THE

GRANADA HIGH SCHOOL

P megranateVOLUME 8, ISSUE 3

INSIDE

DECEMBER 2012

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ContentsEnd of the world...........2Ambassador Club.........6Book review..................7Urban Shield.................9Cross Country.............11

Piracy laws more than just guidelines

Students ref CYO basketball teams for fun and funds

page 10page 3

Media is notorious for exploiting teen pregnancy

By Rebecca Bernstein

News Editor If someone wants something, and they can get that something for free, then they will take it. That’s human nature, and that’s why cracking down on online piracy may be futile. However, many companies are beginning to crack down on illegal downloading, especially of music, movies and other entertainment. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA,) online piracy is downloading any type of copyrighted content without paying for it or distributing it to friends and family. Senior Liz Allendorf puts it quite simply. She said, “Piracy is stealing. If you obtain music or other media without

paying for it, that’s piracy.” The 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was the original act to lay down the law on copyright infringement enforcement. The act said that any material posted without the original owner’s authority must be removed or blocked. YouTube is a major complier to this law. If a user posts a video containing copyrighted material, the owner is sent a message notifying them of the copyright infringement, and from there the video is either muted, taken down, or, if the user is a repeat offender, the owner’s account is removed. If the DMCA had stopped all piracy, there would have been no need for the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act. Although the act, which called for the takedown of online data sharing sites, did

not pass, it ultimately led to the forced shut d o w n of Megaupload, one of the most notorious data sharing sites. T h e owner of Megaupload was given 50 years in jail for all t h e money his company earned through p i r a c y , which the FBI estimates at about $115,000 a day in 2010 alone. While the common music/movie pirater might not get 50 years in jail, the fine will add up. Comcast, along with many other cable companies, scan their customer’s data for the use of torrent, a program that can download files from the Internet. If an Internet Service Provider

do anything for one year.’” That was in August of 2000, and Sugden never looked back. She worked for twelve years as a math teacher at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, going back to school for her Administrative Credential and a master’s degree in

By Katherine M. Klem

Assistant Editor Our school has a new vice principal, Evangeline Sugden.Sugden has been here for about two months. These same two months are the first that she has spent as an administrator, although she received her administrative credential in 2007. She grew up partly in Phoenix, Arizona before moving to the Bay Area and attending middle and high school in San Jose. After high school, she went to California State University Hayward and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in pure math. Before going into education, Sugden worked for a printing and packaging company as an accounting operations manager. However, when the company moved to Los Angeles, she made the switch to education. “My husband and I didn’t want to move down there,” she said, and her husband suggested being a math teacher for the Fremont school district. “My first thought was ‘I can

educational leadership in 2005. However, her two sons were still young when she completed the program, and she said she “wanted to wait until the boys were older before making the transition from teacher to administrator.” When the opportunity

to make that switch came in September, Sugden said she “jumped at the chance to apply.” She said she had become aware over the years of our “reputation as a great school with a strong community of support.” Now settling in at her new job, she noted the differences

between being an administrator and being a teacher. “The conversations that I have with students in my office are very different from what they were in the classroom when I was teaching math.” Now, she said she can “help students make decisions about social dilemmas, behavior, and academic choices. Sugden likes how students at this school seem to “balance their lives with academics and extracurricular activities.” She also appreciates the school spirit she has seen when attending our school’s athletic events. “It’s awesome to see all the Granada gear being sported by the students and staff alike,” she said. She dislikes the daily descent of hungry sea gulls after the end of lunch. Despite the birds, the new vice principal seems happy to be here. “I love the feeling of community and pride that radiates through the campus,” she said. “From day one, I knew Granada was a place that I was going to be happy coming to every day and proud to say I worked for.”

New VP is happy to join spirited campus

(ISP), catches someone using a torrent program to illegally

download files, they start out by sending

them an e m a i l with the name of

the file downloaded

and they ask them to stop

illegally d o w n l o a d i n g . However, if the piracy does not stop, a letter is supposed to be sent asking if they received the prior notices. Continual piracy could lead to any number of punishments. The ISPs are using what they call a “gradual response plan” with the hopes of weeding out piracy and discouraging their clients from continuing their crimes. Some people are saying

that the data monitoring is an infringement on privacy rights, and puts too much power in the hands of the ISPs. However, service providers believe the gradual response plan is the best counter to the ever-growing piracy trend. The gradual response plan is believed to be the best plan because it notifies unknowing piraters that what they are doing is wrong, and it will also weed out the repeat offenders by identifying them through legal methods. By slowly cracking the whip on internet piracy, the government hopes to eventually eliminate piracy altogether. “It’s pretty much impossible to stop at the moment so you can’t get too upset about it,” said Allendorf. “But when you pirate something, you don’t support the artist who made it, and I think that’s wrong.”

New vice principal Mrs. Sugden taught math at Mission San Jose High before coming to GHS.Photo by Katherine M. Klem

perspectivesDECEMBER 2012

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Pomegranate Staff

- Editor-in-Chief -Heather LeCon

- Editorial Staff -Rebecca Bernstein

Jeff KatenKatherine M. Klem

Jack KovacichBrooke Yarrington

- Staff Writers -Zachary D. Williams

Lana FickKelsey LaBarberaNichole LasaterMary LawhornAnthony Miller

Justin MooreAshley MoylanBella MurphyHayley SmithMegan Smith

By Hayley Smith

Staff Writer For as long as mankind has been able to comprehend our world, there have been those who claim to know when and how it will end. Sometimes these predictions are based on religion, other times it’s guided by astronomy. However, they all have

one important quality in common: each prediction has been false. The upcoming “apocalypse date,” December 21, 2012, has received a lot of attention over the past few years. Since the Mayan calendar ended on this day, many believe that it will bring an end to the world as we know it. It’s been predicted that Earth will be swallowed by natural disasters, or collide with a planet, and we’ll most likely perish. Optimistic followers of the movement think that the change will be positive and that we will transform both spiritually and physically. So whether our planet will be swallowed by a black hole, or we’ll all grow wings and understand life’s great mysteries, they say that big change is near. Although any ignorant believer can claim that he knows the prophecy front and back, there

By Katherine M. Klem

Assistant Editor One of the best parts of the winter season is the chance to relax with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa next to a roaring fire. That is, of course, until one gets slapped with a $100 fine. This fall, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced that those caught violating the ban on wood fires that is in place for Spare the Air nights must either pay a hundred dollar fine or take an online class. Why does the BAAQMD worry about pollution from small wood fires? Because, they say, wood smoke is made up of 80 to 90 percent fine particulate matter (fine PM) and that the fine PM from wood smoke makes up 33 percent

of fine PM on cold winter days. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency tightened restrictions on fine PM, and left it up to regional air quality agencies to actually improve

the air. Unfortunately, now the BAAQMD plans to bully Bay Area residents to enforce their senior agency’s requirements. While concern over the respiratory health of those exposed to wood smoke is reasonable, banning Christmas Eve fires is

are professional Mayan scholars who have actually studied the original text. According to those who can translate the Mayan calendar, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. It simply claims that the date marks the end of a period of time, the way that December 31 is the end of a year. Just like we don’t fear every New Year’s Eve, the 21st will be like any other day. These world-is-ending predictions aren’t favorable in the scientific community either. Astronomers say that these claims don’t follow any true observations, while other scientists have said that the constant apocalypse scares are distracting people from real issues, like global warming and loss of biodiversity. Just like the year 2000’s Y2K fiasco, there are those

By Jack Kovacich

Features Editor You’d be hard-pressed to find a student walking through Granada that doesn’t own an Apple product. With smartphones and Twitter and instant connectivity controlling an increasingly concerning amount of our society, it almost seems mandatory to own at least something from the most “hip” and popular technology titan and join the ranks of the millions of owners of an iPod or iPhone (or one of the five owners of an Apple TV). One must ask himself why Apple is so particularly popular among young people. Is Apple revolutionary in every new iteration of their devices?

Are they true innovators? Was Steve Jobs a wizard? The answer to these questions really depends on what particular Apple product you’re talking about. Conceptually speaking and looking at the big picture, Apple has been hugely i n f l u e n t i a l on the whole world of t e c h n o l o g y s e v e r a l times. iPods c o m p l e t e l y revolutionized personal music players when they were first i n t r o d u c e d ;

iPhones reinvented the way most of us saw phones and made “apps” infinitely more popular; iPads caused a huge boom in the tablet market that wouldn’t

have happened otherwise. But on a

product-to-product basis, is Apple as impressive? It seems from their advertisements that they’re putting the

entire human race forward hundreds of years with every new product, and by the time the iPhone 6 comes

out Apple will have obliterated the need for eating, drinking and sleeping because their phone is an eighth of an inch longer. If their products were as revolutionary as their commercials purported, they would retroactively win every Nobel Prize ever and humans would enter the Ultra-Renaissance. Sadly, they aren’t. The jump from iPhone 4 to iPhone 5 was negligible, despite what the commercials purported. They haven’t unlocked some magical secret that creates perfect ergonomic synergy between your fingers and the surface of the phone. Despite their shortcomings, the products still entice plenty of fans to line up multiple times a year for their newest iterations.

Let it burn, let it burn, let it burn

trying to cash in on the fear of believers. The United States has seen an increase in the creation of underground shelters since 2009. Some of the companies that build these shelters feature “Countdown to December 21” clocks on their websites.In the world of media, popular movies like “2012”

not the proper way to keep Bay Area residents breathing well. No, Spare the Air alerts on and close to holidays make the BAAQMD look like Scrooge in the eyes of those who like wood fires. However, banning residential fires isn’t the worst transgression of the BAAQMD. That distinction belongs to the district’s decision to levy a fine on anyone caught for the first time violating the ban. In fact, the only alternative to paying the fine is to take an online class about the horrors of using the fireplace for its intended purpose. While it is reasonable to want to protect people’s lungs, air quality authorities ought to forgive those who may be skeptical about how much their little fire is doing to give other people asthma attacks.

The BAAQMD website states that longtime exposure to fine PM can have serious health effects, including chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma and lung damage. But, these effects follow longtime exposure to large amounts of wood smoke, presumably for long periods of time. If one spent every day in winter in a smoky house, there would certainly be cause for concern. However, if one uses common sense measures to keep the house from getting hazy (keeping the chimney clear, the house well-ventilated and burning dry wood), then there shouldn’t be any issues. A few fires in the winter each year probably won’t ruin anyone’s lungs, and the fires of neighbors certainly shouldn’t.

Clearly, if the BAAQMD is so concerned about keeping people from developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease from inhaling wood smoke, they should focus on educating the public on the hazards of using leaky wood stoves as heat sources, rather than playing big brother and punishing chilly homeowners for having neighbors who tattle on them. For those who want to help, the BAAQMD suggests saving “energy and [reducing] pollution by wearing a sweater on chilly nights.” Of course, those who need a blanket on top of a robe on top of a sweatshirt on top of a long-sleeve shirt to stay warm in December much prefer Mel Tormé’s open fire. You can keep the chestnuts.

and “Melancholia” have featured apocalyptic scenarios. Unsurprisingly, the History Channel has already aired multiple documentaries on the Mayan calendar and predictions of the world ending. Whether the makers of these films and shelter services truly believe in a 2012 apocalypse, come December

22, they’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.It’s important to remember that there have been countless “apocalypse dates” predicted over the past two millenniums. It’s not that we survived them all, they simply never occurred. Until NASA reports that a rogue planet is flying towards us or that the sun is about to explode, try to take all doomsday prophecies with a grain of sand.

The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

No future for the end of the world

Spare the Air alerts on and close to the holidays make the BAAQMD look like Scrooge.

cyberbrethren.com

Apple products in Granada students’ households

(sample size 50)

perspectivesDECEMBER 2012

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Matador on the Street: What would you do if it snowed in Livermore?

Kyle Emrich, Freshman: “I would make a snowboarding jump in my backyard.”

Zoe Kline, Sophomore: “If it started to snow in Livermore, I would want to build a snowman.”

Rachel Leonard, Senior:“I would make a giant snowball and throw it at Reece Backman’s face.”

Mr. Avilla, Teacher:“I would probably make a snow angel.”

By Ashley MoylanStaff Writer

Reece Backman, Junior:“I would have a giant snowball fight and I would hit Riley Draa first.”

By Jeff Katen

Perspectives Editor Spooky tales of haunted areas and paranormal occurrences are scariest when they seem like they could actually happen. If it’s too far-fetched, it’s not going to be as effective. The stories are often designed to be so realistic that they seem entirely possible. However, “possible” is the key word here. There is no real, solid evidence proving that ghosts exist, and although there are trustworthy people who recount very detailed experiences of ghost sightings and many listeners who fully believe the accounts. The only factual evidence supports the reasoning that it’s all in our minds. The truth here is that people want to believe. The human brain is always trying to formulate reasons for things, and when no

logical explanations are at hand, imaginations tend to go wild. As for those ghost-hunting shows that have enough viewers to stay on air, the dramatization and “reality show” aspect is what draws the viewers in (besides those who are just watching it to laugh at it.) They’re all about using real ghost-hunting instruments to listen in on any paranormal beings that might be in the area haunting. But these “real” ghost-hunting instruments are just detectors for sound, light, electricity, and heat, all of which occur naturally. The weird sounds, scary-looking environments, electric fields,

and measurably colder areas are all ordinary occurrences and are often a result of adjustments to the devices. The eerie atmosphere created lets viewers’ imaginations do the rest of the work.

By Lana Fick

Staff Writer Girls, imagine waking up one morning and feeling like something is wrong, every smell makes you want to throw up. You are walking around like you are protecting something, like every step you take is so careful. Then you start counting back the days. Your life is about to change in a very big way. Having a baby may seem like it would be fun. They are cute, soft and you can dress them up as much as you want. But babies are a lot more than just the fun parts. They also cry, need their diapers changed and want your attention all the time. They never want to sleep at night and need feeding all the time. TV shows and movies these days have made teen pregnancy either look like it’s really easy and everything is going to be fine or they have shown all the bad parts,

like lack of sleep and no time to do anything you want to do. The show “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” makes teen pregnancy look really easy. It shows that there is a little drama but suggests that in the end, you will get married and have a happy ending when that is, in fact, very rare. Teens that have a baby in high school do not have it that easy. Some are lucky to even finish high school. In the movie “Juno,” the title character, a teen who got pregnant, decides to give her child up for adoption after considering having an abortion. “Juno” is the most accurate movie about teen pregnancy that has come out recently. “Teen Mom” makes it look a lot more dramatic than it needs to be. Raising children takes responsibility,

not the melodrama and angst presented to viewers in this show. In the 1988 movie “For

Sometimes too many independent stories line up to pass a “haunted” area off as just plain scary. Some hotspots have been the subjects of so many otherwise unrelated ghost stories that researchers decided to investigate. The answer was nothing paranormal, but still pretty weird. They discovered infrasound, which is a type of sound that is too low-pitched to consciously hear, but

can instill dread or feelings of depression upon anyone in the vicinity of its origin. A broken air-conditioning system near the scene could easily be the culprit. Infrasound not only accounts

for the unexplainable feelings of dread, but also ghost sightings and other weird happenings. Under just the right conditions, infrasound can echo between walls at just the right pitch and frequency to vibrate objects and even the human eyeball, easily creating illusions of large dark figures in the corners of your eyes. These perceptions can seem very real. All in all, there may be no true proof that ghosts don’t exist, but there’s no reason to believe they do. Every single reason people use to justify their belief in ghosts, or any supernatural being, really, can be paralleled by solid scientific evidence. If you think about it, ghosts are just a far-fetched explanation for something that already has a perfectly reasonable, believable and confirmable explanation.

Keeps,” the main character, Darcy (Molly Ringwald), gets pregnant with her boyfriend’s child. Her

over - controlling mother then tells her to get an abortion. Because Darcy has classes, she decides to go after school, but never goes. The movie shows her life after her child is born, she marries her boyfriend and goes to night school to finish high school. This movie shows the father’s side of the pregnancy and raising the kid, as Stan, Darcy’s husband, tries to do what’s best for his family. Unfortunately, reality is more bleak. Having a baby in high school forces the parents to “grow up” very quickly, and many teen fathers

aren’t ready to take responsibility. Statistics show that nearly 80 percent of fathers of children born to teen mothers don’t marry the mother. Only one in five teen mothers receives financial support from the father. Many don’t want anything to do with the child. Luckily, in California the percentage of teen pregnancy is not that bad. As of 2005, the pregnancy rate for girls ages 15 to 19 was 75 pregnancies for every 1,000 girls, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The truth is that getting pregnant as a teenager is not the smartest thing to do. As teenagers we have our whole lives still ahead of us. While there is nothing wrong with having babies, teenagers who want children should wait until they are older. Until then, they should work on getting an education to provide a stable life for themselves and any future family they may have.

TV shows, movies misrepresent teen motherhood

Ghost hunters need a serious reality check

crushable.com

featuresDECEMBER 2012

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December Music Review“Take Me Home” by One Direction

December Movie Review“Skyfall” Directed by Sam Mendes

Editor’s Choice: Quick Picks

-Heather LeCon Editor-in-Chief

-Jack KovacichFeatures Editor

-Rebecca BernsteinNews Editor

“Key & Peele”comedy show

“Bastion”video game

“shirt.woot.com”website

Shirt.woot.com is a fairly new website where anyone can enter something called a “derby.” Each derby has a theme and aspiring artists can enter a design that follows the theme in hopes of getting their design printed on a T-shirt. If you’re not artistically inclined, that’s okay, too. You can view past winners and print one of the designs on a shirt. Shirts cost between $12 and $18 and ship in 2-3 business days.

While most action games are fun, few are executed as well as Bastion is. Beyond the addictive gameplay and weapon upgrade system, Bastion’s art and sound design excel in a way that most others don’t. The music is fantastic, as is the voice acting (featuring the best narrator ever). The story, set in beautiful handdrawn environments, is just as memorable as all of the other elements.

“Key & Peele” is a sketch show on Comedy Central, which airs on Wednesday nights at 10:30 p.m. The show stars the talented Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. The entertaining show consists of sketches that are already recorded, but the guys provide live commentary before and after each bit. “Key & Peele’s” humorous though controversial sketches provide the audience with comical relief.

By Lana Fick

Staff Writer “Skyfall” is another James Bond film that fails to offer any new surprises, but for long-time Bond fans, it will satisfy. In this latest installment of the Bond franchise, the British secret agent must save his beloved boss, M, played by Judi Dench, from a villainous Mr. Silva (Javier Bardem). Of course, along the way, Bond seduces multiple women and leaves ruin in his wake, as in all of the Bond movies. Unfortunately, Daniel Craig, who has been Bond since 2005, is not only too old for the part, he is also too blond. Though only 44, Craig appears to be older, causing one to worry about his health when he is in action scenes. Other than the choice of Craig for James Bond, the other actors and actresses did a pretty good job of either fighting or being seduced. There is a new actor for Q, Ben Whishaw. He provides a much needed youthful presence to a series celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. Although this movie is not a follow-on to previous Bond films, in order to understand “Skyfall,” one needs to have seen the previous two Bond installments, as the plot makes references to these other movies. There are constant allusions to Bond’s unresolved childhood,

By Jack Kovacich

Features Editor It’s week one of my strict candy-only diet and I’m starting to feel the effects already. It doesn’t even taste good anymore, it’s just really sugary. And these aren’t quality ingredients! This is really cheap chocolate and caramel. There isn’t any actual nutritional value in this candy, is there? Well make sure you stay seated for this next part, because that candy story I just told you wasn’t an unrelated excerpt from my fifth grade journal. It was actually a metaphor for my thought process while listening to the new One Direction album, “Take Me Home.” What, you think I actually eat candy? I’m vegan, man (in the context of the metaphor, that means I listen exclusively to Miles Davis). I guess the most obvious criticism anyone could make is that One Direction is wholly manufactured. Without citing their back story or how little of their music they actually write (spoiler: very little), it should be abundantly clear to anyone with ears that the writers, producers and managers of One Direction have outlined them to be the archetypal boy band. Everything is calculated behind the scenes to make them as marketable as possible. And though the fact that other people are doing nearly all of the work in creating the album doesn’t necessarily make it worse, their clear pandering to the target demographic does.

Every single song is about some vague teenage “love” experience with a vague subject to match so listeners can relate and pretend the song was written about them. Nothing is out of the ordinary or remotely interesting. Most of the choruses are laughably cliché. Whoever did write their songs deserves some credit, though. No matter how negatively you approach this album, it’s impossible to deny that it’s “catchy.” Without any substance to back up the catchiness, though, it’s forgettable fluff. Their artificiality is clear in the production of the album

as well. Every sound on the album is unnatural, from their robotically angelic harmonized voices to the over-compressed, shiny guitars. As a result, it’s impersonal and sounds factory-created, like a teenage robot’s definition of good music. This works for a single on the radio, but by the end of the album I nearly had a headache from the overproduction. If you want a tour through a vat of bubble gum, then you’ll probably love “Take Me Home.” If you want more than artificial sugar, step one direction away from this album.

which only confuse the viewer, instead of providing insight into the character. “Skyfall,” which is set mainly in London, unfortunately falls prey to the action genre’s love of blowing up landmarks. Mr. Silva’s explosion of the London Underground subway system is silly at best. This chapter in the James Bond series was set up as the last of the 007 movies, but in the end, it leaves the viewer waiting for more. Let’s just hope that the director and producers of the next installment discover that a great percentage of viewers are not yet 40. Some want to see James Bond played by someone who is the more traditional James Bond: tall, dark and handsome. There are plenty of younger English actors that could play 007. For example, they could cast Aaron Johnson, 22, or Max Irons, 27. A younger Bond would appeal more to young audiences. James Bond movies are known for being full of action and seduction, which pretty much sums up “Skyfall.” One deviation from the usual Bond films is that early on in this film, Bond is shot (for only the second time in Bond history), which adds an interesting element. There may be a different villain or pretty girl, but other than that, “Skyfall” was just another typical action movie.

featuresDECEMBER 2012

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Flavor of Fashion

Shirt: Forever 21, $18Sweater: H&M, $35Pants: HomemadeShoes: Cotton On, $15Style: “Available”

Sweater: A & E, $50Top: American Eagle, $25Skirt: H&M, $35Tights: Target, $8Boots: Kohl’s, $30Style: “Girly layered”

December Crossword

By Jeff KatenPerspectives Editor

Answers on page 7

By Bella Murphy

Staff WriterMr Andrew Slavec, one of

this school’s newest teachers, is much admired by his students. They all seem to love his teaching technique, personality and the connections he makes with his students while teaching, despite the short time that he has been working here.

Like many of our other teachers, Mr. Slavec graduated from Granada High. He said he really enjoyed going to this school and was happy to come back and relive the experience again.

Mr. Slavec feels he is able to connect with kids because it hasn’t been a very long time since he was where they are now.

“Since he’s so young, he can relate to us a lot better,” said junior Kyle Tompkins.

Mr. Slavec has always had a special love for teaching. He said he has had the desire to teach ever since he was in middle and high school. He said that when he was in high school, kids would ask his former teacher a question and she would say, “Go ask Andrew, he knows what he’s doing!”

According to Mr. Slavec, the teacher would occasionally teach him the lesson scheduled for the next day before the rest of the class. The following day he could teach and explain to his classmates how to do the lesson.

Throughout his middle school and high school years, Mr. Slavec

went out of his way personally to teach his classmates. Teaching when he was that young convinced him to make the decision in college to become a teacher and stick with it.

Mr. Slavec, who teaches history, earlier worked and taught in the ESS program at Rancho Las Positas Elementary. Then he became a substitute and did that for one year. Last year, he worked at Granada as a long-term substitute for the social science department and was hired on to the staff during the summer.

Mr. Slavec currently teaches psychology and freshman social science in Rm. 402.

His hobbies include playing video games, reading and collecting comic books, playing the guitar and cooking.

These interests may sound similar to the interests of the average high school student, which he said actually make it a lot easier to connect with his students.

Mr. Slavec has a relaxed yet serious attitude with his students. “I think it`s important to connect with the students and realize students are people and not learning machines,” he said.

His favorite thing about being a teacher, he said, is how “every day I get to open someone`s eyes to something new and how even my students every day open my eyes to something new.”

By Mary LawhornStaff Writer

Across:1. Heroic poems6. Actress ____ West9. Hamilton Bill12. Forest path13. Unwell14. Pitcher’s stat15. Overfull17. Playful bite

18. Stick fast19. Jo ____ Messina20. Scanty23. Wood source25. Pro’s opposite26. Vacation spots29. Detroit product31. Defective bomb32. Uncluttered

33. Mass ____ (subways, e.g.)35. ____-fi36. Deteriorates37. Speech-maker40. Business abbr.42. In the sky44. Stool pigeon45. Train tracks49. French for “pal”50. Recipe measure (abbr.)51. Come afterward52. 1/60th of a minute (abbr.)53. Look at54. Plant againDown:1. List abbr.2. For3. Author ____

Fleming4. Havana export5. Toboggans6. Tiny insect7. Warned8. Church officials9. Most sore 10. Cleveland’s lake11. Back of the neck16. That gal

20. Begone!21. Fill glasses22. Near the south pole24. Billion years26. Boring routine27. Mexican meal28. Commotion30. Lennon’s Yoko ____31. Malady

34. Commences37. Frying need38. Less frequent39. Unattended40. Levin and Gershwin41. Title43. Ready for picking46. Poisonous snake47. Pair48. Established

Slavec creates fun, comfortable learning environment for students

Photo by Bella Murphy Though Andrew Slavec has been here only for a short time, he has already had a positive impact on many students.

Answers on page 7

Stephanie Hollister, junior

Andrew Garcia, junior

To contact “The Pomegranate,” email us at pomegranatestaff@gmail.com.

featuresDECEMBER 2012

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By Megan Smith

Staff Writer Have you ever walked into a new place and had absolutely no idea where to start? With all the new faces, names, classes, and teachers to remember, being a new student can be overwhelming. This is the reason the FIT program was added five years ago. Granada is also finding other new ways to reach these newcomers and help integrate them into the school’s community. The Ambassador Club, though still in its beginning stages, has great potential to become one of Granada’s most appreciated sources of interaction. It has officially settled down into room MM3 every Wednesday at lunch and anyone is welcome to join. The main focus of this club will

be to welcome new students and help them find a common interest among their peers. The hope is to attract a wide range of diversity among the students so that every interest may be represented and available for these new students. It will be important to make sure everyone feels included. The members of this club will become something like mentors to these new kids. They will be able to guide them through school, show them their classes, clubs that may spark their interest and may even include having lunch with them, just to assure that they become more situated at this school. This new club will be working alongside the counselor’s office and will be able to reach these new students efficiently. Mostly the interaction will be one-on-

By Heather LeCon

Editor-in-Chief With deadlines for college applications coming soon, and with first trimester ended, seniors only have one thing on their mind: college. Whether they’re graduating early, going far away, or staying close to home, most seniors are preparing, and stressing about college. We’ve been hearing about how to prepare for college since freshman year in FIT, but now that it’s actually time, are we all really ready to say goodbye to our past and hello to the future? Senior Kelly Rè said, “I was really excited about graduating early, but as finals week approached, it began to hit me. I love Granada; I’ve spent the best

years of my life here. Though it was hard to leave, I’m excited to start a new chapter of my life.” Early grads in some aspects may be lucky to be leaving high school sooner than most, but are they really getting the full benefits of their senior year? Senior Annie Santos said, “I am all for graduating early, and I am so ready to finish high school and move on with my life, but I will admit I am going to miss high school.” Then there are the seniors that are ready to leave but have decided to stay all year. College apps can put lots of stress on students who are seeking to attend some of the universities that are the hardest to get into. “Yes definitely [I’m ready to graduate]. I’m not sure what to expect when I leave home.

one, so that every student will be able to connect with someone who will make them feel welcome. Though the majority of the club will be between one mentor and one student, there will be several events that the club can do as a group, such as school functions like the Club Fair, or visits to local middle schools where they will start the association with high school early. “This club will be able to help [new students] transition to the Granada community,” said Mr. Johnston, the coordinator of this club. He knows exactly how it feels to approach high school as a complete stranger, having moved from California to Utah during his teenage years. Hopefully this club will make it easier for kids to feel like they are a part of their new school.

I’m sure it’ll be weird but I’m also really thrilled to experience things on my own and meet

new people,” said senior Alison Pierson.

“College apps are okay, the personal statement is going to be a challenge though.” Students not only have to worry about having the best grades, but they also worry about how they’re going to pay for

everything. Student loans and scholarships are some of the easiest ways to help pay for college. “I’m definitely looking forward to graduating, but I will miss our wonderful class.” Said senior Logan Glover, “I’m excited

for college, not completely prepared relative to finances and other arrangements, but I’ve got a good handle on what I’d like to do in college.” Many seniors are looking forward to graduating because they will finally get the chance to pursue the studies they are interested in.

“I am extremely excited to graduate. I can’t wait to get out in the world on my own; I am also ready for college and to actually study something that will benefit me in the business world, and I am ready for new

and exhilarating experiences in college.” Said senior Jesse Taylor. Senior John McIntyre, who is also eager for the college experience, said, “I am looking forward to graduation, but it will definitely be hard parting from all the people I’ve known for so long, I am excited for college, I’m looking forward to learning about my career and preparing for life.” Even if you aren’t prepared for college at all, it’s okay. Graduating high school is a big step. Just that alone will be a new experience. Those who are stressing over satisfying those final deadlines for essays and applications need to just stop and take a breath. All those nights of staying up late and trying your hardest these last four years will finally pay off.

Bite Size Apple Pies“Taste of Home”

Ingredients:

1/2 c. sugar2 tsp. cinnamon1 pkg. (14.1 oz.) refrigerated pie crust 3 tbsp. melted butter, divided2 medium tart apples, each cut into 8 wedges

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon, set aside 1 Tbsp. On a lightly

Holiday Recipes

Mixed feelings arise towards graduation, college

New club allows students to find common interests

Granada High School students who have tried the recipe think it is a delicious and festive treat. Senior Brianna Zantman said, “I like that they are bite sized, because you can get the full taste of an apple pie while only eating a small amount.” Senior Hailey Silveira said, “Being an apple pie lover, these are just as good if not better than a whole pie.” Senior Hannah Smith agreed and said, “[The bite size apple pies] taste just like the real pies my grandma makes.”

floured surface, unroll the pastry. Brush with 2 Tbsp. melted butter, sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture.

Cut each sheet into 8 one inch strips, about 8 in. long. Wrap one strip around each apple wedge, placing sugared side of pastry against apple.

Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture. bake at 425 for 13-15 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 16.

End of trimester marks just one of numerous lasts for many seniors

Mr. Johnston talks with an Ambassador Club member about her transition to high school this year and how she likes Granada.

Photo by Megan Smith

By Kelsey LaBarbera

featuresDECEMBER 2012

7

By Megan Smith

Staff Writer “Pride and Prejudice” is a well- known classic. To be considered a good read for today’s day and age, it must have a certain allure that time cannot outdate. Though it may not be on the New York Times Best Seller list, having been published in 1813, it can still bring great enjoyment to readers with its wit and interesting plot. Unlike most modern books, “Pride and Prejudice” carries a unique view of romance and an aged charm within its pages. Authors generally try to embrace the generation they are writing for, so often in modern books, the text is simple and straight to the point. This is for the purpose of bringing a quick understanding of the character and their emotions. When looking into older books, however, the literature is very different. The language is more circuitous and the emotion often exaggerated. In “Pride and Prejudice,” emotion is not drawn out from any grand scenes of conflict, but rather is evoked from seemingly everyday events.Some may say “Pride and Prejudice” is outdated and the language excessive, but the thing to remember about classics is the reason why they became classic in the first place. Though the characters might be harder to

relate to, the choice of words are artfully selected to create a quaint and unique type of literature. Enjoying this book, however, will depend on the individual. Some may be put off by the book’s eccentricities, such as when Austen chooses to write, “It was consequently necessary to name some other period for the commencement of actual felicity”; when all she meant to communicate was the character wanted to remember a time when she felt true happiness. There are a number of passages just like t h i s , where t h e only way to gain any true understanding of what Austen meant to express is to interpret it slowly, as you read. Be that as it may, it definitely gives one an appreciation of older literature. For those who are not discouraged by some confusing text, but are repelled by the idea of reading a romance novel, then this book still might be agreeable to you. In terms of romance, the structure is generally the same: two people who should be together by the first page end up together on the last, with a variety

of complications in the middle. Yet, with this seemingly narrow focus of romance, Pride and Prejudice covers a wide range of concerns. Austen analyzes the social structure of the nineteenth century, the resentment between the middle class and the rich and the brutality of

assuming one’s character. When reading

the book, you very quickly grow

attached to the main character,

E l i zabe th Bennet, who

has a terrible knack for making

one misjudgment after another. However,

should any character be perfectly established in the

beginning, the middle would be awfully dry and character

growth seriously lacking. As the book goes on, Elizabeth gradually matures and is able to see the true characters beneath what her pride had made some people out to be. This novel is enjoyable, well-written, and surprisingly witty. Though it is not a brand new title, “Pride and Prejudice” is still very well worth the read. It definitely deserves its title as a classic, and should be considered worthy reading with each new generation. It’s a great book that should be read.

Death GripsMonday, December 3Slim’s7:00 PMBloc PartyThursday, December 6Fox Theater8:00Not So Silent NightFriday, December 7 - December 8Oracle Arena

Upcoming ConcertsDecember

The WhoFriday, February 1Oracle Arena7:30 PMEllie GouldingFriday February 8Fox Theater-Oakland 8:00PM

Curren$yWednesday, December 5DNA Lounge8:00 99.7 Triple Ho Show 3.0Friday, December 14San Jose HP Pavilion7:30 PMThe Aquabats!Friday, December14Slim’s7:00

Lady GagaThursday January 17

San Jose HP Pavilion7:30 PM

January

“Pride and Prejudice” stands test of time

MuseMonday January 28Oracle Theater7:00PM

Ed Sheeran Friday February 8The Warfield San Francisco 7:00PMPinkMonday February 18San Jose HP Pavilion7:30PM

February

Scholar athletes awarded with scholarships for their talents

Seniors (from left to right) Vince Fernandez, Ryan Kirby, Janelle Reali, Bianca Devoto, Nina Hayes and Nicole Evans signed letters of intent on November 14th to the colleges they will be attending next year. These letters ensure scholarships to the schools for their athletic abilities. Fernandez and Kirby (baseball) will be attending UC Riverside and the University of San Diego, respectively. Reali signed to Montana State University for golf. Devoto and Evans signed to UC San Diego and McNeese State University, respectively, both for softball. Hayes is attending UCLA for swimming.

55-word short stories

Photo by Rebecca Bernstein

“Confessions”by Brooke Yarrington

I love Jenny Sue, yes I do.Her eyes are blue.I’ve tried to tell her 100 times,I walk up to Jenny, and tell her.She turns around and her eyes are not blue.Turns out Jenny Sue is one of two.I confessed to twin Wendy Woo.

“First Date”by Jeff Katen

I’m perched on my bathroom counter, glaring into the mirror and shoveling gel into my hair. Gotta spike it for my first date. I’m in the theater, our gazes meet. This is the moment. I lean in for my first kiss. No. I jerk back, wide-eyed. She’s bleeding, dead; her face impaled by my hair.

“Untitled”

by Elissa Zucchi

A nightmare struck like a clock at midnight. Chaos and fright filled my whole body. I was being chased by the devil into the morning light. Desperation, Exasperation. Determination. Run, no. Wake up. Whisper those words of wisdom: let it be. It’s just a dream.

“The Friend”by Samantha Smith

“I can’t be your friend,” the woman said just as her friend was about to speak. They blushed, apologized for interrupting, and waited for the other to continue. After a while, the first girl spoke again, “We never talk,” and interrupted her friend once again. “I hate it!” She yelled, running away from the mirror.

“Horror”

by Mikaela Priest

The man crept down the hallway. A bloody knife in his hand. She could hear his heavy, slow breaths. He raised the knife into the air.The girl screamed, closing her eyes, and covering her ears.The room went silent. She opened her eyes. Her mom had turned off the TV.

In Mrs. Jost’s first trimester short story class, students were asked to write a complete short story in 55 words or less. After her students completed these stories, the class voted for their favorites. Below are the winners:

featuresDECEMBER 2012

8

By Mary Lawhorn

Staff Writer With the holidays coming, many people are looking for fun, winter activities around the Bay Area to enjoy. The holiday season kicks off on Saturday, December 1st with “Home for The Holidays” in downtown Livermore. Christmas shops will be set up with horse drawn carriage rides, live performances and snow in Lizzie Fountain, lasting from noon to four p.m. Later that night, the Livermore Holiday Parade and annual tree lighting will take place in downtown Livermore. The parade will begin on the corner

of First Street, and travel down to McLeod Street. Following the parade, the annual lighting of “Bruce Sprucetree” will take place on the corner of First Street & South Livermore Avenue. The Bay Area also has many exciting holiday light displays for people of all ages to enjoy. You can board the Niles Canyon Train of Lights, a beautiful train decorated with lights in Sunol, and ride all the way to Niles Canyon and back. The train runs until December 30th, and general admission is $25. Many associate ice skating with winter, if you are one of those people, then there are many ice rinks across the Bay Area for you to enjoy. There is one

ice rink in Pleasanton that runs until January 10th, one in Walnut Creek that runs until January 16th, and two in San Francisco. One is in Union Square and it lasts until January 16th, and the other is in the Embarcadero Center, and is open until January 6th. If you’re more into the traditional light displays, then there is always Deacon Dave’s in Livermore, or the ever-so–popular Candy Cane Lane. If unconventional Christmas displays are more your thing, then try Christmas in the Park. Every year, the two-acre Plaza De Cesar Chavez is decorated with sixty exhibits to enjoy. The park is free to get into, and is open until New Year’s.

Bay Area provides holiday festivities for all

Leggings, scarves, pea coats are the latest trends this winter

cora.org.

The Pier 39 ice rink, located in San Francisco, is open until January 21st and is one of the many Bay Area ice rinks for people to enjoy this winter season.

By Bella Murphy

Staff Writer During the chilly season, it’s obvious that you have to wear more layers, and this season, those layers are top sellers. Warm accessories are also important when putting together a wardrobe. New styles are making an appearance in this winter weather. First off, the most important items of clothing during the winter are, of course, jackets and coats. However, the most stylish jackets are the ones with fur inside, such as the standard faux fur inside the hood and something new like a fur collar or shrug. Also, jean jackets are huge in fashion right now, too. For jeans, however, leggings are making much more of an

Cars With CharacterBy Zachary D. WilliamsStaff Writer

There are cars, and then there are cool cars. Cars that make you wonder, “What happened to that car?” Cars that make you wish they were yours. Cars like Matt Trevisano’s 1978 Chevy Cheyenne.

appearance this year. Not just your standard black leggings, but the knitted stitching is also very cute, and they come in all types of colors. You can’t complete an outfit without warm, comfy and cozy shoes. Boots are the most trend-setting topic of discussion. There are your standard Uggs, and there are also high heels or flat sole boots. These look adorable with jeans, leggings and even high skirts. Jeans are coming in all different colors. The most popular colors for this season are light pink, white, grey, and printed. Almost all shirts and blouses can go with those different colored pants and with any type of boots or shoes. Guys, of course, need to keep warm in style also.

This season, more and more preppy styles are coming like pea coats and sweaters. And, the more classy and sophisticated the pea coats look, the more fashionable they are. Scarves are very popular for both boys and girls. Pea coats are also made in different styles, cuts, colors, fabrics, and are even made for both genders. Beanies and fedoras are also another touch to add fashion to an outfit. This season, the more accessories you have, the better. Leg warmers, scarves and beanies are all adding flavor of fashion into an outfit. It no longer matters what your outfit is, or how bland it is, as long as you add some cute and comfy leg warmers and a fashionable though warm scarf to it, you’re good to go.

Why do you think your car has character?It brightens my day when I think of all the crazy shenanigans I have been through with my car.

What modifications have you made?After-market stereo. It goes boom.

Is this your dream car?No way, José, my dream car is a Subaru.

Did anyone have the car before you?Nah, I bought it from some dude from another city.

What made you decide to get this car?I’ve wanted a truck ever since I got my license.

What is the longest trip you have ever taken in the car?One time I drove all the way to Disneyland! I’ve also driven to Kirkwood.

If you could drive this car anywhere, where would you go?Colorado!

What is your best memory regarding the car?My best memory is driving with my best friend to Disneyland.

Are there any nicknames for your car?The Gold-Digger because it’s gold.

What type of reactions do you get to the car?People say it’s small. They are small.Photo By Zachary D. Williams

Photo by Rebecca BernsteinPhoto by Justin MooreSenior Tai Ball and junior Samantha Valdez accesorise using pea coats and beanies to keep warm for the winter.

newsDECEMBER 2012

9

Livermore participates in Urban Shield 2012

Obama is Mr. President for another 4 years

nicoleandgwendolyn.com

What Americans should expect from President Obama’s second term

policemag.com

Officers from the Livermore and Pleasanton Police Departments approach a research facility and attempt to dismantle a “chemical threat” in a simulation exercise.

The President, his wife, and daughters greet excited supporters at the presidential acceptance speech at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

By Hayley Smith

Staff Writer After months of campaigning, the final election results came in on the night of November 6. President Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, was re-elected with a total of 303 electoral votes. With half of the country thrilled and the other in dismay, Obama’s plan for the next four years leaves America hot-and-cold.

The Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” has received its share of praise and criticism. The act, which would mandate health insurance for all Americans, is similar to the healthcare plans of multiple European countries. It will cover more preventative care, such as flu shots and diabetes screenings, as well as allow young people to stay on their parent’s health insurance until they are 26.

The healthcare plan also puts an emphasis on women’s health, which may explain why the majority of American women are Obama supporters. The

president, who is pro-choice, promises to continue government funding of Planned Parenthood, which offers mammograms and cancer screenings to low-income women. Obama will also require insurers to cover contraception

and prenatal screenings.To repair an economy in

recession, Obama has also proposed the American Jobs Act. As part of his stimulus strategy, it will use federal dollars to encourage employment, while

eliminating tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. If it goes according to plan, the act will cut taxes for the middle-class and keep jobs in the United States, lowering the unemployment rate.

For many current high

school seniors, the idea of paying college tuition over the next few years seems both frightening and impossible.

Obama’s proposed student loan reform aims to take away the pattern of students leaving college with massive debt. The plan would allow graduates to pay off their student loan at an individual pace, depending factors like income and family size. The president also plans to invest more in public K-12 education and community colleges.

As a fan of clean energy and opponent of big oil, President Obama made the United States the world leader of natural gas during his first term. His goal is to become less dependent on foreign oil and create jobs that support alternative energy sources.

Thinking about the next four years of Obama’s presidency has inspired both hope and fear of the country’s future. With new programs, America could receive the change it’s been dreaming of. At this point, all the United States can do is wait and see how it all plays out.

By Katherine M. Klem

Staff Writer Gunshots exploded in the air as hostages frantically tried to alert a wary and aggressive SWAT team. The police, usually the ones to respond first and attempt to deal with the situation, were the ones firing back at the SWAT team. When one reads this, they may wonder if our government has failed in screening cops or if all those crazy conspiracy theories your grandpa tells you are true.

The truth is that the hostages volunteered to do this and the cops were role playing as terrorists with predetermined actions that remained constant throughout the scenario. The SWAT teams, with detergent pellets shooting out of their guns, were the only people not knowing exactly what they were walking into. The short debriefing near a bunch of angry parents (volunteers) was all they received before shots went off, representing the execution of the hostages and sending the teams up the hill.

The SWAT teams hailed from many different cities, from New York to our own Livermore/Pleasanton squads. The scenarios were designed to rate teams on how they deal with live action situations. These situations were re-creations of past events that have happened before in the world.

Numerous SWAT teams called the event, hosted at Las

Positas College, the most realistic and believable simulation event they’d ever seen. Since the teams were going to places all over the college campus, the time between each run through was about an hour, and volunteers often spent that time talking with the cops, playing games, socializing with fellow participants and just trying to stay awake.

One reason staying awake was so hard was the fact that the shifts ran on Saturday from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the next shift was Saturday 4 p.m. to Sunday at 4 a.m. The last shifts were Sunday 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. and finally, 4 p.m. to Monday at 6:30 a.m. Many student volunteers, if they had the night shift, which ended at 6:30 a.m., had to miss school on Monday, but they didn’t mind.

The long hours did make it a memorable experience for many students who participated. Senior Jennifer Louie said, “I played a hostage. My favorite part was bonding with people from other schools and even (with) the police officers that were working. My least favorite part was missing the Giants win the World Series. [However] it was one of my best experiences of my life.”

Whether you’re a social butterfly or someone who is looking to join the military because of your love to make things go “Boom,” Urban Shield supplies all the necessary props to keep everyone entertained and

satisfied with the experience. Senior Jason Shanley said, “My favorite part was just being around the SWAT teams because I like that kind of stuff.”

Shanley added, “My least favorite part was the downtime, waiting for the next team to get there was like around two hours, and I was a hostage in one of the rooms where the teams breached to kill the terrorists.”

One of the most memorable

moments for volunteers in the night shift was being able to personally meet the participating members of the United States Marine Corps. The Marines were standing with their backs to us, emptying their weapons, when their commander instructed them to turn around.

Much to their surprise, they were met with a huge group of smiling faces clapping and yelling for them, which didn’t

fail to bring a smile to their faces.Urban Shield was a volunteer

opportunity that turned into a type of bonding event that would be hard to find even on the best of dating websites. It was a “breathtaking,” completely hands on experience, and the interactive SWAT infiltration scenarios do more than create more volunteer hours for your college app. They completely alter your perspective on life.

sportsDECEMBER 2012

10

By Rebecca Bernstein

News Editor With the winter trimester approaching, football comes to an end, and basketball takes it’s place. Many players from both Granada and Livermore High

School are finding ways to get involved with their community, improve their playing, and even make a little money on the side: they became referees. The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) holds a basketball league every winter

for kids grades 1 through 8. They hold games on Sundays and, like any other sport, need people to keep the game in check. Most of the referees for the league are either in high school or just out of high school, and whether they’ve played the game or not, they need training. Before becoming officials, the trainees had to learn where to stand on the court in relation to the ball and what to look for. Stephen Goode, who’s in his first year of being a referee, said, “Our best learning came from reffing scrimmages to get an idea of an actual game.” The last step to becoming a ref is the outfit. Referees are official so to gain respect on the court they need to dress officially. All referees are required to wear a black and white striped shirt, shoes appropriate for running up and down the court, black bottoms and they are given a whistle. Those who become referees find it ultimately worth it. “I solely signed up because of the money,” said junior Jake Salinas, who is entering his second year of refereeing. “I recently have changed and now do it because I love reffing and giving back to the league... that I started playing basketball in.” The pay is $13 a game, or about $18 if you’re a head referee, but for Granada High graduate Camille Cauthen, it’s not about the money. “I enjoy reffing because it helps me learn the

By Brooke Yarrington

Sports Editor

Trash talking other players is something that has been a part of sports forever. It’s a part of competition and rivalry. But to be honest, it’s ridiculous and immature. Trash talking between fans of two different teams is understandable to some extent, but there is a fine line between supporting your team by pointing out the other team’s mistakes and failures, and being rude.

There have been numerous stories of parents cursing out the ref or starting a fight with other parents at their kids’ little league game.

For example, a huge brawl started between parents of different teams in Columbus, Georgia, after the parents of the winning team started to play loud victory music, upsetting the other team to the point of violence when one parent punched out another parent.

This is by far the most extreme example of immaturity. What are parents teaching their kids by socking someone in the

face because their precious all-star was called out? Seriously?

The one place that trash talking is the most unnecessary, immature and ridiculous is when it occurs on the field between the players of opposing teams.

The act of trash talking on the field is a sign of weakness and insecurity. Why else would someone feel the need to take the game to a whole other level instead of just using his or her skill, which is a far more legitimate threat? Senior Matt Richards believes that “Even though it’s a part of the game, some players take it too far. It’s good to be passionate about your sport, but don’t take it too far.” Athletes should use their skills to beat their opponent, not inappropriate language and threats. They should be confident enough in themselves to use their skills and training to win the game. If an athlete has to take the game to that point, then he or she seriously needs to work on sportsmanship.

Trash talking takes athletes out of their games and makes their success unworthy. That’s not to say that players pick this trait up on their own. Coaches often have a huge influence in this immature act. Coaches are responsible for their players and by promoting trash talking, they are putting their players in dangerous situations. Trash talking not only is

unsportsmanlike but in reality, it does nothing positive for those who use it. The main reason players do it is to get inside of the other person’s head and take away from their game. But in reality, it gives an opponent more of a motivation to play well, which makes it worse for the instigator. Senior soccer player Shelby McNeil explains this concept. “I feel like when people trash talk to me, it motivates me to do better and by

not talking back, it shows that I’m the bigger person, and in the end, they gain nothing from doing it.” There are some sports where firing the team up to act aggressively is part of the sport and appropriate. For example, on the football field you will often hear players and coaches saying things that are not necessary acceptable in other sports or situations, mainly because tackling and hitting someone is one of the main objectives of the game. A football coach wouldn’t necessarily scream “Tackle him to the ground and make sure he does not get up,” to a golfer about to hit the ball. Excessive trash talking will often start fights and other violent acts during the game. There are some people out there who aren’t as tolerant but are just as tenacious as the trash talkers are, and they are willing to teach people a lesson about keeping their mouths shut. All athletes should remember that the next time they take the field, they need to use their skills to defeat the other team, all the while staying classy.Opponents will respect that and everyone else will hopefully do the same.

It’s time to take out trash talking in sports

game and I like being able to teach younger kids to become experts in their sport,” said Cauthen. Referees do help kids at the lower levels to learn to play the game. If a kid at the lower level makes a mistake, a referee will still blow the whistle, but they will also take a few seconds to explain to the player what he/she did wrong. Not only do they help younger kids improve their skills, but being a referee also helps them improve their skills as a player. Goode said, “I think being a ref will help me know how I can play in a game and where I can push the limits on certain rules.

Photo by Rebecca Bernstein

Salinas, who has been a ref before, backs that up, saying he’s noticed a change in his playing. “I find myself not getting as angry at refs about ‘bad’ or ‘missed’ calls,” said Salinas. The chance to become a referee is a valuable opportunity for players. Cauthen said, “You should only ref if you truly know how to play the sport you’re reffing.” However, she sees it as a great opportunity for experienced and knowledgeable players. “It helps you learn the game and be able to understand it from a different point of view,” said Cauthen.

Teen reffing: great job experience for athletes

Senior Candice Vierra reffs a junior CYO basketball game.

sportsDECEMBER 2012

11

By Justin Moore

Staff Writer Of the many sports that Granada has to offer, coincidentally, the one that is often looked over happens to be the one that goes the farthest during the season. The cross country team, boys and girls, consistently makes it to the North Coast Section meet and competes at the finals and then participates in the State meet held in Clovis. According to boys team captain Josh Knight, “The boys did very well this season. We had some people step up that were totally unexpected and perform well, like Leo Skellenger and Bret Rasmussen.” He then added, “In my opinion, many things could go wrong for the NCS meet, but, many things

could also go right. We basically need to all fire on the same day.” Which means, Knight and fellow teammate Spencer Jeppson need to place in the top ten and the rest of the varsity team needs to place in the top 25 of the NCS race. With the boys and girls team off towards a promising finish to their season, it remains a mystery why this team still remains so overlooked. Nonetheless, their accomplishments could not have been met if not for the excellence of the athletes and dedication of the coaches. Coaches Noel and Sara Mattern donate much of their free time and energy to the cross country team, creating a close knit family between themselves and the athletes. Doing so makes the season fun,

By Heather LeCon

Editor-in-Chief Senior Janelle Reali maintains above average grades and a positive attitude all while playing varsity golf for the last four years, thus making her December’s athlete of the month. She started playing golf when she was seven and her parents enrolled her and her sister in a First Tee clinic. Starting young gave Reali an advantage and helped land her a secure spot on varsity beginning her freshman year. Reali said, “My sister inspired me to play because I’ve always wanted to be like her and beat her, of course.” She added that her favorite moment on the team was when her team made it to state with her older sister her freshman year. They beat out Foothill and Amador, their big rivals, by one stroke each. Reali is able to manage golf and school because her

teachers allow her extra time to finish assignments. She still succeeds in school while also succeeding in golf. Next year Reali will be playing golf for Montana State University. Being on the golf team requires Reali to travel to many different golf courses. She said, “My favorite part about golf is that it’s always a challenge, there’s always room for improvement, it requires focus and concentration and I get to play on amazingly beautiful courses, and the field is always different.” Many players on the team have been together from the start. Reali said that they’re not just a team but more like a family. The girls varsity golf team has been a strong one for man years. Reali has helped make that possible. She said, “My best score on nine holes is a four under 32 and for eighteen a one under 71, both at Poppy Ridge Golf course.” Reali and her team are very

dedicated to doing their best, but they also like having fun. She added that when her team made it to state, Coach Tim Rankin shaved his head to honor a bet he had made earlier with the girls. In golf you always want to improve your score, the lower the better. Reali looks up to her coaches for words of improvement. “The best feedback I’ve gotten from a coach is when my swing coach Dave told me to move my ball position and then I went under (par) the next day,” said Reali. Her golf team has participated in many tournaments throughout the years, though Reali said her favorite “was when I played in the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and my pro Gary Hallberg and I went 6 under at Pebble Beach to make the cut by one stroke!” “Another favorite tournament moment was when I won the Bulldog Invitational individually

and my team took first,” said Reali. High school golf has come to an end for Janelle Reali,

but she will continue to be the successful athlete and student she is into her college years.

which is absolutely necessary because going to state doesn’t come from sitting on a couch. The team runs every day of the week, with each day, consisting of a different type of running work out, whether it be sessions or mile repeats. “Rest days” consist of running anywhere from four to eight miles, depending on the

experience or health of a runner. “We have a chance to win because of our training plan,” said Knight. Neither the girls nor the boys team were handed their talents and success. They worked and strived for it, and their efforts are all paying off as the two teams headed off to NCS to take on the top teams from the area.

By Anthony T. Miller

Staff Writer It was a cold morning on Saturday, November 10th, as the participants in the annual Race to the Flag Pole lined up at the start of their race. The runners in the 5k and 10k took off, some slow, and some fast to begin their trek through Sycamore Grove Park. The ages of racers varied from about 5 years to those 50 and up. The beginning of the race started with a few kids running out ahead and some adults walking or jogging casually. There were a variety of competitors as the race was a fundraiser for the Livermore and Granada boosters, and not a serious competition. The first person to cross

the finish line was Matthew Reddick from Mendenhall, who had sprinted ahead in the very beginning. He ran around a 19-minute 3.1 mile (5k) race. He was about a minute ahead of the person in 2nd place for the 5k. Many competitors were happy with how they raced and the times they received. Freshman Ryan McCool had this to say about the race, “The race felt hard, [although] it felt good to finish. It was fun. I was happy with how I placed; I think I got 7th, maybe 8th.” After competitors finished their race they received complimentary food, drink and even a miniature American flag for the more patriotic runners. Medals were also handed out to the top three

runners in every age group for each race. This appeared to leave all the runners content after their races. The Race to the Flagpole wasn’t just for those who could run or walk a 5 of 10K. The event also included a one-mile run that started at 11 a.m. Admission to that race was $10, opposed to the $30 plus that was required to participate in the 5k and 10k races. This event was well liked by everyone participating in it, including the volunteers. Volunteer bike escort sophomore Alex Cupps said, “I thought the race went great because it was really fun; it was fun because I got to bike little kids around.” Come out next year to support your school, race, and have fun in the annual Race to the Flag Pole.

Photo by Anna RealiJanelle Reali signed with MSU where she will be playing golf.

Photo by Anthony T. Miller

Reali dedicates time to a sport she loves

Cross country forms strong bond on and off the course

Race to the Flagpole raises money for Boosters

livermore-granadaboosters.com

This year’s race began and ended in Independence Park, and included 1-mile, 5k, 10k, and half-marathon events. Proceeds from the event support the Booster College Scholarship Fund.

The cross country team trains daily, running at least four miles.

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AV: Amador ValleyCal: California High

DLS: De La SalleFH: Foothill

LHS: Livermore HighMV: Monte Vista CDL: Carondelet

SRV: San Ramon Valley

DECEMBER 2012Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

- Hannukah Begins- GHS Holiday Invitational- V Wrestling @ Castro Valley- Girls Varsity B-ball @ Modesto Christian

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- Varsity wrestling @ Mcnair High - World Aids Day

- Girls Frosh B-ball @ Valley Christian - Robotics Club Rm 604

- Boys B-ball @ Heritage- Anime Club S-10- Robotics Club Rm 604

- Hip Hop Club Sm. Gym- Literary Society Rm 103- Pre Med Society RM S-13- Red Cross Club Rm S-2

- GHS Holiday Invitational- Art Club Rm 601- Ignited Youth Rm 207- Math Club Rm 108- Robotics Club Rm 604

- GHS Holiday Invitational- Girls V B-ball @ Modesto Christian- Interact S-3- Tri M Music Rm S-10

- Robotics Club Rm 604- Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

- Boys B-ball @ Freedom High - Girls B-ball @ American High- Anime Club S-10- Robotics Club Rm 604

- Girls B-ball @ Modesto Christian- Art Club Rm 601- Ignited Youth Rm 207- Math Club Rm 108- Robotics Club Rm 604

- Interact S-3- Tri M Music Rm S-10- Girls Frosh B-ball @ Modesto Christian

- National Lemon Cupcake Day- Notre Dame Basketball vs Purdue

- Robotics Club Rm 604- Girls Frosh B-ball @ Antioch High- Girls V B-ball @ Dougherty Valley

- Anime Club S-10- Robotics Club Rm 604- Girls Frosh B-ball @ Antioch High- Girls V B-ball Alumni Game

- Hip Hop Club Sm. Gym- Literary Society Rm 103- Pre Med Society Rm S-13- Red Cross Club Rm S-2- Girls Frosh/JV B-ball @ Irvington

- Art Club Rm 601- Ignited Youth Rm 207- Math Club Rm 108- Robotics Club Rm 604- Girls JV B-ball @ Antioch- Girls B-ball @ Benicia

- Girls JV B-ball @ Antioch- Boys B-ball @ American- Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers

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- Hip Hop Club Sm. Gym- Literary Society Rm 103- Pre Med Society Rm S-13- Red Cross Club Rm S-2

- National Pastries Day- New Orleans Saints @ NY Giants

- National Fritters Day- Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

- National Chocolate Covered Anything Day- Hannukah Ends-Pittsburg Steelers @ Dallas Cowboys

- Interact S-3- Tri M Music Rm S-10- Girls JV B-ball @ Antioch

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Winter Break

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the pomegranate