F RI DAY, M A RC H 7, 2014
The danger of Amy Chua’s “Triple Package”
VOLUME 55 NO. 5
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RO KHANNA
THE CHALLENGER Part one of a three-part series
KATIE MARTIN editor-in-chief
Ask Ro Khanna about his high school years and he’ll unashamedly admit that he was in fact “a bit of a nerd.” Long before the relocations from Philadelphia to Chicago to New Haven to Fremont, the esteemed positions as intellectual property lawyer, Santa Clara University professor and Stanford lecturer or the declaration of a Congressional bid was a kid whose participation in his school’s political science club and debate team sparked an interest in civic involvement. Indeed, the combination of Lincoln-Douglas debates and lengthy dinnertime conversations with his parents about local campaigns and candidates’ issues inspired some early action. “I remember I went to a school board meeting once NIRMIT SHAH when we had budget cuts for our school,” Khanna said, “and I spoke out about how I thought those cuts were not appropriate. That [was what got] me interested in politics.” The 37-year-old and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Obama administration is now running against longtime incumbent Mike Honda in hopes of being elected Representative for California’s 17th Congressional District. Though the two
are identical in party affiliation — Democratic — Khanna says that his devotion to transparent fundraising throughout the campaign process sets him apart from his competition. “I have made a pledge not to take any special interest money and not to take any money from PACs or lobbyists … that’s a big distinction,” Khanna said. “I think Mike Honda’s a very nice man, but he’s part of a broken Congress.” Alongside this promise is an agenda focused heavily on further integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs into schools nationwide — even for much younger children. Khanna envisions every student from elementary school learning coding in the classroom to “prepar[e] kids for the types of challenges they’re going to have in the 21st century.” “We live in a world where technology and innovation is such a key component of every job,” Khanna said, “and no matter what field someone is going to go into — whether they want to become a lawyer, whether they want to become a writer, whether they want to go into politics … they’re going to have to understand how to operate computers, how to understand robotics. “Just like in the past we needed literacy, I think in the future we’re going to need technological literacy.” Though not a STEM professional by trade, Khanna readily acknowledges his family’s role in instilling in him a
Student artists contribute to community
drive to learn that later developed into a love for the field. Among the earliest of these memories are the walks he took with his father, a chemical engineer, back in Philadelphia as an elementary schooler, during which Khanna would be quizzed on his multiplication tables and taught how to evaluate fractions.
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I think Mike Honda is a very nice man, but he’s part of a broken Congress
- Ro Khanna
Said Khanna, “When I used to get 92 percent on my math exams, he [would] say, ‘Where’s the other eight percent?’” Khanna also notes that although STEM-inclined students dominate this district, many of the related fields are still facing a disproportionate gender ratio — he cites a statistic stating that KHANNA, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
New tutoring programs formed MYUNG-JU SONG
ISABEL LIN
news assistant
opinions assistant
ANIRUDH PAI
For some, art is a form of self-expression; for others, it is a beautiful unspoken language. In any case, students at the school have found art to be an exciting medium of expression that can be explored through groups like Art Club or participation in county-wide art competitions. In Art Club’s newest undertaking, the club has partnered with the Child Protective Services facility in Santa Clara. The goal of the project is to provide artwork that will hopefully provide a more uplifting and homely feeling at the facility. To achieve this, members are creating bright paintings using oil pastel and paint. “We hope [the artwork] brings a homely type of feeling [for] the kids in the child services department,” Art Club President Sara Jain said. “We want to make the facility into a more friendly environment… so that when [the kids] come there, they feel more welcomed, more at home.” KEELY ZHANG STUDENT ARTISTS, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
photo crew
Traditionally, students striving for better grades in rigorous courses did not have many options for improvement within the confines of the school, with assistance often limited to 10-minute teacher walkthroughs during tutorial or hasty explanations from friends. These students, however, now have a reason to celebrate: two new peer tutoring programs have been formed to help students in areas ranging from math to chemistry to writing. Juniors Sohni Thakkar, Anisha Dangoria and Disha Trivedi were motivated to form math and science tutoring programs when they first wondered why there was no math tutoring program at the school, even though a significant number of students were struggling in the subject. “We were selected to be Core Scholars [another peer tutor PEER TUTORING, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
2
News
The Prospector
S TA F F 2013-2014
The Prospector
B U N K A S A I the Japanese cultural festival NIKITA DEVDHAR sports assistant
Cupertino High School Established 1958 Vol LV, No. V | 2014 editors-in-chief katie martin chris s. yoon news editor michael li opinions editor diana kruzman features editor keely zhang lifestyles editor ashley liu sports editor nirmit shah
March 7, 2014
In a celebration of Japanese culture, five local high schools are coming together to host the school’s second Bunkasai, a festival typically put on by schools in Japan to showcase their clubs and activities but, in a community-friendly spin, also featuring food, games and performances. Japanese National Honor Society ( JNHS) President Mark Chang, a senior, first approached his fellow officers about bringing back the Bunkasai — which was first introduced to the school three years earlier — after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. After recruiting JNHS members from nearby Lynbrook, Homestead, Harker and Los Gatos high schools to join in their
efforts, the group decided to donate all proceeds from the event to charity organization Direct Relief. “Our idea is to bring that basic idea to our school and incorporate those Japanese culture aspects into our American school and then give that to another culture that’s in need of help,” senior and JNHS Public Relations Officer Ameera Mungale said. “[This] unity is … the aspect
that we’re trying to focus on and really center ourselves around.” The Bunkasai will feature several distinct elements of Japanese culture, including cuisine, traditional games, a café and a haunted house influenced in part by Japanese mythology. According to Mungale, haunted houses are “really big in Japan,” and was inspired to recreate this
staple of Japanese entertainment after her experience at the Bunkasai three years ago. “I worked on the haunted house, which was a lot of fun as a freshman,” Mungale said. “It allowed me to become more involved in school, and I had a really good time working with everybody and setting up and being in the haunted house and scaring people.” With most of midwinter break spent planning for this festival, JNHS members have relied on volunteers to promote the event with the help of advertisements in local businesses and shops. The combination of prior experience and community involvement has made Chang and Mungale hopeful for the success of the Bunkasai. The Bunkasai will be held on Saturday, March 8 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the school. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. ■
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adviser ann peck Editorial Policy “The Prospector” is an open forum of expression for student editors to inform and educate their readers. It will not be reviewed by or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisors may and should coach and discuss content during the writing process. The staff of “The Prospector” seeks to recognize individuals, events and ideas and bring news to the Cupertino community in an accurate, professional and unbiased manner. “The Prospector” will not avoid publishing a story solely on the basis of possible dissent or controversy. If you believe an error has been made or wish to have your opinion expressed in “The Prospector,” please contact us via mail or email. Letters sent become the sole property of “The Prospector” and can be edited for length, clarity or accuracy. “The Prospector” editorial board reserves the right to accept or reject any ad in accordance with its advertising policy. Contact Us The Prospector 10100 Finch Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 prospector.chs@gmail.com
The competition for Congressman KHANNA, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
only one in seven engineers in the Silicon Valley is a woman. Gearing more school-sponsored science and technology programs toward girls, as well as offering incentives to tech companies that hire young women graduating from college, is at the forefront of Khanna’s education platform. But in order to better serve local students, even in notably wealthier districts such as this school’s own Fremont Union High School District, Khanna insists that increased funding from the state and national government is a necessity. He is quick to note that schools covered under Title I — a 1968 program that allocates money to schools with a high percentage of low-income families and students — receive 94 percent of federal education funding. “Cupertino schools … [have] had to rely on parcel taxes to make up the budget shortfalls,” Khanna said. “[Title I schools are] important, but we also need funding coming for schools that are focused on STEM and schools that are turning out high performers and entrepreneurs.” These types of students, whom Khanna claims are “so much smarter than I was, so much more passionate, so much more creative,” are among the many positive attributes of both the 17th Congressional District and the greater Bay Area. The son of Indian immigrants, Khanna also extols the vast array of ethnic backgrounds and cultural customs present in the district that make it uniquely diverse. “We have such a large Chinese population and South Asian population, Vietnamese population, Filipino population — we really look like the world,” Khanna said. “I will take that incredible diversity and that perspective to Congress to help us develop constructive partnerships with Asia and understand technology in Silicon Valley.” It now appears, according to a Feb. 21 San Jose Mercury News editorial, that Honda has a serious opponent. Additional pressure has been placed on the Honda campaign as the 17th District — which includes the majority of Silicon Valley, plus select areas in the East Bay — is new territory, unclaimed by any representative due to recent redistricting. Despite these challenges, Honda has yet to accept any invitations for debate against Khanna. One of Khanna’s top priorities — reaching
Art students reach out to community STUDENT ARTISTS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Through carefully set deadlines and weekly meetings, the club expects to finish all of the artwork by March; upon completion, the paintings will fill an entire wall of the facility. Other artistic endeavors recently explored by students include participation in competitions like the annual Santa Clara County High School Juried Art Exhibition hosted by Museums of Los Gatos. Under this year’s theme, “Art is a conversation. What do you have to say?”, students were asked to vi-
sually communicate their answers through various medium. From over 700 submissions, two students from the school were chosen as finalists: senior Kelly Lee and sophomore April Ding. Their work will be exhibited at the museum from April 25 to May 11; the winning pieces will be announced during an awards reception on April 24. For art lovers and those simply interested in exploring art alike, opportunities to delve into the realm of art are seemingly endless — and ready to be explored. ■
Students form new tutoring programs TUTORING, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
out for the youth vote — is evident in his campaign, which has thus far included speaking at local high schools and contacting student publications such as this newspaper. In fact, Khanna dropped by the school during tutorial on Feb. 26 for a speech that attracted about 150 students from all grade levels. Between discussing policy, fielding questions and taking the occasional selfie with eager attendees, Khanna made clear that young people will be an important demographic in deciding this election. “I hope everyone … will talk to their families around the dinner table about the election,” Khanna said. “I think in high school you often can play a real leadership role, even in your own family, and talk about these issues and then voice opinions.” Upcoming issues of this newspaper will feature interviews with incumbent Mike Honda and student interns from both Khanna’s and Honda’s campaigns as the 17th District prepares for what will surely be an exciting Congressional race. ■
ing program] at the end of our sophomore year and we went to the first meeting,” Thakkar said. “In the first meeting, they started to explain how they were helping people in the Core classes and we wondered why they did not have tutoring for math.” After consulting with their former math teacher and math department chair, Kathleen Seidl, the girls began plans to have a program ready by the 2013-2014 school year. Currently, their science and math tutoring program is undoubtedly a major success. According to the founders of the club, crowds of up to 30 students often come to each chemistry session, while the math sessions attract an average of 20 students. Said Trivedi, “[Our] tutoring covers everything from Algebra 1 to AP Calculus BC and we even have some AP Statistics tutors.” Furthermore for those seeking help in the humanities, the very popular Writing Lab has also been well-received by students looking to improve their writings. Literature teachers often recommend that their students head over to the writing lab to get feedback and constructive criticisms from the experienced writers. “Most writing sessions with a student usually involve a detailed one to one evaluation of the [student’s] essay,” junior and Writing Lab tutor Siddarth Sundaram said. “We first read over the essay and then identify awkward sentences and irrelevant details that detract from the overall quality of the writing. Once we have identified the [any] problems, we discuss how might we fix the errors to best improve the essay and I often share tips and tricks that have personally worked for me.” Tutors also benefit from their teaching experience. Many peer tutors feel that their TUTORING, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
The Prospector
March 7, 2014
News
3
CAT and choirs find success in competitions, travels MARVIN WANG lifestyles assistant
ALL PHOTOS BY THU DAM
GABRIEL OLAGOV
During the first weekend of February, members of Cupertino Actors Theatre (CAT) attended the Lenaea High School Theatre Festival in Folsom Lake, Calif., returning with a total of six awards from this three-day acting competition. While the group walked away with various medals in categories ranging from Monologue to One Act, senior Gabriel Olagov as well as others acknowledged the difficult road to success. “Practicing is really difficult and it shows in competitions the kind of effort you put into it,” Olagov, who won a gold medal for his monologue from “Savage in Limbo,” said. “It is a painful, rigorous process, but we all pull through in the end.” Olagov joined drama during his sophomore year and, finding himself drawn to the discipline, auditioned for CAT the next year. Winning the highest honors at Le-
SAURAV JAMMALAMADAGU
naea, he says, is a highlight of his CAT career. “It was one of my best moments in life,” Olagov said. Sophomore CAT actor Emerald Lacy was caught by surprise with the announcement of the bronze medal that she and senior Sean Okuniewicz had won for their scene from “Lend Me a Tenor.” “I see [competition] as a challenge so I wasn’t really expecting anything,” Lacy said. “I was there for the experience and was surprised that we won a medal.” However, recognition in the form of awards does not come without great effort. Between rehearsals for the fall play, spring musical and various events in between, CAT is, said sophomore member Bar Kimchi, “basically a varsity sport all year long.” Said Kimchi, “You stay at school, you practice. You go home, you also practice.” Even in the midst of rehearsals for spring musical “Tommy,” the group will be competing in the Ohlone College High School Theatre Festival in March.
SEAN OKUNIEWICZ
Not the only performers around, the school’s Cappella and Cantos choir groups are heading to New York City this April to perform their respective repertoires — and have some touristy fun when not singing. Said senior and Capella member Kiana Paclibon, “It is really exciting for us … we are going to sing things like the national anthem in a big cathedral and maybe visit the World Trade Center.” In fact, many parallels can be drawn between CAT and the choirs, as performance skills play an integral role in the work of both groups. “[Because] we [are going to] perform for the audience, we have to convey some emotions,” Paclibon said. “The point of performing is to get your audience to feel something, so not only we have to sound good, our facial expressions need to be appropriate.” ■
Peer tutoring
TUTORING, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
own skills are reinforced and that their teaching skills greatly improve throughout the course of the session. Said junior Srikar Srivatsa, “When teaching anything, I find that it reinforces my knowledge of any given subject, because I am forced to explain it out loud in a structured and detailed manner such that someone can actually learn from what I’m saying.” With expansion of new math and science tutoring programs, as well as the increase in participation with the writing lab, many students find new opportunities to hone their academic skills needed to survive in rigorous high school courses. ■
Opinions
4 The
Triple Package
March 7, 2014
why believing that race can determine success is erroneous, prejudiced and dangerous
STAFF EDITORIAL
In February of this year, author of “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” Amy Chua and her husband Jed Rubenfeld released a new book, “The Triple Package,” detailing how ethnic groups possessing a “triple package” of traits are more likely to succeed in America. A superiority complex, a sense of insecurity and impulse control, Chua and Rubenfeld argue, explain why East Asians, Cubans, Jews, Indians, Nigerians, Mormons, Iranians and Lebanese are more likely to succeed. However, Chua and Rubenfeld’s evidence is questionable at best, comprising mainly anecdotes and selectively-chosen statistics; they fail to substantiate any causation between ethnic values and an ethnic group’s success.
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Believing that someone’s ethnic values determine their ability to succeed promotes a cultural deadlock of unacceptance and ignorance
The essential flaw in Chua and Rubenfeld’s argument is that they attempt to pin the success of their chosen ethnic groups on ethnicity alone when socioeconomic explanations are far more logical. For example, as Indian-American writer Suketu Mehta points out in his article “The ‘Tiger Mom’ Superiority Complex,” Chua’s assertions regarding Indian culture are dubious; if Indian culture truly makes Indians predisposed to succeed, then why is India one of the poorest, most corrupt countries in the world? The reason that Indian-Americans attain above-average levels of education and incomes in the U.S. is not their cultural values, Mehta explains, but that Indian immigrants are self-selecting – the flight to America on its own would cost a year’s salary for the average Indian, so only the wealthiest Indians can afford to immigrate in the first place. This shows how many Indian immigrants have a decided advantage over other immigrant groups. In fact, this more privileged starting point is shared by many members of Chua and Rubenfeld’s eight ethnic groups, including Chua’s own family. As she discusses in her 2002 book “World On Fire,” Chua descends from Chinese Filipinos, an ethnic group which accounts for one percent of the population of the Phil-
LAURA SHKOURATOFF news assistant
ippines but dominates 60 percent of its economy. Counterexamples to Chua and Rubenfeld’s arguments are innumerable, but they all point to the same conclusion: that ethnic values are not a reliable indicator of a group’s success. Rather, the principal factor determining a group’s success in America is the socioeconomic situation surrounding their arrival. Since Chua and Rubenfeld’s book forces an ethno-cultural explanation upon circumstances far easier explained in socioeconomic terms, it is clear that it does not really explain the success of different ethnic groups through careful scientific analysis. Instead, it champions an elitist ideology, effectively promoting the superiority of so-called “Triple Package” ethnic groups and demeaning all others. Chua and Rubenfeld’s argument is not new. It echoes the justifications perpetrators of slavery, imperialism and genocide have used throughout history. Yet, these beliefs find supporters every time they arise, including this time, as many reviewers proclaim Chua and Rubenfeld’s book to reveal some kind of ugly truth. What is really the ugly truth, however, is that the recurrence of unjustifiably racist ideas seems to suggest that belief in ethnic superiority is ingrained in our culture. The only way to get past this truth is to understand that promoting ethnic superiority, whether through questionable data and supposedly scientific analysis or openly racist dogma, only encourages elitism and narcissism among the “superior” and feelings of inferiority and oppression among those less fortunate. Only a progressive society can achieve the socioeconomic equality that may narrow gaps in income and education. Openly promoting the superiority of some groups over others only serves to widen those gaps and exacerbate issues of inequality. For these reasons, it must be concluded that ethnicity in and of itself does not make anyone superior, and that believing that someone’s ethnic values determine their ability to succeed only promotes a cultural deadlock of unacceptance and ignorance. However, this is not to say that differences between ethnicities are bad, or that they should be ignored. In fact, diversity is one of the greatest strengths of the human race. By acknowledging human diversity in all forms and cultures, and valuing the unique contributions to society that individuals of all ethnic backgrounds can bring, we have the potential to advance more than ever before.
in defense of
IMPULSE CONTROL
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX
SENSE OF SECURITY
slacktivism
why armchair activists will save the world We’ve all seen it online — the purple-tinted profile pictures aimed at promoting cancer awareness, the graphic YouTube videos that document extreme poverty in developing nations before asking viewers to share the information with their friends. “Slacktivism,” as many call these online wordof-mouth efforts, is a modern, technology-centric twist on an age-old practice, used frequently to refer to such actions as liking a photo on Facebook or signing an online petition. This negative term is used to accuse online advocacy of replacing “actual” activism with an image, video or online action that, in the end, does not actually benefit the cause. In fact, many argue that clicking “share” only provides a brief glimmer of self-satisfaction for a guilt-ridden viewer while not actually helping to remedy the issue in any way. However, the Internet has recently proven otherwise: so-called slacktivism has actually taken activism to a whole new level. Social media users are becoming more exposed to and aware of today’s global issues, because making videos, creating petitions and sharing pictures has never been simpler. Although it is true that sending a tweet is rarely as effective as attending a sit-in, it can accomplish much the same goal by spreading awareness to people across the world — and awareness is the first step toward meaningful action. It gives people information, motivation and methods through
which they can support a cause. Even if a social media user shares a video or changes their profile picture without the intention of getting involved, it may be viewed by a friend or family member who is then inspired to take action. Online activism is quickly bringing power to the people of the world. As demonstrated in the defeat of the heavily criticized Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) nearly three years ago, online activism can often strongly affect real-world decisions. When Internet users found that SOPA would censor their online freedom of expression, over 10 million petition signatures were picked up online while members of Congress received over three million emails asking them to oppose the legislation. As a result of this, many representatives felt the need to come out publicly against the act, quickly shutting down any potential of SOPA becoming a reality. Furthermore, in July 2013, an online petition to promote anti-corruption laws in Brazil was signed by over 1.6 million worldwide, resulting in a series of governmental improvements and laws, while Invisible Children’s documentary, “Kony 2012,” has brought millions together to effectively stop a war in Uganda and surrounding African nations. Slacktivists, though not granted much glory, often evolve into strong leaders and advocates for world change. In fact, a recent study conducted by Pew Research has shown that people who consider themselves online activists are twice as likely to volunteer, ask for donations or take part in a charityrelated event. A powerful picture or informative article gives online activists hope and reason to participate in community or worldwide activities. While slacktivism may not be a substitute for pickets or protests, it is a vital first step toward cause involvement and eventual global change.
Opinions
The Prospector
March 7, 2014
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The hypersexualization of women’s bodies
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actions taken after supporting a cause through social media
donate money 59%
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purchase a product 40%
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carnivorous tendencies (or lack thereof) are not a measure of masculinity 15%
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Chevrolet recently had a Super Bowl ad spot that included all the feel-good American charm that any viewer could possibly imagine, with shots of outdoor barbeques and large automobiles splashing through mud puddles. But according to this commercial, “a man and his truck” apparently cannot exist alongside tofu, kale salad and veggie burgers — it’s just not manly to forgo meat. Chevy’s got it wrong. There are numerous benefits to going vegetarian that are largely overlooked by today’s society. According to the California Institute of Technology, an acre of land can produce 40,000 pounds of potatoes in comparison to a mere 250 pounds of beef. Furthermore, in accordance with a 2006 study by the United Nations, the meat industry is more responsible for climate change than the burning of fossil fuels; essentially, the methane released by animals raised for meat is ruining our environment more so than the entire transportation industry. The UN has also claimed that the production of each kilogram of beef results in an emission of 16 kilograms of carbon dioxide, in comparison to the 0.8 kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted per kilogram of wheat produced— simply put, a kilogram of beef gives off 20 times the amount of carbon dioxide as a kilogram of wheat. Chevy’s “damning” of vegetarian food, then, promotes a waste of land in order to prove one’s manliness. By equating masculinity with the consumption of meat, Chevy further perpetuates an already-narrow definition of masculinity by promoting the idea that those who choose not to eat meat lose credibility as a man. Based on Chevy’s logic, masculinity is all about causing global warming and stripping the world of resources — in other words, this definition of masculinity directly opposes basic humanity. Adding on to the environmental benefits of going vegetarian, a vegetarian diet also lowers the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Meat-based diets, which tend to be high in fat and cholesterol content, also create more cardiovascular issues than vegetarian diets, which are higher in fiber. According to the Harvard Medical School, vegetarians have a 25 percent lower chance of dying from heart disease, primarily because a higher fiber intake reduces the risk clogged arteries. Vegetarians are also half as likely to develop Type II diabetes than their meat-eating peers, since the saturated fat in meat reduces the body’s capability to control blood sugar by increasing resistance to insulin. Should one want greenhouse gases to ruin the world’s environment, meat is the way to go; however, for the rest of us, going vegetarian would improve the world$225.90 on a multitude of levels. The UN also reported that if the United Kingdom reduced meat consumption by 50 percent, there would be a 19 percent lower emission of 59% greenhouse gases and nearly 43,000 lives would be protected from $22.97 the harmful effects$225.90 of a meat-heavy diet. Through simple fear tactics implying that without meat, viewers will seem unmasculine, Chevy damages the59% world not only by producing some of the worst offenders in gas-guzzling vehicles, but also by promoting practices that are continually proven to ruin the global environment and cause health complications. To that, I say: 53% Sausage links and burgers be damned.
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“In 2004, Jawed Karim, then a 25-yearold Silicon Valley whiz kid, decided he wanted to make it easier to find the Jackson clip and other in-demand videos. A year later, he and a couple of friends founded YouTube, the largest video-sharing site of all time.” 59%
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Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” was so scandalous that it inspired the creation of Youtube, which says something about America’s priorities
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Two Guinness World Records, the launch of Youtube and the popular term ‘wardrobe malfunction’ can all be credited to one 9/16th of a second. More specifically, to Janet Jackson’s nip slip, termed “Nipplegate,” ten years ago at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. During the MTV-produced show, network guest Justin Timberlake accidentally pulled off part of Jackson’s corset, leaving her breast visible on live television. The backlash that followed was immense; MTV was banned from producing another halftime show and Jackson’s public image suffered due to blacklists and harsh criticism. While painfully ironic that Timberlake, the boobbearer himself, never faced even a fraction of the backlash Jackson received, this incident is another reminder of the stigma and sexualization surrounding breasts. In the modern day, women must walk a thin line between modest and sexy; a line drawn by societal expectations. Even the most innocent sliver of skin has the potential to anger and scandalize the public, despite the so-called progressive era in which we now live. Nowhere is this phenomenon more visible than in the current controversy surrounding breastfeeding. Women’s bodies have become so sexualized that even feeding a child has been deemed inappropriate for public, as women are frequently kicked out of restaurants and stores for this basic human act. Despite being the natural purpose
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of breasts, breastfeeding has been stigmatized by society as something worth discomfort or hostility. The idea that breasts are anything more than eye candy for filling out a Victoria’s Secret bra is a foreign concept to many. Then there are the warring views of modesty and “modernity.” People want to protect the modest and pure image they held of women in the past and yet they are so obsessed with sexualizing and objectifying them. Young girls are preached messages of purity while at the same time bombarded with the idea that sex appeal is the most important trait they can possess. Such a way of thinking is dangerous, not only to the well-being of girls but also in the way society continues to evolve and approach the rights women demand of it. While there are corrupt politicians and war zones and social rights to report on, the media chooses to write about “wardrobe malfunctions.” The campaign for the 2004 Superbowl show was Rock the Vote, in conjuncture with the upcoming Presidential Elections. The war in Iraq was a significant topic of debate, but in the weeks and months following the incident, the media’s focus shifted almost entirely to Jackson’s fallout. Jackson herself later commented in Rolling Stone that “it’s hard to believe that there’s a war and famine going on in the world and yet people made such a big deal about a breast.” If the Western world is so easily scandalized by a body part that it also celebrates, then it may be time for a priority check. Only when people choose reason over outdated ideals can we begin to approach the other issues surrounding women’s rights.
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Features
Mark St. John: Barbados
While most Californians can admit that their lifestyles editor home state has a fairly mild temperature range, few can claim that their native area has a lowestrecorded temperature of 60.8 degrees fahrenheit — and on a cold December evening at that. However, math teacher Mark St. John, who immigrated from the Caribbean island of Barbados in 1985, can attest to not only the acutely warm weather of his country, but to the stark contrast between Barbados and the United States that he observed throughout the immigration process. For one, St. John remarked that the pace of life in Barbados was comparatively slow. “I’m relatively impatient, and everything goes slowly,” St. John said. “You go to the bank, and you stand in a long line, and you get up and they ask you, ‘How’s your vacation?’ and they want to chitchat while there are 25 people standing in line behind you.” Furthermore, St. John observed that Barbadians and Americans differed in terms of many lifestyle habits. For example, Barbadians sustained a prominent British influence, particularly in terms of their school systems and sports — cricket is a popular pastime in the island nation. In addition, Barbados had very few United States-based fastfood ASHLEY LIU
March 7, 2014
franchises; although Barbados had similar cuisines, they tended to be much spicier. However, St. John also noted that Barbados and the United States had a variety of close ties. Not only are the two respective nations’ currencies directly related— the Barbados dollar is defined as 50 cents of the U.S. dollar— but they also share a common language and tastes in popular movies and music. “There are probably half as many Barbadians living in New York as there are living in Barbados,” St. John commented. “There’s actually one flight to New York and one flight to Miami [from Barbados] every day.” St. John said that his greatest concern during his immigration experience was forming a new network of acquaintances in the United States. Nevertheless, he did not face significant difficulties in keeping in contact with his family and friends in Barbados, as Intel Corporation, his company at the time, made accommodations for him to visit Barbados routinely. A relatively smooth immigration experience, however, did not mean the journey was free from several comical mishaps. For example, when St. John and his son— also named Mark— arrived in Puerto Rico, the security agent looked at their documents and inquired as to how to differentiate the two. “Well, I’m probably not the one who was born eight years ago,” St. John said with a laugh.
Monica Shehata: Egypt
While she frequently answers questions about riding camels to ALEX SHIEH school or worshipping ancient deities, sophomore Monica Shehata features assistant cannot help but laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of the ideas some of her peers hold about her home country of Egypt. “Actually, Egypt is as modern as any country could get,” Shehata said. “I find it funny how some people still have this image about Egypt that people live in pyramids and get mummified when they die.” During the summer of 2013, Shehata immigrated from Oman to the United States, although the first nine years of her life were spent in Helwan, a suburb in Egypt’s capital city of Cairo. Said Shehata, “We immigrated here for several reasons. Egypt was and still is very unstable with widespread chaos [and] my parents wanted me to get a good education.” Language also played a large role in her family’s decision to move: “Ever since I [lived in] Oman, I stopped learning Arabic; it was all English as we weren’t in Arabic school [anymore] … [and] we knew that we probably wouldn’t be going back to Egypt.” Often a difficult hurdle in times of immigration, language barriers were not a problem for Shehata, as she had long taken English classes during her schooling in Egypt. Her education in the United States’ dominant tongue made the move just that much easier. Although she misses life in Oman and in Egypt equally, Shehata says she likely will not be returning to either country in the near future, especially Egypt, which has been wracked by political power struggles and violence since the eruption of the Arab Spring three years ago. “The last time we were in Egypt [in 2011], the revolution was still fresh and so we couldn’t go out much,” Shehata said. “If we did, we were always scared that something might happen. And till now our relatives in Egypt have gas bombs thrown into their homes.” The many differences between life in the United States and in both Oman and Egypt quickly caught Shehata’s attention — according to her, diversity is much more widespread in the Bay Area, whereas in Egypt, the only notable cultural contrasts were between countryside folks and the people in the cities, as the people in the countryside would maintain their traditions and cultures while urban dwellers tended to adopt westernized customs. Shehata also pointed to Egyptian food as a subject surrounded by cultural differences. Though not resemblant of the Arabic food many believe it to be, their daily foods consisted of rice with cooked vegetables and some sort of meat. Said Shehata, “I haven’t really seen any American food here, unless you are considering fast food.”
March 7, 2014
The Prospector
Nathan Abegaz: Ethiopia Amidst the sprawling plateaus and mountains of Ethiopia lies the city of Addis flip side assistant Ababa, or “New Flower,” where sophomore Nathan Abegaz spent most of his life before immigrating to the United States. “I can’t think of words that can capture Ethiopia unless you actually go visit,” Abegaz said with a smile. “It’s truly a place that I believe everyone should go visit at least once in their life.” Abegaz’s routine in Ethiopia was very similar to his current day-to-day life in the States. Abegaz and his sister would walk to school together with their friends and afterward, finish homework and spend some time with their family. During the weekends, Abegaz would hang out with his friends and oftentimes play soccer. But when his family decided to immigrate to the United States three years ago, Abegaz was filled with apprehension at the thought of potentially leaving a familiar environment behind. “I had mixed-up emotions when I heard I was moving to the U.S.,” Abegaz said. “I was filled with excitement [about visiting] a new country … however, I also felt sad because I was going to leave my friends and relatives in Ethiopia.” Once Abegaz completed his move to United States, he was shocked at how difJEREMY XUE
January 8, 2013: For junior John Kim, this was the day that changed his life. He had safely arrived in the United States and no longer needed to keep running from the oppressive, heavily guarded nation of North Korea. With restrictions on human rights described by a recent United Nations report as “without parallel in the modern world,” Kim and his friends endured the extreme control of North Korea before JESSICA SHIN escaping. Although they lived in an orphanage when flip side editor they were younger and later attended an academy, they were forced to comply with the demands of their supe-
John Kim: North Korea
Features
ferent life was in Cupertino, particularly within the school system. “The school [that I attended] in Ethiopia had a system where the students [didn’t] move from class to class for each subject; instead, the teachers moved to our designated class,” Abegaz said. “When answering a teacher’s question, it was necessary to stand up from your desk to answer the question. It was a way of showing respect.” However, getting used to the culture of California was no problem. Abegaz notes that the weather in the Bay Area shares many similarities with that of Ethiopia. Furthermore, language was not an issue as learning English was required in the school that Abegaz and his siblings attended. However, his siblings, having immigrated at a much younger age, suffered from homesickness, missing the relatives who were now thousands of miles away. Fortunately, Abegaz and his family have not let their cultural roots fade away. Oftentimes, they cook traditional Ethiopian foods such as injera, a sour flatbread that can be eaten in a various number of ways, usually with spices. Said Abegaz, “We take that tradition that [we practiced] in Ethiopia, and we [continue it over here].”at how different life was in Cupertino, particularly within the school system. “The school [that I attended] in Ethiopia had a system where the students [didn’t] move from class to class for each subject; instead, the teachers moved to our designated class,” Abegaz said. “When answering a teacher’s question, it was necessary to stand up from your desk to answer the question. It was a way of showing respect.” One of the biggest changes for Abegaz was the perspective on technology. According to Abegaz, Ethiopian life was much simpler. “Living here is more [focused on] technology— smartphones, tablets, you name it,” Abegaz said. “While Ethiopia has all these things, we don’t really depend on [them].” On the other hand, getting used to the culture of California was n o problem. Abegaz notes that the weather in the Bay Area shares many similarities with that of Ethiopia. Furthermore, language was not an issue as learning English was required in the school that Abegaz and his siblings attended. However, his siblings, having immigrated at a much younger age, suffered from homesickness, missing the relatives who were now thousands of miles away. Fortunately, Abegaz and his family have not let their cultural roots fade away. Oftentimes, they cook traditional Ethiopian foods such as injera, a sour flatbread that can be eaten in a various number of ways, usually with spices. Said Abegaz, “We take that tradition that [we practiced] in Ethiopia, and we [continue it over here].”
riors or be subjected to verbal and physical punishment. For students, the freedom to go outside was nonexistent; only authorities could set foot outside the building. In an interview conducted in Korean, Kim said, “There was nothing we could do but listen to them.” After running away from the environment he labeled as “uncomfortable,” Kim and his friends sought asylum near Changbai Mountain, which is located on the border between North Korea and China. Along the way, they met a South Korean missionary who helped the group find refuge in various nations. While some headed to South Korea, Kim and two of his other friends decided to come to the United States. Life in America came in stark contrast to his past experiences in North Korea. After his immigration, Kim was adopted by the pastor of Korean Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and enrolled in school. However, these differences were not the most significant for him. “There is a lot more freedom here,” Kim said. “I can go wherever I want.” Although these drastic changes positively impacted his life, Kim still had a difficult time adjusting to his new environment. His introduction to the public education system of the United States was paved with difficulty — the language barriers were a struggle, despite the help that he received from various Korean and non-Korean students. He had trouble doing his homework by himself and was forced to constantly seek assistance. By contrast, schooling in North Korea was confined to occasional classes at a nearby academy. The students also lived in these academies and lived under the tight control of the teachers. Students’ classes were determined solely by teachers and Kim claimed that the classes were not very comprehensive, resulting in chronic underachievement among most students, even in subjects as crucial as English. “I took an English class [at the academy],” Kim said, “but I learned more English after I ran away to China.” Despite these various positive changes that followed with Kim’s immigration, he admitted that he would still be willing to return to his home country. S a i d Kim, “If there was a way, I would go back to North Korea just for my friends.”
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Lifestyles
DELANIE MEDINA flip side assistant
Regretfully, it seems that no matter what choices one makes, there will always be those who find ways to scrutinize and belittle these decisions. Many wrongly feel a sense of entitlement to interject their own opinions on subjects as personal as one’s appearance, seemingly forgetting that whatever a person does with their body, regardless of their reasons, is not an invitation for critique. Tattoos, though a common sight in modern society, remain expressive of this harmful attitude. More often than not, tattoos are greeted by others with judgement — they question the motives behind the ink, wondering why anyone would permanently mark their body. But while tattoos have gradually become more socially acceptable, those with body art are still frequently labeled as uneducated deviants whose tattoos mark them as irresponsible or prone to crime. In fact, a study conducted by Vault.com, a career intelligence site, found that nearly 60 percent of employers said they would be less likely to hire someone with visible tattoos or piercings, while almost 50 percent said they would have a lower opinion of someone with visible body art. Similarly, Colin Kaepernick, starter quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, believes that his ability to be the face of a franchise is frequently called into question based on his numerous tattoos. Despite this, he hopes to change that perception because “[he doesn’t] want people to think [they] have to look a certain way or be a certain mold” to do their job. Although standards in the workplace differ from those of day-today lives, people with tattoos should not be denied the opportunities others are offered based on the choices they make in regards to their bodies. This trend can also be observed in gender presentation. More specifically, when someone defies the social norms of masculinity and femininity, there are often repercussions that follow, as these expectations place people in boxes that allow no room for deviation without ridicule and judgement. Men and women are stereotypically confined to narrow roles from birth — and after a while, those roles become so ordinary that the very nature of these stereotypes is often forgotten. Such ideas are the reason why women with short haircuts or men carrying purses are so frequently looked upon with judgment. Whether it be with tattoos or gender identity or any other form of self-expression, it is crucial to remember that one’s exterior should never be ranked in importance above characteristics like kindness or professionalism or intelligence. And as one’s appearance has virtually no impact on the lives of others, snide remarks or “helpful” comments are not just rude — they’re ridiculous.
March 7, 2014
society still begs the question: WHY ARE
TATTOOS considered [?]
Lifestyles
The Prospector
March 7, 2014
Farm animals @
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4-H
BRIAN ZHONG sports assistant
When it’s 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning, the typical teenager might wake up begrudgingly to the sound of an alarm forgotten to be set for later. But freshman Peter Martin is already getting ready to take care of his pigs at McClellan Ranch in Cupertino — a typical day involved feeding, bathing and working on training activities with the swine. In the heart of an area known for high tech and urban development, Martin’s favorite activity is one that most students would never expect: raising farm animals. Martin, along with senior Melissa Robell, are members of 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization that strives to heighten students’ awareness of science, food security and healthy living. Martin first joined the organization in middle school when one of his friends asked him to come see his pig. “I’ve known him for several years and did not know that he had a pig,” Martin said. “I was very interested, so I hung out with [my friend] as they worked with their pig. I thought it was a lot of fun so I decided to join.” Raising farm animals is not without its challenges. Robell reminisces about a situation that could easily have turned disastrous: “One time, the pigs came out into an exercise area and dug in the chicken coop, since pigs
really like to dig with their snouts. The chickens flew out and the barn owls, hungry for some lunch, swooped down and grabbed a couple of chickens.” One of the most profound takeaways from the program is character development. Raising farm animals can really transform people from followers to leaders. “One girl working on a farm project was once very quiet,” Martin said. “All of a sudden, the girl started talking and is now very extroverted. Because of [her involvement in 4-H], the girl came out of her shell.” 4-H is not an organization just for animal lovers. As Robell noted, “There’s so much more to do than just agriculture. I was on the executive board of a club with 200 members. I also led an overnight leadership conference for seventh graders.” Martin admits that 4-H isn’t for everyone, yet he encourages everyone to try it out. “Almost everyone wants to help other people out and sacrifice for others,” Martin said. “Anyone who goes [to a meeting] and sees what it’s like would definitely be interested.”
ADDICTIVE* 20
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*uncreatIVE 3 1 0 2
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1 1 0 2 SERENA NGAN features assistant
League of Legends is just a newer version of Dota. Candy Crush is a more visually appealing replica of Bejeweled. Ironpants is a simply a Flappy Birds clone. New game releases are becoming more and more aesthetically pleasing, but the level of creativity is dropping rapidly. Many have heard or even made accusations against this seemingly ongoing trend of “copy-cat” games becoming viral; however, it is often not realized that the creators of games are not copying for the sake of monetary benefit alone
– they are instead innovating and improving already made games that they believe will appeal to a larger consumer base. Yes, there are countless ideas for games that are not written into code yet, but one must understand that game makers are often confined to specific elements that are included in a game. These essential components restrict game creators to a limited amount of ideas for games. Even so, there are a few features that are added to each game to set it apart or improve from another game. By creating more diverse versions of an already popular game, game makers are further discovering what makes a game enjoyable and more appealing for customers, showing that game developers are not just focusing
on making money, but they also possess an interest to add greatness to games with simple tactics. Despite the time change, people consistently enjoy similar types of games – from the satisfaction of completing a mission to the yearning to beat one’s high score, the exact same elements of games attract gamers who later become addicted. Due to these consistent trends in gaming preferences, the creators of games are obligated to use those exact components to ensure that their products will be both popular and fun. Having said that, one can conclude that the consistency of themes in many games is not truly the fault of game producers — they are simply catering to the interests of their customers.
Sports
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March 7, 2014
BALLIN’ Varsity boys soccer team makes turnaround for winning season THU DAM photo editor
Sometimes, the difference between winning and losing can be unnoticeable, but those few extra practices or team bonding experiences can elevate a team to be at the top of their game. A team can only function efficiently when all the members work together; this year, the boys varsity soccer team hit their stride as they finished fourth in the El Camino league with four wins, five losses, and three ties. With a total of 22 goals scored, the team members drastically reversed their predecessors’ unfortunate and undeterred losing streak. This massive improvement in performance, compared to previous seasons, nearly brought the team to the Central Coast Sectionals (CCS) playoffs. For a team that had previously held a record of consistent
“
I think all the juniors and underclassmen this year can step it up for next season ... all the more experienced players on the team can lead well and having that strong leadership and experience will lead the team to CCS
- Junior Patrick Jung
losses over the past several seasons, this sudden turnaround was both impressive and unprecedented, requiring a combination of strenuous practices, discipline, and devotion. The changes that were implemented throughout the season demanded the effort o f each and every member, but their dedication showed through their commitment to practici n g regardless of how early they would have to rise i n the morning. Sacrificing their time for the team paid off when the pressure mounted during an intense match. “We worked as a team during early morning practice, and we went to the weight room at six in the morning on school days, weekends and breaks in or-
der to fine tune our skills,” senior and team captain Trenton Randles said. “Our soccer team united, and even though it was really early in the morning, we bonded because we wanted to have a successful season.” As team captain, Randles motivated the team to focus during practices and games, while the strict rules of timeliness to practices enforced by coach Edison Penafiel’s promoted camaraderie and trust amongst the players. The shared leadership brought strength to the previously lacking team unity. The team’s strong connection with one another remains even after the closure of the season, and the graduating seniors continue to encourage their teammates to continue working hard in order to accomplish their goal of making it to CCS. Out of the seven teams in the league, a team must be one of the top two to qualify for CCS. The team held the third place position for a duration and, at one point in the season, tied for second. Because they just missed the cut to qualify, many team members who are returning the following season are optimistic about their chances. “I expect our team to go to CCS next year because I think all the juniors and underclassmen this year can step it up for the next season,” junior Patrick Jung said. “All the more experienced players on the team can lead well and having that strong leadership and experience will lead the team to CCS.” Jung typically held the position of forward, but in the best interest of the team, would substitute in for other positions as well without complaint. These traits of diversity, flexibility and sacrifice amongst the players allowed the varsity team to tackle difficult obstacles and work together as a unit to succeed. If the harmony and diligence of of the team can carry into the next season, CCS may be well within reach.
March 7, 2014
Breaks and tears and sprains: tales of athletic injuries
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Sporting superstitions YANE AHN copy assistant
RISHI NAIR web crew
According to the National Federation of State High School Association’s High School Athletics Participation Survey, more than 7.6 million high school students were involved in sports in the 2010-2011 academic year. Unfortunately, what comes along with such a high number of high school athletes is a high number of injuries, something only too common among sports at this school. While injuries can be caused by factors ranging from poor training to insufficient warm-ups to a lack of conditioning, the path to recovery from athletic injuries can be difficult, often needing extensive physical therapy to rebuild strength and flexibility and, moreover, to get athletes ready to play sports again. After tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing volleyball during the past season, “it became difficult for me to walk because of my injured leg, so I had to use crutches,” sophomore Niharika Sanghavi said. The road to recovery — and, hopefully, a return to the varsity volleyball team come August — means lots of work for Sanghavi. “My therapist taught me some stretches and exercises to prevent an injury in the future,” Sanghavi said. “My injury has definitely taught me to try to be more safe in the future.” Physical therapy is crucial after any major injuries, as it helps prevent future injuries and alleviate pain, generally ensuring that an athlete can continue to play their sport. Another athlete currently going through this process is senior Nikki Pothireddy. “During soccer, I was running back for the ball and this other girl was next to me,” Pothireddy said. “She stepped on my foot, so I lost balance and twisted my knee. I tore my ACL and meniscus.” Clearly, ACL sprains or tears are some of the most common knee injuries, especially among female athletes. The ACL is a crucial part of the body, as it connects two bones in the knee and thus, when torn or injured, affects smooth motion. And while recovering from any injury is difficult, a tear, break or sprain in the leg is particularly debilitating. “I have to use crutches, so I can’t really go anywhere,” Pothireddy said. “I can’t go upstairs and it’s just put a strain on my family because it’s hard to do stuff … they have to take more care of me.” While Pothireddy will ultimately have to undergo surgery to repair her torn ligaments, she has been attending physical therapy since the time of her injury and will continue to do so afterward. Though she will be sidelined for about a year, Pothireddy has high hopes for returning to soccer in her sophomore year of college. Even through the painful stage of relearning how to safely use her injured leg throughout her future soccer career, Pothireddy sees a good side to her injury. “My friends have helped me a lot — carrying stuff for me from class to class, just by being there,” Pothireddy said, “and it made me appreciate the people who helped me.”
Sports
The Prospector
to shave his Ex-Giants player Brian Wilson refused facial hair ing beard during the playoff season. Maintain 1980s. the e sinc for good luck has been a superstition
All sports teams take their competitions seriously, readying themselves for upcoming games and matches with intense practice sessions and careful strategizing. But the preparation is not limited just to physical practice — many teams take part in group rituals to guarantee a win, while individual players themselves often engage in some unconventional traditions on the side. Although junior Patrick Jung prepares for every game by consuming “a lot of carbs” in advance, his rituals go far beyond nutrition. “I have to wear the right kind of underwear to play a game,” he said. Senior Kohsheen Sharma described her own good luck charms: “I have these special [Nike] Elite socks that I really like and I always have to wear them for every home game.” Sharma also found significance in the bonding activities that her varsity basketball team took part in before playing.
“We have a ‘secret sister’ for every home game and we exchange gifts,” Sharma said. “Our coach always sends us little gifts during school [that] we open during brunch.” The closeness of a team can be a deciding factor in victories or losses, because whether a win or loss is in store, there will always be a guarantee of fun. The football team spends a serious period of time huddled in a prayer after an hour-long physical warm up. During halftime, the team participates in a group chant to ramp up the energy on the field. Senior Michael Hyun, however, does not have any specific way of preparing for games. “I’m good enough,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just kidding, [but] I don’t really do anything to prepare.” Although many athletes, including Hyun, rejected lucky charms in favor of trust in the practices that preceded every game, there may be more to these seemingly arbitrary rituals than meets the eye. An athlete’s mentality going into the game can easily change the outcome — these feel-good preparation techniques may just inspire an extra bit of good fortune.
Michael Jordan wore his University of Nor th Carolina basketball shorts underneath his Chic ago Bulls shorts as a lucky charm.
Top 3 obscure winter sports
BIATHLON | Another interesting sport, biathlon is cross country skiing with a twist: Every mile or so, participants have to stop and shoot targets with the rifles on their backs and then start skiing again until reaching the finish line — and time is added to an athlete’s finish if they miss shots. Even inside biathlon there are different events, such as the individual (20 km), the sprint (10 km) and the relay (4 people, 10 km each). This sport was invented in likeness of skiing and hunting for food during the winter. This sport is very strenuous, requiring endurance and strength to carry a heavy gun for more more than five miles. COMPILED BY JAY SHROFF
CURLING | Probably the most popular of the not-so-popular winter sports, curling has always been criticized as of the most boring Olympic events. In this game, two teams attempt to score points by throwing a stone with a handle (called the “rock”) into a bull’s eye, sliding the rock on the ice and then “scrubbing” the ice in front of the rock to alter direction and speed. Sometimes a team will purposefully throw the rock a bit short to block the other team from scoring. This game actually requires a great deal of strategy, fine-tuned bowling skills and a thick jacket to keep players warm on the ice.
SKELETON | Almost all winter sports are very dangerous (except for curling), involving high speeds, slippery slopes and too much time in the air. However, skeleton is probably the most dangerous them all. It involves going down a bobsled track on a sled head first with no protection, reaching speeds of more than 80 miles per hour — to put that into perspective, these riders travel faster than most cars on the freeway. The track itself is dangerous, with 15 to 17 turns and also involving both up and downhill portions. The amount of strength and courage required makes this a very challenging and thrilling sport.
Flip Side
March 7, 2014
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FEBRUARY IN PHOTOS SERENA NGAN
NIRMIT SHAH
SERENA NGAN
NIRMIT SHAH
GIRLS BASKETBALL | Junior Terese Batingana focuses as she determines her next move.
COMEDY HOUR | Senior Sean Okuniewicz hams it up during the Winter Comedy Showcase.
BACkPACKS: WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT YOU The Clean Freak
JUNIOR PROM FASHION SHOW | Juniors Jonathan Mo and Madalyn Li show the proper attire for Junior Prom.
NIRMIT SHAH
JASON CHEN
POWDERPUFF | During the halftime show, senior Christopher Chan leads the cheerleaders.
VALENTINE SERENADES | The Capella Men’s Choir come together to take an ussie during the seranades.
Have you ever looked at someone’s backpack and thought, “Wow, this person is so normal/strange/cool/ popular/any other description you can think of?” In a world where backpacks are a necessity for school, one’s choice in backpacks almost always reflects something about that person. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the backpacks around the school. The Second Semester Senior
The Classic
PHOTO CRED
Survival tips from an app veteran KEELY ZHANG features editor
Everything about you screams neat and tidy, from the way you dress to the way you eat (cutting you r meat into tiny squares is always the way to go!). Your backpack is most likely filled with handy little compa rtments and binders. God forbid there should ever be a loose paper in you r backpack!
The Minimalist
You are the definition of normal. With a classic black North Face backpack, you probably rock the hallways in a t-shirt and jeans. If you were in a sea of teenagers, there would be almost no way to pick you out.
All right, we get it. You’re a seco nd semester senior who has absolute ly no care for your grades, but there’s no need to rub it in. The rest of us will get there … someday. Hey, at least you bring a backpack in the first plac e!
The Attention-Grabber
The Super Chic
Your flawless elegance and the way you hold yourself floors the rest of us. You have one of everything: one er You bind ’re of the kind of person who everyone e piec one er, eras one cil, pen stea ce ls dan seco You nd glances at. It’s near impose? mor s need o Wh er. pap sible nce fide to spot con you wearing anything noneasy an with life ugh thro coo rdin . atin ease at g. You make people wonder else e yon ever puts that if you roll out of bed looking perfect.
t that it alYour backpack is so brigh flamboyant r most does justice to you d of person kin personality. You’re the And hey, es. lov everyone knows and e your els ing there’s always someth g angry tin rac att : backpack is good for bulls.
NEXT MONTH: MARCH Winter Sports Awards Monday, March 10
Junior Prom Friday, March 14
No School Monday, March 17
CAHSEE Testing Tuesday-Wednesday, March 18-19
International Soccer Week Monday-Friday, March 24-28
Spring Musical: “The Who’s Tommy” Friday-Saturday, March 28-29
COMPILED BY JOYCE YE ALL PHOTOS BY THU DAM JOYCE YE
It’s March, and chances are you’ve bumped into multiple sweaty, zombie-like seniors moaning about college. As one of those seniors, I’d like to add to this already wonderful cornucopia of Happy College Thoughts by telling you the top five things I wish I knew before I applied to college. Firstly, apply to enough schools to give you a fair chance, but don’t apply everywhere! It will cost you too much time — and money. In addition to the obvious application fee (about $70), each college you apply to will incur “hidden costs”: SAT score reports ($11.25), ACT score reports ($12), community college transcripts ($8), etc. Laziness is your friend here. Don’t want to write 500 words for that horribly unique essay prompt that you can’t recycle a previous essay for? Don’t apply. Second, rankings aren’t everything. There are hidden gems beyond the top 10 schools on US News and World Report. Want to stay in California and go to an “engineering liberal arts” (yes, that exists) school? Try Harvey Mudd. The point is, do research, throw away your preconceptions and you may be surprised. One additional hour of Interneting can shape the next four years of your life — you can afford to watch “How I Met Your Mother” later. Third, choose your essay topics carefully. Remember that admissions officers have read thousands of applications, so try to make yours stand out (without creeping out colleges or whatever). Avoid clichés and talking about how a service trip “changed your life.” In fact, I personally found it easiest to write about perfectly mundane things in a creative manner. In addition, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through and even tell a few jokes—as long as your essays still have substance, your essay-reader will appreciate the respite. Fourth, college essays are not lit essays. Lit essays, for the most part, don’t require as much creativity. As per tip #3, college essays do. Therefore, don’t restrict yourself; play a little. And practice. Practice letting your creativity flow early on and come college apps you’ll be a truly excellent writer. Finally, remember that college is just the beginning. College will not guarantee you success and a rejection from your dream school does not mean that you will be subject to a lifetime of failure. In the end, success is dependent on skill, luck and perseverance. Not where you got your undergraduate degree. Don’t believe me? Just ask Mark Zuckerberg. Chances are you’re not going create the next Facebook (if you are, then more power to you). But go ahead—survey the managers in any large company. Don’t be surprised that most of them didn’t go to HYPs.