November2016

redwood

bark.

Volume LVIV No. 3 • November 18, 2016 • Larkspur, CA

Cover design by Maxime Kawawa-Beaudan and Gregory Block

Editors in Chief Gregory Block Emily Cerf Sarah Kimball Rebecca Smalbach

Copy Editors Review Editors Caleigh Stephens (Head Copy Editor) Carolyn French Gemma Calandra Sam Sheridan Josh Cohen Adam Kreitzman Spanish Editors Heidi Roenisch Shannon Donelan Christine Watridge Data Analyst

Adam Kreitzman Feature Editors Sydney Soofer

Video Editors Pearl Zhong

Garet Jatsek

Sam Slade News Editors Catherine Conrow

Art Consultant Anne Pritikin

Maxime Kawawa-­‐Beaudan

Opinion Editors

Business Manager Daniela Schwartz

Grant Barnes Alicia Vargelis

Social Media Manager

Sabrina Dong Lifestyles Editors Annie Forgarty

Survey Manager Andrew Hout

Charlotte Seton

Sports Editors

Advisor Max Josef

Erin Schneider

Mary Winnick

Reporters

Sabrina Dong Tilly Friedlander

Eric Ahern Julia Jacoby

Kendall Rhoads Kaelin Kragh

Henry Tantum Alexandra Lee

Luke Dahlin Brendan Winters

Michael Benz Amanda Trusheim

Hayden Blum Hallie Fox

Rachel Schten Kevin Gao

Maggie Smith Jocelyn Overmyer

Caroline Cummings China Granger

Christine Watridge Jordan Overmyer

redwood

bark. redwood high school

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Custodian profile Nick Calzaretta

395 doherty dr., larkspur, ca 94939

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volume LVIV, no. 3

Sushirrito

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November 18, 2016

Parker Addison

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www.redwoodbark.org

Students walk out of class in protest of campaign rhetoric

By Catherine Conrow

Photo by Catherine Conrow

PROTESTING THE DISCRIMINATION and hate expressed in Trump’s campaign, approximately 100 students walked out from their classes on Monday afternoon.

Roughly 100 students walked out of their classes and onto the South Lawn on Monday in protest of views expressed by Presidentelect Donald Trump during his campaign.

Many of the protesters said that they were not protesting Trump’s right to be president, but rather the discrimination and hatred that they feel a Trump presidency represents.

“I feel that there is a lot of misunderstanding about what the protest is about. People were saying, ‘[The protest] is pointless because you can’t prevent Trump from becoming president.’ But for me, that’s not what the protest is about,” said junior Isabella Poutiatine, who attended the protest.

Walkouts also took place Monday at Tamalpais High School, Drake High School and Terra Linda High School, and last week, students protested at Marin Academy and the Urban School of San Francisco.

Throughout the roughly 1½ hour walkout in which students marched through downtown Larkspur, protesters chanted “Not

my president,” “My body my choice” and “Love trumps hate.”

According to junior Katie Israel, some members of the community pulled their cars over and joined the students’ protest as they were walking through Larkspur.

Israel said that she joined the protest to support minority communities.

“At Redwood, I think that some minorities were thinking that most of the country doesn’t care about them enough to not vote for a guy who is going to ruin their lives,” Israel said. “We wanted to make sure that people at this school know [it doesn’t matter] what skin color you have or who you love; that doesn’t define you. You are accepted at this community for who you are.”

Some of the Redwood students protesting said that they hoped the protest would show that hate crimes, like the ones they claim Trump has inspired, are not accepted in the Redwood community.

“I think [Trump’s message] is really scary for a lot of people,” Israel said. “We were just protesting Trump’s [racist] Continued on page 4

Community members protest learning Next Generation Science conditions at Marin City school Standards announced

By China Granger and Jocelyn Overmyer

By Annie Fogarty

Around 8 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 3, a crowd of concerned community members congregated outside Bayside Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, a public K-8 school in Marin City, to protest the school’s learning conditions in comparison to the district’s other school, Willow Creek Academy.

“I want to see equality in the school district and this is not about black, white or which school is better; it’s about education and that’s what our demands are about,” said community leader Kelly Thomas, who grew up in Sausalito and is now a grandparent of three children who attend Bayside MLK. The week of the protest, Sausalito Marin City District Superintendent William McCoy sent an email to community leaders, stating his respect for freedom of speech and the right to assemble as well as voicing his own concerns about the school.

“I am also concerned about the education of our children, especially our middle school students,” McCoy wrote.

The state-funded Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) released a report this August that largely blamed the five-member Sausalito Marin City school board for preferential treatment and funding of the Sausalito charter school Willow Creek Academy (WCA).

The FCMAT specializes in reviewing and resolving financial and resource management within local education agencies.

“If it was my child, I would be boycotting the school,” Thomas said.

At the time of the report and subsequent protests, four out of the five board members had direct ties to WCA, one of whom was the school’s founder. FCMAT received a request for review of the Sausalito Marin City School District this March from Mary Jane Burke, the Marin County

The Redwood Science Task Force, a group of administration and science faculty, presented the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) on Wednesday, Sept. 26 in a community forum at the Kreps Conference Room.

California public school districts are currently implementing NGSS and the Tamalpais Union High School District is in the beginning phase of development and discussion.

The standards, written by educators from 26 states including California, were finalized in April 2013. They were then adopted by California later that year.

The implementation process has been gradual, with pilot schools’ slow expansion.

Redwood will integrate the standards into its curriculum beginning this year.

“A lot of what we will be doing in the next year and a half is figuring out what is the best way to approach this mandate from the state,” environmental science teacher Joe Stewart said at the discussion.

NGSS emphasize learning through first-hand investigation, developing relevant science skills and linking together content from different science disciplines into cohesive knowledge, according to a press release.

“NGSS focuses much more on doing science with real world application as opposed to only memorizing content. More than anything, the standards will create that shift,” explained Stewart, referring to the NGSS emphasis on performance expectations.

Aneesha Badrinarayan, Senior Associate on the Science Team at Achieve, a nonprofit organization that contributes to the development and implementation of the standards, said that she believes they help students gain conceptual skills that will prepare them for the real world rather than memorize discrete facts.

Photo by China Granger

EXPRESSING HER CONCERNS over alleged inequalities at Bayside MLK Academy, community leader Kelly Thomas protests in Marin City.

Superintendent of Schools.

However, two of the five board members were up for re-election on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Incumbent member and founder of Willow Creek Academy Bill Ziegler lost his seat to Debra Turner, a Sausalito graphic designer who has volunteered at Bayside-MLK for nearly 18 years. Additionally, incumbent member Caroline Van Alst won another term on the board.

The protest also comes after former Sausalito Marin City School District Superintendent Steve Van Zant was convicted of a felony violation of the Political Reform Act earlier this year after he helped contract his company EdHive to work with a San Diego school district for which he was the superintendent.

In the days before the event, an email was circulated through the community from Jamal Graham, who is an assistant to one of the event organizers, Pastor Rondall Leggett.

Continued on page 3

“[The standards] really prioritize the knowledge and skills that people need from science to be able to be successful in the world. If you want to be a scientist, that is great. If you don’t want to be a scientist, it is still the baseline knowledge and skills that will help you do whatever you want to do,” Badrinarayan said.

The standards are structured around an idea called “Three Dimensional Learning.”

They divide learning into three dimensions categorized as Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts and Core Disciplinary Ideas.

Any lesson will include aspects from each of these categories.

“Our job as teachers will be to weave together instruction that will capture all three of the dimensions,” science department head Todd Samet said.

Many of the teachers in the Redwood Science Department are already utilizing tools detailed in the standards such as laboratory based learning and modeling, but NGSS will make the standards more explicit, according to Principal David Sondheim.

“This isn’t radically different,” Sondheim said. “These are strategies that will help all of our student. Whether they are headed into science or need to be scientifically informed citizens.”

Science teacher Marta DiDomizio said that she values the introduction of engineering practices. Furthermore, she is excited that the standards will require that teachers update their curriculum with technology.

This will allow students to concentrate on investigating phenomena and learning skills relevant to the modernizing world.

Di Domizio described a lesson she currently teaches and how technology can be incorporated.

Continued on page 4

bark

Page 2 • News

November 18, 2016

Photo Survey: What is the funniest insult you heard from one of the presidential candidates?

“Hillary Clinton is a dog.”

“I liked the, ‘You’re a puppet’ thing.”

Evan Stephens

Nicole Notter

freshman

“Hillary said the reason Donald doesn’t want to be in the White House is because he’d be in jail.”

“I don’t think anything that has happened in this election is funny.”

junior

senior

sophomore

Alex Diaz

Angela Clare

Marin voters decide on local offices, ballot measures

By Caleigh Stephens

While the national elections may have come up all roses for the Republican Party, there can be no doubt that the Democrats unsurprisingly won out in Marin.

The county re-elected Jared Huffman (D) to his seat in the House of Representatives by a landslide margin of 83 percent. Incumbent Marc Levine (D) won his seat as a member of the State Assembly by a similarly large margin of 73 percent.

In the wake of recent protests within the school district, Debra Turner and incumbent Caroline Van Alst won the two open seats as Governing Board Members of the Sausalito Marin City School District.

Bill Ziegler, another incumbent and the founder of Willow Creek Academy, the charter school that is currently under scrutiny, lost his seat on the board.

But perhaps the most interesting part of the local elections were the propositions voted on by the county. Measure A, which would have levied a quarter-percent sales tax to fund education and healthcare for children, gained a majority of the votes with 63 percent in favor, but failed to pass as it needed a two-thirds majority.

Even with backing from Huffman and Marin County Superintendent of Schools Mary Jane Burke, it failed in the face

of opposition that claimed the measure supported high-density housing and that low-income families would flock to Marin for the child care.

Similarly, a majority of voters voted to pass Kentfield School District’s Measure B that would have instated a parcel tax to support the district, but the 57 percent was not enough for the measure to pass the twothirds requirement.

Infographic by Caleigh Stephens

With 72 percent in favor, however, Kent Woodlands passed Measure N. The measure ensures the installation of license-plate reading security cameras to keep track of vehicles entering and exiting the community. A similar program have already been put in place in Belvedere, Tiburon and the Bel Marin Keys.

The election was also a positive one for security tax measures. Measure M in

Kent Woodlands surpassed the two-thirds majority needed to continue patrols in the area. But perhaps the higher stakes security measure was Ross’s Measure K. The community passed the parcel tax supporting public safety services with 78 percent in favor, and as a result the potential dissolution of the Ross Police Department and reduction of fire services have both been avoided.

Across the bridge, San Francisco voted on some high stakes propositions as well.

The city voted yes on allowing noncitizens to vote in school board elections.

However, San Francisco narrowly decided, with 53 percent against and 47 percent in favor, not to lower the voting age to 16 in city elections.

By the same margin, but with 53 percent in favor and 47 percent against, San Franciscans voted to prohibit tents on public sidewalks, taking a stance on the contentious issue of homelessness.

In another controversial issue, San Francisco voted to instate a soda tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, with 62 percent in favor. A similar tax was attempted in New York in 2010 but failed, and has been levied in a few other cities across the country, including neighboring Berkeley.

cstephens@redwoodbark.org

California voters approve state measures on controversial issues

By Maggie Smith

On Nov. 8, voters in California not only decided the next presidential candidate, but also voted on several propositions that will potentially affect Redwood students and families.

Proposition 51, which passed with 54 percent, proposed a $10.4 billion bond to upgrade and construct school facilities.

This is the first education-related bond to come from an initiative, meaning it started as a petition which had to be signed by a minimum number of voters before it could become part of the official ballot.

Three billion dollars will go to constructing new school facilities while another three billion will go to modernizing school facilities.

The remaining money will be designated for charter schools, community colleges and career technical programs.

California has a long history of passing bonds in order to further fund education in the state.

In order to pay for the bonds, California will have to pay $500 million per year for 35 years, as the bond is expected to cost $17.6 billion.

Another education-related measure is Proposition 58, which passed overwhelmingly with 72.4 percent of the vote.

Proposition 58 affects English learners in public schools by allowing them to be taught lessons in multiple lanuages in order to help further their understanding.

Currently, schools are required to give English-only lessons to students who are not fluent.

This proposition was supported by the Democratic party, and opposed by many Republicans, who believed that there was no need to change the way English is taught.

Proposition 62, which aimed to ban the death penalty in California, did not pass.

Photoillustration by Maggie Smith

Federally, capital punishment is allowed and remains a hotly-contested issue.

Another ballot measure, Proposition 66, which passed with 50.9 percent of the votes, will change the procedure for criminals to challenge their death penalty convictions.

Instead of the California Supreme Court, a lower court will hear the death penalty appeal in order in order to save time.

While many cities in California, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, have a ban on single-use plastic bags, Proposition 67, which passed with 51.9 percent, will make California the first state to ban them altogether. However, other municipalities around the United States have also manned the plastic bag, though no other states have.

The measure also requires stores to charge customers

10 cents for compostable or reusable bags, and revenue will go towards covering the costs of the production of these bags.

Proposition 64, one of the more well-known issues on the ballot, makes recreational marijuana use legal for California residents over the age of 21. Proposition 64 passed by 56 percent.

The bill also allows marijuana plants to be grown inside a home, as long as they aren’t visible from the outside.

However, possession of marijuana is still illegal on school grounds.

msmith@redwoodbark.org

www.redwoodbark.org

Page 3 • News

bark

• MLK protests just against the law.”

When asked about how 504 programs Continued from page 1 were being implemented at Bayside MLK, The email detailed issues within superintendent of the Sausalito Marin City the school and encouraged recipients to School District, William McCoy, said via support Bayside MLK students at the email that he was concerned about the protest. statements that 504 plans were not being According to the email, there is only implemented. However, when he asked one full-time middle school teacher at the a rally organizer, “she could provide no school, while the rest work part-time. specific examples of issues or people “The science teacher is now there three that could be contacted regarding their days a week instead of the two days a concerns.” week that she was at the beginning of the Recently Ellen Franz, who taught at year, but she is still a contracted part-time Bayside MLK WCA Bayside MLK WCA Bayside MLK WCA Bayside MLK for 14 years before retiring employee and not considered part of the last year, wrote a letter originally sent to staff. If students need help with a science Infographic by Jocelyn Overmeyer the Marin IJ to disclose what she had project or assignment, they need to wait seen as a teacher and active community until the teacher returns to school to get The response stated that for the 2016“The lone WCA representative member. Franz wrote that she had attended assistance,” the email stated.

The FCMAT report also noted that 2017 school year, the SDC program was interviewed was not the administrator “virtually every school board meeting besides a lack of consistent instruction, the moved to the Bayside MLK campus and managing special education at the school, since 2002.”

She wrote that in 2008 Bayside MLK school also had a shortage of credentialed “[Sausalito Marin City School District’s] and he may have had only limited Special Education Director encouraged— awareness of the District’s practice (which was named a California Distinguished teachers.

“Bayside MLK has no teachers with but did not require—the SDC students to WCA never sought to influence in any School and qualified as “excellent” on the single-subject credentials teaching courses enroll at Bayside/MLK rather than WCA.” way) of seeking to align the schedules of Academic Performance Index (API), but This, according to the report, was SDC students with the schedules of their has performed increasingly poorly since. for middle school students, including math “Since those years in which we and science courses and widely varying to better align the schedules of SDC teachers,” stated the response.

Delores Talley, the mother of two celebrated increasing student achievement, salaries for management and administrative students and their teachers, who are district staff, some of which are not comparable to employees following an 180-day school former Bayside MLK students, including I have watched the systematic destruction those in similar districts. The small number year as opposed to WCA’s 176-day school Redwood football coach Allen Talley, of essentially all aspects of Bayside MLK was at the protest “to support the kids.” students’ educational programs and support of central office staff makes it difficult to year.

T h e She expressed her disappointment with systems,” Franz wrote. implement improvements She went on m e t h o d s the lack of fullwhile also maintaining the describe a specific used by the time teachers, a day-to-day operations,” the incident.

F C M A T phenomena that FCMAT report stated.

“I stood before team to one of the parent The FCMAT report also the board pleading, reach the speakers at the detailed concerns regarding for example, on the c o n c l u s i o n even called “drivespecial education programs evening in 2015 that WCA by teachers.” at WCA. when four trustees is illegally “I felt they “In addition, WCA will voted to dismantle the r e f u s i n g should not have not enroll students who successful counseling e n r o l l m e n t started school until have an individualized program. I was told to special they had it fully education plan (IEP) that that this simply e d u c a t i o n staffed,” Talley requires a special day couldn’t be afforded,” students were said. class (SDC). The district’s Franz wrote. also called Talley is a governing board should Franz said that into question longtime Marin Willow Creek Academy have identified this illegal a few months later, by the WCA City resident practice as a concern Ellen Franz, she sat in the district r e s p o n s e . and volunteers at during normal oversight retired Bayside MLK teacher office when three According to Bayside MLK. processes,” the report trustees voted to their report, She felt it was stated. spend $42,000 on a F C M A T important for all In direct response to topographical study of the current WCA interviewed community members to get involved. the FCMAT report,WCA According to Thomas, the protest is campus, claiming it essential for the released a 31-page response refuting many “multiple individuals,” asked a WCA of the claims made and research methods representative and observed slide eight of coming after a series of community actions. upcoming bond measure.

Superintendent of the SMCSD Will the “Sausalito Marin City School District “The reason why we’re rallying at used in the FCMAT report.

“Regrettably, the report makes Special Education Report – April 5, 2016.” this point is because we’ve been having McCoy has developed a ‘comprehensive According to Seekins, as well as the conversations with the board, with the student education plan’ that he aims to set unsupported and incendiary charges that pit local schools–and the groups of high- WCA response, those actually in charge of principal. As far as I’m concerned, they in motion.

“This plan sets forth the tangible action need families they jointly serve–against special education were not interviewed by don’t care. I have no confidence in the steps our District must take and speaks to board,” Thomas said. one another, adding strife to a community FCMAT. “[FCMAT] didn’t talk to the Special One of Thomas’ main concerns with how we are and must continue to augment already challenged by a long history of racial and economic tension,” stated the Education Director, they didn’t talk to me, the school is that 504 programs, plans are instruction and learning for each and every they didn’t visit any classrooms,” Seekins tailored by the school to address a student’s student here at Bayside MLK,” McCoy WCA response. disabilities while still allowing that student wrote in a letter to parents.

One section of the response directly said.

Phillip Logan, a student support The WCA response claims it to to participate fully in general education addresses the FCMAT claim that WCA refuses to enroll students with an IEP and be “unfathomable” that FCMAT made classes, are not being fully implemented. specialist at WCA, said he hopes the allegations without contacting either the Federal civil rights laws require schools support continues. those in need of a SDC. “We weren’t for sure about the turnout According to the response, during District’s Special Education Director or to have 504 plans available. Students who the 2015-2016 school year the special the then-Assistant Head of School who don’t qualify for special education (IEP) but it was good to see so many people come out today,” Logan said. “But hopefully it might qualify for a 504 plan. education program at WCA had “between oversaw special education.

The response also noted that only one “It is just criminal,” Thomas said. doesn’t die here.”

12 and 20 students enrolled in SDCs.” “Some stuff is unethical and some stuff is bark@redwoodbark.org During a phone interview, WCA Head “WCA representative” was consulted. of School Tara Seekins said the school has a history of supporting students with disabilities.

“I do know that Willow Creek was definitely enrolling kids with SDCs and IEPs. I know that for a fact,” Seekins said.

I have watched the systematic destruction of essentially all aspects of Bayside MLK students’ educational programs.

Regrettably, the report makes unsupported and incendiary charges that pit local schools... against one another.

bark

Page 4 • News

November 18, 2016

• Students protest Continued from page 1

• Science standards

...mentality and the awful stories coming out of Trump supporters saying ‘this is our country now’ and all of the hate crimes that have happened since the election.”

However, the walkout protest was not void of controversy, as the protesters were met by pro-Trump supporters. There was no violence between students, but arguments did break out between the two groups.

Members of the administration including Principal David Sondheim, viceprincipals and campus security, followed both protest groups as they marched around campus and through Larkspur.

“Free speech is extended to everybody regardless of who students voted for or supported,” said principal David Sondheim. “My job as a principal is to make sure that all students are safe, so we took steps as needed to secure the safety of all students.”

In addition to the protest, six members of the Amnesty International Club walked out of their club meeting at lunch to show solidarity with people offended by Trump’s comments. However, the demonstration was not affiliated with Amnesty International, which is a nonpartisan organization and therefore does not support political candidates.

At lunch, the six students held four different posters, each with a quote from Trump’s campaign that they saw as offensive to minority groups, according to junior Ines Schwartz, who participated in the protest.

Poster topics included Trump’s degradation of women, his comments towards immigrants and his denial of climate change and environmental policy.

“We were not saying that he is a bad person, but we wanted to show that we support the people who are offended but what he has said on the campaign trail,” said sophomore participant Lori Gerstenfeld.

“People understand that Trump is going to be president, but a lot of people don’t want a president who is against gay people or a president who thinks that people with

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Continued from page 1

Photo by Catherine Conrow

RAISING THEIR FISTS in solidarity, protesters gather to show their support for students who may feel marginilized by President-elect Trump’s campaign rhetoric. disabilities or women are less.”

The bottom of each poster had a sign that said “Hug me if you stand in solidarity with” followed by the different minority groups.

Standing blindfolded with their arms stretched out, Schwartz and sophomore Sam Mayerhofer gave out hugs to those who approached them, attempting to show that good things could come from being tolerant toward everyone.

“We were blindfolded because it shows that we don’t care who is watching and there is no judgement,” Schwartz said. “We were vulnerable and open to everybody.”

According to Gerstenfeld, by being blindfolded, the demonstrators showed that they are willing to give support to anyone, regardless of who they are or what their background is.

“It’s part of the no judgement thing.

You don’t know who is going to be hugging you, and sometimes they don’t know who you are because of the blindfold,” Gerstenfeld said.

Reactions to the posters and hug activity varied among students and some students

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asked whether there was any purpose to the demonstration, according to senior Andrea Silvera, one of the six lunchtime protesters.

“There were some people who genuinely showed support. They came up and were willing to sign the posters.

But there were other people who saw the posters and just laughed,” Silvera said. “I understand that people have their own political points of view but I don’t necessarily like the response. It was just a bit unsympathetic on their part.”

The six students decided to do the lunchtime demonstration to inspire empathy at Redwood without disrupting class-time learning.

“Before we take a protest to the larger Marin community, we first wanted to raise awareness within our local community,” Silvera said. “By creating awareness, we hoped to inspire more people join in our cause and take action.”

cconrow@redwoodbark.org

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Rather than graphing by hand, students can graph on computer programs.

“The shift is from width to depth and from memorization to application,” Di Domizio said. “I see a lot of modernization with content and with tools in these standards that was not there before.”

The Tam District has already had a strong focus on laboratory and experimental-based science and investigation, one of the elements that the standards emphasize, according to Samet.

However, the science department is looking to incorporate more of the other concepts such as data analysis and argumentation.

The Task Force is currently discussing possible changes to the required course sequence.

The establishment of NGSS may potentially lead the department to restructure the two year Integrated Science sequence that TUHSD has had for 25 years, to be a three-year sequence that contains physical, earth and life sciences.

Any class aligned with NGSS will be UC approved for lab credit, according to Di Domizio.

Redwood science teachers present at the discussion displayed full support of the standards.

This excitement has been displayed nationwide as well, according to Badrinarayan.

“NGSS is something that reflects not only the way science education research says kids should be learning, but the way teachers know kids should be learning. I think that there has been a lot of excitement within districts, states and teachers,” Badrinarayan said.

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Page 5

Millennials shouldn’t be disillusioned by outlier election

By Gregory Block

Let’s say there’s a club downtown that you’ve been dying to go to for years. It has a big, flashy entrance with bouncers in suits standing outside. In past years, it has had the best new performers. But thanks to their strict ID policy, you’ve never been able to get in. Let’s call it the 2016 Voting Club, and until you’re eighteen, despite your strongest wishes, you just can’t get inside.

So you watch jealously for years as your elders talk glowingly and patriotically about the club and the civic engagement that it represents. You desperately want to go inside, to check your boxes, stand in your very own booth and receive a sticker indicating that you were finally there!

But unfortunately, you can do nothing but watch from the sidewalk as people around you excitedly discuss the happenings of the club.

Finally, though, your time has come, and on your 18th birthday, you grab some friends, call an Uber and head to the city. You pregame on the way there (by reading up on some of the state propositions, of course) and before you know it, you are standing in front of the club. There are millennials and senior citizens pouring out of the doors with smiles on their faces and stickers on their shirts.

Nervously, you approach the front door. The bouncers check your ID, and after years of wondering about what the club was like, the moment has arrived. You walk inside with the legacies of millions of Americans who had entered those doors before you on your shoulders, expecting a whole new world of red, white and blue, majestic eagles and fireworks.

But it doesn’t take long for you to realize that the glitz and glamor of the club was nothing but a façade. After all, this is the 2016 presidential election. Inside, the walls and floors are dirty. TVs blare debates full of hateful rhetoric and undignified behavior, a cacophony of interruptions and insults. Media outlets compete to see who can deliver the most biased and sensationalized coverage.

And a trip to the restroom reveals a wall covered in Donald Trump’s tweets, as if a bathroom isn’t dirty enough.

Your first trip to the Club was the ultimate letdown. Your expectations were crushed and so was your patriotism.

After an experience like this, why would you want to go back to the club? The 2016 presidential election was the first in which the Millennial generation had a higher proportion of the voting populous than the Baby Boomers, according to a 2016 Pew Research study. In other words, there’s a whole lot of people who went to the Club for the first time last Tuesday. And there’s probably a whole lot of people who don’t want to go back.

What does this mean for the future of American politics? The lasting legacy of this election remains to be seen, and it may be another four years until we can truly gauge the figurative damage done to the American political system and to Millennial voters.

But there’s no denying that the absurdity of this election has affected the way the Millennial generation will view politics, whether it’s because of the behavior of the two candidates, the failures of media coverage or the outlandish rhetoric instead of grounded policy.

Many Millennials, the most impressionable of voters, were most likely disillusioned by what they saw this election cycle, regardless of their political views. This was because there wasn’t a problem with just one side of the spectrum, but a problem with the system in general, from the primaries down to Election Day last Tuesday. I hope that in four years, my peers will be excited for the election and for the opportunity to vote, as they should

Illustration by Eileen Bettinger

be. After all, elections should be inspiring times, a chance for people of all different backgrounds to do their part in deciding what the future of their country will look like.

But this 2016 election is the opposite—where people aren’t voting for a candidate they are proud to represent, but instead one who they see as a lesser of two evils. And that’s assuming that people are even voting. It is important to remember that this election’s Voting Club is not the norm, but an anomaly. If you look down the street, there’s another club being built. It holds the promise of an election with legitimate candidates, unbiased media and a focus on policy.

When 2020 comes around, I can only hope that people go clubbing instead of staying home.

gblock@redwoodbark.org

How do we cut the link between patriotism and nativism in America?

By Maxime Kawawa-Beaudan The wall. Shutting down mosques across America.

Banning Islamic immigration.

Disparaging Mexican immigrants indiscriminately. All of these are textbook examples of the nativism Americans have seen in this year’s election season.

They’re examples of the type of rhetoric Donald Trump has normalized in American politics and the type of speech he uses to appeal to the nationalistic fervor of his constituency. But Trump’s comments are just symptoms of a bigger sickness, one that we each have to address ourselves. He has brought to light the hidden xenophobia that many Americans harbor toward foreigners, using them as escape goat for every single problem in the United States today.

Too often today, Americans practice a constrictive type of patriotism. We seem to link the concepts of xenophobia and patriotism, as if by saying we are American we say equally that we can be nothing else.

We deny our own diversity and denigrate other nationalities. In other words, we feel that excluding other cultures is a way of preserving our own, inaccurately passing our problems off onto the shoulders of others.

Trump’s comments are emblematic of this larger problem. People today often feel comfortable displaying subtle or extreme racism towards Muslims or Latinos, believing in some way that being

American and being patriotic are tied to opposing Islam and excluding foreigners.

This phenomenon stems partially from a mindset of American exceptionalism, the idea that America is separate from and

Illustration by Maxime Kawawa- Beaudan

better than the rest of the world, ignoring both the interconnectedness of modern nations and the variety of American citizens. And there is variety. The United States was 13.3 percent African American,

5.6 percent Asian and 17.6 percent Hispanic or Latino according to the 2015 census.

This country is a m e l t i n g pot. That’s what makes it so great.

America is, after all, a country of immigrants.

Now, that “America is number one” mentality isn’t necessarily a bad thing or an inaccurate one.

The United States leads the world in Olympic medals, billionaires, top research universities and military size. We’re a country with a lot to be proud of. What’s more, most immigrants see America as a haven. Immigrants come from all over the world to live within our borders, demonstrating their patriotism not through nativist displays, but through the sheer will and force that is required to gain citizenship in the United States. The

person who leaves their home country, displaces their family, flies overseas and fights through the naturalization process just to become an American citizen may have more claim to say, “I love America” than the person who just happened to be born in one of the fifty states.

Immigration is what makes America so great. Tolerance is one of this country’s founding principles. Diversity is its strength. So to claim to be a patriot while simultaneously speaking ill of Muslims or any other ethnicity creates a paradox.The real American patriot welcomes diversity.

The real American patriot isn’t so easily scared and swayed by popular opinion, and doesn’t sink so low as to spread hate to those who pray to one god or another.

Many people masquerade as patriots while simultaneously hating immigrants who feel nothing but patriotic fervor for the United States.

That’s why it’s so important for us to ask ourselves: are we really patriots?

Are our friends and peers really patriots?

And if the answers are yes, then we have to call out those who make passing racial comments about Islamic terrorism, Trump’s wall and Mexican immigration.

American patriots know that change is progress, and progress is strength, and strength is embodied in every core principle of our nation.

mkawawa-beaudan@redwoodbark.org

bark

Page 6• Opinion

November 18, 2016

Point-Counterpoint

Six years means more focus on real policy solutions

By Jason Fieber A presidential campaign is one of the most timeconsuming projects that an individual can take on.

A campaign for the Oval Office is often launched years before election day and consists of planning tours, travelling across the nation, public speaking, holding rallies and more.

Campaigns like this are often implemented at the beginning of a president’s last year in office, and sometimes even the year prior, causing that president to lose valuable time that should be focused on passing effective and appropriate domestic and international policy.

Through the implementation of a six-year term, the president would be able to focus completely on decisions that they believe will help the country rather than whether or not the decision will garner votes. The American people often want tax cuts and increases in spending, so a president looking to be re-elected would be more likely to advocate for these policies, even if the nation was in need of tax increases or decreases in spending.

There would also be fewer tax dollars wasted on campaigns, which would allow the president to use those tax dollars to implement domestic changes, and it’s also possible that only electing a president for one six-year term would lessen or eliminate corporate influence on elections, insuring that the American people could truly have their voices heard during elections for important positions in the United States.

Under the current political system, a president must begin a campaign for re-election one or two years into their first term to have a realistic shot at winning. The serving commander-in-chief becomes handcuffed when they become try to attract voters rather than pursue realistic policy changes.

A new campaign can distract presidents from their regular duties.

They have to fulfill many different jobs and work to solve both foreign and domestic issues, so it is irrational to assume that the president can run a functioning campaign while still operating at full capacity in the Oval Office.

A president in campaign mode would necessarily be delegating some his important functions as head of the country to other people, people to whom the American people have not entrusted these powers.

The president should be fully invested in fulfilling their obligations to the entire country rather than planning tours or marketing for an election that is two years in the future.

The current four-year system also forces the president to make an effort to pull votes from the opposite side of the political spectrum in order to be re-elected rather than focusing instead on reaching the goals and the vision that they have for the country.

If there was one six-year term, presidents could focus on the policy solutions they considered best, rather than reaching across the aisle to shore up support for a future election. In recent history, presidents have tended to deteriorate in their final years in the Oval Office.

Nixon, Reagan, Clinton and Bush had resignations, scandals, or economic meltdowns during their second term as president.

Having one six-year term takes away these final years that have seemed to be so challenging for past presidents.

Some claim that a single six-year term would create a prolonged “lame duck” period where the president would no longer be inclined to make decisions that are in the greater interest of the people.

However, anyone we elect as president should feel a desire to help the nation and have a vision for what they want to accomplish. While it is necessary that the president accurately reflect the interests of the people, he or she also needs to do what they believe is best for the nation.

The president should not need constant feedback from

With the end of President Obama’s second presidential term and the relative stagnation of political progress, the question comes up of the effectiveness of our current system for presidential terms.

the imminent threat of losing re-election in order to make decisions that are in the public’s best interest.

The people elect a president who they believe is best representative of their ideals, and while it is necessary for the president to make changes that the people want, it is also necessary that he or she have a strong vision and be prepared to make their own decisions that will carry the country in the right direction.

We shouldn’t worry about a president not properly reflecting what we believe; we should instead concern ourselves with finding a candidate who we believe has the qualities and tools to be successful and popular during their time of service.

One of the best ways that we can provide them with a tool for success is by giving them a sufficient opportunity to achieve their vision and guide the country with a six-year term.

jfieber@redwoodbark.org

The possibility of serving one six-year presidential term has been a popular idea to potentially avoid the pitfalls of the current system, but this change could make it so that a president does not have sufficient time to institute changes.

Illustrations by Andrew Hout

Presidents are more accountable with four-year terms

By Caroline Cummings In his last year as president, George Washington established principles that would protect this nation; asserting that this country is at its best when Americans are working collaboratively to create a society of laws, open commerce and separation from wars abroad.

In his last year as president, Theodore Roosevelt launched the Great White Fleet, announcing a new era of naval dominance.

In his last year as president, Barack Obama halved the unemployment rate from when he inherited it, which currently stands at five percent.

Throughout the history of this nation, presidents have had some of their greatest impacts in their eighth and final year as president, a feat only possible due to our current system of four-year presidential terms, with the possibility of a re-election for a second term.

Had they been confined to a single six-year term, these presidents, along with many others, would not have reached the accomplishments that they did.

In special cases, such as that of Franklin

Delano Roosevelt, he used four terms to accomplish some great things, including unemployment relief and subsidized mortgages.

Had he not been in office for a period of time longer than six years, he would not have been able to accomplish the amazing things he did.

Simply put, six years is too long for a unfit president, and too short for a good one.

If the people like their president, they should have the opportunity to vote for him or her to be re-elected, in which case he or she would be in power for eight years at the will of the people.

If the people don’t like their president, then they should be confined to only four years in power, because although the president is impeachable, this power is very hard to wield, so the people need more direct control of who leads their nation.

This system gives the people of this nation control over the extent of the power of their president, as it should be in a democratic nation.

The proposal of a single six-year presidential term has been prevalent since the creation of our country. In 1787, the Constitutional Convention rejected the idea, and in the years following, persistent proposals by members of Congress for this have been denied as well, and for good reason.

The current system of a presidential term of four years, with the opportunity to be re-elected for a second term, should remain, as it gives the opportunity for the people to remove an ineffective president from office in a much shorter length of time, but also to keep an effective president in power for two years more than a six-year term would allow.

The argument for a single six-year term is based on the belief that re-election is an issue that a president in office should not have to deal with, especially in light of the current campaigns and the amount of time and money

put into them.

This argument claims that one term would free a president from needing high approval ratings, and could do what is best for his or her country.

However, while this argument may seem appealing, at its foundation it is completely against everything this country stands for.

It concludes that any president would know what is best for the country without being held accountable by the people.

It concludes that a president who disregards the wants and needs of his or her citizens is a superior president.

It concludes that the democratic system gets in the way of one man or woman’s ability to make good decisions.

The citizens of the United States are able to make solid, sound decisions, among them electing the President, to multiple terms if necessary.

A President should have to prove themselves to the American people, and work to maintain that approval.

American democracy asserts that it is the duty of the President not to ignore the concerns and desires of the people, but to abide by them.

It maintains that if the President is accountable to the people, that is when he or she will do the best job that they can as the leader of this nation.

While the call for a single six-year Presidential term may sound superficially appealing, it is important to look at its core and realize the utter anti-democratic beliefs that hold this argument together.

Two possible terms of four years obeys the democratic system that our country was founded on while keeping presidents accountable for their actions.

ccummings@redwoodbark.org

Page 7 • Opinion

www.redwoodbark.org

Full language immersion is key for optimal learning

By Anne Pritikin During the few times last year that my former foreign language teacher instructed the class in Spanish, I glanced around the room as the instructions faded to background noise, watching other nervous eyes seek reassurance that their confusion and questionable understanding was shared among their peers.

Two years earlier, I was in another class taught only in Spanish and felt more comfortable with my pieced-together comprehension of the teacher’s message.

If I had looked around the room then, I wouldn’t have seen any mouthed questions to neighbors and waning interest in the day’s lesson. So what accounted for this difference in confidence between the listening comprehension of a classroom full of high schoolers and one full of middle schoolers?

In the United States, fewer than one percent of American adults are proficient in a foreign language that they studied in a U.S. classroom—a dismal statistic considering that 93 percent of U.S. high schools offer foreign language classes, according to the National Survey of Foreign Language Teaching in U.S. Schools.

Only around 17 percent of Americans speak more than one language, in comparison with 54 percent of Europeans, underscoring the U.S.’s multilingual shortcomings. In order for students to improve their foreign language listening and speaking abilities, all foreign language classes should be taught completely in the target language for students to obtain the full benefits of learning another tongue.

The answer lies in teaching methods, a long debated topic within the World Languages Department at Redwood, according to head of the department, Deborah McCrea. Currently, there is not one uniform teaching method adopted by

the department, but instead each teacher employs the strategy that they prefer.

The majority of foreign language classes are taught in both English and the target language, utilizing a bilingual teaching technique.

At Redwood, 61 percent of foreign language students say that their foreign language class is taught in the target language and English, while 24 percent are taught only in the foreign language, according to a recent Bark survey.

However, 47 percent of students prefer to have their foreign language class taught in the target language.

McCrea, who teaches her AP Spanish Language and Culture classes solely in Spanish, said that she believes this is the most effective teaching method and that the goal of foreign language classes is to be taught in that medium.

Foreign language classes instructed solely in the language create a learning atmosphere that is closer to the immersionlearning setting and helps students achieve brain processes equal to those of nativespeakers, according to a study in the science journal PLOS One. By continuously hearing and speaking the target language, students become more comfortable with the language and gain confidence in their abilities, inciting them to practice and improve even more.

While initially some students might become frustrated or discouraged if taught only in the target language, with careful lesson planning relative to the students’ understanding and knowledge, students would feel comfortable in the classroom while being challenged.

Students need not understand everything their teacher says in order to improve their skills, as long as they understand the majority of the lesson.

McCrea said that students understand the majority of a foreign language without

bark

Illustration by Maxime Kawawa-Beaudan

completely comprehending the teacher’s message if the class is organized in a way that is at the student’s level.

Learning a language in both English and the target language allows students to resort to talking in English when they do not understand how to convey their message in the foreign language.

Students feel more comfortable talking or asking questions in English than the foreign language, especially if they do not know the specific words to communicate their message in the target language.

However, speaking in English takes time away from speaking in the foreign language and hinders progress and learning.

In a class taught only in the target language, students employ what McCrea calls “circumlocution”—using words within students’ repertoire to effectively communicate their message even if it is not said perfectly, which vastly improves students’ speaking abilities, increasing their confidence.

The purpose of language is to convey a message. Whether that message is communicated through eloquent diction or simple words is not important as long as the meaning is clear, especially when conversing in a foreign language.

A combination of dedicated teachers and motivated students would allow more effective foreign language classes taught solely in the language to become a reality.

“It’s possible to teach a foreign language class in the target language,” McCrea said.

“It’s a challenge to organize the class in a way that’s accessible to [students], but it is possible. It takes a belief that that is the best way to learn.”

And a belief is what we need, a belief to obtain the most out of our learning, a belief to change that 24 percent into 100 percent.

apritikin@redwoodbark.org

Cartoon by Aidan Ferguson

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Page 8 • Opinion

October 21, 2016

bark

Redwood High School 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur, CA 94939 www.redwoodbark.org E ditors -I n -C hief Gregory Block Emily Cerf Sarah Kimball Rebecca Smalbach

Head Copy Editor Caleigh Stephens

Copy Editors

Gemma Calandra Josh Cohen Adam Kreitzman Heidi Roenisch Christine Watridge

News Editors

editorial Protests need specificity to achieve results Policy, not platitudes

Barks & Bites

While most students sat in their sixth period classes on Monday, a crowd gathered on the South Lawn, and later marched around campus and Larkspur as chants condemning a Trump presidency floated through the open windows of classrooms. The Redwood students who walked out of class on Monday are in no way alone in their sentiments. News of anti-Trump protests are everywhere, from places close to home like Tam or Drake to the streets of major cities across the country.

Of course, these protests do not represent the sentiments of all Americans. After all, Trump did win the election and will be the 45th president of the United States. Only 17.8 percent of students at Redwood supported Donald Trump, according to the Bark election survey, yet there were still students holding up signs in support of a Trump presidency. Many students complained about the protests, saying that they wouldn’t have an impact or affect real change.

This may be true, but it is important to remember that both Trump and Clinton supporters have a right to assemble as guaranteed by the Constitution. Since before our country was founded, protesting has led to legitimate social and political change. There is an important and expansive historical precedent that cannot be ignored.

One such historically relevant example is the anti-war protests over the Vietnam War in the late ‘60s. Even though protesters never directly caused an end to the war, their dissent still shaped policy and public opinion throughout the era.

This can be directly compared to the effect that protesters of Trump’s presidency hope to have. It is illogical to think that anti-Trump protests could result in removing him from office; instead, these protesters simply want their displeasure and disagreement with Trump’s policies to be heard.

Protests may be an effective way to get a message across, but they should be treated as a starting point, not a finish line. There’s only so much that can be accomplished by a disorganized group of protesters without an achievable central message.

Consider the Occupy Wall Street movement after the financial crash in 2008. The movement didn’t succeed in bringing about the change they sought, because their demands were so vague.

Anti-Trump protesters will soon run into the

A BARK to American TV’s “The US Presidential Elections.” Season 45 was truly captivating with its intensity, drama and shocking season finale!

A BITE to the inevitable college questions at Thanksgiving. When they said it was a roast we thought they were talking about the turkey.

A BARK to three days off next week. We can’t wait to celebrate a holiday where all we do is eat.

A BITE of a brownie. A weed brownie, when we’re 21.

A BARK to Micetro. It was

same problem unless they can consolidate their dislike for Trump as a person into specific policy demands.

While current protests are mainly focused on Trump’s character and empty slogans, for any chance of success, activists must move towards advocating for meaningful and possible change on issues they deem important. Instead of chanting “Not my President,” protesters should be demanding plausible changes that are grounded in policy, such as ensuring that the Environmental Protection Agency continues to take the steps necessary to combat climate change or objecting to potential laws that could repeal civil rights protection for minority groups.

There are a number of ways activists can do this beyond protesting, such as getting involved in politics on a local level, supporting groups which they feel experience discrimination or volunteering and donating to nonprofits that fight for their cause.

With that in mind, we still shouldn’t minimize the importance of protesting. The students at Redwood who chose to protest and other protesters around the world are at least taking action, rather than just sitting back with a “woe is me” attitude, disillusioned by the political process and unwilling to do anything about it.

We are a democratic nation and must have some faith in the system and afford some respect for the candidate the country has chosen.

However, those who do not support Trump can and should fight back against behaviors and ideals they do not support. Protests such as the one at Redwood on Monday are an excellent way of expressing that disagreement, but to cause real change protesters must extend beyond generalities to provide a specific plan for action that will unite a movement.

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 the Bark mailbox in the facility. They may also be emailed to bark@redwoodbark.org.

Nice-bro.

A BITE to all the colds going around school. Election season is suppose to be about one nation not contagion.

A BARK to U.S. progression!

We just had our first black president, and now we have our first orange president.

What’s next?

A B I T E t o O b a m a ’s presidency ending. Love him or hate him, you’ve gotta love him.

A BARK to the football team beating Casa Grande. Who’s the big house now?

A BITE to the 11,000 adults

who voted for Harambe. It’s not funny anymore, Dad. A BARK to the Cubs winning the World Series. It’s a shame that their last trophy got destroyed in the Ice Age. A BITE to Hillary Clinton for not responding to our Evite.

B A R K S a n d B I T E S a re t h e collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS are in praise of accomplishments, while BITES criticize decisions or events.

Catherine Conrow Anne Pritikin

Opinion Editors Daniela Schwartz Alicia Vargelis

Feature Editors Sydney Soofer Pearl Zhong

Sports Editors Max Josef Mary Winnick

Review Editors Carolyn French Sam Sheridan

Lifestyles Editors Annie Fogarty Andrew Hout

Spanish Editor

Shannon Donelan

Video Editors Garet Jatsek Sam Slade

Business Manager Grant Barnes

Social Media Manager Sabrina Dong

Survey Manager Amanda Trusheim

Art Consultant

Maxime Kawawa-Beaudan

Data Analyst

Adam Kreitzman

Reporters

Eric Ahern Michael Benz Hayden Blum Caroline Cummings Luke Dahlin Jason Fieber Hallie Fox Tilly Friedlander Kevin Gao China Granger Jack Green Julia Jacoby Kaelin Kragh Alexandra Lee Jocelyn Overmyer Jordan Overmyer Kendall Rhoads Rachel Schten Charlotte Seton Maggie Smith Henry Tantum Brendan Winters

Adviser

Erin Schneider

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

español

Página 9

Opinión: Haciendo los EEUU más aceptante para la gente Por Bea Cazares

Una Periodista de Cub

En las elecciones de 2016, nuestros candidatos presidenciales son los menos favorables de los últimos 30 años, según una encuesta de USA Today. Mientras la candidata Clinton es probablemente una de las más preparadas que hemos tenido, el otro es un magnate que ha estado en la bancarrota ya seis veces.

A pesar del disgusto generalizado, una de estas personas van a estar encargada de nuestro país paro los próximos cuatro años. Después de una batalla muy larga de 18 meses que ha dejado el país en sorpresa y sentimientos de tristeza el país ya ha hablado, tenemos que aceptar que elegimos a alguien que nos va mover para atrás ocho años.

Un tema popular de discusión este año, es la reforma migratoria, especialmente con los inmigrantes no solo de Latinoamérica sino también de alrededor del mundo.

Para muchos votantes latinos, incluyendo miembros de mi propia familia, este tema es muy importante y tiene una gran influencia en a quién van a elegir en las elecciones este ocho de noviembre.

Aunque no pretendo hablar por todo los latinos, yo creo que la mayoría está With Her por muchas razones que Trump en ninguna manera va poder comparar a Hillary.

Muchas de lo que ha dicho Trump no solo ha sido racista, sino también muestra misógino e ignorancia hacia las personas que se miran diferente de el, como la creencia de los musulmanes debiéndose identificar. También ha sugerido que Hillary Clinton no tiene apariencia presidencial y ha llamado, Miss Housekeeping, a una ex ganadora de Miss Universe, por sus raíces latinas.

Son comentarios como estos que me dan rabia porque un candidato presidencial no debe recorrer estereotipos para categorizar a miles de personas a las que potencialmente podría representar. Yo espero que nadie me diga comentarios así hacia mi o cualquier otra latina solo por nuestras raíces, cuando nuestro potencial para lograr lo que queramos es tan grande.

El slogan de la campaña de Trump es Make America Great Again, pero ¿desde cuando ha dejado de ser grande

Ilustración por Bea Cazares

los Estados Unidos? ¿Cuándo ha pasado esta caída grande que él necesita arreglar? Puede ser que el sentimiento real detrás de este eslogan sea hacer que los sea Estados Unidos blanco otra vez?

Porque cuando yo oigo que la juventud de mi edad repitiendolo, me asusta un poco pensar que alguien pueda ponerse al nivel de Trump especialmente cuando vivimos en Marín, un lugar tan liberal. La mayoría del tiempo no entienden el privilegio que tienen o que tan afortunados están de vivir en una parte del país tan próspera. Aunque las personas de los EEUU pueden hablar sobre sus opiniones libremente, duele un poco que escogieron a estar en el lado de alguien que piensa asaltar mujeres sexualmente está permitido.

Como todo, la comunidad latina está preocupados por lo que pueda pasar. Unas pólizas posibles causarían el éxodo de 20 millones de personas a sus patrias. Yo sé que hay algunos estudiantes de Redwood no podrían quedarse en los Estados Unidos si estas nuevas pólizas fueran establecidas. Esto no sólo sería perjudicial a la economía

sino también sería poco realista y bastante cruel. Ya hemos visto personas que tienen miedo y andan llorando porque piensan que sus familias van a estar separadas, y estoy triste porque como alguien menor de edad no podia votar.

11,000 de personas fueron a votar para una gorila fallecido que se llama Harambe y prácticamente malgastaron sus votos que personas en otros países mueren por. Fácilmente podría salvado muchas personas de los lágrimas de tener sus familias separadas entre dos países.

Si estas pólizas fueran implementadas, unos latinos nacidos en los Estados Unidos no dudaría en irse con sus padres si estos fueron deportados, pero otros quizás no querrían irse por las oportunidades que encuentran al estar acá.

Por ejemplo, si tienen un trabajo o están asistiendo a la escuela aquí, irse del país los pondrían en una gran desventaja. Si son muy chiquitos para hacer una decisión y solo tienen que irse, se hacen como pez salido de agua y tienen que aprender cómo acomodarse a su nueva vida, especialmente si necesitan aprender español.

Finalmente, Trump pinta un imagen equivocado de los latinoamericanos. Cuando dijo que México sólo manda a violadores, él estaba mal en decirlo.

El gobierno mexicano no quiere criticar a los Estados Unidos, los latinos solamente quieren huir de sus países plagados por crimen o para tratar de ganar más dinero para mandar a sus familias.

Una realidad triste sobre la cual muchos americanos no se dan cuenta. En lugar de hacer que los Estados Unidos sea excelente otra vez, debemos hacerlo más diverso y tolerante, especialmente durante estos próximos cuatro años.

Editado por Oliver Sagastume

bcazares@redwoodbark.org

Opiniones de: programas en español de Netflix Por Caroline Cummings Muchos espectadores no son conscientes de la gran variedad de series de español que ofrece Netflix y no saben cómo distinguir cuáles son las que valen la pena verlas.

Para ayudar a evitar la sensación abrumadora por la infinidad de opciones, The Bark, tomó un vistazo a los programas de televisión en español con las máximas calificaciones.

El Tiempo Entre Costuras Uno de los programas de televisión en Español con las clasificaciones más altas disponible en Netflix, “El Tiempo Entre Costuras”, cae asombrosamente corto a menudo en una trama melodramático.

Situado en Madrid en el 1930 cuando España estaba al borde de la Guerra Civil, el programa muestra la historia de una costurera, Sira Quiroga.

Ella deja su trabajo al heredar una fortuna de su padre ausente. La actriz representando a Quiroga ganó merecidamente dos importantes premios de actuación española por su papel impresionante y su buena actuación en la serie, (con) el guión (siendo de menos).era mucho menos.

Lleno de momentos de cliché, particularmente entre Quiroga y su amante Ramiro Arribas (Rubén Cortada), la trama viene a menudo muy poco realista.

A pesar de la sobre dramatización, la serie tuvo éxito en sus diseños y trajes. El estado de ánimo y la atmósfera durante todo el programa fueron notables.

Si el espectáculo se siente oscuro y

marca, ofrece una línea de trama de suspenso impactante, a pesar que a veces las imágenes son temblorosas. El espectáculo toma lugar en un internado de la elite española, un Colegio conocido como Laguna Negra.

Cuando ocurren eventos extraños y sobrenaturales, cinco adolescentes van en busca de explicaciones. Aunque la trama es interesante y siempre sorprendente, lo que realmente impulsa el programa es la variedad de personajes, contrastantes historias y personalidades no cesan de entretener.

Mientras los adolescentes y los adultos son talentosos actores con líneas interesantes de la historia, son los chicos más jóvenes que realmente brillan, con su luz de inocencia en medio de una historia oscura y pesada.

Aunque la calidad de la filmación no es siempre la mejor, ‘El Internado’ infunde la perfecta cantidad de suspenso en el telespectador.

Club de Cuervos Esta serie original de Netflix utiliza ingenio y humor con éxito para entretener a los telespectadores mientras contando una historia seria. La trama se centra en un hermano y una hermana que heredan un equipo de fútbol profesional, después que su padre muere de un fulminante ataque al corazón.

Aunque son medios hermanos, los dos no podían ser más diferentes. Isabel es inteligente y una ejecutiva de trabajo duro en equipo, mientras Chava es imprudente e irresponsable.

Estas diferencias conducen la trama y

Foto cortesía de Netflix

CHAVA Y ISABEL se sientan en la cancha de futbol y reflejan el futuro de su familia despuès de la muerte en su familia. aterrador o apasionado y romántico, los telespectadores pueden sentir el estado de ánimo de la escena a través de su música y la iluminación. Los trajes y la arquitectura se sienten muy auténticos.

El progreso del trama continua con Quiroga termina de regreso a España después de haber perdido su fortuna y su amante, luego convirtiéndose en una espía para los Aliados en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, añadiendo más drama a la historia.

Si usted puede ir más allá de la sobre dramatización, el ambiente y la emoción de “El Tiempo Entre Costuras” valdría la pena mirarla.

El Internado Con un reparto diverso y un tono espeluznante, ‘El Internado’ llega a la

la mayor parte del humor en el espectáculo.

Agudo y peculiar, esta serie pretende ser alegre, aunque la comedia no interfiere en la calidad de la actuación.

Los actores parecen creíbles, aunque a veces un poco exagerado, y la filmación y el diseño de escenografía son de la más alta calidad, con eficacia que muestra la riqueza que viene con ser dueño de un equipo de fútbol profesional.

Clasificación de la serie de adulto maduro es sin duda exacta, como la programación contiene el uso frecuente de lenguaje fuerte que a menudo parece adecuado para los personajes, que son crudos y nunca plácidos. Si estás buscando un show ingenioso, “Club de Cuervos” es el espectáculo perfecto.

Editado por Bea Cazares and Oliver Sagastume ccummings@redwoodbark.org

bark

Page 10 • Feature

November 18, 2016

by Anne Pritikin

Gregory McGovern (35%) Richard Nixon (48.2%) Other (2.2%) Undecided (14.6%)

Bill Clinton (69%) Bob Dole (18%) Ross Perot (7%) Ralph Nader (6%)

Jimmy Carter (36.93%) Gerald Ford (37.33%) Other (2.03%) Eugene McCarthy (3.76%) Undecided or abstained (19.94%)

Al Gore (55.3%) George Bush (17%) Other (12.2%) Ralph Nader (15.5%)

Walter Mondale (47.78%) Ronald Reagan (52.22%)

Michael Dukakis (65%) George Bush (23%) Other (12%)

Barack Obama (71.43%) John McCain (14.29%) Other (14.29%)

Hillary Clinton (68.4%) Donald Trump (17.8%) Jill Stein (2.2%)

Gary Johnson (7%) Gloria La Riva (4.6%)

www.redwoodbark.org

Page 11 • Feature

bark

Special Education students offered plethora of opportunities Teachers discuss Redwood’s inclusivity in its structure and attitude toward Special Ed students

By Rachel Schten

Smiles and expressions of gratitude glowed on the faces of three members of Redwood’s Special Education department as they talked about their experiences and those of their students.

Special Day Class (SDC) teachers Katie Peters and Kim Cochrane, and Marin County Office of Education Program Manager for Special Education Ed Zander, all marvel at the level of acceptance and freedom that their students have at Redwood.

They also said that Redwood has a very accepting culture that makes their students feel included and welcomed.

“I just love being here. I’ll never leave because I feel that this is such a welcoming school for everybody in here and they make an effort here to do that,” Cochrane said.

Photo by Rachel Schten At Redwood, Special Education students have the freedom to join General Ed- PLAYING A GAME of kickball, the Special Olympics Club meets on the track during lunch. Special Education students participate ucation classrooms which allows students in a variety of sports games, including a Unifed Sports basketball game against Tam. to take advantage of not only electives like art and physical education, but also aca- diverse and accepting that within it is very actually think it’s really a good thing. I’m said. demic classes. key,” Peters said. seeing students that are really caring, really According to Michael Lovejoy, a Spe“I’ve been here for 21 years. Redwood According to Zander and Peters, Peisch wanting to take care of the community, the cial Education teacher at Tam, the Unified is the most receptive [school]. We can go has also been instrumental in expanding environment, themselves,” Zander said.

Sports basketball game between Tam and wherever we want. Our kids are accepted the opportunities available to Redwood’s Peters explained another possible fac- Redwood was influential for his students as everywhere,” Cochrane said.

Special Education students to include the tor for the welcoming environment at Red- well their General Education peers.

However, Zander and Peters agree that new arena of sports, which have historical- wood.

Lovejoy also emphasized that the real not all schools in the area are as accepting ly been separate.

“I feel that there is just this new wave, stars of the game are the Special Education towards the student populations they work Peisch has been pivotal in implement- this push of accepting others’ differences, athletes. with as Redwood. At other schools, Special ing the new Unified Sports league (a facet whatever that may be, and Special Educa“The Special Education students are Education students do not have as much of Special Olympics which brings together tion really falls into that,” Peters said. incredibly brave. They put themselves out freedom and are not encouraged or even like-aged students with and without intelZander also said that Principal David there in front of everyone. [They are] brave given the opportunity to interact with their lectual disabilities) which will begin this Sondheim has been key in shaping Red- enough to give their best in front of everyGeneral Education peers. year and include Drake, Tam, Redwood, wood’s attitude. one. The most applause should be given to “There are nonpublic schools here that Terra Linda, San Rafael and possibly San “[Redwood Generthe [Special Education] are just more isolated. [Special Education Marin, according to Zander. al Education students] athletes,” Lovejoy said. students] will not have a General Ed peer In addition to the mainstreaming of make our students feel Peters also rememto model or to be around to have that high Special Education students, programs at really part of the whole bers the broad, positive school experience. These type of opportu- Redwood like the Peer Buddies Club, the school which I think is impact of that game. nities [at Redwood] are huge for our stu- Friendship Club and Unified Sports (which healthy for the whole “It was really just dents,” Peters said. includes the Special Olympics Club) help school. Not all schools team building, and when Antiquated approaches to Special Ed- not only to integrate Special Education stu- are like that, but I think there is any sort of team ucation, according to Zander, have led to, dents into the student body but also to give it also starts with the building and collaboraand in some schools and communities, Redwood’s General Education students the principal,” Zander said. tion, then you see concontinue to lead to a less beneficial experi- opportunity to interact with and help out Last year, before a fidence of the students ence for Special Education students. These their Special Education peers.

Redwood vs. Tam var- Claire Schulberg, build. You also see evless-modern philosophies include the sepSenior Claire Schulberg has been help- sity basketball game, senior erybody supporting each aration of General and Special Education ing at Peer Buddy Club, Friendship Club Special Education stuother,” Peters said. students. and Special Olympics Club since her soph- dents competed in a The effects of the “Sometimes there is a disconnect at omore year.

Unified Sports basketUnified Sports basketschools with some old philosophy of Spe“They give you so much happiness. I ball game. Zander cited that game as an ball game didn’t just touch Redwood, accial Ed students being separated from Gen- always forget about my worries when I go example of how Redwood has created a cording to Zander. eral Ed students. That creates an environ- in that classroom because it’s such a wel- progressive environment for Special Edu“I think that everyone sees the benement that is not as coming, kind envi- cation. fits to the culture of everyone taking part inclusive and not as ronment. We always “The Unified Sports basketball game in something no matter whether they are supportive. But here say we give so much that was here last year, everyone saw that disabled, that we are all just one, and it crein Marin, no matter to them but they and wants more of that. They want more ates such a healthy culture,” Zander said. what school you are give so much to us. of everyone coming together. So Tam “The energy that came after that basketball at, this generation They make our lives High School and Redwood High School game was so positive to the whole county, of students is really so much better and are rivals, but when they played with the administrators, county teachers, students taking care of the I think they make Special Ed students, everyone cheered for here.” ones who need it,” us better people,” everyone. I think that that is where we see Zander said.

Schulberg said. change coming in this generation,” Zander rschten@redwoodbark.org Two faculty Students can members at Redalso become Teachwood who have er’s Assistants been particularly (TA’s) for Special open and receptive Education classMichael Lovejoy, to Special Educarooms. tion students are teacher “Many students Mike Dibley and have come in to beJessica Peisch, accome TA’s and then cording to Peters. said, ‘This is what I want to do; this is my When Peters’ students go to Dibley’s career. I want this,’” Peters said. rschten@redwoodbark.org classes for mainstreaming, which is when According to Zander, one factor that Special Education students spend time in leads Redwood students to be so open to the same class as their General Education Special Education students is because of peers, Dibley makes sure to set the tone of their upbringing. Zander pointed to “hehis class on the very first day. licopter parenting” as a catalyst for the “Our first day every single year, he receptive culture at Redwood for his stualways explains [to his students] that the dents.

Redwood population isn’t very diverse, but “At first I thought that helicopter parthis is one way that our population is very enting was not that good of a thing, but I

We always say we give so much to them, but they give so much to us.

The Special Education students are incredibly brave. They put themselves out there in front of everyone.

2016 El

How Redwood w T he day before millions of Americans headed to the voting

booths, Redwood students filled out their own makeshift ballots. On Nov. 7, the Bark ran its election survey in conjunction with Tam’s student-run magazine, The Tam News.

The 10-question survey was not mandatory, but students were encouraged to take it during Monday’s advisory period.

Survey questions were centered around the presidential election and controversial election issues, including gun control, the legalization of marijuana, and fairness of the police force.

The survey results cemented the fact that Redwood students are very liberal, mirroring the political views of Marin County and Northern California as a whole. Redwood students not only demonstrated support for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, but also aligned with the Democratic Party’s views on key issues. For example, 52.8

FEMALE STUDENTS

68.4

percent of students would have voted for Clinton

what do you think of the relationship between the police force and their communities?

should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun?

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

lection -

-

would have voted percent agreed that all marijuana use should be legalized, both medically and recreationally. Â Also, 60.5 percent of students said there should be strict background checks and psychological testing before someone could purchase a gun.

However, a shift toward the center was apparent once the voting results were narrowed down to students who were actually able to vote in the 2016 election. Out of the 798 Redwood students who took the survey, only 55 were old enough to vote in the election. Out of those students, there was an equal split between Clinton and president-elect Donald Trump. Also, among students who were able to vote, over 70 percent believed the police force was mainly fair, compared to 52.9 percent of all students.

The Tam data was almost identical to Redwood data as 67.9 percent of Tam students also said they would vote for Clinton.

male STUDENTS

17.8

42.5%

While there are isolated pockets of racial bias, overall the police force is fair

percent of students would have voted for TRUMP

37.5%

There is systematic racial bias in police forces that the government needs to address

10.4%

The police force is fundamentally fair

9.6%

No opinion

do you support the legalization of marijuana?

60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Gregory Block, Annie Fogarty, Maxime Kawawa-Beaudan, Anne Pritikin, Sydney Soofer and Pearl Zhong contributed to this story

bark

Page 14 • Feature

November 18, 2016

A

s a member of Green Cities of California, Marin County and its schools are environmentally conscientious, and Redwood is certainly no exception. Redwood has bike to school days, multiple EZH20 bottle-filling stations, and increased use of technology instead of paper in classrooms.

Despite this, many students and staff are unaware that Redwood’s recycling system has many flaws, as most items in recycling bins often end up in the trash with other waste.

“Pretty much everything except cardboard goes in the trash,” said custodian Pat Hazelrigg. “Bottles, cans, and all that stuff I just pour right into my trash.”

Recycling, and sorting recyclable and non-recyclable items, is not in any Redwood custodian’s contract, according to the CSEA Bargaining Unit Agreement which is currently undergoing negotiation due to its term ending. Hazelrigg said he was told it was the student’s responsibility to take out the recycling, but few students clean out recycling bins.

“The recycling does get taken out, but by who, I don’t really know,” said senior Jenna Neustaetter, president of the Environmental Action Club.

Many staff and students share the same question: who is responsible for monitoring and taking out recycling at Redwood?

Hazelrigg’s custodial route includes half of the first floor of Redwood, and due to the large number of classrooms he cleans, he doesn’t have time to sort through recycling bins that are often contaminated with waste.

However, he does recycle cardboard because there is a designated location for it.

“I always take down the cardboard and recycle it,” Hazelrigg said. “The students are supposed to be doing [recycling] and I don’t have time to separate stuff. It’s just too big of a rally.”

AP Environmental Science Stewart, teacher Joe Stewart also Joe AP Environmental Science teacher believes the contamination of recycling bins with regular trash is a key issue that Redwood’s recycling system faces.

“Marin Sanitary Service is not going to be able to accept contaminated recycling, so it ends up just being garbage or someone has to dig through it and clean it out, and no one wants to do that,” Stewart said.

Due to the fact that no one at Redwood is actively responsible for recycling, some teachers will have their teacher assistants take out the recycling.

“In my classroom we have a TA empty [the recycling], but sometimes just out of kindness, the custodians will do it,” Stewart said.

According to Hazelrigg, only two out of all the classrooms in his route have teachers who tell him to not take out the recycling because their TAs do it, but in the rest of the classrooms he disposes of the recycling by putting it in the trash. Hazelrigg initially ignored recycling because he was told that students would handle it. But over time the recycling piled up and it became clear that no one was taking it out. “[The recycling] sat there and it sat there,” Hazelrigg said. “I don’t let stuff pile up. You go into my classrooms and they’re all clean; there’s no recycling [left over] whatsoever and everyday that happens.”

The Environmental Action Club, founded in 2004, is currently focusing more on issues such as excessive paper

Photo by Emily Cerf

OPENING A RECYCLING bin, sophomores William Barber (left) and Parker Tang (right) throw recycling in the proper bin. towel usage and greener transportation to school and less on recycling reform at Redwood, according to Neustaetter.

“I don’t think we have a very powerful role [in recycling]. Members of the club encourage [recycling] from other students but we’re not making any strides currently to change anything about it,” Neustaetter said.

In the future, the club would like to bring back the large recycling bins that were removed from the CEA and outdoor areas due to lack of correct usage which cost the school too much money.

Stewart believes that Redwood’s inefficient recycling system comes from a lack of student awareness and care for being environmentally conscientious.

“It’s not so much the infrastructure being inadequate; we have recycling bins. It’s much more about the way we think about things,” Stewart said. “The truth is if we were doing our recycling well and there wasn’t contamination, if we had everything clearly labeled and people were following it, it would be as easy as taking the garbage out. It would be the same amount of stuff just sorted so I don’t think the custodians would have difficulty with that.

I think they would be happy to do it.”

State law AB-1826, which came into effect April 1, 2016, requires local jurisdictions to recycle their organic waste, and although Redwood has a recycling process, the ambiguity over who is responsible for recycling leads to limited success. Stewart said that he believes students, administration and custodial staff need to work together to improve Redwood’s recycling.

“Redwood is a high-achieving school and it is a wellrun place, but I think it’s a travesty that we don’t have a well-run recycling program,” Stewart said. “I do not blame any particular party; we need to work together to make it happen.”

I do not blame any particular party; we need to work together to make it happen.

avargelis@redwoodbark.org

Page 15 • Sports

www.redwoodbark.org

Blast from the past: Redwood’s boxing tradition 198

By Michael Benz

Red woo d Ba

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0

real “fight night” like professional ones on TV. “The ring was there, and they had music. They played music for everyone when they walked in, it was fun. It was really fun,” Kreuter said.

Kreuter chalked it up as one of the most interesting experiences in his life, right up there with his 16 years in the MLB, catching Nolan Ryan’s 5000th strikeout and playing in the World

198

2

Rule number one of Fight Club: don’t talk about Fight Club. Maybe t hat rule is why one of Redwood’s bestkept secrets hasn’t seen the light of day for decades.

Redwood alumnus Chad Kreuter, class of ‘82, had great success as a three-sport varsity athlete. However, his fondest memory from the gym wasn’t the many basketball games he played in, it was Redwood’s best kept secret: Fight Night.

Fight Night was a school-sponsored event which stemmed from the boxing class taught by coach Bob Troppmann.

Fight Night was simple, two kids, three rounds, in the Redwood gym. One night out of the year, a full boxing ring would be installed on one side of the gym, according to Kreuter.

“Fight Night was the greatest thing they ever had at Redwood, the greatest,” said Steve Compagno, a former Redwood student and current boys’ varsity basketball coach.

The event was always packed.

One 1982 Bark story stated that they expected more than 1,000 kids at the event, nearly half of the student body at that time.

“For all the guys that were fighting there was a huge build up to it because everybody challenged each other and there was a little jawing back and forth and showmanship with everybody,” Kreuter said.

The night was meant to emulate a

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Championships in Cuba.

“It taught a lot of guys about humility, it taught a lot about inner strength, to get in there and fight and get back up after you were knocked down stuff like that. Nowadays, [Fight Night] would never be allowed, obviously, but as a guy who went through it and did it, I would recommend it because back then it was kind of part of becoming a man almost,” Kreuter said.

Additionally, Kreuter said that the Fight Night was not as much about beating the opponent, but instead bringing to light the true characters of the athletes.

“You showed you had the courage to get in the ring first of all, and the courage to get in wasn’t as much as the courage to fight in front of all these people and you were fighting a friend, so it wasn’t like you were fighting someone you hated,” Kreuter said. “You’re going at it not to hurt him but to win and try to survive.”

Kreuter also took away a physical lesson from the experience.

“I was sick as a dog afterwards, I didn’t train hard enough for it, I wasn’t ready for how hot the gym was. You got in the gym and it was probably 90 degrees because of all the people. Those three rounds, we didn’t hold back. We slugged it out for three rounds,” Kreuter said. “I remember being physically sick afterwards because I was so dehydrated.

And I know that taught me I need to train better. Not in just boxing, I never boxed again after that, but to train harder and train better and outwork everybody for the rest of my life, and that was a big lesson in that point in time.”

According to varsity baseball head

coach and Redwood alumnus Mike Firenzi, Fight Night would not be brought back to Redwood due to health risks.

“They would never bring it back for the insurance purposes and all that.

I do think boxing teaches a lot about discipline both mental and physical. I think it does teach a lot, but I don’t see it ever happening again, just the day and age we live in,” Firenzi said.

But Fight Night was not the only thing that was different about Redwood in the 1980s. Alumni also felt that as a whole, the school vibe was different.

“I would say the school spirit [was the best part about Redwood.] We all went to all the sporting events, and I say we all, not just the athletes, the kids in the drama department, the math club, everybody went to the basketball and football games. Whether the team was winning or losing it didn’t really matter, there was just a lot of school spirit,” Firenzi said. “Everybody had Redwood gear on all the time, and there was a lot more school pride; I don’t know what you attribute that to. Back then you would kind of hold your chest out a little bit with your Redwood shirt on at parties and around town.”

Kreuter attributes today’s comparative lack of school spirit to a key part of the high school experience being absent.

“There aren’t any Friday Night football games in Marin besides San Rafael,” he said. “I think they miss that here, that’s a part of the high school experience that a lot of kids miss here.

Whether you’re a student-athlete or a fan it’s a lot of fun to go to.” mbenz@redwoodbark.org

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Middle School through College

November 18 , 2016 bark Page 16 •Sports Running rampant: Calzaretta clears path to playoffs

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Photo by Michael Benz

By Michael Benz Fourth in the nation in total scoring.

Fifth in the nation in rushing touchdowns.

12.3 yards per carry. Redwood’s Nick Calzaretta has emerged as one of the best running backs in MCAL history, putting up monster numbers in his senior year.

Standing at 5 feet 11 inches, 200 lbs with a 4.57 40-yard dash time, Calzaretta has been tearing up MCAL and NCS opponents alike, breaking into one big, bruising run after another— the most famous of which came during the homecoming football game against Novato on Oct. 22. The 61-yard rush in which he bulls over a Novato defender on his way to paydirt has been featured on Instagram pages that have nearly a million followers, and earned him the MaxPreps “Play of the Week” in California.

“Once I hit that kid I saw the green and I just tried to turn it on and get to the end zone. I didn’t think much of it at the time,” Calzaretta said.

M a x P r e p s tweeted that Calzaretta “hits like a mack truck.”

The recent attention is nice, but anyone who has watched the Giants this season knows that Calzaretta has big-play potential, and at any moment he can break open a play that makes his defenders look like a Pop-Warner football team.

But he hasn’t always been this dynamic of an athlete.

Growing up, Calzaretta was always a strong, fast multi-sport athlete. He was a standout all-star for Twin Cities Little

League, once hitting three home runs in an all-star game, including a grand slam.

But it was freshman year when he became a whole new animal.

“I dieted to an excessive extent. I would train from 4:45 to 7:00 a.m., then go to football practice and then workouts after football. It was a military program, lots of running and bodyweight workouts,” Calzaretta said.

In the most recent offseason, he continued Olympic style weight training five days a week to maintain his physique.

His offseason work turned him into an even bigger beast, but people that know him were not surprised.

“For as long as I could remember, Nick was always a big competitor and I think a lot of it comes from his family and older brother Jeff,” said senior Declan Hardiman, a teammate and longtime friend of Calzaretta’s. “He’s always been bigger, faster and overall more athletic than everyone else, but it really started to show in high school when he started dominating on the the football field.”

This success was almost natural because of Calzaretta’s older brother, a star running back for Redwood in 2011.

“He was just a stud, and I do everything I can to live up to that.

Everything I do to this day is to try and fill his shoes,” Nick said.

Jeff was a two-way player, and Nick showed flashes of his defensive prowess as well in a brief stint at linebacker against San Marin.

When starting

linebacker Kyle Campbell went down with a re-aggravated foot injury, senior Gus Buddie was tasked with filling Calzaretta in on the play calls. Calzaretta had played defense for the Giants in years prior.

“Honestly, it was easier than you’d expect for someone who never practices defense. Nick has a great sense for finding the ball carrier and his blitzes are devastating for the opponent’s line,“ Buddie said.

Calzaretta made an instant impact.

Down 35-21 in the fourth quarter, Nick blitzed the San Marin quarterback, leaped into the air, and tipped a pass which ended up in Hardiman’s hands and eventually in the endzone.

“We put Nick in the game at linebacker for probably our first time during a game this year and the whole time he was just making plays,” Hardiman said. “We blitzed one play and he got through the offensive line untouched, saw the quarterback cock back to throw, got his hands up and deflected the pass as I was coming through the backfield. I just caught it, made an inside cut, and walked into the endzone.”

The next drive, Calzaretta forced a fumble.

In two defensive possessions, he caused two turnovers, keeping the Giants in the game, though they eventually lost

after a late Redwood turnover.

“For all the years I played football I had always played both sides of the ball and going back into defense that game was good and fun, and I hope to play [both] in the playoffs,” Calzaretta said.

Calzaretta’s versatility proves he isn’t just a one trick pony. He is a fast, agile football dude.

“There’s a bond with football that I can’t seem to find with any other sport, it’s a plus being able to hit someone else,” he said.

He can make a difference no matter what side of the ball he’s on, and no matter what position he’s playing.

Watching his highlights, it is easy to see his vision as he makes cuts to the outside or exploits a gap. His agility and creativity is apparent as he slows down towards the end of runs to deke an opponent before turning it up again, as is his brutality as he runs over opponents and never goes down the first time he’s touched. Or the second, third, or fourth.

Calzaretta led the Giants to their first ever NCS football victory last Friday over Casa Grande making an impact as both a linebacker and running back, and is looking to carry the team through the end of this historic season.

mbenz@redwoodbark.org

Page 17 • Sports

www.redwoodbark.org

Boys’ basketball shoots for an MCAL championship

By Jason Fieber When five basketball players step onto a court together, they need to act as a unit rather than individuals in order to have success. This year, the boys’ varsity players are hoping to create even more than that on the court—a family.

Redwood has an optimistic outlook coming off one of its most successful campaigns in recent history. Its 10-4 finish last year placed them fourth in MCALs and carried the team to berths in both the MCAL and NCS playoffs.

When asked if he believed this year’s team could duplicate that success, nineyear varsity head coach Steve Compagno did not hesitate.

“Absolutely,” he said.

Compagno believes that this year’s team

is unique because of their chemistry. The Giants have nine players returning from last year’s squad, all of whom are already comfortable in the current system.

This year’s team is headed by a group of seniors, including Alex Wilson, Charlie Reis, Ashton Finegold, Matt Walravens, Chris Kress, and Brendan Shepard, who are familiar with each other’s styles thanks to years of playing together.

These seniors will play a key role in developing and maintaining the established team chemistry, according to Compagno.

“They are good leaders, they’re good kids, they care about each other, and we are trying to develop a family unit where it is more important that we take care of the process,” Compagno said.

Past Redwood teams have traditionally been defensively oriented, according to Compagno, and this year’s team will be no different.

Photo by Adam Kreitzman This tactic has been effective because the team has forwards who can defend the DRIBBLING THE BALL, junior Omar Elliott-Diab prepares to drive past senior basket and guards who are quick and have Brendan Shepard. It is Shepard’s third year on varsity for Redwood. a high basketball IQ, according to senior forward Charlie Reis.

The family has a new look this season have a group that can definitely put the us “That combination allows thanks to the departures and the we above the I and the me.”

Coming off a season where they were us to pressure teams a lot of some of last season’s top a force to be reckoned with throughout on defense and force a lot of scorers. turnovers,” Reis said. “ So, “We definitely have MCAL play and into the NCS playoffs, the even though we are losing two a scoring deficit because team has turned its attention towards the of our biggest scorers from Mike Sullivan graduated other top competition in the league.

According to Compagno, though, they last year, I think our defense and Jordan Jackson moved and our new additions will to Tam,” Reis said. “They see no immediate threats looming in their make up for that.” were two of our leading schedule.

“I don’t worry about our competition,” Reis added that part of scorers last year, so that was he said. “If we take care of the process, the the strong team chemistry a big hit to the team.” comes from years of playing Steve Compagno, Despite their losses, rest will take care of itself.” head coach He did add that there is one important on the same team.

Compagno is not Compagno also stressed concerned, as he believes game that the whole team has their sights the importance of each player the team will be especially set on: the MCAL finals.

“These kids want to be playing in acknowledging and embracing their role adept at putting the needs of the whole February in the finals,” Compagno said. within the team. group above their own.

“Every single player that wears that “I think from what I’ve seen from this “And we will.” varsity uniform is important to our success group they are focused on being successful no matter what their role on the team is,” he as a team regardless of who gets the most said. “We are a family.” points or most rebounds,” he said. “We jfieber@redwoodbark.org

If we take care of the process, the rest will take care of itself.

Photo by Michael Benz

SHOOTING IN A half court offensive drill, Alex Diaz banks in a layup. Diaz is among the incoming juniors on the team.

bark

November 18, 2016 bark Page 18 • Sports Sophomore and senior race to top two spots in NCS

By Hallie Fox

break when someone else is up there with you,” Thomas said. “You don’t always have By pushing themselves to the limits to be the one pushing the team because you everyday both mentally and physically, have someone else that can do that, too.” varsity boys’ cross country co-captains Thomas and Anderson said they Liam Anderson and Andrew Thomas have are always on the same page when it trained their way to be the top two runners comes to strategy, leading to seamless in NCS Division III. communication.

The duo has found success by motivating “He brings the same mindset to each other to achieve more, according to [running] as I do. We’re co-captains and it’s Redwood’s boys’ and nice to have the person I girls’ cross country am captaining with have coach Laura Schmitt. the same thoughts as “You know the me. There’s no friction quote, ‘Success breeds when it comes to making success?’ When you decisions,” Thomas said. bring two, three or Anderson appreciates our whole boys team having Thomas on together and then the team because his they each try to get a presence allows him little bit better within to focus solely on his themselves, that just running. begets success,” “It’s really nice to Schmitt said. “When have someone to do you bring successful the thinking for you. It people together, they makes it so I don’t have are going to become Andrew Thomas, to do as much in terms of more successful for senior the team and in terms of sure.” pacing,” Anderson said.

Anderson and “It lets me kind of relax Thomas both believe and focus just on the act that when a teammate is ahead of the others of running itself.” in practices and meets, it encourages the Schmitt explained that she teaches her rest of the team. runners to be competitive with each other, “Everyone pushes each other to do while remaining supportive. better. Having one person running faster, “We encourage being competitive in that is going to push everyone else to the proper arena. Being competitive and run faster. In a race, when you see your supportive are not mutually exclusive,” teammate thirty feet ahead of you, you’re Schmitt said. “[Thomas and Anderson are] going to look at him and you are going to extraordinarily supportive of each other, want to get up [there] with him,” Anderson while advancing their own abilities.” said.

Thomas believes that any Cross country is a mental battle, competitiveness between him and according to Thomas and having a Anderson leads to improvement. teammate like Anderson allows Thomas to “We are competitive with practice, for rest his mind during a race. workouts and stuff. I would say there is not “It can be super hard to be the one that necessarily a competitive nature between is always up front; it gives you a mental us, but there is definitely a drive to make

Cross country is something where if you put in the work every day, you get the results that you want.

Photo by Hallie Fox

DOMINATING THE COMPETITION, senior Andrew Thomas (left) and sophomore Liam Anderson (right) have taken the MCAL by storm.

parts of the sport, just all the mental wear and tear of having to push yourself all the time,” Thomas said.

Schmitt said that Thomas is an amazing athlete who grows every year, and when Anderson joined the team Thomas’ performance improved even more. She said that they both add to the development of the team through accomplishing their own goals.

“They each take care of themselves, and when they take care of themselves, the team is then taken care of. It’s an incredible process,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt thinks that both Anderson and Thomas offer different skills that they are able to teach one another.

“Liam is young, and Andrew has his experience to give him, and all of the skills you need for good running,” Schmitt said.

Thomas is attracted to cross country for its simple nature. “[Cross country] is something where if you just put in work every day, you get the results that you want,” Thomas said. “I think we are both drawn to it because of its simplicity. There are no tricks to it; you just run harder or faster or more and you do better.”

Anderson’s running philosophy correlates with Thomas’.

“You get out what you put in,” Anderson said.

Being on a team helps Thomas and Anderson improve their speed and endurance, but it has also allowed them to become great friends.

When warming up and cooling down, they can almost always be seen laughing together, enjoying each other’s company, and encouraging each other to push themselves just a little bit farther.

For Thomas, this will mark the end of an extremely successful MCAL career.

And for Anderson, this is only the beginning of his bright MCAL future.

each person better,” Thomas said.

Now that both runners have emerged as leaders this season, their relationship has changed.

“Last year, I definitely looked up to Andrew, not that I don’t anymore, but I looked up to him [last year] as a mentor more than as a friend,” Anderson said.

Although cross country is thought of as an individual sport, Thomas believes that being on a team helps improve his individual running.

According to Thomas, the team environment adds to his mental game. “[Mentality] is one of the hardest hfox@redwoodbark.org

Varsity boys’ soccer team looks for redemption after last season’s MCAL finals flub

By Brendan Winters

After a year characterized by flawless regular-season play and a late-season collapse, the boys’ varsity soccer team wants to get back on top at the reins of first-year head coach Dave Siracusa.

After finishing with an overall record of 17-3-2 (12-1-1 in league) and losing to Terra Linda in the MCAL finals last year, the team believes it should be back at the top despite losing many key players.

The absence of last year’s seniors will mean younger players will need to step up.

“Eamon [Rogan] is one of the best players on our team and he’s a natural leader so he will most likely fill in one of those roles,” said senior center back Tiago Schwartz.

Sophomore goaltender Harri Hetrick will also play a critical role after a freshman season in which he seemed to be invincible, shutting out opponents in over half of their games.

The team lost six starting seniors. The departures of MCAL Player of the Year Matthias Reimink, all-league striker Julian Ulrich and all-league midfielder Isaac Perper will certainly leave some holes to fill.

“We’ll lose experience for sure,” said Rogan, a junior defenseman. “We’re going to have a younger team which is something we are going to have to cope with.”

The Giants have also lost starters to other Redwood sports. Senior Jack Elders, who started on the varsity team since his freshman year, and senior Noah Talamantes, a varsity player since his sophomore year, will not be playing this year because both want to focus on lacrosse.

“Even if we have freshmen who are really talented, they’re not going to have the same experience as someone like [Elders] or [Talamantes] would have had on this team.

They were also leaders on this team so we will miss them,” Rogan said.

According to Rogan, there were many kids last year who had potential but didn’t get on the field very much because of the talent from the senior class. Now there’s a chance for these players to fill those roles and prove themselves.

Siracusa will take over the head coaching duties from Gabe Zieff, who left to attend graduate school. Siracusa is a well-known local coach and has recently coached at the soccer club Marin FC. “[Siracusa] has been able to coach clubs that are much better technically,” said senior midfielder Simon Halbert.

Photo by Brendan Winters

KICKING THE BALL, junior Lucas Quinto prepares for the season during try-outs. The boys’ varsity soccer team will look to redeem themselves after losing in the MCAL finals during an otherwise perfect season.

“I think that he will help to improve us as players.”

The team will not have too much time to develop chemistry, though, as its first MCAL opponent is Tam, who is coming off of an unusually unsuccessful MCAL season but should still be a tough opponent, according to Halbert.

“Tam should have a really good team this year. They weren’t amazing last season but I think they have Owen [Schwartz] from Marin FC and other good players,” Halbert said.

Terra Linda will be another challenge for the Giants.

They won the MCAL title last year with a record of just 7-5-2 in league play, but will come in with a lot of confidence after beating Redwood in the championship

According to Schwartz, Branson will also be one of the tougher MCAL matches this season despite last season’s losing league record of 5-6-3.

Despite some newfound challenges, the Giants still expect to compete with each of their opponents.

“I think that we need to work for it and just know that we are exactly like every other team out there,” Halbert said.

The team remains optimistic and eager to kick off its season with a lot of new faces both on the field and on the sidelines. bwinters@redwoodbark.org

review

Page 19

Rolled, not gold: Sushirritos prove more fad than rad

By Heidi Roenisch Burrito-sized rolls of sushi, also know as sushirritos, are the latest food trend sweeping the Bay Area, touted as a portable and more filling version of two popular meals. First created in 2011, the popularity of sushi burritos has recently taken off as more restaurants, including World Wrapps and High Tech Burrito, have started to serve them. The original provider is the eponymous Sushirrito, which now has four locations throughout San Francisco and offers sushirritos with fresh ingredients and a fusion of Latin and Asian flavors.

Despite the line of eager customers spilling out of the door and around the block, Sushirrito’s offerings proved to be underwhelming, with high quality ingredients but poorly chosen flavor combinations and ingredient ratios.

The Sumo Crunch ($10), featuring shrimp tempura, crab and ginger guacamole, is easily the best sushirrito out of those sampled. The tempura is crunchy and flavorful, and pairs well with the fresh vegetables and guacamole packed inside.

However, the combination of tempura on the inside and tempura flakes on the outer surface is a bit overwhelming and gives the roll a greasy texture.

Additionally, an issue present in all of the rolls and something seemingly inherent to the size of a sushirrito is the lack of a good ratio between ingredients. Some bites are entirely comprised of fish, while others are just rice.

The Caballero ($11) which consists of beef, cabbage, carrots, corn chips, jicama and ginger guacamole, is by far the worst item offered by Sushirrito, largely due to

Photo by Heidi Roenisch

BLENDING TWO POPULAR California cuisines, Sushirito’s make use of a variety of ingredients to create a unique, yet recognizable flavor. its odd mix of flavors. The beef is weakly Nachos ($8), which consist of brown rice seasoned and overshadowed by the flavor chips topped with tuna picante, melted of the outer seaweed wrapping. The cheese, ginger guacamole, onion and spicy guacamole, tortilla chips and other Latin ‘lava’ sauce. flavors feel completely out of place with The tender tuna pairs perfectly with the other traditional sushi flavors, creating the crunch of the chips and onions and an unpleasant flavor that tastes almost the fresh guacamole creates a smooth and rancid. This sushi burrito, like the others, delicious finish. The portion size of the was served in a portion too big to finish. nachos is also the most realistic, as one However, the Latin and Asian flavor basket would be a suitable meal for one fusion works perfectly with the Lava person or potentially a shareable appetizer.

The third sushi burrito, the Satori ($13), has the most traditional sushi flavor with Yellowtail tuna, pickled vegetables and wasabi mayonnaise. The vegetables were fresh and crisp and the wasabi provides good flavor without being overwhelmingly spicy.

But the sheer amount of raw fish packed into the roll is quickly apparent and for me, a casual sushi consumer, rather unappetizing. However, if one prioritizes their sushi based on the fish and not necessarily the overall flavor distribution, this is an appealing option.

Sushirrito excels in its customer service.

Despite a long line, it only took about 15 minutes to make it up to the counter and receive the food, even with an extra wait for the nachos. The store is small but clean and functional, and the sushirritos are made to order at a bar in front of the customers.

However, seating is extremely limited, with only two small tables inside and three outside. This setup, the fact they don’t accept bills larger than $20 and the shop’s limited hours of 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. make it apparent that despite its more mainstream success, Sushirrito ultimately still targets the corporate lunch crowd. This priority on efficiently handling a rush means that they do not allow ingredient changes, substitutions or special orders.

Overall, a visit to Sushirrito is worth it for the hipster spectacle and for the die-hard fish fan, but beyond the novelty there is little reason for the casual sushi consumer to make more than one trip.

hroenisch@redwoodbark.org

Doctor Strange portrays Cumberbatch’s usual range

By Carolyn French

Mind-boggling special effects, riveting action, and Marvel’s typical comic relief blend together nicely in “Doctor Strange,” an atypical addition to the Marvel cinematic universe in comparison to previous Marvel films. The reality-bending nature of this superhero story provides a truly captivating experience.

In the two days since “Doctor Strange” was released, its international revenues have totaled a whopping $86 million, surpassing its original predictions of $70 million, according to Box Office.

Doctor Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatchis a world-renowned yet egocentric neurosurgeon who loses function in his hand after a car accident, preventing him from continuing his medical career. After Western medicine fails to find a cure for his severe nerve damage, he is referred to a spiritual healer in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reality is called into question as the Ancient One, played by Tilda Swinton teaches Strange a special type of sorcery.

Like any classic superhero movie, the mortal world is put in danger and it becomes Strange’s duty to put his own life at risk to save the day. Unsurprisingly, the plot of “Doctor Strange” is not the film’s strongest aspect as it sticks closely to the generic superhero origin story.

Instead, it is the kaleidoscopic special effects that make the movie cinematically splendid. It is “Inception” on steroids, a whole new level of trippy, as the bizarre visuals of sorcery go beyond common imagination.

Sorcerers pull fiery weapons out of thin air, New York City skyscrapers twist into mazes of inverted gravity, and characters gain the ability to throw themselves into invisible “mirror dimensions.” All of the science that Strange relied on as a doctor is defied by different realities introduced to him through sorcery. This new addition to the classic superhero plot line makes the film outstandingly captivating; it is easy to get lost in the complexity of the visuals.

The extraordinary visuals successfully mask the convoluted second half of the film, where the antagonist’s motives become cloudy. While there appears to be a history between Kaecilius played by Mads Mikkelsen, an evil sorcerer determined to destroy the mortal world to sustain eternal life, and the Ancient One, who practices sorcery to protect natural order, there is no further

Courtesy of Marvel Studios

SUMMONING ENERGY from an alternate dimension, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) creates a shield through his newly learned art of sorcery. explanation, leaving his character underdeveloped.

Likewise, Kaecilius’s superior, Mordor, is hardly given an explanation at all, leaving just a few too many details up for interpretation.

Like any classic Marvel movie, comic relief is spread strategically throughout the story. Well-placed jokes and comments alleve tension from each action-packed scene.

Humor provides an outlet for both the characters and the audience as the plot line intensifies, helping to keep an underlying lightheartedness to the story.

Also providing relief to the intense, action-packed plot line was the love story between Strange and Doctor Christine Palmer, played by Rachel McAdams. Although she does not have a big role in the plot of the story, Palmer provides a link between fictionalized sorcery and the modern world, as well as a connection between mere mortals and the heroes of the story. Though the love story comes off as a bit cliché, it serves as a sentimental break in

the midst of the action.

Cumberbatch initially takes on a familiar role as seen in his other projects (such as “The Imitation Game” and “Sherlock”): the incredibly intelligent man whose potential grows as the plot line progresses. However, his feature as the almost supernatural and heroic protagonist counters his more traditional roles. Still, Cumberbatch pulls off the superhero look with ease, and creates a relatively modern and relatable character who could bridge the gap between reality and the Marvel cinematic universe.

Despite minor flaws in the plot line, “Doctor Strange” exceeds the expectations of a typical superhero movie, and leaves the audience with more than a generalized synopsis of a frequently comical character who manages to save the day despite his or her flaws. Here, the truth behind reality is called into question, leaving the audience rethinking cfrench@redwoodbark.org

November 18, 2016 bark Page 20 • Review HBO’s best Western proves to be otherworldly

By Andrew Hout Mixing gun-slinging cowboys, damsels in distress and dusty deserts with futuristic, creepy robots may seem like a recipe for confusion, but HBO’s “Westworld” finds a way to make these two opposing genres blend together smoothly.

Based on the 1973 Michael Crichton movie, “Westworld” is a dramatic television series involving a new kind of theme park where the rich and famous get to do whatever they want to lifelike robots called hosts. The whole concept seems rather fluffy, but the show delves deeper into the park’s corruption and problems to the point of disturbance.

All of the show’s subplots are fascinating in their complexity and leave hints that give you just enough information to piece together the underlying message from each interaction. The show’s quality of design and intricate themes are on par with award-winning television dramas such as Game of Thrones.

The idea of a robot and cowboy story may seem childish to those who are quick to judge. However, the drama is not a goofy action show, but one that has building themes, intelligent writing and an extremely well-produced setting.

The show is also filled with A-list celebrities playing a wide range of diverse roles. Anthony Hopkins (most notably known as Hannibal Lecter from “Silence of the Lambs”) plays another daunting role as an owner and main architect of the theme park. Other impressive performances include those by Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright and Thandie Newton. Almost every actor is recognizable from another work and each one delivers marvelous performances in “Westworld”.

The show consistently leaves viewers asking questions about their own consciousness and what it really means to be alive because of its focus on artificial intelligence. The main premise of the show revolves around Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) who is the oldest (robot) host in the park.

Through a series of mischievous events, Dolores has been allowed to access her old memories, making her question her own mortality.

The park is over 30 years old and has been improving exponentially in respect to its technology. The robotic hosts live out their own storylines that can be joined or interrupted by the guests whenever they want. Hosts are constantly mauled and killed as a game by guests, which lead to their memories being scrubbed and their bodies being fixed up for the next day’s action.

Up until the beginning of the show, everything had been running smoothly in the park without any “accidents”

Courtesy of HBO

RIDING THROUGH THE park, hosts Teddy Flood (James Marsden) and Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood) stop to question the nature of their journey. in the past. Of course, something always goes wrong. The hosts’ newest updates cause some serious problems with their cognitive functions, which allows some of them, like Dolores, to remember everything that has happened to them.

The massive Westworld theme park is located in the middle of a desert, above the management’s facility where they update, fix or perform surgery on the human anatomies of the hosts. The strangest aspect of the show is how lifelike the hosts are, not just in their appearance, but in their actions and speech as well. Top research scientist Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) is so distraught about the hosts indistinguishable features that he contemplates replacing

his dead son with an identical host. This raises the question to viewers if they would replace a lost family member if they could.

“Westworld” is an exceptional display of modern television that keeps viewers enthralled. The show takes old school black and white Westerns watched by our grandparents and revamps them in a modern action/ thriller. “Westworld” is an incredible drama that leaves viewers wanting to rewatch every episode in order to soak up as much content as they possibly can.

ahout@redwoodbark.org

Avoid the storm, stay warm with these rainy day activities

By Caroline Cummings

The rainy season is approaching! The Bark decided to find the perfect way to spend the day indoors and avoid the gloom in your room.

What to watch: The Netflix original series “Bloodline” is the perfect show to watch curled up on the couch on a rainy day. Set in a Florida Keys community by the water, the violent rainstorms present in almost every episode will match the weather outside your very own window.

“Bloodline” tells the troubled story of the Rayburn family, who seem to be a respectable and loving family who own an inn on the water. However, when an exiled member of the family returns, dark secrets from the Rayburns’ past begin to arise. Full of plot twists and shocking revelations, this show will keep you on the edge of your couch the entire time.

What to eat: On a rainy day, a quick and easy snack is a mug cake. Known for their simplicity and short cooking time, mug cakes are a great hot dessert. Although they sometimes require quite a few ingredients, all are easily found in your cupboard.

With a variety of different recipes available online for all sorts of flavors, you are bound to find the perfect mug cake for your mood, though chocolate is particularly rich and satisfying.

Just throw the ingredients in a mug and put it in the microwave for around one minute, and you have a delicious snack to curl up with and warm you on a cold day, without the time or effort of making an entire cake or dessert.

Courtesy of Netflix

Photos by Caroline Cummings

It’s a rainy day! Netflix’s hit series “Bloodline” features dark vibes to perfectly complement a rainy day mood. Sit back and watch with a mug cake at your side. For a relaxing side activity try adult coloring books What to do: If you don’t want to venture outside, there are plenty of activities within your house that can keep you entertained. Adult coloring books, usually considered as a way to relieve stress, are also great to pass the time. Both calming and relatively easy regardless of your artistic ability, coloring books are a simple and enjoyable way to fill your day indoors. So grab a pack of colored pencils or markers and your coloring book, or print a template from a

plethora found online. By the end of the day, these coloring books and templates will have you feeling like a natural artist.

Card games are another great way to pass the time without leaving your house. If you’re home alone, solitaire is the obvious choice. However, if you have two or more people willing to play, rummy is the best game to play. Although there are many different versions of rummy, the basic rules are simple: the goal is to create either runs, which are a set of cards in sequential

order of the same suit, or groups, which are sets of cards of the same number, out of your hand. The rest can vary depending on which version of rummy you play, so you can choose the best version depending on the number of players. You won’t even notice the time passing as you fight to beat your friends or family and win the game.

ccummings@redwoodbark.org

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Page 21 • Review

www.redwoodbark.org

Apple of our eye: Best apple pies to buy for the holiday season

By Alexandra Lee

As the season of turkey, pumpkin spice lattes and other autum classics approaches, another fall treat prevails as a tasty alternative to its traditional pumpkin counterpart: apple pie. Since this dessert is such an autumn staple, it’s essential to know which cafes and restaurants provide the best pies. The Bark tasted pies from several Marin cafes: Rustic Bakery, SusieCakes, Perry’s, and M.H. Bread and Butter.

Rustic Bakery Rustic Bakery’s heavenly caramel apple pie is definitely worth the $5.50 per slice price, with its smooth, sweet, and creamy taste. This pie has less of a cinnamon taste and more of a rich caramel flavor that melds with seasoned apples. The flaky and buttery crust sprinkled with granulated sugar completes this luxurious dessert.

The pie is not overly sweet, but expertly combines all of its sugary elements into a delicious treat, ideal for enjoying as the autumn weather rolls in. Pro tip: wash it down with a signature Rustic vanilla latte.

Photo by Alexandra Lee

COSTING ONLY $5.50, Rustic Bakery’s apple pie supplies a sweet and creamy taste, rich with caramel flavor and seasoned apples.

SusieCakes

Perry’s

M.H. Bread and Butter

SusieCakes is well known for their adorably-decorated cakes and cupcakes, but their pies are also notable treats that deserve more recognition. The apples are very tangy and fresh, yet also sweet enough to not be overpowering, and the crumbly brown sugar crust is baked to goldenbrown perfection. All of the flavors of SusieCakes’s pie —the brown sugar, cinnamon, tart apples and crumbly crust—mix together in harmony, allowing each bite to be delectable. You will surely be licking the last crumbs off your plate. Unfortunately, the pie is not served by slice and costs a steep $10.95 for a small size.

While Perry’s is a restaurant and bar that does not specialize in baked goods, its Apple Brown Betty is a delicious twist on a traditional treat. The tart, thinly sliced apples are alternated between layers of pastry, and the brown sugar crust is one of the best features of the dessert. This pie is served à la mode, and the warm applecinnamon flavors are complemented by the vanilla ice cream. However, the bottom crust of this pie is quite tough to conquer with just a spoon, and the pie sells at a pricey $8 per slice.

This small San Anselmo bakery offers several tasty options for baked goods and snacks, but their apple pie did not compare to the other pies reviewed. While the presentation was stellar, with a beautifully sculpted crust, the pie itself was not very sweet. The apples were cut into large chunks, making it hard to take smaller bites, and the pie did not boast much flavor. On the other hand, the crust was a perfect mix of flaky and dense, and one slice cost a meager $5.50. alee@redwoodbark.org

Election Selection

By Julia Jacoby

Scandal

Courtesy of ABC

For those of us who obsessed over Shonda Rhimes’ “Grey’s Anatomy,” we find a similar binge-worthy series in “Scandal.” The show is centered around the life of “fixer” Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), who is hired to control media crises alongside her team of “Gladiators in Suits.” These crises are often centered around the White House and Washington D.C.’s elite.

The show intertwines the cases that Pope is hired to fix with her steamy and complicated affair with the married president. Washington delivers a stellar performance as Pope, perfectly capturing the strength of being an independent woman with the emotional turmoil of an impossible romance. The audience sees the heartbreaking toll as characters are forced to perpetuate false realities. However, the plotline progressively becomes more cliché as it goes on, and the soapiness of it eventually becomes predictable and underwhelming. The episodes all follow a similar pattern and grow repetitive.

However, Washington’s strong acting never falters. Fittingly named, “Scandal” is an unadulterated guilty-pleasure show.

Courtesy of Netflix

House of Cards

“For those of us climbing to the top of the food chain, there can be no mercy. There is but one rule: hunt or be hunted,” said Congressman Frank Underwood, played

by Kevin Spacey in the Netflix original series “House of Cards.” After learning he will not be appointed Secretary of State as promised, Underwood and his wife Claire (Robin Wright) scheme to enact revenge on the administration he helped elect.

Wonderfully cynical, “House of Cards” explores the borderline-sociopathic tendencies of some politicians. Spacey portrays the pure ruthlessness of Underwood with ease, especially with his malicious monologues aimed directly at the viewer.

These breaks in the fourth wall show us just how two-faced he really is.

Likewise, the cool color scheme creates a dark undertone and complements the coldblooded nature of the characters.

At points the relentless evil of the characters becomes frustrating and anticlimactic, even boring. But overall, “House of Cards” is a deliciously sinister show that will leave you questioning your own morals.

Courtesy of NBC

Parks and Recreation

A comedic alternative to the other three shows, “Parks and Recreation,” is a light story following waffle-loving, saladhating Leslie Knope, the deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.

The show takes a satirical look at local government, poking fun at budget constraints, corruption and business interests.

The show centers around Knope’s office, filled with hilarious performances that contribute to the parodic nature of the show, from Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson, a tight-lipped Libertarian who despises the government he works for, to Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate, the apathetic, deadpan intern. The show gives Leslie no obvious partisan agenda, and instead plays up her unbridled optimism.

“Parks and Recreation,” bears obvious resemblances to another NBC show, “The Office.” “Parks and Recreation,” places emphasis on the quirks between coworkers and has a more engaging and brighter setting. Though it doesn’t have the wit of “The Office,” it provides an absurd charm that is infectiously funny.

Courtesy of NBC

West Wing

In contrast to the cynical political outlook of “House of Cards,” “West Wing” centers around politicians who fight for ideology instead of power. At first, the show depicts the liberal fantasy of a Democratic bubble surrounding Capitol Hill, but slowly brings in a more rightwing perspective.

Nevertheless, there is a lack of realism in the show. The attempt it makes to present a romanticized version of a chaotic institution includes unrealistically wellintentioned idealists and we see a little too much of the characters walking and talking.

This becomes dull and the show loses momentum towards the end of the series.

Though unrealistic, “West Wing,” is a compelling and intelligent drama that seamlessly weaves together the ideology and personal lives of its characters.

Performances from Martin Sheen as Josiah Bartlet, the honorably dedicated President, amongst other notable actors like Rob Lowe, Allison Janney and Dulé Hill make the cast of “West Wing” extremely likeable. jjacoby@redwoodbark.org

November 18, 2016 bark Page 22 • Lifestyles Senior shows introspection on new album ‘Reflections’

By Tilly Friedlander “Everyday, when he’s gone to crew before school and then back to crew after school, the first thing Parker does is go over to the piano and start playing. It’s just part of his way of doing things,” said Marci Addison, mother of senior Parker Addison.

Parker released his new album “Reflections” onto Soundcloud, Spotify, Youtube and iTunes on Sept. 19.

Written and created entirely by Parker, “Reflections” incorporates piano, vocals and some synthesized instruments.

“I call the album “Reflections” because all the songs are about reflecting on the world around me. I wrote some instrumental pieces over the summer and also a little bit during the end of school year,” Parker said. “I started writing those songs with different themes of nature in mind. All of the song names are titles like ‘Meadow’, ‘Mountain’, and ‘River.’”

One of Parker’s favorite songs on the album, “Notre Paix [Our Peace],” is about the shooting at the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo two years ago.

“I really enjoy ‘Notre Paix’ because I feel like that’s the one where I put in the most thought on reflecting on what had happened. It was a huge shock to see what had happened in the world and how such a simple thing, creating a parody art, could cause such an event to happen,” Parker said.

Marci also said that “Notre Paix” was one of her favorite songs from the album because of its meaningful lyrics.

Election Facts

1st

state to completely ban the use of plastic bags is California.

12

propositions passed in California out of 17 proposed.

28.6

was the probability of Trump winning the election according to FiveThirtyEight’s election forecast.

117

million eligible voters did not vote in the presidental election.

12

U.S. presidents have served two full terms.

56

percent of California voters voted yes on marijuana legalization.

Photo by Tilly Friedlander

PLAYING THE PIANO, senior Parker Addison practices the songs within his album while in the Advanced Performance Workshop classroom.

“I understood the message in [Notre Paix]. [Parker’s] not the type of kid to just say something to be conversational. I know when I’m hearing things like that, I’m hearing his thoughts,” Marci said.

Parker has been playing music since he was four years old and has been expanding the variety of instruments he can play ever since.

“It started with me wanting to play guitar. My parents started letting me take some piano lessons so that I’d have a little bit of musical experience,” Parker said.

“In that half year, I did wind up getting the guitar, but I wound up enjoying piano a lot more. I stuck with piano ever since and from that I’ve expanded the instruments that I like to play.”

In addition to guitar and piano, Addison started singing in fourth grade, playing trumpet in fifth grade and bass in seventh grade.

According to Addison, releasing “Reflections” was harder than he expected because of all the legal processes that came along with it.

“It’s not something that you can just go to the iTunes website and say, ‘Hey, I want to upload a song.’ There were a lot of legal

things that I had to do: getting copyrights tried some electronic bits. I enjoyed the and making sure that I wasn’t infringing on process of translating a song that started on any copyrights. I had to make sure that my the piano, putting that onto the computer, songs didn’t sound too similar to anything and then working electronically with it. I else. I ‘Shazamed’ all of made that song in one my songs just to make day. It was just a lot sure that nothing else of inspiration,” Parker came up, and luckily said. nothing did,” Addison Parker is a part said. of the Marin Rowing Addison enjoyed Association year pursuing the album round, a huge time entirely on his own and commitment during the turned down offers for school year in addition help. to his school work, so “He pretty much he decided to work on owned it. We asked the album mainly over several times if there’s the summer. anything we could do, “It definitely is hard like get him a studio to Parker Addison to find a balance in my record in. He wanted to senior life between school, do the whole process,” crew, and music.

Marci said.

That’s really where I The lone electronic took advantage of the song on the album, summer last year,” “Meadow,” took Parker less than 24 hours Addison said. to create.

Parker wanted “Reflections” to be “I really enjoyed working on ‘Meadow’ available to anyone for free as he believes because that’s one song where I actually that music’s purpose is solely for listening.

“I could’ve kept the album just on Youtube or Soundcloud, but I really wanted it to be able to get out to the world. I didn’t want it to just be something that you had to buy. I think that music should just be free for everyone because it’s for people to listen to. So, I made sure that it was on Soundcloud and Youtube and Spotify and other streaming services,” Addison said.

Although Parker does not plan to pursue a music career, he thinks it will always be a part of his life.

“It’s always going to be something that I go back to just to relieve stress, be creative and to work on things that I enjoy doing,” Parker said.

Marci believes that even when he goes off to college, Parker will carry on his habits of playing music every day.

“I think that at no matter what point you catch him in life, he’ll always be playing the piano and hearing songs in his head,” Marci said. “He even asked me, ‘So what happens if I go to [college] and there’s not a piano right there?’ and I said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you have a keyboard in your room.”

It’s not something that you can just go to the iTunes website and say, ‘Hey, I want to upload a song.’

Album Cover Courtesy of Parker Addison

tfriedlander@redwoodbark.org

Page 23 • Lifestyles

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Face-to-Face: Should marijuana be legalized in California?

them a legal path to do what they already do, [but] through credible, safe business.

By Gemma Calandra

Some people think that the cost of compliance with the number of new regulations introduced in Prop 64 would push smaller farmers out of the market. What do you think about this argument?

Face-to-Face is a feature that allows two members of the Redwood community to grill each other, argue, or simply converse about a relevant issue or event. We provide the topic, and they do the rest. This month’s participants are junior Aaron Fowler and senior Drew Dawson. The two discuss whether California Proposition 64, which passed on the November 8 ballot. Prop 64 legalized marijuana for adults aged 21 or older along with imposing certain taxes and regulations.

AF: I think it’s completely valid and that’s what I have an issue with. I’ve been doing some research on this and large companies like Monsanto have actually been experimenting with cannabis, and if they’re doing it, it’s assumptive that we can say they’re going to add pesticides, things like that. Stuff like that is very unhealthy for us even eating it, so imagine smoking that. And basically, if we kick all the local stuff out, there won’t be any access for people who need it medically. So if the only access to marijuana is tainted by chemicals, people who need it for, say, cancer might not be able to get the help that they need, and medical marijuana might lose some of its health benefits to the overweighing cost of inhaling all those chemicals.

What do you think about California Prop 64?

Aaron Fowler: I think that it’s headed in the right direction with the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, however people really didn’t read into the fine print of what Prop 64 entails, and it’s actually a lot darker than people think. Corporations can basically take advantage of [Prop 64] extremely easily, and it also could shut out the smaller cannabis industry of the mom-and-pop pot clubs.

Drew Dawson: I’m not someone who thinks that weed itself is good, but I think that every year we’re spending billions of dollars on the war on drugs—over $51 billion in the last year—and even though it might not be the perfect proposition, each year people are dying because people who want to get weed can get weed. They’re not getting it legally, they’re getting it from other countries and in ways that are endangering people and costing the United States money.

Would legalization make communities safer?

as much, there’s still an overall health issue of companies adding gross things to weed.

AF: I do think that legalization would make our communities safer in a way, but I also think that this could generally lower the health of our communities because corporations like Marlboro have taken advantage of products like tobacco and stuff like that in the past. While the safety of our communities [may improve] so we don’t have to worry about, say, drug crime

DD: I think that the argument that weed is not addictive is ridiculous, because when you combine it with tobacco, which is totally marketed to kids, it does become addictive, and I think that it’s not going to increase the health of our community.

Anyone can already get weed if they want to get weed. You’re just taking people who get their weed from criminals and giving

DD: I definitely think all the positives of legalizing marijuana could be totally canceled out by a company like Monsanto getting some sort of trademark on a strain of marijuana that would not allow smaller producers to produce, but I think that it is important that something be passed quickly so that we can start benefitting from the revenue.

gcalandra@redwoodbark.org

Alumna catches big ‘Break’ with major licensing company

By Kaelin Kragh “When I sing a song that I wrote, my chest swells and I feel like I’m really living,” said singer-songwriter Annika Wells. “It’s hard to describe, but there’s just nothing in the world that beats that amazing feeling.”

Wells, a 2014 Redwood alumna, signed a licensing deal with ZYNC Music Group on Oct. 29. ZYNC is a North American music licensing company and publisher that assists the careers of up-and-coming artists by showcasing their songs in advertising, film, TV, trailers and video games.

Wells first got in contact with ZYNC because her manager, Chris Plante, has personal connections with the company.

“Luckily for me, they ended up loving the song,” Wells said.

Wells has had a passion for producing and singing music for as long as she can remember.

“I took classical piano for 12 years, and I started vocal lessons when I was in middle school,” Wells said. “I wrote my first song when I was eight years old and I just immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Wells attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but deferred her second year in October in order to focus

Photo Courtesy of Annika Wells

Photo Courtesy of Annika Wells

WORKING ON MUSIC at her studio in Boston, alumna Annika Wells collaborates with former Berklee College of Music classmates. on her music career.

‘Break’ and my email was blowing up with messages “It was necessary for me to take time off from school from major record labels and licensing companies. It was because I was failing all of my classes,” Wells said. “I extremely overwhelming, but super exciting,” Wells said. needed more free time to focus on producing my music.”

A few weeks after Wells released her track, it reached For many aspiring artists, signing a licensing deal the Global Viral 50 chart on Spotify, which was a major is not something that happens overnight, and it was no reason why it was on the radar of labeling and publishing different with Wells. She released her first single, “Break,” companies. in August but had written the song two years before.

According to Wells, it’s common for artists to move “I wrote my first song, “Break,” in my freshman year away from the genre of music they enjoy just to reach a songwriting class,” Wells said. “I knew when I wrote it wider audience and make more money. However, Wells that I wanted to produce it and turn it into an actual song considers herself lucky to have a strong passion for the for everyone to hear.” type of music she creates and to earn money while doing “Break” has a Taylor-Swift-esque pop beat, with bubbly so. vocals that reveal the deep message of the song. The track “I wouldn’t change the type of music I like to sing,” refers to a time where she finally got the courage to break Wells said. “I absolutely love mainstream pop, and free from a relationship “filled with lies.” According to it’s purely coincidental that I could make money from Wells, the song would fit perfectly as a radio hit. something that I love.”

After working on the song for months with her manager Wells is currently working on an album to be released and other Berklee students, Wells released “Break” on her in February, and is extremely excited about where her Soundcloud account. Wells published her “mainstream music career is headed. pop” track not expecting to get much attention, but instead “Music is my heart’s truest passion,” Wells said. “I’d was quickly contacted by numerous record labels and never want to do anything else in my life.” licensing companies.

“I remember being at school the day after I released kkragh@redwoodbark.org

Clinton.