The new principal isn’t so new.

Daniel Hurst, who has served as the leader of all three small schools at Fremont this year, will be the principal of the “new” Fremont High School.

Hurst said that when he heard he had been selected, he “felt very honored and very hopeful that we will be able to do some-thing for the students here.”

The Oakland Unified School Board approved Hurst as prin-cipal on March 28 under the recommendation of Superinten-dent Tony Smith, who followed the suggestion of a principal selection committee.

When the three schools revert to Fremont High School on July 1, it will be very different from the former Fremont High School that closed eight years ago. It

Principal selection groupchooses Hurst to stay on

“The twins” of Media Academy earned fifth place in a national debate tournament in Washington, D.C.

Seniors Kim and Gloria "Jack" Mejia competed over spring break at the National As-sociation for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) tournament. The Mejias made it to NAUDL’s equivalent of the Sweet 16 round before losing to the eventual national champions from Brady High School in Atlanta.

“It was really exciting seeing different styles of debate and going sightseeing. We got to tour the Capitol building,” said Kim Mejia.

Every year, debate coaches decide on a “resolution,” which is a debate topic for the aca-demic year. Resolutions range from the United States Federal Government increasing social services to withdrawing military forces abroad.

This year's topic is about whether the U.S. government should spend money developing and/or exploring outer space. Each two-mem-ber team comes up with a specific resolu-tion, also called an affirmative plan, it has to promote in an hour-long debate while another two-member teams tries to defeat it.

The Mejias' plan called for the development of microsatellites to repair, maintain and even attack enemy satellites.

Students learn moments before their debate if they will be arguing for their resolution or

May 11, 2012 Volume 51, Issue 5

inside

– page 3

sPorts strike outLack of students leads athletic league to cancel baseball, track

Bell schedule changewould rotate classes,lengthen school day

Great debaters Kim and Gloria "Jack" Mejia-Cuellar use their preparation time in the 'Sweet 16' round of the National Urban Debate League tournament in Washington D.C. on April 15.

photo by Perry Green / BAUDL

see SCHEDULE page 2

diego Garcia News Editor

will have two “colleges” and a freshman house. Also teach-ers will be working 11 months under special contracts with the school district.

To find a principal for the newly designed school, a com-mittee met for more than a month to come up with ques-tions for candidates applying for the job. Many committee mem-bers are glad that Hurst is going to be the principal next year.

“I am totally convinced Mr. Hurst is very committed to our children and community,” said parent and 1991 alumnusAle-jandra Baez, who served on the committee.

Hurst said his top priority will be to have “high expecta-tions and high support for every student.”

But students have a different first priority for Hurst — they want off-campus lunch.

dismissal would be at 3:20 p.m. on four days;'short' Wednesdays would run until 2:25 p.m.

Media College Preparatory High School, Oakland, CA

against another team’s resolution.The Mejias, along with a team from Califor-

nia Preparatory High School in Berkeley, were the first local students from the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) to make it to the final round of 16 teams in the national tournament.

“The most important thing was that essen-tially both teams were making BAUDL history,” said Jack Mejia, who is co-captain of Fremont's debate team.

Before going to the national tournament for urban schools, BAUDL debaters competed in several prestigious tournaments of the National Forensics League, which is open to all high schools in America.

“Debating in the Bay Area we had so much exposure to national tournaments, so I felt prepared for NAUDL,” said Kim Mejia.

The Mejias credit their experience in debate for helping them gain acceptance into Yale University, where they will enroll this fall on full-ride scholarships. Jack Mejia recently received the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, which guarantees payment of up to eight years of higher education, including graduate school, at any college in the United States.

“It’s surreal,” said Jack Mejia.After the NAUDL tournament, the Mejias

extended their East Coast trip to visit Yale in New Haven, Conn., before returning to the Bay

SENIORNAILS FIRST

IN STATE CONTEST

Debaters break through toSweet 16 of national contest

a 'to do' List For HurstNewspaper staff wants principal of new school to improve internships, close B portables

– page 4

FroM MessinG uP to risinG uPCPAA senior took school as a joke, until teachers inspire her to success

Gloria 'Jack' MejiaStaff Writer

katelyn bauzon

Lunch would be shorter and the school day slightly longer.

That's according to a draft of the new bell schedule that a committee of teachers presented to Fremont Federation staff on April 25.

Major changes to the schedule include shorter block periods (from 115 minutes to 79 minutes), a 30-minute lunch with a 10-minute passing period, and advisory on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. A five-minute breakfast would also be served at the end of the first period each day and that would extend the release time to 3:20 p.m. on all days but Wednesdays.

Committee members are teachers Michelle Gonzalez

and Thea Marston of College Prep & Architecture Academy, teachers Paul Strain and Sunny Chan from Media Academy and Leadership Coordinator Nidya Baez.

“We wanted to come up with a new bell schedule and make big changes so Fremont would feel like a completely new school,” said Gonzalez.

The week before spring break, the committee surveyed 137 freshmen and sophomores from the three small schools about block periods.

“Students want block periods, but they want them shorter, so we’re listening to what students are requesting,” said Strain.

However, Miea Manuel, a freshman at CPAA believes the school should maintain the current block schedule.

– page 2

– page 3

Assistant News Editor

MakinG HistorY

see DEBATE page 2

2 neWs May 11, 2012Green & Gold

SCHEDULE: Blocks shortenedfrom page 1

graphic by Gloria "Jack" Mejia-Cuellar

Layana Jones used to think high school was a joke, but now she’s dead serious about getting top grades.

Jones, a senior at College Preparatory & Architecture Academy, never imagined that she would be on the honor roll.

“I had the impression of high school as just a joke — a friend said freshman year doesn’t count, so I took it as a joke,” said Jones.

Jones started off high school with F’s and D’s. She has improved throughout her years. Now Jones earns A’s and B’s.

“I realized that in order to get some-where, you have to graduate,” said Jones.

To improve her grades Jones began to go to school every day, complete all her work and stay focused.

She advises ninth graders not to con-sider freshman year as a joke because it will catch up with them over the years.

Jones, like many students at Fremont,

CPaa senior excels despite multiple hurdles

kemish Q. rosalesStaff Writer

DEBATE: Students gain vital skillsfrom page 1

Area. Fremont's debate team is coached by University of California, Berkeley senior Andres Gannon and Media history teacher Elizabeth Siarny. Siarny, who ac-companied the twins to Washington D.C., believes debate is a helpful program.

“Debate gives students a voice, an opportunity to stretch critical thinking skills," said Siarny.

has had to deal with many obstacles.“Despite family problems, balancing

home and school at the same time, I try not to let them get to me,” said Jones.

Jones sad she had good influences to overcome these challenges. One of them is Julia Daniels, an English teacher in CPAA.

Daniels says students have the poten-tial to turn around like Jones did.

“I’m incredibly proud of Layana and impressed by her. I think she’s a very strong woman who’s going to do wonder-ful things,” said Daniels.

LaYana Jonesphoto by Tiffany Sanders

Carlos Vera is a Media Academy junior who says he couldn’t complete his work in class because he couldn’t stay fo-cused — but then he received help from mentor Jalessa Bryant.

“My mentor helps me finish my work and turn in the assignments on time,” said Vera.

Vera is one of many students receiving guidance from Building Healthy Com-munities, an AmeriCorps program. The federal government funds the program to operate in schools across the U.S.

Students must be recommended by a teacher or counselor to participate in Building Healthy Communities, which gives students extra support in school and after school.

The program, which started in January at Fremont, offers academic help, com-munity service activities, and college and career assistance. Starting at 9:30 a.m., students can received help from Bryant,

Mentors build communitykenay anderson

Staff Writera graduate of University of California, Berkeley, until 5:30 p.m., and Sloane Flashman, a graduate of University of Washington, until 6 p.m.

About five students at a time meet in the library with one of the mentors for an hour each week to get help on work outside of class, either independently or in a group. They participate in many activities, ranging from playing games and watching movies to doing home-work, silent reading or working on job applications. At other times, the program is a place for students to go when they just need some time away from class, the mentors explained.

“So far, it has been fun and entertain-ing working with the young adults,” said Bryant.

Students say they enjoy the program.“I enjoy getting help with my class

work,” said Belen Collazo, a junior at College Preparatory & Architecture Academy.

Media junior Rogelio Romero also likes participating in the program.

“This program has helped me pay more attention in class because when I’m in tutoring, Jalessa explains to me what the assignment is about in detail. That makes me want to stay focused in class,” he said.

Richard Yacco, a broadcast journalism teacher at Media Academy, said students this year have been leaving his classroom

HERE TO HELP Mentor Jalessa Bryant has been working with Fremont Federation students this year through the Building Healthy Communities, a federally-funded program.

photo by Pearl Joy Balagot

THE ART OF PERSUASION Media Academy junior Diego Garcia debates against a Skyline team at the league championships on May 5. Garcia was named first place varsity speaker.

photo by Lisa Shafer

The Mejias also took second place in the varsity finals of the league champi-onships on May 5. Media junior Diego Garcia won first place varsity speaker in the two-day tournament, while Mandela junior Nicholas Ross won top speaker in the junior varsity division. Media sopho-more Maria Ramos and junior Kemish Q. Rosales were second place novice team.

Debate meets Mondays after school in portable B-1 from 3:30 p.m to 5 p.m.

for a variety of programs that mentor students.

“The students that leave my class for mentoring are improving. While they are in the class, they are not doing anything, [so] I would rather for them go to men-tors to get help,” he said.

It is unclear if Building Healthy Com-munities will return next year.

TIMES ARE CHANGING Above is the proposed bell schedule for 2012-2013. Members of the committee that put this possible schedule together said advisory (in pink) was likely to change so that is not at the end of the day.

Block periods, she said, “are helpful because they give teachers more time to give tests and students can catch up on work they haven’t finished.”

Another major change to the schedule would be the inclusion of “second chance breakfast” during the last five minutes of the first period of the morning.

“The clinic recognized the physiological need for breakfast in the morning,” said Strain. “Having breakfast at the end of first period could be really helpful for students who couldn’t get it the first time around.”

The committee wants to keep the lunch time the same, Strain said. Lunch would be held from 12:35 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. on Mondays and from 12:27 p.m. to 1:57 p.m. on Wednesdays, which is within the school day instead of after the minimum day ends.

Strain noted that students are usually hungry on minimum days on Wednesday, when they have to wait until 1:22 p.m. to eat lunch.

“Kids are pretty much not present in fifth and sixth period on Wednesdays because they are hungry,” said

Gonzalez. “Wednesdays are too short and teachers don’t get enough done.”

Manuel agrees.“It would be a good idea. Students get tired and don’t

focus, so it’s better to get out at 2:25 p.m. with lunch than at 1:22 p.m. without lunch,” said Manuel.

Still, students oppose the idea of shortening lunch from 43 minutes to 30 minutes.

“Lunch should be longer because it takes a long time for students to get what they need and have time to eat,” said Manuel.

The committee holds that a shorter lunch will benefit students and teachers alike.

“The reason it’s a shorter lunch is because with our current longer lunch, there have been a lot more fights,” said Gonzalez. “It’s more about chaos control and giving teachers more instruction time.”

Strain said that half an hour is an “adequate amount of time” for students to have lunch.

According to Gonzalez, ideas have been proposed to have stations in classrooms around the campus where students to get lunch aside from the cafeteria. Gonzalez said that would enable students to get lunch faster.

Principal Daniel Hurst said next year students will not have to enter lunch codes because everyone will be receive free lunch. That should speed things up, he said.

To read the complete story and leave a comment on the proposed schedule, visit mediagreenandgold.com

Shantel BerryAssistant Health Editor

Juan AguilarStaff Writer

CPAA senior wins first prizein Skills USA Carpentry contest

There will be no baseball team at Fre-mont High School for the first time since the 1940s.

According to coach Noil Angelo, only five players showed up for practice in late January ready to play ball, but there were not enough students to fill the team. Nine players are needed for a baseball team, and the Tigers were short four players.

Angelo, now a softball coach, was dis-appointed when the season was cancelled.

“I was very sad,” said Angelo. “I have coached baseball for 25 years [and] have been head coach at Fremont for 13 years. Baseball is my favorite sport. I started playing at eight years old.”

Some players tried to play for Cast-lemont, but the Oakland Athletic League

Fremont Federation of High Schools has the top student carpenter in California.

Carlos Gonzalez, a senior from College Preparatory &

Architecture Academy, won the State Skills USA Carpentry competition in San Diego over spring break. He competed against 20 other students, each of whom had won a regional competition in order to qualify for the state competition.

The competition took place April 13 and 14. The awards ceremony took place on April 15.

Gonzalez won his entry to the state Skills USA Carpentry competition by winning a gold medal in the Salinas regional competition that took place in

said players would have to transfer to the school full-time in order to play.

“I was mad when I found out that Fremont wasn’t going to have a base-ball team. The only reason why I come to school [is so] I can get scouted to go to college,” said Adrian Verduzco, who played pitcher and first baseman for the Tigers last year. “Also, [being on the baseball team] motivated me to get good grades in order for me to go to college.”

The news hit the Angelo family espe-cially hard.

Both of coach Angelo’s sons, Noil Angelo III and Michael Angelo, played on the baseball team when they attended Fremont.

“When my dad told me that Fremont didn’t have a baseball team, I blamed it on him because he is a baseball coach, not a softball coach. I think he could have

February.“Ever since I was small, I liked mess-

ing with tools, and I just liked carpentry when I first tried it,” said Gonzalez.

The task for Gonzalez and the other students in the competition was to con-struct a complicated dog house within a limit of eight hours.

“I can't tell you how impressive Carlos was,” said CPAA carpentry teacher Josh Nardie. “He applied complicated math and problem-solving skills in a way that made his construction talent seem like an afterthought. All of the other competitors and advisers noticed that ‘that kid from Oakland’ was really good.”

Nardie, who taught construction for seven years at a school in St. Louis, Mo. before coming to CPAA this fall, said he has been taking students to the Skills USA competition for eight years.

“I've never had anybody win better than ninth at the state level,” said Nardie.

WOULD BE RUNNERS Media Academy seniors Melique Grimes and Leland Moore practice running track after school in April 2011. This year, the track team has not been funded by the Oakland Athletic League.

GETTING TO WORK CPAA senior Carlos Gonzalez constructs a doghouse at a state carpentry competition on April 14.

Play ball? Not for students at Fremont High

Gonzalez named state's top high school carpenter

got some students to play,” said Noil Angelo III.

Fremont has had a lot of people come to play on the baseball team, and even some of their younger cousins, brothers and uncles come to Fremont for the base-ball team. Now that there is no baseball team, many students feel disappointed.

“I was lightweight upset when I went to practice and found out there wasn’t go-ing to be a baseball team because baseball

Gonzalez took Nardie’s class for the whole year, but only had two weeks to practice for the state competition.

“I was really happy knowing that Nardie had helped me,” Gonzalez said. “I felt really appreciated.”

Before the ceremony, Gonzalez and Nardie predicted that Gonzalez would make it into the top five and were hoping for a bronze medal.

“I didn't think I was going to win, so I was really surprised when I won,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez not only won the state competition, he also received prizes. He received a $100 set of Dewalt tools and a titanium hammer from Economy Lumber.

When asked who was his inspiration, Gonzalez said, “Nardie, because since the first competition, he knew that I would do a good job.”

Gozalez said he is hoping to work in the field of carpentry in the future.

SPortS/FeAtureSTrack team cancelled; Tigers run as Titans

the first time also were frustrated with the OAL’s decision.

"I love running, and I thought this would be a good experience for me, [but] when I found out there wasn't a track team anymore, I was kind of disap-pointed,” said Media junior Alejandra Lopez, who is also a track team member.

However, Lopez says she wants to continue running even if the school does not have a team.

“Right now I’m still running [and] I’m practicing for next year,” Lopez added.

Green & Gold staff members tried multiple times to contact OAL Com-missioner Michael Moore to ask about canceling Fremont's track season, but did not receive a response.

Students at Fremont still have a chance to run. Coover recently informed the Green & Gold staff that the OAL is now letting Fremont runners be a part of Skyline's track and field program.

“I feel like it’s unfortunate that the OAL decided that Fremont can't have a team of its own, but the more important thing is that the kids at Fremont have a chance to participate in track and field. I’m happy about that,” said Coover.

The Oakland Athletic League has decided to cancel Fremont High School’s track team for the season.

Coach Paul Coover informed Green & Gold staff members that track was cancelled this year because not enough students were willing to participate in the track team.

Coover said he only had four runners, which led the OAL to make the decision to not hire an assistant coach, which the school has had in previous years.

The OAL is in charge of paying coaches.

Media Academy junior Juan Aguilar, who made it to the California State Cham-pionship in the fall as a cross-country runner was disappointed.

“I think that I was expecting more from other people. I thought that more people were going to join,” said Aguilar. “It’s really disappointing knowing that there's a lot of people that can actually compete and run track, but they don't ac-tually show up or go [to meets]. I feel like people need to get more involved.”

Others who wanted to join the team for

is fun and I needed something else to keep me focused on my grades besides basketball.” said Media Academy junior Darnell Waters. “Without sports I don’t really feel school.”

Fremont has had a varsity and junior varsity team every year that Angelo was the coach. The teams started out every year with a fall league, which lasted from October until December. They also had an summer league, in which Fremont won three championships.

Former Tiger players who heard the news are upset at what has happened.

“The only reason I came to Fremont was to play baseball,” said Juan Men-doza, who played baseball from 1999 to 2003. “My uncles and cousins played at Fremont. It is very sad that the best sport in the world is not being played at Fremont High School.”

Alondra Alvarado& Martin Ortiz

Staff Writers

photo by Josh Nardie

"It is very sad that the best sport in the world is not being played at Fremont."

– Juan MendozaFremont High Class of '03

Green & Gold file photo

May 11, 2012Green & Gold 3

OpiniOn

"no. i am always on the lookout when i got my hood on.”

Dominique HayesMandela, Junior

Tiger Talk!

Hurst should improve internships, close portablesgreen & goldthe

The Green & Gold is a vehicle of student freedom of expression and a public forum for the Fremont Federation of High Schools community.

Students are given rights to produce this paper through the First Amendment and California Education Code, Section 48907.

We welcome feedback about our content and would also like to hear ideas you have for future coverage.

Our staff reserves the right to edit for language and space. Letters or guest opinion columns may be dropped off to B-3 or to Lisa Shafer's mail-box in the main office.

please let us know what you think about our paper or give us suggestions on what we can do better.

EDiTOR-in-CHiEFKim Mejia-Cuellar

nEWS EDiTORSDiego GarciaKatelyn Bauzon, assistant

FEATURES EDiTORSAleanna SantosFernanda Lopez, assistant

HEALTH EDiTORSAraceli RamosShantel Berry, assistant

OpiniOn EDiTORSArnice St. RemyRuliver Santos, assistant

SpORTS EDiTORSAlondra Alvarado Laura Lem

pHOTO EDiTORSpearl Joy BalagotTiffany Sanders

MULTiMEDiA EDiTOR Gloria 'Jack' Mejia-Cuellar

ART DiRECTORJameela Rougeau

WRiTERSJuan AguilarKenay AndersonYuliana EstradaDevonyei FrazierJorray HartAdrian nelsonMartin OrtizJose RodriguezKemish Q. RosalesJanae RushingJafeth SantosAlex Toris

ADViSERLisa Shafer

Darnell WatersMedia, Junior

Alberto LopezCPAA, Senior

Ashraf AlCPAA, Sophomore

4

EDiTORiAL

“i feel lightweight in danger because the police think i’m up to no good and i gotta worry about gang members.”

“Well, in certain neighborhoods, but not on the streets."

Naomy VarelaMandela, Freshman

“no, everybody wears black hoodies. it’s just a style.”

Do you put your life in danger when you wear a black hoodie?

“if i was in a gang, yeah. if i wasn’t in a gang, then i wouldn’t feel endangered [except on] certain blocks.”

May 11, 2012Green & Gold

not want talented athletes to slack off in class and think there isn't anything else for them to do.

EXPAND INTERNSHIPS Another thing we want is for Hurst to

ensure that students have more intern-ship opportunities. Many students com-plain about being bored at school and that they never get a chance to study something they are truly interested in.

If students were granted more intern-ship opportunities, maybe they would become more involved in school and the community. These internships should not only be for upperclassmen — fresh-men and sophomores should also have the opportunity to have internships.

LISTEN TO STUDENTSHaving Hurst remain as the principal

of Fremont is a wonderful idea, but in order to create a better school and a better environment for everyone, Hurst needs to prioritize the things students see as important.

Many decisions are being made about the new school and the students' voices are not included enough.

We want the administration to do more outreach. We want staff to actually take the time to figure out what students want and what they need in the new school.

seniors because it will be their last year in high school, and they need to be informed soon to plan their class schedule.

NO MORE RED PORTABLESWe want Hurst to move teachers

out of the B portables because these “temporary” classrooms have been used for nearly 50 years. They were not meant for long-term use. Many have termites, mold, mildew and mice. The floors are uneven and the air is stuffy.

Basically, these portables are un-sanitary and unhealthy for students and the staff to be in.

“High support” for students should include giving them clean and safe classrooms.

INCREASE CAFETERIA CHOICES We also want Hurst to push for

better food in the cafeteria. People make it seem as if the food in the caf-eteria is healthy for us, but every day it seems as if the same food is being served — pizza and sandwiches. If students were able to have different lunch choices, they would have the chance to make healthier choices.

PROMOTE SPORTSSince many students did not try

out for sports, several teams were cancelled this year. We had no baseball or track teams. Swimming was cancelled last year and the cheerleading season ended after the squad could not get uniforms or an adviser to lead them.

We believe sports are very impor-tant to our school because they are a way for students to stay in shape and gain school spirit. Without sports, the student body has no games to look forward to. When we have sports, people from other schools can come watch the games and see our school. It gives Fremont more publicity.

Many students also keep their grades up because they want to play for a sports team and go to college on an athletic scholarship, but when they are not given the chance to join a team, they tend to give up. Be-cause of the 2.0 GPA requirement, sports can be a way to motivate students to do well in school. We do

by Jameela Rougeau

The decision is in for the new principal, and he isn’t exactly new — Fre-mont Federation of High Schools Principal Daniel

Hurst will remain as the principal of the school when it opens as Fremont High next school year.

Oakland Unified School District’s board of directors approved Hurst as principal on March 28 after he received a recommendation from Su-perintendent Tony Smith. Hurst also received a recommendation from the 12-member Principal Selection Committee, which included teachers, parents, community members, staff members and one student.

We, the Green & Gold, applaud this decision. Hurst has been working at Fremont for more than 25 years. Hurst is the right choice because he understands the strengths and weak-nesses of the school, and treats the school like it is his family.

Hurst told the Green & Gold his top priority is to have “high expectations and high support” for students.

While we are glad Hurst is remain-ing as our principal, we have high expectations for him as well. Here is a list of things that we expect him to prioritize:

WHICH CLASSES? WHERE?On the top of Hurst's list should

be finalizing which subjects will be taught and where the classes will be located. The freshman house is set to be placed in a separate part of the campus, meaning many teachers may have to move classrooms.

“We have not made a final decision about the location of the freshman wing,” Hurst told the Green & Gold.

He needs to make that decision quickly so that we know exactly where the classes will be.

Students are always the last ones to be informed about all of the deci-sions made on campus, and we feel as if we should at least know where the classes will be.

We also need to find out which classes will be offered next year, including Advanced Placement cours-es. This is important to the upcoming