RAVEN REPORT SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSMAGAZINE VOLUME XII, NO. 2 // JANUARY 2019
Ready for Ravens, p 15
PAGE 2 // CONTENTS
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 NEWS
The new Media Center Boys & Girls Club students of the year Group four project California propositions effect New lunch lines
9 Sports
Winter sports updates
10 FEATURE
TIDE flows into new school Redwood City Middle Schools lose funding Hilldale Shopping Mall opens a new food court Alumna’s eyes advocate for change
15 COVER STORY
18 OPINION
Poke East Coast Coffee now West Coast Livin’ Becoming: Inside Scoop on Obama’s book tour
Is Sequoia Ready for Ravens?
PAGE 3 // NEWS
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
Letter from the Editors
ABOUT
The walls we don’t see We live in a time of socio-political divide, one that allowed a fierce debate over immigration to shut down the government. And our community is not independent from this divide: a Sequoia alumna modeled an art installation on the USMexico Border and a lack of primary education funding has closed some local schools, among other stories that aren’t reported on. Moreover, the divide is mirrored at Sequoia. IB students rarely sit with College Prep students, North Star friends rarely sit with Kennedy friends who rarely sit with Central, McKinley, or Clifford. Our invisible walls—built with bricks of peer expectations and mortar of social norms—shut off the front lawn from the quad. This is not to say that people are hostile. Most ‘just be nice.’ Yet that is part of the problem. It’s just as easy to be nice to peers as it is to be mean. What’s hard is to hear them, to know them. The way for staff to encourage this effectively is not to incentivize. Group projects promote an idea that students only need to communicate when grades are at stake. Seating arrangements, for example, are more helpful because sitting with one peer for a year forges new friendships and even changing seats daily fosters class-wide connections—because there is no incentive. Humans are naturally social and also are tuned to survive. Even with quarterly seating charts or sporadic group projects, students’ need to succeed overrides their want to get to know the people around them. And, for students, it’s important to foster that want, and
surmount their fear of social outcasting. As students, we must face the fact that we don’t want to stand out to people we don’t have a grade-sanctioned reason to talk to. And we must recognize that we all think this fear, whether sensible or not, is ridiculous. The only thing to break down this wall, to reap the full benefits of the diversity around us, is to take down the bricks and scrape off the mortar. Invite your seat partner in English to sit with you at lunch. Ask the person whose blue hair you admire where they get it done. Move lunch spots every now and then and talk to groups nearby. Don’t nod and awkwardly smile but talk to the person you walk behind every Monday from the Physics wing to the A-wing. Through the stories in this issue, we hope you get to know, understand your community members and their stories. Just as Sequoia is a microcosm for several problems America currently faces, it can also be a microcosm for the change that our generation is poised to make. Let’s be exemplary so we can be extraordinary.
Printing and web posting funded by
The Raven Report is a Sequoia High School student publication produced in the journalism class through the efforts and decisions of the staff and the publication’s editors and adviser. The Raven Report is a public forum for students, staff, parents and community members. The Raven Report strives to provide Sequoia High School with informative, engaging and relevant news. The staff will exercise integrity and adaptability while promoting justice and transparency through professional reporting about the school, the community and the world.
CONTACT
The Raven Report staff welcomes signed letters to the editor so that readers might share in the opportunities of the scholastic free press in open forum. The written views of students, parents or community members must be responsible, in good taste and free from libel, slander or obscenity. Letters may be edited for grammar or content if necessary; furthermore, editors will not guarantee that letters will be published. 1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062 www.ravenreport.org ravenreport17@gmail.com
Raven Report // 18-19 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Beatrice Bugos Benjy Jude MANAGING EDITORS Brighid Bugos COPY EDITOR Shannon Coan
NEWS EDITOR Taylor Gayner
SPORTS EDITOR Jay Tipirneni
FEATURE EDITOR Ysabelle Punzal
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Aviva Futornick
OPINION EDITOR Nick Abraham
STAFF REPORTERS Madeline Carpinelli
Jake Carroll Alyssa De Leon Laniah Dickinson Zoe Dufner Ray Evans Kelsie Garay Sophie Harris Andrew Mancini Collin Mavrinac
Lex Navarra Mia Padilla Tino Pohahau David Ramirez Maddie Reynolds Caitlin Sorensen ADVISER Kim Vinh
PAGE 4 // NEWS
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
Media Center to open Feb. 25
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The Media Center means that we technology By incorporate Ray Evans when appropriate and when Staff Reporter possible, but we still have a library in our Media Center.
Betsy Snow, Library and Media Specialist BY RAY EVANS Staff Reporter The new Media Center will open to students Feb. 25. The $4.5 million renovation has been underway since June, and aims to add flexible seating, more natural light and easier access to technology. “The Media Center means that we incorporate technology when appropriate and possible, but we still have a library in our Media Center,” said Library and Media Specialist Betsy Snow. The old library was dark and had very high stacks of books. It was difficult to access certain sections of books, including archival materials which will now be on display. The computers were fairly old and slow. “I really liked the old library a good deal,” senior Louis Bulka said. “I thought it was a very nice space to get work done, but it was time for an update. Things were getting old and dusty beyond repair.” The new Media Center will have a more welcoming atmosphere and more tables where students can work with laptops and books. Additionally, it will have more printing stations and power outlets. “The library should be a place for all students. It was traditionally run so that only the most academically comfortable students feel welcome there. Now I want a student to be able to say ‘I need help,’” Snow said. One part of the old library that will be missed by many is the wood paneling, which according to Snow, is being replaced by bulletin board material which can be used to hang posters or artwork. “I liked the wood [paneling]. I thought it was warm,” said Librarian Assistant Shannon Schadler. “Now it’s going to be much more modern, which is fine, but it’s going to be different.” The aesthetics of the new Media Center will be lighter and more modern, with lower shelves and larger windows. Additionally, the previous lower-floor storage space for textbooks and archival material has been changed to breakout rooms and additional shelving. “There have been a lot of attitudes that are very attached to the past,” Snow said. “It’s been a challenge to remind folks that change can be a way to bridge the past to the present and serve us into the future.”
Library and Media Specialist Betsy Snow begins the monthlong process of moving into the new Media Center.
Photos by Beatrice Bugos
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
PAGE 5 // NEWS
Sequoia students win Youth of the Year award BY KELSIE GARAY Staff Reporter Two Sequoia students won the Youth of the Year Award on Jan. 15 at the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula. Out of the four Sequoia students nominated, senior Ximena Sanchez Martinez was one of the winners of this award, allowing her to represent the local club in the next level of the event. “I decided to sign up [for Youth of the Year] because I am an undocumented student, and I thought this would be the perfect platform to share my story. That way I can inspire other undocumented students,” Sanchez Martinez said. Boys and Girls Clubs across the United States nominate members of their programs to represent their clubs. The members of each club who win the local award advance to the state level competition. From there, they will continue on to regionals, and then nationals, until one Youth of the Year is chosen for the entire country. “I was excited to hear the stories of my peers, and I am a little bit nervous and excited to move on to the next round because I am going to be representing my clubhouse along with two of my other peers who were chosen by the wild card,” Sanchez Martinez said. Senior Andres Alas was also able to win the Youth of the Year award through a wildcard spot. “I think one of the main reasons why I was nominated was because of the way that I present myself. I think that if you carry yourself in a certain way, then a lot of people will listen to you,” Alas said. The wildcard spot goes to a runner-
up Youth of the Year nominee. Judges they present in front of hundreds of audience of the competition look at nominees’ members. accomplishments and leadership skills to “I didn’t think that it was going to be so decide who the extra winner is. intense. There’s a lot of preparation towards “I think the reason why I am one of the the speech you give,” Valdovinos-Rodriguez finalists now was because of all of the hard said. work I have been putting in that maybe not all Students are given mentors that help them of the people see,” Alas said. with their speeches and to plan their routes to “Loving yourself is one thing, but believing college and beyond. you have the power and capability to make “I think it’s made me more aware of something happen or to change your future setting up a path and routine I can stick to is really an essential part [of why I won the to ensure I can become successful when I’m wildcard spot].” older,” Valdovinos-Rodriguez said. “The Senior Ashley Valdovinos-Rodriguez plans support and the friendship that they give on becoming a firstyou at the clubhouse generation college is amazing, but also student, which she the opportunities they has been able to make provide you with are possible through the amazing.” support and guidance Alan Guido is she has received the president of the from the Boys and Keystone Leadership Girls Club’s many program at his local programs, including Boys and Girls Club. the Youth of the Year He has become more program. confident and outgoing. “I’ve shown the “I went in there and support that they’ve I was pretty nervous given me and how just for the simple fact much it has impacted that I had to deliver a my life,” Valdovinosspeech about who I am, Rodriguez said. but other than that the The Boys and Girls whole journey and the Club created the Youth Four Sequoia students were process of being part of the Year program nominated. Top row: Alan Guido; of Youth of the Year was to prepare students for Bottom row: Xinema Sanchez pretty amazing,” Guido public speaking and Martinez, Ashley Valdovinossaid. “It helped me grow becoming strong leaders Rodriguez, Andres Alas a lot and helped me step of their communities. out of my comfort zone at Students in the program prepare a speech that the same time.” Photos courtesy of the Sequoia Media Center
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RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
IB Biology and IB Physics students sprint into science experiments
Landon Pierce, senior IB Biology student and Michael Simon, junior IB Physics student strike a pose after working on hours of scientific experiments and data processing.
From running 10 meters to running up the bleachers, seniors Katie Hanson and Eustolio Cruz Rojas test how different running activities can affect one’s heart rate, and why running on an incline is more difficult. Photos by Ysabelle Punzal
BY YSABELLE PUNZAL Feature Editor
Senior Bradley Schulz counts his heart beat after running 200 meters.
Every year, IB Biology and IB Physics students band together to create an experiment that utilises topics studied in both courses, formally known as the “Group Four Project.” This project is an IB assessment; thus counting for their IB grade. Students are given the entire school day to work on their projects, spending hours conducting experiments, analysing data and then finally presenting their projects to the rest of the students.
Weighted backpack in hand, senior Anthony Tanzillo performs multiple sets of bicep curls, each rep getting increasingly heavier.
Chloe Sharratt, senior IB Biology student analysed data collected for her experiment where she looked at the effect of breath retention on distance ran.
Seniors Andy Giles and Bradley Schulz, and juniors Blaise Baker and Thomas Burt performed multiple tasks that consisted of walking, jogging and running 200 meters to compare their resting heart rates at the different speeds. The experiment’s purpose is to show an increase in cellular respiration.
PAGE 7 // NEWS
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
2018 Redwood City Ballot Results Two Redwood City measures that were passed, and what they mean for you. —compiled by Lex Navarra
Measure RR : Redwood City Sales Tax This measure raises the Redwood City sales tax from 8.75 percent to 9.25 percent on taxable goods. These taxable goods do not include important products such as groceries or medicine. This tax will support essential city services, including 911 emergency response times, library hours, child after-school and recreational programs and more. Measure RR will be effective April 1
Measure DD : Marijuana Business Tax In Redwood City, permitted cannabis businesses include nursery businesses and delivery-only retail sales businesses. This measure states that these businesses are now liable to a 15 percent state excise tax in order to operate in Redwood City, as well as the regular state and local sales tax. However, this new tax is not a sales tax, so it will not be directly inflicted onto consumers. The profits from this tax will also go to essential city services. Measure DD will be effective Jan 1
PAGE 8 // FEATURE
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
MUR remodeling speeds up lunch lines, introduces new food options BY JAY TIPIRNENI AND NICK ABRAHAM Sports Editor and Opinion Editor
Photo by Nick Abraham
A new and remodeled lunch line in the Multi-Use Room’s (MUR) opened on Tuesday, Jan. 15, featuring a salad bar, cashless payment, and the elimination of pre-portioned entrees. The new line, called the Pit Stop, will be a departure from Sequoia’s past process of serving lunch and brunch where students are served all food and drinks by lunch workers. Though students will still be served entrees such as orange chicken and rice from the lunch workers, lines will mostly be self-guided. This means fewer students will hold up lines when choosing additional snacks on top of their main entrees. The change is being welcomed by students who experience long lines during lunch, with many spending as many as thirty minutes in line. “When it takes that long I feel anxious in line and it can get really annoying,” sophomore Fernando Hernandez said. Sequoia is the last of the schools in the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) to have introduced a Pit Stop line. The issues that plagued lines before, such as students standing in “clumps” rather than straight lines, are much less prevalent since the new line was added. While a worker in the Expressway, the other line in the MPR, could serve 50 to 60 students in a whole lunch period, one worker at the Pit Stop has been able to serve up to twice as many students in 20 minutes, according to SUHSD Food Services Supervisor Yaz Widatalla. A lot of this is also due to the increasing move to a cashless payment system. “The amount of time it takes for a cashless student to go through is is four to five seconds,” Widatalla said. “If someone comes in and offers a $10 and the charge is $4.50, the process can take a minute, sometimes up to three minutes.” The remodeling of the lines was originally proposed in May and was expected to be finished by the time first semester started. However, due Sequoia’s new “Pit Stop” line in the MUR offers new entrees to the space needed for the addition of a Nanodoor, a new type of sliding such as chicken parmesan, enchiladas, and serves entrees such glass door to maximize space, the line was opened second semester. as orange and teriyaki chicken freshly cooked instead of being Much of the reason why Sequoia has a hard time predicting when pre-packaged. construction projects, such as the new line and the Media Center, will be finished is due to unpredictable structural complications due to the nutritional value. age of the school’s buildings While pre-cooked items at the Expressway lines and infrastructure. would be reheated before lunch time, food at the Pit “This building was built Stop is cooked from scratch about an hour before the in 1924, ancient by modern start of lunch. architectural standards,” said “Typically what we want to have in that line are Administrative Vice Principal things that you would have at home, something that Typically, what we want to have [at Gary Gooch. “It’s a gorgeous you can’t pre-pack,” Widatalla said. “The goal really is the Pit Stop] are things that you would place, but anytime you to get more fresh fruits and vegetables and a buffet line have at home. Anything over rice, start digging through these service.” anything over noodles, and buffet-style walls or looking under this Lunch staff will attend a food show in February items; something that you can’t prewooden floor, you find stuff from the Schools Linked in Commodity (SLIC) pack. that maybe you didn’t know Cooperative, which handles food service for SUHSD Yaz Widatalla, existed.” and multiple other school districts in Northern Along with the new layout California. At this show, food service staff will choose SUHSD Food Services Supervisor for the lines, students will options to determine the menu for SUHSD schools now have access to a greater next year. variety of food with greater
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RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
PAGE 9 // SPORTS
Winter sports mid-season update
Senior Anthony Fuerte gets ready to launch the ball as two opponents rush towards him during a game against MenloAtherton High School Jan. 23. The boys varsity soccer team lost against Menlo-Atherton with a score of 2 - 1.
Photo by Jay Tipirneni
Senior Dimitri Trikas leaps for a jump ball during the Quad game against Woodside High School Jan. 11. The boys varsity basketball team beat Woodside with a score of 62 - 45.
Photo by Aviva Futornick
Senior Soana Afu dribbles out the ball against a defender during the Quad game against Woodside High School Jan. 11. The girls varsity basketball team won against Woodside 48 - 34.
Photo by Aviva Futornick
Compiled by Jay Tipirneni
PAGE 10 // FEATURE
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
STEM-focused TIDE Academy to engage students next year
more individualized learning experience for 101 in Menlo Park, in May 2017. The school’s students. 44,000-square-foot, 3-story campus is designed “I am most looking forward to the to accommodate 400 students total. The school From construction progress to planning incredibly innovative instruction at the new is opening to one new grade of students each curriculum, TIDE Academy, the Sequoia school,” Streshly said. “The leadership and year, beginning next year (freshmen in 2019, Union High School District’s new specialty new teachers are doing much research and sophomores in 2020, and so on), which means school, is well on track to open next school exploration of model small schools that that no current Sequoia students will have the year with a founding freshman class. TIDE, are private, charter and public, all over the opportunity to attend TIDE. The school’s hands-on, STEM-focused short for Technology, Innovation, Design, country, and we are going to bring all of that curriculum may resemble that of Design and Engineering, will feature a unique hands- ingenuity to [TIDE].” TIDE’s mission and vision will be constantly Tech (d.tech), San Mateo Union High School on curriculum designed to prepare students said District’s smaller for college and career readiness in science, evolving, specialty school technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Streshly, based on the needs located in fields. feedback Redwood Shores. Students at TIDE will benefit from and Likewise, TIDE innovative, research-based lesson plans, of students and I always try to relate [my lessons] with will include a according to a description on the school’s teachers. real-life problems, but when I do that, I m a k e r s p a c e “Each year website. This hands-on curriculum will allow always have a limit. At TIDE, what we’re shop and design students to physically create what they study [TIDE] will make lab, along with going to have is a makerspace [with and predict, instead of just stopping at the a d j u s t m e n t s , and [students] a coding studio imagination phase. different] equipment. So [students] and a green roof. “I always try to relate [my lessons] with are going to are making the prototype. They can feedback. “We’re going real-life problems, but when I do that, I always give actually see whether it will work. anticipate to have a laserhave a limit,” said Steven Wong, a former math We Steven Wong, TIDE Founding Mathematics students cutting machine, department chair at Sequoia and the founding that a 3D printing mathematics teacher and Athletics Director will have a huge Teacher and Athletics Director machine, a for TIDE. “At TIDE, what we’re going to have voice in this wood-car ving is a makerspace [with different] equipment. school,” Streshly So when [students] are making the prototype, said. “We’re ready to give students a lot more machine and a sewing machine,” Wong said. agency, more voice, and the ability to co- “If you’re talking about applying [education] to they can actually see whether it will work.” real life, this is the next level.” Superintendent Mary Streshly noted the design learning with their teachers.” Construction began at the site, located in Senior Thomas Weese, the student body unique curriculum of TIDE, adding that the smaller setting allows teachers to foster a an industrial neighborhood east of Highway president at d.tech, added that the makerspace area at his school is used for a variety of Digital rendering courtesy of LPA Design Studios / Cris Costea purposes. A makerspace is a giant room open Photography to students for sharing ideas and working together on projects, which fits with TIDE’s vision of student collaboration and teamwork. “At d.tech, we use the makerspace for students who [are completing] projects,” Weese said. “We have a student who is actually building an engine for his motorcycle, and all of our robotics team stuff is in there.” Students at TIDE will select either an industrial design or computer science pathway, and follow those classes as electives throughout the four years. Beginning in 10th grade, students will be enrolled in college-level classes in multiple subject areas, co-taught by TIDE teachers and Foothill College professors. This allows students to receive both high school and college credit at the same A digital rendering of TIDE Academy in eastern Menlo Park, set to open next time. Furthermore, students will have the school year. The campus is designed with an L shape, allowing immediate opportunity to earn enough college credit to access to an outdoor courtyard from nearly anywhere inside the building. meet high school graduation requirements as BY ANDREW MANCINI Staff Reporter
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RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
PAGE 11 // FEATURE
A digital rendering of TIDE Academy, the District’s new school focused on STEM college and career readiness. The front of the school, shown here, reveals the 3-story campus.
Digital rendering courtesy of LPA Design Studios / Cris Costea Photography
early as a junior. This enables them to save two years’ worth of time and tuition. TIDE will be the District’s 10th school, originally deemed necessary as MenloAtherton was quickly reaching capacity. The District took advantage of the new school and designed it in a way that would meet the needs of students that the existing comprehensive and charter schools did not. Each grade at TIDE will include 100 students from around the District, with 60 percent of each grade coming from the North Fair Oaks community and feeder neighborhoods of Menlo-Atherton. The remaining 40 students will be selected at random from those who have applied. “We’re looking for kids who are creative. We’re not only looking for smart kids, gifted kids, we’re trying to serve all kids,” said Wong, who has worked on outreach and math curriculum for TIDE since leaving Sequoia last school year. The diverse makeup of the student body is what makes charter schools like d.tech and TIDE unique, Weese believes. “If you don’t really care about your educational experience, you’re not going to bother applying to a school like [TIDE], so Photo by Andrew Mancini
[TIDE] will end up with a lot of students who The new school will also work with nearby are much more invested in having a successful businesses and organizations to prepare experience,” Weese said. “If there’s an issue, the students for what Streshly calls a “21st student body isn’t going to shut up about it. century workforce.” Juniors will be paired We’re all here to learn, we’re all here to grow, with a mentor, and seniors can participate in so any questions or concerns or criticisms you internships with local companies related to have as a student are beneficial to everybody.” their chosen field of study. Other than slightly decreasing enrollment “We’re [not only] providing education, but across other schools also experience,” in the District by Wong said. “Maybe pulling 100 students there will be a kid from each grade who says, ‘This is to TIDE, Streshly not the path I want believes TIDE and to follow after senior The curriculum will not just its curriculum could year,’ or maybe influence this school, but it will be a model for the they’ll say, ‘This is become a laboratory for teaching entire District. exactly what I want “The curriculum to do with my life.’ innovation throughout the will not just District. Teachers at other schools And they have a leap influence this school, ahead of everybody.” could potentially bring the TIDE but it will become Applications for model into the comprehensive a laboratory for current eighth teaching innovation graders to attend high schools. throughout the TIDE closes on Mary Streshly, Superintendent District,” Streshly February 1, 2019. said. “Teachers at Details are available other schools could potentially bring the TIDE at http://www.seq.org/Departments/Studentmodel into the comprehensive high schools.” Services/Enrollment/TIDE-Academy/.
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The front entrance of TIDE Academy, as of late January 2019. Construction started on the 44,000-square-foot building in May 2017.
PAGE 12 // FEATURE
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
BY YSABELLE PUNZAL AND MIA PADILLA Feature Editor and Staff Reporter Due to budget cuts, a loss of funding and a decrease in enrollments, Fair Oaks Community School and Taft Elementary School will be combined into one campus, and Adelante and Selby Lane Spanish Immersion programs will become one starting the next school year.
At the new combined Adelante and Selby Lane, they will have the immersion program and a transitional kindergarten through fifth-grade school. The middle schoolers will be transferred to Kennedy Middle School. Orion will be moved to John Gill Elementary School, and Hawes students will be dispersed between Henry Ford, Roosevelt and other schools throughout the district.
Photo By: Mia Padilla
RCSD bids farewell to four schools after declining enrollment threatens district
PAGE 13 // FEATURE
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
Because of this, roughly 1,900 students will be forced to transfer and “[The news about Adelante closing was] disappointing for me just find a new school. The Superintendent Advisory Council, consisting of because I have a personal attachment to [the school], I went there for a representatives of all 16 schools, looked at data, budget, schools with really long time, seven years, and it’s just like a home away from home,” wait lists, boundaries and campus sizes to determine which schools will senior Alison Barrientos said. close. Some school communities, including Hawes Elementary School, are In the last year, the RCSD has lost about 4 million dollars due the in shock as this news came without warning. declining enrollment. “[There was] no warning. They had a PTA meeting but my mom “The declining enrollment has happened for two reasons,” Trustee couldn’t go because she had to work,” freshman Viviana Osorio said. Alisa MacAvoy said. “Some of the kids have left to the three charter “[My family is] actually really sad because my brother receives help and schools in our district, and the money follows the kids when they leave. he loves going to the tutoring program they have.” We also have some who have left the area because of the high cost of Roughly 570 Hawes students with be dispersed between Henry living.” Ford, Roosevelt and other schools in the District, due to the lack of To compensate for the loss of enrollments, the District implemented enrollments. budget cuts that are expected to save To help smooth out the transition $580,000 by vacating the Fair Oaks process, the District has given these campus and around $910,000 a year displaced students a priority in the from merging Adelante and Selby upcoming school year. Lane’s Spanish Immersion programs. “At the school sites that [are The district is also expected to save Some of the kids have left to the three charter closing], anyone impacted by these schools in our district, and the money follows $750,00 with staff cuts. changes will have the first choice The money gained from these the kids when they leave. We also have some in the schools of choice program,” cuts are going to be used to fund who have left the area because of the high cost MacAvoy said. “Then, [they will] enrichment, programs and classes open up the schools of choice to of living. for the schools remaining open. everyone.” Many people in the communities Additionally, the district is where schools are shut down are Alisa MacAvoy, Redwood City School District Trustee making efforts to help the students outraged by the board’s decision. build connections with one another. “People are handing out flyers “There are already conversations to protest [combining the Spanish about the younger kids having play Immersion program with Adelante and transferring the middle dates and social opportunities for some of the older kids so they can get schoolers to Roosevelt],” said freshman Angela Soria, who went to Selby to know each other,” MacAvoy said. Lane and has two siblings that currently attend the school. Although the communities of the schools closing are struggling For current and former students of Adelante, this merger was also a to accept these changes, the district is doing all they can to make this a negative adjustment. smooth transition.
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PAGE 14 // FEATURE
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
New Hillsdale Dining Terrace Caters to San Mateo County Community
BY MADELINE CARPINELLI Staff Reporter
Photo courtesy of Jamie Leathers
Photo Photoby byMadeline MadelineCarpinelli Carpinelli
Hillsdale Mall’s long-awaited new food court, as a piece of a larger project including a movie theater and bowling alley, has finally opened its doors to the public Nov. 17. After many complaints about the extended amount of time the construction and remodeling have taken, students were relieved for it to finally be open. “I was happy [when the food court opened] because the mall has been the same for so long and then we finally get something new,” freshman Gabe Federighi said, who spends a lot of time at Hillsdale. The new restaurants in the North Block food court include Blue Whale Poke Bar and Grill, Panda Express, Kuro-Obi Ramen, Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake, ShareTea, Sarku Japan, Haagen Dazs and, student favorite, Tacos El Grullense. “They’ve added in a bunch of better stores, and in my opinion, [that] are catered to people more my age and even teenagers,” English teacher Hannah Singh said, who has been going to Hillsdale for a long time. If there are no more delays, the rest of the North Block Project is expected to open Summer 2019. “It’ll give young people a more central organized place to hang out and having more
Hillsdale’s Dining Terrace opened it’s doors to the public Nov. 17, 2018. Restaurants include Haagen Daz, Panda Express, Taco El Grullense, and more. options always is nice. I think it’s definitely away, then going to a movie will fill their time,” going to step up the reputation of that mall,” Singh said. Singh said. Another part of the $155 million project is The food court was initially planned to open using recycled water for irrigation and using during Summer 2018; however, the workers solar panels to save power. had a hard time “I think that working around that’s a great thing shoppers while they’re trying to the mall was still do,” Singh said. open. Even though It’ll give young people a more “I was pretty the food court disappointed is relatively new, central organized place to hang [when the many say that out and having more options construction long lines and was delayed] waits came with always is nice. because there’s the expansion. Hannah Singh, a bunch of “All the places cool stores that have too many Freshman English Teacher are going in,” lines. Every single Federighi said. place you have to Along with wait for like 20-40 more stores and restaurants, family-owned minutes,” Federighi said. Hillsdale mall will also be gaining a Cinepolis The goal of the expansion is to inspire movie theater as well as a Pinstripes bowling shoppers to break away from online shopping alley. and give them something new to experience. “I think having the movie theater right “I’m curious to see that if the renovation of there is going to draw people in who are the food court, adding the bowling alley and already at the mall, who maybe need another adding the movie theater is going to make thing to do or they don’t want to go home right more people flock to that mall,” Singh said.
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
PAGE 15 // FEATURE
Ready 4 Ravens pushes campaign to School Board, awaits recommendation
Since the founding of Sequoia in 1895, the Cherokee mascot has been portrayed through a myriad of representations. Since the 2001 decision to change the mascot to Raven however, Native American imagery has been absent from campus. The work of the Ready 4 Ravens club has made the full change to Raven a real possibility for the school.
By AVIVA FUTORNICK Multimedia Editor As the decision to change the mascot from Cherokee to Raven marks 17 years, the renewed push from the Ready 4 Ravens club to change the team name to Ravens has returned this issue and its discussion to the school board. In a Ready 4 Ravens poll sent to students and staff in December 2018, 57 percent of 1150 student responses agreed that “Sequoia should retire the Cherokee team name” while 18 percent disagreed. The poll was sent with a 6-minute, self-produced video that established the club’s position and reasons to push for this change. In a letter presented to the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) Board of Trustees, the club cites their primary reasons for changing the name: current confusion of having a separate mascot and team name; wanting a team name they are proud of; adhering to the requests of Native American groups who have asked non-native schools to stop using native names; and complying to the district’s non-discrimination policy that calls for “the elimination of discriminatory or racially derogatory names.” Senior and Club Chair Leigh Alley joined the club last spring after attending an inaugural meeting. “The more digging I did, the more I realized, ‘Oh my god, we really need to change this,’” Alley said.
Ready 4 Ravens was founded in Spring 2018 by junior Miles Webb and his mother Jennifer Webb. The club divides their responsibilities to students gaining on-campus momentum and parents involved assisting with scheduling meetings with Principal Sean Priest and the Sequoia High School Alumni Association (SHSAA). “The middle ground is not fair to the entire student body,” Webb said in an interview with the Raven Report in April 2018. “We don’t have an identity because we can’t write Cherokees on anything and we can’t write Ravens on anything.” The SHSAA is in favor of the retention of the team name. “It was always an important thing, when I was at Sequoia, that we were the Cherokees. It made almost everybody that I know feel proud that they had a team honoring the Cherokee nation because of our ties to Sequoya and the Redwoods,” said Nancy Oliver, a Sequoia alumni from the class of 1957 and SHSAA board member. Former SHSAA Board Member and half-Najavo Daniel Lara, class of 1970, believes this is a community issue, one that includes many alumni who continue to identify themselves and connect to the Cherokee name. Alley agrees that the issue reaches into the whole community, but says that current students don’t want to be ‘the Cherokees’ anymore. She recognizes that alumni can continue to consider themselves Cherokees and be proud of their school. “This is our school. And our whole point is, we don’t want to be the Cherokees anymore,” Alley said. “Because this is our school experience.” The two groups met in June 2018 to discuss their positions.
PAGE // FEATURE RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019 State School Board Association, who will recommend action in accord “We16 were using almost the exact same sources to make two oppowith Assembly Bill 30, a 2015 bill that “prohibits public schools from site points,” Alley said. “It was a very respectful dialogue. Both sides felt using the term Redskins as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or heard and there was no conflict, but we fundamentally disagree.” nickname.” Oliver believes the students presented their opinions very articulateSophomore Ellie Budde agrees with the change of the team name. ly in June. However, the meeting did however present some reserva“It doesn’t really hurt anyone to change the tions. A comment from the PE department about mascot to Ravens,” Budde said. “But it does wanting to rebrand the team made Oliver wonder if hurt people to have [the team name] as it is the push to change the name was truly a student-led now.” movement or instigated by the faculty. Both Alley and Budde cite the letters from The students then presented their position to the the Cherokee nation as reason to change the SUHSD board at the December 12 public meeting, Both sides felt heard and mascot. In addition to a December 2000 letter as an official board agenda item. Following an inthere was no conflict, but we from Chad Smith, the Principal Chief of the troduction from Priest and the presentation of their Cherokee Nation, in July 2001, the Inter-Tribal video, Webb, Alley and fellow chairperson, soph- fundamentally disagree. Council of the Five Civilized Tribes (a council omore Andrew Mancini, presented their motiva- Leigh Alley, senior and Club Chair of five Native American tribes, including the tions for changing the team name. Cherokees and Chief Smith) passed a resoDuring the public comment session, about a lution calling for the elimination of Native dozen alumni spoke, centering on the intent to American team names by non-native schools. honor the Cherokee tribe and identifying proudly as Sequoia Cherokee In the letter addressing Sequoia’s use of the Cherokee name and alumni. Another half dozen parents and community members spoke in mascot, Chief Smith wrote “these traditions are a negative and stefavor of changing the name. reotypical portrayal of American Indian people...when a tradition is As the December session was purely an information session, trustees harmful to a people, is it a tradition worth keeping?” were not allowed to further discuss the matter. The Cherokee mascot originated in honor of Sequoia’s namesake There is no finalized timeline for a continuation of this process, Chief Sequoyah, a Cherokee Indian who created the Cherokee alphabut Board President Georgia Jack says that she, Superintendent Mary bet. The mascot and all imagery considered demeaning to the CheroStreshly and Vice President Trustee Allen Weiner are in discussion of kee people were removed in 2001 following a similar student effort and agendizing the issue for a future board meeting, at which further dissubsequent School Board vote. cussion is allowed. Club adviser and Athletic Director Melissa Schmidt had been inThe future of the team name is a part of a larger update of district terested in the issue prior to the formation of Ready 4 Ravens. The policy. The board will follow the recommendation of the California
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The tale of the team name: image
RAVEN // atJAN. 2019game with the girls soccer team and the issue firstREPORT struck her a playoff announcer asked what their mascot was. “The girls on the team said ‘Oh don’t go there,’ because they didn’t want to be identified as Cherokees,” Schmidt said. Jack was impressed with the professionalism of the students throughout the process. “It matters to me how the students go through the process, how they engage with the community, how they engage with the Alumni Association, and ultimately their presentation to the board,” Jack said. “And I will say, just for me, I was so impressed with the way they went through the process.” Lara commends the students for investigating this issue, but added that racist imagery is one reaching far beyond this community. “If you really look at the whole picture, I could sit here and give you 1000 things that are said in commercials [and] advertisements and I can go through and show that is all is racist based,” Lara said. Both the alumni and the student group believe that there should be implementation of education about Native Americans. “We’ve all been saying, why don’t we just name something else after the Cherokees like a library, because naming a sports team after them conveys aggressiveness,” Alley said. “In the 2001 decision it was decided that there would be curriculum educating us about Cherokees and there never was. I think it would pretty cool to implement that and stay true to the 2001 decision.” Oliver agrees that more education should be included.
PAGEfor 17 the // FEATURE “We have talked about having bit of orientation freshman about the school and its history and traditions and so on,” Oliver said. “The answer we get is, well, there really isn’t a time in the curriculum. So my question is, so if there’s not time in the curriculum to do that, why is there time to allow students who have a position to come into classes and take up class time to present their point of view?” Oliver believes that the decision to change the mascot was wise as the representation of the Cherokee at the time was a stereotypical and derogatory representation of Indian imagery. While the Raven was created as an alternative to this imagery, Lara believes that the Raven could also represent an image of savagery. “Supposedly in Greek mythology the raven was white and Apollo used the the raven to transmit marriage messages to his loved ones. When it came back with bad information, he cast it out and said you are now going to be black,” Lara said. “The other thing is ravens are scavengers they eat dead bodies like a vulture or dead animals.” The hope of the school board is to reach a final decision prior to the end of the current school year. “This is a really great learning experience, because this is exactly how you get change in your government,” Jack said. “So it’s completely applicable to any other significant issue that anyone might want to take on that requires a government. For me [the student participation] is probably the biggest factor I consider when asked to vote on it, is that is it really a student-led, student-promoted request.”
Photos courtesy of Sequoia Archives and Ready 4 Ravens Club
es of the Cherokee over the years
PAGE 18 // FEATURE
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
Alum advocates for change with art installation on US-Mexico border BY SHANNON COAN Copy Editor Two eyes stare unblinkingly up at the sky. People gather around them, sharing food and drinks at a giant picnic, ignoring the fact that half the attendees are on the other side of the U.S.-Mexico border. “I didn’t understand how art can change someone’s perspective of someone or about an issue,” said Mayra, a Sequoia Alumni and photo subject. “Being there was impactful, … meeting people who shared their stories about how their [family] migrated to the U.S.. We were able to see our connection.” Mayra’s Eyes, officially titled “The Giant Picnic,” is a photograph by French artist JR and installed Oct. 8, 2017 with an eye on each side of the border; one in Tecate, Mexico and one in Tecate, Calif. The eye on the Mexican side was turned into a table while the one on the American side was turned into a tarp, in order to allow people from both sides to come together to have a picnic on the art installation across the border. Through the installation, JR hoped to represent humanity, hope, beauty
and division. The art piece was first introduced to the A lithograph of the original photograph Sequoia Community at the Dream Club Dinner was donated by the artist to Mayra, who asked Nov. 16 where around 400 staff, students and to only be referred to by her first name. She community members attended despite class then donated the piece to Sequoia’s Dream having been cancelled due to the smoke from Club. the Camp Fire. The dinner raised a little over “Though we don’t have the same stories, it $15,000, which will be used to help fund club is very heartwarming that I can share a similar efforts and provide scholarship money for identity with her, and I can see myself in those students in the Dream Club to attend college. eyes,” said senior co“It’s a really president of the Dream beautiful photograph, Club Myriam Leon. “I and I think it will spark am also hopeful for a a lot of conversation, better future.” predominantly It is very heartwarming that and The Dream Club that’s what [The Dream I can share a similar idenhopes to hang the Club is] looking for: for tity with her, and I can see photograph in the new people to understand Media Center once it is the issue and to talk myself in those eyes. finished. about it,” said English Myriam Leon, senior “We want to put it Language Learner in the library, so that Department Chair and students might ask Dream Club Adviser questions about it, see this piece and connect Jane Slater. with it or learn more about undocumented Mayra came to the U.S. from Mexico students,” Leon said. when she was 7 years old in 1992. More than
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Tecate, Mexico
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RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
Photo Courtesy of Kate Sheehan
Photo Courtesy of Kate Sheehan
Dream Club Seniors hold butterflies depicting their country of origin, which they later flipped to become the American flag (right).
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Photo Courtesy of Jane Slater
a decade later when the Dream Act passed with each other with the wall in between us,” in 2012, she got her Deferred Action for Mayra said. Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status. Mayra was What made the image of her eyes even first introduced to JR after College Track, an more powerful was that Mayra was born with afterschool program ptosis, a condition that causes she participated impaired vision. It was only with in while in high health insurance she got under school, connected DACA that she was able to get them. JR outlined this condition fixed and see When I look at this his vision for the clearly for the first time. While picture it’s a reminder project and then the artist did not know this when of how transformative invited her to he initially picked her to be the participate. subject of the piece, it still adds decisions can be. “For the hours meaning to her. Mayra, Sequoia alumni we were there “If that picture would have although we been taken just a few years physically could ago, it wouldn’t look the way it see a wall, we were sharing an experience looks now. When I look at this picture it’s a with each other and forgot the meaning of the reminder of how transformative decisions can wall. We were sharing a positive experience be,” Mayra said. “I was given an opportunity
Butterflies are common symbols that represent Dreamers, immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.
Photo Courtesy of Jane Slater
Tecate, California
PAGE 20 // OPINION
BY ALYSSA DE LEON AND RIO POPPER Staff Reporters You order a poke bowl: It begins with a rich base of rice or noodles. From there, it grows with additions of various types of raw fish, shrimp or crab. It’s topped off with a spicy or sweet sauce, some crunchy toppings and a sky-high bill—one that will soon be drowned out by the phenomenal flavors in your meal. This is a common experience at Go Fish Poke Bar, and one that we shared on our visit. The food was superb, but the bill did put a damper on the trip. Living in Silicon Valley and having good quality food, you can expect an expensive bill. Prices start around $15 and can be higher depending on the condiments. Compared to the $20 people drop on six rolls of sushi, the food is worth the somewhat cheaper bill. “I think raw fish kind of has to be your thing It’s down the street to pay that much,” senior from Sequoia, it’s and patron Victor Abouhealthy, it’s good. Serhal said. Senior Victor But, it certainly is some Abou-Serhal peoples’ thing. With the new craze of poke across C a l i for n i a , it has become a new version of fast food. The speedy process from kitchen to platter has got people lining up all over California and the United States. People are willing to pay $20 for their meal, knowing everything is good quality and not going to get in the way of anyone’s diet plan. The servers make the bowls right in front of you, so the line goes by fast. So unless you’re that annoying person in line who takes ten minutes to decide whether you want to pay an extra dollar for avocado, your trip here should be short. Locations all over the Bay Area have been popping up spreading an alternative or “healthy” fast food option for Japanese culinary lovers. “It’s down the street from Sequoia, it’s healthy, and it’s good,” AbouSerhal said. “And the ambiance of the restaurant make the whole experience even better.” The vibe is very relaxed, especially for a place in a fast paced suburb area. The workers are very nice and maintain their chill while keeping up with your order. The building is trendy and very modern, having some sort of art, sign, or television on every wall to always keep your eyes entertained while eating your bowl. A perfect place for an after school hangout, catching up on homework, or a date.
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RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
The now-chain restaurant, with five locations across the Bay Area, was started by owner Chef Jerome Ito as a catering service. Then, after its growing popularity, he decided to launch Go Fish as a chain restaurant. Ito was raised and trained in cooking Japanese and Hawaiian foods. “To celebrate the Bay Area’s diverse taste, Go Fish […] offers fresh Japanese hand rolls, vegan and gluten-free options, and evolving weekly specials,” the Go Fish website read. On our visit, we tried bowls, rolls, soup and desserts. Pro tip: the miso crab is fantastic. We started with the soup, which is also quite good, and very cheap (though a little too salty). Then a great find we tried was the ‘real crab’ roll, which tastes like everything a California Roll should be (and, at other places, often isn’t). For our entree we made two kinds of bowls: One with a rice base, a whole lot of crab, and avocado. The other bowl started with a rice base, onions, cucumber, spicy scallops, sesame gomae shrimp, salmon in the spicy togarashi aioli, with topping of avocado, serrano peppers, and seaweed salad. Finishing every single bite. The simplicity of the bowls, no matter how many toppings, is a perfect balance to make you not feel too full or bad that you broke your pescatarian diet. For dessert we tried three different flavors of mochi: lyche, strawberry, and pistachio. Each one very flavorful, not too sweet, and a perfect way to end our delicious trip. It’s a good time to have a poke restaurant open, located in a state that prides itself on its food trends. Regarding food trends, poke seems to be right next to the avocado toast—and it’s a good neighbor.
Photos by Alyssa De Leon
PAGE 21 // OPINION
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
East coast donut chain has made its way to the Bay When I first went, the manager was very friendly and clearly liked his job. During my first visit, he told me the top three donuts because I didn’t know what to choose. He also recommended the latte to me, Coffee. Iced tea. Hash Browns. Breakfast Sandwiches. Donuts. And which I added caramel to. When I took my food and sat down to eat, much, much more. Dunkin’ Donuts has it all. This east coast coffee he came up and asked me if everything was okay with the food. All of the staff was like this, and that made the vibe really friendly and chain has made its way to the bay. On Oct. 17, Dunkin’ Donuts had its grand opening at its new welcoming. Because of his recommendation I ended up location in San Carlos, the closest Dunkin’ yet to enjoying both the donuts and the coffee. Now, my Sequoia. Before this location, I could only go when go-to is an iced caramel latte with a Maple Bar. I went to the beach in Half Moon Bay, however The coffee is always exactly how I like it; I never they had really slow and poor service. have to add anything to it. I like my coffee a little The donuts are usually fresh; the afternoon Two of my friends had sweet but not to the point where you only taste donuts are especially good and soft. But sometimes brought their coffees to creamer. if you go later at night, the donuts won’t be as fresh. school. It was delicious. I don’t often get a very exciting donut, so for “I would rate it 4 or 4.5 out of 5 donuts,” said me the variety is good. Some of the donuts include senior Kemmer Peeples, who became a fan when Kemmer Peeples, senior blueberry, apple crumb, jelly and cinnamon sugar. the new location opened. “Two of my friends had My favorite is the Maple Bar paired with the Iced brought their coffees to school. It was delicious.” Latte with caramel. With the variety of donuts and I also tried one of my friend’s coffees and coffee flavors, they allow you to choose your own I became obsessed soon after. But what makes Dunkin’ different then other coffee chains is the employees, they flavors and build an experience at Dunkin’ that you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. always smile when you walk in and are always ready to help. If you’re looking for consistency with your coffee, Dunkin’ is the “The employees are extremely nice and they have great customer place to go. service,” Peeples said. “It’s amazingly clean too.” My rating? 5 out of 5 maple bars. The welcoming staff and quick service kept me wanting to go back. By LANIAH DICKINSON Staff Reporter
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RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
About The Tour
After the release of her new memoir “Becoming,” Former First Lady Michelle Obama embarked on a book tour and has made stops all across the United States, including the SAP Center in San Jose on Friday, Dec. 14. This show, similar to the others, was completely sold out weeks prior. Most ticket prices ranged from $500 up to $1,200. It was clear how loved our former first lady is, as she filled every seat at every venue. In San Jose, she spoke to a packed crowd over 17,000 audience members. Obama covered much of the U.S. through December and into the new year, but because of her global appeal, she will be embarking on a European tour leg in April 2019 to encourage and inspire women around the world. At all of Obama’s shows, she gave away a number of free tickets to various local organizations. Lucky for me and my editor-inchief, we scored student press passes to her show, and here’s how it went: “[I’d take back to my classroom] the idea that life isn’t just about what you plan. The idea that we have to be able to embrace challenges and that it’s okay to demand more from the people around us.” —Teresa Yeager, history teacher
“We love Michelle Obama. She is such a role model and inspiration to us. She’s a good soul, she’s real and honest and just amazing. “ —Seniors Rose and Ethan Rae Marinaccio-Lavalley and family
About The Book
“Becoming” covers Obama’s childhood, college, career, her family’s political transition and includes a special portion dedicated to Barack, of course. The book’s slogan, “An Intimate Conversation With Michelle Obama,” shined through in her writing that covered much of her life in great depth. Obama openly reflected upon her past, and through her utterly mesmerizing storytelling, captivated her audience to a new level of intimacy and understanding of where she came from and why she does what she does. From growing up on the south side of Chicago to becoming the first African-American first lady, Obama made light of her life—the good and the bad, with her brilliant candor and wit. Obama focused her writing on activism for women and girls having to navigate through sexism in the work and school worlds like she has gracefully done. Including stories about being a familiar face in U.S. news, raising two pragmatic daughters and actively turning her experiences into bettering her country, Obama’s novel, “Becoming,” is a book you can’t miss. Compiled by Taylor Gayner
“The way that [Obama] approached the relationship with her best friend who passed away from ALS was very similar to how I approach my godmother... I’ve really taken on the same ethos and aura [as Obama] in just trying to live life to the fullest.” —Ayesha Curry, entrepreneur
“I am here because I love advocacy, I love activism, and [tonight] I really loved seeing a woman of color being in this role of power. She has always been my idol.” —Riya Kataria, teen activist, Irvington High School
Photos by Taylor Gayner and Beatrice Bugos
PAGE 23 // OPINION
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
An intimate conversation with Michelle Obama shines light on girls of America BY TAYLOR GAYNER News Editor
When first entering the SAP Center, I strolled along the halls and noticed every type of person imaginable. Although there were a number of men (for whom I am grateful), I was more impressed by the various types of women: different ages, races, ethnicities, styles and interests. Despite these differences, they were all striving to “become” something—while they laughed together and danced to Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls).” What stood out to me most was the unity I felt. Even though our country has been unequal, divided and often times counterproductive in the last few years, all of these strong, wellversed women chose to unite this one evening. Before Obama took the stage, four people (a girl scout, an Air Force officer, teen activist Riya Kataria, and entrepreneur Ayesha Curry) came out and explained what they were striving to become. Allowing these various people to share who they are “becoming” created a safe and unified environment, where people could be vulnerable. “I am becoming wise and more comfortable in my own skin. I am becoming someone who won’t let anybody steal my joy,” said the interviewer for the evening, Michele Norris, former National Public Radio evening news host. Afterward, Obama took the stage in her fuschia pink silk jumpsuit. She began speaking about how the book came to be. “The title [Becoming] came well after the story was written because we were trying to figure out what this book is really about,” Obama said. “I got further and further into it and realized that there isn’t really one point to it. It is a journey and the word ‘becoming’ reflects and connotes [it].” Obama’s work is centered around helping
and encouraging children because she is a Obama said. strong believer in encouraging people from a When she dug into this idea, mothers young age, just like how she was raised. and daughters around the arena listened “[My parents] were never the type of and absorbed the wisdom and information parents who thought their child should be seen together. Obama’s words were inspiring and and not heard. I learned to value my voice, first influential for women of all ages. and foremost, in my Unfortunately, I didn’t home, at my own get to attend this once-in-atable with parents lifetime event with my own who thought mother, although I would have everything I had to loved for her to be there with “Loving a little girl to death doesn’t say had value and me. Daughters learned the merit. My voice help her face the world that she is risks and hardships of being a was encouraged, going into. Treat her as a respected mother, while mothers learned but guided,” Obama equal, someone who has her own the challenges and obstacles mind.” said. facing young girls in today’s Michelle Obama Obama shared society. I have talked to many an anecdote about highly educated, outspoken her damaging, women in my life, but nobody unproductive 2nd understands these struggles like grade class. As a 7-year-old, Obama was able to Obama does. Nobody is able to voice these see the flaws in this class, and understand where challenges like Obama can. And nobody is all the students were headed. But because of able to act upon the future of these issues like her ability to voice her thoughts and opinions, Obama is. she talked to her parents about the issue, and Women all around the audience were so ended up moving into accelerated classes. captivated by these abilities that every so often Obama strives to be the adult who encourages you would hear a “whoop,” “yeah,” or “mhm” education, ideas, feminism and confidence in from the crowd. all children who may not naturally have those After a long night of hearing all of the things qualities. the people around me are becoming, Obama “Sometimes when girls have that fiery, has inspired me to become a person who has feistiness inside of them when they are young, hope. I have hope for myself, and hope for my we try to put it out because we are afraid for future. I feel hopeful because I have a woman them,” Obama said. “Luckily, my parents had like Michelle Obama pushing for greatness for the foresight to keep that flame lit, respectfully.” my country. I feel hopeful because of all the Obama works every day with not only educated, strong, independent women in my her daughters, but with young girls across the life who are wishing for the same things. country to create a strong Generation Z. One final “mhm” moment from the crowd “Loving a little girl to death doesn’t help was when Obama shared one of her most her face the world that she is going into. Treat common sayings: “The greatest gift you can her as a respected equal, someone who has her give someone is the gift of time.” own mind,” Obama said. This night, a night that marked history in She shared another anecdote about her my book, allowed me to see that even with high school counselor who often didn’t believe the comical political system we are living in her or how far she would be able to go. with now, I truly have been graced with the This story was a huge factor for Obama when gift of time throughout my life by women like choosing how she was going to focus her Michelle Obama. Women like that who spread passion and influence. hope instead of hate. And for that reason, I, “There are too many people who make Taylor Gayner, am becoming. snap judgements about kids and their abilities,”
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What’s happening at Sequoia?
RAVEN REPORT // JAN. 2019
Photo by Aviva Futornick
PAGE 24 // OPINION
Sequoia beat their Redwood City rival Woodside with a final score of 62-45 at the rain game Jan 11.
Freshmen show “disgust” wearing green to show off their school spirit for “Inside Out” day Jan 17.
IB Biology students Will Jackson and Chris Saravia focus on identifying muscles during a chicken disection.
Former 49er Vernon Davis and the co-founder of pathwater talk to students about sustainibility and reducing the use of plastic water bottles at the Winter Rally Jan18. -Compiled by Caitlin Sorenson
Photos by Mia Padilla, Aviva Futornick,Caitlyn Sorensen
Photos by Avivva Futorick, Mia Padilla, and Caitlin Sorensen