May 4, 2012

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Giving ObamaCare really does voice to the voiceless care

Olympian supports health care law

VOLUME 55, ISSUE 10

Day of Silence sends message

FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012

Trojans strike out Dragons

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CVHS baseball defeats O’Dowd

CASTRO VALLEY, CA 94546

WWW.CVHSOLYMPIAN.COM

Teacher layoffs CANCELLED!

By Victoria Liang Staff Writer

Kate Pellegrini and Jane Hong

Josh Hicken and Victor Hernandez-Vega vie for the office of ASB president using their animal-themed campaign methods.

CVHS welcomes new ASB officers

By SangEun Choi A&E Editor

CVHS students voted on April 2 for their future officers from a group of qualified candidates.

Many students ran for various positions but only a few were elected; some familiar faces and some new.

One friendly face is Victor Hernandez-Vega who was promoted from ASB school board representative this year to ASB president for the next school year. He has had extensive experience in student leadership in the past, having served as freshman class vice president and sophomore class vice president.

In this election, HernandezVega took on the persona of a monkey, claiming that students bring out his “inner ape.” His opponent Josh Hicken countered this campaign with an animalrelated slogan of his own. He encouraged students, “Don’t be a chicken, vote for Hicken!” In

ASB: Page 8

The Castro Valley School District has cancelled the layoffs of 18 permanent teachers announced in March.

It was possible for the district to save the teachers’ positions because there are enough teachers resigning or retiring, among other factors.

But losing teachers even through resignations or retirements and not replacing them could mean larger classes and concerns the Castro Valley Teachers Association (CVTA).

“We still want smaller classes, so the students can succeed all the way through school,” said John Green, a CVHS history teacher and also president of CVTA. “The district should use the millions of dollars that they have saved in their reserves to pay for smaller classes. The money should be used to educate kids, not to sit in the bank.”

Other reasons that the district is keeping the teachers include school sites using carryover funding and $150,000 that the district received from the Regional Occupational Program (ROP).

“We are fortunate to have onetime funds and site carryover funding to prevent further cuts,”

said Superintendent Jim Negri.

“The district needs to conclude negotiations and wait for the May budget revision and the November election. The district is still making $1.8 million in budget reductions.” That figure is less than the $2.4 million in cuts which officials had expected.

Luckily, the district rescinded the layoffs a month before it had too. The teachers got a stress-free week during spring break, with the knowledge that they still had a job to come back to the following year.

“I was happy that they did this a month before they had to,” said Green.

Many teachers still get to keep their jobs. But even with this bright improvement, teachers, parents, and students are still striving for smaller classes.

Kindergarten, first, second and third grade classrooms will likely keep class sizes of 25 students, according to a tentative agreement between the district and union, Green said. Larger class sizes had been considered as a budget-cutting measure.

The decision to call off the layoffs does not guarantee that the district’s temporary teachers will keep their jobs.

“It’s a good start, but it is not enough,” Green said.

Olympian interviews television host Rachel Maddow

By Anna Balassone Editor-in-Chief

CVHS alumna Rachel Maddow has gone a long way since graduating in 1990. The Castro Valley native and television host explains politics to millions of viewers on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. While visiting the Bay Area to promote her bestselling book Drift, Maddow kindly gave an interview to her alma mater.

Balassone: Do you have any favorite memories from CVHS? Maddow: I’m sure I do, but I have to scare one up. I don’t really remember anything before I was 30... I was really into sports when I was at Castro Valley High. I was a three-sport athlete.

I did basketball and volleyball and swimming. And so a lot of my memories are related to playing sports and the friendships with my teammates. It’s all kind of positive. I remember Rally being inexplicable to me: so much

stress, so much extra work, and the cheering. I remember Rally being befuddling for me.

Balassone: So, you were into sports, but why didn’t you take journalism or write for The Olympian?

Maddow: Well, I never thought that I was going to end up in media. It was never in the cards for me at all. It’s not what I was aiming at. I’m not sure that I had a thing that I was aiming at when I was in high school, but I never thought I would do that. So yeah, it was as much a surprise to me as I think it was to anybody else who knew me when I started doing radio when I was 26.

Balassone: So, if you had no certain ambition to go into media, how did you come across that?

Maddow: I was doing odd jobs. I was a grad student, I was getting a Ph.D. at Oxford and I ran out of money and I ran out

of time before I was done with my dissertation. So I moved back from England to the United States and I was living with friends. And I was just literally doing odd jobs to pay the rent.

I was doing landscaping, I was doing deliveries, I was unloading trucks, I was working at a coffee roasting plant, I was doing all sorts of crazy stuff.

The friends who I was living with were fans of this local morning show, one of those wacky, crazy “morning zoo” morning shows. And the woman who read the news who was the sidekick on the show was leaving and they held open on-air auditions to replace her. And my friends who I was living with dared me to go do it! And I had nothing better to do, so I did it and I got the job and I started the next day.

Balassone: Nice!

Maddow: Yeah, it was really weird. It’s not a career plan I

Melody Moteabbed / Staff Writer

Rachel Maddow talks to The Olympian staff about her time at CVHS and her new book. would recommend.

Balassone: How does it feel to interview such important and influential people in your job like you do on a day-to-day basis?

Maddow: I think that interviewing is not my best skill. It’s funny... I have never written a

book before. This is my first book and I am the subject of all these people’s interviews, like yours.

And that’s not usually what I do.

And I’m realizing, as I’m doing all of these interviews with a lot of really good journalists, that I’m not as good as I ought to be!

I think the key thing about

MADDOW: Page 8

America: Don’t be scared of ObamaCare, we declare

Editorial: The lack of health care for millions of Americans is often cited as one of the largest challenges that faces America today. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, now commonly known as ObamaCare, in an attempt to solve this problem.

However, the law has been met with continuous criticism that began even before it became federal policy. The stickiest point of debate is the individual mandate portion of the law that requires all Americans by 2014 to have some form of health insurance, which would require individuals to purchase insurance if they do not have it, or face an annual fine of $695.

While supporters of the law believe that the mandate is integral to the function of the law, opponents say that the federal government does not have the power to force individuals to buy insurance. This debate has come all the way to the Supreme Court, which could strike the law down, keep only portions of it, or keep it in its entirety.

We at The Olympian, in a nearly

Kate Pellegrini / Opinion Editor

unanimous decision, believe that the Supreme Court should uphold the act in its entirety. Access to health care should be available for everyone, and for that reason we believe the law should remain in effect.

Universal access to health care, regardless of the affordability of such care, appeals to us at The

Take advantage of your education

By Reyna Garcia Sports Editor

Again and again I witness how ungrateful many Americans are.

We are such a lucky people. We live in such a wealthy, advanced country, and have basic freedoms without recent generations having done anything to earn them.

We have everything that anyone could ever want; yet many don’t appreciate everything that we have even though we have so much.

This year we will vote for the next president of the United States of America. I have been waiting to vote anxiously since I was about 12. I was brokenhearted to find out that my 18th birthday falls after the polls close.

I will miss out on something incredible: the chance to help elect the next president.

I was shocked to realize that not all Americans vote or are even registered to vote. Countries like Uganda, Cuba, North Korea and so many others throughout Africa are run by dictators. The people of these countries cannot freely choose their leaders, laws or anything else for that matter. We have something so precious, something they do not. We have freedom and yet not every American utilizes it.

I am appalled.

In the U.S. we have an amazing education system. In the past years it has taken hits from budget cuts and the recession, but it is still one of the best schooling systems in the world, if not the best. People from all over the globe flock to the U.S. to learn in our esteemed universities and colleges. According to The World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A), 99 percent of the population of the U.S. is literate as of 2003. Niger has a literacy rate of 28.7 percent, in Afghanistan the literacy rate is 28.1 percent, and in South Sudan only 27 percent of the population is literate.

The people of these countries would probably love to have the education of American children.

Yet, if you walk into just about any American high school you will be greeted with bemoaning and whining. You will hear talk of too much homework, too much note taking and too much time spent in school.

As American adolescents we don’t realize just how incredibly lucky we are. We are born with opportunity, with the right to be educated and literate, and the right to take part in our government through voting. We can be anything we want, yet we don’t understand the potential of that.

Take every opportunity you come across. Be thankful for everything you have and realize that not everyone has everything, or even anything, that you do. Take advantage of your free education and your freedom.

Olympian as something that is morally correct: after all, everyone will become sick at some point, so why should the ability to recover depend on one’s income level?

It is for this reason, then, that all parts of the law, including the individual mandate, should be kept, as the law might not work if

this portion is struck down. The law prevents insurance companies from dropping individuals due to sickness or pre-existing conditions, so if the mandate is struck down, then companies would be forced to insure sick individuals who have high medical costs, while healthy individuals (who have low medical costs)

PHOTO

who do not need insurance could simply continue to live uninsured. Thus, the removal of the mandate could damage the profits of insurance companies by increasing the number of unhealthy clients.

Another argument in favor of the law is that individuals are forced to pay taxes with which they disagree all the time. The $695 fee for lacking insurance is simply another one of these taxes, and thus should not cause controversy.

A small minority of The Olympian opposes the plan on the grounds that it should be a right to choose whether to buy or decline health insurance, and on the grounds that forcing individuals to buy insurance infringes on the rights granted to us in the Constitution. It is also possible that individuals could take advantage of low or no-cost health insurance that might result from the plan.

A vast majority of The Olympian, however, believes that the law should be kept on the basis that it will bring America a step closer towards the ideal of universal health care that is independent of income.

By: Anya Keller

PHOTOpinions pinions

What is your opinion of President Obama’s health care law?

“It basically makes it so people can’t take advantage of the system.

It makes things fairer.”

Samuel Ison, senior

“It’s a good start, but we need to do more.”

Katherine Gaudinier, sophomore

“It’s kind of a breach of constitutional rights, but I can see how something needs to be done if taxpayers are having to pay for people who don’t have insurance.”

Corley Stanford, junior

“I think it’s a good thing. People need health care, and the government should play a role in that.”

Mario Cervantes, freshman

Reader gives props on recycling article LETTERS to the Editor Editor, I would just like to commend you on your great efforts to reduce the trash around our campus by writing great articles on the topic.

Not only are you encouraging students to beautify their campus by

throwing away useless trash you are encouraging them to be smart about it and recycle.

Too many kids nowadays are incredibly disrespectful to the community by throwing what they please wherever they want. They treat the environment like their room. I think that we should teach more about respect and recycling at a younger age because I’m just not seeing the attitudes I should in high school.

Now I’m a strong conservative so to those who think I’m preaching about how we all kill the Earth, I’d like to say that I’m not. I simply think that we would all simply enjoy our surroundings more if we all took more time out of our day to get rid of some unneeded trash.

All we need to do is walk five feet away from our lunch table and there is a trash can. I don’t get why it’s so hard.

Cody Kulka, senior

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The May 4, 2012

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Olympian students are mad about meeting Maddow

By Anna Balassone Editor-in-Chief

Every student has a moment that defines a high school experience, a moment surely to be looked upon fondly in years to come, a moment etched so deeply in memory so as to never be forgotten. On April 13, I had the great pleasure of experiencing that moment when I interviewed Rachel Maddow.

I first learned about Rachel in freshman year. I came to know her as the face of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, a hard-hitting interviewer, and an analytical mastermind in the world of political punditry. But it wasn’t until I heard that she was also a CVHS graduate that I began to take extreme interest in her.

How could such an incredible person come from a small town like Castro Valley? How did she work her way up the media ladder to land a job at one of the most famous networks in all of television? What would she say to students at CVHS if she got the chance? I yearned to

know. When my journalism advisor Matt Johanson mentioned that he was trying to set up an interview with her, I was jumping out of my seat to volunteer.

For months, it seemed that the interview wouldn’t happen.

Trying to pin down a woman who airs an hour-long television program on the east coast every weeknight is not the easiest thing to do. After numerous emails back and forth between Mr. Johanson and Rachel’s assistant, the opportunity finally arose: Rachel would visit the Bay Area on her nationwide tour for Drift, her new book.

The Olympian team immediately started pre-interview preparations: assigning duties, writing interview questions, and enlisting the help of Olympian alum and Castro Valley Patch editor Analisa Harangozo to assemble a video.

In the days leading up to the event, I became more and more nervous. It was finally setting in that I could have the opportunity to interview one of my idols. Anxious and waiting, I practiced my interview questions incessantly.

When the day of the interview arrived, we drove to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, where the book talk about Drift was to be held. Upon arrival, we didn’t know if we would actually be able to spend more than a few seconds with Rachel. But when her assistant informed us that Rachel was ready to speak right then, we sprang into action.

Melody Moteabbed / Staff Writer

CVHS graduate Rachel Maddow meets with Olympian editor Anna Balassone.

From the moment I stepped backstage and shook her hand nervously, I realized that there is something unique about Rachel. It isn’t that she has her own television show or that she interviews influential people or even that she has written a bestselling book. It is her persona: the way she composes herself in an articulate, intelligent, and unapologetic manner while still managing to remain down-toearth and personable. She set my nerves at ease and made the interview seem like a conversation between friends.

We discussed her CVHS experiences, her current job, and

the success of her new book, but it was when she explained her appreciation for growing up in the Bay Area that I was truly affected.

“I think that there are a lot of blessings of growing up in California in this time, with a good school to go to, and with all the resources that are available to us,” she explained. “And the more I’ve traveled the world and the more different parts of the country I’ve gone to, the more grateful I am that I am from here.”

Then I realized that we can all learn a lesson from Rachel Maddow. Not only can we idol-

ize her success and respect her achievements, we can recognize that, at the beginning of it all, she was here in Castro Valley.

She took advantage of the opportunities she was given in the Bay Area and used that experience to pursue her goals and make a name for herself. And so can we.

Every time I think about that evening, I feel a profound sense of gratitude and humility to have been in the presence of such an inspiration. The interview was the defining moment of my education. And I have never been more proud to say I am from Castro Valley.

Still waiting to feel at home

By Rachel Crary Staff Writer

I can still remember the fun, easy, and carefree days of middle school as I am frantically scribbling notes and answers on pieces of binder paper, with several high school textbooks surrounding me. Don’t even mention the random, irrelevant information running through my head while I’m doing history homework.

High school is no doubt a crazy environment to be in for a bunch of vulnerable teenagers.

What with all the hormones spinning out of control, students must complete homework assignments, listen to lectures, speed walk between classes, cram for tests ten minutes before taking them, and of course, not give in to insanity.

My sister once told me, when I was still in middle school, that high school is where I

would find my home, a place of sanctuary and friends. I had listened to her and waited for that supposedly amazing time when I would have so much fun. Instead, I got a slap in the face and a door slammed on my nose.

I remember being so excited to “find my home” in high school, almost bouncing off the walls and living my life as a hyper pre-teen, only to be drained of my energy and friends in high school.

I have to admit, being a freshman was pretty fun, when the teachers held my hands through everything, and upperclassmen put all their attention on me, organizing events and activities to make me feel like I belonged.

When sophomore year came around, however, the horrors started. The helping hands were suddenly cut off, leaving me groping in darkness. The hormones kicked in and messed with everything, leaving me happy one minute and numbed the next second.

Friends came and left, classes went from easy to challenging in a blink, and passing period was just a blur of running and studying. The time for friends was gone—the only conversations that lasted were about the

next math test.

Going through a year in high school was like a giant roller coaster gone wild. Teenagers are pretty amazing human beings to be able to adapt and cope with so much on their plates. This is where I start to questions what my sister had told me. A home? I could almost see the torches and the witches with their cauldrons full of who knows what kinds of potions designed to torture us.

It feels like I am living through every day like a zombie. Always the same routine: get up super early in the morning, die a little in the process, go to school, doze off in a few of my classes, go home, do homework, eat, sleep a few hours, and start all over again, dreading the moment I have to drag myself out of bed the next morning.

Although I would like to say that I would never agree with what my sister said, I know that I will probably end up telling some poor, hyper, middle school kid five years from now that high school was one of the best times of my life, either because that’s just what all graduates say to mess with little kids, or because I really truly believe what is coming out of my mouth.

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2012 Editor-in-Chief.............................................................Anna Balassone Copy Editor.........................................................Holden Parks City Editor...................................................................Dana Lin News Editor...........................................................Natalie Chin Opinion Editor.............................................................Kate Pellegrini Feature Editor............................................................Amber Yang Sports Editor.............................................................Reyna Garcia Arts and Entertainment Editor........................................SangEun Choi Photo Editors..............................................................Rebecca Fong Tim Pak Business Manager......................................................Matthew Barney Online Editor......................................................Michael Castillo

Staff Writers: Lily Carrell, Suzanna Chak, Betty Chen, Eva Chen, Emily Courchaine, Rachel Crary, Cheyenne Donatello, Natalie Fazeli, Alex Gao, Jane Hong, Anya Keller, Joyce Liang, Victoria Liang, Melody Moteabbed, Camilo Riveros, Fassa Sar, Matt Talajkowski, Lillian Xie, Christina Yee Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

Letters to the Editor

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

Physics on the rise: a balloon takes flight

By Joyce Liang Staff Writer

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a balloon?

Lifebeam Technology Club president Dominick Lee, along with two other members of the club, Andrey Zherebnenko and Andy Tang, launched an eight-foot weather balloon in Castro Valley on the afternoon of April 3.

Inspired by a commercial he saw on television and his love for physics, Lee designed the balloon so that it would hold two essential HD camcorders, a GPS tracking unit, and a mini on-board computer called an Arduino, which tracked the balloon’s descent at approximately 10,000 feet within 11 minutes of the launch.

“Our GPS unit tracked the exact coordinates of our balloon's longitude, latitude, altitude, and speed,” said Lee. “We used this data to find our popped balloon, and also used it to analyze the height as corresponding to what we recorded in our two camcorders.”

The videos, which were recorded from the camcorders during the balloon’s journey, will be distributed to the people who helped donate to this $250 project and possibly be published on the club’s website: http://www.

This bird’s-eye view of Castro Valley was captured by a HD camcorder attached to the weather balloon. lifebeam.net/.

Determined and ambitious, Lee accomplished this big project

“I wanted to

take my skill to the highest potential.”

Dominick Lee Sophomore

in two months with the help of teachers Chris Burns and Bertram Pinsky.

“I wanted to take my skill to

the highest potential,” said Lee. Overall, the weather balloon experiment was a success and a great experience for all who participated. The balloon, which had a good drop-control, traveled approximately five miles and landed from Castro Valley Community Park to Glenwood Road.

“Our project met all the expectations. We had exactly enough helium, there was no rain or wind, and the balloon was not too far off,” said Lee. Throughout the whole experiment and rigorous planning, Lee wants everyone to see that physics is anything but boring.

“I want to motivate and educate students about the fun of physics and the innovation of technology,” Lee said.

Andy Tang, Andrey Zherebnenko, and Dominick Lee launched the eight-foot weather balloon in the air.

Poetry Slam slams hearts into frenzy Lights, camera, To Students pour their feelings out into words

By Suzanna Chak Staff Writer

“Roses are red, violets are blue.

I’m happy to be here, how about you?!” shouted enthusiastic MC Josh Hicken. His “poem” was

met by cheers of the crowd, which was eager to hear the words students used to pour out their thoughts, feelings, and pains.

The Poetry Slam, which took place in the CVHS cafeteria after school on March 30, was a place where students read or recited their original poems to an audience of peers, parents, and teachers. Judges Josh Wheeler, Ian Rodriquez, Colleen Mullany, Brenda Liu, and Samuel Ison each scored the poets’ poems on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the best score possible.

Su-Lin Terhell was scorekeeper.

More than 20 poets showed up

Suzanna Chak / Staff Writer

Gabbey Norflin won the Poetry Slam contest that took place on March 30.

for the poetry slam to perform their poems based on the theme “empathy.” The school’s top finishers included junior Gabbey Norflin for her poem “Beyond Society,” and sophomore Lily Carrell for her poem “In his shoes.”

Norflin has been writing poetry since she was ten years old.

She uses poetry as a means to express herself and release her feelings and stress. In her poem “Beyond Society,” she begins by revealing the flaws she sees in herself. She then continues to talk about society’s negative influence on how people see themselves and how it sets standards for the “right” way to look.

“I wanted the audience to feel the words that I was expressing and remind the listeners they must be themselves: ‘rare, beautiful, and unlike anyone else’,” said Norflin.

This poetry slam was started

by English teacher Josh Linville.

He hopes to make it an annual event. He, along with national slam poet Wheeler, performed their own poems at the slam.

The Poetry Slam touched the hearts of many. One poet even wrote her poem on the spot and performed it after feeling inspired by all of the other poems.

“In my eyes, a poet is a unique individual for the words that they speak, and for that, we are all winners,” said Norflin.

Kill a Mockingbird!

By Rebecca Fong Photo Editor

Little Scout Finch, her older brother Jem, their honorable lawyering father Atticus, and one very mysterious Boo Radley are to appear live on the CVHS stage this May. That is, their characters, of course.

Growing up in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression, Scout and Jem witness their little town’s vehemently racist white community when Atticus agrees to defend the innocence of a black man, Tom Robinson, accused of raping a white woman.

To Kill a Mockingbird has stood the test of time as a story of believing in the goodness of mankind despite the deplorable injustices displayed by society.

Relive Harper Lee’s beloved classic in a whole new way, reenacted by Steve Davidson as Atticus Finch, a double cast of Matt Skinner and Tyler Brady as Jem, a double cast of Lisa BonsignoreOpp and Jenna Brady as Scout, Mark Schantz as Boo Radley, and 30 other promising talents of the CVHS drama department. The whole shebang will be narrated by the double cast of Johnna Murch and Emma Hancock.

“It’s a different experience from reading the book or watch-

ing the movie when you see it in theater,” said director Tiffany Daily in a hushed voice as actors rehearsed solemnly in the CFA. “Watching it performed live makes the whole thing a more personal story.”

Daily pointed out that this particular show is one with which many students should be familiar, as all freshmen who pass through the halls of CVHS are required to read To Kill a Mockingbird.

“We’re really excited to produce something part of the freshman curriculum,” she whispered. “We really hope the whole student body can come see it.”

With such a large prospective audience, seats are predicted to fill up fast, so listen for the PA announcing when tickets become available. Showings will be held on the first two weekends of May, at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Olympian

The May 4, 2012

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Day of Silence speaks up for LGBTQ community

McLean has been participating in Day of Silence for six years. At first, it was hard for McLean to keep silent but after being bullied in high school for hurtful assumptions, keeping silent has

By Natalie Chin News Editor

Students may have seen people sporting red or tie-dyed clothing, writing on notepads, and, when you went to say “hello,” waving instead of saying “hi” on April 20. These people did not accidentally lose their voices; they were participating in Day of Silence.

Day of Silence is an international event when people refrain from talking for a whole day in order to raise awareness about the issues in the LGBTQ community and share the burden of the voiceless.

“It’s about supporting people that are too afraid to express themselves,” said sophomore Nadia Finkelman, who participated in Day of Silence.

Junior participant Laura Miller hopes that “we can educate people further on the lack of rights allowed for LGBTQ by drawing attention to the problem.”

The students participating in the event were silent all day and met in the courtyard during lunch to share a silent meal.

After school, they reconvened in the courtyard to break their silence together.

“I feel it’s important to get the message out strongly without having to actually say anything,”

“ It’s about

supporting people that are too afraid to express themselves.

Nadia Finkelman Sophomore

Natalie Chin / News Editor

Justin McLean, president of the Spectrum Club, latexes a zipper to his mouth to raise awareness about the Day of Silence. said senior participant Zachary Peterson.

Remaining silent for a day can be difficult, but senior and Spectrum Vice President Kaitlyn Goode commented that it is

“frustrating, but not hard.”

This year’s Day of Silence had a small decline in the number of participants due to other events happening on April 20 such as Kony 2012.

The motivation, however, was still strong. Senior and Spectrum President, Justin McLean, used latex to attach a zipper across his mouth this year to emphasize Day of Silence.

”

since become a “piece of cake.”

To those who are hesitant about participating, he encourages them to “give it a try: be silent for an hour or half a day. Show some level of support.”

While spreading awareness about LGBTQ issues was the main focus, there were some minor benefits too. For example, the best part of Day of Silence for sophomore Ben Irvin was “not answering questions in class.”

CISCO finishes second in competition

By Anya Keller Staff Writer

Students from teacher Chris Burns’ CISCO class recently finished impressively with second place in the CISCO competition involving schools from all over the Bay Area.

Overall, there were six gold medal winners from CVHS: Roman Kayutkin, Andrey Zherebnenko, Quinton Wang, Alvin Cheung, Sabreena Sahota, and Taranpreet Singh, as well as six

silver medal winners: Matt Saxton, Lindsey Matheney, Wyatt Melton, Ryan Gray, Dominick Lee, and Caleb Kim. The competition consisted of three sections: a computer build, a multiple choice test, and a packet tracking.

In the computer build section, students were asked to disassemble and reassemble a computer.

After finishing this task, students were required to use that same computer to make a PowerPoint presentation about it.

Next, students were expected to complete a multiple choice test consisting of 50 multiple choice questions pertaining to CISCO curriculum.

Some students found this portion of the competition to be challenging.

“We found that we struggled a good deal on this portion,” commented junior Quinton Wang.

The last part of the competition was called packet tracking.

“Packet Tracker is CISCO’s network simulation program,”

explained senior Matt Saxton.

“They give you a scenario, with computers that need to be connected and problems fixed. They try to make it like it would be in real life, to help prepare yourself for the world. The goal is to correct the scenario as quickly as possible.”

Some students found this part to be the most enjoyable.

“I think my favorite part was the packet tracker activity just because that was when the team really relied on me. I felt I did

a really good job,” senior Ryan Gray said.

In the end, most students were glad to have participated in the event, and saw it as a valuable and fun learning experience.

“I feel that the CISCO competition is a fun and simple competition. Although very understated, there were no real major setbacks and everything went like it was planned. The judges are qualified and they are knowledgeable in what they are doing,” Saxton said.

Ukelele euphoria spreads at Ukelele Festival

By Lillian Xie Staff Writer

The CVHS Ukulele Club went to the Ukulele Festival at Chabot College on April 1.

At the festival, club members enjoyed various performances and met fellow ukulele enthusiasts and players.

“You can't go wrong when you mix ukuleles, Hawaiian food, and a great club together. It all amounts to a great time,” said Matt Shimizu, the club’s vice president.

The Ukulele Club was started in 2011 for students interested in playing the ukulele, participating in music-related events, and meeting other students who enjoy playing the Hawaiian instrument.

“I began this club because I wanted to get people more involved in music,” said Jasmine Mangabay, the club’s president.

The club welcomes every person at all skill levels.

“All you need is an interest

and desire to learn,” said Mangabay.

During club meetings, students can learn and practice songs on the provided ukuleles.

Songs that have been played at the meetings include “I’m Yours,” “Drops of Jupiter,” “Not Over You,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “You and I,” “Better Together,” and “Hey Soul Sister.” Students can also request songs to be taught during the next club meeting.

The Ukulele Club is perfect for students who want to learn how to play the instrument. The club members create a friendly and helpful environment, so beginners will not feel intimidated.

Since the ukulele is a fairly easy instrument to learn how to play, many club members are able to learn a whole song during in the course of one meeting.

The Ukulele Club meets every other Wednesday at lunch in Room 201. Anyone interested in the ukulele is recommended to check out the club.

Lillian Xie / Staff Writer

Marlene Alarcón, Tyra Bryant, Matt Shimizu, Katie Weese, and Jasmine Mangabay, members of the Ukelele Club, show off their ukeleles at a club meeting.

Softball squad defeats O’Dowd, pushes towards NCS

By Emily Courchaine Staff Writer

Rebecca Fong / Photo Editor

Olivia Aragon prepares to pitch another ball to an O’Dowd Dragon as her teammate looks on.

Trojan badminton team battles on

By Betty Chen Staff Writer

CVHS offers numerous sports on campus, but a significant one that’s playing a fantastic season is the badminton team. Badminton is a highly skilled and competitive sport that deals with a lot of hand-eye coordination, speed, and a strong mindset. The Trojans’ badminton squad defeated Moreau on April 5.

Although Moreau is a competitive school, CVHS won 10 out of 15 games played. After an intense game, varsity badminton player Victoria Liang stated her opinion about the badminton season so far: “There were some rough patches before the season started, but I really think the team as a whole is doing better. We have many new players this year but they all work extremely hard to improve

everyday. I have been on the team since freshman year. With that being said, it’s obvious that I love the sport.”

Liang speaks up about the commitment the players have with badminton and her dedication. It is apparent that the badminton team spends numerous hours practicing and training to become the best.

According to senior Janela Love Nartates, “We have a lot of new players on the team this year.

After getting to know the players, it’s been a delight working with them.”

From the time the entire teams puts into practices and drills, it is evident the team is working their very best. As the season approaches its end, the record for the team is 4-3. Overall, the CVHS badminton team is motivated to get to the top and win many more upcoming games.

Our Trojan softball team played one of its best games of the season against Bishop O’Dowd on April 18. It was an exciting game, with an impressive final score of 11-5.

At the end of the first inning, the Trojans were down by two runs. But the Dragons’ lead did not last long as CVHS pulled ahead in the second inning and maintained their lead through the rest of the game. The game highlighted the skills of several players, including Trojan pitcher Olivia

Aragon.

“I was nervous at first, we gave up a few hits,” said Aragon. “The rest of the game was better, at the end we just got them out easily and fast.”

Another high point of the game was the home run smashed by Jillian Ceccanti in the fourth inning. The ball sailed 20 feet over the fence 280 feet away and landed in the backyard of a neighboring house. Ceccanti was two for three for the game.

“So far I haven’t been playing a lot,” said Ceccanti. “I finally got to show off to the coach that I can really play.”

Boys baseball team slays Dragons, 6-1

By Rebecca Fong Photo Editor

The CVHS varsity boys baseball team took home yet another win against Bishop O’Dowd on April 18. CVHS made a major rally with four runs in the sixth inning. After a grueling game, the score numbered 6-1, boosting the Trojans’ overall win-loss streak to 12-4 and 4-1 in the HAAL. Pitching six and two-thirds innings, junior Jason Seever allowed only six hits and struck out an impressive number of five O’Dowd Dragons. Seever has been noted for his successful pitching career thus far out on the mound, and only further proved the point at the O’Dowd game. When asked about how he’s garnished such a reputation, he attributed it to his off-speed

Rebecca Fong / Photo Editor

Jason Seever pitches a signature off-speed pitch. pitches and curveballs.

Senior Desi Bradford also stood out as an on-point player by cracking two hits in two trips to the plate. Bradford has smashed three home runs this

Awe s o m e l y Ad m i ra ble

Alex Embody, Freshman

Alex Embody is a 15-year-old freshman runner. Her one mile time for the varsity track and field team is 5:41.

Embody has been running since kindergarten where she ran with the Catholic Youth Organization.

Recently she went to the Junior Olympics and placed 75th out of almost 300 hundred runners.

“When I’m racing, I chase after the person in front of me,” offered Embody as her racing strategy.

Her rivals during this year have been teammates Emma Armstrong, Nicole Anthony, and Samantha Fong.

Embody plans to run all four years here at CVHS under the guidance of her two favorite coaches, Raul Perez and Dino Cardiasmenos.

Junior Melina Huey also showed off her skills during the game, with three hits in four at bats and three runs batted in.

“We’re coming into the strong part of the season,” said coach Marie Gray.

This impressive game against O’Dowd puts the Trojans at a 8-7 win-loss record for the season. There are nine games to go before NCS, and it will be hard work, but the girls are ready to meet the challenge.

“I think if we just stay focused we’ll play well,” said Aragon.

Austin Soto, Sophomore Austin Soto is a center fielder hitting home runs for the junior varsity baseball team at CVHS. “Baseball is my life. I love the game.

I love the feel. It’s taught me many life lessons. Overall it’s a fun experience,” commented Soto.

When Soto was nine, he found out about baseball leagues and has been playing on a team ever since.

Last year Soto and his team won the California District 45 section of the All Stars Tournament as a part of the Castro Valley Little League.

Teammates Michael Trevizo and Jeff Owens have been a huge help to Soto.

“We get along with each other and pick each other up,” said Soto.

Rebecca Horpel, Junior Rebecca Horpel is a junior swimming on the Crow Canyon Sharks team in San Ramon, and also competes on the varsity team here at CVHS. Last year Horpel swam five seconds faster than her previous time at HAAL finals in the 100 meter breast stroke race. She has also competed with some of the best swimmers in the country at the Far Westerns swim meet.

“I enjoy just getting the exercise and getting in the water,” said Horpel.

Her parents encouraged her to join the Columbia Crocodiles when she was six. Since then Horpel has swum on five different teams, both year-round and summer league.

season.

“Our defense is doing well this year,” commented Seever.

Will the Trojans win the league? “I feel confident,” said Seever.

At h lete s Matthew Barney / Business Manager

Matthew Woo, Senior

Senior Matthew Woo is a captain on the boys varsity tennis team.

Woo has won two matches this year against San Lorenzo and San Leandro.

“I love the feeling of the hitting the ball and owning my opponents to death,” remarked Woo. Woo has grown adept under the mentorship of Coach Greg Lowe and learned to have fun while playing tennis.

“I’d like to thank my fellow team captains Brendon Korbas, and Philip Patton for helping me to get the courage to join the team. My role model is Zane Chou. He is brilliant in every subject, including Pokemon, an active club member, and of course, a smart tennis player,” added Woo.

We “Drift” to war too easily, book says

to one fourth of the residents.

Seventeen million square feet of Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facilities (SCIF) have been built--all this to increase security, yet no one really knows if it is making us safer.

Thomas Jefferson once said: “One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier.”

For a while, that did happen: people were joining the army to fight a war and leaving after the war was fought. In World War I for example, four million soldiers fought; but after the war, the US

Armed Forces downsized and 300 thousand soldiers remained.

However, the first sign of “drifting” occurred under President Lyndon Johnson. During the Vietnam War, instead bringing in the Reserves and the National Guard, he increased the draft. This way, he could bring a nation’s forces to war without involving Congress.

President Ronald Reagan played in part in causing the drifting. After the Vietnam War, the Army had to recruit people by persuading them, tempting them with money, benefits, and adventure. The Rea-

gan administration gave the Army more than enough money to spend.

Reagan persuaded NATO to put nuclear-armed missiles throughout Europe and Congress to financially support the “Star Wars” system, General Graham’s plan to defend against Soviet attacks. In the end, he managed to convince people that there are more evil people to fight and battle than those “behind the Iron Curtain.”

The book continues, taking the reader through Reagan’s entire presidency, up to the Iran-Contra affair, which played a huge role in America’s drifting.

Maddow also describes how former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, in addition to other political figures such as former vice presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney (who Maddow dedicated the book to and wants an interview from) also contributed to the drifting.

Drift is an amazing book that clearly, thoroughly, and entertainingly (with numerous splashes of humor) describes Maddow’s point of view on how America has drifted from the original beliefs and philosophies that served as the base of the establishment of this country. War is no longer seen as the terrible and violent reality it is. However, change is possible and necessary.

again. Since Perseus defeated the Kraken, he has refused to acknowledge the god within him and lives his life as a mortal fisherman raising his son, Helius.

The human kind has stopped worshipping the gods, which causes the gods to lose their power.

Zeus visits Perseus one night to tell him that the lack of faith has caused the walls of Tartarus, the underworld prison where the gods banished the horrible

Titans, to weaken. The most feared Titan of all is Kronos, who is the father of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. The gods and Titans then battle amongst themselves as to who will determine the fate of the world.

With such a dramatic plot this would seem like a movie to keep you on the edge of your seat. The directors attempted to make the sequel as interesting as the first, but Wrath of the Titans was absolute overkill. The movie

was jam-packed with story ideas going left and right. There was no traditional approach to the dialogue: all of the characters spoke language too modern for the setting of the movie.

The supposed-to-be jaw-dropping epic battle scenes never lasted long enough to allow the audience to develop an opinion or interest about them. Wrath of the Titans is definitely a movie you will only want to watch once.

By Suzanna Chak Staff Writer

Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power by Rachel Maddow, host of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, discusses how America no longer realizes the danger, the sacrifice, and the just plain ugliness of war. Instead, we have “become a nation weirdly at peace with perpetual war.” War “is the new normal for America. It should not be like that,” the author from Castro Valley said.

Maddow begins her book by describing how the United States has been spending money for national security. The town she lives in, located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, recently received new developments, including a new fire engine, a building to house the fire engine, and “Little Guantánamo,” the pump house that was the town’s water system that is now fenced off with an eight foot high electric fence. She goes on to describe the “big-ticket stuff” too, such as the $108 million dollars used to build a sewage system in Fallujah, Anbar Province, Iraq that not only causes a “big stink” in the city, but is only connected

Melody Moteabbed / Staff Writer

CVHS alumna Rachel Maddow talks about her new book Drift at a book signing in Berkeley on April 13.

Wrath of the Titans doesn’t live up to first film

By Cheyenne Donatello Staff Writer

Wrath of the Titans, which is the sequel to Clash of the Titans, did not hold up to the first movie’s Greek God level. Demigod Perseus, the son of Zeus, has to save the world from being destroyed

Pandora Radio leads to glorious discovery

By Melody Moteabbed Staff Writer

Once again, the magic of Pandora Radio has brought me to a new, delicious discovery: Young the Giant. The band was formed in Irvine, California in 2004, and only last year did it release its album to the public.

It is obvious that the band’s songs have a southern California influence; while listening, you can practically imagine yourself on one of the beaches in the OC, smiling up at the summer sky.

The band isn’t quite well known yet, but some would consider that a good thing. The band retains an individuality that not all other male bands currently have, whether it be due to Sameer Gadhia’s flawless voice, the dreamy guitar riffs, the explosions of instruments, or sudden surprises of cello.

The lyrics in all 12 songs of the album, self-titled Young the Giant, are mentionable as well. In the track “Islands,” my favorite on the album, Gadhia breathily croons, “All the years I miss your warmth…have you missed my warmth?” The track is the slowest on the album but not at all the least entertaining or catchy. “Islands” incorporates lyrics describing a beach, but it can be argued that the beach is cleverly being compared to a lover.

“Apartment” is the next best song on the album, and in this track a relaxing, urban tone replaces the swings of SoCal influence. Gadhia’s tone is stronger in this song, and with this more intense tone, he is able to rile up the listener to sing along to lyrics like, “You carved a boat to sell my shadow... Now I walk alone.” This is a song that has a rare, bizarre quality.

You can never get sick of it, no matter how many times you listen to it. Trust me, I know from personal experience.

Young the Giant was probably the best discovery I’ve ever made on Pandora Radio, and I’m still searching to find more bands like it. After listening to the album, you might find yourself suddenly humming one of the band’s many catchy tunes wherever you are.

However, no one will get sick of your humming because the tunes are so likable.

Olympian

The May 4, 2012

MADDOW: from Page 1

interviewing well is being prepared enough that you know to ask questions where there is some legitimate uncertainty about what the answer’s going to be. Don’t ask a leading question. If you know what the answer’s going to be, ask a different one. But also to be comfortable enough with your research and what you’ve known about this person before it started that you can listen so you’re not just waiting to start your next question.

You’re actually paying attention and getting what’s important about it before you ask the next thing.

I’m less intimidated by the people who I talk to than I am about the necessity to get it right.

This is Rachel Maddow in a 1990 yearbook photo.

Balassone: Considering the

major success of your book Drift, are you planning on writing any other books in the future?

Maddow: (shakes her head) I don’t like writing, I don’t enjoy it. I mean, I have to write all day for my job and that’s okay. But writing for a book... I didn’t get a book deal because I wanted to write a book and then I figured out a topic. I only wrote this book because I had this thing that I needed to get off my chest and the only way I could say it was in book form. And there isn’t something else like that. So maybe I will, but I don’t want to.

Balassone: You grew up in Castro Valley and then you came out as being gay when you were 17. So I have many friends in Castro Valley who have recently come out or are planning to do so. But, growing up in Castro Valley, they are definitely afraid to do so. They’re wary of this onslaught of criticism from people.

Do you have any advice for those students?

Maddow: Now I don’t know if Castro Valley now is like it was when I was growing up, but by the time I figured out that I was gay, I was leaving town anyway.

But the prospect of coming out while I was still living in Castro Valley was absolutely terrifying.

It was, for me, not a bad place to

grow up and I had a great family and I think I had good schooling and all those things, but it was a really reactionary place. It was intimidating and it was violent.

So I did not feel like it was safe for me to come out.

Now, I don’t know if it’s still that same way. But I think regardless of how reactionary or threatening your environment is, if you are coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or any other sexual identity like that that’s going to expose you to risk, the most important thing is that you do it on your own terms.

And nobody pressures you either into being in the closet, nobody pressures you into coming out.

You do it when it is right for you.

My main message is that, and this is a cliche now, but it does get better. If you are gay and you feel like it’s really hopeless and you feel like you’re not going to have a good life because you’re queer, because you’re different in some way, I understand why you feel that way as a teenager. It’s not like that as an adult. You can have a really awesome life as an adult. But you have to be true to yourself. Do things on your own terms. Be strong.

The best way to show up the people who are bigots is by being more successful and happy than those people in life so you can look down on them later. (laughs)

ObamaCare ruling coming in June

By Jane Hong Staff Writer

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more widely known as ObamaCare, is a major issue that President Barack Obama has been forced to deal with during his presidency. The health care reform law focuses on increasing coverage, increasing health care funding, reducing costs, and lessening the social burden that health care has become in this day and age.

The 2,700-page document lists hundreds of details concerning changes and requirements that are to be met by insurance companies, individuals, and health care professionals. Among several changes are required immunization and preventive care, dependents being covered until the age of 26, and everyone having some form of health insurance.

The bulk of this plan, however, is this: ideally, it would benefit poor families as insurance will become more available, most employers will provide health insurance or pay fines, and 32 million more people will have health insurance in about seven years.

The controversial mandate of the law is that citizens will be expected to buy their own cover-

age or be faced to pay a $695 fine annually.

Over the span of ten years,

“...I do think it could improve America in the long run.

Arianna Weingarten Senior

”

the law is expected to cost $940 billion. Yet compared to the government’s expected health costs otherwise, the law is predicted to save $138 billion over that time and a whopping $1.2 trillion by 2022.

The law proves to be an extremely controversial issue and especially illustrates the difference in opinion of the nation’s two strongest parties. While Democrats are aiming to improve health care by making it more widely available and affordable, Republicans argue that

this new law would be moving our nation towards socialism and violating constitutional rights.

“Never before has the federal government required every American to buy a good or service, and the reason is simple; the Constitution does not permit for it,” senior Seamus Guerin said.

“Such actions infringe on our rights as Americans to determine our own fate and make our own decisions.”

Conservatives also believe that the law will raise federal deficits, impose higher taxes, and financially crush individuals who cannot afford their medical costs. On the other hand, Democrats claim that the health care reform law will eliminate medial bankruptcy and lower family premiums.

“I believe ObamaCare has good intentions but just like any form of public care, there are always going to be people who take advantage of the situation.

However, I do think it could improve America in the long run,” explained senior Arianna Weingarten.

“I think there are some parts that are great about it and others, not so much. You can’t really keep a few parts and throw the rest away, though so it’ll be interesting to see what the Supreme Court decides later,” said CVHS nurse Sandee Velasquez.

The law was discussed for three days before the nine Supreme Court justices in late March and a ruling of the case is expected to come in June. The court’s decision will immediately affect the way all Americans receive and pay for their personal health care and will undoubtedly serve as a central theme in November ’s presidential and congressional elections.

8

Rachel Maddow and Olympian staff members meet before the author’s book signing.

Balassone: And, one last question. So, I understand that you did a commencement address at your Castro Valley High graduation.

Maddow: I did, I have blocked it out, but I understand it’s on Youtube. (laughs) Balassone: So I was wondering, if you could give a commencement address to the Class of 2012 today, what would you say to Castro Valley?

Maddow: I would hand it over to you! (laughs) Obviously you guys know more about what

ASB: from Page 1

the milieu is like there and what you guys ought to be aiming at.

Listen, I think that there are a lot of blessings of growing up in California in this time with a good school to go to and with all the resources that are available to us. And the more I’ve traveled the world and the more different parts of the country I’ve gone to, the more grateful I am that I am from here. So, if I could go back and give myself a lecture, go back to 1990 and tell myself something, I think I would tell myself to cool it and be a little more thankful for what we’ve got because we’re pretty blessed.

Another known officer is Kenji Pinzon-Shigeta who is this year’s ASB treasurer and next year’s ASB vice president. He also has much experience, having been

in leadership since the seventh grade, and having been sophomore class treasurer. PinzonShigeta, like Hernandez-Vega, plans to increase student participation.

The winners of other positions in the ASB elections include Caroline Clemente for secretary, Khush Jawandha for treasurer and Rix Linayao for school board representative.

“I love CVHS and would even love more to be a part of everything that goes on behind the scenes,” enthused Clemente, current junior class secretary.

“I know how to do the job and execute it precisely,” said Jawandha, who has experience as this year’s junior class treasurer.

“I am a very hard worker and always give 110% to everything and stay dedicated and never give up.”

“I am easy to work with and I have enough time in my schedule to ensure I attend every board meeting,” said Linayao, the youngest of the elected but certainly not the least experienced, for he has attended numerous House of Representatives meetings.

“I do believe that anyone with the drive to run for any position is capable of doing a good job,” said Pinzon-Shigeta. “Leadership is all about passion, which

ASB President: Victor HernandezVega Vice President: Kenji PinzonShigeta Secretary: Caroline Clemente Treasurer: Khush Jawandha School Board Rep: Rix Linayao Class of 2013 Class President: Grace Cho Class Vice President: Su-Lin Terhell Class Secretary: Melissa Young Class Treasurer: David Avila

Class of 2014 Class President: Alexandra Esparza Class Vice President: Jennie Hankins Class Secretary: Erin Cheung Class Treasurer: Michelle Timm Class of 2015 Class President: Jenna Sparks Class Vice President: Alyssa Roque-Rodarte Class Secretary: Brandy Border Class Treasurer: Alejandro Gonzalez

the end, however, the inner ape plucked the chicken and Hernandez-Vega won the election.

“As ASB president I will dedicate, but not limit myself, to a few goals,” promised Hernandez-Vega. “Since I am an openminded person, I look forward to bringing in new activities and incorporating ideas that our student body has.” He has proposed another week-long activity, similar to Homecoming, in the second semester, activities to celebrate diversity, and a boost in student involvement.

“

I look forward to bringing in new activities...

”

Victor Hernandez-Vega 2012-13 ASB President

Election Results