April 2012

Check out Scotscoop.com Pages 6 and 7

People’s potty preferences

Go GREEN

The Highlander

Pages 8 and 9

Carlmont High School Newspaper Volume III, Issue VII, April 2012 See us online at http://scotscoop.com

The decision is permanent August 16

LAST DAY TO CHANGE CLASSES

By Rachel Schuster Entertainment Editor Carlmont administration has confirmed that starting in the 2012-2013 school year, a new policy will be implemented to the class schedule changing process.

“It is cumbersome having to balance teacher contracts and the new policy makes it easier to finalize the master schedule as soon as possible,” said Vice Principal Robert Fishtrom.

According to Fishtrom, once a student has their counselor meeting in the spring, their schedule for the new school year is sealed and unchangeable until arena check-in.

“Check-in still enables students to add or drop classes, as well as change them,” said Fishtrom.

“Also, students will be able to make level changes – honors to regular, or regular to honors – during the first two weeks, and are able to drop without transcript penalty during the first six weeks.”

Guidance counselor Theresa Torres explained that some students do not take their class schedules seriously, often comparing them with friends and switching classes to match each other.

“Having to accommodate each teacher with a certain amount of students and the certain amount of courses that they teach is a tough process,” said Torres.

“It is upsetting for the master schedule when constant changes are made.”

Torres believes that this new policy will minimize the chaos.

“The current policy encourages people to make changes by providing an open window for them.

Now we give more information about the classes, especially during the course fair, so students know exactly what they are signing up for.”

Torres explained how this new policy mostly applies to art and other elective classes because people would “just sign up for art and then switch around from art to ceramics to photography.”

There will still be exceptions allowed for critical cases, like “if a student is signed up for art but they get carpal tunnel and can't draw anymore.

We are going to be sensible about it; we just aren’t going to encourage it.”

“I don’t mind the new rule,” said junior Emily Heck. “I’m pretty satisfied with my schedule for next year, so I don’t really think it is going to apply to me that much. But it’s nice to know that you aren’t penalized for dropping a class for at least a month.”

Heck, as well as many other students, is nervous about the “seventh period rumor” that has been circulating around campus.

The rumor stems from the idea that if a student is signed up for a seventh period next year, and they drop their seventh period, it then becomes a clerking period, and they are trapped at school until 3:15.

Continued on page 12

STAR test changes Carlmont alters schedule and policy

By Jacob Rduger Campus Editor Yes, it has happened. High school students have finally met doomsday. Starting this year, 2012, student’s scores on the STAR test will count on high school transcripts.

The STAR test is a relatively simple standardized test that reflects a student’s ability to comprehend the material he or she has learned throughout the school year. It is viewed annually by teachers and administration in order to properly gauge a student’s learning level.

For years now, the STAR test has been viewed by many students as essentially a week off of school.

This year, however, it matters.

In the perspective of a Carlmont student, STAR testing has never Photo by Gianna Dimick been a genial task, but this view is going to have to change starting this year.

“I have never really found STAR testing challenging because I think it’s more of a basic review, but now that they actually count for something I’m going to definitely try harder to get the highest score possible,” said freshman James Pak. Students will now have greater incentive to take the STAR test more seriously than they have in the past. Now that the exam scores will be going on high school transcripts, colleges will be able to view them. This will play an important role in a college’s decision when they go through the admis-

sions process during the winter of a student’s senior year.

Instructional Assistant Vice Principal Robert Fishtrom commented on the impact that the STAR test will have on college admissions, “If a school sees a big difference between, let’s say, low test scores and high grades, it definitely raises a flag.”

Now, one may raise the point that, “colleges already have the SAT to look at, so why would they need to see the STAR test as well?”

The distinction between the two tests was highlighted by Fishtrom, who said, “The STAR test is different from the SAT because it summarizes overall abilities on standards a student was supposed to learn in a given course.”

Colleges will now have centralized access to each and every students data. This information can all be found on the transcript, where colleges can view STAR scores, CAHSEE scores, SAT scores, and other test scores/ Another major change to the STAR test in 2012 is that the testing schedule will be different from the past few years.

Rather than having two weeks dedicated to STAR testing, this year’s schedule has been truncated down to one week. Let the cramming begin.

Testing is set to begin on Tuesday, April 24, and will continue through Friday, April 27. Each day will consist of an average Continued on page 12

Questioning the source: what can you trust

By Gabby D’Souza Staff Writer

Belief by definition is confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof.

As humans we believe what we see, hear, smell, touch and taste.

But how do we know what is true and what is not?

Our ability to separate the truth from the falsities stems from a lifetime of being taught how to

determine what we should believe and what we should not.

“We do not believe everything we see because we know that not everything seen is true, such as movies and television shows, and even set up affairs,” said junior Alyssa Moyer.

As young children we were taught that the fictional label means something was made up so when thinking about something we tend to look at the label to determine if we should believe it

or not.

Other labels that help us believe things are the label on the sources from which they came.

“We look at the credibility of a source,” continued Moyer, “by determining how much of a reputation, [or label], it has.”

For example, the Kony movement was started by both a video and Facebook groups. The video spread like wildfire and the groups grew by the second.

“So many people got into Kony

so fast that it was hard to not believe it yourself,” said Moyer.

The Kony movement itself had no credible source other than the fact that many people began to rally in its honor.

After the Kony movement surfaced, another video of a Ugandan girl saying Joseph Kony has been dead for five years began to spread.

“I was unsure what to believe since both of the videos seemed Continued on page 12

Check pages 4 and 5 for indepth KONY 2012 coverage

News and Opinions

Page 2

April 20 does not need to be known as ‘pot day’

By Kristen Dames Staff Writer April 20 is a day filled with weed, eye drops, bongs, pipes, and high students. The increase in cannabis consumption is due to the date of 4/20 being “marijuana day.”

4/20’s origin dates back to the early 1970’s in Northern California.

“The significance of April 20 dates to a ritual begun in the early 1970s in which a group of Northern California teenagers smoked marijuana every day at 4:20 p.m.

Word of the ritual spread and expanded to a yearly event in various places,” said Steven Hager, the creative director and former editor of High Times, who was quoted in the New York Times.

Many Americans are completely oblivious to the secret clouds of smoke associated with the number 420.

Carlmont students who are ignorant of anything involving marijuana are unconcerned with the cannabis celebration.

Sophomore Adrielle Van Amsterdam said, “I had no idea [about 4/20]...

I think it’s kinda stupid, but it’s not like I’m going to tell people to stop.”

Students might arrive at school

slightly more dazed than usually and a mere hour after school. When the clock strikes 4:20 p.m. the height of the holiday will commence.

Carlmont’s strict “no tolerance policy” is going to have to be enforced, but some wonder how the faculty will deal with dazed students.

“I don’t think it should be mandatory for everyone in the school to be drug tested... [but] if they seem suspicious, sure, or if they have a history of being on drugs,” said sophomore Isabella Colombo.

Students cannot be drug tested on demand unless they are on probation. If they are on probation then drug tests can be mandatory.

“People on parole and probation must submit to drug testing as a condition of their release from prison, even if they have no history of drug use and have never been convicted of a drug crime,” says www. drugpolicy.org.

Many students ignore the laws and light up anyway. Others simply applaud those daring enough to try and fool authorities. “[Students will] either be smoking during school or ditching to go and get high. It's national 4/20 day, you can try and stop it, but

“I hope that students reach out for help when needed. And for those who don’t get high but see their peers do so, I hope they find a voice and choose not to be a silent witness.” - Fishtrom

you'll have no success,” predicted sophomore Baylie Burke.

Even when the date doesn’t signify a special day for cannabis, students continue to challenge the boundaries set forth by the Carlmont staff.

“It doesn't matter if it's 4/20 or not, people smoke before and during school no matter what date it is,” said sophomore Kayla Sanders,“I think teachers should respond to 4/20 like any other date.”

Regardless of the date, Carlmont teachers worry about the few students that indulge in substance use and want to help.

“Each student has a guidance advisor and we also have Ms. Bustamante, our Students Offering Support coordinator. This program alone helps so many students who often make poor choices or are considering making a poor choice. I would also tell the students who were planning on arriving to school under the influence that it really is not worth it. They can really hurt themselves and others; this could be a choice that could change their lives forever,” advised Vice Principal Robert Fishtrom.

Some students are skeptical about how fair staff is when it comes to dealing with and advising students suspected of substance use. They fear 4/20 might lead teachers to quickly jump to unjust conclusions.

“Teachers will probably automatically suspect students that they dislike. What if someone is just tired? How do you think someone would feel being suspected of doing drugs when they haven't?” said Burke.

Despite the accusations of injustice by some students, the administration assures students that the proper courses of action will be taken.

“Students are provided due process if they are suspected of being under the influence - they have the right to provide a statement and their account of what is taking place,” said Fishtrom.

The Carlmont staff members attempt to go beyond fair prosecution. They aim to assist students who suffer from drug addiction and help them to perform to their full potentials in life.

“This campus is full of amazing adults who care deeply about the lives of students and have chosen this profession because we want to see young people make good choices and have happy, healthy, and successful lives,” said Fishtrom “I hope that students reach out for help when needed. And for those who don't get high but see their peers do so, I hope they find a voice and choose not to be a silent witness.”

If a student ever has a lapse in memory regarding Carlmont’s policies and views about drug use, they could simply flip to pages 11-12 of our handy student planners.

Friendship: the bond of life Why isn’t Creative Writing offered as a Fine Art?

By Carly Bertolozzi Back Page Editor

It’s funny to look back at previous years and think about all the arguments fought, days spent, and memories created with your close friends.

For a lot of us, we look back at our freshman year and realize that our lives, and the people that have surrounded us during these times, are completely different (don’t worry freshmen, you’ll get there).

It’s interesting to see how we’ve changed and grown.

But, what’s really interesting are the few friends that have gone through all of our ups and downs with us, wiped away tears, shared joyous occasions, and have been by our side since day one and have never left.

We all have acquaintances that we’ve known since elementary school, family friends who we’ve been linked to since birth, and the friends we text to hang out once in awhile; but the friends who you spill your heart to, the friends that make sacrifices for you, and the friends that hold you up when all you want to do is fall down, those are the friends that will always mean the most to you.

A few days ago, one of my closest friends told me about his day, and how he was sad because he witnessed something horrific.

I sat down, and listened to the story of a young girl who attempted to commit suicide.

My friend, along with his younger brother, was waiting at the Redwood City Caltrain Station to board a train in order to get to a soccer tournament when both brothers witnessed the girl jump onto the tracks, lay down, and wait for the oncoming train to reach her.

After witnessing an event such as this, many people often tend to think about what would cause a person to commit such an extreme action, along with reflection on aspects of their lives that they are both grateful for and unhappy with.

Although I did not witness the event myself, I reflected on what the girl’s life must have been like, and how mine is different.

What I came up with is simple; I will never know what the girl was feeling. I will never understand the pain the events in her life must have inflicted upon her. I will never comprehend the extremity of her actions.

I wonder what pushed her to the point of taking such actions.

Maybe, she did not have that one person who she trusted, understood her, and cared enough about her to recognize the agony she was in and do something to help.

High school is a time for change, growth, and learning, not only through textbooks, but through relationships as well.

That guy in your math class, acquaintances, and even friends will fade, but hopefully through all the changes and growth each person will find another who they are able to call their best friend, because when you do, he or she often times is the one person who pulls you through the rough and tough times, no matter how grim and bleak a situation may seem.

What I took away from my friend’s encounter is that I am extremely lucky to have multiple people who I consider my best friends; they are the only ones who can put a smile on my face when I am down, the only ones who know me better than I know myself, and the only ones who understand my flaws, embrace my virtues, and accept me for who I am.

I am grateful for every single moment I have with them, and I hope, some time in their lives, every person experiences the immense strength of the bonds of friendship.

By Ashley Dierolf Staff Writer Creative Writing is not offered as a Fine Art class at Carlmont even though it is a popular form of self-expression among students and would also strengthen students’ writing skills throughout the year.

Having Creative Writing as a fine art class would offer a different way for students to obtain required credits as well as improve their writing skills. Unlike many other fine art classes, skills learned in Creative Writing could be used in core classes such as English and history.

Junior Jael Testa said, “A creative writing class would enhance my writing skills and I would rather express my feelings through writing than drawing.”

President of the Creative reWriter’s club senior Sara Dumanske added, “Students taking creative writing can learn to create new endings and solutions to problems within their writing that in turn can help in other classes, like math.”

If Creative Writing were to be a Fine Arts class rather than an English class, there would not need to be expository writing and students would receive fine art credits rather than English credits.

“The class would provide the beginnings for young writers to help their self-esteem,” said Dumanske, “there needs to be an outlet for people who like to write things other than essays.”

Creative Writing as a fine art class would also require a teacher who has a degree

in Creative Writing rather than just one in English. Additional funding would also need to be obtained to support the class.

“Since funding for our schools is at an all-time low, I sincerely doubt that Carlmont can afford to offer an additional fine arts course,” replied English teacher Gail Langkusch, who previously taught Creative Writing.

Many critics of teaching Creative Writing in schools argue that Creative Writing is not a skill that can be taught and it is hard for students to produce quality work in crowded classrooms.

John Parker-Campbell, published poet and co-supervisor of the Creative reWriter’s club, agrees, “The teaching of writing is very important but it is also incredibly difficult to teach. It takes a tremendous amount of time.” He also adds that Creative Writing is a natural ability, and no matter how hard a student works, it does not mean he is going to be successful.

English teacher and co-supervisor of the Creative reWriter’s club Carolyn Wallace encourages creative writing, but prefers a club setting rather than a classroom.

“Small groups allow editing and reediting, and shows the importance of draft writing so students can see their accomplishments,” said Wallace, “It’s also important to have a sense of community so students feel comfortable giving and receiving critique.”

Langkusch believes that Creative Writing can successfully be taught in a classroom setting, using her previous classes and college courses as her evidence.

Creative Writing as an English class was cancelled for the 2011-2012 school year most likely because of budget cuts, but the Creative reWriter’s club is available for students looking to use creative writing as a form of self-expression.

News and Opinions

Page 3

English becoming a second language

By Kellan McDonough Online Editor How will daily life change if by 2050 the majority of people are speaking Spanish?

The most common response is simple: daily routines will adjust to

the Spanish language.

It may be as simple as ordering a Starbucks in Spanish, rather than English.

The United States has no official language. Although English is the most common, Spanish has a huge impact on society today and the U.S. Commonwealth Puerto Rico identifies Spanish as both the official language and the most common language.

Spanish came to the United States with the Spanish colonists and has been a part of American history for centuries.

California especially, has always acknowledged Spanish.

In the first California constitution, laws were declared to be published in both English and Spanish.

Today, Spanish is heavily spoken in the United States.

It has great significance in the working and professional world.

Spanish will become fused into education at a younger age and handled with a greater appreciation. It is already evident that more students are taking Spanish and understanding the importance of the language.

Although Spanish is incredibly important, it is highly unlikely that Spanish will completely replace English.

English is sometimes called a “lingua franca,” referring

By 2050 Spanish speakers will be the majority to a language widely used for communication between two people of different backgrounds.

English has built a basis for art and modern technology. It occupies over 75 percent of web pages on the internet.

English is so common and frequently used, but the variety of culture and language here in the United States gives us a new perspective.

Latino culture has also had great significance and importance in the United States.

According to the United States Census, the nation’s Hispanicorigin population growth will be at 60 percent from 2030 to 2050.

With this in mind, the Latino population has the potential to improve our economy, as well as politics.

Latinos are gaining more political control mostly because the future of politics revolves around demography.

Both the democratic and republican parties are aimed at swaying Latino voters to their sides.

The George Bush office had a program called “Latino-

outreach,” designed to specifically gain more Latino votes.

Even Obama knows that the Latino vote could very well decide the outcome in the 2012 presidential election.

Since the elections are aimed at gaining the Latino vote, Latinos are a huge part of deciding the next president.

The influx of Latinos moving into big cities can strengthen communities, education, and job opportunities, especially if these people are looking for a big city environment.

Spanish and the LatinoHispanic culture is also a major part of entertainment.

Telemundo, a Spanishlanguage television network is a part of NBC, or the National Broadcasting Company.

A new Hispanic TV network is rumored to be released soon. But the difference between this network and others won’t just be language. It will reflect the culture as well as the language.

The United States demography will most certainly change by 2050.

Hobo goal: 50 states, 50 days on 50 bucks Sometimes straying off the path can lead to great results

By Graham Godwin Staff Writer

No one thought it was possible to travel 50 states in 50 weeks with only $50.

Emmett Milbank took on the challenge; tired of living his life on a path that was headed in a direction he did not want to go. Milbank took the initiative and pursued what he really wanted, a career in travel writing.

Travel writing is the hardest job in the field of writing to get into says Milbank, “Everyone wants to be a travel writer, who doesn’t want to get paid to travel.” He knew that he would have to do something big to get noticed in the business to make a name for himself and attract future publishers.

This is how Hobodyssey started, Milbank sold everything he owned except for his laptop, Go- Pro camera and a backpack filled with some other essentials. To morph into a hobo on a quest.

His quest was to visit all 50 states, in 50 weeks with a starting budget of $50 to his name. Along the way he is documenting his trip with plans of writing a novel and producing a film documentary.

He traveled by train mostly, but not with a ticket on Amtrak. Remember, Milbank is a modern day hobo. Riding the rails, jumping on trains, sitting in empty box cars or hiding in unmanned locomotives, and asking random

strangers for rides along the nation’s highways. journey. If one really truly want something then one need to When I met Milbank in San Carlos he was roughly half chase it, at the end of the day the only person stopping one way done with his journey. from achieving their dreams is themself. Milbank is just a So far Milbank has traveled 10,915 miles, logging time by testament to that, with all the doubt and people belittling hopping on freight trains and getting rides from complete his 50/50/50 it has fueled his passion to prove all of them strangers. He has conquered 30 states with 20 still remainwrong. ing.

When Milbank concludes his journey and returns home His money has fluctuated from absolutely nothing, when to start on his book and documentary he will take with him his wallet got stolen in Arkansas and $216 when he held a all the memories and lessons that he acquired throughout sign outside of New Orleans for countless hours. all of the 50 states. But, he will also know that anything is But the hardships have been worth it with all the lessons possible if you put your mind and heart to it. and people he has met. When Milbank started his journey So as Milbank crosses off the last states on his list, think his mindset was much different than his parents. His father of him as an inspiration and that your passions and goals saw the journey as a waste of time and felt like he was are not as farfetched as they once seem. throwing a lot away with deciding to go through with the decision.

His friends thought the proposal was, “crazy” or “not possible.”

Milbank was truly alone when he decided that going through on this was essential for reaching his passions and dreams of becoming a travel writer and making a documentary.

A lot of students across the country and at Carlmont can take away lessons from Milbank’s graphic reprinted with permission from hobodyssey.com

Editor-in-Chief: Gianna Dimick

The Highlander Sports:

Ryan Freeman

Managing Editor: Online: Alex Porter

News and Op: Grace Chang

Entertainment: Rachel Schuster

Campus: Jacob Rudger

Features: Anna Wheeler

Steven Tsujisaka Erica Valbusa

Cartoonist: Isabella Paragas

Business:

Nikos Frazier

Back Page:

Carly Bertolozzi

Multimedia:

Kellan McDonough

Editors Emeriti:

Staff Writers:

Dana Bloom Jenna Chambers

Shannon Chang Gabriela D’Souza Kristen Dames Ashley Dierolf Ivan Garin Graham Godwin Erin Greig Matthew Harris Courtney Heatherington Chris Leong

Faculty Adviser:

Justin Raisner

Sabrina Leung Sarah Levin Conrad May Hailey Miller Virginia O’Callahan Chloe Scott Selina Sorensen Kiana Valdez Luisa Zepeda

The mission of The Highlander is to accurately and honestly cover communal as well as school events. As a student run open forum newspaper, we strive to incorporate multiple views and represent the diverse community at Carlmont.

Kony 2012 Special Kony 2012 video becomes a phenomenon

Page 4

By Sabrina Leung Staff Writer On March 5, 2012, Invisible Children Inc. debuted the video “KONY 2012” on YouTube. Within hours, the 30 minute piece highlighting the iniquities of Joseph Kony became a viral sensation.

The “KONY 2012” movement hopes to familiarize Ugandan military leader Joseph Kony internationally with hopes of arresting him by the end of 2012.

“I learned about Kony 2012 through Facebook and the intense and emotional video that Jason Russell posted on the internet through the organization of Invisible Children,” said sophomore Andrew Sohrabi.

Over the course of the past 26 years, Joseph Kony has abducted over 30,000 young children destroying their villages and forcing them to join his private militia.

The organization “Invisible Children” has been working on raising awareness of the situation in Uganda for the last 10 years.

In response to the Kony Movement, Carlmont students Danielle Rosenduft, Eshani Patel, and Luisa Zepeda started a Facebook group to raise awareness.

“Honestly, our only intention for starting the Kony page Photo by Anna Wheeler was to raise awareness and spread the word. We never had a true intention of having so many people follow; we only wanted people to know about it,” stated junior Luisa Zepeda.

Within the first few hours, the Facebook group had attracted over a thousand members and continued to grow as students began inviting others to join the event.

“At first I thought it was interesting seeing people post it on their wall, then as the hours went by, my friends and I couldn’t believe the page had so many followers. It was surreal to see how fast the word was spreading. I couldn’t go to sleep that night because my friends and I would refresh every minute and the number would continue to grow!” added Zepeda.

Some students strongly support the Kony Movement and hope to help spread awareness.

“I care about Kony 2012 because of its general purpose to help improve the lives of Ugandan children who have been kidnapped and forced to act as child soldiers and those who may be kidnapped in the future due to the current situation of their lives,” said Sohrabi.

However, some students find no interest in the Kony Movement.

“It’s not that I don’t care about Kony or the children in Africa, but it could be a total scam. Only a third of the money actually goes to help the people. There’s a good chance that Kony is dead, he’s not in Uganda anymore or he’s not a threat anymore, ” stated sophomore Aaron Goodwin.

“When I first saw the video, I was really touched and wanted to do something. After hearing many rumors about Kony is actually dead and Jason Russell was arrested for nudity in public, I don’t really support the movement anymore,” said sophomore Iris Choi.

Invisible Children Inc. first implemented its Uganda-based program for capturing Joseph Kony and stopping his rogue Lord’s Resistance Army in 2005.

However, the formerly obscure “KONY 2012” campaign skyrocketed in popularity when Jason Russell from Invisible Children Inc. published a film promoting the charity’s

“Stop Kony” movement.

By March 19, 2012, the film had over 83 million views on YouTube and 16.6 million on Vimeo.

On April 5, 2012, Invisible Children Inc. launched a sequel to the KONY 2012 video, which was directed to an international audience.

In addition to the video, Invisible Children Inc. offers posters and action kits containing campaign buttons, posters, bracelets and stickers on their online website in attempt to gain wider recognition.

On April 20, 2012, many Carlmont students plan to attend a world-wide event called “Cover the Night”, where members will hang posters around Belmont and Redwood Shores to inform the community of Kony’s actions. Some students are looking forward to movement and hope everyone in the community will join together.

“Like everyone else, I plan to go and put up posters around where I live,” said Zepeda.

However, others have no plans of attending the event.

“I probably won’t help put up the posters, but I will support those students who put the time and effort to try to help the people,” stated Choi.

Despite the thousands of Facebook members who support this movement, some believe that Kony 2012 will lose its popularity after April 20.

“I think that Kony 2012 will lose its popularity around Carlmont and the internet due to the reduction of publicity that it will receive after April 20 which is the main night to spread awareness through posters and signs. People are joining numerous Kony 2012 events on Facebook because they want to be viewed as caring people, which is supposedly determined by clicking ‘going’ on Facebook to these events,” stated Sohrabi.

Although the Kony 2012 movement has received both positive and negative criticism, many hope it will continue to gain popularity and serve as a symbol of peace and change throughout the world.

Invisible Children: the facts behind the organization In the spring of 2003, Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole traveled to Darfur in Africa to film the struggles that it faces, but they changed their focus to the war in Uganda against the Lord’s Resistance Army, also referred to as the LRA. As stated on their website, invisiblechildren.com, they aim to “make the world aware of the LRA. This includes making documentary films and touring them around the world so that they are seen for free by millions of people.”

They documented the life of many children that ran away each night to avoid being captured by the LRA and forced to become child soldiers. They were shocked to see that children sleep in run-down warehouses or in schools huddled up overnight.

“The Invisible Children film and Kony 2012 video were captivating because they were real and caught my attention to something serious that needed to be changed. A lot of us didn’t know who Kony was, but after the video, I hope more people will know who he is,” said Carlmont student Eshani Patel.

When their film, Invisible Children, was showcased in the Joan B. Kroc Institute For Peace and Justice at the University of

San Diego in 2004, Russell, Bailey, and Poole established Invisible Children to raise awareness through films and Public speeches of the horrors children faced each day from the LRA. “Some organizations focus exclusively on documenting human rights abuses, some focus exclusively on international advocacy or awareness, and some focus exclusively on onthe-ground development.

We do all three. At the same time,” said Invisible Children.

Michelle Mckee is the only teacher on campus who shows Invisible Children to her Freshman world studies class to “expose them of children their age, that are neglected the privilege to go to school and freedom because they are turned into child soldiers.”

But this year, Invisible Children has set up the goal to bring Joseph Kony to justice and charge him for all the murders, rapes, and kidnaps that he has committed in the last 26 years throughout Central Africa.

Invisible Children plans to do this by bringing attention to Kony’s crimes in order to inspire Americans to pressure the United States government in taking more action and providing the necessary military aid and Image from www.creativecommons.org

By Luisa Zepeda Staff Writer

money to the Ugandan military in order to capture Kony.

“It’s great to know that Invisible Children is raising awareness, but I don’t think they should provide any military aid to an already corrupt Ugandan government that will continue to use weapons to kill families and destroy villages,” said Carlmont student Rhonda Makatrin.

Invisible Children uses the money that it raises from fundraisers and merchandise sold on their website to support their awareness program and Central Africa program for children and families that have escaped the LRA power.

An estimate of 26% of their financial income goes towards tours, video production and equipment, web and media, and communications, whereas an estimated 37% goes to their legacy fund, which provides children with scholarships to continue their education. Within the Central African program they build homes, orphanages, and schools (the complete layout of their finances can be found online.)

Although the organization only received three stars out of the four from the Charity Navigator, which helps people clarify on which organization is credible and responsible; at the moment they are

interviewing future board members to complete the five member council that will earn them four stars.

“There is not an organization out there that is perfect. IC is learning from their experiences, especially from the massive criticism they are receiving from the Kony video, but at least they are doing something,” said McKee. To this day, Invisible Children travel around the United States to advocate the youth on the importance of being aware and involved of their local and outside community.

“Invisible Children is built on the values of inclusiveness, transparency, and factbased discourse. We ask no one to just take our word for it. We WANT you to see everything we are doing, because we are proud of it. But we also want to motivate you to act – not just watch,” stated Invisible Children.

Kony 2012 Special

Page 5

The money behind the movement

By Matthew Harris Staff Writer

The Kony 2012 campaign was created to spread awareness of the charity Invisible Children, who asks for donations alongside promotional items, such as buttons and signs, geared towards spreading their message. But where exactly does the money go?

According to their website and Charity Navigator (a leading website that rates charities based on their financial records), 80 percent of the collected donations go directly to the people on the ground in Africa. That means that about $7,000,000 in donations go to programs that protect and rebuild towns from the Lord’s Resistance Army.

For example, Invisible Children uses some of that money to demobilize and surrender child soldiers via FM radio broadcasts, and to reintegrate former soldiers into society.

Money also goes to Invisible Children’s awareness campaign, the most obvious of

which is the Kony 2012 video. Awareness resulting from this advocacy has, according to their website, lead to US support of the Juba peace talks between the LRA and Ugandan government, in the form of a US special envoy and the passage of the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act (sponsored by Senate Foreign Relations member Russell Feingold, D-WI).

This is a bill that essentially states that capturing or killing Joseph Kony of the LRA is official American policy, which was backed up in 2011 when President Barack Obama sent 100 military advisors to assist the Ugandan government track fight the LRA. Invisible Children is careful to note that while they support the Ugandan government, citing it as the only feasible way to capture Kony, they do not support them monetarily. Or, in other words, donations to Invisible Children are not given to the Ugandan government.

In addition, 16 percent, or $1,400,000 goes towards administrative expenses, such

Will the night still be covered? issues than some warlord

By Isabella Paragas in Africa who’s been in Staff Writer hiding for the last few years.

Is it unfortunate? Yes, but People have been talking there are many other things about Joseph Kony and we need to the 2012 campaign, whose focus on goal was to make the man that pose a behind the child abduction greater threat in Uganda, and now the to a greater Congo, infamous. number of The campaign has taken people,” the web by storm, leaving explained no one without an opinion sophomore about Kony 2012 and the Matt upcoming April 20 event.

Moropoulos.

April 20, or “Cover the Even Night,” is where supporters with many plan to go around their countertowns and neighborhoods, theories and those who putting up posters from look down on Kony 2012 sundown to sunup in an supporters, there are people effort to bring attention to that think the supporters Kony and his crimes. deserve more respect for Though there are some their personal views. that believe the entire “These people have campaign and movement is devoted themselves to simply a hoax. a cause and deserve “It’s just a scam to try to respect.

Decide what you soak people for their money want,” said student Jack using good cause. Only 30% McDowell. of the money donated to Though it seems that most ‘Invisible Children’ actually of the hype has died, those goes to the Ugandan army, who did care may not care the rest goes into the or even remember on April pockets of the film makers,” 20. stated No one talks Will you still sophomore about Kony care about Alex Riley.

2012 anymore, KONY 2012 on And and no one others think April 20? seems to care. that there 54% 46% Even though are more said yes said no it’s like the important campaign has issues that fallen off the our nation needs to worry face of the earth, there will about. always be those who will “Honestly, the world discredit Kony 2012 and has greater international

Invisible Children Inc. and there will be others who will remember and take action.

And those are the people who the volunteers at Invisible Children Inc. encourage.

“The whole point is the create conversation to get people to talk about Kony. Of course, not everyone will agree, but those who do are what counts,” commented Dawit Alemayehu, a volunteer from Ethiopia.

People who truly care, they will not just be satisfied by liking a Facebook page or sharing a video.

People who really care will do everything in their power to make every single voice of the volunteers participating in organizations that have been fighting to stop Kony and make his actions known, to be heard by the whole world.

People who care enough about the cause that Kony 2012 is fighting for, will act on April 20.

In the words of Patricia Akello, a Ugandan woman who presented with the Invisible Children: “I can speak on [the people in Uganda]’s behalf, now that I am free.”

So those who do remember on April 20 and take action, are fighting for a cause that they feel is worthy, and that is the way they choose to show their support.

Whether or not people plan anything for April 20, at least have the decency to support those who do.

as salaries of the people hired to rebuild and protect the towns. The top salaries-a combined three percent of administrative expenses go to Invisible Children Inc. CEO Ben Keensey, and Kony 2012 producers Jason Russell and Lauren Poole, who each made an average of $87,429.

While 3 percent sounds like a lot of money, similar charities often award around one to five percent compensation for their leading executives.

That leaves four percent, or $286,678 that is directed towards fundraising, such as producing the Kony 2012 campaign.

Invisible Children Incorporated is a Form 990 charity that was created in late 2003 in San Diego. Invisible Children came into the spotlight with the release of the Kony 2012 campaign in early March 2011. As their website shows, revenue doubled after the release of Kony 2012, as the video went viral. Income went from just over $8,000,000 in 2010 fiscal year to over $13,000,000 in 2011.

However, with the increased attention

came increased scrutiny over the company’s financial records. Charity Navigator only gave Invisible Children and overall score of 54 (out of 70), citing the lack of independent board members and an independently audited financials.

In addition, controversy stems from Invisible Children’s reluctance to participate in the Better Business Bureau accreditation program, citing on their website that, “Participation in BBB’s program is voluntary-- we are choosing to wait until we have expanded our Board of Directors, as some questions hinge on the size of our Board.”

While there is some controversy surrounding the financial details of Invisible Children, the charity is recognized by the government as an official Form 990 taxexempt charity.

Invisible Children’s financial statements are also available to the public at: www.invisiblechildren.com/financials.html, on their website, in additon to Charity Navigator at: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index. cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429.

The roots of the Kony Movement

By Hailey Miller Staff Writer

In 1988, Kony began creating his own resistance, now known as the Lord’s Resistance Army, with Joseph Kony is the leader various members of the of the Lord’s Resistance Holy Spirit Movement Army, a militant group and another rebel group operating in parts of Africa, called the Uganda National and has been accused of Liberation Front. crimes against humanity.

Starting in 1998, Kony The situation was made abandoned his original famous by the viral video practice of “holy fighting” Kony 2012, and stems from in which he had his soldiers conflicting ethnic groups use oil to make crosses in Uganda. Since as early on their chests to protect as the fourth century B.C., against bullets. He was the area that is now Uganda convinced that to win has been divided into two battles ethnic groups; his army the Baganda must adopt people in conventional Uganda’s guerrilla south and warfare, east, and the including Acholi people surprise in the north. attacks on Historically, villages. the Baganda Originally, people Photo by Isabella Paragas the Ugandan are generally government didn’t consider wealthier than their Acholi Kony and his army much counterparts. This is due of a threat, but by 1991 partially to the fact that they had created enough most of the fertile land is of a problem that the in the south, where people Ugandan Government can make more money off began Operation North in an cash crops. In present day, effort to destroy the Lord’s the Acholi people often Resistance Army and its feel taken advantage of supporters. by the Ugandan central Despite the failure of the government, which often program, Kony and his promotes the best interests resistance started losing of the Baganda people. popular support amongst the It was from this resentment people.

Kony and his Lord’s of the Bagandans and the Resistance Army Ugandan government that In 1994, Kony, feeling the Holy Spirit Movement threatened

by Acholis and was born in 1986, a the government, began religious armed resistance terrorizing civilians and group whose goal was to overthrow the current government.

Joseph Kony joined the group later, trying to gain supports by aligning himself with the popular founder of group, Alice Lakwena. However, he lost popular support when she criticized him for his inhuman practices such as killing civilians and prisoners of war.

increasing military strength.

It was during this time that Kony began using child soldiers. When his forces raided villages they often abducted many children who were strong enough to carry weapons.

Persisting well into the twenty-first century, the Lord’s Resistance Army continued their brutal attacks on civilians despite resistance from governments and other rebel groups.

Kony and his army have been accused of countless crimes against humanity.

For example, the rebels impersonate military soldiers, or launch surprise attacks on unsuspecting villagers gathering for occasions such as church services.

These vicious attackers kill the weak and the old with machetes, swords, or stones, and cut off people’s ears, lips, and noses to serve as a warning to others.

Those that are useful to them are taken captive, tied together, and forced to become soldiers, porters, cooks, or sex slaves. People who resist or try to escape are tortured and killed.

It was these types of atrocities that prompted outrage amongst native as well as foreigners. There have been many groups that have tried to help the situation or at least spread awareness, such as the now well-known Kony 2012 movement.

Campus

Page 6

Student-built robot unleashed photo by Jim Wilfong

Robotics team set to compete in St. Louis

Robotics students combine science with athletics, working diligently on their robot.

By Conrad May Staff Writer After a long year of work, the robotics team at Carlmont is finally going to be tested on the highest level.

The team is a combined force with members from Carlmont, Sequoia and Woodside, but meets at Woodside High School, this year’s team is called the Wildhats.

The Team 100 builds a robot for each the annual game. The team’s goal is to build a robot that will complete the game while out playing all of the competitors

that it faces in the tournaments that it competes in.

An organization called FIRST which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, produces the program.

The challenges, which can vary widely from placing inter tubes onto pegboards to playing soccer, never fail to excite the teams and the audience.

In this year’s game, the robots played basketball inside of a court with 18 balls inside of it. Each robot retrieved and shot the balls in order to score as many points as possible.

There were four baskets on each side, each varying heights in which the robot had to shoot the balls into.

Robots from the opposing team either played defense to block the other robots, or played offense to shoot and score. The court had two sides, each containing the four hoops, and there were various obstacles in the middle of the court.

At the end of the game, the robots tried to balance on a small bridge, which could tip over with the slightest movement, in order to earn extra points for their team.

Although the object of the game is to be on the team that scores the most points, it goes far beyond the final outcome.

“I like robotics because I learn about robots and also how to work as a team and

photo by Sabrina Alfin

complete goals that would not be possible by yourself,” said Sophomore Jonny Wilfong.

This year, the team is headed for National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri which begins April 26.

Sequoia Senior Austin Meir said, “I am excited to go to St. Louis this year because I want to compete in an important high profile event as well as meet new team and people from Members from Team 100 Robotics bring spirit to the basketball court as they cheer on their team. all over the world.”

Wilfong then went petition begins; playoffs. on to say, “This year I am really excited The top eight teams will get to choose that we get to go to St. Louis because I their alliances by picking two other teams think it will be a lot of fun and our roto play on their team. These eight alliances bot has made a lot of progress since the will battle until there is only one alliance regional competitions.” remaining.

The team All three of the teams in each alliance won a “wildthen have the option to enter the National card” to get Championship. into the NaThis is the first year that Team 100 is tional Chamheading to St. Louis, but it is not the first pionships, while most teams have to earn a year that they are heading to nationals. Naspot in by winning a regional competition tionals were held in Atlanta in years prior. in their local areas.

The team is looking forward to an excitMost regionals have about 50 teams in ing competition that is important to the the competition. After 10 to 11 games are future of the team and future funding. played to show off the robot, the real com-

“In this year’s game, the robots played basketball...”

Campus

Page 7

Where do YOU use the LOO?

By Anna Wheeler Features Editor

There are very few things that human beings can count on doing every single day of their lives. These daily tasks are often overlooked, but we truly could not live without them. Long story short, if you have to pee, you have to pee.

Carlmont offers a variety of bathrooms around campus for student use. Although the decision may seem silly, unimportant, or not worth the brain power, choosing which bathroom to use on campus is an essential part of a students everyday life.

"I've only been to three of the bathrooms, but I definitely preferred the ones in E-hall and lower D-hall. I feel like they're cleaner and more modern. Other bathrooms, especially the one in C-hall, are disgusting," stated junior Nick Monteiro.

There are, of course, the students that do not have a preference as to which bathrooms they use.

"It's just a bathroom. As long as it has a toilet in it, I'm fine," said Rachel Cissna, a junior. “If I have to go to the bathroom, then I go. No little sign with a skirt or pant is going to stop me.”

According to a poll of 116 Carlmont students, 7 percent preferred the upper D-hall bathroom, 1 percent preferred the lower Dhall bathroom, 11 percent preferred C-hall bathrooms, 27 percent preferred the F wing bathrooms, and 48 percent preferred the bathrooms in the U wing.

Perhaps there is no surprise as to why so many students prefer the F and U bathrooms.

As many students may know, the F

hall bathroom, near the Performing Arts Center, was not completed until recently, and the U hall bathroom was not completed until the 2011-2012 school year. On the other hand, the C-hall bathrooms are not as new and modern.

It does seem that there is a direct correlation between bathroom preference and when the specific bathroom was installed at Carlmont.

However, there seem to be several other reasons as well.

Although some students do have preferences as to which bathroom they use, sometimes it is inconvenient to go to the preferred bathrooms.

Senior Brandon Butler stated, “I like the biotech bathrooms because they’re newer and cleaner, but if they have a really long line, then I just go to D-hall.”

However, some consider the pretty and clean bathrooms worth the wait.

“I definitely like the U-hall bathroom the most because it’s the cleanest,” stated Melanie Albanese, a junior.

Kansha Sengupta, a freshman, agreed: “I don’t like public restrooms, but if I had to choose, I’d use the ones in F-hall or the ones in the biotech buildings because they’re actually clean.”

Other motives behind which bathroom one uses may include proximity to one's classroom and location on campus.

“Even though I like the U-hall bathroom

116 Carlmont Students answered where they preferred to go to the bathroom.

the most, if I were in a rush to get to class, it wouldn’t matter to me which bathroom I went to because I wouldn’t want to be late,” added Albanese.

Furthermore, many choose their preferred bathrooms based upon what the bathrooms have to offer.

For example, while certain bathrooms have air dryers, others have paper towels.

While this factor may not seem significant to many, it may make all the difference for another student.

Students are faced with many options when going to the bathroom on campus, and it truly comes down to personal opinion.

Carlmont’s quiz team takes schools by storm

By Erica Valbusa Online Editor

Carlmont is known for a variety of sports and academic activities. However, one program, called Quiz Kids, is not receiving the credit that it deserves.

Quiz Kids is a trivia club at Carlmont that is comprised of two parts: a club for all students to participate in, as well as a fourmember team that competes against other high schools on the Quiz Kids local television show.

Numerous students on campus are not aware of this program and the skills that it helps students develop.

“I know that Carlmont has a Quiz Kids program, but I’m not exactly sure about what they do or what it actually is,” stated junior Nick Gehlen.

“I like that there is a program where students can compete academically. We place a lot of emphasis on sports, however that is not a bad thing. There is not enough focus on academic programs, like mock trial and Friends of Millard Fillmore,” explained Carlmont’s Quiz Kids adviser Patricia Braunstein.

All of the topics covered are academic,

with the exception of a few pop-culture questions.

“I have heard of Quiz Kids before, and I think that it is a cool way for students to improve their trivia skills while furthering their knowledge about various topics,” stated junior Curtis Fan. The Quiz Kids program first came to Carlmont about ten years ago, when the Quiz Kids television show contacted the school about starting a team.

Quiz Kids, once known as Peninsula Quiz Kids, is an academic quiz public-access show for Bay Area high schools.

The show is currently hosted by Brad Friedman, the Drama Director at San Mateo High School.

The game is divided into three rounds: the Collaboration round, the Three for All round, and the Countdown round. The teams have an opportunity to win points in each round and there are no point penalties for wrong answers in any of the rounds.

Carlmont Quiz Kids club member Alex Kumamoto was first introduced to the program by Braunstein.

“Mrs. Braunstein, my history teacher, approached me about joining Quiz Kids, and I

decided that it would be a fun experience to be a part of,” stated Kumamoto.

In the 2010-2011 season, thirty-two teams competed in the show for the opportunity to win an all-expense paid trip to Europe.

The Quiz Kids team consists of four members, however only three participate at a time, with the remaining member acting as the alternate. This year, Carlmont’s four-member team, comprising of Sandip Srinivas, Sanjay Srinivas, Kumamoto, and Christopher May, is in the final eight teams.

“We haven’t done this well in a while,” commented Braunstein.

On March 23, the Quiz Kids club held a “Staff vs. Student” trivia game, in order to prepare the team for the next television match on April 21 against Mills High School.

The students maintained a steady lead over the staff throughout to win the game.

“More than anything, the teachers had a difficult time with the buzzers. The students, on the other hand, have more experience with the buzzers, which made it easier for them,” said Braunstein.

Although Braunstein thinks that there is more the team could do to prepare for

matches, “it is hard because so many of the kids are involved with a lot of other things.”

The Quiz Kids club meets every Friday during lunch in room D-27. Students of all grades are welcome to attend and participate.

“I think Quiz Kids is a lot of fun, especially the practices. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in trivia,” added Kumamoto.

Sanjay Srivinas, Christopher May, and Sandip Srivinas rack up the points for Carlmont on the Quiz Kids TV show.

Tough trivia to taunt you The following are questions that were asked to Carlmont and Menlo students on a 2010 episode of “Quiz Kids”: 1. This is what we say when we carry a child around on our rear ends.

2. He is famously quoted for saying, “I didn’t kill him, the doctors did that.

I simply shot at him.” Name this mentally unbalanced lawyer who assassinated President Garfield.

4. A flexor muscle is used to bend, what do you call a muscle that is used to pull?

The latin name and genus for these animals is Bos Taurus. What are 5. they called in plain English?

3. A four ounce can of Crispy Crumbles cost $2.80. What is the cost per pound? 6. What name is given to the long, link-shaped loops that a river makes when it flows slowly over soil that is extremely flat and erodes easily?

Answers: 1. Piggyback 2. Charles Guiteau 3. $11.20 4. Tensor 5. Cows 6. Meander

Page 8

Spring Clean, Carlmont is dirty

What can Carlmont do to be more environmentfriendly?

By Ryan Freeman Sports Editor

2) Solar Panels 3) COmPOST 4) Less Paper

photo by spanginator via Creative Commons

1) Recycle

photos by Alex Porter

(student’s top responses)

Just a glance at our campus will make one realize that Carlmont has a big problem.

With our litter-filled halls and lack of available recycling options, it seems Carlmont is becoming less and less eco-friendly by the day.

“It is pathetic,demoralizing, and discouraging,” explained French teacher Kathy Burton about the current trash situation at Carlmont.

With the recyclable reception containers nonexistent throughout the campus, it is hard to believe that a conscious effort is being made.

“To be blunt, I think Carlmont needs more recycling bins; we would not have a litter problem if we just had a few of them,” said sophomore Jake Retchless.

“I do not think I have ever seen a recycling bin on campus other than the one behind the school,” said sophomore Cena Cook.

Realizing this issue, the administration has finally ordered more recycling bins to cover the campus.

Until then, our overworked staff is forced to make up for the lack of containers.

With a staff whose sole purpose is to keep the campus clean and improve the eco-friendly aspect of Carlmont, keeping the campus

green should not be a problem.

“We do have a cleaning staff but due to recent cuts our already small staff got even smaller,” explained Jerome Harris, current plant manager. “With only three guys to cover the campus daily, we just do not have the capability.”

With a whopping 43 acres of land to cover, the staff cannot succeed in keeping Carlmont clean unless they get some help, as Harris suggested.

“The really important thing is that we need the help of the students,” continued Harris. “You need to realize that it is your guys’ campus as well and you need to do your part in taking care of your campus.”

Although there is a current recycling club, the small size of the club in comparison to Carlmont leaves their efforts not as successful as it could be with more support.

Even though joining a recycling or trash collection club may not be in the best interests if most students, showing support for Carlmont’s cleanliness can be as simple as thinking twice before putting that used piece of gum under a desk or littering in front of a trash can.

Any student of a public high

“‘It is pathetic, demoralizing, and discouraging’”

school is familiar with the sight of vandalism.

Whether it simply is a messy bathroom floor covered in toilet paper or more extreme measures like broken equipment and spray painted walls, it does more than is intended.

Some may think their mischievous actions do not affect anything, but with the small staff, everything turns into a big ordeal.

“We have to deal with people doing things like purposely destroying bathrooms,” continued Harris. “Instead of being able to do our normal jobs, we [cleaning staff members] have to go deal with that.”

With 90 trash cans placed around the most populated areas of Carlmont’s campus, ample opportunity to properly dispose of litter is not an issue. “[The students] are unthinking and irresponsible,” continued Burton. “[They are] wrapped up in their own worlds.”

“It is not that they lack the ability to keep Carlmont clean,” explained Ralph Crame, current administrator, of the students.

“They prefer to socialize and eat rather than properly dispose of their waste, whether it is recycling or trash.”

So whether you are simply leaving a small wrapper on the ground or putting a tin can in the trash rather than a recycling container, take a second and think about what you are doing.

Green Schools lead to Green future

By Nikos Frazier Business Manager

As more and more information is becoming known about our planet’s limited conditions, American schools are striving to conquer students’ negative impact.

As this information is becoming viral in the media and being shared easily by social media, people are starting to change the way they live and make sure their children know too.

Schools for all ages are starting to make changes that help both their campus and the planet.

Founded in 1993, the U.S. Green Building Council focuses on the environmental friendliness of buildings and is well known for their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

Being LEED certified, is known as an environmental precedent, and many schools,

colleges and businesses are changing to become certified.

To become a LEED certified, an organization must meet 10 guidelines as detailed on their website.

Becoming LEED certified is not hard, and many have, including Carlmont’s very own Performing Arts Building, also known as F hall.

The original F hall was old and designed with details from the 80’s and 90’s, but with the help of some construction, 90 percent of the building was reconstructed.

On January 7, 2011, F hall was awarded gold certification in relation to the LEED scale. This is because a majority of the materials used in the building are recycled, low amount of water needed to water landscape and solar panels are affixed to the roof Improving the already advanced program, teachers Tina Doss and Dan Raffa suc-

ceeded earlier this year in building with the goal of a gold certification but only received silver due to the decision to not install solar panels on the roof.

Other schools have also achieved this excellence.

Sequoia’s one and half acre Spectator gymnasium received platinum certification, Canada College’s Maintenance Center received gold, Sacred Heart’s Science and Student Life Center received platinum, and College of San Mateo’s 10N building received gold.

Around Carlmont students are becoming excited about the new field, bleachers and lights coming to the campus.

Administrative Vice Principal Ralph Crame commented, “I know that what ever we are doing is going to be of minimal impact on the environment, it’s just replacing the old turf that we have. I know that that

turf will be recycled...it won’t just go into the dumps, it will be recycled somewhere.

The products that are used in the new turf are from recycled products.”

As students think about their future and start looking at colleges, they should check out the Princeton Review.

They annually publish college ratings, which include the rankings of green certified colleges in the United States that have made a real effort in countering their carbon footprints.

When asked if he knew about the Princeton Review green college list, Lior Miitnik said, “No, I have heard of the Princeton Review, but never the green college [list].”

With our planet depending on our conservation of its natural resources, students should consider not only making our school more green, but choosing colleges that are certified green schools.

photos by Alex Porter

Page 9

Let’S Go Green Green Technology class soars

Carlmont trying to make a change

By Alex Porter Managing Editor Carlmont is taking steps towards making its campus more environment-friendly.

Students came back from their Spring Break vacations to find Carlmont littered with flyers that promoted a Spring Cleaning Campaign, encouraging them to help clean up the school.

The Carlmont Governance Council, a mix of faculty and students, had planned this surprise event in order to jolt students into awareness and involvement. “[The Spring Clean Campaign] is an all-school campus awareness and education progam to educate the students and staff to pick up their trash,” explained Dr. Raul Zamora, principal.

Many students were not only affected by the shock and awe of the posters but also the overwhelming push to clean up its trash problem.

“There was an over-whelming amount of posters,” commented Alex Dova, senior.

When asked if the event had an impact on her, juinor Jamie Goldie said, “I liked it because people don’t throw away their garbage.

It’s more enforcing.”

Some students agreed with Jasmine Rishi, saying “I found it ironic how they used so much

dents also suggested planting more trees, promoting a nonlittering campus, turning off lights, limiting materials, and composting as other ways Carlmont could become more environmentfriendly.

All these suggestions show photo by Alex Porter that students have considered a better paper to send a message about not school and seem passionate about wasting paper.” changing the current situatuion.

Students and staff hope that this When asked how students can cleaning campaign is a step in the help out around campus, Zamora right direction towards not only said, “Having the basic responsirestoring Carlmont’s beauty, but bility of ensuring the trash reaches also a segway into other future the trash cans.” environmental improvements.

Students have the full potential Previously mentioned in the to make Carlmont into a more March issue of The Highlander, “green” school. They should feel recycling at Carlmont is not up to pride in what they have accompar and could use the support of plished so far, and determination Recology to make a change. for future improvements.

French teacher, Kathy Burton, “I am proud that Carlmont is thinks recycling could make a diftaking on this challenge,” continference for the school commentued Goldie. ing, “Once all staff get on board Although some students don’t with the program, recycling can think the posters were the best greatly impact the trash issue.” way to make students care, it is a Once trash is tidied and recygood first step for Carlmont. cling revamped, students already Carlmont beautification and have other ideas on advances conservation is steadily becoming Carlmont can make. a green trend.

In a recent questionnaire, stu-

sustainable way.

But before students take the class, they are required to take Physics (regular, AS, or AP) and have successfully completed Algebra II. The students really get to explore realworld issues and look at the problem and try to find an answer to it.

Students are currently doing an energy audit of the school, to help raise awareness of areas in which the school can conserve energy and save money. They also use Lego Mindstorms to take a closer look at programming, and use solar panels to learn about alternative energy.

“Some students are great at math or physics, others are great at taking stuff apart and building things, and yet others are great at creative, outside-the-box problem solving.

The best outcomes are when all three types of students are collaborating together to tackle an interesting problem,” said O’Hara about his student’s abilities.

Take on the challenge!

photo by Alex Porter

Green Tech is just one of those classes that many of Carlmont’s students are wanting to take next year.

Engineering and Green Technology is a relatively new class at Carlmont that emphasizes on both engineering design choices and its impact on the environment, while making devices that use green power.

The class applies environmental science, green chemistry, environmental monitoring and electronic devices to model and conserve the earth and resources and stop the negative impacts of human involvement.

Casey O’Hara, the teacher at Carlmont who started the course, said, “Engineering and Green Technology basically introduces students to an engineering design mindset.

We figure out how to take a vague or complex problem and break it down, and then figure out ways to solve it.”

Using engineering, the students make de-

vices that use is a project that is green power, designed to teach such as students something bridge design, about engineering, mousetrapphysics, and sustainpowered cars, ability. solar house One of their design, and projects this year energy audits. included designing The class a new engineering was started building. in 2009 by “Our Biotech A student group project of a mock “green” building in which O’Hara to building and Perreusable and sustainable materials are used. create a hands-on forming Arts Center course for students who enjoyed physics were designed to be LEED certified (LEED and the environment. The class was destands for Leadership in Energy and Ensigned as an alternative for AP Physics. vironmental Design). Then, students drew This year was the first year that David floor plans, built models, and presented Talcott began teaching it, who is a new their designs to a panel of judges includteacher at Carlmont. ing school officials, parents, teachers, and The course itself is UC/CSU approved to engineers,” said O’Hara. meet the elective requirement and is taught The students figure out how to make in a Project-Based Learning style, or PBL. it LEED certified which certifies that a Using the PBL style of learning, each unit building is designed in an energy-efficient, photo by Alex Porter

By Chloe Scott Staff Writer

“DoSomething.org” is challenging schools to improve their campuses and become ecofriendly.

Submit Carlmont!

Entertainment Infomercials or in-faux-mercials?

Page 10

By Virginia O’Callahan Staff Writer Are infomercials really what they seem?

Infomercials are televised commercials that attempt to market and sell some admittedly ridiculous items to viewers.

For what they advertise, infomercials are not what they seem. Products, more often than not, don’t end up being the special thing someone saw on their television. “[The products] just don’t look like they’re useful,” said freshman Tara Callan.

“And they probably aren’t even worth it.”

Admittedly, there must be products on the market that truly are what they advertise, but for the most part, infomercials have a bad reputation for being tricks.

An example of these tricks is the infamous Snuggie, a supposedly super soft blanket with arms. It is actually just a fuzzy cloth with sleeves attached.

Despite being advertised in a way that shows that they can be worn outside comfortably − the user shown to be kept warm and cozy next to a guy who is dramatically shivering − one could get more warmth and coziness out of a normal blanket.

At least the Snuggie can be used as a makeshift bathrobe, or maybe just a casual blanket that can be worn around the house for cooler days.

Photo by Virginia O’Callahan

Products from infomercials are advertised in such a way that people are influenced into buying them. A lot of it is not really what it seems; simply smoke and mirrors.

The advertisements exaggerate the truth and make a product seem a lot more usable than it really is.

“I’d rather have it physically in front of

me before I can decide if it’s worth it or not,” commented junior Maggie Tsang. “I don’t trust what I see on TV.” Many items are actually available for purchase in stores with little “As Seen on TV” logos pasted on them to even further market the products.

But even their functionality is hard to

determine when the products are wrapped up in a pretty box with demonstrations and uses printed on the cardboard or paper.

Unfortunately, some students can fall victim to the purportedly good-looking products on television and end up buying them.

“I bought an InStyler thing that’s supposed to style your hair nicely,” said freshman Sabrina Cojocaru. “It didn’t work like it said it would.”

According to television infomercials, the InStyler is a new hair styling tool that straightens, polishes, and styles hair by means of a rotating heated cylinder and brush bristles. In the advertisement, many people’s hair is being perfectly straightened, polished, and styled; just like a dream.

Although they look like worthwhile products and ideas on the television, products of infomercials are often useless things that really no one absolutely needs.

Regrettably buying a piece of merchandise off of what one has only seen in a most likely fake demonstration on TV, it hardly seems worth it.

To buy the items, a purchaser should be able to see the item in the store and handle it before buying it to determine to their best ability whether or not to buy the product, and also be able to determine whether or not the item being sold is just as useful as it appears to be on TV.

The unwanted return of the sequel What Hollywood needs is a cold dose of the truth; too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. I speak, of course, about movie sequels.

Now, this is not to say that all movie sequels should be ripped from the reels they were shot on and decimated in a fiery inferno. Oh, no. Not at all. Some sequels have gone on to be huge successes, both commercially and critically.

Take, for example, the recent “Sherlock Holmes” series. After the great acclaim of the first movie, the studio (and thankfully, the actors) decided to invest in a sequel: “A Game of Shadows.” It has since received a general seal of approval, praised for exceeding the bar previously set by its predecessor.

A high bar, for there really is nothing better than a shirtless Robert Downey, Jr. − unless it’s a shirtless Robert Downey, Jr. speaking in a British accent.

Also, since the sequel “Batman: The Dark Knight” had an added advantage of already

having the whole “origin story” aspect out of the way, writers were able to explore new plotlines and characters. This led to the brilliance of Heath Ledger in the face-paint of the Joker, and quite possibly, one of the best superhero movies from the past decade.

In short, sequels sometimes work, and work well.

That being said, the deciding factor for what constitutes the making of a sequel has been increasingly blurry in the past few years. Compiled here is a list of guidelines for when a movie deserves a sequel, and when it should be left alone.

One: The movie has to set itself up for a sequel.

This may very well be the most important rule of all, as it effectively determines whether the sequel will succeed. Series like “Harry Potter” or “The Hunger Games” are obviously predetermined to have at least one sequel, but stories like the “Bourne” trilogy have still managed to succeed in stretching a storyline across a few movies.

Basically, if a movie can stand alone as its own story, it should ostensibly stay that way.

Conversely, if a movie ends in a dramatic cliffhanger, leaving vital questions unanswered, a sequel should be made before the rabid fans begin breaking down the doors of the studio.

Two: PAY ATTENTION TO THE SUBJECT MATTER. No matter how much a movie makes in the box-office, or how many questions were left unanswered, the

critical approval the movie receives should be a large factor in deciding whether a “Part 2” is in its future. A movie that is universally approved should have higher priority than one that is universally panned.

Three: The sequel should be noticeably different than its predecessor. An audience comes back to see a sequel because they enjoyed the characters and the premise.

They don’t come back for the same movie over again.

Consider “The Hangover.” The first was an achievement in comedy − situational humor at its best. The second was a carbon copy of the first, to the point where it literally feels like the entire movie was simply picked up and dropped in the middle of Thailand. There is a certain virtue in giving people what they want, but not in ignoring any and all aspect of creativity.

Four: Not all movies need sequels.

Remember “Bridesmaids”? That hysterical R-rated comedy that showed the world that Kristen Wiig is a comedic goddess, and that Melissa McCarthy can play more than just the sweet, heavy girl? Writer and main actress Wiig has put her foot down, and refused to write a sequel.

Will this decision ruin the popularity of the movie? Will it destroy the careers of the main actors? Was it made to spite the directors, the producers, and the fans themselves? No, no, and no again. The reason Wiig has refused a sequel is that the movie is done. There is no need for a follow-up, no need for further adventures of the Bridesmaids.

Sequels can be fun, but it’s important to decide if one is necessary before signing a contract for “Part 2.”

Photo by Creative Commons

By Sarah Levin Staff Writer

Entertainment Popularity with Apple products

By Kiana Valdez Staff Writer

Photo by Creative Commons

From iPods to iPads, Apple is almost everywhere around campus, and there seems to be more iProducts than people.

According to a CNBC poll, typical U.S. homes have more Apple products than married couples or children. At this time, about half of all American households have at least one Apple product.

But now some people are starting to wonder what is so special about Apple, how it rose to popularity, and when its popularity will end.

Student Poll:

In 1976, Apple was created by Steve Wozniak and the late Steve Jobs, beginning with the Apple 1 computer. With the creation of the iPod in 2001, Apple was officially on the technology map.

By 2007, over 100 million iPods were selling at a time.

With the first iPod Touch and iPhone, the app store became a huge success. This past March 5, Apple announced that over 25 billion apps have been purchased.

Since then, the iPad has arrived in Apple stores all over the world.

Within the first three days of the latest release of the new iPad, Apple sold over three million units, making it “the strongest iPad launch yet.”

During these types of new releases, some people have even camped outside of Apple stores just to be one of the first buyers.

Interestingly enough, although Apple had made the option to “pre-order” an iPhone 4S, many people still waited in line for over 10 hours just to get it.

Waiting in line for a new release was never really common for the Microsoft company.

As Apple’s long time competitor, Microsoft has been neck and neck with the Apple company. But recently, Microsoft has been

pushed to the side when new Apple computers were put out on the market.

“I prefer PC over Macs, because Macs are just too expensive,” related Jake Freiermuth.

“I think that Microsoft still has some customers,” stated Claire Khoury, “but when they want to upgrade, they will usually go for Apple.”

Even with the death of Jobs, Apple has not slowed down. Instead, it continues to make progress in the world of technology.

Regarding Apple’s rise to popularity, many online blogs state that it could be accredited to its operating system, virus protection, good quality, shapely design, or user friendly programs.

Some students have their own similar opinions. “iPods are ranged at a good price and provide a better product than a Zune or a different MP3 player,” said Matt Rouse.

But how long can the world’s obsession with Apple products last?

“I think that it will last a long time,” said Khoury.

A number of people also agree with Freiermuth, “Apple will stay popular until a different company makes better products.”

Apple also has many unwavering fans who practically worship their local stores, often attempting to compel other people to jump on the Apple bandwagon with them.

“I think that there is pressure to keep up with new Apple products,” related Khoury.

“Sometimes it seems like everyone has an iPhone!”

“Society lives with Apple products today,” stated Rouse. “But not everyone today should feel pressured to have them.”

Some students also view the Apple iPad as possibly a great alternative to heavy textbooks.

“An iPad would be more convenient,” answered Khoury. “It would be less weight and would be easier to flip pages. I would totally choose an iPad over textbooks.”

In the end, Apple’s success is exhibited by its loyal customers that continue to use and support Job’s original vision for his company.

Still, Apple’s current strategy for attracting new customers and keeping them seems to bring many benefits to the company.

Whether or not Apple will be able to keep up with the never-ending technology demand is a whole other story.

10% said no

90% said yes

Do you have an Apple product?

Page 11

114 students replied

Students’ newest app addiction

By Erin Greig Staff Writer Playing the new “Draw Something” game has become an obsession, rising in popularity among the students at Carlmont.

“Draw Something” is a new game application for Androids and iPhones recently developed by OMGPOP. In a review of the new game, Giles Turnbull gives the basics of what to do.

“Here’s how it works: you’re offered three words, and you have to draw one of them using the very basic on-screen drawing tools. Your opponent has to guess what the original word was.”

The three words are ranked from easy to hard, and the harder the word the more coins the player receives.

Obtaining the highest amount of coins is what players strive for in order to get more colors and drawing tools to add more detail to their drawings in the future.

Opponents can be found through Facebook or selected at random from the network.

“You’re like a team, so what you want to do is make the picture fairly easy to guess so both people can win,” said junior Derek Wellman.

Although Wellman states that players might want to make the pictures easier to guess, that is not the case for all players.

“This game is so much fun, but one of my friends purposely draws hard pictures so I won’t know what to guess,” commented senior Avalon Pellegrini.

When asked to explain what the game is like, Wellman commented, “It’s a combination of Pictionary and Hangman, except you don’t get penalized if you guess the word wrong.”

Although this game has become popular, there are a few downsides to it.

Senior Julian Gioffre complained that, “it’s fun, but it really drains my iPhone battery.”

There are also the students who do not have iPhones or Androids who cannot join in the fun.

When asked how they deal with it, Pellegrini said, “I actually don’t have an iPhone, but my mom’s old phone is an iPhone so I use it for games including Draw Something.”

Freshman Kayla Coyne said, “I don’t really see what the hype is about. I can hangout with my friends and go places, rather than just sit around playing on my phone.”

“I have it on my iPhone but I’ve definitely gotten bored of it. A lot of the words repeat so it’s not that much fun anymore,” stated senior Brooke Rothschild-Mancinelli.

“One time I actually played against my teacher during the class I had her,” commented senior Naomi Gottfried. “She didn’t get that mad, though. She yelled, but it was more in a joking way.”

Sometimes when choosing a word to draw, students have come across really strange ones.

Senior Garv Manocha stated, “The weirdest word I’ve gotten to draw was ‘horny’.”

When “Draw Something” is compared to “Words With Friends,” there are mixed opinions from students about which one is more popular.

Rothschild-Mancinelli stated, “I actually still play ‘Words With Friends’ and find it a lot more fun and challenging.”

Claudio Rivas has played both “Words With Friends” and “Draw Something,” and believes that “it’s more fun to play ‘Draw Something’ because it involves drawing pictures and using your imagination and creativity.”

“Draw Something” remains popular at Carlmont and will most likely stick around the campus a little while longer.

Photos by Dana Bloom, Shannon Chang, and Grace Chang

Page 12

Extras

Struggling with cancer

Carlmont teenagers go through life-changing experiences

By Steven Tsujisaka Online Editor Since 3000 B.C. when the first case of cancer was reported, cancer has evolved significantly and a cure still remains a medical mystery. What most teenagers at Carlmont don’t know is that some of their own have lost family members to cancer, while a few of them have been diagnosed with cancer themselves, and the impact cancer makes on students.

Recently, Louisi “K.C.” Harnish-Palavi, a Carlmont Academy student, was the latest case of cancer amongst Carlmont students who was diagnosed a few weeks ago with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, a form of nasal cancer.

“After work one night my mom told me that my doctor called and that I had cancer,” Harnish-Palavi described. “I just sat there in shock; not believing that it was real.”

According to the Office of National Statistics with statistics analysed by Dr. Robert Alston, Professor Jillian Birch and Professor Tim Eden, one in 312 males and one in 361 females will be diagnosed with a form of cancer before the age of 20.

As a result, Harnish-Palavi will soon be receiving treatment and is no longer attending Carlmont, but she is not alone.

“I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgins T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (also known as NHL) in the summer after my freshman year,” stated Nathan Galicia, another Carlmont student. “I was in disbelief because I just finished my freshman year...and I participated in a bunch of martial arts competitions and was perfectly fine. It was such a life-changing moment.”

TeensLivingWithCancer.org reports that, “NHL accounts for about 8% of all teen cancers each year in the United States.” The website also reports that males are three times more likely than girls to get NHL. Like Galicia, Miranda Santana, a current junior at Carlmont, experienced a life-changing moment when her mother was diagnosed with cancer after her freshman year.

“My mom had CML, basically Leukemia. She told me over the phone and made sure I knew that she was going to be OK. I started bawling my eyes out,” Santana explained.

“She got sick in the summer, so...I spent everyday in the hospital with her.”

For all of these students, dealing with cancer was the hardest battle in their lives. Many forms of cancer are related to our lifestyle and teens are shaping habits they will keep, but not all are positive. There are many origins of cancer like smoking, eating processed or unhealthy foods, and too much exposure to sun.

A recent report published in Pediatrics shows that female teenagers who consume alcohol on a daily basis are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It's clear that this study shows that adolescent alcohol [drinking] drives up the risk of these preliminary benign changes in the breast," said Dr. Graham Colditz, a professor of surgery and associate director for prevention and control at the Siteman Cancer Center of Washington University School of Medicine, to the Huffington Post.

According to Cancer.net, some of the main changes in a teenager’s life after being diagnosed will be in their relationship with their family, friends, and school.

Cancer not only affects yourself, but it also changes the lifestyle of your family. As the daily routines of the family changes, some teenagers have reported that their relationships have improved between their parents and siblings.

“Some friends and family took it really hard, but I know I have a lot of support from them,” said Harnish-Palavi. “Dealing with the reality of it and thinking about all the side of effects of the treatment is hard.”

Santana agrees with Harnish-Palavi that cancer dramatically affects your lifestyle, especially after her mother passed away.

“The sacrifices I made after she died were the hardest. I really have to take care of my brother, since he was only seven [at the time]. I feel like I got jipped,” Santana explained.

“Recently, I went prom dress shopping with my friend Mary, and every girl in that store was shopping with her mom. I've always wanted to have my mom take me prom dress shopping. I started crying right there.”

Another way that cancer affect students is through school. Santana explained to us that when she started school the next school year, she was overwhelmed and her grades began to slip.

Harnish-Palavi also explained how cancer’s impacted her life. “I’ve always thought cancer was a very unfortunate thing but never thought it would be me. It's ruining all my plans that I had,” she said.

Some students have a hard time acknowledging the facts and choose to hide it, but others such as Santana decided to reach out and she meet with students who are affiliated with Carlmont’s Students Offering Support group who share similar experiences.

“After a few months, people expected me to try to get over it and I had a lot of self-destructive habits that I used to cope that never really worked.”

Santana explained that she joined Carlmont’s track team to help her release her bad endorphins and she’s currently a core-leader of the S.O.S. program and speaks to freshman classes and other schools about her experience.

“There is always hope and your mindset can improve anything and there are always people around you that can help you,” concluded Santana.

Harnish-Palavi wants other students to know that cancer’s a part of life. “Try to be happy... and also try to make the best of things and make every step count, it'll be ok in the end. Cancer is unexpected, but [is] part of life.”

STAR tests changes of three and a half hours of testing in the morning, prior to lunch. After lunch there will be three actual classes on each day.

Why cram all of the testing into one week? According to Fishtrom the schedule change was, “based on budget. Our testing budget was cut in half.”

This new one week STAR testing deal may not be that bad after all. In fact many students are taking it in a positive light.

“I think that it is better, we get more studying in for AP exams, for juniors at least,” said junior John King.

Regardless of who you are, it’s nice to get it out of the way in one week, rather than having a tedious two-week strain of mindboggling test-time.

“The state of California gives us a

continued from front

window that says we can begin STAR testing after 85% of the school year has been completed. So technically, we could start testing on April 9th. But we pushed the date back to the 23rd for more teaching time,” said Fishtrom.

The changes to the 2012 STAR test might prove to be hard to adjust to, but overall, they will make a positive impact on the school.

The truncation of the schedule will allow more time for learning in classes and will release a burden of stress from the students taking the test.

“Carlmont academics have always been taken very seriously and this could be an extension of that,” said Fishtrom.

The decision is permanent

“I would hate for the rumor to be true,” said junior Ross Goffigon. “I already had one this year that I tried to drop, but it became a clerking period.”

Fishtrom confirmed that the rumor is not true.

“If anything, sevenths are limited,” said Fishtrom Even though a student can still drop classes, they cannot have holes in their schedule, which is what happened to Goffigon this past year.

However, some schedules next year will only work with a seventh period.

“For example, incoming seniors who have AP Econ/Gov may have to take a seventh period next year, even if they have to start their day at second period or have a clerking period,” said Torres.

continued from front

Some students have expressed real concern for the new policy, like freshman Donna Ghaemi.

“I feel restricted, like my freedom of choice is kind of being taken away,” Ghaemi admitted.

Fishtrom commented that “having 400+ students waiting outside the counselors’ office at the beginning of the year is difficult, so the new policy makes the entire process much more efficient, especially when organizing classes of high demand.”

Principal Raul Zamora believes that the new policy is actually beneficial to students and staff alike.

“Since it has been applied, the new policy has allowed us to open a door to improved communication between students and us [the administration].”

Questioning the source continued from front

credible,” stated sophomore Franklin Rice.

Articles from many credible and not credible sources including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Lemon Global News, and InfoWars.com published different information of the Kony issue causing more people to become uncertain about the whole thing.

“There are many different opinions to the Kony matter,” continued Rice, “but that does not change the fact that people are unable to determine which side is more credible.”

The Kony situation is just one example of where people come to the crossroads of choosing between believing and not believing something.

“We only have three senses that can be

trusted without a doubt; touch, smell, and taste,” said Effie Demata, a freshman at Carlmont.

Studies by Harvard Medical Groups have found that people trust what they touch, smell, and taste the most because nothing in those areas can be fabricated.

Americans have been shown to be able to differentiate truth from fiction beginning at a young age. Children acquire this skill through books, movies, television, and experience in school play areas.

These skills are continuously utilized throughout our daily lives without any notice, not only do they become ingrained in the way we think but we never lose differentiating skills.

Fun Stuff

Page 13

Talk Back: How did you get asked or ask someone to prom?

I was in Tahoe with my girlfriend and I handed her the poster on the ski lift.

-Shane Reboltz

I did a scavenger hunt through San Carlos.

-Kai Haaice

I lined up four cars in a row and painted, “Will you go to prom with me?” on the windows.

-Miko Guillermo

My boyfriend just assumed I would go.

-Jackie Marcell

Horoscopes

Did you know? * Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located in two continents * Every three days a human stomach gets a new lining * The name Wendy was made up for the book “Peter Pan.” * More people are killed by donkeys than in plane crashes yearly * Scallops have approximately 100 eyes around the edge of its shell * Every second there are 418 Kit Kat fingers eaten in the world * A giraffe is able to clean its ears with its own tongue * A cat has 32 muscles in each ear * 10 million bacteria live in one gram of soil * A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes * Babe Ruth wore a cabbage leaf under is cap to keep him cool. He changed it every 2 innings * In the White House, there are 13,092 knives, forks and spoons. * 1,525,000,000 miles of telephone wire a strung across the U.S.

There was a picture of me taped on to my car from a boy.

-Rachel Cissna

Aries (March 21 - April 20): It’s time to take some

risks. Put yourself out there and try a new sport or even start a conversation with your crush. Swallowing your fears will help give you confidence and get you noticed.

Taurus (April 21 - May 21): Procrastination is your worst enemy. Don’t slack off on homework; it may be the end of the year, but it will hurt you worse than others in the long run.

Gemini

(May 22 - June 21): Sometimes your mouth can get you in trouble, so make sure you think before you speak. Taking the extra time to consider your words will avoid trouble with family and friends.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22): You will be easily

influenced this month. Make sure you consider your actions before just going with the crowd, and if you feel strongly about something, speak up.

Leo (July 23 - Aug 21): You will have success in the

near future. Try applying for a summer job or volunteering for a few hours. It will help you get where you want to go.

Virgo (Aug 22 - Sept 23): You have a need for

change this month. Try checking out some new bands or going somewhere you’ve never been. It will help you explore life and really figure out what you like.

Libra

(Sept 23 - Oct 23): Try spending more time thinking of ideas. Make sure you write them down; nothing is too absurd. Who knows, maybe you’ll become the next Steve Jobs.

Scorpio (Oct 24 - Nov 22): Your group of friends may not be that close this month. Make sure you go out together and enjoy each other’s company.

Sagittarius

(Nov 23 - Dec 22): This month is going to be hectic for you, so try to slow down and take some time for yourself. You don’t want to wear yourself out, so spend as much time as you can relaxing.

Capricorn (Dec 23 - Jan 20): Try to stay out of

the drama this month. Your emotions will over power your mind, and you may end up regretting what you do.

Aquarius

(Jan 21 - Feb 19): Your friends will have your back more than ever this month. Don’t be afraid to go to them if you need support or some advice.

Pisces (Feb 20 - March 20): Focus on your health

this month. Walking more or eating healthy will make you feel better and happier.

Sports

Page 14

Carlmont’s students succeed at Special Olympics staff writer

When many people think of the Olympics, they think of the worldwide event that takes place every two years with extravagant performances and record-breaking athletes.

However, the title of “The Olympics” has taken on a new meaning and has become personal to Carlmont.

Students from Pamela Cote’s special education class at Carlmont compete annually in the Special Olympics, which consists of a different sporting event each season. They compete in the Bowling Olympics in the fall, Basketball Olympics in the winter, and Track and Field Olympics in the spring.

These students, along with all other special needs students in the Sequoia Union High School District, are coached by Physical Education Specialist Jim Bell. Jim Bell has been coaching for over 17 years and has won various awards such as Southwest District Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year for California in 2007.

Bell comes to Cote’s class every Monday to teach the students not only sports lessons that the teachers will incorporate and practice with their students in preparaCarlmont’s Olympic basketball team-placed first while going undefeated tion for the Olympic event, but also about the importance of good values One of the main goals of the Special and sportsmanship.

Olympics is to accommodate the capacities These Olympic events include all the of all students. With the special nets other schools in the district in addition to all available for wheelchair students, this is one the surrounding schools in the area, includway in which participation is encouraged ing as far away as Pacifica. within all.

Inclusion Aid Alberto Diaz assists in In the Basketball Special Olympics which coaching the team. He said, “It feels like a took place in the winter, Carlmont’s team normal tournament. It’s good for them to not only won their division but also won play with other students, and it gets very the entire championship with an undefeated competitive. They want to win very badly season and team member Rafael Aguilar and the students were undewas awarded MVP. The students will be feated in basketball. What honored on April 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the I like about it is that they school board meeting. have a detachable basket for With the extreme success in their season, wheelchair-impaired students basketball is a favorite of many, such as that makes it reachable for senior Rai Gaurav who has participated them as well.” in these events since he was a freshman at

“My favorite sport is basketball because we work as a team and we played hard.”

Highlander File Photo

By Courtney Heatherington

Carlmont. Gaurav said, “My favorite sport is basketball, because we work as a team and we played hard. It’s one of the best ones and we’re the champions. I really enjoy it.”

Freshman Kristi Morrow said, “Basketball is my favorite too, because I’m good at three pointers and shooting.”

This is Morrow’s first year participating on Carlmont’s Special Olympic team and she looks forward to continuing throughout the rest of her high school years.

Diaz is thrilled that the program has been such a success and admires many qualities about the Special Olympics. He said, “It gets the students out to play with other students to play a friendly game, while staying competitive and learning how to congratulate the opposing team.”

“At the end of the games we give the other team high fives and all that to show them that we care,” Gaurav said.

When asked about her opinion about the Special Olympics, junior Sara Kish said, “I think everybody should have a chance to pursue their dreams and participate although it is not the real Olympics.”

Junior Lauren Reiley has attended a Special Olympics game in the past and said, “It was so much fun to watch how happy all the players were and how well they worked together as a team. It was just as exciting and interesting, if not more so, than a traditional game.”

The students are now preparing for the Track Olympics which will be held in May.

Sports

Page 15

Extraordinary athlete of the month: Elliot Surovell

By Grace Chang Staff Writer

Senior Elliot Surovell is one of the top athletes on Carlmont’s track team, having broken numerous school records and placing in PALs for three consecutive years.

Surovell’s personal records include a 49.23 second 400 meter dash, a 22.18 second 200 meter dash, and a 11.08 second 100 meter dash. He can also jump 22 inches in the long jump, and 42 inches in triple jump.

Surovell is currently the leader in CCS as well as 16th in California for the 400 meter dash.

During the offseason, Surovell trains through the summer for the Amateur Athletic Union and the Junior Olympics.

Surovell began participating in cross country during his freshman year and track and field during his sophomore year. He started running as a form of cross training for soccer and slowly began to love it.

“Track and field and cross country are amazing sports, and I am disappointed that I didn’t start running them earlier,” said Surovell.

As this year’s co-captain of the track and field team, Surovell believes that it is his position to be a leader and teach the underclassmen discipline and form

Having also been featured in both the San Mateo County Times and Mercury News, Surovell is commonly referred to as one of the top athletes at Carlmont.

The proudest moment he has had in his running career was during last year’s meet against Westmoor for the 4x400.

“Even though Carlmont lost, the race was extremely close and exhilarating for me to both run and watch,” said Surovell.

Track and field coach Brent Cottong, who has worked with Surovell for several years, believes that he will become very successful in college track.

“Every year or so, one, at most two athletes stand out among their teammates.

This rare athlete wants to excel, wants to be their best, and is willing to put in the time and workload to do it. Elliot was this year’s standout. I’ve found Elliot enjoyable to work with; he is coachable and follows directions well. Elliot is also team-driven and wants his team to also do well,” said Cottong.

Along with his supportive coaches, Elliot’s teammates are always cheering him on.

Teammate Franklin Rice who is hopeful in following Elliot’s footsteps said, “As a teammate he has given me someone to train with. Always seeing him ahead of me in

training gives me the motivation to run faster and train harder with the hope of catching him.”

Teammate Alex Kumamoto said “he’s a good teammate, he definitely inspires confidence in our team as a whole, and he can always be counted on to perform ridiculously well.”

Outside of running, Surovell enjoys playing soccer and shooting pool.

Though he no longer plays soccer competitively in order to focus on running, he still enjoys playing for fun.

Besides being a great athlete, Surovell is also a good student; having a 3.2 GPA he plans on going to American University or Georgetown University.

In the future, Surovell hopes to continue running in college and perhaps even make it to the Olympics.

Photo by Grace Chang

Carlmont students ‘Dash for Dollars’

By Sabrina Leung Staff Writer Carlmont’s Student Academic Foundation, also known as CSAF, will be hosting its first Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m. at Carlmont’s track.

The “Dash for Dollars” event is open to all students, families, community members, faculty, and alumni. The event will feature a five kilometer race for runners and five kilometer walk/jog for everyone else.

Prizes will be awarded for the fastest runners in various age categories, fund raising winners, and team spirits. Besides running, participants will also receive a free T-shirt, pizza lunch, and enjoy music and random prize drawings.

“We decided to do this because we thought it would raise the most money for our school. I’m looking forward to raising $10,000 for Carlmont and having fun while we do it. We already have some very generous donors that are kicking off

who were committed to enriching the educational program of Carlmont.

This year, Gianna Dimick and Lauren Denney formed the Carlmont Student Academic Foundation (CSAF). The goal of the club is to help Carlmont earn money and support the funds that the school no longer receives from the government. The club also hopes to help the CAF reach its goal of raising $500,000 for Carlmont this year.

“We started this club at Carlmont because we thought it was time that the students step up and help the school,” stated Denny. “Our school has had a lot Photo by Barbara Tallent of budget cuts due to the California state our fund raising but are hoping for more,” budget issues and we are just trying to help stated junior Lauren Denney, cofounder of out, so we can still have smaller classes, the CSAF. art programs, clubs, and supplies for our The Carlmont Academic Foundation was classrooms and labs.” founded in 1995 by a group of volunteers

As of Feb. 28, the CAF grants of over $100,000 have been distributed for the 2011-2012 school year. The grants has allowed Carlmont to maintain smaller class sizes, classroom instructional materials, after-school tutoring, Biotech equipment, and school organizations such as Mock Trial, AVID, and Sojourn to the Past.

Besides fund raising, CSAF also helps plan some school activities.

“This is our first event but fund raising isn’t our only focus. We have held a Thanka-Thon where we called all CAF donors and let them know that their donations have really helped. We also give tours to alumni when they are on campus,” said Denney.

All the money earned from the “Dash of Dollars” events proceeds funds of on-going CAF goals. Some goals includes funds for basic instructional materials, grants for teachers and students, college guidance, and Naviance.

“We hope to have community members, parents, Carlmont students, and middle and elementary school students participate.

The more people that come and have a good time, the better for Carlmont,” said Denney.

Interested participants can register online or make a donation at www.carlmontacademicfoundation.org. Registration fees for kids ages K-12 are $20 and adults are $25. (originally appeared on scotscoop.com)

That

AWKWARD

of ns o i ct s olle udent c e r st The mont l Car

WHEN

MOMENT ...you run out of toilet paper

...your parents discipline you in front of your friends

... you wave to a person and someone else thinks you’re waving to them

...you catch someone dancing to “I’m sexy and I know it” ...you buy the wrong sized clothing.

Photos by Shannon Chang and Carly Bertolozzi