Issue 6

SPORTS (p. 13-14)

A CLOSER LOOK (p. 7-10)

Head varsity football coach James Holan set to resign

The annual TPH Course Selection Guide details the difficulty and workload of classes, just in time to help you pick your schedule TUESDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2018

800 MAGNOLIA AVE. PIEDMONT, CA

VOL. 104

ISSUE 6

The Piedmont Highlander TPHNEWS.COM

School district discusses possible budget cuts at Feb. 1 workshop

Upcoming

@ PHS

THURS. FEB. 8 PHS SAC Meeting at 3:30 p.m. @ Student Center FRI. FEB. 9 - SAT. FEB. 10 1776 Musical at 7:30 p.m. @ Alan Harvey Theater TUES. FEB. 13 Education Speaker Series at 7:30 p.m. @ Alan Harvey Theater THURS. FEB. 15 PHS Site Council Meeting at 3:30 p.m. @ Student Center

Graphic by Gigi Gleghorn

Following projected deficit spending, the school district held a workshop on Feb. 1 to consider possible budget cuts with members of the community.

AZUL KOTHARI

Smegal.”

2019 school year. However, the projection While the state helps school districts does not take certain expenditures increases with pension costs, school districts must now into account, including teacher and staff On Thursday Feb. 1 PUSD held a budget shoulder a greater share of the costs than they raises, Booker said. workshop to discuss the possibility and used to, said assistant superintendent Song “Do you think I’m going to get away with implications of budget cuts. For the 2017- Chin-Bendib, who oversees the district’s not giving any of our employees a compensation 2018 school year, the district is scheduled finances. increase for three years?” Booker said.

“I think people need to understand that to spend $1 million more than it receives, The district bridges the $19 million gap according to a multi-year budget projection the state is between broken on report presented at the meeting.

L C F F However, the state of California, currently a structural funding “The million dollar question, no pun and in the midst of an economic boom, is expected level and their to give PUSD a one time $760,000 “bonus,” the funding intended, is will we have to cut?” challenges superintendent Randall Booker said.

Randall Booker “The million dollar question, no pun we face as a superintendent intended, is will we have to cut?” Booker said. district are Inadequate state funding, compensation not because increases for district employees, and changing of mismanagement at a district level but a expenditures with a flat parcel tax paid by every pension fund requirements are forcing the structural problem at the state level,” said household in Piedmont and through support district to deficit spend and dip into its Piedmont parent Allison Elvekrog, who from the Piedmont Education Foundation attended the meeting. financial reserves, Booker said.

(PEF), said Chin-Bendib. Together, the two Piedmont also receives less state funding make up one third of Piedmont’s budget.

“The state of California is not funding school districts, Piedmont included, to the than most school districts due to its relatively “We wouldn’t have survived without those level that they need to,” Booker said. “They wealthy socioeconomic demographic. In two combined,” Chin-Bendib said. “There’s are not funding what we call the base funding 2013, LCFF changed the way it gives money no Piedmont Unified without their parcel tax to schools. Whereas in the past schools or donations.” level appropriately.”

The base funding level, called the Local received LCFF funding as a flat dollar amount Chin-Bendib said parent donations through Control Funding Formula (LCFF), is the per student, the funding now comes in three PEF allow the district to provide students money the district receives from the state of categories: base funding, supplemental with an outstanding education. According to funding, and the PEF website, Piedmont Unified currently California.

This concentration ranks No. 1 in Northern California for students year the district f u n d i n g . who meet or exceed California’s English and will receive $20.7 With the Mathematics standards. million from the “We’re asking people to help new system, state, which is “We’re asking people to help us out. Give us out; we need your support.” schools with generously, we need your support,” Chin$19 million less more foster Bendib said. than the district’s Song Chin-Bendib youth, English current $39.7 During budget shortages, the district first assistant superintendent l a n g u a g e looks to cut programs that will not affect the million budget. learners, and classroom, Booker said. Last year, the district P i e d m o n t ’s students below cut around $120,000 through this approach. i n c r e a s i n g retirement fund obligations have also put the a certain socio-economic threshold receive Over the last few years, the district has budget under strain. According to a fact sheet extra funding, Booker said. also saved money by cutting outside contracts “[The state of California] said there are and hiring long term specialized staff instead, handed out at the meeting, 2014 pension costs of $1.6 million are projected to rise to $4.5 school districts out there that have higher need Booker said. based on their student population,” Booker million during the 2019-2020 school year.

“For those that have been paying attention, “That’s creating such upwards pressure said. this isn’t going to be a new conversation,” The multi-year budget projection showed Booker said. “I hope people come in with on expenses, and that’s really what’s causing the budget problems,” said budget advisory that if financial projections remained static, open minds about what the possibilities are.” committee and school board member Cory the district will cut $200,000 during the 2018web editor

MON. FEB. 29 - FRI. FEB. 23 President’s Week No School TUES. FEB. 27 Education Speaker Series at 7:30 p.m. @ Ellen Driscoll Playhouse THURS. MARCH 1 PHS SAC Meeting at 3:30 p.m. @ Student Center FRI. MARCH 2 ASB Night Rally at 7 p.m.

Ch eck out Article: 2018 Martin Luther King’s Day Celebration

Volume On Magnify the Muted Photo Gallery

Video: Dungeons and Dragons To see more, check out TPHNews.com

2

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The Piedmont Highlander

News

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The Piedmont Highlander

News

Youth Educators gain new faculty leaders

3

The Poster Policy What you need to know about the approval process to hang posters on campus

By Roy Connors

Steps for Poster Approval According to Assistant Principal Irma Muñoz

Member of Oakland Federation Mountain Biking Group senior Anders Bjork

it would be really nice “ I ifthink the administration had a Photo by Ella Lee

Social Psychology teacher Anne Aldridge-Peacock, one of the new faculty leaders of the Youth Educators program, instructs the high school students involved in the program.

RONI SCHACKER

on his Doctorate this year and simply would not have enough time or energy to give the program the attention it deserves.

“I felt that in the last year or so I wasn’t providing Lead. Explore. Ask. Respond. Navigate. This is an as much value to the program as Mrs. Carlson was so I acronym this year’s YEDs came up with together to lay didn’t necessarily feel like I was being the best person in the foundation for an amazing program. that position that I could be,” Hayden said. “I knew that Acting teacher Kim Taylor and Social Psychology this year I definitely wouldn’t have been because I have to teacher Anne Aldridge-Peacock are the new leaders of finish my dissertation.” the Youth Educators (YEDs), a program in which juniors Hayden and Carlson both worked on recruiting new inform eighth graders on high school related topics such as leaders for YEDs and immediately went to Taylor because drugs, alcohol, social media, and more. Training began on of her ability to create a positive attitude and culture on January 9th, 2018. campus and her skills in working with students, Hayden “The intent of Youth Educators is to implement a said. series of lessons for eighth graders,” Aldridge-Peacock “We felt that [Taylor] had really strong skills in that said. “One is to ease their fears about high school, two area and she has a strong enough personality that she could is to provide a familiar face for when they come to high work with all that,” Hayden school, and three is to said. “She actually asked me provide a broad education if I could stay on for another about decision making in year and help her out and I had high school.”

“In high school, there are a lot of different influences and forces that to decide for my own sanity to Aldridge-Peacock push you away from being who you truly are, and so it’s important say no so I’m really glad that said that because eighth to stress to the eighth graders to stick to their own paths.” she got [support from Aldridgegraders will be entering Peacock]. It really is a two a social media saturated Laura Bryan person job.” environment, being Youth Educator Hayden said that over the informed about the benefits years, it became harder for and dangers of technology him and Carlson to make sure is essential for them. that the bond the YEDs formed with the eighth graders “In high school, there are a lot of different influences everyone feels like they can be open to share because lingered when they moved onto high school. and forces that push you away from being who you truly if that’s not achieved, then no one wants to talk and “I think that really working on those relationships that are, and so it’s important to stress to the eighth graders your discussions are going to go nowhere,” Disco said. our juniors build with the eighth graders and I think that’s to stick to their own paths,” Youth Educator junior Laura “Also, respect all around is a huge factor for meaningful something that the two of them could really do,” Hayden Bryan said. conversation.” said.

On Sunday, Jan. 14 the Youth Educators along with Bryan said that Aldridge-Peacock and Taylor’s Hayden said that the YEDs program material is very Aldridge-Peacock and Taylor went on a retreat where they methods of strengthening their relationships with the outdated and feels that Taylor, with her background in not only learned about the intentions of the program, but YEDs have increased her excitement and investment in social justice, and Aldridge-Peacock, with her background about each other. the program. in social psychology, will be very up to date on the issues “There was value just in sitting and listening to each “Having them both as teachers as well as encouraging students are facing and will therefore do a great job in other,” Aldridge-Peacock said. “A quote that came from us to use their first names and making us build stronger incorporating that into the lessons. the retreat was ‘once you listen to someone else’s truth, it’s connections with them, I learned so much more about “[Carlson] was trying to help the juniors update the really hard not to like them’, and so I think the beginning them that I didn’t know before,” Bryan said. curriculum enough so it was relevant to today’s eighth of bonding together as a group has already started to In previous years, math teacher John Hayden and graders but still stayed true to the program,” Hayden said. happen.” school counselor Amanda Carlson were co-advisors for “I have a lot of hope for the program with the two of them Current Youth Educator junior Robin Disco said that the program, but the two were unable to participate this in charge.” after taking both Social Psychology and Acting I, he year for different reasons. Hayden said that he is working staff writer

realized that Aldridge-Peacock and Taylor use many of their skills in their own departments when teaching and preparing the YEDs for the program.

“They both teach very interactive classes that are more discussion based rather than lectures which I think is good because they can get on the level of their students,” Disco said.

Disco said that despite only having a few lessons, he has already learned so much about what makes interactions and conversations meaningful.

Bryan said that the fact that the two are teachers for such creative and expressive classes really adds to her understanding of the importance of the way someone teaches.

“One of the things that I’ve taken away from them so far is that it is important to make an environment where

MHS CAREER DAY

Compiled by Katherine Irving

On Jan. 23 during tutorial, MHS hosted its first career day. MHS principal Shannon Fierro said that while PHS Career Day is effective, it lacks presenters who chose a path other than a fouryear college.

The MHS Career Day was designed to compliment PHS Career Day, bringing in parent presenters such as a firefighter, a pilates instructor, a landscaper, and a fashion designer who attended community college.

clear set of rules that said that your poster must pass x, y, z. That would save [Muñoz’s] time, it would be a lot easier for everybody.”

All student groups/clubs are required to submit posters for approval.

Submit ONE copy of the proposed poster to the Main Office at least 3 days ahead of time.

Multiple copies can be made AFTER the poster is approved and has been stamped.

Use only blue painters tape to hang up posters.

Voice Cooperative Co-president senior Genevieve Raushenbush

There could be some more “ discussion around, or more clear guidelines at least, around the standards [for] the posters.”

After the event, take posters down and recycle.

Physics teacher Gauri Desai resigns “I love the Bay Area; I grew up here.” Desai said. “This is home. But, I’ve always wanted to live by the beach, so I guess you can have it all, just not at the same time.”

Apart from leaving the Bay Area behind, Desai said she is extremely sad to leave her students.

“It’s really hard to resign as a teacher.” Desai said.

“That’s the biggest heartbreaking thing about this. I was dreading telling my students on Wednesday.”

Junior Maeve Gilbert said she was as surprised as Desai was heartbroken when Desai told her class she would be moving.

“She said ‘Oh I have some news for you at the end of class’ and I was like ‘Oh maybe she got a dog’ and then she said “I’m moving,’” Gilbert said. “It was obvious she didn’t want to leave.”

Senior Eli Gutlaizer said he was just as shocked as Photo courtesy of Anna Fehr Gilbert was when Desai announced her resignation.

Physics teacher Gauri Desai resigned on Friday, Jan. 19.

“I was very surprised when she told us because she seemed very engaged in the class,” Gutlaizer said.

GIGI GLEGHORN Desai said she does plan to come back to see her seniors arts editor graduate in the spring and does not actually move until summer so she will be around. But, even though she is not Physics teacher Gauri Desai had her last day of moving right now, the logistics keep her from teaching.

“I just can’t sell the house and do all this stuff and then teaching on Friday, Jan. 19, after she told her class and still teach,” Desai said. “I couldn’t balance it all.” administration she was resigning. Desai’s husband got a Piedmont’s people are what Desai will miss most, she job in Ventura, prompting her family to move, Desai said. said, along with the This school year gorgeous campus was Desai’s first at and the school itself.

PHS, after taking a “[Desai] really liked her job here and I “I miss the idea 12 year long hiatus of being here for from teaching to don’t think she wanted to leave but she a long time and raise her kids. She left us in good hands.” being part of the taught one section of Eli Gutlaizer new building and Physics, and had 10 senior working with the students in her class, science department,” Desai said.

Desai said. “I’m “I was ready to going to miss everything.” do full time, but this was a great way to jump back into Gilbert will miss Desai’s passion for physics and teaching,” Desai said. teaching, she said.

The week after winter break, Desai said she told the “She was super enthusiastic about the class,” Gilbert administration she would be moving and resigning. They said.

“She wanted to be there which was kind of nice. She were disinclined to let her leave but ultimately understood made an effort to do projects and stuff with us.” her tough situation.

Now, Honors Physics teacher Glen Melnik is teaching “They were very understanding and said ‘Family first, the class and probably will be for the rest of the year, family first,’” Desai said. That’s what I love about the Gilbert said. people here. They understand.” “[Desai] really liked her job here and I don’t think she Desai said that she is reluctant to leave the Bay Area wanted to leave but she left us in good hands,” Gutlaizer and Piedmont, but is also excited for her new adventure said. in life.

M ath P athways What you need to know about the 4 proposed changes to the math curriculum

1.

2.

3.

4.

Middle school math compression would begin in 6th grade and compressed students would learn four years of math curriculum in three years.

The “summer bridge” summer school courses allowing students to compress after 6th grade would be discontinued, but students would be able to compress late through other methods.

The new recommendation would be for students to take either AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC but not both.

Honors Math Analysis would become simply a more rigorous version of Math Analysis rather than teaching some AP Calculus AB material.

These changes will be addressed at the School Board meetings on Feb. 13 and Feb. 28.

See ACL course selection guide on pages 7-10 for more information on next year’s courses Compiled by Mira Tellegen from information sent out by Title Nine Coordinator Cheryl Wozniak in an email to the school district

W hat’s ‘Sup?with Suppiger is taking a break this issue.

In this returning segment, staff writer William Suppiger examines our school policies in an effort to educate the student body.

Contact Will at wsuppiger@tphnews.com if there is a school policy that you want him to examine

4

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

CAMPUS

Ellis turns up the volume on issue of sexual harassment

Photo courtesy of Maddie Malan

Junior Gracie Ellis handed out bracelets and pins to students wearing red to jumpstart her club.

SARA SIQUEIRA

editor-in-chief

A mass of red, loud and eager, gathered around a table filled with magnifying glasses printed on pins, the words “Magnify the Muted” etched into bracelets, and “#VOLUMEON” written on sheets of paper.

Junior Gracie Ellis founded Magnify the Muted as an organization to reduce sexual violence by raising awareness of its prevalence in high school. On Jan. 22, Ellis asked students to wear red to help the movement gain involvement.

“I want to bring together groups of people from all grades and all genders who care about putting in work to raise awareness about the fact that sexual violence is happening so much more in high schools than people think,” Ellis said.

“I feel like we brush over it a lot.”

Ellis said she had been thinking about starting this organization for several months, and told her parents about it one weekend over winter break.

“In a matter of 24 hours, I constructed

the whole thing, made a logo for it, and made a plan,” Ellis said.

Ellis first announced her organization on Instagram, and when PHS alumna Daniella Mohazab, Class of 2014, saw the post, she realized Ellis’s efforts paralleled her experiences in starting her mental health website, Happy Pill.

Mohazab said she and Ellis talked on the phone for an hour and a half, sharing ideas for Magnify the Muted and insights about the root of sexual harassment.

“It gave me so much more confidence in starting [Magnify the Muted],” Ellis said.

To launch the organization and allow students to understand her mission, Ellis chartered Magnify the Muted as a schoolaffiliated club to hand out bracelets and pins to those wearing red on Jan. 22.

“We are trying to be loud and be a voice for people who cannot talk about it for whatever reason, and that’s why I wanted it to be red,” Ellis said.

Community outreach director of ASB junior Shannon Landeer said that clubs can

turn in forms to be chartered at any time of helpful,” Ellis said the year, and once a club is approved by Ellis said that the annual Consent ASB and the administration, it is official. Assembly is powerful, but does not Often clubs participate in club day to gain warn students about sexual harassment members, but Ellis publicized her club well consistently throughout the year. on her own, so not participating in club day “People can get shocked for a week, did not set her back, Landeer said. but there needs to be something where Mohazab also recognized Ellis’s people are constantly reminded that people success and said that executing an are looking out for [sexual violence],” Ellis informative event like Ellis’s requires said. drive and grit.

Mohazab said that Ellis also is aware “She did that so quickly with a turn of the importance of listening to one’s around of two weeks, which is unheard personal guard. of,” Mohazab said. “If these are just the “Sometimes people just want to fit in or first few weeks of what [Ellis] has done, figure out what they really want by forcing the possibilities are endless.” their guards down instead of letting their Mohazab also said Ellis timed her first guards down,” Mohazab said. “They force event well as it coincided with the Women’s themselves to accept that feeling that they March, the “Me Too” and ‘Time’s Up” don’t want to do something.” movements, and a focus on sexual assault As Magnify the Muted gains in the media. momentum, Ellis sais she hopes to bring Senior Ava Biehn helped design the speakers to campus and start fundraising. bracelets and pins “I want to end handed out on up raising money Jan. 22. to go towards “If these are just the first getting rape kits Ellis said she made bracelets few weeks of what [Ellis] in hospitals,” Ellis because sexual has done, the possibilities said.M o h a z a b ’ s harassment starts are endless.” from the party entrepreneurship Daniella Mohazab scene in high classes in college PHS alumna, class of 2014 school and she provided a wants to remind foundation for people not to her to start an cross any lines. organization, and “Now we can see people who are without parallel years of experience, Ellis is actively caring and I can approach someone on same level of maturity and intelligence about it instead of being muted,” Ellis said. as her, Mohazab said.

The event was so successful that they “With Happy Pill, I am really good used the backs of the club sign up sheets at thinking about the overall picture, but to fit all the interested students, Biehn said. the steps are hard for me,” Mohazab said. “[Ellis] has put so much work into “[Ellis] sees both and is taking these steps this club,” Biehn said. “I just was there and knows what’s next: both the big idea to support her and help with the pins and and how she wants to help people. It’s bracelets, but it is all her.” breathtaking how amazing she has done.”

Biehn said it is important to raise Ellis said that a goal of hers is to awareness and allow students to talk about increase involvement from boys because so sexual harassment as PHS does not have far, it has been easy to get girls interested. another club that solely focuses on it.

“I think growing it and keeping it on an “[Biehn] has been the person who has uphill slope instead of a plateau is what I been not just the support system, but been aim to and what I think is going to be pretty like ‘yes let’s do it,’ so that has been super hard,” Ellis said.

Technology department revitalizes Web Development and Design class MIRA TELLEGAN news editor S y s t e m . o u t . println(“webdesign”): this is computer code, the framework that allows millions of users to view the New York Times website, a Buzzfeed article, or even TPHnews.com. Code makes up everything.

Starting next year, the art of coding websites in the form of a Web Development and Design class will be added to the course selection guide, joining AP Computer Science Principles and Joy of Computing as an elective choice for tech-minded students.

The technology department is working with the administration to offer the Web Development and Design class, which will be offered next year as a software development career pathway for students, computer science teacher Irfan Ortak said. Ortak is slated to teach the class.

“We wanted to offer something that is both useful and exciting,” Ortak said. “We wanted to go for something new.”

Ortak said that although the

Web Development and Design class was offered years ago, it will be revamped and revitalized

by Ortak and the technology teachers, in addition to becoming a year-long class as opposed to the semester length offered before.

Ortak said that the class is intended for students who have some computer experience.

“If you consider our AP computer science principles as step one, this course will be step two,” Ortak said.

The class will teach students how to design and code a website for maximum functionality and how to use various programs to create the web pages, Ortak said “What we are hoping to teach is the mechanics of web design and the logic behind it, why we have this thing called web,” Ortak said.

Sophomore Sophia Zalewski has taken two computer classes and programs for the robotics team, and said she thinks that compared to other schools, PHS has relatively few computer options.

“I feel like there should be more diversity in the computer

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Campus

Students showcase special talents at first annual MHS Talent Show CASEY LANE staff writer

smiling, Hood followed. The pair exchanged some scripted banter before Wilde introduced himself as the opener. Producing a guitar, he played a snappy rock song, he said he wrote, himself. “[I chose to write an original song] because a big part of the talent show is individuality,” Wilde said.

At the end of his song, Hood remerged and the two announced the first act: PHS sophomore Iain Brown on the jazz piano. Brown said that this was the first time he had played at a talent show, but the atmosphere felt like one where he could just be himself.

Students, staff, and family members packed into the Piedmont Community Center, filling seven rows of white fold out chairs, eager faces glowing in the warm light. Toddlers fidgeted quietly with their jackets, parents beside them, and teens grouped around the stage, excitedly exchanging whispers.

MHS hosted its first annual talent show on Jan. 26, attracting student performers from both schools, their friends, and families.

“It’s the first annual talent show, so if it “[MHS] is a school where a goes on for a really long time, lot of people are very unique, I think it would and I think that one of the be cool that I best ways to show that is was part of a tradition,” said through a talent show.”

MHS sophomore Nick Wilde Chloe Hood, MHS junior who was a coemcee for the event.

MHS aimed to create a relaxed atmosphere, “It felt great [to perform],” welcoming all students and giving Brown said.

“I’ve never them a place to showcase their performed in front of this type talents. They focused on making of audience before and it was sure everyone had fun and felt amazing.” comfortable performing in the The unique vibe Brown space, said MHS ASB member described was exactly the junior Nick Wilde, who was the atmosphere MHS was trying to other co-emcee. create. Drawing inspiration from “[MHS] is a school where a similar event that happened a lot of people are very unique, at the biannual Camp Augusta and I think that one of the best retreat, MHS ASB wanted to ways to show that is through a recreate that feeling, Wilde said. talent show,” Wilde said. “Not “We [tried] to capture that everyone’s talent fits in with the feeling of a close, ‘anyone can classes you can take. This is a do it’, low-stress [environment],” good way for people who have Wilde said. a lot of interesting and unique After the Camp Augusta trip talents to show them off in a way at the beginning of the school that they wouldn’t be able to year, MHS ASB looked at the otherwise.” calendar, and noticed that there The show started with Wilde, were no ASB events from late in a sleek leather jacket and thick January to early February, Wilde black sunglasses, stepping onto said. After brainstorming, they the stage. Rosy cheeked and saw the obvious answer: another

talent show.

“We thought, ‘what’s something we could put here that would be fun and not super expensive,’” Wilde said.

The next act during the show featured MHS sophomore Sophia Baker played Hotel California on a banjo, plastered with a collection of stickers, accompanied on vocals by PHS sophomore Leo Putnam. Baker said she knew the chill atmosphere of MHS would translate to the show, making the event particularly exciting.

“It was really cool seeing what other people could do and what their talents are,” PHS freshman Zachary Savage said.

After the initial acts, students as well as audience members jumped to share a talent on the spot during an open mic portion. Among them were MHS principal Shannon Fierro’s three sons, performing magic tricks and singing a song. “[I really liked] that little kid’s magic trick,” Savage said.

“He just pulled a flower out of nowhere.”

Finally, MHS junior Enzo Malaspina improvised some major shreddage with PHS freshman Liam Charron.

Malaspina said that his partner couldn’t make it, so he had to come up with the act on the spot.

“Can I crank it?” said Malaspina to the audience halfway through his performance.

After some shaky nods of approval, and hesitant parents covering their children’s ears, he said that the amp wasn’t actually that loud, and finished off the night with a fast paced guitar riff.

Hood said that the show was a success, and that she was excited MHS had a chance to organize an activity for for both schools because it often happens the other way around.

“We are [hosted] our own event,” Hood said. “It’s big for us, and we are proud of it. I hope this is a chance to show people we do really cool things here too.”

Photo by Casey Lane

Senior Will Dalton played the guitar and senior Jonathan Dinetz sang when they performed together at the Friday night MHS talent show.

T alent Show Participants

Meet Me @ Rosamunde Sausage Grill SAMANTHA FANGER AND SARA SIQUEIRA chipotle, Rosamunde Sausage Grill is not afraid to push acl editor and editor-in-chief Location: Swan’s Marketplace 911 Washington, Oakland CA 94607 Hours: Sun-Tues 11a-10p Photo courtesy of Mira Tellegan

In the new Web Development and Design class, students will create code similar to TPHnews.com’s code.

classes,” Zalewski said. “We should have more options which is why I’m glad they’re having a Web Development class.”

Zalewski said that designing a website could be a useful skill for students to have.

Junior Robin Disco, who has taken three computer classes, said that as jobs expand to involve more work with computers, coding will become an important skill to have.

“I think it’s definitely important because most of the things people see are web pages,” Disco said. “When people are actually surfing the web, they’re going to be looking at web pages, so [web design] is very important to know how to do.”

Ortak said that most people’s lives are very linked to the internet, so web design is becoming more valuable and applicable, which is why he is excited to offer and

teach the class.

“Considering that everything is on web, it’s a good career,” Ortak said. “Web design always excites me.”

See ACL course selection guide on pages 7-10 for information on next year’s courses

5

The Piedmont Highlander

Wed-Sat 11a-11p

Notable menu items: chicken habanero sausage mission street sausage vegan Italian sausage

Rosamunde Sausage Grill: a meat-lover’s -- and vegan’s -- heaven. In the midst of Swan’s Market, one of two restaurants dedicated to the craft of serving gourmet sausages, this perfect lunch spot brings the classic hot-dog to a whole new level. With options ranging from chicken cherry to hungarian to vegan

limits. The chicken habanero sausage is a classic choice that is the perfect combination of tang and spice. To the vegetarian and vegan foodies, Rosamunde’s did not forget about you. The vegan italian sausage excels as a meat substitute and has a kick of spice. Each sausage is served on a French roll.

If quality, handcrafted sausages alone do not entice you, the toppings and unique condiments, and collection of hot sauces will. Will you spice up your meal with beef chili, sweet peppers, or mango chutney?

For those seeking a taste of adventure, Rosamunde’s offers a spin on the traditional condiment, with options like curry ketchup and garlic-pepper mayonnaise.

However, these toppings are not all necessary because the sausages themselves contain distinct and unique flavors.

Rosamunde offers a hip, rustic atmosphere with long indoor picnic tables that provide ample seating.

They also have an outdoor seating area, where customers can enjoy their meals and ginger beers with a pleasant street view of Old Oakland. It is a perfect place for a friend outing as it provides both a casual and social setting.

SCHEDULED ACTS

Senior Julia Cole

Senior Nick Wilde

danced

original song on guitar

Sophomore Iain

Junior Enzo Malaspina

Brown

played guitar

“Summertime” on piano

OPEN MIC

Junior Lhamo Dolma, senior Tenzin Dadon danced

Seniors Jonathan Dinetz , Will Dalton sang and played guitar

Sophomores Sophia

Junior Jermey Baker dad jokes

Freshman Liam Charron guitar

Joaquin Fierro, Gael Fierro magic

Baker, Leo Putnam

Ramon Fierro

sang and played banjo

sang

6

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The Piedmont Highlander

Campus

PADC encourages conversation with “Let’s Talk!” workshops ELLA LEE staff writer Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

The Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee (PADC) extends Mandela’s idea, organizing a series of workshops called “Let’s Talk!” with the goal of creating a common language for talking about diversity that will reach hearts, PADC co-president Kobi Eshun said.

PADC encourages any and all Piedmonters, especially students, to attend to engage in a discussion to further the appreciation of diversity.

The first session was on Feb. 5, and the next two are Feb. 11 and 12, both taking place at Ellen Driscoll Theater from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The morning portion of each is Session One, and the afternoon is Session two; ideally, one would attend one of each, Eshun said.

Sara Wicht, a member of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance leads the workshops. She had also led a series of trainings before this school year started with the District faculty, creating a common language for talking about diversity, Eshun said.

“We realized it could be a great opportunity for the community at large, not just the leaders,” Eshun said. “One objective [of “Let’s Talk!”] is to get as many people as we can to Session One, to begin to hear the language and excersize using it.”

The building of this common language began during trainings that took place over the summer, and will continue in these “Let’s Talk!” workshops. Those trainings and the workshops on Feb. 11 and 12 were prompted by a multitude of emotionally unsettling things that occurred last year.

This includes the results of the election and the religiously and racially intolerant action taken by students, Eshun said.

“Our second objective is about capacity building, in the wake of emotionally wrenching things last year,” Eshun said.

“It’s to give community leaders leadership, discussion and moderation tools, so we

Graphic by Gigi Gleghorn

have people who know how to deal.” the next bubble,” Eshun said. “These These workshops are for building the bubbles turn into sort of tribes, and it’s a skills to cope with these problems in our short step from being in different tribes to community, so we are able to speak and mistreatment of the other tribes.” converse about what might sometimes feel According to an email sent by Title taboo, Eshun said.

IX Coordinator Cheryl Wozniak, these “We have workshops earthquake are tailored drills; we specifically have fire to open up preparedness P i e d m o n t ’s “Now more than ever, we need drills, but what bubble. tools to engage as humans, we don’t have is “They’re face to face, to restore the an emotionally trying to wrenching appreciate, community fabric which has preparedness respect, and been cut across.” drill,” Eshun accept all Kobi Eshun said.

“Now aspects of PADC co-president more than ever, everybody’s we need tools culture, to engage as and I think humans, face to that’s really face, to restore important,” the community Joseph said. fabric which has been cut across.”

“It’s the stereotype that we’re all white The community needs this dialogue to here, but there’s more culture than people break out of the bubbles of like-minded see.” people we tend to shelter ourselves in, The hope of PADC is that many Eshun said. students and community members will “We have no idea what goes on inside participate voluntarily, Eshun said.

“Since it’s optional, a lot of people skip out because they feel like it’s not essential to their life,” Joseph said. “I would go if I had time, but other students might not.

Since it’s not a part of my schedule, I might not go.”

If students do not have time to attend this particular event, there are other opportunities for students to get some exposure to the importance of diversity, said Eshun. For example, there was a mandatory Diversity Assembly on September 15, and there will be another like this called Diversity Flex Day on Tuesday, March 27.

“The assembly coming up is a good idea,” Joseph said. “It’s hard to fit in stuff like this when there are other priorities that the school needs to focus on, but I think this is something that should be reconditioned every once in a while, for everybody.”

While the assemblies are mandatory, there are also many other opportunities for students to voluntarily get involved in promoting a dialogue about diversity in the community, even beyond the “Let’s Talk!”

Workshops, Eshun said.

Junior Laura Bryan said she is working with PADC to create a Diversity Awareness Festival, a voluntary event open to the community to take place sometime in May. “The main goal of the festival is to stop microaggressions and implicit bias, and to be more accepting of one another, uniting the community,” Bryan said.

Bryan said that she plans to reach out to the social justice clubs to offer them a booth at the event. There will be speakers, but also fun games, similar to a carnival.

There are a multitude of ways to get involved, and students can attend more than one event. Bryan said she is planning on going to the “Let’s Talk!” workshops in addition to organizing her own event.

“Don’t just go to the session; really use the tools, really think hard about the language,” Eshun said. “Find people who are not in your bubble, and connect with them.”

A skill even more valuable than talking is listening, Eshun said.

“Get out there and listen,” Eshun said.

“It’s easy to get caught up in theory, but in the end it’s getting out there and being open to listening.”

A CLOSER LOOK A key to this guide: is rated within a department

is rated across all departments

>> how intellectually challenging the course is on a scale of 1 to 5

>> how much time a student spends on the class outside of school on a scale of 1 to 5

biggest assignment only applicable to certain classes

This annual guide is designed to help students choose courses for the upcoming school year. The ratings in this guide are based on the opinions and research of TPH staff members. For classes where there was not enough representation, we gathered opinions from other PHS students.

English 1-2

English 3-4

difficulty

difficulty

workload

English 5-6

N/A

English 7-8

English 5-6 Honors

AP Literature

difficulty

difficulty

workload

N/A

Anton Rosselli

Tess Fleser

Asian Americans in the media

Colds

Artificial intelligence

Differences in youth soccer between Europe and U.S.

Gender bias in medicine, especially hospitals

ADVICE FROM TWO SENIORS Ella Nielsen “Make sure you pick a topic you actually care about, because you’re spending so much time on it. Really take advantage of the class time you are given to work on it.”

2.

Eli Gutlaizer “Pick a good topic that you are interested in, and definitely do not procrastinate.”

Photos and information compiled by Yasi Parsa

difficulty

Public Speaking difficulty

workload

workload

workload

Speeches

Joy of Computing difficulty

Alice animation

workload

Greenfoot final

AP Computer Science Principles workload

Create and explore tasks

workload

Paradise Lost

Creative Writing

difficulty

difficulty

workload

Summer reading

Exploring Computer Science Helena Lowe

workload

PSA

Poetry book

Eleanor Hoffpauir

difficulty

workload

I Search

I -Search Topics

Anthony Wong

workload

difficulty

difficulty

1.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2018

AP Computer Science A difficulty

workload

Balloon race

Web Design and Development This will be a new course offered next year. It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and experience needed to develop, implement, and manage effective dynamic websites.

Key development concepts and tools include HTML, CSS, JavaScript and DreamWeaver.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The Piedmont Highlander

A Closer Look

difficulty

workload

difficulty

difficulty

workload

difficulty

Spanish 3 in Action

difficulty

workload

AP Mandarin

French 4 Honors difficulty

workload

difficulty

workload

Family scrapbook

AP US History

AP European History

Civics

Given the extenuating circumstances of this year, we cannot provide an accurate rating for the course.

Given the extenuating circumstances of this year, we cannot provide an accurate rating for the course, nor are we certain that the course will be offered next year.

difficulty

difficulty

workload

difficulty

Currently, the administration is still developing the Math Pathways for the 2018-19 school year. For more information, please refer to page 3 in the News section of this issue.

In the 2017-18 school year Common Core math courses offered include: Integrated Math 1, 1/2A, 2, 2B/3, 3 and 1/2/3 Lab

difficulty

N/A

difficulty

Chemistry

Honors Chemistry

workload

difficulty

difficulty

Honors Statistics workload

Final study

difficulty

workload

workload

Food additive poject

N/A

ROP Biotech

workload

Anatomy

workload

difficulty

GDHP lab

Dissecting cats

AP Biology

AP Environmental Science difficulty

workload

difficulty

difficulty

workload

Tree test

workload

Labs

workload

N/A

N/A

Statistics

workload

Biology

Calculus BC workload

difficulty

workload

Mock trials

Velocity lab

workload

Law and Society

Mini study

difficulty

difficulty

Make a bill

Urban plan

Honors Physics

N/A

Calculus AB

workload

workload

Website

Math Analysis

difficulty

Psychology

Genetics project

Website

workload

Human rights presentation

difficulty

AP French workload

difficulty

workload

Final presentation

N/A

AP Spanish

difficulty

workload

AP Test prep

Spanish 4 Honors

workload

US History

Modern World History

Economics

Storybook

Movie

difficulty

French 3

workload

difficulty

workload

workload

Food project

N/A

A Closer Look

Soap opera

Mandarin 4 Honors workload

difficulty

difficulty

Travel video

Spanish 3

difficulty

French 2 workload

Movie

difficulty

workload

N/A

Mandarin 3

Spanish 2

The Piedmont Highlander

World Cultures and Geography

difficulty

workload

N/A

N/A

difficulty

French 1

Mandarin 2

Spanish 1

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

difficulty

workload

N/A

9th grade coed PE difficulty

workload

N/A

Upper Division PE difficulty

workload

N/A

Weight training difficulty

workload

N/A

9

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The Piedmont Highlander

A Closer Look

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FEBRUARY 6, 2018

OPINIONS

Please, just give us back our bathroom Art 1-4

Ceramics 1-4

AP Art 2D

difficulty

difficulty

workload

workload

N/A

AP portfolio

N/A

AP Art 3D

Acting 1

Acting 2

difficulty

difficulty

workload

difficulty

difficulty

workload

Symphonic Band

Performances

Acapella girls/boys

Advanced Acapella difficulty

workload

difficulty

workload

Plays

difficulty

Chamber Choir difficulty

workload

workload

Concert

ROP Culinary Arts workload

Video

Social Psychology workload

workload

Music presentations

Dance*

Orchestra difficulty

workload

Performances

Music presentations

Music presentations

workload

Scenes

Jazz Band

Acting 3-4

difficulty

difficulty

workload

Final monologues

AP portfolio

difficulty

difficulty

workload

difficulty

workload

Dance concert

Classes not rated in this guide:

ASB ROP Journalism Introductions to Publications Yearbook/Photojournalism Directing and Production for Stage AP Music Theory Honors Math Analysis Physics Mandarin I Finding Community Special studies/Learning Center

*There are three separate Dance classes (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), but as they have the same curriculum we chose to combine their ratings

Research Miles Fawcett Susan Kuroda Clarissa Lam

Editing and Design

Samantha Fanger Katherine Irving

Final essay and letter

If you have any questions or comments about this course selection guide, please contact the editors at editors@tphnews.com

receive very much supervision, but so far, the girls have number of girls. not proven that they are doing anything wrong. Yes- we There are currently 19 available toilets for females at MAGGIE do go to the bathroom in groups, but the only thing we this school, including the gender neutral bathrooms. The BLACK do is chat, redo our hair, California Department staff writer and fix our makeup. of Education’s 2013 CA And, of course, use the Plumbing Code states bathroom. that for every 30 females The girls should not at the school, there must CA Plumbing Code requires have to suffer through be at least one toilet Ten minutes to go. Eyes shift to the clock. Two the long wait for the provided. Even with the minutes to go. A feeling of restlessness and anticipation at least 1 toilet per 30 female restroom or feel the need recent bathroom closure, sweeps over everyone. Feet poised, arms tense, girls line students. to go during their next PHS is currently compliup at the edge with only 30 seconds to go. period and miss valuable ant with the CA PlumbBrrrrrrrring! class time. Instead of ing Code. However, the The bell rings, and we’re already in motion. Ten girls keeping both bathrooms wait for the bathrooms from my class take off, creating a stampeding herd as closed, the administramust be remedied; the they race away- not to a finish line or to food service, but tion should reopen the lines are still unbearable. through the halls to the bathroom. downstairs girls’ restroom, so that everyone can use the The lines are not the only issue, however. Often Due to the recent closure of the downstairs bathroom bathroom before they go back to class. times, the girls run out of feminine products, paper in the 30s building, extremely long lines have become a Passing periods are towels, soap, and toilet paper. Granted, the administration very common theme in not the only time when has provided means to reach out and fix these problemsthe upstairs girls’ baththis is an issue; the meaning that it is the students’ responsibility to update room. This leaves only lines during brunch are the administration when the supplies in the restrooms are three stalls in the 30s also chaos. There is no running low. However, only the administration has the building, not includThere are 22 total available toiroom in the restroom ability to reopen the downstairs bathroom. ing the gender neutral lets for females on campus. itself, and the wait is I do not want to wait in a ten minute line every time bathroom. I understand out the door. Brunch is I need to use the restroom. I want to be able to use the that the boys’ bathroom the time when students bathroom without worrying about whether or not I have downstairs was closed can use the extra five enough time, when there are still nine minutes left in because there was not minutes for themselves, the passing period. I do not want to have to sprint to the enough supervision to but recently, this has not been an option. While a crowded bathroom and then sprint to my next class right after that. monitor the use of drugs. However, this is not an issue in bathroom on occasion is acceptable, this has now become I know there are many others who feel the same way. the girls bathrooms. the norm, and it is creating an inconvenience for a large Give us back our bathroom.

I am aware that the downstairs restroom does not

Seniors fall short at the rally We cannot achieve this if only half of our grade shows up. I am proud of the students that showed up at the rally for PATRICK our class. We won the tug of war event AEBI against the juniors, despite having to win sports the event twice because of a questionable editor call by the referee. We were incredibly The beat of the drum and the chattering energetic, helping our representatives win events, and despite our small turn out, of the students guides everybody into the we all had a lot of fun together. I am also Binks Gym. All students alike from every proud of our ASB representatives. Even grade are packed shoulder to shoulder as they enter and look upon a sea of blue, red, if we did not have the most students in the gym, our section definitely looked the green and orange. Students soon take their best. The bottom line is we need more seats and cries of “One-Eight!” start to fill seniors to show up at the rallies. the gym. This is the scene that all of the I do understand why many students seniors would have liked to see and hear on did not come. There was a Biotech Jan 19. However, they were meant with a field trip the same day, which took 20 half filled senior section. students. I do not know why a field trip would be scheduled on the day of a rally.

According to our attendance office, 28 seniors were absent on the day of the rally. The senior class is composed of 208 students. In other words, over 10 percent of our class did not show up to the rally. We also have the smallest class out of the entire high school, Being one of the last rallies, I was so that could make it look like we do embarrassed by the senior turnout. Students not have many people showing up to the filled their class sections while the senior rallies. section was half empty. Despite us winning As the senior class, we must all show certain events, the turnout was still miniup for the final rally since this will be our mal. If more seniors showed up we could final chance to bond together as an entire have won all of the events. The seniors need class.

We need to make it an incredibly to win the cheering event, and the sophomemorable event and we must show the mores won at this rally. As a member of the other grades what school spirit looks like. senior class, I was disappointed, and I know We also must fill our student section and that members of our class sitting around me cheer on our class of 2018 as we take on shared the same emotion. As seniors, we are the other grades.

I definitely know that I expected to have the most class spirit and will be at the final rally, will you? set an example for all of the other classes.

Thirteen percent of the senior class did not show up to the recent Winter Rally, which is 28 people.

Contact Patrick at paebi@tphnews.com

Contact Maggie at mblack@tphnews.com

Friendly competiton Red Sox vs. Yankees, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Celtics vs. Lakers, Ali vs. Frazier, Piedmont vs. Bishop O’Dowd. TPH asked nine of our sports teams who their biggest rival is and seven out of 10 said O’Dowd. Our women’s water polo team motto is even “Beat O’Dowd.” At first, this possibly one-sided rivalry seems to have sparked a spiral of conflict between the two nearby schools. However, healthy competition can be positive. Our friendly rivalry with O’Dowd has never led to hard feelings between students at both schools. If anything, it has brought the two schools closer together. Off the sports field, students at the two schools can bond over their shared friendly competition.

The O’Dowd rivalry allows teams to find their passion for the game and determination to succeed. This consistent competition pushes athletes to train to reach their full potential by the time the long-awaited O’Dowd match comes around. Whether it stems from athletes on the Piedmont and O’Dowd teams knowing each other from club sports, or the close proximity of the two campuses, this rivalry brings out classic high school spirit.

In addition to energizing those on the field or court, it brings community members together. The anticipation for a good competition increases supporter turnout and further invigorates our school spirit. At any Piedmont vs. O’Dowd game and even away games at O’Dowd’s campus, the bleachers are filled with a loud mass of purple. Piedmont students may be hesitant to scream their graduation year at rallies, or even attend, but when they see a Facebook event titled “Slay the Dragons” they show up, ready to cheer on their classmates regardless of the sport.

Throughout the years, Piedmont and Bishop O’Dowd have been competing in almost every sport that the two high schools share. According to MaxPreps.com, Piedmont has a record of 45-64-2 against O’Dowd across all varsity sports. Especially in sports like football, Piedmont usually loses. Even this past season, when Piedmont lost a brutal game 0-54 at O’Dowd, there was still a packed visitors section, filled to the brim with all shades of purple.

So far this school year women’s varsity soccer and cross country both defeated O’Dowd, and we still have spring season to continue this upward trend. The more purple we wear, the more school spirit we have; the more school spirit we have, the more we beat O’Dowd; the more we beat O’Dowd, the more our record improves. The more our record improves, the better we are, all around.

-TPH Editorial board Contact the editors: editors@tphnews.com

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FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The Piedmont Highlander

Opinions

Use your head to protect your head NATHAN CHIN staff writer

If I knew then what I know now, I would have acted differently.

On Nov. 12, 2015, my life changed completely.

Helmet buckled, skates laced, and stick taped I rushed out on the ice for what should have been my last shift of the game. The faceoff was in our defensive zone. I won the faceoff with ease, slipped past the first three defenders and dangled past the last two, flying down the ice at full speed. I could hear the wind in my ears, I could feel the rush of adrenaline increasing my distance between the other players, I could feel the wave of excitement overcoming me as I raced towards the goaltender. I shot the puck with full power.

The next part is a little bit fuzzy.

After I woke up, I remember being knocked off balance and hitting my head on the cold, metal goal post.

I was dazed, spacey, and my head hurt. Yet, I remember feeling like I had to fight through the pain, and skated to the bench. I knew something was wrong, so I sat out

There has been a 200 percent increase in concussions in high school sports in the last decade.

my next shift. That was the smart thing I did. But I went

back out later, despite feeling like I was in a fog and that my skull was compressing. This is when I should have stopped.

Too many high school athletes, like me, return back to the game instead of stopping and getting medical attention. It is a group responsibility between parents, players, and coaches to ensure the safety of the players.

According to the Brain Injury Research Institute, there are an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 concussions a year in high school sports, seeing a 200 percent increase within the last decade. Unfortunately, only less than half of these incidents are reported, leaving many athletes vulnerable to second hit syndrome.

According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the most common reason athletes abstain from reporting head injuries is because they believe the incident is not severe enough to warrant medical attention. Additionally, athletes also face pressures from their parents and coaches, scholarships, and the need to win at all costs to continue playing.

We need to change this by educating athletes on the importance of reporting incidents when they happen.

The medical consequences prove detrimental to unreported concussions as athletes leave themselves at high risks of permanent brain damage and longterm effects. Athletes need to learn to stop playing and immediately report incidents to their coaches, parents, and doctors. They need to learn to play it safe.

It was not until hours after the game when I reported my symptoms and incident to my parents. I had not told my coach in fear that I would be prohibited from playing in the future. I should have told him the second I woke up.

Although coaches get concussion training, they need reminders in the moment to value their athlete over the

MONICAL staff writer

I tack on one more thing to my mental checklist as I read an email from the administration about community service. The stress continues to build as I try to map out a way to fit this in with all of the tests, quizzes, projects and essays, not to mention daily homework. My mind races, running laps around how I’m going to manage my time efficiently enough to do all of these things. I desperately wonder why I am required to do community service to be part of the Honor Society, considering the idea of community service is to help others, not to help oneself.

Community service should not be a requirement for the Honor Society. Requiring community service devalues the ideals of community service, supplanting the desire to help others with ambitions for personal gain. On top of this, it is difficult for students to complete all of their hours with the amount of work they already have to do.

In most high schools the requirement for the Honor Roll is purely GPA. Our Honor Society requires a

Most schools only have a GPA requirement for their honor rolls.

3.6 GPA on top of 15 hours of community service for a sophomore. In junior year, on top of studying for the SAT or ACT, extracurriculars and having the most difficult classes, to make the Honor Society one must complete 25 hours of community service. Students already have

to stress to get a 3.6 GPA, not to mention squeezing 25 hours of community service into their hectic lives.

Regardless of whether students manage to fit their community service hours into their already flooded lives, the core idea of community service is to help other people. However, requiring community service negates this idea. Students are only doing the community service for personal gain. I know that I would not do community service if not for Honors Society. Honestly, the only reason I am going to do it is because it is another achievement to

Sophomore year 15 hours are required, junior year 25 are required and senior year, 35 are required.

put on my college resume.

I understand that the community service aspect of the Honor Society pushes kids out of their comfort zones and provides motivation to do good for the community.

I agree that this should happen more often in Piedmont, as we live in a bubble that is distanced from the reality of most of the rest of the world. Even so, I think that students should do this on their own accord. They will not learn as much if they do not want to be doing the community service in the first place.

We live in a community where excellence is expected.

Students stress about their academics constantly, some even checking their grades multiple times a day. So when the Honor Society requires community service, many students will cram the hours into their already busy lives, detracting from activities that they are passionate about.

Contact Max at mmonical@tphnews.com

SPORTS

Holan set to resign from head coach position

There are more than three million US cases of reported concussions per year. sion or what does it feel like?” How can they possibly protect themselves if they lack the basic medical knowledge behind concussions? Concussion protocols should not only educate players on how to prevent concussions but also on how to recognize and report them.

There seems to be inherent animosity between coaches and doctors in sports. Coaches want to do what is best for the team and win games at any cost, while doctors neglect the outcome and focus primarily on the players’ health.

Although coaches often try to maximize their players’ potential, you can never be too safe when it comes to head injuries. It’s not just about the score.

Fast forward two years later, I have grown a couple inches, my braces are off, I am a junior in high school.

Yet, my headaches still remain. They come every day.

Morning. Afternoon. Evening. In the car. During exercise.

They are still there.

Let me serve as your reminder to stop playing and report.

Less than half of concussions in high school sports are reported.

Want to help, not because it’s required MAX

score. In turn, coaches need to train and educate their players on recognizing the symptoms and causes of concussions. Many of my fellow classmates have asked me questions like “how do you know if you have a concus-

13

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Contact Nathan at nchin@tphnews.com

The

Piedmont

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Royden Connors Sara Siqueira NEWS EDITOR Mira Tellegen CAMPUS EDITOR Margo Rosenbaum A CLOSER LOOK EDITORS Samantha Fanger Katherine Irving OPINIONS EDITOR Shay Hempeck SPORTS EDITOR Patrick Aebi ARTS EDITOR Gigi Gleghorn WEB EDITORS Azul Kothari Jeremy Wong PHOTO EDITOR Ty Ozsoy MANAGING EDITOR Yasi Parsa STAFF WRITERS Maggie Black Nathan Chin Miles Fawcett Susan Kuroda Clarissa Lam Casey Lane Ella Lee Owen Levinson Max Monical Roni Schacker William Suppiger Marta Symkowick Nina Tafapolsky ADVISER Beth Black

Highlander Editorial policy: The Piedmont Highlander, a publication conceived, planned and produced by students, is also the product of an academic elective program. Certain guidelines must be put into practice ethically and legally. Journalistic in nature, TPH attempts to inform and entertain its audience in a broad, fair and accurate manner on all subjects that affect the readers in the areas of academics, clubs, sports and all other aspects of student life.

The entire student body of Piedmont High School constitutes the target audience of the newspaper with secondary audiences including school personnel, community members and other journalism groups.

Content focuses on coverage that will meet the wants and needs of the majority of the student body. The staff not only allows but also encourages constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper before or after distribution, but final decisions will be made by the editorial board and adviser.

If deemed necessary, the administration will be consulted concerning questionable material. No material, opinionated or otherwise, that is libelous, irresponsible, advocates an illegal activity or which the editorial board or adviser deems in poor taste will be printed or posted online.

Equity policy: TPH maintains a policy not to discriminate through printed material against any person or group on the basis of race, gender, nationality, religion, creed, age, profession, sexual orientation or disability.

If you feel TPH has strayed from this policy, please contact Beth Black, TPH faculty adviser.

Subscriptions: Parents or others may subscribe for $45 for one full year. The subscription can be combined with the yearbook, the Clanolog. Advertisement policy: TPH has the right to accept, reject, edit or cancel an advertisement at any time. If the business has paid for the ad, the payment will be refunded in full. Advertising shall be free of statements, illustrations or implications that are offensive to good taste. Advertisements that are racist, sexist or offer an illegal product for sale will not be published. Ads that TPH accepts are not an endorsement from the staff, adviser, administration or the PUSD. TPH is a ROP program through Contra Costa County.

Piedmont School Piedmont High High School 800 Magnolia Avenue 800 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, 94611 Piedmont, California California 94611 Phone: 594-2883 Phone: (510) (510) 594-2883 Fax: (510) (510) 540-0425 Fax: 540-0425

Photo courtesy of Dale Turner

Holan talking to his team after winning the first round of the North Coast Sections against Lower Lake high school 24-19 on Nov. 10.

SHAY HEMPECK AND CLARISSA LAM opinions editor and staff writer

On Jan. 30, varsity head football coach and paraeducator James Holan announced his resignation from PUSD, due to a new coaching position in Canada.

Holan said he is pursuing a college coaching position in British Columbia, however he cannot release all the details until the contract is signed.

“Something I’ve always talked about with our kids here is not having regrets,” Holan said. “I knew that if I passed this up and didn’t take a shot at it then I would have some major regrets.”

Athletic Director Joe Welsh said he was one of the first people to hear the news from Holan, a few weeks prior to the announcement, but said they are already starting an interview process for a new coach.

decision making.

“She’s been the best thing that’s happened to me over the last year and a “Being the head football coach at half,” Holan said. “Since we got engaged, Piedmont is a big deal, and it’s important all these amazing other opportunities have that we do an extensive search and presented themselves and it’s a lot of change at once, to say the least.”

Junior Paul “His enthusiasm for football is Woolcott said he was disappointed unmatched, and that’s something that upon hearing the you can’t replace,” news.

Paul Woolcott “I was junior shocked at first, but once I really understood it, I’m happy for the guy, because I really process,” Welsh said. “We already have some very interested and qualified internal want what’s best for him, and he’s just candidates that we’re excited about.” taking his next step in coaching,” junior Holan said he also recently got Marshall Petty said.

Welsh said he is looking forward to the engaged, which had a big impact on his

coach hiring process.

“For football obviously there’s going to be a little bit more scrutiny in the process,” Welsh said.

For the interview panel, Welsh said they will have a parent, an administrator, and football players, to make sure a lot of thought goes into the process.

Welsh said that current coaches have an advantage over external coaches, but nothing is certain yet.

“We especially prioritize coaches that have a lot of Piedmont coaching experience,” Welsh said. “As well as teaching experience in the district, which there are some candidates.”

Holan said he has already put his recommendation in as replacement for the head coach, hoping for one of the three current coaches: Lucas Denman, Nick Safir, or John Trotman.

Holan changed the culture of football at Piedmont, Welsh said.

“He built a very tight knit culture around the team, with a lot of the fun traditions that you see as a fan at the football field,” Welsh said. “Like the bagpipes and the chanting after wins,” Welsh said.

Holan said he took pride in preparing the boys for life, instead of protecting them from it.

“He taught us more than just football,” Petty said.

Welsh said that Holan lived for football, and that his legacy will continue to motivate the boys for the coming season.

“His enthusiasm for football is unmatched, and that’s something that you can’t replace,” Wolcott said. “But I think our team has a really good shot of doing something special next year.”

Although Holan said he is sad to leave, there are certain things he won’t miss.

“Not going to miss walking up PE Hill,” Holan said. “But I’ll definitely miss the people.”

Student coaches share their passion for the game MARTA SYMKOWICK staff writer

Four young eighth grade boys bounce their basketballs around the new burnt-red court, stopping occasionally to dunk on the small, pee wee baskets. Enthusiastically weaving and joking, they jump up and down, mimicking professional players under the afternoon sun, as the smell of new rubber wafts through the air. Finally, senior basketball player and coach, Emmett Reed, ball in hand, calls out to them, and in they all hussle.

Reed and senior basketball player and coach, Ben Barrett, have been playing basketball together since elementary school and thought it would be interesting to Photo courtesy of Maria del Rosario Chan experience the coaching side of the sport, Reed said.

Junior lacrosse player and coach Zoe Torok, Costello, and del Rosario Chan (from left to right) coaching through the Hat Trick Program.

Reed and Barrett coach fourth and eighth grade basketball through the Piedmont Recreation Department, Reed said.

“When kids first start they are always hard to work and teaches the young players a lot of valuable lessons that They have been instructing since the spring season of with because it takes patience on their side and my side,” don’t just apply to sports,” Costello said. sophomore year.

Becker said. “They think it will be easier, and when it’s One of the most important things del Rosario Chan High school athletes decide to coach younger players harder than they expect, they give up.” hopes that the girls she coaches will take away from their because they love their sport and want to connect with Coaching also reinforces the values of leadership and time together is to be hardworking, del Rosario Chan said. kids through that passion, responsibility, sophomore “Talent does not always win,” Reed said. sophomore tennis player lacrosse player Maria del Reed also wants his players to come away Emily Becker said.

Rosario Chan said. understanding that hard work and dedication determines “I hope that the players learn Becker and sophomore, del Rosario Chan works which athletes win a spot on the floor, Reed said.

Audrey Call, coach tennis at at the girls lacrosse program “I hope that the players learn perseverance and goal perseverance and goal setting the Piedmont courts through called ¨Hat Trick¨ that her setting and teamwork,” Costello said. and teamwork.” the Piedmont Recreation dad started last year.

However, it can be hard to motivate the young players Amelia Costello Center, Becker said. They ¨Hat Trick¨ is a nonprofit and keep them engaged in the drills, especially if they sophomore first learned about this organization with the goal are beginners who usually have to perform very tedious opportunity through their to encourage girls on the exercises, Costello said. But even though there are coach who needed extra west coast to start playing challenges, she would still encourage high schoolers to volunteers. lacrosse at a younger age. She coaches with former coach.

Working with younger children has helped Call to lacrosse teammate sophomore, Amelia Costello.

“I would definitely recommend teaching younger kids better learn many skills including patience, Call said.

“I learned that coaching helps me improve as a player because it lets me play the sport I love while also sharing with other people,” Becker said.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The Piedmont Highlander

Sports

Reicher juggles and flips his way through life

Photo courtesy of Graham Reicher

Reicher juggling and enjoying other fun activities at the Rockridge out and about festival on Sept. 17 2017.

NINA TAFAPOLSKY staff writer

The Great Wall of China.

Tourists walk along the ancient stones, as they take in the green landscape. For one red haired boy, however, this incredible scene is upside down.

“When I go to any new spots, or when I travel on vacation, I like to take pictures of myself doing handstands,” freshman Graham Reicher said.

During his trip to China a few years ago, Reicher did his handstand ritual on the Great Wall of China, in front of a government building, and on a boat tour.

As a part of the Oakland Kinetic Arts Center, and Circus Smirkus back on the East Coast, Reicher spends a large portion of his time doing handstands, back flips, side flips and back tucks.

In addition to doing an unconventional activity, Reicher came into the world in an unconventional way. His father actually delivered him, Reicher

SP ORTING EVENTS WED. FEB. 7 Women’s Varsity Soccer Vs Arroyo @ 6:00 p.m.

FRI. FEB. 9 Men’s Varsity Basketball Vs Berkeley @ 7:00 p.m.

TUES. FEB. 13 Women’s Varsity Basketball Vs Encinal @ 7:00 p.m.

FRI. FEB. 16 Men’s JV Basketball Vs San Leandro @ 5:30 p.m.

FRI. FEB. 23 Men’s Varsity Lacrosse Vs DeLaSalle @ 7:00 p.m.

SAT. FEB. 24 Men’s Varsity Baseball Vs St. Helena @ 2:00 p.m.

said.

“I was born at a gas station in a car,” Reicher said.

As a kid in Vermont, Reicher would go to New-England based Circus Smirkus shows every summer. He watched the performances under the blue and white-striped pointed tent, eyes focused on the performers’ bright costumes, and he found himself yearning to be a part of it, Reicher said.

“I had grown up seeing the shows and I really wanted to perform,” Reicher said.

Reicher’s mother Carole Parker said that she remembers Graham juggling clementines in the kitchen while she flipped pancakes, marking the first time she noticed his interest in circus.

Reicher said that he attended the Circus Smirkus camp in Vermont for six summers, his passion for it only growing with each session.

In elementary school, Reicher played various sports including lacrosse, but none of them really

clicked. The physical ability was there, but he felt that the games lacked creativity, Reicher said.

“Sports are just the same game, same rules every time,” Reicher said. “With the circus you can always change the game.”

With his interest in acrobatics

nervous.”

It would not take long, however, for this center, equipped with bright colored mats and a chandelier made of various kitchen supplies - whisks, graters, and glass bottles - to become like a home for him, Reicher said.

A few years ago, Reicher sent in an audition tape to Circus Smirkus in hopes of joining the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour that he had wanted to be a part of when he was a kid. The entrance process was not easy, Reicher said.

“The first year I sent in a video, and didn’t get to the live auditions, the second year I got to the live auditions but didn’t get in, and then the third year I got in,” Reicher said.

With his acceptance into the Circus Smirkus program, he set off to Vermont to start the preparation for the tour, a long and tiring process, Reicher said.

“I had grown up seeing the shows and I really wanted to perform,” Graham Reicher freshman

and his experiences at Circus Smirkus camp, Reicher started pursuing gymnastics. The long commute, however, steered Parker to sign him up for the Oakland Kinetic Arts Center.

“My mom suggested going here and I didn’t really want to,” Reicher said. “I started taking parkour classes here, that was my first class, and I was really

“The 30 performers train and rehearse for three weeks in Greensboro, Vermont,” Parker said. “Then they hit the road to compete with a European style big top tent, cook bus, coaches, counselors, tent crew, for a 70-show seven week tour that travels to 17 cities and towns in the Northeast and performs for tens of thousands of people every

summer.”

Reicher was actually the main role in the Smirkus show titled “Midnight at the Museum” this past summer.

“There is a curator of the museum and I steal his key and I open all of the archives of the museum,” Reicher said. “I let all of the parts of the museum out, and I have to try to put them back.”

Reicher said that he enjoyed the ‘on-the-road’ lifestyle that he experienced over the summer, and that it helped him develop a newfound independence.

“You have to take care of yourself,” Reicher said. “You are always going to new places and you always have to be very courteous to everyone because they are inviting you into their homes.”

Even as they constantly move from place to place, the troupers, who spend every single day together, form amazing connections and become like honorary family to each other.

They also eat a lot of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, Reicher said.

“Especially with Circus Smirkus , we are all really connected with each other because we are with each other ten hours a day for pretty much three months,” Reicher said. “So we all know each other really well and we are all friends.”

Read more about Reicher at TPHnews.com

Behind the Bishop O’Dowd rivalry

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FEBRUARY 6, 2018

ARTS

Piazza, the music director who never falls flat ELLA LEE staff writer Choral Musical Director Joseph Piazza came to Piedmont on a bet.

“Looking back, I think, ‘Crazy!’” said Piazza with an energetic smile, throwing his arms into the air and shaking them, as though he were doing jazz hands.

His plan of action was simple: go to a travel agent, request fares for Chicago or San Francisco, buy the cheaper ticket. At first, the agent quoted a fare to O’Hare cheaper than to SFO, so Piazza accepted the Chicago flight. But in a dramatic twist of fate, the lady offered an even cheaper round-trip flight to the Bay Area, determining his future, Piazza said.

“I will never forget that. I walked out onto the main street and I went, ‘I’m going to San Francisco!’” Piazza said with his hands up in the air, palms to the sky. “I literally rolled the dice.”

This lucky turn of events eventually brought Piazza here, on the Alan Harvey Theater stage conducting nearly a hundred and fifty students.

Piazza teaches A Cappella, AP music theory, and taught acting for about ten years prior to current acting teacher Kim Taylor.

Over his 30 years of instructing at PHS, he’s watched high schoolers grow, seeing the music change people.

“Watching someone suddenly discover they can sing, to me that’s amazing,” Piazza said.

“I’ve seen someone who was quiet and shy suddenly become exuberant and be able to express

themselves.”

Piazza majored in voice performance and education at Northwestern University. Like Shakespeare, Piazza seamlessly switched from acting to becoming musical director of travelling summer musicals. He worked as a director with the summer stock musicals, the American Conservatory of Theater, and conducted at North Carolina.

“The thing that I learned is that there are many avenues to pursuing a career in music, and it doesn’t have to be as a performer,” Piazza said.

“Performing is one piece of it; teaching is another piece of it, arranging, composition, music production… You don’t have to Photo by Ella Lee be Jay Z. It doesn’t have to be a With music theory written behind him, Choral Music Director Joseph Piazza adresses his A Capella classes. spotlight role.”

Piazza is not only a skilled conductor, but also a dedicated probably echo through the music stems from his originally come into contact with,” Merickel teacher, junior Lucy Merickel building, but we always make up classical training. Piazza said said.

Piazza has worked with a said. afterwards.” that as a child, he played piano “You can tell he really loves Piazza’s skill at teaching AP with a teacher who demanded multitude of choirs: Piedmont Choirs, San Francisco Boys what he does,” Merickel said. Music is the most special thing professionalism from him.

“He gets us to appreciate music about him, D’Annunzio said.

“As a kid I was surrounded by Chorus, and Golden Gate Men’s by not just getting us to sing it, “I don’t know in my 20 years [classical music], because I was Chorus (GGMC), where he has but getting us to understand it if there has ever been a person constantly listening to Chopin been musical director for eight on a deeper and Schubert years.

“The biggest difference level.” and Beethoven,” between GGMC and PHS is that P H S Piazza said.

“I “Watching someone suddenly discover M u s i c desired to be at high school, you have to be they can sing, to me that’s amazing. I’ve able to play like an educator, whereas the men all Assistant Jan D’Annunzio seen someone who was quiet and shy those masters.” know how to read music already,” k n o w s Piazza uses Piazza said. suddenly become exuberant and be able Piazza has achieved a career Piazza better his classical to express themselves.” than anyone, training in the from teaching music, and though Joseph Pizza as they go c l a s s r o o m , he’s spent time in the more choral music director back almost doing traditional glamorous performer’s role, 20 years, songs in Latin he doesn’t have any regrets, D’Annunzio along with the Piazza said. Rather than being said. pop songs that the soloist in the spotlight, he is the conductor behind the music “We’re like an old married who has not passed the AP test,” make A Cappella so popular. couple,” D’Annunzio said. D’Annunzio said.

“He exposes me to a lot of stand, helping the kids achieve “We have disagreements that His expertise of AP Music music that I otherwise wouldn’t their own spotlight moments.

Six freshmen steal the stage while singing, acting in ‘Les Mis’

WILL SUPPIGER staff writer

Favorite food? Mac & cheese. Pasta. Tacos. Team pump-up song? “Almost Famous”. “No Hands”. “Snow”.

Biggest Rival? Bishop O’Dowd.

Bishop O’Dowd. Bishop O’Dowd.

Last issue, TPH asked captains of men’s basketball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer who their biggest rival was and all three said O’Dowd.

Piedmont plays Bishop O’Dowd High School in every sport, and for most teams such as men’s soccer it is one of the most important games of the season,

Photo courtesy Carlton Chan

Junior lacrosse player Elie Cole sprinting down field in a 10-9 loss against Bishop O’Dowd last year on May 5.

stands and practice harder in the week leading up to the game,” Varsity football captain senior Cole Kingston said.

Sports such as lacrosse, basketball, and “Lots of people love to see soccer post on the Piedmont-O’Dowd rivalry, social media so lots of people show up,” or create faceRafael Stankiewicz book events sophomore to invite more people to their games.

“Lots said men’s varsity soccer captain of people love to see the Piedsophomore Rafael Stankiewicz. mont-O’Dowd rivalry, so “We have more people in the lots of people show up,” said

Stankiewicz. “We also publicize the game more than usual.”

The O’Dowd vs. Piedmont rivalry has been going on for a while and one of the earliest memories for women’s varsity soccer coach Dan Chubbock was when Piedmont played O’Dowd in the NCS finals in 2012. It was a scoreless game that eventually went to penalties, and O’Dowd barely won, Chubbock said.

Chubbock said that it is a good natured friendly rivalry and it stems from the Piedmont and O’Dowd players who are often friends outside of school or play club soccer together.

Varsity softball captain junior

Camille Creighton said her team always assumes the role of the underdogs when they play O’Dowd, and they have never won.

Creighton said this does not discourage the team; it only makes them play harder. Piedmont holds an overall record across all sports against O’Dowd of 45-64-2 according to MaxPreps.

“O’Dowd is our biggest rival, and other than NCS, the biggest game of the year,” Stankiewicz said. “We have a history with them and it’s a tradition that the O’Dowd game is where we fight the hardest.”

Photo by Clarissa Lam

Freshmen performed in “Les Misérables” on Jan. 27 and 28.

MARGO ROSENBAUM campus editor The lights darkened on the historic Julia Morgan Stage and the soft buzz from jittery families and friends ceased.

High school-aged actors, clad in the clothes of the 1700s and 1800s, crept onto the stage and positioned themselves amidst the blackness. In an instant, the yellow lights appeared, music began to play, and the actors, six PHS freshman among them, opened their mouths to sing.

Freshmen Claire Fraser, Ella Meil, Emily Adams, Erica Lam, Sadie Tschider, and Sebastien Suter Ternynck all acted in Berkeley Playhouse latest show for teenagers, “Les Misérables” (Les Mis). The show had four performances, with a matinee and night show on both Jan

27 and 28. The actors rehearsed three days a week since PHS freshmen become much closer, Tschider said.

“Theater is really weird because you get to see things October in preparation for the shows at Julia Morgan about other people that you don’t normally get to see in Theater, Lam said. regular life,” Tschider said. “It is a different kind of thing “Les Mis” takes place around the time period of the when you are talking to someone verses when you are in French Revolution, depicting the stories and challenges front of them singing. It is nerve wracking but it really of each character. Most of the characters are poor and are brings people closer together.” trying to get more rights since they are suffering, Lam said Adams, Fraser, Lam, Meil, Tschider and Suter “[The characters] are going against the army and most Ternynck all take Acting I at school. Acting outside of people die, so that is why it is called ‘The Miserable,’” school usually has one goal, which is preparing for a show, Lam said.

Tschider said that she and Lam share their role of so everything they practice and learn is in preparation for that. However Acting I at school Éponine, so they each act in the involves learning about acting role for half of the shows. itself, without preparing for larger “Éponine is one of the poor “[We] sing a lot so it is productions, Adams said. people and her parents are thieves hard on [our] voices, but “It is very different because so they go around stealing from we go from different topics like poor people,” Tschider said. “She also we love to sing,” Shakespeare or Comedy [in Acting wants to join the revolution, but Erica Lam I], but with ‘Les Mis,’ you only she is a girl. She ends up dressing freshman have one part and you really have to up as a boy to fight with the other evolve to that one part,” Lam said. male students and then dies in the Another difference between first battle.” acting at school and acting at Berkeley Playhouse is that All of the roles that the PHS students had required the cast is comprised of students from all different high much singing. One unique aspect of ‘Le Mis’ is that there schools, Meil said. are no lines spoken, since the whole story is told through “It is also a little different because in the acting class music and singing, Lam said. we know all of the people that are in the class, because “[We] sing a lot so it is hard on [our] voices, but also we have been going to school with them,” Meil said. “But we love to sing,” Lam said. with Berkeley Playhouse, it is new people each time.”

Prior to all being cast members of “Les Mis,” the PHS Tschider said she enjoys getting to know students freshman were all friends since they have all been doing at other schools as well as her classmates at PHS better Berkeley Playhouse for a while and knew each other at school, Meil said. through theater.

“It was just kind of a coincidence that we all ended up “It is kind of cool to see the people in all the different doing it together,” Meil said. friend groups at school come together in theater,” Tschider Acting together outside of school has helped the six said.

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FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The Piedmont Highlander

Arts

Food, space, and coffee inspire student doodles

Photos by Nina Tafapolsky

For the Doodle 4 Google project, freshman Sam Nooney replaced Eggo with Google. Freshman Athen Chang was inspried by space and water, while freshman Rafaella Gomes was inspired by coffee.

NINA TAFAPOLSKY staff writer It is not just about the Astronaut floating across the star-studded galaxy. It is also about the attachment chord swirling into a ‘g.’

It is not just about the yellow Eggo box that sits patiently in the freezer, awaiting breakfast-time. It is also about the iconic red logo twisting into another word containing ‘e’ ‘g’ and ‘o.’

These two drastically different images hold one familiar message in common. They are both intended for Google’s Doodle 4 Google contest, which accepts entries from students K-12 across the nation every year. Art teacher Gillian Bailey asked all of her classes to start off the spring semester by entering this contest.

Space and waffles served as inspiration for freshmen Athena Cheng and Sam Nooney’s entries into the annual contest. They both followed the contest’s prompt: “What inspires you?” as they creatively incorporated the word ‘Google’ into each of their respective doodles.

“I like that the prompt is really personal for the student, and that the student isn’t thinking about what somebody else would expect to see,” Bailey said.

The contest’s judges - including actor Neil Patrick Harris, US Olympic Gymnast Laurie Hernandez, and former Major League Baseball player Carlos Beltrán - will choose the student who they feel most successfully fulfills the prompt. The winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for their school.

“The National Winner will have a behind-the-scenes experience with the Doodle team to transform their Doodle into an interactive experience on Google.com,” according to the Doodle 4 Google website.

Bailey said that the personal nature of the contest’s “It is almost like taking a break in the middle of class prompt serves as a great way for her to learn more about and then you come back reenergized,” Wiebe said. her students.

The adult coloring book and extreme dot-to-dot “I don’t always know that a certain summer experience movements indicate the meditative effect of doodling, at a camp, or that a certain combination of sports is what Bailey said. really inspires people,” Bailey said.

“It is almost like the idea of yoga, where all of your Bailey said that students also learn a lot about each muscles and your focus is on the thing,” Bailey said. “So other because the project allows them to get past the fear it is a break, a relaxation thing, a reset button almost, and of being judged about their interests. it can be fun.”

“They’re all being very vulnerable and putting that on Bailey said that doodling also serves as a medium for paper,” Bailey said. “I think that some people might realize subconscious artistic expression because there is no fear that they have a lot more in common than they thought.” of judgement.

For most students, “I think when you are however, doodling takes trying to make something place outside of art class. pretty, you lose a lot of that “I feel like people will go straight Whether it is above a math authenticity,” Wiebe said. problem, in the margins of In lieu of being glued to Snapchat, Facebook, or a handout, or in the tiny to one’s phone, Bailey said Instagram rather than create squares on graph paper, that she wishes more people their own thing.” students find a way to would doodle, regardless of Gillian bailey doodle-away. their drawing experience. art teacher “I like drawing people’s “I feel like people will eyes,” sophomore Julie Ray go straight to Snapchat, said. “Or I will draw just Facebook, or Instagram the nose and mouth, but rather than create their own usually not a whole face.” thing,” Bailey said.

While teachers may think that doodles distract from Wiebe said that doodling has served as a bonding the content of their classes, according to Psychology experience for her as well.

Today, they do just the opposite.

“I remember my friend and I, in fourth grade, used “Doodlers are actually not ‘spacing out,’ but are at to draw little stories on the back of our math sheets,” said least somewhat ‘in the moment,’” Psychology Today Wiebe. “We would make little comics and that was really writer Cathy Malchiodi said. fun and it helps you kind of bond.”

Junior Olivia Wiebe said that she views doodling as Whether doodling for Google, or on a math test, Bailey a way to help her refocus in class when she starts to feel has one message: bored.

“Doodle away.”

Who knew the founding fathers/mothers could sing OWEN LEVINSON

what real events may have looked like,” said junior acting student Ben Stormer, who plays Thomas Jefferson. “You get The names George Washington, more information when you see it rather John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson are than just reading dates and individual most commonly heard in history class. achievements.”

These men founded our country, fought In “1776” the stories and relationships for its independence, and protected our between America’s Founding Fathers freedom, but is it possible for them to are depicted. Many of the characters have accomplished all these feats while are known for helping in the creation of singing? These figures are studied and the United States but how they worked learned through textbooks and lectures, together during its creation is difficult to but would students learn more sang rather visualize from reading, Stormer said. than read? Historical plays allow people to “When you read books, you can’t learn through song and dance on a stage see how the characters really interact,” rather than in a Stormer said. textbook. “[Musicals] This year’s h u m a n i z e winter musical characters, and “ [Musicals] humanize is “1776,” a allow you to see characters, and allow you story based their opinions to see their opinions and on the events and their leading up to struggles.” their struggles.” and after the Historical Ben Stormer junior signing of the plays like Declaration of “1776” draw Independence. many types The musical of people to focuses on the theater, John Adams efforts to persuade the other especially those who may not go normally founding fathers to declare independence attend plays, said junior acting student from Britain and sign the Declaration. The Abigail Seevak, who plays John Hancock. play will have four performances, one per “Plays like this draw people in,” night on Feb. 3, 4, 10 and 11.

Seevak said. “For people who already like “In historical plays, you get to see history, it is interesting to them, and even staff writer

Photo by Mira Tellegen

The “1776” cast practices in full costumes. Their last shows are on Feb. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.

for people who aren’t very interested in history can enjoy learning about an event in history.”

Plays are more enjoyable for some people, and can help people learn more than from just reading, siad junior acting student David Morris, who plays John Adams.

“It can be easier to learn about things in the past if there is a catchy song in your head,” Morris said. “They can be learning without even knowing it.”

The decision to perform “1776” is part of a plan to introduce the actors to a variety of musical styles and genres, Seevak said. “[Musical director Amy Moorhead] likes to expose us to different types of plays by introducing plays from different

time periods and places in the world,” Seevak said.

In recent years, Moorhead and her actors have put on plays including The Cripple of Inishmaan, Legally Blonde, and The Sound of Music.

“These plays help broaden our repratars and increase our knowledge of different kinds of shows,” Seevak said.

Additionally, “1776” is the second musical at PHS to institute gender neutral casting, following The Cripple of the Inishmaan which was performed last fall, Seevak said.

“There are very few guys who do musical theater,” Stormer said. “So allowing the plays to be gender neutral allows more people to get involved and