Issue 6

Raven Report Sequoia High School

Volume V, Issue 6

1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062

March 21, 2012

Seniors win first place at Bay Area science fair

By LAYNE DIENER Staff Reporter Seniors Alison Logia and Roberto Pablo placed first and fourth respectively at the San Francisco Bay Area Science Fair March 12-14.

Both seniors won first place earlier this year at the San Mateo County Science Fair Jan. 30-Feb. 3. Logia won the Physical Science Division with her experiment on polyethylene oxide, and Pablo won the Biological Science Division with his experiment on zinc oxide nanoparticles.

The seniors are now qualified for the California State Fair, April 30, as well as the Intel International Science Fair. The Intel International Science Fair offers college scholarships, and international recognition.

“International recognition is really impressive in the scientific community for resumes and college applications,” Logia said.

Logia’s experiment involved dropping polyethyl-

ene oxide (a syrupy liquid) into a bath of sugar water from different heights to see the different shapes the drops would make in the water.

“The idea is that you can do this with different materials--organic materials, electricity conducting materials--and create wire that thin,” Logia said.

Pablo’s experiment exposed new bacteria to nanoparticles at different conditions; the absence and presence of light, which is thought to be a variable that affects the toxicity of nanoparticles. He also measured the concentration of zinc ions over time because these ions have shown to be toxic to bacteria.

“As I did that, I counted how many cells were killed at different time points,” Pablo said. “I’m interested in the expression of a protein, and understanding its role in the regulation of the cell cycle because this has implications with how cancer works.”

Photo Courtesy of ashley dever

Sophomores Elizabeth Sarabia and Briceida Garcia, and junior Bianca Miani are learning how to create a mobile application at Google Headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

Google sponsors girls’ Iridescent challenge

By COLE DUNBAR Staff Reporter Imagine being able to go to Google once a week for nine weeks and design your own mobile application. A group of ten Sequoia girls led by biotech teacher Ashley Dever have been creating two apps that can be anything they

imagine; the only criteria is that the apps must relate to science.

The girls are divided into two teams; five of the girls are creating an instructive game in which the player unloads trash from a conveyor belt into recycling bins to prevent it from going to a land fill.

The others are making an

app that relates to animal science.

Making the app is part of the Google Technovation Challenge, an annual program in which groups of girls work together to create a prototype app for the Google Android market.

Every Monday ceramics See GOOGLE, page 2

Sequoia receives a glowing WASC report this year

By LILY HARTZELL Staff Reporter The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) visited Sequoia from Feb. 26-29 to review the school for accreditation. They gave a very positive report which is included in student’s college applications.

"Sequoia is a wonderful school, with a strong and committed staff, and extraordinarily supportive administration. There is a strong sense of community, genuine caring, and will to ensure student success that seldom exists in high schools today,” said their report.

The report congratulated our school on our strong sense of community,

our staff ’s commitment and our diversity. The committee suggested that the school works to close the gap between IB and English-language learners, especially in math.

“Overall, the visit could not have gone better. It was very positive with clear direction,” said principal Bonnie Hansen.

The committee of seven was made up of educators from nearby schools.

“They were figuring out whether our diploma means anything,” said English teacher Alissa Talesnick, the visit coordinator. Before the committee arrived, Talesnick worked with Hansen to write a report about our school.

“We included lots of data, lots of information like test scores, survey re-

WASC focus groups.

“It wasn’t too formal, they just wanted examples, so they wanted a student to give their take on the school” said Torres. “They asked about real world applications and the balance between IB and regular classes.”

“We didn’t try to pretend we’re doing what we’re not. We put our best foot forward and we were honest,” said Talesnick.

WASC has put Sequoia on a six-year accreditation cycle, which is the highest possible.

“The committee told me that they felt like, with the people here, and the respect we have for each other, it would have been hard for us to do badly,” said Hansen.

156 students responded to a Facebook survey:

Feature:

Opinion:

Tattoos Revealed

Reality of the R-word

Page 3

sults, and demographics. It basically tells them what we’re doing, and they come to make sure we’re doing the stuff we say we’re doing,” said Talesnick.

One part of the report is the action plan.

“The action plan is what we’re going to do with the information we put in the report.” said Hansen.

The main goals covered were to improve test scores, improve writing, and increase the number of students meeting the A-G requirements.

During the week committee met with teachers, administrators, and students in small groups.

Senior Amanda Torres was one of the students who participated in the

Page 4

At what time do you go to sleep on a school night?

47% Between midnight and 2 a.m.

44% Between 9 and 11 p.m.

9% After 2 a.m.

2

news

Debate team GOOGLE (continued from Page 1) hosts first tournament

By MATTHEW MORROW Staff Reporter The Sequoia Speech and Debate team hosted its first ever debate tournament at Sequoia on Feb. 25 with over 375 students, 25 coaches, and 100 judges attending the tournament for the Fall Coast Forensic League (CFL) Super Debate Tournament.

Despite being only one year old, the Speech and Debate team has already competed against well distinguished teams.

The Speech and Debate team features very important current events and speeches from a wide variety of topics such as politics.

The debaters at the tournament covered topics such as “Should the United States make China re-evaluate its currency?”

On average the Speech and Debate tem spends two hours a week preparing for their issues.

“They have a passion,” said math teaacher Kelley O’Hern, the Speech and Debate team coach.

“It is inspiring to learn from them.”

teacher Z Becker helps drive the girls to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View to listen to lectures and to learn how to create apps.

They listen to female entrepreneurs lecture about their work. Junior Bianca Miani, who participates in the program, said, “Speakers tell us about their experiences and how they got to where they are.”

One of the focuses of the program is diversity. Participants are encouraged to contribute their ideas and improve existing ones.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Dever “I like that there is always some- A group of Sequoia students work hands-on with Google technology every week. thing to add to an idea that allows it to work on creativity, teamwork, and I firm. They are currently working on grow,” said Miani. “I also really like the hope they make friends,” said Dever. developing their app. diversity and motivation that is in the One of the parts of the challenge The program is only for women, class each day.” is deciding how to present your app. and its goal is to give experience to This is the first year that Sequoia “We have been learning about mar- women interested in becoming entrehas its own team. The girls are sepa- keting, business techniques, how to preneurs in the field of computer scirated into two groups who are both benefit our consumers, and starting an ence and engineering. working on different apps. At the end entrepreneurship,” “It is a field that is “I like that there is always of more than nine weeks, on April 28, said Miani. underrepresented by the girls will pitch their idea to a reJunior Sarah something to add to an idea that women,” said Dever. gional board of professionals from the Ciambrone was allows it to grow. I also really like According to the high tech industry. part of an indepen- the diversity and motivation that Iridescent website, The Sequoia team is competing dent team last year is in the class each day.” before taking part —Junior Bianca Miani in the program, only with other teams in the Bay Area. If and is now worktheir app prototype does well in the ing with a group of 11 percent of parcompetition, they will be able to move venture capitalists ticipants had worked on to the next level of the competition, to create an app. After her team got with a female mentor in the science the national level, in San Francisco. second place in the challenge, an in- or engineering field. Iridescent is the They learn how to work as a team vestment firm approached them and host, which makes the program hapand present their ideas. “I hope girls invited them to work as interns at the pen.

Gadget Hacking Got a smartphone? An iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone or even an Android?

If so, be warned.

More and more users of smart gadgets are getting hacked while surfing the Web or using an app that connects to the Internet. The recent explosion of gadgets has made it much more lucrative and easier for hackers to hack into your device.

Smartphones Established smartphones have pretty good hacker protection systems. Take the iPhone apps , for example. Every app is inspected by Apple, so the chance of getting hacked is pretty small. But manufactures make mistakes too. On Google’s Android system there are plenty of ways to get hacked.

Hundreds of companies develop apps for the system, and although Google is pretty fanatic about security, it’s definitely possible for crooks to attack an app.

get slammed because some phone companies automatically report large unpaid phone bills until you prove the calls weren’t your responsibility.

So what happens if they hack into your phone?

How do you know which apps or phones are good?

A hacker might gain access to financial information or passwords you may have on your gadget, or even worse, continually track your financial dealings online.

Bingo, your accounts are drained and your credit cards maxed out before you can speed dial your best buddy.

Whatever you do, before you purchase a phone or even download an app, do a little research. See if the phone has a good user review when it comes to security. Check if your app comes from a legit company and if there have been security issues. Easy tip: do a web search of the app name, and normally you’ll pull up tons of reviews.

Hackers are also kidnapping phone numbers and accounts and running up thousands of dollars of charges. You may not have to pay for these calls but it could take you weeks or months to get your account straight. In the meantime your credit can

Go high-tech! Think about adding a fingerprint scanner or a face recognition to your gadget. security options for scanners and recognition systems.

530 El Camino Real, P.O. Box 5413, Redwood City (650) 366-7777

Serving employees and their families in the following districts: Redwood City Sequoia San Carlos Belmont Ravenswood Las Lomitas Menlo Park Portola Valley Woodside Canada College

feature

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The school with the dragon tattoos

SEQUOIA SAYS...

What tattoo would you get?

Rudy Sanjuan Junior

“I would get a foot on my face. If people asked about it I would say someone stepped on me.”

The tattoos pictured belong to both teachers and students; can you guess who each tattoo belongs to? Teachers Lauren Reibstein, Z Becker, Katie Karlin, Stacy Morell, Daniel Broome, and senior Susanna Serrano all sport body art.

Photos by Alsace Patrone

Teachers and students reveal their body art

By TIFFANY AH TYE Opinion Editor For most teenagers, doing something illegal or rebellious is an enticing thought – teenagers often do things that make them feel older: they sneak into rated R movies or try to get into 18 and over music venues. A tattoo can be a visual representation of this.

Some parents allow tattoos because they already have tattoos, or they are getting the tattoos done together.

“For my first tattoo, it was a family tattoo that we all got done in Greece,” said senior Stephanie Michelsen.

“My dad got M1, my mom M2, my older sister M3, I got M4 and my younger brother has M5. It stands for Michelsen (our last name) and then the number is the ‘order’ of the family. I plan to carry on the tradition if and when I have kids.”

Traditional tattoos are nothing new; in Native American tribes, they used to tattoo themselves as a rite of passage. While that may not

be the case now, some families must be at least 16 to be tatlike to get tattooed together as tooed, and your parent must a familial bonding activity. be with you while you are “We wanted to do some- getting the tattoo. However, thing together that would last most tattoo parlors refuse to forever, something to remind tattoo minors because the leus of that no gal issues are matter what, we too compliwill always have cated – if pareach other,” said ents say that Michelsen. they were not Some people with the teen get tattoos in while they remembrance of were getting their loved ones tattooed, it who are gone, would be the or who have tattoo parlor moved away. that would re“My tattoo ceive the punreads Kabhi Stephanie Michelsen ishment, not Alvida Naa got her rose tattoo the minor nor Kehna in Hindi, done without parental the parent. which translates consent in Sweden.

“For the secto ‘Never Say ond [tattoo], Goodbye,’” said senior Seema a rose, I asked my mom, she Chaudry. “It was for my sis- said no, and then the next day ter who is away and for my I went out and got it anyways”, dad who passed away. It’s a said Michelsen, who got her reminder for me not to forget second tattoo done in Swethem or ever say goodbye to den, where the rules are the them.” same as they are here. “The Tattoos can be a reminder tattoo guy didn’t even ask for of someone or just a piece of an ID.” art, but in California, you People thinking about get-

ting tattooed can check the background and reviews of tattoo artists. Unchecked, tattoo artists might use unsterilized needles or the wrong ink and give a serious infection.

“I knew that my mom would be pissed but I also knew this was something I wanted and was going to do,” said Chaudry. “My consequences were a little different, because I didn’t get it in a shop. I had to think about possibly getting a disease and the actual tattoo not coming out right.”

Still, there are a surprising amount of students with tattoos at Sequoia. The most favored places seem to be the hips, shoulders, arms, and wrists.

Tattoos are like accessories: they make people stand out.

Tattoos, however, are not removable, and they can’t be thrown away once they are out of fashion.

People can regret their tattoos because they were spurof-the-moment designs Go to TATTOO, page 6

Carolina Gastelum Junior

“All of the planets lined up on my back, and Feburary 16, 2008 on my side because that was the date my dad died.”

Vanessa Tinoco Junior

“A breast cancer symbol on my side because my aunt passed away of breast cancer.”

Braulio Garcia Freshman

“My mom’s name tatted on my chest because she’s the queen of my heart.”

—Compiled by Araceli Efigenio and Cole Dunbar

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OPINION

Staff Editorial

By Guest Reporter Alessandra Saluti

www.r-word.org

Students respond to the reality of the r-word

By CAROLINE LEMPERT use of the “R” word and to line up with a national movement to end the use of and JARRETT CROWELL the R word nationwide.

Layout Editor and Staff Reporter These students would like to show “ Wa t c h it, f***tard.” Sequoia that being in special ed does “What, are not mean that one is retarded.

Brandon Chase, a senior in Coleyou retarded man’s class, even wrote a rap about his or something?” “He’s personal story and to educate and stop such a re- people at Sequoia to stop using the R word. tard.”

There is also a website that went The “R” word is casu- viral on March 7 called “Spread the ally tossed Word to End the Word,” its purpose around in our is to stop people using the r-word at regular con- high schools.

Students in Coleman’s class wore versations, matching t-shirts and bracelets on the yet few stop to think of day of awareness.

Students here use this term very the effect it has on our loosely; when you do something stupeers. Me- pid or trip in the hallway, being called lissa*, a Sequoia senior, shared the im- a “retard” is not out of the ordinary.

However, many students do not repact the word has had on her growing up. As a kid, she and her father were alize the power of this word.

“I showed my friend my grades and constantly made fun of for his cerebral she said wow you palsy. only have good “The kids probRap by senior Brandon Chase grades because ably didn’t know The r-word. Hurts souls, children and adults you’re in special the impact words All the other problems in world has been ed, it hurt a lot,” had on my dad brought up to the surface, said Elaine*, a seand I,” said Meour generation needs to be taught nior. lissa.

Seems like the truth behind it all Dominic*, This is the cenis being cropped a senior at Seter of the probDon’t let the word pass your ears quoia has had lem. The offenDon’t let the word be preached to peers. many hurtful exsiveness of the Open your eyes, periences: “My word stems from we live in a world full of ignorance. friend said to me, the misconcepOur vocabulary has hurtful words.

I saw you walktion that placeWe must replenish it. ing out of the ment in a special Think about others you share this word with dumbass english ed class reflects Think about the people class, are you the student’s inwho are disabled and sick retarted?Theres telligence.

It’s not a joke no point in us“Being placed stop this from slipping your lip ing it to describe in special ed is Think before you say; people in RSP not about the disability can happen to your kids classes, its immastudents IQ, but ture”. about how they “I stopped learn,” said Special Education teacher caring around 7th or 8th grade, but it Karol-Ann Coleman.

Students in her fourth period class is still really insulting,” said a senior, have been doing projects to bring Jose*.* Names have been changed to reawareness to these stereotypes and the spect student privacy.

How many bubbles are in a bar of soap? In what year did the congress gain the right to prohibit migration of persons to the states? If you can answer both of those questions to my satisfaction, you can register to vote. However, because of the color of your skin, I’m probably not going to let you register to vote no matter how good of an answer you give me.

If you are not registered to vote, you can’t serve on a jury. If you and people of your race can’t serve on a jury, then you can never be truly judged by a jury of your peers. The cycle of racial discrimination in the 20th century was completely tied to voting rights: those who could vote had the power. This story is still true today.

While I wish I could say that discrimination due to skin color is no longer a prevalent issue in American society, this story occurred countless times in our parent’s lives.

When my mother was four years old, a black man, or any person of color in the southern states, would most likely be prevented from voting or registering to vote. This was done through a variety of means: intimidation, violence, poll taxes, and literacy tests. A poll tax was a fee that had to be paid at each attempt to register to vote. This often prevented economically disadvantaged people from registering to vote— imagine making 5 dollars each week and having to pay 2 dollars for attempting to register to vote. A literacy test was a 20 question test that included questions like ‘how many bubbles are there in a bar of soap?’ and ‘In what year did the congress gain the right to prohibit migration of persons to the states?’.

During the ten days I spent in the deep south with Sojourn to the

Past, I learned of the various ways people of color were prevented from voting or registering to vote. One story I found particularly disturbing was that of a man named Vernon Dahmer Sr., who had his house firebombed by the KKK because he was a NAACP member and an outspoken advocate for black voting rights. Dahmer died 12 hours after his attack, due to smoke inhalation.

His voter registration card arrived a few weeks later.

It was hard for me to believe that, years later, the Dahmer family forgave one of the men who participated in the firebombing that led to their father’s death and the destruction of their home. Instead, the Dahmer family tries to continue their father’s legacy—they are still strong advocates for voting rights and local political involvement.

They don’t get angry or become violent because of their father’s murder. Instead, they use his message to inspire people to become more active and involved.

Even if you’re not 18 or you’re not a US citizen, there are still ways to stay active in your community’s own political process, including your school’s political process. Participating in school elections may seem pointless, but it lets you decide who makes the decisions for your class or your student body.

If you are a US citizen and you will be 18 by November 2012, please register to vote. It takes very little time and guarantees that you will be able to vote in the next presidential election. As we enter some of the most crucial years of our life, I think it’s important to keep in mind what Vernon Dahmer Sr. stood for and remember that “if you don’t vote, you don’t count.”

Sequoia High School

Raven Report 2011-2012

Editor-in-Chief Sarina Gross Layout Editor Caroline Lempert News Editor Laurel Dearborn Feature Editors Anna Dagum and Lauren Kirkpatrick Opinion Editor Tiffany Ah Tye Staff Reporters Hanna Bolaños Peter Bugos Erick Castro Jarrett Crowell Ty Dewes Cole Dunbar Araceli Efigenio Taisha Griffie Hagop Narkizian Sophie Miller Matthew Morrow Alsace Patrone Bogie Sandoval Daniel Black Adviser Kim Vinh Mission Statement The Raven Report strives to provide Sequoia High School with informative, engaging, and relevant news. The staff will exercise integrity and adaptability while promoting justice and transparency through professional reporting about the school, the community, and the world.

Letters to the Editor The Raven Report welcomes letters to the editor from students, parents, or community members, sent to Room 308 or by email to ravenreport09@gmail.com. Letters must include the writer’s full name and ID number, and the staff reserves the right to edit for space and style.

5

Feature

The bear that never hibernates: King Wong Papa Bear runs Carrington Hall night and day for over 40 years

By ARACELI EFIGENIO Staff Reporter At age 11, his voice changed to a deep tone. In sixth grade, he towered at stunning six feet tall.

By age 14, he had a full grown beard. As an incoming freshman, he worked on his first production of Bye Bye Birdie. Ever since, Sequoia’s theater manager and technical director Dave Briggs, better known as Papa Bear, has worked on at least 100 productions at Sequoia for over 40 years.

Because he is a bearded six feet four inch tall man at a “svelte 330 pounds”, it is understandable how the nickname “Papa Bear” may be a bit confusing to some.

“I had a girlfriend for several years who lived with my family.

She called my father Papa Bear and when he died she decided I would become the new Papa Bear,” said Briggs.

Papa Bear works at Carrington an average of 50 hours a week, and he once worked continuously from seven in the morning to three in the morning of the next day.

“The amount of time he spends at school is incredible. When you

of Sequoia’s plays, musicals, and dance shows, he also runs all of John Gill Elementary School, Kennedy Middle School, and Redwood City Community Theater shows as well.

“It’s not the money, theater kind of saved my life,” said Briggs. “I suffer from depression and the thing that keeps you alive is having something to do that you love.”

Additionally, Papa Bear teaches students how to hoist scenery, maneuver the lighting system, and assemble sets.

“I learned that there’s a lot more that goes into plays that we see. That opened my eyes and Photo by Araceli Efigenio gave me profound respect,” said Papa Bear, who began working at senior William Bussing, who has Sequoia in 1972, stands outside worked with Papa Bear since his of his workshop with sophomore sophomore year.

Emma Peyton.

There is more to Papa Bear than what one sees at first glance pass by in the morning you’ll see his truck parked next to Carrington, and like the ability he had to re-build when you come back from wherever a piano organ for Neil Young or you were you’ll probably see his truck his love for breeding 100 to 150 still there,” said Daniel Broome, the pound Bull Mastiff dogs.

“I’m not really mean and dandirector of all of Sequoia’s plays and gerous.

I look like a renegade musicals, who has been working with biker, but I haven’t killed anyBriggs for over four years.

Not only does he run the sound, body in weeks now,” said Briggs lighting boards, and build sets for all sarcastically.

checks all

By BOGART SANDOVAL Staff Reporter Having lost approximately 500 games out of 10,000 that he’s played over his career at Sequoia, Mathematics and Chess instructor Steven Wong has about a 95 percent chance of winning every game.

This is why over 40 students regularly come to Wong’s room at lunch: the challenge of trying to beat the unbeatable.

“Chess is hard because you have to use a lot of strategies,” said senior Jacob Hurwits. Because of strategic quality, chess has gained popularity.

Students come to Wong’s room to receive help on math or socialize, and, more specifically, to wait for their turn at the board.

“I like how many types of games there can be in chess because you force your opponent and take sacrifices to do better.

It is also distracting from things I should be doing like homework and such,” said Chess Club junior participant Elliot Stern.

The people that have or have had Wong as an instructor agree that he is a great person to be with.

“Mr. Wong is a cool guy, if it was another class with another chess instructor the club would not be so fun,” said junior Derek Vargas.

Tumblr makes student bloggers famous dents, like Hoke, who maintain Tumblr pages.

People can become “Tumblr famous” overnight, if they hunt, search, and dig through the right blogs for the right amount of time. Tumblr users will tell you that the key to building your blog’s popularity is to strategically re-blog the best photos, text, videos, etc. Once someone re-blogs

lowers,” said Hoke, “but once I got to 10,000 followers all I could think about was getting Sophomore Rachel Hoke to 20,000. For some people, is “Tumblr famous”; she has Tumblr is just a blogging site, 17,232 followers. That’s albut at some point you start to most as many followers as think ‘I just have to be more George Clooney has on Twitpopular than the other people ter. on there’.”

Tumblr has emerged as Compared to other Tumthe latest social networking blr users, however, Hoke isn’t trend, particularly among as famous as she could be. teens. Accord“ There ing to Tumblr’s Tumblr Dictionary were some website, as of Promo — When one blogger tells all their followers to fol- people I March 2012, knew on low a blogger and that blogger does the same. there have been Tu m b l r more than 18 Follower — Someone who subscribes to a blog so they can whom I see when things are added to it. billion total did a proposts on TumHeart — Similar to ‘liking’ something on Facebook. mo with, blr, on 47 milback when Dashboard — It’s like the newsfeed on Facebook, lion total blogs, we all had where all the things from the blogs you follow end up. averaging 55 around million posts Re-blog — The action of re-posting a photo, video, text etc. 3000 fola day. Tumblr that you find on Tumblr to your blog. l o w e r s ,” describes itself Hoke said. as a tool that what you’ve re-blogged, your “Now one of them has 72,000 “lets you effortlessly share blog could potentially go vi- followers, and the other has anything. Post text, pho- ral. Although, most agree it around 140,000. That’s what tos, quotes, links, music, and doesn’t happen to everyone. I would consider ‘Tumblr Favideos, from your browser, With all those photos you’ve mous’.” phone, desktop, email, or re-blogged circling about 47 For a majority of bloggers, wherever you happen to be.” million other blogs, followers gaining popularity on the InTumblr claims that using their will come. ternet is the ultimate goal. site is “the easiest way to blog,” “For a while I didn’t really “Tumblr is like the cafeteria and maybe they’re right, as ev- care about getting a lot of fol- scene from the movie ‘Mean idenced by the number of stuBy HANNA BOLAÑOS Staff Reporter

Girls’,” Hoke said. “There’s the really popular blogs, the average blogs, the nobody blogs, boho blogs, hipster blogs, beach blogs, anime blogs, party blogs, and photography blogs. The amount of followers for each ranges from about 100,000 for the popular blogs to around two for the nobodies.”

To Hoke, the “popular blogs” are nothing special.

They’re just more glamorous looking than the rest.

“People who own the ‘popular blogs’ are really full of themselves, to be honest,” Hoke said. “A lot of Tumblr famous people I know of actually use their blogs to raise money for themselves, or sell promos to people for money.

Their blogs are always filled with ‘photography pictures’.”

Photography pictures are the glamorous and glossy pictures that look like they’re straight from a professional photo shoot. These types of photos can be anything from an Urban Outfitters ad look-alike, to a picture of someone skateboarding.

Not all people on Tumblr strive solely to gain the larg-

est fan base, though. Some people use Tumblr as a means of self expression. People who prefer to convey things about themselves via the Internet find re-blogging photos to be an easy and satisfying outlet for such a purpose.

“Tumblr is a way of communicating things to people about yourself,” junior Melissa Chatelain said. “It demonstrates to others how you want to be perceived.”

Others embrace Tumblr as a welcome change from Facebook. Tumblr offers something different than a continuous stream of your friends’ thoughts.

Junior Favi Renkel uses to Tumblr to try and make other people happy and “just because it’s cool.”

“Whenever I see a cool picture on Tumblr it makes me happy,” Renkel said, “and when people re-blog my stuff it makes me feel really good because it means they liked it.”

Renkel’s Tumblr isn’t a direct representation of himself, but more of his interests or what he’d like to be.

“Tumblr can be a lot of Go to TUMBLR, page 6

6

FEATURE

Student band rocks the playground

Coming up with the band name took several attempts. Suggestions ranged When Will Bell, Evan Foss, and Jar- from “Jared and the Rabbis” ed Solomon leave behind their books to “Bad Trip”. and homework, they become part of “Everyone liked ‘playthe alternative rock band, Toxic Play- ground’ but I wanted a cool ground. adjective to go with it,” Foss Bell, Foss, and Soloman started the said. All the members liked band in the summer of 2009. Solo- Toxic Playground best. mon, who plays the guitar and sings Despite their success in vocals, was in another band before forming the band quickly, helping start Toxic Playground.

Toxic Playground did not “We weren’t doing anything. [My start off performing pubold band] was full licly. of jocks that didn’t “ W e know anything didn’t about music, and I even have was actually taking any [origimusic seriously,” said nal] songs Solomon. for five Solomon talked months,” to Foss, the current said Foss. drummer, about I t forming a new band wasn’t unin eight grade, and, til April in July 2009, Solo2010, eight months mon invited Foss Junior Will Bell jams on the electric guitar. after the band was over to jam. Foss informed, that Toxic vited Bell, the now Playground played bassist, to come play as well. their first public gig.

“We were all pretty good friends be“Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall fore, but now we hang out a lot more,” dump or a giant battle of the bands, Bell said. “We can do more things and we just want to get our name out,” said go more places with the gigs we play.” Bell.

By ERICK CASTRO Staff Reporter

the Bands.

Toxic Playground also played at the DNA Lounge in San Fransisco on Feb 12.

The DNA Lounge has hosted many famous bands, including Green Day and the Misfits.

“That was our greatest show, I’d have to say,” Solomon said.

Recently, Toxic Playground released an EP on iTunes, with four original tracks. Solomon and Foss collaborate to produce the songs, Foss writes the lyrics, and Solomon creates the music that will accompany the Photos courtesy of Toxic Playground songs.

Toxic Playground is Since then, Toxic Playground has currently working on an album, which played at many public events, includ- will be released on iTunes shortly. ing the 2011 San Mateo County Fair If you can’t wait until then, go to and the Redwood City Hometown www.toxicplaygroundmusic.com to Holidays. listen to their music, see pictures, and The band also participated in the watch videos of their past perforSequoia High School talent show last mances. year and won the San Carlos Battle of

Photo courtesy of Seema Chaudry

Senior Seema Chaudry’s tattoo reads “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna in Hindi. It translated to “never say goodbye.”

TATTOOS (continued from page 3) that they regret later in life Placement of a tattoo is also important; many choose to get one it in a place that’s easy to hide at a job interview, or somewhere where tattoos are taboo.

“For certain jobs you can’t show your tattoos,” said senior Susanna Serrano. “When I had job interviews I would hide [my tattoo] because it’s more professional that way.”

Removing a tattoo can be costly, painful, and time consuming - often, the tattoo removal process can take up to 6 weeks, and the tattoo may not even be fully removed.

Students who get parent permission for their tattoos often take liberties with what they can get.

“My mom told me that I could get a small tattoo, somewhere discreet” said sophomore Graciela Delgado. “When I came home with a crown and my last name tattooed on my upper arm, she was furious... she stayed mad at me for a month.”

Tattoos can be beautiful if they’re well thought-through; Serrano designed her own tattoo, and fell in love with it.

“I think the special meaning to my tattoo is that it’s something I created on my own. Not something I got off Google,” said Serrano. “I did think about the consequences. I thought about how permanent it was and how it’s not removable. I made my decision based on what I believe a tattoo should be. I believe that they’re meant on a persons body to express themselves and their creativity...Tattoo[s] [are] art, and I’ve just started my painting.”

7

FEATURE

Florian Shasky is more than the school librarian

Shasky works with Zarcone every year to assist IB History seniors with their historical investigations and to He metal sculpts in his free time, teach a seminar about advanced reprovides classified texts to IB His- search methodologies.

Zarcone said Shasky has a wealth tory students, has traveled and studied around the world, and is known of information. Shasky, who said he has a “housefor being ful” of books, somewhat photos, manureticent scripts, letters about his and other texts, arcane often shares past. Every articles of his student has personal collecchecked tion with stuout a textdents. Shasky, book from an avid reader, him or is currently balhidden a ancing Suzanne cell phone Collin’s young from his adult novel The ea g le-like Hunger Games watch, but and Richard many do Muller’s Physnot know ics for Future that FloFlorian Shasky has taught a metal sculpting Presidents. rian Shasky “I wanted to is much seminar to IB Art for the past two years. find out what more than students are reading and learn more the school librarian.

As I sat down and turned on my re- about what they are interested in,” corder, Shasky informed me this was Shasky said. “I’m a curious reader.”

Shasky is also a modern and abthe first interview with the press he stract sculptor, art teacher Mozy da has allowed in over 20 years.

“I normally don’t go after publicity,” Costa Pinto said.

For the past two years Shasky has Shasky said. “I’m very private. I don’t twitter. Unless I’m very cold, and then led a two-day metal sculpting workI tweet.” History teacher Karin Zar- shop for da Costa Pinto’s art class, cone said Shasky is an enigmatic man. in which he also shares his personal

By SARINA GROSS Editor-in-Chief

Photos courtesy of Mozy da Costa Pinto

Shasky helps senior David Burt with an art project. supplies and tools with students.

“His help and his connection to IB Art, and not just IB Art but also the art department, goes beyond these workshops,” da Costa Pinto said. “He is one of our strongest advocates for art education and art involvement at Sequoia.” Shasky started metal sculpturing when he was nineteen years old and said he has a lot of fun teaching the workshop.

“Here are some [pictures] of the metal sculptures that the students made. . . we had them in a case here in the library,” Shasky said with a smile as he showed me the pictures on his

Tumblr (continued from page 5)

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things depending on the person,” Renkel said. “It could be a place to look at cool pictures or it could be a representation of your dreams.”

However, like with most social networking sites, it’s easy to become sucked into Tumblr for hours on end.

“It’s a procrastinator’s best friend,” Renkel said. “It’s addicting because

Blackberry. “Arn’t they nice? The students are very talented.” In addition to being a talented metal sculptor, Shasky also has a knack for words. He teaches a seminar on etymology and has a word-of-the-day. Shasky said he tries to pick an unusual word-of-the-day to add to the entertainment of learning new words. Shasky said working with teenagers is a happy challenge.

“He treats them like they are adults and like they are sophisticated,” Zarcone said. “He holds them with very high regard. Sometimes the students don’t realize that themselves, but that’s what’s going on.” once you see one picture you like, you scroll down the page to try and find another picture you like.”

Despite that, Tumblr can be twisted, tweaked, and designed to suit everyone’s desires whether it be a place to vent your soul or a place to waste time.

“Some people say [Tumblr] is just a place to pointlessly re-blog pictures,” Hoke said, “but I actually think it’s a pretty productive way to pass time while pointlessly re-blogging pictures.” Indeed.

8

SPORTS

Track sprints to finish With spring sports in full swing, the track and field program has already attracted over 130 athletes. Track features events which range from the dangerous (propelling yourself through the air using a piece of PVC pipe in the pole vault) to the exhausting (running eight laps nonstop in the two-mile race) which appeal to an array of athletes.

Claire Saitta

Varsity 200 Sprinter, 4x1 Relay Runner and Long Jumper What do you love about track overall?

I love the meets because you feel the rush when you’re starting to [run]... it’s exciting.

Do you find your event difficult or easy?

I’ve been doing it for so long that it’s easy, but learning technique is difficult and sometimes it’s frustrating.

When did you start track?

I started in sixth grade, I did track at Mt. Carmel.

—Compiled by Sophie Miller

Abhineet Ram

Varsity Discus and Shot Put Thrower

Alex Ruhlman

Mile and Two-Mile Runner

What got you interested in throwing?

[Coach] Dilley told me to go to track, and other seniors asked too.

Is your event difficult?

It’s difficult... [it has] a bigger mental aspect, but I enjoy the challenge because I improve more.

Do you find throwing a challenge?

It’s hard; there’s lots of technique. Last year I was #1 at discus in PALS and #2 for the shot put.

Do you do any other sports besides track and field?

I swim and run cross country.

Are you interested in doing track and field in college?

I want to, I think that it would be really fun.

Why did you choose your event?

I’m not a very good sprinter, but my parents like to run.

Four steps to running efficiently Find your angle Remember to keep your elbows at no less than a 90 degree angle to ensure that you don’t cross your body with your arms, which wastes energy.

Don’t back down Keeping your back straight will help you keep your form and balance.

Tippy toes Land on the balls of your feet while running to minimize energy use, and to increase push-off.

Compiled by Peter Bugos and Ty Dewes

Use those driving skills By driving your knee forward and up while you are running, you will be able to gain more momentum going forward.

By driving your knee, your arms will begin to drive as well, and you will speed up.

Swimmers surge in Bay division

By PETER BUGOS Staff Reporter After crushing Woodside in their first meet of the year, Sequoia’s swim team is reaching for the Bay League Title.

This year the boys varsity team has downsized to four swimmers, and 18 swimmers overall. “This year is definitely a growing year,” junior Josh Pitkofsky said.

Similar to the boys, the girls have 65 swimmers on the girl’s team compared with last years larger team of 90 girls.

“Because we graduated so many last year, the team is younger and smaller,” sophomore Helena Larsen said.

Despite losing some great swimmers, junior Lilly Nelson, and sophomores Helena Larsen, Analisa Bauhaus, Laurel Dearborn, and Morgan Park all went to CCS last year, and are returning this year. However, some teams still pose a challenge to Sequoia.

“MA and Burlingame are definitely the teams to look out for. They’ve got some really fast swimmers on their team, but they better be ready to eat our bubbles” Larsen said.

Because of their small team everyone needs to work hard in order to achieve their goal, and through this they have achieved a close knit community.

“My best memories have been the time I’ve spent with the teammates throughout the years. I feel like I’ve been able to make great friends from swimming and the bond between us is so strong,” said Larsen. “ I can always count on them to have fun whether it be dancing the Hoedown Throw down or coming up with silly cheers.”

Even though the season just started, their intensity and dedication are visible. “It’s turned on, but by the end of the season we will be fine tuned” said Coach Rob Griffin.

Domination in chlorination: life as a swimmer

By LAUREL DEARBORN News Editor I’ve never been one for contact sports. I went through the AYSO soccer phase, the basketball roundup, and the fencing phase. However, when I turned ten, I became extremely dedicated to the sport that has changed my life.

I love swimming. I don’t want to ramble on and on about how much chlorine intake my skin has endured, but instead let me explain what participating in a sport means.

Last week we swam against Woodside. We arrived, changed, and then hopped in for warm up. Getting out of the pool is hard. The water is warm

and the outside temperature leaves little to be desired. Nonetheless, we all end up on the deck.

When it’s time for me to swim, I always get butterflies. No matter how many meets I swim in, they never disappear. It’s because this is my one shot to get what I have been working for.

I don’t want to touch the wall at the end of my race and look up at the scoreboard only to find that I’ve gained seconds, lost it for my team, or worst of all, been disqualified. There is nothing worse than not reaching that goal.

If it were always like this, no one would swim, but the reason that we endure the kicking sets, the distance swims, and all the early Saturday mornings, isn’t because of the moments of disappointment, it’s because of the moments of triumph. It is for the movie moments and the “feel

good” endings.

I had one of those moments on Thursday. I got my best time in the 200 free and my best time in the 500 free. I don’t pretend to be the fastest on the team or the star swimmer. I just try and help us win. I know that there are people who are better than me. I am not saying that I always smile about that and that I don’t feel jealous.

I’m competitive. I want to do well and be the best. It’s as simple as that.

But in this moment I thought I could be something more.

I was put on the “A” relay. One of our swimmers got sick and so I got bumped up to take her place.

When we went over to talk to our Coach, he told us we had made CCS. CCS is a big deal. Basically, it is an exclusive championship tournament or meet. It is what all athletes aim to make. In swimming it is a little differ-

ent, in order to attend these “championships” you must qualify by making a certain time. We made that time.

I was a part of this. I did it. I helped our team.

This is what sports are all about.

This is what swimming is all about. It’s about success, cheering on your teammates and patting them on the back.

It gives you an immediate family, people in the hall that understand the hours that you put in, the late nights, and the pain of the hard workouts.

You don’t have to explain why your hair is wet and why you smell like a locker room more often than not. We all just get it.

Being a swimmer is so much more than just having green hair. It’s about being together and working hard in order to reach a common goal.

That’s why I swim.

—As published for Redwood City Patch