The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News

Justin Som

Justin Som, Staff Writer

Justin Som is a senior at Carlmont High School who participates in community service every month to help the city. He enjoys arguing with others and is a member of the Carlmont tennis team and Mock Trial. He most recently attended California Boys State 2017 and won the award for "Most Outstanding Trial Attorney."

Twitter: @The_Justin_Som

Political Opinion Column-'Not Radical, Just Logical'

All content by Justin Som
Kristi Longoria elaborates on the importance of understanding loan interest rates.

Belmont Library hosts college tuition workshop

Justin Som, Staff Writer May 17, 2018

Every year, college tuition prices are rising. According to Make Lemonade, a site that helps with financial aid, there are 44 million borrowers in the United States who have college debt from these...

Mark Schatz details his plans for creating a Makerspace in the location of the Belmont Librarys Teen Center.

Makerspace meeting assembles design plans

Justin Som, Staff Writer May 3, 2018

In 2006, Mark Schatz was the principal architect for the design of the Belmont Library. In 2018, he's making plans to expand on his past creation by building a Makerspace in the location of the Belmont...

At the 2017 Earth Day Celebration,  a variety of different booths educated people on how to better help the environment.

2018 Earth Day Celebration approaches

Justin Som, Staff Writer April 19, 2018

Bring your e-waste so that it can be safely disposed of. Bring a 5-gallon bucket to take home free compost for gardens. Shred old documents and recycle to keep the environment clean and healthy. On...

The Green Team used newspaper to mold the pots for the seeds, and then deposited soil into them.

Belmont Library grows its own ‘Green Team’

Justin Som, Staff Writer March 28, 2018

Newspaper. Soil. Water. A variety of different vegetable seeds. These are the only things that the Belmont Library's "Green Team" needed to begin its goal of creating organic produce in the gardens of...

Teenagers from San Mateo County attended the San Mateo County Teen Film Festival to showcase their respective films for others.

Teen Film Festival celebrates 10th anniversary

Justin Som, Staff Writer March 12, 2018

Discussing sound-layering techniques with other filmmakers. Publicizing your documentary or music video to a large audience. Forming connections with real-life movie producers. At the San Mateo County...

The Social Justice Poster Contest asked for students to create a design that would advocate for equality for all.

[Photo] Poster contest raises awareness for social justice

Justin Som, Staff Writer February 25, 2018

The Social Justice Poster Contest asked for students to create a design that would advocate for equality for all.

The Caltrain Business Plan was prompted by Caltrains modernization project which aimed to electrify the trains.

Caltrain Business Plan steams through with support

Justin Som, Staff Writer February 5, 2018

On Feb. 1, the Joint Powers Board, which owns and operates the Caltrain rail system, approved the proposed Caltrain Business Plan. According to Caltrain, the approved plan will allow for them to enact...

Devansh Tandon, a senior, and Sam Fields, a senior, remove a fennel plant through the use of a weed wrench.

Save the Bay welcomes migratory birds

Justin Som, Staff Writer January 22, 2018

Every year, more than a million migratory birds take refuge in the Palo Alto Baylands. For 2018, Save the Bay intended to welcome these travelers by removing invasive plant species and replacing them with...

Patrons can donate nonperishable items like cans or dried foods in order to waive library fines.

Food for Fines garners community support

Justin Som, Staff Writer December 3, 2017

Belmont community members have been on the lookout for new ways to help fire victims. For some, the direct approach of driving over to the North Bay and participating in relief efforts may not be the easiest...

Retired Navy Capt. Randall Ramian and former Belmont Mayor Eric Reed were the first to sit on the new memorial bench.

Belmont unveils memorial bench to celebrate veterans

Justin Som, Staff Writer November 11, 2017

For years, Belmont citizens have wanted to thank veterans for their service. On Nov. 10, their answer came in the form of a veterans memorial bench unveiled by the city in Twin Pines Park. Hidden...

The gift card drive will give gift cards to United Way Bay Area and United Way of the Wine Country. Both are branches of United Way that will provide aid to fire victims.

Belmont gift card drive benefits fire victims

Justin Som, Staff Writer November 1, 2017

To help those who lost their homes and property in the North Bay fires, Belmont is hosting its own gift card drive. People who would like to donate to the fire victims can give gift cards to the Public...

On Oct. 11, face masks were handed out to students who were worried about inhaling ash particles in the smoky air.

Smoke from Napa wildfire breaches Carlmont

Justin Som, Staff Writer October 14, 2017

Roughly 70 miles of highway separates Carlmont and the raging fires in Napa. Yet only three days after the blaze started on Oct. 8, Carlmont students were already wheezing, blanketing their faces,...

At the Save the Music Festival, the Carlmont Symphonic Band performed on the Oracle Community Stage. The local elementary and middle schools also performed throughout the event.

Save the Music Festival celebrates 15th anniversary

Justin Som, Staff Writer October 2, 2017

The banging of drums. The fanfare of trumpets, clarinets, and saxophones. The guitar and vocals of the rock band, Caravanserai. All sights attendees of the Save The Music Festival saw and heard throughout...

Alex Chen, a freshman, and Christian Licudine, a senior, collected discarded cigarette butts and wrappers in the Twin Pines Park section of the Coastal Cleanup.

[Photo] Coastal Cleanup clears Belmont Creek

Justin Som, Staff Writer September 17, 2017

The Belmont Coastal Cleanup worked at six different sites: East Laurel Creek, Waterdog Lake, Carlmont Shopping Center, Twin Pines Park, O'Neill Slough North, and O'Neill Slough South.

The proposal for a minimum wage in Belmont was introduced during the citys 2017 priority session in February.

Belmont invests in a city minimum wage

Justin Som, Staff Writer September 1, 2017

California already has the third highest minimum wage in the nation, but the Belmont City Council isn't content with that. To counter the high living costs of the Bay Area, the City Council has drafted...

As Trump negotiates with NATO leaders, he must choose to compromise instead of pushing forward his own agenda.

America can’t cut ties with foreign partners

Justin Som, Staff Writer June 1, 2017

Trade deals, immigration, and alliances -- those are the three bonds that bind America to the rest of the world. Whether it is for better or worse, these relationships cannot be erased. They will last...

Unlike in previous years, the 2017 California Democratic Convention had two very distinctive factions: Clinton Democrats and Berniecrats.

California Democratic Convention splits on going more ‘liberal’

Justin Som, Staff Writer May 23, 2017

In response to the conservatism of many Republicans, Bernie Sanders supporters called for a "re-liberalization" of the Democratic Party at the California Democratic Convention hosted in Sacramento. The...

For the past 22 years, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has overcome the opposition who wanted to replace her in Congress. Stephen Jaffe will be her next challenger in the 2018 congressional race.

California will have a more ‘liberal’ congressional race

Justin Som, Staff Writer May 8, 2017

Ever heard of the phrase, "California's where all the liberals are?" The man planning to take former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's congressional seat, Stephen Jaffe, hasn't. Jaffe, who announced...

Protesters in San Francisco began their march in Justin Herman Plaza and continued down the main streets.

Protesters gather in San Francisco to ‘March For Science’

Justin Som, Staff Writer April 25, 2017

A swelling mass of tens of thousands of lab coats plunged down the streets of San Francisco. Raising their Earth Day banners above their heads, these protesters wanted to distinguish themselves from...

The demonstration in San Francisco was part of a movement called The Peoples Filibuster. A group called The Peoples Defense organized it along with similar protests, all which oppose the nomination of Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Demonstrators call for rejection of Gorsuch

Justin Som, Staff Writer April 3, 2017

In San Francisco, a small force of white canvas tents and demonstrators gathered at the steps of Justin Herman Plaza. Displaying signs that said "We Object -- The People's Defense," the participants were...

After the heavy rains in February, the wooden fences at Twin Pines Park have collapsed due to the unstable footing underneath.

California requests federal aid for storm recovery

Justin Som, Staff Writer March 20, 2017

To aid repairs for flooding and rain damages, Governor Jerry Brown requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration on March 19. The request comes only a month after residents of the town of Oroville evacuated...

Protesters, anti-protesters, and anarchists collide at March 4 Trump rally

Protesters, anti-protesters, and anarchists collide at ‘March 4 Trump’ rally

Justin Som, Staff Writer March 7, 2017

Pepper spray, wooden sticks, and the American flag. These are the tools of the new wave of supporters for President Donald Trump. On March 4, protests were held across the nation with the phrase "March...

The iconic red-striped and boxy shape of the Caltrains will remain the same until the Caltrain Electrification project receives the $617 million it needs.

Caltrain electrification funding powers out

Justin Som, Staff Writer February 21, 2017

Modernized trains, increased efficiency, and shorter travel times are the prospects of Caltrain's electrification project in March 2017. According to Caltrain, this project will bring 9,600 jobs for...

Black bloc anarchists broke the glass windows of the MLK Jr. building during the protest on Feb. 2, and damaged other nearby properties. Many protestors argued that Milo Yiannopoulos would give hate speech instead of free speech.

UC Berkeley protesters blame anarchists for damages

Justin Som, Staff Writer February 6, 2017

Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most well-known advocates of the peaceful protest. Ironically, on Feb. 4, Black Bloc anarchists shattered the windows of a building dedicated to him while protesting...

As storms move away from the Bay Area, repairs and aid can be given to those who need it.

State of emergency is proclaimed after storm damages

Justin Som, Staff Writer January 26, 2017

As a result of the storms of thunder and rain sweeping through California since late December, Governor Jerry Brown called a state of emergency for 50 counties on the night of Jan. 23. Sacramento,...

Since 2012, the city of Aleppo has been damaged by constant battles between the Assad regime and rebel forces.

Civilians flee as ceasefire collapses in Aleppo

Justin Som, Staff Writer December 15, 2016

As bombs fell onto the streets of eastern Aleppo, civilians were utterly mortified. There were supposed to be no more battles in the city. But as evidenced by the civilians' final cries on social media, this...

Jill Stein did not win the election, but is currently leading a voter recount effort to ensure that the voting was not tampered with.

Voter recount sparks false hope

Justin Som, Staff Writer December 1, 2016

After losing in the election, Hillary Clinton has been extremely receptive about accepting the election winner with open arms. Contrary to the example set by the Democrats, former Green Party nominee,...

After Clinton called Trump to concede the election, the new President-elect Trump gave a victory speech that thanked his campaign staff and promised fair treatment for Americans.

Trump victory unveils Republican silent majority

Justin Som, Staff Writer November 10, 2016

Holding their breaths, with stomachs clenched, many Clinton supporters turned away from the polling results. Florida had just been lost to Donald Trump, and as far as the Clinton campaign was concerned, they...

Families will have to move their cremated relatives to either cemeteries or other church-approved locations. Cremated relatives will be grouped into settlements similar to the above structure.

Cremated relatives will resettle in the cemetery

Justin Som, Staff Writer October 27, 2016

It has been a freedom offered to families since 1963, but in 2016, Catholic homes will no longer be allowed to keep some "extra" relatives in their residencies. Contrary to popular belief, these evicted...

On the subject of Syria, Clinton said that America should hold guilty authorities accountable. However, Trump insisted that the last base of the Syrian rebels, Aleppo, had already fallen.

Confronting refugee crisis in the presidential debate

Justin Som, Staff Writer October 12, 2016

In the second presidential debate, the topic of foreign and domestic terrorism has reemerged in the political scene as a disputed conflict. In light of the stark contrasts between the ideologies of...

For the first time ever, Clinton went against Trump in a debate that would set a precedent for the election season.

Introducing the Clinton-Trump model of a ‘wrong’ debate

Justin Som, Staff Writer September 29, 2016

It is a feeling that has been associated with the entire presidential campaign of 2016 by many American voters -- "wrong." According to junior Sammy Zhang, this word described the emotion felt by...

In the first presidential debate, Clinton and Trump argued over whether or not the United States should still maintain its support of other nations without charge.

Survival of the fittest: The presidential election is not a business

Justin Som, Staff Writer September 29, 2016

In the job market of the 21st century, many Americans agree that competition makes the work environment a cold-hearted dog-eat-dog world. To ensure their own survival in the workforce, workers will...

During both her 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns, Hillary Clinton did not demonstrate any signs of poor health.

Clinton campaign reveals illness after 9/11 ceremony

Justin Som, Staff Writer September 15, 2016

The state of Hillary Clinton's health was brought into question on Sept. 11 after her doctor revealed that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia. Nearly collapsing in a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New...

While vaccines are generally accepted as helping to prevent the spread of hazardous diseases, some believe that vaccines like MMR can cause autism in the process.

Judge denies block against California vaccine law

Justin Som, Staff Writer August 31, 2016

Supporters of the block against a California vaccine law were met with heavy defeat on Aug. 26 as federal judge Dana Sabraw ruled to uphold California's current standing on the law. In July 2016, the...

If gender-neutral bathrooms are implemented, everyone could use the bathroom at the same time, but there would need to be set precautions.

Gender-neutral bathrooms aren’t complete ‘safe-zones’

Justin Som, Staff Writer May 25, 2016

As a conservative Democrat, I completely support the efforts of transgender people to erase discrimination from the general populace. Like many Americans, I have seen that there are similarities between...

Save up your $20 bills because Harriet Tubman is sending Andrew Jackson to the back of the bill for a long time.

Andrew Jackson deserves the front of your money

Justin Som, Staff Writer April 26, 2016

Even though Andrew Jackson violently evicted many Native Americans from their lands, there is no real support as to the conjecture of him being an unworthy president. Having extended the nation to...

San Francisco will crack down on online taxi companies like Uber and Lyft, who must get their workers licensed in order to work.

Uber’s economic ploy is halted by new license rule

Justin Som, Staff Writer April 20, 2016

The San Francisco City Treasurer José Cisneros announced on April 15 that he had sent letters to over 37,000 taxi drivers who were listed as contractors, demanding that they get a business license or...

With the addition of new UN sanctions, North Korea will have to be content with the missiles it already has.

North Korea is pinned down by UN

Justin Som, Staff Writer March 23, 2016

After the firings of missiles in the ocean surrounding the Korean North Eastern territories by North Korea, the United Nations finally acknowledged the threat by placing strict sanctions for the country...

Hillary Clinton has the most votes out of both Democratic and Republican candidates  running for president.

The Democratic party may be our last hope

Justin Som, Staff Writer March 8, 2016

With GOP supporters ominously spelling out the name of their chosen candidate via the Republican primaries, voters may move to the side of the Democrats for the final election. The year has just begun,...

Jeb Bush may have had a few good points during the GOP debates, but these points did not extend to his polls.

Jeb Bush’s departure was the best decision of his campaign

Justin Som, Staff Writer February 24, 2016

Limping on the final legs of his presidential campaign, Jeb Bush proved with his recent drop from the election that it takes a lot more than a family name and money to win a presidency. Despite having...

Jeb Bush responds to Trumps allegations about the lies of George W. Bush.

Republican lies come out during GOP debate

Justin Som, Staff Writer February 15, 2016

In 2016, the GOP debates have achieved the highest ratings throughout history. According to CBS, who hosted the most recent debate, over 13.5 million Americans tuned in. Viewers are attracted to these...

Some hackers access a victims contacts and trick others into being hacked and losing money.

The true cost of your Internet profile

Justin Som, Staff Writer January 30, 2016

In the modern age of technology, even seemingly free social media comes at a price. As a result of the development of large companies like Facebook and Twitter, ecommerce and social media have become...

Donald Trump discusses his theory on how America can improve itself at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference.

Donald Trump as the modern-day Sith Lord

Justin Som, Staff Writer January 26, 2016

According to Jedi Master Yoda, fear is the path to the dark side. "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. And hate, leads to suffering." In George Lucas's Star Wars franchise, the Sith are famous...

Obama promises too much

Justin Som, Staff Writer January 13, 2016

It is reminiscent of every other State of the Union given by the President, except this time, Barack Obama is ready for his departure. Obama has clearly planned what would happen if Ted Cruz's "carpet...

After the latest attacks, France has bolstered its security.

French police identify terrorist suspects from apartment raid

Justin Som, Staff Writer November 19, 2015

On Nov. 19, French police officially identified terrorists from an apartment police raid on the prior day. The eight men taken into custody were identified by police, their names are yet to be released...

The President talks with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu about Palestinian militarism.

Obama talks over security with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu

Justin Som, Staff Writer November 11, 2015

During an Oval Office meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov. 9, President Barack Obama discovered that two Americans had been killed in a shooting in Amman, Jordan on the same...

Hurricane Patricia hits Mexico with minimal casualties.

Mexico evades the majority of Hurricane Patricia’s blows

Justin Som, Staff Writer October 26, 2015

Mexico's citizens released long held breaths as Hurricane Patricia passed by their cities, making its way from the west coast, passing inland, and then out of Mexico. Acknowledged as the largest hurricane...

McCarthy calls quits for his bid for House Speaker.

Kevin McCarthy halts his campaign for House Speaker

Justin Som, Staff Writer October 13, 2015

With second-in-line House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy stepping down from his bid for House Majority Speaker due to allegations of a scandal, the future of Congress is uncertain. Kevin McCarthy...

John Boehner stunned the public with his decision to step down.

John Boehner steps down

Justin Som, Staff Writer September 30, 2015

With the Republican House Majority Speaker of Congress stepping down, the American political environment may be shifting onto a new path. John Boehner shook the American public on Sept. 25 when he...

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The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.
Justin Som