Volume LIX, No. 7

Climate Action Plan

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: RENEWABLE ENERGY IN FREMONT

In 2012, the City of Fremont adopted its Climate Action Plan (CAP), which provides a roadmap to decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving energy usage, transportation, and waste management. The plan was updated on Oct. 10, 2023, to include the goals from the city’s Carbon Neutrality Resolution, which aims to achieve long-term carbon neutrality by 2045. As a result, CAP has set a target of reducing its GHG emissions to 55% below its 2005 levels by 2030. It also intends on transitioning buildings, infrastructure, and citizens to 100% clean energy as well as increasing sustainability in transportation, expanding green infrastructure, and promoting sustainable equity.

By Padma Balaji, Rajorshi Chatterjee, Abha Kulkarni & Lucy Yao Sta Writers

On February 7, the SolSmart Program awarded the City of Fremont a Platinum designation for its advancement of solar energy. Having previously received the Gold designation in 2016, Fremont is the first-ever local government to receive the Platinum designation. In light of this award, the Smoke Signal examined current sustainability measures and interviewed FUSD and City of Fremont o cials to gain insight on renewable energy initiatives on district, city, and state levels.

Community Partnerships

The 2023 update to CAP includes partnerships with local organizations to help achieve emissions goals. Fremont has worked with local community nonprofits to help citizens achieve both a ordable and sustainable homes. For instance, with the help of a $1 million award in 2022 from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) USA, an action fund that provides awards for projects that take local climate action, helps cities reduce their emissions, and builds overall climate resiliency, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley began a home electrification equity project in Fremont that aims to integrate solar energy and electricity into low-income housing rehabilitation. Prior to the project, Habitat for Humanity has worked to merge sustainability with a ordable housing, having served more than 17,500 people and integrated solar energy in its work since 2003. “This award brings collaboration and data into the vital intersection of a ordability and sustainability. It means Habitat can do more to foster both housing and environmental justice, strengthening our communities and our planet,” Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley President and CEO Janice Jensen said in a statement from ICLEI USA.

SolarAPP+ Program

One of the largest changes related to renewable energy in Fremont in the past few years has been the installation of the Solar Automated Permit Processing+, or SolarAPP+, a web-based platform that automates the solar permit process, promoting solar energy and making it easier for local governments to safely and e ciently approve solar projects. SolarAPP+ provides communities like Fremont with a portal for receiving and processing permit information. The platform also helps automate the extensive approval process surrounding solar panel installation, making several of the once lengthy steps in the review process instant. Although CA itself has already been pushing for increased solar power accessibility, Senior Program Specialist on Sustainability for the National League of Cities Kelly Aves said in an article from SolSmart that Fremont adopting this program serves as “a powerful example of how local governments play a key role in convening developers and nonprofits and connecting them with state- or federal-level incentives.”

Fremont has also worked to provide families with clean energy by partnering with companies like Ava Community Energy, a nonprofit public agency and local electricity provider, to o er a sustainable and a ordable alternative to gas energy utilities provided by PG&E. Currently, Fremont residents and businesses automatically receive electricity through a 50% renewable energy plan from Ava but can opt-out for PG&E instead. Consumers also have the option to upgrade to Ava’s 100% renewable energy plan, although it is expensive due to the higher cost of energy generation methods. All of the infrastructure that Fremont owns and builds is currently on this fully renewable plan, meaning city buildings, streetlights, and facilities are completely emission-free. As a part of CAP, Fremont also intends to work with Ava to transition all citizens’ default electricity plans to the 100% renewable one.

According to Forbes, solar panel costs range anywhere from $8,500 to $30,500

state efforts

CA Gov. Gavin Newsom has enacted many environmental policies and aims to target fossil fuels by making CA the second largest producer of renewable energy in the country. For instance, CA passed SB100 in 2018, mandating the state to achieve a 60% clean power mix by 2030 and a 100% renewable and carbon-free energy mix of renewable, nuclear, and o setted gas energy by 2045. More recent e orts include plans to end the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. To achieve this, the California Center for Sustainable Energy began the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) in 2010, o ering rebates for the purchase of zero-emission, hybrid, or electric vehicles. Additionally, Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 budget will invest $48.3 billion in renewable energy and climate programs, including the CVRP program and solar and wind projects, over the next seven years. With CA being the fifth sunniest state and its solar energy historically supplying 19% of the state’s utility-scale electricity net generation in 2022, Newsom has pushed a vision for hundreds of new solar, technology, and battery storage projects. Infrastructure projects, which once generated pollution and inequity, “are now absolutely foundational to getting us out of an existential crisis. We have to let this be the start of much more significant reforms,” CA Director for the American Clean Power Association Alex Jackson said in an article from the Los Angeles Times

“Although we may not have any control over our sources of energy, we do have control over how we use it. The same goes for any other resource. ... By using less stu , we would also produce less waste of these resources. For example, with regard to energy, MSJ can update and upgrade our infrastructure (buildings, appliances, etc) to be more energy e cient so that we can cut down on energy use, but that costs money.” — AP Environmental Science Teacher Lisa Ishimine

PROS and CONS of REnewable Energy

Renewable energy has many benefits beyond allowing for energy consumption without GHG emissions, often being more a ordable and e cient than traditional energy. Unlike fossil fuels or nuclear energy, which require costly, miles-long setups to generate electricity, renewable energy like solar can be generated locally, boosting local economies and lowering costs. Local energy also decentralizes the power grid, enhancing resilience compared to a centralized system that is more vulnerable to a single point of failure. Through advancements in solar panels and their approval process, it is becoming even easier and more convenient for homeowners and businesses to switch to renewables.

Despite its benefits, installing renewable energy can be costly and di cult to sustain. In addition to thousands in installation prices, depending on the method of renewable energy generation, solar panels can also require regular maintenance. Solar panels and wind turbines, two of the most common generation methods, require roughly $150 to $300 and 50% the initial cost worth of maintenance costs per year according to Sol Voltaics and Harvard Business Review, according to LA Solar Group and Anemoi Energy Services respectively. In addition, in order to be viable, all energy generation methods must be consistent. Solar power, for instance, requires the steady absorption of sunlight, which is often deterred by weather conditions and cannot occur at night.

Green Transportation

In 2018, Fremont adopted the Active Transportation Plan (ATP), a consolidation of the Bicycle Master Plan and the Pedestrian Master Plan, to encourage human-powered transportation.

So far, the city has constructed 10 miles of new bike lanes, which earned it a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly City in 2019 from the League of American Bicyclists. Fremont has also built 16 bike lockers at dispersed locations, like the Centerville Train Depot, across the city, along with 81 bicycle racks throughout city parks, community centers, and other facilities.

However, many residents still face challenges transitioning from cars to bicycles. The most recent census from 2000 found that less than 2% of Fremont residents walk or bike to work. In response to this and other transportation issues in the city, CAP outlines a multifaceted approach to reduce transportation emissions, aiming to improve electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, integrate low-carbon fuel alternatives, and promote public transport and bicycling. With Fremont being the home to Tesla, Fremont residents own almost a third of all EVs in the county. As such, the city is currently partnering with Ava to develop and install more fast charging stations to make EV charging more accessible, according to Community Development Director Dan Schoenholz.

“I think that continuing to shift to renewables is important. While Fremont has significantly improved, there is still a carbon footprint that we should continue working to minimize.” — MSJ Youth4Climate President Shrey Raju, 12

Reflecting Fremont’s sustainability goals, the FUSD Board of Education adopted a resolution to take action on climate change in 2019, which began with FUSD transitioning to an electric and low-emission school bus fleet. The district currently has 14 electric buses that are primarily used to transport students as a part of Special Education Services. The district hopes to expand the fleet to be 85% electric within the next five years. The buses also generate funding for FUSD with every charge, as the emissions they prevent generate a carbon o set tax credit which is sold to GHG emitters.

“We believe it to be, quite literally, our path to the future,” Director of Transportation Ernest Epley said in a FUSD article.

The 2000 census found less than 2% of Fremont residents walk or bike to work.

ROBIN SEHRT

As the Director of Elementary Education, Sehrt shares the importance of listening and adapting to meet educational challenges. One of the new changes Sehrt implemented includes an extended day for kindergarten students, which allows longer instructional time to develop further not only the student’s academic skills but helps them grow socially as well. She hopes to continue fostering an environment filled with growth and support and is guided by the inspirational leadership of Cammack, the district superintendent.

By Shuhan Jin & Maryam Naseer Sta Writers

In the beginning of February, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) recognized six FUSD administrative leaders as some of the Region 6 2024 Administrators of the Year. With nearly 1,200 school administrators across Region 6, Superintendent CJ Cammack, Director of Elementary Education Robin Sehrt, Robertson High School/Vista Principal Salvador Herrera Jr., Oliveira Elementary School Principal Linda Anderson, Horner Middle School Assistant Principal Harry Pabley, and Fremont Adult and Continuing Education Assistant Principal Jacklynn Sprague, were among the educational leaders who took home awards, representing FUSD through the tremendous honor. Formed in 1971, ACSA is the largest organization for school leaders in the US, serving more than 17,000 educators and administrators in CA alone. In addition to advocating for public school students, the association recognizes educators who have gone above and beyond to implement innovative ideas and foster an inspiring learning space through their award program.

SALVADOR HERRERA JR.

Herrera is another dedicated leader serving both as the Robertson High School/Vista Principal and the Mentor Principal for all new principals. Over his 16 years as a principal, Herrera has worked with fellow sta to transform Robertson into a California Model School — a recognition from the California Department of Education given to schools that o er robust programs. According to Herrera, the key to a successful educational system is through a team: “There’s no one educator that can meet the needs of all kids … It takes a lot of di erent types like groups, people, individuals,” Herrera said. Despite challenges such as post-pandemic attendance issues, he remains committed to his passion for education, which includes educating the community about the school’s unique o erings and its role in supporting students’ both academic and personal growth.

As a parent, teacher, and now principal at Oliveira Elementary School for 26 years, Anderson was a perfect nominee. Anderson has consistently pursued new ideas for her students including clubs and environmental and community-based projects. For example, “We are putting up a free little library that is going to be unveiled on March 22. I want kids to be excited about

CJ CAMMACK LINDA ANDERSON

new things,” Anderson said. Aside from the library, Anderson has implemented many other new ideas for her students, including the creation of student-run groups on campus such as Rubik’s Cube Club and Eco Club.

Over the past four years, Superintendent Cammack has been focusing on enhancing educational standards and takes pride in recent district-wide implementations such as transitioning junior high schools, which only include 7th and 8th grade, to middle schools, which also include 6th graders, and working with administrators like Sehrt to implement extended-day kindergarten. Looking ahead, he hopes to foster student voices in decision-making processes and address facility needs to ensure high educational standards.

Through their actions at FUSD, Cammack, Sehrt, Herrera Jr., Anderson, Pabley, and Sprague have shown that dedication and consistency can make significant positive impacts on students. After winning ACSA’s Administrator of the Year, they each hope to spread a final message to everyone that the key to educational success was because of the large amount of support and help from the other students and leaders around them. “I think anybody that gets an award has to really reflect that there’s no way you can [win] without other people around you There has always been a team around me, whether it’s been my family, the teachers here now, or the sta ,” Anderson said.

Quirky

A man from Hong Kong has been charged with smuggling protected turtles after authorities intercepted packages containing the reptiles stuffed inside socks in Southern California. Sai Keung Tin, 53, was indicted on four counts of exporting merchandise contrary to US law after 40 eastern box turtles were discovered in packages addressed to his home. These turtles, protected due to their endangered status, were found alive except for one, kept quiet in socks to evade detection. Tin’s arrest in New York City followed investigations linking him to Kang Juntao, who was previously convicted of smuggling turtles worth $2.25 million.

National

Boeing whistleblower found dead in South Carolina

Former Boeing whistleblower John Barnett was found dead on March 9, just days after the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into Boeing for the Alaska Airlines door blowout. Boeing has been under scrutiny due to various issues affecting its planes. According to offcials in Charleston, South Carolina, Barnett was found dead of what appeared to be a self-inficted gunshot wound. “He was suffering from PTSD and anxiety attacks as a result of being subjected to the hostile work environment at Boeing which we believe led to his death,” Barnett’s family said in a statement.

Local

Jane Tyska / East Bay Times via Getty Images

Former Fremont city manager pleads guilty to felony fraud Mark Danaj, the former city manager of Fremont, has pleaded guilty to felony fraud charges stemming from his misuse of a city-issued credit card. As part of a plea deal, Danaj will serve 90 days in jail, face two years of probation, and pay over $300,000 in restitution to the City of Fremont. According to the District Attorney’s Offce, Danaj was fred as city manager in 2021 and negotiated a severance package of $316,617. However, prosecutors allege Danaj then falsely claimed an additional debt of $6,873 on a city-issued credit card. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price criticized the previous handling of the case, stating it was “under-charged.”

International

Sweden’s fag raised at NATO headquarters

On March 11, Sweden’s fag was raised at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters for the frst time. Sweden is NATO’s 32nd member in the alliance and the country had formally joined on March 7. NATO’s expansion is in part due to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s launching of the war on Ukraine. As NATO expands, leaders have asserted the organization’s strength and support for Ukraine, promising it a place in NATO after the confict ends. More than 20,000 troops from 13 countries attended the fag raising ceremony to conduct military drills and celebrate Sweden’s new membership.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and other officials attend the flag-raising ceremony in Brussels.

Yves Herman / Reuters

Boeing has recently been subject to Federal Aviation Administration Audits. Doug Mills / The New York Times

Man found smuggling 40 turtles in socks

One of the turtles seized was found dead.

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price speaks at a press conference in Oakland.

Annual Get Out the Vote Rally prompts youth involvement

The Youth Voter Movement brought together more than 25 college and high school students to engage in voter outreach activities.

By Tushara Devapatla & Arushi Singh Sta Writers

From 1-4 p.m. on March 3, the Youth Voter Movement, a branch of the nonpro t League of Women Voters, partnered with the Fremont Main Library to hold a Get Out the Vote rally. Celebrating the success of the League of Women Voters’ recent campaign, which started on January 24, this event helped register and pre-register more than 3,500 students across 14 high schools. Various League of Women Voters members, students from Ohlone College’s Politics Club, and about 25 high school students gathered in the library to raise awareness about voting and participate in panel discussions surrounding pressing local issues such as a ordable housing and state tax revenues.

Founded more than a century ago, the League of Women Voters works to expand voting rights through advocacy and education on local, state, and national levels. e League empowers young voters with the Youth Voter Movement, urging teens and young adults to cast their ballot in order to foster a more inclusive democracy. “[We] try to protect voting rights and try to help inform our community about candidates and issues,” Youth

“[We] try to protect voting rights and try to help inform our community about candidates and issues.”

-Youth Voter Movement Co-Founder Julie Dunkle

Voter Movement Co-Founder Julie Dunkle said. e Get Out the Vote rally took place just days before the March 5 primaries and focused on community engagement and increasing youth voter turnout for the upcoming elections. e organizers set up three stations in the teen section of the library for the students to participate in voter outreach activities. At one of the stations, students wrote thank you notes to League of Women Voters sponsors for their support and donations. At another table, students made signs with slogans about electoral issues like climate change for the march to City Hall later that day.

“[ e] posters are here to [spread] awareness for people, for youth especially, to start voting and see the importance that we have when it comes to elections,” Junior Victoria Bacon said. At the last table, participants wrote postcards to rural citizens in the swing state of Georgia, urging those eligible to register and vote. “For people, like people of color, who were often not being reached out to, [we] are going to remind [them that] even if you've lost your ballot paper you

“Politicians like myself need to listen to what the youth [think], especially with my job as a school board member, I need to listen to what is on the mind of the students.”

-Newark School Board Member Nancy Thomas

While the rest of the activities continued, at 2 p.m., Newark City Councilmember Matthew Jorgens, Newark School Board Member Nancy omas, and Rafay held an open panel on a table near the events, answering students’ questions regarding local issues such as how funding is used within school districts. “Politicians like myself need to listen to what the youth [think], especially with my job as a school board member, I need to listen to what is on the mind of the students,” omas said. After the panel focused on school-related issues ended, a second one featuring City of Fremont Planning Commissioner Benjamin Yee and Jorgens began at 3 p.m. and addressed concerns about a ordable housing in the Bay Area and other city-wide issues.

As the activities came to a close, Fremont City Councilmember Raj Salwan and Fre-

ly began, students continued to walk through the rain while wav ing their hand-made signs and posters from the library activity station. As the group made their way from the Fremont Main Library to City Hall, Dunkle gestured to passing cars to honk in support. After each honk, the marchers erupted in cheers. At City Hall, Dunkle deposited a few real ballots from her family members at the drop o point to show students the process of voting through mail-in ballots. e group then walked back to the library, continuing to passionately wave their posters while Fremont o cials conversed with students about local issues. After Dunkle thanked the volunteers, the event started to conclude at around 4 p.m.

After having enthusiastically participated in all the di erent activities to increase voter turnout and awareness of local issues, the student volunteers and attendees seemed incredibly engaged and passionate about the impact of youth engagement in the political process. “A lot of people might think politics is a lost cause, but it's important to remember that we can all kind of make a di erence,” Senior Ankita Sriram said. ▪

Nex Benedict’s story highlights gaps in LGBTQ+ protections

By Tanvi Deshmukh, Tushara Devapatla & Keerti Koya

Sta Writers

Note: Nex Benedict used they/them pronouns.

On February 7, 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict got into a physical altercation with a group of girls in a bathroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, OK, after the girls made fun of the way Benedict dressed. e following day, Benedict was pronounced dead. Despite the gravity of the situation, school o cials did not take immediate action to report the harassment on campus. Combined with restrictive Oklahoma state laws on transgender rights like Senate Bill 613, a bill that criminalizes providing gender-a rming medi cal care to minors, the incident has ignited a national conver sation about the critical im portance of building safe and inclusive environments within educational institutions.

Benedict is one of many LGBTQ+ students targeted by bullying — e Trev or Project, a non-prof it LGBTQ+ activism organization, reports that 52% of LGBTQ+ youth enrolled in middle and high

school have experienced bullying from their peers. Despite this high rate of bullying, educational institutions have failed to provide the support necessary for LGBTQ+ students to thrive and succeed academically. According to an article from Edutopia, Education Network, an organization that helps schools create safe environments for LGBTQ+ students, found in of almost 2,500 teachers and students nationwide that “teachers were less com fortable intervening with bullying due to sexual orientation and gender identity than with bullying based on race, ability, and religion.” Additionally, despite 83% of educators recognizing a need to foster a safe environment for LGBTQ+ students

Youth Voter Movement volunteers and politicians pose with student-made political posters.

THE SMOKE SIGN AL

Mission San Jose High School Est. 1964

Vol. 59, No. 7 | March 22, 2024

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41717 Palm Ave. Fremont, CA 94539 510-657-3600, ext. 37088

MISSION STATEMENT The Smoke Signal’s mission is to represent the voices of the MSJ com -

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by providing accurate, meaningful, and engaging information presented through print and digital mediums.

SCHOOL POPULATION 1800 students

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Karina Han, Julia Peng

NEWS Vedesh Kodnani, Kaylee Liu

OPINION Annika Singh, Annie Xu

FEATURE Anushka Vasudev, Callie Yuan

CENTERSPREAD Chloe Gao, Ashley Pang

A&E Goonja Basu, Sanah Bhardwaj

SPORTS Aaryan Suri, Aaron Zhou

GRAPHICS Jiyun Guo, Hannah Shen

WEB Waylon Li, Elton Yu

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BUSINESS Sarah Hu

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Understanding biculturalism

By Annika Singh Opinion Editor

Last month, I went to India for a family wedding. e trip was lled with delicious food, dancing, extravagant out ts, and most importantly, conversations with family members I hadn’t seen in over ve years. What surprised me about my trip, however, was the feeling of being an outsider. I can speak and understand Hindi, have watched almost every Bollywood movie in existence, regularly listen to Indian music, and am on a Bollywood-fusion dance team. But, despite this, my family didn’t hold back from teasing me about my “American-ness” and supposed lack of knowledge about the culture.

In many ways, I felt embarrassed of my American side. In the Bay Area, there’s a wide range of cultures represented through school events — it’s easy to embrace your heritage. But, when I was in India, I felt myself struggling to balance my two halves. During conversations with family friends, many would ohandedly comment that Indian people living in foreign countries “try too hard” to show o and embrace their ethnicity — I had always thought that my attempts to learn about my culture were positive, and being told that they weren’t pushed me to prove myself to my family in India.

I defended my choices and knowledge to others, desperate to end this debate over whether I was acting more “Indian” or

“American” — I hated feeling less Indian than my family members due to my background.

But, as I learned a Rajasthani folk dance for the wedding and bonded with my cousins over teaching them Hip Hop choreography, I realized that despite our di erences, there are still many ways for me to connect with both my family and culture. I don’t have to pick between my roots or my peers, because it’s okay to be a mix of both.

is realization further showed me the value of biculturalism — the coexistence of two originally distinct cultures. When we feel ashamed of who we are and where we’re from, our con dence is quick to fall. But, our social and cultural identity allows us to be a part of a community and feel a sense of belonging. Biculturalism teaches us about social exibility and creativity. And most importantly, it expands our world view, gives us the opportunity to rede ne the meaning behind certain cultural values, and shapes the way we think and act.

ere will always be a struggle to fully understand my biculturalism, but I’ve learned to appreciate this con ict, because each day, I get to learn a little bit more about myself.

Yes, I’m Indian American, and yes, at times, I feel more like one than the other, but I've learned that neither identity invalidates the other — it only improves it. ▪

The Opinion of the Smoke Signal Editorial Board

Intentionality and respect of diferent paths in college admissions

“He only got in because of legacy.” “She got in because she applied for an easy major.” “ ere’s no way they got in and I didn’t.” As college decisions roll around, MSJ and many other high schools across the country become echo chambers of patronizing and insensitive remarks. Rather than celebrating others’ successes, many students downplay their peers’ accomplishments with baseless excuses.

Widely known for being a STEM-focused school, MSJ holds many students applying to majors in elds such as computer science and medicine. However, when classmates deviate from the perceived norm, concentrating in elds that aren’t as widely pursued, people tend to attribute their successful admissions to the fact that they chose an “easier,” or less competitive, major. MSJ’s academic-focused community creates a bubble that perpetuates this way of thinking, making admitted students believe their accomplishments aren’t impressive.

On top of the toxicity surrounding admissions, people tend to disregard the complexities surrounding students who don’t intend to pursue a STEM pathway or a typical college education. For instance, people o en discount the countless years athletes put into perfecting their sport, claiming these students’ commitments to prestigious institutions would not have been possible without a sport or, alternatively, could easily have been achieved by the speaker if they played that same sport. Such commentary only perpetuates the already harmful discourse and mindset of high school students. On top of rigorous coursework, athletic commits dedicate hours each day towards practicing their sport. In addition to their ath-

letic e orts, the process of being recruited itself requires an individual to be nationally ranked, which is an accomplishment that almost no one publicly celebrates. Similarly, pursuing an artistic major o en involves an extensive and complex application process, requiring students to submit portfolios that are products of years of hard work and commitment, or y across the nation for in-person auditions. Besides artistic and athletic pathways, some students also choose to join the military — o en discredited for the work it takes to apply. Being selected for one of the nation’s ve service academies requires extensive medical and physical tness tests along with a Congressional Nomination, which requires a congress member’s selection after a nomination le submission. ere are many paths aside from a traditional 4-year college that high school seniors can take, and just because their approach might not resonate with the majority doesn’t mean that their e orts and success should be discredited. “I consider myself lucky not because I ‘had it easy’ in the college admissions process, but because I am blessed enough to be among just a handful of athletes who are o ered the opportunity to continue athletics collegiately. O en, people tend to judge situations solely by their outcomes, overlooking 10+ years of relentless e ort, sacri ces, and dedication athletes invest in the recruiting process. Although it is di cult to fully understand the physical and mental demands of being a prospective recruit, there should be an e ort to refrain from making insensitive remarks that undermine athletes’ achievements,” Senior Amanda Deng who was recruited for so ball said.

e college admissions process is ex-

Being deliberate with our online presence

By Annie Xu Opinion Editor

“She has all the money in the world and they chose intimate simplicity,” user @Shivanna comments on model and online in uencer So a Richie’s gender reveal in her nearly $30 million home. Swifties argue that Taylor Swift will save us from Donald Trump and winter. Social media star Hannah Neeleman is applauded for rejecting traditional wifehood by joining a beauty pageant. Also, another animal went extinct today. I’m sure we’re all familiar with the mix of delight, outrage, and confusion one good doom scroll can get us. Social media is absurd.

Lately, it feels like my For You page has transformed the world into one giant inside joke. Everything is exaggerated, designed for an emotional knee-jerk reaction. And I can’t say I don’t see why — I feel my attention span dwindling the more time I spend scrolling. A new soundbite could be all it takes for me to watch a 10-second clip to its end. e Internet is its own ecosystem that survives o of mass communication, so it’s only natural that videos squeeze humanity down to gym bros or clean girls for a chance at virality. Consumers xate on a single moment that crystallizes and immortalizes there as truth.

ere is no wiggle room or nuance; we dissociate from our own identities as we try to t into these cleanly cut molds.

e world has felt like a big pressure cooker for a while now. So much is going on; a lot of it feels like it’s going wrong. Joe Chandler avoiding the presidential election results of 2016 for two weeks is all the more relat-

able. It can be so comforting to de ne our lives in narrow courses of action. I don’t know how to comprehend the scale of the Israel-Hamas war, so I focus on what businesses to boycott. Climate change is such a complex mix of policy and science, so I cope by timing my showers to waste less water.

Retreating into these simpler patterns gives me a sense of purpose, but at the same time, I know they don’t do as much as I’d like to think so. e incredible connectivity of the Internet takes us down rabbit holes; information about amazingly random and speci c things come so easily and quickly. Most of the time, I never stop to think about why exactly everything is so convenient and why it feels like answers to complex issues we care about are right around the corner in the next video. Oftentimes, though, action based on these easy answers is often just as instantaneous. We take to the streets to protest, email and call politicians for some time, and then forget, satisfying ourselves on the thought that we did something good. ere’s a reason Starbucks isn’t scared of a boycott — people start to lose momentum once they start craving an easy co ee x.

I don’t mean to say that social media is bad. Oftentimes, it spotlights important issues in a digestible way. But as consumers, we need to recognize that the work for the change we want to see never ends. We have to continue to be aware of the sheer extent to which social media simplies the world, and remain cognizant of the bigger consequences of our actions.

tremely ambiguous — an acceptance is based on more than just academic and extracurricular merit, as it is an amalgamation of factors such as essays, interviews, t, and even luck, none of which students can accurately predict. ere is no exact formula of statistics or extracurriculars that can ensure an acceptance to a speci c school. In an environment that is already so focused on academic standing, only choosing to celebrate some people and sweeping other accomplishments under preconceived notions about them only creates a toxic environment where people internalize this discourse.

Each student’s application process is unique, which is all the more reason for us to avoid insensitive and condescending language surrounding college admissions and other applications. Students should stay open-minded to results and understand the e ort others put in throughout high school. e same holds true for smaller-scale accomplishments, such as receiving high test scores or earning club o cer positions, it’s important to not downplay others’ success. Although someone may lack merit from an outside perspective, people aren’t always aware of the behind-thescenes work; it’s di cult to claim, especially from an outside perspective, whether or not someone has merit. Choose to congratulate people for their successes instead of trying to justify their accomplishments. Classmates who deviate from the norm are no less successful, and everyone should be applauded for their hard work.

By Ashley Pang & Stella Wang

Centerspread Editor & Sta Writer

By Novak Chen, Michael Qu, Vidyuth Sridhar & Ethan Yan Staff Writers

“‘Screw the Kids’ has efectvely replaced ‘Eureka’ as the state moto, even if it’s not yet printed on ofcial documents,” Joe Mathews, syndicated columnist of the San Francisco Chronicle, said as he described CA’s 2024-25 state budget plan. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest plan, which aims to close a $58 billion budget gap by delaying previously passed funding, heavily underfunds California’s public school system in an atempt to reduce educaton spending by a total of $15.2 billion. The budget fails to address numerous current educaton issues, such as teacher shortages and a lack of student support services. Even though the budget plan comes at a tme of wider economic slowdown, CA educaton quality is stll a top priority that Newsom cannot neglect.

background

Following the steep stock market decline in 2022 and the negatvely-impacted income tax collectons from high-income Californians and corporatons, the state revenue collectons over the 2022-25 tme period were $44 billion lower than antcipated, contributng to much of the current defcit. With less than 1% of Newsom’s proposed soluton dedicated to raising additonal revenue, his newest plan focuses on delaying or eliminatng existng funds and withdrawing from state reserves. The budget soluton has major implicatons on educatonal insttutons, with notable changes including the deferment of $240 million General Fund dollars to the California State University System and $228 million General Fund dollars to University of California schools untl the 2025-2026 year, as well as the elimi naton of $494 million General Fund dollars for the California Student Housing Revolving Loan Fund program.

The budget proposal was met with mixed opinions from the educaton community. Some saw potental benefts in the proposed budget, partcularly in its protecton of school fund ing. “The botom line is that the funding will be there. It may be through a deferral, it may be coming next year, but that work can ultmate ly contnue, and we’re really grateful for that,” Campaign for College Opportunity policy director Josh Hagen said in a study conducted by Edsource. However, many voiced concerns regarding the plan’s failure to solve current educaton problems, such as the existng teacher shortages in California. Currently, teacher candidates must pass the California Basic Educatonal Skills Test and other specifc coursework, to prove they have the basic skills to teach before they are accepted into a teacher preparaton program. Yet under Newsom’s proposed budget, teacher candidates would no longer have to take a test or coursework to earn a credental, with the completon of a bachelor’s degree enough to satsfy the basic-skills requirement. “Parents want, and their children deserve, highly qualifed educators, especially in the face of pandemic-related learning loss and alarming literacy rates among third graders,” Families in Schools CEO and President Yolie Flores said.

Budget Inequity

The budget plan, with its substantal cuts to educaton funding amid a looming budget defcit, is a pressing mater of misplaced priorites. Many issues reside in the current CA educaton system, including teacher shortages and qualifcatons, low-income students, the growing mental health crisis, and more. Given the success of past government actons combatng these problems, like the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initatve supportng behavioral health for CA children and SB 765 alleviatng fnancial barriers for those atemptng to enter teaching, additonal funding is essental to further improve the educaton system. As such, the state should look to redistribute its spending in other

For example, the budget plan increases or maintains the current level of funding for government provided health care services like Medicare, Covered California, and Medi-Cal, with the later alone receiving $152 billion in funding under the 2023-24 Budget Act. Rather than substantally reducing educaton funding, the state should reevaluate and reallocate its current spending to sufciently support both healthcare and educaton. While it’s crucial to ensure adequate funding for healthcare, it’s equally important to prioritze investments in educaton. With more resources to acquire knowledge and learn new skills, students can reach their full potental and achieve success.

Short-term prosperity

what msj can do

Although external factors like economic downturn and reduced state revenue may increase budgetng stress on CA, educaton must remain a top priority in every budget plan. As students, we have an inherent vested interest in maintaining quality educaton funding. To do so, we should actvely partcipate in community organizatons that are commited to upholding the educaton quality students deserve, such as SURFBoardE, GENup, Fremont Unifed District Teachers Associaton, and the California Teachers Associaton. To push for change, it is imperatve that we send leters to local politcians, use social media to spread awareness, and support organizatons that advocate for solutons which don’t sacrifce long-term educaton for a shortterm budget soluton.

Public spending per k-12 student:

New York: $24,881 New Jersey: $21,334 CA: $13,642

Newsom’s proposed budget cuts come at a period of heightened economic downturn for CA. According to the Legislatve Analyst’s Ofce, “CA entered a revenue and economic downturn last fscal year. State tax revenues fell 20 percent. The number of unemployed workers in CA increased by 200,000.” However, reducing educaton spending will only worsen CA’s longterm economic outlook. A robust educaton can improve workers’ skills and boost their salaries, giving them more disposable income to contribute to the overall economy. According to a study done in 2015 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statstcs, individuals who graduated with a doctoral degree made a median earning of $1,623 every week with a 1.7% unemployment rate, while individuals holding only a highschool diploma made a median earning of $678 every week with a 5.4% unemployment rate. With quality of educaton directly correlatng to success in the job market, schools play a pivotal role in shaping future generatons and equipping them with the skills to contribute to society, making it all the more important that the insttutons are backed by ample fnancial support. Unfortunately, Newsom’s plan delays and shifs projects dedicated to educaton infrastructure, abatng the educaton, skill set, and prosperity of future workers.

ca's budget plan in perspective

California’s educaton defcit is especially evident when compared to other states. Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey plans to increase funding a total of $908 million to $11.7 billion for K-12 schools and projects a net increase of $3.5 billion over a course of 7 years. Moreover, Murphy plans to allocate $15 million toward teacher training.

In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to increase school aid funding by $825 million to $35.3 billion and invest $10 million in training 20,000 teachers. Meanwhile, CA decreased the minimum amount of state proceeds that were directed towards schools and community colleges and previously established by Propositon 98. CA’s poor fnancial decisions have taken a clear toll on academic performance, with global scholarship database Scholaroo reportng that New Jersey and New York rank 1st and 6th in the naton respectvely, while CA ranks 40th.

January

Saturdays

March

Saturdays

Aaron Bushnell & Israel-Hamas

"On February 25, United States Air Force serviceman Aaron Bushnell died afer setng himself on fre in front of the Embassy of Israel in Washington D.C. on livestream. He said that he was protestng against “what people have been experiencing in Palestne at the hands of their colonizers” and that he would “no longer be complicit in genocide.” In response to mountng pressure about the war, on March 7, President Joe Biden announced that the US would build a “humanitarian port, which has been critcized as an efort to divert atenton from the extent of sufering and violence in Gaza. What do you think of this recent tragedy, and on the US’s current stance in the Israel-Hamas war?"

“I do think what Joe Biden is doing is trying to divert attention from what’s really happening. I feel like it could come off as covering the issue up just for his own personal image, but I think it’s smart that he's making an effort to address it in the first place at the same time. However, he should be addressing the situation more and making more of a clear effort to help the people in Gaza rather than making a cover-up, and hopefully in the future, he will start to support the people in Gaza more.”

“I’m really conficted on this, to be honest. The sacrifce Aaron Bushnell made was almost too extreme. With Westerners stereotyping Middle Easterners as terrorists, his act reinforces the idea that Arabs/Muslims and their allies are violent when it comes to making a statement. Stll, you have to consider how much pain, sufering, and torture one has to witness to do something as extreme as taking their own life, also emphasizing how brutally Israel is behaving towards defenseless Palestnians. For this reason, I think his sacrifce was noble, his intent was set on spreading awareness of the ethnic cleansing and genocide in Palestne. I disagree with the statement of this being an IsraelHamas war. Israel has always been a state, taking more and more of Palestnian land. Over 30,000 innocents have been murdered, 9,000 of them being women, and according to Al-Jazeera, roughly 10,000 children. Personally, I do not condemn Hamas. Everything they have done has been in self-defense, when the state of Israel has been pillaging their land for almost a century. They believe that by funding and spreading pro-Israel propaganda, they’ll be able to secure Middle Eastern land, something that could’ve already been promised to them decades prior. Going past that, our candidates for the 2024 electon include a demented advocate for the genocide of children, and an orange bigot who also advocates for this genocide.”

“I think that Biden should utlize his presidental power to limit supply on weapons to Israel as well as negotatng peace talks to hold a lastng ceasefre in return for the hostages and leaving the Gaza Strip. I understand the mindset of both Israel and Palestne, but what I feel isn’t ok is harming innocent civilians. Lots of politcians sit back and justfy this as ‘in war people die,’ but if one can provide aid they really shouldn’t. They should provide the people with some sustenance and allow the rows of aid trucks waitng outside in.”

“I think the event in February was a real tragedy. But the one positve thing I would say that came out of it is that it did bring atenton to what US soldiers themselves feel about the war and how they also believe themselves that it’s a genocide. It’s not just a defense against the terrorists of Gaza. I think the US has primarily been very ignorant of what's going on in Gaza and especially addressing it. I think the President and his cabinet haven’t been doing the best job in bringing atenton and aid to the crisis in Gaza. Especially to the Palestnian side of the war. I think the humanitarian port that they’ve announced is once again another distracton as to fnd an excuse to not address the Palestnian crisis … I think that’s mainly what the humanitarian port has just been used as a tool for.”

dear diary: pi

By Lucas Zhang Staff Writer

As an irrational number derived from the ratio between a circle’s circumference and its diameter, pi has many applications in the felds of math and science. From its frst approximation by Archimedes to its usage in Euler’s formula, pi’s popularity has grown since its frst discovery almost 4,000 years ago. Through a series of diary entries, pi refects on how it feels to be (ap)p(l)i(ed) so widely around the world and at school.

Journeying through the past four millennia, this special number grapples with its identity as it slowly but surely gets recognized by the world’s greatest thinkers.

227 BCE

I was frst approximated by the Babylonians and ancient Egyptians, who derived my frst few digits around 2,000 years ago using the circumference of an inscribed hexagon. Sadly, I didn’t have many practical uses aside from simple circle calculations, so I never felt as recognized as the other Greek letters. Luckily, Archimedes has fnally determined my value to be around 22/7, after working 24/7 with Pythagoras’ discoveries. While this approximation is a small step for humans, it’s a huge leap in solidifying my glory. I can only hope that the Greeks don’t end up forgetting about me in a few years.

1192 CE

To my disappointment, the Greeks did forget me. It’s a good thing that at the height of the Roman Empire, all roads seemed to lead to me as the golden ratio of the time. Unfortunately, my fall from relevance parallelled the descent of the empire. In the Dark Ages that followed, I felt betrayed by how society took shape at the time. If I’m widely used but barely recognized,

what’s in it for me? It hardly takes a second to draw three strokes for pi. Now, the lords of Europe seem to have sentenced me to captivity for as many years as there are digits in me. Hold on. I just received a news update that describes a circular Leaning Tower of Pisa. I wish I were there to see my use by the architects who erected that spire. At least I’m still actively used in the now-dominant Islamic world. Once again, I am circulating around an empire, but I constantly fear that my practicality will suddenly collapse with that empire.

1415 CE

With the distribution of social classes changing due to the Black Death, I’m beginning to play a role in intellectual revolutions. After being trapped in captivity for a millennium, the Medici family fnally released me from my solitude. Can you believe Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo even name-dropped me when using the ancient principles of circular geometry? Still, no one tries to understand the real me under all the digits. Do the people who try to get more of my value really know anything more about me now than they did 2,000 years ago?

1761 CE

Upon falling into a sleep slumber, I’ve awoken to hear mathematicians calling me irrational because I simply cannot be written as a single fraction. What’s their excuse for saying I’m irrational based on just one inconvenience? My cousins, i and e, have also fallen into that same category. Are they trying to marginalize my number family? I thought that my presence on proofs and other papers would help me dominate my social circle, but now, my cousins are trying to steal my spotlight by hogging all the attention in felds like electricity and fnance. On the bright side, at least Leonhard Euler seems to appreciate us — he even put all three of us in one elegant equation. I’m confdent that Euler’s formula will give me a higher

probability of achieving mathematical acclaim.

1988 CE

To be optimistic about this century’s developments, today is the frst of many days when people can celebrate my digits, due to Albert Einstein’s birthday. I’m anticipating everyone’s expression of their love for me every year as they try to recite as many of my digits as they can and feast on pies. Hopefully it’ll also help people recognize more of my digits than just 3.14159.

But as technological advancements push the world towards a digital age, I don’t know why fans even like me anymore. A global space race started a decade ago, and I can only hope for an astronomical amount of relevance in this new feld of scientifc research. Is it so bad to hope for a revolution in education, thanks to this shift? Maybe I’ll be covered in-depth in school math textbooks, letting millions of students know about me. Only time will tell.

March 14, 2024, 3:14 PM

In the past ffty years, changes in how students use me while learning science and math have made me come to realize that maybe having people actually understand me isn’t all that important anymore. As the day of recognition I have anticipated all year long is here again, I look forward to how everyone will commemorate me and my digits. A student who shows endless passion for me said his physics teacher has just administered a test, and I was printed at least ten times in their answer key. Humans used to think I was some useless arbitrary value, but look at me now — they can’t get enough of me. During the past three centuries, a lot has happened that p(i)romoted me to the status of most well-known irrational number. Finally, I can stretch my digits in relief, now that I’ve learned that I can be applied whenever a round shape is found in everyone’s circle of life.

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS CHLOE GAO, ASHLEY PANG, JASON TANG, ANUSHKA VASUDEV & LUCY YAO

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS SAHAS GOLI, NAISHA KOPPURAPU, & LUCAS ZHANG

DieHard TryHards: Sourdough

By Navya Chitlur, Anandita Devata, Howard Lu & Ivy Lu Staff Writers

Sourdough is arguably one of the most complicated types of bread to bake, due to its use of a special starter that takes weeks to develop. To honor the upcoming National Sourdough Bread Day, four Smokies competed to bake the most delectable and artistic sourdough.

Have I ever made sourdough bread? No. Do I own a starter? Not anymore. At the very least, do I like sourdough? That’s a hard no. I genuinely don’t know what possessed me to participate in this challenge. I have zero knowledge and experience with baking anything that isn’t a dessert. I’m also a terrible artist, and yet this hand that usually draws shaky stick fgures is now expected to score an “intricate design” onto a squishy, mallea ble surface. The only thing that can save me now is my fawless baking intuition, developed over my journey from baking store-bought chocolate chip cookie dough to making almond paste and bear claws from scratch. Let’s just hope no one shows up with an entire comic strip on their loaf.

2

So that was surprising. After seeing Ivy’s four jars of condiments, Navya’s sweet twist on the traditional recipe, and How ard’s incredible rise and crumb, I thought I was doomed. While my loaf was the only one that had a design scored onto the bread, I expected creativity and deviation from the classic style to be more important — and my loaf had neither. Still, every single judge was fawning over my homemade garlic butter, so maybe that’s what got me gold. Anyway, I’d like to dedicate this win to my brother’s proof ing tips, my dad’s passion for herb growing, and my habit of always get ting myself into things I know nothing about.

While I have bountiful experience baking sweets, and even some experience deep-frying churros, I’m afraid I have almost none with bread-making. “Failproof” recipes of Japanese milk bread or not, it seems that my bread always falls fat and hard. For all my lo(af)ve of carbs out there, can a newbie like me rise to the challenge? While I have some doubts on whether or not my sourdough will rise within four days, I have full faith in my art skills; they’re defnitely not crumby — and neither is my bread! I’m venturing into unscored territory, but I’m determined to crust the competition!

What is the secret recipe behind creating the perfect loaf of sourdough bread? To be honest, I have no clue. I’m entering this competition with absolutely no baking experience. Still, if you really think about it, baking is just combining different ingredients together and letting the oven do the rest. Seems simple enough. With my somewhat competent artistic abilities, I believe I have what it takes to concoct an amazing sourdough and carve an adequate design on the top. I am confdent that the taste of victory will prevail over the favor of acidity in yeast-infected bread.

3

I’m not sour with the results. My bread wasn’t particularly sourdough-y, but the designs turned out super cute — and I’d like to point out that I even had roasted garlic and rosemary incorporated into the dough. Even though I punched out all the air in the knead stage, I still placed well for my frst Die Hard TryHards challenge. It was so much fun panicking over the fourday time limit with my fellow bak ers, and I can frmly say that my all struggles were defnitely worth it in the end, when I could taste Navya’s superior open crumb, Howard’s crazy oven spring, and Anandita’s loaf paired with her perfect garlic butter.

Can you believe it? A beginner like me, with zero prior baking experience, managed to snag a top three spot in a sourdough competition. I am super proud of my self and will gladly snatch the bronze medal away from Navya. If this contest was all about plain, un-sour white bread, I would be the undisputed champ. Not to toot my own horn, but the rise, texture, and aeration of my loaf was of peak quality. I would like to thank the YouTube Shorts video I rewatched 234 times for the recipe, my mom for rescuing my bread from my burning oven, and my fel low contestants for being such great sports. Better luck next time, I guess.

I have to admit, I’m absolutely terrifed to see what sort of atrocity this challenge will lead me to bake. I have absolutely no idea how to bake sourdough (my entire knowledge of the bread comes from watching two episodes of Just Add Magic as a kid), and I seem to have some kind of curse where something goes wrong every time I take my creations out of the oven. I’m relying entirely on my limited baking knowledge to carry me through this challenge. (Burned bread has to count for something, right?) After pulling an all-nighter delving into sourdough tips and recipes, I’m praying that it is enough for my bread to not end up charred or entirely unsalvageable — at least enough to ensure I don’t end up last in very my frst DieHard TryHards challenge.

4 Anandita Ivy Howard

Sometimes all a person can do is hope for the best. Well, at least I didn’t burn down my kitchen or anything. Life’s all about celebrating the small victories, so that’s what I’m doing. I deem this bread a success, especially considering my baking skills. Despite its excessive rising in the oven, which demolished the intricate designs that I spent hours carefully crafting, the taste of my bread was still exceptional. The satisfaction I felt while cutting it was unmatched since for the frst time in my life, I created something that wasn’t reduced to dust and ashes in the oven. I have the recipe bookmarked online, and the next time a challenge like this rolls around, I will take down my competitors once and for all.

As Saint Patrick’s Day rolls around, many are eager to celebrate their favorite aspect of the holiday: good luck. To commemorate this fes tive tradition, the highlights unique superstitious charms from around the world, showcasing each region’s vibrant and rich culture.

Jade stone from China

guide to LUCKY CHARMS

Prevalent in ancient cultures since the Stone Age, the jade stone is a symbol of protection and pros perity, historically shaped into weapons, tools, and ornaments. In Chinese folklore, when the Mongols invaded China, dragons cried tears that transformed into jade stones as they hit the earth. Throughout history, powerful dragons were carved into jade stones, which were associated with the Emperor of China. Thus, the jade stone has always been respected by ordinary people and labeled as “imperial jade.” In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong devoted over eight hundred songs and poems to jade itself. It was also associated with the action of using up energy to manifest, known as the Yang principle, and brought rainwater and prosperity to farmers. Today, thousands around the world wear jade trinkets, honoring the culture, its power, and its security.

By Hannah Bi, Naisha Koppurapu & Michael Qu Staff Writers

Nazar from TUrkiye ..

Often seen on jewelry and charms, the blue evil eye, also known as the Nazar Boncuk, is a traditional glass amulet originating from the 16th century BCE. According to Turkish beliefs, the amulet guards its holder by absorbing any negative energies brought on by the envy of others. While the Nazar Boncuk can also be found throughout in countries such as Greece, Armenia, and Iran, it is most commonly seen in Türkiye. The symbol is a common decoration throughout the country, often bedecking branches of trees, ornamenting homes, and being worn as jewelry. While the traditional blue Nazar Boncuk is the most common evil eye amulet, many other colors have also increased in popularity, such as the white talisman symbolizing mental clarity or an orange bead offering protection and happiness.

Maneki neko from Japan

Bringing good fortune and prosperity to households around the world, Maneki Neko is commonly rep resented as a calico Japanese bobtail cat, made of plastic or ceramic. According to one of many Japanese folktales, a shop owner took in a stray cat out of the kindness of his heart and, in return, was rewarded with prosperity as his feline friend drew customers to the shop. The well-known and much-loved idol can be found in many homes, in workplaces, and especially in stores. It frst appeared in the Edo period in one of the many Buddhist temples, such as Gotokuji, Saihoji, or Jisho-in, in present-day Tokyo. As the symbol developed over the years, different colors of Maneki Neko were created to serve distinct pur poses, like blue for safety or pink for love.

Originating in the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt, the scarab is sacred large stone or ceramic dung beetle symbolizing rebirth, regeneration, and protection in the afterlife. Certain types such as the heart, pectoral, and naturalistic scarabs were buried with the deceased for protection and guidance into the afterlife. According to ancient beliefs, these charms were also closely associated with the Egyptian sun god Khepri due to their scarab beetle shape. Since these insects were often seen rolling animal dung and debris into balls, they were commonly connected to Khepri rolling the sun across the sky — also symbolizing a divine manifestation of the morning sun. Today, scarabs are commonly used in jewelry and household decorations to bring good luck and protection, and are most frequently worn as amulets or rings.

Four leaf clover from Ireland

First discovered by Celtic priests in Ireland, the fourleaf clover represents faith, hope, love, and luck — one quality for each leaf. According to the legend of Adam and Eve, as the two departed the Garden of Eden, Eve picked a solitary four-leaf clover as a memento of paradise, causing people to associate the clover with fortune. Celtic priests carried clovers around, believing the plant offered magical protection against evil spirits and warded off bad luck. Saint Patrick’s Day legend recounts that Saint Patrick used a shamrock, or three-leaf clover, to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people, with the symbol of the three-leaf clover later extending to the four-leaf clover. Today, the four-leaf clover is a wellknown symbol of luck in the Western world due to its association with Saint Patrick’s Day and is hailed for its proverbial one-in-fve-thousand rarity.

Native American dreamcatcher

Originating from tales of the Ojibwe — an Anishinaabe tribe situated in the Great Lakes region of Western New York, Wisconsin, and Michigan — the dreamcatcher was created by the guardian goddess Spider Woman, known as Asibikaashi, in hopes of protecting the rapidly growing Native American tribes. The dreamcatcher guards sleeping individuals from nightmares and evil spirits from Native American folklore, such as the underwater panther Mishibizhiw that drowns people, the man-eating Wendigo, and the Deer Woman, who lures and murders men. According to Ojibwe legend, pleasant dreams are allowed to pass through the middle hole of the dreamcatcher, while nightmares are trapped in the surrounding web. Rising in popularity in the 1960s during the Pan-Indian movement, dreamcatchers be came a representation of the unity and strength of Native American identity.

“I have this red bracelet that I always wear that my grandma got from a temple because she believes in Buddhism … I always had it on especially during the year of my zodiac sign because my zodiac [sign] is a dog. So during that year, I would wear it every day even when I shower because I feel like it not only brings me luck, [but] it also protects me.” — Chinese Culture Club President Senior Tina Xu

“[I have] two bracelets, one is called an Ojo de Dios and then the other one is a dreamcatcher. So the Ojo de Dios … is meant to help me avoid any negative vibe. It helps me in that sense [and] makes me feel like I’m protected. And then the dreamcatcher is just a traditional dreamcatcher [to prevent] bad dreams.” — Spanish Teacher Leticia Magaña

“My lucky charm would be the dog tag on my backpack. It gives me a sense of protection. During tests and assessments, this pin motivates me. It’s like a mascot — it boosts morale” — Mission Japan Club Public Relations Offcer Sophomore Youze Lin

“I got [a dreamcatcher] during the Day of the Dead parade in Oakland. And they just had a lot of indigenous and native crafts being sold … It’s typical in Maya culture. [It’s] not from my own heritage, but it’s common [for] Mexican people [to] just have and hold dreamcatchers so it must be something that just transcends [from] the Maya culture and many other indigenous cultures.” — Spanish Teacher Leticia Magaña

C R I T I C S’ C O R N E R

Eternal sunshine: a hauntingly beautiful journey of love and loss

By Brittany Lu Staf Writer

Pop singer Ariana Grande’s rise to stardom was meteoric, with her powerhouse vocals and catchy pop melodies that catapulted her from a Nickelodeon career to a global sensation. Even now, the spotlight rarely fades from Grande, who released her seventh album, eternal sunshine, on March 8 amidst a public divorce and a controversial new relationship. In her new album, Grande turns the focus inward, marking this album as her most introspective work to date and going beyond infectious beats towards a raw exploration of heartache, doubt, and resilience.

e album’s lead single “yes, and?” entices listeners with its breezy defiance over a jazzy beat, making it a perfect song for the dance floor. However, the rest of the album delves into raw emotions of heartbreak and resilience. Trading her signature upbeat sound for a more calm and melancholic vibe, Grande explores themes of uncertainty, selfdoubt, and the lingering pain of past relationships.

Although lacking the 90s dance style that many expected, eternal sunshine excels in its nuanced production. Lush strings, shimmering synths, and muted guitars provide a comforting backdrop for lyrical self-examinations. e album showcases melodies that unfold gently and beats that linger and simmer rather than explode, giving space for Grande’s confessions to breathe. While this lacks the immediate catchiness of her earlier works, these

BOOKBYTES

By Maryam Naseer Staf Writer

Student Recommendation

Title: The Midnight Library

Author: Matt Haig

Recommended Reading Level:

Young Adult Genre: Science Fiction

The story follows Nora Seed as she fnds herself in a mysterious library between life and death where each book ofers her the chance to experience a diferent version of her life. As she explores these alternate realities, Nora discovers valuable insights about the choices that shape our existence.

“I reread it every year because it reminds me to be thankful for the path I’m on, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.”

— Rhea Sarkar, 12

Staf Recommendation

Title: The Time Traveler’s Wife

Author: Audrey Nifenegger

Recommended Reading Level:

YoungGenre:AdultRomance Novel

The novel tells the story of a man who travels through time unpredict- ably due to a rare genetic disorder. As his relationship with his wife, Clare, unfolds across diferent timelines, the novel explores the complex nature of love amidst time travel.

“As you read, you are given the dis- orienting sense of how time is played with and how the time traveler has to navigate being thrown into the diferent years.” — Science Teacher Lauren Ware Hartbeck

Smokie Recommendation

Title: I Kissed Shara Wheeler

Author: Casey McQuiston

Recommended Reading Level:

Young Adult Genre: Romance, Fiction, Humor Set in a Catholic high school in Alabama, the heartfelt coming-of-age story follows Chloe Green, who is de- termined to become valedictorian. But when her rival Shara Wheeler suddenly kisses her and disappears, Chloe teams up with Shara’s boyfriend and her neighbor Rory to uncover the truth behind her disappearance.

“I love how the characters are both insane and have this crazy academic rivals thing, but somehow that makes them perfect for each other”

— Daphne Senecal, 12

new arrangements radiate a sophisticated beauty of maturity and pain.

On “don’t wanna break up again,” Grande describes the difficulties of a complicated relationship. “I fall asleep cryin’ / You turn up the TV / You don’t wanna hear me / One more sleepless night,” she laments, revealing the sadness of having a partner that seems to be indifferent towards her, pursuing a love that was never meant to last. e track’s subtle incorporation of trappy beats adds a contemporary and nostalgic edge without overwhelming the song’s reflective core. e slower, more introspective tracks that drastically differ from the original single are the ones that truly shine, such as the song “i wish i hated you.” With lines like “And no matter how guilty I still feel saying it / I wish I hated you” painting a poignant picture of heartbreak and the lingering presence of a past love, her lyrics are refreshingly raw, revealing the emotional scars left by love. A visible ache in her voice can be

heard as she sings about memories, questioning her past judgment and longing for clarity. e other striking song is “the boy is mine,” a bold dec- laration of newfound love amidst the turmoil in her life. is track cleverly interpolates the iconic 90s classic of the same title by Brandy and Monica, showcasing Grande’s ever-present vocals. Still, the moments of quiet vulnerability, where the production strips back to a near whisper, make the album a truly compelling listen. eternal sunshine may not radiate the exuberant energy and deeply infectious melodies that fans were expecting, but with a cohesive theme, the album offers a raw and honest peek into the complexities of Grande’s life, showcasing her artistic evolution. eternal sunshine is not an album for those seeking an escape. It is one that invites you to sit and linger in the bittersweet mess of love and loss, and recognize the same echoes in Grande’s journey. ▪

Grade: A-

March 2024 Student Faves

MOVIE: 21 Jump Street — Guhan Gopinathan, 10

TV SHOW: Friends — Ariel Duong, 9

ALBUM: Bury Me at Makeout Creek by Mitski — Alisa Liao, 11

BOOK: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie — Gnapika Birlangi, 11

GAME: OFF — Michelle Qu, 11

Bleachers: full of wit and nostalgia

By Fiona Yang Staf Writer

On March 8, New Jersey rock band Bleachers released its titular fourth studio album, Bleachers. Featuring famous artists such as sing- er-songwriter Lana del Rey, Bleachers adopts a bolder shift in style compared to prior albums. e album showcases the band’s excellence with experimental techniques, touching on themes of nostalgia and past memories. Aside from its occasional flaws of over-repetition and disorderly mixing, Bleachers’ quality production and sentimental lyrics contrib- ute to its successful release. e album follows the band’s previous releases of Strange Desire and Gone Now, both of which share themes of grief over the loss of lead singer, songwriter, and producer Jack Antonoff’s sister. Moving away from remembrance, the self-titled album takes on themes of reminiscence and actualization, such as in the portrayal of homesickness in “We Are Going to Know Each Other Forever.” Bleachers’ signature diverse beats and complex mixing shine through- out the album. For example, the lead single “Modern Girl” begins ener- getically with a “One, two, three!” followed by upbeat drums. Ad libs such as screams and “bam” liven up the melody further, demonstrating Bleachers’ remarkable ability to cre- ate fun harmonies. e band also excels in melancholy tunes, as illustrated in “Ordinary Heaven.” e track’s mystical tunes are characterized by Antonoff’s soft spoken vocals, inducing nostalgia and wistfulness in the listener. Intertwined twinkling beats and faded vocals contribute to the calming ethereality of the song. Despite Bleachers’ impressive pro- duction, there are moments when the experimentation comes off as awkward. Each song features a bridge with alto saxophone in the background, becoming a repetitive inclu- sion after a few tracks. Additionally,

with too many sound elements as it is, the alto saxophone is harsh on the ear, making the particular snippet quite disconcerting, particularly in the song “Alma Mater.” e band’s skills extend beyond production, to well-crafted lyricism as well. From humor to sadness, Bleachers’ impeccable mastery of lyricism strengthens the album. In “Modern Girl,” Antonoff references being a “pop music hoarder,” which he expressed in an interview with e Current as a “funny [thing] that peo- ple could say about [him].” e line speaks to the accomplishment that the band has achieved, with its decision to self-title the album. In contrast, “ e Waiter” takes on a more somber tune as the singer reflects on themes of maturing early and being subject to others’ judgments with the lyrics, “But, oh, everybody’s always tellin’ you what you’re not / And you heard too much.” e band adeptly touches on comedic self references and serious life recollections, carefully tugging at the audience’s heartstrings.Indeed, with only slight flaws, Bleachers adds another accomplish- ment to its incredible list of albums. Bleachers boasts the band’s expertise — diverse production elements and sentimental lyrics — and justifies the praise for the band’s newest album. ▪

Grade: B

Dune: Part Two: The Sci-fi Epic Of The Ages

By Navya Chitlur Staf Writer

Released on March 1, Dune: Part Two features themes of love, destiny, and power, presented through masterful cinematography, incredible music scores, and complex world building. e movie takes its audience through a sci-fi rendition of ancient colonialism, flawlessly depicting the struggles of defending or gaining power and realistic character development that perfectly embodies true human nature.

e plot sequence resumes after the movie’s sequel, Dune (2011), following Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the Lisan al Gaib, or messiah, and the bringer of peace to the universe. He travels with the desert people, the Fremen, leading them in their battle against the House of Harkonnen, the greatest colonial power. roughout his journey, Atreides experiences newly kindled love with a Freman warrior,

Chani (Zendaya), along with the development of emotional barriers and distance between him and his mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson).

e movie propels the plot with foreshadowing in many scenes, especially darker ones with the Harkonnen Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) and the House of Harkonnen, such as the opening scene. rough this, viewers receive a glimpse into the other side of the war and the lifestyle of the Harkonnens, which was something that Dune’s first installment lacked. is addition allowed audiences to understand the impact of technological development in colonization and its demonstration of power, especially in terms of weaponry.

e movie’s world building is incredible, from the futuristic and technologically-advanced House of Harkonnen to the new languages and mythical creatures developed. However, its complexity results in situations where the audience is thrown in with little to no infor-

mation, causing them to not understand new settings or characters. is, in tandem with the constant back-and-forth between made-up languages and heavy accents, makes the dialogue quite hard to follow without captions. Although, this tactic was quite effective throughout the movie as it allowed audiences to understand key information at the right times as well as festered the need to delve into more outside research to find more content.

Additionally, the music score by Hans Zimmer adds sentimentality and character to every scene, evoking heartfelt emotions in the audience. e track “Worm Ride” plays as Atreides rides a sandworm for the first time, its powerful and iconic vocals bringing the scene to a new level. Some of the most prominent inspirations behind Dune are colonialism and war, which are effectively explored in the movie’s plot. Chalamet portrays Atreides’ rise to and newfound hunger for power perfectly through the shift from his hopeful

eyes and warm smiles to his bellowing assertive speeches and cold persona. As Atreides becomes more power hungry, the cinematography shifts to embody this change by cutting the background music and no longer using outdoor light, in contrast to the beginning. is cinematic decision is subtle enough that it allows viewers to understand that something is wrong, but not too grand in order to leave Atreides’ descent to villany open to interpretation.

Dune: Part Two is a cinematic masterpiece, from the very beginning to end, transporting the audience into a whole new realm filled with sand dunes, fantastical creatures, and futuristic technology. e movie’s narrative keeps the audience on their toes and longing for more the whole time, and its execution not only improves upon its first part, but also makes it one of the greatest science-fiction movies ever created. ▪

Grade: A+

““It’s Raining After All” by TUYU | SANAH: “Paper Bag” by Fiona Apple | VEDESH: “ e Landing” by Duster | WAYLON: “Look What You’ve Done” by Drake | MRS. COHEN: “Pieces Of April” by ree Dog Night

SPOTIFY COM

Class of 2002 MSJ Alumnus Sammy Obeid is an accomplished comedian, best known for his world record of 1,001 days of consecutive comedy performances in Los Angeles. He has released a comedy album, Get Funny or Die Tryin, and is acknowledged by major news outlets for an analytical style of humor.

From a young age, Obeid was told by friends that he had a humorous personality, remarking that he made others laugh by making weird faces. Following his time at MSJ, Obeid went on to major in business and math at UC Berkeley and graduated in 2006. Naturally, Obeid gravitated toward the feld of comedy and began stand-up as a full-time career in 2011. “I always liked the art form, and I was always good at public speaking, so I enjoy it,” Obeid said.

MY MISSION AS ... a Comedian

By Angelina Chen & Keerti Koya Staff Writers

comedy writing. When he start ed comedy professionally, Obeid took advice on his career from his mentors, including American comedians Hasan Minhaj and Ali Wong.

The biggest challenge Obeid faced in his career was the lack of certainty surrounding his success and sta bility. In a feld with no clearcut career pro gression, there are few guarantees of success, and co medians must forge their own paths.

Fun Facts:

“I always liked the art form, and I was good at public speaking, so I enjoy it.”

— COMEDIAN SAMMY OBEID

Obeid’s journey in comedy has been greatly infuenced by the many role models and mentors he’s met throughout his life. As a kid, he looked up to comedians Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld for their witty, relatable

Timeline

2002 Graduated MSJ

To address this challenge, Obeid focused on building a dedicated fan base, while maintaining his authentic style of humor through persistence and practice. After producers from NBC’s Last Comic Standing and America’s Got Talent reached out to

2006 Graduated UC Berkeley

Favorite Book: The Alchemist

Favorite TV Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Favorite comedy he created: The Truth About Fat in Milk

Favorite Holiday: Labor Day because it’s a “great day to work”

Future Goals: Travel, learn new languages & play more music

2008 Founded KO Comedy

2011 Began comedy professionally

him to appear on their programs, Obeid was able to grow his following by performing successful comedy acts with large audiences. Another challenge Obeid faces is having to navigate many of the behind-the-scenes business logistics, including handling his social media platforms, planning travel details, booking events, and more. Although he currently manages much of these by himself, in the future, Obeid hopes to build a team that helps handle show logistics so he can focus on the creative side of his work. “I have to do a lot of the business side of [my work], but I would like to ... have more time for [the] creativity,” Obeid said. Refecting on his time in high school, Obeid

2013 Released comedy album Get Funny or Die Tryin

said that because of MSJ’s high level of academic rigor, he was well-prepared for his future endeavors in comedy. Dealing with the competitive academic environment while being surrounded by many intelligent peers helped Obeid bring a healthy mindset of success and competition to comedy. “I was competitive in academics, and when you can rise to the top of your class at MSJ, you can pretty much do anything. So after having been at the top of many of my math classes [at MSJ], I fgured, hey, I can probably do the same thing with stand-up [comedy],” Obeid said.

“Take [the] opportunity to [learn] and then think — what do I actually want to do with my life and how do I apply the same level of perseverance and hard work.”

— COMEDIAN SAMMY OBEID

For MSJ students interested in pursuing comedy, Obeid recommends practicing stand-up comedy at least three to fve times a week. “Take [the] opportunity to [learn] and then think — what do I actually want to do with my life and how do I apply the same level of perseverance and hard work,” Obeid said. ▪

By Daphne Senecal Staff Writer

ONE DAY romance me s reality

Based on a novel by David Nicholls, mini series One Day captures a complicated love story that keeps viewers enraptured as they watch the next twenty years of Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter’s (Leo Woodall) lives play out. Released on February 8 on Netflix, One Day delivers a charming message on the importance of friendships, grief, and finding purpose by showing its audience both the ugly and wonderful aspects of life.

e story begins on July 15, 1988, when Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew meet for the first time on their university graduation night. After spending the night together, the pair go their separate ways, but continue to keep in touch over the years. rough good times and bad, the two always manage to find themselves in each other’s orbit, until they inevitably collide in a sorrowfully beautiful way.

While the series features many romantic

By Anandita Devata & Sarah Hu Staff Writers

cliches, such as “smart girl changes playboy for the better,” it does so in a way that feels realistic and natural. Meeting Emma doesn’t immediately change Dexter’s shallow and womanizing ways, and Emma herself doesn’t try to “fix” him in any way.

eir friendship sets clear boundaries that while Emma is willing to support Dexter in his internal struggle and grief, she will draw the line and do what’s best for her, especially when he begins to unfairly criticize her career choices.

e long timeline gives the deeply flawed male lead a sensible amount of time to change and better himself before entering a romantic relationship with Emma. When he’s initially introduced, the audience quickly becomes aware of his love for partying, which devolves into a drug and alcohol addiction in his early twenties, making him feel like a shallow and obnoxious character. But as viewers see him realize the hurt he is causing to himself and others and take responsibility for it, the audience gradually wants to root for him, even as he continues to make mistakes. His transformation, though slow and full of relapses, gives the audi-

ence hope, even when facing an uncertain future due to the grief he is experiencing due to a recent loss.

Despite the strengths of the writing and characters, the series shows too much of Emma and Dexter’s daily lives. For example, when Emma is working as a waitress, there is an awkwardly long scene of her walking around the restaurant serving customers. At this point, her new job has already been established, and the scene ultimately leads nowhere as it cuts immediately to the end of the day. A more uncomfortable aspect of this issue is the fact that there is no shortage of sex scenes. ough it is understandable to want to establish that the adult characters have active sex lives, it starts to feel a bit excessive as the series progresses.

Aside from a handful of unnecessary scenes, One Day tells the story of what happens when a sweet romance meets reality; even after the happy ending, things can still go wrong. e series is ultimately a testament to the unpredictability of life and its bittersweet consequences. ▪

Grade : A-

Student Spotlight: Christopher Apy

Senior Christopher John Apy has been acting since he was young, performing his first show on stage at the age of seven. Initially inspired to follow in the footsteps of his brother, a fellow actor and one of his role models, Apy eventually discovered his own passion for acting and his personal talents in singing. Since then, he has performed in musical theater productions for numerous companies, including StarStruck eatre. the Finalist Concert in 2022, winning the Upper

“I’ve acted in anything from kid roles like Mary Poppins to darker shows like Les Miserables.”

— Senior Christopher Apy

Apy began his acting journey in 2013 with Sami Cannold and RamsHead eatrical’s Les Miserables, a famous book-turned-musical exposing the social injustices of 19th century France. He played the character Gavroche, an abandoned child living on the streets of Paris. Later, he performed in other shows, including Tarzan, produced by Broadway in the Canyon. Eventually, he worked his way up to lead roles like the titular James in StarStruck eatre’s James & the Giant Peach. “I’ve acted in anything from kid roles like in Mary Poppins to darker shows like Les Miserables,” Apy said.

Because musical theater productions require not only acting skills, but also a melodious voice, Apy began learning from Alexandra Mena in 2015, a vocal coach educated with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has performed at multiple National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) concerts, including the Finalist Concert in 2022, winning the Upper High School Award for Outstanding Performance in Musical eater and Commercial Music. Apy

High School Award for Outstanding Performance in Musical eater and Commercial Music. Apy also sings as part of his roles in his theater productions, such as when he played

“If you want to go hard into this business, then you have to know that a lot of these producers don’t really care about your ... schedule.”

— Senior Christopher Apy

Ralphie in A Christmas Story and sang “Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun,” for which he won Best Performance under 14 in the NATS Auditions Finalist Concert in 2018.

Apy’s most recent endeavors include playing Miss Trunchbull in Matilda by Lori Stokes and StarStruck eatre, as well as summer programs at renowned acting institutes; in 2023, he attended the University of Southern California’s (USC) Acting Intensive Summer Program. Apy aspires to attend USC this fall to study acting and theater professionally.

He also became involved with actors’ unions and rights, joining e Screen Actors

Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists as well as the Actors’ Equity Association, both of which are labor

“No matter what happens in your life, you can always be an actor ... That’s the beautiful thing about [acting]; you can go as hard or as little as you want into it.”

— Senior Christopher Apy Equity Association, both of which are labor unions for film and theater performers. Both unions help members get compensated fairly for the work they do and ensure that actors have certain rights when performing in productions. “It’s pretty much what makes you a professional actor. at’s why when I turned 18, I immediately joined, just because I think it made me feel more legit[imate] as an actor,” Apy said. Due to long stage rehearsals and practices, Apy sometimes spends dozens of hours each week at theaters in various locations across the Bay Area or even the country. school, “If you want to go hard into this business, then you have to know that a lot

of these producers don’t really care about your school schedule. But that’s okay, because if you love it, you love it, and you just do it,” Apy said. He also hopes to inspire others aspiring actors who are struggling to decide whether to pursue their passion or not. “No matter what happens in your life, you could always be an actor. You don’t need to go to acting school, and you don’t need qualifications to be an actor. You could totally do acting on the side. at’s the beautiful thing about it; you can go as hard or as little as you want into it,” Apy said. ▪

Apy as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda

Apy as Gavroche in Les Miserables

Apy as Ralphie in A Christmas Story

MSJ Boys Volleyball faces tough 0-3 defeat against Moreau in season opener

By Keerti Koya & Vidyuth Sridhar Sta Writers

MSJ Varsity Boys Volleyball kicked o their regular season at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, in the Main Gym against the Moreau Catholic High School Mariners. ough the Warriors played valiantly despite injuries from key players, the Mariners prevailed 0-3. After several months of team practices and gaining a rst place victory in the East County Varsity Tournament, the Warriors eagerly headed into the match. “To be honest, we went into this game with nothing to lose. Our expectations were to just put on a ght and try to take a set,” Co-Captain Senior Caleb Bai said. Unfortunately, a slew of injuries to starting players hurt the Warriors’ overall capability. Before the game, starting middle blocker Senior Anderson Mao, starting opposite hitter Junior Zareef Chowdhury, and starting setter Sophomore Dylan Ho were ruled out — diminishing the team’s repower as their pre eminent players were unable to contribute.

By Jeffrey Li & Ethan Yan Sta Writers

As the pandemic weakened in 2021, Troy Yang was invited to play squash by a family friend. Previously, Yang had su ered a tendon injury from playing basketball, so it had been a while since Yang had played a sport, meaning squash was a new and refreshing experience. Yang became hooked into squash, and since then he has played at many tournaments while representing Bay Club Fremont.

“Yang became hooked into squash, and since then he has played at many tournaments while representing Bay Club Fremont.”

However, the Warriors’ spirits remained high, which were validated on the rst play of the match. After a strong serve from setter Sophomore Landen Chu, Bai spiked the ball through the Mariner defense to put MSJ up 1-0 in the rst set. e Warriors continued to ourish at the start of each of the match’s three sets, with lengthy scoring runs and defensive stands fueling their resilience and con dence. In particular, middle blocker Senior Ansh Bhatia shined as the defensive centerpiece of the Warriors front line, lling in for the injured Mao. His performance also earned high regard from fellow teammates. “I think that Ansh really stood out in this game … His performance was a lot stronger than in previous games, and he really showed the [Mariners] to not underestimate his blocks,” Bai said.

In addition to the energetic gameplay, spectators and teammates on both sides frequently voiced their support, electrifying the game’s atmosphere. As both teams committed violations, shouts of “You can’t do that!”, team chants, and persistent cheers echoed throughout the gym. “ e game was extremely exciting. ere were loud cheers and applause after long rallies —- regardless of which team won the point,” onlooker Junior Sarah Hu said.

“The game was extremely exciting. There were loud cheers and applause after long rallies —- regardless of which team won the point,”

– ONLOOKER JUNIOR SARAH HU

Athlete Spotlight: Troy Yang

Despite their strong team resolve and spirited encouragement from the crowd, the Warriors’ recurring miscues kept them from victory. For every scoring burst and possession extended by stellar play, unsuccessful serves, miscommunications, and lane violations killed the Warriors momentum, and allowed the Mariners to climb back from de cits. In the end, the Mariners rallied to take each set — 19-25, 20-25, and 18-25.

Despite the loss, the Warriors continue to remain optimistic about their season prospects. “We do believe that we are one of the strongest teams in the league. Once we establish a strong connection with all the players, we will be able to focus on running a more aggressive o ense,” Bai said.

tions he gained with his competitors. Moreover, Yang nds enjoyment throughout each match as well. “I like being able to run around the court and play a lot of tiring but cool rallies; in a way, it’s quite rewarding,” Yang said.

“I like being able to run around the court and play a lot of tiring but cool rallies; in a way, it’s quite rewarding,”

– TROY YANG, 10

“Squash has a lot of unique components to it, like hitting balls of the side walls, so although it may be somewhat difcult to get rallies goind at frst, it can be quite enjoyable if you keep at it,”

– TROY YANG, 10

Created in the 19th century, squash is a game that involves racquets and a small rubber ball in a four-walled court. e game can be played with two or four players, and has many aspects that di erentiate it from similar games involving racquets like badminton and tennis. e game involves hitting the ball with the racquet against the walls to make it harder for the opponent to return it, and its namesake stems from the fact that the ball is squashed when it collides with the wall. “Squash has a lot of unique components to it, like hitting balls o the side walls, so although it may be somewhat di cult to get rallies going at rst, it can be quite enjoyable if you keep at it,” Yang said.

Yang’s squash journey came with its challenges as well that often hindered Yang’s competition performance. “Playing in tournaments or other o cial matches can be quite daunting. You tend to overthink a lot of things, like how good your opponent is or what happens if you lose to a player that you performed better against before.” To combat this mindset, Yang developed a strategy to relieve pressure and stay focused on each match

that he plays. “One way to [resolve the problem] is to change your mindset and to treat the match like it’s practice and like you’re having fun. Being able to shut down all the overthink ing and play without the pressure allows you to focus on the game much more,” Yang said.

When re ecting on his past experiences, Yang discovered that, despite the challenges involved, his favorite memories were that of squash tournaments as well due to the connec-

Yang’s experiences helped him formulate ambitious goals for himself as well, which include achieving top 70 in his current age group, Boys Under 17, and improving his squash rating from a 4.5 to a 5.5 in around a year. Moreover, he intends to pursue squash well into college and keep it up through adulthood. With the addition of squash to the 2028 Summer Olympics, Yang is hopeful for the future of the sport. “Squash seems to be bouncing back, and I hope the Olympics pushes the sport to higher levels of popularity,” Yang said. ▪

PHOTOS BY STAFF WRITERS KEERTI KOYA & VIDYUTH SRIDAR

CO-CAPTAIN

Women’s sports in entertainment

By Novak Chen and Catherine Qin Sta Writers

Women’s sports is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world: viewership numbers have skyrocketed across the world, with growth ranging from nearly tripling in coverage by ESPN’s SportsCenter to even a fivefold increase in Spain’s women’s sports media markets, due to a streaming deal between streaming company DAZN and Liga F. Although women’s sports are making significant progress towards achieving the same standards as men’s sports in terms of broadcasting, there are still barriers that restrict sportscasting from reaching full equality.

In a recent report released by Wasserman’s e Collective, a female and diversity-focused sports media company, media coverage of women’s sports has nearly tripled across multiple platforms. Although coverage increased from an average of 5.7% on platforms such as ESPN’s SportsCenter in 2018 to 15% in 2022, this represents only a small part of the growing popularity of broadcasting women’s sports. Furthermore, viewership for the 2023 Women’s March Madness Tournament, a single elimination Division I collegiate basketball tournament, grew by 55% from the 2022 tournament and featured the most watched women’s college basketball game ever, with 9.9 million viewers for the national championship and a 104% growth from 2022. While these statistics all indicate progress towards equality, simultaneously maximizing broadcasting and factual reporting for women’s sports will skyrocket viewership and engagement, which likely leads to equal sportscasting. e growth in viewership also allows for more awareness about other major issues within women’s sports in broadcasting, such as sexualization instead of reporting for the sporting event itself, in-

consistent broadcasting, and monetary circumstances.

Although the increased coverage is a huge milestone for women’s sports’ continued visibility and growth, these events remain underrepresented across major media platforms. A lack of consistent coverage continues to hamstring the ability of individual players, teams, and leagues to generate organic interest and increase fandom. According to a 2022 report by National Research Group and Ampere Analysis, 54% of those polled said that they could not see the women’s sports content that they wanted because women’s sports are not as well and heavily marketed, and 42% mentioned that they could not watch the games because they simply were not being broadcasted.

While increasing sportscasting prevalence and consistency is important, companies must understand that providing a higher quality experience to fans also contributes to the fan community. ose kinds of high quality experiences are rarely the case when one compares the sports merchandise available, for example. When fans spend money on merchandise and

game tickets, they are more compelled to keep being a fan, instead of moving on to something new as the novelty factor wears off ere already is significant demand for women’s sports merchandise, except there simply is not a supply to match such demand: a study by sports marketing agency e Space Between found that women’s sports fans were 25% more likely to purchase fan merchandise than fans of men’s sports, but were not able to find such merchandise in high quality or quantity. Again, when women’s sports are given an equal opportunity to succeed, such as in merchandise, they can excel, as when “the 2019 USA stadium home jersey, worn by star forward Alex Morgan and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, is now the top-selling soccer jersey ever sold on [Nike’s] website,” then-Nike President and CEO Mark Parker said in an interview with Columbia Broadcasting System.

Even with encouraging developments such as an increase in viewership and broadcasting, there remain barriers of stigma and sexism that hold women’s sports back. Women’s sports coverages are often produced and marketed

By Sahas Goli & Fiona Yang Staff Writers

From 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on March 1, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on March 2, and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on March 3 at the Newark Pavilion, the Mineral and Gem Society of Castro Valley (MGSCV) hosted its 75th Annual Mineral, Gem, and Jewelry Show. The event featured more than 40 booths showcasing assortments of colorful jewelry, minerals, gems, and beads.

Continuing their annual tradition for the past 75 years, the MGSCV’s 2024 show highlighted the diversity of natural gemstones and minerals and the delicate craftsmanship of antique and handmade jewelry.

From the entrance, attendees are swept into a room decorated with arrays of vibrant beads and jewels. Slabs of rocks are submerged under water to replicate the glaze of polish, and professionally cut minerals shine iridescently under bright uorescent lights. Vendors provided attendees with a glimpse into the complex world of rocks, explaining the intricate details of each stone and mineral. “I hope [attendees] can learn what is out there under the ground. A lot of people don’t know this kind of stuff exists out there on the ground, so if they can learn about it, it makes me happy too,” Vendor Ryan Christensen said.

Another room led to tables arranged with informational exhibits — the art of making jewelry, identifying rock types, different jasper stones, and more. Attendees could participate in educational activities, such as cleaning mud from fossils and inspecting stone formations. Meanwhile, younger children could spin a wheel to win assorted minerals or participate in cracking open geodes.

The 75th Annual Mineral and Gem Society at Newark Pavilion attracted enthusiasts and families with its educational and engaging displays, showcasing the beauty and science of gems and minerals while sparking interest and appreciation. Attendees left with new knowledge and perhaps a glittering souvenir or two. ▪

differently than men’s sports. According to a study by Human Kinetics, “ is process can be extremely harmful in the institution of sport, as female athletes are often celebrated based on their attractiveness rather than their athletic accomplishments.” the report said. When commentators focus on their family and spouse relationships and appearances rather than highlighting the more technical aspects of the game and player, “[male privilege] is further perpetuated via forms of objectification of female athletes.”

Investment into women’s sports has never been on the same level as men’s sports, with platforms mentioning that because men’s sports are more interesting than women’s sports, it justifies the differences in compensation and reporting in women’s sports. While this argument is true when comparing two leagues of the same level, like the NBA and WNBA, the root of the issue lies in the fact that there simply is not equal reporting of the two leagues. e same interesting storylines and rivalries that may be intensely scrutinized by NBA talk show hosts often go unnoticed by journalists when they occur in the WNBA. As fans and as viewers, we should be open to appreciating the differences in playstyles, culture, and history of both men’s and women’s sportscasting.

It is clear that women’s sports hold just as much marketing and entertainment potential as men’s sports. If the trends in viewership, sponsorship deals, and TV rights are anything to go by, then women’s sports are primed for an even bigger jump toward equality. Students can support women’s sports at school by joining MSJ sports teams or support girl’s sports teams by attending games. But unless fans, TV networks, and businesses alike are willing to report objectively, view tolerably, and invest wholeheartedly in women’s sports as an industry, equality will remain a goal instead of a milestone.

PHOTO BY IMAGN COM