Many schools, however, have banned gum-chewing in the classroom because students are placing the finished gum in places that do not start with ‘gar’ and end with ‘bage’.

This policy should be reconsidered.

Statistics have proven that chewing gum in the classroom raises test scores.  A group of 108 students, ages 13 to 16, were assigned to chew gum during math class while doing homework and classwork, and in a matter of 14 weeks, their math scores increased by a whopping 3%.

Chewing gum has also proven to keep students more concentrated in class. Statistics show that chewing gum is a way to keep focused and alert. This is the reason why athletes chew gum during games in order to be alert and focused.

Besides the mental benefits, it also is a very low calorie snack that in the long run, could potentially decrease childhood obesity. Instead of snacking on high calorie snacks like Oreos or chips, students can pop in a piece of Wrigley that has only 5-10 calories.

So, if schools continue to eliminate chewing gum in the classroom, their efforts to keep their classrooms clean will backfire on their test scores. It will also upset the students and cause further rebellion, making them less willing to focus in class and try their best. Next thing you know, the school is being monitored by the government due to the low test scores and the decreasing number of graduates.

Though some teachers may find finding gum under the desks a pain, distributing detentions to students who put gum under desks will  teach them to not do it. Also, having different policies about how loud a student can chew and whether the gum chewing is distracting to other students can be put in place. By doing this, students will learn how to respect school policies.

Nonetheless, If schools are really interested in finding ways to better students’ learning experience, they should reconsider the gum-chewing policy. Though it can get messy, the outcome will better the school and students.

Amidst the team is a 3 year varsity player named Jeff Becker. He is giving the most high fives to his teammates, trying to excite them about the challenge that awaits them. He is eyeing his opponents with a calm but competitive look on his face.

Since the squad consists mostly of sophomores and juniors, Becker knows that by being a senior, he has the responsibility of being a leader placed on his shoulders.

Head coach, Vincent Encelan, sees a leadership quality in Becker. “He mostly leads by example but he is also the most vocal player on the team,” Encelan said.

Junior Justindeep Aulakh, the lengthy power forward, values the way in which Becker leads the team through example in times of struggle. “Any time during practice or during the game when we aren’t playing good, he’s not going to yell at us,” Aulakh said. “He’s gonna try to raise his level of play and in turn raise the team’s level of play.”

Junior Kris Okialda, point guard #20, Becker’s teammate, sees Becker’s leadership quality demonstrated in the preparation for games. “He leads by example during warm ups before the game, always keeping a serious face,” Okialda said. “He also gets really competitive, which makes the rest of our team play harder.”

In addition to being a leader, Becker is also known for being a supportive teammate.

“If you take a bad shot or you make a turnover, he will always pick you up and help you out when you are feeling down about your game,” Jonte said. “He’ll tell you some little things that you need to do better.”

Sophomore Chris Baca appreciates Becker’s willingness to help others on the team. “When I have something to ask, I can go to him and he’ll answer my question,” Baca said.

In addition to his support on the court, junior Brean Aquino sees the versatility in his game as a main contribution. “He can shoot, dribble, rebound, he can do a whole bunch of stuff,” Aquino said.

Becker’s dominant hand makes him a versatile basketball player. “First of all, he’s left handed that’s something you don’t see a lot in basketball,” Aulakh said.
Being left handed puts a player on offense at advantage because the defender is used to guarding right handed players and it can be tough for him to guard a left handed player.

Becker’s high school basketball career at Moreau has taught him the importance of teamwork on the court. “After playing a year on varsity, I realized that if we were going to be a successful high school team, we had to work as a team,” Becker said.

Becker has played Basketball outside of Moreau for leagues like NJB, CYO, and AAU.

Becker played Basketball from the sixth grade until sophomore year for AAU on a team called the Bay Area Wildcats. This experience developed his competitiveness and versatility on the court. “I played in higher age groups so I was playing against guys bigger, stronger, and faster,” Becker said. “I had to work hard to be able to compete with them.”

By playing with guys who were far more athletic and older than him, Becker learned the two keys of success in the game. “What I lacked in size and athleticism, I made up in heart and determination. I would be the first one on the ground if there was a loose ball,” Becker said.

While on the Wildcats, Becker had opportunities to play against the top players in the country, which have inspired Becker to improve as a basketball player. “It has allowed me to mature as a player playing against the best while also improving my game and having to bring it up to their level,” Becker said.

After sophomore year, Becker left the team in order to focus on playing football at Moreau in his junior year. Even though he had no prior experience in playing Football, Head Coach, Andrew Cotter, says Becker had a positive impact on his teammates. “When he came out his junior year, even though he was real young and never played before, he already had that leadership characteristic that people seem to follow him,” Cotter said.

Despite being a talented athlete and an exceptional leader, Becker remains humble when talking about the game. “I am a student of the game,” Becker said. “It all comes down to hard work and how bad you want to be great.”

First introduced to basketball in sixth grade by his friends Radich has only been on the rise since. “High school basketball is much more competitive!” Radich stated. Only his second year into his high school basketball career, Radich has earned a glorious spot on the Junior Varsity team.

“Radich has proven to be leader not verbally, but through his actions. He doesn’t talk much but he lets his skills do the talking for him,” teammate Sean Regner said. Having major improvements from last years’ season, Radich seems to have a strong leadership attitude when on the court.

Despite the fact that he may be quite, Radich seems to always pull through and excite his teammates and the fans. “He puts all that he has on the court,” teammate sophomore Nikko McNeil said. “He always has that assassins mentality which puts our team in the scoring mode.”

Being a sophomore on junior varsity only gives Radich much more time to better his court skills, which will hopefully take him to the next level. As for his plans, “I just want to become an overall better player,” he said.

A mixture of Hawaiian, Japanese and Mexican, with a whooping eight years of basketball under her belt, Puou is a perfect addition to the team. “I’m very honored to be on the team and I love my teammates,” Puou said.

The shortage in woman’s senior basketball players opened up a venue for underclassmen to try out. “I was surprised that I was picked for the varsity team,” Puou said. Having a team consisting of mostly underclassmen brings many positive aspects to the plate.

“Being young, Remy learns from her mistakes and she follows directions very well, and this helps in making the team as strong as it is,” teammate, freshmen Kaitlin Leguidleguid explained. One rebound is all it takes to change the tide of a game. Being a “big” (as she explained) Puou is responsible for making important offensive rebounds and putting it back up for a worthy two points.

Being showered with all the love and support from her teammates, Puou has set high expectations and aspirations during her time here playing for Moreau. “My goals are to do my best and to grow as a better person but not only on the court but off the court!” Puou said.

I was raised to have morals, virtues, and self-respect and seeing people get famous for having none of the above shows me that having morals may gain you respect, but it doesn’t make you popular.

That message is the same message that surrounds our society. The media purposely capture and focus on the scandals that make the news so eye catching and jaw dropping. You don’t see any magazines covering the good deeds of people helping out in Darfur, but it’s almost impossible to walk into a store and not find out about Miley Cyrus posing semi-nude under a blanket.

The scandals and people on the Jersey Shore were just too much for me. Come on, “The Situation,” really? How cocky can Mike Sorrentino get? The only reason he is considered “The Situation” is because he’s a heartless instigator who, like many, thrives on drama. As poor little, over-tanned Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi got socked in the face, Mike was objectifying yet another easy girl. I suppose that is his version of having a good time, but at the end of the show he just looks like a creeper that everyone hated.

My mother had always warned me: “You can be pretty on the outside, but ugly on the inside.” I never understood that until I watched the spoiled, overly conceited Angelina “Jolie” Pivarnick whine about putting hangers on t-shirts and get upset over a married man breaking up with her. Although she looked kind of pretty, her hideous attitude and behavior overpowered her looks.

In most episodes, I laughed at the irony of Snooki wanting to hook-up with every cute “guido” and wondering why the guys she just shacked up with weren’t looking to become serious with her. Someone should tell her that when you lack respect for yourself, other people tend not to see your self-worth, let alone take you seriously.

I found the drama extremely entertaining, but I pitied the dumb, promiscuous, and sometimes even dangerous things the cast was willing to do just to make their names known. This show helped me realize why my parents are as traditional and conservative as they are: it’s because they didn’t want their daughter to feel the need to sacrifice her dignity for the approval of others. I’m not saying that people like the cast of the Jersey Shore were raised wrong, I’m just saying that their priorities of fame and self-worth are out of order. Maybe it’s not their fault, given our media’s priority of selling stories rather than spreading virtue. Morals might not bring huge publicity, but at least it fills the emptiness a meaningless hook-up or a night of partying tends to leave.
I’m probably old-fashioned, but if becoming as grimy as Paris Hilton means finding the Hollywood spotlight, I’d rather be hidden in the darkness of normality.

On Saturday, January 30th, Frosh Council and their moderators threw an e-recycling party in Moreau’s Senior Lot from 9am-1pm, donating Moreau’s antiquated TVs and other student-donated electronics to E-recycling of California.

“Mr. Wilder said nothing was being done with Moreau’s old TVs,” said freshman class president Bryan Quibol, “so we saw it as an opportunity to raise money for events in the future.”

Both frosh council and their moderators, Phil Wilder and Petar Zegura, worked hard to spread word of their e-recycling event. The information is on Moreau’s website and the marquee at the front of the school. Council has created posters, flyers, which they have handed out, at Moreau and their old elementary schools, and even a Facebook event called the “E-Recycling Event – by Recycling of California.”

Many people gave away their old and unused electronics. Some hoped their good deed would be repaid with an upgrade, while others just wanted to be “green” and ensure their old hunk of junk is disposed of properly.

Rather than shipping the donated junk to third world countries for a profit like some recycling companies, the E-recycling of California company has a whole page on its website dedicated to showing exactly what happens to their donated waste. Circuit boards are refined, turned into chunks of copper, and reused in pluming, telephone wiring, and circuit boards. Metals are reused as car parts, new electronics, and paper clips. The glass of a computer screen is cleaned and lead removed and refined in order to make new Cathode Ray Tubes. And the plastic is melted down and used for injection molding, where it is turned into slides, park benches, and etc.

Before e-recycling had been an option, no one knew what to do with all of these old TVs.

“Some [TVs] were already given to an elementary school [St. Mary’s of Arcata],” frosh moderator Petar Zegura said.

Moreau’s other TVs rendered useless as administrators continued to look for a way to put them to good use. Mr. Wilder couldn’t think of any better use than giving the TVs to a company willing to pay them for tons of junk. Having done work with this company a few years back in order to raise money for the Cross Country team’s trip to Rhode Island, Wilder was familiar with how much money 15¢ per pound could add up to.

A majority of the money raised will be going towards the class of 2013, but the rest of it will help pay for the class shirts that weren’t sold during 2009 Spirit Week.

“I think we should save more instead of spending it all,” freshman senator Stephanie Chen said. “Hopefully we can spend a little more on decorations and make our class’s Spirit Week better.”

Chen traveled to Taiwan for a three-day trip in January where she gave presentations at various conferences and was interviewed by press for her teaching ideas and accomplishments.

The Taiwanese government strongly promotes the spread of Chinese language curriculum throughout the world and acknowledged Chen for her efforts and innovation for the cause. “I’m a little bit famous for teaching Chinese in the US, so the Taiwanese government told me to present how I use technology and what I think about Chinese teaching in the United States,” Chen said.

Students find this recognition interesting. “I just see her as my teacher, but it’s cool how she is well known in another country like that,” Senior James Hartanto said.

Chen presented her ideas at a couple of universities including Chang Gung University in the city of Gueishan and the National Taipei University of Education. She spoke about how the new generation of web development has transformed the way in which she teaches Chinese. Through e-books, audio applications, blogging, animations, and virtual drills and games, Chen has enhanced her students’ ability to learn Mandarin.

“It’s more interactive,” Chen said. “Instead of a boring PowerPoint, students are more attracted to the online collaboration and simulations.”

Chen was also a part of a competition where computer skills were essential. It was hosted by the Taiwanese Government and required participants to write teacher blogs. “That’s so easy for me because I write a lot. And I also do a lot of teacher training. I train Chinese teachers in the United States. So ask me to write a teacher blog is a piece of cake,” Chen said.

Chen had her eyes set out on the contest’s cash prize: money that she would use to buy a smart board for her classroom. “I attended a lot of conferences, and they were talking about smart boards,” Chen said. “One smart board is probably 2000 U.S. dollars at least, but we don’t have a grant or money. We couldn’t just pull it out my pocket.”

Chen did win the contest, but her earnings fell short of her goal. “There are two types of winners. One is how many people vote for you, so how popular you are. I got that one, 300 dollars on that. The second one is the real winner, so I got first place, so 500 dollars. So I say hmm, 800 dollars is kind of a shortage right? However I got a check from an anonymous person; it was kind of a thank you for my contribution to the Chinese teaching and promotion. So I got a 2,000 dollar check, exactly the amount I needed. So soon, they are going to install the new smart board in my class.”

Her luck has given her the chance to integrate a smart board into her Chinese curriculum, something that she has heard mixed opinions on. “A lot of teachers use these to teach foreign languages. It opens another door for me. Some people say it’s so bad; some say it’s incredible. So I’m kind of in between. I think sometimes technology is easy to use, but you need to think about how to use it. So, it kind of challenged me wanting to have a smart board,” Chen said.

In this generation where students have the television, mp3 player, and iChat all on at once while doing homework, the smart board does have more of an attractive factor compared to out-dated textbooks and dusty chalkboards. The smart board allows a teacher’s finger to act as a mouse to control any computer application on a digital whiteboard and record any activity on the board along with an audio track making for good review sessions for students.

Chen sees the technology’s potential. “I think it will help my teaching, making students relate more because it’s visual engagement,” Chen said.

Although on a tight schedule preparing to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Moreau while busy planning a future summer trip to Taiwan for her students, Chen can’t help but to stop and appreciate the school and what it has allowed her to do. Her passion for Chinese culture as well as technology has thoroughly integrated here, and she is always in search for the next innovative step forward in her teaching. “I am so excited,” she said, “because according to rumor, there is a new touch screen for apple, and, if we get a touch screen and a smart board, that will be a another new way of teaching.”

His love for the job stems from his love for baseball.
Fernandez played varsity baseball for three years and on a traveling team for five. Even though he’s trading the baseball field for the shot put ring with track and field this spring, Fernandez is playing in a summer adult softball league in Castro Valley.

Triple Play provides five batting cages and three mini tunnels for practice pitching. With its cement floors and high ceilings, it might seem like a creepy warehouse to someone not into baseball. But to Fernandez, a die-hard baseball fan, it’s anything but.
“Since everyone who goes there likes baseball I like to talk to a lot of the customers.”

While most customers are amateurs, he met prospective Oakland Athletics player Aaron Turner, who’s attending spring training. Even as a San Francisco Giants fan, Fernandez was still awe-struck despite his distaste for the A’s.
“He shook my hand.”

More common types of customers are couples on dates and kids with their dads. Fernandez supports the family atmosphere his work provides, as he recognizes how the sport brings his own family together.
“My uncles in Hawaii have a traveling softball team. I asked if I could play with them.”

Described as a “people person” by his co-worker Tyler Machado, Fernandez feels for customers who complain about having to shell out $3.75 for 18 pitches.
“We just say sorry. There’s nothing we can do because we’re really like the only batting cages in the Bay Area besides in San Ramon.”
He admitted he’d change the prices if he owned Triple Play.

Even though he’s not the boss, his job at the batting cages is still versatile, as it allows him to perfect his mopping skills, operate a cash register, work with a variety of ages and use chemicals. He protects the motors in the pitching machines from rubber build up from the rubber balls with the chemical acetone.

He does it all without complaining and has his friends with him when it’s rough.
“My boss is my best friend. He got me the job.”

Triple Play takes advantage of the 18 hours per week they have with Fernandez, who has an imposing stature.
“He’s Hawaiian. We use him as security sometimes,” Machado said.

In return, Fernandez takes advantage of what Triple Play offers when work is slow.
“I hit because I can hit for free,” he said. “I like something to do to clear my mind. It is kind of relaxing.”

But working can have its downsides, like taking out the trash by yourself at night.
“It’s pretty scary because it’s in an alley. It’s pretty spooky.”

It’s still not as scary as cleaning up after birthday parties, something his stature can’t protect him against.
“They leave cake on the floor. The floor is wet because they spill stuff and I have to pick stuff up with my hands…Kids are fun but they don’t listen. Adults comprehend what I’m saying.”

He appreciates the experiences from work, like mopping up cake and meeting almost-famous people, even though it means less time with friends.
“It’s satisfying to be a working man.”

Bachelor #1 is the all-American kid next door. He is an athletic cat, spending most of his time playing sports like basketball, or catching a game on the tube. #1’s idea of a perfect Friday night is spending it beneath the starry autumn sky, battling for glory on the football field. But when it comes to the ladies, Bachelor #1 can tone down the competition and bring it to the personal level. His idea of a perfect date isn’t anything involving money. He’d rather spend his time with his woman freely and intimately strolling around in the park. #1 looks for the same high level of energy in his women, preferring the active kind that has a good sense of humor. He shows the same passion for the ladies that he does on the field. When asked what he would do if a man ever talked to the object of his affection, he replied, “That would never happen.”

If one was to look up “smooth” in a thesaurus, the name of Bachelor #2 would surely show up. With his sultry voice worthy of an R&B song and the swimmer’s tan, #2 has no trouble catching the ears and eyes of the female persuasion. While the ladies may flock to him, this bachelor stays down to earth as much as he stays in the pool. On a Friday night, you can find him hanging at home with his friends, demolishing them at games of Halo and Super Smash Brothers. #2 is a simple guy who won’t be changed by even the loveliest of ladies: a red flag for him in a woman is a controlling nature. When it comes down to it, this bachelor’s laid back personality can be best be seen in his idea of the perfect date: a summer walk on a beach under the setting sun.

Bachelor #3 is the Renaissance man that dabbles in several arts and interests. A musical enthusiast, this guy loves turning up his System of a Down and Muse albums while shredding on the guitar. #3 also spends a lot of his time outdoors, partaking in the many pleasures of physical activities such as running, inline skating, and paintball. His perfect date would be a spontaneous night in the city, letting its never-ending opportunities wash over him and his potentially significant other like a shower of possibility. Bachelor #3 yearns for a woman who can share his eclectic interests in music and activities, and is capable of deep, intellectual conversation. But don’t be fooled, as classy as this Bachelor can be, most who know him attribute his charm to his unparalleled sense of humor and infectious laugh. For the all around package, Bachelor #3 is your man.

Bachelor #4 is a very visible face at Moreau that loves to socialize. He is a bright, out going, and lively young man that uses his sense of humor to bring smiles to students’ faces. In fact, he dislikes it when girls don’t laugh at his jokes. He also values a great sense of humor in a relationship. He believes the glass is half full “until you drink some”. If he were to be an animal for a day, he would be a lion. He loves playing videogames in his spare time and playing basketball. He enjoys listening to mainly old music like Nirvana and admires Tom Hanks for his acting ability. If he had three wishes to his disposal, he would wish for the ability to not have any homework, to fly, and have more wishes. In ten years, he sees himself as ‘The Prince of The Universe’.

Bachelor #5 is a tall, skinny, playful and vibrant young man that is always looking to have fun. He loves playing his guitar and listening to rock music. If he could live anywhere in the world, he would choose New York because he loves the city. He doesn’t believe in love at first sight and he values a girl who is kind and caring in a relationship. His favorite movie is Fight Club and if he won the lottery, he would buy a nice car. He is the type of guy that you could easily open up to and depend on. If friends come over, he would prepare them cereal since he can’t cook but plans to learn how to in the future. Overall, his friendly nature makes him a very worthy lad who any bachelorette could appreciate.

Vote for your pick on the poll located on the homepage!

If one was to look up “smooth” in a thesaurus, the name of Bachelor #2 would surely show up. With his sultry voice worthy of an R&B song and the swimmer’s tan, #2 has no trouble catching the ears and eyes of the female persuasion. While the ladies may flock to him, this bachelor stays down to earth as much as he stays in the pool.
On a Friday night, you can find him hanging at home with his friends, demolishing them at games of Halo and Super Smash Brothers. #2 is a simple guy who won’t be changed by even the loveliest of ladies: a red flag for him in a woman is a controlling nature. When it comes down to it, this bachelor’s laid back personality can be best be seen in his idea of the perfect date: a summer walk on a beach under the setting sun.

Bachelor #3 is the Renaissance man that dabbles in several arts and interests. A musical enthusiast, this guy loves turning up his System of a Down and Muse albums while shredding on the guitar. #3 also spends a lot of his time outdoors, partaking in the many pleasures of physical activities such as running, inline skating, and paintball. His perfect date would be a spontaneous night in the city, letting its never-ending opportunities wash over him and his potentially significant other like a shower of possibility. Bachelor #3 yearns for a woman who can share his eclectic interests in music and activities, and is capable of deep, intellectual conversation. But don’t be fooled, as classy as this Bachelor can be, most who know him attribute his charm to his unparalleled sense of humor and infectious laugh. For the all around package, Bachelor #3 is your man.

Bachelor #4 is a very visible face at Moreau that loves to socialize. He is a bright, out going, and lively young man that uses his sense of humor to bring smiles to students’ faces. In fact, he dislikes it when girls don’t laugh at his jokes. He also values a great sense of humor in a relationship. He believes the glass is half full “until you drink some”. If he were to be an animal for a day, he would be a lion. He loves playing videogames in his spare time and playing basketball. He enjoys listening to mainly old music like Nirvana and admires Tom Hanks for his acting ability. If he had three wishes to his disposal, he would wish for the ability to not have any homework, to fly, and have more wishes. In ten years, he sees himself as ‘The Prince of The Universe’.

Bachelor #5 is a tall, skinny, playful and vibrant young man that is always looking to have fun. He loves playing his guitar and listening to rock music. If he could live anywhere in the world, he would choose New York because he loves the city. He doesn’t believe in love at first sight and he values a girl who is kind and caring in a relationship. His favorite movie is Fight Club and if he won the lottery, he would buy a nice car. He is the type of guy that you could easily open up to and depend on. If friends come over, he would prepare them cereal since he can’t cook but plans to learn how to in the future. Overall, his friendly nature makes him a very candidate lad who any bachelorette could appreciate.