Senior Edition
UN I N PAGES 8-9 Senior Colleges
SPREAD- PAGES 10-11 Senior Advice/Reflections
PAGES 12-13 Senior Mosts
PAGES 14-15 Senior Wills
T HE
MAY 2017
Volume XXVIII Issue VII
MHSTHEUNION.COM For the latest updates
STUDENT VOICE OF MILPITAS HIGH SCHOOL
Rojas named new MHS principal, replacing Morales after one year BY KELLY LUE BROOKE TRAN
Current James Logan High School Vice Principal Francis Rojas was approved as new MHS principal at the MUSD board meeting on May 23, according to a press release from the MUSD Human Relations team. Rojas’ principalship will be effective on July 1, 2017, it stated. Rojas has had a 15-year career in education at James Logan, a high school with nearly 4,000 students; he started as a science teacher at the high school, and he has worked his way up to positions like student activities director, House Principal, and school-wide Vice Principal, the press release stated. “He is known for demonstrated outcomes as an instructional and organizational leader,” the press release continues. “From curriculum development to master scheduling, instructional coaching, community outreach, building positive school culture, facilities improvement, and budget and finance. Rojas’ colleagues have shared he is a balanced leader with a variety of strengths, including being a team player, sincere, compassionate, perceptive and very involved in student life. He has often been referred to as the ‘heart’ of the school.” MHS had reached out to Rojas two years ago but he wasn’t able to accept the job until now because he committed to help with a transition at James Logan, Rojas said. But Rojas believes that his previous experiences with a school as large as and as similar in demographics as James Logan will be helpful with the transition to MHS, he stated. “To come from smaller schools and
to try to run a school that size and that diverse is a challenge,” Rojas stated. “I think a benefit that I have and that I can share with Milpitas, now that it’s my new school, is that there are a lot of things that, coming from a school with four thousand [students] with a very similar demographic background, ethnic-wise, socioeconomic-wise, very similar to where I grew up and where I went, I think I can really help Milpitas with some stability and really empower everyone to be leaders in their community.” Rojas said nothing is pushing him out of James Logan, but he just wants to take on a new opportunity. He was further attracted to seek out principalship at MHS because of the “Culture of We” that he experienced when he attended Trojan Olympics, he said. “I saw school spirit, unity, cooperation, collaboration and so much more from the students, staff, and parents who were participating [in Trojan Olympics,” Rojas stated in the press release. “I have never seen that level of engagement and positivity at a student led event in my life. And that’s coming from an activities director.” Rojas said he is confident in what he learned from James Logan and has some models he can use for MHS, but he wants to learn more about the school’s goals first. He plans to better gauge what he will do at MHS after building relationships with administration, staff, and students, he said. “I think a lot of preparation is going to come from me meeting people and getting to know what our goals are and what our purpose is in Milpitas High School,” Rojas explained. “From then, I could probably come up with SEE PRINCIPAL ON BACK PAGE
Eye on Campus: Senior Rally
Grace Chang | THE UNION
Grace Chang | THE UNION
Principal Morales (top) pulls the Top 10 cart around the track to start the rally on time. The Class of 2017 (bottom) parade across the football field.
Courtesy of Shannon Carr
Victoria Huynh takes a photo with (left to right) Principal Philip Morales, scholarship provider Diana Orlando, Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, scholarship providers Hon Lien, Marsha Grilli, Dwayne Rice, Sandra Edusada, and Teddy Sue.
Awards Night recognizes outstanding seniors BY KATHERINE HUBENY
Over 350 seniors were recognized for their accomplishments at Senior Awards Night on May 17th in the Large Gym, according to College and Career Counselor Marissa Canez. Majority of students received a gold or maroon cord and some received scholarships, she said. The senior class was awarded a total of $2.4 million in scholarships, according to Principal Philip Morales. The students also include one attending Yale, two going to Stanford, three to Santa Clara University, and approximately 91 to San Jose State University, he said. Along with these students, there are many attending other universities, he added. “This year’s senior class is truly im-
pressive,” Morales said. “In the fall of next year, we will have approximately 82 students attending a UC, approximately 155 attending a CSU, 24 will be at private universities, at least 12 will be heading out of state, 4 will attend Art schools, 254 have plans for community colleges and 8 will be moving into their military careers.” One student acknowledged at the ceremony was Senior Victoria Huynh. She was awarded six scholarships at Senior Awards Night: the Youth Advisory Commission of Milpitas Scholarship, PTSA Scholarship, Milpitas Teachers’ Association Scholarship, CommonWealth Scholarship, Milpitas Rotary Scholarship, and Chi Am Circle Scholarship, Huynh explained. “I feel extremely humbled,” Huynh
said. “The scholarships and awards meant a lot more to me than the monetary value--these had come from people and organizations I recognized who believed in the projects I had poured my heart into, community and international conflicts I had worked to create solutions for in the organizations I was a part of, and aspirations I had scribbled down or read aloud in hopes someone would care.” Senior Alan Pham was honored at the ceremony with the $20,000 Minnis scholarship, the Awards Program stated. He was excited to receive the scholarship, Pham explained. “I was so happy that I received the opportunity to use this scholarship and further my education,” Pham said.
Low SBAC math scores lead to curriculum reevaluation BY SHREEYA ARANAKE JERALD MENDOZA
Math curriculum is being reevaluated in response to data found on the California Department of Education website concerning SBAC scores, according to Assistant Principal Skyler Draeger. Fifty-five percent of all MHS juniors met the math standards in 2016, and 52 percent of all juniors met or exceeded the math standards in 2015, according to the data. Because the school had emphasized English literacy over the past couple of years, 81 percent of all juniors in 2016 met or exceeded the standards in ELA, according to Draeger. “When you’re looking at a schoolwide literacy, almost every department can say, okay, we understand why improving our reading scores can improve our scores in other areas,” Draeger said. “What we’re trying to do is have more educated students overall, and teach students kind of how to think, and I think math connects to everything we do.” One of the problems with learning and teaching math is that it takes a lot of working on your own and understanding the concepts, Junior Sally Seok said. The problem with that is it takes a lot of interest in math to work on getting the concepts, she continued. “I think students just need more interest. For me I like math so I think about it and I make the logical con-
clusion in my head because it’s interesting,” she said. “But for other people, math has a negative connotation, so you have to get students to start liking math.” Administration is working ahead to make sure students are better taught, Superintendent Cheryl Jordan said. People are developing ideas to help improve student performance in math as well as ELA, according to Jordan. “Ms. Draeger and teacher leaders are disaggregating the data now rather than waiting for the state as they want to get a jump on revising academic goals for MHS now in preparation for next year,” Jordan said. “It will take some time for the administration and staff to determine how they are going to focus their work for next year in improving conditions for learning for all students.” Part of the trouble with students and math performance is that students learn in different ways, Senior Andrew Nguyen said. Not everyone is taught the way they’re used to, and many of them need help personally, he added. “You have to get the concept to feel comfortable with it. I think students just need to learn the way they need to but they don’t know how to do that,” Nguyen said. “Students need to be encouraged to go to tutoring, where someone will try to teach them the way that they would try to understand it.” To help support students struggling
with problem math areas, adding another math class is a possibility, Draeger said. Students would be enrolled in that class based on iReady scores from their eighth grade year, she continued.
“Teachers need to
talk to their students more . . . they give you a worksheet and expect you to learn it. Not all students learn at the same pace.”
Senior Evander Ruiz “We’re starting with a math intervention teacher who will be teaching a number of extra sections next year,” Draeger said. “They’ll be taking students struggling in Math I and providing, almost like a double period class, where they’ll have Math I and almost a support class.” Whatever happens, teachers and students need to communicate more, Senior Evander Ruiz said. Teachers must vary their processes for different students, depending on individual learning pace, he continued. “Teachers need to talk to their students more,” Ruiz said. “A lot of teachers just give you a textbook and expect you to learn it. Or they give you a worksheet and expect you to learn it. Not all students learn at the same pace.”
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THE UNION
PRO
Security guards are a necessity; school rules need to be enforced The necessity of security guards curences on the incompetence of at MHS is well known through the security guards but don’t seem to unfights, drug use, and vandalism that derstand the difficulty in preventing often occur on campus. The expec- them from taking place. I wouldn’t tation people have of security guard imagine it is that easy to catch word is for them to appropriately respond of something that is intentionally beto acts that go against the ing kept out of their knowlschool rules. Many believe edge. And I think they have that security guards fail done a decent job at ending to meet these standards the fights between stuand that they are often dents once they happen. not present to alleviate Maybe it’s just me, but the danger of situations in the few times I’m nearing which they may be needed. the border of the campus, Contrarily, I believe that I was stopped by a securithere is an underapprecity guard and had to show a ation for what the security pass I got from my teacher. guards offer to MHS. This sort of thing has even SUHAS Admittedly, there have happened to one of my SHEKAR been some things that I friends who has only has feel the security guards four classes. He frequently can do better. It never made sense to has to show his schedule to the secume that they locked the L-building rity guards to be allowed off campus. restrooms during lunch. I understand I understand that these experiences that they want to reduce the amount might not match those of everyone of students who use that bathroom to else, and I am willing to agree that smoke weed or another drug, but this there have likely been instances is not the best solution since it is done where there were no security guards at the inconvenience of the majority present to prevent someone from of students who have no ill-intent. wandering off campus. Fortunately, this problem has since The presence of security guards is been solved, and the L-building bath- needed so that school rules can be enrooms are open during lunch. forced. While there are some choices I also feel like the process of tardy they made that I disagreed with, the sweeps is flawed since there have majority of the decisions made by been instances where they have been security guards are generally agreeissued to people before the final bell able. And though the current state even rings, which has resulted in me of affairs involving security guards is sprinting to class when I shouldn’t not perfect, I feel that many of the imhave to be. Since tardy sweeps seldom provements that need to be made are occur, this hasn’t been much of prob- not too far out of reach. Ultimately, lem for the past several months. I hope that by next year, the student Fights are another common con- body will have a more positive percern. People often fault these oc- spective on security guards.
CON
MHS security without authority; lacks power to effectively direct Let’s face it: the MHS campus tween students almost every other would not make the top five tourist week. Security guards aren’t at fault spots of any magazine. Students can in this case, but it is still concerning be proud to have smelly trees every that it had taken the administration spring season, an overpopulated an entire semester to curb the numstudent body, and mediocre cafeteria ber of fights on campus. lunches. MHS is a public school, so it Probably the largest concern for should at least be held accountable to the school is students not attending public standards. But one of the most their classes, or leaving school enpressing issues I have seen thus far is tirely. If this is a school, then these the quality of our campus security. students should be in class! I’m not The main purpose of having secu- sure what is more ludicrous: that sturity guards is to at least protect stu- dents know they can leave class and dents from outside threats, which school campus any time they’d like, they have successfully done so far. or that security guards don’t seem to However, there is blame to be shared care if students go to classes at all. by both them and the school adminThis doesn’t mean that the security istration for not solving guards are at fault. Rather, numerous security issues the MHS administration that have plagued our responsible for directing campus throughout the security measures and entire year. addressing these issues Such issues range from effectively. Another issue students being late to class is that security does not or not showing up at all, to seem have the authority to more nefarious activities question students and give such as smoking cannabis out detentions or referin the school restrooms. rals. What is the purpose Students have also enof having security guards DAVID gaged in fights almost with the responsibility of NGO every other week during protecting students and most of the first semester. surveying for threats, but Security had previously addressed without the power to at least make the cannabis issue by locking some of students go to their classrooms? the restrooms during lunchtime for It is a great concern that our cammost of the winter season. Though. pus has issues without any clear dithe pungent odor of cannabis often rective to solve them. Maybe the sepermeates throughout the L build- curity guards need better training or ing restroom stalls, and security’s a larger salary, or the administration response is to deny access to the re- needs to give them more authority strooms for the rest of the day. There and better directions. Maybe student has been no preemptive measure to behavior is the underpinning probsolve this problem. lem. But it is ludicrous to think that It is a plus towards the security our campus security is fine the way it guards and administration for the is. If a public school should have any decline in school fights. In the first standards, then we need to get our semester, there used to be fights be- act together.
OPINIONS
MAY 2017
MHS E-TECH proves unsuccessful & unnecessary As the world becomes increasingly shaped and structured by technological advances, careers in engineering and technology are becoming more valuable with California schools such as Stanford and UC Berkeley leading the national rankings for STEM majors. As a school located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, it would only make sense for Milpitas High to have programs preparing students for careers in these fields. Currently, MHS is home to the Engineering and Technology Academy, also known as E-Tech. But why are almost none of the E-Tech seniors going to UC Berkeley or similar engineering powerhouses? Virtually none of the E-Tech seniors are going to be attending top engineering programs compared to their peers. In fact, students in the academy are actively encouraged to work towards attending community colleges instead of preparing for the numerous four-year engineering programs that the UC and CSU systems offer. As a student that has been trapped in the academy for three years, I can personally vouch for the fact that the course does not live up to the promise that is in the school course catalogs. One of the fundamental shortcomings of E-Tech is the lack of a strong
curriculum. Unfortunately, Milpi- students were lured into the academy tas High’s E-Tech fails to prepare only to find that the academy does not students for a career in engineering prepare its students for a career in the by implementing a curriculum that engineering or STEM fields. Freshcontains no math or scimen are caught unawares ence. Students are tasked after the academy prewith building projects sentations, bound by the and useless designs and three year contracts, and forced to spend an unnecare effectively trapped essary amount of time on in the academy. The rebusy work such as “design cruitment process can be briefs” and “research sumsimply classified as a baitmaries.” While it is true and-switch. that the research and deMoreover,academy stusign process is important, dents have expressed conthe lack of care for quality cern over a lack of trained ERIC of work produced in the enfaculty. Unfortunately, YU gineering academy renders with the resignation of student projects ultimately former experienced enmoot and poor in quality. gineering teacher Scott However, the flawed curriculum is Keller, the academy has yet to regain only one of the academy’s problems: another teacher with a comparable many students in the academy are level of industry experience. seemingly uninterested and forced However, these weaknesses can be into joining. The academy has re- easily resolved, and Milpitas High quired students to remain enrolled in can work towards having a competent the program for three years, instating and useful pre-engineering program a long and intentionally tedious pro- for Trojans aspiring to be engineers. cess to opt out. This forces students Given that the school is located in the to allocate an entire period in their center of Silicon Valley, the school schedule to the academy and makes has the responsibility and ability to it increasingly difficult to sign up for hire competent engineers to give stuAP courses that would be of value to dents a head start on their college edan aspiring engineer. Many academy ucations and future vocations.
Lack of leadership and order is killing our school
MHS and the school district should An issue that also affects the school be very disappointed in themselves. and its functionality is the ineffiFor a few years now the school has ciency of the security guards around faced an increasing amount of disorcampus to prevent students from ganization from the administration getting out of line. This year it seems as well as decreasing attention from students can leave campus during the Milpitas School Board lunch without anybody of Education. stopping them. What does a dying school Normally it is the duty look like? It looks like a of the security guards place where the authorities to prevent people from have little power over the going off campus during student body and where school hours, but they are the disorganization of the not always stationed at administration results in the borders during lunch. decreasing quality in the I have seen security educational environment guards around the central of the school. parts of campus like the L HENRY This description is what building , but almost nevXIONG MHS seems to be leading er near the borders of the up to in recent times. A macampus. jor issue the school needs The security guards are to address is the high turnover of becoming inefficient in keeping stuprincipals throughout recent years. dents from crossing out of line. New Three principals will have left within guards are common and some guards four school years. When leadership don’t stay long enough to know the transitions with every new principal, school adequately. If security guards it becomes increasingly difficult to stay longer, they will be able to esfocus on different issues the school tablish a better connection with the is facing because every principal can student body and know what to look have differing views. This makes leadout for at different periods of the day. ership and organization in the adminAnother issue is that the current istration a difficult issue. administrators are out of touch with
the student body. We have five administrators on the campus, and three people in the administration have less than a year of experience as administrators working here at MHS. When students were asked if they recognized administrators during a previously conducted survey, I was surprised to see that many students do not recognize the current administrators. Another point that needs to be addressed are emergency drills that are conducted by the school. This year had almost no drills at all, except for a recent fire drill that was conducted in late April. In stark comparison, last year had many drills. We should have drills more commonly. This way, students can be more prepared in case of a real emergency that could happen at any moment. If these issues are neglected, they will keep building up until they are too much for the school and the school district to handle. MHS needs to get its act together with good organization and consistent leadership in the future otherwise the school might face trouble from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the agency that granted MHS its accreditation.
MHS table traditions an unnecessary waste of time Early in the morning, the MHS campus is lit with the blue and dim haze of the sky as suddenly a few figures flit across campus. They are students layered in hoodies and ripped jeans, trying to make it in time to reach their goal—the bright blue and gold tables that litter select areas of MHS. The students stealthily place locks around the table of their choice so that by the time the bell rings signaling the beginning of a new school year, all the tables are “claimed” without a single one left for the poor souls that arrived too late. Yes, the infamous table games will take place before the start of the next school year so that those who want to enjoy lunch at the “cool tables” are going to have to fight for them. There are just not enough tables at MHS that every student can have that kind of luxury. Instead, they have to resort to things like sitting on the concrete, benches, laying picnic blankets on the ground, or staying in a classroom of their choice. The graduating seniors who are reading this may feel a wave of relief since they will not have to struggle to get the perfect table
again. However, for the rest of MHS That makes me wonder, how many students, this tradition will likely not tables would MHS need to buy to aschange. But why not? suage the table needs of the students? It seems silly to find these tables If the school bought, say 20 more taso enticing when half of bles, that would mean that the school year is filled 20 groups of students will with rain and wind. Being get to enjoy that luxury. inside a toasty classroom But it seems to me that it sounds nicer than being might take even more than outside in the cold. But 20 tables. California weather is not Adding just a few more that bad, I guess so that would make a huge differcan be overlooked. After ence. This way, students all, the senior tables for would not feel pressured example are like perfect to place locks on tables movie theater seats. Anyearly in the morning. When ANANYA thing that happens, the seI walk around school, most DONAPATI nior tables are there to see of the groups that I see are it all. People can socialize laughing and smiling, even within their group and mingle with if they’re sitting on the ground. But others. These are viable reasons as to on the other side of the coin, I know why people see the need to fight for of groups that have been trying for a the perfect table. table for a long time but there are not But all these extremities such as enough tables. I encourage MHS to getting to school hours early just to consider purchasing just a few more place a lock on a table, when an adtables. But, with all my points made, ministrator might even cut it, does it is clear that tables are not a high not sound right. MHS should be able priority, but they should be taken to provide an adequate number of tainto consideration regarding MHS bles for the large campus population. campus life.
MAY 2017
EDITOR I A L : The Opinion of The Union
Principal’s resignation highlights lack of progress; MHS needs to be better with Rojas in new year This is where we were a year ago: Principal Cheryl Lawton and Assistant Principal Hillary Brittan had announced their resignation, with superintendent Carey Matsuoka soon to follow. The school had barely passed the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) exam in 2015, meaning the WASC committee was due again in two years. Teachers had formed a petition to bring back Ken Schlaff, and there was a noticeable divide between the faculty and the administration. Today, the names might be different, but the situation seems quite similar. The school has been left to search for another principal after Morales decided to resign after just one year. The administration is newer than ever, with Ethan Stocks having been replaced by Jennifer Hutchison and Skyler Draeger replacing Brittan. The same promises that were made a year ago will be made again by new people to new students, and the WASC committee is coming back to MHS in ten months. What was mild concern a year ago must be identified as a definite problem now: the school must stabilize the administration as soon as possible. For all of Morales’s promises to simply stay back and get acquainted with his new situation, his impact on the school in just one year has definitely been felt. In his short tenure here, he’s been easily the most recognizable face of a relatively new and unknown administration. His role in the post-election walkout of Donald Trump was the most vivid example of a principal in front of his students in recent memory. While he’s been a somewhat polarizing figure to some, he’s built relationships with the faculty that were ready to be built upon. His departure basically wipes the slate clean, invalidates the promises and ideas that he proposed, and leaves MHS in the same confused and uncertain state it was a year ago. If the past year is any indication, the influx of new administrative personnel isn’t conducive to an efficiently run school. With only one fire drill on the year, MHS is still in violation of the California Code of Regulations, which mandates at least two a year. The reason for the lack of drills was chalked up to a new administration that didn’t prioritize required student safety over the everyday challenges that experienced administrators would be used to dealing with by now. The resignation of Principal Morales should raise questions about the nature of the job and the school in general. Whether Morales left for family reasons (to take care of and spend more time with his children, as he told The Union) or for administrative reasons, faced with a lack of support from the school board, he’s the third principal to leave the school in four years. The
THE UNION
EDITORIAL
pool of ready candidates for principal of a large high school was never large to begin with, and with the recent volatility of the job, the MHS position begins to look less and less attractive to the people who are capable of handling it. The people best equipped to be principal are the ones with years of experience who’ve already found their own schools, unlikely to be swayed from their own situation to be thrust into an unstable MHS environment. The resulting candidates are often those with little experience or those unprepared for the mental and physical strain of being in charge of such a huge school. Even the strongest candidates who take the job without preparation will be entering a situation that’s already tilted against them. Recent history makes this clear enough: Cheryl Lawton was a math teacher for a majority of her career before becoming co-principal of Hillsdale High, with a student population of 1385 students, according to the California Department of Education. Morales’ most notable experience came from four years at Newark Memorial High School, with a student body half the size of that of MHS. Regardless of how good they were at their jobs, the results point to the fact that either the candidates were unprepared for what they were about to face, or worse, the school board selected them, knowing they were unprepared, in the face of no other options. In selecting Francis Rojas as the next principal, the school board seems to have addressed this issue: Rojas comes from a bigger high school than MHS, appears to be well-liked at his former school, and seems to have been highly recruited for the past two years. To the school board’s credit, they should be commended for getting their man and taking the first step to solve this issue. His selection puts us in the same place we were a year ago, and in this situation, a lack of support from the school board can no longer be used as an excuse. Should Rojas face the same turmoil as principal that his predecessors did, the problem must run deeper than the choice of candidates, and has to be rooted within the school district itself. At the end of a stagnant year, the school needs to look towards the next year (and several after that) and expect better. In its current state, MHS is in need of continuity and stability more than ever. New faces, upheaval, and change does not equate to progress; it’s only through extended time with a constant administration that MHS can move forward. In the appointment of Rojas, The Union is optimistic about the future, and hopes that MHS is able to restore and maintain the well-run educational environment that the students truly deserve.
THE
U NION S T U D E N T V O I C E O F M I L P I TA S H I G H
The Union is published by the Journalism class of Milpitas High School. The views in The Union are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the school, students, administration, or Milpitas Unified School District.
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S TA F F Ca-Zao Bui Kevin Zhang Editors-in-Chief Brooke Tran • News Editor Katherine Hubeny • Asst. News Editor Justin Tso • Op-Ed Editor Harriet Do • Asst. Op-Ed Editor Sherry Lam • Features Editor Shreeya Aranake • Asst. Features Editor Brandon Wettenstein • Lifestyle Editor Darrion Nguyen • Asst. Lifestyle Editor Helen Huynh • Spread Editor Kelly Lue • Asst. Spread Editor Justin Nguyen • Entertainment Editor Emmy Yu • Asst. Entertainment Editor Gurshaan Bariana • Co-Sports Editor Mihir Hansalia • Co -Sports Editor Hope Do • Co-Copy Editor Helen Pham • Co-Copy Editor Tuong-Vi Nguyen • Asst. Copy Editor Grace Chang • Photo Editor Jerald Mendoza • Asst. Photo Editor
EDITOR I A L : The Opinion of The Union
David Ngo • Web Editor Suhas Shekar • Asst. Web Editor
CLOG chartering process lacks communication
Eric Yu • Business Manager Arvind Kumar • Asst. Business Manager
CLOG chartering: two of the most dreaded words at MHS. It is the opinion of The Union that the chartering of clubs and organizations is a long, strenuous process defined by inefficiency and frustration among both ASB and student leaders. The root cause of this frustration is the lack of communication between the two bodies most important to the process. Much of the frustration on the side of student club officers in charge of chartering is the lack of guidelines needed to successfully complete the paperwork included in the chartering packet. Many times, students turn in the previous year’s constitution, thinking it will suffice for this year as well. However, they find that ASB has changed their expectations for a constitution, and so the process towards successfully being chartered is further elongated. Another aspect of the lack of communication occurs when students are making amendments to an old constitution. Students often are not aware of any type of specific formatting that ASB is looking for, or what exactly should be amended. For example, there have been a few instances when students have turned in their amendments, and realized that they did not amend grammar mistakes made in the constitution from the previous year. These types of technicalities could easily be avoided if ASB had one, unwavering guideline to fill out paperwork successfully in order to have a more smoothly run, efficient chartering process. When it comes to correcting mistakes made in the chartering process, students are most frustrated when their questions and concerns are not being answered properly. These answers from ASB are often rushed, because of the inundation of students who ask the same questions in the same time frame. However, there needs to be a set time that which Student
Activities Director Joanna Butcher or a trusted source is readily available to answer students’ questions properly. There is also a lack of communication when it comes to addressing any concerns that students might have. There have been many instances where students have felt that the environment of the process is not conducive to a productive experience. This environment leads to aspiring club leaders to resist the process of club chartering altogether, and reduce the amount of student body initiative at the school on the whole. The timing of the club chartering process poses as another factor for stress imposed upon club officers. Club chartering paperwork is due around AP testing, thereby becoming a contributing factor to the stress that arises along with the chartering process. Informational meetings have proved to be a plus point when it comes to chartering. Time given for the student leaders to ask ASB questions has proven to be both productive and informative. Starting new clubs is one of the most efficient ways to create a group of students passionate about a certain topic of interest. New clubs allow more and more students to become engaged in the school and feel more welcome as a result. New clubs allow the school to grow, from promoting more discussion to exploring academic topics in ways that a classroom could never explore. If students stopped founding new clubs because of the strenuous chartering process, the school would feel a significant impact in terms of a decrease in the rate of student engagement and curiosity. It is our hope that a more efficient process of chartering is underway, in order to allow this school to grow in more ways than one.
Noemi Crisanto • Ad Manager Saba Khorasani • Asst. Ad Manager Ananya Donapati • Reporter Wafa Malik • Reporter Elakya Thirumoorthy • Reporter Derek Vo • Reporter Nicholas Wan • Reporter Henry Xiong • Reporter Jeff Colburn Advisor
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THE UNION
MAY 2017
FEATURES
Students travel abroad for community service BY GRACE CHANG KELLY LUE
Courtesy of Blaze Ann Carbonell
Senior Blaze Ann Carbonell poses for her blog post about styling floral midi-skirts. Carbonell continues to post on her fashion blog, P31beauty.com.
Carbonell pursues fashion in blog BY SHERRY LAM
While some people struggle to put together decent outfits for special occasions, others are able to easily style a well-put-together outfit every day. Senior Blaze Ann Carbonell has been a fashion blogger for four years. Carbonell started her fashion blog, P31beauty, in 2013, the summer before she started high school, she said. “I really enjoyed learning about graphic and web design and thought that blogging would be a great way to practice these skills,” Carbonell said. “Eventually, I came up with the idea to focus my blog on fashion and my faith.” Currently, Carbonell has over 1,500 readers across all of her social media platforms and blogging website. “One of the things I love about blogging is that I have been able to connect with so many other people around the world and meet bloggers with similar interests as me,” Carbonell said. “I met a lot of my blogging friends by commenting on their blogs,
emailing them, and guest posting for their blogs.” Blogging has opened many new opportunities for Carbonell, she said. She has partnered with several online brands to showcase their clothings. “For these brands, I create an outfit with clothes they let me chose from their store, and then I post the pictures on my blog and social media,” Carbonell said. “Initially, I would do these partnerships for free. However, this year, I have gotten my first sponsorship with Shein!” Carbonell is really proud of how successful her blog has been. She’s thankful that she started the blog because this experience has helped her grow into the individual that she is now. She has had many great memories, she said. “I think the most rewarding feeling about blogging is when I get emails or messages from readers telling me that my blog has inspired and helped them,” Carbonell said. Check out her fashion blog at p31beauty.com!
Summer is traditionally thought of as a break from the arduousness of student life—an escape from work and academia. It’s a time meant for long days, poolside parties, and road trips. However, some students regard summer as a time to do more work and participate in a variety of different summer programs and activities that mean anything but a break. Junior Joshua Lyu will travel to Taiwan in the summer to do overseas community service, he said. “This summer, I plan to attend this overseas Youth English Teaching Volunteer Service Program in Taiwan,” Lyu explained. “In the program, basically, you’d go to Taiwan for a month. The first week is mostly [composed] of workshops where they train you in how to become a teacher and how to lead a classroom of about
ten to fifteen elementary school kids. The second and third week are all teaching the students, and in the last and fourth week of the program, the program takes you on a tour around Taiwan.” The application to get into the program was a long process, Lyu said. Nonetheless, Lyu is looking forward to revisiting Taiwan, he said. “I hope to gain more experience in the real world [through this program],” Lyu said. “But to be honest, I really have no idea what lies ahead. That’s what makes it so exciting.” Another student participating in an interesting summer program is Junior Justin Pang. During the summer, he plans on traveling to Mexico to help orphanages, Pang said. “In the summer, I am going down to Mexico for one week with the Bridges Community Church where we partner with this organization called Genesis Diez to help orphanages,”
Pang said. “We run a summer camp for the kids from the orphanages at the camp that Genesis Diez provides.” Each child from the orphanage is adopted into the families that participate in the program for that week, Pang explained. In doing so, they also give the orphanage a little break and allow for the orphans to receive oneon-one attention. “Throughout the week, we grow bonds by the games we play, the field trips we go on, and the free time we have with these children,” Pang said. Pang first joined the program not knowing anything about it, he stated. But at the end of his first trip, he knew it could not be the last time he participated in it, he said. “After going down to Mexico all these years, the children at the orphanage have inspired me,”Pang said. “Their attitude and joyfulness despite their circumstance is just one thing I am trying to learn from them.”
Graduates to attend college with big scholarships BY JUSTIN NGUYEN
Every year, incoming college students all over the country receive scholarships and various forms of financial aid. This year, MHS seniors, Eliza Mundenmany, an upcoming student at UC San Diego, and Noemi Crisanto, who will be attending University of San Francisco, were among those latter students. Mundenmany, who is planning to major in Neuroscience & Physiology, as well as minor in English Literature and Spanish Language, is receiving an estimated total of $30,000 per year, which covers all tuition, dorming, and dining costs for all four years. According to Mundenmany, she will have to maintain above a 3.75 both right now and as a student at UC San Diego. “I didn’t do anything extra for my scholarship other than keeping my grades and test scores. I found out i got the scholarship when i was noti-
fied of acceptance and went to check my financial aid,” Mundenmany said. “I think that my financial need and having over 1000 hours of community service may have contributed to receiving the full ride.” In terms of community service, Mundenmany volunteered at RAFT, a nonprofit organization for teachers to get cheap supplies, every Saturday for 2.5 years. She also volunteered every Tuesday at a church to help homeless people and at-risk children, and tutored for the MHS Read Write Discover program in the summer. Crisanto has received the University of San Francisco’s Provost Achievement Scholarship which is $16,000 every year for 4 years. According to Crisanto, the Provost Achievement Scholarship was based on of her grades. “One of the reasons I applied to University of San Francisco was because, privates do give out more money than
regular public universities, and I was hoping for them to give me a better financial aid packet than what I’ve been offered so far,” Crisanto said. “ Crisanto was also awarded a grant from the University, which was a result of her 600 hours of community service and various extracurriculars. Crisanto volunteered with elementary school students for the past three years, helping students imrove their reading ability and also working with special education students. “I wrote about [working with those kids] also in my essays, and I think it really shows how much I love English, since I am going to be an English major,” Crisanto said. “I talked about how I do want to concentrate in that with helping kids..” The grant is for four years, Crisanto explained. To keep both the grant and her scholarship, Crisanto must keep a grade point average of 3.0 during her time at school.
MAY 2017
FEATURES
THE UNION
5
Tran cares for MHS Garden in his free time BY ARVIND KUMAR
BY SHERRY LAM
Courtesy of Wynne Lee
Every time you walked past the backside of the L building, you’ve probably noticed a small gated area with boxes of dirt spread out inside. This small plot of land is known as the MHS Garden. If this is our school’s garden, what do we grow? Where do the crops we grow go to? Junior Kevin Tran is currently in charge of the garden with the help of Teacher Gordon Sanford and takes time out of his Saturdays to help nourish and grow this garden. After a few years of inactivity, Tran discovered the garden while attempting to make his environmental club, he said. His friend informed him about the garden and suggested that it would be a powerful addition to his environmental club, he continued. “After I started volunteering there, the actual teacher in charge of the garden later trusted me enough to give me the lock combo for the gate to the garden, which basically got me coming down here every Saturday
ever since,” Tran said. Tran admitted that currently, the garden is not a complete success, which is partially because of the limited area of the garden. However, since there is a lot of open space in the plot of land, Tran plans on remodeling the garden to make it more effective and increase its output, he said. “I do wish that the garden grows, but we have been restricted to the little fenced area,” Tran said. “However, since there is a lot of open space, we do plan on remodeling the garden.” At a glance, you can see that the garden is actally doing well. Tran pointed out some of the key crops that he grows there, such as mint leaves, squash, corn, artichoke, rosemary, and oregano. The produce is usually used for the science classes and their research purposes, according to Tran. The chemistry classes use the mint leaves, but besides that, the produce usually goes to the foods class, other classes, or to Sanford. Tran has not tried to advertise the garden to get volunteers, so the MHS
Garden is currently cared for by Tran and his group of friends with the supervision of Sanford. Even with the lack of help, Tran is proud of the effect and message he is able to shine light on. Nature is worth caring for, he said. “I think it helps the school because these days, people are so focused on technology that they don’t have the chance to revisit what they have lost, which is the interaction with the natural world,” Tran said. “This is why the garden plays a key part in returning that sense of contact with the natural world and appreciation for nature. I’ve seen that when people do come to the garden and see things growing for the first time, it excites them.” Since his high school career is coming to an end soon, Tran is struggling to find someone who is just as inspired to take care of the garden as he is. He is hoping that it won’t be one teacher and one student collaboration, but rather a collective collaboration. “We’re going to be doing some big things next year, so look out for that.”
Teachers struggle to provide with insufficient funds BY HOPE DO
Perhaps you’ve seen the rolls of toilet paper in some classrooms as opposed to tissue paper, or received an assignment on colored copy paper instead of the standard white. Maybe you’ve seen the brand new classroom sets of colored pencils and markers, or the various lab materials organized in a distinct manner in the cupboards. Through saving, choosing alternatives, and spending wisely, teachers are able to offer a constant supply of necessities for student use. From assignments and tests to labs and projects, MHS teachers use a multitude of classroom supplies to make sure students learn and understand the curriculum. However, students may take those readily available classroom materials for granted; many teachers spend a substantial amount of money to carry out their lesson plans. Since the school gives each teacher a total of five reams of copy paper per semester along with
Courtesy of Christopher Do
a departmental budget, the process of obtaining the necessary items for a successful school year becomes one of careful deliberation and alternatives. Teachers in the science department, such as Chemistry Teacher Roberto Alvelais, need to consider how to balance and spend the budget in order to provide lasting learning experiences through methods that range from labs and chemicals to worksheets. The help of the PTSA this school year in donating reams of copy paper eased the burden of finding enough copy paper for the school year, but the total amount was still substandard, looking over the stretch of the school year, Alvelais said. “Sometimes, it’s a tradeoff,” Alvelais said. “Do I spend the money on creating a good experience for the student that helps them enhance their understanding of the topic by being able to visualize it by doing a hands on activity, or do I spend it on paper so that I can print off your finals?” The average teacher spends about
$1,000 each year on their classrooms, Social Studies Teacher Jennifer Loomis said. While there are ways to obtain classroom supplies such as copy paper through websites such as donorschoose.org, the existence of these websites is not widely known, Loomis continued. “Every once in a while, the department may have a small surplus, about $40 to $70, to allow us to order some supplies such as pencils or markers,” Loomis said. “However, it is nowhere near enough. It is very expensive to be a teacher and provide quality education with the resources we are given.” As MHS’s student population continues to grow, the teachers have to respond to the changes and make sure that they will be able to support their students with every coming school year through their own means as well as through their respective department budgets. How they will be able to support their classrooms and students each year is left to the dedication of the teachers and the school.
$200,000 USNA full-ride scholarships awarded BY KEVIN ZHANG
Courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Courtesy of Cindy Lam
Sherry lam | the Union
Among the many seniors who are attending college after graduating from high school, Senior Harvey Nguyen and Senior Richard Sung will be attending the United States Naval Academy (USNA) with fullride scholarships of $200,000. After attending college, the two students will commission into positions into the military, according to Nguyen and Sung. The United States Naval Academy is a prestigious institution, according to Nguyen. The school is renowned for its exceptional academic and athletic programs and graduates demonstrate outstanding leadership, Nguyen said. According to Nguyen, attending USNA has always been his first choice for colleges. “The US Naval Academy has always been my dream school,” Nguyen said. “It’s been a [lifelong] goal of mine to serve and lead in the Armed Forces.” For Sung, the USNA provides an educational opportunity that he would like to take advantage of, according to Sung. In addition to the school’s prestige in academics and athletics, the school covers the entire cost of tuition, Sung said. “The naval academy is a very prestigious school, and they offer a very good education that is all paid for,” Sung said. “It seemed like a very good education opportunity, and I decided
to shoot for it!” Although both Nguyen and Sung were also accepted into other colleges in addition to the USNA, they chose to attend USNA after consideration. According to Nguyen, he chose USNA for its academics and athletics, emphasis on leadership, and historical renown. Sung chose USNA over other schools for its idiosyncratic location and environment, in addition to its leading programs, according to Sung. “I chose the Naval Academy over other schools not only because [it’s] one of the top academic and athletic institutions in the nation, but [also] because of the caliber of leader the school develops and its distinguished history,” Nguyen said. “When comparing the overall atmospheres of the schools and comparing the campuses, the [USNA] had the most beautiful campus compared to the others,” Sung said. “Also, the [USNA] is located in downtown Annapolis, and the city is filled with character.” To be accepted into a school that accepts a mere nine percent of its applicants yearly, Nguyen and Sung worked hard academically and were involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, according to Nguyen and Sung. “My participation in extracurricular activities [got me in],” Nguyen said. “I was captain of two varsity
sports teams, a sea cadet, a police explorer, the Commanding Officer of the Milpitas NJROTC Unit, as well as a few other things.” “I believe that the hard work that I put into my grades, [SAT] studying, as well as my athletic training over the years [have] all culminated into helping me to get into these schools,”Sung said. As the program requires accepted students to serve in the military for fives years after attending college, both Nguyen and Sung will commission as officers into the military. The USNA guarantees the students positions in the military after they graduate. “Along with every other graduate, I’m commissioning as an officer into either the Navy or Marine Corps,” Nguyen said. “As of right now, I hope to become a Naval Aviator.” Sung plans to look for a civilian career after serving in the military, according to Sung. “I will be commissioned into the [Navy] for five years as a second lieutenant,” Sung said. “This will be my job right after college. I will then pursue a different career after five years. There is a guaranteed job in the Navy as a second lieutenant for all graduates of the [USNA]. Five years is the mandatory service commitment that is required after coming out of college. After five years, I will be pursuing a civilian career.”
6
LIFESTYLE
THE UNION
FASHION SPOTLIGHT BY JUSTIN NGUYEN
TSEGENET AWOKE Junior
tank top from Brandy Melville Br alette from Windsor
MAY 2017
Pokémon Go has lost its global fascination BY EMMY YU
Gone are the days when Pokémon trainers of all ages would gather around local parks, swarm popular Pokéstops, and drive across town on the quest to catch em’ all. While the summer of 2016 buzzed with excitement following the release of Pokémon Go, which is a location-based, augmented reality gaming app, their massive popularity has dwindled in this new year. Back in the early days of Pokémon Go, news outlets and social media broadcasted live footage of stampedes caused by a Pokémon sightings, and stories surfaced of users trespassing onto private property to catch that rare Pokémon that they’ve been missing in their Pokédex. The most dedicated Pokémon trainers would even traveled to other continents to catch region-exclusive Pokémon. The Pokémon craze was inescapable. Lately, however, there has not been so much as a single mention of the once-popular gaming app.
Although the game still survives, the global phenomenon that was Pokémon Go is no more. Just as the older generation love to tell stories of their past, I reminisce of my Pokémon Go adventures in a similar way. Back in my day, when Pokémon Go was still the gaming craze of its time, its augmented reality technology offered a new gaming experience where players had to journey beyond the comforts of their home. Suddenly, all types of players traveled outside and explored their neighborhoods in search for Pokémon, meeting new people who shared a common interest. More than anything, Pokémon Go engendered a sense of community. Walking past other players who were also playing, we would share knowing smiles. If we were both on the hunt for a rare Pokémon, we would kindly point each other in the right directions. These small, seemingly insignificant and trivial occurrences contributed to a sense of belongingness where we were all
Pokémon trainers living out our childhood dreams of being the very best, like no one ever was. Within the game, Lure Modules can be placed on Pokéstops to attract all types of Pokémon. Not only does the player who initially placed the Lure benefit from greater spawns, anyone who stopped by the Pokéstop would also reap its benefits. This tactic by Pokémon Go’s creator, Niantic, Inc. was intended to encourage greater interactions between its players. In this way, Pokémon Go was a great icebreaker. Meeting a new player, we would ask each other what team we were on, what level we were, and if there were any good Pokémon nearby. It got people to go out and explore the interesting landmarks and buildings that were cleverly disguised as Pokéstops. There was an instant connection between anyone in the Pokémon community, and it has been a privilege for me to be apart of it. I’ll be on the lookout for any other Pokémon hopefuls still out there.
Avoid summer boredom with these activities BY KATHERINE HUBENY
Jeans thrifted
flip flops from Puma
Her Fashion Inspir ation: “My fashion inspiration comes from Olivia Pope and styles from L.A.”
TRICIA NGUYEN Senior
1. Take a class If you have free time over the summer, sign up to take a class. This will help keep you busy and let you keep learning throughout the summer. These classes can be taken just for fun, or you can sign up to take a class at a local community college. You can take a class on a basic skill or a new language, too. Taking a class at a community college can exempt you from having to take the course in high school, and it can give you transferrable college credit. 2. Learn a new skill Summer is the perfect time of the year to take the time to learn and practice a new skill. Some of these new skills could include learning a new language, playing an instrument, cooking, baking, origami, or you could just learn a new party trick, like juggling. Check out some books from the library on the topics and watch some YouTube videos, and by practicing over the
summer, you could soon become a well-learned master. 3. Exercise Instead of vegetating online all summer, take your extra time and use it to start or continue exercising. If you’re in a sport, practice for the upcoming seasons. If you are not in a competitive sport, you can jog, join a gym, follow workout videos, or get some friends together to play sports in a park. There are plenty of things to do for you to stay healthy over the summer and look good! 4. Go on an adventure With the free time and great weather that comes with the summer, use these perfect conditions to go on an adventure. Starting a new TV show and playing video games are fun things to do over the summer, but in between, try to get outside! Summer is the perfect time to get outside and spend time in the sun. Drive out of Milpitas and explore new places, or look for something that you have never done before that is still in this city. Take
a group of friends out, and see what you can find, just try to get out of your comfort zone and try new things this summer. You’ll have the time and the energy. 5. Get a job To get some extra money to use during college or just so you can do other fun activities over the summer, try to find a job. Getting a job is a great thing to do for you to earn some extra cash, add to your resume, put on your college apps, and use more of your free time. Look online for job listings and see which ones interest you the most, so you can apply. 6. Spend time with your friends You don’t have to have an activity-packed summer to have fun. Spending the day with your friends chilling at home can be just as much fun as going on a vacation. You can get a group of friends together to do any of the other suggestions, or you could just spend a leisure day together. Anything you can do to have a good time.
Visit these cool, local places during summer Jacket thrifted
BY ARVIND KUMAR ERIC YU
pins from various places
top from Forever 21 skirt from Urban Outfitters
Shoes from H&M
Her Fashion Inspir ation: “I don’t have a singular fashioin inspiration, but I sometimes find some from Youtubers like Jenn Im or The Style Cult, bloggers, and K-pop stars (lol). I try to dress in basic neutral pieces that go with everything! ”
Summer is just a month away, and when you aren’t overwhelmed with your classes and summer jobs, you are probably going to be looking for interesting places to visit. There are hundreds of fun destinations in the Bay Area to go to, whether it’s a fun, near-home activity, a place for a day trip or the perfect place for that new aesthetic cover photo and instagram post. Here are some spots for you to enjoy during your down time over the summer. Mystery Spot Santa Cruz Check out Mystery Spot, a really cool tourist attraction that is quite well known from all the people putting the Mystery Spot bumper stickers on their cars. Located a mere 10 minutes from the city of Santa Cruz, Mystery Spot is a tourist attraction built with the premise of hosting an unique gravitational anomaly in the area. Opened to the public in 1940, the attraction has confused tourists and scientists alike, with all the mind bending illusions that the area presents to the unknowing. This is definitely worth a visit as the area will challenge
all preconceived notions of direction as the area is built to specifically to distort reality. The featured attraction is the 45-minute tour of the premises, while the area presents some mind-blowing tricks! Balls roll uphill, your body slants at crazy angles while standing still, and everything is just not as it seems! With tickets costing at only eight dollars, this attraction is a steal of a bargain and is definitely worth a visit! Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve and Alum Rock Park Alum Rock Park is one of the oldest California municipal parks. Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, accessible through Alum Rock Park and San Jose City Views on Sierra Road, provides about 1,700 acres of grassland in the steep hills above Penitencia Creek Canyon and about 23 miles of varied trails. Elevations of the two parks vary based on where you enter from 300 feet by the Alum Rock Park Entrance, but 2000 feet at the eastern side of Sierra Vista. The trails in both parks are a mix of dirt roads and singletrack. In addition to the hiking and running, both trails provide you with a series of picnic sites
and tables, barbeque pits, water spots, restrooms, and lawna and children’s playgrounds in the mid-canyon area, making it much more relaxed than a Mission Peak hike, if that is what you’re looking for. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is known as one of the more interesting six flags theme parks, due to its really nice setting, but it’s also known for it’s great roller coasters. One of these great rides is the Medusa. With no floor to rest your feet on, the roller coaster throws you around as you do 360s and have amazing drops. This ride will definitely suffice the needs of the adrenaline junky. Besides the rides, keep in mind that the theme park is also a zoo where you can witness and meet up with many of your favorite animals. You can walk among beautiful and elegant butterflies in the lush indoor garden Butterfly Habitat, or you can enjoy a show put on by the Dolphins in the Dolphin Discovery, or even put on a swimsuit and enjoy a swim with the mammals. There is even an opportunity to go on a wildlife discover tour. This potential day trip will definitely be thrilling and a fun escape.
LIFESTYLE
MAY 2017
7
THE UNION
Graduation DIYs
Craft simple and unique presents to gift to the graduating Class of 2017 BY TUONG-VI NGUYEN WAFA MALIK
Candy Lei
Materials - Candy (in bulk, fun-sized pieces recommended, i.e. Jolly Ranchers and Mini Snickers) - Appox. a yard of cling wrap - Curling ribbon
Wafa Malik | THE UNION
1. Place small handfuls of your candy of choice on the cling wrap, about one inch apart. 2. Fold the far edge of the cling wrap over the candy, so that it is encased within the plastic. 3. Fold the remaining edge over the encased candy. 4. Pinch the empty inches of cling wrap (between clusters of candy). 5. Cut around 7-inch pieces of ribbon to tie the pinched sections. 6. Bring two ends of the lei together and tie tightly with ribbon. 7. Use scissors to curl each ribbon by holding one blade flat against the ribbon and sliding it down the length.
Money Mentos Diploma Materials -
Mentos rolls
-
Black or white paper
-
String or ribbon
1. Trim the paper down to a little over the length of the roll of Mentos (may or may not be necessary). 2. Place the paper on a flat surface, money on top of it (optional), then Mentos on top of the money. 3. Roll the stack into one cylindrical scroll and secure with string or ribbon, which should be tied into a bow.
- Money (any amount, optional) Wafa Malik | THE UNION
Create cute and functional dorm decorations to bring with you to college BY WAFA MALIK
Dorm rooms can be super tiny and it’s easy for them to become cluttered and crowded with various decorations. You may want to balance decor with functionality so you can make the most of the tiny space you’re going to call home for the next few months. Below are two easy DIY projects that will decorate your dorm room and also serve some functional purpose. Hanging bulletin board You can place this board someplace you will constantly see and post small reminders for yourself so you don’t miss out on anything. Materials: - Cardboard
- Fabric (pick something pretty) - Stapler/fabric glue - Yarn/String
in your dorm room will help you stay organized throughout your freshmen year of college.
Procedure: 1. Cut out the cardboard in your desired shape. A circle or a rectangle will be the easiest (optional: if you want your hanging board to be more sturdy and thick, cut out two identical shapes and glue them together). 2. Lay out your fabric upside down, and place your cut cardboard on it. Trace around your shape, leaving about a 2-inch border. 3. Fold over the extra fabric to the back of your board and glue or staple into place 4. Measure out your desired yarn/string length and glue to the back of the board
Materials: - Old cereal box - Sissors - Wrapping paper/Construction paper - Tape - Pen Wafa Malik | THE UNION
5. Once all the glue is dry, you’re ready to hang your new board! Paper or Notebook Holder You’ll probably have a lot of loose papers and notebooks for your classes. Having a few designated areas for these items
Procedure: 1. On one of the shorter side of the cereal box, draw a line about ½ an inch away from the top. 2. On the opposite short side of the cereal box, draw a line across the width, 4 inches from the bottom of the box. 3. On both the front and back of the box, draw a line connecting the two lines you made on the
short sides of the box. 4. Cut along the lines you made. 5. Wrap the box in wrapping paper or construction paper.
Wafa Malik | THE UNION
Tea shop Happy Lemon lives up to its hype with new salted cheese drinks BY HELEN PHAM
Happy Lemon is a milk tea place known for its “Salted Cheese series” located in Cupertino and a new location was opened in Sunnyvale recently. I visited the new Sunnyvale location to see if it lived up to its hype on social media. The two most popular drinks were the Salted Cheese Green Tea drink and the Salted Cheese Black Tea so I decided to try both of them. I was advised to not get any toppings to enhance the full salted cheese experience so I did not get any toppings in either drinks. The Salted Cheese Green Tea came in a cute plastic cup with a coffee lid, unlike your usual sealed with plastic milk tea cups. The first sip was unusual, I was unable to get any tea, but
instead a mouth full of salted cheese. I tried again to get both the tea and the salted cheese and there was a unique sweet and salty sensation that made me crave more. The taste was overwhelming at first, but I slowly got accustomed to the taste. It was very similar to any sea salt milk tea foam that you could try at other places, but there is a distinct cheese and almost buttery taste, not just salt, in this drink. You also are not supposed to mix the foam with the tea, but instead take large enough sips that include both the foam and the tea. There is no large size for the Salted Cheese Series drinks, but I finished both rather quickly considering I usually get larges. The black tea had a more distinct flavor over the green tea and the mix with the cheese foam was more powerful than
the green tea. You can also customize sweetness and ice level like usual milk tea places, but I chose to stick with the original at 100% sweetness and 25% ice which seemed like the perfect amount of sweetness for my taste. There was a perfect ratio between the salted cheese and tea that resulted in every sip til the very end having both of the sweet and salty flavors. For those who aren’t a fan of their Salted Cheese series, there are also various other drinks on the menu that range from smoothie-like drinks to chocolate drinks. Overall, I enjoyed the drink, knowing that sweet and salty create a strong sensation for tastebuds and being a fan of anything with cheese. I would go to Happy Lemon again to try their other drinks such as the Oreo Milk Tea with Tiramisu
Salted Cheese, but the location itself is a bit far from Milpitas. There are no snacks on the menu or any type of food whatsoever. The drinks were also not expen-
sive, it was around the same as any other milk tea place. I would say it lives up to its hype, but the drinks are not worth the drive.
T he U nion
8 Arizona
Northern Arizona State University Maria Simone Tayaba
Arizona State University Noami Neo
California
American River College Anthony Tylij Art Center College of Design Riya Gupata Azusa Pacific University Olivia Su Cañada College Zeyra Gonzalez Sarelis Villalobos Martinez De Anza College Yarenzi Alatorre Ruqayya Alsharif Federico Antonio Geobert Ayran Dakiya Banks Lita Barrera Bryson Barbadillo Mark Bautista Kyle Bernardo Raphael Carlos Karina Carrancho Olivia Chau Katherine Dang Marya Elaine Enteria Jannine Famatid Uriel Garcia Esteban Gonzales Cheyanne Hankins Sean Hatran Duprees Hayes Rendell Herradura Raymond Hipolito Abijah Hsu Chia-Jui Hu Jamie Hua Kailin Huang Andrew Huynh Ian Kee Yoel Kee Joshua Keller Kristen Lam Khoi Le Nhan Le Rachel Leí Rongkeng Liang Jacob Neal Manansalla Jamie Moreno Dempsey Nguyen Kevin Nguyen Lisa Nguyen Vinh Nhin Arianne Nogot Angel Ortiz Tan Pham Yutong Qin Kamya Robinson Ajay Robles Alondra Ruelas Eric Sanchez Kyle Jan Santander Casey Santiago Marwinde Singh Guadalupe Soria Calvin Tang
Lily Thavy Nicholas Tran Traha Tran Tracy Trat Liyliy Trenh Kevin Truong Katelyn Vien Shelah Mae Vinoray Santiago Velasco Derek Vo Ziying Wu Jasmin Younis Jafer Zaidi Dominican University of California Criselle Ramos
Evergreen State College Axel Ancheta Sandra Gonzalez Meza Romero Amelia Tran Expression College Sarah Bocanegra
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Kenny Cross Foothill College Trizha Aquino Jhoselle Baldueza Athena Caldwell Laura Corona Ajaibir Deol Alain Joey Dela Cruz Darren Foronda Jamie Dithur Franco Angel Garcia Kristine Huynh Marya Zaray Jaspreet Jandi Jaci Ladringan Erica Warren Mission College Roz Almeida Erick Altamirano Lander John Alvarez Elizabeth Balan Ivy Benitez Alaric Benting Monique Bui Roberto Castro Clarice Catura Anurak Chanachai Roxanne Cisneros Arianna Coria Kristine May Crabajales Nicholas Crosby Gerome Cruz Miguel Delgadillo Christopher Do Nathan Dominguez Neally Echanis Nica Escano Emily Finuliar Nazel Flores Halirose Fuller Richard Gomez Joanne May Gonzales Klaritza Haro Stephen Huynh Vinh Huynh Jonathan Ith Yuzheng Jiang Joshua Jose
may 2017
Colleges
Jeremy Julian Anh Le Kent Le Leona Lee Alex Li Samara Lopez-Jones Andy Lou Janelle Lucero Emmanuel Mariano Aaron Martinez Angelou Mayo Rich Munoz Gonzales Harjeevan Nagra Karl-Patrick Neyra Anh Nguyen Anthony Nguyen Deisy Partida Charles Pham Austin Platon Arlene Ponce Ortega Nghia Quang Tran Quang Nikita Rai Jonathon Razo Rean Romano Merriam Saafein April Sin Jeremiah Sola Jeremy Tran Thao Vi Tran Eric Van Naibi Vargas Christopher Villegas Tyrae Yao Jasmin Younis Ohlone Katherine Alvear Jardiniene Ayenza Wendy Chavez Nicole Colocado Andrew Cueto Amanda Cullen Anaya Keila Del Rosario Claire Dela Cruz Jenneira Delara Nicole Dimmick Janelle Famatid Sara Fischer Joshua Fontanilla Daphne Gee Serena Guerra Raymond Ha Antonette Inguito Julia Labog Camille Kate Legaspi Jasmine Leimbach Jevons Lin Johnathen Logan Patrick Mappala Jeremy Mendoza Anne Nguyen Anthony Nguyen Christine Nguyen Kevin Nguyen Hayle Nicole Nono Brandy Redic Ricardo Rodriguez Noor Sheikh Sara Suboh Lyndon Sy Jennifer Tieu Eloisa Tolentino Pepperdine University Zion Chang
Sacramento City College Shant Jabo Jesse Njoki
San Jose City College Frida Camacho Tuan Dinh Alexis Garcia Shiyun Guo Danielle Gutierrez Ajene Revell Kimberly Rivera Zeledon Santa Clara University Michelle Nguyen Vincent Yu
Santiago Canyon College Claire Paulsen Soka University Victoria Huynh
Stanford University Kinbert Chou Allan Zhao University of the Pacific Long Dang Harriet Do Mark Tran Christina Lam University of San Francisco
Hilal Atesoglu Amanpreet Badesha Noemi Crisanto Audrey Tran Crystal Tran West Valley College Jason Hang Reyna Rodriguez
University of California UC Berkeley Anoosha Balebail Gurshaan Bariana Roland Chin Amandeep Dosanjh Julia Huang Bryant Le Tuong-Vi Nguyen Andre Sha Melody Tran Emmy Yu UC Davis Vincent Boc Angela Nguyen Tricia Nguyen Derick Phan Natalie Phan Tara Soudbakhsh Kelley Truong Huy Vo Jenna Zarbis
UC Irvine Nhi Bui Brandon Ha Hung Hoang Ufsau Jain Ivy Kong Arvind Kumar Stacey Le Jeanette Mai Andrew Nguyen Ashley Nguyen Khoi Nguyen Thea Ann Ramirez
UCLA Ca-Zao Bui Jessica Fernandez Brooke Tran Sonia Tripathy Justin Tso Olyvia Yoon UC Merced Eric Nguyen James Nguyen Eric Tran Rahul Kc UC Riverside Gabriella Alvelais Teresa Alvelais Harley Chau Samantha Chu Amogh Dendukuri Andy Nguyen Paul Quach Ryan Quach Vinh-Trung Trinh Zhengxuan Wen UC San Diego Blaze Ann Carbonell Anthony Chu Helen Huynh Isabel Li Eliza Mundenmaney Justin Nguyen Rahul Pearce Minh Pham Vincent Phan Jerry Qian Scott Sun Kaelan Tan Elakya Thirumoorthy Nicholas Wan Lusi Wang Jinyu Zhang
UC Santa Barbara Michael Hau Jennifer Hoang Hoyun Kim Sherry Lam Emily Le Wafa Malik An Ngo Bryan Tan Baldomero Velazquez UC Santa Cruz Shivansh Gupta Leo Kao David Ngo Anthony Nguyen Darrion Nguyen Jennie Nguyen Nelson Pang Vivan Pham Shawnae Remulla
California State University
Cal Poly Pomona Emily Dang Nathan Dang Kapil Lad Dustin Shreve Jared Sullivan Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Andrew Do Nhi Do Vy Han Michelle Hsu
T he U nion Hieu Nguyen Tina Truong An To Jennifer Le
CSU Chico Emily Dinh Nicole Dutra Nathan Layno Anna Weins CSU East Bay Jayleine Bermudez Shannen Cacdac Vincent Cheong Amir Davis Samantha Davis Tony Phan-Nguyen Sandra Rose Sipin Natalie Mansilla CSU Fresno Dion Leonard CSU Fullerton Katherine Dang Wynne Lee CSU Long Beach Helen Lai CSU Maritime Duylam Nguyen
CSU Monterey Bay Claudio Vertemara CSU Sacramento Christian Bondoc Matthew Chan Paige DaSilva Melissa Gonzalez Jonathan Vu Victoria Zamora San Diego State Jaiana Bugayong Elmer Jr Lauron Sophia Orlando Evelyn Tran San Francisco State Travis Alms Nicholas Barnhill Jasmine Bui Alvaro Crisanto Millen Do Martin Espinoza Vivian Huynh Alexis Jetomo Alexerd Libed Olivia Liev Kelly Nguyen Shaina Padua Shreeya Patel Timmy Pham Timmy Phan Eryka Seril Miah Ton Lam Tran Nikki Tran San Jose State Jasmine Acevedo Shilah Alojipan Gabriela Avella Long Bao Andrew Buchanan Ann Bargstadt
Lisa Truong Sabrina Tseng Viviana Vasquez Leonardo Vazquez Bernadine Vinola Johnny Vu Brandon Wettenstein Liang Wong Jennifer Yang San Marcos Kaelyn-Cristah Quintero-Arimboanga Sonoma Miguel Alvarez Celine Uribe
Connecticut Yale Stella Xu
Hawaii
Kapiolani Community College Malia Andin University of Hawaii Micah Valero
Illinois College of DuPage Gagandeep Singh
Indiana Purdue Hursh Desai Joshua Dong
Maryland
USNA Harvey Nguyen Richard Sung
Massachusetts
Regis College Genesie Castellano
Nevada College of Southern Nevada Danielle Palo
New York
Cornell Jason Wong Eric Yu Monroe Community College Jasraj Singh
North Dakota
Valley City State University Justin Cevallos
Ohio
Ohio State University Henry Xiong
Oregon
Oregon State University Natalie Smolnikov
University of Portland Devin Uyehara
Texas
University of Texas Austin Nitesh Chaudhari
9
Utah
Brigham Young University Dinah Ramos
Tennessee
Chattanooga State Community College Rachel Fussell
Washington
Seattle University Bea Palacio CJ Andrea Molo Natalie Trinh
International Canada
University of Victoria Brenna Hentschke
Military/Marine Corps Fabian Barrios Karl Becite
Navy/Airforce Tristan Chi Walter Dons John Nicolas Jerwin Lopez
Congratulations Class of 2017!!!
CSU Channel Islands Jessica Gutierrez
Chun Cheung Romel De Leon Jashan Dhillon Annie Dinh Huan Do Hannah Dong Cindy Duong Bianca Galvan Armaan Ghedia Samantha Guong Mihir Hansalia Andy Ho Emmy Ho Phi Ho Jenny Hoang Lani Hoang Tyler Hom Jack Hunter Tommy Huynh Saood Jan Daphne Janolo Justin Javier Javeria Jogi Samantha Kako Saba Khorasani Celine Kuang Zoren Labrador Emily Tien Lam Richard Lam Ben Le Janice Le Johnny Le Quy Mai Le Sandy Le Nicholas Lee Hui Li Yanrong Li Andrew Liang Jeevvansh Lota Jamie Lucas Kathreena Lucero Tanya Ly Charlie Lynam Emily Macias Tyrell Malonzo Gabrielle Maneja Tagialii Matau Jeremy McMullen Amy Nguyen An Nguyen Elizabeth Nguyen Enya Nguyen Huey Nguyen Kevin Nguyen Nam Nguyen Nhut Nguyen Stephanie Nguyen Hibo Osman Vanessa Padilla Christopher Padua Prit Pandya Elizabeth Popov Armica Quejado Alexander Sanchez Ranbir Singh Evalin Soria John Suico Vincent Tagle Qianting Tan Andrew Tran Carey Van Tran Huyen Tran Jasmine Tran Kaitlyn Tran Khiem Tran Richard Tran Tyler Tran
may 2017
  colleges
10
THE UNION
SPREAD
MAY 2017
To the baby freshmen: make the next year count are not quite completely sure, you should start thinking of volunteering at a place where you can possibly see yourself in the future. An example of this could be volunteering at a local clinic to see if you see yourself in that profession in the future. That way, you don’t just help out the community, but you also get a glimpse of what the future may hold for you. Sophomore year is also the year when I think you should experience at least one high school dance: prom, anyone? You are not considered an upperclassman, and you should milk it for all it is worth. This means that you are not expected to bring a date and there is no pressure to not go with your friend group. Many people go through all four years of high school never attending a dance, and a lot of them really regret it. Don’t let this be something you regret not experiencing, especially since the tickets for the dances held at school usually start at around $10, and are even cheaper if you have an ASB card. Apart from dances, you should also try to go to a school play, football game, and maybe even Trojan Olympics at least once throughout your high school career.
Though your friends may say that it is a waste of time, you should attend one and make your own judgement. High school should be fun, at least some of the time, and attending a school event is the perfect way to release some stress. The most important thing about sophomore year is to make sure that you do not procrastinate and that you do not overload your class schedule. Though you probably have chosen your classes by now, realize that taking one Advanced Placement class instead of two will not be the end of your life or your high school career. Listen to your counselors: they really are trying to help you because they have seen hundreds of kids go through the same thing many times before you. Do not let the pressure of trying to fit in and becoming like everyone else make you lose track of who you are. Remember, being different is not a bad thing. It’s always good to try your best, and it’s definitely encouraged to challenge yourself as much as you possibly can, but just keep in mind that your sophomore year should also be fun and fulfilling! Enjoy not being a junior, and good luck!
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will look at what classes you are taking, even if they may not be taking the grades into account. The CSUs and UCs will also look at your freshman year classes, even if the grades from that year aren’t included in the GPA they look at. Apart from starting to focus more on college, Sophomore year should also be the year when you keep exploring who you are. If you already know exactly who you are, well kudos NOEMI to you! But if you CRISANTO don’t know who are quite yet, do not fret. It is completely normal to change and develop new interests. You should try joining every club and/or sport that piques your interest, even if you only go a couple of times. No matter what that nagging teenage voice in your head may say, it is never too late to try something new. I would also urge you to start thinking about what you want to do once high school is over. Even if you
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Hey there, freshmen! I bet you sure are really glad that freshman year is almost over, and that summer is just around the corner. You’re not at the bottom of the food chain anymore! However, I also know that you must be quite nervous about what is waiting for you once fall inevitably rolls around. Worry not, as I will share my wisdom so that you can survive the horrors of sophomore year. If you are planning to go to college after high school, then sophomore year is the year when everything begins to actually count. When I say everything, I mean your grades. Everyone has probably told you your whole life that colleges will look at all of your high school grades, however, that is not always the case. California State Universities (CSUs) and Universities of California (UCs) will actually only look at your GPA from 10th grade and 11th grade, according to the online GPA calculator provided by the CSU Mentor website. However, this does not mean that you should take a light course load your senior year, because the universities
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sophomores: forget pressure, find passion To you, the soon-to-be junior: self in the form of procrastination on If you’re not scared to be heading into assignments, a lack of sleep, and the your third year of high school, consid- sudden realization that you’re fighting er yourself lucky. You are a losing battle with stress. miles ahead of the sophIf you’re taking some of omore that I was two the most difficult classes years ago. in the school (AP CalcuIf I had to use water to lus BC, AP Chem, and AP describe the things that Bio, to name a few), you’ll people were saying about face a difficulty spike that each high school year, none of your previous freshman year would be classes can really compare like happily splashing to. And even if you do all in a puddle, sophomore the right things, there will year would be learning be moments in which you JUSTIN how to tread water in a struggle. TSO four-foot deep pool, and But for all of this doom junior year would be bethat I’ve prophesied, I’ve ing captured by a giganfound that the scariest part tic maelstrom while Moby Dick itself of junior year was before I started it threatens to catch up to you and swal- at all. It’s the year in which you finallow you whole. And to some extent, ly know what you’re doing—you have that advice is true, but from someone earned the coveted right of mocking who’s made it through to the other the increasing number of confused side, I can also happily say that junior and immature freshmen. For me, it year is doable. was the year I learned to be the most I agree with the sentiment that ju- confident and the year I made my nior year is the most important year closest friendships. There’s a far greatof your high school career, and in gen- er pride in the things you achieve as eral, it’s the year you’ll be working the the obstacles get tougher and tougher. hardest in terms of the difficulty of the Yes, junior year should be the one that classes you’re taking and the activity matters most, not just to colleges, but that you do. If you let it, the pressure to you as well. You’ll find that impact of all that work can compound on it- in yourself whether it be through suc-
cess in your classes, joining the varsity team, or even writing your first article for The Union. People are quick to remember the lows, but the heights you’ll scale will be higher than ever. My best advice for you as someone on the other end of college apps is to find your passion if you haven’t already, and dive into it. And by passion, I don’t mean hunting for numerous positions in clubs or stacking your college resume. Find your niche, something you can get lost in, and chase it. You’ll be happier, more fulfilled, and achievement in something you love can only help you, whether it be in meeting new people, staving off stress, or making you an impressive student that colleges want on their campus. I can offer you all of my generic tips and tricks to get your way through classes, but that would mostly be a laundry list of things to do that I ended up not doing anyway. There really isn’t a key to cracking the junior year code, and perhaps that’s all you need to know. If the countless senior survivors are any indication, you’ve already got all the tools you need. And maybe what you hear is right: maybe junior year is the ocean trying to swallow you up. You’ll soon find that, over the past two years, you’ve learned how to swim too.
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WARNING TO ALL
MAY 2017
SPREAD
THE UNION
11
A message to all juniors: have a stress-free senior year Dear juniors, You are about to enter either the most stressful or the most laid back year of high school, depending on how you view your future prospects. Some of you are no doubt planning on applying to colleges. But first, summer is approaching, and how you utilize your time can greatly impact your success. Summer between junior and senior year is a great time to catch up on everything you either forgot or neglected to do. Community service, standardized test preparation, essays for college, and a summer job are just some of the activities most students choose to do. Of course, you can just have fun all summer if all your priorities have been taken care of. Many of you reading this are probably thinking about applying to college in the fall. It might seem like a daunting task, but it really isn’t. Just don’t procrastinate on writing your essays or getting letters of recommendation, and you’ll be fine. For those that don’t need to do the above two things, you have even less to worry about. Your information for your applications is basically already finalized, barring
summer classes and community service. Filling out the applications themselves is something easy to do: ignore the advice of those who says to start as early as possible, a month beforehand is plenty of time. Since you’ve already signed up for your classes next year, I hope you chose a good mix of difficult and easy classes. Overloading your DEREK senior VO year with hard classes, especially AP classes, is a surefire way to wasting your time and the only high school senior year you have your whole life. Getting As in your senior year shouldn’t be one of your top priorities, as colleges don’t place senior year grades very
high on their list of recommended things to do. You should instead aim on getting decent grades to get accepted into colleges and decent grades to not get rescinded by colleges. You want to be in the best condition to make the most out of your senior year. This is the year for you to chill and cross off all the things on your high school bucket list. Things like going to a school dance if you haven’t already, going to Trojan Olympics, joining a new club, watching a play, going ham on spirit weeks, and all the other activities a high school senior should do. Senior year should be your most fun and relaxing year of high school; so do everything you can to make it just like that. Another important thing you want to avoid during your senior year is stressing out too much. Don’t overstress over minute details that don’t really matter. Stressing over your college apps and maintaining decent grades are fine, but stressing over whether or not that cute guy or girl likes you is completely unnecessary. A good tip would be to find a hobby or an outlet through which you can relieve stress; after all, you should have a large amount of free
time. Keeping stress built up inside of you is a sure way to become exhausted, sick, or possibly depressed. Though senior year is mostly fun and games, some actual work does need to be done to maximize success in the future. Scholarships are a notable example and should always be a priority throughout the whole of senior year. Thousands of scholarships and financial aid go unclaimed each year, so you definitely want to capitalize on the multitude of opportunities available to you. You especially don’t want to have the mindset that you won’t get any scholarships: taking a chance is far better than not even trying at all. Another thing to keep in mind is that next year, you’ll be having a new principal. Make sure to give a good first impression on him. You don’t want to start off on the wrong foot and have them thinking that your class is the troublemaker of the school. You could even possibly get the new principal to write a letter of recommendation for you if you make the effort to get to know him better. All in all, senior year will be what you make of it. Don’t worry too much, and make sure to have fun
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HELEN HUYNH | THE UNION
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HARRIET DO AND HELEN HUYNH |THE UNION
consider the following before college
L UNDERCLASSMEN
BY WAFA MALIK
JERALD MENDOZA |THE UNION
Read through your college course catalog: Of course, you’ll have to take classes for your major and various general education classes, but also be sure to take a handful of exciting classes. Colleges offer a variety of classes, so take full advantage of them and try something new because you might never have chances like these again. For example, a coffee-making class or perhaps a language class might be a fun to throw on your schedule. In terms of your major-oriented classes and general education courses, go through professor review websites and find out which professors you might prefer over others. Read up on interesting clubs: Most colleges will have a club fair towards the beginning of fall semester or quarter where there will be tons of booths showcasing clubs. During the summer, look up the list of clubs offered at your school and choose a handful you’re interested in. Make a note to visit their booths whenever the club fair happens. Noting the key members of the club you’re interested in will ensure that there are familiar faces when you go to the first meeting. Explore your college town: There’s so much more to college than what’s available on campus. Most college
campuses have some sort of downtown area nearby filled with various restaurants and exciting places to visit, so take your time this summer to research the best places. This way, when you eventually move out for college, you’ll have a handful of places to visit. Participate in some social media stalking: This one sounds really weird, but if done correctly, you can get useful information that will make you feel more comfortable when entering college. Stalk people from your class and upperclassmen, so you get more of a feel for the type of people you’ll be spending the next four years with. Also try to find some members of the clubs you’re interested in so you can see how much of an impact the club makes on student life. Budget for college: College means more independence than we’ve ever had, which means we’re going to spend more money than we’ve ever had before. Draw up a rough budget and plan out now how much money you intend to spend so when college rolls around, you won’t find yourself broke at the end of the first month. For example, budget how much you want to spend on eating outt. Spend time with high school friends: Even though it may suck, we’re going to lose many friendships
transitioning from high school to college. Spend a decent amount of time with your high school friends and make tons of memories you can look back on for years to come. Review for classes: After orientation, you should have a good idea of what classes you’ll be enrolled in for the first semester or quarter of college. Take some time over summer to review key concepts for the courses you’ll take so you’re well prepared when classes start. Clean out all your high school papers: If you’re anything like me, then you like to hoard all your classwork and notes from the past four years. Now is the time to toss all of those out. Keep the few notes that you know will be good review for future classes, and toss out everything else. Get to know your roommates: If you already picked your roommates through Roomsurf, or something similar, or you went the random route and have access to your roommates’ names, send them a message and get to know them. This way, when move-in day finally arrives, you won’t feel uncomfortable around your roommate. Coordinating who’s bringing what with your roommates so you can make the most of your tiny dorm room is also helpful.
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T HE U NION
  SENIOR
MOSTS
MAY 2017
Senior
Most likely to present a deconstructed ice cream cake on Cutthroat Kitchen
An To JR Lauron
Most likely to overthrow the bourgeoisie
Bea Palacio Amogh Dendukuri w
Most likely to become editor in chief of Vogue
Yvonne Phan Aaron Martinez w
Most likely to cry at a Guy Fieri meet and greet
An To Khoi Nguyen w
Most likely to be featured in a MOMA exhibit
Jasmine Tran Andy Nguyen
MAY 2017
Mosts
  SENIOR
MOSTS
T HE U NION
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w
Most likely to watch anime at graduation
Danielle Phan Andy Ho w
Most likely to jump over the White House fence
Trizha Aquino Darrion Nguyen w
Most Likely to start Twitter beef with Azealia Banks
Kina Mocha Ryan Diep w
Most likely to win a Pulitzer Prize for K-pop fan fiction
Genesie Castellano Quiliza Levance Smith
Most likely to have a facial or caviar tasting appointment every other Tuesday
Natalie Phan Nick Tran
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THE UNION
Senior Wills
I, Uriah Chavez, do hereby leave all the pain, stress, and struggle to the next group of seniors.
I, Brooke Tran, do hereby leave this senior will to be immortalized in the newspaper.
Follow the light...
I, Jafer Zaidi, do hereby leave my legendary P.E. skills in the locker room.
I, Jerome, do hereby leave nothing to nobody. I will not miss anyone because I don’t care.
I, Tricia Nguyen, do hereby leave my sexiness to my brother, Edward Nguyen, and my lovely Interact, Paws, and CSF pals. I love you all!
I, Kelley Truong, do hereby leave the girls swim team to the hands of fate :)
I, Bobby Banks, do hereby leave my heart to Kristine Huynh.
I, Henry Tran, do hereby leave my table to Amy Li.
I, Hung Hoang, do hereby leave at MHS my unopened textbooks.
I, Tran Tran, do hereby leave all my art to my teachers & friends.
I, Samantha, do hereby leave my extraness on this campus.
I, Krystal, do hereby leave my tears and hard work to my past self.
I, Alexander K. Hemenway, do hereby leave all the memories I have created with those I dearly love, with them and with the school of MHS.
I, Vy Han, do hereby leave my pet dogs to Lander Alverez after I graduate.
I, Miah, do hereby leave my spotlight to my KDT children.
I, Duylam, do hereby leave all of my memories as an honorary member of 2016 here for future generations. We miss you Edyssa.
I, the one and only Merriam, do hereby leave MHS with my miniature clone, Maya.
may 2017
senior wills
I, Aman Dosanjh, do hereby leave my painted bench in Mr. Roy’s room.
I, Samantha Chu, do hereby leave my good luck and love to my Dawn babies, Ryan Ho, Lyn Loi, and Maggie Ly! Your biggie will always be here for you!
I, Kathreena Lucero, do hereby leave John my laziness, leave Bob I and Bob II to my bb (Catherine) and lots of love for Hope. love you guys. Oh and Vivian my huge drama list.
I, Kristine Crabajales, do hereby leave all my artwork to Mrs.Moffett and Ms.Huddleston.
I, Darrion Nguyen, do hereby leave absolutely nothing to anyone. Everything is mine. Bury me in my money.
I, Lily Thavy, do hereby let my dear friends Andrea & Erin take hold of my secret DUNGEON. Jasmine E. of class 2019 can have my brownie recipe.
I, I, Emily Lam, do hereby leave my skills of procrastination to my favorite sophomore, Julie.
I, Hieu Nguyen, do hereby leave a year of self-loathing, procrastination, acceptances, rejections, existential crises, and a year of not caring to Yen-Vy Ngo. You’ll be okay. I love you! I, Annie Dinh, do hereby leave behind all my tears and bad grades to everyone left. If I couldn’t get an A in stats, neither can you.
I, Hayle Nicole, do hereby leave my hopes and dreams of my chemical romance getting back together with Gerard Way, Frank Iero, Mikey Way, and Ray Toro!
may 2017
senior wills
I, Jasmine Tran, do hereby leave my bee movie DVD to Noami Neo b/c she bought me chicken from Itea.
I, Jacky Wong, do hereby bless everyone with the power of memes.
I, Jashandeep, do hereby leave my ID to the next victim.
Josh Mangalindan, do hereby leave all of my unfinished homework and failed tests to the recycling bin.
I, Ashutosh Khadka, do hereby leave all my responsibility to someone else.
I, Jasmine Bui, do hereby leave KDT to Lyn Loi, Julia Dong, Ryan Ho, & Ryan Tran to carry on the group name. Good luck you guys! I’ll miss all of you.
I, Vinh Nhin, do hereby leave my Slader account to the freshmen.
I, David Ngo, do hereby hope all of the coming seniors experience the same pain and anxiety current seniors had felt during college applications. Suck it! It won’t be fun, nope.
I, Jasmine Bui, do hereby leave to my brother Chris my wardrobe as he is trying to wear new things as a way of expression
I, Jevons Lin, do hereby leave the memorable Milpitas High to the underclassmen who will one day follow our footsteps
I, Melina, do hereby leave my school spirit at MHS.
I, Vincent, do hereby leave behind my dignity and pride to the classes that have destroyed all of my orifices.
I, Lander Alvarez, do hereby leave my senioritis to my junior friends :)
I, Andres Juarez, do hereby leave the peanut butter on the ceiling from my PB&J sandwich I threw to the freshman
I, Jose, do hereby take Johnny Le’s LanEvo 8.
I, Danielle, do hereby leave my homework to my teachers.
We, Quy Mai Le and Elizabeth Nguyen, do hereby pass on the wonderful VSA club to Tiffany Dinh and Michelle Nguyen. We are confident that you guys will exceed us and bring amazing things to the club. We have no doubt that you will continue to grow and make us proud. VSA is now in your hands. Good luck & take care of the VSA famILY. xoxo, Quylizabeth <3
I, Sierra Roe, do hereby leave the responsibility of the Sneegtm in the hands of those who know its secrets.
I, An Nguyen, do hereby leave behind all my notes for the past 4 years so my younglings can decode my handwriting
I, Andrew Tran, do hereby leave all that I own to my cat Guppy.
I, Eric Van, do hereby leave my grades that got rekt.
I, Ryan Diep, do hereby leave a large moral deficit to whoever has too many.
I, Andre Sha, do hereby leave Milpitas High School. Bye I, Romel DeLeon, do hereby give nothing to anyone.
I, Johnny Le, will leave my lan evo VIII to Josh Jose I, Hung Hoang, do hereby leave at MHS my unopened textbooks.
THE UNION
I, Nathan B, do hereby leave my procrastination to the past.
I, Ann B., do hereby make Bathan my heir to the group. Rule well new mediator!
I, Christopher Jordan Padua, do hereby leave my name and legacy within the walls and textbooks of MHS. I won’t remember what the mitochondria is but I’ll never forget the memories made here with friends and teachers.
I, Nhi Do, s/o my little Interact babies! To Tseg & Yen-Vy Ngo who are going to be super gr8 presidents, to Maggie who’s going to be a treasurer, and to Angelina, my lil mini me <3
I, Charlie Lyuam, do hereby leave my class clown title to the nest student who will attend AP GoPo class.
I, Johnny Vu, do hereby claim Jerome Cruz’s hair and give Jose his money that I owed him since 6th grade.
I, Natalie Phan, do hereby leave Key Club to my baby officers, especially ziyuan. Please take the popcorn machine. It’s been at my house for 3 years. Don’t want it.
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THE UNION
MAY 2017
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Guardians’ returns to solve first film’s mysteries RATING (Out of 5 Suns):
inevitably launching themselves into trouble involving a little bit of BY KELLY LUE theft and a lot of intra-team bickering. If you’re looking for a plot After their first adventure as a that is drastically different from band of completely different, uncothe first film, “Guardians of the ordinated convicts, the Guardians Galaxy Vol. 2” might not be the of the Galaxy return for a secmost satisfying, but it is still ond round of saving the uniworth a watch because of its verse. Set to Peter “Star-Lord” newly-introduced characters Quill’s perfect playlist, “Aweand remarkable CGI. some Mix Vol. 2,” “Guardians One of the most important MOVIE of the Galaxy Vol. 2” successaspects of the second GotG REVIEW fully connects viewers to the film is visible character and characters, revealing more team development, as well personal, key points about the as the emotions that come along Guardians’ pasts than the first film with it, especially with the introdid. duction of Ego, who turns out to Since defeating Ronan the Acbe a key character throughout the cuser, the Guardians continue rest of the film. Ego’s arrival supto build their reputation as the plements rising drama and raises galaxy’s unconventional team of paramount questions about trust. heroes, accepting a task from the Parts of Star-Lord’s backstory are Sovereign to protect Anulax Batclarified while more complexities teries. Despite their hero status, are revealed. In addition to Star the Guardians are still undeniaLord’s, more of the other Guardbly the same Guardians as before, ians’ histories are also unraveled
throughout the film. Emotions carry the plot in the second GotG film as well. The humor was still unmistakably familiar and present, but it felt unnecessary at some points and more forced than it was in the first film. As the film progressed and the team became more of a unit, the characters felt closer and more relatable to than ever. Some scenes, coupled with a song from Peter’s mixtape, “Awesome Mix Vol. 2,” even possess the qualities to evoke a tear or a hundred. Overall, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” was satisfying, but should definitely be watched as a sequel to the first film. More than anything, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” solved mysteries and answered questions left from the first film. It formed more connections between viewers and the characters and built the team to be more of a cohesive force—a true team of Guardians of the Galaxy.
beyoncE’s pregnancy baby groot gemini season my mental state sistar disbanding
THIS OLD DOG by Mac Demarco Genre: Indie Rock RATING (Out of 5 Suns): BY JUSTIN NGUYEN
Courtesy of imdb.com
Bilquis (Yetide Badaki) is in her bedroom, where she consumes several people through intercourse. She rejuvenates her body through sexual worship through the lovers that she finds. The red light provides an air of evil and mystery to the scene.
‘American Gods’ has potential for major success
RATING (Out of 5 Suns):
some with vikings butchering each other to please Odin, and sex scenes BY JERALD MENDOZA too ridiculous to describe. The show relates to audiences Starz’s new series, “American through its protagonist, Shadow Gods,” based off the award-winning Moon. He’s just as confused about book by Neil Gaiman, premiered on the rest of the world as the audience is. Shadow also acts well as a foil for April 30, 2017. The show, a modern fantasy set in America, pits the Mr. Wednesday, helping reveal gods of religion to those wordetails about them both in their shipped by modern society, with interactions. Shadow’s cynical attitude, which mirrors the tone the series’ protagonist, Shadow Moon, caught in the middle. TV-SERIES of the show, helps connect with REVIEW modern audiences, an impresShadow is released from jail early after his wife’s death and sive feat for a story written over a decade ago. is convinced to serve as bodyguard for the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday, an Another positive aspect of the show is the diversity of its old gods. They old god, as he prepares for war against the new ones. come from a variety of religions and backgrounds. They are all intriguing The show generally sets an omiin their own ways, with their own nous tone, with several interspersed scenes of storm clouds and a forest roles and histories, all wistful for the covered in human remains, all hinttimes when they were worshipped. Although there are only a few epiing that something big is brewing. It also features some insane scenes, sodes, the plot of the show does feel a
bit slow at times, with long dialogue scenes that don’t seem very significant in the moment. This might change later in the series, when more things are revealed, however. “American Gods” has the potential to be as widely popular as HBO’s “Game Of Thrones” or AMC’s “Walking Dead.” The show’s audience is already filled with hard core Neil Gaiman fans. Its relatively more diverse cast and pantheon will surely help expand the show’s viewership. The story itself has both the power struggle in “Game of Thrones” and the mysterious fantasy of “Westworld.” But what “American Gods” really has going for it is its timeliness. The story of gods being brought to America by immigrants, and how much the world is changing, sends a powerful message in today’s times. “American Gods” has massive potential, and is a definite watch for anyone who is a big fan of modern fantasy.
‘Zookeeper’s Wife’ fails to depict complexities of era RATING (Out of 5 Suns):
she cares for. She loves her animals as much as she loves her family, and BY SHREEYA ARANAKE her love and care for these things allows the story to retain a sense “The Zookeeper’s Wife” was a of warmth amidst a dark and scary time. powerful yet sanitized depiction of Many critics have criticized a horrific time in our world’s histothe film for sanitizing the movry. The film shows a husband and wife who own a zoo and keep ie. This argument, although valid, is not the component refugees from the Warsaw refthat forces the film to fall uge in the cages of a zoo. fairly flat. The film’s intent The potency of the threat MOVIE was not to show the horrific that Nazis posed to the comREVIEW atrocities committed by the mon man was a distant reminder of the danger of being political party in power during 1930s Germany. However, it opposed to the regime in power at the time. However, the movie should have been able to highlight the individual stories of the Jews, never delved into the complexity of the socio-political climate durthe intricacies of hiding people in cages at a time when one could be ing the Nazi regime. The story only focuses on one aspect of the movshot on the spot for doing so, and a more serious depiction of the world ie: the main character, Antonina Zabinski (Jessica Chastain), and outside the gates of the zoo.Instead, the movie felt like it was about the her love and care for her animals. Chastain plays a maternal figure main character and how much she loved animals. both to the animals at her zoo as The movie overall retains a tone well as the Jews from the ghettos
of happiness and hope, but does not do as much justice to the overall story as it does for the main character. It is only the main character’s story that the audience really gets to know, and the rest of the characters fall flat in terms of the audience knowing their individual stories, thoughts, and motives. Overall, the movie disappoints not only in terms of story, but also in terms of expectations. The selling point of this movie, or rather, what was expected of the movie, was what was expected of most movies set in the Nazi era: a violent, scary depiction of Nazis scaring the hell out of everybody. Although this movie should not have been solely about the Nazis, it was not supposed to end up being just being about Antoni Zabinski, either. This movie became more about a lady and her animals, as opposed to the lady and the Jews hiding in her basement at a critical point in world history.
At this point in Mac Demarco’s musical career, there’s not much left to explore. After six albums, fans have already seen Demarco’s growth as an artist, from his guttural chants and tranceinducing instrumentals, to the smart lyricism and bizarre antics we’ve all come to know (and love?). Mac’s latest project, titled ‘This Old Dog” doesn’t live up to the expectations that “Salad Days” and “Another One” set fans up for, but that’s not entirely a bad thing. As Mac’s lyricism becomes increasingly complex, he stumbles in producing anything musically memorable to live up to “Dog’s” predecessors. After listening to “Dog” the first time, I was disappointed. “Dog’s” biggest fault is that it’s hard to discern when one track ends and the other begins. Sure enough, after giving it more listens, I began to pick up on certain distinctions (although some still sound no different than others) and was surprised to enjoy it more and more. This time around, Mac seems to focus on themes of recovery and growth, particularly after heartbreak. Mac tells his story through simple, yet beautiful lyrics that offer a kind of pedagogical wisdom to his listeners. Although I had a hard time enjoying the album upon my first few listens, I developed an increased appreciation for Mac’s artistry and precision with every detail. “Dog” may not be one of Mac Demarco’s musical triumphs, but it isn’t exactly a failure either. Once again, Mac flexes his lyric muscle, as he discusses such topics as aging and romantic maturation. Much like in his previous albums, Mac’s most remarkable tracks feature his hopeless romanticism. “For the First Time” and “Still Beating” show Mac at his finestsinging about a girl, accompanied by typical Mac instrumentals. Although “This Old Dog” isn’t Mac’s best project, he is still able to display his incredible talents as a songwriter and musician. “Dog” is extremely well put together, weaving overarching themes of growth and recovery throughout the album. It takes several times listening to appreciate Mac’s work here—I recommend giving “This Old Dog” a deep, focused listen to fully experience Mac’s maturation as an artist and as a person.
HUMANZ by Gorillaz Genre: Alternative/Indie RATING (Out of 5 Suns):
BY DAVID NGO
After seven years of absence, the British virtual band Gorillaz has released its fifth studio album “Humanz.” Released on April 28, 2016, Gorillaz uses a mixture of alternative rock, electronica, soul, and hip-hop to blend together unique songs. “Humanz” features collaborations from popular artists including D.R.A.M., Popcaan, Anthony Hamilton, Vince Staples, Grace Jones, Pusha T, Mavis Staples, Danny Brown, Kelela, Benjamin Clementine, and De La Soul. Each song is best described as a single track with distinct performances and messages. Some tracks are similar to modern hip-hop and pop records while others are more upbeat and party-oriented. A few songs such as “Strobelite” give off a more retro and vintage soul feeling. Gorillaz is also unafraid with becoming political. In the song “Let Me Out,” Pusha T raps “Tell me there’s a chance for me to make it off the streets, tell me that I won’t die at the hands of the police, promise me I won’t outlive my nephew and my niece.” Most songs in “Humanz” highlight the issue of minority violence and discrimination and their concerns for the future. My favorite songs on the album were “Ascension” and “We Got the Power.” I enjoyed their groovy vibes and upbeat tempo. Gorillaz offers different and refreshing tunes in each song, keeping their listeners interested and engaged. The band members were brave enough to venture away from their older and more familiar music, and sew together something new and engaging. I am discontent with the sheer number of artists featured in “Humanz.” The introduction of so many different voices and styles of music causes the songs to be more like a shuffled playlist of random songs rather than a cohesive mix of Gorillaz’s signature beats At first, the songs are disorienting and incoherent. Listeners will have a difficult time enjoying the album immediately. Most will need to listen to the songs repeatedly before being comfortable. It took me at least three times listening to the entire album all the way through, but “Humanz” is another golden track from Gorillaz. Not all of the album’s songs are for everyone, but every person will be able to find at least a single song to love.
MAY 2017
ENTERTAINMENT
Learn to build your own desktop
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BY DARRION NGUYEN
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In our age of rapid expanses of technology, computers are heavily used all around the world. Although it may be tempting to just buy a whole computer Da r r i on a n d Ng get it over with, you may find it more worthwhile to u y build your own computer by buying different e parts from sites like PCPartPicker.com. The hardest part however, is putting together the computer. Although it may seem like a daunting task, building a computer is a lot easier than it seems and is comparable to assembling a complex lego set. The actual inside of the computer can be broken into six essential parts that are put together inside a case. Of course there is some wiring involved, but manuals and videos are helpful there. |T
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Helen Huynh | THE UNION
Zedd, a German DJ and producer, takes the stage at the Stanford University Stadium, where the 6th Annual Frost Music and Arts Festival was held last Sunday. Sibling musical duo, Broods, opened for the festival to a very large and excited audience.
‘Frost Music Arts Festival’ stars Zedd and Broods
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RATING (Out of 5 Suns):
Step 2
Next is the motherboard, which acts as a central link that connects everything together on the computer. Following the instructions in the manual, it is easy to see where to fit the motherboard and where to fit the screws. From there, the next few steps is just attaching wires to labels on the motherboard and more screwing. At this point, you can connect the big power wire from the power supply to the edge of the motherboard.
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The first thing usually installed within the computer is the power supply. The power supply, as the name suggests, gives power to the computer. It may come with a lot of wires, but not all of them will be used. For the time being, it is important to put the power supply and screws in the correct place following the manual.
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After the motherboard, the hard drive can be put in. This device is the storage and stores all the data on your computer, whether it is pictures and videos, or games and music. There is a designated slot in the computer for the hard drive, and some wires. From there, it is just a game of matching the wires together from the hard drive to the motherboard. If there is anything unclear about the labels on the wire, it is very helpful to read the manual that comes along the part.
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The 6th annual Frost Music and Arts Festival took place on May 20 at Stanford University’s stadium. The festival featured New Zealand-based band Broods as well as the main act, Zedd. The performance by Broods was quite long but started the festival off with good vibes. While Broods was performing, an artist was painting to the left of the stage, but it just felt a bit misplaced. People weren’t really paying much attention to the artist. Broods is an up-and-coming brother-sister band from New Zealand. The duo’s energetic performance got people up and dancing. The music gave off a “wave your hands in the air” vibe and sent a very cool message. Broods’s voice was like a softer version of Lorde. The two songs that caught our attention were “Full Blown
Love” and “Free.” “Full Blown Love” had a unique tone and was a very upbeat song. “Free” was more soft spoken and calm. The opening act definitely got the mood set for Zedd’s main act. When Zedd finally took the stage, the screams came out. You could definitely feel the excitement in the audience. Everyone was standing on the bleachers dancing for Zedd’s entire set. Zedd instantly set the mood, starting off with the popular song “Beautiful Now.” He basically just played a lot of upbeat and well known songs, such as his new single with Alessia Cara, “Stay.” The Frost Arts and Music Festival made a great decision this year inviting Zedd to perform. Zedd’s EDM style was a great representation of the type of art young people enjoys nowadays. As for the actual seats, general admission lower bleacher seats were available, or field tickets, where people could easily crowd
around the stage. The field ticket was definitely the best option for this type of festival because everyone just wanted to jump up and down. Having bleacher seats limited our movement, and left out the feeling of inclusivity. Frost felt like a normal music festival. The people were dressed like they were going to Coachella and the whiff of mary and jane completed the atmosphere of a good music festival. While the event was called a “Music and Arts Festival, it mainly just felt like a normal concert minus the large crowds. There was not really much art to see, and people definitely did not seem to be wondering about where the art was. Once the festival was over and we began walking out, we saw some decorations that looked like what were supposedly the pieces of art. It was definitely nothing eye catching, so the “art” part of the title seemed a bit misplaced.
Homework Help Skills Review Tutoring ESL
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Last but not least, RAM, or random access memory, is like the short term memory of the computer. It is used to determine calculations and any temporary files that are not saved when the computer turns off, such as an open browser or any unsaved files. To put it in the computer, there is a special slot that can be opened up with a press of the finger. From there just putting the stick of RAM in is enough for it to lock up again and you are finished. From there, your computer is set and ready to go.
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BY DAVID NGO SABA KHORASANI
Headin’ for Success!
Success! Learning Center a non-profit educational & tutoring center
355 Dixon Rd. Milpitas CA 95035
(408) 263-9754 Visit us on the web! www.successlearningcenter.org
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MAY 2017
SPORTS
MAY 2017
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THE UNION
FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETES CLAIRE DELA CRU Softball
Amongst hundreds of students athletes, these seniors managed to stand out in their performance and hard work. These students exemplify everything it means to be an athlete at MHS, both in skill and attitude.
how did you start playing softball?
To have confidence and to preserve even through the darkest times. Badminton has taught me to preserve because you could be down a couple of points and everything may look bleak, but if you keep trying your hardest, you can possibly turn the tables around and create a so-called "miracle," and even if I couldn't win, after trying my hardest and giving it my all, I could leave the court without a single regret.
Badminton
Will you continue to play in the future?
I started playing badminton when I was seven, but only recreationally. I started playing more competitively when I was 12. My first reason for joining badminton was to avoid taking piano lessons that my parents were making me do, but after training competitively for a while, I had built a passion for the sport and wanted to pursue in improving myself.
I intend to continue playing badminton at the collegiate level. However, I am always up to continue playing recreationally with friends. In addition, I hope to continue being able to coach kids as well, so I can pass on the many things I have learned from other players and coaches.
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Track
Whar do you love most about Track? When did you start Competing?
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I enjoyed being on the team; most people think of it as a one-on-one sport, but you get to play a lot of team events, and I think that’s very enjoyable.
What have you learned from basketball?
My favorite aspects are during games when you get the opponent mad, and they get frustrated. That's when the game gets really fun.
I've learned that a team will not prosper if one head is not in the game. You have to be mentally and physically prepared to be playing this ballgame. I also learned that there's a difference between losing and getting beat. As long as you give it your all, then I am sleeping good. But I mean I love winning.
How long have you been playing basketball? I've been playing basketball since 7th grade.
MARK TRAN
Seek out the closest club. It’s important to find a good team and good coach so you can learn the basics, and then you can go to tournaments; it’s a lot of fun.
Swimming
What is your favorite memory of swimming at MHS? My favorite memory of swimming at MHS is swimming relays at CCS during my sophomore year.
How long have you been involved in Swimming?
What do you enjoy most about swimming?
What have you learned from swimming?
In swimming, I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after a workout with friends.
I've work skills
I've been swimming year round for 11 years.
learned teamskills and social from swimming.
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Do you have any advice for people trying to join table tennis?
Softball is where I first learned to be mentally and physically tough.
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What did you enjoy most about table tennis?
What lessons have you learned playing softball?
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Yeah, I am going to go into college table tennis and play for the University of California San Diego team.
My favorite memory is going to nationals the very first year I was coaching in my club, and I was able to lead a team down to Las Vegas and we won a lot of events.
My favorite memory playing softball is going to the Central Coast Section.
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What is your favorite memory from Table Tennis while at mhs?
what is your favorite memory of playing softball?
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Are you going to continue table tennis after high school?
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I have been competing since I was six or seven years old.
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How long have you been PLaying Table Tennis?
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What is your favorite part of playing basketball?
I swim the 50 free style and 100 freestyle.
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Basketball
What events did you particiI plan on running next year pate in?
because I recieved a full scholarship to San Jose I compete in the 1600, 800, State University. I will also 400, and 200, 4x400. Once in be training hard so I can a while, I'll do a 3200, 300m hopefully qualify for Olymhurdles, 100, and 4x100. pic trials in Tokyo in 2020.
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Will you play basketball in the
I love the environment. Ev- future? eryone has one goal and thats to get better and win so I will be playing intramuit's fun and very competitive ral at SJSU, hopefully, but I am not planning to play on the official team.
I started in 8th grade. 7th grade I tried out for the relay teams, but I got cut, so I never showed up again. I was running a 9-minute mile in 7th also because of Do you Plan on competing in my tendonitis and dropped track in the future? down to a 5:07 8th grade.
What events do you compete in?
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Since my siblings played, I would always be at their practices and tournaments on the side trying to be just like them. I developed a passion at a very young age.
CINDY DUONG
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BY GURSHAAN BARIANA MIHIR HANSALIA
What words of advice do you have for people that are trying to start swimming?
Some advice that I have for people just starting swimming is to just go for it; you won't regret it.
SPRINGSPORTSSEASONRECAP MHS Spring Athletics is coming to a close for this year, and many of the teams have had successful seasons, advancing into league playoffs and the Central Coast Section. Varsity Baseball advanced to the CCS quarterfinals and Coach Chuy Zamudio was recognized as a CCS Honor Coach for Baseball. Varsity Softball advanced to the opening round of CCS and boasted an impressive 16-3 record. Varsity Boys Swimming finished second at league finals and tied the best MHS record in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. Track and Field has multiple athletes attending the CCS finals on May 27. Congrats to all teams!
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MAY 2017
NEWS
Comcast Cares Day brings beautification BY HOPE DO
Helen Huynh and Saba Khorasani | THE UNION
Ceramics Teacher Jeff Albrecht (left) demonstrates how to throw various pottery pieces using the wheel outside the Art Show. Students’ artworks, including Izzy Rouillard’s photographs (right), are displayed throughout the small gym.
Annual Art Show exhibits up-and-coming artists BY HELEN HUYNH SABA KHORASANI
The MHS Art Show took place from May 16 to 19 in the small gym, displaying the work of students in various art classes, according to AP Studio Art Teacher Irene Hentschke. The talent was extraordinary, and it was refreshing to see the students’ pieces, Hentschke continued. Hentschke is incredibly proud of the variety of artists who have prepared these works. According to Hentschke, you can’ t be tied down to one piece. “I’m super proud of these kids.” Hentschke said. “We have some super fine artists at this school including photographers, ceramists, sculptors, painters, and the drawing students from the AP class.” Ceramics Teacher Jeff Albrecht has been demoing his ceramic work at the art show for 15 years now. When he got the job at MHS, his old teacher
came to show him around the studio, and tell him about setting up a wheel outside the art show, he said. “Since I started teaching 15 years ago, I had some good advice given to me by my former [MHS ceramics] teacher who’ d already retired,” Albrecht said. “[He] came back to show me the studio and told me about the art show and how he used to come down and set up a wheel outside the back of the show, so I said, ‘Well it’ s a perfect idea so that’ s when I started doing that.’” Senior Anna Weins created the eyecatching water fountain. Her artwork titled ‘It Was Very Hard to Make This,’ was made possible by Albrecht and took her a long time to make, Weins said. “[Putting the fountain in the kiln] was super stressful because I had some very fragile parts, and one crack could take me back to the beginning, but thankfully, everything came out perfectly,” Weins said. “Of course when I look at it, I still see all
the little things that I don’t like and would change, but putting it in the art show and getting so many nice compliments meant so much to me and made me see that all my time and effort paid off.” Junior Kyle Michael Uy displayed work from AP Studio Art, according to Uy. The medium he likes to use is colored pencils, he said. “My art exploration teacher, Ms. Schlein, really encouraged me to go [to AP Studio] even though I barely had any experience, so I first started drawing people actually in this class,” Uy said. “I only started this year and [I drew] mostly my family members.” Uy also displayed his work from his photography class, he said. When Uy is not creating artwork, he enjoys cycling, and cycling was the inspiration behind the photographs he displayed at the Art Show, he continued. “I chose [to take pictures of ] something that I am really passionate about, and that is cycling,” Uy said.
First Silent Disco on campus considered a success BY TUONG-VI NGUYEN KEVIN ZHANG
Silent Disco, the End of the Year Dance hosted in the MHS cafeteria on the evening of May 19, was a successful event, according to ASB Treasurer Alec Li. The idea was introduced by ASB after they attended a leadership conference and decided to bring the idea back to MHS, Li said. According to Li, ASB advisors attended the Advisor Leadership Conference, which held a Silent Disco, and were inspired by the event. Upon returning to MHS, the advisors brought the idea to ASB as a suggestion for the End of the Year event, Li said. ASB students attended the Student Leadership Conference, which also held a Silent Disco; the students enjoyed the event, Li said. “When the students came back, they were telling other students about how much fun it was, so we hoped that others at MHS would find it fun, as well,” Li said. “ We discussed the idea, thought that it was definitely unique,
and agreed to try it out this year. ” In addition to the silent disco, the event featured a wrecking ball bounce house, a ping pong table, an air hockey table, and a variety of snacks, as detailed in flyers posted around campus during the weeks leading up to the dance. Board games were also laid out for the students’ enjoyment, along with an Xbox. “I was pleasantly surprised that everything we put out was used, fairly equally in fact,” CLOG Commissioner Jonathan Tran said. “Ping pong table outside, wrecking ball inflatable—I saw everything being used. I was serving snow cones for almost the whole night, as well.” According to Tran, the sudden changes in prices for entry event are due to the challenge of encouraging enough students to attend the event. Hence, entry to the event began at $10 per ticket, dropped to $5 per ticket, then became free, Tran said. “[Compared] to the ticket prices of other dances, $10 is already relatively low,” Tran said. “[The End of the
Year] dance is always difficult to sell, so we already start at that lower price point. But as time went on, we simply weren’t making enough ticket sales and had to entice students with lower prices.” According to Li, Silent Disco was a successful event. Silent Disco is an event that he hopes to continue in coming years, Li said. The dance urges a diverse group of students to gather and have fun, according to Li. “I truly believe that the Silent Disco was a success,” Li said. “One of our major goals this year in ASB is to inspire all groups on campus to come to our events. On Friday, during the event, a lot of people in ASB noticed the diversity within the attendees. There were people from all grades, different social groups, and even students who would not usually go to school dances. I think with the addition of this event, we have changed the atmosphere for the end of the year at MHS, and hopefully this event will be continued in the future years to come.”
Horizontes Awards honors graduating Latino students BY SHREEYA ARANAKE GRACE CHANG
The 12th annual Horizontes Awards were held on May 8 to acknowledge the achievements of MHS Latino students who are graduating, have completed their A-G requirements (classes required to attend a UC or CSU), and are going to college, according to Spanish Teacher Monica Rivero. This year, 43 students were recognized at the awards, each receiving a green cord from a chosen sponsor, and they each had to give a speech after receiving an award. The Horizontes program began in 2002 in order to help Latino students become academically successful, according to Rivero. It was created so that it could become a support system
for Latino students, and the Horizontes program has grown significantly since its first year, Rivero continued. “Essentially, it is a group of teachers; we came together to create a support system for our Latino students,” Rivero said. “[The program was created] so that they knew that there were people like them, and we were here to support them.” Rivero said that the goal of Horizontes is to help Latino students along on their way toward academic success. This entails completing the A-G courses and making sure each student stays on track by holding workshops for each individual grade level to guide the students through completing the required courses to graduate high school, Rivero said. Senior Viviana Vasquez, who was
recognized at the awards this year, said that she is very grateful for the whole experience and that programs like Horizontes really help students like her. The teachers are the reason she pushed herself to work hard and achieve what she did, Vasquez continued. “I think that programs like this one really help a lot of students like myself,” Vasquez said. “The teachers are great; they are the reason why I decide to continue working hard because they pushed me and guided me to a better path.” Vasquez said that her advice for future Horizontes students is to work hard, stay humble, and be grateful for everything. At the end of the journey, the reward will be very satisfactory, she said.
Comcast California partnered with the MHS PTSA for a campus cleanup and beautification day on April 22 known as Comcast Cares Day, according to MHS PTSA President Jessie Keung. Comcast Cares Day is an annual day of service for Comcast in which company employees, families, and friends partner up with local schools and organizations to work on projects that benefit their communities, Keung said. Several projects were carried out as part of the event, including adding of wood chips to the bases of the trees, constructing a retaining wall, and beautifying the Memorial Garden, Keung said. Most of the projects were carried out on the day of the event, but the retaining wall started a few days earlier to build the wall’s foundation, Keung continued. “We will also have some new garbage cans and lunch tables provided by Comcast,” Keung said. “All project materials are donated and sponsored by Comcast and Republic Services.”
The school was required to provide Comcast with projects to work on, Principal Phil Morales said. Certain areas of the school were chosen as part of the event, Morales continued. “[The event] turned out great,” Morales said. “I thought it was a great event for the community to get involved.” There were a total of 397 volunteers including 95 Comcast employees, 130 volunteers from MHS students and families, and 172 volunteers from Bay Area church groups, Keung said. The grants provided by Comcast will ultimately benefit MHS and its students, Keung continued. “Comcast will give grants to MHS PTSA based on the number of volunteers we organized, Keung said. “The fund will eventually be used for various projects and seminars supported or organized by the PTSA. ” The event went well, according to Junior Tuan Bui. Volunteers had a variety of jobs, ranging from building and cleaning up the new landscaping to managing the refreshment station for the volunteers, Bui said.
Ca-Zao Bui | THE UNION
(Left to right) Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, Future Principal Francis Rojas, and Principal Philip Morales converse in the theater after Rojas’s introduction.
PRINCIPAL: Morales promises to help integrate FROM PAGE 1 some sort of plan that everyone agrees upon. And that includes students as well. Students have to have a say as well, as long as it’s within what we need to do.” There were many steps and interviews involved in the process for Rojas to become principal, Rojas said. “It’s very extensive, but I think rightfully so because [Milpitas has] gone through three principals in four years,” Rojas said. “I’ll be the fourth in five years. My goal is really to stick around and to make sure that we grow and improve.” Selecting a new principal takes time and is an elaborate process, according to Assistant Principal Skyler Draeger. “There’s an applicant pool, and from that applicant pool, the district chooses candidates,” Draeger explained. “Those candidates went to a first level interview with probably 36 teachers and staff from both the high school and the district, and a couple elementary people, and that large group chose two to three names to move forward to the next level. The next level goes to the district level and then possibly to the board level.” Rojas will replace Morales, who will be leaving after one year at MHS. His resignation is due to the fact that being principal required long hours that he couldn’t accommodate, and although he plans to stay in educationn, he needs a better work-life balance, Morales said. “I’m still kind of just looking, and I’m being very picky on what I’m going to do,” Morales explained. “Everything is really going to be around my need to be close to my kids and my wife. Wherever my next step or wherever I end up, it will definitely be a place where my commitment has to be a nice balance between what I do and also to my family.” Morales plans to assist the new principal with his transition, he said. He would like to help the principal get accustomed and aid in building relationships with the rest of the admin-
istration, Morales continued. “[My advice to the new principal] is to start building relationships with the current APs [assistant principals],” Morales said. “Because the APs are the group that really has their specialties in all these different areas, so the principal really needs to rely on the experts and not say they are the expert. So I would say they need to meet with the APs, meet with the leadership team, meet with all kinds of the key players, if you will, on campus, and try to just build those relationships with those people. And just sit back and observe, don’t make immediate changes to anything, have a plan. Most administrators know how to do that stuff, but I’ll help out as much as I can.” Although Teacher-Librarian LeighAnn McCready said she has not spoken much with Morales, the change in principal will still have an effect on her and the school. She stated that she hopes people will be patient, as people not recognizing the newness of the principal often leads to issues. “I wish [Morales] well with whatever he’s going next and whatever he’s doing next, which I have not heard what that is,” McCready added. “And whoever’s coming in, I hope that they are welcomed at Milpitas High, that the students and the staff make them feel welcomed and are supportive of who they are and the ideas that they bring to the table,” McCready stated before Rojas’s principalship was announced. According to Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, she is excited to bring Rojas into the MUSD community. “He has already embraced MHS and Milpitas as his school and community,” she stated. “He refers to them as ‘our school’ and ‘our community’; this speaks to his commitment to us. I’m thrilled for the students, parents, and staff at MHS. With Francis, we have an opportunity to collaborate in a way that will forge a renewed compact with one another grounded in a Culture of We.”