Nov 4, 2016

CIRCUS CIRCUS SENIORS

S

eniors were the sensation of the century.

They really walked the tightrope with their innovative performances. However, their last homecoming experience turned into a freakshow when they placed second. Even scarier than the spooky clown sightings was their tragic loss at this year’s homecoming.

Photos by Halley Lin-Jones, Mia Babasyan, and Nisha Lal

We’re with her Page 4: Hillary Clinton for president

Volume 60, Issue 2

Water polo teams make a splash

Katie Tam’s visual masterpieces Page 8: Sophomore shows her skills

November 4, 2016

Page 11: Boys and girls squads debut

We are born to seek the truth! www.cvhsolympian.com

Trojans want Clinton, marijuana and death penalty Students express their opinions on election

claimed senior Spencer Vanderpan, a Trump supporter.

“It’s really interesting from a teaching standpoint because it’s tied to so much emotion

“

By Anastasia Le and Will Stein Sixty-six percent of CVHS students support Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in a school election with 600 responses, a whopping margin of 53 points ahead of runner up and Republican candidate Donald Trump, who received 13 percent of the vote.

“This election is like none I have ever seen. I am excited that we have a strong possibility of electing our first ever woman president,” said social studies teacher Sarah Burke.

On the other hand, junior Skyler Bowersmith invoked

A cactus would be better than Trump as president.

Mikey Curtis

Emily Salazar / Business Manager

Trump’s campaign slogan when he said, “Our country needs to go back to its roots of being patriotic, let’s make America great again.”

Coming in third is Green Party candidate Jill Stein with support from 11 percent of respondents, and in fourth is Libertarian candidate Gary

Johnson with 8 percent.

Negativity has played a prominent role this election, and few people have nice things to say about the major candidates.

“I feel grossed out by the whole thing,” said history teacher Gerry Cox, articulating a position expressed by many.

“I think that America is in a bad position,” lamented junior Reilly Berberian.

“This election has me speechless,” commented senior Brandon Rose.

“A cactus would be better than Trump as president,” stated senior Mikey Curtis. “[Hillary] lies about stuff,”

”

Senior and fear… it has gotten the students to pay more attention,” remarked history teacher Kevin Batchelor.

As for the state propositions, CVHS students voted yes on Prop. 51, which would allocate $9 billion to build and improve

See Poll: Page three

Candidates, campaigns and kids connect Candidates respond to students’ questions

By Mia Babasyan and Fiona Richter

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign isn't too big to talk to high school students. When The Olympian asked what makes the Democratic nominee the best choice for young people, Alec Dash from Clinton’s San Francisco campaign office answered.

"Hillary is the one person in the race who has a vision for the future," said Dash, who emphasized that Clinton’s main priorities are people, democracy and her encouragement of diversity. “She understands the need for change and is knowledgeable on how to make it happen," he said.

Hillary Clinton

Eric Swalwell

Bill Quirk

Luis Wong

Presidential candidate

Congressional candidate

Assembly candidate

Assembly candidate

The 2016 election is on everyone’s mind, but it’s not easy for young people to feel involved with it, as most can’t yet vote.

The Olympian reached out to candidates in the races for president, Congress and state Assembly to ask why students should support them.

Congressman Eric Swalwell, who is running for re-election, encouraged young people to pay attention and get involved with the 2016 election.

“I’m glad you guys are work-

ing to cover this critical election. People should care. Because how we live and love is at stake,” said Swalwell, a Democrat. “If you want to live free, and not fear being kicked out of the country because the color of your skin, you should probably vote. If you want to make sure that laws that protect same sex marriage stay in place and let you love who you love, you should probably vote.”

To connect CVHS with the election, The Olympian posed

the same question to campaign staff of presidential candidates Donald Trump, a Republican, Jill Stein of the Green Party and Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party. None of the candidates nor their staff members commented, though Stein’s staff referred the newspaper to a campaign web site and video.

Nor did The Olympian hear from House of Representatives candidate Danny Turner, a Republican, or Senate candidates Loretta Sanchez and Kamala

Harris, both Democrats.

But Assembly candidates Bill Quirk and Luis Wong both responded.

“I am honored to represent Castro Valley in the State Legislature,” wrote incumbent Democratic Assemblyman Quirk. ”I believe I am the best choice for young voters... I have fought successfully to increase funding for K-12 and higher education. I am dedicated to

See Election: Page three

The Olympian Nov. 4, 2016

3

Campus poll results

By Jessica Mi Editor-in-Chief

Prop. 51

Prop. 55

Prop. 56

Prop. 58

Prop. 62

Prop. 64

Prop. 66

Prop. 67

Poll: from page two schools; yes on Prop. 55, which would extend an income tax for high income earners; yes on Prop. 56, which would increase the tobacco tax by $2 per pack; yes on Prop. 58, which would allow additional bilingual classes and give local control on how to teach English learners; no on Prop. 62, which would repeal the death penalty; yes on Prop. 64, which would legalize marijuana; yes on Prop.

Election: from page two making California an example to the rest of the USA and the world on how to reduce greenhouse gases and pollution, while keeping the economy strong. I have worked to make California smart on crime by emphasizing rehabilitation so our terrible recidivism rate can be reduced.”

Wong, the Republican Assembly candidate, also sent a statement. “If I am elected to the State Assembly, I am committed to help our youth become productive members of our community by working in

66, which would speed up the death penalty; and yes on Prop.

67, which would reduce the use of plastic bags in grocery stores statewide.

The real election takes place on Nov. 8.

“I look forward to the day when our elected and potentially elected officials will talk to each other with the intention of listening to the response they receive,” said English teacher Anne Parris. the areas of job creation, education and business and community development,” he wrote.

Wong expressed this stance on education: “I support continuing and increasing the amount of student loans to help our students complete their college education, while at the same time, working to rein in the cost of public education.

By ensuring that public funds are spent on students in the classroom and hiring and retaining qualified educators, and not outlandish administrative costs, we can work to reduce costs.”

4

We’re with her: The Olympian recommends Hillary Clinton for president

Editorial: In the upcoming presidential election, there is one professional, well qualified candidate who is truly fit to be president of the United States of America.

Hillary Clinton deserves voters’ support this November, and we at The Olympian endorse Clinton for the following reasons.

Clinton has dedicated her life and career to improving the lives of her fellow Americans. For example, Clinton was the First Lady during her husband Bill Clinton’s two terms as president from 1993 until the end of his second term in 2001. In 2001, Clinton became the first female senator in the state of New York, and was re-elected in 2006, before her first presidential campaign in 2008. After Obama won the election, Clinton became Secretary of State under the Obama administration.

Clinton is running as the Dem-

Emily Salazar / Business Manager

ocratic Party’s nominee. Here at The Olympian, we found that many of the Democratic Party’s policies and values closely reflect our own. Democrats are prochoice, they believe that every woman is entitled to making her

own decisions about her own body. They believe in a strong public school system, and believe that higher education should be made more affordable and available to lower and working class families. They believe that we

“Super PACs,” political action committees set up to manage the contributions.

Though Prop. 59 is advisory, it would still be a very important step in the right direction and, if passed, would make it clear to lawmakers in both California and Washington, D.C. that the most populous state in the union wants fair, publiclyfunded elections.

Campaign finance reform would help end political gridlock. Since politicians are becoming more and more beholden to their donors rather than their voters, limiting donations would mean that lawmakers would actually represent their constituents. This could help on a number of issues, especially climate change. Although this is the most pressing issue the world faces, Congress still debates instead of acting on it because Republicans and Democrats alike get a lot of their donations from the fossil fuel industry.

What does the petroleum industry get in return? Obscenely generous tax breaks that allow companies like Exxonmobil and Chevron to avoid paying their fair share under the guise of “research and development” and set back our efforts to address

climate change. This is just one example of the shady influence that corporations enjoy.

There are many others, such as Charles and David Koch’s super PAC, Americans for Prosperity, which, among other things, promotes policies that dismantle environmental regulations. Americans for Prosperity contributed a staggering $122 million in the 2012 presidential election against the reelection of President Obama and other congressional Democrats who support tougher efforts to protect the climate, according to the Center for Media and Democracy.

The 2016 campaign is being fueled by huge donations. The Economist magazine estimates that candidates, political parties and outside groups will spend at least $5 billion, more than double what was spent in 2012.

Campaign spending in the U.S. is multiplying so quickly that our democracy is endangered, with laws passed and policies made that support the highest bidder. The ballot question in Prop. 59 asks if California lawmakers should use “all of their constitutional authority” to overturn Citizens United. I believe the voters should answer with a “Yes!”

Yes on 59 to oppose Citizens United

By Will Stein Staff Writer

Proposition 59 seeks to undue damage to American democracy wrought by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections.

Because it could help rein our political system, in which the richest one percent can essentially buy an election, Prop. 59 deserves our “yes” vote.

Corporations and unions are currently able to spend as much money as they like to influence how people vote because it is considered to be free speech. The Citizens United ruling said that this is fine as long as candidates do not coordinate with so-called

PHOTOpinions

By Cristian Garcia / Staff Writer

“I think Clinton has a stronger potential to win the election since Trump is mostly counting on a popularity vote.”

Benjamin Siguenza, freshman

“It’s really disappointing that candidates are winning based on hate rather than actual talent. I would like a more civilized and scholarly election.”

I z a b e l a B a k e r, sophomore

need gun control, carbon dioxide emission limits, and affordable health care for all.

Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s nominee, lies frequently and has built a campaign on promises he knows he can’t and

won’t keep. He is unprofessional and inexperienced in politics and is an alleged sexual predator.

He is extremely unqualified to take on such a role as president of the most powerful nation in the world.

Although we do not support and agree with their choice in nominee or many of their policies, some of the things we find attractive about the Republican Party are their ideas to provide education and prepare prisoners for re-entry into the world once they are finished serving their sentence, and their commitment to rebuilding our military into the strongest on Earth.

While we found that we agree with some of the Republican Party’s beliefs, we continue to support Clinton in this race.

We believe she is well qualified, professional and well-equipped to become the 45th president of the United States. We’re with her.

Donald Trump is a bigot

By Cristian Garcia Staff Writer

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cannot be president of the United States.

Trump has continuously proven himself unreliable with misleading remarks and references, and is the worst presidential candidate I have ever seen.

Trump stands strong on his bigoted perspectives. Since the beginning of his campaign, he has expressed his prejudices on topics like immigration and national security. The points he made, such as “We need to build a wall,” made him unpopular with the foreign population of the United States. He has especially been insulting the reputation of Mexicans who have immigrated to the U.S. in search of work.

As the child of Mexican parents, I find that Trump is ignorant, racist, and narcissistic.

Trump and his supporters have used a bigoted attitude when

dealing with immigrant affairs.

When asked about his plans for the immigrant population in the U.S during a May 4 interview with Lester Holt, Trump declared that “They’re all gonna be deported.” Then he shamelessly posted a picture of him eating a taco bowl, captioned “Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics!” Was that supposed to be a joke?

Trump is not just a hypocrite and a demagogue, but also a dangerous inspiration for other bigots. His racist views have apparently inspired hate crimes.

Brothers Scott and Steve Leader violently attacked a homeless Latino man in August of 2015.

Scott Leader told police that “Donald Trump was right, all these illegal immigrants need to be deported.”

Leader’s comments prove that Trump has influenced the weakminded to believe everything he says. His job as president would be to keep the country safe and stable, not to inflict violence amongst the people. Imagine what would happen if he held the most powerful position in our country.

We need a president who is willing to protect the union of our nation, someone who protects the foundation of the U.S. A prejudiced chauvinist like Trump will do us no good.

What do you think about the presidential election?

“I believe this presidential election has been chaotic. The election has been changing people’s views on diversity in mostly negative ways.”

Jacqueline Gonzalez, junior

“I hate Donald Trump. Trump thinks that if he gets rid of immigrants then society will continue to function. Our economy is based greatly on immigrant labor.”

Eviana Picado Garcia, senior

The Olympian Nov. 4, 2016

5

Support Prop. 63 for more gun control From Guadalajara to Castro Valley

By William Lao Staff Writer

In light of a September school shooting in Texas, the issue of gun control is brought up once again, with many people agreeing that guns control laws should be enforced and that parents should keep their guns away from their children at all times.

A 14-year-old freshman shot and injured a girl at Alpine High School in West Texas on Sept. 9, and then proceeded to shoot and kill herself.

Following the event, numerous law enforcers rushed to the school, and a U.S.

Marshall accidentally shot a Homeland Security agent in the confusion. Both the student and the injured agent are in stable condition.

I personally agree that gun control laws should be stricter, and maybe even that the Second Amendment in our Constitution should apply to only our country's law enforcement and military.

But since this probably won’t happen, California’s Prop. 63 is a good alternative.

The purchase of guns needs to be limited and in-depth background checks need to be made for all gun license applicants. We should not allow children access to firearms.

Gun control has been a major issue ever since the creation of the United States.

After all, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms” is in our Constitution. Does this mean that everyone is be allowed to have access to firearms? Children? Criminals?

The mentally unstable?

In my opinion, guns sales should be limited to only those in law enforcement and in the military. That way, people that shouldn’t have

guns will get their hands on fewer guns and this nation will become a much safer place.

Why would you even need a gun if you are not a law enforcement officer or in the military? So you could kill someone with it? So you can have a ridiculous collection of murderous tools? So you can one day watch your child grow up, only to use one of your murderous tools to kill someone, and then be sent to juvie or jail?

Prop. 63 would make it illegal to purchase ammunition without a proper background check. Even if we can’t restrict guns in America to only law enforcers and the military, we sure can make it hard as possible for people to purchase firearm ammunition. And without ammo, how will people be able to cause harm with firearms?

And yes, this is only a small solution to a huge problem, but it’s a baby step towards a better America with stricter firearm laws.

Support and vote for Prop.

63 today!

that question with an exact answer of what they will be doing during the next years of their lives: a job, gap year, or four-year college are all perfectly acceptable answers.

But there is another seemingly unthinkable option: community college.

Everyone’s told that no one who has it together goes to community college. Community college is only a second chance school. Why would you wish that upon yourself?

This is the general attitude I have experienced surrounding community college.

Why? How could a plan for your future become synonymous to “loser?” The vice president of the United States begs to differ.

“Community college is America’s best kept secret,” says Vice President Joseph Biden. I wholeheartedly agree. However, most people believe community college is a wonderful place only for returning students, students who did not do so well in high school, and students interested in a two-year vocational education. However, community college is also an amazing place for future brain surgeons, college professors, and anyone who wants to obtain a four-year degree or more.

At a four year university, students mainly take general courses their first two years,

and then courses specific to their majors the last two years. By going to a community college the first two years, students are not missing anything that a four year college could offer. Community college has a lower cost for the same quality of education, and some say it’s even better. I have heard that many community college instructors are truly interested in teaching, whereas many four year university professors are more interested in publishing books or conducting research.

There are many success stories that come out of community college. The husband of my seventh grade English teacher started at a community college, and then transferred to Stanford. My own uncle started at a community college, and then transferred to UC Davis, and later attended vet school. He is now a successful veterinarian.

Coming clean: the allure of moving out, combined with my own insecurities about attending community college, will most likely result in me ending up at a four year university right out of high school. Although, I do want community college to be an option for me. I do not think anyone should cross community college off their list of possibilities simply because of social stigma.

Don’t rule out community colleges

By Hannah Johansson Staff Writer

I am a straight-A student.

My day is comprised solely of going to school and coming home to study for hours on end. My social life is more or less a bust, and I’ve never had a boyfriend. I am not unlike an indentured servant to academia. Hold your sympathy. You may be surprised, but this life suits me.

I love to learn. I dream of college: the professors who will teach me, all the unknown concepts I have yet to learn. I am currently a junior, and it’s surprising how quickly the dream is morphing into reality. Juniors and seniors across the country are being hit over their head repeatedly with The Question: where will you be in 12-24 months’ time?

By next year, most of my classmates will respond to

By Pau Gutierrez

Staff Writer Moving from my home country was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. I remember my last day, July 31 2016, as if it were yesterday. It felt like a normal day, until 3 p.m., when it was time to go to the airport.

My boyfriend and best friends were already there, waiting to say goodbye to me and my family. I never liked crying in front of people, but that day, it was inevitable.

“No matter where you are, Mexico will always be your home,” said my best friend, Sofia Salcedo. Leaving people I’ve known my whole life was not easy. It is scary going into the unknown, hoping for the best.

People wonder why my family and I decided to make such a big change in our lives. The answer is really easy: to grow as a family and as individuals.

California has always been our second home, the place where my dad was born and raised.

Even though living here is new for us, we were already familiar with Castro Valley, and how things work around here. I’ve always wanted to come here to study for my future career,

therefore I'm more than grateful to my parents who gave me the opportunity to do so.

“Go and reach your dreams and goals Pau, and once you do, I’ll be here waiting for you,” my friend Arvin Tapia said before I boarded the plane.

It has been a tough change.

Having my whole family with me has been a great support, but we’re all still adapting to this new lifestyle.

From the busy and loud streets of Guadalajara, to the calm and quiet ones of Castro Valley.

From parties and friends 24/7, to homework and training.

From the tranquility of knowing everything that surrounds you, to the excitement and fear of not knowing anything at all.

I have been in the States for two months now, and I’m grateful to the people who have supported me and helped me with this change.

I’ve met incredible people in this short period of time.

School, my teachers, and my classmates have all been great. I have nothing bad to say about Castro Valley. It is very different than what I'm used to, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Now, I'm completely focused on my goals and trying to be the best version of myself, so that I can make myself and the people I love proud.

This is the only way I can make this change worth it.

As a really important person once told me, “Great things never came from comfort zones.”

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2016

Editors-in-Chief.......................................................................Jessica Mi Halley Lin-Jones Copy Editors......................................................................Anastasia Le Elizabeth Chan City Editor..............................................................Fiona Richter News Editor..............................................................Jacob Schoenfeld Opinion Editor............................................................Stella Ho Feature Editor.....................................................Mia Babasyan Sports Editor................................................................Sarah Nosseir Arts and Entertainment Editor......................................Molly Koch Photo Editor........................................................Gavin Halloran Video Editors........................................................Desiree Broome Lauren Eisenman Video News Reporter..............................................Brittany Bracy Business Manager........................................Emily Salazar Staff Writers: Haley Booth, Da Di, Cristian Garcia, Pau Gutierrez, Hannah Johansson, Nisha Lal, William Lao, Audrey Manzano, Jason Mays, Mara Moysen, Megan O’Brien, Ria Panjwani, Wailea Siler, Will Stein, Lina Stoyanovich, Beruk Tsegaye Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

Juniors slay in Mandalay Bay

S

urf’s up, dudes! Ride the gnarly wave of the juniors’ rad dance at the homecoming assembly. Their Hawaiianprint shirts and puka shell necklaces put us all into the groove and had us rooting for the juniors the whole week. Hang loose, homecoming winners.

Photos by Halley Lin-Jones, Mia Babasyan, Nisha Lal, Beruk Tsegaye, and Will Stein

Sophomores soar to Planet Hollywood

S

nazzy sophomores set the stage and stole the spotlight from the other classes. Their excellent performance this year garnered them fame, but not fortune. However, their third-place finish left us starstruck, the paparazzi flocking to capture their glittering and lively class march. They lived for the applause.

Photos by Jessica Mi, Halley Lin-Jones, Wailea Siler, Mia Babasyan and Nisha Lal

8

Meet the aspiring artist Katie Tam

By Hannah Johansson Staff Writer

If you meet Katie Tam in person, you will find that she is one of the sweetest, most humble people you will ever meet. If you meet her online (specifically through Instagram), you will find a confident, creative sophomore.

Tam is a talented person who does not wait for opportunities to come to her, but rather seeks them out herself.

Tam started an Instagram page for her art when she was 12 years old, and now as a 14-year-old sophomore at CVHS, she still posts on the account regularly. Tam’s page, @katie.tam.art, is chock full of lively watercolors, sketches, and even a sprinkling of digital art.

“I’m not afraid to try new materials,” said Tam. At the moment her favorite medium is watercolor.

Tam’s art is eccentric. An inked human vase, a sketch of a giraffe-necked female, watercolor patterns encom-

passed in a circle, and a painting of a woman with patterns imprinted on her skin are only some of her offbeat, I-only-listen-to-myself type pieces. Even Tam’s black and white pieces are so alive that they seem to teem with color.

“She’s not a person that’s set to rules, she’s just doing her own thing,” said Tam’s cousin, Edmond Zheng. “She basically takes different styles and makes them her own.”

Tam is inspired by watching other people create their art on YouTube or other social medias. Her current favorite is an anonymous YouTuber, PearFleur.

Much of Tam’s work is of plants and people. One of her favorite works of art that she has done is simply a single eye. Somehow the artwork leaves the viewer emotional.

Besides her obvious talent, Tam is bold. There are not many teenagers that have the courage to put themselves in the public eye, as she has by starting her art account.

Tam started the art account

to gain publicity for her art.

But her account also serves a different purpose as well: motivation.

“There’s something about being acknowledged for doing something you love that makes you want to keep doing what you’re doing,” said Tam. She is grateful to anyone who compliments her on her work.

Tam hopes to make a career out of her art in the future.

“I have this dream job, I kind of want to be an illustrator at Google,” said Tam. She was inspired by Grace Moon, a former Draw for Google Art Contest winner, a Canyon Middle School and CVHS graduate and awardwinning Olympian artist.

Hearing about a local success story showed Tam that it is possible to succeed in the art industry.

Tam’s humbly unabashed ability to leap into new water, and motivation to succeed in the competitive industry of art, is an inspiration for everyone with a passion.

Hannah Johansson/ Staff Writer

Tam shows some of her beautiful art in her book.

Humor bringing CVHS grad makes auto shop rad students together

By Jason Mays Staff Writer

By Haley Booth Staff Writer

“Why did the strawberry cry? Because its parents were in a jam.” The classroom erupted with laughter as a student told that joke at the beginning of seventh period in Jo Sutton’s art class. This is just one of the many classes students with special needs visit throughout the week to tell jokes.

“It improves communication with the other students in a positive manner,” said Kim Mosbaugh, an instruction assistant who promotes the program.

This weekly joke program was introduced last year by Jennifer Muranjan to improve the students’ communication skills. An email was sent out at the beginning of the year inviting teachers to participate in the program. The students then went to each participating classroom and told jokes to the students in the room.

“I think it’s good because people connect through humor,” said freshman Marya Gilbert.

This program has forged a stronger connection between students with special needs and the general student popu-

lation. By interacting with each other more, both groups of students learn from each other. Some of the students with special needs who can’t communicate verbally use iPads to talk, but many of the students might not know this and assume that they can’t communicate at all. Through the weekly joke program, the mainstream students are learning about their schoolmates’ methods of communication.

Students’ self esteem has also been boosted since the program began.

“Now they come up to them and say hi and wait for the students to use the iPads,” said Mosbaugh.

This has also led to other programs to help integrate students with special needs into the student body. One such program is called Leadership Buddies, in which a student with special needs is paired with a leadership student and they work together to complete the leadership tasks. ASL students also come into the classrooms to talk and interact with the students.

It’s amazing that something as small just a joke or two can have such a big impact on our school.

Teacher Darren Rees’ interest in automobiles began when he and his father started restoring cars into masterpieces. When he was 15 and a CVHS student, Rees found a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in the Pennysaver newspaper for $1,200. Rees and his father went to look at it, but it wasn’t in the best condition.

“Everything was wrong with it. If you could think of a problem, it had it,” said Rees, now the CVHS auto shop teacher, about the Mustang he bought in 1985.

There was no doubt that this was going to be a challenge, but that’s what made him like it. They drove the car to Castro Valley with difficulty because it couldn’t go past 35 miles per hour, but luckily they made the journey safely. Rees eventually transformed the car into a drag racing masterpiece that was so impressive that it landed a spot in The Olympian.

It was accomplishments like this that molded his desire to work with cars for the rest of his life. With his newly acquired skills, he got a box of tools and headed to a gas station, telling the boss that he was a mechanic.

Although he had no real experience, he knew that he could learn as he went, and so he did.

Later he went to an apprenticeship program at Chabot College and got a state license.

As he began raising his family he knew he needed money, and

so he began working at a Chevrolet dealership. He eventually achieved the highest General Motors honors.

By that time, he was more than qualified to become the auto shop teacher at CVHS. Although, when he first arrived in 2014, things were not in the best condition.

“All of the books were from 1994, and a lot of the equipment necessary was either badly damaged, or completely broken,” Rees said.

Rees even considered quitting after seeing the condition of the shop. After years of dedication and hard work, Rees was able to transform the program into the incredible class it is today. Ev-

eryone that takes this class has a great time and really enjoys him as their teacher, and even believe that they can have a career in the automotive field.

“He’s a great, enthusiastic teacher, and he always likes to make stuff and being experimental,” said student Chris Matthews.

In fact, a lot of Rees’ students become mechanics after high school. Not only is Rees a great teacher, but he really has a deep love and passion for cars, and wants to help others become more knowledgable in this field, like him.

“As long as the school has an auto shop program, I’ll be the teacher,” he said.

Jason Mays/ Staff Writer

Teacher Darren Rees brings another car back to life in auto shop.

9

YouTube show shines spotlight on Asian Americans

By Mara Moysen Staff Writer

Da Di / Staff Writer

A screenshot from the game Vainglory shows the player winning a battle.

Vainglory, a new game for smartphones

By Da Di

Staff Writer “In one way or another, each hero is here because of the Halcyon Well. This ancient energy source provides incredible power for both technology and magic. However, the well only releases this energy on rare occasions, and these heroes must fight for control if they want to capture the energy.” And that is the start of the story of Vainglory.

Vainglory is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game by Super Evil Megacorp for iOS and Android. The style

of the the game is like League of Legend and Dota 2. It is a fight between two opposing teams of three players. Each player controls a character called a “hero.”

Vainglory is only made for mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets.

There are two kinds of currency players can use in Vainglory.

One of them is called “Glory,” which players earn from playing the game. Another one of them is called “Immensely Concentrated Evil,” or ICE. Vainglory had received many different reviews. Most players like the graphics, characters, background story, and level design. However, they also critiqued the lack of team communications. The review score Vainglory got from IGN is 8.1/10, and The Guardian named Vain-

glory the “best” iOS game of 2014. The game was one of ten Apple Design Award recipients in 2015.

I definitely like this game. To me, the most attractive part in the game is the high quality. As the MOBA game on the mobile devices, Vainglory is better than similar type of games, like Heroes of Order & Chaos.

However, Vainglory still has a big problem with servers.

Often times, while you playing the game, you would see your screen suddenly freeze, and you can’t do anything about it except wait until it goes back to normal, and usually by the time that happens, you were killed already.

But overall, this is a really great game, I strongly recommend you play it.

Pokemon Go brings childhood to life

By Audrey Manzano Staff Writer

This was the summer of students (and adults) hunting Pokémon in Castro Village, churches and even cemeteries. How far would you go for Pokémon?

Niantic Labs released Pokémon Go in July, bringing young people’s childhood into their everyday lives. It’s a locationbased mobile game that allows you to see the world of Pokémon through your phone.

Your character levels up by catching, hatching, and evolving Pokémon. You can also gain experience by battling at gyms or visiting PokéStops. Players catch Pokémon by flinging Poké Balls at them. Players can walk Pokémon they have caught to receive rewards. PokéStops are located in different landmarks around the world. Once your character reaches level five, you can choose a team and battle Pokémon Gyms of three teams: Team Mystic, Team Valor, and Team

Instinct. Each team represents values set by the team’s leader, who are non-player characters.

The game consists of you walking around, searching for new Pokémon to catch and add to your collection. In the game, you have a Pokédex, an index of the different Pokémon you’ve caught. The Pokédex currently has 151 available Pokémon, but may soon be updated to include the other 570 existing Pokémon.

Pokémon Go was a major success when it came out. Fans of the original Pokémon games and people joining the fad became obsessed with it. However, the game had problems keeping the servers up. During its first two weeks, Pokémon Go constantly

Molly Koch / A & E Editor

crashed, causing many players to become upset with the game.

Some players quit the game, but those who have persevered still enjoy it. Senior Eric Phillips said, “It was cool, but it died out.”

The game’s augmented reality has players intrigued and looking forward to new advances in gaming technology.

“I think it's a really cool concept of having another reality under our own. Especially Pokémon, because it is a part of peoples’ childhoods, but the app and system could have been built better,” said sophomore Phoebe Chiu. “ I wish you didn’t have to look at your phone to play because then it’s just another game.

It would be cool as a virtual reality experience.”

YouTubers are taking over the entertainment field by storm, from book deals to movies, to their very own television series. The TV show Single By 30 by Wong Fu Productions is YouTube Red’s latest smash-hit.

Single By 30 was made in collaboration with New Form Digital. The idea for the series was made a year ago in hopes that it would get picked up by a bigger production company.

The show’s plot is about two people who make a pact in their senior year of high school to get married if they were still single at age 30. Not thinking that they would be single by 30, they both agreed to it. Years go by and they lose touch, until they coincidentally meet a few months before their thirtieth birthdays. They remember their pact and see if they are still up to it. They don’t want to be pressured, but the idea of having a backup eases them a bit into trying to get into a relationship.

The two struggle with problems like wondering if they actually like each other or if it’s just the pact.

Wong Fu Productions is a production company that was started by Philip Wang, Wesley Chan, and Ted Fu in 2003.

They primarily feature Asian American actors in their videos

in hopes of closing the gap of Hollywood not typically hiring Asian Americans. They want to show that Asians can act just as well as people of any other race.

This conflict of Asians not typically being in the spotlight is still an issue today, but with shows like FreeForm’s Fresh Off The Boat, it seems like we’re getting closer to closing the gap.

YouTube Red is YouTube’s latest addition to the website.

For $9.99 a month, people can access quality original content in addition to the regular content that creators produce. The payment includes ad-free videos and supports the creators that you watch.

Wong Fu Productions makes short films and skits mainly in the comedic and romantic area.

They like to hit feel-good topics or things that really like to make you think about different perspectives on life.

Single by 30 was Wong Fu Productions’ biggest project since their movie, Everything Before Us. The special take on relationships and the world is why people love the studio.

With more than 2.7 million fans and supporters worldwide, Wong Fu Productions has had the opportunity to tour the world and visit many colleges across the U.S., and has been able to feature films in film festivals and receive many awards across the years.

As a whole, the show has amazing cinematography, witty script, and overall amazing cast and acting.

10

The Olympian Nov. 4, 2016

Safer sidewalks on Santa Maria Ave.

By Jessica Mi Editor-in-Chief

The hundreds of students who walk home from school on Santa Maria Avenue every day will soon be safer because the Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA) is building sidewalks on the crowded, busy street.

The project “will enhance

pedestrian and traffic safety to and from the Castro Valley High School,” according to ACPWA. This change is greatly needed, as the student population of CVHS surpasses 3,000 and many of these students have been walking home on dirt and asphalt pathways. For years parents and students have been expressing concern over the

Brown vetoes charter school bill

By Nisha Lal Staff Writer

California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill proposal that planned to establish a higher level of transparency in charter schools on Sept.30. Assembly Bill 709, written by Assemblyman Mike Gipson, was proposed to make sure that charter school funding records are publicly released in order to ensure that our taxpayer money is going to the right places.

CVHS English teacher Jennifer Clyde used to work at a charter school in Hayward but left due to the mismanagement of the establishment. “I think that people who pay for public education have a right to know where their money is going,” said Clyde.

Charter schools have been known to collect taxpayer money and use it wastefully. According to state regulators, about $81 million has been wasted by the charter system in California alone, and some school board members have reportedly benefited financially from the donations given to the school because the money was wrongfully used.

“Although charter schools are privately owned entities, they cannot be excused from the accountability that is required from those responsible for educating our children,” said Gipson during a press conference. There is currently no rule that forces the schools to have open and public spending records.

“I think there are good ideas within the charter school movement, and I think there is also a lot of mismanagement,” said Clyde.

She went on to explain that a lot of people who run these

schools are young or inexperienced, which results in a lack of guidance when it comes to running the school. Unfortunately, because the bill was not approved, charter schools will go on to continue this trend.

Another aspect of these charter schools that will no longer be prohibited due to the bill’s outcome is the low grades and the lack of skills. Clyde explained that the schools are allowed to change the grading scales, changing the level of expectation for each student. “0-20% was an F, 20-40 percent was a D, 40-60 percent was a C, 60-80 percent was a B, and 80 percent and above was an A,”said Clyde.

This dramatic change in grading earned money for the school but ultimately made it harder for students to succeed in college.

The expectation was dropped, and the students put less effort into schoolwork, causing them to struggle later on.

So far, the bill has proposed many solutions to many major issues in the charter system.

However, because the bill will not go into place, none of them will be solved.

Many of these schools will continue to function poorly and compromise the education of students. “Families deserve to know how their schools are being run, and our state deserves an education system that is free from unfair advantages and double standards,” said Gipson.

Although the idea has not been approved, many groups of people continue to show support for the issue. Some communities are suggesting a ban on privately owned charter schools in order to prevent this mismanagement.

students’ safety during the busy traffic hours before and after school.

The current sidewalk situation is especially dangerous in the rainy seasons, during which large puddles can form in the dirt paths, forcing students to walk into the street.

“It’s a mess,” said senior Eviana Picado-Garcia. “Sometimes the cars would drive by too closely and splash muddy water on us, and often we’d have to walk in the street if the path was too muddy.”

The project will include sidewalks with curbs, gutters, bicycle routes, pedestrian ramps and trees.

Students and parents should expect traffic delays during project construction. The agency warns of lane closures and restricted parking, but also notes that advance notices of closures will be given to residents and business owners along Santa Maria. Road closures, project map layout, and further information can be found on the ACPWA agency at http://acgov.org/ pwa/updates/projects/santamaria.htm.

The project is set to begin in summer 2017. “That's our target date,” said ACPWA Associate Engineer Bond Ng. “We will try to plan construction for when school is not in session. We’ll work with the school’s academic calendar.”

“ONE PERSON CAN BE THE CHANGE”

Controversial changes to UC application essays

By Pau Gutierrez Staff Writer

The University of California decided to change its application essay prompts this year, from two 1000-word essays to four short answer questions with a maximum of 350 words per response.

Applicants are now given eight questions related to different areas of their lives, experiences, and qualities, from which they have to choose four. These questions cover a wide range of topics such as leadership, creativity, talents and skills, taking advantage of educational opportunities, overcoming challenges, favorite academic subjects, community involvement, and unique qualities.

Students and teachers have strong opinions about this change.

“I like it better, because shorter paragraphs make the

essay more personal because you don't have to add unnecessary details,” said Maggie DelGrande, a CVHS senior.

But not everyone appreciates the short format.

“I think the new personal insight questions are excellent, I think they will give the admissions officers more insight into the students’ lives,” said Clare LePell, English teacher.

“Unfortunately I'm not a big fan of such a short answer, because I'm not sure we can be as interested in the writing when we have so few words to develop our ideas. But I think the insight questions do a good job with giving information about individual students,” she said, This adjustment caused a lot of controversy in the school community. After the application season students may know if this change made their application process easier or harder.

11 May the course be with you

By William Lao Staff Writer

The CVHS cross country teams ran at the annual Castro Valley/Peter Brewer Invitational with good overall results, and are proud of their achievements.

“It was a good turnout and the kids ran well, but there is always room for improvement,” said coach Dino Cardiasmenos.

The girls junior varsity team, along with the girls freshman/ sophomore team, also placed second in their respective races.

Third-year runner Mikaela Klein, junior, placed third overall in the 2.1 mile course with a time of 16 minutes and 36.5 seconds, half a minute shy of her personal record from her freshman year.

Our boys varsity team placed tenth in the overall results with a combined score of 233. Skyler Bowersmith, junior, finished with a time of 18 minutes and 37.5 seconds, placing 24th overall in the race.

The girls varsity team placed fourth overall out of nine total teams with a combined score of 90. Danika Newlin, a senior and fourth-year runner, placed third in the overall results with a time of 14 minutes and 40

William Lao / Staff Writer

Danika Newlin pushes through fatigue and finishes a race.

seconds, her personal best.

The freshman/sophomore boys team placed fourth overall in team scores out of 14, with a score of 142. First-year runner Hunter Bowersmith, sophomore, placed third on the 2.1 mile course with a time of 13 minutes and 8 seconds, wowing the coaches and his team.

The girls freshman/ sopho-

more team placed second in the official team scores, scoring a total of 90 points. Olivia Davidson, sophomore, ran the 2.1 mile course with a time of 15 minutes and 28.3 seconds, her personal record. Overall, the team stuck together as a pack during the race, leading them to victory.

“The invitational was fun for everyone involved and everyone got to volunteer, meet the parents, and raise money for the team,” said sophomore runner Kaitlin Manning.

The Castro Valley/Peter Brewer Invitational is an annual event the cross country team holds. This year marks the 24th anniversary; it is primarily held to promote athleticism and cross country in the North California region as a whole, but it is also held as an annual fundraiser for the cross country and track program in which the team and parents pitch in and volunteer. The meet honors Peter Brewer, a former CVHS teacher and coach who led the school’s cross country program for 25 years.

Overall, the CVHS cross country team scored well despite difficulties on the day of the race and is looking forward to competing in more races in the future.

Athletes of the Month

Tyler Nunnery, football

By Beruk Tsegaye Staff Writer

At 6 feet 7 inches, Tyler Nunnery is hard to miss. But there’s more to this Trojan football star than his size.

“He has become one of the leaders and a tremendous worker. Overall, a great young man,” said Coach Denny Molzen.

Nunnery has made his mark on the CVHS football team as a defensive lineman for over two years.

He has encouraged the team to appreciate football and the meaning of hard work in the game. Most of all, he has encouraged simple kindness.

“He’s the hardest working person I know. He is very well respected,” said senior Sam Higuera, Nunnery’s teammate and friend.

“Never a quitter and the hardest worker in the team” said senior teammate Robert Baskin.

Though Nunnery has been

playing football for eight years, rugby is his true passion. He’s played this demanding sport for ten years.

“I played football just to have fun and hang with the team but my passion is rugby,” said Nunnery.

“Why wasn’t he playing for the full four years?” asked Molzen when Nunnery tried out for the team junior year.

“I do believe he has the potential to go to the next level, but I know his passion is with rugby and it it his decision to make,” said Molzen.

Nunnery has earned his respect through leadership.

“Confident guy, never misses practice and has my back no matter what,” said teammate Michael Anderson.

Nunnery is one of those guys who has shown a tremendous leadership, as well as a good and solid friendship with all of the members of the team.

Audrey Manzano / Staff Writer Halley Lin-Jones/Editor-In-Chief

Alec Dughi raises up to take a shot in the Trojans’ home game against Lick-Wilmerding.

New water polo teams battle valiantly

By Halley Lin-Jones

Editor-in-Chief Talented Trojan swimmers and coaches have taken the plunge and formed boys and girls teams in a sport entirely new to CVHS: water polo.

While CVHS swimmers have enjoyed successes in the past decades in racing, this marks a new path for many of them, challenging them to use their endurance and strength from their racing skills while exploring the very different, physical game of water polo.

So far, the girls team won one of their four matches, while the boys team has yet to

win a match.

“It is a rough game, but the challenge is also learning what physical play is allowed and what’s not allowed, and understanding that you’re gonna be grabbed, you’re gonna be pushed and held and how to continue to play through it,” said assistant coach Patrick Ryken.

Even without the additional challenge of this often rough physical contact, water polo matches are true feats of endurance for the athletes.

“The biggest challenge of playing water polo is treading water for as long as we are. We

have four quarters and each quarter is seven minutes long.

It doesn’t seem like a whole lot but when there’s calls being made it is a lot,” said Elliott Breitinger, goalie.

Although there have been fresh challenges with the start of a completely foreign and very competitive sport, the players look to the future of the program with optimism and motivation.

“It being our first year here, we’re definitely not in the condition that we want to be in but in the coming years we’re gonna keep getting better,” said Breitinger confidently.

Nikki Jensen, volleyball

By Audrey Manzano Staff Writer

Being able to win with her team and improving are great feelings to senior volleyball player Nikki Jensen. Jensen always loves improving her skills and watching her teammates grow.

Jensen began playing volleyball at age 12. Her mom introduced her to the sport, and before she knew it, she was hooked.

Jensen loves being able see her effort and hard work pay off on the court. She often watches college teams play so she can see what it is like to play at a higher level and try to learn something new.

To Jensen, there's nothing like a good rally. “When you get a really good rally and you win it, your whole team comes together and just starts

celebrating. It's a really cool feeling,” she said.

When facing rough patches, she tries to fix the problems by pushing past them with intense practices and conditioning.

Jensen is driven by her love of the game, and she believes it is a part of who she is. “It’s such a big part of my life that if I were to take out volleyball, it would completely change who I am and I just wouldn’t be the same,” Jensen explains.

When Jensen isn't on the court, she sings in Madrigals and tries to find solutions to world issues in Model UN. Jensen believes that it is a great thing to dedicate yourself to something that you like, which is exactly what she has done with volleyball. She encourages others to play volleyball in the hopes that they come to love it as well.

Freshmen take a bite out of the big apple

F

antabulous freshmen rocked CVHS. Their jazzy homecoming theme, New York, New York, was a major throwback to the Roaring Twenties.

Dancing their way through homecoming week, they delivered the message that they are here to stay, and ready to win.We’re sure that their trampling defeat will only motivate them to work harder in the coming years.

Photos by Halley Lin-Jones, Audrey Manzano, Emily Salazar, and Haley Booth