The Smoke Signal

By: Tiffany Huang
The MSJ Community Garden, a garden available for the MSJ community to visit and enjoy, is a project created by History Teacher Jeff Evans and the Service Learning Waste Reduction Program (SLWRP), which is a program organized by Evans that works on environmental projects at MSJ. The garden is located at the abandoned vandal watch site behind the E-wing, a safe, fenced-in area with little foot traffic. The project, which has been in the making for a few years, was officially started this year by Evans and a group of students during spring break using SLWRP funds…

By: Vivian Jair and Shirby Wang
Have you ever wondered about that creepy-looking house behind the E-Wing? Were you that freshman who couldn’t find the elusive P7? The Smoke Signal has embarked on a journey to disprove the unfortunate misconception that MSJ lacks intriguing tidbits of information and history. Learn about the truth about numerous buildings, the remarkable history of our famous Mission Bell, and something out of this world about two of our math teachers. Perhaps you may discover something new about our beloved school!
Here’s a more in-depth continuation of the article that ran in the March 28…

By: Aamir Rasheed, Grace Wu, Hairol Ma, Ishan Goyal
 

Outfit #1
This spring, match dark jewel tones with metallic skirts and spikes, allowing feminine to blend with punk at the same time. Though pricey, the Steve Madden Missmee Flat ($129.95) can give your outfit a polished look with its prim heel and tiny studs. For a cheaper option, Aldo has similar flats ranging from $40-$70. Splurge some more with a Petite Gold Jacquard Skirt, $35.00. Tuck a simple sleeveless blouse top, such as American Eagle’s Hi-Low Tank ($19.99) into the skirt. Lastly, no outfit is complete without accessories! Forever 21’s Braided Metallic Bead Necklace ($6.80) can…

 
Winners ($10 Chipotle gift card):
Ariel Cheng, 12
Sunny Chen, 11
Albert Wang, 11
 
Raffle Winner (10$ Starbucks gift card):
Andy Lai, 11
 
Gift cards will be distributed during Read period on Friday, February 8.…

Submit your answers here:
 https://docs.google.com/a/thesmokesignal.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEdiTWZUUE9jYlBhaWdua191ZDZqaXc6MQ#gid=0A. Cain
Answers:
A. Cain
B. Geers
C. Nation
D. Benton
E. Fry
F. Rath
G. Breazeale
H. Fort
I. Burr
J. Poecab
K. B π
L. Horseshoe
M. Library
N. N Wing
O. B Wing
P. Leo
Q. The Smoke Signal
R. Drama
S. iKnit
T. MSJTV
U. APUSH
V. Show Choir
W. Yearbook
X. Leadership 2
Y. Key Club
 
 
 …

By: Jade Shi
In light of the holiday season, the Smoke Signal recently sat down with Senior Ivy Kuo, who created an online craft store to sell her hand-made crafts. She shared her motivations, inspirations, and the efforts she took to get her crafts online and to customers.
Smoke Signal: How did you get started in making crafts, and what was your motivation for starting an online store?
Ivy Kuo: I started watching tutorials online and was fascinated by how many things could be made out of just a few supplies (polymer clay, wire, paint). When I finally bought my supplies a…

By: Jade Shi
Junior Praveena Fernes has an inspiring story about starting an online store to benefit women and children in Kadapa, India. She recently shared with the Smoke Signal her initiative and the motivation behind it.
Smoke Signal: How did you get started with your online craft store? Can you tell us about it?
Praveena Fernes: So, my family started a homeless school for children in India twenty years ago, in 1992, in a village called Kadapa. The reason we started that home was because there’s an epidemic called female infanticide, feticide, where they kill the girl children when they’re tiny; it’s sexist,…

Answers for the MSJ Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie Quiz are as follows:
1. B – MSJ won NCS Football in 1978.
2. A – The amphitheater mural was painted in the 2006-07 school year.
3. B – Social Studies Teacher Nancy Benton actually worked in the Physics Department of a publishing company before becoming a teacher.
4. C – MSJ was named a National Blue Ribbon School in the years 1987, 1996, and 2008.…

By: Hannah Shih
You only get one body, so take care of it the best you can! Protect your skin from the harsh UV rays of summer with these effective and highly recommended products!
Sunscreens:
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55: $7.04 at Target
This is a water resistant sunscreen lotion that has topped dermatologists’ lists for years. If you hate the oiliness and thickness of traditional sunscreen, this product is for you due to its noncomedogenic and mattifying formula.
Aveeno Continuous Protection Active Sunblock Spray SPF 30: $8.97 at Walmart
Despite how absorbent the Neutrogena sunblock is, spray…

By: Vivian Jair
With summer rapidly approaching, ward off the heat waves by gobbling down delicious, assorted, and even healthy frozen yogurt! The Smoke Signal has reviewed three local frozen yogurt shops to help MSJ students find the top “fro-yo” selections in Fremont.
Yogurtouille
2670 Mowry Avenue
Nestled in the popular Gateway Plaza, Yogurtouille is a small but delightful self-serve shop. Colorful and clean, the shop provides a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Yogurtouille offers the new and trendy style of tart yogurt over traditional creamy yogurt, but is nonetheless tasty. There are a total of twelve flavors, including the rare…