the
HIGHLANDER Advances in technology will change our lives pg 5&6
Spreading awareness about sexual harassment pg 12&13
Carlmont’s Latinos overcoming racial stereotypes pg 24
March 2015 Vol VI Issue VI
www.scotscoop.com @scotscoopnews
Chronic illness hangs over head
Some students have added stress at home Jessica Adair Copy Editor Imagine having to go to school for eight hours a day, all the while worrying about whether your family member is going to die. School can be difficult enough with balancing homework, sleep, and extracurricular activities, but add a family member with a life-threatening illness and everything is taken to a whole other level of difficulty. This is what it was like for senior Hannah Riley, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. “I woke up and saw my mom crying on the phone in the living room. I went up to her after she hung up the phone and asked her what was wrong. She was crying really hard, but I could just barely hear her say, ‘I have breast cancer,’” said Riley. Riley was scared and confused. It was just her and her mom who lived together, and she was facing additional problems at school as well. “It was so difficult. I was being bullied at school because I always wore my mom’s jacket. You could say that I wasn’t really supported at school. I didn’t really have any friends at the time and I remember my teacher was good, but she wasn’t really anything more than a teacher,” said Riley. Although she is still being monitored, Riley’s mother is now cancer-free. “It was all so hard and terrifying to go through, and I still think about it, but we got through it and we’re still here today,” said Riley. Like Riley, Mackenna Galicia, senior, also found out news that drastically changed her life at school and at home. Her brother, who was in his freshmen year of high school, had a lump on his neck that had not gone away for awhile. After he visited the doctor and took some blood tests, he found out he had cancer. “They discovered that he had Non-Hodgkin’s T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. I was initially shocked. I thought my brother was going to die because we just had another family member pass away from cancer around the same time,” said Galicia. Two months after his diagnosis, he was in remission, but had to continue chemotherapy and other treatments for two more years. During this time, Galicia felt confused and alone. “I didn’t know what to expect because everything happened so suddenly. I felt neglected because my parents were always at the hospital. It forced me to mature and grow up quickly,” said Galicia. Even though Galicia was anxious during the whole process, her brother always assured her that everything was going to be fine. “My brother made it easy for me because he was alway positive and optimistic to get back to school and be a regular teenager again. It really motivated me to keep me going and I knew that it would be okay,” said Galicia. Galicia also received a strong support system at school. “I tried to live as normal of a life as possible. I was so lucky to have such understanding friends and teachers, which allowed me to keep a balanced schedule,” said Galicia. Galicia and Riley’s struggles shed light on how difficult it is to balance being a student and taking care of a sick loved-one. And depending on the support system at school, life can be made easier for the student or much harder. A huge part of the support system at school comes from teachers, but sometimes teachers are unaware of the situation. “Sometimes I have no idea what’s going on. I had one stu-
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FEATURES
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The Highlander
March 2015
Modern dating: from eye contact to iPhones Anya Meredith Staff Writer
You want to plan a date with your boyfriend or girlfriend, but you just got your phone and social media taken away. Panic sets in. How do you communicate with them? How did relationships survive before smart phones? Can you imagine only being able to talk to them face to face? Technology has affected people’s relationships over the years making it easier for some to talk through the screen rather than face to face. According to the website Pew Research, about 16 million Americans who are in a marriage or committed relationship say they met their significant other online. Dating apps like Tinder and Zoosk have changed the way people meet each other, while text messaging, Instagram, and Facebook can help keep relationships alive. Some relationships start through technology. This was the case for sophomores Maya Paulo and Jason Jung. “We knew we both liked each other, but we didn’t start talking until I texted him about some-
thing he tweeted,” said Paulo. Even though they started talking through social media, Paulo does not think that technology is necessary for relationships to last. “People have done it [have a relationship] before this generation. Also, without texting or anything, there would be more to talk about since we wouldn’t be talking throughout the day through our phones,” said Paulo. Technology also affects Jung’s relationships. “I can imagine having a relationship without technology, but it would be hard because we wouldn’t be able to talk as much,” said Jung. While texting has made dating more accessible for some couples, it has also more complex for others in this generation. “I think texting is both good and bad in relationships. It’s good because I can text about my day with him [Jung] after school and interact with him over social media, but it’s bad because it can be hard to interpret emotions through the phone, and conversations can get boring over text. I find it a lot easier to be myself in person rather than over text,” said Paulo. Unlike Paulo, Jung believes that technology can have a more posi-
tive impact on relationships. “I feel like I can express myself more freely on Twitter and Instagram than in person,” said Jung. Technology has become a necessary component in sophomore Caroline Concilla’s dating life. Concilla’s boyfriend goes to a different high school, so it is harder for them to communicate face to face on a daily basis. “We can only see each other on weekends, so on weekdays we communicate a lot through the phone. We text each other, Snapchat, and use Facetime. I really like using Facetime because we can have normal conversations and see each other,” said Concilla. In the past, relationships like this, or long distance relationships, would not have survived nearly as easily. History teacher Linda Garvey, shared how technology influenced her relationships in the past. “If you were unfortunate enough to have your boyfriend move away, that was pretty much the end of your relationship. My high school boyfriend went to the University of Alaska, and I attended University of California, Irvine. I remember hoarding my quarters for weeks, just so I could go the pay phone at the ‘commons’
LILA SCHULMAN
Many relationships this generation are influenced by technology’s affect on the couple’s everyday lives. to call him. I think we lasted until Christmas. Today, I think it’s a lot easier to keep up a long distance relationship, with texting, email, and Skype,” said Garvey. Garvey described how differently technology impacted relationships when she would date. “Without social media, dating apps like Tinder, or sites like OK Cupid, you had to rely on meeting people through school, or later on through work, mutual friends, or some kind of shared activity. Based on what I can tell from talking to kids who
have used sites like OK Cupid, it seems like today you can find out ahead of time whether you’ll be somewhat compatible. Since my generation didn’t have those kind of ‘tools’, we’d just go out with different people and after a few dates decide if we were a ‘match,’”said Garvey. Paulo gave advice for people dating in the future. “I think that every once in a while, people should look up from their Facebook and try talking to their partner face to face,” said Paulo.
‘Fear of missing out’ strikes concern in teen lives Alisa Takahashi Staff Writer
Tori Hall
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Senior
I try to get as much homework done as I can every night, so I can hang with my friends. I make out a schedule for something I really want to do, like going to a dance or a concert.
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Nicole Dabir
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Sophomore
I always check social media to see what’s going on; a lot of the time on Instagram, things will pop up on the popular page to tell me what people are doing. LILA SCHULMAN
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It’s a decent, normal Sunday morning. Everything’s fine- in fact, everything is really good. You binge-watched your favorite show on Netflix and you got to sleep in really late. Per usual, you reach for your phone and start scrolling through Instagram, warm and cozy in your bed. You are content. You are happy. And then it hits you. A picture of a bunch of people you know, hanging out together. People are dressed to kill and posing for the camera. They look like they’re having way too much fun. Where even are they. You weren’t invited. And now, even though you were okay with enjoying your own company last night, you feel completely crushed. You’re hurt you weren’t invited, scared of the slightest possibility that you missed out on the hangout of the year. You feel forgotten and now you realize, staying in and not going out last night was a grave social mistake. This horrible feeling you’re experiencing is called FOMO. FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” It’s a newly named social anxiety phenomenon that has been increasingly diagnosed among teenagers worldwide. FOMO encompasses so many things. It’s the feeling that you must attend a particular party, even though you’d much rather stay home, because what if this party is the most fun party of the entire year, where so much happens that everyone talks of nothing else for months? FOMO is being on the outside of an inside joke your friends haven’t stopped laughing about for the last two weeks. FOMO is being sure that everyone else is having more fun than you, that everyone is being more social than you, and that every-
one is having a better life than you. It’s a black hole of darkness and negativity that is captured by a handy acronym that neatly encompasses a huge range of emotions, including feeling left out, envious, hurt, anxious, angry, and unconfident. “I feel like I’m missing something when I don’t have my phone with me. I get anxious, and I feel like I’m going to miss someone’s post on Instagram or a text message,” said freshman Hazel Lam. A news survey conducted by MyLife. com of 21,000 people ages 16 to 34 revealed 76 percent of people are afraid of missing out on events, news and important status updates if they are away from social networks. For those who get happiness and energy from being social, this is a very real diagnosis that can easily cause distractions. It’s a modern syndrome for our communications-obsessed age. In a world where we are connected online and through social media, FOMO has become increasingly easier to get and receive. “I’ve definitely felt regret or jealousy when I see pictures of my friends hanging out without me, and sometimes it bothers me to a point where I can’t look at the pictures anymore,” said junior Alex Singer. In a series of studies published in 2013 by University of Essex’s Dr. Andrew Przybylski created a “Fear of Missing Out scale” to measure individual inclinations toward FOMO. What he found was that those at the upper end of the FOMO scale tended to be younger and report lower mood and lower life satisfaction. “Social media engagement presents a high-efficiency path for those who are oriented toward a continual connection with what is going on. There is good reason then to expect that those who are high in fear of missing out gravitate toward social media,”
said Pryzbylski. Sufferers of FOMO were more likely to check their phones as soon as they woke up in the morning, right before they went to bed and, while they were driving. The good news is that once the feelings of FOMO are recognized, they can be reversed and spun in a positive direction. Phones don’t need to be turned off, and social media platforms don’t need to be deleted. Doing so could even up the FOMO factor as imagination runs wild with the fantastic things people might be doing. “If you find yourself comparing yourself to others, feeling jealous or behind in life, remember that there is absolutely no reason why you cannot have those things, too, other than the thought that you can’t. And that’s all it is -- literally just a thought,” said Pryzbylski. It’s okay to miss some things so you can experience others, like health and success and the enjoyment of your own company. So how do you get over FOMO? The beauty of social networks is the ability to broadcast life in the best way possible. The “in-between not so good days” are never posted pictures of, only the “look-atme’s.” A picture is just a moment that is staged, posed, and captioned to seem a certain way, which is something we often forget. According to psychologist Dr. Tim Otis of the University of Wisconsin, the cure is living in the moment. “Count your blessings today. Find satisfaction in the little things. And post about those things, not the big events all the time. The most powerful form of medication for FOMO is being honest with yourself and your situation and most importantly, enjoying what you have right now,” Otis says. “Who would pass up an opportunity for a movie night with popcorn anyways?” said Lam.
FEATURES
March 2015
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The Highlander
Best friends forever, or just until college? Ivy Nguyen Staff Writer
TALK BACK
How do you feel about leaving high school friends?
Miraii Ishii
Liam Young
Matthew Irwin
Sophomore
Senior
Sophomore
I moved around so many times that I know that I will make new friends somewhere. If you don’t move, you miss the opportunity to meet other people.
I’m staying relatively local, so it won’t be too hard to stay in touch with the people I actually care about. For me, leaving won’t be that hard.
It sucks but it’s part of life. I’ve talked to a couple of my friends who are leaving and we still plan to stay in touch. It’s difficult when they are not in the state.
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connection with someone as your lives are changing, you'll find a way.” Andy Ramroth, the AP Calculus teacher who married his high school sweetheart Karen Ramroth, the AP Government/ Economics teacher, said, “My wife and I were extremely lucky in that we went from high school to college to graduate school together. We never had to do long distance. We did not intend to go
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Friendship is something essential to cherish and develop, no matter what stage of life you are in. Sometimes these friendships stay intact, while others end. It may seem like you and your friends will stay together forever, but in reality, it’s difficult to keep high school friendships alive in college. Most people cut ties or find it difficult to keep in touch and drift apart. During high school, friendships are neatly packaged, in that those who have the same class are more likely to get closer. After high school, however, kids become adults, and they all walk different paths. Some go to college, some go straight to work, and others take off time to travel. Distance and change can be obstacles in determining whether a friendship will last, but overcoming these factors is possible in some cases. Senior Amber Governale said, “I think it's all about the amount of effort people are willing to put into the relationship. For my friend Marco and me, I'm not worried about our friendship fading away. I think naturally we will still be in contact and update each other on our lives, whether that's through calls, Skype, or writing. We will definitely be spending time together on our breaks after college, but for the time in between, although we can't talk as often, I don't imagine that we would forget about our friendship. If you truly want to keep a
ADRIANA RAMIREZ
to the same college together, but we lucked out.” According to a poll of 150 students conducted by Carlmont Journalism, approximately 81 percent of respondents answered that they will use a combination of social media, visiting each other, and texting to continue their friendships after high school. For some, the transition from high school to college provides a way to start anew and quietly end
friendships by smoothly growing apart. With friends who may not be all that close, they can be comfortable with letting go and moving on; after all, college should be a period of change. Senior Isa Zwass said, “There are people that I've befriended in high school that I just don't see any future with or really have any interest in staying close to them. Going away to college will be a new chapter of life, and I just
don't see them being there.” According to the same poll, 67 percent of the respondents said that they have friends that they don’t like, and 78 percent said that they plan on leaving some relationships and friendships once they finish high school. In reality, the number of people who lose touch with their high school friendships might be much higher. There are people who want to keep their friendships, but change might be better for them in order to mature and grow without being attached to people who are emotionally apart or physically far away. “As far as keeping or dropping friends goes, I don't think many people consciously decide. It will just happen as you see each other less and less. However, this is the perfect time to take a step back and see who really matters to you and who is bringing you down. You can keep those you care about close and leave behind those who aren't really friends,” said Governale. Ramroth said that years after high school, he regretted not staying close with certain friends,. "I think you should keep as many friendships as you can. There are so many ways to keep in touch with people. I didn’t do a great job with that after high school, and I regret it. One of the crummy parts of the human experience is losing touch with friends over time. It happens to everybody. There are always, however, active measures you can take to keep people in your life," said Ramroth.
Finding a spotlight in the high school crowd Miranda Irwin Staff Writer
High school can be an overwhelming time in the lives of students. With so many activities going on, where can students find time to fit themselves into their schedules? Discovering interests in specific subjects or fields is valuable when continuing into college. Toward the end of students’ high school careers, many will go off to college to receive a higher education and hopefully learn how to have a successful career in the subject of their choice. “Over the years, I have discovered that I prefer subjects like literature and arts that make you reflect and think more than subjects like math or science,” said senior Pierre Llorach. Sports are also a relevant aspect in many students’ high school lives. Whether it is participating in sports at school or with a separate club team, spending a few hours exercising often helps students take their minds off of the stressful aspects of their lives. “Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning and judgement skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and may help you sleep better,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under a section called Physical Activity and Health. “Each year I do three sports. I have found that participating in sports helps me
destress and think more clearly, even after I’m done exercising and have moved on to homework. Most of my friends also come from my sports teams. It is nice to be able to let some stress out for a few hours with close friends,” said senior Chelsea Sesma. Participating in physical activity not only comes with the benefit of de-stressing, however. Being a part of a team can teach people about friendship, teamwork, leadership and the capability to work hard both mentally and physically. “Being one of the few girls with prior experience when the girls lacrosse team was introduced last year, I often found myself acting as a leader for the team. Before I started doing lacrosse and participating in other sports I had low confidence. But after practicing with the lacrosse team and acting as a leader I gained more confidence in myself not only on the field but in my daily life as well,” said sophomore Caroline Concilla. In addition to discovering their interests, most students gain a good sense of what kinds of relationships they want with their friends, and what kinds of individuals they like to surround themselves with. “Throughout high school, I’ve generally stuck to my friends that I’ve made through sports. It has definitely been a good group to stay friends with, but I do wish I took the time to meet more people,” said Sesma. One place many students find new
ANYA MEREDITH
Junior Kiana Edwards performs traditional hula from her Hawaiian roots at the 2015 Heritage Fair. friendships is in Carlmont’s arts programs such as dance, choir, drama or band. For some, the arts create opportunities for individuals to meet new people and express themselves and further develop as individuals. “Being in arts programs such as choir is really fun. It gives you time to take a break from the rest of school and focus on music which is so important because music is everywhere. As relaxing as a class period of choir can be, it can also be challenging be-
cause learning to read music is like learning a new language,” said Llorach. Getting involved in clubs, arts, sports and a variety of classes are all ways that students can discover their interests, express themselves, relieve stress and further develop as individuals. “High school is a time where people want to find themselves. Being open to experiences in high school is something that I have found to be really beneficial and important to me,” said Llorach.
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FEATURES
March 2015
It’s getting chilly in here: cryotherapy benefits Lara Ostroff Staff Writer
Imagine countless beauty, health, and wellness benefits, all for the low price of $90. The only catch? Spending three minutes in a sub zero chamber dropping to temperatures of minus 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Whole body cryotherapy is a therapeutic procedure which exposes the body to sub zero temperatures to decrease inflammation, increase cellular survival, decrease pain and spasms, and promote overall health. Kryolife, a health and wellness company that specializes in whole body cryotherapy, said that they take a holistic yet modern view of health and wellness. The company stated that their “hypercooling treatment improves skin tone, reduces signs of aging, manages pain, lowers inflammation, improves athletic performance and can mitigate depression.” “I think that whole body cryotherapy sounds like a really cool and innovative process,” said senior Tori Hall. “Exposing yourself to minus 240 degrees Fahrenheit sounds kind of scary, but if it’s a successful method of treatment and not too dangerous I think spending three minutes in the chamber would be worth it,” said Hall. If people are willing to shoot lasers into their eyes to improve vision, spending three minutes in a sub zero chamber for numerous health benefits doesn’t sound so extreme. Gold medalist Usain Bolt used a mobile, single-person cryosauna at the 2012 London Olympics to relieve his pain from a back injury. “It sounds a little extreme, but some people are willing to do a lot for beauty,” said
senior Andrew Wach. “I could definitely understand why someone would do it.” Whole body cryotherapy was first developed in Japan in the 1970s for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Since then, the practice has not only globally expanded, but numerous health benefits are becoming more apparent. Cryotherapy chambers freeze the face and body, which then causes blood vessels to widen and allow more oxygen to reach the cells. The practice kick-starts the body’s healing process, and speeds up the removal of toxins. The sub zero temperatures enhance the natural production of collagen, which can be used to treat acne, eczema, aging, and cellulite. A session in a cryochamber can also boost metabolism, relieve pain from joint disorders, decrease muscle soreness, and speed up the recovery process from the stress of sports. Despite the fact that cryosaunas and cryochambers are safe, many people still have doubts about cryotherapy. “No thank you,” said senior Morgan Manter. “I think that the low temperatures that the cryotherapy chambers reach can have a negative impact on the human body because it alters the body temperature that is required for vital organs to function,” said Manter. In 2011, Doctor Mehmet Oz, host of The Dr. Oz Show, did an episode on cryogenic chamber therapy. In the episode, Oz concluded that this “extreme alternative therapy” would be helpful. “New expanding forms of cold therapy can be very helpful for folks who have debilitating pain and inflammation,” said Oz. According to Beauty World News,
ADRIANA RAMIREZ
“Cryotherapy is rapidly becoming one of the coolest non-invasive treatments around.” In many European countries, cryotherapy sessions are covered by medical insurance, but in the United States cryotherapy is considered a non-wellness treatment, and health insurance does not cover the services. “Health care for everyone!” said senior Kaelen Ghandi. “I think the United States should cover it.” Cryotherapy became increasingly popular among celebrities and athletes who wished to take advantage of its dietary and healing benefits. Maria Menounos said, “Cryotherapy
helped me so much that I decided ‘Why not bring everyone from Dancing with the Stars here?’” “I would do [cryotherapy] everyday, for the rest of my life,” said professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, known for his position on Dancing with the Stars. Even professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly installed his own cryosauna into his home. “Everyone is entitled to do what they wish with their own bodies, so if cryotherapy delivers the satisfaction they were looking for, good for them,” said Manter. Cryotherapy has yet to be tested or approved by the FDA and any other government agencies.
Adventure is out there...if you know where to look for it Danielle Hamer Staff Writer
Climbing up the Eiffel Tower, snorkeling on the Hawaiian shore, skiing in the Alps. There are so many crevices of the world just waiting to be explored by travelers. “The older you get, the more life ties you down and prevents you from traveling,” said senior Nicole Dermenjian. “I think it is important for young adults to have experiences beyond their hometowns to give a new perspective on life.” What prevents most people from enjoying far away cultural experiences is money. Airfare, hotels, and sightseeing become more expensive as travel companies take advantage of unknowing tourists. Senior Julia Semmler said, “I went to London with my family, and everything cost so much. Travelers, especially those who want the ‘whole experience’ in a few weeks must pay for everything. It all adds up.” In school and beyond, many young adults hope to learn about cultural experiences and traditions by seeing new countries. With little money and possibly college debt, how will traveling always have an open door? With a small dose of optimism and a large helping of research, experiencing the world can be possible at all stages of life -even if pennies are tight. Naturally, concessions must be made. Sometimes we forget that traveling is not all about four star hotels and dining in the restaurant that your guidebook insisted you go to.
ADRIANA RAMIREZ
Traveling with the family can be chaotic, but when Mom and Dad are paying for the food and hotels, you’re in good hands. According to the Matador Network, “The simple joy of being in a new place is just a matter of going someplace new. No tour package required.” While this approach isn’t easy to accept for some, experiencing culture and new things in this simple -- and cheap-- way is efficient in many ways. If your travel companions- be them family, friends, or an organized group-- know that hotel prices are simply not able to be met, have no fear. Many people in foreign countries are willing to open their homes to travelers. Youth community service groups like Amigos de las Americas use this tactic. Senior Pierre Llorach, who traveled with an Amigos tour last summer, said, “I went to Ecuador for two months, where I taught
leadership skills to children and created a business in an indigenous community. We stayed with host families, who showed us around their city. Not only did this take away part of the cost of being there, they helped us to experience the mountains and other amazing features of Ecuador.” Amigos and similar youth traveling associations also use fundraising and scholarships to allow young travelers to afford the cost of the trip. Llorach said, “Some people who traveled with us had no money to spend at all. They were able to receive a free trip by blogging for the Amigos website, and selling items to pay off the cost.” Worried about not being able to afford tours of museums, landmarks, and famous sights?
Certain countries are better for traveling on a budget than others. While the notoriously expensive European destinations may be on your bucket list, they will still be there when you have a higher paying job. All countries have something exciting to offer -- research and pick those that are affordable when you do travel. A recent article in the Huffington Post recorded certain countries where travelers can get the most bang for their buck--or yen-- in 2015. Japan, Russia, Argentina, and Australia are among a list of exciting countries that have recently become more travel friendly. For example, “Argentina’s weak currency” compared to the climbing US dollar has made purchasing vacations and goods quite affordable for Americans. Australia’s airlines have recently lowered prices of the airlines going to and from America. Being open to cheaper countries that you may not have even heard of is not necessarily simple when planning a ‘dream vacation’, but by making an effort to meet the locals, learn a little of the language, and roam city streets, (all free activities) unique and unimaginable experiences await. While you may want to travel now, or in two years, or in a few decades from now, researching, taking advantage, and being aware of progressingly cheap accommodations in certain countries can make a huge difference. “No tour package required”-- a simple philosophy that can aid any traveler on their way to exciting new experiences.
FEATURES
March 2015
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The Highlander
Can relationships survive graduation? Minh-Han Vu & Elena Mateus Staff Writers
Caps, gowns, and emotional goodbyes are all a part of graduation: a time when a big chapter of students’ lives come to a close. For some seniors, however, graduation marks more than just the end of high school; it also marks the end of a relationship. Senior Elise Dimick, who is currently in a relationship, said, “My partner and I are planning to break up after graduation so that we have some time apart before I go to school.” Dimick continued, “We don’t plan for there to be a cold separation, just some time to get used to being apart. We still want to interact and hang out over the summer, but as friends instead of as an official couple.” Dimick is not alone in her decision; according to the website Classmates, 60 percent of high school students plan to break up with their significant other when they leave for college. For senior Emma Lin, breaking up is ultimately an attempt to avoid drawn out feelings: “Making the transition into college can be hard, and trying to keep a relationship alive at the same time can make things even harder. I think breaking up allows both parties to move forward without anything holding them back from the past.”
The mentality that continuing a relationship past high school is unrealistic is not unsubstantiated. According to the Pew Research Center, only 15 percent of high school relationships last through college. Dimick said, “I’ve heard from friends that long-distance relationships bring more pain than benefit, so my partner and I both thought that summer would be a good time to end things before I left for college. It would give us time to adjust to my being gone.” Some couples have yet to make the decision for the future of their relationship. Junior Jacob Segal, who is currently in a relationship with a senior, said, “I’m approaching things with a ‘live in the moment’ sort of attitude, so I think we’ll deal with things once we absolutely have to.” For many of those still deciding, distance will be a major factor in their final decision. Senior Nico Camerino said, “As of right now, my girlfriend and I plan to stay together when we leave for college, but distance does play a big factor in our decision. Luckily, my girlfriend and I are most likely staying in state, so it probably won’t be a problem for us.” Camerino added, “If we somehow end up separated by thousands of miles, personally, I don’t think I’d be as happy, but if she wanted to make that work, I would definitely still give it a shot.” At most, 2 percent of married couples started dating in
high school, according to Pew Research Center. Despite these odds, there are many seniors who still hope to continue their relationships well past high school. Junior Garrett Lockhart said, “I know a lot of people who trust themselves and their partners enough to feel confident in continuing their relationships. There’s no guarantee that they will last, but I think that even just a small chance of success makes the struggle to stay together worth it.” Out of the couples who decide to try a long distance relationship, some may find themselves wanting out of the relationship once they assimilate into college life. Thanksgiving break is the first time that students leave the college life that they got used to for the once-normal life at home. It is also the first break in the school year that allows lovers to reunite in person. Often referred to as the “Turkey Dump,” some students find this break to be an appropriate time to cut things off. Regardless of discouraging statistics, successful high school sweethearts do exist. Among them are Carlmont Math teacher Andrew Ramroth and Social Studies teacher Karen Ramroth, who began dating in high school. Ramroth said, “I think keeping high school sweethearts is definitely a viable option. My wife and I did it. My sister did it. If two people in high school want to stay together, then stay together. If there is never a time at which one wants to break up with the other, then don’t break up.”
TALK BACK What do you think about high school relationships after graduation?
Emilie Andersson
Megan Guillermo
Andy Ramroth
Senior
Senior
Senior
Math Teacher
Business Manager Kristen Friis Online Shira Stein Copy Editor Jessica Adair
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Editor in Chief Ashley Kawakami
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I think it really depends on how the relationship works out. If the people are good to each other, trust one another, and do care about the other person, then I think it’s worth it to try and keep it going.
Editors Michael Bastaki Sarah Boro Alyssa Fagel Dominic Gialdini Claudia Leist Kimiko Okumura Karissa Tom Zoe Wildman
Art and Graphics Naomi Asirir Minh-Han Vu Art Director Veronika Dvorakova Adrianna Ramirez Lila Schulman
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I think it’s hard to keep a relationship, especially if where the person is going to college is far away from you. I think it’s easier to have an open relationship and not be committed to each other while you’re in college.
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I think that relationships you had in high school need to probably end, so you can go onto new things, and grow as a person before you set yourself on a relationship, that you may have developed when you were younger.
The Highlander
Junior Editors Avery Adams Aria Frangos Megan Tao Sophie Haddad Kelly Song
Faculty Advisor Justin Raisner
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I really like high school relationships. Every high school relationship I ever had resulted in a marriage. High school relationships are fun and exciting, and despite some of the negatives, they’re a positive experience. LILA SCHULMAN
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Elias Sebti
Staff Writers
Ayesha Abbasi Arianna Bayangos Brooke Buckley Angelina Castillo Holly Chen Andrew Cross Evan Davies Becca Fradkin Karen Gao Becca Garner
Ravina Gujral Danielle Hamer Mia Hogan Miranda Irwin Kian Karamdashti Bijan Khalili Victor Li Colley Loum Elena Mateus Anya Meredith
Jocelyn Moran Mateen Nozzari Lara Ostroff Sonia Paulo Kiera Pendleton Justine Phipps Kat Savin Sarah Schisla Gianna Schuster Marco Sevilla
Victoria Shanefelter Taran Sun Alisa Takahashi Lauren Tierney Stuart Vickery Ethan Wong Hana Wong Connie Yi Hannah Young
The mission of The Highlander is to accurately and honestly cover community and school events. As a student run open forum newspaper, we strive to incorporate multiple views and represent the diverse community at Carlmont.
FEATURES
Page 6
The Highlander
March 2015
paper to tablet: Is it worth it? Ethan Wong Staff Writer “Okay class, please take out your tablet and turn to page 22 in your electronic textbook,” said the teacher. Yet only a couple of students are really paying attention, as most are already distracted playing games, watching videos on Youtube, and searching up things on Safari. The teacher is now frustrated, and does not know what to do to get the attention of her students. “I feel frustrated and a little disappointed when students are distracted in class by electronics because I think it’s a privilege that we allow students to use technology in class,” said Chinese teacher Mindy Chiang. “As for switching to tablets in the classroom, I can’t speak for the entire campus, but the chromebooks are enough for my students right now, and I don’t think they need anymore.” Replacing textbooks and paper with tablets is becoming more common in this era, espe-
cially in private schools that can afford such a change. The question is, are the tablets worth all the effort and money? “I think it’s useful to have a tablet because you can type up assignments at school and be more organized. It would also save paper,” said sophomore Adrienne Chin. “However, I definitely know that a lot of people would get distracted from the electronics and be less productive. Establishing tablets within every classroom would be a challenging feat, taking lots of time and money. The school would have to spend over five times the annual cost on paper to provide tablets for each student. Menlo High School junior Melissa Tran said, “Every student in my school has a tablet. It’s fairly nice and organized, and you only have to carry your tablet around. But it’s hard to maintain because different teachers require different things so you can never really have everything in one place. I prefer using paper most of the
time since I can draw and/or write anything I need to help me. After a while, it gets hard to find things on your tiny tablet.” It is a certainty that if given a tablet for class usage, there will be some students that will take advantage of the tablets and electronics and abuse their privileges. Junior Matthew Hong said, “Tablets can easily harm a classroom environment because it can be very distracting and some students would mess around on them.” In our modern world, people - especially teenagers and young adults - have become too dependent on technology. Hong said, “The classroom environment would probably become very anti-social if kids were staring at a tablet for a whole class period. No one would be talking to each other and just be focused on the technology.” Not only would tablets cost more money, but they would pose minor health risks. Staring at a tablet for the seven to eight hours of a school day can be detrimental to students’ and
teachers’ health. According to the American Optometric Association, handhelds contribute to Computer Vision Syndrome, which causes eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. Sophomore Brandon Wong said, “If we use tablets for every single class it would be really bad for our eyes. It’s straining to look at a screen for a couple of hours, let alone a whole day.” One of the biggest obstacles in making the change from paper to tablets is the huge cost that comes with it. According to Tablets to Textbooks implementation costs for e-textbooks on iPad tablets are 552% higher than new print textbooks in an average high school. Tran said, “I honestly don’t think that they are worth the cost. There are benefits but it is really hard to outweigh the negatives and will take a lot of discipline to make them worth the cost. A lot of my teachers do not even use the tablets often.” Maintaining technology is also difficult and some students will have issues occur with their
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Technology dependence in school Sarah Schisla Staff Writer From checking Schoolloop for homework assignments to group texting with project partners, there’s no denying that technology plays a crucial part in our school day. Some classes seem to be completely centered around technology. Junior Alex Chan said, “In Physics, we use Chromebooks and laptops to help us gather data during our labs. We also use vibration scanners to measure speed or momentum or something else. The technology makes [the class] more interactive and helps us learn.” This year, the Common Core standards for many science classes actually require students to use the Internet and share work online. Physics and Computer Science teacher Brian Ellis said, “This allows my students to be creative. Publishing work online allows students to have pictures and videos in their work. They can also have a more
authentic audience, [not limited to the teacher who grades the work or even classmates]. Technology is something that has a lot of potential.” In addition to performing experiments centered around the computers, Ellis encourages his students to use their phones for in-class activities and research. “For me, what technology provides is an opportunity to expand, connect, and allow students to be creative,” Ellis said. Many other teachers have successfully implemented technology into their classes, often to a lesser degree. One popular technology among teachers is Remind 101. This service allows teachers to send out links, homework assignments, and even reminders about upcoming tests or quizzes through text. Sophomore Campbell Soutter said, “A lot of the technology used by Carlmont teachers has proven to be really efficient, especially Remind 101. From what I’ve seen, most if not all of [the] students do have access to the notifications by way of smartphone, so it hasn’t been an issue in any of my classes. However, the success of
technology does depend on how the teacher uses it.” Many teachers have successfully implemented minor applications for technology into their course. However, incorporating technology on a larger scale can become a risk. It’s not always beneficial to all students. One example is junior Allegra Ferme, whose Biology class was taught in a “flipped classroom” setting. In the ideal flipped classroom, students watch video lectures and learn the lesson at home. They then do the corresponding homework assignments in class, where they can discuss questions with the teacher and other students. Ferme said, “The flipped classroom didn’t work for me or most of the kids in my class. The homework wasn’t accessible, and no one in the class was on the same page.” Ferme, who plays soccer, often does not get home until after 8 p.m.
Continued on pg 17 CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE
FEATURES
March 2015
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The future of artificial intelligence Hannah Young Staff Writer
own, they are still considered artificial intelligence. Although independently thinking vacuum cleaners should pose little threat in the The Terminators are here. job industry, other forms of artificial intelThis time, instead of taking on the Ar- ligence are actively replacing human emnold Schwarzenegger look, they are infil- ployees. A common example is the story of trating our daily lives in the forms of seem- Detroit, Michigan. ingly innocent self-navigating vacuum According to statistics published on The cleaners, self-driven cars, and robot jour- New York Times’ website, 296,000 citizens nalists. out of Detroits 1.85 million population They aren’t trying to terminate John worked at a manufacturing job in 1950. The Conner, they intend to terminate our jobs. development of more efficient technology, Others believe artificial intelligence will specifically artificial intelligence robots open doors of opportunity for human spe- designed for precise manufacturing jobs, cialization in the professional world. Infor- nearly destroyed the city’s economy. By mation Age’s website argues that robots are 2011, only 700,000 citizens remained, and not yet able to reproduce the type of cre- only 27,000 held manufacturing jobs. ative thinking that sets humans apart, so As a strong advocate for human intelartificial intelligence is only accomplishing ligence, Smart contemplates the economic a laborious task more efficiently for now. effect of the growth of artificial intelligence. However that doesn’t change the fact “It’s great that the robots in the auto inthat by losing your job to a far more ef- dustry can make cars faster with fewer deficient and consistent robot you are now faults, but on the other hand thousands of contributing to the 5.7 percent of unem- people are losing their jobs. We are replacployed US citizens. ing people with machines yet it is people This is exactly one of Carlmont mu- who create the economy. We have a consic teacher sumer econoLieven Smart’s my so if peoworst fears. I’m not entirely sure that we should ple are not “I’m not working that have artificial intelligence at all. I entirely sure also means that we should think it would be beneficial to have they won’t have artificial be buying computers or robots assisting but intelligence at anything beall. I think it giving them the power to do things on cause they would be ben- their own makes me feel very uneasy. won’t have eficial to have any money. computers or Our economy Lieven Smart robots assistwould crash,” Instrumental Music Teacher ing but giving said Smart. them the power to do things on their own Sophomore Peter Linde, co-founder of makes me feel very uneasy,” said Smart. the homework help website Teen Mesh, Artificial intelligence is becoming more considers the benefits of artificial intelliand more prominent in our lives today. gence when used safely. According to The Robot Report’s website, “It is quite possible to teach a machine 70,000 robotic vacuum cleaners were pur- how to figure something out for itself, like a chased in 2014. While their task is to sim- puzzle, based on what it knows already. It’s ply clean the floor and navigate on their kind of like the way we teach kids to learn,”
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MINH-HAN VU
Human intelligence and artificial intelligence have increasingly become more intertwined in many aspects of everyday life. said Linde, whose website uses artificial intelligence to filter out unwanted content. For some, artificial intelligence is a lifeline. Advances in robotic surgeries allow for minimal mistakes, precision and miniaturization. Robots are less likely to accidentally leave a cutting utensil inside the patient’s body. All About Robotic Surgery’s online page explains how robotic surgery also saves money training physicians and keeping patients hospitalized. Teachers and students are also becoming increasingly dependent on technology as it plays a larger role in education with each coming year. A report on Wired Academic’s website explained the use of DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), an artificial intelligence program used by the US Navy to train specialists, in 2013. The program adapted to the trainees needs faster and more accurately than a human expert could have. “With an artificial intelligence system as the teacher, teaching styles would be more consistent, but I don’t like the idea of taking out the human element. That’s very important to me,” said Smart, whose job as a music teacher requires the human inter-
pretation. To what extent should we rely on artificial intelligence? Sophomore Monojit Chakraborty believes in moderation. “I approve of artificial intelligence. Computers can perform calculations way faster than humans, so if you are looking for speed trust computers. But for full, accurate answers, I’d trust humans. It’s all relative to the situation,” said Chakraborty. Leading newspapers including the LA Times and The New York Times have begun to publish articles written by robots, as stated on their respective websites. Robot-journalism relies on a software to interpret data and translate it into a easily read article. Although it is useful to have an earthquake report published less than three minutes after the event, not everyone believes it is necessary. “Once machines don’t need humans anymore and are able to think for themselves, things get scary. We really don’t need that,” said Smart. Artificial intelligence might be our salvation or termination, but its existence in our lives is inevitable.
Taking education further Using computer technology Megan Tao Junior Editor Schools already utilize technology to make assignments and class content more accessible, but what about using technology to actually improve the act of learning? According to DreamBox Learning, one of the biggest impacts artificial intelligence can make in education are adaptive learning programs. Adaptive learning programs are more tailored to the individual needs of the student that they can’t find in the classroom. “I think that Carlmont’s learning program isn’t as individualized as it could be, but it’s hard because each specific student has their own speed in which they learn at and their own different ways of learning,” said freshman Kevin Xiang. “Resources like Khan Academy really help individual students because it’s a video and they can go back and rewind parts they didn’t understand.” According to the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, the transmission view, the view that knowledge can be directly transmitted to students through lectures, textbooks, and testing, is the traditional way materials are taught. The flaw within the transmission view is that students are more worried about cramming and memorizing the material rather than taking the time to actually learn and understand it. Programs like Quizlet help students memorize material and even points out certain areas where students are struggling by identifying most missed answers and providing practice tests, but it still lacks as a studying tool.
Sophomore Adrienne Chin said, “I think Quizlet is outline program is able to identify headings, subheadmore of a memorization tool, I use it for studying for root ings, topic sentences relevant facts, and bolded vocabulary words and vocabulary.” words. It also identifies specific names, art works, texts and Xiang said, “Quizlet is only useful for doing a last min- gives further information on them. ute study or cramming before a test.” “This [program] enhances the outline because we are Students can memorize all the material they want, but usually tested on specific papers and people,” said Skrenta. it still doesn’t prove that they’re understanding anything. “All the information is in an easy format to study and read.” “Understanding the concepts is the most important Along with his outlining program, Skrenta also created thing, ” said Carlmont math teacher Robert Tsuchiyama. an image recognition program that solves math problems. “Going into the in depth explanation and showing why Not only do students benefit from new revelations in arthings occur is much more effective than just giving stu- tificial intelligence in education, but teachers can too. dents a formula and plugging stuff into it.” We already use Scantrons Testing Scoring Machines for The Concord Consortium, a non-profit organization testing, allowing teachers to simply run the scantron pathat develops technologies per through the machine that for math and science, deidentifies how many quesResources like Khan Academy really tions the student got right veloped a free software that teachers can use to model help individual students, because it’s a or wrong and calculates the concepts so the students can video and they can go back and rewind score. have a more visual underHaving a flipped classparts they didn’t understand. standing. room system, like Carlmont’s Utilizing technology in AP AB Calculus class, allows Kevin Xiang education also speeds up the students to watch the lessons Freshman process of acquiring inforat home and gives teachers mation. Something as simple more time in class to go over as searching up a word online rather than looking it up in difficult content and help students with their homework. the dictionary to turning a two hour long outline into a The videos students watch at home have the same adtwo second one are just some of the ways that technology vantages as ones on Khan Academy because students can makes education more efficient. pause the video when they want more time to absorb the Sophomore David Skrenta is currently taking AP Euro- material, or rewind it when they don’t understand somepean History, but unlike other students he finishes the long thing. and tedious outlines with just a click of a button. Artificial intelligence programs will help lead our eduSkrenta has designed an artificial intelligence program cation system into a more innovative and efficient way to that creates organized and efficient outlines for him. The teach and learn.
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FEATURES
March 2015
Can birth date affect personality? Avery Adams Staff Writer
Jerry Rice was one of the best wide receivers in all of professional football. But that’s obvious; he was born in October. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, which measured stamina, strength and power, children born in autumn months, especially October and November, appeared to excel in sports activities when compared to children born in other months of the year. However, even if a child is naturally stronger than another, involvement in sports can be influenced through environmental factors. Tina Smith, Biotech and AP Biology teacher, shared her thoughts about her influence on her son Declan, who was born Nov. 16. “I am a firm believer in a combination of genetics and the environment children grow up in. I want to support [Declan] no matter what he decides to do, but I think since both us [the parents] watch and play so many sports, he’ll probably have a tendency to want to play sports just by watching,” said Smith. Some researchers suggest the incline of physical strength in autumn-babies is due to the high amount of vitamin D, a supplement that is vital to a baby’s growth and development, that is available to a mother during the end of her pregnancy, which falls in the summer when sunlight is most plentiful. “I can only control so much. I can control what I’m eating and help him be healthy in what he’s eating. Hopefully he lives in a loving environment and everything turns out well,” said Smith. Not only can physical strengths be influenced by a child’s birth month, but a study conducted by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology suggests that mood can also be affected by the time of
year the baby is born. The study reveals a higher trend in mood swings in adults born in the summer, while winter-born adults tend to have less irritable temperaments than any other time of year. Additionally, people born in the spring and summer appear to be excessively positive. According to The Telegraph’s website, assistant professor and lead researcher of this study, Xenia Gonda, points to biochemical studies to show how birth months have an influence on certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which affect long-term moods in adults. “I do know that there are a lot of studies
coming out about epigenetics, so definitely what I’m eating affects my kids, and what my parents and my grandparents ate are affecting me. I believe in the methylation of DNA [a process that controls the brain’s production of chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin], and I believe that how different parts of DNA are open and are being transcribed can affect a child and their development,” said Smith. While personality for some can be seen through their birth dates, others may be shaped by their birth order in their family. “Having an older sister really helps in school, especially when deciding what classes I should take and which teachers I should look out for. However, it’s definitely
ASHLEY KAWAKAMI
always really competitive between us, but I’m learning how to branch off of her and be my own self,” said sophomore Alexa Bayangos. The stereotype that the middle child feels neglected or that the youngest child craves the spotlight may not be accurate for all households, but the birth order of the family affects not only personality, but the choices and interests of the individuals. “I’m the youngest, and so I used to have to get dragged to my brothers’ games. I absolutely loved the soccer games, so I could not wait to play soccer. I think it definitely had an influence on me,” said Smith, whose passion for soccer continues as head coach for girls varsity soccer at Carlmont. Some researchers point toward the age cut-offs in both sports and school as a reason some children have advantages over others. Julien Chow is a junior born Dec. 16, 1997 which makes him one of the oldest 11th graders at Carlmont. “If I were born later, I might be a little different because I wouldn’t have gone through as many experiences as I have gone through. I don’t think my demeanor was solely determined by my birth, but instead based on my experiences,” said Chow. Although the time of year some people are born can be seen as setting them back, others use this as a motivation. “I definitely remember growing up, and because I was one of the youngest since my birthday is late for the school year [Aug. 27], I was a year younger than everybody. I felt like it was good for me, in terms of having to keep up with physically stronger girls in sports,” said Smith. Not one factor determines the substance of a person, but a collection of characteristics. Chow said, “There are so many variables that go into a pregnancy, but I think my environment that I grew up in and how my parents raised me have also definitely influenced how I am now.”
License to drive: students take to the road Kian Karamdashti Staff Writer
As Voltaire once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Oh, the drivers license. The plastic card that represents the key to the open road, the transition from childhood to adulthood, and your independence. Sounds amazing, right? Turns out, it’s not really that simple. “Getting a license has definitely changed my life,” said junior Roy Lin. “The day you get your license represents an open door to freedom and other opportunities. However, it is a bit more stressful than I thought it would be.” According to a poll of 150 students conducted by the Carlmont Highlander, 74 percent claimed to have received their license in their sophomore or junior years. One of the milestones included in a student’s growth through high school is the receiving of a license. With eligibility being granted the day you turn 16 years old, many students receive their licenses during their sophomore or junior year.
“For me, it was mostly out of necessity,” said senior Daryush Shahid. “Both of my parents work, so my sister used to drive me to school and back everyday. After she graduated I had to be able to drive myself. No matter what, I most likely would’ve gotten the license quickly anyway. After getting it, I was able to plan and do things on my own schedule. It’s hard to imagine wanting to postpone that.” Although many get caught up in the rush and excitement of receiving their license as soon as possible, some are not as eager to rush out of the gate. In the same poll , 15 percent of respondents said that they have not received their license yet, although they are old enough. “I’ve just been lazy,” said junior Thomas Chin. “I am younger than most of the kids in my class, but I’m still pretty late. At the time, I didn’t have the motivation to take the time out of the day to do Driver’s Ed. But now that I still have five months before I’m even eligible to get my license, I definitely regret not getting it sooner. I know kids who have already been driving for a year so it’s tough to take sometimes.” Others feel they simply don’t need a license at the cur-
rent moment. “Right now, I don’t really feel I need it,” said sophomore Ashley Wen. “I’m also a little afraid I don’t have the decision making abilities yet that are required for it.” To many, the day you get your license represents a day where your responsibilities are increased. These responsibilities include obtaining gas money, making independent decisions, and receiving trust from your parents. “I definitely understand why getting your license requires so much trust and responsibility,” said junior Isabelle de Wood. “Yes, when you first get it, you feel really free. You no longer have to rely on your parents, siblings, or whoever you use for rides, you’re the one in charge. However, that’s where the responsibility lies. You’re in charge of yourself and the consequences of messing that up can be extreme. You have to have a certain level of maturity.” The responsibilities can be overwhelming, but students are still excited for their newfound freedom. “I actually started working on getting my permit this week,” said Wen. “Although I’m acting slowly, the idea of being able to drive myself everywhere is exciting. It’ll be fun.”
March 2015
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The Highlander
Individualism among twins Kimiko Okumura Editor
Whenever Casey hears her name, it’s coupled with Becky’s. Sometimes she doesn’t even hear her own name, but rather the frustrating “other twin,” or “Becky, right? Wait, no, you’re Casey, I think.” Many have wished, at one point in their life, that they could be a twin and switch places for the day. Or maybe to find out if twins really can read each other’s minds. But people often forget that twins are more than just twins. They are two individuals. “They know me by my differences from Becky rather than seeing me as a specific person,” said junior Casey Armstrong, the identical twin of junior Becky Armstrong. From the beginning of their lives, twins like Becky and Casey often have to fight harder to find a sense of individuality. In middle school, their P.E. teacher never called them by their names, but instead referred to Becky and Casey as “Twinsie One and Twinsie Two.” In ballet class, other dancers call them “the twins.” Classmates constantly point it out when one twin receives a higher test grade than the other. For Becky and Casey, participating in the same sport, playing the same instrument and having the same group of friends cause them to frequently be looked upon as two halves of a whole. According to Science American, it was originally hypothesized that identical twins shared 100 percent of their DNA, and that their physical differences were attributed to environmental differences. However, according the National Science Foundation, numerous studies, in the past decade, found that there were discrepancies in the DNA sequencing of identical twins due to epigenetic markers. Epigenetic markers attach to parts of the DNA, and cause those specific genes to change. Jeffrey Craig, a biologist at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, found that fraternal twins have more epigenetic markers than identical twins, and identical twins tend to have similar epigenetic markers. Despite the facts explaining the similarities and differences within twins, every person is still a unique person. Scientific studies can only explain to a certain extent how and why twins act the way they do. Juniors Spencer Stewart and Chelsea Stewart are fraternal twins; Spencer is involved in baseball and soccer and Chelsea is involved in pursuing art. They rarely face comparisons between one another, and when they do, it’s usually debating who is taller at family gatherings. “A lot of people still can’t identify that she’s my sister and I’m her brother. We were always separated in class,” said Spencer. According to the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics, fraternal twins share about 50 percent of their DNA, the same percentage that siblings share, which explains the difference in personality and appearance. “People think that since we’re twins, we’re automatically going to look alike and act the same, if they don’t know who the other [twin] is. We are fraternal, and that goes the same for our interests,” said Chelsea. Chelsea and Spencer do not find it as difficult to be twins since they are opposite genders. However, juniors Jacob and Sierra Segal, despite being opposite genders with different interests, still face difficulties with the comparisons and presumptions others make. “The reason this is hard is because twins are still individuals that have their own strengths and weaknesses. Jacob is good at sports. I'm good at music. But when you're a twin, if one is good at something, people assume the other
ZOE WILDMAN
TARAN SUN
Twins have very different relationships, but no matter what, they always have a special bond. is bad at it,” said Sierra. Peers often make assumptions that alter how twins think of themselves. “They say, ‘Oh you look different from her,’ which is harmless. But then they compare us, saying, ‘Oh you’re doing better in school than her,’ and it makes me feel bad, because it’s like, oh what people notice about me is that I’m doing worse than my sister,” said Becky Armstrong. Sierra Segal said, “I remember in middle school when Jacob moved up a year in math and I didn't. More than one person said to me, ‘So, you're the dumb twin?’ It was horrible.” But take junior triplets Austin, Belicia, and Christopher Tang, who are taking similar academically challenging classes and excel in their different extracurriculars. Even as triplets, others still group and compare them. Christopher said, “They see us as a single unit, which wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that they don't judge us on our individual character. We're always judged based on each other's achievements and not our own.” Twins and triplets face issues that others don’t stop to think about. “The struggle of being compared is difficult since you don't really get taught how to deal with it. The comparisons
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and ridicule kind of happen off the radar, and besides, triplets aren't very common, so I'm on my own dealing with it,” said Christopher. Granted, not everyone who encounters twins or triplets will compare or judge them, but enough people do that it affects how they think. “The comparisons are an ongoing thing that I can never really get away from, because I’m pretty much around Casey all the time. It just adds up each time people compare us. I always have this image that someone is comparing us anytime there’s something to compare us about, and they’re probably not, but I’m always afraid of that, I guess,” said Becky Armstrong. Comparisons even caused Becky to act differently, so others will not compare her to Casey. Despite some difficulties that come with being a twin, they are still able to create and share a lasting bond. Sierra Segal said, “When you're a twin, you never have to worry about being alone. Even if you don't get along with your twin, and in middle school, Jacob and I didn't, you're stuck with them, and they will have your back. Neither of you has a choice in that, and it's a good thing in the end. A twin is your other half in a way that no other sibling could be.”
LIFESTYLE The importance of vaccinations Page 10
The Highlander
March 2015
Alyssa Fagel Editor
others on Facebook, “You are foolish if you choose not to vaccinate your child -- you are threatening your child’s life and the Imagine living a life with no immune lives of many others!” system, a life where you are vulnerable to Levy is right. If you contract a preventany illness that comes your way. It won’t able disease because you do not believe in take long before your body is unable to vaccinations, and you come into contact fight any longer. with someone like Andrew Levy, chances That’s the life 18-month-old Andrew are that he will die from that disease. And Levy has been living for the past 13 weeks. you will have killed him. Diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, While this may be hard to hear, it is Levy has not left the hospital since Decem- the truth. Personal health decisions that ber 2014. With extensive chemotherapy, you make for yourself not only affect you, procedures, and a bone marrow transplant but can be the difference between life and Levy’s immune system has vanished. death for another person. And it won’t recover for years. In a study conducted by the Huffington So how can Levy stay safely away from Post conducted this past June, the two top germs for this crucial time period? The an- reasons why parents chose not to vaccinate swer is, he can’t. But there are ways he can their children was that the illnesses are rare reduce his exand they aren’t posure to these all that bad. life-threatenBut these You are foolish if you chooses not claims aren’t ing monsters. One is to vaccinate your child -- you are easy to acto avoid all Measles, threatening your child’s life and the cept. sources of posfor example, is lives of many others. sible contamiknown to affect nation. about 20 milEsther Levy Remember lion people a Mother those shots year, according most of us received when we were little? As to the Huffington Post. And while most scary as needles may seem, they are well- commonly found in Asia and Africa, recent worth the second of pain they cause be- outbreaks in the U.S. prove that even we are cause they keep us from contracting dan- not safe. Fifty-nine cases of measles have gerous diseases, such as measles and polio. been linked to Disneyland. I don’t know Let us take a second to recall the danger about you, but to me that definitely doesn’t of these diseases. In today’s society, they sound like the “happiest place on earth.” may not seem very consequential since And the claim that these diseases aren’t modern vaccinations have nearly eradicat- all that bad? According to the World ed them, but both measles and polio have Health Organization (WHO), over 145,000 histories of being life-threatening illnesses people died of measles in 2013. And even a few decades back. this number was a 75 percent drop from Without an immune system, Levy can- what is was in 2000, thanks to the growing not be vaccinated. And even the shots he availability of the vaccine. received before his diagnosis won’t help Some Americans support parents who him now that the bone marrow transplant choose not to vaccinate their children behas taken effect. Therefore, he is extremely cause they believe everyone has the right to susceptible to contracting these diseases, determine their own course of treatment. and getting fatally ill as a result. And while Constitutional rights, such as Andrew’s mom, Esther Levy, posted to freedom of speech and religion, are some
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of the most influential reasons for people to live in America, freedom to make medical decisions that could be fatal to other members of society is a completely different situation. Levy said via Facebook, “Assuming we leave this experience intact, we and our children will have great war wounds that will never leave us. Why anyone would put their child in grave danger of an illness that was ENTIRELY avoidable is beyond me.” (sic) There is no credible research showing the harms of vaccinations. Actually, ESTHER LEVY it is quite the opAndrew Levy and his older brother William, who doposite: medical research supports nated his bone marrow to save Andrew’s life. vaccinations. Acchild vaccinated, like Esther Levy has with cording to WHO, immunization prevents her son, your children must receive certain over 2 million deaths each year. vaccinations to go to school in the United The anti-vaccine movement didn’t really States. grow in popularity until Playboy model Levy posted, “[O]ne day when we get out Jenny McCarthy blamed them for her son’s of the hospital my child will be the immuautism in 2007. Since then, dozens of stud- nosuppressed child who is in grave danger ies have been conducted to try to find a of your ignorance. A few shots is a small connection between the two, and not one trade off for a life of wires, beeping mahas been successful. chines, and great fear.” One popular solution to this controverDon’t risk subjecting yourself and your sial topic is this: every American gets vac- children to living the rest of their lives cinated, if not voluntarily, then by some knowing that your actions may kill a small sort of legal requirement. Unless you have child. Save your life, save Andrew Levy’s a serious medical reason not to get your life, and save the lives of people like him.
Expanding the anti-vaccine movement Stuart Vickery Staff Writer
Two parents are in the doctor’s office waiting to get their son vaccinated. They know all about how vaccines have helped eradicate disease but they are troubled by some of the things they have read online and in studies. As the nurse tells them it is their turn, they start to wonder, “Are we making the right decision?” The growing anti-vaccination movement has led more and more people to question the worth of modern vaccinaOPENCLIPART|CREATIVE COMMONS tions in today’s healthy society. “People die in the United States every year from the flu and other illnesses each year,” said sophomore Nick Tada. “Imagine how many more kids with weak immune systems would die if there weren’t vaccines to prevent the flu.” Bacteria and viruses cause illnesses in your body. When you become sick, the body’s immune system kicks in to help you fight illness. Vaccines strengthen the immune system by introducing an illness to the body in an inactive form. When the body comes across the same illness again, it will be better equipped to fight it. “Shots trick your body into getting sick in a minor way,” said Carlmont human biology teacher Georgina Silva. According to the Center for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, after you have been exposed to a vaccine you can come into contact with that particlular disease safely. In the 2013 National Immunization Survey-Teen Vaccination Coverage data, about 95 percent of teenagers were shown to have been immunized against most diseases through vaccination. Vaccination is often a requirement to attend public school so that the spread of diseases can be prevented. In California, vaccination is mandatory for children to attend school. “If you get enough people vaccinated then the people who are unable to get vaccinated [for medical reasons] have very limited exposure to the illnesses,” said Silva. There is, however, a group that is against getting vaccinated called the anti-vaccination movement. Instead of vaccines it favors natural medicine like homeopathy or “natural immunization,” which involves purposefully getting sick to build up resistance. The anti-vaccination movement started with a study done Andrew Wakefield for “The Lancelot” medical journal in 1998. In the study, Wakefield linked the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism in children using a research pool of 12 patients. Wakefield’s study was later proved to be fraudulent and his medical licence was revoked. Since then, no other proof has been found linking vac-
cines to autism yet people continue to use Wakefield’s study in anti-vaccination arguments. Today there are many different reasons why people choose to not get themselves or their kids vaccinated. One of the most prevalent reasons is the ingredients found inside of vaccines. Many anti-vaccine activists and web pages such as vaccinetruth.org warn against getting vaccinated due to the fact that chemicals such as formaldehyde and the mercurybased thimerosal are present in vaccines. “The levels of mercury in vaccines is less dangerous than mercury in fish,” said Silva. “Formaldehyde is [also] at a level thats so low you could get more from living in a trailer park.” Others decide to opt out of getting vaccinated due to their religious beliefs that vaccines are contrary to whatever faith they follow. “I think that another source of fear springs from a distrust of the pharmaceutical industry in general. The pharmaceutical industry gets a lot of bad press. People who live at one end of the political spectrum and people who live at the other end share an intense mistrust of the pharmaceutical industry. I don’t know if that mistrust is merited but I do know that it’s there,” said Carlmont English teacher Joseph Hill. While those who don’t vaccinate have been able to stay relatively healthy due to herd immunity, the effects of the anti-vaccine movement are starting to be felt. “Vaccines prevent people from getting really dangerous diseases that you could die because of,” said sophomore Enzo Llorach. “Personally I don’t mind vaccines and I don’t think it’s a good idea to prevent others from getting them.”
LIFESTYLE The impact of music on students
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Sophomore Hanna Francis said, “I love music. In fourth grade, I started playing an instrument and it was really fun, so I have stuck with it since then.”
Kiera Pendleton-White Staff Writer Imagine a movie with no music. The hero or heroine has a high-stakes action scene and there’s only the sounds of them moving. Without the music, the movie is bare and abnormal. Music is incorporated deeply into our daily lives. We can buy music on our phones and music is played on the radios among many other things. As a result of this, we have a lot of exposure to music and there are a lot of health benefits that music can give us. In a study done by the University of Utah, the people who listened to music had a smaller reaction to being shocked by fingertip electrodes. This led the researchers to the conclusion that listening to music can serve as a distraction for people with anxiety and help them feel less pain. Another study done by scientists at the University of Maryland Medical Center
shows that the emotions experienced by patients who listened to music were happier and that resulted in increased blood flow in their blood vessels. Freshman Marjan Moshiri said, “Music has made me a happier person overall. If I’m not feeling happy, it makes me stop thinking about whatever made me sad and it leaves me in a better mood.” Freshman Téa Pusey said, “It helped me get all my emotions out. If I’m ever mad or sad, even happy, there’s always a song I can sing to and let it all out.” Drexel University also did a study with cancer patients. They had cancer patients either work with a trained music therapist or listen to pre-recorded music. Both sets of people had less anxiety, and overall had a more healthy body. “Music gives me something to relate to and connect with, and sometimes when I’m anxious listening to a song with a beautiful melody or moving lyrics is just what I need to relax me,” said junior Kate Bryan.
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Junior Kendall Kaufman said, “Playing music makes me feel less stressed. Since I play a brass instrument, it forces me to breathe deeply and helps me calm down.” Music therapy is a branch of therapy that uses all aspects of music (physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual) to help improve physical and mental health in patients. In a TED Education video, Anita Collins said that playing music activates a lot of areas of the brain simultaneously. The main areas used are the visual, auditory, and motor cortices. This allows a stronger bridge between the two hemispheres of the brain, which can allow musicians to solve problems more creatively. While listening to music is mainly beneficiary, there are also some disadvantages that some people overlook. Blasting music can lead to hearing loss. In the Journal of Pediatrics it says that 12.5 percent of children from ages 6 to 19 have hearing loss because of their earbuds being turned up to a high volume. If the threat of hearing loss isn’t enough, music is also more distracting than helpful if you listen to it while doing tasks that re-
quire more thought, such as homework. An article by Psychology Today says that listening to today’s popular music while doing tasks that require focus is not helping you. This is because today’s music activates more than one area of the brain, creating a multitasking situation. Since your brain is more preoccupied with the music, it interferes with your ability to comprehend and process information. “In my experience, I do find that I don’t focus as intently on the subject when I listen to popular music when I do my homework. If I’m actually reading something, I can’t listen to music at all because it’s too hard to focus,” said Bryan. Later in the article it says that listening to relaxing background music while carrying out the same tasks actually can help performance. “Music tells stories that gives people something to relate and connect to and it’s always there when people have a need for it,” said Bryan.
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SEXUAL HA
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Ending sexual harassment by educat Becca Fradkin Staff Writer
Vanderbilt University, University of Virginia, Florida State University, Columbia University, Michigan State University and Stanford University. What do these schools have in common? Each has been in the headlines concerning rape on campus. Although these schools are recognized for their prestigious academics, they are also associated with sexual assaults. According to a recent White House task force report, one in five women are sexually assaulted in college. The discussion of “rape culture” has been pushed to the front of people’s consciousness since Rolling Stone published a groundbreaking piece in November about the sexual assault of a University of Vir-
ginia freshman. On Dec. 5, Rolling Stone took full re“Jackie’s” story, as explicitly told in the sponsibility for the mistakes in the story, to article, tells of a typical college student at absolve her of a fraternity the blame. party whose Managing night takes a Editor Will turn for the We remain silent, and so we condone it… Dana tweetworse when ed, “That Until rape, and the structures – sexism, failure is on she is assaulted by seven inequality, tradition – that make it us- not on students, two her.” possible, are part of our dinner-table of whom she Although had known conversation with the next generation, it it’s comwill continue. Is it polite and comfortable mon to hear previously. A lt houg h to talk about it? No. Must we anyway? Yes. the phrase Jackie’s ac“don’t blame count of the the victim”, Desmond Tutu assault may a friend of have been Jackie was flawed, it doesn’t lessen the importance of quoted in the Rolling Stone article who the discussion. said, “She’s gonna be the girl who cried
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‘rape,’ and we’ll never be allowed into any frat party again.” This does not sound like “not blaming the victim.” Raging parties, alcohol, drugs and now, sexual assault are associated with fraternity Greek life on campuses. A single university can have dozens of fraternities that offer leadership and philanthropic opportunities but draw in students who want to rush with an exciting night life. While Jackie experienced her assault through a fraternity function, other college students find themselves in dangerous situations outside of Greek life. Another recent case to surface was at the private school Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. In June 2013, a 21 year-old neuroscience major was recorded and pictured on a
Male sexual assault: it’s not al Aria Frangos Junior Editor
“Guys don’t just get pulled into alleys by girls.” Men are big and strong. Men are powerful and able. But despite those stereotypes, men are raped too. While American society views it to be horrifically insensitive to be unsympathetic to the experiences of female rape victims, male rape victims rarely receive the same attention. From 1927 to 2012, the legal definition of rape according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations did not even include the possibility that males were susceptible to rape. For 85 years, the FBI defined rape as “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.” This excluded the possibility of male victims as well as narrowing the definition of what constituted rape on females. “Laws on rape should totally apply to males too,” said sophomore Snehal Pandey. “The original law is
completely wrong, thank God they fixed it.” The 2012 update on the definition of rape encapsulated many more scenarios of sexual assault: “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network found in a 2006 study that males are least likely to report a sexual assault, even though they are estimated to make up 10 percent of all victims. A major factor of this trend are the social attitudes that cannot reconcile the view of masculine power and sexual fervor with the vulnerability and unwillingness of rape. There are many myths surrounding male rape that add to the unlikeliness of males feeling comfortable in reporting assault. Some fear the possibility of being seen as weak for being overpowered and violated, while others are silenced by the common societal opinion that straight men always want sex when a woman offers it. “People don’t consider the varieties of ways that sexual harassment happens,” said senior Michael Bereket. “Girls definitely get away with more stuff than guys do- some things that would be going way too far if a guy did it to a girl aren’t even thought about if the roles are reversed.” Others fear that society will not be on their side if they do come forward, due to the trend of women being the assumed victims of sexual harassment cases. In the case of civil liberties activist James Landrith, a survivor of rape at age 19 by a 24-year-old pregnant woman, his assailant threatened to tell authorities that Landrith had raped her if he tried to resist. Landrith complied and let the abuse continue, feeling he wouldn’t stand a chance with the authorities as a drunken Marine fighting the word of a sober, pregnant woman. “Feminism is important because women gain equality with men on many levels, especially socially,” said sopho-
54% of rapes not reported
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Victims of sexual assault are 26 times more likely to abuse drugs
STATISTICS ARE FROM THE RAPE, ABUSE, A
ARASSMENT
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March 2015
ting high school and college students players’ phone. She was seen carried into a dorm room, unconscious from alcohol, by four football team members. Although she doesn’t remember the night, two players, Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, were convicted on four counts of aggravated rape, one count of attempted aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery, according to ABC News. According to Daily Mail, the two football players will face a sentence of a minimum of 15 years of jail time while the other two players presumably involved have yet to go to court. Their official sentence will be set on March 6. Most assault cases on campuses are not reported, so the aggressive problem continues. 80 percent of campus rapes went unreported between 1995 and 2013, compared to 67 percent in the general population, ac-
cording to the Huffington Post. Similarly, on Jan. 18 at Stanford University, hopeful Olympic swimmer and freshman Brock Turner was found on top of an unconscious woman by two passing bikers. Although he pleaded innocence saying that he “just wanted to hookup,” according to NBC Bay Area, implying that they did not have intercourse, the two bikers who found the victim had to chase Turner as he fled from the scene. New York Daily News reported, “Luckily for the victim in this case, there were two good Samaritans, who were in the right place, at the right time and, more importantly, they did the right thing,” said Prosecutor Alaleh Kianerci. Turner soon after withdrew from Stanford and was banned from campus. Kianerci said, “And that’s the message that needs to be sent to the community:
Don’t just stand by if you see something inappropriate. If you see something, say something.” As sexual assault accounts are becoming more commonly talked about at home, society needs a safe way to educate youth before college, so students don’t find themselves in court. Now society is left with the question of what to do next. Many blame the growing abuse of alcoholism with minors on college campuses. According to a recent study of the Journal of American Medical Association, 44 percent of college students surveyed are binge drinkers. In every assault case above, the assailant was under the influence of alcohol. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, roughly 97,000 college students are victims of alco-
ll about the damsel in distress
hol-related sexual assault or date-rape each year. While the problem of alcohol abuse on campuses would be a long and debilitating process, the problem of sexual assault is an easier and faster fix. Programs such as We End Violence strive to help youth through lectures and discussions to protect themselves and others against violence. Lectures such as “Men against rape” and “Together We Can: Sexual Violence, Gender, and Responsibility” help open the discussion to the causes of assault and develop an education of how to protect oneself from it. The bottom line is that students need to be educated. People need to know what to do if they ever find themselves being assaulted, or seeing an assault.
more Blake Atkins. “This is helpful because men need sault in media and the general societal view involving a equality with women just as female victim, sexual assault much as women need it with against males is just as real men, especially in situations an issue. Feminism is important because women where society ignores them, The 2006 National Viogain equality with men on many levels, like sexual assault.” lence Against Women SurThe Journal of the Ameri- especially socially. This is helpful because vey found that about 3 percan Medical Association cent of American men – 2.78 men need equality with women just published in 2013 that after million men in total – had as much as women need it with men, the age of 18, males and febeen raped at some point in males perpetrate sexual viotheir lives. This statistic especially in situations where society lence at very close rates: 52 does not include the ignores them, like sexual assault. percent of males and 48 perreality that many cent of females. The age of male rape vicBlake Atkins first perpetration was most tims stay Sophomore commonly 16 years old. silent. It also found that women are more likely than men to start unwanted presexual con- “Whenever you talk about male tact like kissing or touching against another person’s will. survivors, women have it sta“That’s not the kind of results I would have expected, but tistically worse, but it’s not I don’t really know why,” said freshman Denali Wilson. “It’s a competition -- and we probably just because I hear about sexual assault [perpe- each need our time trated] by guys so much more often.” to talk about Some people question male rape by a female by target- it,” Landrith ing the male’s erection as proof that “he must have wanted said. it.” Arousal, however, is an involuntary reflex of the body’s nervous system that cannot be accepted as a substitute for verbal consent to any kind of sexual activity. Blaming a male for rape because “he must have wanted it” is similar to the argument that females “were asking for it” by their choice of clothing or behavior. Both arguments target the victim instead of the perpetrator of the assault. “I think a lot of the time, guys just don’t realize that what girls are doing to them could be considered harassment,” said senior Austin Driver. “It can seem acceptable because it’s just seen as teasing or something when a girl does it.” Despite the prevalence of sexual as-
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Every 107 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted
44% of victims are under age 18
AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK WEBSITE KARISSA TOM
NEWS
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March 2015
Sadie’s dance strives to be inclusive Arianna Bayangos Staff Writer
She holds a poster and a bouquet of flowers in her hand, anxiously shaking and waiting for the guy that she’s had a crush on since freshman year to come out of his classroom. Her friends are right behind her, reassuring her and telling her that everything will be fine. She isn’t used to being in this type of situation. After all, at her high school, guys are the ones who take initiative and ask their friends or their crushes to dances. She thinks about how nervous she is and wonders how guys do this all the time. As he comes out the door, she sees everyone in the classroom staring at her, some of whom are whispering. He looks at her with a reassuring smile on his face; she takes a deep breath and asks, “Will you go to Sadies with me?” He says, “Yes,” and after she embraces him and they take pictures outside. In the back of the room, a student sighs and wonders how other people at school would react to a same-sex couple at Sadies. He thinks to himself, “I wish I had the courage to ask the boy I liked to the dance as well.” What many people imagine when they think of Sadies is a girl
taking initiative to asking a guy of her choice to a dance. Sadie Hawkins originated in 1937 after Al Capp created a comic strip with a character named Sadie Hawkins whose father created Sadie Hawkins Day, a day in which women could pursue unmarried men of their choice through a race. If the woman crossed the finish line with the man by sundown, by law, the man had to marry her. Sadie Hawkins is about breaking gender roles and breaking status quo. Senior Brian Palma said, “I feel like there are going to be people who are going to say, ‘Sadie Hawkins is supposed to be girls asking guys,’ but I mean we live in a new age and it’s not all black and white. There’s a whole spectrum. Right now, it’s supposed to be for everyone.” However, some fail to take into consideration gay couples: how do they go about Sadies? English teacher Emily Bandelt said, “A Sadie Hawkins dance is older than the concept of being more comfortable with going out. It’s from the 40’s and 50’s which is way before gay couples would have thought of even going to a dance together. So it maybe a time thing, but I don’t think it would be an issue at Carlmont at all.” Junior Dana Reynolds feels that Sadies is a heteronormative con-
cept and can be geared more to- It’s meant to be a guy and a girlDance commissioner Amelia ward straight couples. that’s why we were made. Human Armstrong said, “The dance comReynolds said, “It’s implying beings are made like that.” mission isn’t enforcing the girls that anyone who would go to a She said that high school danc- ask guys tradition that it’s been; dance is a couple that’s just a boy es like formal and prom may be what we’re trying to get out there and a girl. It’s implying that only geared more toward straight is that it’s gonna be a fun casual straight people go to dances.” couples. She said, “Traditionally, dance where anyone can dress up, In the past few years, some it’s meant to be [a guys and girls so we’re not gonna be publicizing high schools have taken mea- event] because there’s a corsage girls ask guys; we’re just gonna say sures to ban gay students bring a friend, bring a date, from going to dances bring whoever you want with someone of the to go with.” same sex. AccordJunior Sierra Segal ing to the Huffingplans on attending ton Post, in 2013, Sadies with her girla Sullivan High friend. School teacher, Segal said, “My parents, and stugirlfriend and I have dents fought for decided to write a creating a “tradidance proposal together tional,” separate and say it to each other at the prom that would same time. I'm very excited ban gay students. to go to this dance, even if it's Some Carlmont stunot the most open concept.” dents don’t feel comfortEven though Sadies is ofable seeing same sex couten seen as the tradition of ples at dances together. A girls taking initiative, there are female senior who wished to other aspects to Sadies that can VERONIKA remain anonymous said, “It be applied in every dance or in DVORAKOVA takes awhile for me daily life; it’s about breakto grasp that idea [of The Sadie Hawkin’s dance encourages couples ing the norms until they same sex couples go- of any type to dress in creative costumes. become the new normal. ing to dances togethPalma said, “In our soer]. I’m not comfortable with the and a boutonniere, so if a homo- ciety, we still hold onto old tradiidea yet, but I try not to make any sexual couple goes to a dance, tions when some rules are meant judgement or show in anyway that they can’t really do that.” to be broken because if we want to I don’t accept it because if that’s For this year’s Sadies in March, be a developing society, we need what makes them happy and if it’s the ASB dance commission aims to break those rules in order to love for them, they should do it, to create an open and accepting grow.” but I just personally find it weird. environment for all.
Parents cope with empty nests as seniors go to college Becca Garner Staff Writer
Change is in the air. Your bags are already in the car. You’re ready to move onto the next chapter in your life. That is, until the tears start to well in your mother’s eyes. She tries to smile to ease your guilt over leaving, but there’s no stopping the waterworks now. You both start to sob uncontrollably. The day you leave home is the moment you’ve been working towards for four years; soon, the all-nighters, the SAT prep classes,
and the extracurriculars you've poured your energy into will all finally pay off. “The hardest part was leaving the comfort of my home, friends and family. I had a very nice life at home-- with loving parents, a good job, supporting friends and girlfriend, and I had to leave that behind and go off on my own,” said Carlmont graduate Gabriele Likens, who began his freshman year of college at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. According to Vijai P. Sharma, Ph.D. And clinical psychologist,
PROVIDED BY BECCA GARNER
Garner and her mother embrace before she leaves for a long trip.
leaving home for college is one of the last major steps in separating from the family and becoming independent. Young adults feel more comfortable confiding in their parents after becoming independent, because their mom and dad no longer have control over them, Sharma said. This leads to a healthy and honest relationship between parents and their adult children, according to Sharma. “Students believe that their parents want them to be independent and at the same time, they feel assured that their parents will be available if they need help. A harmonious relationship like this leads to a feeling of psychological well-being in students,” said Sharma. Flying the nest can be as daunting for the rest of the family as it can be for seniors anticipating the first taste of an adult lifestyle. “When my brother left, it completely changed how my family interacted with one another,” said senior Hannah Knoot, whose brother graduated last year. Knoot said, “My brother was always the loud and outgoing one, so my parents would talk to him more, but now that he’s gone they’re focusing more attention on me.” Sharma emphasized that interdependence with parents and siblings helps young adults to be-
come more mature, loving, and self-confident. “I would say my brother and I are closer now, because we talk a lot more, even though he’s far away,” Knoot said. Likens noted a similar experience in how his family dynamic changed when he left home for LMU. “Living away from my parents has drastically improved my relationship with my family because they treat me like an adult now,” said Likens. A healthy relationship with family back home is directly related to how positive one’s experience in college is. From a parents’ perspective, however, it can be difficult to ascertain exactly what to think about watching your children transition into adulthood. “The first time is more nerve racking. You’re busy trying to anticipate their needs, but I was excited for both my children to move out. I was very happy for them and their new adventure,” said English teacher Victoria Nilson. Nilson expanded on the shift in her household's environment when her son, Jake, moved out to attend California State University Long Beach. “You can’t even look at your kids grades in college, or their medical records even if you’re paying the bills,” said Nilson.
When her son left for CSULB, Nilson’s daughter experienced what it was like to be an only child for the first time. “Younger siblings often seem to feel like they live in the shadow of their sibling, so I think my daughter felt a sense of lightness after her brother was out the door. At the same time, with being alone you have all the parental scrutiny on you, so there were good and bad aspects to it,” said Nilson. The dramatic difference came for the Nilson family after both kids had flown from the nest. “For the most part we got really excited and it was like going back to being just a couple again, and we enjoyed that,” said Nilson. Nilson said, “We knew our kids were off living their lives, being successful and enjoying their college experience.” Leaving home for college is like crossing a bridge between the individual and the family. And yet, thanks to social media and video chatting, it has never been easier for college students to close the gap that has separated them from their parents all their lives. Every household reacts differently to a young adult leaving for college, but a trend in student attitudes toward their parents indicates that distance brings loved ones closer together.
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NEWS The various dangers of texting m ’ o c ∙s f
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March 2015
The Highlander
Bijan Khalili Staff Writer
“Sorry what was that? I was on my phone.” We all have heard it before. “Why do I need to tell them in person when I can just text them?” This generation has become accustomed to using their phones for digital communication rather than face-to-face interaction. Being glued to your phone affects how you interact and socialize with people outside of your inner circle. “When I ask my friends to hangout or I need to talk to them about something I will usually just text them,” said junior Nick Pekarek. According to the Morningside Recovery Rehabilitation Center in an article on Medical Daily, the average American spends 2.4 hours a day using his or her phone during a 16-hour period. With an estimated six billion data plans worldwide and counting, cell phones have become one of the fundamental means of communication in society. “Yes I use my phone to communicate with people; everyone does. But I still can make conversations with peo-
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In an article by Laura Sullivan on NPR news, Kenneth ple in person and I think I have good speaking skills,” said K. Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Sursophomore Brett Fitzpatrick. Rehabilitation Students’ lack of verbal communication could an affect ess gery at andolden ateMedicine, says the bad posture can put 60 pounds of pressure on the upper spine, and that their abilities to speak with adults. “When I talk to my friends I’m comfortable, but when high school students spend on average 6,400 hours in the I talk to people, especially adults, I feel like I get too ner- hunched position “These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneravous and lack the speaking skills I need,” said junior Lucas ldtion,ayshore and possible surgeries,” said Hansraj. Alonso. Cell phone use can causes chronic pain according to The lack of speaking skills can also affect colleges’ deciMedical Daily because of the constant use of your hands, sions to admit you. According to College Board, colleges not only want aca- especially when sending text messages and e-mails. Vision is affected as well. Staring at your mobile device demically strong students, but also an all around unique l cause amino problems in your vision later in life. Screens on individual. They need to have a willingness to take risks, can mobile devices tend to be smaller than computer screens, take initiative, and to have a sense of social responsibility. “Colleges are worried that students may know how to which means you are more likely to squint and strain your handle reading and writing (academics) in college but they eyes while reading messages. As technology advances, society is making changes with don't have the personal skills to ask professors for help and tanford enter it. they struggle to communicate during college admission in- hoppinG “People had to be together to experience the same terviews or job interviews,” said Carlmont College Counthings. There was a lot more hanging out and having those selor Connie Dominguez. Excessive phone use doesn’t only affect communication activities planned out pretty far ahead of time,” said history teacher Linda Garvey. skills but it also can affect your health. Pekarek said, “I don’t think it’s a problem that we use The “Text Neck” that many people experience, the bending of the neck to see our phone’s screens, puts a lot of pres- our phones a lot, times are changing and technology is on w w wthemrise. A”x s w o r l d c o m sure on the spine.
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Page 16
The Highlander
March 2015
‘Thou shalt not’ is now more of an option Sonia Paulo Staff Writer
become a social norm as well. “Of course I have moral codes that I follow,” said senior Maddy It’s hard to imagine a well-educated McGee, “I believe religion has a person in 2015 making decisions purely tendency to be corrupt, and I don’t based on the commandments of a reliagree with certain specific views in gion. Traditional religious values are religion either, so I simply choose more commonly being put on the back not to follow one.” burner as individual moral beliefs take This idea of no religious affiliacenter stage. tion and instead setting one’s own Religion is defined as a particular sysmoral codes is something more tem of faith and worship; however, in practiced in modern society than recent years fewer people appear to be ever before. following the system exactly. According to Pew Research cenAccording to the website Churchleadter, 43 million Americans claim to ers, only 17.7 percent of Americans be unaffiliated with any type of reclaiming to practice Christianity actually ligion. Out of those people, 32 perattend church. cent are between the ages of eigh“I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m reliteen and thirty, compared to only gious,” said senior Donna Ghaemi, “but 9 percent of people over the age of my religion does give me a set of morals sixty-five. that help guide the decisions I make.” Does this mean that roughly 20 Modern society has developed so that percent of all Americans have no NAOMI ASRIR code of conduct to live by as those many people see classic religious beliefs as more of an outline for how to behave Even some people who do identify as being religious are starting to stray from with a religious influence do? rather than a demanding way of life. “If something is harmful to mystrict adherence due to modern societal influences and ideas. Senior Raffi Samurkashian said, “It’s self or others, I gauge it to be moralis a sin. However, I have more modern views on that.” impractical for me to base important decisions purely off ly wrong, ” said McGee, “I don’t do good things because of Gay marriage, abortion, and premarital sex are just a few of what my religion says, but I abide by them because I reward in the afterlife or anything like that, instead I try to topics criticized in various religions, but are gradually bethink they provide a good moral ground to live by.” satisfy a yin-yang type of balance of good in the universe.” coming more accepted in younger generations. As society develops, it’s inevitable that personal beliefs Regardless of what religion is practiced, if any at all, it “I support freedom of choice,” said Kurt, “and even and morals that adjust along with it. is clear that views are changing with newer generations. though something may not be supported in religion, I “Our world has become a lot more modern, so follow“I think making decisions based on what you believe to think with the way society is developing we have to make ing the exact rules written in the Bible isn’t practical,” said be right and wrong is always important, regardless of reliour own decisions instead of blindly following religion.” senior Sofia Kurt, “For example, my religion says aborition gious affiliation or not.” said Ghaemi. Society has changed so that not practicing a religion has
Mickey moderns up: Disney’s evolution of animation Hana Wong Staff Writer
One of the world’s biggest franchises started off as just a black and white mouse. Walt Disney Pictures has been a part of many lives for a very long time. Since 1923, viewers have been able to see Disney’s animations evolve. From that simple mouse to three-dimensional feature films, Disney has been able to create and animate iconic stories that stay with fans forever. “The three-dimensional animations are cool because it looks more realistic, but it’s also comical and you know it’s fake. When used correctly, it’s better than two-dimensional,” said sophomore and film club member Jason Jung. Due to modern-day technology, Walt Disney Studios is able to expand the company’s animation skills. This helps to create different banners that allow the animators to release a variety of animated feature films, such as “The Lion King,” “Tangled,” and “The Little Mermaid.” Disney’s currently uses their own animation software called Open Source. “The Studio has a deep history of technology innovation, ranging from pioneering the use of digital methods for creating hand-drawn animation using the Academy Award-winning software, CAPs, to developing threedimensional painting and rendering techniques in Deep Canvas,” said the company on their website Walt Disney Animation Studios. According to The Walt Disney Company, Disney’s animation banners (Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios) were created to bring an enjoyable and memorable experience to all ages. For about 90 years, Disney has been designing feature 926 El Camino Real San Carlos, CA 94070 (650)595-0300 www.birdersgarden.com
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films that contain different characters. From cute and funny personalities to cruel villains, the company lets fans to relate to the movies’ characters. “Animation affects a viewer’s experience by helping them connect to the cartoon character,” said sophomore and film club member Sandor Quelle. Disney uses elaborate drawings and visuals to amaze its viewers. Through 2014, the company has released 54 animated feature films, starting with “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937, and most recently releasing “Big Hero 6.” “The animations are cute and funny, they remind me of my childhood. They’re classics and fun to watch. The better the animation got throughout all the different movies, the more realistic the characters got,” said junior Gaby Belarde. To keep their fans occupied while working on other movie projects, Disney has created multiple theme parks to bring the magic to life. According to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the company tries to combine classic storytelling with legendary guest service and the latest technology to bring their stories and characters to life in unexpected and unforgettable ways. Along with the popular theme parks, there are also products like toys and apparel that are constantly being sold by Disney and Disney distributors. These products are inspired by Disney animated movies. “I think Disney keeps us waiting for more movies because they want fans to feel the anticipation and the excitement until they finally release the movie. I love how Disney makes everything feel magical and how their characters so lovable,” said sophomore Marc Tom. According to The Walt Disney Company, their mission is to be one of the world’s dominant producer and provider of entertainment. Disney works hard to produce films at the highest quality possible. This leads up to keeping Dis-
WWW.DISNEYANIMATION.COM EDITED BY ARIA FRANGOS
Disney animation has come a long way over 90 years in the quality of technology while still keeping adoring audiences well-engaged.
ney’s die-hard fans interested and wanting more. It’s not just the visuals that make the experience exceptional for the viewer. Disney is also able to convey a positive, feel-good message in every movie. “It’s nice how they enhance all the old classics, like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. It just reminds you of the positive and charming messages behind every story,” said freshman Elizabeth Bowman.
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NEWS Chronic illness hangs over head
Page 17
March 2015
The Highlander
Continued from page 1
dent whose mom was dying of cancer and I didn’t know until the next year when I was writing her recommendation letter for college. said Carlmont psychology teacher Michelle McKee. McKee said, “ But sometimes the student or the parent tells me, and I find out about what’s going on at home that way. Some kids go to their guidance counselor and tell them, and then, with the student’s permission, the guidance counselor will send an email to all the teachers.” But in McKee’s case, she offers a personal perspective. “I had a parent who was dying when I was in middle school, so when I find out that a student is dealing with a similar situation, I try to check in with them and let them
know I have personal experience,” said McKee. Like Riley, McKee also had to deal with problems at school as well as the struggle at home. “I remember that my teacher started to realize all the other kids were being mean to me. Then, with my permission, she addressed the class and told them that they needed to be nicer to me because my dad was going to die of cancer soon,” said McKee. Despite this, McKee thought of school as a safe haven where she could escape until her junior year of high school. “When my dad was sick, I never really missed school because it was sort of a solace for me to get away from everything. But junior year, my mother was a recovering alcoholic and she had started drinking again, which is basically an illness in itself,” said McKee.
Paper to tablet Continued from page 5
tablets. Sophomore Jessica Chang said, “Back when I lived in LA, my school used tablets instead of paper. I didn’t like it because technology has a lot of issues, and it’s much easier to just use paper.” Despite all of the difficulties and obstacles associated with using tablets at school, there are also positive effects that result from it. English teacher Kristen Fewins said, “Having tablets would make assignments much easier to grade, it’s fun for students to work on assignments online together, and I can assign different articles to read online.” Switching from textbooks and using tablets would also conserve natural resources and save paper. According to NOVA, an average school consumes 74 trees per year to produce all the paper needed within the school. Chin said, “Saving paper is a major benefit to using tablets, but whether it is worth the huge cost of implementing tablets really depends.”
In McKee’s case, life at home and school became so hard to balance that her grades began to slip. “It was a really difficult time. No one at school really knew except for one of my teachers and the school nurse. My grades dropped a lot and I remember trying to hide my report card because I was so upset at myself for doing so badly,” said McKee. However, McKee uses her family’s struggle with chronic illness to encourage students receive the same kind of help that she got. “When I touch base with students who are struggling at home, I try to let them know about my personal experience with it. I make sure that they’re getting help and I share what kinds of therapy worked for me. I always tell them to advocate for themselves, too,” said McKee.
Technology dependence Continued from page 5
“It took a long time to watch the videos and take notes. I couldn’t get Wi-Fi to watch the videos, but I could have done normal homework in my situation. To do regular homework, all you need is a textbook at the most,” Ferme said. Toward the end of first semester, Ferme was in the hospital. When she returned to school, she struggled to make up the work, especially the partner assignments. “I was super far behind and it was hard to find partners who were far enough behind that could do the labs with me. Because the lessons were online, a few students got
ahead, but most of us were days behind at different points, and everyone who was behind had a hard time getting back on track because of the format,” Ferme said. Ferme’s class relied on iPad use and students’ access to the lecture site at home. “The flipped classroom works best when you use the online space to fill the gaps in your class, to help students get past where they get stuck. What some teachers do is try to fit the traditional model of teaching into technology. They should feel that technology is there to enhance the lesson and make it more relevant. Rather than forcing the use of technology, I try to use it to add to or fill the gaps in traditional lectures,” Ellis said.
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Page 18
The Highlander
CAMPUS
March 2015
Racial fetishization: generalizing races Arianna Bayangos Staff Writer
Imagine being on a date. He is a gentleman when he picks you up at your house and drives you to a nice restaurant. You’re thinking to yourself, “Oh wow, this is going pretty well.” Until he says something about liking girls of a particular race. Something along the lines of, “I only date Asian girls.” At first, you are in shock; is this supposed to be a compliment? You don’t know how to respond. He awkwardly tries to explain further, “I mean I really like Asian girls. They are always so small and into academics.” When people are attracted to someone based on solely the reason that he or she is Asian, black, white, or Latino, it no longer becomes an attraction; it becomes a racial fetishization. Junior Wesley Lim said, “I’ve heard of “yellow fever” before and it makes me feel uncomfortable because you’re sexualizing a race. You’re seeing a group of people for their color rather than as actual people.” There are common stereotypes a person can place on someone else based on his or her race. For Asians, there is a stereotype of girls being more submissive. For Latinas, there is a stereotype of girls having attitude and being sassy. For non-white women, there is an idea among the men who fetishize them that they are exotic. Freshman Sophia Gunning said, “It’s a personal preference which doesn’t really make sense. I don’t base what I like on a guy on how they look, but I guess I’m fine with other people doing it if that’s what floats their boat.” The media has responded to racial fetishizations. You-
NAOMI ASRIR
Tube vlogger Anna Akana created a video in July 2014 entitled, “Why Guys Like Asian Girls,” in order to explain racial fetishizations. Akana said the difference between “yellow fever” and
“having a type” is that yellow fever implies that the only prerequisite for a female to be a person’s significant other is that she is Asian. However, sometimes the line between an attraction and a fetish is blurred. Sometimes people see it as a compliment or may see it as flattering; however, a fetish has the opposite effect. Junior Kelly Liu said, “I think racial fetishes are problematic because they are based on generalizations of an entire race and not based on people’s personalities.” In a study conducted by Korean-American Bitna Kim, she noticed that some of her interviewees were making broad sweeping generalizations about women based on a few experiences. Gunning said, “Maybe they had one experience with someone that affected them and now they only like those certain types of people. For example, if someone dated an Asian person and the relationship was successful, he or she only likes that kind of person.” Liu noted that she sometimes sees these stereotypes affect how a man or woman interacts with his or her partner. Liu said, “I haven’t noticed it in high school besides people having certain preferences for certain races, but I do see it in society, but that’s based on assumptions. Sometimes I see older Caucasian men and Asian women together and sometimes you can tell by the man’s body language that he’s kinda taking a more dominant stance compared to the woman.” However, with racial fetishes, the issue is in the mindset of the person, requiring a person to change his or her beliefs and misconceptions that one race is a certain way. It requires him or her to look at more than what the color of someone’s skin is and leap into assumptions right away. It requires him or her to get to know that person as he or she truly is.
Superhero diversity in the entertainment industry Holly Chen Staff Writer
As the movie starts to play, a solitary shadow stands against the glowing light of the sun. A flowing cape whips the wind, and the camera pans in onto a man’s face. He slowly turns to face the camera, and then with a crash of cymbals, he lifts off into the vast blue sky. Superheroes are characters with special powers who stand up to defend and protect their communities. This description could fit any character of any race or gender. In all recent superhero TV shows and movies, all titular characters have been Caucasian. This calls for a need of more female characters and heroes of different nationalities. According to The Daily Beast, more women are watching action and superhero films. Guardians of the Galaxy attracted a 44 percent female audience on opening weekend—the most of any Marvel film. Senior Nisha Aeri said, “I really like Superhero movies, but I do feel that girls are portrayed in a really sexual way. Women supervillains are not portrayed as intimidating or as frightening as males. ” There is a lack of female characters who are not kept around as sexual eyecandy, for example the supervillains Harley Quinn and the Joker from the Batman series. Harley Quinn is drawn with tight spandex clothes, while the Joker wears a full body outfit that is casual. Sophomore Evelyn Lawrence said, “ I am pretty sure that most female superheroes and villains are underrepresented. If there are any, they are displayed as really sexy, and are not shown for their powers, but because they are women and wear revealing costumes.” Lawrence added, “If women were better represented, I would feel more inclined to watch superhero films. If they were not so sexualized, I would be able to relate more to them. When you see a ‘hero’ wearing a bra or a short skirt, it is unrealistic and off-putting for most young ladies.” Many recent superhero movies have starred Caucasian heroes as their main characters. If there were any characters of different races, these characters played minor roles as side characters or cameos. Aeri said, “Superheroes were created in the 40’s when America lacked diversity. But now, America has become known as a melting pot of different races, and there should be more superheroes that can fulfill the needs of America’s
Green Lantern
Captain Marvel
Karate Kid
NAOMI ASRIR
Superheroes such as Green Lantern, Captain Marvel, and Karate Kid reflect a diversity in the minds of the animation industries. They provide contrast and culture along with entertainment. diversity.” Many are in support of a more racially diverse cast of superheroes. Senior Saptarshi Roy said, “I think having more diverse superheroes would be really cool. I like diversity. It brings different aspects to the characters.” A recent study done by the University of Southern California showed the racial inequalities in television. Out of the 3,932 speaking characters in recent TV productions, a full 74.1 percent were white, 14.1 percent black, 4.9 percent Hispanic, 4.4 percent Asian, 1.1 percent Middle Eastern, and less than 1 percent were American Indian or Alaskan Native. There were no meaningful changes observed for any of the racial/ethnic group on screen in 600 popular films between 2007 and 2013. Sophomore Pauline Sy said, “ I would be interested more if Avengers included superheroes of different nationalities. Right now they are all the same. The Avengers are all white males. Hulk is white, but he turns green. Iron man is white, and his wife too. The only person who is not white is the Captain, but I can’t remember his name.” For many Carlmont students, it is not race that they look at when they watch their favorite superhero movies. Sophomore Ryan Callan said, “If there were more heroes
of different races it would not affect me as a viewer. I mean I would like it, but if I saw a hero that was African American, I would not even think twice or notice.” Senior Jonathan Charonis had a different take on the issue of the need for a more racially diverse cast of superheroes. Charonis said, “These companies are out to earn money and the majority of their audiences are white males, so they create heroes that cater to the majority of their audience. Hollywood focuses on the box offices and what will bring them sales.” For many people, their superhero preferences do not come from how the superhero looks. Aeri said, “I like superheroes, because they are noble characters that defend their community. For example, Batman is a vigilante. They put the needs of others before themselves and are willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of their society.” To many, it is not the race that matters. Roy said, “Superheroes are all the same. What really makes a superhero my favorite is their background and their motives. If it is something I relate to and connect strongly with, then naturally this superhero will be my favorite. Race and gender play no role in this.”
March 2015
CAMPUS
Page 19
The Highlander
Conflict between different video game genres Karen Gao Staff Writer
Two gamers fall out of their seats with an outburst. One screaming in shock from a murderous animatronic catching them, and the other rolling in laughter from the controlled goat unintentionally blowing up a gas station. However, the horror game player rolls her eyes at the at the one on the ground, thinking, “It’s just a kid’s game, why is he so into it?” All the recently popular video games today are either: casual and humorous games, or more serious and dark ones. Sophomore Elena McAdams said, “Personally, I don’t like dark games, but I do like the ones that make me think to figure out the solution. Games that have mindless killing are just stupid and there is no knowledge needed for them. The games with puzzles push me to use problem solving and knowledge to find a solution.” Horror video games are so popular because people get emotionally attached to them. According to ZME science, the reason people enjoy the thriller and horror genres are because the human brain cannot distinguish between reality and imagery on an emotional level.
The strong sense of relief can also attri- people feel when letting loose and bringing bute to the reason as it is just as powerful as out their destructive side in games. the feeling of “excitement transfer” that ocMcAdams said, “Some people like to curs when people feel scared. This explains release anger and they enjoy it. Guys like why adrenaline-rush games are appealing to blow up things while girls are generally to people curmore peaceful, rently. so it really deSophomore pends. People Alyssa Feigelson have different said, “I prefer situations and to play horror want to blow off games. I think steam.” people like video Casual, more games because light-hear ted they make them games are apthink, and it pealing due to adds a sense of some gamers adventure you using it as a don't get in dayform of escapto-day life at ism to distract school.” themselves An example of from realNAOMI ASRIR ity. The lighter the rapid popularity of horror Garden Warfare and Destiny are two very tone gives video games is different games with contrasting fanbases. them a relaxthe Five Night’s at ing sense while Freddy’s series, which spawned a massive still being enjoyable to play. amount of fans, and was first released on McAdams said, “Gaming gives me someAug. 8, 2014 with an third game released thing to do besides homework and sports. I on March 2, 2015. can enjoy myself with games that have both Another reason is the enjoyment that gameplay and storyline.”
However, not all people enjoy both of these types of games and some people take their preferences too far by pushing them onto others. Feigelson said, “Everyone has different tastes, but issues come up when their different tastes clash. The biggest issues in the gaming community is when girls are treated like less than the boys. Especially when boys assume all females like ‘girly’ games. I just can’t stand it.” There are gamers who try to keep an open mind. Sophomore Reed Rouland said, “Whichever game you like, play it. I like Nintendo because the action is more fun in my opinion, like Super Smash Bros Brawl.” Gaming has been an important cultural force since the days of the bulky arcade machines at game centers in the 1980’s. Recently, gamers are not the stereotype nerdy male teenager. Research done by Pew Internet Project showed 95 percent of teenagers play video games regularly. Feigelson said, “Gaming is a fun way to relax and unwind. The genre shouldn’t matter, and I care more about how fun it is to play. Gamers should be proud of whatever they like, and people shouldn’t listen to those who want to forcefully change their opinions.”
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Page 20
The Highlander
SPORTS
March 2015
Process behind putting the ball in play The story and evolution behind the ball you toss around everday Angelina Castillo Staff Writer
Two ladies create all the footballs in the NFL. About 150 are created a day. The average baseball is only used for a few pitches in a game, each football game has 11 balls ready to use in the game, each basketball uses two balls, one per half. Senior Zachary Payton said, “In the sports industry the equipment for each sport is probably made in a factory somewhere considering the amount of teams and in each league.” The brand Wilson creates all the footballs for the NFL. The football isn’t made in a factory by machines like most other things, it’s handmade by a group of people who are with the company. Jane Helser is a part of the Wilson company. According to People Magazine, Helser was one of just two people who sewed footballs for the NFL. From 1966 to 2014, she worked four 10-hour shifts a week, during which she produced 150 footballs a day. To date, she’s sewed more than a million footballs. Helser said, “It’s a privilege, it’s the ball that the NFL plays with and millions of people see it every Sunday during the season, out there on the field. It’s such an honor.” The ball begins by being sewn inside out, after sew the ball is put into a small steamer and then manually turned right side out, after it is laced by hand and ready to participate in a game.
The NBA introduced a new game ball for play in the beginning of the 2006-07 season. With a material that offers better grip, this marked the first change in over 35 years. The brand who provides basketballs is Spalding. Spalding collectively has three companies and are the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. According to Made How, in the MLB, an official baseball consists of a round cushioned cork center called a “pill,” wrapped tightly in windings of wool and polyester and cotton yarn, and covered by stitched cowhide. The average baseball remains in play for only five to seven pitches in a Major League game. Each ball must weigh between 5 and 5.25 ounces and measure between 9 and 9.25 inches in circumference to conform to Major League standards. Approximately 600,000 baseballs are used by all Major League teams combined during the course of a season. Stitching a baseball cannot be done with a machine. The machine creates two problems: one is the machine is unable to start or stop the stitching process without manual assistance; second, they have been unable to vary the tension of their stitches, something that is essential if the two figure-8 coverings are to fit securely on the wound ball without tearing. Rawlings is the Official Baseball Supplier and Official Helmet of MLB and supplies the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation.
NAOMI ASRIR
Surfers take on the deadly California Mavericks
Maverick waves are famous for being some of the tallest on earth Taran Sun Staff Writer
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Rad Facts About The Mavericks
1 . The first Maverick’s surfing competition was in 1999. AT&T Park in San Francisco hosts live broadcasts of the event on 2. its giant (110 foot wide) video display. 3.The Mavericks usually take place in early March anually. said their new operating software generations would be named after places in California that have inspired them, such as 4 . Apple the Mavericks.
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The deadly 25 foot wave reaches its peak, ready to begin its crushing descent, and the surfer puts his years of experience to the test. “I love surfing because it’s different, it’s me vs. nature, which can be unpredictable. The ocean really does sooth the soul and it makes me focus on the present and forget my worries for a while,” said junior Megan Handley. The Mavericks surfing location is found just north of the town of Half Moon Bay, and is reputed to have some of the largest and deadliest surfing waves on earth. This is what makes it an attraction for professional surfers around the world during the winter time. Freshman Noah Sanchez said, “I love surfing because it’s really exciting to catch a wave. However, I would never surf in an event like Mavericks. Never. It’s dangerous.” After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific, waves have the ability to crest at over 25 feet and top out at over 80 feet. The break is caused by an unusually shaped rock formation underneath the surface of the water. An invitation-only contest is held there most winters, which is the time that the famous waves occur. Junior Ella Reich attended Mavericks in 2014. Reich said, “Mavericks was awesome. I take guitar lessons from a teacher that lives in Half Moon Bay and is in his own band. His band was hired to play at the Mavericks festival and he invited me to
play a couple of songs with him. It was really cool to play for a group of people that had all come together to watch the surfing competition, and it was a little nerve wracking.” Professional surfers will often ride these world famous waves to the right. This means that when a surfer is paddling to catch the wave and it is breaking from left to right, the surfer will have to turn right to get on the wave. The left is rarely ridden, as the wave tends to be much faster to the left. According to Surfline, the left is “a short-lived explosion of hell and spitfire.” Junior Lukas Kelly, who can see Mavericks from the window of his house, said, “The waves are enormous, the power of nature is evident. The surfing aspect of the event is absolutely insane, and I like to watch it for both the amazing waves and the surfers.” The Maverick waves were first discovered by surfer Jeff Clark who, in 1975, was the first recorded person to pioneer the Maverick waves. This led to popular discovery of the location in 1990, when a photo of Mavericks was taken by a friend of Clark’s and published in Surfer magazine. Sophomore Leo McBride said, “Surfing is a way for me to connect with the ocean. It’s so peaceful, and it relieves stress. I would never want to ride a huge wave like Mavericks because of the danger that it presents. It takes a lot of mental and physical strength to endure a wave like that.” The Maverick’s season sweeps through California every year, but only a few know when the prestigious event will occur.
SPORTS
March 2015
Page 21
The Highlander
Baseball vs. softball: back to the basic question
The explanation of the debate on which sport is more difficult and why Justine Phipps Staff Writer
It has been said that hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports. Plain and simple. The ball is three inches smaller than a softball, making it harder to see and, therefore, harder to hit. But is the sport itself really harder to play? In a recent poll of 150 Carlmont students conducted by the Carlmont Journalism Department, 72 percent believe that both sports are equally difficult. On the contrary, 23 percent believe that baseball is harder to play than softball, while only 5 percent believe that softball is harder to play than baseball. “Hitting a softball is the hardest thing to do in sports,” said Jody Roginson, a Texas Tech Athletic Reporter. “A pitcher stands in a circle (not a mound) 43 feet from a batter when she starts her delivery and, since most of the great ones seem to be at least six feet tall, they feel like they’re on top of you as the ball is pitched and a hitter having a reaction to a particular pitch is often as much luck as it is skill.” The difficulty level of hitting a softball versus hitting a baseball was tested in an experiment hosted by Fox Sports Network (FSN) Sports Science. In the experiment, sports scientists had Olympic Gold Medalist softball pitcher Jennie Finch pitch with Cal State Fullerton baseball pitcher Adam Jorgenson to evaluate the force at which the ball crosses home plate at. They did this by setting up a strike-force plate that both pitchers would pitch to, and the plate would calculate how much force the ball was coming toward the plate. Jorgenson went first, and tested his 95 mph fastball. Scientists calculated that the ball traveled with 2,411 pounds of force when it hits the strike-force plate. Finch followed up, and tested her 70 mph fastball. On her first pitch, Finch broke the strike-force plate. “Coming in [to the experiment], the [scientists] told me I would be throwing against some scientific gear,” said Finch during an on-site interview with the FSN Sports Science crew. “My goal was to come in and break it, and that’s what I did.” The second part of the experiment tested why it was hard to hit a softball. The sports scientists brought in minor league baseball player Bryan Byrne to hit against Jorgenson and Finch. Byrne had no problems hitting against Jorgenson, but struggled greatly hitting against Finch. “The difference between the distances of pitching mounds makes a huge difference along with the different release points,” said freshman and varsity softball player Mailey McLemore. “A baseball pitcher has a release point only going down while with softball, [the pitcher] has many different release points.” When baseball players see a ball coming from 60 feet and 6 inches away, they have about .395 milliseconds to react to the ball. Softball players, on the other hand, see the ball coming from 43 feet away, and have about .350 milliseconds to react. While .045 milliseconds may not seem like a lot, it makes a huge difference to someone who has only seen one type of pitching their whole sports career. “I haven’t hit off a softball pitcher, but I would assume that it would be [difficult] because of the angle [the ball comes in from]. I don’t think it would be a problem for my fellow teammates and myself, but who knows. They have a weird rise ball,” said senior and varsity baseball player Aaron Albaum. There are multiple other aspects that have to be taken into consideration along with the field size, ball size, and pitching style. Baseball players generally use a bat between 30 to 34 inches long, and that weighs anywhere between 27 to 31 ounces. On the other hand, softball players generally use a bat that’s between 30 to 34 inches long, and that weighs around 20 to 24 ounces. “I feel [like] boys use heavier bats because we [stand] farther away from the pitcher, so we have more reaction time. It’s not that guys are stronger than girls, but more so that from how close [softball players are to the mound], it would almost be them trying to swing a tree and expecting to get a hit,” said Albaum. Pitching angles also affect the difficulty between the sports. In an interview with FSN Sports Science, pitching and batting coach Perry Husband said how the batter sees the ball coming in at them affects whether or not they will hit it. He went on to explain how “baseball players are typically used to seeing a pitch come from a certain area, so unless they’ve seen a lot of pitchers that come from down under, they’re going to have a difficult time” hitting a softball. In the end, it was found that both baseball and softball are difficult sports to play, and many aspects contribute to the difficulty of each sport individually. Both sports take skill and practice to master, and it is safe to say they both have their individual difficulties.
Which is harder? Baseball vs. Softball
THE PITCH An overhand thow from an elevated mound in a pitching circle that extends to a 9 ft radius
INNINGS Baseball: 9 Softball: 7
THE PITCH An underhand pitch from a flat pitching circle that extends to an 8 ft radius BASES Baseball: 90 ft Softball: 60 ft
THE BALL A white, small, dense ball with a 9 inch circumference
THE BALL A yellow, big ball with a 12 inch circumference
SARAH BORO
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I haven’t hit off a softball pitcher, but I would assume that it would be difficult because of the angle the ball comes in from. Aaron Albaum Senior
JUSTINE PHIPPS
OPINION
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The Highlander
March 2015
Domi-Nation Protests shouldn’t disrupt society Dominic Gialdini Editor
“Blessed is he that can laugh at himself, he will never cease to be amused.”- Anonymous
What the hippies taught me
Voluntarily wandering through the woods ad nauseum with herds of impulsive children for the sole purpose of teaching them about how nature works seems like a hell of way to waste one’s life. The perplexing individuals, known as naturalists, who do this very thing had stumped me for the longest time, until I participated in what some would categorize as a week of pure hell, which actually turned out to be quite enlightening. In early February, I sojourned with my alma mater, Tierra Linda Middle School, to Westminster Woods, where I was responsible for the well-beings of nine seventh-grade boys. It was my fourth time there and my final opportunity to get out of school in exchange for exploring the great outdoors as a chaperone (and making sure that my designated students didn’t tumble down the mountain, fall from a tree, kill each other in any way imaginable or drown in the creek -- which two kind of almost did (but not really). Good thing I was there to save their lives and effectively become an unsung hero of society). Anyway, I expected to -- as usual -- spend my time doing what I do best: hobnob with my old teachers and gorge myself with the buffet-style, all-you-can-eat-without-getting-scolded food. However, the profound experience that I had -- aside from the kids almost drowning in the creek -- was that I finally “got” those hippie naturalists that work there. The first three times I went to the camp, I couldn’t help but wonder who in their right minds would dedicate their lives to a low-salary job (no, I’m not talking about our teachers) in order to tell kids about leaves and dirt and the water cycle. The absurdity of it made me want to bash my head in on the nearest redwood tree, which probably would have greatly disturbed the naturalists (how could anybody harm a redwood tree?). How could anyone stand walking on the same trail countless times and and living on the same little plot of land all their lives with only occasional opportunities to go out and see the world? Epiphany #1: That is what most people do with their lives. When I really got to thinking about it, I realized that most of us are no different, except for the fact that most other people are trapped behind computer screens and conference tables. The vast majority of people fall into patterns that cause them to do the same work over and over, never to change their ways. People, especially the ones who struggle in earning an adequate salary -- never have the opportunity to travel at whim to far-off lands. In this respect, who really has it worse, the people who are paid to experience nature every day or the drones of companies mindlessly following the commands of the big man? To me the answer is obvious. I also had trouble comprehending why anyone would have such low goals. Working at a camp for kids seemed like a purgatory of sorts, an atonement for poor life decisions. Epiphany #2: The naturalists have more fulfilling lives than most. Educating the youth about the environment is undervalued. Maybe by our societal norms, the “hippies” back at camp aren’t adequate contributors. However, they are doing something that they love while having a potentially positive impact on the world. They see hundreds of students each year, and if they make a lasting impact on even one of those students, then they are doing something meaningful. At least it’s more meaningful than pursuing a career solely for the enlargement of the contents of one’s wallet. In the grand scheme of things, the isolated roles of those hippie naturalist people are inconsequential to the world, but when realizing that we, too, have a global influence about the size of a grain of sand, we allow ourselves to realize possibly the most paramount concept pertaining to humanity: Epiphany #3: Our collective insignificance adds up to something profound.
Claudia Leist Editor
Injustice is a crime, especially when committed by our so-called “justice system.” As we all know, 2014 was a crazy year. From race protests to unjustified killings, from criminal police officers to distrust of our own government, it was a year filled with pain, confusion, doubt, and realization. I am not going to discuss what terrible things happened last year and continue to happen now, but it interests me to see how society reacts to these situations. All of these occurrences affected large groups of people in some way or another. People wanted to stand up for what they believe in, whether it means protesting on the streets or blocking off bridges to get society’s attention. Look, I get it. I am one of you. I have passions, I have beliefs, and I stand up for myself and my people. I believe in civil disobedience, but only when it is actually civil in more ways than just nonviolent. One of the definitions of “civil” on the Merriam-Webster website is “adequate in courtesy and politeness.” Now, the forms of protest and demonstrating that people have been doing this past year do not coincide with this definition. As I read story upon story about protesters blocking bridges and freeways for hours and even days on end, it made me doubt the protesters alleged true intentions of their pursuit. In December, a woman went into labor on I-80 because protesters wouldn’t make room for the car to get to the hospital nor for the ambulance to reach her car. People working three jobs every day couldn’t get home after an 18-hour work day because protesters made them feel like the suspects of the past year’s awful occurrences. Regular citizens who simply need to get to work or back home, to tend to their families, to go places in an emergency, couldn’t because of stubborn people practicing “civil disobedience” by disrupting society.
I understand, because all of the frustrating crimes that caused these protests were themselves examples of disruptions to society. But why are we punishing those who are just trying to live day to day and care for those around them by blocking streets, bridges, roads, and interfering with traffic and pedestrian flow? It may not seems like a big deal, but think about if you were in those people’s shoes. Not everyone is a criminal and not everyone deserves to be punished. More than half of those people that are stuck trying to get to their destination may support the protesters ideas and stand on their side, but are feeling like suspects because they are being disrupted, interrupted, and tormented. This is not courteous nor polite. I am all for holding protests, making your voice heard, working together to have an influence on those around you, gathering in an open space to have a demonstration against racial inequality, women’s rights, genocide, or anything else for that matter. Honestly, I will most likely be there too. I am just as passionate about my own beliefs as many of these protesters are about theirs, but exerting your influence effectively depends on how you do it. Don’t disrupt society and blame the whole world for our problems, injustices, and tragedies. Make a statement, but make it in a way that doesn’t negatively affect the people surrounding you in your home, school, city, state, or even country. Next time you think of marching onto a bridge and blocking traffic or standing in the middle of the freeway and causing accidents to prove your passion and unacceptance of the world’s problems, realize the negative effects it has on those around you. Do it in a way that lets your voice be heard and lets others be on their way with their ears ready to hear you, their eyes ready to see you, and their minds ready to stand with you.
Profiling is human nature Brooke Buckley Staff Writer
We cannot deny the advancements of our nation. Nor can one deny that racial profiling still exists. Profiling is the capacity to draw conclusions on a limited, but specific set of variables. These variables are, for the most part, either learned by experience or communicated from the experience of others. The American Psychological Association said, “When developing an offender description factors can include psychological variables such as personality traits, psychopathologies and behavior patterns, as well as demographic variables such as age, race or geographic location.” Unfortunately, in some cases profiling can cause acts of racism in our law enforcement. Though, the real question is not what should we do about it, it’s what can we do about it. In the most simple terms it is in the best interest of all people to abide by the law. No one can assume they are safe when breaking a law. No matter how minor the law is. There is no regulation that is in place to stop a cop from mentally profiling someone. Law enforcement is taught profiling as a strategy to develop suspects. One of the latest publicized acts of racial profiling was in the Michael Brown case. Growing up poor is something I and many others at this school have not experienced. Some African Americans who grow up in a bad neighborhood have the odds stacked against them, and no one can deny that. Anyone can sympathize with a young man stealing food when poor, but we can not act as if this man was heroic in his actions. Ferguson Police chief Tom Jackson released the video footage of Michael Brown allegedly robbing a man for cigars. It is events like these that take away from what we can do together. Glorifying this young male takes away from the people we are trying to convince that racism exists. People who see racism as an excuse for crime will not
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be convinced otherwise when they watch video footage of Brown allegedly stealing cigars, and that is the problem. Darren Wilson saw a 6 foot 5 black male who weighed 289 pounds allegedly charging him, and profiled the male as a threat. People can assume Wilson racially profiled Brown as a criminal, but we do not know if the officer’s actions would have been the same if the male was white. According to the witness report, Wilson “saw Brown reach his right hand under his t-shirt into what appeared to be his waistband.” Accounts that Brown put his hands up are “inaccurate because they are inconsistent with the physical and forensic evidence,” the report said. On March 4, The Department of Justice Report (A report made by the Primary Federal Criminal Investigation and Enforcement Agency on the Brown case) said, “There is no evidence upon which prosecutors can rely to disapprove Wilson’s stated subjective belief that he feared for his safety.” The Supreme Court doesn’t have enough evidence to prove that Wilson was not threatened by Brown. In a similar case of profiling, Dillon Taylor was a 20 year old white male from Salt Lake City who was assessed with two other friends when they were, “making a scene,” according to the police statement. Allegedly Taylor did not comply with the officer, and in turn he was shot. The judge ruled that the officer, a black male, was justified for shooting Taylor for not complying. Like Wilson’s claim, the officer profiled Taylor as a threat when he reached towards his waist instead of putting his hands up. Just like Wilson, we do not know if this officer’s actions would have been the same if the male was black. Profiling exists and there is no immediate resolution to stop it due to lack of evidence. I am not arguing that it is right to support the idea that if you commit a crime you should be prepared to die. The point is that there would be no Brown or Taylor case if the two complied with the police and didn’t break a law in the first place.
OPINION Mike’s Corner Inequality still exists
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March 2015
The Highlander
Michael Bastaki Editor
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”- John Wooden
Pipe down over Keystone
Senior Elise Dimick recites a poem to raise awareness about gender, racial, and cultural inequality.
Shira Stein Scot Scoop Editor in Chief Since the dawn of civilization, people in positions of power have oppressed various groups. These groups of oppressed people have had histories comprised of murder, unequal treatment, and unspeakable acts. They’re made up of the most diverse people in the world, but they all have one thing in common: they are all still oppressed. A common misconception, that is usually the result of internalized prejudice, is the idea that the marginalization of these groups no longer exists. Some would say that racism ended in the 1960s because the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate based on race. But today racism is still so rampant that in Ferguson, Missouri, the killing of an unarmed black teenager by a white policemen went unpunished. Similar situations occurred in Arizona, New York, California, Maryland, Louisiana, Michigan, and Texas in 2014 alone. Since Barack Obama was elected president, people have used the argument that one black man being in charge of one of the largest and most important world nations constitutes a post-racial society. The problem with that argument is that the treatment of people of color as a whole is unequal to the treatment of white people. This argument is used with a variety of well-known and well-off people of color, but a small percentage does not constitute the treatment of an entire population of people. Even in popular awards shows like the Oscars, the percentage of people of color nominated for awards is miniscule and the amount who actually win is staggeringly low. Out of 87 years of the Oscars being held, only 32 black people have won out of more than 2,900 winners. The prejudices in our society are not only directed at specific racial groups, but also at ethno-religious groups like Jews. According to the Berman Institute-North American Jewish Databank at University of Connect, prior to the Holocaust, the population of Jews in the world ranged around 17 million people. In 1945, after the Holocaust, the Jewish population was depleted to 11 million. Now, 70 years later, the population of Jews is around 14 million. Even after such a long period of time, some European Jewish populations never recovered and regrew in their original locations. After the attacks on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in January, a kosher market in a Jewish area of Paris was attacked
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by a terrorist who killed four hostages. In February, a terrorist killed Dan Uzan, a Jewish man who was standing guard outside a Bat Mitzvah (the jewish ritual where a child becomes responsible for their own Jewish ritual law, tradition, and ethics) in Copenhagen. In May 2014 four people were shot outside of the Jewish Museum in Brussels. According to a recent study done by the National Demographic Survey of American Jewish College Students, 54 percent of over 1,000 students at 55 college campuses in the United States experienced anti-semitism in the spring of 2014. Especially after the attacks of 9/11, the rise of Islamophobia has become greater, with Muslim people being told to go back to their own country and being called terrorists. The ideas of a few select groups of Islamic extremists do not reflect the views of an entire group of people. Some would assume that, because of the terrorist actions of a few, all believers of Islam have the ability to commit terrorist acts, but the Islamophobia in the world only serves to hurt those who aren’t extremists. Some people believe that because 38 of the 50 states have freedom to marry laws for same-sex couples, LGBT+ inequality no longer exists. But there are still LGBT+ people who are killed because of their sexual and gender identity. Although some believe the idea of trans people, those who do not identify with culturally conventional gender roles, is a recent idea, trans people have been around since at least before the 1800s. Native American tribes recognized some individuals as “Two-Spirited,” an umbrella term for gender-variant people. Lucy Ann Lobdell was born in 1829 as Joseph Lobdell, and was arrested and incarcerated in an insane asylum for identifying as a gender other than the one she was designated at birth. In the first two months of 2015, 44 trans people have been murdered in the world, and at least two trans teens have committed suicide because of unequal treatment by the people in their surroundings. The problem with these inequalities continuing is that society has become complacent in calling out behavior that reinforces prejudice. When people try to call others out on their behavior, they’re shut down with more prejudice and name-calling. The reason behind trying to call out problematic behavior is to educate people, but it is futile more often than not. The next step in trying to stop inequality is to educate in a kind and respectful manner, while being aware of the changing world around oneself. Trying to make change in regard to the law is something that is slowly happening, but still needs attention due to the still inherent prejudice in society.
“Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!” was the slogan imploring the passage of the Keystone XL Pipeline. “No XL! No XL! No XL!” was the slogan deploring the passage of the Keystone XL Pipeline. For those of you with an interest in politics, you probably remember the triumphant Republicans after the 2014 November elections proudly declaring that they will pass the Keystone XL Pipeline as soon as they got in office. You probably remember President Obama promising to veto the pipeline if the Republicans tried. Well, they tried. And, on Feb. 25, Obama vetoed it. For those of you that don’t know, the Keystone XL Pipeline refers to a 1,200 miles-of-pipeline section. This section is part of a larger 3,800 miles-of-pipeline system that travels from Canada to the United States. This proposed 1,200 mile pipeline section (the rest has already been built) would travel from Montana to South Dakota and end up in Nebraska. This pipeline would allow for 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil to be sent from Canada to Steele City, Nevada. So given all the media coverage and drastic political measures, it’s clear that this Keystone XL Pipeline must be a crucial part of our nation’s future. This pipeline must lower gas prices by 40%, create millions of permanent jobs, and drastically help the economy. The answer is that the pipeline doesn’t do any of that. And that’s because the Keystone XL Pipeline isn’t really that big of a deal economically and socially. According to the US State Department’s Final Supplemental Economic Impact Statement for the Keystone XL Pipeline, the pipeline would “support approximately 42,200 jobs,” during construction. However, this report also found that after construction is completed, the pipeline would only “generate approximately 50 jobs during operations.” So while there would be a huge spike in jobs during construction, the subsequent jobs needed to manage the pipeline during operations (a paltry 50) would offset the gains in employment created by this pipeline. Additionally, there’s no real pressing need for this pipeline. Gas prices aren’t at four dollars a gallon and, as according to the Energy Information Administration, should fall another 23 percent in 2015 to a national average of $2.60 a gallon. Furthermore, the State Department’s report found that the Keystone XL Pipeline would generate “approximately $2 billion in earnings throughout the United States,” which in the grand scheme of things is not that significant of a sum. However, there definitely are more concrete arguments against the Keystone XL Pipeline than there are for it. Environmentalists have bemoaned the proposed use of extracting oil from the tar oil sands, as they claim that this type of oil extraction is messier and worse for the environment. The State Department agreed, finding that tar sand drilling would “emit an estimated 17 percent more GHGs [greenhouse gases] than the average barrel of crude oil.” Additionally, there’s a problem with the pipeline running through Native American tribes’ sovereign land, with many of the tribes uncomfortable with workers being so close to their indigenous people. One such tribe, the Rosebud Sioux tribe, went so far as to declare that “authorizing Keystone XL is an act of war against our people.” When its pros are weighed against its cons, it’s clear that the Keystone Pipeline XL does not have much to offer the United States of America. It’s more of a political gimmick by certain members of Congress and Senate to angrily respond to president Obama’s growing use of executive orders and authority. In a country that needs to get so much done; from preventing another government shutdown to dealing with global terrorism, there’s much more pressing issues for the federal government to focus on than the Keystone XL Pipeline.
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March 2015
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The Latinos Unidos club. From left to right stands Johanna Matute, Joshua Harris, Kassandra Lopez, Fabricio Custodio, Juan Quiñonez, Mario Valenzuela, Sara Arredondo, Vianka Adamovitch, Kevin Ernesto, Candelaria Rangel, Stephanie Anaya, Kathleen Moreyra, Leticia Camacho, and Mar Burgueño.
Overcoming challenges as a Latino Jocelyn Moran Staff Writer
They walk through the hallways, trying to stand tall, as they face being stereotyped on a daily basis. They are told “you can’t do it,” “stop trying,” and “you won’t achieve.” They face challenges every day as they hear these remarks in their head. They represent 23 per-
cent of Carlmont. Latinos. Some hispanics have less confidence due to their race and background. Because of this, they lack motivation as they hear the remarks that originate from the standard image of a Latino. Spanish teacher Bertalicia Godina said, “The stereotypical image of a Latino is one that is not going to go to college and is probably going to end up being a gardener.
Sara Arredondo
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"I've never really seen my circumstances as a disadvantage," said senior Sara Arredondo. Arredondo currently has over a 4.0 gpa, is part of the Carlmont track team, and participates in other extracurricular activities despite her responsibilities and difficulties at home. "I see my problems at home as a way to grow as a person. I don't let that get in the way of my school life." Arredondo attended Willow Oaks Middle School in East Palo Alto, which is populated with minorities and only 60 people. "In middle school, I was told I couldn't be in certain ad-
Leticia Camacho
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“UC Berkeley is my top school,” said senior Leticia Camacho. Camacho is currently in the Incentive Awards Program (IAP) funded by Berkeley which provides scholarships for first-gener-
There are actually students who want to go to college and are trying to do well in school.” Despite the put-downs, insults, and criticisms, many Latinos have decided to take a stand and go against the stereotypical picture of their race. They challenge those standard images by taking rigorous courses, studying hard, and helping their community. They attempt to prove the re-
vanced classes going into high school because they thought I couldn't do it. My teacher didn't think I was capable of being in these classes, and that set me back," said Arredondo. Currently, Arredondo is in four five-point classes, including BC Calculus and AP Literature. Arredondo said, “Throughout high school, I gained confidence, but it can be a little intimidating being one of the, if not only, Latinos in my AP classes.” Arredondo is also part of the Incentive Awards Program (IAP), and is hoping to major in mechanical engineering at Berkeley. “I really hope that I can attend UC Berkeley because it’s my top school. I also realized that I wanted to become an engineer after I attended an engineering institute during the summer at San Francisco State University. This program gave me confidence that I could pursue engineering,” Even with her busy schedule, Arredondo is dedicated to helping her community. “During the summer, I volunteered at a mural and arts program, and I got to discuss with my community about political and social issues in our city. I helped paint a city mural in East Palo Alto, and I feel like I’m connected with my community and can help it,” said Arredondo. Arredondo not only stays connected with her community through murals, but she also stays connected with her heritage and culture by being part of the Latinos Unidos club. Arredondo’s AVID teacher Matt Miskelly said, "Sara is more thoughtful than any other student I've taught. Whatever assignment I give her, she thinks about it and thinks about how it's going to make her a better person. She makes it easier to teach because she wants to learn.”
ation college students who have demonstrated academic achievement and community involvement. Camacho proves to be an adequate candidate for this scholarship as she currently has a 4.0 GPA, and helps out her school by being part of the Leadership class. However, Camacho did not achieve this without facing struggles on the way. Carlmont is the fourth school she has attended after attending schools in Stockton. “In Stockton, there were more Latinos, and I felt more comfortable. Here, it’s a little different because there’s more diversity,” said Camacho. “I’ve always been very shy. People at school think Latinos are dumb, so I sometimes don’t ask questions in class because I don’t
want people to think I’m dumb.” Despite moving schools, Camacho has consistently been a dedicated student, and is aiming for a successful future for herself. “I want to end up going to medical school. I don’t know what kind of doctor I want to be yet, but I definitely want to pursue that,” said Camacho. Sophomore Stephanie Anaya said, “Leticia is very sweet and kind. She’s really hard-working and tries to get really good grades. She’s funny, but when it comes to grades, she tries really hard. She deserves to go to a great college.” Camacho also holds on to her Mexican heritage and culture by being in AP Spanish and part of the Latinos Unidos club.
marks wrong by setting goals, and preparing themselves to attend college and build a future. They are ready to overcome the obstacles that are put in front of them. They are ambitious and ready to strive to become successful. They are ready to stand tall as they walk through the hallways, ready to prove the ones who tell them “you can’t do it” wrong.
Jesus Quevedo
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"Don't let other people's opinions change your mindset about school," said junior Jesus Quevedo. Quevedo attended McKinley Middle School in Redwood City which is made up of 88 percent Latino students. Quevedo then decided to attend Carlmont despite living in Redwood City. "My mom didn't like the high schools in Redwood City, and she thought Carlmont was a much better school," said Quevedo. With the change in environment, Quevedo faced difficulties in his transition to high school. “In middle school, I struggled a lot. I was doing pretty bad academically, which continued during freshman year too because it was a different environment from my middle school," said Quevedo. "I also didn't know anyone going into high school, and that was a little hard. Even with the challenges he has faced, Quevedo is a student who goes against the stereotypical image of his race. “I’ve had people think I had bad grades just by looking at me,” said Quevedo. However, he currently has a 4.0 GPA, proving those assumptions wrong. Quevedo also enjoys playing lacrosse, and loves learning about his culture and heritage as he is in AP Spanish. As his senior year approaches, Quevedo is optimistic about his future. “My dream school is UCLA. I’m planning to study political science and join the FBI,” said Quevedo. Godina said, "Jesus has been doing so well ever since AP Spanish started. He has good grades, and he is very respectful. He wants to learn and wants to get better. He doesn't just do his work to get good grades, but he does it to improve and learn. He's motivated."