The Prospector (March 28, 2012)

THE PROSPECTOR

FEATURES: Students share their experiences as teenage couples in love LIFESTYLES: Made in USA CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL’S

VOLUME 53 NO. 6

10100 FINCH AVENUE, CUPERTINO CA

FLIPSIDE: Remembering March

ONLINE AT WWW.CHSPROSPECTOR.ORG

MARCH 28, 2012

Lip dub project to encourage schoolwide unity MADHURI SATHISH copy editor

JASON CHEN

New documentary reveals CAT behind the curtain KATIE MARTIN features assistant ANNA HUANG news assistant

I

t’s lights, camera and action for the Advanced Drama Honors class, widely known as Cupertino Actors’ Theatre (CAT). The group of thespians, who recently produced “The Government Inspector,” is in the midst of filming a documentary about the program, with the help of drama teacher Arcadia Conrad’s father, actor and director Charles Haid. “[The filming process] is a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be, actually,” Conrad said. “[Students] who are interested in film are helping my father work on this.

They get to work with a totally different mentor who has a lot to teach them.”

Haid’s credits include the popular television shows “Breaking Bad” and “Criminal Minds,” with his current project being this documentary. Additional camera operators, including CAT alumni Shervin Nakhjavani and Sal Serpe as well as current students, have become daily fixtures at rehearsals for the upcoming spring production of “The Wiz,” a soulful rendition of the L. Frank Baum classic. In addition to chronicling the rehearsal process of “The Wiz,” the documentary will focus on the special niche that CAT provides for many students.

“What’s unique about CAT is that ... it’s basically a company that requires and thrives on commitment from students,” Conrad said. “It creates an environment of cooperative collaboration ... kids celebrate the success of other people and they work really hard to achieve a high standard of performance.”

Sophomore Yiann Chou, a member of the CAT tech crew, echoes these sentiments.

“In this class, emotional growth is also really encouraged,” she said. “You have to take initiative in a lot more ways.”

Indeed, the documentary is an example of this initiative. Many students are taking on responsibilities for the film while at the same time rehearsing for their upcoming performances.

Sophomore Gene Wang has been involved in much of the filming process. Wang, who is playing a lead role in “The Wiz,” interviews cast members and captures some of the behind-the-scenes action.

Throughout this project, Wang has had the opportunity to observe both the fun and the difficult sides of putting on a production.

“I think that it’s definitely been rewarding, but it’s been stressful,” he said. “I’ve seen, firsthand, the way that people respond to the pressure of auditioning. Actually, it’s a lot of politics about who gets cast. It’s very ... emotional.”

The documentary will also examine the other factors that set CAT apart from a typical drama program, such as its vast diversity.

Students in CAT come from a wide array of backgrounds, which reflects the school’s population.

JASON CHEN This kind of variety makes for a group that is “non-traditional by ACTION | “The Wiz” rehersals are taped by camera crews (both above). high school theater standards,” according to Conrad. More personal subjects thing that you hope will happen one day,” Conrad will also be included — namely the changes said. that are occurring in students’ lives during The release date of the documentary is still undeproduction. termined. Independently made documentaries typi“[The students] seem to be loving it. cally go to film festivals, so there is a possibility that I think you guys are of a generation where it will be locally released next year at Cinequest in San having your whole life documented is some- Jose. The filmmaker, Haid, could also approach different network or cable channels to find an audience.

Robotics hope to succeed in competitions after their building season ANAND HEMMADY sports assistant

From Jan. 7 to Feb. 21, the school’s Robotics team was in its build season. Build season is an annual event during which the Robotics team plans and builds a robot designed to complete a certain challenge set forth by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics.

This year the challenge was “Rebound Rumble,” in which the robot must throw as many basketballs as possible into a hoop. Unlike in previous years, though, the team feels that build season went smoothly and without any major issues.

Build season is considered to be a very busy time among Rosee ROBOTICS BUILD SEASON CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY pg. 2

CHRIS TRACEY

PREPARATION | Robotics members work on a practice robot to get ready for the competition.

Due to the popularity of sites such as YouTube and Vimeo, the recent phenomenon known as “lip dubbing” has taken hold across the globe.

ASB has planned the school’s first lip dub event for Wednesday, April 4, in the hopes that it will showcase everything the school has to offer as well as enhance the school’s unity and participation in school activities.

A lip dub is a music video created by combining lip synching and audio dubbing; a group of people lip synch to a song, and that song is then played over the footage — which is frequently filmed in one continuous take — after the removal of all other audio.

The lip dub has been organized so that as the ASB historians, who will be filming the video, follow a pre-planned route around the school, members of various clubs, sports or other activities will be placed in strategic areas along the route that will allow

With this we hope that we can achieve a really big goal, because it is pretty complicated and by doing this, I think people will know that we have the ability and the knowledge and the power to achieve a big event that will benefit the school - ASB president senior Grady Li them to best showcase their talents.

Said ASB vice president senior Jomel Bautista, “Throughout the route, there’s little sub-areas where each different activity will go into and they’re going to be notified of which area they’re going to be in ... [but] they’re planning what they actually do in the video ... we’re letting them have a lot of freedom in which way they feel is best to express themselves.”

The video will contain three different songs: LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” — which were recently chosen through a poll on ASB’s website that see SCHOOLWIDE LIP DUB pg. 3

2 NEWS the Prospector 2011-2012 STAFF

Cupertino High School Established 1958 Vol LIIl., No.VI | 2012

editors-in-chief harini jaganathan eric jang news editor azadeh rongere opinions editor sindhu gnanasambandan features editor jesse zhou lifestyles editor natasha sharma sports editors sunwoo jeong abhishek zaveri flip side editors alya omar michelle cheung copy editors kevin chu victoria duan madhuri sathish business manager virena galotra

news seong hwan yoon assistants anna huang opinions nikhil kanthi assistants laura kao features virena galotra assistants katie martin lifestyles hong suh assistants jason chen sports chris tracey assistants anand hemmady flip side chris cai assistant

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THE PROSPECTOR

MARCH 28, 2012

Robotics build season concludes successfully (cont. pg1)

botics members, who spend hundreds of hours throughout the season working on the robot. Members work on different teams, such as the programming team, to put together a final product.

Said Robotics president junior Iyal Suresh, “I personally worked around four hours a day Monday through Friday and eight hours on Saturdays. The three days before build season ended I worked from nine to nine, for 12 hours a day.”

Many returning members feel that this hard work paid off.

“This year, the build season went far better than any year before, as process and steps of building a working robot were refined after much thought [after previous years of experience].

Due to the reorganization of the structure of the Robotics Club as a whole, and this aforementioned refinement, we did much better in building a robot than any of the previous years,” junior Siddhant Dange said.

FIRST also places

restrictions on what teams can build. Teams are not allowed to reuse material that was used on robots from previous years. After build season is over, teams cannot continue physically building their robot. Teams can, however, prepare for the challenge and continue programming the robot, which is what the school’s team is doing right now.

“We’re allowed to work on software all the way until the competition, so we’re doing that right now, just generally fine tuning the software. There’s also the human aspect of the competition.

We have two drivers controlling the robot, one person throwing in balls and a last person directing the other three, so they all need to practice. We put together a stripped down version of the robot to practice,” Suresh said.

Although build season is over, the team is still busy preparing for the Santa Clara Regional tournament. The team hopes that it can further improve its build season next year.

CHRIS TRACEY

CHRIS TRACEY

CHRIS TRACEY

NOT DONE YET | Although build season is over, Robotics members still have to prepare for the Santa Clara Regional.

Parent education on substance abuse Advent Group Ministries teaches parents the risks and dangers of their children using drugs KEVIN CHU copy editor

Reagan Glover, a Drug and Alcohol Counselor for the Fremont Union High School District, joined two colleagues from Advent Group Ministries in a parent education program at the Robert L. Gomez Center for the Performing Arts on March 12 to teach parents about the various substances used by teens, and what to look for as parents.

From heroin and cocaine to “Tetris” and “My Little Pony,” the spectrum of human addictions is vast. But for the counselors at Advent Group Ministries, an intensive teen outpatient treatment program for drug abuse, they all boil down to the same thing.

The trio must have mentioned it a dozen times that day: Addiction is all about the dopamine.

They know a little about dopamine firsthand: One is a dedicated runner and another is allured by dark chocolate. Their most salient addiction, though, has been to offering support to pull teens out of addiction, a passion they have pursued since joining the organization.

After displaying pictures of such common drugs as ecstasy and LSD, Daren Casagrande, another counselor, showed pictures of the brain’s structures and invisible processes from positron emission tomography scanners. Parents also saw images of brains tarnished by methamphetamine and marijuana abuse.

The counselors have watched the microscopic stages of addiction play out in fluorescent rainbow colors on brain scans for years now. But to the average doctor, all that is visible in an addict’s brain is evidence of irrational, illegal and sometimes threatening behavior. Surveys show that most doctors prefer to keep their distance from addicted patients; these counselors get close to them. Employees at Advent Group Ministries understand that if they pay no attention to the behavioral factors leading to a chronic illness, they can never catch up. They are armed with therapeutic methods to support addicts who demonstrate the slightest desire to overcome their addictions.

While sharing their experiences, the counselors noted that addic-

tions tend to share many triggers and biological mechanisms. Again, it is all about the dopamine.

Many addictive substances send dopamine levels surging in the brain.

Amphetamines induce cells to release it directly, cocaine blocks its reuptake and alcohol and narcotics like morphine suppress nerve cells that inhibit its release. The counselors believe their work to be unfinished, pointing to a study indicating that about half of treated individuals return to active substance use within a year. Returning to old bad habits is endemic, so a patient can only hope to recover if he or she has the willpower to combat his or her condition.

“Every year, we ask our clients, ‘What is the most important thing you want parents and others to know about people like you?’” Glover said. “The answer for nine out of 10 students is always ‘Nobody can convince me to stop. I have to make that decision myself.’”

Treating people who have prescription drug problems and addictions is even more challenging, because physicians occasionally advocate the use of these particular drugs.

“The dichotomy between good drugs prescribed by doctors and bad drugs sold on the street is just bad science,” Casagrande said. “We now have to address the fact that there are real problems with prescription drugs.”

The learning part is continuing: New science for pain control may take some time to devise, they said.

These numbers have alarmed drug policy experts, and in the realization that usual regulatory tools may be relatively unhelpful in this new crisis, these counselors introduced a Step Up program — with weekly family counseling, monthly individual sessions and necessary crisis intervention — that provides psychological education incorporating healthy coping skills to throttle the addiction at its source and empower clients to make thoughtful decisions through their rehabilitation. Preventing the onset of addiction, however, lies not so much in education as in the relationship parents forge with their children.

“Parents need to create an open environment for their kids to discuss these issues,” Glover said. “Our job is to use our available resources to reach out to the people who really need help.”

Princess Project for Prom attendees On March 10, 16 students from the school had the opportunity to get a free prom dress through The Princess Project. The event was set up to provide girls, who could not usually afford them, with prom dresses and accessories. Although this is the third year the school has sent students to The Princess Project, the administration has not been able to reach out to as many girls as they had hoped.

The Princess Project began in 2002 when the founders contacted their friends and family for dresses to help a girl who needed a prom dress. Due to an overwhelming response from the community, Laney Whitcanack and Kristi Smith Knutson started The Princess Project to help girls get prom dresses regardless of their financial situation.

The organization has a no questions asked policy, and each girl determines her need. Today they assist more than 2,000 teens annually, and each girl who participates walks away with one free new or gently used prom dress along with one accessory from a selection of purses, jewelry and tiaras.

The students who sign up receive invitations to go to their scheduled appointment at a warehouse in Santa Clara. The organization even helps students with transportation fees, and ensures that the event site is located near public transportation.

However, they are strict with the few restrictions they have. Girls cannot bring any guests along with them, nor can they make up a missed appointment.

In 2009, The Princess Project contacted the district and offered them 50 invitations per school to offer to students. However, in the past years administration has only been able to fill up 15 to 20 of these slots. Assistant principal Mr. Walczak, who is in charge of The Princess Project at the school, contacts students who he thinks may be interested in the program, and any girls who wish to participate come to him. However, he often faces difficulty in finding candidates.

“I always try to find the perfect strategy to find kids because it is a sensitive issue that families are having trouble with money,” Walczak said.

Walczak focuses on targeting upperclassmen for this event, especially seniors because it is their last year of high school and because of the high costs of Senior Prom.

Next year he aims to contact more students and increase participation in the event.

“I’ve never said no to any kid ... and they give us a lot of slots so it’d be nice to fill them all up,” Walczak said.

COMPILED BY VIRENA GALOTRA

3 Schoolwide lip dub

THE PROSPECTOR

MARCH 28, 2012

Yearbook wins Gold Crown Award in NYC

(cont. pg.1)

ing, design, content, concept, photography, art and graphics.

Last year’s staff dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to creating the yearbook.

“The [yearbook] was basically my baby … I felt like I was working a full-time job. I sacrificed a lot for the sake of the book, including my grades, my social life and my family sometimes,” said editorin-chief senior Sarah Choi.

The collective effort of the 2011 staff allowed “The Nugget” to be nationally recognized by the CSPA. “[The award] is an achievement, but I also understand that we have a lot more to go. This is just a checkpoint … we have to set our own standards to keep going.”

From March 14 to 18, the school’s Yearbook staff attended the 88th annual Scholastic Convention in New York City. Staffers attended design, photography and writing classes at Columbia University and were able to visit many iconic sites in New York City, a rewarding experience that brought the staff together. On March 16, the staff of “The Nugget” was awarded the Gold Crown Award by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

At the convention, 68 publications received the prestigious Gold Crown Award and 122 received the Silver Crown Award.

High school and middle school print magazines, newspapers, yearbooks and digital publications were eligible this year. Nominated publications were judged on the quality of the writing and edit-

allowed students to vote for one of seven songs. While the video is being filmed, a few people from each activity will lip synch to these songs while other members will do something relevant to the activity in the background. Participants can dress in club gear, athletic uniforms or anything else representative of their activities. The video will also showcase the various departments on campus by filming in different classrooms.

Not only students will be part of the lip dub, however; teachers will also be participating.

Teacher collaboration will take place in the afternoon that day as part of the reverse schedule — which will include a regular rather than late start and an early dismissal so that the video can be filmed after school — and many teachers have signed up either themselves or the clubs they advise to be in the video.

While the purpose of the event is primarily to showcase the school’s many talents and developments, ASB hopes that it will also demonstrate that such schoolwide events are beneficial and can realistically be organized.

“With this we hope that we can achieve a really big goal, because it is pretty complicated and by doing this, I think people will know that we have the ability and the knowledge and the power to achieve a big event that will benefit the school,” said ASB president senior Grady Li. Sign-ups for the event can be made on the ASB website, tinoasb.org, or on the sign-up sheets distributed around campus. The lip dub video will debut at the upcoming Hall of Fame rally, so that students from other schools and alumni will be able to enjoy it as well, and it will then be available on YouTube.

COURTESY OF AL HASSANI

STAY GOLD | “The Nugget” staff is awarded the Gold Crown in New York City.

COMPILED BY LAURA KAO

ASB works to support the Heifer Foundation to generate yogurt and butter, while its manure can fertilize planting fields. Some other charitable foundations donate already harvested ASB has been raising funds through com- food. Large percentages of these goods, includmunity events, such as the recent ice cream so- ing vegetables, fruits and meat, rot before they cial and International Week, to donate a llama to reach their destination.

In addition to their nutritional advantagan impoverished country debilitated by famine via the Heifer Foundation. Heifer International, es, live animals can also serve as companions whose slogan is “Pass on the Gift,” focuses on to their owners.

ASB is supporting this popular foundadonating long-lasting gifts rather than fleeting goods. This foundation primarily donates live- tion hoping to donate a llama to a nation in stock and trees that can be used for multiple need. Llamas are characteristically donated to Latin American countries because they eat purposes. certain vegSome farm etations that animals that can are typically be contributed produced include camels, in South heifer, goats, America and sheep and pigs, not suited which cost $850, for other $500, $120, animals. In $120 and $120 addition, respectively per animal. These - 2013 class president junior Ophelia Ding llamas have soft padded animals can eifeet that do ther be gifted in full price or paid for in reasonable shares, de- not destroy the community’s fragile planting ground. Their wool makes exceptionally warm pending on the particular animal.

“The Heifer Foundation provides under- blankets and coats that can be used during the privileged families a long term supply of live- winter and made multiple times a year.

On March 7, ASB hosted an ice cream stock to sustain themselves. It’s a great organization that [ASB] is proud to be supporting,” said social in their first attempt to raise money for this project. Although the cold weather posed ASB commissioner junior Ophelia Ding.

In contrast to other organizations that do- a disadvantage for the fundraiser, they still nate perishable goods that can only be eaten managed to make profits worth one third of within the week or not at all, Heifer Interna- the needed fund. Due to ASB’s passion for this tional purposefully provides livestock so that philanthropic foundation, it hopes that it will each village can benefit from their sustainability. be more successful and hopefully reach its goal For instance, a goat can produce a ton of milk of donating one llama with the profits from Ineach year to feed an entire rural community and ternational Week.

AZADEH RONGERE news editor

The Heifer Foundation is a great organization that [ASB] is proud to be supporting

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OPINIONS

MARCH 28, 2012

4

Websites similar to SparkNotes: JiffyNotes Shmoop

CliffsNotes PinkMonkey JiffyNotes GradeSaver BookRag BookWolf WikiSummaries

SparkNotes is not a replacement for reading 68% SINDHU GNANASAMBANDAN opinions editor

In this age of Facebook study groups and Yahoo! Answers, the line between cheating and “using one’s resources” becomes heavily blurred. Looking over a neighbor’s shoulder during a test is as condemnable now as it was back in the day, but what about the student that types one question into Google and discovers a PDF of the entire answer key for their textbook? Or how about that kid who uses online summaries to supplement or replace his assigned reading?

Perhaps the best way to lead one’s conscience through these waters is to think of what is best for one’s own education as well as for the education of his or her peers. Let’s take, for example, SparkNotes; some students utilize it as a replacement for reading while others see it as a supplement to their own analysis, but ultimately, students should refer to multiple sources of literary analysis in order to have a truly productive educational experience.

It is not very debatable that using the provided summaries and analysis as a replacement for reading is cheating. However, there are times when the high school workload pushes students beyond their capacity and, during such times, using online notes to keep up with class discussions is understandable. That being said, it is annoying when that one kid who hasn’t read a page of “The Scarlet Letter” — or any required book for that matter — raises his hand and recites analysis on how “Hester’s tribulations lead her to be stoic and a freethinker.” To those students, keep in mind that literature teachers are acquainted

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with the website as well and have an ear for chronic verbal plagiarism.

There are also many who use SparkNotes to supplement their reading. Many intend to use the website to substantiate and add on to their ideas but the problem arises when they mistake the analysis for their own. In addition, students often mistakenly feel that “official” analysis is more legitimate than what they come up with on their own. Thus, a good amount of the class period is spent sharing what is remembered from the website. Chunks of online analysis are regurgitated during quizzes as well. This is ultimately unproductive, as the goal of literary analysis is to deepen one’s own thinking and share unique insights with the class.

That being said, reading and sharing literary analysis should not be ruled out altogether. In fact, college level literature classes rely heavily on the literary analysis of critics in order to properly dissect a piece. Dedicated college students, however, do not rely solely on SparkNotes. They refer to many different sources and interpret the analysis for themselves before sharing their findings with the class or their teacher. That is what high school students should aim to do. That is productive.

Overall, when it comes to cheating, we often encounter uncharted territory to which teachers’ lines simply do not extend anymore. Even when teachers do take the time to clear up the ambiguity, it is completely up to the student and his or her own sense of integrity to refrain from clicking those few easy buttons for a much less taxing homework experience. But there is no shortcut to a fruitful education. Therefore, students should explore alternative sources of literary critiques. After reading the original text, of course.

ALL PHOTOS BY JASON CHEN

YES

Do you use Sparknotes to replace assigned reading on a regular basis?

NO

COMPILED BY SINDHU GNANASAMBANDAN 111 POLLED

Know your nonprofit organizations The Kony 2012 controversy reminds us that we must think critically about Internet sources VICTORIA DUAN copy editor

What’s frightening about the Internet is the speed at which information — or misinformation — spreads. Is it true that there is a lady in the Philippines who has been hoarding and eating human corpses? The 43,000 reblogs on Tumblr tell me that it is. Is Invisible Children a reliable organization?

The comments underneath the Kony 2012 YouTube video all point to yes. It is incredible for information to travel so quickly, but this development contributes in many ways to the Internet’s greatest triumph and flaw, and as devout users of the Internet, students are constantly presented with a large source of unfiltered information.

An easy example would be the recent Kony 2012 video, which has been shrouded in a veil of controversy ever since its inception. Questions loom around the video and gather in the comments section below; everyone wants to know more,

but nobody knows how to fact check these controversial online sources. Statistics show that Kony 2012 saw 50 million views in the four days after it was posted on YouTube. In six days, the video hit 100 million views, making it the fastest spreading viral video campaign to hit the Internet thus far. How did this one video garner so much support so quickly? And how accurate is the video itself?

Kony 2012 presents a straightforward message that is simple to discern: Joseph Kony is a notorious war criminal and must be stopped. The video relies heavily on pathos, appealing to the viewer’s emotions and reiterating the idea that the viewer can make a difference; the viewer has a choice to be the hero. By connecting with its projected audience on a personal level, Kony 2012 effectively reaches out to its audience and draws support without completely divulging the organization’s secrets. The Kony 2012 video is moving and heartfelt, but further research exposes the questionable underground workings of the organization that sponsored the video.

Invisible Children is hesitant to release information regarding its financial expenditures, and vague when it discusses

where the money it raises goes. But how many people take the time to do full background checks on the videos they watch?

In the past couple of weeks, numerous websites challenging the authenticity of the video — and the organization behind it — have sprung up. But these new websites also have questionable backgrounds.

Information travels so quickly that there is a conKONY 2012 hit 100 stant flow of news; there million views in six is hardly time to stop and days, making it the consider for even a moment whether this steady fastest spreading viral stream of information the video campaign to hit public is being fed is in any the Internet thus far. way reliable. New forms of social networking also play major roles in aiding this mass transmission of information. Netizens, mainly the younger generation of Internet users, take in what they hear and spew it out through shares on Facebook or reblogs on Tumblr.

YouTube: 39 With these new means of communication, it’s up to million views, those who choose to take in 1 million likes, the information to decide what 37,000 dislikes to and what not to believe.

According to YouTube statistics, the Kony video is most popular with young women aged 13 to 17 and men aged 18 to 24.

3,530,673 people from countries all over the globe have pledged support.

COMPILED BY VICTORIA DUAN

Brunch

Le Rock Dance (French Honor Society)

No event

Tinikling Dance (FASA)

Game Day — Sari-wrapping con-

Art Day — God’s Eyes, Origa-

test, Vietnamese birdie game, Latino culture trivia, Loteria, Kendama, M&M pick-up with chopsticks, Robots from Robotics

mi, Vietnamese Kites, Filipino Parol Stars, Henna Designs, Calligraphy

FRIDAY, MARCH 30

THURSDAY, MARCH 29

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28

TUESDAY, MARCH 27

Lunch

5

THE PROSPECTOR

MARCH 28, 2012

Korean Club Dance Food Day — French Croissants,

Global Community Day —

Japanese Mochi, Vietnamese Egg Rolls, Spanish Churros, Samosas, Fortune Cookies, Mexican Tres Leches Cake, Filipino Taho Dessert

Earthquake recovery in Japan, Hydraulic mining in South Africa, Heifer Project, Music in the Quad

STAFF EDITORIAL

International Week embraces culture Amidst the insulated high school environment, International Week encourages students to gain a better understanding of school diversity — the ability to see where a person comes from and how he or she sees the world for him or herself.

International Week is a weeklong event during which various student groups showcase cultures of countries and regions around the world. One traditionally popular event during the week is the “World Cup” soccer tournament, which is popular in many countries and attracts students from honor societies and the English Language Development (ELD) department to play against one another.

This Wednesday and Thursday, stu-

dents from the ELD department will give poster presentations to other classes as part of the “Around-the-World Tours” project.

Not only will the students present their own cultures, but also they have worked with other students to create a presentation that compares and contrasts their different backgrounds. Events such as these celebrate the rich diversity of the school and give students the opportunity to talk with others who may not usually interact with them due to language barriers. These students showcase colorful fabrics, cuisine and even religious practices unique to their own cultures, but still recognize that cultures being “different” does not imply that any one is “better” than the others. As trivial as this notion may seem in the politically moderate Bay Area, it has yet to catch on in more conservative parts of the world. Perhaps the cultural appreciation and comparison during International Week will

The stepper is helpful for building both endurance and leg muscles.

The Lat pulldown works your upper back and shoulders.

PASSPORT DISTRIBUTION | Senior Jenny

Chen hands out passports so students can recieve stamps for participating in International Week.

SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS | The ELD team

clinches a win against Señora Jacob’s Spanish class team.

ALL PHOTOS BY JASON CHEN

Exercise your opportunities Students should utilize the weight room after school NIKHIL KANTHI opinions assistant

ALL PHOTOS BY JASON CHEN

Medicine balls of various sizes can be used along with the sit-up bench.

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go a long way in making students more open to new ideas and more understanding of differences.

We applaud International Club for its hard work in organizing this entire week of activities, and for addressing additional activism projects during this year’s Global Community Day: Earthquake Recovery in Japan, Hydraulic Mining in South Africa and the Heifer Project. Thursday’s Global Community Day will be another serious reminder of how important it is to give back to those who are less fortunate, as it is easy for someone living a sheltered life in the suburbs of Cupertino to dissociate him or herself from global issues.

Unfortunately, what could potentially be learned from the sharing of cultures is often forgotten in favor of thoughtless scrambles for the free food at the end of International Week. Beyond the croissants and samosas, students should embrace International Week as a learning experience of cultural diversity.

84%

NO YES

Do you believe that spending time in the weight room would be a better use of your time than what you currently do after school?

COMPILED BY NIKHIL KANTHI 118 POLLED

The weight room.

The land of the tough and the home of the brawny.

Where the well-built things are. Lifting a single dumbbell is intimidating when one is surrounded by towering hulks of muscle, let alone having a proper workout. Regardless of being open to everyone, the weight room has enough of a social stigma attached to it that many are discouraged from working out there after school.

However, if one were to overlook the momentary trepidation of going into the weight room after school, the path from scrawny to brawny becomes significantly shorter. By being conveniently located at school and offering all the machines for a proper workout, the weight room is an indispensible asset to anyone who wishes to bulk up.

Weight training is a significantly worthwhile exercise. Although aerobics and yoga have their place in the world of workouts, pumping iron has its own bust entirely.

Weight training builds not only muscle mass, but also muscular strength and endurance.

From upper body workouts to leg lifts, a trip to the gym can leave one feeling invigorated and energetic.

The value of such a workout, however, is not the most disputed point. It is commuting to a gym that poses problems to the average student. Whether it is pressure from AP classes or the universal lethargy all teenagers share, it is often not possible to strictly follow a routine and travel to and from a gym.

The school’s weight room, temporarily located in the Wagon Wheel, eliminates the

problem of commute by being open regularly after school. Students can work out right after school on campus.

The largest obstacle that stands between the average student and the weight room, or any gym for that matter, is the social stigma that surrounds it. The unspoken rule that only buff people “belong” in the weight room often poses a challenge to many first-timers in a gym. The weight room’s stigma, however, is actually made by those who do not use a gym, rather than by those who do. Once one begins working out in the weight room, he or she is equal to the most muscular.

However, the weight room schedule after school offers an inflexible window of working out. While one can just drop into 24 Hour Fitness at midnight, as ill-advised as that may be, there is a window of only two hours after school that the weight room is available.

There is a benefit, though, to not having as much freedom to work out. When given too much time, it is too easy procrastinate and put off a workout for a later time, a time that may never come. When the only available time is right after school, students can work out before they go home and dive deep into the mountain of homework. This kind of “now-or-never” scenario eliminates procrastination as an option.

When all is said and worked out, the social stigma attached to the weight room will not disappear by itself. The most frequent users of the weight room will always be students who put in the time to train their muscles. The benefits, however, far outweigh the drawbacks. To any student who wants to gain or train muscle, the weight room is a priceless resource.

FEATURES

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Love

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Crazy, Stupid

MARCH 28, 2012

High school relationships bring both strain and happiness to young couples HARINI JAGANATHAN editor-in-chief

What makes a relationship possible?

COMPILED BY LAURA KAO

Mutual trust, being able to fight constructively and always looking forward to seeing each other again. It’s a mutual thing; you can’t force it.

- sophomore Matthew Porras

Good chemistry, trust and communication make up the basics of a good relationship.”

- freshman Crystal Guo

An attractive man ... Haha, no. Patience, clear communication and sacrifice.

- junior Minji Seok

Just being very understanding and compassionate. And you have to compromise a lot.

- senior Amy Yu

Trust, patience, honesty, listening and someone to catch you when you fall. Oh! And most importantly, love.

- sophomore Jonathan Lai

JESSE ZHOU features editor SEONG HWAN YOON news assistant

The idea of young love has been heavily popularized, ever since the idea was dramatized by William Shakespeare in “Romeo and Juliet.” While it is true that many people believe in the idea of two star-crossed lovers destined to be together, Hollywood movies and fictional books sometimes provide an unrealistic perspective on romance.

Maintaining a relationship can be difficult and straining at times for some couples, especially in an environment like high school. However, many student couples strive to stay together through trying circumstances, and many say that their efforts pay off in the end. But while a relationship may seem simple to maintain, many factors are in play in a romantic relationship.

Time Management Lack of time for one another is a factor that creates problems for some couples. Time commitments for extracurricular activities and academics can make it difficult for couples to make time for one another. The multifaceted world of a teenage student can be difficult to handle, and when trying to juggle other commitments with a relationship, circumstances can become strenuous.

“There’s so much schoolwork that sometimes it becomes hard to find outside time to spend. There’s always ways to overcome that, but I think that sometimes work gets in the way,” senior Meetali Kashikar said.

Kashikar and senior Moshabeer Hossain, her boyfriend, believe good grades at school are more important than a perfect relationship, as do some other couples. However, a good majority still try their best to spend time with each other, despite the heavy load that exists in some students’ lives. “[Even when] we hang out, we can’t really hang out because there’s so much homework and because of SAT prep, and it’s kind of frustrating,” said junior Alicia Arranaga, who has maintained a healthy relationship with junior

Johnny Rowe for over two yea Seniors Doug Martin a been in a relationship for seve lems with schoolwork.

“Michelle has a unique si has a lot of late work she ne she’s pretty stressed out ... Sc a few problems, but we don’t lems,” Martin said.

Parental Concerns

Parental restrictions ofte tant to pursue a relationship. sary to keep their relationship ers prefer to be upfront. “[My boyfriend] tricked I had a 2400 on my SAT befor thought I was some kind of ge In contrast, Kashikar and ship a secret from their parent “I don’t think my parent idea mainly because they thin mean much at this age,” Kash However, even though so disapproving of relationships with Martin and Lee, are op with their parents.

“Before we dated, I met really liked her and her parent have rules, but that’s not reall said.

The Jealousy Factor

Some couples find that d tablishing trust are challengin “Jealousy causes fightin stand each other fully, and to their own conclusions,” sa maintained a stable relationsh for more than a year. “Some m so they stow it in the back of t While it is difficult to fu

Do you belie can affect a lov

MARCH 28, 2012

dealing with jealousy and esng aspects of a relationship. ng because you don’t underthat causes people to come aid junior Parker Li, who has hip with his significant other may not want to talk about it, their mind like a grudge.” ully understand jealousy in a

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Looking Forward

Even with all of the strains many student couples face today, the prospect of moving in different directions after high school poses concern for some couples. While some avoid discussing the question, many upperclassman couples have already confronted the problem; some to no avail, and some with considerable success.

Kashikar and Hossain both acknowledge that going to different colleges may strain their relationship.

“I think it’s going to be hard [to continue our relationship], because in general when people are so far apart from each other, I mean obviously there are exceptions, but on the whole, it does become harder no matter who it is,” Kashikar said.

Rowe and Arranaga agree that their relationship should not play a major role in determining their futures.

“Yeah, we basically are doing what we want to do,” Rowe said. “We’re not following each other ... I’ve told her that, she’s told me that. Don’t put your future on the line based on me.”

Jang will be attending Brown University in the fall, while her boyfriend’s plans have yet to be determined.

“When we were planning our college lists, he made an enormous effort to maximize our chances at staying together, whereas I followed my gut feeling and applied [binding] Early Decision to Brown,” she said. “I didn’t realize how hurt he was, and how much he disapproved, until afterwards.”

Martin and Lee both agree that they want their relationship to continue past high school.

“We’re not sure where each of us is going to college, but we definitely want to stay in touch if we go to separate colleges,” Martin said. “We don’t want to let that be the thing that ends our relationship.”

eve that distance ving relationship?

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6%

kissing

4%

hugging

90%

hand-holding

38%

of students believe in long-distance relationships

120 STUDENTS POLLED

t her parents and my parents ts really liked me, and parents ly an issue between us,” Rowe

H IL

relationship, Rowe, who has maintained a healthy relationship of more than two years, finds that trust in a significant other is the key to combatting jealousy.

“I’ve had it when I was gone on vacation in the summer for two weeks, because you’re just thinking of what could be happening,” Rowe said. “But you have to trust each other a lot. [She] goes to IDC dances a lot without me, and I don’t have a problem with it because I trust her.”

COMPILED BY SEONG HWAN YOON

his parents into thinking that re I actually met them, so they enius,” senior Emily Jang said. d Hossain keep their relationts. ts are too encouraging of the nk it’s distracting and doesn’t hikar said. ome parents are often seen as s, Rowe and Arranaga, along pen about their relationships

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ituation homework-wise. She eeds to make up. Sometimes chool stress can kind of cause t really have that many prob-

What is the most commonly seen PDA on campus?

PO

ars. and Michelle Lee, who have en months, have similar prob-

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THE PROSPECTOR

62%

of students do not believe in long-distance relationships

99%

of students see kissing PDA as EXTREMELY uncomfortable

LIFESTYLES E D A M

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

p? gro u ss dre

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PROMBLEMS {ON THE DRESS FRONT} yo u

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rom. What looks like a number on the calendar to most people is a date many students lose their pants over. Thanks to media like “Cinderella” and “The Bachelor,” the most magical night of our lifetime is only accomplished if we have three things: flawless hair, a suave man and a stunning dress covering our fatless bodies. And prom is THE night: the evening where all of our surreal expectations tie up neatly into an unforgettable time. Though it seems like a petty thing to sweat over, one cannot be blamed for wanting to have a good time.

However, out of the pressure to look precious and unique, students have created Facebook groups for girls to share pictures of their prom dresses so that they will not wear the same dresses to prom. While the intentions may have been honest, these groups send the message that any girl who shows up to prom wearing the same dress as another will be looked down upon.

It is ironic that our goal is to have a fabulous night with all of our classmates, yet in preparation for it we beat each other down like frenzied chickens. The desire for the “perfect prom” image makes girls insecure, each terrified that someone else will wear her dress better.

Why must we be so careful as to not offend one another with our similar taste in clothing? The remaining options dwindle with each post on the Facebook group, and given the knowledge of what other girls are wearing, it actually becomes harder for girls to choose dresses. Girls should put aside these frivolous social expectations and seek a good prom experience beyond what they wear.

do

ALYA OMAR flip side editor

rom

A garment tag that reads “Made in USA” has started to generate a feel-good attitude among consumers. It has sparked a renaissance for the discerning buyer. American-made clothing often signifies higher quality as well as higher price. There is a readiness and openness, especially among the younger generations, to participate in the “Made in USA” movement.

A keen awareness of child labor, unfair wages, sweatshops and lower quality products made in China and other countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Bangladesh and the Philippines has changed consumers’ perspectives in recent times. Americans no longer want to support these unscrupulous practices. Locally manufactured clothing also creates more jobs for American people, providing tremendous impetus for both the manufacturer and the consumer. Indigenous production, apart from creating employment, also leads to a smaller carbon footprint for the company.

Clothing companies including American Apparel practice vertical integration. This means that every part of a garment, from materials to finished product, is spun, dyed, designed, cut and sewn in the United States. This saves all international shipping that is typically a part of the production process. When clothes are made locally, such as in

downtown Los Angeles, near where, for example, American Apparel is based, the entire course of action becomes more streamlined. Companies are better equipped to deal with waste disposal, fair wages, cutting out the middleman and controlling factory pollution.

Rag & Bone, a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist for men’s clothing, also believes in vertical integration. The company’s suits are made in Brooklyn, shirts in New Jersey, Tshirts in South Carolina, bags in Kentucky and the rest in New York’s garment district.

While the “Made in USA” movement has become increasingly popular among consumers, it is still largely male-centric. Scott Sternberg, entrepreneur and designer of Band of Outsiders, a Los Angeles-based clothing company, believes that men are more focused on comfortable, durable and wearable garments, while women are still focused on following trends. Women’s clothing is still predominantly manufactured in Italy, China and other overseas markets. While men’s fashion has a stronghold in American markets, American-made women’s wear is still in its nascent stages. With young, visionary designers creating women’s wear for quality over quantity, the “Made in USA” market for women holds promise.

It is a shift in the consciousness of the consumer that will tip the balance in favor of “Made in USA” clothing. Heightened awareness about job creation, child labor, vertical integration and a smaller carbon footprint can potentially lead to better-informed choices and a stronger economy.

kp

NATASHA SHARMA lifestyles editor

MARCH 28, 2012

38%

NO/YES

62% COMPILED BY CHRIS TRACEY 94 POLLED

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MARCH 28, 2012

9

THE PROSPECTOR

To have and to hold: the beauty of heirlooms JASON CHEN lifestyles assistant

From Grandpa’s old pocket watch to Grandma’s ring, family heirlooms are passed down from generation to generation. Every heirloom has its own legacy and bears great sentiments. However, some families have slowly diverged away from the tradition of passing down family heirlooms. Although people don’t necessarily place as much emphasis on heirlooms these days, some families still retain the tradition of passing down certain objects. Some family treasures represent one’s “coming of age,” while other valuables are seen as a source of good fortune.

Senior Vanessa Chung received a golden ring that her mother gave to her for her 16th birthday. Two rings were passed down from Chung’s aunt to her mother as a birthday present, and now Chung and her mother each wear a ring. The rings serve as a connection between mother and daughter.

“My mother trusts me with these types of [valuables], so once I turned 16, she thought it was about the right time,” Chung said.

Of the faculty members, math teacher Roy Timmreck has a few possessions from his grandfather. Of the few items, one is an old trunk that originated from Germany in the late 1800s. The trunk contains hatboxes, which hold small hats that his aunt used to wear.

“My aunt used to wear these little hats that you see women wear only in movies, and women always had them in

hatboxes. No one wears them anymore,” Timmreck said.

When Timmreck’s grandfather passed away, Timmreck inherited the trunk and the hats. He keeps these items as one of the few remaining connections to his grandfather.

In addition to his plan to pass down the trunk to further generations, Timmreck has also decided to pass down his own wood carvings.

“My wood carvings are eventually going to be passed down the family. They aren’t yet because I still have them all, but I know that they will be passed down in the family,” he said.

In addition, art teacher Jily Mandeson learned about her mother’s life story through her mother’s diary.

Mandeson’s mother lived a rather bumpy life, but she was warm and accepting toward others.

“Seeing what little I knew about my mom, and reading the diary, was such an experience like reading Anne Frank, like feeling really connected,” Mandeson said.

Cross country and track coach Paul Armstrong has an old fashioned clothing iron that his mother used. As for family heirlooms, Armstrong’s cousin has their grandfather’s cup .

The amber cup bears the initials of their grandfather and great uncle, twins born into slavery in 1856. The heirlooms may not be used everyday, but they act as serve as connections to family, and they are valued as antiques.

“Let’s put it this way, I am not going to get rid of it. I don’t tend to throw away stuff,” Armstrong said.

Passing down family heirlooms may not be as common a tradition among families now as in earlier times. They may not have as much importance now, but they serve as a connection between family members and previous generations.

WANT TO ADVERTISE WITH THE PROSPECTOR?

CONTACT US AT:

prospector.cupertino@gmail.com

SPORTS

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MARCH 28, 2012

Amir Bakhshi: the quintessential wrestler

CHRIS CAI flip side assistant

Senior Amir Bakhshi is one of the few who can effortlessly convey an intimidating image without doing anything; once the initial bewilderment over the hair colour has subsided, his appearance alone can assert his presence in any surrounding. However, unlike many others who have nothing more than the look of an intimidating character, Bakhshi is an outstanding wrestler with an impressive record to prove his mettle.

Bakhshi is currently a wrestler on the school’s varsity wrestling team. He weighs 145 pounds and competes in the 145-pound class during his competitions. A couple weeks ago, he placed third in the CCS championships against an opponent who was the CCS champion for four consecutive years.

Bakhshi began wrestling his freshman year and has continued wrestling in subsequent years. In retrospect and in comparison to his current performance, Bakhshi says that he exhibited no extraordinary talent in the sport during his freshman and sophomore years. When he first started, he was carried by nothing more than a weak interest in the sport. Over the sum-

mer before his junior year, however, the fact that he was halfway through his high school career prompted him to change the way he approached the sport.

“I was going to be a junior and I realized I wanted to be something,” Bakhshi said. “So I tried harder.”

After bracing himself in preparation to make a greater effort, he began training in earnest in order to improve his wrestling ability.

Bakhshi started out by just working out to make himself more fit. Over the weekends during off-seasons, he ran and lifted weights at a local gym. From there he began attending a local wrestling club to practice with other local wrestlers. Through consistent regulation of his lifestyle and workout routine, he improved his overall fitness and wrestling techniques in hopes of entering the wrestling season at the peak of his performance. The wrestling skills that he acquired through his training finally paid off during wrestling season his junior year,

when he became champion at the Overfelt competition.

“So I did club wrestling, it was just with other students, but it really helped me to stay in shape,” Bakhshi said.

Upon receiving his first taste of success during that season, Bakhshi began to compete with the intention of winning. His success during his junior year season made victory at CCS during his senior year a possibility. His goal fueled his resolve so he tried harder in order to win competitions and kept up his performance so he could stay ahead of his competitors. His competitive pride and his extra training helped carry him through the competitions of his last season as a senior with flying colors.

Although Bakhshi’s high school wrestling career has come to a close with the end of the wrestling season, the skills, spirit and mentality that he gained through the sport will stay with him no matter whether or not he chooses to pursue wrestling in college or as a profession.

WEIGHT CLAss: 145 LBS HEIGHT: 5’ 9’’ Current Weight: 175 lbs AWARDS WON: 3rd in CSS, OVERFELT CLASSIC, Qualified for States

COURTESY OF SPORTWURLZ

GOING FOR THE PIN | Bakhshi puts his opponent in a secure hold, about to end the match for him and proceed to the next round.

COURTESY OF AMIR BAKHSHI

FIRST PLACE | Bakhshi after his winning matches at a tournament as a JV wrestler during sophomore year, a crucial part of his high school wrestling career.

wrestling moves to own your opponent Grand Amplitude Throw (1st row):

Grab your opponent in the area from his or her feet to his or her back, bringing him or her down to the ground with your own body.

Takedown (2nd row): There are

various types of takedowns, but the one depicted here demonstrates the move in which the opponent is grabbed by the knees and forced upon the mat.

Crotch Lift (3rd row): To fin-

COMPLIED BY ABHISHEK ZAVERI

ish your opponent, a frequently used tactic is the crotch lift. This is where you wrap your arms around the opponent’s upper thigh, and attempt to turn them over for a match-winning pin.

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THE PROSPECTOR

MARCH 28, 2012

cruising the coasts of the bay KATIE MARTIN features assistant

Every weekend, sophomore Magda Woroniecka drives to Redwood City to attend practice on an inlet in the San Francisco Bay. But rather than swimming in the freezing bay water, Woroniecka prefers to cruise across the waves in a sailboat. Although she has been competing for only six months, Woroniecka has been interested in the unique sport for several years.

“When I was about five or six, my parents joined ... a Polish yacht club, so I started out by just sailing on big boats with family and friends,” she said.

It was not until 2006 that Woroniecka began to further her sailing skills, albeit hesitantly at first. Her mother signed her up for a summer sailing camp at Stanford, and despite being “horrifiedly scared,” she returned every year. She now works as a sailing camp instructor each summer. Recently, she joined a year-round sailing club made up of high schoolers who come from around the Bay Area.

A large volume of sailing lingo is an essential for any newcomer. Most sailing races, called regattas, use Flying Juniors: fifteen-footers manned by two, standard boats for both high school and college sailing. Lately, however, Woroniecka’s team has been trying different boats, including the 420, which, according to Woroniecka, is

much more fun to use.

“You can trapeze; you have a harness and then you connect these ropes to you ... and you’re literally standing on the side of the boat while trying to level it out so you’re flat [on the water],” Woroniecka said.

But not even a great boat can guarantee triumph in sailing. In fact, wind is often the most crucial factor since it determines the time and length of regattas, as well as the success (or lack thereof) of the sailor. “[While] volunteering at Stanford, there was this one day where there was literally no wind, so everyone on the boats decided to capsize instead of sailing normally,” Woroniecka said. “Everyone just decided to sit on the side of the boats.”

As for her teammates, Woroniecka refers to them as “just like a lot of friends.” However, practice is not always smooth sailing.

“A lot of the time we change crews so you don’t always sail with the same person,” Woroniecka said.

“If we get new people, it can get frustrating to have to teach them ... it can get ridiculous at times.”

Between the new friendships, exciting technical aspects and occasional wind mishaps, sailing has become an important as well as unique passion for Woroniecka that she hopes to pursue in the future.

AGAINST THE CURRENT | Woroniecka sailing in her most recent competition , using her boat-handling techinques to steer herself against the strong currents.

COURTESY OF MAGDA WORONIECKA

ALL PHOTOS BY JASON CHEN

Struck by inspiration: baseball team plays with renewed fervor MICHELLE CHEUNG flip side editor

The varsity baseball team is off to a strong start this season, having more wins than in previous years and continuing through one victory after another. With a current streak of eight wins and three losses, the team has stepped up and hopes to make it to CCS this year.

“Baseball is not an individual sport, we have all come together and all of us have carried our own weight towards winning,” senior Austin Johnson said.

One reason that the team has been more successful this year is the great chemistry between the teammates and the coaches. Through good communication and team bonding, they have learned how they can succeed with the help of one another.

“We aren’t afraid to discuss anything that could be an issue and we are learning when to be serious and when we can relax,” junior Matt Kuhl said.

Although they moved a league down from last year, they were able to get back in the game and prove themselves to be the better team when they won a game against Mountain View 4-3.

“That game was memorable because they were the ones who sent us down a league last year,” Johnson said.

“I pitched the whole game and we won ... our bats were

on fire and our fielders looked great.”

Johnson hopes to win Pitcher of the Year for the second time and help his team make it to CCS. With the amazing progress that the team has made, new records may be set if the wins continue. This is a sign of progress for the varsity coaches who struggled to better their team last season.

“The team captains, myself and Nick Serpe, really cement the other players to find heart to strive to our team goal of making CCS,” senior Grady Li said. “Our positive attitudes help to motivate each other and we all work well together.”

With players contributing their best, the outlook for this season is higher than it has ever been. Another aspect that has contributed to the success of the team is the fact that the coach is able to relate to all of his players. He channels his high school baseball experiences and uses it to educate the new players.

“He’s been coaching us for 16 years and used to be an athlete here, so he knows how it is to be an athlete and a student at an academically demanding school,” Li said.

“He also does a lot of barbecuing and that brings a lot of family camaraderie.”

The baseball team was able to start off strong this season, giving them a better chance to maintain their momentum and make CCS.

FLIP SIDE

MARCH IN PHOTOS JASON CHEN

CHRIS TRACEY

CHRIS TRACEY

12

MARCH 28, 2012

JASON CHEN

CHRIS TRACEY

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER WEEK | Josh Park dribbles the ball during an ELD vs. Spanish class soccer game in celebration of International Week. SPORTS RALLY | Members from the badminton team work together to keep themselves from touching the floor in the sports rally game. THE WIZ PROMO | Sophomore Gene Wang sings and the citizens of Oz dance to a rendition of “Y’all Got It” in the quad to promote the spring musical, “The Wiz.” TRACK MEET | Senior Alex Iwagaki pushes herself toward the finish line in a track meet against Santa Clara. CHEER TRYOUTS | Senior Neelufaer Ghiasi helps a prospective cheerleader perfect her right diagonal during the cheerleading tryouts.

Private Pilot: Itamar Rueven CHRIS TRACEY sports assistant

Few people have had a personal aerial view of the city of Cupertino, but junior Itamar Reuven has had this opportunity. Reuven is planning to earn his pilot’s license this summer, which will allow him to fly alone.

Reuven has aspired to be an airline pilot for his entire life and is well on his w a y to achieving his dreams of becoming a professional pilot.

Reuven has flown his father’s plane since he was 11 years old. Since then, he has been an avid flier. Reuven’s father is a private pilot in his spare time.

W h e n flying, his father acts simply as a chaperone while Reuven flies the plane. Some of his friends have witnessed his developing aviation skills firsthand by accompanying him on his flights.

Flying has made Reuven more studious and disciplined in his everyday life. The values he has gained from flying have helped him form good habits in school. Additionally, the fear of crashing the plane motivates him to continue his studies and practice. Reuven finds that practice increases his experience, confidence and emergency response times.

“I know that every time I go flying, I might die,” Reuven said. “Whenever I am on approach to land, I always think to myself about not hitting a

bird or not entering into a down draft, because once I do, my life is basically over.”

Reuven plans to earn his pilot’s license this summer.

In order to do so, he must go through a somewhat lengthy process, which includes ground school, where students learn the rules of the air and the procedures of flying a plane. These classes typically take a couple of weeks, and at the end of the classes, he must take a written and oral exam. 40 hours of flight time with an instructor are also required, which Reuven completed with his father. As a final exam, Reuven must fly in the presence of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight examiner. If the flight examiner deems Reuven a capable pilot, Reuven will earn his pilot’s license.

Despite the long and tedious process required to earn a pilot’s license, Reuven’s dreams fuel him with enough determination to complete all of the classes and necessary training.

“I love flying,” Reuven said. “I just need to wait until the summer to complete my private pilot’s license.”

After that, Reuven can proceed to earn four more licenses, each one more difficult to receive, until he has his Airline Transport License, at which point he can fly for any airline he chooses.

In the demanding field of flight, Reuven’s discipline has allowed him to fulfill his dreams while still keeping him grounded.

UPCOMING EVENTS Advanced Orchestra Auditions

End of 5th Grading Period

Lip Dub

Spring Break

Spring Musical: The Wiz

Clubs Day

STAR Testing

Junior Prom

Band Spring Concert

Blood Drive

Tue, April 3

Wed, April 4 Fri and Sat, April 6 and 7 (7:00 p.m.)

Mon, April 9 - Fri, April 12 Wed, April 11 (7:00 p.m.)

Fri, April 13

Mon, April 16 - Fri, April 20 Fri, April 27

Fri, April 27 (7:00 p.m.)

Mon, April 30

CHRIS CAI

TRUTH & WISDOM

Both supporters and detracters regarding the Obama Health Care plan are currently rallying in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Trials continue to be held for George Zimmerman’s murder of Tray- Building while the Supreme Court reviews the pending law. von Martin, an unarmed, seventeen-year-old African American.

Jason Russell, founder of the Invisible Children organization and creator of the video Kony 2012, has been hospitalized for “reactive psychosis” after a public breakdown near his home in San Diego, California.

Hong Suh JASON CHEN

Edward Sweatyhands In the epoch before the name “Edward” conjured up the image of a sexy vampire, “Edward” referred to another icon of pop culture: Edward Scissorhands. Johnny Depp’s feeble attempts to cope with his razor-sharp scissor-hands deliver especially deep cuts to my heart, for I, too, endure a similar condition to poor Edward’s.

I suffer from an inconvenient disorder called palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, which means that I sweat on my hands and feet arbitrarily and excessively. It is caused by a malfunction in my sympathetic nervous system, which is supposed to control sweating depending on my nervousness or temperature.

Instead of scissors, I have clammy hands that leave a dent in my sociability. And unlike Edward, I can’t even trim bushes or give haircuts with my hands. But I have discovered that rather than trying to hide my insecurities, it is best to face them and put them out in the open, where they become powerless.

My list of grievances regarding my hands could extend forever. Writing by hand can become a terrible labor; I tremble (and sweat) at the prospect of high-fives or handshakes; I avoid exposing my feet.

Often, seemingly unrelated aspects of my life are affected by my disorder. For example, I usually wear long sleeves so my hands don’t bother me while I’m writing. I also tend to cross my hands or arms together or put my hands on my legs to minimize contact with other people. Socks are my favorite article of clothing because they somewhat curb the perspiration.

I have always been uncomfortable admitting my condition to others. Until recently, only my closest friends knew about my disorder. Maybe I had deluded myself into thinking that my insecurity would go away if I ignored it. But it won’t go away. I have come to terms with the likelihood that I will live with this for the rest of my life. And if I will, I might as well try to do it as comfortably as possible.

I used to think that my close friends to whom I confessed would somehow judge me based on my condition. After I told a couple of friends, I realized that nothing changed. My hands were still sweaty, but my friends didn’t really mind. I was still me. When I think about it now, it’s a bit absurd that I would think they would change their opinion of me because of one little characteristic that is out of my control. I tentatively began to loosen my grip on the tightly-wrapped secret that I was so afraid of. Simultaneously, my fear began to loosen its grip on me. I’m still in the process of learning to be comfortable with that part of myself, but I’m taking one step at a time in that direction, starting by gathering up the courage to write this column.

No one cares about or notices my insecurities as much as I do. As much as we like to think that people find us important enough to judge based on such small details, people aren’t as meticulous as we think they are. I suppose that’s how Kim fell in love with Edward at the end despite his scissor-hands. I’m just banking my future on the fact that in the end, no matter what happened in between, Edward scored the smokin’ hot babe — I mean, true love.