PonyExpressVolume 45, Number 1 • San Marin High • Novato, California • October 4, 2012

What’s Inside:The Divided States of Americapg. 3

Teachers Talk Technologypg. 5

Fall Play and Musical Previewpg. 9

There Goes My Schedule Conflicts bring students back to counseling office again and again As every student at San Marin knows, getting the correct schedule did not run smoothly this year. A week before school started, students got a call say-ing, “There is a conflict with your schedule.” After students got their schedules on the usual pick up day before school, every student was sent back to San Marin again to make sure all schedules were correct. Troubles with the scheduling software that arranges students into their classes left many students frus-trated and confused. Principal Littlefield said, “The problem was with the master schedule,” a program which organizes the students based on the classes they chose and what’s available. “It usually works automatically, but this year it just didn’t, causing a lot of confusion.” Counselor Mr. Hu agreed adding, “Over the years, we have added more AP courses and elective choices, which has made it hard for students to always get their perfect schedule without conflict. Those conflicts include students not getting all of their classes, having gaps in their schedule, or not get-ting their session choices, for example having second through sixth instead of one through five.” When asked how he thought the school handled the problems, senior Jason Shannon said, “I know a lot of people who were angry with the school, but they were able to solve

my issues relatively quickly, so in my case I am fine with it.” When asked if the students were properly notified, he said, “I do believe that the school could have notified the students earlier because they knew they were going to have trouble getting everyone their classes with the budget cuts this year.” Junior Rebecca Kates also agreed that the school could have contacted the students differently, saying they should have, “called the kids whose schedules got mixed up and not everyone, so it would be less hectic and we wouldn’t waste so much paper.” Senior Olivia Holmes however said,

Novato High School and its MSA program draw away approximately 230 students from the San Marin district every year, but San Marin has found a way to hopefully even the distribution. The school is hoping to establish a new program called S.T.E.M that begins next fall. S.T.E.M stands for Science, Technol-ogy, Engineering, and Mathematics, a nationwide program exercising students’ scientific abilities as it prepares them for college. S.T.E.M will begin with approxi-mately sixty freshmen who display strong interest and enthusiasm for science and math. The school’s committees have been meeting over the summer and into the school year, discussing ideas on the curriculum, requirements, and learning processes that will come with S.T.E.M. Students hoping to be accepted into S.T.E.M will be required to fill out an application. Each student will have to answer questions testing their level and abilities in the sciences, provide letters of recommendation from their science and math teachers, submit information from the school regarding their GPA, and complete a project. Mr. Littlefield explained the reasoning, saying, “A lot of times, students apply for these types of things and it’s really the parents who are excited. Through a project, we get to see if the student is really the one who wants to be in the program.” In Fall 2013, only incoming freshmen will be able to ap-ply, but the program may later expand to other grade levels. Being in the S.T.E.M. program and attending San Marin is like being in MSA. and attending Novato High School. The student enrolled in the S.T.E.M pro-gram will also attend the required classes at San Marin. Instead of taking Earth Science, Biology, or Chemistry, students will take an integrated science class that combines requirements from all the sci-ence classes into one course as well as a specialized course relating to math, sci-ence, technology, or engineering. For some the more specialized courses, new teachers will need to be brought in, but the rest of the classes will be taught by the school’s current science and math teachers. The curriculum will

STEM Takes Rootby Niko Walas

by Julia Raven

5.3 million. That’s the number of xerox copies that the San Marin administration has made in the last 3 years. It costs $17,000 dollars to rent a copy machine, and with a school budget that is 10% less than last year’s, teachers can’t replace out-of-date textbooks. Instead of putting up with the ragged books, Geography and Social Studies teacher Mr. Lacy is introducing iPads to his freshman geography class.

However a big question arises. How was the school able to purchase 40 iPads, when books can’t even be replaced? “The purchase of the iPads came from several sources, including technology money earned through the Chili Cook-Off, PTA donations, and other donations from those interested in increasing technology at San Marin,” said Mr. Littlefield.

With the versatile iPad, Mr. Lacy will replace the usage of textbooks in his classes, making learning about geography a more interactive experience. “With the iPads, students can use Google Earth, Google Maps, and certain apps that will promote a fun learning environment. The textbooks are old, and the idea of

bringing technology into the classroom resolves this problem.” Students are excited about it as well; freshman Therese Cullen said, “The iPads are easier to use and nicer than the book. Still, it can be distracting.” Mr. Lacy is aware how the iPads can be a distraction saying, “Trust and rules need to be established to make sure that students aren’t going off topic, but there will be time to use certain apps to replace the want to go online or play games.” Basically the iPads will not only be used to enlighten students about geography, but also will help to

appease the urge to go on Facebook or play on your iPhone during class. Most teachers try to ban technology from the recesses of their classroom, yet Mr. Lacy and Mr. Littlefield are embracing it. Mr. Littlefield said, “I hope that the iPads as well as other technology will be used to reduce the cost of copying paper. More importantly, the technology can be used as an instructional tool to improve student achievement.”

As early as the spring semester, Mr. Lacy would like to

stop using paper in all of his classes. Instead of turning in paper assignments students would e-mail them to him. He would also look into making special accounts or websites for his students, revealing other aspects that the Internet has to offer. Geography student Manny LaCarruba said, “That no paper goal would be pretty cool; it definitely would be much easier because I lose stuff like handouts a lot.”

Even though this goal seems bold, it is a great idea for getting rid of old textbooks, and is a glimpse into the future of how classrooms will look in the years to come.

iGeography: iPads replace outdated textbooksby Katherine Minkiewicz

See “SCHEDULE” on page 2...

See “STEM” on page 2...

Photo by Camille Pflugradt

Mr. Hu tears his hair out as students complain about the numerous schedule mishaps.

Photo by Camille Pflugradt

Students in Mr. Lacy’s class use technol-ogy to learn about the world.

Homecoming Edition

NEWSOctober 4, 2012 • Page 2Pony Express

Pony Express Staff

Editors-in-Chief Julia Raven and Laura Darken

News Editor Sumaiya MubarackFeatures Editor Lauren BollingerOpinion Editor Nidhi MamidiCenter Spread Editors Laura Darken and Julia RavenArts Editors Amanda Cardy and Jackson GroverSports Editor Rachel DeFilippisBack Page Editor Lauren O’BrienCopy Editor Katherine MinkiewiczAdvertising Managers Julia Raven, Liam Hoefer, and Garrett SutherlandCirculation Manager Natalie Dybeck Advisor Scott MacLeodPrincipal Adam Littlefield

ReportersNelly Almeida, Chloe Cheng, Angela Ding, Garbo Gan, Camille Pflugradt, Paige Taul,

Niko Walas, Nicole Zona

The Pony Express is published byt the journalism class at San Marin High School. The Pony Express seeks to provide a public forum for student expression and encourages letters to the editors. No unsigned letters will be accepted; however the author’s name will be withheld upon request.

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Choosing an elective used to mean deciding between an art or music class, but now San Marin has grown to offer over 20 university approved class-es, all cohesively bundled together into one smARTt program, San Marin Arts and Technical Arts. Started last year by drama and technical theatre teacher Ms. Kislingbury, this new program has been working to get its name out there. “The goal of smARTt was to creatively group all of our talent at San Marin in a way that we could all work together to ben-efit one another,” said Ms. Kislingbury, “and so far I think we’ve been well re-ceived.” Next semester, art teacher Ms. Fisher will be teaching theatre technol-ogy students painting techniques to use for designing sets, and they will also be collaborating with advanced drama stu-dents to produce a movie from start to finish. “We are lucky to have such a di-verse and dedicated group of students

to serve as examples for our incoming middle schoolers,” said Ms. Kisling-bury, “and we’ve even added some new teachers: Mr. Busselman for Creative Writing, Ms. McIvor for Music, and stu-dent teacher Ms. Palmer.” Junior Katja Vuksanovic is excited that San Marin is offering an innovative approach to art. “I’m glad that we are finding ways to take advantage of all our talent here,” she said. smARTt Shadow Day, sched-uled for Wednesday October 24th, will be an opportunity for incoming fresh-men interested in being a part of the San Main art program to get a taste of all the talent on campus. There is also a Dine and Donate on Thursday No-vember 8th at the Mandarin Restaurant in The Days Inn Hotel that will feature live music from the Role Models. The smARTt program is already busy pre-paring for a successful year ahead.

smARTt Gets Smarterby Laura Darken

Ushering in New Faculty As the new school year starts,

San Marin welcomes new teachers and faculty. Our new Assistant Principal, Julia Kempkey, was formerly the Assistant Principal at Novato High School. As a former teacher at Technology High School, Ms. Kempkey looks forward to San Marin’s new STEM program and is here to “support the students and teachers in any way.”

Ms. Contini, a new Spanish teacher, worked at San Rafael High School as their Bilingual Community Liaison for four years. “I feel like I am fitting in well at SMHS.” She looks forward to a great year. Ms. Contini believes in creating a safe and comfortable environment in the classroom and says she “enjoys teaching and learning from my high school students.”

Ms. Greene, the newest member of the English department, teaches freshmen and sophomore English classes. Originally from Orange County, Ms. Greene loves working at a school surrounded by nature.

Ms. McIvor, the new music teacher, had worked at Hill Middle School for fourteen years before it

closed. She is excited to teach more challenging music and work with more advanced musicians. Ms. McIvor says she is “thoroughly enjoying my experience with the students here.”

Mr. McDowell, San Marin’s new technician, came from Napa New Technology High School. He is excited that San Marin is taking the “right steps for educational technology advancement in the classroom.” McDowell says he loves working at San Marin so far and that the great staff and students “make my job very easy.” McDowell is also the coach of Redwood Girls’ Water Polo team, but even though he now works at San Marin, there are “no hard feelings.”

The new Special Education teacher, Ms. Gryguc, came from the Stockton Unified School District. Gryguc has been enjoying her time at San Marin saying that, “the staff has been very welcoming.” The Special Education department has another new teacher this year, Mr. Dal Poggetto. Some other new teachers are Plus Program’s Mr. Lewis and Mr. Chole, a part time teacher who teaches Health and P.E.

“STEM” continued...revolve around limited homework and in-class projects, which will be com-pleted in groups of three to four students. Projects pro-vide real-life applications. Science teacher, and head director of the S.T.E.M curriculum, Mr. Williams says, “Project based means that learning will be linked to hands on projects creat-ing or demonstrating some of the things we're learning about. ” Mr. Littlefield is very excited to see this pro-gram come together. “I believe that the S.T.E.M program will provide stu-dents with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience in sci-ence, technology, math, and engineering through project-based learning.” Incoming freshmen also show an interest. Current 7th grader, Conrad Walas says, “I like this program because I feel like it would look good on my col-lege applications.” Many people are curious to

know how smARTt and S.T.E.M. will interact. San Marin’s drama teacher, Ms. K, and art teacher, Ms. Fischer are pushing for S.T.E.A.M, in which the arts are incorpo-rated. Ms. K says, “I think it should be a part of it. It would be crazy if we didn’t! We should be celebrating both parts of the brain.” Whether the school chooses to combine smARTt and S.T.E.M or not, resources are abundant for students serious about attending college.

by Nidhi Mamidi

Illustration by Angela Ding

STEM is breaking new ground at San Marin.

“SCHEDULE” continued“I think that calling all students back was a safe way of making sure no one was uninformed.” Still, Holmes also agreed that the students should have been asked earlier, saying, “If I were transferred into an AP class that had summer homework and the teacher wouldn’t be willing to give me extra time to make it up I would have been frustrated.” Mr. Hu said the main problem was that “many students were upset because it’s the beginning of school and they just wanted it to be settled. The main problem was students not being able to get their one through sixth or two through seventh schedule.” He also said the main problem for seniors was that “they would decide between one through five or AP/College prep courses, they ended up usually dropping the courses which we would not advise them to do.” The school also tried to keep seniors at school after lunch by placing some primarily senior classes during sixth period. Mr. Hu said, “Se

niors have more choices, better access to AP courses and electives, yet they only want to take one through five.” Rebecca Kates felt that trying to stop this senior trend wasn’t a good idea and says, “I don’t think they should stop it; it’s their last year of school and they should be allowed to pick their own schedules.” All San Marin students had to fix their schedules at least once and many had multiple necessary changes. Mr. Hu said that, “While it was chaotic at first, it all worked out well and prob-lems stopped after the first ten days after getting their schedules.” Many stu-dents were angry about not getting their first choice in classes, and others simply wanted to take only a certain amount of classes, which forced the counseling of-fice to shuffle students and try to make sure that everyone got into the classes they wanted. Though there were many differing opinions on how the schedule conflicts should have been handled, everyone hopes it won’t happen again.

OpinionOctober 4, 2012 • Page 3Pony Express

From the time we enter elementary school, we are told to pledge allegiance to “one nation” that is “indivisible.” Our money is stamped with the Latin phrase “E pluribus unum,” or “out of many, one.” Even the very name of our country suggests our unity as a nation. Nonetheless, there is an emerging affliction that threatens to forever destroy this union. It’s one, that if we fail to cure in its early stages, will be incurably fatal to our country’s future: the division between Democrats and Republicans. Though partisan animosity has been smoldering since antiquity, the competitive nature of the 2012 Presidential Election has undoubtedly rekindled this hatred. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, our political system has become “more polarized than at any point in recent history.” This assessment alludes to an underlying political trend: the growth of hyper-partisanship, which is described as “a sharply polarized situation in which political parties are in fierce disagreement with each other.” While disagreement is a natural result of conflicting political beliefs, when carried to extremes, it causes enormous problems in a democracy. Political philosopher Edmund Burke once said “All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise.” San Marin’s AP U.S. History teacher, Mr. Obstarczyk, agrees, saying “That’s how an effective government works; you meet in the middle.” Unfortunately in modern times, our political system has lost the ability to cooperate, a virtue that is absolutely vital for progress. To some, compromise represents weakness or a lack of conviction in one’s beliefs. However, sophomore Raana Mohyee says that, “There’s a big difference between being a pushover and being willing to compromise.” By encouraging ideological crusades rather than pragmatic discussion, our inability to cooperate affects nearly every issue imaginable, from our military policy in the Middle East, to immigration problems at our own border. Senior Jennifer Brodsky said that, “In general, people should try to be more respectful of other people’s political opinions, and maybe more open-minded, too.” Unfortunately, open-mindedness is a scarce virtue that would likely prevent the political paralysis that defines this age. While America loves to glorify the virtue of democracy in principle, in reality our very political system threatens that natural right. By dividing American politics into strictly Democratic or Republican, the two-party system limits the freedom of political expression and promotes political conformity. As said by Richard Gephardt of Missouri, the former Democratic leader in House of Representatives, “You are either in the blue team or the red team, and you never wander off.” However,

American politics is not simply black and white, or red and blue for the matter; it is composed of a spectrum of political beliefs. And currently, our political system fails to represent a large portion of Americans that fall in the middle of this spectrum. On a national level, a 2011 Gallup Poll concluded that 27% of Americans identify as Republicans, 31% as Democrats and an overwhelming 40% as Independents. Moreover, a political typology quiz conducted by Obstarczyk in his AP U.S. History class, reports overwhelming findings. “During the 6 years I’ve been doing the test, nearly 99% of tested students score as political moderates.” Such conclusions beg the question: If most Americans qualify as moderates, why is the American legislature dominated by Democratic and Republican politicians? While there are no clear answers, many attribute such hyper-partisanship

to the constant “us versus them” mentality that plagues the American public. We’ve all seen them: the Tea Party posters that proclaim “Liberalism is a mental disorder,” to the liberal protest signs that warn that “Friends don’t let friends vote Republican.” We’ve perhaps even said them ourselves. Junior Ben Rasmussen urges against the aforesaid mindset. “While I personally sway more Republican, I will definitely listen to liberals and people with opposing beliefs. It’s ridiculous how some people dismiss others as ‘less American’ because they may have different political opinions.” Rasmussen’s thoughts allude to an underlying trend: the prejudice against people from opposing parties. Accentuated during tense election years, this notion mandates that

a different political affiliation is representative of fundamentally different values. Described as the “new bigotry” by a June 2012 CNN article, this party-first mentality encourages name-calling and oversimplifies beliefs to a one word label. According to sophomore Raana Mohyee, “It should be a person’s ideas that matters, rather than their political label.” Nonetheless, Obstarczyk says that “Politics has always been ugly. It always will be ugly. But once the election is over, we need to realize that we are all stuck in this boat together.” Amidst all the posters, bumper stickers, and rallies, we forget the simple truth: that whether you are labeled Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, we are all Americans. Changing the culture of hyper-partisanship will take time; it requires that that shift political discourse from “Us versus Them” to “We the People.” It necessitates that we end this cycle of dysfunction by changing our political system from one that values point-scoring to one that cherishes problem-solving. And above all, it demands that we stop fighting and start fixing our fragmented nation. After all, our problems are bigger than politics itself and it is up to all of us, whether you are Democrat or Republican, to find a solution.

The Divided States: Democracy’s perpetual dilemmaby Lauren Bollinger

She was accepted into MIT at age 14. He built a nuclear fusion reactor at age 14. These individuals, Laura Deming and Taylor Wilson, are both winners of the Thiel Fellowship, a program created by Peter Thiel that awards $100,000 to students to pursue their goals of building companies, furthering research, or generally changing the world through their groundbreaking ideas. But to do so, the Thiel Fellows had to drop out of college. Thiel said, “Education may be the only thing people still believe in in the United States. To question education is really dangerous. It is the absolute taboo. It’s like telling the world there’s no Santa Claus.” The question of whether college is worth it or not is becoming a more common concern in the American psyche. The Thiel Fellowship questions the status quo by saying that experience can be a much better teacher for entrepreneurs than four years of structure and drudgery in college. Thiel found that student debt was often the greatest obstacle for some brilliant young minds, and wants to harness their energy and ideas while they’re still fresh and viable. The notion that college can be stifling towards innovation is groundbreaking and frightening, as many students spend their entire high school lives working towards making it into the college of their dreams, feverishly studying for AP exams and spending significant amounts of money on SAT prep, only to pay criminally high tuition rates that don’t guarantee success by any means. Student

debt, on average is around $25,000, and according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 54% of those under 25 with bachelor’s degrees were either jobless or underemployed last year. The numbers are frightening, and Thiel’s argument is valid, but I maintain that college is invaluable, regardless of how brilliant you are. The value of college is not simply an economic

consideration. As Mrs. Cunnie pointed out, the college experience provides much more than an academic education. “College is always worth it,” she said, “students will be able to compete and learn valuable life skills, like how to be independent.” Catapulting a student out of high school and into the real world can be a risky proposition, as college can serve as important training wheels. Suddenly we’ll have to do our own laundry and pay our own bills, and college can be slightly more forgiving when it comes to our inevitable

mistakes. The intellectual environment of college is also something rare; being surrounded by people with the drive and talent to make it into college can be mentally stimulating, and allows students to learn from those around them while flourishing as individuals. And as for the high cost of college, it may be expensive, but it’s an investment in one’s future that is worth every penny. The U.S. Department of Labor asserted that “Students who are first in their families to go to college end poverty in their lives forever,” and this is exhibited in the numbers. An educational study from Georgetown stated that on average, college graduates make a million dollars more over a career than those with only high school diplomas. Job opportunities are exponentially higher for those with a college degree in hand, because the job world hasn’t evolved as much as Thiel has. Employers are quick to underestimate if one doesn’t have a college degree, and though talent and intelligence are taken into account, that first impression can determine whether one gets a job or not. Thiel has noble intentions for the young minds he has collected, but college can only be an advantage for those like Deming and Wilson, who will then have an even higher chance of bringing their ideas to fruition. The knowledge as well as the life experience that come with college far outweigh the economic hardships, and the numbers show that in the long term, a degree can eventually pay for itself.

It Makes Cents: Why college pays off in the long runby Sumaiya Mubarack

“To question education is really dangerous. It is the absolute taboo. It’s like telling the world there’s no

Santa Claus.”

Illustration by Paige Taul

Hyper-partisanship tears apart our country.

FEATURESOctober 4, 2012 • Page 4Pony Express

You’re sitting in your chair, staring at a glaring computer screen, poring over college rankings and hysterically watching application deadlines grow ever closer. It’s college admissions season. Seniors nationwide are getting ready to apply to college. While the process can be demanding, knowing the myths relating to college may help you stay calm. Myth #1: College rankings are correct and reliable. “I’m not a fan of rankings. At the end of the day, publishers want to sell magazines – they are not interested in things like ‘fit’ or ‘match,’ which is what should be driving the college search,” said Mr. Hu, a counselor at San Marin. Students often use college rankings, like those found on US News and World Report (USNWR), to determine which colleges to apply to. Many of these students do not know that various colleges, such as Emory University and Claremont McKenna, have submitted false or inflated information in the past to raise their standings. Several do not understand how rankings are put together either. To create their rankings, the USNWR uses factors such as alumni donations and acceptance rate. Ophelia Pedersen, a freshman at UC Berkeley and part of San Marin’s Class of 2012, said, “Don’t put too much weight on rankings—what really defines your college experience will be the classes you take, the things you get involved in, and the people you meet.” Senior Ruthe Huang said, “Some of the best colleges are not very well-known; prestige does not necessarily mean the school will offer the best education for individual students.” It’s what you make of the college, not what the college makes of you. As Thomas Boeck, Class of 2012 and a freshman at UC Berkeley, said, “Honestly, if you’re a great fighter, you’re a great fighter. You can make stuff happen wherever you go.”

Myth #2: Colleges only want well-rounded students. What colleges really want are well-rounded classes. Many admissions officers look for well-lopsided students who excel at and demonstrate leadership in a few activities that are meaningful to him or her. Megan Caldwell, Class of 2012 and a freshman at Penn State, said, “Just do something you love to do and stick to it.” Mr. Hu said that as long as you enjoy what you are doing, “being the basketball captain, the student body president, or a Subway sandwich artist are

all equally valid ways to spend time outside of class.” Colleges sometimes accept those who do things just to look good, but in general, passion and depth is better than breadth.Myth #3: Universities are better than liberal arts colleges (LAC). Huang is a supporter of liberal arts schools because they have “smaller classes and more interaction with professors.” Several people believe that universities offer more resources and opportunities because of their graduate schools, but the truth is that these opportunities are mainly reserved for the graduate students. At liberal arts colleges, however, all opportunities are open to undergraduates. Another myth is that LACs are

not good for science, but in reality, they produce twice as many students who earn a PhD in science than other institutions. This is partly due to the fact that liberal arts colleges are smaller, which means more interaction with professors which equates to better letters of recommendations when you apply to graduate school. Mr. Hu said that while “universities may offer more resources in some areas, liberal arts colleges can offer a more personal, individualized education.” While the public may know more about universities, graduate schools know that liberal arts colleges produce just as good a student as universities do.Myth #4: You have to choose a major before you go to college. Many seniors are feeling the pressure to choose what they want to major in before they even get to college. Senior Kurt Neuweiler confesses, “I’m mostly just thinking about what I want to do with my life.” The good news is that 20-50% of new college students are undecided about their futures. Pedersen observed, “most colleges don’t require you to declare a major until the end of your second year, so you have time to take different classes and explore your interests.” Knowing the truths behind these myths will hopefully help lessen the amount of stress experienced when trying to choose a major or get into a highly ranked school. Janet Chong, Class of 2012 and a freshman at UC Berkeley, leaves us with one last piece of advice, saying that the “most important factor in choosing a college is … you! You should be the one that researches colleges; you should be the one that is motivated; you should be the one that decides what is important to you in a college. No one else! Not your parents, not your relatives, not your teachers, not your friends. This is your time!”

“Don’t put too much weight on rankings—what really defines your college experience will be the classes you take, the things you get involved in,

and the people you meet.”

Things to Know Before You Go: College myths exposedby Chloe Cheng

A Broad Study Abroad: Foreign exchange students arrive at San Marin

Student: Jonas WestphalHometown: Berlin, Germany

Grade: Junior

Biggest Difference from Home:“The biggest difference here is the space everywhere; in my hometown the houses and everything are all smaller with less space.”

Reason for being a Foreign-Exchange Student:“I’m interested in America, and things like the schooling here, how the people are here, and what the buildings and everything looks like here. I also wanted to improve my English and make many new experiences here!”

Student: Jonas DohrmannHometown: Passau, Germany

Grade: Junior

Biggest Difference from Home: “The weather here is completely different, and schools here are more outdoors instead of all the classes inside one building. At home there are no school sports teams.”

Reason for being a Foreign-Exchange Student:“I really wanted to see American schooling after I saw things like The OC and High School Musical, because it is so much different than school at home, and learn more about American culture.”

Student: Emma WesterlundHometown: Gothenburg, Sweden

Grade: Sophomore

Biggest Difference from Home:“The biggest difference is the concept of school. Here we have the same lessons every day, and so little time between lessons. Also the weather is great here!”

Reason for being a Foreign Exchange Student:“I wanted to see if going to high school actually was like high school in all the movies, and it is in many ways. I wanted to improve my English, and also get away from Sweden for a while.”

by Amanda Cardy Photos by Niko Walas

FEATURESOctober 4, 2012 • Page 5Pony Express

A lone, dark crow caws sharply and swoops overhead. The bleachers creak with anticipation and the glittering pom-poms rustle in the breeze. All eyes are fixed upon the hunched outlines of tense muscle. A drop of sweat sizzles on the roasted turf. The ball is snatched, and the game begins. Actually, the game began many years ago with the increased effort to boost school spirit. Rallies, clubs, spirit days and the like have been created. The Mustang logo has not lost its emphasis. In fact, it now sports restroom doors and garbage cans. Yet, the goal of becoming one united community still seems to be out of reach. In a recent online poll conducted on a sample of students, 92% rated the school spirit a three on a scale of one to four, one being very strong and four being very weak. Leadership teacher Mrs. Vogl says that she is “disappointed in San Marin’s school spirit” and that “we could do better.” Principal Mr. Littlefield reflects his views likewise. “I’d love to see activities such as bands or other performers share their talents at lunch on the stage in front of the Student Center. As a result, more seniors may stay on campus at lunch, an important contributor to school culture and spirit,” he says. School spirit can be increased through attendance, academic

achievement, and engagement in class, apart from athletic events. On the contrary, Megan Carter, a sophomore in Leadership, believes that the class has been successful in organizing school-related activities. Junior and former leadership student Rosanna Cypriano states, “I think we did a good

job. I mean, it’s the kids at our school that aren’t spirited.” Perhaps Leadership students have given their ultimate effort, but Mustangs lack an innate understanding of one another, because our idea of “school spirit” is limited to athletic rivalry and some events that Leadership organizes. At the rally, athletic groups are announced, and entertainments of curious sorts are brought to the student populace to spark excitement about upcoming events like games, dances, and barbecues. In commencement of the rally, the classes clap and

jeer at one another in escalating rigour. Apart from fire drills, the rally is the only assembly in which the whole school comes together face to face, but the idea of togetherness, if any, only extends so far to the boundary line of your class in uproar. When asked what “school spirit” is, many identified taking pride in being a Mustang as the

key. But what does it mean? The mustang is a wild creature of unique, unbroken spirit, but it crosses the plains in herds comprising of family units. If left on its own, it would be unable to seek out food, water, and shelter, vulnerable in the wake of nature’s apathy. The phrase “school spirit” has been tossed around so much on the game field that it has stuck to the athletic scoreboard like a Velcro ball, but lost its connection with the silent

classmate next to you in English. True unity exists only when it begins to grow from the fundamental roots of compassion, understanding, and responsibility to the community. Beyond the end zone, the ball lands in the eagerly outstretched hands. Seagulls cry proudly overhead. The cheerleaders scream and the spectators whistle. Away from the turf, around the corner of the gym, a girl has slipped down the slope, scattering her books in the dirt, and she is waiting, waiting for the invisible hand that will help her gather them up.

Empathy, Not Rivalry: Refocusing our lack of school spiritby Garbo Gan

Text to Tech: Teachers debate the change from pages to pixels

The mustang does not retain the vital nutrients of school spirit events.

Imagine, instead of having a backpack full of textbooks, students are reading off individual iPads in class, and instead of walking to the library or computer lab for research, students can do it anywhere. At San Marin, Principal Adam Littlefield wants to make this a reality. “Bringing iPads into the classrooms would be a very effective way to save money on always having to replace old and broken textbooks. Students would have the books on their iPads and could get new books as they go through high school without having to carry around textbooks.” Mr. Littlefield said. However, now the question isn’t just about money, but about teachers and whether or not they think it’s a good idea to incorporate iPads into their classrooms. Many teachers at San Marin are on board for incorporating technology in the classroom while some others don’t want to lose the value that books offer. Math teacher Mrs. Laabs already uses projections and the internet to teach her students “It’d be wonderful,” she said regarding each student having an iPad, “students could take immediate quizzes, have more access to research, and also see videos that will help them on the

subject.” However, she said there are some draw backs. “It would cause its own problems and distractions… the issue of monitoring to make sure that students are on task would be a problem. While playing hangman is no less distracting, there are just more ways in which students can become side tracked.” English teacher Mr. Bussleman has hopes that it could be a successful tool, but worries about it getting out of hand. “It offers potential, but can go either way. If it’s not managed and I don’t have a good grasp on how to use it, then it’s a distraction.” When asked what he thinks about iPads replacing books and textbooks, Mr. Bussleman said, “It always scares me when people talk about getting rid of books…books have been around for centuries and it’s very dramatic to say that we don’t need them anymore. They remind us to slow down.” History teacher Mr. Obstarczyk is very enthusiastic about having iPads in the classroom as well, “I’m fine with it; it’s the way of the future and can be used well or abused. It would be nice not to deal with textbooks anymore.” Though he can see the potential problems adding, “[It would be difficult] preventing

distractions and keeping the iPads from breaking.” English teacher Mrs. Smith, after just buying an iPad for herself, sees a valid argument for both sides stating that, “It’s a great idea. It would save the district tons of money and would help teach students how to research without having to go to the library or computer lab.” Mrs. Smith followed up by saying, “I can definitely see how it would be useful for history or geography that is always changing, but for English, I really don’t know.” While most of the teachers are either thrilled to have iPads in the classroom, or are at least accepting of the idea that this is the way the future is going, every single teacher asked still had reservations about whether or not it would truly work. The idea of having iPads available for every student in the classroom is new for San Marin even if it is the way the future is going. Whether or not the ability to research with ease in the classroom and cut down on textbook expenses outweighs the cost of the iPads and the possibility for students to get even more distracted, the teachers haven’t unanimously decided, but are able to see the benefit and the chaos of both sides.

by Julia Raven

Illustration by Garbo Gan

October 4, 2012 • Page 6Pony Express

The Ring Leaders: Travis Roberts and DemiRae Bacho are known by their peers as leaders in the class, seen by their reign in Leadership.

The Class Clowns: Donald Jaycox and Megan Franz are always making the class crack a smile by having the best witty remarks for every situation. Even Chuck Norris couldn’t do that.

The Lion Tamers: Chris Gorman and Casey Cunningham are the school’s lion tamers keeping calm in all situations and taking a lead in their classes.

The Strongmen: These athletes, Massimo Carderelli and Haley Blount, excel in sports making them a pair you don’t want to mess with.

The Magicians: Shay Stubblefield and Nicole Bloom always demonstrate their show stopping talent with their sports, great grades, and even better personalities.

The Soloist: Who says it takes two to tumble? Danielle Damico steals the show with a solo act and smiles even after the curtain goes down.

Candidate Carnival

October 4, 2012 • Page 7Pony Express

The Ring Leaders: Travis Roberts and DemiRae Bacho are known by their peers as leaders in the class, seen by their reign in Leadership.

The All Around Acrobats: Noah Everly and Jenna Wilkins prove that you can have it all by being flexible in school, sports, and the social life.

The Trapeze Artists: Brad Walchli and Grace Vavuris are the school’s trapeze artists trusting each other in Leadership and keeping their cool in sticky situations.

The Houdini’s: Danny Blackwell and Issie Barzakov are true examples of school spirit in their sports and by always being spotted in the cheering section

The Daredevils: Matt Blackwell and Megan Paddack are never afraid to step up to a challenge with that Mustang confidence.

The Fire Breathers: Ryan Schultz and Maria DeSalvo don’t settle for the easy way out by taking charge in their classes and making sure they stand out.

Candidate Carnival

ARTS and ENTERTAINMENTOctober 4, 2012 • Page 8 Pony Express

What’s on Your DVR?by Jackson Grover

Megan Paddack, Senior Paige McIntosh, Junior

Teen Mom

Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Law and Order: SVU

Blue Mountain State

Real World

Workaholics

Carly Hayes, Sophomore

Awkward Dance MomsPretty Little Liars

Cam Moylan, Freshman

Tosh.0Big Bang Theory

Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory

Drama Student Soars as a Senior

San Marin students share their favorite shows

by Julia Raven

Illustration by Ruthe Huang

From working her way up through drama in the last four years to becoming a Drama 4 Honors student and being an assistant director, senior Lindsey Zecherle has been chosen to be the drama standout for excelling throughout the year. When asked why she chose Zecherle to be the drama standout, drama teacher Linda Kislingbury said, “She’s always here, she’s loyal, and very clever when directing.” As an honors drama student, Zecherle gets to assist in directing a play during the school year. This year, Zecherle is directing the fall play, CSI: Neverland. When asked how she likes being an assistant director, Zecherle said, “Being an assistant director is a great experience. It’s really interesting to see a play being put on from the other side of the lights.” Kislingbury states that Zecherle is a good assistant director because “She’s always here at lunch and is very calm. She has grace under fire.” Kyra Nilsen, fellow drama student, also agrees that Zecherle is a great director by saying, “She’s not afraid to voice her opinion and suggest chages…she also doesn’t take advantage of her role of authority and is patient.” As assistant director, Zecherle is in charge of blocking the play, which means that she tells the actors where to stand throughout the different scenes, as well as making sure students know their lines and that they are all very organized. Besides being the assistant director, Lindsey Zecherle is also one of the top actresses in the class. Nilsen said she’s a good actress because she “has

so much experience and reacts off other people really well. She embodies each character she plays and draws in the audience.” Jack Tooley, another actor in the drama program, said that she is a good actress also because “she can become a different person while acting and embody a role.”

When asked if she wants to pursue theatre in college, Zecherle said, “Yes, I hope to be a theatre major at Indiana University next year. I honestly can’t picture myself doing anything else except double majoring in Theatre and International Studies. Acting is one of the best things in my life, it allows you to escape reality, travel back in time, and be someone else.” While in high school, Zecherle also has the big responsibility of being cheer captain. Kislingbury says, “I’m very proud of Lindsey, she isn’t only an assistant director, but she is the cheer captain which takes a lot of hard work to manage.” Zecherle said, “Being cheer captain and an assistant director for our fall play is a lot to handle, but luckily only one of my cheer practices

coincide with drama, and my coach lets me miss practice that day.” Throughout her four years of high school, Lindsey Zecherle has excelled in theatre at San Marin High School and will continue to excel into the future. When asked why she loves being in drama so much, Zecherle said, “Drama is like my home away from home. Our advanced class is like a family and nothing bad ever happens in drama.”

Photo by Julia Raven

Senior and drama student Lindsey Zecherle.

ARTS and ENTERTAINMENTOctober 4, 2012 • Page 9Pony Express

Don’t see Total Recall expecting a remake. The only things the original and this version share are the title and the most basic plot. The new version features Colin Farrell, as the main character Douglas Quaid, Kate Beckinsale as his wife Lorie, Jessica Biel as Melina, the girl of his dreams, and Bryan Cranston, as the evil all-powerful Chancellor Vilos Cohaagen. This story takes place on a post-nuclear war scarred Earth. Douglas Quaid, a factory worker, wants to take a vacation from his doldrum life. But because that’s not possible, he goes to Rekall, a company that specializes in creating vacation memories for bored people. But when the procedure starts, a malfunctions occurs and he finds himself thrust into a world of spies, cops, and rebels to discover a terrible secret about himself. A great feature of this movie is its computer graphics. Used in the exciting hover car scenes, the effects use immense detail paired with exciting music to draw you in. The fight choreography was intense. And the colorful

futuristic vibes of the club scenes added to the sci-fi feeling of the movie. A few weak points of the movie were the casting and the plot. Jessica Biel wasn’t convincing at showing any sadness in the scenes where she was supposed to be grief stricken about reconnecting with her rediscovered lover. But for the small scenes that did have it, it would have been nice if she put a little effort into it. Kate Beckinsale on the other hand, played her role with the fierceness that any one acting as a furious cop should. In comparison to the original, it lacks everyone’s favorite Governor Schwarzenegger and the whole trip to Mars. In terms of originality and creativity it’s not too far behind its predecessor., but there wasn’t much of a story behind all of the action. I would still recommend this movie, though, for anyone looking for a purely action-based movie. So, go see it. Before you forget.

After taking the place of the popular Cacti just eight months ago, Muscio’s Italian Restaurant has had to meet some high expectations, which they meet almost flawlessly. From service, to food, to pricing, this new restaurant is quite satisfying. Open for lunch and dinner, you can enjoy this restaurant any day of the week. At 1200 Grant Avenue, Muscio’s is a little too far for students to go to lunch, but it makes a great dinner option. It serves classic Italian food like pastas and pizzas at a moderate cost, of $5-$20. The waiting staff are extremely welcoming. The hostess or manager will open the door for you as they see you walk up the front steps, so as to greet you good evening, and thank you on your way out. Sometimes the service was a little slow even though the restaurant wasn’t crowded, but with the garlic focaccia bread, it is not much of a problem. The pizzas, pastas, and other entrees are also delicious as well. A cup of their minestrone soup , one of their specialties makes a flavorful starter, while being an inexpensive choice. There are delicious dinner options for less than fifteen dollars. Before it was a restaurant, the building was a church, giving the room a rustic and comfortable feel. With high, raftered ceilings, wrought iron chandeliers, and the photos on the wall of Italian landscapes, one feels as though they have been

sent to Italy. Although the lighting is a bit dark in some places, the ambiance of the whole restaurant is very pleasing. Generally, Muscio’s will impress you, with both the cuisine and the service.

Murders & Miracles: Fall play and musical previewby Angela Ding

Total Recall Revisitedby Paige Taul

Muscio’s Italian Restaurant Scores with Our Palates and Our Walletsby Lauren O’Brien

Photos by Niko Walas

Never Grows Up Becomes Never Shows UP: CSI Neverland Peter’s shadow is missing! Join Fairy Forensics Officers’ Murk and Tinker as they investigate the untimely death of Peter Pantaloon’s shadow. Who did it? Was it Brenda Brooks, the reserved librarian who hates fiction? Or maybe the infamous Captain Sharp? This comedic performance is sure to have its audience entangled in the twists and turns surrounding the mystery. Featuring a clever script, vibrant sets,

and lighthearted humor, it is certain to appeal to all ages. Director and teacher Linda Kislingbury is ecstatic as the play comes to life, “I’m really excited! Since we did a rather serious play last year, it’s nice to change it up with a fun and short comedy!” The adrenalin keeps pumping! San Marin’s Drama students are also completely immersed in the play. Junior, Louis Henry states, “I am so excited that I can’t keep in my expletives!” With its colorful cast and humorous plot, CSI: Neverland promises to be a show worth watching! Step into a world where classic

meets contemporary and where mystery becomes mayhem.

Godspell’s Godly Spell A marvelous merger of Biblical lessons and modern day chaos, Godspell is a musical certainly worth watching. Reminiscent of the parables of Matthew from the New Testament, Godspell serves as the offspring of Biblical retellings, teaching and spreading important lessons such as building community. Although it has been done before, Mrs. Gates states, “It’s always been one the

kids really like.” Her words hold true as junior, Jesse Northen, who has snatched the lead role of Jesus, exclaims, “It’s fantastic!” Featuring creative sets, vibrant casts, and tasteful music, Godspell will not disappoint! Join the San Marin Music Department for a memorable night full of witty allusions and sentimental excursions that promise a lighthearted beginning. Be sure to catch Godspell while it is playing during the following dates: October 18th at 7:30 pm, October 19th and 20th at 8 pm, and October 21st at 2 pm.

Above: Jennifer Brodsky leads cast of Godspell in rehearsal.Left: Carlie Thoma, Julia Raven, and Louis Henry practice a scene from CSI: Neverland.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

October 4, 2012 • Page 10SPORTS

Alison NiehGirls’ Varsity Golf

Junior

Coach Lacy: “Alison is a great kid and a great member of our team. Her presence fosters a lot of camaraderie on the team...not to mention her level of sportsmanship makes her a wonderful role model to her teammates.”Alison: “I’ve been playing since I was 6 years old. I’ve been involved for about 10 years, but I’ve only been playing in tournaments for 5 years. What motivates me is the desire to improve and maybe even try to get a golf scholarship. I love being able to play the sport with other girls my age who have the same interest and I like playing two matches each week where I can try to improve. My secret is practice, practice, practice, and I enjoy being able to have access to Indian Valley golf course to either go to the driving range or just to play a few holes. My other secret is taking lessons and having my dad always there to help.”

Nico PanelaVarsity Cross Country

Sophomore

Coach Vogl: “Nico is natural-born leader. He has such an air of maturity to him. I would say that as a relative newcomer to the sport, I’m surprised on how much he excels in competition. I would say that his secret to success would be his strong work ethic. He’s always enthusiastic to come to practice and improve his athletic abilities.”Nico: “The team environment is what originally attracted me to the sport. By the end of the season, you become friends with everyone on the team. I would say that the transition to cross country was one of the easiest. Running just came naturally to me.”Teammate Mikey Marthinson: “Nico is a ton of fun on the team, and he always tries hard. I think [his secret to success is that] he has a lot of natural talent. And he has a lot of people supporting him. I admire his ability to make everyone on the team love him.”

Rachel CantorGirls’ Varsity Tennis

Senior

Coach Ruth: “I love having Rachel on our team. She is a thoughtful, hardworking and generous person. She has a great sense of humor. When Rachel came to tennis, her skills were extremely limited. Unlike some of our natural athletes, Rachel has had to work hard for her success. She NEVER gives up, she ALWAYS plays every point both in practice and matches as hard as she can and she listens to her coaches. She has improved every year she has been on the team and while she still is playing in the same position, she is by far a much more skilled tennis player.”Rachel: “In seventh grade, my mom felt I should try tennis. I did a few clinics but I was never serious about tennis until my coach challenged me to improve. I am a very competitive person and always like to do my best. There is no secret behind success. It’s just a lot of hard work and goal setting. There are no shortcuts but all the suicides and crunches are worth it”.

Autumn Athletes Attract Attention: Sports standouts shine

Amber SabourinGirls’ Varsity Water Polo

Junior

Coach Morris: “She’s a competitive athlete who values hard work, sportsmanship, and positively affirming her peers. While she may have to work harder than others to tread water, when she’s determined to make a play for the team there is no stopping her. Amber always has an encouraging word or scream for her teammates. We’re thankful that she’s tried water polo this season.”Amber: “Water polo is probably the most intense yet rewarding sport ever. My experience has been amazing and the team is full of great girls and my coach is an awesome guy. We are all so supportive towards one another, we are like a close family, which is one of the coolest feelings ever. When we had our first game vs. a Napa team, I scored my first goal and I was so excited I did the ‘Michael Phelps’ slap on the water and I could hear my entire team cheering for me.”

by Lauren Bollinger, Laura Darken, Nidhi Mamidi, Sumaiya Mubarack, and Julia Raven

Casey CunninghamGirls’ Varsity Volleyball

Senior

Coach Denham: “She demonstrates a commitment to the sport-has worked incredibly hard. I think that one of the qualities that makes her a good leader is that she leads by example and she pushes people in a way that she would want to be pushed. I think that as she should be able to look back and see that she has grown to be a leader on the team.”Casey: “I’ve really been looking forward to this year. I’m so glad I decided to play, because even though we don’t win every game, it’s about having fun and trying our hardest. I think the team has skills to pitch in, and I think we can go far as a team.”

Vini SouzaBoys’ Varsity Soccer

Senior

Vini: “Soccer is a year round sport for me. Ever since my parents encouraged me to sign up for a recreational league when I was young, I have been pushing my skills both on and off the field. As a team, we definitely have obstacles, but it is focus and determination that gets the goals at the end of the day. The highlight for me so far this year was finally showing up Justin Siena with a 3-2 win; all of our hard work really showed.”Teammate John Ibsen: “Vini is a great part of our team and is one of the nicest kids out there. He is an awesome teacher and he’s wet…super wet.”

Jason ShannonVarsity Football

Senior

Jason: “I have been playing football for four years now. It’s hard to describe why I love it so much. I guess I just like the physicality of the sport. The team always comes together in every game making football a true team sport.”Teammate Massimo Carderelli: “He’s a great athelete because of his tenacity and his skills in mathmatics. Jason always works hard in every play and every second. He’s always making all of us laugh throughout practice. He’s super hard working and a great person to have on the team.”

Diana KostaJV Cheerleading

Sophomore

Coach Erickson: “Diana is awesome at cheer! She always conditions without being asked, practices without being asked, and always gives 150% no matter what. She works hard during practice and works hard at home perfecting the cheers as well. Diana is at every single practice no matter what, even when she’s sick!”Diana: “I have really fallen in love with cheer. I love the team, we have a lot of spirit, and it’s really fun to get to perform with everyone and work together. I’ve been doing cheer for four years now, and I really want to continue throughout high school.”

SPORTSOctober 4, 2012 • Page 11

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Envision the quintessential American high school athletic experience. Chances are you won’t picture sinking the winning putt, or threading the winning water polo goal. More than likely a familiar cliche of underdogs scoring last second points, staged on football stadiums and basketball courts will worm its way into your mind. Senior and football player Massimo Cardarelli says that this is because “sports, like football, are a part of the traditional high school experience.” In fact the typical depiction of high school sports is so often connected with the idea of football, basketball, and baseball, says Cardarelli, that an otherwise academic environment “appears far-fetched without their presence.” Those sports which take center stage in rallies live and thrive on high school campuses, while the humble remnants of preparatory athletics tend to be relegated to a lowly state of obscurity. Sophomore and water polo player Patty Dougherty says, “this alienates several of the forgotten sports from the more prominent ones”. Sports such as tennis, golf, water polo, wrestling, cross-country, track and swimming seldom make the headlines that a football team makes, which senior cross-country runner Paul Shin believes “makes the forgotten sports feel belittled and wanting for attention.” Attention, which senior cross-country, basketball, and baseball student-athlete Thomas Leonard says, “is justified for the notable sports as students actively choose to support those sports which appeal to them.” But the question remains why do some student-athletes feel that there is such a disparity in their sport’s publicity from that of the usual suspects of football, basketball, and baseball? Perhaps it is due to the meager attention which these sports garner at a professional level; or possibly because it is too time consuming to support every individual sport on campus. Whatever the reason for the these team’s perceived stark exposure is, the athletes on them

still feel irrelevant when compared to the more traditionally acclaimed programs. Swimmer Kenneth Abrams said, “it would be nice to receive the same support that the basketball team had a couple years ago for doing well.” These student-athletes are not trying to say that football should be

impeached from its hallowed throne or that basketball and baseball should abdicate their respective crowns as staples of high school athletics, but instead that an effort toward uniform attention and deliverance be made for all school athletics. In treating each sport equally senior runner Michael Marthinsen says “sports would become more of a unifying presence at a school not a polarizing one; it would be more that I play sports at San Marin rather than I play on the football team.” This feeling of camaraderie is found between fellow teammates but not necessarily in between teams. Tennis player Rachel Teel points out that the girls tennis team has a senior corps which has been together for the past three years, and after struggling through inexperience early on, has formed a tight bond and is primed for a promising season, which she says “would be fun to share with their classmates.” However, the brief triumphs of various sports that are celebrated on the teams seem to be forgotten by classmates as soon as the morning announcements fade. The memories of past victories will justifiably become fuzzy over time, with or without peer support, but what is troubling to Marthinsen is how “nihilistic sports seem when they aren’t shared by everyone”. To fill this void, cross-country coach and San Marin Science teacher Virginia Vogl said, students need to “support both school and peers at every opportunity.” To unite as a school in this way reaches

beyond individual feat. It creates an entity of school spirit that extends past just the soccer or baseball teams and allows for a wholesome, inclusive experience, which athletes of all sports can relish.

Bringing Athletics Together: No sport left behind

Many students may have noticed some changes to the campus’s sports facilities. Recent construction has provided newly paved tennis courts as well as a new score board. The tennis courts themselves were in poor condition, not even allowed to be used in MCAL’s. They were replaced over the summer using funds from the district specifically set aside for new construction and facilities. The scoreboard on the football field, also in a state of sorry disrepair, was deemed likely to fail within a year or two at most, and it was replaced with a new one that allows more versatility so it can be used in sports other than football. The scoreboard was paid for with “...money fundraised from San Marin All Sports Boosters,” says Mr. Pitti, the school’s athletic director.

Facilities Get a Facelift

by Garrett Sutherland

Illustration by Angela Ding

by Liam Hoefer

Photo by Laura Darken

The majority of sports don’t get the attention they deserve.

San Marin’s turf field is graced with a new scoreboard.

BACKPAGEOctober 4, 2012Pony Express

a YAY to the Class of ‘13. Let’s hope the world doesn’t end before you graduate.

a YAY to the new Peet’s Coffee. Finally a new place to satisfy my caffeine addiction.

a YAY to Jersey Shore ending. R.I.P. guidos and grenades.

a YAY to Petaluma Little League. Way to put NorCal on the map.

a YAY to new tennis courts. Goodbye to the infamous San Marin bounce.

a YAY to Treat Receipt at Starbucks. Second time’s the charm.

a YAY to Freshmen getting caught off campus. Just wait your turn like everybody else.

a YAY to the new Vice Principal. Bringing beauty and brains to San Marin.

a YAY to Panda Express. Mediocre Chinese food was never faster or cheaper.

an EH to Snookie’s baby. She had to settle down eventually.

an EH to the last Twilight movie. At least there’s gonna be closure.

a NEIGH to class schedule mess--ups. As if my schedule wasn’t busy enough?

a NEIGH to SAT and Homecoming clash. My brain already hurts, the pounding music won’t help.

a NEIGH to Mangia e Bevi closing. It’s hard to iMangia it not being there.

a NEIGH to YOLO abuse. You Obviously Lack Originality.

a NEIGH to Truth is. Truth is stop fishing for compliments.

a NEIGH to five-day weeks. Mondays are so overrated.

a NEIGH to guys spitting on the ground. Keep your fluids to yourself.

YAYS and NEIGHS

Throughout the course of these upperclassmen’s homecoming experiences there have been some times that they will never forget… even if they want to! They’ve had their share of slips, spills, and unexpected moments to change their homecoming night to something they will eventually laugh about. So if you weren’t there to see it in person, now you can hear about it from the source as they relive some of their most embarrassing Homecoming moments. During his sophomore year, Chris Schuab was going to homecoming with a huge group of his friends. They had just walked in the door when suddenly he felt his feet slip out from underneath him. When he looked up all of his friends were laughing and seemingly the entire gym was looking at him. To this day none of his friends will admit to tripping him and he always has an eye out for any practical jokes

coming his way. T h i s homecoming mishap made senior, Jenna Wilkins’ day one to remember. She had just finished getting ready and was on her way out the door to go take pictures at a friend’s house. Suddenly, her

sprinklers went on and Wilkins, including her dress, got soaked! She ran back in the house and had to get dressed all over, making her “fashionably late.” It turned out she didn’t miss much and had a great rest of the night, but now knows her sprinkler schedule to the minute! Whenever your favorite song comes on you can’t help but bust a move. Josh Garcia’s embarrassing homecoming moment explains that perfectly. It was in the middle of the dance and everything had been going smoothly for Garcia, until the DJ played his favorite song, Tik Tok. He was in a circle of friends and began to dance along. Little did he know that his flailing limbs put him in the center of attention and when he opened his eyes other dancers were rolling with laughter. To this day Josh cannot listen to Tik Tok without busting a move.

Whoops!Embarrassing Homecoming Momentsby Nicole Zona

Find: dance, football, gold, green, homecoming, hype, kings, mustangs, party, pep rally, queens, the big game.

Word Search:

Illustration by Angela Ding

by Lauren O’Brien

Everyone has a song we can’t help but dance to.

The alarm clock wakes me up blaring, in between the _____________. I SOUND remember today is Homecoming and I am so_____________! I EMOTION____________ out of bed feeling _____________ because I knew it VERB EMOTIONwould be a good day. I______________ to my closet, and to my shock VERBmy _____________colored ______________________was covered in COLOR ARTICLE OF CLOTHING ______________thanks to my sloppy friend ______________. Frantic, I FOOD PERSON IN ROOMcalled ____________________to see if he/she had anything I could wear. 4th PERIOD TEACHER Luckily he/she had their outdated________________, which suprisingly ARTICLE OF CLOTHINGfit perfectly. The clock struck ______and I realized that the dance started in ten TIME minutes and all of a sudden,_____________ came and drove me to the dance HOMECOMING CANDIDATEin their_______ colored_____________. Finally showtime, I ____________to COLOR MODE OF TRANSPORTATION VERBthe middle of the dancefloor. I look down to realize my_________ are missing. OTHER ARTICLE OF CLOTHINGAmidst my screams, I am suddenly back in my bed. I____________ the clock, VERBhalf hour until the dance. Hopefully this time it will be______________. ADJECTIVE

Mad Libs Madnessby Garrett SutherlandHomecoming Edition