the MARK
STAFF
e MarkOctober
Editor-in-Chief
Molly Kearnan
Copy Editor
Kate Flanagan
Layout Editor
Joanna Vollrath
Features and Input Editor
News and Op-Ed Editor
Caraline Albro
Social Media Manager
Photography Editor
Lauren Bruce
Staff Writers
Leyla Arabian Luis Cruz
Reid Diamond
Brooke Faulkner
Rachel Frost
Elley Goldberg
Selim Karahan
Lara Karadogan
Leah Marcus Taylor Shantz
Chantel Stelliga
Bradley Stillman
Olivia Tai
Advisor: Betsy Snow
POLICY
The Mark, a feature magazine published by the students in Menlo-Atherton High School’s Journalism class, is an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its readership. The Mark is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost. The staff welcomes letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy, and obscenity. Submissions
opinions of all M-A students or the staff of The Mark Send all submissions to submittothemark@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE COVER
We had already decided that the cover package of The Mark would be about the power of social media in politics when the opportunity arose for photographer Lauren Bruce to cover the President of the United States (POTUS). Bruce reported that when the president arrived at San Francisco International Airport, many people in the crowd immediately turned
experiencing an impressionable event. In this moment, Obama indulges in the social media craze
Silence the Violence?
Yet another reckless use of the Second Amendment left nine students dead at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon on the morning of Oct. 1. We need to acknowledge that the responsible use of the First Amendment can end the irresponsible abuse of the Second Amendment. By withholding the name of the gunmen from articles, tion and fame so desperately sought by shooters. The relationship between the First and Second Amendments, arguably some of the best legislation ever written, is symbiotic now more than ever. Our freedom of press stated in the First Amendment allows us to publicize the shooter’s name and background, automatically rewarding them with fame and attention. On the other hand, victims of remembered. The emphasis on the shooter may be in response to readers craving the suspense and fear that comes with information about the shooter, more so than the victims.
However, we can also choose not to publicize the shooter by refusing
to name them or denying them the fame that is so valuable to their infamous legacy. We have the power to end the desire for fame and attention, denying shooters what they want. We have the power to change the perception of mass shootings in the media, by forfeiting the right to splash headlines bearing assailants’ names across webpages, in the crawl, and in tweets.
The Roseburg Sheriff made a statement discussing the anonymity of the shooter, saying that he will not speak of the shooter’s name because “[He doesn’t] want to glorify the shooter...his name...his cause.” Furthermore, many national publications have opted out of mentioning the shooter’s name for the same reason.
Some of us have a fascination with fame. We have a natural desire to be successful and to leave a legacy on this world. For some people, that desire is so nagging and intense that it is their duty in life to be remembered. When you are also faced with a serious mental illness, this mentality can lead to destructive results. The intense desire for fame often
leads to rash actions, and in awful cases, killings or shootings result in order to gain the attention of millions of people, in the hope of being remembered. When your face and name is plastered across the front page of The New York Times and headlining all the evening news stories, you have essentially reached the point of being remembered and achieving fame. If a mass shooting is what it takes to get your name on that cover, some people will go that far.
But we are denying that ability. We are setting the precedent that you cannot achieve fame if you pull out a gun in a classroom. And, hopefully, the public perception will begin to change and understand this. It is easy to see that technology and media have more profound effects than ever. We have a great power to change the common perception and spark the immediate transformation of society. Let us exercise our First Amendment to state the responsibility of the Second Amendment, rather than exploiting it.
by the Editorial Board
high mark//low mark
Photography Jack Beasley
Saying Goodbye to Foster’s Freeze
Foster’s Freeze, a beloved ice cream spot on Oak Grove Avenue, closed its doors for good on Sept. 30 after 69 years of business. Children, teenagers and adults alike are sad to see Foster’s Freeze go, because it made an impact in many lives.
Sophomore Caroline Holliday says that she is “so sad to see such a fun place closing” and adds that she will be attending the farewell party at the end of the month.
“Foster’s was a big part of my childhood. I used to ride my bike there every Thursday after school and get a hamburger,” Holliday explains.
She says that she will always remember the owner handing her a chocolate-dipped ice cream cone and yelling “One small dip!” Of all of the items available on the menu, Holliday will miss the chocolate Oreo Twister the most.
Holliday is not the only Menlo Park resident who will miss Foster’s Freeze after it is gone. The owner of the establishment, Sung Lee, was seen cleaning up after the farewell party and was clearly emotional. After learning what a big impact his establishment has had on Menlo-Atherton students’ lives, Lee shed a few tears and stood in silence for a few minutes.
“I had no idea the community loved us so [much],” Lee says, smiling. Lee was clearly overwhelmed with the outpouring of love towards Foster’s. Many adults who grew up in Menlo Park will miss Foster’s as well.
Bob Arabian, a lifelong Menlo Park resident, says he remembers “getting chocolate soft serve with his mom and his sister in the afternoons” at Foster’s. Although he doesn’t attend Foster’s as often as he used to because of his busy
work schedule, he says he will miss the drive-in.
Chris Burks, a former M-A student and Menlo Park resident, says he is “bummed to see Foster’s closed.”
“I used to go there all the time with my friends. It was our little hangout after class” Burks states.
Burks also says that Foster’s was a big part of his childhood, because it was one of the only places that he and his brothers could agree on. Of all of the items available on the menu, Burks says he will miss the chocolate-dipped ice cream cones the most.
The residents of Menlo Park will forever miss Foster’s Freeze. Menlo Park is grateful for many years of fun times, delicious food, and great service provided by Foster’s.
by Leyla Arabian
when ROBOTS RULE the WORLD
Recent studies along with the growth of social media suggest rapid yet concerning advance-
like the new “The Avengers” and “The intelligence may pose on society if taken too far. Others with a more lighthearted message such as “Her” illustrate a somewhat positive and opportunistic
us anxious as to what our future holds. Hyper advanced technology is not entirely foreign to some scientists
will soon be the face of our future generations. Some strongly believe in a world where humans will transcend their physical setbacks through the help of machines. Computer scientist, inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil’s
for the future based on current facts and statistics. As expressed in his book
mans Transcend Biology,” he shares his theory that computers will be as smart as humans by 2029. In an email to Live Science he explains that “computers will be billions of times more powerful than unaided human intelligence.”
right direction or not is questionable to many. On one hand, certain jobs will be-
at what cost? How many people will be replaced by robots and lose a career they have worked hard for? Many argue that this will be the next phase of innovation
society. However, the media has put different ideas in our heads regarding ar-
movie “Her,” one sees a computer with emotions, experiencing love and connecting with someone. Having a virtual “friend,” a perfect match for you that constantly guides you through life’s obstacles does not not sound so bad. However, we are also presented with an alternative idea of robots becoming too intelligent and taking over humanity:
nate all creative stimulation within our society and become our biggest threat. It is unknown if technology will ever take us this far, but the idea of jobs being taken over by machines is the most rational thing to concern ourselves with. The ideas behind the technology may be genius, but as our generation’s career options become more limited, it will become a problem in the emerging workforce among young workers.
scenario if our future workers are discouraged from following their passions because of an automated alternative. It is clear that whether we like it or not, technology is bound to take a drastic turn towards groundbreaking advancements that seem
truly have feelings and intellectual capacity? It is something that sparks the curiosity of many. However the main concern for the students of Menlo-Atherton lies in the potential competition these robots may present for the future careers of M-A students. NPR recently released a study that predicts the likelihood of any given profession becoming automated. These predictions are based on four different criteria: creativity, necessity to personally help others, work space needed (crawling into small spaces, etc.), and level of negotiation required. Each given profession is evaluated based on these four criteria and the results provide us with a good sense of which jobs will be around within the next century. Some results are shocking, leaving many of us aspiring career builders at M-A in a predicament. There is a 98.3 percent chance that referees and umpires will become robots. Fashion models are at a 97.6 percent probability and restaurant cooks at 96.3 percent. Historians and economists come in at 43 percent and commercial pilots at 54.6 percent. Common professions like carpenters have a 72.4 percent chance of becoming au-
tomated, architects 52.3 percent, and real estate agents 86.4 percent. On a more concerning note, there is a 40.1 percent likelihood for court judges and 33.6 percent for detectives and criminal investigators. Although this is not a majority, the chance seems almost too high to ignore if those making our legal decisions in court become mindless computers. On the other hand, sending robots into combat rather than humans for example, would drastically reduce casualties during times of war. Nonetheless it is an ambiguous subject that
In fact, these statistics leave some students reconsidering their dehappen to all the years of studying and hard work when our dreams will soon be replaced by a robot? Zoe Ford, who has considered pursuing a career in criminal investigation, shares that “I don’t want to be in any job where I’m competing with something automated.” Contrastingly, those striving to become doctors, surgeons and engineers run a very low risk (below 1 percent). Artists and writers as well have a low chance of becoming automated with photographers at only 2.1 percent while actors are slightly higher with a 37.4 percent chance. The promise of new technology
portrayed by the media or simply cre-
threaten our society or improve it is up for debate. Regardless, it is undoubtedly something our generation must be aware of upon entering the workforce.
Comfort from chaos
Comedian Ursus Wehrli has made a hobby of tiding up life—everything from fruit to people to famous works art—and then photographing his creations. In the spirit of his work, and for my love of M&M’s, organizing the candies felt satisfying. I took pleasure in the details of the straight rows, the half-pieces, and the removed M’s. Deconstructing and rearranging items reveals that not only do the individual components matter, but their structure is also integral in the object’s function. The end result: coordinated, aesthetically pleasing rows of candy.
Photography Kasey Love
HealthyHalloween
Halloween is just around the corner and each year students get so excited for the holiday that they break all their eating habits and load up on candy. By following these simple tricks you are guaranteed to have a fun and healthy Halloween.
Replace with because, why not?
Exchange all of your for a handful of .
Instead of daring to eat have a . Swap for because it is so much more refreshing.
Obviously replace your with a few .
Your handful of should be thrown out for a sweet . must be swapped for ...they’re way more appealing.
You must exchange for .
When in doubt, replace with .
Days of Honor:
On or Off?
How Menlo-Atherton acknowledges controversial holidays and anniversaries
Morning announcements over the intercom went on without delay, teachers jumped right into their lectures, and students pulled out last night’s homework without a second thought on Friday, Sept. 11. The day of Sept. 11, 2001, or 9/11, comes with great deal of respect and caution. Some have personal connections, others understand the expectation to respect the day. Each year, at the earliest hours of the day, the phrase “never forget” engulfs social media, ceremonies and remembrances are held in New York and Pennsylvania and that this national anniversary, meant to remember and mourn at M-A, or does it still serve a purpose?
9/11
by Joanna Vollrath
Sophomore Breanna Sandoval argues it does. “None of my teachers talked about it...I feel they should have addressed it and talked about the impact it had and how it was an emotional day, or at least some recognition of it.” Many students, like Sandoval, feel that there is indeed a place for a discussion on 9/11 in the school setting, and would have appreciated one. Out of 80 M-A students asked, only 21 of them had a teacher bring up the topic of 9/11 on Sept.11, 2015.
On the other hand, there were also students who felt that the fact that 9/11 was not discussed was understandable. “Of course I am but I guess I don’t feel very attached to that event as I had no connection through family or anything else” sophomore Jessica Galen shares.
Ben Wellington, a history teacher here at M-A, sees the the 2015 anniversary, which landed on a Friday. He explains that he typically teaches about 9/11 in World Studies later in the year, in the more appropriate context of “globalization.” “I haven’t taught it much in U.S. History in the beginning of the year,” Wellington shares, “because 9/11 is an event that requires historical context to fully understand.” Jenny Uhalde, also an
M-A history teacher, agrees with Wellington and says that “the biggest reason why I don’t teach it [is] I just want to do the subject justice.” Uhalde explains that since many of her “students were about one or two when 9/11 happened,” it needs “context, so it goes from being a 20-minute warm up question to being a two or three day lesson which certainly has into your curriculum.” So, overall, it seems that teachers would have liked
at the beginning of the year when the anniversary falls, but instead chose to teach it later when it coincides with other class materials.
Clearly, 9/11 as a historical event still holds meaning and relevance in the classroom, but what about the anniversary of 9/11 itself? Is the relevance of 9/11 only academic or also emotional and out out of respect? An M-A history teacher who did teach about 9/11 on the anniversary this year, Christina Galliano, shares her thoughts on these questions.“I think the purpose of remembering the day is both educational and emotional...I also believe that we are very isolated and insular here in the U.S. and need to learn about other cultures and people.”
especially one as recent as 9/11, can both hurt and help. For some, they act as triggers for reexperiencing the trauma, while for others, they help mend wounds of the experience and serve as respect. Galliano shares her thoughts on the purpose of an anniversary. “I think that if we don’t talk about what happened, it will become a normal, everyday incident. The amount of violence we have witnessed in the past 15 years is ridiculous. We need to look at the cause of this. Have we been desensitized to this?”
There are countless questions associated with this
it is up to you to decide.
As Galliano aptly states, “nothing is learned by pretending something didn’t happen.”
religious equality
by Leah Marcus
Holidays at M-A tend to be based off of Christian religion and seem to subdue students belonging to other religions and ethnicities. Students from the Jewish religion and culture, Muslim religion, Hindus, Chinese and Korean ethnicities and Jehovah’s Witnesses often pay an academic price.
Students from different religions are obliged to stay home on certain holidays thus missing quizzes, tests, labs or important lessons. Not only do these students have no choice but to attend school on those days, but they are expected to deal with the stress that comes along with using their own time to make up the work they missed. In the long run, it is possible that non-Christian students will start losing their traditions and beliefs to attend school and deprive themselves from the stress. It forces students and parents to choose between their culture or school.
According to Gigi Rutsky, a Jewish sophomore at M-A, “The school prioritizes Christian religion simply because they are the majority. It is hard to make everyone happy so the school thinks of what will make most people happy. However, I think the school can afford to give us at least one day off for a Jewish holiday or any holiday.”
Although it would be better to have the most important Jewish, Muslim, or other religions’ main holidays off, it is true that it is hard to please everyone. In order to, at the very least, show some appreciation, the school should excuse the student from any missed work or simply form a policy which demands that tests and labs are not to be assigned on those days.
Some religions, on the other side of the spectrum, do not celebrate holidays at all and get days or even weeks off. Irma Gomez, a Jehovah’s Witness describes that, “[she doesn’t] think anyone minds having days off, and if it is making people feel more safe and accepted in their environment, then [she] think[s] the school should give some religions a few days off.”
Students that are put in these situations feel that having school on sacred holidays or even just having tests those days is completely unfair. It is important to recognize and respect the community of students at M-A that do not follow Christian religion. Our school should ensure that students of all ethnicities or religion have equal time to observe their traditions in order to avoid the stress that comes along with missing school.
Columbus day
by Rachel Frost
In this day and age, we have phones that tell us directions and self-driving cars. We have let go of many old-fashioned ways of thinking as a nation. Yet we annually hold ourselves back with our Columbus Day observance. Students at M-A get the day off, just like the majority of students in the U.S., but for a different reason. Many students mistakenly credit Columbus Day as the source of the three-day weekend. The cause for this misunderstanding could be M-A’s student planner calendar which currently titles the date as Columbus Day. In reality,we get the day off for a teacher work day, not to honor Columbus.
Mr. Losekoot, who helps organize the planner, says, “No one has ever expressed a concern or requested that the day be named anything other than Columbus Day.”
Herein lies the real problem. By blindly following this tradition and taking no action to prevent it, we are agreeing with the ideas represented by Columbus Day. California, as a state, should not just continue on this path of indifference to the physical and cultural destruction of Native Americans.
If the day is celebrated at all, as they do in Berkeley as well as in some other Californian cities, it should be replaced with Native American or Indiginous Peoples’ Day. However, it seems the majority of people nationwide, or even statewide, do not care enough to actually advocate the change.
Many government employees, like those at NASA, have Oct. 12 off for Columbus Day. Such an occurrence makes it clear that the logic behind the holiday is not looked at seriously.
The M-A administration says they did not plan the day on purpose and the staff development day was chosen as simply a mid-month break. Even with the coincidental Columbus Day break, students in San Francisco and New York city hold parades and celebrations and students in the majority of American schools still get a day off. Despite the recent small scale changes, most states still celebrate the old holiday, possibly out of habit.
The national holiday has been around since 1937 but was celebrated many years before. Many people will take the day off without questioning it. Others have started to wonder why a modern thinking nation continues to honor someone who instigated so much destruction. When speaking with the history department chair, Alan Perry, he shares this view; “As a history teacher, naming a day after somebody who had some great
is something that’s always interesting; why certain people get remembered and others not.”
For over 50 years, there has been an entire day dedicated to a man who did not actually “discover America” and who destroyed the lives of countless Native Americans. As citizens of the U.S. we take pride in valuing freedom, equality and modernization. Why then do we continue to honor Columbus in this modern age, even after uncovering all the pain he caused? The answer is simply tradition and a lack of will to make a change.
BEAR Wasting the Minimum
Right now, the future of life on Earth is quite dismal. Almost half of the forests on our planet are gone; thousands of species are going extinct; and global warming has endangered species, altered ecosystems and caused an increased number of natural disasters. But at Menlo-Atherton High School, environmentally-minded groups are doing what they can to ensure a promising future for all of us by encouraging sustainability. Most recently, the SEEDS club and AP Environmental Science classes have implemented a composting system on campus in an effort to reduce the
“I don’t know if composting is the super-bullet to get us out this jam,”
AP Environmental Science teacher Lance Powell admits, “but I think that just raising awareness and having people participate where they can [will help].”
that M-A actually had composting bins on campus, but the process to get them began several years before as a project for APES after the AP exam. After two years of planning, getting approval, spreading awareness and decorating the bins, which Powell refers to as “functional art.”
The APES group received help from the SEEDS club to spread awareness and aid in creating their “scrap wrap” and decorative compost bins. The SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability) club, aims to spread awareness about environmental issues and invoke change through service opportunities. Junior Manuela Velasquez,
a member of the club, explains how “last year many people knew about the [compost] bins and acknowledged that they were there, but I really didn’t see anyone actually using them that regularly; I plan to try to do what I can to change this.”
Although the composting system was not an immediate success last year, the amount of compost did increase substantially throughout the year. By the end of the year, “it [seemed] nitely started to become a dirty job.”
Students proposed and designed the entire composting project, making the only problem for Powell the fact that his “students keep graduating and leaving.” Besides composting, both the SEEDS club and the APES classes have participated in environmental service projects in the community and have initiated conversations regarding the reduction of M-A’s environmental impact. Along with those two groups, the SurfRider club has also instigated sustainable change at M-A by pushing to get water
buildings in order to reduce the number of plastic water bottles used and thrown away. Though these groups do build awareness about environmental issues, Powell’s main concern remains: “Does learning about the science behind things somehow equate into a behavior change?”
Even though it would be hard to answer that question now, it is clear that the actions of these groups are one step in the right direction.
1232 gallons of water to make an 8 oz. steak
616 gallons of water to make a 4 oz. hamburger
37 gallons of water to make a cup of coffee
18 gallons of water to grow an apple
36 gallons of water to produce an egg
U HOW TO SURVIVE EL NIÑO
Build an ark.
Don’t shower, just go outside.
Ditch your car and buy a boat.
Swim to school. Befriend a whale for transportation and companionship.
Ask Rihanna for a spot under her umbrella.
Wear trash bags everywhere you go.
In fourth grade, after leaving Canada and one month into my new life in California, I was met with my
Youdon’thaveto beabrainsurgeon topayattentionto thedetails.
understanding of what the different
Power of Paying Attention
Art Olivia Tai
by Molly Kearnan
the loss of the millions of the votes that tage of our right to vote, of our most
P TUS
COMES TO TOWN
With a generation engulfed in social media, politicians have president tweeting regularly to creating opportunities for people to meet him, he’s reaching a highlights Obama’s use of old-fashioned meet and greets to
Photography and Writing | Lauren Bruce
Going to see the president and being part of the White House press pool wasn’t how I expected to spend a weekend. But when the chance presented itself I jumped on the opportunity to cover this for The Mark. But I knew that if for nothing else this was an experience I wanted to have for myself. Many people don’t ever get a glimpse of the POTUS, much less have the chance to photograph him and I felt like I was drowning in anticipation and excitement. At the San Francisco International Airport while I was engaged in the experience behind my lens, many people who had been invited to meet him immediately turned their backs to the
immersed in the social media craze I was astonished to see so many people desperate to prove they were a part
tion to documenting rather than simply experiencing an impressionable moment. As a photographer, the allure of being in front of the lens doesn’t appeal to me as much as challenging myself to create artful photos in a hectic situation that I may never experience again. Friday evening when I arrived to the remote, industrialized parking lot, there were a few scattered news trucks and Secret Service vans already at the scene. After two hours of security checks, I loaded onto a shuttle bus with the rest of the press pool and we were escorted to the landing spot of Air Force One. With a White House press pass around my neck, I started to feel the stress building in my stomach. The pressure of being able to get a good image in the few seconds that the president would be in view made me worried, but I felt up for the challenge. When we got to the riser in front of the landing
ing against the railing, with news cameras standing on tripods fencing me into place, I buzzed with anticipation. But being there in the cold and wind kept my attention sharp and my hands clamped to my camera. Finally I began to see men running around and cameras pointed towards the sky. It was too dark and foggy to see the plane until it had almost touched the ground but then it was suddenly in front of me and camera shutters were going off all around.
President Obama landed at 8:30 p.m., gave a wave as he stepped off the plane and greeted the governor of California along with the mayor of San Francisco before ducking into his limo and disappearing for the night. All that time amounted to about 5 minutes of ac-
was pumping along with my heartbeat. I had watched
during speeches. He looked exactly as he did on TV. I almost felt as if I hadn’t seen him, since I was looking at him through the eye of my lens. However I had a second chance, and how often do you get to say that. By the time I arrived the next morning, Air Force One was already prepared for President Obama’s departure, one hour early. This time, instead of shivering winds greeting me there was a small crowd of people; many gleaming adults standing hands-clamped to young kids -- too young to re-
I started snapping shots of the crowd, all dressed proudly with wild smiles on their faces as the crew of event
gan to throb in the distance, signaling the line of government cars, police cars, highway patrol and an ambulance that trailed on for a full minute. Finally, the identical presidential limos rolled up and stopped right in front of the crowd. It became clear that Obama’s early arrival was entirely intentional, so the small group of people who were invited could greet him, providing them the opportunity to share their pictures of him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and promoting the Democratic Party. President Obama stepped out of the car into the sunlight and gave a wave, inciting a roar of supporting cheers from the small crowd. I followed him with my lens, snapping and adjusting, stopping only momentarily to refocus. My hand began to hurt from the weight of my lens but I kept photographing, hoping to come up with one good image.
ers, that makes him a charismatic guy.” His efforts are part of the political trend -the trend to be more social. I thought about this as I watched the crowd raise phones above their heads, their need to document their achievements on social media unintentionally assisting his political purpose. Once Obama left the crowd and began towards the plane, my hands began to really feel the weight. My nerves
the body of the camera and my closed eye began to twitch. Even as I began to lose vision in the eye that was look-
lowed Obama with my lens and hoped that my images were coming out. I remembered what one of the journalists had said to me the night be-
In the daylight everything was so clear, from the creases in the smile on his face to way his jacket was a minutely lighter blue than his pants. It was in this moment that I felt the full weight of his presence. The time and effort that went into every detail of his arrival left an aura of prestige. For a moment I let the camera drop slightly from my view to take in the presence of the president. I had never seen in person anyone of such valued importance and he carried himself with dignity.
I brought the camera back to my eye as he made his way to the crowd, taking valuable time to shake hands with the ecstatic people. A man lifted his tiny baby into the air and Obama reached overhead and took the baby into his arms. Obama’s intention to make himself available to this enthusiastic crowd demonstrated his effort to be a part of social media. He knowingly created picture-perfect moments, particularly when he embraced the baby, which many people in the crowd would then post on social media to share with their friends. It would send positive messages about the president like: “Look how kind he is, he’s holding such a young baby” and “He takes time to visit support-
fade out. He said, “We’re not here to see him step off a plane, we’re here in case something bad happens.” As a journalist consistently to be the most valuable reporter. And just like in the world of journalism Obama takes every opportunity to be available to the people to obtain support from voters. Although Obama’s campaign is over, he still gains support from the people for the Democratic Party in the upcoming elections. Through social media, politicians can pursue the interest of more voters by staying connected and creating the illusion of being more available. The power of social me-
While not every person was invited to see the president, they will see his involvement through social media and that’s part of the power of journalism as well. For the next few days I remained in awe over the photos I took. Sitting at my desk chair, scrolling through hundreds of images I felt a profound sense of accomplishment. As a high school student I never expected to have the chance to work with real reporters with years of experience or to see someone of such high authority and grandeur. And I gained a higher under-
dia as sites like Twitter and Instagram brought his visit to the masses. As a journalist, I create photographs that are universally understood, allowing people to experience the event vicariously.
Top right: President Obama steps o Air Force One and gives a wave to the press. Bottom right: e following morning, President Obama holds baby James Gunter III much to the delight of his parents nearby. Top le : Obama walks towards the Air Force One a er greeting the crowd. Bottom Le : A spectator snaps a quick shot of Air Force One as it turns toward the runway. Moments a er this photo was taken the jets spewed clouds of sand and dirt into the crowd.
Age: 53
Campaign Platform: O’Malley argues for raising the minimum wage, expanding equal opportunity, and supporting women and families. Bonus points -- he plays in a Celtic rock band.
Position: Former Maryland governor
Quote: “It is contrary to everything we stand for to summarily send children back to death” (on immigration).
Campaign Slogan: Rebuild the American Dream
H ILL A RY
C LI N T O N
Age: 69
Campaign Platform: Clinton outlines her presidential platform in four pillars, including an economic plan for the future, supporting families and communities, protecting the nation from potential threats, and amending the political system.
Position: Former secretary of state
Quote: “If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle.”
Campaign Slogan: Everyday Americans need a champion. I want to be that champion.
“Hillary Clinton is the most experienced of all the democratic candidates. Hillary probably has the most experience dealing with the government, and she also has her husband Bill Clinton who actually had a fairly successful presidency. Except she seems too detached from many people.”
“I like Bernie... He seems like the most trustworthy candidate and I agree with a lot of his policies.”
*all students choose to remain anonymous
Your Guide to the 2016
Although we still have some time until the 2016 presidential elections, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of the current candidates. Even if you won’t be able to vote, it’s still important to have a basic understanding of politics in our world. tial candidates.
THE DEMOCRATS
B E R N IE
S A N D E RS
Age: 75
Campaign Platform: Sanders, another front-runner of the Democrats, supports single-payer healthcare and the expansion of social security. He’s in opposition to free trade. A big problem? He doesn’t have the big funds that Hillary Clinton does. His hashtag is #FeeltheBern, which is pretty awesome.
Position: U.S. senator
Quote: “Americans’ right to free speech should not be proportionate to their bank accounts.”
Campaign Slogan: A political revolution is coming
LI N C O L N
C H A F EE
Age: 63
Campaign Platform: Chafee, a former Republican and Independent, is now giving the Democratic Party a shot. Chafee supports the decriminalization of marijuana and adoption of the metric system. Conan O’Brien actually started a campaign to get Chafee 1 percent of the votes in recent polls, after discovering he had 0 percent. Chafee claims to have had no scandals in his political career...
Position: Rhode Island governor
Quote: “It’s accurate to call [Hillary Clinton] a hawk.”
Campaign Slogan: Fresh Ideas for America
M A RC O R U B I O
Age: 45
Campaign Platform: Rubio is in support of conservative immigration reform and improving Cuban-American relations. He also wants to help people pursue higher education without raising taxes.
Position: U.S. senator
Quote: “Another Clinton presidency would be a death blow to the American dream.”
Campaign Slogan: A New American Century
B E N
C A RS O N
Age: 65
Campaign Platform: Carson is a retired neurosurgeon who claims that he is not a scientist. He’s pro-life, wants to keep Gitmo open, and is all about protecting the Second Amendment.
Position: Retired neurosurgeon
Quote: “[Obamacare is] the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery.”
Campaign Slogan: Heal. Inspire. Revive.
JE B B U S H
Age: 63
Campaign Platform: Bush favors the Common Core curriculum (here comes four years of testing, kids!). He also wants to create legal status for immigrants and expand citizens’ gun rights.
Position: Former Florida governor
Quote: “[Planned Parenthood is] not actually doing women’s health issues.”
Campaign Slogan: Jeb!
THE REPUBLICANS Presidential Candidates
C A RLY F I O RI N A
Age: 62
by Caraline Albro
Campaign Platform: Fiorina believes marijuana should be regulated as medicine, not a recreational drug. She doesn’t have a lot of political experience, but her personal experiences as a breast cancer survivor and losing her daughter to addiction are relatable and touching.
Position: Former business executive
Quote: “Once I dive in, I dive in all the way.”
Campaign Slogan: New possibilities. Real leadership.
D O N A L D
T R U M P
Age: 70
Campaign Platform: Trump, possibly the most publicized candidate in the race, has gotten quite the attention for his controversial comments and opinions. For example, he would build an impenetrable wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. And Mexico would pay for it. He wants to repeal Obamacare, end Common Core, and he doesn’t believe in climate change. Well, maybe that second one is for the better.
Position: Real estate mogul
Quote: “You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of a**.”
Campaign Slogan: Make America Great Again!
How Do You Get Your News?
How Do You Get Your News?
by Brooke Faulkner
Since the birth of the ‘millennium’ generation, many are concerned about the negative impacts that technology has on the way we evaluate news, through media and advertising. With new additions to apps like “Snapchat News” and the News app on the iPhone, our generation is becoming more involved in current events and aware of the world surrounding us. With these new additions, current political candidates are being inaccurately portrayed through a variety of biassed lenses. This often creates confusion and misconceptions regarding what each candidate truly stands for. Nonetheless, our generation will progressively obtain their news through forms of social media and technology, foreshadowing an immense change in politics as we know it. I decided to turn over to 100 soon-to-be voting peers to see if they think these apps are affecting their vote. Here is what they said:
Are these apps biased? Do you think these apps affected your views? Have your views been influenced by social media?
How do you get your news?
4.3% Newspaper
How often do you check the news?
Students around Menlo-Atherton seem to gravitate towards these new apps, praising the simplicity they bring to their hectic schedules. Most students realize, however, that what they are reading is only a fragment of a much bigger story that is being told. One aspect that is concerning is that 77 percent of people believe most of these apps are biased in effect on their views, most answered ‘yes.’ The power of social media is vital for politicians like Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump who realize that young adults make up a huge portion of the potential voters for the 2016 presidential election. Hilthat candidates discuss in the race to presidency. This tactic helps her enormously when almost 60 percent of surveyed stuon students have had a noticeable impact when it comes to how news is portrayed. Whether M-A students will change their ways of obtaining news or not remains unknown, as only time can tell us how the media will affect politics in the future.
MEEt
M-A’S STUDENT BODY Officers
Who they are and what they do for M-A's student body
by Olivia Tai
Menlo-Atherton’s student government is as successful and robust as it is today because
though there is a variety of respon-
take on, they all work together in order to make M-A a better place for its student body.
This year’s Associated Student Body (ASB) president and vice president are Alex Thayer and Cameron Sheppard, respectively. ASB is one of the two leadership classes here at M-A. In the ASB class, Thayer and Sheppard organize, plan and execute student body activities with their classmates. Basically, they are on the ‘inside’ of the whole operation, and get to collab-
nalize decisions. Sheppard shares that, “This year, a big goal of ours is to integrate more kids into the leadership program […] We want to make sure everyone has a part in the school and feels included and aware.” Sheppard also hopes that this year, even more of M-A’s community will participate in the canned food drive and other service events. As leaders of the entire student body, Thayer and Sheppard are attentive to all students’ needs. These positions are demanding to take on, as Thayer remarks, “This year is just a completely new challenge, because I have so many more responsibilities that I am super excited about. But it’s been hard to balance that with my life outside of leadership as well as in leadership.”
and her co-advisor is Kara Mullarky. Senior class advisor is Jessica Burgos and her co-advisor is Emily Addicott. Class advisors play a crucial role in grade-spe-
Until two years ago, all members of M-A’s student government were elected from within the two leadership classes, ASB and Spirit. This was changed when Sheppard and her ASB committee created a new type of student leaders: student representatives. Leadership wanted M-A’s student government to feel more democratic, where leadership students were not the only ones allowed to have
Despite their many responsibilities, Thayer and Sheppard are optimistic and ambitious. They hope to create an even better sense of community amongst the student body and get everyone involved in student activities.
Another group of govvisors. Class advisors and their co-advisors can be found in the other leadership class -- Spirit. They run and organize student events that pertain to their grade level and are more ‘spirit’ based, hence the class name. For example, senior advisors will be the main organizers for this year’s prom and junior advisors will oversee winter formal -- a dance that will sponsor the Class of 2017’s graduation. M-A’s junior class advisor is Helena Hoover
er advisor of Spirit supported the change, “We felt like from the outside looking in, everyone felt like leadership was a little clique.” When creating the criteria, Sheppard reassured, “We didn’t want to discriminate against anyone, so we tried to make it a really open. No leadership experience required -- basically anyone with the drive to get involved.” They were hopeful these new roles would be taken seriously, appealing to any students who had a genuine interest in representing their class. The goal is that student representatives are chosen for their beliefs, and not just because people ‘know’ them. This is why during election season, M-A’s student body can watch debates on the Green, where candidates discuss their plans if elected. Thankfully M-A has nothing to worry about this year -- its junior and senior student representatives appear to be driven and enthusiastic, ready
Junior Class President Angie Yang (left)
Junior Class Vice President Megan McDonnell (right)
to unite their class and improve M-A. Student representatives are elected by all incoming juniors and seniors, with the purpose of being recognizable. Current juniors and seniors are hopefully familiar with their representatives: Junior Class President Angie Yang, Junior Class Vice-President Megan McDonnell, Senior Class President Justin Verbo, and Senior Class Vice-President James Calhoon. Student representatives are seen as the ‘voice’ of their grade, the middlemen between the student body and leadership -- as well as means of communication and support. When asked about his role and responsibilities as senior Class President, Verbo explained, “Issues, concerns, and problems that my peers have will all be sent to me, and I send those over to adminis-
tives also hope they are seen as approachable and reliable. Yang remarked, “We see ourselves as people who the junior class should feel comfortable coming up to talk to and letting us know any concerns they have with the school or in general.” Student representatives are also responsible for informing their grade of student activities.
In the past, student representatives have considered their peer’s complaints and taken action. As last year’s junior class president, Verbo says that they were able to add urinal dividers in the boy’s bathrooms, decrease water usage during the drought, and work with administration to reconsider the dress code and the number of food stations. These issues were resolved, or at least improved by administration so current student representatives have new goals
set for this school year. Yang and McDonnell hope that they can help all juniors feel welcome and comfortable within the M-A community. They also want to increase juniors’ participation and spirit at sporting events, service events, and dances. McDonnell comments, “We really try to encourage people to come, and if they don’t want to come, we ask them why -- to see if we can change things so they’ll feel more interested in coming to these school events”
For Verbo and Calhoon, they hope to make this senior year awesome. Verbo claimed, “James’ and my number one priority is to unite the senior class. It is our last year together and it is so important to spend that last year loving one another and enjoying each other’s presence.” Similarly to the junior representatives, Verbo and Calhoon would like to increase senior turnout and participation at school events. There has already been a couple of organized all-Senior dress up days like Neon and American day. Verbo and Calhoon also hope that seniors will take charge at sporting events and Verbo states, “As seniors, we have to lead by example.” Verbo and Calhoon have a vision for this year’s senior class and are in the process of making it a reality.
leadership classes can often be seen in Pride Hall, but as Mr. Amoroso puts it,
your eye, may not this year because there’s even more kids crammed into the hallways trying to get to class on time.” Leadership promotes events on a Facebook page called M-A Student Activities, but even then, they are not sure how effective it is when not everyone has a Facebook account or follows the page.
"We felt like from the outside looking in, everyone felt like leadership was a little clique." -Mr. Amoroso
ty reaching out to M-A’s entire student body, “Underclassmen don’t have Facebooks.” Nonetheless, Thayer and Sheppard created a Facebook page called M-A Underclassmen to reach out to younger students who do have Facebook accounts. On the contrary, Ver-
“Social media is huge for me. Absolutely on Facebook and every week I post a run down on upcoming events as well as recaps of past events.” Verbo accredits the success of his campaigns to social media and the help of upperclassmen. Verbo and Calhoon are active members on social media -- they oversee the senior class page on Facebook called Menlo-Atherton Class of 2016. Yang and McDonnell also run a Facebook page for juniors called the Menlo-Atherton High School Class of 2017.
In order to publicize student activities, M-A’s student government has often relied on social media. In a campus
out. Posters meticulously made by the
much for their student body -- from organizing rallies, dances, the canned food drive; to supporting each class individually through Freshman Transition or with student representatives. Without it’s student government, M-A wouldn’t have the thriving community that it has today.
parents’ generation was exposed to the values and messages consumerism tries
Consumerism
part of your brain that doubts itself, it feeds on that negativity,” comments
very subtle ways and I think that, again, they are trying to be very positive but
there are still some subtle things they are reinforcing.”
Stereotyping, assumptions, and loaded messages consequently result
porations to connect with all audiences of varying age, ethnicity, gender, political izations about a consumer, whether it be about their wealth or their looks, are too often the source of stereotypes. Why is strong synonymous with bossy and now recognize as typical and traditional
anything is what to aspire to? Given the diversity of our culture and our country, it certainly couldn’t have developed from common and shared characteristics or values. Keigher provides her theory that, “Stereotypes are prevalent in advertising because they create a sense of familiarity that is very comforting to the consumer.
nizable and allows a company to make a quick connection with a consumer and [to create] a more nuanced image of a person of a certain age, race, or gender, that nuance takes time to understand and advertisers don’t have time. So they rely on stereotypes because they allow for that quick connection. Stereotypes are troublesome because they are not nuanced and real people are. No one is going to 100 percent live up to any stereotype that the media portrays even if some elements are true. The fact that they are based in truth is what makes them so easy to believe because we can see parts of ourselves in them, we can see parts of our friends or our enemies in them and we want to assume that they
However, pop culture, media and expression through these means are a part of our identity as a culture and a people. Advertising and consumerism
has that ability to connect us with other mon ground it provides. Therefore, the topic is not to isolate yourself from it and the messages advertisements are trying nalize that message or not. Technology has made this phenomenon widespread but its effect on you as a consumer depends on your ability and willingness to question the meaning and proceed accordingly. The technology that makes advertising so available and sometimes harmful can also be a tool to combat that
sess the ability to protect that vulnerably accessible population and stop the cycle of misinterpretation and stereotyping to turn consumerism into a positive forum for change and opportunity.
Fall Feelings
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3
Sept. 23 was the autumnal equinox, marking the
Most Americans tend to use the word “fall” to describe this season, while “autumn” is the more colloquial term in England. Although different words, they both come from the 16th century and mean “harvest.”
In addition to Thanksgiving, Halloween and Día de los Muertos, there are many celebrations such as Ghandi and Miley Cryrus’ birthday.
2
4 5 6 S
by Lara Karadogan
The autumnal equinox is also one of the two days in the year when the northern and southern hemispheres equally face the sun.
The term “equinox” originates from Latin meaning, “equal night.”
Let’s not forget that Ms. Kennel, Ms. Martinelli and Mr. Carlson all celebrate birthdays around this time.
CAfe Confidential
Why is the one place I Like Always Packed?
For many students, finding a place to study is challenging, and it’s time-consuming to search for the best cafe in town. That is why we have scouted out some of the best cafes in the Menlo-Atherton area for studying and sipping this fall.
Blue Bottle - Downtown Palo Alto
Blue Bottle Co ee is famously from San Francisco, but their co ee is not worth the hype. Despite their beautiful interior and minimalist furniture, the food and drink were disappointing. I ordered a cappuccino which was smaller than my thumb and cost $3.75. e barista made a heart-shaped foam design on my cappuccino, but that didn’t disguise the completely bitter taste underneath, despite the additions of cream and sugar. Out of disappointment, I walked over to Starbucks down the street and ordered a $4.79 pumpkin spice latte. Blue Bottle has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and the service is satisfactory. I don’t think this cafe is ideal for studying if you are the type who needs some ca eine while studying, like myself. Sadly, this cafe lacks a ordable and quality co ee, which the trendy environment doesn’t make up for.
Cocola Bakery - Stanford Mall
Cocola is a charming little cafe in the Stanford Mall, though it stands alone and is somewhat unnoticed. Its interior encompasses a few comfy couches, Tuscan-looking walls and has lots of natural light owing in. e tables and seating are great for studying because it’s not o en crowded, not to mention cute mosaic tables and chairs. Co ee, pastries and beverages are mediocre but acceptable. Come here if you are looking for a freshly baked pastry like the ones in Italy alongside a hearty sandwich. e employees are always nice and quick with your order, you would never wait over ve minutes in Cocola unlike a Starbucks at rush hour.
Our Favorite
Philz Coffee - Middlefield Road
Philz Co ee is ideal for an a er-school study session. It has everything a student needs: great co ee and tea, tasty pastries and outdoor seating. When you pull up to Philz Co ee, there is outdoor seating and a colorful mural outside that is perfect for an Instagram post. Inside, there is a huge menu that features all their co ees and what each blend tastes like. My favorite is the “New Manhattan;” it’s brewed with cherries and an earthy taste, making it perfect for fall. e best part about this cafe is how a ordable it is: only $3 for a small and $4 for a large co ee. ey also have a variety of scones, mu ns, and my favorite gluten-free brownie. Another appealing feature is the people who work there. e baristas are friendly and wear matching annels, like a family. is cafe has great atmosphere and great co ee, however there could stand to be more seating inside. Sitting outside in the fall doesn’t bode well for studying, but you can grab one of the few seats inside. Philz is the most comfortable place to study and enjoy a hot cup of co ee. is cafe makes up for its compact size with its a ordability, good service and delicious co ee.
Coho - Stanford University
CoHo at Stanford has a cozy atmosphere, an academic environment, decent co ee and lots of healthy food options. is cafe’s selling point would be the food, they have many salads, pastries and sandwiches to o er, all at an a ordable price. Given that Stanford is one of the most elite universities in the world, studying in their cafe is highly motivating. From warm leather couches to diner chairs on wheels, there is bound to be a seat for you. For those familiar with the TV show Friends, you might nd CoHo to be remarkably similar to the show’s co ee house, Central Perk. While CoHo’s individual qualities are slightly above average, they add up to an excellent whole.
Coupa Cafe - Downtown Palo Alto
Coupa, a humble cafe winging o the main University Avenue, is a Venezuelan-style cafe. e food is healthy and puts a modern spin on South American avor. e set up in Coupa is comfy, including a study room open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Wi-Fi. Coupa is a family owned business and only uses fairtrade and organic co ee beans. Try their spicy hot chocolate or other unique drinks for a new outlook on beverages. Additionally, their pastries and house-made chocolates are amazing. eir co ee is relatively a ordable but the employees seem a bit ditzy and may or may not mess up your order. ough Coupa is in sort of an odd area in Palo Alto the romantic twinkly lights at night and warm atmosphere make up for the destination.
Our favorite cafe for studying this fall is Philz Coffee in Palo Alto, they have the best coffee, most cozy atmosphere and the best service. If you are looking for a new place to do homework, or meet up with friends, this cafe is perfect.
Fearless Field on the
Photography Lauren Bruce
Photography Lauren Bruce
police brutality
Portrayed Through Social Media
Social media is exposing the truth of police brutality in society. Police brutality, or the use of excess force pop up on Facebook feeds chronicling one their ideas and opinions. Highlighting fore their eyes. This is something that is ing the proof of the issue and acting upon ally see from our phones and computers. ample, a case on Market Street in San homeless man repeats throughout the insisting that he needed the crutches.
stepping on the man’s prosthetic leg. It
cial media, resulting in many opinions and arguments regarding the situation. an American citizen in the United States. percent of these killings. A data report student, choosing to remain anonymous,
ing riots against police brutality due to
to the ground. My head slammed to the the handcuffs on my hands, he tightened feel my blood circulating and that night
portunity to be the bystanders and the of crime, deaths and robberies.” After ment discussing shooting suspects and commenting about their heads exploding, the student did not change their mind. that police brutality is real. It is a problem one has the ability to see the problem and form an opinion on it. The proof is there, it’s
Esports
STAND OUT
ach year, thousands of high school students attempt to be recruited to top colleges and universities across the country, yet only a small percentage of them go on to compete for collegiate teams. Of the 7.4 million student athletes who compete in high schools across the United States, only 460,000, or 6 percent, go on to compete at National Collegiate Athletic Association Schools. Of this 6 percent, only 173,500 students play for Division I teams.
With talent spread across the country, scouts for Division I teams have their choice of the top high school athletes. How does a prospective recruit set themselves apart from the sea of student athletes in order to secure him/herself a spot at the school of his/her dreams?
As the recruiting director for Stanford Football, Mike Eubanks aids the coaching staff in hand selecting the players that will comprise Stanford University’s Division I football team. Some of his many responsibilities include planning and executing recruiting events as well as guiding prospective recruits through the rigorous process required to be accepted into Stanford. As only 10 coaches are allowed to have contact with recruits off the Stanford campus, Eubanks communicates with players via social media as well as email.
For Stanford coaches, a look at
step towards a possible scholarship. To a alone doesn’t cut it; a high GPA and challenging academic courses are required to even be considered. As Eubanks puts it, “If we wanted to get excited, we could reality, only two of them have the grades for Stanford.”
Using potential players tran-
out more about the prospects. Through
letters of recommendation as well as speaking with high school coaches, the coaching staff is able to get a better idea as to whether or not the player will be a
the ideal recruit as “that very very special young man who is not only exceptional in his sport, but also is high character and high academics.”
When examining a player, Eubanks and his colleagues look for a base athleticism and athletic capability, rath-
tion of coaching, rather than of one’s capability as an athlete. He adds, “you love to have someone that is coached in the same way that your college is coached, but that’s rare and that’s not the most important thing. A good player should be be able to come to college and be able
them. What you can’t change are those intrinsic, athletic qualities.”
In many cases, high school students have yet to reach their full athletic potential. For this reason, many coaches look at technique and agility factors rather than simply raw power or build.
that “They can get down low and play something that’s a little bit technique and a little athleticism, those are things that should be apparent at any stage of physical development. That’s not about whether you have a grown man’s strength or whether you have the muscle and advanced body weight that you will have later.”
After evaluating each player, coaches extend scholarships to those they feel would be the most valuable additions to their team. As a scholarship can be offered in a recruit’s junior or even sophomore year, it is imperative to maintain one’s academic standing as well as ath-
letic skill in order to hold onto their scholarship. Despite the time and effort taken by recruiters to offer scholarships to players, they are unafraid to let a student go if one aspect of their high school career no longer meets the requirements of the university.
As put by Eubanks, “there is a on” in order to earn a scholarship. Despite hard work, many students are unable to meet the criteria required to be formally recruited to a high performance football team such as Stanford’s. In this situation, many athletes choose to walk on to collegiate teams. Although walking on as a freshman may be disappointing to those looking to be recruited, through hard work many athletes are able to gain standing and succeed as collegiate athletes. For example, in 2014 alone,
scholarships after walking onto the football team as freshman.
and was immediately drafted into the National Football League, where he has every game this season.
To high school athletes looking to be recruited, Eubanks emphasizes the importance of “high character and self-discipline, which is manifested in time management. High school can be very busy and at times overwhelming, with everything expected of the high school student today. You add on extracurriculars on top of that. Managing and balancing real ambition and excellence with that second area of your life on top of being the absolute most excellent student that you can be in the classroom, it takes rare qualities to be able to pull that off. You have to have the drive that settles for nothing less than your best in everything that you do.”
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