Volume 42, Issue 2, October 12 2011

el

ESTOQUE Monta Vista High School

Issue II

Volume XLII

elestoque.org

October 12, 2011

Powder power Exploring usage of athletic supplements sports Page 23

More than words The ďŹ ne line of literary censorship in the English department news Page 4

Drawing on the wall Mural clash between club and administration opinion Page 8

Changing tradition Exploring the evolution of Homecoming Court A&E Page 35

Inside

mind of a

Teenager the

The difference between a teen and adult brain, and why teens feel invincible

Special Report Page 11

12

23

35

4

College-bound soldier

6 13

Drawing the line for innapropriate language in literary context

Senior Dominique Black discusses her reasons for enlisting in the US Army

7 8 2

Thinking progress

Difficulty encountered in switching course levels

Mural dispute

Who gets to decide what the school looks like?

12 17

Investigating the psychology behind teenagers’ risky behavior

Dropping classes

16

Science of the teenage brain A break down of the maturing of the brain, from birth to adulthood

Sleepless at school

Why isn’t our school schedule ideal for the optimal brain function?

SPORTS

A&E

contents OPINION

SPECIAL

Profanity in literature

6

4

ESTOQUE

NEWS

el

20

Words of intolerance Staff editorial: Controversial words should not be omitted or replaced in books

The right nutrition

Having the option of dietary supplements to meet nutrition standards

27 Secret college list 20 The fear of revealing the lengthy and prestigious college lists and reasons to get over it

21

28

Brain training Devil’s Advocate: Being “just a kid” is no excuse for making mistakes

23

30

Sports flash A collection of recaps from this month in sports

Give big or go home Water polo coach Edwin Samuels discusses his career and coaching style

On the run Freshman Jenny Xu discovers her talent and passion running, surprising everyone along the way

Tradition v. function

35

Exploring the changing customs and purpose of Homecoming Court

38

Tied to Hollywood Teachers discuss the connections they once had to celebrities

42

Spitting bars Junior Shyawn Gholami explains how he found his love for rapping

EL ESTOQUE

21840 McClellan Road Cupertino, CA 95014 mv.el.estoque@gmail.com Editor-in-Chief: Karishma Mehrotra Managing Editors: Christophe Haubursin, Yaamini Venkataraman, Ashley Wu, Sara Yang Copy Editors: Nona Penner, Lisa Zhang Webmaster: Akshay Agrawal Photo Editor: Kevin Tsukii News Editors: Akshay Agrawal, Aafreen Mahmood, Anushka Patil Sports Editors: Patrick Xie, Dickson Tsai Entertainment Editors: Danielle Kay, Pooja Ravikiran Opinion Editors: Smitha Gundavajhala, Laura Yang Special Report Editors: Cynthia Mao, Daniel Tan Business Editor: Emily Vu Staff Writers: Rachel Beyda, Nellie Brosnan, Carissa Chan, Stephanie Chang, Emma Courtright, Simran Devidasani, Amrutha Dorai, Karen Feng, Kevin Guo, Yimeng Han, Gisella Joma, Megan Jones, Soumya Kurnool, Howard Lee, Forest Liao, Margaret Lin, Angela Liu, Rachel Lu, Jacob Lui, Kiranmayi Methuku, Alexandria Poh, Albert Qiu, Murahd Shawki, Angela Wang, Elvin Wong, Amelia Yang Adviser: Michelle Balmeo Credits Some images in this publication were taken from the stock photography website sxc.hu.

Mission Statement El Estoque is an open forum created for and by students of Monta Vista High School.

Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the journalism staff and not of Monta Vista High School or the Fremont Union High School District. The staff seeks to recognize individuals, events, and ideas and bring news to the MVHS community in a manner that is professional, unbiased, and thorough in order to effectively serve our readers. We strive to report accurately, and we will correct any significant error. If you believe such an error has been made, please contact us. Letters of any length should be submitted via email or mail.

They may be edited for length or accuracy.

Letters cannot be returned and will be published at El Estoque’s discretion. We also reserve the right to reject advertising due to space limitations or decision of the Editorial Board that content of the advertisement conflicts with the mission of the publication.

OCTOBER 12, 2011

There really is no point

in making my bed

Letter from the editor

CHAOTIC THOUGHTS Junior Special Report Editor Cynthia Mao’s notebook captures the chaos in a teenage journalist’s brain while brainstorming for this issue.

N

o matter what my parents say, my teenage brain will always calculate costs and benefits of making my bed.

And the decision my brain will make is: “No.” Ever since the first intense fight with my parents about this useless chore, I have wondered why all adults consistently tell me that making my bed is crucial. I see no logical reason for doing so.

On one of my lazy days, I came across the book “Nurture Shock” and immediately opened up Chapter 7: The Science of Teenage Rebellion.

So now, when adults ask, “What were you thinking?” I can say: Apparently, the little happy parts in my brain, like all teenagers, only light up when I receive a large net benefit. Little gold coins along the way don’t matter. I hate making my bed because I can’t see any direct, large competitive edge that comes from it. Any small, unforeseen advantage is completely formulated bull crap by the imposing generation above us.

Think of this: When you ask an adult, ‘Should you jump off a cliff?’ they instinctively feel that the answer is no. When you ask a child the same question, their brain has to formally weigh the costs and benefits before concluding that the answer should be no.

It’s just our brains.

As teenagers, we don’t want to admit our brains are different because we don’t want them to think that we that we are incapable. Maybe the disconnect in our crossgenerational conversations arises because they acknowledge the disparity while we will not.

But thinking about the ways in which our brains are different, not inferior, but different fascinates me.

Imagine a world in which adults and teenagers had the same brains.

Would the world still have the same ideas?

Would the term childhood take on a whole different meaning?

Would conflicts still arise between different generations?

How does the fact that our brains are undeveloped change our lives?

This month, our staff chose to explore the teenage brain because of its nuanced implications to each and every one of us.

And maybe next time they ask you, “What were you thinking?” you can answer by showing them this news magazine.

But if that doesn’t work, just make your bed. k.mehrotra@elestoque.org

3

NEWS

Just a

English teachers, students discuss

by Rachel Beyda and Aafreen Mahmood

U

sually, in Finn” has consistently remained on the English classes American Library Association’s Top 10 s t u d e n t s Censored Books since the 1990s for its are encouraged to “coarse language” and the use of the word describe and analyze “nigger” over 200 times throughout the novel. authors’ choice In February 2011, NewSouth Books published of words in their a classroom-friendly version of the novel that essays. But when replaced the word “nigger” with “slave.” In authors’ words past debates regarding censorship against include profanity, profanity, specifically the word “nigger” in specifically the literature, advocates for the original version word “nigger”, of the text argue that the language offers a the policies cultural perspective to the piece and can often aren’t as black spark discussion regarding why the author incorporated such language. and white. “[The words] are in the literature and they The school planner is clear need to be discussed as part of the literature about where and you can’t deny the fact that intolerance it stands on and profanity exist in our world. So you have inappropriate to deal with it,” English Department Chair l a n g u a g e , and English teacher Clarke said. “Once you set stating, “You those ground rules and we all understand that will not use we are using them from a literary and a logical o b s c e n e , approach, then it’s okay.”

Clarke allows both his freshmen in profane, s e x u a l l y Literature and Writing and seniors in AP or ient e d, English Literature to use what he calls “words v u l g a r , of intolerance” only when quoting the text. r u d e , In fact, this applied to the majority of the inflammatory, threatening, students who responded when asked under or disrespectful what conditions they were allowed to use the language.” However, word “nigger” in class.

But Catrette feels that the word needs when “words of intolerance” are used to possess meaning that is crucial for understanding the text on a in the historical or cultural level for it to novels read It was just a be considered appropriate. in literature word. We just “A literature discussion will classes, this said it. It was never revolve around swear policy does not fine. words,” Catrette said. “I know always apply. survey respondent for a fact that a lot of kids even This year, at this school think that using as AP English Literature, American Literature [‘nigger’] is okay. They don’t really understand Honors and American Studies the weight, historical context, and extreme students read “The Adventures of venom that that word used to hold.”

Both teachers acknowledge that the Huckleberry Finn” and Literature and Writing students read “To Kill meaning of the word “nigger” has evolved over a Mockingbird”, the literary value time, making it difficult at times for students to of terms used in these novels often understand the implications of using the word in everyday conversation. clashed with the cultural meaning.

“It was a lot worse in my generation,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry EL ESTOQUE

profanity censorship // national guard // dropping classes // mural controversy

word?

drawing the line with profanity in literature

Clarke said. “You just didn’t say it. I know Kill a Mockingbird” and African American rappers have appropriated “The Adventures of it into their vocabulary and so have teens. But Huckleberry Finn”, he asks just because African Americans are using it, them to substitute other words doesn’t mean we in the place of should be using it.” Does the use of the word “nigger” in English classes derogator y According to an or racial make you feel uncomfortable? online survey, 78% slurs. of the 648 students S e n i o r who responded Michelle Jiang also agree that the spells out the meaning of the word in her word “nigger” has essays simply 27% changed. However, because she Yes some students who considers it to be were surveyed part of the text. claimed that the Substituting words 73% word “nigga” is or using symbols to not a pejorative suggest profanity in No term. Rather, it is her essay is, to Jiang, used for addressing a misrepresentation one another in of the author’s an affectionate, intentions. brotherly manner.

“Profanity is In addition to put in books for a “The Adventures reason,” Jiang said. *648 students responded to this survey “[Changing of Huckleberry the Finn”, the novels words of the text is] “Kindred”, “Beloved”, “Invisible Man” and kind of like erasing part of our history. It seems “To Kill a Mockingbird” all use the word as if we are unwilling to accept the past actions “nigger”. However, books containing such that we have done and the consequences of language must those actions.” always be approved Though Catrette by the district, for acknowledges that which teachers must his own comfort first fill out a form zone is one of the explaining the way reasons for drawing of students surveyed had a the novel will be used teacher who prohibited the use of the line, he feels that in the classroom and he tries to recognize its educational value. the word “nigger” when quoting the different comfort “If there’s zones of his own the text profanity in the students as well.

648 students responded to this survey. book, that doesn’t necessarily disqualify the “I’ve just realized over the years that there book, but you need to think about things like are some students that are very sheltered the characters in the book, what [they are] from that type of stuff and they feel almost being used for and what you’re trying to do overwhelmed by it,” Catrette said. “It’s more with those people,” Clarke said. of making everyone feel comfortable.”

Though Catrette admittedly does not have a clear-cut policy regarding the conditions under which a student is allowed to use profanity, r.beyda@elestoque.org | a.mahmood@elestoque.org his students claim that while teaching “To

16%

OCTOBER 12, 2011

5

profanity censorship // national guard

NEWS

dropping classes // mural controversy

Fighting for a higher education Senior Dominique Black joins the Army National Guard to become first person in her family to graduate college

by Gisella Joma

W

hile many seniors spend She added that she will support their days filling out Black in whatever she pursues. college applications, “I told my mom, ‘This is senior Dominique Black, as part something I want to do. You either of her training, carries around back me up or you don‘t,’” Black a model of the M16 gun. Black said. started to consider joining the Before the trainees leave to Army in February 2011, and in their assigned destinations, they March 2011, she decided to enlist. must complete three phases — Because her parents were Red, White and Blue — that unable to pursue their education prepare them for their future beyond high school, Black wants duties. On the first weekend of to be the first in her family to every month, Black and her peers attend and graduate college — must participate in one of the but not by paying through student three phases. They will train under loans. Black joined the army their recruiters at the Armory primarily to gain funds for college in San Jose as early at 4:30 a.m. and to complete her education to Having already completed the Red the fullest. According to Black, the Phase, which involves paperwork, desire to serve her country runs in Black and other trainees traveled her blood, as her seven cousins, to base Camp Park on Oct. 1 and grandfather, uncles and great began the White Phase, in which uncles all served they learned in the military. navigation skills, I’m looking forward to The thought driving a tank. I don’t practiced infantry of joining the echniques care how hard I need tand army lingered partook in every time Black to work. I just want to football workouts. and her mother, get there.

Black is least senior Dominique Black looking forward Eliz ab et h Burgon, drove to the “rucksack” past the San Jose National workout, which involves marching Recruiting Office on Stevens 25 miles with backpacks filled Creek Blvd. After speaking with with weights. a recruiter, Black was able to get “By the end of this [phase], I more information about the Army will be ripped,” Black said.

National Guard, the only branch After completing the Blue of the Army that allows recruits to Phase, in which paperwork is enlist at the age of 17. Although finalized and last questions are Burgon was initially apprehensive answered, Black will leave for about Black’s decision to join the Fort Jackson, South Carolina Army, she has now come to terms on Nov. 22 and will not return with her daughter’s choice. until late February or early “What helped me understand March. Following her high school her perspective was when she graduation, she will leave again explained her long term goals and for about five months to begin how it would benefit her,” Burgon her advanced training. Once said. “I realized it was more than in advanced training, Black’s just a teenager trying to rebel assignments and duties will against her parents.” vary according to the needs of 6

Elvin Wong | El Estoque Photo Illustration

ENLISTED Senior Dominique Black has joined the Army National Guard and will be deployed to Fort Jackson, SC on Nov. 22. her unit and the skills that she acquires. Her current job title is “transportation and tanker,” a job which will require her to transport either soldiers or supplies and drive tanks.

“I‘m looking forward to driving a tank,” Black said. “I don’t care how hard I need to work. I just want to get there.”

After she completes the required eight years of service, Black wants to pursue law enforcement as a career.

“A lot of people I know have been wrongly accused by law enforcement officers, so I want

to help others realize that not all officers treat people unfairly or discriminate,” Black said.

All the while, she has inspired some of her friends to enlist.

“When she was talking about enlisting, I was really excited for her because it sounded like something that would really benefit her,” junior Juanita Torres said. “I’m enlisting once I turn 17 in December, and since we’re really close, it will be hard because we won’t see each other as much.” g.joma@elestoque.org EL ESTOQUE

profanity censorship // national guard

NEWS

Q: Have you ever tried to switch out of a class?

If YES, has administration ever declined your request?

Q: Administration made the schedule change deadline earlier. Was this decision justified?

Q: Are reasons such as “the class is too hard” or “I don’t like the teacher” valid for switching classes?

Yes, but the school should investigate the reason offered.

Yes. The school should cater to a student’s need.

dropping classes // mural controversy

Keep it or

DROP IT Post-ROTB course changes prove difficult, students left with limited choices

No. It is the student’s responsibility to be prepared for the class selected.

by Angela Liu and Elvin Wong

Ang ela

Liu

| El

Esto

que

Illus

trat

ion

A

s the new school year goes into full swing, some students will find out that a class they picked isn’t what they thought it is. Even for students who try to make changes as early as Running of the Bulls, modifying schedules can be hard.

Assistant Principal Ben Clausnitzer explains why: this school currently has more then 2,500 students; this number combined with a tight budget makes organizing schedules difficult.

Also, each section of classes costs $20,000, and administration is required to cap off each class with an average 32.5:1 student-to-teacher ratio. These factors combined makes it even harder to find room. Dropping a class only requires student, parent and teacher signatures on a slip. However, changing levels within the same subject, such as moving from AP US History to US History, is exponentially more difficult to execute.

“We [now] live in a world with more students and fewer dollars. Students really need to be in communication with their parents and guidance counselors. They need to make sure they get it right in the spring because there’s just no space for adding classes during the fall,” Claunitzer said.

Starting early in the school year, students themselves cannot initiate the drop and add process. Reasons such as “the class is too hard,” “I don’t like the teacher,” or the student does not have enough friends in the class, will not aid in convincing administration to begin the process. Teachers themselves must initiate the process for level changes by contacting a guidance counselor or the student’s assistant principal to bring up the student’s situation.

A senior, who requested her name to remain anonymous was overwhelmed by the workload of AP Chemistry in early September. She

attempted to switch to Physiology citing the fact that she did well in AP Biology in junior year, but her request was rejected because she missed the deadline to change classes.

Unable to handle the class any longer, she dropped the class without the opportunity to switch, and she is currently taking Abnormal Psychology at De Anza College.

“I don’t really blame them because [this happened] after two weeks and into the school year, and if you were a teacher, you wouldn’t like a student come after two weeks have passed because then [the student] would have to catch up with everything,” she said. “[The teacher] most likely already will have a quiz next week and it would be too much to handle.”

Even then, the student may still have to remain in the same class.

Guidance counselor Sarah Hershey also emphasizes the importance of making wise decisions during the spring. Due to class sizes and complications, the guidance counselors have completely closed off switching classes for students.

Hershey recalls that, as in previous years, switching classes creates the problem of finding room in the class and can also be hard on the student and the teacher. Entering a class after six weeks of teaching will be an unpleasant shock for both.

The annual Course Fair in March allows students to visit classes available to them the following year. Designed to help students pick the appropriate classes, the Course Fair allows them to meet teachers and view future coursework. Students that drop classes but are unable to enter another can enroll in community college or online courses to make up for missed credits.

“I realize teens make mistakes,” Hershey said. “But please make wise decisions. Go to the Course Fair, and talk to us beforehand.” a.liu@elestoque.org | e.wong@elestoque.org

648 students responded to this survey.

OCTOBER 12, 2011

7

NEWS

MURAL MURAL on the wall...

Who gets to decide it all?

by Anushka Patil and Karishma Mehrotra

T

o the average student who spends approximately six hours a day, five days a week on campus, distinguishing between the A, B, C and D buildings is no difficult task.

But for an outsider, it can get confusing.

Administration has wanted to permanently label the buildings for several years, but until last year, nothing concrete was done about it.

According to Dean of Students Michael Hicks, a particularly strong and organized Club Commission last year led then by Dean of Students Denae Moore suggested that the labelling project finally begin. During second semester of the last school year, Club Commission asked the club BTM HeART to create murals for the academic quad buildings. Although initially apprehensive about the task, the club spent the rest of the semester planning the designs for the outside of the A, B, C, and D buildings stairwells.

BTM HeART finalized the designs before the first week of school so that they could start painting as early as possible.

During the third week of this school year, Club Commission told the club to give their sketches to Dean of Students Michael Hicks. They received an unexpected reply.

8

EL ESTOQUE

profanity censorship // national guard // dropping classes // mural controversy sketch for the A building.

“We got, ‘Oh wait, I After the meeting with took this to the meeting Hicks, the club officers had a [with administration] but meeting with administration we are not sure if we want on the morning of Sept. 26, to continue with this exact complete with a Powerpoint thing. We might want to go presentation that showcased in a different direction.’ Of their sketches. course, we were shocked,” They summarized BTM HeArt officer senior their progress so far, and Younha Kim said. according to Kim, expressed By the time BTM HeART their commitment to the was approached about project and their willingness designing the murals, it had to compromise. Han said been, according to Hicks, that they received helpful nearly five years since the feedback, but recognized that labeling issue was first the club and administration brought up. Several aesthetic had different visions in mind. changes have taken taken “With six different place on campus since then, administrators, obviously including new lettering on the there were six different library and in the office, the opinions,” Scott said. “But marquee in the rally court, we were having an open and the on-going track and conversation. [The club’s field renovations. In an email officers] were taking notes, to the club officers, Hicks and they were listening to us called it “a new aesthetic as the customers.” direction” for the school Scott likened the process and recommended that they to that of designing the put the project on hold until school’s business cards. further notice.

Graphic design teacher Dave “I put them on hold Barcellos’ students presented because the conversation I administration with several was having [with the rest of designs and the staff administration] was, ‘Hold narrowed it down from there. on, okay, let’s think about TAKE ONE These are BTM HeART’s initial designs for murals on the A, B, C, and D The back and forth process this,’” said Hicks. While buildings. The murals are in jeopardy as the administration and BTM HeART’s officers was applied to the mural five years ago, according to try to come to a consensus on design. designs as well.

Hicks, administration was “[We said,] ‘Take a couple of weeks, see if visualizing murals with matadors incorporated, was considering installing metal letters, similar you can tailor your design to our requests,’” they now had to consider the theme running to those of the library building, on the walls.

Hicks said. across the new campus developments.

Although the meeting concluded without “In the end, it was, ‘Re-sketch your ideas “We have a classic campus,” Principal April a definite answer, Win understands that Hicks and we will see what we can do,’” Win said.

Scott said. “The intent is to label the buildings did not want to give the club false promises.

Administration expects the next draft of ... [but] we don’t want it to be too trendy or too “I don’t know what Club Commission designs within one to two weeks. cluttered. We want to keep it ageless.” asked [BTM HeART] for [in terms of design],” Both Win and Kim felt better coming out of For BTM HeART, the response put their the meeting with administration, even though work of several months into jeopardy.

In the end, it was, ‘Rethere was no explicit answer as to who will “We were furious,” senior Allison Win sketch your ideas and we paint the murals, when they will be painted, said. “We understand the miscommunication, will see what we can do’ . and what they will be. but we worked so hard on this and we really Ultimately, Scott, though she does not plan senior Allison Win wanted to do this. Then out of nowhere, ‘Oh, on making the decision solo, without other we aren’t sure if we can go through with this.’” administrators’ input, will have the final say on About a week later, the club officers met said Hicks. “The club did what they were how the buildings will be labelled — on which with Hicks. [approached about], really unbeknownst to mural design will be chosen, if at all.

“We were going there intending to express anyone in administration and when they came “But the direction it is going, it seems we our opinions and fight [for] what we planned to back, it was like, ‘Well...we’re kind of back to are going to be able to do it,” Win said. “We do,” Yin said. the drawing board.’” plan to finish the [murals]. From the beginning, But to the officers, the meeting did not go The club’s original designs revolved around we wanted to see them up.” as well as they had hoped. Hicks explained the on art that would represent each building’s factors administration was now taking into academic focus. They included French, consideration. At that point, administration Japanese, Chinese and Spanish scenes on their a.patil@elestoque.org | k.mehrotra@elestoque.org OCTOBER 12, 2011

9

ADVERTISEMENT

SPECIAL REPORT

WHAT WERE YOU

THINKING?

by Daniel Tan and Amelia Yang

OCTOBER 12, 2011

SPECIAL REPORT

I

Living in the now t was 2 a.m.

There are many reasons why teenagers With a pounding pulse and shaking legs, he carefully unlocked engage in risky behavior. But not all motivations three deadbolts and turned the are equal for everyone.

“What could be a motivation for one person doorknob. Fearing the creaking door would wake his mom up, he could be different for someone else,” MVHS psychologist Lucas Leonard said. paused every few seconds.

He suggests the desire to seek attention He knew he was doing something he shouldn’t have been. from peers and the pressure of current stresses A noise from inside stopped him as prime influences on teens’ actions.

But there is an overarching in his tracks. He dashed outside. reason for why teenagers Only two things were on this You live in the now, take risks: Their brains are anonymous junior’s mind: the and you make simply not yet equipped to thrill of sneaking out and how decisions right now. see the long-term effects of to cover up the evidence. He had Assistant Principal Dennis Plaza their hasty actions. locked his bedroom door and “You kind of live in the stuffed pillows under his sheets.

Although he had only gotten his permit that now, and you make decisions right now,” Assistant Principal Dennis Plaza said of high day, he started his mom’s car.

“Then I sped out,” he recalled, “hoping my school students. “It’s when something happens that you go, ‘Oh yeah,’ and then you begin to mom was still sleeping.”

Adults who hear stories of such crazy see the whole picture.”

Leonard gave an example of teenagers adventures like this would shake their heads in bewilderment. “What was he thinking?” they stressed about a class. Wanting anything to might ask. They see no justifiable explanation reduce their pain, they decide to act out. Sent out of class, they would avoid having to do for this teenage reckless behavior.

But even in this seemingly-irrational action, work, even though the long-term effects of their actions would be even more severe. there is some reason.

“It’s just that feeling of not thinking straight and your legs are shaking and you

have shortened breaths,” the junior said. All he wanted was the adrenaline from doing something risky. He wasn’t thinking about any consequences.

Caught in peer pressure Back in February, friends of an anonymous senior girl asked if she had tried marijuana before. When she said she had not, they offered some to her, and she accepted. And although her friends did not push her to try the drug, what they were saying ultimately caused her to make that decision.

“They always go like, ‘Everything’s going to be fine, you’re not going to die from it, you have one life, so live it,’” she said.

Plaza understands that actions like the senior’s can be expected, because long-term decision-making is not the only thing that teenagers need time to develop. In March, a study by the University of Oregon found that activity in teenagers’ ventral striatumin, which controls reward processing, increased with age, meaning that teenagers’ resistance to peer pressure is also developing alongside the decision-making portion of their brains.

Influence from friends also caused the junior boy to act in a risky way. His friends continued on page 14

[YOU WEREN’T.] 12

EL ESTOQUE

THE BRAIN GAME Only after the teenage years does the brain finish developing its cognitive skills

AGE By the age of five, 90-95

0-5

percent of the brain is developed. This includes the vision, sensation, and basic motor skills, such as picking up crayons.

AGE By 11 or 12, the language center of the brain is pretty much solidified. The parietal lobe which reguates spacial sense and navigation also develops, but the prefrontal cortex, which regulates abstract thinking, ability to reason, and emotion, is still immature.

6-12

The parietal lobe continues to develop, enabling increased analytical skills, spacial sense, and navigation.

AGE Links between the parts of the brain also thicken, leading to more sophisticated thinking, setting goals, recalling memories, and using experience to guide decision making.

13-17

Growth in the prefrontal cortex makes teenagers better at planning, assessing risk versus reward, self-control, and even ethics, like altruism.

AGE Young adults continue to hone in on their decisionmaking skills and impulse control. The brain’s transformation, which goes from back to front, ends with the prefrontal cortex well in adulthood.

18-ADULT

OCTOBER 12, 2011

13

SPECIAL REPORT

continued from page 12

knew he had keys to his mom’s car, so they asked him to sneak out with them one night.

“Teenagers live for others,” the junior boy said. “They look for approval from their peers.” So, wanting to fit in and earn respect for doing something risky and not getting caught, the junior agreed.

“Back then I just wanted to be a badass with that little group of friends,” he admitted.

Affected by the family Families can also impact a teenager’s decision to make risky decisions. According to Plaza, students with parents who stress academic honesty were less likely to cheat.

That familial connection was why the junior boy decided to tell his mother about his actions. When he arrived home at 7 a.m., he felt guilty about sneaking out behind his mom’s back.

“I told her because we have a close relationship,” he said. “She said it was expected and that most kids end up [sneaking out] anyways.”

Family pressures also work in reverse as well. One of the reasons the anonymous senior girl decided to try marijuana was that her divorced parents were not actually living with her and her older sister — instead, they had been working halfway around the world in China for the last eight years. As a result, her parents were never there to continually stress right from wrong.

Even though the lack of parental guidance led to her do risky things, it also pulled the senior back in at the same time. When her parents discovered she had been smoking marijuana, there was one the thing she felt most guilty about: her mother crying after believing she was addicted to the drug.

“I would just change because of my family,” she said as she remembered her mother’s response. Thinking of them, the senior decided to stop.

“Part of maturation” A big part of risky decision-making is just a part of becoming an adult and learning about the world.

“You want to try [risky things] out because you’ve never experienced

O Matter over mind Changes in the teenage mind do not change the minds of the parents who know them

by Angela Wang

14

n the desk in student advocate Richard Prinz’s office lies the 2007 article “This is Your (Father’s) Brain on Drugs” by Mike Males. There is another book, “Yes, Your Teen is Crazy” by Michael Bradley.

The most recent addition to his pile is National Geographic’s issue on the teenage brain.

Biology teacher Renee Fallon, who is mother to a freshman in college and a senior at Palo Alto High School, has also read the National Geographic article.

“We know that a lot of neuronal change are being made during the teenage years,” Fallon said. “Massive changes.”

Studies show these changes occur in the prefrontal cortex, where logic and reasoning functions occur but where development is the slowest, something Prinz taught parents while discussing the science behind the teenage brain during his first parenting class of the year. The parenting class, which is held on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the school library, highlights improving relationships and

fostering mutual respect between parents and their teenagers.

“What we’re doing [doing the teenage years] is shaping out the brain,” Prinz said.

“It’s like pruning.”

Maryam Ebrahimi, mother of freshman Farmehr Chavosh Akbari, attended Prinz’s class on the teenage brain. Despite the stereotypical teenager’s impulsive behavior, she still believes that teenagers are more analytical and perceptive.

“They really know more than me,” Ebrahimi said. “[When I was younger] we just listened to parents and believed them.

But here they’re more open-minded about what they do.”

Prinz believes that teaching parents about the teenage brain allows parents to become more compassionate when speaking to their teens and to not get so worked up. Still, he warns to be careful about reading too much into the science.

“Theories are theories,” Prinz said, EL ESTOQUE

them before,” she said. That’s why the senior girl decided to give marijuana a go.

“But that’s part of maturation,” Plaza explained. “That’s part of your development. That’s part of becoming an adult. We all make mistakes. And then those are important lessons.” When students come in after violating the Academic Code of Conduct, he sees it as an opportunity for students to learn from their mistakes and change their behavior.

After the foray into smoking marijuana, the senior girl’s curiosity has been satiated.

And now, after experiencing the drug herself, she knows it’s nothing special.

“It’s kind of stupid if I think about it now,” the senior girl recalled. “I wouldn’t do it again.”

The junior has reflected on his experiences as well. His decision to sneak out brought back mixed feelings. While he remembers the night as exciting and fun, he would not do it again.

So what’s the best way to prevent yourself from making a seemingly-risky decision and regretting it later? Stop for a second and think.

“It’s like bungee jumping,” Plaza said.

“You have to, at some point, decide what the possible outcomes are, good and bad.

Is it worth the risk? What are the benefits?

I get bragging rights? I get to tell all my friends I got to jump off a bridge?

“But there’s also a downside. And you need to know those risks before you make the decision.” d.tan@elestoque.org | a.yang@elestoque.org

“and theories are only helpful depending on what kind of effects that they produce.”

Parents of teenagers like Fallon and Ebrahimi recognize this. When asked whether they would change their parenting styles because of greater understanding of the scientific reasons for teenage behavior, both said they would not.

“As a parent of teenagers, you’re trying to balance giving your child freedom,” Fallon said, “while still providing the support and guidance.”

Ebrahimi agrees and emphasizes Prinz’s focus on developing positive experiences for teens.”

“If we make a good friendship with [our child],” Ebrahimi said, “then we can learn from them, and they can [learn from us].”

Teachers on trial Teachers reflect on the risky behavior they took part in when they were teens

by Emma Courtright

A

s a high school counselor, Clay Stiver probably knows his fair share of students taking risks. Students, however, do not know about the risks Stiver took during his own high school career. As a teenager, Stiver used to acquire illegal fireworks.

Fun? Perhaps. Risky? Of course!

“When [I] was a sophomore in high school, I used to go to Gilroy and get fireworks and blow them up,” Stiver said.

This blatant admission is all but a guilty plea of risky business; however, Stiver was able to slide because he too learned the risk in his ways.

Stiver stopped with the use of the fireworks after watching his friends get injured setting them off.

“A couple of my friends got burned, but I was lucky enough not to,” he said.

“We were lucky no one lost a finger.” ‘Tis true, a risk like this can end unfavorably.

So next time you feel like lighting a firework, dear risky teen, don’t. Let’s leave the fireworks to the professionals with ten fingers.

W

hen questioned about his youthful past, math teacher Joe Kim initially pleaded not guilty, stating that he was not a risk-taking teenager.

Looking back, Kim believed the only crime he was punishable for was quitting his high school math team for a week. But when further interrogated, Kim revealed he was not as innocent as he had claimed. Kim drove around for an entire year before ever receiving his license.

“My dad didn’t want to drive me around,” Kim said.

He told me, ‘Go drive, just don’t get into an accident.’ So I didn’t get into an accident.”

Now Kim reflects upon his once-risky behavior.

“It was good that I didn’t get caught,” he said.

Not until now, that is.

Drawing from experience, Kim offers advice to those who wish to follow in his risktaking footsteps.

“I wouldn’t recommend it for other people because I was a good driver,” he said.

Aren’t we all, Kim, aren’t we all.

M

argaret Platt might be known for whipping AP US History students into shape now, but don’t let the FRQ’s fool you — she was once a risk-taking teenager herself.

When Platt was younger, she took advice from Ferris Bueller’s guide and took her mom’s car out for a joy ride of her own. “[I] went to a party instead of the library,” Platt said.

This crime was forgiven; however, after the defendant showed clear remorse for the risk taken by acknowledging how she wronged her mother.

When reflecting on her act of tomfoolery, Platt simply said, “Shame, shame, shame!

I dishonored my parents!”

It is obvious that Platt has learned the error in her risky ways and now stands as a lesson to all teenagers who consider taking their parents’ car out for a joy ride.

In the words of the nowcleared Platt, “Children should be seen and not heard.” And neither should the sound of tires peeling out for joyrides be heard either. e.courtright@elestoque.org

a.wang@elestoque.org OCTOBER 12, 2011

15

SPECIAL REPORT

Sleepless in school

Schedules do not match teen brain function

by Yaamini Venkataraman and Lisa Zhang

A

t 7:35 a.m., the best place in the world is under nice warm covers in bed — not rushing through that AP Government reading assignment minutes before the quiz.

But that’s life.

Unless you have a free or easy first period, you are unfortunately subject to a rigorous curriculum every morning. According to a study broadcast on PBS Frontline Jan. 2002, teenagers, who should be getting 9.5 hours of sleep every night, rack up large sleep deficits. Going to school early in the morning only enforces the vicious cycle and can cause students to perform worse in their classes.

Senior Sandra Tai is one of the students with a free first period. She believes that energy is spread out throughout the day as a bell curve, and that the most optimal learning time for her is somewhere in the middle of the day. As a result, she welcomes a free first period before starting her day.

“I’m more alert in my second period [Calculus class] because I get more sleep,” Tai said. “I can keep up with the teacher easily even though I have a harder second period.”

Even though students can select whether or not they want a free first or free seventh period, the rest of the scheduling process doesn’t offer that luxury. According to Assistant Principal Ben Clausnitzer, schedules are made to maximize a student’s chance to take the classes he or she wants to, and not for the order of the classes.

In addition, each class should have a 32.5 to 1 studentteacher ratio to meet contractual regulations. As a result, even if a student wants to an different period of the same class with the same teacher to meet 16

personal learning needs, it can be very difficult.

“Oftentimes, the classes that are very popular — the ones students are trying to change around — are full. And when things are full, we just can’t move students,” Clausnizter said.

Contrary to the conclusions of the study, however, AP Government teacher Ben Recktenwald reports from personal experience that there seems to be no significant change between his three AP classes throughout the day.

He believes that the difference is students in the class rather than the time of the day the students have the class.

“AP students are more focused and here on time, so I don’t have as many tardies as I assume other teachers might,” Recktenwald said. “I’d be happy to teach [a first period] given that it’s an AP course.”

To resolve this issue of balancing school and sleep, students and teachers alike have come up with their own interesting solutions. Recktenwald proposes the zero through sixth period system, similar to Kennedy Middle School’s, in which the school would offer AP courses during the optional zero period for highly motivated students. Senior Casey Bronec volunteered a schedule in which students alternate academic periods with easier electives.

However, Bronec notes that there is no single ideal school schedule — it could vary from

The Ideal School Schedule (08/22-06/07) 0

7:35-8:25 a.m.

Optional AP period AP Calculus BC

1

8:30-9:20 a.m.

Non-academic period Physical Education

2

9:25-10:15 a.m.

Academic/AP period AP Chemistry

Brunch

10:15-10:35 a.m.

3

10:40-11:30 a.m Academic/AP period American Literature and Writing

4

11:35 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Academic/AP period US History

Lunch

12:30-1:25 p.m.

5

1:30-2:20 p.m.

Non-academic period Photography 1

6

2:25-3:25 p.m.

Non-academic period Teacher Assistant

person to person.

To change the schedule, however, other schools in the district would have to change their schedules as well. Not only would the five schools and students have to agree with plan, but the communitywould also have to agree.

“There are many factors involved with it,” Clausnitzer said. “That doesn’t mean that it couldn’t be changed, it’s just such a complex issue to change.”

y.venkataraman@elestoque.org l.zhang@elestoque.org EL ESTOQUE

staff editorial // devil’s advocate // bottom line

OPINION

comic belief // commentary // letter to the editor

staff editorial OPINION OF THE EL ESTOQUE EDITORIAL BOARD

Words of discomfort

for the sake of literature

Controversial words should not be omitted or replaced in literary context

O

ur generation has been brought up around all different levels of profanity, from those who swear like truckers to those who don’t swear at all. So it is only understandable that we are generally less concerned with the use of profanity in everyday custom than adults are, simply because we have grown up in an environment where swear words are casually thrown about wherever we go.

But in the classroom, controversial words are somewhat of a gray area.

It’s different from a kid in class accidentally swearing loud enough for everyone to go silent and wait for the teacher to react. It has to do with the feeling of general discomfort of using certain words because of what they represent.

friends as such in casual greetings. But teenage slang aside, sheltering students from the word in the context of literature does not do justice to the text.

Nat Hentoff, former writer for the New York Times, includes interviews in his essay “Huckleberry Finn in the Classroom” from black eighth graders of Brooklyn, NY who had opinions on the cont rover s y around the book.

They eagerly said that black students were smart enough to understand the anti-racist message of Mark Twain’s novel, and that the meaning of “nigger” depended on the context in Literary profanity which it was In books which many used. Hentoff literature classes read, mentions such as “Adventures of that the word Huckleberry Finn” and was used 160 “To Kill a Mockingbird”, times.

By the concern is with the omitting or numerous uses of the replacing the word “nigger.”

This word, teachers word has major cultural leave out an and historic impact, element of representative of the analysis that memories of injustices are significant and crimes done to blacks to a true CONTROVERSIAL: The use of slang cultural through American history. eachers have different words, like “nigger”, while controversial, should not understanding of the policies on what is an be prevented when discussing literature in context. l i t e r a t u r e. appropriate use of the They hinder word; some choose to leave it out completely or replace it with another, less controversial students from comprehending the reasons for Mark Twain’s numerous uses of the word word in the classroom environment.

Of course, it is far from appropriate to use throughout the entire novel. this word in daily conversation or to address OCTOBER 12, 2011

The negative connotation that accompanies the word is actually amplified by the way we try to manipulate it in the classroom.

Everyone knows the word is supposed to be there, so in a strange, reverse psychology sort of way, leaving the word out draws much more attention to it than if it were just read normally in context.

NewSouthBooks published a version of “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” earlier this year replacing “nigger” with “slave.” Using the word “slave” cannot necessarily be justified because it isn’t the word of the author himself.

Because the main character Huckleberry Finn does not always use “nigger” as a belittling tactic, the replacement of the word with “slave”can actually heighten the derogatory connotation.

Teachers grew up in a culture that had clearcut rules for words like “nigger”: it was never to be used by anyone under any circumstance.

This spawned an inherent discomfort in some teachers toward the word that is reflected in their policies for appropriate language in literary context.

The verdict Certainly everyone should feel relatively comfortable in a classroom setting, but a teacher’s uneasiness about one word shouldn’t prevent students from being able to absorb the text in its original, unabridged form.

Slight discomfort is minute compared to the negative impact it would have on students’ understanding of the text if the word were left out or replaced.

In all honesty, we students know what those certain words are, and we know perfectly well what they mean. It’s true that we may not be as affected by their historical significance, but it becomes futile, and almost comical, to hide the words from us, especially when they have legitimate meaning in the books we read. It might be a little uncomfortable for everyone, even students, but we’re in high school to prepare for real life. And in real life, no one is sheltering us from anything.

Class-appropriate 17

OPINION

Robots are taking over the world And there is nothing we can do to stop it; we’re absolutely screwed

Laura Yang | El Estoque Photo Illustration

S

l o w l y , robots are taking over, one by one, byte by byte.

In other words, we’re screwed.

In this modern world, there’s hardly anything that we do that doesn’t involve some sort of modern technology. Chatting? Cell phone. Entertainment? Computer. Defecating?

Automatic toilet. Technology has taken over our lives and robots are here to take it to the next level.

Take Cleverbot: it’s a robot that has an actual, factual conversation with you by learning from humans who have spoken to it before and storing their responses in a database. When it speaks to you, it looks through its previous responses before giving you an answer. In other words, it gets smarter and smarter on its own, just like humans do.

Not creepy at all, right?

But wait, it gets worse. Watson, a robot designed by IBM, played against two adults,

in a game of Jeopardy earlier this year in February — and won. Similarly to Cleverbot, Watson uses information from its database to answer questions in real life and time.

On top of using this system, it also takes a guess based on its confidence level, which it measures by calculating the probability of a right answer.

It also uses its confidence level to determine the amount of money it should wager during double Jeopardy.

Just like an average human would.

Wait guys, hold your gigahertzes!

What’s that? There’s a robot coming to us in the near future that’s even more powerful than Watson and Cleverbot?

Wait, it can react emotionally?

It seems that AIDA, a robot currently being designed by MIT and Audi, is the next big robot designed to take over the world — right from your very own car dashboard. It uses real-time information such as local events, car conditions, and commercial activity to suggest less congested roads, remind you to fill the gas tank, and teach you to drive in a way that’s safer and more environmentally friendly.

On top of all this, AIDA can read your emotions and effectively respond in a socially correct and informative way on its virtual face. The release date of the AIDA is still uncertain.

You might as well just start stocking up robot weapons to prepare for the future.

Forget med school. I think we’re done for.

Or are we?

Think about it: while we can’t exactly live without any sort of modern technology in our lives (Angry Birds, anyone?), we can start off by slowly limiting our use of super hightech technology like computers or smartphones to one to two hours a day. Maybe if we did this, we could at least delay the onslaught of robots for a couple more years.

On the bright side of this, your future kids probably won’t have to endure studying the SATs anymore. They’ll probably be too busy serving for the robot kings.

What’s the point anyway?

The Bottom Line

m.lin@elestoque.org

Supplement usage undermines spirit of athletics

by Megan Jones

F

aced with the pressure to be faster and stronger, many athletes feel the need to take supplements to increase their performance. Although legal, these performance enhancing supplements are not the answer to our ever-increasing competitive nature. These supplements can be harmful to our growing bodies, and if used improperly, can adversely affect our health.

The tragedy is that performance

18

enhancing supplement use is on the rise. In fact, according to a recent Erdman study, 87.1 percent of national and international level playing athletes use supplements.

But MVHS need not jump on that bandwagon. Our competitive spirit should be kept in check, and athletes should be improving by their own talent and skill — not off protein bars and shakes.

The answer to leveling the playing field is to ban supplement usage altogether. This way all

athletes will be at an equal, with no supplements lending a helping hand. Sports should bring out the natural talent and skill of all players based on their dedication and hard work.

But when some athletes take supplements, and others don’t, a clear winner is unfairly determined before the game has even begun.

And those taking supplements as a shortcut should not be rewarded for their iniquity. m.jones@elestoque.org EL ESTOQUE

staff editorial // devil’s advocate // bottom line // commentary // comic belief // letter to the editor

:

It’s our school: students and administrators must strike a balance

Angela Liu | El Estoque Illustration

by Simran Devidasani

W

alls are everywhere. Our school is full of them. But we don’t call them student walls.

We don’t call them administration walls.

We call them our walls.

Towards the end of last year, Club Commission decided to incorporate a new artistic feature into our campus. They approached BTM Heart, a club for artistic students, and asked them to create murals for our campus. BTM Heart slowly proceeded to create blueprints of the murals, finishing in roughly three months. However, as the new school year rolled in, they were shocked to find that the administration was not very keen on incorporating their work for unclear reasons. Not only might the club’s hard work have gone to waste, but a new confusion arose.

Instead of letting something like this happen in the future, a precedent should be set. And that precedent should be a willing compromise from both sides. Generally, when it comes to settling an argument, compromise is key. Instead of going to either extremes — having our faculty handling everything versus students taking complete charge — a middle-ground is necessary. This campus is for both students and the administration, therefore both sides should have a voice.

Despite acknowledging that teachers and staff

may be on campus much longer than students, four years is a considerable amount of time. Being around art stimulates the human brain and provides insight toward a larger perspective. At the same time however, administration should retain the rights to control what goes up onto our campus as it pertains to our school’s image. Some things may have to be censored, but there should be explicit reasons behind that censorship. Artwork is freedom of expression, and cutting or disregarding certain artwork for unjustified reasons such an non-aesthetic appeal, is quite weak.

Many more solutions with the overarching theme of compromise could occur. A select few representatives from both the student body and the administration could gather and do a brief “prosand-cons” evaluation. Either way, a “give-and-take” must occur. There should be some sort of mutual agreement reached, which would avoid discrepancy from both sides as both sides would have an equal and fair hearing.

So who should have the final say? Nobody should.

It’s should be a 50/50 compromise. s.devidasani@elestoque.org

We want you for the Captain’s Crew. I want YOU to join the U.S Army today.

by Margaret Lin

D

octors. Scientists. Engineers.

Want those jobs? Then join the U.S. Army.

When you think of the U.S. Army, you’re probably thinking boot camps, push-ups, and fighting man-to-man. However, students should understand that not everyone working in the U.S. Army is actually involved in combat.

In addition to “combat speciality occupations,” there are numerous healthcare, engineer, and

OCTOBER 12, 2011

science positions—all of which are jobs MVHS students love.

The pay is not bad, either. Health care personnel get paid up to $50,000 yearly.

Engineers get paid a yearly salary of $88,000.

Nuclear scientists can expect an average $60,000 yearly salary with many incentives and bonuses along the way.

The moment MVHS students see the words U.S. Army, they automatically skip over to the

next line. The year before last year, only 1 percent of the then seniors were considering joining the army . While students may not be interested in combat positions, students can consider signing up for different positions in the army.

So help out the army—sign up for engineer, healthcare, or science positions today. m.lin@elestoque.org

19

staff editorial // devil’s advocate // bottom line

OPINION

comic belief // commentary // letter to the editor

My college list? I’d rather not say Seniors avoid revealing their college lists as applications season begins

A SECRET FRENZY: In a college-crazy atmosphere, seniors keep their college choices hidden.

Kevin Tsukii | El Estoque Photo Ilustration

by Kiranmayi Methuku

D

o you know where you’re applying to yet?”

“Nah. I’m not really sure.

Probably some UCs though.”

“How is your college list coming along?”

“It’s okay, I guess. I’m mostly just applying to privates, out-of-state I think.”

“Man, I really need to start college apps soon. Where are you applying?”

“Oh, you know, same as everyone else.”

Seniors are secretive people. Especially when college application season comes around. It really does not matter whom you ask or how persistent you are. Ultimately all you will receive is some pathetic excuse for an answer: an abundance of deliberately vague responses spoken in an attempt to thwart your attention away from the real deal.

All this secrecy arises from one of three seemingly understandable reasons — none of which hold much ground upon further analysis.

Maybe-my-list-is-too-long-o-phobia No one wants to appear desperate.

Whether it be in an attempt to score a date or to gain an acceptance letter, it is of utmost importance to appear confident.

There are always those of us whose college lists well exceed the acceptable three safety, three target, and two reach length. And there is no denying the growing desperation that comes with an infinitely expanding college list.

20

But desperation does have its advantages.

It gives us options — the luxury to change our minds at the last minute. Come decision time in spring, the desperate among us are free to respond to a wide array of acceptance letters. Had they experienced a change of heart, chances are their ridiculously extensive college lists contained a few extra choices.

Sadly, the rest are committed to their earlier decisions with little room for second thoughts.

So go ahead and flaunt your colossal college list. Let the others mock your desperation. It will all be worth it.

Maybe-I-shouldn’t-apply-there-o-phobia There is always that thought gnawing at the back our minds that tells us, “You’re just not good enough.”

Most of us can set this thought aside. Most of us will apply to Harvard or Stanford despite the slim chances of acceptance. But this confidence vanishes the moment an outsider enters the picture.

“Do you honestly think you’ll get accepted into Stanford? What a joke!”

“My GPA is way better than yours and even I’m not applying!”

They might not say so but they are definitely thinking it. You can see it in their pitiful glances, self-deprecating comments, and insincere words of encouragement. And before you know it, that gnawing thought begins to

resurface —this time with a lot more persuasion.

It would be a waste, though, to let some cheeky remark keep us from taking a chance.

No matter the criticism our dreams receive they are not made to be left abandoned. Our attempts may appear silly to an uninvolved outsider, but to us they are bets worth making.

Nothing is ever certain. Perhaps an admissions officer will be moved to tears by a poignant essay and overlook a mediocre transcript.

Or perhaps not. It is definitely worth a shot.

Answering-the-dreaded-question-o-phobia In April, the questions start pouring in.

“Oh my gosh, I got into Brown! Did you?”

“Man, I really had my heart set on Rice. You applied there, didn’t you? What happened?”

For those of us showered with acceptance letters, these questions give us a chance to brag shamelessly and enjoy the looks of envy. Then there are the rest of us.

How are we to answer their questions?

The answer really does not matter. We can admit to the truth or skillfully weave around it. If we do choose to tell the truth there is no denying the temporary embarrassment, or at least uneasiness, to follow. But ultimately counting college acceptance letters is just another phase (like SAT scores).

Numbers like these ultimately— and inevitably—lose their significance. k.methuku@elestoque.org

EL ESTOQUE

staff editorial // devil’s advocate // bottom line

OPINION

comic belief // commentary // letter to the editor

Devil’s Advocate looks at the popular opinion on current events and argues the opposite. It offers a brief glimpse of the other side, of unpopular opinion.

The teenage brain might not be fully developed, but that is not an excuse

by Smitha Gundavajhala

I

Smitha Gundavajhala | El Estoque Illustration

We lose them. In other words, Homer Simpson happens. t would be foolish to say that we are not smart. We have some of We don’t literally lose them, but it takes longer for us to become the highest scores, as recent rankings indicate, and we are incredibly dedicated and hardworking. But what students fail to anticipate adults in the neuroscientific and psychological sense of the word. Our are the many other realities awaiting us in the future: living on our “teenage phase”, while not definitive, can definitely be extended when own, cleaning the toilet, dealing with demanding bosses and callous we don’t try to take on the world and its challenges.

When we place ourselves in new situations, it takes coworkers. In short, adulthood. time to adapt. The same is true for adulthood. We do As we grow and prepare ourselves to join the rest What students fail not just become adults overnight, or in one year, for of society, we are bound to have screw-ups and errors in judgment (often serious ones). We do not have the to anticipate are the that matter. We are, over the course of our teenage luxury of being “cut a little slack” every time just many other realities years, continuously evolving, developing and learning because we aren’t adults yet. While there may be a awaiting us in the to handle these situations. When we drive for the first time, when we have to manage our money for the first difference in maturity between a 13-year-old and and 18-year-old, the perceived shift in maturity from future: living on our time, when we are left without our parents someplace 17 to 18 is almost none. What changes in that year own, cleaning the for the first time — all of these are critical learning that allows us to take on these responsibilities and toilet, dealing with points for our brains. difficulties?

Yeah, we are not going to get it right the first time demanding bosses — we are going to need help. But if we fall back on We give ourselves a serious reality check.

It is true that the brain only reaches its maximum and callous coworkers. the excuse that we are “just teenagers,” or worse, “just weight at the age of 20, when the teenage years are In short, adulthood. kids,” the idea that there will not be repercussions over. In addition, at the age of 20, the neurons in our for what we do because we are “just kids” will be psychologically imprinted on our minds. We will never the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that makes decisions, are the last to be covered with a protective sheath called learn to deal with our mistakes, let alone on our own.

Just as with the law, ignorance is no defense. When one turns 18, myelin that speeds the transmission of electrical signals. It would seem as though science has given us the perfect excuse. the excuse expires, but the ignorance remains. So if you know what is However, this process would not happen unless we sped it along by good for you, challenge yourself. Learn how to cook, or how to pay the allowing our brains to grow, learn and think. The brain creates synapses water bill.

Use your brain. (nerve junctions) whenever we challenge it to work in different ways.

These only become strengthened as we continue to stimulate our minds.

What happens, one might wonder, when we fail to use our brains? s.gundavajhala@elestoque.org

OCTOBER 12, 2011

29

OPINION

The Perfect Matador: staff editorial // devil’s advocate // bottom line

comic belief // commentary // letter to the editor

What would the ideal Homecoming queen/king actually look like?

by Kevin Guo

GOOD LOOKING: Nobody wants to admit it, but society places great emphasis on beauty and appearance. It’s simple: dimples, not pimples.

SPIRITED:

FUNNY:

Everyone admires passionate leaders who put themselves out there. The Perfect Matador is so spirited that he continues to cheer for hours after a rally has ended.

People are easily intimidated by those who are “too perfect,” but a sense of humor can convey modesty and humanity. Screw sit-ups, the Perfect Matador’s jokes will keep your abs exercised.

S

ix boys and six girls were recently elected to the Homecoming Court, of which two will ultimately be crowned Homecoming King and Queen. The Homecoming Court is meant to represent the best of the student body and the class of 2012. However, since humans are a pathetic race of mortals, the members of the Homecoming Court are all flawed in their own, beautiful ways. What would the real “Perfect Matador” look like?

OUTGOING: Successful people appeal to everyone because they are genial and outgoing. You know the Perfect Matador, even if she doesn’t know you.

k.guo@elestoque.org

INVOLVED:

22

COMIC BELIEF

Good communities are built on the backs of productive and hardworking people. The Perfect Matador takes takes this to heart, and has more extracurriculars than fingers.

EL ESTOQUE Kevin Guo | Photo Illustration

artificial

SUPERPOWDERS

In the struggle to find the perfect diet, athletes debate the jump to supplemental nutrients

by Christophe Haubursin and Patrick Xie

Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque Photo Illustration

C

SPORTS

upertino’s Max Muscle Sports Nutrition may be tucked into a little nook off of Stevens Creek Blvd., but it’s crammed with enough supplements to turn Michael Cera into The Situation. Along its walls, pamphlets showcase images of bodies ripped and toned to apparent perfection, just across from shelves upon shelves of vitamin powders and pills encased in plastic containers of all sizes.

Storeowner Jack Bither — boss, cashier and cleanup crew — runs an amiable business.

He pours little paper cups of protein shake for new customers, guides them through the store, counsels them on proper diet and exercise.

He is flipping through the latest issue of Max Muscle’s magazine when the question first comes up.

Is the perfect diet achievable?

He looks down, and he laughs.

“It’s something you’ve got to dedicate your whole life to,” he said. “But yeah, I think it is.”

STATISTICS Illustration by Patrick Xie

worked on creating the ideal balance. But in the case of athletes, finding the perfect diet becomes even harder.

According to Max Muscle, a male 14 to 18 years old is supposed to eat around 22003200 calories per day. The “right diet” also says that 55 percent of calories should come from carbohydrates, 25 percent from fats and 20 percent from proteins, but in school most cannot be dedicated enough to keep track of the exact proportions.

“It is difficult to [eat right], but it’s not rocket science,” Bither said. “It’s easy to figure out how to do it — the difficulty lies in the logistics of doing it.”

Complete dedication would be essential for the right diet and perfect preparation of

Carbohydrates supply

40%-50%

of energy requirements

supplements.

Granted they are not all specifically linked to sports, but the concept has already been something that has been used by a large part of American society.

“If done appropriately in the right amounts they are beneficial. Done improperly or in excessive amounts, they are counter productive and can be harmful,” Bither said.

New standards Until recently, the food pyramid has been the convent ional understanding of The right supplement the right diet. But Going to a store the USDA replaced and picking up any the long running nutritional supplement food pyramid will not guarantee in June 2011, athletic improvement. changing the look Anecdotes from other and the title to players can lead to the aptly named false information MyPlate. The new because what works image is supposed for one person may to simplify the have different results message of what for someone else. people should be “I think if you eating into five really do plan on clear categories: using supplements, fruits, grains, you [should] see a vegetables, nutritionist or dietitian proteins and dairy Christophe Haubursin | El Estoque and say ‘is this the products, with SUPPLEMENTS Max Muscles Sports Nutrition sells only sports supplements. Athletes looking right thing for me?’” a fair serving of to have a better diet or build more muscle come to this store to buy the necessary supplements.

MVHS trainer Marie each per meal.

Gishifu said.

MyPlate proves Supplements can be essential to a diet to be the new example of the perfect meal, but all meals, including snacks, not to mention the for a student, making sure that he eats by the added costs of buying all the foods that supply if someone does have something missing in plate would be difficult. Food at the cafeteria all the nutrients an athlete needs. It may be their diet. If they do not eat the right amount is not always offered in the proportions that tough to keep up the right diet, leading athletes, of food, then a supplement would be a viable MyPlate says it should be, meaning that people to whom the perfect diet is particularly answer to replace those lost nutrients.

“To get that kind of access [to the right food] who buy lunch may not be able to achieve a desirable, to start using supplements.

The use of supplements, in certain cases, is pretty hard — a lot of people are financially perfect diet.

There is no exact answer to what the perfect is by no means a bad thing. According to incapable of doing so. Some people can not diet is. Nobody is the same, and each person’s consumer reports in 2004, more than 50 afford the fresh fruits and veggies and are diet has some variation, but experts have long percent of Americans take some kind of dietary going to get all the processed foods,” Gishifu

24

EL ESTOQUE

football // volleyball // field hockey // water polo // golf // cross country // feature // sports flash

20 Years

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition has provided sports supplements for almost

Americans using supplements

20% FROM PROTEINS

42% 53%

in 1994

25%

Daily calories should be:

55%

FROM CARBOHYDRATES

FROM FATS

in 2006

Amount directly made from the dietary supplement industry in 2006

Calories per one gram of:

$27 Billion

10

Calories

8 6 4

Necessary Calories (Based on Activity):

2

FEMALE 14-18

Calories

1800-2400

OCTOBER 12, 2011

MALE 14-18

2200-3200

Calories

said.

0 With Proteins Carbohydrates Fats more than half the American population using some kind of supplements, the right supplement could help get closer to the perfect diet. But since supplements are not federally regulated it may be difficult to find the right supplement. What is on the label might not be what is actually inside.

“It’s stupid. Your body can only process so i s much,” senior linebacker Michael Whittaker said. “Just drinking a lot of milk would have the v a l u e d *Information taken from Max Muscle, HHS/USDA Dietary Guidlines for Americans 2005, Natural Products Foundation, and Consumer Reports same effect [as taking protein supplements]. If much more at you’re just eating a balanced diet, that’s all you St. Francis than it is at need.”

[MVHS].”

According to Bither, the Supplements in MVHS athletics benefits of supplements are mainly S p o r t s used to supplements are affect fast sports not a essential twitch and part of the athletic It is difficult to [eat right], but it’s slow twitch p er for m a n c e, program, but they Fast- beliefs are divided. not rocket science. It’s easy to figure muscles. are always an twitch is used “I went to high school in option — Protein out how to do it — the difficulty lies mainly for 1979 and I was considered fast,” shakes and bars muscles used Bither said. “In today’s world, a high are commonly in the logistics of doing it. for strength school teen with the speed I had would be Max Muscle Manager Jack Bither found in the locker a c t i v i t i e s , one the slow guys — and that’s partly because room. But the use where slow nutrients have fueled growth. Science has of the supplements may not be as common at twitch muscles are for endurance actions. allowed athletes to become bigger, faster and MVHS than other schools.

“You see primarily endurance and strength stronger.”

“I get more business from St. Francis kids type of athletes benefit the most from than I do from [MVHS] kids,” Bither said. “If you supplements,” Bither said. look at the different athletic programs, athletics But when it comes to the real impact on c.haubursin@elestoque.org p.xie@elestoque.org 25

SPORTS

Kevin Tsukii | El Estoque

JUMPING FOR JOY (Top) On Oct. 6, sophomore Tiffany Tsai embraces her fellow teammate after her team defeated the class of 2013 in the first game of Powderpuff before Homecoming week. This year, instead of football on the upper field, the girls are playing handball in the gym.

EYE ON THE BALL (Left) Junior Prianka Singh takes a practice swing before driving the ball. On Oct. 4, MVHS played at Pruneridge Golf Course against Lincoln High School. Singh shot the lowest score of the day at four over par and led the Matadors to a victory over the Lions.

26

EL ESTOQUE Kevin Tsukii | El Estoque

sports

football // volleyball // field hockey // water polo // golf // cross country // feature // sports flash

FLASH Matador team updates

Girls varsity tennis remains undefeated Matadors defeat defending CCS champion Saratoga en route to 15-0 season

by Albert Qiu

T

he girls varsity tennis team defeated Saratoga, the defending CCS and Norcal Champions, in a 4-3 victory on Sep. 30 which further extended their undefeated streak in the league. Although the Matadors lost their first three games, they were able to compensate for the deficit and win the next four key games in straight sets to secure the win.

“The only team we lost to last year was [Saratoga] and this year we beat them, so that’s pretty good,” varsity singles player junior Wendi Kong said. “But we want to go completely undefeated this year.”

Seniors cruise, juniors upset as team handball debuts for Powderpuff This year, due to logistics difficulties, Powderpuff was moved to the gym with girls

OCTOBER 12, 2011

playing team handball instead of the annual due to exceptional passing and ball-handling by girls football tournament. On Oct. 6, the seniors Hitomi Sugimoto and Claire Nastari, first Powderpuff team handball victory of and goal-keeping by Vivian Mueller. homecoming week went to the class of 2014 over the class of 2013 in a Football prepares for rest of season score of 2-1. The key factor for the beginning with Lynbrook and sophomore win was their basketball Harker experience and exceptional defense.

Five weeks into the football “They had a lot of basketball season, the varsity football team players, so their offense was really has a record at 2-2. Most of the good,” junior Powderpuff player Check elestoque.org for an team’s stronger competition has Gal Haroush said. “And we just in-depth recap of the football been in the past few weeks, and couldn’t create that many scoring game against Lynbrook. the Matadors are expected to opportunities.” dominate the rest of their season’s On Oct. 7, the seniors beat the games. After a tough loss against Los Gatos, freshmen 4-0. At halftime, the seniors only the Matadors had a bye week. They played the had a 1-0 lead, but they blew the second Lynbrook Vikings on Oct. 7, and will be playing half open, scoring three goals and shutting the Harker School for homecoming weekend. out the freshmen. Key plays were performed a.qiu@elestoque.org

27

SPORTS

AWALT HIGH SCHOOL 1966-1969

Samuels played for Awalt High School, now known as Mountain View High School, under the prestigious Olympic Coach Art Lambert. According to Samuels, Awalt was considered the best team in the country at that point in time.

1970-1973

GIVE BIG OR GO HOME

SAN JOSE STATE Samuels played for San Jose State, which made NCAA Championships three years in a row, losing only to UCLA in his last two years.

In his senior year of college, Samuels was voted onto the All-American Team.

1974-1976 ALL-AMERICAN TEAM:

Samuels won the bronze medal with his team in the 1973 World Series in Russia. He was also the team captain in 1977 against Bulgaria. In his entire career on the American Team, Samuels played countries including Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Hungary, Italy and the former Yugoslavia.

AUSTRALIA

by Emily Vu and Jacob Lui

Back from the proleagues, new water polo coach Edwin Samuels brings his experiences to the team

1976-1977

1990s

As player and MVP of the Chermside Club, Samuels and his team won the league championship in 1976. He also played for the State of Queensland in a national state championship.

COACHING PRIVATE SCHOOLS Samuels coached at Sacred Heart Preparatory for five years, winning four West Catholic Athletic League championship titles.

COACHING PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2007-2011 28

For four years, Samuels coached at Los Altos High School where the team won three SCVAL Championships. The team qualified for CCS all 10 years. Now at MVHS, Samuels hopes that the boys water polo team can make it to CCS. EL ESTOQUE

football // volleyball // field hockey // water polo // golf // cross country // feature // sports flash

A

ustralia, NCAA Championships, Eastern Europe, Mexico, Canada — the new varsity boys water polo coach Edwin Samuels has had a prolific career. The list of his accomplishments seems to make students wonder: why our school?

From the local Mountain View High School, Samuels climbed to the top and was considered one of the best players in the country, captain of the exclusive 12-man All-American team in 1974 and the Most Valuable Player of the Australian Professional Leagues in 1977.

Replacing his good friend of 30 years, late coach Ron Freeman, Samuels introduced himself to the team last spring. Over the summer, he practiced with the team without pay. Samuels’s background has sparked his passion for giving back to the community — no matter how many accomplishments he has had. Having previously coached at a private school, Samuels decided that he wanted to inspire the players at public schools, the educational system of which, in his opinion, has been receiving the least amount of attention. The desire for giving big brought him to this school.

QA

: What sets you apart from other coaches? : I’m not so sure that I’m better than other coaches, but what makes me different is that I’m a pretty wild guy. I’ve got a wild personality, and I’m a born entertainer. I’m full of energy.

I’m pretty fiery. [Assistant coach Michael Yates] will tell you that I am the most famous player in the country, mostly not because of my talent but because of my fiery personality. I was an undersized, undertalented, and average-intelligence guy who really wanted to be good — really desperately wanted to be a good at everything — I’m very competitive, very driven, and very fiery.

QA

Jacob Lui | El Estoque

COMMUNITY GOLD MEMBER: Coach Edwin Samuels coaches the varsity boys water polo team during a game against Los Gatos on Oct. 4, using all the experience he has had as professional player.

: Why did you want to coach at MVHS? : I don’t know — a sense of social responsibility. I think we should all contribute something to the community. It’s not my job or anything, but I understand water polo really well, and I’ve had a lot of success. There are always a lot of schools which need coaches; there is just a dearth of water polo coaches at the high school level. You can work with young people — maybe you can change their experience somehow, make it better, make them more confident ... And I’m a big proponent of public schools. That’s my preference. They usually get the short end of the stick in terms of facilities or coaches; they usually never get the top coaches. They get whatever the department can put out.

Q A

: How did you apply your experience as a professional to enhance the MVHS aquatics team? : In my mind, [with] the little I could contribute, I wanted to make them feel like they have self esteem and play like they belong out there. I’m more experienced than probably any coach in the nation. I have the best winning record in the history of waterpolo, and if I can give them the coaching that private schools get — or better — I feel like I’m helping the problem.

QA

: Do you have a team motto? : I’m not much of a motto guy, but I just try to say: Don’t settle for average. I don’t care what God gave you, you use it to your maximum. There’s no life if you just settle for average — it’s an unacceptable way to live. There is just too much fun to be had if you put yourself out there. Life is a joy if you go out and maximize your experience ... There’s not a guy out here who doesn’t have more physical talent that I had, but I just had to be good at things.

Jacob Lui | El Estoque

OCTOBER 12, 2011

j.lui@elestoque.org | e.vu@elestoque.org

29

MAKING OF A

MATADOR

SPORTS

FRONT

RUNNER

Freshman Jenny Xu came out of nowhere to top the race charts — every single time

LEADING THE PACK: Freshman Jenny Xu runs in the Division I group of the Stanford Invitational cross country meet.

Xu finished the 5-km course in seventh place with a time of 18:50.

by Carissa Chan

A

t first glance, freshman Jenny Xu looks like just another ordinary kid. She wears a hoodie and shorts to school and ties her hair back in a low ponytail. Her backpack is filled with books, and for the most part, she doesn’t say much. When I ask her where she would like our interview to be, she holds up her sandwich and says in a soft voice, with a small smile, “Somewhere I can eat my lunch.” She blends in with the school crowd quite nicely.

That’s until she laces up her running shoes and takes to the trail. After that, it’s hard not to remember her.

“The first time I saw her run, I was like, ‘Damn, she’s fast!’” cross country captain and senior

Jammu said. “We haven’t had a Neha Jammu said. girl this fast for a while.”

And fast she is.

Xu’s journey into cross country After running in only two official meets, Xu, who runs with came as a surprise, even to her. the varsity boys because she Unlike other athletes, she did not is so fast, found that her name begin the sport at a young age, was already listed on school nor did she discover a true passion running until cross country It comes naturally for for later. records.

By “When I was her third her. Some people like little, I was faster week of high her are just blessed. than everyone school, she had Coach Kirk Flatow else, but not much accomplishe d more than most cross country faster,” Xu said. “Actually, I didn’t runners achieve in four years. She really notice that I was fast at all.”

According to Xu, neither of her had set a record. She had placed first in a meet. And as her times parents are particularly athletic, show, she is now one of the fastest so she assumed that she would not girls at this school with a 5:19 be an athlete either. And though her immense success in cross mile time.

“She took us by surprise,” country may make people think

Sept. 24, 2011: Xu places seventh in the Stanford Invitational and sets MVHS record with her time of 18:49

Sept. 28, 2011: Xu’s 14:02 Central Park time earns her third place and a MVHS record

Oct. 1, 2011: Xu finishes in first place at the Artichoke Invitational meet with a 14:16 time

Sept. 10, 2011: Xu’s first place Earlybird meet time of 18:59 sets MVHS girls record

otherwise, Xu did not fall in love with the sport right away.

“I started cross country in seventh grade because [physical education] teachers made me,” Xu said.

Sept. 1, 2011: Xu finishes as the “They thought I was fast. first girl in the MVHS 3-mile time They tried to make me trial with a time of 18:11 run in sixth grade, too, 2011: Xu joins the MVHS but I didn’t want to.” cross country team When Xu finally joined Lawson Middle School’s cross country team, she realized at last what her P.E. teachers had already noticed — there was something special 2010: Xu sets a girls cross about her running. country record at Lawson “It’s not just that Middle School she’s fast,” cross country coach Kirk Flatow said.

“She can maintain her 2009: Freshman Jenny Xu speed as well.” begins cross country Flatow first saw Xu run at an all-comers meet, Carissa Chan | El Estoque Illustration

30

EL ESTOQUE

football // volleyball // field hockey // water polo // golf // cross country // feature // sports flash

Used with permission of Kirk Flatow

a gathering of local school-age runners, back when Xu was still in middle school. Looking back, he said, “I could tell she was going to be good. She has a very economical, natural, efficient stride.”

But Xu did not know exactly how fast she ran, not until she broke multiple records at Lawson Middle School. Only then did she begin to think that she was, perhaps, a little more talented than she had first expected.

At the first MVHS cross country practice, Xu looked unassuming, armed only with her ability to run and a visor to keep the sun and sweat out of her eyes — no fancy running shoes, private coach or grand fanfare.

“When I first saw her at practice, I didn’t really think anything [of her] ... I just thought, OCTOBER 12, 2011

school, Xu decided to continue running not for medals or a college scholarship, but simply because she found the running experience enjoyable.

The team set out on its first course, a threemile run through Stevens Canyon Park. Flatow remembers seeing the first varsity boys return with Xu right at their heels. “She’s fast, Coach,” one varsity boy said, panting, as Xu walked away to get a drink, hardly tired.

“It comes naturally [for Xu],” Flatow said. “Some people like her are just blessed.”

But it was soon clear that raw talent was more than enough for Xu. The girl barely over five

A Comparison of Speed Freshman Jenny Xu’s mile time: 5:19

Average high school student’s mile time: 8:57

Average American’s mile time: 10:08

‘Oh, there’s a new freshman who wants to join cross country and have some fun,’” Jammu said.

Unsure of whether her speed in middle school would still be considered exceptional in high

feet tall quickly established herself as one to win, finishing as the first girl in the MVHS Watermelon Time Trial, ahead of even experienced veterans on the team. She came in first again in the Earlybird Invitational meet, competing against over a hundred other freshman girls from all around the Bay Area. And while Xu placed seventh in the fivekilometer Stanford Invitational meet, her time of 18:49.9 was still fast enough to qualify her for a record within MVHS — the fastest Stanford Invitational run ever completed by a MVHS female, with 10 seconds to spare.

“I’m really impressed. Before, everyone was like, ‘Oh, Kevin Bishop!’” Jammu said, referring to the senior who currently holds three MVHS running records.

“Well, now there’s Jenny Xu.” c.chan@elestoque.org

31

ADVERTISEMENT

28

EL ESTOQUE

football // volleyball // field hockey // water polo

SPORTS

cross country // golf // feature // sports flash

Burgeoning success on the range

While the team strives to qualify for CCS, the players learn to enjoy the game Morahd Shawki | El Estoque

TEEING OFF: Sophomore Nicole Cho begins her swing, as her partner sophomore Shruthi Perati (right) and the Wilcox High School team observe in their Sept. 27 match. Girls golf is still undefeated at 6-0 in the Santa Teresa division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

by Dickson Tsai

T

ucked within the Deep Cliff Golf Course, Putting the team together Girls golf talent existed before the team was the girls golf team has quietly compiled a 6-0 record in its second season alone. organized for the first time last year. Class of This year marks the team’s first year in league 2009 alumna Ji In Park, Grace’s older sister, play, as the team competes in the Santa Teresa qualified for CCS for three consecutive years.

Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League. Her talent motivated Sullivan to push for a “I know I can probably get at least two team, but there were just not enough people, so she had to play with the boys. of the girls to qualify just on Two years ago, Wong joined their own, and my goal is Remaining Games the boys JV team — a team that hopefully [to] have a team never played matches. She revived represented this year,” head Opponent Date the organizational efforts but few coach Brian Sullivan said.

Wilcox 10/10 were interested. She and Singh While qualifying for CCS continued recruiting, and their remains the primary objective, Santa Clara Golf & Tennis efforts were rewarded when the so is meeting opponents after the Sobrato 10/12 team finally grew to seven players match, in an environment that Los Altos 9/2 for the inaugural season last year. promotes individual motivation Coyote Valley Saratoga 9/7 “[Wong] was really excited and team support over about the possibility, but then competitive pressure. Beyond the scorecard, the girls all share a passion for golf. again the numbers were down,” Sullivan said.

Regardless of the result, girls golf already “And then finally last year we struck gold.”

According to Sullivan, the team only played shows promise — besides senior Christina Wong, who helped found the team last two official matches during the regular season year, the rest of the players are young last year. The team was still developing, but enough to potentially return next year. it could now offer a more appropriate level OCTOBER 12, 2011

of competition with girls from other schools. “[At first,] I was shocked a little because my sister was in the guys team for four years, and I thought I was going to be in the guys team, but this year it’s girls,” Grace said.

Apart from Singh and Grace, sophomores Nicole Cho, Erika Frost, Shruthi Perati and Meera Yellamraju joined the team last year, but without extensive golf experience. Their time on the team actually helped them become stronger at the game, whereas without a team, their potential would not have been developed.

“It was really their first time playing golf, and so it has been a whole year of getting them comfortable with their swing and learning about the game,” Sullivan said.

Although the team had sufficient members, the inexperience prevented the team from fully gaining official status. As a result, they could only send individuals to the league qualifier tournament during last year’s postseason.

“Last year, we weren’t really a team. We were more of a club,” Wong said. “Our goal last year was to teach them how to play golf, [so they] learn the mechanics, learn the swing.”

33

football // volleyball // field hockey // water polo “A nice, relaxing atmosphere” On paper, the team is competitive — they are currently first within the Santa Teresa division. However, golf is an individual game, and the real competition lies within getting a better score. The team actually serves more as an opportunity for the players to interact than solely for “competition.”

“I see it more as a social event,” Sullivan said. “For them to go out with girls from other schools and interact with them after their third year of playing. They’re going to develop friendships that are involved in golf as well and maybe carry that on.”

Baseball, the other sport that Sullivan manages during the spring, does not facilitate the same level of interaction, since the teams compete from start to finish before heading home. However, the pressure from achieving a low score during a golf match immediately ends after the round, leaving the girls free to socialize after the match.

Competition has never been the girls’ main motivation. In fact, the team functions more like cross-country, where talented individuals will advance to sectional and state competitions while the teams provide resources for anyone interested in improving their performance.

“No tryouts. We’ll all get in,” Yellamraju said. “It’s easy.”

With only seven players on the team, it did not take long for the players themselves to bond. The new sophomores had known

34

SPORTS

golf // cross country // feature // sports flash

Morahd Shawki | El Estoque

FAIRWAY, PLEASE Sophomore Meera Yellamraju (right) waits for her ball to land after her first shot. She joined the team after enjoying her experience in a summer camp. each other coming into the team, and now, with a structured practice schedule, the girls are able to learn from each other and from Grace and Singh’s experience.

For Grace, the team aspect is mutually valuable since her teammates provided additional motivation for her to succeed.

“They supported me, [and] they listened to me more,” Grace said. “Other than [my] always playing alone, they gave me the support that I needed to play better.”

Fore-seeing future success Last year, the team did not meet the sixplayer requirement, so three players attended league qualifiers individually. From there, only Grace qualified for CCS, placing 7th. This year, the team has the six players to be official. The only obstacle in front of them now: a strong performance at league qualifiers. “It’s a matter of doing it, but it’s a start,” Grace said. d.tsai@elestoque.org

EL ESTOQUE

Ash ley Wu , Ke vin

Tsu k

ii| E

l Es toq u

eP

hot o Ill

ust

OCTOBER 12, 2011

35

rat io

n

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

IS HOMECOMING COURT

OBSOLETE?

The tradition of Homecoming Court has evolved into occasional controversy

by Rachel Lu and Danielle Kay

E

very year, there’s Homecoming. Every year, varsity plays to the exhilaration and excitement of the Friday crowd that bears the chilly fall night just to see them win. Every year, the expectations are set for each class in the Homecoming race. And every year there’s Homecoming Court.

The tradition Typically, the Homecoming Court includes a King and Queen, usually seniors, nominated by classmates and then voted on by the entire student population. The winners are then crowned at the Homecoming rally or football game. MVHS crowned its first Homecoming Queen, Pam Meyer, in 1972. “[The king and queen] are individuals who contributed to MVHS in some way, in drama, sports, art, leadership, and embody a positive attitude that everyone should follow,” ASB Treasurer senior and Homecoming Court member Kevin Chang said. “It’s an opportunity for individuals to celebrate school spirit.”

The controversy In October 2010, the University of Arizona published an article

36

praising the tradition of Homecoming Court where five boys and five girls are nominated who best represent the school through community service, leadership, school involvement, and commitment.

However, recently some have questioned whether this is actually true.

The New York Times published an article in 2004 about gay students protesting Homecoming Court because many gay and lesbian students have been virtually absent since the tradition began. Their reports are inconclusive on the exact number of schools that now include gay and lesbian candidates, however they have noticed a few schools making the change.

“As a senior, I personally felt kind of awkward being on Homecoming Court because I didn’t know what it was for. I thought, ‘Why isn’t every girl up here?’ I didn’t get how we were selected,” said choir teacher Shari D’Epiro, who graduated with the MVHS class of 1979 and was voted Homecoming Queen the previous year In 1992, the Los Angeles Times also covered the controversy at a small private Christian school in LA that cancelled the tradition altogether deeming it “un-Christian” and overly focused on beauty and popularity.

In the 1972 yearbook, a student was quoted saying Homecoming is also a beauty pageant, referring to the Homecoming tradition.

EL ESTOQUE

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile // culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books Though most students would not call the current system of selection a “beauty contest,” many like junior Jasmine Tsai still see a relationship between the selected candidates and the one word she used to describe what Homecoming Court is based on: “popularity.”

Another question that arises in the discussion of Homecoming Court is whether or not students know the original purpose. Why continue a tradition that no longer has sentimental value for the students?

“If no one knows about Homecoming Court, then the school shouldn’t run it,” freshman Nish Ullagaddi said.

Yet, eliminating tradition is contested by most students. In a random selection of 30 students, just over half admitted that they did not know what Homecoming Court was for, but all of the students interviewed except one did not think it needed to be canceled.

“I don’t really know [what it’s for], but it’s a tradition, so we should continue it,” senior Shrestha Wadhwa said.

The shift Homecoming Court itself has persevered through the years, and its evolution is significant. Originally, six girls were nominated to Court every year, who would then have the choice of choosing their escorts. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that students could nominate boys to Court as well, but they remained as simply escorts. In 2005, MVHS crowned the first Homecoming King, Onur Erbilgin.

A noticeable trend is the high number of Leadership students voted onto Homecoming Court. This year, nine out of the twelve members are in Leadership. Although there were two nominees involved in football, one who was voted into Homecoming Court, the lack of diversity has caused students to become concerned with representation. “[There is] a lot of talk about representation, like too many Leadership, not enough Lawson students, Kennedy being more represented, but it’s a voting process,” Chang said.

In the last four years, three Homecoming Kings were ASB officers; the fourth was a class officer. The exact same numbers were repeated for the Homecoming Queens in the last four years. When asked who they believed would be in court, sophomore Eric Huey simply said ASB President. In an effort to contend such ideals, senior Homecoming Court member and ASB vice president Christina Aguila considered dropping out of the race because she did agree with the point in participating.

“It should be based on personality, and it is a part of it. [But it’s] mostly based on first impression or the image of the person,” sophomore Chris Chang said.

Around a decade ago, the Court had a more diverse group of students. In 1986, the Court included the head varsity cheerleader, ASB president, a varsity cheerleader, a dance team member, ASB secretary and a Madrigal (a form of music from the Renaissance) member.

“There was no leadership class, so the majority included football players, senior class officers, cheer and dance team captains, yearbook editors, journalism editors, anything that put you out in the public eye with the school,”Attendance Technician and MVHS Class of 1999 alumnus Calvin Wong said.

He attributes the shift to the creation of a Leadership class, greatly increasing the number of seniors involved in school and the issue with football players in Court having to be with their team before the game rather than out on the field with other Court members.T he football team not being able to participate was a trend that math teacher and Class of 2000 alumnus Brian Dong also noted.

“I really don’t know, to be honest, [what Homecoming Court is for].

I think it’s just a tradition all schools have. I’m a big fan of traditions, but we could look at how we vote and who can participate” Wong said. r.lu@elestoque.org | d.kay@elestoque.org OCTOBER 12, 2011

1972

Pam Meyer was crowned the first Homecoming Queen.

1974 In the 1974 yearbook spread, the contest was described as a “beauty pageant.”

1976 Homecoming royalty are presented on moving Homecoming floats.

2005 In 2005, MVHS crowned it’s first Homecoming King, Onur Erbilgin.

37

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

15 minutes of Hollywood fame Teachers share their close encounters with celebrities in everyday life

by Soumya Kurnool

E

nglish teacher Terry Anderson was caught in the crossfire of paparazzi.

Math teacher Colin Anderson dated Tom Hanks’s niece at UC Santa Cruz.

English teacher Jessica Kaufman rejected James Franco.

Even though it might be tough to imagine teachers having a life outside of school, teachers do not live in the drawers of their desks — they have connections to some of the most popular stars of Hollywood.

Soumya Kurnool | El

good with people.”

Talking to him made it clear that he is not as person-savvy as one would think.

“He’s in his own head a lot,” Kaufman said. “When he talks to you, you get the sense that he’s thinking other things in his mind …

There’s something he’s trying to get out of you, and ... he’s trying to size you up or something.”

So maybe Franco isn’t the greatest person to go out with.

When Kaufman taught at Homestead HS, students who found out went wild. People who she didn’t even know came up to her to ask if she really turned Franco down. She doesn’t care if people know or not.

“He was just a person to me,” Kaufman said.

”I don’t want coffee.”

Kaufman went to UCLA. In the last quarter of her senior year, she found that she had a celebrity for a classmate. He was in three of her four classes that quarter, one of which was Ando to Marlon Brando “senior seminar,” a For Colin, his small class of 10 to 15 celebrity encounters people that focused were mostly Soumya Kurnool | El on author Thomas spontaneous, with the Pynchon’s works for IN THE LIMELIGHT English teachers Jessica exception of a backstage the quarter.

Kaufman (upper left) and Terry Anderson (bottom left) have met actor James Franco and actress meeting with Journey.

“I was running late Marcia Cross, respectively. Their experiences have shown them that celebrities are no different He met boxer Mike Tyson that morning, late to at Bellagio and Harrison class,” Kaufman said.

Ford’s son at a party.

“And I was like ‘What are the odds of him “At the time ... I was like “No, I don’t want But one thing was not intentional — dating being in that class? Probably none,’…I sat coffee,’” Kaufman said. “He’s really nice Tom Hanks’s niece. Of course, he didn’t know down in the only open seat, and I turned to my [though], just not really my type of person. of her relation beforehand. left and said, ‘Hi’ to the person on my left and Celebrities don’t really faze me too much.”

Although he could never meet Tom Hanks in I turned to my right and I was like, ‘Crap!’ I sat At the time she met him, she knew who he person, Colin gained a quasi-celebrity status. right next to him. And he turned and said, ‘Hi, was. He had just finished Pineapple Express, “[One] student…could connect me to any I’m James.’ And I’m like ‘Yeah, I don’t know and she saw him in Spiderman. movie star,” Colin said. “[She would ask,] who you are.’”

“And when I met him,” Kaufman said, ‘What’s the connection between Ando and She worked with James — James Franco, “I was like, ‘Oh, you’re nothing like what I Marlon Brando? Well, Brando is in this movie that is — on a project and exchanged emails, thought you were.’ He was a lot smarter than with so-and-so, so and so is with Tom Hanks, but when Franco asked her to coffee, she I thought he was, and a lot more awkward …

Ando dated Tom Hanks’s niece. So Ando to turned him down.

He was in the spotlight so often ... He should be Marlin Brando is only four steps,’…She was 38

EL ESTOQUE

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile // culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books is with Tom Hanks, Ando dated Tom Hanks’s niece. So Ando to Marlin Brando is only four steps,’…She was amazingly good at it.”

Colin still wants to see Hanks, though.

“I would like to meet Tom Hanks,” Colin said. “To see how his niece is doing. And Tom Hanks’s son has the same first name as me.

I’m not going to take the credit for this, but hey, clearly we’ve got that connection ... That could be fun.”

and the paparazzi was down in front of us. And I’m walking by Marcia Cross and the paparazzi is taking pictures of her…It was just such a weird experience. I sort of had a feeling of what it would be like to be her, to be photographed like that.

So I looked her and said, ‘My Gosh, how do you deal with this all the time? This is so strange…’ [And she replied,]‘Yes, isn’t it? I’m a really normal person. All I do is take care of my kids…I’m really boring. I’m really actually boring!’”

A day in the life Terry has met a lot of celebrities. She and her husband, an automotive They’re just normal people reporter, have been invited to prestigious events like the Producers “I’m not going to lie,” Terry said of rampant celebrity hypes. “It’s Guild Awards, movie premiers and after exciting, it’s sort of fun to see them and talk to parties. At such events, she has seen really, they really are just regular [And Cross said, ]’I’m really a normal celebrities…But George Clooney, Queen Latifah, and people. And they just have these personas that person. All I do is take care of my blow them up out of proportion and turn them Clint Eastwood (who rudely “snubbed” kids ... I’m really actually boring!’ her when she tried to greet him). into mythical beings.

When she used to live in Santa Even if he has gained fame for who he’s met English teacher Terry Anderson Monica, near LA, her home was a block from the beach and a block in his own circles, Colin also thinks the hype over from Montana Avenue, a celebrity hangout. Consequently, she ran into demagogues is unnecessary. many celebrities without going out of her way to find them. On her first “The attention they get should be for what they do,” Colin said. “Not trip out of the house, she ran into Pamela Anderson a block from her for who they are. Tom Hanks is a nice guy because you like his movies, home; on her birthday, she saw Winona Ryder at a Chinese restaurant. you like his acting. Who knows about his political beliefs? Who knows “I happen to have this incredible talent for spotting them,” Terry what kind of parent he is? Or what kind of uncle he is…What you see Anderson said. “I have really good visual memory so I don’t forget faces is not really what they are…Some people have to put up an image…to ... Sort of bizarre, I didn’t even know that I had this sort of ‘gift’ or pretend they’re something else for public perception.” whatever you want to call it.”

And Terry Anderson believes that those inflated figures serve as a But the experience that changed her the most among her celebrity major distraction to society. encounters was most certainly her meeting with Marcia Cross, who “I actually think that people in our culture, the media, distracts the played Bree in “Desperate Housewives.” public from more important issues,” Terry Anderson said. “Americans “I was going for a walk one Sunday afternoon,” Terry said, “and she are very shielded and are even pacified by the entertainment news. was coming out of a shop, and I happened to be walking beside her, Sometimes it reminds me of George Orwell’s 1984.” s.kurnool@elestoque.org

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile

A&E

culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books

A ballet of spray tan and idiocy ‘Jersey Shore’ is both the best and worst thing to ever grace television

who decided to coop up a bunch of over-tanned, over-gelled and overconfident Italian-Americans in a house and film it all. This woman, Sallyann Salsano, is a genius who should have a statue erected in her honor every time a guido pumps his fist in the air. The cast of “Jersey Shore” are scum, don’t get me wrong. But I love watching the cast burn bridges and make fools of themselves.

And Snooki. Oh Snooki, I could write a book of poems for you, my sweet, sweet talking carrot. Watching Snooki operating a phone (or rather trying to operate a phone, was by far the most entertaining part of the episode.

Hearing her promising not to hang up on repeated callers, immediately hanging up, and then being confused about the whole situation made me wonder if the show was written because of the impeccably perfect comedic timing. She somehow Ashbury Park Press, Elvin Wong| El Estoque Photo Illustration manages to be simultaneously insecure THE IMPROVED “JERSEY SHORE”: The cast of “Jersey Shores” are filled with horrid, irresponsible and incredibly conceited by assuming that she is the star of every single people. Nonetheless, they are very interesting to watch. conflict in the house. Snooki is by far my favorite part of this show, second only to t takes Pauly D almost an hour to style his already feel my brain hurting at the mere idea Vinny Guadagnino, who seems to be the only hair into roughly the shape of an upside of watching more episodes of these horrid, person who recognizes how stupid everyone down broomstick. He carries bottles of gel dirty people being irresponsible. on this show really is. with him at all times, puts on lip gloss before It’s not like I’m prude either, but I’m a I would to love write about these people clubbing and uses his tanning bed every day. reasonable guy.

I forever, but I That should give you an idea of the caliber of consider myself very will end it with person we are dealing with here. liberal, I have an open this: The cast of When considering material for this column, mind and I’m usually “Jersey Shore” I usually take notes on what I’m watching or not very politically does not deserve listening to. This time around, I took two pages correct.

But the a TV show. Or a of notes in the first 12 minutes. It took me one entire time I watched web-series.

Or hour and 10 minutes to watch a 42 minute “Jersey Shore” I felt a radio show. episode, and I darn near had carpal tunnel like a Puritan. When I They don’t even syndrome by the end. Over a page of those watch these people go deserve Twitter notes is solely composed of quotes from the clubbing I can’t help accounts or any esteemed cast of “Jersey Shore.” but think that they must other media to broadcast their stupidity to Such gems include: “If I walked into the room trade around STDs like Pokemon cards. Filthy, millions of people. But I’m so glad they have and saw myself walk in the room and saw filthy Pokemon Cards. one. Because now I can point and laugh at myself, I’d probably grab my girl real good,” They pick fights constantly, behave terribly them. It’s something I’m sure that 99.9 percent from Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino. and act borderline mentally challenged. I feel of “Jersey Shore”’s viewers do every week, “The smaller the shorts the better!” from incredibly guilty that my watching of the show and I encourage them to, because that means Sammi Giancola. is putting money in their pockets and I would that those millions of people know how to “I’m like a praying mantis. After I have sex encourage nobody to do the same. behave like a human being. And that other with a guy, I’ll rip their head off,” said Jenni That being said, this is the greatest show ever 0.01 percent? Well, here’s to hoping that MTV “Jwoww” Farley. conceived by man. contacts them soon.

I can’t imagine how the idea for this show All of these came from the first episode. m.shawki@elestoque.org This show is currently in season four and I can came to fruition. My hat is off to the person

I

These darn kids

40

EL ESTOQUE

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile

A&E

culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books

True Bull Spirit Visit El Estoque Online for more Homecoming updates

Elvin Wong| El Estoque

CAN’T FIGHT THE FUNK: The class of 2013 shows off their moves during Thursday’s Powderpuff halftime show. Despite their sassy attitudes, juniors lost the game to sophomores 2-1.

OCTOBER 12, 2011

Elvin Wong| El Estoque

AIRBORNE: Senior Yash Rao is thrown into the air during the class of 2012’s cheer routine. Seniors crushed the freshmen in their Powderpuff game 4-0.

41

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile

Spitting

A&E

culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books

bars

Kevin Tsukii | El Estoque Photo Illustration

For one dedicated student, writing rap music is a great tool for self expression

by Yimeng Han

W

hen junior Shyawn Gholami began rapping last December, he Luckily, rapping had an unexpectedly positive affect on his academic bought himself a 120 page notebook. Two months later, every performance. single sheet was filled with lyrics.

“Once I wrote music, my [English] grades went up,” he said. “It really Perhaps writing music was so easy for Gholami because his creativity brings out my creative side.” had been suppressed for a long time. For over two years, he suffered Because his illness had made it impossible for Gholami to rap earlier from a gastroesophageal reflux disease that caused his stomach acid on, he was eager to make up for lost time. Since June, he has posted over to burn his larynx. As a result, both his vocal cords and his confidence 25 videos to his YouTube channel as user whoisSG. Three original songs were damaged. are in the works, and he plans to upload a music video in the near future.

“Music was never even in my mind,” he said. “I was embarrassed to Gholami’s musical aspirations also impacted his relationships with even talk. I was teased constantly by people. [They] would throw out his friends. When he began committing time to a project he was things like, ‘You’re gay,’ ‘You’re this,’ ‘You’re passionate about, he realized he was hanging out with the wrong crowd. that.’”

Since then, he has drifted apart from many of his old acquaintances, After an entire year of taking a medication, his who were shocked by his new-found outspokenness. condition suddenly improved. “[The doctor] was Music gives me a “A lot of people think I changed,” he said. “[They shocked. [My] voice shouldn’t have changed,” he sense of acceptance... say,] ‘Oh, you’re not the true you.’ I want people to said. “But when it did, I took the opportunity. Now [It’s] the one place know that this has always been me. Something changed, that I have a voice, I can actually [pursue] my passion where I can be me. and it was positive.” in music.”

In return, writing lyrics has given him greater insight junior Shyawn Gholami Gholami disagrees with the stereotype that rap is into his own life. defined by explicit and crude themes. To him, rap is a “Music gives me a sense of acceptance,” Gholami said. way to comment on important issues in his life, which range from family “Music’s the one place where I can be me... [It’s] the most comfortable and school experiences to his views on society. The added element of I’ve ever been.” rhyme makes the writing process more challenging, but it only helps him Many rappers post YouTube videos in order to gain fame or attention, examine and evaluate his ideas. but Gholami’s motivations are very different.

At first, it was difficult for Gholami to balance his new hobby with “My goal is to affect someone positively [through music],” he said, school work. His parents were afraid that recording music would “Because it did so much for me.” interfere with his grades, so he had to ration his time more efficiently. y.han@elestoque.org 42

EL ESTOQUE

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile

A&E

culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books

Wanted: Spirit and chicken wire

No Country for Old Women

I

have only been to quad decs once, back in the day when we built floats for Homecoming. I went to gawk at the floats for a mere five minutes, and then left.

I have only been to a rally once, back in the day when we assumed rallies were mandatory. I stepped inside, ran my eyes over the huge masses of screaming Matadors inside the gym, then promptly stepped out. I spent the rest of the allotted time roaming the C building, fabricating a la-la land with a friend. Those were the days.

So I have become the 2013 class officers’ worst nightmare: an apathetic, aloof, and nerdy student who studies math during rallies. I now endure a two centimeter scratch and three red welts as atonement for my sin of unspirited-ness.

My repentance I spent 45 minutes of a post-SAT morning at 2013 quad decorations. I expected it to be a huge party with blaring loudspeakers, tons of people, and power tools.

I showed up at the address I was given, and a man opened the door.

He told me they were working in the backyard.

I thanked him and went to the backyard to find out that “they” was only one person: vice president Nikitas Kanellakopoulos. I am infamous in my circles for being unspirited, so I expected he would be shocked to see me there. I would say that he was not. I ended up spending 45 minutes of extreme awkward turtle-ness cutting chicken wire to be staple-gunned onto OCTOBER 12, 2011

the zombie (which I thought was a black and white chocolate candy man) and flowers.

It was just me and Kanellakopoulos. I cut the wire, and he stapled the board.

I wrestled with the roll of wire, and he stapled the board. I scratched myself on the wire, and he kept stapling the board, while playing zombie-esque music on his iPod. Not a single non-officer, besides me, was there. And I thought I lacked spirit.

That means that there are about 400 other unspirited juniors like me roaming the halls of MVHS. The only way the officers can cope with that is to simply spend the bulk of their weekends at quad dec to finish the job themselves.

2013 still has a long way to go.

Using my newly acquired Facebook the night before, I saw on the class page that they were in need of materials: bedsheets and newspapers (I gasped at the thought of El Estoques being put to use for quad decs), as well as hands to do work. My time at quad decs showed me that they were still in need of both.

Although I couldn’t give them bedsheets, I was able to give them physical labor. If you pass by the 2013 quad dec, you can see my masterpiece — the wire cage on the left elbow of the zombie, the left leaf of one flower, and the right leaf of another.

It really surprised me how much I got done in 45 minutes.

And if the whole class could come for even just a half an hour, well, the 2013 quad dec would be pretty “13oss.“ So get out there, and make sure you bring a friend because the last thing you want is 45 minutes of awkward turtleness. You’ll not only save the officers some sweat, but you’ll learn some great life lessons.

Like cutting chicken wire.

Alexandria Poh | El Estoque Illustration

s.kurnool@elestoque.org

43

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The ghosts of accidents past

Students, faculty share stories of how they received their scars

by Forest Liao

S

cars. These tattoos of nature always have a story, whether you’re a famous boy wizard or a Monta Vista student. Scars help make up a person’s identity — whether they like it or not.

Flipping over the handlebars Just ask junior Collin Marcroft.

“It’s a purple slug!” he said about his largest scar, a ripple of dark skin acquired from a cycling accident in Fremont Older. “I got it by biking too fast, hitting a bump and flipping over the handlebars and rolling down a hill about 50 feet.”

Marcroft is an avid cyclist who ranks ninth in the state for his age group. He participates in several races a year as part of the NorCal league for high school cyclists, and also participates in the annual Sea Otter Classic in Monterey. He looks at his scar as a positive reminder of his accidents.

“I see [my scar] as a battle wound,” he said. “It’s pretty stylish.”

Fellow cyclist junior Clark Lin, has been in more accidents than he can count on his fingers and toes. But unlike Marcroft, Lin is not so enthusiastic about his scars.

“They’re signs of my stupidity. I get asked about them every day,” he said. “Even teachers ask me about them.”

Look where you’re going Like Marcroft and Lin, sophomore Yuna Lee has also been in a bike accident. When she was 12 years old she raced around the neighborhood with her younger sister.

“I was winning and turned around to stick my tongue out at [my sister],” she said.

She hit the side mirror of a parked car, which broke off and shattered on the ground. She fell into the glass shards, which embedded themselves into her arms. At the emergency room she received nine stitches.

But biking isn’t the only kind of riding accident Lee has experienced.

That same year, she was thrown from a thoroughbred horse named Jersey. While doing jumps with Jersey, the horse got spooked by a tractor turning on, and the former racehorse galloped out of control, throwing Lee off and causing her to dislocate her elbow. To this day, she still does not have full range of motion with that arm.

Even her face hasn’t been spared from harm—when she was four, she scratched an itch near her eye while wearing a red plastic ring given to her by her neighbor. The ring cut her skin and left a gash. Like her, the scar has grown with age. It used to be a short mark, but it is now longer and more noticeable. All in all, Lee is not proud of her scars.

“They’re really stupid stories to tell sometimes ... it’s embarrassing,” she said.

Rock or soap?

Senior Ansh Shukla received a scar in childhood as well. When he was very young, he began to wash his face with what he thought was soap. Little did he know that what he actually held in his hand was a

Elvin Wong | El Estoque

rock, which cut his cheek.

“Sometimes I like to say I was bitten by a wolf,” he said.

Although the incident was painful, and maybe even a little embarrassing, Shukla is still glad he has his scar.

“You don’t want to miss out living any part of your life. You only live it once,” he said.

Winning costume contests English teacher Stacey Cler has amassed her own impressive list of scars. Over the years, she has had surgery eight times, and they have left their fair share of marks.

Her knees have been operated on due to arthritis, and scars are not the only thing she has from the surgery: metal has replaced her knee caps as well. Her artificial knee caps rotate and can be an inconvenience at times by setting off security alarms in airports.

Scars have even won Cler competitions. After she had surgery on her thyroid gland, the liquid stitches on her neck won her a costume contest on Halloween — without even the need to wear a costume.

However, her most incredible story happened when she was even younger. At only a week old she contracted jaundice, a medical condition that turned both her skin and the whites of her eyes yellow. When an IV was put into her, she thrashed around and pulled it out. Although she was expected to die, she pulled through and now jokes about causing scars of her own.

“I inflict many emotional scars upon those that know me,” she said.

From her perspective, her scars are a part of her identity.

“To me, they represent my accomplishments in a lot of ways,” she said. “I’ve survived a lot of things.”

She has the scars to prove it. f.liao@elestoque.org

44

EL ESTOQUE

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile // culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books SCARS GALORE (Left) Sophomore Yuna Lee cut her eye with a plastic ring when she was four.

(Center) Junior Clark Lin has multiple scars from cycling accidents. (Right) Junior Collin Marcroft has a large scar from flipping over the handlebars of his bicycle.

Elvin Wong | El Estoque

OCTOBER 12, 2011

Elvin Wong | El Estoque

45

art // theater // food // music // movies // profile

A&E

That flying feeling Playgrounds, rainstorms and hot dusty streets are all breeding grounds for lies Swing-Swing I don’t know what the reason is but whenever I go on swings, I feel like a pretty little five year-old. I’m sure you do, too. My mom always brought me to the park and I don’t know how, and I don’t know why, but I could always spend hour after hour simply swinging. If I tried to do that now my legs would hurt and I would complain about all the homework I would have to do when I got home instead of just revisiting my youth. Why don’t I still have that ability to be care-free? As much as I want to “grow-up” there’s still that PeterPan complex of mine. I guess it’s a good thing to always have that one activity to always remind you of happier times.

Catch the cold I remember being yelled at for staying out in the rain. My mom always said that staying out in the rain would make you sick. My reply was always, “You don’t get a cold from being cold,” which is true, but there was no chance of persuading my mom. She always had her way in the end. But giving up was not my nature. I spent most of my years trying to catch her in a lie, but only disappointment awaited me. What a waste of time. I could’ve picked up a hobby, I could’ve learned how to speak German by now! But that is besides the point. Truth is, don’t spend your time searching for lies; that’s just too much effort. Focus on your health instead.

culture // technology // gaming // fashion // books

Kid fibs

We all scream for ice cream Literally, scream. Those jolly tunes would play down my street, yet I was sad. Mom used to tell me that those same tunes meant that the ice cream man ran out of ice cream. Every summer afternoon I’d wait for the ice cream truck to come down the street, hoping for just one time, just one time, it would be silent.

It never was. Those other kids always got their ice cream. Their cold, delicious ice cream. I wanted mine. I guess my mom was smart enough to teach me how to deal with disappointment at an early age. It’s easy enough to get ice cream now but now, there’s a much wider scale on which I can be disappointed.

Evaluation All these little scenes from my life have led me to one conclusion: childhood is meant to be remembered, not relived.

There’s a reason why it’s now boring to swing for hours and hours at a time instead of relishing every moment. There’s a reason that I now pick my battles instead of questioning everything my parents say. The point is that even though childhood has ended and that the ice cream truck is long gone, you need to look for the next great adventure. You need to carry those memories and continue to find the never ending happiness you once had.

p.ravikiran@elestoque.org

“It’s easy enough to get ice cream now, but there’s a much wider scale in which I can be dissapointed”

Forest Liao | El Estoque Photo Illustration

46

EL ESTOQUE

The

QUIRKS

of MVHS

Up the ladder and into the wardrobe: Discovering the Black Box costume loft

by Christophe Haubursin and Sara Yang

W

hile it may boast the nickname of the LOLft, Drama’s second-story costume hideaway has a serious history. Perched above the similarly named “OMG” and “WTF” closets in the Black Box, the loft is a mecca for all things thespian, packed with everything from women’s bonnets to a paper maché horse head — and in an environment in which every production demands props both new and old, the stash just keeps growing.

1

Judge a book by its cover “We have books that go on stage since books are super heavy we cut them in half [vertically], so they look the same to the audience but they’re half as heavy.”

3

Don’t kill the silk “We have some really [old], ornate Chinese costumes … I couldn’t sew this, but a lot of the buttons were broken, I had to velcro it. And this velcro is peel velcro, I could peel it off and it would do no harm. So these kind of alterations you can make, we have to be able to take them out and have things be exactly as intact as they were.”

OCTOBER 12, 2011

Class of 2011 alumna Lena Jenny offered a tour, complete with her four years’ worth of insight.

“There’s a back story to every piece of clothing, and not only clothes are stored up here,” Jenny said. “We have pictures, boxes, foliage, handbags. We have typewriters, baskets, lamps, dishes … like anything, everything is here.”

2

4

c.haubursin@elestoque.org s.yang@elestoque.org

In each other’s shoes “[In the ‘Comedy of Errors,’ class of 2011 alumna Anna Crouch and I] wore the same pants, the same shirt, the same shoes, the same stockings, the same socks, everything,” Jenny said. “We learned to walk exactly the same, we spent hours walking around each other, moving exactly like the other person moved. We looked so ridiculous.”

Elephant in the room “When I was a freshman, me and my friend … would sneak up here and try things on, which is super bad.

You’re not supposed to do that … [Drama teacher] Holly [Cornelison] can hear you because her office is right down there. So you walk and she’s like, ‘I hear elephants above my office!’”

47

VISIT ELESTOQUE.ORG , ,

TO SEE MORE STORIES PHOTOS AND MULTIMEDIA

1

2

3

6

4 1. Gunman loose in Cupertino 2. Steve Jobs memorial photo gallery 3. Our supportive community 4. What were you thinking?

5. No haircut is insigniďŹ cant 6. Water Polo versus Palo Alto

5