INSIDE: Archbishop Mittyʼs Drug Policy Debated (see page 2) Serving the Archbishop Mitty Community Volume 21 Number 2 December 2011 Mitty’s Impact on Capitol Hill By Sruthi Ramaswami & Gwen Holst After presenting at Georgetown University, the News Editors students demonstrated their passion and hard work at ve legislative meetings with many members Working for the bene t of the common good. of the legislative staff, including Congresswoman Giving the oppressed a voice in society. Making Anna Eshoo’s legislative assistant Blake Hulnick, the world a better place. These are all lofty ideals Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s legislative assistant on which Archbishop Mitty High School’s Mitty David Shahoulian, Congressman Mike Honda’s leg- Advocacy Project (MAP) is founded. What began as islative assistant Mark Nakamoto, Senator Dianne an annual day-trip to Sacramento for Catholic Lobby Feinstein’s legislative assistant Christine Epres, Day, an event organized by the California Catholic and Senator Barbara Boxer’s legislative assistant Conference, has become a campus presence, calling Denise Braemer. forth students from all grades who are passionate Every year, MAP students choose four state and about leadership, government, and service in the four federal bill of importance through a democratic 21st century. process. Students have the opportunity to propose The 2010-2011 school year was key to the or- ideas that are gradually narrowed down through ganization’s growth, and left MAP with two major voting. This year, the federal bills that Mitty stu- accomplishments: meeting with several of the na- dents focused on were S.1060, S.411, H.R.806 tion’s leaders in Washington DC through the Ignatian (improving conditions for returning and homeless Solidarity Network (ISN) conference at Georgetown veterans); S.598 (human traf cking); H.R.2012 University and hosting an advocacy event in Cali- (foster care); and H.R.1820 (gang reduction). fornia’s own capital, Sacramento. Veterans’ affairs is an especially sensitive issue In partnership with the California Catholic Con- to the Mitty community. Archbishop Mitty alumna ference, MAP created Catholic Youth Advocacy Day Jennifer Jergens (Af erback, Class of 2010) sup- to promote advocacy among high school students. ported MAP’s efforts in this area, as her husband MAP spent months researching four bills on human Brian was severely injured on duty in Afghanistan. traf cking, food stamps, juvenile sentencing, and the She wrote an impassioned letter explaining her situ- DREAM Act, and preparing interactive workshops ation and provided photographs to bolster Mitty’s for the attendees. arguments. Preparation for the event involved compiling Efforts on this issue were especially rewarding talking points, creating a video on food stamps, and in the meeting with Senator Barbara Boxer’s of ce, building a curriculum with San Jose Police on human as her aide described the Senator’s proposal for a traf cking. On March 22, 2011, 160 high school $3.00 optional tax donation on this year’s tax form students attended these sessions, and went on to use that will bene t homeless veterans. The timeliness their lobbying skills in fty legislative meetings. Photo Courtesy of Mr. Accorsi of MAP’s meetings could not have been better, as Indeed, the students had an impact: Governor Brown Mitty Advocacy Project students last month in Washington DC. our students presented on this issue just days after just signed three of the four bills MAP lobbied. Veterans’ Day. Last year, MAP students made a lasting impression create a networking and advocacy day in [their] states... Mitty students came back from the trip with a new- at the 2010 ISN conference, and followed up with a simi- It’s a different, but tangible way that we can manifest that found appreciation of civic engagement. MAP moderator larly impressive showing at the nation’s capital this past love into action.” Her presentation served as the basis for Mr. Accorsi explains, “I’m so proud of each of our students, November 11-15. Sixteen students—seniors Gwen Holst, the rest of the day, with participants constantly referring especially some our youngest members. I’m not sure if Alisha Dua, Amanda Dillon, Megan Linney, Vince to Elise’s inspiring and motivational words. they fully realize the power of the meetings they were in. Kelsey, Taji Hutchins, Jay Serrano, Elise Sudlow, Tyler The day before, Mitty students conducted a workshop Standing outside a Senate of ce is the closest you can get VanValkenburg, Caroline Staudenraus, Grace Hase, titled, “From the Classroom to the Capital: Establishing to the White House. It’s about as high up as any lobbyist junior Stefan Vukicevic, sophomores Erika Kawaguchi, an Advocacy Program on Your Campus.” Seniors Alisha can get, and our students carried themselves with utmost Carlisle Micallef, Michele Garlit, and Katherine Kirst — Dua, Amanda Dillon, and Megan Linney were the key professionalism and con dence—like expert lobbyists.” and teachers Mr. Accorsi and Mrs. Walker embarked on presenters who facilitated and led this interactive session. Sophomore Carlisle Micallef remarks, “It was really a journey to expand the network of Catholic advocates. They challenged workshop participants to choose an liberating to communicate our concerns to politicians who Highlights of the trip included senior Elise Sudlow’s issue present in their communities, and create a six month can pass legislation. It felt like we were really making a main stage presentation on the formation of advocacy timeline that includes basic research and high-power difference; not just thinking about how to stop these issues, events in other states. Elise addressed over 2,000 college lobbying to establish permanent solutions to our local but actually making a change and informing politicians students and professionals at the Georgetown Confer- problems. As senior Caroline Staudenraus put it, “When about what we care about and want to change.” ence Center. She encouraged listeners to “hold whatever you take an issue from the ground up, and bring it to the For more information, go to www.mittyadvocacy. [they’re] in love with in [their] hearts, challenge [them- highest level it can reach, that’s more than just speaking wordpress.com or contact Sruthi Ramaswami, President selves] today to become advocates in [their] areas, and out about an issue. It’s genuine concern turned into action.” of MAP: [email protected]. Spreading Christmas By Katya Lohngoen ing the drive, having led it for the past two years. Staff Writer Although many students may have been unaware of this The reading of Christmas wishes at our annual charitable cause or simply thought, “I’ll just do it next year,” assembly is a season highlight for many Archbishop as they walked by the bins in the Counseling Department, it Mitty students, but for several teens and families in is continually important to recognize the incredible bene ts the Bay Area, gifts during the Christmas season are not of this drive to countless families. Every student is highly such a guarantee. As we celebrate the holiday season at encouraged to donate to this and other causes this Christmas school, our annual CSF/NHS Teens for Teens drive aims season. Desired items are typically indicated on wish lists to help underprivileged families and homeless teenagers. posted around campus. Mitty alumna Katherine Edgecumbe (Class of 2010) Sruthi Ramaswami states, “It’s disheartening to know that began Teens for Teens in 2006. Chaired by Mrs. Janie others can’t enjoy the holidays like we do, but with collective Falcone, Teens for Teens is an initiative run primarily by efforts, we can certainly change that.” the Counseling Department, under the jurisdiction of the Last year, Mitty donated over 5,000 dollars worth of gifts to National Honor Society (NHS) and the California Scholar- the Bill Wilson Center and Sacred Heart Community Services. ship Federation (CSF). With the expansion of this drive, let’s hope for another year of Senior Sruthi Ramaswami has also been active in organiz- continued success! OPINIONS Opposing Viewpoints: Mitty’s Drug Policy AN EFFECTIVE POLICY A SECOND CHANCE By Linda Nguyen much like parents, don’t just impose conse- By Ashley Rodarte abuse at our school. But most eighth graders Opinions Editor quences. They counsel, they educate, they Staff Writer have never had to face situations regarding Everyone at Mitty is certainly aware that encourage positive change—often working these in uences. a student who brings drugs on to campus will with students behind the scenes to help them Kicked out: a phrase we should not— In high school there are a number of be dismissed. avoid making really poor choices. but too often do—hear. pressures that come to every teenager— It does not matter who the student is, what If a student, for example, were to come In my four years of attending Mitty I pressures meaning school, friends, and year he or she is, or how involved he or she forward on his or her own accord with a per- have seen a number of my peers dismissed family life. All of these things are dif cult is at Mitty. The sonal substance because of drug-related issues. Many are to balance for a developing adolescent use and abuse abuse problem, and were my friends. who then can make critical, life-changing of substances he or she would Every time I have heard that one of my mistakes. such as alcohol This policy does act as be given support friends would be facing the Review Board, I I argue that we should give such stu- or drugs jeopar- “ and encourage- grew angry with those same friends. I would dents a second chance. Or that at least we dizes the safety an eff ective deterrent ment to change.