Middle College
Winter/Spring 2021 Newsletter
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"It's the final countdown!"
April 25-29: MC PRIDE Week (see events below!)
April 26-28: ASCSM Elections (don't forget to vote!)
May 10-18: Senior Reflections
May 19, 20 & 21: Graduation Practice
May 20: End-of-Year Picnic
May 21-27: CSM Finals
May 24: Graduation
May 25-26: Juniors Finals
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Middle College kicked off the new year with an orientation focused on the values of connection and community.
First, we unpacked what it means to connect first with ourselves in order to better understand how we connect with others. To explore this, we discovered our Enneagram Personality Types.
Curious about your Enneagram? Take the test here, then click on the links below to read more about that type.
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Then, we took turns learning about each Enneagram Personality Type and discussed scenarios to learn more about how our "types" might respond to situations differently. We found out a bit more about how our community works together, as well as as how to understand each others perspectives. |
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On day two of orientation, we spent some time discussing Brene Brown's ideas of Story Stewardship, which offered some insight into how to be better caretakers of each other's stories by avoiding Narrative Tapout and Narrative Takeover.
We left orientation with a better understanding of the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and the way we can hold space for the stories that are important to our community.
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A Breakdown of Our Personality Types at MC: |
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MC Celebrates the Lunar New Year |
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Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in Asian countries and represents renewal from winter and the beginning of spring. Each country has significant traditions and food they use to celebrate. One of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations takes place in San Francisco! The Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown is the largest celebration of the Chinese New Year outside of Asia. The San Francisco Chinese New Year parade began in the mid-1800s when many Chinese immigrants arrived in the United States. A large Chinese community grew in San Francisco, and they decided to celebrate New Year’s with a parade. This parade has many floats and lion dancers. There is even a Golden Dragon that’s 28 feet long! Some Chinese traditions on New Year’s are lucky red envelopes and eating traditional food with family, such as fish. The Chinese word for fish is “鱼,” or “yú,” which sounds similar to the word meaning “surplus” or “abundance.” In 2022, the Chinese New Year took place on February 1st. However, the celebration of the Chinese New Year lasts 16 days each year. These dates are January 31st to February 15th, 2022. The Chinese calendar has cycles that last 60 years, and within each cycle, there are 12 significant animals. Each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs rotates every 12 years. According to the Chinese calendar, 2022 is the year of the tiger. Some of the personality traits of people born in the year of the tiger are daring, confident, and competitive. What is your Chinese zodiac animal? |
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Here are some Chinese zodiac years:
Rat: 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Ox: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Tiger: 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Rabbit: 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Dragon: 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Snake: 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Horse: 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Goat: 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Monkey: 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Rooster: 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Dog: 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Pig: 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
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Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/01/21/lunar-new-year-recipes/
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-s-Chinese-New-Year-Parade-to-return-in-16496798.php
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/when-chinese-new-year.htm
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
https://www.nytimes.com/1978/02/01/archives/the-chinese-new-year-time-of-the-feast-chinese-new-year-feasting.html
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In celebration of Lunar New Year, Middle College’s Asian cultures club (aka MC Asians) have put a colorful and celebratory touch on building 12. Yellow and red lanterns, cut and crafted in a variety of patterns, shapes, and lengths adorned the hallways, put together and hung up by club members. The new year is celebrated in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, among others, with the lanterns specifically coming from the Chinese Lantern Festival. Falling on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival is the final celebration before the holiday ends in China. These lanterns symbolize putting the past year behind, while also bringing in a new year filled with happiness.
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The colors also carry greater significance in Chinese culture, with yellow representing royalty (China’s first emperor Huangdi is known as the yellow emperor) and red representing fortune. With the new year setting in on February 1st, the lanterns brought joy and luck to Middle College students and faculty as they look forward to a challenging and rewarding Spring semester and beyond.
The MC Asians club meets every week on Fridays during advisory in Room 12-220. If you want to participate in fun activities like this and learn more about Asian cultures, stop by and say hello!
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Some Holiday Traditions at MC: |
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"This year, I'm making a playlist on Spotify where I add one song per day. At the end of the year, I'll have a super long playlist to enjoy."
"In Filipino culture and many Spanish influenced countries, Nochebuena is a feast held at midnight during Christmas Eve to celebrate the holiday."
"Breaking a pomegranate on the door on New Year's Day"
"My dad is Swedish, so instead of doing a typical Christmas, we celebrate on Christmas Eve. We do a huge Swedish dinner with traditional Scandinavian foods. We do presents on the Eve, meaning that Christmas day is not really celebrated. Tons of candles and lots of meatballs defines my family."
"Well, New Year's holiday just passed, and my family has this tradition of always preparing 12 different kinds of round fruits and dressing in polka-dots on New Year's Eve! My mom said it's a Filipino tradition. The circles represent coins I think because they're round if I remember correctly. Also, we don't eat chicken because chickens peck at the ground, so it's represents digging into the past? I don't know it that's right, I'll have to ask her. Nonetheless, I think it's interesting!"
"Dia de los Muertos - altar, Mexico's Independence Day - grito, Cinco de Mayo - party, Dia de Reyes - rosca, Children's Day - dance"
"...white elephant every Christmas with a minimum of $50 to spend on the gift"
"Sometimes we do piñatas and secret Santa. we also celebrate Christmas on midnight of the 24th"
Some of our other holiday traditions include:
- pan convo
- gag gifts
- hiking
- card games
- cinnamon buns
- grapes and red underwear on New Years
We hope you all had a great holiday break, however you chose to spend it!
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Honoring Black History Month |
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What is Black History Month? Every February, the United States celebrates the history of African Americans and their significant contributions to American society today. It is an important time to reflect on the injustices of the past and to confront the injustices that persist today.
Why February? It might seem insensitive to confine the celebration of African American history to the shortest month of the year, but the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) designated February as Black History Month to encompass the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two extremely influential abolitionists.
What is the Theme? Most people know when Black History month is and why it is celebrated but not everyone knows that every year there is a theme to focus the celebration on a specific part of Black history. The theme this year is “Health and Wellness,” which seems appropriate given the current health situation that tends to have a disproportionate effect on African-American communities. More specifically, though, the theme focuses on African American contributions to Western medicine and the initiatives taken by Black communities to stay well.
Why is it important? As stated before, Black History Month isn’t meant to limit the multitude of African-American achievements to just one month. The recognition of African-American achievements throughout history is important because if we become who we are through our struggles, then understanding African-American history is essential to understanding what it means to be American. It serves as a reminder that Black History and American History are one and the same.
--Devin Gowdy--
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I
Is the total black, being spoken
From the earth's inside.
There are many kinds of open.
How a diamond comes into a knot of flame
How a sound comes into a word, coloured
By who pays what for speaking.
Some words are open
Like a diamond on glass windows
Singing out within the crash of passing sun
Then there are words like stapled wagers
In a perforated book—buy and sign and tear apart—
And come whatever wills all chances
The stub remains
An ill-pulled tooth with a ragged edge.
Some words live in my throat
Breeding like adders. Others know sun
Seeking like gypsies over my tongue
To explode through my lips
Like young sparrows bursting from shell.
Some words
Bedevil me.
Love is a word another kind of open—
As a diamond comes into a knot of flame
I am black because I come from the earth's inside
Take my word for jewel in your open light.
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For almost two years now, almost everything has been online—including Shadow Week. Current Seniors are only now experiencing their first in-person CSM college classes and MC classes, and came onto campus with just as much CSM and MC experience as current Juniors.
But for the first time in a long time, Shadow Week is taking place in person. And it's the biggest Shadow Week that MC has ever had with 150 students.
In January, juniors begin training to become Middle College Ambassadors. Amrit Dhillon explains that she signed up to become an ambassador to “let the students know the honest pros and cons of Middle College” and “what [she] wish[es she] would’ve done differently.”
During the week of February 7th, ambassadors were in charge of guiding potential Middle College students and providing advice in applying, choosing classes, and any overall questions they may have. Ambassadors were responsible for keeping in contact with the Sophomores that they were assigned to and helping them become acquainted with Middle College so that they could make the most informed decision about what is best for them.
New to MC? See our sections below on some reflections about what we've learned in our time at MC...
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MC Dance: "Springtime in Paris" |
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With a large array of food and yummy snacks, fairy lights galore, a beautiful lookout from the Bayview Room, disco balls, balloons, and a photo booth, it's needless to say that the Middle College dance was an absolute hit. With snazzy outfits and a couple dance trains, here are some of our favorite highlights: |
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Thank you Sunshine Club for organizing an incredible event and getting Middle College out on the dance floor! And another thank you goes out MC staff for standing guard on our pizzas :). |
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On March 25, MC bundled up and headed to Alcatraz, a small island in the San Francisco Bay that has served as a fort and military prison in the 19th century. In 1934, it was converted to a maximum security federal penitentiary, keeping high profile inmates like Al “Scarface” Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly behind its bars. After the tour of the prison, MC visited two incredible exhibits on the island: one discussing mass incarceration in the United States, and another featuring informations about the Occupation of Alcatraz -- see below for more information on this historic event. |
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The Occupation of Alcatraz |
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The Occupation of Alcatraz--beginning November 20, 1969, and ending on June 11, 1971--was an attempt to reclaim "the Rock" and redevelop the land as an Indian cultural center and school after the original American Indian center had burned in 1969. Alcatraz was owned by the federal government, but the land hadn't been used since the penitentiary officially closed in 1963. After a failed attempt in 1964 (and another in 1969) backed by the 1868 Fort Laramie treaty, Alcatraz was viewed as a "symbol of government indifference toward the Indigenous population" because the land abandoned by the government had still not been returned to the natives who once occupied it and the government was neglecting the needs of the Native American community. Following a one-day stint led by the Mohawk Native American activist Richard Oakes, on November 20, 1969, 89 men, women, and children--many of whom were from the activist group "Indians of All Tribes”-- reclaimed the island, taking over over the old warden's house and guards' quarters. The island was quickly personalized with tags and graffiti, empowering Native Americans and their protest. Richard Oakes sent a message to the San Francisco Department of the Interior to "...invite the United States to acknowledge the justice of our claim...", explaining that they seek peace and that the decision "...to use violence upon us as before to remove us from our Great Spirit's land or to institute a real change in its dealing with the American Indian..." is ultimately up to the American Government. Wary of the possible repercussions of forceful removal and refusing to give up the deed to Alcatraz, all the Nixon administration could do was wait it out. As predicted, the occupation faced its share of ups and downs as many student protesters had to return back to school and the number of protesters dwindled, but one of the most significant obstacles that ultimately began the end of the occupation was a fire that spread across the island. Although protesters were forced to leave the island in defeat, the 19-month stay set off a series of other occupations and protests across the country, bringing to light the issues of the Native American community and allowing for their voices to be heard. |
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The Autry Museum of the American West revealed a 254 page logbook of those who occupied the island.
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sources: https://www.history.com/news/native-american-activists-occupy-alcatraz-island-45-years-ago
https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/alcatrazproclamationandletter.html
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Disability Awareness Month |
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March is National (Intellectual and Developmental) Disability Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan officially declared Proclamation 5613 on February 26, 1987, making this is the 35th year the United States has celebrated March as National Disability Awareness Month. Collaborating on a social media campaign each year, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities hopes to raise awareness, promote inclusion of people with developmental disabilities, and address the barriers that people with disabilities continue to face in addition to highlighting the ways in which people with and without disabilities connect to form strong communities. The 2022 theme, “Worlds Imagined”, focuses on intersectionality and disability, highlighting the impact of the pandemic and how the world is changing as we move through it.
Are you interested in art? Want to learn more about Disabilities Awareness Month?
The Art of Disability Culture Exhibition in San Francisco is a free(!!!) group show by 12 local artists with disabilities—some of whom advocated for the Americans with Disabilities Act before its passage in 1990—that “explores the disability experience and highlights the Bay Area’s unique place in the history of advocacy…on behalf of the community”. Many of the works aim to present the complexity of the artists’ identity in addition to provoking viewers to rethink values and priorities around creating a more accessible and inclusive world.
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Where:
Ruth’s Table
3160 21st St.
San Francisco
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When
Thu. Feb. 24 - Fri. May 20
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Additionally, on May 23 at 12pm, the Othering and Belonging Institute will host the Disability Intersectionality Summit, "a biennial national conference that centers the multiple oppressions that shape the lived experiences of disabled individuals." Click the link above for registration.
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Images from left to right: Michaela Oteri, Self Portrait, Katherine Sherwood After Ingres, Shana Harper, I’m Not Weird I Am Limited Edition
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March 15th is Equal Pay Day! |
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Every year, US Census data is used to determine a day in the calendar that "symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year." Originally called 'National Pay Inequity Awareness Day,' Equal Pay Day began in 1996 as a public awareness event to illustrate the gap between men's and women's wages. This year, the census established that women earn $0.83 cents for every $1 men earn when comparing all women to all men, based on analysis of median weekly earnings for full-time workers — a stat that is unchanged from 2021, according to compensation data and software firm Payscale's 2022 State of the Gender Pay Gap Report. “Because women earn less, on average, than men, they must work longer for the same amount of pay," according to a report from the National Committee on Pay Equity, a coalition of women's and civil rights organizations. "Women earn less because they are more likely to leave the workforce as a result of social expectations placed on them as mothers and caretakers, heightened by the pandemic."
The report continues: "This wage gap is even greater for most women of color." According to the Equal Pay Today Campaign:
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AANHPI Womens Equal Pay Day 2022: May 3: $0.75
- LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Day 2022: June 15, 2022
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Black Womens Equal Pay Day 2022: September 21, $0.58
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Native Womens Equal Pay Day 2022: November 30, $0.50
- Latinas Equal Pay Day 2022: December 8 $0.49
SOURCES: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/equal-pay-day.html, http://www.equalpaytoday.org/, https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/compensation/pages/gender-pay-gap-improvement-slowed-during-the-pandemic.aspx
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MC's New Women in Power Club |
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We interviewed Kate Maloney of MC's new Women in Power Club to find out more about what this new club is all about:
What is the purpose of the Women in Power club?
We want to work to distinguish stigmas and judgments placed on women, as well as make issues heard to spread awareness.
What does "Women in Power" mean to you?
"Women in Power" means women don't let any outside force affect them and their life. Women are people and deserve to live their best life. Sadly, women face lots of judgment, shame, and discrimination from men, the media, Hollywood, schools, etc.
What was the motivation for beginning the club? (Or, what inspired you to start it?)
I was starting to notice many things, sexism, inequality, disrespect, and judgment of women. As they piled up in my mind I thought there must be a place to address all these things happening, to make a change.
What sort of activities does the club do?
We talk about the most prominent, biggest issues to address that week. We like to list out all the ways we can think of why women are oppressed and try to connect things to each other. For example, the majority of women are insecure about their body image and weight, maybe no one said "fat is not pretty" but due to the misrepresentation of body types in Hollywood, social media, or department store mannequins, women get affected negatively.
What's next for the club? Upcoming events, activities, etc.
We are planning a movie night with Middle College Effect, we will have food, a raffle, a movie, and hopefully gain some signatures to promote voting on women's bodies by only people who have a uterus.
How should people get in contact with you if they're interested in joining?
We have a discord, the QR codes are posted all over the MC hall walls. Or come to room 12-221 during Advisory on Fridays! (We work with MC Effect currently).
Who can join the club?
Anyone!! We are a super flexible club, coming one day doesn't mean you have to show up every week, feel free to stop by!
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"Hi! My name is Rebecca and I am the President of the Wellness Club! My goal as President of the Wellness Club is to encourage community and socialization amongst the Middle College students. Our first club meeting will be February 4th in Mr. Burke's Advisory (Room 12-211) during the 11 o'clock hour! Our future meetings are going to be the first and third Friday of each month. The purpose of the Wellness Club is to give the students an opportunity to meet other students and socialize over crafts. At the meetings, we will have a different project for you to do while learning about wellness and self-management. Feel free to bring your own art supplies like paper, pens, and stickers! If you aren't much of a crafter, that's okay! I am really excited to be part of this new club, I hope you are too. Bring friends, we all need human interaction after so long apart..."
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March 31 is Trans Visibility Day |
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Every year, March 31 marks the Trans Day of Visibility, "dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice."
Here are some resources from GLSEN, a group of teachers who work to create affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth:
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April 22 is Day of Silence |
Every year on the 2nd Friday of April, students across the country participate in a Day of Silence to bring to light the silencing of the voices and experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth.
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GSA is hosting a week of activities to celebrate PRIDE week -- all are welcome! |
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CSM Student Senate Elections -
Don't Forget to Vote!
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An MC Reflection for our New Community Members |
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When Middle College teachers first came to our homeschools to recruit us to the Middle College program, many of us were at least a little skeptical, myself included, of the experience, the students and staff were promoting. After our first semester at Middle College, everything they told us is true.
From my experience, Middle College students decided to join the program for one of two reasons (or in many cases both)—the rigorous and diverse course selection and the small and inclusive learning community.
The course selection was a huge selling point for Middle College students. At CSM, there is a wide variety of classes with varying difficulty levels which made the program appealing to all types of students with many different interests. In addition, Middle College students have more control over their schedules than they did at their homeschools. Students who like to sleep in took their classes in the afternoon while morning people joined cohort one.
Another major reason students joined the Middle College program was for the smaller learning community. I can confirm that the inclusive and tight-knit community exists just as advertised. It is really easy to make new friends and the “clicky-ness” and toxicity some of us experienced at our homeschool is non-existent at Middle College. Overall, the first semester at Middle College was a success and everything we were told about Middle College was true.
--Devin Gowdy--
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In Person Learning at CSM |
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My advice to my dear future Middle College students taking in-person courses is…
- Arrive at your first in-person course 10 minutes early; give yourself time to find the classroom and to size up the layout.
- While you may be tempted to sit closest to the door, the back of the classroom and hug the walls as protection, I recommend sitting smack in the middle (or away from the walls).
- There are no seating charts (unless the professor says otherwise), so move around the next classes if you don't like the first spot you chose!
- In the middle, you’ll have at least 4 people to ask for pencils from and have as prospective study buddies while still being shielded by the people around you.
- Chat it up with the people around you, regardless of their age. Smile, and ask for someone’s number, just in case you might miss a future class, need some help on an assignment, or want to meet up for coffee to study.
- Talk with your professor; even if it’s just pleasantries or a quick introduction, try your best to interact with them. In doing so, you’ll feel more comfortable asking for help or having discussions in class. Brownie points go to those who have professors write letters of recommendation for them!
- Bring water and stay hydrated!
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“Don’t procrastinate” is a very common piece of advice that people offer students, and while you definitely should avoid procrastinating, the statement is only successful in communicating that procrastination is bad. I believe that the single most effective step that can be taken to improve your life is to stop procrastinating, but how you do that is the one thing people leave out when they tell you to not procrastinate. Although I am focusing on procrastination in a school setting, these tips can be applied to your more abstract life goals outside of school as well.
Firstly, you want to translate long-term deadlines into short-term plans. By dividing up a large goal or deadline into smaller goals, you achieve three things. First, you are identifying everything you need to accomplish in order to achieve your end goal. Organization is the key to success. Second, you are allowing yourself to see your success and measure your progress. You will feel a sense of accomplishment every time you complete one of your goals. Lastly, by creating smaller deadlines within a larger one, you are fostering the sense of urgency that comes with an approaching deadline.
When making goals it’s important to make SMART goals. SMART is an acronym often used in business and personal development, and it serves as a great guide to constructing achievable goals. Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).
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Specific: Goals that are too large or abstract can be difficult to work towards. Identify, specifically, what it is that you want to accomplish.
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Measurable: Measurable goals allow you to track your progress, see your success, and stay motivated. Knowing how far you have come and how far you need to go helps you stay focused and motivated.
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Achievable: Make your goals realistic. Dream big, but make sure you know how you will achieve your goals and what your constraints are. Make goals that you have the power to achieve.
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Relevant: Identity what you are trying to achieve and make sure you are taking the steps that will actually get you there. (More important for life goals than school goals)
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Time-bound: By making your goal time-bound you foster a sense of urgency that motivates you to make progress. For school, you can divide up a deadline by asking yourself what you want to accomplish each day as you approach the official deadline.
Overcoming procrastination is all about organizing your goals, staying motivated, and fostering urgency. I hope this helps and good luck in the spring semester!
--Devin Gowdy--
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Although the indoor mask mandate has been lifted in California, the San Mateo Union High School District is following the direction of safety, extending the indoor mask mandate for two weeks past the April 21st board meeting. This follows a breakout of cases after the San Mateo High School prom. Follow the district updates here.
The UK’s investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants: technical briefings analyze the current dominant variant in the UK—Omnicron BA.2. Estimated to account for 93.7% of cases in England—or approximately 4.9 million people in the UK as of March 26—BA.2’s growth rate is approximately 75% higher than other circulating Omnicron variants in England, but the data shows that the vaccine protects against severe illness from COVID-19
Aside from Omicron subtypes found in China and the UK, the UK faces the new COVID mutation XE which is said to be 10% more transmissible than the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron. According to the UKHSA, XF (Delta and Omnicron BA.1), XE (Omnicron BA.1 and BA.2) and XD (Delta and Omnicron BA.1)are recombinant variants, meaning an individual becomes infected with 2 or more variants at the same time, gaining a max of genetic bacterial in the patient’s body. There has been little to no transmission of XF and XD in the UK and 637 reported cases of XE in the UK as of far and with such little data, UKHSA is unable to make a conclusion regarding vaccine effectiveness, severity, or transmissibility.
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/covid-19-variants-identified-in-the-uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigation-of-sars-cov-2-variants-technical-briefings
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Finding Inspiration: Notes & Quotes |
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In a hallway decked out with posters, here are some notes and quotes on our walls for when you're having a rough day: |
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Looking for fashion inspiration? Look no further! Middle College students are dressed to impress. Without a limitation of a strict dress code, students have the freedom to truly wear whatever they would like. For senior, Sheima Araghi, “fashion is a part of my identity, not something I follow or do. I’m inspired by the people I see around me and online whose style conveys an aesthetic that makes people feel something. Expressing myself through clothing makes me feel confident and powerful. Like John Galliano said, ‘The joy of dressing is an art.’” With senior Anna Voinalovych, fashion is a method of experimentation. She states, “When I first started thrifting my clothes, I found a lot of interesting and unique pieces, but I wasn’t sure how to combine them into a good coherent outfit. So I looked to others for inspiration. I copied the outfits I saw on my For You page on Tiktok until I started discovering my own style. Now I love to experiment and create my own outfits with the things I find at different thrift stores, using my fashion board on Pinterest to inspire me. Whether fashion is a passion or a hobby, it can be a way to express, create, or rebel against standard norms.
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Top, left to right: Anna Voinalovych, Mayah Brasse, Alex Iliopoulou
Bottom, left to right: Sheima Araghi, Ally Lang, Rowe Eis
-- Angela Dayag--
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Op Ed: Prestigious Colleges |
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Prestigious college applications are rigged. Over the last years, ivy league institutions have “enrolled more students in the top 1 percent of the income distribution than from the entire bottom half,” according to a Time article. Those who are wealthy will use their wealth and connections to provide their children an advantage. These advantages can be private tutors, private/feeder schools, personal college counselors, donations to colleges, bribes, etc. Many parents in the top wealth percentage can even buy their children’s way into these colleges. Connections can also be a factor, take legacies as an example. Being a legacy means one or both parents are alumnus of the institution. Most legacies and their parents are also white. Being a legacy also means a boost in your acceptance, two or three times more than the average admission rate. While it may be nice to think prestigious college admissions are fair and equal, it is not.
Students who are lower-income or part of the working class do not have these privileges. And funny enough, students who are of lower-income are people of color. Especially in the Bay Area, elitists thrive in the Silicon Valley. Students will kill their mental health and wellbeing to have top marks and extracurriculars because of this inequity. These admissions systems only reinforce the racial and class inequality within these institutions. People who are not part of the upper-middle class do not have access to a private education or money to buy their way in. Even if working-class students do get accepted into these prestigious colleges, tuition can cost 60k and up each year which is not affordable. Yes, there are loans and scholarships, but eventually these students will have to work for life just to pay these debts back.
As a senior myself, I already see other kids being accepted into schools like Harvard and Yale. I’m sure other seniors have as well. Moral of the story is don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get into your elite dream school. College admissions do not determine your intelligence or your capabilities. “Prestigious” does not mean success. Please remember that which college you go to does not define who you are. A college degree is a college degree anywhere.
--Angela Dayag--
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Christmas Tree Farm - Taylor Swift
Untitled - D'Angelo
No One Knows - Queen of the Stone Age
Valerie - TV Girl
Cut Your Bangs - Girlpool
Wrap Me Up - Jhene Aiko
Earned it - Chief Keef
A Town With and Ocean View - Joe Hisaishi
Winter Falls - Stray Kids
Looking for other music for your winter playlist? Here are some suggestions! (not in any particular order)
New Year’s Day - Taylor Swift
Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys
Hallelujah - Joey Purp
Basement Jack - Steve Lacy
Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Stronger Than Me - Amy Winehouse
Tough Love - Larry June
Jail - Kanye West
Baby Britain - Elliott Smith
Punisher - Phoebe Bridgers
--Angela Dayag--
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Student Athletes Spotlight |
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Playing since she was 5, Oliva’s love for softball has only grown. Since 12, she has been playing for the club travel team, Warriors Academy, while also training with Aragon High School for the past 4 years. Olivia explains that her dad got her into the game when she was little, but the competitiveness is what kept drawing her back in. It "keeps me on the straight and narrow," she says as softball requires her to stay on top of her work, giving no leeway for procrastination. Going into detail about one of her most recent experiences, Olivia’s busy schedule had conflicted with one of her math college courses, making it harder to stay on top of things after only one absence from class. So, she explains that to juggle both sports and school, you need to take it seriously, talk to your teachers, and truly stay committed to the lifestyle. This is what Olivia’s average day looks like: during the high school season, she goes to school followed by a 2-hour high school practice, a 2-hour workout, and a 1-hour HIIT session—and during the summer, there’s even more training. However, Olivia explains that attending MC made the balance between her academic life, social and sports life easier because she was able to make her schedule according to her practices, in addition to finding other classmates on a similar sports path. With such a packed day, she takes advantage of her mornings, using the advisory period and weekend to do homework, knowing that she's less productive at night. For her advice to future Middle College athletes, Olivia explains that "the game owes you nothing and you owe the game absolutely everything”, stressing the dedication and time commitment that playing sports requires. Olivia is off to the University of Arizona next year and will continue to play softball there! |
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For the past 13 years, Carmen Hilton (left) has gravitated towards soccer as something to keep her active. Moving from club to club, she enjoyed the team sport and working through team relationships to uncover each member’s strengths and weaknesses to determine how to best work together. Playing for Aragon High School, Carmen explains that she has created and maintained friendships through soccer but admittedly loses out on some of her social life. Her favorite aspect of being a student-athlete is “knowing the nuances of the game,” and as she describes it, the more she learns, the more her passion for soccer grows. Her skills are something that she is able to continue building on, even off in college at CSU Fullerton. Carmen's advice to other sports/soccer players? Strength training, strength training, and strength training because it'll keep you safer from injuries and help you get better at your sport. |
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Congratulations to all the MC athletes for finishing up a crazy season in the most stressful years of high school WHILE we’re in a pandemic--that's pretty impressive. |
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--- Your Newsletter Team --- |
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Maya Srimal
Angela Dayag
Clara Sapugay
Jaden Luke
Kati Luechtefeld
Lindsay Liu
Katherine Errington
Maya Richter
Sheima Amir-Araghi
Devin Gowdy
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