Community Remembers San Rafael Man Found Dead after Month-Long Disappearance
By India Neville
A missing San Rafael man, 93, with ties to our school was found dead last week after disappearing in late February. Robert Davis, or Papa, as his family called him, was last seen the night of Wednesday, Feb. 26th. Every Wednesday for the past 15 years, Davis went to dinner at Marin Joe’s with his daughter and other family members. On the night he went missing, he was dining with his granddaughter-in-law, Sylvia Herrera Mathews, his daughter Leslie and her husband Peter.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, according to Herrera Mathews. “That night was actually a pretty good night,” recalled Herrera Mathews. She works at Tamalpais High School and her partner, Jeff Mathews, one of Davis’ two grandsons, is an employee at our school’s cafeteria. “Some nights he’s a little quieter, but that night he ate all of his dinner. I arrived late and was soaking wet [because of the rain]. I was complaining and he was across from me laughing,” Herrera Mathews said.
The party of four left around 8:00 p.m. Davis got in his car to drive home to Terra Linda. However, the next morning, the family found out that he had never arrived.
Police, family and friends put in many hours trying to find Davis. In the first week, Mathews drove over 1,000 miles in his car searching for his grandfather. A search and rescue team was sent, as well as a San Rafael Police Department patrol boat. The Oakland Police Department donated one of their helicopters, equipped with an infrared camera and searchlights, to the manhunt.
On Tuesday April 2nd, more than a month after Davis disappeared, two CalTrans employees spotted a car down an embankment on Shoreline Highway, near Dogtown. “It was just by chance that the passenger driving on Shoreline saw something that caught his eye,” said Herrera Mathews. “If you weren’t paying attention you would not have seen it.”
One of the workers went down to inspect the car and didn’t find it occupied. The air bags were deployed, but there was no sign Davis had been ejected out of the vehicle because the seat belt had been released.
There was no cell phone reception in the area so they retrieved the car’s registration and drove to the California Highway Patrol’s Corte Madera office to report the incident. The car was identified as belonging to Davis.
The case was turned over from the San Rafael Police Department to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. The Marin County Search and Rescue team was called to the scene and found and recovered a body about 30 to 50 feet from the car.
“At this point he has been identified, but at the moment there is no cause of death,” said Herrera Mathews.
The family is not sure why he was driving that way, but Davis was not ill. He was healthy and did not have any sort of dementia, according to Herrera Mathews.
“That last night we had dinner with him was one of the best nights we had with him, and I’m very happy and relieved that that was a good night,” said Herrera Mathews.
The dinners started after Davis’ wife died and he moved to Terra Linda. Davis and his daughter wanted to keep in touch so they decided to meet up for dinner, and Marin Joe’s just happened to be located right between their two homes. They continued the dinners, and without them realizing it, they turned into a weekly tradition.
The five weeks after the disappearance was an incredibly difficult time for friends and family of the beloved man. “It’s the not knowing…it’s been a long process. It’s hard to see my mother in law because she is always happy and see her question everything. It’s hard to watch Jeff and his brother, strong stubborn boys. It’s just hard watching the family and going through it,” said Herrera Mathews. “[Jeff and I] live with them and it just changed the demographic–every night we’d go to bed wondering, asking ‘what if this, what if that’. The past month has just been what ifs.”
Davis touched the lives of many, especially his close family. “There are a lot of memories out there for the boys and for myself because I’ve been with the family for 10 years. For the boys I’ve noticed they’ve been talking about the small moments. It was just the little memories that they have with him not the big ones. It’s nice because it was the ones taken for granted,” said Herrera Mathews. “For Jeff, specifically, it was having a drink with his grandfather. Papa loved Old Fashions.”
Davis was an avid flyer and was a pilot in World War II. “He loved talking about and I loved asking him about the war and the planes because he loved being a pilot. He wanted to be one when he was a kid,” said Herrera Mathews.
“He got to serve this country and do something that he loved,” she said.
Online Tutorial Signups Here to Stay for this Year and Beyond
By Nick Seminerio
Tutorial is set to stay online for this school year and beyond, ditching the familiar blue paper passes. Our school’s Tutorial committee, which includes administrators, counselors, and teachers, in addition to all staff, have decided to stick with online systems, moving forward.
This year’s online sign up system, timetosignup.com, was piloted in January and met with mixed results. According to Counselor Sheila Souder, students had a greater incentive to attend Tutorial due to the variety of structured workshops available from teachers.
However, some students exploited the website by signing up fake and inappropriate names such as Adolf Hitler and George Washington.
In response to the challenges of timetosignup.com, a new automated system will be designed for next year with fewer kinks, according to Souder.
Assistant Prinicipal Chad Stuart said that staff felt it was silly to stop using timetosignup.com for the rest of the year and revert to blue passes, only to go back to a new system for the next school year.
Souder was excited to promote one of the new system’s features. “For example, you can’t sign up either your own or other people’s body parts,” she joked.
Another expected feature of the new system is its easier accessibility than timetosignup.com. Instead of each teacher having an individual sign up link, it will be one page accross the board, Souder said.
Stuart hopes that an app will be created for Tutorial signups.
Souder has gotten good feedback from teachers since the pilot, hearing that some kids are taking tutorial more seriously.
Sophomore Madison Lescohier said that she wouldn’t want the online system to continue. “Some teachers follow [the system] too strictly while others don’t, and for me it’s personally annoying because I can’t sign up at home: I have to do it at school,” Lescohier said.
Stuart hopes that the culture of Tutorial will change to a more academic focus.
“We’re gonna make [the new system] great,” he said.
Peer Resource To Host DUI Prevention and Awareness Week
by Jenae Casalnuovo
Our Peer Resource class is hosting a DUI Prevention and Awareness Campaign next week, from March 31st through April 4th.
Approximately one in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. Every day in the United States, 28 people die as a result of these crashes. Kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an alcohol-related crash, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is an extremely prevalent issue in Marin County – we have a higher rate of underage and binge drinking than state and national averages.
Peer Resource feels that many students do not fully recognize the consequences of drinking and driving. This is a huge problem that the class is trying to tackle through a hands-on education.
The week will begin with the presence of a wrecked car on campus, located next to the Senior Tree. The car will remain there for the entirety of the week to remind students the potentially lethal consequences of drinking and driving.
Tuesday will feature some games involving DUI statistics and others involving drunk goggles during the two breaks. A cakewalk and Wheel of Fortune game will take place during lunch.
Throughout the day on Wednesday, a student will be called out of class every 22 minutes to help students comprehend the statistic that a person dies once every 22 minutes from a drunk driving accident. A Peer Resource student will then read an obituary to the class the student was in, and the student will have their face painted white to signify being a part of the Walking Dead. A DUI video will also be shown to each advisory class.
On Thursday, there will be tables set up all day by the Senior Tree where students can pledge to designate a sober driver. After pledging, each student’s name will be entered into a raffle to win various gift cards and certificates to local businesses, such as M&G’s, Scoop, and Jamba Juice.
The week will conclude with guest speaker Sue Hunt LeMay talking about her personal experience losing a loved one due to drunk driving. This moving presentation will take place during Tutorial in the Little Theater. Other Peer Resource classes from our school district will also be attending LeMay’s talk.
Peer Resource hopes to bring attention to how fatal the consequences of drinking and driving are, in order to hopefully not only deter classmates from driving while under the influence, but also to encourage them to speak up if they see someone who they know has been drinking getting behind the wheel.
The class educates underclassmen about alcohol and driving under the influence through Social Issues presentations, and the students believe that DUI Prevention and Awareness Week will also bring awareness to the students who have licenses and are potentially faced with this scenario: the upperclassmen.
Pirate’s Run Ends in Loss to Chaminade
By Nick Seminerio
DHS State Championship Photo Gallery:
Sacramento, CA –
The Men’s Varsity Basketball team fell to Chaminade High School (27-6) of Canoga Park, California by a 71-51 margin in today’s Division III state championship game.
The Pirates were in position to become Marin’s first public school champion since Tamalpais High School in 2000. The last time the Pirates have won a state championship was in 1982.
Drake was unable to stop Chaminade’s runs early in the game, led by Michael Oguine (4), who had scored 20 points by halftime.
“When they turned over, they got points off it, when we turned them over, we weren’t finishing,” said head coach Doug Donnellan in a post-game press conference.
Adding a twist to the lineup of the Southern California school, Chaminade was missing Jack Williams (32), a key offensive player, due to illness. Jake Porath (33) stepped in and finished the game with six points and two assists.
Donnellan thought that Chaminade rallied around Williams’ absence, and that he’s seen teams play better when a situation like that occurs.
However, the Pirates gave it their all and battled back. By the end of the 2nd quarter, Drake had an 8-0 run to pull within ten points, with the score at 35-25.
Through the 3rd and 4th quarters, Chaminade’s lead grew, with Trevor Stanback (22), Oguine, and Justin Eisen (3) each scoring over ten.
Donnellan said a variety of factors could have impacted the game. “It could have been the arena, we weren’t making shots they normally do, and jitters early in the game were a possibility,” he said.
Both players and coaches alike were impressed and appreciative of outpouring of community support. An estimated 1500 Pirate fans encompassed over three sections of the Sleep Train Arena, which is home to the Sacramento Kings.
“It was a great crowd, I didn’t think that many people would be there,” said Junior Jesse Hunt (30). Donnellan echoed his player, saying that win or lose, the community will love the team no matter what.
Junior Cade Yongue (13) said this season has taught the team that they can compete with everybody. “There will be high expectations for next year,” added Junior Ben Bloom (25).
However, the Pirates are far from forgetting this season’s memorable run. “It’s a great experience that I think we will all remember for a lifetime,” Donnellan said.
This story will be updated.
From the Bus: Players and Coaches Excited, but Focused Heading into Today’s Championship
By Nick Seminerio
Following an exciting, school-wide sendoff of the Men’s Varsity Basketball team, players and coaches are feeling the positive energy but staying focused before today’s 4:00 p.m. championship.
Students and staff lined the main parking lot, and cheered the team as they boarded the bus.
“The parade was a blast – it makes the whole experience more special,” said head coach Doug Donnellan.
Junior Ben Bloom agreed with his head coach.
“The parade was unreal – what’s crazy is how much people care about our team,” Bloom said. “I’m excited, It’s an experience I may well never have again – it’s good to share it with my friends and family.”
Donnellan said while the parade has been exciting, he is focused heading into the game. “I’m going through every possible scenario, I’m focused. My enjoyment comes after,” Donnellan said.
Donnellan hopes that any nervousness will fade away by game time. “High school kids aren’t used to playing in a game of this magnitude. [There is] a certain sense of nervousness, feeling of awe, which will hopefully dissipate by the end,” Donnellan said.
“They’ve earned this opportunity today. It’s an honor,” Donnellan said.
Schoolwide Sendoff, Final Details Planned for Friday’s Championship
By Nick Seminerio
Details were finalized today for an exciting send off of the Men’s Varsity Basketball team as the team departs for Sacramento tomorrow morning.
Classes will assemble in pre-determined locations near the main parking lot at 10:15 a.m. to cheer the team members, according to Assistant Principal Eric Saibel in an email sent to staff members.
Teachers have the option of allowing their classes to walk out to the parking lot to watch the bus drive away, Saibel said.
Also, Comacad student John Hassen today released a promo video for Friday’s championship game in Sacramento. The video can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeu5LxvWhBw and below.
Four student buses will depart our school at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, and ticket sales for students wishing to ride on those will end at 3:30 p.m. today.
Saibel wanted to remind all students that no beverages of any kind will be allowed, and that students are subject to search. Bottled water will be provided, he said.
Friday’s contest comes on the heels of Saturday’s 54-49 win versus Archbishop Riordan, a team from San Francisco, in the Northern California finals.
The Pirates will take on Chaminade High School from Canoga Park, CA at 4:00 p.m. at the Sleep Train Arena, the home of the Sacramento Kings.
Drake Varsity Basketball: Meeting and Surpassing Expectations
By Samantha Gilbert
While not much was expected from a team that lost ten seniors last year, four big returners and new blood from JV has recreated a team that is determined, dedicated, and dominant.
Earlier this season, Varsity coach Doug Donnellan certainly had high expectations for his new team, but he had no idea how deep a run they would make. Even with the leadership and experience that the four returners brought, Donnellan was heavily relying on the immediate impact of the varsity newcomers. “Cade Yongue, Dane Wells, Jasper Verduin, James Hamilton and Brandon Vergara have all stepped in and acted like they’ve been on varsity before,” Donnellan said.
While these boys have quickly adjusted to the varsity level of play, they admit it was a big transition. Not only are the players bigger, stronger, and more skilled, according to Yongue, the intensity is also heightened. “There is less room for error at this level and it definitely requires a higher level of focus,” said Yongue, while Verduin added, “last year the games really only meant something to the us and now they mean something to pretty much the entire school.”
The newcomers to the varsity team knew that they had to step their game up to have a successful season, and that is exactly what they have done. “My focus for each game is to help the team in any way possible. Whatever I can do to make the help make the team successful I try to do,” Yongue said. “We play as a team and have each other’s backs, and that has made it a really fun season.”
Wells agrees with Yongue—each player tries to fills their own role on the court. “Its been great contributing to such a successful team,” Wells said. “Everyone has really bonded and we all mesh very well together.”
According to Donnellan, being an underdog all year has been encouraged the team to play with a sense of inspiration. “When we play teams that are supposedly better than us, we play our best ball,” said Donnellan. “The problem has been playing teams that are supposedly worse than us because we tend to coast. Changing that will be a big focus for next year.”
Hamilton concurs with Donellan, claiming that they play better when they are scared of the other team. “We like to be genuinely concerned about our opponent,” Hamilton said. “We talk about every game like it’s our last.”
Lately though, they have only been playing highly ranked teams, which could be why they have managed to sustain this winning streak. Recently, before each game, Donnellan has been telling his team to “have fun, be aggressive and play like you expect to win.” While many of the pre-game talks consist of analyzing the opposing team, the latest talks focus on dreaming big to accomplish great things, according to Donnellan.
As for the state championship game this Friday, Donnellan is expecting Chaminade, who is easily the best team they have played this year, to come out with pressure right from the tip-off. He thinks the game will come down to how well Drake can handle Chaminade’s defensive pressure. “This team [Chaminade] has all the pieces for success,” Donnellan said.
The turnout to the Northern California championship game last Saturday really surprised Donnellan and the team is looking forward to the energy the fans will supply on Friday because, according to Verduin, the players feed off of it. Hamilton agrees that crowd energy is key. “When we step out on the floor, nothing gets us more pumped than the roar of our friends cheering us on,” Hamilton said. “The crazy atmosphere it provides makes us want to leave everything on the floor and hold nothing back.”
Although it won’t be easy, our school could potentially win the state championship. “Chaminade has four players that could have all been MVPs in our league,” said Donnellan. “We have to put in our best effort and believe in ourselves in order to pull this one off.”
Short Day, Transportation Plan Set for Friday’s Championship Basketball Game in Sacramento
By Nick Seminerio
It’s official – Pirates will see a special, short day on Friday.
Principal Liz Seabury today announced that Friday, March 28 will be a 12:45 p.m. dismissal day so students and staff can trek to Sacramento to watch the state championship basketball game.
The Pirates will take on Chaminade High School from Canoga Park, CA at 4:00 p.m. at the Sleep Train Arena, the home of the Sacramento Kings.
“It’s an exciting time to be a Pirate,” Seabury said in her address to the school.
Friday’s contest comes on the heels of Saturday’s 54-49 win versus Archbishop Riordan, a team from San Francisco, in the Northern California finals.
Late Monday, the Administration released a letter detailing ticket sales and transportation logistics for students wanting to attend. The letter can be found below.
This story will be updated with more information.
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Tamalpais Union High School District Board Upholds Dismissal of Tam Teachers
By Nick Seminerio
Following a lengthy, passionate public comment section during last Wednesday’s Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) board meeting, board members voted to uphold the dismissal of three probationary Tamalpais High School math teachers.
Over 100 people showed up at the meeting, which was held at our school’s Student Center, to support the teachers: Ryan Fedoroff, Juan Vidal, and Anders Fairbanks.
Those who spoke out in favor of the teachers included current Tam students, parents, and fellow math teachers, including Tam Math department head Dave Wetzel.
“Do you know how rare a teacher with a math credential is, let alone a good one?” said Tam math teacher Curt Gebhard in his speech to board members.
After the public comments session, the board went into closed session and re-emerged with the decision that tenure for the teachers would not be granted.
Our school’s Math department teacher leader, Judy King, who also attended the meeting, said she cannot understand the decision. “I can’t understand this decision…everything I know about Anders and Ryan is that they are great teachers – and it’s very difficult to find great math teachers,” she said.
At the end of his speech, Gebhard asked the board to re-elect the teachers
“Do the obvious thing, the right thing,” he said.
Jolly Roger 