Raven Report
Sequoia High School
Volume XI, Issue 1
1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
September 13, 2017
Trump administration moves in to end DACA, puts Dreamers’ program to sleep
Even more hopeful for Dreamers is the fact that, even after the September 5 order, immigrants can remain under DACA for the next two years if they renew their DACA by October 5. At Sequoia, DACA matters: the last esPresident Donald Trump decided to roll timates indicate that more than 10 percent of back Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Sequoia students are undocumented. DACA (DACA) September 5. makes college a real possibility for many of Started with an Executive Order from presithese students who otherwise could not afford dent Barack Obama in 2012, DACA allows it. Many scholarships require documentation certain young, undocumented immigrants to of residency or citizenship; DACA gives stulawfully stay in the United States, get jobs and dents this documentation. obtain other benefits of legal status. In CaliThe rolling-back of fornia, for example, DACADACA puts another roadapproved immigrants (un“We have all come too far to lose block in front of Dreamdocumented residents brought hope and turn back now. Yes, this is to the United States as chil- another obstacle. But Dreamers have ers both at Sequoia and dren and often referred to as faced many obstacles, and overcome worldwide, but many reDreamers) are allowed access those many obstacles. This is just an- main undaunted. “We have all come to state driver’s licenses and to other one.” too far to lose hope and Medi-Cal. In addition, accord—Anonymous Dreamer, turn back now,” said one ing to the American Center for Sequoia High School Sequoia Dreamer who Progress, the wages of DACA wished to remain anonyrecipients are nearly 70 permous. “Yes, this is another obstacle. But cent higher than those of other undocumented Dreamers have faced many obstacles, and workers. overcome those obstacles. This is just another Trump’s repeal of DACA fulfills a promise one.” he made while campaigning for the presidency For this Dreamer, a big part of overcomlast year. ing this is ensuring that everyone’s voices are “My personal opinion is that it is an exheard. A protest in Downtown Redwood City tremely short-sighted and cruel decision,” September 6 helped make this dream—that of Principal Sean Priest said. “But I know thatphotos by Nicholas Abraham and Trevor Crowell an open discussion—come true. Sequoia students, and teenagers in general, are Following the repeal of DACA, students and other members of extremely resilient. And here, at Sequoia, they “If we understand other’s opinions, we are the community gathered in support of undocumented immigrants have support from great staff and families. That more able to compromise and understand [one September 6 during a vigil in downtown Redwood City. gives me hope.” See DACA, page 7 By RIO POPPER Copy Editor
Administrative, guidance offices gain experienced new staff By MACKENZIE CLARKE Managing Editor
Sequoia’s new additions to the administrative and counseling offices in this school year include Kristin Stout as Instructional Vice Principal and Patty Vlahakos as guidance counselor. The administrative position opened up following the departure of Mike Kuliga as Administrative Vice Principal and the moving of past IVP Sophia Olliver to fill his position. Stout has worked in the district for 20 years beginning as a history teacher at Menlo-Atherton. She then moved to the District Office as a professional developer,
but went back to instruct and work with teachers at Sequoia for three years. After her time at Sequoia, Stout returned to the District Office, where she held an array of positions, including Director of Professional Development and Curriculum. Following her extensive history in the Sequoia Union High School District SUHSD, she pursued the opportunity to once again work in a school when the position of IVP opened. “This [position] came up and I’ve never had the chance to work in administration at a site, so I thought it would be really exciting— and I love Sequoia,” Stout said.
The extensive hiring pro- and so it’s just learning to be cess included interviews in at peace with that learning front of administrators, staff, curve and knowing that I’ll secretaries and Principal eventually figure it all out,” Sean Priest. With her new Stout said. “Everyone’s been position, Stout looks for- really supportive here.” ward to seeing classrooms New guidance counseland teachor Patty ers while “I’ve never had the chance to V l a h a e n c o u r a g - work in administration at a site, kos was ing instruc- so I thought it would be really ex- hired aftional ideas. ter shifts citing—and I love Sequoia,” However, the —Kristin Stout in there are Instructional Vice Principal guidance also some office indifficulties cluding in assuming new, unfamiliar the movement of Guidance roles. Counselor Shari Schussel “I like to plan ahead and to the Teen Resource Cenknow what’s coming up, but ter, the retirement of Head it’s just impossible to do that Guidance Counselor Guathe first time through. You dalupe Navarrete and the can’t anticipate everything promotion of Melissa Perez
Spread: Take a trip through history on the Raven Report’s magic school bus!
Page 4-5
to fill her position. Vlahakos previously worked as a guidance counselor for 10 years in the South San Francisco Unified School District, but she is new to the SUHSD. In addition to taking on part of Perez and Schussel’s caseload, she will also be managing incoming freshmen and all new and upperclass BUILD students. “It has been a fairly smooth transition,” Vlahakos said. “I’m getting to know what [students want] and what [their] questions are, so it’s taking some time to get used to , but in general I feel we’re able to connect and everyone has been very open to me.”
Opinion: Lil Uzi Vert “Luv Is Rage 2” Album Review
Page 6
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Feature/Opinion
September 13, 2017
Let’s respect the opposite sex
By SAM BROOK Staff Reporter
What’s up guys? It’s the girls, and we think there are some things about us that you need to understand. First of all, we are not all basic. We know many of you think of us as b*tches who spend our mornings covering ourselves in makeup and our weekend nights drinking. However, there is much more to every girl than leggings and mascara. Being generalized as ‘weak’ is one of the worst things to live with. This stereotype originates from the early roots of humanity, when women were seen as the ones who were meant to have babies and stay at home. Today, we have women running for president and leading protests around the country. Still, we constantly feel like guys are trying to express the idea that men are better— stronger—than women when, in reality, we should be treated as equals. Some girls like to wear dresses, some like to wear leggings, some like to wear jeans and some like to wear skirts. This does not mean we dress to please you— we can want to look nice for ourselves. When we get upset, it’s not just because we are overreacting, or because
it’s “that time of the month.” Most women are more in touch with their feelings than men are, so when things hit us, they hit us hard. When we’re in tough emotional situations, things can sometimes end in tears or breakdowns. Also know that, when girls call themselves feminists, it doesn’t mean they think they are better than guys, it means they want equality for all genders. When you shame someone for being a feminist, you’re speaking against equality, not misandry. If you’re intending to pursue us as soon as you meet us you’re not starting off well. Sure, girls like to be impressed, but not if your motive is to get with us. We like having guy friends. If you’re concerned about the “friend zone” know that being friends with a girl first normally leads to a better relationship. Periods are the monthly discharge of blood from the uterus. During this process, women experience a menagerie of hormonal and physical health effects such as acne, joint and muscle pain, upset stomach and constipation. We have the right to complain. We’re not sorry if it’s annoying or “gross” to you because it sucks and we have to deal with it every single month until we’re about 50. Boys, hopefully I provided some insight, because after all, you’ll need to understand your future boss and hopefully the next president.
By SIMON CLARKE Staff Reporter
Hey girls, it’s the boys. Just to be clear, some of the boys would like to cover a few things to explain how boys feel when we’re around you. Number 1, you girls all are probably wondering why we come off as having an alpha-male persona. This is because boys, in general, are raised like programmed beings without emotional freedom. According to Claire Cain Miller’s op/ed in the New York Times “How to Raise a Feminist Son,” “even as we’ve given girls more choices for the roles they play, boys’ worlds are still confined, social scientists say. They’re discouraged from having interests that are considered feminine.” Girls are often told how many possibilities they have as individuals—they can be or do whatever it is that they please. Boys aren’t raised the same. Have you ever found it interesting that toddlers, boy or girl, cry equally as much? Yet, when they reach a young age and know their gender roles, it’s suddenly taboo for us? Number 2, high school is just as so-
cially difficult for us as it is for you. From a personal standpoint, I came from a middle school where I only had 30 students in my grade, of which 10 were girls. Coming to Sequoia freshman year was no easy task; most of my middle school peers went to different high schools. Talking to girls was very difficult; I didn’t know how I was being perceived or who they wanted me to be, and I still don’t know. I always find myself acting like someone that I’m not. My point being, I came across as the nice guy, and I found that girls weren’t attracted to me. Now I find myself being someone who I don’t like. So girls, here’s a few pointers on how to understand guys’ actions the next time you’re around us. A lot of the time when we are talking to you, we’re trying to impress you. It is not because we inherently want to, but it’s how we’ve been taught to act as we’ve grown up. More importantly, just ignore us most of the time when our hormones go crazy. Remember that even though we don’t cry, we still have emotions. We often think that girls are mad at us because we have no emotional connection to a certain topic, but this entirely untrue. If we show our emotions, in some respects, it’s a sign of weakness, and it’s something that guys really don’t do.
New teachers quickly find love for Sequoia
Vicki Barone Department: English Prior School: Gilroy High School Barone has moved around within the Bay Area for several years with her husband, two dogs, and one cat. Right now she commutes from Half Moon Bay to come teach several levels of English classes at Sequoia. Before teaching, she got her Bachelor’s at CSU Monterey Bay, her teaching credentials at Fresno State, and her masters at Walden University. “Every single person has something special to offer a community,” she said. She doesn’t want anyone to feel excluded or “less than” and also strongly agrees with the no phone rule at Sequoia. Before coming to Sequoia, Barone taught at Alisal High School in Salinas and Gilroy High School. She is excited to spend her 16th year teaching here.
Atiba Williams Department: Physical Education Prior School: Redwood Continuation High School Williams was born and raised in East Palo Alto and went to Menlo-Atherton High School (MA). He played on MA’s basketball team, eventually going to the 1998 State Championships his senior year. You can find his name on a banner in the MA Hall of Fame. Williams started college in Hawaii at Chaminade University with a full basketball scholarship before he transferred to San Jose State University and received a masters in science. At Notre Dame University, he got his teaching credential and, soon thereafter, taught physical education and various types of math at Redwood Continuation High School. “Sequoia is a happy place to be,” he said. One thing he wants his students to know, “I am nice, I want you to succeed and I want to make an impact here.”
Leah Thomas Department: Science Previous School: San Francisco Mission School Thomas came to the Bay Area from the East Coast to attend Stanford University. She studied Human Biology as an undergraduate and later got her masters in education. “The feeling I get walking in the hallways...it is a positive, friendly environment,” she said. She has smoothly transitioned into her downstairs biology classroom, and shared her admiration for the very “connected” staff. Thomas’ high school experience consisted of various kinds of art, track and field and overachieving. Now, she likes to cook vegan meals, build electronics and play video games on her PC. Monica Alcantar Department: World Languages Previous school: East Side San Jose High School Alcantar returned to Sequoia to teach after graduating in 2004. Her schooling consisted of Canada College, Loyola Marymount University and a masters in Spanish from the University of San Francisco. She got her teaching credential in the Stanford Teacher Education Program before returning to Sequoia. “This is my community,” she said. “It has always been my dream to come back and be a role model.” She spends her free time visiting Disneyland and going to the movies with her family. Memories from high school consist of her being the quiet, responsible student that every teacher dreams of having have.
—Compiled by Sam Brook
Feature
September 13, 2017
3
Sequoia’s summer spreads world wide -Global Glimpse Bratislava, Slovakia
Prague, Czech Republic Spain
Vienna, Austria
“[When we were in Nicaragua], we had a Community Action Project which has to make a sustainable, lasting impact on the community, We helped at a school, la Fundación Cristal, building an outside garden and painting.”
St.Petersburg, Russia Tallinn, Estonia Riga, Latvia
—Zachariah Holder, senior
-Spanish Exchange
Budapest, Hungary
“My favorite thing that we did was going to a cathedral, Sagrada Familia, that was so beautiful. It was started about 100 years ago, and it’s still in construction, and it was just a work of art.”
Dominican Republic
—Maya Donovan, junior
Nicaragua
-El Camino Youth Symphony
Ecuador
“During the day we explored the cities, and in the afternoons, we would have rehearsals and concerts, one in each city, in some of the greatest music halls in the world.” —Gianna Colombo, junior
An 18-day trip, Global Glimpse connected students to community service opportunities and allowed them to experience the culture of the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua or Ecuador.
Students traveled to Spain with the Spanish Exchange club and spent three weeks living with host families and touring various locations and cities. Then students returned and are now hosting students from Spain.
Sophomore Luke Kovscek and junior Joshua Navarro toured Russia and the Baltics for 10 days with Ragazzi Boys Chorus, performing in Riga, Latvia, Tallinn, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia.
Junior Gianna Colombo, with the El Camino Youth Symphony, traveled to and performed in Vienna, Austria, Prague, Czech Republic, Budapest, Hungary and Bratislava, Slovakia.
-Ragazzi Boys Chorus
“Every year, my choir, Ragazzi, goes on a tour and this year we went to Russia and the Baltics, and we went, and we sang for people, and it was a really great experience.” —Luke Kovscek, sophomore
—compiled by Lauren Stevens
Specia
4
Cherokees glimpse at the Class of 1917’s past Kennedy's assassination in 1963 … a junior prom and a senior ball program and a letter from [the] Dean of Boys, Mr. Dragon.” A time capsule from the Class of Fischer was the SHSAA chair 1917 was opened by Sequoia’s adat the time when the graduating ministration and the Class of 2017 class’ plaque--on the path leadJune 8. After students asked to open ing from it, they found the school’s it in the bomb main enshelter under trance to the library. Carrington“Mr. Priest -were put was very exon that cited,” said path in Administra2004. The tive Vice Prinnew resurcipal Gary gence in Gooch, who opening is in charge and findof all facilities ing the and school t i m e grounds. capsules “‘Look at this!,’ comes from [Priest said.] the build‘What? It’s a ing and pipe.’ I said.” renovations W h e n a r o u n d they pulled campus in it out of the the past ground, it was d e c a d e. rusted shut When they and looked, as Gooch de- The time capsule found bears a strik- were taken out of their scribed it, like ing resemblance to a rusty pipe. f o r m e r a regular pipe. spot, except for the 1917 capsule, All capsules are property of the class were taken from those spots, that created it. Yet, because the encatalogued and recorded for the tire Class of 1917 has passed away, first time and currently live in the the administration could open it. bomb shelter under the library in The Sequoia High School Alumni Asthe school. sociation (SHSAA) were notified of However, with all the shuffle its contents after the opening. over the years, there have been “The 1917 capsule was metal, and some classes, such as class of we suspect it was made in Sequoia's 1969, who have asked to open own metal shop,” said SHSAA secretheir time tary Nancy capsule and, Oliver in an with unforemail. tunate luck, The conhave not been tents include able to find it. an engraved Time capbuffalo coin, sules are crecommenceated by the ment prograduating gram and class. Stucalendar of dents build or when it was get the physidedicated. cal capsule This is not and decide the first A 1917 calendar from the time capsule what goes time a time has survived intact for over 100 years in. The latest capsule has recorded capsule was from 1998. been opened at Sequoia. The only reason they stopped be“Board member Marion Wydo ing made was because of a fall in followed the process to open the interest. capsule [from 1964],” wrote former “The time capsules are … SHSAA chair Ro Fischer in a Fall what people deemed important 2016 issue of the SHSAA’s newsletenough to save for future viewter Smoke Signals. “They discovered ing,” Oliver said. “For classmates a yearbook, newspapers featuring opening a time capsule, a flood of the banning of the dance ‘The Swim’, memories fill their minds. For otha copy of the Sequoia Times and ers, seeing copies of a yearbook, what [Wydo] describes as a copy of newspapers, etc. give a glimpse ‘SCUZZ’— a weird Sequoia newspaat the past.” per printed at the time. There was also a newspaper with headlines of
This year, Sequoia sai counselor, and the school dis In the heart of Silicon Va high schools to offer the Inte quoia Boys Basketball made finals. Streaming sites, whethe of popular culture. Every ing statements about the societies in 2017.
By BENJY JUDE News Editor
Twenty-five years ago, the graduating class of
1992 experienced pre-IB schooling, the new Sequoia Station and the final years of the Cherokee mascot. Students enjoyed Seinfeld for the first time and the film “Sister Act”. For Sports, Justin Sims achieved the first Central Coast Section title for Sequoia. Students were still being bused from East Palo Alto to Sequoia, an action that started in 1971 af Ravenswood High School—a school with 96 percent minority students versus Sequoia’s 22.7 percent—was closed. They were amidst another election, transferring power from President George H.W. Bush to President Bill Clinton.
o f still
2017
1992
Sequ Encaps
Fifty years ago,
the middle of the Vietnam War brought out some of the most prominent protests of the antiwar movement, color television started to become a household item, Loving v. Virginia made interracial marriage legal and race riots erupted across the country. It was a year of athletic success: Sequoia was champion in rugby, boys basketball, boys soccer and football. The Varsity Football team was undefeated and was deemed by some prep journals as the number one team in the state. Sequoia’s teams were referred to as the Cherokees or the Tribe. Some famous names roamed the halls, including Kenny Ortega, director of High School Musical and Charles Johnson, a former Golden State Warrior, who was a star player on Sequoia’s champion basketball team.
1967
al Feature
5
Lighting the way through traditions
id goodbye to an AVP, the head guidance strict’s superintendent. alley, Sequoia remains one of the few public ernational Bacchalaureatte (IB) Program. Seit to the playoffs, and the Warriors won the
7
This year has been cited as one the most divided in decades, Sequoia remains a united front against those who attempt to sep-
1917
uoia suled en-
and it currently resides in Principal Sean Priest’s office. In May 1934, nine Sequoia students took a photo with Helio. James P. Mc Every year at graduation, Helio, an Loughlin, one of the students, was ancient Chinese tasked with holdlantern symboling onto the lamp izing wisdom, is until it was needed passed down from for a special school the senior class occasion because president to the he was the only incoming senior one who had a car class president. nearby. He had Helio was first locked the lamp introduced at Sein the rumble seat quoia in 1900; and of his car until one it started out as night he had a a football trophy. date. That day he The lamp was said was afraid of losing to be from the garHelio, so he placed dens of a Chinese it in the back room emperor and to of the Piggly Wighave been carried gly Food Store in around by missionMenlo Park where aries during the Seniors in 1927 pose with the he worked part 1849 Gold Rush— original Helio (above). The curtime. A few days these claims have later, the lamp was yet to be proven. rent Lamp of Learning is sitting gone. During the 1920’s in Priest’s office (below), ready “I thought perownership of the to be passed down from class to haps one of my lamp became a class at graduation. friends had competition taken it for between the a joke and it grades when would turn underclassup soon; howmen tried to ever, it never steal the lamp showed up from the seso that was niors during not the case,” the summer. Mc Loughlin The origiwrote in a letnal lamp was ter in 1995 to passed down Smoke Sigevery year unnals, Sequoia til 1934 when Alumni Assoit went missciation’s newsing. The Lamp letter. of Learning, as To this it was rebrandday, the original Helio has not been ed when the tradition restarted with a found—instead, the Lamp of Learning new lamp a couple of years ago, continis passed down as a replacement. ues to be passed down at graduation,
By SHANNON COAN Feature Editor
er music or television, are changing the game yone from rap artists to T.V. writers are make political landscape and the divergence of
A years
hundred ago, Pulitzer
Prizes were awarded, the Bolsheviks revolted and the US joined the First World War in 1917. Students were still studying too little, teachers were still grading too harshly, but all in downtown Redwood City, on today’s southwest corner of Broadway and Middlefield. Sequoia existed in 1917, but would not move into the current campus until 1925. There is even a plaque commemorating the old school building where it once stood. Sequoia was champs in Rugby and Boys Track and Field.
1942
Sevty-five
years
ago, a gallon of gas is 15 cents,“Bambi” is released and young men and women arrive on the front lines of World War II. “Field trips were canceled to conserve rubber tires and gasoline,” wrote Nancy Lebkicher Oliver in “Redwood City: A Hometown History.” By mandate of the Army Air Force, a Civil Air Patrol Cadet Flight Program was put in place at Sequoia to give students not yet Army age an opportunity to train. The Japanese students of Sequoia were sent to Tanforan Assembly Center in April. Before their departure, the Sequoia Japanese club published a statement dedicating their allegiance to the US in the Redwood City Tribune and Sequoia Times. Japanese Club Kay Takahashi on March 13 journaled, “[Principal A. C. Argo] concluded [in a farewell speech] that the Japanese students are always welcomed in Sequoia.”
What do we want to be in our capsule?
How do we want future classes, in 25,
50, 75 and 100 years to remember us?
—Complied by BEATRICE BUGOS, BRIGHID BUGOS, SHANNON COAN, BENJY JUDE
6
Opinion
September 13, 2017
Lil Uzi Vert “Luv is Rage 2”: Album Review Lil Uzi Vert, the supposed king of mumble rap, returns with a sequel to Luv is Rage two years later with Luv is Rage 2. I decided to take a dive into Uzi’s psychedelic, new-age, debut studio album and give it a listen. I recommend everyone give it a listen, even if the genre is not particularly your cup of tea. Here are my thoughts.
—Compiled by DARIO McCARTY
Highlights This track features a whistle swaying back sandwiched between ical bug-eyed ad libs a basic 2 clap - 1 snare beat. It’s poppy and Uzi is chaotically animated during the song; he flits between heartfelt, melancholic bars of singing to shorter bursts of gung-ho lyrical flow. His ability to seamlessly balance the two in the same song is remarkable.
X:
Lowlights
space-like and forth, Uzi’s typand
Pretty Miami: The most disappointing thing about this song is that it has absolutely no lyrical content, and can’t seem to hold an idea for more than three seconds. I genuinely couldn’t tell you what this song was even after my third listen through. This song desperately needs some focus; Uzi switches from talking about all the money he makes, to a Spanish girl named Rosa, to flexing his diamonds... all in the same bar. The beat is interesting enough; here’s a slow reverberating rumble over varying intervals of claps and snares, which is compelling but doesn’t really grab your attention. I can appreciate that Uzi mixes it up by belting chords into his melancholic style, but there are some intrusive vocal effects at the beginning and ending of the song that ruin his singing and remove our ability to hear his inflection. Initially, the song was going to be cut off the track … should’ve stayed that way.
9/10
The Way Life This song capitalizes on the low key and mellow vibe that Neon Guns botched so miserably by interlacing it with dashes of staccato bars and a clear cut variation between chorus and verses. The beat features a fluctuating and psychedelic electronic synthesizer and some complimentary keyboard, and the beat is perfectly coupled with the lyrical flow. The song is so beautifully crafted that it will make you feel like you’re mourning a lost relationship, even if you’re nowhere close to that state of mind. It may be unscholarly to say this, but he’s just so vibe-y. The album is caught between wanting to be a typical party, hard exterior rap album but also finds itself being gloomily introspective. Throughout the album, Uzi has a few bad tracks where he slips into the meaningless, cliche rap artist that so much of America believes hip-hop to be. However, the album proves that Uzi is one of the mainstays of this generation, of hip-hop up-and-comers. It is well-tied-together and has a unified sound, and each song brings its own unique feel to the album. Overall, this album felt like one of the most complete projects that Uzi has released to date, and even if you are not a hip-hop fan, it is worth your time to give it a listen, even if only to see what all the hype is about.
8.5/10
Closing remarks
5/10
Neon Guns ft. Pharrell Williams:
The entire time I listened to this song, I felt like I was waiting for something to happen. The beat is very simple and in a lower key. There’s no excitement or variation this song that we have come to expect from the rest of this album. Likewise, Pharrell Williams feature is wasted and he does little of what he is so good at: singing. Uzi and Williams just seem to at best talk melodically to the beat. The entire song just blends together because of this monotonous style, and it becomes hard to differentiate the chorus from the verses as there is not much variation. The beat a recurring bass hit on every half bar, with a bit of keyboard interlaced throughout, which does little to placate the initial boringness of the song. I’m personally not crazy about it, and found it easily forgettable.
4/10
Studying abroad shouldn’t be foreign to students By AVIVA FUTORNICK Photo/Online Editor
J u s t after the c l o c k struck midnight and we dove into 2017, I stuffed my oversized bag, hopped on a plane and left Sequoia, my family and my life for a 5-month adventure in France. Four days later I was back in school but in a new classroom, surrounded by new people and in a new language. I decided to leave everything I’ve ever known for
the chance to experience and understand the sides of cultures other than my own. I leaped out of my comfort zone for the chance to immerse myself, and, along the way, I created unforgettable friendships and memories. Less than 2 percent of American high school students go abroad every year. Yet, there are hundreds of programs students have the opportunity to choose from. No matter the length or cost of a program the outcomes of going abroad reach far beyond their stay and create cultural connections to last a lifetime. I can see changes in myself from studying abroad
that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. I am more confident when I present myself. I am more comfortable talking to new people. I can understand and speak French. I am now a self— certified croissant connoisseur. Through broadening my horizons, I’ve grown in my ability to communicate with others and gained some awesome bragging rights over my friends. I got to understand the viewpoints of other countries in a time when our country and our world struggles to agree on how to get along. And the list continues. I’ll admit, it was hard. It was scary to leave everything I knew for a com-
pletely new culture. It came with culture shock and confusion. But, in the end, the person I’ve become is resilient and equipped to deal with any challenges that may present themselves in the future. I implore you to take a risk by going abroad - by following a path that interests you. There are language camps, home stays, service trips, for three weeks, three months, six months, even a year. Shape your experience to who you are and whom you want to become. I see France as a second home, a place I can turn to in a time of need and a place my heart breaks just
the same for when they experience terror. I see my host family as my second family; with whom I can laugh, cry and, most importantly, practice French. I see myself as someone more confident, more motivated and more in touch with the problems our global society faces. Going abroad is a risk, but with all risks come rewards, and there is no greater reward than creating new and meaningful connections. I look back on my time in France and I smile; I hope that you push yourself to try something new and take a risk, and that when it’s over, you have no regrets.
Make history, not war By MACKENZIE CLARKE and BENJY JUDE Managing Editor and News Editor
In the shadow of the march and countermarch in Charlottesville, as well as the White House’s decision to roll back DACA, how do we, as Sequoia, want to be r e m e m bered? What does one of the most diverse student bodies in our neighboring districts want to say in response to the legal restrictions of our rights? Before a potential draft, how do we want to stop it? How do we want to be remembered? Do we want to be remembered by Taylor Swift’s new album, or do we want to write our own songs? Do we want to be remembered by Game of Thrones merchandise, or to win
our own game today? Do we want We can make our own future. to be remembered for the War- We can change our own presriors’ historic championships, or ent. We can demand that we our own? This year seemed to un- will be remembered as the gendermine the individual. We must eration that changed the world. reclaim ourselves. Malala Yousafzai, an individCompared to 100 years ago, the ual all of our generation should social and political chasm has wid- be remembered for, said, ened. This year, 2017, is in large- “One child, one teacher, one part to blame for this chasm. In a book, one pen can change the year where world.” So many of the “One student, one teacher, one book, it’s a damn same fears good thing one pen can change the world.” of entering we’re —Malala Yousafzai, that and fighting a school of 18 year old Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, in a racial stuAdvocate for Children’s and Female 2100 or political and Education dents, war have apover 500 peared, how staff. do we want to be remembered? We are dreamers who dream Our generation is capable of a of a better future, students who whole lot of hate and ignorance; will teach a better lesson than we see this plastered on social me- the one Charlottesville is writdia, we hear it in crass language ing in our name. We are teachfriends throw at one another from ers who educate the future, across the hallway. That’s the truth, and writers who will speak out plain and simple, that humans are against hatred. We are a group capable of inciting unimaginable who will not let others identify pain on one another, and this year us, and individuals who will not has been an exemplary display of be separated. this. But what is hopeful to me is That’s what we should leave the amount of kindness and be- behind—a legacy of compasnevolence we are also capable of. sion, activism and pride.
DACA from page 1
another],” she said. “We won’t get anything done if we can’t understand [one another], so I try to both understand the perspective of people like [Trump] and also encourage other Dreamers to speak up.” Regardless of Trump’s decision, in 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schools must provide an education to undocumented students. Despite the repeal of DACA, then, Sequoia—along with all other schools in the nation— will still be open to all. “Every student that resides within our district has a constitutional right to attend school every day,” Priest said. “They have a right to a high-quality education.” Sequoia also has policies to protect students. Among other protections, Sequoia never asks for documentation of legal status. What records they do have in regards to students and families, they do not release unless legally compelled to do so. Moreover, according to a Resolution from the Board of Trustees of the Sequoia Union High School District, the district has made a commitment to “[welcome] and [support] all of its students, regardless of their immigrationstatus.” Though she is safe at Sequoia, the above-quoted Dreamer still feels the impact on an emotional level. “They say that this land is a land of hope and opportunity,” she said. “But it’s not. They are taking away my hope and my opportunities. How are they so ignorant as to not recognize that as against the very ideals of America?”
Vaulters spring into new year with Stahler By ZACK ROSENBLATT Executive Editor Sequoia’s Pole Vault team played its first matches during the 2017 spring season after Resources Officer David Stahler decided to lead the team. Before last year, two or three vaulters represented Sequoia, and they would be taught independently by the track and field coach. “If [a student] wanted to pole vault on their own, they could get help, but no one really took it on by themselves,” Stahler said. “It just happened that last year I showed up and took on the team with another coach—Greg Brook.” The team reached a plateau of 17 vaulters during last spring’s inaugural season. The team competes alongside the track and field team at every meet and is mostly comprised of students that had played on the track and field team in previous years. “I went to the track team at the beginning of the season and told them, ‘There are new coaches and new equipment,’” Stahler said. “I told
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photo courtesy of kaitlyn walton
Under the instruction of Stahler, sophomore John Horan was awarded 2017 PAL Fosh/Soph pole vault champion. them ‘If you want to [compete in] pole vault, this is the time to do it.’” When Stahler took over as head coach last year, he quickly realized the top team priority was to get better equipment. “I walked in [the equip-
ment room] and saw that [there were] only two desk drawers holding six or seven poles. That is a very small amount of poles and they were all old,” Stahler said. Stahler asked the Boosters club for a grant and the team received six poles from
them. A friend of Stahler’s additionally donated $2000 to the team for new equipment. Finally, Stahler donated one new pole to the team. “We have added ten new poles, though as normal program would have at least 20. Now, we are up to 12 or 13 poles so we are getting up to an average program,” Stahler said. Stahler‘s experience competing in pole vault matches began when he was in high school. He represented his high school, Saint Francis, during his sophomore, junior and senior years. Though he did not vault while in college, Stahler regularly practiced the sport. This has allowed him to compete in the US Police and Firefighter Games twice and the World Police and Firefighter Games this past year. While competing in the World Games last year, Stahler won gold in the men’s pole vault, for ages 45 to 50. “I connect with some of the same guys at the US games every year. At the world games this year, I met people from Austria, Greece, Israel and Germany,” Stahler said.
Sequoia High School Raven Report 2017-2018 Executive Editors Trevor Crowell Maddie Pei Zack Rosenblatt Copy Managing Editor Editor Rio Popper Mackenzie Clarke News Editors Feature Editor Beatrice Bugos Shannon Coan Benjy Jude Sports Editor Online Editor Brighid Bugos Aviva Futornick
Opinion Editor Nicholas Abraham Social Media Director Maddie Reynolds Entertainment Editor Dario McCarty Staff Reporters Soana Afu, Edward Aguayo, Sam Brook, Simon Clarke, Sarah Fazio, Taylor Gayner, Jonathan Guzman, Hannah Kloninger-Stever, Christian Pardo Villa, Ysabelle Punzal, Lauren Stevens, Jay Tipirneni, Sione Tuiaki, Krista Weaver Adviser Minu Dave Send letters to the editor at ravenreport17@gmail.com
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Outside the Bubble:
The Basics
Proxy War
Instead of fighting each other in a conventional war, Saudi Arabia and Iran engage indirectly. They support other organizations or governments who fight each other—Saudi Arabia support groups that fight Iran’s allies and vice versa. An example of a famous proxy war is the Vietnam War. The US backed South Vietnam and the Soviet Union supported North Vietnam. In this case thought the US and USSR did not directly declare war on each other, they still fought, just indirectly.
The Middle East’s Proxy War Turkey
Lebanon
Syria
Jordan
Saudi Arabia
In 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established. The majority Sunni country found oil in 1938, making it rich and, shortly after, formed an alliance with the US. As one of its oldest allies, America sends military aid, forges weapons deals and helps train the Saudi army on how to use American weapons, according to Vox. Currently, Saudi Arabia is also the top military weapons purchaser, and many of these weapons are used in its proxy wars.
Iran
After more than 2000 years of Persian monarchy, Iran’s 1979 Revolution, led by cleric Ruhollah Khomenei, overthrew the previous secular government for an ultra-religious, Shiite theocracy. In 2015, Iran negotiated a nuclear deal with the US, removing sanctions, or trade restrictions, that were crippling Iran’s economy. With the sanctions gone, Iran could bloom into an economic powerhouse, with billions of dollars of oil available to be sold now to other countries.
Threat
For decades, Saudi Arabia has been the leading power in the region. However, citing Iran’s religiously-motivated revolution, Khomenei claims Iran as the rightful Muslim power. Saudi Arabia boasts the fact that Medina and Mecca, two major holy Muslim sites, are within its borders. Although both are Muslim, religious divide supplies more conflict. Saudi Arabia is majority Sunni where Iran is majority Shia. After Iran’s revolution, Khomenei has aided Shia groups in other countries to stoke their own revolutions, confirming the Saudi’s fears that Iran wanted to challenge Saudi power. The Saudis typically support Sunni groups and governments and Iran favors Shia ones.
Living in the Bay -Area bubble, it’s easy to forget about conflicts thousands of miles away. However, it’s affecting millions of people and reminiscent of the same Cold War that Sequoia students are learning about in their classrooms. It’s necessary that every individual, even in Redwood City, pay attention to what is happening halfway around the globe; it’s what makes us human.
Israel
Iraq
Iraq
Iran
Kuwait Bahrain Qatar
Egypt Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Oman Sudan Yemen
Arab Spring The Arab Spring was a period in late 2010 and early 2011 that led to many protests and uprisings in the Arab world, from Bahrain in the Gulf region to Morocco in northwest Africa. Saudi Arabia and Iran interfered again in many countries, with Saudis supporting Sunni governments and Iran supporting Shia ones. Saudis viewed the Arab Spring as very alarming: their power in the region may be overturned. The Arab Spring triggered a rise in Saudi and Iranian influence at this time, as the series of revolutions made for volatile situations that the two countries wanted to take control of.
Syria Syria’s civil war is full of foreign interests. Saudi Arabia and Iran are two of the largest. In this conflict, Iran backs President Bashar al-Assad, who belongs to a branch of Shia called Alawite. Russia is also helping Assad and Iran. On the other side, the Saudis and some other Gulf states back the rebels, who are also backed by the US. The US has helped Saudi Arabia by developing CIA programs to train rebels.
The site of the first proxy war in the conflict: the Iran-Iraq War in 1980-88. Iran’s uprising evoked fears that then Iraqi President Saddam Hussein may be overthrown as well. In addition to desire to take oil, Hussein engaged in a costly and deadly war with Iran. Saudi Arabia subsequently supported Hussein, in hopes to crush Iran’s revolution and create a barrier against Iran, as the map shows. The two countries interfered again in 2003 when Saddam Hussein was killed by US forces. The US did not find a replacement leader, and the country fractured into many Sunni and Shia militias, some radical. Saudi Arabia aided Sunni militias and Iran reinforced Shia ones. ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) recently held significant territory in Iraq. However, as ISIS’s power declines in the region, an opportunity opens up. There is no definitive power in the country now, and, in Saudi Arabia’s and Iran’s eyes, the time is right to promote their own national interests, in the form of Sunni or Shia groups, respectively.
Yemen
Yemen’s civil war is another pawn in the conflict. Obscured by Syria’s civil war, Yemen’s situation only worsens with Saudi Arabia’s and Iran’s interference. Saudi Arabia backs the authoritarian Sunni government, and Iran supports the Houthi rebels, a Shia minority group. With F-15s sold by the US, Saudi Arabia has been relentlessly bombing, killing some 10,000 people. In addition, the US helps Saudi Arabia refuel their F-15s in the air with planes such as KC-135 Stratotankers. The refueling trips allow Saudi F-15s to bomb much more, dropping explosives such as cluster bombs. Amidst all this widespread bombing, Saudi Arabia is being investigated for war crimes. Yet, Saudi Arabia still does not have control over the capital after two years, when the civil war started in 2015. Sana’a, the capital, is still in Houthi territory. Sources: Vox, BBC, The New York Times, The Nation