Nov 15, 2007

VOLUME 51, ISSUE 3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2007 CASTRO VALLEY, CA, 94546

New law will ban talking on the road

By Erin Mundy Staff Writer

Michelle Matsui / City Editor

Howard Whang / Staff Writer

Malena Bell / Editor-in-Chief

(Clockwise from top) John Green and Kyle Friedrich, student Katie Ponce, and Kevin Batchelor celebrate Halloween by wearing their creative costumes. See more photos on page 8.

New classes coming New EMT and forensic science classes added

By Lindsay Oda Staff Writer

Examining dead bodies, setting up crime scenes and learning CPR skills are some new in-class activities you can do at CVHS as of this year. The school has five new classes: forensic science, pre-nursing, computer assisted drafting, kitchen chemistry and graphic design.

Most of these new classes are part of the fairly new academy system at CVHS. The classes have vocational/technological themes with the idea of “real skills, real life.” The teachers regularly meet with professionals in their particular fields to get lab ideas and to keep up with the different professions.

Forensic science, a class that’s a part of the academy system, is a hands-on class that teaches students the science behind crime

scenes. They do crime scene set up, along with DNA, hair and fiber analysis.

“It’s good to see how chemistry and biology are used in the real world,” said teacher Laura O’Brien.

Pre-nursing, also a part of the academy system, teaches students about medical careers such as being an EMT (emergency medical technician) and

“

The class makes you open to more opportunities in the future. ” Elaine Gardner Science Teacher

nursing. They learn emergency CPR skills, anatomy and physiology. The class takes field trips like the upcoming Body World Gallery trip in San Jose.

“The class makes you open to more opportunities in the

future,” said teacher Elaine Gardner.

Kitchen chemistry, taught by Lynne Tierney, is a class on the chemistry of common household substances. The class features many hands-on labs.

“Hopefully students will see how chemistry relates to their life,” said Tierney.

Computer assisted drafting (CAD), taught by Walt Lightfoot, is a new class this year, although it has been at CVHS before. Another new class, graphic design, is taught by Jennifer Jervis and does projects like making advertisements and CD covers.

The academy program is trying to get more new classes approved by the school board and leadership council for next year. If they are approved, then you can look forward to classes like sports medicine, which would be sponsored by the P.E. department, and would have students work with the athletic teams at CVHS. They would do things like tape up players before games. Other classes that are working for approval are engineering construction and sports marketing.

“Shut up and drive,” sings Rihanna in her popular song.

Governor Schwarzenegger seems to agree with these lyrics after passing two laws this year.

One prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using any type of mobile device while driving, and the other makes it illegal for adults to talk on hand-held mobile devices while driving.

Effective on July 1, 2008, drivers will not be permitted to use their hand-held mobile devices except for emergencies. Those over 18 will be allowed to communicate wirelessly using devices such as headsets and Bluetooth while those under 18 are prohibited from talking or texting on any mobile device at all.

Drivers who violate the law will be facing a first-time fine of $20, and $50 for repeat offenses.

“I think it’s pointless to make it illegal to talk on the phone if you only get fined $20 or $50. That’s not really a big deal,” said freshman Shannon Wilhite.

However, California is not the only state to restrict the use of phones. California is joining 13 other states including Connecticut, New Jersey, Utah, New York, and the District of Columbia.

Many teens say defensively that it is a stereotype that young drivers are inattentive and accident-prone on the road.

They would object to the enforcement of this law, but the dangers of driving are pretty apparent. A recent Automobile Association study shows that close to 30 percent of teens talk and/or text while driving. It’s undeniable that car stereos are a major distraction and difficult to not toy with while driving, let alone resisting the temptations to text behind the wheel. Carrying on a conversation while trying to focus on the road poses as a big, if not worse, distraction and a challenge for an inexperienced driver to deal with.

“It sucks that I won’t be able to answer the phone when my friends call, but I’d rather avoid accidents and call them back later,” said sophomore Monica Travis.

“I think it’s a good idea because a lot of car crashes are caused because of the use of cell phones while driving. I don’t use my phone when I drive…mostly,” said senior James Fazzio.

Though the law was designed with teens in mind, it was most importantly designed to maintain safety on the road for all drivers, young and old.

CVHS hopes for a better '08 Homecoming

By Irene Liang Staff Writer

Conflicts arose between the juniors and seniors during the Homecoming work parties on Oct. 13 in Palomares Hills, which resulted in such acts as the vandalism of cars and houses. An estimated 15 students from each class were involved in the debacle, according to the administration.

Assistant Principal Marcie Plummer said that this year’s Homecoming was not focused on what it should have been.

“The focus should have been to welcome back the alumni.

The big competition should have been with another school and not between classes,” said Plummer.

Assistant Principal Jason Whiteman stated that in order to educate younger classes about issues concerning vandalism and respect, school officials and students must do so by being good role models.

“The administration wants to let students know that the rules and regulations are there to create a safer place, but also welcome the students into what Homecoming is about,” said Whiteman when asked whether

the rules on the Homecoming behavior contracts were enforced strictly enough.

The behavior contract that male skits, song girls, and float participants are required to sign, states, “During Homecoming activities, I will not perform any acts of vulgarity or obscenity. I will not be involved in inappropriate/illegal activities such as acts of vandalism.” Those who break the contract face consequences such as suspension, loss of extra-curricular activities for the entire school year, loss of participation in athletic activities, and/or detention.

While many want to avoid conflicts next year, a specific plan to do so seems elusive.

“It’s probably going to happen again next year,” said senior Monica Zhang regarding whether the conflicts will arise again.

Julia Joung, the junior class president, believes that in order to resolve the junior-senior debacle, the juniors and seniors should act with much more respect and compassion towards each other.

“I want [Homecoming] to be more of a unifying experience as opposed to developing tension between classes,” she said.

Video games are Malena's not crack cocaine Minute

By Kevin Hanley Opinion Editor

I recently came across an article about how 21-year-old Shaun Woolley had committed suicide in front of his computer, which was running the online computer game EverQuest. His mother claimed that Shaun was addicted to EverQuest and that he killed himself over something that had happened in the game.

When she said “addicted”, she meant it literally. She said her son couldn’t stop playing EverQuest the same way a drug addict can’t stop taking crack.

Liz Woolley is just one of several people and organizations that claim that video game addiction exists.

Groups such as Online Gamers Anonymous claim that video games, especially massively multiplayer online role playing games such as World of Warcraft, can be addictive to certain players, can be detrimental to their mental health, and can even lead to the death of the gamer.

This isn’t just a fringe idea either. Last June the American Medical Association met in Chicago to discuss whether video game addiction should

be added to a key handbook of mental illness. They eventually decided it did not fall under the category of a mental disorder, but didn’t rule out the possibility that video game addiction could be classified as such by 2012.

Now that I’ve gotten through

the information, let’s get to the opinion part. I think this is completely and utterly ridiculous.

Video game addiction, are you freaking serious? If somebody is disturbed enough to kill him-

self over a computer game, he or she probably already had some serious mental problems.

I find it very hard to believe that a completely mentally healthy person could start playing a video game and as a result they become depressed, isolated, and even suicidal.

Vi d e o g a m e s a re a l re a d y u s e d a s a scapegoat for violence, sex, drug use, etc, and this is just another example. Here’s another often-cited incident of supposed video game addiction leading to a death. Lee Seung Seop died of exhaustion and dehydration after playing Starcraft in an Internet cafe for almost 50 hours straight.

Naturally we should blame the game for this right? Give me a break. The guy played a video game without eating, drinking, or sleeping for more than two days! Don’t tell me that if video games didn’t exist he would have been a perfectly normal human being, b e c a u s e t h e re w a s clearly something already wrong with him to make him do something like that.

This is a new low for the people that blame video games for all the world's problems.

New schedule is extremely uncool

By Howard Whang Staff Writer

Longer school days, no tutorial, and shorter lunch periods are a couple of the complaints about the new schedule this year. We have endured three months of the strange new schedule, although most of us have gotten used to it by now.

The new schedule increases our school year by an extra 5,490 minutes, bringing us up to the required 64,800 required minutes for each school year.

That translates into days that can be up to 42 minutes longer than last year.

The longer classes, especially on block days, can become very slow and monotonous.

More class time is great for the kids who like to learn and to the science teachers who like to do labs, but generally, high school students don't appreciate all the education they receive.

Attention spans deteriorate as time drags on and at the end of an hour and 45 minutes students are ready to die from

too many algebr problems.

The lack of tutorial adds to our list of woes, because now we must use our lunch or afterschool time to get help. If you need to take tests, the school introduced a new testing center in a feeble attempt to replace tutorial. You can take tests there early Tuesday morning when nobody else has to be at school.

Our lunch is reduced from 40 minutes to 35 minutes and has been switched around so upperclassmen have to eat earlier, which could be good or bad depending on how you look at it.

The one plus side I see to this is that now we have one extra minute during passing period.

That one extra minute will not help us check our phones for new text messages and then run down to Starbucks, but it gives us a bit more time to squeeze out of the crowded 700 hall and then fight our way into a 300 hall jammed with students fighting at the snack bar. That one minute is pretty special since it still counts towards our 64,800 minutes of class time. This means that each day we are spending seven less

minutes in class.

I suppose the most crippling aspect about the new schedule is the loss of tutorial. Tutorial was not taken away because of issues with minutes, but because of behavior problems during tutorial. A poll of 100 students taken last year showed that only 31 percent of the students used tutorial for help in class. 30 percent of students used it to do homework, 23 percent to study for tests, 6 percent to sneak off campus, and 10 percent to spend tutorial with friends. So most students spent tutorial like a longer break time, crowding the courtyard as if it were lunch.

If 69 percent of students don’t use tutorial, then the school could justify canceling it. But what about the other 31 percent who did use tutorial?

The administration needs to know that there are still students who were serious about tutorial and could really use it productively. We should get tutorial back, especially since it still counts towards the number of necessary minutes.

People who think English should be the national language of America are petty racist cowards.

By Malena Bell Editor-In-Chief

Pourquoi as-tu peur? Translation from French: Why are you scared?

This is the main question I have for people who think that English should be America’s national language and that knowing English should be a requirement to become an American citizen.

My conclusion is that the people who hold this opinion are probably scared of their own lack of knowledge, and do not want to be confronted with situations where they may be in a inferior position because they know only English.

America, a country that supposedly embraces all cultures, should be welcoming diversity in language instead of fighting against it. Language is such a huge part of culture that by repressing languages other than English, America would

be repressing cultures.

It is not as if you must speak English to be a functioning part of our economy and society. Especially here in California; there are many places where speaking another language such as Spanish or Chinese is not a setback at all. People can make a living for themselves by speaking only their first language, not English.

Learning a language is also extremely difficult. Many people can vouch for this statement. English is especially difficult, even for native speakers.

These statements are undoubtedly true; otherwise, we would all speak perfect English.

If America were to implement a law requiring all Americans to speak English, how would we enact it? Would we make immigrants take an English test?

How good would a person’s English have to be to become a citizen? And what would we do with all the people who don’t speak English who are already citizens?

The idea of making English our national language and requiring citizens to speak it is not only absurd and hypocritical, but also racist. It would discriminate against minorities immigrating here for a better life who don’t have the resources to learn English, while making it easier for many white Europeans who already know English to become citizens.

All people should have an equal opportunity to come here and we as a country should welcome them with open arms and minds.

The Olympian is a publication of the Journalism Class, Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546.©2007 Editor-In-Chief...............................................................Malena Bell City Editor................................................................Michelle Matsui News Editor.............................................................Sophiana Carrell Opinion Editor..............................................................Kevin Hanley Feature Editor...............................................................Hayden Folks Sports Editor....................................................................Joseph Wan Copy Editors...............................................................Kyle Friedrich Laura Mitchell Becky Chao Photo Editor......................................................Stephanie Lombardo Systems Manager.........................................................Andrew Quan Business Managers.....................................................Candace Wong Esther Lee

Staff Writers: Frank Chao, Ryan Flores, Andrew Huber, Irene Liang, Brandon Lui, Erin Mundy, Lindsay Oda, Taylor Pepsin, Eva Poon, Howard Whang, Tim Wong Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

Words are being corrupted

By Hayden Folks feature editor

Kids can’t talk and drive Editorial:

July 1, 2008 marks a day of change in California, and The Olympian believes it will be a bad one. No 16- or 17-year-olds will be allowed to use their cell phones while driving, handsfree or not, thanks to Senate Bill 33, which was recently passed by the California Legislature.

Adult drivers will still be permitted to use phones as long as they use a hands-free system.

It seems wrong that one group of people will be allowed to talk on the phone while driving and another will not be. Young drivers deserve the right to use hands-free phones

to communicate while driving as well as any adults. This law was passed for safety but it shouldn’t just apply to teenage drivers. All adults who talk on the phone while driving are distracted at some point,too.

Also, when teens are driving late, parents often call them. It would be hard on the parents to not know where their children are at night, so the teenagers should at least be able to use a hands-free set to communicate with their parents.

Not only is this new law unfair but also it will be extremely hard to enforce. Can you see the differ-

ence between a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old? It will take many police officers to enforce this law and it is not very difficult to hide the cell phone when you see a police car come by.

Instead of just enforcing this law on teenagers, the state should scrap it. Instead, California should pass a new law stating that teenagers are required to use hands-frees headsets if they want to talk on their phone while driving, just like adults can do.

Although this law is trying to say safety first, it screams how adults think teenage drivers are irresponsible.

up to 17 gigs and a full definition movie needs at least 22. The HD DVD can hold up to 15 gigs but using both sides of the disc it can hold 30. As you can see, it is difficult to leave space for any extra features. Now the Blu-Ray can hold 25 gigs on one side and on both sides 54 gigs, so that has so much more room for extras.

On the down side for Sony, even though both formats cost the same to us consumers, Blu-Ray does cost a bit more to make so they won’t be getting as much profit as HD DVD. Some people argue that BluRay is easier to scratch and ruin than HD DVD but that is wrong.

Any CD can be scratched easily but Blu-Ray has a special lacquer that allows scratches and smudges to wipe right off.

Might I add that Sony might make its first mistake with the Blu-Ray as it did with the Betamax? The problem was Sony did not want Adult films on Betamax, which was the reason why it didn’t beat VHS. Sony

did announce that they will allow Adult films so hopefully it will pull through and come out on top. Well, you know what I mean.

Major film companies like MGM films, Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros. and Paramount have already taken sides in this war. Recently the evil company Microsoft has joined the HD DVD side to make an even bigger choice that ties in to the Game counsel war. And if you’re wondering, there is talk that there will be no sequel to Transformers because Paramount ripped off Michel Bay, Stephen Spielberg, and Sony saying they will release the movie on Blu-Ray but terminated the deal just as Microsoft came into the picture to rival with Sony. Both Bay and Spielberg have agreed not to squeal until the movie comes out on Blu-Ray. I have told you the facts and my stand in both the DVD format war and on the console war.

Blu-Ray is the DVD of the future

-

By Ryan Flores Staff Writer

The future is here. Starting with higher levels of high definition comes the new generation of movie formatting. Who will succeed the DVD? Well, my money is on the Blu-Ray disc.

It is time. After years of research and planning Sony has finally perfected the Blu–Ray disc format. This is round two for Sony after its late ’70s and early ’80s defeat by Betamax and VHS. Instead of using red lasers for DVDs, both Blu-Ray and HD DVDs use a bluish and purplish light to read the disks that is easier to allow the full potential of high definition without going into all that technical wavelength crap. Both players can play normal CDs and DVDs but Blu-Ray can’t play HD DVDs and vice versa.

The main difference behind both formats is the storage capacity. A regular DVD can hold

embarrassed and proud for me at the same time.

Thank you so much and I look forward to reading the next ediwords and for introducing us to tion.

Castro Valley High School. It was Nick Whitaker, teacher just so nice to be able to be a part of it and thank you so much for The Olympian welcomes taking the time to make us feel letters to the editor up to 200 like part of the family. I felt like words long. Letters should be a student again and must admit typed and delivered to room I couldn’t wait to get home and 113, Mr. Johanson’s mailbox or show my girlfriend what an idiot cvhsolympinan@gmail.com. We I made of myself in the school reserve the right to edit letters for newspaper. She was typically spelling, grammar, and libel.

LETTERS

To the Editor

I just wanted to write to you to express my deepest appreciation for the most recent edition of The Olympian. I must say that I should have written you earlier to tell you how impressed I am with your journalistic skills but this most recent edition was particularly appreciated.

Thank you for allowing us new teachers a chance to utter a few

The corruption of words is an epidemic our world is facing. Things that once had great meaning now mean nothing.

It is nothing less than the destruction of our language and our culture.

One of the words that has taken the worst hit is the word “sinful.” Its real meaning is very serious. For many people, it involves the well

“Words that

once had great meaning now mean nothing. It is the destruction of our language.

”

being of ones eternal life and helps define what is good and what is bad.

Now the word sinful is very

rarely used properly. It has more of an association with chocolate than anything else. It has almost completely lost its meetings. It no longer is revered in our culture like it had been for hundreds of years. The other day I saw in a magazine that the word sinful was used to describe a cake.

They obviously didn’t mean the cake was evil.

In the same sense, I heard some of my female friends talking about how bad they were because they ate a cookie. It is not actually the devil’s work to eat a cookie. Sinful, which at one point was a serious word, now means nothing or even has a positive connotation.

Another word that used to have significance is the word genius. Now everybody is a genius. Back in the day, the word genius was only given to people like Einstein, Newton, Aristotle, Mozart, Beethoven and Plato.

Now it is just thrown around like the obviously sarcastic usage when kids say “Good job, genius.” This diminishes the importance of the word and now people like Michael Jackson are called geniuses. They may be smart but I don’t think they’re quite geniuses.

How can we stop this corruption of our language? We can personally stop misusing the words and we can make sure we truly understand what words mean when we use them. The salvation of our language is up to us, the people who use it.

PHOTOpinions COMPILED BY Michelle Matsui

What do you think about the new law that prohibits kids under 18 from driving while on the phone?

“I think the deciding factor is how long a person has been driving.” – Anne Parris, teacher

“A license comes with responsibility.” –Duane Magno, counselor

“I think kids will find a way to talk even if it’s illegal.” – Amanda Chouinard, sophomore

“I think it’s a good thing. ” – Michael Gitlin, senior

Cancer club fights cancer

By Andrew Huber Staff Writer

Art students creations sit on the table looking good

Laura Mitchall/ Copy editor

Art students make recycling art

By Laura Mitchell Copy Editor

Each year, most homes in Castro Valley receive a copy of the Castro Valley Sanitation District’s recycled art calendar, featuring photographs of imaginative and ingenious artwork created from recycled materials

by Castro Valley residents.

This year, the winners of the top four prizes for high school students are CVHS students, all of who will be included in the calendar.

Senior Kendra Ma, junior

Yash Rusconi, junior Sholeh Salimi, and Natalie Longstaff all received recognition for their entries in the annual Recycled Art Contests put on by the Castro Valley Sanitation District.

Entries were due by October 5, and prizes were given out on October 16 at a special reception for the winners at the CV Sanitation District building.

All pieces entered in the contest must be created from recycled, or recyclable, materials.

Junior Sholeh Salimi’s fourth place winning entry was a pineapple made out of an Ovaltine

tin, cereal boxes, and a liter soda bottle.

She created her project in her Studio Art class and was encouraged to enter it into the contest by her teacher Jennifer Jervis.

Who has her students complete a recycled art project each year and enourages them to participate in the contest.

Salimi, who never expected to win anything in the contest, received a call during lunch telling her that she had won fourth place.

“I was really excited and surprised but happy at the same time,” she said.

Legally Blond is legally awesome

By Irene Liang Staff Writer

Energetic and witty are the words to describe the Tony nominated Legally Blonde: The Musical, which premiered on Broadway on April 2 and was shown on MTV on Oct.13.

The trendy legal eagle Elle Woods, the main character played by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 film Legally Blonde, has arrived on Broadway. Legally Blonde: The Musical, based on the movie, tells the story of Elle Woods (Laura Bell Bundy) as a typical pampered valley girl who exceeded all expectations by attending Harvard Law School to get back her beau Warner Huntington III (Richard H. Blake).

Throughout the course, Woods faces trials such as being accepted by her peers, freeing the fitness empire queen Brooke

Wyndham (Nikki Snelson), getting back Huntington, facing Huntington’s girlfriend Vivienne Kensington (Kate Shindle) and inevitably finding herself.

Meanwhile, Woods meets Emmett Forrest (Christian Borle) with whom she develops a romantic relationship. During the climax of the play, Professor Callahan (Michael Rupert), Woods’ law professor, hits on her, which causes Woods to want to go back home.

Besides the engaging acting of the cast, the songs brought on a life of their own. With a wide variety of songs ranging from Broadway show tunes (Chip on My Shoulder) to contemporary (Serious) to ballads (Legally Blonde), the catchy tunes are bound to get you hooked.

Omigod You Guys, the opening number, sets the tone for this playful musical. After listening to it for a few seconds, it was stuck in my head.

Bundy is obviously a seasoned Broadway veteran, having originated the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Broadway musical Hairspray.

The seasoned veteran sings her heart out, dances flawlessly,

and acts realistically, possessing the quirkiness and likeability needed to play the cheery character of Woods.

Bundy’s vocal range was showcased during the catchy song, So Much Better and the emotional ballad Legally Blonde.

The chemistry between Forrest and Woods could not be denied with their dropped hints of a developing relationship, but some remaining mystery as to what their romance will become.

The plot line remains consistent throughout the play and is filled with energy from the entire cast, although it runs thin during the Ireland bit and the river dancing.

It is irrelevant and takes away from the plot, which is focused on Woods finding herself.

Although it’s supposed to be fun and light-hearted, the musical would have had more depth if Woods’ rival Kensington was included more in the plot line.

Still, the story is compelling and filled with wit.

With a wide range of songs that are sung with perfection by the cast, intricate and jazzy dance routines, and humorous punch lines, Legally Blonde: The Musical is two hours and 30 minutes of laughter.

No, American Cancer Society doesn’t promote cancer; its members set out to raise funding to support treatment.

ACS is organized to fight the ongoing battle of cancer around the world.

Led by President Joanna Lee, junior, and Vice Presidents junior Julia Joung and senior Michael Louie, the club sets out to prevent cancer through research, education and service.“Cancer affects anyone and everyone, it’s not selective, and unfortunately the statistics are only increasing.

I am not only interested in supporting the fight against cancer, but I am also passionate to raise awareness of ways to prevent it for our generation,” said Joung.

ACS meets in room 915 on Wednesdays, advised by teacher Jean Emrich, and coordinates various community service activities and fundraisers. On Oct. 24 they hosted a fundraiser at Rigatoni’s in which 20 percent of the profits went to ACS. The club focuses on a different type of cancer every month. As November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, they will participate in “Teens Kick Ash,” a youth program that encourages a tobacco and smoke-free lifestyle.

The club was founded by former students Jamie Tam and Kevin Chi in 2002

in order to establish a CVHS connection to the nationwide community-based organization from which the club got its name. ACS attracts all sorts of people, some who have personal connections to the cancer battle and some who just see the need to support it.“My mom had breast cancer,” explained freshman Jessica Gravillas.

“I chose ACS because so many peoples’ lives are affected by cancer.

Just about every person

“No, American

Cancer Society d o e s n ’ t p ro mote cancer

”

you ask will tell you that they know someone who has cancer. I wanted to do good that would help many people, and ACS does that through their programs such as patient care, research, and advocacy,” said sophomore Allie Greaney.

Future activities for ACS include “Daffodil Days” in March, during which members give flowers to cancer patients, various themed walks such as Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a five mile walk in San Francisco and many more strategically timed fundraisers.

As long as cancer still endangers human beings, it’s good to know that there are groups out there like the American Cancer Society.

Only a foo would listen to the Foofighters

By Ryan Flores Staff Writer

As I was browsing the CD section of F.Y.E. in San Bruno, I stumbled across the Foo Fighters new album, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, and quite frankly, it sucks.

It sounds repetitive and the album artwork isn’t that great either.The Foo Fighters are famous for their hit songs including, “The Best Of You” and “Monkey Wrench.“ Now they continue their success with this new album that contains “The Pretender,”

which has been hitting the tops of VH1’s music video charts.

As I listened to the CD multiple times, I got increasingly disappointed with it.

I found that only “The Pretender“, “Let This Die“, and “Stranger Things Have Happened” are the only songs worth listening to.

And all of the artwork was two halves of two different objects stuck together on a page and it seemed there was no creativity in it whatsoever.

All together the album really needed some more work.

But what’s done is done.

Sorry to all the hardcore Foo Fighter fans, but I don’t recommend this CD to anyone. It just not very good.

t

The Final Empire rules

By Joseph Wan Sports Editor

Imagine an almighty ruler portrayed as a deity, his Final Empire which has lasted a thousand years, and its people, the skaa – who live under the constant oppression of this despot and his nobles.

Now, imagine a man whose sole purpose in life is to tear this powerful immortal down and to overthrow his twisted government once and for all.

Meet the thief Kelsier, half-skaa, Mistborn.

In 2006, Brandon Sanderson, the acclaimed author of the novel, Elantris, brought a wonderful new twist to the world of epic fantasy in his new book The Final Empire, the first of the Mistborn trilogy.

In it, he poses the question: What if the man who was supposed to save the world, the hero of prophecy, fails?

Sanderson’s writing skillfully introduces a world of oppression and hopelessness, a world bleak from the thousand year rule of the Lord Ruler: the world of

Mistborn.

Flowing with history, the world portrays the many negative facets of life: oppression, superstition, class distinction, and the dark side – the underground and its horde of unsavory characters.

Despite this list of negatives, Sanderson triumphantly beats

“Elantris

brought a wonderful new twist to the world of epic fantasy. ”

back the overall grim storyline with humor, companionship, victory over evil, and most importantly: trust.

And within this world lies a system of ‘magic’ that is radically different from the great wars in fantasy where people call down lightning upon their foes.

Sanderson’s brilliant Allomancy is the ability to ‘burn’ alchemic metals which give those who have inherited this talent – Mistings – the ability to

perform inhuman feats, such as increasing strength and reflexes, influencing metal, and even manipulating someone’s emotions.

But while each Misting only has one power, a Mistborn has them all.

Allomancy is one of the greatest set of abilities that has ever been made and Sanderson uses all the different abilities to its greatest advantage in every aspect of this first book of the series.

However, despite the brilliance of Allomancy, Sanderson’s greatest creations are his plethora of memorable, dynamic characters.

From the charismatic Kelsier to the mistrustful Vin, the philosophical Ham to the manipulative Breeze, each has their own defined personalities and characteristics, each special in his or her own way.

Magic, action, adventure, intrigue, mystery, romance, death, and destruction whirl together in a maelstrom of strong imagery that never once detracts from the flow of the story.

The Final Empire is a book that will have the reader yearning for more unless he or she has a fanatic hatred of fantasy.

What if the Hero of Ages failed in his quest to save the world?

Read Mistborn: The Final Empire to find out.

Fo sho watch this yoyo go, bro

By Sophiana Carrell News editor

For sophomore Edward Lin, Chinese yoyo is more than an ancient art form, it is his life.

It is obvious from his hours of practice, a teaching job at the Hayward Adult School, and his AIM buddy icon that depicts a boy Chinese yoyo-ing, that this hobby plays such a significant role in his life.

Lin received his first Chinese yoyo about seven years ago and began having his older sister teach him. With the help of online tutorials and classes at his Chinese school, Lin’s yoyo skills quickly increased.

There are two different styles of Chinese yoyo, traditional and modern style.

The more common, modern style uses a special Diabolo yoyo.

“Traditional uses a lot of acrobatics and modern solely focuses on tricks,” explained Lin. “I prefer the Diabolo.”

His success with Chinese yoyo has come with a lot of performing opportunities.

“I can easily say it’s my skill in Chinese yoyo that I’m most proud of in my life,” said Lin.

“Performing has given me confidence in myself and I’m less shy around people now.”

The art of Chinese yoyo serves as an entertaining hobby

“His success

with Chinese yoyo has come with a lot of performing opportunities.

”

and for some, like Lin, can even be responsible for providing a positive self-image and foundation for strong values.

When first starting out, Lin claims that there is a series of steps that one must follow in order to achieve success: “Step one: go and get your own Diabolo or traditional Chinese yoyo. Secondly, find someone to teach you,” says Lin. “And practice! That’s the most important step of all.”

Bitter and sweet cross country victories at HAAL Joseph Wan

Sports Editor On Oct. 24, the Trojans lost two meets against the Arroyo Dons and the San Leandro Pirates at Hayward High due to an unfortunate mistake where their top runner, made a wrong turn and was disqualified. A team must have at least five runners, but the disqualification left Castro Valley with only four.

This past Saturday, senior Jack Leng was able to find a measure of redemption at the HAAL championships. Racing through the 3 mile course, Leng came in at 15 minutes and 53 seconds to become the individual winner of the league meet.

Just three seconds after Leng took first place, defending league champ James Fazzio came in at 15:56.2 seconds for third place behind an Arroyo runner who crossed the finish line less than a second earlier. As the final boost to the Trojans’ victory, Ben Eversole placed fifth at 16:13.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, their dual losses on Oct. 24 prevented them from taking the overall HAAL championship despite their victory in the league meet. In their place, the Dons took first place leaving the Trojans in second place overall.

“It was really hard watching Coach Brewer hand the Arroyo boys the trophy for the first time in 40 years,” said Kristin Feagley.

“It felt good to win, but it was a bit anticlimatic to be on the fastest team but not win the league title,” Leng added.

On the other hand, Castro Valley’s frosh/ soph runners came out top behind Erich Coulter, who won in 11 minutes and 11 seconds, and CJ Hamilton, also coming in at 11:11 for second place resulting in a Trojans victory.

This year ’s cross country league ended with the Trojans in second place, but though the championship trophy slipped out of their grasp, it isn’t Becky Chao / Copy Editor over yet for the boys Jack Leng sprints towards the finish line, cross country team.

“It was nice [win- leading the pack. ning the league title] but what reThe Trojans will aim for winally matters is the NCS title, which ning the North Coast Section is coming up this Saturday,” said meet, which begins at 9 a.m, Leng.

Nov 17.

Freshman leads ‘impressive’ girls squad to championship

Taylor Pepsin Staff Writer

Castro Valley varsity girls cross country runners took their second straight HAAL team title on Nov. 10.

Freshman Kelsey Santisteban was the individual winner who defeated Arroyo’s Samantha Kearney by an 11-second margin in the 3-mile race. Santisteban’s winning time was 18 minutes, 25 seconds.

“I feel very accomplished, our team did really good, and we hope to make it to state,” said Santisteban. “I just hope for the best.”

For the individual results five Trojans girls finished in the league’s top ten. Followed

by Kearney was sophomore Chelsea Schneider who finished third with a time of 18 minutes, 56 seconds.

Nicole Yang, sophomore,

finished fourth with a time of 19 minutes.

Pam Macleod and Samantha Owyang placed ninth and tenth.

Pam with a time of 19 minutes, 42 seconds and Samantha with a time of 19 minutes, 45 seconds.

“A humble coach is not one to gloat, but Saturday was one of the most impressive team dominations I have seen at the HAAL finals in quarter century,” stated Coach Peter Brewer.

In the frosh/soph division the Trojans took first in the HAAL finals, followed by Moreau High School. Sophomore Amanda Chouinard finished first with a time of 12 minutes and 59 seconds.

“I was really nervous about the race, because of my competition, I even wrote run fast on my hand” said Chouinard.

Kathryn Carvin finished second with a time of 13 minutes and 21 seconds, followed by freshman Rachel Romey in 13 minutes and 47 seconds.

“This could be the best team we’ve had in school history.” said Brewer. “It’s definitely the best team I’ve ever coached.”

With hopes of qualifying for the State Championships, the varsity girls will return to Hayward High on Saturday for the North Coast Section meet which starts at 9 a.m.

Trojans volleyball team triumphs over Moreau Brandon Lui Staff Writer

The opening ceremony began with the heart-felt gift of flowers to several Castro Valley volleyball team members, and surprisingly some were given to the Moreau volleyball players as well.

Well, the floral gift were the last nice thing that the Moreau volleyball team would get from the Trojans.

The Mariners didn’t even make it to the fifth and final game of the match thanks to CVHS beating them in 3-1 games. With an all star line up on our varsity team including Bridget Harrison, Molly Agraviador, Molly Ratto, Stacie Redmond, Bethany Chan, Paula Brown, Natalie Erdman, Hazel Zambrano, Alyssa Trakes, Malina Keaton, Elizabeth Hines, and Stephanie Lombardo, Moreau didn’t stand much of a chance.

The first game opened fast with both teams carefully scoping out each other’s tactics and best players. The Trojans got ahead within the first few minutes and maintaining a two or three point lead and gaining more points every few exchanges. At about three minutes into the game, Castro Valley was up 9-3.

When the ball came to the Castro Valley side, Lombardo dove for it in the front left corner of the court. There was the gruesome squeak of skin sliding against the floor as she landed hard on the court. Lombardo had injured her

leg and was carried to the sideline as a precaution. Her injury was believed to be a hyperextension, but she was able to put pressure on it after some ice and it should heal up nicely with no inconvenience to the team.

Despite missing a valuable team member, coaches Shari Rodriguez and Ernie Rodriguez pulled off the first win against Moreau with a score of 26-24.

The second match was a little bit harder for the Trojans as it looked like Moreau had found a small chink in the team’s armor. Many of the taller Moreau players began busting out blocks whenever the ball got close to the net, which proved effective as Moreau made their only win of the night with a score of 25-22.

The Trojans bit back in the third match with some very impressive spikes that would whirl off diagonally, confusing the Moreau players and making them look the wrong way. This gave the Trojans an 11-point but the Mariners soon caught up. The Trojans, however, pulled out all the stops and beat the Mariners again with a shocking score of 25-21.

The fourth match scores were neck and neck as the two teams fought for the lead. The Trojans ended the match when they cleaned house with a whooping score of 25-18, making the Trojans the overall victors.

The varsity team brought in another win for CVHS and by the game’s end, the Mariner’s loss didn’t stifle the earlier gift of flowers.

From the looks of it, the Mariners walked away with no regrets for their loss but just hope of a rematch. If you were judging by the looks on some opposing fans’ faces, a rematch would be a very welcome idea.

Brandon Lui / Staff Writer

Trojans celebrate their victory over the Mariners.

Reunion unites the old and the new

By Eva Poon Staff Writer

Tr a c k a n d f i e l d a t h l e t e s watched in shock as the car flew off Heyer Avenue across the polevaulting pit and landed by the goal posts during one incident at Castro Valley High School in the 1970s.

Around the same time, CVHS students witnessed hundreds of students from the closed Canyon High School arriving at their newly unified school. The school chose Trojans as the new mascot, replacing the Spartans.

These are just a few of the proud memories shared on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the first-ever CVHS cross country and track & field reunion. About 100 current and former athletes and coaches gathered together at the new Trojan Stadium to celebrate more than 50 years of athletic excellence.

“As we enter our second halfcentury of cross country and track, it’s great to have runners from all eras acquaint themselves with the new facilities, and each other,” said Peter Brewer, head coach of the cross country and track teams.

Many graduates, along with the younger athletes, made their way spryly in a fun run around the track. Athletes representing each decade were called up and introduced before they ran.

“They’re not just strangers.

A lot of these people are still involved in sports,” noted Mike Spencer, a 1983 CVHS graduate and now an assistant cross country coach.

Attendees also enjoyed food

and posed for group pictures.

The celebration brought back memories for many of the alumni, including Bob Wiseman from the class of 1958.

“Because the school was brand new and there was no budget for an athletic field, the athletes provided most of the labor to prepare both the football field and track. It was my job along with other vaulters to build our own pit,” recalled Wiseman. “The school has certainly come a long way since 1956.”

Attendees at the reunion all had stories to tell about running, throwing, hurdling and vaulting.

“In our day…our Gatorade was called lemonade and our energy bar was called Snickers. Shorts were appropriately named and the Adidas ROM was the shoe of the day. We started the 1,000 mile club,” reminisced Phil Arzino, distance runner and 1975 graduate.

Former athletes celebrated the hard work and dedication that served as the foundation for CVHS’s award-winning teams.

The Castro Valley cross country teams have dominated HAAL throughout the last 30 years and continue to be major players in NCS. The track and field teams also have taken top spots consistently each year in the league.

“Our Spartans had a proud history…and it’s great to see the tradition continued with you young Trojans,” Arzino remarked.

Freshman leads varsity tennis

By Candace Wong Business Manager

It is often unheard of to have a freshman as the number one player on the tennis team. This year, however, new tennis sensation Jamie Pawid struck the Trojans by surprise.

Among the many new faces on the tennis team, Pawid has by far made herself stand out from the crowd.

U C L A h a s a l re a d y a p proached Pawid for her permission to allow people from the university to “watch her progress.” In Pawid’s case, this would undeniably be the best opportunity available since she has always had the intention to apply for UCLA. Aside from school tennis, Pawid also plays in other tournaments, one of which is Sectionals, a tennis tournament held for juniors in Northern California.

One of Pawid’s most cherished accomplishments is winning Sectionals two years in a row.

Pawid was especially satisfied with defeating her archrival, Ellen Tsay, who Pawid says is “like number one in the nation.”

Although school tennis has been an enchantment, Pawid spends much of her time after school training outside of CVHS, causing her to occasionally miss practices and even matches.

“School tennis is fun but it’s not as much of a challenge so I have to make time to train outside of school so I’ll be ready for future tournaments,” Pawid said humbly.

Jamie Pawid rockets in another powerful serve.

Besides tennis, Pawid was also involved in basketball. The thought of joining the school basketball team crossed Pawid’s mind. However, due to her busy tennis schedule, Pawid was afraid she would not be able to find the time for other sports.

Starting tennis at the young age of six, Pawid has been playing tennis for nearly 8 years.

Pawid explains that her family has also been an influence on her tennis career and they used to play together, but now, “they never hit

it back.” Even at this age, Pawid already aspires to go pro.

Though Pawid’s accomplishments are endless, she is exceptionally humble.

“She’s an excellent team player. She’s talented and works hard. She gets along with the team and most importantly she doesn’t act like she’s better than everyone else,” said tennis coach David Roth-Rossi.

Looking at a bright future, Pawid continues her search for a challenging opponent.

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

Esther Lee / Business Manager

Ben Eversole, freshman

Nicole Yang, sophomore

Nicole Saunders, junior

Scott Lee, senior

Freshman Ben Eversole won the first race he ever ran for the CVHS cross country team. “It was cool because no one saw it coming,” said Eversole. As a Varsity runner, he runs a three mile course along with his teammates. Being on the cross country team allows him to bond with his friends. Eversole trusts in himself and he knows that if he works hard he will run faster. He has high hopes for the future and intends to run in college.

Sophomore Nicole Yang’s trip to the 60th annual Mt. San Antonio College Cross Country Invitational remains one of her favorite memories. She loved the entirety of it, from riding the charter bus to Los Angeles to seeing the variety of pranks pulled. Yang runs for the CVHS Varsity cross country team. Her passion for running stems from a desire to socialize and the simple joy of running.

On the tennis courts, junior Nicole Saunders and her partner junior Kari Hill can often be found clapping hands with each other after every point, win or lose. As half of the CVHS Varsity #2 doubles girls tennis team, Saunders enjoys the versatility of tennis. “I like it because it can be an individual sport or you can play it with other people,” said Saunders.

Saunders would like to pursue tennis in college, as it would present good opportunities to compete against talented players. She plays on the CVHS junior varsity girls soccer team as well.

“I like to play football because I get to hit people. It releases my stress and anger,” said senior Scott Lee. He can be distinguished from other CVHS Varsity football players by the number 54 inscribed on the back of his jersey. He plays as a middle linebacker and offensive guard. He has already received numerous letters from colleges as well. As a five-year veteran player, he has discovered that his most enjoyable moments pertain to collisions with other players.

Halloween costumes

Testing center replaces tutorial

By Howard Whang Staff Writer

Howard Whang / Staff Writer

Michelle Matsui / City Editor

(Clockwise from left) Terry Liu, Lori MacDonald, and Jason Bolich dress up in their costumes on Halloween.

Howard Whang / Staff Writer

Tutorial was the time everybody looked forward to on the Wednesdays of last year. It was a time to get help from teachers, make up tests, or chat with friends. Sadly, the third option was not part of the reason tutorial existed, and it got tutorial cancelled.

However, as a service to both teachers and students who need to make up tests, the school has set up a testing center this year as a replacement for tutorial. The testing center, run by Irina Ciz, is located in the brown portable building behind the gym.

“The testing center was created for students’ and teachers’ convenience. Students are always welcome to use it,” said Ciz. Teachers can submit tests for students to the testing center, where they can go to take makeup tests on Tuesdays during collaboration.

“People seem to like it. It’s been busy the past two weeks,” said Cindy Puppione, who is filling in for Associate Principal Sue Goldman until she returns. “The teachers who are using the test

center are pleased to have the opportunity to have a place where students can go make up a test, now that we don’t have tutorial,” she said.

The testing center is good for students who have to make up tests, but can’t stay after school and don’t have time at lunch.

“Tutorials were

very important, but the test center is still an enormous help to the teachers.

Gigi MacLeod Spanish Teacher

”

Lunch is only 40 minutes, and it’s not the same,” said chemistry teacher Deborah Yager. “It’s shorter, and in competition with eating. Tutorial was the only opportunity during the day to see students one-on-one. [The testing center] is a good thing, but it still doesn’t replace tutorial.”

Spanish teacher Gigi MacLeod agreed. “Tutorials were very important, but the testing center is still an enormous help to the teachers. Students won’t have to take tests during class when the class is doing something else,” she said.

Approximately seven to eight students come to the testing center every Tuesday morning, although the center can accommodate 18 students at once if needed. Every day after school, the testing center also serves as the detention center for unruly students who get in trouble, get referrals, or have excessive tardies.

Great gifts for sports fans this holiday season!

Game of My Life: SF Giants and Giants, Where Have You Gone?

By local author and CVHS teacher Matt Johanson

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