The Oracle

Encountering the paranormal

The Oracle • October 18, 2010

To put it quite simply, I’m a scaredy-cat. I turn on all the lights in the house when I’m home alone; I’m terrified of what could be hiding in my closet when I go to bed. I tried watching The Amityville Horror last weekend and lasted 10 minutes at the most. The scariest movie I’ve ever seen was Paranormal Activity last year. I spent that night sleeping in my parents’ room. No joke.

Zodiac killer of the past

The Oracle • October 18, 2010

During the late 1960s, a serial killer who still has yet to be identified surfaced in Northern California. Confirmed to have killed seven victims, the man garnered the nickname “Zodiac Killer” due to a series of letters sent to the press. Although the attacks ceased by the early 1970s, the case remains open in several cities and on file with the California Department of Justice, and is still well known today.

Seniors rep big names and big numbers on Wednesdays

The Oracle • September 18, 2010

The middle of the week can be a tiring, boring time, but the seniors are making Wednesdays a lot more exciting.

Flash flood puts The Oracle staffer out of comfort zone

The Oracle • August 24, 2010

In our society, we fall into daily routines and habits. We often shudder at the thought of stepping out of our comfort zone. Why? Because it makes us feel insecure, uncertain, uncomfortable—feelings we have been taught to avoid at all costs. But it has occurred to me that by avoiding these feelings, we are playing it safe.

Facebook isn’t stalking

The Oracle • July 18, 2010

Facebook is my addiction; I can’t even try to deny it.

Boys’ lacrosse season 2010 season summary

The Oracle • June 21, 2010

Although 2010 was the boys’ lacrosse team’s inaugural season, the varsity team finished the season with their heads held high and with a respectable record under their belts

New passing period to accommodate portable relocation

The Oracle • June 17, 2010

The Instructional Council has decided to implement a new schedule with 58 minute class periods and nine minute passing periods starting next year. Lunch and brunch breaks will remain the same length, as well as the start and end times of school. According to Principal Noreen Likins, this lack of two minutes from every class period will not add up and lengthen the school year or significantly affect classes timewise.

Titans qualify for international exams

The Oracle • June 16, 2010

Similar to sporting events, academic competitions allow students to demonstrate their intellectual skills in a variety of subjects. The International Science Olympiads consist of 12 such competitions, each with focuses on different aspects of science. This year, junior Brian Zhang was selected to be one of the 20 members on the U.S. Physics Team with the possibility to participate in the International Physics Olympiad (IPO) in Croatia. Two Gunn students, Zhang and freshman Jesse Kim, and two Palo Alto High School students, senior Lynnelle Ye and freshman Jeffrey Yan, were also selected to take part in the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP), a training program designed to prepare promising U.S. students for possible participation at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

Acorn Lounge renovated, open for students

The Oracle • June 16, 2010

What was once just a simple courtyard outside the school library has been cleaned up and transformed to meet the expectations of its name, the Acorn Lounge. “I saw an opportunity to create a usable and inviting space for the school community,” librarian Meg Omainksy wrote in an e-mail. “The idea was to create a natural landscape that would complement the campus and provide serenity in the courtyard.”

Speech and Debate team prepares for National tournament

The Oracle • June 2, 2010

Two Speech and Debate club teams will be competing in the National Speech and Debate Tournament from June 13 to June 18 in Kansas City, Missouri. Seniors Pamudh Kariyawasam and Kuleen Nimkar will compete as one team, and sophomores Clare Shuey and Wendy Wu will compete as the other.

Fixie Fixation

The Oracle • June 2, 2010

The fixie fixation has commenced. With the simplicity, freedom and speed that fixed gear bikes have to offer, they have recently started to attract people of all ages, especially the younger generation.

Spring sport tryout challenge: Lacrosse

The Oracle • April 26, 2010

Lacrosse was a completely new experience for me. Sure, I had played a little lacrosse before in P.E., but bear in mind that we were given a lot of handicaps. Lacrosse with the junior varsity (JV) girls’ lacrosse team was much more challenging.