March 6, 2014

Volume 57, Issue 7

March 6, 2014

Castro Valley High School

Ouch! Boys wrestlers pin down opponents

www.cvhsolympian.com

Governor offers billions to schools

By Callie Ross-Smith Staff Writer

“Better times” are on the way to California public schools, according to state lawmakers including Senator Darrell Steinberg.

“We’ve gone through very difficult times but we’ve increased education funding significantly,” said Steinberg, a Democrat from Sacramento. “It may not make up for what was lost, but there will definitely be more resources for students in order to have a better

Nick Alfaro pins down an opponent in boys wrestling as CVHS wins the WACC championships. See story on page 7.

Early birds win the attendance reward Editor-in-Chief

After a satisfying lunch, the sound of the bell permeates the air, ushering students to class. All of a sudden, the P.A. speakers blare out, “We are having a tardy sweep,” and a collective groan is heard as students make the extra effort to run from 500 hall to 100 hall as quickly as possible. Tardies and absences have been important issues at CVHS, thus yielding stricter attendance rules across campus.

As a result of frequent tardy sweeps and detentions, CVHS managed to reduce the numbers of tardies by 40 percent.

Last school year, there were 10,871 tardies from November through February. This school year, tardies have decreased to 6,563 during the same period.

However, attendance has dipped below average for the overall senior class recently, backtracking the progress the school needs. Tardies after lunch have decreased, but tardies for first period have

increased. The school hopes to see improvement in these trends as more consequences for tardies are implemented.

Although there are strict tardy sweeps and detentions that punish late students, there are also initiatives in place that reward students for outstanding attendance. In September, CVHS participated in the nationwide Attendance Awareness program, an initiative that aims to teach students that attendance is vital to the learning process. Through this program, CVHS rewarded students with perfect attendance with certificates, movie tickets, and/or other prizes.

This same reward program was implemented in January, and 1,039 students were awarded for their perfect attendance. Ahead of the game was the freshman class, leading with the most contestants in the perfect attendance contest.

The prizes don’t stop there!

Leadership is partaking in the rewards program by offering a raffle for junior prom and senior ball tickets. Megan Rosendall and Saawan Patel both won junior prom tickets,

Money, Money, Money, Money!

Page 2: Olympian weighs in on hefty budget

and Helen Zhang and Javier Tate-Iglesias both won senior ball tickets. These lucky students were chosen out of the pool of students with perfect attendance to win tickets. The method of choosing students was conducted through assigning students random numbers and drawing out of the raffle; this made sure the process was fair.

The point of Attendance Awareness is not only to raise attendance, but to raise awareness of the importance of coming to school every day.

“Absences add up and students don’t realize that they miss a lot of school. It’s very important for students to realize every minute counts. The more students are present in class, the more they will learn,” said Attendance Clerk Samantha Brown.

“When students are absent, they miss critical information. Even though they often do receive make-up information, they also miss instruction that would have helped them understand the subject thoroughly,” said history teacher Mark Mladinich.

See MONEY: Page 8

Beloved teachers leave CVHS

Luke Busby / Staff Writer

By Reema Kakaday

learning experience.”

Governor Jerry Brown’s most recent budget plan suggests giving $61 billion to K-12 schools in the 2014-15 school year, an increase of 28 percent, and an additional 12 percent per year after that for the next six years.

“Schools are going to get more of the attention that they rightly deserve,” said Assembly Member Connie Conway, a Republican from Tulare County. She predicted bipartisan support for increased education funding.

By Tyler Quan Staff Writer

There were many great hardworking staff members at CVHS, and it was very saddening to see them leave. However, it is also a time to wish them good luck on the new adventures ahead in their career.

One of these great staff members is John Green, who taught

John Green social studies and was president of the Castro Valley Teachers Association (CVTA). Green left on Feb. 7 for a staff job at the California Teachers Association in San Jose, where he will be working with seven teachers unions.

Although Green is leaving, he admits he will miss his fellow staff members, students, and the

Team America claims trophy Page 4: Lightning doesn’t strike three times

community.

"It is a great opportunity to do what I love and help teachers to be better teachers, but it is a bit disappointing about the timing and leaving my students," said Green.

Green is happy that he has left CVTA in good shape. Castro Valley teachers recently received a three percent raise.

A memory Green will take was the fun he had with other teachers from the nearby classrooms.

"Teachers from other classrooms saran-wrapped my classroom. Everything! It took us 45 minutes to unwrap,” said Green.

“I will miss the family, teachers, staff members, administrators, great students, and just the great community. It's an amazing life experience. I owe it all to CVHS." Another staff member who had left was Wayne Shipman, who taught wood shop. At the end of the first semester, Shipman retired. However, wood shop class continued on with substitute Natalie Howe. According to Howe, everything is running smoothly and the students continue to work consistently with new projects that they are determined to complete.

"It's going well,” stated Howe.

“Just like any class, there are some students that are more eager but the students know that they’re part of the shop and as long as it is maintained, everything runs smoothly."

Double trouble; basketball teams lose Page 7: Basketball teams reach NCS playoffs

Show us the money: Olympian suggests spending plan

Editorial: As a result of the schools’ cutbacks made in previous years, the state and Castro Valley Unified School District are working together to return funding to schools along with providing grants. The question is, to what areas should that money go to? With so many departments suffering from the cutbacks, there are many that are eligible to receive more funding for their respected department.

Here at The Olympian, we believe that the money CVHS receives over time should be split and go towards classes, classroom essentials, the athletics department, maintenance, and overall school wide programs. By doing so, students in the future will be ensured a better learning environment.

Certain classes such as science fiction and video production were cut in previous years. Additionally, class sizes increased to a point where in some cases there were not enough desks for the enormous amount of students in a particular class or there weren't enough class supplies for every student. The Olympian believes that a portion of

the money should go towards hiring more teachers with better pay for all staff members and include teacher workshops for the new teachers and substitutes.

Along with a focus on teachers, class sizes should decrease and vocational courses such as wood

shop, art, and marketing should receive funding for classroom activities and field trips, rather than relying on donations from parents. Schoolwide programs like driver’s education should be provided again to help students as well as paid positions to improve

the recycling at CVHS. Students should also be ensured classroom essentials such as newer desks and textbooks, another computer lab with newer computers, air conditioning in all the buildings and materials including pencils, tissues, and binder paper

rather than the teachers paying out of pocket to provide for their students.

The money the school receives should also be distributed among the maintenance department to improve the bathrooms, landscaping, and making sure things such as the water fountains and lockers all work properly.

The athletic department also suffered a huge setback. CVHS should provide funding for athletic teams so that families don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for uniforms, buses to away games, camps, and other such things. This will allow students to be able to play the sports they desire without the pressure or burden of such high prices to pay in order to play.

CVHS receiving the funding and grants is a step in the right direction to improve the school for future students. By putting the money towards classes, classroom essentials, the athletic and maintenance departments, and school wide programs, future Trojans will be provided a stable, all rounder high school experience.

My sister Drea: “Her words could kill you with hilarity” her homework is done when the only writing on the paper is the word “done.” She sleeps with her door unlocked because she believes Jesus will come and take her shopping. She smoothly walks into a room with such presence that makes you want to ask what her problem is. Her eyes could stab you if you stare too long and her words could kill you with hilarity.

But there’s only one thing you should know; in your lifetime you

By Karla Paredes will never get to meet someone so Staff Writer hysterical yet so wicked.

She walks down the hallway On Aug. 15, 1998, my sister with her headphones in and Andrea was born. What I didn’t music turned up to tune out the know was that we would come to chaos around her. She claims that hate each other in a way that was

detectable through our thin walls.

It came to a point where I ended up with a broken heart because I tried too hard for her to like me. Two years apart felt like two eternities in dog years. Love and hate was spread across our barriers every day. From her taking my clothes to me taking her make up.

I hated myself for trying to make her like me. As a big sister, it’s supposed to be the other way around but I grew up too quickly and she stayed young too long and I guess I envied that. I started noticing how difficult yet amazing our relationship was when I got my heart broken by a boy and she came into my room with her favorite sweatshirt

that I was never allowed to borrow and she said, “Yo, you can wear my sweatshirt tomorrow...Just don’t tell people we’re related. I don’t want people liking you.”

I laughed and cried because I know how hard she tried to make me feel better. LittIe did she know I heard her pacing outside my door for at least five minutes before she walked in. She walked out and I cried because for the first time in forever I felt like she was there, not just there in our house but there next to me.

The next day I wore the sweatshirt to school and walked honored in it. I saw her looking at me with mighty eyes and I felt scared. She

bored and mentally complaining to the life gods of how uneventful my life was until suddenly my mom placed the screen in front of me, and asked me what I saw.

It was an optical illusion. A grey and black checkerboard that had two boxes labeled, “A” and “B,” and a simple question below the diagram that asked whether Boxes A and B were the same color.

Slightly confused, I looked at my mom and shook my head no. The boxes were evidently different shades of gray since Box B was in a ring of white light while Box A was in the shadows. A promiscuous smile curled around the edges of my mom’s mouth as she told

me that they were actually the same color.

A bit mind blown and ready to defend my argument, I looked back hard at the optical illusion.

However, after a long steady gaze I realized that, in fact, they were the same color. The reason they looked different was due to the difference in colors of the squares Box A and Box B were surrounded by. The white squares caused Box B to look lighter, while the black squares around Box A made it look darker. My eyes took this observation and influenced my brain to think that these two boxes were different colors because it’s seemed to be that the human mind was

trained to think a certain way until contradicted by newly discovered specifics. And the fact that a certain shade or color could totally change the feel or perception of an object surprised me; how certain objects surrounding the main subject could cause us to assume things based on our habitual perception.

This sudden defamiliarization gave me a totally new outlook.

Habitual perception usually set our minds to think a certain way, to believe that our brains are not capable of going beyond the usual thinking and that we were limited to believe a certain set of standards that were only set in stone. However, this simple optical illusion al-

walked up to me and said, “You betta’ not get this sweatshirt dirty doe. Or you about to get whooped.” That day I learned that she not only would always be my friend but will always be my sister.

Our love is not the kind of sisterly-love you see in the movies; we don’t fix each other’s hair or paint each other’s nails. We walk into each other’s rooms and make each other laugh because that is what we need. That is what I need, and she’s the only one who can offer it. She is not herself because of me, yet I am myself because of her. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The magic of an optical illusion

By Grace Moon

Staff Writer It was a Friday night, and my mom was on a mad iPad splurge, surfing web forums and giggling at YouTube videos. I was tired and

PHOTO PHOTOpinions pinions “The school should have more special events. That would be pretty cool.

We could use some new computers in the computer lab too, because the school computers are pretty old.”

Demetri Zigenis, freshman

lowed me to understand that what I thought, believed, or saw was not exactly everything that was there. It taught me the harmony of colors and the limitless perception that the mind was capable of if only trained and taught well.

And how each detail individually was different, but as a whole put together, they created a piece that was harmonized.

I applied this ideal in my art and my everyday life. It allowed me to train my mind to think more openly and freely and see things in different perspectives.

I started to believe that there were no limits when it came to anything.

By: Leia Saelee

What should the school do with its new funds and grants?

“They should open up more opportunities for more students and programs. I also think we need new books. A lot of the books are outdated and have inaccurate information.”

Alyssa Miller, sophomore

“We should take funds and give it to those who need it. We need to provide for those students who need it and funds should go to more aids to help students learn.”

Mari Johnston, junior

“Our schools funding should be spent on schooling and improving on what we already have instead of building new things that they don’t have money for.”

Michael Adams, senior

The Olympian March 6, 2014

Appreciate the little things in life

To take or not to take AP classes; that is the question

The AP program was initially designed by the College Board to nurture the skills of gifted students in a particular subject. But what started out as an enrichment program has become an unofficial prerequisite to selective colleges.

Students have started to pile on these advanced classes for the wrong reasons, citing a higher GPA and impressive transcript as their motivation.

Despite warnings from teachers and horror stories from upperclassmen, there remains a relentless

pressure to conform to these programs. There is a stigma attached to not taking advanced classes, an undeniable potency that continuously pushes us to pursue AP and Honors courses. Those who consider opting out of these classes may be seen as inferior to their “smarter” counterparts. Many of these undecided students unwillingly go on to take these harder classes out of pressure from friends and family.

These students tend to be less comfortable with the subject, and

need more help in the class. Teachers are forced to cover the material with a slower, more general approach. The experience of taking a college-level class becomes less enriching as students are forced to focus on broad concepts rather than develop critical thinking skills. The overall challenge of the college-level class is lowered as the expectations become less demanding.

The lack of interest in certain subjects creates a deficiency of motivation for students. Those taking the class for the GPA boost typically show little interest in the course material, and are less likely to participate in class activities.

Taking an AP or honors course can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a high school career, but when done for trivial reasons, it can only lead to stress, misery, and disappointment. Like any other activity, enjoying the benefits of an advanced class can only be achieved through passion, dedication, and hard work.

We cannot continue to push students into classes they are neither prepared for nor enjoy.

To achieve a desirable classroom environment, individual curriculum should be designed to meet the skills and interests of students.

Specialized schedules would promote innovation and growth in a subject, creating future leaders in these fields. After all, excellence in one matter triumphs mediocrity in many.

Now, this politeness isn’t unusual to me. All of the lunch ladies are polite, even when they have to work with hundreds of loud, crowding teenagers everyday. But something about how sweet they were got me thinking, why are they so underappreciated? Once my sandwich was ready, I said thank you, paid for lunch and tried to maneuver through the crowded cafeteria, all the while pondering how underrated the lunch ladies, and many people within our school, are.

Teenagers are caught up in their own worlds, I get it. We have to focus on these so-called “best years of our lives” and keep our grades up for school, trying to overcome anxiety about every test that could make or break our grade. But do we really think about how many adults help us out every single day? The janitorial staff, the teachers, the substitute teachers, the administrative staff, the secretaries, the security guards: all these people help us to have a school experience as easygoing as possible.

For such a large responsibility,

all these people receive so little thanks. We throw our trash on the ground, not thinking that someone has to clean it up. We mouth off the teachers and subs, not realizing they have dedicated their lives to helping us help ourselves. We start fights, not thinking about how stressful it is for the administration to pull us apart, escort us, and make sure everyone is safe.

CVHS, we all need to clean up our act. Think about how terrible school would be if the trash bins were not cleaned, if no one made us lunch, if no one made sure we were all safe. It would be mayhem.

Think about the bigger picture: we are all here to set a foundation for the future. Without the adults who help us behind the scenes, our dreams wouldn’t be attainable. We need these adults. They deserve respect.

So next time you want to throw your lunch on the ground, think about who has to pick it up. When you want to roll your eyes at a teacher, think about all the work they put into getting their credentials to help us. When you want to abuse the system, remember that you have amazing opportunities, all thanks to the work of others.

Grace Moon / Staff Writer

By Anna Nguyen Staff Writer

By Sally Liang Staff Writer

It was a rainy day. The dull, gray clouds covered the school as if to put a veil of obscurity over its occupants. As usual, I emerged in front of my locker fumbling through my purse, checking my text messages, and thumbing the keypads on my cell phone.

Quickly slamming my locker and securing my jacket, I maneuvered around the dreary flow of hallway traffic, desperate to escape the bitter-rich aroma of fresh coffee mixed with a trace of floral perfume wafting under my nose.

However, as I was about to close my locker, the trepidation of life reinforced its preeminence by unmasking another layer of stress and worries. A few upperclassmen depicted their struggles to fit food into busy schedules filled with coursework, socializing, and extracurriculars. The swell of anxiety and fury slowly build inside me, as merciless blows of wind struck me, and I stared at them in disturbance.

All of a sudden reality hit me.

As high schoolers, we often come to associate school with stress, sharing moments of solace amidst all the busyness, growth, and trials of school life. On the outside, we crack jokes and laugh like there is no tomorrow. Our specious exterior deceive it all, as we endure a progression of academic challenges while worrying about things that are not under our control.

How we tolerate stress, our perception toward the world is affected by unnecessary worries.

Sometimes we are inundated by the insane whirlwind of life that important things become nothing but an oblivion. Take a step back and spot little pleasures that often go unnoticed, from the smell of a fresh morning coffee to the way a rainbow glistens after a thunderstorm. Reflect how little kids get so elated about the simplest things that we usually take for granted. The world is an exhilarating, splendid place. Let’s forget momentarily about the difficulties of working life, about uncertain futures and present worries, and spend more time focusing on that.

Finally as I made my way out of the hallway, I was embraced by the blast of pristine air. I smiled at the resurgent rays of sunlight, suddenly well aware of the great simple things surrounded by me.

I cheered myself silently as I made my way across the school, ready to distinguish the elusive small little things. I was ready to find the unnoticable small little things and appreciate them.

3

Throughout high school, students are vehemently encouraged to take academically rigorous classes, all for the sake of strengthening college applications. We mindlessly sign up for as many advanced classes as possible, filling our schedules with countless honors and AP courses.

In recent years, Advanced Placement (AP) classes have become increasingly popular among high school students. The prospect of earning college credit for a cheap and potentially free cost appeals to many; yet, as enrollment in these courses rapidly increase, the number of students who drop out or fail AP tests grows at an even more alarming rate. At CVHS, these trends have been reflected in the sharp upsurge of drop outs from various honors and AP programs. Classes in which students had previously thrived now see a lack of qualified students.

Respect the adults that make school a great place

By Lauren Jelks Photo Editor

I was getting lunch one fateful block day in the cafeteria. With long lines, but greater hunger, I waited forever to get to the front, where I was finally able to grab the tiny sheets of paper and golf pencils needed to create my own, special sandwich. After filling it out (veggie sandwich with pickles, lettuce, and mustard), I waited until I heard the much anticipated “Next in line, over here!” I walked over to one of the cafeteria staff, and she smiled at me as she asked how my day was.

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2014

Editors-in-Chief.....................................................................Lily Carrell Reema Kakaday City Editor......................................................................Joyce Liang News Editor..............................................................Matt Talajkowski Opinion Editor............................................................Suzanna Chak Feature Editors.....................................................................Eva Chen Stephanie Huerta Sports Editor..................................................................Amanat Riar Arts and Entertainment Editor......................................Leia Saelee Photo Editor........................................................Lauren Jelks Felicianna Marquez Business Manager......................................................Anna Talajkowski Online Editors........................................................................Kelly Chan Evan Kwong Staff Writers: Cameron Beresini, Robbie Brandt, Luke Busby, Alison Dhont, Rachel Du, Sally Liang, Tyler Macias, Grace Moon, Anna Nguyen, Amelia Ortiz, Karla Paredes, Tyler Quan, Brittany Roberts, Callie Ross-Smith, Adrianna Vandiver, Olivia Wallace, Daniel Witte

Lauren Jelks / Photo Editor

Debbie Kardeasis prepares food in anticipation for the hungry crowd of teenagers that will arrive in just a few hours.

Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

CVHS Dodgeball Tournament: Team America dodges its way to first place

By Cameron Beresini Staff Writer

After many hard fought games, the annual dodgeball tournament which ran from Feb. 10 to Feb. 14 came to a close. A total of 18 teams competed in this year including such favorites as Team #NickDang and the teacher team, the Nick Whitaker Experience, all determined to find glory in a simple game of dodgeball.

“We’re definitely going to beat them,” said hopeful senior Brian Periquet about his team’s game against Nick Wai Boys.

The squad unfortunately lost its game only having gotten a total of two players on the other team out.

The decorum of this year was fantastic as well, with the team Super Seniors having its members sport underpants with the emblem of super heroes like Flash and Superman, and the dinosaur hats of the Dino Dodgers.

The teachers once again found a loss in their first round game against White Lightning.

After a total of six years of competing you’d expect them to be

Matt Talajkowski/ News Editor

Ryan Huey prepares to hurl a dodgeball at the opposing team during the annual CVHS Dodgeball Tournament. able to win at least one game, but that theory has proven wrong.

“We would be able to win, but there’s one problem,” said teacher David Roth-Rossi. “You

can’t have six of me on a team.

I’m only one guy; I can only do so much, you know.”

Hopefully the school can invest in some sort of cloning device to get the teachers to

their first victory in next year’s dodgeball tournament.

The tournament also showed a few upsets. Last year’s favorite #NickDang lost against the girls varsity soccer team or Turf

Team 3.0, which then went on to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

In the end, Team America took home the championship against Lightning Strikes Twice, showing exquisite play throughout the tournament against teams like Untouchables and The Dodge Fathers. In particular, senior Michael Trevizo of Team America shined in the championship matches.

The first match was a sweep

by Team America. As morale for Lightning Strikes Twice was low after a hard first match, the second game was a complete turnaround. The team ended up bringing Team America down to one player, Michael Trevizo, with five on the side of Lightning Strikes Twice. Trevizo then got out all five of the last players of Lightning Strikes Twice in three throws that found their marks, and it was over.

Congratulations to all the teams that participated in the dodgeball tournament, especially to Team America. All of the games were well played and best of luck to you all in the following years.

CVHS welcomes new basketball coach Pete Vaz with pizzazz

By Amelia Ortiz Staff Writer

Grace Moon / Staff Writer

Senior Victoria Skinner and juniors Timothy Hooker, Dominic Diaz, and Lavender de Julia (from left) sign in the ASL production.

ASL shows CVHS “What Heroes Are Made Of”

By Daniel Witte Staff Writer

The American Sign Language show put on Feb. 6-8 was a big blast. All the attendees seemed to have a really great time.

The show took place at a fictional school named Keller High School. Keller High School has its fair share of good people, jocks, and bullies. The show begins in a chemistry lab when one of the students is being bullied about being a freshman and being small. This same freshman is also bullied for causing a spill in the lab. The theme word for the show was WHAMO, which stands for What Heroes Are Made Of.

"Basically, we made an antibullying message campaign where we don't focus on props.

We focus on the message people are delivering. The last hour is dedication to teachers, other staff, and more," said Ovida de Julia, ASL teacher.

Although there were many people involved, the main director was Alyah Thomas. "This is my first year directing. I started prep work in December," said Thomas.

Unfortunately, de Julia is not the only sick teacher on campus.

History teacher and activities director Nicholas Whitaker is battling cancer as well. At the show, there was a dedication to Whitaker in which a song about

being happy celebrated his wonderful outlook on life.

"It was good. I got really tearful near the end when Ms. de Julia was signing," said Nicole Tripod, a second year ASL student.

Besides simply being at the show, de Julia must do many other tasks to ensure the show’s success. Her other jobs include advising, writing, and facilitating the show.

"Ms. de Julia was a huge support. She is our motivation to do well in the show because she has done so much for us in the past four years. Giving her a great show is kind of like our gift to her from all of us," said senior Victoria Skinner.

The varsity boys basketball team at CVHS has recently gotten a new coach. Pete Vaz, who has been coaching basketball for more than 20 years, began leading the Trojans this season.

Vaz not only coaches for school teams, but also has his own nonprofit basketball camp.

The camp, Vazball, is an affordable opportunity for kids of different ages to play basketball and improve their skills in a safe environment.

The Trojans have been having a great season. They are 16-6 and are currently prepping for the championships. Senior Jaelen Loche has been on the team for two years now and really likes the new coach.

"He's great. He has the team running very efficiently," said Loche.

Vaz's daughter Aly is a CVHS

Coach Pete Vaz discusses the game plan with the boys basketball team. cheerleader, so his family is already very involved with all the sports at CVHS. "I like coaching at Castro Valley. My daughter is the head cheerleader so I'm already at all the games anyways," said Vaz. The team has been having a great season and can't wait for next year.

"We have had a great year.

We've exceeded expectations and are hoping for more," said Vaz.

The Olympian March 6, 2014

5

Trojans go “Close Up” to Washington, D.C.

Special report: The Olympian uncovers latest scoop at nation’s capital Eva Chen/Feature Editor

Day 2: The National Archives

By Olivia Wallace The National Archives was so inspiring I was almost brought to tears. The documents available for viewing were instrumental to our growth and success as a country. Simply seeing the exquisite calligraphy written by some of the most radical people of our country’s history was a life changing event that I will never forget, especially in my further inquiries into America’s past this week in D.C. As I was reading the Declaration of Independence, I noticed a few words in bold unlike anything else on the entire page.

It read: “Free and independent states.” To know that this was so important to our past means it must be just as important now.

People are giving up their lives to fight for this freedom and we pride ourselves in the fact that we have so much of it, yet we tend to forget its importance. We take for granted what many people don’t have. This place reminded me of the importance and validity of our well-earned freedom.

While viewing the Constitution, a security guard began to tell us about some fun facts. He told us plenty about the paintings in the room and the document itself, but the most surprising and inspiring was the fact that a teenage boy and his father actually hand-wrote the Constitution together in one weekend. To know that someone at my age could have done something so instrumental was truly gratifying and guides me with hope that I can be someone important in this great nation’s future.

Day 4: The Newseum

By Eva Chen Our day started out with a trek through the cold, cloudy morning of downtown Washington.

It’s one thing to learn about the different events throughout history, such as World War 2, Pearl Harbor and 9/11, but it’s an unforgettable sight when you

get to read through the pointsof-view of news reporters living during those eras, detailing the physical and emotional aspects as each occurring event took place.

Another part of history that we got to see was part of the Berlin Wall. The wall featured graffiti from the people who were trapped, angry about having their rights taken away.

We were also able to view tear-jerking artifacts from the unforgettable event in history, 9/11. The Newseum showed clips of the destruction and horror, and how the attack on our country impacted our lives and our history. News headlines and front pages from around the world lined up a two-story wall, each capturing the attack on our country on that fateful day.

Walking out of the enlightening experience, giggles and screams of delight rang outside the revolving doors of the Newseum; it was snowing! Big snowflakes created a blanket of white, melting on the ground and giving many of us our very first snow experience. Today was truly one of my most memorable days.

Day 5: The War Memorials

By Olivia Wallace Today we were able to visit a few war memorials. Seeing them all in just the span of a few hours led to my questioning how we represent war and the influence that representation has on our country, and more specifically, our young people.

I completely agree that we need to honor everyone who serves our country in combat and

respect those who put themselves in danger for our safety and freedom. However, are we glorifying war? Do we make war look as though you can go fight for a little while and then gain respect forever? The people who have been involved in the real process know it’s not easy and there’s no guarantee that they will make it out of combat alive.

As we looked at the many stars on the World War II memorial, each representing 100 soldiers who died during the war, it’s evident that not everyone will always make it back home safely.

Yet some people are willing to take the chance and fight for our country.

The memorials helped us gain respect for those who fought in the war and moved us emotionally as we read the names of fallen soldiers or imagined the agony and fear on the face of someone in immediate danger.

By witnessing these memorials, I was able to understand not only the honor and respect soldiers receive, but also the pain they experience from fighting.

paintings of America’s road to independence brought a feeling of patriotism.

There is just something magical about standing at the spot where history was created, where important historical figures have walked on the same tiles, touched the same wall, standing at the same place pondering over new legislations that have changed the way we lived and how our country has grown. Today, I was getting a taste of how exhilarating our nation’s Capitol truly is.

Day 6: The Capitol

By Eva Chen

Day 8: The White House

By Eva Chen

The Capitol’s interior features intricate sculpture, architecture, and paintings that resonate with America’s rich, patriotic history.

To begin our tour, each of us was given personal headsets, making us feel like secret agents sent to a spy mission. The tour guide led us to the rotunda, where paintings of the Apotheosis of Washington, the Frieze of American History, and multiple

Not many people can say that they spent their Valentine’s Day at the White House, surrounded by centuries of history and portraits of past first ladies and presidents.

It was a miracle, really, that we got to our tour at 7:30 a.m. on time with the icy ground. There were piles after piles of snow having yesterday been one of the biggest snow storms in D.C. history. Just imagine a group of 20 Californians with ill-equipped shoes, treading through D.C. without slipping or falling.

After surviving the near death experience, we arrived at the White House. After a routine tight-knit security check, the first thing that we passed by upon entering the White House were rows and rows of pictures of past and current presidents spending time with their families, receiving

kings and queens, conversing with important figures in history, and their pets.

There were three doors we could stand outside and view, but not enter. One of the three rooms was designed to house the First Lady’s portraits and fine dining plate sets. On the second floor, there were four rooms: the Blue Room, the Red Room, the Green Room, and the East Room, where the president and his first lady receive guests and host parties. The Blue, Green, and Red rooms had wallpapers made of cloth, where the fabric had a shine and texture that added a brilliant shimmer against the morning sunlight.

We concluded Valentine’s Day with a romantic getaway at an ice skating rink outside.

Day 9: Final Day in D.C.

By Olivia Wallace Throughout the week, we met people from all over the world.

We were able to share stories, exchange ideas, and best of all, swap local slang. My roommates were from Arizona and we were able to bond almost immediately.

The students from Louisiana, specifically New Orleans, taught us about “buku” which is their slang for “a lot.” Students from Indiana taught us how to really dance.

While we were at The Spy Museum, we met people from England and they taught us all about their culture and country. I found out their schooling is extremely different than ours and they do not learn history in the same way we do. As Americans, our “go-to” accent is usually British, so I have always thought it was a fascinating accent; however, I never thought that the British students would love our American accents just as much! They were floored by the way we talked and they even did their best impression of us and we did ours of them!

After swapping Instagram and Snapchat usernames, we concluded our final day in D.C. It was an amazing experience that I’m sure we’ll all remember.

Check out more blog posts and photos at cvhsolympian.com!

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“Frozen” freezes audiences to the screen Leia Saelee/ A&E Editor

Helix has audience doing double takes

By Luke Busby Staff Writer

Have you heard the buzz about Disney’s new movie, Frozen? Not only is it a hot topic among moviegoers of all ages, it has also earned $865 million, making it one of the most successful Disney films ever.

The animated film stars Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, whose sister Elsa, voice of Idina Menzel, has magical freezing powers that end up freezing the kingdom of Arendelle. When Elsa runs away to isolate herself, Anna is forced to go find her sister, the new queen, in order to save Arendelle.

“I really enjoyed the movie. It was exciting but still heartwarming and even romantic,” said senior Luke McCallin.

The movie is a success with children and adults alike.

“I think I enjoyed it as much as all the kids did. It was such a cute movie,” said local daycare opera-

By Rachel Du Staff Writer

tor Somer Blair.

After finally seeing the movie, I can understand why it is so popular. Even though I’m not very interested in princesses, the story was interesting from start to finish. I found myself laughing several times! A particularly funny

character is Olaf, a snowman who helps Anna, voiced by Josh Gad. If you don’t believe me when I tell you the movie is worth your time, believe Rachel Bannister who said, “If you’re going to the movies, see Frozen. I promise you will like it.”

Saving Mr. Banks, a time investment

By Brittany Roberts Staff Writer

I went to go see Saving Mr. Banks at the Regal Hacienda Crossings in Dublin. This movie takes place in 1961 and starts with Walt Disney’s daughter, who is a huge fan of the book Mary Poppins. Her dad, Walt Disney is a producer and director for Disney movies. She loves the books so much she begs him

The Wolf of Wall Street worth watching

By Robbie Brandt Staff Writer

The Wolf of Wall Street makes noise in movie theaters with a motley of wild office parties, dancing, drinking, exotic live animals, and the furious F.B.I. crashing in on it all.

Expect fast-paced twists and turn when you go to see the new film directed by Martin Scorsese, and featuring stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill.

The film is about Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio), a stockbroker who starts his own stock brokerage company called Stratton Oak, which sells penny stocks to the poor. He then joins a partnership with Donnie Aizoff, played

by Jonah Hill. The two quickly become millionaires and start to dive into illegal activities, which leads the F.B.I. to stick its nose into the partners’ affairs.

This film was a masterpiece in every way; the casting was perfect, the story was flawless, and above all, it’s up for best picture.

to make it into a movie, so he goes searching for the author, finally meets her, and starts to discuss how they are going to make the movie.

At first the writer of the book, P.L. Travers was reluctant to the idea of turning her prized possession into a movie, but after the sales of her book started decreasing she decided to give it a try.

Disney constantly struggled with trying to please her and after she opened up she revealed a big story.

Even though they had problems at first, it ended up turning into one of the best movies of that time era.

My favorite part was when Dis-

ney took Travers to Disneyland for the first time. She usually is this stiff old lady who doesn’t show many emotions and that was the first time she really expressed herself and showed she was having fun. It was kind of the turning point in the movie.

Everyone should go see Saving Mr. Banks because it was really entertaining and interesting movie. I also found it to be a cool because it was based off a true story. The movies has a lot of emotions and things that people can relate to. It’s appropriate for high school age rating PG-13, and it’s still in theaters.

Up in the frozen white Arctic, black goo has taken over half a research facility and robs its victims of their sanity. At least, in the new Syfy television series Helix it does.

Helix debuted on Jan. 10 with an hour-long pilot, which introduced a mysterious disease spreading through a research facility, Arctic Biosystems, and hinted that the first case was no accident. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responded immediately by deploying a team of determined scientists: Dr. Julia Walker, Dr. Doreen Boyle, Dr. Sarah Jordan, and Dr. Alan Farragut. Farragut also happens to be the brother of patient zero, Peter Farragut.

The head of the facility, Dr. Hiroshi Hatake, subtly resists cooperation with the CDC, seemingly keeping secrets of his own involving the outbreak.

On top of Hatake’s reluctance, Major Sergio Balleseros, sent from the Army, carries out his own hidden agendas, even destroying evidence and burning live monkeys for his mission.

Before even beginning the investigation, the team already bears stress from its own members. Farragut must put his grief on hold in order to save his brother and Arctic Biosystems in time; Boyle discovers infected test monkeys; Jordan suppresses a schoolgirl crush.

Several frightening and sudden encounters with the infected, called vectors, give an idea about what the black goo dripping out of them does. Vectors are infected victims who have survived initial infection and show erratic, paranoid behavior. They run with superhuman speed, sometimes aiming to kill and other times to spread the virus through “kisses” – violent, open-mouthed attacks.

It’s a wonder the team gets any work done with all the constant hindrances and sabotages. Still, Farragut orders them to forge ahead into the white unknown. Any life lost is another weight on his shoulders.

Helix, shot in Montreal, Canada, has “hauntingly beautiful” scenery, as creator Cameron Porsandeh describes. The same could be said for the story. Here is a disease that breaks down a human being into a pile of bones and rot in days, and those who survive this face a deterioration of the mind, starting with hallucinations and turning to rabid behavior, but on the other side is the humanity of Farragut and his team.

Farragut refuses to kill the infected, even one coming right at him, because he still believes he can save them. Jordan, regardless of the danger a vector would bring, shelters one in her own room who pleads she is still human.

Helix shows off a smart script about genes, proteins, and discovery. Each episode brings a shocking discovery, an “Ahha!” moment, and is an exciting, promising 45 minutes.

Boys lose close NCS game, 67-64

By Tyler Macias Staff Writer

As the boys varsity basketball team went to the NCS playoffs, the Trojans knew that every team they played would be hard to beat. On Feb. 25, they knew their game against Heritage would be a tough game, and unfortunately the Trojans lost 67-64.

As the first half came to an end, the two teams fought for the upper hand and the Trojans walked to their lockers leading 34-31. However, this didn’t get into the minds of the Patriots who came back into the game hungry for victory. Scoring 15 points the third quarter to the Trojans’ nine, the Patriots put CVHS behind to start the fourth quarter.

The Trojan Den was able to get the other team caught off guard when shooting by making loud noises and screaming, which could have helped the Trojans as well getting the rebounds and scoring.

“We had a solid season and I did good but could’ve been better. The team this year was great and my plans are to just come back next year in shape and ready,” claimed

Feature Editor

The CVHS girls varsity basketball team fought valiantly against the Mission San Jose’s Warriors, but was defeated in the end by a score of 42-40 in the first round of the NCS playoffs on Feb. 25.

Halfway through the third period, the Trojans were leading by five points, 25-20.

The crowds were standing up, chanting, and roaring out cheers at the displeasure of score for one side or an unreasonable foul for the other.

Wrestlers tackle league title Trojans defeat rivals at WACC meet

By Luke Busby Staff Writer

Tyler Macias/ Staff Wriyter

Senior Andrew Garcia leaps for a jump ball.

Lawrence Johnson, who scored 12 points, nine of which were by three-pointers.

After the loss, the Trojans fans were satisfied by their team fighting hard and not giving up, shout-

ing “Castro Valley!”

“Overall we had a really good season and in league finishing first or second. Tonight was a struggle because they had a lot of talent,” said coach Pete Vaz.

During the fourth period, senior Brijhe Pointer scored a couple shots, helping the Trojans lead again by three points, 35-32.

At the last one and half minute of the fourth period, the crowd waited in anticipation as they watched the Warriors take a shot in slow motion. The shot dictated whether the Trojans or Warriors were going to be the victors of the game.

The ball made a swoosh into the hoop and the Warriors led the game by one point, 41-40.

“It was a pretty good game, even though it was close. The fact

that varsity made that foul in the last minute and half of the game is what made CVHS lose the game,” said Tanya Tuttle, a spectator of the game.

As the last seconds on the clock counted down, the Trojans wrestled for their win and dashed through the court. However, the Warriors managed to steal the ball away, scoring yet another point during the final 20 seconds of the game.

“The game went well. Maybe our team wanted a little bit more and we didn’t execute well enough,” said senior DeNia Nelson.

Heartbreaking loss ends girls’ season

By Eva Chen

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The Trojans won the WACC league boys wrestling tournament on Feb. 22 at CVHS. The competition was held in the main gym, with eight schools wrestling on three mats. This tournament was the first step of the postseason for the varsity boys, with all those placing in the top three going to the NCS Tournament held at Newark Memorial High School.

With 14 available varsity spots, the boys team consisted of 12 varsity wrestlers, all of whom qualified for the NCS Championships. Of those 12, there were nine finalists, with

three wrestlers winning the tournament: Robert Terhell, Diego Lazares and Christian Chacon.

Some of the girls wrestling team also competed along with the boys junior varsity team, all of whom either won the tournament or placed second. CVHS won the tournament, which is impressive considering the boys varsity team was missing two spots on the roster.

Spectators of the competition were fortunate enough to watch a great day of exciting wrestling matches, as well as buy merchandise and purchase food from the wonderful booths operated by CVHS parents.

All in all, CVHS wrestling put on a great performance at a tournament that was not only won by the high school, but run

by CVHS students and parents as well.

Eva Chen / Feature Editor

Trojans celebrate a strong season on senior night.

Adrianna Vandiver/ Staff Writer

Christina Maldonaldo, freshman

Tasha Harger, sophomore

Sean Luster, junior

Freshman Christina Maldonaldo loves the crazy adrenaline rush she gets when she’s running bases after hitting a home run for her fellow softball players.

When she’s not batting, she’s on the field playing shortstop or third base. Maldonaldo has played these positions for all the teams she has played for, which include Lady Hustle, Synergy, Craze, Gamers, and now the girl’s varsity softball team at CVHS. Maldonaldo has been playing the sport for almost eight years.

“My favorite part of softball was when I played Synergy with all my friends I grew up with.

We were like a dream team. We always won,” she said.

As she dives into the pool, sophomore Tasha Harger starts working her legs and arms faster with every second. This is what she does at every meet during swim season at the high school, swimming the 50 meter free, 100 meter individual medley, and the 100 meter backstroke, her favorite.

She mainly does the sport to keep in shape, but also enjoys meeting new friends along the way. Tasha has swam for the Chabot Marlins, and is now in her second year on the CVHS junior varsity team.

“I have a love-hate relationship with the sport,” Harger admits.

On your marks, get set, go!

Bang explodes the gun, and junior Sean Luster pushes off his blocks and begins his race, sprinting for the gold.

His first year running track was only last year, yet he managed to win five medals in that year alone. His favorite event is long jump because people believe it’s easy to do when in reality it’s hard to achieve the perfect jump. Luster ’s other events involve the 100 meter dash, triple jump, and the 300 meter hurdles.

“My favorite memory was after we beat O’Dowd and became number one in the league last year,” he reminisced.

Jack Morris, senior Senior Jack Morris loves the sport of golf. He even recalled one of his favorite and wild memories of the sport to be when he hit a deer when he taught his friend how to play golf!

He played on the Creekside Middle School golf team sixth through eighth grade, and participated in the CVHS boys varsity golf team since his freshman year. He has always had a gift for the sport and is hoping to use his skills to get himself a golf scholarship to an university.

Morris enjoys match play over stroke play when he is at a tournament because it allows him room to be a little wild.

California schools receive Quick questions with Quirk money from new budget

By Suzanna Chak Opinion Editor

MONEY: from page 1 “Any money that we can invest in the students, the classroom and in the teachers, that’s a good investment,” she said.

These billions of dollars would be put towards maintaining the average teacher to student ratio, or decreasing it in grades K-3, modernizing classrooms, and implementing the Common Core standards, among other things.

This plan has not been passed

by Legislature yet, and it could be subject to change.

For the past few years, schools across California have had to cut back and borrow money because there was 20 percent shortage of school funding. The governor’s education proposal would pay back these deferrals with about $6 billion dollars.

As of this school year, the education spending per pupil was lower than previous years.

Brown wants to increase it to $12,833 for the 2014-2015 school year, from this year ’s current $11,985.

With over six million students in California’s 1,000 school districts, the budget is putting a hefty amount of money towards organizing Local Control Funding Formula. This system would change the current approach to California’s finances, which is called the Revenue Limit.

Currently, education spending is determined at state level, which makes it hard for officials to see how to deal with the needs of students. Each student currently receives the same amount of money no matter what grade, or need that the student has.

The LCFF would give funding based on students’ grade level and other factors that determine the expense of educating them.

For example, the state would devote extra money to students in kindergarten through third

grade, which normally have smaller class sizes.

To carry out this plan, Brown is adding $4.5 billion to the general fund by the 2014-2015 school year.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris said that children who are in school are less likely to turn into criminals. She believes that the more money that we put into schools, the more likely kids will stay in school, and keep on track.

“We should keep putting in the resources to get the kids to school,” said Harris in an exclusive Olympian interview.

CVUSD has lost over $10 million in funding over the past five school years, and surrounding districts have seen similar cuts.

As a result, the district laid off teachers, cut class offerings and eliminated financial support for sports.

CVUSD has lost over $10 million in funding over the past five school years.

CVUSD Superintendent Jim Negri is cautiously optimistic about this plan, believing that it is a good idea to direct funding to students based on need.

“I like the governor’s plan to direct the funding to the students with the greater needs, but I still need to see how it plays out,” said Negri. “The real issue is that California does not adequately fund K-12 public education...

California will still rank 49th or 50th in the nation in terms of funding with the highest ratios of staffing in every category.”

During its trip to Sacramento on Feb. 19, The Olympian had the opportunity to meet with Assemblyman Bill Quirk and discuss his past year in office as well as his current work and plans for the future.

Quirk, who represents Castro Valley and Hayward, has been learning how to be an assemblyman, following the examples of his colleagues such as Joan Buchanan and Henry Perea. He considers Nancy Skinner his mentor.

“These are people who know how to bring bills to the floor where they’ve talked to all the people involved and made the appropriate compromises,” Quirk said. “There are other people who shall remain nameless who think seem to throw things up against a wall and see what sticks. I do not like that type of legislation.”

Quirk learned that it was important to write bills that did not use a large amount of money. One bill in particular, AB284 Road to 2050, had trouble being passed due to the large expenses involved. Luckily, it eventually did pass.

Road to 2050 is a bill that tries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Instead of creating a separate

Callie Ross-Smith / Staff Writer

Assemblyman Bill Quirk talks to The Olympian about his experience in office.

board to set smaller goals to reach the ultimate result of reducing 80 percent of greenhouse gas production, it gives this responsibility to the Air Resources Board, to currently already do this but previously only had enough authority to do so up to the year 2020.

“We (in California) can stop our greenhouse gases altogether and it’ll make very little difference.

What we’ve got to do is bring the rest of the world along with us,” explained Quirk.

Another bill he had a big role in was one that involved fracking.

In that bill, Quirk, Senator Fran Pavley, members of Pavley’s staff, and experts from the National Resources Defense Council decided on a definition pertaining to how much acid can be used.

He also took part in a bill written by Assemblyman Jeff Gorell to regulate the usage of drones by

California sheriffs, requiring them to obtain a warrant before using drones to conduct surveillance. No law existed in the past; although aircrafts were used for surveillance, they were too expensive and too difficult to use for long-term surveillance.

Quirk uses his science background (including a Ph.D in astrophysics) to gain a different perspective on things like fracking and drones.

He himself was able to pass four bills last year, all of which received support from both Democrats and Republicans. One bill was to make it easier for restaurants to obtain alcoholic control licenses.

Quirk acknowledges the fact that Democrats dominate in the state government but states that Sacramento is different than Washington D.C. because Democrats and Republicans work together on bills more than their counterparts in Congress.

“There are lots of folks here who you can work with and trust,” he said.

When questioned about his plans for re-election, he refused to speculate and said, “I look forward to telling the voters what it is that I’ve been doing and to get feedback about what I should do.

That is what elections are for.”

Olympian takes in Sacramento scene

By Lily Carrell Editor-in-Chief

Years ago, my fourth grade class had visited Sacramento to learn about California’s history.

I recall the experience as entertaining and carefree; history does not typically make a significant impression on the mind of a nineyear-old. Now, as a high school senior, I had returned to the state capital with greater wisdom and a stronger desire to explore the great city of Sacramento. This time, I returned on slightly different business with a small group of student journalists, prepared to interview state legislators and politicians.

The event took place at the Sacramento Convention Center, where state legislators such as Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, Senator President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Attorney General Kamala Harris would be addressing newspaper publishers and editors from throughout California.

As each speaker concluded their remarks, our group would fly to the exit and set up our cameras

in the hallway, hoping to conduct a quick interview before they departed.

For many of the legislators, we asked a few general questions, such as “What current issues in Sacramento do you think are important for young people to know about?” and “Why should future voters support the Democratic/ Republican Party?” We first spoke with Assembly Speaker John Pérez, presumptuously optimistic about the exchange, although our first attempt ended somewhat unsuccessfully after a seemingly irked Pérez gave us a hasty, twosecond response before abruptly leaving us.

The other legislators, however, were considerate and treated us respectfully. Next, we spoke with Conway, whom I (being extremely liberal) must admit was genuine and reverent, and patiently waited as we experienced some technical difficulties with our camera. We also managed to interview Steinberg on his way out, who gave thorough and profound responses in between taking bites of his apple.

And I personally found that his democratic views only helped to contribute to his charismatic presence. Following Steinberg, we interviewed the very tall Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, whose views on education we personally disagreed with, but who also presented some valuable points.

As the final speaker at Governmental Affairs Day, Harris kindly took a few minutes to answer our questions. Having been accompanied by several other journalists at the onset of her departure, everyone stood crowded in the hallway as the attorney general

granted The Olympian her only interview.

Our group then walked a few blocks from the convention center to the Capitol, where we had the pleasure of speaking with Assemblyman Bill Quirk. When I asked him why future voters should support the Democratic Party, his reply was quite different from the others, describing how in Sacramento, both Democrats and Republicans do not only cooperate, but collaborate.

“We are very different from D.C.; we can work across party lines. Clearly, there are differences,” said Quirk. “Somebody asked me what the biggest surprise was working here, and it’s how nice people are. This is a good group of people. They’ve been very respectful of me and my expertise, and I’m very respectful of them.”

As we prepared to return home, we reflected on our journalistic success that day. Not only had we learned about state issues that are of current importance, but we had also gained a larger sense of how our governmental system operates. Quirk’s comment had particularly resonated with me, for I feel as though I have attained a greater ability to see past political factions. When blinded by party differences, one fails to recognize the similarities that exist between both parties and their equal commitment in achieving common goals.

During our visit, we were unable to meet Governor Jerry Brown, though we did meet his dog.

At the end of the day, we had each acquired new knowledge and a better understanding of governmental affairs from our Sacramento visit.