Oct 12, 2012

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Tardy sweeps terrorize

Olympian weighs in on attendance

VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

New year, new AP classes

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Bio & Econ enter AP curriculum

Trojans smash the Dons

Varsity girls win volleyball game

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012 CASTRO VALLEY, CA 94546

WWW.CVHSOLYMPIAN.COM

Hundreds of students swept away in big attendance crackdown

Hang on!

By Melody Moteabbed Editor-in-Chief

Highest scoring classes included Calculus BC with a passing rate of 97 percent, European History with 96 percent passing, and Statistics with 85 percent passing. AP US History was the most popular test here: 119 students took it, and 81 percent of them passed. CVHS students found the AP United States Goverment and Politics exam difficult, with only a 50 percent pass rate.

Even with outstanding scores, AP tests are still worrisome to high school students, and as of last year, fewer students are taking AP tests.

“Our test takers are going down,” says Steinecke. “More students are taking AP classes, but not taking tests.”

Last year, AP tests and STAR

tests were scheduled for the same week, and some tests were moved and rescheduled. This year AP and STAR testing will not be held in the same week; AP tests will be after the STAR tests.

There will also be a small increase in price to take the AP exams, and for all students coming from other schools to take the test, the price will be raised significantly.

Although no problems occurred last year, teachers and administration will be watching for cell phone use and cheating.

“We recognize the pressure that these students are going through,” says Steinecke. “We will be making sure that no one is being unfair in these tests.”

The sudden explosion of tardy sweeps isn’t just a temporary enforcement of punctuality: a maximum of three tardy sweeps are to be issued every week this school year, school officials say.

Nine tardy sweeps in the first six weeks of school resulted in 240 student detentions. Two tardy sweeps occurred on Sept. 13, catching 93 students on that day alone. The students were sent to room 408 after school for 45-minute detentions.

There were 41,124 tardies just last year, and detention supervisor Darrin Vanderpan insisted that it is a huge predicament.

“If you think about it, everyone in class was disrupted 42,000 times last year,” he reasoned. “With missed class comes missed learning. By having more tardy sweeps, we can have more students in class present and learning, resulting in less students with D and F grades.”

Harsher punishments will be endowed upon students who skip their detentions without a notice.

“Kids who don’t sign in during their detentions will be sent to their assistant principals, where they will receive a Saturday school,” Vanderpan stated.

According to Assistant Principal Erica Ehmann, a new kind of sweep will also be randomly enforced.

“We will have tardy sweeps in between periods. Students who are out of class for any reason must have a pass at all times,” she said.

She affirmed that this new system is set in place to stop students from

quite know where to put their garbage,” said monitor Joshua Hicken.

According to the Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan), a compost program was in place at 13 of 17 schools in Castro Valley prior to CVHS. At last year's waste audit, students and staff sorted through two days worth of trash from the bins around campus. About 256 bags were collected and ripped open. The contents from each bag were sorted. At the end of the day, there were 118 bags worth of compostable material, 86 bags worth of recyclables, and 52 bags of actual trash.

“Only 20 percent was garbage.

The other 80 percent was compostable or recyclable. And that's expensive,” said monitor Victor Hernandez-Vega.

If the trash cans were used solely for trash, CVHS would save $40,000 annually.

Caroline Clemente, a compost monitor for the day, wanted to see the population of CVHS embrace the change.

“I hope that students learn where their food goes... so that the school becomes more green,” said Clemente.

One student was eager to try out the new system and shuffled through his backpack to hand his

recyclables to a compost monitor, but other students didn't sort their waste, throwing it all into the trash bins.

Now that the food scrap program is being implemented at CVHS, it only takes a small amount of time to dispose of waste properly. Ask the stationed monitor where each item belongs.

“It only takes five more seconds to save the world,” said Hicken.

“The only things that can go in the garbage are juice pouches, chip bags, plastic bags, and all utensils.

That's the bulk of it,” said monitor Alejandro Gonzalez.

In the past, Trojans have dumped their trash into the nearest bin.

Kate Pellegrini / Editor-in-Chief

Seniors get some air time at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where they spent a day riding the rides and soaking up sun at the senior picnic on Aug. 30.

Trojans’ AP scores are on the rise

By Matt Talajkowski Business Manager

CVHS has long been ahead of Californian standards for AP testing, but the 2011-2012 school year truly showed the dedication of the teachers and the 363 students who participated in the AP tests.

Last year, AP test scores rose from the year before, with 84 percent passing scores, and 199 out of 671 tests were a perfect five. The Trojans’ pass rate increased four percent from the year before.

“Our overall success has increased,” said Assistant Principal Matthew Steinecke. “The reason is that we have such great teachers who prepare these students for the tests.”

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cutting class. “If a student is caught by an official without a pass, they’ll be sent immediately to room 408.”

Senior Amanda Lemoine dislikes the tardy sweeps and believes they are unfair.

“I don’t like how they’re getting more frequent. What if you’re stuck in the hallway the one day you’re late, and there’s a tardy sweep?” she said.

“ It’s pointless

giving a student a detention for being a minute late.

Eric O’Bayley Senior

”

Assistant Principal J.C. Farr stressed the importance of being timely.

“Students have to learn to be responsible. It’s critical to emphasize how necessary it is to be in class,” he said. “Students must be alert, regardless of whether or not the sweeps are announced.”

Senior Eric O’Bayley is one of the many students who think the sweeps are harsh.

“I can see how they’d work in theory, but it’s pointless giving a student a detention for being a minute late. It’s annoying.”

Vanderpan is confident, however, that the increased frequency of tardy sweeps is necessary.

“It definitely would have continued to get worse. Something had to be done,” he said.

After last year’s waste audit, a new effort to go green

By Hans Mortimer Staff Writer

Organics bins for food scraps and food-soiled paper have been placed in the courtyard and the cafeteria for CVHS students to compost during lunch. Compost monitors, wearing neon green vests, have been placed at each compost station to educate the community of CVHS about proper waste disposal.

During lunch on Wednesday, Sept. 27, the organics bins were rolled out. The compost monitors passed out washable tattoos and politely notified students of improper disposals.

“As you can see, people don't

This is not an option. Trash does not belong in the recycling or organics bins. The bins that are contaminated with trash are sent to the landfill. This compromises the efforts of others and wastes resources.

Although the system seems like an inconvenience now, it will eventually become second nature. Once CVHS disposes of waste properly, compost bins can be placed throughout the campus.

“Please take the time to read and be aware. You might not think it affects you, but in the long run, it does,” said ASB Leadership Environmental Affairs Commissioner Rojae Miller.

Tardy sweeps are bothersome “Sweeping” results in more missed class time

Editorial: CVHS launched a crackdown on tardies with several sweeps administered over the first month of the school year.

Students who get “swept” and others who repeatedly arrive late to class will face detention.

We at The Olympian oppose tardy sweeps.

We believe that tardy sweeps are not only ineffective, but that they also keep students out of class, contrary to what the tardy sweeps are supposed to do.

Tardy sweeps disrupt class time even with their loud announcement at the beginning of the sweep.

Also, students caught in the tardy sweeps are forced to wait in a long line for their detention slips and miss valuable class time.

Not only that, we believe that they are unfair for students who are talking to teachers about assignments or using the bathrooms where bells aren’t installed and can’t be heard.

Supporters of the tardy sweeps argue that the sweeps make sure that the students are more aware of the fact

By Evan Kwong Staff Writer

Lily Carrell / Opinion Editor

that they need to be in class on time.

Ta rd i e s a re a p ro b l e m though, considering the fact that just last year, there were about 42,000 tardies; that’s as much as 13 tardies per student!

There are various suggestions to compromise on the issue of tardy sweeps.

For example, we believe that the three strike rule where the students have three op-

Crowded hallways make traffic crawl

By Lorena Ramos Staff Writer

Why are the hallways at CVHS so crowded all the time? Is it because people don’t know how to get out of the way, or is it because there are too many students? One thing I know for sure is that it’s a huge problem here at CVHS. So you’re strolling down the hallway and all of a sudden everything comes to a halt. Extremely inconvenient, right?

You try to push through a dozen

PSAT testing our patience

people and realize that all of the traffic is being caused by maybe four people, just standing casually right in the middle of the hallway.

You wonder, “What makes them think they’re not causing a huge problem right now?”

This is one problem that causes hallway traffic. If students were more considerate of their classmates, these hallway congestions would not occur.

Another factor is that our school is too small for our large number of students. It’s like rush hour on the freeway, except the cars are teenagers and the traffic hours are every hour. There are too many people trying to get the same place, or going in the same general direction at the same time.

Now, I guess there’s no real solution to the crowded hallway problem here at CVHS. Something tells me that it’s just a part of the “high school experience.”

portunities to be tardy before consequences is fair.

Another idea is to reward students for being in class on time instead of punishing them for being late. We could “catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

Although there are reasonable arguments on how to handle tardies, we at The Olympian oppose tardy sweeps as a solution.

Castro Valley High School staff members have always wanted students to achieve great feats right from the time they set foot on campus. But is forcing students to take the Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, vital to our education and future success?

As I completed registration for my third year at CVHS, I was told that the entire junior class would take the PSAT, regardless if they actually wanted to take it. As I read the flyer stating the information about the mandatory test I’d be taking on Oct. 17, I questioned why this was even necessary for graduating high school and getting into college.

Furthermore, what about the students who don’t plan to go to college?

The PSAT features three different sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing Skills. The three sections are scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points, and from there those points add up to a maximum score of 240. Now, a perfect score doesn’t sound too bad, and it does seem that we’ll earn some bragging rights, but

just think of the time needed to study so we can get that score.

To top it all off, the PSAT won’t count towards your grades. It just creates work, wastes class time, and stresses students out, doing essentially everything the treacherous College Board strives to do.

Think of all the time and effort gone into the PSAT, and gone into telling students that they’re terrible at Algebra I or Geometry, subjects that they haven’t had review or preparation for. I also doubt English teachers are doing their best to help students with Critical Reading.

I remember last year, as a sophomore, I took the PSAT on a Saturday. The students and proctors present had voluntarily chosen to take part, when class time wasn’t going to be wasted.

Sure, I bombed it because it was a test I’d never experienced, but I wasn’t cutting myself off from class time.

Anyone who took the PSAT or SAT knows how hard any tests College Board administers can be. Students are always pressured into doing well in anything relating to academics. Why add to our stress and force us to take this test when a large number of us don’t need or want to?

The PSAT needs to be made optional and not mandatory.

Students who do not want to take the PSAT should not be forced to. Plus, the workload, waste of class time, and stress the test will cause are all incentives to make it optional, and for the fraction of the junior population that would prefer taking it.

PHOTOpinions pinions PHOTO By: Joyce Liang

What do you think about tardy sweeps?

“I think tardy sweeps are a good thing because they help limit the distractions tardies cause to the classroom environment.”

Janice Yee, freshman

“I don’t like how there are more tardy sweeps.

It feels redundant and it doesn’t seem as effective anymore.”

Kaitlyn Ohara, sophomore

“It motivates students to be on time.

But the punishments for tardies, such as detentions and Saturday school, are too harsh.”

Andy Cao, junior

“I think tardy sweeps are necessary because they help lower the amount of tardies.”

Stephen Choy, senior

.

3 Eye-opening marriage debate inspires action Olympian

The October 12, 2012

By Reema Kakaday Staff Writer

A buzzing crowd of almost 200 people instantly greeted me as I walked into the large room.

Pleasantly surprised at the turn out, I walked to the front of the room, where, after a long three month-long process of constant email communication to organize the debate, I finally met the speakers and head organizer of the event in person.

Countless residents were about to witness and participate in an ever-controversial debate of gay marriage and rights on July 17 at the Castro Valley Library. Little did I know that the passion and enthusiasm shown in that room would not only inspire me, but also every attendee of the debate that evening.

In all honesty, I never really knew that Castro Valley residents could be so fired up, eager to voice their opinions, and informed on news topics. Our former chicken farm town had

With her mighty gavel, Reema Kakaday kept the marriage debate panelists in line. actually made me ponder if we even had any teenagers or adults who were interested in things like debates.

Before I got involved in organizing the Great Castro Valley Marriage Debate, as it was called, I was not aware of the incessant quarreling of two of the debaters through the local Forum, nor had I ever taken the time to look at what topics matter to our small

town.

By getting involved in this event, I opened my eyes and realized that there are so many opinions and voices in our community that have never been heard; especially because there is actually no place to go to speak your mind. Because this little place is not an incorporated city, we lack a city hall, mayor, police department, and many

more advantages and/or disadvantages that a modern day city would have. The bottom line is, countless Castro Valley residents are informed and opinionated people, but have no place to voice their opinion.

So why is this? If such a numerous amount of people came to hear the The Great Castro Valley Marriage Debate, actively asked questions during the Q&A

section, and even took notes and video taped the event, why do we as a community not have a place to nurture their sense of individual thought?

The idea struck my brother as my family and I came home, disillusioned at how truly incredible our community was.

“What if we start something that bridges the gap between the people who want to voice their opinions, and the place where they actually go do that?” he said.

I thought about it for a minute, and he was right. Castro Valley has nothing for residents who want to debate or listen to debates about important topics around the world, as well as in the community.

That right there was the birth of The Great Castro Valley Debate.

GCVD is a brand new non-profit organization founded by my brother and I, dedicated to creating dialogue between Castro Valley residents, and providing a platform for people to come and debate, participate, voice their opinion, and be informed on topics that run the gamut.

The first debate is coming up on Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Castro Valley Library. The topic of debate will be whether or not Castro Valley should be an incorporated city. Find out more information at http://greatcvdebate. wix.com/home.

There is no “Legitimate” rape, todd!

By Anya Keller

Business Manager

Reproductive rights are a major point of debate in political discussions. Most liberals feel that women should have the right to control their own bodies, while conservatives usually argue that abortion is a breach of the sanctity of human life. I personally believe that the government should not have any involvement in what women decide is best for themselves when it comes to reproduction, but having grown up in a Catholic family where the value of life was always emphasized, I can see that there are well-meaning people on both sides of the issue.

But I have a hard time understanding how some Republicans can mean well when they argue that rape victims should be forced to carry their rapists’ children to term when they are impregnated.

In August, Missouri Congressman Todd Akin, who is currently running for U.S. Senate, made an explosive comment regarding his views on abortion in cases of rape: “From what I understand

from doctors, that’s really rare.

If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.

But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something.

I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.”

It is ignorant and insensitive to imply that any rape is legitimate by referring to some

“

His comment makes it hard to believe he cares about the experiences of women at all. ”

assaults as “legitimate rape.”

We live in a time where it should be common knowledge that if a woman doesn’t consent to sex at any point and it is forced upon her in anyway, it is rape.

Rape is one of the most heinous violations a person can experience, and it is appalling that a senator would argue that a victim should be violated even further by denying her the right to choose whether she will have her rapist’s child.

Akin mentions the child and the rapist when he discusses how rape should be dealt with, but he never mentions the wants or needs of the woman.

His comment makes it hard to believe he cares about the experiences of women at all.

Akin is not the only politician to have made an offensive comment regarding this issue.

Vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan referred to rape as a “method of conception.” This comment shows an absolute disregard for women’s experiences. Ryan spoke of the issue as if the physical result of rape were the only thing that mattered. Ryan has shown that he believes that women are simply receptacles for making babies by completely disregarding the trauma they may have experienced through rape.

Some people argue that these comments are not reflective of the Republican Party as a whole. Mitt Romney claims he would not take away abortion rights in the case of rape, but the Republican Party platform shows this may not be true. The platform states the Republican stance on abortion: “we support a human life amendment to the constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s

protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortions or fund organizations which perform or advocate it.” This section mentions nothing about exceptions in cases of rape or incest, showing that, if elected, Republican politicians could very well lead us into a period of extreme and harmful abortion restrictions.

More than 32,000 women are impregnated as a result of rape

a year, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. That is five percent, or one in 20 rape victims. This is clearly a significant issue, and women need politicians who will strive to address the issues that come with sexual assault.

We as voters cannot allow our representatives to enact laws restricted the rights of those who have already had them taken away.

The Olympian is a publication of the journalism class at Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546. © 2012 Editors-in-Chief....................................................Melody Moteabbed Kate Pellegrini Copy Editors..................................................................Reyna Garcia Joyce Liang News Editor..............................................................Michael Castillo Opinion Editor.................................................................Lily Carrell Feature Editor.................................................................Amber Yang Sports Editor.............................................................Emily Courchaine Arts and Entertainment Editor........................................Suzanna Chak Photo Editors..........................................................Cheyenne Donatello Natalie Fazeli Business Managers......................................................Anya Keller Matt Talajkowski Online Editor........................................................................Eva Chen

Staff Writers: Joelle Bassett, Olivia Berden, Cameron Beresini, Kelly Chan, Indigo Flowers, Stephanie Huerta, Kristen Jensen, Reema Kakaday, Savanah Khan, Evan Kwong, Alexa Ludke, Felicianna Marquez, Hans Mortimer, Lorena Ramos, Amanat Riar, Leia Saelee, Anna Talajkowski, and Marissa Wu Advisor........................................................................Matt Johanson

Geniuses find new homes in AP Biology and AP Economics

New classes added to the CVHS course selection

By Michael Castillo News Editor

AP Biology and AP Economics were added to the CVHS course selection this year, in what will be a boon for students looking to challenge themselves while earning college credits. Both classes have been on the table for a few years now, and have finally been launched due to the efforts of David Roth-Rossi, who teaches AP Economics, and Robert Patrick and Ashley Green, who teach AP Biology.

Patrick said offering AP Biology will help CVHS continue to be competitive as a high school. The science department also wished to get rid of what it saw as excess tracking in the freshman sciences; many students who had already completed Algebra 1, the only admission requirement for Biology, were unnecessarily being

Amber Yang / Feature Editor

Cristina Nguyen and Natalie Liu have fun and learn new things during a lab with test tubes and balloons in AP Biology.

tracked into Environmental Science. Meanwhile, other students were being divided up into regular Biology and Honors Biology.

With the introduction of AP

Biology, all incoming students are required to take regular Biology their freshman year. They will also have to take Chemistry as a prerequisite if they want to be

considered for AP Biology. The Environmental Science class has been eliminated.

The new AP Biology course standards have done much to improve the class, both for teachers and students. While the old standards were broad, unfocused, and unnecessarily centered on rote memorization, the new standards give teachers a specific set of learning objectives. They are focused on giving students a solid conceptual understanding of the subject material and allowing them to apply that understanding towards unique problems.

“There’s a lot more freedom,” Patrick said. “It allows the teacher to be the expert.”

AP Biology is highly lab based, with students performing labs and activities two to three times a week. The workload can be straining, but the upside is getting to participate in an interactive experience that mirrors the scientific process.

The best part about teaching the class, Patrick says, is “Being able to see the learning process happen without me being the talking head.

It’s them learning the process of science … Instead of, ‘Sit in the desk and here’s a book,’ now it’s, ‘Sit in the desk, here’s a book, and now let’s go do it for real.’”

AP Economics, a year long class, poses a challenge for seniors who would normally take one semester of Government and one semester of Economics, both graduation requirements. One of the most popular ways of dealing with this scheduling issue is to take Government over the summer. Senior Ben Mok took a different approach; he chose to add a seventh period to his schedule for one semester to accommodate his Government class.

Roth-Rossi, who is currently the only AP Economics teacher,

described the class as covering five times the material and going two times more in depth than regular Economics.

“It’s college prep,” he said. “So you’re expected to read college texts and actually take something away from it.”

Indeed, it is structured much like a college class, utilizing lectures, weekly quizzes, and tests, with homework assigned once a week.

However, Roth-Rossi notes, “I’m not a super heavy workload guy … the book might have 100 questions, but if I don’t think you’re going to benefit from it, I’m not going to give you busy work.”

Minimal mathematical background is required to take the class; students who did well in Algebra 2 shouldn’t have any trouble with AP Economics. Students who enjoy problem solving and geometrical puzzles will especially like the class, according to Roth-Rossi.

Regardless of background, Roth-Rossi argues that a solid basis in economics is critical to understanding politics.

“Ninety percent of politics is economic issues,” he said. “So if

“ The best

part about teaching the class is being able to see the learning process happen without me being the talking head. ” Robert Patrick Science Teacher

you don’t know economics, what do you know? If you don’t understand Keynesian theory, if you don’t understand demand science and supply side tax policies, if you don’t understand these concepts … how do you know who to vote for?”

Roth-Rossi says that viewing political issues from the standpoint of behavioral economics can enlighten us to the morality of these issues and the ultimate effect of their resultant policies on society.

“Economics is a fantastic major; it’s something everybody should know about,” he said. Now that AP Economics is on the school’s curriculum, everybody can. All they have to do is apply for the class.

Trojans’ New League is totally WACC

By Emily Courchaine

varsity wrestler Rebecca Busch.

“There was such a huge difference in competition between league and NCS. The new division is more fair and will help our teams improve.”

The North Coast Section (NCS) and its member schools review the leagues within the section every four years, and although few changes have been made to HAAL over the past 16 years, directors and administrators recently decided that there was a growing imbalance of competition between the HAAL schools.

Sports Editor

This year CVHS is no longer a part of the Hayward Area Athletic League (HAAL) and instead is now part of the newly formed West Alameda County Conference (WACC).

In addition to CVHS, the conference will be made up of Alameda, Arroyo, Berkeley, O’Dowd, Encinal, Hayward, Mt. Eden, Piedmont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Tennyson high schools.

“I’m really glad they’ve finally evened out the league,” said

To fix this, member schools and the NCS governing body decided to do away with the old league and approved a 12 team “super conference” that would even out the competition.

WACC is divided into two leagues for each sport. The most competitive teams belong in the Foothill League, and teams that are still developing and are therefore less competitive are in the Shoreline League.

All of the CVHS teams will compete in the Foothill League.

Most teams will still have the opportunity to compete with all

trojans rein in the dons

By Natalie Fazeli Photo Editor

Cheers echoed throughout the gymnasium on Thursday, Sept. 26 as the CVHS varsity volleyball team won their seventh consecutive game of the season.

The Trojans played Arroyo High and the CVHS girls won three out of four matches and barely let Arroyo get a hit in.

The first match put a shadow over the crowd of CVHS fans, with a final score of 25-22 in Arroyo’s favor. It was only uphill for the varsity girls after that; in the second match Arroyo didn’t even start scoring until CVHS had already had 10 points.

In the last two matches, the Trojans used teamwork, and many successful spikes, to beat Arroyo.

The players believe that their strong teamwork is what brings them to win all their games.

“One player won’t make this team great, the whole team will,” said Frank Largusa, the head coach of the varsity team. He doesn’t believe in picking a MVP

the schools in the conference, but CVHS will play Foothill schools twice as often as Shoreline schools.

“I think it will be a good thing for our school, especially for some sports,” said softball coach and PE teacher Marie Gray. “It will just be a little bit more competitive.”

There have been some concerns as to how the change in league will affect our school’s ability to qualify for NCS and state competitions. Although this new league will be much more competitive than HAAL, the increased level of competition in league finals should serve to help better prepare CVHS for the intensity of NCS and state championships.

“Nothing has really changed.

A league meet is just another league meet with a couple different schools now,” said senior track and cross country runner Daniel Nourot.

Some student athletes are nevertheless disgruntled by the change in competition.

Although the boundaries have changed, traveling distances to schools will not increase significantly, with Berkeley High School being the furthest north and Tennyson High School the furthest south.

It will be interesting to see how teams will measure up to the new level of competition presented in WACC, but we can trust that the mighty Trojans will give it their all.

Dons get served

By Reyna Garcia Copy Editor

Natalie Fazeli / Photo Editor

Senior Indigo Flowers is all focus as she waits for the ball. of every game, because it takes a team to win a game.

Last year, the varsity team lost five of their top players, all seniors who graduated. Largusa found amazing players to replace them with, even an incoming freshman, Maya Shumpert.

“It was slow for us, but we

pulled it out as a team because we came together,” stated Brooke Costello, a senior on the CVHS varsity team. She and her fellow team captain Allie Redmond were recognized as top volleyball players in the East Bay. “Every year we become more of a family,” said Costello.

The girls varsity tennis team is off and running. The girls won all of their games in the league thus far with a recent defeat of the Arroyo Dons on Sept. 25, with an overall score of six to one.

The Trojans played with three doubles and four single teams, and all but one single won their match.

Doubles Janelle Breedlove and Juliet Fong won their sets 6-1 and 6-0. Michelle Ly and Caroline Yu won with 6-4 and 6-1. The final doubles team Connie Lau and Katherine Gaudinier won with 6-0 and 6-2.

Breedlove, a senior, is co-captain with senior, Melissa Young.

“We did really well. I don’t usually play doubles, but it was

a pretty easy win, and only a couple matches were hard,” said Breedlove.

Young won her singles match 6-0 and 6-0. Kristen Shak won, 6-3 and 6-2. Madison Lambert came close to a win with 3-6 and 4-6.

“It’s great, the girls are fantastic,” said co-head coach Greg Lowe of the Trojans’ win.

This is Lowe’s first year as co-head coach along with Steve Argyres. However, he was assistant coach for three years, so he’s familiar with CVHS and the tennis team.

So far the girls varsity tennis team has a great standing in the league with this added win.

Before this game, they beat Mt. Eden High, Alameda High and San Leandro High.

S up e r Spi f f y Sp o r ts St a rs

Cheyenne Donatello / Photo Editor

Nick Klunis, freshman

Jeff Van, sophomore

Jenni Brochu, junior

Allie Redmond, senior

In a dominating football game of CVHS vs. Liberty, Nick Klunis completed six tackles and caught an interception.

After four years of flag football and one year of tackle football, Klunis is preparing to play in college. He believes that football is a fun sport where you never get bored, and he especially likes to tackle.

The sport itself is not the only thing Klunis likes about football.

“Everyone gets along and we are all like a big family, plus we are all very good,” said Klunis.

In seventh grade Jeff Van was running relay races with his P.E. class when his teacher realized how fast he was and encouraged him to join the cross country team.

That started a long journey that is still going strong. Van runs in the three mile races for the varsity cross country team.

“My favorite part of cross country is the feeling of achievement that I get after coming back from a long run,” said Van. He plans to continue running cross country in college because the sport has made such an impact on his life.

Some people may like the games where they are assured a win but Jenni Brochu is the opposite. Brochu’s favorite games are the challenging ones.

“It makes me play it to my best ability and push myself the hardest I can,” said Brochu.

Brochu loves that volleyball is a team sport. For three years she has been pushing herself to her limits with her great team.

Brochu has grown very close with her teammates.

For Brochu, playing volleyball always makes her bad days better. She plans to continue her passion and play volleyball when she goes to college.

The games where the crowds are cheering and the adrenaline is pumping and the team still pulls off a win are Allie Redmond’s favorite. Since fourth grade, Redmond has been playing volleyball and her passion has never ceased.

Not only does she adore the sport but there are many other factors added that make volleyball a huge impact in Redmond’s life.

“Just playing the game is good enough, but when you throw in all of the awesome teammates and great coaches that I’ve had it makes it a million times better,” said Redmond.

Minecraft is a diamond in the rough

Xbox game: “where the sky and the bedrock are the limit”

By Kristen Jensen Staff Writer

The first time I played the Xbox edition of Minecraft, I died many times. During the day I would happily roam about, occasionally glancing at my map, my only possession, to see where I was. I traveled through snow, desert, grasslands, mountains, and forests, all in one world.

It was relatively tranquil until night came. The first time I en-

countered the numerous spiders, zombies, skeletons, and creepers that inhabit the land at night, I died within a matter of seconds, as I hadn’t made myself any kind of weapon or shelter that could save my 8-bit life. However, after many deaths and respawns, I finally figured out how to get rid of the monsters: I set the game to Peaceful mode, where no monsters come at night.

It was then that I was able to explore and build to my heart’s content without fear of losing the items I had made or mined from the caves.

As soon as I felt in need of a challenge, I changed the mode to Easy or Normal. I was also able to play with my siblings on a four-way split-screen, which made the game even more enjoyable, as it added competition and companionship to the gaming

The Fault in Our Stars shines bright

experience.

Minecraft is a popular PC and Xbox 360 independent video game, also known as an indie game, that was released on May 17, 2009.

“After many

deaths and respawns, I finally figured out how to get rid of monsters...

”

It has been updated many times over the years, mostly installing new modes and improving the game to make

it more enjoyable. The game was created by Markus Persson, better known by his gamer-tag “Notch,” but is now under control of lead developer Jens Bergensten.

The game is most noticeably recognized by its old-fashioned 8-bit pixelated graphics, exploding creepers, and magnificent block creations.

Although Minecraft for Xbox 360 is several versions behind the PC Minecraft, the two editions are nearly identical. The graphics are the same and the same relaxing, unobtrusive music plays in both editions’ backgrounds. Different skin packs are available in both editions and new (undisclosed) features are soon to be added to Minecraft for Xbox. The Xbox 360 edition is cheaper than the PC edition but requires the gamer to have an Xbox Live account which gives the gamer the

option of playing with his or her Xbox Live buddies.

In this game there is no shooting, no blood, and no plotline. This game is built for creation and the challenge of creating in the midst of monsters. If you are someone who finds Call of Duty enjoyable but not The Sims, I recommend you not buy this indie game. However, if you are someone who enjoys The Sims and Legos, I highly recommend you buy Minecraft. It is a game where your imagination can run wild and where the sky and the bedrock are the limit.

lishes it under his own name.

What follows Rory’s decision is the literary success he always wanted: two more published books and money. Not to mention, a stomach full of guilt.

Some of the film takes place in the 1940s, another segment in the present and another in the very recent past. Although at times the timeline was convo-

luted, the element of mystery kept the audience intrigued.

The Words is the first film that I have seen from Klugman and Sternthal, and it may well be the last. It by no means was a horrible film; however, I expected far more than was produced. The most disappointing aspect of the film was that there were many questions left unanswered. There was no true ending to the film.

The film was meant to be a romantic drama, but I feel as though it did not live up to that. The relationships between actors, the timeline, and the main point of the film were confusing, at the very least. A story within a story within another story? An author writing about an author who plagiarizes an author?

The film was not terrible, yet I would not recommend this film to viewers.

The Words: “a story within a story”

By Stephanie Huerta Staff Writer

By Indigo Flowers Staff Writer

John Green, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska, gave life to someone who thought she had none left in his new book, The Fault in Our Stars.

Hazel Lancaster, a 16-yearold girl with cancer, is afraid of getting attached to anyone, since she has tumors in her lungs and has hopes of living only a few more years. But once her mother forces her to attend a cancer support group to help her make friends and live her life, Hazel meets Augustus Waters.

With Augustus, she felt new hope that she hadn’t felt since three years ago after her near death experience from her cancer. All of a sudden she had a new friend, considering her only friends were her parents and her top-choice author.

Standing in front of her favorite author’s front door in a place so far from home was something new for Hazel.

Did Augustus really like her enough to give so much up for her? It was strange to Hazel how well she clicked with Augustus instantly and it had already taken her this far.

Augustus, a cancer survivor

himself, clicked instantly with Hazel. Although Hazel was hopeless and thinking she shouldn’t try to make friends, Augustus came along and she found herself trying to not fall for him.

Augustus noticed the attraction between them and tried to win Hazel over by slowly getting closer to her and using his one “cancer” wish to take Hazel to Amsterdam to meet her favorite author.

Through Hazel’s humor and pain, readers get a feel of what it is like to be her.

Green’s writing intrigues readers and easily evokes a laugh as well as a cry. Green’s novel makes it easy for readers to relate to being young and falling for someone. Writing from the perspective of a young person with cancer can be a risky way to get through to readers, but Green does it in a way that leaves readers impressed and moved.

The Words is a 2012 film, written and directed by Lee Sternthal and Brian Klungman. The film stars Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana.

The plot revolves around a young writer named Rory Jansen, played by Bradley Cooper, who is having a hard time getting his writing published. Rory is married to Dora, played by Zoe Saldana, but his life feels unfulfilled without any real purpose, and he wonders if he’ll ever be the man he wants to be. Rory finds a beautifully written manuscript in an old briefcase and, desperate for a story, he pub-

Camo & Krooked Deliver Again

By Cameron Beresini Staff Writer

The album Between the Lines, an epic Drum & Bass remix album by Austrian duo Camo & Krooked, was released on Feb. 19. The album consists of remixes from artists, such as High Maintenance, BCee, InsideInfo, Submorphics, Metrik, and many more, including a few songs from the duo themselves.

Reinhard "Camo" Rietsch and Markus "Krooked" Wagner have been making music together since they met in 2007.

They won Best Newcomer DJ's at the 2010 Drum & Bass: Arena Awards, and put out two mixes for BBC Radio’s: one for Annie Nightingale and another for Fabio & Grooverider. Grooverider later said that Camo & Krooked are “one of the biggest talents in Drum & Bass.”

In this album, I enjoyed the mix of drum and bass due to its generally catchy nature and beat. My favorite song from the album is “Further Away” because of its catchy beat and

amazing use of synthetics.

Personally, I wish Camo & Krooked made more of their own music instead of remixing music from other groups, because their production style in their own songs is amazing.

.

Olympian

The Oct. 12, 2012

ReGeneration reveals reality

Assassins ‘kills’ expectations

low the straight path of the game, or to embark on a multitude of interesting side quests and miniadventures. The graphics of the game are amazing, and the level of connection the design of the game allows players to make with its story and characters is simply unprecedented.

Many new characters are introduced, and as with the previous games in the series, we as players are slowly brought into Ezio’s world, making deep emotional connections with his family, friends, and Ezio himself.

The story of the game is natural, and gameplay is never either too

difficult or morbidly easy. We find ourselves immersed in the shadowy world of the Assassins, and enthralled with the complexity of the story as it corresponds to the history we already know of.

Designers at Ubisoft should be extraordinarily proud of what they have managed to accomplish with such a game. Over the course of four consecutive games, they have created a world that the player connects to, including characters so relatable that we as players find ourselves grieving, fighting, and falling in love as they do. In one fantastic end to a segment of the story of the Assassins, the game manages to explain all the loose ends left by everyone who played the game as well as provide a spectacular exit for Ezio.

All in all, the game is a thrill for all players, though it should be forewarned that this game does include high levels of violence, as well as some other possibly disturbing elements. That aside, the Assassin’s Creed series is my favorite released by far, and I, along with many other gamers, eagerly await the release of Assassin’s Creed III this October.

write, creating a fantasy world with Ruby and him. Throughout the whole writing process, Calvin begins to fall in love with this dream girl. Then one day, just as Calvin was writing about Ruby, she appears. Shocked, Calvin enlists his brother Harry to help him navigate this new world with Ruby Sparks.

The movie follows the twists and turns of Calvin and Ruby's relationship. At first the two are inseparable and in love, not much

unlike to how Calvin wrote the fantasy. But soon things begin to change.

Calvin realizes that whatever he types, Ruby does. In the beginning, he was adamant about not changing her, but as the fantasy relationship turns into a real one, Calvin scrambles to try to change their fate. For example, Ruby starts to become more independent and strays away from Calvin. Afraid of losing Ruby, Calvin tries writing about how much Ruby misses him, and things horribly backfire.

Ruby Sparks shows the realities love and relationships. The screenplay, written by Kazan, is witty and refreshingly original, and the exchanges between Calvin and Harry are consistently hilarious. This movie is definitely for those with a love for quirky indie films. Ruby Sparks was by far one of the best movies of the summer. My only regret about Ruby Sparks was that I didn't see it sooner.

By Alexa Ludke Staff Writer

By Kelly Chan Staff Writer

ReGeneration is an awardwinning documentary focused on analyzing the future of today’s young adults.

It shows viewers that our generation of young adults is dubbed the “Me” Generation, where all teenagers care only about themselves.

The documentary bashes self-esteem boosting programs and explains the reason behind the famous Occupy Movement. Uncovering everything from the news media to the influence education has and how parenting styles have changed, ReGeneration is a must-see documentary.

ReGeneration features Hollywood star Ryan Gosling as the narrator, and original music from STS9.

I thought this documentary was very eye-opening and inspirational. After its last words, “Stop hoping for action, and be the action,” I was out of my seat and thinking of the next way I could impact the world.

A concept ReGeneration talks about is our generation’s willingness to help others. According to experts, we have the heart to make a change, but we just don’t know how because nothing major has happened to us yet.

The lack of a major his-

torical movement in the turn of the century impacts our society. Differing from our generation, the Roarin’ Twenties, Sixties, and Eighties all had their own genres and historical importance.

ReGeneration is also about education, naturally relating with students everywhere. The documentary can make students question what they are really learning in school: Is Christopher Columbus a hero or a murderer? What’s the worth of going to college?

I give credit to ReGeneration for exposing a side of society many teens have not seen before. However, I still believe in my peers and their abilities to be active in their communities and to build a good future for the next generation. Change will happen. The documentary made very good points about many topics and did a fantastic job inspiring activism and involvement.

ReGenerationearns a four of five stars from me. I recommend everyone to join the movement and watch ReGeneration.

You step off the ship, blinking at the sun that’s blaring down on you. Your heavy cloak and armor are highly uncomfortable in this heat, but already the shouts and murmurs of the new city welcomes you. The landscape here is so much different from your homeland in Italy, but you’ll learn to adjust. A new adventure awaits you.

In November of last year, Ubisoft released the fourth installment of the acclaimed Assassin’s Creed series. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations continues to follow the story of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, nobleman turned Assassin, and also ties back to Ezio’s ancestor Altaïr.

The game provides players with a sprawling, open-world style of gaming, set in the stunning city of Constantinople in the 1600s. Players can choose to fol-

Romance Ruby Sparks refreshes viewers

By Anna Talajkowski Staff Writer

With big action movies crashing and burning the theaters one after another, there wasn't much hope this summer for those who love watching films with originality. But one indie flick managed to rise from the ashes: Ruby Sparks.

Ruby Sparks is a fun, witty romantic comedy starring newcomers Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan. The plot centers around Calvin, a literary prodigy, who has been suffering from writer's block since he wrote a successful novel several years ago. One night, however, he has a dream about an amazing, whimsical girl named Ruby Sparks. Inspired by his dream, Calvin begins to

“Gangnam Style” an infectious tune

By Leia Saelee Staff Writer

An infectious tune filled my car as I rushed through traffic to make it to class one morning. But what really caught my attention from the tune were the Korean lyrics I couldn’t understand.

The Korean hit single, “Gangnam Style” by PSY was released July 15. Not only is the song catchy, but the upbeat, energetic tune also makes you want to get up and dance.

This isn’t the typical pop song we hear every day. Yet, the song is very popular. The oddity is that "Gangnam Style" has infected a whole other country with its viral dance moves and its rhythmic beat, and the song's popularity is only increasing.

PSY’s lyrics describe a dream girl as he prances around and hollers, “Eh-sexy lady!” Strangely, his humorous lyrics seized my attention as well as his bizarre dance moves meant to serenade a woman with his “gangnam”

style. His voice, a mixture of confidence, provocateur, and combined with a perfect blend of strangeness and humor, produced the perfect recipe for popularity.

Only later had I discovered the power of this Korean pop song.

Not only had the “Gangnam Style” video sprouted popularity among American teen culture, but it also inspired flash mobs in cities around the world, featured in international media and

7

shared on the internet by various celebrities.

“Gangnam Style” quickly toppled the music charts and crushed Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe." It’s fascinating to see that a song whose lyrics make almost no coherent sense to much of its audience could be capable of such popularity worldwide.

Although many find this song over-played and cheesy, it’s hard to resist the catchy tune and infectious rhythm.

Show student ID to get free cheese on your sandwiches!

8

Olympian

The October 12, 2012

Castro Valley High School Welcomes New teachers and staff members

By Amber Yang Feature Editor

Candice Tigerman “I teach to change the world, to make a difference in lives, and open people's minds. I feel fortunate to be in a profession where I get to laugh so much and know that what I do makes an impact.”

Michelle Stephens “I have chosen teaching because no other career offers a way to make a life, make a living and make a difference all in one. It’s the best investment in future generations; truly a lasting legacy!”

Maria Natale “I’m glad to be a part of the CVHS community, and I’m lucky to have such supportive colleagues and wonderful students. I’m a teacher because I believe in education. As a teacher, there’s always someone worth working for: my students.”

Brad Schoenberger “Castro Valley High School is awesome. Great facility, great faculty, and a wonderfully diverse student body. I couldn’t be happier.

I feel lucky to be here.”

Sarah Nahigian “I am incredibly excited to be at CVHS. I love working with students and being part of a learning community every day.”

Andrea Perkins "I love being back at CVHS! It feels like coming home to a family that becomes increasingly larger.

Although the last five years out of the classroom mentoring new teachers was a valuable experience that I will remember fondly, my true passion is teaching English and working with students! I look forward to a great year!"

Kyle Thompson "So far it has been great getting to meet all of the students at CVHS. There is a lot to be grateful for at this school which I have not had in other schools I've worked in."

Steve Brooksher “I have wanted to teach for many years. As we all know sometimes life throws you a few curve balls and we have to postpone our dreams and goals. This not my first teaching assignment, however, I can tell you that coming to CVHS has been a breath of fresh air.”

Michelle Carmon “Last year, I had the privilege to be a long term sub and truly enjoyed my time at CVHS. But I am so happy that I was able to come back to CVHS as a full time teacher. It has been wonderful reconnecting with former students and staff while meeting new students and staff.”

Steven Hendee “Music and teaching are my passions in life. It’s what gets me up in the morning. I’m excited to share this with the talented students of Castro Valley.”

Mindy Castro “I think my favorite thing so far at CVHS are the people: students and staff. I have received a lot of support from many individuals who have been here for a long time. I also have some very polite, caring students in my classes! I would rather be here working on stuff for my students than be anywhere else! I love teaching! I am so happy to be doing it!”

Laryssa Sadoway “I think singing every day makes high school better. I am so happy to teach what I love and to get to know an amazing group of students.”

New assistant principal: “I like challenges”

By Suzanna Chak A&E Editor

He is faced with a new school, new people, and new teachers, yet he is not a freshman: he is J.C. Farr, the newly appointed House 1 assistant principal (AP).

Along with being the AP of students with last names beginning with A-G, his duties include attendance and working with the math department.

Jesse Woodward, the previous House 1 AP, is now the principal of Marshall Elementary School.

Farr was the former AP at Bancroft Middle School but his desire to work with high-school aged kids motivated him to work at CVHS. “I am passionate about CVHS. I like the diversity, beliefs, and strong academic tradition of CVHS,” Farr says. “Even though I am just getting here, I am excited. I like the way things are going.”

Other staff members have been

very supportive and helpful by answering his questions. He feels comfortable consulting with them when he faces certain issues and problems.

However, adjusting remains

J.C. Farr

difficult. The size, from one thousand students to three thousand students, is a change that will take time to get used to. Another challenge is learning all the “nuances and intricacies of being a CVHS administrator,” Farr

explains.

Before becoming a principal, Farr was a history teacher. He decided to become an administrator because he wanted to make a larger impact on the students.

Utilizing the experience he gained from being a teacher, he has a valuable perspective that will allow him to better understand what would benefit students and their educational experience. His goal is to help all students be successful by looking at data and figuring out ways to help students who are struggling do well.

Although he taught history, it was not always his favorite subject. He liked all subjects, from math to English to science to physical education.

“I like the idea of school in general,” he says. “I like challenges.”

Not everyone at CVHS is a stranger to him. Farr had previously worked with Principal Mary Ann Valles at Bancroft Middle School in San Leandro.

According to Valles, Farr had pies thrown at him at one point as an incentive for students to improve their attendance.

“A quote from Fredrick

Douglass states, ‘It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.’ I agree with this belief wholeheartedly, and thus it anchors my commitment to the students of Castro Valley to provide a quality education.

J.C. FARR New AP

”

Farr wants the students of CVHS to know that he is approachable and non-judgmental.

He will listen and provide advice to help students make good deci-

sions.

Outside of school, Farr is a big sports fan. He supports the Raiders, the Giants, and the Chicago Bulls. He also enjoys watching Home and Garden Television (HGTV) and Law and Order.

His pet peeve is having onesided conversations because he feels that it is not a true conversation if one person is doing all of the talking.

Farr’s childhood had a great influence on the person he is today, a “family-oriented” man. As the youngest of seven and the baby of the family, he learned the importance of being a good listener.

However, being youngest isn’t always good: “I’m spoiled and have to have things my way,” Farr jokes.

Though Farr has years of experience working as a teacher and an administrator, he remains “young at heart.” Don’t be afraid to talk to him about bubble gum ice cream (his favorite) and fantasy football.