SMHS Starts the Year Cellphone Free
As we approach the end of the first six weeks of school, many students have begun to accept the new anti-cellphone policies. Despite not accepting the new policies at first, many people have changed their minds and begun to appreciate the new approach to having students pay more attention in class. Kai Ando had a lot to say about the new system. “At first it was weird seeing people with their eyes not glued to their phones, but now it’s nice to see people actually speaking to each other. It also seems like people are paying more attention in class,…
SMHS’ Boomwhacker Club
The xylophone can produce about 40 different pitches; the piano, a whopping 88. The boomwhacker? One. A boomwhacker is a hollow plastic tube that produces a sound when hit against a surface. The length of the tube determines the pitch, with longer tubes producing lower pitches. Crucially, this means that each boomwhacker can only make one sound. Combine this with the fact that you can only play one or two boomwhackers at a time, and you have a recipe for monotony. But with several people working together, entire octaves can be spanned –– and, with practice, music can be created….
California Flu Crisis
The Golden State is currently experiencing what could be one of its most deadly flu seasons in the past decade. Since the beginning of the season, the number of flu-related deaths has risen to 165 people-eight times the number seen at this time last year, according to recent figures released by state public health officials. The state doesn’t collect data on deaths among people over the age of 65 though, meaning that the actual death toll of flu related deaths could be much higher. California hospitals have been packed in the past few weeks, with doctors struggling to…
Shaun White Wins Gold at Pyeongchang
Shaun White, after his 14 year career, finally sealed his legacy of one of the best snowboarders to live, by winning the gold medal on the men’s halfpipe in Pyeongchang. It was an extremely close match between him and the Japanese olympian, Ayumu Hirano. In the first run, White led the competition but at the second run, Hirano was in a good position for gold. White needed to one-up Hirano’s 1440 spin with two 1440 spin and he did. White also landed his signature move on the run and the final result: an astonishing 97.75 run. After his victory, White…
“The Mini Show”
Art- it comes in many shapes, sizes, and forms, but what can be better than a piece that is no bigger than five by five inches? SMHS’s art classes, including drawing and photography have come together to bring “The Mini Show,” where you can have the artwork of all the students at your fingertips. The focus of this specific exhibit is the size of the pieces and the detail that is in them. Imagine having a story that tells itself in the palm of your hand. Starting November 28th, all bearcats and families are welcomed to visit the Art Studio;…
College Visits
A slight breeze, a ray of glorious sunlight, a ruffling of leaves, the perfect setting for… college visits! San Mateo High School has welcomed over 50 colleges this semester during Tutorial and/or Lunch times. These colleges send a representative to San Mateo High School to spread details about the colleges. In October, San Mateo High School has been honored to have these following colleges on campus; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Pace University, University of Utah, University of la Verne, Trinity College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Willamette University, Cañada College, Waterloo University, California College of the Arts and UC Santa…