The Claw - 2023 - Issue 1: Maintaining Priorities Despite Upcoming Celebrations

THE CLAW

MAINTAINING PRIORITIES DESPITE UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS

CAMPOLINDO HIGH SCHOOL | ISSUE I, VOLUME LXXII | OCTOBER 20, 2023

NEWS

Table of Claw-tents NEWS

Briefs................................................4 Artist Visit with Art 2 Library Cougar Named Ethnic Studies Club Day..........................................5 Pops Concert..................................5 Homecoming Dance......................6 Teachers Spread..............................7

OPINION

Ultimate Frisbee.............................8 Controversial Kiss.........................9 Growth of Pickleball....................10 The Power of Manifestation.......11 Electives..........................................11

LIFESTYLE

SPORTS

Monte Vista Football....................16 Flag Football..................................16 Cheer................................................17 Water Polo Captains.....................18 Volleyball at Aca...........................18

ACTIVITIES

Crossword......................................13 Fall Recipe......................................19 FRONT COVER BY KATIE WELCH BACK COVER BY SEBASTIAN WHITFIELD SCAN QR CODE FOR MORE CONTENT If you have a story idea, would like to write a Letter to the Editor, or have other comments/concerns, please submit them to the form at https://thecampoclaw.com/submit-a-letter/.

The Claw staff will respond as soon as possible.

Turning a New Leaf......................12 Top Coffee Shops In the Bay.......12 Dazzling Student Murals............14 Freshman Choir.............................14 Homecoming Traditions..............15 Latest Clothing Trends.................15 2

THE CLAW

The Claw

Campolindo High School 300 Moraga Road Moraga, CA 94556

Issue I Volume LXXII

ONLINE AT:

www.thecampoclaw.com & @thecampoclaw Editors in Chief Erin McDonald (she/her) Molly Stephens (she/her) News Editor Indira Naylor (she/her) Lifestyle Editor Hailey Wilson (she/her) Junior Lifestyle Editor Isabella Domingo (she/her) Opinion Editor Alex Shrauger (he/him) Junior Opinion Editor Anya Houston (she/her) Sports Editors John Weaver (he/him) Harrison Fuller (he/him) Visual Media Editor Katie Welch (she/her) Buisness Editor Lily Qin (she/her) Social Media Editor Parker Blau (she/her)

A Welcome From the Editors-in-Chief ERIN MCDONALD & MOLLY STEPHENS EDITORS-IN-CHIEF As the seasons change, we are met with opportunities to turn over a new leaf. While it is beneficial to learn and move on from the past, it is just as important to remember traditions and keep their spirits alive. Along with these long-standing traditions, we should be open to welcoming new experiences as well.

While many of Campo’s fall traditions have endured, there have been countless additions to our festive atmosphere.

From flag football to creative homecoming videos, students are embracing change while still honoring past traditions, such as FNL and spirit weeks.

We’ve welcomed a new student class and said goodbye to our class of 2023. We have adapted to a new tech policy, unfortunately not by choice, and even decided on a name for our beloved library cougar: Leonardo DeCatrio. Through the ups and downs, our student body has found ways to uplift one another and celebrate what makes each of us unique.

During this time of the year, it’s important to shine a spotlight on the voices and experiences of Hispanic/Latino Americans, and recognize their history and achievements. Campo has managed a number of activities in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, many of which were hosted by our very own Latinos Unidos club, such as tailgates, movie nights, and more.

With homecoming successfully behind us, it is time to get excited for upcoming fall festivities. Halloween is approaching fast, and excitement is brewing over what creative costumes we will see this year. Even despite the allure of this spooky holiday, it is important for seniors to remember college application deadlines are right around the corner. Stay focused Cougs!

As seniors, we know how stressful this time can be. It’s easy to get swept up comparing yourself to the progress of your peers and scrambling from college visit to college visit. Luckily, we have tons of resources here on campus to ease you through your anxiety. From therapy dogs to journaling, the Campo Wellness Center is committed to helping students, especially seniors, stress less and achieve their goals in a healthy way.

Overall, while this time of year is full of fun traditions and celebrations, it is necessary to prioritize your goals and mental health to maintain a healthy balance. Establishing good habits this first semester will set a precedent for the success we find in the rest of the school year.

Photography Editor Sebastian Whitfield (he/him) Staff Emilia Barck (she/her) Thomas Berg III (he/him) Beatrice Johnson (she/her) Lauren Kawamoto (she/her) Karly Kazliner (she/her) Laiba Khan (she/her) Nate Littell (he/him) Brooke Maher (she/her) Rachel Moen (she/her) Sarah Moses (she/her) Daisy Penney (she/her) Sloan Pullen (she/her) Ashley Purcell (she/her) Anjali Rao (she/her) Olivia Seelig (she/her) Matt VonderBrink (he/him) Tobias Wasicek (he/him) Adviser Lauren Henson (she/her)

OCTOBER 20

3

NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS Artist Georganne Zaro’s Visit with Art 2 The Art 2 class was visited by a member of the California Watercolor Association named Georganne Zaro for the first class critique session which was held in the library.

Critique sessions help the growing artists improve their skills of creating new, original art pieces with new techniques and materials. For this particular critique the student artists pinned their pieces up onto a wall and sat in front of them to have a discussion on what they enjoyed about each other’s pieces and to provide constructive criticism about what they think could be improved.

The California Watercolor Association is a non profit organization that has aimed to help to sustain artistic growth and interest in watermedia since 1967.

Zaro is one of their many members and volunteers that are professional and nonprofessional artists, teachers, and students that help with the organization’s outreach to programs such as the Campolindo art program.

Senior Kate Kabenina said she was inspired by Zaro because of how she “pursued her passion all through college” to become a professional artist. Kabenina also expressed how Zaro’s technique of coming back to a piece if you feel like “I haven’t really had enough luck with it yet” was helpful because it reminds her to not give up on a piece.

Another Art 2 student, sophomore Jonathan Fordelon said Zaro taught him that, “the most important part of creating an art piece is the composition.” Composition is how the different elements of the artwork are combined and arranged. His biggest takeaway from the critique and Zaro’s guidance was “to be loose with your lines and gestures to create a sense of movement in the piece.”

“It helps seeing her work” along with her “watercolor and techniques,” said junior Luke Martinez. Zaro critiqued his work and encouraged him to utilize “more depth and depth perception and different angles.” Martinez benefited from the critique because having talked with “a person from that knowledge” allowed him and the other students to understand

4

how they could “add to” and improve their work.

The Art Two students will use the feedback from the critique session and use the skills that Zaro taught them to improve their artwork and technique throughout the rest of the school year.

- Sloan Pullen

Campo Students Choose Name for Library Cougar Campo’s new librarian, Liz Herring, has taken an interest in the stuffed cougar in the library and has asked the students and teachers for their opinions and input in choosing a name.

The cougar itself was at one point alive, and during its life it was “a bit aggressive…coming into a park (in Livermore) and attempting to attack people’’, said Herring, causing him to be euthanized. His body was in the possession of local fishermen for a while, where he was stuffed and later donated. Then, the AP Biology teacher Mr. G took possession of the taxidermied cougar and donated it to the Campolindo library.

During the first few weeks of school, there were posters with QR codes around campus that students and teachers could scan to submit a name suggestion for the cougar.

Towards the end of August, there were 25 names for submission. “All of those submissions went onto a google form and people picked their top three,” said Herring.

This left the library staff with a list of the top five names for the cougar. The names were: J. Edgar Cougar, Caleb the Kindness Cougar, Leonardo DiCatrio, John Cougar Mellencampolindo, and William Shakespaw.

During the second week of September, the same posters with a QR code for cougar naming were posted around campus, but these forms were for students and teachers to choose from the top five names. In the third week of September, the four names with the least amount of votes were eliminated every day until the final name was revealed on Friday, September 22nd.

Herring submitted the name William Shakespaw, but is also very fond of the name John Cougar Mellencampolindo, which is a reference to the 80-90’s musician John Cougar Mellencamp. “I’m afraid that it’s not going to win because students don’t know who that is,” said Herring.

Another one of the names that has a particular meaning is Caleb the Kindness Cougar, because “Ca-

leb is the name of the mascot of the Kindness Club,” said attendance technician Stephanie Sliwinski, aka Ms. S. Caleb is also a cougar and was created by Sliwinski’s daughter, who graduated last year, who originally made the social media page for the Kindness Club. Choosing the name Caleb for the library cougar would connect it to the mascot of the Kindness Club.

SARAH MOSES/STAFF

The current President of the Kindness Club, sophomore Kendall Sliwinski, said “I think we should vote for Kaleb the Kindness Cougar because it has a positive message, like it’s the Kindness Club.”

However, when the name Caleb the Kindness cougar was input into the forms, the name “Caleb” was supposed to be “Kaleb,” because the name of the Kindness Club Cougar is Kaleb with a K for kindness. “If it wins we’re going to ask to change it to a ‘K.’”said (Kendall) Sliwinski.

On Friday, September 22nd, the name voting ended and the final name Leonardo DiCatrio was chosen. Although the name doesn’t have a particular tie to Campo culture, the clever spin-off of the famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio was favored among the Campo community, thus making Leonardo DiCatrio the most popular choice among the students and teachers of Campolindo.

- Sarah Moses

Ethnic Studies: Mandatory In the Coming Years Ethnic Studies, a recent semester-course addition to Campolindo, introduces students to the perspectives and experiences of four racial minority groups: African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino/Latina Americans,

and Native Americans, as well as exploring the roles that prejudice, culture, and identity have played in American society. It is soon to become a mandatory class, not just in the Campo community, but throughout the state.

Out of concern for the level of bias within the current curriculum, the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) chose to examine course materials more carefully and created a new framework for the Social Studies and English departments. As a result, in 2019 Ethnic Studies was introduced to CHS as a course option to be taken besides, sophomore-required, Human and Social Development.

Diane Bessette, the current Ethnic Studies teacher, agreed with the decision early-on. “I think that it’s the legislature’s effort to give students an opportunity to study history from different perspectives,” she said.

“I felt that it definitely opened my eyes to a whole other lot of differences that I hadn’t been aware of,” said Sol Dente, a senior who enjoyed taking the class two years ago. “I know it was eye-opening for a lot of students who had no idea about a lot of these problems to kind of get that context.”

Sophomore Nishta Mukundan, who is currently taking Intro to Ethnic Studies, also reported, “I think it’s good for people to learn about all of the things that happened in American history in relation to ethnic cultures, and I think that history classes sort of gloss over a lot of different parts of the world, including like South America or South Asia, they don’t really talk about those.”

According to Bay City News, starting in the 2024-2025 school year, Ethnic Studies will become a mandatory course for all sophomore students, and with the class of 2030, graduation requirements will include a passing grade in the class.

Many students are happy to have this class as a choice in their curriculum. “I think it’s a good decision because I don’t think any of the other options are really that great,” added Mukundan. “I think Ethnic Studies is probably the best option. And I think it’s a good class.”

- Lauren Kawamoto

THE CLAW

Campolindo Club Day Success 2023

BY ANYA HOUSTON

On September 13th, Campolindo put together their annual Club Day event in the quad at lunch. The 112 campus clubs created advertisements and booths attempting to encourage members of the student body to join their efforts.

Some clubs present were WAC (Women’s Awareness on Campus) run by seniors Avery Appleton and Zoe Seaman, The Balloon Animal Club run by senior Sydney Fossen, and the Kindness Club run by sophomore Kendall Sliwinski.

The Balloon Animal Club is centered around “meeting new people and creating a place where anyone can come,” said Fossen.

They meet every other Wednesday and “learn to make different balloon animals and have a new animal every week.” Fossen’s goal for club day was “to have more people join, potentially new freshmen who may feel like they don’t know where they belong on campus and…give them a warm welcome and make them feel invited.”

Sliwinksi said in her Kindness Club she “interviews students on how they think kindness could be spread easier on campus and then

we promote it on social media and spread it around by doing good deeds.” She thought that club day “went very well. I’m happy that a lot of people signed up, we actually got 59 signups and we’re excited to hold our first meeting.”

Creating a positive club day experience year after year is “really impactful because it’s a way for students to bond over common interests and meet people they wouldn’t typically meet…also a lot of clubs point out important issues in society and nowadays help form better people” said senior Leadership student and Head of Student Affairs Kathrynanne Terry.

Detailed planning by Leadership preceded club day in order to ensure success. Terry said she wanted to “improve the organization this year because clubs were in the past just kind of randomly thrown around. I want[ed] all the diversity clubs to be in one area and the cultural clubs etc… so people who have a general idea of what clubs they want to join know where to go.”

Additionally Leadership has “held multiple academies, help[ed] people get their paperwork in… make their posters…and have given

[their] supplies to help,” according to Terry.

Many students attended the event including, senior Bella Stratford and sophomore Cobie Freese. Stratford said she thought “Kathrynanne Terry did a really good job of organizing it.” She also said many clubs had many intriguing decorations including “the robotics or aerospace engineering club had a lot of cool things set up

their rhythm, successfully executing their designated pieces, even with limited preparation. According to freshman Clementine Damon-Espinas, they found success because Barnett “drilled [them] pretty hard, which allowed definite improvement throughout the rehearsals.”

However, it’s difficult to be perfect on a first attempt.

“Some of it was a little spotty, especially when we played Mission Impossible. A couple of our star players like our tenor sax and one of our flute players were missing, however, we will continue working on bringing more emotion to our performances,” Damon-Espinas said.

Next, the Wind Ensemble delivered a confident performance, despite being short handed in the percussion section. “The majority of the players [in the Wind Ensemble] are seniors who have been playing together for a long time,” Young said. Thus, the band quickly gelled

together and competently delivered orchestra, which included a movtheir perforing piece from mance.

Schindler’s list.

There The students gave was, an emotional however, a performance that shortage of showed both their students in natural skill and the percustheir technical sion section, improvement. “I forcing gave them pieces students that touched on to assume things they could multiple develop. After all roles during it is school and the concert. we focus on learnThis minor ing,” Barnett said. inconveOverall it nience appeared that didn’t have the students much beardeveloped chemSEBASTIAN WHITFIELD/STAFF ing on the istry quickly and perforsuccessfully demmance and “the percussion section onstrated their musical prowess. “I is strong this year,” Young stated. thought it was a great evening and The concert concluded with I’m really proud of the students,” a performance from the student Barnett said.

SEBASTIAN WHITFIELD/STAFF

on the table.”

Freese said “there were a lot of people at club day…and a lot of clubs with posters…candy to attract people and everyone was having a good time signing up and finding clubs to connect with.”

Overall most students seemed to enjoy the highly energetic event and found a place in the Campo community. It was an great sucess for the school.

Barnett Finds Success in First Pops Concert

BY ALEX SHRAUGER

On September 14, Campo hosted its first Pops concert of the year in the CPAC, led by new band teacher Tana Barnett. Barnett’s career at Campolindo started positively as the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and the orchestra demonstrated strong cohesion, despite the fact that they were only given 5 weeks to prepare.

“Barnett took an active approach to the first concert, which was kind of refreshing,” senior President of Wind Ensemble Ben Young said. “I wanted to encourage audience participation,” Barnett said. This proved successful as “there was a much larger audience,” said senior saxophonist Isaac Jai. The theme of the concert revolved around a night at the Oscars, featuring songs from popular films and a humorous take on La La Land being mistakenly handed the Oscar in 2017.

The freshmen quickly found

OCTOBER 20

5

NEWS NEWS

Students Have Wheel Good Time at Homecoming

New Tech Policy Enforced

BY SARAH MOSES

SEBASTIAN WHITFIELD/STAFF

BY HAILEY WILSON AND BROOKE MAHER On the night of September 30, Campo held its annual homecoming dance in the quad, gym, and Multi Purpose Room (MUR).

Students dressed up, met up with friends, and headed to campus.

Once they arrived, students were offered tattoos, donuts, a movie, music, and more.

A highlight for many was the food offered. Homemade donuts and Crumbl Cookies were offered free of charge for students. When asked about her favorite part of the dance, freshman Lils McCarthy recalled, “I liked the donuts; they were really good.” Sophomore Rhett Hollyfield felt differently, “I really liked the Crumbl Cookies in the gym.”

The hard work put in was seen all around the school. Decorations included: banners, lights, balloons, and homemade photo opportunities. Senior Kathrynanne Terry said this is what made this year’s homecoming so different, “I thought the decorations were really well done this year.”

Many seniors enjoyed their last highschool homecoming dance.

Terry added, “I actually had a really good time because I didn’t get a freshman year homecoming so it was only my third. I think homecoming has progressively gotten better as I’ve gone through high school.”

While the Class of 2024 said goodbye to an annual tradition Saturday night, Campo freshmen

6

experienced their first of many homecoming dances.

McCarthy said, “I thought it was very fun and festive with all the decorations.” She added that she “liked the donuts” but would have “moved the dancing into the actual gym.”

and more. The MUR was a popular spot for students that night, hosting Beve, a band made up of several Campo students. They performed on a stage with fluorescent lights and an enthusiastic crowd.

The inside festivities seemed to be a hit for many students. Terry said, “I also liked that there was seating available for people who didn’t want to leave yet and wanted to be with their friends.”

Some may have noticed some new additions to the homecoming festivities. A movie played in the gym with tables around for those who were too tired from dancing.

A tattoo booth was in the gym for those who wanted a fun, decorative way to spend their time.

Junior Ellie Stephens appreciated the diverse activities, “I thought it was really well planned…we had many options for people and I thought it was good for everyone.”

Campo students had a night filled with dancing and various activities, making the most out of their 2023 homecoming.

“I thought it was really well planned…we had many options for people and I thought it was good for everyone.”

Hollyfield agreed with McCarthy this perspective on the dance, “I would have made the change to put the mosh inside the gym because that’s where most people are.”

Many students enjoyed having more inside options at the dance itself. Hollyfield compared the last homecoming dance to this year’s.

“Last homecoming we had the mosh pit inside and everything else outside. I personally just thought that was a lot better,” he said.

Both the MUR and gym were filled to the brim with decorations and activities. The gym was packed with colorfully decorated picnic tables, a 360 degree photo booth,

When coming back to school this year, many students have been met with a new tech policy of screens only on request being implemented in many of their classrooms.

In the years following online learning, phones, computers, and earbuds made a common appearance in classrooms. Many knew of their destractive qualities, but this year teachers have learned new information on just how distracting technology can be: “If you’re interrupted once, it takes 9 to 23 minutes for you to get back to where you were’’, said English teacher Jamie Donohoe.

Donohoe said that because students were getting interrupted during class, in order to compensate for the time lost from the interruption, they were “constantly working harder, faster, and not as well.” In order to fix this, at the end of last year Donohoe started implementing a tech policy that Associate Principle Brent Rubey had laid out.

Donohoe said that he “saw some positive results last year and now doing it this year it seems to be really smooth,” and “when [students] are off technology, it seems like folks are paying more attention.”

Although the new restrictions were brought on to students suddenly, not all students have grievances about it. Sophomore Kate Griffith said that the tech policy “has been pretty helpful with the way I focus in class.”

However, for some students that have gotten used to having their phones with them during class, the screens only on request rule has been hard to adapt to. Sophomore Grace Getze said that “I think it’s difficult to not have my phone when I’m trying to take photos of something on the board, because sometimes teachers go too fast when writing.”

English teacher Tom Duffy has encountered a similar problem. In the past, Duffy would allow his students to have their phone during class in order to take a photo of their work to submit. After finding that his students would have a hard time getting back on task after submitting, “I just say to do it later in the day and I think sometimes it’s hard for students to remember to submit the assignment”, said Duffy.

These new rules can help students learn more efficiently, and help teachers with classroom management.

THE CLAW

New Teachers Welcomed at Campo Berns Joins Campolindo’s Physics Staff

SEBASTIAN WHITFIELD/STAFF

BY INDIRA NAYLOR Ryan Berns has joined Campolindo’s physics staff this year, where he teaches AP Physics 1 and 2. Berns “started off as a chemistry teacher but became certified in physics and chemistry,” and he “went back to school to get [his] Master’s in physics education,” Berns said. This is his first year teaching in California since he moved here from New Jersey.

In both AP Physics 1 and 2, the class consists of experiments and notes. Sophomore Kedar Khamkar added that “we have a good amount of homework but not too much.”

Although physics is a complex subject, Berns thinks that “as long as [his] students understand the basic way to represent physical concepts, then we should be able to move forward.”

Senior Nina Damiano, an AP Physics 2 student, said, “we do a lot of labs. [Mr. Berns] does every lesson very interactively, so if we’re learning a new concept, first we test the concept then he explains it.”

Junior Elaine Huang, an AP Physics 1 student, agreed and said “he’s super visually oriented.

When he does examples, he’ll do it visually.” An example of this is when “we measured the displacement of water for a rock” first, then “learned about density,” said Damiano.

Additionally, Berns “posts all the notes on Canvas, so if I ever need to review, it’s all there,” said Khamkar.

Huang said Berns “has a lot of energy and brings a lot of fun to the class.” An example of this is when Berns “skateboarded around the classroom to teach us about motion,” she continued.

Berns finds that the best part about being a teacher is the students as they are “very respectful, ...very self motivated. I find that the Campolindo atmosphere is a lot more relaxed than what I’m used to. Coming from New Jersey, school is a bit more rigidly organized in terms of where the students have to be, what they have access to, what they have to do.” Berns added that he “[loves] looking outside of my room and seeing a rose garden right there.”

Wang Joins Campolindo’s Mathematics Staff

Hongmei Wang has joined Campolindo’s math staff where she teaches Algebra 1 and 2. Prior to teaching at Campolindo, she taught math and Mandarin at JM Middle School and Miramonte High School.

Wang has a Masters in Physics at Peking University in China and wanted to be a math teacher because she’s “always been passionate about math and physics.”

Wang likes Campo because the “teachers support each other and the students really care about learning. It’s a good learning environment for the students,” she said. Additionally, Wang’s daughter attended Campo, and she felt the teachers and staff were helpful and “wants to give back too,” she stated.

Junior Audrey Flitter said that “she teaches lessons and then after lessons we usually get to work on

our homework in class. We have packets and we also do whiteboard work.”

Freshman Lils McCarthy said “she gives you a lot of work, but it’s really good because it prepares you for tests. She puts a problem up on the board and then we solve it on our whiteboards.”

Wang often lets her students collaborate and “she asked [them] at the beginning of the year who do you want to sit next to and then [they] sat next to people that [they] picked,” McCarthy said.

Freshman Logan Jaeger said that Wang “answers a question multiple times” to make her “teaching [clear]” so “it’s easy to understand.”

McCarthy adds that “she’s also intense and she expects a lot of her students”, but “she’s very nice.” An example of this is during “the first couple days [when] she gave us candy,” Flitter said.

To prepare her lessons, Wang often observes other teachers’ classrooms and Canvas pages and uses the textbook from Big Ideas Math.

She also has college textbooks that she uses.

Wang said her goal is to “help [her] students love math more” and to encourage them to pursue math or a related field in college, especially females, since women tend to not pursue those subjects so it is important to advocate for them.

her transition even smoother. She said the staff has been incredible and she “couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be working with.”

Students have had a positive experience with the recent change in administration. Senior Michael Chu reported that all of his interactions have been positive with Harrison so far and she has already been very helpful, especially to leadership. He said “[he] needed to print a bunch of stuff for freshman orientation and she helped [him] right on the spot.”

Senior Katie Feldman has similar opinions about Harrison. She said “she is very well spoken” and “she seems like she knows what to do and what she wants to change.”

These attributes are important for someone in a leadership position at Campo. “She wants to interact with students positively,” said Feldman.

The administration is also fond of the new AP. Stephanie Sliwinski can definitely appreciate

how integral Harrison has been to Campo, even in the short time she has been at the school. She said “Ms. Harrison is one of the best acquisitions that Campo has had in years” and “she brings really good balance to the admin office.”

Harrison has already done many things to make the staff feel appreciated and prove her value.

“She reminds me that we all have something to offer…and I know that she wants really good things for Campo because she’s already totally invested,” said Sliwinski.

Not only has Harrison started off the year well, but she is also looking forward to the rest of it.

“The big thing is just trying to navigate and become part of the community,” she said. It is important for her to become integrated into Campo and she intends to do this as soon as possible. Harrison stated that she’s looking forward to “getting to know the staff as individuals…and getting to know students and seeing [them] at their activities and in [their] classrooms.”

INDIRA NAYLOR/STAFF

BY LILY QIN

Campolindo Welcomes New Associate Principal Robyn Harrison

INDIRA NAYLOR/STAFF

BY INDIRA NAYLOR

Robyn Harrison joined the Campo administration at the start of the 2023-24 school year, taking on the role as one of the associate principals. She replaced former Associate Principal Ms. Knight, who held the role for three years.

Harrison has worked in education for 20 years: starting at De La Salle High School in Concord, then going to St. Mary’s college in Berkeley, and finally working for a short amount of time at Justin Siena High School in Napa. When asked

OCTOBER 20

about her teaching specialty, she said she taught “all levels of english.” Further, she mostly taught within the eleventh grade. “Juniors have always been my little niche… and between American Lit and AP Lang [they] have always been the kids that I look out for…by helping them with their essays,” she said.

She realizes that every student is different and she really wants to get to know all of them for who they are. She said “being in this role takes more effort to try to be able to make those connections with students…but it’s being able to actually have those relationships that makes the difference.”

Overall, Harrison has enjoyed working at Campo for the short time she has been here. She appreciates the students because of how dedicated they are to school. “[They] want to learn, [they] want to participate and be involved, and [they] want to make this a better place,” she said. Further, the rest of the community has been welcoming to Harrison, which has made

7

EDITORIAL

The Inevitable Growth of Pickleball on Campus

BY ALEX SHRAUGER Pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the world, has largely been ignored on the Campolindo campus. Because it combines ping pong and tennis into an accessible game that can be played competitively by people of all ages and athletic ability, pickleball has grown exponentially throughout the past few years with an average growth rate of 158.6% per year.

Lafayette has seen hundreds of new “Pickleheads” each year, leading the city to embrace Pickleball as an integral part of the community. The hockey rink by the Lafayette Community Center has been repurposed into the beacon of pickleball within the city. As pickleball becomes a larger part of the Lamorinda community, Campolindo has yet to provide the proper means for students to enjoy the game on campus.

Pickleball has been incorporated into the physical education curriculum, but only gives students the opportunity to play the game for a couple weeks throughout the year. Coach Alison Adams has noticed an increase in pickleball’s popularity among her students: “They have lots of great games and even asked to extend the unit beyond the number of days or weeks,” Adams said.

While pickleball is far from becoming a high school sport, recreational play is extremely popular. Varsity tennis player sophomore Finn Lindsey-Renton believes that, “students should have the opportunity to enjoy pickleball on campus even if it isn’t a recognized sport. It’s clear

8

that the demand for pickleball is high among students and would be a beneficial addition for students.

The accessibility of pickleball as well as its potential mental health benefits make it a worthwhile addition for the campus. “Pickleball is far easier to learn and much less cutthroat than

tennis,” senior Jamie Kelly said. Incorporating the game on campus allows students who aren’t currently playing a sport or didn’t make their respective team to have a fun physical activity that is easier to learn.

Furthermore, pickleball is considered to have mental health benefits: “Slamming the ball and getting the energy out is great for mental health,” Kelly said. Pickleball requires consistent focus and offers a distraction from the stress that high school provides.

Admittedly finding the space for these courts may prove difficult. However, tennis players are willing to make minor sacrifices to make pickleball a possibility on campus. “I’d be fine with pickleball lines and boundaries being painted on the tennis courts similar to Moraga Country Club if it helps the game grow,” said varsity tennis player senior Patrick Floyd.

Implementing pickleball at Campolindo will require some cooperation from the tennis players and administration. Some have taken a more controversial approach to get pickleball courts placed on campus by denouncing the tennis team’s ownership of the courts.“Down with the tennis courts,” said senior Alex Thomasson who considers himself to be “ambassador of pickleball” on campus. While Thomasson’s uncompromising approach may be too extreme, Floyd makes a strong argument that pickleball could be a cost-effective and beneficial addition to the campus.

In order to accommodate pickleball courts and give students time to use facilities, “appropriate adminEMILIA BARCK/STAFF istrative protocol must be taken,” Adams said. It would be necessary to both talk with tennis coaches and find a compromise regarding the repainting of the lines.

It’s clear that cultivating an environment that fosters the growth of pickleball would be a positive development at Campolindo. Supporting pickleball would allow kids to avoid the intense nature of high school sports or enjoy a fun athletic activity during the offseason. It would also provide both physical and mental health benefits to Campo students. Only requiring different nets and painted boundaries, pickleball would be a cost effective addition to the campus that would appeal to the entire student body. By compromising with different coaches and teams who use the court facilities, it is plausible for pickleball to become an integral and prominent part of Campolindo’s campus.

THE CLAW

Controversial Kiss Sparks Resurgence of #MeToo

BY DAISY PENNEY Spain’s hard won FIFA national title was slashed with controversy after winning player Jennifer Hermoso was kissed nonconsensually by Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. After securing their victory on August 20th, the Spanish Team was

years, “who was arrested because of charges on sexual harassment because he exchanged inappropriate messages with what he thought was a 15 year old girl” Although this case relates to obvious issues concerning pedophilia and sexual harrasment, it is important to understand where the root of his, and many other male coaches, superiority complexes come from. Male coaches are put in a position where the trust and security

which barely cover any part of their body” Much like Bove, an anonymous senior spoke up about her needs being ignored during practice: “In some situations, my period pain is so bad that I can’t continue, and that is difficult for coaches to understand when I try to explain that type of pain” in simpler terms, she feels “that [her] my needs are being ignored” Wether it’s a swimsuit strap, period problem or feeling of violation and

“I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.” asked to line up in order to receive their medals and congratulations from various notable Spanish figures. A moment that deserved to be remembered with joy and glory was promptly turned on its head after Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her with no prior warning or permission.This act of macho sexism sparked a resurgence of the #MeToo movement across womens sports teams in Spain and questioned the overall treatment of women in sports.

Rubiales insists that this kiss was consensual, claiming that the kiss was “mutual” and something “I could give one of my daughters.”

Hermoso denies his claims and as stated in a social media post: “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulsedriven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part” Rubiales stuck to his story and refused to step down from his position. In consequence, the entire Spanish team, as well as an increasing roster of supporting players, refused to play for Spain until the president was fired. The growing amount of backlash on Rubiales resulted in a prompt suspension and then later complete firing from his position as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

Although these actions are an important display of morality, it is a small step in solving the inherent sexism found in women’s athletics.

Taking a deeper look into the Lamorinda community, it is disappointing how easy it is to find young female athletes who can share stories that contain similar sexist instances found in the Hermoso-Rubiales incident. Senior Indira Naylor shared on her experience with a coach of five

OCTOBER 20

of young women becomes their responsibility and too often it becomes misused and violated. Age and experience often work together to create a

powerful facade that men utilize to act in inappropriate ways towards their female athletes.

Senior Natalie Bove, who has been club swimming since she was 4 recounts her experience dealing with double standards. During her bigger meets of the year, Bove and her teammates are required to wear “fast suits” which are designed to help the swimmers perform to their best ability.

Bove describes how, “In order for us to feel comfortable and not perform badly, we would take down our [swimsuit] straps but our coaches…” all of whom were men, “…wouldn’t let us wear bikinis.” This simple act of comfort was turned against the girls because their wants were considered, “inappropriate” and “not modest enough” The double standard was obvious to Bove as she points out that, “…the guys get to wear speedos

vulnerability such as Hermosos, the needs of women should never be disregarded by a man who prioritizes his opinion over hers.

Something needs to change. As new technology, better training programs, and tournaments are taking over the sports world, the treatment of women will not be left behind. To start, more attention must be given to proper coaching staff.

Improper behavior should not be swept under the rug and forgotten about but stopped before it can happen. Naylor advocated for “people looking over and observing the coaches.

Observing the athletes and seeing that they’re okay and that they are being treated well.” Mistreatment of female athletes can be found in recreational, club, and professional sports.

By implementing ISABELLA DOMINGO/STAFF a system with “stricter safety regulations” and creating a “crackdown on inappropriate, sexual ways” Naylor describes a world where women in athletics can feel safe to speak out against coaches who abuse their power.

Women deserve to be heard and appreciated in the same ways that their male companions are.

Bove comments on how, “coaches need to pay attention to what their athletes actually need and treat them on the same playing field” By listening too and understanding the boundaries that their female athletes have, incidents of violation such as Hermosos’ could have been avoided. The greatest changes have begun with a problem so obvious, it becomes impossible to ignore. Rubiales tainted a beautiful victory by forcing Hermoso into a “celebratory” kiss is the cumulation of sexist ideology fostered by a position of power.

9

EDITORIAL

Ultimate Frisbee’s Ultimate Goal

BY NATE LITTELL

The game of flying disks has long attracted players of all ages, backgrounds, and genders. Ultimate Frisbee was created in 1968 by high schooler Joel Silver. He began evolving the rules of Frisbee Football in a high school parking lot, and it quickly became a household favorite in his town of Maplewood, Missouri. Since its conception, the game once heralded as the “Ultimate Sports Experience” has gone on to amass wild popularity and even recognition as an official Olympic sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

However, despite the sport’s influx in popularity, little has materialized from the IOC’s recognition in 2015, as no matches have been held at any past or upcoming summer Olympic games.

Here at Campo, the struggle to break through despite overwhelming demand rings true for the Ultimate Frisbee club.

While well-attended and successful (being the D-2 state champions last year in California), Ultimate’s push this year to become an official sport is still an uphill battle even though it is well deserved.

After sophomore Zack Seidler founded the Ultimate Frisbee club alongside junior Mackey Hall last year, they have gone on to compete in several tournaments across the Bay Area and partnered with other schools (Miramonte, Acalanes, and Bentley) to form a competitive team. For co-president Seidler , Ultimate Frisbee has always been a passion: “It’s the only sport in the world that’s self officiated, which means there’s no refs…the players in the field are the ones who call the fouls. And then you have a discussion, basically saying, ‘Do you agree on the foul or not’, so more like a community,” he explained.

The element of community is largely what drives veteran players like sophomore Addison Schoemehl, who joined Campo’s Ultimate club last year when it transitioned from an afterschool get-together with friends at JM into an official club. She explained that what makes the sport truly wonderful is the “strong sense of community… Every time you see someone, and they say they play ultimate, they’re automatically your

BEATRICE JOHNSON/STAFF

between community and competitive nature, the club, which meets at least three days a week after school, is no different from other sports. This causes the issue of PE credits to arise, (which are only applicable to official Campolindo sports) forcing Ultimate players to find other sources of activity.

“We’re putting a bunch of hours into [Ultimate]. There was one point when we were meeting four times a week and multiple hours a day,”

credits. In spite of immense interest, the barrier between club and sport has ultimately barred potential players from joining.

This year at club day, Seidler’s ultimate goal was to increase relevance in the ultimate frisbee community. “We want people to say, ‘Oh hey, that’s the frisbee club’”. Just like how he formed his club because of fellow frisbee fanatics at JM, Seidler wants to recruit other grade levels who had previously joined him at JM, as well as new faces who are just looking for a fun activity. “We’re really chill if you want to come to one practice, see if you like it and leave. But I have a strong feeling you’re gonna like it and you’re gonna want to stay.”

As for the club’s status in becoming a sport, talks have occurred between Seidler and Athletic Director Ray Meadows to finally allow for the formation of an official team. While still in progress, the sport of Ultimate is nonetheless on a steep rise towards recognition. As Seidler said “it’s a very special sport”.

“I have a strong feeling you’re gonna like it and

want to stay.”

friend.”

For sophomore Bobby Silvermen who first discovered the sport during PE in 8th grade, Ultimate’s most appealing aspect is its blending of other sports: “You get to run and you get to throw a frisbee. There’s also a lot of techniques and strategies which makes the game super interesting and dynamic.” With an effective coupling

10

said Schoemehl. Similar to the struggle for club sports like soccer and volleyball, Ultimate’s inability to utilize the flawed system of Athletic PE for athletes seeking PE credits has led to several of its players having to seek alternative sports, simply to gain enough hours. For Silverman, who runs Cross Country, Ultimate has had to become a secondary hobby in order for him to gain his PE

THE CLAW

Manifestation: Unleashing Your Mind’s Full Potential

BY PARKER BLAU With the start of my senior year, I’ve made it my goal to focus my energy on personal development and self-improvement. In this generation, the term manifestation has gained significant attention through social media, reaching many individuals willing to open their minds to a breathtaking possibility.

Circulating through books and seminars since the New Thought Movement of the 19th century, manifestation possesses the ability to achieve dreams and transform lives.

While many skeptics dismiss it as mere wishful thinking, growing evidence suggests that manifestation is an extremely powerful tool.

At its core, manifestation is the process of turning your thoughts, desires, and intentions into reality. Sounds pretty crazy, right? At the end of the day, manifestation is not for everyone, as many of you are likely reading this with an abundance of doubt lingering in the back of your minds. But, as a beginning practitioner, I would like to share with you the very basics of this method as a platform for your potential implementation, as well as its scientifically proven effectiveness.

Manifestation is often associated with the Law of Attraction, a term coined by author William Walker Atkinson in 1906. This is a belief that attracts, meaning that if you focus your thoughts and energy on positive outcomes, you will draw these possibilities closer to you. Typically involving setting specific goals and visualizing them as if they’ve already been achieved, manifestation helps shift you into a positive mindset. When you do this consistently, you send out vibrations into the universe that align with your desires,

ultimately attracting them to you.

While manifestation may sound like a mystical concept, it’s not entirely without scientific backing. The power of belief has long been recognized in the field of psychology, as multiple phenomena highlight the incredible power of the mind over the body. The placebo effect, for instance, demonstrates how an individual’s belief in the effectiveness of a treatment can lead to tangible improvements in their health, even when the treatment itself is devoid of therapeutic properties.

Moreover, cognitive psychology has shed light on the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies. When one believes something will happen, their actions and behaviors align with that belief, increasing the likelihood of the predicted outcome. Neuroscience studies have shown that our brains are remarkably adaptable, capable of rewiring and forming new neural connections. This neuroplasticity enables people to change their thought patterns and beliefs, which can alter their perceptions and experiences.

When we manifest our desires, we are essentially engaging in a concentrated form of positive thinking. Consider Olympic athletes, who often use manifestation techniques to visualize their success. They imagine themselves crossing the finish line first, lifting the gold medal, or achieving a perfect routine. This mental preparation is more than just a fleeting fantasy; it’s a potent tool used to train harder, stay committed, and elicit the best performance when it matters most.

Manifestation goes beyond psychology, tapping into the deeper realms of consciousness.

Quantum physics has suggested that our thoughts and intentions can influence the physical world.

The quantum model of the atom explains that

electrons exist within an invisible energy cloud around the nucleus. The Observer Effect shows that when an observer focuses attention on any one location of this energy cloud, the electron will appear there. If there is no observer, the electron returns to its state of non-physical energy spread across the entire cloud. This proves a link between thought and matter as our focused thought causes wave energy to condense.

Just as the nucleus is surrounded by a nonphysical electron cloud, all of us are surrounded by a non-physical field of infinite energy. This is called the Quantum Field, from which our physical reality manifests. As our thoughts are electric and our emotions are magnetic, an electromagnetic field is created around your body, constantly communicating with the Quantum Field. Therefore, your thoughts and emotions are manifesting your current reality.

Critics argue that manifestation is nothing more than selective perception, a cognitive bias that makes us more attuned to opportunities related to our desires. However, even if this were the case, it would not diminish the practical benefits of this method. By fostering a positive outlook and sharpening our awareness of the way our thoughts and emotions influence our realities, we may be equipped with valuable tools for personal growth and achievement.

Transcending traditional boundaries and tapping into the uncharted territories of our minds, manifestation is not just a regular self-help concept; it’s a true force that can shape our lives.

Aligning our intentions with the energy of the universe paves the way for success and personal fulfillment. I urge every one of you to embrace the possibility, and watch as your life transforms in remarkable ways where everyone feels included.

Electives: The Best Path to a Successful Future

BY BROOKE MAHER

With hundreds of majors and countless jobs to choose from, what’s the best way for Campo students to narrow down the list?

Bland core classes such as math and science rarely inspire students; they should take elective classes to learn what they’re interested in the most.

Campo offers a large variety of electives ranging from Woodshop to Biotech to Computer Science.

Classes like these are crucial for students to figure out their interests and passions.

Counselor Duane Magno sees a consistent issue surrounding students’ class selection: “I think more than half of students gravitate towards courses that will help with getting into college over what they’re interested in,” he stated.

While students may benefit from taking academic classes in the short term, taking career-based classes better prepare them to pick a job they thoroughly enjoy.”

Many believe electives look unimpressive on college applications. However, according to

OCTOBER FEBRUARY2022

CollegeBoard, “electives set the stage for new interests, college majors, and career paths,” and on applications, they “show a willingness to branch out and try something new”. This indicates electives are taken seriously by colleges.

There are many different paths electives can lead you. Sports Medicine and Human Anatomy can inspire students to go into the medical field.

Law and Society can encourage careers surrounding criminal justice.

Senior Audrey Sakamoto is a prime example of a student finding her passion through an elective, “I already feel prepared to pick a major for college because when I took Sports Med I realized I liked anatomy and bio so now I want to study biomedical engineering or public health next year.”

College and Career counselor Joan Batcheller has helpful suggestions to put students at ease regarding their futures. Batcheller suggests taking classes and extracurricular activities that could possibly draw some curiosity. Some recommendations outside of school include shadowing a family member or friend at a job, taking online

classes or working a part-time job.

Although adding more electives to our campus would be valuable to students and more electives could broaden student interests even further. A home economics or foods class could prepare students to live on their own and help students use skills learned in class in everyday life. Other interesting electives that would benetit students would be a public speaking class and a philosophy class.

Some high schools even offer semester-long internships. Students get to leave campus and work alongside adults to get firsthand experience of working in something they are interested in. This exposes students to various careers and helps the choose what to pursue in college.

Nonetheless, we are extremely fortunate at Campo to have courses and dedicated teachers that help expand our knowledge and interests. By trying out these classes, students will feel ready to pick a major and thus pick a career path. So next time you pick classes, don’t be afraid to try something new because you never know where it could lead you.

11 11

LIFESTYLE

Turning a New Leaf: Student Goals for Fall

BY HAILEY WILSON As fall approached and Quarter 1 came to an end, Campo students made goals and set expectations for the rest of the year.

Whether it be about sports, schools, or other extracurriculars, students of every grade level had their own milestones they wanted to reach or ambitions they planned to achieve.

Many seniors hoped to enjoy this school year, and make the most out of their final months on campus. Senior Sammie Lederle said, “I am hoping to have a fun senior year.

I want to participate in a lot of the events at Campo because it is my last year.”

As well as seizing opportunities to make the year memorable, Campo seniors had many other goals and aspirations. Lederle added, “I want to finish my college applications before November and get those over with. I also want to keep up my grades. I think I will be able to fulfill these goals because Campo has a lot of resources to help us like the College and Career Center and teachers are helpful with academy time.”

With busy schedules and endless things to do, students reminded themselves to keep their

athletics-related goals, “I play water polo, so I want to help my team as much as I can and achieve our goal of winning NCS. I want to get good grades, meet new people, and work on my hobbies. I think I will be able to fulfill these goals if I work hard and stay determined.”

Many Campo students had differing goals depending on the seasons. Sophomore Isla Fitzmaurice said, “During the fall my focus is more on academics and getting back into a more organized routine whereas in the spring and summer there is more time to go do social things.”

Junior Mia Daly also had higher expectations for herself during the fall KATIE WELCH/STAFF semester. Daly said, “I want to maintain goals reasonable. Senior Audrey Sakamoto said, good grades because with more challeng“My goals are to try my hardest, do the best I ing classes sometimes it is easier to let it slip at can, attempt to get good grades but that isn’t the the beginning because of all the social events. I main focus, as much as knowing I did the best I think balancing the two is my main goal. I think could.” it is easier to set higher goals for yourself in the In addition to trying their best in school and fall because during the spring burnout is a really staying on top of assignments, many students at big thing.”

Campo aimed to excel in outside of school activiIn academics, athletics, and other activities ties, such as sports. across the board, students at Campo had long Freshman Will Maguy explained his lists of hopes and dreams for this fall.

Exploring the Bay Area’s Top Coffee Spots

BY RACHEL MOEN

Whether it’s breakfast before school, a study session with friends, or just a daily coffee run, it’s no secret that the Bay Area has many go-to cafes on the radar.

Many Campo students have their own opinions on the best coffee shops in the Bay Area, each judged by their calming atmosphere, pleasing interior, and delectable coffee and pastries.

While every shop has their own vibe, a straw poll narrowed down the best coffee shops to: Philz, Starbucks, Peet’s, and Baker and Commons.

Philz, a popular chain originating in San Francisco, has gained votes for both its quality of coffee and relaxing atmosphere. Senior Shea Volkmer commented on her own preference, “I love its homey vibe.”

In addition to the welcoming and cheerful interior, Philz also offers pastries and an array of coffee and drink flavors. Volkmer commented that her favorite drink is the “Mint Mojito” or recently the “Honey Haze,” but made it clear that there is no wrong choice when it comes to the menu.

Baker and Commons, a cozy shop in Rockridge sandwiched between cute boutiques and bustling restaurants, was highly spoken upon by senior Daisy Penney, who commented that, “the colors and atmosphere was super welcoming and the service was great.”

In addition to the cozy atmosphere, Penney also spoke about the drinks, saying, “Their mocha is so good” but noted that it was “a little on the expensive side.” This coffee shop offers a homey vibe that draws positive attention to this bakery, putting it on the top list for a reason.

Starbucks, a worldwide attraction, was anobvious choice when it comes to top rated coffee

12

shops. Ranging from iced Americanos to the seasonal pumpkin spice latte to the famed Pink Drink, Starbucks offers drinks for any time of the day.

Senior Makena Weberski, a daily Starbucks regular, gave her positive review, saying, “it’s really easy to go to; I just use the mobile app and pick it up so it’s super quick.” Her go-to order is a “venti mango dragon fruit with lemonade” or a “grande iced shaken espresso”, however she noted that the seasonal drinks and food options were convenient and quality as well.

Peet’s, a small but convenient shop is always bustling with customers, either sipping coffee with friends or just grabbing a quick caffeine boost to start the day.

When asked why Peet’s was so highly rated, senior Sydney Moen responded by saying, “It’s very convenient as well as it has a calming atmosphere inside.” Although Peet’s does not have as diverse of a menu as Starbucks, its coffee is still its main attraction. Moen usually gets an iced vanilla latte, which she commented was her, “favorite.”

The best coffee shops in the Bay Area each have their own perks to give them high ratings, and surely each is a go-to option when looking for a new local spot to try.

EMILIA BARCK/STAFF

THE CLAW

OCTOBER 20

13

LIFESTYLE

Student Mural Paintings Dazzle Campus

BY PARKER BLAU With the change of the seasons, Campo’s class of 2024 walked into a campus covered in two new murals: one across from the library and the other next to the small gym.

Spearheaded by graduated senior Maggie Doolittle and junior Avery Jules, each mural serves a purpose beyond just decoration on campus.

Although this year’s freshmen don’t know any different than the freshly painted walls around the school, they have appreciated the vitality: “I think they’re nice. They’re standing out compared to the other walls so they make the campus look good,” says freshman Krish Srivastava.

Senior Arjun Krishnan was one of several artists who worked with The Claw alumni Maggie Doolittle to create the blue mural across from the library.

“We brainstormed some ideas and we talked about how Campo has all sorts of ways to express yourself, whether that be

through clubs or activities, or other ways to be part of the community. We wanted to make a mural that represented that,” Krishnan said. He worked with three to four Campo students per day, spending 20 hours total.

Students think the vibrance stands out against the often bleak or redundant aspects of school, especially as the academic year starts to pick up. “Sometimes school feels really dull, and it’s nice to walk around and see pretty things,” said Senior Katie Feldman.

Junior Avery Jules managed the sports mural with the Women in Athletics Club. Members used a projector to trace the outline on the wall. Ray Meadows, Athletic Director and Club Advisor, helped PARKER BLAU/STAFF the students to “recognize Campo athletics and make the campus a little more fun,” says Jules.

As we remember to thank the talented people behind the creation of these murals, generations of Campo students will enjoy the updated art.

Frosh Choir: Larger Class Requires Co-Teaching

BY ASHLEY PURCELL It’s no surprise that choir is one of the most popular elective classes here at Campolindo.

With a celebrated musical every spring, fulfillment of Campo’s arts requirement, and tons of classroom bonding, choir is beloved for valid reasons.

However, our freshman class this year chose to take this love to a new height. With the girls’ “Treble Chorale” choir at 76 people, it is clear that the class of 2027 loves choir.

It seems like a tough situation to organize a productive learning environment with that many people in one room. The solution? Two teachers.

Veteran choir teacher Mark Roberts has been teaching at Campolindo for 12 years. Roberts co-teaches the freshman girls with Daniel Jones, who started his first year here at Campolindo.

So how do you co-teach a choir class? According to Roberts, “half of the students are assigned to Mr. Jones and half of the students

14

are assigned to [him],” and he confirmed it is working well so far. This co-teaching provides the students more direct instruction.

Soprano 2 Abbie Adams talked about her experience in the Freshman Treble Chorale class. Abbie loves being in her choir class because she “enjoys the music and the teachers,” especially her designated teacher Roberts. According to Adams, the class hasn’t split into two groups yet, as they are “still working on the fundamentals.”

When asked about the crowdedness of the classroom, Adams explained, “It doesn’t feel

very crowded [except] when we are putting away our folders and everyone is bumping into each other.” And Adams confirmed that the large class “doesn’t affect the learning environment.”

Soprano 2 Alana Bacher, a student in Roberts class, described her experience in her freshman choir class. Bacher joined the choir because she “wanted to be in the musical and learn how to sing.” Bacher explained that in her experience, she feels that the choir class is “really really fun” so far. She agrees with Adams in thinking the class benefits from this personalized teaching by having two teachers in the classroom.

As said by Adams, “I think this is going to be a great year! Go Cougs!”

“There’s a great culture of investment and support for all of the arts.”

THE CLAW

Then and Now: History of Hoco Traditions

BY MOLLY STEPHENS & LILY QIN It’s no secret that homecoming is a big deal on campus. It only happens once a year, and the exciting traditions make the week a favorite amongst many students. But has Campo’s homecoming always been as it is now? Surely the celebration has evolved with the times.

“A lot of traditions are similar to what they are now,” said social studies teacher and Campolindo alumni Tom Renno. “We had a rally…and the football game was always super big,” he recalled. On that front, the home football game remains a staple. From the halftime powderpuff game to the famous powder toss, Campo’s varsity football match is the peak of our hoco festivities.

Although the Friday rally has been around for a while, the format has changed.

Leadership and social studies teacher Lindsay Webb-Peploe, Campolindo class of 1997, recalls that “[Campo] did skits at the homecoming rally which we don’t really have anymore.” In present times, a signature video and funny competitions are usually the highlights.

In contrast, emphasis on class homecoming shirts is a newer tradition. Renno doesn’t “remember the t-shirts being as big as they

decorate hallways,” said Webb-Peploe. Instead, “we used to build floats that would be paraded around the field at halftime,” Renno said. Ms. WP argued the newer hallway tradition is slightly superior, seeing as the “floats used to only run around the track during halftime, where we [only] got to see them for two minutes.”

In recent years, Webb-Peploe said that “[homecoming] seems more student friendly,” since it’s designed by students for students each year, so it changes or adjusts based on what the students want. For example this year, “they wanted the dance itself outside and to hang out inside.” In the future, Campo’s homecoming is likely to have small changes since “the people in [leadership] have an opportunity to try new things every year,” Webb-Peploe stated.

Homecoming will remain a special time for both students and staff. Whatever shape it decides to take, it will always be a way for students to come together and build Campo pride. For many, participation in the week creates high school memories that last a lifetime.

“I think the hallways are a much better tradition than floats. Our creativity is displayed for an entire week, and the whole school gets to enjoy it.” are now.” The t-shirt reveal is one of the most anticipated moments of all, an element that was far less relevant during Campo homecomings in the past. In totality, our hoco spirit has evolved in different ways. Certain aspects have gained more attention while others, not so much.

For example, “[Students] didn’t always

Latest Clothing Trends Back on Campus

BY LAIBA KHAN As summer ended and we’re back on campus, Campo students have shared the latest clothing trends.

Returning to Campo, there are many new trends and styles that people around campus wear. From Lululemon, crop tops, wide leg jeans, Nike shoes, and North Face backpacks, students all around campus wear these trends, incorporating their own twist to fit their style.

Freshman Addison Van Veen kept up with her favorite latest trends such as Lululemon, high waisted jeans, and crop tops. She said “High waisted jeans are definitely back, and everyone is wearing full Lulu[lemon], and all sorts of crop tops.” Many students have trends they love and trends they don’t.

Van Veen described her least favorite trends by saying, “My least favorite trend is where everything is extremely low rise and those abnormally large parachute cargo pants.” Cargo pants are definitely not everyone’s favorite trend, but cargo pants do suit some people better than others.

Van Veen followed the same kinds of trends and incorporated them everyday in her outfit. To finish off her outfit, she added an assortment of jewelry that gives her outfit pazazz.

Senior Sophia White kept up with her favorite trends by wearing low waisted jeans, cargo pants and crop tops. White said, “Y2k came back for a bit and I think people still wear that. I like the low waisted jeans because they just work on me and I like tank tops, big pants, and cargo pants. A lot of piercings and earrings [is a trend I’ve noticed] and Nike shoes.” White is all over

OCTOBER 20

LAIBA KHAN/STAFF

the trends and is following a wide variety of them.

White also said, “I don’t like the basic leggings and like a random t-shirt or hoodie. It’s really comfortable, but it’s not my favorite trend.”

Although leggings and a t-shirt are comfy, White claims it’s a little too basic. Yet, it was a very common and popular trend amongst Campo students.

There seemed to be a love-hate relationship with low rise jeans and cargo pants as White seemed to love them and Van Veen hated them.

As mornings grow colder, more and more students have been seen with oversized hoodies as they bundle up and keep warm. As fall approaches, we are sure to see a wider variety of fall outfits and styles and eventually outfits to match the holiday season.

“I really like wearing sweatpants because I really like the fall and I like when it gets cold so I like wearing sweatpants during then,” explained freshman Renee Joseph. Joseph liked to keep bundled up when it gets cold and luckily fall is around the corner so she can wear sweatpants all the time. Staying comfy and cozy is definitely the way to go especially with it getting chilly outside.

In terms of footwear, many brands had become very popular and still are. Students could be seen wearing a variety of shoes that include Converse and Platform Converse, Nike Blazers, Nike Dunks, Jordans and more.

With the variety of styles Campo students have shown as we came back to school, there are sure to be lots of different styles this year.

15

SPORTS

Football Defies Predictions, Beats Monte Vista

RUDY ORTIZ/PARENT

BY HARRISON FULLER Multiple Bay Area sports journalists predicted Monte Vista would prevail over Campo before their matchup on September 22. But with a 38-14 blowout, the Cougars were able to defy their skeptics and get their second win of the season.

The Cougars had just come off a bye week that followed their tie against Windsor. Earlier in the season, they had won the miraculous doubleovertime opener against Vanden, but they hadn’t yet found the blueprint to success for the season.

“We’ve been searching for the formula all year; some type of balance between the offense and the defense,” said Head Football Coach Kevin Macy. “The goals for the defense were to try to get off the field early to help the offense get field position. The goal for the offense was to sustain some drives to keep our defense off the field.”

Within minutes, this strategy proved successful. On the sixth play of the game, junior safety Luke Bonardi picked up a fumble off of a muffed exchange on a Monte Vista hand-off. Executing the game plan exactly how Macy imagined, the defense got off the field in less than 3 minutes and gave senior quarterback Isaiah Ortiz and the Cougar’s offense the ball at the Mustang’s 44-yard line.

Unfortunately for Campo, their drive – which started in opponent territory – came to an end when they couldn’t convert on 4th down.

That landed the ball back in the hands of the Mustangs, who marched down the field and scored the first points of the game on a 48-yard touchdown.

After Monte Vista scored, Campo came back onto the field with something to prove. It only took them about 2 minutes to drive down the field and tie the game with a receiving touchdown from junior wide receiver Joe Revelos, his second TD of the season.

After the Cougars found their groove, the game started to turn in their favor. Only Campo scored for the rest of the half, with senior kicker Egor Dobrolyubov nailing a 27-yard field goal and Ortiz running a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line to put the Cougars up by 10 points going into halftime.

Back in the locker room, Coach Macy told the team to wipe their minds clean of their first half success. He told them: “Many first halves are forgotten in history if you don’t have a good second half.” This pep talk worked.

The Cougars came out of the locker room fired up and piled on another 21 points in the second half. The main

contributors were Ortiz and Bonardi. Ortiz, who finished the game with a career-best 250 passing yards and 4 total touchdowns, credited his performance to a good week of practice and extra relaxation from the bye week. Coach Macy said Ortiz’s performance earned him the game ball. “That means a lot because Coach Macy is a legend,” Ortiz said in response to the significant honor.

Bonardi’s contribution was on the defensive side of the ball. He helped the Cougars defense only allow one more Monte Vista touchdown in the second half. He also had 4 total turnovers, which helped propel the Cougars to victory. “I just went one-hundred percent every play,” said Bonardi.

This outstanding performance earned Bonardi West Coast Prep’s “Men’s Athlete of the Week.” The Cougars hope to keep that momentum up for the rest of the season, especially against rivals Miramonte and Acalanes who are the Cougars last 2 opponents of the regular season.

RUDY ORTIZ/PARENT

Flag Football Kicks off Their Season for the First Time at Campo

BY ANJALI RAO Girls flag football is a new addition this year to Campolindo athletics. The team has started out the season strong, excited for their upcoming games.

Despite the heat, their practices run 5 days a week for 2 hours after school.

Flag football was created in Fort Meade, Virginia during World War II as a way for the people in the military to pass the time without the chance of injury that one may encounter when playing tackle football. As military personnel returned home in the 1950s, local leagues began to be created.

The vote to make flag football a recognized sport in California was called for when its growth of interest among players increased recently. The vote was a unanimous agreement

MATTHEW VONDERBRINK/STAFF

16

among the Organization Federated Council in Long Beach on February 3, 2023. Paula Hart Rodas, the president of OFC and elected for the CIF southern Sections council, really pushed for this sport because she wanted girls to be more involved in high school sports.

In AUHSD, all 4 comprehensive high schools got school board approval last spring to make it a new addition to all schools. Many people put in hard work to get this passed, with Athletic Director at Campolindo Raymond Meadows commenting how, “coaches Lisa and Joe Waldo, our co-head coaches, have been instrumental in organizing, planning, and recruiting players for this year’s team.”

The team has had a couple of scrimmages this season. They say they are practicing with positive attitudes everyday. However, some of the players have admitted that because of the lack of team members it makes it harder to play against other teams. Compared to other schools Campo’s team is smaller, making it more difficult when competing. Furthermore, the lack of upperclassmen has affected the team. Counselor at Campo Amardeep Dhaliwal expressed, “we have a smaller team here, whereas other schools have a lot of girls and a lot of upperclass men.”

The main way that flag football differs fromtackle football is that instead of tackling, they pull flags. There is no blocking or screening.

Additionally, instead of having teams of 11 vs 11 they have teams of 7 vs 7.

The fact that all the players are on the same

level in this sport, considering this is the first year this sport has been offered at Campo, has made it easier for the team to bond with each other because they understand the difficulties that everyone is experiencing. Captain of the Flag Football team junior Grace Allen said, “everyone has the same knowledge base as everyone else because no one really knows what they’re doing. So everyones really positive and nice and supportive of each other, so if you mess up everyone understands and it’s really special.”

Even with all the difficulties that the players have experienced, the team has expressed their appreciation for their coaches. Despite everyone being a little less experienced, the coaches have made the team a positive environment where it is okay to be where you are. Allen said, “I like the coaches. They are great and super positive.”

Lisa Waldo is the current coach for the flag football team. Despite being the school psychologist, she decided to start coaching the team because she played flag football when she was younger and loves the sport. She loves coaching the kids and appreciates the amount of confidence it builds.

They have had multiple scrimmages to start, but their season officially kicked off on September 20th. The final scores of the first official games of the season were 0-7 against Benicia and 2-20 against Northgate. Although they couldn’t come out on top, they still have hope for the season.

THE CLAW

Football and Flipping and Flying, Oh My!

KATIE WELCH/STAFF

BY BROOKE MAHER AND HAILEY WILSON Honoring an annual homecoming tradition, the Competitive Cheer Team, Sideline Cheer Team, and Varsity Football Team learned a routine together to perform at the homecoming rally.

Starting a few years ago, football players attended one week of cheer practices before the homecoming football game. While the routine is now viewed as a fun way to increase school spirit, it did not start that way.

In 2019, the Varsity Cheer Team performed a dance in front of the schools at one of the rallies.

During the performance, some of the members of the football team ridiculed and put down the cheerleaders. Former Principal John Walker wanted to increase the respect directed towards the cheer team and decided a good way to do this was to make the football players perform in a rally with the cheer team in front of the school.

Ever since then, it has been an ongoing tradition to build appreciation for the cheer team and bring the school together.

“We are going to show the school that we are more than football players.”

Starting September 11, the football players practice with both cheer teams. They learn how to stunt with both cheerleaders and each other, how to dance, jump, and tumble.

The cheer team prepared for the football team routine by choreographing a dance, teaching stunts, and building formations.

Sideline Head Captain senior Anna Hays said, “I was excited going into the practice, it’s

OCTOBER 20

always a really fun experience. I was most excited to watch them stunt and see their energy.”

Senior Maggie Keough reflected on the first few practices, “I was really excited going into the football practice because I love to help teach new things and wanted to give the football players a taste of what cheerleading is like.”

Through continuous practice and hard work, the football team learned what cheerleading is all about.

Varsity Quarterback senior Isaiah Ortiz was surprised to find out he was a featured part, “my favorite part was learning the dance and finding out that I had a solo.”

New transfer from De La Salle, junior Mack Fisher had lots to look forward to during homecoming week, “I have a feeling it’s going to be fun to perform and it’s my first game back that week because of transfer rules.”

Not only is the routine enjoyable for the audience, it provides a break from the stresses and pressures of football. It gives the teams a chance to bond and build school morale.

Varsity football player senior Jake Spencer was excited to put himself out there and get out of his comfort zone, “I really like the dance we are doing this year, it was choreographed well and I think we are going to show the school that we are more than football players.”

The football team had lots to look forward to once they stepped onto the mat. In just their socks, they were preparing to throw each other as high as possible.

Spencer added, “My favorite part was flying. I like getting tossed in the air because it is fun and it builds a level of trust with your team because you have to believe that they are going to catch you.”

What was once supposed to be a consequence for the football team has turned into a long-standing tradition that everyone looks forward to during homecoming week.

SEBASTIAN WHITFIELD/STAFF

17

SPORTS

Meet The Captains of Girls Varsity Water Polo

BY BROOKE MAHER With a strong 9-2 start to the season, girls varsity water polo has dominated the pool through hard work, communication, and team bonding. Leading the team to success repeatedly throughout the season are captains Ana Pieper, Grace Gafni, and London Menard.

Ana Pieper “Our goal this year is to get stronger.”

Senior Ana Pieper, the team’s top scorer, has made a splash in the pool with 23 goals this season. With seven years of water polo under her belt, Pieper has high hopes for the 2023 season: her main goal, an NCS victory.

As captain, she likes “getting to know everyone on a more personal level.” From encouraging the team to resolving conflicts, Pieper does it all. But these responsibilities come with their difficulties. Looking back, Pieper believes “the hardest part is probably picking team morale back up after a team loss.”

Throughout this season, one memory particularly stood out to Pieper. At the recent rally on September 29, Pieper enjoyed watching freshman teammate Lane Kish get asked to homecoming. Coming in close behind as a favorite memory was watching freshman teammate Lilly Holloway also get asked to homecoming.

Grace Gafni “We hope to crush them this year.”

Four-year varsity player, senior Grace Gafni has the experience and knows the ins and outs of the team.

Throughout Gafni’s six years of polo, she’s had many positive experiences. Gafni said her favorite part of water polo is “definitely the team environment andbeing with [her] friends every day.”

Gafni hopes to use her ability as captain to create a comforting environment. Gafni said, “I like to be the person people can come to whenever they have a question, need advice. I just want to be there for anyone that needs me.”

From making sure the team is punctual, to helping with strategies, to choosing what to wear, the water polo captains cover most logistical details. Additionally, the pressure to set a good example very high on these seniors as well.

This year, Gafni’s eye is on a win against Miramonte. She said, “our goal is to beat Miramonte because they’ve had a winning streak against us for the past four years and we’ve come reallyclose.”

To succeed, Gafni believes the team needs to communicate inside and outside the pool. This would allow the team to have an easier time moving the ball and creating relationships with one another. Something Gafni thinks is crucial for this season’s team.

London Menard “The key to success in and out of the pool is having trust with each other.”

With eleven goals this early in the season, senior London Menard has been a crucial contributor to the success of the team. Starting water polo in sixth grade, she has been grateful for the relationships from water polo, “my favorite part

of water polo is building the friendships, the lifelong friendships.”

Being captain, she has enjoyed being able to inspire and motivate the team when spirits were low. Outside of this, she helps organize team bonding events and prepares the team for tournaments and games. These responsibilities may seem small, but they make a large impact on the team.

Menard looked back to the most difficult part, the pressure for being captain. She stated, “One of our coaches] is really strict. She definitely puts a lot of added pressure on us because we are the role models.”

Looking forward to the rest of the season, Menard hopes to beat Miramonte. Miramonte is not only Campo’s biggest rival, they are also undefeated this water polo season. Another goal of Menard’s is for the team to place top three at their tournaments.

SEBASTIAN WHITFIELD/STAFF

Volleyball Defeats Acalanes in Highly Anticipated Matchup

BY ERIN MCDONALD Campolindo girls varsity volleyball took the win over Acalanes on the Dons home court on September 20 with a score 3-2.

Every year, this game is always a highly anticipated rivalry match; however, this year Acalanes took it to a whole new level. In the weeks prior to the game, the Dons were posting on all forms of social media claiming that they were setting a school record for attendance in the gym for a women’s sport. “They were hyping up the game a lot, so it just felt really good to beat them and show them that Campo is still on top,” said senior

18

KATIE WELCH/STAFF

setter and captain Rachel Andre.

The Cougars started off the game strong, winning the first set 25-23. Although the score was close, Campo dominated this set through hits and passes, setting up a positive momentum for the rest of the game.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, their 1st set momentum came to a halt in the second set, as Campo fell short losing 19-25, bringing the overall score to a tie of 1-1.

The Cougs kept their composure by “keeping our minds on the court and ignoring everything

around us because there were a lot of people. We paid attention to what we needed to do and just played simple by focusing on the court,” said senior captain and outside hitter Hanna Bjornson.

It was this mindset that allowed Campo to win the third set with a score of 25-19.

Going into the fourth set, tensions were high for both teams, considering Campo just had to win this set to win the game. The Cougs were in control for most of the 4th set, as they maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the set.

This large deficit did not faze the Dons, as they came all the way back to win the set 25-23.

This comeback caused the game to go to a fifth set, the maximum number of sets allowed.

It was all or nothing. Either the Cougs would need to muster up enough energy to win the 15 points, or the Dons would win for the first time in 20 years.

Even through all the ups and downs of the game, the Cougars’ energy remained constant.

“We played 110% the whole time. Even though we were nervous, we kept playing as hard as we could and worked on not letting the ball touch the ground or let the student’s actions get in our heads. We just did our job and kept pushing until literally the last second,” said Bjornson.

Campo was able to barely pull through and win this rivalry game with a score of 15-13, and a final total score of 3-2. Both fans and the team patiently await their next meeting.

THE CLAW

OCTOBER 20

19