November edition Granite Bay Gazette 2016 including election edition

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Winter Fashion

Breast Cancer Awareness Hotshots is on the rise B1

School tries to encourage efforts for progress

Recreational basketball stays popular

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The newest styles emerging this season

The Granite Bay Gazette GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL w 1 GRIZZLY WAY w GRANITE BAY, CA w 95746 w VOLUME 20 w ISSUE 3 w THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016

COMMENTARY

Is the ‘Trump Effect’ a reality?

Andrew Phillips The GBHS science teacher helps provide a safe environment for students.

Safe spaces explained

cole kahmann

ckahmann.gazette@gmail.com

Why setbacks are vital for purpose

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here’s three pedals?” Those were my first words I spat out in confusion when I jumped into my new stick-shift car. As anyone who has driven a manual car can tell, I wasn’t quite prepared for the new car. Despite being pumped to drive it, I had never touched a clutch before in my life. After the excitement built up when I was getting the car, I drove it for the first time. As you can already guess, it wasn’t quite a glorious connection between man and machine. Doing the first test drive at 11:30 p.m., without having eaten in 10 hours and with tired (meaning grouchy) parents, I tried getting this car to move a single inch. After lugging, stalling, tugging and spinning out, in nearly every street in Granite Bay, I finally got the hang of things after several hours of practice. How... if I stay ever where comical or minuseverything cule, this is in my event of control, I struggling to drive a will never car helped get better. me formulate a viewpoint on failure I think has colossal importance. Now, driving the car gives me much more excitement than any automatic car did, but learning to drive it was completely frustrating. What I learned is as I am pushed into moments where I feel like I can’t succeed, the worst sides of me come out. I get defensive, proud and unresponsive to criticism all because I want to think everything is in my control and I’m always right. Then I get to the point where I clearly am not sufficient to accomplish the goal immediately and have to decide to seize the opportunity or submit to negativity. The beneficial part of the negativity and anger taking over my mind and actions in times of failure is I can fight them and learn what it takes to shut them out. Having realized that my imperfections intensify when failure approaches, I am ready to combat the ugly parts of me that come out. I came to realize failure can help me dismantle flaws, hone my selfcontrol and discover my potential. Tough times allow me to defeat my tendencies to block out advice when I need it and also learn to find positivity in the worst situations. Reflecting on this realization, I have come to learn that not everything is in my control, nor will it ever be. More importantly, I learned that if I stay where everything is in my control, I will never get better. If I enter situations that feel hopeless or out of my hands, I learn how to conquer my problems and become better prepared to solve life than before. The willingness to try and fail and try again is what allows us to gain the strength as individuals to reach new heights. We are faced with a choice to either repeat our comfortable lifestyles each and every day or do something to push us out of safe zones and pursue progress. *** Cole Kahmann, a senior, is a Gazette co-editor-in-chief.

Students can utilize campus safety zones when they need them BY ANJALI SHRIVASTAVA

ashrivastava.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette photo illustration/CARISSA LEWIS

Recent racial tensions have caused people to feel a disconnect with those around them that have a different skin color or ethnicity.

Is one man’s individual impact that significant? BY HANNAH XU

W

hxu.gazette@gmail.com

ithin the last year, Trump has been able to pave his way to the media spotlight with his blunt words and candid opinions. However, while his public voice has catapulted him into politics and the presidential election, some have said it has also pushed many back into the shadows. But in what ways have Trump’s words affected children and those suffering from mental health disorders?

A survey published by Teaching Tolerance, a project of the non-partisan Southern Poverty Law Center, released a statement claiming that out of more than 5,000 responses to their survey, 67 percent of educators have reported that their students – particularly immigrants or children of immigrants – feel anxious about being sent back to their country because of what Trump has said. Other claims include an increase in use of the “n-word” even among young children, heightened fears of being deported and an increase of children labelling those of Middle Eastern origins as terrorists and affiliates of ISIS. This phenomenon, coined as the “Trump Effect,” has concerned parents and students alike. Granite Bay High School senior Afrah Tahir has had to cope with the “Trump Effect” recently in her family life. After her sister was told by a classmate she was going to be deported back to Ethiopia, the country her family emigrated from, Tahir has

Is Trump correct about the talk in locker rooms? Private words can carry just as much impact as public comments BY CONNOR HINSON

chinson.gazette@gmail.com

Oct. 7, 2016, arguably marked the beginning of the end for the Trump campaign. On that day, comments that Trump made about women and his treatment of women become public, leading to significant public and media backlash. Soon after, Trump issued a response regarding the comments. “This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago,” Trump said in a statement released by his campaign. Although not many people accepted his attempt at an apology, his comment opened a dialogue surrounding the term “locker room talk.” Trump used this term to defend his audibly misogynistic comments, essentially arguing that locker room talk is private and not reflective of his true feelings or actions. Regardless of intention, those comments were his own, which leaves the question: was the “locker room talk” moniker he gave his comments accurate to the language used in a real locker room, or was he unjust in his generalization?

been up in arms about Trump’s assertions regarding the African American community and immigration. “With adults, they know they can’t say certain things because they understand it can hurt people’s feelings,” Tahir said. “But children don’t have that capability of putting themselves into each other’s shoes … so what children do is say what they believe they should say, which is just parroted from what they heard. The girl who told (my sister that she’d be deported) was really just echoing the news or a radio show. Because of that, I can’t really blame her, but it really does suck.” Tahir said she has felt a lot of disgust during this past year because of Trump’s rhetoric. “My sisters don’t understand the impact (politics) has on their personal lives,” Tahir said. “But when a younger child to another child says something (like what my sister’s classmate said See EFFECT, page A8

Girls of all ages are at risk of sexual trauma

After cases of assault, victims are far too often left to recover on their own BY CARISSA LEWIS

Gazette photo /COLE KAHMANN

After Trump’s recent remarks, students on campus question what he meant.

Granite Bay High School senior football player Brad Jones did not fully agree with Trump’s comments. “Locker room talk can be pretty graphic and explicit sometimes, but in reality (Trump) can’t use locker room (talk) to justify being an idiot in public,” Jones said. He continued, adding why locker room talk isn’t the same as public speech. “It’s different because it can be more explicit, that’s just the environment in (locker rooms),” Jones said. “It’s pretty judgment free and uncensored.” GBHS senior Water Polo player Nathan Ellinthorpe agreed. “(The locker room) is different because there is barely anything I can’t talk about in there,” Ellinthorpe said. “We usually just joke around in the locker room.” Sports culture can be difficult to understand for those who aren’t part of it. On the field, an athlete might act like a completely different person than they are off. An anonymous GBHS junior boy corroborated this idea.

clewis.gazette@gmail.com

At 11 years old, a young girl was verbally harassed on her bus ride to school. Eleven years later, the offense escalated. The young woman was on a work trip when her boss approached her, making several unwanted sexual advances toward her. And now, several years later, the lingering memories of both minor and major incidents haven’t disappeared. Social Psychology teacher Jillyan McKinney brings back her experiJillyan ence of sexual harassment from McKinney when she was 22 years old. “It didn’t matter how much I told The GBHS him I was married or that I was not teacher opens interested,” McKinney said. “He up about her didn’t like hearing no, and he was experience of very much using his power to … being sexually scare me.” harassed. McKinney said at the time of the event, she didn’t understand the severity of the what had happened, but the level of discomfort was extreme enough for McKinney to switch her career path. After the incident, McKinney left her job and decided to pursue a teaching career. In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, 19 percent of undergraduate women were reported as victims of attempted or completed sexual assault during their See ASSAULT, page A8

See LOCKERS, page A6

inside This Section news Oakmont begins to deal with tragedy

Every 15 Minutes is back this year

School recovers from the losses and injuries of some of their students

The anti-drunk driving program will be seen by juniors and seniors

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voices

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The term “safe space” has a variety of definitions, none of which are clear-cut. Initially, it was used to designate an area, typically in an educational setting, where hate speech, especially that against the LGBTQ+ community, was prohibited. But the definitions attached to the word have snowballed, varying from a space where individuals can go to seek solace to a space where anything that could be construed as “judgmental” is not allowed. However, the purpose behind these rooms stayed constant – that is, to ensure the safety of all students and faculty alike, whether that safety be physical, emotional or otherwise. In an increasingly polarized political scene, It’s with inflammatory events healthy happening evto have ery other week, a couple safe spaces have emerged of people on both high you can school and college campuses. look up In fact, safe to on spaces have existed on campus Granite Bay –Vyas High School’s Srinivasan, campus for GBHS junior quite some time, marked by stickers with the words “Safe Space” and a rainbow, albeit slightly faded by the sun, triangle. Many students have seen these stickers, yet few know what they truly represent. For the students who do know of them, safe spaces provide a place to get away, and shoulders to lean on. “I love (GBHS librarian Julianna) Hedstrom,” said GBHS junior Justise Wattree, who considers the Learning Center a safe space. “If I need anything, I know I can go to Mrs. Hedstrom to talk to ... She asks me how I’m doing, and I talk to her about personal stuff ... she’s a really good influence on me, and I believe she’s that to a lot of other students too.” Similarly, GBHS junior Vyas Srinivasan uses The Peer Resource Center as a safe space. “The Peer Resource Center is one place you can go to talk to students your age about your problems because they are probably going through the same thing you are going through,” Srinivasan said. “It’s healthy to have a couple of people that you can look up to on a high school campus whether it’s a teacher or a student.” See SAFE, page A6

Who said cars are an expected necessity? Students can feel like owning a vehicle is their right, not privilege

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News

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Granite Bay Gazette

Thursday w November 10, 2016

NAMES IN THE NEWS

connor hinson

The flight of the bees

chinson.gazette@gmail.com

GBHS alumni win high school film festival

F

ilm student Luke Snedecor , along with his cast and crew, won the award for Best Overall Comedy Film at the All American High School Film Festival 2016 for their short film “Lemons.” Snedecor, who graduated last May, better start writing his Academy Award acceptance speech now. *** Sean Vajanaphanich, also a 2016 GBHS graduate, attended the “One Young World” conference in Canada, where he was selected to attend through a scholarship he received to Stanford. He is one of the very few students selected from the U.S. to receive this honor. Way to go Sean, make us proud. *** On Oct. 29, the Emerald Brigade competed at the Folsom Band Review and won high field conductor, colorguard, woodwinds, brass, marching, General Effects, Music and Grand Sweepstakes. Give the other bands a chance! *** Austin Irwin , a former GBHS student, passed away on Oct. 16. The Gazette staff extends its condolences to his family and friends. *** Oakmont students Neal Desai and Camy Smith passed away this past month. Make sure to send support to Oakmont, and to the friends and families affected by these tragic losses. *** Varsity Girls Volleyball lost their second playoff match against Elk Grove, ending their season. Still a great season, as usual. Nice job girls! *** Varsity Football made it to playoffs after a miraculous three game win-streak. Tomorrow, Friday, November 11, is their next game against Grant High School. Keep those wins coming, we are all rooting for you. *** AP Economics and Journalism teacher Karl Grubaugh is heading to Indianapolis, Indiana for the National High School Journalism Convention. Maybe his wish will come true and he’ll run into a recently dejected Mike Pence. *** Connor Hinson, a senior, is a Gazette news editor.

CORRECTIONS Accuracy is perhaps the most important fundamental of good journalism. It's the policy of the Gazette to correct all factual errors that are brought to our attention. Email us at: staff.granitebaytoday@gmail. com Identification Statement GRANITE BAY GAZETTE PUBLISHED EIGHT TIMES PER ACADEMIC YEAR c/o Granite Bay High School 1 Grizzly Way Granite Bay, CA 95746 Subscriptions: $25 per year/ $15 per half year

Gazette illustration/CARISSA LEWIS

Concern for mass disappearance of bees grows after addition to endangered species list BY WILL ANDERSON

wanderson.gazette@gmail.com

As more awareness regarding bee endangerment in the United States has surfaced, Granite Bay locals, regional nurseries and beekeepers have voiced their concerns in an attempt to bring attention to the issue. Over the past 35 years, the wild honey bee hive population has reduced by roughly 40 percent, according to a study done by the United States Department of Statistics. And although the commercial bee industry has grown since the 1970s, there are conflicting opinions on how helpful the

domesticated structure is for bees. Beekeeper and Granite Bay High School English teacher Anthony Davis described the issues with this type of treatment. “It’s horrible – these commercial bees are moving around but they are only eating one thing,” Davis said. Later he comparatively recognized how detrimental the confinement of bees can be. “Just picture if all you had to eat every day was bread – there is going to be some nutrient deficiencies there,” Davis said. Since 2006 honey bees have increasingly succumbed to a disease known as “colony

collapse disorder” which is yet to have a direct source, but it’s most commonly associated risk factors are pesticide poisoning, lack of nutrition and poor forage. The disorder has been a partial contributor to the endangerment of bees. In Granite Bay, students have become more and more disappointed by the lack of awareness. “I was very saddened, people got to respect the bees! Bees are what keep life going,” GBHS senior Keaton Dougherty said. In continued disappointment, this also

raised uncertainty for students when reflecting upon bees’ effects on the earth. “The state of our ecosystem currently should tell people that there is a very real problem going on,” said GBHS senior and bee enthusiast Hope Halpin. Unfortunately, this lack of environmental sensitivity takes a toll on the earth. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in 2010 alone, more than 9,000 metric tons of carbon air pollution was produced. See BEES, page A7

Oakmont High grieves significant losses School dealing with deaths of two students, serious injury of another in an auto accident BY MAX SCHWARTZ

mschwartz.gazette@gmail.

With the tragic recent events involving three Oakmont students, the students and families in the Roseville Union Joint High School District have come together to support the students and their families who have suffered significant losses. Julian Ortiz Julian Ortiz is a sophomore at Oakmont High School. Recently he was in a car accident on his way back from Homecoming with his friends. One of his friends, Jackson Kerrigan, was in the accident but wasn’t hurt. “We always think of ourselves as invincible or immortal, but it was kind of a humbling experience to see one of my own being bedridden in the hospital with a coma,” Kerrigan said. When word of the accident got around, there were hashtags such as #BLUEFORJULES. The Monday after the accident on the Oakmont campus, many students and faculty members wore blue in support of Ortiz’s recovery. “It was really cool seeing most of the school dressed in blue,” said Osiris Williams, a sophomore at Oakmont. “I realized how caring the students at my school were, which was really cool.” Eventually, there was a GoFundMe campaign started to support the Ortiz family, and it raised $15,000 from 260 people in less than a month to help pay for medical expenses. “Seeing that many people come together and donate their own money was really cool to see,” Williams said Ortiz is slowly recovering, but more quickly than anticipated – he is out of the hospital home and improving. “Julian himself went from being everyone’s sorrow to everyone’s hope because of his amazing recovery rate, it is so incredibly relieving to see him better,” said Kerrigan. Neal Desai On Oct. 22, Neal Desai died outside his parents’ home in Roseville. Kaitlin Sorgea, a senior at Oakmont High School, was one of Desai’s close friends. “I had the honor of knowing Neal since fourth grade,” Sorgea said. Desai’s unexpected death came as a shock, and it was surreal to many in the Oakmont community. “My best friends came into my room at 4 a.m. and told me the news, and I was in shock,” Sorgea said. “I was just with him and

talking to him less than 24 hours prior, so I couldn’t process it as real for a few days.” Oakmont students have been coming together despite their loss. “Everyone has really come together as a family, especially the students.” Sorgea said. “Going to school seemed like the last thing I wanted to do, but going was the best decision I could’ve made. The love that we all have for each other is amazing. Everyone is there to support each other, whether they know each other or not.” Sorgea also added how helpful the students from other schools were to the grieving process. “All of the love getting sent our way from other schools is amazing,” she said. “It means so much to not only our school, but Neal’s family. We appreciate it so much.” Sorgea one lesson she’s learned from the death of her friend is that it’s always important to tell people you love them. “My last conversation with Neal was me telling him how much I love him and how thankful I was to have him as my best friend, and I’m so thankful I got to say all of that one last time.” Sorgea said.

Special to the Gazette /OAKMONT HS TWITTER ACCOUNT

Camy Smith Camy Smith, a 15-year-old Oakmont sophomore, recently lost her six-month battle to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Sawyer Belcher, an Oakmont sophomore knew Smith well. “I have known Camy for about six years now – we went to the same elementary school, middle school and high school,” The Oakmont community had been getting update’s about Smith’s condition, but that didn’t lessen the impact of her death. “The student body, staff and admin have reacted to this as if we’re all family, which we are,” Belcher said. “Yes, it was extremely hard for everyone and it still is hard, but it shows that we can put all differences and issues behind us and come together.” After her death Belcher reflected on what she was like, and the light she brought to everyone. “Camy (was) the most amazing person you could ever meet” Belcher said. “She was so selfless and always made sure everyone was OK, and if they weren’t she was there to help you through it all. She is the one person who is an inspiration to me. She taught me that no matter what was happening, to always have a smile on your face.”

Special to the Gazette /JOSHUA GANUB

Special to the Gazette/OAKMONT HS TWITTER ACCOUNT

Top, Neal Desai’s parking spot turned into a memorial by fellow Oakmont students. Middle, Julain Ortiz reaches out to several visitors in his hospital bed. Bottom, one of the chalk memorials for Camy Smith and Neal Desai.


Thursday, November 10, 2016

News A3

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Thursday, November 10, 2016

News

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ASB, local law enforcement plan Every 15 Minutes

Program addresses consequences of drunk driving in the community

Gazette file photo 2014 /KAT MCGRAIL

GBHS graduate Savanna Thompson, left, acts dead after a simulated crash during the 2014 Every 15 Minutes program. Graduate Spencer Bluett, above, is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the deaths of multiple individuals.

Gazette file photo 2014 /KAT MCGRAIL

BY KATIE COLOGNA

kcologna.gazette@gmail.com

Every other year, Granite Bay High School gets the opportunity to put on the Every Fifteen Minutes simulation that brings awareness to teens about the consequences of drunk driving. Ever since the first Every 15 Minutes simulation in 1995, the program has reached students all over the world. The program, directed at high school juniors and seniors, addresses the importance of preventing drunk driving. Since 1995, the rate of death among drunk drivers has dropped significantly. As of 2015, one person dies every 51 minutes in drunk driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drunk driving has always been possible for students, but the risk is higher when

student develop more of a social life in their high school years. “It’s very sobering,” said Tamara Givens, the Student Government teacher at GBHS. “Our kids have always taken (the program) very seriously, which is good. We do only do it with juniors and seniors for a reason. Partly because they’re the ones mostly driving, but also because it takes a level of maturity to take the simulation and understand that while it’s not real, it represents something that could happen if they make certain choices.” In order to make the program and simulation seem realistic, California Highway Patrol officer Dave Martinez not only contacts the local police department, but also the local fire department, the coroner, chaplaincy and Sutter Roseville Hospital. “This is a reality – this really could happen to their peers,” Martinez said. “You know, obviously, this is a simulative col-

lision, but we try to make it as realistic as possible to let the audience, or the students at Granite Bay, know that this really could happen.” Not only does this touch the students emotionally, but it specifically takes a toll on the parents whose children are involved in the simulation. “The day of the collision we send chaplains to their houses to make a mock death notification,” Martinez said. “They are required that night to go to a parent retreat. The students go to an overnight retreat. They don’t have their phones so they can’t call their parents and say goodnight. We need parents to feel that impact of the thought of losing a kid because if they don’t feel it, then I don’t think they’ll take this program seriously.” The process of planning the simulation is more than just a short collision simulation. “We split up responsibilities in a lot of

ways,” Givens said. “I do a lot of logistics stuff, like facilities – getting the hotel for the kids, the ... schedule and I help facilitate the crash and the memorial service. I’m kind of the logistical overseer of the whole thing.” Along with that, families have to be prepared for the program in advance, including meetings and paperwork. “I met with parents about a month ago to explain to them what’s going to happen on Nov. 16-17,” Martinez said. “I explained to them what was expected of them, and then the students have a different type of involvement.” The involvement of teens in alcohol-related accidents is something that the simulation can show, but also teach. “It’s an eye-opener for some of these teenagers, because we all know that teenagers drink alcohol at a young age or in high school,” Martinez said. “They go to

IB exams prove costly at first glance For non-IB students, a test can cost $284 BY KATE BOOTH

kbooth.gazette@gmail.com

In order to take an International Baccalaureate class, students must pay for and take IB final exam to receive a grade in the course. This requirement has caused frustration among several Granite Bay High School students. Senior Afrah Tahir, who is in the Advanced Placement program, is taking a single IB course, but she is not trying to get the IB diploma. “You feel trapped,” Tahir said. “It’s not even like if you don’t take the test you just don’t get a grade bump. You literally don’t get a grade.” In an email interview, GBHS IB coordinator Duane Blomquist, explained that “like any college course, you are required to ‘sit’ for exams. It’s not an option like AP. This is one of many protocols that separate IB from other programs.” IB courses are modeled after college classes all the way down to their testing practices, meaning students

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must take an IB final exam like they would take a final in a college course. Because of this expectation, Blomquist said the IB route is a pathway students should take if they are prepared for an academically rigorous education and are willing to put in what a college-level course would entail. This can mean time and money, akin to a college course. Although the courses can be challenging and the tests are mandatory, many IB students find the classes and the knowledge they extract from them to be very rewarding. “Education is something that is very important, and paying for it is something that I’m willing to do, to get an education, learn more and get more knowledge,” said senior Javeria Abbasi, who is an IB student. “But … it can get really expensive.” Blomquist said “this year’s price is $116” per test, a bit higher than AP tests, which will cost $93. Blomquist said it’s important to note that the price

Gazette photo /SURINA KHURANA

Tests can cost $284 for students not pursuing an IB diploma, but many say the cost is well-worth it.

ASB UPDATE

Assistant principals change student assignment policies

For the past several years, Granite Bay High School’s assistant principals would be in charge of students within their designated section of the alphabet. This year, however, they are trying something new. The four assistant principals – Jessup McGregor, Brian McNulty, Melanie Anvari and Mike Fischer – each have a grade level that they are responsible for. McGregor oversees the freshman class, McNulty works with the sophomore class, Fischer with the juniors and Anvari with the senior class. According to McGregor, one of the reasons for the change was the addition of a fifth counselor. “(The four) APs were aligned (with the four counselors,” McGregor said. “But with five it didn’t make sense any more.” McGregor also added that there are several benefits from working with a particular class, as opposed to students with last names beginning with A-H, for example. “For me, I’ll get to work with freshmen and ideally work with them until they graduate,” McGregor said. “So I’ll have the same group of kids for four years and get to know the class, get to know the dynamics. When we’re dealing with drama (type) things it usually extends across the grade level, not a section of the alphabet.” Though students often come to assistant principals when they have issues with teachers, grades or are being disciplined, McGregor says he hopes to be able to support students and not be solely looked at as a discipliner. “(Disciplining) is part of our job,” McGregor said, “but it’s not our only job.”

of taking the class in college would be much higher. “Families that qualify for the FRPM (the free and reduced priced meals) – like AP – get a reduced fee,” Blomquist added. IB diploma-seeking students pay a one-time registration fee of $168. Each exam costs an extra $116. For students taking a single IB course, which often occurs with IB Spanish and IB World Religions, they have to pay $284 to take that one exam. An IB diploma, which can be earned after taking six exams, would total $864. The typical IB student receives an average of 44 college credits when they graduate, and many receive more credit – depending on their college’s policies. Forty-four credits comes out to approximately $20 per credit hour – and that’s much less than tuition, fees and books at any college. Although the high price of being an IB student might seem unnerving at first, many students and teachers alike agree that those looking to become a part of the IB program shouldn’t be deterred. In the long run, they say, IB pays for itself.

parties. Some even take chances and get behind a wheel and drive. And that’s a bad decision for a young kid to do that. “Our goal from this program is to let them see what happens when they make poor choices and then they have to deal with the consequences of that. You have control of choices, but you don’t have control of consequences.” The focus is not only on teens and alcohol, but it also involves helping parents see that they shouldn’t condone drinking by their children. “We do whatever we can to prevent it, but it’s kind of makes it difficult when these parents are providing alcohol and allowing these parties at their own houses,” Martinez said. “Parents need to be involved with this too, not just us. We’re the ones who will take enforcement, but when it comes to discipline, that needs to start with the parents.”

ASB plans winter formal dance The Gazette talked to Lexi Kindrick about what to expect at Winterball

Assistant principals Jessup McGregor, left, and Melanie Anvari, right, are assigned students differently than past years.

&

Gazette: What are the themes you guys are deciding between?

Gazette: Are you guys planning on doing anything different from last year?

Kindrick: Masquerade, Winter Wonderland, New York Times Square

Kindrick: We don’t know specifics yet … but (we will) for sure (have) a fondue fountain.

Gazette: Are you guys planning on raffling free tickets again? Gazette photo /SURINA KHURANA

Q A

Kindrick: Possibly!

Gazette: What is your favorite part about winter ball? Being able to have a great time with my friends at an elegant dance

Lexi Kindrick, the Winterball comissioner, discusses preparations for Gazette photo /Natalie Erickson the formal dance.

Gazette: What other events can GBHS students look forward to? Kindrick: Every 15 minutes, junior prom and senior ball, powder puff and quad dance. –Compiled by Anjali Shrivastava


Thursday, November 10, 2016

w The Granite Bay Gazette

News A5

Performers take the stage for Macbeth

Gazette photos /CARISSA LEWIS

Emily Schofield, top left, plays Lady Macbeth, who anxiously washes the smell of blood off her hands. Bronson Vanderjack, top middle, stars as the male actor for Macbeth. Several actors, top right, swarm over Lady Macbeth. Mehdi Hajar, bottom left, plays Macduff, who mourns over the loss of his wife and child. Evan McGuire, bottom middle, plays Lord Macbeth, who is bewitched in his sleep. Sophie Brubaker, bottom right, stars as the female actress for Macbeth.

GBHS suffers two losses

Seniors apply early to college

Graduate dies from a seizure; retired registrar dies from cancer

How do students manage deadlines?

BY REESE RICHMOND

BY STEPHANIE KANG skang.gazette@gmail.com

It’s early November, and school has just gotten into the swing of things. Everywhere, seniors are lifting the weight of their last high school course load. Some seniors are up in the dead of the night, furiously working away at their supplementary essays and Common Applications. Who are these people? These are the students that apply early action and early decision. What are their motivations? What drive them to undertake what seems to be such an unnecessary task? “It gives you a higher chance of acceptance,” senior Conor concrete the summer of sophoQuinn said. more year. I just researched While some readily apcolleges.” ply early, others do so beYi said it was stressful beI recommend it grudgingly. cause many early deadlines when possible are due by Nov. 1. He said “I basically did not have a choice in choosing to because it completing early applications do early decision since I takes about two hours a day. allows for a needed to apply for honors Despite the amount of work, college,” senior JJ Hamler decision to get Yi said it pays off to apply said, “but I recommend it back a lot faster. early. when possible because it “It kinda gives you a head allows for a decision to get start. You just have to write back a lot faster.” – JJ Hamler, GBHS one essay and then the suppleUltimately, why did they senior mentary essay,” Yi said. “But make the final decision to it’s good. It makes me not proapply early? crastinate for the other dead“I had a long term plan lines.” and this was kind of just Hamler also advised applicants to start a part of that,” senior Kevin Yi said. “My plans have changed, but they probably got early.

“He was always smiling,” Pautsch said. Austin On Oct. 16, 2016, Granite Bay High “Any time I saw Irwin-Baker School alumni, Austin Irwin-Baker him, he would GBHS alumni passed away due to complications look happy as loved animals from a seizure. can be no matBorn in Roseville and raised in ter what was and participating in athletics. Granite Bay, Irwin-Baker graduated going on.” from GBHS with the class of 2015. Pautsch reHe encalls the times he’d bring his joyed takmom’s homemade peanut ing part in butter sandwich cookies to a variety of school for him. Irwin-Baker He was one of sports such always sure to thank those guys that was as football, Pautsch. was always baseball Pautsch also said Irwinand socBaker was a helpful and upthere for his cer. He also lifting friend. friends. liked to “He was one of those guys ride motorthat was always there for his – Cole Pautsch, cycles and friends,” Pautsch said. “In an GBHS alum snowboard. instant, he’d jump into any Because situation to help someone that of his great needed it.” love for animals, his parents, Philip Baker Michelle Harris and Tarrah Irwin, have asked people Former Granite Bay High registo donate money to the Placer SPCA trar Michelle Harris, who left GBHS instead of delivering flowers. Irwin- when she retired in 2009 after servBaker’s parents have encouraged ing as the registrar for more than six people to remember the great parts of years, has died. his life and all the best things about Harris, who worked in retirement him by spreading love on Facebook. as a clerical substitute for the RosRemembering him as “one of the eville Joint Union High School Disnicest people (he’s) ever met,” Ir- trict from 2011-2015, died last Friday win-Baker’s childhood friend GBHS evening after a long fight with cancer. alumni, Cole Pautsch, mourned his Details about services have not yet been released. loss. rrichmond.gazette@gmail.com

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“I would recommend you apply early if you can regardless of where you wanna go, but especially if it is a more competitive school,” Hamler said. “Also, (look) for merit scholarships that are offered through early admission only.” According to Yi, there is a smaller pool of applicants in the early decision deadline, so it is easier to get accepted into a college. If admitted, applicants who commit to early decision are expected to go to the school they applied to. Early decision is generally reserved for the applicant’s first choice of school. “If you apply early decision you have to go to that school,” Yi said. “(Other seniors) don’t want to be committed to one school when they don’t know the financial aid options … They’re afraid that they won’t have a variety of choices.”

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Students express creativity on Halloween

Special to the Gazette /CIERRA BROWN

Special to the Gazette /DAIA ERNST

Continued from page A1

Some have said that safe spaces discourage intellectual curiosity, creating a more sensitive generation unable to be challenged on their beliefs. In a letter to the incoming freshman class, Jay Ellison, dean of the University of Chicago, wrote that “our commitment to academic freedom means that … we do not condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’ where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own.” And maybe safe spaces prevent productive discussion. But Adam McLearan, GBHS English teacher, said it’s not the responsibility of the individual who feels attacked to correct their aggressor. “When somebody stands up for themselves, it can be a very powerful thing,” McLearan said. “But not everybody’s ready to do that. Sometimes it takes retreating to a safe space to build that strength up, to be with people who support them and validate them … to be able to go out into the world to face those things head on.” Ellison’s letter also alluded to trigger warnings, saying that along with safe spaces, they stifled the “free exchange of ideas.”

Many students donned costumes in celebration of Halloween. Matias Munoz, far left, waves his tiny arms as a T-rex. Cierra Brown, upper middle left, creates her own skull mask with makeup. Lexi Harrington, Hnin Thuzar and Hope Halpin, upper middle right, dress as zombies. Members of the GBHS Emerald Brigade, bottom middle, coordinate as various Disney characters. Julia Zasso, left, does her own Halloween makeup.

Special to the Gazette /MEGAN LE

Special to the Gazette /PATTI MARKHAM

SAFE: Students, faculty discuss whether there is a need for safe spaces on campuses Trigger warnings manifest themselves in classrooms when educators warn of a book or a lesson that could potentially cause trauma, or “trigger,” a student. In Kathie Sinor’s Health and Wellness class, she requires that her students read “It Happened to Nancy,” a book which follows the life of a young teenager who was raped. And while the book does not contain many explicit details, it does touch upon sensitive subjects that some might not feel comfortable reading. According to Sinor, a few students have requested to opt out of reading this book. These students were assigned an alternate reading assignment that was less provocative in nature. McLearan also teaches mature materials, such as “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” in which sexual assault is discussed. “I always warn students and say if you’re uncomfortable with reading about it, let’s just talk about what it is,” McLearan said. “They’ll still understand it, but won’t have to experience it … I think it’s very reasonable for somebody to want to avoid that.” As with safe spaces, debates swirl around the idea of trigger warnings, for much of the same reasons. Yet Andrew Phillips, GBHS Physics teacher and GSA advisor, disagrees with this sentiment.

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Special to the Gazette /JULIA ZASSO

I don’t see how communicating that information is in any way negatively affecting somebody else. It’s no different from when we put parental guidance ratings on movies … I think it’s thoughtful and considerate of people. – Andrew Phillips, physics teacher

“I don’t understand what ‘too sensitive’ means,” Phillips said. “I don’t see how communicating that information is in any way negatively affecting somebody else. It’s no different from when we put parental guidance ratings on movies … I think it’s thoughtful and considerate of people.” Maybe trigger warnings and safe spaces are making the nation hypersensitive, but they are also enhancing the learning experiences of all students. “Part of what we do here at school, besides educating … is helping people grow as an individual,” McLearan said. “We can’t do that unless that person feels safe … I can imagine if a student is in a room (with) a teacher that they do not trust, or they do not feel safe, not as much learning is happening.”

Gazette photo /ANJALI SHRIVASTAVA

Room 602, Andrew Phillips’ former room, has three safe space stickers on its front door.

LOCKER: Trump’s comments about women spark discussion, GBHS reacts Continued from page A1

aren’t around to say the other side of the topic.” Although most agreed that the conversations “Speech in the locker in the locker room can room is different because be vulgar, the comments you’re talking with your Trump made were not in In the locker room we friends with no one around definitely say something a locker room, nor were to make you keep things they indicative of actual out of the conversation or that wouldn’t be cool if we locker room talk. censor topics,” he said. said them in public, but “In the locker room we Additionally, he stated why locker room talk isn’t (Trump’s comments) were definitely say something representative of the full that wouldn’t be cool if completely sexist. truth. we said them in public, “Locker room talk is a but (Trump’s comments) good term because that’s – Nathan Ellithorpe, GBHS senior were completely sexist,” what it is: talking about Ellinthorpe said. “Normal things not talked about people don’t say that, eseverywhere,” he said. “The conversations in the pecially someone who is running for president. locker room have validity but are biased because Kids might say that, dumb kids, but a presidential usually (the conversations) are about people who candidate?”

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BEES: Colony collapse disorder confuses scientists as bees continue to disappear Continued from page A2 “There are so many people today who still don’t understand the consequences their actions have on the environment,” Halpin said. Some individuals happen to be unaware of their habits that may be taxing our environment. “So many people joke about the issue and say that bees endangered status is beneficial to us because bees are ‘annoying’ and ‘scary’, but they often don’t see how massive of a problem this will be in the future,” Halpin said. The White House Office of the Press Secretary in 2014 released statistics showing that pollinators account for over 24 billion dollars in the American

economy, 15 billion of which are from honey bees. In the same statement, information regarding the global impact was disclosed, stating that 75.7 percent of the world’s 115 leading food crops are reliant upon some sort of animal pollinator. businesses are trying to bring more attention to the subject, offering local farmers and gardeners options to help preserve bees and prevent habitat loss. “We feel it’s our responsibility to offer education about the plants bees pollinate, the pest management options to keep bees safe, and the responsible use of pesticides,” said Green Acres Nursery and Supply marketing director and plant aficionado Tami Kint. People can very practically be a part of the solution. “Adding plants to provide pollen, like thyme, lav-

ender, Pincushion Flower, rosemary, salvias, and so many more, will allow bees to forage throughout the year in a garden,” Kint said. Green Acres also advises that everyone use plant care products appropriately and that this is a “good reminder to be responsible gardeners.” “We can control pesticide use. Following directions, using the least toxic methods available, and understanding the results of independent studies will go a long way toward keeping bees healthy,” Kint said. Even though it has become common knowledge that pesticides can be extremely dangerous, if not lethal, to bees and their colonies, critics say the E. P. A.’s regulations have loopholes. The New York Times recently reported that the

E. P. A. has been ridiculed for approving the use of pesticides and chemicals that are nearly identical to deadly neonicotinoids. Beekeeper Anthony Davis realizes how detrimental these pesticides can be. “In places in china, they literally have lost their bees and have human beings that are paid to go out and hand pollinate fruit trees and orchards – that’s how horrid it is,” Davis said. The fact is bees contribute to a significant portion of our global produce industry and without them the alternatives are less than desirable. “It can be done without bees,” Davis said, “but just think about hundreds of people hand pollinating fruit bearing trees and plants – it’s ridiculous!”

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EFFECT: Trump’s public opinions could change perspectives of younger generations

Continued from page A1

to her), it can definitely affect them. It makes them rethink their place in our society, or rethink who they are in comparison to everyone else. It probably ostracizes them … which I think Donald Trump really relies on.” Hillary Clinton also contributed to the discussion regarding how children are being treated by their peers by citing the survey during the second presidential debate. During the debate, Clinton told the story of hateful chants during a basketball game in Indiana and said to the audience, “Kids hear a lot more than we think. Parents and teachers are already worrying about what they call the ‘Trump Effect.’ They report that bullying and harassment are on the rise in our schools, especially targeting students of color, Muslims, and immigrants.” Teachers, administrators trying to help students The Teaching Tolerance survey supports Clinton’s argument. The survey recounts teacher responses: how an adopted Korean student fears being sent away back to Korea and how Muslim students, and Sikh students being mislabeled as Muslim, are being accused of supporting terrorist groups. Teachers and school administrations across the nation have been trying to help their students cope with the bullying and prejudice. “Some schools have literally told their teachers not to teach the election,” said Teaching Tolerance director Maureen Costello. “Other schools have encouraged teachers to teach the election but have really cautioned them about keeping some topics off limits.”

Are election discussion safe? While classes at GBHS have not explicitly said that they would not discuss the election, some teachers have decided that talking about the election wouldn’t encourage the idea that classes should be safe environments. “With this particular election, I know that it’s so emotional and so intense,” said Natalie Elkin, teacher of Advanced Placement Psychology. “I stay away from it only because I don’t want to create a space or give kids an opportunity to escalate (their arguments regarding the presidential candidates).” Especially with how heated debates about Clinton and Trump have become, it’s important for teachers to offer a neutral ground that is acceptable for all students. “Some kids are emotional about (the election), some kids have only their parents’ perspective on it, some kids have actually done their research,” Elkin said, “but I do not know who those kids are so for me … I just stay out of it altogether.” Resources are available Although bullying at GBHS hasn’t been reported to increase, nor have there been many narratives on campus about increased discrimination, there are resources in the case of bullying or feelings of being ostracized. Programs such as Peer Counseling and the anonymous bullying link on the GBHS website allow students to speak about bullying in confidence. A similar situation to that claimed by Teaching Tolerance has been rising among adults as well. Many therapists across the U.S. are finding it more and more difficult to help their clients when they are feeling

disenfranchised every day. A therapist of 40 years, and professor of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, Bill Doherty has noticed the effects of Trump’s words and has labeled Trump’s possibly damaging ideology as “Trumpism.” So frustrated with the less than ideal circumstances of the political environment today, Doherty began a coalition against Trump, Citizen Therapists Against Trumpism, with other therapists from around the country.

Source: Trump belittles America Doherty states in the Citizen Therapists manifesto his worries and how he believes Trump has belittled the American system of democracy and has become too much of a cult-like fascist leader, using fear and hate to gain supporters. Unfortunately, Trump’s degradation of American democracy is an obstacle in a client’s ability to heal, Doherty also states. “Psychotherapy is about people creating new meanings in their lives, as opposed to being fed lies and illusions from political leaders,” Doherty said in an email. “And it’s about a sense of ‘agency,’ the ability to act and make a difference in the world. These outcomes of therapy occur most readily in a democratic society where people have freedom of thought and speech, and the ability to act individually and collectively to solve problems and improve their world.​” He also mentions how Trump’s influence has forced many of those who sought therapy to regress back into their negative mindsets. “(‘Trumpism’ is) igniting anxiety on top of the other problems that brought (clients) into therapy,” Doherty said. “For immi-

grants, (there’s) a fear of being deported or being seen as the ‘Other’ in society. For others, it’s … remembering being bullied or sexually abused or harassed. For some, it’s a sense of alienation from a community that supports a man like Trump.​” Among women, there have been many reports of a growing sense of victimization and apprehension because of the released tape of Trump declaring he has sexually harassed women in the past. As Doherty puts it, Trump’s admittance to harassing women and criticization of a woman’s looks encourages hyper-masculinity and excuses these actions as normal. “This is an important effect (of ‘Trumpism’): turning the clock back to a prefeminist era when it seemed legitimate to objectify women and degrade those who didn’t conform to feminine stereotypes,” Doherty said. “Trump has invited men to be their worst selves.​” Women’s self-esteem will be hurt Costello speculates that Trump’s actions will affect women’s self-esteem. “Trump makes it pretty clear that all a woman can be is beautiful,” Costello said. “Given what we know about girls and body image issues, that is not a good thing.” Among the Hispanic, African American and Muslim communities, there’s a fear of being even more ostracized in the future because of what Trump has said. “When I was shopping,” Tahir said, “I was literally being followed around, as if I would steal something. I worry that Trump could encourage behavior like that and make something typically unacceptable acceptable.” However, like the “Trump Effect,” all evidence of “Trumpism” is self-reported which has led to much doubt.

“(It’s all) absolutely bogus, (and) entirely false,” said senior Satgur Maan. “None of that is happening.” Especially because of the lack of evidence in the Granite Bay community, many don’t believe it’s a large issue. “This entire situation is blown out of proportion with the media focusing on defaming Trump in order to gain support for Hillary,” Maan said. Effects could be long-lasting Regardless if the “Trump Effect” and “Trumpism” are real, many agree that any account of rising tension within and among people is enough to be worried about, along with any possible lasting consequences. A troubling issue that many fear is that even with a Trump loss, his words have already excused behaviors previously considered inappropriate, such as blatant expressions of racism and sexism. Many believe that these ideologies will continue to grow even after the new president takes office. “(An effect) is an increase of prejudice among children,” Costello said. “Negative information imprints much more clearly and permanently than positive information. Once these ideas are out there, it’s hard to scrub them clean. It will take a lot of work to undo them.” “Secondly, we have to really worry about what we’ve learned about how we conduct ourselves as citizens and what it means to be president,” she continued. “This election has been an election unlike any other. If we think about this election as nothing more than a giant civics lesson, it’s been a really bad civics lesson.”

ASSAULT: Sexual harassment has a lasting effect on those who have experienced it

Continued from page A1

college experience. “Sexual harassment and sexual assault are incredibly prevalent in our society still,” McKinney said. “As progressive as we want to think we are, it’s still happening on a consistent basis.” McKinney said there are freshman college classes for females to learn how to defend themselves from sexual harassment, but students are rarely taught about what behaviors are appropriate and what are not. Senior Afrah Tahir said females are often objectified. “A mindset that a lot of guys have … is that I want to get a woman,” Tahir said. “(A) beautiful woman (isn’t considered) a woman who you’re supposed to love and grow with. It becomes a trophy.”

Tahir said males act differently with each other than with females, giving women a false perception of how males view them. “Women will think that … this kind of culture doesn’t exist, that all guys are trustworthy until they’re met with some kind of shock,” Tahir said. “And the shock can be something terrible like sexual harassment.” T: 11.5 in Last year, senior Julia Huss led a club called Empowered Against Violence, which aimed to help students who have suffered assault or other forms of sexual harassment. The club worked with Stand Up Placer, a non-profit organization, to inform students on what to do if they find out someone has been sexually abused. Huss said one of the problems with sexual harassment is many victims are discouraged from talking

about it. “When you don’t bring it up, it stays silent,” Huss said. “Then victims don’t want to come out and talk about it because they think that they’ll be shamed by their peers, shamed by their friends, shamed by their parents, shamed by police forces (and shamed by) judges.” Huss defined verbal sexual harassment as any point when a person begins to feel uncomfortable with the language used in a conversation. “There’s a way to compliment someone … without coming off as creepy,” Huss said. Huss said librarian Julianna Hedstrom, who was the advisor for the EAV, is a source for victims of sexual harassment to go to for help. Additionally, McKinney said she is also available for students who need guid-

ance. “If a child approaches me and trusts me enough to tell me that this terrible thing has happened to them or they witnessed something, they are obviously reaching out for somebody to help,” McKinney said. “It is my job to make sure that we deal with it in the best possible way.” Looking back at the incident that affected her so long ago, McKinney said she would remind her 22-year-old self it wasn’t her fault and advise her to immediately respond to the discomfort she felt. “Trust your instincts,” McKinney said. “Trust your gut.”

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LIVING

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GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL 1 GRIZZLY WAY GRANITE BAY, CA 95746

Editors-in-Chief: Cole Kahmann Surina Khurana Carissa Lewis Anjali Shrivastava Hannah Xu

entitled

News Editor: Connor Hinson Voices Editor: Steph Kang Lifestyle Editors: McKenna Aram Brayden Johnk Sabina Mahavni

Granite Bay High School students love to parade their wealth and compete to see who has the most things – but I’ve had enough

Green Screen Editors: Natasha Chanda Katie Cologna Whitney Knorp Amanda Prather Sports Editors: Ali Lemos Isabella Tkachuk Social Media Editor: Natalie Hatch Illustrators: Natasha Chanda Isabella Tkachuk Hannah Xu Photo Editor: Carissa Lewis Staff Writers/ Photographers: Will Anderson Kate Booth Mackenzie Brown Paige Erickson Milan French Bella Hamilton Alina Poczobutt Reese Richmond Max Schwartz Andrew Yung Sidney Zabell Adviser: Karl Grubaugh The Gazette is published eight times per academic year by students in the advanced journalism class at Granite Bay High School. Content is determined by the staff and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Granite Bay High School’s faculty, administration, adviser or student body. Students are protected in their exercise of press freedom by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and California Education Code 48907. Signed editorials and columns reflect the views of the writer. Letters to the editor and guest commentaries are encouraged and must be signed, although anonymity can be granted on a caseby-case basis. The editorial board reviews letters to the editor, advertising and guest commentaries and reserves the right to edit and refuse material. Reasons can include length, clarity, libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process at Granite Bay High School or violation of copyright laws.

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COMMENTARY

n my time at Granite we reach high school. Bay High School, I’ve Unfortunately, GBHS stuwitnessed my fair share dents seem to have missed of entitled teenagers — and out on this little detail. Many it’s getting ridiculous. appear to not know when Whether it be discussing they should stop bragging what their first car will be about themselves and their (for the license they don’t possessions. even have yet) or comparIt’s no secret that the ing how much money their community of Granite Bay parents bring in annually, the is affluent, but this simple population of GBHS seems fact doesn’t give the right to to be plagued by a culture of flaunt it. It is disappointing entitlement. to me that so many Granite A sense of narcissism is Bay teenagers expect everyszabell.gazette@gmail.com natural, from that time long, thing to be handed to them, long ago when we were and often, this is exactly babies. When we cry as toddlers, we want what ends up happening. what we want immediately, even if our Some even give the impression of being parents haven’t slept in hours. proud of this. We even had a “rich out” as However, by the time children reach even a Tribe theme, and I truly felt embarrassed kindergarten, they should have a slight to be a member of a school whose students sense of when to stop being self-absorbed. reveled in their lottery-luck privilege. There As they age, they take others more into seems to be no shame behind expecting so consideration, and the feeling of what we much, even when giving so little back to deserve versus what we don’t should beothers. come more and more developed by the time There is no reason to assume that your

sidney zabell

There is no reason to assume that your first car will be parked in the driveway right after getting your license, with a silk red ribbon tied into a bow on top of it. first car will be parked in the driveway right after getting your license, with a silk red ribbon tied into a bow on top of it. When did this become the new normal? I’ve overheard students discussing how much money their parents made, and the entire conversation revolved around whether each student’s family qualified as “rich” or not. I hoped they were joking, but I felt sad when I realized it was a serious conversa-

tion. I feel like I shouldn’t have to remind us all but there is more to life than money and objects. It’d be nice to see more people slow down and enjoy themselves in more ways than those concerning material things. It’s exhausting to have days consist of “what I have” versus “what you have,” and I would love to have a break from all of the competition. The luxuries of the Granite Bay community are expected by many students wandering these halls. Most were raised in the area, if not with the same group of people since their first day of school. We are lucky and should recognize it more. Abraham Lincoln said it best – “You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.” It’s time to make a change. Take a break from talking about what you “have to have” for a few days. There’s a good chance it would be refreshing, for both you and others. *** Sidney Zabell, a sophomore, is a Gazette staff writer.

Dump Trump: That’s not “the way guys talk”

and morality of both ing this kind of behavior, but women as well. If “that’s the way guys Trump and Hillary are in my opinion talk,” then that is the real issue here. People who think it’s not even close to People who think it’s OK or norOK or normal to speak what the president mal to speak about women in such should uphold. a demeaning and derogatory way about women in such Back to the dump are, in the words of Donald Trump, a demeaning and de– oh, I mean Trump. wrong. Do they think this is the way I am probably going rogatory way are, in the they are going to get a girlfriend? to sound like an Good try – no girl wants to be or words of Donald Trump deserves to be treated that way, annoying feminazi about Trump and his especially behind their back, in the wrong. comments, but the “locker room.” h, Donald. What have you done reactions to these Contrary to what it might sound to this country. Nothing positive, comments really like, I am really not this huge femithat’s for sure. I honestly can’t aprather.gazette@gmail.com took me aback in nist who gets mad when a guy opens and don’t believe that Donald Trump a new way from him. I want to say I was a door for me or something. That is ridiculous. actually wants to win the election. The surprised but, sadly, his actions were not My point is that I find it disgusting that some people conspiracy of Donald the Democrat who that unpredictable given his character. think and share their opinion that saying these things about is making a fool of himself with the goal of making HillI’m not here to only dump on Donald Trump, only kind women is just natural and normal. What I want to know is ary Clinton president. If he wanted to win the election he of. But what I have discovered from this event is the real if guys in a “locker room” setting actually say things like wouldn’t do the things that he does or say the stuff he says. that and why they feel the need to make others feel bad or I believe that the position of president of the United States problem: people and guys who defend him by saying that targeted in that way. is about more than just policies, ideas and opinions. Morali- it’s true that “that’s the way guys talk.” It’s already been said a multitude of times that “chivalry *** ty and righteousness of the person are a direct factor of their is dead,” but this is a new level of disrespect to women. Amanda Prather, a senior, is Gazette staff writer and choices on things like policies, which is why this election This blew my mind – not only have I heard men supportGreescreen editor. is almost comical because of how scary it is. The character

How can a presidential candidate say such disgusting things and dismiss it as “locker room” talk?

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COMMENTARY

amanda prather

2016 election did not set a good example for children

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very four years, the election supposed “best of our best” often provides a rare opportunity for resort to character attacks and petty educators at every level to exaccusations, what does that teach plore the foundations of America, and our children? The voice of the critically look at our political process, Donald Trump has made overtly Granite Bay with their students. racist remarks, disrespected Gazette We’re all for being invested in the women time and time again and political process, especially at a young expressed extremely xenophobic age. But this year was hardly full of sentiments. And what has the teachable moments. American public done about it? For the most part, we If a teacher was so brave to give out election-related forgot about it, until the next inflammatory comment assignments, they would have to navigate a sea of was made. name-calling and vulgarities, but for what purpose? Sometimes, inaction speaks louder than action. If we What is so valuable about elections is that they draw don’t publicly denounce these comments enough, the attention to little-known policies and stances, which newest generation will not have any reason to think has been sorely missing from this past election. they’re wrong. And now parents, teachers and anyone else who is And that could have disastrous consequences, some able to influence young children must decide between of which we’re already seeing. educating today’s youth on politics or exposing them “Jokes” are made toward Latino people, saying to the contempt and disrespect that this election season “Build that Wall!”; politically themed costumes that seemed to espouse. breach the border of offense. Theoretically, the candidates that each party presAnd what of Hillary Clinton? A classic career politients are the best our nation has to offer. And if the cian who, despite being the epitomization of untrust-

EDITORIAL

If a teacher was so brave to give out election-related assignments, they would have to navigate a sea of name-calling and vulgarities, but for what purpose? worthiness, is likely to be the next president. Don’t you think it’s kind of problematic that Clinton is the first one to break the presidential glass ceiling? It implies that women can only reach such a level by lying and manipulating, which is already a stereotype for women to overcome. It’s great that we are on the cusp of naming our first female president, but the fact that it is Clinton might do more harm than good when it comes to young girls’ self-esteem. This election has been one for the history books. But hopefully it’s not making too much of an influence on history classrooms.


Thursday, November 10, 2016 w

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HEARD on the BAY

What does “locker-room talk” mean to you?

Voices A10

Don’t dab on ’em

Popular dances such as ‘dabbing’ are given too much attention COMMENTARY

“To me the words ‘locker-room talk’ mean gossip about politics.”

will anderson

freshman

Emily Engelhart It’s not really serious...just joking around. Sometimes it can involve derogatory terms against women. But usually, it’s not really significant at all.”

sophomore

wanderson.gazette@gmail.com

jjjThe following commentary is based on research and studies that have been produced and published by super-credible sources such as Ask. com and Yahoo Answers. *** ecently, popular social media sites Twitter and Instagram have brought notoriety towards modern dancing trends that may actually cure some mental and physical illnesses. “I started ‘dabbing on em’ about three months ago and immediately my chronic migraines disappeared,” Granite Bay High School sophomore Krithik Plog said. Dabbing is the act of simultaneously dropping one’s head while raising an arm and elbow in a gesture that closely resembles sneezing. The dance has been proven to stimulate the pituitary gland releasing higher levels of dopamine, increasing patient’s morale and possibly curing multiple neurological disorders. Dr. Jonathan Farfetch, head of medical education at Harvard University, carried out the experiment in April of 2016, and found that repeatedly dabbing for about 30 to 45 seconds after noticing

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symptoms of migraines can reduce pain by up to 83 percent. Plog’s mother was at first pessimistic, doubting the theories of Dr. Farfetch, but she couldn’t argue with the results. “My daughter felt some discomfort so I set my timer for 40 seconds and she began to dab,” Phillis Plog said. “I gave her some Advil and she continued to perform the dance and miraculously the pain went away!” Daniel Robertson, a senior from Sacramento High School, was given four months to live, after being diagnosed with liver cancer that had metastasized over the span of two weeks. Shockingly, Robertson lived for a total of five months after discovering the cancer – an entire month longer than doctors had predicted. Experts are still baffled by the new findings that prolonged Robertson’s life by a couple weeks. “We couldn’t save the young man, but we wanted to provide whatever extra time we could,” Dr. Yu Dumm, head director of cancer research at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said. Not long after, Dumm founded a theory that had never been practiced in any medical field – the implementation of the nae-nae. The nae-nae is an easily modifiable celebratory dance created by the hip-hop quintet We Are Toonz in October of 2013. Multiple reports from Dr. Phil McGraw give credit to the

Dabbing is the act of simultaneously dropping one’s head while raising an arm and elbow in a gesture that closely resembles sneezing.

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group’s monumental revelation. The reports have also now proven that the nae-nae dance is more effective than some forms of chemotherapy. kkkAccordingly, Dr. Dumm finds any and all criticism “ignorant” and “absurd.” Dumm has continually expressed his little tolerance for the disbelievers of this new method. “Next time you have terminal cancer and die 28 – or in rare leap-yearcases, 29, 30 or 31 days – early because you didn’t nae-nae, don’t come crying to me!” Dumm said. People are now involving themselves in different cultural movements that positively encourage using social media dances as primary forms of medical treatment. “We can’t ignore this,” nae-nae and dab activist Shonda Richards said. “If someone came up to you with the cure for cancer, you wouldn’t just brush it under the rug!” *** Will Anderson, a junior, is a Gazette staff writer.

Perspective changes throughout the years Luke Elrod “Locker-room talk is jovial, silly stuff. What (Donald Trump) said was outright offensive.

junior

Mikayla Hinds “They (think) they can use derogatory language about women. Honestly, I think it’s b***s***.”

senior

Leah Thomas “Locker-room talk’s a very oldschool term, which basically meant talk that you’re not willing for the general public to hear, which probably means it’s inappropriate.”

staff

Scott Becker Compiled by Sabina Mahavni

Adulthood is no longer as glamorous as I once thought

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hen I was younger, the idea of growing up was grand. I can remember toying with the thought of getting older ever since the first grade. My friends and I would sit at the lunch table, painting vivid pictures with our words about our future jobs, houses and families. I can remember how high school appealed to me – the idea of having all the independence in the world and having best friends to whom you would be forever loyal to. Unfortunately, the naive mindset of a first grader only lasts so long. The preconceived notion of what growing up is like is slowly compromised by the sudden reality that not everything goes the way you think it will. When I was in first grade, my best friend and I would talk about how I would go to Cal Berkeley and he would go to Stanford. We would have a shared apartment and go through college together. That best friend, with whom I had shared everything, is now a stranger, and me attending Cal is beyond optimistic. The idea of friendship to me was so different than it is now. When I would think about growing up, I would always think how much

COMMENTARY

max schwartz mschwartz.gazette@gmail.com

freedom we would have. My loyal friends would be there forever. It would have never even crossed my mind that friends just randomly stop being friends. When you are young, it is just you and your best buddies – nothing about going behind someone’s back, crossing them or anything more. Friends were friends, and there wasn’t anything to change that. Now there are so many people who aren’t true friends that it seems like it is the norm to have those people in your life. It’s nearly expected to know people who will say one

There shouldn’t be a social trap forcing one to provide consent for a date, intimacy or anything as a matter of fact. thing to someone’s face and turn right around and say something completely different. Even going into freshman year I wasn’t expecting to drift from people who I considered my closest friends. Now that I am a sophomore, it’s weird to remember that those people were even considered my closest friends. When I would think about my future I would always remember me thinking I would go to Cal Berkeley, high school would be a breeze, I would be the smartest in my school and just waltz into Cal like it was nothing. When we are younger, we aren’t thinking about the alwayspresent stress of not knowing whether we’ll get into our dream college or not, AP classes, keeping a GPA up, and so much more. I still wish I could go back and be in that time, where

Everyone’s a jewel. Write a guest piece for The Gazette.

I wouldn’t have to worry about that midterm that is worth 30 percent of my grade or have to choose between a good night’s sleep and finishing a homework assignment. In first grade, the idea that we will have the perfect life is common. There is nothing that we have experienced in our sheltered world to prove otherwise. Now when we are growing up at the age that we always dreamed about, things aren’t the same as we imagined. I’m wishing I could go back to that simple age, where everything was that simple, and I’m mad that I didn’t realize how good I had it. When I think about all of the change that has happened, I don’t know whether to feel sad that I am not at that age anymore or at peace with it. Friends come and go, interpretations of what you once thought change as well, and what we think about our futures will be in constant fluctuation. Whatever someone thinks about growing up and what has changed, you can’t control how things work out, and understanding that is the only thing you can do. *** Max Schwartz, a sophomore, is a Gazette staff writer.


Thursday, November 10, 2016

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The Granite Bay Gazette

Voices A11

We forget about the message of Thanksgiving far too quickly

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knowledgement of the things you appreciate. Gratitude shouldn’t be confined as a temporary thought in your mind. It should be acted upon. Whether this means participating in a community project, like volunteering in a soup kitchen or donating blankets to a homeless shelter, or simply writing a letter to someone you appreciate, thankfulness should be openly expressed. Unfortunately, enthusiasm for Black Friday frequently cuts any form of expressing thankfulness short. Often, there is an unneeded expiration date placed on gratitude, as though appreciation is just another one-day deal found in a magazine. There is nothing wrong with a group of people coming together in a united pursuit. Excitement for Black Friday can even strengthen the bond between friends who merely want to spend time together. The problem is that the “common interest” among Black Friday shoppers is often self-oriented. As business hours stretch earlier and earlier into Thurs-

carissa lewis clewis.gazette@gmail.com

day afternoon, Black Friday impedes upon the benevolent nature of Thanksgiving. Although the day of sales is sometimes associated with the beginning of Christmas shopping, it is more often used as a means to attain more for yourself. Dedicated individuals will readily sacrifice their night to sleep outside the doors of a consumer shop in anticipation of a self-fulfilling treasure, but when it comes to serving others, people suddenly become much more preoccupied and unwilling to tolerate the bitter weather. It is not wrong to buy something for yourself once in awhile, but don’t let any one event, like Black Friday, provoke you into a self-serving mentality. Thankfulness does not have to be expressed in the form of community service. If you

appreciate your friends, find them a gift on Black Friday rather than buying one for yourself. If you appreciate music, compose the first Thanksgiving hit song. If you appreciate nature, explore the outdoors rather than going into stores. But rather than hurriedly throwing out your gratitude because you think that it’s spoiled, preserve it. Make the most out of your appreciation and turn it into something more than a thought. *** Carissa Lewis, a senior, is a Gazette co-editor-in-chief.

ty rali Mo OFF 50%

group of family and friends gather together on Thanksgiving Day, excitedly waiting to satisfy their hunger with the delectable treat they spent days preparing for. One member stretches her hand to the handle of the silver platter, slowly unveils the lid, and what do they find? A pile of freshly stacked magazines for discounts 50 percent off! Before Thanksgiving even begins, the craze of Black Friday pushes its way in. Swarms of people shove aside their chairs at the dinner table to be first in line for the best doorbusters. And then, when another hungry soul beats them to the door, the rejected shoppers turn despairingly back home. Just hours before, these shoppers had formed a list of things they appreciate, but now, rather than focusing on what they are thankful for, they focus on the loss of that one item they simply couldn’t live without. It is as if their list was carelessly thrown away. Of course, it is important to be aware of the people and activities that make your life exciting, but Thanksgiving should be about more than just making a momentary ac-

COMMENTARY

Pornography perpetuates sexism Sex films often feature violence against women

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remember back when I was in elementary school, when I first started to be an avid user of the internet, I ran into my very first pop up ad. All I was really trying to do was find more funny viral videos. After I had seen the beauty that was Fred or the sneezing panda on Youtube, I wanted more. So, there I am, in the “computer room” (remember when we had those?), typing “videos” into Google. And of course, at the time, I didn’t know that there were certain websites that would have certain pop-ups automatically open whenever I tried to click a link. I sit in the oversized leather office chair, innocently browsing. I click, I see, I scream. What

I opened was NOT a website meant for the clueless, because before I even try to open anything, up pops a Gif of a woman and a man engaging in sexual activity. hxu.gazette@gmail.com I later learn that it was an advertisement for a free porn website. I don’t recall a lot of the experience – I had exited the ad before I could even blink – but what I do remember was a lot of red faces and a lot of… choking? Of course, as I grew up, I learned that pornography and websites that provide such “services” are rather typical. There are literally hundreds of them. And plenty of social media contain porn as

COMMENTARY

hannah xu

well, such as Tumblr and 4chan. Despite all glimpses into porno-culture, I can’t say I’ve found the appeal to it. Or maybe it isn’t just me. For all the porn that lingers on the internet, all of it seems to be the same – excruciatingly dominant men having their way with submissive 30-going-on-17 women. Keep in mind that I can’t speak for all women, but to me, abusive sexual tendencies and a barrage of slapping, choking and hair-pulling is not particularly arousing. And isn’t it strange how all violent behaviors are pitted against women? The problem with porn isn’t that it makes an industry out of sex. The problem is that it normalizes unsafe sex, perpetuates an inaccurate idea of what women enjoy and appeals to the primal side of people – the side that makes violence against women almost… OK? Here’s what you are taught in porn: porn is for men. Despite the fact that women get just as aroused as men and turn to porn almost as often as men to satisfy their needs, much of the content produced by pornography companies features sexual acts unappealing to most women. This only serves to deepen sexist ideologies.

Your community. Your voice. The Gazette.

Gazette illustration/NATASHA CHANDA

The problem with porn isn’t that it makes an industry out of sex. The problem is that it normalizes unsafe sex, perpetuates an inaccurate idea of what women enjoy during sex and appeals to the primal side of people. Before, it was shameful for women to even express their sexuality. Now, even though it is (more) OK for women to be open with their sexuality, there is nothing being catered to their wants. Not only that, but they are being exposed to sexual acts that, when practiced safely, can be arousing – and yet at the same time, those acts are desensitizing hurtful actions against women. People have already acknowledged that women aren’t just objects to use, so when will the porn industry learn that as well? *** Hannah Xu, a senior, is a Gazette co-editorin-chief.


Friday, November 10, 2016 w The Granite Bay Gazette

Second look

News A12

Homecoming highlights

ď ˇ The freshman float, top left, wins the Homecoming competition. Fireworks, top upper right, illuminate the sky at the half-time show. Jonathan Conklin, top lower right, walks down the red carpet at the Homecoming rally. A Granite Bay High School varsity football player, above, topples an athlete from Nevada Union. Jade Foddrill, far left, captures the ball. Ariana Martin, Brianna Curran and Julia Zasso, middle left, enjoy the Homecoming dance. Isabella Tkatchuk and Drew Yeargin, bottom left, get crowned as Homecoming queen and king. Sven Pollock, left, joins the cheerleaders in a rally performance. Keaton Dougherty, below, receives a glittering layer of eye shadow.

Gazette photos by Carissa Lewis and Hannah Xu


The Granite B ay G azette !

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GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL w 1 GRIZZLY WAY w GRANITE BAY, CA w 95746 w VOLUME 20w ELECTION EDITION w FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

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GBHS CHOOSES

Creative Commons photo/GAGE SKIDMORE

Hillary Clinton wins in GazetteSee poll page E2

inside This Edition

Measure D

Initiative will raise funds for new school

Kevin Kiley

E2

Q and A with GBHS grad running for State Assembly

Opinion: Death Penalty

E3

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind

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E2 Election Edition

Friday, November 4, 2016

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Measure D would increase property taxes

Initiative will enable district to fund improvements, new school falling apart,” Severson said. “It’s carpeting, flooring, HVAC systems. We’ve got these huge, major repairs (but) get In addition to 17 state-wide initiatives, no money from the state anymore for dethere are two local measures for Placer ferred maintenance.” County residents to vote on. Severson said it’s up to local school disOne measure, Measure D, will directly tricts to find money for maintenance. affect the Roseville Joint “We carve it out Union High School Disof our budget, but trict, if passed. we can’t carve out The “local high school We’ve got these millions of dollars, improvement measure” is really what huge, major repairs which would upgrade and conit would take to fix struct classrooms and fa(but) get no money some things,” Severcilities by issuing $96 milson said. from the state lion in bonds. Granite Bay High RJUHSD superintendent anymore for School senior and Ron Severson said the student government deferred projects will be funded by member Lexi Kinmaintenance. taxing “$15 per $100,000 drick assisted in getassessed (in) property valting community memue.” – Ron Severson, RJUHSD bers on board with the It is imperative the meameasure. superintendent sure is passed, according “Student governto Severson, for three reament made calls along sons. with the administra“We’ve got an aging intion staff (to GBHS frastructure that needs repair and replacement,” Severson said. “The second issue parents),” Kindrick said. “It was a neat is really one of equity. The last issue is process that took place at the Toyota Truck Center where they gave us cell overcrowding.” While some schools in the district are phones and calling lists.” Molly Scholes, mother of GBHS junior newer than others – Granite Bay High at 22 years old and Roseville High at 103 Emma and freshman Ellie Scholes, also years old – each have aspects that need made phone calls to community memimprovements and don’t qualify for state bers, supporting Measure D. “I volunteered at the Vote Yes on Meafunding. “On all of our campuses there are parts sure D phone bank for several hours and that are away from the public view but are made calls to local Placer County voters BY SURINA KHURANA

skhurana.gazette@gmail.com

to help educate them on the Measure and provide reasons why it’s important to vote yes,” Scholes said. She said she’d advised people to to visit Vote Yes on Measure D’s website, if they were unsure on how to vote. “This election overall is polarizing, but it’s important to make the time to vote and make your voice heard, especially on local measures like this one,” Scholes said. Kindrick said the hours they spent making phone calls were “tedious at times” and that some student government students who didn’t fully support the measure felt awkward asking for their vote. Yet, this feeling wasn’t an issue with Kindrick, who personally supports the measure, despite concerns. “I support the proposal only because of the aspect of aiding current schools in our district,” Kindrick said. “I feel like more of our community would support paying extra if it benefitted a school that their child went to, instead of a new one.” Scholes regularly sees how the measure would benefit the district, the students and the community. “I am actively involved on the GBHS Aquatics Board and Granite Bay Gators swim team parent board so I spend a lot of time at the high school pool,” Scholes said. “There are doors on the pool deck that need to be replaced and the surface around the pool is in bad shape. It’s important we make these fixes for the safety of our students and those who visit our school facilities. The pool not only serves the students, but also the local communi-

Gazette photo /SURINA KHURANA

Passing Measure D would give the RJUHSD $96 million in bonds that will be used for repairing current schools in the district and building a new one. ty in the summer with a recreational swim concerns and believes part of the money team and swim lessons.” should be directed elsewhere. One of Scholes’ concerns of the mea“I think teacher salaries should increase sure is that few people are aware that the … because (an increase) will draw and measure requires 55 percent of the votes keep talent in the industry,” Ochi said. to be yes, as opposed to the traditional “Personally, I have issues with Measure majority. D because I think the measure is paying Amy Ochi, a parent of two GBHS grad- for ‘things’ and that means you’re going uates, has already voted yes on the mea- to have vendors squeezing their way in sure. and doing favors for others.” “In general, I vote for bond measures for Scholes described her support for the schools,” Ochi said. “I think schools are measure as an investment in the commuthe backbone and future of a community nity. and society. They are a unique component “When we invest in schools, the overall of society where we have access to kids community is enhanced and gets better,” and can give them an opportunity to ‘ad- Scholes said. “I will always continue to vance’ and achieve beyond their parents’ support local schools – no matter what. economic status.” I believe there is a strong correlation beOchi said that though she supports mea- tween the performance of schools and the sures that will benefit schools, she has strength of the community.”

GBHS STUDENT PRESIDENTIAL POLL Males

Females

90 total voters

Combined

70 total voters

160 total voters

GBSH STAFF PRESIDENTIAL POLL Females

Males

Combined

24 total voters 32 total voters 56 total voters In Gazette polls of students and staff, 160 seniors took a paper-and-pencil poll in eight different second-period classes, and 56 staff members responded to an electronic version of the same survey.

Line up the booths Make your voice heard


Friday, November 4, 2016

Election Edition E3

w The Granite Bay Gazette

GBHS SENIOR BOYS ON THE PROPOSITIONS

PROPOSITION GUIDE

Prop 55 Would maintain an income tax increase on individuals who make more than $250,000 a year Prop 57 Would allow non-violent offenders to earn credits for good behavior, educational achievements and rehabilitation efforts that can shorten their sentence, and would require a judge’s approval before a juvenile is tried in adult court

GBHS SENIOR GIRLS ON THE PROPOSITIONS

Prop 58 Would permit schools to have dual-language programs for English-learners Prop 62 Would abolish the death penalty Prop 63 Would require new background checks when purchasing of firearms and remove firearms from individuals convicted of specific crimes Prop 64 Would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for individuals who are at least 21 years old, with taxation and regulation

Gazette illustration/CARISSA LEWIS

The polls, above, indicate the number of males and females who voted “yes” in favor of the proposition or “no” against the listed initiatives. The polls were limited to the senior class and were conducted by hand-written survey. The majority of males voted in favor of propositions 57 (71.9 percent), 64 (67.2 percent) and 66 (65.5 percent). The majority of females voted in favor of propositions 55 (51.0 percent), 57 (76 percent), 58 (64.7 percent), 64 (74.5 percent), 66 (59.2 percent) and 67 (74.3 percent).

GBHS grad is running for California State Assembly A look into the policies of Republican Kevin Kiley BY NATASHA CHANDA

nchanda.gazette@gmail.com

Granite Bay High School has a number of notable alumni and this upcoming election could potentially add another one to its growing list. Kevin Kiley, who graduated as the GBHS valedictorian in 2003, is running for California State Assembly in the 2016 election. After graduating from Harvard University after high school, Kiley moved on to earn a law degree at Yale University and then a master’s in secondary education from Loyola Marymount University. After graduating from LMU, Kevin made use of his law degree and became the Deputy Attorney General. He began campaigning as the Republican candidate for state assembly in 2015 with the help of a number of current GBHS students. Kiley plans to “fight for reforms” and says “our state needs to have a dynamic and competitive 21st century economy,” as stated by his campaign website, www.kileyforassembly.org. He has a number of concerns regarding small businesses, tax

reform, safe communities, the status of the government, water solutions and the economy. What exactly does Kiley plan to do with these concerns as the Sixth District’s State Assembly? Letting Businesses Thrive California’s economic growth is heavily burdened by a complicated tax structure, so Kiley plans to work with small businesses in mind to lower the tax burden. Businesses have a 8.84 percent corporate income tax, a 6.65 percent alternative minimum tax, and a 1.5 percent franchise tax. These businesses must pay these taxes even if their current profits are at a loss, resulting in an even greater loss of profit. Kiley also wants to give judges the power to dismiss frivolous lawsuits, like abusive and predatory cases, and send them to private arbitration, which will reduce costs according to Kiley’s campaign. Additionally, Kiley plans to extend flexible scheduling to all California employees. Currently, California does not allow working individuals to decide

Prop 65 If Prop 67 is passed, would require the money from plastic bags to go towards environmental concerns Prop 66 Would reform the death penalty process by quickening the appeals process and allowing the state to transfer death row inmates among prisons Prop 67 Would enact a statewide ban on plastic bags

- Compiled by Anjali Shrivastava

Special to Gazette/ KILEY FOR ASSEMBLY 2016

Kevin Kiley is running for the California State Assembly. their own work schedules. Kiley point they are budgeted for other is in favor of creating reforms purposes,” Kiley said. “I want to that will allow individuals to cre- ensure that money intended for ate their own work schedules that much-needed work on our roads, “best serve their interests.” bridges, water storage and other “It would be better for every- infrastructure is used for that purone involved if overtime rules … pose.” worked the same way whether an employee works four 10-hour Tax Reform days or five eight-hour days,” KiCalifornia has the highest inley said. come tax in the country. Kiley California’s cost of living has is in favor of reforms that lower heavily increased because of the lack of investment in infrastruc- taxes and says he will ensure the government is responsible for its ture. “Currently, dollars meant for spending. infrastructure are being diverted to the general fund, at which See KILEY, page E5

Gazette illustration/CARISSA LEWIS


Voices

E4 Election Edition

The Granite Bay Gazette

Friday w November 4, 2016

Chew before you choose, America Follow politics with a grain of salt D

idn’t pick a qualyou ity president hear, who actually Trump is a achieves the racist and goals we want womanizer? in government? What about Yes, it is Hillary? How important to can you vote for be informed her? Did you about candiread about her dates who will emails? have important Every day, the impacts on our media basically country, but we ckahmann.gazette@gmail.com tells us what need to tune candidate is out the endless better than the other, and mostly headlines and make a decision why the other is absolutely the on the entire picture rather than a worst. snapshot. They make us feel as if voting Personally, in this election I one way is a moral atrocity, or don’t approve of the actions or better yet, makes you someone decisions of either candidate. who is “deplorable.” However, that doesn’t mean I However, in my daily life, I will vote blindly for whoever the make decisions all the time based media thinks is morally in the on what I stand for and believe, right compared to the other. not what others think. I will vote for whatever candiSo why in elections do we care date appoints judges I align with so much about others’ opinions in the Supreme Court and whose rather than form our own? economic policies I agree with. It seems to me as if no one Everyone is so caught up in not votes based off of what they find voting for a racist misogynist or themselves, but rather what we a slimy crook that no one really are spoon-fed. focuses on what these candidates People rarely do research stand for. on their own about who they The worst part is, focusing truly want for the future of their on the sleaze and dirt allows country and the policies required candidates to avoid talking about to get us there. substance. Of course we focus on the Just look at this election if you attention-grabbing headlines. disagree with that. It’s basic human nature. But, I have watched every single is it the most effective way to debate and follow news daily,

COMMENTARY

cole kahmann

Our Picks for 2016 The Gazette recommends...

U.S. President: Hillary Clinton U.S. Senator: Kamala Harris Propositions No on... Prop 55 Yes on... Prop 57 Prop 58 Prop 64 Prop 66 Prop 67 Tied on... Prop 62 The Gazette conducted a poll of the class, in which 24 students answered questions about who they would vote for and whether they are for or against a certain proposition.

So why in elections do we care so much about others’ opinions rather than form

and I don’t know if I have full disclosure of any of the few policies I have heard from Trump or Clinton. Maybe they assume we can’t understand something deep, or maybe they don’t have anything detailed to say or they don’t want to let voters know their real plans. As we salivate on whatever is waved in front of our faces, why don’t we just keep on learning about the pasts of Clinton and Trump? After all, slamming the opposition is a much more important trait for a candidate than having impressive policies, right? Instead, I would argue that we need to dig deep to find the real, important information on our own. If I was going to lead you for the next four or eight years,

would you want to know one or two things about my past, or what I will do with my presidential power and what my future plans are for you? We should vote on someone not just based on their personality, but for their vision for our country. God bless America. *** Cole Kahmann, a senior, is a Gazette co-editorin-chief.

Gazette illustration/CARISSA LEWIS

Immigration: The greatest act of love

Don’t discriminate against those seeking a better life here in the United States

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and the influx of Syrian refugees, or all the talk of immigrants COMMENTARY more and more immigrants seek a storming through the country, safe place where they hope to exstealing our jobs, raping our women and murdering innocent press their thoughts and faith without citizens, it’s strange how little of being persecuted. any of the aforementioned acts I’ve However, with the amount of xenoactually witnessed. phobia rampant throughout the U.S., The motives for the majority of these people, desperate for a home, immigrants to move into the U.S., are at a loss. To think, they left a I feel, can be narrowed into three hateful and dangerous place just to main themes. be put back into a hateful and The first motive: opportunity. dangerous place. Equal opportunity, success, the The last motivation: love. American Dream – doesn’t that Jeb Bush was shamed by the Rehxu.gazette@gmail.com sound appealing? Who wouldn’t publican party for announcing that want to move to a country that for many, immigration is an act of adamantly promotes the idea of “You can make it love. as long as you work hard!”? And while, yes, there are immigrants that want to Unfortunately, when people hear “They’re movignite fear and commit acts of terror, the majority of immigrants move in order to provide for their ing to America to find a job,” they hear instead, children and grant their children and future genera“They’re moving to America to take jobs from the hard working citizens.” That just isn’t the case. tions a better life than the one they experienced. Typically, it’s very hard for an immigrant to find a This is the story of my parents. Growing up in job. Language barrier, inexperience and lack of farural, countryside China, they knew from the very miliarity with social norms all hinder an immigrant start that their life wasn’t going to be easy. Going to college wasn’t even an option for many of the from acquiring a job in the U.S. residents. But when the going gets tough, what happens However, things were changing. The chairman next? Immigrants do what they can – taking the jobs that people don’t usually want, turning to agri- announced a cultural revolution, allowing for a select few to go to college in the “big city” (othercultural work, or opening family businesses. Such efforts should be praised, not deemed as wise known as Beijing). My father worked day and shameful. night to pass the national exams. He was one of the The second motive: safety. select few. Especially with the tension in the Middle East He was then able to go to America.

hannah xu

The majority of immigrants move in order to provide for their children and grant their children and future generations a better life than the one they experienced.

My mom, on the other hand, was still in China. She was reluctant to follow my dad and leave everything she knew to move to America. But she knew. She knew that if she can carve out a life in America, her children will eventually be able to find better opportunities than the ones offered to her. She knew that her children wouldn’t have to struggle just to receive an education. My parents understood that the sacrifice they made to desert everything they knew was the single greatest act of love for their children. To reduce their choice to anything less is an insult to not only them, but the rest of the immigrants trying to do the same. *** Hannah Xu, a senior, is a Gazette co-editor-inchief.

You are not defined by your candidate Not all Trump supporters encourage racist, sexist, xenophobic ideologies

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onald Trump is sexist, racist, bigoted, egotistical and dangerously close to becoming our next commander in chief. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is a liar, a charlatan, greedy and dangerously close to becoming our next commander in chief. Yes, it’s not new information that our country is in a quandary. With very little support for either presidential candidate, many have been left wondering why someone would vote for either of them at all, aside from the “better of two evils” argument. The general disdain for both candidates is warranted, but the disdain for their respective supporters is com-

pletely off base. Disagreement is one thing, but a disproportionate number of people this election are acting like supporters of one candidate are evil because of their support. Donald Trump has said multiple blatantly racist things (Mexicans are rapists and murderers comes to mind). However, a vote for Donald Trump is not a vote for racism. To demonize all of his supporters because of comments he has made is to ignore the reason behind why people are voting for him. As a very socially liberal person, it’s hard to wrap my head around some of his policies and rhetoric. I have to

COMMENTARY

remind myself, however, hope. that Trump is not talking Similarly, supporting to me. Hillary is not the same He is speaking to as supporting career those who live in small politicians and general towns in Indiana, Kandishonesty. sas, Nebraska: anywhere No one is preaching where the entire town’s or advocating for her population relies on a deleting emails. single industry to surRegardless of who vive. When politicians you are supporting (or on either coast decide not supporting) this that their industry needs election, no one has the chinson.gazette@gmail.com to be regulated, it can right to judge you on lead to the town’s only that choice. factory or industry being completely If people were more open to a diashut down. logue, there might be real change in our They support Trump not because country. For now, we are stuck plugthey are racists or bigots or sexist, but ging our ears, caught between a partisan because he told them that he would shouting match. prevent politicians from ruling their *** lives. Trump understands that they are Connor Hinson, a senior, is a Gazette disenfranchised, and he is bringing them News editor.

connor hinson


E5 Election Edition

Friday, November 4, 2016

w The Granite Bay Gazette

The death penalty should meet its end Gazette file photoillustration /NATASHA CHANDA

Capital punishment is both cruel and unusual

COMMENTARY

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his upcoming election, Californians will literally make a life or death decision, and I hope they choose life. Two initiatives concerning the death penalty will be on the ballot come Nov. 8 – Propositions 62 and 66. Prop. 62 seeks to end executions, while Prop. 66 seeks to expedite them. I urge you to vote yes on 62, and no on 66. Even if you don’t share the same ethical reservations, the legal application of capital punishment is less than practical. In California alone, the total cost of enforcing the death penalty has been over $4 billion – and that’s in a state that has only carried out 13 executions, setting each sentence at the lofty price of $308 million. For reference, that is almost 10 times the amount of money spent on a life in prison sentence. Obviously, the system needs reform. But speeding it up is not the answer. Specifically, Prop. 66 aims to quicken the appeals process by lessening the requirements for lawyers who are “qualified” enough to represent death row inmates in the appeals process and requiring that state courts review the habeas corpus petitions, as op-

anjali shrivastava ashrivastava.gazette@gmail.com

posed to federal courts. But here lies a paradox – the court that oversaw the case initially will be looking at the very same case once again in search of an error they missed the first time. Conflict of interest, much? With faster executions will come faster trials, in which innocent people are sure to be sentenced to death prematurely. To be in favor of the death penalty is to be in favor of killing people who commit the worst crimes

against humanity, but also, every once in awhile, an innocent person. There have been 344 DNA exonerations since the advent of forensic testing, 18 of which were for individuals on death row. One study by the National Academy of Sciences concludes that at least 4.1 percent of death row inmates are, in actuality, innocent. And I know, these numbers might seem miniscule, but they are far from that. When we’re talking about thousands of individuals, 4 percent can easily translate to more than 100 innocents killed, essentially murders at the hand of our government. We’re never going to get it right in every single case. Because of human fallibility, innocent people will always be killed if capital punishment is legal – there will always be corrupt prosecutors, misleading evidence and human error. But even executing convicted killers does not accomplish anything of value. It doesn’t change the fact that the crime occurred, and it certainly doesn’t prevent crimes from occurring in the future. Across the nation, homicide rates are consistently lower in states that have abolished the death penalty. In 2014, states with the death penalty had a homicide rate that was 28 percent greater than those without it. So, clearly it is ineffective in deterring crimes as well. It’s understandable to want vengeance. But wanting something does not necessarily mean it should be

Bloodlust should not be the motivation behind any branch of government, and especially not the judicial branch. granted. If someone violently raped my sister, I would want them to be burned at the stake. But that’s not how justice works. Humans by nature are morally ambiguous; that’s why we need laws and blind, impartial justice that is not based on visceral reactions. Bloodlust should not be the motivation behind any branch of government, and especially not the judicial branch. Do you want to live in a country where the government has the ability to lawfully kill its citizens? What we know is that the death penalty is expensive, doesn’t deter violent crime and potentially kills innocent civilians. Any system that flawed should be abolished. *** Anjali Shrivastava, a senior, is a Gazette co-editorin-chief.

Election Edition

New voters share political beliefs Students exercise their greatly anticipated right BY BRAYDEN JOHNK

bjohnk.gazette@gmail.com

Turning 18 years old grants those newly deemed as “adults” not only the right to buy a lottery ticket, open a bank account and enlist in the army, but also the right to vote. Many seniors at Granite Bay High School are now old enough to vote and will be exercising this right to voice their opinions on both national, state and local governmental issues by casting their ballots on Nov. 8. Whether they are Democrats or Republicans, or Clinton or Trump supporters, voting in this election is clearly a new and exciting experience for first-time voters. Senior Ben Gould just recently turned 18 and has been highly anticipating this newvoter role for quite some time. “I am going to vote in this election because ever since third grade, politics have been really interesting to me,” Gould said. “And I’d love to finally be able to exercise

the ability to vote.” However, Gould, who has not decided on who he will cast his vote for, is also somewhat weary about the upcoming presidential election. “It’s a little bit of a pain to (vote) in this particular election because of the candidates that we have,” Gould said. “It’s kind of weighing the (least) of four evils.” Many voters are clearly perplexed by this election, Gould included. “It’s definitely something that we’ve never seen before as a country and hopefully will never see again,” Gould said. “It’s like watching ‘Desperate Housewives’ on a national, political level.” He sees this year’s presidential election as being very different than those that have preceded it. “First off, this isn’t really a real election – it’s not run the way an election is normally,” Gould said. “There have been very few actual issues that have been discussed, so while it’s certainly intense, it’s not intense with regard to the stuff that actually

siveness) and craziness in previous elections,” Dover said. “Can we get new candidates, please?” Yet despite the candidate choices, Dover matters to the voters.” sees the benefits of voting for the first time. Like Gould, senior Lauren McCormick “I’m not looking forward to who I have is also looking forward to the option of voting for, but voting for the first time in I am looking forward to acher life. tually having a say,” Dover It’s definitely “I am going to vote besaid. cause I think it’s a really something that GBHS first-time voters are cool thing to finally have we’ve never seen also aware of the important a say ... and I’ve waited ballot decisions that affect 18 years for it,” McCorbefore as a state and local issues. mick said. country and Aside from the presidenBut the quality of the candidates also lessens hopefully will tial race, which he despises, senior Matt Grundy feels the thrill of voting for never see again stronger about some of the McCormick. propositions which will “I was kind of excited to be able to vote for the – Ben Gould, GBHS compel him to cast his ballot. first time, but having it be senior “I’m very passionate about these two people makes it the proposition to legalfrustrating,” McCormick ize recreational marijuana said. Senior Kaley Dover is similarly disap- in California,” Grundy said. “I think we pointed in this presidential election and should pass that law … it’d be good for tax revenue and really help a lot of projects in what our country has put forth. “There has never been so much (divi- our state.”

KILEY: State Assembly candidate explains his policies Continued from page E3

“Lower tax rates would attract businesses to California and encourage entrepreneurship, while enabling existing businesses to hire more people, pay employeesmore, lower prices and invest in the future,” Kiley said. Kiley also intends to prevent any changes to Proposition 13, which keeps taxes lower and ensures that property taxes stay affordable. Safe Communities In order to create safe communities, Kiley says it is important that felons remain incarcerated. Proposition 47 turned many previous classified felonies into misdemeanors. Kiley plans to reverse the reform by changing firearm theft and the possession of date rape drugs from misdemeanors to felonies. “Even if prosecutors prove that an offender possessed an illegal date rape drug and prove that the offender intended to use the drug to commit sexual assault, the crime is still a misdemeanor with little penalty,” Kiley said. “Dangerous crimes like this should be felonies with appropriate consequences.” Possession of class A drugs, like heroin and cocaine, will be considered a felony. Kiley said prosecutors will be able to threaten the of-

fenders with prison sentences, unless they check into rehabilitation facilities. He said his plan will decrease the level of drug abuse in California by ensuring that people who need help, get it. Kiley endorses The Death Penalty Reform and Savings Act, which will speed up the process of the death penalty, lower its costs by making death row inmates work to pay restitution and ensure that the death penalty is not an excessive expense for taxpayers. Lastly, Kiley plans to extend mental health treatment to prevent crime. According to his website, “studies have shown a strong correlation between criminal activity and mental health.” Accountable Government Kiley says it is necessary for companies to continuously innovate to remain “dynamic, efficient, and relevant.” Currently, he says California’s government is working off of outdated policies, creating an inefficient government. Kiley’s administration plans to introduce methods of modern accounting and budgeting that have been used in private enterprise. Businesses often have a hard time applying for per-

mits and licenses. “It can take up to eight months to get the permits necessary to start a business in our state,” Kiley said. “California needs to streamline that process, and one solution is to enable entrepreneurs to register for permits through a single online portal.” In order to change outdated governing methods, Kiley will push California governments to work with businesses in an effort to crowdsource feedback and get rid of policies that may no longer be efficient. Water Solutions California has recently experienced a number of dry years. “We should make it a top priority to expedite needed projects, such as Sites Reservoir,” Kiley said. “And (we should) ensure these projects do not face unnecessary bureaucratic delays.” He also plans to create a more modern drainage system that will force water to be reused instead of being drained to the Pacific Ocean, where it currently goes. Finally, to increase the supply of fresh water, Kiley supports infrastructure that will desalinate the Pacific Ocean water, making water more accessible during dry years.

Grundy, similar to Gould, McCormick and Dover, believes that, no matter how slight the impact, every vote counts. “In a sense (my vote) does make a difference because I do get to have my voice heard, I do get to tell people what I believe in and who I am voting for,” Grundy said. “And in that sense it kind of does make a difference, even though it might be minor.” Jarrod Westberg, a government teacher at GBHS, has prepared his students to cast their votes on Election Day. “We’ve been talking about the issues in the presidential election, so I think they’ll be comfortable voting,” Westberg said. In his class, all eligible students were registered to vote through the Placer County Election Project, and Westberg expects those who are eligible will actually go out and exercise that right. “There’s not that many (students who are old enough to vote) though,” Westberg said. “Out of my 180 students, I probably only have 30 that are going to be able to vote, if that.” As a teacher and long-time voting advocate, Westberg has crucial advice to the new voters at GBHS – advice that actually pertains all voters. “(Voters have) to research, and if they don’t know something, don’t vote for it,” Westberg said. “Don’t just circle something.”

“(This) is necessary for ensuring that our growing population has access to a fresh and sustainable water supply,” Kiley said. The Innovation Economy In order to fuel job growth and ensure that California’s job force stays among the top in the country, Kiley wants promote innovation and introduce tools to the classroom that will make students more inclined to learn. “It’s essential that schools are preparing students for the demands of the modern workplace,” Kiley said. “That means having high expectations for all students, incorporating technology in smart and meaningful ways, fostering skills-based learning and critical thinking and expanding STEM offerings and vocational training options.” To improve the educational environment, Kiley is in favor of increasing the availability of technology in classrooms and ensuring that classes are taught by the best educators, even if that means providing compensation for them. He also believes that keeping college affordable is extremely important so students are able to get an education and better the California workforce. Kiley ultimately hopes to create a more efficient and safer California for citizens to live. *** More about his policies can be found at www.kileyforassembly.com.


E6

Second look

Election Edition

Friday, November 4, 2016

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Grizzlies react to the election If you had to sum up this election in one sentence, what would it be? “The election has been very from what’s actually imporexhausting, and very divisive.” tant, like a festival or a circus.” -Bob Prichard, English teacher -Lisa Kunst, math teacher “I can’t believe we are down to these two.” -John Sherman, math teacher

“Absolutely terrifying.” -Alex Dillabaugh, senior

“Unprecedented hysteria for our nation’s democratic pro“The two candidates are not very nice to each other.” -Cary cess.” -Jarrod Westberg, government teacher Moore, math teacher “Bigly.” -Max Johnson, junior “Are these really the best options our country can put forth?” -Scott Becker, math teacher “Un-American.” -Brent Bartholomew, junior “It’s a disgrace to all America’s constituents who seek strong leadership.” -Jill Cova, Spanish teacher

“This election is less about the candidates’ policies and more about their histories and how the public perceives them.” -Max Vasilchuk, senior

“The most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life of 16 years.” -Katie Hunter, junior

“The election has been unprecedented and revealing about some deep-seated, underlying differences in values in our country.” -Natalie Elkin, psychology teacher “F***!” -Drew Robles, senior

“The 2016 election is an example of getting what we deserve as a people who “Certainly the most contenhave tried to simplify politious election I’ve ever witnessed.” -Mike Valentine, his- tics into emotion and excitement when it really is a tory teacher civic duty that’s hard, slow “Yikes.” -Matt O’Malley, senior and tough to figure out.” -Brandon Dell’Orto, his“Depressing.” -Arden Ma, senior tory teacher

“Ugly.” -Jennifer Hill, Spanish “Really, really bad.” -Elon Harmon, freshman teacher “Disconcerting. Vile.” -David Tastor, English teacher “The election makes me feel sad.” -Younes Mahmoudieh, senior “I almost feel like it distracts

“I’m moving to Canada.” -Ben Soper, Spanish teacher

“A demonstration of the ignorance and lack of attention given to political issues, in that the American people nominated two candidates seemingly unfit for the presidency.” -Nash Rood, junior

What was your favorite moment of this election?

“When Trump admitted to not paying any federal taxes during the debate on an income well into the hundreds of millions and defended it by saying ‘That makes me smart.’” -Scott Becker, math teacher “Watching Donald Trump realize he should have prepared for these things.” -Max Vasilchuk, senior “My favorite moment is going to be when the election is over.” -Cary Moore, math teacher “Watching SNL because it perfectly encapsulates how crazy everything is going in this election.” -Ben Gould, senior “The Michelle Obama speech.” -Theresa Landon, science teacher “Watching how the debates prove that sometimes, no matter how much people tell you, you can’t control what you say.” -Brandon Dell’Orto, history teacher

“‘I’ll release my tax records when “When Trump said that he would you release your 33,000 e-mails.’” have the second amendment take care of Hillary.” -Drew Robles, senior -Brent Bartholomew, junior “Bernie Sanders ... showing you could finance a campaign without large corporate sponsorships.” -Bob Prichard, English teacher “When Karl Becker asked the candidates to say something nice about each other.” -Jill Cova, Spanish teacher “When Trump said ‘nasty woman.’” -Tre Lockwood, senior “When Trump roasted Hillary at the second debate saying that she should be in jail if he were in charge.” -Elon Harmon, freshman “When Donald Trump kept screaming ‘WRONG’ during the debate.” -Rhanda Abasi, senior “When a bird landed on Bernie’s podium mid-speech.” -Nash Rood, junior

“Watching all of my opinionated friends just shake their heads in disbelief after the debates.” -John Sherman, math teacher “Seeing everyone put snapchat filters on people’s faces.” -Kennedy Healy, junior “Nothing really. I believe it to be a sad statement to the world.” -David Tastor, English teacher “Hillary and Trump roasting each other constantly.” -Bri Nguyen, junior “My favorite moment was Donald Trump saying he is going to build a wall.” -Jovan Rangi, senior “My favorite part of the election is seeing a nonpolitician … in the running,” Lisa Kunst, math teacher “The memes.” -Ben Soper, Spanish teacher


Lifestyle

Granite Bay Gazette

B Section

Branching out on breast cancer Thursday w November 10, 2016

COMMENTARY

GBHS honors those with breast cancer and raises awareness about the illness BY SABINA MAHAVNI

brayden johnk bjohnk.gazette@gmail.com

Sometimes it’s about the experience, not the objective

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he great outdoors has always held a special place in my soul. My dad and I are experienced at backpacking, hiking and camping, but the one thing we haven’t been very successful at is fishing. During all our adventures, we’ve never caught more than a couple fish. So when an acquaintance of my dad told him about a fishing location on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada near Yosemite, where catching a fish is almost inevitable – key word “almost” – I figured our luck would finally change. His decisive words prompted us to plan an overnight fishing trip. With one of my friends and his dad joining us, we all expected a successful outing. We decided to head down Friday night to camp, fish all Saturday and return home late, ideally with several five-pound rainbow trout in the cooler. We arrived at Crags Campground next to Twin Lakes at around 5 p.m. With a high tundra terrain and snow-capped peaks surrounding us, things couldn’t get much better. We quickly started setting up – tents, dinner and a fire – as the temperature was rapidly dropping. We filled our bellies with delicious sausages, beans and potato salad, savoring the fact that food always seems better when you’re camping. The dads then went to bed, and my friend and I stayed outside in the 30 degree weather. We sat outside, mesmerized by the billions of stars in the clear, night sky. We listened to the silence of the night punctuated by mysterious, unidentifiable sounds in the distance. In this moment, I felt a true connection with nature, experiencing the integrity of the land and the vastness of outer space, even catching a shooting star here and there. The next morning, I was the first one up and out of the warm tent and into the below-freezing air. As I started the fire, I took in the beauty around me and relished the solitude and quiet. After a tasty breakfast, we packed up and headed optimistically to the lake to catch some big ones. With all the right gear, bait and tactics, we were destined to catch something. But as the day went on, that hope slowly faded as none of us caught anything. Yes, we were all disappointed, but that is not the real story to take away. The solitude of the campsite, the spectacular snow-covered peaks surrounding us and the invigorating, below-freezing temperatures – all experienced with my dad and our friends - will have more of a lasting effect on me than the fact that we didn’t catch even one fish. We should understand that the experience is often more worthwhile than the objective. John Muir echoes this in his words, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”

***

Brayden Johnk, a junior, is a Lifestyle editor.

B

smahavni.gazette@gmail.com

reast Cancer Awareness, celebrated every year in October, is dedicated to making everybody more knowledgeable about the cancer that, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, kills a woman every 13 minutes. Honoring those who survived breast cancer is a big focus of Breast Cancer Awareness. Genna Kozlowski, a senior, knows what it’s like to have a family member suffer through this terrible illness. “I found out in fifth grade that my mom had breast cancer,” Kozlowski said. Her mother had stage one breast cancer, so the doctors were able to discover it early on. However, Kozlowski said that the procedure was still very serious. As a parent to three, her mother was determined to fight the cancer head on and undergo chemotherapy. “It was hard for my family to … see her not be herself, but the community was so giving and so nice,” Kozlowski said. The Kozlowski family received many meals and gifts from peers in the community while Kozlowski’s mother was going through treatment. “Overall, the community really came together and was so giving,” Kozlowski said. Although her mother’s cancer fortunately went away, the memory of how generous and supportive the community was to them will always stay with her as well as the experience of having a family member with cancer. “I realized for whoever has a family member going through cancer, I know how serious it is and how much it affects the family,” Kozlowski said. “It has just made me really thankful for my parents and loved ones because you never know; within an instant, something can change.” Not only was Kozlowski inspired by her mother’s strength through chemotherapy, but she also took action in her community to increase the support for cancer patients. She contributed her Silver Award in Girl Scouts to cancer patients like her mother. “My silver award was to give hope and encouragement to people going through cancer because I know it can be such a hard time in someone’s life,” Kozlowski said. “I made cards and held a little booth and had kids make cards for others going through cancer.” Breast Cancer Awareness Month raises many opportunities to inform others about life with cancer or with a family member who has cancer. “(Cancer) can happen to anyone,” said Lainie Kastner, a junior whose mother passed away from skin cancer in 2008. Although Kastner’s mother mainly had melanoma and only had slight breast cancer later on, Kastner still understands the importance of this month and improving cancer awareness in general. “You don’t realize that things like being in the sun (while you’re) young or being ex-

Nation honors veterans Nov. 11

Teachers and ex-officers share their memories from when they served in the military BY ANDREW YUNG

ayung.gazette@gmail.com

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eterans’ Day is on Nov. 11, and while a lot of people like to celebrate the day because it gets them out of school, the holiday also serves as a reminder of the many people who have fought and died for this country. Although fighting in the military comes with risks, many people feel that the pros of serving outweigh the cons. “I do think it is dangerous, but I think I could learn a lot of teamwork and bravery from (enlisting),” said Triston Haverty, a sophomore at Granite Bay High School. “I want the experience of serving my country and knowing I put my life on the line for others.” Dale Mortensen, who is a Military History teacher at GBHS and served in the navy, felt that his experiences in the Armed Forces affected his whole life. “The service had an incredibly positive impact upon my life,” Mortensen said. Besides probably

keeping me out of jail, military service taught me that I was more capable than I had ever thought I could be. It taught me how to... trust those that earn it.” One factor that can encourage people to join the Armed Forces is having relatives in the military. “In my family (joining the military) was considered an honorable thing to do,” Mortensen said. Mortensen’s grandfather, although Danish, joined the U.S. Army to fight in World War I. “(And I had) two uncles in World War II.,” Mortensen said. “To them, that’s what you did for the country that gave you so much.” However, being the first person in a family to serve also can have an appeal. “No one in my family has ever (served), and I feel it’ll be a great experience in my life while at the same time serving my country,” Haverty said. As for becoming a member of the armed forces, there are many ways to approach it.

posed to a lot of radiation can lead to something so serious,” Kastner said. Kastner also said how important it is to be aware of potential hazards that can lead to cancer, which is one of the efforts of cancer awareness in general. Like Kozlowski, Kastner gained stronger connections with and respect for her mother and family throughout her mother’s treatment. “I was so young,” Kastner said. “It was… hard, but as a family, we grew together closer.” Even though it was a tragedy to have to say goodbye to a parent as such a young age, Kastner said she has come out of the experience stronger and more aware about others dealing with what her mother dealt with. “It was a really hard experience, but ultimately, it’s made me stronger and made me a better person overall,” Kastner said. “I think that anyone who goes through something like that grows from it initially. GBHS puts so much emphasis on Breast Cancer Awareness month with all the pink decor because according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, “Each year it is estimated that over 246,660 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.” School sports have also done their part to raise awareness about breast cancer itself and raise money for breast cancer research. Maddie Ross, a sophomore on the junior varsity volleyball team, and her mother helped organize the Dig Pink fundraising events put on by the volleyball I AVN team. MAH BINA A /S on “My mom gathered a bunch of volunteers, and she went ti a tr illus ette around to a lot of businesses asking for donations,” Ross said. Gaz These donations would go towards a big raffle for people to enter in and possibly win prizes. The money raised from tickets sales would all go toward breast cancer research. Ross’s mother, a lymphatic and skin cancer survivor, participates in fundraises like these with her supportive cancer community, like Kozlowski’s mother. Seeing her mother go through such a hard experience has made Ross more aware of what life is like for cancer patients and more active in raising awareness in others. “It really takes getting someone that you’re close to to get cancer to make you actually realize … how big the situation is and how much it affects people,” Ross said. Cancer survivors and their efforts to raise awareness inspire others every day to expand their horizons and reach out to those going through troubling times. This is the ultimate purpose of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “I’d want people (with cancer) to know that there’s support out there,” Kozlowski said. “You can have hope and get through it and be strong.”

“My advice would be to talk to a recruiter,” said Marine Corps Sergeant Snow, a Marine recruiter in the Roseville area. “You can’t have a police record, you can’t do a bunch of drugs and you have to have a diploma.” Besides the physical qualifications, a big part of determining whether or not you want to serve in the military are the mental aspects. “My advice would be first, understand what you are getting into,” Mortensen said. “Insist that you have the schooling that you desire. Secondly, commit yourself fully! You must be ready and willing for a total life change.” A person thinking about enlisting must also be ready to decide which area of the Armed Forces he or she wants to serve in, whether it be in the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, or Coast Guard. “Make sure you choose the branch that’s best for you and what you want to do,” said government teacher and athletic director Tim Healy, who served in the Navy. “(Also) make sure you’re (enrolling) for the right reason and weigh the pros and cons (because) serving is an awesome thing to do.” However, once in the Armed Forces, the expectations are very high. “My first school required 100 percent to pass each test (meaning a) 99 percent was failing,” Mortensen said. “Too many fails and you got shipped out to places elsewhere. I started to learn… how to function under pressure.” Eventually these expecta-

Tim Healy, middle, and his colleagues from the Air Force pose for a group picture. Healy currently teaches Government an Economics, and coaches the varsity boys’ golf team.

Special to the Gazette /TIM HEALY

tions lead to active duty in the military, which results in countless memories throughout one’s time serving. “(One) image etched in my mind was when we sailed into a typhoon in the South China Sea for (a) rescue operation,” Mortensen said. “Watching our 450 foot warship ride up… a massive wave and down the back side only to disappear into the next one, then pop out the other side and do that over and over again. I am still in awe of that experience.” Being in the Armed Forces also comes with exploring new countries and continents that otherwise one may have never seen. “I’ve probably been in thirtyfive or so countries,” Healy said. “I’ve been to North America,

South America, Europe and Asia. It impacted the way I looked at the world for sure… (and I was) around a wide variety of people.” Most importantly, the military helps people accept others for who they are, no matter their beliefs or ethnicity. “The military (takes)... people from every corner of America, every walk of life, every color, political creed or religion, and gets them to work together,” Mortensen said. For many soldiers in the military, the recruiting system seemed to know no race or religion. “In my unit, no one cared what color you were (or) where you came from,” Mortensen said. “We simply cared whether or not you did your job and had the back of the person next to you.”

inside lifestyle Random club

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Book of the Month

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TCID:BW

Dance Show

Band in College

Students practice for final performance.

Not all graduates abandon extracurricuolars in college.

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Families fit together Parent-kid, teacherstudent relationships

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B2 Lifestyle

The four-year-long P.E. rumor lives on

Thursday, November 10, 2016

False speculation over course requirements for Common Core students lingers BY SIDNEY ZABELL

szabell.gazette@gmail.com

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hysical education — a sigh of relief in the day for some students, yet a class dreaded for others. Either way, it is required for all Granite Bay High School students to take two years of P.E. in order to graduate. Many students have heard rumors over the years of incoming freshman being required to take four years of P.E. as a graduation requirement. These seem to surface both by word of mouth and over social media, but there is no evidence backing these rumors up. “The rumor is just that… a rumor,” said P.E. teacher Andi Rothman. “And it has been going around for many years.” According to Education Code Section 51225.3(a), students must complete two courses in physical education as a requirement. While some schools may choose to have students complete more than two years, GBHS only has P.E. 9 and 10 which fulfill the requirements. Students have varying views of P.E. They have taken some form of it since elementary school, but the class ends with P.E. 10, during sophomore year. “I think it’s really fun,” said sophomore Jacquelyn Wild. “ If you have friends in that class, it can be fun.” Wild said that if she were to have to take four years of P.E., she would be unable to “double up” on classes to get ahead in a subject. “You could be taking something academic but you would have to take P.E.

instead,” Wild said. “I would probably get frustrated with that.” Sophomore Julian Swartz said that while he hasn’t heard rumors of P.E. changing to being four years long, he would not be against it. “I think it’d be fine personally because it’s just a fun class to have, and you hang out with your friends… and just exercise at school,” Swartz said. Swartz said that if he had to take two additional years of P.E., he would likely be unable to take some electives or optional classes. “It’s better than most classes (where you are) just hanging out inside a classroom,” Swartz said. Marissa Stamas, a GBHS sophomore, has to take both P.E. 9 and 10 this year. “Last year, I couldn’t take P.E. 9 because I was supposed to get surgery on my foot,” Stamas said. Stamas is now taking P.E. 9 in the fall and P.E. 10 in the spring. “I thought it was going to be a lot harder than rumors say,” Stamas said. “I heard a lot of rumors like,‘You’re going to have to do all four years of P.E. because of Common Core’… and that made me really nervous.” Stamas’s younger brother even heard rumors, and older students told him that he would need to take four years of P.E. because they hadn’t. Stamas is also a member of the color guard and will also be taking dance next semester, and says she will be getting plenty of exercise. “I think four years of P.E. isn’t necessarily like a necessity for me,” Stamas said. “They’re just teaching you about

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Sweet potatoes

Gazette Illustration/MCKENNA ARAM

different sports and general knowledge… It’s just to educate you.” P.E. will remain as a two year course. “It’s a rumor,” P.E. teacher Angie

Pozzi said. “The whole idea is to find a passion — find something to be healthy, active and well rounded. Find some enjoyment out of being active.”

The annual dance show entices many

Buttermilk rolls

Students enrolled in the performance class execute a routine for their final BY SURINA KHURANA

A

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s the fall term comes to a close, the dance program is nearing the end of their preparations for the dance show. There is a show every December and every May that showcases the talent in the beginning, intermediate and advanced classes at Granite Bay High School. Sophomore Grace Ehnen, a beginning dancer, is looking forward to her first dance show. “My favorite dances are the Janet Jackson mix and the disco tap dance to ‘Stayin’ Alive’,” Ehnen said. She also added that the theme for this show is “collaborations”. All the performances are choreographed to mash-ups, duets and the like. The week of dance shows is Dec. 7-9, each night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This year is different as the intermediate and advanced classes are taught during the same period, often together. “The intermediate (and) advanced mix for third period is challenging only because there are almost 60 people in the class and there is a lack of space,” said junior Jonny Romero who is an advanced dancer. “But, Mrs. Milburn does an awesome job at attending to both of the classes needs and is always uplifting.”

Senior Lauren McCormick, who is in the intermediate class, said she was “skeptical at first” but admits that sharing the class with the advanced dancers has been fun. Desiree Milburn, the dance teacher for all three classes, has still managed to have several separate dances for the intermediate and advanced dancers. “The whole week of the dance show is so, so fun,” McCormick said. “We’ve been working on these dances for a long time, so I’m most excited for dance show week in general. We are doing a really fun belly dance that I’m really excited for.” Romero says he is excited for the “Car Wash” and “Dancing on my Own” dances. “The Car Wash Dance” is one of the dances that features both advanced and intermediate classes. “I really love ‘Car Wash’,” said senior Ethan Smith, who is in the intermediate class. “I look forward to dancing my heart out.” Romero says this year will be different than previous ones. “This dance show will be different because there will be a wider variety of music, as it is a collaboration, which means two artists coming together to compose a song,” junior Jonny Romero, an intermediate dancer, said. Senior Lyndsey Benner also said that this year there will be several dances that are choreographed by students in

Book of the Month Title: Wicked Girls Author: Stephanie Hemphill

Goodreads

Green bean casserole

Gazette photo /MACKENZIE BROWN

Pumpkin pie

Gazette photo /NATALIE HATCH

Third period dance class practicing their routine for their show. the advanced class. Benner, along with other students, choreographed a dance to ‘I’m Not the Only One’.” Their dance will be featured in the December show. Typically, teacher interns choreograph dances, but this year there are several group and student choreo graphed dances. Romero strongly encourages commu-

nity members to come to the show. “I would encourage people to come see the show because it’s a fun time to come with friends and see your peers showcase their talent, maybe that you never would’ve know they had,” Romero said. “Also, it is always a great show, both visually and emotionally. The dances this year are awesome and I would highly recommend going.”

The Great Gatsby of mice and men Romeo and Juliet

Cranberry sauce

Stuffing

Grapes of Wrath

BY KATE BOOTH

kbooth.gazette@gmail.com

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill is a fictional narrative of the Salem witch trials. While reading the accounts written by the three girls involved in the trials, one gets a better understanding of the psychology behind the horrors that took place in Salem. This book is dark, riveting and horrifyingly fascinating. One doesn’t know whether to sympathize or dislike the accusers. They live in a society in which they hold no power. Once they start accusing the townspeople of Salem, and their words become valued, it’s easy to understand why they would do anything to preserve their newfound respect. But when things start taking a deadly twist, and the girl’s accusations send innocent people to their deaths, one can’t help but feel their pity slowly being replaced with horror and disgust. What really sets this book apart from other accounts of the trials is that it’s written as a collection of poems from each girl. It takes a bit of adjusting, given that it’s not a method that is often used today, but it certainly adds another dimension into one’s reading experience. The events that occurred during the Salem trials are well known, but if you are a lover of historically fiction and want to read about them from an entertaining and fresh perspective, I urge you to read Wicked Girls.

Mashed potatoes

Turkey

- Compiled by Reese Richmond


Thursday, November 10, 2016

Lifestyle B3

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Band students can continue to practice in college The majority of high schoolers tend to abandon extracurriculars post-graduation BY REESE RICHMOND

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hen students go to college, they often have to give up some of the things they love. Fortunately, many of the band students don’t have to. Some junior and senior band students are interested in taking part of a college band and working with music in college. “I want to major in music performance and possibly education,” said junior band member James McCarthy. Although McCarthy is aware of how difficult it is to enter the music industry, he’s willing to work for it. “Getting good money in the music business is so hard and I’m willing to work hard to get there,” McCarthy said. While some band members, like McCarthy, would like to make music their profession in the future, others want to make music more of a hobby for themselves in the future. “During and past college, I could see myself playing in groups for fun or as a side job,” said junior Sadie Van Den Bogaerde. Van Den Bogaerde is interested in playing for a band in college because she finds the atmosphere fun.

“It seems like so much fun to play for such a huge crowd for college football games and I’d love to play in a group with that level of talent,” Van Den Bogaerde said. Having a great love for music, junior Duayne Wright is very dedicated to music and has already earned a scholarship for it. “My friend, Tony, introduced (the scholarship),” Wright said. “It’s a music scholarship for $1,000 dollars. I had to explain why I love music and how it impacted my life.” Wright believes his scholarship stood out from others because his love for music is so strong. “I’ve had a passion for music since before I could remember,” Wright said. “All of the opportunities I get with music help me understand the subject a lot more, especially meeting some well known musicians.” Although Wright is very dedicated to music, he is aware that musicians don’t make a lot of money and therefore he knows he needs to find another major or profession. “I would like to think that I could continue in college to march for drum corps and past college to join the Air Force Band,” Wright said. Former GBHS band member Eliza Kar-

pel earned a scholarship to study music when she auditioned for the conservatory at California State University Long Beach. She then went on to major in music education her first semester of freshman year. “For music education, I have to learn all the instruments so I can teach them in a class setting in the future,” Karpel said. After some time in her first semester of college, Karpel decided that she no longer wanted to major in music education. “It isn’t exactly what I thought it would be,” Karpel said. “I only get to play in an ensemble setting once a week and other time I get to play my instrument is during my individual practice.” Going into college, majoring in music education, Karpel was expecting a musical challenge, but was surprised when she didn’t find one. Gazette photo /MCKENNA ARAM “I feel like the music program at Granite Bay was so prestigious and hard working Band student Sylvie Vo handing down her uniform jacket to Yasmine Greiss so coming here is kind of a step down for don’t,” said Karpel. “I would rather do 100% of your time in.” me,” Karpel said. “I’m not challenged at performance but I play euphonium which “Take advantage of your time in the all and don’t really enjoy it as much as I is a really limited instrument. They even high school band program. I thought it used to.” advised me not to study euphonium perwould be a stepping stone into more chalKarpel also realized that there really lenging music but I was wrong,” Karpel wasn’t an area of music that she would be formance for this reason.” When asked if she were to give advice said. “I’m sure this varies depending on able to study in which she would enjoy to band students who would like to study your school, instrument, major, and own and succeed in. music in college, Karpel said, “Make sure personal experiences, but definitely ap“I originally thought I wanted to do preciate what you have now.” music education, but I realized I really it’s something you are willing to invest

Business club prospers College advisers assist

Newly formed ‘Young Entreprenuers’ Controversy remains over the logistics of group on campus reaches out world-wide hiring counselors due to the price issues BY PAIGE ERICKSON

perickson.gazette@gmail.com

T

he new International Business Club offered at Granite Bay High School was created by students Rahul Bavirisetty and David Song. “The idea came up as I was looking for opportunities for entrepreneurs,” Bavirisetty said. “I then stumbled upon the international business alliance.” Even though the club has just started, Bavirisetty and Song have already begun to reach out to businesses. “We are starting to communicate with a business in Africa and host fundraisers for them,” Song said. “We also help them with their operations.” The main goal of the club is to learn about global and international business by working with a company in Nigeria and running their U.S. based operations. “The company we decided to work with this year is a plaster o parris company,” Bavirisetty said. “We hope to solve any issues they have.” The club works with the leadership initiatives group, which helps flow some of the profits the company gains and puts it towards children’s educations.

“Our goal as a group is to send ten children to school in a span of two years,” Bavirisetty said. In order to continue their impact, club members run fundraisers for a local bakery in Nigeria. “We started this club to have community outreach,” Song said. “Our young entrepreneurs are able to give back to the community abroad.” The International Business Club members meet every three weeks and work with partners to communicate business concepts and concerns. “We talk to our coordinator often to accomplish tasks,” Bavirisetty said. Members of the club found interest in different aspects of the club and work on different projects to benefit the main goals of the club. “I decided to join the international business alliance program,” said freshman Caroline Tak, business club member. “My main goal is to learn more about business and help our partner out, who is located in Nigeria.” Projects include fundraisers, creating Google Forms, and communicating with people through the internet. “We have projects we have to do within the club,” Tak said. “We also have weekly Skype meetings

Random... BY NATASHA CHANDA

Facts

with our business coordinator.” The clubs coordinator is a representative of the organization the members are in and briefs up on what they are supposed to do that week. They communicate with each other often to make sure they are all on the same page. “We then discuss our ideas and issues we face and how we plan on moving forward,” Bavirisetty said. Every student in the International Business Club has a role and not only do they learn about the business world, but they help try to create a better life for others. “The idea of making an impact in another country is huge and is just something that not every student has an opportunity to have,” Bavirisetty said. This group of young entrepreneurs also have many other opportunities for business like the MIT Launch as well as the Verizon App challenge. It isn’t too late for students to join the International Business Club and to be a part of this hardworking, dedicated team. There is still an opportunity to become a ‘young entreprenuer.’ “We need all the help we can get in order to make a great impact,” Bavirisetty said.

BY PAIGE ERICKSON

perickson.gazette@gmail.com

R

ecently, counselors from public high schools have transitioned and now counsel students privately. The College Planning Center, located in Folsom, offers resources and information about how to start planning for the future. Former high school counselor Alice Wise now works at the planning center as a center director and college planner. “I have the opportunity to spend quality time with students focusing on their college and career goals,” Wise said. The program itself offers oneon-one student guidance sessions, dynamic college planning curriculum and group workshops. “We work with students on everything ranging from selfassessments to identify potential careers,” said college planner and former GBHS counselor Christina Cross. “(We develop) their interests, creating a plan of how to find and engage with community and career resources.” Team members also help students with test preparation for the SAT and ACT standardized tests. The personalized instruction focuses on what students don’t know in order to improve their

Club Club Name Ping Pong Club Club Club President: Nick Iskandar

2. 10% of the world’s population is left handed. 3. The fear of vegetables is called lachanophobia. 4. Everyone has a unique tongue print, just like fingerprints. 5. The largest snowflake ever recorded reportedly measured 15 inches across. - Compiled by Paige Erickson

ning Center are helped in many aspects. However, in order to be provided assistance from the college planning team, students must pay for their desired services. Controversy has sparked from this subject and the idea of the program being a conflict of interest has aroused. Some say it is unfair for such information to only be provided to students willing to pay. “Private (college) counseling is not that much different than any other private practice, so to speak,” Cross said. “Every family has a different motivation for seeking out our services and sometimes people want to have an expert guiding them when the details can often be overwhelming.” All of the college planners have diverse expertise and backgrounds. Every member has their own personal style and way to connect to students, but they all have the same goal. “My end goal is always to help (students) research colleges that are truly the best fit for them rather than following the crowds and help them tell their authentic stories in the college application,” Cross said. “We want kids to actually enjoy the process!”

:

nchanda.gazette@gmail.com

1. You cannot snore and dream at the same time

knowledge and strengthen their skills. “It is so rewarding to see students take hold of their goals and really work toward them,” Wise said. “I see families saving thousands of dollars on college admissions in merit aid, because of high test scores. When you simply focus on what you don’t know, it makes it so much more effective.” Another program at the College Planning Center is the student athlete program. “Athletes typically need to reach out to coaches and share their academics and athletic performance,” Cross said. “It can be time consuming. We educate families on the process and help keep the student on track throughout the process.” Including a step-by-step recruitment effort, this program enables students to showcase their athletic skills in front of coaches and to find the right school and team for them. “The effort for a student athlete has become increasingly complex over the years since college athletic departments no longer have the resources to travel around and watch high school sports to recruit students,” Cross said. Students who do seek out information from the College Plan-

When did the club start? Last year, the seniors that were running the Ping Pong Club had to graduate. I wanted to carry the torch in creating the new generation of the Granite Bay Ping Pong club. When do you meet? We meet every other Friday after school. What does the club do? We usually just play a tournament or we play ‘King of the Court’ and we usually have food every time, so it’s a good time.

Student Special to the Gazette /JADA HARPER

Gazette: How are you involved on campus? Jada: I (play) sports, art and FCA Gazette: What are your passions outside of school? Jada: I like water polo because I like to be athletic and swimming is fun. Gazette: Do you have any future plans for water polo? Jada: I want to keep playing through senior year and if I’m good enough to play in college then I will.

- Compiled by Sidney Zabell

- Compiled by Ali Lemos


B4 Lifestyle

Thursday, November 10, 2016

The Tastors

The Dell’ Ortos

w The Granite Bay Gazette

The MacLeanes

Families fit together

Teachers and their children at GBHS reflect kindred relationships BY MCKENNA ARAM

S

The Sitteruds

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ince the commencement of Granite Bay High School, a multitude of teachers’ children have attended the school contemporaneously. “It’s been great (having them here),” said GBHS teacher Brandon Dell’Orto, who has had two sons take his Advanced Placement United States History class. “When they were little, I always thought it would be cool to have my kids at school because I had always seen others teachers have their kids at school.” At many schools, it may be seen as unusual for teachers to have their children attend the high school they work at, but at GBHS, it’s just the contrary. In fact, at the end of every school year, there is a luncheon held for teachers that have kids at the school. “Every staff member that has a kid gets up and gets to say thank you to all of the faculty, and even our kids can come and say thank you,” said GBHS physics teacher Steve Miller, who currently has two daughters at school. “It’s really something I look forward to. It’s a neat tradition. It really shows we value family on this campus.” As of 2016, there are eight teachers that have children on campus: David Tastor, Suchi Krishnaraj, John MacLeane, Jason Sitterud, Brandon Dell’Orto, Steve Miller, Jill Cova and Dale Mortensen. “I get to keep all of my crap in his room, steal his lunch and I have a microwave in here,” said GBHS junior Jason Dell’Orto, who is currently enrolled in his dad’s AP U.S. History course. “Honestly it’s nice having him here, and if I’m ever confused on something, I can just ask.” Many of the teachers’ kids agree that a majority of the pros of having a parent-teacher on campus include easy access to food, a place to relax during school hours and asking questions when confused on class content. “Some of my favorite memories with my dad include Homecoming freshman year,” junior Maddie Tastor said, whose father is GBHS English teacher David Tastor. “Ever since I was little, I have been attending Homecoming games and rallies and to experience that as a high school student (with my) dad is like icing on the cake.” Nearly all of the parent-teachers claim it was never even a thought to send their kids to a different school. Their position as a teacher at the school merely enhanced the benefits of working at GBHS. “We gave our kids a choice as to what school

they wanted to go,” Miller said. “Our oldest, Gabby, responded, ‘why are you even asking me?’ It was a no brainer, they grew up here.” However, ups and downs are inevitable, and teachers claim there have always been a few complications. “When (my daughters) were in my class, sometimes they would call me ‘dad’ and I would go no, it’s Mr. Miller, and so that was hard for them to adjust to,” Miller said. “If I can separate my professional life from my social life, I told my kids they could do that in my classroom too.” Teachers have access to all student grades, making it easier for teachers with kids at the school to check up on how their kids are faring. “I was a little nervous having my kid in my class because you don’t want to fail your kid, but they both stepped up and did pretty well with that,” GBHS health teacher John MacLeane said. Although most teachers are enthralled with the idea of having their child in their classroom, there have always been a few complications. “He’s the first to know when I’m in trouble,” junior Joey MacLeane said. “Another con is almost every teacher at the school knows my name.” Aside from getting into trouble, issues with grades and social situations are also prevalent in relation to the situation. “I was in my mom’s Honors Chemistry class (and she) was really hard on me and pushed me to understand all of the concepts,” said senior Ashwini Ganapathi, whose mother is chemistry teacher Suchi Krishnaraj. “The only problem was when I would do bad on a test — I felt like I let her down.” However, some teachers find it preferable to not enroll their kids in their class and vice versa. “I’ve never been in my dad’s class and never will because he doesn’t want me in his class,” junior Tyson Sitterud said whose dad, Jason Sitterud, teaches CP English 9. Likewise, sophomore Spencer Cova requested to have a different Spanish teacher from his mother, Jill Cova. Yet overall, according to the 13 students and 8 teachers on campus, the majority have said it has been an incredible experience to have each other on campus. “Every job has its perks,” Dell’ Orto said. “Some jobs you get to go to Hawaii, some jobs you get lunches out, some jobs you get to have a company car. This job you get to see how they’re doing in school and get to help them go through that process.”

The Krishnarajs

The Covas

The Mortensens The Millers Gazette Photos by McKenna Aram, Brayden Johnk and Sabina Mahavni


Sports

Granite Bay Gazette

C Section

Thursday w November 10, 2016

GBHS cheer team to be moved to stands

COMMENTARY

Squad was deemed disruptive at games BY SIDNEY ZABELL

szabell.gazette@gmail.com

isabella tkachuk itkachuk.gazette@gmail.com

Teammates for a season, but friends for life

fffAs the Tribe cheers on their fellow Grizzlies in the bleachers this basketball season, the Granite Bay High School cheer team will be joining them. “We’re thinking of embedding them with all the rest of the Tribe,” said Tim Healy, GBHS Athletic Director. “They would be the leaders (and help with) the cheers.”

In the past, the team divided into two groups — A and B, and would switch off cheering through the four quarters of the game. The group not cheering would sit in the bleachers. The team will now be dividing into four groups — A, B, C and D. One group will cheer behind the hoop each quarter, and the remaining groups will disperse throughout the Tribe. “The Tribe leaders would still be down in front (running it), but now you might have 20 or 30 kids who know exactly what to do,” Healy said. The goal is to use the cheerleader’s, who aren’t afraid to get loud, to help motivate the Tribe.

“We were thinking (we could) amplify the power of the four or five Tribe leaders,” Healy said. “One of the things that I really want to see for every high school student here at Granite Bay is that going to our events is an absolute blast, (and) it should be.” With so many cheerleaders behind the hoop in the past, it was crammed and also restricted the cheerleaders’ movements, according to Healy. Cheerleaders will still be performing their halftime routine as usual. “I think it will get them more engaged and create a better environment (and) experience for the Tribe,” said Head Varsity Boys basketball coach Jason

Jessica Williams Senior varsity cheer captain discusses the new changes for cheer during basketball season.

Sitterud in an email. “We have had some great crowds over the years and look forward to another exciting season on the hardwood.” The change has generated positive See CHEER, page C3

E

ver since I started to play sports, the friends I made through them had stuck with me until now, and probably will for most of my life. Looking back at my childhood friends, I realize that I am hardly even acquaintances with most of the people I met in my elementary school classes, but am still very close with those I knew through soccer. Last weekend I had a soccer game in Concord, California. My parents were busy and they couldn’t take me, so I had to catch a ride with my teammate Sarah. This car ride started off with the both of us discussing what we hope the game will turnout to be like and other soccer related topics, but eventually turned into us talking about life in general. It became evident to me that we can bond over anything, even if it isn’t soccer-related. Talking to my teammates about my life is just so much easier because of the common interests we all share. I noticed that I trust her. That I trust my soccer friends without even meaning to, without giving a valiant effort. I realized that the reason I trust them so easily is because I have no choice but These moments, to. I realized, are In the game a much more player valuable to me cannot put all the than anything work and pressure else. on themselves. They must eventually pass to their teammates, and their teammates must eventually pass to them. So I think that the way I interact with my teammates on the field carries over to the way I am with them off the field. Being able to always have a group of people that I can go to for almost anything and everything at any point in my life is very comforting. It is such a pure feeling knowing that I have shared some of the worst times of my life and some of the best times with a certain group of girls that have experienced those same things. Whether it be winning a championship or losing a crucial league game, all of my most significant moments have been shared with my teammates. Not to invalidate the friendships I have created with those through school, but I can honestly say I can connect on much greater levels with soccer players. We develop a bond over the same common interest. They teach me things about myself I would’ve otherwise never known had I not played soccer. It’s amazing to me to be able to connect so well with a group of girls that enjoy succeeding, thriving, and failing as much as I do. I wouldn’t trade the memories and moments I have shared with my teammates. These moments, I realized, are much more valuable to me than anything else. Moments spent with my teammates are some I will never be able to forget. *** Isabella Tkachuk, a senior, is a Gazette sports editor.

Special to the Gazette /CHRISTIAN MURPHY

Rec basketball is hot this winter

Last winter’s Hotshots team posed before their first game. The team was started by junior boys, and has gained a great deal of popularity since their season.

GBHS students prepare to compete against each other in the Hotshots recreational league BY NATALIE HATCH

nhatch.gazette@gmail.com

Things are heating up in recreational basketball this winter. Returning for a second season, a group of senior boys is taking the court once again in the wellknown Hotshots league. This year, however, the tables have turned. What was once one team, has split into two, over a tense few months of drafting and preparing for the upcoming season. The “Republicans” have split off from “Team Trump” under the lead of seniors Bradley

Jones, Cole Kahmann, and coach Arjith Jayaraman. “They kicked off a lot of players and made them make mixtapes for a recreational league, and now some players can’t play, so it pissed me off a little bit,” said Republicans player Jay Kumar. The aforementioned mixtapes are essentially try out videos that Team Trump requested from the players attempting to grab a coveted spot on their team. Senior Chase Lederer was one of the lucky few to be selected. “My recruiting process was fairly simple, they saw my talent

Recruiting at multiple levels

and approached me,” Lederer said. “It was a very enlightening experience making a mixtape, and I learned a lot about myself, and the level of play I am capable of.” While Lederer’s team more formally recruited players, Team Republicans came together under a common mindset. Focused on serious but enjoyable basketball, Jones approached the season hoping to find success. “I want to play because basketball is fun, and I knew I could get kids that want to play the game and not just screw around,”

he said. “We’ve got real athletes that want to make real basketball happen.” Frustrated by the team dynamic last season, Jones and Kahmann chose to split off and create a new team this year. Though Jones said members of each side are still “friends,” there remains competitive tension. “I feel as if they will be no match for us and that them starting another team will disgrace the town of Granite Bay,” Lederer said of the newest team. “I can’t wait to see them on the court.” The Republicans however, said

they will dominate Team Trump. “They know they’re gonna get smacked,” Jones said. “They want us to shift divisions so they don’t have to play us.” While it seems like a fierce rivalry has developed between the former teammates, Trump’s Satgur Maan doesn’t see it that way. “We don’t have rivals,” he said. “They hate us because they ain’t us, but we don’t hate them.” “We’re like the Golden State Warriors of Hotshots, they’re like, I don’t know, the Phoenix Suns– not relevant.,” Maan said. See HOTSHOTS, page C3 Connor MacDonald prepares to shoot the ball during a varsity water polo game. In his last season, the senior hopes to be recruited and play in college.

Athletes show differences in club and school sports BY ALINA POCZOBUTT

apoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

Being recruited by a college team is something many high school athletes hope to have happen. Some sports however, have less time to show off their talents to college coaches than others. Many athletes at Granite Bay High School are also players on club teams as well as their high school team. Sports such as soccer, swim,

water polo, and lacrosse all have teams that play before and after the high school season. But there are sports such as cross country and football that only have the high school season to show their true potential. Senior football player Isaiah Lewis is committed to play with the University of Colorado in 2017. “(The school season) can most definitely be enough,” Lewis said. “You get to perform right in front of scouts.”

Special to the Gazette /CHRIS BOYER

Many club sports give student athletes more time to play in front of recruiting coaches, which gives them a much better chance of playing their desired sport in college. Because club sports offer athletes playing time in front of

coaches, the high school season isn’t as much about getting scouted, but about having a strong team and playing along side some of great friends. Fortunately, sports that do not have any type of club team often have camps that athletes can

attend in order to get some type of recognition. These camps make it easier for athletes to get noticed by college coaches, similar to the way that club sports help an athlete get noticed by a college coach. See RECRUITING, page C3

inside sports Grizz Quiz

Fan of the Month

C3 C4

Athlete of the Month C5

Rugby Feature

Football Recruiting

GBHS students discuss their success during the season

GBHS athletes talk about getting scouted by college coaches

C2

C5

Fall Sports Update GBHS athletics approach post season play

C6


Thursday, November 10, 2016

Sports C2

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Granite Bay Rugby Club prepares for next season

GB team strives toward success, similar to last year’s achievements BY MAX SCHWARTZ

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In the past years, Granite Bay Rugby (GBR) has won state titles, put out D1 athletes and won a national championship, making the team incredibly successful. From junior varsity to varsity, the whole Rugby club has been a powerhouse for years now. The program is coming off of a national championship title, and both teams are ready for a new season. jv is for freshman and sophomore players, where they get introduced to what GBR is all about. “Right off the bat, we were working out and running more than I ever had. Our coaches definitely instilled hard work into us,” Triston Haverty, a second year jv player said. Both jv and varsity this year are following last year’s teams that placed highly in the brackets of the national championships. “Following such great teams, I wouldn’t say there is much pressure,” Dante Bandoni, a second year jv player, said. “It is very encouraging to follow them, and we push ourselves a lot harder to play at their level.” The jv team ended up placing second in state after losing to Danville Rugby Club. Although upset, the players returning this year are determined to come back from the defeat. “To win state is definitely a goal and an expectation from us players and coaches,” Haverty said. “There is also a change of

coaching this year to make sure we are a winning team.” The varsity team this past year was extremely successful and came out on top, ranked as number one in the nation, but there was a lot of work leading up to that. “We knew how hard we needed to work in order to reach our goal,”said Jake Van Order, who played varsity last year and now plays for University of Arizona. The team itself in its regular season had a great winning record and continued the streak throughout the year. When the varsity team made it to nationals they pulled up seven of the second year jv players to go with the team to playoffs. “All seven of us got playing time and contributed, which was a really cool experience to play for the national championship game,” said Thomas Brandolino, one of the players who got moved up. Kendra Van Order was one of the board members for GBR and also watched them play throughout the year. “Win or lose, it was an experience very few high school athletes are ever exposed to,” Kendra said. “The entire team worked Special to the Gazette /DAN BANDONI very hard all season and throughout the GBHS senior Anders Bergfalk made a play during a tough game against Jesuit High School last season. tournament to get to the last match.” Both board members and players agree jjj“To be a top team in the nation, our Senior varsity player Anders Bergfalk is two things that ultimately make the team the team was dedicated to winning. looking to keep the momentum from last successful. board is very particular with the coaches “Nationals were the best experiences I year. “We train like a professional team,” said we hire. We look for coaches that work could’ve possibly had in my high school “I’m looking forward to making sure Jason Devine, GBR head coach. “We have together that optimize the training on career,” Van Order said. “We worked so our team has a strong bond and chemistry staff that have played for real pro teams the practice field,” Van Order said. “The hard, and feeling the payoff was the best because that’s what’s needed in order to and our guys show their hard work on the players themselves have a desire to be the feeling ever.” have the type of season we are striving field.” best rugby players and team they can, with With all of this success there is pressure for,” Bergfalk said. Van Order said it is the team’s enthustrong coaching and a stronger work ethic for the upcoming season because fans and siasm for the sport that determines their With all of the accomplishments by the success. you get a winning team. very prestigious program, it boils down to players alike have such high hopes.

A down season sparks questions

Kids were playing hurt (and) coaches were pushing us past our limits. – Devyn Fields, GBHS Senior

Varsity football loses key players BY ANDREW YUNG

ayung.gazette@gmail.com

This year, the Granite Bay High School varsity football team started out one and six and could only qualify for the playoffs by winning their last three games. Luckily, the team did win the rest of their games, finishing with four wins and six losses. While this record was not ideal, the team did end up making the Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs. However, the road to the playoffs has not been without its speed bumps. With the poor start to the season, many parents and fans were upset about the team’s performance. “(The players were) getting pressured from a lot of people,” said Jeffrey Evans, the GBHS varsity football coach “The community and the fans (wanted) a winner.” After the Oakridge game, in which the team fell to an undesirable 1-6, two of the players – Anthony Andres and Devin Eldinger – decided to quit the team. The decision to quit had been conceived a couple of games prior. “About halfway through the season (was) when talk began going around that things need to change,” said Devin Eldinger, one of the two players that quit. Eldinger said he quit because he and

However, this is not the first time a problem with the coaches at GBHS has caused a player to quit. Devyn Fields, who was a varsity football player last year, said the coaches were mistreating the players, and as a result, he did not go out for the team this year. “I loved football and Granite Bay, but I hated how the head coach was (running) the program,” Fields said. “Kids were playing hurt (and) coaches were pushing us past our limits.” Fields also took issue to how the head coach had treated certain players. “Later in the season … he (had) his favorites,” Fields said. “(So) after getting knocked out of playoffs last year, I was done with Granite Bay football.” As for the current varsity players this Gazette photo /CARISSA LEWIS year, some of them also said that the GBHS varsity football lost in a preseason game against Whitney High School resulting in a final score of 21-41. coaches were sometimes hard on the players. other players weren’t having fun. Evans said, “and we spoke to them as 50 different people with 50 different per“I like our coaches, but I felt that some “I couldn’t stand the coaches anymore,” coaches and counselors and tried to talk spectives of what they want and what they of them brought too much negativity,” said Eldinger said. “They just brought the them out of it but ultimately we respected think they should get. (So while) I disagree Eyad Mansour, a varsity football player. whole team down and were messing with them as young men.” with them, I’m not going to tell a kid how “One time after a game we had lost, one tradition. That brought down the morale of The conversation resulted in both of the to live their life.” coach said something really negative ... He the team. A bunch of (guys) started talkboys leaving the team, which led to reacThe decision by Eldinger and Andres to talked about quitting the team.” ing, and that’s when Anthony (Andres) and tions from the other players, parents and leave the team wasn’t the most desirable However, the current players are also at I decided we were done.” faculty. for either of them. peace with the choice that their teammates When Andres and Eldinger decided to “I disagree with (their choice),” said “It was (a last resort),” Eldinger said. “I made. quit, they met with the coaches. Tim Healy, the athletic director at GBHS. wanted to stick through… It was a more in “They are my brothers,” Mansour said. “They spoke to us man – to – man,” “Varsity football has over 50 players and the moment thing.” “I’ll support them on their decisions.”

Collegiate athletics take competition to new levels Grads face challenges managing school and sports together BY COLE KAHMANN

ckahmann.gazette@gmail.com

As those that watch both high school and college athletics know, the jump in difficulty between the two levels is significant. The competition goes from athletes that made a team because no one tried out to athletes that are being given thousands of dollars of tuition just to play at their school. Just as students have to prepare for the increased academic rigor of going to college, athletes face a learning curve. “I knew going in that there would be a lot of pressure having to play well day in and day out,” Corbin Anderson, a sophomore soccer player at the Univer-

sity of Washington, said. “Going from being one of the better players in the area to a team made up of some of the best players in the country, the level of play is different and was something I knew I had to be ready for.” With the expectation of playing at a higher level, there are added pressures for the players to perform at the accelerated level . For each athlete, these tensions are caused by different sources. For University of Kentucky women’s soccer player Jordan Holt, who enrolled and played with Kentucky midway through last year, the stress isn’t just the playing but what it takes to get to the college. “For the first time in my life, I was on my own 2,000 miles from home,” Holt said. “That was a lot of

pressure from the get go.” She also added that while there is some pressure to play Division 1, the balance between school and sports takes lots of energy. She said, “there wasn’t a whole lot of time for (her) to think or worry about the pressure.” Savanna Thompson, a first year women’s soccer player at the University of San Diego, claims that the majority of pressure is internal. “Of all the people, I put the most pressure on myself,” Thompson said. “While I felt pressure from the coaching staff and teammates, the majority came internally because I place really high expectations on myself.” All three of the athletes agreed that while pressure is more intense than in high school, it is also more than

Jordan Holt Alumnus plays soccer at University of Kentucky and faces higher levels of competition and stress.

expected. “The pressure I felt internally was greater than I expected because I was in such a competitive environment and I wanted to prove myself,” Thompson said. When the pressure goy too strong, each athletes recognized they needed a way to relieve the stress. See PRESSURE, page C4

HAVE AN OPINION? WRITE A GUEST COMMENTARY FOR THE GAZETTE.


Thursday, November 10, 2016

Grizz Quiz

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Compiled by Andrew Yung

What is your favorite sport other than the one you play?

Josh Yeargin Football

Lacrosse, even though I took a break from it last year.

How long have you been playing your sport? How far do you want to go with your sport?

4 years

State in high school or college level.

Do you play for a club team?

What is your favorite color?

Sports C3

Esperanza Honsa Water Polo

Soccer

6 years

College level

Daniel Lyon Cross Country

Ultimate frisbee

This will be my 6th year.

Probably run uncompetetively in adulthood.

Shareen Golkar Tennis

Dawsen Vincent Water Polo

Besides tennis, I really enjoy soccer.

Soccer

I have been playing for just about 1 year.

5 months

I hope to continue throughout high school but not professionally.

College

Granite Bay Water Polo

No

Granite Bay and American River Water Polo Club

No

I don’t play for a club team.

Blue

Blue

Maroon

Grey

Blue

JV volleyball player pulled up for varsity playoffs BY ALI LEMOS

alemos.gazette@gmail.com

Every team aspires to win sections, but for junior varsity and freshman players the season typically ends once they win. However, freshman Taylor Hutchison, a Granite Bay High School student on the junior varsity team gets to continue her season with the GBHS varsity team. Many sports pull up JV players once the team reaches playoffs to ensure injuries won’t stop a team. This also allows prospective varsity players for the next year to get some experience.

While Hutchison said she enjoyed playing on JV, she is excited to be playing with the varsity team. The biggest difference is the clear change in skill, according to Hutchison. “(It’s) very different because (varsity players) hit harder and faster since some of them are three to four years older and play at a different level than I’m used to,” Hutchison said. Despite this change, moving up to varsity has been the highlight of Hutchison’s first season at GBHS. As Grizzly volleyball moved further into playoffs Hutchison grew closer with the varsity players,and

even looked at some as inspirations. “Abby Marjama is (someone who inspires me) because we play the same position and she is a very good hitter,” Hutchison said. Hutchison has been playing volleyball for four years, including playing on the Synergy Force Volleyball Club team. Inspired by her mom, Hutchison decided she would play volleyball. “My mom played when she was younger and in high school, so she wanted me to play,” Hutchison said. As an outside hitter she typically is the third

HOTSHOTS: Competitors RECRUITING: Differences in club take their skills to the court for the recreational winter season Continued from page C1

Continued from page C1 Regardless of their views of each other, both teams are confident in their seasons’ potential and have similar goals in mind. Despite being a first year team, The Republicans are looking to do what Team Trump did last year: win the championship. As for the reigning champions, they are hoping to make a strong playoff run and repeat as victors. To achieve these goals, each team is approaching the season differently. The Republicans are aiming to do it by sticking to the basics: putting in hard and focused hours on the court. “Our strategy for this season is quite simply to be better than everyone,” Jones said of his team. “When you’re competing in a league like Hotshots you can do that by not being lazy and just practicing.” However, Team Trump is planning to harness the talent they’ve recruited and retained, to carry them through the season. “We had multiple spots open, and we had upward of 20 to 30 kids apply for the spots,” Maan said. “But, we narrowed it down and took the 3 best candidates that we thought fulfilled our team’s needs.” As new players, Lederer and his fellow recruits are excited about

what they can bring to the table. “I hope to add three things to the team this year mediocre height: curry range, and most of all support great teamwork,” he said. Though there may be many divise points between Trump and the Republicans, they can all agree on one thing. “(Hotshots) really allows you to just pursue your dreams and goals of a playing career,” Maan said. “There’s just good coaching, good reffing, and a good environment to be in and play in at the same time.” As most of the players’ basketball backgrounds consist of junior high play and previous Hotshots seasons, the league provides an opportunity to keep up their skills and have fun. “It seems like a lot of fun, we’re with all our classmates, and I’m just excited for that,” Kumar said. This season won’t begin until the winter, but certainly appears to have great potential for an interesting storyline. The real question lies in what will happen with the popular phenomenon following the Class of 2017’s graduation. Maan hopes to see the tradition continue at GBHS. “After the season, maybe we’ll hand our team down to some aspiring juniors who want to pursue a basketball career as well.”

Band together, read the Gazette.

iiiMost of the time, the college season overlaps the sports high school season, which makes it very difficult for the coaches to look at players. “College water polo coaches don’t really have time to highschool games” said senior water polo player Connor MacDonald. Many students also join clubs because club coaches are in close communication with college sport teams. “Having a well established club behind you really helps because college coaches know you are coming from a great program,” MacDonald said.

Being a part of a respected club also helps individuals to get recognition from college coaches

Water polo coaches don’t really have time to watch high school games

– Connor MacDonald, varsity water polo

because there have been athletes that have been noticed by college coaches before.

player to touch the ball with an attack to the other side of the court. This year Hutchison has learned a lot about volleyball and hopes to play on either JV or varsity next year. Her hard work is shown in her volleyball talent.

While many club players believe that it is very difficult to get a scholarship if you only play during high school season, they think it is possible if you are very talented. “It’s not impossible,” MacDonald said, “but being on a club (team) gives you a much higher advantage.” Being on a club gives people connections and gives players more time to show colleges their skills. Senior Kenny Lebeau also agrees with MacDonald. “If you only play high school then you’d have to be pretty good,” said Lebeau, who later added, “you’d also have to be pretty lucky.”

Only playing for a high school team doesn’t mean players won’t be able to get recruited by college coaches, but it is more difficult. Many club players would agree that being a part of a club helps athletes to get scholarships. Club athletes have more time to play in front of coaches in comparison to athletes who only compete during their high school seasons, due to the fact that they have more of an opportunity to showcase their talents in more than one venue. Even though it may be difficult to get recognition just through high school sports, athletes that want to can be recruited.

CHEER: Changes to be made prior to upcoming basketball season for the cheerleaders Continued from page C1

responses from cheerleaders. “I’m in favor of going to the bleachers,” said Michela Smith, a sophomore JV cheerleader. Others say that it will be a good change to be in the Tribe. Varsity cheerleaders are at a loss when it comes to being in the Tribe, so some are excited for the new opportunity. “I have always loved cheering at basketball games,” said senior and Varsity cheer captain Jes-

sica Williams. “I like the idea of four quarters because… (I can) be a part of the Tribe for once. We can get people more pumped when we’re in the Tribe.” The first home basketball game is on Tuesday, December 6 versus St. Mary’s High School. Students will be able to see for themselves and experience the changes. “Let’s let them have a bigger impact on the game and the event itself,” said Healy.

Gazette photo /CARISSA LEWIS

The GBHS cheer team performs at a football game during the fall season. The squad will be in the stands for basketball games.


Sports C4

Thursday, November 10, 2016

w

The Granite Bay Gazette

Sports change seasons and seek new experience

Winter sports face new differences this season BY MILAN FRENCH

ckahmann.gazette@gmail.com

Girls’ Soccer Girls’ soccer has shifted season to winter instead of the normal spring. This makes it difficult for students who play another winter sport to play soccer as well. “I know a lot of the struggle will be for the people that do basketball and soccer because (now) they interfere,” Granite Bay High School junior Emily Talmi said. In addition, they will be having practices over the holidays since their league games start before school is back in session. “Holding practice over the holidays is not easy with families on the move,” girls’ varsity soccer coach Mark Broers said. However, a positive of moving soccer into the winter is that students are able to do more school activities that appear in the spring. “We won’t have conflicts with junior prom, senior ball, AP or IB testing and review sessions and powder puff football” Broers said.

Along with this drastic change the girls soccer team is going to be very young this season with only four returning seniors. “The team will be very young, and there should be some new and talented players joining the team.” Broers said. Last year, their record was 13-4-3 and ranked seventh overall in California last season. “Our team will try improving on the unity of the team and to make it to playoffs,” Talmi said. “Our goal this season is to continue to build team chemistry, good people and play entertaining and winning soccer.” They would also like to improve the amount of people who come and watch the games. “We already have a solid base here at school that we are very grateful for,” Broers said. The Tribe has been kind to us as well, but we would like to have families come out that don’t necessarily have players on the field.” Broers said. Boys’ Soccer Boys’ soccer also changed seasons. Instead of play-

ing in the fall, they will be playing in the winter. This will also restrict any boys who wish to play basketball. “Our goal is to win, win, win, but as a team” GBHS junior Mason Lopez said.

Girls’ Basketball The girls’ team this year is hopeful and looking forward to the season. Unlike soccer, the only change is that basketball has a late practice. “We have the late practice now instead of freshman having the practice from 7 pm to 9 pm,” GBHS junior Jordyn Neal said. The team wants to improve of many skills to accomplish their goal this year. “We have placed a major emphasis on team defense, to be competitive in our league we understand that our defense has to improve,” GBHS girls varsity basketball coach Angel Delgadillo said. Junior at GBHS Skyy Jackson said this year their goal is to “make it to playoffs.” “Finally,” Neal added. Boys’ Basketball Last year, the boys basketball record was 20-8, but

this year their team is younger than last year. “Last year, we had a lot of seniors and this year we are mostly juniors with less experience at the varsity level, but I think we will be more team oriented,” GBHS junior Ryan Haug said. The team is hoping to come together as the season continues. However they still are “a great bunch of hard working young men,” GBHS boys’ varsity coach Jason Sitterud said. Their goal is “to compete for a league title and advance in playoffs.” Wrestling Wrestling is staying the same as usual except this year they are planning to go to a new tournament. “It’s a big tournament in LA so that’s positive,” said GBHS junior Teague Dilbeck. Their record last year was “thee and three in Duals,” GBHS Wrestling coach Robert Cooley said. As of now the team is looking strong and is excited for the season. “We have about five wrestlers with potential to go to state.” Dilbeck said, “Other than that nothing is different about the season.”

Fan has only missed Booster parents help out Team moms are always around to support their kids one football game BY ISABELLA TKACHUK

Senior is excited at every varsity game and can be found cheering

Aya Atassi

This GBHS senior proudly supports the varsity football team and makes sure to attend every game that she can.

BY ALINA POCZOBUTT

apoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

This season for Granite Bay High School has separated the loyal fans from the rest. Aya Atassi, a GBHS senior, has attended every game (with the exception of the San Jose game), dressed up for every theme nand has gone to every tailgate. Atassi said she continues to support the team not only because she loves seeing all the students come out to support, but also because she loves spending time watching football with her friends. The breast cancer awareness game, a highly attended game this season, was Atassi’s favorite game to dress up for and go to. “It was the highest turn out for people dressing up,” Atassi said. She said she especially enjoys putting together the perfect outfit for each theme. There are many ways that GBHS students get hyped for a football game, including tailgating, face painting and picture taking. On top of all of those activities, Atassi also enjoys “being with the Tribe leaders before the game” because they get students excited before they walk out on the track to sit in section of the bleachers reserved for the tribe. Football season also reminds Atassi of Powder Puff, a long time tradition of seniors competing against juniors in girls’ flag football. “I love watching my friends play the positions that I play(ed) in Powder Puff,” Atassi said. Some of the Powder Puff coaches are varsity football players so Atassi gets to watch her old coaches on the field as well as her friends. Being a fan means more than just showing up for every game, according to Atassi. “It’s hard to watch the team have a bad game because I know they are trying really hard,” Atassi said. “I’m not just going to stop coming to games because they aren’t having a great season.” Atassi is a true Granite Bay football fan, not because she dresses up and paints her face, but because she truly supports the team itself.

Not only does Atassi love to watch the game, but she also goes all out when cheering. She said she loves to the cheer after the team gets a first down. “My favorite chant is GBHS first down woo,” Atassi said. Atassi said she loved cheering the boys on at every game, but the most fun was senior night against Rocklin. However, she is disappointed that the season is coming to a close since it will be her last one as a high school student. “I am sad this is my last game supporting the guys because the games are really fun with all your friends,” Atassi said. “It’s where most of my high school memories (are).” She continues to show her school spirit by joining the Tribe leaders in chants and helps by getting those around her to chant as well. Atassi is hoping to encourage the team so they can continue their post-season. “I’m hoping the guys will win (so) I’ll be able to make more memories,” Atassi said. Whether you are attending a home game or an away game, you can be sure to see Atassi full face paint, completely decked out in Tribe or themed gear and supporting GBHS football in the stands.

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Granite Bay parents seem to always be involved with their kids’ lives. But some parents like to take things a little further and stay around for practice or on game day. Being team mom or a booster parent requires multiple hours of work day in and day out. From making breakfast for the team after early practices, to helping coach on the sidelines, these parents are constantly trying to help out. “I have been involved with Granite Bay Football for about 10 years,” said Touchdown Club president and varsity football mom Tiffany Jones. “I moved into the high school program when my son, Bradley, was a freshman.” Because of her experience and enjoyment for high school sports, Jones plays a major role in Granite Bay football. “The Touchdown Club board is responsible for private fund-raising to support football operations and its athletes,” Jones said. “As well as assisting Coach Evans with the planning and operations of the football program.” Even though Jones finds joy in volunteering for the football program, she finds it more rewarding because of the long term, positive effect it has on the

High school is a time when the player who is most skilled and has the best attitude earns their playing time. – Kellie Tonda, GBHS varsity Football team mom

athletes lives. “I wanted to spend my volunteer time with youth and high school football because I truly believe that football and athletics helps kids become better citizens, parents (and) sons/daughters in the future,” Jones said. Jones admits that the job is not as simple and straightforward as it may sound. In fact, it requires immense amounts of time and effort. “The job is challenging from the standpoint that (since) the football program runs just about 12 months a year, there really isn’t any down time for the parent volunteer board,” Jones

said. “It is a year round job and takes lots of planning and dedicated people to ensure that everything runs smoothly with the coaches, players, and parents, as well as the school’s administration.” Jones isn’t the only mom who spends a majority of her time around high school athletes. “I started with the varsity program (in) 2013 with my oldest son Drew” said Kellie Tonda, GBHS varsity football ‘team mom’. Tonda plays a slightly different role with the football program than Jones. “This is my second year as Team Mom,” Tonda said. “(I) take care of parent communications, a variety activities for the team (and I) help the coaches when needed.” Tonda finds her job rewarding, especially since her son, Tank Tonda, is on the varsity team currently. “This is what I like to do,” Tonda said. “I really enjoy seeing the team every Friday night at team meals. This job will be one of my favorite memories of my boys (playing) high school football.” Even though it may seem that these parents’ involvements have significant impact on their kids’ lives and even playing time, Tonda said otherwise. “Being a team mom does not help with playing time at all,” Tonda said. “High school is a time when the player who is most skilled and has the best attitude earns their playing time.”

Gazette illustration/ISABELLA TKACHUK

Aside from the mom point of view, varsity football coach and father Robert Martinez has been involved with football since his sons were young. “When I started coaching in the Jr. Grizzly league when my son Alex was 7 years old, I was very interested in varsity” Martinez said. “I started coaching varsity football last year when Alex was a junior.” Along with most team parents, Martinez finds his responsibility very important yet time consuming, for he has his actual job a well. Better yet, even though Martinez makes many sacrifices just to have the opportunity to coach his son, he believes that it is completely worth it because of the people he is shaping his kids to become. “My sons know I have to be up at 3 am for work in order to make practice early afternoon,” Martinez said. “I believe it shows my boys that strong work ethics are important in life.” Aside from coaching and helping players improve their skills, or even helping make meals before every game, these parents take time out of their days to ultimately ensure the best experience and life lessons for their kids. “Coaching is not just about … teaching the sport,” Martinez said. “I love helping these boys/young men in becoming great leaders with strong values in life.”

PRESSURE: GBHS alumni feel the pressure from college-level sports

Continued from page C2

Holt found that vent in those that are dedicated to helping her succeed. “My coaches, athletic trainers, academic advisors, tutors and teammates were incredibly supportive,” Holt said. “Most importantly, my family was and still is always there for me. I call home weekly and talk to them about good days and bad days, and facetiming my brother, sister and dogs always makes my day, no matter how stressful the day may be.” All the athletes recognize the tensions can be either useful for performing at the next level, or destructive. “Having been here for a while now, the pressure is still the same but I have learned that how you choose to deal with the pressure is really what defines you as a player and leads to either playing poorly or playing well,” Anderson said. On the other hand, the younger Thompson finds the pressure to be debilitating. “It pushes me to work my hardest every day at training and to stay after or

go early to train or do extra fitness, but it also causes me to get too far into my own head,” Thompson said. “Sometimes I get in a mental funk and struggle to get out of it because I want to do so well but over think everything.” Fortunately, the pressure can seem to go away after a while for some athletes. “Eventually I got into a routine, and the pressure just became constant background noise,” Holt said. “(The pressure) is always there, but in a positive way, motivating me to get better on and off the field everyday.” Anderson advised that if athletes put their priorities in their own progress and not what others think, they can find success. “If you embrace it and decide that you’re not going to let playing soccer define you as an individual, then the pressure can really push you to be very successful,” Anderson said. “It was a long process for me to realize that I don’t want how good or bad I play ... define me as an individual.”

Corban Anderson represents University of Washington as he fights for control of the ball with a header. As the sophomore strives to excel, he puts his all into each play.

Special to the Gazette /UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON


Thursday, November 10, 2016

Sports C5

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Football team fears decline of recruits

The GBHS football team may attract fewer potential transfer students, for future seasons. However, current football players don’t think their season record will effect college scholarships opportunities.

Current record may attract few BY MILAN FRENCH

mfrench.gazette@gmail.com

Many high schools aim to be number one in sports, especially in football, starting their programs at a young age. They want to build up a strong team and gain as much talent as they can. This desire for the best team often causes schools to encourage students that live in another school’s boundaries to come to their school. “There is no recruitment allowed in the league (but) teams still have junior camps and have middle schoolers come from all around the state,” prior football player and junior Ryan Hunter said. “It’s just an unavoidable effect of the competitive atmosphere.” Often times, the goal is to attract more students to attend their school. Students from different schools are drawn to play sports for a team that is successful. “The better the school is at football, the more recruits there will be,” junior running back Chris Osby said. “(Schools) like Bishop Gorman Centennial (and) De la Salle obviously get more scouts.” It’s important that during playing season the team makes an impression on the whole community in an effort to “recruit” others

looking to play. If a team plays a bad season it could affect future seasons. “More successful seasons could bring in more players who would transfer to the school,” varsity football player and junior Jackson Huish said. Although it can be looked down upon, recruiting is a common thing that schools should be aware of and is an unavoidable part of the aggressive nature. “I don’t know if I would say it’s a bad thing necessarily,” Hunter said. “I think it’s just the game that’s played, and what coaches have to take into account.” All teams have seasons where they excel and others that aren’t as successful and this can affect the number of students they attract to their team. “When you have a bad season it’s hard to bounce back from that which (is) why you see teams who are consistently bad (and) they’re not getting people who want to go to their school and create a better football team out of that,” Hunter said. While all schools have seasons that aren’t successful, the overall record of a school has a greater impact on the returning players and players being recruited. “One season definitely has its

effects,” Hunter said. “But I don’t think it has that big of an effect on recruiting.” Having a difficult season can also affect the player’s attitude on how they view the game, in addition to having an impact on recruitment numbers. “Successful years lead the play-

ers the following year to have more positivity and more determination and drive for the following season,” Huish said. The team’s successful history is an important aspect many players take into consideration and enjoy about the team. “What I liked when I came here

was the tradition, the winning history and when I (met) Coach Evans he was very welcoming and made me feel like I would fit right in,” said Osby, who transferred from Woodcreek High School. Going to a school that is successful in football is a big step in moving forward in the sport.

Gazette photo /CARISSA LEWIS

However, you don’t have to go to a top football high school to get recognized by colleges. “I don’t think if you don’t go to a big name school you can’t get recruited,” Osby said. “You may just have to take more action yourself instead of having them coming to you.”

Boys’ water polo wins league title, dominates section Team succeeds with hard work, dedication

I think we’ve been so successful this season because we’re the hardest working team in this section.

BY SURINA KHURANA

skhurana.gazette@gmail.com

As there are only three states that have high school water polo programs, water polo tends to be underrated. Yet it’s hard to overlook Granite Bay High School’s boys’ water polo team. Having already won the Sierra Foothills League with a 5-0 record and ranking first in the Sac-Joaquin Section, the boys have made a name for themselves. As of Nov. 4, the team’s overall record was 21-2. Captain and senior Nathan Ellinthorpe said he attributes the team’s success to the fact that the team plays together all year. “We play together in the off-season so we play together all year round,” Ellinthorpe said. “The (players at) other high schools go off and play with kids from different schools but we stick together and we stay together as a group.” Senior and captain Christian Murphy added that the same group of boys “all play together as Granite Bay Water Polo

– Connor MacDonald, water polo goalkeeper

Gazette photo /LORI KAMBE

Senior Christian Murphy looks to throw the ball while playing Woodcreek High School, who they beat 11-3. Club during the off-season (and) attend Donald, another captain, says they’ve been season because we’re the hardest working numerous tournaments (together) includ- so successful for a reason besides playing team in this section,” MacDonald said. ing High School State Championships and together all year. All three – MacDonald, Murphy and Junior Olympics.” Senior Connor MacEllinthorpe – said that their favorite “I think we’ve been so successful this

Sophomore joins water polo team during season

Hannah Coons Sophomore joins team mid-season and has already shown success

Coons has shown talent early, having never played BY MCKENNA ARAM

maram.gazette@gmail.com

Experimenting in new waters (literally) has been the opposite of a challenge for sophomore water polo player Hannah Coons. At first, Coons was weary about joining an uncharted sport halfway through high school, which is quite uncommon for athletes, but after her friend Mikayla Deblaquiere brought her to an introductory practice, she felt more comfortable in joining. “I was pretty nervous going in at first, but my friends comforted me and the coaches were definitely a big help,” Coons said. Despite not being the typical Granite Bay water polo player, with no previous experience and barely standing over five feet, Coons has pushed aside all stigma and made immense progress. “Many people think you have to be big and muscular because water polo is such a vigorous sport, but I’m doing just fine and I’m five foot one,” Coons said. Coons has been on a swim team for the past eight years of her life and she claims it has monumentally helped her in adjusting to playing her new sport. “I definitely think being a swimmer beforehand helped, which is why I think I did really well coming in as a first time player,” Coons said.

The GBHS water polo team is renowned for its impressive players whom also substantiate a majority portion of GBHS’s undefeated swim team. “I currently play on JV right now but I was told I’m for sure going to play varsity next year,” Coons said. The Granite Bay High School varsity team currently has an overall 11-5 game standing and dominated the league with a 4-0 record. “I’d say an average player coming in that’s never played before would typically score one or two games per season,” Coons said. So far Coons has already scored five goals in her first season on the team.

SPORTS BRIEFS Lack of support at girls’ events

At sports games such as boys’ basketball and football, cheerleaders can be seen merrily chanting and performing their spirited routines. But at other sporting events, like baseball and soccer, many find a disheartening lack of cheering and little non-familial attendance. Some of the most neglected teams when it comes to school spirit are girls’ sporting teams. This isn’t a surprise given a 25-year longitudinal study by sports scholars Cooky, Messner and Musto that examined network affiliates in Los Angeles and ESPN’s SportsCenter. This study found that a mere two to three percent of media coverage was afforded to women’s sports in 2014. Time and time again women’s sports are passed over in favor of men’s events. A common justification for this is that men’s sports are more lucrative. Take, for example, GBHS football games. Hundreds of fans come out to support the games, which means hundreds of tickets, snacks and other profitable items are sold and thus hundreds of dollars in revenue are generated for the school. Now, from a purely economic standpoint it may make sense to focus on male sports, if they are more profitable. But many feel that solely looking at economic terms lowers self-esteem. “No one really goes to the girls’ games, so I understand them prioritizing the guys games,” said Brie

memory so far was beating De La Salle High School 13-11. As far as the rest of the season goes, the team looks to win the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship on Nov. 12 at Woodcreek High School. “We are currently seeded second in the CIF D1 Sac-Joaquin section playoffs,” Murphy said. “We have just improved steadily over the last three years, and now that we’re all seniors we feel like we are at the top of our game. The reason we are so successful is because we have a really close knit group of guys who are really dedicated to polo and to each other. Most of us, including myself, are hoping to play in college so that just goes to show how committed we are.” Catherine Rubino Junior says if cheerleaders were to perform at sports other than football and basketball, more people would come.

Curran, who is a senior on the GBHS girls’ basketball team. “But it would be nice if they were there to support us.” A statistic from the Centers for Disease Control found that the sports dropout rate for girls was six times the rate for boys in adolescence. Thus, several argue it’s important that we show support for our girls’ teams. “When we have games before the guys and people are coming to support them… they see the end of our game you can tell how the energy rises and how everyone plays better,” Curran said. According to several female athletes, we are reaffirming the idea that men’s sports are more important by showing a lack of support at games. “There is a possibility,” junior and cheerleader Catherine Rubino said, “that if we were able to do cheers at the different sports games, more people would show up because not only do people know that we’re going, but also there will be more students there.” -Compiled by Kate Booth


C6

Thursday, November 10, 2016

w

The Granite Bay Gazette

SECOND LOOK

Girls’ golf goes on postseason tear BY BELLA HAMILTON

bhamilton.gazette@gmail.com

One of the most successful Granite Bay High teams this season has been the varsity girls’ golf team. Having won all their Sierra Foothill League matches, the Grizzlies continued on to playoffs. They then posted stellar results, finishing first in the Sac Joaquin Section Division 1 North Fall Sports championship and first Update in the section Masters tournament. GBHS played in the NorCal championship Monday, but after a fourth-place finish, the team will not advance to the state championship. However, sophomore Vanessa Richani advanced as an individual, so she will compete in the state championship scheduled for Tuesday. In assessing the overall performance for the season, Jason Sitterud, the team’s coach, said, “It has been exciting to watch a group of young ladies play an individual sport as a team.”

Gazette photo /CARISSA LEWIS

Gazette Photo /CARISSA LEWIS

Varsity football The varsity football team has had its share of struggles this season, but a 38-28 upset victory against Rocklin on Friday allowed the Grizzlies to make the playoffs for the 18th consecutive year. With the victory, the Grizzlies finished the season in fourth place in the very tough SFL with a 3-3 record; they were 4-6 overall. GBHS is the No. 11-seed in the section Div. 2 playoffs and will face sixth-seeded Grant in a 7 p.m. away game Friday. “The players remain positive – losing is not a lot of fun, and it is tough for the players that work very hard to not see the results that they like,” varsity coach Jeff Evans said last week before Friday’s victory against Rocklin. “They then have to deal with criticism and doubt placed upon them by people who do nothing more than criticize. “It forces our young men to mature quickly, and they have. They remain positive, they continue to work hard, and they continue to stick together.” Varsity boys’ water polo The boys’ varsity water polo team this year has been one of the most successful teams ever at GBHS, with an overall record of 26-2. The Grizzlies won the DeLong tournament, beating Jesuit and Woodcreek. GBHS beat Lodi 12-3 in the first round of the section playoffs and was scheduled to play St. Mary’s in the semifinals Tuesday. A victory in that game would put the Grizzlies in the section title game Saturday against either Davis or Woodcreek, which upset Jesuit 13-11 in the quarterfinals. The Jesuit-Woodcreek game was delayed because of a critical injury to a Woodcreek player when he was run over by a vehicle driven by a friend on Wed., Nov. 2.

Special to the Gazette /RON AND NINETTE DOLLESIN

Varsity girls’ water polo The girls’ varsity water polo team shared the SFL title with Woodcreek and then beat Turlock 9-2 in a section tournament openinground game. The Grizzlies’ season came to an end Friday in the second round of the SacJoaquin Section playoffs when they lost 8-6 in overtime to Oakdale. GBHS was 4-1 in SFL play and 14-10 overall for the season. Varsity girls’ tennis The varsity girls’ tennis team ended the season with a record of 6-6 in the Sierra Foothill League but still qualified for the section tournament. In the opening round last week, the Grizzlies knocked off Davis 5-4 and then beat St. Mary’s of Stockton on Monday. They were scheduled to play Oak Ridge on Tuesday. The team is predominantly made up of underclassmen, and Coach Tim Raney looks forward to watching the underclassmen progress over the next years at GBHS. “As coaches, we love and admire our players,” Raney said. “They go out every day, while others go home and hang out with their friends, to fight and grind for the integrity and in the name of this school and community.” Varsity girls’ volleyball The Grizzlies went 7-5 in SFL play, finishing fourth and squeaking into the SacJoaquin Section playoffs. In the opening round last week, the Grizzlies swept Inderkum 3-0. But in the quarterfinals, GBHS lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to Elk Grove to end its season. Elk Grove went up 2-0 in the early going, but the Grizzlies won the next two games. In the deciding game, Elk Grove outlasted GBHS 15-11 to win the match and end the Grizzlies’ season GBHS finished the season with a 24-14 overall record. Cross country The varsity girls placed second in the SFL. The varsity boys’ team placed eighth in the subsections race last weekend, advancing to the section meet. Both teams will attend the section meet at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Willow Hills in Folsom. The state meet is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26.

Special to the Gazette /CHRIS KURANI

Special to the Gazette /RON AND NINETTE DOLLESIN

wThe GBHS cheer team, top left, performs in front of the home crowd at the homecoming football game. Senior Alex Martinez, top right, runs by a player in the game against Nevada Union. The varsity girls’ golf team, middle, poses for a team photo during their successful season. The varsity girls’ tennis team huddles before a match to get pumped up. GBHS sophomore Deborah Dollesin, bottom right, eyes down her golf ball heading down the fairway. Senior Nathan Ellinthorpe, bottom left, prepares for a shot during a recent water polo match.

Special to the Gazette /LORI KAMBE


GS The Gazette’s arts and entertainment guide.

November 2016

GREEN SCREEN A winter fashion guide to help keep you warm and cozy PAGES

8&9

Gazette photo/ AlLINA POCCZOBUTT


Page 2

November 2016

sneak peek.

Gazette photo/ ALINA POZCOBUTT

Special to the Gazette/ DESIRE MILBURN

wSee pages 8&9 This winter’s best fashion trends

wSee page 3 The Mia Michaels high school dance class

Gazette photo/ AMANDA PRATHER

wSee page 16 More on Fantastic Beasts and where to find them

Media’s influence on the 2016 election

Upcoming Trump and Clinton’s numerous scandals are making for a dramatic campaign GBHS istorically, in a presidential election, the media has never Hillary Clinton when asked by the United Nations about her emails Events for seen so many different possible outcomes than in the 2016 in relation to Iran. race for president. Comedy entertainment, such as “Saturday Night Live” or the YouMedia outlets have taken advantage, as they should, to reign in on tube channel Funny or Die, have a series of skits and videos mimick- November & the bizarre and outrageous things that have happened in this presiing debates and interviews of the candidates. They also have taken dential campaign. the chance to relish the absurdness and use it to their advantage. I December If the other candidates had gotten more media time and talk, would can attest to the fact that they are funny and not that far fetched from

H

they have had a fairer chance at being their party’s candidate? the truth. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have somehow become the Another aspect is the more trendy platform of politics now. ones we’re supposed to look up to, all because Social media is allowing anyone with a smartthey have gotten so much attention for the phone to express their views on the election with ludicrous things they have said or done. 140 characters. It’s giving the younger generaFrom the beginning of Trump’s controvertion a chance to express their views, even if they sial campaign, he has been degrading toward are just humorous. women, racist and unfiltered in what he says The main issue is majority of these platforms and it has been publicized through every discussing the political madness are just sarcastic. media outlet, yet some cannot see through his Most can not take these candidates earnestly. translucent exterior and still support him. Aside from the sarcasm, celebrities have taken “When Mexico sends its people (...) They’re it in their hands by somewhat “endorsing” these sending people that have lots of problems and candidates on their social media platforms. “Duck they’re bringing those problems with us,” said Dynasty’s” Willie Robertson wants to #makeamRepublican candidate Donald J. Trump in a ericagreatagain and Miley Cyrus making it a speech on July 15, 2015. point to use the hashtag #imwither. “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing So how are we supposed to look up to these kcologna.gazette@gmail.com crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are people? Our country had 21 other candidates in good people.” the major parties, but somehow we ended up with Clinton isn’t much better. Scandal after scandal, as early as two candidates that irk voters when they think about them, let alone Whitewater to her recent emails, she could be named the best lying voting for them. politician of 2016. She has made sure to do a good job of covering The media has revealed the true colors of Trump and Clinton, and her tracks throughout the year. now it is the voters decision to choose which candidate will botch “They were personal and private about matters that I believed our country less in the next four years. were within the scope of my personal privacy and that particularly of other people. They have nothing to do with work, but I didn’t *** see any reason to keep them,” said Democratic candidate, Secretary Katie Cologna, a junior, is a Gazette Greenscreen editor

November 16-17 Every 15 minutes

COMMENTARY

November 21-25

katie cologna

Guide to Green Screen

Thanksgiving Break

December 7-9 Dance Show

Page 3 Mia Michaels

Page 6&7 Food reviews

Page 11 Thanksgiving for vegans

Page 14 Finstas

Page 4

Page 8/9 Winter Fashion

Page 12 Follow Friday

Page 15 Movie reviews

Page 10 Thanksgiving traditions

Page 13 Macbeth review

Page 16 Fantastic Beasts

Top Tweets Page 5 Music reviews


November 2016

Page 3

fancy footwork.

Mia Michaels dances into Granite Bay Famous choreographer teaches a free dance class for students in the Sacramento area BY WHITNEY KNORP

wknorp.gazette@gmail.com

S

he choreographed “Finding Neverland” on Broadway, worked as a director-choreographer on the “New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes,” and is best known for her Emmywinning choreography from “So You Think You Can Dance,” a dance competition show on Fox. Mia Michaels’ influence has rocked the dance world. However, on Oct. 19th of this year she wasn’t in L.A. or New York or on tour with a dance convention, where you may typically find her. Michaels was teaching a free class at none other than Antelope High School. Many students from schools such as Natomas Charter School, Granite Bay, Antelope, Pleasant Grove and Roseville High Schools flocked to Antelope for this rare opportunity. A few GBHS students attended the class, including seniors and Advanced Dance teacher interns Emily Schofield, Nate Moudakis and Dillon Ruddell. “The Mia Michaels class was amazing,” Schofield said. “It is honestly super charitable that she gave a free master class to high schoolers, because she is such an influential choreographer and figure in the dance world.”

What most people didn’t realize was that CORE Contemporary Dance, a local, professional dance company, sponsored the event and made it all possible. Kelli Leighton is the founder of CORE and owner of Leighton Dance Project, a dance studio in Folsom. Leighton said that community outreach and inspiring students no matter where they train has always been a very important goal of CORE because schools don’t get the kind of opportunities available to studio dancers due to limited budgets. “I also believe that if you are blessed enough to find a passion that gives so much to your life, as dance has done for me, you have the responsibility of sharing that passion every chance you get,” Leighton said. “Mia has inspired me throughout the years to not be afraid to go after my dreams, so it has always been a goal of mine to eventually bring her into the high school dance programs to do the same for those dancers who wouldn’t ever have that chance.” Before Mia arrived at Antelope High School, all of the students warmed up, stretched and got acquainted in Antelope’s dance room before being redirected into the small gym to take the actual class. There were so many students that the dance room alone was too small to hold everyone. Michaels then taught a minute-long contemporary dance combination with the help of a few CORE as-

sistants, and she ended the class with improvisation and a cool-down. “My experience was very painful and rather sweaty, but I enjoyed it very much,” Dillon Ruddell said. “Compared to other dance classes, it was immensely more difficult and I was surrounded by much better dancers than normal.” Nate Moudakis also said he thought the class was difficult, but a great experience and opportunity for students like him who hadn’t been able to take real dance classes outside of school dance before. “This class was very hard and fast paced,” Moudakis said. “Also, since there were a lot of people, if you didn’t understand something and couldn’t figure it out you got left in the dust as things kept moving forward.” There was an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the class across the board, and Leighton says that she would absolutely do something like this again in the future. “I really hope it will inspire more community participation and appreciation,” Leighton said. “I think it’s our responsibility as dance educators, or any artistic professional, to keep the arts alive and bring opportunities to future artists with our community – encourage people to attend live performances, participate in workshops and give to art organizations. Without an audience the arts will die eventually.”

Granite Bay High School dance students pose with Mia Michaels, below, after taking her class at Antelope High School.

Dancers perform the combo in small groups during class.

Students above are holding an arabesque position while receiving technique tips from Mia Michaels.

Special to the Gazette /DESERIE MILBURN


November 2016

Page 4

current.

Top Tweets

Gazette illustration/AMANDA PRATHER

Spirited tweets by Granite Bay High School sudents BY WHITNEY KNORP

wknorp.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette file illustrations/THOMAS TAYLOR

Netflix Picks

Twitter

BY KATE BOOTH

kbooth.gazette@gmail.com

1. American Horror Story This season’s plot takes place in an old hotel located in Los Angeles, California. With vampires, a detective with a past and mysterious murders, it’s easy to get caught up in this bloodsuckingly suspensful show. 2. Bob’s Burgers Bob’s Burger’s follows the adventures of a sassy, hard working family in the restaurant buisness and will have you giggling in no time.

What goes around gon come around If you ain’t gang don’t come around

ACE TM

1 Retweets

@AhmadThomasTD

4 Likes

the only good thing about #RIPvine is all these great vines resurfacing

3. Zootopia Disney shares the story of a vibrant world in which Judy Hopps aspires to be the first bunny cop. In a surprising twist, Judy finds herself making an unlikely friend in her adventure to solve a case and prove herself as a worthy police officer.

Katie Hartmeier

0 Retweets

@katie_hartmeier

13 Likes

if you didn’t break your mom’s water while surfing out of the womb are you even californian?

4. Portlandia Each episode is a collection of comedy sketches in which Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein play varying main characters, slyly poking fun at portland culture while producing some very lovable characters.

britt’s gma “kris”

6 Retweets

@reagantrash

21 Likes

Our band is so raw

5. Documentary Now Also directed by Fred Armisen, this mockumentary television series spoofs documentary films, each time using a fictitious subject.

Brad Jones

10 Retweets 42 Likes

@bjones3386

Poll of the Month:

Favorite Thanksgiving Food

50

compiled by MILAN FRENCH

45

mfrench.gazette@gmail.com

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9

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12

11

10

Di

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10

M ac

Poll out of 123 Granite Bay High School students

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Dinner rolls – 10

10

ke

Other – 9

Po ta

Mac and Cheese – 10

20

ed

Pumpkin pie – 12

26

Tu r

Mashed Potatoes – 45

30

as h

Stuffing – 11

M

Turkey – 26

Number of People

40


November 2016

Page 5

tune in.

Broken Hearts and Bankrolls IshDARR BY STEPHENIE KANG skang.gazette@gmail.com

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roken Hearts & Bankrolls is one of the best albums I’ve ever listened to, period. The fact that this is somehow just IshDARR’s sophomore album is even more incredible. There are artists I love who take at least six or more albums to find their niche and transcend to their purpose – yet IshDARR somehow found it within the first few seconds of his album. “Crown Ct., Racine,” while ultimately forgettable, hooks you, magnetizes you with his subtle lead into the song. And once you get sucked into his world, he is playful. He winks and stings with witty oneliners that don’t take themselves too seriously. Even though his lyrics as a whole aren’t

exactly the best written (one trip to Genius and you will see long paragraphs of decidedly non-literary ramblings), the way he pronounces them and the way they are presented in the songs makes them seem like they’re destined to be like that, and that this construction of words is the best way and the only way he could have possibly written this song. You’ll be inexplicably obsessed with singing “trippin’, I’m a d*****bag” for weeks. But don’t get me wrong, these are not relatable songs. In “Sugar” he talks about his habit of spoiling his “10 years older” girlfriend, and in “Gone” he chuckles about how he used to have a thing for Mulan. Yet his uniquely monotonous, off-tune style of rapping (especially in such an inherently emotional genre as R&B) makes him absolutely extraordinary and transcendental when combined with his finely attuned taste for

good production. Good production in that in each song his voice is accentuated rather than obscured. Good production in that the producers add complexity and dimensions to the song, rather than rising up from shifting shadows and subsuming the entire effect of his words. Good production in that every single producer is killing it, no matter how minor the song is supposed to be relative to the album as a whole. Every song could have been easily transferred to another album and released as a leading single, but IshDARR chose to concentrate them all in one album. That, I feel, is indicative of how much he has yet to prove to himself, and how much more intricate and masterful his music will get in the future. In total, there is only one word to be said at the close of this album: IshDARR. Remember that name.

EMPIRE

Broken Hearts & Bankrolls was released October 7, 2016.

A+ Skip to:

“Gone”

Introverted Intuition Lance Skiiiwalker BY CONNOR HINSON

chinson.gazette@gmail.com

I Top Dawg

Introverted Intuition was released on October 18, 2016.

A-

Skip to : “Advantage”

t’s hard to argue the fact that Top Dawg Entertainment is one of the most impressive – and most feared – labels in Hip Hop. With Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q at the front of its now seven artist lineup, its industry influence can only grow. Although he was widely unknown before his official signing, the newest T.D.E. signee, Lance Skiiiwalker, has proven himself to be a worthy addition to the roster with the release of his debut project. The title sets the tone: Introverted Intuition. It’s personal and revealing, bold yet reserved and completely subversive of any genre. And although it takes its influences from Hip Hop, Jazz, R&B and Soul, the album isn’t meant

to be put into any category. The first track “Forbidden Fruit” is equally atmospheric and oppressive, setting the tone for the dichotomic nature of the rest of the record. In fact, the album often sounds like the composition of a person with bipolar disorder. In his opening lines, Skiiiwalker sings “forever and ever … ain’t no comin’ back,” an ominous premonition of an unknown future. In the next track and throughout the rest of the project, Skiiiwalker plays the part of a radio announcer for the fictional “((Ni)) Radio,” a station dedicated to “introverted listeners.” These parts act as the interludes for the project, appearing frequently enough to feel familiar, but not necessarily overused. By the song “Sound,” Skiiiwalker is pulled out of the depressive funk of the first five

tracks. Harmonic background vocals fronted by minimal guitar licks change the tone from moody and melancholy to more uplifting. “Advantage” and “Stockholm” are the respective highlights for the manic and depressive sides of the record. While “Advantage” features a catchy whistling over the hook, “Stockholm” is audibly consuming, with lyrics and beat melding together into a cohesive sound. Overall, Skiiiwalker’s vocals work for the project. He has a very soulful voice, which fits the general motif. Introverted Intuition demands your full attention for its brief 35 minute runtime, and although it isn’t for the casual listener, those who give it time will be rewarded with the most original album this year and for sure the weirdest.

WALLS Kings of Leon BY MACKENZIE BROWN mbrown.gazette@gmail.com

A

fter six albums, Tennessee-based band Kings of Leon has transitioned into a new sound for its latest release titled WALLS. Whether this change was for the better or worse, I’m still trying to decide. Although the tracks are still enjoyable to listen to, the once prevalent originality and strong alternative rock influences of the band’s past have seemed to fade. Not to say that trying out this new sound isn’t working for the band, as they have finally reached number one with WALLS, but this sound strays away from its earlier music that made me a fan of the band, originally. Kings of Leon has become a band that is now reaching for the cookie-cutter, easygoing, instant-hit songs, leaving behind all

remains of the authentic rock band they once were. WALLS definitely can be dubbed as mainstream alternative, as it is easy to tell that the band has left behind its original roots for good. Pop influences sneak into songs in the form of catchy, upbeat riffs, bubbly rhythms, and easy-to sing-along-to lyrics. Each song is practically begging to be included on a Top 40 chart. Again, the album is pleasant to listen to, but as a longtime fan, it’s a disappointment to see that Kings of Leon’s once innovative and fresh sound has fallen to its knees in its desire to hop on the pop/rock band wagon all for the sake of gaining popularity. With repetitive messages and the sense that they’re just fillers to make sure the album is a good length, half of the tracks seem to blend into one. Aside from the sounds, the messages in the

tracks are no longer interesting and insightful, but actually cheesy. The title track, “Walls,” proves itself to be more cringey than an enticing love ballad. Although I am disappointed in WALLS, if this was my first time listening to Kings of Leon, I would definitely have a different opinion. I had much higher expectations, but in reality, the album really isn’t that bad, and if I had no expectations stemming from the band’s previous work, there’s a good chance that I would actually really enjoy the album. But, because I know what Kings of Leon is capable of producing, WALLS is somewhat of a let-down. This transition from a band who produces authentic rock to one that is now primarily concerned with fitting its music into the status quo is disappointing. As a longtime Kings of Leon fan, WALLS can be described as mediocre at best.

RCA Records

WALLS was released on October 14, 2016.

BSkip to:

“Around the World”


November 2016

Page 6

food fun.

Coffee, Cookies, Cafes and more

Origin

Bloom BY BELLA HAMILTON

B

bhamilton.gazette@gmail.com

loom cafe in Roseville is a small coffee shop with big flavors. From classic vanilla lattes to shakeratos and lavender honey lattes, this is the place to satisfy all your coffee loving dreams. As soon as you walk in, you smell the delicious aroma of fresh baked goods and the smell of coffee brewing. There isn’t much noise, and there are a few wooden tables scattered around the room. On the walls, there are paintings by local artists that are for sale. On the shelf on one of the walls, is a stack of board games to pull out at your leisure. Bloom, a small coffee shop in Roseville, has gained a lot of attention in the past few years, becoming a popular place for GBHS students to study, hang out and grab a cup of coffee. The atmosphere in bloom is very chill, and quiet, making it a great place to study and hang out with friends. The coffee shop has been in business since 2009 and has the “Intention of bringing a great cup of coffee or tea to the Roseville community.” Bloom has a good variety of different coffee and tea drinks, as well as breakfast choices, lunches and pastries. They have different foods like bagels, sandwiches and omelettes available throughout the day. The first coffee drink I tried was a hot vanilla latte. The latte was really rich, not bitter at all with a hint of sweet vanilla. There was not a very strong coffee taste and it was very creamy and comforting. This was hands down the best latte I’ve ever had, and this drink alone is the reason why I’ll be returning to Bloom soon. The next drink I tried was the iced honey lavender latte, which was not very good. This latte in comparison to the vanilla latte was more bitter and less creamy. The lavender was not a prominent flavor until the end, more as an aftertaste instead of the main focus of the drink. I also am not a big fan of iced lattes, so there was already a negative bias towards the drink. I tried a scone, and the hardest decision was trying to choose what flavor I wanted. There were so many options, like maple bacon, coffee cake and lavender walnut. In the end, I went with the walnut lavender scone, which was delicious. The scones are big and perfect for sharing. There was a sweet glaze-like topping on top of the scone, giving it a hint of sugar.

The Gazette staff seeks the best of the best in this cafe showdown

There was bits and pieces of walnuts and lavender seeds throughout, giving it a very great texture, and prominent lavender and walnut flavor. There is no going wrong with Bloom. The staff is very friendly, the selection is great and the coffee is amazing. Overall this is one of the best coffee shops in the area with a variety of coffees and pastries to satisfy anyone’s hunger. Any coffee enthusiast should seriously consider making a trip to Bloom in the near future.

Gazette photo /BELLA HAMILTON

Special to the Gazette /TIFFANIE NGUYEN

Special to the Gazette /TIFFANIE NGUYEN

Bloom, located in Roseville, is a perfect place to hangout and grab a bite to eat and a cup of coffee with a friend.

BY ISABELLA TKACHUK itkachuk.gazette@gmail.com

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riginally, my first impression was that Origin was just like any other coffee shop or cafe, but once I got inside I actually started to see it’s originality. As I drove by the shop for the first time searching for a parking spot, the first thing I noticed was the cute bulbed lights draped along the outdoor seating area. I personally love when restaurants or cafes decorate their space so simply. When I walked up I saw it was very spacious. There was plenty of seating both inside and outside which is helpful when trying to find a quiet place to work, study or even just enjoy some coffee. Unfortunately, Origin doesn’t have any food options. So for people that are looking for a place to eat a snack while typing an essay, this isn’t the place for you. Besides the lack of food, Origin pretty much has every option you could imagine for beverages. From basic black coffee to mochas, and lemonade to kombucha, I thought Origin did a good job of making their drink choices suitable to anyone, really. I ordered the vanilla latte, and when I got it, it was in a cute white mug in which the volunteers designed the foam in such a way that my coffee almost looked too pretty to drink. Even though I don’t normally order plain coffee due to the fact that I just really hate the bitter taste of it, I was okay with my latte. I would’ve liked it to be a little sweeter, but after I had taken a few drinks from my mug, I realized that the style of the shop goes with the type of coffee they sell, so I just went with it. I was curious as to what their kombucha, a healthy fermented black or green tea, tasted like. The curiosity followed me when I left Origin and made me realize that I want to come back and try it. As far as the it’s prices go, Origin was neither cheap nor expensive. Depending on what you’d order, it seemed to suffice your wallet. I do recommend Origin to anyone looking for a quiet, not-so well known coffee shop to study, because comparing it to a place like Starbucks, I definitely felt more productive. There was plenty of space inside to do my work, so I sipped my latte and typed away. The service was a little bit slow, but there were only two people making drinks for about 20 customers. Despite my drink being made 15 minutes after I had ordered it, the volun-

teers were very welcoming and friendly. After all, they aren’t getting paid. I was shocked to find out from one of the volunteers that Origin is actually a non-profit coffee shop, whose money goes strictly towards helping end human sex-trafficking. Finding this information out honestly made me like the shop a little more than I already did. It is cool to know that there are still people out in the world who do the things they love for really nothing in return except the knowledge that you’re helping others. Origin is also open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. all week except Sundays when they open at 10:30 a.m. I really like how they close later than the average coffee shops because teens and college students are always looking for places they can go and study without the distraction of their families or friends. I really enjoyed Origin cafe and would definitely go back and try their various beverages. I also felt really good about purchasing my latte knowing that the money was going to go towards helping save people from sextrafficking.

Gazette photos /ISABELLA TKACHUK

Origin cafe, a coffee shop that offers a variety of coffee drinks as well as a quiet place to study or work.


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November 2016

food fun.

Susie’s Country Oaks Cafe BY ANDREW YUNG

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ayung.gazette@gmail.com

hen the offer came to do a food review on a cafe, I immediately volunteered thinking of my affinity for coffee and pastries, or any breakfast food for that matter. I imagined the scene: a cup of coffee in hand and a pencil and notepad in the other while sitting on a white and black lawn bench. Instead I found myself in wet shoes sitting in a restaurant booth eating cold biscuits and gravy. While the wet sneakers were attributable to the weather, the restaurant setting and country music playing in the background totally redefined what the word cafe covered. All the seats were either booths or in a diner-like style near the kitchen, which ended up reminding me more of the Frosty Palace from Grease than your regular old Starbucks setup. I met one of my friends from the Gazette there, and I ordered the “Kitchen Sink”, an omelet with bacon, ham, sausage, and vegetables. With the omelette, they offered either hash browns or fries, in addition to either toast or biscuits and gravy. I ended up choosing the hash browns and the biscuits and gravy. I also ordered a cup of coffee to drink. The service was good; the waitress was nice and refilled my coffee cup every five minutes or so. The food came in an orderly amount of time as it arrived less than 10 minutes after we ordered. Once the food came, we suddenly realized how big the portions were. Just the two of our orders filled up the whole table, and my coffee mug

almost fell off the table a couple of times. As for the food itself, the omelette was too loaded with eggs as the omelette was thick and didn’t contain enough bacon and sausage, which was the reason I ordered it. Also, the gravy on the aforementioned biscuits was too lukewarm for my liking and I ended up eating only one of the two biscuits as a result. The hash browns however were superb, and made up for the lack of proteins in the omelet and the cold gravy. Specifically the crispy side of the potatoes were crunchy and truly satisfying. The whole breakfast eating process took thirty minutes, and while that may seem like a lot of time, it was mostly because I tried to maximize the free coffee refills. Overall, although the coffee and hash browns were good, the rest of the food was subpar. Also, Susie’s Country Oaks Cafe’s menu online has different prices than Susie’s Country Oaks Cafe’s actual menu, as the omelet ended up costing two dollars more than I anticipated. Although I ended up bringing just enough cash to cover the extra, unintended costs, I can see how in the future it could be a problem for others. Because of the menu markup and the only adequate food, this wouldn’t be my first breakfast choice unless you just really love coffee refills, hash browns and eating lots of eggs. Susie’s Country Oaks Cafe, in Granite Bay offers a variety of breakfast foods as well as unlimited coffee.

Gazette photo / ANDREW YUNG

Hoot BY NATALIE HATCH

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nhatch.gazette@gmail.com

don’t know about you, but owl definitely be going back to Hoot. Tucked in a popular shopping center in the Blue Oaks area of Rocklin, it took no more than fifteen minutes to reach, and proved to be worth the distance. Greeted by a laid-back coffeehouse soundtrack and bare shiplap walls, Hoot immediately gave off a very chill vibe. The first thing to grab my eye when I walked in was the unique artwork and decorative pieces lining the entire space. From portraits of Audrey Hepburn to The Joker, and even a vintage typewriter, Hoot was a millennial hipster’s dream brought to life. A couple of employees hanging out behind the counter were welcoming and friendly, giving my friend and I plenty of time to decide on our orders. Though they have some food options, Hoot is predominantly a coffee shop, which slightly disappointed me, as I am not a coffee fan.

Gazette photo /NATALIE HATCH

Hoot cafe is a cute and quiet place to study while enjoying a cup of coffee.

There was a sign in the small bakery display case that noted they were serving Noah’s bagels. If it hadn’t been 2 p.m., I would’ve treated myself to my the healthier donut-shaped option. Various types of lattes, mochas and espressos graced the menu, along with some teas and specialty drinks. I opted to try their on-tap guava-mango kombucha – fermented tea. With it, I ordered a panini that seemed to be the most sustainable food on the menu. My friend selected to have a white mocha paired with a glazed donut, which came out quickly. While I got my kombucha right away, I found a quaint table and waited about 10 minutes for the panini to come out, at which point my expectations were high. A smiling waitress brought it out to me and I was pleasantly surprised. For only five dollars, I received an extra large panini with chips that smelled and looked delicious. I had chosen the latter of their panini options – chicken with basil, tomato, bacon, ranch and havarti cheese. On perfectly golden sourdough, the panini had delectable flavor that kept me satisfied until my last bite. It may have taken a while to come out, but it was evident that it was fresh and made to order. Wholesome and relatively healthy ingredients made for a delicious and light sandwich, that though large, left me feeling filled but not stuffed. Accompanying my panini was my sweet, slightly tangy and fizzy kombucha. The trendy tea was something I had been wanting to test for a while, so I was thrilled to have the chance to try it. The “small” cup was about the size of a grande at Starbucks, and though it was a bit pricey at $4, it was well worth it. Gaining popularity for the natural benefits and refreshing taste, kombucha is a delectable and extra healthy alternative to coffee that I would highly recommend. Taking bites of my panini and sipping on my guava-mango magic, I felt cozy as ever sitting in the half-booth. Hoot’s relaxed atmosphere was comfortable, and attractive to look at, as I ate and chatted with my friend I was constantly noticing new features inside. After finishing my savored panini, I took my kombucha with me and walked around the displayed art gallery. Lots of cute trinkets and pieces added to Hoot’s quirky and modern character, and I was additionally amused. Leaving the cafe, I took one more look around the spacious room and knew it wouldn’t be my last. Despite a decent drive and waiting time, my experience at Hoot was very satisfactory. Anyone looking for a great place to hang out and get great eats should check out this hidden gem.


Page 8 & 9

November 2016

icy threads.

Cool looks to keep you warm through the winter Granite Bay High School students show off their winter fashion picks

Gazette photo /MAX SCHWARTZ

Junior Nash Rood is sporting popular streetwear, like a denim jacket, vans and a baseball cap.

BY ALINA POCZOBUTT

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apoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

ain boots, turtlenecks, parkas, coats all things that can finally be taken off the top shelf and hung up in the closet this winter. Winter is a difficult time to properly dress for, mostly because it is nearly impossible to look best while bundling up in that old, oversized sweater. Note that it is not impossible, because there are ways to keep warm while still looking fashionable. For some reason, turtlenecks have developed a bad reputation among this generation, but they are quickly regaining their place in the world of fashion. This is not the tight, choking turtle neck that moms make their kids wear. It is coming back with a loose, fold over collar that provides warmth and style.

Gazette photo /ALINA POCZOBUTT

Sophomore Avery Milner is wearing an overall denim dress over a long sleeve shirt paired with booties.

A turtleneck can be paired with a vest, jacket, cardigan, or even a raincoat to complete the outfit. A more common alternative to a turtleneck for men is a V-neck sweater. The sweater is perfect for men who want to flaunt that they don’t need a heavy jacket to keep themselves warm in the winter months. A V-neck sweater can be pulled over a long sleeve collared shirt or could even be worn on its own. Similar to the turtleneck, the sweater can be paired with a vest, jacket or rain coat. While many wish they could roll up to school in their comfiest pair of slippers, those are not the best shoes to pair with cold weather attire. A beloved winter-time shoe that can be worn on campus and on casual occasions are rainboots. Whether it’s sporting black or pink, Hunter or Ugg boots, they are perfect for rain protection. Granite Bay will probably not see many male students showing off

Gazette photo /ALINA POCZOBUTT

Senior Darby Mullany is wearing a loose turtleneck, a quilted vest and brown booties.

rainboots, mostly because the shoe choice of males doesn’t change much from the fall to winter season. While some individuals would prefer a raincoat in the winter months, many students opt for a jean jacket or a vest. On top of a long sleeve T-shirt or blouse, the jean jacket offers enough warmth to keep people comfortable and cozy. A vest can be worn with practically anything and still look fashionable. Men usually choose a canvas fabric vest, while women usually choose a down or puffer vest. Either way both are practical and affordable. Chances are most students can scavenge to the back of their parents’ closet and find their old denim jackets. Just like in the fall season, students can expect to see Converse, Vans and Sperrys everywhere on campus. Who knows? Maybe some guys will

Gazette photo /ALINA POCZOBUTT

Senior Satgur Maan is sporting popular east coast attire with a plaid button up and Sperry boat shoes.

even continue to sport their favorite pair of flip-flops. Both males and females will probably be wearing their favorite cold weather accessories such as scarves, hats, beanies, gloves or headbands once the temperature starts dropping. All of which are layers that are easy to take off once the students get into their toasty classrooms. The blanket scarf is a fashionable, warm accessory worn by bloggers, celebrities and even Granite Bay High School students. It is very versatile and is loved for it’s blanket-like comfort. The scarf can be wrapped in various different ways to create many different looks. So, when looking for something comfy to wear outside, hang the oversized sweatshirt back up and opt for a blanket scarf instead. Winter doesn’t have to consist of frozen bones and cold ears. By wearing the proper attire, students will feel like they never took off their fuzzy bathrobe. Creative Commons / HORIA VARLAN


Page 10

thanksgoing away.

November 2016

Traditional Thanksgivings Traded for Traveling GBHS students talk about their plans to celebrate the American holiday out of country

will still provide a semi-normal Thanksgiving for Mannsfeld and his family with more exmbrown.gazette@gmail.com citement than usual due to the tropical setting and activities available. Even further away from California than very year, with the excitement of the Mexico, junior Sabina Mahavni will be travelholiday season in full swing, students ing halfway around the world to India. get a week-long break from school in Similar to Follett, Mahavni’s travels to India honor of Thanksgiving. revolve around spending time with her family. She How families choose to spend this time off varies has relatives who live there from both her mom’s and Gazette illustration /CARISSA LEWIS from staying at home, venturing off to different states or dad’s sides of the family. even going out of country. Although she won’t be celebrating the American holiday, she Granite Bay High School students are going as far away as India and as close as will still be commemorating an exciting event. Mexico to celebrate the holiday and make use of their break. “My uncle is getting married, so my mom, my dad and I are going for the wedJunior Addie Follett is traveling to Cabo in Mexico with her family, which is speding,” Mahavni said. cial because she doesn’t get to see her siblings often. In India, Mahavni will be traveling in two locations. “I’m looking forward to see(ing) my sister and brothers because they all have jobs “We will visit my mom’s family in Dehli for a day or two and then go to Agra for in different parts of California, so it’s a lot harder to get together,” Follett said. the wedding,” Mahavni said. Even though she won’t be in a country that celebrates Thanksgiving, that’s not With the wedding comes traditional festivities that Mahavni is eagerly awaiting to stopping her and her family from celebrating with typical festivities. participate in. “Hopefully (we will celebrate) by eating super yummy food!” Follett said. “Two “I love wearing Indian outfits, so I am excited to get all dressed up for the wedyears ago, we went to Cabo for Thanksgiving and my brother deep-fried a turkey, so ding,” Mahavni said. I hope he does that again.” Along with the wedding, Mahavni is looking forward to catching up with relatives Because Follett has been going to Cabo since she was young, it holds meaning to who she hasn’t been in constant contact with since her last trip to India, especially her as an occasion to spend time with her family and visit with old friends. Thus, her her cousin who she hasn’t seen since he was an infant. Thanksgiving in Mexico will still hold similar traditions as if she was celebrating the Even without Thanksgiving, Mahavni will still be having quality time with her holiday at home. family, a common ideal of the American holiday. Following in the steps of Follett, junior Chase Mannsfeld is taking a tropical vacaAlong with Mannsfeld, Mahavni and Follett, sophomore Jake Lindsay is taking a tion to Cozumel, which is also located in Mexico. trip out of the country, venturing all the way to London, England. Mannsfeld has never been to Cozumel and is looking forward to seeing what it has “I’m excited to go somewhere out of the U.S.,” Lindsay said. to offer culturally and activity-wise. He and his family will be in England during Thanksgiving, but they are not sure “I am excited to go drift diving and see the protected reefs,” Mannsfeld said. on how they are planning on celebrating it yet. Lindsay’s family has excursions Celebrating Thanksgiving will be the same with a slight twist for Mannsfeld. planned for them to participate in, but Lindsay said that he hopes to see the Tower of Although he and his family will be in a different country, they are still planning on London. eating a traditional meal. Even without the traditional American celebration of Thanksgiving, Lindsay and In addition to the classic feast, Mannsfeld will be going on diving excursions. his family will make memories that will last a lifetime. “I’m looking forward to the diving experience and learning how to drift dive,” Whether in Cabo, Dehli, Cozumel or London, all of the GBHS students traveling Mannsfeld said. this fall will have a unique Thanksgiving to remember. BY MACKENZIE BROWN

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Cozumel


November 2016

veganism.

Page 11

A Very Vegan Thanksgiving GBHS Students discuss their choices to become vegan and how it affects them BY ALI LEMOS

alemos.gazette@gmail.com

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hy eat meat when you can eat veggies? Veganism is a rising trend in today’s society and Granite Bay High School is no exception. A vegan is someone who does not consume or use animal products in any way. Many vegans focus on plant-based products, trying to avoid not only animal products but also processed food. One problem with this lifestyle is the potential restrictions it has to eating. Kendall Smith, a GBHS senior, became a vegan almost three years ago and has not looked back. “When I was first vegan, I kinda felt like I had less options,” Smith said. “But now that I've been doing it so long it's just normal for me, and now they're are so many vegan options and so many people (are) going vegan.” Just like most changes, veganism seems hard at first but with time the diet becomes easier, and as this trend grows, stores become much more willing to change. “I did (feel restricted) at first but most restaurants are really accommodating,” Negin Fatemi, a GBHS junior, said. While there are many different reasons to become vegan, there seem to be two main reasons in the GBHS community. “I watched a documentary and did some research and the benefits for me, the animals and the environment seemed great,” Fatemi said. “I tried it out and stuck with it.” This reason is based on logic whereas the other one holds emotional ties. “I became vegan because of ethical reasons,” Smith said. “I believe that it's morally wrong to eat animals. I do understand that not everyone thinks that way and that it's not possible for everyone to be vegan, but personally I don't agree with consuming animals or (wearing) their by-products.” However, Smith also said that she did research before she committed to veganism. GBHS senior Audrey Wagner, who has been a vegan for about five months, likes how the diet makes her feel. “The food makes you feel good and it tastes good too,” Wagner said.

With all these benefits it’s important to remember what vegans gave up: a traditional turkey Thanksgiving. However this isn’t a problem for those who don’t like to eat meat. “I won't be eating turkey, but I don't really like it anyways so that's okay with me,” Wagner said. Each of these GBHS vegans are the only ones in their family, which makes it harder to celebrate the holiday. “I don't really miss having a traditional turkey Thanksgiving just because my belief is such that it's not really a thanksgiving with a dead being in my oven,” Smith said. But this doesn’t stop them from enjoying the holiday that celebrates bringing people together. “I don't have turkey, but my mom and I cook my favorite food and I always have mashed potatoes too, so I feel pretty included in Thanksgiving,” Fatemi said. The classic “tofurkey,” a “turkey” made from tofu, is not something Smith said she would eat since it is so processed. Many vegans do get their protein from tofu, nut butters, beans and lentils, but other foods can be controversial on whether or not they’re vegan. One example is honey, which both Wagner and Fatemi believe is acceptable for vegans to consume. On the other hand, Smith said she thinks that honey violates the veganism restrictions. Veganism is a lifestyle change that’s too hard for some people, but all three of these GBHS vegans are happy that they made the change and intend on remaining vegan in the foreseeable future. Smith feels strongly about her choice and doesn’t believe that veganism should feel restricting. “I would never say a vegan is restricted because it's their preference and their belief system, so it shouldn't feel like a restriction or a set of rules,” Smith said. “It's supposed to be an enlightened experience and a positive way of thinking and feeling that you're doing something good for the planet and yourself and most importantly saving animals lives.”

Gazette photo /SURINA KHURANA


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November 2016

current.

Mixtape - Mellow Beats

Artist of the Month ASHLYN MILES 1. What is your favorite style of art? My favorite style of art is graphite because I have the most experience in it being self-taught. Now that I’m in IB Visual Arts, I am getting the great opportunity of experimenting with lots of different styles and techniques.

WILL ANDERSON

2. What is your favorite piece you have done?

wanderson.gazette@gmail.com

1. “Flowers” by The Deli Layered and powerful drum beats and a catchy piano riff propel you through this untraditional elevator interlude. 2. “Warm” by Joey Pecoraro Lead by a soothing piano line, this jazz infused hip-hop instrumental is a great song to keep on for inspiration and is equally effective as a groovy background tune. 3. “Inner City Blue” by Bluestaeb A variation of synths and a simple kick and snare combination join together to produce this song that is the perfect mellow beat. 4. “Brothel Love” by Nujabes Funky piano and horn interludes over laidback beats create a perfect vibe for listeners seeking a quirky twist on some classic rhythmic jazz.

My favorite piece would hands down be the MC Escher hands drawing hands that I drew about two years ago. It was the most time I had spent on a drawing before. It was also the first piece that looked most realistic and inspired me to strive for greater potential. Gazette photo /REESE RICHMOND

3. What made you realize you wanted to do art? In middle school, I was going through a tough time and turned to art as my escape from reality. I always admired art but I wasn’t aware of the talent I had. The more involved I got with art, the more I loved it. 4. How do you come up with your concepts for your paintings? I try to connect my art pieces with things I am passionate about, or for example, my religion or the pressure of our society.

5. “Summer Lover” by Tomppabeats A more sentimental song from the new and popular rapper. Compiled by Reese Richmond

Follow Friday

Instagram

Follow @trinity.burley for funny relatable captions and cute photos.

Compiled by Reese Richmond

FRESHMAN 2020 201 vs VS. SENIOR 7 . What is your favorite Christmas movie? Connor: “Elf” because I have never watched the movie without laughing. Darby: “Elf” because it’s a good movie to watch with my family and friends. When did you stop believing in Santa, and how did you find out? Connor: I never did because I thought about it logically. Darby: Second grade. My older brother told me.

Connor Sloan is a freshman at GBHS.

Darby Mullany is a senior at GBHS.

Compiled by Max Schwartz


November 2016

political plays.

the newly improvised Macbeth GBHS Theater performs a version of Macbeth with hints of the 2016 presidential election BY WILL ANDERSON

T

wanderson.gazette@gmail.com

hrough a modern day political twist on a Shakespearean classic, the Granite Bay High School Theatre brilliantly produced an adapted version of “Macbeth.” My initial interest was grasped when I saw that the playbill incorporated the “H” from Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign logo. The plays slogan was nearly identical to Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, playing off of his “Make America Great Again” phrase and changing it to “Make Scotland Great Again!” Director Kyle Holmes, as well as assistant director Georgia Seagraves and director of media Shianne Dingeman, collaborated to push a series of questions that were inspired mostly by the double casting of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth with both male and female actors and actresses. Lady Macbeth is arguably one of Shakespeare’s darkest and most conniving characters, so being able to view this role as played by both a man and a woman, the audience is given a much more broad perception of how the role is portrayed differently through the emotions, body language and tone of both a man and a woman. In relation to the chaos of the 2016 presidential primaries, the play related Macbeth closely to current politicians, who at times manipulate individuals and are overcome by corruption. Lead roles played by Bronson Vanderjack, the male casting of Macbeth, and Sophie Brubaker, the female casting of Macbeth, followed the emotionally driven personality shift of Macbeth over the course of his own political rise to power. Eventually the maniacal ideas of Macbeth led to an internally crazed and

confused individual, haunted by his past decisions and motivated by and obsessive love of power. As intended, the cast thoughtfully pondered a few main ideas mostly structured around the influence the play would have on the audience’s own personal experiences. In the director’s note, Holmes listed a few of the questions that were contemplated by the cast in order to allow the audience to similarly engage in the cast’s thought process throughout various scenes. Questions like, “How do elements of Macbeth remind us of our own political climate?” and “Does gender influence how we view ambition and power?” allowed a deeper understanding and individualistic relation to different characters and their personalities. These were, and are very real elements to these ideas, not just within the play but in our daily lives. After viewing both the male and female version of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as both male and female actors, I noticed significant differences between the two casts. The traditional play portrays Lady Macbeth as a very emotionally manipulative spouse, whereas in GBHS’s adapted version, Lord Macbeth was a more physically assertive and controlling character. Our societies general view tends to see men as physically dominant and controlling in relationships, and this was nearly identically depicted through Lady Macbeth’s character that was altered to Lord Macbeth and played by a man who was assertive through body language and demanded things in a physically strong manner.

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November 2016

Page 14

sounds fake.

Finsta Takeover Fake Instagram accounts are on the rise on GBHS campus 127 posts

78 followers

90 following

Edit Profile BY AMANDA PRATHER

aprather.gazette@gmail.com

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nstagram has now been taken to a new level, Finsta has risen and thrived in the Granite Bay community and all over the community. Finsta: a second and “fake” instagram account in which people post pictures they wouldn’t want to post on their actual Instagram account with hundreds of followers. Some use it for posting funny or embarrassing pictures with their close friends, while others like to post things like vlogs. Chloe Miller, GBHS senior, said she likes finsta because she can post things she actually wants to post on the internet without the social influence of needing to look your best. “You don’t need to make your life look amazing like on your real account,” Miller said. Miller added that putting inappropriate things on your

finsta is not a good thing because it is still the internet. “It is still allowing others to access it and people screenshot things and they will get around,” Miller said. As for those with multiple finstas Miller said that she doesn’t see the point of having a second fake instagram to share things with your “closest closer” friends. Some people are not aware of the consequences of posting illegal or inappropriate things on their “private” account, and don’t realize that the internet is still a very public place. Another frequent finsta user, Drew Robles, said that he thinks finsta is a great place to post stupid and funny things for just your close friends. “I use it so I have a log of all the stupid and funny stuff that I do and will be able to look back on how much of an idiot I was in high school,” Robles said. Robles also said that finsta is not really misused when people post illegal or inappropriate content because you can post whatever you choose. “I feel that you should post whatever you want. Your

friends should be used to the funny or inappropriate things you do already,” Robles said, “and if they are uncomfortable they can unfollow you.” Avery Perry, a sophomore said she thinks finsta is a great outlet to post things that are funny that you might not want everyone to see. “It’s just something that is funny and will make people laugh,” Perry said. Perry agreed that some people misuse it but she said she mostly only sees people posting funny memories. “Some people have more than one account so that they can post more personal things that are inside joke with closer friends,” Perry said. Perry also said that not everyone that has a finsta posts inappropriate things and that you are always at risk of posts and content being shown to others that it wasn’t meant for. Finsta can be a fun way to express memories and funny thoughts and ideas to some of your closer friends, but can be misused for inappropriate uses at times. Finsta safely my friends.

Gazette illustrations/ AMANDA PRATHER & NATASHA CHANDA

Special to the Gazette /LAUREN SMITH

Lauren Smith senior, posts a photo on her finsta on a trip to Apple Hill for the day.

Special to the Gazette /HAYDEN BRAKE

Special to the Gazette /EMILY FRANKLIN

Drew Robles senior, posted the above picture on Emily Franklin senior, posted a selfie along with a his finsta of a random plank of wood he discovered rant, a very popular form of communication on finsta. at a friend’s house.


November 2016

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

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LIONSGATE/CBS FILMS

middle school: the worst years of my life: C-

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film.

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WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

Rated: R

Rated: PG

Rated: PG-13

By:Katie Cologna kcologna.gazette@gmail.com

By: Will Anderson wanderson.gazette@gmail.com

By: Connor Hinson chinson.gazette@gmail.com

doctor strange: B-

obody likes middle school. So, conclusively, a movie about middle school is similar to most people’s experiences during that stage of life – forgettable. As a chubby, socially awkward pre-teen, my sixth to eighth grade years were subpar and hopefully not my peak. I definitely attested and related to the title of the film: “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.” However, I didn’t truly realize how bad those years in my life were until I reflected upon them at a later time. Similarly, I didn’t realize how bad this movie was until I really looked back on it. I was easily confused by the antithetical storyline and poor acting added to the already hazy script. This lack of clarity further propelled an overwhelming sense of boredom while viewing the movie, pushing me to believe that I was supposed to be left in a state of mediocrity leaving the theater. And as contradictory as its plot line, I say this– I believe director Steve Carr, knowingly, or unknowingly, had a much deeper intent for this movie that actually gives it some conjectural value. I am convinced he really did want us to treat this film like our own personal accounts of junior high and let it be a thing of the past. I sat through that movie and really thought, “wow this is a waste of time,” the same way I sat through my seventh grade English class. I would then be comparing the two, both the film and my personal experience, realizing the unwanted depressant memories attached to seventh grade me and this movie. Little did I know Carr had subconsciously subdued me into wondering “what was the point of watching this?” the same way I wondered “what was the point of a co-ed middle school wrestling unit?” The only time I found humor in this “comedy” was when I thought of alternate names of the movie title. In accuracy and honesty, here is my best: Watching This Movie: The Worst Two Hours of My Life.

arvel Studios hasn’t made an original film since the original “Iron Man,”yet they somehow pull me back into the theater for every one of their releases. Although I am fundamentally against their filmmaking process, it’s hard to deny its success in the mainstream and as a company. I expected very little going into “Doctor Strange,” only seeing the film because Marvel told me that I had to in order to fully enjoy their future films. Coming out the other end, I am overwhelmingly unchanged, and frankly a little bored. The movie centers around the titular Doctor Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Strange, an arrogant, world renowned neurosurgeon, is stripped of his ability to perform surgeries after a rather reckless car crash. He loses function of both his hands, which is upsetting to him as a surgeon because, you know, he sort of needs those for his work. A few plot conveniences later, Strange ends up at the residence of a woman called “The Ancient One,” the generic (albeit self-aware) title of the wise master character, played by Tilda Swinton. Here, along with the assistance of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character, Mordo, Strange gains magical powers to circumvent his lack hand movement, which seems silly considering he can now travel between dimensions but can’t grip a scalpel. Eventually, an external antagonist does appear, but he is no more interesting than the other planet-eating galaxy-destroying beasties in the other marvel movies. Visually Strange shines, however dimly. It takes cues from the likes of M.C. Escher and Satoshi Kon, as reality-warping magic bends buildings into a surreal cubist landscape. Unfortunately, these visuals have already been realized in films like “Paprika” and “Inception,” and in fact much more convincingly. We are presented with a grand, globe-trotting adventure flick, but I left the theater surprised at just how small the whole thing felt. The characters end up in New York and London and Hong Kong and even the Himalayas at one point, yet none of the locations feel real. “Doctor Strange” is an amalgamation of unoriginality and a huge budget. If you aren’t yet tired of the Marvel formula, then hey, go see this movie. Just like every other Marvel movie, at least it’s funny.

the girl on the train: B

njoy watching a drunken divorcee stalk a young couple, her husband’s mistress, reminisce on her old life and try to piece a murder together, all while sitting on a train? You will find all of that in Tate Taylor’s most recent film, “Girl on the Train”. “Girl on the Train” is based off of the book “Girl on the Train” written by Paula Hawkins. When I saw the trailer for this movie, I was expecting it to be similar to 2014’s “Gone Girl” a mystery, drama that was also based off a book. Soon into the film, I realized it was very dissimilar. Granted both women were psychotic, but the main character Rachel Watson, acted by Emily Blunt, brought herself back from insanity. Throughout the movie Watson tries to piece together a murder that she was supposedly involved in. Spiraling through her clouded past memories. Sitting in the theater, I didn’t know what kind of twisted movie I had gotten myself into. Picture an ex-mistress, now married with a kid, an envious ex-wife and an unsatisfied, promiscuous young wife. It was intriguing yet bizarre. It was different than Taylor’s usual films. He is most known for his heart grabbing movies such as “The Help” and “Get on Up.” So when I saw that he was the director, I was shocked that he would go for something so outside of his realm. He made the decision to only have Rachel have a British accent. The book is set in London, whereas the movie is set in New York and everyone has American accents. I liked how he kept her accent because it kind of made me wonder at first as to why only one person had a British accent. Rachael’s alcoholism brought little hints of humor every once in a while. Key word “once in a while.” In no way was this movie something that uplift you on a gloomy Sunday night. The whole two hours was intense but towards the end was when it started to get more gruesome because they revealed the murder. Other than that the only “gruesome” thing was the numerous sex scenes. The only reason I call them gruesome in a way is because they weren’t the typical romantic Nicholas Spark love scenes. They were cold and emotionless, so in a sense it went with the movie. The whole aspect of the movie kept me engaged, but no doubt it was peculiar on many levels. I can say that I didn’t expect the ending, which is always a plus for me.


Page 16

Harry Potter Round 10.

November 2016

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them The Harry Potter saga continues with J.K. Rowling’s newest film addition BY NATASHA CHANDA

M

nchanda.gazette@gmail.com

ost people have at least heard of the Harry Potter stories, written by British author J.K. Rowling, whether they have read the books and watched the movies or not. However, not everyone knows about “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them,” a short guide that was released by Rowling in 2001 under the pseudonym Newt Scamander. Newt Scamander is a fictitious character mentioned in the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The short book is meant to be a reproduction of a textbook used by Harry and his friends in the first book, and it discusses Magizoology: the study of magical creatures introduced throughout the Harry Potter series. Opposed to being a separate book for the public to enjoy, the guide was more of a way to recreate an object that was used in the Harry Potter series. It talks about almost every magical creature introduced throughout the series and, unsurprisingly, where to find them. Harry Potter officially came to an end after the eighth installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, was released in 2011. To many fans, this was an end of an era, and the Harry Potter series was now a legacy to be followed by other

authors of imaginary series. In 2013, however, Rowling, after Warner Brothers Pictures pitched the idea to her, announced that a movie would be created for Fantastic Beasts and Where the Find Them. Directed by David Yates, the director for the Harry Potter installments, and with the screenplay written by Rowling, the movie is set to release next Friday on November 18, 2016, almost 16 years after the book was released. “I think it’s cool that they’re trying to continue with the Harry Potter world … and keep fans interested,” Granite Bay High School senior and avid Harry Potter fan Chloe Miller said. “But (I also) don’t think people should really associate (the new movie) with Harry Potter as much as it seems like (they are) … If the movie isn’t good, people might be disappointed and the legacy of Harry Potter might be ruined.” The film is intended to be the first of five installments, and technically the tenth overall installment in the series, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the two-part stage play released in 2016, which was technically the ninth installment. Newt Scamander, the author of the book in the Harry Potter world, will be played by Eddie Redmayne, and other actors will include Katherine Waterston and Dan Fogler. The actors will be portraying individuals from the wizarding world, though it is set in 1926 America

instead of at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For many, the news that the spin-off was to be split into five separate movies seemed unnecessary. The book itself is only 128 pages, so it was expected that only one movie would be made, as opposed to five. “It’s definitely not necessary to make five because that kind of feels like they are just dragging out the series and trying to make more money,” Miller said. “Yes, the fans want to see it as a movie, but fans see the Harry Potter world one way and five movies might (be too extensive) and change the current view of the wizarding world.” However, other fans at GBHS think differently and trust J.K. Rowling’s artistic visions. “I don’t think five movies are necessary, honestly,” senior Emily Schofield said. “But, I trust J.K. Rowling and her vision with the film. I mean look how good of a job she did with her input on the production of the Harry Potter films.” The release of the movie will ultimately determine if the legacy of Harry Potter will be changed for better or for worse. “I think if all is done well, as the original films were done, it will carry on the wizarding world legacy,” Schofield said. “(It will) allow future generations to be involved in the imaginary world that we were lucky enough to grow up with.”

Gazette illustration/NATASHA CHANDA


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