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

BECKMAN Volume IV | Edition II

Table of Contents VOLUME IV | EDITION II

Letter from the Editors

The Disappearance of Standardized Testing

Setting Up Your Ideal Study Space

Escapism or Awareness?

Fashion Trends

Spring Fashion: Light Academia

After a few years without a Spring Edition, The Beckman Chronicle is now back with this year’s Spring Edition! The discontinuiation of the SAT Subject Tests, as well as the optional essay, has been decided due to several considerations. With these tips and guidelines, the perfect study space that will suit any needs to stay productive when studying can be created. Should entertainment be a champion for social change or an escape from reality?

With every new season, new youth fashion trends arise, like from what colors to which shoes.

Daily outfits can change drastically from winter to spring. These elements of spring fashion will be sure to elevate any wardrobe to the next level.

Art Submissions & Artists’ Corner

Comics

Unusual Pets!

DIY Spring Recipes

AP Exam Study Advice

Latest Hits

A garden showcasing some of Beckman’s most talented creators.

2020-2021 School Year comics.

Meet the not-so-conventional pets of Beckman.

The entrance of spring calls for outdoor picnics and easy, delicious recipes.

For the AP-Exam takers, planning how to study for it is not easy. Luckily, teachers and students have given advice for what to prepare. With spring comes a blossoming of new music, shows and movies.

Letter from the Editors Dear Patriots, It has been a full year since we were thrown into a pandemic. Around this time of last year, none of us expected so much unpredictable change to happen in our world; none of us expected our lives to surpass normalcy. Yet, though change may be difficult, we should embrace it and seek to adapt. In the new year of 2021, we look to find happiness and grow in ways we were unable to last year. During the new season, the Beckman Chronicle team has — once again — been working on our magazine from the comfort of our homes. We have managed to still proceed with writing articles and creating content despite a lack of in-person interaction. In this edition, we have extended writing opportunities to our staff, where you will find multiple articles covering a wide range of topics from entertainment to news. By shining

Daniel Kang

Rachel Ker

Special Thanks Advisor: Mr. Nathan Boice Front Cover Models: (from left to right) Seth Sosa, Leah Kang & Angela Zhang Front and Back Cover Photographers: Nora Salem & Summer Shen

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

the spotlight on our school’s student artists and writers, we aim to embrace our artistic sides; we aim to seek creativity in everything that spring has to offer. The 2021 Spring Magazine’s theme is “Spring Picnic.” This theme encompasses all things fairytale, cottagecore, light academia and a hint of scrap-booking. While we wish we could be outside, we hope this magazine and theme reminds you to enjoy nature and to find the positivity in the little things. After all, if there is anything we have learned from our time in the past year, it is that joy can be found anywhere if only we take the time to look. Cheers, Your Editors-in-Chief

Ivanna Tjitra

Editors Alicia Gan Kyle Hur Leah Kang Eva Makaverich Sanjana Menon Christina Peng

Nora Salem Summer Shen Seth Sosa Tashu Vakil Audrey Wong Kaitlyn Yi Angela Zhang

The Disappearance of Standardized Testing Content by: Kyle Hur & Leah Kang | Photography by: Nora Salem | Layout & Illustration by: Tashu Vakil

Academic alterations caused by the pandemic are not new. However, the effects of distance learning can take a toll on students, including a decrease in academic performance and a lack in ability to learn as much as one would pre-pandemic. Therefore — in consideration of these disadvantages — many universities have decided to discontinue acceptance of both the Scholastic Aptitude Test’s (SAT) essay section and subject tests. Whether this benefits or negatively impacts students, the discontinuance in a handful of universities was enforced in light of an evident compromise in the ability to study for the SAT.

was discontinued due to there being alternatives to demonstrate a student’s writing skills. Similar to students who already took SAT subject tests, universities will individually decide if they will still consider essay scores for the application process.

The CollegeBoard's decision has received some mixed feelings. On one hand, the college application process will be less oriented towards standardized testing scores. However, this change can also induce additional stress among students because they may feel the need to compensate for the void that would have been filled with high subject test and essay scores. In other words, students will have to find other ways to improve their college applications which could increase stress.

It is unclear whether the College Board made the right decision, but one thing is certain: the expectations placed on high school students are constantly evolving, and we will surely witness more SAT subjects tests were an opportunity to demon- changes in the future. strate proficiency in specific subjects ranging from Chemistry to United States History. Although many universities did not require applicants to take subject tests, they often viewed these tests as another opportunity to improve one’s college application. The College Board announced the discontinuance of SAT subject tests at the beginning of 2021 to reduce the amount of pressure placed on students. They believe their Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum is more than enough to prepare students with the information needed for college. For students that have already taken a few of these exams, universities will individually decide whether or not they will accept SAT subject test scores.

The SAT essay section was an optional portion of the traditional SAT; it was meant to mimic a typical college writing assignment. The essay section

Setting Up Your Ideal Study Space

Content by: Uma Iyer Layout & Illustration by: Tashu Vakil

Having the motivation to study and get work done can be a problem for most students especially with the daily distractions of loud noise, people talking, TV, etc. But with these tips and guidelines, you can create the perfect study space that will suit your needs and help you stay productive, even when studying for that big test is the last thing you want to do. An ideal study space is one where you can learn and do all of your work effectively without any distractions. The perfect study space should be work-oriented but that doesn’t mean that it can’t reflect personality and style. However, a common factor is that your study space should be an environment that welcomes mental concentration. Visualizing how you create your own setup will allow you to have a work driven mindset, and make it more enjoyable in the long-run. Everyone learns, studies, and functions differently, but with the right essentials by your side, getting work done can be more entertaining! A few necessities I recommend having close-by are a water bottle, some stationery (pencils, pens, highlighters, etc.), and a planner. For example, I love having a dry-erase board by my side to help make diagrams, charts, format notes, or even practice those tricky math problems. If a whiteboard or a noise machine is not your thing, maybe music is. Studies show that classical and instrumental music can help improve cognitive performance. Though music can help some people improve their attentiveness, it’s best to think about how it will personally affect your studying. Music may not be for everyone, but I encourage you to create a space that defines you and your personality, no matter how minimalistic, or vibrant it is. With quarantine still in motion, people are confined to their homes to do their studying, as opposed to a cafe or library. Creating your perfect home office may seem daunting, but it’s not as hard as you think! Your study space does not have to be large at all. To get started I recommend having a minimalist approach. Too much clutter can get in the way of focusing on the important tasks that need to be done. If you’re working at a desk for a long period of time, then try focusing on comfort rather than elegance. You could use a cushion on your chair, and vertical stor-

age on your desk. Consider having shelves or small cubicle organizers to increase organization. Last but not least, adequate lighting is certainly the most important element of all. Having decent lighting is not only beneficial to your eyes, but light can also improve your mood. Studies show that light intensity and color can affect productivity and that natural light can help you work more efficiently. If your desk is pushed up against a wall, take advantage of all of the wall space. Make an organization station out of a cork board or peg board to hang up tools like baskets and cup holders to organize your stationery. Also, if you don’t have desk drawers, not a problem! Use storage caddies on the floor to place your textbooks, flashcards, and stationery so they don’t clutter your desk. In addition, make sure to clear off the school supply clutter everyday before going to bed so you always have a clean slate.

With all of the recent changes in the world, it's important to keep in mind how your study space will affect your daily mindset, wellness, and routine. I recommend setting everyday goals for yourself- it can be something you want to accomplish by the end of the night, that will fuel your path towards success. Posting your goals visually (in a place where you will see them) will help you be more determined every day, and you will develop a growth mindset that will help you progress every single day. The key here is to create a balanced schedule that does not overwhelm you, and ultimately makes you feel unmotivated. Moreover, staring at a screen for hours on end doesn’t sound enticing, so make sure to create a study schedule. Techniques such as the pomodoro method is key to maximizing time when studying. With these tips and tricks you can envision and create your own personalized study space that will help you stay on track every day. Work doesn’t have to be overwhelming, tiresome, or displeasing. You can always make the best of any situation and it’s better to keep a positive attitude and focus on the small things that make you happy, not the bad. Who knows, a small succulent in the corner of your desk can make your day!

Escapism or Awareness? Content by: Kyle Hur & Christina Peng | Layout & Illustration by: Sanjana Menon

We all have days when we want to turn away from reality and escape to the fictional realms of our favorite books, shows and movies. Especially with all the tragedies in occurrence over the past year, sometimes we wish to fly off to a place where racism, police brutality and COVID never existed. On the other hand, shows that reflect reality such as “Grey’s Anatomy” (pandemic), “13 Reasons Why” (suicide) and “Prodigal Son” (police brutality) initiate positive change through raising awareness. Thus, should escapism really be the purpose of entertainment, or should we be actively consuming and creating media that accurately reflects reality? Should we attempt to address our problems instead of running away?

Awareness

Stories speak louder than facts. Cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner suggests that stories are 22 times more memorable and per-

suasive than facts and numbers. When we hear stories, our brains release oxytocin — a bonding hormone that induces empathy — hence why we are more likely to be emotionally engaged in TV-show characters’ struggles compared to news reports and statistics. “The Good Doctor” did it perfectly, starting their fourth season with a two-part episode covering COVID. With the pandemic infiltrating every part of our lives, the producers could not ignore this all-consuming issue. However, they also did not dedicate an entire season to it. The episode’s setting in the pandemic is merely used as a plot device, not as the entire plot; rather than forcefully teaching a lesson, producers skillfully weave in the lesson through comedic and enjoyable scenes. Viewers are given the opportunity to become aware and reflect on the message if they choose to.

Entertainment that reflects reality is a perfect combination of awareness and storytelling. By depicting real world issues through the lens of fictional characters, TV shows allow us to experience and then empathize, generating a societal change in mindset. This should be the purpose of entertainment: to educate society in a captivating manner.

Escapism

Escapism is a way to calm our minds and step away from reality. After several school lectures or a tiring day of work, one of the best things to do is sit back and relax. Everyone loves to spend their free time binge-watching a new television series because it offers a stress-free period that is solely devoted to their enjoyment. Entertainment that is geared towards escapism can assist with our mental health. While we engage with this type of content, we get a moment to forget about

our worries and liabilities. Most people store their emotions; they need to let loose at some point. Escapism creates a healthy environment that allows us to regroup and have a clear mind. Oftentimes, it is best to release some stress and approach life in a composed state. However, everyone is different. Some people need a significant amount of time for themselves, while others do not. People start to understand what they need in their lives by obtaining self-awareness and discovering their own boundaries. Incorporating elements of escapism with entertainment is crucial. It serves as a coping mechanism for any hardships we face in real life, which can act as a saving grace for some. Entertainment is meant to invoke interest and, of course, to entertain. As important as it is to educate others, attending to one’s own happiness and mental health is equally important.

Fashion Trends

As spring blossoms, the season calls for new elements to add into the wardrobe. From heavy-built clothes such as coats, baggy pants and sweaters that keep you warm, the transition to spring allows for a larger range of clothing. These specific articles of clothing will up your fashion game and deliver the charming image of spring. Content by: Leah Kang & Seth Sosa | Layout & Illustration by: Sanjana Menon

CORSETS The incorporation of corsets is not restricted to the 1600s. Currently, the corset is no longer considered to be an undergarment. Instead, the corset is the star of the season! Worn mainly over clothing, it is purposefully utilized to create a feminine impression — but not in a way of cinching the waist. In this day and age, the femininity of the corset does not come from a small waist but from the color and material. For example, green and blue corsets with satin can be worn over an ivory button-up with a pair of jeans.

Platform Shoes The type of shoes worn can determine the impact of an outfit. In particular, a tall and elevated look can be portrayed through platform shoes. Particularly, platform sneakers or boots are in trend. White high-top platform Converse, Demonia thick platform leather boots, platform Mary Janes or Doc Martens can revamp any simple outfit into an eye-catching one. The material utilized — such as leather, canvas or suede — could also spice up the look.

i.am.gia I.AM.GIA is an Australian based brand that curates “wardrobe essentials in bold styles and contemporary fabrics.” One of the most popular pieces are the Carmel clothes which are tartan print tops, skirts, pants, as well as the Halo pants which are flared fabric pants with a thin string wrapping around the waist. The best-selling pieces appear to be matching sets. The brand’s impression delivers a feminine, lavish and modern take on clothes. Celebrities such as Kaia Gerber and Alexa Damie from “Euphoria” have been donning this brand.

COLLARED SHIRTS

The way to lure the eye to a person’s outfit is in one word: detail. Today, the subtle and trendy collared-shirts can help anyone with detail; they provide a sense of class to an outfit. Whether it is layered under or over, this short or long-sleeved piece achieves a tailored silhouette to the wearer’s neck, giving form and prize to their outfit. Perfect for spring, the bright colors in a dress shirt or button up help to maintain that wholehearted, gleeful tone that mirrors the essence of the season.

BRIGHT-COLORED PANTS What else gets the soft tones of spring other than colored pants? It is time to

look at the blooming flowers as inspiration! A steady color palette — focused on the brightness of — life, will take anyone’s spring sense of fashion to another level. Any eye-catching color — such as white, pink, or sage green — works well to compliment this time of year as darker tones would not fit into the direction of style that annually repeats. Pants such as jeans, slacks, jumpsuits or flared bottoms would incorporate a funky hue, thus making a captivating impression compared to the standard denim blue or black jeans.

JADED LONDON Well known to the frequent surfer of current fashion motifs, Jaded London has a multitude of selections for any taste in fashion. With the brand’s aesthetic at heart, one will find striking colors, formal wear, streetwear and high-quality basics. Jaded London boasts an extensive set of collections equipped with unique pieces with subtle details in the highest priority. For spring fashion and forward, this brand is a taste refiner and promoter.

Spring Fashion: Light Academia

Content by: Angela Zhang | Photography by: Nora Salem & Summer Shen | Layout by: Alicia Gan

The Light Academia look puts formalwear in a brighter cottage-core context. With loosely draping fabrics tucked into a cinched-in waistline, it preserves the business casual atmosphere but adds a more carefree outlook. The neutral tones lean towards creams and tans, while the jewelry primarily lies in the gold range.

Khaki Dress Pants (Cotton On) The khaki dress pants are high-waisted, which allow for a fitted, formal silhouette. The wide leg design of the pants allows for them to continue the flowy appearance.

Flowy White Blouse (Orchid Met) As a top, we have a flowy button-down blouse made of an airy, white fabric. It’s the perfect material for savoring the breeze on a clear spring day. The rolled-up sleeves and open collar also add a more relaxed feel to the outfit.

Model: Angela Zhang 10

Gold Jewelry For accessories, gold jewelry was the most suitable choice to match the warm hues of the outfit. The elegant pearl earrings with gold laurel accents match nicely with the pearl-lined hair barrette. The layered gold necklaces also add a decorative gleam to the look. As for the most important accessory, the face mask, the pale peach provides a subtle hint of color amongst the outfit’s mainly neutral shades. Earrings: Bestdressed x EnRoute Jewelry Barrette: Orchid Met Necklaces: PacSun, Melrose Trading Post

White Converse Well-worn white Converse as footwear adds a casual touch to tone down the outfit.

Spring Fashion: Light Academia Content by: Seth Sosa | Photography by: Nora Salem & Summer Shen | Layout by: Sanjana Menon

Turtleneck: Urban Outfitters - $40 Crewneck: Puma - $30 Pants: Dickies - $25

Socks: Ralph Lauren - $10 Shoes: Doc Martens - $110 Ring/Chain: GOlf WanG - $60 Other ring: Thrifted - $5

Model: Seth Sosa 12

Seth’s outfit relies upon the essence of theme. The pearly white shoes, socks and crewneck, softly contrasted by a cream turtleneck follow the white-centered spring theme. The outfit shines in its minimal inconsistencies such as the black embroidered patches on the sleeves, as well as the cuffs of the turtleneck being rolled in unison with the crewneck, all adorned with various pieces of jewelry placed specifically for the same subtle yet eye-catching manner. Even the various scratches on the shoes keep that erratic nature within the detail, which in turn allows for this outfit to shine in the overall picture. The sharp contrast of the brown pants gives the outfit its final touch in coming together. This outfit keeps what it was meant to, without sacrificing the need for variability within the details.

Leah is wearing an all white and neutral outfit composed of a ruched skirt, a neutral light brown cami underneath a knotted short-sleeve button-up, paired with white knee tights and platform mary janes. The button-up offers a formal element, while the skirt counters it with casualty. Picnic dress code during a spring season can be presented in the airy fabrics, translucent tights and light neutral colors.

Circe Skirt: I.AM.GIA - $20 Mary jane shoes: Nasty gal - $30 Top - $20

Model: Leah Kang 13

Art Submissions

Vanessa Ho "Back home"

Brandon Phan

Brianna Pham

Joshua Quinn "Sunsets"

Artist’s Corner

Content by: Kyle Hur & Christina Peng Layout & Illustration by: Audrey Wong

Artist Feature: Matthew Phan

My art reflects two of my greatest fascinations: the details of a moment and the way humans construct time.

My work as a photographer is to capture (never create) moments in a way that frames them in an inconvenient, peculiar way to elucidate significance.

For me, the purpose of art is to cause reflection through storytelling. That reflection might be as simple asstopping to admire beauty, or as complex as deriving meaning from a small, little detail of a great, big world. The world's natural movement in every moment tells a story, a story where every detail has meaning. As an artist and human being, it is mygreatest honor and mystery to share that story to anyone else who is willing to encounter it with me.

Comics Graduation

Efficiency

AP exam schedule

Wednesdays

Content by: Audrey Wong & Angela Zhang Layout & Comics by: Audrey Wong

Unusual Pets!

Everyone needs someone they can reach out to for comfort and companionship. For a few Beckman students, certain furry, feathery, and scaly family members do just that. Meet the not-so-conventional pets of Beckman, and who knows? One might even become your quarantine pet.

Content by: Allison Kuan Layout & Illustration by: Tashu Vakil

while Trey completes his homework. Since the ducks aren’t potty-trained, they’re outfitted with special diapers that catch their poop, a garb that only James Franco seems to enjoy wearing.

Comparably, ninth grader Sofie Dedeoglu and her two chinchillas have as much of a strong bond as Trey and According to the National Pet Survey, about 67% of his ducks. Chichi and Mochi, both male long-tailed Americans own pets. Of course, categories like dog, cat, chinchillas, have vastly different personalities and traits bird, and fish are expected, but rarely do people consid- that make them seem almost human. Mochi is laid-back er “pet poultry” as a listing. and loves to eat and sleep, so he’s much chubbier than Chichi. On the opposite spectrum, Chichi is adventurFor ninth grader, Trey Blue, and his three ducks, they ous and energetic. Sofie describes him as “really smart; fall into that unlikely category. It all started with an app he likes to get into places and has a clever mind.” that most students are quite familiar with. “My sister saw people on TikTok with ducks, so we convinced our parents to get them.” Trey adopted three ducks, James Franco, a female Cayuga, Chick, a female Rouen, and Nugget, a male Rouen. Since they were ducklings, the ducks have been cared for and nurtured by Trey and his family, something that provided its own challenges. Raising an animal is already demanding work, as any- Chichi’s track record for trouble first began with simone that has had to train a puppy will know, but it was ple things, like escaping the cage he shared with Moespecially demanding for Trey because the ducks were chi. Although he was almost eaten by Sofie’s dog, Oreo, only a few days old. At that point, the ducklings were the first time, Chichi would not be stopped. The second extremely fragile, and required constant care and a heat and last time he escaped, Chichi fell and broke his two lamp. One of the few similarities between raising a duck front teeth, which are vital for chinchillas to eat with. and a dog is the fact that both need to be walked. “We As a result, Sofie had to grind up his hay and grass so place them in strollers and take them to the park where he could eat. Not to be deterred from more shenanithey walk around and eat the grass.” When most people gans, Chichi decided to test the limits of a chinchilla’s see the ducks in the stollers, they’ll ask, “Did you steal body by throwing himself off the stairs. Besides Chichi’s them from a golf course?” carpe diem attitude, Sofie is thankful chinchillas don’t require much maintenance. With such thick fur, Mochi As expected, the ducks have encountered trouble with and Chichi are bound to be extremely soft. When most other, larger pets, but their teamwork has made sure other people touch them, they’re stunned at how fluffy that no one underestimates them. “The ducks were out the chinchillas are. To Sofie, she cherishes the huggabilplaying in the yard when a dog walked over…[my fam- ity and comfort her chinchillas provide. No matter how ily] tried to run in front of them, but the ducks puffed troublesome they get, Sofie wouldn’t trade Mochi and up and charged at the dog...the dog was actually the one Chichi for the world. “They’re a very big part of my life,” that backed away.” she says. Ducks, in general, are friendly and attention-loving In the end, no matter the pet - be it scaly, furry, creatures, and Trey’s waterfowl are no exception. To make sure the ducks don’t get lonely, they’re let into the common, or rare - all owners can agree on one house every day, where they quack and waddle around thing: they are family.

DIY Spring Recipes Content by: Leah Kang & Angela Zhang Photography by: Nora Salem Layout by: Alicia Gan

Spring season calls for pandemic safe picnics and brunches, so whipping up a quick treat for your loved ones is sure to impress them. While baking is a difficult sport to master, these foods should be fool-proof if done right!

Mini Basque Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Directions; 1

Line a muffin tin with with parchment paper.

Add the cream cheese to a medium bowl and mash with a whisk until its rectangular-prism shape has been broken.

Add the white sugar and stir until smooth.

Crack in the egg.

Pour the vanilla extract.

Sprinkle a pinch of salt.

Whisk the contents of the bowl until everything is well-combined.

Pour in the heavy cream and give the whole mixture another stir.

Sift the all-purpose flour into the bowl to thicken the batter.

Transfer the batter into a cup or a pitcher for convenient pouring.

Distribute the batter evenly among the lined muffin cups, using a spoon to smooth out the top of each cheesecake.

Bake for 30 minutes at 420 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let the cheesecakes cool completely before eating.

Enjoy your desserts!

- 3/4 cup room temperature cream cheese - 1/3 cup white sugar - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 egg - A pinch of salt - 1/4 cup heavy cream - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Chocolate Mug Cake

Directions; 1 2 3 4 5 6

Ingredients:

Scoop the self-rising flour into a mug. Add the cocoa powder. Put in the white sugar. Mix to combine the dry ingredients. Pour in the water. Dump in the oil. Stir all the ingredients until well-combined.

- 3 tablespoons self-rising flour Place the mug in the microwave. - Substitute: 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon baking powder Heat for 1 minute (1100 watts micro- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder wave is the most optimal). - 2 tablespoons white sugar - 2 tablespoons water Enjoy your delicious concoction! - 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil __________________________________________________________________________________________

8 9

Red Bruschetta - Baguette bread - Two handfuls of cherry tomatoes - 2 garlic cloves - 2 tablespoons of olive oil - Five leaves of fresh basil or dried basil - Salt and pepper

Wash the cherry tomatoes and slice them vertically in half, and put them in a bowl.

Add in the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss.

Roll up the basil leaves and slice them to chiffonade them (or add dried basil spice).

Add in salt and pepper to taste and thoroughly toss all ingredients.

Directions; 1

Diagonally slice the baguette bread to make the desired number of slices.

Toast the baguette bread slices until crispy and lightly browned.

Place the tomato mixture onto the toasted bread.

Cut the two garlic cloves in half and rub the garlic cloves onto the hot bread to give a light garlic aroma.

Enjoy your authentic Italian red bruschetta!

apSTUDY examADVICE AP Economics “My advice to all students taking AP Exams this year is to attack the test with confidence. I am proud of the students I teach and I believe in their abilities.” - Mr. Simpson, Teacher MR. SIMPSON

AP Statistics “I would say purchase the Barron’s AP Stats book and memorize all the formulas and their uses properly. Find well-organized cheat sheets online (Reddit and other sources) and study those intensely a few days prior to the exam. Then complete some practice exams before the actual exam to get to know the format and know how to write your responses for the FRQs.” - Daniel Kang, 12th grade AP Chemistry “Good luck to all the AP Chemistry test takers! Because the Chemistry AP test requires you to memorize multiple formulas and phenomena, review all the contents ahead of time. I would say try as many College Board tests as possible so that you know how College Board formats the test. For me, re-doing all the class slides, provided by Mr. Tran, before the AP test helped me a lot. I know the class became difficult with pandemic, if you continue to focus in your class and spend time reviewing the contents, you will do great!” - Minju Shim, 11th grade AP Studio Art “A test is just a test. I do not create test takers; I aim to create artists. The Graphic Design Pathway with the capstone of AP Studio art is about the journey of becoming an artist. AP Studio Art is just one step of that student’s artistic expression and belief in their art. If they have achieved these goals, the exam is just a compilation of their journey with successes and failures along the way.” - Ms. Manning, Teacher

Content By: Leah Kang & Christina Peng | Photography by: Nora Salem | Layout By: Tashu Vakil

AP Calculus BC “Try to focus on memorizing the mathematical formulas. Practice doing 1-2 questions covering each formula and topic.” - Alven Hsu, 11th grade AP World History “Since the DBQ portion was our entire exam last year, good practice would be doing them, grading them and reflecting on the mistakes you made. It’s good to have a ‘mistake book’ so you don’t make the same mistakes and actually learn from them.” - Raelene Zhou, 11th grade MR. MCGILL

AP United States History “While taking practice multiple-choice exams and outlining responses to sample SAQ, LEQ and DBQ prompts is absolutely essential, the most leveraged activity is to conduct a longitudinal review of the content by theme. For example, examine themes like civil rights, women’s rights, Native American policy or religious and reform movements from the foundation of the colonies to today. Trying to remember everything from all time periods is overwhelming. Focusing on a theme and “pulling the strand” over time is both manageable and meaningful.” - Mr. Stephen McGill, Teacher MR. SIT AP Physics “This advice is for students who generally like to go through practice tests by looking at one question, then checking it with the answer key really slowly. When doing practice exams, remember that you only get one chance at a ‘first go through’ so set up these opportunities as similar to the real testing environment (i.e. Timer, resources available, not looking at answer keys yet). After you finish your ‘mock exam,’ when you grade it your score will reflect the score you would’ve received if you took the exam that day. After getting your ‘mock score,’ you then have all the time in the world to go back question by question and understand what you did wrong.” - Mr. Siu-Ling Sit, Teacher

Lastest Hits

Content by: Christina Peng & Angela Zhang | Layout & Illustration: Alicia Gan

The Queen's Gambit In this Netflix series, Anya Taylor-Joy portrays Elizabeth Harmon, a dazzling orphan prodigy who storms the male-dominated world of competitive chess. When Harmon lost her mother at age nine, she was sent to the Methuen Home for Girls where she was fed tranquilizers daily. There, she befriends the gruff janitor Mr. Shaibel who introduces her to the world of chess. As the world discovers her brilliance, Harmon must grapple between genius and madness as well as the discrimination that came with her gender. The show’s release was followed by a massive surge of interest in chess, bringing glamour to a sport with little mainstream attention.

Bridgerton “Bridgerton,” the hit Netflix television series, dazzled audiences with its opulent Regency era sets, classical renditions of modern pop songs and unequivocally charming cast. Based on the eight-part book series by Julia Quinn, the show follows the life of the Bridgerton family, one of the most well-established names of upper-class London. Season one — released on Christmas Day of 2020 — spotlights the lovely Daphne Bridgerton, the oldest daughter of the household, through the action-packed ups and downs of her debutante season. Initially fixated on finding an acceptable husband as soon as she can, Daphne ends up falling for the dark, dignified and absurdly attractive Duke of Hastings; she starts to realize that romance and marriage can turn out to be two completely separate realms. With the critical Lady Whistledown, the anonymous author of London’s most sensational gossip column, breathing down everyone and their mother’s neck, you can bet there’s not a single dull moment of the debutante season. Rest assured, the show has been renewed for a season two, which will revolve around the eldest Bridgerton brother, Anthony.

True Beauty In this instantaneously popular k-drama based on the well-loved Webtoon series by Yaongyi, Moon Ga-Young plays the goofy and lovable female lead, Lim Ju-Kyung, a high schooler skilled at completely transforming her face with makeup. With Ju-Kyung’s sincere and easygoing personality, it is no wonder why everyone at school adores her, but still she constantly wonders to herself if they would treat her the same way if she showed her bare face. Therefore, Ju-Kyung’s secret is kept near and dear to her — only her family and one particular individual know about it. The special secret-bearer is JuKyung’s classmate, Lee Suho (Cha Eun-Woo), who not only has top-tier grades but also exceedingly high visuals. But, he unfortunately sports a stone-cold demeanor and unbreachable aloofness from the rest of his peers, including Ju-Kyung… at first that is. As k-dramas tend to go, romance is always on the table, and in this case, the leads gobbled it up and left no crumbs — well, maybe one crumb *ahem* Han Seo-Jun. This show definitely exudes prime rom-com energy, as it is livened up with hilarious interactions as well as over-the-top hypothetical situations brought to life by CGI and elaborate costumes (think Cha Eun-Woo as a vampire and Moon Ga-Young donning a full suit of armor). The screenwriters of True Beauty masterfully balance its plot with playful buoyancy and more serious, emotional moments. You will crack up at priceless comical bits like Han Seo-Jun’s (Hwang In-Yeop) iconic Okey-Dokey dance, but in the very same episode, you could receive a deep blow to the gut from the actors’ weightier lines. All aspects considered, this drama delivers relevant and poignant themes about social climates, self-worth, relationships and of course, the true value of beauty.

Movies "Always and Forever, Lara Jean" The third and final installment of the To All the Boys series arrived to sprinkle a little extra joy to our Valentine’s Day season. In this movie, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) is savoring the last few months of her senior year in high school by spending cozy, quality time with her boyfriend Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo). For more on the evolution of their love story, see the first two movies: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You. However, trouble strikes when she does not get into the college that they had been planning to attend together, and she must weigh the importance of preserving her relationship against choosing her pursuit of happiness as an individual. There is much to be learned from

the couple on how maturely they handled the situation; Lara Jean’s honesty and Peter’s unwavering support teach us that perhaps lovers really can work through anything together. Moreover, the movie’s carefree montages of the three jubilant Song sisters touring Seoul and the students’ class trip to the mesmerizing New York City provide us with the perfect escape into a mask-less movie wonderland. The cute doodles for transitions and brightly-colored sets also add to the characteristic rom-com charm of the whole of the film, drawing smiles from watchers. There is nothing more endearing than a sweet high school romance with a happy ending.

Music "drivers license" Olivia Rodrigo

"evermore" Taylor Swift

Just five months after her album The official de“folklore,” Taylor but single from Swift released her 17-year-old singninth studio aler-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, “Drivers License” bum “evermore,” featuring the lead single “wilhas already been heralded as an early contender low.” Containing 15 songs and two bonus tracks, for 2021’s song of the year, hitting #1 on the US her new album is an exploration of alternative Billboard Charts. This beautiful breakup ballad rock, folk-pop, and indie-folk. Excluding her was instantly hyped for its heart-wrenching lyrics lead single, other songs that gained popularity in and in-real-life reference to a love triangle. “evermore” include “champagne problems,” “no body no crime” and “gold rush.”