Beckman Chronicle: Volume IV, Edition I by The Beckman Chronicle

BECKMAN Volume IV | Edition I

Table of Contents VOLUME IV | EDITION I

Letter from the Editors

Dealing with Distance Learning

Teacher Vs. Student Perspective: Distance Learning

Advice Column

QuaranTEEN Hobbies

This Season’s Styles: Fall and Winter Looks

Oh, How We’ve Grown!

Comics

Study Playlist

In the Land of Quarantine, Fiction Comes to Life!

Entrepreneurs of Beckman

TikTok’s Impact on Students

Laugh it Off

2020 in Review

A year unlike any other. A magazine unlike any other. This year’s fitting theme: “Isolated in Imagination” Analyzing the dangerous effects of distance learning and ways to mitigate those harms Two different viewpoints on our changed learning format

Advice from Beckman teachers and seniors, including words of wisdom regarding distance/hybrid learning Quick list of fun activities to keep you busy during quarantine Four student models show off four fashion styles: black on black, preppy, season of cozy, and urban casual Interviews from two students on how they have changed and grown during quarantine A small collection of illustrated comics featuring the Patriot Pals A six-song playlist to listen to while working on assignments from different subjects Two fictional books and two show recommendations for quarantine

Two student entrepreneurs who have online shops, selling their products within and outside the school community A look at how the new craze of TikTok boomed and an interview from a popular creator at Beckman An editorial piece on how we use humor to rise from darkness A summary of the past year and the crazy events that happened within it

Meet the Staﬀ Editors-in-Chief Daniel Kang Rachel Ker Ivanna Tjitra

Content Editors Kyle Hur Leah Kang Christina Peng Seth Sosa Angela Zhang

Design Editors Alicia Gan Sanjana Menon Tashu Vakil Audrey Wong

Photographers Nora Salem Summer Shen

Ad Managers/Publicists Eva Makaverich Kaitlyn Yi

Letter from the Editors Dear Patriots, This year was unusual to say the least. The list of what made this year unlike previous years could probably take up an entire magazine. Nonetheless, that’s not why we’re here. This year’s magazine has been curated, produced, written and designed in our very own homes just for you. Despite our challenges, The Beckman Chronicle has been busy at work in our own individual homes, managing our magazine club. Introducing a lot of new faces to the team has always been an annual tradition. However, this year, our team bonded over video meetings, text messages and shared documents. Whether you are viewing this magazine digitally or with a physical copy in your very own hands, we hope our efforts throughout these past few months translate through the screen—or, possibly, pages. Just like how this club has brought The Beckman Chronicle Editorial Staff team together, we hope this magazine brings you together with

Daniel Kang

Rachel Ker

the school community and gives you a sense of relief and peace during this unprecedented time. Within this magazine, you can expect to read from both students and teachers and their respective perspectives. This year’s magazine’s theme is “Isolated in Imagination.” We have all been isolated under quarantine, forced to get creative and essentially live in our own imaginations. We hope this magazine serves as a celebration of the creativity within the Beckman community, highlighting the ingenuity of some of your fellow peers. Although we may be isolated, our imagination runs far and is ultimately what connects us all despite the distance. With all that being said, we hope you enjoy the magazine and continue staying safe! Cheers, Your Editors-in-Chief

Ivanna Tjitra

Special Thanks

Advisor: Nathan Boice Front and Back Cover Design: Audrey Wong and Angela Zhang Background Illustrations: Audrey Wong

Email: beckmanchronicle@gmail.com Instagram: @beckmanchronicle Check our past editions on Issuu: www.issuu.com/beckmanchronicle

Learning tanc e

On March 13th, students strolled off of campus, enthusiastic for a respite from the routine workload. Backpacks bounced up and down behind their backs, carrying textbooks and wonderful plans for the week-long break. There were rumors of an emerging virus, yes, but there were no cases in the district and it was unlikely for school to shut down.

s i Dealing With D

Or so we thought.

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spread rapidly across the country, schools shut their gates and moved their classes online to slow its transmission. While teachers work hard to provide engaging lessons, students must adjust to their new learning environment at home.

According to the eLearning Industry, on June 22nd, 2020, 55% of students found the lack of social interaction troubling. Without the encouragement from peers, students not used to the isolation have a propensity to manifest signs of depression and anxiety. In addition, not everyone has an environment suitable for distance learning, and distractions at home may cause difficulties in maintaining focus and staying motivated. For 45% of students, these issues could lead to underperformance in their academics. Back in 2018, the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommended just two hours of screen time for teens, now that’s a number to scoff at given our current circumstances in quarantine. Beginning eight o’ clock sharp in the morning, students hop onto Zoom, and, when one class is over, they hop onto the next call. After school, these blurry-eyed teens must complete digital assignments from the same computer screens. Often, high schoolers stuck at home spend entire days consumed by their devices. From a study in April 2020 in which around 1,500 parents in Canada reported their kids’ screen time since the coronavirus pandemic hit, nearly nine in every ten exceeded the recommended two-hour daily limit. At Beckman, many of us, too, are guilty of overusing our electronic devices. Likewise, staying glued to a seat for an extended period can also lead to detrimental changes in the body’s metabolism. These changes can increase the probability of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues. As the school day progresses and classes drag on, students tend to slouch deeper into their seats until their backs hang pendulous. Bad posture can result in weakened muscles, strains, and back pain. Layout & Illustrations by: Sanjana Menon Content by: Christina Peng & Angela Zhang

Although the side effects of online learning may seem incredibly daunting at first, don’t fret! We can definitely counter them effectively and restore a relative state of health to our lives. We may have lost the in-person aspect of school in this shift to distance learning, but there are still many tools at our disposal to “virtually” bridge that distance with teachers and peers. With the help of social media, messaging apps and video-conferencing platforms, we can still keep in touch with our friends and even partake in face-to-face conversations, though not the “real” kind. When it comes to screen time’s effect on eyes, rest is the number one prevention method for Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and more severe optic conditions, such as myopia. The American Optometric Association recommends the 20-20-20 rule, which provides that computer users take a 20 second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. This gives the eye muscles a chance to relax and readjust, relieving them of the consistent strain of staring straight at a screen. Even blinking more—which gives infinitesimal breaks to your eyes—can help, as it keeps the surface of the eye moist and prevents the development of dry eyes. It’s important to remember that your body suffers from sitting all day long, and it needs physical activity in order to keep muscles from deteriorating. Unfurl that hunched-over body and do some jumping jacks, run in place or put on

your favorite song and have a dance battle with yourself for a couple of minutes. After you’ve gotten your blood pumping and your limbs warmed up, stretching is the next best course of action. Stretching loosens up your stiff body and stimulates blood circulation, which restores both blood flow and much-needed nutrients to your muscles, thus raising energy levels and inducing an overall feeling of refreshment. In addition, stretching promotes proper musculoskeletal alignment, which improves poor posture and alleviates back, neck, and shoulder pain, along with poor circulation and digestion. Remember that even if you exercise indoors, it’s still important to step outside and soak in the fresh air from time to time. Students should continue to participate in outdoor activities, whether that be alone, with family, or with friends—at proper social distances, that is. Some low-risk options are taking a stroll around the neighborhood, hiking a nearby trail, having a picnic or playing Frisbee. Lastly, although online homework consumes much of our time after digital classes are over, it’s important to close your electronics and do something relaxing an hour or so before bed, like reading a book or listening to music. This way, you can avoid the sleep-altering effects of blue light emitted from your computer screen and get a good night’s rest before braving your next day of digital learning.

Teacher vs Student Perspectives: Distance Learning Content by: Kyle Hur & Leah Kang | Layout & Illustrations by Alicia Gan Hybrid and distance learning have caused mixed emotions across the student body. Some dislike the limited in-person interactions while others appreciate the additional time provided by the new learning environment.

“Because of quarantine, I finally managed to pursue what I’ve always wanted to do and become a video essayist on YouTube through a channel called Shinema (a pun on my last name + Cinema). On Shinema, I analyze films that I adore and [I] dissect their stories as best as possible. It’s Senior June Shin partakes in the hybrid model an extremely time-consuming and difficult proand thoroughly enjoys it. “Going to campus just cess, but I always have fun making my videos,” twice a week makes every day at school said Shin. refreshing and even rejuvenating; each day seems far more valu“The pandemic has given me a lot of time to myself and I see that able than it has ever felt to me,” said Shin. as a positive because I have had a lot of time to think and just relax. One new activity I was Sophomore Tara Nath is able to pick up was skatalso in the hybrid moding. With all of this time, el and has similar reI was able to start learning marks, but notices a few how to skate, and I’m not drawbacks. “After hybrid even close to being good at started, I liked it much it but I think it is super fun,” better than online because I said Nath. was actually able to interact with people, but I still kind Although hybrid and distance of felt distanced from everyone because of the masks and the desks learning are drastically different from what students are used to, it is important being super far from each other,” said Nath. to recognize the positives and make the best of the situation. With the right mindset, one will thrive In addition to academic settings, the pandemic and have great experiences during the school year, has influenced student life. Peer interactions are whether or not there is a pandemic. limited and students do not get to participate in the activities they normally do. However, many Amongst the flurries of student opinions, the perhave taken the initiative to find other hobbies to spective of a teacher on school during a pandemoccupy their days. ic can be left unheard. As the systems of hybrid and online learning emerge, the interactions in a teacher’s world also changes.

Going back to the first days of online learning in March, uncertainty laid ahead for everyone, especially teachers and their communication of the material. “You know, there’s so many things going on in the world right now. There are so many things that students care about, maybe more than the material I’m teaching them. How do you rebuild a classroom to be completely electronic?” said Mr. Veitch.

Downsides of academic learning have also brought light to the pleasures of staying at home. Mr. Veitch has learned “the pandemic has made me truly appreciate my family. By that, I don’t mean just blood relatives, but as in my extended family, like friends. There is all this talk about ‘quaran-teams,’ people that band together.”

A snapshot of history for everyone was March 13, 2020 - the last day of school that was certainly The biology teacher Mr. Chow coordinates his unexpected. Although social media connects the classes in hybrid. However, Coronavirus restric- student body, teachers still have a few thoughts tions limit his teaching style. “I would say my and words left to say for their 2019-2020 classes. teaching style is engaging, interactive and relational. Even though we are in a distance learning “Even though we might not see each other for a format, I try to incorporate my style into my dai- while, know that there are so many people who ly teaching for the benefit of my students,” said care about you. You are still going to learn and Mr. Chow. In regards to using a device for the on- you are still going to succeed!” said Mr. Chow to line students, Mr. Veitch noticed that he had “to his previous classes. Mr. Veitch said, “I want to be in front of the screen a whole lot more than I get a chance to say a proper goodbye. One of the usually like. If I drift off and see a blank thing, things I love is being able to stand in front of peothat’s weird to you!” ple I worked with for quite a while, thank them, and have a decompression session.” The one-way pathways, face coverings, six-feet rule and the togetherness of a full classroom have Unpredictable times call for the participation of seemed to alter how teachers familiarize with stu- all students and staff to try to make this setting dents, not just at the learning aspect. Mr. Chow as easy-going and smooth as possible. Changes in has changed his way of getting to know students teaching styles and bright sides of pandemic life, due to these rules. “I’ve had to change the way as well as physical barriers, have all affected the I approach getting to know students by having Beckman teachers in different ways. more one-on-one meetings intentionally with students and by taking the initiative to ask students questions to get to know them more in person or online,” said Mr. Chow.

Layout by: Tashu Vakil Content by: Kyle Hur & Christina Peng

Mr. Hallstrom Especially for distance learning students who can only attend lessons virtually, how would you recommend these students build a strong relationship with their teachers? “Take a minute at the end of class to check in. When students are on campus, I learn so much about them by talking to them in the hallways and after class. These ‘little moments’ are the foundation of a strong working relationship. So, distance learners, take the time for the little things. Ask questions. Send emails. Maybe say a quick ‘Thank you’ at the end of a particularly good lesson. Those small gestures resonate with teachers in a big way.”

Do you have any other general advice for students navigating through this unique semester of distance and hybrid learning? “Establish your priorities. None of us can freely do what we used to do, so the only way to sequence that which we want to do and that which we need to do is to understand the difference. Place a priority on the ‘must-do’s’ and get them done first, then find time for the ‘want-to-do’s.’ And, by the way, sleep and exercise should be ‘must-do’s.’” Mr. McGill Was hybrid learning what you expected? While in class, how do you balance the needs of students in-person and students online? “It actually is working like what I expected! My biggest concern was [that] I want to make sure those at school and those at home feel as valued as they should be. To me, the human dynamic is the most important part. People in class speaking with people at home seems to work. I didn’t expect it to be perfect, but none of this year has been perfect.” Do you have any advice for students on navigating through this unique semester of distance and hybrid learning? “Just like anything in life: moderation is everything. Strike a balance. We all need our me-time, but some people have a hard time balancing that. Do a little bit of work and reward yourself with something you enjoy. You need breaks. In fact, schedule the break. Sometimes, we take the metime a little too long. Do things in incremental chunks as opposed to procrastinating until last minute for a 10-hour marathon. Because when you do that, you’re doing it for your teacher, and you’re no longer doing it for you.”

Tiffany Vo:

ADVICE FROM SENIORS

“I believe that it’s incredibly important to recognize when it’s necessary to reach out and ask for help, whether that’s with academics, extracurriculars, mental health or personal issues. It’s a strength to understand when things are becoming too much to handle and be willing to reach out to others; your number one priority should always be taking care of yourself before all else. There are so many people at Beckman who are ready to support you. You just have to let them know and they’ll be there for you.”

Leo Baek:

“I think that everything you do since freshman year matters. Work habits, how you interact with teachers and friends—these all become compounded over time. While there aren’t necessarily explicitly difficult classes, everything is relative. It’s up to you to make the most out of your learning experience; eventually you’ll find something to keep you going. It may seem like you don’t have a sense of direction now, but that won’t change unless you try different, new things.”

QuaranT EEN Hobbies!

Even though it is difficult to be productive during quarantine, it still serves as an opportunity to find new hobbies. There are many ways to be productive during this time, as long as you have a little creativity and put in the effort to find new hobbies. To get you started, we compiled a list of activities that you can try out during quarantine. We encourage you to do a few of the things on this list if you ever find yourself bored. We hope you find it useful! one Learn how to cook new dishes: It never hurts to try out new recipes from the internet and make delicious food. Cooking is a skill that will follow you for the rest of your life, so get better while you have the time!

two Write letters to friends and family: Nothing beats the personal value found in letters because it is a great way to destress and articulate your thoughts. If you are not sure what to write, why not start off with a simple thank you letter to the people you care about?

three

four Try doing things with your non-dominant hand: From writing to using utensils, using your non-dominant hand is an interesting way to pass the time.

Binge-watch movies: If you have a long list of movies you never had the time to get to, now is the time. If you do not have a long list, just browse through Netflix and you will find a great show in no time. five Learn a new skill: Solving a Rubik’s cube, doing a kickflip or even trying to spin a pen could be niche tricks you could learn to keep yourself entertained.

six Learn a new instrument: Now with all the extra time, you can finally learn that instrument you’ve always wanted to try. Guitar, piano, recorder, kazoo, whatever!

seven

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Take a walk or ride: The streets are barer than ever, so take advantage of the extra space to move around with whatever you enjoy. Maybe go on a bike ride with friends and explore the area to find cool spots to hang out.

Make a masterpiece: Perhaps now it’s time to try out that idea of that painting or drawing you’ve always had in your head. Channel your inner Picasso or Van Gogh and see what you may come up with. With the new age of modern art, anything is possible.

nine Make a film: Everyone’s making their own videos nowadays, why don’t you? Get a camera, a phone or just anything you can take a video with and put your imagination into work.

ten Sleep: Get lots of it.

Layout by: Sanjana Menon Content by: Kyle Hur & Seth Sosa

FALL FASHION Button-down: Abercrombie & Fitch Sweater: Uniqlo Leather Jacket: Zara Mask: Amazon The layered part of the look consists of three components: a crisp white button-down, a gray crew-neck sweater, and a classic leather jacket. While the white collar peeking over the sweater is a staple “preppy” look, the leather jacket worn over it tones down the formality of the outfit. This juxtaposition between the different layers is an essential aspect of the Black on Black concept: not everything will necessarily match, but it will look sleek when worn all together. Will’s mask is a simple, no-nonsense black, which ties perfectly into the whole ensemble. Belt: H&M Jeans: Nordstrom Black jeans like these are a simple yet indispensable part of the outfit as well. They complement most any look, but they are a foundational part of this one. The hardware hooked on his belt (his AirPods case, car keys, etc.) correspond nicely with the metal details of his leather jacket. Sneakers: Converse x Commes des Garçons PLAY collection The classic vintage high-tops are another staple part of his outfit. The signature red heart graphic of the Japanese designer brand, brought to life by New York artist Filip Pagowski, adds the final touch to his monochrome outfit: a singular splash of color.

Model: William Choi 10

Layouts by: Sanjana Menon & Tashu Vakil Photography by: Nora Salem & Summer Shen Content by: Leah Kang, Christina Peng, Seth Sosa, & Angela Zhang

Model: Gabi De Luca Gabi’s outfit consists of many fall hues—a dark navy blue, olive green, and brown. The textures also represent the warm familiarity of autumn such as the knit sweater, leather old-school Doc Martens, and the soft skirt. The construction of the pieces also showcase a large trend, resembling a uniform or a preppy style outfit of collars and pleated skirts. The Ivy League style from the 1970’s has returned, and Gabi’s clothing mirrors the basic outlines with a modern twist. The modernity comes from her accessories. Her accessories consist of many hard chunky metal rings, chain bracelets, brown sunglasses, and a chunky necklace.

The oversized coat sets the casual tone of the outfit. Faded black and brown stripes cross to form a simple, boxed pattern. Their dark, overcast design mirrors the approaching winter nights. By contrast, the light, beige sweater underneath embodies the receding warmth of autumn. This layered look shouts a bold fashion statement while maintaining comfort at the same time.

Season of Cozy is a simple, laid-back fall fashion concept that utilizes warm, brown hues to match the relaxed undertones of autumn.

Ripped jeans complete the outfit’s “rustic” look. Their faded blue color complements the coat’s darker mood to brighten up the outfit.

Model: Model:Madison MadisonMorgan Morgan 12

Model: Model:Colin Colin Park Park Of the many themes present, formality is prominent with the corduroy pants’ straight lines matching the ribbed collar and cuffs, and as well with each color on the outfit matching another seamlessly.

Sweater: Aelfric Eden Pants: Urban Outfitters Jewelry: Custom Shoes: Golfwang/Converse Socks: H & M

Detail, a mandatory tool in style and fashion and the perfect outlet for personal expression. This fall outfit uses the overall theme of brown to match the peaceful and relaxed undertones of the season, whilst being formed with a loose and drapey fitting to mirror the cool essence of autumn, however, where this outfit shines is its attention to the small components.

Misplaced writings on the front in playful font, paired with the loud patch on the sleeve of a Van Gogh painting, with a bright lavender mask to serve as an eye-catcher, show off a uniquely loud, “cherry-on-top” attitude while keeping that laid back tone of fall.

FALL FASHION

It is no controversy that 2020 was not what anyone expected. With the world thrown into a pandemic, the people hiding away in quarantine and Generation Z experiencing their last day of school on Friday, March 13th, how have students at Beckman High School coped with this life-changing experience? How have they grown?

Many might answer this question by mentioning how lonely the whole process was; others may describe how quickly time passed them by with a simple cliche: “in a blink of an eye.” For Juniors Calvin Cho and Laura Ho, growth was only one part of their time during quarantine; above that came a deep sense of self-discovery and a new reshaping of their identity. Musically-talented and scientifically-inclined, Cho actually experienced a lot of self-doubt prior to quarantine. With his first two years of high school already packed filled with difficult courses and time-consuming extracurriculars, there was little time for reflection. “I realized I had done a lot more than I had thought in the first two years of high school,” Cho said with a newfound sense of confidence. Already involved in Model UN, Law Review, and more than adequate at playing the violin, Cho was also able to immerse himself in multiple online international music competitions and courses at Brown University and Stanford University. Cho also began teaching and tutor-

ing for LettuceLearning, a nonprofit organization, and writing for a student-led newspaper, Monarch Student Newspaper. Through these activities, he was able to enhance his pre-existing passion for music, but also discover a couple new interests: writing and teaching. “I was always on the line about whether to pursue a STEM career or a humanities career but due to COVID-19, I decided I want to pursue the humanities,” Cho said. “I started to realize the importance lawyers, politicians, and diplomats have in holding the world together. As a result, I now want to pursue a career down that path.” Today, Cho sees himself as a passionate and driven individual who looks to his mom as a role model. “Not only is she brave and courageous, I think she’s also extremely loving as the amount of things she has given up for me is incredible,” Cho said.

For Ho, Advanced Placement (AP) Physics 1 teacher Bo Nguyen is her inspiration. “His overcoming of language barriers to achieve a high education has marveled me and reminds me that effort will never go to waste,” Ho said. Involved in various outside extracurricular activities and academic enterprises, Ho struggled to transition into social distancing at first. She generally spent her free time socializing in large friend groups, and the newfound solitude was foreign to her. Nine months ago, Ho allocated all her time to helping others; this quarantine, Ho finally found time for herself. “This isolation allowed me to reflect on the previous years and work on improving myself,” Ho said. Quarantine was a generous respite from her usual workload. With this additional time, Ho began to experiment with new hobbies. One passion she developed was sewing. Having never picked up a needle before, Ho learned how to sew entirely from scratch. With the help of online tutorials, she dedicated hours to creating a new plushie. Though the process was tedious, her resulting handiwork was worth the effort. In addition to sewing, Ho found a new fervor for cooking. Previously, Ho often struggled with maintaining a consistent sleep and meal schedule. But with her newfound passion for making specifically sushi, her time during quarantine was actually an unintended blessing.

“Banking time for just myself or simply taking care of myself has allowed me to become a much happier person than I was nine months ago,” Ho said. She has developed a sense of independence and is strongly in tune with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s works. “I believe strongly in individualism,” Ho said. “Of course, too much emphasis on individualism can produce more harm than good, so I remember to maintain a humble attitude and remain focused on myself, not on others.” Now, Ho is a strong advocate for mental health. In this troubling time, she found it essential to stay connected with her friends. Organizing online game nights became her solution to socialization without meeting face to face, thus reminding her assistance from friends is just one call away. In a time that is both unpredictable and stressful, maintaining such relationships are important among students stuck at home and attending school from a distance; striving to help others or better yourself is even more vital. Cho and Ho serve as models for an embodiment of how today’s youth can grow during quarantine, and how quarantine can actually be seen in a positive light: as a hidden gift for each of us to become more in accord to who we are.

Layout by: Tashu Vakil Content by: Rachel Ker & Christina Peng

Comics Background Clutter

Layout & Com ics by: A udrey W ong

Antisocial Breakout Rooms

When the Meeting Host Leaves

Study Playlist PLAYLIST

Science Created by: Laura Ho (11) TITLE

ARTIST

+ How Do You Sleep? + Maniac + freshman year

Sam Smith Conan Gray Isaac Dunbar

Layout & Illustrations by: Audrey Wong Content by: Kyle Hur, Leah Kang, & Christina Peng

Do you have any music recommendations we can add to a study playlist?

“

PLAYLIST

History Created by: Laura Ho (11) TITLE

ARTIST

+ It Gets Better + Fight or Flight + Lost My Mind

Rex Orange County Conan Gray FINNEAS PLAYLIST

Math Created by: Yuyang Zhang (10) TITLE

ARTIST

+ Mr. Hollywood + Vampire + Kids

Joji Dominic Fike Current Joys

Really! I love this question… I may not look like it, but I am a huge indie music fan, and I am constantly making playlists of my own. Lately, some of my favorite songs are ‘Future Love’ by The Palms & Jam in the Van, ‘Outer Space’ by Liz Cooper & the Stampede, ‘Primitive’ by Real Estate, ‘Blind’ by ROLE MODEL, ‘Freakin’ Out On the Interstate’ by Briston Maroney, ‘Adult’ by Christian Leave, and ‘Anthem for the End of the World’ by Huck Hastings. I have lots more if you are interested (and, note of caution, some of the songs mentioned contain profanity).

”

- Mr. Hallstrom

“

Anything from the 80’s Coldplay, The Smiths, Duran Duran back in the day. Mostly I would listen to more instrumental music like Chopin when I’m doing more on-demand tasks. Usually I work in silence. Keane is a more modern band I like. I like things that are more melodic. Anything with lyrics when I don’t need to concentrate.

- Mr. McGill

”

PLAYLIST

English Created by: Yuyang Zhang (10) TITLE

ARTIST

+ Driving to Hawaii + MODUS + FACE

Summer Salt Joji Brockhampton

In the Land of Quarantine, Fiction Comes to Life!

______________________________________________________________________ Content by: Leah Kang | Layout & Illustrations by: Alicia Gan The periods of isolation endured in this pandemic bustle with physical altercations of masks, hand sanitizer, gloves and Lysol, but our minds tend to be hollow with boredom. Now in the digital age it wouldn’t be strange to dwell into fictional worlds to catch up on the favorite shows and books. In this reality, the Coronavirus has overtaken social limits. However, the fantasies of hanging with Serena from Gossip Girl, escaping with Joe Goldberg from You, or talking to Spooky from On My Block are entertaining distractions. The infinite amount of shows and books also carry the infinite amount of fantasies.

Show: Euphoria

The HBO show Euphoria focuses on a group of teenagers. The show calls attention to many internal and external struggles that many around us face, such as mental illness, drug abuse, toxic friends, bullying, homophobia, and neglect. Euphoria also reflects a lot of our generation’s values, analyzing each person’s conflict through the lens of the narrator, Rue, who almost appears omniscient. The overall message and core of the show reflects not the physicality aspects of teenagehood, but more of the singular topics. For instance, the parties that the teenagers attend is pitched as rowdy, chaotic, wild and involves a lot of alcohol and drugs. However the party is just a setting, and the small scenes of what goes on inside the party can be shared emotions among all of us. Euphoria embraces honest and raw emotions utilizing the director’s style of colored lights, glitter, eccentric clothing, and a groovy soundtrack.

Show: The Haunting of Bly Manor

Many viewers of The Haunting of Bly Manor have compared this show to American Horror Story. If you have watched all nine seasons of AHS, The Haunting of Bly Manor may be another amusing show. As the name suggests, the show is gothic and horror, surrounded by the supernatural elements of ghosts. Victoria Pedretti, also recognized as Love Quinn from Netflix’s You, stars as the governess protagonist named Dani. Her typical job involved caring for a wealthy man’s niece and nephew. The children claim to see supernatural beings, exploring the dimensions of love and terror. The Haunting of Bly Manor is not entirely horror, as it involves romance as well so it contrasts from the direct horror movies you are familiar with, such as Friday the 13th.

Novel: Delirium by: Lauren Oliver

Similarly to Euphoria, a teenage girl is the protagonist of this coming-of-age novel. The plot follows a girl named Lena, who undergoes a philosophical change. Lena lives under a government where love is illegal, requiring all citizens at a certain age to receive a surgery curing romantic emotions. However, marriage is still in the picture as the government matches you with a compatible partner. All her life, what she believed was ethical, correct, obvious, and simple turned out to be all so questionable. As if she realized the sky wasn’t actually blue, she sparks the idea that the love surgery is unacceptable. The idea stemmed from her encounter with a boy named Alex, a mysterious guy who introduces her to an area where people who refuse the love policy live. This encounter occurs right before Lena’s surgery, flipping her entire life plan of blindly following the matchmaking marriage. This romantic utopian and dystopian genre novel surrounds the couple of Lena and Alex who just want love and surrounds their coming-of-age process.

Novel: Six of Crows by: Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows is set in the genre of young adult fantasy fiction in a city inspired by the old-fashion Dutch Republic. The 17-year-old protagonist, Kaz Brekker, known as “Dirtyhands,” leads the city of Ketterdam. He specializes in being a prodigy at pulling off crimes, which ends up resulting in him being recruited to pull off a heist for 30 million currency. The heist requires Kaz and his crew to rescue a scientist named Bol Yul-Bayur, the developer of a variation of the drug jurda parem. However, this drug is so powerful as it contains the ability to elevate a Grisha’s magical abilities. A Grisha is a human with uncommon magic powers, and the drug can also be extremely addictive. His group of recruits attempt to work out this heist. Comparably, the Six of Crows novel’s genre is like Delirium as they both take place in a fictional reality, involving a secretive plan such as escaping governmental law or undergoing a paid heist.

No matter what novel or TV show, the fictional characters or fictional setting bring out the inner workings of imagination. Whether the show features the inside chaotic life of teens like Euphoria, the 1980’s paranormal castle-like house in The Haunting of Bly Manor, or the unexplored, unfamiliar worlds in Delirium and Six of Crows, it is all about the search for a new story. New stories bring about the imagination, filling the hardships quarantine can present.

Entrepreneurs of Beckman Our Students’ Small Businesses

Content by: Leah Kang | Layout & Illustrations by: Alicia Gan

c to ouresty of L e

Kim

Senior Emily Wong of Emily’s Earrings For All sells handmade earrings. “My inspiration was actually a TikTok video! I saw someone making their own handmade earrings and I thought it was very unique,” said Emily. Pho to

“My mom also helped me start out understanding the finances behind business, because she taught me how to use different shortcuts and spreadsheets to estimate and plan out the cost production,” said Wong.

The entirety of business involves a lot of different factors. “There are a lot of things that are involved such as making your website, writing the descriptions, packaging, and shipping that are required for a business which people may overlook,” said Kim. Along with a five-hour school day, extracurriculars and sports, a small business can be difficult.

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Despite being just a teen and a first-time entrepreneur, entrepreneurship can be difficult to take on alone. According to Kim, “My family has been very supportive and they helped me with things like shopping because I don’t have a car yet, [and] creating the website was really hard for me but my dad is good at tech so he helped me with that, but I created the rest.”

Moreover, interacting with customers as a solo creator may also be difficult. Luckily, “So far, it’s been okay, but I am sure there are more customers to come that may be unpleasant,” said Kim “If I put my mail in the delivery area, sometimes the mail can get lost. The customer then asks what’s taking so long, and it’s awkward because I have to send another pair to them for free,” said Wong.

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Sophomore Lena Kim of Lula Beads sells accessories, including mask necklaces. “I thought with mask necklaces, it would be easy to carry your mask around and not carry it in your hand so the mask does not get dirty,” said Kim on what sparked her idea.

The pandemic can be an optimal time for a business as online shoppers increase. As for Lena Kim, she “created this business in the middle of quarantine.” Emily Wong has also “created it this August, right when school started.”

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The economic pressures under the pandemic have taken a toll on many people. Advocating for shopping at small businesses, rather than large chains, has inspired many to either create one or buy from one. Combined with the isolation of quarantine and a need for a creative outlet, students have been venturing out into the world of business.

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TikTok’s Impact on Students

Content by: Daniel Kang & Seth Sosa | Layout by: Sanjana Menon

TikTok, a wonderful, whimsical, maniacal, and crazy place that has so soon quickly become a part of our daily lives. Since hitting the public back in Sept. 2016, the app has become a powerhouse of entertainment and information all across the spectrum. From dancing, to laughing, to making videos about your many interests, it is no denial that TikTok influences many parts of our culture currently. At first, it was Musical.ly, and the craze of everyone lip-syncing to their favorite songs, which followed into the beginning eras of Tik Tok until something changed. Suddenly, people started to share their interests on the app, whether it was clothes, cars, cards, or whatever, though people were connecting through common interest and exploration. Not only such, the app quite quickly became a familiar space, similar to the once-famous Vine, in which comedic videos and skits became commonality. As fast as it boomed, the more integrated we all became.

Why The Boom?

What made TikTok’s concept so enticing? A generation of around the same age range was involved, and we were encompassed into a single epicenter for entertainment. People our age shared their hobbies, questions, and their thoughts and opinions, and we answered. We saw, liked, commented, and shared freely to our own discretion. This vast and broad reach of entertainment made the appeal for everyone. We’d watch something and set out to try it, and it did not seem unattainable because we saw someone like us do it, and if they could, we could too. So there then developed

this dynamic where the app became a whatever-you-like, anything-goes center for expression, which is the backbone of its appeal and power today.

Trendsetter

Musical careers have been created by the influence of TikTok. When a particular song gains popularity on the platform, its ratings skyrocket. The app has changed the way hits are made, causing more “dance-able” songs to be released for the sole purpose of being used for videos. Not just the trends of music, but other areas of trends have been influenced such as fashion and decor. Fashion, in recent years, has become heavily trend-based, to which now TikTok has now become a factor. The latest in style can be first seen on the platform as influencers and brands now actively use the app. Decoration has also been influenced by this, as the same process has happened: many people get something, we all start getting it. This is for many things, though the most notable must be LED lights. So many have hopped onto this new fad, as that appeal of an unlimited supply for whatever you may believe is interesting allows for new things such as lights to even appear on your radar as an interest. That is the power of TikTok’s ability to curate what trends are. It is to no question that further down the line, TikTok may very well grow to become something even more than what we may ever fathom, though unfortunately many times the cancellation of its business in the US was nearly decided. So, although the future of Tik Tok remains a wild and maniacal one, it is more than safe to expect it to grow faster than it ever has in the months to come.

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Interview With Victoria Turner (9)

Now we talk with one member of our class here at Beckman, Victoria! She has recently been blowing up on the app lately with her own plethora of various videos. We wanted to get some insight from a creator on how the platform works to better understand the new field of TikTok, and Victoria was just the right person!

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What’s your account and how many followers and likes do you have?

“My account consists of volleyball videos and videos just showing my life. I have 67K followers and 999.5K total likes.”

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When did your account blow up?

“My first video [that] I posted on March 24th, 2020, blew up overnight. I remember telling my mom I had gotten a few followers which actually turned into quite a few over the span of a couple days.”

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How has the following impacted you?

“It’s nice to know you can do something so little like post a funny video and know it could bring some joy into someone’s day. I’ve also gotten multiple DMs from a few followers which have made me want to post more videos.”

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Why did you start?

“I started my account during quarantine because I obviously needed something to do because we were stuck in lockdown.”

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Where do you think tiktok will go in the future? and what’s your future in it?

“Personally, I don’t think I have a future in TikTok but it’s fun to talk with some of the people who follow me and be a part of someone’s day. TikTok is a huge app and it will for sure be popular for years.”

Laugh It Oﬀ Humor often has darker origins than people realize. It’s important to understand that the ones who make us laugh the hardest could also be the ones who have gone through the hardest of times. Content & Layout by: Angela Zhang | Illustrations by: Audrey Wong

I’m sure I’m not the only one who wholeheartedly enjoys being around funny people. I gravitate towards those witty remarks, satirical impressions, and hysterical comebacks, and I always emerge with a big bright smile and endorphins whizzing through my veins. Recently, as I was exploring the World Wide Web, I realized that a lot of the jokes I cackle at seem a touch too dark to be considered good ol’ wholesome humor, and I was a bit startled. Then… perplexed. Like any self-reflective individual, I thought to myself, “Why does this make me laugh? Is it because I’m actually chuckling nervously at how wildly inappropriate it is? Or because it strums too familiar of a string, and laughter is my instinctive defense mechanism? Or maybe it’s not even supposed to be a joke and because of my own innate twisted character, I perceive it to be humorous rather than truly concerning.” After some contemplation, I concluded that in order to think something is amusing, you have to understand why it wasn’t in the first place. Philosophically put, it would be something profound like: you can’t see the light without darkness. Funny individuals, therefore, are our torch-wielders; they serve as beacons of light in a bleak world.

Comedians will often lightheartedly bring up highly humiliating or cringingly awkward stories, and this is a foolproof method of making people laugh. Why? Because we understand their embarrassment. We may not have had the same exact experience, but we’ve each had our fair share of struggle. We can relate to feeling uncomfortable, or confused, or offended in certain situations, and being helpless at the time. But funny people, they are especially talented at turning these struggles into something to be laughed about. They can place the lens of humor over something that most people don’t think twice about—or try not to think twice about—and suddenly it looks different. It feels different. And it is different. Comedians also are very apt at making fun of themselves. When they’re not outwardly poking fun at things, they’re making themselves the punchline. It’s understandable why it’s such a commonplace practice—it’s easy to make fun of flaws, and who better to direct that to than yourself ? It’s not like you’re going to get offended by yourself. It’s like you’re encouraging other people to laugh at your expense, but it’s completely fine because it’s all under your control. You take away other people’s power to ridicule you, because you’ve beaten them to it!

But, at the end of the day, it’s still a form of self-deprecation. Beneath the blithe attitude and wry quips, these individuals might not feel completely happy with themselves. Deep down, they could be genuinely troubled by their flaws, whether that be past failures or present shortcomings. And that presents an issue: they’re stifling their inherent dissatisfaction by presenting a front that they’re okay… with being imperfect. Actually that may not be such a bad issue. No, in fact, it could be very beneficial. Though it may stem from a place of insecurity, self-deprecating humor serves as a way for people to realize that it’s okay to be imperfect. For the audience, you see someone admitting their faults, blatantly acknowledging them to the world and it hits you like “Woah, this person knows their imperfections… but they aren’t bothered by them.” That makes you reflect on yourself and the fact that you can also embrace your faults. You, too, can start to realize that they’re worth laughing about. And laughter isn’t serious or distressing, it’s light and easy and, above all, freeing. For the comedians, when you put your doubts about yourself on the table and the reaction that you get is laughter, then it should click that no one else thinks so deeply about your flaws.

Laughter is confirmation that your audience knows who you are, heard exactly what you told them about yourself, and decided that they aren’t bothered by what you’ve said. Maybe they relate all too well with your struggles, maybe they’ve had much bigger problems and are chuckling at your trivial ones, or maybe they’re simply just enjoying the joke for what it is at surface-level. Whatever it may be, they laugh. And laughter is freeing not only for them, but also for you. Especially for you. You now know that no one will ever be as insecure about yourself as you. That places your insecurities under your control and your control only. By making light of your burden, you might find that your burden does become lighter. If you can find a way to make peace with who you are, you can even go as far as to make other people feel good about who you are and who they are. That’s pretty neat. I see now that the funniest people are often the ones who have experienced the most pain. Humor isn’t just a way to heal trauma—it wouldn’t exist without it. And the truest power of all goes to those who can laugh it off.

2020

REVIEW As a year of hardship, heartbreak, calamity, and chaos finally comes to an end, it is time to take a step back and look at what an eventful couple of months it has been. From fires, to sickness, to injustice, at many times it seemed the world had gone lopsided and reality did not seem true. Thus, as each person goes through a different life at once, we may all reminisce on what a full 12 months it has been. Here, the Beckman Chronicle presents a year to remember and the most unexpected kickoff to a decade: 2020.

January: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 10,000 Australia Fires: By the end of January, an estimated size of the worst fires to date in Australia reached to 24,710,538 acres. Numerous people and wildlife were lost. First Mention of a Virus in China: The first mention of a new virus arising from Wuhan, China, emerges. Kobe’s Death: A helicopter crash took the lives of 9 people on January 26th including Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, six other passengers, and the pilot. Everyone on board was killed on impact.

February: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 86,000 Coronavirus worsens as Wuhan remains in lockdown and the virus spreads across the world.

March: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 876,000 Coronavirus declared as a pandemic Lockdown: By the end of March, 32 out of the 50 states in the USA were put on lockdown. Many students credit the date of March 13 to being “the last day before lockdown”

April: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 3.3 Million Toilet Paper Shortage: Panic arises amidst the fast development of COVID-19, and citizens rush to the stores to stock up supply of toilet paper in fear of it eventually becoming scarce during lockdown. Various other necessities were stockpiled such as groceries and water.

May: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 6.2 Million Black Lives Matter: On May 25th, a policeman killed a man named George Floyd, which sparked an outrage of protests for justice followed by the outrage of more individuals who were victims, such as Breonna Taylor. Murder Hornets: Japanese Hornets, who invaded Northern America, now became a brand new subject to worry about in 2020.

December: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 69 Million New vaccine: Various companies have created a vaccine for COVID-19, and an expected distribution is to happen sometime this month.

July: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 17.6 Million Hong Kong Protest Continued: A fight since 2019 furthers on in Hong Kong amidst the pandemic.

June: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 10 Million BLM Protest continues: The fight against injustice continues as global attention is pinpointed onto the entire protest situation. Coronavirus Worsens: Now with over half a million deaths due to Coronavirus, the problem stressens.

November: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 63.2 Million Thanksgiving Gatherings: As the break rolls by and travel season goes full swing, a plethora of obstacles regarding the conventional traditions of the holiday season now emerge with the pandemic. United States Election: The result of one of the strangest elections to date, with mail-in ballots and a turn-out of the most voters ever, came to be former Vice-President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris. Kamala is the first female Vice-President to ever be elected in the United States.

August: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 25.5 Million USPS Under Investigation: leading to the upcoming United States election, the trust of the postal office becomes questioned.

October: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 46 Million Halloween Gatherings: This year of Halloween differed with less gatherings and houses giving away candy.

September: Global Coronavirus cases (at the end of the month) - 34 Million Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies: A powerful female figure in civil rights unfortunately passes away at the age of 87-years-old.

Content by: Seth Sosa Layout & Illustrations by: Tashu Vakil