Health Pages 6 and 7
60th Anniversary Pages 10 and 11
Seniors and College Pages 14-17
The Highlander Carlmont High School Newspaper Volume III, Issue VIII, May 2012 See us online at http://scotscoop.com
Lawsuit turned off, lights turned back on
added sophomore soccer player Melissa Wood. The installation of stadium lights on the Carlmont campus will have positive benefits for both student athletes and the community as a whole.
scheduling Singletons, classes in which only offer one section of, and Doubletons, classes we only offer two sections of.” Once the administrators are finished sorting out singletons and doubletons, they start putting all of the other aspects of the schedule together. They must take into account teacher and student requests, class size, students who fail classes, and many other situations that complicate the scheduling process. “It is quite a juggling act trying to fill in all of the holes and make sure our schedule is staffed appropriately,” said Fishtrom.
Master scheduling is an event that directly puts pressure on the administration each year. On the other side of the spectrum, there is another scheduling factor that directly affects the student’s - graduation requirements. Graduation requirements hinder a student’s ability to propose a schedule that revolves around his or her personal interests. Although Carlmont offers a wide variety of classes, these options are often limited because of graduation requirements. These requirements constantly raise conflict among the students, as they can
During Carlmont’s first night game, November of 2009, lights were brought in. Starting next year lights will be permanent.
Photos by Dana Bloom and Nicci Betteo
out lights, junior varsity games end when it becomes dark outside. “The lights will give us more practice time and it will also help the JV team because their games won’t be cut short anymore,”
By Rachel Schuster Entertainment Editor
Even after working through a few schools, hundreds of students, and 61 years of teaching, retired teacher Russell Reed is still actively involved in the Sequoia Union High School District as a tutor, substitute, and AP prompter. After completing college as a drum major, Reed came to Carlmont in 1954 to direct the marching band. “I had some of the finest marching bands you’ll ever see. The kids loved it! They would even come to practice on the field early in the mornings,” Reed said. After 10 years of directing the marching band, Reed eventually started teaching math and coaching basketball. “I actually coached Craig Barret, who is now the CEO of Intel Corporation,” Reed explained. Since he taught at Carlmont for 36 years, Reed was able to encounter students like Barret who grew to accomplish great things. He was also able to experience many social and cultural changes at the school throughout the decades. “Each decade there’s a change. What happened at Carlmont was a reflection of what was happening in the outside world.” In the 50s, Reed remarked that it was a great decade to teach during. It took place right after World War II ended, so “all of the United States was calm and doing well.” What really changed Carlmont’s environment was when the 60s hit. This was defined by Reed as the “Hippie Continued on page 19 Movement.”
By Erica Valbusa Online Editor
An agreement has been reached. Beginning in Fall 2012, it is extremely likely that the Carlmont football field will be the new home of four stadium lights. The fine details of the agreement have not been released yet, but the Sequoia Union High School District and the concerned residents are confident in a possible deal that would benefit both the school and the surrounding residences. The topics in the agreement include when and how often the lights can be used and the volume of the public address system. The renovation of the football field not only includes four 70-foot light poles, but a new PA system, new field turf, more bleachers, new fencing, and emergency lighting. The estimated cost of this project is 1.5 million dollars. Construction is cleared to begin the week after graduation, on June 11. The target date for this project to be finished is Aug. 13. The news has been positively received among the Carlmont community. Not only will it allow sports teams to have later practices and games, it will help increase the amount of school spirit. “The addition of lights will provide the true experience of a night football game, while also building a stronger sense of a community,” commented Administrative Vice Principal Ralph Crame. Many school athletes look forward to the possibilities that this new renovation will offer. “With the new lights, we won’t have to practice on the baseball field anymore. I’m really excited for them,” stated sophomore soccer player Carolyn Donohue. During the winter season, Daylight Savings has a large impact on field usage. With-
Carlmont through the decades
What does it take to graduate? By Jacob Rudger Section Editor
Hundreds of spectators will take their seats on graduation day to watch the Class of 2012 receive their diplomas and begin a brand new lifestyle as they venture on to college. However, one does not simply graduate. There is an intensive process behind graduation that requires students and administration to cooperatively plan out the students’ path to the graduation panel. Counselor meetings are held from January to April, in which students talk to their counselors about which classes
they would like to take next year. These requests are mapped out and taken to the next level: finalizing each student’s schedule for the following year. They call it “master scheduling.” Master scheduling is a process in which selected members of the administration meet in order plan out each student’s schedule for the next school year. Sounds simple right? It’s not. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “Creating a master schedule is like putting together a million piece jigsaw puzzle,” said Administrative Vice Principal, Robert Fishtrom, “We start by
Continued on page 19
Books
Page 2
Photo by Grace Chang
Teen cancer patient evokes emotion Inheritance cycle comes to a close By Virginia O’Callahan Staff Writer New York Times best-selling author John Green published his fifth book in January titled The Fault in Our Stars, a novel that is sure to make many people confused about whether or not to laugh or cry, or both. The Fault in Our Stars highlights the struggles of 16-year-old cancer patient Hazel, who after a miraculous tumor-shrinking drug, has been marked as terminally ill. As if her life can’t be any more predictable, she is thrown for a loop after she meets the dreamy plot twist Augustus Waters in a Cancer Kid Support Group. Hazel and Augustus have their handicaps that make them an unusual pair. Hazel can no longer do vigorous physical activity or breathe for extended periods of time. She hauls her oxygen tank everywhere she goes because her lungs “suck at being lungs,” as she put it ever-so succinctly in the book. Augustus is revealed to have only one leg, amputated after an operation to contain the spread of the cancer.
His false limb makes for some hilarious moments, such as the description of his not necessarily unsafe driving. The book heart-wrenchingly outlines the time Hazel and Augustus spend together, eventually forming a relationship that supports and continues through the unexpected turns that their lives make. The two even travel to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten, the author of the frequently quoted (yet fictitious) work entitled An Imperial Affliction. The ending of The Fault in Our Stars is definitely an unexpected, yet fairly predictable one. The characters of the book are ones that evoke a sense of inspiration in times of hopelessness, keeping up both their spirits and the spirits of the reader. Green effectively uses Hazel and Augustus in his book to write infinite truths about life and death, or the ambiguous realm that is suspended in between. Other books by John Green include Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines, and Printz Honor-winning Looking For Alaska.
By Sarah Levin Staff Writer
It is not often that the denouement of a series answers the important questions, ties up all plotlines, and leaves the audience with a feeling of both joy, and profound loss. With the final installment of the Inheritance Cycle, Christopher Paolini has managed all of this, and then some. Dedicating twelve years (“nearly half of my life,” he writes in the author’s note) to spinning the story of Eragon, a mythical Dragon Rider. Paolini has spun a fantastical tale of warriors, elves, dragons, and evil kings. While those less fond of the fantasy genre would likely shy away from prevalent mentionings of magic and dwarves, the series has grown a large fanbase. The past three novels, Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr, have paved the way for the climactic ending, detailing Eragon’s life in the magical kingdom of Alagaesia. The final installment finishes the journey to defeat the greatest enemy of the kingdom: the ruthless King Galbatorix.
The plot meanders in needless side-plots at some points, but manages to keep itself suspenseful. Despite its length of over 800 pages, readers will be ensnared enough to finish the book within a week. The writing is beautifully descriptive and utilizes imagery, to the point where reading about someone taking an arrow through the back elicits a wince or two. The greatest feature of the book is also its downfall; it perfectly continues from where the last three books left off. While this does a wonderful job of tying up all loose ends, it’s almost impossible to read Inheritance without having read its three predecessors yet. As all three are particularly weighty reads, a long weekend of page-turning is necessary for the full experience. There are a few instances where a subplot or a certain character is given more exposition and focus than really necessary, but it never detracts from the impact of the book. Overall, Inheritance is a mind-blowing work of fantasy, and should not be missed by anyone.
Heaven is for Real: a true story about a child’s journey By Kristen Dames Staff Writer This book is not for skeptics. It is not for steadfast Atheists either. Todd Burpo, father/pastor/volunteer fireman/wrestling coach and now the author of Heaven is for Real, depicts the astounding journey that his family went through before and after his three-year-old son was granted a visitor’s pass to heaven. This book can be enjoyed only if it is read with an open mind toward the subject matter. The unfortunate three-year-old, Colton Burpo, was forced into surgery after his burst appendix had been leaking into his body for five days. Survival seemed like nothing but a desperate prayer or this small child. With the entire congregation, the nursing staff, and the Burpo family praying for a miracle, Colton lived. After a few months, the Burpos noticed something strange about Colton and the way he talked after his surgery. Saying things like, “Dad, Jesus used Dr. O’Holleran to help fix me... Jesus told me to be nice.” Colton Burpo even began screaming, “He had to know Jesus,” at a man’s funeral for fear the man would not be allowed into heaven Heaven is for Real is not a book intended to convert nonbelievers, it is meant to delight readers with the thoughts of one family and the innocence of one child who was forever changed by one day in surgery.
While on a family car trip, Colton told his father that the hospital was the place where Jesus had angels sing to him. Todd Burpo and his wife, Sonja, then began asking their son about his experience in surgery. Colton explained his journey in a matter-of-fact tone. He left his body and went to heaven. He saw his mother on the phone and his father alone in a small room doing his own prayers. His parents were dumbfounded. This was exactly what they were doing and where they were while Colton was in surgery, they wondered how Colton could have known. Over the year following his surgery, Colton’s parents began to extract the story of his trip to heaven little by little. Colton provided exquisite details about heaven, what he did there and about the people he met. Colton described Jesus, John the Baptist, God, his great grandfather ‘Pop’, and even his unborn sister who had died before Colton had the chance to meet her. Todd Burpo was overjoyed to hear about his grandpa ‘Pop’ who had taken care of him for so many years when he was a young child. Sonja Burpo was overwhelmed by the thought that the child she had miscarried years ago was not only a girl, but had been adopted by God, “Our baby...was-is!-a girl, she thought... ‘Our baby is okay,’ she whispered. ‘Our baby is okay.’” Children are the most pure among humans, because they have not been exposed to alternative motives like the rest of
us and are the most likely to be admitted to heaven. They believe whole heartedly without questioning why. Children have hope that should not be discouraged, be it their excitement on Christmas, their dreams of being an astronaut, or even their belief that though their sister is dead, she lives on somewhere beyond this life where they can one day meet her again. Colton saw not only people, but colors as well. The rainbows that overwhelmed heaven, the purple and gold sashes worn by heaven’s inhabitants, and the radiating light that shined off of God and Jesus. In this book, Todd Burpo attempts to back up Coltons claims with quotes from the Bible that match Colton’s descriptions, even though Colton had not heard the Bible’s descriptions of heaven before. Heaven is for Real earns four out of five stars. In 154 pages, the Burpo family was able to tell a story that supported a young child’s beliefs and never once told him he was wrong. Although the book was not addicting to read, it was very enjoyable just the same. This book is very religious and is written as if God and heaven were facts without question. Because of this single sided narrative, opposers of religion may not enjoy Heaven is for Real. The Burpos are a real family and Colton is their real son who really did have an emergency appendectomy. It still remains the choice of every individual to decide whether or not Heaven is truly for real.
Movies
Page 3
Like Hollywood, movies get stupider By Sarah Levin Staff Writer There are good movies. There are bad movies. There are REALLY bad movies. Then, there are those movies that are so bad, the only thing that seems logical while watching them is to asphyxiate yourself with a bucket of popcorn. Unfortunately, it seems that this school year was filled with the latter. The year started off with a fizzle, bringing Carlmont something called Shark Night 3D. This was the epitome of cheesy horror movies. It had it all: predictable plot (“OMG THERE
ARE SHARKS EVERYWHERE!”), idiotic characters (“Huh. I think I heard a splash three miles away in the middle of the night. I’ll go by myself to check it out. Good thing I’m wearing my barbecue-scented cologne...”), and copious amounts of fake blood. Oh, and don’t forget an overwhelming amount of cleavage from the eternally-bikini-clad actresses. A better name for this movie would have to be, “Busty Women Running Around and Screaming for Two Hours Plus Some Sharks... 3D.” Contraband (the first real flop of the new year) deserves a place on the list of bombs because it’s one of those frustrating movies that should be SO much more than what it actually is. The movie itself had all the aspects of a great action-thriller: an interesting plot, intriguing
stunts/action sequences, and freaking MARK WAHLBERG. However, it suffers from one of the worst faux pas that a movie can commit: underdevelopment. None of the main characters receive any sort of exposition, and it’s not even confirmed that they all have first names. Every time the audience figures out what’s going on, a new plot line is introduced or Wahlberg brings in a friend/ lover/enemy/dog-walker that we’re instantly supposed to understand and care about. Contraband isn’t sure WHAT it wants to be, and the audience ends up unsure why they paid fifteen dollars to get a headache. However, the pinnacle of bad movies had to have been Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Watching it is the equivalent of bashing one's head into a flaming brick for 90 minutes and is
considerably more painful. The plot is impossible to follow, the acting is a disgrace (why is Nicolas Cage still being hired for movies?! Does Hollywood simply feel bad for him?), and even the editing is absolutely awful. In fact, the camera swings around like it’s attached to a drunken pigeon. After a fight scene, a collective gasp can be heard as the audience attempts not to vomit from motion sickness. Fingers are crossed tightly in hopes that next year will produce more quality films, but in light of the swill seen over the past year, Hollywood has a high mountain to climb.
Overview of the best movies in 2012 By Virginia O’Callahan Staff Writer
Some movies that have been released this past year have managed to restore some faith in humanity, (or Hollywood, rather), with their successful rate soaring high in the movie theaters. One of the most anticipated movies of the year, The Hunger Games, shot out into theaters with a bang in March, acumulating about $152.5 million in the first weekend alone. A box office hit, The Hunger Games did not cease to please its very devoted fans, even those who went more than just one time.
Chronicle, a superhero movie (yes, another), made headlines as well, gathering a respectable $22 million in its opening weekend. The movie follows three boys who find a suspicious glowing rock at a party, touch it, and acquire superpowers. After one boy goes awry, the other two have to make him stop his rampage before more people get hurt or killed. Also, sequel to the first Sherlock Holmes movie, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, achieved $39.6 million in the box office opening weekend. The movie once again follows title character Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., and the ever-present John Watson, played by Jude Law, in a new mission. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax was also met with some good reviews, making nearly $70.2 mil-
lion in its first week in theaters. Featuring the famous voices of Taylor Swift and Zac Efron, it was sure to bring in some viewers just for the voices, but the environmental undertones really allowed it to continue being the top movie for two weeks. The Lorax, based on a beloved book by the remarkable Dr. Seuss, explains the woes of the Lorax, a mysterious creature that advocates the preservation of the fictitious and fluffy truffula trees that make good articles of clothing. The environmental message that is implied comes through in this movie adaption of one of the most well-known children’s books. Finishing off the list, of course, is the last installment of Harry Potter. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 made a whopping
$169.2 million in its opening weekend. The final concluding film to the beloved movie and book series was met with fan adoration and even tears as the world said a very somber and sad goodbye to Harry and his friends one final time. The six best movies of 2012 were based on fan reviews, rather than money made in the box office. Some popular franchises ended, while other only just began in this new year of movies. Perhaps some similarly amazing movies will hit it big time in the upcoming year.
Teachers
Page 4
What’s the funniest thing your teacher has done in class?
Students vote for their teachers Best Dressed: Martin Turkis
Class Clown: Jayson Waller
“Mr. Ramroth let us throw paper at him whenever he said the word ‘it’” --Mindy Yang
Photo by Lauren Naismith
“Once Mr. Turkis was making a surfboard during class while we were doing an essay.” --Kyril Panfilov
Most Athletic: David Heck
The Coolest: Andrew Ramroth
“Once Mr. Liggett drew on the smartboard with an Expo marker.” --Matt Wood
Photo by Erica Valbusa
“Mr. Talcott touched a Van de Graff while wearing a wig and his hair flew up.” --Alexa Lopez
Best Eyes: Jim Kelly Gives Students The Best Gifts: Hai Nguyen
Best Hair: Joseph Hill
The Brainiac: Michael Skrable
“Mr. Guzman wore a new pair of jeans with the label still on and he didn’t notice until the end of class.” --Henson Kwok
“Mr. Ramroth, so we could talk math all day.” -- Mr. Tsuchiyama If you were “Mr. Hill, for obvious reasons.” -- Ms. Clarke stranded on an island with “Obama, because everyone would come looking for him.” -- Ms. Mckee one person, “Nicole (his fiancé)...maybe. She would get crabby.” -- Mr. Waller who would you “Ms. Weisman, because after WASC I know I can get through anything with her.” -- Ms. Garvey choose?
Four things you need to know
Page 5
How to: get more followers on
How to: do well on a test
1. Write an entertaining description of yourself for the biography 2. Use popular hashtags 3. Retweet interesting sources 4. Add your picture (avoid the default egg picture) 5. Don’t make your posts too long 6. Customize your profile page background 7. Use charming and humorous lines
1. Ask questions if you don’t under-
4. Pay attention during class. Al-
2. Take notes! Highlight main points
5. Chew gum. It has been proven that
How to: avoid being called on in class
3. Study as soon as you find out about
6. Take it easy! Calm down before
1. Pay Attention- Surprisingly if your teacher senses you are paying attention, they will be less likely to try to catch you off guard by picking on you.
How to: make cakepops
2. Work it out- If you need to solve a math problem or answer a question but you have no idea how to do it, (at least pretend to) work it out. If it is an English or History subject, mouth random words to the ceiling and look confused. It will look as if you are trying to remember dates or situations. If it is in Math type of class, look frustrated and cross out numbers, erase things, or bite your lip. Look frantic. Your teacher would probably realize that you don’t know the answer but won’t try to call on you if you are at least trying it out. In both of these cases though, DON’T OVERDO IT! 3. Imaginary notes- “They gotta be in here somewhere!” you said. But in reality they
never existed. Try to rifle through papers and look to find it. Don’t overdo it! The whole point is to keep people from looking at you. 4. Eye contact- It definitely matters on the teacher. Some feel that if you look at them that you must know the answer. Other teachers feel that you are trying to hide something if you don’t make eye contact and will try to pick on you. Just make sure you are facing forward and eventually you will know which type of teacher you have. 5. Be funny- If you do happen to be called on try to throw out something funny. It will ease the tension and people would be more likely to laugh at your joke than that you totally didn’t know the answer. 6. Do Work- The only sure fire way to make sure that you know the answer whether the teacher calls on you or not is to actually do your work!
though it’s tempting at times, don’t fall asleep!
stand. Ask your teacher! That is what they are there for, after all.
chewing gum improves your focus. Just make sure to dispose of it properly
of a lecture. It is much quicker than re-reading the textbook.
taking a test. Strong nerves can make you forget information.
the test. Don’t study last minute.
Ingredients:
1 box of any cake mix 1 box of instant pudding or pie mix
4 eggs 1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 bag candy melts ½ cup white decorator icing
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray one 13 x 9 x 2 in. sheet pan or two 8 in. or 9 pletely. Divide cake in half; freeze one in. round pans with vegetable pan spray. half for future use. Step 2: In large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil; beat at medium speed with electric mixer 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.
Step 4: In large bowl, use hands to crumble cake until no large chunks remain. Add icing; mix with fingers until well combined. Form mixture into cake balls. Chill in refrigerator at least Step 3: Bake 30-35 minutes for round 2 hours. Melt Candy Melts according pans; 35-40 minutes for sheet pan, or un- to package directions. Dip sticks into til toothpick inserted in center comes out melted Candy Melts and insert into clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove cake balls; let set. Wait until candy is from pan to cooling grid and cool com- completely firm before dipping.
Health
Page 6
Flaunt your figure NIKE Women’s Pro Sports Bra-$7.97 to $30.00
oranges
NEW BALANCE Women’s Tech ShortSleeve T-Shirt-$9.97 to $20.00
photos by Alex Porter
SWEET SUMMER SNACKS!
Watermelons
Eggs
NIKE Women’s Tempo Track Running Shorts-$14.97 to $32.00
fish SAUCONY Women’s Grid Cohesion 4 Running Shoes-$39.97
UNDER ARMOUR Men’s Style HeatGear Sleeveless T-Shirt-$14.97 to $24.99
NIKE Men’s Pro Core Short-Sleeve Fitted Crew Tee-$30.00
UNDER ARMOUR Men’s HeatGear Compression Shorts-$27.99
Girls Boys
*All clothing items can be found at Sports Authority stores
ASICS Core Pocketed Men’s Shorts-$21.98
ASICS Men’s GEL-Nimbus 13 Running Shoes-$99.99
Time to face the facts Vegetables
bananas
whole wheat
Berry Smoothie:
-1/2 cup apple juice -1/2 cup frozen yogurt -berries (raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry) *amount varies
By Erica Valbusa Online Editor
We only have one face. During the summer, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that one is taking the best care of his or her skin. It is time to face the facts. It is time to face the facts about proper skin care. During the summer months, the sun’s rays become stronger and more potent, which significantly increases the need for sunscreen and other sun protection. In order to get sufficient sun protection, professionals recommend using a sunscreen with not only UVB protection, but UVA protection as well. A few years ago, choosing a sunscreen meant that one just looked for the highest sun protection factor (SPF), which, according to David J. Leffell, M.D., professor of dermatology and surgery at the Yale School of Medicine, “...refers to blockage of UVB rays only.” However, in recent years, studies have shown that UVA rays increase skin cancer and cause wrinkles. This is why it is crucial for a quality sunscreen to contain both kinds of protection. Sunscreen ingredients that provide broad-spectrum protection generally include oxybenzone, octylmethyl cinnamate, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, ecamsule, and zinc oxide. It is important to make sure that one wears sunscreen or uses another form of sun protection
when going outdoors to prevent a high risk of a sunburn or in the long run, skin cancer. “I don’t wear sunscreen everyday because I don’t like the way it feels. But I should start wearing it more often,” stated junior Jackie Marcil. During the summer, a lot of people spend more time tanning outdoors due to the improvement in weather. However, it is important that they are aware of the negative effects of tanning. Some believe that having a tan gives them a nice, healthy glow. But, a tan really shows that the skin is trying to protect itself from sun damage. This sun damage leads to premature aging, eye damage, and skin cancer. The use of selftanning lotions and creams is less harsh on one’s skin and have not been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. After a long, hot summer day, it is crucial to wash one’s face in order to prevent acne breakouts and clogged pores. One should wash his or her face at the beginning of the day, as well as at the end of the day. However, dermatologists Katie Rodan, M.D. and Kathy Fields, M.D., creators of the anti-acne system Proactiv, suggest “Limit washing to no more than twice a day. More than that can strip your skin of necessary moisture, causing irritation and leading to increased oil production.” There are multiple anti-acne
systems available for consumers to purchase from brands including Proactiv, Neutrogena, and Clean and Clear. Proactiv offers a three-step treatment which includes a cleanser, toner, and spot treatment. Each product is instructed to be used twice daily - morning and night. Neutrogena offers a more personalized system for preventing acne, called skiniD. Users take a quiz online, and from this survey, the company chooses three products best suited for one’s skin type to give him or her the best results possible. Clean and Clear offers a system called the Advantage 2-in-1 Acne & Mark Eraser Kit, which includes a cleanser, spot treatment, moisturizer with sun protection, and a mark clearing lotion. “I like Proactiv but I use AcneFree. It’s basically the same thing as Proactiv but cheaper. The only bad thing about it is that it really dries out your skin,” commented junior Sameen Shahid. If purchasing the entire acne program is inconvenient or unnecessary for one’s skin needs, one can purchase individual products best suited for him or her. “I don’t use an acne program, but I do use a face cleanser called Cetaphil,” added junior Shannon Dooley. It is important to take all of these steps and precautions into consideration while caring for one’s face this summer.
Health
Page 7
Healthy makes you happy By Hailey Miller Staff Writer Being healthy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, helping you look and feel great. “To me, being fit means eating healthy and exercising. You don’t have to be a star athlete to be fit. Just staying away from fast food and doing some kind of exercising daily keeps you fit,” stated Ryan Ahrling, a Carlmont senior. What your body is capable of doing is largely determined by what you are putting into it. Want to be able to spend the day with your friends playing football or volleyball? Then you need to fuel your body with healthy foods. What you eat dictates how you feel. “I try and eat healthy by eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, salads, and protein, because I feel terrible if I don’t,” commented Jenny Gross, a Carlmont junior. Dieticians advise everyone to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole wheats, lean meats and dairy - unless they are vegetarian or vegan - and numerous other healthy foods. These experts are aware that unhealthy foods are tempting, especially to high schoolers, so they advocate moderation. The key to feeling good is eating foods that will help, not hurt, your body for the majority of your meals. Aim to only eat fast food and sweets, such as In-N-Out and pastries, once a week. This way you can still enjoy the food you love
while properly fueling your body. “My favorite healthy foods include kale salad, gazpacho, and grapefruit,” said Elise Sprinkel, a Carlmont junior. There are endless reasons to be healthy, not only for the summer, but all the time. The most compelling for high school students is the way it will make you look and feel. When a person is in shape, they feel confident and look great; perfect for bathing suit season. Eating well and exercising will not only make you feel better, but it will give you more energy to do the things you love. Some of the more broad advantages to living a healthy lifestyle are that you get sick less often, are less likely to injure yourself, have lower chances of suffering from chronic diseases, and live a longer life. However, eating healthy is only half of the battle. Being healthy also requires that you be active. Our bodies are meant to move; in fact, they crave it. That’s why our bodies release “feel good” chemicals such as endorphins, adrenaline, and dopamine when we exercise. “I feel so much better when I workout. Runner’s high is a real thing,” remarked Abbey Holman, a Carlmont junior and avid runner. People who are physically fit enjoy higher stamina, are stronger, and feel better overall. There is no better time to get in shape than the summer because there are so many different things to do. Take the quiz below to find the perfect summer activity for you.
Cartoon by Curtis Fan
What’s your summer sport? Prefer exercising in a group?
Inside
Outside Enjoy grassy fields? Like the beach?
Play beach volleyball Join a soccer team
Want an intense workout?
Want an intense workout?
Apps to help you stay in shape:
Want an exciting sport?
Take a kickboxing class
Like water?
Play racquetball
Take a yoga class
Want to work different aspects of your body at your own pace?
Don’t have a gym/pool to go to?
Want to know what you should do this summer to stay in shape? Take this quiz!
Inside
Outside
Want a relaxing way to stay toned?
Join a crew team
Prefer exercising alone?
Enjoy the comfort of your own home?
Swim Go on a run
Hit the gym
Do “On Demand” workouts Information compiled by Courtney Heatherington Graphic by Anna Wheeler
My Fitness Pal This application makes it easy to keep track of what you eat and your exercise. It is free to download from the App Store and rated 5/5 stars.
Runkeeper This app tracks your mileage and speed and tells you how many calories you burned. It is free to download from the App Store.
Bodybuilding.com
Bodybuilding. com is a fitness app that allows you to showcase motivation as well as track progress. It is free to download from the App Store.
Daily Cardio Workout This app features a five to ten minute cardio workout with videos to teach each exercise. It is free from the App Store.
Page 8
Scots Fashion
Sheila Wong Pants: Urban Outfitters Blazer: Zara Oxford: Dr. Marten Sweater: Gap
wong stepped out of her comfort zone and played
with salmon colored jeans and incorporated her sig-
nature style of sweaters and blazers into her outfit.
Jenny Chen Tights: Forever 21 Boots: Forever 21 Shirt: Old Navy
Chen puts her own twist on the latest fashions--statement shorts, dyed tights, and cardigans--by mixing colors, such as a mild peach, maroon, and gray, as well as patterns, over a plain white tank-top.
Liam Mercado Jacket: Old Navy Bag: Chrome SF Shoes: Van’s
Mercado, in his usual thickrimmed glasses, sports a simple and sleek street-style with go-to black skinny jeans, a unique grey sweater and navy Van’s.
Charlotte Lewis Skirt: Express Shirt: Express Scarf: H&M
Lewis took advantage of the sudden warm weather and
opted for a tiered-skirt, a silky blue top that complements her eyes, plus matching boots, belt, and scarf.
Photos by: Isabella Paragas
Angela Perez de Tangle
Sarah Burry
Nathan Lu
Monika Skinner
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e l y t s r e
m m Su
n quiz
o
Fashi
START HERE:
Directions: Read the questions and then follow the corresponding lines that best fits your response
You can’t wait for summer But you’re going to miss the rain.
Summer and the sun are calling your name.
You know every word to a Katy Perry song.
You can’t wait for another Maroon 5 concert to be close to the Bay
No
.
e op
N
Yeah!
t re
Yes, or at leas tI want to belie ve so
No
California Breeze
Luckily for you, California weather is unpredictable and your wardrobe has you prepared for rain or sun. Stay with the casual feel of your style that you’ve kept all year. floral dresses, wedges, and denim shorts are a must have that your closet does not lack.
th
Leather and jean jackets invaded your wardrobe this winter No
Once a week.
, ra
rd xfo
O
No, I like playing in the sun
Sporty Summer
Your style is casual and comfortable, so why should you change this summer? Bold colors such as red, blue, neon, and orange can be easily be transpired into jeans, casual and running shorts. Add some edge with a graphic tee of your favorite team or band.
rely .
I wore_____in the first week of school
All you can think about is soaking in the California sun this summer Yes
jo is a
No, I need a little variation
Yes, my toes need to stay warm.
Already have tickets.
ke?
! Is
.
You wore your Uggs at least twice a week this winter
ally .
You can rap as fast as Drake and Nicki Minaj.
Downtown Class
Your style is casual yet with a little polish, so the boots and leather jackets can stay on the cool summer nights. Experiment with tanks and bustier dresses that reflect the free spirit of summer.
Artsy
The free spirit of summer is calling you, so enjoy the feathers, maxi dresses, and flowy skirts. Don’t be afraid to try prints, especially tribal shorts that will stand out with studded sandals.
ots
Bo
Boho
Denim shorts, combat boots, and cropped tops are the essentials to your closet for the summer trips and concerts. Add colors such as light blue, pink, and orange to flow with the sun’s light. Keep your layers to a minimum, with short skirts and a light top.
Page 10
Carlmont turning 60 y “What I loved about teaching at Carlmont was the satisfaction. It’s amazing to find out
Then
Former Carlmont Marching Band director, Math teacher and Basketball coach, Rusty Reed, recalls what it was like teaching at Carlmont during the 50s,60s, and 70s “Each decade there’s a change. What happened at school was a reflection of what was happening in the outside world.”
“I remember how disturbed the students were when they heard about the Kent University incident. This awful thing caused turmoil and affected the students at Carlmont.”
“In my opinion, integrating Carlmont actually made it better. Better for the students and better for the school’s overall environment.”
1952 first year of Carlmont, founded as a “school within a school” with 450 freshman April 19, 1953 and sophomore the school was dedicated to students “Truth- LibertyToleration”
1955 first graduating class
1955 Carlmont’s marching band on Veteran’s Day parade in San Jose wins first place
1952 1953 1955 September 10, 1952 first issue of the “Carlmonitor” (Newspaper) was published
1955 first issue of Carlmont’s “Echoes” Poetry and story magazine
1969 Former history teacher Dr. Robert Hunt forms “FOMF”
1969-1972 Carlmont crowned as FOMF champions
November 1976 Carlmont wins its first homecoming game against Sequoia
1969 1970 1972 1974 1976 1970 Carlmont’s Varsity cross country team ranks second in the nation
1974 first Math Awards Night
1979 1979 Carlmont wins “Peninsula 300” (Sports meet)
Page 11
years old in September – sometimes much later – how much influence you had on a student’s life.” --- Rusty Reed
Now “When I first started at Carlmont, all I saw was a bunch of blonde heads. Once they started bringing in other races, the whole situation became very real. Integration was happening. The students were upset at first and had many riots, but the 60s were the years when diversity really became enforced.”
“Back when I taught, there was woodshop, metal shop, home economics, and other vocational classes that were very helpful to students.”
1995 the movie “Dangerous Minds” (based on the autobiography “My Posse Don’t Do Homework”) was based on former teacher LouAnne Johnson at Carlmont and her experience teaching Academy students
1987 1991 1987 – 1991 Carlmont High School Mock Trial wins San Mateo County Mock Trial competition
1995
Summer 2007 construction of theater for Choir and Band completed
2003 2003 Carlmont joins Team 100 (Woodside/Carlmont/Sequoia Robotics team)
2008 Team 100 (Robotics team) places first in Silicon Valley Regional.
2008
January 2011 U.S. Green Building Council April 2010 awards Carlmont’s Carlmont Jazz Performing Arts Ensemble receives Building a LeadUnanimous ing in Energy and Environmental September 2009 Superior Design (LEED) first issue of “The gold certification Highlander” for its energy (Carlmont’s newspaper) published
2009 2010 2011 Summer of 2011 Biotech and science wing built
November 2009 2008 Carlmont’s first Carlmont April 2012 Drumline night game October 2010 Carlmont’s S.O.S prois formed Carlmont’s Cheerlead- gram wins Kent Award ing team places third (designed to recognize in and heads to nation- and publicize outstandals for the first time Compiled By: Sabrina Leung ing programs)
News and Opinions How to get a job Devaluation for the summer Page 12
the diploma
By Hailey Miller Staff Writer
Summer is just over a month away and now’s the time for students to apply for summer jobs. But, landing a job is harder than some might think. The first step for a student searching for a job is to decide what kind of job he or she is looking for. That means deciding what type of job, the location, the pay, and the hours he or she wants. Although finding a job that meets all these requirements may be unrealistic, they will help the student decide where to apply for work. The next thing the student should do is create a résumé to present to potential employers. It should be professional and should reflect the strengths and the skills that he or she offers. While it is good to include previous work experience and references, do not fabricate any because it can make it harder to get hired in the future. When finding places to apply for work there are a few options. One is to look out for help wanted signs and ask for applications. Another way is to use the people around you to network for a job. This means asking your friends, parents, parents of friends, teachers, and anyone else who can put you into contact with people or companies with job opportunities.
By Matthew Harris Staff Writer
Once the high school student has applied for a job, they will most likely need to be interviewed. When interviewed, the applicant should be dressed professionally and be well prepared for answering common interview questions such as, “Why should we hire you?” “My advice for interviewing is make eye-contact with the interviewer and show confidence. They want people who ready fo the job,” commented Kristine Kohlmann, a Carlmont student who works as a lifeguard at the Pacific Athletic Club. Most people who hire teens are looking for people who are motivated, punctual, have a good attitude, work hard, work well with others, and show leadership qualities. A student who presents these qualities will have a good shot at being hired. These are all important things to work on that will help high school students score summer jobs.
Carlmont Art now accessible on the Internet By Matthew Harris Staff Writer The entire Carlmont Visual Arts Department is available through the Internet, on the department’s newly created website. The website, created by ceramics teacher Tina Condos, compliments carlmontarts.com, the Art Program’s other website created by Animation teacher Joshua Sheridan, which focuses on Carlmont’s computer-based graphic arts programs. “We wanted to change it up a little but, ensure we have a home for all of the fresh pictures of students work,” said Condos. “We wanted to have a place to display students work at all times, we have such amazing artwork we want to show off.” Users can view students’ work from Carlmont’s visual art courses, as well as read up on information about the classes themselves. The descriptions list which classes qualify as a Career Technical Education course, one of which all students are required to take.
The high school diploma is a symbolic, if not traditional, gesture of our maturity into adulthood. Behind all of the pomp and circumstance, the high school diploma is today less an achievement than it is a stepping stone towards college or technical training. The high school diploma was in an earlier time a symbol of success, an entrance into middle-class jobs and pay. However, today a high school diploma is often a basic requirement for serious employment. There are several causes of this phenomenon. Firstly, more jobs in our postindustrial society require skills and knowledge that are only provided with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Many jobs in manufacturing often did not require a high school diploma, and with increased outsourcing to foreign countries overseas, more graduates and students are pushed towards college. This destroys what was a common source of easy employment after high school, as people who would have been content working in a factory for a decent wage found themselves needing a college education to make ends meet. Secondly, there is no way for an employer to determine how much effort a student has put into his or her high school diploma. A student could take all the Advanced Placement courses, participate in sports, and volunteer their spare time during their four years in high school. Likewise, a student could completely blow off their education and scrape by through senior year. Both students receive the exact same piece of paper.
of
The problem is further compounded by the No Child Left Behind Act, which directly ties schools’ funding to their students’ performance on standardized tests and graduation rates. Schools that failed to produce a certain percentage of graduates or test poorly would see their funding cut as an incentive to get them to improve their standards. However, many schools restructured their curriculums around the tests, instead of actual coursework, to ensure more students pass and graduate. Because of this standardization schools are incentivized to lower their standards in exchange for funding, and with this many graduates who do not deserve a diploma are still given a diploma. Thus, to ensure the quality of their workforce, many employers now require some college as proof that employees are ready for employment. The sheer number of graduates creates inflation in the jobs market, because there are so many people with diplomas, the value of one intrinsically declines. The state of California, besides offering regular high school, offers a General Equivalency Degree (GED) program that increases the number of students with diplomas. The high school diploma still has some value, it is an important and required stepping stone towards college, and diplomas are also often a validation of maturity and accomplishment. Graduates with diplomas or GEDs make more money than their dropout counterparts, and overall have a higher employment rate than those without a diploma.
The Highlander
Editor-in-Chief: Dana Bloom Jenna Chambers
Editors: Users can also view flash videos, linked to Sheridan’s youtube channel, mrsheridan. Junior Jordan Pon, who’s animation “A Turtle Story” is displayed on the website, said “[the website] gives people a better idea of what students are capable of.” All students at Carlmont are required to take one Fine Art course course to receive a diploma. Many of these classes also qualify as CTE classes. The Carlmont Art program has benefited in recent years, receiving a new building and equipment from various grants and sponsorships, such as the Carlmont Academic Foundation.
Gianna Dimick Alex Porter Grace Chang Rachel Schuster Jacob Rudger Anna Wheeler Ryan Freeman Carly Bertolozzi
Online: Steven Tsujisaka Erica Valbusa
Cartoonist: Isabella Paragas
Business:
Nikos Frazier
Staff Writers:
Shannon Chang Gabriela D’Souza Kristen Dames Ashley Dierolf Ivan Garin Graham Godwin Erin Greig Matthew Harris Courtney Heatherington Chris Leong
Sabrina Leung Sarah Levin Conrad May Hailey Miller Virginia O’Callahan Chloe Scott Selina Sorensen Kiana Valdez Luisa Zepeda
Faculty Adviser:
Justin Raisner
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.
Giants How well do you know the current team?
Page 13
Is this the year the Giants reclaim the title? Three important things that need to happen
With the new Major League Baseball season underway, San Francisco Giants fans enter the season cautiously optimistic with tempered excitement for what the ‘12 campaign might bring. However, for the Giants to reach their ultimate goal, a second World Series title for San Francisco, three key things need to happen for the boys who wear orange on Friday nights. 1. Stay Healthy Last season, devastating injuries to key players throughout the season plagued the Giants. Pablo Sandoval, Carlos Beltran and Brian Wilson missed long stretches while Freddy Sanchez and Buster Posey suffered season ending injuries within three weeks of one another. Bruce Bochy was forced to mix and match his lineup throughout season. The Giants went on to be the lowest scoring team in Major League Baseball. The ‘11 Giants set a record for futility, becoming the lowest scoring team as a defending World Series Champion ever. Good health is critical for the Giants to be successful this season. Sadly the Giants are off to a very unhealthy start. The bullpen has already been hit hard; eccentric closer Brian Wilson is out for the year
requiring his second Tommy John surgery. Guillermo Mota has been suspended 100 games for abusing the illegal substance policy for the second time, effectively ending his career as a Giant. Also, Jeremy Affeldt has hurt himself for the second year in a row with an off the field self-inflicted injury. The bullpen was a strong suit for this team going into the season, now dissipated, it possesses some glaring holes. Before Pablo Sandoval got hurt, he was putting together another All-Star season, leading the team in a multitude of offensive categories. Losing Panda has been the low point so far of the season. Sandoval has now broken bones in both hands in as many seasons. The Giants need to get through this unhealthy patch without falling too far behind the Dodgers and Diamondbacks and pray that none of their prized starting pitching catches the injury bug.
2. Team Unity When the Giants made their improbable, impossible and extraordinary run to the World Championship in 2010; the team possessed an uncanny and magical chemistry. Twenty-five players had complete trust in one another and they were all striving for the same goal; the team bonded so tightly
believing they couldn’t lose. For this Giants ballclub to be successful they need to find that same chemistry. However they already have had a major setback. First baseman, and clubhouse old-timer, Aubrey Huff was forced to go on the 15 day DL due to anxiety issues. The struggling veteran dipped out of town without telling any of teammates what was wrong. Whether the fans support it or not, Huff is not going anywhere, he is owed in the range of eleven millions dollars so releasing him is not an option. The clubhouse needs to find a way to rally around Huff and get his head straight, like it or not Aubrey Huff is a piece of the Giants puzzle. Younger players need to step up and replace the veterans of the past, Uribe and Burrell are gone and Wilson has been lost for the season. If this team is to reach the fall classic, they need to rediscover the moxy and attitude that carried the ‘10 Giants. 3. Average Offense For the Giants to be successful they just need their run production to be average, but a clear step up from the dismal offense of last year. Top flight pitching can carry an average scoring team day in and day out. The Giants got off to a fast offensive start,
being the top scoring team in the MLB the first week of the season. It’s gone downhill since then, with the middle infield struggling with the nightly lineup changes. Bochy has been so far unsuccessful finding the right combination of defense with a hope of offense: Ryan Theriot, Emmanuel Burriss and Brandon Crawford have all been subpar so far. Bochy has turned to journeyman Joaquin Arias who has been a pleasant discovery coming through with impressive defensive plays while getting some hits under pressure. The Giants frankly need to get production from newly acquired Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan and the repaired Buster Posey. If the top of the order bats do not produce until Sandoval gets back, this could be a long season. The Giants should able to right the ship if they overcome their recent injury epidemic, remain together as a team and score just enough runs. With the new playoff format, which adds an additional wild card team, the Giants have the talent to achieve that second wild card or better. It will just be a matter of them putting it all together.
Answers: c, a, c, b, c, d, a, b
By Graham Godwin Staff Writer
Page 14
2 0 1 2
You wish you were one two
Senior
As senior year comes to a close, students reflect on the year filled with college apps, senior prom, final sports seasons, and fun with friends.
S E N I O R S
Senior
Page 15
My best memory of high school was...
“Homecoming this year because all of my friends came, and being a senior made it a lot more fun!” ~Avalon Pellegrini
“The 2012 Jazz Band trip to Santa Cruz. I got to spend time with my band mates and we hung out at the Boardwalk for the music festival.” ~Nathan Galicia
“Getting to know the different cultures here.” ~Tevita Peaua
“Meeting a bunch of new people throughout these last four years.” ~Will Zepeda-Campos
“Choir Tour of my freshman year because it strengthened my friendships.” ~Erin O’Loughlin
“Doing the thriller on Halloween for dance class and the times that I complain about wanting to graduate.” ~Kathleen Palma
“My first day of high school thinking that I’m going to be here forever. But it went by too fast and now I’m already graduating.” ~Gio Tenario
Page 16
College 17% 29% 76% 0.03% 21% of students are attending a California State University
of students are attending community college
of students are attending school outside of the country
of students are attending school in California
University of North Dakota: Ronald Davies, a University of North Dakota graduate became a part of history when he ordered the integration of Little Rock Central High School.
University of Oregon: Walt Disney gave University of Oregon permission to use Donald Duck as its sports mascot.
University of Arizona: Ranked number 18 among all public universities by the National Science Foundation.
of students are attending a University of California
Tufts University: Tufts’ official mascot, Jumbo the elephant, is the only school mascot listed in Webster’s Dictionary.
University of Mississippi, Ole Miss: The University of Mississippi has produced three Miss Americas: Susan Akin, Mary Ann Mobley, and Lynda Lee Mead.
*The information on this page is based on a survey in which 266 seniors replied.
Each dot on the map represents a school that a current senior will be attending in the fall of 2012.
Colleges the 2012 graduates will be attending:
Academy of Art American Musical and Dramatic Academy American University Arizona State Brigham Young University Cal Poly Pomona Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Cal State Northridge Cañada Carnegie Mellon University Chapman University Chico State City College of San Francisco Claremont McKena College College of San Mateo Columbia University De Anza College DePaul University Dillard University Drexel University East Bay State Foothill French Culinary Institute Johnson and Wales Kent State University Long Beach State Loyola Marymount University
Merritt College Missouri State Muhlenberg College New York Film Academy in LA Northern Arizona University Northwestern University Notre Dame de Namur Occidental College Oregon State Pacific Union College Point Loma Nazarene University Portland State Pratt Institute San Diego State University San Francisco State San Jose State Santa Barbara City College Santa Monica College Santa Rosa Junior College Skyline Sonoma State St. Lawrence University St. Mary’s Stanford University Syracuse University Technical University of Delft Tufts University
University California Berkeley University California Davis University California Los Angeles University California Merced University California Riverside University California San Diego University California Santa Barbara University California Santa Cruz University of Arizona University of Chicago University of Colorado, Boulder University of Edinburgh University of Indiana University of Michigan University of Mississippi, Ole Miss University of North Dakota University of Oregon University of Puget Sound University of the Pacific University of Utah University of Washington University San Francisco University Southern California Washington State, Pullman Washington University, St. Louis Westmont
College
Page 17
Page 18
Extras
Horoscopes:
Libra: 9/23-10/22
You and your best friend will become even closer this summer, seeing as you have weeks to chill together. You might need to take some risks that will lead to great things. You will be happy with the decisions you make.
Your summer days will be full of hectic schedules but make sure to take some time for yourself. Maybe go on a hike and enjoy the nature every once and a while, or go to coffee with a friend. Enjoy life.
Taurus: 4/20-5/20
Scorpio: 10/23-11/21
Aries: 3/21-4/19
Something big is going on in your social circle, so be very careful about who you trust. Emotion is very powerful and it will catch you off guard so be on your guard at all times.
Gemini: 5/21-6/20
Expect a small crisis at the end of this school year. Don’t let it bring you down but solve it quickly and quietly without letting too many people in on your personal life.
Sometimes things happen for a reason and this summer you will meet someone that will stay in your life for a while. Good luck! But still make sure you spend some alone time to collect your thoughts and just be happy.
Sagittarius: 11/22-12/21
Cancer: 6/21-7/22
Capricorn: 12/22-1/19
You are going to have a great time this summer with someone special but you will hit a rough patch during July so consider your actions and words before you do anything.
Leo: 7/23-8/22
When something has to change, you are the first to know and take action. Maybe it is time to start on the summer workout plan or do that thing you have wanted to do since last summer.
Virgo: 8/23-9/22
This summer will be a time of learning and knowledge. It doesn’t sound too fun, but you will find a way to make it enjoyable. You did great this school year so you deserve a break, but don’t get too lazy.
Did you know?
~Almonds are members of the peach family ~A pregnant goldfish is called a twit ~Coca-Cola was originally green ~In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere ~Women blink nearly twice as much as men
This summer you are going to need to take a long, hard look at your ego. You may be just a little to conceded to realize the great aspects of your beautiful life.
This is gong to be one of your best summers. It could be spent going out or staying home, but you will without a doubt have a great time. Maybe try to apply for that summer job you have been wanting. The odds are in your favor.
Aquarius: 1/20-2/18
You will be bursting with enthusiasm and creativity next month so sign up for an art class or go to a museum to show everyone your secret passion. Let out your wild side.
Pisces: 2/19-3/20
You will have the power this summer to be the person you really are. Shed your outer shell and let go. Do what you want to do and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t because you can do anything you put your mind to.
~A full-grown bear can run as fast as a horse ~The cells that make up the antlers of a moose are the fastest growing animal cells in nature ~The fastest typist can type at 211 words per minute ~The world’s youngest parents were 8 and 9 in China in 1910
~Elephants can’t jump. Every other mammal can ~The average woman consumes 6 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime ~ Polar bears are left-handed ~ The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses No one in Greece has memorized all 158 verses ~ Ears and noses never stop growing
Extras
Carlmont’s past “These young people lived a different kind of life. They were intelligent students, but as a teacher, they kind of got to me,” Reed admitted. “And when the Vietnam War came about, these kids were so against it that they would just march around talking about their beliefs.” Reed also mentioned the incident at Kent University, where multiple college students protesting the war were shot. “I remember how disturbed the students were when they heard about the Kent University episode. This awful thing caused turmoil and affected the students at Carlmont who shared antiwar views.” The biggest change in the 60s though, came when Carlmont started bussing in kids from East Palo Alto. “When I first started at Carlmont, all I saw was a bunch of blonde heads. Once they started bringing in other races, the whole situation became very real,” recalled Reed. “Integration was happening. The students were upset at first and had many riots, but the 60s were the years when diversity really became enforced.” Once the 70’s came around however,
Continued from front
people began to understand and accept each other. “In my opinion, integrating Carlmont actually made it better. Better for the students and better for the school’s overall environment.” Visiting the school today, Reed is “very impressed with the teachers that they have now in the mathematics department” and wants to “give kudos to all the teachers in the performing arts department who are just wonderful.” Reed also believes that there are many changes since his time at Carlmont. “For one thing,” Reed said, “Collegebound student in the 50s and 60s would have a very difficult time succeeding with the current curriculum. “Another thing is that back when I taught, there was woodshop, metal shop, home economics, and other vocational classes that were very helpful to students,” he lamented. “Now all those classes are gone, and technology courses have replaced them. I do think that these new classes are important, but let’s face it, you gotta have people who can actually build things!” Reed also mentioned how the math program is different today.
Graduation
Continued from front
potentially be forced to take classes that they don’t want to take. “I have to take weight training and engineering green tech because of PE and CTE requirements. I would much rather take five-point classes,” said junior Byron Wu. Many students find themselves caught up in scheduling mayhem because they have not completed a particular graduation requirement. The fact that a student is required to take a class that he or she does not want to take, in place of a class that he or she actually wants to take, has sparked anger among some students. Graduation requirements affect students in extracurricular programs more than anyone else. While meeting with his counselor this year, sophomore Tristan Gasperian witnessed first-hand how graduation requirements can affect one’s schedule.
“We had a class called math lab and a class called general math, and then there were the others like geometry and trigonometry and algebra. What we did was we started each student at their own individual level,” he said. “We didn’t have a set standard like ‘everyone must take algebra as a freshman,’ because that is just setting a student up for failure. We saved a lot of kids by doing it our way.” Although there were changes, Reed feels as if one thing has remained the same. “The school really hasn’t found an answer for those students who are struggling. I feel like sometimes they are pushed aside, but they should be the ones that are focused on. I mean, the school won’t even call their classes remedial anymore! They just give it a different name that makes it sound nice.” In addition to this, Reed believes that Carlmont has not benefitted from the standardized testing it now imposes. “All standardized testing – with the exception of AP testing – does not tell how good or how bad a school is. In fact, these standardized tests actually waste hours and hours of solid teaching time and have been proven not to make a difference in a student’s experience at
Page 19
school.” Other than these few issues, Reed really did enjoy his time at Carlmont and continues to bask in the benefits of having been a teacher there. “What I loved about teaching at Carlmont was the satisfaction. It’s amazing to find out – sometimes much later – how much influence you had on a student’s life,” Reed remarked. He has even stayed in touch with some of his former students through the Carlmont community. “I still go to Carlmont reunions from very old classes. I’ve reconnected with students, some of which, believe it or not, have become my life-long friends. I keep in contact with students all over the US,” he said. “The best part? When my wife and I go to visit them, we get free lodging!” Reed joked. “But seriously, we are always welcomed and my old students are some of the best friends that I have.” As he reminisced on his past 61 years of teaching, Mr. Russell Reed was almost lost in the happiness that it brought him. “It is such a rewarding job to be a teacher. You give a lot of yourself, but wow...” he paused, “What you get back is just tremendous.”
Gasperian is involved with the Academy program and will be joining ASB next year. His involvement in extracurricular programs took a toll on his 2012-2013 schedule. “Now I have to take seven classes. Also because I’m in Academy, we are required to take computer apps. I have to finish my language credits as well,” said Gasperian. It is no secret that graduation requirements get in the way of some students’ preferences, but they are required for a reason. These requirements make sure that each student has a diverse academic background, and expose them to these experiences in order to prepare them for life after high school. When watching the Class of 2012 receive their diplomas on graduation day, one must take into account that the student’s got to that point with the great help of the administration and through sacrificing their priorities in order to get there.
Page 20
Sports
Sports year in review Football Varsity: 4-1 Boys Swimming Varsity: 4-2-1 Boys Water Polo Varsity: 1-4 Boys Tennis Varsity:11-3 Boys Soccer Varsity: 6-7-1 Boys Baseball Varsity:6-6 Boys Golf: 10-2 Boys Basketball Varsity: 4-6 Boys Track Varsity: 4-2 Mens Cross Country: PAL champions
Statistics from PALs
Badminton Varsity: 10-3 Girls Tennis Varsity: 10-4 Volleyball Varsity: 12-2 Girls Track Varsity: 4-2 Girls Basketball Varsity: 1-9 Girls Water Polo Varsity: 10-4 Softball Varsity: 10-1 Girls Swimming Varsity: 4-3 Womens Soccer Varsity: 10-1 Womens Cross Country: PAL champions