Jan 2013 Highlander

Highlander

The

Check out the driving section, pages 10 & 11

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January 2013, Vol IV, Issue IV

Popping pills

By Rachel Schuster Senior Editor While taking a few pills to cure a headache or stomach cramp, some students are actually causing potentially lethal damage to their bodies.

Karenna Meredith, like many other students at Carlmont, wanted to get rid of an acne breakout, so she began taking pills prescribed to her by her doctor.

“My acne wasn't even that bad, but at the time, I just asked the dermatologist for the strongest medicine she had because I wanted it off my face,” Meredith said.

She was prescribed large pills, remarking, “sometimes when I took them, they would get stuck in my throat. But I got lazy and I figured they would just eventually go down.”

However, after a while, Meredith's throat began to burn and throb to the point where it became unbearable.

So she went back to the doctor who gravely told her that she had an ulcer in her throat caused by the residue that had dissolved from pills lodged in her throat.

When she went back to her dermatologist, the professional’s response was that her ulcer was one of the side effects listed on the prescription bottle, which unfortunately caused her throat to degrade.

Doctors consider the potential benefits and risks to each patient before prescribing medications such as the one Meredith received.

Virtually every medication presents some risk of undesirable side effects, sometimes even serious ones.

“I never paid attention to the side effects because I just trusted that the dermatologist and my mom already knew these things and wouldn't give them to me if that would be hurtful,” she said.

“I should have educated myself about the side effects of my medicine," she lamented. "I just didn't think it was that important, but now I know.”

A majority of Carlmont students, about 59 percent, do not pay attention to labels on the drug bottles.

Luckily for Meredith, she did not take more than the prescribed dose of pills, or her case would have been much more severe.

If she had done so, she would be abusing these drugs, just as 45% of Carlmont students admitted to doing with their own pills.

Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication that was prescribed for someone else or takes their own prescription in a manner or dosage other than what was instructed, regardless of the side effects.

Opioid pain relievers (Vicodin), central nervous system depressants (Xanax, Valium), and stimulants (Adderall) are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.

Drugs available without a prescription, known as “over-thecounter” drugs can also be abused.

Dextromethorphan, the active Continued on pg. 16

Making it through the day Dangerous ways to stay alert during school

By Alex Porter Managing Editor

Wake up, go to school, repeat, the daily struggle for many students.

All students know that school is hard and we all buckle under the pressure at one point but some students turn to dangerous ways to get through the day.

In recent years students have turned to energy drinks, Adderall, cigarettes, coffee, and other seemingly harmless ways to boost their abilities to survive school.

“I stay up pretty late on school days, usually until about two in the morning,” commented Nava Dallal.

Zamora leaves Carlmont

By Gianna Dimick Editor-in-Chief

For the class of 2013, Raul Zamora has been the only principal of Carlmont High School the students have known.

With one semester remaining before the class of 2013 graduates, Zamora has left.

Zamora has been a part of Carlmont for many years, first starting as a vice principal in 2002 and then later coming back to Carlmont and becoming the principal for almost four years. He has taken the position of Director of Classified Personnel in the Fremont Union School District.

The Fremont Union School District is almost ten times the size of Sequoia Union High School District and this new job will take him one step closer to reaching his goal of one day becoming the superintendent of a school district.

Unfortunately, Zamora had to start his new job right away and officially left Carlmont on Jan. 14.

Although there has been lots of speculation as to who will be the new principal, James

Lianides, the Sequoia Union High School District superintendent, announced on Dec. 19 that Carlmont have an interim principal and dean of students until the end of this school Photo by Gianna Dimick year. While the new principal will be determined in March, he or she will not begin until the summer. Until then, Linda Common, a former principal at Woodside High School, will be Carlmont’s interim principal. Sophia Olliver, a former English teacher at Menlo-Atherton High School, will be Carlmont’s dean of students.

A concern of some students is that a new principal would mean new rules and some new changes for Carlmont. Melanie Fuentes,Zamora’s secretary disagreed, “Well there’s always change when there’s new leadership, but they are not here to make changes just help us transition over to the new principal.” continued on pg. 16

Staying up late working on homework has become part of the high school experience yet the caffeine intake of students has become unhealthy.

“I drink about 30 ounces of coffee a day,” stated Lily Zheng.

According to Coffee Home Direct, studies suggest “caffeine is known to disrupt teenagers’ sleep cycles, which can lead to issues like poor moods, aggression, impulsiveness, and loss of behavioral control.”

Energy drinks, which have three times more caffeine than the average cup of coffee or tea, are extremely common among high school students.

“Because I live so far away I have to wake up at 4:20 in the morning to commute. I’m really tired in the morning after getting 3-4 hours of sleep and Monster immediately wakes me up,” said Estrellita FarrisDelgado.

Instead of turning to coffee and energy drinks, SOS Leader Shelley Bustamante, advises to drink water because it “detoxifies the body of stress hormones.”

The pressure of tests and quizzes can crush a student, making them feel incapable of doing well.

Some students use Adderall, the drug prescribed to people with ADD or ADHD to help them focus Continued on pg. 16

Is a college education affordable?

By Erica Valbusa Scotscoop Editor

After graduating high school, many students look forward to attending college.

However, some are not able to attend their dream school due to the cost of tuition.

During the first semester of senior year, students decide where they are going to apply.

Some may use location, size, academics, or athletics to determine where to apply. But for many students, cost is the largest factor affecting where they will receive a further education.

“The colleges that I applied to all have programs that I am interested in, but the price of tuition for each was definitely in the back of my mind as I submitted the applications,” stated senior Shannon Chang.

A report by Bloomberg concludes that the cost of college tuition in the United States has increased 1120 percent since 1978. The rate of increase has been “four times faster than the increase in the consumer price index.”

In early 2012, another report by the Associated Press found that the average tuition at a four-year public university increased by 15 percent between 2008 and 2010.

Despite the climbing price of attendance, Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated that it is the country’s priority to lower college costs. “If the costs keep on rising, especially

at a time when family incomes are hurting, college will become increasingly unaffordable for the middle class.”

“My biggest piece of advice for students applying for financial aid is don’t assume that you won’t qualify for the aid. I would rather have students turn down money than be worried about having enough money. Another piece of advice is to not miss deadlines,” stated Carlmont college counselor Connie Dominguez.

The average cost of tuition per year at a California Community college for a California resident living on campus is about $13,929. The average tuition per year at a California State University for a California resident living on campus is about $23,444.

The average tuition per year at a University of California school for a California resident living on campus is about $31,700. The average tuition per year at a private college for a student living on campus is about $50,470.

These hefty price tags can lead students to question whether or not college is the right path for them. If going to college is going to hurt them financially in the future, why attend in the first place?

“I can’t go to my top choice because it is really expensive and I don’t meet the criteria to receive the financial aid needed to attend,” continued on pg. 16

News and Opinions

Page 2

Supernatural love Enraged Drivers I just had the best, most original idea for a movie

By Sarah Levin EVER. Columnist So there’s this girl, right? And she’s like, maybe seventeen

or eighteen. That age where you’re fully capable of making life-altering decisions. She’s also awkward (because EVERYONE is awkward at that age), and maybe clumsy too. And gorgeous. Like, twenty-five-year-old-withphotoshop gorgeous. Yet- and here’s the best part- she’s totally incapable of talking to boys. Just like every high school girl, right?

Her name is something typical, yet edgy. Preferably something like Kaytlynn or Malyssa. A name you’d be proud to wear in your forties.

Anyway, she has to go to a new school because her parents divorced. Or maybe her dad dies, or he loses his job. Whatever. Adult drama isn’t interesting enough to include. Not when we have cheerleaders to knock books out of people’s hands or football players to call someone a spaz then high-five each other.

You know. Real, gripping drama.

So at this new school, no one really notices her (the horror!) except this one boy. And he’s hot. Like, REALLY hot. So hot, his face probably melts off his skull once or twice a day, so he has to use eyeliner and hair gel to keep it on straight. And his name is something really cool and original, like Lucien or... I don’t know, Blayde. Something dangerous, with tons of x’s, k’s, and z’s. Those are the SEXY letters.

Immediately (seriously- within walking into the same room) the two teenagers realize they are meant to spend every second of the day together, discussing art, music, and philosophy.

Like real teenagers do. Blayde is the first person to truly grasp the deep, dark, deepness of Malyssa’s seventeen-year-old soul, and Malyssa is the only person who can be around Blayde’s perfectly sculpted cheekbones without cutting herself on them.

But there’s a problem. A secret Blayde has been hiding from Malyssa. Blayde is secretly... a merman. I KNOW. Who would have guessed?

Luckily for Blayde, this only makes him more attractive to Malyssa. However, the two of them can’t be together, because Blayde’s father (who sort of looks like Poseidon, but with eyeliner) forbids him to be with a human. And also, she might drown.

So the two of them see each other in secret, existing in a perfect world of snuggling montages set to a backdrop of late-eighties love ballads and the cries of eagles.

Can’t you just picture the beautiful, heart-wrenching dialogue the two will have? Blayde will look into Malyssa’s eyes and whisper, “I’d give up my tail and gil-lungs for you, my sweet anemone.” And Malyssa won’t say anything, because they’re underwater and she’s trying not to pass out.

A bad guy will have to come in at some point, but we won’t spend much time explaining who he is or where he comes from. We’ll just showBlayde nearly die to save Malyssa and add some cool slow-mo shots of him strangling the bad guy with his perfectly coiffed hair. In the end, the two end up together and another love ballad plays us into the credits.

I can’t believe how amazing and original this movie will be. Now all we need is a title... something that’s short and catchy, and has nothing at all to do with the movie.

How about “Plethora?” That’s a sexy-sounding word. I just wish there were more z’s in it...

your own driving.

As the offending driver speeds away you feel this sudden urge to ram the back of their car with a fork lift or to ask them how it’s possible for someone to lose all their brain cells and still qualify for a license. This anger and the actions that subsequently accompany it are commonly referred to as road rage.

It’s aggravating to be on the way to an important meeting and have the driver in front of you stall your progress by making an illegal maneuver, refusing to let you merge, or cutting you off on the freeway.

Even simple absentminded driving can inspire road rage: you might be late for school and the car in front of you is driving five miles below the speed limit, or won’t go despite the fact that the light is green.

When these unfortunate driving mishaps occur it’s easy to become annoyed with the offending driver. Though mistakes on the road are common, it’s consistently aggravating to be slighted by another’s actions without the possibility of retribution, or is there?

It is not abnormal for enraged drivers to take action to ensure that the offending driver be notified that their selfish behavior causes distress for the rest of the people on the road. This is why many enraged drivers turn to their car horns to alert the culprit of their mistake and misconduct.

The use of a car horn however is not a friendly criticism, but a blaring display of animosity toward the offending driver. Even though the offending driver’s behavior causes a problem to other drivers, we must ask ourselves if it is it ethical or civil to blare a horn or curse?

While driving, many of us view our own missions (i.e. to get from point A to point B) to be superior to the missions of other drivers around us. If someone’s infraction or mistake impedes our mission it’s easy to see the error as a personal affront and therefore subject to retaliation.

While on the road, offending drivers are unable to defend themselves or explain the factor behind their infractions. In many instances, offending drivers are punished with loud horns and animosity when they don’t deserve it.

Being quick to judge and slow to understand, we can often forget that everyone else on the road is human and subject to error. When you think of offending drivers as actual people with legitimate excuses for their mistakes, it’s easy to see that demonstrations of road rage are often gratuitous and quick judgements on the road are often misunderstandings.

The car going five mph in a residential area is likely a lost visitor trying to find a friend’s house. The driver who continues to stay at the stoplight well after the light has turn green may be unable to cross the intersection because of traffic or pedestrians. Even the car that cut you off on the freeway might be a new driver who is less accustomed to merging and is unfamiliar to proper freeway etiquette.

Though we may curse these offending drivers and point out all their misdoings, chances are that we have once been the offenders of driving errors as well. It’s important to remember that every driver is just trying to get from point A to point B alive.

Editorial: School Stress Year after year, it seems to many that the pressure to take the hardest class schedule is growing.

According to the US News report, the chances of getting into an Ivy League school today is unrealistically slim, anywhere from 5 to 16 percent. The chance of getting into Stanford in approximately 6 to 7 percent , Duke is 14 percent and UC Berkeley is 20 percent.

The problem that lies in these numbers is the stress. The stress of what everyone thinks it takes to get in, the stress of taking the most rigorous course schedule possible to impress colleges. The stress that, if not handled properly, won’t get you into any one of those schools.

Going through high school, there is a widespread belief that the best schools in the country are the most selective ones. That Stanford will present you more opportunities in life than a UC. But no college can guarantee a successful life after graduation, it’s more about the way he or she individually pursues success.

With that being said, many students have often heard this advice from teachers and parents alike, but listen to this now: You will be happy at whatever college you end up at.

And if, on the very slight chance, you are not

happy, you will have the power to change that.

The point here is that high school is stressful and doing everything in your power to get into a highly selective school is even more stressful. High school becomes less of a time of enjoyment and more of a time of just utter and complete stress. Yet each and every student has the power to control their stress level and also become a successful person in both high school and college.

Maybe getting in to the most highly ranked college on Princeton Review isn’t worth it if you get 3 hours of sleep a night and cannot concentrate in class. Maybe students would end up being happier by taking a less demanding schedule, doing well in those classes and going to a college that isn’t nearly impossible to get into.

So take an easier class. Push yourself, but not to the point where it becomes unbearable. Enjoy the only four years of high school you will ever have. Work for what you want, but understand the name of the most well-known school in the U.S. doesn’t guarantee anything about your future.

By Annie Wesolek If you’re a licensed driver you’ve probably experienced that feeling of anger that bubbles up from the Columnist pit of your stomach when another driver’s mistake hinders

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

Staff Writers: Editor-in-Chief:

Online:

Gianna Dimick

Erica Valbusa

Managing Editor:

Chief of Design:

Alex Porter

News and Op: Grace Chang

Entertainment:

Carly Bertolozzi

Mulitmedia:

Kellan McDonough

Junior Editors:

Sabrina Leung

Dominic Gialdini Ashley Kawakami

Campus

Senior Editor:

Jacob Rudger

Features: Anna Wheeler

Fun Page:

Rachel Schuster

Faculty Adviser: Justin Raisner

Photographers:

Graham Godwin

Karenna Meredith Veronika Dvorak

Sports:

Columnists:

Ryan Freeman

Sarah Levin Annie Wesolek

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News and Opinions

Page 3

Affirmative action, unfair admissions?

Should race or gender be a factor in college applications?

By Virginia O’Callahan Staff Writer Affirmative action is “an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination,” according the MerriamWebster dictionary.

As seniors begin to receive their college letters, it’s hard not to think about whether or not he or she is considered good enough by colleges to get accepted, if the person’s credentials are up to par, or what he or she should have done differently. That’s bad enough. But bringing in the fact that colleges potentially selectively choose and favor people of other races or genders, even if they may have lower test scores or grades than the other student is one thing that people might not want to freak out over.

Currently in the Supreme Court as one of the most controversial topics of its term, Fisher v. University of Texas challenges the previous ruling that race may be considered as a factor when considering a candidate for admission.

The resulting ruling for Fisher v.

University of Texas is projected to be

decided by June 2013.

Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) was a landmark case in which the United States Supreme Court upheld the affirmative action admissions policy of the University of Michigan Law School.

When asked whether or not race and/or gender should be a leading factor in college admissions, 83 percent of Carlmont students said no to race, and 81 percent said no to gender.

From a slightly biased perspective and as someone who applied to many colleges, after researching much of the facts, I can understand why colleges might accept students based on this policy. Affirmative action ensures a diversity of students, allowing everyone to interact with many different types of people. It wouldn’t be ideal to accept the majority of one group of people, and it definitely wouldn’t make for a diverse college experience.

This controversial topic is definitely what people are talking about when it comes to the stress of waiting for the admissions decision.

I can understand why colleges may want one gender over another, but if people are admitted as such, I feel that it’s unfair to the people who were rejected only based on their

gender.

Specifically as a female of Caucasian descent, I have a slightly stronger lean to one side of the issue. As I and other seniors start to get admitted into schools ranging from California State schools to Ivy Leagues, ripping the letter open is more about the immediate effects: whether or not we got in.

Affirmative action is not the first thing that is thought of when someone receives his or her letter.

Of course, understandably diversity is nice and there are more things that factor into admissions, but if the mindset of a school is to look better on a student diversity stats sheet than to admit the people otherwise qualified for the school, I do not see that as fair.

“I almost automatically get into [a college] since I’m Asian,” said an individual after being asked how they might fare in the admissions decisions for a particular school.

After I heard this, I almost felt defeated; I’m not of any exotic descent nor do I have any cultural ties that would give me a leg up.

Legacy, maybe, but sometimes not even that feels like enough.

Being a well-rounded student is good, but being well-rounded, talented, racially diverse

College application form and of a favorable gender when it comes to the admissions process seems like the best chance anyone has.

With many of our futures on the line, it’s hard not to think about what might not be in one’s favor for the admissions vote. It’s hard to have a strong, solid opinion on the issue, as I am torn between hoping I may qualify somewhere under this idea of affirmative action and freaking out over every move I make towards college.

To those who have already made it into college: congratulations, I’m right there with you. To those who are still waiting on decisions: be patient, and just believe you did the best you could, there is a college out there for everyone, even with this policy.

The future of gay marriage: will it ever become constitutional?

By Sabrina Leung Entertainment Editor With gay marriage bills introduced in Congress and the House calling for a vote this month, many states have once again found themselves amidst the political battleground that is the national debate over same-sex marriage.

The recognition of same-sex marriage has been an on-going political, social, civil-rights and religious issue, and disputes continue to arise over whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry or be limited to subjacent forms of legal recognition, such as civil unions.

“I support gay marriage because I believe love is love, and I am vehemently opposed to bigotry, hatred, and oppression of any kind. It is unjust to deny rights to other people just because of their sexual orientation,” stated junior and Co-President of Carlmont’s Gay Straight Alliance club Kalila Kirk.

The U.S. Supreme Court entered the national debate over same-sex marriage in 2012, bringing to question whether same-sex marriage was constitutional and, if that were so, whether or not same-sex married couples should be granted the same benefits and rights as heterosexual married couples.

Until a ruling is made, same-sex marriage will continued to be banned by federal law.

On Nov. 6, 2012, however, Maine, Maryland, and Washington became the first states to legalize same-sex marriage through popular votes. This was the first time same-sex marriage was approved at the ballot box, after being voted down more than 30 times prior.

Furthermore, as of Jan. 2013, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and District of Columbia will have also legalized same-sex marriage. In addition, Rhode Island currently recognizes same-sex marriages validated in other states. California, which granted same-sex marriages for a brief span of time in 2008, now recognizes them on a conditional basis. According to the U.S Census Bureau, 50,000 to 80,000 same-sex couples have been married legally in the U.S. One case, from California, could potentially establish or deny a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Another

case, from New York, challenges a federal law requiring the federal government to deny marital benefits to gay and lesbian couples married in states that allow such unions.

These debates have led some to questioning as to whether same-sex marriage should be subject to legislation on the state or federal level. Some students here at Carlmont hold elaborate opinions pertinent to this quandary.

“As America, we need to continue to display our motto of ‘freedom’ and let the people get what they want within reason.

I personally think it should be a federal issue, but it would be better to let the states decide what they want to enforce,” commented senior Jordon Pon. “Gay marriage should be a federal issue because gay and lesbian marriages should be protected by the government the same way as heterosexual marriages,” said junior Lily Zheng.

The movement to obtain marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s, but became more prominent in U.S. politics in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court declared the state’s prohibition to be unconstitutional in Baehr v. Miike, a lawsuit that involved three same-sex couples who argued that lawsuit that Hawaii’s prohibition of same-sex marriage violated the state constitution. The ruling led to an amendment of the state constitution that allowed the state to reserve marriage only to opposite-sex couples.

Prior to 1996, the federal government did not define marriage. Any marriage recognized by a state was recognized by the federal government, even if that marriage was not formally recognized by other states.

However, with the enactment of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, marriage was explicitly defined by federal law as the union of one man and one woman. This act prevented the federal government from recognizing samesex marriages and allowed each state to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Same-sex marriage became a reality in the U.S in 2004 in a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court which concluded homosexual couples’ right to matrimony was ensured by the equal protection clause of the state’s Constitution and the

Tenth Amendment. Currently, DOMA has been found unconstitutional with respect to issues such as employee benefits and taxes in eight federal courts, two of which being federal appeals courts. Five of these cases are currently pending review by the Supreme Court.

During the 21st century, public support for legalizing samesex marriage has grown. According to a new ABC News-Washington Post poll, 51 percent of Americans are now in favor of same-sex marriage.

“I think gay marriage will become legal because society as a whole is steadily becoming more progressive and prejudice falls under a progressing society,” commented Zheng.

Despite the growing public support of same-sex marriage, some people continue to believe that the definition of marriage should remain the same.

“The Bible states in Romans 1:26-27, ‘[Men] burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error.’ The only way to reflect a godly union is for a man and a woman to be together. If we continue to change the definition of marriage to fit the needs of gays, then it will go against what this country was based on,” stated Pon. Although some religious groups are against gay marriage, they believe that everyone should be treated equally and fairly that is acceptable under their religion’s moral laws.

“Christians do not hate gays. We just disagree with their actions and sexual orientation. We are called by God to love everyone no matter what,” added Pon. Similarly, others note that their religion is a factor of whether they are in favor or against same-sex marriage. However, they believe that the government should not include religious beliefs as a factor to define the status of marriage.

“The Constitution states that it would not pick one religion over the other, so it should not have anything against gay marriage,” said senior Alexander Lee. Acknowledging the conflicting views over same-sex marriage, the U.S. Supreme Court is continuing debates over the constitutionality of DOMA and will potentially establish a ruling by March of this year.

Religion

Page 4

Buddhism: The religion that encourages positive energy and peace

By Grace Yi Staff Writer

Buddhism is considered the most widespread religion practiced in Asia. Several Carlmont students follow the religious practices of the Buddha.

Some of the main ideas of Buddhism is to be at peace with everyone and everything and to always have a positive aura and not have any negative energy within the body.

John Fu, a junior, meditates at home and believes that the Buddhist religion is “like every other religion, you just follow the rules.”

Caitlin Tsai said, “I think that [Buddhism] is a leading path

or a guiding path in life.”

Some students admit that they are influenced by their parents and family.

“It’s a family thing and [my family influenced me so] I go to the temple and meditate,” Fu remarked.

“I have a Buddha shrine at home, and we bow to it three times during Chinese New Year or when we feel like we have bad luck. [For example], if we got into an accident or someone is sick, my mom makes me bow to get Buddha to help us,” said junior Karissa Wong.

Buddhists usually go visit their ancestors and shrine temples for good luck and blessings. However, many students do not attend temple because of long distance from home.

Iris Choi, a junior, stated the nearest temple is “not even close.

It is all the way in Sacramento.”

However, even if regular visits to the temple are inconvenient due to distance, many students still continue to follow and practice the different Buddhist exercises.

Buddhism appears to have a great impact on the lives of Carlmont students.

Judaism: The world’s oldest religion and the basis of many others

By Grace Yi Staff Writer

There are a significant number of Jewish believers at Carlmont.

One believer of Judaism, a sophomore, Leah Roe, said Judaism “is the basic religion... because it started first, all [religions] sprang off of Judaism... Like, Jesus is Jewish so in reality we are all Jewish.”

Roe also does not think that Judaism “is the highest [religion] but it’s definitely the root of a majority of monotheistic religions.”

Throughout the year, there are many Jewish holidays that are celebrated, such as Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah.

However, due to the conflicting schedules with school and the abundant workload given, participation in these celebrations is harder.

“Now that I am in high school, I don’t miss school for the holidays; but if it is during the weekend I do go to the synagogue for half the day for the special ceremonies,” said Sophie Fox, a sophomore and a follower of Judaism.

However, there is one event that can be made as an exception to school. The 13th birthday in the culture of Judaism, is the biggest event for all boys and girls. It is the celebration of becoming a man or woman.

Andrew Wach, a sophomore, had a Bar Mitzvah and explained the immense preparations for the eventful day.

“Before 7th grade, you learn Hebrew and learn to read from the Torah...and when you are coming close to your 13th birthday you have to spend 6 months studying with the rabbis and learning how to say your prayers.”

Wach concluded that a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah is like a “Sweet 16” except a “Sweet 13”.

In addition to going to the synagogue, some attend schools that teach Jewish preachings, such as the Torah.

Wach said, “We learn more of the things that come with being jewish, like morals. It’s fun learning about the stories in the Torah [because] then we see how they relate to real life and how we view certain things.”

For many, parents are the determining factor when it comes to beliefs.

Fox said, “I am Jewish because my parents are Jewish.”

Although Judaism is practiced in many different forms, they all share the same beliefs of working towards building a closer relationship with God.

Islam: The fastest spreading religion Agnosticism: Religion is indefinite

By Maxwell Ware Staff Writer

Islam is the second largest religion in the world in terms of numbers, with 1.6 billion adherents worldwide, according the CIA World Factbook.

Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, making up 12.7 percent of the world’s Muslim population, closely followed

by India and Pakistan, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center.

Islam is most predominant in the Middle East, northern Africa, and the horn of Africa, as well as in parts of Asia.

The Muslim holy book is the Qur’an, which describes the Five Pillars of Islam: the sole belief in the Islamic God, five daily prayers called Salat, the giving of 2.5 percent

of one’s wealth to charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and a mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in islam.

It is believed

by Muslims that Mecca is where God revealed the verses to Islam’s last prophet, Muhammad.

Muhammad is regarded by non-Muslims as the founder of modern Islam.

Muslims believe in many important figures shared with Judaism and Christianity, such as Jesus, Moses, and Abraham, to be Prophets as well.

Christianity: The world’s largest religion

By Maxwell Ware Staff Writer The largest religion in the world, Christian adherents number 2.3 billion, making up almost a third of the world population, according to the CIA World Factbook.

The United States has the world’s largest Christian population by country with 246,000 Christians.

Christianity is considered an Abrahamic religion, meaning it shares its origin of the religious figure Abraham with both Islam and Judaism. It shares with these religions the belief in one all-powerful God. Christianity also shares with Judaism the obedience of the Ten Commandments.

Christianity in fact began as a sect of Judaism in what is now Israel.

However, the major difference of

Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is not only a prophet but the son of God and the savior of humanity, the Messiah that is referred to in the Hebrew Bible.

Christianity has three major denominations, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestantism.

Protestantism is a newer form of Christianity that arose in the early sixteenth century, in which the authority of the Pope is rejected, and is more broadly defined as Christianity outside of Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox.

By Andrew Wedvick Staff Writer

Do you believe in a higher power? If you answered “yes” to this question, you are a theist. If you answered “no,” you are an atheist. If your answer was “I do not know,” then you are Agnostic.

Agnosticism is a view that holds the existence, or nonexistence, of any god to be unknown and unknowable. In other words, Agnostics recognize the fact that there is no way to know if there is, or is not, a god present in our universe.

JR Jen, a junior at Carlmont, said that he is Agnostic because, “it is the most logical ideology out there. Agnosticism leaves the question of God undefined. I view myself as mature enough to admit that determining God’s existence is an impossible feat.”

Agnostics are often confused with, or put under the same category as Atheists; the belief that there is no deity. However, this is a common misconception because Agnosticism

says that there is no way of telling for sure if a god does not exist.

Jen went on to say, “It is illogical to completely dispose of the idea of any higher power, but we can’t say that there is one for sure.”

The following of Agnosticism (if one would even call it a following) is relatively minute, compared to the number of theists and atheists.This is due to the fact that most people enjoy certainty.

Certainty means knowing that you are right. Most people would rather feel a sense of conviction in their views on God, than accept a reality where they truly do not know whether God exists or not.

Atheism: The non-religion religion

By Alan Yan Staff Writer

The population of non-believers has been growing despite misunderstanding of what they believe in.

Atheism has grown to 147 million people according to the CIA World Factbook and has increased over the past decade according to a study done by the Pew Research Center.

“With more scientific discoveries, people are looking more at fact and atheism is only going to grow,” said Carlmont sophomore Adam Cobb, an atheist.

Atheists do not believe in God or gods and instead believe that life is dictated by logic and responsibility and do not expect the repayment of an afterlife.

Cobb said, “We base our beliefs off of scientific fact and not on a book that someone wrote thousands of years ago.”

There’s a common misconception that the absence of religion means the absence of morals. Atheists believe in the morals of other religions without believing in the stories associated with them. The reasoning to those beliefs is that religious texts were written to teach morality through story.

“I believe in making myself the best I can be and not what I hope to be. You don’t need a book to tell you what to do and what not to do,” said Carlmont sophomore Brendan Schoemehl, an atheist.

Though there is consensus among atheists about what they do not believe, some atheists differ on their opinions on religion.

Cobb stated, “I accept anyone’s beliefs even if they’re not real to me.”

While, Schoemehl said, “I think the world would be a better place without religion.”

Though atheists believe in science over God, they still enthusiastically support their disbeliefs just as much as any other religious group.

Religion

Page 5

Religious tolerance goes multiple ways

By Shira Stein Staff Writer “Did you see that Jew nose?” “Did you hear that she goes to church every Sunday?”

“Mormons have more than one spouse and that’s weird.” “Don’t all Buddhists have shaved heads and wear robes?” “Don’t you know that Atheists worship Satan?” “Did you know that all Muslims are terrorists?” “All agnostics are indecisive.”

Religious discrimination, although less prevalent in the Bay Area, is a problem that gets in the way of treating each other well.

At its very definition, religious discrimination is “treating a person unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs,” as stated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Unlike that clear-cut definition, being the object of religious discrimination is something that can hurt people.

Even teachers at Carlmont are sometimes discriminatory. Junior Sarah Burry said, “A

teacher was talking about answers to a quiz in class and one of the answers was God. The teacher said, ‘If you believe in God you could pick it because it makes sense in the long run, and if you don’t... Well have fun with the whole burning in hell thing.”

At Carlmont, students supposedly have protection from words of religious discrimination in the Respect Policy, which states: “Any physical, spoken, or written act of...harassment...whether the act is deliberate, intentional, or unintentional or if it is directed toward an individual or group in regard to...religious ideology.” Even with this policy in place, discrimination towards many different divisions of Carlmont still exists. “‘When I was walking outside of school a guy stopped his car, full of him and his friends, and rolled down the window. They said ‘Hey look, that’s the terrorist that [goes] to our school’ then drove off,” remembered sophomore Hiba Dahbour.

Comments that students hear in the hall or in class that pertain to religion are sometimes

America’s lesser-known faiths

By Alan Yan Staff Writer

Carlmont is a very diverse school full of different religions; including smaller religions like: Hinduism, Sikhism, and Baha’i.

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with 979 million followers according to the CIA World Factbook. It is a polytheistic religion where a family may worship one or many gods, Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi being the most common gods. Hinduism’s most important religious texts are the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita.

Carlmont sophomore Aarooran Durairaj, a Hindu, described karma as: “The deeds in this life will affect your next life and the deeds in your past life affect you now.”

In Hinduism, the soul is eternal and cycles through birth, death, and rebirth until one’s soul reaches moksha, the freedom from the cycle of rebirth.

Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with 24.6 million followers according to the CIA World Factbook. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak and since then nine other gurus have succeeded him.

Their holy text, the Guru Granth Sahib, is the ultimate authority of Sikh morality and

belief.

“People think we’re Muslims from the Middle East, when we’re actually from India and branched out from Hinduism into our own religion,” said Carlmont sophomore Ravina Gujral, a Sikh.

Sikhs broke off from Hinduism in the fifteenth century because Sikhs believed in one all-powerful God and rejected the old Hindu ideas of caste, class, and gender discrimination.

Sikhs have the same principle goal of escaping the cycle of rebirth as Hindus.

Baha’i is the seventh largest religion in the world with 7.7 million adherents according to the CIA World Factbook. The religion was founded by Mirza Husayn-Ali, known as Baha’u’llah.

Baha’u’llah wrote many religious works such as the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and the Kitáb-iÍqán. These works teach that mankind is one race and needs to unite under one God. This religion believes that all prophets from all religions are prophets from God. Though these religions aren’t as widely practiced here, they still play a major role in peoples’ lives.

rude, untrue, and hurtful. Some students are not completely accepting of all other religions, and some make crude remarks such as: “You’re such a Jew,” when another student picks up a coin.

Senior Tereza Dvorakova added, “People should be perceived as individuals free of presumptuous judgments that are merely based on their religion.”

In the Bay Area people are exposed to a wide variety of groups of people, and that leads people who have grown up here to be more liberal in their thinking and tolerant of other groups of people.

“I feel that religion...should never be followed so strictly. All religions started in old versions of languages, so how we translate them today could be completely incorrect.

Overall, I feel religion should either be practiced freely and openly, or religion should be illegal,” said junior Danny Akkel.

Even students who are in the majority religion of Christianity still hear judgemental words come from other students’ mouths

if they mention that they are religious and attend services on a regular basis.

Intent behind words or actions also affects the reaction to discrimination. While most students would find certain stereotypes rude and discriminatory, other students are okay with their close friends joking about those stereotypes because they know that they don’t have a malicious intention. In a situation like Dahbour’s, the intention was most likely to make her upset or uncomfortable, and therein lies the problem. Sometimes being able to figure out the intention can cause issues.

This insecurity that students have is an issue that needs to be dealt with. Any student should be able to talk about their religion or beliefs without fear of judgement.

The open-mindedness of students needs to become normal throughout Carlmont, and students need to understand that they are safe to talk freely about their beliefs, but that they need to respect others’ beliefs too.

The United Religions of America

Infographic by Anna Wheeler

Statistically a majority, emotionally a minority

By Anna Wheeler Features Editor

I’m Christian. According to statistics, I’m a majority.

But what isn’t “majority” is that I’m a practicing Christian. I read the Bible every night, I go to church every week, I talk to God every day.

This still may not seem out of the ordinary to most people.

Most people, upon reading what I just said, would probably be confused. “What isn’t “majority” about that?” they would ask.

What isn’t “majority” about that is that I’m a seventeen year old girl living in the Bay Area in California. I was raised in an almost completely secular environment (with a few exceptions) and, up until I was sixteen, I wasn’t very strong in my faith because of that. In my case, even if I am not statistically a minority, I feel like one.

I was first truly exposed to what religion was like in another state when I went to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the first time. Tulsa is what is commonly referred to as the buckle of the Bible Belt. Many people I know would crinkle their noses in disgust at this expression and think about how awful it must be to live in a place that is so overwhelmingly religious.

I, on the other hand, find myself increasingly excited to move there for college, and I hate to admit that a great deal of that excitement comes from the fact that I will no longer feel like a minority. I will no longer have to deal with the rude words of people who may not agree with my religious views.

I will not have to sink down in my seat whenever something

about Christianity comes up in class and everyone makes fun of it.

Yes, what may seem like Hell to many is the one thing that keeps me going most days.

But there are some days that not even the idea of being in Tulsa in less than a year can make me feel better.

There are some days where I feel so discriminated against that I want to cry because of the rude comments my classmates may intentionally or unintentionally make.

Recently, in one of my classes, we were discussing the idea of religious freedom. Most of the things that were said in class simply made me shake my head in disagreement. I wasn’t offended, but I didn’t necessarily agree with what was said.

Even when a court case was brought up about a certain state in the Bible Belt making the decision that evolution should not be taught in schools, I didn’t expect what was coming.

Most of my classmates shook their heads in disgust at the idea that some idiots would believe that God created the world in six days.

I kept quiet, because, although I do not believe in creationism (Catholics are taught not to interpret the Bible literally,) I know a lot of people who do. This did not bother me. This

disgust is something that I am used to. But what came next made my heart drop and my hands shake for the rest of the day.

One of my classmates decided it would be funny to joke around at the expense of Christians.

“Well, if they think that it’s okay to teach only creationism and not evolutionism, isn’t that pretty much the same thing as them deciding not to teach sexual reproduction and instead teach that babies come from storks?”

Most people I know wouldn’t come to the same conclusion as I did. In fact, when I tried to explain to my friends why I was so offended, I don’t think any of them understood.

My classmate, perhaps without knowing it, had implied that Christians are ignorant.

The class laughed as I stared up at the board, trying to control my emotions. Class ended, the day ended, but the words were etched in my mind.

To some people, my reaction may seem dramatic.

And perhaps it would be dramatic if this had been the only incident along those lines. But it wasn’t. More and more frequently, my religion, my faith, and my belief are insulted.

The San Francisco Bay Area and Carlmont in particular has done a great job of tolerance. We have been taught to be tolerant of most things, but something that we have not yet mastered is religious tolerance.

Page 6

Features

How far does your money actually go?

Use wheresgeorge.com to see what your money has been up to

By Reggie Chatman Jr. Staff Writer

The worker at Sonic replied “thank you” as he was offered a 6.12 inch wrinkled paper made from 75% cotton and 25% linen fibers as a tip for his hard work.

This paper is a dollar bill and it has endured a long and unknown journey. This is the life of dollar bill K24-------I, the most tracked dollar bill on wheresgeorge.com.

The website, wheresgeorge.com, is a money circulation tracker. Launched in 1998 based on an idea from creator Hank Eskin, it tracks where $1,$5,$10,$20 and even $100 dollar bills have been.

“I like the idea because then I can see where that dollar has gone and maybe it could lead me to my soulmate one day,” said junior Tristan Gasperian.

Users from all over the world may register the bill onto the website by entering the 10 or 11 digit number into the website’s system describing the condition of the bill and where and when they received the bill.

“I personally find it interesting, but most people when they spend money, they don't really care where it ends up as long as they get what they're buying,” said junior Kody Simmons.

But where does the money come from originally? Even though money is a huge part of our lives, where it is made or how it is distributed is not common knowledge.

Gasperian jokingly said, “I think it comes from storks, but I may be wrong.”

Dollar bills are made in the Bureau of Engraving and

"Its weird thinking about how far the bills you have in your wallet have travelled to get there because when you get handed dollar bills you usually don't think about how it could have been so many miles away from where it is right now,” said Sophomore Neeshae Wain.

Even though K24-------I is the most entered bill on the site, it has only been entered a total of 15 times, with its last entry on March 26,2005.

The limited amount of entries could be a cause of a variety of factors consisting of the possibility that it could have been lost, taken out of circulation or perhaps people just aren't motivated to enter anything onto the site itself.

Image courtesy of Google images The site’s statistics would like to disagree. As Printing which has a location in Washington DC and in Fort of Jan. 10 2013, 249,181,081 bills have been entered into the Worth, Texas. They are then shipped to banks to replace old system for a total of $1,172,854,278. worn our bills. From there it is circulated through the world, “Wheresgeorge.com just sounds so unappealing. Thats why spent, lost and exchanged for things desired. Its final destinaI’ve never used that site,” said Gasperian. “It sounds like a tion unknown. treasure hunt type of website like those things on the back of Bill K24-------I left that Sonic in Fort Worth, Texas and Captain Crunch boxes.” went on to be used in different places including a race track "It's original and weird in a good way," said Wain. "Like it’s where it was won while betting on a horse in Fort Worth, Texa different kind of idea but it’s cool." as, found on the floor at a Penthouse Key Club in Grapvine, “I like the concept, but not the website,” said senior Shawn Texas, and used as change at a local gas station.

Geronimo.

“It does not look legit. I feel like my computer Today K24-------I has traveled 4,191 tracked miles and has will die because of the website.” been tracked for over three years since its first registration Each bill has a unique story and its final destination reon March 22, 2002. Its been registered in 15 different cities, mains uncertain. Where your money goes once it leaves your spanning 7 unique states. wallet is a mystery that will never be completely solved.

By Natalie Tussy Staff Writer

High schoolers in general are not rich; some work minimum wage jobs to earn their money, while others simply ask their parents for a handout; but is that really fair?

Every parent raises their child differently, but high school is an age that comes with a lot of responsibility. With that said, some kids have access to money with no effort at all, but is that teaching teens necessary life lessons such as the value of hard work and well earned money?

Erika Mannie, sophomore, commented, "I don't think it is fair that some parents just give money to their kids, but it also depends on the situation, because some teens are really busy and don't have time to get a job, which is understandable."

Teenage students have many other worries besides earning their own money. Students go to school for 6-8 hours every day, only to come home to many more hours of homework, and this doesn't even account for the extracurriculars such as sports and volunteer work, that many teens participate in.

Sophomore Brian Palma primarily receives money from his parents, and does not have a job.

“I do chores and my parents give me $15-20 a week for emergencies,” commented Palma.

Some students make their own money by working jobs and get money from their parents for necessary things like food.

Sophomore Adelyn Yau stated, "I babysit my neighbors to make money, and I usually spend that on clothes, but my mom gives me money for stuff like food."

This is common for many Carlmont students and seems like a balanced trade off where the students work for some money but are also supported partially by parents.

Other students use their jobs to earn money, like Mannie.

"I get most money from my job, but I also get a small weekly allowance,which I do chores to earn," stated Mannie.

Among kids who have a job, whether it be working at a

small business like Mannie, or babysitting like Yau, most agree that they think more about what they are buying when spending the money they earn as opposed to their parents’ money.

Mannie said, “Naturally I do think more about what I’m buying and if it really is worth the time I spent to make the money in my job.”

This is a clear example of the value of hard work. Without having to earn the money, it becomes much easier to spend because there is no connection to the work that went into earning it.

Many high schoolers who pay for their own necessities and desires may value money much differently than teens who ask their parents for money, which could lead to other differences in spending trends in the future.

The issue of allowance is also discussed, and ultimately is the parents’ decision.

“I don’t think it is fair for people to get an allowance without having to do something for it, but I understand that parents try to support their kids since they are still minors,” added Mannie.

Similar to allowances, people have varying opinions about getting paid for grades. Some think it is a good incentive for students, but others think it is unfair for teens to be getting paid for learning, which will help them in the long run.

Palma stated his opinion, “I guess there are some benefits to getting paid for grades because it makes you want to work harder, but it’s kind of a bribe.”

It remains undecided whether or not it is fair for parents to financially support their kids. Although they are minors and have other things to worry about, they are still have responsibilities to make their own money.

Infographic by Matt Harris

Where are you getting your money?

Page 7

Features Spending time at school or making money?

By Monica Bayasgalan Staff Writer

Students on average study seven hours per day for 180 days a year, while adults do the same or less amount of work and get paid for it. This causes students to wonder what it would be like to get paid for coming to school or if it would benefit them more if they dropped out of high school now and began working instead.

Carlmont students take between five to seven classes a day in addition to doing homework and after school activities. This means that students spend around 45 hours on average for school per week including homework.

As of Jan. 1, 2013, Calif.’s minimum wage was raised to $10 an hour. Therefore, if students were to get paid hourly, they would be making around $450 in a week and $16,200 in a year (180 days).

Sophomore Becca Fradkin said, “I think kids should get paid as motivation to go to school and do well, but the amount of work isn’t fair because school is for learning, not to stay up late stressing about grades and doing work that could be finished during class.”

Carlmont students also have extracurricular activities and although those are optional, they still require time. Some after school activities are for classes such as choir, dance, band, journalism, photography, yearbook, etc. Therefore, if students were being paid for their time, activities like this would be like getting payed for overtime.

Senior Kayla Wright added, “The amount of homework assigned to a student is fair because, when signing up for an advanced

class, students should anticipate the weight of the workload. The only time student workload isn't fair is when a specific class is taught by different teachers and some teachers assign more homework than the other teachers of that course.”

Students have finals and deadlines much like jobs in the real world. This also means that Carlmont students would get paid extra for deadlines and due dates such as having projects and presentations because it would be a long term task.

Wright believes that "kids do have an obligation to go to school. As unfortunate as some students may find it, education is what will further you in the world. Therefore, the amount of stress students allow in their schedule is their decision. Although many feel it is necessary to take the most rigorous schedule, it is ultimately the choice of the student.”

Carlmont teacher, Martin Turkis, calculated how much money students would get paid to learn last year with information provided from the Economist about the value of high school.

In the Economist, the author’s purpose was to find out what a high school education would cost if the process was funded like a college education. The article included statistics about how much high school would cost per year. The article concluded high school is worth a total of roughly $17,000.

Turkis said, "Hell no, students should not get paid for working. Instead, students should pay to go to high school. It is like going to a donut shop and getting paid to eat the donuts instead of paying. The amount of school work

Are you spending or saving?

As I grab the video game, a wave of euphoria rushes through my body. I’ve been waiting months to play it. However, another thought hits me as I turn to the cashier.

I know that I am short on money, and the last thing I need to do is to spend $60. A tough decision looms over me: should I save my money or should I buy the game?

Many Carlmont students earn money one way or another, either from an allowance or a job. However, different students budget their money differently.

Although saving money could mean a lot of different things, students who save money usually have a plan on how they are going to manage their money.

Sophomore Adrianna Boubalos said, “I usually put my money in the bank before I have a chance to spend it.”

Some students, like Boubalos, deposit their money to save so they have enough for an instance in the future when they really need it.

Other students save up their money for certain goals, including sophomore Kaitlyn Sanders and freshman Kian Karamdashti.

Sanders said, “I have not spent my money in a while because I am saving up for a car.”

As Carlmont students acquire licenses, cars become something students yearn for.

However, saving up can be difficult ,so students have to plan their spending carefully.

On the other hand, Karamdashti saves up for something less expensive than a car.

“I usually save up my money for video games,” said Karamdashti.

Whether it be saving up for a car, a video game, or simply not spending at all, it takes planning and patience to save.

Other Carlmont students consider themselves to be “spenders.” They tend to spend money without any planning.

Maru streets, a “spender” and sophomore said, “Although I don’t spend often, I spend money on stuff I want right then.”

Students who do not have a set plan are more flexibile with their money. So, if Streets wants something at any given moment, he will get it if he can afford it.

Other Carlmont student “spenders” said that they spend a lot of money on food.

One thing students regularly spend on is hot lunch. Christopher Jabs, a sophomore, buys hot lunch five days a week.

“I’ve got to get my daily spicy chicken and cheetos, so I spend at least $4.50 a day on food,” Jabs remarked.

Although some students have to buy hot lunch, Jabs, along with others, also buy an extra snack. However, this extra money spent every day can add up to a lot of money.

Either plan may work for you, but when managing money, spend it wisely.

2629 Broadway St. Redwood City, CA Mon-Fri 9:00-6:00 Saturday 9:00-5:30

might think it would be better to drop out of school and work instead, but in the future, a free education is worth much more than any job can pay.

that is given depends on the students who chose the class and that was their decision.”

With these statistics in mind, a student

The cost of having a social life Image courtesy of Google images

By Daniel Wang Staff Writer

Infographic by: Monica Bayasgalan

Phone: 650-366-4082 Fax: 650-366-4098

By Kat Savin Staff Writer If you as a Carlmont student had $50, what would you spend it on?

Carlmont students make money in many different ways, so the lingering question is what are they spending it on.

The most popular item bought by Carlmont students is food. Whether it is at school or over the weekends, teenagers are always eating.

“I think teens eat a lot because they just get bored and snack or they eat because of their emotions and feelings,” said sophomore Mariya Chichmarenko.

Conveniently, the Carlmont Shopping Center offers many different stores and restaurants, and is an easy place for students to go to buy food before or after school. The only drawback about the shopping center is the high prices and crowds of students going there all at once.

Along with the shopping center, students buy food at the student store and Pit Stops at the school. Lunch at school can vary from $0.50-$3.50, which is a pretty good deal, but it does add up if lunch is bought often.

“Some of the lunches at school are actually really good and worth the money,” said sophomore Daryush Shahid.

One of the most popular places in which high schoolers hang out is at the movie theatres.

The movies are the perfect place to talk to your friend and enjoy a good movie. Tickets can vary from $9 to $11. There is also the pricey popcorn, drinks, and other snack items to enjoy during the movies. Going to the movies can be an expensive outing, but this does not stop high schoolers from visiting quite often.

“I like going to the movies, but the cost of everything is annoying and takes away from the fun,” said Joseph Hamdun, a junior.

The second most popular place to go is the mall, which is a great place to hang out with friends and shop.

According to a poll, Carlmont students use a majority of their money on clothes. Students become more independent by shopping on their own. With new styles and influence from what other people are wearing at school, many students visit the mall often to keep up with new trends.

“When I see someone at school with a really cute outfit, I go to the mall and try to recreate the look,” commented sophomore Becca Fradkin.

Keeping up with new trends can become quite expensive, breaking the bank for many high school students.

Necessities are often bought by students as well. These necessities can include makeup, hair brushes, hair products, toothbrushes, etc.

Students visit stores like CVS pharmacy or Walgreens to find cheap items that they need.

For girls, they tend to buy expensive makeup because of temptations to feel attractive. These makeup items can become quite expensive and add up because of the need to get new makeup once it runs out.

“I like to buy expensive makeup because it works better and it makes me feel more socially accepted to wear nice makeup despite the price,” commented freshman Pyper Hayden.

Social lives are quite expensive for teenagers. With allurement and necessary items, highschoolers are paying a lot of money to have a social life.

Page 8

Entertainment

The timeless things are two hours long Those classic movies that will remain in our hearts forever

By Kellan McDonough Multimedia Editor “There are some things in this world that will never change,” said Morpheus in The Matrix.

Like in Morpheus’s world, many things in ours survive untouched by the test of time. One of these time-traveling juggernauts is The Movie.

Some movies are timeless; they are everlasting with a message to be shared.

Freshman Alex Lay commented, “Star Wars is a timeless movie because the themes apply as much today as in 1977 when it was made. Themes include good vs evil, friendship, political infighting, the power of friendship, and diversity.”

Themes in movies help us relate to scenarios in our own lives. We may not be fighting a war in the galaxy, but Star Wars does help make connections to strength and friendship.

Lay explained, “I am inspired to fight for what is right no matter what the cost, to understand the importance of friendship, and to not judge people who are different because they are just as important as people who are similar.”

The top three disney movies are The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.

Movies can also help us remember a time in our life that was very important to us. For many, Disney movies help

reflect on childhood.

“Toy Story is timeless because no matter what generation sees it, they always can relate with Andy and his toys,” commented junior Kevin Juarez.

The Lion King is another Disney movie meant to be shared among both adults and children. With themes such as the importance of family and the number, The Lion King touches the heart of all audiences.

Junior Sarah Fecher said, “Hakuna Matata, from Lion King, is a good message. It means no worries, and I definitely apply that to my life when something goes wrong.”

Movies adapted from books sometimes come along with a huge fan base. The Harry Potter series is the biggest money making series of all time, surpassing Star Wars.

Senior Monica Chin said, “[Harry Potter] explores values and moral conflicts that are always present in society. Anyone can relate to the struggles that Harry, Ron, and Hermione face, even in this world, where there is no magic.”

IMDb lists The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, and Pulp Fiction as The Highest Rated, but movies do not have to be critically acclaimed to be timeless.

Senior Christina Rice said, “Mean Girls is a classic. Any teenager can laugh at that movie.

Its timeless because the jokes never get old and its so quotable.”

Movies are a visual experience that will never die. Even as technology improves there will always be a good movie to watch.

“[Harry Potter] explores values and moral conflicts that are always present in society. Anyone can relate to the struggles that Harry, Ron, and Hermione face, even in this world, where there is no magic.”

-Monica Chin

Infographic by Kellan McDonough

Microsoft introduces Windows 8 operating system

By Ivan Garwin Staff Writer With Microsoft releasing Windows 8, it has introduced significant changes to the operating system’s platform, primarily focused on towards improving its user eperience on mobile devices to rival other mobile operating systems like Android and Apple’s iOS. Since then, PC users worldwide have adopted and embraced the Windows 8 for their desktops, labtops, and tablets.

The new interface has made significant changes from any Windows system in the past two decades. It’s primarily designed for touch screen users and the new generation of tablet lovers.

It uses top of the line technology that is vaguely similar to the Android and iOS systems. Many of these new features include near field communications and cloud computing.

With near field communications, one can bring your device into close proximity to another Windows 8 carrier and share data such as photos and videos or even play games and compete with one another.

Cloud computing with Windows 8 allows one to share all content between your phone, tablet, computer or laptop, as long as they are all enhanced with the new operating system.

That means that any picture or video you take on your phone can automatically be accessed through your labtop or computer.

Carlmont senior Mark Gustincic commented on his new Windows 8 operating laptop “I really like the design because it’s very similar to my iphone and I can share stuff between the two of them,” In security terms, Windows 8 comes with stronger malware filtering and antivirus capabilities to ensure safety for one’s laptop or tablet. This system is much easier and less time demanding compared to those of Window’s previous security systems.

Prior to Windows 8, Microsoft users were unable to run multiple apps at the same time but with Windows 8 you can synchronize many at once. Now, users can synchronize many apps at once all at once. For example, users can listen to Pandora, browse Google Chrome, and download music simultaneously.

Even though the new Windows 8 system has many new technologies and designs, not all of the new additions were well received by critics.

Although the system runs much faster and cleaner compared to previous versions, Windows 8 has received lots of negative criticism for its user interface.

Many people are still used to the original desktop that hasn’t changed much since Windows 95. Now, the desktop has disappeared and has become a user interface designed for touchscreens.

It closely resembles the opening screen on most smartphones with an assortment of apps as part of the wallpaper. Although overcoming the new desktop is difficult, there is a certain learning curve to be reached, and users will learn to adapt to the new Windows 8 operating system Windows startup desktop.

Although a mouse and keypad can still be used with certain programs downloaded, many new users dislike the new design simply because they find it too confusing.

Others prefer using a mouse rather than their fingers on their labtop or computer screens.

Ultimately, Windows 8 is better suited for tablet use than for computers or labtops.

Nevertheless, Windows 8 has been received as generally success-

ful and has introduced new technology that is sure to satisfy the future’s growing number of tablet lovers.

1/23/2013—1/31/2013

Great Clips Belmont 2040 Ralston Ave Belmont Ca94002 650 595 5855 Mon-Friday 9am-9pm Sat and Sunday 9am-6pm

1/23-1/31/2013

Entertainment Little black dress: An iconic milestone

By Arianna Bayangos Staff Writer If you look around the dance floor at winter formal, you will see almost every girl wearing a little black dress.

For many girls, getting ready for formal is a long process with picking out the perfect dress and doing their hair and makeup. Girls want to look stunning the night of formal.

The little black dress has been a timeless fashion staple. One can buy a high-end black dress from designer brands like Armani Exchange or Guess, or an affordable black dress from stores like Forever 21 and H&M. Some girls have found black dresses to be classy, flattering and make their figure look slimmer.

A black dress can be worn to a formal event or during the day. For example, one can accessorize their black dress to a formal event with some sparkly jewelry and high heels. Another alternative is for one to wear a black dress during the day with a cardigan and sandals.

According to “Little Black Dress Transcends Fashion” by Cynthia Nellis, black dresses were not always worn to formal events. Before the 1920s, black dresses were worn only when one was mourning. Many women considered it unacceptable to wear them in other circumstances, until Chanel released a photo of a simple short black dress in Vogue Magazine. After the photo release, the popularity of the dress boomed because of its simplicity and its sophistication.

Sophomore Anna Shutovska said, “[Black dresses] are simple yet they look good on anyone. They are also easy to accessorize with.”

In the 1950’s, Dior released a new look, portraying black dresses as “dangerous.” The craze for black dresses continued as women began seeing other females on television wearing them in various styles and designs in contrast to the conservative look.

Sophomore Sydney Salzman added, “I personally think it’s fun to dress up in fancy clothes, but there are limits. In the context of winter formal, the ‘little black dress’ is very common and in most cases classy, but when the dress gets too little, it loses its class.”

One of the most famous black dresses was worn by Audrey Hepburn in her famous movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” which showed in 1961. She paired the dress with a pearl necklace and black elbow length gloves. The dress

was a floor length sleeveless dress. Hepburn wore a shorter black dress in the film similar to this one. The long black dress was designed

by Hubert de Givenchy and auctioned off for £467,200 ($923,187). According to Shine from Yahoo, this dress is one of the top 10 most iconic dresses of the past 50 years.

Some students find black dresses the easiest to accessorize and offer a variety of designs.

Emma Lin, a sophomore said, “[People wear them] because they are slimming and there are just better black dresses out there. Some are really cool with cutouts or lace and some colored dresses don’t have that.”

Shutovska believes that although black may be flattering to all shapes and sizes, colored dresses are more original. At formal, girls end up wearing similar styles of black dresses because some share the same perception of the black dress as a formal look.

Shutovska added, “Many people wear black dresses, so it’s not very original.

Whereas with a colored dress, it’s less likely to find someone with a similar dress.”

However, some people believe that black dresses can be worn inappropriately and aren’t always considered classier than dresses of colors.

“I don’t really have a preference because I think what really matters is the style of the dress and what sort of formal event it is you’re going to. You also want to keep in mind how old you are. You wouldn’t want to look too mature for your age, that’s not always a good thing,” noted junior Angela Perez.

Although the little black dress can look classy, some believe that these dresses can be too short and revealing at times.

“Some people are conservative about it while others are not. The way you wear it and the type of dress makes a difference,” noted sophomore Ravina Gujral.

With many young girls and women favoring the sophisticated yet affordable look of the little black dress, this dress will continue to be a timeless favorite for it’s elegance and simplicity.

Page 9

Splurge or Save: designer vs. non-designer clothing

By Tara Ebrahimpour Staff Writer

Designer clothing. It’s fashionable, appealing, and chic. High school students are expected to strongly favor it, yet in our survey only a slight majority preferred designer clothing to non-designer.

Designer clothes carry the name and logo of a specific designer or company. Some of the popular designer brands among Carlmont students include Juicy Couture, Northface, Armani Exchange and Calvin Klein. Non-designer clothes are not associated with a particular name. Popular stores that carry non-designer clothing include Forever 21 and H&M. Non-designer clothing is often much less expensive than designer clothing. For example, a jacket at Juicy Couture can range from $125 up to $400. However, one may be able to find a similar non-brand jacket for a fraction of the cost.

“Money is definitely a factor in my decision to buy clothes. I usually like to buy things that are on sale, but if it is something that I really need, then I’ll save up my money and buy it,” said sophomore Alyssa Espiritu.

Others believe that designer brands are too expensive for their quality and style.

“I prefer non-designer because designer brands are too expensive and you can get the exact same thing without a brand,” added sophomore Emma Lin. Some people don’t want to associate themselves with brand names because they want to express their own personal style. Others find designer brand clothing superficial and do not want to identify with what the brand stands for.

Another reason why some students favor non-designer clothing, such as Forever 21, is because these brands offer more variety and styles to fit everyone’s needs, rather than a specific style for particular type of shopper. For example, Forever 21 sells everyday casual clothing such as T-shirts and jeans, to formal wear such as dresses and dress shoes.These stores also carry swimwear, intimates, casual wear, athletic wear and formal wear.

Some people believe that designer brands are of a better quality than that of non-designer brands.

“I prefer brand clothing because I feel like I’m buying stylish clothes that are good quality.

The more money I pay the better quality I get and expect.” said sophomore Amanda Breslauer.

“I like brand clothing because the quality is good, so I can get better use of it; I usually look in the sale section because brand clothing tends to be expensive,” added sophomore Danielle Al-Abed.

One characteristic of designer brands is that they usually offer clothes that are similar in style, shape and design. For those who favor a specific style, this makes it easier for them to shop and decide what clothes they would like to purchase.

Wearing designer brands is appealing to some, because it allows them to express their style, boosts their self-confidence, and helps them fit in with their friends.

Although designer and non-designer clothing have their benefits and costs, many students will continue to shop for their own interests and style, regardless of the brand name.

Photo illustration by Sabrina Leung

Prom for underclassmen

By Karissa Tom Staff Writer

One topic that are on many girls’ and boys’ mind this month is Carmont’s annual Winter Formal.

Freshmen and sophomores are excited to attend Winter Formal this month because they may not have attended as many formal dances as upper classmen. Additionally, besides Winter Formal, upper classmen also have the opportunity to attend prom.

“I have not been to many formal dances before and I am excited to dance and have fun with my friends,” stated freshman Annie Klups.

Other students go to dress up and see their friends.

Sophomore Anna Shutovska stated, “It will be fun to hang out with my friends and see everyone dressed up because that doesn’t happen very often. It’s nice seeing everyone looking all fancy!”

Because upper classmen have experienced high school dances more, some have found that Winter Formal not as appealing to the juniors and seniors as it is to the lower classmen.

Some upper classmen have found the cost of Winter Formal to be a major factor of whether one decides to attend it.

Once a student becomes an upper classman, he or she has the

options of attending all the school dances, from Homecoming to Prom.

Prom can also often be costly. One issue that upper classmen girls might face the choosing what dress to wear and whether they want to buy a new one. According to the Prom Girl website, formal dress prices can often range from $100 to $400.

According to the USA Today website, the cost of prom tickets, dresses, boutonnieres and corsages can add up to an average of $1,078.

Winter Formal is less appealing to some upper classmen because some have already experienced a high school dance and may find the school dances throughout the year repetitive.

Other reasons why a junior or a senior may not choose to go to Winter Formal is because of schoolwork for their AP(Advanced Placement) classes or SATs. “Junior year is stressful and overwhelming with all the tests and AP classes. This makes its hard to find the time to organize getting a date to Formal,” stated junior Raj Aurora.

Although there are various reasons why some students would choose whether not to attend this year’s Winter Formal, Winter Formal will certainly allow all grade levels to get together and enjoy the dance together.

“I have not been to many formal dances before and I am excited to dance and have fun with my friends,” -Anna Klups

Infographic by Sabrina Leung

Page 10

Morning S

mog

Driving in the morning around Carlmont causes traffic mayhem

By John Russell Staff Writer Mornings at Carlmont are a nightmare.

There are no two ways about it. The traffic is terrible. Space is limited in Carlmont parking lots. Only the first 100 seniors get to park in the senior lot, and things only get more difficult for juniors.

Invariably, the senior lot fills, and students are forced to find parking on nearby roads every morning. Drake Lem, a senior said, “Yeah the senior lot gets full everyday. I park there but I have to get to school at 7:30 to make sure I get my spot.”

This problem is even worse for juniors, as there is no special lot for them, so parking is always tightly contested.

Henson Kwok, a junior said, “Parking is

tight. I have to almost drive on the wrong side of the road for a few seconds to even get to a reasonably close spot to school.”

Despite this, the parking system is prone to human error, and thusly, opportunity rears its head.

Chula Vista Drive is chock full of cars jostling for nearby parking every morning, while El Verano remains relatively untouched.

This inefficiency is exploited by the observant few who decide that the costreward analysis weighs heavily in favor of parking on El Verano, despite its marginally higher transit time to class.

Short of mandatory use of public transit, Carlmont will always be plagued by traffic and parking problems.

This unfortunate reality is counterweighted by the fact that people will flock to wherever

Traffic coming from south backs up to the public library. they think is the best spot to park, while the enterprising student will rationally weigh the pro’s and con’s of a certain spot, and ultimately find the most efficient spot to park. photo by Gianna Dimick

s t n i H l u f p l e H

Basic hints that help safe driving

By Scott Schulze Staff Writer

-Keep a safe cushion of space

This means being aware of the space in front, back, as well as the sides of your vehicle. Keeping a large cushion will mean you will have more time to react and be less likely to get in a crash.

-Be aware of the weather conditions

You should drive cautiously in less than ideal weather conditions. If it is raining, you should reduce your speed, take your time, and drive with your lights on. Avoid pressing too aggressively on either your brakes or accelerator.

-Do not drive drowsy

In approximately 20% of crashes, drowsiness is a factor in the cause of the accident.. If you are tired enough to fall asleep, then you should not be driving. The simple fix to being tired is getting eight hours of sleep each night and not relying on caffeine to keep you awake.

-Do not be afraid of your ABS

ABS or Anti-lock Brake System Is the mechanism designed to pulsate your brake pedal to keep the wheels from locking. Do not be afraid of it when it starts to move under your foot and never lift up your foot once the ABS has been activated.

*KEEP TO THE SPEED LIMIT *REMEMBER TO ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT

-Watch out for other drivers

While driving you should always expect the unexpected. You never know if the other person will give you right of way even if you should have it. It is impossible to know exactly what the other person will do. You should practice looking ahead of the vehicle in front of you so you can be aware of what may be coming up. For example, if you look ahead and see a lot of red brake lights light up, you know you may have to slow down soon.

-Vehicle maintenance

You would not usually think of it, but it is important to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

*DO NOT DRIVE DRUNK

Driving

Dangerous Driving Graham Godwin Fun Page Editor

photo by Rachel Schuster

Page 11

The tricky DMV

Tricks for getting around the hated motor program

By Gabriela D’ Souza Staff Writer

Be prepared for the Vehicle test If you do not follow the runs of the road and follow safe driving, you could get into a serious accident. Practice safe driving for yourself and others.

Every teen longs for the opportunity to get behind the wheel and drive; however, when granted this privilege its important to respect the laws of the road.

It is been a proven statistic that teen drivers are the most susceptible to car crashes.

Carlmont students must remember that being on the road is a privilege, not a game, and that should not be taken lightly. In 2011, about 2,785 teens in the United States aged 16-19 were killed and almost 282,000 were treated and released from emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicles crashes.

Although teens only make up about 14 percent of the U.S population, they account for about 30 percent($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28 percent ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among teenagers.

These very revealing statistics show that teen driving is a prevalent issue for almost all U.S roadways.

“The reason that teen drivers seem to be caught up in so many accidents is that they are extremely inexperienced, they simply haven't been exposed to many different driving situations,” said junior, Ryan Wong.

There are many factors that put teens at a greater risk than other drivers. For one, teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate tricky situations or not be able to quickly recognize potentially hazardous situations.

Teens are also more likely than older drivers to speed and allow shorter headways. The presence of other teens in the car increases the probability of risky driving behavior.

“I think that teens are more likely to show off when driving friends, as to a lot of people being a risky driver comes off as cool,” explained, junior, Jordan Kiss.

Alcohol also plays a huge role in teen driving fatalities, as among male drivers between 15 to 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2010, 39 percent had been driving above the speed limit, and 25 percent had been drinking.

In a national survey conducted in 2011, 24 percent of teens reported that within the previous month they had rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol within the last three hours.

Josh Fagel believes that teens make these decisions around driving because “teens are so tempted to do stupid things to impress their friends and score the hottest chicks.”

When compared to other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use. In 2011, only 54 percent of teens reported that they wear seat belts when riding with other teens.

“Not using a seatbelt is just stupid, but I do believe that more teens are becoming aware of how essential it is to not just blow off the seatbelt,” said Kiss.

With more and more teens getting their licenses, it is critical that teens realize that they are new to the road, and that with limited experience its even more important that all the rules of the road are followed.

Make an appointment Walk in wait time: 1 hour Appointment wait time: 10-30 min

-Driver’s permit -3 driving lessons (total: 6 hours) -Certificate of completion for training -Proof of insurance -Registration for the car

s t n e d u t s r o f s t n u o Disc

Insurance companies help students out

Michael Bastaki Staff Writer

For many teenagers, the average insurance rate of $2,000-$3,000 is much more money than they can afford.

While many high school students might find these hefty prices unfair, they should consider the scary statistics surrounding teen driving.

For instance, numerous studies have shown that automobile fatalities are the number one cause of death for teenagers.

In the past five years, 35,000 teenagers have died in car accidents. That’s 6,000 dead teens a year, 18 dead a day.

This is not the end of insurance companies’ problems, as a study done by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 16 year old drivers get traffic

tickets at a rate 1.8 times higher than that of the average adult.

Other factors that affect insurance rates are: the type of car the new driver owns, the new driver’s behavior when operating a vehicle, which state that new driver lives in, and the new driver’s willingness to shop around for the best rate.

Responsibility and maturity are two key aspects that affect insurance rates, as new drivers do not yet have an established driving record.

As a result, any traffic violations (like a DUI or a traffic light infraction) will dramatically increase insurance rates.

On the other hand, students with a high GPA are advised to show their GPA to their insurance companies, as most insurance companies offer special discounts to individuals who excel academically.

Junior Chloe Scott stated, “My yearly insurance on my Dodge pickup truck is $300, due in part to the special discount I get for being an honor roll student.”

Where a new driver lives can dictate how much that teenager will have to pay for insurance rates.

Living in states prone to natural disasters, like California, will cost more to insure a vehicle than living in a state that isn’t prone to natural disasters.

However, if a new driver is willing to shop around, he or she can save an average of $1200 on car insurance. Websites like www. insurance.com are great sites to go to in order to save a lot of money.

All in all, if one wants to get a good insurance rate, they must follow the rules, shop around to find the best rate, and be a responsible young adult when operating an automobile.

To see full article go to scotscoop.com!

Campus Where do you go for deli delight?

Page 12

By Tim Layten Staff Writer

Sandwiches are undoubtedly one of the most common and well-known lunch items.

They can be original or classic.

Among the variety of restaurants in the area, one of the most popular choices among the students at Carlmont are the sandwich restaurants.

Carlmont students love to eat at local sandwich restaurants after school such, as Mr. Pickles and Ike’s.

“We are very lucky to have so many great delis, I love eating at Lorenzo’s, Ike’s, and even The Sandwich Spot,” said junior Joseph Hamdun.

According to a recent poll, the most popular place to eat at among Carlmont students is Lorenzo’s sandwich shop.

“They just taste so good.

Everything about their sandwiches is excellent,”said senior Max Grogan-Crane.

Lorenzo’s Sandwich shop in Belmont opened in 1976, and has been serving its authentic

sandwiches to the students and people of Belmont. It has always been a popular after school restaurant for students at Carlmont. It’s also very close to Carlmont and therefore easy for students to get to after school.

“The food is really fresh and their bread is really good also,” stated sophomore Donna Ghaemi.

Lorenzo’s is known for it’s fresh dutch crunch roll bread and its secret garlic sauce.

Sophomore Teo Vargo is also big fan of Lorenzo’s and eats there often.

“They have the best bread.

The hot pastrami sandwich is one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever eat,” said Vargo.

Like Lorenzo’s, Mr. Pickles is another great sandwich shop in Belmont that students enjoy ger ud eating at after school. bR Champion o c Ja by The sandwiches are a little c i ph Sandwich bit bigger and there are more nfogra I options for the type of bread you can choose compared to Out of all the delis in Belmont and San Carlos, Lorenzo’s is Lorenzo’s Carlmont’s favorite. Based on a poll of 161 students.

Mr. Pickles is a bit farther

49%

22%

15%

11%

3%

to walk for the students that cannot drive. It’s about 1.3 miles away from Carlmont by Ralston and El Camino.

Mr. Pickles is a little cheaper compared to Lorenzo’s and has a larger selection of special sandwiches.

“There is a good selection of sandwiches and they also have the best pesto sauce,” commented junior Nick Newberry. Newberry prefers the sandwiches at Mr. Pickles over Lorenzo’s.

“The sandwiches at Lorenzo’s are too small and way too expensive,” Newberry said.

Ike’s Lair in Redwood City is another popular choice among the students at Carlmont.

Ike’s has a very unique selection of sandwiches that are packed with many types of meats and vegetables.

They are also known for the amount of secret ingredients they put into their sandwiches.

One example of a unique ingredient is a garlic-mayonnaise based sauce known simply as “dirty sauce.”

Dirty Sauce is baked in the bread of every Ike’s sandwich that gives each sandwich mouth-watering flavor.

“Ike’s is basically happiness, it’s the meaning of life,” commented sophomore Mark Vingralek.

Ike’s has even been featured on the Travel Channel show “Man vs. Food” starring Adam Richman as the host. At the Ike’s in San Francisco, Richman attempted to eat one of the biggest sandwiches on the menu known as “The Kryptonite,” which weighs about four pounds.

What makes all the sandwich locations in the area so popular is the originality of each shop and their fresh sandwiches that are able to fit everyone’s tastes.

Some may not be a big fan of the plain and boring sandwiches people pack in their lunches, but as a substitute, they have many options close by where original sandwiches are made with care and something special.

A sticky situation Veg-heads

By Kristen Friis Staff Writer

Gum chewing has been a controversial situation in schools for years. What is it about gum chewing in class that teachers and students do or do not like?

“I’m not against gum chewing, but it’s just found everywhere,” said Cyriakos Nichols, a history teacher here at Carlmont. “Under the desks, on the carpet, everywhere. It’s just horrible.”

This is one of the largest issues with students chewing gum. According to buzzle. com, where gum ends up is one of the largest problems with chewing gum in class.

“I don’t really notice it,” said science teacher Joshua Engberg. “As long as they’re not snapping it and it’s not distracting it doesn’t bother me, but there have been times where people smack, and I have to say ‘throw it away.’”

Another problem with chewing gum is sugar-gum, which can cause cavities and weaken tooth enamel. But according to the American Dental Association, or ADA, studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after a meal can prevent tooth decay.

Researchers at the Baylor College of medicine took 108 teenage students, dividing them into two groups. One of the groups chewed gum while taking tests and doing homework and the other group did not chew gum.

The students who chewed gum had an average 3 percent increase in their scores and overall better grades compared to the students

Image taken from graphicdesignbasics.com

Gum on campus: good or bad? Like it or not, they do exist

Teachers are in disagreement about letting students chew gum in class. who did not chew gum at all.

This is because mint gum is proven to stimulate the brain, so it is easier for students to perform school work, become less distracted and be more productive.

“I chew gum in class because it’s tasty and it helps me stay more alert,” commented Rita Tung, a sophomore. “It helps me relax more, too.”

Craig Johnston, Ph.D., the lead researcher and an instructor in nutrition at the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine said to Wrigley, “Chewing gum is an easy tool students can use for a potential academic edge,” Johnston also said that teachers saw that the students who chewed gum only needed fewer breaks, paid better attention and stayed quiet longer than those who did not.

But when it comes to teachers at Carlmont they all have their own rules.

Thus, the never ending debate continues.

It’s still a contentious decision, gum or no gum?

By Veron Dvorakova Staff Writer

Imagine a slaughterhouse with glass walls.

Most people choose not to look past the taste of the meat they eat, however the mental image of animals being farmed and killed for consumption makes some people consider vegetarianism.

Jocelyn Moran, a sophomore, feels like her “stomach is a graveyard of dead animals.”

Moran has tried becoming a vegetarian, but finds it too hard to think outside the box.

“My will power to steer clear of meat is always overpowered by my appetite for it,” said Moran.

Omitting meat and other animal products from their diets is an alternative some choose for humanitarian, environmental, religious, and health related reasons.

In general, vegetarians do not eat animal products. Some people who call themselves pescatarians eat fish and chicken but no red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb. Others who call themselves lacto-ovo-vegetarians include eggs along with milk products in their diet, while vegans consume no animal products at all.

In the Stone Age, humans started eating meat, but they ate far less of it than many of today’s non-vegetarians do. It was during the last ice age when fruits, nuts and vegetables were unavailable that early humans had to start eating animal flesh in order to survive.

Thousands of years later, in 2012, 97% of people between the ages 8 and 18 in the U.S. continue to consume meat, according to the

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Savannah Maw is one of the 3% of American minors that don’t eat any meat. As a sophomore and committed vegetarian, she stated that she thinks “all life has value, and eating the flesh of animals creeps [her] out, there’s nothing to miss about eating it.”

Whether he was inspired or traumatized is subjective, Kevin McAweeney became a pescetarian (when a person does not eat red meat) after witnessing a pig being prepared for a luau in Hawaii. The senior has noticed many struggles with his diet since making the change.

“It’s hard not being able to have certain dishes I used to love, and no longer knowing what to order at many restaurants,” said McAweeney.

However, vegetarianism is not a burden to everyone.

“I believe my diet is modern and exciting,” said Kathy Burton, a vegetarian and French teacher at Carlmont, “it involves creativity because living this lifestyle allows me to make great food I wouldn’t have even thought about making before.”

Calling it a “triple win,” Burton described how her mostly vegetarian diet is beneficial from “humane, health, and environmental perspectives.”

Being a healthy vegetarian or vegan is more than removing meat from one’s diet; the meat should be replaced with alternative food choices, ones which can give the consumer nutrients needed to live a healthy life.

Campus Students anxious for T-Hall renovations

Page 13

By Carly Bertolozzi Chief of Design After recent additions to campus, such as the Performing Arts building and Biotech building, renovations to T-Hall are approaching the top of many students’ wish lists because of its not-so-shiny or new reputation.

“I’d say the biggest problems (with the classrooms) are the size and warmth,” stated Carly Gatzert, a Spanish teacher occupying a classroom in T-Hall. “They seem to get dirtier than other classrooms too,” she also stated.

Gatzert explained that, on cold days, the temperature in the classrooms tend to mirror the weather outside. The same applies to warmer days.

One would think that a simple adjustment to the thermostat would fix the conditions, but due to a set temperature controlled by the district, this is not the case. In T-Hall, the heating and cooling system is set to a temperature designated by the district offices.

Within the classrooms teachers only have a range of a few degrees to modify the temperature.

However, junior Gabby Pons does not

Based on a poll of 199 students

Changes to the infamous building could come soon, according to Administrative Vice Principle Ralph Crame

A recent poll found that students believe that T-Hall’s least appealing aspect is its lockers. particularly mind the conditions of the building. “It’s cold but I have it second period so it starts to warm up by then… but it’s not like there’s a lot you can do about having it there,”

she said.

Administrative Vice Principal Ralph Crame said, “We are always looking to renovate and expand, especially with high enrollment pro-

jections.” Crame elaborated that the district is in the process of evaluating Carlmont in order to estimate what we can add to campus in the event that money was freed up for such renovation projects.

According to Crame, renovations to T-Hall are on the table as well as renovations to areas such as D wing, where classrooms can be rearranged to maximize the space available.

However, nothing has been finalized and the administration is still trying to draw up the most efficient layout for the school.

For right now, only small renovations are being done to T-Hall. White boards in three classrooms are scheduled to be replaced this week if it does not interrupt daily classroom activities.

If money for construction was available, Crame said he would want “larger and more comfortable classes” in T-Hall. “Space is more conducive to learning,” he stated.

Keeping the fact that the last major renovations to T-Hall were completed well before Crame arrived at Carlmont, about six years ago, he hopes that a plan will be finalized for renovation and money will become available soon.

Menus by the venue: Winter Formal at Fox Theater Old Spaghetti Factory Tarboosh Five Guys

By Ayesha Abassi Staff Writer

Located behind the Redwood City movie theater on Jefferson Avenue, Tarboosh offers healthy Lebanese cuisine. With great ambiance and comfortable seating, this will be a wonderful place to eat before or after the winter formal dance.

Tarboosh is an exotic and lively alternative to the typical American dishes of pastas, burgers, and salads.

One of the main dishes offered there is the chicken shawarma. For each entree there is an option between rice, fries, or a small lebanese salad on the side. The chicken is well-cooked and flavorful.

The servings, which can run up to 15 dollars, are on the larger side and can be shared between two people.

There is an option between outdoor or indoor seating, although the downside of outdoor seating is that there is a chance of someone smoking hookah, a type of tobacco smoke, which can prove irritating for some. However, indoors is just as nice there are comfortable seats and great decor to go along with the interesting Mediterranean theme.

To avoid the winter formal rush, Tarboosh allows reservations in advance by calling (650)-474-2667.

If looking for a cheap, casual, quick bite to eat before or after formal, Five Guys is the perfect place. Recently established on the corner of Middlefield and Broadway in downtown Redwood City, Five Guys Burgers and Fries offers a simple menu with an East Coast kick.

It has a relatively spacious seating area in addition to an outdoor seating option, so there’s usually no need to wait for a place to sit.

Similar to In-N-Out, the Five Guys menu has the limited option of burgers and fries. Despite the restricted selection of meals, there are 72 different toppings that one can mix and match for an almost new tasting burger every time. The prices tend to stay on the cheaper side no matter what toppings are chosen.

A great option on the menu is the mini cheeseburger. The mini cheeseburger contains just one patty instead of two.

Provided is a gourmet selection of toppings including everything from mushrooms to hot sauce. All the toppings complimented each other nicely no matter how they are mixed and matched.

Another uncommon addition to the Five Guys menu is the option between Cajun fries and regular fries. All this food comes out to less than 10 dollars including a drink.

A Five Guys is set to open in Belmont on the corner of El Camino and Ralston this week.

With great customer service and food, Five Guys is the perfect place to go to when fueling up quickly before the dance

Sakura

A new, more entertaining way of grabbing a bite to eat, Sakura recently opened up in downtown Redwood City offering an array of Japanese cuisine from the sushi bar to the grill.

Similar to Benihanas, Sakura has open grills where chefs come over with all the ingredients and prepare the order right in front of the customer. The staff is extremely kind and helpful. Throughout the preparation of the meal, the chefs perform small tricks to add interest and entertainment.

“That place is great, it’s like a mini show they put on for you”, said senior Ella Stoney.

The full meal comes with a starter of a broth soup and salad. For the main course, the menu has a wide selection of meals ranging from seafood to steak.

The food is very fresh and served with multiple different dipping sauces. Another plus is the sushi bar, although that isn’t prepared on the grill.

The expense can run a little high getting up to 25 dollars for a meal for one; this is due to the fact that there is a personal chef preparing each meal. Conveniently, every night in between 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. there is a 15 percent discount.

There is a chance of being seated with other customers depending on the sizes of each party. To help avoid any wait or rush reservations are accepted by calling (650)-368-0800.

Although prices are high, the cuisine and great service make Sakura a worthwhile eating destination.

This restaurant presents an Italian based cuisine located closely to the Fox theater on Broadway.

With a great location and an even greater portion size, this restaurant was a hit with students attending winter formal last year.

“When my friends and I went there we shared most of the food we got and it was actually really filling,” said sophomore Mariko Orii.

The food quantity ranks higher than the actual quality of what is being served. They serve all different types of pastas, soups, and salads. Along with the meal is a well cooked complimentary loaf of bread.

The main dish of pasta is a disappointment in quality.

The pasta sauce is a little bland and inconsistent. The appetizers, on the other hand, have a higher quality and are very filling. A standard meal with a dessert and appetizer can run up to $25.

Despite the lack in quality of the main dish there is still great customer service.

The more casual ambiance and mood might be more appealing to large groups of students.

Overall, when looking for quality over quantity, this would not be the best place to eat before dancing.

Contemporary American Food and Stunning Bar

164 B Street, San Mateo • 650-348-8164 • www.vault164.com

Page 14

Campus

It’s a twin-twin situation Most sibling relationships are complex and dynamic. Being a twin takes what was an already complicated situation to a whole new dimension.

Twins are a pair of siblings who are the product of a single pregnancy. Two types of sets of twins are possible: identical and fraternal.

Nick Clay, a sophomore and the identical twin of Jeremy Clay, described how having an identical twin strengthens the relationship with his brother: “When some siblings get mad at each other, they never make up. That will never happen in my and Jeremy’s case because, as twins, nobody else really understands us as much as we do each other.”

Certain students are unaware of the difference between identical and fraternal twins.

“Identical twins are two twins who have the exact same DNA and are always boy-boy or girl-girl combinations. Fraternal twins have different DNA, so a boy-girl combination is also possible,” explained Elizabeth Murphy, a sophomore who has a fraternal twin brother.

Identical twins in particular are unique because they are the only two people on earth who share the same genetic material.

Although they do not necessarily have the same personalities, they quite often feel a close connection to one another.

Some people wish that they were twins, but fail to realize that not all aspects of being a twin are positive.

Many high school students feel the pressure of having to live up to and exceed the accomplishments of their older siblings, but when twins are involved, the stress becomes

Infographic by Sarah Klieves

By Dominic Gialdini Junior editor

significantly higher because the competing twins have no way of knowing how well their counterpart will end up doing. This forces each twin to do their very best in order to be the superior of the two, especially in academics.

“When you are a twin, it’s definitely more

competitive, because you are expected to get the same grades and achieve the same things as your sibling,” said Murphy.

Jeremy Clay added, “There is definitely a rivalry when it comes to grades. For example, if my twin and I are in the same math class and one of us gets a better grade, we rub it in

the other one’s face.”

For some, the novelty of being a twin has worn off long ago.

William Lash, a junior and fraternal twin of Kristopher Lash, stated, “Being a twin is annoying. A lot of people think it is amazing but it’s not. [My twin] is always there and people mix us up. It gets really annoying after a while.”

One of the major downsides to having a twin is being treated and thought of as one person. Twins are often categorized as a single entity as opposed to two very distinct, individual people.

Murphy commented, “People compare how my twin and I and act and treat us as if we are the same person even though we are very different from each other.”

Being a twin has its upsides as well.

Some twins are able to use nonverbal communication because they know each other so well. They can think of the same thing when factors of the outside world, such as what someone says, reminds them of one of many shared past experiences.

Kristopher Lash said, “It’s funny when you can just sit there and start laughing because you both somehow are thinking of the same inside joke.”

William Lash jokingly added, “We sometimes have twin telepathy, or at least we think we do.”

Twins are privileged with a rare opportunity: they are able to be around someone their age all the times. This becomes beneficial when they develop friendships with each other.

Jeremy Clay stated, “I like being a twin because it is like having a best friend that lives with you and understands what you are going through, not just an older sibling.”

Are tests truly fair? Fading friendships

By Sarah Klieves Staff writer

Tests, like life, are not always fair. At Carlmont and any other school, teachers must give their students tests in order to assess their students’ capability to understand the material being taught. However, some students feel that these tests are not always fair.

In a survey of 70 Carlmont students, 43% said that the tests they take fairly assess the material they are taught. On the other hand, 57% students said that they do not feel that the tests are fair.

Carlmont sophomore Erin Lucett believes that tests are fair “as long as [they are] on recent material.”

But how can a student tell if a test they take is fair or not? Students have different perceptions that make he or she believe a test is more unfair than it might actually be.

Junior Julia Albertson feels that tests are unfair if “[the student doesn’t] know the question that is asked, like it’s never been explained to me or the rest of the class before.”

Students may feel that tests are unfair when, in reality, they aren’t as hard as the student perceives them to be. For example, if a student did not study enough for an exam, he or she might perceive the test as too difficult and believe that it should therefore be curved.

When asked if students feel tests are unfair due to the lack of studying on the student’s part or the lack of teaching on the teacher’s part, Lucett responded by saying, “I think it depends on the student and the teacher.”

Lucett continued, “In most cases, students probably should study more, but I think that the majority of students should be able to have a review and remember the material.

If the teacher didn’t teach it well in the first place, then that’s when it is unfair for the student.”

On occasion, teachers may decide to curve a test if they feel that a curve would benefit the majority of the students’ grades. Most students think of a curve as when a teacher takes the highest student score and makes the test out of that number of points.

Not all curves are the same. For example, a bell curve can be beneficial to students only if the majority of a class did poorly on a test.

However, a bell curve could hurt a student’s grade if the majority of a class did well on the test and that student did not score as well.

Albertson agrees that curves benefit most students’ grades, but feels that “it is not the right thing to do all of the time.”

Junior Melanie Anderson agreed with Albertson’s comments regarding curves, stating that “there’s nothing wrong with curves, but [they] can be an unfair advantage for students who set the curve.”

If a student chooses to study well and feels well-prepared for the test, then he or she will perceive the test to be easy.

Some teachers choose to use methods that force students to study. Junior Miles Coe stated that his math teacher puts completely new questions on their tests, making sure that he and fellow students understand the concepts.

Regardless of whether or not a student studies, sometimes a test really is not fair.

If the whole class does not do well on the test, then there may be a bigger problem than just not studying enough: the content being tested on was not fair in comparison to what the students were taught.

Carlmont students appear to be somewhat divided with their opinions on the fairness of tests. Either way, tests are most definitely not going anywhere and students will have to figure out a way to deal with their opinions on testing, regardless of the fairness.

By Ashley Kawakami Junior editor

I remember that first day of kindergarten, the day I made the “best friends” I thought I would have for the rest of my life.

However, growing up meant less time to spend together, different classes, and different interests. Inevitably, we slowly drifted apart.

Because of this, the friends I had at age five are different from the friends I have now.

The same is true for many kids as they start to mature. Friends just don’t stay friends.

As time progresses, life becomes more complicated than sharing toys and arranging play dates. Consequently, friendships tend to change.

In the long-ago years of elementary school, my group of friends stayed pretty constant.

Having the same friends for six years made life easy and there was very little that could have pulled us apart. The worst thing that could have happened was a fight over a toy or some other trivial thing. The only thing that could keep us apart for good was when someone moved away.

Distance is the Grim Reaper of friendships because it is hard to be a part of someone else’s life when you live miles and miles away.

In elementary school, I had a friendship that was so strong that we considered each other family. Eventually, that particular friendship fell apart, not because of some silly third grade drama, but simply because she moved so far away it was too difficult to visit, and eventually we lost touch.

The close-knit group of friends I had in elementary school didn’t stay the same when the days of middle school rolled around. In a span of three years, my friendships had changed quite dramatically when we all met new people and started branching out from

our small group. We weren’t the same inseparable force of close companions that had once been.

When you enter middle school you are subject to something that isn’t really present in elementary school: drama. I was a spectator of an event where drama ripped a five year friendship apart. The two had been friends for years and all of a sudden some choice words along with petty arguing made a strong friendship fall to pieces.

No one really remembers what the root of the problem was but it proves a point: drama no matter how small and forgettable can have lasting impacts on people.

As I’ve gotten older and watched people and their “BFF’s,” only a few people I’ve met have held solid relationships for the majority of their lives. It really is a rare thing to find two people who can still tolerate each other after 10 or more years of school together, let alone be best friends. Since the time I was five and in kindergarten I have made two very close friends who are still two of my closest friends. Although we go to different schools, have different sets of friends and interests, whenever we see each other, we still feel the presence of the same friendship we have always had.

People are always changing and nothing is constant. Friends are no exception: they come and go.

There are a select few who are fortunate enough to find someone they can always depend on. If you find someone like this, whether it is on the first day of kindergarten, the last day of high school, or sometime in between, cling to them for dear life because friends like that are far and few between.

There is no secret to friendship and making it last, but finding people you can always be close to and rely on is something special.

Extras

Page 16

Popping pills

Continued from front

cough suppressant found in many “over-thecounter” cough and cold medications, is one example. It is sometimes abused to get high, which requires large doses that can be dangerous.

But there are also other reasons that students overuse medications, like ignorantly believing more pills will equate to a faster recovery.

“Sometimes when I have a really bad headache, I take more than two Tylenol,” said an anonymous source. “Or like when I’m sick, then I take like four NyQuil pills so I can actually sleep.”

The drug is compensating for a problem, which makes the person feel better.

But medications that affect the brain or body can change the way it functions — especially when they are taken repeatedly or in large doses.

They can alter the body’s functioning system, making it harder to feel good without the drug and can lead to intense cravings, which make it hard to stop using.

This is no different from what can happen when someone takes illicit drugs, so addiction is a real possibility.

Therefore, students should be cautious whenever popping pills, because what they believe will help them, may actually harm them.

Making it through the day Is college affordable?

Continued from front

and illuminate their minds, on tests to help them succeed.

The “study pill” is easily psychologically addictive and can cause insomnia, weight loss, lack of motivation, and even death.

Less common are the outlets of cigarettes and other drugs.

About 19.5 percent of high school students smoke cigarettes according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some students smoke cigarettes to calm down and control anxiety, relaxing the various pressures of school.

But Bustamante reminds students that “everything that a student puts into his or her body has an effect.” Drugs are unhealthy ways to cope with stress and the pressures of school.

With all these outlets easily available to high school students, students need to understand all of these are dangerous ways to cope with the hardships of high school.

There are many other ways to try to focus during school.

Listening to music, taking breaks, and changing your routine are a few ways to help yourself.

High school creates many challenges for students, but it also tests a teenagers ability to make the right decisions.

Continued from front

stated senior Tatiana Viera.

Many colleges offer financial aid and scholarships in order to meet the needs of prospective students.

It is common for colleges to offer scholarships based on a student’s merit, or academic success. Often, the actual college application also functions as an application for scholarships.

Many colleges, such as the University of Southern California request that students looking to be considered for merit scholarships should submit their application by Dec. 1, 2012 instead of the final deadline of Jan. 10, 2013.

Another option for students in need of financial assistance is to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA provides “more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 15 million students paying for college or career school.”

Students in search of aid should also look online for local scholarships, as well as on Naviance, where various scholarships are posted.

“Your chances of getting a scholarship are higher if you apply for a lot of small ones, rather than applying for one big one.

However, I recommend applying to both to increase your overall chance of getting aid,” added Dominguez.

Zamora leaves Carlmont Continued from front

Olliver stated, “Linda Common and I have come to really just make it a smooth transition so that there is very little change, but that everything continues to run smoothly.”

And so far it has.

Common, who started her transition into the position of the interim principal on the week of Dec. 7, said “It has been a wonderful transition.”

Common’s job as Carlmont’s interim principal, is to be there for the kids, meetings, and to make any principal decisions. She is able to make all of this happen while still being a part-time staff member due to her previous experience as a principal.

While things will continue to run smoothly, Zamora’s time here will not be forgotten.

Kayla Tabari, a senior at Carlmont, stated, “I think that he was a great principal...behind the scenes he put in so many extra hours and really did some great things for Carlmont.”

Fuentes commented, “He was my all-time favorite boss.”

Before leaving, Zamora reminisced on his favorite memory as the principal at Carlmont, the first graduation ceremony that took place on the football field. “Seeing that wave of blue and white in the stadium really validated what Carlmont’s all about in graduating our students. It was an impressive sight.”

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Page 17

Talk Back: What are your goals for the new year?

“My goals for 2013 are to be a better dancer, a better person, and to get good grades.”

- Shonna Ebikawa

Sagittarius - (November 22 – December 21) You might try to do the right thing but you might end up hurting other people’s feelings.

“My goals are to get good grades in school and do well in soccer.”

- Kian Karamdashti

“My goals are to go back to CCS for track again, do well in soccer, and getting A’s.”

- Kaitlyn Sanders

Horoscopes

Aries - (March 21 – April 19) You should be more outgoing and introduce yourself and meet new people the next chance you get. Forgive and forget is your motto.

Capricorn - (December 22 – January 19) Stardom awaits you, so try to be persuasive.

Taurus - (April 20 – May 20) One of your friends is need so try and be there for Adjust yourself to certain situations when needed them, and brighten their day without anything in and be a leader. return.

Aquarius - (January 20 – February 18) You have to handle personal business this month, even if you have obligations toward other people or causes.

Pisces - (February 19 – March 20) Go with the flow or go against it, just not in the middle of things. Try to be more artistic and

musical.

Gemini - (May 21 – June 20) Be adventurous and step out of your comfort zone but don’t blow people or plans off.

Cancer - (June 21 – July 22) Don’t be too afraid to show your feelings and strive for success.

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“This year I’m going to save up my money, get A’s, and get ready for football.”

- Zachary Reiley

Leo - (July 23 – August 22) Try to be a leader with people and give out more advice.

Virgo - (August 23 – September 22) Be more into things and mingle with many people and don’t be shy.

Libra - (September 23 – October 22) Be more polite and cheerful around people and listen to what needs to be said. Also, try to be a bit more independent. Listen to what needs to be said.

Scorpio - (October 23 – November 21) Finish what you started and be more interactive.

Tell the truth and give your honest opinion. *These Horoscopes are for entertainment purposes only.

Sports

Page 18

Out with the old, in with the new

When former head football coach Jason Selli stepped down after the 2012 season, there was a big vacancy to be filled, and the Carlmont athletic department found its answer in Marcus Farhad.

Despite the insane amount of knowledge it takes to be a successful football coach, Farhad believes education should always be the number one priority for him, as well as for his student athletes.

“If one of my players comes up to me and says ‘Hey coach I have a 2.0!’ That’s not good enough. Average is not good enough. I want these kids to be good students, and I want them to go to college because I care about them,” said Farhad.

Farhad’s knack for academics stems from the fact that he has been a Carlmont employee for 12 years, holding almost every schoolrelated job in the book. Over the course of his first 11 years he was a campus aid, an instructional aid, and the health aid for seven years. This year, his twelfth year, is his first year as a teacher, teaching both science and math full time.

However, the new head coach is no stranger

Photo by Maxwell ware

By Jacob Rudger Campus Editor

Highlander file photo

New Varsity football coach Marcus Farhad brings experience and intelligence to the field

New Varsity Football coach Marcus Farhad to the sideline. Farhad has 12 years of coaching experience under his belt, having coached for a wide variety of teams during his tenure as a Carlmont employee.

He has worked as a head coach for junior varsity teams for three years, and has helped out as an assistant coach at both the varsity and junior varsity levels at Carlmont, San Mateo, Sacred Heart Prep, and Menlo-Atherton, where he was a varsity assistant for the ‘08 CCS Championship team.

Along with all of his experience and previous success, Farhad comes into his first varsity head coaching job fresh off a successful season as the Carlmont JV head coach. Farhad led his squad of 50 players (38 freshmen and 12 sophomores) to a PAL Lake Division leading 9-1 record. The Scots only loss came to

Willie Teo runs for the end zone against the Mills Vikings.

Woodside (10-0), where they fell behind early in the first half, but were able to shutout the Wildcats in the second half, showing determination and promise.

“This group never gave up,” said Farhad, “They had an unbelievable drive and desire to win. They always kept fighting until the whistle.”

In close games last season, the JV team turned it up a notch, pulling away with many late game victories.

“We put them through such good conditioning that they had more stamina than their opponent when the third and fourth quarters came around,” said Farhad.

Farhad’s experience and previous success seems to be attracting Carlmont students to

the football program, as well as the fact that he is a very genial and outgoing person. Carlmont students can see Farhad roaming the hallways giving students high fives and having short conversations.

“As a football coach, my job is year-round,” Farhad said, “I really care about the kids, so I communicate with my athletes as much as possible even when it’s not football season.”

His communication skills have certainly paid off thus far. On Nov. 28, 2012, the first football meeting under Coach Farhad attracted 65 students.

Farhad hopes that his returning players from the JV team and the returning varsity players from last year will spark a successful 2013 season. He runs an old-school, smash-mouth, type of offense that favors the running game, but provides a good balance of pass and run.

Although it is only January, football season has already begun. The optional strength and conditioning program began on Jan. 14 and is open to anyone who is interested. After the winter workouts, spring practice will begin, which will then roll into summer practices, and by August 2013 a new era of Carlmont football will be set to take off under direction of Coach Farhad.

Scots soccer sets sights on CCS Be a Friend !

By Grace Chang News and opinion editor

With a new year and a fresh start, Carlmont varsity soccer players are very excited for this year’s season.

Last year the boys varsity team made it to the first round of CCS, but unfortunately they lost to Santa Teresa.

This year the team has very high expectations.

“I expect the team to do extremely well this year we can havebecome a greatasquad and have Learbecause n how you mentor!

Thursday, January 27th conditioned to make sure2011 we can endure the MTV-43-1-Benghazi Tech entire season,” defender Be a said Friend ! Talkand defensive J12a-n1pm ua r y iJustin s N aQuan. tional midfield player Mentoring Month Quan was captain of the team last year and has passed the torch to fellow teammates Andrew Durlofsky, Justin Harpster, and Ryan

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January is National Mentoring Month

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Senior Luke Peterson takes a shot on the Pali goal

Freeman.

Captain Andrew Durlofsky, who plays outside midfielder, said, “Our team this year has a lot of talent and depth in all positions, which is part of the reason why we’ve been working so hard at practices, we know we have the potential to do big things and I expect to see some awards at the end of the

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season!”

Attacking Midfielder Luke Petersen also has lots of faith in his team, “We have two strong capable goalkeepers who perform well in tight games, a very solid defence, a hard working midfield, and forwards who are able to link together and put away goals we need.”

In addition to the strong team, the boys varsity soccer players have an experienced coach, Jodi Beloff who has coached the varsity team for several years.

The varsity girls team also went very far into the season last year. They were undefeated and won PALs, making it into CCS. This year the captains of the girls team are Emily Cox, Mary Cochran, Veronica Pontis, Melissa Wood, and Amelia Jacobs.

Team captain Emily Cox, left outside defender said, “I expect our girls to push and

work together every time we step onto the field. We have the potential to do amazing things.”

The team captain Mary Cochran, who plays forward, is also very optimistic for this years team, “this year we have a really strong team that works well together, we never give up and always stay strong until the very end.”

As for this year’s season the girls are very determined.

“I hope this season we can dominate in CCS and take the championship,” said forward Laura Bowker.

“Everyone not only has such amazing talent, we all have great chemistry and we all get along which translates into our games,” said outside midfielder Natalia Manzanares.

With Tina Doss as their coach, the team hopes to do very well.

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Sports

Page 19

GIRLS VERSUS BOYS

Photo by Karenna Meredith

By Jessica Adair Staff Writer

Photo by Veronika Dvorakova

Which gender reigns supreme?

Infographics By Conrad May Infogrpahics by Conrad May

Softball Varsity softball coach Jim Liggett has a record 900 wins and counting under his belt, and an astonishing eight Peninsula Athletic League titles in the last 12 years.

Sophomore, Kirra Loucks: “I haven’t gone to enough baseball games to know exactly, but I think we are better because we always win PAL and make it farther in CCS. Baseball is good, but our records prove we’re better.”

Baseball Richard Vallero, has placed well in the PAL consistently and has some championship titles to prove it.

Senior, Jonathan Corvello: “Since we are boys and they are girls, we are stronger than them. But Carlmont has a really strong baseball and softball program. Coach Liggett has a huge legacy and Coach Vallero has built up a legacy over the past couple of years.”

Tennis Girls tennis has been very successful over the years, with a solid second place in the PAL and always giving the top spot a run for their money.

Sophomore, Pareesa Darafshi: “I don’t know who is better because we both make it to playoffs and hold a very strong spot in our division.”

Tennis Boys tennis hasn’t started their season yet, and with championship titles almost even, the girls and boys seem to be neck and neck.

Sophomore, Shimpei Koike: “I haven’t seen the girls play enough because it’s different seasons. But we had some really strong players that are tough to contend with”

Water Polo Senior, Trubee Racioppi: “We both place about the same in league every year, but if it ever came to a showdown we would win because we’re more aggressive.”

Water Polo Sophomore, Katelyn Mcgrath: “The reason why the boys tend to be more successful than us is because they have had a consistent coaching staff throughout the years, and we haven’t. But talent-wise, the girls are stronger because we have a lot of club players and summer practices.”

Swimming Girls swimming has an impressive amount of championship titles and have had some strong swimmers with record-breaking times over the years.

Sophomore, Elizabeth Staton: “I actually think the boys were better because they had a lot of advanced swimmers and the girls weren’t as competitive.”

Soccer Last year, the girls won PAL and have all the potential to do the same this season. In addition, the girls have won PAL an amazing seven times in a row Sophomore, Lauren Racioppi: “We are better because we won PAL last year and the boys didn’t. Also, we had to win five games in a row to win that title and qualify for CCS, while the boys barely made CCS.” Cross Country Girls cross country has numerous championship titles and lately seems to be as strong as ever.

Lucas Matison: “Both teams have an equal amount of potential, the girls might even have more. But we are very determined, almost too determined. If the girls were as competitive, they would just as well as us in the record books.”

Basketball Girls basketball had a little bit of a rough season last year, but their admirable amount of championship records and strong new players will put them back on top.

Sophomore, Erin Lucett: “I haven’t watched them play a lot, but the boys seem to more consistent in their play. Although, the girls have a really good team this year and will turn it around.”

Swimming Although the boys have had less titles over the last 12 years, their current competitive swimmers prove they are not to be forgotten Sophomore, Elias Sebti: “We are better than the girls because we have some pretty solid swimmers. And we have Ivan.”

Soccer Although the boys do not have as many titles, their standings and records prove they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Junior, Julian Smith: “The girls are better-they win, and we don’t. They have a real passion for the game, which I think is missing from our team.”

Cross Country The boys have proven they are one of the strongest teams at Carlmont with many CCS titles, dedicated runners, and record-breaking times.

Veronica Pontis: “The boys team is better because they are more serious and have a competitive spirit. They always put everything out there and never give less than one hundred percent.”

Basketball Although the boys have had less championships, their consistent, solid play in the playoffs each year make Boys Basketball one of the most exciting sports to watch at Carlmont.

Senior, Connor Moore: “We are taller, stronger, and maybe even faster. For the four years I’ve been here, we’ve gone farther in the playoffs and have had better records.”

San Francisco: More than just the typical tourist attractions Chinese New Year Flower Fair

Escape from the Haunted Ship

Grant Ave., China Town, San Francisco.

Purchase annual lunar new year flowers and produce while enjoying traditional Chinese dance, music, art and cultural displays.

Pier 45, San Francisco. A live puzzle event where teams solve mysteries and clues within a time limit.

Takes place on the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, a ship used in World War II. $25.

Saturday, Feb. 2 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 27

The San Francisco Tape Music Festival

Friday, Jan. 25 8 p.m.

ODC Theater San Francisco. Audio art by 20 local and international composers. Composers shape the sound live over a surround system consisting of 16 plus high-end loudspeakers while the audience is seated in complete darkness. $15 each night. $35 festival pass.

The Mission Village Market

Saturday, Jan. 26 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mission Village, San Francisco.

Stroll through this historic farmers market, listen to music, support artists and get a taste of true organic food. Free.