p. 1 news
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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: After winning DFAL last weekend, volley- ball has high hopes for future. (13) EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW: “I don’t know” is no longer a valid excuse. (18) ARTISTS OF THE ISSUE: Mirador catches up with artistic seniors Jarad Solomon and Lily Williams. (9) Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid, Orinda, Ca Permit #301 Miramonte High School 750 Moraga Way Orinda, CA 94563 The Mirador VOLUME 52, ISSUE 2 NOVEMBER 6, 2009 SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT MHS Celebrates 54th Homecoming Administration Condemns Racist Graffiti FEATURE by Laila Abtahi and Caroline Cook During the week of Oct. 19, an unidentified person reported anti-Semitic and other racial graffiti to the administration. Markings covered mirrors and stalls inside the boys’ bathroom in the 140s hall and several desks in classrooms. According to Associate Principal Jan Carlson, one of the anti-Semitic pieces was up for a while, but the Administration did not discover the racist symbols until they were informed of them in mid-October. The administration took action by calling the police and parents of suspected students, in addition to removing the markings from the premises. The school is currently working with the police in an ongoing investigation. “The administration and district take this very, very seriously,” said Carlson. “Racial graffiti has been minimal, but periodically it has popped up.” The newer graffiti was reported quickly because of its flagrancy. “People reported it because it was on the mirrors, which was questionable, and everyone was so appalled by it,” said junior Chris Thatcher. Students rarely report older graffiti. Sometimes custodians don’t see the less flashy graffiti, and sometimes, after painted over, students replace the graffiti the next day. Although many students disregard the common defacement of school property, some take offense from the racist gestures. “Being a minority, I’ve experienced some racial problems at Miramonte,” said junior Ashraf Mathkour. “There’s something called a ‘second circle of friends,’ people who overhear the playful teasing your friends say, and think it’s okay to make the same racist remarks.” According to senior Adam Mysorewala, someone drew a swastika in the boys’ bathroom. Other students supposedly saw other discriminating pictures. Whether graffiti is harmless or malicious, vandalism is unacceptable. After clearing the writing in the boys’ bathrooms, the administration also removed old graffiti in the girls’ bathrooms. by Meredith White Leadership transformed the Miramonte campus into a Nor-Cal Disneyland with Homecoming week’s Disney themed festivities. The week of Oct. 25 came to a close with Saturday night’s dance. Students were encouraged to dress as their favorite Disney character, which was, for the most part, adhered to by the relatively small turn out. School administrators herded dance goers through breathalyzing lines, a policy the school is very strictly enforcing this year. “I heard that students were sneaking alcohol into the bathrooms at the dance, so the additional breathalyzers were to deter students,” said Principal Adam Clark. “We’re not just trying to bust kids. I want students to be safe and have a good time.” The DJ’s choice of music elicited hostile and disgruntled reactions from students. “The DJ blew,” said junior Mackenzie Martin. Other students concurred, which was shown by the glow sticks hurled at the DJ when he stopped the music to threaten a walkout. The controversial dance was preceded by Friday night’s football upset in which Acalanes beat the Mats 7-14 in a close scoring game. The Acalanes Dons broke the 7-7 tie and secured a victory with a touchdown in the final 18 seconds. At half time, Senior Class President Shanni He crowned Homecoming King Aaron Whitelock, Queen Sasha Belinsky, Prince Will St. Lezin, and Princess Kelsey Williams. The Homecoming Royalty were treated to a chariot ride, courtesy of the freshmen football team. “I was a little embarrassed to have to ride in the chariot and pissed that I had to wear nice clothes, but the crown was pretty sweet,” said St. Lezin. Impressive plays by senior wide receiver James King and sophomore quarterback Ross Anderson rallied crowd morale as well as Principal Clark’s spontaneous cheerleading. “Mr. Clark is a complete badass at football games,” said junior Peter Grover. “He clearly is a die hard football and Miramonte fan.” Many students participated in lunchtime activities inspired by classic Disney movies. Monday’s “Hercules” obstacle course, Tuesday’s “Lion King” Circle of Life cakewalk, Wednesday’s “Little Mermaid” Find the Flounder Challenge and Powder Puff, Thursday’s “Beauty and the Beast” Beard Competition, and Friday’s Disney rally all had large turn outs and spirited participants. “Rally leaders Eric Sassano and Adam Gibson have been planning rally ideas since Leadership camp this summer,” said ASB Vice President senior Holly Finertie. “And, we were at school until 11 Thursday night.” The apparent preparation paid off when Leadership showed the crowd-pleasing short movie spoof on “Aladdin,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Peter Pan.” Thursday’s Powder Puff final game between the juniors and seniors resulted in an underdog junior victory. Junior Coach Anthony Piganelli prepared the team with two practices before the game and mentally inspired his players with a tribute to Joe Loudon during the team huddle. The preparation proved successful resulting in a final score of 2-1. “I don’t care if it’s football or egg races, the class spirit I saw with the Powder Puff games was outstanding,” said Clark. On Thursday night, Taste of Orinda drew small crowds as a result of poor publicity and scheduling conflicts, according to junior President Liza Katz. “Next year we want to have Taste of Orinda act as a pre-game for the football game,” said Katz. “It’s hard for a lot of kids to go to an activity on a Thursday night.” The Circle of Life cakewalk was a student favorite. “I won a cake in the cakewalk and it was frickin’ awesome,” said junior Shannon McMahon. Freshman Laura Rosas celebrated her cakewalk win with a victorious jump and then proceeded to select a Leadership-prepared cake of her choice. Miramonte juniors Roy Erez and Babak Attar were seen growing thick beards in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s determination of the beard-growing contest winner, but they were disappointed when Leadership failed to announce a victor. Photo: J. Fong Senior James King recovers a fumble against the Acalanes Dons. Despite a football loss, MHS students show off their spirit during lunchtime activities Seniors Aaron Whitelock and Sasha Belin- sky were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. Photo: T. Belinsky
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Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid, Orinda, Ca Permit #301 FEaturE artists of the issue: Mirador catches up with artistic seniors Jarad Solomon and Lily Williams. (9) Women’s volleyball: After winning DFAL last weekend, volley- ball has high hopes for future. (13) Seniors Aaron Whitelock and Sasha Belin- sky were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. by Meredith White by Laila Abtahi and Caroline Cook Senior James King recovers a fumble against the Acalanes Dons. Photo: J. Fong
Transcript of p. 1 news
Women’s volleyball:After winning DFAL last weekend, volley-ball has high hopes for future. (13)
everything you need to knoW:“I don’t know” is no longer a valid excuse. (18)
artists of the issue:Mirador catches up with artistic seniors Jarad Solomon and Lily Williams. (9)
Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid, Orinda,Ca Permit #301
Miramonte High School750 Moraga WayOrinda, CA 94563
The MiradorVolume 52, Issue 2 NoVember 6, 2009
SportS EntErtainmEnt
MHS Celebrates 54th Homecoming
Administration Condemns Racist Graffiti
FEaturE
by Laila Abtahi and Caroline Cook
During the week of Oct. 19, an unidentified person reported anti-Semitic and other racial graffiti to the administration.
Markings covered mirrors and stalls inside the boys’ bathroom in the 140s hall and several desks in classrooms. According to Associate Principal Jan Carlson, one of the anti-Semitic pieces was up for a while, but the Administration did not discover the racist symbols until they were informed of them in mid-October.
The administration took action by calling the police and parents of suspected students, in addition to removing the markings from the premises. The school is currently working with the police in an ongoing investigation.
“The administration and district take this very, very seriously,” said Carlson. “Racial graffiti has been minimal, but periodically it has popped up.”
The newer graffiti was reported quickly because of its
flagrancy. “People reported it because it was on the mirrors, which
was questionable, and everyone was so appalled by it,” said junior Chris Thatcher.
Students rarely report older graffiti. Sometimes custodians don’t see the less flashy graffiti, and sometimes, after painted over, students replace the graffiti the next day.
Although many students disregard the common defacement of school property, some take offense from the racist gestures.
“Being a minority, I’ve experienced some racial problems at Miramonte,” said junior Ashraf Mathkour. “There’s something called a ‘second circle of friends,’ people who overhear the playful teasing your friends say, and think it’s okay to make the same racist remarks.”
According to senior Adam Mysorewala, someone drew a swastika in the boys’ bathroom. Other
students supposedly saw other discriminating pictures. Whether graffiti is harmless or malicious, vandalism
is unacceptable. After clearing the writing in the boys’ bathrooms, the administration also removed old graffiti in the girls’ bathrooms.
by Meredith White
Leadership transformed the Miramonte campus into a Nor-Cal Disneyland with Homecoming week’s Disney themed festivities.
The week of Oct. 25 came to a close with Saturday night’s dance. Students were encouraged to dress as their favorite Disney character, which was, for the most part, adhered to by the relatively small turn out. School administrators herded dance goers through breathalyzing lines, a policy the school is very strictly enforcing this year.
“I heard that students were sneaking alcohol into the bathrooms at the dance, so the additional breathalyzers were to deter students,” said Principal Adam Clark. “We’re not just trying to bust kids. I want students to be safe and have a good time.”
The DJ’s choice of music elicited hostile and disgruntled reactions from students.
“The DJ blew,” said junior Mackenzie Martin. Other students concurred, which was shown by the glow sticks hurled at the DJ when he stopped the music to threaten a
walkout.The controversial dance was preceded
by Friday night’s football upset in which Acalanes beat the Mats 7-14 in a close scoring game.
The Acalanes Dons broke the 7-7 tie and secured a victory with a touchdown in the final 18 seconds.
At half time, Senior Class President Shanni He crowned Homecoming King Aaron Whitelock, Queen Sasha Belinsky, Prince Will St. Lezin, and Princess Kelsey Williams.
The Homecoming Royalty were treated to a chariot ride, courtesy of the freshmen football team.
“I was a little embarrassed to have to ride in the chariot and pissed that I had to wear nice clothes, but the crown was pretty sweet,” said St. Lezin.
Impressive plays by senior wide receiver James King and sophomore
quarterback Ross Anderson rallied crowd morale as well as Principal Clark’s spontaneous cheerleading.
“Mr. Clark is a complete badass at football games,” said junior Peter Grover. “He clearly is a die hard football and Miramonte fan.”
Many students participated in lunchtime activities inspired by classic Disney movies. Monday’s “Hercules” obstacle course, Tuesday’s “Lion King” Circle of Life cakewalk, Wednesday’s “Little Mermaid” Find the Flounder Challenge and Powder Puff, Thursday’s “Beauty and the Beast” Beard Competition, and Friday’s Disney rally all had large turn outs and spirited participants.
“Rally leaders Eric Sassano and Adam Gibson have been planning rally ideas since Leadership camp
this summer,” said ASB Vice President senior Holly Finertie. “And, we were at school until 11 Thursday night.”
The apparent preparation paid off when Leadership showed the crowd-pleasing short movie spoof on “Aladdin,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Peter Pan.”
Thursday’s Powder Puff final game between the juniors and seniors resulted in an underdog junior victory. Junior Coach Anthony Piganelli prepared the team with two practices before the game and mentally inspired his players with a tribute to Joe Loudon during the team huddle. The preparation proved successful resulting in a final score of 2-1.
“I don’t care if it’s football or egg races,
the class spirit I saw with the Powder Puff games was outstanding,” said Clark.
On Thursday night, Taste of Orinda drew small crowds as a result of poor publicity and scheduling conflicts, according to junior President Liza Katz.
“Next year we want to have Taste of Orinda act as a pre-game for the football game,” said Katz. “It’s hard for a lot of kids to go to an activity on a Thursday night.”
The Circle of Life cakewalk was a student favorite. “I won a cake in the cakewalk and it was frickin’ awesome,” said junior Shannon McMahon. Freshman Laura Rosas celebrated her cakewalk win with a victorious jump and then proceeded to select a Leadership-prepared cake of her choice.
Miramonte juniors Roy Erez and Babak Attar were seen growing thick beards in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s determination of the beard-growing contest winner, but they were disappointed when Leadership failed to announce a victor.
Photo: J. Fong
Senior James King recovers a fumble against the Acalanes Dons.
Despite a football loss, MHS students show off their spirit during lunchtime activities
Seniors Aaron Whitelock and Sasha Belin-sky were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.
Photo: T. Belinsky
