News and Opinions
More than just a teacher By Matthew Harris Staff Writer
David Braunstein, the history teacher from D-26, is more than just a teacher here at Carlmont. He is also one of the Council members for the city of Belmont. A graduate of UCLA and father of three, Braunstein has been on the city council since 2008 and was the mayor in 2009. He was the former chair of the Economic Development Committee and was instrumental in the renovation of Belmont’s Library. Currently, he is also a member of Belmont’s city audit committee and is also on the city’s emergency planning commission. “A number of years ago, I was invited to the Belmont Library project, where I took a leadership role. It got my name out there, and I ran for Councilman because the people Belmont were looking for an honest, experienced candidate for our City Council.” Braunstein graduated with a BA in political science from the University of Los Angeles before he obtained a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. In 2007, after the completion of the new Belmont Library, he ran for the City Council, and, in 2009, was the mayor of Belmont (in Belmont, the mayor’s office is
rotated though the elected council members, rather than having a specific election.) As mayor, Braunstein oversaw Belmont’s businesses during the height of the financial crisis, the completion of the new preforming-arts building at Carlmont High School and the implementation of the city’s controversial smoking law, among the toughest in the nation. As a teacher, Braunstein teaches History and Social Studies in D-26, alongside his wife, Patricia Braunstein. “I want [my students] to know their responsibilities as citizens and how to get involved, some former students of mine have come back and asked me for connections and help in politics,” Braunstein said. “When I’m teaching, I use lots of personal experience and examples from my involvement in local politics. It helps them [my students] to learn about their role in society, students can get involved in many ways, such as being a Youth Chair Commissioner or being in student government, just ask your teachers.” “It starts in little steps,” he added. David Braunstein is also an AYSO and little league coach for his three children, two of whom attend Fox Elementary School. In 2006, he received an award for his contribution to the new library in Belmont.
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Carlmont: Battle of the grades By Sabrina Leung Staff Writer Like all high schools, Carlmont is divided into four classes: freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Many students bridge the age gap and have friends in various grade levels. However, some students treat other students outside of their class differently based on their views of them. “Freshmen are well, freshmen. Some are nice but others are annoying little twits that you wish to squash. Sophomores are kind the same as freshman except they are my age. Some are annoying. I don’t really know any juniors, and seniors are just old,” stated sophomore Claire McKeefry. Many Carlmont students have found themselves coexisting in classes with older or underclassmen. These students have formed various opinions on each grade level based on their in-class experiences. “Freshmen are always viewed as the lowest on the high school totem pole and are usually noted as having the ‘freshman backpack.’ They are often looked down on by the upperclassmen, who claim they are annoying. The sophomores and juniors are always stressed about schoolwork. High school isn’t really fun for them anymore. The seniors get to do all the fun stuff and can’t wait to leave the school,” stated sophomore Lorraine Lehner. Additionally, some students have found cooperating with other grade levels
challenging and prefer to work amongst their own peers. “I have classes with underclassmen but I really only work with them in two of my classes, with a few exceptions,” said senior Gabrielle Sue. However, some students have found working with other grade levels enjoyable. “I like most of the older kids at our school. I have performed in musical events with them and befriended them too,” stated freshman Cailtin Tsai. “I like younger classmen, because they are so excited about high school and they really try hard which, as a senior, tends to not be so true anymore,” said senior Deepti Bansal. Some students have distinguished varying treatment of each class based on grade level. “Upperclassmen, especially seniors, have way more privileges than other grades. They get to go to prom and all the special senior class and graduation activities, and have a lot more freedom in choosing classes,” stated Lehner. Despite differing grade levels and preconceived notions of other classes, many students believe that people at Carlmont treat each other as equals and are able to collaborate harmoniously. Students of each class at Carlmont have varying opinions of other grade levels. As a whole, however, Carlmont’s student body appears to coincide peacefully and productively.
Determination without delight is detrimental By Carly Bertolozzi Campus Editor Determination is the key to success; however, the key to success accompanied by delight is passion. When a person is passionate about what they are doing, there is a certain force that not only drives them towards success, but happiness as well. When a person is motivated by the perks and incentives of completing a task rather than the completion of the task itself, the job will get done, but the feeling of satisfaction will be immensely mitigated. Since the majority of us are aspiring to attend colleges with relatively competitive admission policies, the most appropriate analogy would be extracurricular activities. Countless amounts of the students applying to colleges feel pressured to be able to inscribe impressive extracurricular activities on their college applications; therefore, masses of us rush to sign up for school clubs that perform services benefiting the community, tryout for school sports, or search for standout internships or jobs, amongst other activities that our parents and counselors believe will appear notable to college admissions officers.
But were colleges uninterested in students who excel in areas outside of normal classroom duties, I dare say a small percentage of us would volunteer for trash duty on a singularly filthy beach in Half Moon Bay. Picking up trash isn’t what fosters joy; whether it’s playing your favorite sport, participating in the school play, or joining choir, our hobbies are what fosters joy, and what fosters joy is what time should really be spent on. In other words, it is pointless to do something if you don’t love it. The way I see it, as an adult, when rummaging through your past and pulling out your high school years, you will not think back and say, “You know, I should have picked up more trash from the beaches.” But if you pursue something you truly love, the memories you create in the process will undeniably impact your life forever. Personally, I have given up many hobbies for alternative activities, some of which I enjoyed and some of which I did not, and now immensely regret it. Lacing up my cleats, pulling my socks over my shin
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guards, and stepping onto a freshly mowed field is what I miss the most. The adrenaline of brushing past the last defender, pushing the ball out just enough to achieve the perfect angle, aiming for the back of the net and watching the expression of disappointment on the keeper’s face used to be the ultimate source of joy for me. Nowadays, my focus has been redirected to reaching one destination: college. I am doing everything I can to ensure myself a spot in an UC or CSU, but, as I stated earlier, success coexisting with delight is achieved by passion. My passion is playing soccer, and this is why I plan to cut out unnecessary, dissatisfying activities from my life in order to bring the joy it brought me back into my life. Hopefully, anyone who has given up a beloved hobby as well will consider making the time to get back to what they love. Otherwise, the decision to do what makes one unhappy will become a sequence, progress to a trend, and eventually solidify into a way of life.
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