor yourself, and honor what your goals are,” she tells them. “When you’re prepared for life’s responsibilities, then you’ll succeed.”

By Max Kahane Staff Writer

In today’s world, it is not unusual to see pregnant teen girls walking around American high schools. According to Facts on American Teens’ Sexual and Reproductive Health, there are about 750,000 U.S. women, ages 15-19, who become pregnant each year. So, what are the options for these young teen mothers who end up keeping their children?

The options depend on what the high schools offer. Most teen moms stay at their school until they physically can’t attend anymore. The multiple teen moms at CVHS have at least three options besides staying here.

They can go through a program called Home Hospital; this program allows them to

stay at home with teachers from the school district visiting them for five hours a week, though this program is not commonly used. It is mainly designed for those moms who physically cannot attend school.

They can also go on Independent Study; this program allows them to do school work from home and turn it in to their teachers at the end of each specific time period. The program works very well with the students’ time schedules, but it does not allow the students to take college preparatory courses.

The final option is to attend a school designed only for teen parents. There is a school in Hayward called the William P. Burke Academy, which is de signed for such purposes. The school allows teen parents to earn their high school diplomas

and provides education on how to be a parent. The only problem with this option is that most teen moms don’t want to leave their old high school lives behind. They want to be with their friends and it is very difficult getting used to a new school.

The multiple teen moms at CVHS are now going to face lifechanging experiences. However, there is a lot of support for them from their teachers and counselors. Counselor Natalie Mathrole hopes that CVHS students will support the new mothers as much as their teachers and counselors do.

“I just want students to be as supportive and tolerant of students in this situation because they are facing a lot of challenges and it makes it difficult when people are judging or criticizing them,” said Mathrole.

Sara Bareilles skips synthetic sounds

By Rebecca Fong Staff Writer

You might remember her from a few years back, with her 2008 hit single “Love Song.”

Her 2010 release of “King of Anything” recently earned a gold record (500,000 sales), which is on its way to matching “Love Song’s” triple Platinum (one Platinum record indicates one million sales). However, if this singer ’s distinctive voice doesn’t immediately register as familiar, then perhaps the producers of Sara Bareilles had good timing with the release of her newest album, Live from Soho, which is featured on iTunes’s home page.

Bareilles is a difficult artist to critique, in this reviewer’s eye, or ear, as it were. Since “Love

Song,” her style has matured, and she has scored some pretty well-known venues. Exhibit A: Soho, New York! It’s arguable that Bareilles’ live voice is even better than what is run through production in the studio, which, given the amount of digitalized auto-tune that can be heard in any given radio song nowadays, is an increasingly rare trait.

Her refreshingly natural voice doesn’t fail to impress in this eight-song album. The two classics, “Love Song” and ”King of Anything,” make a nostalgic reappearance. Considering the artsy embellishments of “Love Song” this time around, the live version just may be better than the original, oh-so-three-years ago.

In “King of Anything,” Bareilles at one point calls out to a band mate, “That was awesome!” The enthusiastic encouragement contributes to a genuine feeling of the standing and listening amidst the performers.

A personal favorite includes “Gonna Get Over You,” an uplifting breakups-are-overrated number, with the playfully offbeat piano accompaniment that made “Love Song” so endearing to literally millions.

Recommendation? Yes, to anyone (pop-loving or otherwise) who needs a break from synthetic sounds.

The Roommate leaves room for improvement

By Reyna Garcia Staff Writer

The Roommate is an aimed-tobe a thriller, but it definitely isn’t that. The plot seems interesting, but the story just doesn’t come through. The suspense is not suspenseful. Instead, it’s predictable. You should be leaning forward in your seat waiting to scream; instead, you’re able to predict exactly what is going to happen next in the movie.

“The movie

doesn’t follow through with its plot.

”

The movie doesn’t follow through with its plot. Throughout the film, we are introduced to characters and we find out

nothing about them. The movie introduces the roommate’s previous victim, but she only appears in a two-minute scene. There is no explanation, no flashbacks.

The character development in the movie is terrible.

The acting in the movie is not exactly good either. The facial expressions of the actors are all wrong; they didn’t match what was happening in the movie. The only good actor was Leighton Meester, who plays the crazy roommate. She is the only one who portrays her character well.

Minka Kelly, who plays Sarah, is just annoying. They should have picked a more skilled and experienced actress.

The Roommate is almost exactly like the 1992 thriller, Single White Female. The opening of the movie is extremely boring. The introduction of characters drags out and it is a good half hour into the movie before anything worth watching even happens. The movie also swings between highs and lows. One minute, there will be a bathroom fight and the next, absolutely nothing is happening. The movie is not worth the money, spare yourself, stay in, and watch Single White Female.

Kate Kim / Opinion Editor

Men’s A Cappella Choir performs in CVHS Choral Department’s POPS Concert.

Choirs put on “phone”-y concert

By Yoon Jung Staff Writer

Who uses their phone in class?

What would you sing if you got an assignment to sing and dance about the telephone? Gleeks assemble!

CVHS successfully presented this year’s Pops Concert “Off the Hook” from Feb. 10-12.

The show was all about the telephone, from its history to the banana phone to the iPhone featured by students’ choreography and student directors.

“It was a show that had something for all ages, musically speaking, since the music spanned a period of time from the 1940s to present day,” explained choir teacher Sue Susoeff. “It had a lot of variety and, although, the main focus was the music, it included dancing, comedy, and was even educational as well.”

The musical contained various songs and dances related to the

topic of telephones. Each of the performances featured the students’ hard work. The student dancers in “Hotline” and “Telephone” performances especially blew the audience’s mind.

“It was a really great opportunity to grow even more as an actress. I had a great time getting into the teacher role, and now everybody keeps calling me Mrs. Morrison!” said senior Kayla Steinworth who played Mrs. Morrison in the show. “ At first, it was a little hard to do the whole teacher thing. I realized it’s a lot harder to be mean than you’d think!”

During school days, choir students had to manage their time wisely to practice and keep up with their grades.

“Everyone sang and danced their hearts out and we put together an amazing show,” said senior Alex Bau, one of the student directors, known for his performance in “Banana Phone.”

“We were given a very short amount of time to put together the concert and that meant that we had quite a few late night rehearsals. But it was definitely all

worth it,” continued Bau. Bau, junior Anna Balassone, and other performers picked “Count On Me,” featuring the special instrument iPhone as their favorite performance.

“The song basically sums up how close all of the members of Pops have become throughout the process,” said Balassone.

“It kind of makes us wonder, are real instruments eventually going to be replaced by apps on an electronic device?” added Susoeff about the iPhone accompaniment, as she’s sees the movement to musicians today to do more things with virtual instruments.

“I went through some troubles during props, but we are family and we pull it together. Pops Concert was one of the defining moments in high school,” said senior Jeremy Meza who worked behind the scenes.

Overall, the show was thoughtful and memorable entertainment from students who were inspired by telephones. This year again, CVHS students proved their talents successfully.

ity gets the best of her, and she struggles to find out why he acts the way he does with the help of her new friend, Penn. Penn was a loner before she met Luce, but she turns out to be the only person that keeps Luce grounded throughout the book. Penn comes to her aid many times, so Luce knows she can rely on her.

At the same time, another boy named Cam tries to get Luce’s attention, but is unsuccessful because Luce is preoccupied with thoughts of Daniel.

slowly reveals what happened to Luce and how she wound up in Sword & Cross, but keeps you trying to figure out everything else left in the shadows. The book revolves around the question: What part does Daniel play in Luce’s past?

Toward the end, Daniel talks to Luce, and the mystery starts to unfold before her eyes. The truth begins to slowly come out from behind the cover that he had been keeping, but she has to figure out most of the mystery alone because he can’t tell her.

This gives rise to a new question: Why can’t Daniel tell her why she vaguely remembers him?

The major conflict of the book remains unsolved, and the book ends without fully revealing the secrets of the past. It keeps pulling your attention back to it even after you finish reading, encouraging you to read the sequel. Fallen keeps you guessing to the very end.

Readers fall in love with Fallen

By Andie Smith Staff Writer

Fallen, by Lauren Kate, is a captivating story about a girl named Lucinda Price, or Luce for short, who is sent to a reform school called Sword & Cross.

During her time there, she tries to hide her dark past from all of the new people she meets. Her past returns to haunt her, including the mystery surrounding the unexpected and unexplained death of her crush, Trevor.

Though she is still mourning her loss, a boy named Daniel catches her eye. She can’t help but find him attractive, even though his attitude toward her is hostile from the beginning.

She doesn’t know why, but he immediately seems strangely familiar to her. Luce’s curios-

“Fallen keeps

you guessing to the very end.

”

The story grabs your attention and makes you want to know what happened in their past. It

Trojans slay Dragons for league title

By Sarah Gilchriese City Editor

The Trojans hold on to their undefeated league record by slaying the Bishop O’Dowd Dragons in their last game of the HAAL tournament on Feb. 17 with a final score of 67-51. This is the first time the boys have been undefeated, and only the fourth time the varsity team has won league finals.

“I think the players did a great job of getting themselves mentally prepared to play against BOD. We have a senior dominant team so they get themselves prepared and pumped up before games,” said head coach Nick Jones.

This game was a close one from the start, but during the third and fourth quarters the Trojans came alive and racked up some clutch, momentum shifting shots. The Trojans scored 29 points within the fourth quarter, pulling ahead to defeat the Dragons. Of the 67 total points scored, senior Roderick Bobbitt scored 26 of them. Other dominant senior Juan Anderson was the second highest scorer with a total of 17 points.

“Great honor and accomplishment to go undefeated in league.

The players did all the work and deserve all the credit,” said Jones.

Although the Trojans were behind two points after the close of the first quarter, they pulled themselves together and played to win.

“When we started pulling ahead I was excited for the players and school” commented Jones. Players and all coaches were visibly

Girls tie for league crown, win NCS game

By Alicia Harger Editor-in-Chief

The CVHS girls varsity soccer team finished its season as HAAL champion with the excellent record 18-3. After winning the first round of NCS against Arroyo, they were knocked out of the tournament by Heritage High School.

The NCS game against Arroyo was a home game. After a scoreless first half, CVHS kicked two goals, making the final score 2-0.

The game against Heritage was a close one. The Trojans scored first, but the Patriots quickly caught up in the second half, winning the game 2-1.

“The girls really came together

to play as a team and I was very impressed. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my final year,” said senior Sabrina Alvaro.

The team featured some great players, including Marissa Schneider, Carolyn Gilchriese, and Kristina Utley, who has signed with University of Cincinnati for soccer.

Bishop O’Dowd is always the biggest soccer rival, and actually tied for league champions with league records of 12-1.

“Even though it was sad to lose, I’m very proud of how well we did as a team and I think we really tried our best,” Alvaro remarked.

Boys qualify for postseason showdown

By Lawrence Ham News Editor

Bianca Arias / Photo Editor

Christopher Reed glances down at a frightened defender as he springs up for a rebound. excited on the court, screaming and smiling whenever shots were made. The celebration by the Trojan Den really made

the night more exciting, with cheers, signs and lots of shouting to pump up the players and the crowd.

The CVHS boys soccer team ended its season battling against California High School in San Ramon on Feb. 16. Castro Valley was the last seeded team in NCS. The Trojans played their hardest in order to make it to the next round.

However, after a long nail biting game filled with action, the Grizzlies prevailed.

“At the end of the first half, we were tied 1-1 and then we lost it in the second half, making the final result 3-1,” said senior Kurtis Louie.

Aside from this nerve-racking game, the team also played a close

game against Bishop O’Dowd.

The game against O’Dowd had “so many emotions present during this game because we went from being in the lead, to being tied, to being down, to being tied, [and finally] to being in the lead,” said junior Lucas Heuer.

Overall, the boys soccer team felt that, as a team, they did not perform as well as they had wished this past season.

“As individuals, there was skill but as a team, we weren’t there yet,” said Heuer.

“The team did all right, but it could have been a lot better,” Louie agreed.

Wrestlers pin opponents at HAAL championships

By Jennifer Price Staff Writer

CVHS boys wrestlers emerged from the HAAL league meet victoriously on Feb. 19. The long challenging season was met with a strong team.

Senior Adam Busch claimed his

third straight HAAL title as he beat his Mount Eden opponent in his only match of the day.

Other top wrestlers at the meet included Travis Mocker, Neil Flippin, Matt Waespi, Salvador Osorio, and Zack McBeth.

Many wrestlers have already reached high standings. Wrestlers such as Mocker and Busch

have placed high in state-wide standings and are still improving.

“It was a young team, but we improved a lot. Many of the boys are new to the team and only one senior has been here all four years,” stated head coach Josh Wheeler.

At an NCS meet on Feb. 5,

there was a heartbreaking series of rounds in which many players tried their hardest, but were matched with sturdy competitors.

The team, however, was still able to come in fourth out of the many teams who attended the meet.

“It was a tough one but we did pretty good,” said Flippin.

As a symbol of team unity and

pride in a season well done, the entire team bleached their hair to a vibrant blonde.

Regardless, the Trojans have done quite well this season and their hard work and efforts make their school and coach proud.

Courageous Cunning Competitors

Jensen Pawid, Freshman

Even though he may be a newcomer into the high school, freshman Jensen Pawid definitely doesn’t lack the confidence and determination to make his mark on CVHS boys varsity tennis team.

Although he picked up his first racket at the age of 7, he never “really got into tennis until the end of elementary school.”

When asked why he enjoyed playing, Pawid responded that he loved the feeling of “totally dominating his opponents.”

Being a freshman, he knows that he has to work up the ladder until he reaches the second or third singles spot that he wants to play at.

Caleb Kim, Sophomore

Caleb Kim plans to swim again this season for the varsity swim team.

Ever since his friend introduced him to it last September, he’s been hooked to the sport.

“It’s challenging,” Kim said. “It’s only about yourself and the water…No one else.”

For the upcoming season, Kim plans to practice even harder than the year before and contribute more to the team.

One thing he plans to work on this year is “improving his endurance” in his favorite swim event, the backstroke.

Nicole Yee, Junior

Junior Nicole Yee is a versatile asset to the girls varsity basketball team, playing the two positions of small and power forward.

Like any talented athlete, Yee started playing basketball at a very early age after seeing how much her mom loved the game.

“My mom played basketball when she was little and she wanted to share with me the experience of teamwork and respect that you get from playing,” said Yee. “She signed me up for church basketball and I liked it.”

Yee enjoys how her team bonded over the years and the enjoyment one feels after winning a game. This year, she hopes to “enhance her post game and develop better ball handling skills so [she] can be more of an impact on court.”

Sabrina Alvaro, Senior

As a member of the varsity girls soccer team, Sabrina Alvaro knows only too well how tough and competitive the sport can become.

“I like the physicality of it because girls aren’t usually allowed to be physical,” explained Alvaro.

Alvaro first picked up the sport at the young age of 7 and has been playing the position of center back ever since then.

Since this is her senior year, Alvaro stated that she wanted to go all out this season and get the team as far as possible into NCS. “I hope we win league again this year,” said Alvaro. “I hope to go far in NCS because it’s my last year and I want to end on a good note.”

8

Olympian

The March 4, 2011

PARKING: from Page 1

Once the permits are necessary, the residents will have to pay $25 and $15 for senior citizens for each car.

The residents on the streets get two parking permits of no cost, but beyond that, they will have to pay for additional permits. Additionally, since this is an annual parking permit, it will cost $15 to renew it each year.

Students will no longer get to park on the streets anymore and will have to find another area. Some students don’t really mind, but others are outraged.

Senior Luke Shin didn’t have a clue about the proposition and had mixed feelings on the issue.

“I don’t even pay attention to what street I park on!” exclaimed Shin. “I really don’t care; I’ll just find another street.”

Junior Richard Le didn’t mind the new parking restrictions.

“Well since I’m a junior, I guess I can just deal with it and get a senior lot permit nex t year.” said Le. “Be sides, I park on Mabel anyway.”

Those students who don’t buy school parking lot permits will have to find other parking spots once the law comes into effect. Of course there will always be the option of not driving to school at all and walking or riding a bike.

MOMS: from Page 5 school for a couple months.

And then he’s going to help me while I go to school.

How do you feel about being a pregnant teen?

Arteaga: I wish I would’ve waited. I never imagined that I would get pregnant at this age. Things happen for a reason and I can’t change it. But I’m happy now; I just know it’s going be really hard.

Sorensen: I wish it could’ve happened later, but I’m still excited and don’t love the baby any less.

Bargas: I never thought I would be pregnant this young but I’m okay with it.

How is having your baby going to change your life?

Arteaga: It’s going change my life because I’m not going to have time to do homework and I’m going to be very tired and stressed. I’m not going to be able to do what I want anymore. I have to think about my baby before everything else.

Sorensen:My baby is going to impact me both

SHOT: from Page 1

the past, numerous schools in California have suffered from outbreaks which resulted in closing of schools because there were not enough healthy teachers.

In 2010, California reported the most cases in more than 60 years.

Students at CVHS expressed their approval of the shot requirement.

“I think we should have the right to choose whether we want the shot or not,” said junior Cassandra Wong.

“But I would still get the vaccine.”

SHEEHAN: from Page 1

munities, identify a need and fix it … and always have fun doing it.”

Sheehan described how students could not necessarily help Egypt specifically but they could become activists right now.

Sheehan believes there is no sense of community in America any longer because of many factors separating the individual. Things like computers and T Vs allow us to remain aloof in the overall way of things instead of saying “hi” to a neighbor.

Sheehan is currently looking into running for president as a left-wing independent candidate.

She said she is interested in protecting the oppressed and cutting funding from the military to eliminate our debt.

sis (whooping cough), which is contagious and causes coughing attacks that make it hard to breathe. Pertussis is especially severe and even sometimes fatal for babies.

“I have seen babies with whooping cough and it is a very sad and scary sight to watch a baby overcome by this preventable disease,” said Velasquez.

The new vaccine requirement was implemented to prevent the spread of the whooping cough disease among California’s youth. In

supersede others’ interests,” said Sheehan. She explained that the United States suppor ted former President Mubarak of Egypt because of oil. Sheehan believes the war in Iraq is just another way to keep tabs on the oil that America needs to survive.

“They’re all in it for themselves,” remarked Sheehan when talk ing about the government’s involvement in the Middle East.

“You guys are basically prisoners here at CVHS,” said Sheehan. She went on to describe how she had never seen fences so high or monstrous at a high school.

When asked what she wanted to tell students Sheehan responded, “They need to look in their comnegatively and positively.

Positively because he is my son, and I am going to learn and mature so much from this, but negatively because I won’t be able to do the things I wanted to do with my life.

Bargas: I probably will have to work harder than I would have imagined, but

I’m going to try and do it.

What have you learned from this experience?

Arteaga: There’s a time for everything.

Sorensen: To use protection and you really have to be careful. You can never be too safe.

Bargas: Taking responsibility for your actions.

GREEN: from Page 1 Certified.” The Green Ribbon Certification program is part of the Castro Valley Sanitary District’s effort to make a greener community. Schools that complete 30 Green Ribbon activities, including introducing reusable trays in the cafeteria and correctly disposing of electronics, are eligible to become Green Ribbon Certified and receive at least $1,500.

The leadership class has decided that there is not enough time to complete all requirements this year because the deadline for completing the 30 activities and submitting a Green Ribbon Certification application is March 15, 2011. Next year, however, the leadership class will have a green committee to help the school become Green Ribbon Certified.

Until then, new recycling tactics will help the school prepare for Green Ribbon Certification. Upon staff approval, “green” speakers will present information to science classes and several lunchtime courtyard activities will help emphasize the importance of organic waste and recycling.

In order to counteract the reduction of leadership class time,

teachers may be asked to send students to roll bins to and from the curb during class. Leadership understands that, although this would drastically improve the current system, many teachers will object to class time being cut short.

“We want to make recycling more convenient, but we don’t want to disrupt the learning environment,” says Fong.

While the leadership class will focus on the paper and plastic portion of the new plan, Smart Energy Club will spearhead the part that involves bottles and cans. Several blue bins in the courtyard will be replaced by black boxes with small holes in the lids, in order to ensure that only cans and bottles are disposed of.

“My club is involved because we want to improve the recycling program at CVHS and divert as much waste away from landfills as possible,” explains Smart Energy Club President Cindy Ma. Whether it be recycling more or choosing to use a reusable water bottle, every bit of conservation and reduction helps. Through the new eco-friendly plan, CVHS will hopefully become a cleaner and greener campus.