March 6, 2009

VOLUME 52, ISSUE 7 FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2009

Pg. 4

Into the Woods perfect storytelling

Golden State wows with production

Pops goes across America

Pg. 5

Choir concert a big hit

CASTRO VALLEY, CA 94546

Soccer girls Pg. 7 win two games in NCS Team beats Washington, Carondelet

“ The budget broke my heart ”

State government butchers education funds Changes include tax increases and cuts in spending

By Alicia Harger and James Rose SACRAMENTO – A $42 billion budget deal finally passed the Legislature on Feb. 19, but many question whether the problems have been solved, or if they have just begun.

The new state budget deal bridged a massive financial shortfall for 2009 and 2010.

Some major changes that will be implemented are a one-cent sales tax increase, an increase in vehicle license fees, and income tax increases.

The most drastic sacrifice, however, will be spending cuts to schools.

“It is very troubling on how this budget affects education,” said Senator Loni Hancock, who represents the ninth Senate district, which includes Castro Valley.

The state will have to cut down on school costs severely.

For example, the state planned to spend $58.1 billion on education in the next year and a half.

Under the new budget, it will spend only $49.7 billion.

Making the cuts more personal, per student spending dropped from $8,784 to $8,404 per year, which is a five percent

By Joseph Wan Copy Editor

Howard Whang / Photo Editor

Chemistry teacher Silvia Perri (center) and her son protest with other teachers against budget cuts to education on Wednesday, Feb. 25. decrease.

Higher education will face cuts in the millions as well. However, both the University of California and the California State University will receive $225 million from federal funds, which will replace some money lost from the California general fund cut.

Community colleges will be sustained as well.

Olympian staff members got an inside view of Sacramento and a chance to interview an array of state politicians last month.

Hancock, Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi from Castro Valley, and Attorney General (and former governor) Jerry Brown each gave interviews.

In the state capitol, everyone is frustrated over the current legislation, which took months to pass.

California is one of the only three states to require a twothirds vote to pass a budget.

Republicans opposed the plan’s tax increases, and held out long against supporting it.

“It’s a tough time to be a legislator,” said Hancock, a Democrat.

“Tyranny of the minority is what we have here in California.”

“We need to find some bipartisan flavor,” said Senator Dean Florez, Senate Majority Leader.

The actual writing of the budget is very private. Only the “Big Five” (Governor Arnold

UC changes admissions requirements No SAT IIs for class of 2012

By Timothy Wong Staff Writer

In 2012, University of California (UC) campuses will change their acceptance requirements to allow for a greater diversity in the number of students accepted into their campuses.

In February, the UC Board of Regents voted to change their policies to give more “highachieving” students a chance during the application process.

Under the new policy, university campuses will raise the percent of guaranteed admissions based on rank, require that all students complete 11 of the 15 “a-g” courses by the end of their junior year, and will no longer require the two SAT subject tests.

Class cuts and layoffs coming to CVHS

Additionally, the new system would also have to consider all students who have a 3.0 GPA or better and meet the other requirements.

The top nine percent of students in their graduating class will receive an admission guarantee, as opposed to the four percent now.

Some advantages of these changes are that they give economically challenged students more of a chance because they do not have to pay to take the Subject SATs anymore and the new change will also help campuses reflect the racial diversity of the state more accurately.

However, the changes will probably also result in an increase of applicants, especially

to schools like UC Davis, Santa Barbra, Santa Cruz and Irvine.

Though subject tests may no longer be required, school counselor Ninah Asuncion still advises that students take the subject test, especially if the subject is related to the subject a student is planning on majoring in.

Though these changes may seem unfair to the applicants of years before 2012, the new change provides opportunities for a lot of disadvantaged students, whose situation might not allow them to take the expensive subject test or be able to dedicate as much time to their studies.

Asuncion optimistically added, “I think it's great that UCs are looking more at students as individuals.”

Schwarzenegger, the Senate majority and minority leaders, and the Assembly majority and minority leaders) work behind closed doors to write the spending plan.

“Why is it that the Big Five are behind a door in negotiations?

When the legislators vote on it, they have very little knowledge of it,” said John Diaz, editorial page editor of the San Francisco Chronicle.

In light of the budget cuts passed by the school district board last Thursday, CVHS will lose staff members, the sevenperiod day, and the low studentto-teacher ratio for freshman classes next school year. The athletic and music departments and the school library will also be adversely impacted fiscally.

“There are going to be hardships,” said librarian Terri Bucklin. “We’re all going to have to make sacrifices. That’s the bottom line."

The bottom line is that, due to cuts passed by Sacramento in response to California’s current financial crisis, school districts are being forced to restructure their budgets to compensate for the money they will no longer receive from the state.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Castro Valley school district

BUDGET: Page 8

School gates shut for security reasons

By Alicia Harger Opinion Editor

“Better safe than sorry,” the saying goes. But what does that mean for us at CVHS? The administration is taking new security measures to protect students from dangerous situations. Starting after the beginning of second period, at 8:21 on traditional days, all gates except for the ones to the senior parking lot, the Mabel turnaround, and the main office are locked.

The changes are a reaction to several incidents that recently occurred near school. One elementary school recently went on lockdown, and two students were reportedly assaulted and robbed just a block away from the CVHS campus.

No incidents involving offcampus intruders have happened on school grounds yet, and these safety measures are a precaution to prevent anything from happening.

“The last thing we want is someone who doesn’t belong on campus with bad intentions to be here,” said Assistant Principal Sue Goldman.

Some students find these changes unnecessary and annoying because they must take longer routes to get to class.

“It’s just annoying to have to walk around, and I don’t think that the campus is really any safer. There are still ways on,” said sophomore Angela Wei. Castro Valley has had a remarkably open campus to date.

But with many ways into and out of campus, security is an issue. The administration sees the new measures as changes that would have inevitably happened. No matter how some complain, they are not likely to go away; the administration said that these changes are permanent.

“Our job is to keep the campus safe,” said Goldman.

Do away with budget secrets

Editorial: To say that we at The Olympian are against the budget cuts would be a vague yet obvious statement. We at The Olympian believe that despite the highly anticipated formation of California’s budget plan, there has been a serious lack of transparency and involvement in our state government.

California has accumulated a $42 billion deficit, and has waited nearly three months for a solution to this financial crisis.

Throughout these three months, the Assembly speaker, Assembly minority leader, Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (“the Big Five”) have carried on negotiations behind the doors of the governor’s office.

While California has been living in a state of financial turmoil, “the Big Five” have not only struggled to devise a plan by their earlier pledged date of Feb. 1, but have also failed to inform the public of ideas and figures, information that citizens of this state should be privy to.

There are flaws in the handling of the budget, but the state legislators’ unwillingness to communicate with the people they govern is perhaps the most undemocratic of them all.

Only five elected officials of the 120 worked on this deal. Sen-

ate and Assembly members had been given little more than short briefings of what the budget entailed before taking a vote. The details were shrouded in secrecy from the start, though some may say for good reason.

Fear of lobbyists pressuring lawmakers to vote against negotiations detrimental to their interests before a vote could be secured was one of the biggest concerns, but is not an excuse.

So why should a closed-door deal affecting everything, from our education and jobs to taxes, be so readily accepted? There is no way to get around facets of the budget that are going to hurt one group or another.

“This budget is about shared pain and shared sacrifices,” said Republican Senator Abel Maldonado, who gave the last vote needed to pass the budget.

Many regulations and terms have been compromised in order to obtain enough votes that it seems members of the GOP are simply using their leverage to push their agendas.

It is unfortunate that our government has diminished to leaders negotiating the state’s current crisis in secrecy, legislators tweaking with our financial future merely to benefit themselves, and more than 100 illinformed Senate and Assembly members voting on matters that will affect every state resident.

Pirates are people too

By Eva Poon News Editor

Arrrgh, I’m a pirate. Instead of sailing the four seas in search of lost treasure, I peruse the Internet for new music. I download songs in less than legal ways from the Internet even though I know about the Harvard student who faces a fine of $1 million for distributing seven songs through the program Kazaa.

Luckily for me, in December, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) decided to end its policy of suing individual downloaders. The RIAA plans to focus on cutting off online access for music pirates by working with Internet service providers. It’s about time record companies recognize that downloading music and movies is not the crime they wanted people to believe it is.

The light at the end of the tunnel is broken

By Howard Whang Photo Editor

CVUSD may be luckier than some surrounding districts fiscally, but there are still cuts that will end up hurting us all. Here are some possible solutions that may help save and raise money, and turn that light at the end of the tunnel back on.

1) Expel the students with the lowest grades and worst attendance. They obviously don’t care about school anyway. Firing them altogether will save money because we won’t have to worry about them anymore.

2) Fire corrupt teachers who want half a million dollar bribes from students. For details, refer to Issue 6 of The Olympian. Also, teachers who threaten to beat up students should be fired.

3) Lay off the custodians. After all, we’re high schoolers! We’re all potty-trained and know that human wastes belong in the toilet and not the sink. We know it isn’t polite to toss our boogers onto the classroom floor, and unhealthy to spit over every square inch of the courtyard.

4) Go to the Federal Government and ask for $25 billion dol-

lars. If some CEOs can fly private jets to D.C. to ask for billions, then why can’t we?

Taxpayers give them $25 billion, and the CEOs go on retreats which “are a company tradition” with things like exquisite foods, world class entertainment, luxury suites, ridiculous awards, spa treatments, all expense paid helicopter rides, horseback rides, wine tasting, and not to mention the excessive gambling. I hope you are angry reading this. If CVUSD got $25 billion, please do rest assured in the fact that it will actually be put to a good use.

5) Shut down the P.E. department. Why do even have P.E.?

The school spends money to try to put businesses like Jenny Craig out of business. People should have their own right to decide to be fat, not the government. If the people don’t want to be fat, there are nice inventions known as diet pills that, if used carefully, might actually work.

6) Shut down McDonalds. If we are really worried about people getting fat, then just shut down McDonalds.

7) Rent or lease out half of our football field. Just imagine walking up to our football field, and

seeing a sign in the middle of the field that says: “Due to budget crisis, this half of the field has been leased to the Russians.” Hey, at least it would bring in some extra money. For that matter, the Center For The Arts is fair game too. It’s pretty new and may command a fair market value. Plus, it isn’t covered in gum and spit. Perhaps the Canadians would consider leasing the CFA. 8) Convert the 900 hall into a hotel. Doesn’t the 900 hall look just like a Motel 6? Two stories, with the stairs and balcony like that? Each classroom can easily be converted into a hotel room without too much trouble. We can call it “Motel CVHS,” and with some sneaky advertising, we can charge millions of dollars for CEOs to come enjoy our world-class suites (with air-conditioning), enjoy world class entertainment at the Canadian CFA, play world class football at our Russian football field, and enjoy world class gourmet dining in our own world class cafeteria.

They can go horseback riding up at Canyon, and maybe Eden Medical Center would loan us a few choppers and their helipad for helicopter rides.

The most compelling argument by the music industry is that illegal downloading mostly hurts the artists whose music we download. It keeps me awake at night knowing that Justin Timberlake won’t get his portion of the one dollar I would otherwise have paid to buy a song off iTunes. I think most musicians, especially indie artists, would appreciate the extra exposure when more people have access to their songs. They already make their songs freely available to listen on the radio and MTV. Even musical giant Paul McCartney has voiced his acceptance with illegal downloading. Just like money can’t buy me love, money can’t buy me music I could get for free. McCartney knows that the real money comes from concert tickets and merchandising.

People who watch downloaded movies and TV shows know that by not paying, they are losing out on image and sound quality. I doubt the movie industry is in any danger from downloaders. There are still a large number of people who are willing to pay for the cinema ex-

perience they can’t get from their computers as evidenced by the record numbers The Dark Knight pulled in last summer.

The time the courts wasted with pointless music piracy cases can now be better used to prosecute real criminals. There are much more important issues in the world to focus on besides illegal downloaders’ annihilation of decent morals and the rites of capitalism. There are real pirates out there and I don’t mean the Jack Sparrows in Disneyland. The number of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia has tripled since 2007. Those pirates inflict violence and harm in a way Internet pirates are not capable of.

Despite the RIAA’s concession on Internet piracy, the Motion Picture Association of America remains stringent on movie piraters. Last month, the group asked President-elect Obama to help crack down on illegal downloaders. I fear for the future if movie piraters who put movie footage on YouTube can still be equated with real-life pirates who kidnap merchants and steal uranium.

The Olympian is a publication of the Journalism Class, Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2009 Editor-in-Chief...............................................................Malena Bell City Editor.......................................................................Irene Liang News Editor........................................................................Eva Poon Opinion Editor..............................................................Alicia Harger Feature Editor.................................................................Frank Chao Sports Editor.........................................................Alexandra Gomes Copy Editors...................................................................Erin Mundy Joseph Wan Photo Editor..............................................................Howard Whang Business Managers............................................................Isabel Chi Lindsay Oda Staff Writers: David Ahn, Lisa Carmack, Sophiana Carrell, Moises Fonseca, Sarah Gilchriese, Lawrence Ham, Brandon Lui, James Rose, Trevin Smith, Elizabeth Tran, Tim Wong Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

Things heat up in the Middle East

By David Ahn Staff Writer

The 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza Conflict signals an end of any hope for peace between Israel and Palestine in the near future.

It also reinforces a startling trend where Western “developed nations” use morally objectionable tactics when protecting their own interests.

In response to rocket and mortar attacks launched from the Gaza Strip, Israel has retaliated with waves of air strikes and artillery barrages followed by a ground invasion comprising of thousands of troops supported by heavy tanks.

This escalation of conflict left over a thousand Palestinians dead, including hundreds of civilians, with over 50,000 Gaza residents displaced, creating a dire humanitarian crisis.

Furthermore, the assault severely crippled the Gaza Strip’s already fragile infrastructure, which had suffered heavily under the blockade set up by Israel after the election of Hamas leaders. Although Israel managed to negotiate a cease fire with Hamas, an organization the U.S. and Israel consider a terrorist group, to end the attacks on southern Israel, Israel has been heavily criticized internationally for their use of overwhelming force.

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and Hamas have been condemned for breaking numerous international laws.

For example, Israel’s blockade of Gaza qualifies as “collective punishment,” as the population of Gaza was punished for the action of Hamas.

During the war itself the IDF was criticized for firing on civilians, including but not limited to using white phosphorous shells and flechettes, and systematically targeting civilian structures such as hospitals, schools, and mosques.

The rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza, on the other hand, are clear violations of international law by Hamas, as they

Letters to the Editor

target Israeli civilians.

Furthermore, Hamas is accused of using the Palestinian noncombatants as human shields and blurring the lines between an enemy combatant and a civilian.

Throughout the conflicts there were reports of gunmen firing from ambulances and combatants disguising themselves as policemen.

Hamas is also known for storing weapons and rockets beneath heavily populated residential areas such as schools and mosques.

Still, one cannot help but feel that this conflict is all but onesided. Israel reported that they had suffered only 13 deaths during the conflict, (three of which were civilians).

Granted, Israel had to endure countless rocket and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip, but can it justify hundreds of civilian deaths, many of them children?

Although Israel’s response to Hamas’s rocket and mortar attacks was legitimate under international law, the Israelis’ excessive use of force has discredited both themselves and their allies in the world stage. Israel also alleged that this is how war is fought in the Middle East, but I find trouble accepting that excuse under any circumstances.

In this post 9/11 world, we are constantly sacrificing our values in the name of security. We torture terrorist suspects, spy on our own citizens, and preemptively strike other nations all to safeguard our own.

The 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza Conflict is just another example of how Western “developed nations” can sacrifice their ethical high ground in the name of safety.

In an effort to preserve our way of life, I fear that we in the West may lose our principles that have so defined us in the past. We are mighty because we are right, I rue the day when we are right because we are mighty.

The Olympian encourages letters from our readers. Please note that pieces should be under 300 words and are subjected to editing and verification. They can be e-mailed to cvhsolympian@gmail.com, delivered to Mr. Johanson’s box in the office, or dropped off at the Olympian office in room 113.

C’mon, Republicans

By Irene Liang City Editor

Dear Republican politicians,

Like many of the other 37 million Californians, I am frustrated with the way that you dealt with the state budget crisis. A budget deficit of $42 billion is the largest that California has ever had to work through. Your persistence to push for an all-cuts budget to education and social services, which are important and valuable to everyone’s future, was detrimental to the faith the people of California have in the democratic process.

It was heartbreaking to learn about millions of people who are unable to pay their bills or saw their homes foreclosed because those who have the power to help them were being stubborn. On Tuesday, Feb. 17, about 20,000 California state workers were handed layoff notices. Urgent matters like these should have been pushing you to pass this budget

all along. California couldn’t wait. This pledge that you signed to not approve the tax increases was a childish way to hold off until you got what you wanted.

It took 106 days for six of you to vote yes on this budget and to come to your senses. One hundred and six days were wasted and during that time, I was angered by your lack of cooperation with Democrats.

This wasn’t a game for you to act like children to try to get what you wanted. This fiscal situation made Californians worried about their livelihoods. Parents, especially, were worried about the fate of their children’s educations.

As a student of CVHS, I do not want to see teachers get laid off, programs cut, or class size increased. But guess what?

Your refusal to raise taxes is forcing CVHS to take these actions. No one wants to see these cuts, but your stubbornness means that the Castro Valley community, parents, students,

PHOTOpinions Compiled by Brandon Lui

“How do you think the school can save money during the budget crisis?”

“Basically, I think we should have more fundraisers.”

Anthony Salvato, freshman.

“I think they should cut the most basic classes.”

Samira Iqbal, sophomore.

“Take away No Child Left Behind, Yeah, we’d save a lot of money that way.”

Rostam Mirzadi, junior.

“I think the best way to save money is to have bigger classrooms with more students even though it means losing teachers.”

Ruby Parra, senior.

teachers, staff, and administrators must accept them.

It is your democratic right to stand up for what you believe in, but you do not have the right to further endanger California’s financial situation.

Democrats recognized this, and compromised with spending cuts.

However, most of you did not. Instead of worrying about doing what your party was pressuring you to do, you should have thought about why you are in office in the first place. Californian citizens thought that you could help make their futures brighter by proposing and passing bills.

Political risks are part of your job. You should have taken the risk of acting independently from your party and standing up for what is right. You should have quickly agreed to a budget that incorporates both spending cuts, tax increases, and loans.

The battle to save California from a fiscal crisis isn’t going to end soon. It will come up again and the next issue is to figure out how to pay back the $10 billion the state will borrow from bonds and the lottery.

The next time you have to vote on a budget, keep in mind what is right for the people of California. Realize that revenue is needed to help reduce spending cuts.

Help those who are trying to keep their jobs to support their families. Help Californian students achieve their own American dreams by receiving education instead of taking away a substantial amount of money from education and social services. Help those who gave you your jobs and the positions you currently hold.

But most importantly, please think about the people and not just your jobs. Please come to your senses. Remember why you are politicians in the first place.

Sincerely, Irene Liang

Secrets Into the Woods: a tale of success revealed Golden Gate Theatre Production astounds at school assembly

By James Rose Staff Writer

By Lindsay Oda Business Manager

“Secrets,” whispered the actors from behind the prop screens after telling their characters’ deepest issues and feelings.

On Feb. 10 and 11 the junior and sophomore classes went to an assembly called Secrets, a community service project put on by Kaiser Permanente to inform high schools about HIV and STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention.

Secrets revolves around regular high school teenagers and college students who have trouble with their lives. The characters face problems and secrets with pregnancy, sex, relationships, HIV and STIs. The stories were high school relevant and had humor teenagers could relate to.

The play revealed tons of information on how to get tested, STI and HIV myths, and facts. After the play, the actors answered student questions from the crowd like, “So what’s the saran wrap for?” and, “How can you get your friend to go get tested?”

Actors were not hesitant to answer any questions.

“Some people are too immature to take it seriously, but those who got the intentions of Secrets will actually learn from it,” said junior Kelly Weisenberger.

For most students, it seems the actors achieved their intentions, which were to “come away with more information, [and be] better informed in decision making regarding sexual health,” said actress Laura Klivans about what she hopes students learned from Secrets.

ATTENTION: The Black and White Dance is tonight!

Tonight, March 6, is the Spring Dance. Come dressed in black and white. Tickets are presale only, so buy yours today at lunch at the student store. The first 50 people who enter from the regular line and the first 50 people from the Fast Pass entrance will get entered into a drawing to win a free iPod Nano!

See you tonight at 7:30!

Want to be a class or ASB officer next year? Candidate packets will be available soon!

We will not have write-in candidacy this year, so it is very important that you turn in your paperwork if you want to run.

Listen to the announcements for more information.

The folks at Golden State Theatre Productions have really outdone themselves. As the third installment of the Center for the Art’s line-up for this year, Into the Woods is a perfect collection of classic fairytales.

The characters of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and others come together as one. Each of them is brilliantly interwoven into a comedic musical under the green canopy of the forest.

The play starts off when the Baker and his wife learn that the witch who lives next door to their cottage has cursed them.

In order to lift it, they are told by the witch to gather specific objects: a cow white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as

“Let me chop

him into a thousand tiny bits! ” Granny

corn and a shoe as golden as the sun. Into the Woods contains two parts. The first half of the play

follows the storylines of all four popular fairytales.

However, some parts of the plot are tweaked a little. For example, after the Big Bad Wolf ate Little Red, the Baker, armed with a dagger, freed her and Granny.

Then Granny snatched the knife and said, “Let me chop him into a thousand tiny bits!”

The Baker and his Wife, in search of the talismans, run into Jack, Little Red, Rapunzel and Cinderella along the way. They eye each of the characters closely, because each of them carries the solution to their quest.

They lie, cheat, and steal to get each item. That included Jack’s cow, Little Red’s cape, Rapunzel’s hair and Cinderella’s shoe.

The second half of the show is the aftermath of each character’s actions.

Into the Woods is composed of both student and professional actors.

CVHS students in the cast include juniors Ricky Garcia as Jack, Merilisse Beyelia as Sleeping Beauty, and senior Amanda Sylvia as Little Red Riding Hood.

Into the Woods , which played six times in January and early February, delighted audiences with a clumsy Cinderella, an emotional Jack, a squealing Rapunzel, a feisty, knife-wielding Little Red Riding Hood and a Wolf ballroom dancing with her.

DECA club leaves its mark at San Ramon competition

By Brandon Lui Staff Writer

A total of 50 DECA club members from CVHS went to the San Ramon Marriot Hotel for a huge learning competition.

From Jan. 9-11, 800 students in DECA clubs from around the Bay Area came to compete and learn in interactive workshops.

Senior Samantha Owyang, one of DECA’s presidents, said that their club did well.

“We really enjoy it [DECA events] because it gives us a chance to use our creative ideas and employ them in a business situation,” said Owyang who has attended many of these events.

DECA holds all kinds of events similar to these workshops and competitions for students all over the country.

At these competitions students are challenged to use their accumulated business skills and creativity to solve real problems that companies and industries face.

The events range from simply writing out business proposals to role-playing as management.

DECA doesn’t just pick a single business to base its events on but rather picks a variety, covering industries like electronics, foods, and fashion.

Senior and long time member of DECA Megan Kwang really enjoys attending these kinds of competitions.

“I always enjoy going, not only for the competition but the feedback as well. You actually meet people there in the business to tell you all about their experiences.”

Kwang chose a fashion mer-

chandizing and sales simulations at the competition where people have to find an effective way to attract more people to the store and stimulate sales.

“I take a personal view to solve the problem… I think about what I would want to see from a store and use it,” said Kwang.

DECA will have other events like this in the future as well.

In the first week of March, the club plans to attend the state competition at Santa Clara with more than 1,200 students attending.

When asked why Kwang joined DECA, she said, “It was for my voc-tech credits.”

But she stayed because she “really want to pursue a business career now thanks to DECA.”

Trouble in the Trojan Den

By Tim Wong Staff Writer

Malena Bell / Editor-in-Chief

Singing Across America are (from left) juniors Dominic Balassone, Brenon Adams, and Kate Kim and seniors Cheryl Krake and Jennifer Fong.

Pops Concert a huge success in box office

By Lisa Carmack Staff Writer

It’s always a joy to go to a show and watch your friends and classmates flaunt their unique abilities, and this year’s Pops Concert was no exception.

Out of all the shows our great school puts on, Pops Concert is the only one completely written and directed by students.

All of the hard work and dedication was apparent as I was taken “Across America” with five of our quirky classmates.

Junior Dominic Balassone, senior Cheryl Krake, sophomore Kate Kim, senior Jennifer Fong, and junior Brenon Adams played five seniors who decide to journey from California all the way

to New York on a road trip.

The songs were a combination of new tunes as well as some favorite oldies. One of my favorites was Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” featuring Gino Lucas as “The King,” complete with footloose dance moves, and enthusiastic jumps around the stage.

Another favorite was the smooth and jazzy “Midnight Train to Georgia” with incredible vocals by Yumiko Pinzon and comical back up singing and dancing with Corey Matsumura, Eric Fonnesbeck, and Ricky Garcia.

One of my favorite slower songs was the Beatles’ “Because.”

The Madrigals took the complicated harmony by storm and performed completely acapella.

It was also exciting to see new talent emerge such as Michele Leytem who sang Norah Jones’ “Sunrise” with beautiful precision, and Emma Hancock who performed Vanessa Carlton’s “Thousand Miles.”

The most surprising act within the show was the techno dance number, complete with strobe lights and glow sticks.

It was a very versatile and exciting show, and other than my recurring fear that one of the singers might fall into the orchestra pit during a dance number and a few rough spots within the plot, the show was an overwhelming success.

Among school clubs, the Trojan Den has quickly gained notoriety and has become a well-known facet of CVHS teams. However, all this fame has not been entirely positive.

Game attendants have complained about the overzealous support of the teams and there have been numerous accounts where administration has had to deal with students because of accusations of rude behavior.

Count Mike Botelho among those fans who think the administration comes down too hard on the Trojan Den. Botelho was suspended from school for two days and banned from all future basketball games, he said, though he denies misbehaving.

“They ban people for really minor offenses. No one is even being hurt,” said Botelho.

On another occasion, when San Leandro played the varsity boys basketball team, Dominic Shortridge, another member of the Trojan Den, was ejected

by Deputy Tim Vales after he stepped onto the court as he was taking a picture.

“They want to keep things in order and they want to make sure things don’t get out of hand,” Shortridge said. “They try to put a cap on it, but at what expense? People can’t even enjoy themselves anymore.”

Vales, however, said that he had explicitly warned Shortridge not to step over the line, but that the fan did so anyway.

“I do think that the Trojan Den is a good thing. They just get out of the pocket too

much,” said Vales, who had no hard feelings about the incident. “I know they get excited, but they also get disrespectful and rude… If they would just support their team instead of taunting other teams, or getting disrespectful, or going on court, everything would be fine.”

Assistant Principal Jason Whiteman also reflected the same sentiments.

“It’s simply

a safety and respect issue Jason Whiteman Assistant Principal

”

“I think school spirit and support of school activities is absolutely a great thing and that there is nothing better for the community,” said Whiteman.

But he also said that things did sometimes get out of hand.

“Everything is fine until you are rude and make fun of other players and their appearances.

That’s not okay. Everything else is fine,” added Whiteman.

Whiteman cited the fact that it was not the fault of any particular student, but rather a result of “group think,” in which individuals act and behave differently in a group than they would by themselves.

Whiteman also said that he would not hesitate to remove people from the game because the school has a zero-tolerance policy for rude, disrespectful, or dangerous behavior.

“It’s simply a safety and respect issue,” Whiteman said.

Trojan basketball squad defeats Wolverines

By Joseph Wan Copy Editor

Members of the Trojan Den felt the floor shake from the impact of a basketball hitting the gym floor, but they didn’t care because they were already up out of their seats cheering for the CVHS Trojans. Deer Valley fans cheered back as players ran, turned, spun around each other, grappling for possession of the ball. In the end, the Trojans beat back the Wolverines 62-51 to take their first (North Coast Section) NCS game.

“It was a hard fought game,” said John Sorba, campus security. “The boys played their hearts out.”

If the boys played their hearts out, the audience certainly screamed their hearts out. Tuesday, Feb. 24, Castro Valley’s gym was in a state of feverish noise.

Fans screamed encouragement to their respective teams, not caring whether the ball was on their end of the court or not.

Right in the beginning, the Trojan boys drew cheers from the crowd with a flurry of baskets.

Shots from junior Orlauwn Ellis and sophomore Juan Anderson along with baskets from the rest of the team put the Trojans at a ten point lead that they kept most of the game.

The Trojans kept up the pace for the entire first half, urged on by encouragement from the Trojan Den and CV cheerleaders. Senior Rashad Parker ’s drive through the ranks of obstructing Wolverines as well as brilliant steals from both teams kept the scoring, and the Trojan lead, pretty even. The score at halftime was 30-22 in favor of Castro Valley.

As the game moved on, both teams picked up more fouls, but though it was a physical game, everyone had a sense of good sportsmanship, judging by the absence of disputes between athletes. Timely time-outs called

by Castro Valley coach Nick Jones kept the scoring process moving.

However, near the three minute mark during the fourth quar-

By Isabel Chi

Business Manager

“ We held our composure and stayed through to pull off the victory.”

Rashad Parker Senior

ter, the Wolverines tapped into a burst of aggressive energy, cutting the Trojan lead to five instead of ten. In response, the boys stepped up their own game.

They ultimately took the game for Castro Valley, propelled along the way by free throws, a lot of passing, and quick footwork.

“We played good,” said Parker.

“We were a little shaky at times, but we held our composure and stayed through to pull off the victory.”

“Orlauwn Ellis made some good free throws,” Jones smiled, “and we executed when we needed to.” Then a little more solemn, he added, “We need to play a

Soccer boys beat Berkeley in NCS game

Joseph Wan / Copy Editor

Senior Andy Alcarez shoots one of many free throws at the Wednesday night game won by the Trojans. much cleaner game,” because according to Jones, their next NCS game will be against Monte Vista.

Jones sees the Matadors as a good team and a tough challenger.

But as the coach behind the Trojan victory, Jones deserves to be commended and Sorba certainly thinks so. “Nick’s doing a heck of a good job,” he said.

As the seconds ticked down, the Trojan Den began chanting to the Deer Valley team and audience, “Have a safe trip back.”

Though the Castro Valley win marked the end of NCS for Deer Valley, the Trojans lost to the Matadors at Monte Vista, on Friday, Feb. 27.

The crowd erupted in cheers as junior Ian Silverness scored the winning goal. His teammates picked him up and congratulated their hero.

“That was me, that was me, that was me,” an excited Silverness said after the game.

CVHS varsity boys soccer team played Berkeley High on Feb. 18.

With a score of 1-0, the Trojans defeated the Yellow Jackets in the first-round NCS game.

Sophomore Hunter LeBlanc shot the ball and off of the rebound, Silverness scored the goal. Sophomore and keeper Kurtis Louie saved a multitude of attempted goals by Berkeley.

Castro Valley had a number of free kicks, all of which were unsuccessful until the goal by Silverness.

“Ian was beastin’,” said senior Paul Ryu. However, Saturday, Feb. 21, at the following NCS game against San Ramon Valley, the Trojans suffered a 2-0 defeat after an impressive struggle.

“The limp squad held it down on defense,” said senior Josh Beeston proudly. However, the team was extremely disappointed at the referee’s performance.

The team claimed that the official neglected two offside calls that gave the Wolves two goals.

Overall the team had a good record of 18-6-2 (wins-lossesties).

When asked if they would do well next season, junior Jared Keys replied with a “Yeah, buddy.”

CVHS wrestling team takes first at league finals

By Sarah Gilchriese Staff Writer

Russell Feagley wrestled the longest match of the HAAL league, going into overtime three times. In the third overtime Feagley took down his opponent to win 4-2. As a senior, Feagley took league title for the last time, but also helped to win his team first place yet again.

“Castro Valley dominated the HAAL league again,” said Feagley, who took league title at the 162 weight bracket.

On Sat. February 21, the CVHS boys wrestling team took first at the HAAL finals. Varsity, JV, and the girls team all wrestled at this tournament. Nine out of the 14 varsity boys took first, while six of the girls took first and league title.

The smallest boy on the team is freshman, Matt Waespi, who wrestles in the 105 weight brack-

et. Matt took second at league finals, after a devastating overtime. In the third round Matt escaped using a Granby (a very difficult move), with only seconds to spare. The score was tied, and the match went into overtime. Matt and his opponent fought for the first scored point, to secure their win. Both tried to take each other down, but Matt’s opponent scored first, winning league title.

“I am very proud of the team,” said Coach Josh Wheeler. “They put in a lot of work this season to improve.” All of the 14 Varsity boys qualified for sectionals.

“The season was long and difficult, but based on the end results, all of our hard work and dedication was well worth it,” said junior Michael Fong. Fong took second at the 142 weight bracket, although he was recovering from being sick, like many other members of the team.

The other varsity boys all did very well. At the 114 weight, Brian Vierra took first place in overtime. At the 121 weight, Christian Gascon took first by pinning his opponent in 33 seconds. Igor Kahane at the 127 weight bracket pinned his opponent in the second round. At the 132 weight Michael Busch took first in three difficult rounds. At the 137 weight Casey Perrault took second in a close match that scored 12-10. Adam Busch at the 147 weight took first by pinning his opponent in a minute and 33 seconds. Dan Heka at the 154 weight dominated his match and took first at an astonishing score of 3-16. At the 173 weight Joshua Valladares took first by pinning his opponent in the second round. His younger brother David placed second at the weight of 191. Robert Busch at the weight of 217 placed first place with a score of 3-2. Heavy

Sarah Gilchriese / Staff Writer

Senior Michael Busch wins “near fall points” in the third round. weight Andrew Cathey was the last Castro Valley boy to take first, by pinning his opponent.

The girls also did very well, with Shashana Markus, Jessica Feeney, Lizzie Merk, Rebekah Wright, Kristin Feagley, and Julia Dirnu all taking league title by placing first.

“They have all done an excellent job of focusing during the second half of the season and I think they are ready to finish strong,” said Coach Wheeler.

NCS and the state meet are coming up soon, and hopefully the wrestlers do as well as they did at HAAL finals.

Football gets a new coach

By Trevin Smith Staff Writer

Malena Bell / Editor-in-Chief

Senior Mariah Cameron scored two goals against Washington High School in the girls soccer team’s first NCS game.

Soccer girls win NCS games

By Alexandra Gomes Sports Editor

The varsity girls soccer team started the NCS tournament with a bang, winning 5-2 against Washington High School in its first NCS game on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

“The girls played okay,” said coach Paul McCallion after the game.

The game started off in favor of the Trojans, and the first half ended at 2-1, but the second half was tougher for the Trojans as their opponents strengthened their defenses. The fans remained

hopeful, especially one group of senior boys in the bleachers who cheered the team on throughout the game.

Despite the tough opponent and dropping temperatures, the Trojan girls managed to impress, scoring three consecutive goals in less than ten minutes.

Two players that particularly stood out in this game were senior Mariah Cameron and junior Micaela Castain, who each made two goals during this game.

“I felt that both Mariah Cameron and Micaela Castain played really well tonight,” said Mc-

Callion.

The game ended with a final score of 5-2, sending the girls to their next game against Carondelet the following Saturday.

Although the team had lost to the Carondelet team in a tournament back in January, the girls were able to turn the tables and win this game 2-0.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the girls lost 1-0 to Foothill High School in the NCS semifinals.

“It’s always exciting to be at these games,” said McCallion.

“The girls just need to train hard and work to win.”

It was the year 2000 and sophomore running back Nick McMaster got the privilege of playing varsity for CVHS during the NCS playoffs where he would win alongside his fellow Trojans teammates.

Now McMaster has returned to CVHS to do what he’s always wanted to do: coach Trojan football.

“I’m really excited,” said McMaster.

After the release of the previous football coach Jordan Seiden, CVHS has been looking for a fresh face with new ideas and a way to get the ball rolling for the Trojans.

That face will belong to McMaster, who is determined to reform the way things have unfolded for Castro Valley football in recent years.

He graduated from CVHS in 2002 and loved the football program and the bond forming with his teammates that so many football players do.

After high school he attended Laney College for a year and played football. Then he went to Cal State East Bay where he majored in finance and minored in economics.

Coach Nick, as he’s known by his players, recently began teaching geometry and algebra at CVHS. “My strengths on the football field will be strengths in the classroom and vice-versa,” said

Trevin Smith / Staff Writer

Coach Nick McMaster in his new classroom is preparing for football summer camp while balancing equations.

McMaster.

Football is strongly planted in the McMaster family with three brothers playing on the Trojan gridiron.

The new coach has his game plan for the future based on hard work and team cooperation.

“I’ll tolerate nothing less than high character kids,” said McMaster.

With their workouts already starting, a brand new stadium, and a new head coach, Trojan football is off to a clean start with all of the tools needed to make last season’s memories of poor performance and competition a thing of the past.

S up e r S a v v y Sp o r ts St a rs

Elizabeth Tran / Staff Writer

Michael Lee, freshman

Trevor Macabe, sophomore

Priscilla Law, junior

Ingrid Wong, senior

Starting his first year at CVHS, Michael Lee joined the JV swim team. He has been swimming for about seven years, since elementary school. He enjoys swimming because it relieves stress and keeps him in shape. “Fifty meters breaststrokes at 32.52 (seconds).

I’m kinda proud of that,” Lee laughed about his best time. The most exciting thing that happened to Lee was when he made the cut for Junior Olympics last summer. Lee’s hobbies also include basketball, drawing, and dance.

On swimming as a sport, he said, “Yeah, I guess, I just like it.”

As the boys basketball JV team captain, Trevor Macabe has been playing basketball since third grade. This season, the team proudly beat rivals San Leandro and Bishop O’ Dowd. He showed his dedication to basketball when he was injured toward the end of the season, which prevented him from playing the last few games.

Nevertheless, he’s still rooting for his teammates, Sean Lahey, and Nate Han. Aside from his love for basketball, Macabe also goes to church, dances, lifts weights, works out, and hangs out with his friends.

Priscilla Law is running sprints and high jumps this year for the CVHS varsity track team. Although she did hurt her back once doing high jumps, Law loves to run because it “makes me feel like I can go anywhere on my feet.” She prefers running with friends than running alone because it’s easier for her to run since her friends give her the motivation to keep on going. She also enjoys reading and playing the piano. “Practice is going well,” Law said with a smile.

Last year ’s NCS badminton champion, Ingrid Wong is back for another great season. “We won NCS,” she said when reflecting upon the epic game of the last season that she and her partner, junior Chanele Darosa, won. Wong enjoys playing this intense sport because she likes the speed of it.

Although she doesn’t have any preference for singles or doubles, she likes girls’ doubles better than mixed doubles. Wong is also the president of the Interact club.

“Basically those two things are my life,” she said.

BUDGET: Page 1

board voted to pass a budget of recommended actions presented by interim superintendent, Jerry Macy. Key points of this budget include cuts at the district office level and the elimination of around 40 employee positions throughout the district.

At the high school, approximately ten teachers, three counselors, and one assistant principal will be laid off under the school board’s decision.

The high school will also lose programs that students may have taken for granted. Small learning communities will lose funding and the seven-period day will be restructured into a six-period day with the possibility of a zero period. The freshman English and math classes will no longer be as small as they are now, and sports and music programs will take substantial hits.

District officials hope these measures and more will cover the shortfall, an estimated $3.6 million to $5.4 million, from now until the summer of 2010.

The exact figures for the shortfall depend on state budget decisions and have not yet been confirmed.

“Some of the things on the budget broke my heart,” said school board president Jo Loss at the Feb. 26 meeting.

Macy, too, found the cuts hard to stomach. “It’s not okay what I’m recommending. I hate what I’m recommending,” he said, “But I have to offer a balanced budget.”

Fortunately, the passing of this budget does not finalize the cuts. Macy and Principal Pete Alvarez hope to remove as many cuts from the budget hit list as possible as the figures from Sacramento become clearer. Unfortunately, the big issues such as those listed above are unlikely to change.

“Cuts will be as across the board as much I can possibly make them,” Alvarez said, explaining his opposition to eliminating entire programs. “My first commitment is to closing the achievement gap on this campus, so that we have a campus where all students have access to a curriculum that will get them to

where they want to be.”

“I believe we’re going to have two or three really tough years,” Macy said, which is why he believes that the community needs to band together in this time of recession.

“Challenges we have to face” “We come from different perspectives, but yet we’re all in the same situation,” said Bucklin, who iss also vice president of the Castro Valley Teachers Association. “Ultimately, [we] all are hit in the same way and [we] all have to survive and make the best of what’s happening.”

“We’re not alone; everyone is going through this,” said English teacher Eric Unti. “It gives us a perspective of what our ancestors went through. I mean, it’s not as bad as the Great Depression.

It’s just one of the challenges we have to face together. I think it’s going to be a tough time, but we just have to be up to it.”

Band teacher Cynde Meyer agreed. “The district is pulling together to solve the problems.

Nobody blames the board or administration,” she said.

However, some people do feel that, though global recession is out of any individual’s hands, Sacramento has to shoulder part of the blame in California’s current financial crisis.

“It’s not from our district and our school, it’s from Sacramento,” said custodian Jay Espitallier.

“This is about money. We have to look to Sacramento,” Macy said. “The state’s two-thirds majority budget requirement is absurd. One to two legislators can hold back our ability to move forward.”

“The students of the state of California are being forced to pay for the incompetence of our political leaders,” said social studies teacher Gerry Cox. “The budget cuts represent a sad day in the history of education in California. They mean reduced educational opportunities for students, and loss of jobs for teachers, clerical workers, librarians, counselors, bus drivers and custodial staff. Laid off workers join growing unemployment lines and students become less

well prepared for college,” said science teacher Deborah Yager.

“There is no pride in being last in our nation in per-student funding. How can California be proud of its accomplishments in business and technology while making education a bottom priority?”

Junior Austin Graham said, “If the governor had the guts or the spine to do something, he wouldn’t put this burden on the schools.”

“Like being starved to death” Speaking on behalf of the English department, Unti said, “For us, we’re definitely sad to lose the class size for freshman English. The majority in the English department teaches freshman English. Having the smaller classes makes it a safer environment.”

Another program that will be taking a hard hit is the music program.

“It has taken 22 years to build up the band to this level and in one to two years, we would be back to where we started,” said Meyer. “It’s like being starved to death. The music program would weaken and shrink until it dies completely.”

Junior Alvin Lu also worries about the music program. He created a petition to save the

orchestra program. Now that it looks like the six-period day will be reinstated as the new schedule, he believes the possible zero period is necessary. Without it, he said, “They might as well cut orchestra.”

Athletes, too, may feel the pinch. There is a possibility that the school will start charging about $100 per student per sport next school year. Sports teams may also need to start additional fundraising to buy equipment and pay for costly transportation to competitions.

Students, however, may be most concerned with six-period day. With fewer periods, students will not be able to take as many electives.

“It’ll mess up my schedule for what I’ve planned,” said junior Ashley Zhou. “We’ll just have to get used to what we have.”

Despite all the bad news, Macy’s stance is to have a positive outlook. “The optimism that I have is that we always get through this, even through the very most difficult times. We get through it and we find ways to rebound,” said Macy. “We do that through creativity, through ingenuity, through asking everybody hard questions.

“The optimism that I have is that young people are always the ones who ask the best questions and we find constructive ways to

challenge the way it is,” he said.

“That makes old people like me think.”

The number one thing to do, he said, is to engage in conversation with parents, teachers, and legislators.

Also, according to Macy, the school loses $32 for each day a student is absent. Averaged out district wide, each student misses about nine days each year.

The district has around 9,000 students. Doing the math shows that if no student missed a single school day, the district would get an additional estimated $2,600,000.

“Numbers matter and working together really matters,” Macy said. “Legislators listen more to parents than to administrators,” he added.

In the end, the budget is not final. Depending on the final figures from the state capital, the district may be able to minimize cuts to a further extent. Students will have a lot to adapt to next year, but counselor Constance Cline believes that nothing is over yet.

“Fight for what you believe in,” said Cline.

Olympian staff members James Rose, Elizabeth Tran, Moises Fonseca, Eva Poon, Sarah Gilchriese, David Ahn, and Howard Whang contributed to this report.