LIFESTYLE 9 SCHOOL SCOPE 12-13 SPORTS 19 Reporters Students Cultural Non-Profit discuss their explore art activities Organization U.S. Postage strangest in a STEM- connect PAID superstitions focused school students to Saratoga, CA Permit No. 41 and beliefs. environment. heritage. THE saratogafalconAN INDEPENDENT HIGH SCHOOL PUBLICATION

Friday, December 13, 2019 Saratoga High School Saratoga, CA saratogafalcon.org Vol. 60, No. 6 Applying Mosh madness: admin to 30+ combats aggressive colleges UPHILL clustering at dances no longer BY SofiaJones ing. Eventually the dozens on & KavitaSundaram the dance floor began moshing even though administrators have unheard of Last Saturday, about 560 stu- banned it last year. dents walked into the Large Gym Moshing is an aggressive style BY SelenaLiu BATTLE and were greeted with of dance where partici- & KevinSze decorations that included pants push or slam into oversized white curtains, each other. It usually hap- After most early-decision and “It’s letting chandeliers, flashing pens in the center of a early-action college deadlines parents know, ‘I lights and gold and white crowd. Although deeply came and went on Nov. 1, many couches for the Roaring discouraged by the ad- seniors are now halfway com- know you were 20s themed Winter For- ministration, it has oc- plete with the college application mal. A photo booth with curred numerous times process and are finishing college great at physics, a silver sparkly backdrop in on-campus dances, essays for their regular decision but it doesn’t provided students with Torrens despite the physical harm schools. on-theme photo oppor- it can cause. Senior Prosper Chiu, who is necessarily mean tunities. The very first moshing applying to 14 colleges in total, However, the fun and casual incident that sparked turmoil including the combined Univer- that AP Physics is atmosphere soon became more sity of California application, says chaotic as the music started play- MOSHING on pg. 4 he has been much less busy writ- the right class for ing essays after submitting all his your child.’” early-decision and early-action applications. — Guidance Counselor “Right now my workload is Alinna Satake Finals schedule altered not that much, since I have fewer colleges on my plate. I mainly just have UCs and four other colleges to meet learning minutes to complete,” Chiu said. “Personal- ly, this semester, I don’t think I had ACADEMIC that stressful of a time compared OVERREACHING BY AlekhyaVadlakonda The revised finals week sched- to other students, mainly because & MichaelWong ule slots the period six final on I finished most of my applications LEADS TO WIDE-RANGING PROBLEMS Monday from 1:25-3:25 p.m. in the summer.” Students will be spending more For Tuesday to Thursday, the According to a Facebook poll BY PrestonFu since we had more time to ask time on campus next week dur- first final of the day will be from & JeanetteZhou questions.” ing finals as well as during spring 8:15-10:15 a.m., tutorial from COLLEGE on pg. 4 Out of 1,134 schedule semester finals because of the dis- 10:15-10:55 a.m. and the second On Aug. 15, the first day change occurrences in the first trict’s concerns over Saratoga High final from 11-1 p.m. — 25 minutes of school, sophomore Ashlyn six weeks of school this year, and Los Gatos High not meeting later than the original schedule Pham was excited to find out 146 students replaced an Hon- the state-mandated number of in- called for. that many of her friends were in ors or AP class with a regular structional minutes for the year. Though students have already How many colleges her first-period Algebra 2 class class, according to registrar For Monday’s schedule, classes adjusted to new tutorial policies are class of 2020 with teacher Kristen Hamilton, Robert Wise. that were originally 25 minutes introduced at the beginning of the seniors applying which at that point had fewer This left guidance counsel- have been extended to 33 minutes. year to ensure more instructional to? than 20 students. ors scrambling: They needed to In addition, there is now a 40-min- minutes, district and school staff Over the next few weeks, rearrange individual students’ ute tutorial between morning fi- two new students joined after schedules, stuffing them into nals Tuesday through Thursday. SCHEDULE on pg. 2 3.7% —applying to ≤ 5 dropping their far more chal- nearly full regular classes as lenging Algebra 2 Honors. One quickly as possible. month later, 10 more students Because of the school’s 5.5% —applying to 6-10 also joined after dropping their open-access policy, students honors class just before the have the freedom to take al- school’s drop deadline. Start- most advanced, grade-level REVISED FALL FINALS —applying ing in mid-September, the class classes they want, even if their 25.9% to 11-15 had roughly doubled in size former teachers recommend and had an entirely different they avoid an Honors or AP SCHEdule dynamic than on the first day class. of school. In theory, this can benefit Monday Tuesday —applying Pham noticed the transition students in allowing them to 33.3% to 16-20 for the new students seemed a take harder classes and expand All periods are Period 5 Final little rough, since they had a lot their horizons. 33 minutes long 8:15-10:15 of work to catch up on. She also But, the policy sometimes Period 6 Final Period 7 Final —applying saw that the increase of kids in results in students overestimat- 1:25-3:25 11:00-1:00 25.9% to 21-25 the class made it tougher for ing their own abilities and not Hamilton to teach the way she observing the consequences of Wednesday had with fewer students in the changing class levels — conse- Thursday 3.7% —applying to 26-30 class. quences that trickle down to Period 2 Final Period 1 Final “Once the class grew, I didn’t the entire school. 8:15-10:15 8:15-10:15 get as much of the teacher’s at- Period 4 Final Period 3 Final tention,” Pham said. ”I liked OVERREACHING 11:00-1:00 11:00-1:00 1.8% —applying to ≥ 31 it more with the smaller class OVERREACH on pg. 3 ACCORDING TO A FACEBOOK POLL on pg. 3 OF 53 RESPONDENTS GRAPHIC BY ROHAN KUMAR AND AMANDA ZHU

NEWS 1-5 OPINION 6-8 LIFESTYLES 9-11 SCHOOL SCOPE 12-13 ENTERTAINMENT 14 IN-DEPTH 15-16 SPORTS 17-19 BACKPAGE 20 The Saratoga Falcon The Saratoga Falcon 2 NEWS December 13, 2019 December 13, 2019 NEWS 3 picturethis Maintenance, green team to start composting

BY CiciXu soil through the decay of organic materials like food waste. The resulting nutrient-rich newsbriefs The two gray trash cans behind the soil can be sold to the landscape industry or science building are not regular trash bins, used gardening around campus. Items that but instead are the school’s first two compost can be composted on campus include fruit bins. Eventually they will be put into the peels, cores, dead plants, pasta and other 2018-19 Falcon wins Crown Award from CSPA quad and used in an effort to reduce waste wasted food resulting from lunches. on campus. The Green Team environmental Weir and the Green Team envision The Columbia Scholastic Press Association will be pre- club, new maintenance supervisor Paul this project to be organized and run by senting last year’s newspaper staff with the prestigious Weir and administrators are working to students — something Weird calls “student- Crown Award at its 96th annual Scholastic Convention on make composting a part of the school’s mentored.” March 20. The award recognizes top student publications culture. The project could launch “When I say mentor, I’ve never across the nation and is bestowed based on overall quality as early as the end of December. seen a recycling program really in head-to-head comparisons. Crown Judges — experienced Composting, while common for be successful without somebody journalism advisers and media professionals — gather to many households in the Bay Area, owning it and fostering it like a judge publication characteristics such as design, photogra- is rare at schools, where thousands garden, tending, keeping attention phy, concept, coverage and writing. FALCON // SEAN OH of pounds of compostable material and making it seem important to The Falcon has been announced as one of the 97 news MAGNIFIQUE! | French teacher Elaine Haggerty hands sophomore Christopher Okuno a Triple E Award on goes into the trash each year. get people to participate,” Weir SOURCE: planetforward.org finalists for the award and will be presented with either the Dec. 10. Among others, junior Juan Vintimilla and sophomore Giulio Morini-Bianzino were awarded. “I don’t think there are any said. “If you just put bins out “By implementing compost in more concern that composting on campus would Gold or Silver Crown Award. It is one of 59 publications se- high schools around here that are there that are marked trash and areas, we can take out a lot of that trash and not cause a big change to the surrounding lected in the print and hybrid publication category. composting, so we would be one of recycling, they’re both going to be turn it back into fertilizer and give it back environment, but it shows progress and This is the first time the Falcon has won in this category; the first ones,” Weir said, “We’d be Weir overflowing with trash.” to the earth as opposed to letting it rot and a promising future in building a greener in the past, it has only won as a pure print publication. the leaders.” Green Team members say they pollute our atmosphere,” Green Team vice community. According to GreenMatters, Journalism adviser Mike Tyler and last year’s staff mem- Giving Tree tradition continues West Valley Collection & Recycling, are willing to take charge of this project and president junior Riya Jain said. “We do have compost can help reduce methane, a bers are invited to attend the award ceremony at Columbia which is the main provider of debris boxes make sure it runs smoothly, hoping to create so many wildfires in California now and the greenhouse gas that is emitted during the University, and the three-day convention preceding it. More BY SamanthaYee sistant principal Brian Safine said. actually contacting Family Giving for the cities of Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte a more environmentally stable campus in air quality sometimes is really bad. Even if process of adding to landfills. Methane is a information can be found at https://cspa.columbia.edu. “They realize that the Saratoga Tree,” junior class president Cyn- Sereno and Saratoga, agreed to offer a free doing so. Green Team members and Weir the consequences aren’t global, they can still prime contributor to climate change. service to support the compost program, both admit that educating people about how affect individual people.” “It would just take an extra couple —Howard Tang From Nov. 11 to Dec. 5, the of- community has great resources, so thia Zhang said. “It’s a little bit dif- fice was decorated with a Christ- my belief is that we can share those ferent this year for us.” which will be considered an extended and what to compost is the hardest thing. One reason composting is rarely done in seconds to consciously dispose of your mas tree, lights and cards in the resources to make the holiday sea- Since Gallagher left, the juniors branch of recycling. They are estimating They attribute the lack of motivation from high schools is the lack of support from the waste in the appropriate bin, and it would shape of presents that hung like son in other families brighter.” had to also account for commu- that 60 to 65 percent of waste that are going both students and adults to the effects of students and the companies operating the be something we’re going to struggle with ornaments. Dozens of gifts like nicating with elementary schools to landfill right now could be composted. composting not being immediately visible local garbage collection programs. for a little while, but I definitely think it’s Lip Dub postponed, surprise winter rally today board games and action figures for spreading awareness of Family Composting allows for the fertilization of to them. Both Jain and Weir acknowledged a achievable,” Jain said. u were arranged around the tree. Giving Tree. On Nov. 18, a group of juniors The Christmas-themed Lip Dub, originally scheduled A closer look at the cards on the “My belief is that visited Argonaut, Foothill and for Dec. 6, has been pushed back to next semester dur- tree revealed that this was part of switch into. Another aggravating issue is that stu- students a quiz each day during the first we can share those Saratoga elementary schools to ing April or May because of the rainy weather. In its place, the Holiday Wish Drive program. OVERREACHING “When students don’t listen to their dents too often ignore early clues that they week of school to give them feedback to deliver tags for families there to the rally commission is holding a previously unplanned a The Family Giving Tree non- resources to make the teacher’s recommendation, biting off more would probably better off in a regular-level base their decision on. take charge of. They spoke at an continued from pg. 1 holiday rally on Dec. 13. profit organization is dedicated to than they can chew, we can’t always change class or don’t inform others like guidance The later drop deadline came after the holiday season in other Argonaut assembly about Family Senior commissioners Risa Carter and Mihir Bettadapur giving to families and children liv- “In the beginning, teachers try to estab- their schedule if the class they want to counselors and parents that they may be in math department’s split vote, which was Giving Tree and delivered 25 tags oversaw the planning of the unexpected rally. ing in poverty by way of help from families brighter.” lish the foundation for their class, so stu- switch into is full,” guidance counselor Alin- over their head in terms of the workload. slightly in favor of a later drop deadline. to the office to be advertised, so “We planned the surprise rally just like any other rally, Bay Area schools to inspire “values dents have to hit the ground running when na Satake said. “It’s letting parents know, ‘I know you Most of the Honors teachers wanted there to VICE PRINCIPAL students who wanted to donate a but just on a tighter schedule because of last-minute com- of kindness, philanthropy and vol- Brian Safine they come into class late,” Chemistry Hon- Although students can drop whenever were great at physics, but it doesn’t necessar- be a later drop deadline for students to have gift could pick tags up. plications,” Bettadapur said. unteerism in the community,” ac- ors and AP Biology teacher Cheryl Lenz they want to until the third week of most ily mean that AP Physics is the right class for more time to choose which class fits them “The Holiday Drive not only Unlike past years, the rally will not extend past tutorial cording to the Family Giving Tree said. classes, math classes had a later drop dead- your child,’” Satake said. “We’re all learning best, while most regular teachers wanted the helps out less fortunate families in because of instructional minutes requirements. The theme website. Lenz noted her disapproval of the cur- line of four weeks this year for the first time. and trying to figure it out together.” drop date earlier so their students could ac- In past years, former service providing a Christmas gift, but it is a twist on the movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” The Class of 2021 has been rent system in which grades from higher- The most dropped class this year was Senior Neda Riaziat switched from climate better to the new classroom, teach- learning coordinator Tim Galla- also gives students an opportunity and include games such as hamster ball, snowball toss and leading the Family Giving Tree level classes do not move with the student as Algebra 2 Honors, with 55 students switch- AP Physics to regular Physics after the ers and students. gher helped guide the project, but to help out during the holidays,” tug of war between teachers and students. program since their freshman they change to a lower course. Students have ing into the regular Algebra 2 class partway first week of school when she realized she It’s too early to say what the policy will year. The Christmas tree in the after Gallagher took a different Zhang said. the chance of a fresh start in a lower-level through the first six weeks. This class is the wouldn’t have enough time to balance her be next year. — Serena Li and Anjali Nuggehalli school office is hung with cards job at another high school, for- In 2018, more than 650 Bay class, but it also incentivizes overreaching first honors math course students can take school schedule with her AP class. Administrators and teachers are search- called “tags” that have the name of mer principal Paul Robinson has Area nonprofit establishments and for classes that students aren’t ready for. She after completing Geometry, causing stu- “I integrated pretty well into the class be- ing for ways to avoid repeating situations a student or child and the toy they stepped in this year to fill in for schools helped the toy drive fulfill feels that they should still be held account- dents to overshoot and overestimate their cause I dropped so early,” Riaziat said. “I’m like the large number of Algebra 2 Honors have requested written on them. Gallagher’s position. The junior almost 78,000 holiday wish lists, able for work they did in those first three abilities. glad I did it because now I have enough time drops that occurred this fall. In the mean- Students contribute to the pro- class office has also taken on more contributing more than 40,000 weeks. One of those students making this de- for college apps and extracurriculars.” time, they stress that students who over- gram’s success by taking tags off of a role in the organization of the backpacks and supplies. Teachers of incoming students can either cision four weeks into the school year was Hamilton believes that students should reach in taking an Honors or AP class are the tree, buying the corresponding program, setting up the Christmas Family Giving Tree remains the have them make up work they’ve missed in sophomore Grace Hsu. She decided she make their decision to drop as early as pos- putting themselves at risk that won’t be able toy, attaching the tag to the toy and tree in the office and leading the largest gift and backpack donation the beginning of the school year, but they’re would rather focus on dance and Chemistry sible to help themselves and everyone in- to drop into a regular-level class at the drop years of The Falcon placing the gift under the tree with advertising for the program, when organization in California. This usually selective about it. Honors than mathematics. volved. deadline. 60 a new toothbrush attached to it. they had primarily worked on the year, over 250 gifts were delivered Another problem is that the late schedule “It was difficult to adjust at first because I Lenz thinks the later drop deadline only “They should take the class that is right “The junior class is committed marketing for the event in the past. in the district. changes have become so rampant that there had to get used to a new classroom with new disrupts classes more. To help her students for them, not necessarily the harder one,” From the archives: For its 60th year The Falcon is to making sure families in a broad- “Mr. Robinson is still testing “It’s really a tribute to the gen- are no lower-level classes for students to people,” Hsu said. decide, Lenz gives her Honors Chemistry Satake said. u presenting a series of stories reflecting on some of the er community have a wonderful out the waters, so then we’re tak- erosity of the whole community most interesting moments of the school’s history. This Christmas or holiday season,” as- ing more of the responsibility of from leadership,” Safine said. u Saratoga Falcon Ad issue’s story is about loosening the dress code in 1969: togatalks for December 13 Issue After constant disagreements among the administration, stu- schedule changes to avoid po- in his email to faculty and staff. Do you wish “My advanced “At times I did, but “I do because I wish dents and parents, the dress code was changed to allow for more SCHEDULE tential consequences; the CDE Louie promises that the admin- stipulates that school funding will istration will work with students you had taken classes were more I feel like I’d regret I had more time to freedom in attire for students in 1969. continued from pg. 1 difficult than I first Following the loosened restrictions, the school permitted boys be removed proportionally to the and provide leniency to ensure fewer advanced not pushing myself do things other than to wear previously banned items such as Bermuda shorts and girls recently uncovered that the school number of grade levels with insuf- students are not adversely affected anticipated, but I to put in the work studying such as to wear ones such as culottes and pant dresses. They also let girls might still not be meeting the ficient learning time multiplied by by the second finals sessions cross- classes this don’t regret it.” and succeed.” extracurriculars.” wear slacks to sports games on a trial basis. Even with the loosened required instructional minutes the percentage of missing instruc- ing through lunchtime. The long- dress code, jeans were still prohibited. minimums in spite of the tutorial tional minutes. held tradition of PTSO hosting year? sophomore Isabella Lee senior Brian Zhu junior William Yin Later in the year, students still complained that the dress code change. Food for Finals during the tutorial was too strict. In April, the student council formed a dress code “The first part of the rule will likely be continued, allowing committee to write a new dress code. They considered questions from the California Department The new schedule students to both study and refuel such as whether a person’s individuality should be considered for of Education (CDE) said that we during the 45-minute intermis- their attire and whether apparel influences classroom behavior. could have passing periods up to intends to solve the sion. In September 1969, the school board voted to suspend the dress 10 minutes long. But the second instructional minutes “Those who still want to study The Jay Koo Academy code for a trial period after more than 50 percent of the student part of the rule says that the pass- before a test will have an opportu- EXPERT TEST PREP AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CONSULTING body signed a petition on their dissatisfaction with the dress code, ing periods are supposed to be issue that has caused nity to do so, and those who want but principal Vernon Trimble said he would consider the proposal. equal,” said principal Greg Louie, the problems this year. to get something to eat can do that Comprehensive Prep for the March SAT who consulted on a decision made too,” Louie said. “We are not going • January 21 ~ March 10, 2020 Stories regarding this incident originally appeared in an article by at the district level. “For whatever to be super strict about the policy Lujean Kiefer for the Sept. 25, 1968, Falcon issue, as well as in an ar- reason, this was overlooked, so in general and I really hope that • Tuesday Evenings and Saturday Afternoons ticle by Jefferson Flowers for the April 11, 1969 issue and in an article we had a semester where tutorials On Dec. 5, Grove finalized the PTSO is able to make Food for Fi- by Renee Lassabatere for the Sept. 26, 1969 issue. had 10 minutes passing, but five of decision with a district-wide noti- nals still happen.” FREE SEMINAR: them would not have counted.” fication that contained the updat- In addition, while the finals Thinking ahead about College Admissions Over the past summer, the ed finals schedule, explaining the schedule will apply for both first school realized that its counting reason behind the change. and second semesters, Louie noted • Sunday, January 19, 2020; 10am~12noon of instructional minutes could “In the new finals schedule, we that a new schedule, which is cur- • SAT/ACT, Course Selection, Role of ECAs potentially be seen as fewer than accumulate enough instructional rently being discussed by a smaller Please refer to the website for details. falcononline www.saratogafalcon.org the 64,800 minutes mandated by minutes to meet our annual mini- committee, will likely be finalized the CDC because of the freeform mum by adding 50 instructional next semester to go into effect the nature of tutorials. Although this minutes to the Monday sched- following school year. Among oth- 408-712-5274 @saratogafalcon @saratogafalcon had been going on for the last ule and 25 instructional minutes er goals, it intends to solve the in- www.jaykooacademy.com • [email protected] three years, superintendent Mi- to the Tuesday, Wednesday and structional minutes issue that has 12280 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd., Suite 201, Saratoga, CA 95070 chael Grove decided to make the Thursday schedules,” Grove said caused the problems this year. u The Saratoga Falcon The Saratoga Falcon 4 NEWS December 13, 2019 December 13, 2019 NEWS 5

moshing. MOSHING Along with this, administrators and oth- continued from pg. 1 er chaperones have stationed at dances to Sophomores create Tickbird app, compete in hackathon prevent moshing if they see it. was at last year’s Winter Formal, when two Torrens and assistant principal Brian BY ViraajReddi drastically increasing the chances students were injured from getting bounced Safine stood off to the side and watched of significant mistakes such as around and being jumped on in mosh pits. students dance, and would intervene when Sophomore Vignav Ramesh overdosing. After the DJ played “Mo Bamba” by students started acting rowdy. blearily looked down at the rows The group went to work mak- Sheck Wes, the rowdiness caused someone But students said observers can’t always of multicolored code. ing plans for the app, first placing to end up with a concussion and others to see what is happening on the dark dance It was 2 a.m., and his group had themselves in the shoes of Ra- break their glasses. floor. only seven hours left to perfect mesh’s uncle. “People get pushed into dangerous situ- “It’s hard to differentiate between stu- their final projects. With the press- They envisioned how their app ations without their consent and we don’t dents jumping up and down or students ing deadline, they began frantically could best aid his lifestyle and want anyone getting hurt,” senior dance jumping into each other,” Wang said. debugging their code and bounc- needs. commission member Lillian Wang said. Because of this, the dance commission ing ideas between themselves. The group built a user profile After this, moshing was banned by the is exploring preventative measures such as Ramesh, along with sopho- page, a prescription scanning page administration, along with songs like “Mo having a code of conduct form required for mores Rohan Chakravarthi and and a page displaying a user’s past Bamba” that cause students to mosh. every dance, one that spells out the conse- Ayaan Haque, participated in the prescriptions. “Students are warned not to mosh, and quences of moshing. Omnihacks hackathon in San Users enter their personal in- if they continue, we will kick them out of Students who do mosh will face reper- Francisco on Sept. 22 among 35 formation into a shared database, the dance,” assistant principal Matt Torrens cussions that include detention and being teams and 130 competitors. and the prescription scanning said. GRAPHIC BY PRESTON FU kicked out of dances. The three designed page allows them to trans- Even with this policy, though, moshing “Even though a lot of people find mosh- Tickbird, a text-to- late a picture of any pre- happened during a majority of popular, prevent moshing is asking DJs to turn down pause the music to remind students to be- ing fun, it is dangerous,” senior dance com- speech app allowing vi- scription into text. upbeat songs last Saturday, including “Ha- the music when students mosh to prevent it have themselves. mission member Ashleigh Abe said. sually impaired people Users can then hear vana” by Camila Cabello. from getting out of control. He even cut off a song and threatened to “We’re just looking after the safety of ev- to understand prescrip- their past prescriptions One measure the school has taken to At formal, the DJ would occasionally only play slow songs if students did not stop eryone.” u tions from their doctors. read aloud, bypassing any Tickbird, named after visual impairments risk- birds that guide rhinoc- ing prescription misuse. eros through the wild, With their app design was inspired by Ramesh’s Ramesh in place, the group trav- uncle, who is rapidly los- eled to San Francisco to ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ Jarrett takes on new position Courtesy of VIGNAV RAMESH ing his vision. attend Omnihacks, where “Watching him struggle with they had 24 hours to build their Sophomores Vignav Ramesh, Rohan Chakravarthi and Ayaan Haque present their new text-to-speech app FORMER SUBSTITUTE TEACHER’S CONNECTION WITH STUDENTS AIDS HER IN ROLE AS CAMPUS SUPERVISOR everyday actions that we all take design from scratch. Tickbird at the Omnihacks hackathon in San Francisco on Sept. 22, which hosted 35 teams and 130 competitors. for granted, I was concerned about The team worked tirelessly, tak- BY Neeti Badve dez agrees with. his vision’s impact during more ing breaks only to eat and sleep on more efficient,” Haque said. “We intelligence and machine learning. filing feature allowing users to find & Amanda Zhu “It’s a good thing that she knows the kids important situations such as un- the floor in sleeping bags. tailored each part of our app to the “A lot of other successful teams locations with their specific pre- and the school, and she knows a lot of the derstanding prescriptions from his Haque found teamwork an es- strengths that the three of us each used artificial intelligence/ma- scription. They also plan to com- It requires many different roles and posi- policies, so she is picking up really quick,” doctor or pharmacy,” Ramesh said. pecially important factor while de- h av e .” chine learning in applications re- pete in more hackathons in the tions to keep a campus running. Hernandez said. “It’s great having her; she’s Through research, the group signing the app, especially during Tickbird placed top 10 overall garding computer vision and al- future. Now campus supervisor Helen Jarrett a good addition to the staff here.” found the problem stretched far crunch time. in the hackathon, also ranking as gorithmic problem-solving, which “Who knows?” Haque said. has had experience in many of these roles, This new transition has presented some wider than they initially believed. The team divided up the tasks the second-best mobile app among was really interesting and insight- “We’re still editing and we think including being a school dance chaperone, challenges for Jarrett because students tra- Only 14 percent of pharmacies and worked side by side, collabo- over 35 teams. ful,” Ramesh said. that this same app can be used for a substitute teacher, a food coordinator for ditionally see her in a substitute teacher and 1 percent of doctors adjust rating to connect their respective The hackathon experience pro- The team plans to continue a lot of things, maybe even posted campus events, a club advisor for Bombay role rather than a disciplinary one, and she their prescription treatments to segments of the app together. vided the team with a closer look building upon their current app, on the App Store or given to doc- in the Bay, a LINK Crew director and most herself finds disciplining students to be very accommodate visual impairments, “Teamwork made us much at the burgeoning fields of artifical starting with adding a smart pro- tors.” u recently, campus supervisor, one of the big- tough. gest roles she has had to take on. She is careful and cautious about what words to use and how to approach a situa- tion because she doesn’t want students leav- ing her thinking that they are bad people. Comedy Sportz “It sounds super cheesy, but I “I don’t want anyone to ever feel like Soundings to print fall edition; ASB really just want to be the they’re a bad person because they made a FALCON // NICOLE LU bad choice or bad decision in that moment,” Campus supervisor Helen Jarrett has easily transitioned into her new role because she has performs show reason that someone’s day Jarrett said. “I just want them to learn from been a constant presence on campus as a substitute teacher and an involved parent. isn’t so bad.” their mistakes and know that life goes on grant and fundraiser help pay costs BY EdwinChen and not to dwell on it. All I want to do is that her job as campus supervisor is a good tivities Office secretary as Ybarra is out on & AnjaliNuggehalli CAMPUS SUPERVISOR Helen Jarrett hug everyone, and I can’t do that.” role to be able to make days easier for stu- a medical leave. Jarrett credits this to her BY AndrewLee Patel and junior Manasi Garg, the two everyone to submit again in the spring, Despite this challenge, Jarrett enjoys her dents. inclination to want to help fix everything. returning members of the 2018-19 Sound- when the print issue will be 10 pages lon- Even as cast of the fall play “Sense and new role on campus as she likes seeing stu- Hernandez believes that Jarrett’s care for “I think I’m the walking version of a Soundings, the school’s student art and ings team, have been joined by seniors ger. Sensibility” took their last bows on Nov. 23, Jarrett’s great interest in school activities dents in their different functions. She finds students is what makes her so fit for the job. jack-of-all-trades,” Jarrett said. “If there’s a literary magazine, has always printed one Mathew Luo, Alex Wang and Brandon Written pieces were accepted after an the drama department is still bustling with stems from her being a parent in the com- that they enable her to build trust between “She brings knowledge — if a student void somewhere and I can help, I just fill in issue in the spring of every year, provided Wang and junior Oliver Ye. The journalism anonymous vote by the Creative Writing activity. munity. Her daughter, senior Alena Jarrett, herself and students. needs something she knows exactly how where everyone needs.” there are enough journalism students vol- budget doesn’t cover Soundings’ addition- class, which will continue to act as an advi- Comedy Sportz, a club based on improv has allowed her to become more involved in “It’s a busy, stressful world and I know to help them with whatever they need help Although she has had experience in unteering to run the magazine. al print issue, so the six-person team was sory board for Soundings in the future. Be- games, performed their holiday-themed campus life and know more students. everyone knows me for being very goofy with and help them feel better at the end of many roles, Jarrett does not have a favorite. This year, an ambitious Soundings staff forced to gather their own funds. fore the spring issue, Patel and Garg have show on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ther- Though she admits that the role of cam- and smiley,” Jarrett said. “It sounds super the day,” Hernandez said. “That’s something She says that regardless of the role that has decided to print an issue in the winter On Nov. 25, the staff hosted a boba fun- more plans to improve the magazine. mond Drama Center. The 12 member Com- pus supervisor seems unexpected for her cheesy, but I really just want to be the reason you can’t teach and that’s probably the best she is in, she is still walking around on cam- as well. draiser, which didn’t pull in as much as the edy Sportz team has put on two shows this to take on, as it requires disciplinary ac- that someone’s day isn’t so bad.” thing about her.” pus and being herself. “Soundings only happens if there’s a team had hoped. So, they also applied for year, each focused on a unique theme. tion, Jarrett said that principal Greg Louie Jarrett hopes that students know that for While Jarrett is still a substitute teacher, “I think every role is fun,” Jarrett said. “I passionate group of journalism students to a $420 ASB grant, which would cover the “Moving forward, we hope The goal of the productions are to im- thought it would be a good transition be- whatever reason, they can come to her to she would help fill in anywhere from the just tend to be very much in the moment of make it happen,” senior Soundings staffer cost of printing 200 issues of the magazine. to get some underclassmen provise comedy scenes based on a theme or cause many students already know her, a talk or to be cheered up. She does not like classrooms or the office. Currently, she is whatever role I’m in and I’ll still be crazy — Anishi Patel said. “This year, we’re lucky “The fundraiser was hectic and didn’t audience suggestions. Each show is unique sentiment her co-supervisor Mark Hernan- seeing everyone so stressed, and she finds even filling in for Anna Ybarra as the Ac- m e .” u enough to work with Ms. Keys and the come close to meeting the cost of printing on the staff for next because of the different audience sugges- Creative Writing class, and our team has the magazine,” Garg said. “Two-hundred semester’s issue.” tions and different games they play. pushed so hard to make this extra print is- issues isn’t a lot, but it’s all we can afford at Senior Ritika Kuppam has been an active sue happen.” this point.” JUNIOR Manasi Garg participant in the club since freshman year togatalks Despite the challeng- and is grateful for the support. “She was really nice “In elementary, she “She was recovering es, the staff insisted upon “I love how collaborative Comedy Sportz What is your and helpful when I read a book called publishing and printing In addition to potentially recruiting art is,” she said. “A teammate could make a re- from surgery, but she an issue in the winter. classes to advise on art and photography ally bad joke, but it doesn’t matter because favorite memory was getting my ‘Dot’ to us and we helped me pilot the The winter issue will submissions, Patel and Garg want to fur- everything is based on trust and having each parking permit.” did an art activity.” mindfulness program.” mark Soundings’ second ther legitimize Soundings within the jour- others’ backs.” with Ms. Jarrett? year of bi-annual publi- nalism program. Unlike other school clubs, Comedy junior Wilson Fung junior Dora Hu Wellness coord. Marina Barnes cation, since a winter is- “Moving forward, we hope to get some Sportz has cuts. Out of the 10 people who sue was published online underclassmen on the staff for next semes- tried out this year, only two were brought last year. ter’s issue. We are currently all upperclass- onto the existing team. COLLEGE He said that his decision to apply to so including combined applications and one The schools I’m applying to are mainly “People deserve to men and we hope that Soundings will be- To prepare for upcoming shows, Com- many schools was largely inspired by his private school. Chow said that he is applying safeties, so if I do get in, I’m pretty sure I’m see their creative work come a regular publication with sustained edy Sportz holds practices every Friday dur- continued from pg. 1 college counselor. to very few schools mostly because of going to get a big scholarship,” Chow said. “I in print,” Patel said. “An interest,” Garg said. ing lunch in the Thermond Drama Center. “My college counselor convinced me that financial reasons. also didn’t apply to many colleges because online issue is an accom- The team is also considering adding a During the week of their show, the club of 53 respondents, this year’s seniors are if I apply to every single top 20 school, the I’d be applying to a lot of schools that I didn’t plishment, but it doesn’t hierarchy of roles to garner interest from practices every day. Junior Stephen Ludwig applying to an average of 18 schools, probability of getting rejected by all of them want to go to anyway.” reach the same audience. other journalism students, but a six-mem- found that Comedy Sportz has greatly im- including combined application schools is pretty small,” Feng said. “I would want to “The probability of Even though Chow, Feng and Chiu We received so many ber staff makes creating positions difficult. proved his acting skills, and has encouraged counted individually. attend all the colleges I applied to if I got in, have all approached the college application amazing submissions The team is also looking into streamlin- him to continue acting as a hobby in college. One person applying to a number of so I thought I would just give it a shot to getting rejected by process in different ways, all three of them that it would be a shame ing the publication process, since the ma- “My favorite thing about Comedy Sportz schools on the larger side of the spectrum is apply to all of them.” all top 20 schools is feel that the semester has become less to not print this issue.” jority of the work tends to happen close to is that I can think on my feet and it has done senior Chris Feng, who is applying to a total However, Feng said that his workload stressful now that they have submitted their The team received the end of the semester. wonders for my creativity,” Ludwig said. of 33 colleges, including UC schools. this semester has been “pretty terrible,” and pretty small.” early applications. Most colleges have their over 20 pieces of art, over “I found a printer that would have dras- According to Kuppam, the turnout was Feng, who is applying to many private he notes how hard it is to balance writing regular decision deadlines on Jan. 1. 30 written submissions tically reduced our printing costs, but we higher than previous shows, and the team universities in the U.S. News top 20 colleges essays with maintaining his grades for first SENIOR Cameron Chow “Writing the essays was definitely and over 40 photos. produced the magazine too late to make improvised well together. list, as well as many British universities, has semester. the most challenging part of the whole In order to create a their shipping costs justifiable,” Patel said. “We were a little nervous leading up been on a tight essay-writing schedule for Senior Cameron Chow is on the opposite process,” Feng said. “But now that most of 20-page issue, many sub- “It’s a volunteer process, so it’s hard to set to the performance but we really pulled Courtesy of SOUNDINGS missions were rejected, deadlines and get things done, but we’ll be through,” Kuppam said, “and that was a most of the semester, writing essays for an side of the application spectrum, choosing “Application fees and school tuition are first semester has passed, I’m only looking u u average of two schools per week. to only apply to three colleges this semester, both expensive. forward to the future.” u The cover of the 2019 fall Soundings depicts abstract art. but the team encourages working on that next issue.” great moment.” The Saratoga Falcon The Saratoga Falcon December 13, 2019 OPINION 7 6 opinion December 13, 2019

FOURTHPERIOD Rejection? Where’s the spirit? STAFFPOLICY California must change donation law SARATOGANS’ CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FALL SHORT AS The Saratoga Falcon is published 12 times per year by the Advanced Journal- More like CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS IN U.S. CONTINUE TO EXPAND ism classes of Saratoga High School, 20300 Herriman Ave., Saratoga, CA BY PrestonFu 95070. Views expressed in The Saratoga to keep school programs functioning Falcon are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions self-affection! Just four or five years ago, of the administration, faculty or school Since 1879, California has district. guaranteed its students a free WHY GIRLS SHOULD ASK GUYS OUT Christmas lights and decorative education under its constitu- icicles hung from the roofs of BY JoannZhang MISSIONSTATEMENT tion. For low-income students, cided to take matters into my every house in the Saratoga Leg- removing economic barriers and own hands. ends neighborhood just across the The staff of The Saratoga Falcon is com- providing all students with the For hundreds of years, tra- After some bathroom re- street from Saratoga High. mitted to objectively and accurately ditional masculinity has di- hearsal, I waited patiently by Yet during last year’s holiday representing the diverse talents, cultures opportunity to partake in dif- and viewpoints of the Saratoga High ferent clubs and activities is im- minished the individuality of his flight gate as the passengers season, only three or four of these School community. portant to ensure equality and both men and women. trickled into the plane. 14 households continued this opportunity. Confining gender roles have But just as boarding was long-lasting tradition. Decora- TO With the goal of providing a given way to expectations that about to end, he sprinted from tions in downtown are also start- LETTERSTHE EDITOR fair education to all, extracur- men be unwaveringly macho the depths of the Burger King ing to decrease in quantity and The Saratoga Falcon welcomes all signed riculars are an inherent compo- and women meek and subser- store with a greasy bag and quality. Holiday spirit is declining, letters of opinion, which are subject to nent to a good education, and vient. passport in hand. and none of us are better off be- editing for length, accuracy and grammar. Shooting your shot, or ask- One fleeting wave later, and Please send them to mathew.luo@ the 1984 Hartzell v. Connell case cause of it. saratogafalcon.org. For ad information, reaffirmed the fact that schools ing someone out, for example, he was gone. It isn’t all that hard to com- phone (408) 867-3411, ext. 222. cannot require payments for is traditionally done by men, The whole situation made bat the problem; just install a few pursuits such as sports and mu- as they are the ones to “take me question whether or not to lights or a nice winter wreath. sic. Demanding a fee on after- charge.” shoot my shot, but two nights After all, holidays in general are Editors-in-Chief school activities effectively sets a But it’s 2019, and mostly after arriving home, I texted still thriving in the U.S. Even away Connie Liang Boomers still adhere to tradi- him and told him. Anishi Patel premium on the attainability of from their home country, many such enrichments, putting un- tional gender roles. In what he would later tell Indian-American immigrants still Associate Editor derprivileged students at a dis- So I say, girls, shoot your our friend was an “oof” mo- continue to proudly celebrate their Andrew Lee advantage. shot. Take charge. ment, he replied with “Thanks! festival of lights, Diwali. In doing If you want that abso- I hope I see you again too :P.” so, they have developed a sense of News Editor However, in high-income Alex Wang areas like Saratoga, where the lute snack in fourth-period Obviously, I was upset. unity and friendship within the median income is at least dou- newspaper, you have to swipe After a few hours, though, ethnic community. Opinion Editor ble that of the California aver- him. not only did I feel freed from In fact, the scale of their cel- Mathew Luo age, these principles cause more According to the Swipe Life the “what if?” feeling that usu- ebration has grown so rapidly Associate Opinion Editor harm than good. Too many article “Why aren’t more wom- ally followed my crushes, I felt that popular travel locations such Kevin Sze parents misuse this law to avoid en asking guys out?” a survey confident and assertive. as Disneyland, Times Square paying their fair share, some- found that 90 percent of men So what if some boy who and even the White House are Sports Editors times leaving programs strug- support women making the almost missed his flight for drowned in these bright October Justin Guo first move, but only 15 percent Burger King didn’t like me? Selena Liu gling. festivities each year. And it will No amount of pandering to of women shoot their shot first. I shot my shot, and I was only grow in the coming years as Lifestyles Editors parents can rectify the fund- “No, thanks. California says For most girls, fear of rejec- proud of it. this group increases its presence in Eileen Bui ing problems that have become tion holds us back. So, gals, we’re halfway the U.S. Sofia Jones common in activities such as my son’s activities are free.” But honestly? Rejection is through winter and you have The popularity of Chinese New Entertainment Editors sports or speech and debate more liberating than painful. no one to watch “Last Christ- Year, too, has increased greatly in Sandhya Sundaram year after year. In fact, if trends MATHEW LUO For example, during the mas” with. the U.S. In 2018, former Gov. Jerry Samantha Yee toward lower rates of donations winter break of 2018, I met a Could it be because you Brown even declared it an official cute boy from San Diego dur- haven’t shot your shot? In-Depth Editors continue, teams and groups will lent on the constraints and allow tions. panding access and maintaining holiday. Due to China’s growing Neeti Badve partake in fewer competitions some districts in wealthy areas Still, such solutions have their extracurricular programs is a ing a volunteering trip to Ne- Could it be out of fear of local and global influence, Sara- Christine Zhang and have reduced access to re- to reform the structure of dona- own pitfalls, such as decreased challenging problem, and there pal. something that hurts momen- togans have become more curious sources such as bus transporta- tions for extracurricular activi- participation. Having to dem- are no perfect solutions on the By the last day of the week tarily but leaves a lasting im- about foreign cultures and holi- School Scope Editors long trip, I was completely pression of power, pride and days and less about what they had Rohan Kumar tion for sports teams and clini- ties. onstrate financial need or face horizon. Alekhya Vadlakonda cians for musicians. A better model for schools the monetary requirements may But until one appears, the smitten. independence? grown up celebrating. As a result, students and par- like Saratoga High would allow cause students to quit clubs and only thing that keeps vital pro- It was clear that he wasn’t Yes, it is. Meanwhile, Los Gatos, which u Multimedia/Social Media Editors ents are constantly bombarded schools to invite specific stu- activities, affecting their popu- grams functioning is a moral about to ask me out, so I de- Go shoot your shot. has fewer Indian and Chinese Annissa Mu residents than Saratoga, is still Krithi Sankar with fundraisers and pleas for dents who require aid to apply larity and its year-to-year con- obligation that an increasing donations that are mostly inef- for it and compel all others to tinuation. number of parents are sadly adorned with festive Christmas Backpage Editor fective. Many programs from pay mandatory fees in order to Balancing the goals of ex- overlooking. u lights and sported Halloween Howard Tang music to ASB continue to lack participate in sports and other props in October. funding, in part due to the inun- All of this is in contrast to Sara- Head Copy Editors extracurriculars. Edwin Chen dation of donation requests. This way, the few disadvan- Opinion of the Falcon Editorial Board toga, which seem to become more Michael Wong While protecting low-income taged students are still afforded dead each holiday season, based students is the foremost priority, the opportunity to participate, on houses’ exterior decorations. Head Photographer coming at the expense of the ex- but programs can still function Editors-in-chief Opinion Leaders Writer Resisting this decline is not Jun Lee tracurriculars themselves would properly without the constant Connie Liang Mathew Luo Michael Wong much work for any one person. Anishi Patel Kevin Sze Graphics Team Leader render such equitable actions begging and threatening of can- Put a Christmas tree up in your Amanda Zhu meaningless. Fair access means celing activities, which has be- The Saratoga Falcon staff voted 22-2 in support of this article. home and invite some friends nothing if there are no programs. come common rhetoric in the over. Make a warm, rich cup of hot Web Team/App Development chocolate and play some holiday Sean Oh It makes sense for the state to re- process of drumming up dona- “Bah humbug” Aaria Thomas music. Above all, just say no to the bah humbug spirit. u Business/Ad Manager GRAPHIC BY JEANETTE ZHOU PRESTON FU Marisa Kingsley Teachers should turn to electronic Adviser Mike Tyler Teachers deserve credit for academic achievement Reporters Vicky Bai alternatives in lieu of paper materials BY NicoleLu as a junior and your tumultuous personal development of students. teacher whose teachings don’t relationship in which students can Preston Fu Jonathan Li college application journey in se- Being in such a competitive, align with the general welfare of feel comfortable asking for help. BY KavitaSundaram Serena Li friendly alternative. when it comes to paper use, and with ink be recycled. Papers with “It’s really sad that almost no nior year, they’ve been with you at times almost cutthroat, school their students; however, there just For example, both former and Nicole Lu As just one example among even recycling doesn’t rectify the pigment-based ink can be recy- one knows one of the best teachers through everything. environment such as at Saratoga aren’t enough bad apples, and current students flock to their fa- Anjali Nuggehalli Schools use a lot of paper for many possible ones, world history wastage. cled, but those with dye-based ink, at Saratoga High,” a Toga Confes- High can overwhelm students at these teachers all mean well even if vorite teachers’ classrooms at tuto- Viraaj Reddi notes, homework, tests, quizzes teacher Jerry Sheehy distributes the ink that most printers tend to sions post read. “Mrs. Shank is so times; having a strong support it doesn’t always translate. rial to talk about a variety of topics. Lihi Shoshani and pretty much everything else. well over 200 sheets of printed pa- use, cannot be recycled. The same Kavita Sundaram incredibly sweet and genuine to- By the time you system one sees daily is crucial Teachers have their own lives Most teachers are happy to go over Cici Xu With resources like Canvas and per to each student each semester. When it comes to holds true for paper with impuri- ward her students. She is not just for taking the stress off students’ to worry about, yet most of them material or to just converse during Bill Yuan Google Drive, it’s not unreason- With paper costing approximately ties such as adhesives and lamina- a great teacher based on her per- graduate from high backs. try to make classes enjoyable and tutorials or at other non-scheduled JoAnn Zhang able for teachers to make more $0.013 per page, 25 students in paper use, even tion. Jeanette Zhou sonality and generosity but she is school, around 24 Most don’t take into account memorable. This love for educa- times. Many alumni come back digital copies of things instead of each class and five classes adds up recycling doesn’t So even for teachers who think great at teaching! All her students teachers will have the late hours teachers work per- tion is everywhere at Saratoga from time to time to visit their paper ones. to a grand total of $325 worth of rectify the wastage. recycling is their saving grace, it’s love her so much and she is hon- fecting the lesson they’ll teach High. From directors in the music teachers, which is a heartwarming Printed by Folger Graphics Granted, some materials like paper used in one history class. not. The prospect of reusing might estly one of the best teachers.” crossed your path. eight hours later, but the effort program to members of the sci- moment for students to witness. in Hayward, Calif. notes and homework can be a lot While this might not seem like seem like a perfect solution, but Shank is one of many teach- they put into helping students and ence department, one can see how Stepping into a classroom more effective as physical copies. a lot, this is the cost of only one most of the time, that is not what ers in Saratoga High who have making school enjoyable is evi- much dedication goes into care- knowing that there is someone Other tests and exams are more class. Most students have around According to an article by Post- it’s cut out to be. had a positive influence on their They’re the ones who encour- dent. Setting an example promotes fully curating curriculums. you can depend on makes school foolproof as paper copies. Howev- six different classes to boot. Along consumers, less than two-thirds of A simpler solution would be students. By the time you gradu- age and motivate you to reach your a love for learning that translates Teachers are here not just as so much more rewarding. At their er, for articles, rubrics, and study with this, the cost does build up material meant to be recycled is for teachers to begin using online ate from high school, around 24 highest potential in academics and into students obtaining results instructors of knowledge, but also end of their four-year journey, the guides, items that appear abun- over time, taking away from other actually recycled. resources more instead of print- teachers will have crossed your beyond. — everything from a stel- they can wholeheartedly be proud as figures students can depend on connections students have made dantly in students’ binders and of- expenses. This is because of cost, impu- ing out endless supplies of paper, path. From your relative naivety lar GPA to involvement in extra- of. for guidance. Their approachabil- and the teachers they’ve met will ten go without being used, digital Aside from cost, the bigger is- rities in the substances and mis- ultimately saving both waste and as a freshman to your late nights curriculars to encouraging the There is always the occasional ity and eagerness fosters a healthy stay with them. u copies are a cheaper and more eco- sue is the lack of consciousness labeled items. Nor can all papers money. u The Saratoga Falcon 8 OPINION December 13, 2019 The Saratoga Falcon 9 December 13, 2019 lifestyles BDTW got me involved in my community

emotions as the questions progressed from one day — cannot make a significant change This Step Into the Circle activity helped easy to hard. in our school environment, but change is me get to know more people and to gain friday the 13th “Step inside the circle if you’ve ever felt possible. confidence, and to know that I am not and depressed or hopeless.” I moved to Saratoga two years ago from will never be alone. Cici Xu I stepped in fearlessly along with dozens China. I was a complete stranger to the cul- People started to wave at me after Break- of others. ture and the people growing up here. Some- ing Down the Walls and those little gestures The continuous switching of roles of be- times, I felt people stared at me like I did not always make my day. “Step inside the circle if ...” ing a participant, who stepped into the cir- belong. I was kind of depressed and anxious Breaking Down the Walls is not meant The gym was in complete silence. I could cle, and an observer, looking at the people back then. to change everybody. It might not benefit hear only footsteps. I could see people’s in the middle of the circle, provided me an everyone, but will for sure help those who backs moving away from me, tears rolling opportunity to reflect and examine myself desperately need it. If you think it is a waste Superstitions down cheeks and the determination to be and the challenges that I wanted to avoid for People started to wave at of time, just enjoy the fact that you are not their true selves in eyes filled with memo- the years to come. having class that day and respect the ones ries. When I was an observer, I spent time me after Breaking Down the who need it because I am almost confident It was good to know that I was not alone concentrating on others. I felt for others. I Walls and those little gestures in the fact that there are many others who when I stepped inside the circle, noticing searched for others. always make my day. felt the same way I did. The golf outfit Why I never clip my nails at night people who have been through the same When I saw that people suffered through The people who need these types of ac- thing that I have. greater struggles than I did, I no longer tivities are often the ones who are afraid or thumbnail. I don’t consider my- likely you’ll be with your parents. Breaking Down the Walls was a series of thought about myself, but rather I empa- too shy to speak up, like myself back then. self to be superstitious, but clip- The website theorizes that this activities organized in late October 2018 to thized with the participants. I blamed myself for not knowing how to Not everyone has the courage to actively that gives me gold terrib-lee ping my nails after dark has be- superstition derived from the fact connect students in a more profound way I got to know people’s personal back- speak and write fluent English, for not be- seek help or opportunities to get involved in come something I never ever do. that in ancient Japan, many had by creating a safe atmosphere to let students grounds and beliefs. I suddenly started to ing open to people and seeming to always be the school community. golf at age 8, and have developed scared According to my dad, this is a to use blades to cut their nails. communicate and interact with each other. understand why some look shy all the time, the one who destroys the joyful atmosphere. When you get a broad understanding of some strange superstitions since. thing in Korea. Maybe it’s because Using a blade on your own body The most impactful of the activities was why some people seem depressed and fear- I was shy and hoped people would under- the people around you, knowing that things e-sze When I get out of bed in the Andrew Lee I was too tired that night to ques- in the dark was dangerous, so the the Step Into the Circle activity, where peo- ful. stand me better so I could get the chance to that did not happen to you have happened morning before a round, I always tion the superstition or was too act may have suggested taking ple share their struggles and their insecuri- Trust and friendship are both based on understand them. to others, you will pay more respect to them. money make sure my right foot touches It was just a normal night five lazy to bring it up the next morn- one’s own life. ties with the act of simply stepping forward the understanding of one another. This This event was the chance I was hoping If you are willing to observe, think and re- the ground before my left foot. My years ago. I held my hand over ing, but I just decided to believe So, I guess my dad’s supersti- to various prompts. event successfully drew us closer as a group. for a really long time to get involved in this flect, you will ultimately approach life in a the trash can, holding a nail clip- it. I never questioned the logic of tion is partially incorrect. None- u Kevin Sze theory is that I always need to start I was shaken by the complexity of my Admittedly, that day of sharing — only community. more unbiased and open way. on the “right” foot. per in my right, ready to clip away this superstition until I sat down theless, his version is the one I If you follow me on Instagram, Furthermore, I play the Titleist at some long fingernails that had to write this story. So, I did some have believed in and will be the you’ll notice that I’m wearing the ProV1x golf ball. Each dozen balls been bothering me all week. Half research and here is what I found. one I continue to follow. exact same outfit in all of my golf are marked one to four, with three asleep, I positioned the right side According to soranews24. Not clipping my nails some- photos. of each number. Usually, I’ll play of my left thumbnail in between com, the superstition originated times is a problem because I often A light blue shirt with three balls marked with a one in com- the clamp of the clipper. Snip. in Japan. The superstition goes as don’t find the time or am too lazy gray stripes on the left shoulder, a petitive rounds because I want to “You shouldn’t ever cut your follows: “You should not clip your to do the simple yet very easily white Adidas belt, gray shorts and finish number one, but over the nails at night,” the deep, grum- nails at night. Because if you do, procrastinated task in the morn- a white Titleist hat. years, I’ve won tournaments with bling voice of my father said. “If you won’t be with your parents ing or after school. Consequently, Before you decide to judge me, balls marked otherwise, so I’ve you do, that means your parents when they die.” my nails sometimes get too long. I’ll defend myself by saying that been a little more lenient with that are going to die.” It’s believed that you will not It gets gross, but I can’t help it. there’s a good reason for this. superstition. His words worried me, so I be with your parents when they I believe in this irrational super- BREAKING DOWN Every picture that’s on my Ins- In addition, I’ll mark every ball didn’t finish the job and ended die because of your premature stition: I’d like to keep my parents tagram feed is after the final round with my initials in red Sharpie up going to sleep with a half-cut death, as being dead makes it un- alive. u of a golf tournament. This past between the Titleist logo and the summer, I’ve worn the exact same number. The Sharpie has to be outfit in the final round of tourna- red, because under par scores are ments for good luck. always marked in red on score- boards. A broken jade bracelet with bad luck THE WALLS Lastly, right before I tee off, I’ll I just need to find give my mom a hug and my dad to her to wash away my bad luck. bour in Hong Kong, the Qian a fist bump. I’m a big believer in My mom consulted her best Tang River and Fu Chun River that new lucky outfit, karma, so I figure if I show my happi-li friend, a person very familiar in Hangzhou and a small stream and victory will be parents some love, then maybe I’ll with superstition, about my situ- that we knew we were going to A Year’s Reflection be a little luckier on the golf course serene(a) ation. After a rigorous 10-minute pass by in Taipei. inevitable. that day. call, she learned how to fix my We went to each of those riv- Throughout the years, I’ve Serena Li misfortune. No matter how much ers and threw a piece of the bro- switched out lucky outfits as they I resisted, she insisted on inform- ken jade in there. My mom made To start the summer, I qualified seemed to lose their luck, which My family and I were travel- ing me of the necessary steps to sure I flung my wrist as hard as for the 72nd United States Junior brings me back to my light blue ing in Hong Kong a few years take in order to get rid of my bad I could so the bad luck would be Amateur tournament — regarded shirt, white Adidas belt, gray ago when my jade bracelet broke. luck. far away. as the most prestigious event in ju- shorts and white Titleist hat com- It slipped off my wrist as I tried First, It was annoying to mess JOANN ZHANG nior golf — in that outfit. Shortly bination. I think it’s time for a to take it off, and it hit the night- I had to up our plans, but my after, I won my first American change. stand and fell on the floor. find four mom said anything Junior Golf Association (AJGA) In my last event of the summer, When I looked down, the sources was worth the Open event in that outfit. I wore my good luck outfit for the bracelet lay lifelessly on the floor, of mov- trouble as long as it It became clear to me that that final round. shattered into four pieces. ing water, could get rid of my BDTW had few lasting impacts on students specific outfit was the obvious rea- I ended up playing poorly and I gathered the pieces and such as a river, bad luck. son for my success. finished fourth. showed them to my mom. because moving wa- I’m not a firm believer “Aiya, four pieces,” my mom ter will flow bad luck far away. in superstitions like my parents, event only happened for one week — in re- friends had when they participated in the ties — it seemed that most of my classmates Sure, I spent hundreds of hours It’s obvious to me that I don’t Next, I had to throw the pieces of but I enjoyed the process because ality, only one day for each person — there activity. treasured the experience they had and want- practicing, but it seemed that the need to practice any harder. I just said. “That’s very unlucky.” the bracelet in those waters. it showed me a part of the culture was no potential for BDTW to truly break To lessen the awkwardness, students ed to talk more about BDTW. outfit carried some good mojo, so need to find that new lucky outfit, In China, the number four is Christine My mom and dad spent an that I’m not familiar with. If my down the emotional walls at our school in a should have had some say in who they ex- Personally, I would say I felt the event’s I decided to stick with it for every and victory will be inevitable. considered unlucky because of its hour brainstorming the possible daughter’s jade bracelet breaks, I long-lasting fashion. perienced BDTW with. Instead of dividing impact for a day or two. Some of my friends final round for the rest of the sum- By the way, I’m taking sugges- similarity in pronunciation with Zhang rivers we could go to. Finally, will take her to rivers and show The awkwardness that accompanied students into four groups for four different told me about what they learned from mer. tions. Shoot me a DM on Insta- the character that means death. u we decided on the Victoria Har- her a part of her culture. u some of the activities in BDTW contributed days based on last names, administrators BDTW, and I made sure to be empathet- I started playing competitive gram: @kevinszeee. My mom decided that it was up to its lack of significance. should have allowed students to first form ic while listening to them, but after they At the Breaking Down the Walls Since some of the activities in BDTW small groups with their friends and then stopped mentioning BDTW, it left my mind (BDTW) event last year, I watched as some were more uncomfortable than engaging, I combine these small groups into larger ones as well. of my closest friends shed tears and admit- was unable to truly immerse myself in the for each day of the event. Likewise for the rest of the school, the ted to their personal issues. But now, talk of experience. event’s effects soon began to subside as stu- A pro’s holiday gift-giving guide for the clueless these topics has died down, and the school For instance, the bonding activities be- dents fell back into the routine of school. has returned to its status quo. fore lunch not only included creating a Despite strong, positive With no repetition of BDTW or any simi- The week-long BDTW event took place handshake with a random partner, but also lar program, students inevitably turned portance of responsibility and managing way? Buy him a satanic leaf tailed gecko as me, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Sliding down from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26 last school year — on taking turns sitting on each other’s legs. initial reactions to BDTW, their focus back to their schoolwork, sports expectations and most importantly, serves this year’s season’s greetings—you’ll really the chimney in a degenerate Santa costume Monday, moderator Dean Whellams intro- I was completely fine with doing a hand- the event’s effects have clearly and other extracurriculars, preventing any i’ve got as the crowning establishment of your rela- get to know him now. isn’t the hard part (you’ll get used to it); it’s duced students to BDTW, and on Tuesday shake, but there is almost nothing more un- died down over the past year. long-term effects of BDTW. tionship with the recipi- ent. Coal: Santa’s a busy man; you can’t rely navigating the house and putting coal in through Friday, freshmen, sophomores and comfortable than sitting on a near-stranger’s Instead of a one-time event like BDTW, to guo Pushing this re- on him to aptly vibecheck all your enemies, the stockings after chugging down several juniors were split into four groups to partic- thigh for a solid 30 seconds. My partner and the school should hold more Club Fair-type sponsibility onto so you have to take glasses of milk that can lead to several com- ipate in activities designed to foster a more I minimized the area of physical contact as activities where clubs, sports teams and Justin Guo someone may be matters into your own plications. close-knit school community. Before lunch, much as possible, and even though he is in This way, although students would still other school programs encourage students off-putting to some, hands. Trust Food: Everybody loves food. Therefore, students were randomly paired up for bond- one of my classes this year, we haven’t talked meet others they don’t normally talk to to join their ranks. These events would pro- For some of you casuals out there, gift but it’s the most ef- if you really want your recipient to appre- ing exercises such as creating handshakes since then. during the morning partner activities, they vide repeated and effective chances for un- giving might seem like a daunting task. But fective way to truly ciate your culinary familiarity, you have to with each other, and after lunch, Whellams I also felt that the Cross the Line activity would feel more comfortable around their derclassmen and upperclassmen to bond, as fear not, because it’s a part of my duty as a nail the element of shake up their expectations. Boba? In-N- administered a Cross the Line activity in provided uncomfortable exposure. friends for the more sensitive Cross the some of students’ strongest friendships are godsend gift giver to help out those in need. surprise in your gift. Out? That’s way too basic. which students silently confessed struggles Whenever one of Whellams’s statements Line. formed through clubs or similar activities. Pets: Buying someone a pet as an unan- Therefore, I highly Prepare a delicious three-course meal such as eating disorders and self-harm. applied to me and I crossed the line, I could Nevertheless, BTDW was effective in Since students would become members of ticipated gift is the classiest thing you could recommend giving comprising of century eggs, monkey Despite strong, positive initial reactions feel my face burning as others watched me uniting the school for a few days. Right after these programs, these newly forged bonds do. The benefits of doing so are threefold: it people you barely know brains, and wasp crackers. It’ll be a truly to BDTW, the event’s effects have clearly walk. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t have the event ended for me, my peers immedi- would last for far longer than those created provides your recipient with company for pets. That random guy you once in a lifetime experience, I’m sure died down over the past year. Since the the same emotional experience that my ately asked me what I thought of the activi- by BDTW. u when you’re not there, emphasizes the im- brushed past in the hall- of it. u

ALL GRAPHICS BY SOFIA JONES AND AMANDA ZHU The Saratoga Falcon 10 LIFESTYLES December 13, 2019 LIFESTYLES 11

Hacking our way to frozen victory

the ingredients! We dashed to the kitchen needed. gathering and grabbed the milk, cream, vanilla ex- After a solid six minutes of hand torture, supplies and tract, sugar, salt, two Ziploc bags and ice. we finally had enough ice to shake our va- 3 assembly bad(ve), not Here’s how it worked: One Ziploc bag nilla milk into ice cream. Don’t ask us why minutes with all the mixed ice cream ingredients shaking ice and salt freezes a liquid into a ama-zhang was placed inside the other Ziploc bag with solid. Our AP Chemistry test two days ago a salt and ice concoction and then shaken on phase changes traumatized us too much Neeti Badve and Christine Zhang vigorously for five minutes. to be able to comprehend this colligative breaking The first problem was that the entire pro- property. away ice There we were, sitting in Neeti’s room cess was clearly going to take longer than Five more minutes of hand-freezing chips from 9 Gucci flip flops? More and scrolling through YouTube videos when five minutes. 5-Minute Crafts KIDS had later, we were surprised to find chunky but the freezer suddenly we both realized we were craving clickbaited us into watching their deceptive solid ice cream in the Ziploc. But how did minutes ice cream. What better way to simultane- video! We felt scammed. it taste? 5 tracing the ously satisfy our hunger and complete our The next problem was the ice. We man- We were actually impressed by our ice minutes fLIP FLOP newspaper story than to make ice cream in aged to blend all our ice cream ingredients cream because it tasted pretty good for a like Glue-cci flip flops! five minutes? with no issues, but the ice was another story. 14-minute creation. But as tasty as it was, it Luckily, the YouTube channel “5-Min- We knelt by Neeti’s freezer, our hands fro- quickly melted into a depressing puddle of 14 fInished! I set out to re-create this semi-transparent monstros- ute Crafts KIDS” came to our rescue with a zen and in pain, desperately trying to break milk. So much for our new Food Network minutes ity, and fared pretty well until I realized that as I was too homemade ice cream hack, and we had all apart a block of ice into the chips that we show. u broke to afford a whole lot of hot glue sticks. Unfortu- jo nately, I had to settle for gluing the strap straight onto one strip of sole rather than two sandwiched soles. The Day 1 tracing in ama-zhang strap refused to conform to the arch of slides’ straps, so hot glue and I put a book on top of the strap to keep it in place while waiting to dry drying. Once dry, these bad boys were ready for a spin Joann Zhang around the neighborhood. Hot-glue popsicle card becomes hot mess Sadly, I hit turbulence before I left the house. I had As rappers Bhad Bhabie and Lil Yachty would tell you, made the strap too small, and it felt like a corset for my Gucci flip flops are a hypebeast or an insta baddie must. feet. I shuffled outside in pain. Once again, I ran into next best thing: a card. the gun down on the table without think- similar to the one in the video, with a shape However, some of us aspiring flexers don’t have $210 to trouble: The lumpiness of the sole hurt to walk on, and Amanda: But who wants to spend $1.99 ing (as always), with the nozzle right on my that resembled a popsicle on the front. blow on Gucci’s iconic tricolor Web Slide Sandal. But the slides were annoyingly flappy and flimsy, like flaccid day 2 zhu-min at Target for a birthday card that could be hand. Unfortunately, it was pretty warm. Michael: Naturally, we did it all over fear not, broke flexers: 5-minute Crafts has a solution. cardboard. (theoretically) easily made at home? Not us! Amanda: Luckily, Michael is “very again so each of us could get one! By the In their video “Hot Glue Gun Hacks You Must Know!,” I made it down my driveway before deciding to spare So, we decided to do one of those 5-Minute strong” and claims to “not feel pain,” though time we completed the craft, cleaned up the wong they provide a budget-friendly “dupe” for Gucci slides: my feet and taking the Glucci slides off. A whopping Crafts videos that we always come across that is very questionable. Regardless, our and waited for the glue to dry, we were hot glue slides. They begin by tracing the shape of a flip three days of shoemaking and countless sticks of hot glue online. next challenge came with the sprinkles. much closer to the one-hour mark than the way flop sole onto parchment paper, and then outlining that later, I can safely say that my handcrafted Glucci slides, Michael: We tried to make a card with Because we were trying to meet the 5-min- 5-minute target. with hot glue and cross-hatching it in the middle to form while cheap and unique, offer a uniquely horrible walk- Amanda Zhu and Michael Wong a sprinkle-covered popsicle on the front. ute deadline (we were already 10 minutes Amanda: Without Michael, I might’ve the sole of the slide. They then outline and cross-hatch ing experience and no hypebeast-ly confidence. I would To do this, we needed a piece of paper, hot over time), Michael mindlessly grabbed the actually met the five-minute deadline. day 3 fINISHED! a rectangle piece to serve as the band of the slide. Once not recommend making these shoes. They earn a 0/10 It’s been all over YouTube recently — the glue, a popsicle stick and sprinkles. sprinkles and threw them onto the hot glue Michael: Umm, I’m the one who the pieces are dried, the disembodied arms glue the strap for quality and style. Even if you can’t afford real Gucci quick and ingenious use of different house- Amanda: The concept seemed easy on the card the way the woman in the video brought the artistic talent here. You couldn’t between two sandwiched soles to keep the whole thing slides, I’m guessing it’s better to walk barefoot. It’s prob- hold materials to create new things. enough: glue the popsicle stick to the paper, had done. tell what the object on the front was before in place. ably more comfortable than the Glucci slides. u Amanda: Because my birthday and draw the shape of the popsicle with hot glue Michael: Oops. The sprinkles got all I reshaped it. Michael’s half-birthday are coming up, we and finally, throw sprinkles on top — all over her table and floor, and we had to Amanda: I literally made the whole wanted to get something for ourselves. Af- within five minutes. excommunicate her dog so he did not get thing. You warmed up the glue. ter all, we have to look after ourselves, oth- Michael: We faced our first problem food poisoning. OK, maybe we just aren’t as talented as erwise no one else will. when we began using the hot glue gun as a Amanda: A half-hour in, we finally fin- the people who make the 5-Minute Craft Michael: We actually procrastinated too crayon. When Amanda lifted the glue gun, ished cleaning up, our glue dried and our videos, but despite our burned hands and long, so we didn’t have enough time to buy the glue wouldn’t come out because she card was complete. Despite some sprinkles dirtied tables, at least we now have birthday anything good. Instead, we settled for the tried too soon. She got impatient and set randomly flaking off, our card looked very gifts for each other! u

oops sprinkles on the fLoor! Card #1 done Finished!

5 minutes 15 minutes 30 minutes 45 minutes

ALL GRAPHICS BY EILEEN BUI 12 The Saratoga Falcon SCHOOL SCOPE SCHOOL SCOPE December 13, 2019 13 JUNIOR CULTIVATES INTEREST IN ART Tiffany Huang: THROUGH DRAWING AND DESIGN

BY ChristineZhang ational hobby. years, and she said she was very lucky that Her art now primarily focuses on human the school decided to offer AP Art History It was nearing 2 a.m. at the Rhode Is- figures, which Huang attributes to her back- during her junior year. She considers art ARTOUTSIDE STUDENTS PURSUE THEIR PASSIONSTHE IN A STEM-FOCUSED LINES SCHOOL land School of Design (RISD) one day last ground in ballet. history essential to the creation of modern summer. Stressed and tired, junior Tiffany “As a ballerina, I’m interested in the lines art. BY SerenaLi According to course selection charts for is a lack of quality mainly because of the and in over 150 universities, has shown Huang, a participant in RISD’s six-week I’m making with my body, so I like draw- “If you don’t understand where ideas & JeanetteZhou Saratoga and Los Gatos, Los Gatos, with budget Mrs. Vanry and the whole art de- that 92 percent of art graduates who want summer program, finally wrapped up her ing people,” she said. “I really enjoyed fig- came from, then you can’t really create more more than 2,000 students, offers 49 courses partment gets,” Motooka said. “While I to work are currently employed, with 81 work on her Drawing Foundations final ure drawing at RISD — my professor told art in the future,” Huang said. “I think it’s By age 5, sophomore Shani Chiu had al- for visual, performing and applied arts, in- don’t know of any serious problems, if I ask percent saying that they were employed project, a 6-foot collage made with charcoal us that the human body had almost every also important to understand that our pur- ready decided to pursue art. cluding courses like Graphic Design and for some art-related materials, she will have very soon after graduating; nonetheless, the and ink. single drawing problem we could encounter, pose as artists is to convey ideas in our cur- As far back as Chiu can recall, she re- Fashion Design, while Saratoga, with 1,350 to order it specifically for me and possibly article also mentions that 57 percent of art The piece depicted how first-world -in so it’s also a good place to learn from.” rent culture so that people in the future can members following and watching her older students, offers 38 courses. other art students.” alumni have two jobs to support themselves. dividuals turn their backs on third-world understand what was going on during our brother, then 15, sketch a new masterpiece While Vanry doesn’t know the exact Motooka has not received negative reac- circumstances as represented by six figures t i m e .” each week. budget breakdown, she agrees that a lack of tions from his family and friends regarding pulling each other downwards while a lone Huang draws inspiration from literature She decided to follow in her brother’s funding can make it difficult for students to his decision to major in design. “I think it’s important to “Art left such an figure stands aside, texting. As Huang head- and other artists who present interesting footsteps. pursue art, since art materials are often very “I feel like there isn’t that much pressure ed to sleep, she was left with a distinct feel- understand that our purpose philosophical ideas or change her perspec- Chiu, who is considering a major in de- enormous impact on expensive. because my parents do think that I could get ing of contentment. as artists is to convey ideas in tive on humankind. For instance, Huang sign, has felt no pressure regarding her deci- my life that I would “This year, the allotment that I received into an art school and have a career in art,” “It was really satisfying for me to look created an animation on slavery after she sion to focus on art. for art and ceramics is more than it has been Motooka said. “I haven’t really had anyone back on a project that I made after working our current culture.” watched the movie “12 Years a Slave” in her “I’ve been focused on what I plan to do not be the same in past years,” Vanry said. “But it’s not tell me that I shouldn’t be doing art, so for a few days straight,” Huang said. “I could English class, which exposed her to the real- for a long time, so I didn’t even realize that person without it.” enough.” I feel pretty comfortable with my recognize that I actually did something I JUNIOR Tiffany Huang ity of slavery. She said she generally works our school had an emphasis on STEM,” Vanry explained that the decision.” was proud of.” best when she is creating a form of emo- Chiu said. “I’ve known that I wanted to ma- SOPHOMORE Stone Motooka majority of her budget for Even with the emphasis on Huang has participated in classes and tional artwork. jor in art ever since I was young because it supplies comes from par- STEM here, Vanry said that summer programs to develop her interest in At RISD, Huang went to class from 9 In the future, Huang hopes to eventually was the only thing I could really see myself ent donations, which are she has not seen a stigma art from a young age. That love has never a.m. to 4 p.m. on most days with a one-hour work on a music video set, as it would com- doing in the future.” Art teacher Diana Vanry is also con- often unpredictable. around art, stating that diminished as she has grown older. lunch break at noon. After class, she would bine her passions for art, music and dance For her part, sophomore Anica Liu, who cerned with the survival of a robust arts Another difficulty students are often praised “I think most kids like drawing at a return to her dorm room and work on her — Huang has played the piano and danced is interested in majoring in art, described curriculum, stating that one of her biggest many art students face by their peers for their young age, and then they get to school and projects until past midnight. ballet alongside her art classes since pre- her experience as an art student at Saratoga concerns is losing students to other classes is pressure from their talent. they hate it,” Huang said. “But I was always “It definitely helped my time manage- school. She plans to major in graphic design High as a “tough road.” on campus. peers and parents Even so, students tell pretty interested in drawing.” ment and pushed me in terms of my stam- and/or sound art in college. Liu started her art journey “There will always be students against their deci- her they don’t take the Before the academic stress and workload ina and motivation,” she said. “It was pretty This past summer, Huang attended when she received compliments who are artistically talented sion to study art. art classes they want to of junior year, Huang went to her art studio stressful but I don’t remember being on the RISD’s summer program for interior design on her natural artistic skills, and want to take art classes at “Because most take because parents for one and a half hours each week. Now, she verge of having a breakdown or anything but does not see herself with a future career which prompted her to take school,” Vanry said. “At Sara- people around demand that they take uses the Adobe Suite software on her com- like that.” in the field. art classes and delve deep toga, we owe it to students me are STEM- more STEM classes. puter at home for her design projects, which This school year, Huang is taking Graph- “I studied interior design at RISD be- into the subject. Cur- to have these classes avail- oriented, I feel “As a parent, I do she generally finishes over a few weeks of ic Design at Mission College. As for her cause it was a possibility I was think- rently, Liu runs an art able to them, and I owe like I automati- understand this.” she on-and-off work. One of her recent designs Saratoga High schedule, Huang opted to ing about, but I don’t think I’m go- account on Instagram, it to them to make cer- cally can’t be said. “However, what is an album package using surrealist styles. take both AP Art History and AP Music ing to go into it,” Huang said. “It’s @ayunliu04, where she tain that they are well successful in life I have found over the Currently, Huang likes drawing, paint- Theory and she is working as a design editor more like a backup at this point.” posts her art and com- prepared for post without being a years is that it is im- ing, graphic design and especially charcoal on the yearbook staff, leaving no room for Still, Huang gained valuable in- long I can work when it comes to art,” she pletes anime-style com- secondary educa- STEM major,” Liu portant for students to work. She also harbors an interest in pho- any science classes in her schedule — a rare sights about herself from her intensive ex- said. “Even when I get tired, I work hard missions. tion in art.” said. “My parents find balance.” tography, but she has not officially “learned” choice at a STEM-leaning school. perience at RISD. and push myself because I genuinely enjoy Liu believes choosing Sophomore think that I can’t Vanry said art not photography and plans to keep it as a recre- Huang has wanted to learn art history for “I never realized how hard and how what I do.” u to focus on art is difficult Stone Motooka, financially sup- only improves stu- partly due to a lack of re- who plans to port myself with Courtesy of ANICA LIU dents’ chances of get- sources. major in de- just an art degree.” ting into colleges, but “Very few people consider sign, also be- Like Liu, many students majoring in art also it expresses emotions in a way that oth- NATURE-LOVING SOPHOMORE INCORPORATES HOMEMADE pursuing art in the long run, so lieves that a often have financial concerns, with many er forms of communication cannot. there are not many people to ask lack of pop- familiar to the term “starving artist.” Pub- “I was not as smart as everyone else and CLAY AND PIGMENTS INTO HER CERAMICS PIECES for advice,” Liu said. “I wish there ularity for lished on Artsedge, a program run by the was always distracted, but when I was intro- Tina Hu: art classes John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing duced to art, it just clicked for me,” Motooka were a variety of art programs be- BY VickyBai “I started to appreciate nature when I created. She took every project that I pre- cause it would really help art stu- results in an Arts, an article titled “Busted: The Myth said. “I used art as a medium to speak up & CiciXu was really little, but no one really taught me sented to the class to a higher level.” dents. We would be able to ex- underfund- of the Starving Artist,” covers a nationwide about something and portray my emotions. how to do art until the start of elementary In China, Hu used to make most of her periment with different styles ed art de- study of art graduates. Art left such an enormous impact on my life Water dripped down the leaves into a school, when four of the classes were taught artwork directly from nature; here in Sara- of art within the reach of our partment. The study, which was conducted with that I would not be the same person without mud-filled wooden basket that sophomore in nature,” Hu said. toga, this complex preparation process of own school.” “There more than 13,000 students across 40 states it.” u Tina Hu had dug with her own hands near In China, Hu took a variety of art classes, picking plants to create the exact color pig- Courtesy of SHANI CHIU a river in her hometown: Shenzhen, China. including ones in hand-crafts like ceramics, ment she wanted or to make clay herself She dipped her hands in- origami and wood carving. proved unnecessary because the art classes side the wooden basket, At home, Hu’s fam- provide all of the materials necessary for her SENIOR APPLIES TO COLLEGE AS ANIMATION scooped up a handful of ily is very supportive art. wet soil that had been of her passion for Hu also no- Tiffany Chen: MAJOR TO BROADEN ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE soaked in water for art, allowing her ticed that in days and placed it to spend hours Saratoga, each BY SelenaLiu each school requires a different number of art- mented with different things. Some artists, for on a table, waiting and hours creat- class focuses & KrithiSankar work pieces and some schools require pieces example, even used water bottles to paint. In for it to dry. ing art. Hu said on a specific specific to a certain major. general, there wasn’t really a category of artists; She then pressed that creativity, type of art, but Growing up, senior Tiffany Chen always “It’s definitely a learning process. Before it was just art.” and rubbed gently, imagination in China, stu- found one aspect of art especially compelling. submitting, you have to come up with differ- While she has participated in the school’s art molding the clay and happi- dents explore When she was young, she’d often ask her moth- ent ways to sell yourself to the colleges,” Chen program, Chen said she chose animation as her silhouette of an ness are valued different types er to draw pictures for her, and having come said. “You have to put your artwork in the right major mainly because her art teacher outside animal inspired by more than any- of art in differ- from a family of artists on her father’s side, she order and make sure to put the good ones first, of school, a former Disney character design those on her fam- thing else in ent classes in- saw art as a viable career option. With this ar- and then you have to give a description for your artist, inspired her to do so. She also attributes ily’s farm. her family. stead of focus- tistic influence and childhood passion in mind, ar t w or k t o o.” her decision to her participation in the school’s Hu’s unique “I’ve tried ing on a specific she began seriously contemplating a college Chen said that her best work was a piece Media Arts Program (MAP). MAP includes approach to art and explored a type. major in art — animation. for her Rhode Island School of Design port- more creative projects within a normal English involves working range of differ- “I was able to

folio, which required that she make a piece of and history curriculum that expose students to directly with natural Courtesy of TINA HU ent types of create whatever art out of a portion of the natural world. Chen multiple visual art skills, such as animation and elements. art styles type of project painted a chicken in her piece, video editing. “To me, art and na- to find out that popped up in “In MAP there was so much you surrounding it with eggshells “MAP had a big ture are always connected and intertwined what I truly enjoy the most,” Hu my mind, and the could think about for creativity, and small chicks. Then, she role in influencing in some way,” Hu said. said. specialized teacher painted a background collage my interest in art In soil art, a medium she discovered on- Hu’s love for art was inspired by her would help me de- so I was able to integrate art of magazines behind the chick- because in MAP line, she uses only soil as pigment to draw grandfather, also an artist. velop my ideas into into digital projects.” en. Chen said that her RISD there was so on a canvas. Hu has tried to create different “My grandpa does a variety of actual products,” piece conveys how civilization much you could pigments made of natural materials. hand crafts, and he often creates in- Hu said. “The class- SENIOR Tiffany Chen affects the freedom of animals think about for Besides soil, she also learned to create tricate designs that are used to deco- es were more open like chickens, and how rare it creativity, so I was pigments with various kinds of fruit. Hu’s rate my house,” Hu said. “I just want to each student’s is to find cage-free chickens in able to integrate art curiosity in making her own materials has to do the same thing and follow in individual inter- The application process for art and de- our modern world. into digital projects, allowed her to explore her home village and his footsteps because I feel like it’ll est.” sign majors involves crafting an art portfolio Chen has been creating her Courtesy of CSSSA.CA.GOV which was very inter- the mountains surrounding her in China. be fun and imaginative.” Although Hu throughout high school, meeting earlier dead- own selection of artwork since disciplinary,” Chen said. “Shenzhen, where I moved from two Hu is currently enrolled in Art has not decided lines for many schools and submitting their the beginning of junior year, after attending the Despite the opportunities that MAP has giv- years ago, is always raining, so the plants 2 and Ceramics 2. Even her teach- whether she portfolios on an entirely different platform. California State Summer School for the Arts en her, Chen feels that the high school commu- that grow there are mostly tropical, but ers notice her different approach will major in Chen is currently forming her art portfolios for (CSSSA), a month-long summer program de- nity is more geared toward math and science here in California, because it’s dry, there are compared to other students who art in college, art and design universities like Carnegie Mel- signed for students interested in multiple areas than toward art. She hopes that she can find many plants that I haven’t seen before,” Hu grew up in Saratoga. she will con- “I believe that it is not necessary to take lon University, Pratt Institute, ArtCenter Col- of visual art, including animation, dance, film, more art-focused opportunities and communi- said. “So my curiosity drives me to take in- “Tina is a very kind, quiet and tinue fulfill- art classes to continue being an artist be- lege of Design and the University of Southern music, theater and writing. ties in college. spirations from there.” humble student. Her voice comes ing her pas- cause sometimes you can just get inspira- California, to name a few. “Everyone at CSSSA was very unique and “I hope in university, I can broaden my per- Hu started exploring her passion for art through in her art,” art and ceramics sion for art tion from anything,” Hu said. “You can Chen notes that the art school college ap- original, which was mind-boggling,” Chen spective of art and meet even more artists like at a private elementary school in China at teacher Diana Vanry said. “I couldn’t throughout freestyle and express yourself however you plication process is “a lot to prepare for,” since said. “People had different interests and experi- me,” Chen said. u age 7. believe the quality of the pieces that she high school. u Courtesy of TINA HU choose to.” ALL PHOTOS FALCON // JUN LEE

epicpage.indd All Pages 12/10/19 3:38 PM The Saratoga Falcon The Saratoga Falcon 14 December 13, 2019 entertainment December 13, 2019 in-depth 15

REPORTERS RECALL THE BEST AND WORST PARTS OF POPULAR REALITY SHOWS

BY VickyBai The Saratoga High library, ar- have previously used just for and realize you’re not special in type of reading is not captured in & NicoleLu guably known as a social center books,” Thermond said. the way of those characters.” the NEA survey. In my opinion, ‘KUWTK’ full of unrelatable, where less and less students read, For teachers who grew up in While high school students this is a very narrow view of read- Two libraries, two vastly differ- seems to be a point of evidence for an age when tech devices such as may seem to read fewer books for i n g .” ent environments. the researchers’ findings. phones and laptops were not cen- pleasure because the demands on excessive drama and whining While the Saratoga Public Li- “I just don’t have time to read tral to the culture, seeing students their time, the school library is brary has a generally quiet and because of school and extracur- reading less has generated mixed not experiencing a decrease in the KARDASHIAN LIFESTYLE HIGHLIGHTS RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS: peaceful atmosphere, the high riculars,” junior Elyse Hulme said. emotions regarding the use of so- number of books checked for per- “We want to make sure school library is sometimes almost cial media. son enjoyment out just yet. Head students have the skills EXPENSIVE EARRINGS AND PETTY RELATIONSHIP COMPLAINTS the exact opposite. The bookstacks “Reading for me was such an librarian Kevin Heyman said the tucked into the left side of the important experience in so number of library books has been to be thoughtful and BY KevinSze television, we realized we didn’t begins to cry. room remain untouched, many ways,” Thermond more or less the same since he critical of media, not & AlexWang even have that cable channel. We both saw Humphries’ face By the numbers while more and more a closer look at print literature in decline said. “I am extremely at- started working at the school in just the written word.” Instead we went to Prime Vid- when this happened, and we students hurry to- tached to my printed 2012, with around 1,400 books to “Oh my god, I’m gonna cry! My eo, an on demand service that is laughed even harder because his ward the comput- books, and often just 2,200 in circulation a year. So far TEACHER Sarah Thermond diamond earrings! It’s not funny, developed and owned by Amazon. smile disappeared, replaced with ers and study In 2017, the average American spent more than picking up an old this year, the library has checked that’s literally $75,000!” On Prime Video, we could select an “Oh my God, I’ve messed up tables to finish 2 hours 45 minutes per day watching TV, 10 favorite gives me out 694 books. We couldn’t help but burst which episodes we wanted to buy. horribly” look. homework and times the amount of time devoted to reading a sense of com- However, Heyman acknowl- Both the English and Media out laughing at Kim Kardashian’s There were way too many sea- We stopped watching after this catch up with fort and peace edges the current circumstance Arts Program curriculums have whiny voice. Her then-boyfriend sons and episodes (17 and 247 one episode. It wasn’t really enjoy- friends dur- that I really regarding print books. addressed this shift away from basketball player Kris Humphries respectively) to watch, so we de- able. It was funny because of how ing tutori- can’t justify. I “People choose what to do with traditional print by reassessing had thrown her into a pool, and cided to Google the most popular silly the Kardashians acted, but it als. With so Nearly half of this generation’s 9-year-olds who read always felt that their time,” Heyman said. “Social curricular texts. In order to make somehow her diamond earrings ones and start there. almost felt like we were invading many library for fun had stopped reading by the age of 17 time I spent media consumes a good deal of the reading list more relevant to had fallen off. Season 6 Episode 12 is where their household and meddling in books left reading was some people’s days. These folks students’ lives, teachers have made If we were Kardashian, we we began. Titled “Trouble in Para- their personal business. untouched, worth it.” don’t have time to read.” an effort to include more modern would probably cry too. At the dise,” the episode took us through In addition, none of it was re- the problem Private industry spends $3.1 Billion annually to As home- Meanwhile, Mike Eitner, a texts in their curriculum, as well as same time, we would never be the Kardashian’s trip in Bora Bora. latable. All their problems were of how many bolster poor literacy skills of entry level workers work increases community librarian at Saratoga literature by female and non-white vain enough to wear anything The whole episode is them com- stupid, and they cried over noth- people actu- at each grade Library for almost three years, has authors. worth even close to $75,000 near plaining about how miserable ing. ally read arise. level, freshmen actually seen an increase of adult With this long-term curricu- any body of water. Also, we could their lives are because of their rela- Perhaps pretending to live in According who read for book checkouts in the past five lum change comes a big push to- never afford anything close to that tionship issues. They complain so a fantasy world in which you can to the Washing- 3,000 students with low to no pleasure some- years. ward media literacy as well. Ther- price. much, it’s like they don’t even real- afford earrings worth a luxury car ton Post, in 2015, literacy skills drop out of school times become soph- Eitner looks at reading from mond explains this advancement Twenty minutes earlier, we pre- ize they’re in beautiful Bora Bora is a great way to escape the mo- 43 percent of adults each day omores who struggle a broader perspective; although with the fact that even non-MAP pared some microwaveable pop- using $100 bills as tissue paper. notony of daily life. For us, it was read at least one work to find time for it. he wants people to read more, he English classes are incorporating corn and two Cokes and plopped The highlight of the show, and ridiculous. of literature in the pre- Statistics from The Washington Post “As of now, I don’t check acknowledges that reading takes the analysis of artwork, videos or down on Kevin’s couch to begin probably why it’s so popular, is In our opinion, the show is at vious year. This is the low- and electricliterature.com out physical books anymore,” forms that are not represented in songs as part of the literacy they’re our first episode of “Keeping Up Kim Kardashian’s “ugly cry.” best, a great way to learn about est percentage so far since the sophomore Selina Chen said. the NEA survey, trying to teach students. with the Kardashians.” After she loses her earrings — plastic surgery, binge drinking, National Education Association “Even if I read it’s mostly during which only reported “So many students are choos- The show airs on E!, a cable that we repeat, are worth $75,000 excessive whining and rampant (NEA) surveys started tracking “I also have books the summer and holidays, and I the percentage of ing to spend their free time with channel owned by NBCUniversal. — her smile immediately disap- materialism. We give it a generous reading and arts participation in to read for English, so I don’t get usually download books online.” adults who read that kind of media, and we want Since Kevin doesn’t watch much pears, and her face contorts as she 0.75/5. u 1982, when the literature reading time to read on my own. People Chen, an avid reader, used to at least one to make sure they have the skills rate was 57 percent. may also not want to go to the ef- read a book every two days last novel, poem or to be thoughtful and critical of it, These findings are also reflect- fort to buy a novel when they can summer. Despite wanting to play in the pre- not just of the written word,” Ther- ed in recent studies by research- find it online.” continue reading, the piling vious year. mond said. ers Jean Twenge, Gabrielle Martin The gradual but steady rise schoolwork and extracur- “All reading Despite the turn toward tech- and Brian Spitzberg of San Diego of technology has severely im- riculars have made it in- is good read- nology for literature consumption, State University. pacted the popularity of literature creasingly hard for her ing,” Eitner several students, even though they ‘The Bachelor’ is a RHOC: Wealthy through forms of media. to do so. said. “Peo- may not be able to read as much Although technology has af- Hulme has also ple read the as they did in younger grades, con- “When you get past a fected how students approach lit- struggled to find time news on their tinue to find ways to connect with mix of fun and trash women who shop erature, story-telling and enjoying for reading. phone. Thisprint books. certain age, you realize fiction have continued to grow, fu- “If I had time to, “I have a bunch of downloaded BY SofiaJones things more interesting. you’re not special like eled by entertainment such as me- I would probably book files sitting on my computer I don’t care if two contestants and fight 24/7 dia, art and movies. It is simply the read more,” Hulme desktop waiting to be read. I try Thirty women stand in rows, create fake drama in hopes of fur- Harry Potter or Percy medium of acquiring both fiction said. “I’m just su- to read as much as I can during waiting anxiously and praying that thering themselves along the show. Jackson.” and nonfiction that has shifted. per busy.” short gaps between activities BY AnjaliNuggehalli you can expect to see girls’ trips the bachelor will call their name I just hope they make it interest- from luxurious destinations such In response to the Washington Chen also and in the car,” Chen said. SOPHOMORE Selina Chen “I am always looking for so they can receive a rose and re- ing. One of the great things about First off, I’d like to point out as Cabo and Ireland. No matter Post survey, English and drama highlighted an interesting phe- ways to read more.” u main on the show. Getting a rose “The Bachelor” is that its mindless that I am aware that “Real House- where they are, drama is every- teacher Sarah Thermond believes that the results “speak to a change nomenon she opens up so many possibilities: content provides me with a break wives of Orange County” (RHOC) where. The show lacks a lot of Statistics published in the study in what kind of art and media discussed with stardom, the opportunity to be- from external stress. As long as is a trashy show. There’s nothing things, such as a comprehensive of “Trends in U.S. Adolescents’ people are consuming, rather than one of her come the next Bachelorette, gain- you treat the “reality” part of real- wholesome about tipsy women plot, but there’s never a shortage Media Use, 1976-2016” and re- an overall decline in interest in fic- friends. ing influencer status and possibly ity TV with discretion, you can sit throwing their wine glasses at each of screaming arguments and tears stated in the magazine The Con- tion.” “When you’re a husband. back and enjoy the constant dumb other because Kelly told Vicki that over literally nothing. versation, show that in 1980, 60 Thermond attributes thislittle, you believe “The Bachelor” is an ABC show drama. she looks like a pig. When I began to watch epi- percent of 12th graders said that change to the advancement of in the fantasies, and that has been running since 2002. It’s also a great show to watch However, there’s something to sodes consecutively, I got to know they had read a book, newspaper technology. you always want to be The premise of the show is that 30 with friends. Each new season is be said about the whole show be- the characters, and even formed ALL GRAPHICS BY NEETI BADVE women compete to win the hand like March Madness for people or magazine that was not assigned “These days, students can find told that you’re special ing so ridiculous that you can’t opinions about them. for school every day. By 2016, only a ton of content to enjoy on their like Percy Jackson and of one man through a series of who hate sports; scoreboards and help but excitedly wait for each For example, I know that Kelly one-on-one dates, trips and group bets can be made on which contes- 16 percent did — a huge drop, computers and phones, and even Harry Potter,” Chen weekly episode premiere (Tues- is always one to start trouble — even though the book, newspaper I find myself spending more time said. “But when you hangouts. tants might make it to the end. days at 8 p.m., FYI). she went to anger management While on the show, all of the I always discuss with a friend or magazine could be read on a reading articles and watching in- get past a certain year I first got hooked on RHOC classes a few years ago — and that digital device. formational videos that I might you just get tired women stay in the same house, which contestants I love or hate channel surfing on the TV in my although Tamara claims that she and although they cannot access after a new episode drops. With hotel room during a soccer trip. stays out of drama, she is the ulti- their phones or the internet, they constant backstabbing and dec- When I saw a bunch of women mate pot-stirrer. are provided with a LOT of alcohol larations of love, “The Bachelor” in awful hair extensions going on While RHOC isn’t a show that togatalks to keep things interesting. provides new things to discuss a Rodeo Drive shopping spree on makes you feel like an intellec- Many people fault the show for each week. Bravo TV, I was intrigued. They tual (in fact, you’ll probably lose What was “I just read “I read ‘The Kite “A few months ago being too fake and scripted; it can The show may not be the most appeared to have an infinite credit a few brain cells while watching the last book ‘Freakanomics’ by a Runner’ this I read ‘The White seem as if many of the women are intellectually stimulating one ever card limit and they engaged in re- it), it’s a fun show to watch when not looking for love, but rather for created, but at least you’ll feel bet- UChicago professor summer, but I Tiger’ by Aravind tail therapy every day. you’re looking for a few laughs and you read that about the American didn’t know we’d Adiga about India’s a chance to be famous. However, ter about your own love life — or Along with an incessant (and spicy drama. Just like most reality this does not detract from the val- lack thereof — after watching the wasn’t for economy.” read it in school.” class struggles.” u somewhat concerning) amount shows, however, watch RHOC at ue of the show. It actually makes hot mess unfold. of shopping from the RHOC cast, your own risk — it’s addictive. u school? junior Proby Shandilya sophomore Rashmi Edamula junior Nikhil Nair

GRAPHICS BY SANDHYA SUNDARAM AND SAMANTHA YEE

idpg15final.indd 1 12/10/19 1:20 PM The Saratoga Falcon The Saratoga Falcon 16 IN-DEPTH December 13, 2019 December 13, 2019 SPORTS 17 How useful are school subjects in real life? Wrestling practices to CURRENT STUDENTS AND ALUMNA REFLECT ON COURSE SELECTION AND APPLICABILITY OF CLASS MATERIAL tackle weakness in form

BY AariaThomas deep and see if you really like this ors and Sequential Math 1 teacher by filtering out non-APs and Hon- For senior Jason Hong, two ex- TEAM CONCENTRATES MORE ON DEVELOPING PROPER & JeanetteZhou and then you get to focus more on Savita Agrawal also thinks that ors first instead of looking at the tracurricular activities — History that,” Katiyar said. students should be well rounded subjects first,” Ye said. “In high Bowl and Quiz Bowl — have been BASIC TECHNIQUES RATHER THAN CONDITIONING Junior Irith Katiyar remembers Katiyar first discovered that he in the courses they take because school, it was more stacking up hugely influential. how he struggled to decipher the enjoyed computer science when math classes are important for classes that looked good for ap- “My favorite part of Quiz Bowl BY NicoleLu pared to last year, when conditioning was challenging language of William he was in middle school during STEM and humanities. She states plications. Both are motivations, and History Bowl is getting ex- & CiciXu the bigger focus. Shakespeare’s play “Julius Cae- a coding activity. When he got that although the math concepts but one is intrinsic and the other posed to and learning new things Senior varsity wrestler Nico Sabato said sar” in his English class last year. to high school and could choose may not always be applicable, the extrinsic.” in academic fields that I probably Connected to the side of the Large Gym the team didn’t always have proper form He had a hard time deci- what courses he would skills that are used to solve prob- According to registrar Robert wouldn’t have heard of otherwise,” and secluded from the center of the school and technique when they got into matches. phering the metaphors, take he began specializ- lems are. Wise, there are currently 1,428 Hong said. “It’s really important is the school’s wrestling room. A tattered “This year, we are starting off basically from similes and allusions ing his schedule to reflect enrollments of Saratoga High stu- for people of this day and age to poster hangs from the doorway, its bright scratch.” peppered throughout the his interest. dents in AP courses, which is sig- be educated about a variety of sub- colors advertising the open mat wrestling In order to continue facilitating this new passages. There may be evidence nificantly more than, according to jects so that we can make educated program. Loud music blasts from the speak- approach, coach Taylor Wilson is mak- “It’s more about how decisions.” ers behind the door where a select group of ing the veterans on the team work with the He also struggled to to support Katiyar’s posi- College Board, the California state FALCON // NICOLE LU see how understanding tion that students would you build strategies to average of about 214 enrollments Hong, who joined both History athletes train every weekday during the win- rookies so that they can get a good under- writing from 400 years do better if they focused per high school. Bowl and Quiz Bowl in his fresh- ter season. standing of the sport quickly, according to Junior Alexander Kim performs a maneuver on freshman Soham Bham during practice. ago would help him in his on subjects that interest solve problems and how Ye, who originally planned on man year, loved how he could an- senior wrestling captain Robbie Bilic. The team will wrestle next at the Webber Lawson Tournament on Dec. 14 at Fremont High. future career. them. you face challenges.” majoring in media studies, thinks swer questions with the trivia he The team’s first practice meet was held in Katiyar’s problems Ye According to a poll that if high school students spe- knew. “I am feeling pretty good for the Half Moon Bay High School have plenty of people.” tices with some warmdowns. seeing the relevance of 2018 alumna done by Gallup that cov- TEACHER Savita Agrawal cialize, they should know exactly “Even if I go into a STEM-relat- gym on Dec. 7 against a variety A typical practice lasts for around Despite the changing training schedule, some subjects are hardly ered over 500,000 stu- what their goal is and why they ed career, the information I learn the people that we have now, of different schools. Bilic placed two hours. Tippetts has confidence in their gradual im- new; students have com- dents in 1,700 schools, find it meaningful. in History Bowl will help me gain and I am hopeful for the 6th at 170lb, Sabato placed as a The team starts with a 20 minute provement. plained about subjects such as only 4 in 10 high school students “Unless you are going into ma- “I distinctly a better and bigger perspective of consolation prize B champion at warm-up before stretching in a circle “I am feeling pretty good for the people Latin and algebra for decades and say they feel engaged in school, chine learning or artificial intelli- remember talk- the world,” Hong said. “Depending younger kids.” 152lb and senior Kole Tippetts around the captains in the middle, that we have now, and I am hopeful for the also placed 8th at 152lb. who lead the team. younger kids,” Tippetts said. “It was really specialize their schedules to avoid which the article attributed to too gence, it’s not about knowing the ing to Mrs. on if I choose to major in STEM or SENIOR Kole Tippetts subjects they don’t like in favor of much of a focus on following cur- formulas and derivations because, Satake about History, the information could Though the newer wrestlers The team usually goes over some beneficial to have wrestlers who made it ones they see as more linked to riculum and not taking student nowadays, you can Google those switching out also translate into my major.” struggled in their matches, Bilic old moves first, then a new one or into who helped us a lot with our technique. their futures. interests into account. things,” Agrawal said. “It’s more of AP Phys- After being admitted to holds out hope for future tourna- Sabato different variations of an old one. Now, hopefully we can teach the younger In Katiyar’s case, STEM classes Junior Tiffany Huang has about how you approach the prob- ics and AP Berkeley, Ye found out that the The wrestling team is focusing on learn- ments, stating that he has “a good They practice drills and do some kids and have relatively good results this like PreCalculus Honors, AP Bi- also narrowed her lem, how you’re building strategies Computer media studies major she original- ing more basic techniques this year com- feeling about the team because we live sessions before ending the prac- y e ar.” u ology and AP Chemistry are the schedule to focus to solve the problem, how you face Science be- ly picked wasn’t what she was she ones that dominate his transcript. on fields she is challenges and how you keep try- cause I thought expected it would be, with more “I don’t think that English or interested in this ing and trying. I think all those I was sure that I of an emphasis on analyzing GIRLS’ SOCCER BOYS’ SOCCER history would have much of a ben- year. With AP Art skills really help you be successful would not do engi- media over creating it. efit for a STEM major,” Katiyar History, AP Music in any environment later in life.” neering,” Ye said. She ended up attending said. “I’m better at science than Theory and year- Class of 2018 alumna Elicia While Ye has an info session in the English or history, and I think book filling up her Ye, currently a computer science graduated high UC Berkeley Electrical Inexperienced team utilizes that I should take harder class- schedule, Huang is major at UC Berkeley, is applying school, she still Engineering Com- Key junior forward tears es in subjects I’m better at and taking no science the concepts she learned in high finds that in col- puter Science de- underclassmen technical skill that I’m interested in.” classes this year. school math to the field she went lege, the peer partment, and into. pressure of felt like it was ACL, out for season Katiyar plans to ma- “The most promi- BY AndrewLee the field is an obstacle that the team believes jor in computer science nent thing is that I don’t “I was pretty surprised that taking cer- something & JunLee it will struggle to overcome. tain classes, she could and minor in another have any time in my sched- Precalculus helps with my major,” BY AnjaliNuggehalli quicken her recovery. “I think that we are going to be physi- science, so he has cho- ule with seven courseload- Ye said. “Matrices, vectors, proba- whether they consider & KavitaSundaram “I’m doing a lot of quad strengthening Upon moving down to Division 2 this cally smaller and not be able to match the sen to double up on heavy classes,” Huang said. bility, polynomials and everything are helpful as a major. exercises because you’re supposed to lose year, the boys’ varsity soccer team hopes other teams in that sense—but in terms of his science courses, “But I’m also just not really I did in Mr. Yim’s class the entire or not, still “ E v e n With tryouts complete on Nov. 29, the 90 percent of your entire leg muscle after to recover by backing the unusually small skill, I think we will be just as good if not taking both AP interested in science because year is single-handedly saving me exists, al- though I girls’ soccer team is looking forward to an surgery,” Chaudhry said. “I’m just trying to amount of upperclassmen on the team with better,” Costello said. Chemistry and STEM is not something that I in the classes for my major.” though in a didn’t take AP exciting and eventful season. get back on the field as soon as possible.” technically-skilled sophomores. The team Because many players participate in club AP Biology would want to go into.” While Ye finds many of her slightly dif- CS in high school or have The team faced a daunting challenge Despite her injury, Chaudhry continues finished its first game with a 3-2 loss against soccer, such as those in West Valley, or Al- this year. Huang, who is consider- high school classes beneficial for ferent context. previous programming experi- this year, with the loss of two of their key to support both her club and high school Harker on Tuesday, Nov. 26. maden, they tend to have strong and ad- “If you ing a major in graphic design her classes at Berkeley, she be- “I still feel pressured to ences, I thought I would feel chal- center backs, alumna Sasha Pickard as well teammates. Although Chaudhry admits Almost half the team is comprised of vanced technique, Costello said. like these ar- or sound art, believes that stu- lieves high school students choose take classes that I’m not necessar- lenged academically and person- as junior Michelle Lim, who now plays for it’s hard to see her team play without her, sophomore athletes, which is unusual for a With only two seniors on the team, the eas that you’re dents should be well rounded; courses based on what they think ily interested in because either my ally in exploring the field,” Ye said. an outside team that doesn’t allow her to she refuses to let her injury drag her down. varsity team normally dominated by older, varsity head coach Chris Stott is planning specializing in, although she doesn’t take science will look best on their college ap- friends are taking them or they are “There is a part of me still wants play high school soccer. “I’ve accepted that it is what it is, and I more experienced players. Seniors winger on putting gym workout days for players to it’s good be- classes this year, she plans on tak- plications, rather than their per- supposedly useful for a sector in to be an investigative reporter, but However, the abundance of new, have to keep moving forward,” Chaudhry Brian Wu and striker Joe Bruun-Jensen are gain weight to compete against big-players cause you ing AP Physics next year. sonal interests. the industry or for a specific area college is a time to try out new experienced players compensated for the said. “I’m learning to appreciate my family the only seniors that remain this season. team in other schools. can dive Geometry, Precalculus Hon- “I think we choose our classes in research,” Ye said. things and push yourself.” u loss of these two key players. The team and friends, as well as all the opportunities Some of this year’s up and coming sopho- “The team has plenty of potential. We had 40 girls try out, and gained three key I’ve been given to recover.” mores are center back Aidan Costello, cen- have skills on our team and our team chem- additions: freshman Gabi Golko, freshman Meanwhile, the girls varsity soccer ter mid Etienne Casanova, goalkeeper Ma- istry is building up,” Brian said. “We still Aleks Verga and freshman Jalyn team is focusing on improving son Manzagol and midfielder Andy Kohl. struggle with games right now, but it’ll get Harrigan. their defense and building off last As a result of the team’s younger compo- better as the season moves on and we are Online courses gain popularity among students Along with this, returning year’s winning season. sition, the difference in physical presence on more familiar with each other.” u players sophomore Lauren “I think we can make CCS BY PrestonFu Along with retaking the first semester self, ‘I need to do this, so I’m going to do work she missed during her absence. Yarrington, senior Ananya again if we fix our defense because & KrithiSankar of Algebra 2, senior Ananya Krishnan is it.’” Although Hansen said she did not have Krishnan and senior Adrienne we still have really good offense taking AP World History online. Krishnan Senior Lauren Hansen found similar the greatest experience with online cours- Chan play important roles in the and an amazing goalie,” senior Recently, online school programs pro- has always had a passion for world history, benefits when she took a geometry course es, she acknowledges their impact on per- team and help the girls collectively outside forward Neda Riaziat said. vided by prestigious universities and for- and despite already having taken the online through K12, an organization sonal development, both in the classroom be more successful. With new key In addition to the strong profit education companies alike have SAT subject test, based in the East Coast, during her and in the long run. additions and returning players, Chaudhry offense and defense, the team grown in approval among undergradu- she is interested freshman year. Despite her “Despite not being able to ask anyone coach Ben Maxwell hopes for a built great connections from last ate university students, according to the in learning tendency to procras- for help, online classes really helped me favorable season. year, which will assist them in Babson Survey Education Group. This more. tinate because mature and solidify my understanding of However, the team was once more getting a head start for the season. past year, the number of higher education Krishnan of the block the material,” Hansen said. faced with a challenge when junior outside “Soccer helped me build connections students in the U.S. has increased by over has enjoyed schedule, Han- Another area that heavily uses online forward Leila Chaudhry tore her ACL and with people I wouldn’t have otherwise 330,000, or 5.6 percent, exceeding the in- her experi- sen was forced education is the school’s special educa- meniscus during a practice, sidelining her known, and I think that really helped our creases seen over the last three years. ence thus to improve her work tion program. Students have the chance for the season. team work better together,” sophomore This trend is also happening here; on- far, mainly habits, managing her to use Cyber High, which helps students “I went to go poke the ball, but I planted center mid Lauren Yarrington said. line courses account for nearly 10 percent because the time more efficiently so recover credits in order to graduate from my foot weirdly,” Chaudhry said. “I felt my The team will have its first game on Jan. of out-of-district classes taken by students, self-paced na- that she could submit all high school. Teachers Brian Elliott, Lauren whole right knee crack and couldn’t move 8. Until then, they are continuing to work according to registrar Robert Wise. ture of her class assignments by 12 a.m. Taylor, Clare Rieber and Danny Wallace at all.” on defense and on developing their style Online classes have also doubled in gives her some EST, or equivalently 9 p.m. are involved with its use. After getting an MRI, doctors told of playing, along with competing in pre- popularity among SHS students since the more breathing PST. “It’s a great tool for students because it Chaudhry that she tore her entire ACL. A season games. 2011-12 school year. room when she Hansen’s situation really benefits the ones that are struggling,” week after the diagnosis, Chaudhry had On Dec. 8, the team had its first This figure has grown on a national is having an ex- took a rough turn Wallace said. “The teachers have a lot of reconstructive surgery. preseason game against Burlingame scale as well. According to Education ceptionally busy when she control over it so it’s a lot easier for us too.” “I felt more excited than nervous high school, losing 1-0. The team played Week, K-12 students took a total of rough- day or week. Ad- suffered While there are many reasons students going into surgery,” Chaudhry said. “My Christopher on Dec. 11, Scotts Valley on ly 4.5 million supplemental online courses ditionally, Krish- a concus- take online courses, overall there is an up- surgeon’s done a lot of surgeries on my Dec. 13, and will play Prospect on Dec. 15. in the 2014-15 school year, compared to nan has been able to sion mid- ward trend in the number of students who teammates so he’s really highly regarded. I With the league season coming up in just 317,000 in 2002-03. develop personal mo- way through take online courses while also attending a just want to be independent again.” January, the team hopes to be competitive. While some Saratoga students choose tivation from taking these the volleyball season. traditional high school. Chaudhry will be on crutches for “We’re always swimming against the an online course to remediate a class pre- online courses. Consequently, she fell 23 assign- The projected number of online cours- three weeks after her surgery, which current because we don’t have as many viously taken or to fulfill a credit for grad- “Because it’s online, there’s no ments behind. Because she couldn’t talk to es taken by Saratoga High students for the happened on Dec. 5, and she will have players here as other schools have,” said uation such as Visual Performing Arts, one telling you a due date, so you have to the teacher face-to-face and explain her next couple of years range from 90 to 100 to wait six more weeks before being able Maxwell. “We’re playing some really others choose to take on additional work motivate yourself to do it,” Krishnan said. situation, she was forced to plow through online courses each year overall, according to drive or play any sort of non-contact strong schools in the top division, but if we in a subject of interest, Wise said. “It’s a good life skill to be able to tell your- all of the material, making up all of the to Wise. u soccer. Meanwhile, she is vigilant with manage to finish around the middle of the her physical therapy, knowing that it will pack we’ll have a great year.” u

ALL GRAPHICS BY CHRISTINE ZHANG The Saratoga Falcon The Saratoga Falcon 18 SPORTS December 13, 2019 December 13, 2019 SPORTS 19 Dancers struggle to juggle academics and practice Students connect to heritage through cultural sports

BY SerenaLi Hebbalae said. BY JeanetteZhou took a ballet class at age 4. Throughout her “Right now, in ‘Nutcracker’ season, my & CiciXu As a U.S. resident, Hebbalae sees the time at DAU, Shyh’s passion for dance grew whole schedule is really intense,” Chuang dance as a way to stay close to her culture. At age 3, senior Kaitlyn Thompson’s par- as she branched out to other styles. said. “For example, my Saturday schedule is “I started these dance lessons because ents placed her in a ballet and tap combo While Shyh joined the school’s dance 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. nonstop dancing. It’s re- With butterflies in her stomach, sopho- more Ishanya Hebbalae stood in front of the Bharatanatyam is very close to my culture as class at Atlas School of Dance after seeing team this year, she spent seven years as a ally hard to complete work because after bal- a South Indian,” Hebbalae said. “It’s a way to her natural affinity toward dance. Thomp- part of DAUPC, the competitive team for let I am physically and mentally exhausted, Cupertino Library with her Bharatanatyam dance group and tried to run through the keep connections.” son has been dancing ever since. Dance Academy USA, and struggled at but I still need to study and do homework.” However, Hebbalae expressed that there times to manage dance and schoolwork. Chuang began dancing at 7, but pro- dance one more time. The music started “I love that dance has become my cre- are challenges in practicing cultural dance “Especially since I go to Saratoga High, gressed quickly, going on pointe, changing playing, but Hebbalae suddenly forgot her ative and emotional outlet,” Thompson said. here. “If I’m having a bad day at school, it disap- the pressure and expectations are really her technique to balance on the tips of her part in the dance. People have trouble understanding the pears the moment I walk into the studio be- high,” Shyh said. “I’m the type of person toes instead of on the balls of her feet at 10. Hebbalae tried to calm herself and focus true meaning behind the dance. cause all that matters is right there in front who doesn’t like to fail at anything, which She takes level 8 classes, the most difficult on the music that was playing. As the song “The dance is very dignified, and it usu- of m e .” makes it really easy for me to burn out. classes offered at Los Gatos Ballet, with continued, she found her rhythm, finishing ally tells a story,” Hebbalae said. “There Additionally, as a captain of the school’s While school is my priority, dance is a re- mostly juniors and seniors. the classical Indian dance gracefully. aren’t many people who really understand dance team, Thompson dances from 2:30 ally close second, so it gets hard to choose While Chuang is a talented dancer, she Two weeks later, senior Prosper Chiu and can convey these correctly.” p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Thurs- between them.” doesn’t plan on pursuing it professionally, stood firmly on the mat alone, Hebbalae said that from learn- day throughout the year, performing with Although Shyh still acknowledges the and says that the most difficult thing she has swinging his broadswords with de- ing this dance, she learned a little the team at home football and basketball impact DAU has had on her dance career, faced in her dance career is prioritizing aca- termination. He struck his sword bit more about her culture and the Courtesy of ISHANYA HEBBALAE games and rallies. During competi- Shyh believes that it was the right demics over dance. in the air and finished his perfor- important musicians and writers of Sophomore Ishanya Hebbalae performs a traditional Bharantnatyam dance at the Cupertino tion season, the schedule gets more choice for her to join the school’s “Our teachers really want us to stay in the mance proudly. India. Library. Hebbalae began learning Bharatanatyam at age 5 to stay connected with her roots. intense with Saturday practices and dance team, which, though rig- studio and work harder for longer hours,” To many people around Similarly, influenced by his fam- full-day conventions. orous, requires fewer hours than Chuang said. “For me, it’s not physically Courtesy of BROOK CHUANG the world, these performances ily tradition, and wanting to con- was just waving around the bendy swords, “It’s definitely a team that you DAU. possible because school is still my number Sophomore Brook Chuang practices pointe as wouldn’t qualify as true sports. But they’re like ‘that’s kind of lame.’” have to love, and you have to love “I really enjoyed the focus on one priority, but many girls at my studio are she prepares for her dance studio’s production for people like Hebbalae and Chiu, nect with his roots, Chiu practices Chiu admits that despite the challenges what you are doing, or else there’s technique and movement at DAU,” not focusing on school, so it gets hard to of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker.” the definition of sports is broader, martial arts. “I learned a lot of discipline, Chiu he’s faced, martial arts makes him a more no way you could do it,” Thompson Shyh said. “Although on dance draw that line.” often representing family or cul- “My dad is really into Tai Chi, so since my coach is really strict. mature person, and he gives him life skill said. team we still work on technique, it’s Another former DAU dancer, 2018 Mon- “I never seriously thought dance could tural traditions. he wanted me to do some type of that he feels are useful. Chiu will continue Although Thompson is current- a lot more team based and it’s a lot ta Vista High School graduate Emily Lee, has be a potential career because I was sur- Cultural sports like martial arts in East cultural sport,” Chiu said. “This is like the If I was late, I would need to doing this sport in the future. ly on the school’s dance team, she Thompson more fun being involved in school chosen to pursue dance professionally. Lee rounded by people who were studying to Asia or Bharatanatyam dance in South India one Asian thing I do other than eating Asian do 100 push-ups.” has also danced for 13 years at Atlas activities and school spirit. Practic- currently attends a performing arts college go to schools like Harvard,” Lee said. “It was all date back to the Middle Ages. food and speaking to my parents.” “I learned a lot of discipline, since my School of Dance, during which she es are hard, but they are also so fun called Studio School that works with people really hard on my mental health until I real- Hebbalae started practicing the Chiu focuses on performance-based SENIOR Prosper Chiu coach is really strict,” Chiu said. ““If I was was on their competitive dance team until because everyone feels so comfortable with who want to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts ized I needed to let go of the judgement I Bharatanatyam dance when she was 5. martial arts — dual broadswords — rather late, I would need to do 100 pushups for eighth grade; however, she finds dance com- each other.” degree in dance, while also preparing them felt from others for wanting to be an artist.” Bharatanatyam is a style of dance predomi- than action Kung Fu. He has also per- t h at .” petitions more difficult now than when she Despite the difficulty Shyh says that she to work professionally in Los Angeles. Lee decided to become a professional nantly from the southern Tamil Nadu and formed in many stadiums for showcases “When people think of martial arts, Hebbalae and Chiu both feel a strong competed with Atlas. faces while balancing her schoolwork and She is part of the contemporary compa- dancer early in high school after working Karnataka regions of India. and endured many hardships from his end- they think of fighting people with weap- sense of pride in their own culture carried “High school dance competitions require her dance life, she believes that it is worth ny called CATASTROPHE! and has worked with many different mentors and choreog- “The dance is a forefront genre in India. less hours of practice. Like Hebbalae, one of ons and killing others,” Chiu said. “We do out by their traditional sports. It has religious themes, and it actually influ- the hardships for Chiu is that people have have weapons, mine is the sword. But when “No matter how far away you are,” Heb- more team unison, practice and cleanliness,” the struggle. with many prominent choreographers such raphers that showed her how happy people u Thompson said. “As you get older and better, Sophomore Brook Chuang has also had as Alexa Anderson and Brooke Lipton. can be when they are passionate about what enced many other classical dances in India,” a misconception about what martial arts is. my friends saw what I actually did, as if I balae said, “culture never dies.” so does your competition, and with every- difficulty balancing her dance and school Some of her most recent work includes they do. one being really good, the stakes are higher life; however, instead of one competition being cast for a piece showcased on “So You “I was so lucky to have gone to Dance and it requires more effort and dedication to season, Chuang has an intense schedule Think You Can Dance” and performing for Academy USA because it was always my place well at competitions.” year round, preparing for different shows. Madame Ghandi’s album release live show second, and sometimes my first, home,” Lee Sophomore Jordan Shyh is an assistant At Chuang’s studio, Los Gatos Ballet, she and her newest music video. said. “I am still in touch with my team back League-worst Warriors Badminton star hopes captain for the dance team. She also started currently dances about 24 hours a week pre- While Lee has found success with her home and the others who graduated my year her dance career at a Bay Area dance studio, paring for her role as Clara in holiday clas- pursuit of a dance career, it was difficult for as well. Although we live in different places Dance Academy USA (DAU), where she sic, “The Nutcracker.” her to initially choose to focus on dance. now, dance friends are forever friends.”u should tank and restart to reach Olympic level

Cauley-Stein. BY LihiShoshani month at a tournament in Mukilteo, U.S., BOYS’ BASKETBALL One All-Star appearance and approxi- & JoannZhang Mar played in the Harbour Pointe Open E-sze mately 280 NBA regular season game ap- Regional Championships, winning eight Learning football through pearances among the five players. To put In August, sophomore Adrian Mar out of 11 matches. money that in perspective, Curry has played 698 went to Russia to compete in the 2019 To further his skills, Mar travels to vari- Team rebuilds chemistry games over the course of his career. Badminton World Federation (BWF) ous parts of Asia, where badminton is a the fantasy league system Kevin Sze The rest of the season looks rather mis- World Junior Championships (WJC) in much more prevalent sport. While there, erable for the Warriors. Curry will be re- Kazan, Russia, after winning the regional he trains with international coaches. He BY JonathanLi despite the lack of experience and the loss BY JunLee However, with an increased workload OK, I was wrong. Very wrong. evaluated in the spring, but the team clearly trials in Livermore. enjoys practicing in different countries & ViraajReddi of seniors, the team will be successful due at the beginning of school, I wasn’t sure if I Four issues ago, I foolishly predicted the wasn’t the same even with Curry on the To earn a spot in the competition, play- because seeing other players helps him The NFL season was coming up as the could manage to continue playing fantasy to their players’ skills and work ethic. King Warriors would still make a run at the NBA floor. With five minutes left in the third quarter believes their dedication and frequent prac- ers had to win one of the three events — improve. In addition to coach-run prac- school year started, so I decided to make football because it required me to con- championship this year. If you’ve followed doubles, mixed and singles. tices, Mar conditions on his own time with a fantasy football league with friends and stantly follow my players’ stats and status. against rival Los Gatos last Friday at home, tices have accelerated their team chemistry. the NBA at all so far, you probably know the Falcons led 44-38 following a crossover “It’s definitely been a grind,” King said. Competing in doubles and mixed, Mar weightlifting. build my own team to compete until the For example, I had to add or drop players that this is looking about as likely as getting With injuries and lackluster advanced in the mixed event and made it The sport’s extreme commitment has end of the season — a glorious total of 17 if they were not cleared to play — usually 3-pointer from junior point guard Tyler “Practices have been around three hours struck by lightning. Chu. The crowd roared, but the lead didn’t every day and it’s been tiring, but we’ve defi- to finals. In both mixed and boys’ doubles, left Mar with less time to finish school weeks of regular season, the playoffs and due to injury, illness or personal issues. In the first possession of the 2019-2020 play from the Warriors, it’s Mar placed first with partners, respective- work; his hectic schedule occasion- the Super Bowl. As the school year progressed, I decid- last. The Falcons fell 63-58. nitely gotten a lot better.” season in the new Chase Center in San Fran- The leading scorers were Chu with 19 Bianzino also believes the team’s success clear that they won’t even ly, Mills High sophomores Kalea Sheung ally stresses him out. Mar practices three Fantasy football is a math-based ed to set the lineups every morn- cisco, point guard Stephen Curry launched a and Richard Wang. hours a day, not including conditioning, game. Competitors choose ing while I ate breakfast, so I points and senior forward Leo Cao and will come down to their mentality. 3-pointer from 40 feet. make the playoffs this year. junior guard Cameron King each with 14 Mar was younger than the other play- and tournaments outside of the state and team rosters by participat- didn’t have to follow the And completely airballed. ers at the WJC, and unfortunately country often cause him to miss ing in a pre-season draft. news; this way, I could points, but they lost primarily because they The shot was symbolic of the Warriors’ were outrebounded on both ends of the lost in the first round. school: for the WJC, Mar missed a Each week my friends focus on school and performance so far this year as they sit at a With injuries and astonishingly poor court, giving up 22 second-chance points. “Why not rebuild and “It was a great experience be- week of school to travel to Russia. and I fill out the “match still manage to regu- league-worst 5-20 record as of Dec. 9. play from the group of players who now Falcon coach Patrick Judge is trying to compete at the same time?” ing able to play against older His love for the sport, however, acquisitions” roster and late my roster well. Curry suffered a broken hand against wear the Warriors uniforms, it’s clear their players from around the world,” makes the sacrifice worth it. start players at the vari- In the beginning, find a winning formula as the preseason the surprisingly competent Phoenix Suns U SOPHOMORE best hope is to start gearing up for the ‘21- Mar said. “I love badminton because H progresses in December. Giulio Morini-Bianzino ous positions, doing our Z I didn’t really know team on Oct. 30. Power forward Draymond A ’22 season. After the WJC, Mar sparred each match is a new and fun ex- D Besides the loss to the Wildcats, the Fal- best to outsmart each other. N anything about fantasy Green missed multiple games with a finger A With that in mind, I’m rooting against with opponents for fun to make perience,” Mar said. “The com- M cons sustained two other losses: against Sil- To make it more fun, each of A football and football rules, injury in early November and has been deal- Y the Warriors. I’m hoping teams thrash them new friends and learn from high- munity is full of passionate bad- B ver Creek 66-55 on Nov. 27 and Branham “We had a practice recently, and we had a us threw in $5 each to contrib- IC but as my friends explained ing with a heel injury recently. Even their H night in and night out, and they end the level players. Next year, he hopes minton players who also want to P A 59-50 on Nov. 30. Upcoming games include talk about how we wanted to play more fun ute to the prize for the winner of R the rules to me and we watched best player, newly acquired All-Star guard G regular season with the worst record in the to do better at the WJC after Mar win, making the competition even the league. the games together by participating ones against Westmont on Dec. 11, Pioneer instead of trying to win,” Bianzino said. “We D’Angelo Russell has been sidelined by an- NBA and receive a lottery pick. more training harder.” My league included one quarterback, in multiple league competitions, fantasy on Dec. 14 and James Lick on Dec. 17. The want to get our spark back and just have fun kle and thumb injuries. With that pick, the Warriors can secure Mar first became interested in the sport Badminton has also connected Mar two running backs, two wide receivers, football has become a bonding factor for team’s preseason record stands at 0-3 as of with it.” In the 2018-2019 season, the Warriors a solid young player — ideally a big, as they when, at the age of 7, he tagged along with to friends around the world and within one tight end, one kicker, one defense and me and my friends through even the busi- Dec. 9. With the team’s tallest player being Bi- started the following lineup: point guard lack size. his mother to open gyms for fun. The school. When playing for the school team one FLEX, a player who can be any num- est times in junior year. “It’s obvious the biggest thing missing is anzino at 6’4,’’ the team is undersized com- Stephen Curry, shooting guard Klay Thomp- Another possibility for the Warriors is to game’s intensity and complexity intrigued last year, he played doubles with junior ber of multiple positions. So far, even though I started my record chemistry,” sophomore center Giulio Morini pared to most of the competition. Against son, small forward Kevin Durant, trade Russell before the trade deadline Mar, and he decided to pursue badminton Ryan Hsiao. The stats of my starting players on the as 0-2, I won three consecutive weekly Bianzino said. “We’ve never played together bigger teams, the Falcons compensate for power forward Draymond Green for a pick, a wing player, or a combina- competitively. “He was a great friend on and off the field contribute to their individual point matches because I traded running Chris- before, and that’s something we’ll have to their lack of height and size by playing fast and center Demarcus Cousins. tion of the two. “I love the competition, even if I lose,” court,” Hsiao said. “He always seemed re- totals for the week, and the point totals of tian McCaffrey for Saquon Barkley, who work on throughout the season.” and scoring in transition. Three MVP awards and 27 Russell’s skillset is largely redun- Mar said. ”It’s always a good experience to laxed, which helped us both play better, all players in my starting lineup are com- was ranked No. 16 on the NFL Top 100 With only six players having prior varsity “We play to our strengths, which are All-Star appearances split among dant to Curry, and starting Curry play against a skilled opponent.” since there was less pressure.” bined as a weekly score; if I have a higher Players of 2019 after a successful season as experience, the vast majority of the team is speed and shooting,” Bianzino said. “Instead the five players. facing tougher competition than they have of posting up, we’ll play a lot of fast breaks.” at the point guard and Russell at the After playing the sport for eight years, Mar will be playing for the school team score than my opponent, I win the game a rookie. It was a good move. In the 2019-2020 season, after shooting guard raises questions on the of that week. Now I’m in third place in my four-team in the past. Despite the improved competi- Though the team always aims to com- his competitive nature has paid off in suc- this year too, with Hsiao as his doubles Curry and Green’s injuries, the defensive side of the ball. cess in the sport. partner, and is hoping to have fun by help- Opponents can trade players, which division. To win make the playoffs, I need tion, junior guard Isaac Sun — in his first pete, Bianzino believes the year is a rebuild- Warriors started the fol- year on varsity — says the adjustment has ing effort. Given that the team has seven They still have formidable Last February, Mar competed in the ing his teammates get better throughout is also really fun but always leads to con- to be in the top two. As my future plan, I’m lowing lineup: point players in Curry, Thompson, troversy. Everytime my friends and I try in process with the great deal with trading been manageable. juniors and four underclassmen, Bianzino Northwest Open Regional Champion- the season. guard D’Angelo Rus- Green and Russell. If Curry ships with his usual tournament partners, Looking forward, Mar aims to one day to propose a trade, it takes a long time Aaron Jones for Lamar Jackson. “Everyone’s taller and stronger than on is confident the Falcons will begin winning sell, shooting guard JV, but our team practices so much that it again soon. and Thompson come back Monta Vista High junior Aaron Low and compete in the Olympics if he can contin- because we have to agree on who to give Getting Jackson on my team will defi- Jordan Poole, small from their injuries fully away and who to acquire. None of us play- nitely boost my QB scores on my overall doesn’t matter,” Sun said. “The competi- “It’s definitely a rebuilding year, but we’re Mission San Jose High sophomore Emily ue to improve his skills. forward Glenn Rob- recovered, this Warriors Han, winning 10 out of 11 matches. “I haven’t accomplished everything ers want to lose the trade and end up with weekly matches, and I’m betting I will be tion’s not bad. As long as we play within our still going to go for CCS,” Bianzino said. inson III, power for- coach’s system we’ll always win.” “Why not both rebuild and compete at the downturn might be short In August, he flew to Japan to compete I want to do yet,” Mar said. “There’s a lot a bad team that won’t make its way to the able to move up to the top teams in the di- ward Eric Paschall terms and they can make playoffs. vision. u Junior guard Cameron King noted that same time?” u in the Shonai Invitational, where he won more I can do in the sport, and it’s my big- and center Willie another run at a title. u all three matches. Later on, in that same gest passion.” u Courtesy of EAST BAY TIMES

pg18.indd 1 12/10/19 1:54 PM The Saratoga Falcon 20 BACKPAGE December 13, 2019 snapshots

FALCON // LIHI SHOSHANI FALCON // JUN LEE Senior Ananya Krishnan braces to get pied by US Government and MAP teacher Mike Davey during the Pielooza fundraiser on Dec. 4. The Symphonic band performs in the McAfee Theater during their Winter Concert on Dec. 5. Students visit the Letter Writing station during the Relay for Life event on Nov. 26. Event organizers raffled off AirPods, Beats headphones and Hydroflasks. Junior Jun Lee asks junior Katie Chen to “call [him] maybe” and be his date to the Winter Formal, which was held in the Large Gym on Dec. 7. TALISMAN // RANNA ZAHABI Courtesy of Jun Lee MODERN-DAY GULAG SANTA’S REGIME IS DE-ELFENIZING AND BRUTAL, BUT HOPE ABOUNDS AS AWARENESS SPREADS AND ATTITUDES CHANGE ACROSS THE WORLD

BY MathewLuo by the UN Commission on Human against Santa’s actions that day. Ever- Rights has found that Santa employs a green died a week later, purportedly There is one last robber baron in Gestapo, informants and Troll strike- falling out of a bobsled into an icy the North. He goes by Santa Claus, breakers. There’s no free speech at the crevasse. His seatbelt was found to be the King of Coal, Saint of Nicholas, North Pole. The sole newspaper, “The faulty. There were no eyewitnesses. Father of Christmas. He steals milk Naughty List,” is overseen by Mrs. But things are starting to change. and cookies, charms children, abuses Claus, Santa’s head of propaganda. Whistleblowers are beginning to turn elves and feasts on reindeer meat. Santa’s reindeer are worked to popular opinion against Santa, and Alabaster Snowball, Santa’s 139th death; Rudolph the Red Nosed Rein- children around the world are bravely Chief Operating Elf (COE) in the deer XVI collapsed from exhaustion starting to un-believe in Santa’s jolly foundry department, is one of several when hauling Santa back to the North facade. refugees from Santa’s Workshop. Pole after his triple bypass surgery. “Even small acts of defiance help,” Alabaster used to cast tin men Alabaster himself attempted in Alabaster said. “Santa’s allergic to pea- for little boys. He escaped from the vain to secure better conditions for nuts, so a kid two blocks down from Workshop almost 30 years ago in a his staff during his tenure as COE. where I live mixed some of his mom’s bobsled pulled by cats and fairies, “Once, I tried to get Pepper Pep- ‘Essence of Peanut’ perfume into San- surviving on a ration of gingerbread permint [an assistant foundry worker] ta’s milk last year.” and candy canes. He fled through the maternity leave so she could take care Even Mother Nature is helping Siberian tundra, drinking the snow he of her elflings,” Alabaster said. “The defy Santa by melting the polar ice melted with a stolen blowtorch, rush- Big Guy stomped down, gave a hearty caps. If worst comes to worst, Santa’s ing past the empty gulags and Soviet laugh, tore up her contract, confiscat- northern demesne will still be noth- work camps (which he said almost re- ed her earnings and deported her by ing but a giant puddle in 200 years. minded him of home). reindeer sled the next morning. She There is hope. Alabaster lives in Saratoga now. might’ve frozen to death if we didn’t History has proven that Santa’s re- Every Christmas Eve, he hides in his sneak her some Barbie Sweaters and gime can evolve. Only 800 years ago, basement, where his red-green fa- some extra-strength eggnog.” Santa was a brutal Mongolion War- tigues and little elf hat are still stored. lord who conquered half the North- His hair, once well-trimmed, is now a ern Hemisphere, dropping through mop of grey and white. He stands 4-3 “Santa’s heart is tent flaps to deliver miniature Geng- and speaks in a thick Irish accent two his Khans to children on Christmas octaves higher than the human vocal darker than the Eve. In 1400, Santa returned his con- register. coal in naughty quered lands upon the urgings of “Santa looks like any big jolly several European kings, becoming bloke,” Alabaster told me in hushed kids’ stockings.” a feudal lord and renaming himself tones over a Candy-cane Mocha at “The Saint of Nicholas.” In 1700, fol- Starbucks recently. “But really, he’s got REFUGEE Alabaster Snowball lowing the march of capitalism, Santa a heart darker than the coal in naugh- rebranded himself into the robber ty children’s stockings.” baron of today. While the rest of civilization has Worse, Santa’s many acts of cruelty Things are even changing in the climbed out of the pits of feudal- are varied and wanton. heart of Santa’s Workshop. The under- ism and slavery, Santa has continued On Christmas day in 1911, Santa ground resistance movement Elves to abuse the rights of his labor force invited Carnegie and Rockefeller to Live Free (ELF) is growing stronger through wage slavery and coercion. the North Pole to go muskox hunting. as elves garner more sympathy world- Elves, young and old, labor 80 Riding on Vanderbilt’s new steam lo- wide, and the Internet has helped hours a week, 52 weeks a year. Some comotives, black coal smoke pumping them disseminate their writings with make toys; some spy on kids; some into the white snow, wielding toy BB less fear of Santan oversight, deemed pamper Santa; some run operations guns and decorative sabers, the three “watchful and responsible care.” and management. Santa pays them mercilessly slaughtered over 2000 Alabaster himself belonged to the in IOU slips, which are redeemable muskoxen in a day the elves dubbed Maoist-Marxist faction of ELF before for candy canes and eggnog in Santa’s “The Massive Muskox Massacre.” fleeing the Workshop. retail store — Elves, Shelves and Jolly Alabaster’s great-grandpa Bushy “Elves of the world, unite!” Alabas- Consumables. Evergreen was outed in “The Naughty ter shouted, quoting Marx. “We have A recent exposé secretly funded List” as a dissenter after he spoke out nothing to lose but our chains!” u ALL GRAPHICS BY HOWARD TANG AND JOANN ZHANG