March 22, 2011 Washington High School 38442 Fremont Blvd. Fremont, CA 94536 www.whshatchet.com Vol. 92 Issue 8

The HatchetT E L L I N G T H E T R U T H S I N C E 1 9 1 6

What’sChoppin’?Harris afridi

Harris@whshatchet.com

Suspects identified in locker break-ins

Washington High School was put in a lockdown on March 15 during sixth period. The lockdown lasted for approximately ten minutes.

According to Officer Robin Berlin, the day before the lockdown, an armed man attempted to run over a Fremont police officer. Although the officer was not hurt, the suspect rammed the police

car and fled the scene. Fremont police were actively searching for the suspect. On the day of the lockdown, the police learned that the suspect was on Eggers Drive, approaching the Washington High area. Plainclothes police officers arrived at the scene and found the suspect visiting his friends. The suspect and his three associates were quickly subdued and arrested.

Subsequently, the Washington administration lifted the lockdown.

In order to call a lockdown, authorities must first contact the

school administrators. Assistant Principal Sean Moffatt called the safety of the students and teachers on campus as the administration’s highest priority.

“We always plan for the worst-case scenario. It’s better

to over plan than to under plan,” Moffatt said.

Safety is as big of a concern to Principal Linda Fernandez as it is to Moffatt.

“We want students to realize that this is not a game. This is serious business,” Fernandez said.

During the lockdown, students spread false rumors regarding the cause of the lockdown via text message or word of mouth.

“I thought it was about a suspicious man who was wandering around,” junior Katelyn Clark said.

Fernandez said that she wants students to be informed and not to take lockdowns lightly.

Sports»pg.7

Pole Vaulting

Features»pg.4&5 A&E»pg.6

Photo by AvtAr Josen Senior Casey Jennings looks out onto the baseball field. He is co-captain of the baseball team.

Rites of Passage

During the week of Mar. 1 some students found their lockers nearly empty with no trace of textbooks, binders, or other locker-related belongings. Crew leader of custodial services Rhett Spitzack found a total of 23 locks “cut and snipped” near the gymnasium end of the senior hallway on Feb. 27 around 9:30 a.m.

Tensions flared as students came to class without the necessary supplies and at the same time

questioning whether or not they were to be held accountable for the missing textbooks. Senior Yeny Ramirez is one of those students. Upon arriving to school, She found a paper on her empty locker notifying her to go to the M.P.R.

“It was a hassle because there were only five minutes before school started and the M.P.R. was out of my way,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez did retrieve most of her books, excluding her English textbook which is occasionally required during class. Other locker theft victims are in the same

situation as Ramirez.It is clear that the lockers had

been “broken into” and Student Resource Officer Robin Berlin said there’s a lead on 5-6 suspects who committed the crime

during the weekend of Feb. 27 but the motive of the culprits is still uncertain. Due to insufficient camera footage the identity of the suspects is unknown. School officials are aware of the value of textbooks and are considering that a motivational factor.

“I suggest that ASB looks into some sort of book insurance

regarding locker break-ins and make it available for students,” Spitzack said.

Spitzack’s proposition is a onetime two dollar fee that ASB charges students for text book insurance. ASB will receive extra funds and the students will be covered for stolen books.

this is the first one for the 2010-2011 school year. Sptizack has been at WHS since 1997 and he said that there is usually more vandalism and theft in the course of a school year and he attributes the new security cameras for the decline.

School locks down while wanted man is apprehended

“ “

We always plan for the worst-case scenario.

Sean Moffatt

samantHa steadmandaniel tsaySamantha@whshatchet.comDanieltsay@whshatchet.com

AP Art Test

MEChA hosts club fundraiser at Los Cabos restaurant

The MEChA Club had an all-day fundraiser at Los Cabos restaurant on Mar. 18. The fundraiser was open to the entire school, so non-club members could have participated and dined with their friends and family.

Los Cabos had agreed to donate 15% to the fundraiser’s proceeds for each meal bought. Flyers were available to download from Facebook.

MEChA plans to hold another fundraiser earlier next school year during the fall.

“We may use the money twice for field trips and a scholarship we want to set up,” Spanish teacher and MEChA advisor Dolores Vera-Valdez said.

This is the first fundraiser MEChA has done this school year. In addition, MEChA has never done a fundraiser in a restaurant before. In previous years, club members have sold candies.

-Jordan Wong

BART extension delay-ed by funding issues

The Bay Area Rapid Transit expansion to Warm Springs will take longer than originally thought due to insufficient funds. Because of the economic situation and large federal and state deficits, the money required to get the project completed is taking a long time to acquire.

“Establishing funding for any large project is a time consuming and complicated process,” Division Manager, Community Relations, and Capital Projects of BART Molly McArthur said.

BART has been planning this route expansion since 1992 and started in September 2009 near the intersection of Stevenson Boulevard and Walnut Boulevard. The project will expand BART’s tracks by 5.4 miles, 1.5 miles of it underground, and add a new double track and station. The underground portion of the track is already paid for and construction is going according to schedule. Funds for the second part of the project are expected to come in late spring, which is causing the delay. The Warms Spring Station addition should help the congestion in the Fremont BART Station and freeways.

-Amanda Nava

nisHa OOmennika PengNisha@whshatchet.comNika@whshatchet.com

Washington High School is the only high school in the Fremont Unified School District without a fence. The baseball team had tried to compromise with the school suggesting a portable fence that could be put up the night before a game and taken down after every game. Unfortunately, the school denied their request.

“Other schools have [a fence], why can’t we?” senior Chad Messier said.

Washington’s administration does not want to build a fence because it gets in the way of physical education classes. They use the field for sports such as flag football, ultimate frisbee, soccer, softball, and baseball. Tripp’s solution is to find land to expand on with the consent of the City of Fremont

“[The] facility isn’t large enough, we don’t have enough room, and we have 5 classes for P.E. everyday. P.E. classroom space is the issue, we need to accommodate to these classes,” athletic director Mike Tripp said.

The baseball fence defines the field of play and is one of the main features. The fence may or may not be built in the near future, but baseball players have hope it can happen in the upcoming years if the school is willing. The responsibilities of putting up and taking care of the fence would rest with the baseball players.

“Building the fence isn’t a problem nor is the money, our baseball team can do it all on our own, but the school is not letting us,” senior Justin Dhanda said.

A baseball fence determines whether or not a home run is scored and gives a clear view rather than determining it with one’s eye. In the MLB, home runs are hit over the fence.

How can it be a home run if there is no wall?District won’t allow baseball fence

NEWS PAGE 2The HatchetMarch 22, 2011

2010-2011 Hatchet Staff

The HatchetWashington High School / 38442

Fremont Blvd. / Fremont, CA 94536

www.whshatchet.com ▪ editor@whshatchet.com ▪ Tel (510) 505-

7300 The Hatchet is a forum for

student expression and discussion of ideas uncensored by school officials. The Hatchet staff seeks to ethically produce an accurate record of the

news, sports, issues and people of the Washington High School

community.

Editors-in-Chief

Bach PhanPaige Castren

News EditorsKenneth Chang

Noelle Fujii

Opinions Editor

Sarah Kowalski

Features Editors

Amber YaoTeja Thota

A&E EditorsDaniel Tsay

Krystal Inman

Sports EditorsEric ChuLauren

Hishinuma

Photos EditorJune Cong

Business Manager

Nisha Oommen

Distribution ManagerNadine

Morishita

Staff ReportersAmanda NavaAshley YangAvtar Josen

Bharathi GandiDaniel Yi

Dylan MahoodGarrick Ng

Haley BarnettHarris AfridiJordan Wong

Josh del MundoKaitlyn

MartinezMasha Dinyari

Monica AnbazhaganNika Peng

Paige GlenisterRachel Das Samantha Steadman

Vaccine needed in order to register for next grade levelKaitlyn Martinezkaitlyn@whshatchet.com

In September 2010, Assembly Bill 354 was signed into law, requiring students in grades seven through twelve to get the Tdap vaccine booster for pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.

This requirement will go into effect July 1, but students must provide a proof of vaccination to the office by May 2. This ensures that students will provide the required information to the school office before leaving for summer vacation. The bill prohibits schools across California from admitting any student into seventh grade or advancing into a higher grade who have not received the Tdap vaccine. The newsletter handed out to students, said valid proof must include the type of shot given, date of vaccination, and a signature or stamp from the provider.

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease, which causes uncontrollable, painful coughing. Most people get a pertussis vaccination when they are children, however, over time immunity wears off. Getting the Tdap booster later on helps to restore immunity.

“California has not had as large an outbreak of pertussis for 60 years,” Linda Davis-Alldritt, School Nurse Consultant for the California Department of Education said.

Nine thousand four hundred and seventy-seven cases of pertussis were reported to the California Department of Public Health last year. Five hundred and fourteen cases have been reported this year already. There have yet to be any deaths from the disease.

“I think it’s good that California is taking action. It might cause some complications for people who still need get the vaccine, but overall the law is for the best,” senior Kunj Kashyap said.

Prom dress drive gives away 11 dresses

Photo by Osika TripaThi

Senior Lisa Ramie tries on a donated dress at the Prom Dress Drive on Mar. 18. The drive collected 33 dresses.

Bharathi GandiaManda navabharathi@whshatchet.comamanda@whshatchet.com

WHS Environmental Club held the first Prom Dress Drive which had a total of 33 dresses collected at the WHS cafeteria. The drive started Monday, Mar. 14 and ran through Mar. 18.

The club was in charge of collecting dresses, arranging them on the racks, figuring out sizes, and distributing them to interested girls. The collected dresses were given to people who could use the dresses for Junior Prom and Senior Ball. Dresses were required to be dry-cleaned before donation. Most of the dresses were either previously worn prom dresses or dresses that the donors outgrew.

Donors received a receipt that is tax-deductible, meaning that the price of the dress donated would be subtracted from their income tax.

The wedding store Emily’s Bridal lent the club two large racks to hang the dresses on.

By Friday, 33 dresses were donated. Friday was the day students were allowed to pick up a dress. Eleven girls showed up to try on dresses they liked and take them home. Two dressing areas were set up using trellis and blankets. Nine dresses were given out. The rest of the dresses will be donated to The Princess Project, a program that collects dresses and

distributes them to girls all over the country.

“I’m so glad we had a dress drive this year! I think a lot of people benefited from it and we still had plenty to donate to The Princess Drive!” junior Akhila Nekkanti said.

Because the dress drive was successful, the Environmental Club will try to do this again.

MOWRY & PASEO PADRE PKWY

FUEL UP WITH PREMIUM.

OPINIONSPAGE 3The Hatchet

March 22, 2011

When we are young, adults love to tell us that it is always good to keep the future in mind. Get good grades, and don’t waste opportunities while you’re in high school so you can have a good life later on: all sound advice. But I have realized as time trudges on that my thinking about the future has become so all-encompassing that sometimes I fail to function.

We all understand the concept of delayed gratification. Pass our classes now, and we won’t have summer school later—it’s a simple idea. Now that the end of high school no longer seems like some misty, far off event rooted in imagination, all I can think about is the vast expanse of life before me like Lewis and Clark must have foreseen when they took off across the Great Plains, except that I don’t feel destined to do anything worthy of history books.

When I grew up, I always took well to morals. I loved fairy tales because I could see the allegorical value smacking me in the face. For example, help people and they’ll bake you bread, or don’t buy beans from weirdos. Throughout our childhoods, these fairy tale morals instill the idea that even life’s most boring tasks have the potential to be meaningful.

The problem is that I am not a positive person. I am an atheist nihilist. At first this seemed like a very comforting job description. What better excuse to assume that there are no rules than to simply say, “Oh well, in the big scheme of life my actions will likely be meaningless, so I might as well have some fun instead of doing this statistics homework!”

Unfortunately, being an atheist nihilist just made it ten times more stressful when I inexplicably found myself doing my homework and submitting to the daily grind. Instead of finishing my work with a dull sense that I could enjoy the remains of the day, I finished my work with the aching sense that I wasted another segment of my precious, evanescent life.

Living life for the future can only create stress. It is good to put your life in perspective, but we all need to remember to accept the ordinary.

A Dose of Dogma By Dylan Mahood

Advanced Placement (AP) classes are meant to be like taking a college class in high school. It is designed for students to have a higher-level workload and to have a more in-depth experience learning the subject. This should include class discussions about related things that are happening in the world around us. Recently, the play “Angels in America“ was rejected by the school board to be included on the reading list for the AP English Literature class. One of the main reasons was because it contained questionable material. These include characters with AIDS and other sexual, religious and ethnic diversity in America. Advanced seniors have the maturity to handle this kind of material in an open and nonthreatening manner. They need to be able to think and stand on their own and discuss controversial issues as they go off to college in a few months. The issues presented in the play are still controversial in America ten years later. It is important for students to have their own opinions

“The Yeti because there are big tracks in the snow without any explanation.”

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“Mermaids because I believe there is an Atlantis out there.”

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, 10

“Mermen because mermaids have to have a husband.”

aRm

and R

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11

“Unicorns because they look like horses, but with a horn.”

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, 12

Do you believe in any mystical creatures?

Huskies in the Halls

STAFF EDITORIAL

An atheist nihilist who is trying to cope with atrivial world

Censorship restricts students’ learning

Jordan Wongjordan@whshatchet.com

Borders has filed for bankruptcy because of their dwindling profits for the past five years. I believe that eReaders have taken many of the customers away from Borders because of the relative convenience searching and downloading books on the internet. Since Borders was one of the largest bookstore chains in America, the closing of their stores will impact the readers who enjoy having an actual book in their hands rather than a digital copy.

The Nook by Barnes and Noble has provided readers with the ease of downloading books off the internet. Amazon has their own version of an eReader called the Kindle. When using these products, readers do not have to visit a bookstore in order to download books off the internet.

Borders did eventually set up their own website, but they were late in doing so. Borders had recently partnered w i t h e R e a d e r

manufacturers, such as Velocity Cruz, so that consumers could purchase content off their online

store. However, with the advances in technology, it was impossible for Borders to join the electronic market.

I prefer having a book in my hands, even though some people

claim that eReaders would be saving trees and the environment.

However, they are not

necessarily more environmentally-friendly because eReaders will end up in a landfill won't decompose because of the materials they are made of. At least paper disintigrates over time whereas electronics will not break down.

The closing of Borders because of the eReader is similar to the previous decline of Blockbusters. They were once considered to be one of the largest video rental stores

in America until Netflix provided the consumers

with the ease of d o w n l o a d i n g

movies off the internet.

eReaders undermine bookstores

so they create their own belief system and don’t follow the crowd. Yes, they could read it on their own and talk about it outside of class, but it is always nice to have a teacher to lead the discussion. School should not be a just a one-ended conversation. It should be a giving and receiving collaboration between students and teachers. They both can learn things from each other, but when you restrict what can be discussed in class, it makes it very difficult to achieve this.

High school should be about preparing students for the road ahead. This is not just learning how to do an algebra problem or learning the dates of the Civil War. Students need to learn the skills of analysis, critical thinking and problem solving. If we are denied what we are allowed to learn and discuss in school all we are going to get out of it is a bunch of facts and no use for them. Sometimes we have to talk about the tough topics to gain knowledge and insight from each other.

Illustration by Josh Del MunDo

FEATURESPAGE 4The HatchetMarch 22, 2011

PAGE 5The Hatchet

March 22, 2011

A quinceanera is a special birthday that Mexican/Latina girls have when they turn fifteen. It celebrates the transition from childhood to womanhood.

Junior Joslyn Western celebrated her quinceanera October of last year at the Newark Community Center with close friends and family. A quinceanera is similar to a wedding but smaller and just for a girl instead of a couple. Western

NadiNe Morishitanadine@whshatchet.com

In Hinduism, a boy’s Janoy, also known as the thread ceremony, signifies his transition into manhood. The Janoy is many strings rolled together to resemble an umbilical cord to symbolize the transition. Junior Gaurav Desai experienced his Janoy at the age of 14 in India, surrounded by his family.

At the beginning of the ceremony Desai arrived in formal clothes. A priest and a fire awaited him and he threw a mixture of soil and leaves into the fire. Desai then changed into normal clothes and smeared cream on his face.

“The cream smelled weird and made my face feel oily,” Desai said.

The priest then shaved his head so that all he had left was a pony tail. Next in the ceremony, Desai was chased by his uncles. In order to catch him, they had to promise to buy him gifts. Once Desai was

caught, he traded his normal clothes for the traditional robes called dhoti. He then returned to the fire and more prayers commenced.

Desai was asked to choose between a book, a pen, and a dagger. The book symbolizes learning and gaining knowledge, the pen means writing about and thereby transferring knowledge, and the dagger signifies protecting

your family, culture, religion, and maintaining peace. If one chooses the book they will lead with knowledge and try to expand their understanding of their culture. If one chooses the pen,

they promise to spread their culture to new areas and lead with words and emotions. Choosing the dagger, one promises to protect their way of life and lead with their strength.

“I chose the book because I believe that knowledge is a great power,” Desai said.

After the ceremony Desai was presented with a necklace made of three threads, each representing one of the three gods.

Paige gleNisterpaigeglenister@whshatchet.com

Hindu transition to manhood

Junior Joslyn Western and her cousin Michaela

Lykins pose at Western’s

quincenera. The celebration was

held at the Newark Community

Center.

Photo by

Anthony RodeRick

Becoming a woman at 15wore an elegant white princess dress and tiara, and her court wore suits and dresses as well. Western’s court consisted of nine close friends and a cousin, four girls and five boys in all. The court learned how to do a simple waltz, one of the highlights of the night, while family and friends dine and dance as well.

“This day is special since it symbolizes the passage from being a girl to becoming a woman,” Western said.

At the celebration, many rituals are performed. The girl must dance

and dine with all members of her court. She also receives her last “toy” before becoming a woman. The girl must take her shoes off and replace them with heels or new shoes to represent the crossover to womanhood.

“To me, it means that you are now considered more of an adult and have more responsibility to prepare you for being a woman,” Western said.

A quinceanera is a big step in a girl’s life and is remembered throughout her years.

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For senior Angelica Cayabyab, a cotillion has been a part of the plan since she was five. A cotillion is a debutante ball which presents a girl as a woman.

Originally, it meant that the young woman, also known as the debutante, was eligible to marry.

MoNica aNbazhagaNmonica@whshatchet.com

“

“

I chose the book because I believe that knowledge is a great power.

Gaurav Desai

Cotillion marks coming of age for Filipino girlsTraditionally, cotillions have been associated with Filipino culture.

Planning for Cayabyab’s cotillion started last winter around her real birthday, Dec. 8, and ended three months later in March. Cayabyab found that her mother helped her most throughout the entire planning process.

“That was actually rushed. Most cotillions plan anywhere from half a

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year to a year,” Cayabyab said.The typical cotillion consists of

a waltz, but her cotillion featured a cha-cha as well. Other aspects of her cotillion were kept traditional. She had a court with nine boys and nine girls, all of who danced. Cayabyab was escorted by senior Thomas Pak. There were 18 candles, held by close female friends and family, and 18 roses, held by close male friends

and family. Each item represented a year in her life. She picked the people that meant the most to her to represent her, including her younger sister, junior Laura Cayabyab.

She decided a cotillion was the appropriate rite of passage for her because it had elements that she had always liked.

"...the ballgown and the candles and the roses,” Cayabyab said.

Cayabyab also saw this as a coming of age ceremony and it meant a lot to her just to be fortunate enough to have one.

After her cotillion, she expects people to see her differently, especially as a more mature and responsible woman.

“I just have a deeper appreciation for everything I get now,” Cayabyab said.

Top Row: Senior Nolex Rodrillo, junior Franchesco Fernando, sophomore Ron Engracia, senior Edmund Lu, juniors Christian Aquino, and Edward Lu, seniors Thomas Pak and Angelica Cayabyab, junior Laura Cayabyab, seniors June Cong and Jessica Saenz, sophomore Martina Asong, junior Jennifer Chang, sophomore Joanne Kao. Bottom Row: Seniors Justin Woo, Steven Lee, Jonathan Fonacier, and Nicole Paez, junior Ruby Miu, senior Lauren Hishinuma. The cotillion was held on March 19.

Photo byAlex Young

The journey to adulthood: rites of passage in different cultures

Salon du Monde

A&E PAGE 6The HatchetMarch 22, 2011

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Students portray tale of star-crossed loversAshley yAngashley@whshatchet.com

Washington High School is putting on the classic play Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in May. Senior Tyler Rowe is cast as Romeo, while junior Katie Majumdar will be playing Juliet. The production opens May 13 and performances run through May 28. The cast has been attending mandatory practices every week. The tight schedule they are given

requires a decent amount of organization and cooperation. Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for fight rehearsals and choreographing, due to the extensive amount of swordplay in the play. Mondays and Wednesdays are text rehearsals, where the actors run through lines and meticulously examine Shakespearean dialogue.

“Rehearsals are interesting because we studied Romeo and Juliet in freshman year, so some of the dialogue is very familiar,” senior

Erin Enguero said. Enguero will play Abram and is the understudy of Prince Escalus.

The actors are expected to understand their lines in addition to memorizing them. The cast has also begun blocking and going over stage movements during practices to make sure they will be well rehearsed for the performances.

“The play is going great so far; it’s looking like a great show. And we are actors, so of course we are being productive!” Rowe said.

Almost every member of the cast has had some acting background, whether in previous WHS shows or at community theatres such as StarStruck. Majumdar has participated in the school musical since her freshman year, and she played the female lead understudy in Cabaret last year as a sophomore. Along with Majumdar, Rowe was also in Cabaret as an ensemble member and Cliff Bradshaw understudy. His acting experience leads back

even further to Guys and Dolls in his 8th grade at Centerville.

According to the cast, people can look forward to seeing an entertaining performance.

“It’s going to be totally amazing. The opening scene will blow your mind away,” Enguero said.

Romeo and Juliet will be the first performance in the amphitheater since 2008.

“People can expect sword fights, romance, tights, and lots of death,” Rowe said.

FUSD holds contest for new district logo design

gArrick ngJordAn Wonggarrick@whshatchet.comjordan@whshatchet.com

The Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) is hosting a logo design contest to replace the current district logo. The idea for the contest was originally introduced by FUSD superintendent Jim Morris in a public Board of Education meeting last fall. The student with the winning design will receive $500 toward post-secondary expenses.

The deadline, which was originally March 15, has been extended to April 5 due to a lack of participants and inquiries from junior high and elementary school students asking if they could participate. Originally only open to high school students, the contest is now open to students of all grade levels. In order to be fair to all participants and in hope that more designs will be sent, the deadline was extended.

The decision to have the district logo changed was influenced by several reasons. The biggest factor was that many students were unable to understand what the logo represented and symbolized. The logo also has much in common with the Newark Unified School

District logo. “The contest is designed to

inspire creativity and see if one of our current students can design a logo that better reflects our District. It would be great to have a logo that better reflects our uniqueness,” Morris said.

The design should reflect FUSD as a diverse community that believes in educating all students to high standards, challenging students with high expectations and inspiring bright futures for all students. The District’s mission statement and 14 foundational tenets should also be used.

Digital Imaging teacher James Kleckner has made it an assignment for the students in his class to create a logo using Adobe Illustrator.

“Usually the students do a logo design for the year. I want to make it entertaining and get [students] to play around with [Illustrator],” Kleckner said

Kleckner is giving his students an option whether they want to submit their logo or not. Kleckner has approximately 130 to 140 students working on designing the logo.

The submitted logos will be uploaded onto the FUSD website and judged through the reviews of visitors, along with a community

of students, parents, and community members.

The AP Studio Art test, unlike other AP tests, requires students to submit a portfolio of work accumulated throughout the year.

There are two portions on the AP Art test: the breadth portion and the concentration portion. For each aspect, students must submit twelve artistic pieces. Breadth covers a broader range of principles and techniques, whereas the concentration portion is devoted to the refining of their artistic investigation. Together, these two aspects compose the requirements

of a portfolio.Some students, like senior

Jessica Scott, disagree with how this test is formatted.

“I don’t feel it’s necessary for me to submit my work to be viewed and scored,” Scott said.

Other students will push themselves to meet the strict standards the AP Art test requires. Senior Michelle Yee believes that the AP test is fair and that it can show a student’s potential.

“I want to prove to myself that I can do it,” Yee said.

Yee’s views differ from Scott’s, as she believes that the AP test is a valid assessment.

“The final result of your portfolio is very much based on what you as an individual can bring in terms of skill, focus, determination, and to some degree, passion,” Yee said.

The test, which is clearly different from the average AP test, has spawned different views from students. As some students have decided to create their portfolios to be submitted and scored, others, like Scott, will merely present their work to art teacher Todd Elkin rather than CollegeBoard for evaluation. Either way, the AP art students will find ways to explore their art styles and produce pieces that define them as artists.

Artists challenged by AP test

Photo by Krystal Inman Michelle Yee works on a project to add to her portfolio submission for the AP Studio Art test. AP Art students must complete a portfolio of twenty-four pieces to be graded.

MAhsA dinyArimahsa@whshatchet.com

Win tickets - register at whshatchet.com

“ “I think it would be a good idea for students to submit.

James Kleckner

SPORTSPAGE 7The Hatchet

March 22, 2011

Junior Royce Chambers has been a devoted golfer for the past four years and is a hard working contributor to the golf team. Chambers began golfing because he wanted to spend his time doing something productive. He soon took an interest in golf and decided to join the WHS golf team as a freshman. The team practices at the Fremont range as well as the Sunol golf course Mondays through Thursdays. Chambers also practices on the weekends alone to improve on his skills. Golf may seem easy but it takes a lot of hard work, concentration, and devotion to master the sport.

“People underestimate this sport, but it takes a lot of balls to play golf ” Chambers said.

The team consists of eleven players, six of which compete at the matches.

“Not everyone plays, but the whole team is there for support” Chambers said.

Chambers’ personal record has been a two shot even par this season. He performs his hardest at matches and hopes pursue golf after high school as a hobby.

Hatchet athlete of the month

Photo by Samantha Steadman

Junior Austin Miller launches himself over the bar for the pole vault event. The track and field meet was held on March 16 at the Logan track.

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Pole vaulting is a sport which involves vaulters, to put it bluntly “flying” to heights of approximately 12 feet. Paul vaulting is actually considered one of the most dangerous sports at Washington, having athletes falling repeatedly from a height of about 12 feet.

“It’s scary…every time I vault I’m scared for my life,” sophomore Kelsey Landon said.

Although with its dangers, the sport provides an experience that no other can match.

“It feels like you are flying…it’s an adrenaline rush,” junior Austin Miller said.

Miller can only describe his body as “weightless” in those few

The boys varsity volleyball team lost their former coach, Jeremiah Pricer, to a shoulder injury. His brother and alumnus of Washington High School, Samuel Pricer, has moved up from coaching the JV team to replace him. Samuel’s goal is to have the team make it to North Coast Section (NCS) this season.

W i t h Pricer being most of the players’ former JV coach, the team was glad to welcome him into his recent position. In addition to Pricer’s warm welcome, comes along doubts on whether or not he can succeed at this higher level of coaching.

“He knows how to coach, but I don’t think he has enough experience to coach at a varsity level,” Senior John Im said.

As for another portion of the

team, there is support behind Pricer’s ability.

“ I think he should do a good job...he’s up to the challenge,” sophomore Brennan Moore said.

Samuel puts more emphasis on defense in his playing style, something that was slightly different from the former coach. Seniors, Mameet Singh, Matthew Huynh and Apoorva Shah agree that they’ve been

playing at a “slower” pace, but with an increase in focus on the court.

The boys started their pre season with a record

of 1-1-0 defeating Las Lomas High School at the Davis Tournament on March 12, and losing to Sir Francis Drake High School on March 12. The team will continue to adapt to their new coach while preparing for their first league game, which will be held at Mission San Jose High School on March 24.

Boys volleyball team adapts to a new coach

Pole vaulters fly to great heights

KeNNeth ChaNg kenneth@whshatchet.com

saMaNtha steadMaNsamantha@whshatchet.com

“

“

He knows how to coach, but I don’t think he has enough experience to coach at a varsity level

Senior John Im Washington’s track and field team lost to James Logan High School on March 16. WHS only faces JLHS once in the regular season, but has another chance during MVAL.

“Some people didn’t do as well as they could have, but all in all, I believe everyone did outstanding,” junior Gene Horecka said.

In comparison to the Skyline Invitational on March 5, the boys placed first out of 18 schools, and the girls sixth out of 18. Senior Jesse Chestnut and Horecka placed sixth

and fourth, respectively in the 400 meter race. Chestnut also placed second in the invite for the 1600 meter race and senior Noel Garcia placed third in the 100 meter race.

Track runners choose the events they want to do early in the season and may train for different events if they choose to. Through experience, the runners develop personal techniques to maximize their running performance.

When running a 400 meter race, Senior Trevor Koga pushes off and focuses on maintaining a constant speed within the first 200 meters. He starts to pump his arms more in the next 80 meters and finishes off

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seconds when he is in the air. Ju-nior Liam Sheridan views the sport as something that can bring about a sense of achievement.

“It’s really fun…you’re so happy just to see yourself over the bar. It is a huge accomplishment,” Sheridan said.

The pole vaulting team has 10 athletes, which is considered small when compared to the number of

athletes in other track and field sports. To distinguish their group, they have named themselves the “Hipster Track”. Many of them have been setting personal records and narrowing close to school re-cords. One of the closest ones this year is sophomore Kyle O Hollaren who reached 13 feet, falling short of the record at 13 feet and four point two five inches.

by sprinting the last 120 metersSeniors Koga and Shaan Gill

agree that their success depends a lot of their coaches. The coaches ensure that each player’s form is good and pushes the team to excel during practice and races.

“The coaches also help you develop skills and help you decide what events you want to run by watching you and offering suggestions,” Gill said.

The boys will be training for their next meet against Newark Memorial High School on March 30, and on the side believe they have a chance for the state championships.

Where track team finds themselves

Photo by Lauren hiShinuma

Sophomore Dajai Jennings sprints toward the finish line. The track team competed against Kennedy High School and James Logan High School at the Logan track on March 16.

PHOTOS PAGE 12The HatchetMarch 22, 2011

Photos by June Cong

The MEChA Club performed two dances at the Multicultural Assembly. On the left, they hold hands before their first routine. On the right, junior Sandy Corona dances a more contemporary dance than the MEChA Club has performed during past years.

Photo by eriC Chu

Senior Connor Foreman talks to people at the Elective Fair in the Cafeteria on March 10. Many different electives set up tables in hopes of attracting students to their subjects before registration was due. However, the turn out for the fair was less than expected.

Senior Shaquita Lopez performed with the Black Student Union during the assembly. They performed a step routine to various songs.

Photo byJune Cong

Photo by June Cong

Senior Radha Mishra dances a traditional Indian dance in the Multicultural Assembly. Their routine was not performed in association with a club.

Sophomore Kyle

O Hallaren clears

the bar while pole

vaulting against

Logan and Kennedy

High Schools.

O Hallaren is currently

ranked second in the state.

Photo by

Samantha Steadman

Photo by June Cong

Senior Cristina Deras cheers for her class at the Multicultural Assembly. The assembly is one of the main traditions of Washington High School, and is an annual event.