December

redwood

bark.

Volume LXI, No. 3 • December 14, 2018 • Larkspur, CA

LGBTQ+ representation in the media p. 12 - 13

Cover by Max Gilberg

redwood

bark.

Camp Fire

9

Nutcracker

17

Victoria Bakery

redwood high school ● 395 doherty dr., larkspur, ca 94939 ● volume LXI, no. 3 ● December 14, 2018 ● www.redwoodbark.org

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Dixie name change brings greater controversy to school district

By Grace Bouton Dixie School District, located in northern San Rafael, has been mired in new controversies over an issue that originated in the late 1990s. Due to the racist connotations that many community members claim the name of the district has, residents are proposing a name change.

Elizabeth Brekhus, a Redwood parent, is the local lawyer representing Marie Glickman, a board member for the district. According to Brekhus, while many people support the change, others feel the location of the school reduces the connotation of the name.

“There are some people who are attached to the name maybe because they went to Dixie School District or they think it doesn’t have the same impact because we’re in California and not in the South,” Brekhus said.

Glickman, a parent in the Dixie district in addition to her place on the board, is one resident who strongly supports the name change.

“I think we should change the name of the of the school district because the school district was named after the confederacy during the Civil War and Dixie is also the national anthem of the Confederacy. I want my kids to know that and I think we can have a school district name that is much more inclusive,” Glickman said.

The Dixie school board president, Brad Honsberg, agreed that the community is divided over the issue.

“Many residents have spoken out about its connotation with the Antebellum South, while other people have voiced how they want to keep the history of the name and shared their opinions at board meetings. However, the final decision is the board’s,” Honsberg said.

According to Honsberg, due to many differing opinions within the community, the board is considering an advisory vote regarding the controversy. It would be held similarly to an actual election, but the results would only serve as a reference for the board, not a final decision on the issue.

However, accusations of violations of the Brown Act, according to Brekhus, has lead to greater controversy in the already divided issue of the name change. The Brown Act requires all public business to be discussed in public to ensure transparency. Glickman was the trustee who brought this concern to the attention of the district and public. In this case, the act requires all board meetings that do not include employment evaluations to be held in public. The recent letter of concern submitted by Glickman’s legal counsel states that board members violated the act when discussing the controversy over the name of “Dixie” in a private setting.

Photo by Grace Bouton

FACING ACCUSATIONS OF violating the Brown Act, the Dixie School Board has been met with controversy more than just the name change.

The name change has been previously discussed in a closed meeting that was scheduled to cover the performance of the superintendent. However, Glickman believes that the Board of Trustees for the district started instead discussing the name change in a way that had no connection to the superintendent, according to the letter of concern.

According to Brekhus, the resolution created at the meeting in question proposed the advisory vote about the name change. However, because of the possible Brown Act violation, if a letter is submitted by a community member, everything that resulted from the violation at the closed meeting would be void, including the advisory vote.

The district and board are approaching this accusation seriously, according to Honsberg’s letter in response to the complaint.

Redwood community reacts to alumnus Newsom’s victory

By Lucie James

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Redwood alumnus Gavin Newsom was elected as the new governor of California. Newsom graduated Redwood in 1985, and is a local to the Marin County area, having lived here his entire life. His familial ties to Marin extend beyond his high school years; Gavin’s sister, Hilary Newsom, has stayed in Marin to raise her family, and her daughter Tali Callan is currently a sophomore at Redwood.

According to Hilary, her brother’s win did not come as a huge surprise to her and her family, but she was proud that his dedication to California has paid off as well as his hard work.

“I was elated. I was thrilled and I was not only happy for him but also extremely happy for the state of California,” Hilary said.

Hilary is pleased with her brother’s win and explained that politics have always been in the family. The Newsoms’ father ran for state Senate and Supervisor of San Francisco. It did not take long for Gavin to follow in his father’s political footsteps.

“We have been surrounded by politics growing up through family and friends, so it doesn’t entirely surprise me that he

Photo courtesy of Greer Gurewitz

VISITING REDWOOD IN 2015, Governor Gavin Newsom spoke to students about his political views. chose this life. I think politics are a form of service. It is a different form of service than philanthropy, but that definitely played a part in how we were raised and the choices that Gavin made,” Hilary said.

Continued on page 2

“I am releasing your correspondence and this response to the public in the interest of transparency. The board will continue to process your concerns, and we will provide you with a more detailed response to address the concern you raise,” Honsberg said.

On Dec. 15, there will be a board meeting where residents can come and sign petitions for specific new names for the district. All petitions with at least 15 signatures of registered voters will then be submitted to the board on Jan. 15. They will proceed to vote on whether to change the name and what to change it to, according to Glickman.

gbouton@redwoodbark.org

Marin County joins coalition opposing FCC 5G network regulations

By Garrett Cook Marin County has recently joined a coalition with more than 20 cities and counties in the US to oppose new regulations proposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the next wireless network, 5G. A step up from 4G, it is a new wireless network that would improve internet speeds, replace cables and increase data response time, but is receiving backlash across the country due to safety concerns and government regulation. To fight the network implementation, cities and counties are joining coalitions as part of a formal process to challenge the rulemaking process of the FCC, giving areas an option to pursue litigation later on.

Ann Morrison, vice mayor of Larkspur, said that the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) safety network has expressed concerns based on new forms of radiation being emitted from the 5G poles.

“EMS sent us emails saying that supposedly the new towers can increase cancer risks and other health problems because of the electromagnetic field. They say that exposure to the radiation can cause headaches, anxiety, memory disorders and heart and sleep problems,” Morrison said.

She said that although Larkspur has not

addressed the 5G issue yet, they are sure to do so soon.

“When I am mayor next year I will ask for the cellular companies and EMS to come and talk it out with me ... I will try and learn as much information as possible to make an informed decision with my other council members that is best for our community,” Morrison said.

In the past, when improving the wireless network from 2G to 3G to 4G, all that was needed was to roll out the new network on existing frequencies and hardware.

According to CNBC, 5G networks require a frequency with a much larger bandwidth than past networks, and as a result require new hardware such as antennas and poles.

Because 5G is a major step up from the current 4G, the FCC has proposed completely new regulations which restrict local control of the network and its hardware and require certain new fees. The FCC’s harsher regulations and some potential health risks from the new hardware are what pushed Marin to join a coalition to oppose them, according to Morrison.

Continued on page 4

December 14, 2018 bark Page 2 • News Measure J’s impact will be felt in TUHSD schools

By Taylor Charles

During the Nov. 6 election, Measure J passed with a majority vote of 72 percent.

The purpose of the measure, a widely debated additional tax initiative, is to protect high-quality education by levying a $149-per-parcel tax (exempting senior citizens), which provides $5.1 million annually for four years to the Tamalpais

Union High School District (TUHSD).

Without the tax, many teachers, counselors and other staff in the TUHSD would have to be laid off as the district faced a daunting budget shortage. Art and music programs are now protected, and relatively small class sizes will be maintained. The passing of the tax ensures that students will continue to receive a quality education for years to come according to the measure’s

Infographic by Taylor Charles

• Gavin Newsom Continued from page 1

While Hilary attended the Branson School in Ross, her brother attended Redwood, and it was there Hilary saw her brother develop into a leader through his passion for athletics.

“I saw him blossom in high school in sports. That was a transition for him in terms of leadership, because of his relationship with his teammates and his ability to participate in basketball and baseball in a really genuine

Photo courtesy of Tali Callan

NEWSOM STANDS WITH niece Tali Callan, then six, at an event. Callan is now a sophomore at Redwood.

stipulations.

AP U.S. History teacher Ann Jaime is supportive of the benefits the tax has on the district. “[Measure J] helps our school district because we are currently running under a little bit. Measure J gives us the necessary funding that doesn’t completely solve our problem, but goes a long way to help what could have been catastrophic layoffs to faculty,” Jaime said.

Student enrollment at Redwood has grown dramatically over the past few years from 1,604 students in 2014 to 1,836 students in 2018. It is expected to continue to follow an increasing trend, especially considering the 30 percent increase in student enrollment in the last seven years.

At the same time, revenue supporting the district has not kept pace with the true cost of educating students.

These factors have led to the current expected budget deficit in 2018-19 of $1.9 million according to the TUHSD audit report.

Steve Abbott, father of junior Sam Abbott, would usually be opposed to tax additives, but he supported Measure J because of its positive implications.

“Normally I would vote no on increasing tax initiatives, but I feel differently about

way and be really good at it, and be a good leader on those teams,” Hilary said. “I think that’s when I started to see the leadership; up until then I thought my brother was extremely shy.”

Callan has also become inspired by her uncle’s political actions after his recent win and seeing his involvement in politics over the years.

“I really enjoy politics and I have wanted to get more involved with them. I ran for my freshman class last year for vice president. I lost, but I am going to run again for spring semester,” Callan said. “I am going to get more involved. He has inspired me a lot, and has really opened my eyes to what I can do to help California and how my voice really does matter.”

While Callan is used to her uncle being in the public eye, she is still proud of his political achievements and believes that his win as governor will benefit California.

“He is really hard working, and I think anything that he does is going to be for the benefit of California. I think everyone’s really lucky to have him as governor because he really listens to what people have to say and what their needs are,” Callan said.

In addition to the support of Newsom’s family, Redwood science teacher Skip Lovelady, a long-time friend of Gavin, has seen Gavin grow, succeed and fail throughout his political career.

Lovelady was not surprised at Gavin’s win because of the work ethic and dedication Gavin has put into his career.

“Gavin is very organized and very thorough. Even though we are in two different worlds, business-wise and politics, he’s definitely an inspiration when it comes to making sure every little detail gets attended to,” Lovelady said. “He thought failure is how you get better. He used to say you would ‘fail forward;’ you had to fail to really become someone in life.”

According to Lovelady, Gavin has struggled with extreme dyslexia throughout his life, but has learned to cope with it. Instead of reading speeches, Gavin memorizes them.

“He’s extremely dyslexic, so he cannot read a printed speech or a teleprompter. He said that he gives five or six speeches a week, and he has to memorize everything.

education because the dollars are directed specifically for the local community and my son,” Abbott said.

Another implication of the new tax is that it also supports programs for students such as career and college preparation and counseling programs. The tax will also retain school libraries.

All of the money raised by the tax will be controlled sectionally and will go to local schools. Additionally, it cannot be used by the state of California. By law, none of the money raised by the measure could ever be used for salaries or benefits for administrators. The measure requires independent citizen oversight and annual audits to ensure all funds are spent as promised, according to the County of Marin.

History teacher and union representative Ted Brown sees Measure J as necessary to help students and teachers, as well as to support the many programs Redwood offers.

“It’s a necessary shot in the arm that we needed to take,” Brown said. “It doesn’t fully fulfill the need of the school, but it’s a step in the right direction.” tcharles@redwoodbark.org

Photo courtesy of Skip Lovelady

NEWSOM WAS FEATURED as Prep of the Week in a 1985 edition of the Marin IJ newspaper.

Dyslexia has become one of his gifts,” Lovelady said.

While Lovelady hopes to have Gavin come back to Redwood to speak to students as governor, he is also excited to see Newsom’s plans for California unfold over these next few years.

On the night of Jan. 6, the night before Newsom takes office, Newsom will be hosting a concert to support the victims of the California wildfires.

ljames@redwoodbark.org

Photo Survey

What is your New Year’s resolution?

“I want to study more for classes.”

“My resolution is to help more people.”

Paul Lecellier

Elsa Davis

freshman

sophomore

“I want to have all of my “I don’t have one, I’m perfect the way I am.” homework in on time.”

Jamie Miller junior

Tillie Moore senior

bark Judge makes ruling regarding San Geronimo Golf Course, ends proposed sale Page 3 • News

www.redwoodbark.org

By Nate Charles On Oct. 26, Judge Paul Haakenson of the Marin County Superior Court announced he was making his final ruling regarding the future of the San Geronimo Golf Course. The County had officially agreed to buy the course from Trust for Public Land (TPL) for $8.89 million in November of 2017, and was planning on restoring it to a nature preserve, but on Nov. 13 the County Supervisors voted unanimously to terminate the purchase contract. The ruling deals a huge blow to the County’s efforts and is effectively ending their agreement with TPL, the owners of the course. Haakenson ruled in favor of the San Geronimo Advocates, a group of San Geronimo Valley residents who sued to block the purchase, stating that the County needed to conduct an environmental analysis of the project under the rules set by the California Environmental Quality Act before the purchase could go through.

County Supervisor Dennis Rodoni said money factored heavily into the County’s decision, as the environmental review would have cost them both several years and hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, Rodoni said that the County would not have been able to seek grant funding until the review process was completed, a major setback considering that the County planned to raise about $4.9 million through grants.

“We obviously thought [the environmental analysis] Photo by Nate Charles wasn’t needed since there are exclusions and exemptions WELCOMING GOLFERS TO the property, the San Geronimo Golf Course has provided quality golfing for locals to doing the process and … the judge had a different opinion,” Rodoni said. “We were going to stop watering since 1967, but will close next month. greens [and] return that water to the streams, and so he identified issues [like] that as we did have potential projects year, an amount TPL has said they are not in a position to value as a non-golf course than as a golf course. provide themselves.

“From a business perspective we did not see that golf we were thinking about.”

While there are some groups like the San Geronimo would be a viable business, given that golf throughout the Niz Brown, head of the San Geronimo Advocates, said that locals realized the County was trying to expedite Advocates which have come out in support of the course, U.S. is declining [and] given that the value of the property Rodoni said that if the County were there is essentially higher not as a golf course than as a the purchasing process “behind closed to purchase the course now without golf course,” Rodoni said. “It would be very difficult with doors,” causing the Advocates to bring the grant money, the opposition the number of games being played there to have that as a about their lawsuit. While Brown has would be just as loud. profitable investment.” been in contact with TPL, she said their “There’s a passionate group Brown, who said she has never held a golf club in her interactions have not all been positive. of people that are going to want life, described the course as beloved by those around it as “TPL threatened us saying we had to continue to play golf there and it provides a relaxing and entertaining activity as well as a to do [our lawsuit] quickly because the it’s a beautiful property,” Rodoni community where people can meet. seller wanted his money now,” Brown said. “[But] it’s really tainted, the “People love it,” Brown said. “Lots of kids play there said. “People in real estate know, and I’m County’s ability. We realize now that and there are older people who can’t go bicycling, can’t go in real estate, that since when do you give we can’t talk to potential grantees, running and it’s a community for them. They’re not lonely into someone who wants their money so do we spend $8 to 9 million of when they’re playing golf and they make new friends.” now?”

County money to purchase that Alioto said he enjoyed playing the course and that the The Advocates have created a petition property, and is that a good choice? nature in the San Geronimo Valley was beautiful, adding that would continue the property’s use Dennis Rodoni, … People would come out of the that while he would like the course to remain open, he sees as a golf course unless voters approve a County Supervisor woodworks in Marin complaining a potential restoration project as a positive. change. So far, the petition has gathered that we shouldn’t be spending that “I really do like the course and I think it’s really fun [to about 12,000 signatures, far surpassing kind of taxpayer money, general play]. Being in the nature out there is really nice, but at the the 8,970 needed to get it on the ballot at fund money on a purchase like that.” same time [there’s] the whole wildlife aspect,” Alioto said. the next general election in November of Senior Anthony Alioto, who played on the Redwood “[But] I do think it’s important to address and maybe do 2020. According to Brown, while the petition is impressive boys’ golf team last year, said he appreciates the course something about it. It’s just kind of a waste for them to do it hasn’t quite captivated its target audience.

“Everybody’s a little freaked that we’ve done this but but is disappointed that the purchase was not able to move nothing about it.” forward.

Brown said the property is more than just a golf course, they’re ignoring [the] 12,000 signatures,” Brown said.

“I think it’s kind of dumb that nothing’s going to as it also houses a community center where multiple While the County was managing the course for TPL, Rodoni said that the management agreement was happen to [the course]. I think it’s dumb that they’re just meetings and dinners have been held and locals have been connected to the purchase agreement, and with the latter going to end it and not do anything with it, but the golf able to come together.

“There’s no place like that if they get rid of this course,” being compromised, the former will be discontinued as course has been losing money; it hasn’t been doing great well. The original deadline for the purchase was set as and [the County was] willing to pay them millions of Brown said. “We’re trying to advocate how marvelous [it is].”

Dec. 31, 2018, and Rodoni said the County intends to end dollars … more than they should have,” Alioto said.

Both Alioto and Rodoni mentioned that the course has their management by that date. Rodoni also said that TPL intends to discontinue golf operations, as the County had been losing money over the past few years, and Rodoni previously subsidized the course with about $140,000 per said that the property was actually appraised at a higher ncharles@redwoodbark.org

There’s a passionate group of people that are going to want to continue to play golf there.

Photo by Nate Charles

CHIPPING ON TO the green, local golfers are disappointed with the judge’s ruling to close the course next year.

December 14, 2018 bark Page 4 • News Dec My Room fundraiser supports hospitalized children

Chan said that in order for the fundraiser to gain momentum, they also provided an incentive by bringing the three homerooms who raised the most donations Jamba Juice smoothies and bagels. The three winning rooms were room 235 with $161, room 156 with $141 and room 306 with $140.

Junior Will Lester, who donated $15 to the fundraiser, believes that the organization does meaningful work.

“Having known someone who has been through cancer, I can understand why and how much better it is to have a place you can call home,” Lester said.

Service Committee board member junior Ava Morris described the process of fundraising as exciting and rewarding, especially given the fact that it is something that directly impacts the children in Morris’s community. “[Dec My Room] asks what [the children’s] interests are and what they want their room to look like, and then they completely transform their hospital room to make the experience a lot better for them,” Morris said.

By Jack Benbow

Over the past month, from late October to early December, Redwood Leadership raised money for Dec My Room, a nationwide non-profit organization that works to promote happiness and healing for children who suffer from life-threatening diseases by decorating their hospital rooms. Redwood was able to fundraise a total of $2,453 which will benefit at least eight children, giving them fully decorated hospital rooms and toys.

Dec My Room is unique from other non-profit organizations in that it works to create a healing place for children so Photo by Katherine Muller they can take their minds off of their pain as well as enjoy themselves during dark ASB PRESIDENT GREG Dachtler presents Director of San Francisco Dec My Room times during treatment, according to the Charter Lindsay Holt with check from fundraiser. organization’s website.

Redwood students Drake Goodman, committee, explained the reasons behind The organization decorates children’s Kent Goodman, Bennett Vasquez and organizing a schoolwide fundraiser for Dec hospital rooms into whatever design the Allie Vasquez started the Junior Dec My My Room.

“The committee decided that we child wants, and also provides themed Room chapter in the greater North Bay blankets, toys and other requests. Designs Area, and Leadership became involved to wanted to do an organization that was small in the past have varied, from a Tom Brady assist in fundraising. Junior Dec My Room enough that we’d know exactly where the theme to “Frozen.” offers volunteers under the age of 18 an money would go and how many people [it] Although Dec My Room chapters can opportunity to work for the organization, would [impact],” Chan said.

The fundraiser collected money in be found across the country, they have a as they cannot yet legally do so for the decorated boxes that were placed in every large presence in the San Francisco Bay official parent organization.

Area in hospitals such as the University of Junior Josh Chan, one of two board homeroom class, and had representatives jbenbow@redwoodbark.org California San Francisco Hospital (UCSF). members of the Leadership service advertise them during that period.

• 5G Network Continued from page 1 Because 5G is a major step up from the current 4G, the FCC has proposed completely new regulations, which restrict local control of the network and its hardware, and require certain new fees. The FCC’s harsher regulations and some potential health risks from the new hardware are what pushed Marin to join a coalition to oppose them according to Morrison.

The county’s decision to join a coalition applies to all unincorporated areas in Marin. Areas in Marin that are towns, like Fairfax and Larkspur, can make decisions regarding certain topics on their own. The town of Fairfax has recently joined the same coalition as Marin, on a similar basis of unfair regulations and health risks according to Mayor Peter Lacques.

“There is a lot of concern about the FCC’s ability to honestly look out for public safety issues because the regulatory process is compromised by close relationships to telecom companies. And the latest regulations proposed by the FCC further limit local jurisdictions’ ability to regulate services. That’s why Fairfax and dozens of other Infographic by Garrett Cook cities and jurisdictions have joined coalitions to challenge the FCC rulemaking process,” Lacques said. which are part of the problem. erase current relationships that the MGSA has with telecom The mayor also stated that besides joining the coalition, Marin General Service Authority (MGSA) owns companies, and may mean they will receive less money..

Fairfax has put other precautions in place to increase around 80 percent of the street lights in the entire county, “Because we as an agency own the pole, we negotiated safety. some used to house electrical equipment for cellular an agreement with Verizon for instance. Our agreement “In Fairfax we have added some real safeguards to networks. says…if we approve the application from them then we address safety concerns. We have a rigorous application Michael Frank, the executive director of the MGSA, will start collecting lease revenue….we negotiated about program to ensure the poles are safe from fires or says since they own the poles that the network requires, $1,000 a month per pole from the carriers, well the FCC earthquakes. The poles are also not allowed in residential but are a government agency, they have been thrust into a limited it to $250 a month per pole,” Frank said. areas and must be 1,500 feet apart,” Lacques said. neutral zone regarding the controversy..

Wireless carriers have announced plans to start rolling An implementation of the 5G network will improve “We own about 16,000 street light poles in Marin, and out the 5G services to a handful of cities by the end of devices’ response time to 400 times faster than the blink the telecom companies want to use them to implement the this year, except you need a 5G eligible device which tech of an eye, according to CNBC. It will also allow users 5G network. . . So legally we are not allowed to locally companies have not started selling in stores. to download a movie in just over 3.5 seconds, compared have anything to say about things such as potential health to six minutes on 4G. To accomplish this, new hardware risks,” Frank said. including antennas, poles and boxes need to be set up The executive director also said the FCC regulations gcook@redwoodbark.org Kristen and Tane Abbott Margaret Abbott Aaron and Randi Agenbroad Charles and Kimberly Allen The Alylwin Family Sarah Ames and Peter Bouton Seth and Kelli Anderson Ann Aylwin Lisa Bacino Kathryn Baldwin Ingrid Becker Cammi Bell Helga Beyer The Blazei Family Howard Block The Blum Family Mari Bowler Donal and Brenda Brown Jason Brown Amy Brugger Liz Brusseau Rose and Chuck Bucklar Taissa Cherry and Jay Labourene Amy Cifarelli Compass Education Group William and Laura Conrow Bill and Laura Conrow Deborah Cook The Corn Family

Hali Croner and Eugene Palmer Joanne Desin Cyndi Devereaux Lisa Diener Shannon Donelan Laurie Dubin Douglas Epps Gus and Dee Ann Ezcurra Shelley and Kendall Fargo Sarah and Mike Fargo Courtney Finnegan Tim Fisher The Fishbourne Family Thomas Fishburne Suzanne Fogarty Pamela Fong The Gilman Family Jennifer and Michael Ginsburg Judith and Bud Glickman The Glickman Family Emily Glidden Cynthia Goodman Jay H O’Conner and Heather Corcoran The Haggard Family Mark and Jacqueline Harris Joyce Hoelzle The Holbrook Family Maura Hughes

Bark Patrons Tamara Hull The James Family Lawrence and Teresa Jeffry The Johnson Family Sylvia Jones Van and Merill Kasper Nina Katz Jon Kawamura and Elizabeth Foley Stacey and Noah Kempler The Kimball Family The Kitzel Family David and Lisa Klein Ari and Nicole Klionsky Tammy Kornfeld Jodi and Guy Ladetzky Eugene Lewis IV Cynthia Lightfoot Jeffrey and Karen Loebbaka Bill Lowis Alice and Bob Marks Kerianne and Christopher McBride John McCullouch

Tom and Michelle McHugh Wendy McKinley Jon and Laura Mellberg Chris Michaels Denise Miller Jacqui Miranda Donna Norstad Denise Olson James Parker The Parsons Family Ed Pfeiffer Roxane Polidora Lesley and Tim Reidy Wendy Robinow The Rocha Family Walter and Ellen Sanford Lucia Sinatra Christina Smallhorn Robin Steele The Steele Family Geordie Stephens

Lorna Strotz The Strotz Family Jackie Swoiskin The Tatum Family Cristiano Torresi Karol Towns The Tribolet Family The Tribuzious Family Kimberly Tully-Sutton Vickie Vann Helene Walters Holly Welch Jim Whelpley Patty and Dave Young The Zlot Family

If you would like to support the Redwood Bark, donations can be made by check and mailed to Redwood High School.

Checks should be made payable to the Redwood Bark.

Additionally, online donations can be made through PayPal to rhsredwoodbark.

opinion

Page 5

Senior Year Self-Discovery

Finding meaning in high school now that it’s ending

Story and Illustration by Emily Sweet On the first day of freshman year, I decided high school wasn’t going to be the “best years of my life.”

After almost seven full semesters at Redwood, I can safely say that I stand by that statement. I’ve made lasting friendships and have generally fond memories, but I’ve grown a little tired of the incredibly inconvenient false fire alarms, lackluster rallies and debate about how to deal with the parking situation (news flash, it can’t just be “dealt with”).

But it’s not just Redwood I’m tired of—it’s the entire idea of education. I’ve been working my butt off for three and a half years, and now that my future is pretty much out of my hands, what’s the point?

This is precisely the problem I’ve recognized within myself. I’m a motivated student! My entire life—dare I say—I’ve actually enjoyed school. I like being in a classroom, I like learning. But through my education I’ve strongly believed that the ultimate goal is to work hard for most of high school until your plans for the future are not up to you anymore.

Whether this takes the shape of applying to college or making decisions about working or taking a gap year, for me, it has always been that once you get to that point, you’ve succeeded. Because of this, now I’ve reached a point where I can’t seem to find the motivation to continue working hard in any of my classes, many of which I’m taking to fulfill requirements.

What I’ve realized is that school is so much more than an end goal. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2018 there were 56.6 million

children in primary and secondary schools around the United States. For many of those kids throughout elementary and secondary school, the majority of classes are predetermined.

Even as a senior, Redwood’s graduation requirements dictate a portion of my schedule.

As I get closer to leaving next year, the cost of my time and effort going into classes that are of little interest to me has become a strain on the diminishing time I have to spend with my family and friends. It is not the fact we have graduation requirements that is upsetting to me; I trust there is value in the courses Redwood requires students to take. It is the idea that I’ve allowed myself to feel like it is okay to give up.

Understanding yourself in the context of school is not something I often take time to reflect on.

There is no one cookie cutter way to get the most out of school and how to experience it. However, it is worth it

to spend a little bit of time reflecting.

With 56.6 million children enrolled, there will be 56.6 million paths through education.

For me, it has been a harrowing journey with far too much math, but in a rather mature realization, I’ve begun to comprehend that learning itself has no ultimate goal.

I’ve spent my entire high school life focused on my personal end goal of college rather than the privilege of learning, and I regret that. Looking back, Redwood has provided me with a world-class education and I feel very appreciative to have that foundation moving forward. But I really wish I hadn’t waited until senior year to realize that.

There are certain things about high school that I hate and can’t change. The hallways are annoyingly crowded at almost all times, the building is vaguely reminiscent of San Quentin and I would rather get a root canal than walk to the portables in the rain again. But with my last semester, I plan to immerse myself in my classes while I can, because this may be one of the last points in my life where my main focus is to educate myself, which is a luxury.

So yes, high school hasn’t been the best years of my life. But it’s been a time of self-exploration and building a strong foundation for my future, and that is worth the ever-present smell of JUUL smoke. esweet@redwoodbark.org

Elite college legacy favoritism does no favors for most Story and Illustration by Grace Bouton An applicant with a perfect SAT or ACT score, 4.0 unweighted GPA, rigorous course schedule, a history of community service, a summer internship and leadership experience under their belt is a seemingly perfect college applicant.

They’re the kid that all of their classmates ask for help, the student that all the teachers talk fondly of and the one that everyone says is going somewhere. However, one box that’s left unchecked diminishes all of this achievement and as a result, might leave a qualified applicant with a rejection letter. That box is legacy status and serves as the root of inequality for many private colleges’ admission process that prioritizes familial connections over the caliber of students in a process that should be based purely on merit.

According to the Wall Street Journal, legacy applicants at Harvard University

are five times as likely to be admitted than non-legacies, and at Stanford the admissions rate for legacies is two or three times higher than the general population, according to the Stanford Daily. This blatant favoritism of children of the educated elite has not only been drawn up in court as a part of the Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard case, but also has called into question the greater inequality across a majority of the collegiate system.

According to the Wall Street Journal, in a study of 30 elite colleges, legacy students were 45 percent more likely to be admitted into a highly selective college or university than non-legacy students. Because legacy is considered in applications at 75 percent of the top 100 research institutions and liberal arts colleges in the United States, according to College Transitions, this inequality is consolidated in the elite halls of colleges and universities, as opposed to lower-ranked schools. This results in

discrimination against high-achieving, lower-income applicants whose parents may not have attended a top college or even college at all, further perpetuating the cycle of inequality that has resulted in such a gaping disparity between the rich and the poor.

Standardized testing is a pillar of the admissions process and also contributes to this inequality of educational access between the rich and the poor.

Across high-achieving high schools, the SAT and ACT are complex processes, often including tutors, practice tests and hours of studying.

Consequently, several students at Redwood, a school ranked in the top 30 of California high schools, are legacies to elite schools and are able to take part in such rigorous preparation for standardized tests, because they often have parents who are extremely invested financially and psychologically into their children’s college process.

However, for all of the disadvantages a student without wealthy parents faces before college applications are due, the inequality reaches an even greater level within the admissions office. According to the Wall Street Journal, being a legacy is equivalent, in admissions value, to a 160-point gain on the SAT (on a 1600 point scale) and about a three-point advantage on ACT. Additionally, according to The Atlantic, 38 colleges, among them five of the Ivys, had more students from the top 1 percent of the nation’s income than from the bottom 60 percent. This demonstrates that the importance of a checked legacy box stretches beyond just breaking a tie between two equally qualified applicants.

The unfair advantage legacies have in college admissions highlights a blatant bias towards the children of the elite over the less fortunate students, and the disregard for the morality that comes with that favoritism.

Why should the accomplishments of an applicant’s parents be considered in a process that is otherwise based on merit.

The answer most supporters of this biased system give is money. Alumni and legacies often claim that by allowing an admission advantage to students of graduates, a greater sense of loyalty is fostered, and therefore brings in more donations, bettering the school in the long run.

However, not only is this logic immoral, but the reasons behind the claim are inaccurate. According to the U.S. News, two of the top eight U.S. schools with the largest endowments are MIT, with an endowment of $14.8 billion, and Texas A&M, with over $10 billion. Incidentally, both of these highly-funded schools banned legacy-based admission over a decade ago, disproving the common justification that favoring legacies is necessary to uphold the school’s prestige.

The college admissions process shouldn’t be a contributor to the disparity that results from such early educational and economic equality, but instead should be a moral system that helps to equalize this disparity by being based on academic merit as opposed to legacy status.

According to the Wall Street Journal, in a study of 30 elite colleges, legacy students were 45 percent more likely to be admitted into a highly selective college or university than non-legacy students.

gbouton@redwoodbark.org

bark

Page 6 • Opinion

December 14, 2018

Flag on the play: Fantasy Football holds back team spirit Story and Illustration by Aaron Kim Fantasy football has grown to become one of the most prominent yearly traditions among all age groups and genders. According to a December Bark survey, 71 percent of Redwood students self-reported either that they play or know someone who plays fantasy football. High school students aren’t the only ones hiding games under their desks, either—fantasy football is played by an estimated 33 million people in the United States and Canada yearly, according to Forbes.

Fantasy owners gather weeks before the first regular season game of the National Football League (NFL), fully dressed in football attire, prepped with player reports and ready to bring home their league title once and for all.

Ever since the creation of the first publicly available free fantasy football website in 1997, the fictitious game has not only consumed football lovers, but slowly degraded team spirit by shifting fans’ support away from a singular team and towards a handful of offensive players. With this shift in fandom comes severe consequences for certain players and the NFL as a whole.

This trend of a dwindling fan base can be seen in the decline of viewers for football games and an increase in viewership of fantasy football shows.

According to Business Insider, the NFL’s television ratings have plummeted over the years, going from 17.9 percent in 2010 to 14.8 percent in 2017. On the other hand, shows such as NFL RedZone and NFL Sunday Ticket, which focus solely on touchdowns and offensive players, have boomed since their creation in the late 2000s, overtaking the popularity of broadcasted football games.

For fantasy owners, NFL Redzone and NFL Sunday Ticket are the keys to being able to access all games and big plays at once. Because this simplified version of football broadcasting is targeted directly at fantasy owners, it has dragged more and more football aficionados into the dark world of fantasy.

With the extreme gratification that comes with watching one’s fantasy football running back plunge into the end zone comes unprecedented repercussions. One of these repercussions is the loss of team spirit, especially among younger generations who have been exposed

to fantasy football for their whole lives. According to Brendan Dwyer, an associate professor of sports leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, ever since the creation of fantasy football, the vast majority of football connoisseurs have become less invested in their favorite teams and progressively more preoccupied with the performance of the individual’s players on their fantasy team.

“I think the NFL, in the long run, is going to have a brand-consistency issue because people are not going to be interested in who wins games anymore. I saw how people behaved during the games at sports bars. I saw how torn they were, and I saw the cognitive dissonance they felt in watching both their favorite team and their fantasy team,” Dwyer said

in an interview with Slate Magazine.

Such division of loyalties has not only diminished team spirit but also the pockets of the NFL. In 2007, as fantasy football began to take off, reallife game attendance began to decrease.

According to Sports Business Daily, game attendance has been steadily decreasing by around three percent annually since 2007.

With insufficient attendance at games comes less income for NFL teams, jeopardizing everything from the waterboy’s job to the salary of a franchise quarterback.

Despite the decrease in game attendance, ticket sales are little more than a rounding error on a typical NFL team’s balance sheet. It’s television that makes the money.

According to Forbes, the NFL racks in an estimated $7 billion every year from TV channels purchasing the right to broadcast games. However, due to the rising popularity of fantasy shows, the NFL has been losing millions of viewers, thus losing more money.

Just as fantasy football has had its effect on the field, it also plays a significant role off the field, benefiting some greatly while o t h e r s suffer unnoticeably. As fantasy football comprises primarily of offensive players with just one defensive team spot, defensive players tend to go unnoticed. According to a December Bark survey, 86 percent of students selfreported knowing more offensive players with only 14 percent knowing more defensive. Both offense and defense play a fundamental role on a football team, one not being more important than other, yet with the surge of fantasy football, offensive players receive all the recognition.

Along with a lack of recognition for the grueling work that defensive players put in, their unpopularity translates to less income off the field in the form of advertisements and sponsorships. According to Forbes, the top five highest paid offensive players make $37 million more than the top five highest paid defensive players in endorsements and sponsors.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the concept and competitiveness of fantasy football, but despite my passion for the fictionalized game, I know that it is deteriorating the traditional values of a deep-rooted team spirit, jeopardizing the NFL’s revenue and taking away recognition and money from well-deserving defensive players. If football lovers, like myself, truly want to preserve the love for and loyalty to our cherished football teams, we need to shy away from digitized games that are slowly ruining America’s most beloved sport. akim@redwoodbark.org

Parental brainwashing shouldn’t impair teens’ political beliefs Story and Illustration by Emma Carpenter Whenever political issues are debated in class, I almost always know what the response of my peers will be. As Marin is a predominantly liberal county, many members of our community tend to have identical views regarding controversial topics. It seems that parents pass down their views directly to their children, creating a community that is uneducated about both sides of the political spectrum.

Growing up in a family with two opinionated and conservative parents, I have always brought up controversial topics to find out their unique standpoints on issues. Although at times I disagree with my parents, I try to understand where they are coming from because of the rarity of their perspective in Marin. Being exposed to both liberal views at school and conservative views at home, I was inspired to form my own stance early on in life and become informed by staying up-to-date with what is happening in the world around me. If more teenagers take the time to identify their voice in politics and resist being swayed by their parents, our community would be better informed and more politically diverse.

The political perspectives of parents play a large role in the open-mindedness of their children. According to Dr. Bruce E. Cain, a professor of political science at Stanford University, parents shape the decisions of their impressionable children.

“Parents have a tremendous influence on the interest their kids have in politics, the values they bring to politics and the habits they have with regard to citizenship,” Dr. Cain said.

If parents are only knowledgeable about either liberal or conservative views, their kids will follow in their footsteps a n d continue to

believe that there is only one correct viewpoint. To solve this issue, parents must ensure that they are unbiased, and support their kids in whatever party they choose to affiliate with.

Along with parents, it is imperative that teenagers stay up-to-date with politics on their own to fully understand what they are standing for. According to a December

Bark survey, 33 percent of students selfreported that they do not feel informed about what is happening in the world politically. Many teenagers at Redwood are now able to vote, which comes with the responsibility of being politically mindful.

They should research evidence to back up their beliefs, rather than relying on what their parents and friends say.

In addition to parental influence, peer pressure can influence one’s political stance. According to Dr. BJ Casey from the medical college of Cornell University, when teenagers take the time to make judgments on their own without any influences, their decisions are more accurate and personal to them. However, when they make decisions in binding social situations, their choices often depict those of their peers.

This is prevalent in politics here at Redwood.

According to a recent self-reported Bark survey, 67 percent of students feel that other students at school or their parents have shaped their stance on politics.

Being accustomed to hearing both liberal and conservative perspectives, I have been able to take the time to form my own opinions, rather than automatically jumping to a liberal or conservative stance based on what the people around me feel is right. If more teenagers kept an open mind and listened to voices other than their friends and family, perhaps their political views would be different.

Many parents, given the responsibility

of preparing their children for their futures, work to indoctrinate their children at very young ages with a specific viewpoint they feel is right. This may seem wrong, but when parents instruct their kids on what to believe early on in life, it can actually have a surprising effect. Based on a recent study from the British Journal of Political Science, parents who insist that their children adopt their political views actually make their children abandon those beliefs and find their own unique perspectives once becoming adults. Children often feel restricted to the one political viewpoint their parents preach to them, but tend to become more passionate about learning both sides of politics later on in life.

In addition, children who come from homes where politics are frequently discussed are more likely to take an interest in politics once they leave home. As long as all viewpoints are considered, it can be valuable for political discussions to take place in households. Although children are likely to distance themselves from what their parents have taught them to believe once they become adults, exposing children to multiple points of view early on is valuable. Relying on children to go against the ideas that their parents have instilled in them is not a healthy way for them to find their own voice.

It is hard to prevent parents, friends and even teachers from spreading their biased views onto younger generations. There is no one solution that can help prevent other factors from interfering with the visions of young people. To help improve the political imbalance of Marin and beyond, we must begin to end the cycle of one-sided views.

Keeping an open mind and constantly questioning what is happening in our world can lead us to find new opinions on topics not guided by the people in our lives. ecarpenter@redwoodbark.org

Page 7 • Opinion

www.redwoodbark.org

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Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org Editors-In-Chief Lily Baldwin Neva Legallet Saamya Mungamuru Emily Sweet Head Copy Editor Sydney Hilbush

Illustration by Charlie Werner

editorial Community inaction against anti-Semitism must end “Silence isn’t golden”

POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of the Bark staff

Just last week, a picture of a Wisconsin preprom group performing the Nazi salute went viral on Twitter, sparking a momentary discussion on the rising anti-Semitism in America. However, within days, the article disappeared as just another news story—reflective of a culture in which anti-Semitism is continually glossed over. Redwood, having experienced its own anti-Semitic events in the form of swastika drawings and microaggressions towards Jewish students, is not exempt from the hate that has swept the nation. It is time, as members of the Redwood community, to address the issue of rising anti-Semitism head-on.

According to a 2017 report from the AntiDefamation League (ADL), anti-Semitic incidents increased 57 percent from the previous year, the largest annual jump since 1979. Additionally, the ADL reported an 84 percent increase of anti-Semitic incidents specifically on college campuses from 2016 to 2017. It is more important now than ever for teachers and students to address this issue, both in and out of the classroom.

Last year, Redwood partnered with the ADL to instruct teachers on how to deal with anti-Semitic and racist behavior in a school setting. Through role-play activities, the organization helped teachers identify their personal biases and how they might be reflected in the classroom. Despite these efforts, many teachers have yet to acknowledge the presence of antiSemitism in the classroom, and Redwood has seen little tangible impact on the part of students. According to a December Bark survey, 60 percent of Redwood students self-reported that they have never discussed anti-Semitism with a teacher or administrator in a school setting. Training on this topic should be given and projected onto the Redwood community regardless of the frequency of anti-Semitic events, but in a time when that frequency is relatively high, why isn’t the training coming through in the classroom?

Anti-Semitism is not always found in the most noticeable places; it also occurs in the form of microaggression and offhand comments. Within Redwood, microaggressions towards Jewish students have led to a culture that desensitizes anti-Semitism.

In the hallways or at lunch, students are often unaware of the impact of their “jokes,” which sometimes poke fun at Jewish holidays such as Passover or Rosh Hashanah, as well as Jewish culture. While these comments themselves may not be the violent acts largely covered by the media, they still propagate a toxic atmosphere where hurtful words are overlooked.

Some may argue that the subject of anti-Semitism A BARK to Drake and Meek Mill for reuniting on Meek’s new album. Looks like their relationship isn’t “Going Bad” after all.

A BITE to USA Gymnastics filing for bankruptcy. Their accountant must be flipping out.

A BARK to the Marin Humane Society for helping to shelter the dogs, cats and pigs that were displaced from the Camp Fire. Thank you for your act of human(e) kindness.

A BITE to the recent recall of 5.1 million pounds of beef. Dejamoo.

A BARK to Netflix keeping

is too uncomfortable and controversial to be discussed in an educational setting. However, not directly addressing anti-Semitism in the classroom implies that the issue is unimportant and easily preventable. Putting “no place for hate” posters around campus or sending generic emails to parents are not enough to seriously address this issue. Unlike direct discussions, they can easily be ignored.

The lack of acknowledgment of anti-Semitism in schools cannot be solved by these superficial remedies, or by holding ADL sessions only for teachers. After all, it is not teachers scribbling swastikas on bathroom stalls or in library books, both of which have been observed at Redwood. Educators are responsible for shaping the beliefs, values and skills of students so that they will be able to positively contribute to society. How are students supposed to learn the significance and impact of anti-Semitism if the adults who influence them are uncomfortable discussing it?

Some ways in which educators can address antiSemitism in educational settings is to acknowledge it when it happens instead of immediately covering it up. These incidents should be used as catalysts for broader discussions about anti-Semitism. Sending emails out to parents or completely sweeping these microaggressions under the rug simply won’t cut it, as students will only continue to be oblivious to the pain and stress that these actions cause not only for Jews, but for the entire community. However uncomfortable, addressing nationwide acts of antiSemitism within the classroom fosters a discussion that is essential to understanding the impact of such hateful speech.

As we stand, our community is far from immune to this fostering of oppression, and this must be acknowledged in the classroom. Our generation will soon be the next politicians, civil rights activists and leaders with the power to enact change, and it is vital that our classrooms reflect the values that we want to see in the future. We deserve to be informed about the world we will soon be stepping into as adults, no matter how uncomfortable the conversation may be.

Have an opinion regarding anything that appears in the Bark or in general? We encourage our readers to submit letters to the editor. Letters to the Bark should be 500 words or fewer, typed if possible and signed. They must be submitted to room 177 or in the Bark mailbox. They may also be emailed to bark@redwoodbark.org.

‘Friends’ for another year. So glad we’re not on a break.

A BITE to the stock market. This unpredictability is really getting us Dow-n.

A BARK to Boudin day. I really needed some extra SOUP-ort to get through finals and the cold weather.

A BITE to the two Marine pilots who made a penis-shaped flight path over the skies of Southern California. They should never be allowed back in the cockpit.

A BARK to hockey season being in full effect. We love watching those guys puck each other up.

A BITE to chapped lips season.

What’s crackin’ winter?

A BARK to journalists being named Time’s People of the Year.

That’s good news!

A BITE to the Romaine lettuce E. coli breakouts. Lettuce romaine calm through this whole situation.

BARKS and BITES are the collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS are in praise of accomplishments, while BITES criticize decisions or events.

Copy Editors Maria Alexander Mikaela Beberman Drake Goodman Sabine Lloyd Maddie Loebbaka Justin Newhard Ryo Weng News Editors Audrey Hettleman Katherine Muller Opinion Editors Lauren Steele Sam Warren Feature Editors Natalie Cerf Josephine Yee Sports Editors Jacob Klionsky Matt Smalbach Review Editors Sydney Steinberg Skylar Strotz Lifestyles Editors Melissa Block Eislyn Snyder Spanish Editor Julia Scharf Video Editors Harrison Segal Charlie Werner Business Manager Lucie James Social Media Manager Karl Somerville Survey Manager Aaron Kim Art Consultant Max Gilberg Web Developers Erin McCarthy Reporters Evelyn Bailey Ryan Bell Jack Benbow Grace Bouton Olivia Brekhus Emma Carpenter Nate Charles Taylor Charles Anna Compagno Garrett Cook Jenna Dahlin Alexa Erickson Shane Fricke Dean Griffin Emma Ingledew Alex Johnson Devon McClain Julia Merron Amanda Morse Sachi Nahas Jack Parsons Alexandra Polidora Bella Roesler Alix Salzer Morgan Salzer Meera Srinivasan Bennett Vasquez Sarah Young Adviser Lindsey Kornfeld

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Página 8

Nuevo restaurante mexicano Flores trae cultura auténtica a Town Center Por Olivia Brekhus

Un restaurante tradicional mexicano, Flores tuvo su primera ubicación en Union Street en San Francisco.

Desde su apertura en 2016, el establecimiento ha recibido críticas entusiastas de críticos populares como SFGate, Eater San Francisco y el San Francisco Chronicle.

Flores está decorada con un genuino tema de estilo mexicano. Las plantas tropicales están dispersas estéticamente, añadiendo a la decoración auténtica. En la pared opuesta de Flores, hay un extenso mural en blanco y negro, y a la izquierda hay un colorido retrato pintado con flores, que se asemeja a la colorida cultura mexicana.

Creando un ambiente íntimo, hay cabinas acogedoras, mesas de bar con poca luz, mesas bajas con sillones forrados en cuero y mesas comunales largas. La música mexicana suena suavemente detrás de la conversación.

Un pequeño aperitivo de chip de tortilla al horno me abrió el apetito para el resto de mi comida, con una textura sorprendentemente suave que contradecía su aspecto frito. Con forma de flores, las papas fueron saladas tan perfectamente que el guacamole o la salsa se volvieron innecesarios.

Después de los chips de tortilla, tuve las Tostadas de Cangrejo, dos tortillas crujientes rematadas con cangrejo, lechuga, pepino, cebolla en escabeche y aguacate. Debido a su sabor dinámico, agridulce (un toque de cítricos) y crujiente perfecto, fue mi plato favorito y me dejó recordando mi experiencia culinaria de vacaciones en

Foto por Olivia Brekhus

LOS REFRESCANTES CON sabor son una bebida perfecta para clientes menores de 21 años.

Foto por Olivia Brekhus

LOS CHURROS SON un delicioso postre para compartir entre amigos y familia. Son el final perfecto para una comida sabrosa.

Nayarit en México.

Apenas llegaron, devoré las Enchiladas de Pato.

Vienen con dos enchiladas, por lo que es un gran plato para compartir. Esta orden incluye pato confitado, salsa verde, aguacate, crema y queso fresco rellenos en una tortilla de maíz. El pato se cocinó a la perfección y se cortó delicadamente, complementando el sabor rico y sabroso de la enchilada. La tortilla de maíz no estaba demasiado empapada ni demasiado espesa, lo que permitía que el sabor salado del pato fuera el foco.

Los Sopes de Palmito, empanadillas de masa fritas, golpearon la mesa y las miré con entusiasmo. Como fan de golosinas, estas albóndigas eran excepcionales. Estaban llenos de palmito, puré de frijol negro, cebolla, queso y aguacate. Este plato era ligero y pastoso, amplificando el sabor del puré. Aunque el plato venía con tres albóndigas, desaparecieron en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.

En cuanto a los refrescos, el gerente me trajo un refrigerador de hibisco naranja y un refrigerador de piña, jengibre y menta. La bebida de hibisco no era mi favorita; como alguien con un diente dulce, esto sabía más como un té helado helado. Sin embargo, disfruté del enfriador de piña, que sabía más a piña y naranja que a menta.

Se estaba apagando la sed como la limonada en un día de verano. Llena de hielo raspado y rematada con un

palillo azul mexicano, esta colorida bebida imitó el tema tradicional del restaurante.

Para terminar mi noche en Flores, tuve los churros.

Estos buñuelos azucarados y pastosos venían con salsa dulce de cajeta, una leche de cabra caramelizada. Fueron los mejores churros que he tenido, perfectamente cocinados hasta obtener una consistencia crujiente. La combinación de churros y salsa cajeta fue la cantidad correcta de dulzura, dejándome con ganas de más ...

El ambiente era energético y la comida era apetitosa, lo que hizo que mi experiencia en Flores fuera excepcional.

Todos los empleados fueron acogedores y entusiastas, brindando un servicio rápido que hizo que mi noche fuera aún más placentera. Flores es una adición necesaria al Centro de la Ciudad en Corte Madera, aunque recomiendo reservar una reserva con anticipación porque Flores siempre está lleno de clientes hambrientos que saben que Flores tiene auténtica cocina mexicana y una experiencia gastronómica agradable. Flores trae la mejor especia mexicana a tu paladar.

obrekhus@redwoodbark.org

“Elite” de Netflix ofrece personajes sofisticados que crean profundidad e intriga Por Neva Legallet Con reminiscencias de la crueldad y la abundancia excesiva que han definido series populares de drama adolescente como “90210” y “Pretty Little Liars,” “Elite” se distingue entre la televisión hispana.

Una escuela fantásticamente rica, a la que asisten algunos de los niños más mimados e influyentes de España, es el telón de fondo de una tragedia que se desarrolla lentamente, con un ritmo deliberadamente retrasado que es adecuado a la intriga por excelencia de una escuela privada.

Las Encinas, o “Fancyland,” como la llaman los lugareños, admiten a tres estudiantes becados después del colapso del techo de su propia institución durante la construcción. Asesinato, traición y engaño caracterizan el desarrollo de la trama, que se materializa junto con la progresión de los personajes.

Ejecutado con cuidado, la trama todavía está peligrosamente cerca de ser trillada en su uso de flashbacks sombríos, horripilantes e intersticiales de interrogatorios policiales.

Recuperar el formato común es la tentadora progresión de los eventos—la víctima de asesinato no se revela hasta el final del primer episodio de 45 minutos—lo cual es lo suficientemente atractivo como para que cualquier trampa del estilo del flashback sea excusable. Único en “Elite” es la manera en que los estudiantes de Las Encinas transmiten revelaciones mucho más profundas y oscuras sobre las diferencias culturales

Foto por Netflix

MARINA (CENTRO) ES la conexión entre muchos de los personajes, y sufre tribulaciones importantes en su vida personal. y socioeconómicas significativas ocasiones, cumple su objetivo de hacer de de su sociedad. “Elite” se complace “Elite” uno de los espectáculos españoles con los espectáculos de adolescentes más auténticamente realistas. convencionales de muchas maneras, pero Un estudiante, Samuel, trabaja en mesas el mundo infinitesimal de los estudiantes de espera para mantenerse a sí mismo y va más allá del chisme y el sexo para a su madre soltera mientras su hermano ilustrar los conflictos entre la clase obrera mayor entra y sale de la cárcel. Sujeto a y los niveles más altos de la sociedad interminables comentarios sarcásticos y española. Aunque la distinción entre los referido como “el camarero,” su personaje, estudiantes acaudalados y sus homólogos sin embargo él demuestra una admirable que dependen de la beca se exagera en integridad y seriedad en muchos jóvenes

protagonistas adultos. Entre el resto del elenco, abundan los estereotipos, desde el cruel y rico deportista hasta la chica popular mezquita y de buen estilo. Sin embargo, a medida que avanza la temporada, se revela una profundidad inusual, lo que hace que “Elite” valga la pena de los personajes inicialmente convencionales a medida que su desarrollo brilla.

Algunos actos de la llamada rebelión, el hijo del director que compra una articulación con manos sudorosas y temblorosas y dinero arrugado, se han visto antes y se han hecho antes. “Elite,” sin embargo, cautiva con historias individuales. El mismo hijo del director, por ejemplo, introduce un tema que no se explora comúnmente en los medios hispanos cuando explora su sexualidad y expone las vulnerabilidades masculinas que normalmente se rechazan en las representaciones de atletas masculinos. Los personajes más ásperos, narcotraficantes y “jailbirds” también tienen sus momentos de vulnerabilidad, rompiendo los límites que comúnmente unen a los personajes adolescentes con las acciones prescritas de los estereotipos.

Superando a los tropos en cada turno, “Elite” contrasta con la facilidad de los ricos bebedores de champán la infinidad de mundos de cuello alto, infundiendo subtramas alegres que revelan personajes con una amplitud sorprendente para su edad y la premisa del espectáculo. nlegallet@redwoodbark.org

feature

Paradise in ruins: Around

Page 9

CAMP FIRE

6:30 a.m. on Nov. 8, the devastating Camp Fire ignited in Butte County, California.

On its rampage, the fire destroyed over more than 150,000 acres, and only reached a containment level of 100 percent on Nov. 25, a little over two weeks after its start, according to Cal Fire. Officials have searched all burned edifices and as of print time on Dec. 14, the death toll was 85 and the list of missing persons was 11, decreasing immensely from initial numbers of over 1,000.

After two weeks of complete demolition, it has been deemed the most destructive fire in California’s history.

The fire has destroyed 13,696 single residence homes according to Cal Fire’s estimates, and displaced thousands days before Thanksgiving.

Though the cause of the fire is still unknown, many news sources including The New York Times are suggesting it is related to human activity. Both CNN and Fox News wrote about the possibility of electrical companies being at fault for the fire as well.

We realize that all those little bits of ash, those are people’s houses, that’s a car, maybe this one is someone’s clothes or toys … They are little pieces of somebody’s former life raining all over you.

Photo by Lily Baldwin

IN THE WALMART parking lot, a parked car surrounded tents where residents have camped out after losing their homes.

Catherine Stone,

Superintendent of the Lake County School District

Photo by Neva Legallet

COMPLETLY DEMOLISHED BY the fire, a van sits in the area that once was the home to the people of Paradise.

Photo by Neva Legallet

STANDING AROUND IN the Walmart parking lot in Chico people wear air quality protection masks.

Photo by Neva Legallet

ON THE FENCE between Paradise and Chico, signs hang to raise spirits during the destructive fires.

On the side of the road were flames taller than I’ve ever seen. I could feel the heat through my car. I could feel the heat on my hands and on my face.

The community here that’s come together to help us, it’s beautiful, it really is. That just shows how Chico and Paradise really just united.

Dakota Kurtz,

Paradise Resident

Matt Lemasters,

For extended coverage of the Camp Fire, visit redwoodbark.org.

Volunteer with World Central Kitchen Photo by Lily Baldwin

BURNT ALL THE way through, a car is left in ashes after the Camp Fire swept through Paradise.

Contributions to this story made

by Lily Baldwin, Jack Benbow, Dean Griffin, Audrey Hettleman, Neva Legallet and Emily Sweet bark@redwoodbark.org

bark

Page 10 • Feature

December 14, 2018

Adderall is not the study cure-all: the academic misuse of a serious drug

By Eislyn Snyder One of my teachers told us a few weeks ago in class bunch of work, and I have gotten better test grades from every time finals come around, people will come that, “These next three weeks are going to be tough. But, studying all night, so my grades do improve.” up and say, ‘Hey, do you want to sell me Adderall?’

In 2015, 7.5 percent of high school seniors reported Every two weeks I get hit up by people on Snapchat, you’ll get through it if you make sure not to ‘spin.’” She defines spinning as losing focus by browsing through taking Adderall unprescribed in the past year, according on Instagram, through texts [and by] people in the the explore page on Instagram instead of finishing to the Monitoring the Future survey conducted by the hallway. I’ve seen kids that I don’t even know and history homework, or watching YouTube videos to University of Michigan. More than 90 percent of the they’ll come up to me,” Bason-Mitchell said. “I’ve procrastinate on an English essay. However, that’s unprescribed Adderall usage among adolescents and always been in a position where I’m not comfortable. I easier said than done for many. To achieve total focus young adults is for studying purposes, according to the tell them this isn’t gonna work.” and stop “spinning,” many Redwood students resort to Journal of Physician Assistant Education.

However, when the drug is used for its intended One of the qualities Redwood prides itself on is its purpose, it can have life-changing effects. According taking amphetamines, specifically the synthetic moodrigorous academic setting—it’s not surprising that many to junior Cameron Gregory, who has been prescribed altering drug Adderall.

Adderall, a brand of Dextroamphetamine- students partake in the 17 Advanced Placement (AP) and Adderall for ADHD for about a year and a half, taking Amphetamine, is a prescription drug used primarily 10 honors classes available. After sophomore year, students it has completely transformed his academic experience. to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can take as many AP classes as they want. According to the He believes the shift in mental attitude towards school (ADHD), but also narcolepsy. According to a John December Bark survey, 27 percent of students self-reported is one of the largest components of why students take Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 2016 that they would consider taking Adderall unprescribed for the drug unprescribed. news release, Adderall and other stimulants such as their studies. In comparison to the national percentage of “Yes, it improves your focus, but your mood Ritalin are misused in order “to help students stay up 7.5 percent, the amount of students at Redwood who would towards school, that’s what creates motivation. all night and cram.” take Adderall unprescribed is far higher, likely illustrating That’s what keeps you going, the feeling of actually As finals season and the end of the semester one of the effects of a demanding academic environment. enjoying learning. I can enjoy [school] now because quickly approach, so do late nights of studying and Senior Davis Bason-Mitchell, who is prescribed of [Adderall]. I can come home and talk to my parents early mornings finishing Adderall for ADHD, believes that taking about school without one-word answers anymore,” assignments.

The stress Adderall for academics isn’t worth the risk Gregory said. “From all the research I did, I know associated with its use or aftereffects. can become unmanageable what it feels like when you don’t have ADHD and “You have no idea what is going into you take Adderall. It makes you feel almost euphoric. for many, according to your system. You may feel like you’re That’s why it makes kids who don’t have ADHD focus Corte Madera psychiatrist incredibly in depth, you may feel incredibly more—they’re just so happy about [their work].”

Emily Tejani. Based on her focused, it may do nothing. It may make experience working with Bason-Mitchell finds it alarming that the practice you incredibly depressed, hyperactive or of selling and buying Adderall is so commonplace at adolescents, she believes that paranoid,” Bason-Mitchell the unprescribed academic Redwood that someone would said. “And particularly when usage of Adderall among approach him in the halls. The people mix this and other students is due to the pressures administration, he believes, stimulants like caffeine put on students to succeed. ignores the issue, but there or other types of drugs or “There’s a tremendous are still steps they can take alcohol, along with stress, it’s amount of pressure to do well towards addressing the issue. a complete gamble. To get a in high school in order to get “They need to take some good grade but then be rushed into very specific colleges. time as teachers and as an to the hospital, it’s not worth That pressure is greater administration to look at it.” than it has been in the past themselves and realize that we According to a Johns for previous generations have a problem with [Adderall Hopkins’ news release, the of students,” Tejani said. and other drugs]. We need to most common source through “[Current students] are take some time during class to which adolescents receive wanting to give it their all, and Emily Tejani, realize that [we] not only have Adderall unprescribed is part of that is being willing to Physchiatrist, Corte Madera an issue with [stimulants] but through their family and take a drug that has not been with stress,” Bason-Mitchell friends. “Jackson” confirmed prescribed to them in the hope said. “[Students] need to pass that at Redwood, one of the of being able to get better this test and either they cheat largest contributors to unprescribed Adderall Cameron Gregory, grades.” or they take something that “Jackson,” a student who wished to remain usage are students with prescriptions who junior they believe will put them in anonymous, uses the drug when he finds his work to would “give a pill to a friend when [their a space where they can pass. friend] needs it.” be overwhelming.

[School] shouldn’t be about Bason-Mitchell said he has been asked on multiple potentially sacrificing your health and your happiness “It keeps me on track. I could study for two hours straight without taking a break and I can get all my occasions to sell his prescription, even to people he doesn’t to be able to succeed.” work done. I kind of enjoy it as well,” Jackson said. know.

“Probably about once every two to three weeks, and esnyder@redwoodbark.org “The only positive I get from it is just completing a

[Current students] are really wanting to give it their all, and part of that is being willing to take a drug that has not been prescribed to them in the hope of being able to get better grades.

From all the research I did, I know what it feels like when you don’t have ADHD and you take Adderall.

It makes you feel almost euphoric.

Page 11• Feature

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A timeline of Tiburon’s response to anti-Semitic graffiti found on school campus

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By Lauren Steele

lsteele@redwoodbark.org

For the extended coverage,visit redwoodbark.org

You are not just contributing to a social trend It might be behavioral contagion

By Bella Roesler Social dynamics in high school can be difficult to notice and evaluate, but there is one that can be seen quite clearly. The phenomena of a large majority of students using the same slang, wearing the same brands and even doing the same drugs is readily apparent in our daily lives, a manifestation of the archetype of high school cliques. But this popularized exemplar occurs due to a scientific reason. When behavior exhibited by an individual gains popularity, others catch on, creating a ripple effect within their environment. According to Psychology Research Net, behavioral contagion is the tendency for people to repeat behavior after others have performed it. Although this tendency influences many decisions and actions, most of the time we are not aware of the fact that we copy behavior.

Behavioral contagion is most common in the freshman and sophomore classes, due to the pressure to feel accepted in a relatively new environment, according to The Atlantic. Behavioral contagion can be positive, as it helps people adapt to new environments and feel comfortable in a new social setting.

Sophomore Ellen Cordisco came to Redwood as a freshman from Hamlin in San Francisco. According to Cordisco, she felt very different from everyone and had a hard time fitting in at first. Over time, she became more comfortable due to the subconscious process of behavioral contagion.

“I wasn’t really aware of [conforming]. It happened over a slow amount of time, how I dressed became more like everyone else and even how I talked. But now that I’m a sophomore I don’t really feel the need to conform, or maybe I just don’t really care anymore,” Cordisco said.

An investigation of behavioral contagion conducted

by Wayne University made the overall conclusion that those who are involved in behavioral contagion have little conscious awareness that they contribute to it. The

effects of behavioral contagion spread to large groups, making it difficult to compare the certain behavior with contrasting ones.

Aside from a desire for social acceptance, some students develop their interests through behavioral contagion. Junior Leila Malone realized this change as she let her friend group influence her music taste.

“I started listening to the same music as my friend group, which I ended up loving; I grew to become a metalhead. It started with everyone else listening to it so I thought I would listen to it, too,” Malone said.

According to Malone, her friend group identifies as ‘outsiders,’ and that’s what they thrive on. They don’t want to follow trends, and they strive to stand out in a way that is different.

“It’s kind of like excluding yourself from behavioral contagion, but in and of itself it still is behavioral contagion, because we all like the same things and dress similarly,” Malone said. “Not fitting in [with the mainstream crowd] is our way of fitting in with each other.”

Despite positive aspects of behavioral contagion, such as finding new things to enjoy or feeling the comfort of ‘fitting in,’ certain trends can be dangerous.

“A lot of my friends were actually really depressed, so I almost felt the need to act more depressed than I was.

I started self-harming because I felt peer-pressured to, even though [my friends] never blatantly said anything,” Malone said.

Redwood’s Wellness Outreach Specialist, Cera Arthur, also saw the negative effects of behavioral contagion when she was working as a therapist-in-training at the school she formerly worked for.

“There was a self-harm contagion. People were cutting and it was really scary how quickly it escalated. I think those situations can be really hard to handle, because people think that the more you talk about it, the more people will do it,” Arthur said. “And there’s the other side where you can pull those people in and talk about what’s going on.”

Self-harm is a common issue within high schools. An article by The Atlantic examined a suicide contagion in Palo Alto high schools. Cameron Lee was the first student at Henry M. Gunn High School to take his own life in 2014, which started the contagion, otherwise known as a “suicide cluster.”

Suicide clusters—defined as multiple deaths in close succession and proximity—feed on viral news and social connections.

According to The Wa s h i n g t o n Post, halfway through the academic year in 2015, it was announced that 42 Gunn High

School students had been hospitalized and treated for having suicidal thoughts since school began in the fall.

According to the administration, one key to preventing copycats is to avoid romanticizing the death, so they struggled to hit just the right tone. They had to eulogize Cameron without turning him into a hero or a martyr, while respecting his memory and his devastated family.

There is a fine line between mourning a suicide victim and turning it into a contagion. According to The Huffington Post, the more people are exposed to something, the more it desensitizes the human brain.

Behavioral contagion can make something irrational feel completely normal.

“You start thinking that [a certain trend] is normal because it’s within your environment. Exposure makes it more ok to do something that you might know is not healthy if it is within your group. That could be with any drug or alcohol or any other type of behavior,” Arthur said.

Behavioral contagion can also take the form of quickly-spreading trends. Unconscious choices to blend in often are exhibited in style choices, as we choose to wear the same type if clothes as our friends.

“I’m still contributing to trends. With fashion I dress like everyone else and I talk like everyone else,” Cordisco said. “I don’t care what others think of me at this point. I’m not really trying to conform but in some ways I still am.”

Whether it’s noticeable or not, recognizing the existence of behavioral contagion is essential to our understanding of what drives society. Bringing the topic of contagion into the common eye can help combat negative contagions, such as self-harm and suicide, or help individuals feel comfortable within their environment.

iroesler@redwoodbark.org

HOW THE MEDIA AND THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNIUTY INTERACT

The media has a lot of power. It has the power to alienate, disappoint and degrade people. However, it also has the power to motivate, connect and inspire.

In times of urgency, people turn to the internet, to the news or to TV shows in order to reconnect in some way with people around them. The media is a platform that can be used to set precedents for unchartered territory. It can be the deciding factor on where the majority of people around the world stand on political, social or any other sort of major topic. What people read or see on a screen can dictate how they feel about certain issues that take over daily conversations. It can be the reason why members of minority groups, the LGBTQ+ community in particular, feel accepted or not in our society.

According to a recent Bark survey, 26 percent of students self-reported that they believe the LGBTQ+ community is being represented in the media accurately, and 34 percent think that there is not enough representation to begin with.

Junior Layla Isherwood, who identifies as bisexual, has noticed a recent shift in the way that the LGBTQ+ community has been represented in the media. Lately, she has noticed that recent movie releases such as the romantic comedy “Love, Simon,” based on the novel “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli, have LGBTQ+ persons as the main characters who have happy storylines and happy endings. These narratives are replacing LGBTQ+ movies whose stories revolve around the tragedies or struggles associated with being a part of the gay community.

Sophomore Natalie Pemberton, who is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community and vice president of the Sexuality And Gender Alliance (SAGA) club, has identified a similar shift in the way the LGBTQ+ community has been represented in the media.

“LGBTQ+ characters are represented more as people than they used to be. It used to be more stereotypical. For example, in [the TV show] Glee, their main gay character was very much a stereotype.

By Natalie Cerf

It’s okay to have stereotypes represented, but that was kind of the only representation we saw in the media,” Pemberton said. “It’s nice to be able to see characters that are more like real people.”

Media also comes in different forms, one being social media. Isherwood noted that there is also a change in the way the LGBTQ+ community is representing itself through social media platforms.

“People are more willing to talk about their experiences as LGBT. It has been a slow trend over the years; people [are] becoming more willing to talk about their experiences as society becomes more accepting,” Isherwood said.

However, according to junior Spencer McConnell, the president of the SAGA club who identifies as a gay male, social media has not been all that inviting to the LGBTQ+ community. He has noticed on

various social media platforms, Tumblr in particular, that there are groups of people invalidating the trans community.

“There are people out there called ‘tucutes’ who give the trans community a very bad rep because they will create new identities and pronouns that don’t actually exist in the society that we live in,” McConnell said.

According to McConnell, this phenomenon has become bigger than its manifestation on social media, as the “tucutes” are going to medical centers and requesting hormone therapy or surgery which they end up later regretting because they never felt the gender or social dysphoria that someone who is truly trans will naturally feel. McConnell said that because of this, people who do have gender dysphoria and wish to take those same hormones or have the surgery have less access to these resources as

“tucutes” have already used some of them. This issue has also made its way back to medical professionals, according to McConnell, causing them to question whether or not they should be administering hormones or surgeries to trans people.

“The fact that misinformation was spreading to adults who weren’t even on the internet means that it was giving the LGBTQ+ community and the trans community a very bad rep,” McConnell said.

Isherwood said that even though media has encouraged representation of the LGBTQ+ community more recently, some of what started the representation happened many years ago. She attributed some of the initial spark in LGBTQ+ representation in the media to the AIDs crisis, because the outbreak which resulted in the death of millions was able to bring a new level of awareness of the gay community.

“I feel like [the AIDS crisis] was an issue that brought people together and garnered support for the community and created a necessity to talk about it,” Isherwood said.

Isherwood also said that because of the nature of the AIDS crisis, an issue in representation was created which led to the Bury Your Gays trope. The Bury Your Gays trope is a homophobic cliché in which the gay character on a TV is killed off, ending their storyline much earlier than that of a straight character.

It also tends to result in the idea that the gay character is less important or more expendable than their straight counterpart. This trope will often extend even further to create the idea that the gay characters are not allowed a happy ending, according to TVTropes.org.

“Most of the time it isn’t supposed to be a punishment for being gay.

However, there seems to be an inordinate amount of gay characters getting killed,” Isherwood said.

Another trend showing up with LGBTQ+ characters, besides seeing the character unexpectedly killed off, is one that represents the LGBTQ+ community through stereotypes.

“It is frustrating that most, or maybe even the only representation we get are these flamboyant stereotypes. The ‘gay best friend’ is a big one that I see: just a side character whose gayness is just a fun, quirky part of their character,” Isherwood said.

Isherwood also noted that this stereotype doesn’t only mean a limited demographic, but also one type of ethnicity and gender.

“It’s usually just skinny, White gay men that are much of the representation that LGBTQ+ people have. It's frustrating because there are gay people of color, or disabled LGBTQ+ people,” Isherwood said. “It’s frustrating to think that [the usual character is a] White, cis[gender], straight man which gets one deviation from that norm instead of all the possibilities that there could be and that are real.”

McConnell has started to see that as newer movies or TV shows come out, they are beginning to stray from those stereotypes sometimes seen in comedies or other types of movies and TV. However, McConnell also feels that a stereotype may not be such a bad thing as there is a reason for stereotypes in the first place.

“Stereotypes derive from a source; they don’t just come out of nowhere.

Sometimes someone can be ‘stereotypical’ because they want to openly identify with that stereotype. It’s hard to pinpoint a stereotype and say that it is bad because sometimes that [stereotype] is correct,” McConnell said.

Isherwood, McConnell and Pemberton all felt that despite nonexistent or negative representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the past, there are ways that the community can continue to be represented in the media as our society moves forward.

“Using actors that are actually LGBTQ+ and understand how to take on that character [would increase the amount and accuracy of the representation].

Also, paying attention to people that are LGBTQ+ in our lives because it is important to see that we are all fully rounded people,” Pemberton said.

Isherwood hopes to see something similar in order to have a greater, more holistic representation of the community. “[It’s important to make] more diverse LGBTQ+ people and [the story shouldn’t just be about] them being gay and the main struggle is being gay.

THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

IN THE MEDIA AS SEEN BY REDWOOD STUDENTS

They [should] have a storyline like anyone else would, but they are also gay. We want to see ourselves as happy; we don’t want to die or never find love or be outed,” Isherwood said.

McConnell thinks that this change would be made if directors, authors or anyone else creating a story stopped limiting themselves when it comes to writing LGBTQ+ storylines.

“I think if they are not afraid of producing companies or higher-ups that are in charge of what gets put into the shows [then we’d see more representation]. A lot of the time people that run these show productions are warned that if they add any representation from certain groups, they may lose their jobs,” McConnell said. “To be more inclusive is to not be wary of what other people think, and to push it through for those who want to see it. The more you are open and proud of your LGBTQ+ representation, the more other people will see it as a normal thing and not judge it so harshly.”

ncerf@redwoodbark.org

sports

Page 14

Winter Sports Previews

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

By Bennett Vasquez

The 2017 girls’ basketball team marched their way to a 26-5 record last year, making it to the Northern California Regionals (NorCals) after winning the Marin County Athletic League championship. Despite their loss to Whitney High School in the first round of state, the team recognized how far they could go in the postseason, according to senior Jenny Walker. Looking to continue from where they left off last season, Walker and seven other returning seniors are now stepping up to fill the gap left by Zoe Stachowski, last years leading scorer.

Walker, who has been on varsity since her freshman year, is a captain this year and brings a scoring threat with the ability to easily take advantage of smaller players.

According to the girls’ basketball coach Diane Peterson, Walker can effectively score from the perimeter as well as inside the paint.

Walker is aware that the team is missing a crucial player from last year, but believes they have great returning seniors to help replace Stachowski.

“I think everyone is going to have to step up; [Stachowski] was a really big rebounder so everyone is going to have to pick up that slack. Also, she was a big scorer; we are going to have to find different ways to score,” Walker said.

As a leader, Walker believes in setting an example that her teammates can follow, especially to the younger players on the team who can learn from her to always

WRESTLING

By Sam Warren

Some wrestling teams start their summer practices with lifting in their school weight room to get physically stronger. Others start by focusing on their craft on the mats, practicing the form of takedowns and grapples to get technically stronger. For Redwood varsity team captains junior Michael Fitzsimmons and junior Jaden Ramos, along with fellow varsity wrestler Andrew Ji, their summer

Photo by Jacob Klionsky

WRESTLING IN PRACTICE, Redwood hopes to gain an advantage in the preseason training.

BOYS’ SOCCER

By Devon McClain

After a strong 2017-18 season with only one tie game and one loss, the varsity boys’ soccer team was able to win the MCAL championship. As they head into the 2018-19 season, the team is looking to build chemistry with their new players and develop new strategies as they face old opponents.

Although the team faced a somewhat chaotic preseason because of the recent fires limiting time for tryouts, coach David Siracusa and new senior co-captains Justin Neustaetter and Nathaniel Kuffner have high expectations for their season. There have only been a few Redwood practices before tryouts, but most of the players were able to train during the offseason through club teams such as Marin FC. Though this keeps many of the players in shape, it is difficult to jump into the season with a limited amount of time to develop the team as a whole, according to Siracusa. After losing key midfield players such as Eamon Rogan (MCAL player of the year) and Brian Diaz (former team captain), team development is necessary to keep competing at a high level, according to Neustaetter.

Constant practices with incoming and returning varsity players have allowed the team to get a better sense of each other’s playing styles, creating a quality team dynamic.

“This year [our goal] is to continue the path that we’ve set for ourselves and maintain our reputation,” Neustaetter said.

bring high intensity to everything they do.

“I think that it is all about leadership and setting a good example, getting to practice early, and working hard in practice. Because of my high level of intensity, everyone works to match it,” Walker said.

Sophomore Kylie Horstmeyer is a second-year varsity player who excelled during her freshman year. Averaging 10 points per game, Horstmeyer scored the second most points behind Stachowski.

Horstmeyer also believes that the strength of this team will be their fitness. With the addition of faster members to the team, Horstmeyer believes that they will be able to put more defensive pressure on the other teams.

As a sophomore, Horstmeyer will also have the duty of being a mentor to the only freshman on the team, Nathalia Bernstein. Horstmeyer was in Bernstein’s shoes just a year ago and remembers the nervousness she felt during her first year on varsity.

“At first it is overwhelming because you’re just not used to it. A Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) game is a lot different than the rivalry games against Marin Catholic.

I was playing in front of more people than I have in my life,” Horstmeyer said.

Echoing Horstmeyer’s assessment of the team’s speed, coach Peterson is looking to utilize this quality to develop new defensive techniques.

“Last year we went further than we ever have. I have been at Redwood for 10 years, and we have never gotten to NorCals, so to be able to play a NorCal game last year was really huge, and I think we definitely have the potential to go far this year now that the girls understand what it takes practices started over 500 miles away at the J Robinson 14-Day Intensive Camp in Monmouth, Oregon.

“It was the hardest thing I have done in my whole life,” Ramos, a three-year member of the varsity team, said. “It was basically an army boot camp, but instead of learning how to shoot your gun, it was learning how to wrestle.”

Although the program was incredibly grueling, Ramos believes that he and his teammates now have a leg up on their competition.

“We experienced a different level of intensity and working out so, as wrestlers, we know that we can push ourselves even further,” Ramos said.

While the trio may have a leg up on some of their competitors, the rest of the Redwood team is young and inexperienced. Both team captains, Fitzsimmons and Ramos, are juniors, and the team has only one senior on the roster, Michael Acquistapace. Along with their lack of seniority, Redwood graduated their leading wrestler from the year before, Spencer Dow, who was ranked in the top 20 of California wrestlers last season and won two individual MCAL titles in a row. Despite their low number of seniors and a key loss, head coach Lochlan McHale believes that Dow’s leadership and enthusiasm has rubbed off on the underclassmen.

“Spencer was not only a great wrestler, but a great captain with how he invested time into the program and into the younger kids. Each year we want to get better and According to Kuffner, along with taking charge of the typical leadership roles such as leading warmups, keeping the team focused and motivating the players, as defensive backs, the captains have a large responsibility to play at a high level during games. With the same starting line-up as last year, the defense has been able to continue building their momentum as they begin this season. With defense being one of the most crucial aspects to the team, they plan on using it as a focal point to strengthen players’ confidence on the field. Many of the players feel more comfortable during games knowing that they have a tenacious defense, according to Siracusa.

“Defense is one of our strengths as a team. We build from it, we attack from it, everything comes from our defense,” Siracusa said.

Although still in development, their 3-5-2 formation (using only three defensive backs instead of typically four) was successful during the boys’ first game on Tuesday, Nov. 26, where they won 3-0.

“Having that certainty in defense definitely gives our team a lot more confidence to move the ball up top, and leads to less frantic possessions,” Kuffner said.

With this foundation set from the defense, it allows the team to expand on plays and take advantage of their versatility from the midfield.

With the well-rounded dynamic and high level of play from the first year and returning varsity players, the players are able to expand their formation and plays. This allows them to strengthen their skill set and ability to adapt when playing different teams.

Photo by Jacob Klionsky

YESSENIA MENDIETA, JUNIOR, focuses in on the basket before shooting before a game. to get there,” Peterson said.

Last year’s playoff run gave the Giants a taste of what it took to go as far as they did in playoffs. Now, they’re aware of what challenges will lay ahead if they make it back.

Although they may already be anticipating intense championship games, the Redwood girls’ varsity team is currently looking to succeed in a grueling season of league games.

bvasquez@redwoodbark.org better, and the only way to do that is for the older guys to train our younger guys, and Spencer did a great job of that,” McHale said.

With Dow at the helm, Redwood won three consecutive MCAL titles before placing third in last year’s standings.

Despite their local success, McHale says his team is built for bigger things than just the league championship.

“My goal every year is to build a state tournament team, not so much a league team... In league, if you don’t have all of the weight classes filled, you’re forfeiting points. Although wrestling is a team sport, I’m working to make the best individual wrestlers that I can,” McHale said.

McHale believes that by molding his wrestlers into the best tournament team that they can be, then the team should succeed in league as well. Last season was another record setter as they brought home four team tournament trophies, including the program’s first-ever first place team tournament trophy.

Along with the hard work and past success that this year’s contingency has experienced, the team has high ambitions for this upcoming season.

“Our kids have some lofty goals, but they’ve put in the hard work, and now it’s time for them to go out and achieve them,” McHale said. swarren@redwoodbark.org

Photo by Devon McClain

CAPTAIN NATHANIEL KUFFNER (left) attempts to keep the ball away from his teammate.

As they continue through their season, the team has confidence in their ability to maintain offensive possession, dominate the field defensively and focus on each individual game which Siracuse hopes will lead to an undefeated future.

“We want to be able to go 1-0….20 times,” Siracusa said. dmcclain@redwoodbark.org For extended coverage, vist at www.redwoodbark.org

Page 15• Sports

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Sports Spotlight: Jenny Walker leads girls’ varsity basketball

By Josephine Yee For the peers involved in senior Jenny Walker’s life, it doesn’t take long for them to mention her outstandingly humorous nature, her drive for success or her focused mindset on one of the things that she is most passionate about: basketball.

Walker began playing basketball in fourth grade for Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). She also partook in swimming, but later decided to solely focus her efforts on basketball three years later. Upon starting high school, the standout player made Redwood’s girls varsity basketball team as a freshman and has been of value to the team ever since.

Over the past four years on varsity, Walker has continued on a steady path of growth. As of now, her passion for basketball propels her leadership on the court.

“You just learn how to work with people. When you’re a freshman, you learn how to follow other people’s examples and then when you’re a junior and a senior, you have to lead by example,” Walker said.

Gabby Beltran, another valuable player on varsity, serves as point guard and has known Walker since middle school. Forming an undeniably strong relationship by playing together on various teams, Beltran describes Walker as a character full of admirable talent in addition to an enlightening comedic presence.

“She’s definitely the hype man of the team. If she gets a basket or another person gets a basket, it’s the same amount of ecstatic energy from her. She always has your back and is willing to support you and hype you up whenever you’re feeling down,” Beltran said.

With a varsity cumulative average of 8.9 points scored per each game, according to MaxPreps, and an average of 13.5 points scored during this season so far, Walker’s talent goes well beyond just her leadership skills.

Coaching Walker since the seventh grade, Diane Peterson, Redwood’s current girls' varsity basketball coach, has witnessed Walker improve on and off the court.

“I believe Jenny gives off a dominating presence as a leader when she's on the court. She always wants to make a big play, whether it's a great move to the basket on offense or

Photo by Josephine Yee

AS A POST player for Redwood’s girls’ varsity basketball team, senior Jenny Walker defends a San Marin player during the first game of the season. a great defensive play and a block on defense. She athletics. After participating in a recruiting tournament for talks to her teammates throughout the game Cal Stars in Chicago, NYU reached out to her. which also makes her presence known on “At first, I wanted to go to a really big school, but then the court,” Peterson said.

I realized that in college I want to focus on my academics Over the past few years, and I want to play basketball, so I started looking at Walker has been awarded a variety of Division IIIs. I went to smaller schools like Vassar and recognitions, including an honorable Smith but I just felt like they were too small,” Walker said. mention for MCALs and the Marin “I visited and I saw everything that I had to see, but with Independent Journal’s “Girls Prep New York, every day there’s something happening.” of the Week.” She also had the After completing college, playing basketball opportunity to play for Cal Stars, professionally is not a part of Walker’s plans, but she says an elite girls’ basketball program it will always be an integral part of her life. that allowed her to travel to various “I am going to be that parent in the stands at my child’s locations around the nation to play in basketball game cheering. I am going to have a hoop at tournaments against other elite teams. my house playing with my kids. It’s always going to be a As the next step in her basketball part of me,” Walker said. career, Walker has committed to New York University (NYU), which offers Division III jyee@redwoodbark.org

Senior Giants reflect on their basketball careers the most. Not your skill set; that doesn’t matter as much. The guys that are doing the best are the guys giving it the most work and the most effort, so just give it a 100% every time you’re out there,” Lowry said.

Story by Lily Baldwin and Max Gilberg Ben Wenig “I love this group of guys, I love everyone around me. I love Coach Lazor, he helps me out with my life skills, he’s helped me out all around,” Wenig said.

Dean Watson “The boys on this team are like my brothers. Outside of the basketball court we’re still spending time together and bonding, just adding to our chemistry.

Every successful team needs strong team chemistry, and I can confidently say that our bond can lead us to a great year,” Watson said.

Jake Mathews “This year we’re trying to push the tempo, get shots off early and control the game. Seventy points per game is the goal and if we can stick to these numbers we should be a top competitor,” Matthews said.

Chance Farrell-Martin “The crowds and the atmosphere, playing around all my friends; that’s Miles Squiers

Brandon Radu

Jake Matthews

Brandon Radu “Being a part of this team has been unlike any other year of my Redwood basketball career,” Radu said. “With a senior-dominant team I have spent the past four years learning the strengths and weaknesses of my teammates and we have developed an extremely tight bond.”

probably going to be the most memorable [part],” Farrell-Martin said.

Jack Gerson “We’re such a close group, all of us, all nine seniors are such good friends. We’ve known each other for so long, so I just love being around them doing something that we all love,” Gerson said.

Scott Matthews “Being a senior this year definitely means increased responsibility. This is the year I have been waiting for ever since I was a freshmen, and we intend to leave a mark,” Matthews said.

Ian Lowry “Every time you step on the court, leave it all out there. Try as hard as you can, because that’s really what counts

bark@redwoodbark.org

Miles Squiers “Basketball means everything to me.

It’s been part of my family history and it is a great tool to cool my mind down from the outside world,” Squiers said.

Chance Farrell-Martin

Full story at redwoodbark.org

December 14, 2018 bark Page 16 • Sports Redwood skiers show physical and mental commitment as new season approaches

By Sarah Young As the weather gets colder and reports of snow and fresh powder in Tahoe filter down to Marin, Redwood skiers gear up for their sport’s limited season. But with the exhilarating thrill of speeding down the slopes comes the threat of injuries. A few dedicated Redwood students manage to drive up to Tahoe almost every weekend for about five months in the winter, despite the risks. One of these students is senior Cutter Dawes, who has been skiing since he was three years old and was first introduced to the sport through his family.

“I learned the basic stuff with my parents and then went straight to ski team, which is basically lessons but more, ” Dawes said.

Another Redwood student, junior Chandler Moseley, started skiing from a young age and continued because of the opportunity to be on the mountain with friends and push herself to new limits, similar to Dawes.

“When I got onto a team and started skiing with friends, it became a hobby, and now it’s my favorite sport,” Moseley said.

One of the most competitive teams, the Big Mountain Ski Team, is run out of Squaw, and several Redwood students are on it. The team is active from before Christmas until the end of April every weekend, and youth on the team are exposed to tough competition and conditions.

“On my team, there are a lot of really, really good locals and the Tahoe Junior Freeride Series teams go to these five or six competitions every year,” Dawes said.

The Big Mountain Ski Team consistently skis on hard, off-piste (ungroomed) runs with cliffs and rocks, and injuries are common in the challenging environment. One of the biggest risks is falling, and with the action-packed competition associated with Big Mountain skiing, Dawes is knowledgeable of the danger involved, but continues to pursue the sport.

Adolescent skiing injuries are classified as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) about 27 percent of the time, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and Big Mountain skiing is no exception. The ungroomed snow can also make the competition even more dangerous, but creates thrill and adrenaline for skiers taking on the challenge.

“The snow can be treacherous. If you’re on a slope with a bunch of cliffs and you fall, there are times where you can fall over a cliff, or into other snow,” Dawes said.

According to the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 114,000 people are admitted to hospitals every

Infographic by Sarah Young

year for skiing-related injuries, and about 30 percent of that group also has a bone injury, including dislocations.

Despite the danger, Dawes has loved the experience of skiing and being able to compete in the Big Mountain team.

“I like the freedom of it. [In] ski racing you’re confined to a race course. Here it’s a lot more creative, a lot more exhilarating, and you can choose your run and all your own lines,” Dawes said. “You can memorize it and follow it but you’re creating the line.”

In teams like Squaw Big Mountain, injuries are even more common, but for another student, senior Parker Tang, luck has been on his side. Tang also competes on the Squaw Big Mountain team, and although he’s seen many injuries, he has managed to stay safe on the slopes.

“I’ve always been more careful, but I’ve heard people

blow out their ACL, break arms, break legs, but I don’t usually take on things I don’t think I can handle. I push myself to be a stronger skier, but I’m not a risk taker,” Tang said.

Even with the knowledge of all these risks, the thrill and Tang’s love of the sport outweigh the threat of injury. “[Skiing is] totally worth it … [You can] go beyond human limitation, going really fast while you have a lot of control over what you’re doing, and it feels really good to go over the snow and just skate over it,” Tang said.

syoung@redwoodbark.org

Senior commits will squash you with their talent

By Melissa Block Hidden in the corner of the Marin Bay Club sits a small court with a thin glass wall. Nothing outside the glass matters to senior Nate Mosse as he concentrates on the game at hand.

Mosse has been playing squash competitively since he moved to the Bay Area in 2015 for his freshman year.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mosse was exposed to squash at his Jewish Community Center in sixth grade. Since then, he’s progressed as a player and found a love for the sport.

“You ask any squash player what they love about squash and they’ll tell you it’s very complex. There is a lot to the game ... You need to stay calm during that intensity,” Mosse said.

Nationally, Mosse is ranked 75th, but that number is relatively high considering the few tournaments available to him geographically. He has played in Houston,

Seattle and Portland, even traveling occasionally to Mexico City for matches.

During a match, Mosse remains focused on every play, while simultaneously appreciating the intense environment.

“There’s something kind of magical about being in a long squash rally. You get into this flow. It’s really hard to replicate,” Mosse said.

Next year, Mosse will continue to play squash for the men’s team at Amherst College, alongside 15 other players. He realized his potential to play at a collegiate level towards the end of his sophomore year.

“I never played squash with the intention of playing to get into college. I just really got into playing and I love the process of getting better,” Mosse said.

Mosse’s coach for the past four years, Erick Chacon, knows there is still room for improvement in his game.

“I think Nate still has a lot more to give. And he’s going to find the peak of his game in his second year of college. By then, he will be experienced competing, very strong physically and mentally and put a really good show in any match,” Chacon said.

Another squash player and friend of Mosse, senior Sultan Hashmi, is committed Nate Mosse, to play at Middlebury junior College in Vermont.

Hashmi picked up the sport in seventh grade after he decided to stop playing tennis. According to Hashmi, many tennis players excel in squash because of the similar hand-eye coordination needed for

both sports.

As exemplified in both tennis and squash, he appreciates playing individual sports over team sports because of the control he has over the game.

“I’m in control of everything. I don’t have to predict a teammate’s choices. It’s easier for me to do what I want, to plan, to play,” Hashmi said.

Hashmi also finds significant freedom in the game, as he can alter any playing factors for his desired outcome.

“There is so much creativity. You can manipulate each step, how you hold the racket, how you swing, to change the trajectory of the ball and timing. There’s so many things that you can change,” Hashmi said.

Because squash is an individual sport, both Mosse and Hashmi look forward to expanding their squash community by representing a college team.

“The majority of the tournaments we do, we don’t always have friends there.

But in college squash we are going to be surrounded by an entire team who’s going to be cheering us on, so the squash community that we are going to be a part of is going to be much stronger,” Hashmi said.

Mosse also explained his anticipation of being a part of a larger squash community, and the support he hopes to gain from other athletes.

“In terms of training, I’m excited to have a group of nine guys that we can play with. It’s going to be really cool, the community not only in school but outside.”

There’s something kind of magical about being in a long squash rally.

Photo by Melissa Block

HITTING THE SQUASH ball, Nate Mosse started playing in sixth grade.

Photo by Melissa Block

REACHING FOR A backhand, Sultan Hashmi plays at the Marin Bay Club.

Mosse said.

After college, both Mosse and Hashmi hope to continue the sport beyond school.

Mosse would love to travel around for a few years and play in professional tournaments with sponsorships. According to Mosse, squash is a game you can play your whole life, so he hopes to continue the sport for many more years.

As for right now, Mosse is training for the U.S. Junior Open in Boston this December.

According to Hashmi, even though it may seem challenging, staying committed to improving is key.

“Keep playing. When you’re playing squash you get better [in a] ‘staircase-like’ [motion]. You feel like you’re pushing and not getting anywhere, but all of a sudden you shoot up. It’s a cycle of not getting better and then shooting up,” Hashmi said.

mblock@redwoodbark.org

Page 17 • Sports

www.redwoodbark.org

Nutcracker performance is nothing short of a winter wonderland

By Julia Scharf

On the evenings of Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2, the Marin Civic Center was packed to full capacity with excited audience members eagerly sitting in their seats and waiting for the lights to dim to signify the Stapleton School of Performing Arts’ annual Nutcracker ballet was commencing.

The curtains opened to reveal a cheery scene with young boys dancing around to the familiar, upbeat holiday-themed music of a classic performance. From the first note to the final bow, the audience was transfixed by a beautiful and captivating performance.

According to senior Delilah Mittermaier, who was the lead role in the Arabian dance, putting a performance together of that length and caliber took upwards of two months, starting with auditions in September.

“There’s a week at the end of the summer where we can learn the variations for the auditions. Then we go into rehearsals for about two months, where each piece is choreographed and rehearsed separately,” Mittermaier said. “At the beginning of November, we put the whole thing together and started to run each act by itself. Then the last two weeks are run-throughs everyday.”

For Mittermaier and her fellow senior dancers, this production of the Nutcracker was especially bittersweet as it was their last time performing the ballet with

Stapleton. There is a special tradition to honor the senior ballerinas after the Nutcracker where the junior dancers put together “secret” gifts for their elders.

“The juniors do senior gifts for us and we pretend that we don’t know it’s going to happen, even though we did it for the seniors last year,” Mittermaier said. “That was when it really hit me and I started getting emotional about it being our last Nutcracker.”

Senior Kaitlin McGrath, who starred in the production as the iconic role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, had a similar moment of realization regarding her time at Stapleton coming to an end.

“The whole weekend I was focused on my performance and my role and making sure I was ready and not stressing out too much. So then it finally started sinking in when we did senior gifts on the last day,” McGrath said.

Apart from the emotional side of the weekend, the dancers were laser-focused on putting on the performance of a lifetime.

Despite looking graceful and at ease on stage, there is an immense amount of hard work and training that ballerinas must put into making ballet look as fluid and natural as it does for the audience, according to McGrath.

Senior Kathleen Gao, who danced as the Rose Queen has experienced frustration at a perceived lack of appreciation for the effort the dancers put into getting ready for their performances.Though not always regarded as a sport by some, ballet requires

Photo courtesy of Mark Strassman

GRACEFULLY LEAPING ACROSS the stage, senior Kathleen Gao plays the role of Rose Queen.

bark

Photo by Julia Scharf

STANDING IN FORMATION, senior Kaitlin McGrath (right) performs in Stapleton School of the Performing Arts’ annual Nutcracker. intense skill, dedication and physical exertion to look as beautiful as it does, according to Gao. “It annoys me a little bit when people say stuff like ‘Oh ballet is not a sport,’ because it’s so difficult. Every little detail matters more than you would think,” Gao said. “The amount of work people put in and the soreness, bruises, blisters and broken toenails make it really hard. It is a serious athletic sport.”

According to Mittermaier, one of the most challenges parts of ballet is making it look effortless. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make the visuals as appealing for the audience as possible.

“The hardest part is making it look easy. They always tell us we have to hold everything tight and together, but at the same time you’re also supposed to look relaxed. It’s really hard to find that inbetween,” Mittermaier said.

Despite the commitment and effort that ballet requires, these dancers have plans to

continue their careers as ballerinas as they move on to college. With the end of her time at Stapleton on the horizon, McGrath looks to the future for new opportunities.

“I hope I end up in a place with a really strong dance program because I would like to keep taking classes. I’ve been doing ballet for so long, and I definitely want to continue those classes but I’d also like to take contemporary classes,” McGrath said.

Mittermaier also plans to branch out as a dancer in college, citing a specific studentrun company at University of Pennsylvania called Arts House Dance Company that she hopes to have the opportunity to get involved with.

“I could never just cut dance out of my life completely,” Mittermaier said. “It’s been so much for so long.”

jscharf@redwoodbark.org

Liam Anderson wins Nike Cross Nationals

Photo courtesy of Parker West

RUNNING THROUGH THE finish line, senior Liam Anderson won the national championship with a time of 14:57.6 in the 5K race.

On Dec. 1, 2018, senior Liam Anderson made Redwood history, winning Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) in Portland, Ore. His official time was 14:57.6, which is also a course record. This is Anderson’s second time at the exclusive cross country event; he came in third last year at 15:07.6. NXN represents the culmination of high school running as Anderson’s victory is a personal milestone. Previous to NXN, Anderson also finished in first place at the Marin County Athletic League championships, North Coast Section and at state meet, the California Interscholastic Federation Cross Country Championships.

review

Page 18

Where to find the best peppermint hot chocolate

By Skylar Strotz

Philz Coffee

Peet’s Coffee and Tea

Located in the Corte Madera Town Center mall, Philz Coffee uses all-natural ingredients and makes every drink one cup at a time. Philz does make a spearmint hot chocolate, although it is not technically on the menu (secret menus are the best). They use Guittard chocolate, which is sweetened at customer request, and brown sugar to give a much less artificial taste. For the minty part, they cut fresh mint leaves and grind them up individually, giving a distinctly fresh and pure taste. They do not use whipped cream, instead topping the drink with a sprig of fresh mint.

If a customer does not like the hot chocolate, or any drink, the way it is made the first time, the baristas will gladly remake the order to their liking. The drink takes about three minutes to be made, which, if you are like my mom and are always running late, could be a potential problem.

For the people that choose to stay and drink in the store, the staff truly cares about its customers and would love to chat with people they are serving. The price of their hot chocolate is a little higher compared to some of the other drinks at $4.60, but considering that the ingredients are higher quality, a marginally higher price is acceptable.

Philz sells all drinks iced or hot, including hot chocolate, and surprisingly, the iced version actually tasted better, but may not come in handy for warming cold fingers as a traditional cocoa would.

At Peet’s Coffee in the Cove Shopping Center in Tiburon, the ratio of peppermint to chocolate is spot on.

The chocolate is very sweet, yet still delicate tasting. They use a specially crafted Peet’s chocolate mix, and when asked, the baristas were unsure of the exact ingredients in the chocolate mix, which felt strange to me—I like to know what I am drinking. The peppermint was not quite sharp enough to display a strong flavor on the tongue, but had an undeniable presence, evocative of the wintry months.

The whipped cream, which covered the entire top of the cup, was made with a satisfactory amount of sugar—just enough to make the whipped cream appealing on its own, but not so much as to overpower the drink. Impressively, the whipped cream did not melt into the chocolate right away, so it could be enjoyed for longer. The baristas took about one minute to make it from when it was ordered to the time it was placed on the pick-up table. The price for a medium sized cup is $3.90, which seems like a fair assessment of its value. One word of caution: I have found Peet’s to be very inconsistent. A few days later, I ordered the same drink and it was missing the desired peppermint flavor almost entirely. I believe, however, that it is worth the risk because either way there’s nothing like a nice warm cup of cocoa.

Photo by Skylar Strotz

PICK ME UP Chocolate’s peppermint hot cocoa has a nice appearance but lacks flavor, giving it the lowest rating.

Pick Me Up Chocolate Pick Me Up Chocolate is located on Bridgeway in Sausalito and specializes in chocolate truffles and bars.

They serve hot chocolate year round, with peppermint hot chocolate after Thanksgiving and a frozen version of the drink on hot days. The chocolate tasted high quality and rich, as should be expected of a chocolate store, but was oddly diluted. They used a peppermint extract to give the mint taste, and while there was sufficient flavoring, still not quite enough was used. The drink was topped with appealing whipped cream and crushed peppermint and chocolate bits, the most attractive toppings compared to the other drinks. For a price of $5.25 a cup, the cup of cocoa disappointed. It would be better to just buy a few of their chocolate truffles or bars, if anything at all, and then continue on your way.

sstrotz@redwoodbark.org

The best ways to show off Marin during the holidays

By Jack Parsons Day #1: Vista Day For this itinerary, choose any day during your relatives’ stay that has good weather.

The winter season means you shouldn’t be waiting for 70-degree weather, but shoot for a day with clear skies.

If your relatives are craving coffee, skip Starbucks, Peet’s or any other chain coffee chain they could find at home. Rather, head to Equator coffee for the authentic taste of a local coffee shop with locations only in the Bay Area. Once everyone has their caffeine buzz going, it’s time to roll!

Pack up the car and prepare for some long, windy and possibly sickening roads. Head on the highway going south towards San Francisco and take exit 442 to Alexander Avenue (last exit before the bridge), which will land you at the entrance to the Marin Headlands. At the beginning of Conzelman Road (park in the first lot), you can find the Kirby Cove trailhead, which will lead to a tiny cove with a swing on the beach.

Keep driving up the hill, and you’ll approach one of the best views on the globe, which includes the Golden Gate Bridge. Once up in the Headlands, there are plenty of options: hike down to the Point Bonita lighthouse for a walk on a somewhat nerve-wracking bridge, make stops at the graffiti-covered Battery Alexander military bunker, hike up Hawk Hill or continue down the road until Fort Cronkhite. Cronkhite has plenty of options, like the Marine Mammal Center or Rodeo beach, a beautiful stretch of sense with sought-after waves during the winter time.

When it comes time for dinner, there are plenty of options for a dining experience unique to Marin County.

Though expensive, Buckeye Roadhouse is a delicious and well-known restaurant that is the perfect setting for any family, and serves a variety of savory meat and

seafood dishes. This restaurant is iconic to Marin, and the food is well worth it, but be prepared for higher prices.

Day #2: City Day Today is the day to venture outside of Marin and head across the Golden Gate to experience what the city holds.

San Francisco has the potential for some extraordinary experiences, and it’s up to you to choose the most enjoyable activities there for your family.

The obvious method of transportation to San Francisco would be a car across the bridge, but for the authentic Bay Area experience, taking the ferry is the way to go. Both the Larkspur and Tiburon ferries dock in the Embarcadero, close to a bevy of local and tourist attractions. Skip Fisherman’s Wharf, which is a complete tourist trap that is always crowded, and take the family to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), where you can find exhibits showcasing multiple modern abstract artists. The MOMA can be reached from any of the ferry terminals, but if modern art does not sound appealing, the de Young Art Museum in Golden Gate Park is also an equally fascinating option. The MOMA is free for students but tickets at both museums carry hefty prices. I also recommend The California Academy of Sciences (just across the road from the de Young), Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay and San Francisco Zoo as places where the family can soak up some scientific knowledge.

Besides museums, there are plenty of other options in the city. Crissy Field and Fort Point are great areas for a walk on the beach (dog-friendly), Lands End is a great hiking spot for you view-seekers and Union Square has an awesome ice skating rink in the winter.

When it comes time for food, there is a long list of options that cater to virtually any taste, and different neighborhoods act as hubs for different cuisines throughout

Photo by Jack Parsons

THE BEST TIME to look out at the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands is at sunset.

San Francisco. When in search of inexpensive Mexican food, head to the Mission District for a massive burrito at the famous La Taqueria. For Italian, walk to North Beach from the ferry for Golden Boy Pizza. For authentic and inexpensive Asian food, Clement Street is your best bet with Burma Superstar (close to the de Young and Academy of Sciences). For a more touristy experience, crack into some local Dungeness crab at Alioto’s in Fisherman’s Wharf. For whatever desired cuisine or budget, San Francisco has restaurants for the entire family.

Day #3: Hiking Day Marin has too much natural beauty to cover in one day, so it’s time to head back into nature! There are many good hikes in Marin; usually, my family enjoys a big hike on Christmas day because it’s a fun way to work off the calories from the Christmas dinner before we eat them. I suggest you do the same. Muir Woods is hands down the most renowned hiking spot in Marin.

There are plenty of trails to choose from and in terms of greenery, this is the lushest.

You and your family will be engulfed by a

sea of green, which makes for great photos.

If you decide to go there, remember that reservations are now required for parking.

The Dipsea Trail is nearly an eightmile trail and is not for the faint of heart; I would suggest otherwise if you are with elderly hikers. However, it is one of the most rewarding trails in Marin in terms of exercise. Start in Mill Valley and end in Stinson Beach!

Tennessee Valley is a mild course with a rewarding ending similar to the Dipsea Trail: the beach. The trail remains relatively flat throughout; however, there are uphill trails as well. (Dogs are not allowed on this hike.)

Ring Mountain, part of the Tiburon open space, does not require the lengthy drive that the other hikes do, but it still has an amazing 360-degree view of the Bay Area.

Phoenix and Bon Tempe Lakes are also fantastic hikes as they showcase a beautiful reservoir and its surrounding greenery.

jparsons@redwoodbark.org

www.redwoodbark.org

Page 19 • Review

Julie’s Hummus Bar: home to heavenly hummus and falafels

By Sabine Lloyd I’d like to think that there are two types of people in the world: the hummus enthusiasts and the hummus haters. I happen to be the former. Naturally, when Julie’s Hummus Bar opened in San Rafael, I couldn’t resist chasing the chickpea.

For the hummus haters, don’t fret.

Julie’s Hummus Bar goes beyond hummus, offering a vast range of mouth-watering Mediterranean meals.

Upon arrival, I noticed the glowing yellow sign on the exterior and the brightly-colored murals on the interior. The vibrant decoration paralleled with the bold flavors and the welcoming staff. Julie’s Hummus Bar combines a casual dining experience with a refined culinary journey.

As soon as I stepped up to order, I was greeted with a genuine smile. I placed my order, sat down and received the plates in no more than 10 minutes.

While waiting for the food, a cordial man introduced himself as Peter, the father of Julie (co-owner) and finance manager of the business. He welcomed me to the new restaurant, explaining the history of the place and thanking me for coming.

I learned about Elias and Julie Haddad, a couple who have a true love for each other and for Mediterranean cooking. They took their passion and created the very hummus bar that I was pleased to visit. This simple, sweet story further enticed me to try the food.

The first dish that arrived was tabouli salad, consisting of uniformlychopped tomatoes and green onions, cracked wheat, parsley, lemon, mint and olive oil. The succulent ingredients were refreshing and light, with a

bark

tangy taste and acidic notes. Each bite included perfectly crisp and pungent components, satisfying my taste buds.

Next, straw baskets filled with fluffy pillows of pita bread were placed on the table. They were fresh off of a panini press, with a warm-to-touch, lightly-browned exterior. I carefully pulled one apart, and the soft pocket opened gradually, as if in slow motion. The pita was airy and delicate, a perfect complement to the array of hummus that followed suit.

Out of the 10 options, I sampled the pine nut, cilantro, Greek and spicy hummus. Each one had its own combination of flavor and topping. The pine nut hummus was smooth, contrasted by the crunchy pine nuts sprinkled onto Photo by Sabine Lloyd the surface. Meanwhile, the cilantro hummus was zesty with hints of citrus and RECOMMENDED BY THE employees, the Chicken Shawarma dish satisfied the garnished with fresh pieces of cilantro. senses and provided a delicious meal.

The Greek hummus took another route, with creamy elements from the cheese and dipped the falafel into tahini—a sesame- the mild, velvety sauce and the umami of briny bursts from the olives placed on top. based sauce—which acted as a cooling the poultry. A bed of yellow rice provided The spicy hummus stayed true to its name, constituent to the warmth of the fritter. a starch to the meal, while also delivering providing a kick of heat from a salsa- Pickled radishes were an appropriate a soft and comforting element to the dish. like sauce spread on top of the hummus. garnish for the falafels, complementing In addition, fresh lettuce and ripe tomatoes While the hummus was a perfect them with a sharp spice. From crunchy contributed to the plate, acting as an aqueous accompaniment to the pita bread, to smooth, acidic to creamy and spicy to aid. Each ingredient seemed purposeful, Peter also presented me with a thyme refreshing, the dynamic between the senses and each ingredient was effective. and sesame olive oil to pair with the is prominent at Julie’s Hummus Bar. At this point, my stomach was bread. Earthy tones exuded from This dynamic was accentuated as I satisfied and my palate felt cleansed. the peppery oil, and each crevice of poked my fork into a tender piece of chicken Julie’s Hummus Bar receives a 10/10 pita was filled with a ripe piquancy. from the Chicken Shawarma Plate. The from a wholehearted hummus enthusiast.

After enjoying pita, hummus, olive grilled meat was cut into small pieces, with Not only did the hummus impress, but oil and tabouli, I was ready to try my first a golden color on the surface. The chicken so did each other menu item that I tried. falafel. My expectations were exceeded was cooked skillfully: juicy and enshrined If you are ever in the mood to munch as I bit into the crispy shell lined with in spices. As if the chicken wasn’t enough on a magnificent Mediterranean meal, sesame seeds. The chickpeas in the falafel on its own, there were slices of red onion head on over to Julie’s Hummus Bar! provided a nuttiness to the dish contrasted and a drizzle of tahini on top of the meat by an immediate warmth that emerged that presented new textures and tastes. The as the soft interior melted in my mouth. I subtle sting of the onion balanced out with slloyd@redwoodbark.org

The 1975 exceeds expectations with unique themes and melodies

By Dean Griffin What makes a band stand out? I think it’s when they are able to connect with broad audiences all over the world; people of all races, genders, cultures and ages.

The 1975 have been extremely effective at this. They are a band from Manchester, England, who first rose to success in the U.K. and later became popular in the U.S. after the release of their self-titled debut album in 2013.

In 2016, the group released a second studio album titled, “I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful, Yet So Unaware Of It,” which quickly topped the Billboard 200 chart. Because of the band’s rising popularity, there has been lots of anticipation for their next album, “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships,” which was released on Nov. 30 and has surpassed its high expectations.

Because there are many more acoustic songs on this album, the sound is a drastic shift from their previous work. Songs such as “Be My Mistake” and “Surrounded

By Heads And Bodies” sound different than the band’s previous previous style, which was more based around electric guitar. In particular, “Surrounded By Heads And Bodies” is a very sweet song with heartfelt lyrics that covers a deep topic. The 1975’s lead singer, Matty Healy, stated in an interview with Pitchfork that the song was written about a patient he met while he was in rehab for a heroin addiction. In one notably emotional lyric, Healy sings, “And don’t sleep/It hurts to be awake/The things they make her take.” The raspy tone in Healy’s voice along with the acoustic guitars causes Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine an emotional feeling from just these few words alone. THE 1975 BAND members Matty Healy (lead singer), Ross MacDonald (bass guitar), George Daniel (drums) and Another song from the album with extremely impactful Adam Hanns (guitar), stand together on top of a roof for a picture. lyrics is “Love It If We Made It.” This song covers many topics, all about issues currently facing the world. Healy sounding better—instead, it sounds like an intentional a song that I can imagine being played during the slow yells, “Selling melanin and then suffocate the black men/ manipulation of Healy’s voice that changes it into an dance at a wedding. Not only is Healy’s voice stunning, Start with misdemeanors and we’ll make a business instrument. Although some aspects of this song may but the combination of the synths, choir and a phenomenal out of them,” as a commentary on the United States’ seem strange, I found it to be gorgeous in its irregularity. guitar solo also make this song feel perfect. Finally, the treatment of the black community. It’s lyrics like this that The only song that I didn’t enjoy at all was closing track, “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” is the make The 1975 stand out; many artists today don’t make “TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME,” a failed attempt best finale this album could have. Lyrics like, “You win, songs with political meaning, and regardless of if one at a radio-friendly pop song. Although I will admit you lose, you sing the blues/There’s no point in buying agrees with The 1975 or not, it is refreshing to hear these that it is catchy, the song is lifeless. There is no soul in concrete shoes/I’ll refuse” show a vulnerable side of issues being brought up in a song from a popular band. what is being played, and although many songs on this Healy and leave me with chills, combined with the epic I also enjoyed the unusual production that some album felt meaningful to me, the lyrics on this track guitar chords and haunting chorus that follows creating songs featured. On the song “How To Draw/Petrichor,” were incredibly disappointing and bland. “I swear a somber yet satisfying ending to a near-perfect album. there is a section without any vocals that carries on for that I/I only called her one time/Maybe it was two Although this album does not sound as accessible as upwards of two minutes, consisting only of unusual times?/I don’t think it was three times,” Healy sings. the band’s previous two since it does not have as many computer-like noises. I found the tempo and melody With some of the most generic lines I’ve ever heard, catchy pop songs, it delivers a fantastic commentary on of these odd sounds to be pleasant, but I can recognize this particularly formulaic track warrants skipping. life today and the relationships we lead within the modern that it is not for everyone since it is such a long stretch Aside from that one annoyance, the rest of the album world, accompanied by breathtaking instrumentals. of weird techno-like beats. The second half of this song is nearly flawless, and where it shines most is in its two has completely auto-tuned vocals, but not for the sake of final tracks. The first is “I Couldn’t Be More In Love,” dgriffin@redwoodbark.org

December 14, 2018 bark Page 20 • Review Anderson .Paak remembers his roots with “Oxnard”

By Maddie Loebbaka Since his debut on Dr. Dre’s “Compton,” Anderson .Paak has left fans addicted to his slow, raspy vocals and smooth instrumentals reminiscent of famed ‘70s R&B. California native, .Paak stays true to his loyal theme with the release of his new album on Nov. 16. Following his first two studio-produced albums, “Malibu” and “Venice,” .Paak’s new “Oxnard” serves as a homecoming, a tribute to his hometown of Oxnard, California. .Paak channels his mentor, Dr. Dre, in his new musical creation, finding inspiration in the smooth, jazzy notes of old school hip-hop and rap.

In addition to Dr. Dre, .Paak also includes other famous names in his album, with features from artists Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, Kadhja Bonet, Norelle, Q-Tip, BJ the Chicago Kid and even Dr. Dre himself.

The early release of “Tints,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, and a solo rap called “Who R U?,” gives listeners a taste of the upbeat, soulful rhythms that can be found on the album.

The hour-long record begins with “The Chase” featuring Kadhja Bonet and opens with sounds of a car revving and radio stations switching. Bonet’s ethereal vocals slowly fade in, seamlessly incorporating her “gypsy folk” inspiration into .Paak’s jazz fusion. “The Chase” showcases a wide variety of musical styles,

heavy bass, high flute notes, symphonic beats and of course, the poetic verses of .Paak himself. This mashup, however, does not distract, only adding to the celestial state of mind that .Paak manages to transport us to.

The second track on the album, “Headlow,” also begins with the same style of heavenly vocals, this time contributed by rising artist, Norelle. While .Paak raps much more on “Oxnard” than previous albums Malibu and Venice, he reminds us of his stunning vocals on this track, especially taking advantage of the chorus to add a melody to his lyrics. .Paak continues with his theme of variety in both “6 Summers” and “Saviers Road,” bringing in an African style of percussion and singing. However, the long absence of .Paak’s vocals in the beginning of “Savior Road” breeds impatience that isn’t fully sated by the short song.

Dr. Dre’s first and only appearance is made in the eighth song, “Mansa Musa,” and his contribution is obvious. Immediately as the track opens, the ‘90s rap influence is introduced and then continued with the lyrical style. .Paak raps about girls and wealth, perhaps a common theme for hip-hop, but on .Paak’s album its is a superficial disappointment.

For many rap artists, shallow topics such as money and women might be regular material, however I was disappointed to hear this addition to .Paak’s album. In past albums and in other songs on his recent record, his lyrics hold a sort of depth that makes him stand apart from other artists. The meaning behind the words is one of .Paak’s greatest assets and his one-dimensional choice in “Mansa Musa” is fortunately the only exception to this style.

Thankfully, .Paak’s next song, “Brother’s Keeper,” more than makes up for it with beautiful guitar notes, excellent contributions from Pusha T and .Paak’s soothing, melodic rasp. The consistent and catchy beat and instrumental closing make it my go-to song on the record.

The last song on the album, “Left to Right,” reminds listeners of .Paak’s upbeat and care-free personality through Jamaican pronunciation and repetitive choruses that manage to stay enjoyable despite their frequency.

Overall, .Paak serves us his best work on “Oxnard,” truly going back to his roots and unlocking a whole new array of musical talent. He switches between meaningful and spunky lyrics and provides music for all crowds. In the end, however, it is the beautiful voice of .Paak himself that manages to draw an audience, basking in the glow of his incredible skill.

WITH THE RELEASE of his energetic new album, Anderson .Paak provides a jazz-hip hop fusion perfect for all mloebbaka@redwoodbark.org listeners.

Get treated like family at Kentfield’s Guesthouse

By Morgan Salzer Opening a restaurant is risky business.

There is a lot of thought that must be put into the whole ordeal. Where will the location be? What demographic will it serve? Who will do the cooking? How does it deal with food allergies? And of course, will the public even like the restaurant enough to keep it running? With a 60 percent fail rate within the first year, according to Daniel’s College of Business, a new eatery owner must be resilient, passionate and have some previous experience. The Guesthouse, a new high-end American cuisine restaurant in Kentfield that opened on Oct. 30, houses all of these traits, making it a worthy dining experience.

The Guesthouse may be new, but the collective knowledge of its employees has

Photo by Morgan Salzer

GUESTHOUSE SERVES FRESHLY made lobster roll (left) and crab cakes (right).

already created a well-oiled machine in the restaurant. Head chef and co-owner Jared Rodgers has spent many years cooking in professional kitchens. Dustin Sullivan, coowner of Guesthouse, has spent his entire life working in the restaurant industry.

From bussing tables at the Cheesecake Factory during his high school years at Tam to owning his own establishment, Sullivan has seen what it takes to make a restaurant thrive and has a clear vision for his, which he executes with gusto.

“I want [customers] to feel like [they’re] coming into [a] friend’s house and [their] friend just happens to be a really good cook. [The Guesthouse is] super welcoming and warm and inviting; it’s like throwing some really beautiful food on the grill among friends and family. That’s why we call it the Guesthouse,” Sullivan said.

The atmosphere completely lives up to Sullivan’s desires. His passion in creating the restaurant is shown in every aspect— the interior design, the handpicked waitstaff and especially the menu. The food options themselves include different variations of classic American meals, and accommodate different diets such as vegetarian and gluten free. For appetizers, I decided to order the lobster rolls and the crab cakes from our waitress, who was hospitable when taking our order and quick to make conversation.

It only took five minutes for our appetizers to arrive. Both the lobster rolls and the crab cakes were presented in a minimalistic yet sophisticated way, supporting the high-class theme of the restaurant. The lobster rolls had a welcome contrast between the warm bread and the meaty lobster. The dish was able to play on all parts of my palate, making it one of my new favorite appetizers. The crab cakes were light, with a crusty outside that yielded to a softer middle. Retaining

Photo by Morgan Salzer

ONE OF THE many flavorful dishes at Guesthouse is the Patagonia King Salmon, served over a bed of farro. its most traditional qualities, this dish ingredients and masterful cooking did was welcomingly refreshed with the add up to an about $25 a plate, putting addition of sweet sauces and olive oil. the restaurant out of an average high For an entree, I ordered the Patagonia schooler’s price range. This being said, the King Salmon. Once again, the turnaround Guesthouse makes for an alluring place, time from order to arrival was quick. The appropriate for special occasions such as salmon was served over a bed of farro a birthdays or an anniversary dinner. The and quinoa with pesto and fresh sprigs as establishment succeeds in turning an old a garnish. The fish absorbed the flavors building into a lovely dining experience. of the farro during the cooking process, “I live in Greenbrae, I’m a local guy,” elevating its natural oils and flavor. It said Sullivan. “I knew this location had a was cooked lightly, but not undercooked, lot of potential. I knew it needed a little allowing the fish to remain moist with a tender love and care, but I also knew we crispy outside. The grains were sweet and could turn it into something really special.” salty, matching the flavor of the salmon.

This blending of flavors gave the dish an overall balanced taste and left me satisfied.

The Guesthouse’s use of quality msalzer@redwoodbark.org

lifestyles

Page 21

Tia Jonsson is a model for success

Former Redwood student showcases her unique look

By Jenna Dahlin “I was naked pretty much; I was only in my underwear. As models, we weren’t just mannequins, they really celebrated our unique bodies and what we had to say,” former Redwood student and model Tia Jonsson said about her experience modeling for Rihanna’s debut Savage x Fenty lingerie line.

“It felt empowering. Something that is honestly synonymous with Rihanna: she’s a strong woman that doesn’t give a f**k. All in all, it was a very intrinsically positive campaign,” Tia said.

Tia, a 21-year-old model from Marin County, originally entered into the modeling industry with Anti-Agency, a modeling agency that demonstrated interest in her through Instagram. According to their website, Anti-Agency aims to sign models exhibiting “personality, individual style and talent.”

After moving to New York,Tia’s career took off, leading her to photo shoots with distinguished magazines and modeling for internationally-acclaimed photographers.

The experience of modeling in the fashion industry has been overwhelmingly positive for Tia, partially as a result of her individuality.

“I’m not built like a supermodel. I’m not six feet tall or super skinny. The work that I’m hired for is because of my unique look. They’re not trying to get me to be skinny or [have] clothes fit perfectly. I’m not a classic build, and so I don’t have the body issues that come from it,” Tia said.

Tia was born with an autoimmune skin disorder, Vitiligo, which resulted in a small patch of pigmentation loss on her forehead, sprouting into a silvery-blonde streak in her hair. According to Tia, her Vitiligo contributes to her success, as it sets her apart from the traditional definition of a model, something highly sought after in the modern fashion industry.

“It’s a memorable thing when you have a skin difference. [Vitiligo] has been something people can identify me for,” Tia said. “People will see my Vitiligo or the stripe in my hair and are able to recognize me, even if they weren’t sure before. My Vitiligo has been a defining feature I have, and that’s a positive thing for me.”

This past September, Vogue wrote an introductory article about the “RihannaApproved model.” The magazine illustrated Tia as a real-life angel, stating that she is “porcelain-complected and blue-eyed, with pillowy lips

Photos courtesy of i-D Magazine

that could be described as divinely inspired.”

According to Tia’s mom, Lee Jonsson, Tia’s Vitiligo did not define her childhood identity, but blossomed as her modeling career gained traction.

“I don’t think she would ever define herself by her Vitiligo, nor do I think other people have in the past,” Lee said. “When she was younger, she was very into fashion and art. She had an affinity for foreign languages. She had an interest in museums.

People knew her by other things than Vitiligo.”

Tia has been featured in a number of photo shoots, ranging from INDIE magazine to the style section of The New York Times. In one of her more memorable shoots, Tia and her sister, Kari Jonsson, posed for the cover of Alla Carta, a high-end Italian fashion magazine.

“It’s such an honor that our photo was chosen for the cover because all the photography in Alla Carta is truly amazing. My sister flew all the way out to New York to be in it,” Tia said. “I think [Kari] is beautiful, and I am so happy to have those pictures with her because we’re going to have them for the rest of our lives.”

The Alla Carta sibling shoot was Kari’s first experience modeling professionally.

“It was obviously something I’ve never experienced before, because I’m not a model whatsoever,” Kari said.

Seeing Tia in her work environment provided Kari with a new perspective of her sister.

“It was an interesting experience to see her in a professional setting. There’s a lot more to modeling than just standing in front of a camera,” Kari said.

Lee was apprehensive to see her daughter’s career develop publically, yet she’s proud that Tia stays true to herself as both a fashion and role model.

“On one hand, [Tia’s career] is something that is awe-inspiring to me, but it also makes me feel uncomfortable.

Yet, it’s her life and I feel like she has to live it the way she wants to,” Lee said.

After attending high school at Redwood her freshman year, then transferring to Deerfield boarding school in Massachusetts, as a repeat freshman, Tia chose to continue to pursue her academics in college.

Despite the commitment of modeling, which often takes her on international shoots, Tia balances her job with an academic career at New York University (NYU). To devote her attention towards her growing success as a model, Tia is taking semestral leaves of absence to focus on her work.

“It’s super generous of [the school] to let me do this. It’s great because making money is helping me pay for school, and NYU is so expensive. It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Tia said.

Through her unconventional journey, Lee is reassured by Tia’s remaining humility and sincerity.

“I’m most proud of the fact that she has the same heart and sense of herself. I’m proud that she’s so brave. She does things I would never do. She is quite unconventional,” Lee said.

jdahlin@redwoodbark.org

Photo courtesy of Man Repeller

bark

Page 22 • Lifestyles

December 14, 2018

Baker Amy Kim’s decade-long haul at Victoria Bakery Story and photos by Ryo Weng Forty miles away from Greenbrae Calif. lives Amy Kim: a dedicated mother, wife and baker. Every day of the working week, Kim wakes up as early as 2:30 a.m. to drive to Victoria Bakery, a small local pastry shop at Bon Air Shopping Center. Kim has been working there for two years and has had previous occupations in the restaurant industry. However, unlike other jobs in the food industry such as chefs or waitresses, being a baker requires the constant commitment of waking up early to bake for the day. Over the years, Kim has embraced this unique work schedule and turned it into her daily routine. “[I] wake up early in the morning and get here [to start] baking goods. [I] prepare all of the store, be ready for the customer, tend to the customer [and] make drinks,” Kim said.

After one of Victoria Bakery’s bakers quit, Kim decided to take over and become a full time baker. But ten years prior to going to Victoria Bakery, she had worked at Subway where she woke up at the same time as she does now to bake 300 loaves of bread. For eight years, she had worked at Peet’s Coffee and Tea, also at Bon Air Shopping Center, with similar, if not earlier hours.

Eileen Kulperger, a Redwood parent and coworker of Kim’s, works at Victoria Bakery two days a week and has known Kim since her first day.

“It takes a special kind of person that can [be a baker]. I don’t even know how long [someone can] last; you burn out fast,” Kulperger said.

However, Kim loves her job and brings energy and enthusiasm to work continually. As she reported, being a baker is a very mechanical and repetitive process.

It ranges from putting the goods into the oven to placing the freshly baked pastries on the counter. It also requires multitasking skills while the bread is baking,

DISPLAYED IN THE glass sits a variety of pastries and desserts at Victoria Bakery.

as Kim has to keep an eye on other important details.

Within the toasty atmosphere of the bakery, Kim’s hands are focused on buttering pastries. However, oftentimes her mind is off thinking about her family and religion.

“I pray for my sons, my family and I have a lot of prayer requests. I pray mostly,” Kim said.

But before Kim became employed and took over the morning shifts at Victoria Bakery, Kulperger used to alternate with other workers to get to the shop at 5 a.m. and prepare pastries for the day. For anyone working in this industry, the grueling early hours demand significant willpower for getting out of bed. Kim tries to get out of her house quickly before her bed tempts her to get back in. She said that she has three alarms set, but after getting up, she is able to get ready quickly.

Another aspect of Kim’s job as a baker is how the early mornings have affected other people in her life. Since Kim’s children have already grown up, they are living on their own and don’t experience any downsides to their mother’s work.

However, Kim rarely gets to spend time with her husband. “[Kim’s husband] has more of a nine-to-five job so they don’t see each other much. She goes to bed early and she wakes up early,” Kulperger said.

Kulperger, being the mother of two girls, is aware of how the job can affect one’s family life. “[They] were on their own to wake up, get themselves breakfast, get themselves ready for school [and] get out the door,” Kulperger said. “It was a lot of pressure on them.”

However, Kulperger’s children have been able to develop important life skills from being more independent.

“They matured a lot that year. They took on responsibility…[and] were young, it was all positive,” Kulperger said.

Kulperger not only recognizes her children’s new found independence, but she also pointed out Kim’s work ethic and how her hard work has appeared in every form.

“She never misses a day, even if she’s not feeling great. She’s an incredible person, very genuine.

[She is] a good friend and worker,” Kulperger said.

Kim has built tight-knit relationships with her customers and brought joy and business to Victoria Bakery. Nora Faidi, another co-worker of Kim’s, has experienced Kim’s popularity first hand at Victoria Bakery.

“There are hundreds of people who come to Victoria’s for her. Just for her,” Faidi said.

Additionally, Kulperger saw Kim’s familiarity throughout the community in a different perspective. “[Kim] did work at Peet’s and for various reasons left there and came over to Victoria. She brought a bunch of customers with her that used to be Peet’s patrons, but now they [have] become Victoria’s,” Kulperger said. “She gets to know people on a personal level and when they walk in, she knows exactly what their order is. People adore her.”

According to Faidi, through Kim’s continual and longtime working habit, she has developed some health problems and will be taking a break from working in order to have some time for herself in the near future.

Like Faidi said, Kim has played a major role in Victoria Bakery’s business. The most important part about being a baker is not being able to wake up early for work. Rather, it’s the attitude that the baker has.

WORKING AT VICTORIA Bakery, employees often work early hours creating freshly baked goods.

“You have to love it, otherwise you can’t succeed. It’s a big commitment and she’s done that with us for many years,” Faidi said.

rweng@redwoodbark.org

HEARD IN THE HALLS “The bad thing about assigned parking is that when you hit someone they’ll know who did it.”

-Front lot “You look depressed” “Thanks it’s the depression.”

-Science room “Bro you smell like gingerbread. When I smell you I smell Christmas.”

-Library “This font size is stressing me out.”

-English room

“Dude, odds you go get condom certified.”

-CEA

Page 23 • Lifestyles

www.redwoodbark.org

bark

Focusing on who’s behind the camera Photographers in our community

By Anna Compagno

TAYLOR LESLIE

“I strive to capture beauty that usually goes unnoticed.”

BO TIPPO

“I take pictures because of the places [they] take you.”

Senior Taylor Leslie has been taking photos since middle school. Beginning as a hobby, she would take photos on her iPhone, edit them on apps and either post or save them in her camera roll.

After receiving her first camera freshman year, she decided photography was more than just a casual activity and pursued it more seriously. She started taking photography at Redwood her sophomore year and is now an AP Photography student.

“I decided to take a class at Redwood to gain a deeper understanding of photography, and I have learned how to convey meaningful messages through my work,” Leslie said.

She has also expanded into different mediums, using her original photos as canvases to edit on Photoshop.

“Sometimes what I’ll do is I’ll take a photograph and feel like it’s incomplete. I throw it in Photoshop and add or create something else with it, like drawing on it or [adding] stickers,” Leslie said.

She recently launched a website where she showcases her work, along with providing the option to buy large prints or stickers of her photos.

Accompanying her website, Leslie runs an Instagram account where she posts her photos, @tay.takesphotos.

According to Leslie, she draws her inspiration from photography accounts on Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr. Her favorite photographer is Chris Burkard because he captures nature through a unique perspective and inspires her to go out in Marin and find new places to shoot. Similar to Burkard, her favorite place to take photos is in the outdoors.

“My favorite thing to do is venture in Marin, especially West Marin. Sometimes on the weekends I wake up at 5 a.m. and go shoot surfers with my friends at Cronkite,” Leslie said.

According to Leslie, she plans to continue pursuing photography in college, majoring in digital communications and incorporating her passion into a future career. Photography means more than just an image to her—it’s a life-long memory.

“I take photos because I want to preserve something I’ve [seen]. Photos are positive memories, and when I’m older I have a vision of being able to look back at the photos I took so I can remember my high school years,” Leslie said.

Sophomore Bo Tippo first was exposed to photography after discovering his grandpa’s film camera in his house, which was the first camera he ever took photos on.

Eventually, he bought his first digital camera a few years ago.

Once he had a digital camera, Tippo started to take photos more professionally. This is the first year he can take photography at Redwood, and he plans on taking the class for the rest of high school.

According to Tippo, his favorite type of photography is of scenic views and landscape shots throughout Marin. He prefers to photograph the outdoors because he can edit and alter the photos to have a more professional and hued appearance. He uses Adobe Lightroom to edit photos to bring out highlights, shadows and colors that are already in the images.

“It took me a while to really [get Adobe Lightroom] down and make the pictures the way I like to them look.

I definitely have a more bright and colorful look to my photos. I want them to grab people’s eyes,” Tippo said.

Similar to Leslie, Tippo also draws inspiration from photographers on Instagram, specifically those who capture nature. He prefers to shoot landscapes and his favorite place in the Bay Area to photograph is Mt. Tam. Tippo is also hoping to expand his skills more into the field of videography. To him, photography is the start of what he wants to create.

“I’m looking to learn more about video and working more in that area of art. I think it’s more interesting; there’s more that you can do with video compared to film,” Tippo said.

Even though he may be in the early years of his photography career, Tippo already has a large following on Instagram. His photography account @botippo has over 4,800 followers.

“Taking photos just makes me feel happy. When I’m out on Mt. Tamalpais or [at] any nice view, being able to capture and share with people is very fulfilling,” Tippo said.

Photos courtesy of Taylor Leslie

Photos courtesy of Bo Tippo

MICHELE MINAMI

“Being able to capture a moment is special to me.”

After suffering from a foot injury her freshman year, senior Michele Minami had to give up dancing. With no way to express herself, she was in need of a new creative outlet, so she turned to one of her favorite hobbies: photography.

“I have always liked storytelling, and I have loved to take photos since I was younger, so photography has been a part of my life since as long as I can remember. I just looked at it more seriously once I could no longer dance and used it as a way to express myself,” Minami said.

According to Minami, she especially enjoys documentary photography, which consists of natural photos of everyday life, usually in black and white with a film look.

“It’s timeless. I like taking photos of moments in daily life that other people might not acknowledge,” Minami said.

According to Minami, she does not have to travel very far to find something beautiful to capture. She usually goes outside to random streets or other locations in Marin to practice documentary photography or photojournalism.

Minami posts her photos on her Instagram account, @micheleandhercamera. This past summer she did a photo program at Parsons School of Design New York City, where she made a website, which also displays more of her work.

Minami is considering minoring in photography in college because it is a part of her life and she plans on continuing to take photos in the future.

“Having a piece of art that you’ve made and that’s unique to you means a lot to me. I love knowing everything I create I can look back on forever,” Minami said.

acompagno@redwoodbark.org

Photos courtesy of Michele Minami

Commitment to color from freshman Joey O’Neill

By Evelyn Bailey It all started on Sept.

28, 2015, when freshman Joey O’Neill woke up one regular morning in the fifth grade, got dressed and grabbed the first shirt and pair of pants he could find.

“I was like ‘Oh, look at that! I’m wearing a lot of orange today,’ and so I decided to do it the next day, day after that and day after that. It just sort of spiraled out of control. Here we are three years later,” O’Neill said, who has been wearing at least one article of orange clothing every single day for three years. Regardless of other dress code requirements, he still

Photo by Harrison Segal

maintains Joey’s used to O’Neill’s

his signature look. family has become his unusual attire. older brother, a

junior in high school, Jack O’Neill, has closely observed Joey’s transformation.

“It's so weird whenever I see pictures of Joey from before sixth grade when he is wearing other colors. I have to do a double-take because it just doesn’t seem like Joey.

Orange is Joey,” Jack said.

After wearing one color year after year, many people have started to associate Joey with certain shades of orange as his uniform.

“I think it’s just more accentuated, this quirkiness that he has. He sort of reminds me of Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Jack said. “He's a very strange and eccentric person and I think that the clothes sort of reflect that.”

Joey's family knows Joey the best but still have never been clear on his intentions other than his love for the shade of a bright color.

“The color isn't really a big factor, it’s just sustaining [the clothing choice] throughout all three years that is interesting to me,” Joey said.

Along with committing to wearing orange everyday, Joey is also a dedicated musician who spends almost 30 hours per week practicing the flute, piano and piccolo, according to John O’Neill, Joey's father.

This averages to four hours per weekday and 10 hours on the weekend playing.

“The main thing I’m doing outside of school is music most of the time; I play the flute at the symphonic band. I also study at the San Francisco Conservatory pre-college level and Marin Symphony Orchestra,” Joey said.

Joey was inspired to

learn how to play the flute, the piano and the piccolo because of the emotion that it evokes out of him.

“Music is the way that he expresses his emotions. So many people have said Joey isn’t the most expressive person—when he talks to you it's usually pretty short and monotone, but when you watch him play the flute, it's amazing to see a completely different person because there is so much feeling in what he plays,” Jack said.

Joey expresses his emotions both in the music that he plays and in the clothes that he wears. He began learning how to play the flute in fifth grade, and since then he has become a talented multi-instrumentalist. When Joey performs he always wears some sort of orange clothing, such as his orange tie. “[Joey’s] so singlemindedly focused on music, that’s his one love. Some kids when they go home, they like to play video games. Joey goes home and he looks at scores or symphonies or he researches composers. That’s his entire life and it's so cool to watch that,” Jack said.

According to John, Joey’s musical inclination did not just start in the fifth grade, but rather when he was born.

“When he was a baby and we’d have classical music on, he would be moving his hands pretending he was conducting,” John said.

Joey not only plans to continue playing music for the next few years, but also continue wearing orange for the rest of high school.

“It's sort of the first thing people say when they meet Joey or they find out how were related and they always ask ‘What's the reason’ and I sort of wish I had a better answer than, Joey loves the color orange,” Jack said. ebailey@redwoodbark.org