Google’s self driven cars use video cameras, radar sensors, lasers, and a database of information collected from manually driven vehicles to control navigation.  The DMV of Nevada licensed a Toyota Prius that Google modified with self-driving technologies developed by Stanford professor and Google’s Vice President Sebastian Thrun.  Senior Andrew Carmody said “All this technology seems cool but if there are so many cameras and sensors wont regular car drivers be more likely to get pulled over?”  Despite worries about less freedom on the road, it looks more likely that self-driven cars will be the common vehicle in the near future.

The self-driven cars recently legalized in Nevada have passed the tests of crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, according to Google.  California State Senator Alex Padilla said, “The vast majority of vehicle accidents are due to human error.”  The use of self-driven cars could greatly reduce the risk of death from car accidents around the country and many other states are pushing for self-driven cars to be legalized in their own cities.  Senior Sam Spengler said, “I think these cars are pretty cool. You might have to follow the laws without choice but at least you won’t be dead the next day.”  Self-driven cars have yet to be spread across the world, but we will most likely be seeing this trend quite soon.  Overall it’s a safe and effective way to transport passengers without a large worry for accidents or death.

Whole Foods is having a great impact on the people of the Windward side, English teacher Greta Barron said, “We are only eating whatever is fresh that day. We shop every other day! It is so close, and they have a keiki club where my son gets a free piece of fruit or cheese while we are shopping, and we have been eating a lot more veggies and fresh fruit. I love it there, if I could live there I would.” Whole Foods have all healthy, fresh foods grown in the islands, with local poi pounders preparing your poi in the middle of the store.

However, some do not think the prices are fair, Jean Riehl a mother of five said, “I think Whole Foods’ prices are too high, just because they have locally grown food doesn’t mean that I won’t shop somewhere cheaper.” However, when a price check is done between Safeway and Whole Foods, it is shown that you save the same amount, or even more money when shopping at Whole Foods instead of shopping. For example, at Safeway a bottle of Chardonnay is approximately $4.00, while at Whole Foods the same bottle is approximately $2.00. The price is literally cut in half!

People from all over the Windward side are rushing through the doors of Whole Foods. Le Jardin Academy’s Water polo Coach, Kamehameha School’s physical education teacher and Kaneohe resident Krislin Hope-Young said, “Whole Foods is like a Disneyworld for healthy people. As soon as you walk in, you go into sensory overload. Then, you walk around the perimeter of the store, and you have to stop at every station and try every sample because it just looks so delicious. It takes you two hours to decide what to buy, and another 45 minutes to decide what to eat. By then you are starving so you order everything, and when it’s time to pay you wonder how your bill is $100…Then you get addicted to their pizza and it’s a never ending cycle.”

Like when the Berlin Wall was knocked down, or when our soldiers come home from war, the opening of Whole Foods in Kailua is a monumental achievement that everyone is sure to remember and enjoy in the years to come.

A huge dance floor surrounded by formal white tables with fancy silver utensils and enormous centerpieces greeted students and teachers upon arrival. Off to the sides sat a popcorn machine, a cotton candy machine, and a photobooth that was open for everyone that was complete with a wide variety of costumes and props.  “The best part about prom was the photobooth. It took away some of the tension of being all fancy and dressed up and let you express your personality. It was fun,” said Junior Sari Foundas. Student Council did an excellent job making sure the students got into the “1920’s Carnival” vibe by setting up some of the most fun and interesting centerpieces anyone has seen. The middle of the tables were complete with mustaches on a stick, peanuts, chalkboards, and even clown noses.

Not only were the decorations liked by everybody, but the entire vibe set the mood for the night. “The best part was the flow of it. The fact that there wasn’t too much sitting down or too much dancing. The balance was good,” said Junior Lucas Shaunnessy. When asked if it was due to the theme
or not, Junior Carina Oswald said, “The activities kept you entertained, there were so many things to do. But I think a red carpet movie star or underground rave prom would be fun!” Some felt that as fun as the prom was, it could have been improved. They felt that the activities and games were restricted due to the theme of the dance. “It was acceptable, but a medieval theme would be better,” said Junior Coburn Hopkins.

After all the blood, sweat, and tears shed by Mrs. Omori and her group of Student Council members, it is easy to see that Prom 2012 was a success. There wasn’t much students felt could have been done differently except to, “put the teacher table outside.” But even then, the dance was a success and because of the excitement from this year, everyone is sure to have high expectations next year.

The scene itself was “classy as hell”; The Blaisdell concert hall was lightly air conditioned, beverages and snacks were served at will, and the lighting was done to a certain degree of perfection and beauty. The Shins played a far above average show, with good visual lighting effects creating a sense of being on rainbow road in Mario cart n64 and songs that would bring a tear to an indie lover. The show was well done, featuring a lot of the Shin’s classics such as “Sleeping Lessons” and “Australia” to some of their new songs from port of morrow, like “A Simple Song” and “September”.

The audience was obviously seasoned hipsters and trippers according to first glance. Hipster Dylan Atkinson who attended the show said “The Shins blew my mind! And the opening band (Stephen and the fourth wall) played good noise as well! I am glad to see that others share my respect for good music whilst keeping the band to a certain degree of subcoolness.” Atkinsons opinion was shared by most hipster looking types at the show.

The Senior vs. Junior Football game is a tradition Le Jardin prides itself on. Since the size of the school does not allow for a football team, the students of the Junior and Senior class play a flag football game instead of the stereotypical Homecoming football game. Senior song is another tradition that is held at Le Jardin. The graduating class sings a chosen song to their families and guests at graduation. At Punahou they have a tradition of the “Flaming P”. The Flaming P is a giant P lit on fire before their Homecoming football game. Senior, Logan Fornes exclaimed “When I saw the ‘Flaming P’ I was shocked how big it was! Every year before the homecoming game, the students light the letter P on fire for their school’s pride.”

When the word Senior Prank comes to mind, students think of harmless fun directed towards the school. Most schools allow this tradition to happen, however Le Jardin’s administration does not. Students at Le Jardin Academy question administration’s views pertaining to Senior Prank being a tradition. The administration feels that a harmless prank could lead into destruction of school property which could cost the school money.

While four years in high school feels like a lifetime it actually files by with late night studying, cramming in homework, school traditions, sport games, and school parties. These experiences will be remembered forever. Junior Jaime Ciletti said, “I want to be able to remember all my years of high school, and the great memories it comes with. School Prank is a tradition in all schools and should be allowed here!”  Every school has its different traditions; things that make each school unique and make the school year a little more fun and exciting for everyone.

Some students are nervous and feel unprepared for the exams. “Exams suck! I’m not looking forward to taking them at all,” said senior Maile Riehl. Another senior Chris Sprague is feeling overwhelmed with school and has a case of senioritis. “I’m so over school, I don’t know how I’m even going to be able to study,” said Sprague.

Other students at LJA feel differently about the upcoming exams. Senior Luke Shimmon is looking forward for the end of high school. “I can’t wait until exams are over then I will graduate and be done with high school,” said Shimmon.

In preparation for exam week both Le Jardin Academy students and teachers are working hard finishing final assignments and studying for exams with the hopes of finishing the fourth and final quarter strong.   Even though exams are right around the corner students know that the end of the year is that much closer and summer will be here soon!

Students within our own high school enjoyed Scott Hick’s new film. “I thought it was such a heart warming film, and Zac Efron looked so cute!” said senior Kate Miller. This film seems to catch the heart of a lot of military spouses as well as Zac Efron fans. “ The movie was good but I didn’t like Taylor Shillings acting too much,” said senior Natasha Gourlay.  “ This movie was by far the best movie I have seen in a while,” said senior Kaera Marlee who attends Mid Pac Institute..  Scott Hicks a director from Australia, is best known for his film Shine.  This movie is highly recommended for people who have family members who have been and still are in war. This movie is a great family film with a very heartwarming feel.

The Dalai Lama was scheduled to have multiple talks to the public including one only open to students.  Le Jardin Academy sent a bus of 20 students willing to listen to His Holiness.  One of the chaperones for this trip, Kara Omori said, “The Dalai Lama was very wise and I felt he really connected with the kids.  He made jokes and we laughed.  It was really enjoyable for everyone.”  Le Jardin sponsored students to take a trip on Sat., April 14 to the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawaii.  On this day the audience consisted of only students and minimum faculty from around the island.  Senior, Marlena Mlynarska said “The Dalai Lama seemed to have a lot of more knowledge than he shared because his book about quantum physics but his speech involved two parts to every situation in life.”

The next day Sun., April 15 the Dalai Lama had a gathering open to the public. The floor was opened up to ask questions and he would casually reply with a joke.   Senior, Samantha Dias said, “He was really funny and had a good sense of humor.  He had a lot of insightful things that I didn’t expect, I expected a stoic monk type of man, but instead he was like a rascal grandpa.”  His holiness definitely shocked the crowd with his sense of humor.

A questions from the audience stated, “Do you always smile?”  His holiness, the Dalai Lama said he is always smiling, except when he’s on the toilet, which for a moment he needs to concentrate but then the smile returns.  The Dalai Lama a jokester of the wise, knows that to really live one must always smile and enjoy.

This has been the most successful year for Le Jardin water polo. The girls varsity team, along with the boys varsity team both won the championships for their seasons and both will have two new banners inside of the gym. “Oh man, this was a prime year,” said assistant coach Jay Hohl. “Both our Varsity teams won the championship, and even our intermediate teams did they best they’ve ever done, Le Jardin Academy is going to be known as the water polo school.”

The Championship game was one of the most defensive games of the season. A combined total of three goals scored made the game a nail bitter the whole way. “It was so sick!” said senior Luke Shimmon. “When Katie scored the last goal with a minute left, I knew they had no chance, it’s awesome to see two championships for our school this year.”

Because of the girls winning division two, they move on to play division one schools. If all goes well they will continue playing division one teams and luckily make it to states. Although the future is unpredictable, the girls won the ILH champs and Le Jardin will be given another banner to prove it.

“They all told me it was a phase and that I should try to limit my son’s game playing. They didn’t understand that I couldn’t. He had lost touch with reality. My son lost interest in everything else. He didn’t want to eat, sleep, or go to school, the game was the only thing that mattered to him,” said a concerned mother talking to a school counselor.  There are several factors of games that make children to make them addicted: getting the high score, beating the game, role-playing, discovery, and relationships. In addition to the psychological addiction, it is now believed that there may be a physiological element to addictive game playing.  “I didn’t notice how much I actually play online games; my favorite is OMGPOP is draw my thing. I mostly like it because it let me play with all my friends but it’s a huge distract from my school work” said senior, Murielle Rodrigue.

Doctors are continue to debate whether teenagers gaming addiction is a diagnosable disorder, because the behavior undeniably exist. There is not much we can do to prevent addition to online gaming; it is a growing issue that will only escalade with the growth rate of technology.