Construction continues at Gunn.
Students share summer stories abroad.
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Palo Alto Unified School District Henry M. Gunn High School 780 Arastradero Rd Palo Alto, CA 94306
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Henry M. Gunn High School
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Monday, August 14, 2017 Volume 55, Special Edition
780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306
New principal Kathie Laurence excited to return to Gunn Amanda Lee
served as a liaison for career technical education, English, position in another district—I would be a little suspicious, visual and performing arts and science. She also managed so I thought we would get better candidates just internally.” Advanced Placement testing, athletics, new course develSenior Carolyn Wang, a student representative on the On July 3, former Palo Alto High School (Paly) Assis- opment, blended learning, Focus on Success, Sources of committee, describes the committee’s decision process. tant Principal Kathie Laurence became Gunn’s principal. Strength, TEAM (which is the Paly equivalent of Gunn’s “We would meet with certain candidates, ask them some She replaced Dr. Denise Herrmann, who ninth-grade program “Small Learn- questions that we had selected beforehand, read over their resigned on May 24 to take a position ing Community”), Flex Time, tech- qualifications and then we would meet with some people as associate superintendent at Fremont nology integration, parent education that they have worked with,” Wang said. Unified School District. After Herrmann and professional learning. Laurence Parent representative Jane Dick says the committee was announced her resignation, a committee believes her responsibilities at Paly looking for a principal who could act collaboratively with comprised of a Gunn administrator, three gave her a general perspective of everyone at Gunn. “We were looking for not just someone teachers, three parents, two students and the many programs a principal has that would work well with teachers, but would also work another school employee convened to to juggle. “That broad well with parents evaluate candidates and recommend one range is nice to have, and students, espeto Superintendent Dr. Max McGee. The and our roles change cially students and “I think that the first part of my princommittee unanimously recommended each year so everybody administrators, and cipalship will be listening, talking Laurence out of four candidates, and got to learn a little bit also work well with and getting to know what Gunn is McGee recommended her to the school something new,” she within the district,” now. I’m not coming in as a change board for the principal position on June said. “So, I did it for she said. “That’s a 26. Two days later, the school board ofseven years [and] I feel tall order, but that’s agent; I’m coming in to continue the fered Laurence the position. pretty well prepared to what we were lookgood work that’s being done.” Laurence is an alumna of Gunn’s come into Gunn and ing for.” Class of 1975, and coming back to Gunn k ind of oversee t he English teacher —Principal Kathie Laurence is akin to a homecoming for her. “It’s whole big picture.” Marc Igler, who was pretty awesome, and thinking back to According to McGee, early in the also on the principal selection committee, adds that the my 17-year-old self as I graduated, not selection process, the district decided committee wanted a principal who could fit into the niche Photo Courtesy of Palo Alto Unified School District in a million years would I have thought to choose an administrator already of Gunn principal well. “We were mainly looking for that I would be principal here,” she said. “It’s very exciting.” working in the district due to the late notice of Herrmann’s someone who was right for Gunn,” he wrote in an email. After graduating from Gunn, she got a bachelor’s de- resignation. “People who aren’t in the district have already “We had a set of criteria and a level of experience we were gree in psychology and a master’s degree in education made the decision to either stay where they are or take a new looking for, but mainly it was a matter of whether their from Stanford University. Before she became an assistant position, so we would not have had a very strong pool of approach, on an educational level, was one that we felt principal, she was a social studies teacher at Paly for fifteen outside candidates,” he said. “And in fact, if somebody was would be a good fit.” years. During her seven years as assistant principal, she leaving at that time to come to Palo Alto—leaving another Principal—p.2 News Editor
Changes from 2016-17 schedule
2017-2018 Bell Schedule
• Mandatory Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum • Replacement of optional Thursday after-school Tutorial with mid-day FlexTime • A period after lunch twice per week • B and E periods are each 85 minutes once per week • School ends at 3:35/3:40 three times per week Courtesy of Gunn website
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News
THEORACLE 780 Arastradero Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 354-8238 www.gunnoracle.com
Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Deiana Hristov Managing Editors Grace Ding Janet Wang News Sohini Ashoke Carolyn Kuimelis Amanda Lee Forum Caroline Ro Kaya van der Horst Kristen Yee Features Emma Chiao Chelsie Park Grace Tramack Centerfold Stephy Jackson Aleks Tycz Sports Paulo Frank Bridgette Gong Jack Mallery Lifestyle Megan Li Yael Livneh Katie Zhang Changing the Narrative Joanna Huang Photo Editor Richard Yu Graphics Editor Sherry Chen
Staff Business/Circulation Eric Epstein Assistant Business/Circulation Ryan Manesh Copy Editors Laurel Comiter Jennifer Gao Liza Kolbasov Oracle/TBN Liaison Ayala Tzadikario Oracle/SEC Liaison Kaya van der Horst Graphics Artists Tiffany Chen Mina Kim Grace Liu Jeffrey Yao Photographers Max Wang Reporters Joy Huang Tech Editors Julia Cheunkarndee Andrew Zhao Adviser Kristy Blackburn
Construction to significantly impact accessibility of campus Caroline Ro Forum Editor Beginning in the winter of last year, parts of Gunn’s campus have been fenced off to students due to an ongoing construction project to modernize the school. Construction will update the fire alarms, HVAC (heating and cooling technology), lobby and bathrooms of the Spangenberg Theatre, as well as attach instrumental and choral music classrooms. A new two-story building will be built in place of the old Student Activities Center with five new media arts and social sciences classrooms for classes such as journalism, yearbook and graphic design, along with a College Career and Wellness Center. The new center will consolidate facilities for nursing, guidance, Adolescent Counseling Services and psychological support. Throughout this summer, the music classrooms and the old Student Activities Center building were demolished, which involved about a month of asbestos abatement to carefully remove potentially harmful asbestos-containing materials (such as insulation, tiles or plaster) from the building. This was followed by a process of steel, concrete and wood separation for recycling purposes. The land for the new buildings has also been graded to provide a renewed and more stable foundation. Underground sewage, gas and water lines have also needed to be relocated to make room for the new buildings. Tom Hodges, the construction project’s program director of Fs3 Hodges, says the relocation of pipes has been one of the few complications the construction team has run into, and that it can be attributed to the over-50-year-old campus. “We're finding utilities every day, it seems like,” Hodges said, “That's been the big challenge
so far.” This has set the project about two weeks behind schedule, although Hodges holds that there is plenty of time to catch up. For the rest of the academic school year, students can expect that much more of the campus will be fenced than last year. On Thursday, August 10, however, fencing along the west side of the school was moved about 30 feet into the construction after construction plans were rearranged to open up a larger walking path for students. Fencing around campus construction will also block off wheelchair accessible paths this year, forcing students who normally use these paths to go out to Miranda Avenue to travel from the Science Building to the N Building. Assistant principal of facilities Tara Keith has already “spoken to teachers about the first couple of days, when we're learning new routes across campus,” on the importance of being understanding and cognizant. Construction will be in progress during class times, as an ordinance from the City of Palo Alto requires campus construction to stay within the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. While Keith understand that this may become an inconvenience to classes especially during testing times, though there is not much that can be done to limit noise. It is increasingly important to “[be] communicative as a community,” to minimize disruption, according to Keith. Spangenberg and the new two-story building will be available to move back into as they are completed. Renovations in Spangenberg Theatre and the new music classrooms are projected to be completed and moved back into by August of 2018, while the new two-story building is expected to finish in December of the same year. “It'll be really, really tight but we're hoping to make it,” Hodges said.
Top: The old Student Activities Center is torn down. Bottom: The area around Spangenberg is fenced off as foundations for new buildings are laid.
Photos by Grace Ding
New principal hopes to improve communication Principal
According to the San Jose Mercury News, some parents urged the district at school board meetings to be cautious of hiring a Paly administrator for the job, due to their concerns that the Paly administration was tied to the recent sexual assault investigations at Paly. Dick said this was an issue that the committee discussed at length while considering candidates. “The committee as a whole was very aware that there was a group of Gunn parents who had strong concerns,” she said. “We did discuss that before we even reviewed any candidates and met anyone, so I would say that, we tried to set some concerns, [but] not necessarily a mandate that we don't consider anyone from Paly. So we were very conscientious in thinking about what candidates' involvement had been in the situation at Paly.” All three committee members agreed that Laurence stood out to them as a strong principal candidate because of her experience, knowledge of the local community and ability to work with the students, parents and staff. “[Laurence] really checked all the boxes,” Igler wrote. “She has years of experience in Palo Alto as both a teacher and an administrator. She’s familiar with every aspect of the community and has a very sound approach to educating kids—she wants to make school engaging and challenging and wants to make everybody want to be here.” Wang emphasized Laurence’s commitment to Paly. “With all the people that she had worked with, they all had very specific instances where she stepped up for the students, or she stepped up for parents and took a lot of responsibility on herself,” Wang said. “And obviously being a principal means you have to balance multiple interests, and she definitely showed that she could do that.” McGee said that Laurence was the first choice of everyone on the committee. “We had
a discussion afterwards, and we talked about the strengths of each candidate, about the challenges each candidate might face, about areas where they might need to grow and improve," he said. "We ranked in order the candidates and [Laurence] was the first choice of every single committee member. So she was unanimous first choice.” Laurence plans to spend the beginning of her role reacquainting herself with the Gunn community. “I think that the first part of my principalship will be listening and talking and getting to know people and what Gunn is now,” she said. “I'm not coming in as a change agent, I'm coming in to continue the good work that's being done here and support it in whatever way that looks to be going.” Both Wang and Igler agreed the lack of communication between the administration and the
“She has years of experience in Palo Alto as both a teacher and an administrator. She’s familiar with every aspect of the community and has a very sound approach to educating kids—she wants to make school engaging and challenging and wants to make everybody —English teacher Marc Igler rest of the Gunn community is an issue Laurence would have to face in her first year. “There were a lot of bumps in the road in recent years, times when students and teachers felt they were not listened to and decisions were made behind closed doors,” Igler wrote. “One good first step [for Laurence to make] would be to ask the people who are on campus every day—students, teachers, staff—what they think the issues are and work from there.”
Wang added that Laurence would be taking the helm as Gunn is adjusting to changes made in the past few years. “Obviously, we have a new social emotional learning curriculum that's got to be piloted next year, and the new bell schedule changes, and GPA issues, like weighted vs unweighted, so there are a lot of issues that have been stewing for awhile at Gunn, and [Laurence is] going to have to address them immediately once she gets on.” Laurence says that she believes in listening to different opinions that the community may have. “Input is important, but I also want everybody to understand that you can be heard and still not have things going your direction,” she said. “My job then is to articulate why we have chosen to go that path; it's important that all of the constituents feel that they're heard and listened to, and then we make the best decision." Laurence also said that she plans to start mending the relationship between the administration and students by holding lunch meetings with any interested students and adds that the administration team will be walking around campus so students can address them directly. Wang said one of the people from Paly that the committee interviewed while considering the principal candidates talked about Laurence’s impact at Gunn. ”I think someone said that she would have a healing effect, and I think that's something that resonated with the committee,” Wang said. “That we want someone with a healing effect, with [a] personal touch that can bridge the distrust that has been sown at Gunn.” Laurence strongly believes in fostering a community where students can receive the best high school education possible. “We are here to serve, and again, people don't always agree the best way to do that, [but] at least, that's where my core heart is,” she said. “We're here to help you guys, as the students, reach your fullest learning and potential.”
First Day of School Issue
Monday, August 14, 2017
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Students travel abroad, gain meaningful experiences Senior Colin Grant—Spain
Senior Colin Grant spent his summer studying in Alicante, Spain on a language and culture trip with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) High School Summer Abroad program. Although Grant had taken Spanish since fifth grade, learning about another country in a classroom setting doesn’t quite add up to actual experiencing of being immersed in the country. He wanted to take the opportunity to go to Spain to achieve full fluency in the language. “I wanted to experience the new cultures, traditions and customs of Spain,” he wrote in an email. Since it was Grant’s first time out of the United States, he felt a bit anxious on the first day when he met fellow students from across the country. More than that, however, he felt a sense of anticipation and eagerness at the thought of his first home-stay. “I was extremely nervous when I met [my] Spanish host family for the first time,” he wrote in an email.“I was to live with them, eat with them and become part of their family...and a lot of emotions ran through my head right before I met them.” Being able to have a home-stay was definitely one of the parts of the study abroad experience that Grant enjoyed the most, as it allowed him to meet new people and experience daily life. “My favorite experience has been getting to know my host family and becoming part of their family,” he wrote. “My family is extremely kind, welcoming and understanding of the language barrier.” Ultimately, Grant felt that he managed to achieve his initial goal of improving his Spanish. “I think [my improvement] has to do with staying with a host family,” he wrote. “Having to talk and think in Spanish the whole time I am with them has made my speech come more easily and has been great to practice the language skills I already have.” —Written by Kristen Yee
Staffer participates in Naval Academy Summer Seminar
Grace Ding
Courtesy of Colin Grant
Senior Colin Grant enjoys his experiences and life with his host family in Alicante, Spain, as part of a CIEE program.
Senior Advait Arun—Morocco
Senior Advait Arun traveled this summer to Rabat, Morocco to study Arabic and learn about Arab culture. “I’m studying the Arabic language and immersing myself in the culture and lifestyle here,” Arun said. His desire to experience and learn new things contributed to his decision to study abroad. “I want the experience living somewhere else with totally different people, and I want to experience lifestyles that we don’t encounter back home, Arun said. “I have always been interested in learning more languages, especially Arabic, and study abroad seemed like the best way to get a crash course in the language.” He also wanted to have a trip that will help him throughout life. “I chose to study abroad because I wanted to do something memorable that will affect me for the rest of my life, assuming I make good connections, learn lots of Arabic, and reflect on what I do,” Arun said. For Arun, adapting to the vastly different schedule he has in Morocco is difficult but rewarding. “It’s intense and I’m getting less sleep here than I do on average school days at Gunn, but it’s a worthy tradeoff for the amount of fun I’m having and the things I’m doing,” Arun said. He was still able to assimilate and appreciate his new environment, saying that Rabat had “become a second home to me, and I enjoy being with other amazing students who are just as committed as I am.” Dealing with the change has been one of the challenges Arun faced while transitioning to a new country, but he has taken a lesson from this experience. “I’ve learned that it’s okay to take time for yourself,” Arun said. “Adapting Courtesy of Advait Arun is hard and it’s important that one doesn’t rush into it without checking in Senior Advait Arun appreciates his sum- with oneself and reflecting on one’s experiences periodically.” —Written by Sohini Ashoke mer trip abroad in Rabat, Morocco.
Sophomore Xilin Choi—Ghana
Sophomore Xilin Choi spent three weeks in Ghana this summer with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) program. Choi was grateful for this summer opportunity. “[I] wanted the chance to work and play with [the kids there] while also learning about the local customs, language and people in a completely foreign country,” she said. During this trip, Choi was assigned to a fifth grade class at a school called Future Leaders. “Not only are [the students] incredibly intelligent and driven, but they also constantly impress me with small but heartwarming actions,” she said. Choi was also fascinated by the views. “It was absolutely surreal to be so high above ground, having only a rope bridge to keep you from plunging over 200 feet,” Choi said. “This experience was so much fun and I was completely caught off guard by how amazing it was to stand at the same height with the trees.” One of Choi’s favorite moments was interacting with the children on a rainy day. “The rain bounced on the metal of the makeshift roofs so loudly that I couldn't hear the girl shouting in my ear a few inches away; everyone dashed to the classrooms, most of which soon leaked and partially flooded, but many of the kids ran through the drizzle, then danced around happily, soaking,” she said. Choi was not only excited to work with the fifth graders, but she was also inspired by them. “They have a beautiful ability to make subpar conditions become a chance to laugh and appreciate and have fun rather than a time to lament,” she said. “I really envy that mindset and often wish I could act the same in a situation similar to this one.” —Written by Katie Zhang
Courtesy of Xilin Choi
Sophomore Xilin Choi works with member of her fifth grade class in Ghana. The summer CIEE program takes place over a course of three weeks.
Right after school ended, I attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar, a week-long program that combines physical exercises, academic and leadership workshops, and other activities to provide a taste of life at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Intrigued by the photos of kids carrying logs, flipping tires and crawling in muddy trenches, as well as the low cost and easy application, I decided to take a risk. Upon getting accepted, though I was excited by the prospect of adventuring completely outside of my comfort zone, the extremity of the unknown also made me cautious. I set my expectations low, instead focusing on getting in the best shape I could to minimize the chances for failure and embarrassment during the candidate fitness assessment and the 5:30 morning physical trainings. Fear and motivation prompted me to set aside time to work out almost everyday in May, even during AP testing and finals. When I arrived at the academy, I was stunned by the beautiful campus, the dashing whiteuniformed squad leaders and the seemingly random rules we had to follow—including leaving our room doors open at 90 degrees and walking single-file in the middle of all hallways and on the outside of all staircases. I found myself suddenly surrounded by 850 peers from all around the nation who were nothing like anyone I’d ever met before. I listened intently to them— about their aspirations to serve our country, their opinions on the different service academies and military branches, their family military stories and even how they got their pilot’s licenses. I tried to conceal my cluelessness, responding “I’m not completely sure yet” to all questions relating to the academy or my career goals and promptly shifting the focus back to the other person. Despite the initial shock of not fitting in, I quickly learned to treasure every experience and interaction. Through even the shortest conversation or encounter, I was amazed by the genuine kindness of everyone I met. No matter how much my background and future plans made me feel like an outsider, I was welcomed, supported and cared for. I opened myself up to diverse viewpoints and contributed my own during my character and leadership development seminars. I worked together with strangers to put on fire fighting uniform and equipment, use a hose and complete a relay; I laughed with them while learning simple phrases in Arabic. Part of the program included a 7-hour physical training exercise with various components on land and in water. Immediately following that, we stood at attention for thirty minutes and were yelled at by the leaders to recite Navy and Marine Corps ranks, as well as songs and mission statements we were given to memorize on the first day. While both tasks were strenuous and difficult, the strong team spirit of my company, platoon and squad pushed me to not only complete them, but look back on that day as one of the best and most memorable in my life. After the week ended, I returned home with more bruises and scratches than I’ve ever had, as well as new friends I connected with despite external differences. I also acquired new perspectives on hard work, discipline, perseverance, and community. Ultimately, I gained a deeper appreciation for the power of unexpected experiences and friendships to shape me and bring me happiness. —Ding, a senior, is a Managing Editor.
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Campu
Get to know your campus Icons on map correspond to descriptions on sides
Map Legend = Vending Machines = Bike Cages = Library = Academic Center = Guidance Office = Main Office = SAC = Wellness Center *map not to scale
Library Students can utilize the library’s many resources, from quiet private rooms to rows of books that can be checked out for several weeks at a time. In addition to its more studious aspects, however, the library also provides areas where students can sit and chat quietly, or simply relax. Connected to the library is an outdoor patio space known as the Acorn Lounge. During warm summer days, students enjoy sitting here in the sun to work. The library provides a good place to ask questions as well, and the friendly librarians will always assist you in finding academic resources, whether that be books or online help. The library are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Academic Center The Academic Center (AC) is a space on campus where students can have access to work-spaces, computers and printers. Free student tutors are also available for sessions in the AC, and their help is obtained by many students throughout the year. You can apply to be a tutor during your prep periods and earn community service hours while also helping your peers. In addition, students in the AC are free to chat and work together out of the quieter restrictions of the library. The AC hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
them about any problems they may have. The Guidance Office is also especially crowded towards the The Guidance Office is a resource for students to beginning of semesters because of schedule changes use regarding information about schedules, classes, or schedule errors, but students can always email colleges and even as a mental wellness resource. counselors to specify a meeting time. Each student is assigned to a certain counselor, and as the school year goes by students can go to these The guidance office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to counselors for help on managing classes, or to talk to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Guidance Office
us
Map
Monday, August 14, 2017
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s: the seven top hot spots SAO The Student Activities Office (SAO) is the central for all student-related activities. Here, you can purchase a range of different items, varying from dance tickets to Gunn apparel, bus passes to Turkey Feast tickets. When the time to turn in grams, small slips of paper on which students can send notes to another, comes around the SAO is the place to go! The office is also a popular destination to grab a cup of hot chocolate during brunch or lunch to fight off the chilly weather. The SAO hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays in room K-6 due to construction.
Wellness Center A recent addition to Gunn, the Wellness Center is a popular spot for students to grab mugs of hot tea or relax among soft cushions. The center is a space to support students and a llow t hem to t a l k w it h trained professionals, as it is home to the Adolescent Counseling Services at Gunn. The final location of the center is still under construction, but this temporary center is still a go-to spot for many students. The Wellness Center hours are during school hours, Monday to Friday.
Vending Machines
Main Office
located in the Main Office; notes or other items that students are trying to get to staff can be dropped off The Main Office is an area where students can go here. You can also pick up extra copies of The Oracle to ask questions, find help about school life, talk to at the main office if you forgot to pick one up from a specific school administrators, and pick up and turn in staff member. forms. The office is where parking permits and visitor passes are available here for pick-up, and where service The main office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. forms should be turned in. Teacher boxes are also Monday to Friday.
One of the best parts of Gunn is its vending machines, scattered throughout campus and attracting multitudes of students to their sweet and savory snacks. With costs up to $2.50, the vending machines have a variety of food and drinks available to satisfy any hungry teen. The machines are located on both sides of campus, with one near the swimming pool and another by the main bathrooms to the side of the senior quad. Graphics by Jeffrey Yao
—Compiled by The Oracle staff
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First Day of School Issue
students share high school survival advice F R o s h C l a s s o f 2 0 2 1
Liza Kolbasov
Whether you loved middle school, or couldn’t wait to get out since practically the second day of sixth grade, you’re probably excited and more than a little nervous to start high school. You’ve probably already had enough advice to last you a lifetime, but here’s just a little more. First of all, you need to stop worrying so much. Yes, you will be able to get around school, even around the construction; yes, there will be more homework, but no, it will not be impossible; no, the upperclassmen are not evil monsters out to get
you; and no, teachers are not all super mean. Truly, everyone understands how hard the transition to high school is and they are there to help you. Disregard how much the middle school teachers or high schoolers you know have tried to scare you. You will be okay. Now that that’s out of the way, there are a few things that will help you get comfortable more quickly. First off, although you should definitely stay close with all of your middle school friends, there will be a lot of people at school you don’t know. Take advantage of that and meet new friends. You’ll be able to find a lot of new people who share your interests. And don’t limit yourself to people in your grade, either. A lot of older students are really nice and more than willing to be friends. Plus, they’re a great resource for any questions you may have. Next, you will have more homework. Your teachers will do their best to ease you into it, but
sophomores Class of 2020
Bridgette Gong
Welcome to sophomore year! With a new year full of change and fresh surroundings, you’re in for a wild ride. But for every single wonderful, overwhelming, crazy and even downright bad moment, remember to stay positive and make the most of your time this year. One of the most important things is to care for yourself and get enough sleep. Prioritizing your health will help you in every aspect, and a healthy mind and body are essential to being the best possible version of yourself. Whether it be confiding in others for help, establishing a stricter routine, scheduling in breaks or breaking things down into smaller steps, find a strategy that works for you and can break a pattern of detrimental inefficiency. Even the best of students have succumbed, at times, to the magnetic pull of hanging out or watching TV, so I would warn you to expect those evil urges to come hand in hand with the homework that piles on. Another pivotal discovery of my sophomore year was to not let failures define you. The same goes for anything else that brings you sadness. Trapping yourself or remain-
s e n i o r s
C l a s s o f 2 0 1 8
Well—you’ve made it. Senior year. It’s the apex of the high school experience. You’re (hopefully) bigger, taller and wiser than all the other students in the school. You’ve been through what they’ve been through. You’ve worked so hard for three years for this—finally, a break. Sort of. After college applications, that is. First semester is pretty cut and dry. There’s no better advice that I can give you than what I’m sure you’ve heard time and time again. Consider all facets of colleges, not just the academic prestige. Loca-
—Kolbasov, a sophomore, is a Copy Editor.
Juniors Class of 2019
ing stuck in those things will put you in an unfulfilling cycle of bottomless negativity and self-destruction. Instead, consider messing up as an opportunity for growth. Setbacks can be meaningful and worth it if they teach you how to improve upon your mistakes (which we all make, by the way). When it comes to difficulties in life that are unfortunately inevitable, don’t allow your past to hold you back from a better future. To submerge yourself in setbacks and dwell on your sorrows is no way to live. It’s easier said than done, but remember to keep a broad perspective when dealing with obstacles. In a journey of a thousand miles, what’s just one blip in the road? It’s also important to put effort into the things that you care about. Be hopeful, be fearless and keep striving to do great things. Work hard and make yourself proud this year. It takes a lot to try your best, so if you can safely say that you tried your best, then that’s good enough no matter the result. The first step to being successful is believing that you possess the capacity to do so, so believe in yourself. Life is a long journey, and at the end of the day, your sophomore year of high school is just a stepping stone to the rest of your life. In many ways, your year will be what you make it, so try, even when you fall down, to get back up again and allow that beautiful smile to return for the whole world to see. —Gong, a junior, is a Sports Editor.
Lena Ye
in the end, it’s on you to manage your time and get your work done. Find a way to stay organized that works for you, whether it’s using a planner, Schoology or folders. However, if you’re ever feeling stressed or need some help, don’t be afraid to go ask your teachers; they’re totally open to helping you. And lastly, no matter how hard it is, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Join a club or a sports team; try a new elective. High school is the time for discovering what you really enjoy and learning more about yourself. The more you try, the more opportunities you have to find what you enjoy and make some new friends with similar interests. But most importantly, no matter what happens, remember: you will be just fine.
Carolyn Kuimelis
You’ve heard the groans and complaints from your upperclassmen friends about the seemingly endless workload and sudden lack of free time, and now it’s your turn to experience the magic that is junior year. You’re probably nervous about entering the “most stressful year of high school,” but trust me when I say it’s not as bad as you’re anticipating it to be and you will make it out alive. Junior year is all about finding a balance. Be sure to make time for yourself, even if that means dropping a class or quitting a club—making time for what matters most to you is more important than overloading on APs and signing up for every extracurricular available. When you only have time for a few activities, you’ll figure out what you truly want to dedicate your time to and what really makes you happy. One of the easiest ways to feel discouraged is to compare yourself to others, so focus on doing your own thing. Everyone’s faking it, no one knows what they’re doing and we’re all just figuring it out as we go
tion matters. Size matters. There is so much more to a college than just its ranking on U.S. News, despite what your parents might tell you. Try to stay on top of your applications. Mark down all the deadlines, and create a makeshift timeline for yourself. The enormity of the task might make it hard to start, but once you divide up the work into smaller portions it should look a lot more manageable. And then, for the better half of senior year— my advice to you is to take every day one day at a time. Sounds cliché, but during second semester a lot of my friends were so busy planning for summer and college that they stopped paying attention to school. Appreciate having small classes of 20 or 30 students—depending on what school you go to, you might never experience that again. Appreciate having a small campus and being able to drive and being with all of your friends. Everyone says that second semester goes by so fast, and it’s true. It
along. Don’t worry if you feel like you’re the last person to start studying for the SAT or ACT, or the only person struggling to understand a concept in class because—trust me—you’re not. But hey, junior year isn’t all bad. With your friends finally able to drive, you have a newfound sense of freedom. I still remember how cool I felt rolling up to picture day with my friend after getting my license. Plus, you’re an upperclassman now! You get to sit on the opposite side of the gym during rallies, and you (probably) won’t get mistaken for a freshman anymore. Homecoming week is somehow even more fun—you might even beat the seniors in airbands (haha, just kidding, please don’t do that, that was a one-time thing). Most importantly, remember that everything is temporary. When it’s 1 a.m. and you’re in the middle of writing an essay you know is going nowhere, you remember you have a math quiz tomorrow and you’re one existential crisis away from changing your name and running away to the woods to start a new life with the forest creatures away from the burden of standardized tests, remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Those nights will be a blur in a month or two, and you’ll be proud of how much you’ve accomplished this year. —Kuimelis, a senior, is a News Editor.
might seem slow as you slog through it, but looking back on it, most of it’s a blur. Even though people aren’t leaving until the following school year, summer schedules don’t always match up and you probably won’t see a lot of your friends after graduation. And of course, the clichés of all clichés: have fun. Senior year can be really stressful—the next couple years of your life can be dependent on the decisions you make—but it is manageable. Breakdowns are probably going to be inevitable, but when that happens, grab some donuts from Krispy Kreme with friends and willfully forget what a calorie is. And remember that in a year or so, you will be heading off to college with a slate wiped clean, so have your mess-ups before then. Take the chance to do some things that scare you, that you never got around to doing. Senior year is short. Make the most of it. —Ye, an alumna, is from the Class of 2017.
Monday, August 14, 2017
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Students gain job experience over the summer Senior Liana Wang: Robotics camp counselor Kids in Silicon Valley what they do with their summer, and a staggering amount will say “robotics camp”— specifically Wizbots, an engineering summer camp with locations all across the Bay Area. For the past two years, senior Liana Wang has spent her summers at Wizbots as a counselor, teaching kids aged 7 to 14 how to program robots and build friendships. Wang’s days are long, but fulfilling. She works on weekdays from 12:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. a typical day is made up of about three hours of robotics, 15 minutes of break, and two hours of outside play time. Some of her favorite summer memories have come from her shifts at Wizbots. “Yesterday, towards the very end of the day, last day of the week, a group of three girls was doing a Hello World! project where they print text onto the screen of their NXT,” said Wang with a smile. “Their text that they printed was ‘Thank you Liana, Liana is awesome!’” But not all experiences are as positive as this one. “A few weeks ago they were doing this thing called ‘marks of shame’,” Wang said. “We had chalk and they just marked each other with things and called them marks of shame. I was a recipient of many of these and by the end of the day I ended up with really chalky arms.” At times, Wang’s campers fall behind or refuse to listen to instruction, but she doesn’t let this bother her. “The kids who are seven definitely are not as good as the older kids,” she said. “They take a lot more help and such to get prodded along to finish their projects; some of them are just crazy and normal summer camp children.” Wang believes this experience has not only shaped her everyday life, but also her future and career. “I’d say it has given me an appreciation for teaching kids; tutoring or something could be a possibility for the future,” Wang said. She plans to continue working at Wizbots and is excited to continue spending summers there. —Written by Yael Livneh
Senior Ciry Mendoza: Movie theater ticket seller
For many students, summer is a time for relaxing and escaping from the busywork of school. Other students, however, choose to use their extra time in the summer on their jobs. This is the case for senior Ciry Mendoza, who works at Century Cinemas 16 in Mountain View. Mendoza was drawn to work at the theater by the prospect of making money and the accessibility of the theater. “I wanted to save up some money on the side so I can save up for things I want in the future,” Mendoza said. “Plus it’s not far from where I live.” Other than these perks, Mendoza enjoys Century 16 because of the setting. “I really enjoy the atmosphere,” Mendoza said. “While some other people dread going to their job, for me sometimes it’s a good thing to go in.” His positive attitude toward work can be mainly attributed to the relationships he’s cultivated over the past months. “I enjoy working there mostly because of my coworkers, they make it a good time,” Mendoza said. “We have a lot of funny conversations in the break room, and we get along really well.” For Mendoza, working wasn’t always as enjoyable. Adjusting to the working life took some time. “At first I didn’t like working during summer but I got used to it,” Mendoza said. “It’s time consuming but rewarding at the same time.” One thing that Mendoza is particularly thankful for is the freedom his job allows him. “It’s not hard to balance because it’s very flexible,” Mendoza said. “You can take a day off, a weekend off whenever you need it.” Due to the flexible hours, Mendoza plans to continue working at Century 16 after summer ends. “I’ll continue working there during the school year, but I plan to focus more on my education and other things,” Mendoza said. “I’m saving up to go on a trip in December.” —Written by Paulo Frank
Photos courtesy of Advait Arun, Ciry Mendoza, Liana Wang, and Wizbots
Junior reflects on lifeguarding
Grace Tramack On a typical day this summer, my alarm woke me up at 6:30 a.m. when I would drag myself out of bed for seven a.m. to ten a.m. swim practice. This was almost always followed by a six-hour work shift, and then another three-hour practice. If I was lucky, I could go home for an hour or two between work and practice to eat, shower or take a nap. All of this took place at Fremont Hills Country Club, where I spent my summer swimming, lifeguarding and coaching for the summer league team. Anyone who knows me well understands that I spend more time at Fremont Hills for swim practice than I do at my own house, so taking on a summer job that required me to spend even more time at one of my favorite places was a no-brainer. I was going to be spending the summer surrounded by all of my swim friends and coaches, and that sounded great to me. Even though being a lifeguard and swim coach may not be as fulfilling as travelling the world or curing cancer, I wouldn’t have spent my summer any other way. As much as I love relaxing at home or going out with friends, keeping busy with a summer job felt like a much better way to spend my summer. I’ve lost track of the amount of times I’ve pulled a bee stinger out of a little kid’s foot, been thrown into teaching an unscheduled lesson or had to calmly handle surprise parties of more than 20 young children with only two guards on duty. Not to mention, the words “walk, please” and “don’t hang on the basketball hoop” probably took up more than half of my vocabulary this summer. It’s definitely been tiring spending as many as 12 hours of my day at Fremont Hills, but I wouldn’t change anything about my 2017 summer ex perience. Being a lifeg ua rd has taught me insane patience, responsibility and decision-making skills that I never imagined I would learn from staring at a pool all day. I’ve learned how to deal with difficult people and coworkers, and discovered how to handle myself in front of them as well. Most of all, I got to spend time with some of my best friends at one of my favorite places in the world. Being a lifeguard might not sound like a glamorous way to have spent my summer, but the memories (and of course, the paychecks) that came out of it were undoubtedly worth it. —Tramack, a junior, is a Features Editor.
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First Day of School Issue
check out favorite fun destinations san jose drive-in movies
monopoly in the park Located in San Jose’s California’s Discovery Meadow, is the largest Monopoly board in the world. This 900 square foot board created in 1992 as part of an exhibition for the San Francisco Landscape and Design Show, is completely user friendly. The board can be reserved on its website and players are given giant dice and game pieces to play with. Everyone has the opportunity to get their start in Silicon Valley real estate playing this life-size game of Monopoly.
If you are looking to put a fun, new twist on movie night, heading out to West Wind Drive In movie theater in San Jose is a great way. Cheaper than most movie theaters, West Wind screens the newest movies as well as double features. Popcorn and other snacks are offered but unlike most theaters, outside food is welcome. Also unique about this drive in theater, the sound connects straight to your car stereo. Open rain or shine, West Wind drive in movie theater is a perfect way to make any movie night more fun.
Capitola
garden of eden
Who doesn’t love going to the beach during summer. And better yet, why not bring man’s best friend. At New Brighton State Beach located in Capitola, dogs and humans alike are welcomed to enjoy the waves, watch the surfers and stroll around to neighboring beaches and the beach town of Capitola. The Pacific coast’s oldest seaside resort town is lined with venetian style restaurants, galleries and surf shops. Whether it be an action packed day trip or a weekend of relaxation, there is something for everyone.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, or more commonly known as the Garden of Eden in the Santa Cruz mountains is a secluded collection of natural pools and freshwater beaches. From the parking lot, it is about a 15-minute hike to the first pools. If you are looking for a more quiet day however, continue along and you are sure to find a less crowded pool. These clothing optional beaches have plenty of opportunities for those looking to curl up with a good book or want to take a swim in the water. Graphics by Sherry Chen
—Compiled by Laurel Comiter