Two become one Two become one (November 12, 2003)

Students from Gunn, Paly strive to get together

by Rachel Metz

Though nobody will be singing "Paly and Gunn, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G" any time soon, kids from each high school are eschewing competition between the campuses and getting together to hang out at several joint activities throughout the year.

It's not always easy to get an even turnout or get students to interact as the latest event -- last Friday night's disco bowling -- showed, but the schools' student activities directors, who coordinate the events, are positive about the joint activities.

The intent is not to break down competition between the schools, but give high school students a chance to bridge the divide on neutral turf, according to Paly student activities director Joann Vaars and Gunn student activities director Nik Kaestner.

"That's why we want to do things off campus like bowling or ice skating because it's not on anyone's ground," Vaars said.

As far as directors Vaars and Kaestner know, the three dates they've set aside on their master calendars are a first for Palo Alto's public high schools. They started last year with a multi-cultural talent show at Paly and a battle of the bands at Gunn. Now disco bowling has joined the fray and the multi-cultural talent show will be back in early December.

"Nik and I felt our kids get together anyway, they all live in the same town, it would be nice if we got kids together in positive, fun healthy ways," Vaars said.

It's hard to schedule events both schools can participate in, because there are often weekends one school will have a dance or activity, Vaars said. In fact, it was difficult for them to set aside the current three dates. Still, they're hoping to add another event -- possibly ice skating next fall.

So far, kids are excited about the events. Gunn senior Ken Silverton said activities like the bowling night let kids "transcend the whole fake rivalry" and give them a chance to have fun together. Also, having events organized between the schools eliminates the hardest part of getting people together -- finding a good date and time for everyone to gather.

Paly senior Kalena Masching, thinks students don't tend to flock to her school's activities, but when both schools are involved Paly students seem to enjoy events more. Also, involving both schools in events gives students a chance to meet some of the many teenagers in town who just happen to go to another school, she said.

"We want to get them together because there's so much you can learn from other people," she said.

During Friday night's bowling event, this didn't clearly ring true. Only 11 of the 53 in attendance by around 10:30 p.m. were from Paly.

Groups of kids claimed lanes across the bowling alley, tossing balls while pop music blasted and colored lights flashed. But as evinced by the occasional Gunn or Paly sweatshirt, most were in groups by school of origin.

Still, kids and organizers weren't really miffed.

"I think for the first time it's really successful. Kids seem to be having a good time" Vaars said.

Rachel Metz can be e-mailed at rmetz@paweekly.com