Raven Report Issue 5 by Sequoia High School Raven Report

Raven Report Sequoia High School

Volume V, Issue 5

1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062

February 15, 2012

Actors go down South for the winter

where the Futrelle Sisters are dealing with a problem the size of the Lone Star State. Sequoia is goin’ down Ever since the Super Smartsouth to Texas this winter, Mart closed, Fayro’s existence with the comedic production has been in jeopardy, and it’s of Southern Hospitality, pre- up to the Futrelle Sisters to miering Feb. 24 in Carrington save the town. Their solution? Convince a representative of Hall. This play will be Sequoia’s a salsa company to build his first farce, a comedy that con- manufacturing plant in Fayro. sists of exaggerated and un- In order to lure him in, the Sisters lie likely situaand say tions, word “I also get shot in the butt that there play, physi- and run over by a car, so is going cal humor, that’s pretty exciting, too.” a fast-paced —Sophomore to be a giplot, iden- Sarah Richards ant “Fayro days” festity crises, tival the and an ending that usually contains a weekend he’s in town; a recipe for disaster and an opportunihuge chase scene. Sarah Richards, who plays ty for laugh-out-loud comedy. D. Dayva Davidson, is look- “It’s a good first play, because ing forward seeing something it’s very over-the-top and peonew done at Sequoia. “I was ple are comfortable watching so excited to join the cast, it,” Director Danny Broome since I love acting, and it’s so said. Whether you’re a theatre much different than what’s been done at Sequoia recent- geek or dragged to your seat, ly,” Richards said. “I also get Southern Hospitality has a shot in the butt and run over little something for everyone. by a car, so that’s pretty excit- “Every one’s working on their Texas drawl,” Broome said. ing, too.” The story takes place in “They’re getting really good, present-day in Fayro, Texas too.” See y’all there!

By HANNA BOLAÑOS Staff Reporter

Photo Courtesy of Sabrina Carroll

Senior Brianna Carroll is the first female student in the program’s history to heads to state.

Female wrestler qualifies for State By SARINA GROSS Editor-in-Chief Senior Brianna Carroll is the first female wrestler at Sequoia to qualify for CIF State Championships. After placing third in CCS Championships, Carroll will compete in the state championships at Lemoore, Calif., Feb. 24., against the 24 other female wrestlers in her weight class. Carroll, who only started wrestling three months ago, joined the school team last November and said she would not have made it this far if it wasn’t for the team’s support. This is the first year Sequoia has offered a

girls wrestling team. Four girls participated this year. “The team has been really great,” Carroll said. “I have gotten really close to all of the players and it’s kind of like a family. I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for them.” Carroll said she began wrestling for fun and did not expect to go to CIF. “I’m excited but still a little nervous for the competition,” Carroll said. “Just that I got in to State is enough for me.” Only one of Sequoia’s wrestlers in the past few years has qualified for state, the most recent being Matteo Porcedda, who made it to State in 2011.

Concurrent enrollment offers alternatives By TIFFANY AH TYE and ALSACE PATRONE Opinion Editor and Staff Reporter Take the classes you want to take, socialize with new people, and choose the way you learn. The average 16-year-old can do all this before the battle with college apps starts or senioritis attacks his or her immune system. It’s called Concurrent Enrollment, and it’s available for free to any student that attends high

school in the Sequoia Union portunity and time to teach specialized dance forms in High School District. Concurrent Enrollment addition to their core curricuallows students to explore lum. Concurrent enrollment enables their own m a n y p e r s o n a l “Colleges see this as a very students i n t e r e s t s valuable way to spend time. to develand delve It shows that [students] are op skills into possiand exble college academically ready [ for college]. ” perience majors. —Counselor Lisa McCahon v a r i o u s For exstyles of ample, while Sequoia has a dance dance, including salsa, jazz, class, the dance teachers and ballet. “The [ Jazz Dance] class primarily teach mandated techniques, and lack the op- has really improved my po-

Feature:

Opinion:

Foreign Exchange Experiences Page 3

Republican Candidates Exposed Page 5

tential as a dancer,” said junior Aureliano Davila, who took the class last semester at Cañada College. Davila is in Advanced Dance at Sequoia, and took the class for personal enjoyment. The jazz dance class is two times a week, for about an hour and 15 minutes, and includes students of all levels. “I thought that it was challenging enough, and that it was worth the balance between high school and the other classes,” said Davila. Davila is now taking the intermediate jazz class, as well as the

hip-hop class at Cañada. Currently, Skyline College, College of San Mateo, and Cañada College are all offering a concurrent enrollment class that is part of the Sojourn to the Past Program, which is an alternative to actually going on the Sojourn Trip. Co-teaching the course are founder Jeff Steinberg,and Minnijean Brown-Trickey of the Little Rock Nine, which explores the social and political events that defined the U.S Civil Rights Movement. Go to ENROLLMENT, page 2

205 students responded to a Facebook survey:

What are you doing this Valentine’s Day? 81% Forever Alone

12% Hot Date

7% Night on the town

News

Winter formal ‘Northern Lights’ held at Fox Theater, draws over 350 By DANIEL BLACK and ERICK CASTRO Staff Reporters

Sequoia’s winter formal, the first dance of 2012, attracted more than 350 guests and was held off-campus at Fox Theatre for the first time in downtown Redwood City on Feb. 11. According to Lauren Reibstein, the cost for tickets was increased this year in order to cover the cost due to the off-campus location. During a one-day sale, the tickets were sold for $25. The week of the dance, they went for $45 with a P.A.L. card and $50 without. Winter formal is one of the more popular dances at Sequoia, and more

people attended this year than Homecoming and last year’s winter formal combined. However, formal always comes up short next to prom, which is the most attended event of the year. “The most popular dance is prom. We have [around] 500 [people] there every year, no matter what,” said leadership teacher Lauren Reibstein. The dance lasted from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m, and featured a Northern Lights theme. Northern lights are an astronomical phenomena that look like curtains of light. The dance was decorated with tables, creative centerpieces, and a laser Photo by Daniel Black light show to accompany the theme. Leadership teacher Lauren Reibstein sells Brian LaCasse a formal ticket.

iBooks app offers potential Enrollment continued from page 1 By MATTHEW MORROW Staff Reporter

Every word mankind has ever written can be downloaded on a little tablet. On Wednesday, Jan.17, Apple released a product that might interest Sequoia students. These online textbooks can be downloaded for any subject on the Apple website. This app features interactive 3D diagrams, animations, photos and videos and will

always remain up to date with new information. The good thing is that students will not have an excuse for losing their textbooks and you will decrease the load in your backpack. “It would challenge teachers to rethink what teaching and learning look like,” said English teacher Nicholas Muys. “We have smart people that can do more with the technology,” physics teacher Jack West said.

“My favorite part of the class is the teacher, and the way he teaches; he diverts from what the topic is, but eventually connects the dots in a strange and interesting way,” said junior Alexis Bastidas. “Right now we’re learning about the Little Rock Nine.” Bastidas is taking the class because he was not able to attend the actual trip. Concurrent Enrollment

also helps students take classes that are convenient. “I was trying to retake Pre-Calculus, but then my counselor said that I couldn’t retake it,” said junior Bian Jabari. “I had the option to take AP/IB Pre-Calculus, or I could enroll in a math class at Cañada; the equivalent was statistics.” There are, however, other benefits besides simply taking a fun class. Because the classes are being taken at a college level while the student is still

in high school, many of the courses offer an extra point in GPA calculation, just as an IB or AP class would. That means that an A is equal to a 5.0. Additionally, one semester of college is equivalent to one year of the same high school class. “Colleges see this as a very valuable way to spend time,” said counselor Lisa McCahon. “It shows that [students] are academically ready [for college].”

INTernational Year of cooperatives The United Nations has designated 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). Co-ops operate in almost every country in the world. Read below about co-ops in the US. This year has two important topics for your credit union. Not only is it the IYC but it is also Sequoia Federal Credit Union’s 60th anniversary. We will be celebrating all year and want all the students, teachers and administrators of Sequoia High School to come by and participate. Rochelle Kirchner Manager, Sequoia Federal Credit Union Quick Facts about US Co-ops A cooperative is a member-owned and controlled business that operates for the mutual benefit of its members. Cooperatives operate across all sectors of the US economy and include agriculture, food distribution and retailing, childcare, credit unions, purchasing, workerowned, housing, healthcare, energy and telecommunications. Cooperatives promote the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of all people, including women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples. US Co-ops Play a Huge Role in Economy: * More than 29,000 cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy and in every congressional district; Americans hold over 350 million co-op memberships.

* US cooperatives generate 2 million jobs and make a substantial contribution to the US economy with annual sales of $652 billion and possessing assets of $3 trillion. * The majority of our country’s 2 million farmers are members of the nearly 3,000 farmer-owned cooperatives. They provide over 250 thousand jobs and annual wages of over $8 billion. * More than 7,500 credit unions provide financial services to 91 million US consumers, almost one third of the country. * More than 900 rural electric co-ops deliver electricity to more than 42 million people in 47 states. This makes up 42 percent of the nation’s electric distribution lines and covers 75 percent of our country’s land mass. * Approximately 233 million people are served by insurance companies owned by or closely affiliated with co-ops. * Food co-ops have been innovators in the areas of unit pricing, consumer protection, organic and bulk foods and nutritional labeling. * More than 50,000 families in the US use cooperative day care centers, giving co-ops a crucial role in the care of our children. * About 1.2 million rural Americans in 31 states are served by the 260 telephone cooperatives. * In the United States, more than 1.2 million families of all income levels live in homes owned and operated through cooperative associations.

530 El Camino Real, P.O. Box 5413, Redwood City (650) 366-7777

Serving employees and their families in the following districts: Redwood City Sequoia San Carlos Belmont Ravenswood Las Lomitas Menlo Park Portola Valley Woodside Canada College

feature

Raven takes an international flight Compiled by Anna Dagum, Lily Hartzell and Sophie Miller

Besides “Welcome” and “Bienvenido,” you should know “Benvenuti,” “Ni sa bula,” and “Willkommen.” Foreign exchange students and teachers walk the halls, blending in with us and absorbing American culture. Our school lives up Senior Nagnesh Mani moved to Calito its title as an international school.

Germany

Sophomore Theda Knauth got the opportunity to live in Germany for a year through family connections. Knauth enjoys her new hometown. “There is tons more community-small-town-everyone-knows-everybody type feel,” said Knauth. “Germans are pretty unfriendly at first, but once you are accepted as part of the community, they are very welcoming,” said Knauth. According to Knauth, teenagers do similar things with their free time in Germany: going shopping, seeing a movie, hanging out. The legal drinking age is 16, so alcohol at parties is much more prevalent. With more free time because of the lack of homework and sports, hanging out with friends are a regular on Knauth’s C-page.

Fiji

fornia from Fiji in December 2009, with hopes of creating a better lifestyle and finding more resources for the family. “We have found that here,” said Mani. While Redwood City is lacking in white sandy beaches and small island atmosphere, Mani finds that the activities here are very similar to those in Fiji. Mani, who enjoyed video games, rugby, and dancing hip-hop back in Fiji, had no trouble finding his niche at Sequoia upon admittance into the hip-hop club. “I joined the hip-hop club to be with people who shared the same interest as me,” said Mani. “Here [dancing] is more advanced and more athletic,” said Mani. In Fiji, however, “dancing is pretty simple.” With an abundance of gym floors and good surfaces to dance on, the move to California provided Mani with many opportunities to pursue what he loves.

Italy

Most people fantasize about going to Italy over the summer. Junior Sherry Sanders took it one step further; she is spending

a year there. Sanders is attending a language school in Tuscany, where everyone takes three languages in addition to Italian. “School ends earlier here because it’s six days a week. The teaching here is more ‘classic teaching’,” said Sanders. “The teacher comes in, talks for an hour and leaves, there’s less student input and it’s much more than just reading the book.” She is currently living with a large family in Italy. “They’re very expressive, just like we think of Italians. I’m unusually quiet for being in the family,” said Sanders. “On Saturday evenings, I go to the town center with friends, and we get a pizza for dinner, which is a lot of fun.” “At first everything was overwhelming, but then I learned about the culture some, and how school and the family works, and I became very comfortable here,” said Sanders. She can now have conversations with her friends, and they let her know how much she’s improved. Living in Italy is “definitely an incredible experience. I’m having a great time,” said Sanders.

Argentina

Senior Guido Marconi, from La Escuela Superior de Comercio Manuel Belgrano (ESCEMB), an alternative school in Cordoba, Argentina, is spending three months in the U.S. with the Sequoia family, the Berteros. “If we don’t agree with the teacher or principal, we can speak out,” said Marconi. “It’s very liberal there.” Another difference he has noticed is the students lack of involvement with current events. “You don’t pay attention to politics, we pay a lot of attention to politics,” said Marconi. “There are a lot of debates and a lot of social sciences classes,” said Marconi. This sparks many discussions and encourages students to speak out. Students there also take advantage of the city’s nightlife. “I live in Cordoba, the city of parties,” said Marconi. Instead of heading to a party after a football game around 9 p.m., a classic American tradition, “parties [in Argentina] are way later, and people go dancing at clubs,” said Marconi. Although the legal age for admittance into clubs is 18; “if you’re attractive, age doesn’t matter,” said Marconi.

Nepal

Senior Gaurav Bhandari moved to California in 2010 when his mother won an American visa in a lottery. Adjusting to American culture wasn’t hard, Bhandari said. “I learned most of my English from ‘Friends’ and ‘Two-and-a-Half Men,’” said Bhandari. A prevalent change Bhandari noticed, but had no trouble adjusting to, was the amount of technology Americans have access to. “We didn’t have electricity all the time, sometimes up to 18 hours a day,” he said. “I took a computer programming class that was taught on a blackboard.” “Everyone has a computer with Internet in Nepal, but I was amazed by the Internet speed when I came here,” said Bhandari. “In Nepal, when I would download, say, a song, I would hit download, go eat lunch, come back, and it would be downloaded. Here it takes one minute.” School was a major change as well.

Although there are more private schools than public schools, everybody is required to wear uniforms. Some of the public schools in Nepal hold classes of up to 80 people at once, whereas private schools had an average class size of 35. With that many kids in a classroom at once, the paddle method was employed. “If you don’t do your homework, you got beat,” said Bhandari, who has suffered these beatings more than once. “It’s normal there.” Another change is the lack of after school sports. “We didn’t have your kind of football,” said Bhandari. “I had to YouTube: ‘How to Play Football’ to understand the rules here.” One of the main motives for the lack of school sports was the drive to get an education. “In school, there weren’t many sports,” said Bhandari. “They wanted you to study and then go to an American college. US, UK, Australia. They don’t want to stay in Nepal, it’s obvious.”

Ugandan teacher exchange boosts culture in classrooms By ANNA DAGUM LILY HARTZELL and SOPHIE MILLER Feature Editor and Staff Reporters Through coordination with the Africause club, Madame Oola Elizabeth, a teacher at Sir Samuel Baker School in Gulu, Uganda, came to Sequoia for the month of

January. “Long ago when I was in primary [school] I used to admire my teachers. My dad was a teacher, and I used to see how people respected him,” said Elizabeth. She wanted that same respect, so she became a teacher herself. Elizabeth has endured everything from dealing with uncooperative students to

teaching in a war zone. A series of civil wars occurred inher country. Before the wars, teachers were admired by the government, and treated with respect. “The government took care of teachers. They were provided with a good home and a good salary.” That respect was lost when war broke out in 1970 and a dictator

took over the country. “[The dictator] especially didn't like teachers because they had influence,” said Elizabeth. “He killed a lot of people, and it greatly affected education.” Even as things started improving in 1985, another war broke out in 1988. Elizabeth’s students were forced to find places like

hospital basements to sleep where there were guards to protect them from the rebel army. Teaching was hard, “the teachers had to be relocated to different districts, and I constantly feared for my children.” said Elizabeth. “Now there is relative peace because of Invisible Children,” said Elizabeth.

feature

Stalin steals spotlight from IB history class

Zarcone said. “Ideally, the Government/Econ is incorporated into the IB curriculum,” junior IB history teacher Teresa Yeager said. “I think it is hard to try to fully incorporate government and econ the way it is taught to other seniors in the For most seniors, if you fail Govern- two year sequence of IB when it is not ment or Economics, you don’t gradu- necessarily the intent of the class.” ate. So if this is the case, how come the Although IB history students are students taking IB history don’t have being taught the Gov/Econ standards, to take either semester? many may still be lacking a basic un“A couple years ago it used to be derstanding of these principles. that if you S e were going “Seniors taking government/econ nior Jesse to take IB versus IB History have a very different Boyle, who history, you experience.” dropped IB were going history early —Junior IB history teacher to do Gov/ senior year, Teresa Yeager has Econ your seen sophomore both sides of year. We the fence. switched that around because it was “Last year [in IB history] we didn’t really hard for people if they wanted do anything [related to] economics,” to opt into the IB program if they senior Jesse Boyle said. “[In Gov/ hadn’t taken gov/econ … and then we Econ] we learn a lot more current also extended world studies three into events, real world applications and a whole year. So we were able to look things that are more relevant to day to at the standards for Gov/Econ and in- day life.” tegrate them into the years of IB hisThe junior IB history course is estory,” senior IB history teacher Karin sentially relearning what was briefly By LAYNE DIENER, LAUREN KIRKPATRICK and JOSH PITKOFSKY Staff Reporter, Feature Editor and Guest Writer

touched upon in World Studies soph- So I think that is something that IB omore year (WW1). schools versus AP schools have to deal Seniors spend the first semester with,” Yeager said. relearning the 122 out of the World Wars 435 seniors are for perhaps the taking IB 20th fourth time, and Century Topics Pros or cons? the second sethis year, a higher •The content is mostly facts that mester focuses level IB course. you have already learned, just entirely upon “Seniors takwritten in more complex the Cold War ing government/ language until the IB Execon versus IB •Therefore, seems repetitive most ams in May. In History have a of the time many other high very different ex•Junior year is the most reading schools, Gov/ perience.” Yeager Econ is a resaid. you will ever have to do quired course “I think it •Senior year, there are fewer infor all seniors. At would be aweclass essays and no vocabulary high schools that some, even •You get college credit and a GPA offer AP courses though the school bump (also college levhas limited re•If you drop the class senior year, el courses) there sources, strongly you will not receive a GPA bump is AP Gov/Econ. re commending or credit for your junior year “I know I’ve something where •You do not learn about current had students students enroll government.... who are the where the first at Cañada and presidential candidates today? government class take government they took was in in between their college. I think junior and senior that they understand, and they get it year. It would be a good preparation when they go to college, but its new. for college,” Yeager added.

Peer mentors give support and build community Avila. By ARACELI EFIGENIO There are currently 50 seand CAROLINE LEMPERT nior, junior, and sophomore Staff Reporter students participating as and Layout Editor mentors that work in groups Academic encouragement, of two to three with the proemotional support, and a com- gram’s 20 mentees. munity with one goal: success. In a school with over 2,000 These are the objectives of Se- students, Guracar noticed quoia’s new Peer Mentoring that it is easy to feel lost and program. alone. A common misconPeer Mentoring was started ception about the program is by seniors Elise Levin-Guracar that its sole purpose is to aid and Abstudents hineet “It shows me that I can make academRam at ically. it to that four-year college. I the start of Howthe school won’t be that person that’s ever, the year, and stuck in the middle who doesn‘t program has the know what to do.” mainly ultimate —Sophomore Mentee s t r i v e s goal of esCathy Avila to create tablishing friendsupport ships systems between students who would between different groups of Se- not have the opportunity to quoia students. interact otherwise. When a Cathy Avila, a sophomore student becomes a mentor, he mentee, admits that she would or she is expected to build a not be doing well without her relationship with their menmentors’ support. tee, giving him or her assis“It shows me that I can tance with school and being make it to that four-year col- there for him or her if they lege. I won’t be that person need help in another area of that’s stuck in the middle who their lives. doesn‘t know what to do,” said “I wanted [the club] to im-

pact Sequoia by making more connections between people. It’s a small school, but I feel like there is a divide,” said Guracar. “I see people who would not have talked before say hi in the hall [now that they are in the mentor program].” Nonetheless, the new program has a few obstacles that need sorting out. The mentors have very little communication with the heads of the program, Ram, Guracar and AVP Michael Kuliga, which causes complications. For example, some mentors are the same age as their mentees. “It’s really hard because you are both students. You don’t have that much authority over them because you’re only a year older,” said Samantha Peyton, a sophomore mentor. As the program is only in its first year, it holds an abundance of potential for making an impact on Sequoia’s students. It is the founders’ hope that Sequoia students continue improving the mentoring program over the next few years. “I think if we get it more organized, it can be really sustainable,” said Guracar.

IB History

SEQUOIA SAYS

What is your New Years resolution? Compiled by Cole Dunbar and Araceli Efigenio

Resolution: Meet Kermit the frog “I went to see the muppets; it was horrible.” —Senior Alexandra Cota

Resolution: Not to get in trouble “It’s going pretty well. I haven’t been breaking the law.” —Senior Jake Mauldin

Resolution: Make a life-size muppet of himself “This has been going outstanding and phenomenal. I’ve been buying wire coat hangers.” —Senior Anthony Cabezon

Resolution: Sleep more “Not going very well because I’m too lazy to sleep. Sleeping is boring.” —Sophomore Neil Chan

Resolution: Eat less sugar “It’s been going pretty badly. I keep on writing ‘no sugar’ on my hands to stop.” —Junior Jeremy Smith

opinion

#awkward 4 lyfe teacher on the same day. Instead, I want them to remember my witty comment. I want them to see me Deuces as cool when I use the right lingo. But please, don’t use it in the broskies . I be out. wrong manner. Uncool man. It Watch out isn’t awkward when you lose your for my pencil, so please don’t make a status about it. I won’t like it. swagger. Forgot the words while singing O k a y, I real- the national anthem? Wore the ize that’s same dress as someone to winter formal? Went to the wrong class Awk. Just like me. I jump up and down and because you thought it was a difwave hysterically to someone I ferent period? If any of the above are true, I will thought was defend you in my best friend. It isn’t awkward when your right to Awk. I delete say awk until a Facebook you lose your pencil, so please don’t make a status the day I die. comment after It would everyone has about it. I won’t like it. be wrong to already seen it. accuse; howAwk. It’s become my signature fol- ever, without taking some of the blame. low up. I am an Awk-o-holic. It slips I say it night and day to cover up for the endless odds and ends off my tongue almost as much as that make up my life. I don’t “like” and “um” during an English want people to notice that I oral commentary. #That awkward moment when slipped in the hall. I don’t want them to remember that I wore your grade is written on Ms. the same scarf as my Spanish Chung’s face.

By LAUREL DEARBORN News Editor

Republican primaries: America’s next top liar

firmly pro-life.” He was also massively successful in creating a health-care system akin to ‘Obama-care’, which he now As the next claims to be vehemently against. Like a presidential elec- hooker, he’ll do anything you want—as tion is upon us, long as you’re the highest bidder. Rick Santorum has been on record Newt Gingrich, a man who used his as being the most anti-gay candidate in daughters from the race thus far, and has continued to his first wife to press the issue of homosexuality unnecconvince people essarily throughout his campaign. “Even that his second fathers in jail who had abandoned their wife is lying about his third wife, has re- kids were still better,” he said, than two cently taken the presidential spotlight. same sex parents. Time and time again This is not the first time a candidate he has obsessed about his homophobia has magically appeared for this year’s to an extreme level—even for a Republican. It seems like Sen. election. Other Republicans have also With the approaching Santorum thinks about gay sex more than any enjoyed similar presidential election, gay person in America. rushes to first place. Politicians such The Raven Report offers Santorum often turns to his Christian faith as as Michelle Bachthis initial individual a cover for his social irmann, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, and opinion piece on the responsibility. However, it not Jesus Christ even Celebrity ApRepublican primaries was himself who stood for prentice host Donthat started on Jan. 3, equal treatment of all ald Trump have experienced similar and will extend to June human beings? These pseudo-morals are just comebacks. 26. We will cover events a smokescreen for Mr. History teacher Danny Bliss said it up to the general elec- Santorum’s true calling: being mean. was “because [the tion, to be held on If there is one cancandidats] have seNov. 6, 2012. didate who can out do rious weaknesses Santorum on the “mean in their campaigns, their messages, their decision making, scale,” it is Newt Gingrich. When Gingrich was asked about his lackluster and their personalities.” These candidates are constantly track record on marriage (he is currently hoisted up, and thrown away within a on wife number three) at a recent presimatter of just weeks, and as we draw dential debate, he attacked the media for closer to the end, only a few Obama- invading his personal life, calling it “as challengers remain. As an American, I close to despicable as [he] could imagfeel compelled to ask: “Is this the best ine.” I find it odd, however, that he did not hold these beliefs when making his we can really do?” Mitt Romney, the true Judas of the numerous attacks on former president presidential race, double-crosses his Clinton during his famous affair with positions on major issues more often Monica Lewinsky. During which time, than Rick Santorum goes sweater-vest by the way, Mr. Gingrich was hypocritishopping. For example, when Romney cally also having an affair of his own (one was running for the governorship of of his seven). With the current array of candidates, Massachusetts, he proudly asserted his pro-choice stance. “I believe that abor- our choices don’t look so bright. Decidtion should be safe and legal in this ing who to support this year is a bit like country,” he said. Yet come this new deciding weather to run into poison election, he is doing his best to make oak or poison ivy; neither option is very sure that “people understand [he is)] pleasant.

By HAGOP NARKIZIAN Staff Reporter

I resolve not to try

As a part of American culture, I have repeatedly made random resolutions that I know This year, I will never follow through on. I resolved to Every year I try to make a resolueat health- tion, but never succeed because I ier, but so know that I don’t want to resolve far I have anything. I could eat better, get only started fit, get organized, or volunteer c o n s u m - if I wantetd to. I just never get ing large around to it because it would reamounts of quire putting more effort into my hummus and pita bread instead daily routine. of cereal. I used to make new years Next year, instead of making a resolutions to feel better about regular resolution, I resolve to do myself. With a resolution, I felt nothing. like I was doing something better G etting than I orgawas doing Getting fit usually involves nized takes in the pretoo much eating everything I can find in my vious year. time. I have house after school. Then, on the For me, the no inter- weekends I only eat breakfast, din- new year est in going ner and about 23 low nutrition was just an through the snacks throughout the day excuse to clothes I wait to start never wear, fulfilling a papers that eachers give me, and resolution–and then to drop it toys I haven’t touched since I after January. was five. It may be better to just live Long-term semi-tangible goals life the way you are. I know I will are meaningless to me. “Getting be happier with feeling fat at 27 fit” usually involves eating every- having eaten all the cereal and thing I can find in my house after hummus I can find, than if I tried school. Then, on the weekends I to become a better person and eat breakfast, dinner and about eat healthily 23 low nutrition snacks.

By COLE DUNBAR Staff Reporter

OPINION

Black History Month left in the dark

not do it alone. “William Burghardt helped create the NAACP. He spoke What if out about the Civil Rights,” the Black said sophomore Amir AmeriS t u d e n t an. Burghardt was an author, U n i o n editor, civilrights leader, and didn’t ex- the first African American to ist at Se- receive a doctoral degree from q u o i a ? Harvard University. What if Black History Month startFeb. was just another month? ed as Negro week in 1926 What if I wasn’t in journal- by Carter G. Woodson and ism? Would there be a article minister Jesse E. Moorland. about Black History month? In 1976 President Gerald R. Why should it be my respon- Woodson recognized Februsibility as the black girl to in- ary as Black History Month. form Sequoia about African Students have different feelAmerican culture. Needless ings and beliefs about how the to say the month writer’s of should be “I think it should be about our hiscelebrattory books conquering oppression and ed. feel like celebrating the new generation “It’s of African Americans and their just one a time chapter of accomplishments” to learn African – Sophmore Amir Amerian a b o u t culture is my hisenough. tory and Black Histo get to tory Month should be a time know my roots,” said Senior where we educate each other Myshanique Primes. about the achievements and Some students feel that struggles that African Ameri- now that we’re in high school cans had to overcome. Our we don’t cover a lot of black community treats Feb. like history. another month, as we are “For us to get any type of constantly leaving amazing African American culture you figures in the dark. After all, must go outside of school,” Dr. King and Rosa Parks did said Primes.

By TAISHA GRIFFIE Staff Reporter

EDITORIAL Though there is the occasional head-to-toe purplebody-painted senior walking the halls during Friday spirit days, this hardly makes up for the general student body’s blatant lack of school pride. Every so often, we are reminded how unsettling it is to lie in Woodside’s orange tinted shadow. Take last week’s winter formal, for example. ASB needed to sell a certain amount of tickets in order to host another winter formal off campus ever again. The quota of tickets to be sold was 300, a seemingly low goal considering there are 2000 students attending Sequoia. But despite both the school’s population, as well as the discounted prices during the first week of sales, we still faced much difficulty meeting this goal. With daily announcements

begging students to buy tickets and posters going up in the halls encouraging the sales, it took an embarrassingly high amount of effort over five weeks to finally reach the quota. Students seem to have little loyalty to their peers that work hard to make school dances enjoyable events. The Facebooks of students at other schools already overflow with photos of dresses, corsages, suits and smiles of everyone getting ready to attend formals of their own, whether it be at the Marriott ball-room or their school’s MPR, while Sequoia struggles to break even for their own venue, the Fox Theatre. High school dances and events are experiences unique to your high school career. Not only do they help support the school, but more so, they are designed to help built camaraderie amongst the stu-

dents and make memories that will last a lifetime. So when we have the opportunity for a safe night of fun with friends we will have too little time with, why don’t we take them? The greater the attendance at these dances and events, the more fun it can be. Seeing your friends outside of a school environment consistently produces good times and great memories. When remembering high school days, do you want to be saying, “Yeah I remember sitting at lunch and moping about how much I disliked school,” or do you want to be saying, “Remember that time Eduardo did the worm at formal? That night was legendary!” Give me an S! Give me a Pirit! It’s time we step up the spirit and join in the fun.

Sequoia High School Raven Report Editor-in-Chief Sarina Gross News Editor Laurel Dearborn Opinion Editor Tiffany Ah Tye Layout Editor Caroline Lempert Feature Editors Anna Dagum and Lauren Kirkpatrick

Staff Reporters Dainel Black Hanna Bolaños Peter Bugos Ty Dewes Taisha Griffie Layne Diener Matthew Morrow Hagop Narkizian Erick Castro Lily Hartzell Alsace Patrone Cole Dunbar Jarrett Crowell Sophie Miller Matthew Morrow Araceli Efigenio Bogie Sandoval

Mission Statement 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, community, and world. Letters to the Editor The Raven Report welcomes letters to the editor, sent to adviser Kim Vinh’s room, 308 or to ravenreport09@gmail.com. Letters must include the writer’s full name and ID number, and the staff reserves the right to edit for space and style.

Oscar-nominated movies shine, but dresses dazzle By HANNA BOLAÑOS Staff Reporter “And the Oscar goes to... Jean Dujardin for The Artist.” “Who’s he?” “He was in that amazing movie The Artist.” “Who cares, did you see his wife’s dress?!” It’s “Awards Season” again, therefore I have no choice but to make time to watch the Oscars. If I don’t, I could miss what Angelina was wearing, the chance to marvel at how Sandra Bullock’s face doesn’t move, or see how many awards that movie I didn’t see received. The horror of missing out is unthinkable. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the winners of this years Oscars February 24, and I will be glued to my television set. And so will the other 37 million people who tune in to appreciate cinematic art. That’s why they watch, right? Wrong. The highlight of half of these people’s night is going to be noticing how bad Kate Winslet looks in green. Then upon seeing her on Ya-

hoo’s list of “Oscar fashion faux pas,” emy chose Anne Hathaway and James they will take pride in saying “I said Franco to host last year, so youngsters that first.” like me might be more inclined to Is the fashion and its few failures the watch the show. only thing that seems worth rememI think Hathaway and Franco’s bering from a night filled with hon- tasteless performances must have oring cinematic brilliance? Well, it scared the Academy out of their pants, wouldn’t however, be a show The Academy Awards are Feb. 24 b e c a u s e without the OsHanna’s Pick for Best Picture: g l a m cars has MIDNIGHT IN PARIS our. If asked the ever yone alwayss h o w e d I fell head over heels for the amazing portrayals of trustworup in tenFitzgerald, Hemingway, and Salvador Dali, the thy (and nis shoes much oldreferences to their work, the beautiful scenes of and big Paris, and the enchanting music. Plus, Owen Wil- er) Billy t-shirts, I Cr ystal son finally made a good movie (whoop, whoop). wouldn’t to host Midnight in Paris is a best film nominee, but watch. I this year. w a t c h Woody Allen, the director, will probably not even C r y s t a l b e c a u s e attend or watch the awards, and it probably won’t is a win. I would like to see the film recognized for the show native is flashy, what I saw as its humor, beauty, and intelligence. N e w d r e a m y, Yo r k e r , envy-worthy. The idea of waking up a veteran of film, stand up comedy, one morning with nothing to do but and SNL. You may know him better get pretty for the Oscars is paradise, from his role in Monsters Inc. (Mike and the closest I’m going to get is Jen- Wazowski!) Last year, between Hathnifer Aniston’s red carpet interview. away’s bad jokes and Franco’s inebriaWithout the unattainable in front tion, I would have rather seen Ricky of us, we bore easily. Almost no one Gervais. And I don’t like Ricky GerI know watches the Oscars the movies vais. that are up for nomination aren’t inBut it’s obvious why teens aren’t teresting to us. That’s why the Acad- watching the films up for awards.

Who wants to watch an awards show about films they haven’t seen? Obviously no one went to see Twilight to admire the Oscar-worthy cinematography. The nominations this year . . . well, they aren’t Twilight. For example, The Artist. I hadn’t even heard of this movie until recently, even though it has received great critical reviews and won a Golden Globe. I doubt any of my friends would go with me to see a silent movie. Mission Impossible III > Silent films. The Descendants. Although I heard this film is very serious and confronts wrenching and dramatic issues (hey, just like ABC family), the plot seems very unrealistic to me – who cheats on George Clooney? Moneyball. I heard this was a breakout performance for Brad Pitt, but the only thing less exciting than the game of baseball is probably a movie where people sit around and talk about baseball. Of course, I never get to see all the films up for nomination. My Oscar ballot is inevitably somewhat small, since most of the films I’ve seen this year are not Oscar-worthy. But even though the highlight of my night isn’t going to be honoring Jean Dujardin for, I’ll still be watching the most glamorous event of the year with a judgemental eye for fashion, laughing with Mike Wazowski.

Opinion

Senioritis strikes Sequoia Learning from a computer Recently, by some act of god (or maybe a bribe, I’m not admitting to anything), I was accepted into my first choice college. My future is As a freshman, you think decided. And now I have senioritis. it won’t get you. “I know It’s more than just not wanting to do your how to work hard. I’ll find homework at night; it is closer to not seeing the time to have fun, too. any of the work you do as valuable. You lose all Procrastination has noth- perspective and all motivation; your work ethic ing on me.” You think you’re evaporates. Finals, internal assessments, upcomconfident; I think you’re na- ing tests, it all seems minimal and unimportant. ïve. It doesn’t matter—you’re It is nice because it relieves all stress. I just don’t wrong. You know nothing. care about getting that A anymore, it doesn’t afAs a sophomore, you think it’s funny. “Look at fect me. My one hour of Facebook followed by all of these seniors staying two hours of homework up ‘til 4 a.m. Idiots! High Senioritis is given that name to has become four hours of school is a breeze, they’re Facebook (or TV, I’m not make it sound like a disease: almost done, they should obsessed) and one hour of it spreads throughout the body, just finish as fast as they homework. We still finish can, and then have fun. and then the student body. most of our work, just beThat’s what I would do.” cause our body is trained Wrong again. You’re less to do so, but there is no meaning behind it. wrong than the freshmen, but still wrong. You just Senioritis is given that name to make it don’t know what the finish line looks like. sound like a disease: it spreads throughout the As a junior, you think it doesn’t exist. “Seniori- body, and then the student body. Every student tis? How about high-school-itis? I’ve been itching will get it. Everybody will have the “It really just to get out of here for three years, you don’t see me doesn’t matter at all” moment. However, the complaining. These seniors need to get over them- degree to which it affects someone varies. selves, we have just as much work as they do, but Some will only succumb to it once, and then they only have six months left.” Look, you aren’t renounce it as weakness and power through sehelping your cause. You are way off base, just wait a nior year. Some will nearly completely submit year and you will understand. to its power, neglect all of their work, and drop I was in the juniors’ boat for a long time, even from As to Cs in one fell swoop. Most of us will through first semester senior year. I didn’t believe fall somewhere in the middle, where we still in senioritis, mainly because I was always lazy, and shoot for the As and Bs by finishing our work, had little motivation already. I still got my work but spend most of our hours procrastinating done, and I still said things along the beat of, “I and dreaming of the day when it all ends. can’t wait to graduate.” Even earlier this year I was June 8 is that day, the day we are all cured saying, “Man I can’t wait until second semester, of our senioritis. Until then seniors, take your when basically nothing matters,” but I still didn’t pills and avoid heavy lifting. have senioritis. Not until recently.

By DANIEL JUDE Guest Writer

Reminiscing about Valentine’s Day: Where has all of the love gone?

By PETER BUGOS and TY DEWES Staff Reporters

During middle school, Valentine’s day was a day when people would give cards and hand candies to everyone. We barely remember that. In high school, February is all about finding a date for formal or worrying about a Valentine’s day gift. People scramble around asking their friends who haven’t been asked yet, or send a text to all of their friends asking, “What should I get her for Valentine’s day?!?” What happened to all the fun? Instead of getting treats, now we have to worry about who is asking who to formal. But Valentine’s day is supposed to be about enjoying love and relationships, not asking all of your friends to scramble for the right tie to wear to formal.

Before, Valentine’s day was the day where you summoned up enough courage to tell that one girl you liked her. Now you have to juggle homework, sports, friends, and extraciruclar activities andmatching your outfits for formal. A l l the stress of finding that one person for Va l e n tine’s day or to take to formal takes over what Valentine’s day is actually about: showing love. Even though many think you have to show a lot of love to just one person, if we go back to those kindergarten years its really about showing a little love to the people you care about. All of the little signs of appreciation we used to give can add up. It is also impressive to see how many people think of you on a

daily basis, just by the amount of candy you used to recieve. As a school of friends, we should really go back to showing our appreciation by handing out candies again. It also does not leave out anyone, so if he/she is taken, you won’t feel depressed and sit at your house watching “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Invite your friends over and appreciate the relationships you have. Love comes in all shapes and sizes. Don’t limit yourself to just thinking of love as being in a relationship with someone, but also think of your family and friends, and anyone else who shows you love. If you are in a relationship with someone though, make sure you show them how much you care by doing something nice. It doesn’t have to be big, but just show them you truly care.

it several times; a process that’s not built into the curriculum. This makes I think online school a lot more it’s safe to work that it appears at first say most because I had to review on h i g h my own. school Also, there are zillions students of opportunities to get wouldn’t distracted. In class it’s easy m i n d to discuss which movie to starting school at 10 a.m. see over the weekend, but and taking a test in their there is always the teacher pajamas. By taking school to bring your attention online, you can do it as of- back. Online, I could just ten as you like. check my e-mail or grab Last semester, my mom a snack when I got to a got the opportunity to particularly difficult math teach in London through problem. the College of San Mateo, It’s also easy to put so my family moved there things off. If my work isn’t for the fall. While I was due until January, and I there, I took school online don’t see a teacher every through National Univer- day, it’s tempting to leave sity Virtual High School. it to tomorrow. Although getting to take I’m not even sure all my most Fridays off was cer- classes are going to count. tainly a plus, I’ve decided The UCs state that they do I like “real school” better not recognize any science than sitting at a computer. or visual arts classes taken There are definitely online, and all other coursgood things about online es must be accredited to school. I think the best “count” towards the A-G is the flexre quireibility, espe- Although getting to take m e n t s . cially learnT h a t most Fridays off was a ing overseas. means I generally plus, I’ve decided I like that the put in six “real school” better than p h y s i c s hours on my sitting at a computer. class I classes in the took all morning s, semester may not fulfill and then I would take the the UC requirement, and I tube (London subway) to could have to take it again the British Museum or Big at community college. Ben. I was also able to take Only my math class was time off over “half-term” an effective online learn(the British break halfway ing experience: I read the to Christmas) when my textbook, and then did family spent a week in Ber- the assignments through lin. Even so, I think doing a program, which had exonline school all the time amples, videos, and aniwouldn’t be ideal for me. mations. I got three tries First of all, there’s no to give the right answer, one to interact with. If I and if I really didn’t underhad a quick question about stand it, I could have the which way a cubic func- program walk me through tion goes, I had to look the problem and give me a it up. I did have teachers similar one. This allowed who graded my work and me practice on concepts answered questions. How- I didn’t understand, and ever, it could take a day or I could move through the two for them to respond, ones I knew faster. and I couldn’t wait every So despite the flexibiltime I needed to clarify ity, in the end online learnsomething. ing was time-consuming, It was really difficult makes it more difficult for to remember what I read me to remember what I’ve when I took the final. It learned, and is isolating. was easy to read the mate- The only problem with rial, do the assignments, returning to regular high and take the quiz in one school is that I can’t get go. In order to commit up in the middle of math something to long-term to grab a Cadbury bar anymemory I have to go over more.

By LILY HARTZELL Staff Reporter

Sports Maddy McKee, freshman

Ivan Ayarza, sophomore

JV Soccer Midfielder

Varsity Basketball Guard

How does playing this sport add to your school experience? I met a bunch of new people that I wouldn’t have if I did not play soccer. We have become very close and it is all because of soccer.

How does playing this sport add to your high school experience? It has made my experience better because it’s more exciting; it gives me something to- look forward to.

Lacrosse

A generous grant from the US Lacrosse Team supplied the Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse new gear helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, and crosses sticks. Parents have supported the start of the new lacrosse team which is led by coach Manuel Paguirigan. What is your most memorable “Our team goal is to establish moment playing this sport? a strong program,” said PaguiThis year I had to sit out the pre- What is your most memorable morigan. “I believe the way to reach season because of an injury, but ment playing this year? this goal is to approach the sea I came back for our first league One night at Menlo-Atherton we son one day at a time.” game and scored a goal. were down by two points in the Paguirigan says that they are fourth quarter and I made a shot and already facing obstacles the first Tell me about the undefeated season. we went into overtime. days in. Luckily the kids that We have some very strong players who played for the Local Youth Fireare very athletic. It helps that we are all Do you want to play in college? hawks Lacrosse team now can friends; we are always there for each My dream is to play for a Division 1 play for Sequoia. other. school in college. “I don’t look forward for Photo by Andy Paul Photo by Bruno Manrique practicing in the morning but I am ready for it,” said sophomore Jarret Snyder, “I think it is going to be fun.” There is less than a month for the first Boys’ Lacrosse game to Natalie Harden, junior commence. Jose Avalos, senior “No matter the outcome, it’s Varsity Basketball Forward Varsity Soccer Foward safe to say next year will be even How has basketball impacted your high school When did you start playing and why did you better - so on and so on. I have experience? want to play at Sequoia? big expectations for this proI’ve made a lot of friends, and it helps me relate to a gram and the players who will Ever since I touched the ball with my feet I lot of people. Overall, a fun experience. started playing. I had family who played here, be a part of it. Just watch,” said Paguirigan. so I wanted to keep coming here to represent What was one of your most Sequoia. memorable moments? Tennis Last Boys tennis directed by Coach How do you feel about playing WoodPhill Mckenney will be led by year, against side? seniors Jake Hurwitz, Daniel Fremont We’re so pumped up for this Jude Sebastian Castrillo, Alex I had my game. We want to beat them Schreiber, Jon Saltzman, Jake best game so bad because we haven’t beat offensively. I Jagannathan, Cameron Saterlee, them in years. David Burtt and Matt Lefkovscored about 12 points. itz, junior Logan Billman, and What was one of your most memorable Sequoia welcomes freshman What have you learned by moments? Conor Carroll and Zach Sahn. playing basketball? My most memorable moment was when They will play their first match I’ve learned that I can build we were losing 1-0 [against Woodside] on March 1. courage. It’s a way to express There was one minute left, and I took “I predict a great experienced intensity. It helps me relieves team for Boys’ Tennis since a shot from the 40. I felt great having Photo by Bob Dahlberg stress I got throughout the most of the team members are everyone scream after day. Seniors,” said Athletic Director the goal and just leaving Stacy Morell. the field knowing that I —Compiled By ARACELI EFIGENIO, JARRETT — BOGART SANDOVAL made the tie for the team. CROWELL, and CAROLINE LEMPERT

Athletes heat up winter sports

Girls soccer shoots and scores for a solid season By PETER BUGOS and TY DEWES Staff Reporters

Photo by Araceli Efigenio

Forward Lily Discher fakes out a defender to set up a pass towards the center of the field.

The low rumbling crowd, the sharp, piercing whistle, the crack as laces strike the ball, and the thundering roar as the team celebrates their goal. The varsity girls soccer team started the year by winning almost all of their games, and the JV team is still undefeated. This year the girls team is proving themselves as they will end with a strong record. Meanwhile, the JV team competes to be the number one team. Currently the girls’ record for varsity is 9-2-2 and JV is undefeated, 11-0-1. “The team just seems more in it this year,” said varsity co-captain, junior Skye Picker. “This year we have been,

right from the start, scoring and winning all of our games.” Varsity coach Melissa Schmidt said, “We play great defense, and we also have a really strong offense. I think we have a good balance.” The varsity girls had a rough start last year, but they have united to win against Mills and South San Francisco. “The strength of the team has increased because it’s another year that we played together,” said senior striker Jessica Huizar. The fairly young team, and they will still have many of the same players next year. Five seniors will be leaving the team next year, Jessica Huizar, Lily Discher, Sarah Singh, Kinsey Dittmar, and Isabel Colin.

Picker said, “I think we will lose some of our offensive pressure, but there’s a whole new group of freshmen and sophomores that will be able to move up and fill those places.” Although they are losing some of their players, the JV girls have been undefeated so far this season. This year the JV coaches are helping the JV team not only for this year but for varsity in the future as some of the players will be moving up to varsity. “They’ve helped us improve our skills, and shown us ways that we can play better,” said freshman JV player Abby Mejia. Both the varsity girls and the JV girls are on track to move up to the Bay division.